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December 30, 2008
A New Respect
for Science
Though Barack Obama’s cabinet appointments have received the big headlines,
it is worth noting two important sub-cabinet choices. Both are scientists,
committed to using rather than abusing science to address issues like
climate change, and a welcome departure from the many ideologues and
lobbyists that Dick Cheney assembled to advise President Bush on
environmental matters.
Alamosa solar plant's success helps prove resource's viability on large
scale
Solar experts said the facility's successful first year of operation
should help convince utilities that sun power can be a viable part of
the U.S. generation mix, even though its costs are higher and its output
more intermittent than traditional coal- and natural-gas-fired
generators.
Ancient Water Source Vital For Australia
An ancient underground water basin the size of Libya
holds the key to Australia avoiding a water crisis as climate change
bites the drought-hit nation.
Boulder City's 'Green' Power Push
Boulder City, the community established for the builders of Hoover Dam, is
securing its claim as a hot spot for renewable energy, including solar
power.
Bush eyes oil reserves off California coast
The federal government is taking steps that may open California's fabled
coast to oil drilling in as few as three years, an action that could place
dozens of platforms off the Sonoma, Mendocino and Humboldt coasts, and
raises the specter of spills, air pollution and increased ship traffic into
San Francisco Bay.
Business, Consumers Must Work Together for Sustainable Consumption
Although people want to live more sustainably, there are still plenty of
barriers keeping them from acting in tune with their thoughts. A sustainable
society won't be born out of just consumer choices, but out of business
actions as well.
California Says Yucca Poses Threat to People, Resources
California is urging federal regulators to turn down the Energy Department's
bid to build a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, charging analysts
did not fully study how the plan would affect Death Valley groundwater and
the state's transportation networks.
Can Obama's New Energy Policy Work?
Of course, with all this attention now on renewable energy, we're also
starting to see the inevitable backlash. Most of which is centered around
this idea that we can't generate enough electricity via renewable energy to
satisfy our power needs.
CAP report; Where's the (coal) money?
A major coal industry group has spent an estimated $45
million on an ongoing advertising campaign promoting the clean energy
potential of coal, but its members are spending relatively little on the
research that would make the technology a viable solution
Cities Pushing to Buy, Sell Power; Legislature Must Be Convinced to Give
Municipalities Authority to Do So
Homeowners might get cheaper electricity and cities might attract more
business if municipalities are able to buy power in bulk and resell it.
Don't Bill Now for New Reactors, Panel Argues
Georgia Power Co.'s customers shouldn't pay $1.6 billion for two power
plants before they're built on the site of Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, say
the public-advocacy staff of the Georgia Public Service Commission.
Electric Bills May Rise For Rural Customers
About 1.7 million customers served by a group of rural electric cooperatives
face the specter of higher electricity bills because the fee to transport
coal by rail will be doubled by CSX Transportation in 2009.
Electric cars coming soon to a road near you
There was the California Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, and Chris
Paine's documentary, "Who Killed the Electric Car?" There were electrics
from General Motors, Honda, Toyota and others, and then they mostly
disappeared.
Now, with fresh concerns about global warming and everyone from Silicon
Valley's Tesla Motors to big automakers like GM and Toyota talking about
the electrification of automobiles,..
Energy plant
gets approved
The third plan proved to be the charm for the proposed $300 million
tires-to-energy plant.
The city of Erie's Zoning Office on Tuesday gave final zoning approval to
revised plans for the controversial project on the city's east side.
Environmental groups sue over EPA mining rule
Environmentalists sued the Bush administration on Monday, trying to stop the
Environmental Protection Agency from changing a rule they say keeps mining
waste from entering mountain streams.
ExxonMobil Fined $6 Million for Criminal Boston Harbor Spill
The federal government today charged a wholly owned subsidiary of
ExxonMobil Corporation with a criminal violation of the Clean Water Act in
connection with a spill of 15,000 gallons of diesel oil into the Mystic
River from ExxonMobil's oil terminal in Everett, Massachusetts.
Follow the Money
What the Fed’s cut-rate New Year’s party
means for 98% of America’s banks.
Gang of 10 Flips Switch on Energy Legislation
Senators in the bipartisan self-named "Gang of 10," who announced a
compromise proposal earlier this year, say they still plan to formally
unveil their legislation when Congress reconvenes in the new year.
Japan To Bring Back Solar Power Subsidy For Homes
Japan plans to bring back subsidies for solar panel
equipment from January, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said
on Wednesday, as the world's fifth-biggest emitter struggles to cut its
greenhouse gas emissions.
'Japanese Inuit' warns of climate change danger
As the fields of ice surrounding his home rapidly become thinner, Ikuo
Oshima knows firsthand that the effects of global warming are not a problem
of the distant future, but a present danger.
Keeping the Lights On and More; R. W. Beck Author Offers Solutions to
Sustainable Energy Challenges in the 21st Century
Visions for a Sustainable Energy Future, a book that
investigates the future of utilities, offers author Mark Gabriel's
perspective on the industry and how America can achieve sustainable
energy solutions in a practical, economically feasible way.
Klamath Tribes to buy 90,000-acre Mazama Forest
It’s a new chapter in the history of the
landless Klamath Tribes in southern Oregon. They’re buying back part of
their lost reservation – and with that returns their tradition of caring
for and being nurtured by their native land.
Managing nonprofits in an 'age of hope'
I am inclined to think the Bernard Madoff affair has
blown the lid off the financial madness of this decade. We have been
living in an age of fraud, and now must rethink the way we do business.
Mesalands wind turbine connected to electric grid
Mesalands Community College's wind turbine is now producing power that's
being added to the area's electrical grid.
Mixed Gas Outlook
Power generation is likely to be the only driver for increased natural gas
demand this winter as warmer weather and a sluggish economy dampen retail
and industry demand, the Natural Gas Supply Association forecast in its
annual winter outlook for 2008-2009.
More U.S. Land Area Devoted to Organic Cotton
Carl Pepper, an organic cotton farmer who serves on the board of the Texas
Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative, says he grows organically on his 1,040
acres because, "the organic way is the best system for the land," and also
because he gets satisfaction from doing what others said couldn't be done.
New Coal Economics
A perfect storm of rising world coal demand and falling international
supplies is creating higher prices for U.S. producers who can sell into the
export markets instead of domestically.
Nuclear proposal energizes debate in Missouri
We'll soon see how much Missourians want a new nuclear power plant.
A Missouri utility wants to build a second nuclear plant in Callaway County
-- if ratepayers will pony up before the plant opens.
NYMEX crude opens 81 cents lower on steady dollar, weak curve
NYMEX February crude futures opened 81 cents lower at $39.21/barrel
Tuesday at 9:00 am EST (1400 GMT) on a steady US dollar and as the
front-month
crude curve continues to weaken.
The US Dollar Index on ICE was up 7.1 points to 80.756 as NYMEX floor
trading opened, but off from its intra-session high of 81.352.
Perspective into the US Real Estate Market
For some perspective into the all-important
US real estate market, today's chart illustrates the US median price of a
single-family home over the past 38 years.
Petitions Challenge Yucca License Bid
"In a nutshell, we're challenging DOE's capacity to construct and operate a
safe repository," said Irene Navis, Clark County's nuclear waste planning
manager.
Pollution At Home Often Lurks Unrecognized
Many people may be surprised by the number of chemicals
they are exposed to through everyday household products, a small study
finds, suggesting, researchers say, that consumers need to learn more
about sources of indoor pollution.
Price Gouging. Ratepayers Express Shock Over Exorbitant Electric Bills
Some Bristol residents are steamed over electricity bills that are taking an unprecedented bite out of their wallets when the economy is at its worst in
decades.
Responses
to plastic pollution
After seeing through the dreadful negative effects,
movements have already been launched against plastic pollution.
Saltire Prize 'to Put Scotland on Renewable Energy Map'
Major early interest in a multimillion pound innovation prize will propel
Scotland to the forefront of world energy research, the First Minister said
yesterday.
Seawater science can help climate change forecasts
A team of scientists has come up with a new definition
of seawater which is set to boost the accuracy of projections for oceans
and climate.
Oceans help regulate the planet's weather by shifting heat from the equator
to the poles. Changes in salinity and temperature are major forces driving
global currents as well as circulation patterns from the surface to the
seabed.
Solar Power Demand to Soar in Coming Years
Demand for solar energy in Thailand is projected to soar
over the next six years, driven by the government's programme to promote
renewable energy.
Tennessee Valley Coal Ash Spill Buries 400 Acres, Damages Homes
A retaining wall at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston coal-fired
power plant collapsed early Monday morning, causing 2.6 million cubic yards
of fly ash to be spilled across hundreds of acres.
The great green hope
Mandates on the use of renewable
energy would have a profound impact on the environment, but at what cost?
TVA will make energy from GM plant's old paint
They currently sit in a landfill in Russellville, but they will soon be
turned into electricity.
The Tennessee Valley Authority Paradise Fossil Fuel plant in Drakesboro
plans to burn recovered paint chips from the General Motors Bowling Green
Assembly Plant, turning the would-be waste into energy.
U.S. Edges Out Germany as World Wind Power Leader
The national trade association of America's wind
industry says in 2008 the industry had another record growth year - the
third record year in a row and generated more than $18 billion in
revenues.
UK Government; Strong energy and climate progress in 2008 - but 2009 is
crunch year for climate change, says Miliband
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said 2008 was an historic
year for confronting the twin challenges of developing a low-carbon economy
and combating climate change, thanks to the agreement on European energy and
emission targets, the passing of the world-first Climate Change Act, and
strong growth in the UK renewable industry.
US declines protections for seal in energy-rich Arctic waters
The Bush administration plans to announce Tuesday that it will not extend
Endangered Species Act protections to a arctic seal that lives in the oil-
and
gas-rich Chukchi and Beaufort seas.
US Long-term Rates Fall for Eight Consecutive Week Setting Another New
Low
Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) last week released the results of its Primary
Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM)
averaged 5.14 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending December
24, 2008, downfrom last week when it averaged 5.19 percent. Last year at
this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.17 percent. The 30-year FRM has not
been lower since Freddie Mac started the Primary Mortgage Market Survey in
1971.
US SEC to change oil, gas reserve reporting rules in 2010
The US Securities and Exchange Commission approved new reporting rules
for oil and gas reserves Monday, marking the first change in those rules in
25
years...
Vintage '08 A Mixed Case Of Economy And Ecology
In the world of wine, vintage 2008 was a blend of
economy and ecology as financial woes put the brakes on a bull run in
prices and more producers went green.
Wind energy gains steam across state
For Randall Nichols, wind energy is not just so much hot air.
It's money...
Wind power is generating a lot of excitement across Iowa, which, state and
utility officials note, has population and geographic advantages to push it
along.
Winter is No Friend to Green Power
Old Man Winter, it turns out, is no friend of renewable energy.
This time of year, wind turbine blades ice up, biodiesel congeals in tanks
and solar panels produce less power because there is not as much sun. And
perhaps most irritating to the people who own them, the panels become
covered with snow, rendering them useless even in bright winter sunshine.
Wisconsin Renews Push for Solar Power
The state in 2009 will reach for the sun as a renewable energy focus for new
and existing developments despite a growing shadow of skepticism.
December 24, 2008
This is our ONE newsletter for this week.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
Americans see global warming, don't want to pay
While a majority of Americans believe the Earth is warming, there is little
support among the public to use tax money to address the issue, a new survey
suggests.
Analyst warns of 'solar market eclipse' in 2009
Global revenue for photovoltaic (PV) panels is expected
to plunge by 19 percent in 2009, following eight consecutive years of
growth, as a massive oversupply puts pressure on pricing, according to a
forecast by market research firm iSuppli Corp.
Ash leak fuels debate on risks of coal waste
The ash that burst out of a TVA retention pond Monday is the sort of waste
that has gotten scrutiny from federal regulators and lawmakers in recent
months.
Biomass to the
Rescue
Nobody loves biomass. When talk turns to global warming and the green
movement, it's hardly ever mentioned. Biomass can be garbage (literally) or
wood chips or sugar-cane remnants or grass.
Still, among energy experts, biomass has some strong supporters, and for
good reason:
Coal River mine permit challenge by wind proponents
Environmental groups said Thursday they are appealing the Manchin
administration's approval of a key permit change for a Massey Energy strip
mine at a site where citizen groups are promoting alternative plans for a
wind-energy facility.
D.C. Court of Appeals vacates pollution limits rule
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has
vacated a federal rule that allowed refineries, chemical plants and other
industrial sites to exceed federal pollution limits during startup, shutdown
and malfunction.
Electricity bills to increase this February
Electricity bills for Entergy customers will go up as the result of a rate
increase tentatively approved by state regulators.
Environmental groups applaud Obama´s nominees
President-elect Barack Obama will nominate former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack
as secretary of agriculture and Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., as secretary of
the interior.
Environmental groups sue over EPA mining rule
Environmentalists sued the Bush administration on Monday, trying to stop the
Environmental Protection Agency from changing a rule they say keeps mining
waste from entering mountain streams.
First U.S. Offshore Wind Farm Project Moves Forward
A plan to build the United States' first offshore wind
farm took another step forward on Tuesday, after the Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection approved its proposed undersea
cables to transmit power to the mainland.
Funding for Clean Energy Projects Can Provide Immediate Stimulus and
Long-Term Economic Benefits
One of the first and most important jobs for the new
Congress in January will be to pass an economic stimulus bill to jump
start the economy, create jobs, and revitalize American industry – a
tall order, which could cost between $500 billion and $1 trillion.
Therefore, it is critical for this legislation to fund projects that not
only will create jobs and economic activity in the near term but also
will strengthen our long-term economic security, and that includes
addressing the urgent threat of climate change
Geothermic Energy Could Power All Nations
A new renewable energy technology could truly
revolutionize the way energy is produced around the world for a fraction of
the cost of what we all pay for electricity now. There are zero emissions,
zero heat loss to atmosphere, and this energy can last indefinitely into the
future with no damage to local or larger ecosystems. It is called "GEOthermic
Energy" (as opposed to Geothermal) and it uses the deep crust (lithosphere)
heat.
Grassroots electricity
The ability to sell excess electricity back to the grid is improving for
Kentuckians who generate their own power via solar, wind or other renewable
systems, according to a report released last week.
Groups sue for coal plant compliance
A coalition of environmental groups has filed a lawsuit trying to force the
federal government to comply with a 6-year-old mandate to reduce toxic
chemical emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Hansen to Obama; Support a Carbon Tax
Eminent climatologist James Hansen will urge U.S. President-elect Barack
Obama to support a carbon tax, in a letter to be sent this week, Hansen
said.
Hemlock, MI, USA; Hemlock Joint Ventures to Invest up to $3 Billion to
Expand Polysilicon Production
The Hemlock Semiconductor Group, which includes two Dow Corning Corporation
joint ventures, Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor
LLC, will invest up to $3.0 billion to expand polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon)
production, a key raw material used to manufacture solar cells and
semiconductor devices.
IEA Radically Changes Assumptions On Peak Oil
In its 2007 World Energy Outlook, the IEA predicted a rate of decline in
output from the world's existing oilfields of 3.7% a year--based admittedly
on assumptions.
But the new report, published last month, projected a rate of decline of
6.7%, a number the Agency says is based on the first major study of the
world's 800 largest oil fields.
Inbox 122308
The Obama Green Team is in place. And now we´ll see just
how much greener the United States will get in the years
to come.
International Hydrogen Energy Association Reaches Key Emerging Markets
Dr. Zong Qiang Mao, President of CAHE, believes that
“China’s rise in hydrogen RD&D has matured significantly in the last year.
The China Association for Hydrogen Energy will now be able to participate
constructively in the international partnership of hydrogen stakeholders
that PATH represents.”
Making the Green Industries Shovel-Ready for Obama's Jobs Program
When President-elect Barack Obama announced his
vast jobs program for everything from bridges to green technology, the New
York Times sniffed the "plan, if enacted, would be in part a
government-directed industrial policy, with lawmakers and administration
officials picking winners and losers among private projects and raining
large amounts of taxpayer money on them."
Momentum builds for energy independence
Breaking America's foreign-oil addiction was all the
rage on Capitol Hill when gas cost $4 a gallon. Now that it's under $2
and falling, history suggests the enthusiasm for alternative fuels and
more-efficient cars will subside. It did that in the mid-1970s and again
in the '80s and '90s.
New TVA nuclear plant cost could top current sites
The cost of building the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant in
Alabama could be more than the Tennessee Valley Authority spent to build
all three of its current nuclear generating stations.
The federal utility says in its latest filing to the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission that industry estimates to build an advanced twin-reactor
nuclear plant like Bellefonte, including escalating construction costs
and interest expenses, could be $9.8 billion to $17.5 billion.
Obama left with little time to curb global warming
When Bill Clinton took office in 1993, global warming
was a slow-moving environmental problem that was easy to ignore. Now it
is a ticking time bomb that President-elect Barack Obama can't avoid.
Obama names science and technology team
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has named four key
members of his science and technology team, saying science holds the key
to the planet's survival and U.S. prosperity.
Obama Picks Climate Specialist As Science Adviser
Holdren is a Harvard University physicist who has focused on the causes
and consequences of climate change and advocated policies aimed at
sustainable development. He has also done extensive research on the
dangers of nuclear weapons.
Obama's Oil Slide
Recall the windfall profits tax? No, not the one implemented as part of the
Jimmy Carter presidential administration. It's the one proposed by candidate
Barack Obama earlier in the year -- the one that would make Big Oil pay a
tax on their "excessive" profits and the one that would shift that money
over to ordinary folks to pay energy bills.
Oil Executives Become Renewable Energy Converts
While oil executives have traditionally been die-hard optimists regarding
the future of black gold, the industry has been undergoing a quiet
revolution
Oil Falls Below $39 On Economic Gloom
Oil prices fell another 2.3 percent to below $39 a
barrel on Tuesday as a raft of gloomy economic data reinforced
expectations that world energy demand will shrink for the first time in
25 years.
Power for Iraq - Siemens supplies key components for gas power plants
The Siemens Sector Energy has secured a major contract
from Iraq for the supply of key components for the expansion of the
country's power system. The purchaser is the Iraqi Ministry of
Electricity.
Red Flags as Washington Gears Up to Remake Energy Policy
Obama's pick for energy secretary has argued for regulation and higher
prices to rein in energy consumption -- precisely what Washington has been
avoiding for 30 years.
Renewable energy is pushed statewide
The state’s energy czar says his new energy initiative could put Alaska
entirely on clean, renewable power.
That is, if someone’s willing to pay for it.
Such an effort could reach into the billions of dollars.
Renewable Power Projects Using Elephant Grass
Despite the world's financial and economic crisis,
electric energy consumption in Brazil is growing at 5% a year. ..There
is a list of renewable projects that fit in very well here in Brazil.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 122208
ACE
measured increases in temperature, density and wind velocity, all
indicative of a co-rotating interaction region in advance of a
recurrent coronal hole high speed stream. During this period, solar wind
speed increased to near 400 km/s...
The geomagnetic field is
forecasted to be quiet to unsettled with isolated active periods on
23 December. On 24 - 25 December, effects from the coronal hole are
expected to wane, and as a result, the geomagnetic field will be
mostly quiet.
Russia urges global coordinated action to stabilize energy market
Russian energy minister Sergei Shmatko said Tuesday the world's leading
energy powers should coordinate action to stabilize energy markets.
State looks to toughen laws for use of fly ash
Regulations that allowed the sculpting of a Chesapeake golf course with more
than a million tons of fly ash are about to be reopened and possibly
tightened to better protect the environment.
Early this month, Virginia regulators took the first step toward amending a
set of rules governing fly ash and other "coal-combustion byproducts"
generated by the burning of coal for electricity.
Fly ash contains arsenic, lead and other contaminants that can pose threats
to the environment through air and water.
Tough Climate Goals May Be Easier Than Feared
Tough targets for avoiding dangerous global warming may
be easier to achieve than widely believed, according to a study that
could ease fears of a prohibitive long-term surge in costs.
Treasury Releases Term Sheet for Automotive Plan
Secretary Paulson Statement on Stabilizing the Automotive Industry
U.S. Needs $500 Billion Clean Tech Investment, 5 Million Green Jobs
A new plan for reviving and strengthening the U.S.
economy calls for an investment of $500 billion over 10 years on a range
of energy, education, construction, building and manufacturing programs
that would create 5 million jobs.
Up on the Roof, New Jobs in Solar Power
Although he may have to work 50 feet off the ground,
Spencer Bockus, 22, likes his job installing solar panels “because I’m
helping the environment.”
US court allows CAIR to remain in effect while EPA fixes rule
A federal court on Tuesday said that the controversial Clean Air
Interstate Rule that created an emissions trading program for coal-fired
power
plants can stay in place until the US Environmental Protection Agency fixes
it
in accordance with an earlier order that threw out the rule.
US Weather
Commentary 122308
Arctic Blast rocks U.S. Coast-to-Coast
on early days of Astronomical Winter.....
-Mild weather to bring 'traditional' reprieve from Texas to New
England for final week of 2008.....
- Arctic Regime for Northern Hubs looks to resume again during first
week of 2009.....
Utilities Find New Ways to Cope
From winter's ice and heavy snow to summer's tropical storms and hurricanes,
extreme weather has been offering North America's electric utilities
repeated lessons in emergency preparedness. Further, it has raised questions
in state after state about whether utility companies are adequately prepared
to respond to the storm-related outages, and what additional measures need
to be taken in the future to improve reliability.
Utilities Seek Stimulus Money to Improve Energy Efficiency
A utility association that represents 70 percent of the U.S. power industry
joined environmental and energy groups Friday in calling on Congress and the
new administration to jump-start the economy by helping Americans save
energy.
Vessel
Discharges Require Permit
A new general permit will reduce releases of 26 types of
discharges from vessels operating in U.S. waters. Beginning Dec. 19,
approximately 61,000 domestically flagged commercial vessels and 8,000
foreign flagged vessels will need to comply with the permit.
Warmer oceans would fuel more thunderstorms
Inhabitants of the tropics can expect to see more severe
storms if sea-surface temperatures in the region continue to rise as
Earth’s climate changes.
Why wait for
tax breaks?
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Tuesday said he intends to push
legislation that would allow renewable energy developers to receive eight
years of tax credits in one year.
Wind Energy More Economically Sound Than Mountaintop Removal Mining
The study shows that wind development is a better
economic land use option than mountaintop removal coal mining, not only for
Coal River Mountain, but potentially for all areas in southern West Virginia
that exhibit good wind potential, the group said.
The study shows that the proposed Coal River wind farm, consisting of 164
wind turbines and generating 328 megawatts (MW) of electricity, would
provide more than US $1.74 million in annual property taxes to
Raleigh County.
By comparison, the coal severance taxes related to the mountaintop removal
mining would provide the county with only US $36,000 per year.
December 19, 2008
BP Solar Announces Completion of Solar Power Pilot Project
BP Solar today announced the completion of its solar
power construction program for Wal-Mart. The company recently completed
construction of three sites in California...
California Rules To Cut Diesel Truck Pollution Called Most Sweeping In
U.S.
The California Air Resources Board recently approved two
diesel truck regulations that will dramatically cut the largest source
of diesel pollution in the state and are the first of their kind in the
United States, according to Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).
Chairmen urge Obama to enforce Clean Water Act
Two House committee chairmen have written a letter urging president-elect
Barack Obama to beef up enforcement of the Clean Water Act once his
administration takes office next month.
Coal Should Be Warming Concern; Scientists
Global warming scenarios are based on oil reserves, but those reserves will
have less impact on global climate than the extent to which liquefied coal
replaces oil and gas, scientists said at a meeting of the American
Geophysical Union in San Francisco.
Credit Crunch Cuts 13% From US Water Infrastructure Spending, But
Long-Term Growth Is Guaranteed
America's failing water and wastewater sector looks set to decline further
in 2009, as capital expenditure on crucial infrastructure projects is cut
back by 12.9%, according to Water Market USA*, published today by
Global Water Intelligence. Restraints on borrowing, shrinking tax
bases and a drop in capital contributions from property developers have
derailed investment plans, the report suggests.
'Death Map' Shows Heat A Big Hazard To Americans
Heat is more likely to kill an American than an
earthquake, and thunderstorms kill more people than hurricanes do,
according to a US "death map" published on Tuesday.
Deepwater Offshore Wind Power Generation Using Oil and Gas Platform
Technology
Previously confined to shallow water installations or land, deep water wind
power may be the next frontier for wind developers.
The key to this future source of energy may come from the technology
that originated with fossil fuels.
DOE
Projects Slowing in Coal Use
Coal's share of U.S. energy supply is expected to drop slightly over the
next two decades as regulators, investors and utilities drop plans for new
coal-fired power plants, the U.S. Department of Energy said this week.
Duke Energy using electric hybrids to save on costs
Duke Energy is taking its use of electricity to a whole new level.
As part of a companywide initiative to educate customers and reduce fuel
use, Duke Energy has brought in a small fleet of plug-in hybrid vehicles, or
PHEVs, to show off the benefits of such cars.
Energy secretary nominee sees coal as 'nightmare'
President-elect Barack Obama's pick for U.S. energy secretary isn't sold on
the idea that technology to capture greenhouse emissions and pump them
underground will save the coal industry.
EU lawmakers approve deal to fight climate change
The European Parliament approved on Wednesday a deal on cutting greenhouse
gas emissions, the final step in a year of talks to secure the world's
broadest agreement yet to battle climate change.
Fish Farming Continues to Grow as World Fisheries Stagnate
World seafood production neared a record 160 million tons in 2006
thanks to aquaculture, or fish farming, which increased by more than 3
million tons. In contrast, fish caught in the wild declined for the
second year in a row.
Governor Bill Richardson Announces Signet Solar to Build Production
Facility in Belen Creating 600 Jobs
Governor Bill Richardson today announced Signet Solar will build the
company's first North American solar panel production facility in Belen. The
first phase of the plant will bring 200 high-wage jobs to the state and is
scheduled to begin operations in 2010. Signet's long-term plans call for
expansion and the creation of a total of 600 jobs.
Holes In Earth's Magnetic Cloak Let The Sun In
The Earth's protective magnetosphere has two large holes
that are letting in disruptive solar winds, scientists said on Tuesday.
Hopi
crisis reaching boiling point
On this Sunday afternoon dozens of cars lined the dirt
road to the Veterans Center for the annual Christmas parade featuring
Indian Santas and young tribal royalty. Those participating in the small
parade threw candy and traditional blue corn treats to smiling spectators.
The smiles are in contrast to what’s been described as a sad time in Hopi
history, a reference to the web of political wrangling, which began
a-year-and-a-half ago.
How
Significant is Bear Market
How significant is this bear market? It all depends on how you measure.
When measured in US dollars, the Dow currently trades 39.5% off its October
2007 record high.
However, when measured with that other world currency (gold), the picture
is actually more dismal.
Isolated people on the run again in Paraguay
After losing almost 15,000 acres of their land to an
illegal ranching business in the last six months, an isolated/uncontacted
tribe in Paraguay is getting some official assistance from their
government and from indigenous activists; but the struggle to protect the
Ayoreo-Totobiegosode is far from over.
Mexico Vows to Cut Carbon Pollution 50 Percent by 2050
Mexico is pledging to cut its carbon pollution in half by 2050 in an effort
to address climate change.
Mine safety hurt by cuts, agency warns
Budget cuts will prevent Kentucky from doubling the number of safety
inspections at coal mines next year as mandated by lawmakers in 2007
following a series of fatal mining accidents.
National Coalition Announces Push To Create A Forest Watershed
Restoration Corps
Borrowing a page from history and one of the most
popular New Deal programs, The Legacy Roads Restoration Initiative
recently proposed a program to create a $500M Forest Watershed
Restoration Corps within the National Forest Service. T
Northeast CO2 Output Drops On Fuel Switch, Demand
Carbon dioxide emissions from power generators in 10 US
Northeastern states are on track to fall steeply in 2008 on softer
prices for cleaner-burning natural gas and lighter electricity demand,
according to a report released Monday.
Nuclear Power in a Small Package; LANL Has Stake In Mini-Reactor
It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie: A nuclear reactor smaller
than an SUV that could produce electricity for 20,000 homes.
Obama's likely pick for Interior secretary draws fire, praise
Colorado Senator Ken Salazar, widely seen as President-elect Barack
Obama's choice for US Interior Department secretary, has opposed many Bush
efforts to open the West to increased energy development.
One Last Chance; Starting a Green Business
I live in Michigan with my family. We have owned our own
construction business for over 10 years now, but with the economy we
have watched everything we built slip away and like many others, we now
find ourselves at a crossroad that we cannot deny. Either we try to wait
for better days, or we change course to something new.
Progress Energy Florida to Continue Clean-Air Investments and Retire Two
Coal Units
Progress Energy Florida (NYSE: PGN) and the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) announced a landmark agreement today that
will protect the environment, continue investments in air emission-reduction
equipment and cost-effectively manage a significant reduction in the
company's use of coal-fired power generation.
Renewable energy law comes into force
Philippines--The President said the new legislation is the "first and most comprehensive
renewable energy law in Southeast Asia" that would enable the Philippines to
capture a part of the soaring investments in renewable energy development
worldwide pegged at $71 billion last year.
Reversal of stream buffer rule likely under Obama
The stream buffer zone rule that allows disposal of mining debris within 100
feet of streams will most likely be reversed by President-elect Obama and
his
Interior Department appointee, according to investment bank FBR Capital
Markets.
River Pilot's Jealousy Linked To Massive Oil Spill
A river pilot's jealousy sparked a chain of unfortunate
events that led to July's massive oil spill that shut down a long
stretch of the Mississippi River near New Orleans.
Solar Matrix
Everyday before we wake up the Sun sends us the life-giving light and the
heat from a distance of 148.8 million kilometers in the form of sunshine.
The sunshine also contains tremendous energy called “Solar Energy.” Our
scientists have known that solar radiation falling on the surface of the
Earth is equivalent to 170 trillion kilowatts of electricity. An eight days’
sunshine is equal to a total of all fossil-fuel deposits we have today!
Solar PPA's Can Help Solar Get Past Reccesion
According to the new report from AltaTerra
Research "Financing Growth: Will Solar PPAs Shine in Dark Times?", the
booming new market of solar power purchase agreements (PPAs), near-term
growth shows modest gains and the long-term outlook is exponential.
South Korea, Japan to Conduct Nuclear Fusion Studies
South Korea completed the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research
(KSTAR), a Korean nuclear fusion energy device, last year, which started
generating plasma in June with preparations underway to begin earnest
scientific experiments next year.
T. Boone Pickens to Address EnergyBiz
Energy Central, the leading resource in the global power industry for
news, events, databases, insight and analysis, announced today that T.
Boone Pickens will be a keynote speaker at the first annual EnergyBiz
Leadership Forum (http://www.energybizforum.com).
The Opec Dilemma, Price and Production Cost vs Falling Demand and Global
Recession
Understanding this global market is something that many
claim to be able to do but few ever seem to succeed in getting it right.
In recent years, the world has had to live with volatility in energy
prices and with serious consequences for many consuming nations
culminating in the current global economic situation.
US 30-Year Fixed Rate Falls to at Least a 37 –Year 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 5.19 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending December
18, 2008, downfrom last week when it averaged 5.47 percent. Last year at
this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.14 percent. The 30-year FRM has not
been lower since Freddie Mac started the Primary Mortgage Market Survey in
1971.
US DOE weighing release of uranium stocks to fuel new US reactors
The US Department of Energy is considering making thousands of metric
tons of natural uranium available for sale to US nuclear operators to use in
the initial cores of new reactors, it said Tuesday.
US EPA says CO2 limits not required in coal-fired plant permits
The outgoing head of the US Environmental Protection Agency declared
Thursday that limits on carbon dioxide emissions need not be considered
binding in pre-construction permits for new coal-fired power plants unless
the
agency or Congress mandate such limits.
Utah oil, gas lease sale to go forward despite lawsuit; US BLM
A coalition of seven environmental groups filed suit in federal court
Wednesday to stop parts of a controversial Utah oil and gas lease sale
scheduled for Friday, but the US Bureau of Land Management said Thursday it
would still go forward with the sale.
Utility installs giant batteries in Milton
A 1.2-megawatt battery installed in June 2006 in North Charleston relieves a bottleneck at the utility's Chemical Substation. It is charged at night when electricity demand is low and is discharged into the electric grid during afternoons, when demand peaks.
Waiting for 2009
As 2008 draws to a close, we are waiting for financial
markets to absorb the string of troubles that hammer away at confidence
in organized markets around the globe. We wait for President Elect Obama
to be sworn into office, completing the transition to his administration
that will be dealing with the economic crisis in addition to the other
major challenges facing the new administration. We wait to see if the
steps to address the financial problems will be able to stop the
bleeding.
Wind, Water and Sun Beat Biofuels, Nuclear and Coal for Energy
Generation, Study Says
The best ways to improve energy security, mitigate
global warming and reduce the number of deaths caused by air pollution
are blowing in the wind and rippling in the water, not growing on
prairies or glowing inside nuclear power plants, says Mark Z. Jacobson,
a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford.
December 16, 2008
A Blue Christmas at China's North Pole
Since reforms started 30 years ago, China hasn't been able to keep
peasants down on the farm anymore — and that was a resounding sign of
success. Now, as Christmas approaches, China's North Pole is shutting down,
and millions may have to stream back to the farms. For the leaders in
Beijing and in the provinces, that's not success. That's trouble.
Area residents air concerns about power line
Gazing at a large map outlining possible routes for a new high-voltage power
line, resident Sue Johnson had plenty of questions.
Bush administration plans to sign nuclear agreement with UAE
It is expected to be first nuclear-cooperation agreement between the United
States and a Middle East country, according to the report, the
administration also seeks to sign similar pacts with Saudi Arabia, Jordan
and Bahrain.
Bush's Giveaway of America's Redrock Wilderness
No one voted on Election Day to hand over Utah's Redrock
wilderness to oil companies.
But the Bush Administration cynically chose that very day to
advance an outrageous plan that will sell off leases for some
300,000 acres of spectacular Utah\ canyonlands to oil and gas
speculators.
California Passes Rules for Cleaner Diesel Trucks
California on Friday became the first state in the
country to force big diesel trucks to clean up their exhaust, despite
warnings from truckers the new rules will force them out of business.
Cigarette litter drops 46% for communities in program
Cigarette litter has dropped by 46% in communities participating in a
Keep America Beautiful program that targets the problem.
Electric Car Maker Zenn Sees Growth Environment
As hope endures for a bailout to salvage the struggling
U.S. auto sector, Canadian electric car maker Zenn Motor Co may once again find
itself in the right place at the right time.
How I Got Screwed by Bernie Madoff
The call came at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 11th. I had been waiting
for it for five years. When it finally arrived it was my wife, Sarah, who
answered. What the person said on the other end of the phone was both simple
and devastating:
we were financially wiped out.
Kentucky energy reform at forefront
For years, Kentucky House Majority Leader Rocky Adkins has been saying
Kentucky can be considered a national model for energy reform. A recent vote
by a national panel of The Council of State Goverments proves he was
correct.
Lawmakers Seek Bigger, Greener Power Grid
Now, as the current economic downturn deepens, there is talk of another
major public works project for the Northwest - one that would deliver green
wind power to the Interstate 5 corridor, which connects Seattle and
Portland, and, by some estimates, help create 50,000 jobs.
Madoff Victims Look for Ways to Recover Their Money
Victims of the alleged Bernard Madoff investing scam are finding they
have more legal options than usual to try to get back their stolen funds,
but experts say that won't make recovering their losses any easier.
New agency to be global 'voice of renewables'
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which was initially
driven by Denmark, Germany and Spain, will be the first worldwide agency
solely dedicated to promoting renewable energy, acting as the "voice of
renewable energy", according to its website.
Obama's environment choices send a message
Administration 'will value science,' president-elect says in nominating
Nobel laureate for energy chief
Obama's 'Green Dream Team' is Warmly Received
One is a Nobel Prize winner overseeing research of
alternative energy. The three others all have one thing in common:
experience working for the Environmental Protection Agency
Obama's Green Economy
Is it a bail-out or a build-up? That's the question being put to federal
lawmakers right now as they try to grapple with the nation's economic woes
and with how to allocate its depleting resources.
Over 2T tons of ice melted in arctic since '03
More than 2 trillion tons of land ice in Greenland,
Antarctica and Alaska have melted since 2003, according to new NASA
satellite data that show the latest signs of what scientists say is
global warming
Study; Biomass may be good energy source
Some German scientists say a global energy supply based on biomass is a
realistic. sustainable and economical possibility, contrary to current
thinking.
Utah BLM Defers Energy Leasing Near National Parks
This coming Friday, the Bureau of Land Management Utah
will offer over 300,000 acres for energy leases in a hotly disputed
lease sale, but the federal agency has deferred leasing some of the most
contentious parcels.
Water; The
Forgotten Crisis
This year, the world and, in particular, developing countries and the poor
have been hit by both food and energy crises. As a consequence, prices for
many staple foods have risen by up to 100%. When we examine the causes of
the food crisis, a growing population, changes in trade patterns,
urbanization, dietary changes, biofuel production, and climate change and
regional droughts are all responsible.
What's the difference between a good Ponzi scheme and a bad Ponzi scheme?
Bernard Madoff appears to have operated a Ponzi scheme, in which money
from new investors was used to pay off those who got in earlier. But there
are other, perfectly legitimate financial endeavors that share this same
basic model.
The most obvious is Social Security ...
December 12, 2008
ACC gives go-ahead for big solar project
The Arizona Corporation Commission has approved the location of a
280 megawatt solar-power project near Gila Bend that is expected to produce
electricity for about 70,000 homes.
Alternative Energy Association Announces Three Point Plan to Stimulate
America's Economy
Alternative Energy Association, Inc., a
Florida-based non-profit organization has announced its Three Point Plan
to stimulate the American economy, reduce our dependence on foreign oil
and create millions of new jobs.
Americans cut back, but permanent thrift elusive
Single mother Kelly Dukes has lost her house, her car and her salary,
but rather than curse the U.S. recession, the Cincinnati mom said she's
grateful to have learned a whole new way to live.
Arizona approves surface water quality standards
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ)
Director Steve Owens announced today that the Governor's Regulatory Review
Council (GRRC) has approved standards developed by ADEQ to protect surface
water quality throughout the state. GRRC is the state body required to
review regulations of state agencies before they can become law.
Australia To Set 10% Carbon Reduction Target
The Australian government has endorsed a carbon emissions reduction
target of 10 percent by 2020, following the introduction of a carbon
trading scheme in 2010, the Australian Financial Review paper said on
Wednesday.
Biomass meeting draws strong interest
A standing-room-only crowd packed a meeting room at the Helena Regional
Airport Monday to learn more about the potential to turn wood into energy,
but not all who attended left convinced it is an economical idea.
Britain Pledges Millions For Biomass Heating
The British government has pledged around 12 million pounds ($17.74
million) to help cover the costs of buying and installing biomass-fueled
heating, it said on Wednesday.
Bush publishes changes to mountaintop removal rule
The Bush administration on Friday will publish its final rule to revoke key
water quality protections, a move that critics say helps to protect
mountaintop removal coal mining from tougher restrictions.
California retailers must have 33pct RE by 2020
Californian Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger has signed
Executive
Order S-14-08, revising California's existing Renewable Portfolio
Standard (RPS) upward to require all retail sellers of electricity to serve
33% of their load from renewable energy sources by 2020.
California Will Create Green Economic Stimulus Package By Implementing
Global Warming Solutions Act, New Study Says
California will create a green economic stimulus plan that will serve
as a national model by implementing the historic Global Warming
Solutions Act (AB 32), according to a new study released recently.
Chemicals Remain in Public Drinking Water After Treatment
Low levels of manufactured chemicals remain in public water supplies even
after they have been treated in selected community water facilities across
the country, according to new research conducted by the U.S. Geological
Survey and released today.
Cool Earth Is Scaling Up Solar Energy Generation
Imagine a 1-megawatt solar power plant that has nothing to do with
vast swaths of PV panels or mirrored troughs in a barren desert
environment that require new transmission lines to population centers.
Instead, picture a rolling, grassy field populated with 500 vertical
poles that each hold two 8-foot-wide balloons
Coral Reef Loss Suggests Global Extinction Event
Rapid releases of greenhouse gas emissions are changing habitats at a rate
faster than many of the world's species can tolerate.
County pushes for solar-power funding measure
Dona Ana County N.M officials are asking the state Legislature to back a measure
that would make solar energy equipment more affordable for homeowners.
Dynegy to rethink new coal-fired power projects
Citing the high cost of capital and difficulty in permitting new coal-fired
power plants, Williamson said the company wants to protect cash flow and
avoid complex financial arrangements.
ENSO-neutral or La Niña conditions are equally likely through early 2009
ENSO-neutral conditions continued during November 2008, although
equatorial sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remained below-average across
much of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.
EPA Abandons Attempts to Change Clean Air Rules
The Bush administration has dropped plans to adopt two Clean Air Act
rules that would have allowed power plants and other polluters to increase
smog and soot pollution.
Europe's Energy Future Changed Today
The target means that more than one third of EU electricity must come
from renewables in 2020 and wind energy will be the
biggest contributor. Moreover, the directive addresses existing barriers
that prevent Europe from fully exploiting its largest domestic energy
resource.
Evidence mounts of plants switching to residual fuel oil from gas
Although the percentage of utility power plants that can switch from
natural gas to residual fuel oil is small, the evidence of notable
fuel-switching away from gas is mounting, analysts and industry players say.
Good
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Korean Air Partners With Los Angeles To Plant And Care For Urban Trees
Korean Air recently announced that it is donating $160,000 to the
Million Trees Los Angeles (MTLA) initiative developed by Los Angeles
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to create and sustain urban forestry.
Manchin; Coal remains energy 'cornerstone'
W.Va.Gov. Joe Manchin said Tuesday that he opposes President-elect Barack Obama's
plan to cap greenhouse gas emissions to try to curb global warming.
Man-Made Chemicals Found In Drinking Water At Low Levels Low levels of certain man-made chemicals remain in public water supplies
after being treated in selected community water facilities.
Water from nine selected rivers, used as a source for public water
systems, was analyzed in a study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
More Universities Offering Master's Degree Programs in Renewable Energy
In an effort to help ease the the pain of jobs
losses throughout the state and bolster the work force that will be
necessary if the U.S. is going to transition to a green economy, four
universities in Ohio are collaborating to offer a Masters degree program in
renewable energy.
New
Mexico, Land of Windchantment
New Mexico, nicknamed the Land of Enchantment, is
rapidly becoming the "Land of Windchantment." There is a veritable wind land
rush taking place in the state, with a plethora of wind developers signing
wind power leases with ranchers across the eastern plains.
Obama Energy Pick Strong Green Voice; Experts
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has backed up his campaign promise
to focus on green energy with an energy secretary nominee who experts
say will provide scientific expertise and pragmatism to the search for
new, clean sources of fuel.
Obama to pick physicist Steven Chu as US DOE chief; CNN
US President-elect Barack Obama will choose physicist Steven Chu as his
energy secretary, CNN reported Wednesday, citing sources close to the Obama
transition team.
Obama Would 'Save the Planet' By Repowering America
President-elect Barack Obama signaled that he is ready to tackle the
climate crisis immediately upon taking office, following a meeting
Tuesday with former Vice President Al Gore and Vice President-elect Joe
Biden.
"All three of us are in agreement that the time for delay is over, the
time for denial is over," Obama said.
Obama's pick for US energy secretary seen aiding technology push
US President-elect Barack Obama's reported pick for energy secretary,
Nobel-prize winning scientist Steven Chu, would bring a technical expertise
to
the position that would make him effective at combating greenhouse gas
emissions and promoting alternative energy, according to observers.
October US highway miles traveled down 3.5pct; agency
Total automobile travel in the US in October declined 3.5% from October
2008, or 9 billion vehicle miles, according to the Federal Highway
Administration.
Oil executives concerned about future of hydrocarbons
A recent survey of senior oil and natural gas industry professionals
uncovered concerns about the affordability and sustainability of
hydrocarbons
as an energy source, along with a "surprisingly" strong belief in the
viability of renewable energy, major financial services company Deloitte
reported Wednesday.
Oil Spill Off California Reminder of Offshore Drilling Danger
More than 70 people from federal, state and private sector organizations
worked today to clean up an undetermined amount of oil that spilled from a
platform off the coast of Santa Barbara County on Sunday.
One-Fifth of the World's Corals Are Dead; Climate Change to Blame
The world has lost 19 percent of its coral reefs, according to the 2008
global update of the world's reef status issued today. Climate change is
considered the biggest threat to coral reefs.
OPEC-11 cut output by 825,000 bd to 28.16 mil bd in Nov; IEA
OPEC crude output fell to 31.33 million b/d in November, down 760,000 b/d
from October, as an agreement by 11 of the group's member countries to cut
production came into force, the International Energy Agency said Thursday.
Power-Gen; Energy Diversity Is Key to Success
At the Power-Gen International conference -- an
event with over 1,200 exhibitors in the coal, oil and natural gas industries
-- you might not expect renewables to play an important role in the
conversation around energy. But as businesses in the conventional energy
sector are now convinced that a carbon cap and trade system and a federal
renewable electricity standard in the U.S. are coming soon, there's no way
around it: Renewables are here to stay.
Public water agencies throughout California file suit to prevent further
water cutbacks
The Westlands Water District today joined with 31 other public water
agencies in the Central Valley in filing a lawsuit to block a new
regulation that would enable state Fish and Game officials to cut off up
to a million acre feet of water for two-thirds of California's people.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 1211008
Region 1009 (S25W73) produced a C1 flare today at 0925Z as well as a
few B-class flares.
The geomagnetic field was quiet during the past 24 hours. The greater
than 2 MeV electron flux reached high levels during the past 24
hours.
Residents eye
line proposal
Maps were the hot commodity Wednesday in La Crosse.
That's because virtually everyone wanted to know just how close a high-power
electric transmission line might come to their property.
The Energy
Shadow Government
Washington civil servants are bracing for that personnel hurricane that
sweeps through the federal bureaucracy every eight years or so, when a new
administration places thousands of political appointees in all the top jobs
-- and some not-so-top jobs.
The Shape of Green Things to Come in 2009
It's the end of another year, an appropriate time for a forward look at
energy and environmental issues. Many ideas are buzzing around Washington
D.C. policy circles now. What policies will be implemented, when will they
be implemented and how will they be implemented? These are important
questions.
US 'key' to unlocking post-Kyoto deadlock; IEA chief
The US is the key to unlocking the deadlock in UN climate change talks
that seek to secure a new deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol, the head of
the
International Energy Agency said Wednesday.
Waste morphs into energy; More methane could reduce costs
Sun seekers and swimmers put off by slimy, foul-smelling cladophora algae
covering Lake Michigan beaches and rocky shorelines in summer have a pair of
new allies in the ongoing battle with the nuisance plant: Daniel Zitomer and
hungry microbes.
Wave power put to the test in Monterey Bay
The 60-foot Velocity motored out of Santa Cruz harbor Monday afternoon under
mostly sunny skies. On deck was an apprehensive crew -- scientists with
research group SRI International of Menlo Park, observers from the
Department of Energy and financiers with the Tokyo-based Hyper Drive Corp.
Wetter and wilder; the signs of warming everywhere
In the third part of our series on the eve of the Poznan conference, we
look at how climate change is already changing ordinary people's lives from
Australia to Brazil
What to Do When 50 Percent of Workforce Vanishes Bye-bye Baby Boomers. Will the last experienced person in the energy
industry please turn the lights out when you leave?From a human
capital standpoint, the state of the energy industry is not good
Whipping up Support for Transmission
Supporters of wind power are whipping up support for new transmission.
Without a notable increase in the capacity to carry such energy, the
optimistic forecasts for more renewable power will never happen.
Wind project better than strip mining
Strip-mining the area will do more harm than good for local communities, if
environmental damage and health effects are taken into account, according to
the report prepared for the group Coal River Mountain Watch.
December 9, 2008
Americans Want Clean Energy, Not More Oil to Solve Energy Crisis
New Polling Shows That Most Americans Believe Now Is The Time For Clean
Energy Investments
Balance of Wind and Wildlife is Advocated
'Twas a case of the prairie chicken or the wind at Wednesday's conference on
renewable energy sources.
Bangladesh Plans to Import Coal
Bangladesh is planning to import coal from three countries for establishing
new power plants in the country in future, said a top official.
Bayer
pushes energy efficiency
A national energy program quickly implemented could eliminate the need for
most new power plants through the year 2030, the leader of the Natural
Resources Defense Council said Thursday.
Clean Energy Poised to Phase Out Coal and Avert Catastrophic Climate
Change
New technologies will permit rapid decarbonization of the
world energy economy in the next two decades, according to a new report from
the Worldwatch Institute. These new energy sources will make it possible to
retire hundreds of coal-fired power plants that now provide 40 percent of
the world's power by 2030, eliminating up to one-third of global carbon
dioxide emissions while creating millions of new jobs.
Climate impact, rates debated at coal plant hearing
The rate impact of Alliant Energy's planned coal-burning power plant in
Marshalltown on consumers will soon be decided.
Coal to remain main German power price driver, downward trend
German forward power's most important price driver in 2008 was and will
remain coal, Marcus Bokermann, head of research at Swiss utility EGL, told a
cross-border power conference in Vienna Tuesday.
Congress Should Tie Auto Loans to Fuel Efficiency, Expert Will Testify
A UCS expert will testify that any loans congress gives to American
automobile manufacturers must come with guarantees of better fuel economy in
their products.
Environmentalists Express Concern Over Wind Farms' Impact
The only people who don't like wind farms are the people who don't have one
- that was the punch line of a humorous story T. Boone Pickens told the
crowd at Revolution: Oklahoma Wind Conference on Tuesday. But on Wednesday,
conference attendees heard from a few people who are concerned that the wind
industry is growing too fast to fully account for its effect on the
environment, the economy and a multitude of secondary issues.
Generating project to tap Mississippi River power
Deep beneath the swirling, shifting surface of the Mississippi River,
powerful forces are going to waste.
Hawaii to be 1st state with electric car stations
Hawaii has unveiled plans to be first in the nation to
roll out electric car stations statewide — a move the governor hailed as
a major step toward weaning the islands off oil.
IBM, Harvard want your PC for solar power study
Harvard scientists are hoping the project will allow it to discover a
combination of organic materials that can be used to manufacture plastic
solar cells that are cheaper and more flexible than the silicon-based ones
typically used to turn sunlight into electricity.
Increased Oversight Of GMO Crops Needed; Government
More oversight and coordination is needed among federal
agencies to prevent unapproved releases of genetically modified crops
into the environment and food and feed supply, the investigative arm of
the U.S. Congress said on Friday.
Industry, Investors Urge Strong U.N. Climate Deal
Major companies, investors and insurers appealed on
Monday for decisive action to fight climate change at a meeting in
Poland working on a new U.N. pact to fight global warming.
Kashkari on Financial Markets and TARP Update
Today, I will focus my remarks on one of our vital
programs, the Capital Purchase Program
Lockheed Martin Breaks Ground On Solar Power Testbed
Lockheed Martin announced that it has broke ground on a solar
power testbed to support its entry into the utility-scale renewable power
generation market....will provide Lockheed Martin engineers the
opportunity to integrate and test a variety of solar technologies and
materials selected from multiple suppliers, and to conduct production
modeling
Legal Nightmares
Utilities are facing major issues such as raising capital, increasing the
use of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and dealing with a changing
political environment.
Mandates driving surge to the river for hydropower
Many decades ago, cost-conscious Henry Ford turned to hydroelectric plants
to power his car factories like the one by the Great Miami River, near this
Cincinnati suburb. That assembly plant is long gone, but the power plant and
the technology behind it isn't.
Far from it. The push to get electricity from moving water is only picking
up steam.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Report Details Potential Of Combined Heat
& Power
...a new report highlighting Combined Heat and Power
(CHP) as a realistic solution to enhance national energy efficiency,
ensure environmental quality, promote economic growth, and foster a
robust energy infrastructure.
Pickens 'anxious' over wind farm project financing
Texas oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens said on Monday he is "anxious" for his company's multibillion dollar plans to build a giant wind farm in Texas as
the economic crisis chokes off project financing.
Proposal Ties Economic Stimulus to Energy Plan
The details and cost of the so-called green-jobs program are still
unclear, but a senior Obama aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity to
discuss a work in progress, said it would probably include the weatherizing
of hundreds of thousands of homes, the installation of “smart meters” to
monitor and reduce home energy use, and billions of dollars in grants to
state and local governments for mass transit and infrastructure projects.
Pummeled by Wall Street crisis, ethanol producers turn to Washington for
help
Their stocks battered, ethanol makers are lobbying Congress and the
administration to lift a cap that limits the amount of the corn-based fuel
that can be blended with gasoline.
Recycling rate for soda bottles increased for fourth year
The recycling rate for soda bottles and similar containers increased for
the fourth year straight, according to the National Association for PET
Container Resources and Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers.
Reid; Won't allow DOE chief who supports Yucca
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday he
won't allow an Energy secretary through the Senate who supports building
a nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 120708
Observations
at the ACE satellite indicate a continued slight influence from the
coronal hole high speed stream. Solar wind speeds have ranged from 580 km/s
down to 520 km/s during the past 24 hours. The geomagnetic field is
expected to be predominately quiet for the forecast period (08-10
December) as the high speed stream subsides.
Russia's Fix
Russia's electric market needs to be repaired. But hard times are getting in
the way.
The current financial turmoil has left it in a state of disarray. And if
the nation went ahead with plans to ease electricity subsidies and
unleash market forces then prices would jump and create even more
tumult. The conundrum turns away investors, who won't risk their money
if prices are fixed and fair returns are elusiv
Schwarzenegger Tells U.N.; Green Rules Help Markets
Green regulations will help both the environment and
ailing economies, California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told a
187-nation U.N. climate conference on Monday.
Scientist Says Ancient Technique Cuts Greenhouse Gas
An ancient technique of plowing charred plants into the
ground to revive soil may also trap greenhouse gases for thousands of
years and forestall global warming, scientists said on Friday.
Shifts In Soil Bacteria Linked To Wetland Restoration Success
A new study led by Duke University researchers finds that restoring degraded
wetlands — especially those that had been converted into farm fields —
actually decreases their soil bacterial diversity.
But that's a good thing, say the study's authors, because it marks a return
to the wetland soils' natural conditions.
Solar Panel Glut Expected In 2009; Suntech
The solar power sector will produce an over supply of
solar panels in 2009, said Zhengrong Shi, chief executive of the world's biggest
module manufacturer Suntech.
Solar Energy Poised to Put Americans Back to Work
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today
outlined the key policies that President-elect Obama and the
Congressional leadership must address to expand the use of solar energy
and help put over 1 million Americans back to work by 2011.
Test drive; Zap's new electric car
The dealership showcased various models of Zap's new
three-wheel electric car, a four-wheel small truck, an electric scooter
and even an electric bicycle
The Fairness Issue, How to Cope with the Flood of Foreclosures
Is the cavalry coming to rescue troubled homeowners?
Despite soaring foreclosure rates, President Bush and other Republicans
have not made this a top priority, and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson
has refused to draw on the $700 billion rescue fund to help homeowners,
saying that saving financial institutions is more important.
U.N. Says Climate Change May Uproot 6 Million Annually
The impact of climate change could uproot around six
million people each year, half of them because of weather disasters like
floods and storms, a top U.N. official said on Monday.
U.S. Department of Energy Announces up to $29.3 Million in Projects for
Research, Development, and Demonstration of Alternative Vehicle
Technologies
The U.S. Department of Energy today announced the
selection of six cost-shared research projects for the development and
demonstration of alternative vehicle technology projects totaling a DOE
investment of up to $14.55 million over three years, subject to annual
appropriations.
U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increased by 1.4 Percent in 2007
Total U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 7,282 million metric tons
carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO 2e) in 2007, an increase of 1.4
percent from the 2006 level...
Urban Trees Enhance Water Infiltration
Traditional stormwater management focuses on regulating
the flow of runoff to waterways, but generally does little to restore
the hydrologic cycle disrupted by extensive pavement and compacted urban
soils with low permeability. The lack of infiltration opportunities
affects groundwater recharge and has negative repercussions on water
quality downstream.
US Renewable Energy Production Increases 7.4%
renewable energy accounted for almost 11 percent of the
domestically-produced energy used in the United States in the first
eight months of 2008.
We
need to turn carbon into gold
Little meaningful progress seems to have been made at the UN
climate summit in Poznan, Poland, says Oliver Tickell, author of Kyoto2.
In this week's Green Room, he calls on world leaders to back a deal that
will raise the serious funds needed to deliver a low carbon future.
Progress at the UN climate summit in Poznan, Poland, appears to
have ground to a halt.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 120908
•Global crude futures on Tuesday were holding on to
strong gains seen in late-Monday trading, which was fueled by the US
automobile bailout news and rallying equity markets. Losses in the US dollar
also underpinned the $2/barrel-plus settle for both ICE Brent and NYMEX
crude futures contracts.
Will solar power ever be as cheap as coal?
“Solar power is the energy of the future – and always will be.”
That tired joke, which has dogged solar-generated electricity for decades
due to its high cost, could be retired far sooner than many think.
Women Demand Bigger Say In U.N. Climate Talks
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said poor
women in developing countries would be affected most by climate change
because of its impact on agriculture, food security and water management
-- traditionally women's tasks.
It also said they are more likely to be killed in disasters caused by
extreme weather -- girls in some cultures do not learn how to swim or
climb trees. Despite this, most of the debate on climate change at U.N.
talks has been "gender-blind," it said.
Would burying CO2 help in climate crisis?
Backers say carbon capture and storage could make an important contribution
to cutting emissions by mid-century. The idea involves capturing carbon
dioxide as power stations spew it out, then pumping it into empty gas and
oil wells or aquifers, where it will remain forever.
But, as delegates from some 190 countries meet in Poland to begin thrashing
out a new global climate change treaty, environmentalists are divided.
December 5, 2008
All
Uranium Applications Filed
The company filed a radioactive material license application, which covers
the mining process, the processing of uranium and safety operating
procedures.
It also applied for a permit by rule, which covers facilities with near-zero
air emissions.
Americans Positive about Personal Financial Future, Unsure about
National Economic Outlook
Americans are significantly more optimistic about their personal
financial future than they are about the economic direction of the
country
Appeals court remands energy crisis contract case to US FERC
...to reconsider its refusal to alter or do away
with hundreds of millions of dollars worth of long-term power contracts
during
the 2000-2001 western energy crisis.
Arctic Tundra Emits Methane Even In Winter
The arctic tundra emits the same amount of methane in winter as in
the warmer months, a surprising finding that bolsters understanding of
how greenhouse gases interact with nature, researchers said on
Wednesday.
Billings, Mont., to make $20 million from landfill gas
The city of Billings stands to make at least $20 million over 40 years after
signing a deal with Montana-Dakota Utilities to sell methane from the city
landfill. With the deal, the city turns a liability into an asset.
Canada unlikely to join the 'global' carbon marketplace in the next 10
years
Achieving climate change ambitions is more likely if regulatory consistency
can be established across major polluting nations on a global scale.
However, the proposed Canadian federal emissions trading framework could
undermine such efforts by failing to open to the wider carbon marketplace.
Catching
Rays
Until now, to equip your home or business with solar power you had to
come up with a lot of scratch up front. Unfortunately, that often left
access to the technology to the financially well off, to the curious or to
highly motivated tree huggers.
Coal Addiction Tests Poland On U.N. Climate Goals
Poland's addiction to high-polluting coal contrasts sharply with its
hosting of U.N. talks on a global climate treaty to promote clean
energy, but its government says it is doing its best to break the habit.
Credit Capacity is Top Financial Concern of Energy CFOs
According to a new study by BDO Seidman, LLP, 57 percent of chief
financial officers (CFOs) at U.S. oil and gas exploration and production
companies say that “credit capacity restraints, including access to
capital” will be their greatest financial challenge in 2009, followed by
“falling oil or natural gas prices” (21%).
Environmental Groups Bash 'Clean Coal' in New Campaign
The phrase "clean coal" was repeated by virtually every major
presidential candidate this year. Now the battle over what it means is
heating up.
Environmental Protection Agency Warned to Address Ocean Acidification or
Face Lawsuit
The oceans cover about 70 percent of the Earth’s surface and absorb
about 22 million tons of carbon dioxide each day. The absorption of
carbon dioxide is changing seawater chemistry, causing it to become
more acidic. This process, known as ocean acidification, impairs the
ability of marine animals to build the protective shells and skeletons
they need to survive.
Forest hotspots pinpointed for climate, animals
A U.N. atlas pinpointed on Friday parts of forests from the Amazon to
Madagascar where better protection could give the twin benefits of
slowing global warming and preserving rare wildlife.
Genetically Modified Crops are 9 Percent of Primary Global Crop
Production
Although GM crops have been on the market for a decade, they
currently account for a modest 9 percent of total land used for global
primary crops.
GREENHOUSE GAS ACCUMULATIONS CHANGE THE WEATHER
Globally, heat waves during the last decade have killed more persons
than tornados, hurricanes, and lightning combined.
Inbox 120308
The issue of bailing out the Detroit automakers is front
and center. And a good case can be made that environmental
issues play a significant role in the matter.
Iran Proposes Joint Nuclear Power Plants With Arab Neighbors
Iran is proposing to develop nuclear power plants in co-operation with
neighboring Arab countries in the Persian Gulf region, in the midst of
increasing international pressure to halt its nuclear program.
Long-term US Mortgage Rates Plummet
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 5.53 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending December
3, 2008, downfrom last week when it averaged 5.97 percent. Last year at
this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.96 percent. The 30-year FRM has not
been lower since January 24, 2008, when it was 5.48 percent.
Membrane Technology Provides Solutions For The Imminent Water Crisis In
South Africa
The demand for membranes in South Africa is set to
increase as effluent discharge policies are enforced more stringently
and water supply pressures become more apparent.
Micro
Fuel Cells remain promising
Over the past several years micro fuel cells have come
under criticism for failing to deliver on their promise as a viable
source of energy for products such as mobiles phones, notebook computers
and other devices.
More Regulation
for Banks
The financial crisis, collapse, and “bail out” of huge
financial institutions have jaded public attitudes to the banking
sector.
Nevada to file 250 contentions opposing Yucca Mt. licensing
The state of Nevada plans to file 250 contentions opposing the
licensing of a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, an attorney for
the
state said December 4.
New
insights on fusion power
Research carried out at MIT's Alcator C-Mod fusion
reactor may have brought the promise of fusion as a future power source a
bit closer to reality, though scientists caution that a practical fusion
powerplant is still decades away.
New Lithium-Ion Battery Recharges To 90% Capacity In 5
Minutes
Toshiba has developed a new lithium-ion battery called SCiB (or Super
Charge Ion Battery) which can charge to 90% capacity in 5 minutes. The life
cycle of the new battery is more than 10 years even if it is rapidly charged
and discharged many times. The battery is also mucher safer than other types
of lithium ion batteries, which are potential fire hazards.
Obama Climate Goals Not Enough; China, India
Developing nations welcomed Obama's plan for tougher goals than President
George W. Bush but said Obama's target of cutting U.S. greenhouse gas
emissions back to 1990 levels by 2020 was not enough to avoid dangerous
global warming.
Ontario's Choice
Ontario's strategy is premised on making significant investments in clean
energy ventures that lead to job creation. The government there has pledged
millions to several local "green" programs while one of its business
development bureaus has promised hundreds of millions to clean tech
enterprises that can demonstrate that their projects will contribute to
economic expansion.
Passioned hobbyists push for an electric car revival
Charlton Jones is hopeful and skeptical that beleaguered
General Motors Corp. can deliver its plug-in electric hybrid, the Volt,
in 2010.
Piebalgs optimistic ahead of key EU climate package votes
European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs is optimistic that the
European Commission's proposals to cut EU carbon emissions by 20% by 2020,
boost renewable energy by 20% by 2020 and cut overall energy consumption by
20% by the same date will be formally endorsed by member states in the
coming
days.
Quote of the
Day 120508
"While global crude oil prices have fallen back to
2005 levels, oil product prices have not been adjusted lower in keeping with
falling crude, so independent refineries in Shandong are enjoying a
considerable refining margin."
A market source said
as independent refineries in east China's Shandong province have boosted run
rates from 20-30% in October to the current 50%, on the back of returning
positive refining margins.
Reid Sees Giant Leaps for Green Energy
"We need to move to renewable energy big time," Reid said while pledging to
continue leadership on what has become a signature issue of his Senate
career.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 120408
No flares occurred during
the past 24 hours and the solar disk continues to be spotless.The geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled during the past 24
hours. Solar wind data indicated the continuation of a high speed solar wind
stream with peak velocities around 500 km/s.
Samsung among top patent holders in solar
Canon, TSMC and Samsung are among the largest patent
holders in solar photovoltaic panels, although they have no products in the
field today. By contrast, many of the world's biggest producers of solar
panels hold relatively few patents on the technology.
Senator Bingaman Addresses Energy Summit in New Mexico
I had no idea how many different organizations there
were in the United States interested in advising the new Obama
Administration. It seems there must be thousands of pages in reports
awaiting President-elect Obama and his cabinet on January 20, 2009 that
will "give him the answer" on how to solve the economy, improve
healthcare and education, address the next steps for the war on terror,
and yes, move America towards "energy independence."
Solar-Powered Car Completes Round-The-World Trip
A Swiss teacher completed the first round-the-world trip
in a solar-powered car on Thursday and said he hoped the 52,000-km
(32,000-mile) odyssey would inspire carmakers to make greener models.
State seeks new coal-waste plan; With 1,000 jobs at stake, EPA offers
aid
In April, the state rejected a mining company's plan to build a lagoon to
hold nearly 2 billion gallons of liquid coal waste.
The company appealed the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's ruling and
warned that 1,000 jobs are at risk without the permit.
That got the state's attention.
U.S. EPA, Army issue new guidelines to protect water
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army are issuing revised
guidance to ensure better protection of America´s wetlands, streams and
other waters under the Clean Water Act.
U.S. polluters to pay record $11.8 billion in 2008; EPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforcement actions
during the 2008 budget year resulted in a record $11.8 billion in
pollution controls and projects to clean up the environment, the agency
said on Thursday.
U.S. Stimulates Global Market For Methane Recovery And Use As Fuel
Current U.S. supported M2M projects, when fully
implemented, will deliver estimated annual emissions reductions of more
than 24 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, tripling the
reductions achieved in 2006.
US Renewable Energy Demand Increases 7.4%
According to the latest "Monthly Energy Review" issued by the U.S. Energy
Information Administration on November 24, 2008, renewable energy accounted
for almost 11 percent of the domestically-produced energy used in the United
States in the first eight months of 2008.
Using old tires as fuel doesn´t impact emissions
New research shows that using old tires as fuel in cement kilns does not
adversely impact the air emissions profile at such facilities, according to
the Portland Cement Association.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 120508
•Global oil supply continues to remain a contentious issue, following the
heavy selling that has been observed the course of the week. "Given the rate
at which we are selling off at, we shudder to think where crude oil prices
will be when the boys from OPEC get together in twelve days time -- an
eternity in our view," energy analyst Edward Meir said.
•Other participants have played down the role of OPEC in shoring up the
price of oil. "The OPEC meeting is irrelevant. OPEC can't do anything about
demand by adjusting the supply" a broker said.
White House, EPA approve changes to mining buffer zone rule
The White House and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signed off
Tuesday on plans to revoke parts of a key water quality rule that could have
been used to limit the burial of streams by mountaintop removal coal mining
operations.
Wind turbines allow homeowners to cut costs
His 10-kilowatt Bergey Windpower rig is hardly a wanton spree, however.
While it cost him $25,000, after state incentives, it has nearly wiped out
electric bills that used to average $120 to $140 a month.
December 2, 2008
30-Year Fixed-Rate US Mortgage Rate at Seven Week Low
Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) last week released the results of its Primary
Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM)
averaged 5.97 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending November
26, 2008, downfrom last week when it averaged 6.04 percent. Last year at
this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.10 percent. The 30-year FRM has not
been this low since October 9, 2008, when it was 5.94 percent.
A Stimulus Package for Renewable Energy Would Benefit Economy and
Climate, Says German Study
The solution to the world's two biggest crisis --
the economic and the global warming crisis -- is exactly the same: a huge
government investment plan in renewable energy will not only help kick start
economies, but it will also help fight global warming, according to a report
by Deutsche Bank.
Algeria's Khelil says would welcome Russian membership of OPEC
OPEC's President Chakib Khelil said Tuesday he saw no reason why Russia
could not become a full member of the oil exporters' group, adding that
Russia
has "a lot to lose" if oil prices continue to fall.
Beaver aims to be 'renewable capital of Utah'
A steady stream of semis hitched to oversized flatbed trailers are rolling
through Beaver and Milford these days, hauling 80-foot-long blades to a
project site where, once attached to turbine towers, they'll spin like giant
pinwheels above the desert floor.
Biofuels run
into trouble
Despite a promising start, the U.S. experiment with renewable fuels is
facing a serious challenge next year. Falling gasoline consumption, lower
pump prices and contradictions within the federal government program are
intensifying existing pressures on ethanol distillers and farmers already
struggling to cope with over-capacity and collapsing margins.
BPU faces heavy fines for pollution
The Environmental Protection Agency is alleging that BPU failed to install
pollution controls on one of its coal-fired power plants since at least 1994
and on a second plant since 2001.
That has resulted in "significant quantities" of pollutants being
released into the environment...
Carbon regulation could 'cripple' Texas; Perry
Perry urged the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) "to suppress the
urge" to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, citing the "devastating
implications for Texas' economy and energy industry."
Cave bears killed by Ice Age, not hunters
Giant cave bears froze to death during the last Ice Age
in Europe about 28,000 years ago, according to a study on Wednesday that
cleared human hunters of driving them to extinction thousands of years
CERAWeek 2009
What will the global economic crisis mean for
the energy future? How will the industry respond to the new risks and
opportunities? What are the implications of the new US administration for
the energy industry?
China, Japan to Cooperate More in Energy Conservation
China and Japan are getting closer in cooperation in energy conservation and sustainable development by signing a number of new contracts using Japan's
technologies to cut China's energy consumption.
China's demand for power likely to drop 7% in Nov on-year
China's demand for power is likely to decrease by 7 per
cent or more in a year-on-year basis in November as predicted by some
industry insiders...
Climate change remains a top priority
Skeptics believed that the fiscal crisis would force Obama to put his
plans to address global warming on the back burner. But in a videotaped
speech to a climate summit co-hosted by California Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger this month, Obama said, "Now is the time to confront this
challenge once and for all. Delay is no longer an option."
Climate change survey gives mandate for action
World governments have the backing of the majority of their citizens to
take action on climate change, according to a global survey published today.
Climate Fight Costs May Be Three Times More
The cost of efforts to avoid dangerous global warming
may be 170 percent higher than 2007 estimates, a report for the UN's climate agency
said on Thursday.
Coalition´s petition urges upgrades on radioactive waste
A coalition of national and grassroots environmental organizations and
nuclear energy critics has filed a petition with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission urging safety and security upgrades on high-level radioactive
waste containers.
Decentralized Generation and Power Transmission
Despite claims that the North American grid is rugged
and robust, many sections of that grid are old and need to be replaced.
That upgrading coincides with a steadily increasing demand for
electricity.
Buildings with off-grid decentralized power generation
and energy storage capability may be independent of any outside power
line while serving the needs of building owners and their tenants.
Denmark gets 20 percent of its electricity from the wind, Minnesota only
two percent
Wind power produces nearly 20 percent of the electricity in Denmark, as
compared to roughly two percent in Minnesota.
Energy
Risk - Generation Trends
Unrelenting growth in power consumption, a switch for cleaner energy
sources, pollution control efforts and pent-up demand for new generation
sources have all combined to create a boom in power plant building in recent
years.
ERCOT is 100 percent over budget on revamp of Texas electric grid
The operator of the state's largest electricity grid said it is more than
100 percent over budget and two years behind schedule on its ongoing program
to modernize the transmission system.
EU 'Very Close' To Climate Package Deal - Poland
The European Union is "very close" to a deal on a new
climate package meant to be agreed at a summit next week, Poland's Prime
Minster Donald Tusk said on Monday.
EU, Egypt to sign energy cooperation accord
The accord covers energy market reforms and the "convergence of Egypt's
energy market with that of the EU," as well as the promotion of renewable
energy, energy efficiency and the development of energy network
infrastructure
FACTBOX - Greenhouse Gas Curbs, From US To China
The following factbox compares international and national goals for
fighting climate change ahead of a UN meeting in Poznan, Poland from Dec.
1-12.
FACTBOX - UN Panel's Findings On Climate Change
"Warming of the climate system is unequivocal
"Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the
mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in ...
greenhouse gas concentrations" from human activities.
Flagstaff, Ariz., officials cool to warming strategies
If Flagstaff wants to get serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions
citywide in line with a 2006 pledge, it should tax carbon and trash, said
post-doctoral NAU researcher Matthew Hurteau.
Florida may build over 15,000 MW of renewables by 2020
...under the scenario most
favorable to renewables, up to 15,467 MW of renewable generation capacity
could be installed in the state between 2010 and 2020.
Forests Under Threat From Climate Change
Forests are extremely vulnerable to climate change that
is set to bring more wildfires and floods and quick action is needed to
aid millions of poor people who depend on forests, a study said on
Thursday.
France Raises Solar Feed-in Tariffs; New York SEIA Calls for FITs
The French Minister for Energy and the Environment
announced last Monday that the government was launching an aggressive new
program to propel the country to the forefront of solar energy development.
Gold looks set to take direction from oil, price falls likely
With Iran and Venezuela reportedly failing to tow the line on production
cut levels, international oil producer organisation OPEC is struggling to
maintain decorum among its members, creating difficulties for the group as
it
tries to decide on a production cut benchmark to bolster oil's crumbling
price, reports suggested Monday.
Governors Fume Over Bush's Last Minute Air Pollution Rule
A bipartisan group of six Northeastern governors is
urging the Bush administration to abandon a plan that would relax
pollution control requirements on power plants, saying the proposed rule
would increase air pollution and threaten public health.
Green jobs can help cope with financial meltdown
In these days of financial meltdown, green jobs, as they are labelled,
ensure both job security and energy security. They are the portals to
the new nature-dependent, climate-sustaining and pro-nature economic
order.
Greenhouse Gases Hit Record Levels Last Year
Gases blamed for global warming reached record levels in
the atmosphere last year, the United Nations weather agency said on
Tuesday.
Honey bee crisis threatens English fruit farmers
Where in the United States, fruit farmers pay to have
bees trucked thousands of miles to pollinate their crops and in parts of
China, humans with feather dusters have taken on the task, in Britain
most bees go nature's way.
Huge Iowa Windfarm Will Supply Power to N.C.
Six rural coops are jointly subsidizing the entire 150 megawatt output to
help meet new renewables requirements.
Hydropower generator mimics fish
Researchers claim to have
fashioned a fish-like hydrokinetic scheme that harnesses both fast and
slow underwater currents to generate electricity.
Inbox 112508
The Mechanics of Recycling: The December issue of
Popular Mechanics has an interesting, wide-ranging
article analyzing
the economics and environmental impact of curbside
recycling programs. The overall take-home message is that
curbside recycling has been proving its worth, both
environmentally (by a clear, wide margin) and economically
(by a narrower but steadily growing margin).
Interfaith Leaders Sign Climate Change Manifesto of Hope
Faith leaders concluded their two-day Interfaith Summit
on Climate Change in Uppsala on Saturday by signing a manifesto
demanding quick and extensive reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in
the wealthy parts of the world.
Inventing Our
Energy Future
In recent years, billions of people have been rising out
of poverty and
participating more fully in the global marketplace. This is good news, but
it has put the world in a tight spot. Economic prosperity is intimately
linked to energy demand, and the elevation of billions of people to
middle-class living standards seems destined to outstrip our existing energy
infrastructure. To sustain economic progress, we must reinvent the ways in
which we produce, distribute and use energy.
Largest Wind Farm in Europe Inaugurated in Portugal
The wind farm is also connected to the national grid and
a 240 MW capacity. The wind energy produced in the region is enough to
power 300,000 homes.
Leaders meet to discuss reconciliation
Indigenous leaders from North and Central America
recently gathered to discuss the significance of governmental apologies
involving historical injustices committed upon Natives.
MIT; A quicker, easier way to make coal cleaner
...an MIT analysis suggests an intermediate step that
could get construction moving again, allowing the nation to fend off
growing electricity shortages using our most-abundant, least-expensive
fuel while also reducing emissions.
Mob Attacks Offices Over Brazil Logging Crackdown
A mob of about 3,000 people attacked government offices
to protest a crackdown on illegal Amazon logging, the government said on
Monday, prompting the environment minister to call for federal troops.
Obama Embraces 'Green Path' in Stimulus Plan to Aid Environment
President-elect Barack Obama is considering a stimulus
package that will include a heavy dose of spending on environmentally
friendly projects aimed at creating “green-collar jobs” and saving
energy.
Obama formally nominates Hillary Clinton for secretary of state
US President-elect Barack Obama named his top national security advisers
Monday -- including former first lady Hillary Clinton as secretary of state
--
choosing officials who have voiced strong and controversial opinions on
energy
issues such as taxing major oil companies, expanding offshore oil and
natural
gas drilling and capping greenhouse gas emissions from refineries, electric
utilities and other industries.
Obama Keeping Quiet on Energy Secretary Pick; Mayor White Mentioned
Among Possibilities Coming From a Range of Backgrounds
President-elect Barack Obama is weighing prospects for energy secretary
with a list in Democratic circles that includes Washington insiders, a
governor and at least one break-the-mold executive.
Ocean currents can power the world, say scientists
A revolutionary device that can harness energy from
slow-moving rivers and ocean currents could provide enough power for the
entire world, scientists claim.
Offshore Toronto Wind Farm Stirs Debate
A public hearing on building a 60-turbine wind farm offshore of Toronto in
Lake Ontario drew an overflow and divided crowd of 1,000 people.
OPINION; A Green Deal for Transportation
The more
stringent fuel economy standards currently in place in Japan,
Europe, and China suggest that Washington should adopt far more
ambitious targets—at least 50 mpg by 2020, with continued
improvements in later years.
Plutonic Power, GE Submit Bids for More Than $4 Billion in Hydroelectric
Projects, Canada's Largest
...in submitting two bids for hydroelectric power
projects costing more than $4 billion, which would be Canada's largest
single private sector hydroelectric generation investment.
Portugal seeks 15% of energy from wind power in 2010
The General Directorate for Energy and Geology (DGEG) has given assurances
that the electricity coming from wind energy currently accounts for nearly 4
per cent of the overall electricity consumption, but this is expected to
increase to 15 per cent by 2010.
Producing Cellulosic Ethanol Without Soil Damage
In the Midwest, 100 to 150 millon tons of corn
stover -- crop residue -- is now left on fields to prevent erosion and
return nutrients to soil. Now corn stover is being eyed as a possible source
of cellulose for biofuel production. But the costs and benefits of
harvesting stover need to be determined.
Sahel Africans Face Hunger Despite Bumper Harvest
Poor people in Africa's arid Sahel region will go
without food despite bumper harvests this year, as wild price moves on
world markets put staple cereals beyond many families' budgets, aid
agencies say. Prices of imported foods have ballooned in recent years,
pushing up prices for locally grown crops even though harvests are
expected to be bigger than ever after abundant rains.
Scientists Crack Iceberg Mystery
US scientists have figured out how icebergs break off
Antarctica and Greenland, a finding that may help predict rising sea
levels as the climate warms.
Sharp, Enel To Invest $1.6 Bln In Solar Venture
Sharp is stepping up investment in an effort to retake market share from
No.1 solar cell maker Q-Cells of Germany, whose aggressive capex plans
outstrip those of its rivals.
Sierra Club Says Ruling Jeopardizes Coal Plants
Prospects for three billion-dollar, coal-fired power
projects in Nevada are dimming because of an appeals decision on a power
project in Utah, according to the Sierra Club.
Solar cell
efficiency boosted
The solar energy
market is in flux. Shortages of polysilicon materials used to
make solar cells have eased. As you no doubt noticed the last time you
filled your car's gas tank, global energy prices also have dropped
dramatically in response to economic turmoil and resulting declines in
demand. But one thing has remained constant: Energy researchers are
always looking for ways to improve the conversion efficiency rates of
solar cells.
Solar Power Costlier for Florida Than Nuclear, Report Finds
In a much anticipated report that could affect every
Floridian's pocketbook, a consultant hired by the state says solar power
could be a competitive source of electricity by 2020 in many scenarios,
but it will cost considerably more than new nuclear power and natural
gas
Spot uranium price rises $2/lb on the week to reach $55/lb
The spot price of uranium rose $2 a pound over the past week to $55/lb
U3O8, according to the latest reports from TradeTech and Ux Consulting.
Sun rising on California's power horizon
Solar power accounts for less than 1 percent of
California's energy resources, but Bay Area residents are buying systems
in increasing numbers, which is good news for the environment and the
solar industry, advocates say.
THE CIRCULARITY OF LIFE; AN ESSENTIAL SHIFT FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Jane Cull, founder and lead consultant of Life’s Natural Solutions, an
educational consultancy in Sydney, Australia, applies the theories of
living systems to describe the shift in worldview now taking place
that is key to our future survival.
Treasury Provides TARP Funds to Federal Reserve Consumer ABS Lending
Facility
The U.S. Treasury Department yesterday announced it will allocate $20
billion to back a lending facility for the consumer asset backed securities
market established by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Trees To Fight Warming. Insurers Ponder Risks
Paying landowners to let forests grow is promoted by the
United Nations as a viable way to fight global warming, but experts
first have to puzzle out how to insure trees against going up in smoke.
U.S. regulators need to copy Texas on greenhouse gases, Perry says
Texas Gov. Rick Perry warned on Tuesday that federal regulation of carbon
dioxide would harm the Texas and U.S. economies, pushing up energy prices
and limiting growth.
U.S. Researchers Closer to Creating New Solar Cells
The solar cells, being developed by researchers at the University of
California in Los Angeles (UCLA), have significantly greater sunlight
absorption and conversation than previous polymers, the university said in a
press release on its website.
UK climate law heralds 'total de-carbonization' of economy
The UK's Climate Change Act, which was written into law late Wednesday,
sets the stage for the total de-carbonization of the UK economy...
UK committee says coal-fired plant should have CCS by 2020
Conventional coal-fired power generation should only be built in the UK
on condition that it will be retrofitted with carbon capture and storage
equipment by the early 2020s
UK Government; Energy industry set for climate change
A clear indicator from the project was that historical climatology is no
longer relevant because of global warming. These long term changes mean that
it is likely that energy demands will be affected through the seasons.
US coal output rises 10.7% on year in week ending Nov. 22; EIA
US coal production totalled about 23.4 million short tons in the week
that ended November 22, roughly 10.7% above output in the comparable week of
last year
US Energy Department touts combined heat, power technology use
Combined heat and power technology is "one of the most promising options
in the US energy efficiency portfolio," the Department of Energy said in a
new
report released Monday that calls for increased use of the CHP technology to
increase energy security and decrease emissions.
US
Fed Announces Creation of TALF
The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday announced the creation of the Term
Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF), a facility that will help
market participants meet the credit needs of households and small businesses
by supporting the issuance of asset-backed securities (ABS) collateralized
by student loans, auto loans, credit card loans, and loans guaranteed by the
Small Business Administration (SBA).
US Fed to Purchase Obligations of GSEs
The Federal Reserve announced on Tuesday that it will initiate a program to
purchase the direct obligations of housing-related government-sponsored
enterprises (GSEs)--Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan
Banks--and mortgage-backed securities (MBS) backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie
Mac, and Ginnie Mae.
Vatican Set To Go Green With Huge Solar Panel Roof
The Vatican was set to go green on Wednesday with the
activation of a new solar energy system to power several key buildings
and a commitment to use renewable energy for 20 percent of its needs by
2020.
Venice Flooded As Sea Levels Hit Highest In 22 Yrs
Large parts of Venice were flooded on Monday as heavy
rains and strong winds lashed the lagoon city, with sea levels at their
highest level in 22 years.
Western Governors Ask Obama for National Green Energy Plan
In a letter to President-elect Barack Obama, the Western
governors are urging swift action in adopting and implementing a
national energy plan that would transform the country's energy
infrastructure and economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
What's Moving the Oil Markets 120208
•Global crude futures recovered from
earlier losses that saw ICE Brent trade at a 45-month low Tuesday. At
0753 GMT front-month ICE Brent traded at an intra-day low of
$46.02/barrel, its lowest level since February 18, 2005.
•OPEC's failure to reach a production
decision over the weekend remains a contentious issue.
Will we have solar pavements within five years?
And solar windows, rooftops, mobile phones, laptops, paint,
cars and clothing, according to IBM.
Wind power becoming increasingly prevalent in Japan
Japan's utilities are increasing the amount of
wind-generated power they purchase in response to a government policy
aimed at promoting the use of alternative energy sources, a trend that
could spark investment in this field.
Wind Project Hits a Hurdle in Scotland; The Push for More Renewable
Energy Can Clash With Concerns for the Land
On the Isle of Lewis, a blustery wedge of highland and bog at the northern
tip of the Outer Scottish Hebrides, a battle over a planned wind farm holds
lessons for investors and industrialists seeking to meet alternative energy
targets for Europe.
Youth Embarassed By U.S. Delegation at Climate Conference
The U.S. climate delegation's "sidestepping and
recalcitrance" in a news conference on the opening morning of the United
Nations annual climate conference in Poznan was denounced by the
international climate campaign 350.org and a group of young people from
the United States who are attending the meetings.
November 21, 2008
Acidic seas threaten coral and mussels
Rising carbon dioxide levels are increasing acidity in the oceans 10
times faster than scientists thought, posing a greater threat to
shell-forming creatures such as coral and mussels.
Aqua America; Water Provider or Profiteer?
Kids in Chuluota, Florida are getting sick from drinking local water. People
in certain parts of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Cambridge, New York are
experiencing, or expect to face, egregious water rate hikes. What do these
communities have in common? Their water is serviced subsidiaries of the
private water company Aqua America.
Arizona faces huge money gap preparing infrastructure for 10 million
The state and local governments must address a projected
gap of $288 billion to develop transportation and water systems,
education and other critical infrastructure needed to support the 10
million people expected to call Arizona home by 2030
Clean Energy Confronts Messy Reality
"Funding has
stalled," says Ezra Green, chief executive of Clear Skies Solar Inc.
The New York company recently canceled plans to build a one-megawatt
solar plant in California's Mojave Desert, unable to get financing
even though a California utility agreed to buy all the output.
Climate panel to continue into Congress' next session; Pelosi
"I think we do have a need for one more term, because our work is not
finished," Pelosi said Friday at her weekly press conference. "We do not
have
the climate change legislation that I had hoped we might be closer to, at
least at this point."
Congress has fast-track power to kill Bush rules
President-elect Barack Obama will have limited authority to overturn federal
regulations approved in the waning months of the Bush administration. But a
little-used power offers the new Democratic Congress an early test of how
aggressively lawmakers might unravel such rules pushed through by
Republicans.
Credit Crisis Threatens Europe Energy Supply
European utilities must keep up investments in power and
gas infrastructure throughout the credit crisis to ensure energy
supplies when the economy recovers, consultants Capgemini said in a report.
Demise of Yucca Project Predicted
President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. Harry Reid have had several
discussions about the Yucca Mountain Project since the election, with Reid
saying this week the nuclear waste burial plan will "bleed real hard" before
being halted.
Despite Uncertainty, New Power Plant Construction and Environmental
Installations Move Forward
To the surprise of just about everyone in the U.S. electric utility
business, in July 2008, a Federal court struck down the Clean Air Interstate
Rule (CAIR), which would enact tighter restrictions on sulfur and nitrogen
emissions from power plants
Food; The Extreme Perils of 'Efficiency'
This spring, disaster loomed in the global food market.
Precipitous increases in the prices of staples like rice (up more than a
hundred and fifty per cent in a few months) and maize provoked food
riots, toppled governments, and threatened the lives of tens of
millions. But the bursting of the commodity bubble eased those
pressures, and food prices, while still high, have come well off the
astronomical levels they hit in April.
Front-month NYMEX crude falls over $3 to $51.06 barrel
Front-month NYMEX light sweet crude fell over $3/barrel Tuesday, reacting
to a temporarily stronger US dollar and paring some of the gains made on
Monday.
Global crisis impact on China more severe than anticipated
The impact of the global financial crisis on the Chinese economy has been
more severe than earlier anticipated and this has drastically reduced the
demand for Chinese exports..
Global Warming Could Lead To More Arctic Energy
The rapid recession of sea ice, snow cover and permafrost were helping to
accelerate global warming and the loss from the Greenland ice sheet would
bring a swift rise in sea levels, it said in a paper.
Government Warns Of 'Catastrophic' US Quake
People in a vast seismic zone in the southern and midwestern
United States would face catastrophic damage if a major earthquake struck
there and should ensure that builders keep that risk in mind, a government
report said on Thursday.
Green Efforts
Embrace Poor
Low-income people who live in old or flimsy housing are becoming prime
targets for cities and groups intent on slashing energy use.
Green Groups Issue Recommendations to President-Elect
A broad coalition of organizations working on federal
climate and energy policy issued the following recommendations today to
President-elect Barack Obama and his transition team:
Green Mountain Power Converts Hybrids to Plug-In Technology
Demonstrating a new way to power cars with solar energy, Green Mountain
Power has converted two of its Toyota Prius fleet vehicles into plug-in
hybrids (PHEV's).
Greenpeace Blockades Ageing Spanish Nuclear Plant
Greenpeace blocked the entrance on Thursday to a Spanish
nuclear power station facing closure next year and urged the government
to shut it down immediately in line with election pledges to phase out
nuclear power.
Groundbreaking PBS series nears completion
After almost five years of planning and production, a
groundbreaking television series depicting more than 350 years of
history from an American Indian perspective is scheduled to premiere
next spring.
How to Read Your Water Quality Report
The Safe Drinking Water Act amendments of
1996 provide for an annual water quality report. Although these reports are
intended to help consumers make informed choices about their drinking water,
they can be confusing and full of jargon. This guide is intended to help you
understand what your water quality report is and how to interpret what it
tells you.
How Trade Policy Undermined Africa’s Food Self-Sufficiency
The 2008 global food crisis is compromising the survival
of 860 million undernourished people and threatens to push a hundred
million people into extreme poverty, erasing all of the gains made in
eradicating poverty in the last decade. Record high prices have put food
out of reach for the poorest people in the developing world, many of
whom already spend more than half their income on food.
Huge Glaciers Detected Under Rocky Debris On Mars
The glaciers, perhaps 200 million years old, also may
entomb genetic fragments of past microbial life on Mars as well as air
bubbles that might reveal the composition of the atmosphere as it was
long ago..
Institute says glass recycling increased to 28.1% in 2007
The glass recycling rate increased to 28.1% in 2007, the first
significant increase since around 2000, according to the Glass Packaging
Institute.
Last chance to have your say on TEP's proposed rate increase
The Arizona Corporation Commission will hold an open meeting to discuss and
vote on a Tucson Electric Power Co. rate increase at 10 a.m. tomorrow at 400
W. Congress, Room 222.
Local fight against global warming; Activitists push for 'Cool Cities
They came with the goal of saving the planet and left
Saturday with a handy tool kit of ideas that began with how to approach
City Hall. About 40 foot soldiers in the battle against global warming
got their marching orders at a workshop in Mountain View offered by the
Sierra Club and two other environmental organizations
Los Angeles boasts world's largest solar energy plan
Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Monday unveiled an ambitious plan
that calls for installing solar panels on residents' rooftops to meet 10
percent of the city's energy needs by the year 2020.
New Era, New Rules
There is a growing consensus that keeping the lights on,
developing renewable energy to the maximum of its potential, developing
new nuclear generation and clean coal technology, and creating a grid to
stitch it all together, will take an unprecedented level of spending.
Sitting in judgment of many of these investments will be
state utility regulators.
New Study Predicts Corporate Loan Market is the Next Subprime
In evaluating 1,054 loan-seeking corporations, NYU Stern Visiting Professor
of Finance Anurag Gupta reveals that borrowing firms whose loans are sold by
banks in the secondary loan market underperform other corporate bank
borrowers by between 8% and 14% per year (on a risk-adjusted basis) in the
three years after the loan sale.
Nuke plant raiders may have had inside aid
The unidentified gunmen who attempted to steal bomb-grade uranium from a
South African nuclear plant may have had inside help, a worker's account
indicates.
Obama's Coal Stance
President-elect Barack Obama can't win. Coal associations are skeptical of
his energy plans because he is pushing carbon cuts before the technologies
to fully achieve such aims have matured. Environmentalists are also cautious
and contend that his advocacy of "clean coal" does not make sense.
OPEC source sees need for new 1 mil b/d cut at Dec 17 meeting
OPEC needs to cut its crude production by a further 1 million b/d at its
December 17 meeting in Oran, western Algeria, an OPEC source said Monday.
Poll; World wants green action, despite costs
Sixty-nine percent of those polled in 21 countries say utility
firms should be obliged to use more renewable resources, even if this would
increase their monthly bills.
Proposal may cut pollution by coal-run plants; Environmental panel
weighs modifying exemption from N.C.'s emission standards
Duke Energy might have to curb toxic emissions from four of its coal-fired
power plants under rule changes a state environmental panel is considering.
Regulators propose adding pharmaceutical waste to rule
Federal environmental regulators have proposed adding hazardous
pharmaceutical waste to the Universal Waste Rule to provide a streamlined
system for disposing of the material and to protect public health and the
environment.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 112408
The geomagnetic field is
expected to be unsettled to occasionally active as a recurrent
coronal hole high speed stream becomes geoeffecttive. There is a
slight chance for isolated minor storm activity at high latitudes.
San Francisco Plans To Be Electric Car Capital
San Francisco Bay Area cities promised to build the
electric car capital of the United States, announcing a plan Thursday to
work with start-up Better Place to put battery-powered autos on the road
in 2012.
Sen. chairwoman to make global warming issue a priority
Senate Environment Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., plans to
make global warming legislation a priority next year, with the first hearing
likely occurring in January.
The hearing will address how global warming legislation can benefit the
economy and create jobs,..
Soaking Up the Sun; Tax Breaks Propel Area Solar Firms, But U.S. Still
Lags
You can see federal energy tax policy in action, rising
out of the ground on the mesa south of Albuquerque as workers rush to
finish the new Schott Solar factory. If all goes according to schedule,
some 350 workers will begin turning out power systems next spring that
generate electricity from the sun.
Surprise Drop in Power Use Worries Utilities
An unexpected drop in U.S. electricity consumption has utility companies
worried that the trend isn't a byproduct of the economic downturn and could
reflect a permanent shift in consumption that will require sweeping change
in their industry.
The Financial Meltdown and Our Energy Future
One year ago, Energy Central called on one of the world's leading
researchers looking into the promise of clean coal, Howard J. Herzog, at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "The way we burn coal today is not
compatible with a carbon-constrained world, and we need new technologies to
burn coal cleaner in the future," he said. "We're falling far short of the
level of investments we need to do today in order for coal to play a major
role."
Tibetan
glaciers rapidly melting
Glaciers high in the Himalayas are dwindling faster than anyone thought,
putting nearly a billion people living in South Asia in peril of losing
their water supply.
Toxic contamination starts at home; Study
When women from 120 middle-class homes learned their bodies contained low
levels of toxic chemicals, most of them blamed chemical spills, waste
dumping or secret military experiments.
They were stunned to learn the truth was closer to home. Most of their
exposure came from harmless-looking plastics, flame-retardant clothing,
beauty products and household cleaners.
Waste Connections says recycling markets are drying up
"The precipitous drop in recycled commodity values over the past few weeks
is unprecedented," CEO Ronald J. Mittelstaedt said Nov. 24. "Many of these
commodities generated on the West Coast are shipped to Asia, where demand
has dried up.
Waste-to-energy plant officially off the table
As quickly as the promises of a waste-to-energy plant came this spring, the
proposal to use technology to solve the county's trash problems died this
week.
Waxman Win Elevates Energy, Climate Change Issues
US Rep. Henry Waxman, a California liberal, won the
chairmanship of a key congressional energy committee on Thursday and
promised to work closely with President-elect Barack Obama to promote
alternative energy, ease global warming and expand healthcare.
Western guvs talk energy, climate with Obama team
In a meeting with John Podesta, co-chairman of President-elect Barack
Obama's transition team, the two governors told how Washington can help
update the systems that deliver energy to Americans while reducing the
pollution blamed for global climate change and greening the economy with
clean-energy jobs.
Wind Turbines to Help Rural Townships; Three Wyoming County
Municipalities to Reap Dividends
The rural townships will experience a distinct financial boost for
perhaps the next 25 years, which is the usual lifespan of a turbine. The
townships have already received $2,500 per turbine in permitting fees. For
Noxen, that $87,500 equaled nearly half of the township's annual budget,
said township Supervisor Carl Shook.
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