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Solargen is building the world’s largest solar array in the rural Panoche Valley south of Hollister. The 420 MW project does not come without controversy as many local residents of the area oppose the project, with concerns including impacts to several rare and endangered species. A review of Solargen’s website found no information about any life cycle analysis for the project, so its unclear what the greenhouse gas reduction potential for the project is.
Five nations forged a non-binding resolution in Copenhagen early today. A draft of the proposal is here. After much anticipation, many environmental groups and organizations see the accord as largely a disappointment. Outcomes included progress on the REDD agreement, and $100 billion commitment from industrialized nations. While the former is seen as one of the few successful outcomes of Copenhagen, rumors that the latter fund will be managed by the World Bank has raised the suspicions of developing countries. Furthermore, after 17 years of international climate negotiations, it may be the the UNFCCC process is over. Obama’s speech was pragmatic, but in trying to bring India, Brazil, and China to the table on a reduction plan, he has sidelined the rest of the world.
Seattle-based AltAir Fuels today announced it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with 14 major airlines from the United States, Mexico, Canada and Germany, led by the Air Transport Association (ATA), to negotiate the purchase of up to 750 million gallons of renewable jet fuel and diesel derived from camelina and produced by AltAir Fuels. This will remove more than 10 billion pounds of CO2 from the atmosphere in the next 10 years.
Kia has raised the bar for sustainability in the auto industry by adopting LCA to measure the carbon impacts of its automobiles. They received a carbon footprint certification for their 2011 Cadenza sedan: 29.5 tons over 80,000 miles. Will other automakers follow?
Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced a new climate change bill in the Senate referred to as the Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal (CLEAR) Act. The policy would tax carbon emissions from major emitters at the wellhead or coal mine, and the money would be given back to taxpayers to help offset income tax and higher energy costs.
A new study from the National Academies of Sciences suggests that 30% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the US can be reduced simply through energy efficiency improvements. They argue that a robust investment in energy efficiency technologies would make additional energy generation in the US unnecessary (except to address regional supply imbalances, add clean energy, and replace old and obsolete generation).
The EPA today took a first step in regualting emissions of greenhouse gases today, (note: the same day the Copenhagen talks start). The EPA can regulate carbon and greenhouse gas emissions without any action from Congress, so even if there is no cap and trade legislation it makes sense to prepare to pay for carbon and GHGs.
Lifecycle Assessment of LED versus Incandescent Light bulbs shows just how inefficient incandescent bulbs really are.
California has taken the first steps to implement a carbon trading system. You can find the CARB press release here. The actual rules are in this pdf.
Obama will head to Copenhagen and propose a 17% reduction of 2005 levels by 2020.
