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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CLEAN ENERGY EXPERTS CALL NATIONAL COMMISSION CLIMATE REPORT "MISGUIDED"

WASHINGTON, DC, December 14, 2004 --WORLD-WIRE/-- An organization composed of twelve clean energy leaders who each have over 25 years in the field, labeled the recently-released study by the National Commission on Energy Policy as a "well intentioned, but misguided attempt, to balance US climate change emissions goals with reliance primarily on traditional energy resources."

The leaders lambasted the National Commission for recommending a total of $12 billion for advanced coal technology and nuclear development compared to $1.5 billion for renewable energy sources as "business as usual". While the leaders support a "cap and trade" approach for climate change emissions reduction in general, they pointed out that unless the portfolio of renewable energy and efficiency options are "banded" the potential for over-reliance on traditional resources would result.

The leaders expressed disappointment of the reliance on coal and nuclear. While lower carbon emissions from coal conversion are laudable, public health risks from mercury and particulates, water resource depletion from mining and conversion, and worker risk from accidents and health (brown and black lung) -- add up to critical issues not addressed by the study. Adding more nuclear power generators at a time of heightened global terrorism, exposes to the public to extreme risks that are completely unwarranted.

The leaders expressed that almost all of US energy can be met mid-century with the portfolio of renewable energy and high value energy efficiency through tax credits, performance standards, enhanced research, development and deployment, procurement, and reducing regulatory barriers to interconnection, by implementing -
  • tough but achievable mileage standards for all vehicles and vigorous implementation of a renewable fuels standard leveraging greater ethanol, biodiesel and renewable hydrogen (and other biofuels) into the transportation fuels sector, as well as incentives to cities for appropriate land use, modal shifting and transportation demand management

  • appliance, industrial motor and air-conditioner standards - and building and lighting standards -- all to significantly reduce the overall energy needed in the building, commercial/industrial and government sectors

  • renewable energy portfolio standards, national interconnection rules, and enhanced tax credits and lending (mortgage, rural, and business) to accelerate the blend of renewable energy applications: biomass, geothermal, free-flow and incremental hydropower, photovoltaics, solar thermal, and wind as well as combined heat and power (waste heat, cogeneration), fuel cells, and advanced storage and control technologies - to maximize the diverse supply of US resources and clean technologies
The leaders unanimously emphasized that maximum use of energy efficiency tied to the maximum use of renewable energy is the only way to insure climate change emissions goals are met wisely while maintaining US homeland security, public health and safety, and a more geographically and technologically diverse energy system that is more agile and cost effective.

Twelve noted national energy experts who have each been active in clean energy for more than 25 years, have joined together to establish a formal, yet virtual group, to address key national and global issues on energy, environment and development.The group is a "Who's Who" of the clean energy leadership in the United States since the 1970's. The leaders in alphabetical order are (dates indicate when they started in clean energy), and those listed are contacts for this press release.
  • Donald Aitken, Phd. 1973, CA -- founded and is principal of his own consulting company, Donald Aitken Associates
  • Deborah Bleviss 1977, DC -- served since late 2003 as partner in a new consulting group, the BBG Group, which addresses sustainable urban transportation options, both domestically and internationally
  • Ken Bossong 1973, MD -- serves as Coordinator - Sustainable Energy Coalition (20 national clean energy organizations) as well as Co-Director - Ukrainian American Environmental Association
  • Joel Gordes 1975, CT -- worked as an active solar system designer and passive solar designer of over 200 homes, has served as consultant to the CT Clean Energy Fund and in addition, he serves as the Executive Vice President of the New York Solar Energy Industries Association
  • William Holmberg -- 1974, VA serves as Chairman of the New Uses Council and Director, Biomass Coordinating Council
  • Scott Sklar 1974, DC -- president of his own clean energy firm The Stella Group, Ltd, Washintgon, DC
  • Carol Werner 1979, DC –- serves as the Executive Director of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI); previously was EESI's policy director for energy and climate programs
  • Jack Werner 1974, MD -- serves with the Climate Institute in Washington, D.C., and is on numerous Boards of Directors including IREC, SRCC, NABCEP.

CONTACT:
Scott Sklar
202-347-2214
solarsklar@aol.com

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