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Climate policy question #1 is simple: “Are we in?”

Posted by KC Golden on 03 April 09, 09:56 PM

Climate and energy policy touches everything. So it’s no surprise
that as Congress finally sets to work on a national climate policy, it
confronts a blizzard of complexities. 
But at the end of the day, Congress will face some stark
questions. Will they step up to a real commitment to reduce fossil fuel
dependence?  Will they launch an economic recovery that delivers
sustained, broadly-shared prosperity, or just a short-term stimulus and
bailout?  Will they fight for real, effective climate solutions – as
big as the problem? 
If we’re … Read more ›

Climate Solutions Applauds Congressional Leadership on Climate and Clean Energy

Posted by Ross Macfarlane on 01 April 09, 03:53 PM

We applaud chairmen Waxman and Markey for moving promptly to put climate and clean energy at the forefront of the legislative agenda, and we join hundreds of other groups in urging Congress to move quickly to join the world in addressing these issues. Congress is finally taking action to build a clean energy future, repower the American economy, create millions of new jobs, and address the global climate crisis.   Strong climate and clean energy policies are essential for our economic competitiveness as well as our ability to leave a healthy planet to our children.  The bill incorporates needed policies that will spur d… Read more ›

More upcoming green economy events in the NW

Posted by Bonnie Frye Hemphill on 25 March 09, 04:26 AM

April 1: The Seattle Aquarium will host a sneak preview of A Sea Change.  follows retired educator and concerned grandfather Sven Huseby back to stunning ancestral sites (Norway, Alaska the Pacific Northwest) where he finds cutting-edge ocean research underway. His journey of self-discovery brings adventure, surprise and revelation to the hard science of acidification. —In the Great Hall of the Seattle Aquarium at 6:30 p.m. This not-yet-released movie brings to light the urgency of “the other CO2 problem” — ocean acidification. Read more ›

Upcoming Green Economy Events in Oregon

Posted by Bonnie Frye Hemphill on 20 March 09, 04:20 PM

1.   Regional Innovation Forum, March 27-28: Join us at the Portland Expo Center for cross-sector collaboration and leadership development to accelerate progress toward regional sustainability. The Forum will dive into an impressive range of topics, from schools and energy efficiency to climate change and social innovation. Check out the agenda and register at www.regionalinnovationforum.com.  2.  Community Climate Town Hall discussion with Dr. Stephen Schneider, 2007 Nobel Pr… Read more ›

Insurance Companies Must Disclose Climate Risk

Posted by Charles on 19 March 09, 12:23 PM

Beginning in 2010, any insurer with more than $500m in premiums will have to disclose financial risks they face related to climate change and how these risks will affect their businesses.  According to a Wall Street Journal article, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) decided to require the annual disclosures in response to two major climate related issues facing insurers:  increasing risks of extreme weather events; and decreasing “profits of companies such as coal-fired utilities in which insurers commonly invest” because of… Read more ›

Forceful floor testimony by Reps. Inslee and Blumenauer on climate change legislation

Posted by Charles on 18 March 09, 02:01 PM

Last night, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) led an hour-long testimony on global warming, a new energy economy, and how the President’s cap and trade proposals will be beneficial to America’s economic future.  He mentioned specifically how Portland has reduced its emissions 4 years running, with no negative economic repercussions.  Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) added passionate input on the need to build our green energy future here, in America, rather than allowing China to build the electric cars of the future, or Denmark to supply the growing market for wind turbines.  Inslee mentioned two Washington companies specifically as e… Read more ›

Fossil fuel dependence: GOOD for the economy?

Posted by KC Golden on 17 March 09, 02:06 PM

A funny (“strange” not “ha ha”) thing happened on the way from our fossil fuel dependence to the clean energy future.  The Washington State Senate got lost. Last week, they passed a climate bill (SB 5735) so weak it would actually set us back.  The Governor offered a much stronger bill at the beginning of the session, but the Senate gutted it, thinking maybe the voters would settle for process instead of action.  It’s worse than doing nothing; it offers the illusion of progress with none of the substance.But the Senate didn’t stop there and content itself with a meaningless gesture.  It passed another bill … Read more ›

Green manufacturing reverses offshoring

Posted by Charles on 17 March 09, 12:36 PM

GreenLight Pallet Co provides a strong example of the multiple dividends possible for sustainable and green manufacturers.  The company, which produces 100% recyclable corrugated pallets from 100% recycled materials, is moving its manufacturing operations to Portland from Spain and South Korea to reduce its carbon footprint.  The new factory is expected to add $250m to Oregon’s economy.The confluence of keeping (or adding) manufacturing jobs in the Northwest, while… Read more ›

2009 Clean Energy Trends

Posted by Charles on 11 March 09, 05:57 PM

Clean Edge has released its Clean Energy Trends 2009 report.  In it, the group notes that revenues from the three major clean energy sources - Biofuels, Wind power, and Solar PV - skyrocketed from $75.8b in 2007 to $115.9b in 2008.  Total global investment in these three sectors rose from $148b to $155b in the same time frame.  While the report posits a retrenchment in 2009 in clean energy due to the broader financial and economic slowdown, it maintains that “on balance…clean energy and energy intelligence will be seen as a means to help economies around the world pull out of the curre… Read more ›

Push to protect Clean Energy Act (I-937) for Washington

Posted by Charles on 06 March 09, 12:44 PM

Senate Substitute Bill 5840, which would roll back some of the renewable energy incentives in Washington, is encountering stiff opposition.  In a letter obtained by Climate Solutions directed to state senators, a group of business leaders of renewable and alternative energy companies note the progress made on renewable generation since public approval of 937 in 2006.  The letter notes that 12 of 17 utility companies are on track to meet the 3% renewable standard by 2012, and that the legislation has resulted in substantial investment in local enterprises and job creation.  It also argues that lowering renewable standard… Read more ›

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