ISSUE 29 DEC 15, 2014 - FEB 14, 2015 ‘HOLIDAYS , WINTER, SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY’ ISSUE FREE! SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR VT, NH, MA, AND BEYOND RS! EA Y 5 Energy Independence, Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Living and MORE! www.greenenergytimes.org | 802.439.6675 WHEN ACTIVISM meets CARBON POLLUTION TAX BUSINESS BENEFITS VERMONT World’s Largest Investor-owned Utility Goes 100% Renewable By George Harvey Desmond Tutu, an Anglican bishop in South Africa, achieved a fair amount of fame as an anti-apartheid activist. Now he is calling on businesses to cut their ties with the fossil fuels industry. Bill McKibben, a Schumann Distin- guished Scholar at Middlebury College, has gained a lot of press recently as the leader of 350.org, which is calling on in- vestors, especially colleges and universi- ties, to divest of their holdings in the fossil fuels industry. Many others have been pushing the Future storms similar to Irene are inevitable. We must take bold steps, like the carbon pollution tax, to help cause for renewable energy, as well. to slow climate change. This photo was taken in Pittsfield, Vt., during Hurricane Irene. Photo: Barb Wood Though it has been slow, the activist- By Fran Putnam propelled movement away from ties to the fossil fuels industry has been gaining The recent launch of an effort to put a by the State of Vermont. The results of the economy. The report highlights that in 2012 ground. At least, it has been slow until price on carbon pollution in Vermont is a study show that a well-crafted policy can Vermonters bought over $1.2 billion worth now. forward-looking, smart economic strategy. reduce Vermont’s fossil fuel use, add jobs of gasoline with only about 25% of this On November 30, 2014, E.ON, the A growing, diverse coalition of businesses, and stimulate our economy in a way that is value remaining in the state through retail largest investor-owned utility in the low-income organizations, environmental equitable for all Vermonters. sales and distribution. world, announced that it is spinning off a groups and citizens have looked hard at the On the surface, it might seem odd to That equates to a loss of $900 million to company to take all its nuclear and fossil- benefits, costs and potential policy frame- believe that an assessment on carbon pollu- imports from other states, countries, and fuel-burning power plants. The parent work for taking this step. tion could stimulate our economy. Under- continents (nearly 3% of gross state prod- company will focus entirely on renewable The coalition commissioned an economic standing how this tax would work is crucial uct). The independent REMI analysis states, power, primarily from wind, solar, and analysis to understand the impacts of a to understanding how that can be true. “Reducing these imports could ‘keep more biomass. In effect, E.ON is answering the carbon pollution tax; an analysis recently Currently, most of the money Vermont- dollars local,’ grow the Vermont economy, and create more jobs.” call of Bill McKibben and Desmond Tutu. undertaken by the independent Regional ers spend on fossil fuels goes out of state cont’d on p.3 The largest publicly traded utility on Earth Economic Models (REMI), a firm often hired to large corporations, doing little for our is distancing itself from fossil fuels. This is about as radical as a change can be. E.ON will be giving up nearly all the traditional power generating facilities HARD DECISIONS – EASY SOLUTIONS on which its business was built. Instead, it will work on a forward-looking set of By George Harvey “Everything is impossible until it is done” sustainable systems that are as yet not Every once in a while you have an ing the economy. The district started by hour (kWh). This is particularly interesting, entirely developed. outstandingly good day. October 29 promoting efficiency in buildings. This because the lower limit at which electric- The German government has already was one of those days. Its news had four was followed by encouraging people to ity generated by imported coal can be committed the country to closing down stories about a world moving to renew- add solar PVs and put wind turbines on competitive in India is about $0.09 per able power – something some people are the grid. These are often owned by farms, kWh. reluctant even to try because they insist it towns, small businesses, and co-opera- The price of solar power has achieved will be too hard – and all four stories show tives. Biomass plants were also added, full grid parity in India, cont’d on p.24 how well that move has gone. providing grid power with waste heat First, I read about Bertram Fleck, chief going to schools, business, and homes. administrative officer of the German dis- Now, Rhein-Hunsrück produces 177% trict of Rhein-Hunsrück. He was featured of the power it needs, and the excess is IN THIS ISSUE: in an article in the Edmonton (Alberta) exported. Carbon dioxide emissions have Sustainable Forestry p.20-21 Journal, as he talked to people there been cut by 64% from their 1990 levels. about renewable power in his district The economy has $50 million more going Heating Efficiency p.18-19 about the truly impressive things that had through it each year, providing employ- Deep Energy Retrofit Series p.30 been done there. “Everything is impos- ment and income for the district’s 102,000 sible,” he said, “until it is done.” people. Climate Changes Everything p. 24 Rhein-Hunsrück started to address Then, on the same day, I read about the issues of renewable power in 1999. There latest solar power auction in India. First Holiday Thoughts & Ideas p.38-39 were several goals, including cutting Solar presented bids for two blocks of 40 Cross Country Sking p.37 various types of pollution while improv- MW at $0.086 and $0.087 per kilowatt A SOLAR POWERED G.E.T. IT! COMPANY MANY THANKS E.ON coal-burning plant in Rostok District, Meck- TO OUR SPONSORS lenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. Photo by Jan FOR THEIR EN ENERGY T M Rehschuh. RE ES cont’d on p. 14 SUPPORT: G ... be energy independent! ™ High Efficiency Wood Pellet High Efficiency Wood Pellet and Dry Chip Boiler Systems and Dry Chip Boiler Systems Design Design Sales Sales Install Install Service Service GREEN ENERGY TIMES (G.E.T.) the other side of the fence. Enjoy it. Ck out our Ad Size Dimensions GREEN ENERGY TIMES (G.E.T.) Sustainable Sports section on pp. 38-39. TABLETABLE OFOF CONTENTSCONTENTS 17491749 Wright’s Wright’s Mountain Mountain Road Road • • Bradford,Bradford, VT 05033 Wishing you all a sustainablyPlease peaceful have fun responsibly, holiday not only EDITORS’ PAGE, SUBSCRIPTIONS ...................2 t/ft/f: 802.439.6675: 802.439.6675 • • [email protected]@greenenergytimes.org for the sake of a future, environmentally but EDITORS’ PAGE, SUBSCRIPTIONS ...................2 NET METERING EXPANSION ..........................3 Button 2.3125 x 1.375 G.E.T.’G.E.T.’s STRATEGICs STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNICATIONS TEAM: TEAM: Summer! What a great season we have in also with your own health in mind. Check out NEWS & HAPPENINGS ..................................3 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR TRANSPORTATION SECTION ...................46 Publisher/Editor/ProductionPublisher/Editor/Production ..........................................NancNancyy Rae Rae Mallery Mallery front of us. Let’s make it a summer of awareness the sunscreen recipe on p. 35, and the tips TRANSPORTATION SECTION ... 4-6 and not forget the planet or our future while we throughout the It’s a Green Life ... after all section 1/16 Page vert. 2.3125 x 3 General Factotum ................................................George Harvey As I look outside at the foot of snow on with the lowest carbon footprint we are BETTERRHOADES EFFICIENCY CAR, NO IDLING FOR EV’S IS ........................A LAW ...........4-64 General Factotum ............................................ George Harvey are doing all of the summer things we do! in the back of this issue. Copy Editor ...............................................................Ray Brewster the ground today, the day after Thanks- able to achieve. EV FORUM, SMART COMMUTING ...................6 Copy Editor ...........................................................Ray Brewster This issue is full of ways to accomplish just While i love sports, for me gardening also COST OF A LITTLE IDLING COMFORT ...............5 Awesome Saucegirl ..........................................Michelle Harrison giving, it appears that winter has arrived Happy holidays to you all and may 1/8 Page horiz. 4.875 x 3 that - with our main feature all about Building Brings me such contentment and wonderful ANDCOMMUNITY THE BIKES NEWS WIN! ................................ ....................................676 CoordinatingWeb Editors ..................................... Director ..................................George Harvey,Michelle Daniel Harrison Hoviss early. Is it going to be another extra long, 2015 bring in an even more awareness Effi ciently, which is one of the two big issues organic food for the summer and winter that SOLAR FARMS; GREEN BIKES PROJECT ..........7 Design/Layout ...........................Carrie Fradkin, Nancy Rae Mallery, hard winter? The seasons seem to be of why we need to each reduce our own SMART COMMUTING .....................................6 1/8 Page vert. 2.3125 x 6.1875 Web Editors ..........................George Harvey, Michelle Harrison that we all need to tackle for a carbon-free will be coming along. Our Agriculture section is changing in front of our eyes. The week’s carbon footprint from the little things that RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION 817 Printing Valley News Lebanon, NH Using Recycled News-print & future. full of great info you will enjoy and fi nd helpful. COMMUNITY NEWS... 7 Design/Layout ..............................Nancy Rae Mallery, P.J. Fischer weather is forecast to be unseasonably we touch upon in our “It’s a Green Life” Smudge-Free Environmentally Safe Inks* On the front cover, you will read just how While we did not cover the terrible news THETFORDSOLAR PHOTOVOLTAICS VOLUNTEER WEATHERIZING .......................