April 2021 Newsletter Empowering Sustainable Communities
Lots of news here because
April is Earth Month!
Our new Earth Day sticker is here!
In this issue:
Message from the chair · Recovery through Solar · News on Fracking Ban in PA · Wolf's Solar Commitment · The Plastic Problem · Decline of Coal · Bitcoin's Climate Problem · SEEDS Reads Sneak Peak · Volunteer of the Month · SEEDS Recommends · Upcoming Events · Donations Needed
Chair Message
All of us at SEEDS have been very busy. That includes our advisors, people with expertise who stand by ready to help when called upon. Recent examples:
Larry Reeger and I presented an Energy 101 program to the homeowners at Hemlock Farms on March 20th. Larry is a Green Building Educator at SUNY Sullivan. He also recently passed his Building Performance Institute (BPI) "Building Analyst" test. Congratulations, Larry, and thank you for taking time out of your very full schedule to help me! Larry is also helping volunteer Pete Snyder and me pull together the assessment training program we are holding on April 5th and 7th.
When I called Brian Stafford in preparation for our March 20th program, to check on the latest rebates and assistance PPL offers to homeowners and businesses, he provided a short PowerPoint pulled together the next day! Brian is a Project Manager of Customer Service Innovation Delivery at PPL Electric Utilities. His work at PPL focuses on improving the customers’ experience when interfacing with PPL on Energy Efficiency and Distributed Energy Resource (DER) projects. Thank you for your prompt response, Brian! To see the PowerPoint, go to our our website.
Happy Spring, everyone!
Kathy Dodge
SEEDS Chair
The Road to Recovery is Through Solar
From PA Solar Center: Even prior to 2020, many Pennsylvanians were struggling—in 2019, Pennsylvania lost more than 5,000 farms alone. Senator Daniel Laughlin’s and Senator Art Haywood’s visionary new bill aims to attract millions of dollars in private investment, grow tens of thousands of jobs, create tax revenue for communities, diversify our energy mix, and present a solution that may save some of our farms without the use of state revenues – all through the common-sense expansion of renewable energy.
Community solar would allow all Pennsylvania residents and businesses, including renters, to directly participate in and receive the benefits from a solar project connected to the grid, even when their own site is not suited for solar. They can subscribe to an offsite solar project and receive credit on their electricity bill for the power produced, just as if the panels were on their own property. Senator Scavello said that “Community solar will provide $2 billion in economic benefits that we cannot ignore…and farmers could generate thousands of dollars in income by leasing small portions of their land to these projects.” The bill was referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.
Take action > If you support clean energy jobs and development, reach out to your senator or representative to ask them where they stand on this bill and to encourage them to increase the renewable energy requirements in Pennsylvania. Our future, and economic recovery, depends on it. Find your legislator.
On March 23, Sen. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) reintroduced legislation--Senate Bill 472--to authorize community solar projects in Pennsylvania. This is the third year the bill is being considered in Harrisburg.
Take action > Ask these two committee chairs to move this to the floor for a vote:
Majority Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee Senator Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks) by calling 717-787-5072 or sending email to: rtomlinson@pasen.gov.
Minority chair Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh) by calling 717-787-4236 or sending email to: boscola@pasenate.com.
Thanks to PA Environment Digest for this information
The Plastic Problem
The plastics industry has and continues to do an amazing job keeping the focus on recycling and placing the onus on consumers to take care of their mess. This works, in part because it’s half true, but recycling will not solve this existential problem. Consumers do however have the power to make meaningful change through the promotion and use of plastic alternatives which take us in a sustainable direction that ultimately results in the discontinuation of single use plastics.
From NPR:How the Petrochemical Industry Made the Public Responsible for Plastic Waste
Historically, the US exported 70% of all plastic waste to southeast Asia; now, exports are a tiny fraction. Consequently, plastic waste is piling up in the US, especially in California ports. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to recycle in America. If you don’t want it to end up in landfills or worse, thrown out into the ocean, then the only solution right now is to avoid it altogether.
Also in news: Microplastics are found in 100% of Pennsylvania’s waterways, in addition to accumulations in fish and in human blood and feces, and reaching Earth’s least populated areas, including the High Alps, the Arctic, and Antarctica. Last year, 80 nations amended the Basel Agreement and placed strict limits on exports of plastic garbage, but the US did not ratify the treaty. Consequently, in January 2021, the first month that the agreement took effect, America increased its export of plastic waste.
“Clean water and air is a constitutional right for all Pennsylvanians, and it’s the duty of the General Assembly to ensure those rights are not infringed upon,” said Sen. Steve Santarsiero. “The people of Bucks County – and the rest of the Delaware River Basin – have a constitutional right to clean, safe drinking water. We are not going to allow the oil and gas industry to contaminate that water. Working within its authority, the DRBC has been a steadfast champion for protecting the assets of the Delaware River Basin since its inception. Thanks to the DRBC and the work of environmental advocates, an incredible amount of progress has been made over the years to clean our waterways and create a reliable source of drinking water for millions of people. We have come too far to cede that progress to the damaging effects of fracking on our environment and land.”
Gov. Wolf Announces Largest Government Solar Energy Commitment in the U.S.
Governor Tom Wolf announced today a major clean energy initiative that will produce nearly 50 percent of state government’s electricity through seven new solar energy arrays totaling 191-megawatts to be built around the state. Part of the governor’s GreenGov initiative, Pennsylvania PULSE (Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy) will go into operation on January 1, 2023. The project is the largest solar commitment by any government in the U.S. announced to date.
Tracking Our Progress Toward a Coal-free Future
Earlier this month the Bloomberg Global Coal Countdown was launched. This online dashboard (currently available only for desktop computers) will track the retirement of coal plant units worldwide, as governments and businesses accelerate the transition from coal power to clean energy. In making the announcement about BGCC, Michael Bloomberg said, “One third of all carbon emissions come from burning coal, making it the single largest contributor to climate change. From a desktop computer, go to https://bloombergcoalcountdown.com and click on “Explore the Data.”Photo of Lackawanna County Abandoned Coal Mine by Gabby Zawacki
Bitcoin’s Climate Problem
Cryptocurrencies come in many shapes and sizes, and with over 4,000 currently on the market it can be confusing to differentiate between each one. One of the most important factors is how they are mined or "minted." For example, in a "proof of work" model, the first person who solves a difficult puzzle using their powerful computer creates and receives new coins. This model awards faster but more energy-hungry hardware. Alternatively, a "proof of stake" model gives "minting" power based on the percentage of coins staked by a miner, kind of like owning stock and receiving dividends. Unfortunately, the most popular cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, uses the "proof of work" model which makes it outrageously energy intensive and unsustainable.
From New York Times article by Andrew Ross Sorkin:“ ‘Bitcoin uses more electricity per transaction than any other method known to mankind, and so it’s not a great climate thing.’ ” — Bill Gates
“Depending on which study you read, the annual carbon emissions from the electricity required to mine Bitcoin and process its transactions are equal to the amount emitted by all of New Zealand. Or Argentina.
“And as Bitcoin becomes more popular, the more resources its ecosystem consumes. What’s happening, in a nutshell: So-called miners verify transactions involving the cryptocurrency by using computers to solve increasingly complex mathematical equations. They earn bitcoins for their work, meaning that the more popular the currency becomes, the more competition there is to mine new tokens..."
A little sneak peek...
SEEDS Reads volunteers have been working hard to get two more Little Free Libraries installed in Honesdale that were both made by Michael Korb’s students. Thankfully, the Honesdale borough was forthcoming in approving the installation in Honesdale’s veteran and Central parks. And our Chair, Kathy, has been working hard on beautifying them with her painting talent. So, together, with the one installed in The Cooperage Project’s pocket park, Honesdale will now be home to three Little Free Libraries!
Allaina is a joy to be around. Cheerful, insightful and always in action! —Jack Barnett
Allaina is a "yes" person. She willingly volunteers and carries through on her promises with skill and grace. —Kathy, Chair
Allaina’s financial skills and experience are a tremendous asset for SEEDS. And, she has an easy-going way about her that makes her always a pleasure to work with. —David Ford, Governance Circle Representative
Allaina is one of the smartest people I know, and an independent thinker. On top of that, she is kind and funny and a pleasure to work with....rare combination! —Jocelyn Cramer, Board Member at Large
Allaina's care and concern for our local community and her willingness to walk the walk (and not just talk the talk) is an inspiration. — Jane Bollinger, Recording Secretary
SEEDS Recommends
My Octopus Teacher (2020) ● 90 min ● Documentary
Watch the trailer ● Streaming on Netflix - https://www.netflix.com/title/81045007
For eight years, the freediver Craig Foster has explored the rare wildlife off the coast of South Africa. His daily observations of a wild octopus living in a kelp forest develops into a close bond, across species and separated by millions of years of evolution. The ingenuity and quick wit of the octopus bear witness to a highly developed intelligence.
With Roger Horrocks (BBC's 'Blue Planet II') behind the camera, we are brought below the surface of the sea and into another world full of colourful and quirky animals, and witness the wonders and brutality of nature. The encounter with the octopus changes Craig's life forever.
Upcoming Events
MAREA: Adding Storage to Solar
—another step closer to a sustainable culture
Solar electric doesn’t work when the sun isn’t shining. We’ll look at what it takes to change a 10-year-old, rural, grid-tied photovoltaic (pv) system into a flexible setup that can well-serve both its owners and the community.
Energy storage is the keystone for the changeover to 100 percent renewables and we’ll look at how, as individuals, we can work towards that goal by investing our time and money.
The upgraded Solar Electric (PV) system is designed to provide power during extended outages and charge an electric vehicle. Renewable excess electricity can be provided to neighboring homes and through net-metering, the system will offset the annual electrical usage of the home. The setup includes two Sol-Ark 12 kilowatt inverters, eight SimpliPhi Lithium-ion batteries, 76 solar modules and a 15 kilowatt propane-powered generator as backup to the backup.
Presented by Bill Hennessy and Bruce Hankins. Bill is one of MAREA’s earliest organizers, early and longtime solar and renewable energy pioneer, NABCEP-certified installer (now retired), teacher and advocate. Bruce Hankins is a retired master electrician, veteran solar contractor, and Bill’s long time work partner. Bill, Bruce and Vera Cole have taught many solar workshops at universities and community colleges across the state and as part of many home installs. Many solar installers in Pennsylvania and neighboring states gained their initial training from Bill, Bruce and Vera.
Upcoming Events
We Need Your Help
If you are not a member of SEEDS, please consider joining us today!
Our annual membership dues are only $10, and you will continue to receive our newsletters, invitations to our educational forums and other events. Members are eligible for free solar evaluations, have voting rights at our annual meeting, and help shape our programs and initiatives. For more information visit our website at www.seedsgroup.net
rnor’s GreenGov initiative, Pennsylvania PULSE (Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy) will go into operation on January 1, 2023. The project is the largest solar commitment by any government in the U.S. announced to date.
experience are a tremendous asset for SEEDS. And, she has an easy-going way about her that makes her always a pleasure to work with. —David Ford, Governance Circle Representative
