STUDY MAPS UNTAPPED POSSIBILITIES OF WIND POWER
by Sarah Morgan

Wind-generated energy, though still a secondary energy source in the US, continues to represent a growing percentage of world energy as more and more turbines are built. Now, a new study has mapped global wind power capabilities, concluding that wind captured at specific locations, even if only partially harnessed, can generate more than enough power to meet the world's energy demands.

The report comes from Stanford University researchers Cristina Archer and Mark Jacobson, and it will be published this month in the Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres. After analyzing more than 8,000 wind-speed measurements in an effort to identify the world's wind power potential, researchers now hope the findings will help planners place turbines in locations that can maximize that potential to provide clean, low-cost energy.

Wind power is the future of the energy market, according to Phil Mason, director of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, a union with more than 750,000 members. The IBEW was instrumental in the construction of Boston's first commercial wind turbine within city limits, which was completed last week. The city says the turbine serves as an opportunity for electric workers to become more familiar with the technology, as well as for the thousands of commuters passing the site to be reminded that renewable energy is available, according to a report from Renewable Energy Access. The 100-kilowatt turbine will power the IBEW's regional training center, and all electricians trained there will learn how to install and maintain wind turbines.

Also last week, Vietnam announced the development of its first wind power complex, a $52 million venture that will generate up to 170 million kilowatt hours, according to Reuters. Currently, about 40 percent of Vietnam's energy is generated by gas-fired plants, while the rest comes from coal-fired plants and hydro sources. But Reuters reported that an increase in private businesses and a rise in disposable income have created a higher energy demand, which the new wind complex will address.

According to the Stanford study, this may only be the beginning of what wind power can actually do. Wind speeds strong enough for power generation exist in every region of the world, although North America was found to have the greatest wind power potential. The researchers also found that some of the strongest winds were observed in Northern Europe, along the North Sea, while the southern tip of South America and the Australian island of Tasmania also recorded significant and sustained strong winds at turbine blade height. In North America, the most consistent winds were found in the Great Lakes region and from ocean breezes along the eastern, western and southern coasts. Overall, the researchers calculated that winds at 300 feet, which is the hub height for modern turbines, travel over the ocean at approximately 20 miles per hour and at nearly 10 miles per hour over land.

"The main implication of this study is that wind, for low-cost wind energy, is more widely available than was previously recognized," Archer said in a press release. "The methodology in the paper can be utilized for several applications, such as determining elevated wind speeds in remote areas or to evaluate the benefits of distributed wind power."

In certain locations, the study found sustainable winds capable of producing about 72 terawatts of energy. The world used only about 1.8 terawatts of energy in 2000. According to the American Geophysical Union, a terawatt is 1 billion watts, a quantity of energy that would otherwise require more than 500 nuclear reactors or thousands of coal-burning plants. Therefore, researchers estimate that converting as little as 20 percent of potential wind energy to electricity could meet global energy demands.

But the concerns associated with wind power are well documented. According the AGU, it could take millions of turbines to produce enough energy, and alternative energy sources could still be necessary to maintain power when wind speeds fall. Large fields of turbines could also be hazardous to birds.

However, the Stanford study indicates that better placement of the wind turbines could resolve some of those issues. The researchers report that their study can assist in locating wind farms in regions known for strong and consistent winds, which may help avoid future problems with intermittent winds. In addition, they suggest that the inland locations of many existing wind farms may explain their inefficiency.

EPA REJECTS PROPOSED SEWAGE BLENDING POLICY
by Sarah Morgan

The Environmental Protection Agency did not approve a proposal to allow the release of partially treated sewage during rainy or snowy weather, while pledging to help states improve beach monitoring and public notification programs.

The proposal would have allowed sewage treatment facilities to blend fully treated sewage with partially treated sewage during all "wet weather" events. Currently, under the Clean Water Act, the blending process is only allowed during hurricanes or other extreme weather events.

According to Grist Magazine, the blending method bypasses an important step in sewage treatment. The skipped treatment step is one that "kills bacteria, viruses and pathogens known to cause infectious disease." The pathogens found in sewage-contaminated waters can cause gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses, dysentery, and hepatitis.

If approved, the policy could have saved US sewage plants an estimated $90 billion or more, according to the Associated Press, which reported that the EPA reviewed about 98,000 public comments, coupled with testimonies at congressional hearings before deciding against adopting the blending policy.

The AP reported a final decision is yet to be made on exactly what the national requirements should be for municipal wastewater treatment during wet weather.

In a related announcement, the Bush administration pledged almost $10 million in grants this week to assist in monitoring for pathogens in recreational waters, an amount roughly the same as that pledged for 2004.

Congress passed the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act in October 2000 to make monitoring programs more consistent nationwide, improve water quality testing at the beach, and help beach managers better inform the public about water quality problems.

In 2003, the Texas General Land Office reported there were 41 beach advisory or closing days in Texas, down 77 percent from 2002. The GLO attributed the large decrease partially to lower annual rainfall amounts.

BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP'S MOVEABLE FIESTA

Join Mayor Bill White and the Buffalo Bayou Partnership as they celebrate the opening of the Buffalo Bayou east sector hike and bike trail on June 4. The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 10:30 am at the 88 block of Jensen Drive. Afterward, there will be a party at James Bute Park, Mckee Street Bridge, 512 McKee Street, until 2 pm. Bring bikes, skates, and scooters; watch a bicycle parade; or decorate your bicycle for a chance to win prizes. There will be free bicycle helmets for the first 100 children in attendance, beginning at 9 am. The event is being held in conjunction with National Trails Day, with this year's theme, "Take a Path to a Healthier You." For more information, call (713) 752-0314 or visit http://www.buffalobayou.org.

HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE: WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

The Valley Land Fund Wildlife Photography Exhibition will open at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on May 27. The Valley Land Fund assists with conservation of native habitat through protection of land in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, a region extremely rich in Neotropical fauna and flora. VLF celebrates wildlife photography and its importance to conservation by holding a photo contest every other year. The most stunning photos will be on display at the museum until August 7. For more information, call (713) 639-4629 or visit http://www.hmns.org.

CEC SEEKS MANAGING EDITOR/REPORTER

The Citizens' Environmental Coalition currently seeks a journalist for our Publications program. Responsibilities include an active role in the production and acquisition of content for our weekly e-mail, the Houston Environmental News Update; our annual Environmental Resource Guide; and our quarterly magazine, Exchange. We are seeking an individual with experience in writing clear and accurate prose, able to represent a balanced perspective on the issues, and capable of delivering on a deadline. Experience in print journalism, as well as experience copy editing for other writers, is desirable. The successful applicant will report to the executive director, and will work with our coalition's member organizations to gather information about their specific concerns. You will be expected to learn about the region's environment and the people who play significant roles in effecting change, and to track progress through research and interviews. An individual with a passion for making Houston a better place to live will do well in this position. You'll be comfortable working on a Macintosh using Microsoft Office products, and comfortable with html development. Dreamweaver experience is a plus and QuarkXpress experience is a significant plus. A degree in journalism or significant work toward a degree in journalism is required. We will request clips or tear-sheets from applicants progressing to an interview. If you are interested in this position, please forward your resume as a MS-Word attachment to jobs@cechouston.org No phone calls, no faxes, no snail-mail, please.

MfCA/GHASP SEEK COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR

Mothers for Clean Air and the Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention have two job openings - opportunities to help solve Houston's air pollution problems. MfCA is seeking a bilingual community outreach coordinator who will work with residents of Southeast Houston and area stakeholders to reduce the community's exposure to hazardous pollution. The coordinator will inform the community of the project, recruit residents and stakeholders to be part of the process, assist with implementation of the project and coordinate training of residents to take air samples in the community. The position is funded by an EPA Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving grant. The applicant should speak Spanish and English well, and have reliable transportation. A minimum of an associate's degree and at least two years' experience in community organizing are required. The applicant should be passionate and committed because compensation is limited. The Community Outreach Coordinator is a three-year, grant-funded position that does not include benefits. This position can be either full time or half time. GHASP is seeking a communications director to support or lead GHASP and MfCA's efforts to attract media attention through press releases and events, with the goal of reaching government and corporate officials and the general public. The successful applicant will also collaborate in research projects; and edit and publish reports, educational materials, a newsletter, and our electronic publications. The communications director must have a bachelor's degree and either two years' work experience or a graduate degree. Reliable transportation is essential - as are strong writing skills, good presentation skills, talent with a range of typical office computer software programs (including publishing, graphics, and e-mail listserv software), and the ability to learn about the complexities of air pollution issues. This position is full time; there is some flexibility with respect to specific job responsibilities and title. To apply for either position, e-mail your resume with a cover letter explaining why you would be a good choice to hiring@ghasp.org.

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