[NMSEA-news] NMSEA Events and Announcements

Fri Jul 25 12:50:03 MDT 2008

Hi Solar Enthusiasts! Here are the latest events, workshops, and 
announcements.

Please see the NMSEA Event Calendar for a more complete list of events 
at http://www.nmsea.org/Events/Event_Calendar.php. If you have questions 
or comments, please contact us!   We value your input!

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*ANNOUNCEMENTS*

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***  Date change for Solar Thermal Workshop: It is now scheduled for 
August 21-24. See below.
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*Action Alert --July 25, 2008, from the Solar Energy Industries Association*

*Call your senators today and urge them to vote** *"YES" on S. 3335!****

 A vote is expected in the Senate as early as next Tuesday July 29, on 
S. 3335 the /Jobs, Energy, Families, and Disaster Relief Act of/ 
/2008/. This Act includes 8-yr extensions of the commercial and 
residential solar Investment Tax Credit, allows the credit to be used 
against the Alternative Minimum Tax, repeals the utility exemption, and 
doubles the residential cap to $4,000 among other provisions. Current 
solar credits expire at the end of this year. This bill provides over 
$115 billion in tax relief to individuals and businesses.  It also 
includes tax relief for those families and businesses affected by 
natural disasters this year. Once the Senate passes S. 3335, it will be 
inserted into HR 6049.

This is a real improvement and will renew these credits for the 
long-term! However, please ask for complete elimination of the 
residential monetary cap.

    * If your Senator voted against the ITC in the past, please express
      the urgency for an extension of the ITC and explain how critical
      an extension is to your company or the industry in general and to
      home and business owners. 
    * If your Senator voted "yes" in the past, thank them and urge them
      to continue to push for an extension of this tax credit. 

To locate your Senators' Washington phone number, go 
to http://www.senate.gov 
<http://www.seia.glmailmx04.com/util/link.jsp?e=47YNycyp8pqXJlMxZ4G3rDzMe0MMhKChnS8C6FuFHIwfGcA..A&s=4vdkjfw..A&v=58GAu0YOBAYHThisnITg4Dw..A> 
and click on your state under "Find Your Senators."  Alternatively, you 
can reach your Senators' offices through the Capitol Switchboard at 
202-225-3121.

*TALKING POINTS:*

*Not *extending solar credits is a tax increase that will cost jobs and 
*hurt* our economy.

Current solar credits spur the growth of solar energy, but will expire 
at the end of this year without this renewal.

Without the credits the industry will lose 39,400 jobs and $8 billion in 
investments: "Economic Impacts of the Tax Credit Expiration" - 
http://seia.org/Navigant_Tax_Credit_Impact.pdf 
<http://www.seia.glmailmx04.com/util/link.jsp?e=5rawdfBlylmgFNRgaGa9DV4J8ShM3GNg1xKl_oP0SXrnFRGI_grMfrHaa_7olVmuB&s=4vdkjfw..A&v=58GAu0YOBAYHThisnITg4Dw..A> 

 *Time is running out to find a bi-partisan compromise.*  It is time to 
get the job done. 

 Use the link below to see SEIA's new fact sheet on job and investment 
losses that will likely occur without an extension of this Investment 
Tax Credit:

http://seia.org/ITC%20Fact%20Sheet%206.24.08.pdf 
<http://www.seia.glmailmx04.com/util/link.jsp?e=6fVN3cfCsv93ixjEuWNZramYenwRmImp7zUDclprr-OC_d8-uYrB5gfZ3Pu47E1oo&s=4vdkjfw..A&v=58GAu0YOBAYHThisnITg4Dw..A>

The "payfors" (funding sources) for HR 6049 are these:

1.     Close a loophole that allows hedge fund managers to avoid paying 
taxes on income paid to them by tax shelters operating in the Cayman 
Islands and other off-shore tax havens. This proposal is estimated to 
raise approximately $24.3 billion over 10 years.

2.     Delays instituting a favorable accounting treatment for worldwide 
interest allocation rules that would have saved U.S. multinational 
corporations nearly $30 billion in corporate taxes over the next ten 
years compared to what they would otherwise have been required to pay. 
This provision will raise approximately $30

*Please forward this information to your company colleagues, 
family, friends, and others who support solar. **
*_________________________________________________________________________

SOLAR AND SUSTAINABLE DIRECTORY FINAL  DEADLINE

Company information/confirmations are due from those who want to 
register to be in the Solar and Sustainable Directory.  Thank you for 
those who have sent them in a timely manner. If you have not returned 
your confirmation in some way, please do so immediately.  Please contact 
us if you haven't received your confirmation form. We will publish to 
the web very soon. To list your solar and/or sustainable business in the 
printed version, register by 7/31/08.  You must submit the two-page 
application.  The necessary links are:
   http://www.nmsea.org/Directory/2008/SPD_Registration.pdf and
   http://www.nmsea.org/Directory/2008/SPD_Categories.pdf.
After 7/31, registrations will be accepted continuously, but for the web 
version, only .  Allow several weeks for your addition to our directory 
to appear on our website.
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SOLAR FIESTA DEADLINES FOR SUNPAPER ADVERTISING, TECHNICAL PAPERS, 
EXHIBITORS

AUGUST 1: Last day to *register for exhibit space*

Details can be found at:
       http://www.nmsea.org/Solar_Fiesta/Solar_Fiesta_2008/index.php
Invitation:         
http://www.nmsea.org/Solar_Fiesta/Solar_Fiesta_2008/Solar_Fiesta_Invitation.php 

Site Map:         
http://www.nmsea.org/Solar_Fiesta/Solar_Fiesta_2008/Solar_Fiesta_Site_Draft.pdf 

Price List:         
http://www.nmsea.org/Solar_Fiesta/Solar_Fiesta_2008/Solar_Fiesta_Pricing.pdf 

Registration Form:         
http://www.nmsea.org/Solar_Fiesta/Solar_Fiesta_2008/Solar_Fiesta_Registration.pdf 

AUGUST 1: Last day to *submit a paper* for the technical sessions at the 
Solar Fiesta
Ben Cho is this year's Technical Sessions Coordinator and he has issued 
a Call for Papers, which can be found here:

http://www.nmsea.org/Solar_Fiesta/Solar_Fiesta_2008/Call_for_Papers_2008.pdf. 

The Technical Sessions will be held during the Professional Track of 
workshops on Sunday 9/21.  The sessions will consist of 15-20 minute 
talks on a wide variety of technical issues related to solar and 
renewable energy.  It presents an excellent opportunity to share your 
experiences and findings with our organization, your peers and the 
technical community at large. Please submit your paper by email 
(info at nmsea.org <mailto:info at nmsea.org>) or mail to NMSEA by August 1, 
2008.  Papers should be between one and five pages including graphics 
and will be reviewed by a committee for selection to present at the 
Solar Fiesta.
For further information, contact Ben Cho, Technical Sessions Coordinator,
505-604-8539, techsessions at nmsea.org <mailto:techsessions at nmsea.org>.

AUGUST 1: Last day for *advertisements, articles, and exhibitor listing* 
in the Solar Fiesta Guide, which is the September issue of the SunPaper 
that will be distributed at the Fiesta.
Due to the longer length of the Solar Fiesta Guide and because we mail 
1000+ Guides out to members and interested folk before the Fiesta, the 
deadline for this SunPaper issue is early. Please send ads and articles 
to the office info at nmsea.org <mailto:info at nmsea.org> by 8/1/8.
_________________________________________________________________________
NOW: GREEN EXPO - STATE FAIR MARKETING OPPORTUNITY

New Mexico's Environmental Health Department (EHD) and Energy, Minerals 
and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) are collaborating on a Green 
Expo at the State Fair, Sept 5-21.  They are looking for dynamic 
exhibits showcasing the issues and tools of sustainability in the areas 
of green building, energy, water, waste, recycling and local and organic 
foods.  (Attendance throughout the Fair is not necessary.)  Marketing 
materials attached.  Use this opportunity to educate the public as well 
as promote your business.
If you have a display to offer and for more information, please contact 
New Mexico Environment Department, 505-827-2855, jill.turner at state.nm.us 
<mailto:jill.turner at state.nm.us>

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*EVENT CALENDAR*

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SATURDAY,  JULY 26 -- TOMORROW!

Wildfest 2008 by the Talking Talons: 10:00 am -- 4 PM at Roosevelt 
Middle School, Tijeras, NM. Vendors, magicians, face-painters, dancers, 
car show, Star Lab, music -- and birds of prey, reptiles, and bats!

See more information at www.talkingtalons.com 
<http://www.talkingtalons.com/> or call (505) 281-1133 x #5.

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AUGUST 14-17: CRESTONE SOLAR SCHOOL, COLORADO - SOLAR HEATING & NATURAL 
BUILDING DESIGN

4-day Workshops, taught by Paul Shippee at Crestone Solar School in 
Crestone, Colorado. See details at: http://www.crestonesolarschool.com 
$650 fee also includes workshop materials, all meals, and outdoor 
camping at the Crestone Solar School home site.

Learn innovative 21st century Solar and Natural Building technologies. 
This 4-day workshop combines the study of solar design principles with 
hands-on learning. Great for anyone serious about learning to design 
solar homes and buildings with proven alternative technologies and 
natural building techniques.  A good foundation from which to grow your 
own knowledge and apply your own interests and skills.

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AUGUST 21-24: Please notice *DATE CHANGE* for the NMSEA SOLAR THERMAL 
WORKSHOP

Chuck Marken will present our first hands-on Solar Thermal Workshop on 
*August 21-24* (Thurs-Sun). The class will cover theory, design and 
installation techniques necessary to install and maintain a solar 
domestic hot water system are the main topics. Types of systems, system 
components, safety considerations, code compliance, system sizing and 
solar collector performance in a variety of climates and applications 
will be addressed. The workshop will also address the NABCEP thermal 
task analysis and include information extracted from the NABCEP thermal 
candidate's handbook.
Non-Members - $500; Members - $450.
Breakfast is included, but students are responsible for their own lunch. 
 Minimum of 14 students. Maximum of 28 students. Pre-registration and 
pre-payment are required and are now being accepted.
For further information or registration, see: 
http://www.nmsea.org/Workshops/thermal_workshop.php or contact our 
office (info above).

_________________________________________________________________________

AUGUST 30: NMSEA BIODIESEL WORKSHOP
James Burgess and Eric Chrisp will once again present their hands-on 
Biodiesel Workshop on Saturday, August 30, 9:00am to 5pm, in 
Albuquerque.  Biodiesel 101 covers sourcing oil, economic and ecologic 
pros and cons, preferred vehicles, how to make your own biodiesel 
processor for under $400, how to brew on a small or medium scale, how to 
test oil quality, safety issues, washing fuel, politics, and much, much 
more!
Non-Members - $110; Members - $99.
Lunch is included (please inform us about dietary restrictions). Minimum 
of 6 students. Maximum of 15
students. Pre-registration and pre-payment required. For further 
information or registration, see:  
http://www.nmsea.org/Workshops/biodiesel_workshop.php or contact the 
NMSEA office (info above).

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NEW MEXICO SOLAR ENERGY ASSOCIATION

1009 Bradbury Dr. SE, # 35, Albuquerque, NM 87106

505-246-0400, 888-886-6765, Fax: 505-246-2251

info at nmsea.org <mailto:info at nmsea.org> www.nmsea.org <http://www.nmsea.org/>

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