March, 2012 - Recent Appointments

Dr. Carl Linvill was appointed by Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) to serve as the Energy Efficiency Technologies representative to the Scenario Planning Steering Group (SPSG). The SPSG is responsible for formulating electricity sector scenarios for 2032 for WECC to study as part of its 20 Year Study Plan.
Dr. Carl Linvill was appointed to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Non-wires Solutions (NWS) Roundtable. The Roundtable evaluates the viability of non-wires alternatives to BPA proposed transmission and determines whether the transmission can be delayed or obviated by implementing one or more non-wires solutions.
Mr. John Candelaria was appointed to serve on the Advisory Committee to the Nevada's New Energy Industry (NEI) Task Force by Stacey Crowley, Director of the Nevada State Office of Energy. Ms. Crowley says, "We will present a report to the governor by August 1, 2012, that demonstrates the business case for production and transmission of renewable energy, sets forth a direction on Nevada's role in the regional transmission market, and may recommend policy or regulatory changes that support the goals of the task force."

October, 2011 - Energy Aware Facility Siting and Permitting Guide

The Energy Aware Facility Siting and Permitting Guide,prepared by Aspen Environmental Group, is an update of an earlier guide developed by the Energy Commission in the 1990s. This most recent guide assists local governments with developing general plan energy and transmission elements and provides guidance on utility-scale electricity generation and transmission planning and permitting. California has ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and renewable energy development targets that are spurring new energy infrastructure. The guide discusses the increasing role of local governments in energy planning and permitting; describes the energy regulations and policies (both federal and state) and planning processes that define future electricity generation and transmission needs; and identifies opportunities for local government involvement in electricity infrastructure planning and permitting. Examples of local government development of energy planning tools and involvement in generation and transmission planning and permitting are provided. The Energy Aware Facility Siting and Permitting Guide also describes the environmental impacts associated with developing new energy generation facilities and transmission lines.


http://www.energy.ca.gov/2010publications/CEC-600-2010-007/CEC-600-2010-007.pdf

September, 2011 - Diesel Technology Forum Report Released

Diesel Powers the U.S. Economy: Providing High-Paying Jobs, Exports and Long-Term Productivity Gains in the Nation's Fundamental Sectors: The diesel industry contributes more than $480 billion annually to the US economy, provides more than 1.25 million jobs, and supplies a substantial export-to-value ratio five times higher than the national average, according to this new economic report released in September 2011 by the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF). The report was researched by Dr. Richard McCann of Aspen Environmental Group and Steven Moss of M.Cubed and released during a press conference September 28 at the National Press Club. The study evaluated the direct contribution of clean diesel engine and equipment manufacturing and fuel refining to the economy as well as the indirect contributions and influence of diesel technology on 16 diesel-reliant sectors of the economy.


http://www.dieselforum.org/index.cfm?objectid=E1C9626E-E94D-11E0-947A000C296BA163

August, 2011 - Clean Energy Vision Report Released

Western Grid 2050: Contrasting Futures, Contrasting Fortunes: This new report, examines two very different energy futures western states can choose to build by investing in: "Business as Usual" or "Clean Energy" development. The report was prepared by Dr. Carl Linvill, John Candelaria and Ashley Spalding of Aspen Environmental Group for Western Grid Group and Western Clean Energy Advocates. It is the first of a suite of materials from the two groups proposing sustained, orderly transition to clean energy across the western United States.
Moving to clean energy, the report shows, can create more jobs and drive more robust economic development in western states than other investments can. If carefully planned, low-carbon electricity can be more secure and sustainable than our electric system today. While substantial investment will be required, electricity bills can be lower for consumers who aggressively pursue efficiency and conservation opportunities. Orderly transition to more diverse and decentralized resources can provide a foundation for new prosperity. Western Grid 2050 is intended to begin a dialogue on the alternatives, so westerners can make an informed choice.


http://www.cleanenergyvision.org/western-grid-2050-key-findings/

July, 2011 - Aspen Awarded with Leadership Award by Senator Fran Pavley

During Aspen's Grand Opening of our new gold candidate LEED headquarters office, we received an award from Senator Fran Pavley for Leadership in Environmental Sustainability. Aspen also received a commendation from Agoura Hills City Council member, Dan Kuperberg on behalf of Mayor Harry Schwarz.


http://www.aspeneg.com/images/News/leadership.pdf

July, 2011 - Announcement

We are sending this first paperless electronic message to our clients, subcontractors, and friends to announce two very important events in our corporate life. One is the 20th anniversary of our company’s establishment and a review of our past, present, and future hopes and aspirations.


http://www.aspeneg.com/documents/newsletters/July_2011_Announcement.html

October, 2010 - APPA Report Released

Implications of Greater Reliance on Natural Gas: This 95-page report, commissioned by American Public Power Association (APPA) with support from the Utility Air Regulatory Group, (UARG) was conducted by Catherine Elder, Senior Associate, Energy and Resource Analysis, Aspen Environmental Group. It examines the necessary new infrastructure investments and other implications on natural gas and deliveries to electric utilities should new rules from Congress or EPA limiting carbon emissions or other pollutants result in a shift away from coal toward natural gas to generate electricity. The report discusses projected costs for infrastructure upgrades, operational considerations, implications for different regions of the country, and other related issues.


http://www.publicpower.org/store/ProductDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=28507
http://www.publicpower.org/events/Index.cfm?ItemNumber=26366

October, 2010 - Aspen's EIR on Panoche Valley Solar Farm Project BLM Certified in San Benito County

Aspen prepared an EIR for San Benito County to evaluate the impacts of Solargen Energy Inc.'s proposed 420 MW solar photovoltaic project. The project was proposed on nearly 5,000 acres of grazing land near the Fresno County line, about 30 miles southeast of Hollister. The site is occupied by several protected species, including the giant kangaroo rat, San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, mountain plover. Aspen's team prepared the fast-track Draft and Final EIRs in only 7 months, working closely with County Planning staff. The County certified the EIR and approved the project in October. The document is available on the web at

November, 2009 - Aspen makes 4 strategic hires | Boosts renewable energy project experience | Opens Inland Empire office

Aspen continues to play a leading role in environmental analysis for the expanding realm of renewable energy. Please see details here:

March, 2009 - Aspen has been selected to provide the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), California

Aspen has been selected to provide the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), California, with technical review services of NEPA documents and technical documents associated with the NEPA process (such as cultural resource inventory reports and biological reports) addressing energy development (production of oil, natural gas, geothermal, wind and solar power as well as transmission lines) proposed on public lands managed by the BLM. Under 'federal law, BLM is responsible for processing requests for rights-of-way to authorize energy related projects on BLM land. In the past year, BLM has received more than 100 applications for solar and wind energy development on BLM managed public lands.

March, 2009 - Aspen is proud that we have become a leader in the environmental review and permitting of renewable energy projects.

A Selection of projects we have recently been awarded

Dr. McCann’s expertise in energy and natural resource economics and policy is widely recognized. He has testified before numerous regulatory agencies, including FERC, CPUC, CEC, CARB, SWRCB and regional water boards. High-profile issues he has addressed include: sales of utilities’ power plants under restructuring; testifying on behalf of California subsequent to the recent energy crisis; the costs for new alternative generating technologies; the economic costs and benefits from acquiring new water resources, including desalination; closure of the Rancho Seco Nuclear plant; and the potential consequences of de-commissioning dams on Klamath River. He will substantially strengthen Aspen’s core business by conducting economic and policy analysis, and developing models and forecasts using economic analytical tools, particularly related to energy and water utilities. He will also add important capabilities to Aspen’s growing climate change and air quality analysis.

Dr. Carl Linvill, Dr. Suzanne Phinney, and Christopher Cooke, of Aspen Environmental Group worked with Richard McCann, of M. Cubed, to complete "Laying a Foundation for Nevada's Electricity Future: Generation Facility Uncertainties and the Need for a Flexible Infrastructure" for the Energy Foundation.

Facing uncertainty in meeting future demand for electricity, Nevada should concentrate on building a "flexible infrastructure" that leverages a mixture of resources and avoids risks associated with large-scale centralized generation, according to the report.

Carl Linvill, who leads Aspen Environmental Group's Energy Planning and Analysis Department, is the former Nevada Energy and Economic Advisor and Public Utility Commissioner.
View Articles in the Press

For the last several years, Aspen has been supporting the California energy Commission in the preparation of the Commission's major policy document - the Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR). Dr. Suzanne Phinney played a key role in helping produce these documents. She authored the report, The Relationship between Land Use and Energy, which was one of the two chapters comprising the 2006 IEPR Update. She was a key author of a second report, The Role of Land Use in Meeting California's Energy and Climate Change Goals, and helped write the chapter in the 2007 EIPR that dealt with this report. Dr. Phinney's contributions to the EIPR process were acknowledged in a Certificate of Excellence signed by Chairman Jackalyne Pfannensteil and Commissioner John Geesman. (See awards page.).

Dr. Linvill has over 20 years of experience as an Energy Advisor, Commissioner, and Academic Economist. He joins Aspen after working most recently as Energy Advisor to the Governor of Nevada. He was previously appointed as the commissioner of Nevada's Public Utilities Commission. He has experience working on energy infrastructure projects including a variety of technical issues such as resource planning, renewable energy and energy efficiency planning, interstate transmission planning and cost allocation, energy procurement, and risk management. This will be an immediate benefit for Aspen's many energy clients including the CEC, CPUC, and Western Area Power Administration and allow us to more efficiently use our many specialized subcontractors. (Announcement)

The program EIR for the LAUSD New School Construction Program is the first environmental/planning document of its kind to analyze the effects of a major school construction program; building enough schools to accommodate 200,000 seats within a 704 square-mile study area that includes the City of Los Angeles, all or parts of 25 other municipalities, and parts of Los Angeles County.

Aspen Environmental Group is pleased to announce the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors adopted the Final Draft Otay River Watershed Management Plan on May 10, 2006. The adoption was by unanimous consent of the Board of Supervisors because of the plan’s broad acceptance and lack of opposition. It is the first of several San Diego County watershed management plans in development to be adopted by the Board of Supervisors. In addition, the City of Imperial Beach adopted the plan on May 17, 2006; on June 5, 2006, the City of Chula Vista’s Resource Conservation Commission recommended the City Council adopt the plan; and the San Diego Unified Port District adopted the plan on June 6, 2006. Adoption by participating jurisdictions is important to secure Prop 50 and other State and Federal grant funding for projects recommended by the plan.

Aspen Welcomes Fritts Golden Aboard (PDF)

Aspen was recently awarded the Outstanding Environmental Analysis Document award for 2004 by the California State Association of Environmental Professionals at its annual conference. The award was presented for the Jefferson-Martin 230 kV Transmission Project EIR. Our appreciation goes to Project Managers Susan Lee at Aspen, and Billie Blanchard at the California Public Utilities Commission. (Announcement) (Award)

• Sacramento Office Has Moved (Location)
• Grand Opening of Aspen Consulting Engineers in Phoenix