The U.S. wind energy industry has experienced its slowest quarter since 2007. The U.S. industry added just 395 megawatts of wind-powered electric generating capacity in the third quarter of 2010, making it the lowest quarter since 2007, according to the American Wind Energy Association . The industry added only 700 megawatts in the second quarter of 2010 . Year-to-date installations stood at 1,634 MW, down 72 percent versus 2009, and the lowest level since 2006. In 2010, wind projects in the U.S. are being installed at half the rate as in Europe, and a third of the rate as in China. Factors include lack of long-term U.S. energy policies, such as a Renewable Electricity Standard, and resulting lack of certainty for business, which has the country’s utilities failing to move forward with wind build-out plans, AWEA reports. Such policies are already in place in China and Europe, resulting in more than $35 billion of expected investment in 2010 – nearly four times the investment the U.S. will see this year. The industry is calling on Congress to match such efforts to establish long-term policy. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and other third-party sources show that wind accounted for 39 percent of new installed capacity in 2009, versus 13 percent from coal; in the first nine months of 2010, however, the ratio flipped, and wind accounted for only 14 percent, versus 39 percent from coal. Other third-quarter results include: – Total utility-scale wind capacity installed in the U.S. through September 2010 reached 36,698 MW. – Some 4,700 MW of projects have started construction in the past six months. – Over 10 new requests for proposals for utility-scale wind projects were issued in the quarter. – At least nine new wind projects signed long-term Power Purchase Agreements in the third quarter, which will result in over 700 MW of new wind capacity if all come to fruition.

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US Wind Power’s Dismal Quarter

As the Cancun Climate Summit is poised to begin, Jones Lang LaSalle publishes its latest Global Sustainability Perspective report and looks at the challenges and goals for the talks that have been dubbed the "last chance" summit.

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Is Cancun Really the Last Chance for a Post-Kyoto Climate Deal?

Climate change is a top concern globally, but the worry is even more acute in developing countries, which are also more optimistic that it can be prevented, according to the latest Climate Confidence Monitor from HSBC.

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Developing World Sees Fear and Opportunity in Climate Change

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has added a new LEED materials credit for “ Chemical Avoidance in Building Materials ” to its LEED Pilot Credit Library , reports Healthy Building News. Together, with an earlier credit for “PBT Source Reduction: Dioxins and Halogenated Organic Compounds” marks the beginning of a three-step approach the USGBC is undertaking to address “chemicals of concern” in building materials, according to the article. The new pilot credit “acknowledges and supports contemporary and accepted knowledge about specific chemicals of concern that should be avoided,” according to the Pilot Credit documentation, which can be met by screening interior finish products to avoid the use of phthalates and halogenated flame retardants. USGBC says these chemicals are listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Existing Chemicals Program, as well as California’s list of Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity, which is also known as Proposition 65, reports Healthy Building News. In January, the EPA took preliminary steps to set standards by 2013 or ban four types of chemicals of concern including phthalates and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which are flame retardants. EPA announced in 2009 that three U.S. companies — Chemtura, Albemarle and ICL Industrial Products — agreed to phase out DecaBDE , a widely used fire retardant chemical that may potentially cause cancer and may impact brain function. The USGBC’s action coincides with a scientists’ consensus statement of concern on flame retardants , which was signed by 145 prominent scientists from 22 countries, and endorsed by the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), reports Healthy Building News. The new LEED credit does not address all of the EPA’s “chemicals of concern” that are widely used in building products, such as bisphenol A (BPA), and many epoxy-based products, or perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), according to the article. However, these chemicals could be addressed by USGBC as a next step in its strategy to eliminate chemicals of concern from building products. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington, New York and Oregon now have limits on BPA , particularly in products used by children. The USGBC encourages project teams to use the LEED Pilot Credit Library on LEEDuser to learn more about the Pilot Credits and to participate in the pilot process. A $100-million lawsuit was recently filed against USGBC , alleging fraud, unfair competition, deceptive trade practices, and false advertising.

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New LEED Materials Credit Addresses Chemicals of Concern

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with nearly two dozen business groups, are asking senators to stop the Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas (GHG) regulation of power plants, and other stationary energy sources, set to go into effect on January 2011, reports Bloomberg. In addition to the U.S. Chamber, the American Petroleum Institute, the National Manufacturers Association and the American Chemistry Council are pushing senators to block EPA actions , reports The Hill. Opponents say the regulation will hurt businesses and the economy as well as eliminate jobs. In August, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit that challenges EPA’s 2009 endangerment finding , which is the foundation for the agency’s ruling on limiting emissions from power plants, factories and other heavy emitters. In February, several industry groups, conservative think tanks, lawmakers and three states filed 16 court challenges against EPA’s endangerment finding . The EPA restrictions would impose “substantial costs and burdens on U.S. jobs and state resources while intruding on Congress’s important leadership role in developing energy policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” the 21 groups stated in the letter (PDF) sent to 10 senators, reports The Hill. The letter was sent to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Appropriations ranking member Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Democrats Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Byron Dorgan (N.D.), Tim Johnson (S.D.), Mary Landrieu (La.), Ben Nelson (Neb.), Mark Pryor (Ark.), Arlen Specter (Pa.) and Jon Tester (Mont.). Dorgan, Johnson, Landrieu, Nelson and Pryor have supported efforts to either prevent or delay EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, reports The Hill. The industry groups also hope to sway coal-state senators, Brown and Specter, based on the impact the EPA regulations could have on the coal industry, according to the article.

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US Chamber, Industry Wants Senate to Delay EPA’s Carbon Rules

FM:Systems has integrated its FM:Interact facility management software with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star energy performance rating system, Portfolio Manager . The direct integration will enable organizations to determine Energy Star ratings, benchmark building performance and calculate their carbon footprints. Here’s how it works: The FM:Interact integration takes building energy use information stored in the FM:Interact Sustainability Module and sends it directly to the EPA’s Portfolio Manager software. Portfolio Manager calculates the building’s Energy Star rating and carbon footprint and returns that data to FM:Interact. Facility managers and real estate professionals can then benchmark their buildings against similar buildings nationwide and identify which buildings in their portfolio rank well and which need improvement, says FM:Systems. This information can be used by companies interested in reducing their energy costs, carbon footprint and gaining recognition through Energy Star and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program. In addition, by adding the EPA Energy Star integration to its software, FM:Systems is helping support the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Energy Challenge. IFMA is encouraging all organizations to work towards reducing their energy use by 15 percent. “By adding the EPA Energy Star Integration to its software, FM:Systems is helping support IFMA’s mission of helping our members reduce energy use, save money, and improve environmental performance,” said Eric Teicholz, chairman of IFMA’s sustainability task force, in a statement. With the FM:Interact Sustainability Module, facility managers and real estate professionals can manage critical information on energy performance, building certifications and sustainability projects such as energy retrofits. The Sustainability Module enables users to: –Analyze building environmental impacts including energy, water, greenhouse gas emissions, recycling, and waste –Forecast sustainability projects’ financial impacts (net present value, internal rate of return, ROI, payback period) and environmental impacts –Integrate with EPA’s Automated Benchmarking System –Manage building assessments and certifications using rating systems such as LEED, Green Globes, or BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) –Engage occupants and management with enterprise access to sustainability information and dashboards

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FM:Systems Software Integrates with Energy Star Rating System

Ontario’s deposit-driven recycling program brought in 2.1 billion containers in the past year, 62 percent of which are refillable.

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Ontario Beer Container Recycling Rate Hits 92%

Environmental Leader’s daily roundup of key environmental enforcement news EPA Fines Hawaii Public Works Company The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a new order fining the state of Hawaii’s Housing Finance and Development Corporation $110,000 for failing to close large-capacity cesspools at its Jack Hall Memorial Housing property, EPA announced yesterday. “While many large-capacity cesspools have been closed, those owners and operators who still have such wastewater systems are overdue in taking steps to comply with the 2005 ban,” Alexis Strauss, Water Division Director of EPA’s Pacific Southwest region said in a press release.  “EPA will continue to bring compliance actions to protect Hawaii’s water resources.”   In April 2005, EPA entered into a compliance agreement with the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation’s predecessor, the Hawaii Community and Development Corporation, to close over 100 large-capacity cesspools by March 2009, including the 13 cesspools at Jack Hall Memorial Housing.   The large capacity cesspools at Jack Hall are now to be closed two years later than the deadline set in the April 2005 agreement. In addition to paying the fine for missing the March 2009 closure date, HHFDC has agreed to a new closure date of March 2011. “We will continue to pursue targeted enforcement actions as there are large-capacity cesspools still in use by restaurants, hotels, office complexes and multiple dwellings in violation of EPA’s regulations,” said David Albright, manager of the EPA Pacific Southwest region’s Ground Water Office.       A large-capacity cesspool is one that discharges untreated sewage from multiple dwellings, or a non-residential location that serves 20 or more people per day.  Cesspools are used more widely in Hawaii than in any other state.  Cesspools discharge raw sewage into the ground, allowing disease-causing pathogens and other contaminants to potentially pollute groundwater, streams and the ocean.  Federal regulations, which prohibit large-capacity cesspools as of April 2005, do not apply to single-family homes connected to their own individual cesspools. Calif. DTSC Fines eWaste Center The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) yesterday filed a consent order (pdf) with eWaste Center, Inc., which generates, handles, treats, stores, and disposes of hazardous waste. In March, DTSC inspected eWaste Center’s City of Commerce facility and found violations of rules for handling of cathode ray tubes from discarded televisions and computer monitors.  According to the consent order, the company did not take precautions to prevent breakage of the cathode ray tubes, which could result in the release of several toxic compounds. eWaste Cemter waived its right to a hearing, and accepted a fine of $18,000 for the violations, and may pay it in four installments over the next year. EPA to Hold Public Meeting Regarding Ore Knob Mine Site The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public meeting on Thursday, November 4, 2010 regarding the Ore Knob Mine site in Ore Knob, NC. EPA, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the North Carolina Department of Health will provide information about the assessment, cleanup and upcoming activities at the site. The public meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Peak Creek Community Bldg., 7062 NC Highway 88 E, Laurel Springs, NC. The Ore Knob Mine site is a former mining site that contains areas affected by mining. There are three principal areas (1950s Mine and Mill Area, the 19th Century Operations Area and a Main Tailings Impoundment) that were directly affected by mining along with other areas, primarily downstream. Hazardous substances are present downstream and in the mining areas. Community members interested in obtaining additional information are encouraged to contact Sherryl A. Carbonaro, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, at (678) 575-7355. Where: Peak Creek Community Bldg., 7062 NC Highway 88 E, Laurel Springs, NC When: Thursday, November 4 -  6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Contact: Sherryl A. Carbonaro, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, at (678) 575-7355.

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Environmental Enforcement Roundup: Hawaii Public Works Violations; E-Waste Fine; Ore Knob Meeting

GlaxoSmithKline ( GSK ) Consumer Healthcare has started to install what it claims as North America’s largest rooftop solar array at its Northeast Regional Distribution Center (RDC) in York, Pa. The 3-megawatt (MW) installation consists of nearly 11,000 solar panels . Generating approximately 3.4 million kilowatt hours of energy per year, the solar panels will supply enough electricity to meet the annual energy needs of the nearly 500,000-square-foot building. It will be the first time a GSK facility anywhere in the world will be completely reliant on solar energy. This will enable the facility to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3,000 tons annually. GSK received government funding and solar incentives to help finance the project including a $1 million grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority and $4.1 million in federal tax credits. GSK will also use energy savings and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC) to offset costs. American Capital Energy, the company responsible for the project, plans to install about 500 panels per day. As part of the company’s plan to install solar at each of its North American distribution facilities over the next two years, GSK plans to install solar panels at its Fresno, Calif., RDC by spring of 2011.Together, the York and Fresno facilities will generate 60 percent of the total GSK Consumer Healthcare North America RDC electricity supply from solar energy. Four other solar panel projects were recently completed at GSK facilities in Upper Providence and Collegeville, Pa.; North Carolina, Belgium and Singapore. GSK recently ranked fifth in Newsweek’s “2010 Green Ranking .” In other solar news, Santa Clara University ( SCU ) activated a 967.68 kilowatt solar energy system . Complementing SCU’s existing 50-kW solar array, the system is projected to generate an estimated 1.42 million kW hours of clean energy in its first full year of operation. Thanks to a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Perpetual Energy Systems , SCU didn’t have to outlay any capital for the project. Under the PPA, SCU will purchase solar energy produced by each installation at a predetermined, fixed rate. The system is owned, operated and will be maintained by Perpetual. Perpetual combined conventional financing with federal energy tax incentives to fund the project. As owner, Perpetual retains the renewable energy certificates and environmental attributes generated by the system’s actual kilowatt hour output. The systems are located on the rooftops of the University’s Leavey Event Center, the Pat Malley Recreation Center, and the parking garage. The system will eliminate approximately 23,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) throughout its operating lifespan According to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), SCU’s system is currently the 13th largest solar installation among colleges and universities in the U.S. Similarly, Santa Monica College completed a solar and energy-efficiency project , which is expected to save the college more than $14 million over the life of the project. The project includes a 408-kilowatt solar system, which provides electricity through solar panels located on the top level of two parking structures. It’s generating power for the two garages and a significant portion of the Business Education Building at Santa Monica College. The $3.6 million project generates approximately 50,660 kilowatt hours each month and is saving the college about $8,100 per month. Chevron Energy Solutions, which designed and installed the system, also will operate and maintain the solar system. The college has also improved its energy efficiency through a campus-wide lighting retrofit, variable speed drives, new heating hot water boilers, fire alarm system as well as emergency circuit upgrades that were also implemented by Chevron Energy Solutions. Through the energy efficiency improvements and use of solar, Santa Monica College is reducing its purchase of utility power, which is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 1,500 metric tons. The project is paid for exclusively by energy savings on utility bills. On the east coast, Mercury Solar Systems has installed solar systems totaling 1.2 MW on two public schools in Newark, New Jersey. The project, which consists of rooftop and carport systems, is part of PSE&G’s Solar 4 All program and a five school solar pilot program initiated by the Newark Public Schools Facilities Management Office. A 646 kW rooftop system consisting of 2,310 panels was installed at Barringer High School and rooftop and carport systems totaling 519 kW were also installed at Park Elementary School. In addition to schools, businesses, financial institutions and health-care facilities also are adding solar power systems. As an example, Western Massachusetts Electric Company ( WMECo ) has completed the largest solar energy facility in New England, according to the company. The 1.8-MW project, at the William Stanley Business Park, in Pittsfield, Mass., is the first in WMECo’s 6 MW solar program . The solar projects will contribute to meeting Governor Deval Patrick’s goal to have 250 MW of solar power installed by 2017. Situated on eight acres of land owned by WMECo and the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority (PEDA), the facility consists of approximately 6,500 solar panels, producing 1.8 MW of electricity. In Virginia, Dinwiddie Nursing & Rehabilitation Center of Petersburg recently became the first health-care facility in the state of Virginia to install a solar power system . Managed by Commonwealth Care of Roanoke, the nursing facility took advantage of SolTherm’s NoCapEx program to install a solar hot water system with no upfront investment. Dinwiddie expects to immediately reduce its hot water energy costs by 20 percent, adding up to $149,000 over the life of the 15-year agreement. SolTherm makes this program work by monetizing tax credits generated by the solar energy systems and packaging them for tax credit investors. The National Bank of Arizona is activating its $2-million, 402-kW solar photovoltaic array at its Southern Arizona headquarters , reports Arizona Daily Star. The 24,000-square-foot solar project will be installed on the roof of the parking garage adjacent to the bank headquarters. The array will produce about 580,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity for the bank and its tenants in two office buildings, supplying 25 percent of the buildings’ needs, according to the article. The bank expects to recoup the cost of the installation in six years through lower electric bills, taking into consideration both renewable-energy-credit payments from Tucson Electric Power Co. and a 30 percent federal tax credit. The bank installed a 222-kilowatt solar system on its Phoenix headquarters in May 2009 and has financed more than $100 million in solar projects, including the Soaring Heights residential community at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base , reports Arizona Daily Star

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GSK Claims Largest Rooftop Solar Array in North America

Green-e Certified renewable energy sales in volume increased 43 percent in 2009, according to a report from the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS). More than 18 million MWh of renewable energy generation was purchased by more than 545,000 residential and 37,000 commercial customers in 2009. The report also finds that Green-e Energy Certified retail products avoided more than 9.4 million metric tons of CO2 emissions that would have been produced by an equivalent amount of average system power. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Green-e Energy certified 62 percent of all voluntary market retail sales in the U.S. Green-e is an independent certification program for renewable energy and carbon offset products sold to consumers and businesses. The 2009 Green-e Verification report also indicates that more than 402,000 MWh were purchased or generated by companies participating in Green-e Marketplace, which indicates that renewable energy continues to be an important part of many organizations’ environmental responsibility goals, says CRS. The report also shows data on carbon offset sales certified by Green-e Climate , a certification and consumer-protection program for retail carbon offsets. CRS says it is the only program of its kind in the international voluntary carbon market. In its second year, the program’s 10 participants offered a total of 16 certified products from a variety of project types including renewable energy and methane destruction. Sales of Green-e Climate Certified carbon offsets in 2009 resulted in more than 176,000 metric tons CO2-equivalent reduced, a nearly 30 percent increase from 2008. It also exceeded the overall retail carbon-offset market, which saw a significant decline, says CRS. Another key finding shows that utility participation in Green-e Energy grew 18 percent in 2009, with certified utility green-pricing sales reaching more than 2.5 million MWh. More than 487,000 customers participated in green pricing programs, with commercial purchases from more than 18,000 customers, increasing 33 percent compared to 2008, says CRS. Residential purchases were up 10 percent over the same period.

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Certified Renewable Energy Sales Surge by 43% in 2009