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Politics : Rat's Nest - Chronicles of Collapse -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (3606)	1/28/2006 1:29:54 AM
From: Wharf Rat	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 24211

Sun-powered city: Solar plan on tonights council agenda By Claudia Reed?TWN Staff Writer A plan that could power city operations with up to 700 KW of home-grown energy and cover nearly all energy costs - is up for possible action at tonights city council meeting. The plan is the result of 11 months of careful research by the citys ad hoc sustainable energy committee, which was established on February 23, 2005 and has been chaired by Councilman Ron Orenstein. Committee members include electrical engineers and alternate energy providers who are part of the Willits Economic LocaLization (WELL) group and/or the Renewable Energy Development Institute (REDI). If the plan is approved by the rest of the council, the city will authorize a Request for Proposal (RFP) to supply a solar electric generation system for city facilities. The RFP, which would probably be drawn up by a consultant, details the project requirements that would then go out to bid. Last year, Orenstein said, the City of Willits used about two million KW hours of electricity, but by producing only 700 KW the city might generate close to 100 percent of cost. The key factor here, he explained, is Pacific Gas and Electrics (PG&E) variable energy rates and credits. Both rates and credits are highest for peak daytime use and lowest in the off-peak evening hours. That means solar energy, by definition a daytime product, would be fed back into the PG&E grid for peak hour credits. Sixty percent of citys energy usage, however, takes place in the off-peak evening hours when energy rates are lower. Paying for solar equipment and installation also appears to be a cost saver. As predicted by energy consultant Keith Rutledge, formerly of REDI, the monthly payoff on the loan needed for the initial costs may actually be less than the current monthly electric bill. Rutledge, an area resident who has acted as paid sustainable energy advisor to the City of Sacramento, has been offering his input to the ad hoc committee free of charge. We did a spreadsheet on the possibilities and possible monthly payments, Orenstein said. In most of the scenarios the monthly loan payment is less than what were paying for electricity right now. That was one of the things I spent so much time on. I have to vote on it myself. If it didnt pencil out there was no way I could support it. But it works. Here are the numbers: The city, Orenstein said, spent about $300,000 on electricity last year. With rates going up it would be more next year and the year after. If we can pay back the loan at $150,000 or $200,000 per year, right off the bat thats a city saving of up to $100,000. We can use that for other city expenses. Once the loan is paid off the electricity is essentially free. The savings would be even greater, Orenstein said, if the city is able to benefit from the Clean Energy Bond Act passed by Congress last year. We could apply for a zero-interest bond to pay that could pay for this, he said. We want to get the application in to the California Public Utilities Commission for the new round of applications on February 1. Its like a lottery (because there are so many requests). Grants for innovative technology could also be in the works. Were considering a floating array of solar panels on the reservoir of the water treatment plant, said Brian Corzelius, an electrical engineer and member of the ad hoc committee. The absence of surrounding close trees and buildings would increase the efficiency of the solar panels. Covering the water surface with a raft of solar equipment would reduce the need for algae-killing chemicals. In other words, the sunlight would feed the energy system, rather than stimulate plant growth. An alternate possible generation site is the headworks of the wastewater treatment plant. No matter which design is ultimately used for the new treatment system, local energy generation for the initial pumping would be an advantage. If all goes as planned, the 700 KWs of solar power could be only the start for local energy independence - and even for commercial energy generation. Theres hydroelectric potential at the Morris reservoir, the dam, Orenstein said. We wouldnt pipe it back into the grid because they dont buy from hydroelectric projects but we could connect the generator to the water plant and just use (the electricity). And wed have electric generation twenty-four/seven. At that rate, Corzelius adds, the city could begin producing energy to sell. Theres already an offer from the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA), he said. The NCPA, according to its website is a California joint action agency devoted to the purchase, generation, transmission, pooling and conservation of electrical energy and capacity for its members. Most of the members are jurisdictions with independent electrical utilities. willitsnews.com

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (3606)	1/28/2006 11:26:58 AM
From: Ron	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 24211

I have to chuckle when some traders assume crude oil prices will fall off a cliff because US weather has been relatively mild this winter. Its a global market and that cold snap in Europe has a lot to do with crude staying over 66 bucks a barrel. Meanwhile I continue to make $$ off the stupidity of the US government and American auto makers...not to mention the consumer. Commodities mutual fund and canadian oil sands stocks doing very well in this market. Am now launching a search for a new fuel efficient pickup truck as the lease on my Ranger is about up. I don't plan to wait for Ford to roll out their full line of hybrids in three or four years. Hope I can find something that will work. Going to check with the Honda dealer first.