CCNET - News - November 21, 2002



		Colorado Coalition for New Energy Technologies Update 21 November 2002 · Election Changes Composition of Legislature’s Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus · Report Released on Economic Benefits of Wind Energy in Colorado · Major Southwest Energy Efficiency Study Released · Renewable Energy Atlas of the West Now Available · Colorado Industries of the Future Program Launched · GE Joins ExxonMobil and Stanford University to Develop Alternative Energy Sources · Point-Counterpoint on Federal Climate-Change Policy o Washington Post Editorial: “Green States” o Senator Inhofe Op-Ed in USA Today: “Bush is Pacesetter” · DOE Releases Strategic Plan for Efficiency, Renewables · Energy-Efficient Colorado Homebuilders Honored · R&D Magazine’s “R&D 100” Awards Presented; Recipients Include Coalition Members · “Positioning Your Company to Access Capital” Seminar Held · State Challenges, State Opportunities in Energy Policies · EIA Issues Report on Renewable Energy Industry in 2001 · EIA Issues Annual Energy Outlook 2003 · URS Corporation Among Top British Environmental Consultancies · Front Range TechBiz Closes · SeaWest Launches New Website · The Solar House: Passive Heating and Cooling · Upcoming Conference: “Carbon as a Commodity” ELECTION CHANGES COMPOSITION OF LEGISLATURE’S RENEWABLES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAUCUS The Colorado Legislature’s bipartisan, bicameral Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus, founded in 2000 by seven legislators, goes into the 2003 session with 34 members. Seven members (Senators Mary Ellen Epps [R-Colorado Springs], Stan Matsunaka [D-Loveland], Pat Pascoe [D-Denver] and Ed Perlmutter [D-Golden]; and Representatives Kay Alexander [R-Montrose], Bob Bacon [D-Fort Collins], Jim Snook [R-Alamosa]) will not be returning due to retirements or election losses this month. The primary goal of the legislature’s Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus is to educate lawmakers about Colorado’s growing business community involved in these technologies and to raise awareness of the many benefits of clean new energy technologies. Two newly elected legislators have already joined the caucus: Representative (and now Senator-elect) Ken Kester (R-Las Animas) and Representative-elect Michael Merrifield (D-Manitou Springs). The Colorado Coalition for New Energy Technologies will work closely with members of the Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus in the next legislative session as our coalition presents informational briefings to legislators featuring presentations by member companies. The coalition briefings will be conducted under auspices of the legislative caucus. Incumbent legislators returning to the Colorado Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus are: Senators Bruce Cairns (R-Aurora), Ken Chlouber (R-Leadville), John Evans (R-Parker), Joan Fitz-Gerald (D-Golden), Ken Gordon (D-Denver), Bob Hagedorn (D-Aurora), Terry Phillips (D-Louisville), Peggy Reeves (D-Ft. Collins), Stephanie Takis (D-Aurora), Jack Taylor (R-Steamboat Springs), Ron Tupa (D-Boulder), Sue Windels (D-Arvada) Representatives Gayle Berry (R-Grand Junction), Alice Borodkin (D-Denver), Bill Cadman (R-Colorado Springs), Mark Cloer (R-Colorado Springs), Timothy Fritz (R-Loveland), Michael Garcia (D-Aurora), Keith King (R-Colorado Springs), Mark Larson (R-Cortez), Tom Plant (D-Nederland), Gregg Rippy (R-Glenwood Springs), Ann Ragsdale (D-Westminster), Andrew Romanoff (D-Denver), Bill Sinclair (R-Colorado Springs), Matt Smith (R-Grand Junction), Lola Spradley (R-Beulah), Joe Stengel (R-Littleton), Bill Swenson (R-Longmont), Lois Tochtrop (D-Westminster), Suzanne Williams (D-Aurora), John Witwer (R-Evergreen) REPORT RELEASED ON ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF WIND ENERGY IN COLORADO —"Wind Energy, the New Crop Powering Economic Development for Colorado" On 19 November, a report released by the Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG) shows wind energy can help Colorado meet a growing demand for electricity while providing significant economic development for rural parts of the state. “Our research demonstrates wind energy is economical and good for our economy,” stated the co-author of the report, CoPIRG Energy Associate, Stephanie Bonin. “If we increase our wind production at a modest rate, rural Colorado can reap over 1 billion dollars in rural economic benefits in the next 18 years.” “In the last ten years the price of wind has dropped from over twenty cents a kilowatt-hour to between three and five cents – making it cost competitive with new natural gas,” said Colorado House Speaker-elect Lola Spradley. “Colorado can be a leader in renewable energy and create an important engine for economic development in rural Colorado.” The report looks at the benefits of meeting half of Colorado’s new demand with wind energy through the next ten years and then three-quarters of new demand in the following decade. An investment in wind power of this scale would create 383 million dollars in rural economic benefits through the year 2012 and 1.2 billion dollars in rural economic benefits through 2020, including $230 million in additional property tax payments to rural counties over the next 18 years and $76 million in royalties paid to farmers, ranchers and landowners. The CoPIRG report also found wind farms increase the property tax base and create a new revenue source for education and other local government services. For example, the 162 MW wind farm in Lamar will increase the tax base in Prowers County by 29%. In Logan County a similar wind farm would increase the tax base by about 20%, Phillips 63%, and Sedgwick 85%. Wind farms also create high skilled temporary and long-term jobs. The report found modest increases in wind production would yield 5,700 new jobs through 2012 and almost 17,000 permanent and temporary jobs mostly in rural countries through 2020. To review the full report and press release, visit http://copirg.org/CO.asp?id2=8487&id3=CO&. Related press coverage of CoPIRG’s study: Denver Post, 20 November “Going for gusto via gusts?” By Steve Raabe MAJOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY STUDY RELEASED —Southwest Energy Efficiency Project Calls for High Efficiency Scenario The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) has released a study on the potential for, and benefits from, increasing the efficiency of electricity use in the southwest states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Entitled “The New Mother Lode: The Potential for More Efficient Electricity Use in the Southwest,” the study models a “Business as Usual” base scenario and a “High Efficiency” scenario that gradually increases the efficiency of electricity use in homes and workplaces during 2003-2020. According to SWEEP, some of the major regional benefits of pursuing the High Efficiency Scenario include: Reducing average electricity demand growth from 2.6 percent per year in the Base Scenario to 0.7 percent per year in the High Efficiency Scenario; Reducing total electricity consumption 18 percent (41,400 GWh/yr) by 2010 and 33 percent (99,000 GWh/yr) by 2020; Eliminating the need to construct thirty-four 500 megawatt power plants or their equivalent by 2020; Saving consumers and businesses $28 billion net between 2003-2020, or about $4,800 per current household in the region; Increasing regional employment by 58,400 jobs (about 0.45 percent) and regional personal income by $1.34 billion per year by 2020; Saving 25 billion gallons of water per year by 2010 and nearly 62 billion gallons per year by 2020; and Reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the main gas contributing to human-induced global warming, by 13 percent in 2010 and 26 percent in 2020, relative to the emissions of the Base Scenario. SWEEP concludes that these significant benefits can be achieved with a total investment of nearly $9 billion in efficiency measures during 2003-2020 (in 2000 dollars). SWEEP’s Director, Howard Geller, points out that “the total economic benefit during this period is estimated to be about $37 billion, meaning the benefit-cost ratio is about 4.2. The efficiency measures on average would have a cost of $0.02 per kWh saved.” The full report, including fact sheets, press releases and other materials, is available from SWEEP’s website at http://www.swenergy.org/nml/index.html. Related press coverage of SWEEP’s study: Denver Post, 13 November “Study: Energy plan could save billions” By Steve Raabe Rocky Mountain News, 13 November “Stricter energy standards could aid state, study says” By Heather Draper RENEWABLE ENERGY ATLAS OF THE WEST AVAILABLE —Full-Color Report Showcases Western Renewable Energy Potential The “Renewable Energy Atlas of the West: A Guide to the Region’s Resource Potential” is now available for purchase. This 80-page, full-color, bound report showcases the opportunities for development of wind, solar, biomass and geothermal resources in the western U.S, and estimates the potential power that could be produced from these resources. Atlas authors point out that “[n]ever before has the West’s wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass potential been mapped so comprehensively and made so easily available to the general public. The Renewable Energy Atlas uses state-of-the-art GIS technology to inventory the renewable resources in 11 Western states, mapping the high-potential areas in full-color. An interactive, online version of the Atlas allows users to research renewable resources by ZIP code. The Atlas shows transmission barriers, anticipated regional load growths, and lists state-specific policies that encourage renewable energy development. Electric generation potential is also presented for each resource and state. It is a valuable resource for state and local policymakers, clean energy advocates, renewable energy developers, ranchers, farmers and others interested in developing renewable resources in the West. The Renewable Energy Atlas was published by coalition member Land and Water Fund of the Rockies (LAW Fund) in cooperation with Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (SEED), with the support of the Hewlett Foundation and the Energy Foundation. Money raised from Atlas sales will help cover printing and development costs and help fund the distribution of high-quality bound copies to key decisionmakers across the West, including, governors, secretaries of state, state legislators on energy committees, utilities, utility commissioners, Members of Congress, Bureau of Land Management officers, county commissioners in key areas, economic development and Commerce Department officials. Printed versions of the Atlas can be ordered for $35 each by contacting Leslie Kaas Pollock by phone, 303-444-1188 x216, or email. Credit cards are accepted. The full publication and individual chapters can also be downloaded at www.EnergyAtlas.org. COLORADO INDUSTRIES OF THE FUTURE PROGRAM LAUNCHED —”Working with Colorado industries to boost energy efficiency, productivity and environmental performance” The Colorado Governor’s Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC) is implementing the Colorado Industries of the Future program (IOF) with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Industrial Technologies. Current program partners include Colorado State University, the Colorado State Forest Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado Timber Industry Association. The IOF program targets nine industries because of their intensive use of energy and raw materials. Although these industries comprise only 30% of manufacturing in Colorado by value of shipments, they consume about 80% of manufacturing energy use. Energy-intensive industries can reduce operating costs and boost their bottom line by implementing energy efficiency measures. The DOE Office of Industrial Technologies provides about $150 million each year in cost-shared funding for RD&D. More than $400 million in cost-shared funding will be provided this year for related projects through the DOE Office of Science and other federal and private agencies. The Colorado IOF website has information on a variety of solicitations that can “help take some of the risk out of being an innovator.” The Colorado IOF program is also conducting an industry survey to solicit advice on energy and technology priorities for manufacturers across the state. Additionally, the website offers links to various sites of interest, including a newsletter where readers can learn about free energy audits for qualified manufacturers; free software, databases and technical support; sources of financing and many other items of information. GE JOINS EXXONMOBIL AND STANFORD UNIVERSITY TO DEVELOP ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES —”Technology is Key Driver, Findings to be Shared Globally” General Electric, the world leader in power generation technology and services and parent company of coalition member GE Wind Energy, along with ExxonMobil, the world’s largest publicly traded petroleum and petrochemical company, and Stanford University have announced an unprecedented, multi-million dollar collaborative research project. This major energy program, announced on 20 November and called the Global Climate and Energy Project (G-CEP), will identify and develop alternative and next-generation energy technologies. GE notes that this project is unique in that “the research results will be shared globally with scientists, governments and other private institutions in order to accelerate the development of these technologies. Recent reports from scientists have stressed the need for immediate research in alternative energy sources to avoid an extremely serious energy shortage in the future.” “The challenge before the world is to find energy systems that will meet rising demand and at the same time lower greenhouse gas emissions,” said Scott Donnelly, Senior Vice President of GE Global Research. “There is no one organization or institution that can meet this challenge alone. It will take unprecedented partnerships, such as G-CEP, to discover the technologies that will power the world in the future. We are proud to be involved in this very important collaboration, which is a natural extension of the critical research we have been conducting in hydrogen, fuel cells, solar and wind technologies.” This significant alliance will involve Stanford engineers and scientists along with scientists and other resources from GE, ExxonMobil and other corporations. The total investment for the project is up to $225 million over the next 10 years, with $50 million being invested by GE, up to $100 million from ExxonMobil, and $25 million from Schlumberger, a global technology services company. According to the alliance’s members, energy sources that will be researched involve a wide array of technologies including advanced transportation systems, the production, distribution and use of hydrogen and biomass fuels, geoengineering, combustion, power storage, and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. POINT-COUNTERPOINT ON FEDERAL CLIMATE-CHANGE POLICY “Green States” Editorial from Washington Post, 17 November: “In the absence of a national policy, states are beginning to take steps to reduce America’s contributions to global warming. President Bush shied away from requiring companies to report their emissions of atmosphere-warming greenhouse gases; Wisconsin implemented a mandatory reporting system. Congress couldn’t pass a national standard to boost the amount of electricity produced from renewable sources; 15 states (including Texas under then-Gov. Bush) have imposed their own…States are demonstrating that it is possible to take meaningful steps now to lower emissions of the gases that scientists believe are contributing to a rise in global temperatures.” “The range of state efforts, catalogued in a new report from the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, is not just an example to federal policymakers of what can be done. It’s also a signal that many responsible officials, like many business leaders, recognize the wisdom of acting sooner rather than later. A patchwork of local requirements will be a headache for businesses; in many cases, states aren’t the ideal venue for such regulation. But if the patchwork increases pressure on the federal government to stop ducking, that’s not so bad.” “The administration last week unveiled its latest move on global warming -- a detailed, far-ranging agenda for climate and warming research. More study is good: There is much still to be learned about climate science. But much already is known, and the longer Mr. Bush waits to act on that knowledge, the steeper the eventual price will be. Responsible leaders are reacting at the international and local level: When will the president catch up?” “Bush is Pacesetter” Op-ed by Senator James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) From USA Today, 19 November 2002 “President Bush’s approach to the issue of global-climate variability has produced some of the most underreported environmental successes of this administration.” “America has set new, concrete goals for reducing emissions, has dramatically increased funding for research and technology and is working with more than two dozen countries on joint efforts. This approach recognizes that sustained economic growth is the solution, not the problem: A nation that grows its economy can better afford investments in efficiency and new technology that result in a cleaner environment.” “The president has set an ambitious but realistic goal: to reduce emissions relative to the size of our economy by 18% during the next decade. Efficiencies already achieved through his programs prevent 45 million metric tons of emissions each year. And he has challenged business to develop agreements to go further. His goal will accelerate this positive trend another 30%, the equivalent of taking 70 million cars off the road.” “Policy must be guided by sound science, and the president has provided the resources needed to study the significant uncertainties that remain…The president’s 2003 budget provides far more than any other administration, $4.5 billion, for climate-related programs, an increase of $700 million. This includes $3.9 billion for basic research and the development of advanced clean-energy technologies…The president also seeks $4.6 billion during the next five years in tax credits for renewable-energy investments such as wind and solar power, fuel-cell vehicles and energy-efficient technologies.” […] “America is more engaged than ever in meeting the challenge of climate variability with smart policies that guide concrete actions today and provide for even more progress ahead.” DOE RELEASES STRATEGIC PLAN FOR EFFICIENCY, RENEWABLES The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) released its strategic plan on 7 November. According to David Garman, DOE Assistant Secretary for EERE, the new strategic plan highlights the office’s role in addressing the National Energy Policy and describes how EERE is incorporating the President’s Management Agenda and the recommendations from the EERE Strategic Program Review (completed in March) into the office’s new way of doing business. As spelled out in the strategic plan, EERE aims to dramatically reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, reduce the burden of energy prices on the poor, increase the viability and deployment of renewable energy technologies, increase the reliability and efficiency of our nation’s electrical power systems, increase the energy efficiency of buildings and appliances, increase the energy efficiency of industry, and spur the creation of a domestic bioindustry. The office also looked inward and pledged to change the way it does business. Along with details on how EERE will achieve all these goals, the strategic plan includes a listing and description of each of the 11 EERE programs that were formed when the office reorganized in the summer of 2002. The new EERE strategic plan and Assistant Secretary Garman’s announcement are available for viewing and downloading on the EREN Web site at http://www.eren.doe.gov/eere/spmemo.html. From EREN Network News, 13 November 2002 ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOMEBUILDERS HONORED Seven homebuilders from throughout Colorado were recognized on 14 November for constructing energy-efficient homes in an award ceremony presented by Energy Star for Homes, a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and coalition member E-Star Colorado™. E-Star points out that these are the most energy efficient homes in the state —homes that use less energy, are more comfortable, save their owners money and reduce the impact of housing development on the environment. Megan Edmunds, Director of E-Star Colorado™, noted that this year’s award-winning builders are adhering to energy efficiency standards voluntarily, because they know that doing so makes good business sense. “We are very proud of the exceptional efforts of each of these builders and are thrilled to recognize them for their contributions to residents, local communities and our state as a whole.” Wonderland Hill Development Co., Centex Homes, Engle Homes, Habitat for Humanity, Balanced Construction, Tierra Concrete Homes and Kurowski Development Co. were honored for voluntarily adhering to energy efficiency standards. For more information on E-Star Colorado™ and its programs, visit http://www.e-star.com/. R&D MAGAZINE’S “R&D 100” AWARDS PRESENTED —Coalition Members Honored for Cutting-Edge Technology Implementation In its October issue, R&D Magazine announced its 40th Anniversary R&D 100 Awards. Among the recipients were coalition members BP Solar and Toyota Motor Corp., along with Colorado’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). “Glass Produces Energy” BP Solar and NREL were honored for their development and implementation of the Power-View Photovoltaic Module: structural material/solar panels that provide 17% of a gas station’s electricity supply. More than 150 gas stations incorporate the Power-View Photovoltaic Module, which were developed by a research team led by NREL’s Robert Oswald and Frank Liu along with BP Solar. “Hybrid Engine Helps Environment” Toyota Motor Corp. was honored for its development of an improved hybrid engine. The THS-M (Toyota Hybrid System-M) increases fuel efficiency and improves passenger comfort. For full details on these and other technology innovations featured in the R&D 100, visit http://www.rdmag.com/features/0209energy23.asp. “POSITIONING YOUR COMPANY TO ACCESS CAPITAL” —Speakers Provide Insights into Accessing Capital in Tight Market Rick Newton of Capital Response Group and Sandra Clune of Clune Capital shared valuable perspectives and insights on 12 November on how companies can access capital in order to grow in today’s tight capital market. Sponsored by the Colorado Coalition for New Energy Technologies, CU Business Advancement Center and the Colorado Environmental Business Alliance, the briefing by Newton and Clune enjoyed a good attendance and provided opportunities for participants to interact with the presenters and with other companies at the event. We hope to do more seminars similar to “Positioning Your Company to Access Capital” in the future and invite suggestions and comments regarding topics of interest. STATE CHALLENGES, STATE OPPORTUNITIES IN ENERGY POLICIES —New REPP Tools Available for Developing Efficiency and Renewable Projects The Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) has announced the release of several tools that it feels will “reduce uncertainty, increase understanding, and provide important support for creative state responses” to developing new renewable energy and energy efficiency policies. In its 25 October announcement, REPP notes that “[a]ttempts to encourage new renewable development as part of major federal energy legislation seem headed toward stalemate. If stalemate is all that comes from the federal effort, state initiatives may provide the best opportunities for the near future. States have shown willingness to experiment with new policies. In addition, many states face major energy/environmental challenges. State efforts are complicated, however, by uncertainty as they sort out their response to the push to deregulate electric markets.” REPP has developed several tools it feels can reduce uncertainty, increase understanding, and provide important support for creative state responses. These interactive tools deal with System Benefit Funds, Renewable Portfolio Standards and NOx Emission Abatement. More information on these and other resources are available on REPP’s website. EIA ISSUES REPORT ON RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY IN 2001 —Solar Shipments Surge; Wind Energy Soars; Hydroelectric Generation Drops Shipments of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules expanded 11 percent to nearly 98,000 peak kilowatts in 2001, according to information released on 20 November by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration in the report, “Renewable Energy Annual 2001.” An 80-percent surge in domestic shipments to a record 36,310 peak kilowatts led this growth, which was tempered by the first decrease in PV exports in more than a decade. Shipments of solar thermal collectors grew 34 percent to more than 11 million square feet. While solar shipments have increased, total renewable energy consumption dropped to 5.668 Quadrillion Btu, the lowest level in over 12 years. This was primarily due to a 23-percent drop in hydroelectric power generation caused by below normal levels of precipitation in the Pacific Northwest. As a result, renewable energy’s share of U.S. energy consumption declined modestly to under 6 percent in 2001 and biomass overtook hydroelectric power as the most important source of renewable energy for the first time since 1992. Other highlights from Renewable Energy Annual 2001 include: Wind electric power plant net summer capacity expanded by over 70 percent to 4,062 megawatts in 2001. Biomass energy consumption decreased 3 percent to 2.854 Quadrillion Btu, mainly in the residential and industrial sectors. Ethanol consumption by the transportation sector expanded 6 percent. Five states, Washington, California, Oregon, New York, and Idaho, provided 62 percent of total renewable net electric generation, which stood at 356 billion kilowatt-hours in 2000 (the latest year for which state data is available). “Renewable Energy Annual 2001” can be viewed and downloaded from EIA’s website at http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/rea_data/rea_sum.html. EIA ISSUES ANNUAL ENERGY OUTLOOK 2003 —Natural Gas Prices Predicted to Rise; Slow Growth Predicted for Renewables With natural gas demand projected to grow 54 percent by 2025, U.S. natural gas supplies will increasingly depend on large, new domestic and imported supply projects, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA), which today released the reference case forecast from its “Annual Energy Outlook 2003” (“AEO2003”). EIA reports that growth in domestic natural gas supplies will primarily depend on two sources: increased unconventional natural gas production (e.g., tight sands, coalbed methane, shale), much of it out of the Rocky Mountain region, and construction of an Alaskan natural gas pipeline that delivers gas supplies to the lower 48 States starting in 2021. Growth in imported natural gas supplies will depend on expansion of LNG imports and pipeline imports from Canada. Natural gas prices are projected to increase in an uneven fashion due to the completion of new natural gas projects such as the Alaskan pipeline and LNG facilities. In the long run, EIA projects average natural gas prices to move higher as technology improvements and new supply sources prove unable to completely offset the effects of resource depletion and increased demand. Other forecast highlights in EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2003 include: The U.S. economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.0 percent from 2001 to 2025. Total energy demand is projected to increase from 97.3 to 139.1 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) between 2001 and 2025, an average annual increase of 1.5 percent. The energy intensity of the U.S. economy, measured as energy used per dollar of GDP, is projected to decline at an average annual rate of 1.5 percent through 2025, as continued efficiency gains and structural shifts in the economy offset growth in the demand for energy services. Per capita energy use is projected to increase in the forecast, with growth in demand for energy services only partially offset by efficiency gains. Per capita energy use increases by 0.7 percent per year between 2001 and 2025. The average world oil price is projected to increase from $22.01 per barrel (2001 dollars) in 2001 to $26.57 per barrel by 2025, largely due to the impact of higher projected world oil demand. In nominal dollars, the average world oil price reaches $48.11 per barrel in 2025. U.S. petroleum demand is expected to become increasingly dependent on imports. Net petroleum imports, including both crude oil and refined products, are expected to account for 68 percent of total petroleum demand by 2025, up from 55 percent in 2001. While the share of electricity generated with natural gas is projected to increase from 17 percent in 2001 to 29 percent in 2025, coal remains the primary fuel for electricity generation through 2025. The coal share is projected to decline from 52 percent in 2001 to a still-dominant 48 percent in 2025. Seventy-four gigawatts of new coal-fired generating capacity are expected to be constructed between 2001 and 2025. While no new nuclear plants have been built in many years in the U.S., the existing facilities have substantially improved their performance and reduced operating costs. Total nuclear capacity is projected to increase from 98.2 gigawatts in 2001 to a peak of 100.4 gigawatts by 2006 as a result of capacity uprates before declining to 99.6 gigawatts by 2025. Total renewable electricity generation, including combined heat and power (CHP), is projected to increase from 298 billion kilowatt-hours in 2001 to 495 billion kilowatt-hours by 2025, an increase of 2.1 percent per year. Renewable technologies are projected to grow slowly because of the relatively low costs of fossil-fired generation and because competitive electricity markets favor less capital-intensive natural gas technologies over coal and baseload renewables in the competition for new capacity. State renewable portfolio standards, which specify a minimum share of generation or sales from renewable sources, are considered in the forecast as are extension of the Federal Production Tax Credit for wind and biomass. Average real (2001 dollars) electricity prices are projected to decline from 7.3 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2001 to a low of 6.3 cents per kilowatt-hour by 2007 due to cost reductions in an increasingly competitive market faced with excess generating capacity resulting from the recent boom in construction and the continued decline in coal prices. After 2007, average real electricity prices are projected to increase by 0.4 percent per year as a result of rising natural gas prices and a growing need for new generating capacity to meet electricity demand growth. Real electricity prices reach 6.7 cents per kilowatt-hour by 2025. The projection does not include future policy actions that might be taken to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Thus, carbon dioxide emissions from energy use are projected to increase from 1,559 to 2,237 million metric tons between 2001 and 2025, an average annual increase of 1.5 percent. The carbon intensity of the economy, measured as energy-related carbon dioxide emissions per dollar of gross domestic product, declines at an average annual rate of 1.5 percent per year through 2025. Reference case projections from the “Annual Energy Outlook 2003” and an overview of the results can be accessed on EIA’s website at www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/index.html. The full report, including projections with differing assumptions on the price of oil, the rate of economic growth, and the characteristics of new technologies, will be released in early January 2003, along with regional projections and a report on the major assumptions underlying the projections. URS CORPORATION AMONG TOP BRITISH ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANCIES —New Report on U.K. Environmental Consultancies Released The UK market for environmental consultancy services is continuing to outperform the economy by a considerable margin, achieving year-on-year growth of 10%, according to a new study from ENDS, an independent publishing company that serves environmental professionals. Environmental consultancy has been a largely unheralded success story of the UK economy for more than a decade. Its turnover has grown from £150 million in 1988 to over £900 million today. More than 720 companies are now active in the field, employing around 18,000 full-time staff. The sector’s expansion has been driven primarily by environmental legislation, with corporate reputational concerns emerging more recently as an important growth factor. According to the recently released “ENDS Environmental Consultancy Market Analysis UK 2002/03,” coalition member URS Corporation is one of the UK’s top environmental consultancy operators by revenue. For further information and/or press review copies of this report, contact its editor, Liz Trew or visit http://www.endsdirectory.com/. FRONT RANGE TECHBIZ CLOSES On 5 November, Su Hawk, publisher of Front Range TechBiz, announced the immediate closure of the newspaper. In a statement, Hawk writes that the newspaper was first launched in July of 2001 to bring news, trends and issues regarding Colorado’s innovative and intelligent technology community. Hawk said “[w]e focused on bringing you stories and information you would find nowhere else and to be your advocate to buoy up the importance of and shared insights of great innovation and technology throughout the state of Colorado…However, we all know the economy hasn’t been kind since July of 2001, and companies’ marketing programs have been drastically affected. Because the outlooks for 2003 are less than encouraging, our corporate parent had to make the very difficult decision today to close our doors, and that of our sister publication, Potomac Tech Journal, based in Washington, D.C.” Front Range TechBiz and its reporters provided excellent coverage of activities of the Colorado Coalition for New Energy Technologies and its member companies. It demonstrated the close link between new energy technologies and Colorado’s innovation economy. Its closure creates a void in the state’s media arena. SEAWEST LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE Coalition member SeaWest Windpower reports that it has launched its new website at www.seawestwindpower.com. Christian Engsted, SeaWest’s President & CEO, writes: “With recent developments at SeaWest, as well as in the wind energy industry, I encourage you to come see what’s new…You can also request SeaWest’s Corporate Profile on DVD by ordering it at http://www.seawestwindpower.com/services/order.html.” THE SOLAR HOUSE: PASSIVE HEATING AND COOLING —New Book Provide Tools for Designing and Building Passive Solar Homes Chelsea Green Publishers has announced the publication of “The Solar House: Passive Heating and Cooling,” by Colorado’s Dan Chiras. In its announcement, Chelsea Green writes: “In methodical detail, Dan provides contemporary readers with all of the necessary tools for designing and building passive solar homes. While acknowledging the efforts of previous solar home designers, Dan highlights many egregious errors that have been made in the past, and shows how to avoid them. Dan also covers many subjects not found in competing titles, including passive cooling, the suitability of natural building materials for passive design, maintenance of air quality in airtight energy-efficient solar homes, environmentally responsible backup heating systems, sustainable design strategies, and computer software for designing energy-efficient passively conditioned homes. This book is a must for any one interested in saving money, living comfortably, and protecting the Earth.” This 275-page book is available from Chelsea Green for $29.95. UPCOMING CONFERENCE: Carbon as a Commodity 3-4 December, Denver Sponsored by the Colorado Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), the intent of this technical training conference is to address current policy on carbon in terms of storage —who stores it and where— the potential for sustainable and environmentally friendly storage and other issues associated with carbon trading. Organizers note that a unique feature of the conference will be the gathering of producers and researchers who can provide practical information about carbon storage and discuss information about policy issues, projects, and potential markets for sequestered carbon. Plenary sessions and breakout sessions are designed to bring together resource persons and attendees for discussion and development of recommendations of approaches where a resource might be suitable for sequestration of carbon and its potential for sustainable accumulation of sufficient quantities of carbon for trading. This conference will take place at the Renaissance Hotel, 3801 Quebec Street in Denver. More information is available at http://www.ccswcs.org/decconf.htm. For a full list of other upcoming events, visit http://www.newenergytechnologies.org/colorado/events/. E-mail notification of this newsletter’s availability on www.newenergytechnologies.org is circulated to members of the Colorado Coalition for New Energy Technologies and other interested parties. Please let me know if you would like to be added to or removed from the distribution list. Additional member-only updates are provided to coalition members as events warrant. If your business or non-profit organization is interested in coalition membership, please contact me for more information. The website of the Colorado Coalition for New Energy Technologies at www.newenergytechnologies.org provides full information on our coalition’s activities, as well as copies of previous newsletters, links to coalition members and other sites of interest, a calendar of events and other features designed to be useful to the state’s clean-energy business community. Please continue to keep in touch on any matters related to energy issues and let me know if I can provide any help or information to you. Craig Cox Executive Director Colorado Coalition for New Energy Technologies 303-679-9331 cox@newenergytechnologies.org www.newenergytechnologies.org The Colorado Coalition for New Energy Technologies brings together businesses and non-profit groups to encourage environmentally responsible economic growth through the efficient use of Colorado’s abundant and clean sources of energy.
		What's New \| About Us \| Members \| News \| Events \| Links Search \| Site Map \|CCNET Home Home © 2002 Colorado Coalition for New Energy Technologies 303-679-9331 or info@newenergytechnologies.org