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November 30, 2007
2007 Cools, Set to be 6th Warmest Year on Record
This year is set to be the sixth warmest since records
began 150 years ago, cooler than earlier predicted which means a slight
respite for European ski resorts or bears trying to hibernate. "2007
will likely be near equal with 2006, so joint sixth warmest year," Phil
Jones, head of the Climatic Research Unit at Britain's University of
East Anglia, told Reuters.
A dozen states sue EPA over TRI program changes
A dozen states are suing the U.S. EPA over changes to the Toxics Release
Inventory program that they say reduce the public´s access to information
about toxic chemicals in their communities.
Acta Deal Brings Hydrogen Fuel 10 Years Closer
Acta says a transport system fuelled by hydrogen is a decade closer
after striking a deal with an Asian firm, described by the UK chemicals
company as one of the world's largest corporations and which analysts say is
a carmaker.
Allstate gives green energy handout
Allstate Insurance Co. is donating enough green energy to power the
equivalent of 2,000 homes in Texas for an entire year.
Analyzing Energy Sector Security Preparedness
In terms of the U.S. energy sector's readiness to block
attacks by cyber terrorists and domestic hackers, there is some good
news. Overall, most of the nation's oil and gas refineries are moving
quickly to repel attempts to disrupt their operations.
Asian Nations Face 'Unprecedented' Water Crisis - ADB
Developing countries in Asia could face an
"unprecedented" water crisis within a decade due to mismanagement of
water resources, the Asian Development Bank said in a report on
Thursday.
Bingaman Wants Action on Energy-- Sen. Says Congress Lags Behind Public
Oil is tickling $100 a barrel, gasoline has parked itself above $3 a gallon,
the latest polls show the public is impatient for action on climate change,
and Jeff Bingaman sounds frustrated.
Biodiesel Could Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Biodiesel can be manufactured from any product containing fatty acids,
such as vegetable oil or animal fats....“The results of this study show biodiesel has the potential to reduce
emissions from the transport industry, which is the third largest producer
of greenhouse gases in Australia, behind stationary energy generation and
agriculture,” Dr Beer said.
Carbon-neutral Hydrogen on the Horizon
Hydrogen as an everyday, environmentally friendly
fuel source may be closer than we think, say Penn State researchers.
China Says Will Curb Emissions if Gets Tech Help
China would "definitely do more" to cut its contribution
to climate change if rich nations were willing to share clean energy
technologies, its chief climate negotiator Yu Qingtai told Reuters on
Thursday.
China Sets Guidelines for Coal Projects
China has drawn up guidelines for new coal projects, the
latest move to control expansion, raise efficiency and cut emissions by
the industry, the country's top planning body said on Thursday.
Climate Change May Cost Florida US$345 Bln a Yr - Study
If nothing is done to combat global warming, two of
Florida's nuclear power plants, three of its prisons and 1,362 hotels,
motels and inns will be under water by 2100, a study released Wednesday
said.
Climate Change to Take Heavy Toll on Bangladesh - UN
Disaster-prone Bangladesh is among the countries most
vulnerable to climate change, which could worsen water scarcity and
force mass displacement, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
Coal Use Rises Dramatically Despite Impacts on Climate and Health
In 2006, coal accounted for 25 percent of world primary energy supply. Due to its high carbon content, coal was responsible for
approximately 40 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil
fuels, despite supplying only 32 percent of fossil fuel energy.
Management of this plentiful but heavily polluting energy resource has
tremendous implications for human welfare, the health of ecosystems, and
the stability of the global climate.
Coal-fired power plants are opposed-- 7 proposed or being considered in
Michigan
While Gov. Jennifer Granholm is in California hawking Michigan's
capabilities as a center of new energy technology, seven new coal-fueled
power plants are formally proposed or under serious discussion in Michigan.
Company to build 316,000 square foot wind turbine manufacturing facility
After installing a record 2,454 megawatts of new wind capacity in 2006, the
wind power industry is set to break that mark by installing some 4,000
megawatts this year, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
Concentrated Solar Power technology
Concentrated Solar Power technology isn't new. But its
time has come. Already - we have proof that the sun's energy can supply
homes and businesses with all the power they need... pollution free.
Nevada Solar One in Las Vegas and PS10 in Seville are only the start of
the CSP revolution.
ConocoPhillips submits proposal for Alaska gas pipeline project
ConocoPhillips on Friday said it has submitted a proposal to Alaska on
construction of a pipeline that would transport some 4 Bcf/d of natural gas
production from the North Slope of Alaska to Canada and the Lower 48 states.
Consumers
Right to the Sun
Solar access laws, a topic generally relegated to the
province of attorneys and feuding neighbors, establish certain rights
for homeowners and businesses to use sunlight to generate solar thermal
or solar electric energy.
Continental Grid Vision Needed
Imagine no electricity existed in the United States. Suddenly, a lab
discovers the utility of coursing electrons, and the age of electricity is
launched. Assume we immediately learned everything we now know about how to
generate electricity using the sun, wind, nuclear power, hydropower, natural
gas, geothermal resources and coal.
County might enter wind power market
Hoping to cut costs and balance its contributions to global warming, Clark
County's government is thinking about dipping a toe into the growing wind
power business.
Crude prices to slide over next 2 years-- India's CRISIL Research
India's CRISIL Research said Friday that it expects crude oil prices to
progressively fall over the next two years, barring any sharp drop in the
dollar.
DOE 'reaching out' to refiners post-Enbridge; SPR could be tapped
The US Energy Department is "reaching out to refiners" in the Midwest to
assess their supply needs, and is prepared to offer assistance in the wake
of
the explosion Wednesday on the Enbridge Pipeline system, according to a
department spokeswoman.
Does the Electricity You Use Demolish Mountains?
A new Web-based tool allows U.S. residents to learn how
their local electricity consumption may be linked to the destruction of
landscapes in the Appalachia region of the eastern United States.
Don't Judge A Brook By Its Color -- Brown Waters Are More Natural
Over the last 20 years, lakes and streams in remote parts of the UK,
southern Scandinavia and eastern North America have been increasingly
stained brown by dissolved organic carbon leaching from catchment soils. In
this week’s ‘Nature’ an international team, led by researchers from UCL and
the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), demonstrates that the colour
change is indicative of a return to a more natural, pre-industrial state
following a decline in the level of acid rain.
Drilling for Success
Union Drilling says that its natural gas drilling fleet
consists of 71 land-based rigs. It is predicting business will boom in all
of its service territories from the Appalachian Basin through the Arkoma
Basin in Arkansas and Oklahoma and into the Forth Worth Basin -- all
containing rich sources of conventional and unconventional natural gas.
Efficiency Could Cut Growth in U.S. Energy Use in Half
An aggressive pursuit of energy efficiency in the United
States over the next 18 years could cut the nation's growth in energy
use by 50% or more, according to a new report.
Elections down under give renewables cause for cheer
Australia's prime minister-elect, Kevin Rudd, is to back
up an election promise to make climate change a priority, thus marking a
major sea change in the country's attitude towards fighting global
warming.
Energy bill talks deadline arrives
Talks in the House and Senate over a compromise on fuel economy increases
inched forward Tuesday toward today's deadline set by House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi for finishing work on an overall energy bill.
EPA Announces 2008 Renewable Fuels Standard
Today, the EPA is setting a new renewable fuels standard (RFS)
of 4.66 percent to meet the 2005 Energy Policy Act's mandate that at
least 5.4 billion gallons of renewable fuels be blended into
transportation gasoline in 2008.
EPA Continues Success At Hazardous Waste Sites
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continued to
achieve cleanup progress at the nation's most complex hazardous waste
sites during the past year. Superfund, the federal government program
that cleans up these sites, completed work at 24 sites during fiscal
year 2007 for a cumulative 1,030 sites with construction work completed.
Sixty-four sites were made ready for redevelopment by local communities.
EPA Seeks to Cut International Ship Emissions
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued
plans for new emission standards for diesel engines on board large
ocean-going vessels.
Global biofuels industry slowing on prices, overcapacity-- report
The global biofuels industry has seen a slowdown in growth over the third
quarter of 2007, caused by rising feedstock prices and a rapid expansion in
capacity that may outstrip demand, according to an Ernst & Young report
released Friday.
Google Aims for Renewable Energy Priced Below Coal
Google Inc said on Tuesday it plans to spend hundreds of
millions of dollars to help drive down the cost of electricity made from
renewable energy below the price of coal.
Grand Rapids approves largest renewable energy buy
The city commission approved a resolution, Nov. 27, to enroll in
Consumers Energy’s Green Generation program. The move will allow the city to
meet its goal of getting 20 percent of its electricity from Michigan-based
renewable source by the end of 2008.
Hurricane Season - Mild for US But Not the Rest
For a second year in a row, the United States has
escaped a severe hurricane hit, pushing memories of Hurricane Katrina
and the flooding of New Orleans another notch into the past.
But for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, the 2007 hurricane
season ending on Friday has hardly been benign.
Iceland Opens Hydrogen Filling Station to Public
Iceland made its hydrogen filling station, the world's
first when it opened to serve buses four years ago, available for use by
private cars on Wednesday.
Inbox 112907
Pollyanna, Meet Cassandra: At the risk of being
branded one of Them -- i.e., a global warming alarmist
("Wall of water! Run for your life!") -- I must say
this little interactive Web thingie intrigues me.
Investors Bet on China's Clean Energy Race
Beijing-based clean energy investors are enlisting
foreign and local interest, as financiers show increasing faith in
China's ability to meet tough goals to clean up its coal-based economy.
Legislators, Environmental Leaders Join Santa in Call for Legislative
Action on Energy Before Winter Break
"Too little has been done on energy policy in 2007, and our energy problems
are getting more serious every month. Funding renewable energy, supporting
biofuels, boosting energy conservation, and cutting peak electricity demands
with smart meters have been discussed and debated since February, but so
far, no action," said Heather Sage, director of outreach for PennFuture.
Major switch for solar energy-- Researchers investigate use of
carbon-based materials to produce cheaper energy
In a small physics lab on the uptown campus of the University at Albany,
researchers are trying to develop a new type of solar-electric cell that
will be cheaper -- and more flexible -- than a traditional solar cell made
from silicon. ..The organic solar cells are made of alternatives to silicon such as polymers
or plastics.
Major Threat-- Compulsory Vaccination
For a while, many of us were able to convince ourselves
that compulsory vaccination (for Bird Flu, as an example) was a long way
off in the future. Mandatory vaccination of kids, in direct violation of
the law, arrived last week, complete with police and their dogs...
More Than 1 Billion Trees Planted in 2007 - UN
The world has surpassed a UN goal of planting 1 billion
trees in 2007 to help slow climate change, led by huge forestry projects
in Ethiopia and Mexico, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said on Wednesday.
Nuke to the Future
The portable nuclear reactor is the size of a hot tub. It’s shaped like a
sake cup, filled with a uranium hydride core and surrounded by a hydrogen
atmosphere. Encase it in concrete, truck it to a site, bury it
underground, hook it up to a steam turbine and, voila, one would generate
enough electricity to power a 25,000-home community for at least five years.
NYMEX crude falls below $90b on technical considerations
30Nov2007--NYMEX's front-month crude futures on the CME's Globex system were
$1.48/barrel lower at $89.53/barrel Friday with technical considerations
pushing prices through key support levels.
Only One Month Left for Consumers to Capitalize on Home Energy
Efficiency Improvement Tax Credit
U.S. homeowners have just one month to utilize a soon-to-expire federal tax
credit aimed at encouraging home energy efficiency. The tax credit, created
by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, allows for a tax credit of up to 10
percent of the cost of materials for certain home improvements, including
installing ENERGY STAR®-qualified windows, attic insulation or air sealing
products. This part of the act, which offers a tax credit of up to $500 per
household, was not extended by Congress this year.
Pa. landfill to harvest methane gas daily
"When completed, this plant will prevent the equivalent of 39,000 tons of
carbon dioxide emissions each year. That´s equal to removing 53,000 cars
from the road or planting 76,000 acres of new forest," said Kurt Zwerko,
vice president of PPL Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of PPL Corp.
Planting Carbon Deep In The Earth -- Rather Than The Greenhouse
Storing carbon dioxide deep below the earth’s surface could be a safe,
long-term solution to one of the planet’s major contributors to climate
change.
University of Leeds research shows that porous sandstone, drained of oil
by the energy giants, could provide a safe reservoir for carbon dioxide.
Probability of Bank Default Hits 1987 Crash Levels
Brace for bank defaults: The money market is
sending up warning signals.
Quote of the
Day 113007
"Interest is purely centered on the explosion this
morning," said a London-based broker. "If it hadn't happened the market
would have come off some more, as it was looking pretty fragile last night."
Crude futures prices
soared Thursday
Senators oppose nuclear waste shipments
Two state senators want to block shipments of Italian nuclear waste through
South Carolina -- and they've asked congressional leaders for help.
U.S. GHG generation dropped in 2006
U.S. generated greenhouse gas emissions dropped 1.5 percent in 2006, only
the third annual decline since 1990.
US closer to target with new renewable fuel standard
An updated renewable fuels standard issued by the EPA for next year
pushes the country closer to reaching a mandatory 7.5 billion gallon target
by 2012.
US could cut GHG emissions up to 50pct at 'manageable' cost-- study
The US could reduce projected 2030 emissions of greenhouse gases by
one-third to one-half at a "manageable" cost to the economy and without
requiring big changes in consumer lifestyles...
US Energy Bill continues to hang in the balance
According to Monique Hanis of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA),
the situation on the ground is "still fluid", as all parties try to pull
something together that can be passed. And Hanis indicates that all isn't
lost, as officials at Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office say that
the RPS and tax provisions are still "in play" at this stage, though Hanis
herself believes the chance of the Energy Bill passing at all by December 21
is only "50/50".
US Weather
Commentary 112807
Compendium of recent questions.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 113007
•Crude futures prices soared Thursday after a pipeline
exporting close to 2 million b/d of crude and products from Canada to the US
was shut down by an explosion. Front-month WTI on NYMEX rose by more than
$4/barrel on news of the incident, taking prices back above $95/b after the
sharp falls earlier in the week.
Where Does Stored Nuclear Waste Go?
Millions of gallons of hazardous waste resulting from the nation’s
nuclear weapons program lie in a remote location in southeastern Washington
state called Hanford. Beneath this desert landscape about two million curies
of radioactivity and hundreds of thousands of tons of chemicals are captured
within the stratified vadose zone below which gives rise to complex
subsurface flow paths. These paths create uncertainties about where the
contaminants go and what happens to them.
Wind Power Helps Texas Move Past Oil
Texas, long the traditional home of the oil
industry in the U.S. has begun to make its presence felt in the renewable
energy market as well. In 2007, more than one gigawatt of wind energy
capacity has been installed in Texas and the state now accounts for nearly
30% of the nation's wind production.
November 27, 2007
Australia, India in $1B coal deal
The Australian company Theiss Leighton has signed a $1.3 billion agreement
to develop a coal mine in the Indian state of Jharkhand.
Bankruptcy Filings Jump 40 Percent Over 2006
The 623,399 U.S. bankruptcies filed during the first nine months of 2007
represented a 40 percent increase over the 444,789 cases filed over the same
period in 2006, according to data released by the Administrative Office of
the U.S. Courts.
Biomass holds promise but obstacles remain
Biomass one day may power our homes and fuel our vehicles through the use of
organic materials such as wood chips, stalks and leftover plant materials
from farmers' crops, waste materials and grasses. But when that may happen
on a large scale and when the process becomes more refined and
cost-effective is another question.
Britain to build the world's biggest biomass plant
The massive expansion of the UK's renewables sector continues apace today as
consent is granted, by the Energy Secretary John Hutton, for a 350MW
wood-chipped fuelled electricity generating plant in Port Talbot, south
Wales.
Canada awards $1.1M for energy projects
The Canadian government is investing in solar energy, awarding $1.1 million
for projects promoting photovoltaic and solar thermal power technologies.
Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight into electricity. Solar thermal
technology uses the sun's energy to heat air for space heating.
Carbon Dioxide at Record High, Stoking Warming - WMO
Levels of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas
emitted by burning fossil fuels, hit a record high in the atmosphere in
2006, accelerating global warming, the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) said on Friday.
Carbon Price Vital But Inadequate in Climate Crisis
Achieving a high and stable price for carbon is vital
but inadequate on its own in the bid to beat climate change, British
business leaders said in a far reaching report published on Monday.
China Considers National Strategy to Boost Rural Energy Development
The Chinese government is drafting a new rural energy strategy to boost
energy development in the vast rural regions where some 10 million people in
remote areas are still suffering from energy poverty, according to the
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in China.
Coal plant rejection expected to dominate session
Lawrence lawmakers expect the Legislature will spend a lot of time fighting
about two rejected coal-fired electric plants in western Kansas.
"I think we will deal with it the entire session," said state Rep. Barbara
Ballard.
Coal Plants Not Needed, Group Says
Nevada utilities do not need to build coal-fired power plants to meet the
state's growing demand for electricity at relatively low prices, a recently
released study suggests.
"There is a high likelihood that energy alternatives (to coal) would satisfy
Nevada's demands for future energy with lower costs and lower risks for
ratepayers," said Ernie Niemi,..
Council eyes cut in emissions-- Climate plan would start with city
employees
The Palo Alto Climate Protection Plan calls for a 15 percent total reduction
in greenhouse gas emissions, starting with the city's employees and
departments cutting the first 5 percent by July 2009.
Crude futures weaken for second day, WTI and Brent down over $1/b
Global crude futures weakened significantly Tuesday as trading patterns dragged the complex down, extending Monday's sell off, market sources said.
Disasters Quadruple Over Last 20 Years - Oxfam
From an average of 120 disasters a year in the early 1980s, there are now as
many as 500, with Oxfam attributing the rise to unpredictable weather
conditions cause by global warming.
EC considers new rules on the transport of radioactive materials
The EC is considering new rules on the transport of radioactive materials.
The
European Commission launched an "impact assessment" November 26, starting
with
a public consultation, which could lead to the adoption of new rules
intended
to simplify the legal framework governing transports.
EC says EU-15 emissions cuts will get close to 2008-2012 target
The European Commission forecast Tuesday that EU-15 emissions will reach
just short of the collective target of 8% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012
through measures already in place, but additional measures will allow the
region to meet its target.
France imports 'record levels' of power on nuclear outages-- report
France imported "massive" levels of power to make up for a shortfall in
nuclear power production in the country during October and the start of
November, according to a report Monday.
From military might to wind power-- Former submarine manufacturing plant
now turns out windmill towers
A mammoth building that once produced deadly machines of war is now being
used to make peaceful machines of conservation.
Green roofs in nation´s capital draw praise
Two new green roofs on municipal buildings in the nation´s capital are
drawing praise for reducing stormwater runoff and offering job training for
area youth.
"We are setting an example that hopefully will inspire others to follow,"
Mayor Adrian Fenty...
High Oil Prices Challenge Policymakers
- Geopolitical risk, disrupted supply, weak
dollar, capacity limits are influences
- Could boost inflation, roil monetary
policy, hit low-income countries
- Further price shocks could have
significant negative impact on growth
Hydrogen Car Targeting US Market
Honda will start marketing its new hydrogen- powered car in North America in
about six months.
Inbox 112707
Sign of the Times: The
Ecology Center in Ann
Arbor, Mich., has announced that next Wednesday, Dec. 5,
it will release a Consumer Guide to Nontoxic Toys, timed
to coincide with the Christmas shopping season.
Indiana approves new commercial coal gas power plant
Indiana utility regulators have given the thumbs up to what could be the
first U.S. commercial-scale coal gasification power plant built in the last
decade.
Lohrmann International Recycles Power Plants
Most of the equipment used in the conventional power generation
industry, such as steam turbines, generators, insulators, is also relevant
to renewable energy plants.
New Iran trade sanctions causing banking issues in petchem trade
Global discussions on tougher trade sanctions against Iran have created
some hurdles to petrochemical trade with the Middle Eastern state, industry
sources in Asia said Tuesday.
New nuclear could have a role to play in UK-- PM Gordon Brown
According to the text of his speech on the PM's website, Brown said: "We
have said that new nuclear power stations potentially have a role to play in
tackling climate change and improving energy security.
Not easy being green
Bernie Shapiro, a retired UMass Lowell math professor, doesn't consider
himself a zealous global-warming activist.
Still, his house in Lowell's Highlands neighborhood tells a different story.
Nuclear power plant plan loses backer-- State lawmaker doesn't see
enough support for ban-lifting legislation
A Republican state lawmaker has abandoned his pursuit of a ballot initiative
that would have lifted the state's decades-old ban on nuclear power plants.
NYMEX crude pares gains as US dollar rebounds
The US dollar had approached its all-time low of 74.484, hit November 23,
but rebounded back above 75.00.
Oil not far away from 'shock' prices, say analysts
Crude oil futures hit fresh trading highs once again last week and moved
close to the kinds of levels that could recreate the economic shocks of the
1970s, after adjusting the price of oil for inflation.
Possible Effects of $100 Oil Revisited in S&P's Special Report
As oil prices climb toward $100 per barrel, will consumers, airlines, and
chemical companies foot the bill? In a special report published last week,
titled "$100 Oil Revisited," Standard & Poor's Ratings Services looks at the
effects of higher oil prices across several industry sectors.
PSU to
study Kanzius invention
Another team of researchers at yet another
major university will work full time on John Kanzius' external
radio-wave generator.
"I think this device will yield a gold mine of scientific material,"
said Rustum Roy, Ph.D., director and founder of Penn State's Materials
Research Laboratory and worldwide expert on the structure of water.
Quote of the
Day 112707
"Each time it looked like it would go for $100/b [on WTI],
it was just sold into," said a London-based trader.
"It is very hard to
tell what will happen in the $98-$99/b range. It is just being slapped
around." The January NYMEX WTI contract has lost over $2.50/barrel since
trading started on Monday morning. The front month NYMEX WTI contract has
breached the $98/b level five times since November 8 and twice moved past
$99/b in the last week, but has yet to hit $100/b.
Renewable fuel refinery planned in Louisiana
Tyson will supply animal fat and other agricultural byproducts to produce
renewable fuels that are cleaner burning than fossil fuels. Syntroleum will
contribute the proprietary technology and refining experience.
Rising crude eats into petrochemical sector profits
The recent run up in the price of crude, which has pushed prices in the
entire petrochemical market to record levels, looked set to continue in the
near future.
Scientists Urge US$2-3 Billion Study of Ocean Health
"This is not pie in the sky ... it can be done," said Tony Haymet, director
of the US Scripps Institution of Oceanography and chairman of the
Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans (POGO).
Taking
Swipes at Nuclear Power It is election season and the rhetoric in the air may not be healthy
for the nuclear industry. The sector is getting it from all sides, with some
on the right arguing that too many subsidies exist while some on the left
are saying it is still unsafe.
The Next Big Credit Storm, Consumer Debt
A lot of people are saying that it is going to happen but a lot of those
people do not understand that it’s already happening. After the subprime
crisis subsides, it’s becoming more and more likely that credit card debt
will become the next big thing dominating the finance headlines.
The power of multiples-- Connecting wind farms can make a more reliable
- and cheaper - power source
Baseload power is the amount of steady and reliable electric power
that is constantly being produced, typically by power plants, regardless of
the electricity demand. But interconnecting wind farms with a transmission
grid reduces the power swings caused by wind variability and makes a
significant portion of it just as consistent a power source as a coal power
plant.
The
Recession Debate Continues
The voices chanting ‘recession’ are thundering throughout Wall Street and it
appears as if the screams are getting louder and louder with every passing
day. But how valid is the information being spewed?
Thermoenergetics-- Can Hydraulics Reverse Entropy?
The idea of entropy, of the constant and irreversible
winding down of the universe, was introduced with the second law of
thermodynamics...Once expended, energy is said to be lost forever in
that giant heat sink, which we imagine the vast reaches of the universe
to be. ..entropy - is only part of the picture. Entropy has a
complementary phase, which we designated syntropy".
Tucson firm has plan for towers to suck up CO2
A Tucson firm thinks it may have the answer to global warming: millions of
carbon-dioxide-sucking towers that would allow us to merrily burn fossil
fuel without killing the planet.
UK Government-- New report highlights essential role of renewable energy
generation in achieving zero carbon homes
A new report from the Renewables Advisory Board (RAB),
which advises Government on renewable energy issues, provides the first
in depth analysis of the role of on site energy generation in the
delivery of the Government's policy of ensuring that all new homes are
zero carbon from 2016.
Utah May Get Nuclear Waste From Italy
EnergySolutions Inc. wants to bring less than 1,600 tons of low- level
nuclear waste from Italy to its disposal landfill at Clive, Tooele County.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 112607
•-Global crude futures strengthened significantly
Monday, after a strong finish last Friday lent a bullish tone to the start
of the week and left the market within striking distance of $100/barrel for
WTI.
•"It is the final push towards $100,
especially when the US comes in," said a London-based analyst.
•In the background the dollar slipped against other currencies, while
commodities, such as gold, continued to perform strongly across the board.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 112707
•Crude futures weakened significantly
Tuesday as trading patterns dragged the complex down, extending Monday's
sell off, market sources said.
•Market participants said that the
latest sell off was driven just by trading strategies rather than in
response to any change in fundamentals or new headlines.
Wind Farm
Draws More Appeals
CONTACT ENERGY has lodged an appeal on the Project Hayes wind farm to try
and push for a transmission upgrade to prevent electricity "spilling" from
the grid.
Wind farm project under way at Mount Storm-- 122 turbines will create
electricity
Within sight of the stacks of the coalfired Mount Storm Power Plant in Grant
County, on land already mined for coal, a new energy source is rising.
It is the largest wind farm now under construction in West Virginia...
Wind turbines sprout from roofs of Cape Cod, Mass., convenience stores
Motorists passing from Hyannis into West Yarmouth will notice a new addition
to the roof of the gas island at Christy's Market just over the border.
The store is the first of the 15 on Cape Cod owned by convenience store
magnate Christy Mihos to sport a trio of small wind turbines. Similar
9-foot-high turbines are planned for nine other stores.
World must fix climate in less than 10 years-- U.N.
Unless the international community agrees to cut carbon
emissions by half over the next generation, climate change is likely to
cause large-scale human and economic setbacks and irreversible
ecological catastrophes, a United Nations report says on Tuesday.
November 23, 2007
Asia's LPG importers need to pay up for freight-- shipping giant
Asia's LPG importing giants like Japan, South Korea and China need to
stop complaining about relatively high freight rates and get used to paying
higher costs, the world's single largest operator of refrigerated LPG
shipping
told an industry conference in Dubai late Monday.
Attacking Global Warming; N.J. Could Penalize Utilities That Pollute
New Jersey's lawmakers are poised to impose new pollution penalties on
power companies the first step in determining who pays for contributing to
global warming and who profits from preventing it.
Biofuels-- Could the Cure Be Worse Than the Disease?
If you've been keeping tabs on the world of
biofuels then you know some of the controversial claims: biofuels often have
a lackluster environmental performance; energy crops compete with food crops
and are driving up food prices; renewable fuels will only be able to put a
small dent in our fossil fuel use.
Capital Needs of the U.S. Renewable Fuels Industry
According to John Urbanchuck, a leading analyst of the biofuels industry
and author of the report, the capital cost to meet the 36 billion gallon
renewable fuels target by 2022 amounts to $105.5 billion (2007 dollars).
The report looks at the contribution of capital to the renewable fuels
industry by the Farm Credit System.
Central Oregon company is set to market human-powered hybrid car
According to an official with HumanCar, the company is building prototypes
of a zero-emissions car that uses a push-pull hand mechanism -- think of the
railroad handcars of old -- and regenerative braking to provide power to
batteries that drive dual electric motors.
China Wants Rich Nations to Take Lead in Climate Talks
China wants next month's international talks on global
warming to focus on future greenhouse gas cuts by rich countries and
moving more "clean" technology to poor countries, an official said on
Thursday.
Crude futures weaker as dollar recovers from lows against euro
Crude futures weakened Friday with market players using the strengthening
US dollar as a reason to lighten positions, traders said.
Driving Hybrid Buses
Dozens of cities and school districts are getting good marks for
implementing hybrid buses that run on both diesel and electricity. In doing
so, they are helping to commercialize a technology that proponents say will
save fuel costs and prevent the release of harmful emissions.
East Asia Summit Declaration on Climate Change
The EAS includes the 10 Southeast Asian members of ASEAN plus China, Japan,
Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. The declaration does not include
numerical targets for the reduction of emissions, but includes some of the
world's largest polluters.
Eight senators seek cut in GNEP funding
...the lawmakers said
they had "significant concerns" about GNEP, a DOE effort to develop new
kinds
of reprocessing plants and fast reactors.
EU to Propose Renewable Energy Goal Based on GDP
EU countries' gross domestic product will partially determine how much they
will have to contribute to an EU target to have 20 percent of the bloc's
energy use come from renewable sources such as wind or solar power by 2020,
an official said.
EU to require biofuels cut emissions 10%
Leaders from the 27-nation bloc agreed in March to set a binding target for
biofuels to make up at least 10 percent of petrol and diesel used by
vehicles by 2020, a big rise from current levels of about 1.5 percent.
Global System Will Slash Cyclone Deaths - Scientist
A new global earth observation system being constructed
will help reduce deaths in cyclones like one which just ravaged
Bangladesh, a scientist at the heart of the programme said on Wednesday.
History shows climate changes led to war
Global warming is one of the most significant threats
facing humankind, researchers warned, as they unveiled a study showing
how climate changes in the past led to famine, wars and population
declines.
In Energy Sector, Renewables Get Less Federal Support
A report from the Government Accountability Office
(GAO) comparing federal electricity subsidies by fuel type shows that
renewables such as wind still get only a small share of the overall
subsidies awarded to the energy sector.
India to become third largest oil importer before 2025
India is set to become the world's third largest oil importer after the
US and China before 2025, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
India, China Sign Deal to Stabilise Greenhouse Gases
Leaders of Asian countries, including top polluters
India and China, on Wednesday signed an agreement that aims to stabilise greenhouses
gas emissions.
Indiana Utility Regulators Approve Duke Energy Clean Coal Power Plant
"In the Midwest, coal is plentiful and low-cost, and
finding ways to burn it cleanly is fundamental to meeting our customers'
demand for power," said Duke Energy Indiana President Jim Stanley.
Latin America still lags behind Asia despite 5% GDP growth-- S&P
Despite a respectable GDP growth rate of 5% for 2007 in Latin America,
many other emerging market countries have grown faster and modernized their
economies at a more impressive rate in recent decades, according to a new
report issued by Standard & Poor's.
Maine committee votes to reduce global warming A joint committee of the Massachusetts legislature has voted in
favor of legislation that would require the state to drastically reduce its
global warming pollution.
The legislation, approved Nov. 16 by the Joint Committee on Environment,
Natural Resources and Agriculture, would require the state to cut is global
warming pollution to 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent
below 1990 levels by 2050.
Nevada Coal Power Costlier Than Renewable-- Study
Nevada will likely save money and surely cut pollution
if it goes for renewable power instead of building three huge coal power
plants as proposed, an independent economic consultancy said on Tuesday.
Nevada, plant developers agree to carbon capture add-ons MOU
Three power plant developers late Tuesday signed a deal with Nevada to
install carbon dioxide capture and sequestration equipment on proposed
coal-fired projects in the state as soon as the technology is available at a
cost-effective price.
New Tools Make Understanding Air Quality Easier Than Ever
Ever used your computer to "fly" through the mountains,
or zoom in on a satellite picture of your house? Now you can use the
same technology to learn more about emissions and air quality across the
country and where you live.
Ontario Is North America's Hot Spot For Solar Energy
A program that will provide businesses with up to $80,000 to install solar
heating systems is the latest tool Ontario is using to become North
America's leader in solar power.
Output uptick could spell bearish 2008 for US gas prices-- Analyst
US publicly traded gas and oil companies showed a 2% year-over-year
increase in gas production in the third quarter, painting "a far more
bearish
picture for the natural gas market" than has been the case in previous
quarters, analysts with Raymond James and Associates said Monday.
Program discounts solar for the poor-- Critics say getting details to
low-income Californians will be tough
The cost of going solar just dropped for some low-income California
families.
Public Invited to Comment on Revised Plan to Reduce Nutrients from 31
States to Mississippi River
Those excess nutrients impair waterways throughout the
states and result in an annual "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.
Quote of the
Day 112307
Crude prices at $106/barrel and above, if sustained for a
year, will likely erode world oil demand, top analysts at Societe Generale
said Friday. The figure is today's equivalent of price levels reached during
the second oil shock, the heads of commodity research and oil research at
SocGen, Frederic Lasserre and Mike Wittner, told Platts in Singapore.
An "oil burden
index" that the analysts evolved using the oil bill as a percentage of
nominal GDP showed $85/b at today's price, accounting for the efficiency
gains of the past 30 years, was the "beginning of pain" and corresponded
with the first oil price shock.
Ramirez says OPEC will consider oil currency basket
Venezuela's oil minister said OPEC is considering a currency basket to
price the oil produced by its member countries -- a discussion they will
take up in their upcoming meeting.
"That is a proposal we're looking at," Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez told
Regulators plan crackdown on oil polluters in Gulf of Mexico
State and federal regulators in Louisiana are preparing to crack down on
oil industry pollution in the Gulf of Mexico under a new initiative that may
herald a shift in the way environmental laws are enforced there and in other
parts of the Gulf.
Renewables, gas-fired power to drive Europe's plant growth-- SG
Europe's installed electricity generation capacity is set to grow by 2% a
year to 2010, with renewables (15.7%/yr) and gas-fired power plants
(6.6%/yr) driving the growth...
Report calls for moratorium on building coal plants; health risk cited
A new report states that a proposed 750-megawatt
coal-fired power plant in northeast Waterloo could jeopardize the health
of thousands of people living or working in or near Waterloo's northeast
industrial area, including employees f the city's two largest
manufacturers, John Deere and Tyson.
Respect all creation, speaker says
Religion must move beyond the tendency to isolate itself from science and
politics if humans are to ever fully appreciate and preserve the Earth and
all of creation, according to a local religious leader.
Rising tides intensify non-volcanic tremor in Earth's crust
For more than a decade geoscientists have detected what
amount to ultra-slow-motion earthquakes under Western Washington and
British Columbia on a regular basis, about every 14 months...Now
University of Washington researchers have found evidence that these
slow-slip events are actually affected by the rise and fall of ocean
tides.
Rockfeller Center tree with be really, really green
The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York will be green,
really green, for the first time this year.
Russia May Ban River Oil Shipments After Spill
Russia will limit oil products shipments by river in
2008 after a fuel oil spill from a river barge in the Kerch Strait this
month caused damage estimated at US$267 million, officials said on
Wednesday.
Russia-China alliance renews call to create oil and gas club
An alliance led by Russia and China renewed its call to tie regional oil
and gas producers into an "energy club," an idea likely to irritate the West
in its fight for a firmer footing in the region.
Scientists monitoring area around coal train wreck
Scientists at the Anacostia Watershed Society are monitoring water
quality and environmental conditions around the wreckage of a freight train
that derailed on Nov. 9 dumping more than 600 tons of coal into the
Anacostia River in Washington, D.C.
Sierra Pacific helps test system to cut pollutants
Public controversy over coal-fired power plants has focused on carbon
dioxide emissions, which scientists say leads to global warming.
Sierra Pacific Resources, however, has helped the industry test technology
that reduces coal-plant pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide
that can cause public health problems and contribute to acid rain and higher
levels of mercury, which can damage human brains, kidneys and fetuses.
State, auto industry face off in court over greenhouse gas law
California's epic battle with the world's automakers over global warming
neared a climax in a courtroom here Monday.
Steel Says Credit Crunch Coincides With ‘Healthy’ US Economy
As you know, we are experiencing a period of adjustment in the housing and
mortgage markets. Fortunately, this market stress is occurring against a
backdrop of healthy U.S. fundamentals and a strong global economy. Yet, as
Secretary Paulson has said, the housing decline is the most significant
current risk to our economy.
Technology may increase emissions-- Study
The researchers also reported technology itself cannot be relied upon as an
efficient tool to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology said in a news release.
UK-China clean coal initiative launched
A joint UK-China initiative on producing energy from coal with low carbon
dioxide emissions was launched in Beijing today.
Updates on the
Farm Bill
On November 16, 2007, the U.S. Senate essentially voted to kill
the 2007 farm bill when a vote to invoke cloture (i.e., cut off
debate) failed 55-42. Deliberations began on the Farm, Nutrition,
and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R.2419) 11 days ago, but quickly came
to a screeching halt when majority and minority leadership could
not come to an agreement on amendments being offered to the bill.
Uranium spot price settles at $93lb U308, consensus emerges
There is some consensus this week that the spot price of uranium has --
for the moment -- settled at a level of $93 a pound U3O8, sources said.
US DOE's Bodman warns against 'tariffs' to cut GHG emissions
US Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman Tuesday assured business
leaders in London that the US would not "impose tariffs and create divisive
trade wars" to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global
warming.
US Navy seeks to oust pirates from Japanese tanker off Somalia’s coast
The US Navy kept its eye on a Japanese tanker taken over by pirates off
Somalia's coast, while a top US official said that piracy remains a "very
serious security problem" in the region.
US oil production
slips
A number in a report; a milestone passed? One little noticed figure in
Wednesday's Energy Information Administration report: 4,942,000.
Water Runs Dry in Rural Tennessee Town
It has also sparked a political battle between Georgia, Alabama and Florida
over how to share water from north Georgia's Lake Lanier, which serves
cities such as Atlanta as well as industries and a nuclear power plant.
Water-Activated portable power products possible for 2008
November 22, 2007 Millennium Cell Inc. and Horizon
Fuel Cell Technologies are nearing completion of a beta version of a
portable power generator that incorporates a unique water-activated
cartridge system to provide 400 Watt hours of “instant power”.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 112307
•Crude futures weakened Friday with market players using
the strengthening US dollar as a reason to lighten positions, traders said.
"Nothing is really happening so people are using the stronger dollar as a
reason to sell," a London-based trader said.
•After trading at record highs against the dollar, the euro lost around 2
cents in value as results from a survey showed that business activity in the
eurozone slowed to the lowest level in 27 months.
Why
does First Solar stand alone?
First Solar, which makes cadmium-telluride solar cells, is having one of
those years that corporate managers and investors dream about.
November 20, 2007
Advocates ask ratepayers to fight relicensing of 4 Klamath dams
They've debated the impact of Klamath River dams on the environment, on
Native American culture, on farming communities and coastal fisheries.
Now the coalition of advocates fighting for removal of four dams are hoping
to pull PacifiCorp ratepayers into their struggle and force the utility to
settle on terms for dam removal.
Africa 'Forgotten Continent' in Climate Fight
Africa is the "forgotten continent" in the fight against
climate change and needs help to cope with projected water shortages and
declining crop yields, the UN's top climate change official said on Sunday.
Alternative energy sources dividing town
The projects dividing Fort Collins, Colo., residents involve a solar-powered
project and a uranium mine, The New York Times reported Monday. Observers
said the two projects highlight the tough decisions green-minded cities are
likely to confront in years to come.
B.C. Set to Introduce First Laws to Ensure Emissions Will Be Cut As
Promised
British Columbians will see legislation tabled this week legally enshrining
Premier Gordon Campbell's ambitious commitment to combat climate change,
which he touts as a first in Canada.
Bangladesh Storm Toll Nears 3,000; Millions Hit
Four days after super cyclone Sidr killed more than 2,400 people in
Bangladesh, rescuers were struggling to reach isolated areas along the
country's devastated coast and give aid to millions of survivors.
California's
Assignment
It's been more than a year. But, California's passage of the nation's first
global warming law is still being defined. And, it will continue to evolve
in the coming years as the state grapples with how to cut its greenhouse gas
emissions.
Catch the wind-- Research into renewable energy source finds
possibilities and challenges
Slowly turning in the breeze, wind turbines seem an obvious solution to the
nation's energy needs. The fuel is free, and the greenhouse gases
nonexistent.
But incorporating electricity produced by the wind into a power grid poses a
host of challenges.
China Pulls Bank Loans to 12 Major Polluters
Twelve polluting enterprises have had crucial bank loans
recalled, suspended or rejected as China's new "green-credit policy"
kicks into action, Friday's China Youth Daily said.
'Clean and Green'-- Using plants to clean up water in Florida's
Everglades
Sometimes it's better to let nature do the work. That's what scientists
at the South Florida Water Management District are doing. Instead of
building energy-hungry treatment facilities or pouring treatment chemicals
into the State's natural waterways, they have found the answer to clean
water for the Everglades growing right under their feet.
Clean
technology investment soars
This
year will be another record-breaking year for venture capital investment in
"clean" technologies, according to a new analysis of the
market.
Climate bill expected to emerge from committee in Dec.
Barring an insurrection by Democrats, an economy wide, cap-and-trade
climate change bill should emerge from the Senate Environment and Public
Works Committee in early December.
Climate Report Revives 'Dangerous' Change Dispute
Governments have promised to try to avert "dangerous"
climate change expected to bring about rising seas, droughts and floods,
but have yet to agree on a common definition of where the danger starts.
Climatologist wants halt to coal plants-- Scientist emphasizes need to
stabilize carbon dioxide levels
At 66, one of the nation's most prominent climate-change scientists says
he's more interested in finding solutions than placing blame for a warming
planet.
Edwards, Clinton Aim at Climate Change
"Right now, we're not just turning a blind eye to the
crisis of global warming. We're also missing an opportunity to lead the
world and reclaim the spirit of American ingenuity that has driven great
advances and helped us overcome great challenges in the past," the
Democratic presidential candidate said...
Energy experts warn of worker shortfall
While state politicians worry about what fuel will help power Florida's
energy future, they have overlooked another increasingly scarce resource:
the people qualified to produce the power.
Expert urges alternative power-- Non-nuclear plants must be examined
Thailand--The government's plans to increase electricity generating capacity should
not be restricted to nuclear power, says economist Decharat Sookkumnerd.
French President Pushing to Bring Nuclear Power to Muslim Nations
Six months into his term, President Nicolas Sarkozy is aggressively pursuing
a new policy to give Muslim countries access to nuclear power - and win
lucrative contracts for France's energy champions in the process.
Going solar isn't cheap yet-- However, solar power is the cheapest form
of green energy
While McQueen believes the price would eventually go down, he said that,
right now, the cost is hard for most people to swallow.
Groups
Criticize Energy Corridors
Designation of the rights of way would make it more likely that pipelines,
electrical lines and associated structures would infringe on sensitive
environmental areas, said Nada Culver, legal counsel for the Wilderness
Society.
Is
world oil production peaking?
Is world oil production peaking? Quite possibly. Data from the International
Energy Agency (IEA) show a pronounced loss of momentum in the growth of oil
production during the last few years. After climbing from 82.90 million
barrels per day (mb/d) in 2004 to 84.15 mb/d in 2005, output only increased
to 84.80 mb/d in 2006 and then declined to 84.62 mb/d during the first 10
months of 2007.
Kyoto backers can exceed 2012 climate goals-- U.N.
Industrial nations taking part in the U.N.'s Kyoto
Protocol for fighting climate change can exceed goals for cuts in
greenhouse gas emissions if new policies work as planned, the U.N.
Climate Secretariat said on Tuesday.
Letter
from www.HealthFreedomUSA
Holding that foods can have health benefits without that
fact categorizing the food as a "medicine," the European Court of
Justice told Germany it could not forbid the importation of garlic
capsules as unapproved medicine.
No
excuse for climate inaction
Immediate action is essential if the world is to avert
“runaway” climate change, according to the latest report by the Nobel
Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Nuclear desalination-- Could nuclear power by the answer to fresh water?
With predictions that more than 3.5 billion people will
live in areas facing severe water shortages by the year 2025, the
challenge is to find an environmentally benign way to remove salt from
seawater.
'Nuclear Neighbor' Responds to Democratic Candidates Pledge to Kill
Yucca Mountain Project
"It's irresponsible to call for the termination of Yucca Mountain without
offering a realistic alternative to solving the nation's nuclear waste
problem," said Prairie Island Tribal Council President, Audrey Bennett.
"Leaving nuclear waste next to vulnerable communities and pushing this
burden off on future generations is not good leadership and it provides
little comfort to the millions of Americans who are currently living near
nuclear waste sites."
NYMEX crude opens 96 cents higher on bullish news, lower dollar
January crude futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange opened 96 cents
higher at $94.80/barrel Monday on a combination of weakness in the US dollar
and a fire in a Saudi Aramco gas pipeline over the weekend that killed 28
people.
OPEC summit ends with pledge to ensure stable oil supply
The 13 heads of state and government, meeting less than two weeks after
oil prices hit record highs of close to $100/barrel, said the new investment
would go not only on upstream production capacity increases but also further
downstream, where shortages of refining capacity over the last two years
have
often been cited as a reason behind the current high oil prices.
Petravoltaic -- Electricity from Rocks
Thomas Townsend Brown discovered an effect which may be
related to the electrogravitic effects observed upon condensers at high
voltage. He noted that certain dielectrics, and most notably certain
types of igneous rocks, exhibited a weak electrical potential.
Power plant pollutants fall for historic low
Sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants in 2006 dropped to less than
10 million tons for the first time, according to a U.S. EPA report.
Pressure prompts review of Duke plant-- Re-evaluation will focus on
mercury levels in air
N.C. regulators, responding to public opposition, say they will re-evaluate
how much toxic mercury a proposed Duke Energy power plant expansion may waft
Charlotte's way.
Protesters fight coal plant plans-- Peabody says their criticism is
overblown
They were protesting plans for Peabody's Prairie State Energy Campus, a
coal-fired power plant to be built near Lively Grove in Washington County
that environmentalists argue will pollute the air and water in Southern
Illinois.
Putting a lid on global warming
Utah may be about to take center stage in the battle to
curb greenhouse emissions.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plans to spend $67 million over the
next decade on a technology solution for climate change that will be
tested in Utah.
Quote of the
Day 112007
The US is not concerned over recent comments from some
OPEC members that they are keen to use an alternative to the dollar for
pricing crude due to the currency's recent weakening, US energy secretary
Samuel Bodman said Tuesday in London.
Asked whether the US
is concerned over such comments, he said: "No."
Renewable energy credit market is brisk business in Massachusetts
When news first broke about a wind turbine on the Massachusetts Maritime
Academy campus, Adm. Richard Gurnon received a slew of calls from companies
offering to purchase the college's RECs, or renewable energy credits.
Gurnon, who is president of the college, was confused.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 111907
Solar activity was at very low levels. The visible
solar disk was spotless.
The geomagnetic field was at quiet levels. A co-rotating interaction
region was seen at the ACE spacecraft at 19/1715Z elevating solar wind
speeds to approximately 420 km/s.
Saudi to Give US$300 Mln for Environmental Research
Top world oil exporter Saudi Arabia will give US$300
million for research into helping the environment by lowering emissions,
its head of state King Abdullah said on Saturday.
Scientists develop microalgae that may reduce greenhouse gases
South Koreans scientists Sunday said that they have developed a microalgae
that can be mass-produced as an animal feed supplement while also helping to
reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Solar Trend
Catches Fire
"The solar suppliers are interested in selling more of their product, we're
obviously interested in installing more and we've got financiers who want to
make a stable cash flow off of it," he says, "so between the three of us,
we're running models to find out where it makes the most sense."
Spot gold in Asia falls below $780oz on weaker US levels
Spot gold in Hong Kong fell below $780/oz Tuesday morning. At the start
of the trading session, the precious metal was hovering around $778/oz,
down from $788/oz at Monday's close.
State questions proposal for wind turbines
Governor Carcieri's chief energy adviser, Andrew Dzykewicz, was dismissive
of the New York company that is proposing to bring wind farms to Rhode
Island's coastal waters and said the state plans to continue with its own
wind farm project so it can control the power output.
Thanksgiving football game will be carbon neutral
Are you ready for some carbon neutral football?
The Detroit Lions game on Thanksgiving Day against the Green Bay Packers
will be the first carbon neutral National Football League game as Ford Field
in will offset 100 percent of its emissions.
The New Dawn of
Solar
Imagine a solar panel without the panel. Just a coating,
thin as a layer of paint, that takes light and converts it to
electricity. From there, you can picture roof shingles with solar cells
built inside and window coatings that seem to suck power from the air.
Turkey and Greece open gas pipeline; hail new energy 'silk road'
Turkey and Greece Sunday opened the Euro 300 million ($440 million)
Turkey-Greece Natural Gas Pipeline, giving Caspian gas direct access to the
European Union market for the first time.
Turkey Seen As Vital Energy Gateway
U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman Friday hailed Turkey as an important
energy gateway between the East and the West.
It is undeniable that Turkey is evolving into a vital energy transit hub, he
told the Turkish-U.S. Business Council in Istanbul.
U.N. says new report must spur climate change action
Governments
must do more to fight global warming, spurred by a new
U.N. scientific report and damage to nature that is already as
frightening as science fiction, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said
on Saturday.
UK 'Can Be a World Leader in Low-Carbon Revolution'-- PM Urges More
Action Over Climate Change
Britain could be a world leader in the new low-carbon global economy in the
same way it led the Industrial Revolution, Gordon Brown will say today.
UK Government-- Benn Launches Plan for one Stop Shop for Greener Homes
Homes across the country will have access to a one stop shop service to help
make their homes greener, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn announced today.
UK must aim for near carbon-free power by 2020-- PM
Britain should get nearly all of its electricity from
clean energy sources by the end of the next decade, Prime Minister
Gordon Brown said on Monday.
US budget experts say long-term climate figures may be off by 50%
There is massive uncertainty in long-term projections of greenhouse gas
emissions and how the climate will respond to the build-up of GHGs in the
atmosphere, according to analysis by the Congressional Budget Office.
US not concerned over OPEC call for dollar alternative-- Bodman
The US is not concerned over recent comments from some OPEC members that
they are keen to use an alternative to the dollar for pricing crude due to
the
currency's recent weakening, US energy secretary Samuel Bodman said Tuesday
in
London.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 111907
• Crude futures rose Monday, mainly underpinned by bullish technicals and
partly by Sunday's fire at Saudi Arabia's Haradh gas pipeline that killed 28
people, sources said. Additionally, with the US dollar coming close to
record lows against the euro in earlier trading on Monday, the petroleum
futures complex received some additional support in an otherwise quiet
market.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 112007
•Global crude futures prices moved up strongly Tuesday
with no immediate headline to cause the spike and amid trading volumes ahead
of the Thanksgiving national holiday in the US, market sources said.
•"There is low volume today, the market is just winding down," said a
London-based broker. "After the US inventory data on Wednesday, I think
people will just start to disappear from the market." When trading volume is
lower than usual, there is potential for greater swings in price as market
participants have a greater influence on price movement.
•Some market commentators pointed to a possible cut in US interest rates and
the resulting weaker dollar as another source of Tuesday's strength in oil
futures.
'Wiring up' enzymes for producing hydrogen in fuel cells
Researchers in Colorado are reporting the first successful
“wiring up” of hydrogenase enzymes. Those much-heralded
proteins are envisioned as stars in a future hydrogen economy where they
may serve as catalysts for hydrogen production and oxidation in fuel
cells.
November 16, 2007
Acid Rain Forming Emissions Fall Sharply, EPA Reports
For the first time ever, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from the power
sector fell below 10 million tons as reported by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's Acid Rain Program and Related Programs 2006 Progress
Report. 2006 marks the 12th year of what is widely hailed as one of the most
successful environmental programs in U.S. history.
Advocates ask ratepayers to fight relicensing of 4 Klamath dams
The utility argues that the dams are a source of low
cost, clean hydropower.
Advocates of dam removal, meanwhile, say the dams are an environmental and
economic disaster, wiping out what was historically one of the West Coast's
three largest salmon runs.
Arizona eyes possible changes to power procurement process
Among other things, Arizona is "wondering if we don't need to be leaner
and faster on certain types of procurements, especially [of] smaller amounts
of power," Hatch-Miller said.
Backers of proposed coal plant in western Kansas come to area seeking
allies
Refusing to give up after the state rejected their plans, backers of a
proposed coal plant in western Kansas came to Johnson County on Tuesday
seeking allies.
Bangladesh cyclone toll tops 500
A severe cyclone has killed more than 500 people in
Bangladesh and left thousands injured or missing, triggering an
international relief effort on Friday to help the army-backed interim
government cope with the disaster.
Black Sea to take years to recover from oil spill
The oil spill that wreaked havoc in the Kerch Strait
leading to the Black Sea last week will take at least 5 to 10 years for
the marine environment to recover, says WWF. According to WWF specialists, the
2000-tonne spill has badly affected the local fishing industry. Fish caught
in the Kerch Strait are not safe for consumption.
Blunt-- Study Reveals Devastating Costs of Lights-Out Energy Bill
House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today
after an independent analysis found the U.S. economy could jettison as many
as five million jobs - and $1 trillion in GDP - if key elements of the
majority's 'deep-freeze' energy package were enacted into law:
CAFE to be in US energy bill, other key provisions fight for time
"It's a matter of balancing early action against the potential for
getting more done if more time is taken," the Virginia Democrat said. "If
the
bill were to be put on the floor this week, major components of it would
simply not be part of the package."
Californians Spend Less on Electricity; Drive Fewer Miles per Capita
than Rest of Country
Statistics released today in the inaugural "California
Green Innovation Index" run counter to conventional wisdom and paint a
different picture of California's energy history and future than
previously reported.
Codex, FDA, Share 'Culture of Enmity' toward Natural Solutions
Natural solutions are the natural enemy of Industrialized Illness Care (IIC)
- Big Pharma and Big Medica. IIC depends on your being dependent on their
ministrations, secret knowledge and nostrums. Natural solutions are ones you
can learn about and control by yourself.
Colorado's energy requirements will exceed that of state renewable
legislation
A new study concludes that the state of Colorado will need to build a
significant number of power plants in the next 18 years - in addition to
aggressively building new renewable energy facilities and increasing energy
conservation efforts - just in order to meet the state's anticipated growth
in demand for electricity.
'Cooling down' begins at Svalbard Global Seed Vault
With its capacity to hold up to 4.5 million seed
samples, the vault will eventually house virtually every variety of
almost every important food crop in the world. The vast collection is
intended as a hedge against disaster so that food production can be
restarted anywhere on the planet should it be threatened by a regional
or global catastrophe.
Crude futures weaken on EIA data showing build in US stocks
Global crude futures weakened sharply Thursday following the release of
the US Energy Information Administration's weekly oil stocks data, which
showed an unexpected build in US commercial crude stocks.
Deep Vision-- Big Energy from Way, Way Down
Today, typical geothermal wells are about 2.5 km
in depth, produce steam at about 300 degrees Celsius and generate about 4-7
megawatts (MW) of electricity. In Iceland, a project is underway to drill
almost twice that deep and potentially produce almost ten times that much
energy.
Energy Group Aims to Cut Carbon Levels
The parent company of South Wales energy supplier, Swalec, aims to reduce
the level of carbon monoxide generated from its electricity production by
20% by 2016. Scottish and Southern Energy's new environmental targets also
include goals to facilitate energy savings by electricity and gas customers
and cut back on the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Engineered Weathering Process Could Mitigate Global Warming
By electrochemically removing hydrochloric acid from the
ocean and then neutralizing the acid by reaction with silicate
(volcanic) rocks, the researchers say they can accelerate natural
chemical weathering, permanently transferring CO2 from the atmosphere to
the ocean.
EPA hopes to limit harmful insecticide application
Drinking water could harbor one less threat if the EPA follows
through on a proposal to limit doses of one of the planet´s most toxic
insecticides.
EPA Partners Improve the Environment and Their Balance Sheets
"Today, it seems like everyone is catching 'green fever,'" said EPA
Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By taking voluntary steps that improve
our quality of life and the quality of our environment, communities,
businesses and individuals are keeping America's 'green' momentum moving
forward."
Gold market looks to US for leadership - trader
"People are more comfortable to be long than short at the moment," said
the trader. "There's been some activity, driven mainly by the dollar/yen
relationship, but nothing comes of it. There's been no follow through
trading."
Green Goes International at the GreenXchange Global Marketplace
Conference
Global Marketplace Conference to discuss the emerging
international trillion dollar market for clean and green technologies,
products and services and sustainable development. Marketplace drivers
to be addressed include: energy security; public and investor
expectations; corporate governance mandates; carbon and toxic emission
reduction commitments; measurements and accountability; and evolving
local, regional and national regulations and incentives.
Greenpeace Shuts Down Australia Power Station
Climate activists briefly shut down a coal-fired power
station in Australia on Thursday to protest against climate policies as
a new report outed the country as the world's biggest per head carbon polluter.
Hundreds of Maryland Parents Arrested for Not Vaccinating Their Children
Remember Laurie Jessop, the California mom who was arrested for
NOT treating her son's already cured melanoma with deadly
chemotherapy? Well, that's not a isolated incident.
Thousands, yes, you read that correctly: "thousands", of parents
in Maryland are being menaced...
Hurricane Katrina Boosted Greenhouse Gases - Report
Hurricane Katrina left a big "carbon footprint" along
the US Gulf Coast, where the destruction of large trees cut into the
amount of greenhouse gases the area can absorb, researchers reported on
Thursday.
Landfill Closure Poses Risk; Nuclear Wast Disposal to Occur Across
Nation
Starting next summer, many power plants, hospitals, universities and
companies in 36 states will be forced to store low- level radioactive waste
on their own property because a South Carolina landfill is closing.
Lessons from The Political Process-- Energy Bill Woes
As early as November 8th, SEIA reported to its members,
"At a press conference this morning, Speaker Pelosi stated that the
House intends to take up and pass an energy bill before the end of next
week (11/17) and it will include an energy tax title.” Four days later,
the Democratic leadership in the House and Senate are seriously
considering breaking off the three most contentious policy issues of the
Energy Bill
Letters From Readers of EnergyBiz Newsletter 111507
Joe American pays twice as much for gasoline as he paid
in 2006. This brings me to my point that Green Energy and renewables
will only make a difference when initiatives are undertaken on the
national policy level to accelerate the process of weaning ourselves
from oil and accordingly our leaders are merely followers.
Maine's clean-energy efforts lauded
Maine was recognized Wednesday by a national environmental advocacy group
for the state's efforts to promote clean energy and conservation measures.
Midwest governors sign climate change accord
Midwest U.S. states signed agreements on Thursday
designed to cut greenhouse gases, promote energy conservation and fight
global warming.
The third such pact between U.S. states means that nearly half of
Americans will be living in areas covered by agreements designed to
combat global warming...
Mixing
Mexico's Energy Policies Things are looking up south of the border. But restrictive policies in the
electricity and natural gas sectors still hamper growth in Mexico.
OPEC cuts 2008 world oil demand forecast to 87.01 million b/d
OPEC Thursday said it produced an average of 30.998 million b/d of crude
in October, up from an estimated 30.731 million b/d in September mainly on
the
back of higher volumes from Angola, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
OPEC Must Tackle Climate Change - UN Official
OPEC oil exporters must take climate change seriously at
their summit meeting this week, ahead of a key meeting to tackle global
warming in Bali next month, a leading UN climate change official said on
Thursday.
OPEC Willing to Help Fund Climate Change Battle
OPEC is concerned about climate change and is willing to
help develop ways to cut emissions such as carbon capture and storage
(CCS), officials said on Thursday at a summit of the exporter group.
Opinion Sharply Divided As Wind Farm Inquiry Begins
A wind farm development would cause "unacceptable harm" to the
Northumberland landscape, a council said yesterday as a major public inquiry
began into a fiercely controversial plan.
But John Ainslie, head of consents at nPower, said the wind farm had the
potential to provide significant local and regional economic benefits.
Peanut Husks Could Be Used To Clean Up Wastewater
Peanut husks, one of the biggest food industry waste
products, could be used to extract environmentally damaging copper ions
from waste water, according to researchers in Turkey.
Plans for Orlando Clean Coal Plant Discontinued
Continuing uncertainty surrounding potential state regulations relating to
greenhouse gas emissions has resulted in the cancellation of a 285-megawatt
integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) facility at the Stanton Energy
Center near Orlando, Fla. Formal action to terminate construction was
taken by an executive committee...
Polluters Agree to Spend Record $10.6 Billion on Environmental Controls
and Cleanup
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's enforcement
program achieved historic results to protect the nation's air, water,
and land in fiscal year 2007. Industries, government agencies and other
regulated entities agreed to spend a record $10.6 billion in pollution
controls and environmental projects...
Predictions Point to Information Industry Slowdown
According to a new analysis from Outsell, Inc., the
market for information in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa is
heating up so fast that it has the potential to outpace the American
market within two years or less.
Preventing Another Disastrous Tomorrow, Today
Those who do not understand the past are doomed to repeat it and the US
mortgage market is looking to do just that with the aid of several key
economists and policy makers looking to pave the way for a more secure
tomorrow.
Pulling
Duke into the green
If you consider alternative energy these days, you also need to consider
Duke Energy Corp.'s David Mohler. In the business for 33 years, he's a
walking history book on the evolution of green power and its slow and
now-somewhat-forced acceptance by mainstream utilities.
Pump pain heats up pressure for new energy law
Pressure for the U.S. Congress to pass new legislation
to increase vehicle fuel efficiency and hike renewable fuel use is
mounting as a surge in oil prices sends consumer fuel costs toward fresh
records.
Quote of the
Day 111507
"The higher agreed OPEC production levels effective since
November and expected output from Angola and Iraq should help to ease the
perception of market tightness,"
OPEC said in it's
latest monthly report. OPEC Thursday
Quote of the
Day 111607
"In the short term I expect [prices] to stay at
this level,"
Algerian oil
minister Chakib Khelil told reporters
Rendell sees urgent need to complete energy plan
Rendell incorporated higher oil and gasoline prices and the looming end to
caps on electricity rates into his ambitious energy plan.
"We're looking at an impending train wreck," he said.
Rising oil prices in October 'tempered' demand for products-- API
Rising oil prices have begun to curb demand for refined products in the
US, with the total supply of products falling by almost 2% in October, the
American Petroleum Institute said Wednesday.
Roadmap for Global Energy Development
The InterAcademy Council released a report last
month commissioned by the governments of Brazil and China identifying and
detailing the scientific consensus framework for directing global energy
development.
Lighting the way: Toward a sustainable energy future...
RWE chief sees coal-fired power as profitable even with CO2 costs
RWE will proceed with the construction of two, 1,530 MW coal-fired plants
in Germany, believing that the units will make money even if carbon dioxide
costs of up to Eur30.00/MWh are included...
Senator Domenici calls for near-term nuclear reprocessing in US
The US needs to build a current-generation nuclear reprocessing plant to
handle spent fuel because the Department of Energy's current plan is "a
50-year program, and we can't wait 50 years for what we need," Senator Pete
Domenici said Wednesday.
Shell Provides Hydrogen Fuel For City Of White Plains And General Motors
Vehicles
The Shell Hydrogen facility will produce hydrogen from
electricity generated from renewable energy provided through the New
York Power Authority.
SPR fill rate jumps by 645,000 barrels-- EIA
The US Department of Energy injected just over 92,000 b/d into the
nation's strategic crude oil stockpile for the week ended November 9, the
same
week that US benchmark crude oil prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange
flirted with $100/b.
State's Largest Wind Farm, Transmission Line Dedicated
Minnesota's largest wind farm and the state's largest transmission line
built to carry wind power into the Twin Cities were dedicated today and will
soon become fully operational, subject to final approvals by the regional
transmission operator.
States seek AML rebates for cleanup, stronger enforcement
Senators from coal-mining states called on Brent Wahlquist, director of the
Office of Surface Mining, to return money paid into the Abandoned Mine Land
Fund to the states, while environmental groups voiced concerns over what
they
see as the agency's lack of enforcement at a Senate hearing on Tuesday.
Stirling Takes
the Fifth
Although my spouse is clever, I was less than thrilled
when he announced he was launching a novel plan to remodel our home. It
involves 200 feet of galvanized ducts weaving in and out of our walls
and roof, solar panels, a charge controller and 100-watt motor to move
warm air inside and blow cold air out.
Study Analyzes The Good And Bad Of The Ozone Layer
In the stratosphere, acting as friend, it forms the ozone layer, which fends
off harmful ultraviolet solar rays.
During pollution events, ozone turns to foe as it interacts with other
pollutants, effectively generated by factories, cars and machinery, and
descends from the stratosphere into the troposphere (the lowest layer of the
atmosphere), where the ozone itself becomes a pollutant that damages
forests, crops and human health.
The Green Line
Not so long ago, the term "carbon footprint" was an enigma. But, with all
the attention now being paid to the potential devastations that global
warming could cause, major companies are stepping up. Companies are asking
what it is they need to do prepare for a carbon-conscious world and as such
they are trying to develop strategies.
The World Must Help China and India Handle Energy Growth-- Report
Energy developments in China and India are transforming the global energy
system as a result of their sheer size, according to a new report from the
International Energy Agency (IEA).
Tiny Smart cars aiming to make it big in USA
They might measure a mere 2.5 meters (eight feet) in
length and only be capable of carrying two passengers, but tiny Smart
cars are aiming to make it big in the United States, where hulking
gas-guzzlers have long been the kings of the road.
Today’s OPEC Dilemma
With the price of oil falling short of $100, having virtually trebled in
just four years, consumer attention is focussed on OPEC and repeated demands
are calling for more oil but, from OPEC’s view, the world is not short
of oil and there is nothing for OPEC to do. Can OPEC act and if so what
should it do?
Tour looks at unique homes and alternative energy
"Going off the grid is a whole lifestyle choice," Val-U
Solar Administrative Assistant Susan Pennington said. "You want to be
self-sustained for a 'greener' way of life. We have thousands of
customers that are off the grid.
U.N. seeks global pact to curb mercury
Worldwide government leaders meeting in Bangkok have been asked to step up
efforts to develop an international agreement curbing mercury.
U.S. Energy Bill -- Early Christmas Present or Lump of Coal?
All the tough talk in Washington, D.C. about the
need to combat global warming, make America energy independent and stimulate
the economy with homegrown, renewable energy sources turned to a whisper on
Thursday, as House and Senate Democratic leaders reportedly said they would
remove key provisions for the renewable energy industries from the latest
energy bill.
Uranium players see spot prices moving more gradually upward
Uranium players expect the upward movement of the commodity's spot price
to be more gradual over the next few months after strong gains this past
summer, according to observers.
US Energy Bill to remove support for renewables?
Reports coming out of Washington this week appear to suggest that both
the US House of Representatives and the Senate - in committee - are to
remove planned concessions from the upcoming Energy Bill, that would have
given the renewables industry in the US a huge boost.
US Midwest states, Manitoba to launch GHG cap-and-trade program
A group of Midwestern states and Manitoba plan to launch a carbon
cap-and-trade program by 2010 as part of a broad plan to reduce greenhouse
gas
emissions and boost the production of renewable energy, they said Thursday.
US Mortgage Rates Remain Flat Amidst Mixed Economic Signals
Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) yesterday released
the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which
the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.24 percent with an average
0.4 point for the week ending November 15, unchanged from last week when it
averaged 6.24 percent as well. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM
averaged 6.24 percent. The 30-year FRM has not been lower since the
week ending May 17, when it averaged 6.21 percent.
US working gas in storage falls 9 Bcf to 3.536 Tcf-- EIA
US natural gas storage inventories fell 9 Bcf during the week ending
November 9, leaving total storage stocks at 3.536 Tcf, the US Energy
Information Administration reported Thursday.
Utility Energy Efficiency Vision Can Save Billions of Dollars While
Fighting Climate Change
More than 60 energy, environmental and other
organizations have collaborated on a new report that could save
Americans more than $500 billion in energy costs over 25 years and
reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 90
million vehicles.
Virulent form of cold virus worries experts
A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report detailed cases of
people ill in May of 2006 and from March to June of 2007 with a strain of
the virus called adenovirus 14 in New York, Oregon, Washington state and
Texas.
What Did You
Recycle Today?
Don't throw those empty water bottles into the trash –
recycle them. The same goes for the empty cereal box. On the eve of
America Recycles Day, EPA is encouraging all Americans to expand their
recycling activities.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 111607
•Global
crude futures were stronger Friday during the European morning trading
session, regaining losses incurred after a bearish set of US inventory data
on Thursday.
Wind Turbines Hazardous to Birds, Bats
Wind energy, a fast-growing sector of the U.S. energy industry, is taking a
toll on nocturnal wildlife caught in the turbines, officials said.
Songbirds until recently were the most frequently reported fatalities at
U.S. utility-scale wind facilities,..
Windfarm Shut Down As Turbine Takes a Turn for the Worse
They are designed to harness one of Scotland's greatest natural resources -
turning out eco-friendly electricity as they stand proudly into the wind.
But one wind turbine has fallen down on the job because of ... the wind.
November 13, 2007
A catastrophic loss of $ 3.9 tn in Iran's oil reservoirs
Professor Saeedi said: “If gas is injected into our oil reservoirs, the
volume of Iran's fossil energy resources would become more than Saudi Arabia
in the long run and Iran can gain the first place in the world.”
He warned: Non-injection of gas would diminish Iran's oil production by 2 mm
bpd and we would be forced to import oil.
Al Gore Joins Famed Silicon Valley Venture Capital Firm
Gore, 59, is joining the Kleiner board as part of a collaboration between
his Generation Investment Management fund and Kleiner Perkins to fund
so-called "green" business, technology and policies that address global
climate change.
Algae to Oil
Our technology seeks to convert water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) into
useful long-chain liquid hydrocarbons from the photosynthesis of unicellular
microalgae, which offer advantages in the production, storage and
utilization of renewable biofuels, as they can be harvested easily, stored
in liquid form and do not require special containment systems.
An End to the
Petrodollar?
On Friday, June 16, 2006 Samuel Brittan wrote in the Financial Times
(page 11) that "the most likely trigger for a dollar collapse would be a US
housing market setback." I read this with gratitude that someone was
actually addressing this important global threat but I had to respectfully
disagree. The greatest threat to the role of the US dollar as the
international reserve currency, and indeed the global economy itself, is a
sudden end to petrodollar hegemony.
Californians support tax on carbon output
In a sign that Californians may be open to funding the global warming fight,
a majority of residents support a carbon tax on businesses and individuals,
according to a Field Poll released Thursday.
Canadian Village Calls for End to Oil Sand Projects
A small aboriginal village downstream from Alberta's
massive oil sands plants is calling for a moratorium on new projects in
the region after a study found high levels of heavy metals and
carcinogens in its fish and drinking water.
Chile to lay claim to piece of Antarctica
Alejandro Foxley told the move is in
response to Britain's announced intention to assert rights over oil and gas
resources in a portion of the Antarctic seabed that overlaps Chile's claim.
China to overtake US with world's highest CO2 emissions this year- IEA
China will this year surpass the US in terms of carbon dioxide emissions and
will become the world's biggest oil consumer by 2010, the International
Energy Agency (IEA) said.
China 'will agree to cut its carbon emissions'
China, now the world's biggest greenhouse-gas emitter, will eventually agree
to cut its soaring carbon dioxide emissions, one of the country's leading
environmentalists forecast yesterday – but only on the basis of a deal with
the United States and the rest of the developed world.
Climate Change
Dexterity
Political dexterity is needed to pass any climate change legislation. No
less than nine bills are now pending on Capitol Hill, all with critics ready
to knock them out of the saddle. One measure, however, has emerged as the
bill to beat.
Closer to FutureGen-- Announcement moves a step closer
The Environmental Protection Agency's finding that all four proposed
FutureGen sites -- including the site at Penwell -- are acceptable has
removed the last obstacle to awarding the near-zero emission coal-burning
power plant.
Codex Nutrition Chief-- Minerals May be Good for the Masters but
they're too good for you.
"I assume you are taking boron, vanadium and calcium to
speed bone healing." and he answered, "Yes".
Nothing very unusual there in the US, of course, where nutrients are foods
and no upper limits can be set.
But we are in Europe, land of the Codex-compliant European Food Supplements
Directive where boron and venadium are not permitted and high dose nutrients
are, likewise, forbidden.
Committee to begin climate bill mark-up Dec. 5
The almost economy-wide measure introduces a cap-and-trade system covering
power plants, transportation and factories. Caps would begin at the 2005
emissions level in 2012, dropping 19 percent to 1990 levels in 2020 before
falling 63 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Crude futures weaker as dollar surges against euro and pound
Crude futures were weaker Monday as the US dollar index recovered from
all-time lows and the market resumed its early position after a
misunderstanding of a remark made by Saudi Arabian oil minister Ali Naimi on
Sunday.
DOE Releases Environmental Impact Statement for FutureGen Project
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the completion of its
Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the FutureGen project, a
near-zero emissions gasification power plant that, when operational in 2012,
would be the first plant in the world to produce both electricity and
commercial-grade hydrogen gas from coal, while capturing and sequestering
greenhouse gas emissions.
Dutch official wary of biofuels impact on food supplies
Policymakers should be cautious of biofuels'
effect on food costs, Dutch Agriculture Minister Gerda Verburg said,
emphasizing the need to develop new non-food raw materials.
First-generation biofuels are usually made from crops such as grains and
vegetable oils but have raised concerns that they are driving up food prices
and could lead to shortages.
EPA awards $3 million in economy grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $3 million in grants
to cities, universities and other groups to study ways to grow the economy
without harming the environment.
EU cuts back on biofuel crop subsidies
A special farm aid scheme aimed at developing Europe's energy crop sector
will be scaled back, after it emerged that farmers have already massively
shifted production towards biofuels, overshooting a 2 mm hectare target, the
Commission has announced.
For one day at least, production rises
What's been so notable during the price runup is the rise in prominence of
the peak oil school of thought, and the fact that every report in recent
weeks buttresses the arguments of that analysis.
One day can't change that. It's a long-term view. But after days of anything
from a steady drip to a torrent of news on restraints and cutbacks in
production, it was a welcome relief last Friday to get a one-day respite.
Geothermal energy is a cheaper, clean source of energy
Question: What are the benefits of using geothermal energy?
Answer: Several attributes make it a good source of energy.
First, it's clean.
Germany is interested in energy supply from Caspian region
The Caspian region could become central for Europe in a
sense of gas and oil supply. Azerbaijan’s role as exporter of energy
resources in the world grows. For us this country represents a great
interest as energy resources exporter", said Michael Gloss.
Governments demand a bigger share of oil
The oil industry is under assault globally by nations and even provinces
who want companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron and Suncor to cough up more
royalties they can use to address issues like poverty and education.
Growing Diesel
Fuel Plant
One of the greatest challenges to the widespread deployment and use of
biofuels is developing a dedicated energy crops that are cost-effective,
easy to sustain and can produce greater yields. Such energy crop that
produces biofuels and holds particular promise for sustainable development
and a sustainable environment is Jatropha .
Hauling giant wind turbine blade no easy task
The sight of hulking wind turbine blades strapped to oversized semi-trailers
has been known to unnerve motorists as the giant blades move through traffic
destined for wind farms across the country.
Honda creating home system for drivers to make hydrogen
Honda Motor, aiming to start mass production of
fuel-cell cars by about 2015, is developing a system using solar energy
for drivers to make hydrogen at home to fuel such vehicles.
Individual production of hydrogen would let people refuel their cars
without waiting for a network of stations to be set up...
House energy bill would override court royalty ruling-- report
Language in the US energy bill now being considered by Congress would
require oil and natural gas companies to pay royalties on deepwater
production from federal leases issued from 1996-2000...
Indonesia Launches Program to Help Reduce Global Warming
In facing global warming which is causing dramatic
climate change, Indonesia continues to seek programs which may assist in
reducing global warming.
Japan-- Onagawa Nuclear Plant Reactor Undergoes Emergency
There was no radioactive leakage due to the problem, which involved a sharp
rise in hydrogen concentration in the pipework for the gaseous waste
disposal system, the company said.
Key Facts
About Oil Spills
A severe storm broke a Russian oil tanker in two between the Azov and Black
Seas, stranding 13 crew members and spilling fuel oil into the sea in what a
Russian official said was an "environmental disaster".
Here are some key facts about oil spills:
Keys man's dream-- Harnessing the tides
Douglas Bedgood recently stood on a defunct Henry Flagler railroad bridge,
watching as the tide forcefully moved water from the Gulf of Mexico through
a channel to the Atlantic Ocean. What he saw was untapped energy.
Market psychology clearly plays role in lifting prices-- Caruso
Market fundamentals, not speculation, are driving current high oil
prices, US Energy Information Administrator Guy Caruso said Monday.
Millions of Jobs at Risk From Climate Change - UN
Millions of jobs worldwide could be casualties of
climate change, though efforts to mitigate its effects will also create
huge new waves of employment, United Nations officials said on Monday.
New Biofuel Crops Pose Risks to Farms, Ecosystems
New plants the biofuels industry has touted as potential sources
of green domestic fuels pose risks as aggressive weeds that could damage
farms and other ecosystems.
Plants like miscanthus, switchgrass and giant reed grow rapidly in dense
formations and have few pests and diseases -- traits companies say would
make them ideal for biofuels.
New limits at nuclear waste site have Texas scrambling-- South Carolina
landfill will close to state on July 1, ramping up on-site storage at
plants
In 1987, scavengers in the Brazilian city of Goiania broke open an abandoned
medical machine to discover an intriguing, seemingly supernatural glowing
blue powder. Some residents rubbed it into their skin.
The substance was cesium-137, a radioactive cancer-causing isotope...
Oil market will be extra volatile this week-- Lehman Brothers
This week could be the most volatile week for crude oil markets in
several years, Lehman Brothers analyst Edward Morse warned his clients in a
note Friday, as speculators would try to push prices above $100/barrel
before
the December contract expires.
OPEC accepts Ecuador as active member
Ecuador has been accepted as an active member of the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) after 15 years of
absence...Ecuador returns to the cartel as it is renegotiating contracts
with overseas oil companies, following a change in law that gives the
state 99 % of so-called excess oil profits...
Panel passes safe drinking water law
A bill to set a federal drinking water standard for a harmful
component of rocket fuel has gained initial approval. ... "Unfortunately, contamination caused by unregulated perchlorate
threatens both public health, particularly pregnant women and children,
and our drinking water supplies," said Rep. Hilda Solis, the California
Democrat who wrote the bill.
Pelamis Wave Power-- In the Sweet Spot of the Curl for Renewable Energy
The Pelamis Wave Power located in Edinburgh, Scotland
and recipient of the British Best Renewable Energy Company of 2007 is
turning the energy of the ocean waves into renewable power sources.
Power
plant hearing draws crowd
Although the people in attendance were encouraged to present their concerns
about the coal plant, DHEC officials weren't permitted to respond to any of
the issues raised in the public hearing.
Quote of the
Day 111207
"This [study] sends a clear warning signal that the
continuation of current energy trends is not sustainable--economically,
socially or if we are to preserve the world's climate, on which we all
depend...And it is a wake-up call to the world: we must act now, and
urgently, and we must go for robust and ambitious policies to significantly
reduce our greenhouse gas emissions."
The world must act
urgently to curb greenhouse gas emissions in order to mitigate the worst
effects of climate change amid a growing consensus that our current energy
use is unsustainable in the short term, the president of the European
Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said Monday.
Remnant of Yellowstone Volcano Rising, Study Finds
A big blob of molten rock appears to be pushing up
remnants of an ancient volcano in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming,
scientists reported on Friday.
Renewables need market forces and carbon pricing, says UK government
Market forces and an explicit price for carbon will boost the uptake of
renewable energies for green power, green fuels and green heat, concludes a
report from the British government.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 111207
Solar activity was very low. The visible disk remained
spotless. The geomagnetic field is
expected to begin the period at quiet levels. During the latter
half of 13 November, conditions are expected to increase to
unsettled to occasionally active levels, with isolated minor storm periods
possible at high latitudes...
Research Group Examining Climate Change's Effect On Nation's Drinking
Water Supply, Quality
Research done on behalf of the Foundation's 900 water
utility members concludes that the climate scientists agree
overwhelmingly that climate shift is occurring more rapidly than can be
attributed to natural causes. Among the first and most critical impacts
will be changes to precipitation patterns around the world in this
century.
Residents Oppose Coal-Fired Power Plant
Meetings on a proposed 750-megawatt, coal-fired plant drew numerous
opponents in Mesquite and St. George, Utah, but only a few environmentalists
to a meeting late Thursday in Las Vegas.
Rich Must Bear Climate Change Costs - Report
The rich caused the problem and must therefore pay the
price of fixing the global climate change crisis, a new report said on
Monday.
Rising sea levels and mass extinction of species under discussion for
climate change report
A U.N. panel is examining the threat of irreversible
rising sea levels and the mass extinction of species caused by climate
change, as delegates draft a document laying the scientific groundwork
for talks on a new regime to control carbon emissions, participants said
Tuesday.
Rocky Mountain Power fined nearly $500M
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality permit
to the plant Jan. 24, 2006. From the third quarter of 2006 to the fourth
quarter of 2007, the plant documented some 329 exceeded its one-hour sulfur
dioxide emissions limit, which was 182.6 pounds per hour.
Russian PM takes charge of oil spill clean-up
Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov
flew to the Black Sea coast on Tuesday to oversee efforts to clean up an oil
slick that coated beaches with a thick black sludge and left birds poisoned
and blinded.
Officials said 2,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil had now escaped from a
tanker...
Six Arrested in Congo Radioactive Dumping Scandal
Congolese authorities arrested six people in connection
with the dumping of tonnes of highly radioactive minerals into a river near the
southeastern town of Likasi, the environment minister said on Friday.
Some Biofuels Add Significant Food to Your Table
Mr. Ziegler’s remarks carefully describe
conventional ethanol’s impact in using
“food for fuel.”
Whereas Biodiesel, which is also a biofuel, is produced in the U.S. from
soybeans and provides an enormous amount of high protein human food
along with each gallon of biodiesel it produces.
Sun seekers-- Solar energy may be one solution to rising utility rates,
but cost and location are key factors for homeowners who want to capture
savings
"I never thought I'd be a greenie," said retired Army Maj. Harold Bower.
But this year, he shelled out about $31,000 -- before government
incentives -- for two solar energy systems at his all-electric
four-bedroom home in Severn
The Top 50 ways to save the planet
The UK Environment Agency has polled a group of environmental experts for
their suggestions on how to save the planet.
Thousands of Australians Rally on Climate Change
Tens of thousands of people rallied in protests around
Australia on Sunday, calling on political parties to take stronger
action over global warming.
Tilling the Fields of Codex-- Field Report No. 2 November 10, 2007
At the last Codex meeting, for which we had pre-registered, we found
ourselves confronted by armed guards who did everything they could to keep
General Stubblebine and me away from the Delegates at the meeting using
intimidation, threat and other weird ways of behaving when you consider
that these are meetings open to everyone.
U.S
green power increases 10.6%
The retail price of electricity in the United States increased by 9% last
year, but GHG emissions declined due to increases in generation from wind,
nuclear and hydroelectric facilities.
UN 'Right to Food' Rapporteur Urges 5 Year Moratorium on Biofuels
Ban on conversion of land to biofuel production. United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Jean Ziegler, has
called for a 5-year moratorium on biofuel production. This recommendation
was contained in his interim report [2] submitted to the UN General
Assembly, which met in October 2007.
US demands controls on sovereign wealth funds
The United States is to demand stringent rules to control sovereign
wealth funds, which it fears could destabilise financial markets. The
country will call on G7 leaders and the International Monetary Fund to
agree a set of guidelines for better disclosure by the state-backed
funds...
US to explore oil opportunities in Uganda
The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has commissioned a US
consultant to explore areas where it may be able to provide grant assistance
in support of the development of Uganda's oil and gas sector.
Over the past one and a half years, Uganda's oil exploration efforts have
pointed to the development of a viable oil and gas sector in the Albertine
basin
Utilities say little to be done about emissions
Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Roderick Bremby says
he wants to engage utilities in a discussion about reducing carbon dioxide
emissions at their power plants.
It might be a short conversation.
Representatives of utilities operating in Kansas say there is nothing they
can do about their present CO2 emissions.
Waste Water Plus Bacteria Make Hydrogen Fuel - Study
Bacteria that feed on vinegar and waste water zapped
with a shot of electricity could produce a clean hydrogen fuel to power
vehicles that now run on petroleum, researchers reported on Monday.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 111207
•In early Asian trading crude prices fell by $1/b as the
US dollar climbed against other currencies, moving the index away from lows
of 75 points. In mid-morning European trading the dollar had gained over a
cent against the euro and the pound.
•Meanwhile, Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi dangled the possibility of a
boost in oil output in comments Sunday.
World oil demand seen rising 2.3% to 87.69 mil b/d in 2008-- IEA
The International Energy Agency said Tuesday there were "clear signs"
that high oil prices were hitting demand in OECD countries, slashing its
estimates of consumption for the fourth quarter of 2007 and next year.
November 9, 2007
AB 32 - One
Year Later
In September 2006, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed
into law Assembly Bill 32 - The California Global Warming Solutions
Act of 2006. The law, ambitious and provocative on many levels,
mandates a reduction in the State's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to
"1990 levels" by 2020.
All biodiesel in the world could shift just 8% of diesel-- analyst
The entire available supply of biodiesel feedstocks could be used to meet
a relatively small 8% of total existing world demand for diesel, a leading
industry consultant said in Singapore this week. Current world demand for
diesel is around 14 million b/d.
Ankara aims higher than transit nation
Turkey, in energy as in geography, lies between two
worlds. It doesn't regard itself as part of Asia, but it's
not sure whether the EU is willing to consider it part of
Europe. This complicates its approach to energy issues: it
wants to be European, but it also wants to be respected in
its own right.
Australian Scientists Decode Whale Sounds
Australian scientists studying humpback whales sounds
say they have begun to decode the whale's mysterious communication
system, identifying male pick-up lines and motherly warnings.
Berkeley lawmakers OK home solar power plan
Lawmakers unanimously approved a first-of-its kind program Tuesday night to
help property owners install solar energy systems by tacking the cost on to
their property tax bills over a 20-year period.
Bernanke’s Outlook on the Economy
However, the economic outlook has been importantly affected by recent
developments in financial markets, which have come under significant
pressure in the past few months. The financial turmoil was triggered by
investor concerns about the credit quality of mortgages, especially subprime
mortgages with adjustable interest rates. The continuing increase in the
rate of serious delinquencies...
Bill Would Set High Standard for Coal Plants; Residents Voted Down the
Coal Gasification Plant in Wiscasset, but Developers Haven't Given Up
Yet
After winning their fight to block construction of a coal gasification
plant, opponents are continuing the battle in the Maine Legislature.
Bipartisan support grows for new nuclear to fight global warming
A Delaware Senator said bipartisan support for new nuclear to combat global
warming is growing. Thomas Carper said he sees increasing support for
language
in a global warming bill that would promote construction of nuclear plants.
Booming Palm Oil Demand Fuelling Climate Crisis
Booming world demand for palm oil from Indonesia for
food and biofuels is posing multiple threats to the environment as forests are being
cleared, peat wetlands exposed and carbon released, a report said on
Thursday.
British Energy Finds More Plant Trouble
British Energy shares are likely to tumble today after the electricity
provider last night announced it has discovered further problems at its
nuclear reactors.
Building a Sustainable America – One Community at a Time
Even deep into the political debate season, there is one
issue that generates much agreement: the need to go green while keeping
the economy growing. That's the target of the $3 million in grants EPA
awarded today to cities and universities under its Collaborative Science
and Technology Network for Sustainability (CNS) program.
Bush Administration Aims to Tap into Ocean's Wind Power
A year after a bitter congressional fight over offshore drilling for oil and
gas, the Bush administration now wants to tap the ocean's winds, waves and
currents as a source for alternative energy.
California Poised for Fundamental Change with Green Credit Trade
This fall the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) began evaluating whether utilities mandated to include a
rising proportion of green energy in their electricity supply mix can meet
the state's renewables portfolio standard (RPS) through the purchase of
renewable energy credits (RECs) separately from the power associated with
them.
Climate Change is Public Health Issue - US Experts
Climate change should be treated as a public health
issue, especially by the United States, the world's biggest long-term
emitter of greenhouse gases, health and ecology experts said on Tuesday.
Coal demand to rise by 73% by 2030-- IEA
As China and India's energy consumption grows, coal stands to make the
largest
gains from shifts in future fossil fuel usage, the International Energy
Agency
(IEA) said Wednesday in its World Energy Outlook (WEO).
Cosmic rays believed to start in black holes
Ultra-high energy cosmic rays -- particles that pack the
punch of a rifle shot -- make their way to Earth from massive black
holes in nearby galaxies, scientists said on Thursday, in a finding that
may solve a mystery that has puzzled physicists for decades.
Crude futures stabilized, making up for late Thursday's losses
Global crude futures stabilized in Friday morning trading in Europe time,
after Thursday's volatile session.
But ICE Brent futures, in particular, seemed to be struggling to continue
the upward move
Dutch, British Coasts Face Serious Flood Threat
The North Sea coasts of the Netherlands and Britain
faced their worst flood threat for decades on Thursday from a
storm-driven tidal surge.
Authorities compared the approaching conditions to those in 1953 when floods
killed more than 2,000 people in both countries.
E.ON UK starts generating power at 44 MW Steven's Croft biomass
Generator E.ON UK has started producing power from its 44 MW Steven's
Croft biomass facility in Lockerbie, Scotland for the first time, as the
plant
undergoes final phase testing. The GBP90 million ($189 million) facility is
due to enter commercial operations in December.
Eight English Cities Pledge More Climate Action
Eight provincial English cities pledged on Thursday to
take extra steps to combat climate change, echoing the actions of
several counterparts in the United States.
Fish Vanishing from Southeast Asian Oceans - Report
Southeast Asia's oceans are fast running out of fish,
putting the livelihoods of up to 100 million people at risk and
increasing the need for governments to support the maintenance of fish
stocks, an Australian expert said.
Four units affected by the fire at Valero's Port Arthur refinery
Several process units at Valero Energy's 325,000 b/d refinery in Port
Arthur, Texas, were affected by the fire early Thursday in the diesel
hydrotreater unit there, the company said.
From Ocean Waves, Zero-Carbon Energy
Denmark generates a fifth of its electricity from wind power, Germany is a
global leader in solar technology and Iceland heats huge numbers of homes
with geothermal energy. Could Britain match the achievements of its
neighbors in renewable energy by harnessing the power of the waves along its
abundant coastline?
Going green may mean going slower on highway, as Minnesota panel
considers ways to cut emissions
Governor's panel awash in options for cutting
greenhouse gases.
Governors´ group hopes to increase energy efficiency
The National Governors Association is joining an initiative to spur
the deployment of more energy computers and cut energy use of existing
equipment.
Haiti's Hopes for Biofuels Rest on Jatropha Plant
The rising cost of foreign oil has governments and
researchers around the world searching for cheaper and more sustainable
forms of energy. In Haiti, the hope is centered on a native plant called
jatropha curcas, which bears oily seeds that can be crushed and processed to
produce diesel fuel for generators or vehicles.
Heating And Cooling System Eliminates The Need For Pollutant Fossil
Fuels
MEAs homeowners brace for record high heating bills this
winter they have a new source of relief with Acadia: the combined
heating and cooling system from Hallowell International. This patented
new system is all-electric, eliminating the need for expensive and
pollutant fossil fuels.
High gasoline prices 'big burden for US economy'-- Bernanke
Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the US Federal Reserve, warned Thursday
that current high retail gasoline prices represent "a big burden to the US
economy," which could lead to higher inflation.
Increased nuke use tied to only scenario that cuts C02 emissions
Increased nuclear energy use is tied to the only scenario that cuts global
CO2
emissions below 2005 levels by 2030, according to the World Energy Outlook
2007 study, released in London November 7.
Industry Leaders Explore 20% Wind Penetration Scenario
The wind power industry can deliver on its soon-to-be unveiled vision for
20% wind penetration by 2030, but it's going to take sound policy, an inflow
of plenty of talent into the industry, a lot of consensus building, and
getting the word out like the industry has never done before, said panelists
at the opening session of the AWEA 2007 Wind Energy Fall Symposium in
Carlsbad, California.
Italy to Build 500 New Wind Plants
With the help of the 500 additional plants Italy plans to reach a 23,000
gigawatt energy production -- ten times higher than what the country is
currently producing.
The new wind farms will make Italy the world's biggest producer of wind
energy, leapfrogging Germany which is now producing 22,622gigawatts.
Key US lawmaker says Bush would consider mandatory GHG caps
The Bush administration is not really as opposed to legislation that
would cap greenhouse gas emissions from electric utilities and other
industries as the White House has publicly claimed, a key lawmaker warned
dozens of business executives Thursday.
Large cleanup after San Francisco oil spill
"The oil spill in San Francisco Bay is a cause for grave concern by all
who value the resources of our marvelous bay and Pacific coastline," Nancy
Pelosi, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives who represents San
Francisco, said in a statement.
Lawsuit filed against Canadian environmental minister
Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against Canada’s minister
of the environment, claiming that potentially a billion pounds of toxic mine
waste are not being reported to the Canadian public.
Lenders Tighten Standards, Demand for Loans Weaker
U.S. banks reported tighter lending standards and terms on consumer loans
other than credit card accounts, as well as tighter lending standards on
prime, nontraditional and subprime residential mortgages...Lending standards on credit card loans were, by contrast, little changed.
Maldives Warns Global Warming Threatening Islands
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said 80 of his country's 1,200 islands had experienced
tidal surges earlier this year, most of which are no more than one metre
above sea level.
New CO2 ocean sequestration method created
U.S. scientists have developed a technology that enhances removal of carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in Earth's oceans.
Next Generation of Energy Star Computers Offers Over $1 Billion in
Energy Savings
Can surfing the web help protect the environment and
save you money? Yes, and it is as simple as buying one of the new Energy
Star qualified computer products. With over 500 newly qualified product
models already on the shelves, there are many options for home and work
that will reduce your energy bill and greenhouse gas emissions.
North America in Today’s Global Economic Setting
But while attention has
been focused on financial markets, it's important not to lose sight of
other developments and trends with implications for the real economy. So
today, I want to switch the focus back on to the real side of the
Canadian and U.S. economies.
Nuclear plant raises concerns, naturally
Some of Florida's dwindling untouched resources, home to endangered species
and the gulf's delicate fisheries, may be harmed by Progress Energy's
planned nuclear power plant, a state report warns.
NYMEX crude opens 31 cents lower on potential economic slowdown
December crude futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange opened 31
cents lower at $95.15/barrel Friday as prospects for an economic slowdown in
the US put a damper on bullish sentiment.
Ohio legislators urge wind-power goals-- House begins work on Senate
bill that adopted Strickland plan
A group of Ohio lawmakers yesterday urged colleagues to blow more than hot
air when it comes to backing wind power as the debate on the state's future
energy needs and prices switches to the House.
Presidential Candidates Weigh in on Energy Policy
The League of Conservation Voters has published a
comparison of the energy policy positions of the 2008 presidential
candidates, which range from environmentally responsible to
business-as-usual. What is startling about the comparison, however, is that
some of the candidates officially hold no articulated position on a subject
on which some other presidential hopefuls have gone to the wall.
Privately
Seeking Utilities
It's all about the need to attract capital. Utilities,
in particular, must build expensive power plants and transmission lines.
In the last three years, the cost of those investments has risen by 50
percent, says Standard & Poor's.
Quote of the
Day 110907
"If all starch, sugar, fat and natural oils were used
to make liquid biofuels and none went to food, feed or other industrial uses
(...) biodiesel could meet 8% of diesel demand."
Tony Regan,
principal consultant with Singapore energy consultancy Nexant, told a
gathering
Radioactive Minerals Dumped in Congo - Authorities
Authorities in Congo have launched an inquiry into the
suspected dumping of 18 tonnes of highly radioactive minerals into a river in
southeast Katanga province, the provincial mines minister said on Wednesday.
Record Oil Prices Unlikely to Dent World Growth
* Average petroleum spot price hit record highs in early November
* Triggered by geopolitical risks, bad weather in Gulf of Mexico, tightening
market conditions, and weaker dollar
* Hike may boost headline inflation but impact on growth likely to be
marginal
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 110807
Solar activity was very low. No flares were observed
during the past 24 hours and the solar disk continues to be
spotless. Solar wind
observations from ACE show a small increase in velocity, consistent with a
favorably positioned coronal hole.
Rising Seas Threaten Africa's Coastline - UN Body
"By some projections of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change), global warming could affect one-third of Africa's coastal
infrastructure by the end of this century because we know that we are on a
course of having sea levels rising between 20 and 60 centimetres this
century," Steiner said.
Scientists-- Crist climate plan too little
Florida produces 1 percent of the world's greenhouse gases and could have
vast swaths of coastline swallowed by the sea, but the governor's aggressive
proposals to curb the ravages of global warming may be an expensive "drop in
the bucket."
Texas shatters national record for wind power installations
Based on statistics released today by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA),
Texas has shattered the national record for wind installations by one state
in a single year. The 1,185 megawatts (MW) of wind projects completed in
Texas through the first 9 months of 2007 surpass the previous full-year
state mark of 912 MW, set by Texas in 2001.
The Scariest Part of Citigroup's Mess
The poor card player does not fold. The poor card player calls and then
stays in the game, praying that the one card in the deck that can help him
falls and saves the hand.
Time Spent In Car Drives Up Air Pollution Exposure
The daily commute may be taking more of a toll than people realize. A new
study by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) and the
California Air Resources Board found that up to half of Los Angeles
residents’ total exposure to harmful air pollutants occurs while people are
traveling in their vehicles.
U.S.
Faces Burning Emissions Issue
Severe United States wildfires can contribute as much as vehicles to
carbon emissions in some US states, although the amount is highly variable.
New research published in the online open access journal Carbon Balance and
Management quantifies these emissions and suggests fires will complicate
emissions monitoring and modelling efforts.
U.S. Fires Release Large Amounts Of Carbon Dioxide
Large-scale fires in a western or southeastern state can pump as much
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in a few weeks as the state's entire
motor vehicle traffic does in a year, according to newly published research
by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the
University of Colorado at Boulder.
Uranium Energy Corp Acquires New River Project in Arizona
Uranium Energy Corp announces that it has acquired 100%
interest in the New River Uranium Project, located in northern Maricopa
County, Arizona
US agencies propose corridors for energy lines on Western lands
The statement designates corridors for oil, natural gas and hydrogen
pipelines, as well as electricity lines, in Arizona, California, Colorado,
Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
The
departments of Energy, Agriculture, Commerce, Defense and Interior
contributed
to the report.
US Long-Term Mortgage Rates Ease Slightly
Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) yesterday released the
results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year
fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.24 percent with an average 0.4 point
for the week ending November 8, down from last week when it averaged 6.26
percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.33 percent.
The 30-year FRM has not been this low since the week ending May 17, when
it averaged 6.21 percent.
US Weather
Commentary 110707
REGIONAL MEDIUM & LONG-RANGE WEATHER CAPSULES
Utilities Face Long Struggle on Storage of Nuclear Waste
Because the production of nuclear energy generates virtually no carbon
dioxide, the industry around the world is trying to ride a wave of
enthusiasm for "green" sources of power at a time when demand for energy is
surging. But a huge obstacle remains: More than a half-century after the
opening of the first commercial reactor, there still is no permanent
disposal site anywhere for highly radioactive waste of the kind that Heep
oversees.
Virginia Tech engineers will rank the top 500 supercomputers in the
world based on energy efficiency
Virginia Tech engineers will rank the top 500
supercomputers in the world based on energy efficiency, the university
said Wednesday
Welcome to the solution - Hydrogen Fuel Injection (HFI)!
Welcome to the solution - Hydrogen Fuel Injection (HFI)! The science behind
HFI is well documented and, in fact, it has been known for some time (since
a 1974 paper by the Jet Propulsion Lab of the California Institute of
Technology) that the addition of hydrogen to fossil fuels, burned in
internal combustion engines, will increase the efficiency of that
engine.
What Simply Isn’t Being Said About China’s Extraordinary Growth
The notion that China is expanding quicker than any other nation on the
planet is really just old news now. But how does its political landscape
coincide with its current pace to be the world’s most dominant economy by
the year 2050?
What's Moving the Oil Markets 110907
•Global crude futures stabilized in Friday morning
trading in Europe time, after Thursday's volatile session.
•Supply worries at the North Sea oil
and gas production fields seemed to have eased
•Despite easing supply worries, given
the current volatile structure of the market, analysts still regard
hitting the $100/b mark a viable option in the next few trading days.
Wildfire Drives Carbon Levels In Northern Forests
Far removed from streams of gas-thirsty cars and pollution-belching
factories lies another key player in global climate change. Circling the
northern hemisphere, the conifer-dominated boreal forests - one of the
largest ecosystems on earth - act as a vast natural regulator of atmospheric
carbon levels.
World to Stay Hooked on Fossil Fuels - IEA
The world will stay hooked on fossil fuels up to 2030,
although oil's share of global energy demand will fall slightly, while
coal use rises, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Wednesday.
November 6, 2007
A Blueprint for Today's Sustainability
While concerned groups have been making the case for global warming and
environmental responsibility for years, it only recently crossed over into
the mainstream. Popular acceptance is in part thanks to Al Gore's An
Inconvenient Truth, which spread the word that global warming is a reality.
Whether you agree fully with the documentary or not, its message resonated
with the public and fueled consumer demand for environmentally friendly
products and services.
As demand grows, it's either conserve or build new plants
The reason why is a mix of issues that, in the face of ever-rising energy
demand, leaves the industry that powers nearly everything we do at a vital
crossroads: either find a way to curb our voracious energy appetite or
greatly expand the energy trough.
Australian Town to Run on Solar Power in 2 Years
A sun-drenched town in Australia's north hopes to use
only solar power in two years after being chosen as the site for a solar
thermal power station.
Avista Joins Chicago Climate Exchange
Avista (NYSE: AVA) has become a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX),
the world's first and North America's only voluntary, legally binding
integrated greenhouse gas emissions reduction, registry and trading system.
The CCX allows participants to earn credits for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions and trade the resulting financial instruments at market prices.
Can we bury CO2 in North Dakota prairie?
Not long ago, the North Dakota prairie hid missiles that were key weapons
during the Cold War. Now, it's a proving ground for a new high-tech attack
on global warming.
Capturing Carbon, Capturing the Market
The UK 's development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology,
increasingly regarded as the single best technology to reduce significant
CO2 emissions, has recently taken both a step forward and a step back. The
direction depends on the standpoint of each utility. There has been positive
news for those looking to develop post-combustion technology, but for those
leading with pre-combustion technology, recent announcements have been a
setback.
China Blames Warming for Growing Water Shortages
China suffers a water shortage of nearly 40 billion
cubic metres a
year which Water Resources Minister Chen Lei blamed largely on global
warming, state media reported on Monday.
China's Paradox
China's bright lights may fade. While the nation is producing billions of
tons of coal to feed an economy that is growing at 10 percent annually, the
ancient civilization is getting overrun with pollutants that threaten all of
its gains.
China's Wind Power Could Be Booming for Wrong Reasons - Expert
Wind power is booming on the mainland, but industry analysts fear an
investment frenzy being driven by political factors rather than economic
returns might undermine the green energy cause.
'Clean coal' stalled, for now-- Cost, feasibility hamper projects
Until recently, "clean coal" power plants like the 600-megawatt Mesaba
Energy Project had seemed like the energy industry's perfect retort to Al
Gore: a plant on the Iron Range that could produce reliable power using
abundant coal and yet not muck up the environment.
But the controversial project failed to win regulatory approval from the
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission this week and similar projects
using the same technology elsewhere are collapsing over concerns about
cost and feasibility
Coal plants spark battle of letters
It was "open letter" season Thursday as officials fired off warring words
over the two proposed coal-fired plants in western Kansas.
Conference to reconcile US energy bills still possible-- Barton
As ad-hoc staff discussions of major US energy legislation continued
Friday in Congress, it emerged that another effort may be afoot to start a
formal conference process to reconcile House-passed H.R. 3221 and
Senate-passed H.R. 6.
Crude futures down on weak equities, easing Middle East tensions
5Nov2007--Crude futures fell away from all time-high settlements on Monday as
industry players took stock, using weaker equity markets and easing
geopolitical tensions as a trigger to ease long positions, brokers said.
Downed power lines blamed for some California fires
Power lines are the suspected culprit behind at least five of the 12 major
fires that burned in Southern California last week, including the Witch
fire, which burned nearly 200,000 acres, destroyed 1,041 homes and killed
two people.
EPA to Hold Hearing on Amendments to Petroleum Refinery Rule, Give
Public Additional Time to Comment
The amendments, proposed in August, address the residual risk and eight-year
technology reviews required for air toxics standards. Air toxics, also known
as hazardous air pollutants, are known or suspected to cause cancer and
other health problems.
Europe Simply Cannot Recreate What the Fed Has Just Done
The recent cut in U.S. interest rates has certainly received mixed reviews.
Some accuse the U.S. Federal Reserve of preempting the 25 basis point fall
by its previously unexpected 50 basis point cut decision; and pre-emption is
not something central bankers are supposed to do.
Experts say climate change threatens national security
Climate change could end globalization by 2040 as
nations look inward to conserve scarce resources and conflicts flare
when refugees flee rising seas and drought, national security experts
warned on Monday.
Experts Study Visual Impact of Turbines
Expert consultants are to be asked to study the potential visual impact of a
line of massive new wind turbines planned for the Northumberland coast.
Facelift time for Crystal River nuclear plant
No need to reach for those anti-radiation pills. The hustle and bustle
around Progress Energy's nuclear power plant is just routine maintenance.
Farewell
to 'Flush and Forget'
The current engineering concept for dealing with human waste is to use
vast quantities of water to wash it away, preferably into a sewer system
where it will be treated before being discharged into the local river. This
“flush and forget” system is expensive and water-intensive, disrupts the
nutrient cycle, and is a major source of disease in developing countries.
Florida Gov. to Lobby for Ethanol on US Congress
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said on Monday he will encourage US
Congress members to lobby for more ethanol use and a reduction in the
54-cent-a-gallon tariff on Brazilian imports of the biofuel.
Gas Price Gouging - Call It Like It Is Say Bob Weiner and John Larmett
in Seattle PI Op-ed
A former White House and senior congressional Public
Affairs Director, Robert Weiner, and John Larmett, former press secretary for Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), contend that
despite no current federal law defining the term, oil companies are "price
gouging" the American people, abusing "fears of a Turkish invasion of
Kurdish Northern Iraq and administration saber rattling about Iran" while
"there is no actual shortage."
Human population is on track to reach almost 9.2 billion by 2050
These numbers are startling, but there is something we can do—with your
help. ...The population message must be heard if we are to achieve a
sustainable world...
Japan-- Total Mobility Project Converts Standard Auto to Solar
The gist of the conversion required the group to remove
the engine and gas tank and replace them with a battery and an electric
motor. The next step involved placing seven solar panels across the hood
of the automobile. At this point the solar powered auto is able to run
for close to 19 miles and travel at the speed of up to 62 MPH.
Key US senator says cap-and-trade system will boost energy prices
If the US Congress passes, and the White House approves, a cap-and-trade
system for greenhouse gases, the price of all types of energy will rise,
said
Jeff Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee.
Land-Use, Human Activity Impact Aquifers And Drinking Water Supplies
As populations increase around areas with public
water-supply wells in the northern Tampa Bay region there are
corresponding increases in contamination. According to a study by the
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS),
human activities are impacting ground-water resources.
Mayors group to help cities reduce carbon footprint
The U.S. Conference of Mayors has entered into a partnership with
the Clinton Climate Initiative that will help cities´ efforts to reduce
their carbon footprint.
Most Britons Aware But Unwilling on Climate Change
Warnings about the effects of climate change have made
most Britons aware of the crisis, but few are willing to make major
changes to the way they live, a survey showed on Friday.
Most Would Pay Higher Energy Bills to Address Climate Change Says Global
Poll
Most people say they are ready to make personal sacrifices - including
paying more for their energy - to help address climate change, according to
a new BBC World Service poll of 22,000 people in 21 countries.
New Mexico will demand the most comprehensive reporting in the nation
New Mexico industries will be required to start reporting their greenhouse
gas emissions, beginning in 2009, to the state Environment Department, under
a rule recently ordered by the state Environment Improvement Board.
NYMEX crude opens $2.22 b higher on embattled US dollar
6Nov2007--December crude futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange opened
$2.22/barrel higher at $96.20/b Tuesday with a decimated US dollar giving
commodity bulls reason to continue the record run-up in prices.
Oil manufacturers turn to waste products
The unsavory leftovers from slaughterhouses and nose-crinkling gunk from the
sinks of any fast-food drive-through restaurant could be coming soon to a
diesel tank near you.
Palo Verde contract worker with `pipe bomb' detained
A contract worker with security clearance to work in the nuclear area of
the Palo Verde nuclear plant is being detained after a "pipe bomb" was found
in his pickup truck as he attempted to enter the plant November 2,...
Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Asks Federal Government to Reconsider
Transmission Corridor Decision
The Governor said the broad designation exceeds what lawmakers had
originally intended, and the department exceeded its authority by ignoring
the Federal Powers Act while failing to consider alternatives.
PG&E to purchase solar thermal power
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has entered into an agreement to purchase
the output from a 177-megawat solar thermal power project being development
by Ausra Inc.
Poultry power seen saving bay-- Gansler's call for manure-burning
electric plant among proposed solutions
Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler called yesterday for higher
fines for agricultural polluters and a manure-burning plant to transform
chicken litter into electricity.
"I would like to take 500,000 pounds of chicken manure a year and turn it
into power," said Gansler, a Democrat. "That would really help make a huge,
herculean and dramatic improvement to the watershed."
Production from oil majors struggles to keep up as oil shoots for $100
The wheels may be wobbling and a few clouds may be gathering on the horizon
for market bulls, but the bandwagon that seems to be taking headline crude
oil futures relentlessly towards a watershed $100 per barrel level carried
on purposefully last week.
Quote of the
Day 110607
"While the growth of the global economy may slow
due to credit unrest sparked by the US subprime crisis, global auto sales in
2008 are expected to breach the 70-million-unit mark for the first time."
Worldwide car sales
are expected to rise 4% next year despite higher oil prices and global
credit worries, a study by South Korea's Hyundai Motor showed Tuesday.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 110507
Solar Activity Forecast: Solar activity is expected to
remain
at very low levels. Geophysical Activity Forecast: The geomagnetic
field is
expected to be at quiet levels for the next three days (06 - 08
November).
Rich Nations' Climate Emissions Up, Near Record
Rich nations' greenhouse gas emissions rose near to an
all-time high in 2005, led by US and Russian gains despite curbs meant
to slow global warming, UN data showed.
Robert Steel's Testimony on Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention
The following is a speech by Under Secretary for Domestic Finance Robert K.
Steel, before the House Committee on Financial Services in Washington, DC.
Tibetans Wake Up to Nosebleeds in Super-Dry Autumn
Tibet, long regarded as sensitive to the effects of global warming, is
heating up faster than anywhere else in the world, state media has said.
UBS upgrades one-month gold forecast, warns correction likely
UBS said Tuesday it was "bowing to the inevitable" and upgrading its
one-month forecast for gold to $850/oz, from $700/oz...Gold's external drivers of a weak US dollar and strong oil had been
"conspiring" together, to lift gold to its current heights, said the bank.
Update on California Forced Chemo Case
Congratulations, Laurie and Chad, for
Persevering and Remaining in Charge of Your Own Health!
US Climate Bill Seen as Sign of Political Shift
A milestone, a landmark and "the political center of
gravity is finally shifting on global warming."
Those accolades greeted a US Senate subcommittee's approval on Thursday of a
bill to cap greenhouse gas emissions, mostly because it is the first of a
dozen such measures that might have a chance of becoming law.
Waste Gas is a Powerful Fuel; Electricity Generated From Landfill Gases
A massive rubbish dump in Northumberland is proving to be a major source of
power generation as more and more of the landfill gas it produces is turned
into electricity.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 110507
•Crude futures fell away from all time-high settlements
on Monday as industry players took stock, using weaker equity markets
and easing geopolitical tensions as a trigger to ease long positions
•The dollar index rebounded from all-time lows as the greenback strengthened
against the euro and pound, and with lower European stock prices, this has
contributed in the weakening of the oil futures, brokers said.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 110607
•ICE Brent crude futures hit a new
high of $92.36/barrel while other futures neared or set new all-time
highs on the back of turmoil in financial markets, which caused volatile
swings for commodities markets throughout the session.
Wind Farm Foils
Radar
Plans for wind turbines are being thrown into disarray because defence
bosses say they threaten national security.
British military chiefs fears the green energy source can stop radar
detecting aircraft and object to around a half of applications to build
them.
Winds of Change Are Blowing Home-- More Residents Embrace Cost
Effectiveness of Wind-Powered Energy, Although Neighbors May Complain of
Whirring Noise
Those whirring blades already are saving Laschinske about $400 a month in
powering his six-acre ranch, dropping his monthly bill from $600 to $200.
And it's not even prime wind season yet.
November 2, 2007
6.6 Billion and
Counting
The human population is now more than 6.6 billion, and each year 78
million more people are added to that number.
When will the world be ready to acknowledge the importance of this issue?
A Third of Freshwater Fish in Europe Under Threat
More than a third of freshwater fish species in Europe
face extinction due to overfishing, pollution and dams which have caused rivers
to dry up, a scientific study said on Thursday.
Aggressive buying pushes spot uranium price to $84-$85 pound U3O8
More aggressive buyers are accelerating the current rise of the spot
uranium price, according to price-reporting companies TradeTech and
Ux Consulting.
Banking on Green
Energy
Despite the mortgage lending mess, many commercial and investment banks are
exploring good clean, conservative investments in the renewable energy
realm. By doing so, they are not just wrapping themselves in the green
mantle but they are also serving shareholders and making profitable loans.
Berkeley Offers Residents Unique Financing Option for Solar
"Berkeley's proposal is brilliant because it removes the number
one roadblock to solar, the high up front costs...If Berkeley makes this
work, I have no doubt it will be replicated all over the state and the
nation."
California Clean Tech Open 2007 Winners Announced
Last night, the California Clean Tech Open, the nation's preeminent clean
technology business contest, announced the six category winners of the 2007
competition.
Cheap solar power poised to undercut oil and gas by half
Within five years, solar power will be cheap enough to compete with
carbon-generated electricity, even in Britain, Scandinavia or upper Siberia.
In a decade, the cost may have fallen so dramatically that solar cells could
undercut oil, gas, coal and nuclear power by up to half. Technology is
leaping ahead of a stale political debate about fossil fuels.
China May Bar Polluting Firms From Export Markets
China has threatened to bar firms that pollute from
exporting overseas, in Beijing's latest push to reduce the environmental
impact of the country's economic growth, the official Xinhua agency reported late on
Tuesday.
Congress moves forward with climate change talks
Even though it squeaked through by one vote instead of roaring by
with a unanimous tally, Congress´s first global climate change bill
nevertheless officially moved beyond the discussion stage this morning.
Crude futures turn higher again after late Thursday selloff
At 10:52 GMT, the December ICE Brent futures contract traded at
$90.64/barrel, up 92 cents/b from the overnight close, while the December
NYMEX WTI contract was at $94.18/b, up 69 cents/b.
Decline In Uptake Of Carbon Emissions Confirmed
...acceleration (of carbon
in the atmosphere) is due to three factors: global economic growth; the
world’s economy becoming more carbon intense (that is, since 2000 more
carbon is being emitted to produce each dollar of global wealth); and a
deterioration in the land and oceans’ ability to absorb carbon from the
atmosphere at the required rate.
Digging Coal a Hole
State and federal policymakers may be digging coal into a hole. In a
first-ever, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment denied an air
quality permit for two proposed coal generators based upon the expected
level of carbon emissions. Meantime, a movement is afoot on Capitol Hill to
limit heat-trapping emissions.
Drought crisis possible in March-- Duke-- Without rain, area faces
emergency
Duke Energy, for the first time, put a date Tuesday on when Catawba River
communities could begin to gasp for water: mid-March.
That's when the shallowest water intakes on Catawba reservoirs would have
too little water over them to pump normally.
Ethanol production, demand continues to grow
Ethanol production continued to grow in July, averaging 434,000
barrels per day, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Final EPA Staff Paper Recommends Stronger Standards for Airborne Lead
The "Final Staff Paper" does not change current air
quality standards. It does, however, contain EPA staff recommendations
for the administrator to consider in upcoming decisions about revising
the national air quality standards for lead.
FPL's Guards
Slept on Job
Security guards at Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point nuclear power plant
slept on the job, or covered for snoozing colleagues, on a number of
occasions from 2004 to 2006, federal regulators said Tuesday.
German Pensioner Chops 122 Trees for Sea View
A German pensioner secretly cut down or shortened 122
trees in a publicly owned forest to give his holiday cottage a clear
view of the Baltic Sea, police said on Thursday.
Global Credit Quality Holds Steady in October
Kamakura Corporation
reported yesterday that its monthly index of global credit quality held
steady in October, with troubled companies totaling eight percent of the
global public company universe.
Heating costs dip in time for winter
Try this for a double dose of good news. Natural-gas
prices are going down, and expectations for a mild winter are part of
the reason.
House Renewables Provision Reduces Electricity Costs
An ACEEE analysis released today of the House Energy Bill (H. R. 3221)
Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) provision shows that the RES reduces
electricity rates, avoids the need for conventional powerplant construction,
and reduces carbon dioxide emissions.
Inbox 110107
IBM has
developed a
process that
enables its manufacturing facilities to repurpose scrap
semiconductor wafers for reuse by other industries. The
silicon in the wafers is in high demand, especially by the
solar cell industry, which uses the material to make solar
panels.
India Aims to End Open-Air Defecation by 2012
India aims to eradicate open-air defecation by 2012 by
building toilets for hundreds of millions of its poor and homeless, well
ahead of a global deadline to do so, a government minister said.
International Partnership Event in China Builds Momentum to Fight
Climate Change
The Methane to Markets Partnership Expo in Beijing this
week has attracted more than 700 participants from 34 countries,
demonstrating widespread international interest and commitment to a
growing public-private partnership that cuts potent greenhouse gas
emissions while promoting the use of clean energy.
J.C. Penney first retailer to earn Energy Star label
J.C. Penney Co. Inc. is the first U.S. retailer to earn the federal
government’s Energy Star label for its buildings’ energy efficiency and
environmental performance.
La Nina to Persist into 2008 - UN Weather Agency
A "La Nina" cooling of sea temperatures is under way in
the Pacific Ocean and the phenomenon is likely to persist into next
year, the United Nations weather agency said on Wednesday
Mine tunnels seen as assets-- Man has a plan that would use underground
water to heat and cool structures
For years, it seemed that the underground mining industry that forged this
region had also given it its biggest black eye.
Due to the efforts of a few amateur explorers, it's possible that black eye
also created the region's golden egg.
Minnesota Indian Tribe Calls on Congress to Solve Nuclear Waste Crisis
Before Embracing New Era of Nuclear Power
A Minnesota Indian tribe today urged a Senate panel to
deliver on a promise to move the nation's nuclear waste to a safe,
secure facility before allowing the United States to revisit nuclear
power as a preferred energy source.
Monkey Sighting Stirs Climate Fears in Kenya
The discovery in Kenya of a new population of monkeys
far from their normal habitat is a sign of how climate change may
already be changing Africa's ecology, a leading conservationist said on
Wednesday.
More oil from OPEC won't calm troubled markets, Hamli says
Additional oil production from OPEC on top of the 500,000 b/d agreed upon
in September will not calm world markets, still reeling after US light crude
futures blasted to a new high near $94.00/barrel Monday, OPEC president
Mohammed Bin Dhaen al-Hamli said Tuesday.
Nordic Nations Sound Alarm Over Melting Arctic
Nordic nations sounded the alarm on Wednesday about a
quickening melt of Arctic ice and said the thaw might soon prove
irreversible because of global warming.
Not
Peak Oil, But Lots More Oil
There was an interesting news item out of Moscow in late September to
which most people probably paid little heed. "Russia is one of several
countries that have rushed to lay claims to the area where a U.S. Study
suggests as much as 25 percent of the world's undiscovered oil and gas could
be hidden."
Now, heat water through your air conditioner
“We were looking at the air conditioners which produce a huge amount of
heat, and it was going into the atmosphere as waste heat, so why not harness
this, use this in useful applications,” says Lee.
People are aware that the world is getting hotter, but always individuals
have this sense of powerlessness, what can I do, so what we are doing is a
very small part, we believe that small numbers make up that quantity.
NRC to conduct special inspection at Arkansas Nuclear One
NRC will conduct a special inspection at Arkansas Nuclear One in response
to a fire that led to a declaration of an alert at the two-unit Entergy
plant
on October 23, NRC's Region IV office said October 31.
Power plant
concerns analysts
Wisconsin Energy Corp.'s construction of a $2.3 billion
coal-fired power plant in Oak Creek is on schedule, but the fight over
one environmental permit for the project stirred interest from
investment analysts Tuesday.
Quote of the
Day 110207
"What I can tell you about oil prices is that they are
so high not because of reasons [attributable] to OPEC. We see there is ample
supply in the markets. And, I'm sure you remember last year OPEC increased
output. But you need to consider the increased geopolitical tensions in the
Middle East. For me, I think that's main reason."
Venezuelan oil
minister Rafael Ramirez told reporters on Thursday that the global oil
market has enough supply and cited geopolitical tensions as the main factor
driving world oil benchmarks to record highs.
"In spite of this, OPEC is being usually accused
for oil price changes and the expectation from OPEC to increase (its oil)
production is an illogical expectation."
Acting head of the
Iranian oil ministry, Gholamhossein Nozari said news agency Shana reported
Friday.
Renewables to supply 70% of world energy by 2100, says WEC
By 2100, 15% of world energy consumption will come from oil, gas, coal
and nuclear, while solar thermal and photovoltaic will supply 70%, according
to the World Energy Council.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 110107
The geomagnetic field was quiet. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux
at geosynchronous orbit was high.
San Jose approves mayor's 'green vision' for city
Reed said clean technology is a sound investment for the city because it
reduces energy costs. He also said attracting technology companies could
improve San Jose's economy.
Scientists discover new way to make water
Not only can
they make water from unlikely starting materials, such as alcohols,
their work could also lead to better catalysts and less expensive fuel
cells.
Solar Energy Boom May Help World's Poorest
A surge in investment in solar power is bringing down
costs of the alternative energy source, but affordability problems still
dog hopes for the 1.6 billion people worldwide without electricity.
'Standby Mode' Sucks Energy, Utility Advocates Warn of 'Vampire
Electronics' That Use $4 Billion in Electricity Every Year
A force as insidious as Bram Stoker's leading man is quietly sucking a
nickel of every dollar's worth of the electricity that seeps from your
home's outlets.
The Oil Drain - October 19, 2007
Regarding your comment about the Energy Department predicting that the oil
peaking will occur in 2037. I don't think so! Oil has already peaked; refer
to Hobarts Curve and Senator Russell Bartlett's presentation to the Senate
on Energy. Anybody in leadership that thinks we have another 30 years
before oil peaking will occur is living in a fantasy world.
U.S
green power increases 10.6%
The retail price of electricity in the United States increased by 9% last
year, but GHG emissions declined due to increases in generation from wind,
nuclear and hydroelectric facilities.
U.S. Demand for Renewable Energy Exceeding Supply
State-level Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS)
and voluntary green power markets are generating unprecedented demand for
renewable energy in the U.S., which could create significant near-term
shortages of renewable energy, according to a new report from the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
US Mortgage Rates Near Six-Month Low
Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) yesterday released the
results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year
fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.26 percent with an average 0.4 point
for the week ending November 1, down from last week when it averaged 6.33
percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.31 percent.
The 30-year FRM has not been this low since the week ending May 17, when it
averaged 6.21 percent.
US Push to Build Energy-Saving Homes Picks Up Steam
Soaring energy costs and increased concern about the
environment are spurring US builders to step up building homes that use
less energy and water.
US Senate panel approves UN treaty backed by energy industry
A US Senate committee on Wednesday approved an international treaty that
the Bush administration and major energy companies say will help the US lay
claim to huge amounts of oil and natural gas in the Arctic Ocean, the Gulf
of
Mexico and elsewhere.
Wal-Mart, Clinton Climate Initiative Announce Partnership to Increase
Availability of Affordable, Energy Efficient Products Around the Globe
The two groups will explore ways to use their purchasing
resources to lower prices on sustainable technologies such as energy
efficient building materials and systems, energy efficient lighting and
clean energy products.
Western GHG reduction effort has long 'to do' list, chairman says
Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington, along with
Canadian provinces British Columbia and Manitoba, in February agreed to cut
GHG emissions from all sectors of the economy to 15% below 2005 levels by
2020.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 110207
•Thursday's volatile afternoon trading saw widespread profit-taking as
weaker equity markets discouraged the taking of additional long positions
and the US dollar rebounded slightly.
•The rapid reversal to the downside on Thursday appeared to be related to a
more than 200-point drop in the US equity markets. Euphoria from the US
Federal Reserve's 25-basis point interest rate cut rapidly dissipated as
markets realized the central bank had signaled that a further rate cut at
its December meeting was now unlikely.
When Will Congress Pass Tax Credits for Renewable Energy
Well, you might as well ask me for tonight’s winning
lottery number--...There are still real hurdles to overcome.
Wind Farms Still Supported Despite Bat Deaths
Though concerned, local bird experts continue to support wind farms despite
a recent Illinois Department of Natural Resources study that concluded
turbines can kill large numbers of bats.
Wind farm companies estimate just two birds are killed by each turbine
annually.
World Bank raises funding for renewables by two-thirds
Funding for renewable energies from the World Bank Group has risen to
US$1.4 billion.
Funding for wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydro, as well as energy
efficiency projects, was $860 million in the 2006 financial year and rose
67% for the latest financial year.
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