No. 1 in Asia, No. 2 in the World: OFFSHORE WIND CHINA 2012

OFFSHORE WIND CHINA Conference & Exhibition 2012 is to be held again in Shanghai during May 30-June 1 in Shanghai New International Expo Center and Shangri-La's Kerry Hotel Pudong. After three years' of successful editions, it has become the No. 1 in Asia and No. 2 in the world for wind power trade events focusing on offshore. With international key players' active participation, the event has made a new record in terms of scale. For 2012, three major industry challenges consist of its 3 highlights: Offshore wind turbine techniques, Installation & Safety, Operation & Maintenance. From the above three perspectives, insiders will make intensive analysis of development trends for the wind power industry, and seek the best solutions for current challenges so as to establish an ideal communication platform for the sound development of offshore wind. With the Chinese government greatly pushing forward the offshore wind industry, costal regions like Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Fujian have put forward their development planning for offshore wind. By now, there have been 24 offshore wind projects in planning, stretching across China's coastline from north to south, with total installed capacity hitting 25,000 MW. China's target on offshore wind is to reach 5,000 MW installed capacity by 2015, shaping a whole series of technology line and a complete industry supply chain. After 2015, China will step into the scale-up growth phase in order to reach the international advanced technology level and occupy a stable global market share. By 2020, China's offshore wind installed capacity will realize 30,000 MW. In 2020, China is expected to become the largest offshore wind market in the world. OFFSHORE WIND CHINA 2012 is jointly organized by Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association, Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Committee and Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. In addition, Vestas and Sinovel, two giant industry-leaders, act as its co-organizers. In addition, it gains special support from China Machinery Industry Federation, which has added new energy into the event. Within China, it has continuously won national-wide government backing from Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Shanghai Municipal Economic and Informatization Commission, Science & Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Energy Administration, Zhejiang Energy Administration, and Shandong Development and Reform Commission. As a world-wide trade event, OFFSHORE WIND CHINA has attracted active participation from Danish Wind Energy Group China, Innovation Norway, Holland Home of Wind Energy, German Industry & Commerce, etc. The exhibition will cover an area of 25,000 sq.m., which is twice as large as the last edition. By now, the confirmed exhibitors include Sinovel, Vestas, Goldwind, Guodian United Power, Siemens, Shanghai Electrics, HE-GE, DEC, XEMC, Guangdong Mingyang, CSIC, CSR, Windey, Shandong Changxing, etc. There are 5 national pavilions from Denmark,Norway, Germany, Holland and the UK to bring together first-class component suppliers. As an important part of the event, the conference will invite 108 speakers from the National Energy Administration, provincial Development and Reform Commissions, farm developers, R&D institutes, consultancy companies, leading manufacturers, etc. All these insiders will have discussions and communications on wind turbine manufacturing, engineering design, installation and construction, operation and maintenance. All in all, the conference is aimed to push forward the development of offshore wind, promote the technology updates, cultivate the engineering capacity throughout the whole supply chain, and improve the integrated competition for offshore wind. Around 800 conference delegates are anticipated to attend the conference with the overseas percentage over 40%. For more details and facts, please visit www.offshorewindchina.com

Melvin Wylie

America Well on Its Way to Winning Energy Independence

New statistics from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show America is winning its battle for energy independence. The EIA's fourth quarter 2011 report shows the United States supplied almost 58 percent of its crude oil and liquids consumption. And for the first time in recent history, net imports of liquids were less than 8 million barrels a day. Compared to 2006 numbers, America's position regarding consumption and supplies has reversed. In 2006, the United States imported 60 percent of its crude oil and liquids and only supplied 40 percent of its consumption. Harold Hamm, Chairman of the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, said this reversal is monumental. "What seemed like a long shot six years ago is now a reality—we are significantly less dependent on foreign oil," Hamm said. "And it's all because of a paradigm shift in U.S. oil and natural gas production made possible by monumental advances in time-tested technologies applied in fields that were once thought to be unreachable." These major technological shifts include advances in horizontal drilling, which allows rigs to reach two miles into the ground and then spread horizontally by thousands of feet, coupled with advances in hydraulic fracturing technology, which creates paths that increase the rate at which fluids can be produced from rock formations. As a result of these new innovations in the field, the United States is now the third largest producer of oil in the world. For the first time in 62 years, the United States is a net exporter of petroleum products. And refined petroleum products just took the top spot as the United States' No. 1 export. Hamm said he thinks there's even more potential for America's abundant supply of oil and natural gas. "With the right set of national energy policies, the Americas can be completely energy independent by the end of the decade," Hamm said. "We can be the Saudi Arabia of oil and natural gas in the 21st century."

Melvin Wylie

Climate Change Threatens California Economy by Changing Ecosystems

Study Identifies Changes to Vegetation Types, Impacts to Ranching, Carbon Storage Climate change is likely to harm California's economy by reducing the types of natural, non-irrigated vegetation available for livestock forage and the ability of forest ecosystems to store carbon dioxide, according to a peer-reviewed study published in the scientific journal Climatic Change.The ability of ecosystems to store carbon dioxide is a key part of implementing the state's climate law, the Global Warming Solutions Act, also known as Assembly Bill 32 or AB 32. "Much of the talk about climate change in California has been about the impacts of sea level rise and droughts," said study coauthor Linwood Pendleton, director of ocean and coastal policy at Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, acting chief economist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and study author. "Our work shows that even the gritty worlds of cattle ranching and forestry may take it on the chin as California skies become increasingly carbon-rich." The study was conducted by researchers from Duke University, Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Biology Institute, USDA Forest Service, Stanford University and the University of California at Santa Barbara. It examines how climate change will impact the fundamental character of California's ecosystems and the valuable services that they provide to the economy. To analyze the impact to carbon sequestration and natural, non-irrigated livestock forage—two important ecosystem services that contribute to the state's economy—the researchers used climatic change scenario models from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and three atmospheric-oceanic models. The researchers identified that climate change would cause a consistent decline in conifer woodlands and forests through the end of the century that could decrease the amount of carbon storage in forestlands and harm the forestry industry. They also determined that climate change is likely to alter the amount and timing of rain, hail and snow inCalifornia, resulting in a 15 to 70 percent increase in shrub lands and a consistent decline in natural, non-irrigated forage production for livestock. "A less stable climate will reduce the ability of natural landscapes to support cattle grazing, so ranchers may have to grow or buy extra hay instead of getting it for free from nature, as they do now," said lead report author Rebecca Shaw, Ph.D., associate vice president of EDF's Land, Water and Wildlife program and a working group member of the IPCC. "We calculated that replacing lost forage caused by climate change with extra hay will hike costs for the California ranching industry by up to $235 million per year by 2070," said Shaw. "That's why it's important for policymakers to better understand the value of services that nature provides to California's economy, so that they can work to protect our natural resources and the economy in the face of climate change." "Fortunately, California's Global Warming Solutions Act provides new economic opportunities for landowners—both inside and outside California—to be part of the climate solution," said economist Belinda Morris, a report coauthor and regional director of EDF's Center for Conservation Incentives. "Landowners can earn credits for capturing carbon on their land that they can sell to offset industrial carbon emissions. These credits will bring in a whole new revenue stream that can benefit the ranching industry, helping ranchers to keep ranching." Carbon credits are an integral part of the carbon cap-and-trade program that is scheduled to begin this year under the Global Warming Solutions Act. It allows for 8 percent of the law's carbon emission reduction goals to be achieved by offsetting emissions with carbon credits. "EDF is working with landowners, academic institutions and others to develop cost-effective methods for capturing carbon on rangelands that could generate new revenue streams for ranchers as part of a carbon credits market, while also improving soil fertility," Morris said. The peer-reviewed study "The Impact of Climate Change on California's Ecosystem Services" is available online at http://www.springerlink.com/content/q773hv252l138240/fulltext.html.

Melvin Wylie

List of Top 10 States for LEED Green Buildings Released

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) today released its 2011 list of top 10 states for LEED-certified commercial and institutional green buildings per capita, based on the U.S. 2010 Census information. The District of Columbia leads the nation, with more than 31 square feet of LEED-certified space per person in 2011, with Colorado being the leading state, with 2.74 square feet per person in 2011. Other top states include Illinois, Virginia and Washington, with 2.69, 2.42 and 2.18 square feet of LEED-certified space per person, respectively. The top LEED states per capita, including the District of Columbia: Sq. ft. of space to earn LEED-certification in 2011 Per capita District of Columbia 18,954,022 31.50 Colorado 13,803,113 2.74 Illinois 34,567,585 2.69 Virginia 19,358,193 2.42 Washington 14,667,558 2.18 Maryland 11,970,869 2.07 Massachusetts 13,087,625 2.00 Texas 50,001,476 1.99 California 71,551,296 1.92 New York 36,538,981 1.89 Minnesota 9,591,445 1.81 "Looking past the bricks and mortar, people are at the heart of what buildings are all about," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, USGBC. "Examining the per capita value of LEED square footage in these states allows us to focus on what matters most - the human element of green buildings." LEED is the internationally recognized mark of green building excellence, with more than 44,000 projects commercial projects participating, comprising over 8 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 120 countries. In addition, more than 16,000 homes have been certified under the LEED for Homes rating system, with more than 67,000 more homes registered. "Our local green building chapters from around the country have been instrumental in accelerating the adoption of green building policies and initiatives that drive construction locally," continued Fedrizzi. "These states should be recognized for working to reinvent their local building landscapes with buildings that enliven and bolster the health of our environment, communities and local economies." "This is a great accomplishment for the D.C. metropolitan region and a testament to the drive, commitment and leadership of all those who live, work and play in our community," said Mike Babcock, board chair of the National Capital Region Chapter of USGBC. "We also realize there is still more to do and hope to effectively guide the effort by engaging, educating and encouraging the dialogue around the value of sustainability." "Being in the top three is a testament to the diversity of stakeholders from across Illinois who understand the significant environmental, economic, and social benefits related to LEED certification," said Doug Widener, Executive Director of the Illinois Chapter of USGBC. "I applaud Illinois' diverse green building community on this outstanding achievement." Notable newly certified projects in 2011 include the Treasury Building in Washington, D.C., which is distinguished as the oldest LEED-certified project in the world; the LEED-Platinum Casey Middle School in Boulder, Colo.; the iconic Wrigley Building in Chicago, Ill.; Frito-Lay in Lynchburg, Va., which earned LEED Gold for the operations and maintenance of an existing building; the LEED Silver Hard Rock Café in Seattle, Wash.; Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Md.; Yawkey Distribution Center of The Greater Boston Food Bank in Mass.; the LEED Gold Austin Convention Center in TX; SFO's LEED Gold Terminal 2 in San Francisco, Calif.; the LEED-Platinum Hotel Skylar in Syracuse, N.Y.; and the LEED Platinum Marquette Plaza in Minneapolis, Minn. In December 2011, USGBC announced that LEED-certified existing buildings outpaced their newly built counterparts by 15 million square feet on a cumulative basis. A focus on heightened building performance through green operations and maintenance is essential to cost-effectively driving improvements in the economy and the environment. For the full list of LEED-certified projects visit: usgbc.org/press.

Melvin Wylie

Natural Gas From Shale Not Suitable as "Bridge Fuel," May Worsen Climate Change

Researchers Note Gas Emissions From Marcellus Shale and Other Sites Linked to Significant Increased Risk of Near-Term Climate Change Far from being a "solution" to climate change, natural gas extracted from shale is a huge contributor of greenhouse gases when both methane and carbon dioxide are considered, according to a major new study by three Cornell University researchers. The natural gas industry already accounts for almost a fifth (17 percent) of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions inventory, when analyzed using recently available new evidence. This percentage is predicted to grow to almost one quarter (23 percent) as shale gas continues to replace conventional natural gas. Methane, which is a far more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, is the culprit, according to the new report. Just accepted for publication in Climatic Change and available online now at http://216.250.243.12/shalegasghgreport.html, the study titled "Venting and Leaking of Methane from Shale Gas Development," is the work of professor Robert Howarth and Renee Santoro, researchers in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology,Cornell University, and Anthony Ingraffea, a professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell. The study follows up on the author's groundbreaking April 2011 paper, which provided the first comprehensive analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from shale gas obtained by hydraulic fracturing, with a focus on methane emissions. Rather than understating the impact by looking only at shale gas used for electricity generation (just 30 percent of U.S. usage), the studies also look at heat generation (the largest use) over both a 20- and 100-year time frame. The new paper emphasizes this 20-year time frame, and analyzes the U.S. national greenhouse gas inventory in that context. The 20-year time frame is particularly important, the authors explain, because it may well be the timing for a "tipping point" for climate change if emissions are not brought under immediate control. The new paper builds on major new findings from the United Nations and from researchers at NASA published over the past six months, highlighting the urgent need to immediately reduce methane pollution globally. Robert W. Howarth, David R. Atkinson professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, said: "We believe the preponderance of evidence indicates shale gas has a larger greenhouse gas footprint than conventional gas, considered over any time scale. The greenhouse gas footprint of shale gas also exceeds that of oil or coal when considered at decadal time scales, no matter how the gas is used. We stand by the conclusion of our 2011 research: 'The large [greenhouse gas] footprint of shale gas undercuts the logic of its use as a bridging fuel over coming decades, if the goal is to reduce global warming.'" Anthony Ingraffea, Dwight C. Baum professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, said: "Can shale-gas methane emissions be reduced? Clearly yes, and proposed EPA regulations to require capture of gas at the time of well completions are an important step. Regulations are necessary to accomplish emission reductions, as economic considerations alone have not driven such reductions. And it may be extremely expensive to reduce leakage associated with aging infrastructure, particularly distribution pipelines in cities but also long-distance transmission pipelines, which are on average more than 50 years old in the U.S. Should society invest massive capital in such improvements for a bridge fuel that is to be used for only 20 to 30 years, or would the capital be better spent on constructing a smart electric grid and other technologies that move towards a truly green energy future?"   According to the report: The natural gas industry dominates methane emissions for the U.S., contributing 39 percent of the nation's total methane emissions. On an overall basis, methane makes up 44 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions when considered on the 20-year time frame after emission, including all gases and all human activities. The methane emissions from natural gas systems make up 17 percent of the entire man-made greenhouse gas emission inventory of the U.S., when viewed through the lens of the 20-year time frame. When viewed on the time scale of 100 years following emission, the importance of methane is substantially reduced, but the shorter time frame is critical, given possible tipping points in the global climate system over the coming few decades.

Melvin Wylie

Teamsters, Community Groups Rally To Demand Safety at LA Waste Facility

City Council, Environmental Groups Join Teamsters to Call for Safety Teamster members came in force to rally at the American Reclamation solid waste facility near Glendale to demand that the company provide safer working conditions for its employees. Teamsters were joined by LA City Council members, a former American Reclamation employee and environmental groups under the common banner of workplace safety. "Waste companies have a history of disregard for workers," said Randy Cammack, President of Teamsters Joint Council 42 and International Vice President. "It was this industry that caught the attention of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the last days before his assassination in 1968. We are here to answer the call of waste workers once again." Last October two employees of a solid waste facility in Lamont, Calif., died after being asphyxiated by toxic gas in a drain pipe they were cleaning. According to reports, the company had only provided them with paper-fiber dust masks and rubber boots as protection during their workday. "Workers at that facility had asked for better gear to protect themselves, but were ignored," said Ron Herrera, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 396. "Solid waste facilities are one of the most dangerous workplaces. We're here and we aren't going anywhere until these workers are safe from harm." "The City of Los Angeles cannot wait any longer to address problems in our commercial and multi-family waste system," said Greg Good, Director of the Don't Waste LA Coalition. "We need a system that brings standards and accountability to this industry in order to protect workers, communities and our environment."

Melvin Wylie

Wild Bird Feeding: Is It Ok?

Feeding songbirds in winter has been an American pastime at least since the days of Henry David Thoreau, who wrote about feeding birds at Walden Pond in the latter 1840s. But Americans have enjoyed watching songbirds clean up our table-scraps and waste grains even before then. Thoreau did it to get closer to subjects he enjoyed watching and wanted to know about. Today, many people – particularly those 25 and older – have similar interests. More than 55.5 million Americans feed wild birds and a third of Pennsylvanians observe wildlife around their homes, according to a 2006 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey. More importantly, they spend millions of dollars on these pastimes. Feeding birds is no longer a cute thing that some people do; it's a full-fledged American industry that influences our economy. But is inviting songbirds – and indirectly, other wildlife – closer to our homes a smart move? Are we compelling wild birds to become more dependent on or unnecessarily comfortable with people? Does feeding birds in winter create health risks for songbirds at a time of unquestioned vulnerability? "It is important to get past the, 'Is it ok to feed birds?' question before engaging in any discussion about bird feeding," noted Doug Gross, Pennsylvania Game Commission biologist. "Of course, our preferred answer to the question is for folks to plant vegetation beneficial to birds before hanging feeders. Birds can never have too much good habitat. "But we recognize not everyone has an acre or two, or simply some backyard space, to groom into wild bird-preferred habitat. In these instances, we try to ensure bird-feeding enthusiasts place their feeders in good locations, keep them clean and fill them with seeds capable of attracting the birds they want to see." It all seems easy enough, but there really is a lot to consider before opening a winter bird feeding station on your property. For instance, feeders should be placed near cover to shield songbirds from avian predators, but at least 15 feet away from windows and groundcover roaming cats can hide in or behind. A bird coming to a feeding station in winter usually enters a heightened risk area because the chatter and commotion created by birds at feeders attracts cats on the ground and sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks from the air. Of course, most people who feed songbirds aren't in it to set the table for hawks and cats. So give some thought to feeder placement. Wild birds are counting on you! Although many people don't realize it, windows can be as deadly to songbirds as predators because birds don't see glass. Therefore, it is important to move feeders away from windows. "Millions of birds die annually from window strikes as they leave or flee feeders when startled," Gross explained. "They fly unsuspectingly into the reflection of escape cover or open skies on windows, and when they do, they often hit with such force that they cannot survive the impact." After sorting out where your feeder should be placed, the next step is to identify which species you want to attract and then select the feeder and seeds/food you'll use to attract them. The three easiest ways to attract the greatest number of birds involve using are cylindrical feeders – filled with black-oil sunflower seeds and/or thistle seeds – and suet feeders, and ground feeding with corn, millet and black-oil sunflower seeds. This three-way approach will make just about any yard a food court for birds, so long as there is some nearby cover for birds to use for perching and seed-cracking. "It's always a good strategy to use a diversity of foods," said Gross. "It complements the dietary diversity of most wild birds. After seeds, some great choices are raisins for Carolina wrens and thrushes; peanuts for blue jays, cardinals and nuthatches; even peanut-butter smeared in tree crevices. A heated birdbath also attracts birds; not because it's heated, but rather because it offers accessible water." Although some birds may become dependent on feeders, it likely won't be the only stop on their daily foraging route. Still, if you commit to feeding birds in winter, it's best not to stop in the middle of winter. "When your feeder becomes a part of a bird's routine, the seeds it retrieves become part of its daily resources that fuel its body's needs," Gross said. "Once you begin winter feeding, it is important to remember that those foods you've begun to provide help balance birds intense daily demands for energy to endure frigid winter nights and body heat-robbing winds." Equally important is keeping your feeders clean so birds don't risk contracting avian conjunctivitis, salmonella, trichomoniasis, aspergillosis (fungal infection) and avian pox. Most of these diseases arise from birds contaminating seeds and the feeder through droppings and secretions, and from fungus growing on damp seeds. To learn more about the diseases, visit the Game Commission's Wildlife Disease Reference Library, housed on the agency's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) under "Wildlife" in the menu bar at the top of the homepage. The Game Commission recommends first cleaning bird feeders with soup soap and water followed by a solution that is one part of household bleach and nine parts of warm water. Rinse your feeder thoroughly and wait until it is completely dry before refilling it with seeds and placing it outdoors. If you don't want to work with bleach, which is the most effective cleanser, another cleaning solution can be made by mixing one part white vinegar to four parts warm water, but this solution will not kill viruses. If you're not seeing sick-looking birds at your feeder, cleaning it once or twice a month is sufficient. Increase the frequency to once a week if trouble shows. "Another way to reduce the spread of disease at your feeders is to offer seeds in different areas and at multiple heights," Gross explained. "Spread out your feeding sites to reduce crowding. Hang feeders at different heights. Ground feed away from elevated feeders. This feeder approach, combined with regular feeder cleaning, will help the birds visiting your yard remain healthy." Whenever you feed songbirds, there's always the potential to lure into your yard – and sometimes your house – critters you'd rather stay away. The usual list of potential "unwanteds" includes black bears, deer, raccoons, squirrels and field mice. Black bears had a rough fall – acorn crop failure – and some may be more active this winter than usual. Suet and black-oil sunflower seeds would be very appealing to them. Raccoons also are partial to suet. Deer, on the other hand, can be drawn by shelled corn. So can field mice. Squirrels come to just about everything you offer. When feeding wild birds in your yard, you really can't pick your guests. Your offering becomes an open invitation to all foraging animals that happen upon it. And sometimes they decide to take up residence with you. Flying squirrels, field mice and raccoons that feed on your bird offerings sometimes look for and find hideouts in your house or garage to hold them over when they're not feeding at your bird buffet. And once they get in, you have to get them out, find out how they got in and then seal the access point. In agricultural and suburban areas, this problem can be compounded by Norway rats. Other unwanted guests include starlings, house finches and house sparrows. Starlings, in particular, can really crowd feeders, and aggressively chase away other songbirds you may want to see. Corn and suet seem to be starling magnets, so pull in the corn when they start showing up and use suet feeders that require users to cling and feed, which starlings can't do well. Of course, the alternative to putting out a feeder is to plant trees and shrubs that offer songbirds and other wildlife food and cover in winter. But, as now is not planting season, the Game Commission will be offering a variety of wildlife-friendly tree and shrub seedlings in its annual seedling sale. In mid-January, watch the agency's website for information on how to select and order seedlings from the agency's Howard Nursery.

Melvin Wylie