‘Fairly certain’ carbon regulation presents opportunities, says Viability
Experts: Carbon emission limits could present an opportunity
By Dave Alexander
Muskegon Chronicle, Sept. 29, 2009
MUSKEGON — With or without a carbon “cap and trade” system being considered by Congress and the president, limits on carbon emissions will surely become a reality.
That was the conclusion of a panel of experts brought to Grand Valley State University’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in Muskegon this month to address the issues involving a “carbon-constrained economy.”
If federal legislation limiting greenhouse gas emissions now pending in the U.S. Senate fails to become law, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency already has the authority to regulate those emissions, according to Dan Kuipers of Viability — a Holland-based environmental consulting firm.
Whether it’s energy legislation or EPA regulations, “I am fairly certain something is going to happen,” Kuipers said.
Instead of a threat to businesses, the coming policy changes should be seen as an opportunity, said Ward Gahan of Danu Carbon and Energy Solutions LLC of South Haven.
The Obama Administration-led EPA concluded earlier this year that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are a danger to human health and can be regulated under the existing federal Clean Air Act. Most greenhouse gases — blamed by many as the cause of climate change — are generated when fossil fuels are burned such as in gasoline engines or coal-fired electrical power plants.
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Post on Sep 29 in Viability in the NewsViability Sees Oportunities in Carbon Legislation
Not just a threat?
Cap and trade could lead to revenue opportunities for industry
By Joe Boomgaard
MiBiz, Sept. 28, 2008
MUSKEGON – Many manufacturers and other business groups have spoken out against the American Clean Energy and Security bill, but they’re missing the boat on some potentially lucrative business opportunities, according to presenters at a recent energy conference.
“Everyone views (cap and trade) as a threat, and we want to change that. Everyone has an opportunity,” said Kyle Denning, carbon sales manager at Viability LLC, a Holland-based carbon management services company. “You need to take the science and turn that into a business opportunity.”
The proposed carbon cap and trade program will affect only about 13,000 facilities nationwide, said Dan Kuipers, carbon specialist at Viability. Included in that list are the largest emitters of carbon dioxide, mainly power plants and other generation facilities. Under the current proposals, the cap and trade regulation would only affect facilities that emit more than 25,000 tons of CO2 per year —”a huge number,” according to Kuipers. One Viability client with a heating bill in the hundreds of thousands of dollars only emits 15,000 tons per year, he added. His “gut feeling” is that any proposed regulations will directly impact “close to zero” businesses in West Michigan.
Post on Sep 28 in Viability in the NewsLower Prices, Lower Carbon, too? Walmart examines sustainability
Walmart Sustainability Index Means Big Business
By Tilde Herrera
Greener World Media and Reuters, Sept. 24, 2009
Some of Walmart’s top suppliers in the U.S. will begin sharing their environmental impact data with the world’s largest retailer next week.
Oct. 1 marks the official start of the first phase of Walmart’s Sustainability Index. That’s when “top-tier” consumer product companies must return to Walmart a 15-question assessment form (PDF) with details about their carbon footprint, resource use and ethical business practices.
While many large suppliers have tracked this data for years, some estimate the prepared few represent just 10 percent of the roughly 100,000 global companies who sell to Walmart.
Walmart’s sustainability assessment offers both a huge business opportunity and a potentially huge environmental business. Walmart suppliers will likely find opportunities to wring inefficiencies from their operations through the process of assessing their environmental footprints, while a bumper crop of consulting and accounting firms is springing up to help suppliers navigate the journey.
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Post on Sep 25 in Related storiesNew Year’s Resolution? Monitor Emissions, Says EPA
EPA Finalizes the Nation’s First Greenhouse Gas Reporting System/Monitoring to begin in 2010
Sept. 22, 2009
WASHINGTON – On January 1, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will, for the first time, require large emitters of heat-trapping emissions to begin collecting greenhouse gas (GHG) data under a new reporting system. This new program will cover approximately 85 percent of the nation’s GHG emissions and apply to roughly 10,000 facilities.
“This is a major step forward in our effort to address the greenhouse gases polluting our skies,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “For the first time, we begin collecting data from the largest facilities in this country, ones that account for approximately 85 percent of the total U.S. emissions. The American public, and industry itself, will finally gain critically important knowledge and with this information we can determine how best to reduce those emissions.”
EPA’s new reporting system will provide a better understanding of where GHGs are coming from and will guide development of the best possible policies and programs to reduce emissions. The data will also allow businesses to track their own emissions, compare them to similar facilities, and provide assistance in identifying cost effective ways to reduce emissions in the future. This comprehensive, nationwide emissions data will help in the fight against climate change.
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Post on Sep 23 in Related storiesViability Profiled for Carbon Credits, Grants and Growth
Local business launches off green movement
Viability deals in carbon credits, federal grants
By Peter Daining
The Holland Sentinel, Sept. 22, 2009
Holland, MI —This may not seem like the best time to be in economic development, but Chris Byrnes is making it work.
Viability President Chris Byrnes in office. Source: Dennis R.J. Geppert/The Holland Sentinel
Byrnes’ carbon credit and green grant business, Viability, has grown from a one-man operation to 14 employees in just two years.
Viability connects businesses — mostly large greenhouses, so far — with credit and grant money for projects such as switching from natural gas heating systems to biomass.
“A lot of this stuff is brand new,” said Byrnes from his office overlooking Eight Street in downtown Holland. “People haven’t done this before — at least not around here.”
Byrnes doesn’t take a political stance but said people should understand the difference between carbon taxes and credits. Taxes go to the government, whereas credits come from private investment through carbon exchanges.
And whether you believe in global warming or not, carbon credits can have real results.
Bell to Examine Carbon Challenges Facing Healthcare Facilities
At MiSHE’s annual conference, Viability Energy’s Dave Bell will look at issues surrounding energy costs, availability of technology, and environmental and carbon footprints as healthcare facilities and operations position themselves for a positive tomorrow.
Date: September 23-25, 2009
Time: Bell’s presentation - 9/24/09, 4:30pm to 5:10pm, Session F
Location: Boyne Mountain, Boyne Falls, MI
Sponsor: Michigan Society for Healthcare Engineering (MiSHE)
Michigan luring businesses through new energy park
Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Ford announce $725M renewable energy park in Wixom
Aaron Foley, MLive.com
Thursday September 10, 2009
It’s official: An idled Ford assembly plant will transform into a $725 million renewable energy park, which is expected to bring 4,000 jobs to Southeast Michigan.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Ford chairman Bill Ford Jr. and executives from the two companies investing in the project announced details of the park earlier today.
“We will lead the country,” in green energy, Granholm said. “This is just the tip of the iceberg.”
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Post on Sep 11 in Related storiesViability Partner GMB Wins Regional ‘Green Award’
Business Review West Michigan
September 2, 2009
Green Awards – Hamstra a ‘Green Visionary’
Business Review West Michigan recognized GMB leader in inaugural awards
Steve Hamstra first became involved in the green building industry in 1975, when he constructed his first solar collector.
Influenced by his father, a residential heating and air-conditioning contractor whose company installed one of the first solar thermal collection systems in West Michigan, Hamstra focused his engineering studies on a similar track. He became a pioneer in the application of geothermal heat pump systems in the late 1970s.
Hamstra was the first engineer to achieve U.S. Green Building Council LEED AP accreditation. He also created the engineering design for Michigan’s first USGBC LEED Gold project. He has been recognized by the Association of Energy Engineers as Energy Engineer of the Year, and, in 2007, he received the organization’s Legend in Energy lifetime achievement award.
As executive vice president and director of sustainability at GMB Architecture + Engineering in Holland, Hamstra continues his dedication to sustainability.
Click here to read about other Green Award Winners
The awards ceremony is open to the public. Follow this link to RSVP
Post on Sep 10 in Viability in the NewsBusiness Review West Michigan’s Green Awards
Business Review West Michigan will recognize companies and individuals throughout the region for their green initiatives and leadership. Steve Hamstra, executive vice president and director of sustainability of GMB Architecture + Engineering, has received the ‘Green Visionary’ award. GMB is a valued partner of Viability Energy, and several Viability staff will attend and celebrate Hamstra’s commitment to sustainability.
Date: September 24, 2009
Time: 5-7pm
Location: ACTIVSITE Artspace, 40 Monroe Center N.W., Grand Rapids, MI
Sponsor: Business Review West Michigan
Important Information: The event is open to the public, but attendees must RSVP through the event website. Appetizers and cash bar will be available.
More information on the Green Awards can be accessed here.
Post on Sep 09 in Events
Ohio Announces Energy Program Opportunity for Wind Turbines and Solar Projects
$14 Million in Recovery Act Wind and Solar Resources Mobilized in Ohio
August 25, 2009
Columbus – Lisa Patt-McDaniel, interim director of the Ohio Department of Development, and Mark Shanahan, energy advisor to Governor Ted Strickland, today announced that the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Energy Office is accepting applications for $14 million in funding available through the Deploying Renewable Energy: Wind and Solar grant program. This announcement marks the first set of renewable energy grants to be funded through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) in Ohio.
“Ohio has demonstrated a potential to realize significant job growth by deploying renewable energy derived from wind and solar installations,” Patt-McDaniel said.
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Post on Sep 01 in Related stories