http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/--renewing-america-a-blueprint-for-economic-recovery Across the country, Americans are hurting. From the big cities of http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/--renewing-america-a-blueprint-for-economic-recovery Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:49:37 -0600 http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/on-the-rise-solar-thermal-power-and-the-fight-against-global-warming Global warming is real, is happening http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/on-the-rise-solar-thermal-power-and-the-fight-against-global-warming Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:44:12 -0600 http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/americas-clean-energy-stars-state-actions-leading-america-to-a-new-energy-future States are leading the way toward a New Energy Future for America that is less reliant on fossil fuels and is healthier for the environment and America’s economy. Over the past decade, states have enacted a series of important and in some cases visionary policies designed to encourage more efficient use of energy, increase the use of clean renewable energy, and reduce the environmental impact of energy use in our economy.This report highlights state action in five areas of clean energy policy and the benefits of those actions and gives special recognition to a number of states that are providing clean energy leadership for America.State clean energy policies are delivering important benefits for America’s environment and our economy. •    Renewable electricity standards, which require that states meet certain targets for the use of renewably generated electricity, have been enacted in 25 states. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, those policies will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide – the leading contributor to global warming – by more than 118 million metric tons per year by 2020 (about 2 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions in 2006). The standards will also result in at least 55,000 megawatts of renewable generating capacity by 2020 (a x-fold increase over current levels) and will likely save consumers money and create new green energy jobs.•    The Clean Cars Program, which sets tailpipe emission standards for global warming pollutant emissions from automobiles and light trucks, has been adopted by 12 states and is pending in two others. The program will reduce global warming emissions from cars by approximately 74 million metric tons per year by 2020 and will reduce gasoline consumption by up to 8.3 billion gallons per year.•    Energy efficiency programs and standards have been adopted by many states to encourage the installation of cost-effective energy efficiency improvements in homes, businesses, and industry. If every state were to achieve the energy savings already achieved by the most effective such programs, the United States could reduce electricity consumption by about [8 percent] in 2020, averting as much as 265 million metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution.•    Appliance efficiency standards set minimum efficiency thresholds for products used in homes and businesses. The adoption of state efficiency standards in the early 2000s led to congressional adoption of similar standards in 2005 that will save 76 million megawatt-hours of electricity per year by 2020 and avert 58 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Additional state standards will save another 8 million megawatt-hours of electricity and avert 6 million additional metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.•    Building energy codes require residential and commercial structures to meet minimum standards for energy efficiency. Sixteen states have adopted the most up-to-date residential energy code, while 19 states have adopted up-to-date commercial codes. According to the Alliance to Save Energy, if every state adopted current energy codes for residential and commercial structures, the United States could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50 million metric tons per year and reduce consumers’ energy bills by $7 billion per year by 2020.At least 34 states have adopted meaningful clean energy policies in one of the five categories addressed in this report. Of those states:•    Seven states – California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington – receive recognition as “gold star” clean energy states for adopting strong policies in three to four of these areas and meaningful policies in one to two others.•    Six states – Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Vermont – are “silver star” clean energy states for adopting strong policies in at least two areas and meaningful policies in one to two others.•    Eight states – Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Wisconsin – are recognized as “rising star” clean energy states for meaningful recent actions to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable sources of energy.All states, as well as the federal government, can do more to lead America to a New Energy Future.Gold star states should continue to innovate by looking for new opportunities to strengthen building codes and appliance standards, promote renewable energy, and reduce energy use and global warming emissions from cars. Gold states must also work to ensure that their ambitious goals for clean energy development are actually met.Silver star and rising star states should adopt the full complement of clean energy policies described in this report and strengthen the policies they already have on the books.Other states should follow the example of the clean energy leaders highlighted in this report and adopt strong clean energy policies in each of these five areas.The federal government should adopt nationwide clean energy policies that build off of the leadership and example set by the states. Those policies should include:•    Increasing federal fuel economy standards to 40 miles per gallon by 2018, achieving energy savings and global warming pollution reductions surpassing those of the Clean Cars Program.•    Adopting a federal renewable electricity standard that requires 25 percent of the nation’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2025.•    Expanding and extending federal tax credits for energy efficient vehicles, buildings and appliances.•    Adopting new federal appliance efficiency standards and improve the process for adopting standards to maximize cost-effective energy savings.•    Encouraging and supporting the development of stronger residential and commercial building energy codes.•    Increasing federal investment in clean energy research and development.   http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/americas-clean-energy-stars-state-actions-leading-america-to-a-new-energy-future Sat, 17 Nov 2007 03:50:14 -0600 http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/reaping-the-rewards-how-state-renewable-electricity-standards-are-cutting-pollution-saving-money-creating-jobs-and-fueling-a-clean-energy-boom Renewable energy in the United States is on the rise. America now generates twice as much electricity from the wind and the sun as we did just four years ago, and 2007 promises to be another year of record growth.The renewable energy boom is the result of a series of federal and state policies designed to promote cleaner sources of electricity, as well as technological improvements that have reduced the cost of renewable energy over the last three decades, rising fossil fuel prices, and increased concern about global warming. Renewable electricity standards (RES), which require increasing percentages of the electricity supplied to consumers to come from renewable resources, have been among the most important factors in encouraging the development of renewable energy.Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have adopted an RES. And while many of those policies are in their infancy, RES states have already begun to reap the benefits in increased renewable energy development, reduced pollution, cost savings and economic growth.The 25 states that have adopted an RES are leading the nation in renewable energy development. •    Approximately 54 percent of the electricity consumed in the United States is in states with RES policies.  States with RES programs, however, account for 75 percent of America’s renewable energy generating capacity.  •    In 2006, more than two-thirds of all new renewable electric generating capacity in the United States was built in RES states. The same is likely to hold true in 2007, with more than 70 percent of planned renewable generation capacity expected to be built in RES states. (RES policies also spur renewable energy development in nearby states, while some renewable energy built in RES states is spurred by other public policies.)•    Renewable energy will make up a larger proportion of new power generation in RES states in 2007 than in states without RES policies. In 2007, renewable electricity generators account for about 38 percent of planned capacity additions in RES states, compared to just 12 percent in non-RES states. •    Of the top 20 utilities with long-term contracts for wind power in the United States, 17 of them are covered in whole or in part by RES policies.•    While many public policies have contributed to the growth of renewable energy, the RES has played an important role. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that RES policies contributed to the construction of about half of the wind energy added in the United States between 2001 and 2006, with the share increasing to 60 percent in 2006.State RES policies are reducing pollution and saving natural resources.•    Renewable energy sources built after the adoption of state RES policies reduce America’s global warming emissions by approximately 8.4 million metric tons per year, the equivalent of taking more than 1.5 million cars off America’s roads.•    Renewable generators in RES states also produce fewer emissions of health threatening pollutants that contribute to the formation of smog and soot than fossil fuel generators. Renewable energy, therefore, can reduce the overall cost of complying with federal limits on these pollutants and make it more possible to set tighter limits that are more protective of human health in the future.•    Renewable generators in RES states also save vast amounts of water – approximately 1.2 billion gallons per year.Renewable energy development in RES states is boosting local economies.•    Over the last two years, several of the world’s leading manufacturers of wind turbines and solar panels have either built new manufacturing facilities or expanded existing facilities in the United States. RES policies play an important role in luring manufacturing facilities, as they represent a long-term commitment to build the market for renewable energy technologies. Colorado, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Texas, and Massachusetts are among the RES states that have experienced increases in renewable energy manufacturing activity in recent years.•    Renewable energy development in RES states has had ripple effects that extend across the nation. Increased demand for renewable energy creates increased demand for raw materials, construction, accounting, engineering and a wide variety of services. While the benefits of renewable energy are strongest in local economies near manufacturing facilities and renewable energy installations, every state in the nation has at least one business that participates in the renewable energy economy and benefits from its growth.•    Renewable energy has had particular benefits for rural economies. Texas landowners, for example, now receive an estimated $9.5 million in royalty payments from wind farm operators, while one town in rural Colorado saw its tax base increase by 29 percent as a result of a wind farm development there.State RES policies also have the potential to save electricity consumers money.•    A 2007 analysis by the energy research firm, Wood MacKenzie estimated that adoption of a 15 percent federal renewable electricity standard would save more than $100 billion in electricity costs by 2026, largely by driving down the cost of natural gas. •    In many states, such as Colorado and Washington, wind farms have proven to be the least-cost source of electricity, especially when all the likely future costs of fossil fuel-fired power plants are included (such as the risk of energy price spikes and the future cost of carbon dioxide emissions).•    Solar power, while currently more expensive than other forms of power generation, can play an important role in reducing demand for power at peak periods, when it is most expensive. •    Renewable energy development reduces upward pressure on natural gas prices. A 2005 study by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimated that the 18 state RES policies then in effect would produce savings of approximately $10 billion in lower natural gas bills as a result of reduced demand for natural gas.Adoption of a national RES would increase the benefits of renewable energy to the environment and the economy.•    The United States should adopt a renewable electricity standard that calls for 25 percent of America’s electricity to come from new renewable sources by 2025. •    States that have not yet adopted RES policies should consider doing so, while those that have adopted RES policies should consider strengthening them by increasing the required percentage of renewable energy, excluding non-renewable or polluting energy sources, and refining their policies to ensure that renewable energy targets are met.•    The state and federal governments should also adopt complementary policies to hasten the deployment of renewable energy along with policies to improve the energy efficiency of the American economy.  http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/reaping-the-rewards-how-state-renewable-electricity-standards-are-cutting-pollution-saving-money-creating-jobs-and-fueling-a-clean-energy-boom Sat, 17 Nov 2007 03:50:14 -0600 http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/putting-solar-energy-to-work-how-arizona-can-help-homeowners-and-businesses-capitalize-on-their-solar-potential Homeowners, businesses and industries across Arizonaare starting to take advantage of solar energy.Thanks to programs designed to advance the market for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar is becoming a cost-effective and mainstream energy solution, helping to reduce Arizona’s contribution to global warming while also saving consumers money.Incentives and tax credits for solar energy recognize that solar power provides value not just for people with solar systems, but for everyone who uses the electricity grid. Solar PV generates the most electricity during long hot summer days when electricity is the most expensive to produce, reducing the need to build new power plants and transmissions lines.However, the state can do a lot more to put the sun to work. By requiring new homes in Arizona to be equipped with solar energy and hot water systems, Arizona can reach a goal of 250,000 solar homes and businesses by the year 2015 – more fully capturing the environmental and economic benefits of solar energy.Homeowners in Arizona are taking advantage of rebates and tax incentive policies to install solar systems.• For example, the Burgess family installed a 3.2 kilowatt solar PV system on their home in Surprise in 2005. After state rebates and state and federal tax credits, the solar system cost the Burgesses $11,500. The Burgesses will generate energy valued at $570 dollars a year on their own roof. If energy prices remain constant, their solar system will pay for itself in less than 20 years. This system will prevent the release of nearly 240,000 pounds of carbon dioxide – the leading global warming pollutant – over its 25-year warranty.Businesses in Arizona are using solar power to lower energy costs over the long term.• Businesses have the ability to install larger-scale solar PV systems than residences. Larger scale often means shorter payback periods and greater cost-effectiveness.• For example, Taylor and Associates, a law firm in Phoenix, installed a 60 kilowatt solar PV system in November 2006. Without incentives, the system would have cost nearly $400,000 – but rebates and state and federal tax credits reduced the total cost to $75,000. Assuming constant energy prices, the system Taylor and Associates installed will pay for itself in energy savings in about seven years – and then provide profit for the rest of its 25-year warranty. Additionally, the system will prevent the emission of 4.4 million pounds of global warming pollution during its useful life.Governments and public agencies in Arizona are also putting solar to work.• Solar PV systems installed by government agencies not only help generate more solar power, they also serve to educate and inform the public about the potential of solar energy.• For example, Luke Air Force Base, near Glendale, worked with Honeywell to install a large 375-kilowatt solar PV system on the base in 2006. This system received $1.5 million in rebates, and Luke Air Force Base expects to save nearly $22 million in energy and operational costs over the next 20 years. The system is one of the largest non-utility solar systems in Arizona. Over its 25 year lifetime, the solar system will prevent 28 million pounds of global warming pollution.State policy is driving the progress of Arizona’s solar energy market, in recognition of the benefits that solar energy provides to Arizona as a whole.• Solar energy benefits everyone who uses the electricity grid in Arizona – not just the owner of the solar system. Solar energy provides value because it produces energy during bright daylight hours, when demand for electricity is at its highest. As a result, it prevents the need to build peaking power plants that burn natural gas, which is growing more expensive and is vulnerable to price spikes. Solar energy, when installed near where the electricity will be used, also reduces the need for electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure, saving all electricity customers money.• In recognition of these benefits, the Arizona Legislature and the Arizona CorporationCommission have created incentives to increase Arizona’s use of solar energy. Policies ranging from tax exemptions to rebates have reduced the up-front costs of solar systems and helped make solar PV a cost effective option for homeowners.Arizona could do much more to accelerate the progress of its solar energy market.• Arizona has the best potential for solar PV energy of any state in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that sunlight captured on less than one quarter of one percent of Arizona’s land (an area roughly the size of Lake Powell) could generate all of the state’s current electricity needs.• Arizona is currently using just a fraction of that potential. Current incentives have resulted in the installation of 13 megawatts (MW) of solar power.• With stronger incentive programs, Arizona could accelerate its solar PV market to reach a goal of 250,000 homes and businesses with integrated solar PV systems by 2015. At this level, solar energy would generate about two percent of Arizona’s electricity needs. Introducing this level of scale into the solar market would also rapidly accelerate the point in time where incentives will no longer be necessary and the solar market will be self-sustaining.To build a successful and large-scale solar energy program, Arizona should:• Incorporate solar energy into new construction. The most cost effective time to install solar power is during construction. State decision makers should change the building codes to require solar energy devices on new homes built in Arizona.• Ensure the successful implementation of the Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff. Ensure that the state generates 15 percent of its energy from renewable sources like solar by 2025.• Maintain and expand tax credits. By allowing individuals to claim more tax credits for installing solar energy devices, state decision makers can encourage more people than ever to “go solar.”• Make net metering a uniform statewide policy. Requiring utilities to offer meters that run backwards when solar PV devices generate more electricity than homeowners consume will allow consumers to take better advantage of the economic benefits of solar power.• Dedicate funds for a solar incentive program. Creating a new state-funded rebate program that will help homeowners offset installation costs will increase the use of solar PV.• Remove barriers to solar energy created by homeowners’ associations and related groups.  http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/putting-solar-energy-to-work-how-arizona-can-help-homeowners-and-businesses-capitalize-on-their-solar-potential Sat, 17 Nov 2007 03:50:14 -0600 http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/solar-electric-roadmap-for-arizona-from-the-arizona-department-of-commerce  The Arizona Department of Commerce (ADOC) has the legislated responsibility to develop a 10‐year economic plan for the state of Arizona (AZ). In its role as AZ’s strategic economic research and initiatives entity, the Commerce and Economic Development Commission (CEDC) commissioned this project to help inform the strategy for future business development in the solar industry. Solar (along with water and  sustainable  manufacturing) was identified in the 2004 ʺSustainable Systems Prospectusʺ as an ʺeconomy definingʺ industry opportunity  for  AZ  based  on  the  R&D  strengths  of  its  university  system and building  on  its  presence  as  one  of  three  solar  labs  in  the  world.  Several  international  solar  energy  companies  have  recently  expressed  interest  in  AZ  due  to  the  number  of days of  sunshine  and  the  existing  solar  electric  infrastructure. AZ  has  the  potential  to  become  a  world  leader in  many  aspects  of  solar  development,  and  is a  model  location for  the  evolution  of  new  solar  technologies  and applications. The two primary goals of the project were to provide a framework that would:  • Accelerate the use and adoption of solar technologies in the market and applications to increase energy self‐reliance, enhance energy security and protect the environment in AZ, and • Describe the conditions that could enable AZ to move toward a leadership position in the research, development, manufacturing and deployment of solar technology by adopting the recommendations and potentially designing a series of demonstration activities.  The project objectives were to:  1. Describe the necessary conditions for the solar electric industry to make investments in AZ that will result in widespread solar electric deployment of: – centralized generation, distributed generation, building practices, local infrastructure support, workforce development, manufacturing and research  2. Describe and recommend the environmental conditions and policy options that will assist AZ in choosing the optimal portfolio of solar electric energy options  3. Review the potential to increase jobs in solar energy    http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/solar-electric-roadmap-for-arizona-from-the-arizona-department-of-commerce Sat, 17 Nov 2007 03:50:14 -0600 http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/a-new-energy-future-the-benefits-of-energy-efficiency-and-renewable-energy-for-cutting-americas-use-of-fossil-fuels  As the new home of Arizona PIRG's environmental work, Environment Arizona can be contacted with any questions regarding this report. America has the technological know-how and the http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/a-new-energy-future-the-benefits-of-energy-efficiency-and-renewable-energy-for-cutting-americas-use-of-fossil-fuels Sat, 17 Nov 2007 03:50:14 -0600 http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/making-sense-of-the-coal-rush-the-consequences-of-expanding-americas-dependence-on-coal As the new home of Arizona PIRG's environmental work, Environment Arizona can be contacted with any questions regarding this report.Energy companies have proposed building http://www.environmentarizona.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/making-sense-of-the-coal-rush-the-consequences-of-expanding-americas-dependence-on-coal Sat, 17 Nov 2007 03:50:14 -0600