Coloradoans to Vote on Renewables

Colorado voters will have a chance to vote for renewable energy in the upcoming election. If passed, Amendment 37 will require the state’s largest utilities to obtain 10% of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2015. It will also establish a standard method (net metering) for homeowners and ranchers with small PV systems to connect to the power grid, and a $2/watt rebate on home PV systems. Currently, Colorado only get 2% of our electricity from renewables. That doesn't make sense for a state with such great wind and solar potential. SEI urges everyone to vote on November 2. For more information on Amendment 37 click here.

Workshops in Latin America

If you love traveling and visiting new places, SEI is offering three workshops in 2005 in Latin America. In Costa Rica we will be offering a Homebuilt Wind Generators workshop, from February 21 - 26. This will be held at Fundacion Durika, a biological reserve of approximately 18,500 acres in the heights of Cordillera de Talamanca. We are also offering a Renewable Energy for the Developing World - Hands-on workshop from March 7 - 12, with Rancho Mastatal, an environmental learning and sustainable living center, retreat and lodge located inthe last virgin rainforest of Costa Rica's Puriscal County.

In the fall of 2005 we will be offering a Renewable Energy for the Developing World - Hands-on workshop in Nicaragua with Grupo Fenix, a non-profit organization that supports renewable energy and sustianable development in Nicaragua. Workshop participants will stay with Nicaraguan families and travel to rural communities to install solar PV lighting systems and build solar ovens.

Pr e s s R e l e a s e :

CUTTING GREENHOUSE GASES MAKES FINANCIAL SENSE SAYS NEW REPORT BY THE CLIMATE GROUP

A new report, released yesterday by The Climate Group, shows that public and private sector organisations have managed to achieve significant reductions of greenhouse gases and increase profits as a result.

The report, "Carbon Down, Profits Up"

is available to download at http://www.theclimategroup.org/370.php

Steve Howard of The Climate Group said, “Big businesses and governments of all levels have actually made money from cutting greenhouse gases. This debunks the myth that it always costs you money to cut CO2 emissions with no return. The report shows for the first time that reducing greenhouse gas emissions not only does not have to cost the earth, but can result in real value creation.”

Savings by Governments:

Berlin reduced emissions 15% from 1990 to 2000 through energy efficiency, use of combined heat and power and solar energy programs, with a municipal budget relief of €2 million per year.

The UK Action Energy Program stimulated savings of £650 million a year between 1989 and 2001 while reducing emissions.

Germany’s promotion of renewable energy and improved efficiency has led to the creation of more than 450,000 new jobs, undermining the oft-repeated claims that a strong climate policy is bad for business.

Savings by Companies:

Five companies have achieved reductions of 60% or more (DuPont, Alcan, British Telecom (BT), IBM, and NorskeCanada), with combined savings of over US $5.5 billion resulting from improved energy efficiency, fuel switching, and reduced waste.

DuPont has saved over $2 billion through increased energy efficiency, and has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 69% on 1990 levels.

British Telecom – BT – has reduced its emissions by over 80% below 1991 levels and has recently committed to cutting another 325,000 tonnes of its indirect CO2 emissions by making the largest ever single purchase of green energy.

For further information please contact info@theclimategroup.org