Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News – December 20, 2006

Commentary

The Case for Renewable Energy

Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

          An unseasonably warm Fall along with news from around the world of quirky weather conditions remind us that there is plenty of evidence of climate change. According to Worldwatch Institute (www.americanenergynow.org), the average global temperature has risen by 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit over the past century with more than half of this warming taking place in the past 30 years. Expected impacts of global warming include sea-level rising, flooding of coastal areas, and increased frequency and severity of floods and storms. 

          U.K. Chief Scientific Advisor David King has said that climate change is “the most severe problem that we are facing today – more serious even than the threat of terrorism.” 

          The burning of fossil fuels for energy production and use is responsible for an estimated 70 percent of the global warming problem, and the United States accounts for about one-quarter of total global emissions.

          Recently I participated in a week-long study tour of Germany where climate change is taken seriously by the people and the government. Germany has in place a deliberate policy with financial incentives to encourage the use of renewable sources of energy to reduce the burning of coal. The purpose of the tour for state legislators and local government administrators was to get a first-hand look at German energy policy and its impact. Currently about 6.4 percent of energy consumption in Germany is supplied from renewable sources with goals to increase the share of renewables in total energy production to at least ten percent by 2010 and to fifty percent by mid-century. The major sources of renewable energy in Germany are wind power, hydropower, bio-mass gases, and photovoltaics. The largest share is electricity produced by wind turbines. It is estimated that the emission of 38 million tons of carbon dioxide has been avoided because of the use of renewable sources.

          Germany is an excellent place to study the use of renewables because the country has substantial research capabilities in climate change and renewables and has adopted a public policy and incentive program that has been very successful in increasing the use of renewable sources of energy. The Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy (www.wupperinst.org), Windtest Grevenbroich GmbH (www.windtest-nrw.de), Econcern (www.econcern.com), and Ecostream (www.ecostream.de) are among the institutions and organizations that can provide valuable information on the subject.

          Some states in the United States have adopted renewable portfolio standards to require utilities to include renewable sources in their electricity supply. Virginia has resisted such an approach although I and some other legislators continue to work on this basic step to renewables. No one I know likes the view of smoke billowing from stacks at coal-fired electric generating plants. Many object to the sight of wind turbines on the horizon. Photovoltaic panels on the roofs of homes may be unsightly for some. As Virginians and as Americans we have to come to grips with the “inconvenient truth” of climate change and resolve to begin to do something about it. The use of renewable energy has to become part of our response.

          Your comments on this and other issues are always welcome. Email me at kenplum@aol.com.

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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report”

on Reston Comcast Channel 28

Tonight - Wednesday, December 20 at 10:30 p.m. –  Mr. Edward J. Myerson, CPA, Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants – “Your Financial Fitness for 2007”

Tuesday, December 26, at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 27, at 10:30 p.m. – Ms. Nicole Mogul of Reston, member of the board of directors for America Walks – “Walking for a Better America”

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations to Dr. Ernst Volgenau, Chairman of the Board of SRA, who was recently selected by The Science Museum of Virginia to be Virginia’s Industrialist of the Year for 2006. Dr. Volgenau lived in Reston for many years before moving to McLean. In twenty-four years he grew SRA from a one-man business in his Reston basement to more than 2400 employees in offices throughout the United States.

Congratulations to Pinky O’Neil of Reston, who was awarded the honorary title of Ms. Senior America at the National Pageant held at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas in November. She was selected Ms. Virginia Senior America in 1996 and has served as State Director for the non-profit national organization for the past 9 years. For information about Ms. Senior America, contact Pinky O’Neil at 703.481.1715 or visit www.senioramerica.org.

The Brownies and Cub Scouts of Great Falls are asking their area neighbors to help wounded veterans at Walter Reed Hospital and Bethesda Medical Center this holiday season. They are collecting new or gently used DVDs and portable, battery-operated DVD players to be delivered to the Vets to bring some holiday smiles to their faces. Please dig through your media cabinets and drawers for those DVDs that are no longer being watched and donate them to a very worthy cause. Drop off donations through Friday, December 23 at two locations in Great Falls: Neighbors International Foundation, 1148-D Walker Road, 703.759.2102 and Loebig Chiropractic, 754 Walker Road, Village Center, 703.757.5817. DVDs and players will be delivered directly to the Medical Centers. Email Dori Wantula at daks@cox.net with questions.

Police Officers from the Reston District Station will conduct an educational campaign aimed at preventing bicycle crashes. During “Operation Pedal Safe,” officers will identify bicyclists who use the roadways primarily in the hours of darkness to commute between work and home. Reflective safety vests will be provided to all riders. In addition, information outlining the rules of the road for bicyclists will be distributed in English and Spanish. The safety campaign will be concentrated in the area of Reston Town Center, Parcher Avenue, and the W&OD Trail. It began Sunday, December 17 and will run until Sunday, December 31.

The new State Bicycling Map is now available. To order a map, visit www.bikewalkvirginia.org. The new map can be your gateway to a world of new experiences including U.S. Bicycle Routes 1 and 76, the Virginia Capital Trail connecting Williamsburg and Richmond, and numerous locations for off-road mountain bike rides. Whether you are an experienced bicyclist, a beginner, or a family with young children, this map is a must-have.

Cameras to catch toll violators are in place on the Dulles Toll Road. The toll violation system is in testing mode through the end of 2006, and toll violation notices will be sent out beginning in early 2007. At that time, toll booth gates will not be used in electronic toll lanes except where necessary for safety reasons. Notices will include a photo of the license plate taken at the time of the violation, and violators will be assessed the toll plus a $25 administrative fee. There are appeals procedures to follow for cases of mistaken identity, sold or stolen cars, and leased or rental vehicles.

Take local action to protect our water by attending the Water Stewardship Team Leader Training on Sunday, January 21, 2007, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center, 5700 Sanger Avenue, Alexandria. Learn to build community and discover ways to create a water-friendly lifestyle. Call 703.324.5500 or email crystal.kearns@fairfaxcounty.gov to receive more information or an application.

Nominations for the Governor’s Volunteerism & Community Services Awards are now being accepted. The prestigious award has been honoring exemplary Virginians for more than 16 years and recognizes excellence in community service and volunteering. A narrative and two letters of support are required. Visit www.vaservice.org to download the nomination form or submit an online nomination through the website. The nomination process ends at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2007.

The 5^th Annual Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Closet operates until February 24, 2007, and is located at the Hunter Mill District Supervisor’s office at the North County Government Center, 12000 Bowman Town Drive, Reston. Operating hours are: Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 12 noon; Thursdays 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enormous community support last year resulted in the distribution of 2,715 coats and 770 hats, gloves, and scarves.

A Financial Fitness 2007 calendar, “Improving the Financial Health of Virginia,” along with other financial services publications are available free of charge from the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants at www.financialfitness.org. Or contact me at kenplum@aol.com – I have a supply of these excellent calendars and would be pleased to send you one.

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Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.

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