Posted by: Leonard Anderson

Washington state utility Tacoma Power has put its Tacoma Narrows pilot tidal power project on hold after a study found that tidal generation won't pencil out economically for at least 8 to 10 years. The utility on Feb. 28 said it will consider other resources such as wind, geothermal and biomass power to meet renewable energy targets.

Tacoma Power said a follow-up study to an earlier tidal study of the Narrows waterway by the Electric Power Research Institute found that the amount of energy that could be generated was less than EPRI estimated and that tapping the tides requires advancements in turbine technology.

"Tidal power technology is where wind technology was decades ago," said Tacoma Power Superintendent Gary Armfield. "Right now, it wouldn't be a sound nvestment at this site for Tacoma Power and its customers," Armfield said.

"We're not closing the door on this technology," said Tacoma Public Utilities Director Bill Gaines. "But we do recognize that its potential is longer-term. Right now we need to focus on short-term solutions to meet renewable energy requirements," he said in a press release.

Utilities, including PG&E, are eyeing tidal and wave energy to generate electricity and some have pilot programs in early stages.PG&E has entered into a long-term, two megawatt  commercial wave energy power purchasing agreement with Canada's Finavera Renewables Inc. Located off the Northern California coast, the Humboldt County Offshore Wave Energy Power Plant will be developed by Finavera Renewables. The project is expected to begin delivering renewable, clean electricity in 2012.

Posted by: Leonard Anderson

Take a look at a story in Energy Daily today (requires login) updating the transmission flap between Southern California Edison and Arizona utility regulators. It appears that SCE is talking with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to authorize the Arizona Corporation Commission to approve a new transmission line to carry power from Arizona to southern California. You will recall that last year the Arizona panel rejected Edison's proposal, calling the project an "extension cord" to siphon off needed Arizona generation to help out SCE. Energy Daily notes that the Edison case could affect controversial transmission plans in other states.

Posted by: Keely Wachs

PG&E today announced the largest investments in verifiable greenhouse gas emission reductions under California's rigorous forest carbon sequestration protocols.

With these purchases, PG&E's ClimateSmart program will purchase 214,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from two of California's most pristine forests - the North Coast's Garcia River Forest and Santa Cruz County's Lompico Headwaters Forest.

PG&E's 17,800 ClimateSmart customers now know exactly what types of projects will help neutralize the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from their energy use. 

These agreements also mark a significant milestone in the evolution of voluntary carbon offsets as a way to help address the challenges associated with climate change.

The size of these purchases and the fact that they meet the stringent protocols established by the California Climate Action Registry serve as a model for how carbon offsets can be used as an effective tool to combat climate change. 

When done correctly - that is to say when they are verifiable and additional - carbon offsets are increasingly becoming an option for the California Air Resources Board and other government bodies who are creating ghg reduction policies.

Posted by: Leonard Anderson

Pacific Gas and Electric Company's ClimateSmart program is making its first investment in greenhouse gas emission reductions, purchasing 214,000 metric tons of carbon offsets to help preserve two forests in northern California, the utility said on Tuesday.

The program will help preserve the Garcia River Forest in Mendocino County and the Lompico Headwaters Forest in Santa Cruz County.

"These investments mark a major milestone ion the use of high quality forest sequestration offsets as an effective mechanism to address climate change," said Nancy McFadden, senior vice president of public affairs for PG&E.

"We're honored to be making these purchases on behalf of our ClimateSmart customers," McFadden said. "Through their commitment to the environment, we've been able to sequester a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions and protect some of California's most precious resources."

You can link to the PG&E press release for more information on the utililty's investment and its ClimateSmart program.