EcoWatch Journal Dec/Jan 2010R : Page 2
stefanie penn spea Green Energy Ohio’s Bill Sprately describes in this issue’s cover story the delicate situation of Ohio’s energy future. It’s hard to believe it has been nearly three years since we celebrat-ed the passage of Ohio’s energy bill, mandating 25 percent of electricity generated in our state to come from advanced energy sources by 2025. This policy coupled with the Ohio Department of Development’s Advanced Energy Fund (AEF), a grant program for renewable energy installations, has ignited the renewable energy industry in Ohio. Unfortunately, the AEF is set to sunset at the end of 2010 with little to no chance of renewal. There’s no doubt Ohio is at a crossroads. Many states in the U.S. and countries across the world are enjoying economic growth from investment in renewable energy. From the manufacturing of parts and equipment to installations of onsite power generation and utility-scale proj-ects, political leaders from both sides of the aisle understand the economic and environmental benefits of supporting the transition to cleaner, renewable sources of energy. It is now up to Ohio’s new administration and the legislators in the Ohio General Assembly to continue this momentum and pass legis-lation that will encourage investment in renewable energy. This issue’s Green Investing column on page 14 takes an interesting look at grid parity and highlights the incentives provided to the fossil fuel industry. All to often, people think TABLE OF CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS 03 Letters to the Editor / Green Tips 06 Call to Action -Groups Oppose Landfill Expansion 12 Green City -City of Cincinnati 15 Green Goods -Green Giving Guide FEATURED ARTICLES 01 What is Ohio’s Green Energy Future 05 The Impact of ‘No Impact Man’ on OSU Students 07 Northwest Ohio’s Natural Greatest Wonders 09 Putting a Garden on Every Vacant Lot in Cleveland 09 Cleveland Urban Agriculture Incubator Pilot Project 11 Ohio Fairs Well in Recovery Act Funding 11 Baldwin-Wallace Receives Grant to Install Geothermal 13 The Story of Electronics COLUMNS 02 Letter from the Editor by Stefanie Penn Spear 08 EarthWISE by Megan Quinn Bachman 10 Policy Corner by Jack Shanner 14 Green Investing by Jeffrey Feldman and Andrew Hyman 2 • ECOWATCH JOURNAL for Your Support Cleveland Foundation George Gund Foundation Nelson Talbott Foundation Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop West Shore Vegetarian Group Sureenergy Susan Borton Thomas Bullock Chad Colman Thomas Coury Cheryl L. Cross Julie Crudele Beau Daane William Dauenhauer Dewey Forward William Fraser Benton Henkel Dennis Hoops George Hubbard Oakland Lewis Michael Martin Debra Mitchell J WPallotta Stephen Pepper Ann-Marie Potemski Judy Seidel Jack Shaner Robert Shields Linda Tobin Jean Wynne Dianne Yerick Thank You Stefanie Penn Spear, founder and executive director of EcoWatch, has worked on environmental issues for more than two decades. She is committed to educating Ohioans about solution-based sustainability projects and providing a venue for organizations and activists to get their news out to a broad audience. She can be reached at spear@ecowatch.org. that it is only the renewable energy industry receiving incen-tives, but in fact, the fossil fuel industry, primarily coal and oil companies, receive more than five times the federal and state subsidies of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power. EcoWatch is extremely excited to bring Philippe Cousteau, the grandson of the late Captain Jacques Cousteau, to Greater Cleveland for its third annual Green Gala on April 8 at Execu-tive Caterers in Mayfield Heights. Cousteau’s work focuses on protecting the planet’s water, and he is well known for his documentary programs and appearances on Animal Planet and Planet Green channels. His recently published book, Going Blue, A Teen Guide to Saving our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers and Wetlands, will be given to every teenager who attends the event. We are partnering with companies and schools to give teens a chance to meet Cousteau at a Gala pre-event. If you are interested in learning more or sponsoring this event, call me at 216-387-1609. Tickets for the Gala are now on sale at www.ecowatch.org. If you want to keep up with the latest on sustainability news, you can “like” EcoWatch on Facebook at www.face-book.com/EcoWatch, follow EcoWatch on Twitter at www. twitter.com/ECOWATCHorg or follow me at www.twitter. com/StefanieSpear to keep up with the latest news on energy. Stefanie Penn Spear VOLUME V • ISSUE II PUBLISHER EcoWatch EDITOR/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Stefanie Penn Spear • spear@ecowatch.org SENIOR EDITOR Thomas J.Quinn • quinn@ecowatch.org ADVERTISING MANAGER Donna Theberge • donna@wisegroup.com 440-824-0319 CREATIVE DIRECTORS Stacy Vickroy • Crystal Madrilejos Wise Group • www.wisegroup.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Megan Quinn Bachman • Joyce Degirolamo Melissa K. English • Jeffrey Feldman • Andrew Hyman Kevin Joyce • Cindy Kalis • Brett Mayo Brad Charles Melzer • Wendy Patton Jack Shaner • Bill Spratley BOARD OF DIRECTORS Matt Castelli • Monica Deadwiler • Piyush Dubey James Leikin • Oakland Lewis • David Lindner Sam S. Mathew • Steven Newman • Ann-Marie Potemski Thomas J.Quinn • Michelle Sheehan • Jeff Smith Donna VanRooy • Eileen Victoriano PROOFREADERS Jen Burke • Michele McBride • Rita Nagusky OUR MISSION EcoWatch encourages individuals, businesses and governments to adopt sustainable lifestyles, business practices and policies. EcoWatch Journal is distributed for free throughout Ohio. We print 80,000 copies per issue. EcoWatch Journal is a venue for the sustainability community to get their news out to a broad audience. The articles in the newspaper are written by people working toward a sustainable world and focus on solution-based sustainability projects happening throughout our state. ARTICLE SUBMISSION EcoWatch Journal relies on the sustainability movement to provide the content for this newspaper. Visit www.ecowatch.org and click on ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS for details. Submitting an article does not guarantee it getting published. EcoWatch reserves the right to edit all material for clarity, length and content. E-mail submissions to: spear@ecowatch.org DEADLINE FOR THE FEB/MARCH ISSUE: JAN. 7 EcoWatch, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. EcoWatch Journal is published six times a year and distributed free throughout Ohio. Copyright ©2010, EcoWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. For reprinting in other publications or electronically, permission must be granted by EcoWatch and proper credit given. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or editors. EcoWatch Journal is printed on 100% recycled, non-bleached newsprint. Inks are soy based. When finished reading EcoWatch Journal please pass it on to someone else or recycle it. ECOWATCH 720 Literary Rd. • Cleveland, Ohio 44113 216-387-1609 www.ecowatch.org WWW.ECOWATCH.ORG
Letter From The Editor
Green Energy Ohio’s Bill Sprately describes in this issue’s cover story the delicate situation of Ohio’s energy future. It’s hard to believe it has been nearly three years since we celebrated the passage of Ohio’s energy bill, mandating 25 percent of electricity generated in our state to come from advanced energy sources by 2025. This policy coupled with the Ohio Department of Development’s Advanced Energy Fund (AEF), a grant program for renewable energy installations, has ignited the renewable energy industry in Ohio. Unfortunately, the AEF is set to sunset at the end of 2010 with little to no chance of renewal. There’s no doubt Ohio is at a crossroads.<br /> <br /> Many states in the U.S. and countries across the world are enjoying economic growth from investment in renewable energy. From the manufacturing of parts and equipment to installations of on site power generation and utility-scale projects, political leaders from both sides of the aisle understand the economic and environmental benefits of supporting the transition to cleaner, renewable sources of energy. It is now up to Ohio’s new administration and the legislators in the Ohio General Assembly to continue this momentum and pass legislation that will encourage investment in renewable energy.<br /> <br /> This issue’s Green Investing column on page 14 takes an interesting look at grid parity and highlights the incentives provided to the fossil fuel industry. All to often, people think That it is only the renewable energy industry receiving incentives, but in fact, the fossil fuel industry, primarily coal and oil companies, receive more than five times the federal and state subsidies of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power.<br /> <br /> Eco Watch is extremely excited to bring Philippe Cousteau, the grandson of the late Captain Jacques Cousteau, to Greater Cleveland for its third annual Green Gala on April 8 at Executive Caterers in May field Heights. Cousteau’s work focuses on protecting the planet’s water, and he is well known for his documentary programs and appearances on Animal Planet and Planet Green channels.<br /> <br /> His recently published book, Going Blue, A Teen Guide to Saving our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers and Wetlands, will be given to every teenager who attends the event. We are partnering with companies and schools to give teens a chance to meet Cousteau at a Gala pre-event. If you are interested in learning more or sponsoring this event, call me at 216-387-1609. Tickets for the Gala are now on sale at www.ecowatch.org.<br /> <br /> If you want to keep up with the latest on sustainability news, you can “like” Eco Watch on Face book at www.facebook. com/Eco Watch, follow Eco Watch on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ECO WATCH org or follow me at www.twitter. com/Stefanie Spear to keep up with the latest news on energy.
Publication List
