Entergy-funded methodology to unlock carbon finance potential for wetland restoration activities

American Carbon Registry (ACR), a nonprofit enterprise of Winrock International, announces an open public comment period for a first-of-its-kind carbon offset methodology that will both quantify how wetland restoration work can combat climate change and provide a way to help pay for rebuilding the Gulf of Mexico's disappearing coastal wetland. The methodology, Restoration of Degraded Deltaic Wetlands of the Mississippi Delta, was funded by Entergy Corporation and developed by Dr. Sarah K. Mack of New Orleans-based Tierra Resources LLC, with contributions from Dr. Robert R. Lane, Dr. John W. Day and Tiffany M. Potter.

Company to Provide Technical and Outreach Services for the Development and Implementation of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) [NYSE: SAI] announced it was awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Climate Change Division (CCD) to provide technical and outreach services for the development and implementation of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP).  The Fixed Rates for Services multi award IDIQ contract has a one-year base period of performance, four one-year options, and a contract ceiling value of more than $139 million if all options are exercised.  Work will be performed in Washington, D.C.

The Obama Administration released the final environmental assessment clearing the way for leasing of federal offshore tracts for site assessment and location of commercial wind farms off the coast of Virginia and other mid-Atlantic states. This expedites the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) process for  allowing developers to investigate and propose specific projects, which would then go through a more thorough environmental review process to ensure protection for marine life.

Announces 385-Acre Expansion of Richmond National Battlefield Park to Enhance Tourism and Create New Jobs for Virginia

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced $4 million in Land and Water Conservation Funds to acquire and preserve an additional 385 acres at Richmond National Battlefield Park. The announcement coincides with the National Park Service’s 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War and comes as part of the Obama administration’s effort to significantly boost tourism and travel in the United States.

“Tourism is one of the top economic drivers in Virginia and in communities throughout the country,” said Secretary Salazar. “These acquisitions, funded by fees from offshore oil and gas development, will enable us to preserve two key battlefields of the Civil War and help draw more visitors and jobs to the area. This is a win-win situation for everyone.”

Animal Welfare Approved has strongly criticized the conclusions of a recent research paper from the UK's University of Glasgow [1] on the link between farm antibiotic use and the development of antibiotic resistant disease in humans for being "misleading" and "highly irresponsible."

The researchers compared the development of antibiotic resistance in animals and people in Scotland in a major strain of salmonella (Salmonella typhimurium DT104) - a key food poisoning bacterium. They concluded that the local animal populations were "unlikely to be the major source of resistance diversity for humans" and that, as a result, the "current policy emphasis on restricting antimicrobial use in domestic animals may be overly simplistic."

Support for mining ban tops 10,000 citizens and 100 organizations and government entities

Citizens from across the state converged in the Virginia Capitol this week to call on their elected representatives in the General Assembly  to keep Virginia's 30-year ban on uranium mining.  Following significant warnings from the National Academy of Sciences, the ban will now remain in place for 2012.  The citizens are seeking to make that victory permanent.

To highlight their message, they offered legislators "yellowcake" cupcakes with the message: "These yellow cakes are not harmful - but making uranium yellowcake and leaving behind radioactive waste in Virginia is. Protect our health, our heritage and our future. Keep the Ban on Uranium Mining in Virginia."

Siemens Industry, Inc. today announced it has completed the acquisition of Pace Global Energy Services, LLC in Fairfax, Va. Financial details were not disclosed.

The acquisition of Pace Global supports Siemens strategic commitment to enhance enterprise value for its global clients by truly optimizing energy and resource efficiency. Pace Global's deep knowledge of energy markets, its experience with C-Suite decision support and its commercial solutions—including energy and carbon management (ECM) capabilities—are a natural fit with Siemens sustainability and energy management solutions. This creates a valuable, useful and seamless solution set that supports both the executive decision process and operating efficiencies.

Governor McDonnell announced that he will ask the General Assembly not to take any action this legislative session on uranium mining.

Bob Burnley, the former director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, responded, "It is encouraging that the Governor has elected to keep the mining ban in place.  At the same time, the details of the announcement raise some concerns." Mr. Burnley is serving as an independent consultant to the Southern Environmental Law Center on this issue.

Suniva, Inc., a U.S. manufacturer of high-efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells and modules, today announced its panels are being used to power the newest— and largest— solar array installed by FLS Energy at the Marine Helicopter Squadron 1’s greenside hangar at Quantico, home to the president’s Marine One helicopter.
The 120-kilowatt system features 500 of Suniva’s ART-245 panels and is expected to produce approximately 150,000 kWh of electricity per year—enough to reduce the site’s electric bills by as much as $10,500 annually and help the base to meet rigorous energy mandates set by the secretary of the Navy (50 percent of energy used to meet the Department of the Navy’s demand must come from alternative energy sources by 2020).