News

Help with your utility bill

(by Alliance founder Karen Wimpelberg)

March 4 - Are you getting hot under the collar about paying your high utility bills for last month and probably this month due to the extremely cold weather? Learn ways to get help and help yourself, and learn the regulations in place for extreme weather conditions and service cutoffs.

Take action to make renewable energy a reality for Louisiana

March 4 - Thanks to odd weather and cancelled meetings, the procedural schedule for the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) docket has been extended. We now have more time to let the Louisiana Public Service Commission know that the current policy proposal is unacceptable and that our state needs real policies to encourage renewable energy production. Call or write your commissioner today and tell him that we need a strong, binding renewable portfolio standard to create jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and keep our energy dollars local.

Doctor has first solar-powered home in Houma

March 1 - An orthopedic surgeon is the first resident of Houma to have his home powered by solar energy.  In December, Akari Energy installed a 7KW system on the home of Dr. Brett Casey.

Read the article in the Houma Courier.

$645 million in lipstick for a dead, radioactive pig

(The following article by journalist and renewable energy advocate Harvey Wasserman first appeared in The Free Press on February 23)

March 1 - The mystery has been solved.

Where is this "new reactor renaissance" coming from?

There has been no deep, thoughtful re-making or re-evaluation of atomic technology. No solution to the nuke waste problem. No making reactors economically sound. No private insurance against radioactive disasters by terror or error. No grassroots citizens now desperate to live near fragile containment domes and outtake pipes spewing radioactive tritium at 27 US reactors.

Alliance holds benefit concert with Rebirth Brass Band, Guitar Lightning Lee, Big Sky and the Melters

February 26 - On the evening of February 25, over 100 supporters of the Alliance for Affordable Energy filled the loading dock of the Art Egg Building to see musical guests Rebirth Brass Band, Guitar Lightning Lee, Big Sky and the Melters. We thank all of the musicians, Nola Brewery, River Parishes disposal, Uptown Audio Productions, RZI Lighting and Cody Boudreaux, the Art Egg, Roman Pizza and our dedicated volunteers for making this a great event for everyone.

Mississippi river turbine test project acquires lease approval

(The following article appeared in the Times-Picayune on February 26. Doug Meffert of Riversphere and the Tulane Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research is also a board member of the Alliance for Affordable Energy.)

February 26 - A company hoping to create renewable energy through the untapped power of the Mississippi River gained approval Thursday from the Port of New Orleans' Dock Board to lease property along the waterway and move forward with hydrokinetic testing.

Vermont Senate votes to close Entergy nuclear plant

(The following article appeared in the New York Times on February 24)

February 24 - In an unusual state foray into nuclear regulation, the Vermont Senate voted 26 to 4 Wednesday to block operation of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant after 2012, citing radioactive leaks, misstatements in testimony by plant officials and other problems. Unless the chamber reverses itself, it will be the first time in more than 20 years that the public or its representatives has decided to close a reactor.

US solar industry creates 20,000 new jobs in 2009

February 20 - The future looks bright for the solar energy industry, which experienced widespread success in 2009 despite a struggling US economy. With the help of funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, solar installations grew by 40% last year, providing thousands of new jobs. “One of the fastest ways to create jobs in America is to invest in clean energy,” says Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “These are quality jobs and they can’t be outsourced.

Demand a strong, binding renewable portfolio standard for Louisiana

February 18 - After more than a year, Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) staff have finally released a policy proposal under the renewable portfolio standard docket. Unfortunately, the “strawman” policy proposal is not a renewable portfolio standard, and as written will do little, if anything, to assist the development of renewable energy industries in our state. It is very important that you make your voice heard and demand that we adopt a renewable portfolio standard that is strong, binding, and does not include nuclear or coal technologies.

Clean Energy Now! Bus Tour comes to New Orleans

February 18 - Today the Hip Hop Caucus and Repower America brought the Clean Energy Now! Bus Tour to Dillard University, where more than 100 students packed the school's quad to dance and listen to speakers. Hip Hop Caucus President and CEO Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr. opened the event, speaking passionately about the need for a shift to clean energy to fight both poverty and pollution.