From Koreawetlands.blogspot.com
2009-11-07
Impacts of Tidal Power Projects of S. Korea
Tidal Power Projects of South Korea and Their Impacts on Tidal Flat Conservation
6th November, 2009
Korea Federation for Environmental Movements
The government of South Korea is pursuing its Green Growth National Vision and under this vision plans to introduce a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) in 2012 to "increase the share of new and renewable energy in total energy use". Local electricity companies have to find ways to increase 'new and renewable' energy generation share to 10% of their electricity generated to meet the requirements of the new RPS by 2020. They have not taken the environmental and social implications into consideration in their plan to increase new and renewable energy generation but just want to pursue the easiest course to meet the new standard, with the large-scale tidal power projects. (Map 1. Tidal Power Projects of S. Korea)
The Ganghwa Tidal Power Project is a 2.1 trillion Korean Won (about USD 1.8 billion) project of Incheon City, Korea Midland Power Co. Ltd., and Daewoo Engineering and Construction to build a plant with a power generation capacity of 813MW. The planned project will connect four islands in the West of Ganghwado (Ganghwa Island) with an artificial concrete sea-wall 6.5 kilometres long. The project is expected to have a significantly negative impact on the Tidal Flats of Ganghwa Island and the Breeding Ground of an endangered migratory water bird, the Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor which are listed as protected Natural Monument No. 419. Some part of the protected Natural Monument area will lie within the artificial seawater lake created by the sea-walls.
(Map 2. Ganghwa and Incheon Bay Tidal Power Projects which overlaps the protected tidal flats of the Natural Monument and Wetland Protection Area)
The Incheon Bay Tidal Power Project is a 3.4 trillion Korean Won (about USD 2.9 billion) project of Korea Ocean Research & Development Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd., and GS Engineering and Construction with a power generation capacity of 1,440MW. It is going to connect two islands, Ganghwado (Ganghwa Island) and Yeongjongdo (Yeongjong Island) with an artificial concrete sea-wall 15 kilometres long. The project is expected to have a significantly negative impact on the Wetland Protection Area of Jangbongdo (Jangbong Island) Tidal Flat. Some part of the Wetland Protection Area and the Natural Monument will lie within the artificial seawater lake created by the sea-walls.
The natural flow of tides will be dramatically changed if these tidal power projects are implemented. The protected tidal flats around the Ganghwa and Yeongjong Islands, which are very important breeding, nourishing and feeding grounds for numerous marine animals and migratory waterbird species, will lose their important ecological character. The planned projects will also have impacts on the livelihood of many local fishermen as a lot of the productive tidal flats and the sea will be severely degraded or lost. The voices of these fishermen were not considered in the planning of the projects. In addition, the results of the Feasibility Studies for the two projects were not open to the general public for comment.
(Map 3. Garorim Bay Tidal Power Project)
The Garorim Bay Tidal Power Project is a 1 trillion Korean Won (about USD 0.85 billion) project of Korea Western Power Co. Ltd., POSCO Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd., Daewoo Engineering and Construction, and Lotte Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. to build a power generation plant with a capacity of 520MW. It is proposing to build a 2km long concrete sea-wall at the mouth of the bay. The project is expected to have a severely negative impact on the environment of the bay.
According to a research by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of South Korea in 2005, the tidal flats of Garorim Bay are the most well conserved tidal flats in the country. And according to research commissioned by the same ministry in 2007, the bay's environmental values were rated as the highest among all the coastal areas of the country. The bay is one of only two habitats of the Spotted Seal Phoca largha in South Korea. This species, which is protected under Endangered Species Category Ⅱ designated by the Ministry of Environment of South Korea, is also under threat by the proposed Garorim Bay Tidal Power Project. Free movement and migration of the seals will be impossible if the sea-wall is built. The tidal flats in the bay which support important numbers of migratory waterbird species including migratory shorebirds will face changes to the ecological character of their habitat.
The largest tidal power facility operating in the world is in France and it has a generation capacity of 240MW. The tidal power projects being planned in Korea are two to six times larger in their capacity and consequently, their environmental impacts will be greater. Though a great deal of damage to marine and coastal environments are expected from the tidal power projects in South Korea, they are just being pushed as one of green energy projects under the Green Growth National Vision of this country. Such projects should be stopped and important coastal wetlands and marine environment of the country should be protected. The proponents of the Green Growth Plan of South Korea should pay more attention to the conservation of natural environments and biodiversity. Any project that results in severe degradation of the natural environment can hardly be called green growth.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Sustainable Forestry
from the Chronicle Herald:
Tread carefully on our forests
>
> ONE THOUSAND years ago, Scandinavians were plundering and pillaging
> European countries, and what is now Nova Scotia was a pristine wilderness
> flourishing under the capable guidance of the Mi'kmaq and other First
> Nations people. Today, Scandinavian countries (especially Sweden and
> Finland) are developing their forests sustainably, while some Nova Scotian
> forest companies are plundering our woodlands.
> Lately, much media activity and discussion has been generated concerning
> biomass and NSPI's plan to generate 60 megawatts of power from "waste"
> wood at the NewPage Paper mill in Port Hawkesbury.
>
> Read the full story at
> http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotian/1151705.html
>
Tread carefully on our forests
>
> ONE THOUSAND years ago, Scandinavians were plundering and pillaging
> European countries, and what is now Nova Scotia was a pristine wilderness
> flourishing under the capable guidance of the Mi'kmaq and other First
> Nations people. Today, Scandinavian countries (especially Sweden and
> Finland) are developing their forests sustainably, while some Nova Scotian
> forest companies are plundering our woodlands.
> Lately, much media activity and discussion has been generated concerning
> biomass and NSPI's plan to generate 60 megawatts of power from "waste"
> wood at the NewPage Paper mill in Port Hawkesbury.
>
> Read the full story at
> http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotian/1151705.html
>
Labels:
sustainable forests
Book coming out on Wind farm Health Effects
From Indian Country Today
Wind farm health and environment
By Jennifer Ashawasegai, Today correspondent
Story Published: Nov 8, 2009
Story Updated: Nov 6, 2009
Headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, nausea, irritability, rapid heart rate, problems with concentration and memory, ringing in the ears; it may be “Wind Turbine Syndrome.”
It’s a new a term coined by Dr. Nina Pierpont, a pediatrician in upstate New York. The doctor has been documenting and interviewing people who live near wind turbines, and is releasing a book based on the findings. As wind farms crop up in populated areas, health concerns are growing, and the Internet abounds with the latest news from anti-wind turbine citizen groups.
For instance, residents in southern Ontario, near Melancthon, in Dufferin County have been complaining that the turbines near their homes are making them sick. CTV has been reporting residents in that area have health concerns from nose bleeds to body aches and trouble sleeping. The Sudbury Star recently reported that there hasn’t been any health complaints from residents near the Prince Wind Farm near Sault Ste. Marie. The wind farm is one of the largest in the province and is now three years old. The Algoma District Health Unit told The Sudbury Star that no concerns have been called in by residents close to the turbines.
Wind farms, offering environmentally friendly energy are popping up all over the map, and First Nations are jumping on board with developers. But First Nations are aware of the health concerns and controversies surrounding the turbines. As a matter of fact, they are quite cautious in plans on exactly where the turbines are going to be installed.
Based on her findings, Peirpont is calling for at least a two kilometer setback of turbines from homes. The current allowance, or buffer zone, in Ontario’s new Green Energy Act, is 550 meters from residences.
Wasauksing First Nation is in a partnership with Skypower Corporation to develop a wind farm on the First Nation along the shore of Georgian Bay, near Parry Sound, Ontario. Chief Shane Tabobondung said everyone is concerned about the health impacts, and there is “no real science” behind low frequency emissions. But Tabobondung thinks the reported health concerns are due to the older, noisier turbines. In his community, “turbines will be at least 10 kilometers away from residential areas.”
First Nation communities have the luxury of space, and, unlike heavily populated locations, are able to spread out turbines on land that is not densely populated. Wasauksing First Nation is 19,000 acres, with a population of about 350.
Henvey Inlet First Nation, just north of Wasauksing First Nation, also along the shores of Georgian Bay, has nearly 28,000 acres of land. The community is split into two parcels, and the proposed wind farm would have turbines on land along the shore of Georgian Bay. The piece of land there is 21,000 acres. The land is also sparsely populated with about 10 residents and a handful of seasonal cottages. The proposed turbines in HIFN would also exceed current Green Energy standards.
HIFN Special Projects Consultant Ken Noble said the community is concerned about health impacts the turbines could cause and is aware of residential complaints. “The health impacts that have occurred are factual and should be respected.” Noble said some of the extreme health concerns could be avoided by increasing buffer zones.
HIFN has yet to conduct an environmental assessment for the project. However, under the new legislation, detrimental impact on bats and migratory birds are not allowed.
“Impacts on other types of wildlife are less certain, however, many farmers continue to utilize fields surrounding turbines and allow their sheep and cows to graze,” Noble said. Wild animals co-exist with significant intrusions by rail and highways, but the impact of large scale wind farms on wildlife is currently unknown.
The Mistahay Utin (Lots of Wind in the Cree language) project in Saskatchewan will also have larger setbacks for potential turbines on the First Nation or in the territory around Cowessess and Gordon First Nations. All Nations Energy Developments Corporation is considering a 100 MW project with TransAtlanta Corp. ANEDC is owned by Cowessess and Gordon First Nations. Grady Lerat, a Cowessess board member said turbines will most likely be situated at least five kilometers from any residence. Lerat said there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done before sites for turbines can be considered.
“Elders still need to identify all the medicines in the area, First Nations technical knowledge needs to be considered, and we still need to study the migration patterns of birds and animals in the area.”
Both First Nations are part of Treaty Four in the Qu’Appelle Valley and are relatively large. According to the 2006 Statistics Canada Census, about 612 of the community’s citizens reside on the First Nation, which is comprised of nearly 88,000 acres of land. George Gordon First Nation has a higher population on a smaller land base, at about 900 members living on the First Nation, which is more than 35,000 acres.
The Prince Wind Farm is owned by Brookfield Renewable Power Inc., which has been partnering with many First Nations. Director of Wind Development Burk Gursoy said they will be signing a memorandum of understanding with an Ontario First Nation and are working with another First Nation in the province. Gursoy has read a lot of reports on health impacts, and said it’s a relatively new phenomena, and defends the health and safety of the turbines.
“There are 68,000 wind turbines worldwide in operation. Many of those have been in operation for 20 to 25 years, and none of these claims have been substantiated.” Gursoy said the noise, infra-sound and shadow flicker are an annoyance factor. He said not everyone has the same likes and dislikes regarding the aesthetics of the turbines.
Wind farm health and environment
By Jennifer Ashawasegai, Today correspondent
Story Published: Nov 8, 2009
Story Updated: Nov 6, 2009
Headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, nausea, irritability, rapid heart rate, problems with concentration and memory, ringing in the ears; it may be “Wind Turbine Syndrome.”
It’s a new a term coined by Dr. Nina Pierpont, a pediatrician in upstate New York. The doctor has been documenting and interviewing people who live near wind turbines, and is releasing a book based on the findings. As wind farms crop up in populated areas, health concerns are growing, and the Internet abounds with the latest news from anti-wind turbine citizen groups.
For instance, residents in southern Ontario, near Melancthon, in Dufferin County have been complaining that the turbines near their homes are making them sick. CTV has been reporting residents in that area have health concerns from nose bleeds to body aches and trouble sleeping. The Sudbury Star recently reported that there hasn’t been any health complaints from residents near the Prince Wind Farm near Sault Ste. Marie. The wind farm is one of the largest in the province and is now three years old. The Algoma District Health Unit told The Sudbury Star that no concerns have been called in by residents close to the turbines.
Wind farms, offering environmentally friendly energy are popping up all over the map, and First Nations are jumping on board with developers. But First Nations are aware of the health concerns and controversies surrounding the turbines. As a matter of fact, they are quite cautious in plans on exactly where the turbines are going to be installed.
Based on her findings, Peirpont is calling for at least a two kilometer setback of turbines from homes. The current allowance, or buffer zone, in Ontario’s new Green Energy Act, is 550 meters from residences.
Wasauksing First Nation is in a partnership with Skypower Corporation to develop a wind farm on the First Nation along the shore of Georgian Bay, near Parry Sound, Ontario. Chief Shane Tabobondung said everyone is concerned about the health impacts, and there is “no real science” behind low frequency emissions. But Tabobondung thinks the reported health concerns are due to the older, noisier turbines. In his community, “turbines will be at least 10 kilometers away from residential areas.”
First Nation communities have the luxury of space, and, unlike heavily populated locations, are able to spread out turbines on land that is not densely populated. Wasauksing First Nation is 19,000 acres, with a population of about 350.
Henvey Inlet First Nation, just north of Wasauksing First Nation, also along the shores of Georgian Bay, has nearly 28,000 acres of land. The community is split into two parcels, and the proposed wind farm would have turbines on land along the shore of Georgian Bay. The piece of land there is 21,000 acres. The land is also sparsely populated with about 10 residents and a handful of seasonal cottages. The proposed turbines in HIFN would also exceed current Green Energy standards.
HIFN Special Projects Consultant Ken Noble said the community is concerned about health impacts the turbines could cause and is aware of residential complaints. “The health impacts that have occurred are factual and should be respected.” Noble said some of the extreme health concerns could be avoided by increasing buffer zones.
HIFN has yet to conduct an environmental assessment for the project. However, under the new legislation, detrimental impact on bats and migratory birds are not allowed.
“Impacts on other types of wildlife are less certain, however, many farmers continue to utilize fields surrounding turbines and allow their sheep and cows to graze,” Noble said. Wild animals co-exist with significant intrusions by rail and highways, but the impact of large scale wind farms on wildlife is currently unknown.
The Mistahay Utin (Lots of Wind in the Cree language) project in Saskatchewan will also have larger setbacks for potential turbines on the First Nation or in the territory around Cowessess and Gordon First Nations. All Nations Energy Developments Corporation is considering a 100 MW project with TransAtlanta Corp. ANEDC is owned by Cowessess and Gordon First Nations. Grady Lerat, a Cowessess board member said turbines will most likely be situated at least five kilometers from any residence. Lerat said there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done before sites for turbines can be considered.
“Elders still need to identify all the medicines in the area, First Nations technical knowledge needs to be considered, and we still need to study the migration patterns of birds and animals in the area.”
Both First Nations are part of Treaty Four in the Qu’Appelle Valley and are relatively large. According to the 2006 Statistics Canada Census, about 612 of the community’s citizens reside on the First Nation, which is comprised of nearly 88,000 acres of land. George Gordon First Nation has a higher population on a smaller land base, at about 900 members living on the First Nation, which is more than 35,000 acres.
The Prince Wind Farm is owned by Brookfield Renewable Power Inc., which has been partnering with many First Nations. Director of Wind Development Burk Gursoy said they will be signing a memorandum of understanding with an Ontario First Nation and are working with another First Nation in the province. Gursoy has read a lot of reports on health impacts, and said it’s a relatively new phenomena, and defends the health and safety of the turbines.
“There are 68,000 wind turbines worldwide in operation. Many of those have been in operation for 20 to 25 years, and none of these claims have been substantiated.” Gursoy said the noise, infra-sound and shadow flicker are an annoyance factor. He said not everyone has the same likes and dislikes regarding the aesthetics of the turbines.
Man-made Snowstorm Annoys Chinese
T his from 9NewsMan-made snowstorm annoys Chinese18:26 AEST Wed Nov 4 20094 days 2 hours 6 minutes Locals peddle through the snow on bikes. (AAP)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Government scientists in Beijing have been mocked for inducing a recent heavy snowfall that jammed traffic and delayed air travel, state media says.
PHOTOS: Chinese seeing white over snowstorm
Sunday's snowfall dropped more than 16 million tonnes of snow on the Chinese capital, blanketing a city where winter heating services have yet to be switched on and leading to howls of public protest, the China Daily reported.
The Weather Modification Office shot massive amounts of chemicals into clouds over the city the night before to provoke the snowfall, which it said was needed due to a lingering drought in the region, the paper said.
Heating of most Beijing buildings was due to begin on November 15 but city officials were forced to move the timetable forward and were working on Wednesday to bring buildings onstream ahead of schedule.
"This arbitrary government decision had disregarded the interests of the people ... we should (have) considered the potential hazards of cloud seeding," said one commentary carried in the paper.
Sunday's snowfall, the earliest to hit the capital in 22 years, delayed 200 flights stranding thousands of passengers, led to traffic accidents and disrupted electrical services dozens of times, it added.
"(This) shows there is a lot of room to improve the national weather manipulation warning system for the public," the paper quoted Chen Zhenlin, spokesman of the China Meteorological Administration, as saying.
Chinese meteorologists have for years sought to make rain to reduce an ongoing drought.
But ahead of the massive celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of communist rule in China on October 1, cloud dispersal chemicals were used in the Beijing area to ward off unwanted rain clouds.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Government scientists in Beijing have been mocked for inducing a recent heavy snowfall that jammed traffic and delayed air travel, state media says.
PHOTOS: Chinese seeing white over snowstorm
Sunday's snowfall dropped more than 16 million tonnes of snow on the Chinese capital, blanketing a city where winter heating services have yet to be switched on and leading to howls of public protest, the China Daily reported.
The Weather Modification Office shot massive amounts of chemicals into clouds over the city the night before to provoke the snowfall, which it said was needed due to a lingering drought in the region, the paper said.
Heating of most Beijing buildings was due to begin on November 15 but city officials were forced to move the timetable forward and were working on Wednesday to bring buildings onstream ahead of schedule.
"This arbitrary government decision had disregarded the interests of the people ... we should (have) considered the potential hazards of cloud seeding," said one commentary carried in the paper.
Sunday's snowfall, the earliest to hit the capital in 22 years, delayed 200 flights stranding thousands of passengers, led to traffic accidents and disrupted electrical services dozens of times, it added.
"(This) shows there is a lot of room to improve the national weather manipulation warning system for the public," the paper quoted Chen Zhenlin, spokesman of the China Meteorological Administration, as saying.
Chinese meteorologists have for years sought to make rain to reduce an ongoing drought.
But ahead of the massive celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of communist rule in China on October 1, cloud dispersal chemicals were used in the Beijing area to ward off unwanted rain clouds.
Labels:
weather manipulation meteorology
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Property Tax Cap to Come Off?
From the Chronicle Herald
Property assessment cap may come off
Jennex: Province reviewing issues facing municipalities
By MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE City Hall Reporter
Sat. Nov 7 - 4:46 AM
The Dexter government intends to review some key issues facing Nova Scotia’s municipalities, including the cap on property assessments.
Ramona Jennex, minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, told municipal leaders in Halifax on Friday that she’s well aware they are not happy with the tax cap.
At its annual convention this week, the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities released findings from its municipal assessment review committee.
"The cap actually shifted the property tax burden from higher-assessed properties to lower-assessed properties," a union release said.
The group, which represents 55 municipalities, is proposing a low-income property tax relief policy.
In an address to UNSM delegates, Ms. Jennex said her office plans to examine the group’s information in 2010.
"Once the full review has been completed, a decision will be made on how to proceed with the cap," she said.
Ms. Jennex said other things being looked at include the municipalities’ collection of fines, the handling of agricultural issues, the municipal equalization program and the province’s Municipal Government Act.
Proposed amendments to the act are coming, Ms. Jennex said.
"This government will be considering changes to the (act) in full consultation and collaboration with municipalities and the UNSM," she said.
"Once I’ve had an opportunity to hear from you, and my staff have had the opportunity to examine your requested changes, we will be bringing an amendment package forward."
The minister also championed the benefits of immigration in Nova Scotia, saying new arrivals can help boost the local economy and provide for a more diverse society.
Ms. Jennex told the delegates she’s planning a fact-finding tour of the province. She said the NDP government wants "a strong and positive relationship" with Nova Scotia’s municipalities.
The UNSM conference wraps up today.
( mlightstone@herald.ca)
Property assessment cap may come off
Jennex: Province reviewing issues facing municipalities
By MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE City Hall Reporter
Sat. Nov 7 - 4:46 AM
The Dexter government intends to review some key issues facing Nova Scotia’s municipalities, including the cap on property assessments.
Ramona Jennex, minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, told municipal leaders in Halifax on Friday that she’s well aware they are not happy with the tax cap.
At its annual convention this week, the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities released findings from its municipal assessment review committee.
"The cap actually shifted the property tax burden from higher-assessed properties to lower-assessed properties," a union release said.
The group, which represents 55 municipalities, is proposing a low-income property tax relief policy.
In an address to UNSM delegates, Ms. Jennex said her office plans to examine the group’s information in 2010.
"Once the full review has been completed, a decision will be made on how to proceed with the cap," she said.
Ms. Jennex said other things being looked at include the municipalities’ collection of fines, the handling of agricultural issues, the municipal equalization program and the province’s Municipal Government Act.
Proposed amendments to the act are coming, Ms. Jennex said.
"This government will be considering changes to the (act) in full consultation and collaboration with municipalities and the UNSM," she said.
"Once I’ve had an opportunity to hear from you, and my staff have had the opportunity to examine your requested changes, we will be bringing an amendment package forward."
The minister also championed the benefits of immigration in Nova Scotia, saying new arrivals can help boost the local economy and provide for a more diverse society.
Ms. Jennex told the delegates she’s planning a fact-finding tour of the province. She said the NDP government wants "a strong and positive relationship" with Nova Scotia’s municipalities.
The UNSM conference wraps up today.
( mlightstone@herald.ca)
Friday, November 6, 2009
N.Amer. Wind Farm Jobs to China?
Texas Wind Farm Funded by China, US Stimulus Package
Posted by Carol Sonenklar on November 4, 2009 at 5:31 pm
A worker builds wind turbines at a GE factory in Shenyang, China. (image: ge.com)
China has been investing in US clean energy projects and many are not happy about it. Last week it was the announcement that China-based ENN will be teaming up with Duke Energy to bid on contracts for utility-scale solar farms and large commercial solar projects in the US.
This week it’s China’s role in a large-scale wind power project in Texas, reports the New York Times. Many unhappy readers wrote to the newspaper after learning that China, along with a coalition of other investors, will be financing the project. The outrage is over the possibility that some of the monies might come from the $22 billion of the economic stimulus package marked for clean energy projects and, more importantly, new jobs.
Although the project will create a few hundred jobs in the US, many more—approximately 2,000—will be created in Shenyang, China, where the 240 new wind turbines will be manufactured by A-Power Energy Generation Systems. The 600-megawatt wind farm will be the largest Chinese investment in US renewable energy, and is expected to cost about $1.5 billion.
The angry letters prompted a politically expedient response from Cappy McGarr, a managing partner with U.S. Renewable Energy Group (US-REG), a partner in the Texas wind deal along with an Austin-based wind developer, Cielo Wind Power. McGarr emphasized that the wind farm will go far in helping the US attain energy independence. Without this international partnership, he said, the project would not have been possible, and the resulting jobs and revenue would not exist. He added that many of the parts for the turbines would be made by General Electric.
Reaction to the project has not been positive. Douglas McIntyre at Daily Finance called it “a sad day for the U.S. renewable energy business,” and said, “it’s a sign that the campaign for America to rely less on fossil fuels is gaining some traction, but the tools to allow it to happen will be marked ‘made in China.’”
The Wall Street Journal’s coverage was more neutral, pointing out that Chinese companies will be involved in the sort of higher-value services that white-collar America needs. Seeking Alpha wonders if one of the best places to work in the future may be at a US subsidiary of a Chinese company.
About 330 jobs will be created in Texas as a result of the project, according to the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory JEDI (Jobs and Economic Development Impact) analysis. About 734 indirect jobs will also be created.
Michael Kanellos at Greentech Media weighed in with a discussion about how the deal represents a significant shift from the past several years, when China wanted to remain anonymous about its investments. This, Kanellos maintains, is more proof that China wants to make a serious mark in green energy in the US.
But China has been making a mark in the renewable market in the US for some time; they were just much quieter about it. Russ Choma, a reporter with the Investigative Reporting Workshop, a nonprofit investigative journalism project attached to the American University School of Communication in Washington, told the New York Times that China has long dominated the solar panel manufacturing industry, of which 95 percent of its total output is exported to the United States and Europe.
Choma also noted that when it comes to stimulating the economy, it is the manufacturing that matters. He points to a 2004 study from the Renewable Energy Policy Project, a research institute based in Washington. The institute found that every 1,000 megawatts of installed wind capacity had the potential to generate as many as 4,300 jobs, of which about 3,000 are created at the manufacturing level.
But until that happens, we can expect to read more letters like this one that appeared in the Times.
“Thank you for killing the U.S. windmill industry,” wrote a reader from Chicago at the Times’ Green Inc. blog. “Thank-you, U.S. industrialists and financiers, for having us buy these things with financing and grants emanating from money borrowed from China.”
Posted by Carol Sonenklar on November 4, 2009 at 5:31 pm
A worker builds wind turbines at a GE factory in Shenyang, China. (image: ge.com)
China has been investing in US clean energy projects and many are not happy about it. Last week it was the announcement that China-based ENN will be teaming up with Duke Energy to bid on contracts for utility-scale solar farms and large commercial solar projects in the US.
This week it’s China’s role in a large-scale wind power project in Texas, reports the New York Times. Many unhappy readers wrote to the newspaper after learning that China, along with a coalition of other investors, will be financing the project. The outrage is over the possibility that some of the monies might come from the $22 billion of the economic stimulus package marked for clean energy projects and, more importantly, new jobs.
Although the project will create a few hundred jobs in the US, many more—approximately 2,000—will be created in Shenyang, China, where the 240 new wind turbines will be manufactured by A-Power Energy Generation Systems. The 600-megawatt wind farm will be the largest Chinese investment in US renewable energy, and is expected to cost about $1.5 billion.
The angry letters prompted a politically expedient response from Cappy McGarr, a managing partner with U.S. Renewable Energy Group (US-REG), a partner in the Texas wind deal along with an Austin-based wind developer, Cielo Wind Power. McGarr emphasized that the wind farm will go far in helping the US attain energy independence. Without this international partnership, he said, the project would not have been possible, and the resulting jobs and revenue would not exist. He added that many of the parts for the turbines would be made by General Electric.
Reaction to the project has not been positive. Douglas McIntyre at Daily Finance called it “a sad day for the U.S. renewable energy business,” and said, “it’s a sign that the campaign for America to rely less on fossil fuels is gaining some traction, but the tools to allow it to happen will be marked ‘made in China.’”
The Wall Street Journal’s coverage was more neutral, pointing out that Chinese companies will be involved in the sort of higher-value services that white-collar America needs. Seeking Alpha wonders if one of the best places to work in the future may be at a US subsidiary of a Chinese company.
About 330 jobs will be created in Texas as a result of the project, according to the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory JEDI (Jobs and Economic Development Impact) analysis. About 734 indirect jobs will also be created.
Michael Kanellos at Greentech Media weighed in with a discussion about how the deal represents a significant shift from the past several years, when China wanted to remain anonymous about its investments. This, Kanellos maintains, is more proof that China wants to make a serious mark in green energy in the US.
But China has been making a mark in the renewable market in the US for some time; they were just much quieter about it. Russ Choma, a reporter with the Investigative Reporting Workshop, a nonprofit investigative journalism project attached to the American University School of Communication in Washington, told the New York Times that China has long dominated the solar panel manufacturing industry, of which 95 percent of its total output is exported to the United States and Europe.
Choma also noted that when it comes to stimulating the economy, it is the manufacturing that matters. He points to a 2004 study from the Renewable Energy Policy Project, a research institute based in Washington. The institute found that every 1,000 megawatts of installed wind capacity had the potential to generate as many as 4,300 jobs, of which about 3,000 are created at the manufacturing level.
But until that happens, we can expect to read more letters like this one that appeared in the Times.
“Thank you for killing the U.S. windmill industry,” wrote a reader from Chicago at the Times’ Green Inc. blog. “Thank-you, U.S. industrialists and financiers, for having us buy these things with financing and grants emanating from money borrowed from China.”
Question Period- H. Theriault M.L.A.
From Saveournurse blog:
Here is a transcript from Hansard taken from yesterday’s (Nov 4) question period
HEALTH – CARE: DIGBY AREA – SHORTAGES EXPLAIN
MR. HAROLD THERIAULT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier. Yesterday it was announced that the emergency department at Digby General Hospital will be closed every Monday and Wednesday in November because of a doctor shortage. Health care access in Digby has already been compromised as a result of the firing of a very capable nurse practitioner that we have to deal with. Now we have to deal with ER closures on top of this. My question to our Premier is, why isn’t this government providing accessible health care to the people of Digby, Digby Neck and Islands?
THE PREMIER: I want to thank the member opposite for the question. I know that the situation that his constituents face is not the best circumstances that we could find in the province but this, as he knows, goes back a long way.
The department, the minister and departmental staff are doing what we can do in order to address the shortages that you point out. As I pointed out before, this is not the kind of thing that is going to be resolved in every community overnight. What you need to know, though, is that there is a plan, that the adviser is in place, that the departmental staff are aware of the challenges that are there. They are doing the appropriate consultations to try to make sure that we’re able to provide the services that your community needs.
MR. THERIAULT: Mr. Speaker, today in the Public Accounts Committee my colleague, the member for Halifax Clayton Park, questioned the Department of Health official about the Corpus Sanchez report, what was meant by a shared service model for the Annapolis and Digby ERs. The official reply was that the shared service model may allow one of the two ERs in the region to remain open full time.
It is possible that one of these ERs will be kept open at the expense of the other. My question to the Minister of Health is, will she accept the recommendation from the South West Nova District Health Authority that would see the ER at Digby General reduced to something less than the 24/7?
HON. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank the member for the question. As the Premier indicated, we are very aware of the challenges that have existed in this area of the province for a considerable period of time.
We have encouraged, with the advice from the district health authorities, that they look at various ways, various models of providing services to meet the needs of the population but, Mr. Speaker, in no way are we going down the road to close emergency rooms in the Annapolis Valley or in the Digby area. Our objective is to provide good emergency room services in that honourable member’s community and in the surrounding communities.
MR. THERIAULT: Mr. Speaker, this government’s lack of action leads us to believe that it’s not concerned about the well-being of the people of Digby, Digby Neck and Islands. The Minister of Health should prove this isn’t the case by meeting with the people of this area and taking meaningful action to improve health care accessibility in that area.
My question to the Minister of Health is, will the minister commit to personally holding a public meeting in Digby this month to address the concerns regarding accessibility to health and the nurse practitioner who is being fired?
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, as the honourable member knows, last week I met with the warden for the area, and other concerned citizens from the area, who have been involved with a liaison committee between that community’s clinic and the district health authority. It is my intention to visit various parts of the province to meet with health care providers, to look at and learn more about the issues that I and my department are expected to be working on. That schedule will very much be dependent on the amount of time I have to put in with respect to dealing with the H1N1 pandemic situation, but I want to assure the honourable member that, in the not so distant future, I will be making a visit to his community and I’ll advise him of when I’m in the area.
Here is a transcript from Hansard taken from yesterday’s (Nov 4) question period
HEALTH – CARE: DIGBY AREA – SHORTAGES EXPLAIN
MR. HAROLD THERIAULT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier. Yesterday it was announced that the emergency department at Digby General Hospital will be closed every Monday and Wednesday in November because of a doctor shortage. Health care access in Digby has already been compromised as a result of the firing of a very capable nurse practitioner that we have to deal with. Now we have to deal with ER closures on top of this. My question to our Premier is, why isn’t this government providing accessible health care to the people of Digby, Digby Neck and Islands?
THE PREMIER: I want to thank the member opposite for the question. I know that the situation that his constituents face is not the best circumstances that we could find in the province but this, as he knows, goes back a long way.
The department, the minister and departmental staff are doing what we can do in order to address the shortages that you point out. As I pointed out before, this is not the kind of thing that is going to be resolved in every community overnight. What you need to know, though, is that there is a plan, that the adviser is in place, that the departmental staff are aware of the challenges that are there. They are doing the appropriate consultations to try to make sure that we’re able to provide the services that your community needs.
MR. THERIAULT: Mr. Speaker, today in the Public Accounts Committee my colleague, the member for Halifax Clayton Park, questioned the Department of Health official about the Corpus Sanchez report, what was meant by a shared service model for the Annapolis and Digby ERs. The official reply was that the shared service model may allow one of the two ERs in the region to remain open full time.
It is possible that one of these ERs will be kept open at the expense of the other. My question to the Minister of Health is, will she accept the recommendation from the South West Nova District Health Authority that would see the ER at Digby General reduced to something less than the 24/7?
HON. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank the member for the question. As the Premier indicated, we are very aware of the challenges that have existed in this area of the province for a considerable period of time.
We have encouraged, with the advice from the district health authorities, that they look at various ways, various models of providing services to meet the needs of the population but, Mr. Speaker, in no way are we going down the road to close emergency rooms in the Annapolis Valley or in the Digby area. Our objective is to provide good emergency room services in that honourable member’s community and in the surrounding communities.
MR. THERIAULT: Mr. Speaker, this government’s lack of action leads us to believe that it’s not concerned about the well-being of the people of Digby, Digby Neck and Islands. The Minister of Health should prove this isn’t the case by meeting with the people of this area and taking meaningful action to improve health care accessibility in that area.
My question to the Minister of Health is, will the minister commit to personally holding a public meeting in Digby this month to address the concerns regarding accessibility to health and the nurse practitioner who is being fired?
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, as the honourable member knows, last week I met with the warden for the area, and other concerned citizens from the area, who have been involved with a liaison committee between that community’s clinic and the district health authority. It is my intention to visit various parts of the province to meet with health care providers, to look at and learn more about the issues that I and my department are expected to be working on. That schedule will very much be dependent on the amount of time I have to put in with respect to dealing with the H1N1 pandemic situation, but I want to assure the honourable member that, in the not so distant future, I will be making a visit to his community and I’ll advise him of when I’m in the area.
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