Entries by Katie Romans

As reported by William Brent, on his Search for Cleantech blog, the term 'green' finally made Lake Superior State University's list of four-letter words for 2008 -- officially, the 34th annual List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness.

But, this isn't the first time 'green' has suffered a black eye from overuse.

According to Wikipedia, initial backlash came more than 20 years ago, when suburban New York environmentalist Jay Westerveld coined the term 'greenwashing' in an essay about hotel green placards, promoting reuse of guest towels to "save the environment." In hindsight, this infraction seems relatively mild compared to some of the cases of greenwashing we have seen since then.

From my cube here at PG&E, located squarely at the intersection of communications and energy, I have unique insight into this issue. It is truly embedded into our day-to-day work -- ensuring there is substance in the promotion of our environmental efforts and transparency in communications about potential environmental issues. For example, we try to make sure customers know the energy efficiency benefits of CFLs, but also about their mercury content and the need to dispose of them properly to mitigate potential environmental impacts. PG&E's Corporate Responsibility Report has more on our environmental efforts.

Now, back to the list...

Other environmental buzzwords on the naughty list for 2008 are 'carbon footprint' and 'carbon offsetting.' Not surprisingly, 'maverick' topped the list for campaign-speak. But, perhaps more amusing than the list itself are the quotes testifying to the unctuousness of each word.

My personal favorite comes from Ed Hardiman of Bristow, Va.:

"If I see one more corporation declare itself 'green,' I'm going to start burning tires in my backyard."

Yikes. Here's hoping for no tire fires in 2009.

(Note: William Brent and I worked together at PR/IR firm Weber Shandwick, where he started the firm's cleantech practice.)

PG&E has new digs in Stockton and boy, are they green! In fact, PG&E's new customer service center is the first building in Stockton to receive LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Yesterday, the City of Stockton, community leaders and customers welcomed the company's state-of-the-art new customer service office with a celebratory ribbon cutting and dedication. Among those in attendance were San Joaquin County Office of Education Deputy Superintendent Mick Founts, Stockton Mayor-Elect Ann Johnston, Greater Stockton Chamber CEO Doug Wilhoit, various local student artists and local PG&E employees.

Now, customers can pay bills, find information on PG&E's suite of environmental products and services, and even take advantage of a QuickPay kiosk for cash or electronic check bill paying options -- all in one convenient and environmentally friendly location.

Among its LEED-worthy accoutrements, the customer service center boasts recycled carpet, tiles, wood framing and insulation. It also utilizes natural light to help decrease energy use and offers bike racks for its two-wheeled commuters.

While the PG&E customer service center is Stockton's first foray into LEED certification, it certainly isn't PG&E's. PG&E announced earlier this year that its historic General Office Building and Annex, located at 245 Market Street, San Francisco, was awarded Gold-level LEED certification for existing buildings (LEED-EB). This makes PG&E's General Office Building and Annex the largest building in San Francisco and one of two within the city to be LEED-EB Gold certified.

More recently, during West Coast Green, I also posted about two initiatives that will help northern and central California communities achieve LEED certification. PG&E will help build LEED-certified Habitat homes through a partnership with Global Green USA and Habitat for Humanity International. In addition, PG&E's business customers can now receive LEED credit by enrolling their natural gas accounts in its ClimateSmart program.

With LEED-ership like this, Stockton is sure to continue its green building momentum.

What's this? Did you know that the typical northern California home's annual energy use emits the same amount of greenhouse gas as an SUV?

PG&E is hoping more people will realize this with the recent launch of the ClimateSmart program's new ad campaign, which seeks to educate people about their homes' carbon footprint and how they can reduce, then offset that footprint.

Keep an eye out for the ads online and on local TV stations throughout northern and central California. As you can see here, the ads literally portray a home as an SUV, illustrating the cumulative emissions that result from normal, everyday activities. The ads also encourage customers to take advantage of PG&E's new online carbon calculator to calculate their own homes' carbon footprint, enroll in ClimateSmart and join the fight against climate change.

PG&E's ClimateSmart program is not alone in its efforts to educate the public about the benefits of third-party verified carbon offsets. As GreenBiz reports, Brighter Planet kicks off its One Day campaign today, where people are invited to go carbon neutral for a day. For each person who signs up, Brighter Planet will donate 136 pounds of carbon offsets (the emissions Brigheter Planet claims is for the average person for one day).

The Brighter Planet blog outlines 12 conservation tips for the holiday season. Like PG&E's ClimateSmart program, these tips outline many other opportunities for reducing your carbon footprint before offsetting it.

December could be your month to make a difference in the fight against climate change by putting your own home's emissions into neutral through PG&E's ClimateSmart program.

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) yesterday released a new report on California's readiness to deal with the impact of climate change.

Moving quickly from studies on how to address and help slow the effects of climate change, to actually preparing ourselves against those effects, it feels like we are now staring climate change square in the face -- a chilling thought.

The report examines California's readiness to face the challenges presented by climate change in six particularly vulnerable areas -- water resources, electricity, coastal resources, air quality, public health and ecosystem resources. According to the study, many aspects of the state's society, economy and natural environment are vulnerable to the impact of climate change.

The PPIC report finds that institutions such as power utilities have a significant role investing in and managing those resources that can help potentially vulnerable populations adapt (e.g. tools for staying cool and hydrated). Since the 2001 energy crisis, utilities have worked to improve reliability, reduce load during peak periods and add renewables. As California's population and sea level continue to rise, such measures will only become more important.

In order to face these challenges head on, the PPIC recommends that California policymakers implement policies that seek to both slow climate change and protect against its effects at the same time. PG&E will continue our work alongside these policymakers and others to help fight climate change -- and help the state mitigate its effects.

PG&E last week announced the winners of its 7th annual Richard A. Clarke environmental leadership award. The award recognizes employees for extraordinary commitment to the company's various environmental initiatives.

Perhaps the only thing more inspiring than the work of the Clarke Award winners is the breadth and depth of the finalist pool. Just to name a few:

Karalee Browne, Program Officer, was recognized for her leadership in advancing PG&E's Solar Schools Program. Karalee's leadership efforts demonstrate PG&E's continued support of renewable energy and environmental education.

Karen Guedmin, Building Superintendent, was recognized for her leadership in making the San Ramon Valley Conference Center one of PG&E's greenest facilities and a certified "green business" in Contra Costa County. The facility's advancements in waste reduction and water and energy conservation have demonstrated significant cost savings, while shrinking the center's carbon footprint.

The PG&E and Audubon Habitat Restoration Partnership Team was recognized for its leadership in the development of an innovative "restoration license agreement" to allow Audubon California to restore 30 acres of native habitat at PG&E's Pleasant Creek Underground Gas Storage Facility in Yolo County. The agreement is replicable and can serve as a model for future restoration projects on PG&E lands.

The Safe Harbor Tulare Team was recognized for creating PG&E's first Safe Harbor Agreement (SHA) with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The PG&E Tulare Safe Harbor Agreement is one of only five SHAs in California and thirty in the United States.

And, finally...(drum roll) ... this year's individual and team Clarke Awards go to:

Kadi Whiteside, Water Quality Supervisor, was recognized for her leadership in spearheading the development of new practices and techniques to protect water quality, plants and animals at construction sites. Her innovative designs and management practices have benefited both PG&E and the environment -- saving the company time and money on construction projects and reducing potential environrmental impacts.

The Change a Light Campaign Core Team was recognized for its leadership in implementing a campaign during October and November 2007 to encourage PG&E customers to buy and use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). The campaign helped save more than 400,000 megawatt-hours of electricity -- enough energy to power almost 60,000 homes for a year -- and avoid 200,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 31,000 cars off the road for a year.

Full disclosure: I had the esteemed honor of being a member of the Change a Light team.

With the holiday shopping season slowly creeping earlier and earlier each year, it is with excitement, disbelief and -- let's face it -- trepidation that I begin to consider my shopping list for friends and loved ones.

It was while cruising the latest toys in consumer electronics that I stumbled upon a new generation of energy-efficient television sets that also require ENERGY STAR-labeled accessories. The new TVs hit store shelves on November 1 and can be up to 30 percent more efficient than conventional counterparts. While this new release represents the third generation of energy-efficient TVs, it is the first generation that actually works to decrease the power used when the TV is turned on.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) wasted no time in praising the new standard of television sets, citing a staggering claim from the U.S. EPA in their press release:

"If all televisions purchased by consumers in 2009 met the new ENERGY STAR standards, the savings in greenhouse gas emissions would be equal to removing one million cars from the road."

Also, David Katzmeyer of CNET.com had the opportunity to test drive a number of HDTVs that fall under the new standard and determined that the Sharp LC-52D65U is the most efficient. As far as price goes, the Sharp ranges from $1,517 to $2,099, which Katzmeyer calls relatively inexpensive. And, even though he cites lighter blacks than some LCDs, he calls the Sharp "a solid value among bigger-screen LCDs."

Offering both form and function, the new generation of energy-efficient televisions may just move the front lines in the fight against global warming to the couch.

Just last week, I posted an entry on PG&E hitting our 25,000 milestone for net metered solar customers. And, this week, the hits keep on coming...

The Solar Power Electric Association (SEPA) today named PG&E winner of the 2008 Solar Business Achievement Awards in the category of Solar Portfolio Leadership. PG&E's award-winning solar portfolio boasts more than 25,000 net metered customer-owned solar installations and more than 2,500 MW in utility contracts for solar power, including both solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies.

Presented today at the Solar Power International conference in San Diego, other award recipients included:

Congratulations to all SEPA award winners. As for PG&E, we will continue to diversify our portfolio.

PG&E hit a mighty milestone in solar this week -- 25,000 customer-owned solar installations and counting.

What does this mean for an energy utility? It makes our customers the leading adopters of solar energy in the country, making up approximately 50 percent of the customer-owned solar in the nation. But, it also helps solar generation become more cost effective and reliable than ever.

Well, don't take our word for it...

Check out what California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom had to say about what it means to the state and the city, respectively.

"I applaud this significant solar energy milestone, which goes a long way toward helping California meet its long-term renewable energy and climate change goals. Thousands of California homeowners are choosing to 'Go Solar' because it's good for their pocketbooks and for the environment, and they are a huge part of the reason that California continues to lead the nation in solar adoption." - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

"The City of San Francisco's solar incentives, combined with PG&E's incentives provided through the California Solar Initiative, allow us to infuse the city with a clean and reliable source of energy. PG&E solar customers are national leaders in customer-owned solar generation, and San Francisco is proud to support solar adoption as part of our larger environmental commitment." - Mayor Gavin Newsom

And, of course, the customer, the customer, the customer.

David Bower is nothing short of a case study in smart energy management and environmental leadership. Mr. Bower has completely retrofitted the 130-year-old Victorian home with state-of-the-art energy efficiency upgrades -- no small task. Now, with his new solar installation, which qualified for federal, state and local incentives, Mr. Bower will enjoy even greater energy savings.

We'll handle solar installations. I'm guessing Mr. Bower is busy counting some green of his own.

If you are as reliant on your morning cup o' joe as I am, you will be just as happy to hear that coffee has a new ally in the fight against climate changes that can put the precious crop at risk.

According to the October issue of BioScience, and as seen on the Medical News and Health News blog, shade trees can actually help improve crops' resistance to the higher temperatures and changes in precipitation that have resulted from intensified production over the years. Starbucks: take note.

The Daily Green takes the power of java one step further in its recent post, which cites Ivette Perfecto of the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment, who makes the claim, "Shaded coffee is ideal because it will buffer the system from climate change while protecting biodiversity."

So, not only is shade-grown coffee more resistant to the elements, it also fights climate change by contributing to a richer ecosystem.

Make mine a double!

Among all the new reports and parties, such as those from Earth2Tech, not to mention former Vice President Al Gore coming out at the West Coast Green conference currently underway at the San Jose McEnery Convenion Center, PG&E has a bit of our own news.

So, in the spirit of tooting our own horn...today, we announced two initiatives that will help communities achieve LEED certification by the USGBC.

The first combines charitable causes with environmental efforts: in a double-dose of green, PG&E is granting $200,000 to Global Green USA for the LEED-Silver certification of 14 Habitat-built homes. This will help Habitat homes in Oakland, Strawberry, Fresno and Cotati achieve LEED certification.

In addition, PG&E will become the first utility to enable customers to receive LEED credit for a natural gas GHG emission reduction by voluntarily enrolling in the ClimateSmart program. I can save trees AND receive LEED credit for it?? Thanks!

For those planning to attend the conference, don't miss the shipping container house. PG&E's own Lead Hydrologist/Systems Engineer, Jan Grygier, thought this was such a good idea, he built one of his own. Not sure of his LEED status, but pretty sure he is well on his way to Gold!

Lesson of the Day: Green things come to those who LEED.

The ever-growing Oracle OpenWorld descends upon San Francisco today, complete with its full cadre of patrons, partners...and, this year, green techies.

As part of an overarching green focus, leading panelists will discuss topics such as data center efficiency, smart meters and other ways to "green the enterprise."

In fact, PG&E will be one of few accepting Oracle's Empower the Green Enterprise award for our SmartMeter program. Presented to select customers and partners that utilize Oracle's products to take an environmental lead, while reducing costs and improving business efficiencies, the award will be presented to PG&E for managing billing, payments, credit/collections and meter inventory using Oracle Utilities Customer Care and Billing on an Oracle enterprise grid.

Oracle's OpenWorld will also feature such fodder as laptop-charging stationary bicycles and other interactive tips and tricks for reducing the conference's -- and one's own -- carbon footprint. While many of these displays serve more of an "edu-active" purpose, the need for such large-scale conferences to control their carbon footprint is very real. Check out the numbers, per today's San Francisco Chronicle: 

• 43,000 local and out-of-town attendees, each with a host of chargeable electronic equipment
• 72,000 lunches, complete with disposable packaging and utensils

Then, there's the conference crowds and traffic, likely more of a headache for locals than a significant environmental threat.

With this footprint comes great opportunity for sustainable practices. Oracle's efforts to balance out some of its own environmental footprint have the potential to make a big -- or smaller -- impact compared to that of last year.

Usually met with moans and groans of local SOMA-ites, this year's more sustainable OpenWorld should be welcomed with OpenArms.

I recently read on ecorazzi.com that the DOE launched a new campaign, featuring PSAs with that twinkling little Tinkerbell and friends, for kids who want to save energy.

Harnessing the themes of friendship, fairies and magic, the PSAs encourage energy efficiency through energy-efficient light bulbs, power strips and simply turning off lights and gaming equipment. And, ever so slightly more sophisticated than those Captain America energy conservation PSAs of my childhood. From shutting the refrigerator door to turning off gaming equipment, energy efficiency for kids has come a long way.

Upon further investigation, I discovered the Tink PSAs are joined by another group of PSAs with the theme, "What's Your Excuse?," characterizing energy efficiency as easy and simple.

Though it may not be a new idea, engaging children on a level that is fun for them allows educators to reach a demographic that is still essentially forming their energy use habits.

Both websites feature PSA shorts and also invite kids to play various energy games and provides links to kid-focused sites that seek to educate and build a young, online community around energy efficiency -- from Greenpeace UK to Energy Quest, USA.

Keep an eye out for Tink as she flexes her pixie power for kids who want to save energy.

A roundup of green headlines that caught our eye this week.

• Professors and execs sound off about energy-efficient data centers.
• T. Boone puts forth a national wind energy policy.
• Duke announces wind plans of its own -- expanding its use of wind-produced electricity and purchasing more wind turbine generators.
• Energy experts urge legislators to use renewables and efficency to handle high fuel costs.
• Toyota's plug-in hybrid launch carries with it UK's hopes for becoming number one location for low-carbon vehicles.

I recently read on Peak Energy that Google is rumored to be exploring computing at sea, using wave power. I always thought water and electricity were a bad mix, but Google sees a match made in data center heaven.

According to Big Gav, Google engineers calculate that an array of pontoons, with pumps to convert wave motion into electricity, spread over a square kilometer could produce 30 megawatts of electricity, enough to operate a single floating data center. To give you a sense, 1 megawatt of electricity powers roughly 750 homes for a year -- that is a lot of energy. I wonder what effects this could have on the temperature of the ocean if we shipped all our data centers out to sea?

Also envisioned is equipment to use the direct current electricity to run DC-capable computers, which some people consider more energy-efficient than using alternating current. Now that could be something land lubbers could get behind as well.

As an ever increasing number of electric customers, both in California and across the nation, realize the environmental and economic benefits of rooftop solar power over the long haul, adoption could come to a screeching halt as the sunset for federal tax credits for customer-owned PV looms heavy on the horizon.

Today's Gristmill reports on how the uncertain future of the investment tax credit is playing into campaign stumping across the patchwork of red and blue states. Perhaps most recently, far away from the Presidential limelight, Democratic Senate candidate Mark Udall of Colorado outlined a plan whereby money saved by eliminating oil and gas subsidies would go to the investment tax credit, which would, of course, help jump start these industries.

But when can we expect to see 1.) elimination of oil/gas subsidies and 2.) resulting savings? While many of the candidates seem to have a long-term plan that re-infuses the ITC, few account for the fact that, come December 31, there is no ITC.

Not to be daunted in the face of adversity, industry and investor response has only been to pick up the pace, as Todd Woody recently reported. In a continued flurry of industry activity...

• Nanosolar recently secured another $300 million in funding and already has plans to supply solar panels to AES Solar for medium-scale PV plants.
• Kiplinger's named FirstSolar one of the Top 10 Stocks for the Next 10 Years.
• Belgium-based research institute IMEC is teaming up with Pittsburgh, PA's Plextronics to develop a process for making thin-film solar.

• Suntech Power just sealed a seven-year polysilicon supply deal with DC Chemical.

Hopefully, the net effect of campaign stumping and industry activity will be a heroic ITC rescue. Meanwhile, utilities are taking steps to prepare for the expected end-of-year rush.

A roundup of green headlines that caught our eye this week.

• Google injects more than $10 million into geothermal projects with Sausalito, CA-based AltaRock Energy and Redwood City, CA's Potter Drilling.
• Reuters reports, in a story from London, criticisms of carbon offsets associated with air travel, claiming calculations miss important factors in carbon measurement.
• Support for California's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions weakens under pressure of higher energy prices, according to a new survey of California voters.
• Spoiled food = wasted water, as rich and poor countries throw away more food, The New York Times blog, Dot Earth, reports.

On Friday, Governor Schwarzenegger announced at the 26th Annual Border Governors' Conference, that the State of California signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PG&E, the California Climate Action Registry (CCAR) and the six Mexican Border States that would allow PG&E's ClimateSmart program to contract for greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in Mexico, pending CCAR protocols and CPUC approval. (Deep breath) So...

Basically, PG&E customers will now benefit from a larger range of greenhouse gas emission reduction projects and PG&E will benefit from the opportunity to lead a global problem with a more global solution, thereby driving innovation in the voluntary carbon market, both in California and beyond.

And, the implications for PG&E's strategy on California's AB 32, the first mandatory greenhouse gas reduction law in the country?

Since the ClimateSmart program is a voluntary program for our customers, all of the greenhouse gas emission reductions are retired on behalf of our customers and will not, in fact, be used to meet regulatory requirements under AB 32 or any other regulation. However, it is important to note that the learnings gleaned through this proposal will help further the work of CCAR, the State and Border governors to develop stringent protocols that can be enforced in a mandatory carbon market.

If we are to adequately address the global issue of climate change, it will continue to be important to engage our global environmental partners -- across borders.

A roundup of green headlines that caught our eye this week.

• The Governor of Oregon recently unveiled the country's first solar highway installation
• Reuters reports that the Department of Defense claims to be the only entity with the federal mandate and the size to develop new energy technologies and products on the scale needed for mass adoption.

• The Associated Press reports that McCain pledges to negotiate trade deals favorable to farm commodities, even though he does not believe in ethanol subsidies...other things to hold in disbelief, the 1,253-pound boar named Freight Train and pork chop on a stick featured at the Iowa State Fair.

• Kite power! Not the newest cartoon superhero, but rather a technology that could potentially power 100,000 homes.

As presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain continue to stump on a host of issues across key states, each has unveiled their own -- and reviled the other's -- energy plan.

Here's the Cliffs' Notes version of where the two candidates stand on just a of couple of hot spots in energy:

McCain

• Proposed lifting ban on offshore drilling
• Called for building new nuclear reactors
• Primary Goal: Decrease dependence on non-domestic oil and foster investment in domestic exploration

Obama

• Would consider offshore drilling if it were part of a larger strategy to lower energy costs
• Proposes exploring nuclear power as part of the energy mix
• Primary Goal: Eliminate the need for non-domestic oil in 10 years

Of course, one of the questions that will emerge from this dialogue is which issues will be left up to the states to decide. Here's looking at California.

Hot on the heels of naming its 44 finalists last week, the California Clean Tech Open keeps the momentum alive with an Energy Efficiency symposium tonight at PG&E's own auditorium.

Beginning with opening remarks from California Public Utilities Commissioner Dian Grueneich and PG&E Director of Customer Energy Efficiency Roland Risser, the symposium hopes to draw together researchers and engineers, industry professionals, and entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs.

The topic du jour? Energy efficiency.

From companies like Power Assure, which claims their pending software can cut Data Center electricity bills by 50 per cent, to Serious Materials, which develops eco-friendly building materials -- CCTO finalists are bringing cutting edge energy efficiency technologies to the market. And, with a backdrop of skyrocketing energy prices, carbon consciousness and regulatory mandates, their timing couldn't be better.

Tonight's energy efficiency symposium will engage key players in this dialogue and also bring us one step closer to making the winner's technology a reality.

The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) today announced its first annual "Top Ten Solar Electric Utilities" in the US. (Drum roll, please...)

You guessed it. PG&E received top rankings in the following categories:

• #1 for Solar Electric Capacity on the Customer Side of the Meter (MW) -- All Utilities and Investor-Owned Utilities
• #1 for Solar Electric Capacity per Customer on the Customer Side of the Meter (MW/customer) -- All Utilities and Investor-Owned Utilities
• #2 for Total Solar Electric Capacity (MW) -- All Utilities and Investor-Owned Utilities
• #3 for Total Solar Electric Capacity per customer (MW/customer) -- All Utilities and Investor-Owned Utilities

What do these categories all mean?

According to SEPA, the "customer side of the meter" refers to solar electric systems that are configured to first offset onsite consumption at retail rates, with any remaining excess exported to the distribution grid.

Conversely, the "utility side of the meter" refers to systems located on the utility side of the meter on either the distribution or transmission system, where utilities are the end purchasers of the solar electricity. Southern California Edison leads the pack in this category.

Not surprisingly, California utilities swept the race as early solar adopters. However, as CNET's Elsa Wenzel reports, others in the west, mid-west and mid-Atlantic regions are making their presence known.

Today, the Top Ten. Tomorrow, the Top Twenty.

A roundup of green headlines that caught our eye this week.

• Associated Press reports: Maryland touts the benefits of hybrid buses.
• Abengoa Solar to Feds: Extend the ITC for eight years, or the solar-thermal plant gets it. 
• PG&E CEO expresses concern about T. Boone's big plan to get the U.S. off oil.
• NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory features newly-launched Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason 2 that will provide a global view of Earth's sea surface height every 10 days.
• WSJ Environmental Capital reports on California's new green building code.
• Al Gore's call to action -- America's electricity must be 100% renewable in 10 years.

How do you turn a mission into a movement? I'm not sure, but it includes a lot of meetings. And that's exactly what we've seen this week.

Beginning with the G8 Summit in Japan, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda announced at today's press conference that the G8 set a goal to slash global GHG emissions in half by 2050. Recognizing that cutting emissions globally will require a robust global market, G8 leaders indicated that they will remain committed to responsible macroeconomic management and structural reforms:

• expanding oil production
• further promoting energy conservation and alternative energy development, and
• improving market transparency through increased scrutiny by international institutions.

There's a start.

Back on the ranch, the UPI reports that a group of US Senators came together to turn the number one issue on the minds of Americans (i.e. $4.60/gal) into an energy plan that will be palatable for both sides of the aisle. Sick and tired of being blamed for gas pump pains felt across the country, the bipartisan group of Senators succomb to voter pressure and seek out a legislative solution.

Oil and renewables, Democrats and Republicans. Who knows? Maybe climate change will be the driving force behind the next generation of togetherness. Kumbaya.

US to Nevada: But, I thought you needed me -- my sprawling generation and transmission networks?

Nevada to US: Now, I have it all -- investment, economic development, clean energy. Really, it's not you, it's me.

US: Sigh.

And that is how Nevada declared it's energy independence...um, well, something like that.

The country's boom in solar has created a boon for Nevada and its wide, open spaces. In fact, CleanTechnica.com reports that solar projects totaling more than 10,000 MW (about 500 power plants) have land requests from the Bureau of Land Management in Southern Nevada, potentially promising more than $40 billion in investments to Nevada. With 10,000 MW of clean energy and $40 billion in investment, Nevada may just cede from the US grid.

Not only that, but Nevada can stimulate its economy with the green jobs that go along with such an influx of investment and solar projects. As factories open to produce the kind of giant mirrors and absorber tubes used in solar power plants, they employ factory workers. And, as more solar plants are constructed, more solar plant construction jobs are created. Strike two for the US energy industry.

So, who is enabling this sudden rash of independence? Companies like Ausra, which opened a solar thermal power factory just earlier this week in Las Vegas. I'll come back to that project in another post, but it is the biggest little plant of its kind in the world -- and no, not like Reno. Ausra and others in the solar industry are the ones tempting Nevada from the grid, with their jobs and their money and their clean, clean energy.

And, they lived happily ever after. The End.

Focusing light onto a small, special photovoltaic cell that can absorb large concentrations of sunlight -- bring on the giant ball of popcorn kernels.

Not unlike the 1985 classic movie, Real Genius, Discovery News reports that MIT students recently demonstrated their idea of a good time, not by cooking a giant ball of popcorn kernels with a laser, but by vaporizing wood through solar concentration. Cool.

While the means would surely seem to justify the end, these overachievers have loftier applications in mind. Starting the aptly named Raw Solar company to sell their patented dish design, the students plan to focus on boiling water to create 'wet steam' for industrial and commercial applications. In fact, it's estimated that the solar collector could generate temperatures higher than 1,300 degrees C (2,372 F), hot enough to melt steel. Way cool.

Far from the old magnifying glass trick, these real geniuses could bring about a cheaper and more efficient form of solar energy.

Apparently, they do make them like they used to -- at least how the Three Little Pigs used to. And that big, bad wolf can huff and puff all he wants. These houses aren't coming down.

According to the Kansas City Infozine, the latest in energy efficient building materials: good, old fashioned straw bales.

A few qualities that make hay:

• In hot places -- like Tuscon, AZ -- houses built with straw bales use only a minimal amount of air conditioning.
• In cold places -- like Colorado or Maryland -- straw-bale homes require minimal heating and even just a small space heater in some cases.
• In shaky, wet and windy places -- like earthquake, hurricane and tornado country -- research so far has found straw-bale buildings are safer than traditional buildings because they are strong, yet have some movement that would give people more time to escape than a brick building would.
• In moderate places, like Switzerland, some houses built out of straw bales need no additional heating besides sunlight through the windows.

What will come of housing as we know it? The continued exploration and development of viable energy efficient materials may just take its breath away.

As solar technology continues to race ahead and companies continue to throw R&D dollars behind the next big thing, here's a quick snapshot of a just a few recent headline grabbers...

Intel / SpectraWatt

• Investors: Intel Capital, Cogentrix Energy, PCG Clean Energy and Technology Fund and Solon AG
• Technology: super secret, cheap and easy silicon-based solar cells
• Funding: $50 million
• Timeline: Product ready mid-2009

Brightsource Energy, Inc. / Luz II, Ltd.

• Investors: VantagePoint Venture Partners, Google.org, BP Alternative Energy, Chevron Technology Ventures, StatoilHydro, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, DBL Investors, and Black River
• Technology: large scale solar plants that deliver low-cost solar energy in the form of steam and/or electricity to industrial and utility customers (including PG&E)
• Funding: more than $160 million, of which $115 million came from its most recent round of financing last month
• Timeline: Luz II, Ltd. concept is in the final testing stage. Results expected by end of summer. Full-sized facilities in California's Mojave Desert to be completed by 2011.

IBM / Kogyo Co.

• Investors: IBM and Tokyo Ohka Kogyo (TOK)
• Technology: licensing of CIGS (copper, indium, galium and selenide) solar power technology that could be applied to building material
• Funding / Timeline: According to earth2tech's Craig Rubens, IBM hasn't attached any production dates or funding estimates to its new research program.  

And, there's plenty more where these came from. Clearly, these announcements not only present different solar technology options and alternatives, they also present a clear trend of high-tech and other companies tripping over themselves to bring about the next big thing in solar.

We all know the movie...picturesque Camp Crystal Lake, young summer camp counselors frolicking in the night, then...the lights go out.

And nobody thought to thank that thoughtful Jason Voorhees?? Teenagers.

The International Dark Sky Association, a group dedicated to preserving and protecting the nighttime environment, might even argue that the notorious Friday the 13th villain, Jason, did that campground a favor by eliminating all that pesky light pollution.

In fact, the group will host a Congressional Briefing on the subject next Friday, June 20. Among the topics to be discussed are consequences of light pollution on human health and the environment, as well as energy wasted as a result of light pollution. Of those presenting will be representatives from the Bassett Healthcare Institute (New York) and The Urban Wildlands Group. PG&E will also present, addressing IDA's estimate that more than $10 billion is wasted annually on unnecessary lighting.

Call me devil's advocate, but I think that poor Jason was misunderstood.

In the great game of green, perhaps least noticed is the work done at the community level. Such is the work of the Sacramento River Cats and Raley Field -- not only in following the lead of many major league stadiums by going green, but also in raising community awareness.

Having lived in Sacramento for a time myself, I write this as a tried and true River Cats fan. I have seen firsthand the great influence of this ball club in its community -- from the loveable Dinger, to the $7 lawn seats on Home Run Hill, to the rally of the games.

So, when "yooouur Sacramentooo River Caaats" host a Green Awareness Weekend, the community listens. At a time when green means so many things to so many people, this level of community engagement is perhaps the home run the movement needs.

Recognizing this, PG&E helped the River Cats host a weekend focused soundly on education and awareness. By packaging the fan-favorite games with green education such as a pre-game ceremony on Saturday and a solar seminar on Sunday, the River Cats and PG&E were able to reach out to the community in way simply not possible on a larger stage. 

Hopefully, other ball clubs and community icons will follow suit. Their role in translating an increasingly global dialogue to local action will be crucial. In the meantime, GO CATS!

Call it a phase, but somewhere between the Seabear and the North Sea, I've found myself on a Scandinavian kick lately. This brings me to my most recent discovery, compliments of my friends across the pond...

Floating wind turbines in the North Sea. What a concept -- windmills out at sea, far away from the critical eyes of landlubbers and the wandering routes of migration birds. But, will it work?

With an investment of about $78 million, StatoilHydro takes on the task of building the world's first full-scale floating wind turbine prototype to test for two years. The Hywind design uses a three anchor moorings that hold a 200 meter tall steel tube with an attached turbine and three 60-meter-long blades. 

It will take a village to bring such a massive project to life by Fall 2009. 

To be assembled in Norway (in Åmøyfjorden near Stavanger and located about six miles offshore Karmøy in the county of Rogaland), the wind turbine itself will be built by Siemens. Technip will be charged with floatation element building and offshore installation. Nexans will lay cables to shore, and Haugaland Kraft will be responsible for the landfall. Enova will support the project with about $11.5 million.

StatoilHydro admits that floating wind power is not a mature technology yet and anticipates a long road to large-scale development. Among the key issues are price, servicing and the wear and tear of Mother Nature. However, success will be a major step in moving the wind power industry offshore. 

With more projects like this coming to commercialization, it looks like clean power may go the way of oil -- out to sea.

Wineries are developing a palate for energy efficiency and clean energy, looking into some pretty innovative ways to leverage their facilities and surroundings to realize energy savings. And, with 1,100 wineries in the state of California, which collectively produce 500 million gallons of wine, the movement can have a huge impact on California's energy use.

As reported in yesterday's San Francisco Chronicle, the Far Niente winery in Oakville recently covered their irrigation pond with a floating solar installation, designed and installed by SPG Solar of Novato, using the "Floatovoltaic" technology developed by Thompson Technology Industries Inc.

Not only will the Floatovoltaic arrays provide the winery with up to 447 kw of clean renewable energy, it is also likely to result in less water loss due to evaporation, according to the article, and less algae growth. Dividends.

In related news, PG&E's own Emerging Technologies group is also working with wineries to help them realize energy savings through energy efficiency. The team conducted two studies at two major yet-to-be-named NorCal wineries that show that the use of a European technology called electrodialysis in the process of eliminating tartaric acid in wine is 99 percent more efficient than the refrigeration process regularly used, called cold stabilization. To put a finer point on it, that's 8 watt-hours per gallon v. 22-1,200 watt-hours per gallon.

As such projects become more and more feasible through financing mechanisms and rebates, hopefully more California wineries will get snobby on their energy use -- and pass on the savings. Cheers to that!

Trite, I know, but who can resist the excitement from Sunday's Indy 500? Not only did Danica's strut down pit row make it into one of the all-time greatest female moments in sports, perhaps lesser known though no less exciting is the role of ethanol in this year's Indy.

As reported by DomesticFuel, ethanol was the official fuel sponsor of the 92nd Indianapolis 500 for the second year. Who knew? Admittedly, a sport featuring high-performance vehicles screaming around a racetrack over and over, burning through tires and occasionally bursting into flames does beg the question: Is there something we can do to make the Indy more earth-friendly? Even so, race cars and renewables seem like strange bedfellows.

At the forefront of bringing ethanol to the Brickyard -- and to the masses -- is VeraSun CEO Don Endres, interviewed by DomesticFuel onsite at the race. Among the challenges and controversies faced by ethanol, according to Endres, is misinformation. He lauds Indy sponsors' understanding that ethanol is the only alternative to fossil fuels available today, making up about 6 percent of the total fuel stream.

Addressing the viability of ethanol long-term, Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures said at the recent The Future In Review conference that he is looking toward technologies like cellulosic ethanol rather than food-based ethanol, according to CNET. The key differentiators between cellulosic and food-based ethanol to Khosla seem to be two-fold: cellulosic ethanol's ability to scale to utility-grade levels, and its ability to compete with the cost of fossil fuels without subsidies.

Predictions for next year's Indianapolis 500: Clean fuel solutions such as cellulosic ethanol pick up where fossil fuels left off. Danica finishes what she started.

Today's Gristmill featured a post addressing the argument that solar takes too much space, a common gripe about today's generation of solar technology.

While admittedly imperfect, the side-by-side comparison with coal production engages an interesting discussion -- solar production per square foot is not only cleaner, it yields more energy than coal mining.

For this reason and others, PG&E continues to sign contracts with utility-scale solar thermal power companies like Silicon Valley solar start-up Ausra. Backed by green investor Vinod Khosla and VC firm Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers, Ausra is under contract to build 177 megawatts in solar power plants in central California for PG&E. And, we continue to sign contracts with companies capable of developing and deploying clean energy on this larger utility scale.

This is not to leave distributed solar out of the party. Distributed solar can absolutely provide the same benefits as utility-scale solar and help address some of those pesky size/scale issues that come with sprawling solar farms. While we are still working through the policy and financing kinks of this relatively young industry, PG&E encourages the adoption of distributed solar as a viable clean energy option for customers through the California Solar Initiative (CSI).

So, to those who complain that solar energy is simply too big, I would encourage them to consider the benefits and, perhaps more persuasive -- consider the alternative.

Okay, so it's not a slogan for the visitor bureau, but my Reno Gazette-Journal today reported that this year's runoff has hit peak and will be on a diminishing trend from now on.

I'm not sure if this forecast took into account the May snow I drove through on my way here or the cloudy skies above, but certainly a few flakes has little effect on a 72-mile, 1,000-ft-deep lake.

Aside from being a disappointment for Lake Tahoe, with river runoff projections as low as 38 percent, this will undoubtedly impact hydroelectric capacity as we look into summer. Apparently, last week's heatwave burned right through the snowpack, causing a quick and final rise in stream and river levels before they begin their steady drop with rising summer temperatures. It seems that the optimism of early winter's heavy snows went down the proverbial drain.

As for Tahoe, the Federal Water Master's Office in Reno reports that, after the couple of inches that should come with this weekend's thunderstorms (great), the rate of lake evaporation will exceed river and stream runoff, and Tahoe will begin to drop. A sad reality, though definitely not a first for this Cal-Neva treasure.

Yesterday, the American Gas Association (AGA) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) came together in a press conference to highlight the importance of energy efficiency in combating global warming.

"By using a clean fuel, and using it efficiently, America's natural gas utilities and their customers are leading the way in the fight against global warming," said Laurence Downes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of New Jersey Resources. 

PG&E's ClimateSmart program announced our second RFP for up to one million tons of new GHG emission reductions during California Climate Action Registry's Annual Conference last week.

Projects in forest conservation, conservation-based forest management and reforestation projects in California are eligible for consideration, as are projects that include the installation of a manure biogas control system for livestock operations, such as dairy cattle and swine farms. Side note: More than 19,000 dairies in California + less than two dozen of which currently capture the methane they produce = a lot of opportunity for poop! 

Bidders' conferences for those interested will be held in SF on May 28, Sacramento on May 29 and Tulare on June 2.

Since PG&E launched the ClimateSmart program last year, the momentum around similar market-based solutions for climate change continues to grow.

One good example of this can be found in Saturday's LA Times article by Elizabeth Douglass on