Huachuca Audubon Society Conservation Committee
Conservation News
FROM CONGRESSWOMAN GIFFORD'S OFFICE:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' first solar energy bill cleared a significant hurdle this afternoon, earning strong bipartisan support at a hearing of the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee. Giffords' Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007 is aimed at reducing global warming and increasing America’s use of renewable energy by harnessing the power of the sun. Backing from the subcommittee paves the way for the legislation to be considered next week by the House Science and Technology Committee.
"A bold new era awaits us – an era of clean energy independence," said Giffords, a member of the committee and vice chairwoman of the subcommittee. "I firmly believe this is the Apollo mission of our generation. Our goal today, however, is not to put a man on the icy surface of the moon, but to capture the awesome power of the sun."
While drafting the bill, Giffords consulted with her Solar Energy Advisory Council, a group of scientists, engineers, business leaders and environmentalists from Southern Arizona. The act establishes a four-point plan to promote solar power. It calls for:
- The creation of a research and development program into thermal energy storage technologies for concentrating solar power (CSP). CSP uses mirrors to convert the sun’s energy into heat, which is then used to produce electricity. The focus of the program will be on how to improve storage technology so that solar energy consumers can obtain electricity at night and on cloudy days;
- A report regarding the integration of concentrating solar power plants and regional electricity transmission systems, including how to send electricity from high solar resource areas (such as Arizona) to areas with less solar power;
- An analysis of how to reduce the amount of water consumed by concentrating solar power systems; and
- A program to create and strengthen solar industry workforce training and internship programs in order to ensure that current and future employees obtain the necessary skills to install, operate, and maintain solar energy products.
A recent report by the Integovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that global warming likely will have a dramatic impact on the American West by permanently reducing the flow of the Colorado River, a vital source of water and power for more than 25 million people in Arizona and six other states. The dire consequences of such an eventuality include more severe and prolonged droughts, water shortages, forest fires, and a proliferation of environmentally devastating invasive species. To curb the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, Giffords believes solar energy can and must play a crucial role.
"The potential of solar energy is nothing short of astounding," the Tucson lawmaker said. "In Arizona we have more than 300 days of brilliant sunshine every year. Not to tap this unlimited natural resource would be short-sighted and foolish. Solar energy stimulates business development, creates new jobs, helps protect our environment, and promotes energy independence. My legislation will move solar energy forward by targeting some of the gaps that several experts have identified in our national solar energy strategy."
Giffords noted that her bill is only the beginning. "This is the first step in the overall solar energy agenda for the 110th Congress. I am considering additional pieces of legislation, and I know that other House committees are considering bills that could have a positive impact on solar energy," the Tucson lawmaker said. "All solar energy technologies – photovoltaic, concentrating solar power, and solar heating and lighting – should be promoted if we are to realize the full potential of solar energy."
To get more information on the bill, go to http://science.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1897.
(So, turn off those lights, and write to everyone you can think of, and maybe, just maybe, we won't get anoher power plant in the County.)
SUPPORT THE TUMACACORI HIGHLANDS LEGISLATION
Congressman Raul Grijalva has introduced the Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness Act of 2007 (H.R. 3287) into the United States House of Representatives!
The bill will permanently protect approximately 85,000 acres of rolling hills, rugged canyons, and rare species habitat as federal wilderness on the Coronado National Forest. The area is just an hour's drive south from approximately 1 million people in metropolitan Tucson. The area lies north of the Mexican border, west of I-19, from the Pajarita Wilderness Area north to Tubac. Click on the link below for the Friends of the Tumacacori Highlands' map.
http://www.tumacacoriwild.org/images/TumacacoriHighlandsWildernessMap-thumb.jpg
The much-anticipated legislation calls for permanent protection for the Highlands—home to subtropical species like the jaguar, elegant trogon, and Chiricahua leopard frog that are found nowhere else in the United States. The Tumacacori Highlands are part of the world renowned Sky Island bioregion—a global biodiversity "hotspot" that supports the highest diversity levels of mammals, birds, and reptiles in our nation. The bill would also preserve the sweeping views from Atascosa Lookout, culturally significant sites, and numerous archaeological areas within the Highlands.
This is an historic moment for Arizona. And this is the result of the efforts of many, many Arizonans who want to see wild Arizona preserved.
With legislation now introduced to designate the Tumacacori Highlands as Wilderness it is important for the Arizona Congressional Delegation to know that Arizonans support Wilderness. They need to hear this message regularly! Please take a moment to contact your Representative and Senators. A short, handwritten note is fine.
If you live in Congresswoman Giffords' district (Arizona 08):
The Honorable Gabrielle Giffords
U.S. House of Representatives
502 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable John McCain
United States Senate
241 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
If you live in Congressman Grijalva's district (Arizona 07):
The Honorable Raúl Grijalva
U.S. House of Representatives
1440 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Jon Kyl
United States Senate
730 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
AND BLOGWORLD
And for the truly demented among us (yes, I mean us) we are recommending the following site for a look at how others are personally responding to the challenge of being green:
This Toronto native is attempting to make one green change a day for a year, and writing about it. She has links to other sites about personal responses to some of the energy, conservation, consumption, local food, simplicity, and social justice issues. Pretty thought-provoking for first thing in the morning.
Verna Berry - Conservation Chair
August 8, 2007
Last updated: 08 October 2007 by REW.
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