Lawrence is officially striving to be one of the top 10 communities in the country when it comes to promoting the use of renewable energy.
City leaders have started the process of applying to the Environmental Protection Agency to become one of the first 10 Green Power Communities in the country. The designation recognizes communities that use renewable energy for at least 2 percent of their total electricity consumption.
"We've talked a lot about how Lawrence really should be an environmental leader, and this is one way we could be one," City Commissioner Boog Highberger said.
But it won't necessarily be easy. For Lawrence to have 2 percent of its electrical usage come from renewable energy, between 1,000 and 2,000 homes would have to convert to renewable energy such as wind, solar or hydroelectric, which often is more expensive.
Kevin Doyle, the city's infrastructure and development coordinator who is overseeing the application process, said convincing enough homeowners to go renewable may not be feasible. Instead, the city will focus on convincing businesses and homeowners to convert a portion of their energy usage to renewable sources.
Purchasing green tags
Currently, the easiest way to convert a portion of a home or business' energy usage is to purchase what are called renewable energy certificates, Doyle said. The certificates - sometimes called green tags - are a way to convert a building's energy usage to renewable without adding wind turbines, solar panels or other devices to a home or business.
The green tags are sold by renewable energy companies. For every green tag sold, the renewable energy company promises to produce 1,000 kilowatts of renewable energy. That energy will be pumped into the country's system of electrical grids, which means there will be less of a need for coal plants to pump energy into the grid.
The Lawrence-based Bowersock Mills & Power Company - which uses turbines on the Kansas River to produce renewable energy - is part of a nonprofit organization that sells green tags.
Sarah Hill-Nelson, an executive with Bowersock, said the mill is producing energy for about 1,700 green tags in Lawrence. In order for Lawrence to reach the 2 percent level, residents and businesses need to buy about 20,000 green tags. The Bowersock green tags - which are sold through a company called Zephyr Energy - cost $20 per year. The cost of the green tag is in addition to a home or business' monthly utility bill.
An average home would need to buy 10 to 15 of the green tags to offset 100 percent of the home's electric usage. People, though, can choose to offset any percentage of their home's energy usage. People also don't have to buy the green tag from Zephyr. There are multiple companies across the country that sell the renewable energy certificates.
City government already spends about $9,000 per year for green tags to offset 3 percent of the government's electricity usage. That is part of the requirements to be a Green Power Community.
Marketing concept
Doyle said the city soon will start heavily promoting the green tag concept at energy fairs and other city events.
"We're going to do some press releases, and hopefully do some peer pressure," Doyle said. "There are some businesses that already have made that leap before we even started encouraging anyone. We're hoping that by the city of Lawrence showing some leadership and some other businesses showing leadership, that others will come along."
The Raven Bookstore, 8 E. Seventh St., is among the 15 businesses and organizations that have purchased green tags from Bowersock. Pat Kehde, a co-owner of the bookstore, said the few extra dollars per month was worth it to her.
"I feel virtuous, and that is always good," Kehde said. "And I really like the idea of us being part of this EPA program. It could bring some positive attention to the city."
That's what city leaders are hoping for. If Lawrence is one of the first 10 cities in the country to qualify for the program, it will be designated as a founding member of the partnership. Doyle and Highberger both said such a designation could catch the attention of environmentally friendly companies that are looking for communities to expand into.
But Doyle said that's not the main reason the city is getting involved.
"I think it is the right thing to do," Doyle said. "People have to step up and make a difference, and you have to do that at the individual level."
Doyle said if the city hopes to be among the first 10 communities, it likely will need to meet the 2 percent goal by the end of 2007.
Comments
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Ragingbear (anonymous) says…
With the rapid evolution of Solar Panel technology being what it is, there is little reason for any building to not have at least one solar panel on it. As little as 3 solar panels for a 5 member family can take their normal electric bills from $90 to $15. Needless to say, they start paying for themselves immediately, but will take quite some time to pay themselves off. Not only that, but they can actually produce more energy than a place would need at a given time, and that energy can actually be sold onto the electric grid. Some places that have several solar panels on their properties actually get checks from the electric company on a regular basis. If every new non-residential building was required to have a solar panel installed on it, Lawrence would quickly find themselves much "greener" in that regard.
There are other lesser programs as well. Replacing all blown traffic lights with LED lights. They not only last 1,000 times longer but also use only about 1/10th of the energy. I believe that there are some lights like this in town, but not that many. Grants can even come in that would allow the city to give people compact flourescent lights for their homes. Or how about a decent recycling program other than placing your aluminum in a bag hanging from the dumpster?
We don't have to be super enviro-freaks to help eliminate pollution and contributing to global warming. We can do little things that add up. Normal citizens make up the majority of the world, it is up to them to do their part as well. It's not all coal plants and steel mills.
none2 (anonymous) says…
Everybody wants solar to succeed. However, it isn't as grand as your making it out to be. Though I don't follow solar on a daily basis, I do know that there has been no "rapid evolution of Solar Panel Technology". It is still got a long ways to go to increase efficiency as well as cut manufacturing cost. One thing that is helping is just getting cheaper solar panels from China. (Personally, that bothers me because it is just one more example where the US has to rely on off-shore manufacturing to afford such technology.)
The following 3-day old story gives an example of a cost of $30,000 for a system and it will take 12-years to pay for itself.
http://www.mercurynews.com/realestate...
Most people cannot shell out that kind of money for such a slow pay-off. Also keep in mind that most that go solar, first cut as much of their consumption as possible. They use appliances that make the good energy-star rated appliances look like energy hogs. I don't think most people are ready for such draconian measures to get down their energy use.
Also, yes some people do get a check for over generation of energy. However, Kansas is not one of those states that forces the electric companies to pay a fair price for that extra power. Energy companies have way too much clout in the lovely city of Topeka. Until, the state government stops being one sided on this issue, Kansas will not be a state where individuals that generate energy get a fair price.
I think the only way we will make a big dent in where our energy comes from, is when the government and/or the private sector make these alternatives more affordable and also reward people for weening themselves off the reliable sources of energy that they are used to. Until that time, for most people getting away from coal, natural gas, oil, and even nuclear fission sources of energy will just be a pipe dream.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
"The green tags are sold by renewable energy companies. For every green tag sold, the renewable energy company promises to produce 1,000 kilowatts of renewable energy." So you purchase a tag and they promise to produce "renewable energy." Wouldn't this renewable energy be produced and sold anyway? Green is color of the dollars being scammed from guilt ridden hippies.
Accidentally break one a free Compact Fluorescent Light and deal with a toxic mercury spill in your own home. As a public services, here is how Maine's Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management recommends cleaning up a CFL broken in your home:
What if I break a fluorescent bulb in my home?
The most important thing to remember is to never use a vacuum . A standard vacuum will spread mercury-containing dust throughout the area as well as potentially contaminating the vacuum. What you should do is:
* Keep people and pets away from the breakage area so that the mercury in the powder inside the bulb is not accidentally tracked into other areas.
* Ventilate the area by opening windows.
* If possible, reduce the temperature.
* Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as rubber gloves, safety glasses, old clothing or coveralls, and a dust mask (if you have one) to keep bulb dust and glass from being inhaled.
* Carefully remove the larger pieces and place them in a secure closed container or airtight plastic bag.
* Next, begin collecting the smaller pieces and dust. You can do this using a disposable broom and dustpan or two stiff pieces of paper to scoop up the pieces.
* Put all material into the container or airtight plastic bag. Pat the area with the sticky side of duct, packing or masking tape. Wipe the area with a damp cloth or paper towels to pick up fine particles.
* Put all waste and materials used to clean up the bulb in the secure closed container or airtight plastic bag and label it "Universal Waste - broken lamp".
* Take the container for recycling as universal waste. To determine where your town has made arrangements for recycling of this type of waste, call your town office or check out the Maine Department of Environmental Protection website at http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/hazardou...
The next time you replace a bulb, consider putting a drop cloth on the floor so that any accidental breakage can be easily cleaned up.
http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/homeowne...
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
So what's your point, Sigmund? Should we just do nothing to reduce energy consumption, or should they just make safer CF lightbulbs?
merrill (anonymous) says…
Replace HVAC Units with high efficiency units. Suggested payback comes in 5 years.
Also convert ceiling light fixtures to energy star fixtures. The new energy star Fluorescents do not "flicker" and provide enjoyable light.
Replacing windows can also achieve major energy savings.
It seems to me that borrowing on home equity to install alternative energy would be feasible?
Yeoman2 (anonymous) says…
Sigmund's point is quite clear. The government should NOT be in the business of enforcement of repressive environmental laws created by hysterical enviro-wackos. Enviromental issues, like many other issues can be carried to ridiculous extremes, just as religious issues can be (and are being) carried to ridiculous and unbelieveable extremes. Common sense is the best vehicle for pursuing enviromental issues, but a far too large segment of the enviromental movement is dedicated to creating a "Brave New World" of punitive and repressive goverment enforced regulations that far outweigh the benefit, in other words, the Nazi mentality did not die with Hitler in the Berlin bunker. There will always be those who want to control others, and creating governmental control with the use of deadly force is the ultimate goal of these control freaks. They have been with us forever, and we must continue to be vigilant to strike them down.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
Bozo, disposing of just one broken CFL is a pain which begs the question, "just where in Lawrence do you think we can dispose of the mercury contained in CFL's?" WalMart is pushing GE and Phillips to make CFL's. Now there is a dilemma for the ecomentalist, just which giant multinational is the evilest?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/bus...
Where is the closest recycling center that can handle just the CFL bulbs sold in Lawrence?
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
"Where is the closest recycling center that can handle just the CFL bulbs sold in Lawrence?"
At the household hazardous waste collection center at the Douglas County Public Works plant located just east of the Haskell campus.
Call 832-3030 to make an appointment. You can also take batteries, paint, old motor oil and any number of other hazardous wastes there.
LogicMan (anonymous) says…
The mercury issue is not new. All fluorescent lamps ("tubes") have mercury, and have been regulated by the EPA for some time. Homeowners are (were?) allowed to dispose of them in landfills (small quantities), but businesses, schools, etc., have to gather them for proper disposal. But hopefully recycling of CFLs will increase, not only to reclaim/reuse the mercury, but also the electronic and other components.
For the record, I've yet to have a CFL burn out -- even those that are 10+ years old. Not sure what I'll do when it happens, but I'll likely store them on-site until a good option comes along.
LogicMan (anonymous) says…
P.S. Instead of spending your money on green tags, do traditional conservation measures (see "weatherization" on Wikipedia.org, for example). It will do much more for the environment, and will save you money too.
Mkh (anonymous) says…
This is very important first step for our community to be taking, it's Vital actually. We need to start becoming increasingly energy independant as a community, and invest in renewable energy sources so that we may be ready when the Grid goes down across the board. Here in Kansas we have a remarkable opprotunity with Wind energy, this great potential can be harnessed not only for clean renewable power but also can create thousands of jobs. Lawrence needs to be leading the state in this new field.
I visited the state's largest wind farm, Elk River, not long ago. With about 200 turbines they annually produce enough energy to power 44,000 homes. What's even better is the environmental impact that it's having on the land is minimal to none.
I am personally going to buy more greentags to help the city reach it's goal. But just to be clear, renewable energies will not solve our Energy Crisis, only a combination of much less Consumption, renewable resources, and lots of luck will keep us out of the abyss.
konzahawk (anonymous) says…
How can Lawrence ever be a candidate for a top ten "green" city with Westar spewing pollutants into the air and river?
RKLOG (Mark Andrew) says…
It all sounds good on paper. Let's see if anything really happens. And yes a coal power plant is as chokey as it gets. Especially if you consider the tasty coal infused run-off into the near by Kansas river.
Godot (anonymous) says…
How much does a green tag broker make? 8 to 10% commission on each transacation?
Godot (anonymous) says…
Merrill, the new HVAC units are very expensive, and the coolant they use is several times the cost of the old Freon. I doubt the several thousand it would cost for a new AC system would be offset by energy savings in just five summers. On what data did you base your recommendation?
Godot (anonymous) says…
My, my, my. There certainly is a lot of money to be made off of selling carbon offsets and green tags.
Talk about not keeping your money local!
http://www.greenmoneyjournal.com/arti...
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
Bozo, do you know if there is an additional fee for hazardous waste disposal or is it a part of the regular trash service?
mkh, if the "grid goes down" I doubt the windmill farm is going to be delivering energy anywhere near Lawrence, at least not with a coal fired plant sitting a couple of miles away.
If the grid goes down and stays down I hope you are well armed and willing to kill to protect you and yours from the maurading gangs bringing apocolypse to your front door.
Godot (anonymous) says…
And, wonder of wonders, who founded the Ceres Fund that is selling the carbon offsets? The one, the only, George Soros, billionaire, convicted financial criminal, the leader of Moveon. org., and puppet master of Barack Obama.
The city has no business being in the business of promoting the purchase of hedge and mutual funds, all in the name of being "green."
By the way, the commission is 4.75% on A shares, and the expenses are close to 2%.
Those green brokers will get mighty rich off the dolts who buy into their scam.
Mkh (anonymous) says…
"mkh, if the "grid goes down" I doubt the windmill farm is going to be delivering energy anywhere near Lawrence, at least not with a coal fired plant sitting a couple of miles away."
--------------------
Sigmund, I see you don't know what I mean by "the grid goes down", but I assure the coal plant won't save you. Trying learning, then speaking. And yes when it does get ugly I'll be prepared.
KawValleyKid (Nick Yoho) says…
The state of Kansas offers interest free loan money for those of us who would like to "go green".Kansas puts up half the funds and Sunflower Bank puts up half(which you DO pay interest on).the fund can be used for buying energy star appliances ACs Funaces,washers dryers ect.,,Solar,wind(?),and I'm not sure what else.The kansas web site says to contact sunflower bank.which I intend to do soon,personally.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
mkh, my mistake. By "grid" I thought you meant long haul cooperative distribution and sharing of generating capacity of electrical plants, in which case the coal fired plant outside of Lawrence would be of much greater benefit to Lawrence than some quixotic windmills spinning in the breeze. Again, the grid going down for any length of time (more than a week, maybe less) and the last thing you'll be thinking of is "gee I wished I had bought more green tags."
Godot (anonymous) says…
Why green tags? Why not blue ones?
http://www.valbrosrankers.com/bigblue...
Godot (anonymous) says…
No, I think it is about Boog and co. being heavily involved with moveon.org.
Godot (anonymous) says…
Well, maybe partly about subsidizing the Hill family, and the rest about buying into whatever Soros has to sell.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
BTW, if you want to see what would happen if the grid went down for a few hours or few weeks should consider looking at James Burke's first episode on the history of man's interaction and dependence on technology called "Connections." It can be found here for free:
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?doci...
For a deeper understanding of what issues Western societies face and how we can respond to the the ever increasing rate of complexity and technological change, consider watching all episodes. Email me and I'll be happy to provide links.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
Oh forgot to mention the name of the episode is "The Trigger Effect" and you should NOT watch it unless you are prepared to be scared out of your wits by understanding just how dependent civilization is on energy and technology.
Godot (anonymous) says…
Actually, it is about pushing money toward Hill and Soros and moveon, all at once.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/...
http://www.americanchronicle.com/arti...
Did Grass Roots Action committee model themselves after Grass Roots Freedom?
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
"Bozo, do you know if there is an additional fee for hazardous waste disposal or is it a part of the regular trash service?"
There is no charge.
Godot (anonymous) says…
"
Anonymous user
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says:
"Bozo, do you know if there is an additional fee for hazardous waste disposal or is it a part of the regular trash service?"
There is no charge."
That is because the "charge" is hidden in your water bill.
Godot (anonymous) says…
plumberscrack wrote: "So, the most efficient units did not pay for themselves until the life of the unit. I wonder what company Merrill talked too or where his data came from?"
I would guess it came from the same place that generates all of his other beliefs.
none2 (anonymous) says…
I don't trust this whole concept of "green tags". There are very FEW promises in this life that are absolutely kept 100% of the time. If you want green energy, it should be created in Kansas and used in Kansas with excess sent to nearby states. To pay for promises of generating "green energy" to some stranger (individual or corporation) is nothing more than abdicating local responsibility and easing a guilt trip for some people. I would put it on par with indulgences from the middle ages.
What we need to do is:
1) Make the Topeka Lawmakers make laws favorable to alternative energy providers:
a) Incentives to energy companies that expand alternative energy generation such as wind, solar, geothermal.
b) Make laws that force electric companies to compensate at a fair rate any company or individual that feeds energy back to the grid.
c) Give more tax breaks for companies and individuals that would like to switch to alternative energies or at least buy appliances, etc that use less energy,
d) Encourage a massive expansion of Wind Energy in those parts of Kansas that it makes sense -- namely Western Kansas.
2) Make the federal government do the same thing as the state should do.
3) Locally:in Lawrnece
a) Work to see that Bowersock can expand its hydroelectric power at the damn without a lot of federal and state red tape. That extra electric generation should be used to power homes & businesses near the dam.
b) Have zero tolerance for people with the NIMBY mentality. It shocks me for instances:
i) Some people in the Flint Hills want to forbid wind energy because it would affect the scenery. If they feel that way, then lets also ban electrical power lines in that area, windmills, and insist that all homes in that area be subterranean. It is silly that some how they see Wind Energy as an eye sore. I guess they have never seen pictures of windmills used in the US or in the Netherlands.
ii) There are some people that think solar panels are an eye sore on roof tops. Shame on them.
(continued)
none2 (anonymous) says…
(continued)
c) Be consistent and fair on what you expect other Kansans to support. For examples:
i) Don't tell western Kansas that they cannot have coal power plants if you don't also condemn coal plants that have sprung up in eastern Kansas. Emporia recently broke ground on a new coal plant for Westar. Lots of complaining was brought up about a coal plant in western Kansas from Lawrence, but I don't recall any criticisms about the plant being built in Emporia. When your message is inconsistent, it makes it less likely that you will affect public opinion.
d) Make sure you are pitching all of this for ALL the reasons that it is important:
a) Global Warming: Sure there are many people that see this as a big issue, but realize that there are those that still don't buy into this scenerio. Whether they have valid points or not is moot. There are other just as good reasons for having alternative energies: Make sure that they are always included into any discussion about global warming.
b) Diversity: The more we have multiple sources of energy the less we have to worry if something happens. For instance, it isn't always windy. Likewise, hail can damage a solar system. Natural Gas electrical plants may not always have a plentiful supply...
c) National Security: Why should we send our money to countries that have lots of Islamofacists waiting to blow up the western world. Nothing will stop these religious fanatics like drying up their funds.
d) Jobs: This is pretty obvious to me. Sure maybe there aren't as many people monitoring a wind farm like they do a traditional coal plant. However, there are still some jobs and just imagine if we could also make the windmills that are put up.
Godot (anonymous) says…
none2, your ideas are beautiful. If only the issue was about solutions, like you propose, and not about politics and money, as is the case. Then it would all be so simple.
merrill (anonymous) says…
Godot,
It's a savings on heating and cooling which is why we replaced our old unit. That is what the data said so i believed what I read. We had to replace our unit and code dictated the most efficient unit for many reasons and life will go on.
Also after the Microburst our roof need replacing so we went with a Conklin Roof Application
which according to all data I could find adds R Value and reflects sunlight. This is applied primarily to commercial buildings.
Our utility bills are lower as we also went with a more efficient water heater. Additionally we have replaced all but 3 windows with a nice set from Sears Home Central....winter time special.
We have changed out 4 high use ceiling lights.
It's not entirely about money. It's also about making less of a negative impact on the environment. Saving some money and the environment are great motivators. Still more to do in due time.
Kansas should put wind power and solar panels along the nations highways as some areas have done. Germany has gone wild with solar energy which makes one wonder
what is the USA waiting for?
Godot (anonymous) says…
Merrill, since you seem to be in the business of giving advice to others, you should know that the air conditioner that you bought last year is no longer available. By government mandate, air conditioners of recent years have been replaced by much more expensive models that use new technology that is much more costly to maintain. Lucky people might be able to locate a dealer that has some of the older models on hand, but that is not likely.
Godot (anonymous) says…
Merrill wrote: "Kansas should put wind power and solar panels along the nations highways as some areas have done. Germany has gone wild with solar energy which makes one wonder
what is the USA waiting for?"
The disappearance of hail and windstorms?
hornhunter (anonymous) says…
none2,
You wrote, ' Emporia recently broke ground on a new coal plant for Westar.' Was this brought up for public hearings?
You also wrote, 'd) Encourage a massive expansion of Wind Energy in those parts of Kansas that it makes sense - namely Western Kansas.' Why is it that evryone want wind power but does not want them in their area? And don't give me, because the wind survey says W. Kansas can support them due to more wind, N.E Kansas has just as much. Global warming is just a bunch of money making B.S
Mkh (anonymous) says…
Sigmund, I usually ignore all of your comments so I'm not sure if this is a comprehension problem or what. But if (when) the grid goes down it will be from over dependence on coal plants, the last thing your going to want to do is turn to one for help.
Mkh (anonymous) says…
Cite my source? You mean you want me to post a bunch of links that may or may not have anything to do with my point, but they look smart under my writing? Sorry Marion I'll leave that to you, it's your specialty. Besides I get most of my information from books and I doubt you'd take the time to order them.
But I'll give you one source...the massive blackouts in the Summer of '03. Did you all forget about those? Well you'd better get used to them because they will become more and more frequent. As we run out of natural gas (which is close to happening) the grid will become increasingly dependant on coal burning to meet the consumption demand, except it will not work. Instead during peak consumption periods we will overextend ourselves and parts of the grid will routinely have to shut off, leaving millions without traditional sources of power.
hornhunter (anonymous) says…
Mkh, are you nuts?
You wrote, But if (when) the grid goes down it will be from over dependence on coal plants, the last thing your going to want to do is turn to one for help. Grid load has nothing to do with coal fired plants. Get a life and the only books you can probably read are comic books with big pictures