GOV. KATHLEEN SEBELIUS: UNLOCK POTENTIAL OF CLEAN-ENERGY FUTURE
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BY GOV. KATHLEEN SEBELIUS
For Kansas to take the next step toward a clean-energy future, we must have a clear picture of where we’d like to be. That’s why my administration has worked with legislators, consumers and industry stakeholders to develop a vision for a comprehensive energy plan.

Recently, the Kansas Energy Council confirmed that we have adequate electricity to power us for years into the future. Meanwhile, this plan will help us bridge the gap until the day when clean-coal technology is a reality, not just rhetoric.

Our plan is based on three priorities: Promote the generation of clean, renewable energy; lead the way in energy-efficiency efforts in state buildings; and create jobs and attract businesses in the new green economy.

The best way to move forward is a bipartisan effort, and we invite all legislators to endorse this clean-energy initiative. Together, we can pass a legislative package that already has been endorsed by two of our major utilities and includes net metering, new building codes and statutory goals for renewable energy in Kansas. This will send a clear signal to investors and renewable manufacturers that Kansas is embracing a clean-energy future.

My new GreenWorks Advisory Council will work to bring green jobs to Kansas. Len Rodman, CEO of Black and Veatch, will lead this effort, and I am grateful that he is providing his time and expertise.

We will continue to work to expand our wind power beyond the 1,000 megawatts of 2008 to reach our potential of 10,000 megawatts of wind power. The effort to accelerate a regional transmission grid to move power from the prairies to the market is an essential component of our plan.

Because the cleanest and cheapest energy is energy we don’t use in the first place, I’ve directed the Kansas Corporation Commission to work with our utility companies to further extend our available power well into the future through measurable energy-efficiency measures.

While we work on these efforts, we know that President Barack Obama has promised a new national energy policy and swift action, but there is uncertainty about the exact rules and financial liabilities Congress will impose.

In Kansas, our energy portfolio is unbalanced and too dependent on coal. While the nation receives only half of its energy from coal, in Kansas it is 75 percent. This makes us 10th in the nation in per capita carbon dioxide emissions, and extremely vulnerable to the costs and penalties of imminent federal regulation.

There is a major challenge facing America, and it provides us opportunities for a “made in America” energy program that is good for our economy, good for our national security and good for our environment. Kansas is uniquely suited to be a leader in the green energy future.

Together, we can unlock the infinite potential of clean energy that will positively impact generations to come.

Kathleen Sebelius is the governor of Kansas.

Some good news ‘mongst all these ongoing recession woes: progress continues to be made on the alternative energy front. For the first time, renewable energy sources accounted for the biggest share in the increase of US’s electrical capacity. This means that, thanks mostly to the burgeoning wind power industry, more renewable energy sources sprung up in 2007 than environmental ne’er do wells like coal-burning plants. So why is this significant?

It means we’re witnessing a paradigm shift—one that’s been a long time coming, in the words of the great Sam Cooke—and that a change gon’ come in the attitudes and ambitions of energy developers. Sure, some really good news would be that renewable energy sources accounted for the largest share in the US electrical capacity PERIOD. But this is a genuinely encouraging figure.

The numbers come from a newly released report called Electrical Power Annual 2007, and they speak volumes:

In 2007, general electrical capacity increased by 2.3%, from 4,065 million megawatt-hours in 2006 to 4,157 MWh in 2007. The total net summer capacity saw total increase of 8,673 MW. And out of that, wind power alone accounted for 5,186 MW: the largest portion of the energy increase pie graph.

We’ve still got a ways to go: renewable energy only accounts for a total of 2.5 % of total electrical capacity, with 105 million MWh of total net generation.

if the economy ever gets back on its feet, Wind stocks are going to soar………

Credit Suisse Estimates that Worldwide Energy Demand is Expected to Increase 50% by 2030
Credit Suisse research forecasts that the share of alternative energies in the worldwide energy supply is expected to grow significantly within forthcoming decades. This increase will be primarily driven by the political risk of relying on declining oil reserves and concerns about global warming, which has inspired many countries to enact renewable energy standards.
As a result of increasing demand, various industries within the alternative energy sector are currently experiencing rapid double digit growth, most noticeably the dynamic wind and solar industries. Whilst these energies today make up a small portion of the total renewable energy market (7.3%) some industry exponents expect wind and solar to contribute more than 25% to renewable energy by 2030.

“Alternative Energy is a long-term theme. Driven by rising energy costs and regulatory mandates in many countries, it is rapidly gaining share in the global energy supply”. said Miroslav Durana, Head Alternative Energy Research for Credit Suisse. However, as these young industries quickly increase their capacity, component supply shortages and execution problems are likely. As a result, many alternative energy companies show high earnings growth but also relatively high earnings risk. Therefore, Credit Suisse recommends a diversified investment in selected stocks across all alternative energy themes or in an alternative energy index.

“It is an exciting time for alternative energy with market dislocation

Obama is going to kick start wind power and in a big way………
In his first weekly presidential address, which for the first time was also broadcast on YouTube, Mr Obama also promised to building a new electricity grid.

“To accelerate the creation of a clean energy economy, we will double our capacity to generate alternative sources of energy like wind, solar, and biofuels over the next three years,” he said.

“We’ll begin to build a new electricity grid that lay down more than 3,000 miles of transmission lines to convey this new energy from coast to coast.

“We’ll save taxpayers $2 billion (£1.47 billion) a year by making 75 per cent of federal buildings more energy efficient, and save the average working family $350 (£260) on their energy bills by weatherising [insulating] 2.5 million homes.”

Mr Obama has asked the US Congress “to act without delay” to pass legislation instituting his plan, which has received a broad welcome.

T. Boone Pickens, the billionaire oil investor and Republican donor, said the measure would help to kick-start the economy.

“Investing in alternative energy, focusing on conservation and rebuilding our power grid to deliver that energy to every corner of our country are critical components of this effort,” he said.

The League of Conservation Voters said that Mr Obama’s “prescriptions will address the twin challenges of an ailing economy and the threat of global warming”.

Some, however, have questioned whether Mr Obama should boost spending on higher-cost renewable fuels during a recession. His plan is likely to be modified during the negotiation process in Congress.

Danish firms consider wind power projects in South Africa

Feed-in tariffs required to woo investment
January 25, 2009

By INGI SALGADO

Johannesburg – Several Danish companies are eyeing investments in South African wind power but have cautioned that the fledgling industry needs to operate with the certainty of a renewable energy policy and a feed-in tariff.

Suzlon Wind Energy, among the world’s five biggest suppliers, said on Friday it had identified “many projects” in South Africa, without elaborating.

Danish gas producer Dong Energy said it would make direct investments in wind power here, as well as in China, Vietnam, and Chile, in order to secure carbon credits to reduce the group’s emissions by a mandatory 43 percent by 2012.

It was cheaper for Dong to buy carbon credits than reduce internal emissions, said Cilla Clausen, the firm’s head of carbon funds and purchases. “It would be very good to get three to four [wind] projects running in South Africa over the next one to one and a half years.”

Jorn Hammer, the managing director of wind turbine supplier Vestas Wind Systems, said the Danish group had “plenty of projects” on the go locally, without giving details.

He cautioned that a feed-in tariff was “extremely important” for the market’s long-term sustainability. “We, like the rest of the industry, are keen to see what happens on that front.”

The National Energy Regulator of SA said last year it planned to release details of its proposed feed-in tariff by the end of next month.

Feed-in tariffs, usually implemented on a sliding scale, allow renewable-energy generation technologies to compete financially with fuel-based sources, whose external pollution costs are not reflected in the price.

Claus Andersen, Suzlon’s chief sales officer, said no energy technology had ever been developed without economic support, including oil, gas, nuclear, hydroelectric and coal.