DELEGATE ALMAND WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION
Delegate James F. Almand, a Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates since 1978, will not seek re-election this coming fall. Delegate Almand, 55, is a long time supporter of and advocate for the Virginia Weatherization Assistance Program. He chaired the Energy Preparedness Sub-committee and worked closely with AECP in securing alternative funding for the Virginia Weatherization Program. Delegate Almand was Chief Patron of House Bill 675 in 1996 that directed at least 7.5 % of all Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding be allocated to the Virginia Weatherization Program. This resulted in millions of dollars of additional funding for the program and helped to offset the 50% cut in federal funds that the program had just received. In 1997, Almand was the sponsor of a budget amendment that attempted to overturn the Virginia Department of Social Service’s (DSS) decision to end the partnership with the Weatherization Program (WAP) that allowed the WAP program to be the sole contractor for the Crisis/Heating System Program – a program administered by DSS. This budget amendment was strictly out of concern for the welfare of thousands of low-income citizens across the Commonwealth. In 1998, Delegate Almand was the Chief Patron of House Bill 1103 that raised the 7.5% LIHEAP allocation to 15% and again resulted in a very significant increase in overall funding for the WAP. This LIHEAP allocation remains today – the core funding for the Virginia WAP. Delegate Almand’s willingness to fight for the Virginia WAP has resulted in thousands of additional homes being weatherized, which in turn, has helped low-income families enjoy safer, healthier, and more affordable homes. Delegate Almand will be sorely missed especially during a time when programs and services to low-income citizens are in great jeopardy due to budget shortfalls and a tax cut fervor that is prevalent in the General Assembly. We wish Mr. Almand the very best and we honor and respect his outstanding record of public service.
WEATHERIZATION AND LIHEAP FUNDING LEVELS SET
President Bush signed the Omnibus Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2003 on February 20, approving $1.8 billion in regular grant funding for LIHEAP and $225 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The LIHEAP funds represent a $100 million increase over 2002 funding levels and the WAP funding represents a cut of $5 million from its 2002 funding level. Both funding levels are subject to a federally mandated 0.65 percent across the board reduction in appropriations.
GASOLINE AND HEATING FUEL PRICES SKYROCKET
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the price of unleaded gasoline hit near record levels in February – averaging $1.66 per gallon. As the spring driving season begins, the EIA predicts a national average of $1.76 per gallon. Natural gas prices will average 79 percent above last winter’s prices and home heating oil has increased 60 % over last year’s winter prices.
ADVANCEMENTS IN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY PROMISE GREAT THINGS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Several companies, including ZAP, Valence Technology, and DOE’s Sandia National Laboratory, have announced breakthroughs in lithium-ion battery technology that could greatly increase the range of today’s electric vehicles (EV). Lithium-ion batteries, which have been generally used for cell phones and other low power applications, can store four times as much energy as a standard lead-acid battery. This new technology could extend the range of an EV from 60 miles to 240 miles per charge. So a motorist driving an EV could go a much greater distance before the necessity of re-charging the battery pack. The potential of EVs is that they could provide transportation that produces no exhaust emissions from the vehicle.
GLOBAL WIND POWER SEES RECORD GROWTH IN 2002
Worldwide wind power capacity was increased by 28 % last year. Global wind power capacity has quadrupled over the past five years. Wind is the world’s fastest growing energy source and currently wind power supplies approximately 0.4 % of world electricity demand. The countries with the most wind power capacity are Germany – the largest, with just over 12,000 MW (megawatts) – followed by Spain, the United States, Denmark, and India. Wind power represents a clean, renewable energy resource that will significantly reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels as primary energy sources.
ENERGY TIP
The month of March is a great time to plant trees. Trees can shade your house in summer and provide a windbreak in the winter. Both situations can help reduce residential heating and cooling expense. Trees also absorb carbon dioxide – a dangerous greenhouse gas and can help prevent Global Warming