New Jersey Utility Offers $105 Million in Solar Loans

New Jersey's Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is now offering up to $105 million in loans for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approved the loan package in early April to support the development of 30 megawatts of solar power installations throughout the utility's service area, helping the utility to meet about half of its solar energy requirement for 2009 and 2010. For now, the loans are only available for non-residential customers, but the program will be expanded to residential customers in the future. PSE&G will provide loans to cover roughly 40%-60% of a solar project's costs, offering 10-year loans for residential systems and 15-year loans for non-residential systems. According to PSE&G, the non-residential loans are currently being offered at an interest rate of 11.11%. New Jersey's Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is now offering up to $105 million in loans for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems.

For the complete article, visit http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11756

Roadtrip Anyone?

Town goes green after twister

Associated Press - May 2, 2008

GREENSBURG, Kan. - A year after it was practically wiped off the map by a tornado, Greensburg is rising again — and going green, too, with solar panels, wind turbines, tinted windows, water-saving toilets and other energy-efficient technology.

Environmentalists and civic leaders have seized on the disaster as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to re-engineer the town. "I would never say the tornado happening was a good thing. I would never wish that on anybody," said Kim Alderfer, assistant city manager. "But given the opportunity, we have to do it right — to make it better."

For the full story, visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24416341

Tulsa County Gets an "F" in Air Quality Report

Tulsa Business Journal
May 1, 2008

Oklahoma received a mixed report card for outdoor air pollution in the American Lung Association State of the Air Report 2008 released today. Tulsa County received an "F" for ozone; a "C" for 24-hour particle pollution and a "passing" grade for year-round particle pollution. Tulsa and Oklahoma counties were the only ones tested that received a failing grade for ozone. Several Oklahoma counties, including Canadian, Kay, Ottawa and Oklahoma, saw a drop in their ozone grade, whereas Cleveland county's grade improved. For particle pollution, both Kay and Oklahoma counties improved their grade.

"Both our local scores and the national trends tell us that we have more work to do to protect our families and our neighbors from dangerous air pollution," said Sara Dreiling, Chief Executive Officer of the American Lung Association of the Central States. "Oklahomans are not yet breathing air that's clean enough to be safe. Our State of the Air 2008 report proves that we can cut air pollution. We can't settle for where we are now."

OSN in the News!

From slowing vehicles to fast meat packers, legal trends are taking on a green hue
April 22, 2008
The Journal Record

OKLAHOMA CITY – They're called low-speed vehicles, or LSVs for short, and thanks to two clients of attorney Jeff Tate who insisted on being ticketed, they're now legal in Edmond.

That's just one of the latest developments in what has come to be known as "green law."

Tate, President of Sustainable Edmond, said that unlike standard golf carts, LSVs can go more than 20 mph.

Under federal standards, LSVs that can do up to 25 mph are classified as motor vehicles, but are not required to have all of the safety bells and whistles of standard cars. They must have seatbelts, a VIN number, reflectors, lights and the like.

For the complete article, visit http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recID=88246.

PBS's NOW - Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Planet

Would this approach work for Shawnee? Click on the link below and watch the 30-minute NOW segment, "Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Planet." www.pbs.org/now/shows/413/index.html

NOW looks at a city-wide plan in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to make all its buildings more energy efficient. Up to 80 percent of emissions in many urban cities comes from buildings. Cambridge hopes that this unprecedented effort to green its buildings will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent in just five years, the equivalent of taking 33,000 cars off the road. If every major city in America took the same approach, it would have a significant impact on the carbon footprint of the United States —and it would generate tens of millions of new "green" jobs.

Oklahoma Sustainability Network Conference 2008

The AQUAhoman: A Newsletter about Water Initiatives from the Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute

What's New With Water in Oklahoma?

• Legislative Update on Water Issues. You'll find our very own HB2702 written by Rep. Kris Steele included. For the text of this bill, visit http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2007-08bills/HB/HB2702_HFLR.RTF
• Details on Water-related Research Projects Funded in FY2008-09
• Upcoming Events!

Visit http://environ.okstate.edu/owrri/aquahoman.asp to read the entire issue.

Oklahoma WinCharger - The Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative

Check out the latest issue of Oklahoma's Alternative Energy Newletter!

1. Renewable Energy Education and Awareness in Oklahoma
2. Yarbrough Public School Board Approves Purchase of Wind Turbine
3. 2008 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program Announced
4. Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act of 2008 Passes Senate
5. 3TIER Releases Global Wind Map

And More at http://www.seic.okstate.edu/owpi/OkWinCharger/WinCharger/latestIssue.pdf!

OG&E Grants for Teachers!

OG&E offers grants to K-12 public school teachers for up to $1000! The grants are designed to fund innovative math, science and reading projects. This is a great opportunity for teachers interested in developing sustainability-focused projects with their students. The deadline for submission is May 30, 2008. For more information and the application documents, visit http://www.oge.com/. Please share this with the educators you know!

Local Company Reuses and Recycles E-Waste Everyday!

Go Computers located at 6 West Main Street is reusing and recycling computers, cellphones, televisions, VCR's and other e-waste everyday at their downtown facility. Chris Odneal and his partners are new members of Sustainable Shawnee and are keen to reduce the amount of electronic waste going to the landfill. For more information on what can be reused, contact Chris at chris.odneal@gocs.biz, by phone at 405.214.6090 or visit www.gocs.biz.