One of the authors of Ohio’s 1999 energy deregulation bill warns we cannot afford to wait for state lawmakers to hash out the rules of the recently passed Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard. We can’t afford to wait for Congress to pass legislation limiting carbon emissions, either.

What Paul Fenn, founder and CEO of Local Power, Inc., insists we need is an entirely new paradigm to finance and build renewable energy production. Fenn touts Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) agreements which he credits for making states such as California into renewable energy leaders.

Ohio’s 1999 law did open the way for the state’s only CCA—The Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC). By banding together 400,000 customers from 126 municipalities, NOPEC has leverage to keep utility rates from rising too fast, and it converted a portion of its power to natural gas from dirtier coal.

NOPEC could also broker an agreement with its municipalities to issue bonds to build wind farms or co-generation power plants that supply waste heat to produce biofuels. Those type of projects and more are happening in California where CCAs are, for example, helping Sonoma County set a target of supplying 66% of its power from renewables.

“CCAs provide a bridge because you need investment in supporting infrastructure,” said Fenn at an event this afternoon sponsored by EarthWatch Ohio and Green Energy Ohio. “NOPEC is a big player, and (executive director) Leigh Herington seems interested in greening the power supply.”

“We could take Northeast Ohio from a few hundred solar arrays to ten thousand,” Fenn adds. “You’re not waiting for the market or for regulators. Just issue bonds and if it doesn’t get built, someone gets sued.”

Those cross-country cyclists working to raise attention for climate change and the need to address an issue of national and international impact are at it again, organizing a ride from New York to Washington, DC. They are asking concerned citizens and riders to plan on joining them in September for a five to Washington D.C.

The ride is to promote renewable energy and solutions to global warming: www.climateride.org and they will have cyclists from all over the country joining them, and they say it would be great to have representatives from Cleveland join us and ride to Washington. Here’s the release:

Join Brita Climate Ride 2008
September 20th - 24th
New York to D.C.
www.ClimateRide.org

Join Brita Climate Ride 2008 for the first multi-day supported bicycle tour where you pedal to promote renewable energy and solutions to global warming. Climate Riders will cycle 320 miles in five days from New York to Washington D.C., following scenic country roads and finishing on the steps of our nation's capitol, where we will make a statement about our country's need for action.

Along the way, expert speakers will educate and inspire Climate Riders and local communities about the science, the policies and the solutions to global warming. Our riders and the communities we pass through will learn how our government, businesses, and all Americans will benefit from a cleaner, healthier climate. This is a unique event--a fundraiser and climate conference on wheels, and an opportunity to meet people who are engaged in making a difference.

Each rider will be responsible for raising $2,250. Proceeds from the ride benefit Clean Air - Cool Planet and Focus the Nation, two organizations that lead the way in expanding climate change education, encouraging renewable energy policies, and promoting solutions to global warming.

A coalition of environmental groups including Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Pew Environment Group and Audubon Ohio are extolling the virtues of market-based carbon legislation:

The Senate today started a historic debate on a first-ever legislation to implement a U.S. global warming policy.

This landmark piece of legislation will set up a "cap and trade" system to reduce global warming. Cap and trade places limits on the maximum level of greenhouse gas emissions, then creates a market for trading pollution between older, dirtier and newer, cleaner facilities. The net result is reduced pollution and a strong price incentive to use clean technology. This method has been road-tested and proven successful in reducing acid rain pollution. Ohio is ready to supply the country with the low carbon energy products of tomorrow and has created thousands of jobs manufacturing energy products like wind and solar.

The map below shows the companies in Ohio that are directly producing or are part of the supply chain for renewable energy manufacturing.

The environmental groups are encouraging supporters to call Senator Sherrod Brown (216) 522-7272; (202) 224-2315 and Senator George Voinovich (202) 224-3353 to support a strong global warming policy.

The Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina clearly sees the value of bikes and local infrastructure, taking steps to add more cycling access on area bridges. Earlier, the South Carolina state transportation officials added bike access to a federally funded bridge, a step ODOT refused to consider. The federally funded bridge has proven to be so popular, they have even hosted wedding groups. Building on the success, the Mayor announced more plans for bikes on bridges.

Here's the information:

Win for Charleston, SC: Old Bridge to Be Retrofitted: According to the Charleston Moves E-News, "Mayor Joseph Riley has announced the city's plan to add a cantilevered 10-ft wide bicycle and pedestrian lane to the southernmost of the two Ashley River bridges." The bridge is the primary conduit for travel between the downtown Charleston and West Ashley, but has been a roadblock to cyclists and pedestrians. Charleston Moves has actively championed access for cyclists and pedestrians to this important bridge. They report that the City of Charleston is now seeking funding for construction.

http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/may/14/create_better_bridge_links40740/

Kevin Cronin
ClevelandBikes : When ClevelandBikes, Cleveland Benefits!
www.clevelandbikes.org

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U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall speaking on "Let Them Eat Ethanol" at the City Club of Cleveland.

Reservations.

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Rally for Green Manufacturing Jobs presented by 10,000 Little Ideas to Believe in Cleveland.

Did you know? Wind power provides the most cost-effective, non-polluting, renewable energy source. Ohio is ranked 2nd (behind California) in wind manufacturing capacity. Northeast Ohio could gain 12,000 new wind turbine jobs. Investment in wind turbine manufacturing will help secure over 80,000 Ohio jobs currently in the wind industry.

Show your support to create green manufacturing jobs in Northeast Ohio on April 22 at the Wind Turbine at the Great Lakes Science Center. Petitions will be distributed for signatures and sent to Columbus to push renewal energy legislation in Ohio. T-shirts will be available at the event or online for a donation.

Can't attend? Sign the petition online at www.10000littleideas.com.

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Ben Cipiti is the author of The Energy Construct and graduate of Kenston High School. Cipiti will participate in this month's conversation via the Web.

For more information.

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Workshop on emerging energy technologies that can promote industrial revitalization in Ohio. Sponsored by the University Clean Energy Alliance of Ohio.

Registration information.

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2008 Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium, “Energy through Synergy: Industry, Entrepreneurship and Academics Fueling Economic Growth.”

Conference presentations, exhibitor show, student and industry poster displays and student poster competition.

More information and registration details.

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Join Green Energy Ohio for our first network meeting in Cleveland in 2008. Featured speaker is Bill Eger, Energy Manager in the City of Cleveland’s Sustainability Program. Established in May of 2005, the program’s goals are to save the City of Cleveland money and reduce its environmental footprint, use sustainability as a tool for economic development and introduce sustainability principles to city employees.

Bill will discuss energy policies and initiatives focused on driving sustainability in Cleveland in 2008 and beyond.

For more information, contact Athan Barkoukis at Athan@GreenEnergyOhio.org or call (216) 526-5545.