The U.S. Energy Secretary, Steven Chu announced more awards from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act for funding from the Department of Energy.

• Clemson University will receive up to $45 million for a wind energy test facility that will enhance the performance, durability, and reliability of utility-scale wind turbines.  The Large Wind Turbine Drivetrain Testing facility will enable the U.S., which leads the world in wind energy capacity, to expand development and testing of large-scale wind turbine drive-train systems domestically.  The new facility will be located at the Charleston Naval Complex, a former Navy base in North Charleston, S.C. and will be a part of the Clemson University Restoration Institute campus. The test facility will operate as a non-profit organization with a business model designed for sustainability while providing ongoing state-of-the-art testing to wind turbine manufacturers. These tests of drivetrains are required to demonstrate compliance with wind turbine design standards, reduce wind turbine costs, secure product financing, and reduce the technical and financial risk of deploying mass-produced wind turbine models.  Press Release

• Small businesses will have $18 million invested to support innovation research, development and deployment of clean energy technologies. In this first phase of funding, 125 grants of up to $150,000 each will be awarded to 107 small advanced technology firms across the U.S. The companies were competitively selected from a pool of 950 applicants through a special fast-track process with an emphasis on near-term commercialization and job creation. Companies that demonstrate successful results with their new technologies and show potential to meet market needs will be eligible for $60 million in a second round of grants in the summer of 2010.  Grants were awarded in each of the following ten topic areas:  Press Release
  1. Advanced Building Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Thermal Load Shifting, and Cool Roofs (15 projects, for up to $2,241,229 total)
  2. Water Usage in Electric Power Production (6 projects, for up to $878,144)
  3. Power Plant Cooling (1 project, $150,000)
  4. Advanced Gas Turbines and Materials (11 projects, for up to $1,637,033)
  5. Sensors, Controls, and Wireless Networks (12 projects, for up to $1,787,061)
  6. Advanced Water Power Technology Development (12 projects, for up to $1,747,259)
  7. Smart Controllers for Smart Grid Applications (8 projects, for up to $1,166,871)
  8. Advanced Solar Technologies (12 projects, for up to $2,783,996)
  9. Advanced Industrial Technologies Development (25 projects, for up to $3,709,564)
  10. Advanced Manufacturing Processes (16 projects, for up to $2,222,110)
  • Full list of awards (PDF)

• Thirty-two demonstration projects, which include large-scale energy storage, smart meters, distribution and transmission system monitoring devices, and a range of other smart technologies, will act as models for deploying integrated Smart Grid systems on a broader scale. They were awarded $620 million for projects around the country to demonstrate advanced Smart Grid technologies and integrated systems that will help build a smarter, more efficient, more resilient electrical grid. Applicants say this investment will create thousands of new job opportunities that will include manufacturing workers, engineers, electricians, equipment installers, IT system designers, cyber security specialists, and business and power system analysts.  Press Release
  • In the first group, 16 awards totaling $435 million will support fully integrated, regional Smart Grid demonstrations in 21 states, representing over 50 utilities and electricity organizations with a combined customer base of almost 100 million consumers.
  • In the second group, an additional 16 awards for a total of $185 million will help fund utility-scale energy storage projects that will enhance the reliability and efficiency of the grid, while reducing the need for new electricity plants.
  • Full list of selected projects (PDF)

U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao have announced the creation of a joint program to develop clean energy, including the creation of a $150 million clean energy research center.  Earlier this week both attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, where they agreed along with 19 other world leaders on a deferral plan for the upcoming climate talks at Copenhagen.  Read more…

Meeting in Beijing, the two presidents agreed to a seven-point plan designed to speed the development of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency.  The agreement includes the following initiatives:

1.  China Clean Energy Research Center

• The Center will facilitate joint research and development of clean energy technologies by teams of scientists and engineers from the United States and China, as well as serve as a clearinghouse to help researchers in each country.

U.S.-China Fact Sheet on Clean Energy Research (PDF)

2.  China Electric Vehicles Initiatives

• Building on the first ever U.S.-China Electric Vehicle Forum in September 2009, the initiative will include joint standards development, demonstration projects in more than a dozen cities, technical road mapping and public education projects. 

U.S.-China Fact Sheet on Electric Vehicles Initiative (PDF)

3.  Energy Efficiency Action Plan

• Under the new plan, the two countries will work together to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, industrial facilities, and consumer appliances.

U.S.-China Fact Sheet on Energy Efficiency Plan (PDF)

4.  Renewable Energy Partnership

• Under the partnership, the two countries will develop road maps for wide-spread renewable energy deployment in both countries.  The partnership will also provide technical and analytical resources to states and regions in both countries to support renewable energy deployment and will facilitate state-to-state and region-to-region partnerships to share experience and best practices.

U.S.-China Fact Sheet on Renewable Energy Partnership (PDF)

5.  21st Century Coal

• The two governments are actively engaging industry, academia, and civil society in advancing clean coal and carbon capture and storage (CSS) solutions.

U.S.-China Fact Sheet on 21st Century Coal (PDF)

6.  Shale Gas Initiative

• Under the Initiative, the U.S. and China will use experience gained in the United States to assess China’s shale gas potential, promote environmentally-sustainable development of shale gas resources, conduct joint technical studies to accelerate development of shale gas resources in China, and promote shale gas investment in China through U.S.-China Oil and Gas Industry Forum, study tours, and workshops.

U.S. -China Fact Sheet on Shale Gas Initiative (PDF)

7.  Energy Cooperation Program

• The program will leverage private sector resources for project development work in China across a broad array of clean energy projects, to the benefit of both nations.

ECP Press Release

U.S.-China Clean Energy Announcements

U.S. President Barack Obama and other world leaders supported delaying a legally binding climate pact until 2010 or even later, but European negotiators said the move did not imply weaker action.  French Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo said it was clear the main obstacle was the United States’ slow progress in defining its own potential emissions cuts.

During a meeting in Singapore, the U.S. President supported a Danish plan to salvage something from the unchanged negotiations and technology transfer.  While this falls short of hopes that Copenhagen would lock in place a new action plan for the world, it recognizes the lack of progress in recent preparatory talks and the hold-ups of climate legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the host and chairman of the climate talks, flew overnight to Singapore to pitch the deferral plan to 19 leaders, including Obama and Chinese president Hu Jintao, at an unscheduled event during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.  He insisted that the Copenhagen talks could still set political targets and outline commitments.

The proposal by Denmark, the host and chair of the climate talks, would set the stage for a political accord at Copenhagen next month and the setting of a new deadline for countries to agree on targets, levels of funding and verification of commitments.  This would give breathing room for the U.S. senate to pass carbon-capping legislation allowing Obama administration to bring a 2020 target and financing pledges to the table at a UN climate meeting in Mexico or Germany in mid-2010.

It was unclear if China, the world’s biggest emitter, supported the delay but other leader said there was little choice.

The extension of the process is not unexpected, given the flurry of downbeat statements by world leaders in recent weeks.  It may avoid a total breakdown at Copenhagen, but the delay has frustrated those who feel time is running out to prevent calamitous levels of climate change.

World leaders back delay to final climate deal

National Grid submitted a proposal to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utility Commission to expand its energy efficiency programs by a factor of three between 2010 and 2012.

The energy retailer says that its plan would reduce energy use 2 percent by 2012 and help customers save $2 billion over the life of energy efficiency measures that are implemented.  If National Grid has its way, Massachusetts electricity customers will pay higher electricity and gas rates while benefiting from expanded energy efficiency programs that help them use less energy overall.

To help customers achieve energy savings, National Grid wants to expand its electricity energy efficiency programs from the current $85 million to about $570 million in the three-year period between 2010 and 2012. Natural gas energy efficiency programs would go from $20 million now to nearly $200 million over those three years.

To support the programs, the typical residential customer using 500 kWh per month would see a $1.15 monthly increase, while natural gas customers using 82 therms a month would see a monthly hike of $3.25.

National Grid Submits Plan To DPU for Unprecedented Energy-Efficiency Program Expansion

As we move closer to the close of the Senate’s session this winter, the climate bill that has been much debated over is looking likely to come to vote.  All past bills addressing climate change and energy have met a filibuster in the Senate, thanks to the GOP.

Senator John Kerry (D. MA) and Senator Lindsay Graham (R. SC) wrote an op-ed article for the New York Times last week, coming together to say they would try to find compromise on several key areas, including nuclear power, offshore drilling and a border tax on items produced in countries that avoid high environmental standards.

“Failure to act comes with another cost. If Congress does not pass legislation dealing with climate change, the administration will use the Environmental Protection Agency to impose new regulations. Imposed regulations are likely to be tougher and they certainly will not include the job protections and investment incentives we are proposing.

The message to those who have stalled for years is clear: killing a Senate bill is not success; indeed, given the threat of agency regulation, those who have been content to make the legislative process grind to a halt would later come running to Congress in a panic to secure the kinds of incentives and investments we can pass today. Industry needs the certainty that comes with Congressional action.

We are confident that a legitimate bipartisan effort can put America back in the lead again and can empower our negotiators to sit down at the table in Copenhagen in December and insist that the rest of the world join us in producing a new international agreement on global warming. That way, we will pass on to future generations a strong economy, a clean environment and an energy-independent nation.”

There is still a lot of work ahead to reach the magic number of 60 votes to prevent the filibuster, before this winters vote. For starters, the bill’s lead sponsors, Senators. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), can safely rely on 31 “yes” votes as they work on building their coalition.

Here is the 31 “Yeses” list:

1. Daniel Akaka (Hawaii)
2. Barbara Boxer (Calif.)
3. Ben Cardin (Md.)
4. Tom Carper (Del.)
5. Chris Dodd (Conn.)
6. Dick Durbin (Ill.)
7. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.)
8. Tom Harkin (Iowa)
9. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.)
10. Daniel Inouye (Hawaii)
11. Ted Kaufman (Del.)
12. John Kerry (Mass.)
13. Paul Kirk (Mass.)
14. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.)
15. Herbert Kohl (Wis.)
16. Frank Lautenberg (N.J.)
17. Patrick Leahy (Vt.)
18. Joe Lieberman (Conn.)
19. Robert Menendez (N.J.)
20. Jeff Merkley (Ore.)
21. Barbara Mikulski (Md.)
22. Patty Murray (Wash.)
23. Jack Reed (R.I.)
24. Harry Reid (Nev.)
25. Bernie Sanders (Vt.)
26. Charles Schumer (N.Y.)
27. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.)
28. Mark Udall (Colo.)
29. Tom Udall (N.M.)
30. Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.)
31. Ron Wyden (Ore.)

Another 12 senators fall into the “probably yes” camp, from Michael Bennet of Colorado to Al Franken of Minnesota and Mark Warner of Virginia. Bennet and Warner are not slam dunks given the fossil fuel interests in their home states, while Franken dropped off the “yes” list when he signed a letter with nine other Democrats in August that raised concerns about President Obama’s stance against trade sanctions on carbon-intensive goods from developing countries that do not have strong enough climate policies.

The 12 “Probables” are:

1. Roland Burris (Ill.)
2. Michael Bennet (Colo.)
3. Jeff Bingaman (N.M.)
4. Robert Casey (Pa.)
5. Susan Collins (Maine)
6. Russ Feingold (Wis.)
7. Al Franken (Minn.)
8. Kay Hagan (N.C.)
9. Tim Johnson (S.D.)
10. Bill Nelson (Fla.)
11. Olympia Snowe (Maine)
12. Mark Warner (Va.)

As for the fence sitters, the list continues to swell from both directions as key senators hedge their bets.

We may get only 56 or 57 Democratic votes for cloture — and thus may need at least 4 and preferably 5 or more GOP’ers, which I think is now in sight.  The bill is not a sure thing, but it is likely, especially since Obama is ramping up his push.  More on that later.

The 24 “Fence-Sitters” are:

1. Max Baucus (Mont.)
2. Evan Bayh (Ind.)
3. Mark Begich (Alaska)
4. Sherrod Brown (Ohio)
5. Robert Byrd (W.Va.)
6. Maria Cantwell (Wash.)
7. Kent Conrad (N.D.)
8. Byron Dorgan (N.D.)
9. Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
10. Judd Gregg (N.H.)
11. George LeMieux (Fla.)
12. Carl Levin (Mich.)
13. Blanche Lincoln (Ark.)
14. Richard Lugar (Ind.)
15. John McCain (Ariz.)
16. Claire McCaskill (Mo.)
17. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
18. Mark Pryor (Ark.)
19. Jay Rockefeller (W.Va.)
20. Arlen Specter (Pa.)
21. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.)
22. Jon Tester (Mont.)
23. George Voinovich (Ohio)
24. Jim Webb (Va.)

At least 67 Senators are in play