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SolarCity Scores $500 Million from Goldman Sachs for Solar Leasing

SolarCity Corp. (SCTY), a solar-energy developer chaired by billionaire Elon Musk, won financing from Goldman Sachs (GS) Group Inc. for more than $500 million in rooftop solar systems that the company will complete this year. MORE    added: Friday, May. 17, 2013

TAR SANDS Reality Check

Canadians deserve to know the truth about the tar sands. With the oil industry and government working overtime on massive PR campaigns to try to greenwash the tar sands, it’s time for a reality check. MORE    added: Thursday, May. 16, 2013

With More Wind Energy, PJM Could Save Customers $7 Billion per Year

Tulsa, OK -- The PJM Interconnection could save its customers $6.9 billion if it more than doubled the amount of wind energy it currently plans to build. This is according to a study by Americans for a Clean Energy Grid and Synapse Energy Economics. MORE    added: Thursday, May. 16, 2013

NEWSLETTER - May 1 Community Power Workshop in Stouffville a huge success - and much more of News & Events to share

On May 1st a group of over 70 participants from across Ontario answered an invitation by Ontario Sustainability Services and OSEA to share their experiences, their successes and their challenges in the community power sector. MORE    added: Thursday, May. 16, 2013

Climate-related disasters cost American taxpayers $96 billion last year

A new analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council shows that the federal government dished out $96 billion last year on what the NRDC calls “federal climate disruption costs.” That works out to $1,100 per taxpayer, or one-sixth of the government’s n MORE    added: Thursday, May. 16, 2013

Today, Canada is taking over as Chair of the Arctic Council. This is terrible news for wildlife and communities of the Arctic--we need to TAKE ACTION right away.

Prime Minister Harper will do anything it takes to accelerate oil development: muzzle scientists, gut environmental regulations and deny Indigenous rights. Now, as Chair of the Arctic Council, the Harper government wants to give the oil industry a louder MORE    added: Wednesday, May. 15, 2013

This week in Clean Energy Review, U.S. sustainable building advocates pop the champagne, B.C. climate targets hang in the balance, and young people still don't equate car ownership with freedom and sex appeal. Imagine that!

U.S. BUILDING EFFICIENCY SKYROCKETS: A new analysis of federal data since 2005 concludes that American building owners and managers have been blowing a lot of insulation and swapping out a whole whack of light bulbs. “We have no need to add more electrit MORE    added: Monday, May. 13, 2013

$1.9 billion wind project coming to Iowa

America’s wind energy boom is about to deliver the biggest economic investment in Iowa’s history — and blow a whole lot of cheap, clean electricity into the appliances and lightbulbs of the state’s residents. Warren Buffett’s MidAmerican Energy Co. anno MORE    added: Monday, May. 13, 2013

Coal-export plans going off the rails in Pacific Northwest

Plans for two Oregon coal-export terminals have gone up in smoke in the last two months. That makes for a total of three scrapped terminals in the Pacific Northwest, after a proposed facility in Grays Harbor, Wash., bit the coal dust last year. Three oth MORE    added: Monday, May. 13, 2013

Obama may delay Keystone decision until 2014

The Obama administration has been procrastinating on its decision on the Keystone XL pipeline for years — and now comes word that it may kick the can even further down the road. From Reuters: MORE    added: Monday, May. 13, 2013

Tesla sedan gets best Consumer Reports auto review of all time

Consumer Reports just gave the Tesla Model S Sedan its highest-ever score for an automobile. The glowing review and sky-high score of 99 out of 100 came in the same week that the 10-year-old auto manufacturer enjoyed its first profitable quarter. MORE    added: Friday, May. 10, 2013

Even in the best-case scenario, climate change will kick our asses

Ask Andrew Guzman, a professor of international law at U.C. Berkeley, why he decided to write a book about climate change, and he says it’s simple: It’s the biggest issue of our time. “If I didn’t write about it,” he says, “for my grandkids, I’d sound li MORE    added: Thursday, May. 9, 2013

Joe Oliver takes flight to fight for Canadian tar sands

In the continuing effort to weaken climate policies abroad Natural Resources Minister, Joe Oliver, is spending the week in Europe to lobby against European legislation that would require a 6% reduction in greenhouse gas intensity of vehicle fuels by 2020 MORE    added: Thursday, May. 9, 2013

Is Obama the ‘environmental president’? - David Roberts

Several people have asked me what I think of Jonathan Chait’s new column in New York magazine: “Obama Might Actually Be the Environmental President.” Apparently some folks are quite upset about it and think it’s terrible, though I’m not entirely sure why MORE    added: Wednesday, May. 8, 2013

Coal companies have gotten good at wrangling their way out of federal fines

A Cleveland Plain Dealer investigation found that when federal regulators fine mine operators for violating safety standards, those companies “are fighting significant fines as a matter of course and getting them reduced, if not dropped,” which means “cl MORE    added: Wednesday, May. 8, 2013

This week in Clean Energy Review, what you need to know about unburnable carbon, electric vehicle sales start picking up, and Albertans press a big “dislike” button on coal-fired electricity.

THE CARBON BUBBLE, EXPLAINED: Global markets are inflating the value of fossil fuel companies because many oil, coal, and gas reserves will have to remain buried forever to limit warming to two degrees. And much much... MORE    added: Monday, May. 6, 2013

Fracking ourselves to death in Pennsylvania

The process of “fracking” starts by drilling a mile or more vertically, then outward laterally into 500-million-year-old shale formations, the remains of oceans that once flowed over parts of North America. Millions of gallons of chemical and sand-laced MORE    added: Monday, May. 6, 2013

Big Coal loses out in Indiana, despite employing two state lawmakers

Tough break for the coal industry in Indiana. Plans to build a $2.8 billion plant in Rockport to convert coal into synthetic natural gas have been doomed by new safeguards that protect ratepayers. MORE    added: Monday, May. 6, 2013

Weird wintry weather and the climate-change link

It was high time to pass around a few cold ones in the shade of an awning in Amarillo, Texas, just a few days ago. Now it’s time to hunker inside, drink whiskey neat, and play charades. MORE    added: Monday, May. 6, 2013

New Battery Design Could Help Solar and Wind Energy Power the Grid

Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have designed a low-cost, long-life battery that could enable solar and wind energy to become major suppliers to the electrical grid. MORE    added: Friday, May. 3, 2013

The $40 Billion Hiding in US Buildings - Energy Efficiency goals - Better Buildings Challenge

That’s the amount of money the federal government estimates we can save annually by reducing energy use in commercial buildings 20 percent by 2020. To achieve the goal, the Obama administration in 2011 initiated the Better Buildings Challenge, a way to MORE    added: Friday, May. 3, 2013

Study Will Evaluate Two Manitoba Hydro Project Proposals

"Manitoba Hydro has developed a comprehensive plan for new hydroelectric development to meet a growing provincial demand for power and to take advantage of long-term export opportunities," said Manitoba cabinet minister David Chomiak. "Manitobans need to MORE    added: Friday, May. 3, 2013

What if we never run out of oil?

In the 1970s, geologists discovered crystalline natural gas — methane hydrate, in the jargon — beneath the seafloor. Stored mostly in broad, shallow layers on continental margins, methane hydrate exists in immense quantities; by some estimates, it is twi MORE    added: Friday, May. 3, 2013

Latin America Report: Thinking Big About Clean Energy and Climate Change

Virtually eliminating the carbon footprint from Latin America's power sector by 2050 would require $66 billion in annual investments, with spending on renewable energy making up half that amount, according to a new report analyzing full "climate stabiliza MORE    added: Thursday, May. 2, 2013

Renewable Energy Optimization in the Heart of Coal Country - Remember the CREW GREEN Movie screening of THE LAST MOUNTAIN - then you have an appreciation for this.

In the depths of coal country, one would not expect to find a growing diversified energy economy that includes a healthy mix of renewables. But in Williamson, WV, Sustainable Williamson is bullish on making a change, and hopes to inspire othercommunities MORE    added: Thursday, May. 2, 2013

China Set to Approve 27.9 GW of Wind Power Projects

China's National Energy Administration recently announced the inclusion of 491 wind power projects with a combined installed capacity of 27.9 GW into its approval plan for the 12th five-year period spanning from 2011 to 2015. MORE    added: Thursday, May. 2, 2013

New Mexico county is first in the nation to ban all drilling and fracking

Mora County, N.M., has a message for the oil and gas industry: “You’re not welcome here.” County commissioners voted 2-1 on Monday to ban all oil and gas extraction in their drought-ravaged county near Santa Fe, home to fewer than 5,000 people. A tempora MORE    added: Thursday, May. 2, 2013

Pembina reacts to release of 2013 Ontario budget

We are happy to see the Ontario government follow through on promises to fund transit expansion in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area by introducing paid express/high occupancy lanes, calling for a national transit strategy, and committing todedicated MORE    added: Thursday, May. 2, 2013

Verizon to Invest $100 Million in U.S. Solar and Fuel Cells

Verizon Communications Inc., the second-largest U.S. phone company, plans to spend $100 million on solar systems and fuel cells to power 19 U.S. facilities. The company will install the gear at office buildings, call centers, data centers and other site MORE    added: Wednesday, May. 1, 2013

Progress Report: Seven US Offshore Wind Demonstration Projects

Ahead of next week's AWEA Windpower event in Chicago, a Webinar from the Department of Energy (DoE) provided an update on the potential for offshore wind energy in the U.S. with a state-by-state progress report, as well as seven DoE-backed demonstration MORE    added: Wednesday, May. 1, 2013

Electric vehicles could stabilize grid, make money as batteries

Electric vehicles aren’t just cars that are cleaner to operate than internal combustion dinosaurs. They’re also powerful batteries on wheels. And that quality could spur EV owners to buy electricity at night, or operate their own solar panels or wind tur MORE    added: Wednesday, May. 1, 2013

CO2 in atmosphere poised to blow past 400 ppm mark

Sometime soon, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is expected to hit a scary new milestone: 400 parts per million. That would be higher than at any time in human history — and it’s bad news for anyone who cares about a livable climate. MORE    added: Wednesday, May. 1, 2013

MAY OSEA Newsletter - OSEA trip to Cuba June 2-8, 2013 booking deadline is May 8th. - and much more

OSEA is hosting a trip to the World Wind Energy Conference 2013 (WWEC) in Havana, Cuba from June 2-9, 2013. The WWEC 2013 is co-hosted by Cuba Solar. Join us as we explore the business opportunities in what has been a relatively untapped market! MORE    added: Wednesday, May. 1, 2013

Mad about your hydro bill? Blame nuclear and gas plants

Payments to nuclear and gas-fired generators are the main ingredients in the largest component on Ontario hydro bills MORE    added: Wednesday, May. 1, 2013

Special deal on photon-to-electron conversion: Two for one! A major SOLAR BREAKTHROUGH! New technique developed at MIT could enable a major boost in solar-cell efficiency.

Now, researchers at MIT have shown that there is a way to blow past what we see as a current limit as easily as today’s jet fighters zoom through the sound barrier — which was also once seen as an ultimate limit. MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 30, 2013

Post-Tax Energy Subsidies Hit $1.9T in 2011 - Subsidies skew the cost of energy in nearly every part of the world.

The billions of dollars that go to traditional energy dwarfs even the spending in the U.S., and is limiting access to clean energy for billions of people who live without regular access to electricity and rely on dirty, expensive petroleum products. MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 30, 2013

Why climate change is not an environmental problem: The video

Ryan L. Cooper, the able young web editor over at Washington Monthly, is the guy who remixed my TEDx talk to such nifty effect. Now he’s finished a new climate video of his own, which he produced and narrated. MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 30, 2013

Progress update shows little change, two years after road map to responsible oilsands development released

With substantial progress on only two of 19 recommendations, faster implementation of oilsands environmental solutions needed to secure social license for future development. MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 29, 2013

Nailed it! Toronto exceeds Kyoto target - and much more in this week's CLEAN ENERGY REVIEW

A progress report released by the City last week indicates that Toronto has exceeded the Kyoto target by 2.5X! GHG emissions for 2011 are estimated at 23.2 Mt, down 15% from 1990 levels. Not only have we exceeded our 2012 target, but we are halfway to the MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 29, 2013

San Francisco and 10 other cities move toward dumping stocks in fossil-fuel companies

Oil companies might be awfully profitable right now, but political leaders in San Francisco and 10 other U.S. cities want to dump their investments in them anyway. MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 29, 2013

Line 9 heats up

Thank you to the thousands of you who participated in our April 9 telephone town hall about Enbridge’s risky Line 9 pipeline plan. MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 29, 2013

Climate Change Is in the Air

Last year climate change became reality for the United States. New York City flooded, a historic drought blanketed the Midwest, and we saw one of the worst fire seasons ever recorded. By July, the U.S. had shattered over 40,000 daily heat records. MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 26, 2013

US Senators Re-Introduce MLP Act to Level Playing Field for Renewable Energy

JinkoSolar Holding Co. and First Solar Inc. were among solar companies that surged after four U.S. senators introduced legislation that would let renewable- energy projects qualify for a tax-advantaged corporate structure currently used by oil, natural g MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 26, 2013

David Suzuki: Health effects from wind power unfounded

Opposition to windmills often centres on health effects, but what is it about wind power that causes people to feel ill? According to recent research, it may not be the infrasound from wind-energy installations but, oddly enough, the warnings from opponen MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 26, 2013

Solar panels can protect you from terrorism

America’s top energy regulator says the solar panels that are proliferating on rooftops all over the country could protect against power outages triggered by terrorists. MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 26, 2013

Pickering Nuclear Station: A Threat to Toronto

The Pickering B reactors reach the end of the their operational life in 2014, but OPG wants to keep them running until they can replace them with new reactors at Darlington. This is a reckless proposition. The geriatric Pickering reactors are too dangero MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 26, 2013

Your voice matters. And when it comes to the oilsands pollution and your health, you won’t be silenced.

That’s the message we sent — loud and clear — to the federal government today when we delivered an open letter signed by 5,097 Ecojustice supporters like you demanding that the feds investigate and disclose the full impact oilsands pollution has on river MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 25, 2013

This solar power system makes electricity and clean water at the same time

Most solar power systems are either photovoltaic or thermal — they work by collecting either electrical energy or heat energy. And they often use up tons of water. This system, designed by engineers in Switzerland, collects both electrical and thermal en MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 25, 2013

A big blow for Big Coal in Wisconsin

Wisconsinites will be breathing a lot easier after another coal-fired power plant is shuttered and two more are overhauled to reduce air pollution. The coming improvements are courtesy of the EPA’s latest legal victory over polluting coal-plant operators MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 25, 2013

TransCanada and GOP steamed over EPA’s Keystone comments

TransCanada, the Canadian company that wants to build the Keystone XL pipeline, is pissed at the U.S. EPA for not quietly going along with the plan. The EPA this week slammed the State Department’s draft environmental report on the pipeline, saying in MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2013

Falling prices for renewable energy could lead to a tripling of investment

The plummeting price of renewable energy has bankrupted more than two dozen wind and solar manufacturers, but the BNEF analysts say it could lead to a tripling of investment in the sector over the next 17 years. MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2013

US Court hands EPA a victory in fight against mountaintop-removal mining - Wall Street Journal, L.A. Times

Score one for the EPA — and everyone else who doesn’t like the idea of a coal company blasting the tops off mountains and dumping the waste into streams. Remember the CREW GREEN Movie - The Last Mountain? MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2013

Nuclear Is NOT a Low-Carbon Source of Energy - Why Do People Claim that Nuclear Power is a Low-Carbon Source of Energy? AND SO MUCH MORE - READ ON!

Amory Lovins is perhaps America’s top expert on energy, and a dedicated environmentalist for close to 50 years. His credentials as an energy expert and environmentalist are sterling. Lovins says nuclear is not the answer: MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2013

Mad about your hydro bill? Blame nuclear and gas plants - conclusion of a study by IESO, which runs Ontario’s power market.

Payments to nuclear and gas-fired generating plants — not to renewable energy suppliers — are the main ingredients in the biggest component of your hydro bill. That’s the conclusion of a study done for the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 22, 2013

Bill 39, Ensuring Affordable Energy Act, 2013 - Thompson, Lisa M. DEFEATED! - UPDATE thanks to the Federation of Community Power Co-operatives

Current Status: Second Reading LOST on recorded division - Last Thursday, the Ontario Legislative Assembly voted to defeat Bill 39, a victory! However, it was a close vote (40 to 33) MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 22, 2013

We need your help today! South of the border, TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline is going through the last round of official public comments. SEND A SHORT LETTER.

President Obama needs to hear many Canadians are concerned about this risky pipeline proposal. Please send a short letter asking President Obama to reject Keystone XL. MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 22, 2013

Many of you took action and gave generously to stop ratification of the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act (FIPA) last October. Now we need you to take action again, IMMEDIATELY. Only takes a minute!

Last Thursday, the NDP introduced a motion in Parliament urging the government to inform the People’s Republic of China that it will NOT ratify FIPA as currently written. This motion will be voted on in the House of Commons TONIGHT at 6:40 EST and we nee MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 22, 2013

DO ELECTRIC CARS POLLUTE MORE THAN GAS ONES? To find the answer, Vancouver researcher Barry Saxifrage spent two weeks dissecting studies, wading through databases, and drilling into websites. PLUS MUCH MORE

This week in Clean Energy Review, an Ottawa think-tank pulls off a decidedly grown up conversation about carbon pricing, Ontario fends off an attack on green energy, and a carbon researcher throws down on lithium-ion versus regular unleaded. MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 22, 2013

Time is running out! Tomorrow noon (Calgary-time) is the deadline to apply to send a letter to the National Energy Board (NEB) about Enbridge's risky Line 9 pipeline proposal. FIND OUT HOW

If approved, this pipeline proposal could allow Enbridge to ship potentially more dangerous tar sands crude through Ontario and Quebec, putting the homes, farmland, and drinking water of millions of people at risk of a tar sands oil spill. MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 19, 2013

Will you join us in saying NO to oil spills and climate change?

The momentum is building to stop the reversal of Enbridge’s Line 9 oil pipeline. Hundreds of people have joined our request for a full environmental assessment of this risky project. Last week, we held our first telephone town hall about Line 9. Thousand MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 19, 2013

Researcher blames Harper government for ‘disintegration’ of climate debate

Researcher Diana Carney urges Conservatives to enact new policies or fail in commitments to reduce emissions. The Harper government needs to take the partisan poison out of the country’s climate debate and enact new policies or fail in its international MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 19, 2013

Hydro hikes will raise public ire - The Observer editorial

Even without the Green Energy Act, energy is going to cost us more. Aging infrastructure – from nuclear plants to the wires that bring power to our homes – needs to be replaced. As consumers of electricity, we’ve never paid the actual cost of bringing MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 19, 2013

The tyranny of the tar sands - Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Canada is fast becoming a place I no longer recognize - Clayton Ruby - Board Chair, ForestEthics Advocacy.

The Canada I know and love is a Canada worth fighting for. I want us to be able to tell our children and grandchildren that we succeeded in protecting our country’s wilderness and freedoms from the tyranny of the tar sands. MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 19, 2013

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is holding hearings on May 29 and 30, 2013, regarding Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) request for a 5-year license renewal for the Pickering nuclear station. TIME TO ACT! READ ON.

The Pickering B reactors reach the end of the their operational life in 2014, but OPG wants to keep them running until they can replace them with new reactors at Darlington - a reckless proposition. The geriatric Pickering reactors are too dangerous! MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 19, 2013

Keystone XL opponents dominate raucous Nebraska hearing

More than 1,000 people traveled from far and wide to snowy Grand Island, Neb., on Thursday to tell the State Department what they think of plans to build the Keystone XL pipeline. Commenters had a maximum of three minutes apiece to speak their minds duri MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 19, 2013

Utilities Across the US Embracing Solar Energy

For the sixth year in a row, the U.S. Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) has ranked utilities across the nation in terms of how much solar energy they have incorporated into their user base. This year's report shows that solar is spreading quickly MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 19, 2013

The Greenest Organizations in the US: Who Uses the Most Renewable Energy?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the updated list of the top 50 organizations in the US that get their electricity from "green power." The rankings are listed in order of annual green power usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh) MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 19, 2013

None of the world’s top industries would be profitable if they paid for the natural capital they use

The notion of “externalities” has become familiar in environmental circles. It refers to costs imposed by businesses that are not paid for by those businesses. For instance, industrial processes can put pollutants in the air that increase public health c MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 18, 2013

10 states to sue Obama admin for dragging feet on climate rules

While there’s virtually no chance of meaningful climate legislation passing through Congress, there are meaningful climate actions that the Obama administration can take on its own. Two big ones would be regulating carbon dioxide emissions from new power MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 18, 2013

Americans Want More Emphasis on Solar, Wind, Natural Gas

No fewer than two in three Americans want the U.S. to put more emphasis on producing domestic energy using solar power (76%), wind (71%), and natural gas (65%). Far fewer want to emphasize the production of oil (46%) and the use of nuclear power (37%). MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 18, 2013

Global Wind Power Capacity Increased 19 Percent in 2012

Wind power surged to a new record in 2012 with nearly 45 gigawatts (GW) of new installations, a 10 percent increase from 2011, according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)'s Annual Market Update. Global installed capacity increased roughly 19 perce MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 18, 2013

REEP News for April 2013 - RAIN Barrel Blitz ends on Earth Day Monday, April 22nd - & much more

We’re celebrating the return of the sun with our Solar events; the bounty of spring and summer rains with our RAIN Barrel Blitz (order by Earth Day, this Monday, April 22nd!); and six great years of Greening Sacred Spaces with Jane Snyder at the helm. MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 18, 2013

This week in Clean Energy Review, Minister Joe Oliver drops a bombshell, China and the United States sign a groundbreaking deal to fight climate change, and Australian coal power begins its slow and steady decline.

Stating that "the overwhelming scientific consensus regarding climate change constitutes a compelling call to action," yesterday China and the United States signed an agreement to collaborate on R&D, conservation, and renewables. MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 15, 2013

URGENT! YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED! Show your support for Ontario’s green energy future NOW. CALL and SEND A LETTER to your MPP. It's easy - READ ON

Once again, Ontario’s green energy future is under attack. The switch to cleaner and safer renewable energy in Ontario has left polluters feeling threatened. This week, some are attempting to drag Ontario backward by attacking renewable energy. MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 15, 2013

MPPs: WE SUPPORT RENEWABLE ENERGY IN ONTARIO! On Thursday April 18th, Private Member's Bill 39 will be voted on to go to the second reading. ACT NOW! Sign the petition - write a letter. SEE ONTARIO SECTION

Bill 39: An Act to provide for control by local municipalities over renewable and affordable energy undertakings. This proposed Bill, if enacted, would turn back the clock on the progress that Ontario has made on Renewable Energy and Energy conservation. MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 15, 2013

What Does Warren Buffett See in Solar?

What's the best way to gain insight into Buffett's thinking? Probably by watching his companies. And now, among his big insurance, chemical and utility holdings is a renewable energy company that is making some eye-catching moves. In its first 12 months i MORE    added: Saturday, Apr. 13, 2013

OSEA presents CUBA - June 1-8, 2013, Havana & Varadero

Learn, Exchange Ideas, Network and Relax! Get it all in one amazing trip to Cuba. After a successful trip to Germany in 2012, OSEA is organizing a delegation to this year's World Wind Energy Conference in Havana, Cuba. MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 12, 2013

Study: Australian carbon tax could mean 100 percent renewables by 2030

Australian researchers claim to have demonstrated that a tax on carbon emissions could, if structured properly, result in an energy market made up entirely of renewable energy by 2030.One of the key policies of prime minister Julia Gillard'sgovernment ha MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 11, 2013

Using aging, retrofitted pipelines to ship oil — what could go wrong?

Until the Pegasus pipeline ruptured on March 29, leaking an estimated 147,000 to 210,000 gallons of heavy crude oil into the town of Mayflower, Ark., few Arkansans knew it was even there. In fact, thousands of miles of pipelines snake through the heart o MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 11, 2013

How can we boost distributed solar and save utilities at the same time?

Solar PV and other distributed-energy technologies pose a radical threat to U.S. power utilities and the centralized business model they’ve operated under for the last century. This is, I hasten to add, according to the utilities themselves.So what shoul MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 11, 2013

Fact-checking Premier Redford’s speech in Washington

This week Alberta Premier Alison Redford returned to Washington to continue lobbying for the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. While in Washington, she gave a speech at the Brookings Institute, which featured a quite dizzying spin of what the MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 11, 2013

All U.S. nuclear reactors are too dangerous, says former nuke-safety chief

All 104 nuclear power reactors now in operation in the United States have a safety problem that cannot be fixed and they should be replaced with newer technology, the former chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said on Monday. Shutting them all MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 10, 2013

Solar Reaching Parity with Other Energy Sources, Say New Reports

Over the past few weeks, a number of prominent organizations around world have issued reports determining that solar is becoming an increasingly competitive energy source and is coming into parity—or cost-equality—with other forms of electric generation. MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 10, 2013

Open letter raises concerns over government nuclear secrecy

A group of MPs, academics and NGOs signed an open letter this weekend calling on the National Audit Office to investigate government negotiations over building new nuclear power plants. The letter raises concerns that the government could be striking a b MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 10, 2013

Canadian Solar purchases two solar projects

Canadian Solar Inc. has acquired a majority interest in two utility-scale solar power projects in Ontario with a total capacity of approximately 24 MW DC. Additionally, Canadian Solar has the ability to complete a purchase of two additional utility-scale MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 9, 2013

Crude awakening: Exxon’s Arkansas oil spill ain’t pretty

One week ago, residents of rural Mayflower, Ark., found a river of reeking, black oil flowing through their backyards and streets. ExxonMobil, the company that owns the ruptured pipeline, evacuated the neighborhood and quickly instated something like mar MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 8, 2013

Why tar-sands pipelines are just too risky

With the Obama administration poised to decide whether to build the Keystone XL pipeline to carry Canadian tar-sands oil south to the Gulf Coast, you might well wonder whether that pipeline would be about as safe as a balloon filled with bleach. MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 8, 2013

This week in Clean Energy Review, Alberta finally proposes a half-respectable price on carbon, an EV underdog bounces back, and a California billionaire promises to crush America's climate-denial machine like a bug.

WILL 40/40 DO THE TRICK? Alberta’s new 40/40 carbon pricing proposal is a thinly-veiled attempt to buy social license for pipelines. It's an important step in the right direction. But will it be enough to appease Edmonton's most outspoken critics? Merran MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 8, 2013

In Ending Coal-fired Electricity, Ontario Cuts Water Use and Climate-changing Gases

A decade ago, Ontario’s coal-fired power plants were responsible for the province’s largest water withdrawals, accounting for 1.8 billion cubic meters (475 billion gallons) of water taken annually for cooling and steam generation from rivers and Lake Ont MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 8, 2013

Scotland to Donald Trump: Drop Dead. Offshore Wind Farm Green-lit

What’s more important, golf or clean energy? About a year ago, Donald Trump was throwing a public tantrum about Scotland’s plans to build an offshore wind farm. Mr. Trump claimed that it would ruin the view from one of his golf course projects, and that MORE    added: Saturday, Apr. 6, 2013

There is still a chance to save the EXPERIMENTAL LAKES AREA(ELA), but we must act quickly. If the ELA is reopened in the next few weeks, the data can be saved and the experiments will remain intact. SPEAK OUT!

Ontario and Manitoba could easily cover the operating costs of this incredible research centre. That would also ensure that the science stays public and not hidden away like so many other inconvenient truths about industrial pollution. SEND YOUR LETTER! MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 5, 2013

Good news, Arkansas: Tar-sands oil isn’t oil-oil. But since it’s not oil-oil, ExxonMobil hasn’t paid into the government clean-up fund that would help bankroll the epic scrub-down necessary to rid poor unsuspecting Mayflower, Ark., of all that bitumen.

So far, the thousands of barrels of tar-sands oil that spilled into a middle-class neighborhood in central Arkansas on Friday have driven 22 families from their homes, killed and injured local wildlife, but the oil hasn’t contaminated the drinking water MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 5, 2013

Texas cities roping in more wind energy

Something refreshing is about to blow into Dallas, Houston, and other oil-soaked Texan cities: wind energy. Lots of wind energy. MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 5, 2013

Arkansas town in lockdown after oil spill nightmare

The reek is only a hint at ExxonMobil’s presence here. Since thick black sludge first began oozing across backyards and into the streets, surprising many residents who say they didn’t even realize the pipeline was there, the company has instituted someth MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 5, 2013

American Babies Born Right After Fukushima Show Elevated Rate of Abnormalities A new study shows elevated rates of congenital thyroid illness among infants born on West Coast right after the meltdown in Japan - and much much more...

"The members of the nuclear priesthood should no longer be given carte blanche by our governments to pursue their own self-serving agendas without full public scrutiny." – Gordon Edwards, Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 5, 2013

Nevada Utility to Shut Out Coal, Embrace Renewables

Nevada's major public utility NV Energy announced Wednesday that it plans to shutter its four coal plants in southern Nevada and increase its investment in renewable energy and natural gas. Three of its coal plants will be shut down by 2014, and the four MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 5, 2013

The time for Fort McMurray to plan for a post-oil world is now.

That was the message economist Ernesto Sirolli, founder of the Sirolli institute and critic of modern foreign aid programs, brought to the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 4, 2013

Information watchdog to investigate policies that 'muzzle' government scientists - AMEN to that!

Federal policies that restrict what government scientists can say publicly about their work are about to be put under the microscope.Federal Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault has agreed to investigate how government communications rules on taxpay MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 4, 2013

Powering World with Nuclear Would Cost Quadrillion Dollars, Says Expert - Are Renewables Only Option?

One of the leading voices on the environment said the only way to address global climate change and the growing demand for energy was to invest in renewables. Author, journalist and campaigner Oliver Tickell spoke recently at Ecobuild, a sustainable bui MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 4, 2013

Wind Power Costs UK Consumer Just 10 Pounds a Year

While debate in the media rages on whether the UK’s green energy policies will raise electricity bills or not, Ed Davey, UK Sec. of State for Energy and Climate Change, has said that onshore and offshore wind power together cost householders only £10 a MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 3, 2013

Japan's Marubeni Taps Geothermal Power as Nuclear Alternative

Marubeni Corp., the biggest investor in electricity generation among Japan's trading houses, is working on how to revive the geothermal industry and tap heat that powers volcanos as an alternative to nuclear reactors. MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 3, 2013

Americans want more renewable energy and more climate-change prep

A Gallup poll of 1,022 people revealed that a whopping 76 percent of Americans think the U.S. should put more emphasis on developing solar power. Even Republicans are into it, with 68 percent of them calling for more solar. Wind is also popular. So too MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 3, 2013

All those fracking jobs come with an increased risk of lung cancer

While all the damage hydraulic fracturing could do to the Earth is pretty well-covered, we mostly overlook the risks it poses to fracking workers. Each well requires thousands of tons of fracking sand full of fine silica, which can penetrate lungs and le MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 3, 2013

Pembina reacts to Premier Clark’s promise to freeze B.C.’s carbon tax

Matt Horne, climate change program director at the Pembina Institute, made the following comments in response to Premier Christy Clark’s promise to freeze the province’s carbon tax for five years if elected: MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 3, 2013

New report outlines criteria for effective greenhouse gas regulations on Canada’s oil and gas sector

New recommendations released today by the Pembina Institute set the bar for forthcoming federal greenhouse gas regulations by showing what’s needed from the oil and gas sector to get Canada on track to hit its national climate target. MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 2, 2013

Fukushima meltdown appears to have sickened American infants

Radioactive isotopes blasted from the failed reactors may have given kids born in Hawaii and along the American West Coast health disorders which, if left untreated, can lead to permanent mental and physical handicaps. MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 2, 2013

Citigroup: Renewables will triumph and natural gas will help

The good news is that Citi expects renewable energy to triumph; it believes that typical forecasts like those from the International Energy Agency are too pessimistic. Contrary to a certain strain of conventional wisdom, it says, shale gas will not crowd MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 2, 2013

This week in Clean Energy Review, a climate hawk pitches a pipeline compromise, B.C. recharges its electric vehicle program, and global governments hand over nearly $2 trillion to companies that don’t need the money.

A COMPROMISE ON KEYSTONE? Tom Rand proposed a provocative compromise on Keystone XL: Link additional petroleum flows heading south to a hard cap on future oil sands extraction rates, and prioritize pipeline access based on the carbon content of the oil w MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 1, 2013

Tar-sands oil spills in Arkansas and Minnesota

As the Obama administration mulls approval of the Keystone XL pipeline that would carry tar-sands oil from Canada to Gulf Coast refineries, the heavy toxic gunk is already spilling out over America. MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 1, 2013

U.K. Renewable Power Grows 20 Percent on New Offshore Wind Farms

U.K. renewable power generation surged 20 percent last year, boosted by new offshore wind farms, the Department of Energy and Climate Change said. MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 29, 2013

India's Off-grid Renewables Initiative Changing Lives

Ladakh, a remote district of India's northernmost state, is currently benefiting from the largest off-grid renewable energy project in the world. The Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is spending INR473 billion (US$88.8 million) on decentraliz MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 29, 2013

Australia Backs Renewable Energy Targets

The Australian Government's Climate Change Authority has committed to maintaining its renewable energy target (RET) of 20 percent of the nation's electricity (roughly 41,000 GWh) coming from renewable sources by 2020. The Government alsoemphasizes that 2 MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 29, 2013

IMF says global subsidies to fossil fuels amount to $1.9 trillion a year … and that’s probably an underestimate

A new report [PDF] from the International Monetary Fund tries to tally up fossil fuel subsidies around the world and finds that they add up to an eye-popping $1.9 trillion a year. That’s 2.5 percent of global GDP! MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 29, 2013

Oil industry likely triggered big 2011 Oklahoma earthquake, scientists find

The 5.7-magnitude quake and a string of smaller quakes that rocked central Oklahoma in November 2011 appear to have been induced by oil-drilling wastewater being pumped into the ground at high pressure. That’s the conclusion of a study published Tuesday MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 29, 2013

How to power America with renewables on the cheap: Build a ton of wind and solar capacity

America could be powered almost entirely with wind turbines and solar systems by 2030 at a cost comparable to what we’re spending for dirty power today, a new study finds. The necessary approach would surprise most people, and it would generate enough eco MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 29, 2013

New gasoline rules are good for your lungs and bad for Big Oil

The Obama administration today will propose new rules that will help curb smog by cracking down on sulfur in gasoline. Automakers and everybody who breathes will benefit from the new EPA rules, which will require refineries to produce gasoline containing MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 29, 2013

Inside Fukushima's abandoned towns, two years on – in pictures - and much more... Ontario - STOP THE RADIOACTIVE ROADTRIP! Sign petition.

Amid growing dissatisfaction with the slow pace of recovery, Japan marks the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that left nearly 19,000 people dead or missing and has displaced more than 300,000. Towns in the surrounding area re MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 28, 2013

Cape Wind wins billions in backing, launches offshore wind in the U.S.

A $2 billion agreement with Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ penned last week catapults Cape Wind to a commanding lead in the race to be the first offshore wind project in the U.S. When complete, 130 turbines in Nantucket Sound will generate 468 megawatts of MORE    added: Wednesday, Mar. 27, 2013

New report shows health and climate impacts from coal power cost Alberta millions

Health and environment groups urge Alberta to go beyond weak federal rules for climate pollution from coal power and to implement a provincial renewable energy policy. MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 26, 2013

3 Reasons Why We Should Stop New Gas Drilling Before it Starts

Too many people -- especially politicians -- aren't paying attention to the dangers of the current "boom" in natural gas development. Here are three big reasons why we should stop new gas drilling before it starts and replace fossil fuels at every opport MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 26, 2013

Can we shift to renewable energy? Yes. As to how... David Roberts

I don’t know Elisabeth Rosenthal, but I could kiss her for this. Her piece in the Sunday New York Times is one of the few I’ve ever seen in the mainstream media to take the aspirations of climate hawks seriously, at least seriously enough to consider the MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 26, 2013

The Clouds are Getting Greener: Apple Data Centers Powered by 100% Renewables

Just one year after Greenpeace called out Apple for its use of fossil fuels in its "How Green Is Your Cloud" report – which graded Apple no higher than a "D" in four categories consisting of energy transparency, infrastructure siting, energy efficiency, MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 25, 2013

Let’s count the ways Keystone approval helps us

So, why do we want President Obama and Secretary John Kerry to approve construction of the Keystone pipeline from Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico? • Because it will allow Canada to double and then triple production of tar sands and send it to thirsty Asian MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 25, 2013

Keystone foes should face reality - Christopher R. Knittel - Massachusetts Institute of Technology - RECORD article

Three things would need to be true for Keystone to lead to more emissions. Otherwise, the pipeline could actually reduce them. MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 25, 2013

Ohio fracking boom has not brought jobs

Did you hear the joke about how fracking creates jobs? We heard it, too. We heard it from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. We heard it from the fracking industry. We heard it from the press. Well here comes a punchline that’s darker than a fracker’s heart: MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 25, 2013

Greening City Grids for EVs

Cities worldwide are now installing public charging stations in preparation for a growing number of electric vehicles expected to arrive on their streets. But which cities are moving most quickly to electrify their transportation? And how much of the ele MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 22, 2013

German scientists quit oilsands research over heated public climate concerns

Pressure over environmental concerns has forced Germany’s largest scientific organization to pull out of joint research with Alberta on better ways to upgrade oilsands bitumen.German scientists with the Helmholtz-Alberta Initiative will no longer work on MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 21, 2013

Pembina reacts to release of 2013 federal budget

“The big picture from Budget 2013 is that the federal government largely missed an opportunity to invest in the clean energy transition we need to make to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and to compete globally. Indeed, the 433-page budget plan fails to m MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 21, 2013

REEP News - RAIN Barrel Blitz Sale, ClimateActionWR Community Forums and Art Contest, Solar workshops and more

Sunlight is a fitting theme for REEP in March as we are hosting solar workshops, preparing for the snow melt and coming rains, and looking at ways to reduce Greenhouse Gases (solar energy from another era) through the ClimateActionWR project. MORE    added: Wednesday, Mar. 20, 2013

It's Rocky, but the Transition to Clean Energy is Well Underway

No. 1 source of new electricity generation in the U.S. in 2012 was wind power, accounting for 41 percent of new capacity compared with 33 percent for gas, according to the Energy Information Administration. Add in solar, biomass, geothermal, 49% clean MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2013

Obama: Let’s fund clean car technology with oil and gas royalties

In a speech on Friday & in his weekly video address on Saturday, the president talked up a proposal for an Energy Security Trust, an idea he first introduced in his State of the Union last month. It would be funded by royalties from offshore oil and gas MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2013

Report says southeast U.S. nuclear power projects will have excess costs of $20bn

A report form an economy analyst with the Vermont Law School Institute for Energy and the Environment states ratepayers in South Carolina, Florida and Georgia must either pay for $6 billion in money already invested in current nuclear power projects or f MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2013

Environmental research capacity under fire - letter to THE RECORD - This is another Federal Gov TRAVESTY!

Recently, the federal government sent in a crew to begin dismantling the 45-year-old experimental lakes area in Northern Ontario, despite their claim they were seeking a partner to take over this unique fresh water research facility.This is another examp MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2013

SaveONEenergy HOME ASSISTANCE Program - check it out - YOU MAY QUALIFY

The program is aimed at reducing the energy burden for those in need and, eligible participants can get free home improvement on the following, depending on the heating and housing type and the existing efficiencies MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 18, 2013

CREW P$N - Learn how to SAVE up to 25% & more ON YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL. CREW Power $aving Network (tP$N) electricity self-audit kits are available for borrowing FREE at libraries across Waterloo Region

Learn how to save big on your electricity bill. CREW Power $aving Network (tP$N) electricity self-audit kits are available for borrowing FREE at libraries across Waterloo Region. Contact your local library to reserve. MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 18, 2013

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS on Renewable Energy (Especially Wind and Solar Energy)

This document has been prepared to offer a consolidated list of the most common questions we have received about renewable energy, and to provide reference information to other clarifying resources where appropriate. We trust that you will find this usef MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 18, 2013

How the power of suggestion generates wind farm symptoms - Windfarm sickness spreads by word of mouth, Australian study finds

A clinical study released today in Australia finds that sickness being attributed to windmills is more likely to have been caused by people getting alarmed at the health warnings circulated by anti-wind activists. MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 15, 2013

REEP invites you to Saturday OPEN HOUSES and Wednesday TOURS

Open Houses every Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - 20 Mill Street Kitchener - Wednesday Tours - 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Registration Required MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 15, 2013

The push for local control over energy makes the NYT

Most Americans don’t understand that “private” utilities are not really “private” in the sense that other businesses are private. They are investor-owned, yes. They make profits for executives and shareholders, yes. But they also enjoy governmentgranted MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 15, 2013

Getting the Facts Straight: Canada's Environmental Record & Climate Credibility Gap

In the last weeks, the controversy around the Keystone XL pipeline proposal entered into a new phase after the release of the US State Department's draft environmental assessment. Ever since, the Canadian government has been on the offensive tryingto ens MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 14, 2013

Nuclear Industry Withers in U.S. as Wind Pummels Prices

A glut of government-subsidized wind power may help accomplish a goal some environmentalists have sought for decades: kill off U.S. nuclear power plants while reducing reliance on electricity from burning coal. MORE    added: Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2013

Washington, D.C., wants to be the greenest city in the U.S.

Last month, Mayor Vincent Gray announced the launch of the long-awaited Sustainable D.C. plan. The plan is an attempt to make D.C. “the greenest, healthiest, and most livable city in the U.S.” by 2032. MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 11, 2013

This week in CLEAN ENERGY REVIEW, a coalition urges B.C. leadership hopefuls to supercharge the carbon tax, one of the biggest petroleum producers abandons its solar program, and a British conservationist declares war on wind - & much more

WE HEART THE CARBON TAX In partnership with four other organizations, Clean Energy Canada at Tides Canada launched Better Future B.C. to challenge the province’s would-be leaders to reform the carbon tax. Here’s Vancouver Sun and Global Television covera MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 11, 2013

N.Y. Times and Thomas Friedman call for killing Keystone

he New York Times editorial board and Times columnist Thomas Friedman have both come out swinging against the Keystone XL pipeline. A strong editorial today calls on Obama to kill the project. The headline: “When to Say No.” MORE    added: Sunday, Mar. 10, 2013

More than 100,000 US jobs announced in the clean energy sector in 2012

More than 110,000 clean energy and transportation jobs were created in 2012 thanks to more than 300 projects in the U.S., according to a report by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2). California, North Carolina and Florida led the nation with clean energy MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 8, 2013

Canada lagging behind on designing energy-efficient buildings, architect tells Cambridge students

Local governments and institutions in this area spent millions of extra dollars on recently constructed buildings to obtain prestigious-environmental ratings that would be laughed out of the room in European cities,one of Canada’s leading architects says MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 8, 2013

Oilsands pollution and the Athabasca River - Upgrading oil extracted from Alberta’s oilsands is a nasty bit of business. - SIGN LETTER to Federal Government to investigate impact

Huge amounts of energy are required to extract the thick, tarlike substance from the earth and transform it into synthetic crude oil. The burning and combustion associated with upgrading comes at a heavy cost: the release of airborne pollutants, includin MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 7, 2013

Asia Report: China Recommits to Energy, Emissions Goals

New Hampshire, USA - As China's national legislature opens up its annual meeting this week, issues of reducing carbon emissions and energy use are squarely on the table, perhaps signaling that incoming Premier Li Keqiang will push harder on environmental MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 7, 2013

Wind Farms: A Noisy Neighbor?

Wind turbine noise is an issue fraught with emotion. Noise often comes up as a complaint from local wind turbine opposition groups and it is clearly something that wind turbine manufacturers, designers and developers alike must face up to, even if a vast MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 7, 2013

Carbon dioxide levels made a big, scary jump in 2012

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rose to just under 395 parts per million last year, according to new figures from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Compare that to the 350 ppm target that many climate scientists and activists say we MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 7, 2013

Groups Team Up for a Better Future

British Columbia’s next government can help secure a better future by reforming the carbon tax and investing a portion of the resulting revenue in energy efficiency, innovation, public transit, and other community solutions to climate change. MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 7, 2013

Natural resources minister ‘aligned priorities’ with pipeline lobby: documents

OTTAWA — The federal natural resources minister and the industry lobby group that represents oil and gas pipelines are “aligned on priorities, particularly on the need to expand markets,” according to an internal government memo. MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 7, 2013

Public Acceptance of the Potato and What it Tells Us about the Acceptance of Wind Energy - Paul Gipe

In my book 1995 Wind Energy Comes of Age, I drew upon a wide variety of sources to analyze peoples attitude toward wind turbines and how best to integrate wind energy into the landscape and communities of which it was a part. I was struck by the similar MORE    added: Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2013

Protents of a Low-Carbon Future

The low-carbon economic future is now. From market projections for low-carbon goods and services to pockets of global carbon pricing and even to municipal financing options for energy projects, a patchwork of low-carbon economic activity is establishing MORE    added: Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2013

UK Government Needs "Plan B on Nuclear" – Wind Energy Can Rise to the Challenge

An interesting story was posted on the Guardian yesterday, saying that the UK government needs a “plan B” on nuclear power because of the danger that new reactors will not be built in time to avoid energy shortages.Many of the UK’s aging reactors will MORE    added: Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2013

RICK MERCER-“The Harper government is moving ahead with plans to truck over 23,000 litres of high level nuclear waste along the trans-Canada highway to a US reprocessing site. Suddenly the Keystone pipeline feels like a magical fun-tube filled with bean

Check out our new 90 second video about Ontario's coal phase-out and Ontario Clean Air Alliance's role in bringing this about. And please comment at the end. We've entered a contest and comments are critical. Thanks! MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2013

Why Beijing wants a carbon tax

The announcement late last month by China’s ministry of finance that the country will introduce a carbon tax, probably in the next two years, did not dominate the international headlines. The Chinese are deadly serious about fighting global warming, beca MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2013

This week in Clean Energy Review, Bloomberg New Energy Finance cranks up the ambition, Saudia Arabia unleashes a renewables gusher, and a fresh TED talk you won't want to miss. Plus MUCH MORE!

AN ENERGY TRANSITION MUST-READ: Bloomberg New Energy Finance CEO Michael Liebreich released a fascinating manifesto on the low-carbon transition, centred on what he calls the “New Energy ROI.” MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 4, 2013

Build It And They'll Come: Georgia Power, New Hampshire, Kicks Off 210-MW Solar Program

March 1 Georgia Power Company began accepting applications for its Advanced Solar Initiative (GPASI), adding 210 megawatts of solar capacity over the next three years. Within 90 minutes, Georgia Power had already received 15 applications. MORE    added: Saturday, Mar. 2, 2013

Shell Sees Solar as Biggest Energy Source After Exiting It

Royal Dutch Shell Plc says solar power, a business it abandoned four years ago, may expand into the world's biggest source of energy in the next half century. MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 1, 2013

Can the US afford to give a $40 billion gift to oil companies?

One of America’s many gifts to oil and gas companies: billions of dollars worth of royalty-free drilling. What present do you give to the corporation that already has everything? MORE    added: Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013

Nine reasons China won’t need enough coal to justify coal ports in the Pacific Northwest

U.S. coal companies claim that exporting low-grade coal from the Powder River Basin through ports in the Pacific Northwest to Asia is big business, a sure thing, easily worth the pollution and disruption the new coal infrastructure it would cause. MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013

Keystone scolds should let activists be activists - THIS IS A GOOD READ!

What should the climate movement do next, after Keystone? Should activists protest against mines, pipelines, ports, & other means through which fossil fuels reach consumers, or should they focus on reducing demand for those fuels and the GREAT BENEFITS? MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013

Inside the US military’s clean-energy revolution

The Navy has set five ambitious goals to reduce energy consumption, decrease reliance on foreign oil, and significantly increase the use of alternative energy. Part of one target is to demonstrate a Great Green Fleet by 2012, and that’s what’s sailing th MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013

5 Reasons the Keystone Pipeline Is Bad for the Economy

Those concerned with jobs should keep in mind that the pipeline is as much a threat to our economy as it is to our planet. Here are 5 reasons why building the Keystone pipeline is bad for the economy — and workers. MORE    added: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013

Southern section of Keystone XL pipeline is already halfway done

President Obama and the State Department haven’t approved the northern leg of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline that would cart tar-sands oil down from Canada, but the southern leg, which Obama blessed last year, is trucking right along. TransCanada MORE    added: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013

This week in Clean Energy Review, the Secretary of State sends a climate signal, an Ontario company pitches a humungous hydroelectric “battery,” and B.C. puts its carbon tax on ice. AND much more..

KERRY MEANS BUSINESS U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said “we need to find the courage to leave a far different legacy,” and promised to “work with others, large and small, to develop and deploy the clean technologies that will power a new world.” MORE    added: Monday, Feb. 25, 2013

New report shows path to better oilsands, climate accountability for Alberta and Canada

As Canada faces increasing scrutiny of its weak climate change policy for oilsands development, a new report illustrates how both Alberta and the federal government can better manage emissions and improve the country’s international reputation. MORE    added: Monday, Feb. 25, 2013

Australia taxed carbon and the sky didn’t fall - Australia, Canada’s cousin, has got climate-change policy right. Canada, predictably, has got it wrong.

Here are two countries with huge geographies, forbidding climates, vast distances, abundant fossil fuels and small populations. Climate-change skeptics and scoffers abound in both countries. Down Under, they’re now in retreat; in Canada, they’re part of MORE    added: Monday, Feb. 25, 2013

The Keystone XL Tar Sands Climate Threat

New information shows that dirty oil from the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline would create even more dangerous carbon emissions and add to the threat of climate change. MORE    added: Monday, Feb. 25, 2013

"Eliminating a [nuclear liability] cap all together...would likely make it very difficult to finance large energy projects, [John] Stewart (Acting Director of Policy at the Canadian Nuclear Association) said." Globe & Mail, Feb 19, 2013 - SIGN PETITION!

Hundreds of people at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) hearings in December argued that the potential for large-scale accidents at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (DNGS) should not be dismissed. MORE    added: Monday, Feb. 25, 2013

Wind, Solar, Biomass Provide All New US Electrical Generating Capacity in January 2013

According to the latest "Energy Infrastructure Update" report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Office of Energy Projects, 1,231 MW of new in-service electrical generating capacity came on line in the United States in Jan 2013 MORE    added: Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013

SolarCity, Honda Establish $65 Million Project Investment Fund

NEW YORK CITY -- SolarCity Corp., the solar-power provider led by billionaire Elon Musk, is partnering with Honda Motor Co. to finance $65 million worth of rooftop projects for car buyers and dealers. MORE    added: Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013

In eastern Ontario, a battery five times the size of Niagara Falls

On the wind-swept ridge of a mountainous slag heap, Northland Power Inc. plans to construct a miniature Niagara Falls to store power and provide it to Ontario’s grid when the province’s proliferating wind turbines are asleep. MORE    added: Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013

Don’t believe in climate change? Talk to a clam digger

A modern threat looms for ice-chilled fruits de mer platters, although it’s hard to tell with oyster juice on your chin. This time it’s a worldwide problem, affecting marine ecosystems everywhere. Ocean waters are turning corrosive, and it’s happening MORE    added: Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013

“Energy efficiency – getting more from our existing resources – increases global resource productivity, supports economic growth and reduces costs for all citizens.” — United Nations Sustainable Energy for All initiative

“Every dollar invested in nuclear expansion will worsen climate change by buying less solution per dollar. The reason is simple: you can’t spend the same dollar on two different things at the same time… New nuclear power costs far more than its distribut MORE    added: Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013

Tell President Obama that Canadians support clean energy, not pipelines - David. Suzuki Foundation

Any day now, the U.S. government will approve or reject the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry oil from the tar sands in Alberta to refineries in Texas. He needs to know that Canadians support bold action to fight climate change. MORE    added: Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013

The Keystone XL pipeline could create as many as 20 long-term jobs - YES 20 long-term jobs!

Last week, Bloomberg did a little digging into the oft-mentioned “thousands of jobs” that would result if the Keystone XL pipeline were built. What they found might surprise you, if you are surprised when fatuous political arguments are found erroneous. MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013

In a blow to US Republican rhetoric, China announces plan for a CARBON TAX

When Marco Rubio says that America “is a country, not a planet,” he’s saying that we don’t need to bother cutting pollution since we’re not the worst offenders. If China, which burns nearly as much coal as the rest of the world combined, isn’t trying to MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013

Why the fracking boom may actually be an economic bubble

Fracking proponents like to use an evocative economic metaphor in talking about their industry: boom. The natural gas boom. Drilling is exploding in North Dakota and Texas and Pennsylvania. Only figuratively so far, but who knows what the future holds. MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013

Fuels America Sends Snarky Valentine to Big Oil

"We love how oil companies want to keep us dependent on a dirty, climate warming, expensive fuel in short supply. Isn't that just great?" Watch the video. MORE    added: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013

Canada to U.S.: About that Keystone pipeline … a letter by Merran Smith, director of Clean Energy Canada at Tides Canada

I wanted to check in with you about the Keystone XL pipeline proposal that many of you seem to be rather upset about, and actually ping you for a bit of neighborly advice. While some of us on this side of the border really want Secretary Kerry to give Ke MORE    added: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013

The Tesla/N.Y. Times fight is a sideshow

Last week, reporter John Broder of The New York Times wrote an account of his road trip from Washington, D.C., to Milford, Conn., in Tesla’s new all-electric Model S sedan, using the two Superchargers that the company has set up along the route. Broder MORE    added: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013

This week in Clean Energy Review - from TIDES Canada

President Obama threatens to flex his executive muscle, Denmark surges on wind power, an electric-vehicle maker smacks down the New York Times, and more. MORE    added: Monday, Feb. 18, 2013

Amazing pictures you may find interesting.................... of the Alberta oil sands

The photos at this link may give you some idea of the massive nature of this undertaking. The following comments are from the original sender. MORE    added: Monday, Feb. 18, 2013

Outlook for Renewable Energy Projects and Finance in Canada

Developers and investors alike are looking to understand where the next opportunities will be for renewable energy projects in Canada and how the next stage of Ontario’s market will evolve. The outlook for financing is another key area of interest with MORE    added: Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013

Obama Reinforces Support for Renewable Energy

US president Barack Obama maintained his commitment to renewable energy in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night. "Last year, wind energy added nearly half of all new power capacity in America. So let's generate even more. Solar energy gets che MORE    added: Friday, Feb. 15, 2013

Keystone XL Provokes Largest Climate Protest in US history

Last week, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird, met with America's newly appointed Secretary of State to discuss the Keystone XL pipeline, trade, energy security and the environment, among other things. With immense pressure from Mr. Baird, Tra MORE    added: Friday, Feb. 15, 2013

Obama and the Reinvention of Energy Efficiency

The energy efficiency industry received a nice boost this week during President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address. Obama called for cutting energy use by half over the next 20 years. MORE    added: Friday, Feb. 15, 2013

Billionaire Moguls Fighting for and Against Renewable Energy - UK billionaire Richard Branson and US Donald Trump, respectively

Two of the most recognizable wealthy businessmen in the Western World appear to have very different opinions on the viability of renewable energy. On the one hand is Richard Branson, UK billionaire mogul and founder of the Carbon War Room, which has just MORE    added: Friday, Feb. 15, 2013

Is the U.S. finally going to move on the climate crisis? What about Canada? Elizabeth May

When a situation is as desperate as the climate crisis and yet, year after year, no leadership emerges, it is hard to believe that the situation may be changing.In Canada, things are so bad that we don’t even have hypocritical lip service to the crisis. MORE    added: Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013

100 GW of Solar PV Now Installed in the World Today

Cumulative global installed solar PV capacity has topped the 100-gigawatt (GW) milestone, according to preliminary numbers from the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). Roughly 30 GW worldwide was connected to the grid in 2012 MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

Maryland Ocean Turbines Seen Powering US Offshore Wind Energy

A stripped-down wind-energy proposal backed by Maryland's governor and gaining support in its legislature may be the first step in creating a network of offshore turbines and sub-sea cables spanning the U.S. Atlantic coast. MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

From Obama’s speech, four ambitious climate and energy proposals

Last night’s State of the Union was considerably better than I expected, in substance and in tone, mainly because my expectations for these things are extremely low. It was a policy laundry list, but not just a list — Obama had his dander up. By the end, MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

Obama’s Keystone XL decision could doom the tar sands … or the planet

Presidential decisions often turn out to be far less significant than imagined, but every now and then what a president decides actually determines how the world turns. Such is the case with the Keystone XL pipeline, which, if built, is slated to bring MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

Snow, streetcars and street parking: A perennial recipe for traffic chaos - Globe article - sign of things to come to Waterloo Region

Some days, you can’t help feeling that Rob Ford has a point about streetcars. After a snowstorm like the one that hit the city on Friday, the same problem always crops up. Because of the snow piled up at the side of the street, motorists park too far fro MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

Ontario microFIT Comes into Focus - current price schedule to hold

On Jan. 30, CanSIA President John Gorman was pleased to inform members that the Ontario Power Authority had offered some clarity stating that it will continue to process microFIT applications under the current price schedule until the 50 MW procurement MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

Liquid bomb-grade uranium to be shipped secretly from Chalk River to U.S - and much much more in this issue of No Nuke News

The “high priority” mission marks the first time authorities have attempted to truck highly-enriched uranium (HEU) in a liquid solution, prompting nuclear safety advocacy groups on both sides of the border to sound the alarm. Please write to the Canadian MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

Germany has more solar power because everyone wins

Suddenly everyone knows about Germany’s solar power dominance because Fox Newsheads made an ass of themselves, suggesting that the country is a sunny, tropical paradise. Most media folks have figured out that there are some monster differences in policy MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

Beer brewers are joining forces to fight fracking

arry Bennett, who operates Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, N.Y. — which, we don’t mind saying, makes very good beer — has some serious realtalk for the state about fracking and its potential impacts: MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

LIFE launches LIFElines - Newsletter of Local Initiative for Future Energy Co-op - ISSUE #1, February 2013 - see below

EXCITING NEWS! After years of delay on our proposed St. Agatha wind turbine, there has recently been lots of action at LIFE. The OPA opened the Small FIT II window on Dec. 14th, and closed it on Jan. 18th. In that brief span, we have partnered with peo MORE    added: Monday, Feb. 11, 2013

Welcome to Clean Energy Review — from TIDES Canada - a curated collection of clean-energy transition updates, stories, and analyses from across Canada and around the world, plus a peek over the horizon. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Your friends at Clean Energy Canada at Tides Canada would like to offer you this on a weekly basis. Please let us know if you find this useful via the poll below, or simply reply to this email. MORE    added: Monday, Feb. 11, 2013

How Obama Should Tackle Climate Change and Energy Independence in His Second Term

President Obama has already provided climate change and energy issues a prominent place in his second term rhetoric, giving climate change and the environment the most space of all issues in his inaugural address. He also vowed in December to make climat MORE    added: Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

Renewables cheaper than coal in Australia — a preview of things to come

There is a tectonic shift underway. Renewable energy prices are declining as technology improves, economies of scale kick in, financing mechanisms mature, and public policy begins to take some (inadequate) account of the negative externalities of fossil MORE    added: Friday, Feb. 8, 2013

Canada’s environmental protections lagging resource development, audit finds

Canada’s aggressive pursuit of resource development is exposing the country to heightened environmental and financial risks that are not being properly handled by federal regulators, a new audit says. MORE    added: Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013

USDA report predicts all manner of end-times for crops and forests as a result of global warming

Climate change will absolutely devastate American agriculture and forests. Ask the feds.The Department of Agriculture released a new analysis of cropland and climate, showing that bets are off after the next 25ish years. From USA Today MORE    added: Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013

Become a modern draft dodger! Host a Draftproofing Work Party for your friends, family and neighbours!

REEP Green Solutions www.reepgreen.ca has received an EcoAction grant to help our community tackle their drafty homes. Drafts not only mean wasted energy that hits your pocketbook, they also make your home less comfortable. MORE    added: Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013

Turkey Sees 'Huge' Clean-Energy Investment as Demand Bucks Trend

Turkey expects "huge" investments in renewable power in the next 10 years as growth in energy demand outpaces economic expansion, a government official said. Turkey needs to spend $10 billion on new power generation every year until 2023 to double capac MORE    added: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013

US Carbon dioxide emissions at lowest levels since 1994

A Bloomberg New Energy Finance report shows that U.S. carbon dioxide emission levels are at the lowest since 1994. The drop in emissions was helped by the renewable energy capacity in the U.S. nearly doubling from 2009 to 2012. MORE    added: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013

Greece Sees Impressive Solar PV Growth Despite Banking Crisis

Despite on the ongoing financial tragedy that has gripped Greece for the past three years, the country has risen Phoenix-like from the ashes to become one of the world's largest markets for solar photovoltaics (solar PV). MORE    added: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013

JOB OPPORTUNITY - Vigor Clean Tech - solar project SERVICE AND SUPPORT MANAGER

Vigor Clean Tech just posted for the position of Service and Support Manager for our solar projects. They are undertaking a comprehensive job search to ensure they are getting the best resource they can for this role. MORE    added: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013

Turn on, plug in, drop out: An electric car manifesto

I was driving my red Chevy Volt to work the other day when I noticed something. Just ahead of me, and one lane over, was — another Volt! My heart raced. I sped up, and pulled alongside the other car. The stranger in the black Volt saw me and grinned. We MORE    added: Monday, Feb. 4, 2013

EU Stands Strong Against Canadian Tar Sands Lobbying & How Will Canada Steer the Arctic's Future?

The European Commission's plan to label dirty fuel could throw a curve ball in Canada's mission to diversify tar sands exports. MORE    added: Friday, Feb. 1, 2013

Dismantling Nuclear Structures Provides Jobs and Business Opportunities ...and much more - BE SURE to view the Jeremy Rifkin video on why the nuclear industry is going down - BRILLIANT!

A case for the immediate decommissioning of the shutdown Quebec Gentilly reactors, by Dr. Gordon Edwards MORE    added: Friday, Feb. 1, 2013

Sometimes a driverless car is not just a driverless car: Thoughts on widgets and systems with must see VIDEO

Driverless cars are coming to a street near you, and soon. “I think that genuine self-driving cars will be available within a decade and that they’ll be big game changers,” writes Kevin Drum, who’s been on a driverless-car kick lately. MORE    added: Friday, Feb. 1, 2013

Humans have already set in motion 69 feet of sea-level rise

A large-scale perspective on how much sea-level rise humanity has already probably set in motion from the burning of fossil fuels. The answer is staggering: 69 feet, including water from both Greenland and Antarctica, as well as other glaciers based on MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013

The cost of not using renewable energy

A clever new study [PDF] from the World Future Council attempts to do something I haven’t seen before: quantify the cost of not using renewables. MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013

Shedding some light on CFLs

Starting next January, new Canadian regulations will kick-in removing incandescent light bulbs from store shelves and replacing them with more energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). As environmentalists,we a MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013

Lights out – France to force shops and offices to go dark overnight

French light pollution law is expected to save 250,000 tonnes of C02 a year. Shops and offices throughout France will be forced to turn off their lights overnight in a bid to fight light pollution, the country's environment ministry has announced. MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013

Video: Germany's green revolution - YOU NEED TO VIEW THIS PBS VIDEO with attached link.

What would it take to transform the whole country’ electric grid–to shut down all of its old power plants, and move to a system that generates electricity exclusively from renewable resources? Rick Karr reports on how German political parties of every st MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013

Belgian and German Electricity Systems Keep Lights on Despite Nuclear Turn-off

Freezing temperatures in both Belgium and Germany have put both countries’ power systems to the test this week, but neither country has experienced electricity blackouts despite the lack of nuclear power. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013

Last Saturday, - This international Day of Action proved that tar sands pipelines are not wanted on both sides of the border, and now we need to keep the pressure on Enbridge

Sarnia, London, Hamilton, Toronto, Kingston, Cornwall, Montreal… Line 9 runs right through Southern Ontario and Quebec. People in these cities need to know. We want to help them find out and speak out to protect their land and water. Will you help MORE    added: Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013

How climate change could wipe out Western forests

The fire that burned through Forest Canyon, a breathtaking stretch of wilderness ringed by snowy peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colo., started in October and burned long past the end of the fire season. Trees still smoldered in late December, and MORE    added: Monday, Jan. 28, 2013

After Nebraska setback, greens regroup on Keystone XL

Environmentalists waging an ongoing fight against the Keystone XL pipeline were dealt a major setback this week when Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman signed off on the pipe’s route through his state. Now all that stands between TransCanada, the company behind MORE    added: Monday, Jan. 28, 2013

Solar power cheaper than coal: One company says it’s cracked the code

CleanTechnica has an exclusive on a new solar technology that claims to be able to produce power with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 8¢/kWh. That is mind-boggling, “two-thirds the price of retail electricity and over 3 times cheaper than current so MORE    added: Monday, Jan. 28, 2013

Confessing our fossil fuel sins - Canadian Mennonite editorial says it straight up

“The fossil fuel industry is the richest and most arrogant industry the world has ever seen,” charges Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature. As Anabaptist Christians, Mennonites are latecomers to the issue of creation care, or, more particularly, MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013

Crossing the (pipe) line - Personal encounters with the biggest industry on earth - Canadian Mennonite article - Will Braun

I never expected that Enbridge—the Calgary-based pipeline company best known for its contentious Northern Gateway proposal and a nasty spill from one of its U.S. lines in 2010—would push its way so far into my life. MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013

Stormwater credits available to residential properties + faith communities in Kitchener & Waterloo!

Both the Cities of Waterloo and Kitchener are now offering Stormwater Credits. Qualifying Kitchener properties who apply for the Stormwater Credit by March 1, 2013 (up to 45% of the stormwater portion of your utility bill!) can receive credit back as fa MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013

Ikea to Double Renewable Energy Investment to $4 Billion by 2020

COPENHAGEN -- Ikea Group, the world's biggest furniture retailer, will double its investment in renewable energy to $4 billion by 2020 as part of a drive to reduce costs as cash-strapped consumers become more price sensitive. MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013

Check out the new Pembina Institute Report - COMPETING IN CLEAN ENERGY - Capitalizing on Canadian innovation in a $3 trillion economy - What will it take for Canada to become a clean energy super power?

With more than 700 companies, the clean technology sector has emerged as a major driver of innovation and employment growth in Canada. As this industry grows to a projected $3 trillion by 2020, Canadian clean technology companies have the potential to MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

As Canada warms up, more extreme weather is the new normal: Environment Canada

Environment Canada says warming trends across the country will mean more severe blasts of rain, wind, snow and heat from Mother Nature.Bob Robichaud, a warning preparedness meteorologist, says 2012 was the 16th year in a row that saw higher than normal MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

Can Kazakhstan Green Its Economy? - YES, it intends to be a major player! - by official country spokesperson

Kazakhstan is a major oil producer with abundant reserves of hydrocarbons in an energy-hungry region. So some people may be surprised to know that we are committed to building a green economy as part of the process to equip Kazakhstan to be a competitive MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

Good money after bad

It’s bad enough that the Liberal Government is determined to spend billions of dollars rebuilding a nuclear plant we don’t really need, but now it is layering on expensive consultants as a “cost control” measure. MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

Government moves up coal phase out deadline – we’re almost there! Ontario Clean Air Alliance

With the government’s announcement that all coal burning will cease at the Nanticoke and Lambton plants by the end of 2013, the dirty coal era is ending in Ontario. This represents a huge environmental and health victory for all Ontarians and we congrat MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

"It is not right to say that a catastrophic accident is impossible." Dr. Rosalie Burstell

"The worst possible accident could involve the spread of radioactive poisons over large areas, killing thousands immediately, killing others through increased susceptibility to cancer, risking genetic defects that could affect future generations, and MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

Why the Renewable Energy Industry Needs Green Banks

Green banks are public institutions with below-market return requirements that aim to create replicable financial structures in order to encourage private investment into the clean energy industry, so as to deliver sustained industry development and lowe MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

Report shows federal policy, access to capital major barriers to Canadian clean energy industry

Canada’s clean technology sector is a major driver of job growth and innovation, and could be worth $60 billion by 2020 barring current federal policy and financing barriers, says a new report by the Pembina Institute. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013

Obama gives "sustainable energy" top billing in inaugural address

In a wide-ranging inaugural address President Obama devoted a substantial segment to reaffirming his commitment to combating climate change and investing in the development of what he termed “sustainable” sources of energy. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013

The US Department of the Interior designates land in Arizona for wind, solar projects

The U.S. Department of the Interior Jan. 18 designated 192,100 acres of land in Arizona for utility-scale solar and wind developments.The Record of Decision (ROD) for the initiative, known as the Restoration Design Energy Project, ends a three-year, stat MORE    added: Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013

Blocking the Arteries of the Tar Sands - 'Line 9' - Guest blogger Paisley Cozzarin calls for action and public dialogue about the Line 9 Pipeline reversal and tar sands expansion. Alternatives Journal

Line 9 is the main artery that would transport tar sands crude oil across eastern Canada, a pipeline that runs from Sarnia, Ontario to Montreal, Quebec and which would then travel through New England to Portland, Maine to be refined and exported. Passing MORE    added: Monday, Jan. 21, 2013

CAR RATING SYSTEM

Greener Cars website is a consumer resource providing Green Scores rating the environmental friendliness of every vehicle on market. Greenercars.org is part of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. MORE    added: Monday, Jan. 21, 2013

Japan To Replace Nuke Plant With Wind Farm

In the wake of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor disaster, the Japanese government has opted to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm. MORE    added: Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013

Canadian Solar purchases two solar projects

Canadian Solar Inc. has acquired a majority interest in two utility-scale solar power projects in Ontario with a total capacity of approximately 24 MW DC. Additionally, Canadian Solar has the ability to complete a purchase of two additional utility-scale MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 18, 2013

We're gearing up for a busy and productive 2013, and as always, there are important things you can do to help us Stop Darlington.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has recently posted archived footage from the Darlington hearings in Courtice this past December on their website. You can access their videos HERE. MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 18, 2013

Fiddling on the roof: Can $10 million in prize money put up by the US Department of Energy, spark a solar revolution?

The US DOE is offering a total of $10 million in prize money to the first teams of Americans that can figure out how to cut through the red tape and make solar installation cheaper on a sustainable basis. In Germany it is half the cost! MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 18, 2013

Renewable Energy Provides Half of All New US Electrical Generating Capacity in 2012

According to the latest "Energy Infrastructure Update" report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Office of Energy Projects, renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, solar, water, wind) accounted for 49.10% of all new domestic ele MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 18, 2013

Petroleum Coke: The Coal Hiding in the Tar Sands

The Canadian tar sands have been called the “most environmentally destructive project on earth”, with good reason. Extracting tar sands bitumen from under the boreal forests of Alberta, Canada requires huge amounts of energy and water. It has cleared vas MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013

Energy myths bolstered by those selling something - Gwynne Dyer

Which of the following statements is true? The United States now has a 100-year supply of natural gas, thanks to the miracle of shale gas. By 2017 it will once again be the world’s biggest oil producer. By 2035 it will be entirely “energy-independent”, MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013

Return conversation to CONSERVATION - RECORD editorial

Waste not, want not — what could be more simple? But in a province where we hardly blanch if we’re called energy hogs, we still have a long way to go to inculcate a culture of energy conservation. MORE    added: Monday, Jan. 14, 2013

A new grand strategy for the U.S., built around sustainability. Where is Canada??

Adequately responding to climate change is only possible within a larger industrial, economic, civic, and political system that is designed around sustainability. Sustainability must be the point of the system. “The United States must lead the global MORE    added: Monday, Jan. 14, 2013

Climate change science hits close to home - Observer article

WLU study using backyard rinks to gauge how weather patterns are shifting and their impact on a slice of Canadian life. Robert McLeman, an associate professor of Environmental Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, has launched a website that offers an MORE    added: Monday, Jan. 14, 2013

Saudi Arabia Set to Expand Solar Energy Development, Buys Stake in Utility ACWA Power - seeking $109 billion investment to produce 1/3 of power by 2032.

Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund Sanabil and the nation's pension agency acquired 19 percent of ACWA Power International, a company that invests in power and water projects in the kingdom and regionally. MORE    added: Monday, Jan. 14, 2013

Japan’s cleanup after nuclear accident is denounced - and much much more...in Ontario and around the world!

For eight hours a day, construction workers blast buildings with water, cut grass and shovel dirt and foliage into big black plastic bags — which, with nowhere to go, dot Naraha’s landscape like funeral mounds. “This isn’t decontamination — it’s sweeping MORE    added: Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013

Mosaic Plants Crowdfunding Flag for Solar Projects - Crowdfunding takes off with an online marketplace to plug individual investors into solar energy projects.

Memo to residents in California and New York, and investors across the U.S., seeking both profits and a green energy cause — you can now take a stake in a renewable energy project and get returns that are competitive with more conventional investment MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

Chile Approves 3.1 GW of Solar PV Projects

The Centro de Energías Renovables (CER), or Renewable Energy Center, in Chile says that over 3.1 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy projects were approved in 2012 through November, and another 908 megawatts (MW) were in qualification awaiting approval. MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

New York Sun is Rising

This year, the Governor announced a long-term commitment to NY-Sun, expanding the program into a 10 year, $150 million/year program. If we’re doing our math right…that’s a billion and a half dollars to develop a world-class solar industry and unleash the MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

A new study examines the energy literacy of Canadians

a large proportion of Canadians are interested in bringing about change. In fact, more than 50 percent of respondents indicated they would pay $10 a month more for energy to help mitigate negative impacts on the environment. Support remained relatively MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

Sea-level rise could be way, way worse than we already thought

Melting glaciers in Antarctica and Greenland may push up global sea levels more than 3 feet by the end of this century, according to a scientific poll of experts that brings a degree of clarity to a murky and controversial slice of climate science. MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

France Doubles Solar Energy Target, Seeks to Promote European Equipment

France has doubled its target for new solar projects to at least 1,000 megawatts in 2013, helping spur use of European equipment, Energy Minister Delphine Batho said.“The measures are aimed at restarting the solar sector in France,creating 10,000 jobs." MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013

Wind Power Looking Strong in 2013

Wind in the Americas has tremendous opportunity for growth, particularly in Latin America. By 2025, the region is expected to reach 46 GW of total installed wind capacity, according to the IHS Emerging Energy Research study MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013

Debating 4 Dirty Myths on Clean Energy - US perspective

As the US Presidential Election is now behind us and 2013 is beginning, it is critical that our country begin to focus on solving problems. As one of this generation's most pressing problems is related to energy and sustainability, my sincere hope is tha MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013

Energy Trends that Matter for Investors (US - but also applies to Canada)

The US is by far the world's greatest user of energy per capita in the world. Each American uses about 87,000 kilowatt-hours per year – that is twice as much as the European Union (EU), the next closest consumer! Understanding energy trends in this count MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013

French Wind Power Covers Record 10 Percent of Demand

Right at the end of last year, on 29 December, wind power in France covered a record 10% of the country’s electricity demand, the French blog “habitat durable” reported. France’s wind power fleet reached a power production equivalent to 5,982 MW – the sa MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013

Data on energy use by Ontario schools to be made public after call by environment watchdog

Hours after the release of a report by Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller, the Ministry of Education said late Tuesday that data on schools’ energy use would be made public by July 1 as a way to encourage conservation. MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013

2012 was warm, warm, warm in Waterloo Region, weather experts say - US Experts called 2012 warmest year on record

The year 2012 will go down in local history as the second-warmest year on record. When all high and low temperatures of every day in 2012 are added and averaged, it was the second-warmest calendar year, at 8.93 C. MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013

ECO-RESIDENCE / DUPLEX FOR SALE - Grand House Co-op Building Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

A residence of 14 bedrooms, four bathrooms, large kitchen/dining room and lounge with a great view of the Grand River and the Galt core area.This highly-visible and Eco-friendly 3-storey building is a unique blend of spacious living and style. Purpose-bu MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013

Pembina reacts as Ontario announces early end to coal power use

Tim Weis, director of renewable energy and efficiency policy at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to Ontario’s announcement that it will phase out its existing coal plants by 2013, one year earlier than expected: MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013

Solar crowdfunding project Mosaic sells out in under 24 hours

Yesterday there was news about the launch of Mosaic, a new Kickstarter-style service that makes it easy to invest in rooftop solar projects. Today comes news that it’s already sold out shares in all of its public projects. Talk about pent-up demand! MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013

Obama vs. physics: Why climate change won’t wait for the president - Bill McKibben speaks. He is the US equivalent to Dr. Suzuki. This is a good read!

Change usually happens very slowly, even once all the serious people have decided there’s a problem. That’s because, in a country as big as the United States, public opinion moves in slow currents. Since change by definition requires going up against pow MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013

Alberta lakes show chemical effects of oilsands, study finds

A new study released today, January 7, suggests chemicals from 50 years of oilsands production are showing up in increasing amounts in lakes in northern Alberta. And the effects are being felt much farther away than previously thought. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013

Debating 4 Dirty Myths on Clean Energy

The objective of this short article is to highlight consistent topics that are often confused, myths that are purported to be realities. By working with facts and good logic, we will improve the quality of debate and the resulting decision-making. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013

What Does the Fiscal Cliff Deal Mean for the U.S. Solar Industry?

The fiscal cliff deal had significant effects on the solar industry. First, the bill extends the 50% accelerated bonus depreciation to qualifying solar projects that are placed in service before January 1, 2014. Solar projects with a commercial operatio MORE    added: Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013

Shale gas won’t change the game - find out why - read on!

Which of the following statements is true? The United States now has a 100-year supply of natural gas, thanks to the miracle of shale gas. By 2017 it will once again be the world’s biggest oil producer. By 2035 it will be entirely “energy-independent,” MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 4, 2013

Geothermal Provides Baseload Power for Christmas in California

On Christmas Day, as Californian families sat down for a meal of turkey, candied ham or tamales, renewable energy provided about 2,000 MWe, of a total of about 26,000 MWe load, at six o'clock in the early evening. Geothermal power delivered the most! MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013

Breaking NEWS in the US: Wind Energy Tax Credit Extension Passes with Fiscal Cliff Deal

The extension of the production tax credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is expected to save up to 37,000 jobs and create far more over time, and to revive business at nearly 500 manufacturing facilities across the country. MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013

Strong conservation laws and policies could foster green growth, Peter Kent told

“The clean technology sector in Canada looks to governments to overcome existing barriers to allow it to realize its economic and environmental potential,” said the memo, sent by Kent’s former deputy minister, Paul Boothe, a few weeks before the last fed MORE    added: Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012

This year, the story of energy in Canada was a story of Alberta oil - But what else is going on?

Alberta oil - who owns it, who wants it, and how we’re going to get it to them. From Iqaluit to Charlottetown to Tofino, battles over bitumen, pipelines, and tankers bound for China dominated front pages, talk shows, and #cdnpoli. But more abounds! MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012

Nuclear Ontario website

Nuclear power is dangerous, expensive, unreliable, and generates a radioactive waste that is the most hazardous material ever created. MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Solar: A High-Yield, Low-Risk Financial Instrument for Your Investment Portfolio - a US discussion Solar vs bonds

Recent talk about the upcoming fiscal cliff has caused many investors to reflect upon the real long-term threats to their own portfolios. It occurred to me that there are some striking similarities between the current rate of return on a solar investment MORE    added: Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012

Jordan Adopts Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs, Shelves Nuclear

While North American regulators continue debating the merits of feed-in tariffs, another developing country has adopted the policy renowned for rapidly developing renewable energy in the developed world. MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012

US to Invest $29 Million in Solar Technologies

The U.S. Department of Energy announced it will invest $29 million in solar projects in an effort to boost the nation's renewable energy sector. In a December 10 statement, the DOE said $21 million would be spent over the next five years on designing plu MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012

GreenView: Ontario opinion poll shows solid support for GREEN energy, strong opposition to WTO ruling - 83% support

A new opinion poll commissioned by Friends of the Earth Canada shows overwhelming support for green energy in Ontario, and strong opposition to the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s meddling in buy local programs that create thousands of green jobs for ON MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012

Backing the wrong project - Woolwich Observer editorial - Calgary's new LRT line cost more than doubles

Reading the news, commentary and public opinion pages can’t be much fun these days for proponents of Waterloo Region’s light rail transit system.There’s a direct hit in reports of Calgary’s new LRT line that opened this week came in massively over budget MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012

Keystone’s ‘dilbit’ problem - This editorial appeared first in the Los Angeles Times:

Dilbit actually stands for “diluted bitumen,” an obscure oil industry term that may soon be trending on your search engine as controversy deepens over the Keystone XL pipeline, a project to carry oil from the Alberta oilsands to refineries in Texas that MORE    added: Monday, Dec. 17, 2012

Tell the National Energy Board that You Deserve a Voice!

The National Energy Board (NEB) is deciding in the next few weeks if it will hold a full environmental assessment and public hearing about Enbridge’s proposal for its Line 9 pipeline. We need your help now. There’s a risk this won’t happen thanks to the MORE    added: Monday, Dec. 17, 2012

Greenpeace Pitches Power Revolution

Greenpeace's 4th Global Energy [R]evolution Scenario – released 2012 – shows how the power sector can protect the global climate through implementing five key principles. In its latest Energy [R]evolution scenario, Greenpeace gives an optimistic outlook. MORE    added: Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012

Developed Countries Disappoint in Doha

After hours of dramatic overtime, this year's UN climate talks wrapped up with little to brag about. With controversy erupting towards to end, the most notable take-away was a powerful message from the world's poorest and most vulnerable countries. MORE    added: Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012

The End of a nuclear France? Enel pulls out from French EPR nuclear project Last 24 hours have ‘killed’ French nuclear – analyst

“30 bombs worth of plutonium made every year per 1000 MW reactor. That is the core of the problem – making plutonium just to boil water. Also the problems are irreversible. Don’t like wind, you can recycle the steel. Don’t like nuclear, well too bad.” MORE    added: Friday, Dec. 14, 2012

US Department of Energy announces millions in grants to offshore wind projects

The federal government is stepping up its efforts to kick-start the offshore wind industry by awarding $28 million in grants to seven projects that are developing varying kinds of power-generation technology. MORE    added: Friday, Dec. 14, 2012

Jordan Adopts Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs, Shelves Nuclear

While North American regulators continue debating the merits of feed-in tariffs, another developing country has adopted the policy renowned for rapidly developing renewable energy in the developed world. This week Jordan's Electricity Regulatory Commissi MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012

Koch Brothers Fund Bogus Studies to Kill Renewable Energy

You can say one thing about the Koch brothers: They don't let the facts get in their way. Of course I'm talking about Charles G. and David H. Koch, the billionaire owners of Koch Industries, the oil, coal and natural gas conglomerate that's been dubbed t MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012

Because of you and the overwhelming opposition to the proposed Darlington refurbishment, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) was forced to extend its hearings from its original two days to four. THANK YOU!

Hundreds of people, whether through written or oral submissions, told the CNSC it should not approve rebuilding the Darlington nuclear station. If you haven't already, end a letter to Minister of Energy Chris Bentley demanding better emergency planning MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012

Report: Residential Solar PV Installations Hit All-Time High in Q3 of 2012

Salt Lake City, UT -- Residential installations of solar PV hit a record high in the third quarter of 2012, according to a new report published by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The US Solar Market Insight: Third Quarter MORE    added: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012

Solar Power Moves Forward in Haiti, Creativity Flows

NRG Energy, Inc. has announced the completion of its "The Sun Lights the Way" project in the Boucan Carre region of Haiti. The program entailed the installation of solar electric systems at 20 schools, a fish farm and a drip irrigation system supporting MORE    added: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012

Climate Alarm Now Being Raised by All Sectors - Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

As the risks of climate change become more apparent and the upward trajectory in GHG emissions suggests much worse to come, other organizations that are generally not perceived as having environmental mandates are recognizing this changing reality MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012

Judge orders two-week halt to Keystone XL pipeline construction

A Texas judge has ordered TransCanada to halt work for two weeks on the pipeline, following a lawsuit from landowner Michael Bishop claiming that TransCanada lied about transporting crude oil when it’s really hauling tar-sands oil. MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012

Canada's 'war on science'

Environmental groups say recent measures show that Harper's government is stepping up its attack on climate scientists.Canadian campaigners are calling it a "war on science"– a slow and systematic unravelling of environmental and climate research budgets MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012

Chronic oil a greater risk than tanker spill, Nature Canada tells pipeline panel

Chronic, ship-source discharges of oily effluent pose a larger problem than large-scale catastrophic oil spills, lawyers for Nature Canada told the panel weighing the Northern Gateway pipeline. MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012

Civil society interventions – meeting with Minister Kent

We continue to call for leadership and action from our government “to put the long-term interest of humanity and the planet ahead of short-term economic and national concerns by pursuing the best interests of all. There is one human family and one Earth MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012

The U.N. climate conference wraps up, and now all of our problems are solved - EXCEPT OUR CLIMATE PROBLEMS!

There are pretty good odds that the atmosphere already contains enough greenhouse gases to push global temperatures more than 2 degrees Celsius higher by the end of the century, an increase broadly understood to mean catastrophic effects across the globe MORE    added: Monday, Dec. 10, 2012

DECENTRALIZED ENERGY: Lessons from Germany - Webinar archive now available. It was a very valuable webinar with a great panel of participants. You still have a chance to reap the benefits.

Please find access details for the archived webinar presentation below as well as related documents and resources. There are two options for streaming the presentation. THERE IS MUCH TO BEHOLD - CHECK IT OUT! MORE    added: Monday, Dec. 10, 2012

CREW submits OPEN LETTER to our local friends in public office regarding Ontario's Integrated Power System Plan (IPSP) shortfalls.

Ontario's Integrated Power System Plan (IPSP) is the single document that is governing all of Ontario's current and planned investments in our electrical energy system, from nuclear plants to solar panels to conservation. This document must be updated! MORE    added: Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012

Canadian solar industry decries nuclear "misinformation" campaign

The Canadian solar power industry is under “attack” from traditional energy sources, with nuclear power leading the pack, said John Gorman, president of the Canadian Solar Industries Association, the Globe and Mail reports. Gorman said claims by the nucl MORE    added: Friday, Dec. 7, 2012

Severe weather can change minds — some minds, anyway

People who have made up their mind … have made up their mind. One more storm won’t change it. But among people in the mushy middle, who don’t have strong thoughts one way or the other, personal experience can make a real difference. And the mushy middle MORE    added: Friday, Dec. 7, 2012

We're into the final stretch of the CNSC hearings. We've already accomplished so much, and there's so much yet we can do!

One of the most important presentations today was offered by FullCircle Energy Solutions, a renewable energy company in Ontario.Endorsed by nearly 50 green energy producers from all over the province, FullCircle stood up to the CNSC and demanded the nuc MORE    added: Friday, Dec. 7, 2012

Canada's Climate Legacy: Global Pariah & Master of Illusion

Since our dramatic finish at last year's UN Climate Conference in Durban, we've seen several reports desperately warning of the severe consequences and missed opportunities of Canada's inaction on climate change from organizations such as the Internation MORE    added: Friday, Dec. 7, 2012

Hopes of Home Fade Among Japan’s 159,000 Displaced since Fukushima

“Sure, you can say nuclear power is somewhat less carbon-intensive than burning fossil fuels for energy; beating your children to death with a club will prevent them from getting hit by a car. Ravaging the Earth by one irreparable means is not a sensible MORE    added: Friday, Dec. 7, 2012

Unless hell freezes over, 2012 will be the hottest year in U.S. history

Even if the United States has the coldest December in its history — even if it’s a full degree (F) colder on average than the previous coldest December ever — 2012 will be the hottest year in American history. MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012

Day two at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) hearings is complete with more great presentations by dedicated supporters.

We still need your help! Send a letter to Minister of Energy Chris Bentley demanding better emergency planning at Darlington. Go to the Facebook photo album or click on the photos in the left margin to share them with your friends. MORE    added: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012

Why Store Carbon Underground When You Can Reuse it In a Chemical?

Companies are working on technologies that will transform waste gases like CO and CO2 from energy intensive industries into fuels and chemicals. So, instead of storing the carbon underground, it will be reused in fuels and chemicals. MORE    added: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012

Britain on the 'Cusp of an Energy Renaissance'

UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey Wednesday said "we are on the cusp of a renaissance in British energy" after unveiling the government's long-awaited Energy Bill. Speaking to journalists after he had addressed the House of Commons, Davey said the Bill had MORE    added: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012

Day ONE at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) hearings - "It's like asking the fox to look after the chickens" - The Sierra Club on OPG's safety plans and their ability to self-regulate

The hearings have started and we need your help! People are intervening and we need to show them support.Here's what you can do:Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for regular updates, and share the photos we'll be posting all week. We need you MORE    added: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012

Carbon dioxide emissions hit record in 2011, researchers say

Emissions continue to grow so rapidly that an international goal of limiting the ultimate warming of the planet to 3.6 degrees, established three years ago, is on the verge of becoming unattainable, said researchers affiliated with the Global Carbon Proj MORE    added: Monday, Dec. 3, 2012

Is it just us, or does it seem a little warm for December? Check out some US stats

Well, it is December, everyone. It’s the time of year when you just want to stay huddled up cozily inside, maybe with a roaring fire to provide comfort given the … unseasonably warm temperatures outside. MORE    added: Monday, Dec. 3, 2012

Canada won’t budge on environment, Peter Kent insists

Environment Minister Peter Kent arrives at the United Nations climate summit in Qatar this weekend with a target on his back, representing the only government that has withdrawn from the Kyoto Protocol and taken a hard line on the need for emerging-marke MORE    added: Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012

Greenlandic, Antarctic ice sheets contributing more to sea level rise: study

As world leaders meet in Doha, Qatar, to discuss responses to climate change, the paper published Thursday in the journal Science shows the loss of ice from Greenland and the Antarctic is making an ever-greater contribution to rising sea levels. MORE    added: Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012

The Solar Industry Waves Goodbye To One of Its Biggest Advocates

I was saddened to hear the news that Larry Hagman, the former star of the hit TV show “Dallas” had died over the weekend. Hagman, whom I interviewed in 2010 at Intersolar North America, was a great solar advocate. He told me that his decision to install MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012

‘Chasing Ice’ changed this climate-denying Bill O’Reilly listener into a believer. CHASING ICE was CREW's GREEN Movie this past Friday, November 30, 7 p.m. at The Original Princess.

Whenever you feel discouraged about working to fix global warming and convince people that it’s a real problem, watch this video. So horrible and so scary that it can erase even the teachings of Bill O’Reilly. This woman did not believe in global warming MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012

WHAT'S NEW - Monday, Nov.26, 2012, the Saugeen Shores Council voted unanimously to proceed to Step 3 in the NWMO's DGR site selection process to accept and bury all of Canada's highly radioactive nuclear fuel waste right in our community.

We need you to HELP US KEEP THE PRESSURE ON and CONTINUE TO LET COUNCIL KNOW, in no uncertain terms: SAUGEEN SHORES IS NOT A WILLING COMMUNITY to dump this DANGEROUS RADIOACTIVE WASTE near where we live, work, and vacation next to Lake Huron. MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012

ENERGY CONSERVATION - Efforts to mitigate climate change must target energy efficiency

Article suggests - we should spend more of our efforts on improving the energy efficiency of cars, buildings and appliances than on improved energy supply technologies if we truly want to address climate change. MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012

Toronto’s Call to Action! Toronto’s West-end Uranium Secret – GE-Hitachi processes 1800 tons of uranium every year in the middle of our city! SHARE THIS!

Ward 17 Councillor Cesar Palacio has put forward a Notice of Motion that will be considered at Toronto City Council at the Nov. 27/28th Council meeting. Palacio’s motion is asking support from Council to persuade GE-Hitachi to move out within 5 yrs. MORE    added: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012

The 16 scariest maps from the E.U.’s massive new climate change report

the European Environment Agency walked into the room and, plunk, dropped a 300-page report on the anticipated effects of climate change on the continent. Three hundred pages, chock-a-block with maps far more terrifying than that one up there. It’s a roa MORE    added: Monday, Nov. 26, 2012

Hello from the team at CLEAN ENERGY CANADA at Tides Canada! Here's a quick rundown of our recent work, and a few posts and updates that we hope you will find useful.

New BlueGreen Canada report released today suggests that the money the federal government currently directs to oil-sector subsidies could create between 18,000 and 20,000 jobs in efficiency, clean technology, and renewable instead of 3,000 in oil and gas MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012

U.S. Army Housing to Get Solar Panel Makeover Courtesy Project SolarStrong

Salt Lake City, UT -- Having the stated objective of achieving 25 percent reliance on renewable energy by the year 2025, the Department of Defense is already off and running in pursuit of that goal with plans to put solar on 4,700 military homes in Texas MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012

Advocates of expanded oilsands production live in blissful denial - increased US oil/gas production threatens Canada's future markets

The World Energy Outlook 2012 report by the International Energy Agency has gotten a lot of ink in Canada, because of prediction: “By around 2020, the United States is projected to become the largest global oil producer ... and starts to see the impact MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012

Scotland Schools the States on OFFSHORE WIND Initiatives

Salt Lake City, UT -- While the United States is busy charging headlong towards a fiscal cliff and the likely expiration of the wind energy Production Tax Credit, the country of Scotland is busy showing everyone how things really ought to be done. MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012

What's New - A vote to move to Step Three of the NWMO DGR Process will likely happen Monday, 11/26/12. SIGN the petition, SEND updated letter, CALL mayor, ATTEND meeting

Take Action Now. TELL Council and Mayor Smith to VOTE NO to moving Saugeen Shores into Step 3 of the DGR site selection process to be the host community for all of Canada's highly radioactive nuclear fuel waste. READ ON MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012

A chat with Al Gore on carbon taxes, natural gas, and the ‘morally wrong’ Keystone pipeline

On Nov. 14-15, the Climate Reality Project held its second annual “24 Hours of Reality” marathon, spending an entire day and night live-streaming events and panels around the globe to highlight various aspects of the climate crisis. (This year’s theme MORE    added: Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012

Global Leaders head to Doha for UN Climate Change Conference

Global leaders and environment ministers are heading to Doha, Qatar for the next UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC), set to begin Nov. 26. This annual conference will bring countries together to work on the terms of a second commitment period of the MORE    added: Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012

So Far So Good for Germany's Nuclear Phase-Out, Despite Dire Predictions - and much more - READ ON

Less than a week into the Fukushima crisis, Merkel stunned the nation by withdrawing the licensing extensions and temporarily closing seven of Germany's oldest nuclear plants. The restart of an eighth plant, which was offline for refueling, was delayed. MORE    added: Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012

Public Support for Climate and Energy Policies in September 2012 - Large majority of Americans see global warming, clean energy, a high priority.

Nearly all Americans (92%) say the president and the Congress should make developing sources of clean energy a “very high” (31%), “high” (38%), or “medium” priority (23%). Very few say it should be a low priority (8%). MORE    added: Monday, Nov. 19, 2012

Enbridge’s plans for 40-year-old pipeline raising concerns - located south of Cambridge and under the Grand River - Record article

The pipeline, known as Line 9, has been buried under the Grand River and North Dumfries Township since the mid-1970s. It’s a major artery for foreign crude headed west to refineries in Sarnia, long forgotten and hardly noticed by residents here. MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012

Governors Urge Congress to Renew Wind Energy Production Tax Credit

With the expiration of the wind energy Production Tax Credit looming and the clock ticking rapidly away to the end of 2012, a bipartisan group of U.S. governors is urging Congress to act now to save jobs. MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012

How you can help clean energy eat Big Oil’s lunch

Bill McKibben and the folks at 350.org have decided to target the pernicious financial influence of the fossil fuel industry and its front groups. On the day following the election, they kicked off a 21-city “Do the Math” tour to “mount an unprecedented MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012

Climate should be Obama’s No. 1 priority, say lots of people who aren’t tree-hugging enviros

In this week’s New Yorker, editor David Remnick congratulates President Obama on his reelection and then tells him to get his ass in gear and get moving on climate change MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012

You be the pessimist! Here’s why the election gives me hope - By Bill McKibben

Nineteen percent of voters were beneath the age of 30, something no one in D.C. expected. Young voter translates into “not primarily obsessed with my Medicare, hence able to think about the world.” So the pros know this is the demographic that cares abou MORE    added: Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012

What Obama's Reelection Means for Coal, Climate Change, and America's Energy Future

President Obama's victory was a victory for clean energy, one that gives us a fighting chance to slash coal pollution and turn the corner on climate change, in the wake of a devastating hurricane that brought global warming into sharp, painful focus for MORE    added: Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012

NO NUKES NEWS - Courting Calamity with Nuclear India - and much more....

Although Prime Minister Stephen Harper is using a state visit to India to pitch major uranium sales, Canadians should view him not as a patriot, but as a huckster from hell.This is because India presents a past, present and future danger as a nuclear we MORE    added: Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012

Renewable Energy Industry Weighs In On Obama Victory

With the 2012 election over and President Barack Obama's re-election secured, U.S.-based renewable energy producers are already looking ahead to what they expect will be four more years of continued support for their endeavors. MORE    added: Friday, Nov. 9, 2012

In victory speech, Obama calls for climate action, citizen engagement

President Obama marked his reelection victory with a rousing speech that called for, among many other things, fighting climate change. "We want our children to live in an America that isn’t ... threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet." MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012

Katrina-damaged neighborhood is rebuilt into the largest solar project in Louisiana

In New Orleans, the St. Thomas Housing Project did not fare so well during Hurricane Katrina. But now it’s been reborn as the mixed-income River Garden Apartments, and has become the largest solar neighborhood in the southeastern United States. MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012

What can we expect now from Obama on energy and climate?

“Obama will likely stay the course on his current energy and environmental policies,” writes David Biello at Scientific American.That means more executive orders like the one that raised vehicle fuel efficiency standards, and continued progress on MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012

Looking for a champion at Queen's Park

Ontario Power Generation has already given SNC-Lavalin a $600 million contract just for the planning phase of the Darlington rebuild, which, when complete, could top $35 billion – dollars that could otherwise be spent on energy efficiency, green energy, MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012

Clean Air Alliance: Guelph deserves respect as a pioneer on environmental initiatives with a farsighted Community Energy Plan that emphasizes local, sustainable energy production and conservation.

Inspite of this Community Energy Plan - there seems to be a big disconnect between the community’s plan and what the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) has in mind for the city. The OPA and Hydro One are rolling ahead with a “how we've always done it” plan MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012

Thanks to people like you, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has rescheduled their environmental assessment regarding the Darlington refurbishment. They now take place December 3 to 6, 2012 in Courtice, Ontario.

Thanks to everyone who attended our first workshop on November 6. We have scheduled two more workshops on November 20th and 24th for anyone needing helping getting ready for their presentation. Click here to register. MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012

Impacts of a Carbon Tax (United States)

Research by the US Congressional Research Service looks at carbon tax policies. It cites one study which estimates that a tax rate of $20 per metric ton of CO2 could generate about $88 billion in 2012 and make a major impact on the US deficit. Read more MORE    added: Monday, Nov. 5, 2012

US Solar Industry Grows 13.2 Percent, Adds 13K Jobs

The Solar Foundation (TSF) announced encouraging statistics that show despite recent setbacks and reports of layoffs, the U.S. solar industry is expanding at a clip nearly six times that of the overall economy. MORE    added: Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012

In wake of Sandy, media may finally be willing to discuss climate change

The scale and destruction of Hurricane Sandy has made the issue of climate change impossible to ignore. It’s as if the media and politicians are at last free to discuss something they have been keeping secret — which is basically the case. MORE    added: Friday, Nov. 2, 2012

Despite GOP jeers, BrightSource succeeds in solar - concentrated solar-thermal power plant in California

Over the last year or so, Republicans have woven a tale of collapse and futility around clean energy. Each setback for the industry, each bankruptcy or refinancing, is met with open glee, plastered all over Fox News for weeks on end. In the first preside MORE    added: Friday, Nov. 2, 2012

Oilsands Development At Risk As Costs Soar, Memo Warns & more articles on the oil sands projects, pipelines, and the impact of Climate Change - CHECK IT OUT

A confidential government memorandum obtained by CBC News warns that soaring costs of developing the Alberta oilsands could put the brakes on the massive project, stalling one of the main engines of the Canadian economy. PLUS more articles & info. MORE    added: Friday, Nov. 2, 2012

Women's Climb the Turbine fundraiser event last weekend in Toronto - CREW board member EMILY thanks her fundraising donors.

I want to thank everyone who donated and for making my turbine climb possible this weekend. Me and my collegue Natasa had a great time and learned a lot from the experience. The view from the top was spectacular.( even though it rained ). The tower climb MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012

Michael Bloomberg: The consequences of making a mistake on climate change are severe

Is this — a storm like this that is so strong and so unusual — a global warming incident? I think what is clear is the climate is changing, nobody knows if it is a [cyclical] or secular thing. I think each of these storms we have to learn to see if we MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS Special Issue - Movement News - A Bad Week to be Big Oil

As we wrote this newsletter, Sandy continued to barrel down on much of the Eastern seaboard. After a record breaking year with the hottest global temperature and lowest arctic ice levels, Sandy reminds us that climate change is here now. We urge everyone MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012

Inside the Chris Turner Campaign (Calgary Centre)- Federal By-electon - GREEN PARTY candidate - NOTE: CREW SKYPED with Chris Turner at our Feb 29 2012 Leap Forward mixer event. Chis is the author of the best seller - THE LEAP

We’ve already got the best funded and most ambitious Green campaign Calgary’s ever seen, but we need phone canvassers and donors to help us reach every potential voter. Voting Green in the Prime Minister’s backyard would send a message about Canada’s des MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012

The carbon tax, demystified

Taxes aren’t exactly popular, but the idea of using them to fight climate change is surprisingly resilient. Here’s a primer MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012

Roundtable's last report strikes familiar low-carbon chord. Advisory panel's final document carries advice Conservatives don't like to hear

The National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy has used its final report to chart a suggested route for Canada to make the transition to a low carbon economy and to profit from it. MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012

Superstorm Sandy’s climate change connection

Scientists are mostly agreed that climate change has had a hand in crafting the Frankenstorm. But how, exactly? Was this an unavoidable act of nature? Or was this something caused directly by changes to Earth’s climate that have happened because we burn MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012

Coalition calls on panel to reject Shell Jackpine oilsands mine expansion - Pembina Institute release

CALGARY — With public hearings into a proposed oilsands mine expansion set to begin today, a coalition of environmental groups is calling on the joint federal-provincial review panel to reject the project. Shell’s proposal to expand its Jackpine oilsands MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 29, 2012

Dear friend:We have exciting news. The federal government has delayed the hearings on the future of the Darlington project because of the overwhelming number of people requesting to intervene!

Together we’ve shown the public is concerned about Darlington’s risks and the threat it poses to the future of green energy.The hearings will now take place December 3 to 6, 2012. If you’re registered to make a presentation please let us know. MORE    added: Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012

ENBRIDGE'S TAR SANDS PIPELINE PLAN: All pain & No Gain for Ontario & Quebec

This week, Enbridge revealed its plan for the Line 9 oil pipeline that runs through Ontario and Quebec, and it puts drinking water, health, and the environment at risk. We need your help to push back. MORE    added: Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012

US - All new power generation in September came from wind, solar - More than 400 MW

Wind and solar power accounted for all new electric generating capacity added to the U.S. electric grid in the month of September, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The new projects included five wind projects totaling 300 MW MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Wind power is fueling the push to green diamond mines in the Northwest Territories - An energy gem!

"It’s hugely important because it’s the first industrial use of wind power in a mining operation that we know of in the world,” says Wade Carpenter, a territorial government alternative-energy specialist exploring ways to reduce diesel dependency in 24 re MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Environmental Defence Canada : Enbridge comes clean about plans to export dangerous tar sands oil through Ontario

Enbridge's real plan for Line 9 was revealed yesterday in a document filed with the National Energy Board (NEB), which shows Enbridge plans not only to reverse the flow of oil through the pipeline to Montreal, but also to change what the pipeline can car MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012

The sickening truth about wind farm syndrome

Hilltop turbines are being blamed for myriad maladies. What is the truth behind these outlandish claims? NEW technology has long attracted "modern health worries". Microwave ovens, television and computer screens and even early telephony all caused anxie MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012

Obama and Romney ignore climate, could learn from Hillary Clinton's framing of climate change as a key foreign-policy priority during a speech last week, entitled “Energy Diplomacy in the 21st Century”.

Climate change got not a single mention in the three presidential debates nor in the vice presidential debate this year. That hasn’t happened for 24 years. Both chose to say nothing at all about the climate crisis, the most global of all threats. MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012

Renewable Energy Sees Explosive Growth During Obama Administration

Two recently-issued federal studies underscore the dramatic growth in electrical generation from geothermal, solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources during the first three and one-half years of the Obama Administration. MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012

How much are we paying for climate change?

According to a new study, the current economic impacts of climate change amount to more than $1.2 trillion a year, or 1.6 percent of the annual global GDP.The study, commissioned by 20 international governments, was produced by the DARA researchcentre, w MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012

Are oil, gas and coal really working for us, is it cheap energy? Hmmm.

Because society is picking up most of the cost for high impact fossil and nuclear fuels, they are being artificially subsidized when compared to clean energy alternatives. This is slowing the adoption of renewables and cleaner energy systems. The subsidi MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012

Report outlines ways Canadian commuters can save money, drive less and cut climate pollution - Pembina Institute

Canadian commuters can save time and money while reducing their environmental impact and cutting climate change pollution by making simple changes to their driving habits, according to a new study released today by the Pembina Institute. MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012

HELP US STOP DARLINGTON - there's growing momentum to stop the McGuinty government's plan to spend billions on outdated reactors at Darlington

Hundreds of people sent letters telling the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) its environmental assessment on Darlington's continued operation is unacceptable, and many others have volunteered to make oral statements against the project. MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 22, 2012

Sydney to London on Plastic Fuel: Pilot to Power Flight with Household Trash

Rowsell and his partners are cooking up 4,000 liters of liquid energy by melting down discarded plastic — the same sort of drifting, wayward, household rubbish that the adventurous 41-year-old transoceanic pilot spots all too often accumulating in the Pa MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 19, 2012

US Plan to develop solar on public lands approved

The Department of the Interior finalized a program to help develop solar power projects on public lands in six Western U.S. states - a blueprint for utility-scale solar permitting in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah by establish MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 19, 2012

The Pine Beetle Problem: Making Renewable Energy Lemonade from Biomass Lemons

At least one University of Washington chemical engineer is working on a thermo-chemical conversion technology that should make renewable energy "lemonade" from a particularly problematic batch of biomass "lemons." MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 19, 2012

Powering Half the World with Wind by 2030

Last year, nearly 200,000 wind turbines met 2.5 % of global energy needs. These numbers are impressive, but wind energy has the potential to pack an even bigger punch — according to a new study, wind could power half the world with clean energy by 2030. MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012

Canadian expert says warmer, wetter, weather adding to extreme weather woes - in Banff, Alta., attending an extreme weather conference called Storm Warning: Water, Energy and Climate Security in a Changing World.

A gradual warming of the atmosphere coupled with a melting snowpack and receding glaciers is likely to lead to continued incidents of extreme weather, says a Canadian water-policy expert. MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012

Cue the math: McKibben’s roadshow takes aim at Big Oil

“The fossil fuel industry has behaved so recklessly that they should lose their social license — their veneer of respectability,” McKibben tells his audience. “You want to take away our planet and our future? We’re going to take away your money and your MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012

Green Economy: Canada Needs Strategy Or Risk Losing Competitive Edge, Axed Panel Says -"The future is LOW CARBON. Economies the world over are making the transition," its final report states.

Low-carbon goods and services are the way of the future, and Canada had better embrace that fact or expect to lose its competitive edge, says the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy. MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012

Green Job Growth Analyzed In Recent Report - Job growth is one of the most important issues of the 2012 election, and a recent report suggests that continued investment in green jobs could be a boon to the U.S. economy.

The US report, released by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) and utilizing 2012 data on green jobs from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reveals that "greener industries grow faster than the overall economy." MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012

Public Announcement from The SOLAR CITY Co-operative (a new offshoot of CREW): Why You Should Become A Member Today!

The Solar City Coop is a group of local Region of Waterloo residents who are working together to invest in solar energy projects. Most of us can’t afford a project on our own, or don’t have a good location, or just don’t know how to do a project, MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012

FREE Fuel from the Sun

One of the most extraordinary things about solar energy is that the fuel source is free. As long as the sun shines, solar systems will supply energy. Combined with batteries and other storage systems, solar is well positioned to be the primary energy sour MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 15, 2012

Solar Makes Up 83% of Clean Energy Projects Approved by Japan

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan approved clean energy projects totaling 1,780 megawatts of capacity, with solar accounting for 83 percent, as of the end of September under a government incentive program. MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

In VP debate, Ryan complains of ‘green pork’ and fact-checkers swat him down

Thursday’s feisty vice presidential debate included one exchange on energy, specifically clean-energy stimulus funding — and that one exchange included a number of distortions and lies, courtesy of one Congressman Paul Ryan. MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

Tri-Cities Councils, Kitchener, Waterloo & Cambridge, Pass Support Resolutions for Rooftop Solar Projects

CREW is pleased to learn that the City of Cambridge, the City of Kitchener, and the City of Waterloo have each passed a blanket support resolution regarding rooftop solar PV projects in their Municipality under Ontario’s Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program. MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012

Geothermal Heat Pumps are Renewable and our Most Efficient HVAC Technology

The question arises from time to time in building industry blogs about whether or not geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are a source or renewable energy. GHPs, or ground-source heat pumps, don't fit neatly into any box, but suffice it to say that their appeal MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012

In the US, guess how many times the House of Representatives voted for fossil fuels and against clean energy

Without peeking down below, try and guess how many times since January 2011 the U.S. House of Representatives voted against clean energy or in favor of fossil fuels. Keep in mind that there have been about 450 weekdays during which votes could have been MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012

Why You Need to Worry About How the Media Covers Climate Change

Unfortunately, public understanding of climate change lags behind our scientific understanding. While a majority of Americans accept that climate change is happening, only a fraction correctly attributes these changes to human activities. Meanwhile, 10% MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012

Insurer: Hey, these climate-related disasters are getting expensive

There is no industry less enthusiastic about climate change than the insurance industry. After all, if something bad happens to a house or a business or a person, it’s the one that has to pay out — and its entire business model is predicated on minimizin MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012

Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Report on Solar Market Trends Ranks Ontario Fourth in North America

IREC focuses on the United States but lauds Ontario's PV markets as one of the largest in North America. With installations in 2011 adding a total of about 270 MWDC, IREC ranked Ontario fourth for PV installations. The report credits the feed-in-tariff MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012

Germany's Unlikely Renewable Energy Revolutionaries

Another misunderstanding about Germany’s clean energy shift is the idea that somehow “the state” or green treehuggers are behind it. Well, it ain’t so. For the most part, Germany’s new energy producers are home owners, small and medium-sided businesses, MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012

A new ‘golden age of oil’ in the U.S.? Don’t believe it

Last winter, fossil-fuel enthusiasts began trumpeting the dawn of a new “golden age of oil” that would kick-start the American economy, generate millions of new jobs, and free this country from its dependence on imported petroleum. Ed Morse, head ommodit MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 8, 2012

Renewable Energy Gets Brief Mention During 2012 Presidential Debate - some important things not mentioned regarding climate change & renewable/sustainable energy sources

First debate between President Barack Obama & Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney - in the course of the entire 90-minute debate, which focused specifically on domestic issues with the economy and health care taking front and center, not a single MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 5, 2012

German Coal-Fired Generation of Electricity Falls While Renewable Generation Rises

German use of coal to generate electricity has declined steadily from 1990 to 2011, according to statistics on the German electricity system - at the same time the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix has increased from 3.6% to 19.9% MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 5, 2012

Romney’s attack on green investment was massively, massively wrong - his claims exposed!

Mitt Romney has a casual association with factual accuracy. Read on to find the real facts, between his claim and the truth. Say what you have to to get elected - in other words. As if the truth doesn't matter. MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 5, 2012

Introducing the saveONenergy HOME ASSISTANCE Program

Funded by the Ontario Power Authority and administered by local electric utilities, the HOME ASSISTANCE Program is managed by GreenSaver for all the utilities listed to the left. The program is aimed at reducing the energy burden for those in need and MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 5, 2012

Why are your tax dollars going to subsidize oil companies?

Did you know that more than $114 billion dollars will subsidize the oil industry in North America over the next ten years? Why do we allow our taxes to increase the already massive profits these companies make while also causing catastrophic consequences MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012

Small solar systems electricity rates below retail in Germany

In Germany now, the latest phase of the feed-in tariff (FIT) renewable energy legislation is moving towards the point where generators will operate in a world where the electricity they produce costs less than other non-renewable and polluting sources MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012

Germany: Lies About Electricity Prices

It’s all over the media that Germany’s transition to renewables is killing — or going to kill — Germany industry. How can Germany compete abroad when it pays so much for its energy? It’s all a consequence of the Energiewende! This is a lot of rubbish. MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012

Presidential Debate debrief: No mention of climate, energy lies from Romney - some facts checking

Big Bird might have been one of the most popular trends on Twitter during the first presidential debate between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. But as the discussion of domestic issues unfolded, #climatesilence got some play as well. Sadly, not because the MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012

Energy-saving program shut down too early, millions in rebates never paid out

UNSPENT ECOENERGY DOLLARS. Harper government confirms that less than half of promised $400 million invested in ecoENERGY retrofits was spent: “program spending for 2011-12 will reach between $183 to $190 million. MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012

Global Renewables Investment Sets New Record

Global investment in renewable power and fuels increased 17% to a new record of $257 billion in 2011, with developing economies making up more than a third of this total. So concludes The Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment Report (GTR) for 2012 MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012

Japan's Agressive FIT Already Unlocking Gigawatts of Wind and Solar Power

Analysts predict more than 25 GW of renewable energy capacity will be installed in Japan as the country moves away from nuclear energy. MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012

U.K. Proposes Incentives for Home Heating From Biomass to Solar

“We need to revolutionize the way we heat our homes and businesses and move away from expensive fossil fuels, not only to cut carbon but to help meet our renewables targets and save money on bills,” Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said in MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012

GRCA News - OSSGA supports hydro facility at Park Hill Dam - downtown Galt

An innovative partnership with the Grand River Conservation Foundation and the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association will help a new hydro facility planned at the Park Hill Dam in Galt. The project is in the planning phase and is expected to cost be MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012

View re LA Times Article "Taxpayers, Ratepayers will Fund California Solar Plants" - Renewable Energy Too Important to be Dismissed so Flippantly

The LA Times article "Taxpayers, Ratepayers will Fund California Solar Plants" took on the world of solar policy in a totally irresponsible way and got it all wrong. Renewable energy and distributed generation are too important to LA, the U.S. and the wo MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 1, 2012

Obama Versus Romney: Everything You Need to Know About Where the Candidates Stand on Energy Policy

Clean energy is an important part of the economy of Colorado, which is the location of the first presidential debate on October 3rd. There are stark differences between the two presidential candidates that must be discussed on October 3. MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 1, 2012

Three ways to fix the climate in 2012 and beyond - a US article but good advice for Ontario & Canada too!

Over the last two years, the consequences of 150 years of fossil-fuel development have materialized with a vengeance. The U.S. has experienced the worst drought in 80 years, replete with unprecedented Western fires and fears of widespread crop failure. MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 1, 2012

NO NUKES NEWS for Oct. 1, 2012 – Please pass this onto a friend!

2011–2012 world nuclear industry status report - The market niche that nuclear power once held is disappearing. The key nuclear indicators—including the number of operating reactors, installed capacity, power generation, and share of total electricity gen MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 1, 2012

Oklahoma wind energy project to help power Google data center

Google (NYSE: GOOG) and the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) signed a joint agreement for GRDA to supply 48 MW of wind energy to Google’s data center in Mayes County, Okla. The output will come from the 298 MW Canadian Hills wind project in west central MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 28, 2012

U.S. Insurance Companies Vulnerable to Extreme Weather, Changing Climate

Worsening weather in a warming world poses a growing risk to the financial stability of insurance companies and has broad ramifications for the economy and society, according to a new report. MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 28, 2012

Why They Pay Double for Solar in America (But Won't Forever) - Much like Ontario, currently.

There’s an article in the most recent issue of PHOTON describing a German family that got a 4.6 kW PV array installed and interconnected to their roof 8 days after calling a solar installer for the first time. MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 27, 2012

Leafy Green Power: Spinach is Key Ingredient in Solar Breakthrough

This month, a breakthrough at Vanderbilt University brought us closer to achieving solar power efficiencies on par with plants. MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 27, 2012

Help Stop the Expansion of the Tar Sands

Shell has proposed a plan to do more open pit mining of the tar sands. This would mean another 12 million litres of tar sands oil would be dug up and burned each and every day. Urge the environmental review panel to reject this plan - BEFORE OCTOBER 1. MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 27, 2012

Whitchurch-Stouffville Community Energy Co-operative's efforts praised by Minister of Energy

The Whitchurch-Stouffville Community Energy Co-operative Inc. was pleased to welcome Minister of Energy Chris Bentley to Stouffville on Sept 20th. The Minister applauded the leaders in the Co-operative in launching a community renewable energy project. MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 27, 2012

MPs request emergency debate on record breaking Arctic sea ice-loss, Oil company speaks out against offshore oil exploration in the Arctic region - and much more - YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! GET INVOLVED!

Today in the House of Commons, NDP members of Parliament made a bid for an emergency debate on Arctic sea ice loss. After the House Speaker denied that this issue meets the test for an emergency debate, Arctic MP Dennis Bevington asked a second time for MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 27, 2012

Calculating the true cost of electricity - Wind & Solar cheapest according to German report!

Taking into account health and environmental damage, wind and solar power from new plants in Europe is actually cheaper than energy from coal and nuclear power plants, according to a new report. MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 26, 2012

Five times as much oil, coal, gas...as scientists think is safe to burn... - from article by Bill McKibben, the American equivalent to Canada's Dr. Suzuki

The title of this article is based on a sentence from an article written by Bill McKibben in the most recent issue of Rolling Stones magazine(the link is at the end of this posting). We are running out of excuses for inaction There is so much we MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 26, 2012

The NWMO Initial Screen for Adaptive Phased Management does not exclude Saugeen Shores from the DGR site selection process.

We are disappointed in the results and ask that you redouble your efforts to let Council know that the DGR does not belong in Saugeen Shores or anywhere near the Great Lakes. We have updated our home page with NEW INFORMATION. Please visit MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 26, 2012

Do you own a home in Waterloo Region? Well, you can help LIFE Co-op (another CREW offshoot) qualify as a "Community Investment Member" under FIT 2.0 - and once we qualify, our projects go to the front of the contract queue!!

LIFE needs 50 property owners who live in Waterloo Region to be members - and we're now at 40! But we need our new members to join soon, as our applications could go in as early as October MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 24, 2012

Car Manufacturers Seek a Solar Boost

In Germany, an aggressive target for six million electric cars on its roads by 2030 sets a challenge for the power sector as well as its automotive industry. A goal can be taken seriously, where are the sustainable power sources to charge all these cars? MORE    added: Saturday, Sep. 22, 2012

Sultan of solar rises again with new venture - Ian MacLellan is wearing a smile as sunny as the solar energy he champions - Solar energy will soon be everywhere, he predicts

Over the next 15 years, solar installations will show up everywhere. They will be “noticed more by their absence, than their presence,” he predicted. He compares it to the computer industry, which moved in similar 15-year cycles. In 1981, if you owned a MORE    added: Saturday, Sep. 22, 2012

Tidal energy project sending electricity to U.S. power grid

Bangor Hydro Electric Co. said that electricity from a tidal energy project in Maine is delivering electricity to the grid. Ocean Renewable Power Co. (ORPC)’s Cobscook Bay Tidal Energy Project is the first ocean energy project to deliver electricity to t MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 21, 2012

Nuclear power unit in Canada generating power for first time in 15 years

Bruce Power on Sept. 19 successfully synchronized the 750 MW Unit 1 to Ontario’s electricity grid, generating power from the unit for the first time in 15 years. The return to service of Units 1 & 2 will bring the Bruce Power site back to its eight-unit MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 21, 2012

South Australia Hits Wind Power Milestone

Wind power in South Australia provided more than half of the state's power on Wednesday, September 5, according to the Clean Energy Council (CEC). And in the past year wind in the state has for the first time ever provided more energy than coal. MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 20, 2012

Studies Cite Increased Demand for Wind Power, Other Renewables

According to the Global Consumer Wind Study 2012 (GCWS), the desire for more renewable energy options was voiced by 85 percent of survey respondents, with 49 percent saying they’d have no problem digging deeper into their pockets to support companies com MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 20, 2012

Feed-in Tariffs Do More for Wind at Less Cost to Ratepayers than RPS, Says German Agency

The Agentur für Erneuerbare Energien, says that RPS-related tendering programs raise the payments for wind energy in Europe to as much as €0.15/kWh ($0.19/kWh) in Italy. In contrast, Germany, which uses a feed-in tariff, pays only €0.089/kWh ($0.11/kWh). MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 20, 2012

Melting Arctic ice likely linked to weather extremes - Record Opinion article today - Thomas Homer-Dixon

The best recent analysis, published in the top scientific journal Nature last November, says that “both the duration and magnitude of the current decline in sea ice seem to be unprecedented for the past 1,450 years” and that the recent decline is “consis MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 20, 2012

Carbon Dioxide Cost Analysis Gives Renewables A Competitive Edge

The United States has estimated CO2’s toll to be $21 per ton, but a new analysis [PDF] says the true cost is actually between $55 and $266 per ton – numbers that if accepted, would make renewables a far more competitive player in the energy marketplace. MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 20, 2012

More coal bites the dust as a big polluter, dumping mercury and acid-rain generating fallout over the beautiful lakes, rivers and forests of the province’s northwest shuts down

Another coal plant has bitten the dust in Ontario. A few days ago, the Atikokan Generating Station,located 200 kms west of Thunder Bay, burned its last piece of coal. A long way from smoggy southern Ontario - a big emitter of green house gas stil, MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 19, 2012

Freaked-out climate scientists urge other freaked-out climate scientists to speak up, fight Man

New modeling which shows that avoiding climate chaos — limiting average global temperature rise to 2 degrees, generally agreed to be the threshold of danger, is still possible, but just barely, and only with massive, immediate, coordinated global action MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 19, 2012

Solar: A Solution to Worldwide Electricity Needs: UN declares 2012 "INTERNATIONAL YEAR of SUSTAINABLE ENERGY for ALL"

Did you know that the United Nations declared 2012 "International Year of Sustainable Energy for All" (SE4ALL)? During a Wednesday morning session of SPI, speakers from the United Nations Foundation, World Bank, Solgenix and the Solar Energy Industries MORE    added: Tuesday, Sep. 18, 2012

France Taxing Carbon Emitters in an Effort to Overhaul Consumer Energy Costs

The country plans to use more wind power and solar power and lessen its dependance on nuclear energy. France will extend to 4 million households lower rates for electricity and natural gas to make energy more affordable while at the same time raising ta MORE    added: Tuesday, Sep. 18, 2012

Nuclear, renewable power generation to increase in Ontario, IESO says

In its latest 18-month outlook, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in Ontario said over the next 18 months more than 3,000 MW of capacity will be added to the grid. IESO said 1,500 MW will come from nuclear power generation, while another MORE    added: Tuesday, Sep. 18, 2012

The Arctic could be ice-free by 2016

Cambridge professor Peter Wadhams has a prediction. Wadhams has spent many years collecting ice thickness data from submarines passing below the arctic ocean. He predicted the imminent break-up of sea ice in summer months in 2007, when the previous MORE    added: Tuesday, Sep. 18, 2012

Stopping Line 9: Communities mobilize for Ontario's tar sands battle

The Northern Gateway pipeline might be dead in the water for now, but Enbridge's Line 9 could be pumping tar sands through Ontario soon. MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 17, 2012

New poll shows 7 out of 10 Ontarians support standardized home energy labelling

NAIMA Canada, the national association representing mineral wool insulation manufacturers, today released a public opinion poll focused on home energy efficiency labelling in Ontario. The polling found a strong majority of Ontarians support standardized MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 17, 2012

Canada and climate change: all plan, NO ACTION!

Canada has been embarrassed in the world’s eyes so many times on the climate-change file that another embarrassment matters little. The Harper government has many climate-change deniers and skeptics in its ranks – in caucus and the country. Doing nothing, MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 17, 2012

Reports: One wind farm can add more than 1,000 jobs, revenue for communities

A 250 MW wind farm in the U.S. creates 1,079 jobs and can add tens of millions of dollars in new taxes and other benefits to the community where it’s located, according to two new reports from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 14, 2012

Documents reveal oilsands development about to exceed Alberta's new pollution limits

Less than two weeks after Alberta enacted legally enforceable pollution limits for its oilsands region, industry figures already suggest they will soon be breached by emissions of two major gases causing acid rain. MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 14, 2012

Clinton to Solar Companies: "You Just Can't Be Deterred" - Most Americans don’t know that $22 are given in subsidies for fossil and nuclear energy for every one dollar given to renewables.

At Solar Power International 2012, Former President Bill Clinton offered words of encouragement and admiration for solar companies in America and around the globe. “You represent the future,” he told the audience. MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 13, 2012

Germany's Clean-Technology Industry to More Than Double by 2025

BERLIN -- Germany's clean-technologies industry is set to more than double in volume by 2025, creating jobs and maintaining its global market share, a study shows. MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 13, 2012

Health Canada Wind Turbine Noise and Health Study: Submission by OSEA

OSEA recognizes that there has been controversy over the potential health effects of windmills, and that research on this issue is important for understanding the relationship, if any, between the operation of wind turbines and the health complaints MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 13, 2012

Canada Must Follow Path to Energy Innovation

As the site of a 19th-century conference that helped forge our nation, Charlottetown, P.E.I. is a fitting setting for a gathering this week that could lay the groundwork for Canada's next chapter. MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 13, 2012

New Coal Regulations: Government puts polluters ahead of people - comments by Climate Action Network, the Pembina Institute, and Sierra Club Canada

In spite of a clear need to strengthen weak draft coal regulations, released last August, the federal government has failed Canadians again by deciding to further relax grossly-inadequate regulations allowing Canada's dirtiest coal plants to run for up to MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 13, 2012

Q2 Report Shows US Solar Market Booming, Utility-scale Projects Leading

Solar panel installations in the United States more than doubled in the second quarter of this year, and it is on track to increase 71 percent in 2012 from the previous year, according to a report released by GTM Research today. MORE    added: Tuesday, Sep. 11, 2012

U.S. sees a spike in solar installation over last three months - totally 742 megawatts in the quarter

Over the last three months, the U.S. installed more solar panels than in almost any other three-month period in history — thanks mostly to utility companies. From Businessweek: U.S. solar-panel installations more than doubled in the second quarter from a MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 10, 2012

Small-scale, distributed renewables: Tiny, but growing fast around the world

Distributed energy - small-scale power sources, usually “behind the meter,” often owned by individuals or companies or community groups instead of utilities, connected by an intelligent grid, is spreading quickly and has enormous potential. MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 10, 2012

Who will take our nuclear waste?

Picture this: you’ve lived in the same house for more than 50 years, and have never taken out the garbage. Then you sealed it all in boxes and locked it in the basement, promising some day to find a better place for it. Now, picture Canada’s nuclear indu MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 7, 2012

A combined effort at saving energy - what our local electrical utilities are doing

A trio of hydro experts explores new territory in an attempt to conserve energy in Waterloo Region. And with a large financial boon from the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), the managerial team from Waterloo Hydro, Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro and Cambridge and MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 7, 2012

Setting the solar story straight

Solar is getting cheaper, Solar reduces electricity costs long term, Solar generates a net surplus of energy, Solar still works on cloudy days, Solar is becoming competitive with fossil fuels MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 7, 2012

Obama: Climate change is not a joke, Mitt

President Obama surprised and delighted climate activists by making a defense of climate action in his big convention speech on Thursday night. … my plan will continue to reduce the carbon pollution that is heating our planet — because climate change MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 7, 2012

Crowdfunding for Community Power? The Obama JOBS Act could have big implications for community-based renewable energy projects.

Back in April, President Obama signed the JOBS Act and one of the most-heralded elements was so-called crowdfunding. The law sought to solve a major problem: it’s hard to finance small-scale business ventures. MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 6, 2012

LIFE Co-op: Opportunities in 2012. You have an opportunity to take part in Ontario’s renewable energy future – now for only $75!

Join LIFE Co-op today and you’ll join over 120 members who are helping to make community renewable energy a reality in Ontario. Local Initiative for Future Energy (LIFE) Co-op is a renewable energy co-operative based in Waterloo Region. LIFE is planning MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 5, 2012

Discussion of energy issues muted in provincial by-elections - RECORD opinion article

The energy supply issues debated last year remain unsolved. While we have a revised FIT program and efficiencies within Ontario’s electricity sector are being explored, we still don’t have answers as to how Ontario will generate clean, safe, and reliable MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 5, 2012

Reflections on Community, Co-operatives, and the Future by Shane Mulligan, CREW President, following a recent renewable-energy themed visit to Germany with OSEA and ENERCON - PLUS more experience sharing ...

One of the greatest reasons to travel is for the opportunity to learn from others who live and work differently. Renewable energy is simply a fact of life in Germany: windmills are a widespread feature on the landscape, and solar panels an integral featu MORE    added: Tuesday, Sep. 4, 2012

Poll finds Alberta increasingly alone in strong public support for Northern Gateway pipeline

OTTAWA --- The proposed Northern Gateway pipeline's unpopularity in B.C. -- even among Conservatives -- may have provided a "motivation" for Prime Minister Stephen Harper's west coast MPs to convince the government to distance itself from the project, su MORE    added: Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012

Dumpstock on Saturday, 8/18/12 was a success!

Dumpstock 2012 featured fabulous performances by the Paul Hoffert Trio and the Reklaws, which capped off a highly successful day. Feedback from the audience about the lecture from Dr. Gordon Edwards, Ph. D., and the panel discussion was very positive MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012

You can help stop tar sands oil being shipped along the Great Lakes.

Pipelines that carry tar sands oil are big news these days. B.C. isn’t the only province at risk. ON and Quebec are, too! We need your help. Enbridge wants to ship dirty tar sands oil through one of its aging pipelines along the N. shore of L. Ontario. MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012

Obama Fast-tracks Seven Renewable Energy Infrastructure Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- In early August, President Barack Obama announced seven solar and wind energy projects that will be expedited, including projects in Arizona, California, Nevada and Wyoming.These infrastructure projects would produce nearly 5,000 MW MORE    added: Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012

Will Catherine Fife sign on to protect taxpayers? Send her a letter. Sign the petition.

Kitchener-Waterloo NDP candidate Catherine Fife tells us she will need to assess “the business case” for the proposed Darlington Re-Build project and would subject such projects to a full environmental assessment. But so far, she has not agreed to sign MORE    added: Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012

Low Emission Targets Nothing to Get Excited About - But Federal Government tooting its own horn as if it were - Woolwich Observer editorial

The federal government was tooting its own horn this week in relation to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as levels are about halfway to the 17 per cent drop Canada committed to under the Copenhagen Accord. That’s all well and good, except MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012

Survey finds 2 per cent of Canadians don't believe climate change is happening

Only two per cent of Canadians who responded to a new opinion poll believe climate change is not occurring.The findings are in a survey conducted by Insightrix Research, Inc. for IPAC-CO2 Research Inc., a Regina-based centre that studies carbon capture MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012

Follow Germany's Lead: Streamlined Permitting - for Solar PV installations

While an applicant for a residential system in Germany may only wait four days to have a system installed, this process takes weeks in the United States. Sometimes months. Same for Ontario! No wonder Germany is the leader. Read on MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012

Wind energy NOT adding huge costs - Record opinion letter

Re: Wind turbine trouble — Aug. 9 - Warren Howard’s letter requires clarification concerning the current state of energy in Ontario. Firstly, wind energy is not “adding huge costs to Ontario’s electricity bills.” The Ontario Energy Board’s own numbers sh MORE    added: Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012

A climate change fix conservatives can love - a CARBON TAX - US article

Last week, James Hansen, the director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies and father of climate change science, wrote of the peer-reviewed research he just completed: “For the extreme hot weather of the recent past, there is virtually no e MORE    added: Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012

Enbridge pipeline saga shows limits of Stephen Harper’s bully-boy tactics - his pipeline 'about-face' is anything but!

Back in January, Stephen Harper made the strategic decision to bulldoze through a proposed pipeline from Alberta’s oilsands to the British Columbia coast. Eight months later that Enbridge Northern Gatewaypipeline is in mortal danger, in large part becaus MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012

Should churches button up on oil? Kamloops Daily News editorial

A letter sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on behalf of 28 Presbyterian churches in the Lower Mainland accuses the feds of weakening environmental reviews and demonizing opponents of the project. Plus Kairos as produced a position paper that says MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012

NO NUKE NEWS for August 9 - By-elections have been called for K-W and Vaughan - And help us distribute this leaflet in K-W. Contact Angela to get involved.

Help us get the word out that it’s time to make nuclear cost overruns a thing of the past! No more special deals. Please SIGN THIS PETITION calling on the Ontario legislature to end the practice of passing on nuclear cost overruns to ratepayers and taxpa MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012

Churches debate Northern Gateway project

Churches across Canada say they have a religious duty to speak out on the proposed Northern Gateway oilsands pipeline. MORE    added: Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012

NRC Freezes All Nuclear Reactor Construction & Operating Licenses In U.S.

Decision Follows 24 Groups' June Petition in Wake of Major Waste Confidence Rule Decision; Most Reactor Projects Already Stymied by Bad Economics and Cheaper Fuel Alternatives MORE    added: Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012

Why are we paying N.Y. to take our electricity? - Record opinion article

That’s one reason why Ontario should be phasing out nuclear power. Simply put, Ontario has found itself for good reasons (increased efficiency) and bad (overinvestment in nuclear power) sitting on a large and inflexible power surplus. MORE    added: Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012

Wind and Solar Developers Get Access to U.S. Land Used by Pentagon

The U.S. will give wind- and solar- energy companies access to 16 million acres of federal land previously set aside for military testing and training. “This agreement is going to help save the taxpayers billions of dollars in military fuel costs.." MORE    added: Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012

McGuinty calls byelections for Sept. 6

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has called two byelections for Sept. 6. Voters in Vaughan and Kitchener-Waterloo will be going to the polls just after Labour Day.McGuinty called the byelections on Wednesday to fill the two seats vacated by Liberal Greg MORE    added: Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012

US Department of Defense (DOD) pushes for renewable energy

The Defense and Interior departments have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that is expected to lead to the development of renewable energy projects on 16 million acres of DOD land -to improve energy security and reduce its $4 billion-a-year uti MORE    added: Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012

In the climate struggle, a hunt for realistic solutions

This is why the work of Michael Wara, a climate scientist-turned-legal scholar, offers a needed shot of hope and excitement. Wara, a Stanford law professor and a research fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, spends his days MORE    added: Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012

Project ideas for Storm Water Management Funding - DEADLINE October 12

RAIN is looking for faith communities, school groups and other charitable organizations in Kitchener and Waterloo to grab their shovels and ‘dig in’ to create 6 stormwater management demonstration projects that will improve the water quality of local wate MORE    added: Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012

NO NUKES NEWS for Aug. 2, 2012 – General Electric CEO can’t justify nuclear power - Please pass this onto a friend!

GE CEO threw cold water on the company's nuclear power business, telling the Financial Times that natural gas power plants and renewable energy like wind and solar are the best investments over the foreseeable future. GE built the ill-fated Fukushima MORE    added: Monday, Aug. 6, 2012

STOP Making More Nuclear Waste - sign the petition!

Tapping renewable energy sources coupled with moderate consumption and healthy habits will meet all our needs and bring back a healthy environment for now and all generations to come. MORE    added: Monday, Aug. 6, 2012

By-election Blitz - K-W Call-out - Saturday, August 11 - NOON - Seven Shores Urban Market & Cafe, 10 Regina St. N., Waterloo

Concerned about nuclear cost overruns being foisted onto electricity consumers? Would you like to see the province invest in lower-cost green electricity options rather than new nuclear reactors? If so, join us for a K-W by-election blitz. We’ll be distr MORE    added: Monday, Aug. 6, 2012

Deconstructing the Liberal destruction of power plants - NIMBYism let to Liberals' power plant debacle - Record opinion article

When the opposition carps about cost, there is a glaring inconsistency. The Tories and New Democrats were also clamouring to kill the plant, hoping to profit from resentment among local residents. MORE    added: Friday, Aug. 3, 2012

Here’s what Canada’s Premiers said last week:“[We will] ensure that the country has a strategic, forward thinking approach for sustainable energy development...

While it didn’t exactly ignite a renewables revolution, the just-concluded Council of the Federation meeting of premiers did place the opportunity of the low-carbon transition and the imperative to finally do something about climate change squarely at th MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012

Province can shave $1.2 billion from electricity costs

Every week at Queen’s Park, the opposition rails about rising hydro bills while the governing party dreams up another subsidy to disguise rising prices. But no one talks about what is really behind rising prices, or practical steps that can be taken NOW MORE    added: Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012

Wal-Mart Beating Ikea, Apple in U.S. Solar Panel Installations

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, has installed more than 150 U.S. solar projects and expects to have as much as 90 megawatts of capacity by year-end, more than Ikea Group and Apple Inc. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 31, 2012

Local Co-op, LIFE, joins Federation for Community Green Energy (Kitchener, July 31, 2012)

Community participation in renewable energy projects could smooth the way for GREEN energy in Ontario, and “community power” groups – including the Local Initiative for Future Energy Co?operative (“LIFE Co-op”) in Kitchener – have formed a new Federation MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 31, 2012

Bombshell: Koch-Funded Study Finds ‘Global Warming Is Real’, ‘On The High End’ And ‘Essentially All’ Due To Carbon Pollution - Irony of Ironies, read on...

The Berkeley Earth Surface Temperature Study (BEST) is poised to release its findings next week on the cause of recent global warming. Funded by the “Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation ($150,000).”The Kochs are the leading funder of climate disinforma MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 31, 2012

Top Ten Things Climate Change Is Making Worse RIGHT NOW

The onslaught of extreme weather and record temperatures this year have had an impact on people globally, directly through drought and temperature, and more indirectly impacting food prices and public transportation. Here are 10 impacts we’re seeing righ MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 31, 2012

Global Warming's Terrifying New Math

Three simple numbers that add up to global catastrophe - and that make clear who the real enemy is - first - - this is the 327th consecutive month in which the temperature of the entire globe exceeded the 20th-century average MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 30, 2012

Ask your K-W candidates to sign the Electricity Consumer Protection Pledge

The billion dollar question that K-W by-election candidates need to answer: Will they leave YOU on the hook for another nuclear bailout? MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 30, 2012

We must put to rest fears about wind turbines - Record opinion article

There is the simple need to put to rest people’s fears of wind-sourced energy and then to have a transparent discussion about the real health and economic costs of not investing in alternative sources of power and simply continuing with energy sources tha MORE    added: Sunday, Jul. 29, 2012

Debate over possible nearby NUCLEAR WASTE SITE buried - the federal government’s inquiry into building an underground nuclear waste site on Lake Huron’s shores is receiving very little public and media attention

The construction of an underground waste disposal site at the Bruce nuclear complex on the Canadian side of Lake Huron is proposed, and the waste site would be located just over a kilometre from Lake Huron and would house all the radioactive waste from MORE    added: Friday, Jul. 27, 2012

NO NUKES NEWS - for July 26 - You say Silver burns a hole in your pocket; And Gold burns a hole in your soul; Well, uranium burns a hole in forever It just gets out of control! - Buffy Sainte Marie -READ ON

Post-Fukushima, Japan's irradiated fish worry B.C. experts Little-known statistics compiled by Japan’s Fisheries Agency have documented persistently high post-Fukushima radiation levels in fish. NOTE! Please sign this petition re. nuclear cost overruns. MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 26, 2012

Electric Car and Solar Power are a Perfect Mix

A car that takes you wherever you want to go without producing any pollution while costing you significantly less to operate. Solar energy for your home that will never run out, that produces no pollution, and that will never go up in cost. Combined, full MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 24, 2012

Electric Cars are Insanely Great

Having saved hundreds of dollars and largely eliminated any pollution, our new Chevy Volt electric (with a backup gasoline generator) car, is proving to be insanely great. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 24, 2012

NEWS FLASH: Ministry Directive to OPA released - To the members of LIFE Co-op and anyone else interested:

Great News: The FIT 2.0 final Directive has been issued! This means that we now have a firm understanding of the terms of the new program going forward, and it’s VERY supportive of community power! MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 24, 2012

“Strange Bedfellows” call for low-carbon leadership -700+ diverse companies and groups urge premiers to forge a clean energy accord to make Canada a global clean-energy leader

HALIFAX — Millions of Canadians came together under the banner of a new program called CLEAN ENERGY CANADA to develop a Canadian energy strategy that will deliver energy security, jobs and prosprity, address climate change, and protect the environment. MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 23, 2012

Expect energy prices to rise, with or without green energy - RECORD Opinion article

Piecing all elements together illustrates the scope of our world’s energy challenge, and there is very little that our provincial or even federal governments can do to insulate consumers from energy price increases. Nobody likes it, myself included. MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 23, 2012

Environmental group defends funding oilsands critics

"Issues like climate change and air and water pollution don't stop at borders. And so clearly there is an international interest in those issues and that's why we attract international money," said Merran Smith, Tides' Energy Initiative director, in resp MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 23, 2012

Senators see urgent need for national energy policy

Canada is on the cusp of global energy greatness but can only reap the benefits of its vast resources if it acts immediately, according to a report released today by the Senate's energy, environment and natural resources committee. MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 23, 2012

New report based on documents secured by Freedom of Information Act reveals Shell colluded with Federal gov't to undermine environmental legislation.

Canada is developing a full-blown case of the ‘resource curse’, far worse than simple Dutch disease: Puts oil before democracy. Shell has been a key player in the Harper government’s Oil Sands Advocacy Strategy, to weaken environmental laws. Greenpeace MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 23, 2012

Koch Brothers' Activism Protects Their 50-Year Stake in Canadian Heavy Oils

Long involvement in Canada's tar sands has been central to Koch Industries' evolution and positions the billionaire brothers for a new oil boom. MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 23, 2012

Save money, create jobs: So what's the problem?

If you were told that there’s a way to cut your energy bill, create jobs, pump money back into the economy and help tackle the biggest environmental problem of our time – global warming – you’d probably ask: So what are we waiting for? MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 23, 2012

MPP wants stop to 'turbines popping up everywhere' - take part in CBC online SURVEY

Chatham-Kent MPP Rick Nicholls wants moratorium on wind turbines during Health Canada study - But...Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope said his municipality was approving turbines long before the Green Energy Act and said his community wanted to be a leader MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 23, 2012

NEW BLOG features highlights from Renewable Energy Tour to Germany

We are back. Seeing the potential of so much renewable energy first hand and visting communities that have gone 100% renewable left everyone inspired and wanting to bring these ideas back home to Ontario. Awesome! MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 18, 2012

NO NUKES NEWS for July 18 - Please sign this PETITION calling on the Ontario legislature to end the practice of passing on nuclear cost overruns to ratepayers and taxpayers.

The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2012-They're hooped. The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2012 portrays an industry suffering from the cumulative impacts of the world economic crisis, the Fukushima disaster, ferocious competitors and its own MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 18, 2012

U.S. leads the world in cutting CO2 emissions — so why aren’t we talking about it? US article.

Contrary to popular belief, the U.S. is making progress on climate change. We have cut our carbon emissions more than any other country in the world in recent years — 7.7 percent since 2006. U.S. emissions fell 1.9 percent last year and are projected to MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 18, 2012

NorthGrid Solar Nears Phase One Completion of 1.7MW Rooftop Portfolio

NorthGrid Solar Inc., an OSEA member and Ontario-based Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company, is nearing completion of the first phase of its 1.7MW DC rooftop solar agreement with The Valecon Group, a GTA-based commercial property devel MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 18, 2012

Join the CALL FOR LEADERSHIP - We’re excited to bring you up to date on our recent work: TOWARDS A CLEAN ENERGY ACCORD

Our brand-new document, Towards A Clean Energy Accord (Vers un accord sur l’énergie propre), urges governments to develop a bold new plan to transition Canada from the economy we have today to the clean energy economy we want and will need tomorrow. MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 16, 2012

Rising electricity prices shock plastics firm - critics say increases caused by green initiatives - LOOK AGAIN - check the facts!

But the province says aging infrastructure, not renewable energy, is the main reason why hydro prices have gone up thus far. Green energy projects “accounted for only about one per cent of a typical consumer’s bill in 2011,” Kirby Dier, a spokesperson fo MORE    added: Saturday, Jul. 14, 2012

Final microFIT Program Rules, Contract and other program documents have now been posted on the microFIT website - GOOD NEWS!

This is to advise you that the final microFIT Program Rules, Contract and other program documents have now been posted on the microFIT website. The final FIT Rules and Contract will be posted shortly, & info on the small and large FIT application windows MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 12, 2012

Canada's 145th Birthday "... all Canadians want to create a better future for this country.” - Governor General David Johnston

July 1st, fireworks thundered in the sky on Parliament Hill. The firework show marked the end of a frustrating month in Canadian politics. In the House of Commons and in Rio de Janeiro, concerned citizens everywhere were disappointed to witness the stagg MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 11, 2012

Today FIT 2.0 Released with Minister Directive

OSEA is pleased to provide its members with the following: Top Ten things our members should know about the FIT 2.0 directive - a more detailed overview of the FIT 2.0 when the final rules are released towards the end of July as committed by the Minister MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 11, 2012

The Ontario Minister of Energy has issued a Directive to the Ontario Power Authority to finalize the Rules and Contracts for the FIT 2.0 and microFIT 2.0 programs. See HIGHLIGHTS OF CHANGES

The long process included broad consultation throughout the industry by the Ontario Government in an effort to ensure a sustainable program. Our members will note from the summary below that their input has had a direct, significant and positive impa MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 11, 2012

The Future of Nuclear Power in California

It's not been a good year for nuclear power. A federal court recently found that local storage solutions for nuclear waste, kept currently at each power plant where the waste is produced, have not been shown to be safe. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 10, 2012

Report: Renewable energy generation to increase 40% by 2017

A report from the International Energy Agency says that, despite economic uncertainties in several countries, power generation from wind, solar, hydroelectric and other renewable sources is expected to increase more than 40 percent to almost 6,400 TWh MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 10, 2012

Energy use in Canada

Where and how we live affect how much energy we consume. Here’s what Canada would look like if the provinces and territories were scaled to represent the amount of energy they use. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 10, 2012

Algae for biofuel - Step aside, soybeans and sunflowers. This slimy stuff could someday power the world. Canadian research Biofuels initiative

“I think that microalgae could be a real sustainable solution to producing replacement fuel for the increasingly expensive and dwindling fossil fuels such as diesel,” says the chemical engineering Ph.D. student. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 10, 2012

Dirtiest fossil fuel - Letter to the editor - Globe and Mail - by Kitchener MD

Clean coal. It has a nice ring to it. It is unfortunate that the term could not be further from the truth (Coal: The Rising Star Of Global Energy Production – Report on Business, June 20). MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 10, 2012

German Combined Power Plant Demonstrates Real-Time Integration of Renewables

A pilot project in Germany is showing how networking technology can create a 100-percent-uptime “virtual” power plant composed of widely-dispersed renewable energy sources. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 10, 2012

Global warming no longer Americans’ top environmental concern, poll finds - WATER and AIR POLLUTION is!

Climate change no longer ranks first on the list of what Americans see as the world’s biggest environmental problem, according to a new Washington Post-Stanford University poll. Today, 29 percent identify water and air pollution as the world’s most press MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 9, 2012

Cut The Price Of Solar In Half By Cutting Red Tape - US article

A myth persists that solar power is too pricey. The reality is that in many states _ such as California, New York and Hawaii – solar is already cheaper than utility power on a dollar per kilowatt-hour basis. Not surprisingly, by far the biggest factor MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 9, 2012

NO NUKES NEWS for July 9 – Please pass this onto a friend! SIGN PETITION calling on the Ontario legislature to end the practice of passing on nuclear cost overruns to ratepayers and taxpayers.

Fukushima nuclear disaster 'human-made' report The report catalogued serious deficiencies in both the government and plant operator Tepco's response. It also blamed cultural conventions and a reluctance to question authority - and much more! READ ON MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 9, 2012

Community Wind Arrives Stateside -European models of co-operative ownership of wind farms are now taking off in North America.

According to the American Wind Industry Association's (AWEA) annual market report, the community wind segment is growing at a faster pace than commercial wind, capturing 5.6 percent of the overall wind market at the end of 2010 and projected to have MORE    added: Friday, Jul. 6, 2012

TIDEScanada Energy Initiative launches cleanenergycanada.org - CLEAN ENERGY CANADA - Let's make A BOLD PLAN"

This summer, provincial leaders will meet in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to discuss the idea of a Canadian energy strategy. We need to make sure that all Canadians have a say—and not just one sector or industry. We can reduce the risk of oil spills, fight gl MORE    added: Friday, Jul. 6, 2012

We’re about to push the Earth over the brink, new study finds

There’s a new scientific paper out in the journal Nature called “Approaching a state shift in Earth’s biosphere.” In a sane world, it would be front page news. MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 5, 2012

Wind, wildfires,drought, floods not just freaky, scientists say

Is it just freakish weather or something more? Climate scientists suggest that if you want a glimpse of some of the worst of global warming, take a look at U.S. weather in recent weeks. MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 5, 2012

Ottawa not protecting the environment - Record OPINION letter

Some recent Record headlines read Via Rail Cuts, Warmest 12 Months on Record in the Region, and another Many Canadian Bird Species in Decline. These follow two major events with far-reaching consequences to the environment. Ottawa has abdicated its role. MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 5, 2012

Marchers protest nuclear waste plans - Southampton June 30

About 500 people marched in Southampton Saturday to protest plans to have nuclear waste buried in this Lake Huron community. MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 4, 2012

Asia Report: Toshiba Plans Japan's Largest PV Project

Toshiba announced plans this week to install 100-megawatts (MW) worth of PV plants in the devastated Fukushima region of Japan as the solar industry continues to jockey to take advantage of lucrative Feed-in Tariffs announced starting July. MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 29, 2012

Why Gas Prices are TOO HIGH - The average price per US gallon is $3.92. Everything you ever wanted to know and more about gas prices.

Save $2000 per year, switching to an electric car could save you up to $2000 per year and growing. Learn more about why switching to renewable energy and away from fossil/nuclear non-renewables makes so much sense. MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 29, 2012

Electric Vehicles: Payback and Potential

If you commute about 20 miles to work (40 miles round-trip) in a conventional car (~25 miles per gallon), you will burn about 1.6 gallons each day. At $3.50 per gallon, then your car’s burns about $5.60 per day. The Volt in this study costs about $1.12. MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 29, 2012

Kitchener-Waterloo is calling you - make the K-W By-Election issue the ENERGY Issue

Sign our petition calling on all the by-election candidates to sign our Electricity Consumer Protection Pledge. Backroom deals with enormous hidden costs are not in Ontarians’ best interest and candidates must be strongly encouraged to sign the pledge. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jun. 26, 2012

Rio+20 failure sets stage for climate ‘ecocide’

There is no law against “ecocide” now. That will only come to pass when the damage to the environment has become so extreme that large numbers of people are dying from it, even in rich and powerful countries. The powerless poor are already dying. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jun. 26, 2012

Rio+20 earth summit ends with good intentions, but few commitments

The huge Rio de Janeiro summit on sustainable development is drawing to a messy close and the end results mean Canada does not have to lift a finger to fulfill the meeting’s vision. MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 25, 2012

Each of us is complicit every time an oil spill sullies the environment - Woolwich Observer editorial

Every time an oil-soaked sea otter washes up on shore, you’re to blame. Well, not just you. Me, too. And everyone else. Our oil-addicted way of life means the stuff keeps flowing. Some of it spills out into the environment. 3 spills - one month - Alberta MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 25, 2012

Wind developers look to Ontario in the midst of PTC uncertainty

Planning for wind energy developments in the U.S. for 2013 is literally at a stand-still due to the uncertainty of an extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC). But that isn’t stopping developers from moving forward with new projects for next year. MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 22, 2012

NO NUKES NEWS for June 21 - Alternatives to nuclear energy are thousand times more abundant and million times less risky. To push nuclear plants after Fukushima is pure insanity. – Vandana Shiva

Energy giant RWE pulls plug on nuclear power in favour of solar Huge delays in such construction projects in France and Finland have apparently convinced the company that nuclear power is not worth the financial risk. And much much more - read on! MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 22, 2012

Look at this picture of the Arctic now, because it’s probably your last chance

The Artic ice cover there has been decreasing fast enough that within 20 years, a photo of the Arctic taken at this time of year would show no floating sea ice at all. MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 22, 2012

World Energy Revolution? Not Yet - But, for the first time ever, more money was doled out for renewables than for new fossil fuel plants - according to UN Environmental Program Annual Report

Although a worldwide transition to a low carbon, resource-efficient green economy is far away, the new UN Environmental Program annual report is out, which gives us a bird’s eye view of the global picture. The bright side is that in 2011 investment in ren MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 21, 2012

NO NUKES NEWS for June 15 - We remember Sister Rosalie Bertell a member of the GREY Nuns,in our prayers, along with all the people who were victims of nuclear disasters and the many other societal ills that were concerns of her heart and her life's work

‘Henry David Thoureau said “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” This simple message carries with it the seeds of hope for creating the essential changes in our world for the benefit of all species on Earth. READ ON MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 21, 2012

For shame, America: Canadians dominate dubious awards in Rio

There was a day when the United States was a noble nation, a regular presence atop the podium, always leading the medal count. Now, the Canadians are eating our lunch — and they’re not being nice about it. “Yeah, you guys used to win all these awards,” MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 21, 2012

Going in Reverse: The Tar Sands Oil Threat to Central Canada and New England - This report, just released, features the risks of Enbridge LIne 9 to the Grand River watershed

Under the plan, the pipeline would carry Canadian tar sands oil, the dirtiest oil on the planet, through some of the most important natural and cultural places in Ontario, Quebec, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Any tar sands spill in these areas coul MORE    added: Wednesday, Jun. 20, 2012

Solar Boom Heads to Japan Creating $9.6 Billion Market

Japan is poised to overtake Germany and Italy to become the world's second-biggest market for solar power as incentives starting July 1 drive sales for equipment makers from Yingli Green Energy Holdings Co. to Kyocera Corp. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jun. 19, 2012

The NEW hydropower: Small-scale turbines have big potential

A bright yellow turbine resembling a 15-foot roll of Scotch tape was dropped into the gushing waterway near Yakima, Wash., in March to generate cheap, renewable electricity while emitting no carbon. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jun. 19, 2012

Yes, the economy could soon run on (mostly) renewable power

The central conclusion of the analysis is that renewable electricity generation from technologies that are commercially available today, in combination with a more flexible electric system, is more than adequate to supply 80% of total U.S. electricity ge MORE    added: Tuesday, Jun. 19, 2012

Climate change is simple: We do something or we’re screwed - David Roberts

Back in April, The Evergreen State College invited me to speak at a TEDx event called “Hello Climate Change: Rethinking the Unthinkable.” Videos from the event are now online. I’ve put an annotated version of my slideshow beneath the video, linking to MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 18, 2012

Canada awarded dubious distinction at Rio talks

A fresh round of global environment talks has just begun, and Canada has the dubious distinction of being the second country to receive a “Fossil of the Day” award. Tens of thousands of government delegates and organizations from around the world are gat MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 18, 2012

Climate change focus of University of Waterloo - UW releases plan for extreme weather

The Climate Change Adaptation Project released a report on Monday that highlights priority industries and actions that need to be taken to prevent environmental crises in Canada as average temperatures are expected to rise 2C by 2020 and up to 4C in the MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 14, 2012

Solar Provides 10 Percent of Germany's Electricity in May

Last month was a big one for the German solar industry. According to figures released by a German water and energy trade association, distributed solar photovoltaic systems produced 10 percent of MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 14, 2012

Renewable Rankings Galore: How G20 Nations Measure Up

As the world leaders from industrial giants and developing nations pack their bags for the Rio+20 Earth Summit later this month, the Natural Resources Defense Council used the opportunity to examine how G20 nations are faring on both renewable generation MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 14, 2012

Local Ownership Doubles Economic Value of Wind - Local ownership of a wind project accounts for half of its lifetime economic value to the community!

A complete value creation chain means more profit for the community. The more stages of the broadly diversified value creation chain are located in a community, the more income, profits and taxes will be generated. MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 14, 2012

U.S. market for solar likely to double this year - Wall Street Journal

The U.S. market for solar panels is likely to double in 2012, thanks to government policies and falling prices, although new tariffs on panels imported from China could contribute to slower growth in 2013, according to a new study. MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 14, 2012

Something new under the sun - Erb Street Mennonite Church, Waterloo, Ont., had new solar panels installed last month. PLUS brief report on the POWERFUL Investing event held May 12.

Representatives from the credit union and the Elmira and Hillcrest congregations spoke about their solar programs at the May 12 “Powerful Investing” conference in Kitchener that was organized by REEP Green, CREW, and Greening Sacred Spaces. MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 14, 2012

GREENS could provide tie-breaking vote, party leader says

Picking the Green party candidate in the upcoming Kitchener-Waterloo byelection could give the community the tie-breaking vote in Ontario’s minority parliament, party leader Mike Schreiner says. MORE    added: Wednesday, Jun. 13, 2012

Americans for Prosperity to protest pro-wind rally of ‘extremist’ kite-flying kids

Yes, that’s right. With monetary assistance from the Koch Brothers, AFP will be going toe-to-toe with these kite-flying kids who represent such a threat to the free market. Here’s how the Sierra Club describes the event in support of Global Wind Day: “We MORE    added: Wednesday, Jun. 13, 2012

Ontario homeowners need better energy protection - Environmental Commissioner for Ontario speaks up in this opinion article

As environmental commissioner, I believe the public interest is not being served by this inaction on home energy audits. Consumers’ interests are being harmed by the lack of transparency related to energy use in the home. The government’s stalling is puz MORE    added: Tuesday, Jun. 12, 2012

Restoring Balance: A Review of the First Three Years of the Green Energy Act - Energy Conservation Progress Report - Environmental Commissioner of Ontario - We are falling way short!

The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario released Volume 1 of his 2011 Annual Energy Conservation Progress Report to the Legislature on June 5th, 2012. The report focuses on four key energy conservation policy commitments made to develop a culture of co MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 11, 2012

Cleanup of latest Alberta oil spill could take all summer

Gord Johnston’s tranquil life along the Red Deer River in central Alberta was shattered Thursday night as the nauseating scent of crude oil hung in the air and a coffee-coloured liquid lapped the banks near his home. MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 11, 2012

A more efficient energy future is needed as demand grows, oil industry spokesperson says - In the future, cars will use less fuel and people will be using solar and wind power to a greater extent. Technology will give us a much more energy-efficient world

“The part I find really staggering is just how much energy we use,” said Cindy Christopher, manager of environmental policy and planning for Imperial Oil Ltd. She spoke about the world’s energy future at a Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce MORE    added: Sunday, Jun. 10, 2012

The Legacy of Chernobyl - 26 years after the meltdown of Chernobyl, the legacy of the 1986 explosion lives on. View PHOTOS by award winning photographer Paul Fusco.

"It is a disaster that left a 30-kilometre uninhabitable exclusion zone, displaced hundreds of thousands of people, and still threatens the lives of tens of thousands," writes Greenpeace today. "The nuclear industry still hasn't realized or admitted that MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 8, 2012

Whitchurch-Stouffville Residents Putting the 'Community' in 'Community Power'

The Whitchurch-Stouffville Community Energy Co-operative (WSCEC) held its first public meeting on May 22,2012 for a cooperatively-owned solar power project in Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ontario. As their initial project, WSCEC is planning to install a 250kW MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 8, 2012

A review of solar photovoltaic levelized cost of electricity - "grid parity" increasingly the case - Queens University

The main complaint raised against the increase in solar power is the cost. This review by Queen's University researchers examines how that cost is calculated, and shows that "grid parity" is increasingly the case, and is growing on a geographic basis. MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 7, 2012

Geothermal Heat Pumps: The Next Generation - The most efficient way to heat and cool a building just got more efficient.

Climatemaster, a division of LSB Industries (NYSE:LXU), recently announced that their new Trilogy 40 geothermal heat pump (GHP) had been certified by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) to exceed 40 Energy Efficiency Ratio MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 7, 2012

California Feed-in Tariff for Poor Communities Passes Assembly

A bill to create feed-in tariffs for the poor and the disadvantaged passed the California Assembly on 30 May 2012. It is also the first time in North America that advocates for the poor and disadvantaged have called for equal opportunity to develop renew MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 7, 2012

Can climate hawks campaign for something good instead of against something bad? YES

One often hears it said — indeed, I’ve said it myself many times — that the environmental movement has become lamentably oppositional. It’s against this power plant, that factory, this energy project, that chemical, this mine or oil well, that trade deal MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 7, 2012

Byelection NEWS - City councillor joins race for PC nomination in Kitchener-Waterloo - CREW's DEREK SATNIK throws in hat for GREEN Party

Green buildings engineer Derek Satnik joins researcher Stacey Danckert to contest the Ontario Green party nomination. Nominations will be accepted until June 13. MORE    added: Wednesday, Jun. 6, 2012

Ministers fan out to promote environmental policy ahead of cyber protest

OTTAWA - The Harper cabinet is hoping to get ahead of a planned cyber protest by putting on a Canada-wide full-court press to persuade voters that less is more in the area of environmental protection. Ten cabinet ministers are fanning out across the coun MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 4, 2012

NO NUKES NEWS - June 1, 2012 – Please pass this onto a friend! June 1, 2012

From a report from Waterloo, May 31: When asked for his views on Nuclear Power, Bill McKibbon said it's like burning $10 bills for fuel. It's an outrageous expense is not needed when Green Energy infrastructure choices exist and have proven cheaper. MORE    added: Saturday, Jun. 2, 2012

Solar Electric Transit Bus Comes to North America

Imagine a large 12 meter long bus, quietly humming down your street, roof covered with solar panels, electric motor driven and running entirely on clean renewable energy. Well these buses are available and operating today in China. Now they are coming to MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 1, 2012

The truth about renewable energy: Inexpensive, reliable, and inexhaustible

Renewable energy actually reduces electricity prices for businesses and consumers. A new analysis [PDF] conducted by Synapse Energy Economics on behalf of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid found that adding more wind power to the electric grid could redu MORE    added: Thursday, May. 31, 2012

Solar Plane in Madrid, Next Stop Morocco to connect continents with power of sun

Solar flight coincides with launch of World Bank-financed solar project in Morocco to connect continents with power of Sahara sun. The Swiss solar-powered plane, Solar Impulse, successfully completed the first leg of its record-breaking 2,500-kilometer MORE    added: Monday, May. 28, 2012

Germany sets new solar power record, institute says

German solar power plants produced a world record 22 gigawatts of electricity per hour - equal to 20 nuclear power stations at full capacity - through the midday hours on Friday and Saturday, the head of a renewable energy think tank said. MORE    added: Monday, May. 28, 2012

We can’t turn a blind eye any longer to nuclear waste - RECORD opinion article

A packed council chambers in Saugeen Shores, where I now live, stood in stunned amazement as its local council — once again — took a huge step toward changing the face of this lakeside community with no discussion, no debate. Absolutely none. MORE    added: Saturday, May. 26, 2012

Harper’s attacks on environmental organizations unnecessary and counterproductive - RECORD opinion article

By slamming environmental groups, weakening the environmental review process, and scrapping the National Round Table on the Environment and Economy, Harper has not only threatened progress from Canadian environmental organizations, he has also damaged his MORE    added: Saturday, May. 26, 2012

NO NUKES NEWS: For May 25, 2012 –“Electricity is but the fleeting byproduct of nuclear power. The actual product is forever deadly nuclear waste.” Michael Keegan - MUCH MORE, READ ON... Please pass this onto a friend!

Nukes driving up power bills “We need to create a coalition of citizens to persuade Premier Dalton McGuinty and (Conservative Leader) Tim Hudak to say no to a nuclear program,” said Jack Gibbons. There goes CANDU - SNC Lavalin scandal compromises CANDU MORE    added: Friday, May. 25, 2012

NUCLEAR IS DRIVING UP THE COST OF ENERGY - Waterloo Chronicle Letter To the Editor

The Ontario Energy Board just released a report that gave over 100 pages worth of detail on the rising cost of energy. Wind and solar energy in Ontario were shown as being clearly responsible for six per cent of the increase in Ontario’s energy costs. MORE    added: Friday, May. 25, 2012

JOIN US! HELP US! Continue to express your outrage that council has moved Saugeen Shores to Step 2 of the DGR process.

Please help us spread awareness of this issue by voting in the Shoreline Beacon online poll. Look for the "Online News Poll" located at the center of the home page. Click on the link below: Vote "NO" now! • An article was written in the Shoreline Beaco MORE    added: Friday, May. 25, 2012

Apple to Power 3 Data Centers with 100 Percent Renewable Energy

Apple announced yesterday that its new data center in Malden, North Carolina, which will draw about 20-MW of power at full capacity, would be powered by 100 percent renewable energy, with 60 percent coming from onsite solar and fuel cells. According to MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 22, 2012

Wind energy costs falling - Record Letter to the Editor response to Opinion article: The expensive failure of green energy — May 4

Gwyn Morgan, in his column, makes the basic error of comparing the cost of new wind energy to the cost of existing power generation instead of comparing the cost to alternative forms of electricity generation that could be built today. Wind energy is cos MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 15, 2012

Province recognizes REEP as a community leader

WATERLOO REGION — REEP Green Solutions, a local leader in environmental action, has been honoured by the province for its promotion of sustainable practices. REEP received the Ministry of Environment’s 2011 Award for Environmental Excellence in the MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 15, 2012

Feds will likely fall short on 2020 greenhouse gas targets: auditor

OTTAWA - The federal government still has no solid plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and it’s almost certainly too late for it to recover in time to reach its 2020 goals, says a new environmental audit. MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 15, 2012

Ottawa could pay billions in costs for lax environmental regulation

The government is looking at $7.7 billion in cleanup costs for contaminated sites, but has only set aside a fraction of the necessary funding, the auditor found. The list of 13,000 sites yet to be remediated include Woodside National Historic Park in Kit MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 15, 2012

Study Compares Energy Sources From 'Cradle-to-Grave'

This week, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released an analysis that lets users compare, contrast and better understand what a lifespan of emissions means for project permitting, environmental impacts and futur MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 15, 2012

NO NUKES News for May 10, 2012 – Read on and please pass this onto a friend!

“We do not know what to do hazardous nuclear waste. A nuclear power plant is like a mansion without toilet. Nuclear does not allow an error - we actually have enough other sources of power and do not need nuclear power.” - Koide Hiroaki,Kyoto University MORE    added: Friday, May. 11, 2012

Nuclear costs dwarf impact of green energy - Ontario Clean Air Alliance responds to RECORD opinion page article - Re: The expensive failure of green energy — May 4

In this column, Gwyn Morgan, chair of nuclear power plant builder SNC-Lavalin, laments the fact that green energy is pushing up Ontario’s electricity prices. What Morgan failed to mention is that the impact of green energy on Ontario’s electricity prices MORE    added: Thursday, May. 10, 2012

Decisions needed on renewable energy - RECORD letter to the editor Re: Ontario consumers start paying more for electricity — May 1

Why is it no surprise that electricity rates are going up? Way back in the 1950s when nuclear energy was touted as cheap, so cheap in fact that it wouldn’t be worth metering hydro consumption, meters were going to be a thing of the past. Back to reality. MORE    added: Thursday, May. 10, 2012

Japanese Proposed Tariffs Submitted

In what may be the most significant renewable energy policy development worldwide in years, Japanese authorities are circulating proposed feed-in tariffs that-if confirmed by the Minister of Trade later this month-could lead to a crash renewables program MORE    added: Thursday, May. 10, 2012

Criticism Rains Down Over Cloud Data Centers - Massive Energy Use and Sources

New Hampshire, USA — Knowledge has always been power, but how that information is stored has emerged as one of the most challenging issues facing the evolution of technology. Some of these sprawling complexes consume enough energy to power a small city. MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 8, 2012

Ontario Feed-in Tariff Prices Drop - continues a trend of falling costs for renewable energy around the world

Ontario just completed a revision of their landmark feed-in tariff program and rates for renewable electricity generation and prices fell sharply: 30 percent for solar and 15 percent for wind power. This continues a trend of falling costs for renewable MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 8, 2012

Solar Voyage: Around the World in 584 Days

On Friday, the world’s first around-the-world solar expedition pulled into Monaco, completing its historic journey in 584 days. But the bigger number was the zero ounces of fuel needed to power the 31-meter-long PlanetSolar. MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 8, 2012

NO NUKES NEWS for May 3, 2012 - READ ON.....Change to renewable and save money and oh yea save the environment too!

It's almost a cliché to refer to a "paradigm shift," but that is what we need to meet the challenge of the environmental crisis our species has created. David Suzuki MORE    added: Friday, May. 4, 2012

Three Charts Illustrate Why Solar Has Hit a True Tipping Point

A new report from the prominent global consulting firm McKinsey shows why solar photovoltaics have hit a tipping point. As the economics of solar PV continue to improve steadily and dramatically, McKinsey analysts conclude that the yearly “economic pote MORE    added: Thursday, May. 3, 2012

PV for All: Low-Income Housing Residents Going Solar

DENVER -- Until recently, the low-income housing community has been a tough nut for the solar industry to crack. Low-income housing developments have historically avoided going solar due to the obvious difficulties of incorporating high-cost, discretiona MORE    added: Thursday, May. 3, 2012

Nuclear Main Source of Increased Electricity Prices in Ontario

Nuclear advocates have blamed renewable energy for driving up Ontario's electricity rates. A new report by the Ontario Energy Board tells a different story: Nuclear has been responsible for 45% of recent increases on your electricity bill. Meanwhile, t MORE    added: Wednesday, May. 2, 2012

Wind energy predictions in Ontario hit new highs

Wind energy has been called the most divisive issue ever in rural Ontario. I’m not sure that’s true, and it’s hard to quantify. But there’s no doubt wind energy — or more specifically, the turbines that turn wind into energy — has raised hackles with cit MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 1, 2012

Iceland Attracts New Business with Clean Energy

The North Atlantic island is trying to reel foreign industry on to its shores to prop up an economy still recovering from the 2008 banking collapse. For bait, it is dangling what no other country in the world can — 100 percent renewable electricity. MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 1, 2012

GREEN ENERGY having growing pains, but renewables are the future - editorial - Woolwich Observer

As a provincial policy, green energy has been something of a flop, at least in the short term. With demand down and capacity growing, wholesale prices have fallen, widening the gap between conventional sources and what Ontario is paying for electricity MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 30, 2012

Pair of Elmira churches receive GREEN awards

Both this year’s winners of Green Sacred Spaces (GSS) awards hail from Elmira. Trinity United Church and Elmira Mennonite Church will be presented the GSS Award on May 12. The award recognizes the contributions the two churches have made towards making a MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 30, 2012

Ontario consumers start paying more for electricity starting Tuesday - May 1 - "mainly reflects cost of upgrading Ontario's electricity system - not green power" - Energy Minister Bentley

The Ontario Energy Board reviews the rates twice a year and says prices are changing as coal-fired generation declines and is replaced with natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. "Reality is that very little of the price increase is renewable energy" MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 30, 2012

Who can stop the wind? These residents are trying - BUT others want to do their part in promoting GREEN energy, and reducing the use of fossil fuels

STAYNER—The little hut not far from the end of Kevin Elwood’s airstrip looks more like a hobbit house than anything: almost a play house, a mere 16 by 20 feet. The residents have been sprinkling mini-houses like Elwood’s in the path of proposed turbines MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 26, 2012

NO NUKES NEWS for April 26 - Ukraine Marks 26th Anniversary of Chernobyl - What can we learn?

Ontario Liberals get FIT but may still nuke green energy "The best thing the government could do to build on the success of the Green Energy Act would be to come clean on nuclear costs. Ontarians are consistently misled on the costs of nuclear generation MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 26, 2012

Report: US Re-takes Lead In Clean Energy Race from China... But Not For Long

According to the just-released report "Who's Winning the Clean Energy Race?" from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the United States invested the most in clean energy of any country in 2011, retaking the lead from China, which had held the top spot for the las MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 24, 2012

Air-conditioning replaces industrial power usage

Electricity consumption among the 88,000 customers of Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro is nearing its pre-recession peak. Jerry Van Ooteghem, the president and chief executive officer of the local utility, said the 2011 peak demand occurred on July 21 at 377 mega MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 24, 2012

Asia Report: Japan Solar FiT Likely In Line With Industry Request

It's been a year of slow, deliberate debate as Japan plots its future without nuclear power. That future will gain some clarity later this month when a panel charged with recommending Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) for solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and hydropo MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 24, 2012

Electricity deal no deal for consumers

On April 10th, in response to more than 600 emails from OCAA supporters, Andrea Horwath made her support for the provincial budget conditional on a review of “the electricity sector to bring down costs.”Here is what she got from Premier McGuinty: MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 24, 2012

An OPEN LETTER to the Mayor and Members of Saugeen Shores Council - Regarding site for ALL of Canada's NUCLEAR WASTE under Lake Huron

The NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (NWMO) has the single objective of finding a site to locate a Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for all of Canada’s highly radioactive, used nuclear fuel bundles. This spent fuel remains dangerously radioactive fo MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 24, 2012

Can you give me a VOICE? HELP MAKE EVERY DAY EARTH DAY! Stand Up For Change!

An Earth Day Video - by Christa Yost, made with the help of her faith community, Hillcrest Mennonite Church, “Fusion” group for EARTH DAY. Please share this video 'Can You Give Me a Voice?' as widely as you can. Click on the 'MORE' for the link. - MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 23, 2012

Putting Faith in a green planet, Congregations are embracing green movement - Hillcrest Mennonite believes going 'green' shows leadership

Rob Yost, green advocate on the facilities and finance team at Hillcrest Mennonite Church in New Hamburg, helped move the congregation to install a huge solar panel array. Hillcrest is among many area faith communities embracing an Earth-friendly approa MORE    added: Saturday, Apr. 21, 2012

Government must foster low-carbon economy

Re: Helping the Earth prosper — April 16 - As a society, we need policies at municipal, regional, provincial, and federal levels that encourage us to live within our ecological means. Otherwise, the most vulnerable will suffer the most from escalating in MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 20, 2012

Refundable Federal Tax Credit Could Remove Barrier to Community Wind - US

Last month, President Obama’s Treasury Department released proposed reforms to a number of business taxes including the federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind power projects. The reform proposal would make the tax credit permanent, but more import MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 18, 2012

Solar Top 10: SEPA List Details Key Utility Trends in the US

In 2011, solar became a far deeper ingrained part of energy portfolios for utilities across much of the United States, and that adoption was fueled by significant leaps in everything from large-scale power plants to residential rooftops. MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 18, 2012

Bringing Solar to the Masses: Community Shared Solar Gains Popularity Nationwide

There are a lot of Americans who would love to get their energy from solar, but can't. They live in apartments and condos and don't own their rooftop. Or their home or business roof is shaded. Enter community shared solar, an emerging model that expands MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012

World Wind Power Climbs to New Record in 2011

Wind energy developers installed a record 41,000 megawatts of electricity-generating capacity in 2011, bringing the world total to 238,000 megawatts. With more than 80 countries now harnessing the wind, there is enough installed wind power capacity world MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 16, 2012

Renewables Experience Explosive Growth in First Three Years of Obama Administration

According to the most recent issue of the "Monthly Energy Review" by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), with data through December 31, 2011, renewable energy sources expanded rapidly during the first three years of the Obama Administration MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 12, 2012

The TRUE COST of Renewable Energy and Conservation - Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

There has been much effort made in the media to lead the public to believe that their electricity bills have been spiralling due to the cost of subsidies to wind and solar initiatives of our energy conservation programs. Not mentioned are the subsidies MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 12, 2012

Let’s save $$ billions, not millions

Nuclear is simply the highest cost option for keeping our lights on – even if we accept the tremendously optimistic cost estimates the government has used to justify its plan to build new nuclear units. We can save billions by switching to options like MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012

All's not lost, Ontario. The future is GREEN, not black

The Liberal government is slashing spending to maintain the province’s credit rating. And to top it off, it’s wasting money promoting green energy. There’s just one problem with this pop wisdom: It’s largely nonsense MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 9, 2012

Nuclear-waste dump proposal sparks protest in cottage country

The battles lines are drawn in Saugeen Shores over the contentious issue of whether this Lake Huron tourist community should be the site of Canada’s first underground repository for high-level nuclear waste. Saugeen Shores is one of about 10 communities MORE    added: Saturday, Apr. 7, 2012

Los Angeles Set To Launch a Feed-in Tariff Program

A feed-in tariff may never become a federal mandate, but it's enjoying a wider support among some local — particularly municipal — utilities these days. To wit: Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved a feed-in tariff program that will enable the Lo MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 5, 2012

CLIMATE CATASTROPHE - Tipping Point Ahead - Are we really near the point of NO RETURN?

“This really isn’t about polar bears any more. At this very moment, the fate of civilization itself hangs in the balance.” See short animated film 'Wake Up, Freak Out - then Get a Grip.' MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 3, 2012

The Emerging Battle for Energy Security

The US Department of Defense is leading an effort to increase its use of renewable energy — all in the name of cutting spending and saving lives. MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 3, 2012

A True 'All of the Above' Energy Policy: Denmark Affirms Commitment to 100% Renewable Energy by 2050

Denmark is known for being a world leader in wind electricity. But there's so much more to the country's renewable energy sector that deserves attention. A recent package of targets passed by the Danish parliament illustrates why diversity is key to a st MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 3, 2012

Top Six Reasons We Need a Better Definition of Clean Energy

If every energy industry representative and every politician uses the term "clean energy" freely, how do we know what it really means? MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 3, 2012

The Power of the Dammed: How Small Hydro Could Rescue America's Dumb Dams

When early 20th century engineers designed America's dams, they only imagined a few key uses like boat navigation, capturing water for crops, or creating a great place to catch bass. Nary a thought was given to how desperately future generations might ne MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 30, 2012

Climate panel forecasts weather disasters; lists Mumbai, Bangkok, Miami

Global warming is leading to such severe storms, droughts and heat waves that countries should prepare for an unprecedented onslaught of deadly and costly weather disasters, an international panel of climate scientists says in a report issued Wednesday. MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 30, 2012

We can influence the provincial budget and save billions – here’s how - YOU CAN HELP!

This is an excellent opportunity for the NDP to introduce into the budget two fiscally sensible measures which will free up billions for all those things you care about like health care and education, while lowering your electricity bills and cleaning th MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 29, 2012

LIFE Co-op Newsletter Spring 2012

Through this shockingly warm March, we trust the members of LIFE Co-op continue to see the value of its vision of “fostering community investments in sustainable resources to reduce our environmental footprint”. LIFE is a leader in changing the way Ontar MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 29, 2012

Lots at Stake in the US as Energy Takes Political Spotlight

Obama’s not running away from renewable energy. In fact, it seems like he’s running toward it faster than anyone expected six months ago. And in an election year, it’s clear that he and his Republican opponents are aiming to make our energy future one of MORE    added: Wednesday, Mar. 28, 2012

From Fukushima Disaster Comes Biomass Energy

In the wake of the March 11, 2011, earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster, nearly all of Japan's 50-plus nuclear plants are now offline, and soon they all will be dark. That's left a gaping hole in Japan's power generation, just ahead of the traditionally MORE    added: Wednesday, Mar. 28, 2012

Andrea Horwath: You can ensure a just budget

Facing a mountain of debt (including from past nuclear projects), the McGuinty Government is planning to cut back on health care and education while continuing wasteful, unsustainable spending on high-cost nuclear power. This is unjust. We have much saf MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 26, 2012

Books: THE LEAP, Calgary writer Chris Turner - How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy. A must read!!

Filled with illustrations of corporations, communities and countries on the vanguard of change and that are finding a sustainable model makes sense in terms of economic and social capital. Strongly suggested as compulsory reading for all politicians, par MORE    added: Saturday, Mar. 24, 2012

Ontario Slashes FiT for Solar, Wind

ew Hampshire, USA -- Ontario's Feed-in Tariff, which has been under constant and considerable pressure from conservative party legislators, received significant cuts Thursday as part of its first review. Enacted in 2009, the generous tariffs are credited MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 23, 2012

Environmental Defence urgently needs your help - under threat by Ethical Oil

Ethical Oil, an organization linked to the oil industry, wants our charitable status revoked. Just yesterday they launched a formal complaint with the federal government alleging Environmental Defence is in violation of the charitable activity requireme MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 23, 2012

Ontario's Wind Power Sector at a Crossroads

Despite having Canada's largest population and being home to an energy-intensive manufacturing sector, Ontario was slow to adopt wind power. As recently as 2006, only 10 turbines were spinning in the province. However, the province is currently home to m MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 22, 2012

Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) supports Province's new Feed-in Tariff rules and pricing

(Toronto, March 22, 2012) The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program update announced today is a positive and natural progression of the FIT program and a victory for communities, First Nations and progressive renewable energy developers."The Government's re-enga MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 22, 2012

We're Standing on the Frontlines of Energy, but Is America Aware?

Retired General Wesley Clark, who was recently added to SoloPower's Board of Directors, lifted the veil on our current industry boom this morning during the keynote session at PVAmerica West in San Jose, Calif. He declared that we are now in the midst of MORE    added: Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012

OSEA welcomes FIT Review decision - Interview Opportunity - Kristopher Stevens, Executive Director of Ontario Sustainable Energy Association

Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) is neither surprised nor concerned that electricity prices from renewable sources under the Feed-in tariff (FIT) are expected to drop by at least 25%. The Government of Ontario has demonstrated leadership by MORE    added: Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012

AET builds sustainable environmental consulting business - congratulations to another proactive CREW member - Larry along with his son, Scott Freiburger

When Scott Freiburger was a young man helping out on construction job sites, where his dad was a project manager, he saw a lot buildings rise from the ground. But he also saw the terrible waste of materials. That experience led to his firm belief in sust MORE    added: Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012

Zero Net Energy Buildings Emerging as Market Driver for Solar

The concept of zero net energy buildings and communities—designed to produce as much energy from onsite renewable resources annually as they consume—is gaining momentum across the U.S. in both the residential and commercial sectors. Signs of the increased MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 20, 2012

Bruce Nuclear power plant shut down during re-start because of leak

On Saturday, March 17, 2012, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) said it was informed of a moderator leak on Bruce A Unit 2 as it was being re-started following refurbishment. The CNSC said Bruce Power staff took the appropriate action and retu MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 20, 2012

Tell the Senate to stop trying to silence opposing views - write a letter - Suzuki

If you support our work and the work of other environmental organizations, please send the government and the senators a message. Tell them that democracy requires listening to what all Canadians have to say and not trying to demonize or silence those wi MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 20, 2012

Stand up for Green Energy - SIGN THE PETITION TODAY!

ill 42 is a proposed law that would abolish Ontario's Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program, a key part of Ontario’s Green Energy Act. According to Al Gore, it’s "widely recognized now as the single best program on the North American continent," We need to stop t MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 20, 2012

Energizing the Drummond Report - Ontario can reap multi-billion dollar electricity savings

Ontario’s electricity bills can be reduced from $1.7 billion - $9.1 billion per year by importing water power from Quebec and investing in energy efficiency and natural gas-fired combined heat and power plants rather than continued wasteful spending on MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 20, 2012

NDP INTRODUCES MOTION TO SAVE POPULAR HOME RETROFIT PROGRAM - With Conservatives, Canada is falling behind on clean energy investments.

OTTAWA – The ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program was so popular with Canadians – reducing heating bills, helping the environment, and creating clean energy jobs – that the NDP wants Parliament to review its cancellation by the Conservative government. MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 19, 2012

CHECK THE FULL TVO MOVIE AND PROGRAM SCHEDULE - WATER WEEK CANADA. Toronto 2012 Water Docs Film Series opens on 19 March, and runs weekly through to 22 April, Earth Day. Free …

TVOntario celebrates water week with films such as The Water Brothers, White Water, Black Gold, The Refugees of the Blue Planet, Water on the Table, Toxic Trespass, and MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 19, 2012

No Nukes News - PBS has done a fantastic 3-part news documentary on Fukushima - read on....

1. Near Fukushima, a Big 'Guessing Game' Over Radiation's Long-Term Risks 2. After 500 Years in Family, Rice Farmers Forced Off Land by Fukushima 3. Fukushima's Food Fallout: Testing Groceries for Radiation in Japan -- and much MORE    added: Saturday, Mar. 17, 2012

President Obama Launches EV-Everywhere Challenge

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Obama on March 7 launched DOE's EV-Everywhere Challenge, allowing scientists, engineers, and businesses to collaborate to make electric vehicles (EV) more affordable than gasoline-powered vehicles in 10 years. The challenge MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 16, 2012

Minnesota Electricity Could Be 100% Renewable, 100% Local

A new report released today by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research shows that Minnesota can meet 100% of its electricity needs with in-state wind and solar power, and (with ample energy efficiency investments) at a comparable cost to its MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 15, 2012

Solar Industry's Exponential Growth in 2011 Indicates Healthy US PV Market

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- It wasn't too many years ago when the installing more than 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar PV in the U.S. in one year was a pipedream. But according to the latest U.S. Solar Market Insight Report, in 2011 the industry didn't just eek out mor MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 15, 2012

CREW/LIFE member sends open letter to PC MPP(s)- you can too!

Do you know why I dislike politics so much? It is because all the parties seem to do is fight and argue and point out the flaws in each other. It is high time that politicians grow up and assume their roles as leaders..a good opposition should step in MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 15, 2012

URGENT ACTION REQUIRED!! Ontario needs jobs and GREEN energy!Tim Hudak's Bill 42 will kill GREEN energy in Ontario.

Ontario needs jobs and GREEN energy. Tim Hudak disagrees. His Bill 42 will kill green energy in Ontario. This bill will come to a vote in the legislature next week, on March 22nd. MPPs need to hear your voice. Please send them an email in support of MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 15, 2012

Great Lakes show massive ice loss, study says - Journal of Climate study attributes shrinking ice cover to global warming

Most of the water in the Great Lakes hasn't frozen over this year — largely because of a warmer-than-usual winter — and a new study shows the lakes have been losing ice cover for 40 years. Lake Superior is the coldest of the Great Lakes. Yet only a thin MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 13, 2012

Hudak’s bill proposes to shock system

Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak has put his money where his mouth is by attempting to scrap the province's Feed-in-Tariff subsidy program. But the veteran MPP acknowledges he doesn't believe his private member's bill will get the needed support MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 13, 2012

Over the top: Transit planners look to gondolas to put an end to urban gridlock - What about Aerobus? See link to CREW's thoughts on the issue of SMART TRANSIT

For some reason, people see gondolas as science fiction, it’s just way too much to swallow,” said Bryce Tupper, a Vancouver-based engineer specializing in gondola transit. Every day, thousands of Vancouverites get to work on computer-controlled elevated MORE    added: Sunday, Mar. 11, 2012

Ontarians say wind energy is one of the safest forms of electricity generation, new poll finds

OTTAWA, March 6, 2012 /CNW/ - A high 78 per cent of Ontarians say wind energy is one of the safest forms of electricity generation according to a recent Oracle Research poll commissioned by the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA). The poll was cond MORE    added: Saturday, Mar. 10, 2012

Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller comments on CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGY and ACTION PLAN for Ontario

Back in January, Environmental Canada released Ontario’s first Climate change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan – 2011-2014. March 7th, Gord Miller reviewed the plan and said it was good but there were still things to work upon. See highlights. MORE    added: Saturday, Mar. 10, 2012

This is one of the first fuel-efficient hybrid cars — and it was built in Galt almost 100 years ago.

The power sources under the hood of this 1914 Galt car were gas and electric, and invented by Eddy Fleming and Moffat St. Claire, who also founded the Galt Motor Company. On top is a two-cylinder gasoline engine, with a one-gallon brass fuel tank. This e MORE    added: Saturday, Mar. 10, 2012

Fukushima – what have we learned, and where do we go from here?

It has been a year since an earthquake and tsunami hit the Tokyo Electric nuclear station in Fukushima Japan. This disaster exposed some serious technical shortcomings – including inadequate back-up power supplies (the very issue Canada’s nuclear regula MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 9, 2012

URGENT CALL TO ACTION - Dear CREW members and friends, The time has come again to take a moment to voice your support for Ontario's transition to a green energy future.

The FIT review is nearly done, and the politicians will need to vote on various related items in the near future. Now is when they need to hear our voice and hear it loudly: especially the Progressive Conservatives. As supporters of Ontario's Renewable E MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 8, 2012

Climate change melting backyard hockey rinks in Canada, scientists say

Shorter Canadian winters could well mean no more Wayne Gretzkys, a scientific study reports Monday. Five years of meticulous analysis by researchers at McGill and Concordia universities tracked evidence for the “significant shortening” of the outdoor sk MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 8, 2012

Auditor General's review of renewable energy is flawed, misleading and based on discredited studies

TORONTO, March 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Ontario Highlands Friends of Wind Power released a report today, A Critique of the Auditor General's Report on Renewable Energy Policies. The report concludes that the Auditor General's value-for-money audit of Ontario's MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 8, 2012

The time has come again to take a moment to voice your support for Ontario's transition to a green energy future.

In 2011, Ontario's Solar Industry created 8,200 jobs and generated $2 billion of private sector investment. This is only the start. A recent report found that Ontario's solar energy industry could create 74,000 jobs and over $16 billion if continued gr MORE    added: Wednesday, Mar. 7, 2012

The end of baseload? It may come sooner than you think - Hans-Josef Fell - Germany

One of the principal architects of Germany’s push into renewable energy technologies, Hans-Josef Fell, believes that the country could achieve 100 per cent renewables in its electricity sector by 2030 – and may do it quicker. The rest of the world could MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 5, 2012

Oceans acidifying fastest in 300 million years due to emissions

The Earth’s oceans may be acidifying faster than at any point during the last 300 million years due to industrial emissions, endangering marine life from oysters and reefs to seagoing salmon, researchers said. The scientists found surging levels of carb MORE    added: Sunday, Mar. 4, 2012

Bureaucratic ‘stonewalling’ costing green jobs, manufacturer says

A manufacturer of drain water heat recovery systems in Kitchener says an intransigent bureaucracy at Queen’s Park is costing the industry jobs and home builders a lot of money.Gerald Van Decker, founder and chief executive of Renewability Energy, says MORE    added: Sunday, Mar. 4, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS IN PROVINCIAL OFFICE - CREW addresses URGENT need to take a stand against Private Member`s Bill for a Moratorium on WIND

To: MPPs E. Witmer, J. Milloy, M. Harris, and R. Leone - You will all be well familiar with the Private Member`s Bill to be introduced by Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa Thompson (Huron-Bruce)on March 8th calling for a moratorium on wind energy develop MORE    added: Sunday, Mar. 4, 2012

Energy hub earns top prize for UW students in green challenge

WATERLOO — Arthur Yip and his peers Jake Yeung and Alan Thai are big thinkers when it comes to sustainable energy that will protect the environment and save money. Their idea — selected from 100 submissions across Canada — got them the top prize in the MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 2, 2012

CREW's LEAP YEAR MIXER, Feb 29, a success, welcoming acclaimed sustainable energy author of THE LEAF, Chris Turner exchanging with us on SKYPE

Our CREW Leap Year Mixer, Feb 29, was a great evening with about 30 in attendance in-spite of weather warnings and widespread power outages. We discussed, and networked, much about conservation and renewable energy and what role we can play in the revolu MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 2, 2012

And the winner is... SNC, which leaves Ontario consumers and taxpayers the losers… ACTION REQUIRED! Let your voice be heard!

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has spun its wheel of fortune and chosen SNC-Lavalin and AECON as the winner of what they hope to be the first of many, many lucrative contracts for the refurbishment of the Darlington Nuclear station. SNC, which helpfully MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 2, 2012

OSEA powers up its board with four new Directors - CREW's DEREK SATNIK joins OSEA board

The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association is excited to announce its four new Directors after its Annual General Meeting, held this past Saturday February 25th. The four new Directors join a pragmatic board of future focused leaders committed to the tra MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 1, 2012

Urge MPPs not to drag Ontario backwards! ACTION REQUESTED

Ontario has made huge strides toward a clean energy future by committing to shut down dirty coal plants and scaling up renewable energy sources that don't pollute, like wind and solar. But now, some are trying to drag the province backward to a more poll MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 1, 2012

Municipalities will get more of a say on wind, solar farms: McGuinty

TORONTO — Local governments will have more say over wind and solar energy projects, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Monday after a handful of politicians walked out on his speech to the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association. “I cannot help but observe, a MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 1, 2012

An APPEAL for ACTION from Citizens Climate Lobby Canada

Last summer, many in the business community signed an open letter to leaders of Ontario's political parties asking that they stay the course on the feed-in-tariff program. This letter, with signatures, was sent to all political leaders. Another opportun MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

No Nukes News - DRUMMOND DROPS THE BALL & much more

Drummond Drops the Ball - Drummond misses the two biggest and easiest opportunities to lower our electricity bills and save taxpayers billions: cancel the coal subsidies, and cancel the high-cost nuclear re-investment plan. Send an email to Premier McGui MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

CALL TO ACTION by Environmental Defense - building of windmills in Ontario under threat

We are writing today to ask for your help in ensuring Ontario has a sustainable future. A private member's bill will be debated in the Ontario legislature on March 8th that seeks to place a moratorium on building windmills in Ontario. MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Solar Reduces Electricity Prices in Germany

A study done in Germany by a research institute had some interesting findings. The study found that photovoltaic electricity production reduced electricity prices by a significant amount, by supplying power during peak times. Find out how. MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

GOOD AND BAD. CTV News listens to the concerns of Waterloo Green Solutions’ re cancellation of ecoEnergy program

GOOD AND BAD. CTV News listens to the concerns of Waterloo Green Solutions’ Executive director Mary-Jane Patterson about cancellation of ecoENERGY program, and takes an exciting tour of REEP House, a demonstration house for energy & water efficiency. MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Obama Proposes Tax Reform, Making Renewables Credits Permanent

The US Federal Government is making another pitch for business-tax reform, and within that thrust it is underscoring its support for renewable energy. MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Germany Slashes FIT Subsidies in an Effort to Rein in Solar Power Installations

Bonn, Germany -- Solar power has grown so massively in Germany that the government now plans to rein in the boom in photovoltaic installations by cutting generous subsidiaries. MORE    added: Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Obama: Sticking to "Promise of Clean Energy"

n his Jan. 24 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama reinstated his commitment to renewable energy. Despite the demise of solar manufacturer Solyndra looming over the past year of his term, Obama said that he “will not walk away from the prom MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012

No Nukes News - Fukushima’s No-Entry Zone

Why is it that trivial news stories (for example, reports on Kate Middleton’s wedding dress) often receive disproportionate coverage, while important news stories are sometimes neglected? Here’s my vote for the most neglected news story of 2011: the radi MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012

There is "No Evidence" that Wind Turbine Syndrome Exists, Concludes Expert Panel

A new study released this week by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection finds that “there is no evidence for a set of health effects…that could be characterized as ‘Wind Turbine Syndrome.’” The supposed health impacts pushed by wind op MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012

Announcing Home Sweet Home Competition 2012-13

OntarioGreenSpec.ca opened the 2nd Bi-annual Home Sweet Home Competition on January 10th 2012. All entry details of this unique and demanding province-wide awards program are now on the Home Sweet Home website. The competition will remain open for a full MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012

Obama: The Clean Energy Future is NOW

Obama, in the face of intense political pressure from corporations, opponents and even lobbying from neighbor governments, is choosing to double down on wind and solar anyway. Recent plans to wean the U.S. off its addiction to fossil fuels like oil, coal MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012

Re: Wind turbines are blowing communities apart, farm group says, January 20 - CREW/LIFE responds

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) makes some fair points, but should be careful not to fall into an “anti-wind” position. Many OFA members are keen to pursue opportunities in renewable energy, and why not? Electricity is a profitable “crop,” in MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012

SLOW RAIN

A big day for the RAIN Program in Kitchener and Waterloo. Ontario Ministry of the Environment - Showcasing Water Innovation gives $1,000,000 to the RAIN program. The project is a four-way partnership with City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo, REEP Green MORE    added: Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012

CREW’s Solar City Co-op is Moving Ahead! Read on and learn how can get involved in CREW's newest endeavour.

CREW’s Solar City Co-op initiative is currently looking for rooftops and other sites on which to build community-owned solar projects. We’re also interested to hear from local professionals and citizens interested in acting as Founding Directors of a “ MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 20, 2012

Leading Global Investors Call the False Dichotomy Between Economy and Environment "Nonsense"

A top GE executive is calling the political battle between economy and environment "nonsense." In a video interview at an international clean energy investment conference last week, Mark Vachon, vice president of GE's successful Ecomagination program, ha MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012

BIG VICTORY: KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE REJECTED BY OBAMA!

President Obama acted on the hopes of thousands of Americans who stood up for a clean and safe environment in the face of intense pressure from wealthy big oil interests. This is a big victory in the global fight against climate change, and one that all MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012

Elmira Mennonite Church - GOES GREEN - installing solar PV and supports Grand River CarShare coming to Elmira ... read on

Grand River CarShare’s efforts to expand into Woolwich may have stalled a little bit, but members of Elmira Mennonite Church want to help jumpstart renewed interest in the program. The church has already agreed to provide one of their parking spots at 58 MORE    added: Monday, Jan. 16, 2012

Wind power likely to grow - Observer article features LIFE Wind Co-op

Wind is a very efficient way to capturing energy and transferring it into electricity and this can pay off financially,” said Shane Mulligan project manager for Local Initiative for Future Energy (L.I.F.E.) Co-op based in Kitchener. The turbines have oth MORE    added: Monday, Jan. 16, 2012

Pipeline critics being shut out

Apparently Canada is open for business but closed to criticism, no matter how constructive. This is the clearest conclusion that can be drawn from Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver’s open letter to Canadians, in which he attacks advocates of responsi MORE    added: Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012

Germany Installed 3 GW of Solar PV in December — The U.S. Installed 1.7 GW in All of 2011

n the lead up to another 15 percent reduction in Germany's feed-in tariff (the price paid for solar electricity fed into the grid), the German solar industry finished 2011 off with a bang — installing 3,000 megawatts of solar photovoltaic systems in Decem MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 13, 2012

Oil spill’s lessons are forgotten

As the 2010 Deepwater Horizon tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico fades from public concern, its painful lessons seem to have been lost as well. A year ago this week, the U.S. National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling issu MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 13, 2012

Ontario Ministry of Finance Clarifies Property Tax Treatment of Renewable Energy Installations

On January 4, 2012, Ontario Regulation 282/98 under the Assessment Act was amended to provide greater clarity and introduce new rules governing the property tax treatment of renewable energy installations. The amendments apply to facilities that generate MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 13, 2012

Ontario coal-fired electricity production hits 50-year low and electricity demand down 10%

Last year, Ontario’s coal-fired electricity generation fell to its lowest level in half a century. In 2011, just 2.7% of our electricity generation was coal-fired, our lowest level of coal use since 1961. And there’s more good news: Ontario’s electrici MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012

Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, Joe Oliver, blames foreign-funded “radical environmental groups” for interfering with Canadian oil and gas development.

The reaction from “radical environmentalists” and Canadian citizens has been overwhelming. You’ll want to check out some of these responses and related articles - please explore MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012

Reaping energy savings through REEP Green Solutions - GREAT article! - read on

REEP, a local non-profit group which promotes energy-efficiency in older buildings, estimates that more than 43,000 Waterloo Region houses were built before 1960. Many of them are constructed with plaster-and-lathe walls containing little or no insulatio MORE    added: Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012

SAVE ecoENERGY - Send A Message: Canadians Want to Save Energy First Before Spending Billions on More Energy - Use the simple form provided to send your message.

Energy efficiency should be the first item on Canada’s energy agenda. Canada is about to spend billions on new oil sands projects, pipelines, nuclear and fossil-fuel power stations,hydroelectric dams, solar projects, and wind farms. But as we prepare to MORE    added: Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012

We at CREW WISH YOU AND YOURS a wonderful, Peace-Filled, Joy-Filled and safe Christmas and entry into 2012.

THANK YOU for your interest and support of the work of CREW in 2011. May we, together, have success in helping this Region GO GREEN in 2012, and in so doing, make this world of ours a better place for all. Sincerely, The CREW Board. MORE    added: Monday, Dec. 26, 2011

Local Initiative for Future Energy Co-operative Inc. Christmas Newsletter 2011

Hi there! As the holiday season approaches, LIFE Co-op wants to wish our friends and members the very best through the holidays and in the New Year. The last year, 2011, has been one of the busiest ever for the Co-op, we are thankful to the CEPP, our MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011

NO NUKES NEWS - A new holiday tradition – guess the nuclear costs! – Win $100! ... and much more.

But unlike most holiday traditions of old, the tradition of vastly underestimating the cost of fixing aging nuclear plants in Ontario continues. Take the current Bruce A repair project. Originally forecast to cost $2.75 billion, now already $2B over MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011

Why Canada’s nuclear cleanup will cost billions and take decades

Nuclear power has a back end, too. Radwaste.More than 240,000 tonnes of intensely radioactive civilian waste has piled up around the globe since the dawning of the atomic age. Sixty years on, no one is sure yet how to safely and permanently dispose of MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011

Canadian Solar Industries Association's submission to the FIT Program Review

CanSIA is pleased to submit the attached FIT Program Review recommendation document "Maximizing the Benefits of Early Success: Recommendations for the Sustainability of Ontario's Solar Energy Sector" to the Ontario Government FIT Program Review Team. Aft MORE    added: Friday, Dec. 16, 2011

Ontario Power Authority December NEWS ONLINE - NEWSLETTER

News Online is produced monthly to keep you up-to-date with the latest developments at the OPA. MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011

KYOTO & Canada - We are better than this - a message from Dr. Suzuki

Like all of us at the Foundation, you are likely heartbroken by our government’s reckless decision to break its international commitment to the Kyoto Protocol. Coming on the heels of Canada’s attempts to scuttle the climate talks in Durban, SouthAfrica, MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011

Searching for EARTH FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS GIFTS? CREW can help.

We have a couple of suggestions that will not break the bank and will give you, and whoever you choose to give one to, yourself, family or friends, the potential to save on your electricity bill and reduce your carbon footprint too - helping to save the MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011

Right wing media diverting attention from climate change

For the last week, the David Suzuki Foundation has been under vicious attack from right wing media including the National Post, Fox News, and prominent climate change deniers. This small but aggressive group is denouncing our "Where Will Santa Live" holi MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011

FIT 2.0 - Blueprint for Ontario’s Solar PV Market ~ Public Awareness Campaign

I'm writing to share with you "FIT 2.0 Blueprint for Ontario's Solar PV Market" and to ask you to join us in our "Public Awareness Campaign" that will focus on key elements of the Blueprint. The 16 proposals of this 9 page document are the work of our MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011

Electricity costs will rise, regardless - Letter to the editor by CREW/LIFE member

While I respect the auditor general’s efforts to ensure the people of Ontario get good value for our tax dollars, I feel the statement in your Dec. 6 front page promo, Green Gremlin: Ontario’s green energy policies will add $220 million a year to hydro MORE    added: Monday, Dec. 12, 2011

Climate Action Network Canada responds to outcome of UN climate talks in Durban.

(Durban, South Africa) Following an extra day of negotiations, the UN climate change talks in Durban, South Africa have finished. Hannah McKinnon, Campaigns Director of Climate Action Network Canada has responded as follows: “The most important thing to MORE    added: Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011

Two more coal-fired power units to be shut down in Ontario

The Ontario government said on Dec. 1 that it is permanently shutting down two more coal-fired units at the Ontario Power Generation-owned 2,760 MW Nanticoke Generating Station. MORE    added: Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011

Canada’s performance and positions in Durban

P.J. Partington of the Pembina Institute re-caps Canada's performance in Durban and questions our so called 'fixation' - The second and final week of the UN climate negotiations in Durban, South Africa is now underway. Canada's priorities in the talks a MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011

Billionaire Buffett Bets on Solar Energy

New Hampshire, USA -- The "Oracle of Omaha," who made his fortune by betting on technologies that appear underpriced, is now putting his money into solar. The solar industry got a turbo-boost of both name recognition and mainstream credibility onWednesd MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011

Nuclear Power: Where’s the Business Case?

The International Energy Association has concluded that the biggest challenge facing a more integrated, distributed and sustainable energy system is the unfair competitive advantage created by heavy subsidies for conventional energy. MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011

Is It Time for California to Phase Out Nuclear Power?

Italy recently became the fourth nation to pledge to phase out nuclear power since Japan's Fukushima disaster. Italy accomplished this feat by a popular referendum, soon after Germany did the same in its legislature (Bundestag). Switzerland has also agre MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011

CAW leads renewable energy sector with Ontario’s first union-owned wind project

Ontario’s first 100% union-owned wind energy project breaks ground November 29, 2011, led by the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union. Located at their Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, the single 500 kW wind turbine will generate 1600 MWh of renewable MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011

Help Ontario break free from nuclear

The Fukishima nuclear disaster sent shock waves – and radiation – around the world. And, of course, this disaster is far from over, with radioactive leaks and contamination continuing to this day. The one positive outcome of this terrible tragedy is th MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011

FIT REVIEW: Help shape Ontario's green energy system -The OPA's final submission date -December 14. 2011 - the Ministry of Energy's FIT review online survey and submissions end DECEMBER 14th

OSEA is engaging with our members and partners to collect feedback for the Ontario FIT Program Review. Find resources below to be part of this important process and help shape Ontario's green energy system. As noted throughout OSEA's recent Community P MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011

Asia Report: Mixed Signals Over Emissions

New Hampshire, U.S.A. -- Even as renewable capacity surges ahead despite a down global economy, this past weekend brought a sobering reminder that market forces continue to pull the world toward carbon emissions — and not away from them. At the annual U. MORE    added: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011

MCCO Urges Stronger Commitment to Renewable Energy

MCC Ontario encourages congregations to participate in the Feed-in-Tariff review in support of renewable energy. To care for creation in this way, join your voice to MCCO’s letter of recommendations. Further background information and commentary found MORE    added: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011

South Africa's high commissioner to Canada calls Kent a bully

Mohau Pheko, South Africa’s high commissioner to Canada, said she was particularly disturbed by Kent’s recent suggestions that he would take a hard line approach against developing nations and challenge founding principles of the existing international c MORE    added: Monday, Dec. 5, 2011

One Third of World's Energy Could Be Solar by 2060, Predicts Historically Conservative IEA

The International Energy Agency is notoriously conservative on projections for renewable energy. The agency has embraced the need for more clean electricity and fuels to address climate change and peak oil, but its outlook for the future is usually far m MORE    added: Monday, Dec. 5, 2011

NO NUKES NEWS - Dec. 5, 2011

Nuclear Power Goes Rogue - This spring, Germany permanently shut down eight of its reactors and pledged to shutter the rest by 2022. Shortly thereafter, the Italians voted overwhelmingly to keep their country nonnuclear. Switzerland and Spain followed su MORE    added: Monday, Dec. 5, 2011

Solar Power Economics

Now is the time to start investing in solar power. We are on the cusp of the major turning point where the panels you buy today will be producing electricity for less than any other source of energy at some point in the next two to ten years. If we accou MORE    added: Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011

Electric car to power your home with solar

Nissan sees the future of solar energy. Having developed the most powerful and safe battery system (arguably) in the world, they've now seen that the opportunity now exists to scale production by offering the system as a backup power system for your hous MORE    added: Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011

Visit REEP House for Sustainable Living! Weekly Wednesday Tours & Saturday Open Houses are free to the public

Every week there are two opportunities for you to visit REEP House for Sustainable Living at 20 Mill Street, Kitchener. Drop in and experience REEP’s super-insulated, water-wise century brick home and education centre. At REEP House you will see the foll MORE    added: Friday, Dec. 2, 2011

Dear Members, Friends and Partners - We need your help over the next couple of weeks to hit home the importance of community power and sustainable energy in Ontario.

What's so urgent you ask? The Ontario legislature is currently considering a bill to restrict wind and other renewable energy development in Ontario! We need you to send a message and give your MPPs a call now, urging them to support wind power and other MORE    added: Friday, Dec. 2, 2011

Canada makes it through the day without a Fossil Award - CLIMATE ACTION NEWS

Today was the first day in which Canada has not been awarded a fossil award at the climate change negotiations in Durban, South Africa. This “prize”, given to countries who are blocking progress at the United Nations climate summit, is awarded daily by a MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011

Africans ask Canada to draw the line at Tar Sands

Right now, UN climate negotiations have started in Durban, South Africa. With the world watching, these meetings are an opportunity for countries to show leadership in working together to stop global warming. Unfortunately, Canada is showing up with a bi MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011

Canada off to Disastrous Start at UN Climate Talks

On the first day in Durban, Canada sweeps the floor receiving the top two Fossil Awards. Read more about this epic fail. News leaks hint that Canada intends to negotiate in bad faith for 2 weeks only to conclude by formally withdrawing from the Kyoto MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011

NO NUKES NEWS for this week - read on ....

Nearly a tenth of Japan contaminated - Japan's Science Ministry says nearly 10 per cent of the country's land has been blanketed by radioactive caesium from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011

Feed-in Tariffs: In the US - The Proven Road NOT Taken…Why?

America needs to introduce a nationwide feed-in tariff (FIT) to kick-start the renewable industry, restore America's leadership role, and accelerate the expansion of the renewable industry worldwide. Why is a FIT critical? Current world energy use is ap MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011

Germany an example of how sustainable energy can boost the economy

Chris Turner, author of The Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy, says if Canada wants a sustainable economy, Germany is the model to look at. “What we are actually seeing right now is the failure of a growth economy that’s built on MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011

A Strong Message from the Executive Director

A new chapter has opened in Canada as faith leaders from across the religious spectrum are calling upon all of us to address the global crisis of ocean and climate change. Unprecedented in the breadth of religious calls to action, these leaders blame nob MORE    added: Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011

Hudak and Horwath on the wrong path

Despite the fact that Ontario has a $16 billion deficit, Opposition Leader Tim Hudak and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath are asking Premier McGuinty to increase the deficit by $350 million by removing the HST from home heating bills. While we recognize that s MORE    added: Friday, Nov. 18, 2011

Here Comes the Electric Car

2012 is The Year of the Electric Car. There are at least 7 models coming out, and those are all 100% electric cars. It is a very exciting time. By Andrew E. Dow MORE    added: Friday, Nov. 18, 2011

A Solar Fred Conversation with Shawn Qu, Canadian Solar's CEO: Part 1

Qu named the company Canadian Solar from its founding in 2001. Asked why he chose the name, he said, “I had become a Canadian citizen and I liked Canada. I think Canada is well liked in the world. … I also wanted to choose a simple name with no ambiguity MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011

Crop Scientists Now Fret about Heat Not Just Water - impact of climate change

Crop scientists in the United States, the world's largest food exporter, are pondering an odd question: could the danger of global warming really be the heat? For years, as scientists have assembled data on climate change and pointed with concern at melt MORE    added: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011

Solar-powered Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Sprout Up Across US

Here's a breath of fresh air for the future of electric vehicles (EVs): Cities across the US have been given the green light to install more solar-powered charging stations that promise to energize the demand for electric and hybrid vehicles while reduc MORE    added: Friday, Nov. 11, 2011

The first cut is the deepest. Business as usual for the tar sands industry has come to an end.

Today, we can all celebrate a huge victory. President Obama has agreed to delay the construction of TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline in order to further review its potential impacts, including climate change. This shows the importanc MORE    added: Friday, Nov. 11, 2011

Bruce Nuclear $2 billion over budget – and laughing all the way to the bank - Ontario Clean Air Alliance

The Bruce A nuclear re-start project is now more than $2 billion over budget. Originally forecast to cost $2.75 billion, the project is now projected to cost at least $4.8 billion. But thanks to the sweetheart deal that Bruce Power negotiated with the Go MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011

FIT changes have GREEN SECTOR IN LIMBO

On Monday, October 31, Dalton McGuinty’s government confirmed what many in the renewable sector knew was coming: a review of the province’s lucrative feed-in-tariff (FIT) and microFIT program that rewards those who produce renewable energy with premium MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011

Climate Action Network Canada has a new website! PLUS more news....

We are happy to announce the launch of our new website. We hope that this will be a place where Canadians can gather to learn about and discuss everything pertaining to climate change in Canada. You can check out our News page to find all the latest head MORE    added: Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011

To the members and friends of CREW - regarding the OPA review process for the Feed-in Tariff Program (FIT) and MicroFIT program - read what CREW has to say in response

Last week the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) announced its review process for the Feed-in Tariff Program (FIT) and MicroFIT program. The review itself has long been expected, as part of the OPA’s stated plan from the beginning of the program. However, MORE    added: Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011

NO NUKES NEWS for Nov. 4, 2011 – Please pass this onto a friend!

"We do support Time of Use pricing, but we think the differential between peak and off-peak should be increased," he said. "The cost of generating power during on-peak is much, much higher than off -peak," he said. "We believe we should have prices that MORE    added: Friday, Nov. 4, 2011

Survey Says ... 9 in 10 Americans Want More Solar Energy

According to a survey conducted by independent polling firm Kelton Research, nine out of 10 Americans support the use and development of solar technology. Perhaps more telling considering the political climate is that eight out of 10 respondents indicate MORE    added: Friday, Nov. 4, 2011

Canada’s mayors want a national transit strategy.

Prominent organizations, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Urban Transit Association and the Toronto Board of Trade are all agitating for one. NDP MP Olivia Chow has proposed a bill in the House of Commons to create one. And critic MORE    added: Friday, Nov. 4, 2011

A New Energy Minister Needs a New Energy Plan

At a time when the province is struggling with a soaring deficit, Ontario’s new Energy Minister, Chris Bentley, needs a new plan. Instead of blowing the budget on expensive new nuclear units, the Minister should be harnessing the power of energy efficie MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011

GREEN housing program offers incentives to builders - Kitchener GREEN Housing Incentive Program

For Derek Satnik, living in a green home means better air quality, cheaper utility bills, and locally sourced materials. And, as an environmental and energy-efficiency consultant, Satnik walks the talk. His house on Helena Feasby Drive is the city’s fir MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011

Weather extremes threaten many areas, panel warns

For a world already weary of weather catastrophes, the latest warning from top climate scientists paints a grim future: More floods, more heat waves, more droughts and greater costs to deal with them. A draft summary of an international scientific report MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011

OPA NEWS ONLINE for October - read on....

News Online is produced monthly to keep you up-to-date with the latest developments at the OPA. MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 28, 2011

Weak federal coal regulations spark outrage from Canadians ... & more news - Climate Action News Canada

Last year, former Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced that within a year, the government would be coming out with new federal coal regulations. Prentice assured Canadians that the government was committed to reducing pollution and combating clima MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

Canadian Government still trying to drag Europe through the tar sands .... and more Climate Action NEWS this week

The European Commission is getting ready to finalize its Fuel Quality Directive, that seeks to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of transportation fuels. In order to achieve this, the directive assigns different carbon-output values for different types MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011

Justin Hall-Tipping: Freeing energy from the grid

What would happen if we could generate power from our windowpanes? In this moving talk, entrepreneur Justin Hall-Tipping shows the materials that could make that possible, and how questioning our notion of 'normal' can lead to extraordinary breakthroughs MORE    added: Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011

$20 billion in renewable energy investments power Ontario Clean Technology Alliance at the Solar Power International tradeshow in Dallas, Texas

Toronto – In the same month Forbes Magazine rated Canada as the world’s top country for business, executives from the Ontario Clean Technology Alliance are attending Solar Power International in Dallas to invite environmental technology companies from ar MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011

Solar panels shed light on Ontario schools

Ontario school boards are finding new ways to help supplement their budgets, including the use of roof-mounted solar panels designed to take advantage of Ontario's Green Energy Act, 2009 and Feed-In Tariff program for renewable power. MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011

Liberals re-elected in Ontario: Green Energy Act and feed-in-tariff program live on

Happy to report that the re-election of the Ontario Liberal government last night means the province’s landmark Green Energy Act, which gave birth to the continent’s first comprehensive Euro-style feed-in-tariff program, has survived its first major chal MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 17, 2011

It costs Ontario up to 94% less to save a kilowatt hour of electricity than to provide it by building new nuclear plants - Ontario Clean Air Alliance

The elephant in the room when the Ontario legislature gets back to work will be the province’s $16-billion deficit and the rocky world economy. How can the new Dalton McGuinty government reduce this debt while growing the provincial economy? One answer MORE    added: Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011

Energy Efficiency: The Greenest and Lowest-Cost Energy Strategy for Ontario

Ontario can lower residential and industrial energy bills, reduce the provincial deficit and create jobs by increasing its energy productivity according to our new report, An Energy Efficiency Strategy for Ontario’s Homes, Buildings and Industries. MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011

Offshore wind farm planned for Rhode Island and Massachusetts

Deepwater Wind submitted its plan to the U.S. Department of the Interior to develop a 1,000 MW offshore wind project off the coasts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The Deepwater Wind Energy Center is expected to site 200 wind turbines in the waters of MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011

100% Electric Vehicle Delivered to BC Retail Customer

This is a significant milestone as we deliver the first all-electric Nissan LEAF to the Clendinning family in British Columbia, the first province in Canada to commit to working with us to promote the adoption of electric vehicles almost two years ago," MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011

The Microeconomics of Green Jobs

Much fuss has been made about green jobs. Do they exist, and are more "brown" jobs displaced for every green one? Given all the political rhetoric, it's not surprising that there is also considerable confusion about green jobs. There should not be. While MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011

The Harper government's climate and energy policy derided both internally and internationally

This week in Canada there has been a triple blow to the Harper Government’s climate and energy policy – and although many ENGOs knee jerk response was, ‘tell us something we don’t know’ – the messengers in this case are much harder for the government to MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011

HUDAK'S GOT IT WRONG - letter to the editor

This election campaign has been very frustrating. There are 2,000 real solar energy jobs in Kitchener-Waterloo right now, and Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak wants us to believe that those jobs are unaffordable. The income tax generated by th MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011

Proceed cautiously with power projects

It’s clear that as we head to the polls this election will have long-reaching implications for Ontario’s energy future. While politicians debate the rising cost of hydro, smart meters and time-of-use billing, and the costs associated with feed-in-tari MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011

Update on Penelope4Ontario.ca campaign - TIME TO VOTE with Penelope's future in mind

The time for child’s play is over, though. Our pint-sized candidate, Penelope, has done all that she can do to encourage us to vote with her future in mind. On October 6th, it's now up to us adults to do just that. MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011

Coal: Dead Man Walking - Ontario Clean Air Alliance

While we no longer need our dirty coal plants to keep our lights on, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) continues to operate them to export dirty electricity to the U.S. at a loss. Since January 2009 OPG has received $865 million in subsidy payments from the MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011

NO NUKES NEWS - Oct. 4, 2011 – Pass this onto a friend!- Ontario Clean Air Alliance

If you're in Ontario, don't forget to VOTE on Thur. Oct. 6. To learn the energy platforms of the various parties, check out the leaders' responses to our questionnaire, Jack's Notes, and Green Prosperity. And send Tim Hudak an email asking his position o MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011

Watch a video record of the Environmental Forum held Thursday, September 29

Please find below a video record of the Environmental Election Forum held on Thursday September 29, 2011. Candidates spoke from Kitchener-Waterloo and Kitchener Centre. CREW was an organizing partner in this event. MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011

Canada Supplied Solar Energy Modules to Build the UK's Three Largest Photovoltaic Solar Power Plants

London - Twenty two thousand high quality and high performance solar modules from Canadian Solar Inc. were used by its partner and EPC project supplier, Isolux Corsán, to build the UK's three largest photovoltaic solar power plants. MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 3, 2011

GREEN(Renewable Energy)HAS BENEFITS - Record Letter to the Editor

October 3, 2011 - Eight Nobel Peace Laureates have called Ontario’s Green Energy Act “the single most effective piece of legislation promoting renewable energy in North America,” but Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak is threatening to rip it up i MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 3, 2011

Kitchener man’s video wins $70K solar panel system for MCC Ontario

Ken Ogasawara's video created for the Mennonite Central Committee Ontario won an online contest designed to promote the wise use of energy. A low-key video is going to generate loads of power for Kitchener-based Mennonite Central Committee Ontario. MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 3, 2011

Backyard wind turbines and solar panels the focus of new renewable energy research chair

Homeowners could one day generate power with their own wind turbines.Imagine your backyard transformed into a mini power station with your very own wind turbine and every house on your street equipped with solar panels. The University of Calgary welcomes MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 3, 2011

Over 200 organizations now oppose new reactors at Darlington!

Thanks to your help the opposition to building new expensive reactors at Darlington continues to grow, and groups are taking action for GREEN ENERGY! More than 200 citizens' groups, ENGOs, First Nations, and green energy developers have endorsed a 100% r MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 3, 2011

Hundreds of Canadians stand against the tar sands - Environmental Defence

Parliament Hill was not its usual quiet self earlier this week. Hundreds of people from across the country gathered to show their opposition to new tar sands pipelines and mines and to support green energy. In acts of non-violent civil disobedience, more MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 3, 2011

Make your vote count for the environment - Ontario Clean Air Alliance

We’re a week away from the provincial election, the leaders debate is over, and voters are now seriously considering where to place their X. To help you make an informed choice, the Ontario Clean Air Alliance has joined with 20 other Ontario environmenta MORE    added: Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011

Meeting power reduction targets will save everybody money, businesses told

Somehow, we need to collectively reduce power consumption by 55 megawatts, which translates into the energy that would be saved if 11 University of Waterloos were taken off the hydro grid. In terms of residential homes, Waterloo Region has a target of sa MORE    added: Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011

Local families power down as energy policies change - Homeowners find ways to cut hydro use through billing, solar incentives.

KITCHENER — Jeff Bartels and Scott Albrecht do not know each other, but the two men have become serious energy conservationists following changes in provincial legislation and energy policy. Bartels was spurred to act by the introduction of time-of-use MORE    added: Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011

German officials have opened a 78-megawatt portion of what they say is now the world's largest solar PV park

Saferay’s 78-MW plant on former open-pit mining areas near Senftenberg in eastern Germany was completed in three months. The plant includes 330,000 crystalline solar modules and 62 central inverter stations. MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 29, 2011

Germany Continues Exporting Electricity: Renewables Driving Down Prices Despite Closing Reactors

By Paul Gipe, Contributor - September 28, 2011 - Recent data shows Germany continues to export electricity despite closing seven nuclear reactors. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that continued renewable energy expansion in Germany is driving down power p MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 29, 2011

Price Development of Solar PV, Feed-in Tariffs and Elections - Koenig Consultants

In our last Chart of the Month we claimed that the costs of renewable energy had one direction only: “down, down, down”. This month we’re looking at the consumer end of things. Our chart shows the development of prices for fully installed solar PV system MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 29, 2011

Nobel Peace Laureates Call on Harper to Stop Tar Sands Expansion

(Ottawa) September 28, 2011 —Eight Nobel Peace Laureates today sent a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper calling on him to ensure that Canada moves towards a clean energy future—and halts the expansion of the tar sands. MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 28, 2011

Bring on THE BADGER - Ontario Clean Air Alliance

Despite the hundreds of messages that moderator Steve Paikin received from OCAA supporters (thank you!), the nuclear bailout issue was not raised during the provincial leaders’ TV debate last night. We still don’t know if a Tim Hudak Government would all MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 28, 2011

NO NUKES NEWS for Sept. 28, 2011 - see ALL the headlines - Ontario Clean Air Alliance

Email Tim Hudak and ask him to sign the Electricity Consumer Protection Pledge – Voters need to know where he stands on nuclear power cost overruns: with consumers and taxpayers OR with the nuclear special interest groups? - and much, much MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 28, 2011

Canadian Ice Shelves Breaking up at High Speed

Ottawa – Canadian ice shelves are changing at an unexpected rate, with almost 50 per cent lost in the last six years, experts say. Carleton University’s Derek Mueller says this summer has resulted in the near-complete loss of one important ice shelf and MORE    added: Tuesday, Sep. 27, 2011

Rossi vs. Colle on NUCLEAR - starkly different views Liberal candidate Mike Colle was candid in admitting that nuclea

At an all-candidates debate in the Eglinton-Lawrence riding Wednesday night, we heard starkly different views of the wisdom of betting on new nuclear. MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 26, 2011

Solar industry beams as Canada Revenue clears HST haze surrounding Ontario microFIT projects - CanSIA

The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) is pleased recent Canada Revenue Agency activity is clearing up tax confusion regarding the HST refund on microFIT solar PV systems. MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 26, 2011

New York City's Solar Windfall Illuminates America's Clean Energy Future

A recently released solar map of New York City found enough room on building rooftops for solar panels to power half the city during hours of peak electricity use. Taking advantage of this solar windfall could allow New Yorkers to save millions on electr MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 26, 2011

GM-backed Sunlogics Buys Solar Plants, Raises $6 Million to supply solar powered electric car charging stations

Calif., USA -- Sunlogics was relatively unknown until it lined up an investment from General Motors and a potentially lucrative deal to market solar powered electric car charging stations to Chevrolet dealers earlier this year. Now it has lined up more MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 26, 2011

COMMUNITY CONTROL OF RENEWABLE ENERGY MUST BE A PRIORITY - the National Farmers Union (NFU)

Guelph, Ontario - The National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling on all political parties to make community control of renewable energy production a priority in their energy policy should they form the next Government of Ontario. MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 26, 2011

The First 100% Electric Car Delivered to Canadian consumer

MISSISSAUGA - Nissan Canada made history when it delivered the first all-electric Nissan LEAF to a Canadian consumer at an event in Ottawa. Ricardo Borba, an Ottawa resident and the first person in Canada to place a Nissan LEAF order, received the keys to MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 26, 2011

Walmart Canada greening itself and encouraging others to do the same

Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Walmart Canada operates 317 retail outlets nationwide and serves more than one million customers daily. The company's vision is to demonstrate environmental leadership by reducing the ecological impact of its operat MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 23, 2011

SPECIAL PROVINCIAL ELECTION EDITION!Where do the parties stand on the Greenbelt and the environment?

Check out a platform comparison on environmental issues based on questionnaires given to the parties and/or information from party platform materials. The comparison was put together by The Green Prosperity Initiative, a combined effort of 19 Ontario env MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 23, 2011

Survey gives Ontario Liberals the edge on green policies

KITCHENER — The Ontario Liberals have emerged with the best marks for their policies on electricity, transportation, reduction of greenhouse gases and green energy, as a result of a survey conducted by a panel of energy experts. The survey, undertaken by MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 23, 2011

Opinion: Don’t be fooled — genial weather forecaster is no climate scientist

I couldn’t believe that Conservative candidate Dave MacDonald really said it, so I called him back the next day. And he said it again. The affable MacDonald, who was the weather forecaster for more than 40 years at a local TV news station, isn’t convince MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 23, 2011

CREW was there! Penelope, Environmental Defense's 8 year-old campaigner for the environment - Sept 22.

Young environmentalist makes campaign stop in Kitchener - Penelope showed like a veteran, delivering a polished script, surrounded by handlers, uncertain of her next stop. “You can ask my campaign manager,” she said. Thursday’s tour took her to Guelph, K MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 22, 2011

David Suzuki Foundation and Sustainable Waterloo Region release report assessing Ontario political parties’ energy policy platforms

WATERLOO REGION - The David Suzuki Foundation and Sustainable Waterloo Region released their collaborative report, Ontario’s Energy Future: A Climate Change Perspective. On September 22, 2011, 4:30pm at Kitchener’s Tannery District, experts will discuss MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 22, 2011

Ontario voters back conservation! Poll shows strong support for taxes and leadership in troubled times.

Toronto - A poll commissioned by the Conservation Council of Ontario has turned up some interesting results: voters back conservation as a solution to our economic and financial woes. "Not only are voters personally committed to living better while using MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 22, 2011

Development of The Smart Grid Research and Innovation Center at the University of Waterloo

WATERLOO - Mahindra Satyam Signs MOU with the University for the Global Expansion of Ontario's Clean and Green Investment Program and the development of Ontario's first Smart Grid Research and Innovation Center on the University of Waterloo Campus was MORE    added: Tuesday, Sep. 20, 2011

Canada Poised to Become Global Leader in Sustainable Energy Resource Development - Deloitte Unveils Top Trends Facing Companies in Canada's Oil Sands

TORONTO - Debate around the environmental viability of Canada's oil sands and the future direction of the industry has continued in full swing in recent months. At the same time, a new report by Deloitte suggests that Canada has never been better positio MORE    added: Tuesday, Sep. 20, 2011

NO NUKES NEWS- view all the headlines

Sept. 20, 2011 - “Democracy is not something you believe in or a place to hang your hat, but it’s something you do. You participate. If you stop doing it, democracy crumbles.” – Abbie Hoffman MORE    added: Tuesday, Sep. 20, 2011

Pie-in-the-sky electricity contracts

According to Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak, “I won’t…sign these pie-in-the-sky contracts that are driving hydro rates through the roof.” But despite this rhetoric, Mr. Hudak remains a strong supporter of spending billions of dollars on new, high-cost nucl MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 19, 2011

Ontario’s election is beginning, and the future of our clean energy economy is at stake.

Thanks to Ontario’s world-class Green Energy Act, thousands of people across our province have new, well-paying jobs creating clean energy for our economy, our communities and our future.Yet just as this legislation is building new opportunities and new MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 19, 2011

Large Company of the Year is Named by the Ontario Energy Association and Recognized for industry leadership in sustainability - Guelph Hydro

GUELPH – Guelph Hydro Inc. has been named “Large Company of the Year” by the Ontario Energy Association. This award is given by the association to a company in the Ontario energy sector that sets higher standards for best practices and exceeded objective MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 19, 2011

OSEA Ads start running today in the following media markets on CTV: Ottawa, Peterborough, Toronto, Hamilton, Barrie, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and North Bay.

OSEA has been around much longer than the Green Energy Act and has a track record of working with all parties. We have been talking about a Green Energy Act and Feed-in Tariffs long before they were on the radar of any party. We continue to champion Comm MORE    added: Friday, Sep. 16, 2011

Ontario Sustainable Energy Association calls on Ontario voters to support new jobs for the future with new ads

Toronto - Responding to the growing discussion about the future of green energy in Ontario, the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association unveiled a pair of television advertisements profiling the strengths and benefits of an Ontario-made green energy econo MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 15, 2011

Germany Sets New Renewable Energy Record in 2011

Germany's Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) reports that renewable energy supplied nearly 21 percent of the country's electricity during the first half of 2011.Wind, biomass, solar, and hydro power plants generated 57 TWh during the first MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 15, 2011

Ask Tim Hudak to sign the Electricity Consumer Protection Pledge - Ontario Clean Air Alliance

With a very important Ontario election underway, we are asking PC Leader Tim Hudak and all other election candidates to sign our Electricity Consumer Protection Pledge and promise Ontario’s hard working families that they will not allow nuclear companies MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 14, 2011

Electric Car Begins Shipping to Canadian Dealerships

OSHAWA - The award-winning Chevrolet Volt began shipping to Canadian dealerships today, destined for retail customers in Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, Oshawa, Ottawa-Gatineau, Montreal and Quebec City. Kevin Williams, president and managing director for MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 14, 2011

Google Discloses Carbon Footprint, Renewable Energy Goals

alif., USA -- Google has been playing an interesting role in renewable energy development, and not only because it has invested more than $780 million in renewable energy generation and tech development. The search giant on Thursday added a site that tal MORE    added: Tuesday, Sep. 13, 2011

NO NUKES News for September 13 - view all the headlines

With a very important Ontario election underway, we are asking PC Leader Tim Hudak and all other election candidates to sign our Electricity Consumer Protection Pledge and promise Ontario’s hard working families that they will not allow nuclear companies MORE    added: Tuesday, Sep. 13, 2011

9 Nobel Peace Laureates call on Obama to reject the Keystone XL pipeline

The opposition to the proposed Keystone XL pipeline continues to heat up, and now nine Nobel Peace Prize Laureates have added their voices to the outcry. In a letter to President Obama, they urge him to reject the pipeline and pursue expansion of renewab MORE    added: Tuesday, Sep. 13, 2011

STUDENTS WANTED - Work opportunity!Environmental Outreach Canvassers (No Sales)$10.25 / hour, from early Sept. - early Oct.Evenings and Weekends

Help Protect Ontario's Green Energy Future - Ontario Citizens Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy is ramping-up a campaign called Clean Choice Ontario. One of the facets of this campaign is door-to-door environmental outreach canvassing.Requirements: MORE    added: Monday, Aug. 29, 2011

Stop dirty new Canadian coal plants now!

The federal government has just released a draft regulation that will require the greenhouse gas emissions from new coal plants to be less than or equal to those of a mid-efficiency natural gas-fired power plant. This is an important step on the road to MORE    added: Monday, Aug. 29, 2011

Saying Goodbye to a Friend of the Environment - Environmental Defense

It is with sadness that we remember Jack Layton, an avid friend of the environment and an incredibly hardworking political leader, for his larger than life spirit, his political passion, his dedication to Canadians and his courage in the face of tribulati MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011

Ottawa tar sands protest announced for September 26th & more - Climate Action News - this week

The tar sands have been called Canada's carbon bomb and a climate crime, and now Canadians are going to have a chance to send an unequivocal message that we aren't going to stand for it any more. On September 26, people will gather in Ottawa for an act of MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011

Coal-fired power plants in Canada must use CCS

The Canadian government proposed rules August 19 that could phase out coal-fired power plants that do not use carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. Environment Minister Peter Kent said the standards would come into effect in 2015 and would require MORE    added: Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011

NO NUKES NEWS - View all Headlines for August 19

Reports indicate Fukushima nuclear crisis worsening and widening As the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear catastrophe that began on March 11, 2011 now continues beyond 161 days, news accounts indicate that the accident maybe worsening and the scope of radioacti MORE    added: Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011

A CREW member writes to Mr. Hudak. Read the letter and the response.

Hello Mr. Hudak - Just a quick note to let you know that my family has completed our EcoEnergy Audit and right now we are in the process of upgrading our hot water heater to a tankess and we are going to upgrade our furnace and air conditioner tothe mos MORE    added: Friday, Aug. 19, 2011

Thousands of people tell Environment Minister Kent 'no coal'

Last week we told you about the letter to Environment Minister Kent that more than 45 diverse civil society organizations had signed on to, calling on the Minister to protect the integrity of CanadaÂ’s forthcoming coal regulations by ensuring that Maxim's MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011

Its time to stand up for clean energy in Ontario

We are on the brink of a huge breakthrough in clean energy, clean air, green jobs and fighting climate change in Ontario, but we are also at risk of losing the momentum and getting cut off at the knees just when we are getting started. On the hopeful sid MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011

Solar panels make dollars and sense for Elmira church

The future is bright at Trinity United Church. This week, the church on Arthur Street in Elmira underwent a dramatic facelift with the installation of a 10-kilowatt solar panel system on the roof. The project consists of 54 panels and thanks to a MORE    added: Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011

Ontarians show strong support for green energy in run up to provincial election: poll

Regionally, Northern Ontario (82%) and the GTA (79%) are most supportive of Green Energy. Even in Southwest Ontario, where 23% of those polled indicated that they disagreed with current green energy initiatives, almost three quarters of respondents indi MORE    added: Monday, Aug. 15, 2011

Biomass is the next obvious source of energy

The global demand for energy continues to increase at a steady pace. China just passed the United States in total energy demand, fueled not only by domestic growth but by the demand for exports. We continue to lead the world in per-capita consumption of MORE    added: Monday, Aug. 15, 2011

Ontario Green Energy Act creates $20 billion in private sector investment

Ontario's feed-in tariff is NOT a subsidy. It is a rate payer surcharge, so our tax dollars are not being used to fund this development. In fact, since 2009 the Ontario Green Energy Act through the feed-in tariff program has created $20 billion in privat MORE    added: Friday, Aug. 12, 2011

Electric cars can feed the grid

Utilities first reaction to electric cars going mainstream on their grids was fear that they'd overload the system. Quite the opposite as it turns out with the ability of these roaming power stations to feed the grid on demand using wireless communicatio MORE    added: Friday, Aug. 12, 2011

NO NUKES NEWS - Clean Air Alliance - view all the headlines for August 12

`I deeply regret believing in the security myth of nuclear power.` - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan at the Hiroshima Day commemorations MORE    added: Friday, Aug. 12, 2011

Local Ownership Means Local Love for Wind Power

A new article in the journal Energy Policy supports the notion that local ownership is key to overcoming local resistance to renewable energy. The article summarizes a survey conducted of two towns in Germany, both with local wind projects, but only one MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011

Walmart unveils solar roof installation

Walmart is known for selling everything from clothing to televisions to fresh produce, and now they can be known for something else — green energy.On Wednesday, company representatives hosted a tour of the rooftop solar installation atop the Boardwalk MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011

NDP wants to phase-out coal now!

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath promised today that an NDP Government will put OntarioÂ’s dirty coal-fired power plants on standby reserve and only operate them if they are absolutely needed to keep the lights on. This is an excellent proposal which wou MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011

Study shows Ontario's solar program spurs private investment

A study by ClearSky Advisors Inc. - the Economic Impacts of the Solar PV Sector in Ontario - shows that $12.9 billion in private investment is expected in Ontario by 2018. Investments in the next seven years will support more than 74,000 person years of MORE    added: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011

Ontario Making Way For Electric Cars

Toronto - Ontario is going to kick-start the widespread availability of electric car charging stations to make it more convenient for families to choose electric cars. Premier Dalton McGuinty was in Markham where he charged an electric car at the "Power MORE    added: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011

Harald Haas: Wireless data from every light bulb

hat if every light bulb in the world could also transmit data? At TEDGlobal, Harald Haas demonstrates, for the first time, a device that could do exactly that. By flickering the light from a single LED, a change too quick for the human eye to detect, he MORE    added: Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011

Wind energy is clean and quiet - Record opinion letter by CREW member Eleanor Grant

A few summers ago, while driving home from Muskoka, I saw in the distance the wind turbines near Shelbourne, and took a detour to see them up close.I discovered an array of them stretching across dozens of farms. Getting out of the car at the foot of on MORE    added: Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011

NO NUKES NEWS - Ontario Clean Air Alliance - check out the headlines -

`We speak for the children of the next 7,000 generations. As long as there's one margin of error, it's unacceptable.` - Debby Morin in opposition to nuke waste storage in Saskatchewan - JapanÂ’s Fukushima catastrophe brings big radiation spikes to B.C. MORE    added: Monday, Aug. 8, 2011

Putting the Smart Into Smart Grid

With climate change at the top of the political agenda, governments across Europe are introducing radical compulsory emission reduction targets. In the UK alone, carbon emissions from 1990 levels must be slashed by 34 percent by 2020, and by at least 80 MORE    added: Monday, Aug. 1, 2011

Zero Emission Mobility Within Reach for Canadians

issan Canada made history when it delivered the first all-electric Nissan LEAF in Canada, signaling the arrival of sustainable mobility to the Canadian mass market. PowerStream, the second largest municipally-owned electricity distribution company in Ont MORE    added: Sunday, Jul. 31, 2011

McGuinty prefers high cost nuclear over affordable hydro

Premier McGuinty prefers high-cost new nuclear projects rather than low-cost water power imports from Quebec, according to his response to an Ontario Clean Air Alliance election questionnaire. In 2010, Vermont electric utilities signed an agreement to MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 27, 2011

No Nukes News - July 27, 2011: “Powerlessness and silence go together.... Margaret Atwood

“Powerlessness and silence go together. We in this country should use our privileged positions not as a shelter from the worldÂ’s reality but as a platform from which to speak. A voice is a gift. It should be cherished and used.` Margaret Atwood - author MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 27, 2011

Suzuki warns Tory scheme to cancel green energy plans is ‘absolute insanity’

David Suzuki, CanadaÂ’s most famous environmentalist, is urging Ontarians to re-elect Premier Dalton McGuinty this fall to save the LiberalsÂ’ “groundbreaking” green energy policies. In an exclusive interview with the Star, Suzuki made a rare foray into MORE    added: Saturday, Jul. 23, 2011

Ontario NDP clarifies it's position on green energy

The New Democratic Party of Ontario issued a response to the members of the Green Prosperity Initiative clarifying their position on renewable energy in Ontario. The Green Prosperity Initiative is a joint effort by 21 of Ontario's leadingenvironmental or MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 20, 2011

Clean energy opportunities for Ontario farmers: new report

OTTAWA — A new report released today concludes that there are multiple and significant opportunities for Ontario farmers to benefit from investments in renewable energy on their farms. The report, Harvesting clean energy on Ontario farms [PDF], was writt MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 20, 2011

Canada's Largest Solar Thermal Cooling and Heating Installation

Oxford Gardens is a recently renovated retirement home in Woodstock, Ontario. This 9,900 square meter building has 112 residents and 101 individual suites. A 90 ton chiller is currently used to air condition the facility and 3,000 litres of hot water are MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 19, 2011

Personal: Residential - ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes Program is back

ecoENERGY IS BACK. ecoENERGY retrofit grants are back: homeowners must finish their retrofits and have their follow-up energy audit completed before 31 March 2012 to qualify for up to $5,000 in federal grant money MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 18, 2011

Energy efficiency related incentives program for homeowners is being extended

Ottawa - The announcement to extend the ecoENEGRY program, by Canada's Minster of Natural Resources, the Honourable Joe Oliver, was applauded by NAIMA Canada. The ecoENERGY program provides. The program has been very popular, with thousands of Canadian MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 14, 2011

New Website Highlights Sustainable Energy Activities

Solar energy, district energy, combined heat and power, bioenergy and electric vehicles featured on new website. Guelph Hydro Inc., the primary developer and implementer of sustainable energy projects under the City of GuelphÂ’s Community Energy Initiativ MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 14, 2011

Will Tim Hudak stand up for taxpayers?

PC Leader Tim Hudak is not saying how he will protect electricity consumers from the inevitable cost overruns on the nuclear power projects his party favours. Mr. Hudak refused to respond to a Clean Air Alliance survey asking what parties would do to pr MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 14, 2011

Kitchener provides $500,000 in Incentives for Home Energy Improvements

uly 13, 2011 (Kitchener, ON) — The federal ecoENERGY – Retrofit Homes program extension was announced today by Natural Resources Canada, and Kitchener may be eligible for double grants.The City of Kitchener grants for insulation and raftproofing are ava MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 14, 2011

New study finds cancelling the Green Energy Act would have little effect on electricity prices in Ontario - Pembina Institute

The study indicates that investing in renewable energy today is likely to save Ontario ratepayers money within the next 15 years, as natural gas becomes more expensive and as the cost of renewable energy technology continues to decrease. Modelling shows MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 11, 2011

And another CREW member solar PV system becomes operational in June

CREW member Dave Klassen installed an 18 panel, 4.4kw PV system that became a generator and tied to the grid in June. Way to go Dave! MORE    added: Saturday, Jul. 9, 2011

We Don't Need More Electricity, Just Cleaner Electricity

The United States doesn't need another nuclear or coal power plant. Instead, it's time to abandon our 20th century electricity system, dominated by large, centralized utilities, for a 21st century electricity system: a network of independently owned and MORE    added: Friday, Jul. 8, 2011

MCCO WINS! Announced last Friday, September 23 - Mennonite Central Committee Ontario (MCCO) won a 10kW solar PV system in the Watt's Next video contest: http://wattsnext.ca The video with the most views WINS a 10kW solar system!

MCCO does a great job of promoting energy-efficiency and REEP. MCCO won the 10kw solar PV system by having the most views of their video. Simply click on this link, view the video and pass it on. \r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvBaSm-LBks MORE    added: Friday, Jul. 8, 2011

On Track To Grow Clean Energy Economy -Ontario's Government Launches 2011 Progress Report

Toronto - Ontario has become a global leader in the clean energy industry, creating thousands of jobs for families and cleaning up the air we breathe. That is just some of the good news found in Ontario’s 2011 Progress Report. The annual report shows th MORE    added: Friday, Jul. 8, 2011

Geothermal: The Safe Way to Use the Energy Beneath Our Feet

As the debate about hydro-fracking (also known as hydraulic fracturing) continues to rage in states like New York and the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, it may be time to shine the spotlight on a less controversial way to harvest a natur MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 7, 2011

Google: Delaying Clean Energy Transition "Only 5 Years Could Leave Trillions on the Table"

Google, a leader of innovation in the digital economy, says that without a private and public focus on innovation in renewables, storage and electric vehicles, the cost of delaying the clean energy economy could be in the trillions of dollars to the U.S. MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 7, 2011

EIA Report: Renewables Surpass Nuclear Output

Washington, D.C., United States – According to the most recent issue of the `Monthly Energy Review` by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), renewable energy has passed a milestone as domestic production is now greater than that of nuclear po MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 7, 2011

We can cut carbon emissions

The United Nations Environment Program and the World Meteorological Organization reported in mid-June that widespread implementation of just 16 measures to reduce emissions of black carbon and ozone (principally the precursors methane and carbondioxide) MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 6, 2011

Construction on Hydro One's new Bruce to Milton Transmission line reaches mid-point: supporting Ontario's clean energy future

KINCARDINE - Hydro One announced that the Bruce to Milton Transmission Reinforcement Project has passed the mid-point of construction. Energy Minister Brad Duguid and Laura Formusa, President and CEO, Hydro One, marked the construction milestone with a v MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 6, 2011

Zeroing In on Zero: Google's Foray into Utility-land

Peterborough, NH, USA -- Cutting-edge search giant Google doesn't greenwash when it comes to sustainability. The company has invested billions of dollars in clean energy developments through renewable energy and transmission projects all across the count MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 6, 2011

Another CREW member solar PV installation becomes operational

Another CREW member household adds solar PV installation and becomes operational. Home owners, Glen and Margaret Woolner, now have a 5.75 kw array on their roof that became operational June 30, on their anniversary. In preparation for the solar installat MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 6, 2011

City of Kitchener flips switch on Canada’s largest solar roof

KITCHENER — Under grey and windy skies Wednesday morning, the City of Kitchener officially flipped the switch on a very sunny project. Representatives from city hall, along with Kitchener-Conestoga MP Harold Albrecht and Ontario Minister of Energy Brad MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 30, 2011

ATTENTION all Kitchener Faith Communities - CREW, MCCO and GSS, and the City of Kitchener, team up to provide SOLAR PV incentives under now approved SOLAR CITY Project

All faith communities in the City of Kitchener that would be interested in exploring the option of installing a PV solar array as an expression of their commitment to CREATION CARE, are invited to come forward. Teaming up with CREW, Greening Sacred Spaces MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 30, 2011

CREW's Kids and Community Power $aving Project steal the show at the CREW General Meeting June 23

The CREW Power $aving Network was busy this past year with the CREW'S Kids and Community Power $aving Project. More than 80 grade 5-6 students in two public schools, Keatsway in Waterloo and Driftwood in Kitchener, were taught how to do their own home el MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 30, 2011

Value of Solar Power Far Exceeds the Electricity

From the ability to reduce peak demand on the transmission and distribution system, hedge against fuel price increases, or enhance grid and environmental security, solar power has a monetary value as much as ten times higher than its energy value. MORE    added: Wednesday, Jun. 29, 2011

Solar panels on Regional Operations Centre generating power and revenue

Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo has completed the installation of solar panels on its Operations Centre on Maple Grove Road in Cambridge and is generating power back into the gridThe 806-panel 170 kW system was installed earlier this year and MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 23, 2011

Green Jobs Are Real: German and American Solar Industry Both Employ More People Than U.S. Steel Production

Washington, D.C., United States – With roughly 93,500 direct and indirect jobs, the American solar industry now employs about 9,200 more workers than the U.S. steel production sector, according to 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics. The American steel indus MORE    added: Wednesday, Jun. 22, 2011

Google Funds $280 Million for Residential Solar

Google Partners with SolarCity to create $280 million fund for residential solar projects, largest in US history. This collaboration will enable thousands of new solar installations and create a new clean energy investment model for American companies MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 20, 2011

Blowing Smoke: Correcting Anti-Wind Myths in Ontario

Toronto, ON – A new report released today corrects the misinformation being promoted by anti-wind activists around Ontario. Blowing Smoke: Correcting Anti-Wind Myths in Ontario finds that study after study around the world has concluded that there isno s MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 20, 2011

Nuclear Expensive and Uninsurable Say Studies

New Nuclear Costs as Much as German Solar Today--Up to $0.34/kWh in 2018 Nuclear Insurance Costs More than Electricity Says German Report June 3, 2011. The world's beleaguered nuclear industry continues to take a battering. The `nuclear renaissance` jugg MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 20, 2011

Italy: Nuclear? Non Grazie! Berlusconi: Now It's Renewables

Italy -- Italians have decisively said "no thanks" to nuclear for a second time in a nationwide referendum and the country must now turn increasingly to renewable energy. The vote is a stinging rebuke to Conservative Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusco MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 17, 2011

Have you checked out www.ontariogreenspec.ca lately?

This FREE directory of green building products and services has been created to make Ontario-based green building and renovation jobs easier. Take a look! We're adding new functionality, such as the ability to search by location, as viewership increases. MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 16, 2011

Regional Council Approves Light Rail Transit

Kitchener – Regional Council discussed and approved the following motions regarding the RegionÂ’s proposed rapid transit system: MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 16, 2011

Arise Begins Commissioning Silicon Facility

WATERLOO, ON, June 13, 2011 /CNW/ - ARISE Technologies Corporation (TSX: APV) (Frankfurt: A3T), a leader in high-performance, high quality, cost-effective solar technology, and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) announced today that its Sili MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 16, 2011

Energy program goes retro- EcoEnergy is revived for 2011/2012.

Professionals in the energy industry are arguing that it is not possible to spend a $400 million grant from the federal government in just one year. MORE    added: Tuesday, Jun. 14, 2011

ENERGY SUMMIT: New energy ideas directed at global problems

WATERLOO — Scientists are figuring out how to squeeze more energy from nuclear waste. TheyÂ’re also working on ways to drill deep into the Earth to tap geothermal energy, and are creating cheap, portable pieces of plastic cloth embedded with solar panels MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 10, 2011

Call for Ontario Renewable Energy Stories! - Blue Green Canada - ATTENTION CREW Members with stories to share.

The Ontario public needs more positive stories and images about renewable energy! Blue Green Canada is producing a series of video profiles of workers and tradespeople in the Green Economy. Their goal is to demonstrate to people that Ontario’s renewabl MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 10, 2011

City of Kitchener awards LEED for Homes incentive - SABHomes - The Canadian green homebuilding magazine - A CREW initiative in partnership with City of Kitchener

The City of Kitchener has awarded its first cash incentive of $5,000 to Williamsburg Homes [a partnership of Reid’s Heritage Homes and Schlegel Urban Dev-elopment] as part of a new program to promote and encourage LEED-certified building practices for MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 10, 2011

SAVE FIT AND THE SAMSUNG GREEN ENERGY DEAL - OSEA

Join other businesses and sign the Open Letter to OntarioÂ’s political party leaders to save the feed-in-tariff program and Samsung green energy deal. Ontario is poised to be a world leader in clean energy development, already creating more than 13,000 jo MORE    added: Thursday, Jun. 9, 2011

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY - Energy auditors applaud $400 million ecoENERGY extension, Coalition calls for four-year commitment to sustain industry

VANCOUVER - Supporters of the Save ecoENERGY Coalition applaud the Harper government's $400 million extension of the ecoENERGY Home Retrofit program, but say the one-year timeline is not enough to help the energy savings industry transition to self-susta MORE    added: Tuesday, Jun. 7, 2011

Anti-Wind Power Myths Corrected in New Report: No Scientific Basis for Health Impacts Claims - Wind Power Viable and Beneficial - OSEA & Environmental Defence

TORONTO, June 2, 2011 /CNW/ - A new report released today corrects the misinformation being promoted by anti-wind activists around Ontario. Blowing Smoke: Correcting Anti-Wind Myths in Ontario finds that study after study around the world has concluded MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 3, 2011

Germany announces plan to shut down all nuclear power plants by 2022

EuropeÂ’s economic powerhouse, Germany, is to abandon nuclear energy over the next 11 years — drawing up an ambitious plan in the wake of JapanÂ’s Fukushima disaster to replace atomic power with renewable energy sources. Chancellor Angela Merkel said Mon MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 31, 2011

Being heard from in regionÂ’s transit debate

When Woolwich Mayor Todd Cowan called for far more public input into Waterloo RegionÂ’s proposed light rail transit plan, he touched on the trouble with the process so far: limited feedback, with no way of knowing how much of it is has come from organized MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 31, 2011

Watts NEXT? - Protect Your Industry -\r\nOntario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) is launching an exciting new educational initiative

OSEA is launching an exciting new initiative to educate the public about the benefits of conservation, renewable energy and the important role played by the Green Energy Act in promoting renewables. MORE    added: Monday, May. 30, 2011

Ontario urged to stick with green energy program

Head of UN Environment tells province not to turn its back on subsidies despite high initial costs. Achim Steiner, executive director of the United Nations Environment Program told The Globe and Mail editorial board Monday that it is a mistake to focus MORE    added: Monday, May. 30, 2011

CREW PRESENTED ON RAPID TRANSIT - The Region of Waterloo heard delegations on May 31 and June 1 to comment on their proposed rapid transit plans. CREW was one of the presenters

CREW has been involved in the local transit debate since 2004, and these sessions will be the last opportunity we will have to promote the most cost effective, most environmentally responsible, most socially progressive solution that CREW believes will MORE    added: Monday, May. 30, 2011

Green Party endorses clean energy options – what about Tim Hudak?

The Green Party of Ontario has just released its 2011 election platform , which endorses a number of low cost options to move Ontario towards a clean and green electricity grid at a reasonable cost including:Water power imports from Quebec;Re-instating MORE    added: Sunday, May. 29, 2011

Rentech plans to build $500M biomass plant in Ontario - the first plant of its kind in the world

Alternative energy developer Rentech Inc. plans to build a biomass plant to produce jet fuel in White River, Ont., which could create 400 long-term jobs in the province. OntarioÂ’s Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry has awarded Rentech t MORE    added: Sunday, May. 8, 2011

Ontario's SOLAR 'Buy Local' Energy Program Growing Rapidly

Forecasts for 2011 indicate that Ontario could become North America's largest solar market, installing 455 MW, more than twice what California installed in 2009. This is nearly a 3-fold increase over 2010 installations. MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 3, 2011

Stop burning dirty coal now – FREE leaflets

First the good news: We no longer need our dirty coal-fired power plants to keep our lights on. Our coal-free generation capacity is now 28% greater than our forecast peak demand for electricity this summer. And now the bad news: Ontario Power Gen MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 29, 2011

Why has Google invested $350 million in solar and wind?

Google recently invested about $100 million in the largest wind farm in the world. This new wind farm will produce 845 MW of energy when completed in 2012. That’s enough to power more than 235,000 homes. MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 27, 2011

Brilliant FIT and MicroFIT for Renewables

Genius of FIT and MicroFIT is that it is NOT a tax payer subsidy while in fact requires investors to put up the large amounts of up-front capital, NOT the tax payer. Feed-in Tariff (FIT) creates a solution to implementing renewable energy systems that ult MORE    added: Wednesday, Apr. 27, 2011

GRANTS AWARDED. Kitchener city council approved two grant applications from Waterloo Green Solutions - REEP

GRANTS AWARDED. Kitchener city council approved two grant applications from Waterloo Green Solutions through the city’s $5 million Local Environmental Action Fund: $500,000 for Kitchener Home Energy Improvement Program, which will provide incentives to MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 26, 2011

Nuclear Fallout Comes With Aura of Arrogance: Mycle Schneider

As far back as 2005, I warned Eisaku Sato, governor of Fukushima at the time, about the dangers of letting spent fuel accumulate in cooling ponds at the prefectureÂ’s nuclear plants and the need to put it into much safer dry stores as soon as possible. He MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 26, 2011

More CREW member solar installations completed - check out Ian Graham's recently completed installations.

CREW member Ian Graham has recently completed 2 solar installations, one on his recording studio and the other is a rental property he owns. Both are 10kw microFit systems utilizing Sanyo panels and Enphase micro inverters. In true CREW style MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 25, 2011

The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) launches new site called Stand Up for Solar

The Canadian Solar Industries Association has launched a new site called Stand Up for Solar. This is designed to be an easy way for people to show\r\ntheir support for solar in Ontario through this coming provincial election.If you go to the website: MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 25, 2011

Climate Risk: Yet Another Reason to Choose Renewable Energy

ashington, D.C., United States – Recent events in Japan have brought new attention to how national energy systems are vulnerable to natural disasters. But, one risk has largely flown under the radar: climate change. Considerable scientific research has MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 21, 2011

Conestoga and Partners Deliver Skilled Workers for Renewable Energy Industries

Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, in conjunction with partners in government and industry, has been working to address this emerging need through the delivery of unique programming focused on renewable energy techniques and MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 21, 2011

What Feed-in Tariffs Could Do for Japan's Electricity Shortage

s Japan expands the evacuation zone around the damaged Fukushima 1 nuclear plant from 20 km to 30 km and Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) skirts the edge of bankruptcy, the country confronts a stark choice: undertake a massive construction program to replace MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 21, 2011

Local Initiative for Future Energy (LIFE) Co-op Inc. Spring Newsletter 2011

Our BIG NEWS – which you may have already heard – is that LIFE was awarded a substantial development grant through the Community Energy Partnerships Program, which is funded by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA). Our other BIG NEWS is that LIFE MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 18, 2011

GROUPS ACROSS CANADA CALL FOR AN INQUIRYINTO THE FUTURE OF NUCLEAR POWER

Federal political parties are being challenged by groups across Canada to declare their support for a far-reaching non-partisan Royal Commission ofInquiry into the Future of Nuclear Power in Canada, independent of the nuclear industry and the CNSC, to MORE    added: Friday, Apr. 15, 2011

NDP, Bloc and Greens oppose taxpayer subsidies for new Ontario nukes -Ignatieff doesn't endorse federal subsidies for Darlington

he NDP, the Bloc Quebecois, and the Green Party of Canada are all opposed to making Canadian taxpayers subsidize the construction of new nuclear reactors in Ontario according to a survey released by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance (OCAA).For its part, MORE    added: Thursday, Apr. 14, 2011

Germany could power Ontario with renewable energy

Even with an area one third the size of Ontario, Germany could produce enough renewable energy for electricity to power the entire province. Germany has added about 30,000 MW of renewable energy generating capacity over the past ten to twenty years with MORE    added: Sunday, Apr. 10, 2011

More than 10,000 homes across the U.S.\r\nhave earned LEED certification through the LEED for Homes program

LEED for Homes is a national voluntary certification system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes that use less energy and water and fewer natural resources; create less waste; and are healthier and more comfortable fo MORE    added: Tuesday, Apr. 5, 2011

Grand River CarShare, CREW collaborative partner, expanding to Elmira

KITCHENER – Grand River CarShare, a non-profit co-operative in Waterloo Region,is very interested in expanding to Woolwich Township and aims to have three cars in Elmira as soon as possible. The co-op is inviting all interested potential members get in MORE    added: Monday, Apr. 4, 2011

CREW issues press release: SMART TRANSIT OPTIONS for the Region of Waterloo

Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW) is one of many regional non-profits that had an opinion on the transit discussion during the recent municipal election.CREW consulted with experts on all sides, and is proud to release the attached summary MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 29, 2011

Ontario's Solar PV Installations May Surpass California in 2011

ClearSky Advisors forecasts that Ontario will install more than 400 MW of solar PV in 2011. This would be nearly double that installed by California in 2010, presently the largest North American market for solar PV. California has more than three times MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 28, 2011

Elected Officials Challenged: COME CLEAN! - SIGN PETITION - Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA)

OSEA has joined forces with Environmental Defence, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Sierra Club Ontario and CPAWS Wildlands League to launch a new initiative designed to hit back at the confusing anti-environmental rhetoric coming MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 15, 2011

Save ecoENERGY:Ask Prime Minister Harper to renew the ecoENERGY grant program today!

Just follow these three easy steps: Step 1. Click on house picture, below. Step 2. Add your name and address to the email that pops up. Step 3. Press send. MORE    added: Monday, Mar. 14, 2011

Can States Keep Clean Energy Jobs at Home? Follow Ontario's example

No renewable energy mandate passed a state legislature without the promise of thousands of new jobs, but many states have shared the recent experience of Massachusetts: the state’s largest solar manufacturing plant announced that it is moving production MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 11, 2011

Ontario PV Market to Grow 270% To Reach 455 MW in 2011

Jon Worren, Clear Sky Advisors Despite ongoing political and regulatory uncertainty, Ontario's PV market will continue it's growth in 2011 and in total we expect there to be 455MW of new installations in 2011, up from 169MW in 2010. Our forecast shows th MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 11, 2011

More wind than science in turbine debate - Derek Satnik, Toronto Star

Anger blows in the wind. The Ontario government recently won a court case in which a disgruntled land owner had attempted to argue that wind turbines were dangerous, and that the current 550-metre setback requirement was inadequate. The victory seemed t MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 10, 2011

CREW Initiative - Kitchener First to Award Home Builders with Cash for Building “GREEN” - the Kitchener Green Home Incentive Program is a partnership program with CREW and the City of Kitchener

Kitchener, Ontario) The City of Kitchener awarded its first cash incentive to a local builder today, as part of a progressive new Kitchener Green Home Incentive Program (KGHIP) to promote and encourage Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) MORE    added: Thursday, Mar. 10, 2011

Grebel Students are Leading the Solar Revolution

A student group began meeting in 2009 with the hopes of taking a more active role in environmental issues in their immediate community. The group named itself Solar Grebel and ultimately proposed a cluster of solar thermal panels on Conrad Grebel Universi MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 8, 2011

OPA News-On-Line for March - New consumer conservation awareness program launches

tarting February 28, the OPA launched an awareness campaign to introduce the conservation initiatives that are now available to consumers throughout the year through the saveONenergy FOR HOME website. The recently launched website is a one-stop shop for MORE    added: Friday, Mar. 4, 2011

Boardwalk's retailers agree to turn down the lights at night - CREW board member/Boardwalk developer sets example

“I think lighting in general and energy consumption hasn’t been tightly regulated by municipal bylaws,â€쳌 Steve Voisin said. He hopes the new lighting procedures at The Boardwalk will be the tipping point for other developments in the city MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2011

DonÂ’t blame GREEN ENERGY

OntarioÂ’s electricity system is undergoing a major transformation. Much of the electricity transmission infrastructure is old and in need of refurbishing, most of the nuclear capacity is nearing the end its lifetime and Ontario has made a laudable commit MORE    added: Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2011

Straw-bale house good for environment and wallet

After a year in his straw-bale house on Boise Avenue, Mark Lung says the house has saved him money, conserved resources, provided a comfortable environment through four seasons and convinced its owners, and maybe a few visitors, that straw has life far be MORE    added: Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011

Province green-lights 40 renewable energy projects

Forty new green energy projects — mostly solar and wind power — have been given the go-ahead by the Ontario government. Energy minister Brad Duguid said Thursday that four large wind projects, totaling 615 megawatts of power have been approved, along wi MORE    added: Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011

After 50 Years, Nuclear Power is Still Not Viable without Subsidies, New Report Finds

WASHINGTON (February 23, 2011) – Since its inception more than 50 years ago, the U.S. nuclear power industry has been propped up by a generous array of government subsidies that have supported its development and operations. Despite that support, the ind MORE    added: Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011

Ontario Closes the Door to Offshore Wind FarmsÂ…Again

Almost three years after offshore wind was given the green light, during which time Ontario established North AmericaÂ’s first and only Feed-in Tariff for offshore wind generation, and a number of projects had begun in earnest, the same Liberal administra MORE    added: Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011

Bullfrog Power adds Green Natural Gas

Green Natural Gas is a new category of energy product. In Canada this offering will allow both home owners and commercial building owners, as well as factories and industrial buildings to make the switch to renewable energy. With green electricity from MORE    added: Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011

Bullies make us stronger - A call to action for those seeking a prosperous Ontario - OSEA

There are bullies on the playground of Ontario's energy sector and, unfortunately, the teacher is even more terrified of their rhetoric than the kids are. On Friday February 11th two announcements were released.The first announced a freeze on offshore wi MORE    added: Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011

STOP DIRTY COAL Power Exports - And help our kids \r\nbreathe easier

For months now, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has been running its dirty coal plants to export dirty power to the United States. As you know, burning coal causes asthma attacks, heart and lung disease, strokes and even death. And, of course, coal plant MORE    added: Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011

Windmill foes are full of hot air - By Marcus Gee - Globe & Mail

From Tuesday's Globe and MailIt's a poor government that gives in to rank NIMBYism.When not-in-my-backyard groups fight to kill a garbage dump or a gravel pit, it is at least possible to see where they are coming from. When they kill something like an MORE    added: Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011

Local Initiative for Future Energy (LIFE)Co-op - UPDATE & Special Request

To the members and friends of LIFE Co-op - Greetings from the Directors! We want to offer you all a quick update, and to make an important request.LIFE Co-op is very fortunate to be the recipient of funding from the Community Energy Partnerships Program MORE    added: Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011

Fits and Starts: Ontario's Green Energy Growth

A year and a bit into its ambitious feed-in tariff program, Ontario's renewable energy industries are growing steadily but political uncertainty and grid expansion plans remain top concerns for manufacturers and developers alike. Since the launch of the MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 28, 2011

Obama Calls for 80% "Clean Energy" by 2035

Washington, DC, USA -- In an unprecedented move, last night U.S. President Barack Obama put clean energy front and center on the agenda of the American government -- calling for an 80% clean energy target by 2035. In his yearly State of the Union address MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 28, 2011

American States Can Learn Much From Ontario's `Buy Local` Clean Energy Strategy

The Canadian province of Ontario has launched a clean energy strategy to maximize economic development while reducing pollution. `Maximizing Jobs From Clean Energy: Ontario’s ‘Buy Local’ Policy,` a new report from the Institute for Loca MORE    added: Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011

Solar in Ontario: 2011 Preview

Ontario, Canada -- Many developments will occur over the coming year that will have long-lasting implications for the solar PV (photovoltaic) market in Ontario. 2009 saw the introduction of the Green Energy and Economy Act that produced a favorable Feed-I MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011

Misinformation tactic - Hudak

Ontario Conservative leader Tim Hudak paid a visit to our region recently in order to be vocal about hydro rates. I was disappointed that he did not mention the 10 per cent rebate being given to residential clients and small businesses as of Jan 1 for MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011

Tory leader zaps Grits for rising hydro bills

Hudak Witmer. Ontario Conservative Leader Tim Hudak (centre) speaks to the media in front of a hydro transformer station on Fairway Road in Kitchener, flanked by Kitchener-Waterloo MPP Elizabeth Witmer and Kitchener-Conestoga Conservative candidate Micha MORE    added: Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011

WHERE YOUR ELECTRICITY IS COMING FROM at this very hour: NEW WEBSITE tells you.

Want to know where your electricity supply is coming from this hour? If you live in Ontario, this new website will tell you and what the implications are. Click on MORE    added: Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

Company promises job boom - Kingston

Windstream Energy Inc. expects to create 1,900 short-term and 175 long-term jobs in the next few years with the construction of the Wolfe Island Shoals Offshore Wind Power Project. Most of those jobs won't materialize, however, for another two years. MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 14, 2011

Dirty coal-fired electricity exports are costing us the air we breathe - Ontario Clean Air Alliance

OntarioÂ’s dirty coal-fired electricity generation rose by 29% last year according to the Independent Electricity System Operator. Ontario has more than sufficient coal-free generation capacity to shut down its dirty coal plants today, yet Ontario Power G MORE    added: Monday, Jan. 10, 2011

HERE COMES THE SUN: Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School celebrates the installation of a solar panel.

5NOV10 HERE COMES THE SUN: Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School celebrates the installation of a solar panel. John Van de Vegte (left) of ARISE Technologies of Waterloo, stands with students Danielle Kirkconnell (centre) and Kristin Novak, both 17, MORE    added: Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011

Mennonite Savings & Credit Union - GOING SOLAR FOR PEACE

God has entrusted us with the stewardship of the earth (Genesis 1). At MSCU, we believe our actions should always align with our values, and we should consistently pursue ways to care for creation.Our Creation Care Loans were developed to help our member MORE    added: Friday, Jan. 7, 2011

Curb oil break

When the subject is public indebtedness, in a time of growing joblessness and an economy teetering on zero growth, environmental responsibility means supporting those institutions that are going to lower fossil fuel consumption, while saving the consumer MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010

Oil and Renewables: Slicing up the Subsidy Pie

Bloomberg New Energy Finance identified US$43–$46 billion last year allotted by governments for renewable energy. Meanwhile, oil, coal and gas received $557 billion in subsidies from the 37 countries that represent 95% of global subsidisation of fossil MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010

The True Cost of Renewable Energy

What does renewable energy cost? Isn't it still more expensive than fossil fuel electricity? Way more? In a word: no. A recent Los Angeles Times article typifies the confusion on this issue, misreporting significantly the results of a draft report issued MORE    added: Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010

Season’s Greetings! And Good NEWS! LIFE (Local Initiative for Future Energy) Co-op application for the Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP) has been approved!

LIFE Co-op wants to thank all our members and friends for your support and encouragement over the past year. We are pleased to announce that our grant from the Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP) has been approved! The grant money will go a long MORE    added: Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010

Solar Partnership Takes Advantage of Green Energy Act

Solar Power Partners, Inc. (SPP), and JCM Capital (JCM) recently announced that they have started a venture called the Ontario Solar Fund to develop, finance, own, and operate 200 MW worth of solar panel installations in Ontario. The province is home to MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010

Canada - wind power electricity is now produced in every province

In 2009, Canada installed more than 900 MW of new wind energy capacity, placing Canada in the top 10 worldwide for new installed capacity. Canada - wind power electricity is now produced in every provinceWith a huge landmass, lengthy coastlines, and qua MORE    added: Monday, Dec. 20, 2010

Interview Opportunity - ecoENERGY shutdown is killing Ontario jobs

(Ontario, December 13, 2010) “Home energy efficiency retrofits is a billion dollar industry in Ontario and weÂ’re about to lose it,” warned Clifford Maynes, Executive Director of Green Communities Canada.Government incentives for home energy efficiency MORE    added: Monday, Dec. 20, 2010

Canadian Solar forms partnership to build solar parks

KITCHENER – Canadian Solar Inc. has entered a partnership to develop two large solar parks in Ontario.The Kitchener-based manufacturer of solar cells and modules announced Monday that its subsidiary, Canadian Solar Solutions, has signed an engineering MORE    added: Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010

Port Hope ‘a disaster,’ anti-nuclear activist says: ‘You can’t clean it up’

PORT HOPE — Port Hope is sitting on a carcinogenic time bomb that residents can only escape by moving out of town, a renowned doctor and anti-nuclear activist warns. Historic low-level radioactive waste buried in parks, ravines, streets, industrial sites MORE    added: Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010

How Much Does a Solar Job Cost in Ontario?

In a recent study titled Economic Impacts of Solar Energy in Ontario we examined the consequences of including solar PV in OntarioÂ’s energy mix – with a primary focus on economic impacts. Specifically, we wanted to consider solar PV in relation to some MORE    added: Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010

Help stop a $35 billion nuclear handout - Clean Air Alliance

As you know, instead of spending $83 billion on nuclear energy, we should be building on the enormous success of our world-leading coal phase-out and moving Ontario forward to a green future. With an integrated combination of energy conservation and eff MORE    added: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010

WeÂ’ll have to pay more for electricity - Woolwich Observer

Rising energy costs are a foregone conclusion. We will be spending more to keep the lights on, to heat our homes and to keep our cars rolling along. The provincial government expects electricity costs to rise 46 per cent over the next five years. Sounds MORE    added: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010

Renewable energy, nuclear power to increase in Ontario: No more coal

The government of Ontario revealed a plan aimed at increasing the amount of nuclear and renewable energy projects over the next 20 years while decreasing coal-fired generation in the province. As part of the Long-Term Energy Plan, the government intends MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010

Fossil Fuel Factual Fallacies: New York Times Called Out by Renowned Canadian Geoscientist

Washington, DC, United States -- Rarely is the public treated to such inaccurate, misleading and unhelpful journalism as in `There Will Be Fuel` by New York Times correspondent, Clifford Krauss (New York Times, November 17, 2010), even in this era of pol MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010

CREW & City of Kitchener - GREEN HOUSING Incentive Program launched - Nov 25, Mayor Carl Zehr addresses those assembled while CREW representative Derek Satnik looks on.

The City of Kitchener, in partnership with Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW), offers a grant program that is intended to encourage homebuilders and homebuyers to invest in green buildings, and offset direct building impacts on energy, water and MORE    added: Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010

CREW - Kitchener, in partnership with CREW, launches GREEN GRANT PROGRAM that provides INCENTIVES TO HOMEBUILDERS AND HOMEOWNERS - Thurs. Nov.25, 9 to 11 a.m.

KITCHENER – The City of Kitchener, in partnership with Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW), will officially launch the Kitchener Green Housing Incentive Program (KGHIP) this Thursday, Nov. 25, at the Ontario Green Home, 34 Helena Feasby St., in Ki MORE    added: Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

Another CREW SIDE 2010 solar PV install is now complete.

Barry and Sharon Roth of Baden have recently installed a 5.1 KW Solar PV installation under CREW's Solar Initiative for Distributed Energy (SIDE) program. Their supplier/installer was Sun Volts. MORE    added: Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

New Ontario 20 yr Electricity Plan - Nuclear heavy energy plan will double residential electricity bills - Ontario Clean Air Alliance

The McGuinty Government released their new 20-year electricity plan today. This plan is a big slice of “Back to the futureâ€쳌 with a major emphasis on costly, risky and completely unnecessary nuclear projects. MORE    added: Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

The Long Term Energy Plan (LTEP)for Ontario is Coming!

An Energy Plan tries to figure out how much power people in Ontario are going to need over a long period of time (say, 20 years). It figures out where that power is going to come from. Then it tells government, developers, and business where to put new MORE    added: Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010

US subsidies of oil and coal more than double the subsidies of renewable energy

During the fiscal years of 2002-2008 the United States handed out subsidies to fossil fuel industries to a tune of 72 billion dollars, while renewable energy subsidies, during the same period, reached 29 billion dollars. Conducted by the Environmental La MORE    added: Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010

Our fiscally prudent strategy to lower electricity bills - Ontario Clean Air Alliance

Ontario Finance Minister Dwight DuncanÂ’s announced this afternoon a $1.1 billion per year taxpayer-financed subsidy for the consumption of dirty coal-fired and high-cost nuclear power. But merely reducing electricity prices masks the true costs of prod MORE    added: Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010

Hillcrest Mennonite Church dedicates solar energy system - Ootober 24 2010

On Sunday October 24, Hillcrest Mennonite Church held a dedication service for the installation of their ground-mounted solar energy system. They expect the installation to be completed and fully functional in a matter of weeks. MORE    added: Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010

Job Opportunity - REEP House Outreach Assistant Needed - 3 months - immediate

Job Description: The REEP House Outreach Assistant will assist the outreach officer to plan, carry out, document and evaluate a wide variety of workshops, meetings and community events. They will also be responsible for updating our decision-making soft- MORE    added: Monday, Nov. 8, 2010

Feed-in Tariffs Spurring Community Power - Ontario

n North America, Ontario has made a concerted effort to guarantee that a portion of the new renewable generating capacity to be built will be owned by its own citizens. The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) has signed feed-in tariff contracts for 384 MW of c MORE    added: Monday, Nov. 8, 2010

Habitat for Humanity Toronto Values Photovoltaic Technology

HFHT is currently completing construction on CanadaÂ’s first solar photovoltaic technology habitat condominium, and it will use its Toronto Restores retail chain to salvage and recycle over 1,600 metric tons of materials a year. Thisorganizational push f MORE    added: Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010

New Business Network Strengthens Ontario's FIT and MicroFIT Program

Ontario Solar Network kicked off its membership campaign on October 28 with an event that connected over 120 stakeholders in the province’s fast-growing solar business community. The Network explained the essential benefits of membership for businesses MORE    added: Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010

Enter now! New Ontario-wide Green Home Building and Renovating Competition

The Home Sweet Home Competition is a new annual green buildng competition that recognizes and rewards the builders, tradespeople, designers, suppliers, and everyone else who comes together to build Ontario's Sweetest Homes. Home Sweet Home is a project o MORE    added: Friday, Nov. 5, 2010

College pals build North America’s “greenest hotelâ€쳌

Toronto Star - Tom Rand is shown with the solar PV panels on the roof at the Planet Traveller hostel in Toronto. Rand, a green entrepreneur, has eco-retrofitted an abandoned building on College St., turning it into what he calls North America's greenest h MORE    added: Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010

Father of the solar revolution dies

Hermann Scheer has given to the world the hopeful idea that we can switch to 100% solar power in the next twenty years. Over the past twenty years this German parliamentarian, author, economist, and visionary has created the legislative and economic tool MORE    added: Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010

Ontario Power Authority - NEWS ON-LINE for October

CONSERVATION - Toronto Zoo Project launched with OPA help. The Toronto Zoo is demonstrating leadership in energy conservation management through a joint venture announced recently at the Toronto Zoo with Toronto Hydro, the Ontario Power Authority and Ic MORE    added: Monday, Oct. 25, 2010

LIFE Co-op Newsletter, Fall 2010 - St. Agatha Wind Project

No doubt the members of LIFE are keen to have an update on whatÂ’s been happening with LIFE Co-op. Since our last newsletter, in Fall 2009, LIFE has been busy learning about and adjusting to the new regulatory environment introduced by Ontario's Green En MORE    added: Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010

Google to fund $5bn, 6000 MW offshore wind power cable network off US East Coast

Published: Oct 13, 2010 - Google and Marubeni, a Japanese trading house, plan to form a joint venture to develop an undersea power cable network along the US mid-Atlantic coast that will collect and deliver power from offshore wind farms, reports Marke MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 15, 2010

FIT for Ontario - by Colin Andersen, CEO, Ontario Power Authority

Ontario signalled its intention of becoming a world leader in renewable energy a year ago when it launched a Feed-in Tariff program. The program is the most comprehensive in North America and offers guaranteed, long-term prices for renewable energy pr MORE    added: Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010

Ikea generates cash from store roof top solar - North York, Etobicoke & Vaughn

Ikea has jumped into electricity generation in a big way, unveiling the first of three big solar-powered e lectricity generation installations.The company is installing 3,790 solar panels on the roofs of stores in North York, Etobicoke and Vaughan. MORE    added: Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010

World's largest solar farm opens in Ontario

SARNIA, Ont. - The sun shone brightly on the official opening of the world's largest solar farm, which opened in southwestern Ontario on Monday. The massive $400-million project in Sarnia, Ont., includes 1.3 million panels, generating up to 80 megawatt MORE    added: Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010

Ontario Building Momentum In Solar Installation

According to a recent report by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), Ontario was the third-largest North American market for solar photovoltaic (PV) installation in 2009. In total, the province installed 46 megawatts (MW) of solar PV last ye MORE    added: Friday, Oct. 8, 2010

Ontario to shuts down 2000 MW of coal - Oct 1!

Tomorrow Ontario can celebrate a major milestone in the fight against climate change as they move to replace dirty coal with renewable energy. Premier McGuinty is making good on his promise to shut down 2000 MW of coal by October of 2010 as part of the MORE    added: Thursday, Sep. 30, 2010

OPG wants to raise rates in March 2011 to start paying for Darlington Re-Build

Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG’s) proposal to re-build the Darlington Nuclear Station could cost $21 to $35 billion according to a new report, The Darlington Re-Build Consumer Protection Plan, released today by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance (OCAA). MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 29, 2010

Grand River Car Share co-op may get city spots

KITCHENER — Grand River Car Share is looking for more spaces for its ever-expanding vehicle co-op and thinks city parking spots could be the solution. The co-op, which currently has around 400 members from Waterloo Region and Hamilton, is asking the city MORE    added: Monday, Sep. 27, 2010

Green-home program targets average buyers

Photo - Philip Walker, Record staffDerek Satnik, managing director of Mindscape Innovations, shows off energy efficiency features in the basement of Ontario's first platinum-certified Built Green home. Picture a carpet made from recycled pop and ketchup MORE    added: Wednesday, Sep. 15, 2010

The Myth of Cheap Fossil Fuels – A Roadblock for Renewable Energy

Arguments for renewable energy legislation have mixed messages on jobs creation with those of climate change, national security, energy independence and environmental disaster. After two years of debate and millions spent in lobbying, no one has been MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010

microFIT Program Update

The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) has posted new program documents on the microFIT website to follow the changes to the microFIT Program announced on August 13. These documents include the microFIT eligible participant schedule that identifies which types MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010

Ontario concedes on solar energy payments - Record article

Farmers and business owners in Waterloo Region who have invested in ground-mounted solar systems were relieved and happy on Friday after winning concessions from the Ontario government on the price they will get for their solar energy. The Ontario Power MORE    added: Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010

Waterloo Region second, Kitchener fourth in respective Ontario Power Pledge energy awareness categories

The results are in for the Power Pledge challenge, with Waterloo Region and the city of Kitchener narrowly missing out on top honours for energy awareness across Ontario. The pledge, which challenged Ontarians to log on to the Ontario Power Authority web MORE    added: Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010

PRESS RELEASE: Solar Program Changes Ensure Fairness for Waterloo Region - OPA CONSULTATION RESULTS IN CHANGES

NEWS August 13, 2010 - Changes announced today following a 30-day consultation on the popular microFIT program will ensure fairness to applicants and continue to encourage Waterloo Region residents to participate in the growing clean energy economy. MORE    added: Friday, Aug. 13, 2010

Ontario Government Gives Green Light to Solar Power Projects - Stakeholders congratulate government for protecting Ontario solar program

Toronto - Earlier today, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announced changes to the Ontario micro Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program, the program guaranteeing the price paid to renewable energy generators. The proposed changes are designed to address MORE    added: Friday, Aug. 13, 2010

Solar plant in Guelph could employ 500 - Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar, one of the 10 largest makers of solar energy modules in the world, announced Wednesday that a large facility at 545 Speedvale Ave. W. will become its first Canadian plant.The approximately 160,000-square-foot building was formerly occupi MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010

Conestoga College Fall Courses - Continuing Education and online courses/programs added to their Renewable and Green Technology Portfolio with more to come.

Conestoga College has recently won a few government contracts to deliver Solar and related training and as well have added Continuing Education and online courses/ programs to their Renewable and Green Technology Portfolio with more to come. Here is MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010

Hot and not-so-smoggy summer a winner - Ontario Clean Air Alliance

Hot weather continues to blanket Southern Ontario, but thanks in part to conservation programs like peaksaver®, the need to burn dirty coal to produce power has been kept in check. So a big thank you to everyone who has enrolled in the peaksaver program MORE    added: Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010

Hydro companies encourage consumption reduction

All three hydro providers to Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge are taking part in the province-wide Power Pledge challenge, which encourages Ontarians to go online and make individual promises to slash their energy consumption this summer. MORE    added: Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010

First solar modules roll off the line at ATS

The first test modules have rolled off the line in Cambridge as ATS Automation Tooling Systems begins ramping up solar energy production to take advantage of government incentives in Ontario. The Cambridge-based company has been approved for 65 megawatts MORE    added: Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010

Arise Technologies planning more solar cell lines in German plant

WATERLOO —Arise Technologies has started planning for two more lines at its plant in Germany as strong customer demand for solar cells allowed the company to cut its losses and more than double revenues in its second quarter. MORE    added: Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010

Details of proposed ground-mounted solar PV calculation - Web-enabled Teleconference Thurs. July 29 was recorded and is available on OPA website

The new price category levels the playing field with other program categories. The Power Authority is conducting a 30-day consultation period on the new price category and invites proponents to submit feedback by August 3, 2010. The Ontario Power Authori MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 27, 2010

Conservation still low priority in Ontario

As of December 2009, for every dollar that the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) has spent on energy conservation, it has contracted for $44 of new electricity supply.Yet the OPA's payments to large industrial consumers to save a kilowatt-hour (kWh) are as MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 22, 2010

OSEA - On OPA ground-mount MicroFit rate change - paid bulletin from Sentinel Solar Corporation

The following is a paid bulletin from Sentinel Solar Corporation - Fellow Environmental Advocates,Recently the OPA announced a proposed rate change for ground-mounted solar systems, effectively reducing the microFIT contract rate from 80.2c/kWh to 58.8c MORE    added: Wednesday, Jul. 21, 2010

CREW SOLAR - CHECK OUT CREW's SOLAR INITIATIVE for DISTRIBUTED ENERGY(SIDE)2010/11 with Vendor/Installer List

Solar Initiative for Distributed Energy (SIDE) 2010/11 isFacilitated by Community Renewable Energy of Waterloo Region (CREW) and the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce -- To learn more about solar options with CREW and how to use this list.. MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 19, 2010

Conservation and cooperation a winning formula - - Ontario Clean Air Alliance

By working together, Ontario and Quebec can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of their electricity systems while also keeping rates in check for businesses and consumers. The Ontario Clean Air Alliance and Quebec environmental leader Equiterre today r MORE    added: Friday, Jul. 16, 2010

Kitchener's REEP Project house for sustainable living is featured on Ontario government website.

The REEP House demonstrates that conserving our heritage and conserving energy can go hand in hand. It also sends a strong message to fellow Ontarians about the importance of an energy efficient house - and about how implementing these changes in your MORE    added: Tuesday, Jul. 13, 2010

Swiss solar plane touches down safely after record flight 24hr test flight

PAYERNE, Switzerland - An experimental solar-powered plane has landed safely after completing its first 24-hour test flight. The record feat brings it one step closer to the makers' ultimate aim of circling the globe using only energy from the sun. MORE    added: Friday, Jul. 9, 2010

Americans urged to end their reliance on air conditioning as heat wave endures

TheRecord.com - - Americans urged to end their reliance on air conditioning as heat wave endures -Lee-Anne Goodman, The Canadian Press -WASHINGTON - As the eastern seaboard continues to endure a record-breaking heat wave, the thought of giving up air MORE    added: Friday, Jul. 9, 2010

Smog is in the air

WeÂ’re now on the sixth day of a Southern Ontario-wide smog alert. The bad news is that even with air quality at its worst, we are still running highly polluting coal plants. The good news is that there is something you can do to reduce the need for dir MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 8, 2010

Companies find saving energy saves money

From bird droppings on solar panels to ultrasonic leak detection, Guelph business leaders heard about the pitfalls and benefits of energy conservation July 2 during the Guelph Chamber of Commerce Environmental Sustainability Forum. MORE    added: Monday, Jul. 5, 2010

The Gulf oil spill is sending us a message

What do the Gulf oil spill and coal power in Ontario have in common? They are both symptoms of our addiction to fossil fuels that are fuelling climate change and smog and destroying ecosystems. But we donÂ’t have to watch helplessly as disasters like th MORE    added: Thursday, Jul. 1, 2010

Coal-fired power plants to be phased out in Canada

23 June 2010-- The Canadian government said it plans to phase out older coal-fired plants by introducing strict new emissions regulations.The proposed regulations would apply a performance standard to new coal-fired plants as well as to older plants. The MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 28, 2010

Grants help churches with energy audits - Record article

WATERLOO REGION — Before they break for summer, Jane Snyder wants members of church property committees to think about cutting heating costs this winter. Talking now could save them money later, Snyder says.Snyder, co-ordinator of Greening Sacred Spac MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 28, 2010

Environmental Defense - GULF OIL SPILL - Who is really responsible?

Technically, BP is responsible for the spill in the Gulf. But in a way, so are you and I. We may take public transit and ride our bikes whenever we can, but like the rest of Canada, our province is seriously addicted to oil. The disaster unfolding in the MORE    added: Wednesday, Jun. 23, 2010

Grebel Alumni are Harnessing The Powerof the Sun

“Imagine a simple way to help clean the environment, care and protect the creation we have been gifted from God, and then pass on this greener environment to future generations. If this could be completed with a non-intrusive, eco-friendly technology MORE    added: Tuesday, Jun. 22, 2010

With the PeakBusters.ca community challenge, we all win

When it comes to busting smog-generating peak electricity demand, folks in the Big Smoke (Toronto) are leading the way with their participation in the peaksaver® air conditioning control program. But they have only a narrow lead, with just over 10% of MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 11, 2010

Waterloo Region embraces power of the sun

WATERLOO REGION — Local politicians are mounting solar panels on 37 more roofs, to help promote solar energy and earn provincial cash. The $18-million regional government project will put panels above child care centres, the Sunnyside nursing home MORE    added: Wednesday, Jun. 9, 2010

Rockway student project is electrifying

By Scott Nowoselski, Record staff KITCHENER — Cameron Penny says he was never a car guy. Then he built an electric truck. Penny is one of seven Rockway Mennonite Collegiate students who have worked to convert a 1997 GMC Sonoma to run solely on plug-in MORE    added: Tuesday, Jun. 8, 2010

ATTENTION FAITH COMMUNITIES - 50% rebates now available for energy audits

Our hotter-than-usual spring may have made your faith buildings less comfortable than usual! An energy audit is an excellent way to plan to make your faith building more energy-efficient, and also more comfortable as well. We are pleased to announce MORE    added: Tuesday, Jun. 8, 2010

McGuinty OKs 17% increase in dirty coal-fired electricity generation

The McGuinty Government has issued a shareholder directive giving Ontario Power Generation permission to increase the output of its dirty coal-fired power plants by 17%, in each year from 2011 to 2014 inclusive, relative to its actual level of coal-fired MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 7, 2010

Ease up on the juice

With temperatures in the 30-degree range in recent days, it is becoming more important for home owners to conserve power. Wilf Meston with Kitchener Wilmot Hydro says we set yearly peaks yesterday for energy usage but the levels were well below what we've MORE    added: Monday, Jun. 7, 2010

Governments spend more than $250 billion every year subsidizing the incumbent energy industry - Stern Report

"Governments around the world massively subsidize the coal, oil, and nuclear industries. According to the influential Stern Report, governments spend more than $250 billion every year subsidizing the incumbent energy industry. " - Tony Seba, Solar Trilli MORE    added: Friday, Jun. 4, 2010

Toronto Mayoral candidates support CHP

Joe Pantalone, George Smitherman, Rocco Rossi and Sarah Thomson all support the installation of natural gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plants in Toronto’s hospitals and multi-residential buildings to help meet our electricity needs according to MORE    added: Wednesday, Jun. 2, 2010

New Report - Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer Of Health Says There Is No Direct Causal Link Between Wind Turbines And Adverse Health Effects

May 20, 2010 - NEWS - The scientific evidence does not demonstrate any direct causal link between wind turbine noise and adverse health effects according to a new report from Dr. Arlene King, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. MORE    added: Monday, May. 31, 2010

OLD HOUSE RETROFIT - REEP House is featured on Treehugger.com.

OLD HOUSE RETROFIT. Waterloo Green Solutions’ REEP House, aiming at net zero energy, is featured on Treehugger.com. Watch the cool videos, too! MORE    added: Monday, May. 31, 2010

Kitchener and Guelph call for coal phase-out

Following Hamilton’s lead, the Cities of Kitchener and Guelph have recently passed resolutions calling on Premier McGuinty to put our dirty coal plants on standby reserve and only operate them if absolutely needed to keep the lights on in Ontario. MORE    added: Friday, May. 28, 2010

Waterloo Region Can Lead and Benefit with Wind Energy Development

Waterloo Region Can Lead and Benefit with Wind Energy Development by Catharine Gerhard, Business Development Officer, CTT Inc - Worldwide wind energy production capacity has increased at an average annual rate of 25% over the past ten years according to MORE    added: Friday, May. 28, 2010

Governments Prosper from Solar Power Manufacturing - Queen's study reveals

A new study from Queen's University says that solar power manufacturing makes good business sense for governments. - by Michael Onesi, Queen's University. Canada Canadian and provincial governments could spend $2.4 billion to build large scale solar PV MORE    added: Tuesday, May. 25, 2010

Smart meter savings wonÂ’t appear until next year

Record staff - WATERLOO REGION — Your electricity bills are going up this month, and it will likely be a year before new smart meters can start helping you save money. While the regionÂ’s three hydro companies expect to be mostly done installing 190,000 MORE    added: Friday, May. 21, 2010

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