Abstracts

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RENEWABLE GOOD - FOSSIL BAD

Fossil fuels have fueled, pun intended, the amazing economic and technological growth in the developed world for the last 150 years. However, there are four serious problems stemming from the burning of fossil fuels: health concerns, visibility impairment, acid rain and global warming. As such it is necessary for the global society to begin investing in a new renewable energy age. For most of human history, society managed to support itself from the daily incoming delivery of solar radiation. More recent technological, engineering, policy and market advances are availing the development of renewable energy conversion capabilities that will enable a global modern industrial society to prosper.  03-01  Feb. 2003

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RENEWABLE ENERGY ELECTRICITY GENERATION IN ARIZONA: WHAT, WHY AND MAYBE HOW

Traditional fossil fuel production of electricity has serious externality issues that influence air quality, public health and viewscapes. In order to limit these influences, public policy aims at increasing the production of electricity using renewable fuels. For a variety of reasons, including market cost barriers, antiquated government policy and the overall lack of knowledge by energy consumers, renewable energy has had a tough time finding a niche in the energy marketplace in Arizona.  In this paper we explain the problems with fossil fuel and nuclear energy sources, discuss the possibilities for renewable energy sources, digress on the theoretical question of treating air quality as a private externality or a public good, and propose various policy implements that will allow the state of Arizona to become a leader in the production of electricity from renewable sources.  02-35  Dec. 2002

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ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT STEMMING FROM THE ELECTRIFICATION
OF THE HOUSING STOCK ON THE NAVAJO NATION

The main body of this report explains the economic and social development aspects stemming from an electrification program on the Navajo Nation. It is estimated that 18,000 housing units are in need of electrification. Given the high costs of connecting distributed houses to the electricity grid, it is recommended that the individual housing units be supplied electricity with individually contained solar and storage systems. In some cases the houses will require retrofitting with wiring. The economic benefits will include increased employment opportunities for tribal members, increased retention of spending on the reservation, secondary employment and sales of various appliances. The social benefits include improved educational success as the home environments improve the study abilities of children, increased oral tradition education as less time is spent on household chores and language preservation. The estimated cost of any program providing electricity and the associated appliances to these homes falls between $115 and $350 million.

The appendices of this report include: an estimate for the potential demand by explaining how the value of 18,000 housing units was determined, a brief discussion of the business potentials and employment opportunities, and a fully detailed business plan template for a prospective entrepreneur.   02-34  Dec. 2002

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THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE REGIONAL HAZE RULE ON RENEWABLE AND WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ON NATIVE AMERICAN LANDS IN THE WEST

Thomas L. Acker, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
William M. Auberle, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Earl P.N. Duque, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
William D. Jeffery, Adjunct Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
David R. LaRoche, Program Director, Center for Sustainable Environments
Virgil Masayesva, Director, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals
Dean H. Smith, Associate Professor, Economics and Applied Indigenous Studies

A study conducted at Northern Arizona University investigated the barriers and opportunities facing Native American tribes in the west when considering development of their renewable energy resources in order to reduce regional haze. This paper summarizes some of the findings of that work with special attention to wind energy. Background information is presented concerning the regional haze rule and the western regional air partnership, and some of the circumstances surrounding development of tribal energy resources. An assessment of tribal energy issues revealed that many Native American tribes are interested in developing their renewable resources. However, this development should occur within the context of maintaining and strengthening their cultural, social, economic, and political integrity. Furthermore, it is shown that Native American lands possess an abundant wind resource. A list of potential actions in which tribes may participate prior to or during development of their wind or renewable resources is provided.  September 2002-WPS 02-21

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