Lockheed Martin To Support Utility-scale Solar Power Plant In Arizona

MOORESTOWN, NJ, May 22nd, 2009 — Starwood Energy Group Global, LLC,  and Arizona Public Service Co. today announced they signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), a precondition to Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] involvement to design and build the 290-megawatt Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant that will bring more utility-scale renewable energy to Arizona.

The project, named Starwood Solar I, will be owned by an affiliate of Starwood Energy. Lockheed Martin, as Starwood Energy’s exclusive partner, will serve as the project’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor. To support the project, Lockheed Martin will leverage the expertise gained from its solar energy testbed, a full-scale solar collector assembly in Moorestown, NJ.

The PPA signing is the next step in building one of the world’s largest CSP plants. The project is scheduled for completion in 2013, pending regulatory approval.

“Lockheed Martin is very pleased to partner on the Starwood Solar I project,” said Chris Myers, Lockheed Martin vice president for Solar Energy programs. “Our expertise with engineering and production makes us uniquely qualified to serve as the project’s EPC contractor. To drive to successful completion on this project, we are applying the kind of world class systems engineering and disciplined integration approaches that all of our domestic and international customers enjoy.”

Starwood Solar I will be constructed on 1,880 acres that will contain more than 3,000 100-meter parabolic troughs. The plant will be built in the Harquahala Valley, approximately 75 miles west of Phoenix. It will produce enough electricity for nearly 73,000 APS customers.

“We are delighted to enter into such an important relationship with APS and the people of Arizona,” said Brad Nordholm, Chief Executive Officer of Starwood Energy.  “Along with Lockheed Martin, we look forward completing this project and providing cost-effective solar power for many decades.” 

In addition to its work in solar energy with Starwood Energy, Lockheed Martin is working with its customers to address the nation’s energy and climate challenges in the areas of energy efficiency, management and storage, next-generation alternative energies, and climate monitoring.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

For additional information about Lockheed Martin, visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com 

Sony Electronics Launches Latest E-Recycling Initiative GreenFill

 Company is the First Electronics Manufacturer to Offer Free E-Recycling Through Drop Boxes at Retail Locations

SAN DIEGO, April 22, 2009 – In conjunction with Earth Day and to further encourage consumers to dispose of old or unwanted electronics in an environmentally safe manner, Sony Electronics is introducing GreenFillSM recycling service – the nation’s first in-store, drop-box solution sponsored by a consumer electronics manufacturer.

GreenFill service simplifies electronics recycling by providing consumers the ability to recycle small electronics – such as cameras, portable music devices, small laptops, cell phones and portable gaming devices – at participating retail locations for free. Consumers can simply drop their old small electronics, regardless of brand, in the GreenFill e-Recycle Drop Box at participating retailers.

At launch, 81 retail stores have joined Sony in its goal to make it as easy to recycle small consumer electronics as it is to purchase them and more are expected to join as the program continues. The program is an extension of Sony’s Take Back Recycling program and is designed to help build awareness of Sony’s nationwide network of more than 270 drop-off locations where larger Sony-branded electronics will be accepted at no charge and other brands will be accepted for a small fee.

“Sony’s GreenFill program is providing consumers with a convenient, sustainable solution for recycling small electronic products,” said Mike Fasulo, executive vice president of Sony Electronics with management oversight for the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives. “We are continuing our commitment to reach our goal of recycling one pound of old consumer electronics equipment for every pound of new products sold.”

The national Take Back Recycling program has brought attention to the growing issue of e-waste and the benefits of recycling old electronics, which include reducing greenhouse gases and limiting the need to process raw materials. Sony Electronics supports and has signed the Basel Action Network’s Manufacturers’ Commitment to Responsible E-Waste, which signifies the company’s agreement to conduct electronics recycling programs transparently and in accord with rigorous environmental and worker safety standards, and adhere to measures to prevent the export of hazardous e-waste to developing countries.

Since Sony’s Take Back Recycling program began, more than 14 million pounds of electronic waste have been collected. The company expects that number to grow exponentially as the program continues.

A complete list of permanent drop-off locations and details how to become a participating retailer can be found on www.sony.com/green.

About Sony Electronics       

Headquartered in San Diego, Sony Electronics is a leading provider of audio/video electronics and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, design, engineering, manufacturing, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service.

Sony has played a key role in the development of Blu-ray Disc^TM, CD, DVD and Super Audio CD technologies, among many others. The company is noted for a wide range of consumer audio-visual products, such as the BRAVIA® LCD high-definition television, Cyber-shot® digital camera, Handycam® camcorder and Walkman® personal stereo. Sony is also an innovator in the IT arena with its VAIO® personal computers; and in high-definition professional broadcast and video equipment, highlighted by the XDCAM® HD and CineAlta^TM lines of cameras and camcorders, and the SXRD^TM 4K digital projector. The latest news and information is available at the company’s web site at www.sony.com/news.

Tropicana® Teams Up With Cool Earth For “Rescue the Rainforest” Campaign

Save One-Hundred Square Feet of Forest for Each Tropicana Pure Premium® On-pack Code Entered

CHICAGO, April 2009 – Destruction of the rainforest sends vast amounts of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere – about as much as all the CO2 emitted by the U.S. every year – and it is accelerating at a rapid pace.^1_2 To help stem the devastation, Tropicana, a division of PepsiCo, has partnered with Cool Earth, an international trust dedicated to protecting the rainforest, to offer consumers the opportunity rescue the rainforest – and it starts with just one carton of orange juice.

Through 2009, specially marked packages of Tropicana Pure Premium^® and Trop50^TM products will carry a code that consumers can enter online at http://www.tropicanarainforest.com/. For each code entered, 100 square feet of rainforest will be saved. Once registered, consumers can enter additional codes with each purchase and increase area of rainforest they have rescued. There is no limit to how many codes a consumer can enter and Web visitors can register individually or as a group. Through the technology provided by Google Maps, those who register can watch the area of rainforest being saved by Cool Earth grow.

“We are proud to support Cool Earth and its mission to save the endangered rainforest and help reduce the impact of climate change,” said Neil Campbell, president of Tropicana, a division of PepsiCo. “We believe in doing our part to make the planet better and this campaign makes it easy for our consumers to join us in helping to preserve the natural environment. We hope that this campaign can trigger a movement with an extraordinary impact.”

Central to the Tropicana initiative is Peru’s Ashaninka Corridor, along an arc of deforestation that is being routinely cleared and burned. With Tropicana’s help, Cool Earth will secure threatened rainforest by putting it in a local trust, and work toward protecting it around the clock. Cool Earth employs locals, helps fund community-based livelihood and makes sure the rainforest is managed sustainably, generating a good income for the local economy. Tropicana has already protected 5,000 acres of endangered rainforest in the Amazon, which ensures that carbon stays where it belongs.

“Having Tropicana as the first U.S. company to get behind our mission is an important milestone in seeing our vision come to life,” said Matthew Owen, executive director of Cool Earth.  ”We hope the ‘Rescue the Rainforest’ initiative spreads across the country, thereby enabling us to make a significant impact on protecting the rainforest and its invaluable resources.”

Rainforests are being cleared at an alarming rate. On average, an area roughly the size of Los Angeles disappears every month³. The destruction of rainforest is a major source of greenhouse gases and a driver of climate change³. In addition, the Amazon is home to indigenous people, a wealth of natural products, and vital habitats for many exotic plants & animal species. The time to address this growing issue is now.

To help rescue the rainforest, or to learn more about Tropicana’s “Rescue the Rainforest” initiative, visit http://www.tropicanarainforest.com/. Tropicana packages carrying the code are: 12-ounce, 64-ounce, 89-ounce and 128-ounce Tropicana Pure Premium^® orange juice, as well as the 59-ounce package of the new Trop50^TM orange juice beverage. Codes can be entered online through 12/31/09.

 About Tropicana’s Sustainability Mission

Tropicana is committed to using natural resources in a responsible manner and has made sustainability part of its mission. The company has a long history of decreasing its impact on the environment through efforts such as turning discarded orange peels into cattle feed and using renewable energy. In a first for any consumer brand in North America, Tropicana had the carbon footprint of its 64-ounce Tropicana Pure Premium orange juice certified with the Carbon Trust, providing the information needed to find opportunities to reduce carbon emissions. The company also launched a recycling initiative with Waste Management and carton suppliers, working toward increasing the number of cities accepting cartons for recycling.

 About Cool Earth

Cool Earth was founded in 2007 by Johan Eliasch, one of the world’s most successful businessmen and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Special Representative on Deforestation and Clean Energy, and Frank Field, a longtime Member of Parliament. It began when Field learned of Eliasch’s purchase of 400,000 acres of Amazonian rainforest in order to protect it from destruction. Together, they created Cool Earth, an international trust to protect the rainforest, which acts as the Earth’s lungs. The organization’s goal is to allow companies, individuals, families, schools, and churches to “own” and protect part of the world’s rainforests. To date, Cool Earth has protected 40,000 acres of endangered rainforest and has garnered the support of such public figures as former Prime Minister Tony Blair and actor Ricky Gervais.

To learn more about Cool Earth, visit: http://www.coolearth.org/.

 About PepsiCo

PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) is one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, with 2007 annual revenues of more than $39 billion. The company employs approximately 185,000 people worldwide, and its products are sold in approximately 200 countries. Its principal businesses include: Frito-Lay snacks, Pepsi-Cola beverages, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices and Quaker foods. The PepsiCo portfolio includes 18 brands that generate $1 billion or more each in annual retail sales. PepsiCo’s commitment to sustainable growth, defined as Performance with Purpose, is focused on generating healthy financial returns while giving back to communities the company serves. This includes meeting consumer needs for a spectrum of convenient foods and beverages, reducing the company’s impact on the environment through water, energy and packaging initiatives, and supporting its employees through a diverse and inclusive culture that recruits and retains world-class talent. As a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI North America), PepsiCo is a recognized leader in sustainability. For more information, please visit http://www.pepsico.com/.

 1. The Eliasch Review. Climate Change: Financing Global Forests. 2008. and IPCC (2007) AR4 Synthesis Report.

2. Moutinho and Schwartzman; Tropical Deforestation and Climate Change. 2005. Amazon Institute for Environmental Research Chapter 10.

3.IPCC (2007) Working Group 1, Chapter 7; Couplings Between Changes in the Climate System and Biogeochemistry and The Eliasch Review. Climate Change: Financing Global Forests. 2008.

Soource: Tropicana

Energy and Cost Efficiency Combined With Environmental Advantages Could Revolutionize Homebuilding Industry

(PHOENIX, April 20) PRNewswire — HercuWall(TM), a patented, “green” wall building system, which could revolutionize homebuilding across the globe, will be introduced here on Earth Day (Wednesday, April 22) by Smart Homes Alliance.

Michael Niemann, founder and CEO of HercuWall, Inc., manufacturer of the newly released system, will unveil the product in a formal presentation to building contractors and other key individuals in the construction industry from throughout the Phoenix area at The Wall Company in Gilbert.

Niemann said HercuWall(TM) is a unique building system ideally suited to both residential and commercial construction — providing significant economic advantages to both the builder and home owner. “It is a superior alternative to both wood and concrete block construction as well as traditional ICF (insulating concrete forms) construction,” said Niemann. “This is because of our distinctive panelized design that takes advantage of the strength of steel-reinforced concrete plus our versatile simplicity which enables our walls to be installed much faster than other options.”

Energy Efficient — Owners benefit because HercuWall(TM) provides them with a stronger, draft free, energy efficient home that is mold, moisture and termite proof as well as highly resistant to natural disasters,” explained Niemann. “It reduces utility costs by 40% to 60% over conventional wood construction when combined with proper attic insulation, windows and HVAC equipment. Moreover, insurance and on-going maintenance costs can also be expected to be less for the end user.”

Cost Efficient — A big advantage is cost efficiency – especially for production builders with significantly shorter build cycles. It takes only two days to frame a typical 2,000-sq. ft. home with the HercuWall(TM) system — which can result in major savings to all parties. It requires minimal training with in-place labor.

Environmental Attributes — HercuWall(TM) benefits the environment by saving trees, reducing emissions and lowering overall energy usage year after year. “Builders can now offer true green construction without compromising quality or price,” noted Niemann.

“Stronger, faster, smarter,” said Niemann. “HercuWall(TM) is a superior product that can be installed in less time and is friendly to the environment. We believe it will one day become the preferred exterior insulated wall building product for residential and commercial applications worldwide.”

For more details, visit www.hercuwall.com.

Source: Newscom

A New Green Industry is Popping up to reduce Environmental Hazards

Unless you were to scratch and sniff a newly patched pothole, you wouldn’t necessarilyrealize what a dirty little business it is to mend the road ruptures.

You also might not know that a new “green” industry is popping up to reduce environmental hazards, while resulting in pothole repairs that are durable and cost-effective, according to satisfied customers at highway departments in other regions of the U.S.

 Traditional cold-patch asphalt mixtures, which are used in winter to fill potholes, consist primarily of stone, sand, a liquid to bond the ingredients as well as petroleum products and other substances that are known human carcinogens.

Thousands of gallons of diesel fuel, kerosene, naphthalene and other petroleum derivatives run off into the environment or evaporate into the air when the coldmix asphalt hardens. The toxic substances are needed to keep the patching material pliable while it is being placed into potholes and tamped down to bond with the existing pavement.

Looking for a cleaner way to go, some transportation agencies are monitoring experiments with alternative materials in other cold-weather climates in the hope of reducing emissions of pollutants to safeguard public health, animals and plants.

At least three manufacturers of cold-mix asphalt that contains safe, biodegradable materials instead of traditional oil-based chemicals approached Chicago officials over the winter offering samples for the city to test.

“This is the first year we have been contacted by the ‘green’ manufacturers,” said Brian Steele, spokesman for the Chicago Department of Transportation.

One ton of conventional cold-mix asphalt contains about 5 gallons of petroleum derivatives on average, according to industry experts. Some of it runs off into sewers, seeps into the ground near roads, leeches into lakes and other waterways or evaporates.

In Chicago last winter, about 400,000 potholes were filled from December 2007 through April, according to CDOT.

That means an estimated 43,000 gallons of petroleum derivatives were “spilled on Chicago streets,” said Warren Day, chief of quality control and product development at Cofire Industries, a Flushing, N.Y., company producing a new environmentally friendly cold asphalt mixture.

Day based his calculation of 43,000 gallons of fuel products used on CDOT disclosing that it put down 8,600 tons of conventional cold-mix asphalt during the five-month period.

Cofire’s product, called GreenPatch, uses biodegradable plantbased solvents instead of fuel, said Glenn Shapiro, chief of product development and marketing.

New York City and others on the East Coast have awarded Cofire contracts to provide GreenPatch.

“We got the New York contract strictly because we were the low bidder, not because GreenPatch is better for the environment,” Shapiro said, adding that GreenPatch has a low vapor pressure, which minimizes the production of ozone.

Consolidated Edison Co. of New York has been using GreenPatch for six months to repair pavement that was cut for utility work, officials said.

“I was very suspect at first, but it sets up beautifully and stands up to Manhattan traffic as well as the stuff we used in the past,” said Mark Sullivan, field operations planner for Con Edison.

“The cost is about the same, maybe a dollar more per bag. But for a buck more to save the environment? It’s a home run. We are developing a pilot program to make GreenPatch our stock material,” Sullivan said.

To Fight Global Warming Company will Plant a Tree for the Next 100 Years for Anyone Who Joins its Online “Coffee Clubs.”

SAN LEANDRO/LINCOLN, CALIF. (April 20, 2009) – To reduce carbon emissions, fight global warming and protect vanishing bird habitat, the San Leandro, Calif.-based Rogers Family Company (www.rogersfamilyco.com) – a nationwide producer of “responsibly grown” gourmet coffee – will plant a native rainforest tree on one of its own organic coffee farms for the next 100 years for anyone who joins its online “coffee clubs.”

From now through at least ‘Earth Day’ 2109, the Rogers Family Company (also of Lincoln, CA) will plant trees on its 100% organic coffee farms in Central America on behalf of anyone who joins their coffee Clubs on the Rogers Gourmet Coffee & Tea Market (www.gourmet-coffee.com) or Audubon Premium Shade-Grown Coffee (www.auduboncoffeeclub.com) online stores.

By having trees planted in their names, Club customers will help the Rogers family fight global warming by offsetting the carbon emissions created in the coffee production, roasting and transportation process. The fast-growing trees – which ’sequester’ (absorb) carbon dioxide – can live hundreds of years and also provide habitat for birds and other wildlife. The trees will be planted once a year. Club members also get other perks such as discounts and loyalty points for each order.

“We’ve been committed for many years to producing coffee in an environmentally responsible way and we are happy to continue this pledge for the next century and beyond,” said Rogers Family Company CEO Jon B. Rogers. “This program is a small but hopefully enduring symbol of our commitment to produce coffee in concert with nature. Long after a customer leaves, their tree will stay. Of course, we hope our customers stay.”

The 30-year old, family-owned company, whose divisions include the Organic Coffee Company and San Francisco Bay Premium Gourmet Coffee, also produces a premium shade-grown coffee line under license from the National Audubon Society and certified by the Rainforest Alliance. Shade-grown coffee preserves habitat for migratory and native bird species – a vital part of the mission of the National Audubon Society which recently issued a report on how global warming has already affected birds in North America – and can restore local water supplies.

Shade grown or mixed ‘agro-forestry’ farming is one of the rare human industries that can actually fight global warming via rapid carbon sequestration. When coffee trees are planted amid fast-growing, highland rainforest trees, this ‘blend’ can sequester up to 20 tons of carbon per hectare (2.5 acres) per year. In comparison, a full-sun, ‘mono-culture’ (row after row of a single coffee tree species) coffee plantation removes typically six tons per year.

For now, the company will be planting the native trees on its own 100% organic coffee farm at Rancho Quilco in the remote highlands of Mexico’s Chiapas region. The company will email the Club customer a photo of the tree growing in its new, natural home. Species include Chicharro, Mezcal, Hormiguillo, Albaricoque, Aguacate de Montana, Cola de Pava and Tepemixtle. The company will expand this pilot program to its other organic coffee farms in the coming decades.

In the past decade alone, the Rogers family has purchased farms in Mexico and Central America with the goal to create completely organic and sustainable farms and restore clear-cut land to their natural rainforest state for birds and wildlife.

The Rogers purchased Rancho Quilco several years ago from a family whose patriarch was 80 years old and wanted to retire. The Rogers purchased the land – which has large swaths of rainforest – and also collaborated with Costco de Mexico to build a new middle school as part of the Rogers’ Community Aid program. In cooperation with farmers and help from partners and customers, Community Aid has completed hundreds of social and environmental projects. Projects include building more than 30 schools, 1,000 houses as well as medical facilities, schools and day care centers for thousands of workers. Community Aid also provides permanent educational programs and scholarships, doctors, nurses, teachers, food and clothing, clean drinking water and energy systems and protects rainforest and wildlife.

One of the company’s farms in Panama has become a regional showcase for organic farming, drawing other farmers, students and even government officials. The former, 94-acre cattle ranch – once devoid of trees – now harbors dozens species of birds and animals amid restored rainforest. The company’s organic approach has also helped reduce runoff of toxins into local water supplies, lessened the risk of birth defects and preserved such “globally threatened” species as the Polymorphic Robber Frog and Painted Bunting bird in Nicaragua and Mexico. The Rogers Family Co. also recently launched a Community Aid program and organic coffee operation in Rwanda. As millions of rainforest vanish each year, the Rogers Family Co. will continue to fight this trend through its tree planting and organic farming on its own farms. The company will also continue to require its partner farmers to preserve native forests, plants, soil, water supplies and wildlife and practice natural methods of fertilization.

The Rogers Family was founded in 1979 by Princeton University graduate and ex-Revlon executive Jon B. Rogers and his wife Barbara Rogers. The company is one of the nation’s leading importers and roasters of “Fairly Traded” branded gourmet coffee and tea. All four of their adult children play a key role in the company that supplies its “Responsibly Grown/Fairly Traded” coffee and tea to customers worldwide. Headquartered in San Leandro, California the company’s divisions and brands include the Organic Coffee Company, San Francisco Bay Premium Gourmet Coffee, Pleasant Hill Farms, Café Jerusalem, Audubon Shade-Grown Coffee Coffee, East India Coffee & Tea, the Organic Tea Co. and Black Mountain Gold. With 150 employees, the company makes approximately 3,500 individual coffee and tea products. The company has an additional roasting operation in Lincoln, California.

For more information, please visit www.rogersfamilyco.com or call 1/800/829-1300.

Now in its second century, Audubon (www.audubon.org) connects people with birds, nature and the environment that supports us all. Our national network of community-based nature centers, chapters, scientific, education and advocacy programs engages millions of people from all walks of life in conservation action to protect and restore the natural world.

Largest Settlement Under Environmental Protection Agency’s Audit Policy Annouced Today

( Washington , D.C. – April 13, 2009) Invista will pay a $1.7 million civil penalty and spend up to an estimated $500 million to correct self-reported environmental violations discovered at facilities in seven states, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Justice Department announced today. The company disclosed more than 680 violations of water, air, hazardous waste, emergency planning and preparedness, and pesticide regulations to EPA after auditing 12 facilities it acquired from DuPont in 2004. 

“By correcting these violations, Invista will reduce harmful air pollution by nearly 10,000 tons per year,” said Catherine R. McCabe, acting assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Invista is making a clean start in a settlement that achieves significant environmental benefits, and we encourage other new owners to do the same.”

“This settlement is a significant achievement, as it will reduce air pollution in numerous communities, and demonstrates the United States’ commitment to ensuring that all facility owners come into compliance with environmental requirements,” said John C. Cruden, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This settlement reflects an effective use of EPA’s audit policy and the value of companies performing audits and working with the United States to correct violations found at their facilities.”

The emission reductions resulting from correcting these violations will result in estimated annual human health benefits valued at over $325 million, including 30 fewer premature deaths per year, 2,000 fewer days/year when people would miss school or work, and over 9,000 fewer cases of upper and lower respiratory symptoms.

The settlement resolves violations disclosed under Invista’s corporate audit agreement with EPA. Invista conducted 45 separate audits of environmental practices and compliance at facilities located in Seaford, Del.; Athens, Calhoun, and Dalton, Ga.; Kinston, N.C.; Camden, S.C.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; LaPorte, Orange, and Victoria, Texas; and Martinsville and Waynesboro, Va. 

As part of its corrective action requirements agreed to in the settlement, Invista will install pollution control equipment to treat air pollutants at its Seaford, Del. ; Camden , S.C. ; Chattanooga , Tenn. ; and Victoria , Texas facilities. The company has also applied for applicable air and water permits, has installed adequate secondary containment for oil storage areas, and has notified state and local emergency planning and response organizations of the presence of hazardous substances. 

To ensure continued compliance and minimization of the benzene wastes generated at the Victoria and Orange , Texas facilities, Invista is required under the settlement to either upgrade control equipment or make major changes to its processes used to handle these wastes. EPA estimates that these actions will reduce air emissions of benzene by more than nine tons annually, and eliminate 25 to 750 tons per year of benzene from wastewater.

Invista is a multi-national manufacturer of a wide range of polymer-based fibers, including Lycra, Stainmaster, and Coolmax. 

This is the largest settlement under EPA’s audit policy, which was launched in 1995. The policy provides incentives to companies that voluntarily discover, promptly disclose, and expeditiously correct environmental violations. The companies must also take steps to prevent future violations. EPA may reduce or waive penalties for certain violations if the facility meets the conditions of the policy. Consistent with the audit policy, EPA waived a large portion of the penalty in this case.

EPA’s experience with Invista guided the development of a national interim audit policy for new owners-announced in August 2008-designed to encourage other new owners to make a “clean start” at their recently acquired facilities. 

The states of Delaware and South Carolina , and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Board in Tennessee have also joined in today’s consent decree and will share portions of the civil penalty with EPA.

The consent decree, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court. 

For more information on the settlement: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/mm/invista.html

For more information on EPA’s Audit Policy: Tailored Incentives for New Owners: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/incentives/auditing/newowners-incentives.html

One of San Jose’ Largest Commercial Solar Systems Completed

1,502 solar-panel arrays provide sufficient electricity to power 40-50 homes

FOSTER CITY, Calif. & SAN JOSE, Calif., April 13, 200  GreenWaste Recovery, an industry leader in all aspects of recycling, composting and managing solid waste, and SolarCity®, a national leader in solar power system design, financing, installation, monitoring and related services, today announced the completion of a dual-array, 1,502-panel solar power system that will provide renewable power to GreenWaste’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to process and recover residential and commercial recyclable materials, yard trimmings and solid waste. The MRF solar system is one of the largest commercial solar system installations in the city of San Jose. The 300 kilowatt (DC)-rated solar arrays are expected to produce approximately 408,000 kilowatt-hours of zero-emission solar electricity annually, enough to power approximately 40-50 area homes.

“The project truly reflects the value our company places on green technology and environmental stewardship,” said Richard Cristina, president of GreenWaste Recovery. “We are using the power of the sun, a clean renewable energy source, to divert recyclable and compostable materials away from landfills and put them to good use.”  

GreenWaste’s recently completed, “state-of-the-art” MRF is one of the most innovative processing facilities in the world, capable of sorting, recovering and recycling 85 percent of household waste. This 85-percent diversion rate translates into huge volumes of material that are not buried in a landfill, but rather given new life as usable products. Utilizing clean, renewable energy to power its operations allows GreenWaste to further reduce its carbon footprint, air pollution and dependence on fossil fuel.  

SolarCity designed and installed the solar arrays-each measuring approximately 50,000 square feet and spreading across nearly 80,000 square feet-on GreenWaste’s Material Recovery Facility and transfer station, located at 625 Charles Street, just north of downtown San Jose. SolarCity financed the system for GreenWaste through a Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). SolarCity’s PPA allows GreenWaste to put zero money down and lower its annual electricity costs.  

“SolarCity’s PPA offers the same benefit to businesses that our SolarLease delivers for residents-use clean power and lower your electricity costs,” said Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity.

 ”Greenwaste is at the cutting edge of a critical new movement among American businesses, proving that companies can lower their operating costs and lower their pollution and carbon footprint at the same time.”

About GreenWaste

GreenWaste Recovery is a locally-based, privately-owned company that has been spearheading the development of innovative and cost-effective recycling and solid waste management practices in Northern California since 1991. GreenWaste and its sister company, Zanker Road Resource Management, Ltd. handle all aspects of solid waste management and own and operate three complimentary processing facilities: a state-of-the-art Material Recovery Facility-the first of its kind facility where recyclable materials and solid waste are processed side-by-side; Zanker Road Landfill-a national leader in construction and demolition diversion, and; Z-Best Composting in Gilroy-where yard trimmings and food waste are transformed into nutrient rich soil amendments. Together, these three facilities provide the most environmentally sound option for communities to address all their collection and recycling needs. Additional information about the company is available on the Web at www.greenwaste.com

About SolarCity

SolarCity-a national leader in solar power system design, financing, installation, monitoring and related services-was founded with the mission to help millions of homeowners and businesses adopt solar power, protect themselves from rising electricity costs and protect their environment from polluting power sources. The company’s first-of-its-kind SolarLease offering can make it possible for homeowners to switch to clean, solar power for less money than they currently pay for electricity. SolarCity currently serves more than 300 communities in California, Arizona and Oregon. Additional information about the company is available on the Web at http://www.solarcity.com/.

Russia will Supply China with Significant Portion of Oil Requirements

A global credit crunch is prompting Russia to diversify its energy sales eastwards. In February, Moscow and Beijing signed an agreement, where Russia would supply oil to energy-hungry China for the next 20 years. In exchange China will lend Russia $25 billion, which will help fund an extension of the new Siberian pipeline to the Chinese border. Analysts in Moscow say that while the deal is beneficial for both Russia and China, it might not be all good news for the Western customers of Russian oil.

Russia shifts energy exports from main market

The oil Russia pumps from its frozen, Siberian fields, with one energy deal, will soon provide a significant amount of China’s daily needs, about four percent. Russia will deliver about 300,000 barrels of crude a day. In return, China will finance the pipeline Russia will build from its eastern Siberian oil fields to the Chinese border.

Energy analysts say the deal is another indication of Russia’s eagerness to shift some of its energy exports from its main market, Europe.

Re-orientation towards the East

“What is happening right now with China is a logical development of re-orientation of Russian politics and economy towards the East which has been happening for the past five, six years,” Evgeny Volk said.

Evgeny Volk

Russia’s state-owned petroleum company Rosneft, will get $15 billion of the work and the state pipeline owner Transneft, is set to receive $10 billion.

Construction has been delayed repeatedly as the two countries bargained over the cost of transporting crude oil to the border.

But the Russian oil industry, which for decades has been a main source of revenue for the country, has suffered a dramatic shortfall as the price of oil fell during the global economic crisis.

Energy analysts say the economy is pushing Russia to build closer ties with the Chinese. They say Russia also is seeking allies in the East where the Kremlin is seen more favorably than in the West.

Evgeny Volk, who heads the Moscow office of the Heritage Foundation says, “Economically it is also close to the majority of states in that region.” And, he adds, “it fits better in the Asian states community when it comes to cooperation in politics and economy.”

Using energy as a diplomatic weapon

Russia has used energy as a diplomatic weapon with the West. In January, it shut off gas supplies to Ukraine over a pricing dispute, leaving hundreds of homes in Ukraine without heating for three weeks. Russia also opposes Kyiv’s desire to join NATO.

Tom Mundy

Tom Mundy is an equity strategist at Moscow’s Renaissance Capital investment bank. “So there’s clearly a threat,” Mundy asserts. “There’s a precedent of a threat and it’s entirely feasible that as Russia’s bargaining position improves, that can be used again.

Mundy says there is no immediate threat to the Western consumers of Russian oil and gas. But the pipeline’s first link should be complete later this year and he adds, once the crude is flowing, Russia will have leverage that will only grow along with the world’s reliance on natural energy resources.

 

 

Source: VOA

Mitsubishi Electric Announces New Photovoltaic Modules For Stand-Alone Systems

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (President and CEO: Setsuhiro Shimomura) (TOKYO: 6503) announced today the launch of four new models of photovoltaic (PV) modules for the worldwide market, suitable for use in stand-alone solar power generation systems in the midlands of the USA and in regions where the local electrification infrastructure is insufficient or non-existent, such as in remote areas of developing countries. Shipment will begin on April 10, 2009.

The PV systems market has been rapidly expanding globally due to increasing environmental concerns, as seen in worldwide efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to prevent global warming. The PV market of the USA, in particular, has been gaining greater momentum with the introduction of environmental initiatives within the new stimulus plan, and enhancements in government subsidies.

Mitsubishi Electric expects the USA market volume to surpass 1 GW by 2012, with stand-alone systems that power streetlights, traffic lights, water pumping systems for sprinklers and other equipment making up 20% of the demand. Meanwhile, countries in Asia and Africa with areas that lack power plants, power lines, and other infrastructure are promoting projects to install stand-alone PV systems in order to meet electricity needs. Mitsubishi Electric’s new lineup of PV modules for stand-alone systems consists of models with outputs from 115W to 130W. Compared to the company’s previous models, the new models have specifications more suitable for off-grid installation environments in the midlands of the USA and remote areas in developing countries.

Mitsubishi Electric will attempt to meet the diverse demands of various countries and usage patterns. Mitsubishi Electric plans to expand its annual production capacity to 600 megawatts in fiscal 2012 (April 1, 2011-March 31, 2012). The company has also enhanced its PV business by forming a new division, the Photovoltaic Systems Division, in the Living Environment & Digital Media Equipment Group as of April 1, 2009. Mitsubishi Electric will continue to promote PV systems worldwide, thus contributing not only to the prevention of global warming in developed countries, but also to enhance social infrastructure in developing countries. 

About Mitsubishi Electric

With over 80 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products to both corporate clients and general consumers all over the world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) is a recognized world leader in the manufacturing, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment. The company recorded consolidated group sales of 4,049.8 billion yen (US$ 40.5 billion*) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. For more information, visit http://global.mitsubishielectric.com*At an exchange rate of 100 yen to the US dollar, the rate given by the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market on March 31, 2008
Product Inquiries: Marketing Department, Nakatsugawa Works;  Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Tel: +81-573-66 8019 ; Kojima.Ikumasa@ah.MitsubishiElectric.co.jp; Website: http://global.mitsubishielectric.com/solar

Conergy Brings World’s First Known Thin-Film Solar Energy Tracking System

A Watershed Solution: Conergy Employs Former Military Software, Solar Tracker & Thin-Film Combination to Optimize Solar Energy Output On Sunny and Overcast Days

(MANTECA, CA – April 6, 2009) – The solar energy experts at Denver-based Conergy Americas and officials at California’s South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) have installed what is believed to be the world’s first single-axis solar tracking system featuring thin-film photovoltaic cells.The 419-kilowatt system went live in late March.It is the second phase of a 1.6 MW solar energy solution that will save the irrigation district nearly $400,000 a year in utility costs, allow it to reap millions of dollars in state cash incentives and stabilize customer costs in the midst of a state-wide water crisis.

The project – known as the Robert O. Schulz Solar Farm — will also provide a unique cost-benefit analysis on how two distinct solar energy solutions – crystalline panels and thin-film – perform under a range of climatic conditions.

SSJID is located in Manteca,between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. While many may not know its location today, it’s about to put the practice of thin-film solutions on a single axis tracker on the proverbial PV map.SSJID provides irrigation water for 55,000 acres in the surrounding area.The Solar Farm will handle nearly all the power needs of the nearby Nick C. DeGroot Water Treatment Plant, which processes 40 million gallons of water per day for 155,000 residents and businesses in the cities of Manteca, Tracy, Escalon and Lathrop.

“The application of thin-film on a solar tracking system as a way to optimize energy output in perennially-dusty or overcast areas is generating a great deal of excitement not only among those in areas with conditions similar to California’s Central Valley, but among economic policymakers and environmental stewards in Washington, D.C.,” said SSJID General Manager Jeff Shields.”We’re eager to continue our work with Conergy to bring this solution — and the important data it’s generating in our cost-benefit analysis — to light,” he added.

The trend in enterprise solar emphasizing the economic benefits of photovoltaic technology is particularly important for water authorities like SSJID.California is in the third consecutive year of a drought that has compelled Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a state of water emergency, which can mean water rationing and rate hikes.

“The project’s main goal was to stabilize electrical costs, which can spike substantially in summer months given local time of use (TOU) metering;” said SSJID Utility Systems Director Don Battles.In addition to the project’s $400,000 annual electric bill savings, the solar energy systems provide the district with a hedge against rising utility costs.And, he adds, both projects are hooked into the state’s electrical grid, which means the district will be able to sell its surplus, peak-time energy (another precious commodity) back to the local utility.

SSJID is also receiving $6 million in cash incentives from the California Solar Initiative program, designed to stimulate solar markets by providing cash incentives of up to 30% of system costs for businesses, public agencies and home owners who go solar.

Providing the SSJID with additional ROSI (Return On Solar Investment) are the valuable side-by-side performance metrics the systems are providing. Phase 1 features 6,720 Conergy 175-watt crystalline modules mounted on a single axis solar tracking system.Tracking systems can optimize peak-time output by as much as 15% over similarly-sized fixed-mount systems.They do this by incrementally adjusting panel angles to follow the trajectory of the sun.This project optimizes its solar tracking capabilities using software whose origins are based in military tracking technologies.It took four months to install.

According to Conergy’s Western U.S. Project Director David Vincent, market-tested First Solar thin-film modules were selected for the Phase 2 tracking solution because they perform at a lower cost-per-watt than traditional crystalline. “Thin-film is a much more cost-effective way to generate power – and it can outperform monocrystalline in areas prone to hazy, overcast conditions — or in industries that generate dust or high degrees of air particulates,” said Vincent. “Early indications show the output per DC kW of First Solar thin-film is about 10% higher than that of crystalline,” he added. Installation time was three months.

To help SSJID monitor system output, Conergy installed equipment on the inverters that sends power generation information to monitoring and reporting company Fat Spaniel Technologies. This allows Battles and the SSJID team to log onto the Web and gauge system performance from their business offices – nearly 22 miles west of the actual solar arrays. A bonus is that through the Fat Spaniel Web site, they’re also able to compare the 1 MW Phase 1 SSJID tracking system with several systems, among thema 1 MW fixed-axis roof-mount system on a fruit-packing house in nearby Hanford, California – a system that Conergy also installed.

The availability of data has generated a friendly competition. “We can look at our production and their production on any given day and see how we’re tracking,” Battles says. “We’re generally 15 to 18 percent ahead of them. And in reality, Hanford probably has better sun than we do.”

The Conergy- SSJID team’s innovative approach to renewable energy and the Robert O. Schulz Solar Farm case study are providing illuminating new data that will open the floodgates of solar opportunity for water authorities and agri-businesses across the U.S.

“Those being served by the forward-thinking SSJID team are enjoying the benefits of one of the most advanced PV projects in the world,” said Vincent. “The South San Joaquin Irrigation District’s desire to find new ways to process and deliver their water as cost-effectively as possible is a boon for its customers — and a bellwether for water authorities everywhere, particularly in these economic times.”

 

WORLD’S FIRST:

This Conergy solar energy system — designed for California’s South San Joaquin Irrigation District — is believed to be the world’s first single-axis solar tracking system featuring thin-film photovoltaic cells. Thin-film can be a much more cost-effective way to generate power – and it can outperform monocrystalline in areas prone to hazy, overcast conditions — or in industries that generate dust or high degrees of air particulates.

About SSJID:

In 1909, the South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) was established to provide a reliable and economical source of irrigation water for approximately 72,000 acres of agriculture in, and surrounding, Escalon, Ripon and Manteca.SSJID’s historic water rights allow for several hydroelectric power plants on a series of dams and reservoirs on the Stanislaus River.SSJID and Oakdale Irrigation District completed the original Melones Reservoir in 1926, and have co-owned the Tri-Dam Project, consisting of Donnells, Beardsley and Tulloch reservoirs and powerhouses, since 1957.In 2005, as unprecedented urban growth replaced agricultural land, the district expanded into providing domestic water service to Tracy, Lathrop, Manteca and other parts of San Joaquin County with its state-of-the-art membrane filtration water treatment plant.For several years, the district has been moving towards providing retail electric service as well, aiming to cut electricity bills of those in its service territory by a minimum of 15% across the board.

About CONERGY:

Conergy designs, manufactures, installs and finances solar photovoltaic solutions for major commercial sectors, public agencies, businesses and homeowners through two distinct channels.   Conergy’s Projects Group focuses on custom solutions for large-scale, energy-intensive enterprises; Conergy’s Distribution Group serves a national network of installers, developers and dealers in the grid-tied and off-grid residential realm, while also addressing the needs of small commercial markets.  With ten years’ market prowess, Conergy has successfully deployed projects totaling over 1 Gigawatt of renewable energy capacity around the world.   With operations in 15 countries over 4 continents, Conergy is driving today’s clean energy economy via the design, production, installation or financing of close to 1 in 10 of the world’s solar energy systems.  Learn more at www.conergy.us.

Contact:
Terri Steele, CONERGY
(720) 305-0704, desk;
(858) 220-3317, mobile
t.steele@conergy.us

Team of Experts Announces Groundbreaking Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project at Empire State Building

World’s most famous office building’s more than $500 million upgrade program to incorporate comprehensive project with goal to reduce energy use by nearly 40 percent

April 6, 2009 – New York – Using the Empire State Building as a test case and model, world-class environmental consulting, non-profit, design and construction partners – including the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), Johnson Controls Inc. (NYSE: JCI) (JCI) and Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE: JLL) (JLL) – today unveiled an innovative process for analyzing and retrofitting existing structures for environmental sustainability.

Adopted as core elements of the more than $500 million upgrade program presently underway at the world’s most famous office building, the program is the first comprehensive approach that integrates many steps to use energy more productively. The program is expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 38 percent and will provide a replicable model for similar projects around the world. Work has already commenced, and building systems work is slated to be completed by year-end 2010. The balance of the work in tenant spaces should be concluded by end of 2013. Work that is scheduled to be completed within 18 months will result in over 50 percent of the projected energy savings. The balance will be an additional 36 months completed by 2013.

The project will prove the viability for energy efficiency retrofit projects to dramatically increase building energy efficiency and reduce its overall carbon output with sensible payback periods and enhanced profitability.

At the end of the project definition process, the team analyzed the steps to be taken in conjunction with other steps towards sustainability as part of the Empire State ReBuilding program within the framework of the existing USGBC LEED rating system. Internal calculations show that the Empire State Building will be able to qualify for GOLD certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings, and ownership intends to pursue such certification.

“Commercial and residential buildings account for the majority of the total carbon footprint of cities around the world – over 70 percent in New York City. Beginning in February 2008, the Empire State Building has been used as a test bench to create a replicable process to reduce energy consumption and environmental impacts,” said Anthony E. Malkin of building owner, Empire State Building Company. “Most new buildings are built with the environment in mind, but the real key to substantial progress is reducing existing building energy consumption and carbon footprint.”

“This innovative process, which has developed new techniques for modeling and organizing an integrated program, offers a clear path to adoption around the world, leading to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” according to Malkin. “Along with other steps taken, in recycling waste and construction debris, use of recycled materials, and green cleaning and pest control products, the model built at the Empire State Building will meaningfully speed the reduction in energy consumption and environmental impact and allow more sustainable operations – while simultaneously enhancing profitability and tenant comfort. This is a real program, happening in real time, creating real green jobs.”

The project partners used existing and newly created modeling, measurement and projection tools in a new and repeatable process to analyze the Empire State Building and establish a full understanding of its energy use as well as its functional efficiencies and deficiencies. This provided actionable recommendations along a cost-benefit curve to increase efficiency and without harming bottom line performance. In reviewing more than 60 optional activities, the team identified eight economically viable projects, applicable to building-wide renovations, electrical and ventilation system upgrades and tenant space overhauls that will provide a significant return on investment, both environmentally and financially.

“In this distressed economic climate, there is a tremendous opportunity for cities and building owners to retrofit existing buildings to save money and save energy,” said President Clinton. “I’m proud of the work my foundation’s climate initiative has done with 40 of the world’s largest cities, including New York where we played a central role in convening a unique set of partners that are working to make the Empire State Building retrofit project possible. It is this kind of innovative collaboration that is crucial to protecting our planet and getting our economy up and running again.”

“This project brings to bear every bit of experience, research and innovation we’ve accumulated in our 125 years in this business,” said Iain Campbell, Vice President, Johnson Controls, which serves as the energy services company for the program. “It’s gratifying to know that just as we point to this building as one of the greatest achievements of our grandparent’s generation, so can our grandchildren point to us.”

“Not only will this project dramatically reduce the Empire State Building’s environmental impact, but now we’re able to do it in a way that provides meaningful costs savings to the building as well as its tenants,” said Raymond Quartararo, International Director, Jones Lang LaSalle.

With an initial estimated project cost of $20 million, additional savings and redirection of expenditures originally planned in the building’s upgrade program, and additional alternative spending in tenant installations, the Empire State Building will save $4.4 million in annual energy savings costs, reduce its energy consumption by close to 40%, repay its net extra cost in about three years, and cut its overall carbon output through eight key initiatives, including:

1. Window Light Retrofit: Refurbishment of approximately 6,500 thermopane glass windows, using existing glass and sashes to create triple-glazed insulated panels with new components that dramatically reduce both summer heat load and winter heat loss.
2. Radiator Insulation Retrofit: Added insulation behind radiators to reduce heat loss and more efficiently heat the building perimeter.
3. Tenant Lighting, Daylighting and Plug Upgrades: Introduction of improved lighting designs, daylighting controls, and plug load occupancy sensors in common areas and tenant spaces to reduce electricity costs and cooling loads.
4. Air Handler Replacements: Replacement of air handling units with variable frequency drive fans to allow increased energy efficiency in operation while improving comfort for individual tenants.
5. Chiller Plant Retrofit: Reuse of existing chiller shells while removing and replacing “guts” to improve chiller efficiency and controllability, including the introduction of variable frequency drives.
6. Whole-Building Control System Upgrade: Upgrade of existing building control system to optimize HVAC operation as well as provide more detailed sub-metering information.
7. Ventilation Control Upgrade: Introduction of demand control ventilation in occupied spaces to improve air quality and reduce energy required to condition outside air.
8. Tenant Energy Management Systems: Introduction of individualized, web-based power usage systems for each tenant to allow more efficient management of power usage.

Recently, several initiatives have been launched, including the CCI Building Retrofit program and New York City’s PlaNYC in 2007, which aim to reduce the significant carbon footprint of existing structures in major cities. The pilot program launched today at Empire State Building moves from theoretical and directional steps to quantifiable action plans which can be broadly adopted around the world. Through the tangible actions announced today by the Clinton Climate Initiative, Johnson Controls Inc. and Jones Lang LaSalle, Rocky Mountain Institute, and Empire State Building Company, building owners now have a practical example of an economically intelligent path to be responsible members of the global community. This project can increase the confidence of cities, states and governments worldwide in the viability of programs that make positive changes, now.

“To make cities cleaner and more energy efficient, we urgently need a replicable model for retrofitting existing major buildings. This visionary example will help inform and inspire initiatives that can cut carbon emissions, save energy, save money, make jobs, and provide better workplaces in buildings all over the world,” said Amory B. Lovins, Chairman and Chief Scientist of Rocky Mountain Institute.

The full analysis process is available online as open-source materials for public use at www.esbsustainability.com and www.esbnyc.com.

For more information, please contact Adam Pietrala (212-704-8176, adam.pietrala@edelman.com) or Viet N’Guyen (212-704-4535, viet.n’guyen@edelman.com).

About the Clinton Climate Initiative

The William J. Clinton Foundation launched the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) to create and advance solutions to the core issues driving climate change. Working with governments and businesses around the world to tailor local solutions that are economically and environmentally sustainable, CCI focuses on three strategic program areas: increasing energy efficiency in cities, catalyzing the large-scale supply of clean energy, and working to measure and value the carbon absorbed by forests. In each of these programs, CCI uses a holistic approach to address the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions and the people, policies, and practices that impact them. CCI serves as the action arm of the C40, an association of large cities around the world that have pledged to accelerate their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and of which New York is a member. To learn more about the work of the Clinton Climate Initiative and the William J. Clinton Foundation, please visit www.clintonfoundation.org.

Contact: press@clintonfoundation.org

About Johnson Controls Inc.
Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.

Contact: Kari Pfisterer, 414-524-4017, Kari.B.Pfisterer@jci.com

About Jones Lang LaSalle

Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE:JLL) is a financial and professional services firm specializing in real estate. The firm offers integrated services delivered by expert teams worldwide to clients seeking increased value by owning, occupying or investing in real estate. With 2008 global revenue of $2.7 billion, Jones Lang LaSalle serves clients in 60 countries from 750 locations worldwide, including 180 corporate offices. The firm is an industry leader in property and corporate facility management services, with a portfolio of approximately 1.4 billion square feet worldwide. LaSalle Investment Management, the company’s investment management business, is one of the world’s largest and most diverse in real estate with more than $46 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit our Web site, www.joneslanglasalle.com.

Contact: Craig Bloomfield, (312) 228-2774, Craig.Bloomfield@am.jll.com

About Rocky Mountain Institute

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in 1982 by resource analysts L. Hunter Lovins and Amory B. Lovins. What began as a small group of colleagues focusing on energy policy has since grown into a broad-based institution with approximately eighty full-time staff, an annual budget of nearly $12 million (over half of it earned through programmatic enterprise), and a global reach.

Contact: Josh Baran, 212-584-5000, josh@fenton.com

About Empire State Building

The “World’s Most Famous Office Building,” the Empire State Building is in the midst of the more than $500 million Empire State ReBuilding program as the flagship of the W&H Properties portfolio of Pre-War Trophy office buildings. Since the Empire State ReBuilding program began in 2007, new investments in infrastructure, public areas and amenities have attracted new, first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world. The skyscraper’s robust broadcasting platform makes it the most important broadcast facility in the most important market in the world. The Empire State Building was named America’s favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects. The Empire State Building Observatory is the region’s #1 tourist destination. For more information on the Empire State Building, please visit www.esbnyc.com.

Contact: Adam Pietrala, 212-704-8176, adam.pietrala@edelman.com; Viet N’Guyen, 212-704-4535, viet.n’guyen@edelman.com

King County, PSE, and Bio Energy-Washington teaming up to generate green energy from landfill gas

Methane from Cedar Hills could generate enough power for 24,000 area homes

SEATTLE, Wash. (April 6, 2009) – King County, Puget Sound Energy and Bio Energy-Washington, a company that specializes in building landfill gas-to-energy systems, are joining forces to turn the public’s garbage into natural gas – an innovation that will generate enough electricity to power an estimated 24,000 homes in the area while at the same time cutting greenhouse-gas emissions and creating green jobs.

This collaborative project will use the methane gas generated from decomposing garbage buried at the county’s Cedar Hills Regional Landfill in Maple Valley, about 20 miles southeast of Seattle. Methane produced by the landfill will be collected, processed, and piped to Puget Sound Energy’s natural gas-fired power plants.

“By partnering with Puget Sound Energy and Bio Energy-Washington, King County is fulfilling our commitment to a cleaner, greener future,” said King County Executive Ron Sims after touring the facility today. “We are reducing carbon dioxide emissions roughly equal to taking 22,000 average passenger cars off the road each year, and we’re creating a valuable commodity from what was previously considered a useless byproduct.”

Kimberly Harris, executive vice president and chief resource officer for PSE, said, “We’re going to use the landfill gas to light people’s homes. This waste-to-energy project is an example of how we, as a society, can transform long-held practices into more environmentally sustainable actions.”

There are more than 100 landfill-gas power projects today in the United States. The power PSE produces from Cedar Hills’ methane – equivalent to the output of a modern, efficient 35-megawatt gas-fired power plant – will make Cedar Hills the third-largest landfill-gas energy project in the nation. Moreover, Cedar Hills will rank among the country’s larger non-wind renewable-power projects.

Because the converted methane gas from the landfill replaces an equal amount of nonrenewable natural gas, the landfill gas-to-energy project will result in an overall reduction of emissions, including greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. This project translates into an estimated 63 percent reduction in the carbon footprint of the landfill.

A connecting line that runs between the landfill and the adjacent Northwest Pipeline – the region’s main transmission supply line for natural gas – will transport the methane gas to PSE natural gas-fired power plants. PSE will use the methane – the primary component of commercial-grade natural gas – to generate an estimated 287,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, on average, enough to meet the entire power needs of 24,000 homes.

Bio Energy-Washington, a subsidiary of Richmond, Va.-based INGENCO, is building and operating the gas-to-energy facility at Cedar Hills, which includes the quarter-mile pipeline for shipping the processed landfill gas to Northwest Pipeline and on to PSE’s natural gas-fired power plants.

The gas-processing plant includes a series of sequential steps which remove all the contaminants found in landfill gas. The end result is gas cleaner than natural gas recovered from conventional gas wells.

In addition to installing the equipment necessary to clean up the landfill gas, Bio Energy has installed proprietary equipment manufactured by INGENCO which will generate some of the facility’s power needs from gas which would otherwise be wasted. This extra step will make this project one of the most efficient in the nation.

Bio Energy-Washington estimates that it will process and deliver to PSE at least 4.5 million cubic feet of methane daily from the county landfill. Deliveries are expected to average about 5.5 million cubic feet per day over 20 years.

Bio Energy-Washington expects to start delivery of the pipeline-quality gas to PSE by the end of April. PSE will purchase the gas from Bio Energy-Washington at a competitive price commensurate with regional wholesale prices.

This project will convert what had been an expense to King County into a valuable resource for the region and the county’s solid-waste ratepayers. Revenues from gas sales will help offset other solid-waste expenses.

INGENCO, an industry leader in the design, construction, and operation of renewable energy facilities, is an expert in landfill-gas technology and currently operates 10 landfill-gas facilities nationwide, with three more under construction. PSE has partnerships in other waste-to-energy projects in the Puget Sound region, including a landfill-gas power-production facility near Puyallup and King County’s wastewater treatment plant in Renton, which delivers captured methane to PSE’s natural gas system. Besides its waste-to-energy initiatives, PSE is the largest utility producer of renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest. The utility’s two wind-power facilities in Eastern Washington generate enough electricity to meet the power needs of 100,000 households.

About Puget Sound Energy

Washington state’s oldest and largest energy utility, with a 6,000-square-mile service area stretching across 11 counties, Puget Sound Energy serves more than 1 million electric customers and nearly 750,000 natural gas customers. PSE, a subsidiary of Puget Energy, meets the energy needs of its growing customer base primarily in Western Washington through incremental, cost-effective energy conservation, procurement of sustainable energy resources, and far-sighted investment in the energy-delivery infrastructure. PSE employees are dedicated to providing great customer service to deliver energy that is safe, reliable, reasonably priced, and environmentally responsible.

GE Energy, Invenergy Team Up to Deliver One of the First U.S. Wind Projects Expected to be Developed With Federal Stimulus Funds

Milestone Project to Help Move the U.S. Wind Industry Forward

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.-April 2, 2009-Signaling a positive note for the U.S. wind industry, one of the first wind energy projects expected to benefit from President Obama’s stimulus plan is being developed by Invenergy Wind in LaSalle County, Ill. GE Energy will supply 74 of its 1.5-megawatt (MW) wind turbines to begin the expansion of the Grand Ridge Energy Center, which, when completed, will increase the country’s wind power capacity by over 110 megawatts, enough clean energy for 30,000 U.S. households.

Under the terms of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), commonly called the federal stimulus package, there are a number of provisions to encourage the development of wind projects, including a three-year Production Tax Credit (PTC) extension, an option to elect a 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) in place of the PTC, a temporary program that includes an option to convert the ITC into a Treasury grant and a new DOE loan guarantee program.

“With a White House and a Congress that support renewable energy and understand the importance of energy independence, Invenergy and GE are poised to make a significant contribution to the growth of wind energy development in the U.S.,” said Michael Polsky, president and CEO of Invenergy. “Renewable energy is good for the country, economically and environmentally. There is an abundance of wind power in the U.S. waiting to be harnessed into electricity that can be used to meet our growing energy demands,” he added.

“The availability of stimulus funds paves the way for a new wave of growth for the American wind industry,” said John Krenicki, president and CEO of GE Energy, the largest U.S. wind turbine supplier. “We encourage others in the wind industry to follow Invenergy’s example and move forward with their plans to develop new wind farms to help meet the nation’s demand for cleaner energy.”

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) calls the U.S. wind industry “an economic and job creation dynamo,” and reports that 85,000 people were employed in the industry at the end of 2008, an increase of 35,000 from the previous year. These jobs span all aspects of the industry including turbine component manufacturing, transportation, construction and installation of new wind turbines, operations and maintenance, and legal and marketing services.

“It is obvious that a strong, vibrant wind industry can be a tremendous growth engine, playing a key role in building a strong future for our national economy,” said Krenicki. “In 2008 alone, the wind industry channeled an investment of $17 billion into the economy while adding more than eight gigawatts of new generating capacity, enough clean energy to serve more than two million U.S. homes. GE played a key role in that development, installing one of every two new wind turbines in the U.S.”

With continuing government encouragement to accelerate its development, wind power will provide a steadily increasing percentage of U.S. electricity. “Wind energy works for our economy, our environment and our energy security,” Krenicki said.

According to Polsky, “President Obama’s vision to double the production of renewable energy in the next three years can be achieved with strong and consistent energy policy. Enacting a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) is the single most important step that Congress can take to lay the long-term foundation for a “green-collar” workforce and a domestic renewable energy-manufacturing base. With this level of commitment from the government, and with the support of the energy industry and the American public, our country is positioned to tackle and solve our energy and environmental challenges, even in these difficult economic times.”

Since entering the renewable energy industry in 2002, GE has invested more than $850 million in renewable energy technology and production. Today GE’s renewable energy business, including wind and solar, employs more than 5,000 people globally, and has increased “green jobs” throughout the domestic supply chain by over 300%.

About GE Energy

GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2008 revenue of $29.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels. Numerous GE Energy products are certified under ecomagination, GE’s corporate-wide initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.

About GE

GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.ge.com/. GE is Imagination at Work.

About Invenergy Wind LLC

Founded in Chicago in 2001, Invenergy Wind LLC and its affiliates are focused on the development, ownership, operation and management of large-scale wind energy and other clean energy generation assets in North America and Europe.

Invenergy, one of the top five independent wind energy developers in North America, has 2,000 MW of wind projects and 2,800 MW of natural-gas fired generating projects in operation or construction. For more information, visit http://www.invenergyllc.com/

LIPA and Con Edison to Move Forward with Plans for Major Offshore Wind Initiative

Governor Paterson Commends LIPA and Con Edison for Leadership on Renewable Energy Initiative May be the Country’s Largest Offshore Wind Project

Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) President and CEO Kevin S. Law and Consolidated Edison (Con Edison) Chairman and CEO Kevin Burke have announced that their public-private partnership is moving forward with plans for a new phase of study on a major offshore wind farm.

A joint feasibility study released today by the two utilities concluded that an interconnection of up to 700 MW of wind power, located at least 13 miles off the Rockaway Peninsula in the Atlantic Ocean, would be feasible with upgrades to their respective transmission systems.

The proposed “LIPA/Con Edison Offshore Wind Farm” would likely be designed for 350 MW of generation, with the ability to expand it to 700 MW, giving it the potential to be the largest offshore wind proposal in the country. The concept for the offshore wind project emanates from New York State Governor David A. Paterson’s Renewable Energy Task Force and is consistent with the Governor’s “45 by 15″ program, which establishes the goal for the State to meet 45 percent of its electricity needs through improved energy efficiency and renewable sources by the year 2015. LIPA and Con Edison have also filed an application to interconnect the offshore wind project with the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) for up to 1400 MW by 2020, which would permit a future expansion beyond the 700 MW.

“As a state and as a nation, we must find alternative solutions to traditional fossil fuel sources. By taking advantage of the natural resources that New York has to offer, we will position ourselves to be the national leader in renewable and alternative energy as our economy emerges from the current crisis,” said Governor David A. Paterson. “LIPA and Con Edison have partnered to take a lead role in wind power, successfully completing the first phase of this joint partnership with their study of the technical aspects of connecting off-shore wind energy to the state’s electricity system.”

“I am strongly encouraged by the preliminary analysis which demonstrates a large offshore wind project can work in our service territory,” said LIPA President and CEO Kevin S. Law. “As a member of Governor Paterson’s Renewable Energy Task Force, I remain committed to not only continue with the next phase of the process, but also to bring this wind project to fruition if we can make it cost effective for our customers.”

“We are committed to helping the state meet its renewable energy goals, while continuing to support efforts that provide a clean environment for our customers,” said Con Edison Chairman and CEO Kevin Burke. “An offshore wind farm would be an exciting project for New York, and we will work closely with federal, state and municipal leaders to move this process along in a responsible way.”

The formation of the Con Edison and LIPA interdisciplinary working group was announced by the Governor last fall with a goal of studying, among other things, suitable locations for an offshore wind project, transmission and interconnection capabilities, and the availability of wind as an energy source. The information gathered was used to provide a better understanding of the opportunities for such a project and, if feasible, the development of jointly issued request for proposals whereby both utilities could share the cost of the project, as well as the power it generates.

As the second phase begins for the wind project, LIPA and Con Edison will work with the state, the New York Power Authority, New York City, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and the Port Authority to issue a request for expressions of interest (RFEI) for off-shore wind development. The RFEI serves as a precursor to a Request for Proposals (RFP) to be issued later this year. It is anticipated that other interested state and city agencies will be invited to participate in the project’s next phase and/or the RFP process.
Additional next steps include:

• creation of a joint LIPA/Con Edison Web site to keep the wind industry, communities and stakeholders informed of the project’s progress; and
• working with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop a Meteorological Tower to assess wind strength in the proposed project location.

In addition, both utilities will begin another round of due diligence that will concentrate on the economics and feasibility of the actual offshore wind farm, including: determining if there is sufficient wind resources to meet the scope of the project; an avian (bird impacts) study, further environmental impacts, economic costs, community impact and the potential number of jobs the project could create.

The offshore wind-power working group marks the first regional partnership project between LIPA and Con Edison.

A copy of the interconnect study may be obtained by following either of the following links:

http://www.lipower.org/newscenter/pr/2009/032009-windstudy.pdf

http://www.coned.com/messages/WindProjectStudy.pdf

JCPenney, SunPower and Integrys Complete Solar Power Systems on Five New Jersey Stores

Four California Stores Included in 3.7-Megawatt Solar Commitment

DEPTFORD, NJ (April 1, 2009) – In a ceremony attended by New Jersey State Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP), Integrys Energy Services, Inc., and SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) are celebrating today the installation of SunPower solar power systems on five JCPenney stores in New Jersey, totaling approximately 2 megawatts.

The initiative is part of a total solar commitment by JCPenney to host 3.7 megawatts at the five New Jersey stores and four stores in California. In conjunction with the solar panel installations, JCPenney upgraded lighting components at each of the five stores to improve the stores’ energy efficiency. JCPenney anticipates that the solar power systems will generate the equivalent of 25 percent of each store’s total energy demand.

“JCPenney is piloting this project to explore how we can best support the development of clean energy technologies as part of our comprehensive social responsibility program,” said Michael W. Taxter, executive vice president and director of JCPenney stores. “Each new rooftop solar installation is a step in the right direction for addressing climate change and diversifying the energy supply. New Jersey’s progressive efforts to promote renewable energy, combined with SunPower’s high-efficiency technology and Integrys’ financing, worked together to make this project viable.”

The systems installed on the nine stores vary in size from 259 to 602 kilowatts. Each system is owned and operated by Integrys Energy Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: TEG), under a SunPower Access^TM power purchase agreement.

JCPenney is purchasing electricity from Integrys at rates competitively priced against standard utility rates, safeguarding the company against rising peak power prices. Integrys also owns the renewable energy credits associated with the systems.

“JCPenney should be commended for its forward thinking in supporting these energy projects,” commented Joel Jansen, managing director of energy assets for Integrys. “Through its energy procurement choices, JCPenney has demonstrated its commitment to being an exceptional corporate citizen.”

“SunPower Access is an easy, affordable way for leading companies to support solar power development and positively impact bottom line results,” says SunPower Chief Executive Officer Tom Werner. “We congratulate JCPenney for its leadership and notable commitment to host solar power systems in two states.”

In New Jersey, SunPower has installed solar power systems on JCPenney stores in Deptford, Cherry Hill, East Brunswick, Wayne and Woodbridge. Using conversion formulas provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the solar systems will help avoid the emission of more than 105 million pounds of carbon dioxide over the expected 30-year lifetime of the systems, which is equal to removing more than 8,700 cars from the highways over 30 years.

In California, JCPenney stores in El Cajon, Palmdale, Redlands and Santa Clarita are hosting SunPower systems. The California solar systems, totaling 1.7 megawatts, will help avoid the emission of more than 86 million pounds of carbon dioxide over 30 years, according to U.S. EPA conversion formulas. This is equal to removing more than 7,100 cars from the highways over 30 years.

SunPower installed SunPower® T10 Solar Roof Tile systems and SunPower solar panels, the most efficient panels available on the commercial market, at each store. The T10 Solar Roof Tile tilts at a 10-degree angle to increase energy capture. It is a durable, non-penetrating rooftop solution that is designed for fast installation on virtually any flat rooftop and selected ground sites.

In addition to hosting the solar power systems, JCPenney continues to expand its expertise in energy management. On March 31, the company received the government’s ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award – becoming the first retailer to receive this award for energy management.

About JCPenney
JCPenney is one of America’s leading retailers, operating 1,101 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation’s largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands which reflect the Company’s commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as “JCP” on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of $18.5 billion in 2008 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney’s “Every Day Matters” brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company’s approximately 150,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney.  For more information, please visit http://www.jcpenney.net/default.aspx

About Integrys Energy Services, Inc.
Integrys Energy Services, Inc. is a diversified nonregulated energy supply and services company serving residential, commercial, industrial, and wholesale customers in 23 states in the United States and 6 Canadian provinces. Integrys Energy Services is the principal nonregulated subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. For more information on Integrys Energy Services, Inc., please visit www.integrysenergy.com.

About SunPower
SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) designs, manufactures and delivers high-performance solar electric systems worldwide for residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers. SunPower high-efficiency solar cells and solar panels generate up to 50 percent more power than conventional solar technologies and have a uniquely attractive, all-black appearance. With headquarters in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has offices in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. For more information, visit www.sunpowercorp.com.

EMPSi Assists Solyndra in Securing First DOE Loan Guarantee Under U.S. Department of Energy Program

EMPSi Assists Solyndra in Securing First DOE Loan Guarantee Under U.S. Department of Energy Program

(SAN FRANCISCO, April 2)   PRNewswire — Solyndra, Inc. announced today that it is the first company to receive an offer for a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantee under Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Solyndra, a Fremont, California-based manufacturer of innovative cylindrical photovoltaic systems, will use the proceeds of a $535 million loan from the U.S. Treasury’s Federal Financing Bank to expand its solar panel manufacturing capacity in California. “The leadership and actions of President Barack Obama, Energy Secretary Steven Chu and the U.S. Congress were instrumental in concluding this offer for a loan guarantee,” said Solyndra CEO and founder, Dr. Chris Gronet. “The DOE Loan Guarantee Program funding will enable Solyndra to achieve the economies of scale needed to deliver solar electricity at prices that are competitive with utility rates. This expansion is really about creating new jobs while meaningfully impacting global warming.”

Environmental Management and Planning Solutions, Inc. (EMPSi) conducted environmental analysis, compliance and National Environmental Policy Act support as part of this coordinated effort. “We are excited and proud to have helped get the first loan guarantee out of the gates and to get renewable energy growing nationwide,” said EMPSi Principal, John King.

The guaranteed loan, expected to provide debt financing for approximately 73 percent of the project costs, will allow Solyndra to initiate construction of a second solar panel fabrication facility (Fab 2) in California. On completion, Fab 2 is expected to have an annual manufacturing capacity of 500 megawatts per year. Solyndra and DOE will finalize the transaction upon completion of definitive documentation and satisfaction of certain conditions precedent. Over the life of the project, Solyndra estimates that Fab 2 will produce solar panels sufficient to generate up to 15 gigawatts of clean, renewable electricity — enough to avoid 300 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Further, Solyndra estimates that the construction of this complex will employ approximately 3,000 people, the operation of the facility will create over 1,000 jobs, and hundreds of additional jobs will be created for the installation of Solyndra PV systems in the U.S.

“We are proud to be the first company to pass this comprehensive review, and we would like to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of the staff of the DOE Loan Guarantee Program Office,” said Dr. Kelly Truman, Solyndra’s Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Business Development.

About EMPSi:

EMPSi provides environmental compliance services for renewable energy and other projects nationwide from offices in Denver, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. For press inquiries, please contact John King at press@empsi.com or at 415-544-0440. Website: http://www.empsi.com

About Solyndra:

Solyndra designs and manufactures photovoltaic systems, comprised of panels and mounting hardware, for the commercial rooftop market. Solyndra operates a state-of-the-art 300,000-square-foot fully automated manufacturing complex.
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

Environmental Management and Planning Solutions, Inc.

CONTACT: John King of Environmental Management and Planning Solutions,Inc., +1-415-544-0440, press@empsi.com.  Web site: http://www.empsi.com/

Source: Newscom

Republic Services Caps Landfill with Flexible Solar Cover

First company to integrate solar technology to create energy-producing cover.  Innovative Green Venture Turns Landfill into Energy Park.

(SAN ANTONIO, April 2) PRNewswire-FirstCall — Republic Services, Inc. today embarked on an innovative new venture to greatly increase renewable energy output at its landfills. The company combined a first-of-its-kind solar technology with an existing biogas-to-energy system to turn its Tessman Road Landfill in San Antonio, Texas into a sustainable energy park.

Republic’s latest green energy venture will cover portions of soon to be closed areas of active landfills with flexible, laminate-type photovoltaic (PV) solar collection strips developed by United Solar. The flexible solar laminates, which capture the sun’s rays for conversion into electricity, are adhered directly to a Firestone manufactured synthetic green-colored geomembrane used to cover and close a landfill as it reaches capacity. Unlike the more traditional rigid solar panels, which are bulky and frequently cost-prohibitive to install, Republic’s system uses flexible nonreflective collection strips less than 1/4 inch thick.

The flexible solar strips can be configured to maximize the hours of sunlight exposure throughout the year, depending upon a landfill’s design and site contours. For its demonstration project at the Tessman Road facility, Republic will partner with CPS Energy, Greater San Antonio’s electric and natural gas provider, to deploy 5.6 acres of the 680-acre landfill with the solar energy cover, attaching over 1,000 Uni-Solar flexible solar strips to the landfill’s south facing side slope. Republic and CPS Energy will study and document the results of this solar demonstration project for use in the deployment of solar energy covers on owned landfills throughout the region. Construction on the project, approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), began in December, 2008 and became fully operational in March, 2009.

“As the nation’s largest municipally-owned gas and electric company, we’re proud that our customers’ energy bills are among the lowest in the country,” said Milton Lee, general manager and CEO. “We are able to do this by providing a diverse mix of fuels and renewable energy sources that combined offer reliable, cost-competitive electric service. Working together with Republic and the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, we are at the forefront of yet another useful way to tap the energy resources of landfills for the benefit of our customers.”

The new solar cover will complement the landfill’s existing biogas-to-energy system, in operation since 2002. The system collects and processes biogas, which is naturally produced at the landfill through the decomposition of waste. The solar strips, which have flexible photovoltaic silicon cells that convert sunlight directly into electricity, will complement the amount of renewable energy provided by the landfill.

With over 300 days of sunlight in San Antonio per year, Republic estimates that the energy produced by the two fully-operational systems, will continuously create about nine megawatts of power – enough to power 5,500 area homes.

“As part of our commitment to creating cleaner, greener communities, we’re continually researching, developing and implementing innovative technologies to help us preserve and conserve our natural resources,” said Ted Neura, senior director, sustainable business planning and development for Republic Services.

“The solar energy cover is easier to inspect, maintain and repair than a traditional clay cap, and is technically superior in terms of odor control and storm water management,” said Tony Walker, project manager for Republic. “Geomembrane covers are already in use across the country, but Republic is the first to integrate flexible solar cell technology to create an energy-producing cover system. We look forward to working with state regulators across the country to capitalize on the opportunities provided by landfills and, specifically, our efforts to further the country’s energy independence movement through new sources of solar power.”

Republic has 213 operating landfills in 40 states across the country. The company’s research suggests that as much as 2,350 acres could be covered with solar energy covers, depending on regulatory approvals. That translates into enough solar energy to power up to 47,000 homes per year. Combine that with existing biogas-to-energy technology, and Republic has the potential to generate enough green electricity to power 300,000 homes across the country.

About Republic Services

Republic Services, Inc. has been building on success since its inception in 1998, becoming an industry-leading provider of waste and environmental services. The company provides trash collection services to commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers in 40 states and Puerto Rico through its 400 collection companies. Republic Services owns or operates 242 transfer stations, 213 solid waste landfills and 78 recycling facilities. The company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and has more than 35,000 employees. For more information, visit the Republic Services web site at www.republicservices.com .

About CPS Energy

CPS Energy is the nation’s largest municipally owned energy company providing both natural gas and electric service. Acquired by the City of San Antonio in 1942, the company serves approximately 690,000 electric customers and almost 320,000 natural gas customers in and around America’s seventh-largest city. CPS Energy ranks among the nation’s lowest-cost energy providers, owns the highest financial ratings of any electric system in the U. S. and stands number 1 in wind-energy capacity among municipally owned utilities across the country.

Republic Services, Inc.

CONTACT: Peg Mulloy of Republic Services, +1-480-627-2887,mulloyp@repsrv.com; or Bob McCullough of CPS Energy, +1-210-353-2344RGMcCullough@CPSEnergy.com Web site: http://www.republicservices.com/

Source: Newscom

Greenwood Land Company Announces the ‘Greenwood Project’

Two part initiative promotes benefits of land investment and conservation

(COLUMBUS, Ga., April 2) PRNewswire — Greenwood Land Company announces the “Greenwood Project” to promote the investment, conservation, and lifestyle benefits of land ownership. The goal of the Greenwood Project is to show how land ownership and the responsible stewardship of our natural resources are an undeniable path for anyone to achieve both financial and quality of life goals; Saving the planet and saving the bank account.
Company president, Don Webb, says, “I think most people aspire to own land, but most people don’t know how to get there. Given the current economic situation, many see land ownership as impossible or impractical. The Greenwood Project is meant to inspire people, regardless of their financial situation, to realize that through land ownership they can they can make a difference for themselves financially, their quality of life, and through conservation, for future generations to come.” Don went on to say, “The goal of the Greenwood Project is to educate and encourage investors, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts alike, in a way that motivates them to take action. Land ownership has been one of the greatest experiences in my life and I want to empower others to share in that experience. ”

This two part initiative combines educational training with live demonstration:

1. The educational series, Maximizing the Land Ownership Experience provides a practical approach to land ownership and management, emphasizing conservation oriented practices that maximize land value and return on investment by enhancing natural resources, wildlife habitat, and aesthetics. This series will include written materials, live seminars, audio, video, podcasting, webinars, and other media which will be available on the company website, www.greenwoodland.com .

2. Greenwood Project Land Makeovers – The Greenwood Team will evaluate and transform distressed properties demonstrating step by step how to maximize the potential of rural land. Conservation oriented Tools and techniques that create profitable landownership experiences will be highlighted. Documentaries of the Project will air later in the year.

Project updates can be seen on www.greenwoodproject.com

Land owners wishing to nominate their property for a Greenwood Project Makeover and companies interested in showcasing their Green products and services should contact Greenwood Land Company at 706-575-4178 or at info@greenwoodland.com.

For more information or to schedule an interview, go to www.greenwoodland.com/mediakit or contact Dan Fuller.

Greenwood Land Company

CONTACT: Dan Fuller, Greenwood Land Co., +1-706-575-4178, Fax:+1-706-243-6453

Source: Newscom

ASES Green Collar Jobs report forecasts 37 million jobs from renewable energy and energy efficiency in U.S. by 2030

The renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE) industries represented more than 9 million jobs and $1,045 billion in U.S. revenue in 2007, according to a new report offering the most detailed analysis yet of the green economy. The renewable energy industry grew three times as fast as the U.S. economy, with the solar thermal, photovoltaic, biodiesel, and ethanol sectors leading the way, each with 25%+ annual revenue growth.

“There’s a new sense of optimism in the green economy,” said Brad Collins, ASES’ Executive Director. “But while the U.S. could see million of new jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency, this will only happen with the necessary leadership, research, development, and public policy at the federal and state levels.”

Key steps include a national renewable portfolio standard, long-term extension of the production tax credit, effective net metering policies, and improved access to electric transmission infrastructure.

According to the advanced scenario in the report, which represents the upper limit of what is technologically and economically feasible, RE&EE would generate about 37 million jobs and $4,294 billion in annual revenue by 2030. It’s one of three forecast scenarios highlighted in this report. Under the base case (business as usual) scenario, which assumes no major change in policy or initiatives, the green job forecast is for more than 16 million jobs and $1,966 billion in revenue in the U.S. by 2030 – less than half the jobs and revenue than the advanced scenario. The third scenario assumes moderate policy improvements at the federal and state level and forecasts 19.5 million jobs and $2,248 billion in revenue by 2030.

Key conclusions from this report include:

• Renewable energy and energy efficiency currently provide more than 9 million jobs and $1,045 billion in revenue in the U.S. (2007). The previous year (2006) renewable energy and energy efficiency represented 8.5 million jobs and $972 billion in revenue.
• 95% of the jobs are in private industry.
• As many as 37 million jobs can be generated by the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries in the U.S. by 2030 – more than 17% of all anticipated U.S. employment.
• Hottest sectors include solar thermal, solar photovoltaics, biofuels, and fuel cells (in terms of revenue growth).
• Hot job areas include electricians, mechanical engineers, welders, metal workers, construction managers, accountants, analysts, environmental scientists, and chemists. The vast majority of jobs created by the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries are in the same types of roles seen in other industries (accountants, factory workers, IT professionals, etc).
• Renewable energy and energy efficiency can create millions of well-paying jobs, many of which are not subject to foreign outsourcing. These jobs are in two categories that every state is eager to attract – college-educated professional workers (many with advanced degrees), and highly skilled technical workers

The renewable energy industry grew more than three times as fast as the U.S. economy in 2007 (not including hydropower). Renewable energy is also growing more rapidly than the energy efficiency industry, but the energy efficiency industry is currently much larger than the renewable energy industry.

 The ASES Green Collar Jobs report was conducted by Management Information Services Inc. For more information and to download a copy of the report, click here.

Contact: Neal Lurie, ASES, 303.443.3130 x105

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