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Re: E-M:/ How About 20% Renewable Energy by 2008?

It would be good to see more details on this.  For example:
 
1) the burning of alternative fuels may be close to carbon neutral, but the production of those fuels is not (this is one of those cradle to grave issues that I mentioned before)
2) What means did they achieve the 20% generation of municipal power from renewable resources.  The burning of trash is considered to be renewable. Trash incinerators don't exactly have a good reputation.  Nor do tire burners.  They are renewable, but the combustion is largely carbon sourced
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 8:25 AM
Subject: E-M:/ How About 20% Renewable Energy by 2008?

While state House Democrats timidly offer up modest 10% renewable energy requirements, and Senate Republicans can't break their addiction to coal and want even weaker renewable energy legislation, Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, in his State of the City address, reports on what the City of Grand Rapids has ALREADY accomplished on the clean energy front: 


* 20% of municipal power is generated with renewable resources. 

* A 10% reduction in municipal energy consumption since Heartwell took office

* 32% of city-owned vehicles operate using alternative fuels for all but the coldest winter months

* hybrid busses introduced into The Rapid's fleet

*The City Commission has committed to build only LEED-certified municipal buildings in the future. LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a green-building standard.

* LEED standards have been incorporated in Grand Rapids' zoning ordinance


So, Grand Rapids has already doubled the amount of energy from renewable sources that the Democrats are proposing in their energy bills and nearly doubled the energy efficiency savings called for in the Dem bills.  And Grand Rapids goes beyond all that with alternative fuels and LEED-only buildings.