Trade Pub Calls 2009 ‘Year of Greenhouse Sustainability’
ANLA: The Pursuit of Green
Bob Dolibois, Grower Talks
December 2009
There’s a lot about this year that’s worth forgetting … and the sooner, the better! However, there is one aspect of this year that deserves closer examination: 2009 was the year our industry discovered sustainability.
Some early-adopters in our industry can already speak from experience about embracing sustainability in their businesses. But let’s be honest: For most of us, this sustainability thing has just started earning our attention.
The signs of that attention are all around us. The trade press has delivered yard of type on the subject, with blogs arriving weekly. Associations like ANLA now feature education sessions on the topic. “The Pursuit of Green” has all the makings of a double entendre in every corner of horticulture.
So, how we doin’? Is sustainability shaping up to be the life preserver for an industry struggling with a shrinking market? Or is sustainability a Trojan horse delivered by the greenies bent on eliminating every blade of turf and hyper-thirsty bedding plant in our galaxy? Answer: it’s too early to tell. But let’s score the match so far.
Renewable Energy Conversions. Informed people are aware of multiple businesses that have converted from 20th century energy sources to newer 21st century approaches like wind, solar and biofuel. Neat stuff! The savings are sometimes startling, and certainly a reason to take a look.
At the same time, can something this good last forever? In most cases, the single-most significant positive factor is the size of the grant or tax credit that’s awarded for making the conversion. Given the economy and stressed budgets of governments providing these grants and credits, it’s practical to assume that these incentives aren’t going to be around forever. So move quickly.
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Post on Dec 15 in Related storiesBiomass Magazine: Viability Growing Biomass Development
State RPS, Incentives Spur Development
Biomass project development could be expedited in 2010 and coming years, as developers contribute to state renewable portfolio standards and scramble to meet deadlines for funding opportunities.
By Lisa Gibson, Associate Editor
Biomass Magazine, Dec. 2009
The most influential factors for U.S. biomass development in 2010 most likely will be state renewable portfolio standards (RPS), along with financial incentives, perhaps none as effective as the Grants for Specified Energy Property in Lieu of Tax Credits program.
The incentive was established under Section 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is designed to fill the gap where the Production Tax Credit isn’t useful. It requires the U.S. Department of the Treasury to make a one-time payment to eligible renewable electricity developers in the amount of 30 percent of a project’s qualified capital cost, instead of the production tax credit, which is paid over a 10-year period. Statutory provisions specify that the property must be placed in service during 2009 or 2010. It can, however, be on line after 2010 by a statutory deadline, but only if construction began in 2009 or 2010. Thus, developers who want to reap its benefits are running out of time.
“We’re seeing a lot of biomass projects moving into the preconstruction phase because of the opportunity to get these grants,” says James Bertrand, a Leonard, Street and Deinard shareholder and head of the law firm’s energy group. “It significantly improves the overall financial picture.” The program is less complicated than the tax credits because there is no need for a tax credit investor, he adds…
[Viability is featured at the end of the More Federal Funding section and the beginning of Other Options]
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Post on Dec 07 in Viability in the NewsViability Launches Energy Subscription Service, ViAlign™
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 2, 2009
Contact: Chris Byrnes, President
616-396-6101, chris@viabilityonline.com
Viability Launches Energy Subscription Service, ViAlign™
New service will provide companies with piece of mind when making sustainability decisions
HOLLAND, MI – December 2, 2009 – Viability, LLC announces the launch of ViAlign™, an information subscription service that delivers up-to-date communication on relevant grants, incentives, legislation and technologies for companies pursuing renewable energy or energy-efficiency projects.
The new ViAlign service monitors, tracks and then summarizes and communicates available energy incentive opportunities for subscribing clients. Viability, a West Michigan economic and environmental consulting firm, operates the ViAlign service.
The company has been assisting businesses in identifying grants and incentives for the past six years.
James Bruckbauer, Viability’s Research Coordinator and co-creator of ViAlign, says the need for such an information service is evident.
“Grants, incentives and other financial tools from all sources of government have never been more available, but at the same time, have never been more difficult to track,” says Bruckbauer.
“While companies are becoming increasingly pressured to become more environmentally sustainable, simply attempting to keep ahead of the trends requires time, energy, salaries and constant filtering of information. But with ViAlign, the client’s goals become Viability’s goals, and the client can focus on what they do best, and leave the research and monitoring to us.”
ViAlign subscribers will have access to grant and incentive requirements and availability at federal, state and local levels. Other considerations that impact energy incentives, such as legislation and policy interpretations, will also be monitored and incorporated into recommendations.
Clients can choose a subject—such as wind or geothermal—and a State for monitoring, and Viability will offer custom recommendations based on available grants, incentives, technologies and legislation. For instance, if a company were considering undertaking a solar project in Kansas, Viability would monitor all funding sources that become available to fund a solar project in Kansas and then advise subsequent action to maximize funding opportunities.
The program’s resources begin with research capabilities and extend to engineering and carbon management based on the specific needs, direction and action of the client.
“Businesses in energy intensive sectors, like agribusiness, food processing and manufacturing, stand to gain the most from ViAlign,” says Viability President Chris Byrnes. “Proactive companies will try to precede the trends in this area so they can capitalize on the ever-changing funding opportunities.”
Interested companies can visit http://www.viabilityllc.com/services/vialign to learn more or call 616.396.6101.
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ABOUT VIABILITY
Since 2003, Viability, LLC has partnered with a wide range of businesses in over 20 states and secured millions in grants and incentives. The ViAlign service is part of Viability’s comprehensive energy solutions that include domestic and international carbon credit development, grant and incentive research, citywide carbon action plans and renewable energy project implementation.
For more information on Viability, please visit www.viabilityllc.com
Click here to read a PDF of this release
Post on Dec 02 in Press Releases