The first Winter 2007 Energy and Environment Ice Breaker is scheduled for Thursday, January 25, 2007, 5-7pm.
Please join us for some refreshments, and a little visiting with students, faculty, and locals from the community who share a common interest in energy

Where:  Stanford Faculty Club - Library
When:  Thursday, January 25, 2007
Time:  5-7pm

If you plan on attending, please RSVP to judith@maproyalty.com

The Woods Energy Seminar
Wednesdays 4:15 to 5:30 p.m., Building 260-113

The Stanford community is invited to attend the weekly Energy Seminar, an interdisciplinary series of talks primarily by Stanford experts on a broad range of energy topics. Drop-ins welcome.

January 24
Nadejda Victor, Stanford Program on Energy and Sustainable Development
National Gas Companies and Russia

January 31
Deborah Sivas, Stanford Law School
Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. EPA (the first climate change case before the U.S. Supreme Court)

3:45 - 6:05 pm
Stanford Law School Room 271 (near the Faculty Lounge)

January 22
George Somero
Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station
Global Warming in Temperate and Antarctic Marine Ecosystems: Who will be in Hot Water and Why?
3:45-6:05 p.m., Stanford Law School Room 271

January 29
Ann Nothoff & Devra Wang
Natural Resources Defense Council
California Climate Law Sets Stage for State and Federal Action: Anatomy of a Winning Campaign and What's Next?
3:45-6:05 p.m., Stanford Law School Room 271

PRESENTED BY SUSTAINABLE SILICON VALLEY:

http://www.sustainablesiliconvalley.org/event_01-24-07.htm

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Green for Green: Financial Tools for Investing in Green Buildings, Clean Energy, and Energy Efficiency, Educational Forum Presented by SSV at DLA Piper, LLC, 2000 University Avenue, East Palo Alto. Register online: Details and Registration.

New poll by Zogby International and TechNet's Green Tech Task Force.

Results from a new poll by Zogby International and Technet's Green Tech Task Force indicate: 77% of American voters say that the nation is not doing enough to promote and utilize green technologies in order to reduce our reliance on foreign fuel sources, 17% say that the nation is doing enough. -- 75% of the voting population said that their purchasing decisions in the past year have been influenced by a desire to save energy and improve the environment. -- When asked their preferred alternative to oil and coal as energy sources, respondents chose: solar power (28%), biofuels (24%), wind (16%) nuclear energy (14%) and fuel cells (4%). 77% of the voting age population have improved the energy efficiency of their homes. -- 56% have saved energy by purchasing good and services over the Internet, and half (50%) have used telecommuting or email to reduce travel. -- One in eight (12%) has already purchased alternative fuel vehicles.

Electric sports car company is bringing work to Rochester Hills, but governor wants more
January 14, 2007
BY TOM WALSH
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST
Tesla Motors Inc., a California-based maker of electric sports cars, is on the verge of establishing a new engineering center in Rochester Hills that will hire 50 to 60 engineers this year.

In addition, Gov. Jennifer Granholm laid a hard-sell pitch on Tesla founder and CEO Martin Eberhard last week to also put a $100-million, 300-employee Tesla manufacturing plant in Michigan -- a factory earlier reported to be headed for Arizona, North Carolina or California.

"She leaned on me pretty hard," Eberhard said Saturday from California in a telephone interview. He met with Granholm on Wednesday in Detroit during preview days for the North American International Auto Show. "We hope to make the decision on the factory soon. We're going to take another look at the choices in light of what she had to say."

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007701140657

January 19, 2007: Technology Review

By Kevin Bullis http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18084/
A new system for converting trash into ethanol and methanol could help reduce the amount of waste piling up in landfills while displacing a large fraction of the fossil fuels used to power vehicles in the United States.

The technology, developed originally by researchers at MIT and at Batelle Pacific Northwest National Labs (PNNL), in Richland, WA, doesn't incinerate refuse, so it doesn't produce the pollutants that have historically plagued efforts to convert waste into energy. Instead, the technology vaporizes organic materials to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide, a mixture called synthesis gas, or syngas, that can be used to synthesize a wide variety of fuels and chemicals. The technology has been further developed and commercialized by a spinoff called Integrated Environmental Technologies (IET), also based in Richland, WA. In addition to processing municipal waste, the technology can be used to create ethanol out of agricultural biomass waste, providing a potentially less expensive way to make ethanol than current corn-based plants.

The new system makes syngas in two stages. In the first, waste is heated in a 1,200 °C chamber into which a small amount of oxygen is added--just enough to partially oxidize carbon and free hydrogen. In this stage, not all of the organic material is converted: some becomes a charcoal-like material. This char is then gasified when researchers pass it through arcs of plasma, using technology developed in the 1990s at MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center. The remaining inorganic materials, including toxic substances, are oxidized and incorporated into a pool of molten glass, made using PNNL technology. The molten glass hardens into a material that can be used for building roads or discarded as a safe material in landfills. The next step is a catalyst-based process for converting syngas into equal parts ethanol and methanol. Ethanol is now widely used as a fuel additive, and it can also be used as a substitute for gasoline in some vehicles. Methanol is important for producing biodiesel and is currently made from methane in natural gas.

a) Jan 16 - The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it will not review a lower court ruling, which requires the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. to analyze the environmental impacts of a terrorist attack on an aboveground storage facility for highly radioactive used fuel at Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant.

The ruling settles the case once and for all. It is now up to the commission to decide what additional action must be taken to comply with a June 2 ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

Construction is continuing on the dry casks and is not expected to be delayed as the NRC decides how to respond to the court ruling. PG&E may not be able to load spent fuel into the casks before the NRC decides how to act. However, the fuel wouldn't be loaded for at least another year anyway.

b) Sheriff Seeks Grant to Fortify Diablo Canyon

Jan 14 - The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department plans to apply for as much as $50,000 in grant money to improve security around Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant even as federal Homeland Security officials say they will reduce the amount of such funds they will allocate to California.

"They are looking for ways to increase security around a facility so that its potential as a terrorist target is reduced," Hedges said.

While the overall amount of money the state will get from the Department of Homeland Security will increase in the next fiscal year, the amount of money earmarked for the buffer zone protection program will go down by about $1 million to $4.7 million.

/abil /magazine

A new online magazine on sustainable lifestyles is being started- and we have a young, urban edge with a dash of disheveled elegance. The times are changing, and we offer insights to what it means to live in a new generation with a thriving, innovative and dynamic culture. With expressive, sexy and fashionable concepts and insightful content, /abil /aims to be the foremost resource for those who'd like to redefine their lifestyles with a strikingly wicked and trendy sustainable flair.

As we prepare to launch our first issue this March, we are looking for a few talented people to join our magazine crew to write, edit, or join our graphic design and marketing teams.

contact andrew@abilmag.com by Jan 26th, interviews held Jan 29-31 at Stanford.

The PEC is looking for an entry level engineer with knowledge of basic building science concepts, mechanical systems and an interest in energy efficiency. The position calls for an engineering degree, is full time and involves support of our Tool Lending Library program located at the Pacific Energy Center in San Francisco.

We are looking for a recent engineering graduate with an interest in energy efficiency to help us run our Tool Lending Library program. (We loan monitoring equipment to building owners, facility managers, designers or occupants so that they can better understand and improve the energy performance of their facilities.) Daily tasks will include; processing tool loan transactions, consulting with tool borrowers on the use of the equipment, writing technical application notes and maintenance of lending library equipment.

Candidates must have an engineering degree (preferably mechanical or electrical). The candidate should have a working knowledge of basic building science concepts and mechanical systems. General knowledge of electrical systems and energy efficient technologies is desirable. The candidate should also be familiar with word processing, spreadsheet and graphic software programs. (We use MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint and a variety of graphic software including PhotoShop). Familiarity with database software is beneficial but not required. The ideal candidate must be able to work independently and have the ability to take projects from conception to completion. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. Though this is an entry-level position, years of experience are not a drawback. We will be looking for someone with a desire to learn who is excited about the possibility of being exposed to new ideas.

Please submit resumes with a cover letter and writing sample to the attention of Ryan Stroupe or Christine Condon. These can be mailed to the Pacific Energy Center, 851 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103; faxed to 415.896.1290 or emailed to r2s2@pge.com and c1c7@pge.com.

http://www.pewclimate.org/about/career_opportunities/solutions_fellow.cfm

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT - Solutions Fellow
Posted: January 5, 2007
Starting Date: March, 2007 (flexible)

Application Deadline: February 12, 2007

The Pew Center on Global Climate Change seeks a highly qualified and committed individual to work with the Solutions team. The Fellow will focus on state-level climate policy while contributing to the Pew Center's technology initiatives.

Responsibilities Include:

• Research, maintain, and communicate information on state-level climate change policy and technological solutions for reducing greenhouse gases
• Conduct background research and draft white papers as needed
• Oversee and edit Pew Center reports
• Attend, report on, and present at climate change meetings, conferences, and hearings
• Organize workshops and briefings for stakeholders on state-level climate change issues
• Maintain and improve solutions portions of Pew Center website (web design experience not required)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in environmental policy, environmental science, or related field
• Interdisciplinary understanding of the climate change issue (science, technology, economics, policy)
• Top-notch writing, editing, and research skills
• Attention to detail
• Willingness to learn and pitch in at all levels
• Willingness to travel

Status: Full-time, regular, exempt

Compensation: Competitive salary, depending on background and experience. Excellent benefits.

For more information about the Pew Center visit http://www.pewclimate.org.

To apply - send resume and cover letter to:

Human Resources Office
Attn: Solutions Fellow Search
The Pew Center on Global Climate Change
2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 550
Arlington, VA 22201

or electronically in a Word Document or pdf to hr@pewclimate.org.

To download a PDF of this job description click here.

http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/manager/cityinternships.html

Several internships, including one to help complete a greenhouse gas inventory reporting for the California Climate Action Registry. There are also internships in energy efficiency, LEED, chemistry, civil engineering, urban planning, public finance, and others.

Application deadline is FEB 28, 2007.

The positions are in various departments throughout the City and most positions are full time for 8 to 10 weeks.

Department: Utilities (3)
Division: Resource Management
Work with key staff to complete the greenhouse gas reporting submittal process for the California Climate Action Registry. The Registry has developed the standardized reporting protocol for reporting greenhouse gas emissions, which is dominantly carbon dioxide, but also includes methane, nitrogen oxides, chlorinated fluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and others.

Division: Customer Support Services
Work with key staff to assist with the development, design and/or implementation of resource efficiency programs to be implemented within the Palo Alto Utilities service territory. The intern will provide input into Palo Alto Utilities long range plan for implementing resource efficiency programs. Depending upon the expertise of the chosen intern, the outcome will range from designing new programs, to evaluating suggested programs, or measuring the cost effectiveness of various programs.

Division: Customer Support Services
Work with key staff to research and develop a guide for LEED EB certification that our facilities staff can adopt for Palo Alto City Hall. Additionally the intern may design an action plan for the Palo Alto City Hall to become LEED EB certified according to the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) Energy Division is seeking qualified candidates to implement groundbreaking climate change programs (including efficiency & renewable energy), and to help minimize high energy costs for California ratepayers while providing for essential investment in tomorrow's energy infrastructure.

We are looking for candidates with degrees in economics, finance, engineering or public policy with an interest in utility regulation, market structure, energy policy, climate change, environment and/or sustainable technologies.

The California Public Utilities Commission's Energy Division is hiring economists and policy analysts to fill multiple positions at all levels in the job classification Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst (PURA) I through V. Recent graduates, as well as seasoned analysts, are encouraged to apply to assist the Commission in a broad range of policy issues including climate change, utility rates and cost of service, utility rate design and cost allocation, electricity procurement and resource planning, resource adequacy, capacity markets, energy efficiency programs, demand response programs, renewable energy and distributed generation programs, low-income energy assistance programs, natural gas procurement and planning, transmission permitting, distribution and transmission system reliability, and compliance with environmental permitting regulations. The Energy Division's analysts also provide expert witness testimony to represent the Commission in matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst positions offer a monthly salary ranging from $3,338 to $7,181 depending on qualifications and experience. These are State of California civil service positions, which require a qualifying exam and placement on an eligibility list prior to applying for specific job openings.

Please review the web site links below, and then if you are interested in a position with the Energy Division, contact Ken Lewis at 415/703-1090, or email mkl1@cpuc.ca.gov. Ken can provide interested candidates with more information about the Commission's exam and hiring process. Candidates must first apply to take a civil service exam, place on an eligibility list, and then apply for specific job postings. As a first step, interested candidates should thoroughly review the weblinks below.

• General Information on CPUC jobs (including all other divisions and job classifications) is available here:  http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/jobs/index.htm
• Information on how to submit an application for testing at each level of the Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst (PURA) civil service exams are available here:
  
  Level I:
  http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/jobs/openexam/puraiexam.htm
  
  Level II - III:
  http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/jobs/openexam/050124_pura2_3.htm
  
  Level IV-V:
  http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/jobs/openexam/pura_nov2004.htm
• Information on currently open positions in the Energy Division (Note: candidates must have already passed the civil service exam in order to apply to these Job Bulletins): http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/jobs/jobfocus/division/energy.htm
• More information on the CPUC's Energy Division is available here: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/energy/index.htm and you can read about many of the CPUC's Hot Energy Topics here: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/hottopics/1energy/index.htm

PWI-Energy Inc., an energy consulting firm specializing in identifying, assessing and implementing energy conservation projects for pharmaceutical, industrial and institutional facilities domestically and internationally, seeks self-motivated individuals for the following positions based in Philadelphia, PA.

Senior Energy/Mechanical Engineer. The candidate should have at least 5 years of HVAC systems design, laboratories, central steam and chilled water plants, compressed air etc. for large facilities. The ideal candidate will have a B.S in mechanical engineering, architectural engineering or a professional engineering license (PE) along with proven record of project management and leadership. It is expected that the selected individual will have the ability to lead a team of engineers and analysts in energy surveys and prepare professional reports for sophisticated clients.

Energy/ Mechanical Engineer The candidate should be an HVAC/Mechanical/Architectural engineer with 1+ years of relevant experience using building simulation tools. The candidate will have strong knowledge of, DOE-2, TRACE, or e-Quest. Experience with HVAC systems and/or HVAC controls are ideal. The candidate should have excellent abilities with MS Excel. A highly motivated, entry level engineer with advanced degree (MS/PhD) in engineering will be considered for this position.

Please submit your resume to:

Itzhak Maor, Ph.D., P.E., CEM
Principal / Director of Engineering
PWI-Energy
327 North 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Tel: (215) 241-9111 ext 156
Fax: (215) 241-0113

imaor@pwienergy.com

www.pwi-energy.com