A new (free) report by Clean Edge, Inc. commissioned for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center shows the tiny New England state second only to California in fostering a favorable environment for the development of clean energy businesses.
Florida managed to make the top 15 (the extent of the report) just barely with slightly more than half the number of identified effective policies and programs as the top ranked states - California, Massachusetts, and Oregon.
Download the report
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Florida Shines in Solar Decathlon Qualifying round
The US Department of Energy announced on April 15th the finalists for the 2011 International Solar Decathlon. Florida Universities will be prominent in the competition with five public universities chosen to go toe to toe with some of the world's best.
Florida fields the most Universities by far with Florida International University - a competitor in 2005 - again fielding a team, and Florida State University, University of Central Florida (home of the Florida Solar Energy Center), University of Florida, and University of Southern Florida comprising "Team Florida." All of Florida's competitors are State Universities.
Congratulations to all of the teams selected for this intellectually grueling competition.
Hopefully our State Legislature will take note and get serious about a renewable energy policy. There is clearly strong interest from our future engineers, architects, and environmental design professionals to support a renewable energy renaissance in Florida.
About the Solar Decathlon:
For more on the 2011 competition and to check out the prototype houses each team submitted for the competition, visit the announcement on the DOE website: solardecathlon.gov
Florida fields the most Universities by far with Florida International University - a competitor in 2005 - again fielding a team, and Florida State University, University of Central Florida (home of the Florida Solar Energy Center), University of Florida, and University of Southern Florida comprising "Team Florida." All of Florida's competitors are State Universities.
Congratulations to all of the teams selected for this intellectually grueling competition.
Hopefully our State Legislature will take note and get serious about a renewable energy policy. There is clearly strong interest from our future engineers, architects, and environmental design professionals to support a renewable energy renaissance in Florida.
About the Solar Decathlon:
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon challenges 20 collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are affordable, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends cost-effectiveness, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.
The first Solar Decathlon was held in 2002; the competition has since occurred biennially in 2005, 2007, and 2009. The next event will take place in fall 2011. Open to the public free of charge, the event takes place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Visitors can tour the houses and learn how energy-saving features can help them save money today.
For more on the 2011 competition and to check out the prototype houses each team submitted for the competition, visit the announcement on the DOE website: solardecathlon.gov
Friday, April 9, 2010
Miami Herald: Concern raised over nuclear waste storage at Turkey Point
Nuclear regulators are questioning spent-fuel issues at Turkey Point as FLorida Power & Light squeezes more waste into holding pools.
BY JOHN DORSCHNER
jdorschner@MiamiHerald.com
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has called a special meeting next week to discuss three apparent violations involving a spent-fuel pool at Turkey Point -- a critical issue as the long-held plans for storing waste in Nevada have collapsed.
Technically, the meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday involves the degradation of ``a neutron-absorbing material called Boraflex in the Unit 3 spent-fuel pool.''
Used nuclear fuel has been building up at Turkey Point for the 35 years of its operation.
The degradation involves systems intended to cram more spent fuel into the pools, according to Lawrence King, a former NRC inspector.
More than two million pounds of waste now sit at the South Miami-Dade site in pools of water -- although Florida Power & Light spokesman Michael Waldron says it's more accurate to think of the spent rods as occupying a 16-foot cube if bunched together
Read more: miamiherald.com
.
BY JOHN DORSCHNER
jdorschner@MiamiHerald.com
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has called a special meeting next week to discuss three apparent violations involving a spent-fuel pool at Turkey Point -- a critical issue as the long-held plans for storing waste in Nevada have collapsed.
Technically, the meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday involves the degradation of ``a neutron-absorbing material called Boraflex in the Unit 3 spent-fuel pool.''
Used nuclear fuel has been building up at Turkey Point for the 35 years of its operation.
The degradation involves systems intended to cram more spent fuel into the pools, according to Lawrence King, a former NRC inspector.
More than two million pounds of waste now sit at the South Miami-Dade site in pools of water -- although Florida Power & Light spokesman Michael Waldron says it's more accurate to think of the spent rods as occupying a 16-foot cube if bunched together
Read more: miamiherald.com
.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
From Florida Today: Job-killing mistake; Legislature's failure on farsighted energy policy hurting Florida's future
State lawmakers are halfway through a legislative session they say is all about creating jobs. But when it comes to passing a comprehensive energy policy to make Florida a major player in renewable energy, they’re failing miserably. That’s a job-killing mistake that’s preventing the creation of new businesses and industries, and Florida will pay a steep economic price unless they change course. It’s particularly harmful to the Space Coast, where 9,000 NASA workers at Kennedy Space Center may lose their jobs with the shuttle fleet’s retirement and cancellation of the Constellation moon program. Their high-technology skills make them a perfect fit for the solar, biomass, wind and other renewable industries taking root, an industry that grew three times faster than the U.S. economy in 2007.
There’s also a local foothold:
Florida Power & Light’s new $78.9 million solar power project on 60 acres of old citrus field south of the KSC Visitor Complex. It’s one of three solar plants the company is building in Florida and has already created 100 jobs.
Lawmakers block action
But Republican lawmakers consumed with wrong-headed moves to open the state’s coasts to oil drilling, or who contend that state government shouldn’t take a major role in building a renewable energy market, are blocking action.
That’s sending businesses to other states and nations at a time when Florida — with a 12.2 percent unemployment rate, a 35-year high — should be pulling out the stops to plug in.
For example, eight renewable energy companies that have expressed an interest in Brevard County say they won’t come unless the state moves forward, says Lynda Weatherman, CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.
Another casualty is a FPL proposal to build a much larger, 100-megawatt solar plant at KSC.
That could bring 1,000 temporary construction jobs and 50 long-term science and engineering jobs here. The facility also could become a hub to attract companies that manufacture solar components.
more on Florida Today (highly recommend the read)
There’s also a local foothold:
Florida Power & Light’s new $78.9 million solar power project on 60 acres of old citrus field south of the KSC Visitor Complex. It’s one of three solar plants the company is building in Florida and has already created 100 jobs.
Lawmakers block action
But Republican lawmakers consumed with wrong-headed moves to open the state’s coasts to oil drilling, or who contend that state government shouldn’t take a major role in building a renewable energy market, are blocking action.
That’s sending businesses to other states and nations at a time when Florida — with a 12.2 percent unemployment rate, a 35-year high — should be pulling out the stops to plug in.
For example, eight renewable energy companies that have expressed an interest in Brevard County say they won’t come unless the state moves forward, says Lynda Weatherman, CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.
Another casualty is a FPL proposal to build a much larger, 100-megawatt solar plant at KSC.
That could bring 1,000 temporary construction jobs and 50 long-term science and engineering jobs here. The facility also could become a hub to attract companies that manufacture solar components.
more on Florida Today (highly recommend the read)
Friday, February 26, 2010
Miami-Dade looks into tax financing of solar for homeowners
Miami-Dade Commissioner Katy Sorenson pushed a piece of legislation through the Commission calling on the Mayor to develop the "Berkeley model" for renewable energy financing. Basically a person who lives in an area offering this type of service (currently the City of Berkeley and Palm Springs County, California, Boulder Colorado and a couple other places in the country) can "op-in" to a taxing district like you have for street lights or landscape maintenance. But instead of mowing the commons of a development, the property owner can use funds to install solar or do major efficiency enhancements like super-efficient windows or an A/C or cool roof and pay back the loan through an assessment on their tax bill.
The resolution calls for a plan to come back for the legislative body's review in three months.
You can read the resolution here
and if you really want a glimpse of what nonsense the Board of County Commissioners can be, watch how long the "debate" dragged out because perennial opponent to Sorenson - Natash Sejas tried to kill the idea and ended up voting against the item along with allies Diaz and Martinez: Video and click on item 11A9 on the left.
The resolution calls for a plan to come back for the legislative body's review in three months.
You can read the resolution here
and if you really want a glimpse of what nonsense the Board of County Commissioners can be, watch how long the "debate" dragged out because perennial opponent to Sorenson - Natash Sejas tried to kill the idea and ended up voting against the item along with allies Diaz and Martinez: Video and click on item 11A9 on the left.
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