EPA’s Green Power Partnership and State and Local Climate and Energy Program will co-host a webinar on January 18 to highlight how municipalities from around the country are leveraging EPA programs to reduce the impacts of their communities’ energy use. EPA program managers will discuss the Green Power Community and Climate Showcase Communities programs as well as the tools and resources these programs offer participating communities. Representatives from two EPA Green Power Communities — Washington, DC and Corvallis, Oregon — will present information on their Green Power Community experience; Corvallis will also discuss its Climate Showcase activities. Get the details at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/events/18jan12_webinar.htm.

Applications are being accepted for the 6th annual Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes Partner Awards. The Awards recognize Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes’ builders and verifiers for outstanding accomplishments and contributions to energy-efficient new construction. To be considered, partners must meet eligibility requirements and submit a complete application package by January 31, 2012. Award winners will be featured throughout 2012 on www.northwestenergystar.com, receive a specialized winner logo and award, and be provided public relations support to promote the award in their community. The application is available at www.northwestenergystar.com/sites/default/files/resources/2011-2012-Builder-Award-Application.pdf.

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), through its ATTRA project, recently released a new publication titled Returns on Renewable Energy Investments. The publication surveys the costs and risks of investing in wind, solar, biofuel, and other small-scale renewable energy systems. Most small-scale renewable energy projects do not generate cheap energy, and these projects often involve significant complications and risks. Nonetheless, there are many good reasons for farmers to consider a small-scale renewable energy system. Small-scale renewable energy projects can be excellent investments for farms and rural businesses, especially those that are looking for new management options or marketing possibilities. Learn more in this valuable publication, available for download at
https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=372

DOE’s Wind Powering America Initiative will present a free webinar examining the market for clean, affordable, homegrown wind energy; and recent growth in sales, capacity, and incentives for small wind turbines (up to 100 kW) for homes, farms, and businesses. The webinar is designed for the general public, local officials, state and federal regulators, permitting officials, facility siting officials, state and federal policy makers, and others interested in small and community wind development. The webinar will be held Thursday, December 15, 2011, from 11 a.m. to noon (Mountain).

Preregistration is not required. Details on accessing the webinar can be found at http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3369.

Interested in assessing the payback period for an energy-related purchase for your farm? Check out the new publication from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Estimating Payback for Energy Efficiency. This publication addresses the concepts of initial cost, useful life, and energy savings for various types of farm expenses. Examples include a lighting project, replacing an electric motor, and upgrading a farm truck. Using simple payback calculations, these examples estimate the time it would take for energy savings to equal initial cost.

The publication is available for download at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/new-publication-helps-farmers-evaluate-payback-energy-savings.