Posters presented at the October 16, 2006 Deans’ Forum on Energy Security and Sustainability
Energy Policy
2: Integrating Planning, Design, Construction, Operation, and Maintenance for Sustainable Energy Systems
Energy production generally involves complex systems that must be operated in a safe reliable manner. The reason for safety is obvious, while reliability may be mainly considered to be in the best interest of the producer. Actually reliable efficient energy production is in the best interest of society. Maintenance of complex energy systems is critical for reliable efficient operation, and impacts ultimately the sustainability of such systems. Monitoring deterioration in order to effectively maintain complex systems is optimally achieved only if planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance are integrated synergistically. An effort to develop an educational and research program that will equip young women and men to meet the challenges associated with existing fossil and nuclear energy power plants as well as new power plants will be described.
John Duke, jcduke@vt.edu, 231-6063, Dept: Engineering Science and Mechanics, Mail code: 0219, Affiliation: faculty
14: Energy Research at the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research -The Carbon Sequestration Initiative
The Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research (VCCER) was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1977 as an interdisciplinary study, research, information and resource facility for the Commonwealth. Research and educational themes include energy security, resource development, carbon storage, sustainable development and international outreach. This poster will focus on work performed on carbon sequestration as part of SECARB (the Southeast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership), one of seven partnerships created by the US Department of Energy to determine optimum approaches for capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2). Phase I of SECARB addressed point source CO2 emissions in the southeast and potential sequestration sinks. Options for CO2 storage included depleted oil and natural gas reservoirs, deep saline aquifers, terrestrial ecosystems and unmineable coal seams. The VCCER-lead team completed regional characterization of coalbeds, located favorable areas to sequester CO2 and quantified CO2 storage capacity and associated enhanced coalbed methane (CBM) recovery in Virginia. Under SECARB Phase II (2005-2009), VCCER will demonstrate carbon sequestration potential in unmineable coal seams in the Black Warrior and Central Appalachian Basins. The primary objectives are to verify the sequestration capacity and performance of mature CBM reservoirs through pilot well injection of CO2. Testing in vertical and horizontal CMB wells will help determine the optimum design of future large-scale operations. The VCCER Phase II Coal Seam Team includes: • Research Team: Marshall Miller & Associates, Geological Survey of Alabama, Advanced Resources International, Kentucky Geological Survey and Eastern Coal Council. • Industrial Cost Share Partners: McJunkin Appalachian, CDX Gas, Southern Company, RMB Earth Science, AMVEST Oil and Gas, CONSOL Energy, Dart Oil & Gas, Natural Resource Partners, Pocahontas Land, Alpha Natural Resources, Equitable, GeoMet and Penn Virginia. • Corporate Partners: Alpha Natural Resources, F.D. Robertson Enterprises, Norfolk Southern, Dominion Resources, Natural Resource Partners and International Coal Group.
Michael Karmis, mkarmis@vt.edu, 231-5273, Mail code: 0411, Affiliation: faculty
Nino Ripepi, nripepi@vt.edu, 231-5458, Affiliation: graduate student
15: Modeling Tools to Study Energy Markets
The team at Network Dynamics and Simulation Science Laboratory has been engaged in energy research for the past ten years. The research includes a wide spectrum of energy related topics such as market power, renewable energy, market efficiency, impact of network topology on the markets, network economics and price volatility. The team uses analytical tools, economic analysis and agent-based simulation modeling methods for its research. It has developed an agent-based, microscopic, end-to-end modeling framework for representing and analyzing a wide array of energy markets. For the electricity industry, a highly scalable market model with complete representation of generators, consumers and market clearing mechanisms has been built which is further coupled with a physical power flow model. Various studies aimed at understanding the interdependency between the markets and physical electrical network have been undertaken. Our results show that the topological properties of the transmission grid play a significant role in determining the locational market power of the generators. The work on renewable energy shows how the use of tradable renewable energy contracts can provide impetuous to renewable energy generation, high quality jobs, and has implications on the climate change plan that was offered as an alternative to the Kyoto protocol [1,2,3,4]. The poster will display our current and past research work on above mentioned areas. It will also showcase the relevance and use of our existing tools in addressing latest topics pertaining to crude oil price volatility, the deregulation of the electricity industry etc. Mozumder P., Marathe A. (2004) Implications of an integrated market for tradable renewable energy contracts. Ecological Economics 49(3): 259-272. L. Hadsell, A. Marathe, and H. Shawky. Estimating the Volatility of Wholesale Electricity Spot Prices in the U.S. The Energy Journal, 25(4) October 2004. H. Shawky, A. Marathe, and C. Barrett. Estimating the Relationship Between Electricity Futures and Spot Prices in the U.S. Journal of Futures Market, 23(10) 2003: 931-955. I. Arciniegas, C. Barrett, and A. Marathe. Assessing the Efficiency of U.S. Electricity Markets. Utilities Policy, 11(2) June 2003: 75-86.
Achla Marathe, amarathe@vbi.vt.edu, 231-9210, Dept: VBI, Mail code: 0477, Affiliation: faculty
Karla Atkins, katkins@vbi.vt.edu, Dept: VBI, Mail code: 0477, Affiliation: faculty
Christopher Barrett, cbarrett@vbi.vt.edu, 231-8252, Dept: VBI, Mail code: 0477, Affiliation: faculty
Jiangzhuo Chen, chenj@vbi.vt.edu, Dept: VBI, Mail code: 0477, Affiliation: postdoc
Anil Kumar, akumar@vbi.vt.edu, Dept: VBI, Mail code: 0477, Affiliation: faculty
Madhav Marathe, mmarathe@vbi.vt.edu, 231-8832, Dept: VBI, Mail code: 0477, Affiliation: faculty
17: Thirty-year Changes in Soil Carbon in the Soil Series of the Camp Branch Experimental Watershed
Concerns about global warming and discussions of possible mitigation measures have generated a need for information on changes in soil C over time. The Camp Branch Watershed, a second growth oak forest located on the Cumberland Plateau in central Tennessee, was the site of a series of studies during the period from 1975 to 1990. Soil samples were collected at permanently identified points on the Watershed in July of 1976 and archived. In July of 2002 a subset of these points was re-sampled to a depth of 50 cm to determine if changes in mineral soil C concentration could be detected after a 26-yr interval. Paired analysis indicated a 73% increase in the mineral soil C concentration across the watershed in the 0 to10 cm soil depth. Encouraged by these results, 74 of the 75 permanently identified points were sampled in July of 2006 to a depth of 10 cm. Twenty four tree plots established during the studies in 1976 were also re-measured to assess possible changes in species composition, forest cover and density. The specific objectives of this study are to build on previous work to determine if we can: (i) detect changes in mineral soil C in individual soil mapping units after a 30 year interval, (ii) provide an assessment of mineral soil C sequestration in the watershed using soil C mass, (iii) determine changes in mineral soil organic and inorganic N concentration and compare the ratio of total C to organic and inorganic N, and (iv) determine the influence of soil physical properties, topography, species composition, and forest cover on mineral soil C. Results of this study will be useful in assessing the potential role of forest soils in C sequestration.
Chris Kiser, lckiser@vt.edu, (540) 951-1962, Dept: Forestry, Mail code: 0324, Affiliation: graduate student
Michael Kelly, jmkelly@vt.edu, (540) 231-3479, Dept: Forestry, Mail code: 0324, Affiliation: faculty
25: Assessment of energy policy and its implications for environmental quality: insights from applied economics
Applied economic analysis provides insights into how alternative energy policies affect different groups of producers and consumers. It can investigate costs and benefits, at local and national levels, of different technologies, of different institutional structures, and of different incentive regimes. For example, ex-ante economic analysis predicted that emission trading systems would lead to more cost-effective control of dangerous emissions from electricity generation; ex-post analysis can quantify the benefits from trading and value the associated environmental improvements. The purpose of this proposed poster is to identify areas where economic analysis can improve energy policy making, demonstrate how economic analyses have been applied to energy issues facing the Commonwealth and illuminate avenues of potential economic research into the energy/environment interface. The poster will contain case-study examples of the contributions of applied economic analysis by VA Tech faculty with ample graphics and evidence. The cases will include: assessment of emissions trading systems, a tool to simulate the macro-economic impacts of alternative policies and technologies, an analysis of the economic viability of renewable energy, economic models of risk management in energy grids, and methods to value programs for carbon sequestration and acceptance of new production technology by consumers.
Jeffrey Alwang, alwangj@vt.edu, 231-6517, Dept: Agricultural and Applied Economics, Mail code: 0401, Affiliation: faculty
27: An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Design and Management of a Secure and Efficient Distributed Generation Power System
Our poster highlights research performed by an interdisciplinary team, funded by the NSF, that is creating a conceptual foundation for designing and managing distributed generation (DG) technologies for a secure, efficient, and restructured electric utility system. DG technologies consist of small-scale, modular generation equipment (such as microturbines, photovoltaic arrays, wind turbines, internal-combustion engines, and fuel cells) that can be located near the demand for power. They provide extra reliability and security to electricity users who no longer need to depend on grid-supplied energy. Our research team (working in the realms of policy, consumer affairs, business, power engineering, and electrical engineering) has been investigating a host of technical, business, and social issues relating to DG systems. One major contribution consists of a computer simulation software package, the Virginia Tech Energy Modeling System (VTEGMS), which will serve as a robust tool for research and educational case studies in the field of power systems design, engineering and management. In conjunction with case studies, text and lecture materials, this computer simulation forms a flexible educational support system. Team members have also begun creating theoretical approaches and prototype devices that allow DG owners to simplify the process of connecting electricity generators to the grid. Perhaps surprisingly, our research shows that successful implementation of DG technologies is being inhibited not so much by technical problems, but by subtle social factors. For example, while we have developed engineering and market-based approaches that encourage widespread DG use, it appears that regulatory policy and a public opposition to several forms of DG technologies may be the largest impediment. From consumer responses to a draft version of a tool to determine consumer knowledge and attitudes toward DG technologies, we realize that many consumers have little knowledge of DG. Our work has significant policy implications. It demonstrates that technical and business innovations must be integrated into a framework that considers consumer behavior and a history of public apathy and lack of knowledge about the electric power system.
Richard Hirsh, richard@vt.edu, 231-5601, Dept: 0117, Mail code: 0117, Affiliation: faculty
Ralph Badinelli, ralphb@vt.edu, 231-7688, Dept: Business Information Technology, Mail code: 0235, Affiliation: faculty
Irene Leech, ileech@vt.edu, 231-4191, Dept: Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management, Mail code: 0410, Affiliation: faculty
JoAnn Emmel, jemmel@vt.edu, 19259, Dept: Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management, Mail code: 0410, Affiliation: faculty
Virgilio Centeno, virgilio@vt.edu, 231-2045, Dept: Electrical and Computer Engineerinig, Mail code: 0111, Affiliation: faculty
Fei (Fred) Wang, wangfred@vt.edu, 231-8915, Dept: Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mail code: 0179, Affiliation: faculty
Michael Gregg, greggmh@vt.edu, 231-9544, Dept: Engineering Education, Mail code: 0218, Affiliation: faculty
Tim Thacker, tthacker@vt.edu, 231-4722, Dept: CPES, Affiliation: graduate student<
Boonyarit (Ken) bintiyot@vt.edu, bintiyot@vt.edu, Dept: Business Information Technology, Affiliation: graduate student
Jaime De La Ree, jreelope@vt.edu, 231-6625, Dept: Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mail code: 0111, Affiliation: faculty
30: Energy Use Practices of Virginia Households
Little research about consumer energy use has been conducted since the last energy crisis is the 1980s. The purpose of this study was to assess the current energy usage practices and energy concerns of moderate to low income households in Virginia. A survey asking questions about energy usage, conservation practices, and the impact of energy costs was distributed at Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Smart Choices Nutrition Education Program (SCNEP) meetings in the six program districts in Virginia. A total of 943 respondents from 55 Virginia counties completed the one page survey. Slightly more respondents lived in city/town locations as opposed to rural areas. Most of the respondents were female with a monthly household income between $500 and $2,000 per month. The households were almost equally divided between renters and owners. A majority of the respondents indicated they practiced such energy saving measures as turning off lights, turning down the heat at night, checking for air infiltration areas, and turning off the television when no one was watching. They also tried to find information on how to save energy in their home. Although a majority felt energy costs were a problem for the family, only a small percentage needed to borrow money to pay energy bills or cut back on essentials. Despite a large percentage of the respondents indicated they were not interested in more information on how to save energy, only half of the respondents checked for energy efficiency when purchasing products, and over half did not make use of fluorescent lighting. When asked about their family’s effort to save energy, very few indicated they were making more effort compared to 5 years ago. This study was conducted in the late spring/early summer of 2005. Although this research took place before hurricane Katrina had such an impact on energy prices, consumers had already experienced large increases in energy prices during the previous year. Because little research has explored consumer energy practices over the past decade, the findings of this study will help educators and policy makers better understand the impact of energy on low to moderate income households and shape energy programs to best meet their needs.
JoAnn Emmel, jemmel@vt.edu, 231-9259, Dept: AHRM, Mail code: 0410, Affiliation: faculty
Irene Leech, ileech@vt.edu, 231-4191, Dept: AHRM, Mail code: 0410, Affiliation: faculty
40: Fuel Economy Standards and Risk in the Automotive Industry
U.S. vehicles account for 10 percent of worldwide oil use and over 40 percent of U.S. oil consumption. The federal government regulates automobile efficiency through the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. One of the main arguments against CAFE standards is that they put U.S. automakers and autoworkers at a competitive disadvantage. This work examined the impact fuel economy standards have on automakers and autoworkers. Congress established the first CAFE standards in 1975 as a direct result of the Arab oil embargo. CAFE standards have kept fuel economy levels above the level market forces alone would have achieved and have served as a floor on fuel economy. The recent surge in gas prices has again inspired Congress to try and reduce our oil dependence. The automotive industry is an important part of the economy, accounting for 10 percent of all U.S. jobs. There are many risks in the industry that must be considered. Producing automobiles is a very capital intensive and complex process that is affected by long product cycles, government regulation, and a relatively elastic demand. CAFE standards should be set based on economic and engineering analysis and should give automakers time to respond. Although CAFE standards impact individual vehicle efficiency, they do not prepare automakers for future high gas prices or reduce automotive oil consumption. Domestic automakers are dependent on sport utility and truck sales. And because of a shift toward larger vehicles, our overall fuel economy has declined. To improve fuel efficiency and reduce future risks to the auto industry, the federal government should create a consumer incentive to complement the CAFE standards. This incentive should encourage all consumers to purchase more efficient vehicles. To avoid straining the federal treasury, a feebate system that rewards buyers of fuel-efficient vehicles and penalizes buyers of inefficient vehicles is recommended.
Irene Berry, iberry@vt.edu, (540)232-1067, Dept: Mechanical Engineering (ME), Mail code: 0238, Affiliation: undergrad
51: The Economics and Politics of Power Market Design
Like other markets, wholesale electricity markets consist of elaborate rules of exchange, property rights, and even unwritten norms for the participants. The study traces the process of by which wholesale electricity markets in the US were constructed, with particular attention to the interaction of political interests and economic knowledge.
Daniel Breslau, dbreslau@vt.edu, 231-8472, Dept: Science and Technology in Society, Mail code: 0247, Affiliation: faculty
60: LandCare
LandCare is an internationally successful program promoting community-based, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable solutions to agricultural, energy, natural resource, and community development challenges. The College of Natural Resources, Conservation Management Institute, and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are working with international, national, state, and local organizations to establish operational LandCare programs in Virginia and position Virginia Tech to play a leadership role as LandCare emerges and spreads through the US. LandCare creates a new, politically powerful constituency for Virginia Tech and a living laboratory for our learning, discovery, and engagement activities. LandCare operates in more than a dozen countries. In Australia, for example, over 5,000 local LandCare groups exist and over 85% of Australians recognize the LandCare logo. LandCare Pioneers and the Council for US LandCare are two US organizations promoting LandCare in cooperation with partners such as the following: • National Association of Regional Councils • National Association of RC&D Councils • Natural Resources Conservation Service • USDA’s National Sustainable Development Office • National Association of Conservation Districts • White House Cooperative Conservation Initiative • Numerous businesses and business councils Grayson LandCare is one of the few operational groups in the US and is already working closely with Virginia Tech faculty and programs. This Grayson County based organization seeks to improve landowner incomes and environmental conditions in the New River Basin through innovative practices for value-added grazing, forestry, water, and biofuels management. Using LandCare as the model, the effort has stressed personal responsibility for the environment and future welfare of the region, "neighbors helping neighbors" through community based groups, integrated watershed management, whole forest and farm planning, scientifically validated practices, and the development of value-added industries and products to access new markets. (The poster will list collaborating local organizations and VT faculty and describe program specifics)
R. Bruce Hull, hullrb@vt.edu, 231 7272, Dept: Forestry, Mail code: 0324, Affiliation: faculty
74: Energy and the Whole Community
Planning for energy in communities focuses on three sectors: buildings, transportation, and electricity. Once thought of as separate, they are converging with potential energy benefits. Building energy design once focused only on thermal envelope considerations. Now, Green Building protocols and some codes adopt a " Whole Building" approach, recognizing the growing energy consumption by appliances, lighting, and equipment in buildings. But the role that buildings play in community energy use goes well beyond the building's use. The building can play a significant role in distributed power generation through roof-top photovoltaics, micro-turbines, and fuel cells. And the location and layout of buildings affects transportation use and opportunities for transit. This poster illustrates the expanded role of buildings and community design, the so-called "Whole Community" approach, that can improve building energy efficiency, develop distributed, and promote efficient transportation.
John Randolph, energy@vt.edu, 231-7714, Mail code: 0113, Affiliation: faculty
78: The Answer to Our Vehicle Energy Problem is Here: the Flex-Fuel, Plug-In Hybrid-Electric Vehicle
Our vehicle energy problem is characterized by poor fuel economy, over-reliance on petroleum fuels, urban air pollution, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Much research has focused on long term solutions, but hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a long way off, require new fueling infrastructure, and may not be very efficient; all-electric vehicles require long recharge times; and other alternative fuel vehicles have similar problems. One technology option has emerged that addresses all of the current vehicle problems and is remarkably close to being available today: the flex-fuel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (FFPHEV). The FFPHEV uses a flex-fuel engine that is designed to operate on gasoline or various ethanol-gasoline blends up to E-85; American automakers have developed this FF engine and sell 1 million of them each year. It is a hybrid having an electric motor to supplement the fuel engine. Hybrid vehicles are exploding on the market today. But the FFPHEV also has an extra bank of batteries so that its electric motor will dominate use is low-load urban driving. The extra batteries are recharged by plugging into the grid overnight. This poster illustrates the benefits and costs of an aggressive movement to this technology, including high gasoline fuel efficiency (up to 1000 mpg) and lower oil imports, lower per mile energy costs, zero to ultra-low urban vehicle emissions, reduced GHG emissions, and better use of the power grid and of renewable and distributed electricity sources.
John Randolph, energy@vt.edu, 231-7714, Mail code: 0113, Affiliation: faculty
81: Water Quality Controls in Coal-mining Watersheds and the Total Maximum Daily Load Process
The US EPA, in cooperation with individual States, is in the process of characterizing mining watersheds in terms of water quality and quantity. Impacts are often identified by comparing biological conditions in one watershed to those in a “similar” reference watershed. Water quality and quantity data from a reference watershed(s) are often used to set water quality standards and thus waste load allocations for the “impacted” watershed. Constituents of concern identified by the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process in coal-mining watersheds generally include pH, metals, total suspended solids (TSS), and/or total dissolved solids (TDS). For mine operators in mineralized watersheds, this regulatory approach is unfortunate as naturally-occurring mineral reactions can produce pH values below and metals and TDS concentrations above applicable federal or state standards in the watershed. For example, constituents that are not presently regulated (i.e, TDS) are compared to the chosen reference watershed concentrations and “impairments” identified using statistical methods. Water quality in any watershed is mainly controlled by the local soil, geologic, mineralogic, and/or hydrologic characteristics/conditions making such comparisons of questionable value. An example of a biologically-impacted watershed from a coal-mining area in SW Virginia will be discussed. Water quality impairments identified by the TMDL process include fecal bacteria, TSS and TDS. Data from both watersheds will be presented regarding the proposed TDS limits of 334 mg/L as well as the geochemical and hydrologic controls on the observed TDS concentrations. The water quality in the coal-mining watershed consists of primarily sodium, and to a lesser extent calcium and magnesium, and primarily bicarbonate and sulfate. The relationship between biologic impairment and the proposed TDS “standards” has also been evaluated and will be presented.
John Chermak, jcnermak@vt.edu, 231-1785, Mail code: 0420, Affiliation: faculty
Don Cherry, dcherry@vt.edu, 231- 6766, Mail code: 0406, Affiliation: faculty
88: The Building of Tomorrow
Buildings are responsible for on the order of 40% of energy consumption in the United States, and nearly 68% of all electricity use . As such, they represent a significant impact on energy security as well as an opportunity to substantially improve sustainability. The 1.8 million residences and 170,000 commercial facilities built each year in the United States, along with the over 120 million existing commercial and residential facilities, represent a level of energy performance that is only a fraction of what is achievable by the Architecture / Engineering / Construction industry today. The diversity and complexity of our building systems increases the challenges in incorporating energy efficiency technologies into our built environment. The Myers-Lawson School of Construction is dedicated to transforming the industry toward creating high performance facilities and infrastructure systems that meet today’s needs without compromising the ability of future stakeholders to meet their own needs. Energy-related research, education, and outreach within the School focuses on: • Developing building system models that support a holistic approach on system design and control strategies • Investigating impacts of building systems among each other and use them to increase efficiency (heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, daylighting, window and envelope systems) • Developing new materials and material systems to support energy efficient building systems and construction practices • Developing new, high performance facility technologies and practices • Understanding how new technologies are commercialized, diffused, and adopted by building stakeholders to improve the performance of their facilities • Developing new cost and performance models to better predict the costs and benefits of green building practices • Designing systems to support the integration of sustainability as an objective of public sector capital project decision making • Educating current and future design and construction professionals about how to implement sustainability in professional practice
Georg Reichard, reichard@vt.edu, 540-818-4603, Dept: Building Construction, Mail code: 0156, Affiliation: faculty
91: The Green Fee: Research on an Undergraduate Policy Initiative
Objective: This research investigates the possibility of implementing a green fee at Virginia Tech to increase energy efficiency and to green disposal practices. Methods: The primary methodological approaches employed are microeconomic and institutional analysis. Microeconomic analysis is useful in illuminating the nature of tradeoffs between money invested in energy efficiency projects and investments in other activities pursued by the university. Additionally, microeconomics is used extensively to compare the relative merits of different projects based return on investment. Institutional analysis, especially the notion of transactions costs, is drawn on to explore various forms of social organizations to select and fund projects with green fee money. Possible benefits of implementing the green fee proposal include increased energy efficiency, transparency in environmental decision making, greater student input, and lower transactions costs in identifying and proposing efficiency and environmental projects. A number of other universities have implemented green fees to improve environmental stewardship. The approaches taken by these universities in implementing the green fees are diverse. One aspect of the project is to examine them critically, and to identify lessons learned. We are also investigating impediments to implementing this policy. These include a complex cost accounting system at many universities and the need to encourage students’ desire to participate in the decision making process concerning the use of green fees
Sara Breakiron, sbreak@vt.edu, 703-424-5674, Affiliation: undergrad
97: Using documents to turn energy knowledge into energy policy
When issues, such as energy policy, are complex, and when acting on knowledge requires significant change in values or policy, knowledge rarely leads directly to action. Information must be shared in multiple forums, and arguments must be made over time, and with various decision makers. These decision makers must be convinced. Rhetoric joins with science. The poster traces the uses of a 1993 report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, Powering the Midwest, which provides technical and economic analysis to investigate the feasibility of renewable energy sources (wind, sun, and biomass). The report supports advocacy in the field (with legislators, utility companies, and citizen groups); its information is used in multiple genres and media (website, PowerPoint presentation for downloading, related reports, press releases); ultimately a Midwestern organization, Environmental Law & Policy Center, publishes Repowering the Midwest, as UCS expands its efforts to other areas. The process of turning energy knowledge into energy policy is long term, involves direct action as well as research and writing, engages multiple people and organizations, and uses multiple genres and media. The report is one component in a web of strategic actions. It may be the beginning of a series of actions aimed to change policies or behavior. ["Energy: Other" topic is the uses of discourse to influence policy and action.]
Carolyn Rude, carolyn.rude@vt.edu, 231-8466, Dept: English, Mail code: 0112, Affiliation: faculty
117. Proposal for Blacksburg Joining the Cool Cities Coalition
The mayors of more than 300 cities and towns in the United States have signed a resolution committing their city/town to: 1) Reduce greenhouse gases emissions by the city’s operations to at least 7 percent below the 1990 level by 2012 (The U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement); 2) Purchase hybrid and flexible-fuel vehicles and renewable fuels for the city’s fleets; 3) Modernize city buildings with money-saving energy-efficient technology. 4) Invest in clean and safe renewable energy.
Blacksburg is already:
- Upgrading town appliances and lights with energy efficient equipment,
- Replacing all town stoplights with energy-saving LED technology,
- Investigating the purchase of a hybrid vehicle for the town fleet, and
- Considering purchasing biodiesel to run in the Blacksburg Transit buses.
Complying with the Cool Cities Coalition (www.coolcities.us) entails that Blacksburg sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection agreement, complete a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, formulate an action plan for greenhouse gas mitigation, and implement the changes and monitor the resulting progress. It is anticipated that broad support and assistance will be drawn from the citizens of Blacksburg, including students and classes at Virginia Tech. A proposal has been made to the Blacksburg Town Council that Blacksburg join Alexandria, Charlottesville, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg in Virginia in the Cool Cities Coalition. Action on the proposal is expected in early November 2006.
©2006
Virginia Tech Deans’ Task Force on Energy Security and Sustainability