The Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism presents "Covering the Green Economy - A Western Perspective." Russ Choma provides helpful tips regarding the funding and future of green initiatives at the Los Angeles Times.

1. Funding the future of the green economy

2. Russ Choma rchoma@investigativereportingworkshop.org 202.885.3633 @russchoma

3. http://investigativereportingworkshop.org Founded in Spring 2008 by Charles Lewis and Wendell Cochran Bartlett & Steele: “America What Went Wrong” Broadband Frontline: “Flying Cheap” iLab

4. http://investigativereportingworkshop.org/investigations/wind-energy-funds-going-overseas/ Stimulus money going overseas Projects built before stimulus Lobbyists/financiers/Chinese manufacturers

5. Green Energy: Where are we at? We’re not #1. Much more serious than ever before. All about the government – very, very dependent industry. Policy and incentives.

7. Green Energy: Where are we at? Not as bleak as you might imagine. Surprisingly bi-partisan. Big Business. Lobbying – they aren’t defenseless anymore. On the federal level, the biggest news is: Continued stimulus money Renewable Energy Standard 28 states, including California already have some form.

8. Frame #1: Greenwashing “unjustified appropriation of environmental virtue” You have to parse the truth from the hype Just as true in the energy world, particularly anything involving politics, as in the grocery store.

10. Monica Potts, at American Prospect wrote a really fantastic piece about this a few months ago, and she points out the trouble of “green purpose” versus “green execution”: http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=why_call_them_green

11. Metro driver?

12. Diesel truck driver?

13. Diesel truck driver hauling a wind turbine?

17. Why? Hope Swallowed By Hype The inherent bias is that we all really want to believe in this… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6XF-gc-4VE Sheer size/technical aspects Dealing with the federal bureaucracy can be intimidating or overwhelming. Inclination to accept official or authoritative sounding word. Editors don’t want to deal with it Inaccurate Data

18. Green Energy Story In General Casual use of “green” – there are many who count nuclear as green energy because it has a low carbon footprint… is it? Near automatic acceptance of a narrative of a “green” economic revolution and the miracles it can bring. Not to say it isn’t possible, but we are very far behind and on a very slow pace. Over-promising: “To tell someone who has been making auto transmissions that they can make a gearbox for a wind turbine … is foolish. (The idea that) every automotive stamper can enter the industry – it just isn’t going to happen… it's not for everybody.” – John Colm, president GLWN

19. Confusion = good for reporters On the one hand, it means you really need to consider every statement about “green” with a critical eye. On the other hand, there are some very good stories that need to be explored… Even if Judy Cleaves isn’t representative of a sustainable positive economic trend, it doesn’t mean it isn’t an intriguing story – it just needs to be investigated.

20. Frame #2: Green Jobs & Polar Bears What is it we’re trying to accomplish? Environmental concerns? Economic concerns? Don’t always go well together Politically convenient, but it’s an alliance that is beginning to fray

21. Jerry Brown “Clean Energy Jobs Plan” “As we face the devastation to our job market caused by the mortgage meltdown and the Wall Street debacle, we need to find a way to get California working again. Investing in clean energy and increasing efficiency are central elements of rebuilding our economy. It will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, build the businesses of the 21st century, increase energy independence, and protect public health.”

22. Federal Incentives Stimulus dollars still flowing Section 1603 grants 30 percent of the cost of building After-the-fact, but no strings attached, very quick direct-deposit of cash $5.9 billion ($171 million in the month of January) 1,878 projects 259 projects/$325.8 million in California alone All 1603 grants: http://bit.ly/All1603 California 1603 grants: http://bit.ly/California1603

23. ORNI 18 LLC Geothermal plant in Brawley, Calif. (Imperial Valley) $108 million grant in August 2010 At least a $360 million project Largest geothermal project Built by a Bakersfield, Calif. Company for Ormat: http://www.pclindustrialservices.com/projects/Archived/6210069/index.aspx 50 megawatt capacity, operating far below

24. Section 1603 Fantastic resource for finding stories Bloom Box Trends Big Box Stores: http://bit.ly/bigboxstores Many more trends: http://www.slideshare.net/BizJournalism/russ-choma-stimulus-covering-the-green-economy

25. 48c Tax Credits (in brief) Actual tax credit, announced in January Competitive selection $2.3 billion, at least 38 states, 185 projects Matched by up to $5.4 billion http://bit.ly/48cTaxCreditList Many got some coverage, but not always good.

26. Other Stimulus To Follow DOE’s list of incentive programs: http://www.energy.gov/recovery/renewablefunding.htm Spreadsheet of all: http://bit.ly/AllEnergyStimulus Clean coal? Research? Energy Efficiency Block Grant Program At least a dozen Native American groups

27. Local Incentives Many of these projects hinge on getting more help – beyond the stimulus. Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency: http://www.dsireusa.org/ Pennsylvania model: State focused on supply chain. Feb. 19, 2010, state gave out $22.8 million in federal stimulus dollars to three wind farms … if they bought Gamesa turbines. What’s your state/city doing – is it competitive? Balance benefits to company with benefits to residents? Are there guarantees? Local incentives Attracting business Using government buying power

28. Renewable Portfolio Standard http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Renewables/index.htm 20 percent by 2010, and (theoretically) 33 percent by 2020 Mandates a market, huge driver Great source of information: Lots of documentation Status of RPP projects: http://bit.ly/RPS-Status In-state vs. out-of-state

29. Green Small Businesses Local incentives attract local businesses Wind and geothermal are big, solar is small Small is growing 76 percent of Section 1603 has gone to solar 83 percent of the projects in California are less than $1 million (total project cost $3 million)

30. Tip: Don’t Skip the Background Check Lots of money attracts people with checkered pasts and no experience. Atlantic City Press 1/2/2010: “Financial incentives bring renewable energy business- but not experience.” Secretary of State Websites, corporation look-ups Brief history of business, key executives, ownership, subsidiaries, linked companies, etc. Fresh Air Energy 1 LLC, EcoPlexus ProPublica: “How to run a background check on companies awarded stimulus contracts” Criminal/Tax issues Bans on contracting Workplace safety records Environmental record Lobbying records http://www.propublica.org/feature/how-to-run-a-background-check-on-companies-awarded-stimulus-contracts-520

31. Other Resources Energy Information Administration: http://www.eia.gov/electricity/data.cfm Profile of every power plant, fuel, production, energy used/energy produced, etc. http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/page/eia906_920.html FERC: Every transaction, made by every power plant: http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/eqr/data.asp California PUC: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc/ Law firms

32. Stimulus Resources Recovery.gov ProPublica’s “Eye On The Stimulus”: http://www.propublica.org/ion/stimulus USASpending.gov Renewable funding: http://www.energy.gov/recovery/renewablefunding.htm State and local programs: http://www.energy.gov/recovery/statefunding.htm “Show Me The Money; The Law of the Stimulus”: One of many primers to help fill in the background on all the funding opportunities and who can go for them. http://www.stoel.com/ShowMeTheMoney

33. Call Me @Investigative Reporting Workshop: 202.885.3633 rchoma@investigativereportingworkshop.org Twitter: russchoma Website: www.russchoma.com