Saturday, March 30, 2013

Diversity In The Environmental Movement

PRESIDENT'S CORNER



By Norris McDonald

I was quoted in The Washington Post this week about the lack of diversity in the environmental movement.  As a result, we have received numerous requests to post job and intern listings.  We don't mind posting these notices, but we are also not an employment agency.  We are a small but scrappy environmental group that scrambles to address many issues with a very small budget.  So if you want us to provide a service to you, please feel free to click on that donate button right over there to your right at the top of this blog page.

We appreciate your interest in diversity and hope you can include African Americans in your organization. 

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Restart San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Unit 2

Recommendation To Restart SONGS Unit 2 and Accelerate Review and Restart of Unit 3

Norris McDonald at SONGS on July 6, 2005

AAEA believes Southern California Edison can operate the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) without undue risk to public health and safety.  AAEA commends the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its exhaustive review of the steam generator situation at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.  AAEA reached its conclusion after exhaustive review of the NRC evaluation of SONGS Unit 2 and Unit 3 steam generators.  We believe the NRC has been thorough and that the licensee has been completely responsive to any and all Requests for Additional Information (RAIs) related to the Confirmatory Action Letter (CAL).  As such, the NRC should grant permission for SONGS to restart immediately.

Southern California needs the emission free electricity provided by SONGS.  The state needs this emission free electricity in order to meet the goals of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32).  Vulnerable communities need SONGS to mitigate smog in the region.  The hundreds of SONGS employees facing lay off or job loss desperately need this employment.  Moreover, the closure has cost San Onofre's owners, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric, more than $470 million.  The closure represents a significant burden for ratepayers who already face increasing electricity rates.  The restart would mitigate purchasing imported electricity.   We believe these great benefits can be provided by a SONGS restart and without risk to public health and safety.

Edison has proposed re-starting San Onofre’s Reactor 2 at 70 percent power for five months.  We believe this is a prudent proposal and NRC should allow it.  The licensee shut down immediately upon detecting one of the Unit 3 generators was leaking and causing a tiny, but measurable, increase in the radioactivity of the normally non-radioactive water in the secondary (steam) side of the steam generators.  We believe the licensee will shut down again if there is a problem because their principle concern is the safety of the public.

Reject Chino Hills Underground Transmission Line Proposal

Chino Hills Obstruction of the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project

AAEA President Visits Chino Hills

AAEA opposes undergrounding the Chino Hills section of the line and the CPUC should reject this proposal. It is an unnecessary alteration of an already approved plan.The California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) should reject the Chino Hills underground transmission line proposal.  AAEA supports the timely completion of the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP). California ratepayers do not need the significant increase in the cost of the transmission line simply to appease the aesthetic requirements of some stakeholders.  These types of NIMBY stumbling blocks have been known to obstruct construction of needed infrastructure. 

AAEA is particularly concerned about threats to a project that provides emission free electricity to Californians.  Such projects are welcome relief for those in minority areas that are disproportionately affected by pollution and have higher incidences of asthma.  Any threat to TRIP is a threat to asthmatics.  Any delay in TRTP delays mitigation of asthma in vulnerable communities.

The underground proposal undermines CPUC's approval of the Alta Windpower Project in the Tehachapi area, one of the largest wind energy contracts in the United States.  The underground proposal is also unacceptable because 12 of 16 transmission structures have already been completed as part of the approved overhead position in the existing utility right-of-way corridor.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The Wilderness Society - Jobs & Internship Opportunities

The Wilderness Society (Jobs Page) is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees and constituents regardless of differences based on culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, or sexual orientation. We offer a very competitive salary and benefits package, including health and dental insurance and a pension plan. If one of our openings interests you, please send your resume and other requirements as directed.

Job Opportunities


The Wilderness Society is currently recruiting for the following positions:

Renewable Energy Campaign Representative
Location: Washington, DC

Senior Director, Government Relations
Location: Washington, DC

Wyoming Program Manager
Location: Wyoming

Internship Opportunities


The Wilderness Society accepts applications for policy, communication, marketing and digital internships year-round. These positions are unpaid, but are available for school credit.

Communications Internship - DC
Location: Washington, DC

Communications Internship - Denver
Location: Denver, CO

Marketing Internship
Location: Washington, DC or Seattle, WA

Policy and Government Affairs Internship
Location: Washington, DC

Web / Digital Internship
Location: Denver, CO or Washington, DC

Learn more about our internship program.

Monday, March 25, 2013

The Washington Post: Green Groups Still Segregated

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

By Norris McDonald

The Washington Post made history today by quoting more black environmentalists in one article (or any article) than it ever has before.  AAEA has a long history of 'calling out' The Post for its lack of coverage of environmental issues related to the Black community.  We are seen as 'negative' when pointing out that the environmental movement has been and is segregated and elitist.  Before Darryl Fears, The Washington Post environmental reporters, for the most part, only quoted people they know from the large green groups.  Result: issues in the community most environmentally impacted get little to no coverage by the paper of record in our nation's capital. 

Darryl Fears changed that situation at The Washington Post today.  And he pulled the lid off of the environmental movement's consistent exclusive nature.  Wow.  First a black president (twice), and now The Washington Post quoting black people on environment.  I never thought I would live to see the day.  Anyway, a very special thank you to The Washington Post for making Darryl an environmental reporter.  And Darryl is not just limited to the black environmental section; he covers a variety of environmental issues. We just hope the other energy and environmental reporters will not think that the situation is covered now because 'that's Darryl's area.'  Limiting perspectives on energy and environmental issues is a disservice to The Washington Post readers.

The article featured our 2003-2004 Green Group Diversity Survey (and Report Card).  The survey is still viable and groups are welcome to complete it and submit it to us for publication.   Of course, none of the groups will do that because they are rich, fat and very happy with their self-indulgent elitist status.  I've always believed that, although they will publicly express concern about their lack of diversity, they are secretly proud of their elite status.  Much like the Republican Party.  Fortunately, the result of such exclusion is the formation of a number of minority environmental groups.  Thus, the hostility and elitism of the traditional green groups are avoided.  And issues can be addressed from a standpoint that reflects an African American perspective on some of the important environmental issues facing us today.

One mainstream group scored 'Excellent' on our scorecard: Environmental Law Institute.  Three other groups scored 'Good' on the scorecard: Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, and World Resources Institute.  The Chesapeake Bay Foundation assertively told us they would not complete the survey.

The mainstream green groups have absolutely no concern about the fact that blacks own virtually no energy resources and infrastructure in the United States.  So do they really expect blacks to oppose all fossil fuel use?  The mainstream green groups would love to see very high energy prices (taxes) in order to force conservation.  This would be devastating to the black community, which already has an unacceptably high unemployment rate.  These are just a couple of examples of how blacks and mainstream green groups have different opinions about energy and environmental issues.  I formed AAEA in 1985, after working for a mainstream group for six years, to directly address these pressing issues. (The Washington Post, 3/24/2013)

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

AAEA President Norris McDonald Appears on Arise TV


Center President Norris McDonald appeared on Arise TV on Monday, March 18th to discuss, "Nuclear Cure For Asthma."  Also appearing on the show was Frank Fraley, Executive Director of  Safe Healthy Affordable Energy (SHARE) and asthma specialist Dre. Aletha Maybank.

The March 18 Program Segment can be seen at 1:07:30.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Matthew Tejada - Director, EPA Office of Environmental Justice

Matthew Tejada
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is turning to Matthew Tejada, a Houston activist, to lead the EPA's Office of Environmental Justice. As executive director of the Air Alliance Houston for almost six years (2007-2013), Tejada fought against pollution in poor neighborhoods surrounding Gulf Coast ports. Tejada is expected to begin his new role in early March.

University of Oxford, PhD, History,  20042006
 
University of Oxford, MPhil, Russian and East European Studies, 20022004
 
The University of Texas at Austin, BA, English, 19972000

Top 20 African American CEOs

The black CEOs on Benzinga's list come from all corners of the country and lead public and private companies across all sectors of the economy.

1. Jan Adams, JMA Solutions
Adams founded JMA in 2005 following 24 years of service in the United States Air Force. Her vision has fueled JMA's growth into the #125 ranking in the 2012 Inc. Magazine 5000, including the #1 ranking in Washington, D.C. The company provides financial management, IT services, systems and concept engineering and program management to the federal government.

2. Joseph B. Anderson, TAG Holdings, LLC
A former General Motors (NYSE: GM[FREE Stock Trend Analysis]) executive, Anderson is the CEO of the Troy, Michigan-based TAG Holdings, whose subsidiaries include Korean and Chinese plumbing ceramics makers, automobile wheel-assembly suppliers and warehouse services. 2010 revenues were over $700 million.

3. William Bailey, Rapier Solutions
William Bailey is a former veteran who founded Rapier in 2002. The IT company is based in Matthews, North Carolina and landed a spot at #139 in the 2012 Inc. Magazine 5000 rankings. 2011 revenues were $3.6 million.

4. Oprah Winfrey, Oprah Winfrey Network
This list wouldn't be complete without television's greatest female personality, Oprah Winfrey. Once told that she would never be fit for presence on TV, Oprah has created a niche in the daily lives of millions of people and has spun gold from her success. She currently sits as the CEO of the Oprah Winfrey Network, a joint venture between her former Harpo Productions and Discovery Communications.  With a personal estimated net worth of $2.8 billion, Oprah finds herself at #168 in the richest people in the United States, #151 on the Forbes 500, #2 in the Celebrity 100 and #1 in TV/Radio.
 
5. Ulysses Bridgeman, Bridgeman Foods Inc.
The former NBA 12-year veteran heads up the $500 million Manna Inc. and ERJ Inc., which combine to form one of the largest restaurateurs in the nation. Bridgeman manages over 320 restaurants, including 163 Wendy's (NASDAQ: WEN) and 120 Chili's, the latter operated by Brinker International (NYSE: EAT).

6. Ursula M. Burns, Xerox Corporation
The document management giant is run by Ursula Burns, who became the first woman to head a Fortune 500 company in 2009. Xerox's (NYSE: XRX) 2012 revenues were $22.39 billion and its Fortune 500 ranking stands at #127.



7. Kenneth I. Chenault, American Express
Chenault has been the CEO of American Express (NYSE: AXP) since 2001. The Long Island native has led the Fortune 500 (#95) corporation through unprecedented growth, with 2012 revenues totaling $33.80 billion. Chenault heads over 63,000 employees.

 
8. Roger W. Ferguson, Jr., TIAA-CREF
The former Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Ferguson is a Washington, D.C. native who took over as CEO of retirement provider TIAA-CREF in 2008. TIAA-CREF is ranked #88 in the Fortune 500.

9. Kenneth C. Frazier, Merck & Co., Inc.
The Philadelphia-native became the head of pharmaceutical giant Merck (NYSE: MRK) in 2011. That year, revenues totaled $48 billion for Merck, which possesses a #57 ranking in the Fortune 500 and employs 86,000 people.







10. Ronald Hall, Sr., Bridgewater Interiors
Bridgewater has been one of the nation's leading auto parts suppliers since its 1998 inception. The Detroit-bred CEO of the company, Ronald Hall Sr., has led its growth, which included $1.6 billion in revenues in 2011. Its leading customers include General Motors and Ford.

11. Janice Bryant Howroyd, ACT-1 Group
The North Carolina-native runs a billion dollar enterprise in ACT-1, which is now the nation's largest woman- and minority-owned employment-services company in the US. ACT-1 is a specialized staffing company.

12. Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Magic Johnson Enterprises
Highlighted by his recent $50 million stake in the purchase of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Johnson's eponymous enterprise owns a series of movie theaters, restaurants and health clubs across the country. More recently, the company has gotten involved in real estate development. The company's 2012 worth totaled $700 million.

13. Robert L. Johnson, The RLJ Companies
Johnson was the former head of Black Entertainment Television (BET) before it was swallowed up by Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB). Johnson's kept plenty of skin in the game, however, founding the RLJ Companies, an asset management firm with an inkling for discovering undiscovered or undeserved markets. Johnson's private equity real funds have over $2 billion in combined assets and nearly $4 billion in additional purchasing power.

14. Kamoru Lawal, CAMAC
Lawal runs the Houston-based CAMAC Energy (NYSE: CAK), a major oil and gas company involved in exploration, development and production, founded in 1986. The Nigerian-born, American-raised CEO of CAMAC has operations in Nigeria and China. The company's annual revenue in 2010 totaled $1.5 billion.

15. Alex & Feysan Lodde, MV Transporation, Inc.
The Fairfield, California-based company led by the husband-and-wife team of Alex and Feysan Lodde is the nation's largest privately held passenger-transportation contracting firm. Established in 1975, the company's revenue crossed the $700 million mark in 2010.

16. Harold F. Mills, ZeroChaos
ZeroChaos is a contractor for employers, offering professional payrolling, risk management and private label sourcing, among other services. Led by Harold Mills, the Orlando-based company ranked in annual sales of $700 million in 2010. Mills was previously an executive at Ameritech.

17. Clarence Otis, Jr., Darden Restaurants, Inc.
Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) is one of the nation's largest restaurateurs and Clarence Otis is its CEO. With a rank of #342 in the Fortune 500 and 2012 revenues of $7.6 billion, the Otis-led company owns Olive Garden, Red Lobster, LongHorn Steakhouse and other chains, employing over 178,000 people as of 2011.

18. Jim Reynolds, Loop Capital
Reynolds is one of the biggest African-Americans in investment management today. His Chicago-based international investment banking and brokerage firm, Loop Capital, has grown by leaps and bounds, becoming the 6th largest municipal underwriter in the country.

19. David L. Steward, World Wide Technology Inc.
The Stewart-led World Wide Technology Inc. offers a variety of technology products and financial services. Founded in 1990, the Maryland Heights, Missouri-based firm reached revenues of $3.2 billion in 2010.

20. Don Thompson, McDonald's
A Chicago native, Thompson became the CEO of McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) in 2012, a former electric engineer who first started at the fast-food giant designing robotic equipment and control circuits for transport and cooking, respectively. He was previously a fighter jet maker at Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC). In 2012, McDonald's revenues were $27.5 billion and the company was ranked #107 in the Fortune 500.

(Benzinga, 3/13/2013)

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

African American & Latino Energy Employment Program (ALEEP)

The African American Environmentalist Association (AAEA), is implementing an African American & Latino Energy Employment Program (ALEEP) that will connect job seekers with upstream oil and natural gas employers.

IHS Global, Inc prepared a report for the American Petroleum Institute (API) in November 2012 entitled, "Employment Outlook for African Americans and Latinos in the Upstream Oil and Natural Gas Industry," which projects that 80,000 oil and natural gas jobs (20,000 for African Americans 60,000 for Hispanics) will be created between 2010 and 2020.  The report notes that accelerated development would produce 113,000 jobs for  African American and Hispanic workers by 2030.  It appears that the oil and natural gas industry has the potential to provide almost 10,000 jobs per year for the next decade.  AAEA will to help facilitate connecting oil and natural gas employers with potential employees.


Outreach and Recruitment

AAEA will reach out to companies, associations, organizations, colleges, community colleges, technical schools, trade schools, trade associations, individuals and others to facilitate implementation of the ALEEP. We will serve as a clearinghouse between these groups and individuals and oil and gas companies.

AAEA will work with employment agencies and employment consultants in order to match companies with applicants. We will provide a national service that matches potential employees and employers in order to meet the demand for almost 1,000 jobs per month for the next decade.

We will not duplicate the considerable outreach already underway via promotion of STEM programs, but we will assure that all STEM program promoters are aware of the ALEEP. We will focus significant effort on HBCUs and other universities. Our focus, however, will be on community colleges and trade schools. AAEA will visit as many of these institutions as our budget allows.

AAEA will reach out to black fraternities and sororities. We will also inform the civil rights and environmental justice organizations about the job prospects in the oil and gas sectors. We will also seek out community organizers in every major city to make sure they and their constituents are aware of the ALEEP.

AAEA will brief each member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) about the ALEEP and will encourage them to share this program with their constituents. We will do the same for each state legislative black caucus. We will also reach out to black mayors and black county council.

Reports

AAEA will present quarterly reports about its progress.  The reports will be specific to each individual sector that we approach.  Hard copy documents will also be produced to serve as a promotional tools for the ALEEP.

Internet Outreach

AAEA will utilize its blog to disseminate information about the ALEEP. We will utilize links to the ALEEP as a major outreach tool. AAEA will be a one stop shop for employers and minority employees to connect with each other. AAEA will also facilitate these connections. We will utilize LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and other electronic media to publicize the ALEEP.

Media

AAEA will issue press releases and utilize every means necessary to alert the media to ALEEP. This will include press releases, press conferences, press meetings, personal appearances and all other means needed to publicize the program. The ALEEP can be a productive tool in recruiting minorities to the oil and gas industries. Our goal is to make 'black and brown jobs' as prominent as proponents have made 'green jobs.' America's energy future is at stake and AAEA is at the forefront of promoting the efficient use of natural resources.  The ALEEP will be a major program in advancing our agenda.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013



HOUSE BILL 226

SUBTITLE 20C. MARYLAND OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT
FUND.
 
Senate Vote

House Vote

A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED

B) "ADVISORY COMMITTEE" MEANS THE MARYLAND OFFSHORE WIND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

C) "ADMINISTRATION" MEANS THE MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION

D) "DIRECTOR" MEANS THE DIRECTOR OF THE MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION

E) "EMERGING BUSINESS MEANS A BUSINESS THAT IS AT LEAST 51% OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CERTIFIED TO HAVE A PERSONAL NET WORTH AS DEFINED IN § 14–301 OF THE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT THAT DOES NOT EXCEED $6,500,000 AS ADJUSTED EACH YEAR FOR INFLATION ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

F) "FUND" MEANS THE MARYLAND OFFSHORE WIND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9–20C–03 OF THIS SUBTITLE

G) "MINORITY MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A MEMBER OF ANY OF THE GROUPS LISTED IN § 14–301 OF THE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE HERE IS A MARYLAND OFFSHORE WIND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION ON THE MOST EFFECTIVE MANNER TO USE MONEY IN THE FUND CONSISTENT WITH THE PURPOSES OF THE FUND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS

(1) ONE MEMBER TWO MEMBERS OF THE SENATE OF MARYLAN, ONE FROM EACH OF THE PRINCIPAL POLITICAL PARTIES, APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

(2) ONE MEMBER TWO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, ONE FROM EACH OF THE PRINCIPAL POLITICAL PARTIES, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

(3) THE DIRECTOR OR THE DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE,

(4)THE SECRETARY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE

(5) THE SPECIAL SECRETARY OF THE GOVERNO’S OFFICE OF MINORITY AFFAIRS OR THE SPECIAL SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE AND

(6) THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR:

REPRESENTATIVE OF A PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE STATE

REPRESENTATIVE OF A HISTORICALLY BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE'S COMMUNITY COLLEGES

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARYLAND INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ASSOCIATION

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARYLAND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER NETWORK

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARYLAND BUSINESS COALITION FOR OFFSHORE WIND

REPRESENTATIVE OF A BUSINESS INCUBATOR IN THE STATE WITH EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AS DEFINED IN § 14–301 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE OR TO EMERGING BUSINESSES INCLUDING EMERGING BUSINESSES OWNED BY MINORITIES

INDIVIDUAL WITH EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING BUSINESS FINANCING TO MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AS DEFINED IN § 14–301 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE OR EMERGING BUSINESSES INCLUDING EMERGING BUSINESSES OWNED BY MINORITIES REPRESENTATIVE OF AN OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPER

REPRESENTATIVE OF AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER

INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A MINORITY BUSINESS

INDIVIDUAL WITH EXPERIENCE IN OFFSHORE WIND SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES

THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT THE CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL PROVIDE STAFF FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPENSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE BUT IS ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES UNDER THE STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2013.

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL PROVIDE WRITTEN RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THE MOST EFFECTIVE USE OF MONEY IN THE FUND IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMERGING BUSINESSES IN THE STATE INCLUDING MINORITY OWNED EMERGING BUSINESSES; (1) PARTICIPATE IN THE OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY (2) IN MAKING A RECOMMENDATION UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIDER OPPORTUNITIES TO MAXIMIZE LEVERAGING OPPORTUNITIES, MENTORING AND PROTEGE MODELS INNOVATION CLUSTERS, EXISTING INCUBATOR AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND THE APPROPRIATE ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE STATE'S UNIVERSITIES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2014,.

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL PROVIDE UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION ON COMPLETION AND SUBMISSION OF THE WRITTEN RECOMMENDATIONS REQUIRED UNDER SUBSECTION G OF THIS SECTION.

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL TERMINATE ITS OPERATION AND CEASE UNTIL THERE IS A MARYLAND OFFSHORE WIND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FUND IN THE ADMINISTRATION.

THE PURPOSES OF THE FUND ARE TO

(1) PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE AND EMPLOYEE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF EMERGING BUSINESSES IN THE STATE MINORITYOWNED EMERGING BUSINESSES TO PREPARE THOSE BUSINESSES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EMERGING OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY

(2) ENCOURAGE EMERGING BUSINESSES IN THE STATE INCLUDING MINORITY OWNED EMERGING BUSINESSES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EMERGING OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY THE ADMINISTRATION MAY USE THE FUND TO (1) CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF THE FUND AND

(3) PAY THE COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS SUBTITLE

THE DIRECTOR SHALL MANAGE AND SUPERVISE THE FUND.

1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO REVERSION UNDER § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE

2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACCOUNT FOR THE FUND

1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVEST THE MONEY OF THE FUND IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER STATE MONEY

2) ANY INVESTMENT EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITED TO THE FUND THE FUND CONSISTS OF

(1) MONEY APPROPRIATED BY THE STATE TO THE FUND

(2) MONEY PAID TO THE FUND BY A QUALIFIED OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT UNDER § 7–704.1 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE

(3) MONEY MADE AVAILABLE TO THE FUND THROUGH FEDERAL PROGRAMS OR PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS

(4) REPAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL OR PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON A LOAN MADE FROM THE FUND

(5) PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE DISPOSITION LEASE OR RENTAL BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF COLLATERAL RELATED TO FINANCING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION PROVIDES UNDER THIS SUBTITLE

(6) INVESTMENT EARNINGS OF THE FUND AND

(7) ANY OTHER MONEY MADE AVAILABLE TO THE ADMINISTRATION FOR THE FUND

(1) IN FISCAL YEARS 2015, $1,500,000 SHALL BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE STRATEGIC ENERGY INVESTMENT FUND TO THE FUND

(2) IN FISCAL YEAR 2016, $1,000,000 SHALL BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE STRATEGIC ENERGY INVESTMENT FUND WHEN DETERMINING HOW MOST EFFECTIVELY TO USE THE MONEY IN THE FUND

THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN CARRYING OUT THIS SUBTITLE AND CONSISTENT WITH THE PURPOSES OF THE FUND THE ADMINISTRATION MAY CONTRACT WITH EXPERTS IN THE AREA OF OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY AND ENTITIES EXPERIENCED IN ASSISTING EMERGING BUSINESSES INCLUDING MINORITY OWNED EMERGING BUSINESSES INACCESSING MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Southern Environmental Law Center Jobs



ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY, LAND & COMMUNITY PROGRAM   Charlottesville, Virginia

The Southern Environmental Law Center is accepting applications for an attorney position in its Charlottesville, Virginia office. This is a two-year position with the possibility of an extension to a third year. We are seeking a committed and energetic person with strong legal skills to work on a range of land use and transportation issues in Charlottesville and throughout Virginia. This is an excellent opportunity to join an organization that is successfully addressing some of the most important and challenging environmental issues facing the Southeast and the nation.

ENERGY ATTORNEY

The Southern Environmental Law Center is seeking an attorney with three or more years of experience to lead a regional solar energy initiative. The position will be based in either SELC’s Charlottesville, Chapel Hill, or Atlanta office, depending on applicant preference. This is an excellent opportunity to join an organization that is successfully addressing some of the most important and challenging environmental issues facing the Southeast and the nation.

STAFF ATTORNEY

 Charlottesville, Virginia Office The Southern Environmental Law Center is seeking a staff attorney with three or more years of experience for its Charlottesville, Virginia office. This is an excellent opportunity to join an organization that is successfully addressing some of the most important and challenging environmental issues facing the Southeast and the nation.

To Apply: All applications must be in writing and include a letter of interest, resume, transcript, and at least three references. Applications should be sent as soon as possible to Katie Storer, Southern Environmental Law Center, 201 West Main Street, Suite 14, Charlottesville, VA 22902, or e-mailed to VAjobs@selcva.org .

Monday, March 04, 2013

Obama Nominates Ernest Moniz as Secretary of Energy

Ernest Moniz
Department of Energy - Dr. Ernest J. Moniz is the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research at MIT, where he has served on the faculty since 1973, has focused on energy technology and policy. Dr. Moniz also serves as the Director of the MIT Energy Initiative and the MIT Laboratory for Energy and the Environment. From 1997 until January 2001, Dr. Moniz served as Under Secretary of the Department of Energy. Prior to that, he served as Associate Director for Science in the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President from 1995 to 1997.
 
In addition to his work at MIT and the Department of Energy, Dr. Moniz has served on a number of boards of directors and commissions, including the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2009-Present), the Department of Defense Threat Reduction Advisory Committee (2010-Present), and the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future (2010-2012). Dr. Moniz is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Humboldt Foundation, and the American Physical Society. In 1998, he received the Seymour Cray HPCC Industry Recognition Award for vision and leadership in advancing scientific simulation.
 
Dr. Moniz received a Bachelor of Science degree summa cum laude in physics from Boston College and a doctorate in theoretical physics from Stanford University. (CEQ)
 

Obama Nominates Gina McCarthy to be EPA Administrator

Gina McCarthy
Environmental Protection Agency – Gina McCarthy is currently the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. McCarthy was appointed Assistant Administrator in 2009 after having served as the Commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from 2005 to 2009. McCarthy came to the Connecticut DEP from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where she began her career as Canton, Massachusetts’ first full time health agent in 1980.
 
She went on to serve the Commonwealth for 25 years in a variety of environmental positions, including Undersecretary for Policy at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and Deputy Secretary of the Massachusetts Office for Commonwealth Development where she was in charge of coordinating environmental, transportation, energy, and housing agency policies.
 
McCarthy earned a BA in Social Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a joint Master of Science in Environmental Health Engineering and Planning and Policy from Tufts University.  (CEQ)