Hill Heat

07/15/2008 at 10:00AM

The Optical Society (OSA) and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invite you to a briefing to learn how solar energy can play a far greater role in meeting energy needs here in the United States and abroad. Solar power is produced through two main technologies: photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight directly into electricity, and concentrating solar power (CSP), a utility-scale technology that can be combined with thermal storage to provide electricity even when the sun is not shining.

The United States has the potential to greatly expand the use of this clean and abundant source of energy, while also creating jobs and strengthening energy security. Demonstrating this potential is Germany, whose policies have allowed it to become the world leader in solar energy production in spite of relatively low solar resources (comparable to Alaska’s).

The following experts will discuss current and future technologies, U.S. investments in solar R&D by industry and government, and specific policies that can spur future development and promote the widespread use of solar energy:

• Doug Hall, Technology Director, Glass for Photovoltaic Program, Corning Inc.
• Chuck Kutscher, Principal Engineer and Manager, Buildings & Thermal Systems Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Scott Clavenna, President & CEO, Greentech Media, Inc.
• Fred Sissine, Specialist in Energy Policy, Congressional Research Service
• Rhone Resch, President, Solar Energy Industries Association
• Carol Werner, EESI and Alex Fong, Optronic Laboratories, Inc., Moderators

This briefing is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to Angela Stark at [email protected] or 202.416.1443.

OSA is a scientific professional society uniting more than 70,000 professionals from 134 countries, including Nobel Laureates, members of the National Academies of Science and Engineering, and other scientists, engineers, educators, and manufacturers engaged in the science of light, including solar manufacturing and R&D.

07/11/2008 at 10:00AM

n the aftermath of severe storms across America and throughout the world, and with Bertha strengthening to the first hurricane of the season, extreme weather is on the minds of people around the globe. And while storms, floods and droughts have always occurred, science points to our changing climate as having a real effect on the severity and frequency of extreme weather events. Extreme precipitation events have increased over North America over the past 50 years. For the past decade, the West and Southwest regions have experienced drought conditions which are impacting agriculture, and contributing to the wildfire epidemic in the Western United States.

On Thursday, Chairman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming will hold a hearing examining the links between global warming, extreme weather events, and how these events affect the world now and will in the future.

Witnesses

• Jimmy O. Adegoke, Ph.D, Associate Professor, University of Missouri – Kansas City
• Heather Cooley, Senior Research Associate, Pacific Institute
• Dr. Jay S. Golden, Director, National Center of Excellence, SMART Innovations for Urban Climate & Energy, Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University
• Angela Licata, Deputy Commissioner, New York City Bureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis
• Dan Keppen, Executive Director, Family Farm Alliance

07/10/2008 at 01:30PM

As the first hurricane of the season thunders through the Atlantic Ocean this week, Gulf Coast students, along with a U.S. Forest Service expert, will brief Congress on the vulnerability of the Cumberland, Mobile, and Tennessee River Basins and tell their story on how global warming can affect our water, our land, and our lives.

Due to their experience with Hurricane Katrina, these two dozen students from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are taking action to prevent further deterioration of the climate for the sake of their coastal home and their generation which will live through the impacts to come. They will present their own research and perspectives on how their findings will affect the future, and on the needs for strong policy in the government, and a scientifically informed public dialogue on issues related to climate change.

Chairman Edward J. Markey and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming are hosting the students, who were selected for the World Wildlife Fund Allianz Southeast Climate Witness Program based on their academic achievements, their interest in the environment and climate change, and their leadership experience.

Witnesses

• 25 Gulf Coast high school students from WWF Allianz Southeast Climate Witness Program
• Chairman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.)
• Dr. Steve McNulty, US Forest Service Ginette Hemley, Senior Vice President of Conservation Strategy and Science, World Wildlife Fund
• Rev. Christopher Worthley, Executive Director, Allianz Foundation for North America

07/10/2008 at 10:00AM

Witnesses

• Michael Morris, American Electric Power
• Dr. Steven Specker, President and CEO, Electric Power Research Institute
• Eugene Trisko, Counsel to United Mine Workers of America
• Dr. Eduward Rubin, Professor of Environmental Engineering and Science, Carnegie Mellon University
• James Kerr II, Commissioner, North Carolina Utilities Commission
• Michael Goo, Climate Legislative Director, National Resources Defense Council

07/10/2008 at 10:00AM

In light of recent scientific research documenting noticeable declines in many common bird populations in the United States, the House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, led by Del. Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU), will hold an oversight hearing to investigate probable causes and potential effects of the decline on ecosystems.

Birds are of great ecological, economic and scientific value to the United States and other countries. Annual survey data by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Audubon Society, however, have revealed significant declines in the average population of birds across the continent.

The Subcommittee will hear from bird experts and other officials to further investigate the factors affecting stressed bird populations and bird habitats, and to explore possible policy options to address this situation.

Witnesses:

• Paul R. Schmidt, Assistant Director, Migratory Birds and State Programs, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Department of the Interior

Accompanied by: Wayne E. Thogmartin, Ph.D., United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior,

(Dr. Thogmartin will be available to answer questions but will not testify)

• David Erickson, Assistant Director, Missouri Department of Conservation
• John Wiens, Ph.D., Chief Conservation Science Officer, PRBO Conservation Science
• George E. Wallace, Ph.D., Vice President, International Programs, American Bird Conservancy
• Tom Bancroft, National Science Director, National Audubon Society
• Dale Humburg, Chief Biologist, Ducks Unlimited

07/10/2008 at 10:00AM

Witnesses

• Lake Coulson, Executive Director, Government Affairs, National Electrical Contractors Association
• Gregory Wetstone, Senior Director of Government and Public Affairs, American Wind Energy Association
• James Resor, Chief Financial Officer, groSolar
• Andrea Lucke, Vice President of Sales and Design, Robert Lucke Homes

07/10/2008 at 10:00AM

Witnesses

• Dr. Peter R. Orszag, Director, Congressional Budget Office
• JayEtta Z. Hecker, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office

07/10/2008 at 10:00AM

On Wednesday evening, July 9, Americans for Prosperity will host a national Tele Town Hall meeting with U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina—one of the top free-market leaders in America.

As everybody knows, gas prices are out of control, yet some in Congress continue to push legislation like a $1.2 trillion global warming carbon tax hike that will only make matters worse. At the same time, Congress is blocking legislation that would allow us to increase energy production and supplies here at home.

During Wednesday’s Telephone Town Hall meeting, Senator DeMint and AFP President Tim Phillips will discuss with participants how Al Gore and his environmental extremist policies are driving up the price of gasoline, increasing home energy costs, and killing jobs.

They’ll be discussing what is at stake, and what we can all do to help Senator DeMint fight the good fight in Washington. Callers will also have the opportunity to ask Senator DeMint a question.

The Telephone Town Hall meeting begin on Wednesday beginning at 7:10 p.m. Eastern time. That’s 6:10 in the Central time zone, 5:10 Mountain time and 4:10 p.m. on the West Coast.

To join, you can simply dial in at 7:10 p.m. Eastern time by calling toll-free to 1-877-229-8493 and entering the PIN code 13896.

07/09/2008 at 07:10PM

The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following bills:

• S. 2842, to require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out annual inspections of canals, levees, tunnels, dikes, pumping plants, dams, and reservoirs under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, and for other purposes
• S. 2974, to provide for the construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit in the State of Colorado
• H.R. 3323, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey a water distribution system to the Goleta Water District, and for other purposes
• S. 3189, to amend Public Law 106–392 to require the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration and the Commissioner of Reclamation to maintain sufficient revenues in the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund, and for other purposes.

07/08/2008 at 02:30PM