Renewable Energy Incentives Included In Paulson Plan To Be Voted On This Week

What Congress is doing RIGHT NOW
(and why it matters more than ever for clean energy) - SOURCE: Solar Nation

Last night we told you about Congress' last-ditch effort to extend clean energy tax credits before the election recess, and many of you called your U.S. Representative to make a plea for passage of the bill, HR6049.

To all of you who did so, thanks a million (actually, 18 billion - about the cost of the tax credit package). And some of you noticed that the voicemail systems in the House Office Buildings were reacting like a losing competitor in an All-You-Can-Eat contest and not accepting any more inputs.

You have had an effect! Today the Senate is working out details of how to add the tax credit measures to the financial services industry bailout package that failed to pass the House just days ago. The notion is to 'sweeten' that package enough to attract votes from Congresspersons who had killed it.

This adds a new dimension to the issue, because Congresspersons may be put in the position of voting for an umbrella bill that contains much that they don't like, in order to pass those measures they DO like. It's not an unprecedented situation: it's what legislators find themselves doing most days that they come to work, but with the bailout price tab running at $700 billion, it's a huge (and hugely controversial) bill to just 'nod through' for the sake of an energy bill costing only 2-3% of the whole.

At 2pm today, we heard that some of the changes to the bailout package include:

Treating losses on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae stock as ordinary losses;
Preventing government subsidies of excessive compensation to executives;
Extending cancellation of mortgage indebtedness forgiveness to help homeowners.
This sounds as if the Senate is correcting some of the flaws in the original package that so outraged millions of Americans (and caused the House web site to crash through intense over-use yesterday (!)) Is it enough of a correction for you, personally, given that it can mean extension of those solar tax credits we've been fighting for all these months and years?

That's not something on which we can advise you. We still want you to call your Representative to urge passage of the clean energy tax credits when the bill reaches the House, but in the name of full disclosure we felt you needed to know the full shape, color, smell and feel of the package they are now wrapped up in.

Here are some important links for you (copy-and-paste if necessary):

1. http://capwiz.com/re-action/go/House6049 (the Action Alert through which you can call your Representative's office)

2. The summary of changes to the financial bailout package (pdf)


3. Two stories in today's news about the merging of the bailout package with the tax extenders:

In sustainablebusiness.com
In CNNPolitics.com

Are we down to the wire yet? We think so. If you haven't called Congress yet, using the link above, please TAKE ACTION and do so now!

With thanks from Solar Nation.

Senate Votes Down Renewable Energy Tax Extensions....Again

For the second time in a week, the Senate has voted not to begin debate on the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act (H.R. 6049) by a vote of 52 (Yea) to 44 (Nay). The Senate defeated a similar motion last week by a vote of 50 (Y) to 44 (N). The motion needed 60 votes to pass.

Republican Senators refuse to move the bill forward because of differences with Democratic Senators over how to pay for the bill.
Read more here.

Senators Vote Down Renewable Energy Tax Legislation Including Solar Tax Credits

Today Senate Republicans thwarted Democratic-supported legislation that would have extended federal tax credits for solar installations which are due to expire at the end of the year. This was the fourth attempt by the Senate in the past twelve months to pass renewable energy tax legislation.

The Renewable Energy and Jobs Creation Act, titled H.R. 6049, would have provided for the following:
- Commercial ITC: six-year extension, repeal of the utility exemption, and AMT relief.
- Residential ITC: six-year extension, raising of the cap from $2,000 to $4,000, and AMT relief.

As an interesting backdrop to the Senate's action today, the press release below was issued by the Solar Energy Industries Association this morning:

Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Poll Reports 94% of Americans Say It's Important for the U.S. to Develop and Use Solar Energy

- 98% of Independents, 97% of Democrats, and 91% of Republicans support development of solar
- 74% of Independents, 72% of Democrats and 72% of Republicans favor extension of Federal tax credits for renewable technologies
- 77% of Americans feel Federal government should make solar power development a national priority

June 10, 2008 (Washington, D.C.) - A vast majority of Americans, across all political parties, overwhelmingly support development and funding of solar energy. Ninety-one percent of Republicans, 97 percent of Democrats and 98 percent of Independents agree that developing solar power is vital to the United States.

These and other findings were reported today in the SCHOTT Solar BarometerTM, a nationally representative survey conducted by the independent polling firm, Kelton Research.

The survey revealed that 77 percent of Americans feel that the development of solar power, and other renewable energy sources, should be a major priority of the federal government. Independent voters felt strongest about this, compared to voters in other political parties, with 86 percent of Independents supporting the statement.

When asked which one energy source they would support if they were President, 41 percent of Americans picked solar. Solar and wind together were favored nearly 20 times more than coal (3 percent).

"These results are an undeniable signal to our elected leaders that Americans want job-creating solar power, now," said Rhone Resch, President of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

According to the survey, nearly three-quarters of Republicans (72 percent), Democrats (72 percent) and Independents (74 percent) favor an extension of the federal investment tax credits (ITC) as a way to encourage development of solar power and fund continued development of the technology. In contrast, only 8 percent of Americans believe the ITC should not be extended.

Current federal legislation, which provides incentives to spur the growth of renewable energy, is set to expire at the end of the year. Experts predict that without long-term renewal of the legislation, the solar energy industry will struggle to maintain its momentum. According to independent analysis by Navigant Consulting, this would translate into the loss of 39,000 jobs, as well as the loss of nearly $8 billion in investments. When wind is included, 116,000 jobs and $19 billion in investment are at risk, according to the report.

"Solar development meansjob growth for Americans, by Americans, in an industry that will benefit America." said Dr. Gerald Fine, President & CEO of SCHOTT North America. "Rather than rely on foreign sources for fuel, the U.S. can aspire to become the world's leader in clean energy."

Extension of the tax credits continues to be in doubt as the House, Senate and Administration debate differing plans. In May, the House Ways and Means Committee cleared H.R. 6049, which would extend the solar investment tax credit for six years. According to SEIA, this legislation would secure America's clean-energy future by closing an income tax loophole enjoyed by hedge-fund managers on their off-shore accounts.

"The U.S. Senate has an opportunity to act decisively by passing the Renewable Energy & Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049) this month. This is smart policy that will help solar become a powerful economic engine for the country, stabilize energy prices for consumers and businesses and improve America's national energy security. A vote against this bill is a vote against what the vast majority of Americans are demanding," said Mr. Resch.

"When you consider that, according to the American Solar Energy Society, nearly 7,000 gigawatts (GW) of solar generation capacity exists in the American Southwest, America is truly a sleeping giant," said Dr. Fine. "Americans want to wake this giant up."

About the Survey's Methodology
The SCHOTT Solar Barometer Survey was conducted by Kelton Research between May 29th and June 2nd, 2008 using an email invitation and an online survey. The Solar Energy Industry Alliance (SEIA) and SCHOTT Solar, one of the trend-setting manufacturers of solar energy technologies, commissioned the survey. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population ages 18 and over. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

High resolution photographs of solar installations and technology can be downloaded to accompany this release at www.schott-pictures.net.

About SCHOTT Solar
SCHOTT Solar's high quality products exploit the virtually inexhaustible potential of the sun as a renewable source of energy. For this purpose SCHOTT Solar produces important components for photovoltaic applications and solar energy plants. In the photovoltaic industry, the company is one of the few integrated manufacturers of crystalline silicon wafers, cells and modules. Wafer production is mainly carried out through a WACKER SCHOTT Solar joint venture, which ensures the supply of silicon, ensuring long-term growth. Thanks to over 20 years of experience in thin-film technology, SCHOTT Solar also regards itself as one of the industry's cutting-edge companies. In receiver production for solar power plants with parabolic trough technology, SCHOTT Solar considers itself to be the market and technology leader. The receivers are key components in large-scale power plants that generate electricity from solar energy centrally on the basis of parabolic trough technology and can supply entire cities with power. SCHOTT Solar has production facilities in Germany, the Czech Republic, the USA and Spain. The company's innovative power and technological expertise date back to the late 1950s. SCHOTT Solar GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of the international SCHOTT technology group. SCHOTT develops special materials, components and systems for the household appliance, pharmaceutical, solar energy, electronics, optical and automotive industries. With around 16,700 employees, the SCHOTT Group generated a worldwide turnover of over 2.1 billion Euros in fiscal year 2006/2007.

About SEIA
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association of solar energy manufacturers, distributors, contractors, installers, architects, consultants, financiers and marketers. Established in 1974, SEIA works to expand the use of solar technologies in the global marketplace, strengthen research and development, remove market barriers, and improve education and outreach for solar. Learn more at www.seia.org.

10,000 Renewable Energy Customers Served

Verde Energy, a trusted source for competing offers from the nation's largest network of experienced renewable energy professionals, announced today that the company has served its 10,000th renewable energy customer.

Since its launch in 2006 customers across the nation eager to reduce their energy costs and impact to the environment have logged on to verdeenergy.com to install solar, wind, and geothermal systems and perform energy efficiency upgrades. Customers receive free project consultation from knowledgeable Verde specialists and competitive project quotes from pre-screened renewable energy contractors and...(view full release here)

Higher Education Initiative from Verde Energy

Welcome!

To explore successful case studies involving renewable energy on campus, browse proposals for the integration of renewables, or share your own ideas and experiences, please see the "Comments" section at the end of this blog entry.

Why are we here?

Verde Energy has announced a higher education initiative to serve as a catalyst for institutions to implement cost-effective renewable energy systems on campus, thereby empowering future professionals with first hand knowledge of and experience with the integration, operation and real-world impact of renewable energy technologies. You can find our recent press release about the higher education initiative here.

If you are beginning the process of evaluating renewable energy for a college or university, here are a few ideas to consider for the integration of systems on campus:

- Install a solar electric, solar thermal, geothermal, wind power or other renewable energy system on campus, demonstrating leadership in sustainable practices.

- Install remote performance monitoring displays in classrooms and common areas on campus, raising awareness of the system and the benefits of renewable energy, as well as providing a valuable educational tool in the classroom.

- Use network enabled displays to broadcast real-time performance data through the university web site, student and faculty web sites, as well as through presentations both remote and on campus (classrooms, stadium scoreboard), highlighting the positive economic and environmental impacts of the system.

- Use system displays as part of homecoming, alumni events, and student events and competitions, raising awareness of the benefits of renewable energy as well as demonstrating the institution as a leader in sustainability.

- Videotape the installation and operation of a renewable energy system on campus and use the footage for community and media outreach, student outreach, and classroom visual aid.

- Require the use of renewable energy systems and green building design practices among contractors competing for University construction projects.

- Certify existing green buildings on campus through the USGBC LEED program.

- Pursue green building retrofits and remodeling of existing buildings on campus.

- Commit to a carbon audit of University operations and implement future goals for reducing the carbon footprint of the Institution.

- Create new course studies dedicated to renewable energy technology research and development, manufacturing, integration, operations and policy.

Please share your ideas with us!

As part of this initiative, we're asking students to get involved and take up the cause for their school by offering proposals to their administration on how to utilize renewable energy on campus. We're also inviting students to share their ideas and proposals on this blog, or by sending them in via email.

Verde Energy will provide future program announcements to feature institutions that have successfully integrated renewable energy systems and other green building measures on campus.

Do you have a good idea about how green energy can be used on your college campus? Please share your ideas and proposals by adding comments and hyperlinks below, or by emailing us at edu@verdeenergy.com.

Additional Resources:

President's Climate Commitment - The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education - AASHE is a membership-based association of colleges and universities working to advance sustainability in higher education in the U.S. and Canada.

The Campus Climate Challenge - The Campus Climate Challenge is a project of more than 30 leading youth organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Challenge leverages the power of young people to organize on college campuses and high schools across Canada and the U.S. to win 100% Clean Energy policies at their schools.

National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology Program - National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology program helps colleges and universities confront global warming through climate and wildlife-friendly practices that reduce their global footprint.

ENERGY STAR For Higher Education - Colleges and universities spend close to $2 billion each year on energy. Adopting a strategic approach to energy management can lower your energy bills by 30 percent or more. ENERGY STAR brings you a proven energy management strategy to distinguish your institution as an environmental leader and save money for repair and renovation, hiring of new faculty, new construction, and other core activities.

Democratic and Republican Leadership Signal Abandonment of Solar Legislation - We Need Your Help!

If you haven't already heard, there is a critical situation developing right now for solar energy legislation in Congress. We are sending out an emergency request for people to contact their state and local representatives to urge action on this issue. Please note the resources below to locate the contact information for your state Senators and Representatives.

"On Friday, we reported that Senate and House Democratic Leaders were considering a plan to drop the energy tax title, including the solar Investment Tax Credit provisions, out of the Energy Bill. The motivation, it appeared, was Democrats' concern that energy legislation might face a White House veto if certain provisions, including a tax title that repeals some of the subsidies for oil and gas, were included in the bill." - Noah Kaye, Solar Energy Industries Association

"We have learned that the House and Senate leadership, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Harry Reid have decided to remove several provisions from the Energy bill that would benefit solar and other renewable energy technologies. At a time when oil is going to hit $100, when climate news is worse every day, and when domestic supply reports keep dropping, we need these provisions in the energy bill more than ever." - Jeff Wolfe, CEO groSolar

Please call your Representative and both Senators and ask them to urge House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) to keep the ITC extension in the Energy Bill.

To locate your Representative and Senators' Washington phone number, go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt and type in your Zip Code. Alternatively, you can reach your Representative and Senators' offices through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121.

Talking Points:
- I work for (name of company) in your district (describe the company)
- The solar investment tax credits are critical to our company’s business and must be part of the energy bill this year!
- The solar tax credits would decrease energy costs, increase energy independence, and create more jobs in your district
- We need you to speak to Senator Reid / Speaker Pelosi and tell them how important it is to your constituents to keep solar tax credits in the energy bill.

What the Solar Industry Needs
- Eight-year extension of the 30% business ITC under Section 48
- Six-year extension of the 30% residential ITC under Section 25D
- Elimination of the existing $2,000 limit on the 30% residential solar ITC under Section 25D
- Permit corporate and individual taxpayers to claim the ITC against the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
- Elimination of the public utility exception to the ITC.

Please call in support of the solar ITC!

THE 2007 CONGRESSIONAL ENERGY BILL - WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Source: Solar Nation
http://www.solar-nation.org/2007/10/04/2007-energy-bill/

October 4, 2007

As is usual with Washington legislation, the 2007 Energy Bill in its current House/Senate conference stage consists of two mismatched documents seeking some kind of union.

Early in the year the Senate debated and passed its version of the bill (HR6), and at literally the eleventh hour the House voted on its own version, HR3221; (in fact, Speaker Pelosi was so insistent on passing it that legislators worked through to Saturday August 4th on the bill before recessing for the month!) The two bills, as is also fairly common in Washington, left their respective chambers looking like two jigsaws with their pieces intermixed. Provisions such as a 15% Federal Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, production incentive payments on new biofuels production, funding for geothermal and solar R&D programs, tax incentives for energy efficiency measures, and curtailing of tax breaks for the oil & gas industry can all be found in the House bill but are absent from the Senate’s. The Senate’s version, by contrast, provides for renewable fuel standards and minimum fuel economy standards for automobiles, and outlaws price gouging by fuel companies during energy emergencies.
But perhaps the most glaring shortcomings of the individual bills are these:

No extension of the residential Investment Tax Credit under the House bill (six-year extension under the Senate’s); if the Senate version is not adopted, there will be no tax incentive to help individuals install solar power on their homes.
No tax title under the Senate bill; without a tax title, programs contained in the bill cannot be funded.

Two Bills Enter, One Bill Leaves
Now that Congress is back at work, it’s time for House and Senate conferees to mold these two documents into a single, workable bill. Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Pelosi have their hearts in getting this legislation passed. If they had brought an incomplete bill to the floor, Republicans could have pulled its teeth with amendments or killed it with filibustering; conversely, if they had proceeded with a formal conference committee, Republicans could have achieved the same effect by objecting to conference nominees. Instead, the Democrats are conferencing the bill informally, giving it the best chance of proceeding to an up-or-down vote in both houses. (Paradoxically, this approach may have convinced Republicans to play nicely; Senator Trent Lott has said recently that he does not believe his party would obstruct the process).

All may not yet be well, however. The latest we hear is of a move among conferees to keep investment tax credits in the bill for commercial buildings, but not for residences. This would put a huge stumbling block in the clean energy road, preventing millions of individuals from installing solar and crippling growth in the solar industry. It would mean that the only help that Solar Citizens could expect would come from their State–assuming the State was willing and able to fund tax credits, for which there’s no guarantee and definitely no timeline.

So expect to hear from us again soon! We are in a no-holds-barred fight to give solar energy its place in the sun, and in the life of our nation. We’ll be carrying out another Action in the next few days to press Congress to vote for the future, not the past.

We hope to have your help then!

P.S. The action that we started last week, with solar citizens pressing their congresspersons to keep strong solar provisions in the Energy Bill, is still going strong. If you have friends, colleagues or family who could add their voice to this action, why not pass the link below on to them so we can keep the volume level up?

http://capwiz.com/re-action/go/solarprovisions

Thanks for your help!

New Documentary Examines The Human Relationship With The Environment

Leonardo DiCaprio's "The 11th Hour" is a feature length documentary concerning the environmental crises caused by human actions and their impact on the planet. "The 11th Hour" documents the cumulative impact of these actions upon the planet's life systems and calls for restorative action through a reshaping of human activity.

"The 11th Hour examines the human relationship with Earth from its earliest glimmers of innovation, to the challenges humanity faces in the present, to the possibilities of the future". - 11thHourFilm.com

With the help of over fifty of the world's most prominent thinkers and activists, including reformer Mikhail Gorbachev, physicist Stephen Hawking, and Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai, "The 11th Hour" documents the grave problems facing the planet's life systems.

Watch the film trailer.

The film is now playing in Los Angeles and New York, and opens nationwide from August 24th. For release dates and theaters in your area, click here.

Visit The 11th Hour Action Community here.

U.S. House passes renewable energy bill increasing solar tax credits

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted in favor of the energy tax package in today's rare Saturday session providing strong incentives for solar power.

Two bills passed in today's session, H.R. 2776 and H.R. 3221, both strongly supported by the SEIA and other solar industry stakeholders. The package provides additional long-term support for solar power through the extension and increase of the solar Investment Tax Credit.

H.R. 2776 contains the following solar provisions:

- Provides an eight-year extension of the existing 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for businesses under Section 48 of the tax code
- Provides the ability for corporate and personal filers to claim the Investment Tax Credit against the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
- Removes the prohibition barring utilities from using the section 48 Investment Tax Credit
- Provides no extension of the existing 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for homeowners under Section 25 of the tax code, but eliminates the existing $2,000 maximum dollar limitation
- Provides up to $2.4 billion in bonding authority for the issuance of Clean Renewable Energy Bonds

If this energy package ultimately becomes law, these incentives will provide much needed support for the solar industry and will help to make solar power available to more homeowners and businesses across the country. The energy package must first be reconciled with the Senate version, and then be signed into law by the President.

For more information about both bills, click on the House website -http://majoritywhip.house.gov/whip_pack/.

8/2/2007: U.S. House Votes Tomorrow On Solar!!

SUPPORT SOLAR ENERGY -- CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES NOW!

Tomorrow (Friday, August 3, 2007), the House is expected to vote on two bills critical to the future of the solar industry:

(1) H.R 2776 - the Energy Tax Bill, which provides for an eight-year extension of the business solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), elimination of the $2,000 maximum dollar limitation on the residential ITC, and the ability for taxpayers who fall under the Alternative Minimum Tax to claim the ITC.

(2) H.R.3221 - the Energy Bill, containing several key provisions that would expand the use of solar in the US (see below for full details on the provisions).

The final House vote on both the Energy Tax Bill and the Energy Bill are expected to be very close!

While a lot of attention has focused on other provisions of these bills, this is a critical moment for the solar tax credits. If Congress fails to pass the tax credit bill this year, the partisan gridlock expected in Washington next year due to a Presidential election could mean that the credit would expire.

Your help is needed now! Please call your Representative today and urge him/her to vote to support the Energy Tax Bill, HR 2776, and the Energy Bill (HR 3221).

Talking Points:

- I work for (name of company) in the Congressperson's district (describe the company)
- I strongly encourage the Congressperson to support solar by voting in favor of H.R. 2776, the energy tax title, and H.R. 3221, the energy bill
- This bill would greatly benefit our company's investment in solar energy and create more jobs in your district
- I hope that the Congressperson will continue to champion solar by voting for this bill

To locate your Representative's phone number, go to www.congress.org and type in your company's Zip Code. Alternatively, you can reach your Representative's office through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121.

Details of Legislation

Solar Provisions in H.R. 2776, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007

- Provides an eight-year extension of the existing 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for businesses under Section 48 of the tax code
- Provides the ability for corporate and personal filers to claim the Investment Tax Credit against the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
- Removes the prohibition barring utilities from using the section 48 Investment Tax Credit
- Provides no extension of the existing 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for homeowners under Section 25 of the tax code, but eliminates the existing $2,000 maximum dollar limitation
- Provides up to $2.4 billion in bonding authority for the issuance of Clean Renewable Energy Bonds

Solar Provisions in H.R. 3221, the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act

- Title III - Small Business Committee Sec. 3005: Provides grants, subject to appropriation, and authorizes technical assistance to small businesses to assist them in evaluating the suitability of using solar energy resources.

- Title IV - Science and Technology Committee Sec. 4301- 4308: The Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007, provides funds, subject to appropriation, to support the research, development, and commercial application of solar energy technologies. Special emphasis is placed on concentrating solar power thermal storage research, solar lighting and cooling and advanced photovoltaic technology development.

- Title VII - Natural Resources Committee
o Sec. 7302: Directs the Bureau of Reclamation to inventory lands under its jurisdiction for suitability for solar energy development projects.

o Sec. 7304: Establishes a Strategic Solar Reserve Program that seeks to identify lands under the Bureau of Land Management's jurisdiction that can accommodate up to 25 GW of solar energy development. Provides favorable terms and conditions for permitting, leasing and site identification.

- Title IX - Energy and Commerce Committee
o Sec. 9072 - 9075: Authorizes the Department of Energy, subject to appropriation, to assist state, county, local government, schools, universities, airports and other qualifying entities, to provide technical assistance to increase the deployment of solar energy systems.

o Sec. 9086: Authorizes 25 year federal power purchase agreements for solar energy (current maximum duration is 10 years).

o Sec. 9321- 9328: Authorizes heightened cooperation between the U.S. and Israel on innovative energy technologies, including solar.

For more information about both bills, click on the House website -http://majoritywhip.house.gov/whip_pack/.

***
Credit SEIA:
This post was taken directly from the SEIA Action Alert dated 8/2/2007
(SEIA Action Alert 8/2/2007: House Tax and Energy Votes Tomorrow!!)

SEIA requests help in urging Senators to vote for critical solar tax credits

A few weeks ago, the bi-partisan "Baucus Amendment" containing important energy tax provisions - including a long-term extension of the solar and fuel cell investment tax credit (ITC) - fell just three votes shy of passage.

Your involvement could make a key difference in changing that vote. Currently, Senate leadership is working to revive the tax package, and the support of a few more Senators can help push this measure through.

Please write to your Senator asking them to vote in favor of this progressive legislation that will create tens of thousands of quality jobs and help spur the use of solar power throughout the US.

Email your U.S. Senator now and urge them to vote in favor of Senate Amendment 1704, the Baucus-Grassley energy tax package. Click here to take action, or copy and paste the following link into your browser:

http://capwiz.com/re-action/go/taxcredits

If you have any questions about the current outlook, please visit the ITC Resource Page at www.seia.org/itc or contact nkaye@seia.org.

Verde Energy Releases "Buying A Solar Electric System" Video

Verde Energy, in association with The Sustainable Media Network, has released an online video titled "Buying A Solar Electric System" which describes the installation process, economics, and performace of solar electric systems.

This video is a great starting point for anyone who is interested in learning about solar electric systems.

To watch the video, go to this page of the Verde site.

21 U.S. states pass renewable portfolio standards, 12 more consider legislation

There are a growing number of U.S. states who have passed Renewable Portfolio Standards, mandating that a portion of their future electricity supply come from renewable sources. Twenty one states have already passed RPS initiatives, with twelve more currently considering legislation.

The Union of Concerned Scientists has published an online tool to assist in tracking the RPS initiatives in each state called the Renewable Electricity Standards Toolkit.

"In a growing number of states, renewable electricity standards have emerged as an effective and popular tool for developing a cleaner, more sustainable power supply. UCS created this toolkit to provide renewable energy advocates, policy makers, researchers, and concerned citizens with both summary-level and in-depth information on the design and implementation of each existing state standard."

Texas Legislature Considers Solar Rebate Program

Rep. Garnet Coleman and Sen. Rodney Ellis have introduced HB 2226 and SB 1357, also known as the TexSUN Solar Energy Rebate Program, to create a solar energy rebate program in Texas. The legislation would provide incentives to homeowners and businesses of between $3.50 and $4.50 per installed watt of capacity.

If you live in Texas, please ask the Texas Legislature to support solar energy. Visit EnvironmentTexas.org to send a request to your state representatives.

U.S. Congress sponsors bill that provides strong protections for residential solar power producers

The U.S. Congress yesterday introduced legislation that would affirm the right of American consumers to install solar systems on their roofs and receive fair treatment as energy producers.

Read the full release here.

The "Solar Opportunity and Local Access Rights Act" (SOLAR) would establish national standards for the interconnection and net metering of solar energy systems, based on the most progressive state standards to date. The legislation would require utilities to credit their customers at retail electric rates for supplying excess solar power to the grid. The bill would also establish that ownership of renewable energy credits (RECs) resides with the solar system owner for purposes of selling or trading to meet a state or federal renewable portfolio standard.

The SOLAR Act would protect solar consumers from restrictive covenants that block the siting of solar systems on a roof - similar to the current legislative treatment of satellite dishes. The bill would also help shield prospective system buyers from exorbitant permitting and licensing fees.

U.S. Announces Carbon Emissions Tracking System

March 21, 2007 -- Scientists from the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory announced today a new tool to monitor changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by region and source. The tool, called CarbonTracker, will enable its users to evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts to reduce or store carbon emissions.

The online data framework distinguishes between changes in the natural carbon cycle and those occurring in human-produced fossil fuel emissions. It also provides verification for scientists using computer models to project future climate change. Potential users include corporations, cities, states and nations assessing their efforts to reduce or store fossil fuel emissions around the world.

"NOAA encourages science that adds benefit to society and the environment. CarbonTracker does both," said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "Increasingly, observations of the Earth are demonstrating a remarkable impact on our understanding of human and natural systems. We are transitioning this understanding gained from intensive research into operations that benefit the environment and the economy."

(Credit: NOAA)

Ask Congress to Support Solar Energy!

Dear colleagues and friends,

With clean energy becoming a central issue for the Congress and our country, we have the biggest opportunity yet to jumpstart solar - but we need your help to make it happen. The newly introduced "Securing America's Energy Independence Act" is the largest, most important solar energy legislation ever introduced in this country.

The bi-partisan legislation (introduced in the House as HR. 550 and the Senate as S. 590) would make America's energy future a lot brighter by making solar energy more affordable across the country. In many states, solar would be cheaper than buying electricity from the grid.

Specifically, the bill extends the 30% federal solar investment tax credit (currently set to expire at the end of 2008) for another 8 years, modifies the photovoltaics incentive to $1500 per half-kW of capacity and removes the $2000 residential cap.

Solar energy has the potential to provide much of the electricity our country needs. Temporary financial incentives are necessary to build economies of scale-and extending the tax credits over a longer period gives the solar industry the market certainty necessary to make long-term investments.

Use the link below to email your elected representatives, tell them how important building a clean, renewable energy future is to you, and ask them to co-sponsor the "Securing America's Energy Independence Act."

Please forward this link on to family, friends and colleagues who support solar energy development in the United States.

http://capwiz.com/re-action/go/seia

(Credit: SEIA)

Pesoli Supports Extension of Renewable Energy Tax Credits

"Speaker Pelosi stressed the need to work across party lines for long-term support of solar and other renewables. She was especially supportive of H.R. 550, which will do great things for the solar industry," said David Hochschild, Executive Director of PV Now.

Read the full article here. (Renewable Energy Access)

Landmark UN Report Confirms Global Warming Science

The IPCC and scientists from 113 countries issued a landmark report in Paris on Friday saying there is a 90% chance global warming is caused by human activity, and predicting that hotter temperatures and a rising sea level will continue for centuries regardless of what measures are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988.

U.S. Congress sponsors bill that provides strong home and commercial solar power incentives

Securing America's Energy Independence Act (H.R. 550) was introduced on January 18, 2007 in the U.S. Congress by Congressmen Michael McNulty (D-NY) and Dave Camp (R-MI).

Here's a brief outline of the provisions of the bill related to solar power:

Residential Solar Tax Credit: Extends a 30-percent tax credit, created in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, for the purchase of residential solar water heating, photovoltaic (PV) equipment, and fuel cell property. Changes the maximum credit to $1,500 for each half-kilowatt of capacity for solar PV equipment and $1,000 for each kilowatt of capacity for fuel cells. Credits may be taken against the alternative minimum tax. Expires after December 31, 2016.

Business Solar Tax Credit and Fuel Cell Tax Credit: Extends a 30-percent business credit, established in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, for the purchase of fuel cell power plants, solar energy property, and fiber-optic property used to illuminate the inside of a structure. Changes the maximum credit to $1,500 for each half-kilowatt of capacity for solar PV equipment. Credits may be taken against the alternative minimum tax. Expires after December 31, 2016.

Accelerated Depreciation: Creates a three-year accelerated depreciation period for all solar equipment eligible for the business solar tax credit.

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Read the full article on the SEIA website.

No cost steps we can all take to reduce climate change

In a recent email, Janet Wenzel outlined a list of steps we can all take to conserve resources and help limit the impact of climate change. Please share these ideas with family, friends and collegues, and make an effort to implement at least a few of them at home today. Thank you, Janet!

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Hi all- This is not a "chain" email. I put this together. Global warming IS happening. I did some research and put together a check list of EASY things we can do help TODAY. Below are the links I pulled from--you can hit those for more info. Please pass this along to everyone you can. Thanks!! - Janet

Right now the U.S. releases about 40,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per person each year. If we can reduce energy use enough to lower greenhouse gas emissions by about 2% a year, in ten years we will "lose" about 7000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per person. We can make a difference.

What you can do on a daily basis- no cost and can save you money:

- Run your dishwasher only with a full load. Use the energy-saving setting to dry the dishes. Don't use heat when drying. Carbon dioxide reduction: 200 pounds a year.

- Wash clothes in warm or cold water, not hot. Carbon dioxide reduction (for two loads a week): up to 500 pounds a year.

- Turn down your water heater thermostat; 120 degrees is usually hot enough. Carbon dioxide reduction (for each 10- degree adjustment): 500 pounds a year.

- Make an effort to turn off lights, TVs and Computers when you leave the room.

- Don't overheat or overcool rooms. Adjust your thermostat (lower in winter, higher in summer). Carbon dioxide reduction (for each 2-degree adjustment): about 500 pounds a year.

- Choose Local. You will not only support your community, but think about how much gas is used and carbon emitted from transportation.

- Reduce waste and Recycle: Buy minimally packaged goods; choose reusable products over disposable ones; recycle. Carbon dioxide reduction (if you cut down your garbage by 25%): 1000 lbs per yr.

Easy things you can do at a small investment:

- Clean or replace air filters as recommended. Cleaning a dirty air conditioner filter can save 5% of the energy used. Carbon dioxide reduction: About 350 pounds a year.

- Buy energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs for your most-used lights. They last 10 times as long. What's more, a compact fluorescent will lower your energy bills by about $15 a year, and by more than $60 during its life Carbon dioxide reduction (by replacing one frequently used bulb): about 500 pounds a year.

- Wrap your water heater in an insulating jacket (but only if the water heater is over 5 years old and has no internal insulation). Carbon dioxide reduction: Up to 1000 pounds a year.

- Install low-flow shower heads to use less hot water. Carbon dioxide reduction: Up to 300 pounds a year.

- Caulk and weatherstrip around doors and windows to plug air leaks. Carbon dioxide reduction: Up to 1000 pounds a year.

- Insulate your walls and ceilings; this can save about 25% of home heating bills. Carbon dioxide reduction: Up to 2000 pounds a year.

- Ask your utility company for a home energy audit to find out where your home is poorly insulated or energy-inefficient. Carbon dioxide reduction: Potentially, thousands of pounds a year.

- Request a green power option from your current electric utility or switch to a retail electric provider that offers green power. Find the program for your state here.

- Drive smart and less. Get your engine tuned up and keep your tires inflated -- both help fuel efficiency. A tune-up could boost your miles per gallon anywhere from 4 to 40 percent; a new air filter could get you 10 percent more miles per gallon. Choose alternatives to driving (public transit, biking, walking, carpooling), and bundle your errands together so you'll make fewer trips.

- If your car has an air conditioner, make sure its coolant is recycled whenever you have it serviced. Equivalent carbon dioxide reduction: Thousands of pounds.

- Plant trees next to your home and paint your home a light color if you live in a warm climate, or a dark color in a cold climate. Carbon dioxide reduction: About 5000 pounds a year.

- Use renewable energy. Going Solar is easier than you think. Companies like Verde Energy (http://www.verdeenergy.com) can put you in touch with the right contractors.

- Choose an efficient vehicle: A car that gets 20 miles per gallon will emit about 50 tons of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. A car getting 40 mpg will emit half that much. When buying your next car, pick the least-polluting, most efficient vehicle that meets your needs.

What is causing Global Warming?
Scientific experts agree that the Earth's climate is changing. Climate change, more commonly known as global warming, is caused by the emission of heat trapping gases produced by vehicles, power plants, industrial processes and deforestation. As these gases build up, they act like a big blanket, over-heating the planet and threatening our health, our economy and our environment. The biggest cause of global warming is the carbon dioxide released when fossil fuels like oil and coal are burned for energy. So when you save energy, you fight global warming (and save money, of course).

Reference Links:
Natural Resources Defense Council
Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Defense
Verde Energy
Climate Crisis

Ted Turner Forms Solar Energy Venture

(Reuters) - Ted Turner, the cable television billionaire and owner of vast land tracts in the U.S. West, is forming a venture with a solar company targeting California and other markets, his office said.

"Our future depends on changing the way we use energy," Turner said in a statement. "We've got to move away from fossil fuels and develop long-term energy solutions that work. Using clean energy technologies, such as solar power, is the right thing to do, and it represents a tremendous business opportunity."

Turner will partner with Dome-Tech Solar, a solar company in Branchburg, New Jersey to create DT Solar, a Turner renewable energy company, a spokesman said.

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Read the full article at Reuters.com.

NOAA Reports 2006 Warmest Year On Record For U.S.

General Warming Trend, El Nino Contributes to Milder Winter Temps

The 2006 average annual temperature for the contiguous U.S. was the warmest on record and nearly identical to the record set in 1998, according to scientists at the NOAA National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. Seven months in 2006 were much warmer than average, including December, which ended as the fourth warmest December since records began in 1895. (Click here for a high resolution image of U.S. state temperature rankings for 2006. Credit NOAA)

Based on preliminary data, the 2006 annual average temperature was 55 degrees F - 2.2 degrees F (1.2 degrees C) above the 20th Century mean and 0.07 degrees F (0.04 degrees C) warmer than 1998. NOAA originally estimated in mid-December that the 2006 annual average temperature for the contiguous United States would likely be 2 degrees F (1.1 degrees C) above the 20th Century mean, which would have made 2006 the third warmest year on record, slightly cooler than 1998 and 1934, according to preliminary data. Further analysis of annual temperatures and an unusually warm December caused the change in records.

These values were calculated using a network of more than 1,200 U.S. Historical Climatology Network stations. These data, primarily from rural stations, have been adjusted to remove artificial effects resulting from factors such as urbanization and station and instrument changes, which occurred during the period of record. (Click here for a high resolution image of national temperatures for the contiguous United States from 1895 to 2006. Credit NOAA)

An improved data set being developed at NCDC and scheduled for release in 2007 incorporates recent scientific advances that better address uncertainties in the instrumental record. Small changes in annual average temperatures will affect individual rankings. Although undergoing final testing and development, this new data set also shows 2006 and 1998 to be the two warmest years on record for the contiguous U.S., but with 2006 slightly cooler than 1998.

The unusually warm temperatures during much of the first half of the cold season (October-December) helped reduce residential energy needs for the nation as a whole. Using the Residential Energy Demand Temperature Index (REDTI - an index developed at NOAA to relate energy usage to climate), NOAA scientists determined that the nation's residential energy demand was approximately 13.5 percent lower than what would have occurred under average climate conditions for the season.

After a cold start to December, the persistence of spring-like temperatures in the eastern two-thirds of the country during the final two to three weeks of 2006 made this the fourth warmest December on record in the U.S., and helped bring the annual average to record high levels. For example, the monthly average temperature in Boston was 8 degrees F above average, and in Minneapolis-St Paul, the temperature was 17 degrees F above average for the last three weeks of December. Even in Denver, which had its third snowiest December on record and endured a major blizzard that brought the city to a standstill during the holiday travel season, the temperature for the month was 1.4 degrees F warmer than the 1971-2000 average.

Five states had their warmest December on record (Minnesota, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire) and no state was colder than average in December.

The unusually warm start to this winter reflected the rarity of Arctic outbreaks across the country as an El Nino episode continued in the equatorial Pacific. A contributing factor to the unusually warm temperatures throughout 2006 also is the long-term warming trend, which has been linked to increases in greenhouse gases. This has made warmer-than-average conditions more common in the U.S. and other parts of the world. It is unclear how much of the recent anomalous warmth was due to greenhouse-gas-induced warming and how much was due to the El Nino-related circulation pattern. It is known that El Nino is playing a major role in this winter's short-term warm period.

U.S. and global annual temperatures are now approximately 1.0 degrees F warmer than at the start of the 20th century, and the rate of warming has accelerated over the past 30 years, increasing globally since the mid-1970s at a rate approximately three times faster than the century-scale trend. The past nine years have all been among the 25 warmest years on record for the contiguous U.S., a streak which is unprecedented in the historical record.

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Article from NOAA News Online.

EU citizens favor renewable energy

A recent study showed that EU citizens overwhelmlingly favor renewable energy technologies over nuclear power and traditional fossil fuels.

The Eurobarometer study, published just two days before the release of the new EU energy plan, shows that 80 percent of EU citizens back solar energy while 71 percent are in favor of wind energy and only 20 percent for nuclear energy.

Read the full story by Helena Spongenberg (EU Observer).

2007 Predicted To Be Hottest Year On Record

The following is an exceprt from the UK's Met Office annual report on global temperatures.

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2007 is likely to be the warmest year on record globally, beating the current record set in 1998, say climate-change experts at the Met Office.

Each January the Met Office, in conjunction with the University of East Anglia, issues a forecast of the global surface temperature for the coming year. The forecast takes into account known contributing factors, such as solar effects, El Nino, greenhouse gases concentrations and other multi-decadal influences. Over the previous seven years, the Met Office forecast of annual global temperature has proved remarkably accurate, with a mean forecast error size of just 0.06 degrees C.

Met Office global forecast for 2007
Global temperature for 2007 is expected to be 0.54 degrees C above the long-term (1961-1990) average of 14.0 degrees C;
There is a 60% probability that 2007 will be as warm or warmer than the current warmest year (1998 was +0.52 degrees C above the long-term 1961-1990 average).

The potential for a record 2007 arises partly from a moderate-strength El Nino already established in the Pacific, which is expected to persist through the first few months of 2007. The lag between El Nino and the full global surface temperature response means that the warming effect of El Nino is extended and therefore has a greater influence the global temperatures during the year.

Katie Hopkins from Met Office Consulting said: "This new information represents another warning that climate change is happening around the world. "

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Read the full report here.
(UK Met Office)

Need a good New Year's resolution? Switch to Green Power.

The following is an excerpt from the Texas State Energy Conservation Office web site InfinitePower.org about Green Power programs.

Switching to Green Power is probably the most effective single step one can take to reduce fossil fuel emmissions, and unlike most other New Year's resolutions, this one will last all year.

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What is Green Power?
The term "green power" generally refers to electricity supplied in whole or in part from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, geothermal, hydropower, and various forms of biomass. Increasingly, electricity customers are being given electricity supply options, either as retail power markets open to competition or when their regulated utilities develop green pricing programs. Many electricity customers now have an option of purchasing a green power product directly from their electricity supplier or by switching to a supplier with a green power product. If such an option is not available, customers can support renewable energy development through the purchase of renewable energy certificates.

Why Buy Green Power?
By choosing to purchase a green power product, you can support increased development of renewable energy sources, which can reduce the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Greater reliance on renewable sources also provides economic benefits and can improve our national energy security. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's web site provides additional discussion of the benefits of renewable energy.

How Do I Buy Green Power?
Depending on where you live and who supplies your electricity, you will be able to buy green power in at least one of the following ways:

1. Switch to a retail electric provider that offers green power. This option is available to Texas electricity customers located in deregulated areas of the state. To see if switching is an option for you, visit the Texas Electric Choice website maintained by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas. After you enter your ZIP code, this site will tell you whether you can choose a retail electric provider, and, if so, what options are available. Another way to compare the green power offerings against each other and against other offerings is to visit the Power Scorecard, a web-based information tool created by a coalition of environmental groups that lets consumers compare the environmental impacts of green power and conventional power products.

2. Request a green power option from your current electric utility. If you can't switch, your current electricity provider may have already created a green power option. Some municipal utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and investor-owned utilities now offer a green power option. The U.S. Department of Energy keeps a list of so-called "green pricing" programs by state.

3. Purchase renewable energy certificates independently of your electricity. A number of companies offer renewable energy certificates (also called "RECs," "green tags," "tradable renewable certificates," or "TRCs") that can be purchased by anyone. These certificates represent the environmental attributes of electricity generated by renewable power plants. Purchasing them gives developers of those power plants additional revenue for the "green-ness" of the power they generate. It also gives electricity customers anywhere a means to ensure that their electricity consumption is being offset by production of an equal amount of green power. Green-e maintains a list of certificate providers in Texas available to residential and business electricity customers. They also have a nice page describing what green tags are and answering frequently-asked questions.

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Go to the web site for more information.
From the Texas State Energy Conservation Office web site (InfinitePower.org)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2006 was an outstanding year for the renewable energy industry in the United States, with historic milestones achieved in tax legislation, market support, and technological innovation.

We still, however, have a long way to go if we are going to tackle the climate change problem. Success will require solid leadership from policymakers. Here are a few of the most important policy actions of the year:

January - "Energy Policy Act of 2005" went into effect, providing federal rebates for renewable energy and energy conservation projects to homeowners and businesses across the U.S.

August - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the "Million Solar Roofs Bill" into law, providing for 3,000 megawatts of clean energy capacity.

December - President George W. Bush signed the extension of renewable energy tax credits through 2008 with the "Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006".

These were great achievements but long over due. If there is one action industry stakeholders and citizens at large can all take in 2007 to address climate change, it's to push for a more comprehensive solar incentive program to make solar affordable to every American. So write your congressional representative and let your voice be heard!

All of us here at Verde Energy wish you a happy, safe and prosperous New Year!

House Democrats plan to redirect money from Big Oil to alternative energy

Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives in the first weeks of the new Congress plan to establish a dedicated fund to promote renewable energy and conservation, using money from oil companies.

"What we'll do is roll back the subsidies to Big Oil and use the resources to invest in a reserve for research in alternative energy," Pelosi, a California Democrat, recently told reporters.

Read the article here.
By H. JOSEF HEBERT (Associated Press)

Welcome to Verde Energy's Renewable Energy Blog!

Why the blog? Our goal for this blog is to share important news, interviews, conservation tips and other useful information related to the renewable energy industry.

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