BUSH ADMINISTRATION REQUESTS LIHEAP CUTS
The White House has requested $1.4 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), compared with $1.7 billion last year. This $300 million reduction could affect more than 500,000 people who rely on aid to pay utility bills, according to the National Energy Assistance Director’s Association, which represents state officials who administer LIHEAP grants. This proposal to reduce LIHEAP funding comes at a very bad time for many Americans. Unemployment figures are at their highest levels in several years, census figures indicate that poverty in America is increasing, and according to the Energy Information Administration – home heating oil, propane, and natural gas prices will rise significantly this winter.
This reduction proposal is also curious in light of a recent public opinion survey by the Campaign for Home Energy Assistance that found more Americans than ever before believe low-income families are having a harder time paying their utility bills and that Congress should spend more to protect the elderly and disabled from deadly temperature extremes and the rising cost of fuel. The survey, released on September 24, 2002 said that nearly eight out of ten Americans – 78 % – believe it is more difficult than five years ago for low-income families to pay for their energy bills. The survey found a record 89 % support level for the LIHEAP program, up five percentage points from 1999. It also found that 72 % support expanded funding for the program.
AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER IS LEADER IN RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH
American Electric Power (AEP), the top power generator in America, is also a leader among electric utilities in studying the use of renewable energy as an energy source and supply. Electricity produced from renewable energy technologies – hydroelectric plants, wind turbines, solar cells, fuel cells, and biomass plants – is an important part of America’s energy supply. AEP is helping develop these renewable resources through generation, research, promotion, and education.
- AEP is the developer of a 150- megawatt wind farm near Abilene, Texas.
- AEP is sponsoring the Learning from Wind and Learning from Light programs that educate students and communities about wind and solar energy.
- At its Dolan Technology Center, AEP is studying how fuel cells can be integrated into AEP’s power grid.
- AEP is providing electricity made with wood waste to 900 customers in Virginia.
- AEP has 18 hydroelectric plants that produce more than 800 megawatts of electric power.
- AEP is evaluating the use of biomass materials for potential co-firing in several of its existing coal or lignite power plants.
- AEP has maintained a wind resource monitoring program since 1994, monitoring wind in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
RUSSIA AND CHINA RATIFY KYOTO TREATY
China and Russia, the world’s second and third largest polluters, respectively, have announced that they will ratify the Kyoto Protocol, the 1997 treaty aimed at reducing the industrialized world’s global warming emissions to five per cent below 1990 levels. So far, more than 85 nations have ratified Kyoto, representing combined emissions of 37 % of the worldwide total. Russia represents 17.4 percent. By comparison, the United States accounts for 36 %, making it by far the world’s leading polluter and producer of greenhouse gases. Last year, the United States backed out of the treaty. The White House has proposed voluntary measures aimed at limiting “carbon emission intensities.” Critics point out that this plan would actually allow for greenhouse gas emissions to increase by more than 10 % in the coming decade.
COLEMAN DEVELOPS FUEL CELL POWERED GENERATOR
Coleman Powermate, a leading producer of portable power systems has developed a fuel cell powered generator for industrial use. The AirGen fuel cell generator is built around a 1 KW Nexa power module, which uses a Ballard fuel cell. The generators are now available for online purchase by industrial users with access to a hydrogen fuel source. Coleman plans to expand to residential and commercial markets very soon. The units sell for $5,995.
ENERGY TIP
Use compact fluorescent bulbs in household lights that are on 3-4 hours per day. They cost more than regular incandescent bulbs but last 6-10 times longer and use 75% less wattage to produce the same amount of light. All fluorescent lights contain small amounts of mercury – so they must be disposed of with other hazardous wastes such as batteries, paints, and solvents at your local recycling center.