Brownfields to Renewable Energy

Michigan State University FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Dr. Soji Adelaja January 27, 2009 517.432.8800 Heidi Charron 517.432.8800 Ext. 109 REDEVELOPING MICHIGAN BROWNFIELDS TO GENERATE RENEWABLE ENERGY COULD LAND THOUSANDS OF JOBS, BILLIONS IN INVESTMENTS

East Lansing, MI--Connecting the redevelopment of brownfields in Michigan to renewable energy offers great potential for the state, according to a new case study released by the Land Policy Institute at Michigan State University. The study estimates the renewable energy potential of brownfield sites in Michigan, concluding that an estimated 4,320 megawatts (Mw) of plate capacity could be generated and another 1,535 Mw if photovoltaic solar arrays are placed on the brownfield lands. The combined estimate of 5,855 Mw of plate capacity is equivalent to what it would take to power 1.8 million homes, or almost 50 percent of Michigan homes. Estimated positive economic impacts include the creation of over 17,500 construction, maintenance and operation jobs and more than $15 billion in new investment dollars. Michigan, which ranks high in its potential to generate renewable energy, adopted a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) last year. The RPS calls for 10 percent of Michigan's energy to come from a combination of efficiency gains in energy use (1 percent) and renewable energy sources (9 percent) by the year 2015. "The large number of brownfield sites, combined with the state's generous incentives for brownfields redevelopment, create a prime opportunity to expand Michigan's renewable energy capacity," said Dr. Soji Adelaja, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy and director of the Institute. "Adapting such sites to renewable energy development does not require the costly environmental remediation necessary for other uses." The report, titled "Potential Application of Renewable Energy on Brownfield Sites: A Case Study of Michigan," is the outcome of a joint project between the Land Policy Institute and the National Center for Neighborhood and Brownfields Redevelopment at Rutgers University in New Jersey. The project was supported by funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation under the People and Land Program and by the Hannah Professor Research Endowment at MSU. It is intended to inform policy in the state about Michigan's wind and solar power potential from brownfields and offers recommendations on guidelines, training, education and technical assistance for economic development officials and brownfield authorities. Download the report from the Land Policy Institute website. Click on Downloadable Research for publications on Renewable Energy, Green Infrastructure, New Economy, Viable Agriculture and other studies, or learn more about the Institute at www.landpolicy.msu.edu. The MSU Land Policy Institute focuses on research and outreach related to land use and strategic growth in the New Economy. The Institute delivers innovative solutions, transitioning knowledge from land use experts to the community. The Institute was founded in 2006. ###

Green Economy

McKinsey and Co. has issued a report that outlines a path toward creating a green economy by showing how current technology, if fully deployed, could dramatically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Many of the technologies identified in the report would provide savings to consumers and create thousands of new, green-collar jobs.

"If the policies were in place to force the broader deployment of the technologies highlighted in this report, thousands of new jobs would be created across the country," says Richard Moss, vice president for climate change at World Wildlife Fund.

The report, "Pathways to a Low Carbon Economy," lists more than 200 opportunities, across 10 sectors and 21 geographical regions, that have the potential to cut global GHG emissions by 55% below 1990 levels by 2030 - a reduction of 70% from the business as usual scenario. The study was supported by 10 sponsors, including WWF and energy, automotive and technology companies.

By 2030, wind, solar and other sustainable renewable energy sources could be rapidly scaled up, while energy efficiency could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than a quarter. The report states that deforestation in developing countries, the source of nearly 20% of global emissions and a major threat to sustainable development, could be almost fully halted.

McKinsey concludes that the total cost of implementing all of the measures contained in the report would be less than one half of 1% of global gross domestic product. However, the report does not include the economic costs that would result from escalating climate change impacts if emissions are not reduced.

The McKinsey study has been extensively peer-reviewed by scientists, economists and expert bodies, including WWF.

SOURCE: World Wildlife Fund

Jobs

The renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE) industries represented more than 9 million jobs and over $1 billion in U.S. revenue in 2007, according to the American Solar Energy Society's Green Collar Jobs report.

According to the report, the renewable energy industry grew three times as fast as the U.S. economy, with the solar thermal, photovoltaic, biodiesel and ethanol sectors leading the way, each with more than 25% annual revenue growth.

Key steps include a national renewable portfolio standard, long-term extension of the production tax credit, effective net-metering policies and improved access to electric transmission infrastructure.

According to the advanced scenario in the report, which represents the upper limit of what is technologically and economically feasible, RE&EE would generate about 37 million jobs and $4.29 billion in annual revenue by 2030, which is one of three forecast scenarios highlighted in this report.

But while there is tremendous opportunity, there is also a real sense of urgency. Every year's delay by policy-makers has a highly disproportionate and negative impact on long-range growth, according to the report. The longer that policy-makers delay in implementing ambitious renewable energy and energy-efficiency programs, the more difficult it will be to achieve the report's goals by 2030.

SOURCE: American Solar Energy Society

The New North of Wisconsin

In The State of Wisconsin we have a group of Counties north of Fond do Lac working together formed The New North. One of the goals is to bring investments this area via getting more wind working as manufacturing/jobs creating cheep clean power.
This has been very very good for everyone in this area. New jobs investment in manufacturing has brought this to the New North. Good going !
Why can't the rest of the State get this going too?

Pennsylvania moves forward!

The Wind Energy Supply Chain Initiative (WESCI), a new wind energy initiative, will create jobs, grow Pennsylvania's manufacturing base and produce environmentally friendly, home-grown energy, says Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Yablonsky.

"Pennsylvania has a growing base of wind energy providers already here," Yablonsky says. "Companies like Gamesa in Cambria and Bucks counties; GE Wind in Erie; and Iberdrola, with operations in Somerset, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties, already have a significant presence in Pennsylvania, and they need hundreds of manufactured components to build, maintain and expand their operations. Wind and alternative energy providers need suppliers, and this initiative will help providers and suppliers find and connect with one another. WESCI will help attract wind energy providers and help more Pennsylvania manufacturers to transition and enter the growing alternative energy market."

As examples of wind industry supply needs, Yablonsky cited electrical equipment, power transmission devices, turbine generators, fabricated parts, gearboxes and bearings.

Key to the WESCI initiative will be the commonwealth's industrial resource center network - seven regional centers that provide comprehensive process improvement and strategic consulting services to Pennsylvania's small- and medium-sized manufacturers. Under the WESCI initiative, the centers will help identify supply chain gaps, gather provider requirements and find qualified suppliers.

SOURCE: Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development