RE-AMP - Media advisory, Media release, Media interview opportunity

Upper Midwest Unites, Supports the EPA’s Move to Clear the Air

ElenaVelkov — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:42:07 +0000

For Immediate Release: June 23, 2009
Contact:	Illinois James Gignac, Sierra Club 312-251-1680 x147 (office) 312-771-9991 (cell) james.gignac@sierraclub.org	Iowa Nathaniel Baer, Iowa Environmental Council 515-244-1194 x206 (office) 319-321-8449 (cell) baer@iaenvironment.org
Michigan Danielle Korpalski, National Wildlife Federation 734-887-7138 korpalskid@nwf.org	Minnesota Michael Noble, Fresh Energy 651-726-7563 (office) 612-963-1268 (cell) noble@fresh-energy.org	North Dakota Verle Reinicke, Dakota Resource Council Board Member 701-250-0630 lindaverle@bis.midco.net
Ohio Jen Miller, Sierra Club 614-461-0734 (office) 614-563-9543 (cell) jennifer.miller@sierraclub.org	Wisconsin Katie Nekola, Clean Wisconsin 608-251-7020 x14 (office) 608-212-8751 (cell) knekola@cleanwisconsin.org
Upper Midwest Unites, Supports the EPA’s Move to Clear the Air Fifty organizations in the Upper Midwest- representing more than 450 staff members- have signed on to a public comment letter for the Environmental Protection Agency, supporting its move to regulate global warming pollution on the ground that it is detrimental to public health and welfare. The organizations come from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. “The Administration's historic greenhouse gas regulation policy shift marks the beginning of a healthier American population and American economy,” the public comment letter reads. “The United States, once the largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, can be a leader in the transition to safer and more efficient forms of energy to fuel the future of America's economy. We in the Midwest hope to play a major role in this transition.” The eight states comprise a regional network of organizations called RE-AMP. It aims to reduce global warming pollution 80 percent by 2030 through renewable energy, reduced coal, energy efficiency and better transportation choices. The EPA issued a proposed report in April, finding that six greenhouse gases endanger human health (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride). If finalized, the document would legally bind the EPA to regulate global warming pollution through utilities, automobiles, and other large polluters. The public comment period ends today (June 23). The group welcomes the EPA’s measure, as it will help the Midwest capitalize on its renewable energy potential. “We believe that the Midwest has the human and natural resources to thrive in a low carbon energy future,” the letter reads. “Our farmers will benefit from the development of wind energy and biofuels, our builders will build new high-speed rail systems, we will train an army of workers to retrofit our buildings for maximum energy savings, and our manufacturing facilities will provide the supply chain for the wind turbines, solar panels, and clean, efficient automobiles that we need in this Century.” The 50 organizations that signed on to the public comment letter include the following: 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, Alliance for Sustainability, Citizen's Utility Board – WI, Clean Water Action – Michigan, Clean Water Action – Minnesota, Clean Wisconsin, Dakota Resource Council, Ecology Center, Environment Illinois, Environment Minnesota, Environment Ohio, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Faith In Place, Fresh Energy, Garfield Foundation, Global Exchange, Growth and Justice, Honor the Earth, Illinois PIRG, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Intertribal COUP, Iowa Environmental Council, Iowa Policy Project, Iowa Renewable Energy Association, Izaak Walton League of America - Midwest Office, LEED Council - Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative, Michigan Energy Alternatives Project, Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan Land Use Institute, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Minnesota Project, Ohio Environmental Council, Plains Justice, Renew Wisconsin, Sierra Club - Iowa Chapter, Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter, Sierra Club – Illinois Chapter, Sierra Club Michigan, Sierra Club - North Star Chapter, Sierra Club Ohio, The Green Institute, Union of Concerned Scientists, Valley Watch, Will Steger Foundation, Wisconsin Environment, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, WISPIRG. ###

Ground-Breaking Compromise Leads to Oil, Electric, Enviro Agreement on Climate Policy

ElenaVelkov — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:08:51 +0000

For Immediate Release: May 12, 2009

Contact:
Keith Reopelle
Clean Wisconsin, MGA Advisory Committee Member
614-214-9888

Becky Stanfield
NRDC, MGA Advisory Committee Member
312-890-3984

Zoe Lipman
National Wildlife Federation, MGA Advisory Committee Member
734-834-9344

Ground-Breaking Compromise Leads to Oil, Electric, Enviro Agreement on Climate Policy

MINNEAPOLIS – Environmental groups, utilities, oil companies, and manufacturers have agreed on a draft of final recommendations for the first Midwest cap and trade program.

“This is an important package that should inform the federal debate and create a critical backstop in the event the federal debate is stalled,” said Keith Reopelle of Clean Wisconsin. “A strong cap and trade program to limit and lower global warming pollutants is important not only to protect public health and resources but also to create jobs and economic stimulus through the manufacturing of clean energy technologies.”

In November, 2007, the Governors of Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, and Wisconsin as well as the Premier of Manitoba signed an agreement to develop and implement a regional cap and trade policy by 2012. A 42-member advisory committee of governor appointees has been meeting since then and has crafted a draft policy to return to the governors. The advisory group and participating government staff recommend a federal approach to cut greenhouse gas emissions, but the group also drew up a final draft policy in case the federal government fails to act.

The policy indicates that the states will cut global warming emissions from all sources 18-20 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2020, including transportation, manufacturing, and energy production. An economy-wide cap would set pollution limits, and emission allowances would be sold at below auction price to emitters. After the year 2021, the emission allowances would transition to an auction market. Companies may reduce emissions by purchasing offsets of up to 20 percent of their total amount.

“People were skeptical that a group like this from the Midwest, including the most fossil-fuel intensive industries would come up with a strong agreement,” said Rebecca Stanfield of the Natural Resources Defense Council. “The Midwest is ready to act on global warming. We’ve put together detailed recommendations on how to do that in a way that really benefits the Midwest economy and environment.”

The Midwest Governors will return their recommendations to Congress to inform federal policy. If Congress fails to act, then the governors will implement the program on a regional basis through rules that have to be adopted by each state.

Environmental and conservation groups invited to be a member of the accord’s subcommittee include, Izaak Walton League, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Wildlife Federation, Clean Wisconsin, Union of Concerned Scientists, Environment Ohio, and Climate and Energy Project (CEP), Land Institute.

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Indigenous Students Speak Out About Environmental Justice and Global Climate Change

ElenaVelkov — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:38:57 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2009

Contact: Kandi Mossett
P.O. Box 3054
Bismarck, ND 58504
Cell Phone: (701) 214-1389
Email: iencampusclimate@igc.org
Website: www.ienearth.org

INDIGENOUS STUDENTS SPEAK OUT ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

Washington D.C.- February 27 - March 2, 2009 marked the continuation of a movement in America that began with just 16 organizations in 2004 and has since grown to over 50 diverse constituencies united in their demand for a just transition to a clean energy economy. Power shift 2009, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in downtown D.C. this past weekend drew over 12,000 high school and college students from across the country, indeed internationally as well, who converged on our Nations Capital to speak out for environmental justice and a change in legislation on Global Warming policies.

Black Mesa Water Coalition and The Indigenous Environmental Network were just two of the 50 organizations within the Energy Action Coalition who planned tirelessly over the last year to help to make Power Shift 2009 become a reality. Together they brought over 120 students from Tribal colleges and high schools in Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Oregon, Kansas and tar sands impacted communities within Canada. An additional 80 Native American participants joined them during the Indigenous caucuses held each night of the conference. “They were able to connect with fellow Indigenous organizers, students and community members and take part in a monumental occasion. They had the unique opportunity to be at the forefront of real change by taking part in the biggest lobby day on global warming ever held with over 350 meetings that took place with state senators and representatives from all 50 states,” said Kandi Mossett - Tribal Campus Climate Challenge Organizer for the Indigenous Environmental Network. “This occasion truly brought people together in a unique way, empowering people who realized they were not alone in their struggles for climate justice.”

On Monday March 2nd thousands of people came together to offer an unprecedented example of mass protest and civil disobedience for the climate. More than 2500 activists, many willing to risk arrest, successfully blockaded all five entrances to the Capitol Power Plant for more than four hours. The Indigenous students that participated were fully impressed by the power of non-violent direct action. Amy Murphy, a student at Nebraska Indian Community College has said, “I may not be able to solve everyone’s problems but putting in whatever effort I can is better than doing nothing at all. I am very thankful for the IEN and all the work that they do. They have opened up their arms and made it easy for all of us Indigenous people to connect.”

On Monday afternoon students spoke in a congressional briefing before the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming after the rally on the U.S. Capitals South lawn where the shouts rang out for Climate Justice, a Just Transition into Green Jobs, No More Coal and No More Nuclear. Manuel Pino, Acoma Pueblo Instructor of Sociology/American Indian Studies had this to say of Power Shift 2009, “As an Indigenous educator our future generation of youth at Power Shift 2009, with their knowledge, expertise and commitment, gives me hope for a green economic future!
For more information please visit www.powershift09.org <http://www.powershift07.org> .

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Minnesota Youths in Beards Load Bus, Make 1,100-mile Trip to D.C. for Power Shift

ElenaVelkov — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:33:46 +0000

For Immediate Release:
Feb. 23, 2009

Contact:
Elena Velkov, Fresh Energy
651-726-7576 (office) 651-402-6193 (cell)
velkov@fresh-energy.org

MINNESOTA YOUTHS IN BEARDS LOAD BUS, MAKE 1,100-MILE TRIP TO D.C. FOR POWER SHIFT

WHO: Group of Minnesota youths from the Metro area.

WHAT: Loading a bus to Power Shift ’09, a conference and Lobby Day in Washington D.C. About 10,000 youths nationwide will convene to demand from politicians carbon reductions, renewable energy, and green jobs.

VISUALS: Students will be wearing crocheted beards, representing their fundraiser, “Powerbeard.” Macalester College President Brian Rosenberg promised to grow his beard out incrementally, depending on how much money the students raised for the trip to Power Shift.

WHERE: Parking lot on Snelling Ave. S. and W. Osceola Ave., St. Paul (Macalester College Campus, parking lot for the Leonard Center in the Athletic and Wellness Complex)

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 26, 6:50 p.m.

ST. PAUL – A group of Twin Cities youths Thursday at 6:50 p.m. will pile into buses on the Macalester College campus to head to Washington, D.C. for Power Shift, a conference and Lobby Day that will bring together 10,000 young leaders nationwide.

The Power Shift ’09 summit Feb. 27 – March 2 will include workshops, speakers and musicians. It will close with a Lobby Day where the young people will meet with elected officials at the Capitol and put forward their ideas on climate action.

They will demand that the President and Congress pass bold climate and energy policies that dramatically reduce carbon emissions, create millions of green jobs, transition toward a clean energy future, and re-engage as a leader in the global community.

Approximately 300 youths from Minnesota will attend Power Shift.

The students will be sporting crocheted beards as part of their fundraiser, coined “Powerbeard.” Macalester College President Brian Rosenberg promised to grow his beard out according to how much money the students raised for the trip. As part of fundraising and festivities, they wear faux beards.

For more information, visit www.PowerShift09.org.

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State Agency: Big Stone Proponents Underestimated Costs

ElenaVelkov — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:02:06 +0000

The Big Stone II proponents underestimated their costs at every turn and overestimated the costs of alternatives, a new analysis done for the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission stated Wednesday.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 22, 2008

CONTACTS
Chuck Laszewski
Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Communications Director
651-223-5969, clazewski@mncenter.org

Rick Fuentes
Fresh Energy, Senior Media Relations Specialist
651-726-7572 (o) 612-741-0662 (c) fuentes@fresh-energy.org

State Agency: Big Stone Proponents Underestimated Costs

The Big Stone II proponents underestimated their costs at every turn and overestimated the costs of alternatives, a new analysis done for the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission stated Wednesday.

The report by Boston Pacific largely supported the risks and threats to ratepayers identified by the five energy and environmental groups who have opposed construction of the 580 megawatt coal-fired plant just across Big Stone Lake in South Dakota.

Boston Pacific’s report found that Big Stone II’s utility company partnership underestimated the costs of building Big Stone II and underestimated the cost of carbon dioxide regulations. Those findings are consistent with the position that the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Fresh Energy, Izaak Walton League of America, Union of Concerned Scientists and Wind on the Wires have held for nearly three years. The utilities also overestimated the cost of an alternative to a coal-fired plant and got the cost of buying coal and natural gas right for the year 2012 but should have used other costs for succeeding years.

“For the second time, an independent analysis has largely agreed with us,” said Beth Goodpaster, an MCEA lawyer who also represents the other four energy and environment groups. “In May, the two administrative law judges agreed with us, and now the consultant hired by the commission has said this plant is worse than the utilities have painted it. We certainly hope the public utilities commissioners will now follow these very good analyses and reject the Big Stone Project.”

The analysts at Boston Pacific forcefully stated their findings about the numbers used by the five utilities, led by Otter Tail Power Co. of Fergus Falls. “In general, we believe the range of emissions, construction and fuel inputs used in the applicants analysis were not appropriate: put another way, they were out of line with current ‘best practices’ resource selection methodologies,” the report states.

Boston Pacific studied the cost of coal as a fuel, the cost of constructing a new coal-fired power plant, and the present and future costs of carbon dioxide as it will be regulated. Each of these costs affect the price to the electricity producer at the plant and the ratepayer at home. To take one example, the utilities pegged the cost of carbon dioxide regulation at $9/ton, but the analyst recommended prices ranging up to $60 per ton.

“The Commission-selected independent analysts agreed with our interveners’ analysis that the utilities have not taken a responsible look at the risks and likely future costs of constructing the plant or paying for future fuel, and the costs that would fall on ratepayers for building a project that emits millions of tons of greenhouse gases just as our nation is on the brink of cutting global warming pollution to protect our climate,” said J. Drake Hamilton, Science Policy Director at Fresh Energy.

The intervening groups have testified that energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable resources would be cheaper, cleaner, and more effective to meet not only future demands in baseload power but also to meet Minnesota’s Renewable Energy Standard. Minnesota must, by law, consume 25% of its power from renewable sources such as wind by the year 2025. Building the Big Stone II power plant, the groups have said, would be a step backward in meeting that goal or the Governor’s Climate Change Advisory Group recommendations to curb global warming pollution in the state.

“The energy and environment groups in the case commend the commission for delaying the project to find its true cost,” said Bill Grant, Midwest Office Director of the Izaak Walton League.

The Minnesota PUC has the final say on the permit to build transmission lines into Minnesota to serve the plant. Without those, the applicants have said they could not build the plant. The utilities commission is expected to make a final ruling in January.

New figures show many more commuters choosing cleaner way to work

ElenaVelkov — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:11:37 +0000

The latest count of Minneapolis residents shows a huge spike in cleaner, more efficient transportation, according to energy and environmental experts. New figures just released by the City of Minneapolis indicate a nearly 50 percent increase in bicycle commuters in the city.

For Immediate Release: Sept. 29, 2008

Contact:
Elena Velkov, Media Relations Coordinator
651-726-7276 velkov@fresh-energy.org

Ethan Fawley, Transportation Connections Coordinator
651-294-7141 (o) 612-964-8902 (c) fawley@fresh-energy.org

New figures show many more commuters choosing cleaner way to work

St. Paul – The latest count of Minneapolis residents shows a huge spike in cleaner, more efficient transportation, according to energy and environmental experts. New figures just released by the City of Minneapolis indicate a nearly 50 percent increase in bicycle commuters in the city.

“Many residents are looking for a way to save energy and cut their carbon emissions and they have realized that Minneapolis has a significant bicycle network,” said Lynne Bly, Transportation policy director at Fresh Energy.

Bly notes that the latest figures come from 2006 to 2007 surveys, which is before gas topped $4.00/gallon. During that time, Bly said, gas averaged about $2.75/gallon, which makes the numbers even more significant.

“The 2007 data show that there is a growing bicycling movement in Minneapolis that began well before the era of $4 gas. This movement isn’t driven purely by finances—it is driven by people realizing the value, joy, and ease of bicycle commuting in Minneapolis,” Bly said.

“It suggests that if people have another way to get around, they’ll take it,” said Jim Erkel, Land Use and Transportation Director with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. Erkel agreed that the numbers are significant.

“If people are driving less that should be taken into account when officials are doing their transportation planning for the next 20 years. It means it’s more important to fix what we’ve got and not build new roads into green fields,” Erkel said.

Bly and Erkel credited Minneapolis’ Mayor, R.T. Rybak, for being a bicycling advocate as well as the city’s expansion of the 5.5 mile Midtown Greenway, which drew attention as well as users to a new bicycling artery.

The study also noted that 10.2% of Minneapolis residents walked or biked to work in 2007. That’s the 6th highest rate among the 50 largest cities in the US. The percentage of Minneapolis residents who drove alone to work decreased to 61.1% in 2007, 40th out of the 50 largest cities in the US.

“Bicycling is a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors, as well as to protect the great outdoors,” said Joan Pasiuk, Program Director of the Bike Walk Twin Cities initiative at Transit for Livable Communities. “The Census data reflect the growing number of bike commuters, but even more people are using bicycles to reach other destinations like restaurants and grocery stores. As we look to the future, we must ensure that our state’s transportation planning guarantees that bicyclists can travel safely and conveniently throughout Minnesota.”

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Rep. Keith Ellison, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, Craig Edwards, Will Steger Join Youth to Find Global Warming Solutions

ElenaVelkov — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:06:04 +0000

Politicians including Rep. Keith Ellison, advocates, musicians and students will gather at Washburn High School Oct. 3 - 5 in an effort to find practical solutions to global warming at the Minnesota Powershift Conference.

For Immediate Release: Sept. 29, 2008

Contact:
Ethan Buckner
Lead Organizer, Minnesota Powershift
612-718-3847, ethanbuckner@gmail.com

Elena Velkov
Media Relations Coordinator, Fresh Energy
651-726-7576, velkov@fresh-energy.org

Rep. Keith Ellison, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, Craig Edwards, Will Steger Join Youth to Find Global Warming Solutions
“It is much more than a conference; it is a tipping point.”

Minneapolis – Politicians including Rep. Keith Ellison, advocates, musicians and students will gather at Washburn High School Oct. 3 - 5 in an effort to find practical solutions to global warming at the Minnesota Powershift Conference.

Between the state of the economy, rising costs of energy, increasing global conflict, and the physical effects of global warming, Powershift organizers (youth organizations Grand Aspirations and Global Exchange) believe society is at a turning point. They pride themselves on reaching beyond “drop-in-the-bucket” solutions. The conference aims to build models for change on a global scale, not solely through local communities.

“Minnesota Powershift is different than most other climate conferences because of how it is driven by its participants,” said lead organizer Ethan Buckner.

Attendees- organizers expect up to 500- will go to instructional workshops, participate in discussion sessions, and enjoy cultural performances such as music or poetry. They will network and collaborate on ideas, with the hope of emerging from the conference with a plan for solutions.

“We will enable the kind of creative collaboration that can extend so much further than the weekend itself,” Buckner said. “Minnesota Powershift is not meant to be a climactic event—it is a beginning. By engaging so many people from so many places in the climate movement, the momentum that builds from this conference will spread to all of the pockets of our state.”

Rep. Keith Ellison and writer-activist Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer will give the keynote address Oct. 3. In addition, polar explorer Will Steger, global warming expert J. Drake Hamilton, retired chief meteorologist of the National Weather Service Craig Edwards, and musical guest State Radio will be present.

“As the generation who will undoubtedly inherit the challenges being presented to us by global climate change and the fossil fuel economy,” Buckner said, “we understand the imperative nature of this issue for our futures. We know the stakes. It’s our future, and we are coming together in massive numbers to work toward global warming solutions.”

Ethan Buckner is a recent graduate from Hopkins High School. Though accepted at Vassar College, he has chosen to defer for a year to organize and travel. He founded the youth-led sustainability organization for middle and high school students, Youth Environmental Activists of Minnesota (YEA MN). He is active in the Sierra Student Coalition and is also an intern at the Will Steger Foundation.

Ethan Buckner is available prior to and during the conference for interviews. Please contact him directly at 612-718-3847 or ethanbuckner@gmail.com.

WHAT	Minnesota Powershift 2008, a 3-day conference, bringing people together to learn, network and collaborate on global warming solutions
WHO	Rep. Keith Ellison, writer-activist Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, retired chief meteorologist of the National Weather Service Craig Edwards, polar explorer Will Steger, global warming expert J. Drake Hamilton, musical guest State Radio, and up to 500 other attendees
WHERE	Washburn High School, 201 W. 49th St., Minneapolis, MN 55419
WHEN	Friday, Oct. 3 – Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, click here for agenda or visit http://www.mnpowershift.org/agenda.html
WEB SITE	http://www.mnpowershift.org/
CONTACT	Ethan Buckner, Lead Organizer, 612-718-3847, ethanbuckner@gmail.com

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UNIVERSITY OF MN STUDENTS RALLY FOR "GREEN JOBS NOW"

ElenaVelkov — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:10:37 +0000

Calling for a transition to a clean energy economy that will create millions of new jobs and pathways out of poverty, University of Minnesota students will participate in the "Green Jobs Now" National Day of action on Saturday, September 27th.

Media Advisory: Green Jobs Day of Action

Sept. 24, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Jessy Moger
MPIRG Sustainability Task Force Chair
507-272-5742
moger001@umn.edu

UNIVERSITY OF MN STUDENTS RALLY FOR "GREEN JOBS NOW"

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Calling for a transition to a clean energy economy that will create millions of new jobs and pathways out of poverty, University of Minnesota students will participate in the "Green Jobs Now" National Day of action on Saturday, September 27th. University of MN students will hold a rally for green jobs at the University of Minnesota’s West Bank Plaza.

The event is being organized by MPIRG, Sierra Student Coalition, EcoWatch, and 1Sky MN. Those attending will rally support for green jobs, sign the Green Jobs Now petition, and provide a visual representation of youth’s vital role in the new green economy.

After the rally students will ride their bicycles to the Minneapolis Urban League to join in the Environmental Justice Advocates of MN’s Green Jobs Day of Action. By participating in this day of action students and youth are urging elected officials to invest in millions of green jobs and a Clean Energy Corps to repower America.

“This rally will show our elected officials that students and youth are ready for the new green economy and we are going to hold them accountable for creating jobs and economic opportunity through environmental preservation,” says Jessy Moger, MPIRG leader at the University of Minnesota.

WHO	MPIRG, Sierra Student Coalition, EcoWatch, 1Sky, and University of MN Students
WHAT	Rally for "Green Jobs Now" National Day of Action
WHEN	Saturday, September 27, 2008, 10:30am CST
WHERE	University of MN’s West Bank Plaza, 309 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN
VISUALS	Students in green hard hats, banners and large signs

Green Jobs Now is a non-profit, non-partisan project of Green for All, 1Sky, and the We Campaign to promote an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty and solve the climate crisis. For more information, see http://www.greenjobsnow.com.

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Wind on the Wires Applauds Governors’ Plan for Transmission Lines and Clean Energy

ElenaVelkov — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:57:55 +0000

For Immediate Release: Sept. 18, 2008

Contact:
Mike Bull, Regional Policy Manager, Wind on the Wires
(651) 788-5100

Wind on the Wires Applauds Governors’ Plan for Transmission Lines and Clean Energy

Wind on the Wires, a collaboration of the Midwest’s leading wind energy developers, clean energy advocates, tribal representatives and others, cheered the announcement today of the formation of Upper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative. The five state governors of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin today agreed to work together to develop a regional transmission system to harvest the Midwest’s rich renewable energy resources.

“Transmission capacity is the glass ceiling for renewable energy development in the Midwest,” said Wind on the Wires Director Beth Soholt. “To have these governors and the state electricity regulators proactively and cooperatively engaged with stakeholders in addressing the major barrier to unlocking the renewable energy resources of this region could be groundbreaking.”

The five states joining the Upper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative are Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The five states will collaborate with the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operation, state regulatory agencies, utilities and others. The initiative will identify the region’s wind energy resources and the transmission infrastructure needed to develop those resources in the most cost-effective manner. Additionally, the Governors will seek resolution to a number of current barriers to additional transmission investment, such as how costs of new infrastructure should be allocated.

Joe DeVito, Vice President of Development for RES Americas noted similarities to the successful Competitive Renewable Energy Zone process on-going in the state of Texas. “Our company, RES Americas, operates heavily in Texas, the national leader in production of wind energy. The state recently made a commitment to the future, approving 2,400 miles of new transmission lines at the projected cost of $4.9 billion. This move ensures aggressive renewable energy development in the state and dependable electricity for generations to come.”

Clean-energy advocates laud the governors, saying the initiative could make a huge difference in addressing global climate change and allow the Midwest to be a national leader.

“Bold actions to promote energy efficiency and wind energy development are absolutely critical to any cost-effective strategy to address global warming and energy security,” said Fresh Energy Executive Director and Wind on the Wires Board member Michael Noble. “We simply cannot add enough wind energy to the system to have an impact on these global problem without an aggressive build-out of transmission in the region. This initiative by the Governors gives hope that the Midwest will continue to do its part.”

National wind energy experts point out that the benefits of developing the region’s rich wind energy resources go well beyond environmental gains.

Hans Detweiler, Manager of State Legislation and Policy for the American Wind Energy Association said “The Upper Midwest stands to gain enormous economic development benefits from wind energy based on the resource that is available here—but it simply will not happen if transmission barriers are not attacked head-on. This action by the governors in this region is a vital step forward.”

In a similar vein, Dan Yarano, Chair of Fredrikson & Byron's Renewable Energy Group, noted that “A collaborative approach is crucial to reducing the time to construct needed transmission and bring the Midwest's strong wind resource to consumers. Having a coordinated plan will create a more cost-effective infrastructure that will ultimately provide better value to consumers."

The members of Wind on the Wires are gathering in Minneapolis today and tomorrow for the group’s annual strategic planning meeting. For comments, quotes or to set up an interview, please contact Mike Bull, Regional Policy Manager for Wind on the Wires, at 651-788-5100.

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Fresh Energy Hires New Media Relations Director to Shape Public Dialogue on Energy Issues

ElenaVelkov — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:29:23 +0000

Clean energy advocacy organization Fresh Energy is pleased to announce the hiring of its new media relations director, Ron Meador.

For Immediate Release: Aug. 6, 2008

Contact:
Elena Velkov, Media Relations Coordinator
651.726.7576 (office), 651.402.6103 (cell)
velkov@fresh-energy.org

Rick Fuentes, Senior Media Relations Specialist
651.726.7572 (office), 612.741.0662 (cell)
fuentes@fresh-energy.org

Fresh Energy Hires New Media Relations Director to Shape Public Dialogue on Energy Issues

St. Paul – Clean energy advocacy organization Fresh Energy is pleased to announce the hiring of its new media relations director, Ron Meador. He will push forward Fresh Energy’s goal of leading the transition to an innovative clean energy economy. The Media Center’s goal is to change public policy by first changing public dialogue.

“I’m honored to be joining Fresh Energy at this turning point in U.S. policies on global warming and renewable energy,” Meador said. “I’ve admired and respected its work over many years, and three of its staff in particular – Michael Noble, J. Drake Hamilton and Dee Long, now retired – were important teachers for me when I was learning energy issues as a journalist.”

Meador worked for three decades as a newspaper reporter, editor, manager and editorialist. He spent 26 years at the Minneapolis Star Tribune in such roles as city editor, assistant managing editor for special projects and national/foreign news, and writer for the opinion pages. In 1995, an investigative project he supervised was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. He joined the Minneapolis paper after several years as an editor on the national desk of The New York Times, and left in March 2007 to be executive director of Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness.

“A dozen years of writing editorials taught me some things about public opinion, how it changes, how it can be informed and influenced – especially on energy and environmental topics,” Meador said. “In the last few years, Minnesotans have moved from seeing global warming as a dogfight to understanding it is the most important problem of our time. The same thing is happening nationwide.”

Between high oil prices, a dwindling economy, and the region’s ample wind, the timing has never been better to get the word out about clean, renewable energy to grow jobs.

“All of us are at least beginning to get it – that smart energy policies won’t require that we give up our living standards. They’ll be the foundation of a vibrant new economic sector, built on renewable energy sources and sustainable technologies. The Upper Midwest really can be the Saudi Arabia of renewables. This has been Fresh Energy’s message all along, and I’m eager to dig into this work with such talented, experienced colleagues.”

Fresh Energy’s Media Center, which Meador will lead, provides free media services to RE-AMP, a Midwest network of more than 70 nonprofits and foundations concerned with energy issues. RE-AMP organizations from seven states access the Media Center for assistance in getting credible, engaging information about energy issues to the public through channels ranging from traditional news outlets to brand-new internet media. Media Center services include reporter lists, news release distribution, consultation on strategic messaging, media trainings, story pitching and clip tracking.

“I’ve been an admirer of Ron Meador’s work for more than two decades,” said executive director Michael Noble. “As a leading journalist, he played a significant role in influencing public dialogue on global warming issues. We are extremely pleased to give him the opportunity to continue these efforts at Fresh Energy.”

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Fresh Energy is a nonprofit organization leading the transition to a clean energy system. One that supports the health of our economies, our people, and our environment while moving us toward energy independence. www.fresh-energy.org