COP15 – day 3 roundup
The third day of the UN climate conference in Copenhagen saw another political argument between the two biggest players – and polluters – China and the United States.
Michael von Bülow
09/12/2009 22:25
China: the US and EU must present deeper cuts
The United States and the European Union (EU) are expected by the Chinese delegation to bring more notable emission reductions targets to the Copenhagen climate talks. Read more
US fires back at China
Statements by Su Wei, Deputy Head of the Chinese COP15 delegation, on lack of ambitions from the US were opposed by Todd Stern, President Barack Obama’s climate change envoy, as he arrived Wednesday at the conference in Copenhagen. Read more
Developing countries split on demands
Small island states and poor African nations on Wednesday wanted the climate conference to aim at a legally binding deal tougher than the Kyoto Protocol. Richer developing countries opposed the proposal. Read more
EPA chief: US will regulate CO2 with common sense
The United States for the first time outlined a dual path toward cutting greenhouse gases that would involve both President Barack Obama's administration and the US Congress to reduce greenhouse emissions. Read more
Denmark ready to pay its share
Denmark – the host country of the ongoing UN climate change conference – has put money on the table for adaptation to climate change in developing countries
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
U.N. Conference on Climate Change
Grassroots: Last 30 years of fossil fuels
Unlike at the UN conference, no accreditation is needed at the People’s Climate Summit in Copenhagen. Some 10,000 participants are preparing their recommendations for the world’s leaders.
Morten Andersen
09/12/2009 22:05
Use of fossil fuels should be completely stopped within the next 30 years, and carbon dioxide emissions should come down to not more than one ton per capita in each single country by 2025.
These are likely to become the key recommendations at the People’s Climate Summit taking place at a sports facility in Central Copenhagen – not far from the venue of the UN conference, but in a rather less formal atmosphere.
At the event “Amazon Indians, Malawi farmers, Tibetan monks and Inuits from Greenland exchanged ideas Wednesday on how to combat global warming at a boisterous alternative forum in Copenhagen on the sidelines of UN climate talks” as seen by AFP’s correspondent.
Sponsored by the Danish government, the summit hosts some 10,000 participants. The initiative came from a range of Danish environmental organizations including the national branch of the Friends of the Earth.
The main purpose of the event is to convene cooperation between NGOs and individuals from all over the world. However, the alternative summit is also working its way through a text – much like the COP15 participants do. Only the document is entitled “A People’s Declaration”. Once finally adopted by the NGO summit, the declaration is intended to be presented to the world leaders gathering in Copenhagen next week. (Photo: Adrian Dennis/Scanpix)
Unlike at the UN conference, no accreditation is needed at the People’s Climate Summit in Copenhagen. Some 10,000 participants are preparing their recommendations for the world’s leaders.
Morten Andersen
09/12/2009 22:05
Use of fossil fuels should be completely stopped within the next 30 years, and carbon dioxide emissions should come down to not more than one ton per capita in each single country by 2025.
These are likely to become the key recommendations at the People’s Climate Summit taking place at a sports facility in Central Copenhagen – not far from the venue of the UN conference, but in a rather less formal atmosphere.
At the event “Amazon Indians, Malawi farmers, Tibetan monks and Inuits from Greenland exchanged ideas Wednesday on how to combat global warming at a boisterous alternative forum in Copenhagen on the sidelines of UN climate talks” as seen by AFP’s correspondent.
Sponsored by the Danish government, the summit hosts some 10,000 participants. The initiative came from a range of Danish environmental organizations including the national branch of the Friends of the Earth.
The main purpose of the event is to convene cooperation between NGOs and individuals from all over the world. However, the alternative summit is also working its way through a text – much like the COP15 participants do. Only the document is entitled “A People’s Declaration”. Once finally adopted by the NGO summit, the declaration is intended to be presented to the world leaders gathering in Copenhagen next week. (Photo: Adrian Dennis/Scanpix)
Gov't Responds to Nurse Issue
Subject: Nurse Practitioner Petition
> December 9, 2009
>
> Dear Sir or Madam:
>
> Thank you for your correspondence to the Honourable Darrell Dexter
> and/or me, in which you expressed support for the nurse practitioner at
> Long and Brier Islands. The Premier has asked me to respond to you on
> his behalf.
>
> This has not been an easy situation to resolve, as it is an
> employer/employee matter, as well as a healthcare issue. Employers and
> employees are subject to contracts with negotiated agreements and
> representation of employees by their unions.
>
> My department worked with all parties involved to identify any and all
> options that would result in a solution to this matter. I asked all
> parties to commit to talking, and to negotiate through a process of give
> and take. It is unfortunate and disappointing that the employee and
> employer have been unable to come to a resolution of this matter. In
> light of the failure of negotiations, I must now consider healthcare
> services for the people in Long and Brier Islands.
>
> Efforts to recruit a new nurse practitioner for the residents of Long
> and Brier Islands have resumed. In the interim, other nurse
> practitioners within the district are providing coverage for a minimum
> of two days a week, along with community paramedics, who provide 24-hour
> coverage, to ensure care for residents continues without interruption.
> Dr. K. Buchholz will also be providing some additional services in the
> community on an interim basis. We are working with the SWNDHA and are
> hopeful that the community can play a positive role in recruitment
> efforts.
>
> Improving people’s access to the health care services is a priority
> for our government, and we will do what we can to ensure the recruitment
> of another full-time nurse practitioner.
>
> I appreciate you writing to me about this matter. Concern for the
> health and well-being of all Nova Scotians is foremost in the Department
> of Health’s plan to make life better for today’s families, and I
> value hearing from Nova Scotians such as you.
>
> Yours truly,
>
>
>
> Maureen MacDonald
> Minister
>
> c: The Honourable Darrell Dexter, Premier
> Blaise MacNeil, CEO, South West Nova District Health
> Authority
> December 9, 2009
>
> Dear Sir or Madam:
>
> Thank you for your correspondence to the Honourable Darrell Dexter
> and/or me, in which you expressed support for the nurse practitioner at
> Long and Brier Islands. The Premier has asked me to respond to you on
> his behalf.
>
> This has not been an easy situation to resolve, as it is an
> employer/employee matter, as well as a healthcare issue. Employers and
> employees are subject to contracts with negotiated agreements and
> representation of employees by their unions.
>
> My department worked with all parties involved to identify any and all
> options that would result in a solution to this matter. I asked all
> parties to commit to talking, and to negotiate through a process of give
> and take. It is unfortunate and disappointing that the employee and
> employer have been unable to come to a resolution of this matter. In
> light of the failure of negotiations, I must now consider healthcare
> services for the people in Long and Brier Islands.
>
> Efforts to recruit a new nurse practitioner for the residents of Long
> and Brier Islands have resumed. In the interim, other nurse
> practitioners within the district are providing coverage for a minimum
> of two days a week, along with community paramedics, who provide 24-hour
> coverage, to ensure care for residents continues without interruption.
> Dr. K. Buchholz will also be providing some additional services in the
> community on an interim basis. We are working with the SWNDHA and are
> hopeful that the community can play a positive role in recruitment
> efforts.
>
> Improving people’s access to the health care services is a priority
> for our government, and we will do what we can to ensure the recruitment
> of another full-time nurse practitioner.
>
> I appreciate you writing to me about this matter. Concern for the
> health and well-being of all Nova Scotians is foremost in the Department
> of Health’s plan to make life better for today’s families, and I
> value hearing from Nova Scotians such as you.
>
> Yours truly,
>
>
>
> Maureen MacDonald
> Minister
>
> c: The Honourable Darrell Dexter, Premier
> Blaise MacNeil, CEO, South West Nova District Health
> Authority
Vestas Production Slows
, December 8, 2009, 8:32am PST | Modified: Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 4:56pm
Vestas plans furloughs at Colorado plantPortland Business Journal
The cyclical nature of manufacturing in the global wind power industry, a cycle that’s been exacerbated by the recession’s credit crunch, will bring “a few long weekends” in the first quarter of 2010 to the 500 employees of the Vestas blade manufacturing plant in Windsor, Colo., said Peter Kruse, the company’s Denmark-based spokesman.
Vestas has its North American headquarters in Portland.
“This industry and Vestas, we have always had a very slow first quarter and what we’re doing in Windsor, we’re not laying off people,” Kruse said. “We’ll try to do the best we can to make sure that they’re training, retooling, helping our service people and what have you.
“We can’t rule out that some will have a few long weekends,” he said.
Kruse said the plant will be temporarily closed for an unknown length of time in the first quarter. The plant, which makes blades for wind turbines, opened in March 2008.
Kruse said activity in the manufacturing sector of the global wind industry typically starts picking up in the second quarter and really gets busy in the third and fourth quarters.
“We’re extremely busy now, but we will slow down in Q1,” he said. “We were busy for Christmas in 2008. We’re busy now, and we’ll be busy next year.”
But Vestas needs more orders for wind turbines on its books to keep the plant fully operational over the next several months, Kruse said.
Orders have fallen due to the year-long pullback in wind farm development that started with the 2008 credit crunch that continued into 2009, Kruse said.
That said, Vestas foresees a strong year of manufacturing in 2011, based on anticipated orders in 2010, he said.
“The 2009 turbines being put in the ground were signed in 2008,” Kruse said. “We see the market coming back. Installation will come back big time in 2011.”
Vestas’ other plants in Colorado — two in Brighton and one in Pueblo — are still under way, but hiring people for the plants and ramping up production in those facilities has been postponed for the time being, Kruse said.
“We have slowed down the people side due to the economic situation in the U.S. We need more orders,” he said.
denvernews@bizjournals.com
Vestas plans furloughs at Colorado plantPortland Business Journal
The cyclical nature of manufacturing in the global wind power industry, a cycle that’s been exacerbated by the recession’s credit crunch, will bring “a few long weekends” in the first quarter of 2010 to the 500 employees of the Vestas blade manufacturing plant in Windsor, Colo., said Peter Kruse, the company’s Denmark-based spokesman.
Vestas has its North American headquarters in Portland.
“This industry and Vestas, we have always had a very slow first quarter and what we’re doing in Windsor, we’re not laying off people,” Kruse said. “We’ll try to do the best we can to make sure that they’re training, retooling, helping our service people and what have you.
“We can’t rule out that some will have a few long weekends,” he said.
Kruse said the plant will be temporarily closed for an unknown length of time in the first quarter. The plant, which makes blades for wind turbines, opened in March 2008.
Kruse said activity in the manufacturing sector of the global wind industry typically starts picking up in the second quarter and really gets busy in the third and fourth quarters.
“We’re extremely busy now, but we will slow down in Q1,” he said. “We were busy for Christmas in 2008. We’re busy now, and we’ll be busy next year.”
But Vestas needs more orders for wind turbines on its books to keep the plant fully operational over the next several months, Kruse said.
Orders have fallen due to the year-long pullback in wind farm development that started with the 2008 credit crunch that continued into 2009, Kruse said.
That said, Vestas foresees a strong year of manufacturing in 2011, based on anticipated orders in 2010, he said.
“The 2009 turbines being put in the ground were signed in 2008,” Kruse said. “We see the market coming back. Installation will come back big time in 2011.”
Vestas’ other plants in Colorado — two in Brighton and one in Pueblo — are still under way, but hiring people for the plants and ramping up production in those facilities has been postponed for the time being, Kruse said.
“We have slowed down the people side due to the economic situation in the U.S. We need more orders,” he said.
denvernews@bizjournals.com
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Down Under Incentives for Individuals and businesses
Issue 63 - December 2009 Systems
From Energy Matters
Greetings everyone and welcome to all our new subscribers!
Business tax incentives run out soon!
Do you have a business or know of someone who does?
Small businesses can benefit hugely from the Small Business and General Business Tax Break when they install solar power systems, but time is running out!
The incentive allows an additional tax deduction of 50 per cent of the cost (after Solar Credits rebates) of a solar power system purchased up until 31 December 2009. Small businesses will be also able to depreciate 100% of the cost of the system over the life of the system!
When you add to that existing rebates and feed in tariffs, there's never been a better time for a business to make the switch to solar power.
However, taking into account the upcoming Christmas break, this means there is less than 3 weeks left to take advantage of this initiative! Learn more about tax and other solar business incentives here.
NSW solar bonus scheme - it's official!
Legislation for the New South Wales Solar Bonus Scheme has been passed! New South Wales residents, small business and community groups will be paid a whopping 60 cents per kilowatt hour for all the electricity a system produces starting January 1, 2010. The feed in tariff is in addition to existing rebates.
According to information provided by the NSW Government, a standard 1.5kW solar power system would generate around $1500 return each year through the Solar Bonus Scheme!
The New South Wales solar gold rush has started - so if you're a resident of NSW and are interested in installing a solar power system; use our instant online quoting tool today. Beat the rush and maximise your returns!
Solar credits special
A top quality grid connect system at a tiny price - check out our solar credits maximiser deal!
Renewable energy news
Solar Power Boom In New South Wales
While the New South Wales Solar Bonus Scheme doesn't kick off until January 1 next year; home solar power providers are already seeing a sharp increase in orders for systems.
The Silicon Air Battery
Most of us would be more familiar with silicon being used for computer chips and solar panels - now the substance looks set to become a vital component in the next generation of batteries.
Insulation Name And Shame - Solar Next?
Now that a formal "name and shame" list has been established for Australia's insulation industry, is it time for the government to implement a similar list for another sector seeing its fair share of shonky operators - solar power?
Solar Bonus Scheme Legislation Passed
It's happy days for solar power supporters in New South Wales. Legislation for a gross solar feed in tariff has been passed, making the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme one of the most generous feed in tariffs in the nation.
100% Renewable Energy By 2030?
Is it physically and economically possible to run the entire world, including transportation, off renewable energy by 2030?
Solar Sails And Space Travel
The Planetary Society recently announced its new LightSail project, a program to sail a spacecraft on sunlight alone by the end of 2010.
Solar Farm For Western Australia
Expressions of interest are being requested for the construction of a 50MW - 150MW solar farm in Western Australia.
From Energy Matters
Greetings everyone and welcome to all our new subscribers!
Business tax incentives run out soon!
Do you have a business or know of someone who does?
Small businesses can benefit hugely from the Small Business and General Business Tax Break when they install solar power systems, but time is running out!
The incentive allows an additional tax deduction of 50 per cent of the cost (after Solar Credits rebates) of a solar power system purchased up until 31 December 2009. Small businesses will be also able to depreciate 100% of the cost of the system over the life of the system!
When you add to that existing rebates and feed in tariffs, there's never been a better time for a business to make the switch to solar power.
However, taking into account the upcoming Christmas break, this means there is less than 3 weeks left to take advantage of this initiative! Learn more about tax and other solar business incentives here.
NSW solar bonus scheme - it's official!
Legislation for the New South Wales Solar Bonus Scheme has been passed! New South Wales residents, small business and community groups will be paid a whopping 60 cents per kilowatt hour for all the electricity a system produces starting January 1, 2010. The feed in tariff is in addition to existing rebates.
According to information provided by the NSW Government, a standard 1.5kW solar power system would generate around $1500 return each year through the Solar Bonus Scheme!
The New South Wales solar gold rush has started - so if you're a resident of NSW and are interested in installing a solar power system; use our instant online quoting tool today. Beat the rush and maximise your returns!
Solar credits special
A top quality grid connect system at a tiny price - check out our solar credits maximiser deal!
Renewable energy news
Solar Power Boom In New South Wales
While the New South Wales Solar Bonus Scheme doesn't kick off until January 1 next year; home solar power providers are already seeing a sharp increase in orders for systems.
The Silicon Air Battery
Most of us would be more familiar with silicon being used for computer chips and solar panels - now the substance looks set to become a vital component in the next generation of batteries.
Insulation Name And Shame - Solar Next?
Now that a formal "name and shame" list has been established for Australia's insulation industry, is it time for the government to implement a similar list for another sector seeing its fair share of shonky operators - solar power?
Solar Bonus Scheme Legislation Passed
It's happy days for solar power supporters in New South Wales. Legislation for a gross solar feed in tariff has been passed, making the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme one of the most generous feed in tariffs in the nation.
100% Renewable Energy By 2030?
Is it physically and economically possible to run the entire world, including transportation, off renewable energy by 2030?
Solar Sails And Space Travel
The Planetary Society recently announced its new LightSail project, a program to sail a spacecraft on sunlight alone by the end of 2010.
Solar Farm For Western Australia
Expressions of interest are being requested for the construction of a 50MW - 150MW solar farm in Western Australia.
Posting to this Blog
No anonymous posts please. I would be happy to post your info, but you must identify yourself and/or your organization. Thanks, blogger, who received anonymous info for publishing to this blog
Kathleen Gidney
Kathleen Gidney
Turbines in Industrial/Commercial Districts, Not Neighbourhoods
From Wind Action.org
Council to revisit proposed wind turbine ordinance
Having been tabled during a council meeting last month, a proposed ordinance that would allow wind turbines in industrial and commercial districts - but not in residential neighborhoods - is set for more discussion Monday. City council will meet with the city planning commission to begin working kinks out of the draft law, which would allow turbines in certain zones.
December 7, 2009 by Mike Rose in Austin Daily Herald
Having been tabled during a council meeting last month, a proposed ordinance that would allow wind turbines in industrial and commercial districts - but not in residential neighborhoods - is set for more discussion Monday.
City council will meet with the city planning commission to begin working kinks out of the draft law, which would allow turbines in certain zones, given that the builders meet specific regulations regarding height, rotor width and distance from other structures.
However, at the Nov. 16 council meeting, a couple of people spoke out against a different stipulation that the planning commission had added in by amendment.
The commission had decided Nov. 10 to add a stipulation that towers will have to be at least 350 feet away from any residential district, in addition to not being in the neighborhoods themselves.
Two members of the commission that voted "nay" to the ordinance on Nov. 10 - Kathy Stutzman and Lynn Spainhower - said at the Nov. 16 council meeting that the 350-foot number was arbitrarily added in at the last minute.
Both Stutzman and Spainhower said more research should be done before adopting that regulation.
They also said the ordinance is all-around too restrictive, limiting places like schools in residential areas that may want to build towers someday.
Jim Stiles, co-owner of Super Fresh Produce in Austin, wants to put a turbine on his property and also said he is opposed to the 350-foot stipulation.
However, for Stiles it is simply a practical matter - if he had to build at least 350 feet away from the nearest home, he wouldn't be able to build at all, he said.
Currently, Stiles can't build because a moratorium is in place on turbine construction in Austin while details of a possible law are worked out. That moratorium could be extended another 60 days in a separate council action Monday night.
There were also some people opposed to wind turbines all together who voiced their opinion at the last council meeting, including Pat Reinartz.
The Austin resident, who said Super Fresh Produce is in her "backyard," is against all parts of the proposed ordinance because she is worried about noise, aesthetics and a decreased property value.
"I'm totally against it," she said outside the council chambers. "Even if it's 350 feet (away)."
Web link: http://www.austindailyherald.com/news/2009/dec/07/...
Council to revisit proposed wind turbine ordinance
Having been tabled during a council meeting last month, a proposed ordinance that would allow wind turbines in industrial and commercial districts - but not in residential neighborhoods - is set for more discussion Monday. City council will meet with the city planning commission to begin working kinks out of the draft law, which would allow turbines in certain zones.
December 7, 2009 by Mike Rose in Austin Daily Herald
Having been tabled during a council meeting last month, a proposed ordinance that would allow wind turbines in industrial and commercial districts - but not in residential neighborhoods - is set for more discussion Monday.
City council will meet with the city planning commission to begin working kinks out of the draft law, which would allow turbines in certain zones, given that the builders meet specific regulations regarding height, rotor width and distance from other structures.
However, at the Nov. 16 council meeting, a couple of people spoke out against a different stipulation that the planning commission had added in by amendment.
The commission had decided Nov. 10 to add a stipulation that towers will have to be at least 350 feet away from any residential district, in addition to not being in the neighborhoods themselves.
Two members of the commission that voted "nay" to the ordinance on Nov. 10 - Kathy Stutzman and Lynn Spainhower - said at the Nov. 16 council meeting that the 350-foot number was arbitrarily added in at the last minute.
Both Stutzman and Spainhower said more research should be done before adopting that regulation.
They also said the ordinance is all-around too restrictive, limiting places like schools in residential areas that may want to build towers someday.
Jim Stiles, co-owner of Super Fresh Produce in Austin, wants to put a turbine on his property and also said he is opposed to the 350-foot stipulation.
However, for Stiles it is simply a practical matter - if he had to build at least 350 feet away from the nearest home, he wouldn't be able to build at all, he said.
Currently, Stiles can't build because a moratorium is in place on turbine construction in Austin while details of a possible law are worked out. That moratorium could be extended another 60 days in a separate council action Monday night.
There were also some people opposed to wind turbines all together who voiced their opinion at the last council meeting, including Pat Reinartz.
The Austin resident, who said Super Fresh Produce is in her "backyard," is against all parts of the proposed ordinance because she is worried about noise, aesthetics and a decreased property value.
"I'm totally against it," she said outside the council chambers. "Even if it's 350 feet (away)."
Web link: http://www.austindailyherald.com/news/2009/dec/07/...
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