Pickens Plan District Group AK-01

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Comment by Kat on June 17, 2009 at 9:12pm

FERC vs. DOI: Regulation Showdown
Written by Greg Peters
Saturday, 21 March 2009

In another example of how acronyms create acrimony in Washington, the Department of Interior’s Secretary Ken Salazar and the acting chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission John Wellinghoff have reach a truce in a regulatory turf battle over off-shore renewable energy development. At issue in the dispute was the Department’s Minerals Management Service’s refusal to give up control of wave, tidal, and ocean current (hydro-kinetic) projects to FERC which, in turn, was unwilling to let the MMS permit and regulate these new energy developments in addition to offshore wind projects.
In a joint statement issued last week, DOI and FERC have agreed to divvy up the offshore energy pie. "Our renewable energy is too important for bureaucratic turf battles to slow down our progress. I am proud that we have reached an agreement with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding our respective roles in approving offshore renewable energy projects," said Salazar.
In the end, the MMS ceded control of the hydro-kinetic projects to FERC. Staffers of both agencies have been instructed to write up a memorandum of understanding which will establish procedures and formalize the process for licensing and regulating renewable off-shore renewable energy developments (OSREDs). So, to get this straight – DOI and FERC will write an MOU detailing how MMS and FERC will regulate OSREDs. Got it?
Okay, so we made up OSRED, and we’re taking an easy shot at governmental agencies bickering over who gets to regulate what, but this is actually a pretty significant step in creating a new energy economy and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Let’s hope the agencies keep working to develop environmentally sound policies while working to develop these "OSREDs."
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press

Comment by Kat on May 11, 2009 at 7:45pm

A concurrent effort using Ocean Tidal for renewable energy.

Please be our guest Wednesday, May 13, from 6-8pm, at the Consortium Library at UAA ( Campus Map Bldg #24, directly across from Providence Hospital - turn into Alumni Loop, then left into parking lot), room 307, to hear Doug Johnson from ORPC and Monty Worthington from YRITWC and ORPC talk about Alaska's potential to become a leader in developing tidal energy!

This event is free and open to the public.
Won't you join us?

Please feel free to forward this email on to anyone you know who might be interested.

Caren Moss, Office Manager
Renewable Energy Alaska Project
Tidal Energy in Alaska

With some of the most robust tidal energy resources in the world, Alaska has the potential to become a leader in developing tidal energy. Come and hear what two tidal hydrokinetic experts from Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) have to say about tidal energy in Alaska.

D. Douglas Johnson is the ORPC Director of Alaska Projects and has over 25 years of experience in project and executive management, construction management, financial management, and project development. Monty Worthington, with over 10 years experience in the renewable energy field, has been working for the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council on their hydrokinetic turbine installation and for Ocean Renewable Power Company as the Alaska Projects Manager.

Cook Inlet, North America's second largest tidal range, has attracted interest as an energy source for the Railbelt. ORPC obtained a permit in 2008 to begin development of a demonstration project, with plans to begin the construction of the first commercial power plant in 2012.

Alaska's River In-Stream Hydrokinetic site is located on the Tanana River at Nenana. In addition to plans to develop the site for commercial power production, ORPC has partnered with the Alaska Center for Energy and Power to develop a hydrokinetic test bed at this site, to research environmental and technological aspects of River In-Stream Hydrokinetic devices.

Renewable Energy Alaska Project
308 G Street, Suite 207
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
907.929.7770

email Caren
www.realaska.org

Comment by Kat on May 1, 2009 at 12:29pm

Check this out http://www.pickensplan.com/news/2009/04/30/the-wall-street-journal-on-the-100-year-supply-of-natural-gas/
Natural gas pipeline a big deal for Alasa.

Comment by Kat on March 31, 2009 at 2:36pm

Dear district members,

The Virtual March is just around the corner. Are you ready? April 1-3, Boone is asking us to contact our members of Congress, not just once, but each day of the three day March. Keep an eye open for daily emails from Boone about each day's specific energy theme. Then, plan to call/email/fax our members of Congress each day of the March to let them know we are serious about energy independence!

So, what can you do before the Virtual March arrives? Submit letters to the editor about the Virtual March, asking fellow Americans to join us at http://pickensplan.com/virtualmarch. Recruit family, friends, and co-workers to join us. Help recruit companies and other organizations to join us as Virtual March partners. Spread the word far and wide.

Thank you for your support. After you call/email/fax our members of Congress, visit the district group page and leave a comment letting your fellow district members know that you've taken action. When you recruit a partner organization, let me know so we can get them recognized on the Virtual March page.

Let's get ready to storm Washington in a way never before seen!

Comment by Nadia on March 20, 2009 at 1:23pm

I am going to do the virtual march. I am in Nikiski AK.

Also, thank you Kat for telling everyone about the Net Metering meetings. I participated and was a great meeting. I will be sending the RCAinformation about insurance policies in other states to make sure homeowners are not required to have millions of dollars worth of insurance if they get a turbine for their home.

Thank you again, Nadia Daggett

Comment by Kat on March 20, 2009 at 5:56am

Is anyone out there in Alaska taking action for our Virtual March April 1-3?

Comment by Joyce Allen-Luopa on March 18, 2009 at 7:53pm

I've been wondering if we are missing an important link to saving energy: trains. Currently, the trains run at slower speeds than they did 100 years ago because the tracks have been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent that trains must limit their speed significantly. If money was put into upgrading the tracks back to such that they will support a workable speed, Increased train speeds could decrease highway traffic. Increased train speed could possibly decrease truck traffic and the need for more and more airline flights. It's just an idea...anybody?

Comment by Kat on March 10, 2009 at 8:47am

Hi Guys-
Alright we have marching orders. Please respond and let us all know who can do what.

MEETINGS/CONFERENCE CALLS - Each district should plan a district meeting or conference call in the next couple weeks to discuss how to take action between now and the Virtual March. Materials for hosting a house party/meeting are available at the Resource Center. Please ask if you need some ideas on agenda, approach, etc. This is one sure-fire way to get people involved.
RECRUITING OUTSIDE GROUPS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VIRTUAL MARCH - We've been recruiting third party groups (i.e. American Wind Energy Association, Owens Corning, AEP, AutoNation, etc) to participate in the Virtual March with their memberships/employees. A press release will be going out this week announcing those groups and you can also track them on the Virtual March web page (www.pickensplan.com/virtualmarch). Boone is challenging every district group to find at least one local group or business that is willing to participate in the virtual march and communicate with their members/employees to get them involved. I've attached a document with some talking points you and your district members can use for this outreach. It will also be upload it to the Resource Center. As you recruit organizations, please report back so I can recognize them on the list at the Virtual March page.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - Boone would also like to see each District attempt to get 3 letters to the editor in support of the virtual march placed in local newspapers. This is a great way to get the word out to a large number of potential supporters. Make sure to include the web address for the Virtual March in your letters: http://pickensplan.com/virtualmarch
NEW MEMBER RECRUITMENT - Continue recruiting new supporters. Boone has set a goal for 100 new members in each district over the next 4 weeks - signed up specifically to participate in the virtual march. With the involvement of your district members and a little teamwork, we can make this happen!
MEMBER OF CONGRESS MEETINGS - Schedule a meeting/call with a Member of Congress or staff to discuss their position on energy legislation and ask for their support..

Comment by Kat on March 9, 2009 at 6:47pm

New T. Boone Pickens TV ad:
http://www.pickensplan.com/media/?bcpid=1640183817&bclid=1641831862&bctid=14900618001

New Huffington Post column by Boone. I encourage you all to read and comment:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/t-boone-pickens/its-not-about-political-p_b_172500.html

Interview with Senator Reid about the Energy Summit:
http://www.pickensplan.com/news/2009/03/05/senator-reid-recaps-another-successful-energy-summit/

Comment by Kat on March 4, 2009 at 7:32pm

Enjoy this excellent article:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/016/179fdpxl.asp

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