New NASA Map Reveals Patterns of Tropical Forest Carbon Storage

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 31, 2011 - A NASA-led research team has used a variety of NASA satellite data to create the most precise map ever produced depicting the amount and location of carbon stored in Earth's tropical forests. The data are expected to provide a baseline for ongoing carbon monitoring and research and serve as a useful resource for managing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. The new map, created from ground- and space-based data, shows for the first time the distribution of carbon stored in forests across more than 75 tropical countries. Most of that carbon is stored in the extensive forests of Latin America. "This is a benchmark map that can be used as a basis for comparison in the future when the forest cover and its carbon stock change," said Sassan Saatchi of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., who led the research. "The map shows not only the amount of carbon stored in the forest, but also the accuracy of the estimate." The study was published May 30 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Deforestation and forest degradation contribute 15 to 20 percent of global carbon emissions, and most of that contribution comes from tropical regions. Tropical forests store large amounts of carbon in the wood and roots of their trees. When the trees are cut and decompose or are burned, the carbon is released to the atmosphere. Previous studies have estimated the carbon stored in forests on local and large scales within a single continent, but there existed no systematic way of looking at all tropical forests. To measure the size of the trees, scientists typically use a ground-based technique, which gives a good estimate of how much carbon they contain. But this technique is limited because the structure of the forest is extremely variable and the number of ground sites is very limited. To arrive at a carbon map that spans three continents, the team used data from the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System lidar on NASA's ICESat satellite. The researchers looked at information on the height of treetops from more than 3 million measurements. With the help of corresponding ground data, they calculated the amount of above-ground biomass and thus the amount of carbon it contained. The team then extrapolated these data over the varying landscape to produce a seamless map, using NASA imagery from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument on NASA's Terra spacecraft, the QuikScat scatterometer satellite and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. The map reveals that in the early 2000s, forests in the 75 tropical countries studied contained 247 billion tons of carbon. For perspective, about 10 billion tons of carbon is released annually to the atmosphere from combined fossil fuel burning and land use changes. The researchers found that forests in Latin America hold 49 percent of the carbon in the world's tropical forests. For example, Brazil's carbon stock alone, at 61 billion tons, almost equals all of the carbon stock in sub-Saharan Africa, at 62 billion tons. "These patterns of carbon storage, which we really didn't know before, depend on climate, soil, topography and the history of human or natural disturbance of the forests," Saatchi said. "Areas often impacted by disturbance, human or natural, have lower carbon storage." The carbon numbers, along with information about the uncertainty of the measurements, are important for countries planning to participate in the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) program. REDD+ is an international effort to create a financial value for the carbon stored in forests. It offers incentives for countries to preserve their forestland in the interest of reducing carbon emissions and investing in low-carbon paths of development. The map also provides a better indication of the health and longevity of forests and how they contribute to the global carbon cycle and overall functioning of the Earth system. The next step in Saatchi's research is to compare the carbon map with satellite observations of deforestation to identify source locations of carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere.

Melvin Wylie

Vermont Enacts First-in-Nation Solar Registration

WILLISTON, Vt., May 31, 2011 - Vermont has enacted a first-in-the-nation registration process for small solar systems, providing a national model for mitigating costly local solar permitting. H.56, signed into law by Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin May 25, establishes a simple registration process for solar systems 5kW and smaller. The process, which replaces permitting, allows solar customers to install the system 10 days after completing a registration form and certificate of compliance with interconnection requirements. The utility has 10 days to raise any interconnection issues, otherwise a Certificate of Public Good is granted and project may be installed. A recent study earlier this year produced by SunRun found that permitting adds an average cost of $2,500 to each solar installation and that streamlining the often cumbersome process would provide a $1 billion stimulus to the solar industry over the next five years. The report finds that the additional installation cost— $.50 per watt— is due to wide permitting variations not connected to safety, excessive fees, and an unnecessarily slow process. The report cites that Germany has a 40 percent installation price advantage over the United States. Vermont already has a much more cost-effective, free statewide permitting process than most states. "Cutting unnecessary red tape and costly permitting for small renewables should be a national priority. It will help us meet our energy needs and make domestic solar competitive worldwide," said David Blittersdorf, president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables, manufacturer and installer of the AllSun Tracker. Mark Sinclair, executive director of Clean Energy States Alliance, says "solar registration is an innovative way to address the high costs and long timeframes that are often associated with installing small-scale renewable energy systems." The registration process will go into effect January 2012. Vermont's legislation also expands the state's successful net metering program by establishing a statewide solar customer benefit, which gives solar a minimum value of $0.20, increasing the allowable size of net metering projects from 250kW to 500kW, increasing the per utility net metering cap from 2 percent to 4 percent, and improving group net metering billing. "Vermont has lead the way in creating an installation environment that encourages solar development by reducing permitting time and resources. This continues that leadership," said Martha Staskus, chair of Renewable Energy Vermont, the state's renewable trade association.

Melvin Wylie

PepsiCo's Frito-Lay Modesto, Calif., gets LEED Gold

May 26, 2011 - PepsiCo's Frito-Lay Modesto, Calif., facility has become the state's first food manufacturing site to be awarded LEED® Gold existing building from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), as verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Frito-Lay North America now has eight certified LEED® Gold existing buildings across the country with manufacturing sites in Casa Grande, Ariz., Topeka, Kan., Perry, Ga., Beloit, Wis., Jonesboro, Ark., Killingly, Conn., and its Plano, Texas-based headquarters. "Today, Frito-Lay Modesto continues its legacy of sustainability by becoming the state's first food manufacturing LEED Gold certified existing building," said Tom Melead, maintenance and engineering director, Frito-Lay Modesto. "It is only through the dedication and desire of our team members that we were able to retrofit this 21-year-old building and solidify Frito-Lay's place as a leader in sustainability in Stanislaus County and the State of California." "Frito-Lay's certification shows tremendous leadership in greening an existing building, which makes up the vast majority of the U.S. building stock," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "Greening our existing buildings helps save money and energy, creates healthier places to live, work and learn - all while addressing our single greatest opportunity to help solve the climate change equation." To achieve LEED certification, the company's Modesto sustainability strategy included implementing a number of green design and construction features, and water reduction technologies and practices. Energy reduction: The Frito-Lay Modesto facility has reduced its natural gas consumption by 25% per pound of product and its electricity use by 24% per pound of product since 1999 by installing new technologies such as the 1MW photovoltaic solar system which generates nearly 25% of the facility's electrical requirements when in operation, high efficiency lighting throughout the plant and a thermal solar system which generates steam to help cook our chips. These and other initiatives greatly reduce the facility's emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. Water reduction: The facility has reduced its water consumption by nearly 36% per pound of product since 1999 by implementing technologies that reduce water used in its corn cooking and potato chip processing. The facility also implemented automatic sinks and hand washing stations with low-flow fixtures. Recycling: More than 98% of the Modesto facility's solid waste is diverted from landfills. The site achieved this milestone through many initiatives including an employee-led recycling program, reusing cardboard shipping boxes multiple times, and allocating waste product for use in animal feed. Frito-Lay Modesto has been a part of the Stanislaus County community for 21 years. The more than 340,000 square foot building sits on approximately 80 acres of land. Frito-Lay Modesto produces some of America's favorite snacks including Lay's and Ruffles potato chips, Sunchips, Tostitos tortilla chips, Doritos tortilla chips and Cheetos cheese-flavored snacks.

Melvin Wylie

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Melvin Wylie

Michigan Voters Want Better Fuel Effecient Vehicles

Michigan, May 27, 2011 - A new poll of 800 likely Michigan voters found overwhelming and intense support for requiring the auto industry to increase average fuel economy to 60 miles per gallon by 2025 and reduce carbon dioxide pollution from new cars, pickup trucks, minivans and SUVs. The poll was conducted by The Mellman Group for Ceres from April 9-12. "Michigan voters' overwhelming support for higher fuel efficiency standards by 2025 matches what is technologically feasible," notes John DeCicco, a faculty fellow at the University of Michigan's Energy Institute. His report, "A Fuel Efficiency Horizon for US Automobiles," shows how optimal use of available and affordable technologies can push new fleet efficiency as high as 74 mpg given adequate lead time. Voters don't believe the rhetoric that higher standards would cost jobs or hurt U.S. automakers. In fact, they believe increased efficiency will spur innovation and create jobs.

• 76% of likely Michigan voters believe a national 60 mpg standard will encourage American car makers to innovate, boosting sales and protecting American auto jobs.

Voter support remains strong even when higher vehicle costs are noted.

• 56% of likely voters in Michigan believe any costs attached to increasing vehicle fuel efficiency will be outweighed by benefits—efficiency increases will pay for themselves.

"The American voter is speaking loudly in Michigan," said Ceres President Mindy Lubber. "It isn't just $4-a-gallon fatigue. These voters clearly recognize that our economic and national security futures are also rolled up in saving money at the pump and making America far more energy independent." In Michigan -- the heart of the American auto industry -- 78% of likely voters say they support 60 mpg. This includes 58% who "strongly" support 60 mpg. Every group of likely Michigan voters across the political spectrum supports 60 mpg by wide margins; no group opposes it. The new polling data comes as government agencies seek to develop new passenger vehicle fuel economy standards for the years 2017-2025. Proposed standards are expected to be released in September.

Melvin Wylie

Ohio Voters Want Better Fuel Efficiency Vehicles

Ohio, May 27, 2011 - A new poll of 800 likely Ohio voters found overwhelming and intense support for requiring the auto industry to increase average fuel economy to 60 miles per gallon by 2025 and reduce carbon dioxide pollution from new cars, pickup trucks, minivans and SUVs. The poll was conducted by The Mellman Group for Ceres from April 9-12. "It comes as no surprise that Ohioans overwhelmingly support stronger fuel economy standards for automobiles. Higher fuel economy standards will help create new jobs," said JD Staley Director of Sales and Marketing for Amp Electric based in Cincinnati. The company is engaged in the emission-free electrification of specific OEM vehicles and has doubled its workforce in the last year to meet rising demand. Voters don't believe the rhetoric that higher standards would cost jobs or hurt U.S. automakers. In fact, they believe increased efficiency will spur innovation and create jobs.

• 80% of likely Ohio voters believe a national 60 mpg standard will encourage American car makers to innovate, boosting sales and protecting American auto jobs.

Support remains strong even when higher vehicle costs are noted.

• 59% of likely voters in Ohio believe any costs attached to increasing vehicle fuel efficiency will be outweighed by benefits—efficiency increases will pay for themselves.

"The American voter is speaking loudly in Ohio," said Ceres President Mindy Lubber. "It isn't just $4-a-gallon fatigue. These voters clearly recognize that our economic and national security futures are also rolled up in saving money at the pump and making America far more energy independent." In Ohio -- the hub of American manufacturing -- 79% of likely Ohio voters say they support 60 mpg. This includes 60% who "strongly" support 60 mpg. Every group of likely Ohio voters across the political spectrum supports 60 mpg by wide margins; no group opposes it. The new polling data comes as government agencies seek to develop new passenger vehicle fuel economy standards for the years 2017-2025. Proposed standards are expected to be released in September.

Melvin Wylie

Connecticut Gov. vows to reduce energy consumption by 15%

STAMFORD, Conn. - May 26, 2011 - Energy costs are high across the country and homeowners and businesses are feeling the pinch. Perhaps nowhere is the sting greater than in Connecticut where the battle against rising energy costs is nothing new. According to Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy, "the cost of energy in Connecticut is 74 percent greater than the national average. We should be the most efficient. There is no reason not to be." Speaking at a "clean energy summit" on May 19, Malloy revealed his vision for a restructured energy policy focused on lowering costs, increasing energy efficiency and reliability, and investing in renewable energy sources. Stamford based energy provider MXenergy shares the governor's goals. "Since our company's inception twelve years ago, we have been strongly committed to sustainability and energy efficiency," says MXenergy President and CEO Jeff Mayer. "We are extremely proud that Connecticut is the first state where we can offer 100% wind powered renewable energy to our customers." MXenergy's Green Rate plan offers Connecticut homeowners and businesses a 12-month fixed rate plan with 100% wind generated power, an option that is being met with increasing popularity. "In today's climate there is tremendous interest in renewable energy products," says Marjorie Kass, MXenergy Managing Director. "People are starting to understand they can help conserve the environment and opt for 'green' energy choices without draining their wallet." At the summit, Malloy also reiterated his pledge to reduce energy consumption in the state by 15% and his goal to have Connecticut ranked No. 1 in energy efficiency. Two goals MXenergy definitely shares. "Providing a competitive and environmentally friendly business environment do not have to be mutually exclusive goals," says Mayer. "In fact, as Governor Malloy eloquently illustrates in his speech, it is actually a selling point for attracting and retaining businesses in your community."

Melvin Wylie