[GWSG] NWF on energy; oceans conf.; pv resale $; Costco solar; PowerSaver loans; rivers rept.; NOAA on S US drought

[Tilley, Al]

1.  The National Wildlife Federation has released a study of the vulnerability of the US energy system to climate change.  It supplies yet another set of reasons for a transition to renewable power.  http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/04/yet-another-reason-to-choose-renewable-energy?cmpid=WNL-Friday-April22-2011

2.  A conference at Oxford U on the state of the oceans considered the interacting pressures on oceanic ecosystems.  Generally, observations have shown that conditions are outstripping the worst projections of a few decades ago.  As the head of the Pew Environment Group said, we are “driving towards the edge of a cliff while taking copious notes along the way.”  The challenge is not to gather further information but to move governments to act.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/richardblack/2011/04/exploring_ocean_crisis.html

3.  A California study of resale prices for homes with pv systems shows a premium of around $5.50 per watt of solar power.  http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/study-finds-solar-panels-increase-home-values/?ref=earth

4. Costco is offering solar kits.  Permitting and installation costs are not included (but the costs are still low).  Thanks to Peggy Tilley for turning this one up.  http://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?search=GRAPESOLAR0325&ViewAll=999&ec=1&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=GRAPESOLAR0325&Ntt=GRAPESOLAR0325&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&cm_mmc=BCEmail_631-_-FOCUS-_-10-_-MarketingItemName

5.  The Department of Energy announced a two-year pilot PowerSaver home loan program with FHA backed low cost loans of up to $25,000 for a range of projects.  http://www.energy.gov/news/10292.htm

6.  The Bureau of Reclamation has released a report of the impact of climate change on 8 US river basins.  www.usbr.gov/climate<http://www.usbr.gov/climate>  A summary of the report:  http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/04/government-report-highlights-impacts-of-climate-change-on-water-resources??cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-April27-2011  The Aurora, CO, Sentinel editorializes on the implications of the report.  http://www.aurorasentinel.com/email_push/opinion/article_455ddb0c-6fba-11e0-9a27-001cc4c002e0.html

7.  A NOAA administrator called the current drought in Texas and elsewhere in the South “extreme and exceptional,” said it is “an historical climate event,” and warned that it seems set to stretch out through midsummer.  http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/04/26/26climatewire-extreme-drought-sets-texas-ablaze-and-may-sp-28352.html?partner=rss&emc=rss


Erratum: In item 3 of the April 20 list, the DOE is supplying $2.1 billion in loans to the 1000 megawatt CA project, not $2.10.
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