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April 30, 2010
2010 US Small Business Risk Outlook
The commercial real estate collapse has removed a major source of
growth for banks. Maxed out consumers are not positioned to drive loan
growth at the bank in the near future. As a result, bank CEOs are
turning to business banking as the key growth driver. With deposits
pouring into the bank, the next big challenge is where to profitably and
safely find earning assets among commercial and industrial customers.
Approved! Cape Wind Gets Green Light
After almost a decade of debate, the U.S. will build its first offshore
wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts. In an historic announcement
today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar appeared alongside
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to officially give his seal of
approval to the Cape Wind Project. The project will consist of 130
turbines installed in Nantucket sound off the coast of Massachusetts.
Arctic Explorers Get Nasty Surprise; Rain
"It's definitely a shocker ... the general feeling within the
polar community is that rainfall in the high Canadian Arctic in
April is a freak event," said Pen Hadow, the team's expedition
director.
"Scientists would tell us that we can expect increasingly to
experience these sorts of outcomes as the climate warms," he told
Reuters in a telephone interview from London.
Arizonans can't see where the money goes
Arizona gets an "F" when it comes to helping taxpayers
see where and how their money is being spent, according to a report
released April 13 by an advocacy group...other states that have
developed Web sites detailing governments' financial dealings save money
by reducing wasteful spending and in the process restore the public's
confidence.
Bills anger customers; Not all electric revenue goes toward keeping
lights on
Where the money goes
Ask local officials about the high rates and they'll give you the full
history of the towns' electric contracts.
BP increases efforts to control oil spill as slick hits shore
In a statement, BP said it was ramping up preparations for a "major
protection and cleaning effort" on the shorelines of Louisiana,
Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
The statement came as reports suggested that the oil slick had
already reached the coast of Louisiana.
The US Coast Guard has sent investigators to confirm whether crude
had begun to wash up on parts of the Louisiana shoreline, the BBC
reported Friday.
British Columbia gov't unveils energy plan, seeks more exports
British Columbia, through crown corporation BC Hydro,
expects to acquire renewable power supplies from independent power
producers, fill in gaps in the intermittent power flows with output from
existing hydro plants, and then export the electricity to the US...
Christian ‘doctrine’ fueled dehumanization; UNPFII report
“The first thing indigenous peoples share is the
experience of having been invaded by those who treated us without
compassion because they considered us to be less than human,”...“Dehumanization leads to the second thing indigenous peoples share in
common: Being treated on the basis of the belief that those who invaded
our territories have a right of lordship or dominance over our existence
and, therefore, have the right to take, grant, and dispose of our lands,
territories, and resources without our permission or consent.”
Congressman Waxman Slips Obscure Anti-Supplement Measure into Wall St.
'Reform' Bill Passed by the House
The American public is becoming fed up with “sneak” provisions tacked
onto largely unrelated bills that are likely to pass. A glaring recent
example was tacking onto the Healthcare bill a complete change to
student loans. Often the “sneak” provision is so buried that hardly
anyone is aware of it.
Diminishing Water Supply And Aging Underground Infrastructure Will
Impact NJ State Economy
Speaking at the Rutgers Quarterly Business Outlook panel
last Tuesday, New Jersey American Water President John Bigelow said that
in the Garden State, a diminishing natural water supply and aging
infrastructure will impact business and the state for the foreseeable
future.
Energy efficiency paying off in reduced utility bills
Hugh Joyce thinks environmental concerns for energy efficiency and
dollars-and-cents business calculations are starting to add up to
economic opportunity.
EPA cites Bokoshe ash disposal site
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday ordered the operator
of a fly ash disposal pit to stop discharging toxic waste into a local
waterway near this eastern Oklahoma town.
EPA
Confirms Climate IS Changing
In another display of the sea change that has occurred at the US
Environmental Protection Agency under the current administration, a new
report was issued yesterday regarding indicators of climate change. The
report, entitled "Climate Change Indicators in the United States,"
measures 24 separate indicators showing how climate change affects the
health and environment of US citizens.
EPA Launches New Web Tools to Inform the Public About Clean Water
Enforcement
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
launching a new set of web tools, data, and interactive maps to inform
the public about serious Clean Water Act violations in their
communities.
EPA; U.S. Climate Is Warming, Seas Rising, Glaciers Melting
Heat waves, storms, sea levels, glaciers, and wildlife
migrations are just a few of the environmental indicators that show
measurable signs of climate change, finds a report by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency released Monday.
Feds Again Invade Amish Farm for 5 a.m. Inspection
The farm invaded Tuesday is the one agents visited in
February, driving past “Private Property” signs to demand Allgyer open
his property for their inspection, saying, “You have cows. You produce
food for human consumption.”
GE's leader issues an energy warning
While the rest of the world invests in renewable, nuclear and cleaner
energy sources, the U.S. continues to fall further behind, General
Electric's chairman and CEO said Wednesday in Houston.
Global Floating Ice In 'Constant Retreat'; Study
The world's floating ice is in "constant retreat," showing an
instability which will increase global sea levels, according to a
report published in Geophysical Research Letters on Wednesday.
Floating ice had disappeared at a steady rate over the past 10
years, according to the first measurement of its kind.
Grass Shows Promise For Removing Antibiotics From Water
What goes in must come out, and when animals are given
antibiotics, they can find their way into the water supply. Now, a
Michigan Tech senior has identified one way to sop them up.
Antibiotics, like many pharmaceuticals, pass through the
digestive tract largely unchanged. The resulting drug-laden waste
from farms and feedlots (or for that matter, apartments and
subdivisions) may be treated, but conventional methods don't break
down excreted antibiotics.
Gulf of Mexico spill may hit coast this weekend
A giant oil slick from a deadly offshore drilling rig explosion could
hit the fragile U.S. Gulf Coast shoreline this weekend as the White
House and Congress launched separate probes into the worst offshore
incident in nearly a decade
Hearing to be held to discuss W.Va. surface mine
EPA has determined to revoke the permit for the project, permitted in
2007 and delayed by litigation ever since. Current EPA administrators
said the agency could not reach an agreement to lessen stream impacts
and water quality degradation from the 2,200 acre surface mine.
House bills introduced to promote small nuclear reactors
Two bills were introduced in the US House of Representatives Wednesday
that would promote the development of small nuclear power reactors.
..Designs for so-called small modular reactors, defined as nuclear
generating units with a capacity of 300 MW or less, are being developed
by several US and overseas firms.
Hurricane Outlook & Perspectives
It's late-April, and that means it's time for the parade of Hurricane
Season Forecasts. With 12 active Seasons in the past 15 years, many
forecast services perennially become contrarian or overly-bullish -
often reflecting "markets over meteorology". Two of the more popular
claims this year will be:
It won't die; the myth of US crude exports
Here's the reality: the US did allow on a case-by-case basis
the export of Alaskan crude in the 1990's. But after fighting
for years to get the right to do it, BP found that the economics
of sending crude to Japan or Taiwan was simply not working.
Military may join fight to contain Gulf oil slick
BP and the Coast Guard have already mounted what the London-based
company calls the largest oil spill containment operation in history,
involving dozens of ships and aircraft.
But they are struggling to control the slick from the leaking well
5,000 feet under the sea off Louisiana's coast, which the Coast Guard
said late on Wednesday was spilling five times more oil than previously
estimated.
Military officials say wind turbines can stir up problems for bases
Standing 250 feet high with 150-foot-long blades, the wind turbines
could cause false signals on radar and endanger aerial maneuvers or
produce erroneous information about storm conditions, several military
officials told the House Committee on Defense and Veterans' Affairs.
Not aging fast enough? Drink a soda!
Hoo boy. The American Beverage Association isn't going to like this
news one bit. Food companies now add significant amounts of phosphates
to soda and other processed foods. And now researchers have found
evidence that phosphates may
accelerate aging..
NRC; Time to revisit health study for TMI, other plants
Citing the 20 years since the last comprehensive national study of its
kind, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is requesting a new study on the
potential health effects on those living near nuclear power plants,
including Three Mile Island.
Nuclear commission, Areva settle over safety error
Areva NP and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have reached a settlement
agreement after an employee disabled an electronic eye sensor used as
part of a safety check...the employee taped the wand's eye to make it
work.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 042910
No flares were observed during the past 24 hours.
IB. Solar Activity Forecast: Solar activity is expected to be very
low. Solar wind speeds have increased the
last 24 hours from around 310 to 400 km/s indicating the presence of
a weak coronal hole high speed stream. The geomagnetic field is
expected to be predominantly quiet for the next three days (30
April-02 May).
Risk Management after the Great Crash
This study takes a closer look at the role of risk (mis)management by
financial institutions in the emergence of the Great Crash. It is
explained that prior to the crisis too much reliance was placed on the
quantitative side of risk management, while not enough attention
was paid to qualitative risk management...In fact, too much faith
in a new generation of complex risk models might lead to even more
spectacular risk management problems than the one we experienced during
the Great Crash.
Scientists create artificial skin that stretches like the real thing
Scientists at Spain’s University of Granada
have created artificial skin with the resistance, firmness and
elasticity of real skin. It is the first time artificial skin has been
created from fibrin-agarose biomaterial. Fibrin is a protein involved in
the clotting of the blood, while agarose is a sugar obtained from
seaweed, commonly used to create gels in laboratories. The new material
could be used in the treatment of skin problems, and could also replace
test animals in dermatological labs.
Spanish PV
After the Crash
From roaring boom to crippling bust, the story of Spain's solar industry
has entered into the mythology of the renewable energy business. For
free market economists it is a fireside tale of the dangers of
government interference, while for the opponents of renewable energy it
is exhibit 'A' in the case against solar. But as the dust settles, we
can now analyze what really happened, and answer the question: Is the
Spanish solar industry terminally ill?
SunWize Takes the Risk Out of Buying Chinese Modules with Trina Solar
In the case of Trina Solar, we underwent a rigorous evaluation process
that included: examining the product, assessing manufacturing quality
and capabilities and negotiating a viable business agreement that
protects our customers and their customers. We were impressed with Trina
Solar’s products on paper, so the next step was to order some containers
and have our dealers install them and tell us what they thought
The e.coli threat lurking in a free dab of lipstick
Women are putting their health at risk by dabbing on lipstick,
moisturiser and mascara from cosmetics tester packs at high street
beauty counters.
In a shocking study, researchers found that every make-up tester pack
they analysed was contaminated by the e.coli bug.
The Food Nightmare Beneath Our Feet; We're Running Out of Soil
Each year the world loses an estimated 83 billion tons of soil. What
does this mean for food production and what can we do about?
Two new coal mines under PSC review
For the first time in regulatory history, the Public Service Commission
staff is reviewing two permit applications at the same time for new coal
mines in North Dakota, one in Oliver County near Hannover and one in
Stark County near South Heart.
US Fixed-Rates Stable, Posting Little Change From Last Week's Figures
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 5.06 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week
ending April 29, 2010, down slightly from last week when it averaged
5.07 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.78
percent
US Government Mobilized to Contain Gulf Spill
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill has been spreading steadily
and at a much greater rate than earlier determined. Like the
Exxon-Valdez spill in Alaska, it is devastating to the affected marine
ecosystems and has the potential to get much worse.
Vegetarians 'get fewer cancers'
Analysis of data from 52,700 men and women shows that those who did
not eat meat had significantly fewer cancers overall than those who did.
But surprisingly, the researchers also found a higher rate of
colorectal cancer - a disease linked with eating red meat - among the
vegetarians.
What do brains, worms and computer chips have in common?
An international team of scientists has discovered that
the human brain, the nervous system of a worm and a computer chip are
strikingly similar.
Which Fish to Eat? Study Finds Lower Mercury in Most Top-Selling Seafood
Experts send a mixed message to consumers when it comes to eating
fish: it's good for your heart health but beware of the
methylmercury. A new way of organizing and ranking the pollutant's
levels in fish and shellfish may help consumers navigate this
apparent contradiction, according to the study's author.
April 27, 2010
44% Favor Solar Energy For Home Heating
Forty-four percent (44%) of Americans believe solar energy
should become a standard method of heating homes in the United States,
according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
Americans Still Not Confident Economy Has Turned
The message from the White House and from economists over the past few
months is that the economy has turned the corner. The economy is getting
better, but jobs and employment may lag behind other good economic
indicators. While they may hear all of this, the American public may not
be quite ready to embrace this good news, nor the messenger.
Bobble bottles offer instant filtered water, on the go
Bottled water might seem like a very innocuous,
ecologically-friendly beverage, but it does have its
dark side – it has been estimated that 1.5 million barrels of oil are
used annually for the production of one-use water bottles. About 38
million of those get tossed out each year. True, many of them go to
recycling facilities, but those facilities aren’t exactly carbon
footprint-free themselves.
Chernobyl Radiation Killed Nearly One Million People; New Book
Nearly one million people around the world died from
exposure to radiation released by the 1986 nuclear disaster at the
Chernobyl reactor, finds a new book from the New York Academy of
Sciences published today on the 24th anniversary of the meltdown at the
Soviet facility.
Climate Debate Gets Ugly As World Moves To Curb CO2
Climate scientists, used to dealing with skeptics, are under
siege like never before, targeted by hate emails brimming with abuse
and accusations of fabricating global warming data. Some emails
contain thinly veiled death threats.
Could acid in breast milk be the answer to beating cancer?
A
substance found in breast milk
can kill cancer cells, claim
researchers. For the first time, the
substance - known as Hamlet - has been
successfully tested on humans. Patients
with bladder cancer who were treated
with Hamlet managed to expel dead cancer
cells through their urine after each
treatment, raising hopes it could be a
potential cure
Crude futures lack direction, despite earlier highs
According to energy analyst Edward Meir, the currency markets
could provide the immediate direction in global markets due to the
ongoing Greek financial crisis.
Desperately seeking silver linings in clouds of ash
Earlier this month the UK government found itself stuck
in an almost unprecedented perfect storm. Faced by a monstrous ash cloud
spewing forth from an Icelandic volcano, which had already shut down
much of Northwest Europe's airspace during a key vacation period, and
with an increasingly tight-looking general election just weeks away,
Downing Street fell back on an old fashioned response. It sent the fleet
in
Ecuadoran President Confirms Deal to Leave Oil Under Yasuni Park
President Raphael Correa now has approved an agreement
to leave Ecuador's largest oil reserves, amounting to some 900 million
barrels, underground in Yasuni
National Park in exchange for more than $3 billion.
Energy Markets and Banking Reforms
Congress is now considering legislation to ban those
financial institutions from participating in speculative activities that
are not tied to the basic and federal-backed services that they offer.
So, those investment banks that trade commodities for their own
advantage so as to increase their revenues would be barred from doing
so. But those that trade on behalf of their industrial clients would be
allowed to continue
ENERGY REFORM; Reduce dependence on foreign oil
Since July 2008, members of the Pickens Plan army have been
working to spread the word about the continuing dangers of our
dependence on foreign oil. In August 2009 — even with oil at
about half the price it was in 2008 — we still spent over $25
billion to import more than 60 percent of the oil we used in
just one month. That is money which could have been supporting
the American economy instead of the economies of places like
Saudi Arabia, Angola and Venezuela.
EPA calls Va. golf course fly ash application safe
Coal fly ash reclaimed from a Virginia Power coal-fired plant, then
mixed with cement dust and used to sculpt the Battlefield Golf Club
course in Chesapeake, Va., has created no adverse health impacts on
surface water or sediment, according to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
Feds found Pfizer too big to nail
Imagine being charged with a crime, but an imaginary friend takes the
rap for you. That is essentially what happened when Pfizer, the world’s
largest pharmaceutical company, was caught illegally marketing Bextra, a
painkiller that was taken off the market in 2005 because of safety
concerns.
Feds will pay you to update heating system
The federal economic stimulus bill is funding a new round of rebates for
people who purchase energy-efficient heating equipment to replace older
units.
Firms warm
to climate bill
Oil companies including ConocoPhillips and Royal Dutch Shell PLC will
back new climate-change legislation in the U.S. Senate, according to
people familiar with their plans.
Food in the U.S. Is Still Tainted with Chemicals That Were Banned
Decades Ago Thirty-eight years after DDT was banned, Americans still consume trace
amounts of the infamous insecticide every day, along with more than 20
other banned chemicals.
Fossil fuels unlikely to lose starring role
Ramm and other speakers, a mix of university researchers and energy
industry executives, said during the conference at the University of
Houston that global demand is growing so quickly that the world will
continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels, even as researchers work to
make alternative fuels more cost-effective.
Four cities, four markets; Profiling the growth in green jobs
Mechanics construct windmills in Indianapolis while lab
techs in Silicon Valley crank out thin-film solar panels. Contractors in
Portland, Ore., weatherize Queen Anne homes, and their counterparts in
Pittsburgh fix up low-income apartments. Renewable energy and efficiency
projects like these are cropping up in every state, in some cases on a
massive scale, boosted by funds from federal and state governments.
Genetically Modified Crops are Not the Answer for Global Food Security
This bill includes a mandate that we spend foreign aid dollars
developing genetically modified (GM) crops. No other kind of
agricultural technology is mentioned. Unsurprisingly, Monsanto has
lobbied more frequently on this bill than any other entity.
Global crude futures drift down with stock build expected in US
Global crude futures were around $1/barrel lower in the European
morning trading session Tuesday.
...A slightly stronger dollar and expectations of greater stocks
in the US were weighing on global crude prices, one London-based broker
said.
Global Warning
According to most scientists who study the matter, global warming is
a fact and it is correlated to the increased concentration of carbon
dioxide (along with the increased concentrations of many other types of
greenhouse gas molecules) in the global atmosphere.
Greenpeace says no to energy bill
“Although we appreciate the Senate’s efforts to reduce global warming
pollution, it’s clear that polluter lobbyists have succeeded in
hijacking this climate policy initiative and undermined the ambitious
action necessary,” Phil Radford, the group’s executive director, said in
a statement.
Greenpeace statement on pending climate bill
Greenpeace has highlighted crucial elements of the draft
climate bill necessary to address the catastrophic effects of global
warming pollution. Senator Kerry, in a teleconference Thursday,
organized by the We Can Lead coalition, outlined specific details from
the draft Climate Bill expected to be released Monday that had not
previously been publicly available.
Gulf of Mexico blowout raises questions about OCS drilling plans The blowout and fire that destroyed an offshore drilling rig in the Gulf
of Mexico this week could have a far greater destructive effect on the
Obama administration's plans to open up for drilling large areas of the
US Outer Continental Shelf.
Gulf of Mexico Oilspill Spreads As Well Leaks
The well, 5,000 feet under the ocean surface off Louisiana's
coast, is leaking about 1,000 barrels of oil a day. The spill, which
the U.S. Coast Guard has called "very serious," has put the coasts
of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Florida on alert for potential
oil contamination.
How Candidate Abuse Is Costing Your Firm Millions of Dollars in Revenue
For decades it has been accepted that god-awful
treatment of candidates is normal, and that since it is widespread, it's
OK. How anyone in recruiting cannot connect that a poor candidate
experience is similar to a poor customer experience and assume that
there is a significant negative impact is disturbing.
I want to convert my car to hydrogen. Where can I buy a kit?
Conversion projects could be
anything from lawn mowers, farm equipment, family cars, to high
performance dragsters. It is evident that any of these applications
would require an individual design approach using different sets of
components. Because of the diversity of personal interests in hydrogen
conversions, we have offered conversion courses in the past which
explored all the pertinent subjects and addressed specific application
questions.
Ill. ready to boost its coal output
Illinois will feel none of the restrictions the Obama administration is
bringing against mountaintop removal mining, which is almost exclusively
an Appalachian coalfield practice.
Kuwait oil minister says current oil prices are 'acceptable'
Kuwaiti oil minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah al-Sabah said Monday
that oil prices in a range between $75 and $85/barrel were an acceptable
level at which new projects were economically viable without harming the
global economic recovery.
Link Discovered Between Carbon, Nitrogen May Provide New Ways To
Mitigate Pollution Problems
A new study exploring the growing worldwide problem of nitrogen
pollution from soils to the sea shows that global ratios of nitrogen
and carbon in the environment are inexorably linked, a finding that
may lead to new strategies to help mitigate regional problems
ranging from contaminated waterways to human health.
Net-zero house hides its sources
From the street, 1820 Merriman Way in the South Side Flats looks like
the rest of the upscale townhouses in Riverside Mews.
It's what you can't see that makes it special -- the 36 photovoltaic
solar panels on the roof, geothermal tubing that reaches 450 feet into
the earth, and a little number on the screen of a device called the
Energy Detective.
New Siemens Direct Drive wind turbine ready for sale
The new SWT-3.0.101 with a rated power of 3 megawatts
(MW) offers innovation through a completely new Direct Drive concept
introducing a permanent magnet generator. With half the parts of a
conventional geared wind turbine, and much less than half the number of
moving parts, the new wind turbine will require less maintenance and
increase profitability for customers.
Obama will focus on energy bill after bank reform
President Barack Obama said on Friday his administration would shift its
focus to climate and energy legislation after finishing financial
regulatory reform, which he said would take a few more weeks.
Panel told nuclear plant cancer study faces challenges
Arjun Makhijani, president of the anti-nuclear Institute for
Energy and Environmental Research, said the study must take a closer
look at a small cross-section of nuclear plants to be able to identify
links between living near the plants and cancer.
Penan Score Victory as Logging Road Blockades Halt Timber Giant's
Encroachment on Their Rainforests
Two logging road blockades
erected by Penan communities have caused a Malaysian timber
giant, Samling, to withdraw its bulldozers from the Penan's
rainforests on the upper reaches of the Akah river in Malaysian
Borneo.
Power line plan foes air concerns
Many words were exchanged but few minds appeared to have been changed
Sunday after a capacity crowd packed the auditorium at Prairie High
School to talk about the Bonneville Power Administration's plan to run
new high-voltage power lines through Southwest Washington.
Power play; Turbines have a payback cost of 10 to 20 years
Interest in owning and operating wind turbines to power a farm, a home
or a cabin is growing even though the financial payoffs of small wind
generation typically aren't as good as large wind farms.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 042610
Solar activity was very low. No flares were observed
during the past 24 hours and the disk remained spotless. The geomagnetic
field is
expected to be quiet to unsettled with isolated active periods at
high latitudes on day 1 (27 April) due to possible effects of a CME
observed on 22 April and a coronal hole high speed stream rotating
into a geoeffective position. Quiet to unsettled conditions are
expected on day two (28 April) due to a second coronal hole high
speed stream rotating into a geoeffective position.
Russia's Medvedev In Oslo For Arctic Energy Talks Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said it was possible to secure a deal
with Norway over a disputed Barents Sea border region, whose
delineation could unlock access to oil and gas resources.
Scientists Refute Carbon Capture Doubts
Some academics say that the world's efforts to limit dangerous
climate change depends on CCS, which can in theory almost eliminate
carbon emissions from burning coal and so give the world time to
develop cheap fossil fuel alternatives.
The trouble is that the full chain of CCS processes from trapping
and piping to burying underground carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by
power plants is untested at a commercial scale.
Scientists Uncover Deep Ocean Current Near Antarctica
Scientists have discovered a fast-moving deep ocean current with
the volume of 40 Amazon Rivers near Antarctica that will help
researchers monitor the impacts of climate change on the world's
oceans.
A team of Australian and Japanese scientists, in a study
published in Sunday's issue of the journal Nature Geoscience, found
that the current is a key part of a global ocean circulation pattern
that helps control the planet's climate.
States Fear Devil In Details Of U.S. Climate Bill
California and other states with aggressive environmental agendas said
on Wednesday they fear a federal climate bill may unacceptably
weaken their power, in a new sign of uncertainty over compromise
legislation being crafted by U.S. Senator John Kerry and his allies.
Structural Impediments Hamper Efforts to Increase Bank Lending
Despite the national consensus that jump-starting bank lending is
critical to getting the economy back on track, commercial and industrial
lending remains mired at levels far below the targets set by government
and the banks themselves — and getting the situation turned around might
be much harder than most people think. The reason: Although the primary
causes of today’s depressed lending activity can undoubtedly be found in
the real estate collapse, credit crisis and economic recession, there
are also structural impediments within the banking industry that have to
be overcome before lending can rise to desired levels.
Study Seeks Link Between Arsenic And IQ
Researchers from Columbia University and the University
of New Hampshire are expanding a study to determine what effect arsenic
in drinking water has on IQ...
Targeting A
Waterborne Foe
Discovered in 1976, cryptosporidium lurks worldwide in water,
contaminating swimming pools, water parks, and drinking water
supplies. Although it has even been featured on the comedy show The
Colbert Report, it is no laughing matter — this microscopic pathogen
is a leading cause of diarrhea and malnutrition and the most common
source of infection in immune-weakened people such as AIDS patients.
It is also a potential bioterrorism agent.
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands Announces the 5th Global
Oceans Conference
The Global Oceans Conference 2010 will
provide a vital forum for high-level leaders, experts, scientists, and
policy-makers to address the major policy issues affecting the oceans at
global, regional, and national levels, and to make progress in advancing
the global oceans agenda, particularly in light of climate change.
Troubled by power cuts, Indians go green with solar energy
"Electricity is not at all reliable these days. There is an acute
shortage of power supple and even inverters, which provide temporary
relief, are failing. I'm looking for solar energy option which can
recharge my inverter and can give some relief in this heat," said Berwal,
who was scouting through various stalls displaying solar energy-based
products at an exhibition.
U.S. unveils climate report in runup to Senate bill
The report, a draft of the Fifth U.S. Climate Action Report that will
be sent to the United Nations, says bluntly: "Global warming is
unequivocal and primarily human-induced ... Global temperature has
increased over the past 50 years. This observed increase is due
primarily to human-induced emissions of heat-trapping gases."
Ukraine parliament ratifies gas-Black Sea fleet deal with Russia
The Ukrainian parliament on Tuesday ratified a natural gas
agreement with Russia that provides a 30% price discount in exchange for
extending stationing of Russian navy in Ukraine.
United States re-examines opposition to UN Declaration
Political tides are turning as international support for
the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
continues to grow, putting greater pressure on Canada and the United
States to fully endorse it.
US senator seeks EPA study on gas-related pollution incidents
US Senator Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat, on Monday called on
the US Environmental Protection Agency to step up efforts to investigate
and respond to groundwater contamination and other potentially harmful
consequences of natural gas drilling in his state.
Using productive farmland to grow crops for food instead of fuel is more
energy efficient
It's no mystery where Grist comes down on the food vs. fuel
debate, aka the Great Ethanol Boondoggle. But it's nice to see
the science continuing to support our side of the argument (via
Science Daily):
Using productive farmland to grow crops for food instead of fuel
is more energy efficient, Michigan State University scientists
concluded, after analyzing 17 years' worth of data to help
settle the food versus fuel debate.
Water, Fair And Foul
Does your drinking water smell foul, or are you worried that
chemicals might be damaging your family's health? Water treatment
facilities currently use chlorine that produces carcinogenic
by-products to keep your tapwater clean, but Tel Aviv University
scientists have determined that ultra-violet (UV) light might be a
better solution.
April 23, 2010
Advancing Massachusetts' Clean-Energy Leadership
By
a range of different measures, Massachusetts stands out as a
clean-energy leader among states in the U.S. It has made the growth of
clean energy a clear legislative and economic development priority in
the state, with strong results to date in leading-edge policies,
industry expansion, job creation, and increased investment and
deployment.
America's War On Islamist Terror...Or Is It?
It has become fashionable these days to invoke the “rule of law” as if
it means the rule of lawyers—and in particular, the rule of judges. But
that has never been the term’s meaning. In the U.S., the rule of law is
embodied in the Constitution and resides in the statutes, treaties,
rules, and regulations adopted pursuant to the Constitution. The rule of
law does not refer either to judges or to elected officials, who are
themselves servants of the Constitution.
'An issue of trust' - NRC hears from public
What they heard the most was that many people just don't trust the NRC
or Entergy, which owns and operates Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant
in Vernon.
"The role and duty of Entergy ... is to push the regulations and make as
much money for its shareholders and (executives) and get rewarded for
that,"
Bank sets up energy lending strategy
F&M Bank & Trust Co. has developed an energy lending group that aims to
be a banking alternative for energy companies in its primary markets as
well as surrounding states.
Arizona Governor
Brewer signs controversial gun carry bill
Just one day before the deadline, Governor Jan Brewer
signed a bill into law which in three months allows gun-carrying
Arizonans to carry concealed weapons without permits.
By eliminating the permit requirement, the new law allows people 21 or
older to forego background checks and classes which are now required.
Cash for Appliances program begins today
N.M"
If you've been in the market for a new washing machine, refrigerator, or
gas furnace, today could be a good day to buy it.
Chemical Cosmetics Linked To Increased Risk Of Breast Cancer
...women exposed to synthetic fibers and petroleum products in the
course of their work appear to be most at risk of breast cancer.
Exposure to certain chemicals and pollutants before she reaches her
mid-30s could triple a woman’s risk after menopause.
Now comes
news
from ChemicalSafeSkincare.co.uk that women unknowingly apply up to 175
different chemicals to their bodies daily in the form of mainstream
cosmetics.
Coal
plant foes discuss impact
By and large, opponents of a coal-fired power plant proposed in Surry
County have focused their attention south of the James River.
That is, after all, where the bulk of the plant's toxic emissions would
come to rest. But the pollutants -- mercury, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxide, among others -- would also reach Williamsburg, Newport News and
other Peninsula communities.
Coal's Tarnished
Image
Coal producers are trying to refurbish their image. But the current
hardship in which 29 miners died in underground explosion in West
Virginia is making it difficult.
Conciliatory Approach to Change
Before his inaugural, Barack Obama spoke of healing the country's
divisions and of lifting its spirits. But more than a year later, those
lines have become entrenched, best illustrated by the bitter healthcare
vote. That has left an irreconcilable gash between the two parties that
might make future agreements impossible.
Consumers Unwilling to Allow Electricity Suppliers to Remotely Limit
Energy Use without Significant Price Discount
Consumers are not willing to allow electricity providers to remotely
limit the use of their home appliances as part of electricity management
plans without significant rate discounts, according to a report issued
by Accenture (NYSE: ACN). The report also found that almost half of
consumers would be deterred from joining electricity management programs
if their electricity bills were to increase as a result.
Denmark’s Case for Antibiotic-Free Animals
They call it the “Danish Experiment” – a source of pride for the
country’s 17,000 farmers. Unlike industrial farms in the U.S., which use
antibiotics to promote growth and prevent disease, farmers in Denmark
use antibiotics sparingly, only when animals are sick.
Device allegedly would bring city free electricity
A machine that would generate all of Valparaiso's power without an
electric bill sounds too good to be true....Public Works Director Ron DeTorrice said the city should get hold of
Stephen Hawking to help analyze it.
Different approach to solar energy
Plastic lenses focus the sun on tiny but highly efficient solar cells to
generate more electricity than conventional photovoltaic panels.
The so-called multijunction cells, which were first developed to power
satellites, use fewer expensive semiconducting materials like silicon.
Do you really save money by growing your own vegetables?
In the past two seasons, there
has been a huge uptick in interest in vegetable gardening.
There are plenty of good reasons to garden right now:
DOE to double loan guarantees for uranium enrichment projects
It's a possible good news/bad news story for the planned $3.5 billion
uranium enrichment plant project in Piketon that could bring hundreds of
jobs to economically struggling southern Ohio.
Earning Executive Pay
The weak economy has forced boardrooms to cut executive pay for a second
year running. By any standard, however, utility chiefs are still getting
paid well.
'Financial Death by a Thousand Cuts'
Which decade witnessed the largest stock market decline in U.S. history?
The decade starting with the Great Depression? The Panic of 1987? The
most recent decade with its two crashes? After adjusting for inflation,
it turns out that the 1970s was the worst. While the Great Depression
produced the largest nominal percent point drop, it also generated a
period of deflation.
Find appliance rebates in your area
France bets on wood as fuel of the future
Alongside hi-tech renewables like wind and solar, France sees
wood playing a key role in its energy future. It is already the
country’s leading source of renewable energy, but a government-sponsored
program seeks a high-tech revolution in wood-burning appliances.
Gas exporters agree to pursue gas price parity with oil; Russia
"All the minsters agreed to that we continue our objectives to strive to
achieve indexing of gas through oil parity," Shmatko told reporters in
Oran following the gas exporters' meeting.
"We believe we should prevent any types of competition between different
types of gas and we agreed to take action to improve the advantages of
gas as a fossil fuel versus other types of fuel."
Gas, electric rates could head higher
Even as it shows signs of easing, the recession could bring higher
natural gas and light bills for Georgia consumers.
GE to Study Impact of High Solar Energy Penetration on the Grid
With energy experts forecasting substantial increases in solar power in
the coming decades, GE researchers are working with Arizona Public
Service, the state's largest electric utility, to understand how large
amounts of solar can best be integrated into today's grid.
Global Climate Deal Best Option, But Road Rough; U.N
The prospect of a global climate treaty is fading as the world's top two
carbon emitters, China and the United States, avoid legally binding
action. Experts say a shift to a less ambitious goal might help.
Governor's betting on state wind power
Gov. Jennifer Granholm wants Michigan to be the first state with wind
turbines in the Great Lakes, but the competition is fierce.
Green Groups Point To Ash Cloud Silver Lining
Iceland's erupting volcano has spewed plenty of ash but far less
greenhouse gas than Europe's grounded aircraft would have generated.
Carbon dioxide emissions totaled 150,000 tonnes a day in the
early days of the eruption, according to Durham University. That
compares with 510,000 tonnes per day emitted when planes are flying
as normal over the continent.
Health Care in a Free Society
The social and political programs of the progressives came in on two
great waves: the New Deal of the 1930s and the Great Society of the
1960s. Today, President Obama often invokes progressivism and hopes to
generate its third great wave of public policy. In thinking about what
this would mean, we need look no farther than the health care reform
program he is promoting along with the leadership in Congress.
Homeowners with turbines expect to generate benefits
"It was something we wanted to do ... [but] we're not tree
huggers, for sure," said Frank Brewster of Harmony, speaking for himself
and his wife, D.J. "We knew coal, electric and gas prices were going to
continue to rise."
Houses of 2020 will be all about energy
More houses will have energy meters that track power usage and program
appliances to run when electric rates are lowest.
Houses also will waste less energy because they'll have better
insulation and windows.
Iceland Volcano Tremors Stay Strong, Ash Plume Low
... the tremors coming from it are stronger now than
when the ash plume was at its highest, at about 9 km (5.6 miles), said
meteorological office geophysicist Steinunn Jakobsdottir.
"We don't know exactly what this is telling us. This is kind of telling
me that it is not stopping yet ... As it looks now it could go on for a
while," she told a news conference.
Military leads fight against climate change
The U.S. military, the government's largest fuel buyer, is leading
the fight against climate change by investing in the "Great Green Fleet"
and other ways of cutting dependence on oil and coal, according to a Pew
Charitable Trusts report released on Tuesday.
MIT Technology Review names 10 technologies that will change the World
Here we are in the Information Age. Never before has the
flow of ideas, innovation and new technologies been so strong, so much
so that it's hard to imagine what the world will be like in 10, 20 or 50
years time. So which of today's fledgling technologies will have a
fundamental impact on the way we live our lives in the future?
National Poll Shows Americans Want More Wind Power
Voters overwhelmingly support increasing the use of wind power in the
U.S. and adopting a strong Renewable Electricity Standard (RES),
according to a national poll released today by the American Wind Energy
Association (AWEA).
“The poll's bottom line is clear:
New rust sensor could lead to safer bridges
The sensor-transponder system Fraunhofer researchers say
delivers an early warning of dangerous rust steel-reinforced
concrete bridges
New Senate Supplements Bill Expected
The bill will fully fund FDA implementation of the
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), the legislation
that governs the regulation of dietary supplements.
At the present time, opponents of dietary supplements and natural health
make false claims that supplements are not regulated and therefore
unsafe.
We completely disagree.
NRC issues yellow and white inspection findings to Browns Ferry nuclear
plant
The NRC staff originally identified three apparent violations related to
fire protection and a conference with TVA was held Feb. 22. During that
meeting, TVA described its assessment of the significance of the
findings, its root cause evaluations and corrective actions. TVA also
offered their view that the two violations involving the failure to take
adequate measures to protect equipment in the event of a fire were
similar and should be combined.
NRC
says tritium program working
Engineers and technicians at Vermont Yankee nuclear
power plant found the source of a leak of tritiated water in 49 days,
much quicker than at other plants with similar leaks
NSWMA says companies support zero waste goals
Solid waste companies support zero waste goals, according to a trade
group representing the nation´s for-profit waste management sector.
"Americans have already witnessed a transformation in how we deal with
our trash," said Bruce J. Parker, president and CEO of the NSWMA. "We
still generate a significant amount of municipal solid waste -- EPA
estimates almost 250 million tons in the last year alone. But we are
sending several million fewer tons to disposal than we did 20 years
ago."
Obama administration decides to continue spring dam spills for salmon
The Obama administration has backed off from a proposal to transport
troubled species of salmon and steelhead around three Lower Snake River
dams on barges, signaling it will continue to spill water past the dams
like it has every spring since 2006.
Ocean Chemistry Changing At 'Unprecedented Rate'
Carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming are also
turning the oceans more acidic at the fastest pace in hundreds of
thousands of years, the National Research Council reported Thursday.
"The chemistry of the ocean is changing at an unprecedented rate and
magnitude due to anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions," the council
said. "The rate of change exceeds any known to have occurred for at
least the past hundreds of thousands of years."
Ocean salinities show an intensified water cycle
Evidence that the world's water cycle has already intensified is
contained in new research to be published in the American Journal of
Climate.
The stronger water cycle means arid regions have become drier and high
rainfall regions wetter as atmospheric temperature increases.
ONR’s microbial fuel cell generates electricity from mud
It is estimated there are approximately five nonillion
(that’s 5x10 to the power of 30) bacteria on Earth, and although they
generally get a bad rap, there are actually many beneficial bacteria
that are vital to life on our planet
Pew Study; Department of Defense Embracing Clean Energy
"National security experts have been clear in their warnings - America's
dependence on foreign sources of energy constitutes a threat -
militarily, diplomatically and economically," said Phyllis Cuttino,
director of Pew's climate and energy programs. "But, the department is
doing more than sounding an alarm; it has enacted energy goals and is
inventing, testing and deploying new technologies and alternative fuels
to meet those goals. The military is, in many respects, leading the way
and helping to reenergize America's future."
Power grid is inefficient, expensive and vulnerable
A system so crucial to nearly every aspect of modern life has advanced
very little in more than a century, when Edison was one of its creators
and Western New York was the location of the first power grid,
connecting the hydroelectric plant in Niagara Falls with the street
trolley system in Buffalo.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 042210
Solar activity was very low. No flares were observed
during the last 24 hours. The geomagnetic field will be
predominately quiet with isolated unsettled conditions on day one
(23 April). Quiet levels are expected for days two and three (24-25
April) as the effects of the coronal hole high speed stream
diminish.
Shippers Face Steep Air Cargo Rate Hikes
A recent headline in the
Journal of Commerce said
"Shippers Face Steep Air
Cargo Rate Hikes." As the
article goes on to say, when
European airspace re-opens,
capacity will be scarce,
expensive and there will be
steep hikes in air cargo
freight rates. Many of the
airlines have already
notified us that they are
going to charge premium
rates for all new
shipments-as much as three
times the standard rate.
Size Matters in Wind, But Only So Much
The wind turbine – standing tall, sleek and uniquely modern – is
arguably the most powerful symbol of the technological advancement of
renewables. And although size is typically the metric for such progress,
it's the less visible improvements that have allowed the industry to
grow.
Smells and Aging
If your nose is at its best, you can tell the difference between
4000-10,000 smells! As you get older, your sense of smell gets worse.
Children are more likely to have a better sense of smell than their
parents or grandparents.
Stirling Is Gold
Salt River Project announced the opening of a new concentrating solar
power pilot project in late January. The 1.5 MW Maricopa Solar
installation is the first commercial project for the SunCatcher, a 25 kW
dish/Stirling power system developed by Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Stirling
Energy Systems (SES).
Switching 3.5M commercial trucks to natural gas would save 1.2M BBL of
oil a day
Replacing 3.5 million medium and heavy vehicles with natural gas
vehicles by 2035 would keep the United States from importing about 1.2
million barrels of day, or more than is currently being imported from
Saudi Arabia daily, according to a new report.
T. Boone Pickens urges Congress to pass The NAT GAS Act
T. Boone Pickens, energy expert and creator of the Pickens Plan to
reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, testified before the U.S. House
of Representatives Committee On Ways and Means and urged Congress to
pass legislation dramatically expanding the use of domestic natural gas
as a heavy duty transportation fuel, currently embedded in H.R. 1835.
The
Coming Constitutional Debate
Proponents of a “21st century constitution” or “living constitution” aim
to transform our nation’s supreme law beyond recognition—and with a
minimum of public attention and debate. Indeed, if there is an
overarching theme to what they wish to achieve, it is the diminishment
of the democratic and representative processes of American government.
Union threatens to shut down Nigerian oil production from Friday
Nigerian blue-collar oil workers union Nupeng Thursday said it
would withdraw its members from oil fields and export terminals as it
embarks on an indefinite strike from Friday over an industrial dispute
with Shell.
US Banking 2010–2015, Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
Between 5% and 10% of U.S. banks will be acquired or otherwise
disappear by the end of 2011, according to new projections by Greenwich
Associates. By 2015 the number of banks in the United States is
projected to fall to 20% below 2007 levels. During the same period, the
number of bank branches in the United States will decline by 25% and the
resulting disappearance of some 20,000 branch locations will undue much
of the past decade’s expansion.
US Long-Term Mortgage Rates Mostly Unchanged from Last Week
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 5.07 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week
ending April 22, 2010, unchanged from last week when it averaged 5.07
percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.80 percent.
US Senator wants EPA powers stripped in return for climate vote
US Senator George Voinovich, an Ohio Republican whose support for a
pending climate change bill Democrats had hoped to woo, named his price
for his vote in a draft circulated Wednesday.
Virginia, NASA Keep Eyes On Skies For Air Quality
The federal and state agencies are both interested in generating
a comprehensive data record of pollution from industrial processes
and vehicles.
What to Do When the Current Climate Change Legislation Threatens to Do
More Harm Than Good
Unfortunately, when it comes to climate change
legislation, all signs are pointing to system failure. Congress urgently
needs to pass a comprehensive climate bill, but the current Senate
proposal, spearheaded by senators Kerry, Lieberman and Graham, threatens
to do more harm than good.
Wildlife Still Exposed To Exxon Valdez Oil 20 Years After Disaster
Scientists in Alaska have discovered that lingering oil
from the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill is still being ingested by wildlife
more than 20 years after the disaster. ..The Exxon Valdez tanker ran
aground on the Prince William Sound on March 24, 1989, spilling 10.8
million gallons of crude oil into the sea, covering 1,300 square miles.
It is still regarded as one of the most devastating human-caused
contamination events...
Wind power
to increase 160%
Global wind power capacity
could increase by 160% over the next five years, according to the Global
Wind Energy Council’s (GWEC) annual wind industry forecast.
World Will Completely Miss 2010 Biodiversity Target
Species classified by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as "threatened" increased by
2.1 percent in 2009, as 365 species were added to the
organization's Red List of Threatened Species. Only
2 species were removed from the list.
April 20, 2010
10 Year Monthly Forecast of US Treasury Yields
Today’s forecast shows 1 month Treasury bill rates peaking at 5.465% in
the fourth quarter of 2017 and the 10 year U.S. Treasury yield at 5.745%
on March 31, 2020.
Ailing_Watch List
Lenders
Ailing lenders haven't shut down, but they're
significantly scaling back or are (or recently have been) in
manifest financial, legal, or operational distress.
Unfortunately, most of the industry now falls under this
description, so we are forced to reserve this list for the more
glaring cases or those which we happen to have more specific
info about.
Biggest mass of living things in the oceans. Microbes
The ocean depths are home to myriad species of microbes, mostly hard
to see but including spaghetti-like bacteria that form whitish mats the
size of Greece on the floor of the Pacific, scientists said on Sunday.
Breakthrough in using sunlight to split water
A team of MIT researchers has managed to mimic
the photosynthetic process in plants by engineering M13, a simple and
harmless virus, to help splitting water into its two atomic components -
hydrogen and oxygen - using sunlight. The researchers hope this is the
first step toward using sunlight to create hydrogen reserves that could
then be used to generate electricity or even produce liquid fuels for
transportation.
Chemical Safety Reform Gains Momentum in Congress
Two bills in Congress would dramatically strengthen the Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA's) ability to regulate chemicals. The bills
shift the burden of proof to industry, which would have to demonstrate
the safety of existing and new chemicals. That's a major change from the
existing system, in which EPA must prove that chemicals are harmful
before it can regulate them.
Clean Edge Jobs
Clean Edge Jobs is the
premier source for clean-tech job seekers, employers, and
recruiters. Search current
openings among the job categories listed below.
Cleaner Coal Technology Moves Forward in China
Under the terms of the agreements signed today, USTDA will fund a
feasibility study that would support the advancement of commercial scale
integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) facilities in China based
on GE-designed IGCC technology.
Colorado Enacts Law Replacing Coal Power with Cleaner Energy
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today signed into law the
Colorado Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act, legislation that requires the utility
Xcel to cut nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80 percent from several
Front Range coal plants by the end of 2017, most likely sooner.
Comments on Current Volcanic Eruption
While earlier reports of ash clouds reaching the stratosphere appear
to have been exaggerated, updated analysis has indicated that volcanic
ash has only been observed in the troposphere up to ~11 km (or ~35,000
feet). However, until the precise amount of ejecta is known,
specific climate impacts are still mere speculation at this juncture.
Congressional hearing held at Grand Canyon
A number of conservation groups, members of the
Havasupai and Hualapi tribes, National Park Service officials, and
others filled the Shrine of Ages for a congressional hearing on April 8
to discuss the effects of uranium mining in the area, as well as other
topics.
Consumer
Price Index Summary
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the index increased 2.3 percent before seasonal adjustment.
Cows on Drugs
NOW that Congress has pushed through its complicated legislation
to reform the health insurance system, it could take one more
simple step to protect the health of all Americans. This one
wouldn't raise any taxes or make any further changes to our
health insurance system, so it could be quickly passed by
Congress with an outpouring of bipartisan support. Or could it?
Creative Financing Fuels California Solar Boom
Although the United States solar industry's overall growth
for all types of solar energy slowed somewhat as the Great
Recession reached its nadir in 2009, residential rooftop
installers had a record year. Companies like Sungevity installed
156 megawatts of residential solar panels in 2009, up 101
percent from the previous year.
East Ky. Power delays Clark Co. coal plant
East Kentucky Power Cooperative is backing away, at least for a while,
from its long-sought plans to build a new coal-fired power plant in
Clark County.
Electricity rate comparison; Power to the People
Amid forecasts of 30 percent increases in electric bills, a record
number of PPL Utilities customers shopped around for a cheaper electric
supplier when rate caps were lifted Jan. 1.
Empire to Install Arizona's Largest Commercial Solar Rooftop System
Empire Power Systems (EPS) today announced that it will install
Arizona's largest commercial rooftop solar power system to date on an
850,000-square-foot building near 27th Avenue and Buckeye Road in
Phoenix. The 2.4-megawatt SunPower T5 Solar Roof Tile system chosen for
this rooftop represents approximately 6.5 acres of solar panels. The
installation is scheduled to begin immediately.
Failed Bank List
The FDIC is often appointed as receiver for failed banks.
This page contains useful information for the customers and
vendors of these banks. This includes information on the
acquiring bank (if applicable), how your accounts and loans are
affected, and how vendors can file claims against the
receivership.
Ford says auto future hinges on electric car
Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford closed out the SAE World Congress on
Thursday with an endorsement of the future of electric vehicles.
"All the early cars were electric," said Ford, great-grandson of company
founder Henry Ford, at the engineers' conference. "They've been around
really for the past century or so, but they really haven't had
mass-market appeal."
Greece,
the Euro’s Trojan Horse
Because members of the eurozone have no “sovereign” control over
the currency, these governments are more vulnerable to default.
Of all the worries brought on by Greece’s debt problem, the most
fundamental is the question it raises about the viability of the euro.
Hawaii's green efforts not cheap, but will pay off, advocates say
A 10-megawatt solar power project that would have boosted the amount of
renewable energy on Kaua'i isn't moving ahead at this time.
The reason? The Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative wouldn't agree to pay
what the developer wanted for the electricity.
Imploded_ Lenders
"Imploded" lenders: The "imploded" status is somewhat
subjective and does not necessarily mean operations are ceased
permanently: it can mean bankruptcy filing, temporary but
open-ended halting of major operations, or a "firesale"
acquisition. The Companies include all types (prime, subprime,
or a mix of both; retail or wholesale; subsidiaries and entire
companies).
In Defence of
Pachamama
Through their ancestral knowledge and traditions,
indigenous peoples will make a unique and invaluable contribution to the
World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother
Earth, which begins Monday, Apr. 19 in the central Bolivian city of
Cochabamba.
In Vermont, nuke power faces a test
The pro-nuclear governor here has gotten a pie in the face. Compost has
been thrown on a nuclear power plant manager. Protesters, including
several grandmothers, have been arrested for trespassing at the plant
gate.
This was not what President Obama, who hopes to spark a renaissance in
nuclear power, had in mind this year when he urged an end to "the same
old stale debates between the left and the right, between
environmentalists and entrepreneurs."
Internet could lower its cooling bills by using hot water
It’s easy to think of the Internet as something that’s
just “out there” in cyberspace, that doesn’t effect the physical world
in any tangible way. In 2009, however, it was estimated that Internet
data centers worldwide consumed about 2% of global electricity
production. Not only did most of that electricity undoubtedly come from
non-green sources, but it also cost the global economy approximately 30
billion US dollars.
Jordan committed to renewable energy
Irani attributed the difficulties to unfavourable global market
conditions, a rise in wind energy turbine prices, challenges in
obtaining project financing, and the relatively small size of the
Jordanian market for renewable energy.
Acknowledging the maturity of wind technology, Irani called for the
supply chain of wind turbines to be shortened in order to minimise
construction time and meet demand quicker.
Law bars homeowner from installing solar panels on pier
Maryland is so eager for its residents to try solar power that it offers
homeowners thousands of dollars in grants to mount photovoltaic panels
on or around their homes to generate electricity from the sun.
Just don't try to put them on your boat pier.
Mercury surprise; Rice can be risky
Ask toxicologists how best to avoid mercury poisoning and they'll
almost certainly advise against eating too much of the wrong types of
fish. (Never mind that there’s considerable confusion about what the
wrong types are.) But a new study out of China shows that for millions
of people at risk of eating toxic amounts of mercury-laced food, fish
isn’t the problem. Rice is.
New Zealand supports the UN Declaration
On the opening day of the United Nations Permanent Forum
on Indigenous Issues, New Zealand made a surprise announcement that it
has changed its position and is now supporting the UN Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Recent Tectonic Activity Shaking Things Up
There seems to have been a rash of high magnitude earthquakes and
volcanic eruptions recently on planet Earth. One begs to know if there
is an underlying cause behind it, or if it is all merely coincidental.
Can the Earth be undergoing severe seismic shifts? Are the poles
reversing? Is our planet stable or should we start building our doomsday
caves and space ships? When it seems like there is something abnormal
about all this tectonic activity, one needs to defer to the experts on
the matter, and they are saying that it is, in fact, nothing unusual.
Small Farmers to Gain in Senate Food Safety Battle
Several amendments aimed at lessening the impact on small farms will be
adopted in the final version of the food safety bill headed for the
Senate floor next week, a key sustainable agriculture group announced
yesterday.
Solar energy; Enormous Ontario potential
Canadian scientists say solar power production in southeastern Ontario
can potentially produce nearly the same amount of power of all U.S.
nuclear reactors.
Solar plans knocked in New Mexico
A New Mexico power utility's plan to go green through solar power is
running into opposition from those who say it will wind up costing
consumers too much.
Tai Chi; A Great Mind-Body Workout
Tai Chi (pronounced tie-chee) is a physical and mental technique that
integrates body, mind and spirit, and has been practiced for centuries
in China. It began as a martial art, but these days it is most
frequently practiced for its health benefits and meditative properties.
What exactly is Tai Chi? What are some of its health benefits? And where
can you get started with it? Keep reading for answers to all of those
questions and more.
The Icelandic
Cauldron
At this point most people know that a volcano erupted in Iceland
spewing forth tons of ash that have grounded countless flights. What is
less known is the intense thermal emissions (at least 60 megawatts, or
60 million watts) emanating from the vent at the base of the massive
plume. This is just the energy released by heat into the atmosphere.
This thermal emission, equivalent to the energy consumption of 60,000
homes, represents only a small proportion of the total energy being
released by the volcano as its molten lava interacts violently with ice
and water.
The Natural Gas Card
Natural gas has been riding high ever since the most recent estimates
say that it can feed the country's electric generators for another 100
years. But it got an even bigger boost when President Obama vowed to end
a two-decade long ban on drilling throughout much of the Outer
Continental Shelf.
Town proposes solar-powered electric car charging terminals at train
station
A proposed plan to build a solar-powered car charging terminal at the
Saugatuck train station has put the town of Westport at the forefront of
the emerging electric vehicle market.
Toxic Sewage Sludge; The EPA’s Forgotten Priority
Imagine a product so ubiquitous that it is made in every city in the
nation, yet so under the radar that the Environmental Protection Agency
admits it does not understand the risks of the 135 potentially hazardous
substances that the product may contain. Imagine that the product's
manufacturers accept EPA's admittedly limited safety guidelines and
devote little, if any, resources to finding out more about its hazards.
Now imagine that the farmers who benefit from using the product the most
are also said to be the very people at greatest risk to be harmed by it.
US government support for ethanol, solar critical; officials
The US ethanol and solar power industries--two key components of
the drive by the US to wean itself from hydrocarbon dependence--will
need continued government subsidies and grants in the coming years if
they are to deliver on their promise, officials representing both
industries said Sunday.
Wind Power Complications with Radar
The U.S. Air Force is threatening to halt construction of a
845-megawatt wind farm in eastern Oregon that would be the world’s
largest wind project, citing concerns that the wind turbines would
interfere with a nearby military radar station and its ability to detect
radar images. Rotating wind turbine blades could impart a Doppler shift
to any radar energy reflecting off the blades and cause false images or
interference. This has impact on the location of future wind farms but
issues remain on how to resolve this problem.
April 16, 2010
‘Growing concern’ over marketing tainted beef
Beef containing harmful pesticides, veterinary
antibiotics and heavy metals is being sold to the public because federal
agencies have failed to set limits for the contaminants or adequately
test for them, a federal audit finds. A program set up to test beef for
chemical residues “is not accomplishing its mission of monitoring the
food supply for … dangerous substances, which has resulted in meat with
these substances being distributed in commerce,” says the audit by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General.
A random walk; fusion, ethanol economics, and nobody likes Iran
A few random thoughts from some items that either came into my mailbox
today or showed up in Platts stories.
Add Water Systems To U.S. Infrastructure Challenges, Says
'Infrastructure 2010; An Investment Imperative'
More and more urban areas throughout the United States –
in both dry and rainy locales – are facing growing pressures on their
water infrastructure systems, necessitating both greater investments for
overhaul and a change in development patterns that are more conducive to
conservation...
AEP to cut up to 10% of workers
Despite sales and profit numbers that many companies would envy in
recent times, American Electric Power plans to cut its work force by as
much as 10 percent, potentially affecting several hundred workers in
central Ohio.
Africa to generate $200 billion in revenue from oil in 10 years
African countries are expected to generate about $200 billion in
revenue from oil production in the next 10 years as new oil fields open
up throughout the Gulf of Guinea, according to a senior Ghanaian
government official.
AikidoAi_weekend2010
The Aikido-Ai Memorial Weekend Retreat gives you outstanding
Aikido, Tai Chi, Qigong, and Zen meditation and talks for four
days -- morning, afternoon and night. Five well-respected
high-ranking aikido teachers bring you more than 150 years of
combined experience. Students of all levels are welcome... even
first-timers.
ANH-USA Victory! Supplements Are Exempted From Codex Language in Food
Safety Bill
The FDA Food Modernization Act (S. 510), also referred to as the
“Food Safety” bill, has been modified to exempt dietary
supplements from language that otherwise creates a slippery
slope toward U.S. harmonization with Codex Alimentarius.
Arctic Oil Drilling Threatens Norway Government
A classic battle pitting the oil industry against
environmentalists and fishermen in Norway's Arctic seas is set to
intensify on Thursday when the most thorough environmental study of
the project to date is released.
Arizona Public Service Partners with EPA to Save the Environment and
Money
Each year Americans dispose of roughly nine million refrigerators and
freezers that contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which deplete the ozone
layer and contribute to climate change. The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and Arizona Public Service, the largest utility
company in Arizona, are partnering through EPA's Responsible Appliance
Disposal Program to ensure environmentally-responsible disposal of
household appliances. This partnership will not only help to protect the
environment, but it will also save consumers money.
Biofuel companies at the crossroad
Biofuel has narrowed its cost
and performance gap to petroleum with help from academic labs and
venture partners – but how will it become competitive?
BLM
Plans New Power Line Meeting
The project, proposed by SunZia Transmission LLC, would consist of a
500-kilovolt transmission line, or two parallel lines, to deliver
electricity from primarily renewable energy sources to western power
markets. It would stretch between the eastcentral plains of New Mexico
from south of the Moriarty area south to the Las Cruces area then west
to the Casa Grande, Ariz., area just outside of Phoenix.
Brazil suspends Amazon dam project
A Brazilian judge on Wednesday suspended the preliminary
license for the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam, a controversial project in
the heart of the Amazon rainforest, citing "danger of irreparable harm,"
reports the Amazon Watch, an NGO that has been campaigning on the issue.
Breakthrough Guideline To Boost Carbon Capture And Storage
DNV and the energy industry, with valuable contribution from
government agencies, have developed the world's most comprehensive
guideline for safe and sustainable geological storage of CO2. This
unified procedural framework is intended for global use, supporting
both industry and regulators, and is a breakthrough that should
speed up the large scale deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage
(CCS).
Chinese Coal Ship Refloated From Australian Reef
Australian salvage teams have refloated a Chinese coal ship which ran
aground on the Great Barrier Reef, with the ship's owner likely to
face heavy fines despite the avoidance of an environmental disaster.
Clean Coal Technologies, Inc. Announces Significant Reductions in Green
House Gases (GHG) Emissions Through the Use of Its Technology
Clean Coal Technologies, Inc. announced today that as
a result of assessments conducted using the same power plant simulation
model developed by the US Department of Energy in conjunction with
Carnegie-Mellon University, their patented clean coal technology could
reduce GHG emissions significantly when used in a coal-fired plant.
Climate Crisis Brings New Opportunities, Expert Says
Every person willing to do something to address the global problem of
climate change can have an impact, the U.S. Department of State's deputy
special envoy for climate change said April 7.
Governments -- and businesses that know to take advantage of emerging
clean-energy markets -- can also make a difference...
Clouds
Lifting for Solar Energy
Some clouds have lifted but the solar energy still has to contend with
rough weather ahead. Industry advocates say that less restrictive
financing and more access to public lands would brighten their day.
Companies tell Congress they need more time to clean coal
Coal will keep fueling national and world energy needs for decades to
come, but that doesn't have to mean a dirty-power future, coal-industry
executives told a House committee today.
Dept. of Energy delays closing Yucca Mountain repository
The federal Department of Energy has announced it will delay closing
Yucca Mountain while lawsuits surrounding the decision to abandon the
nuclear waste repository are litigated.
Earth's Missing Heat Could Haunt Us Later; Report
The rise in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere means far more energy is
coming into Earth's climate system than is going out, but half of
that energy is missing and could eventually reappear as another sign
of climate change, scientists said on Thursday.
EPA Finalizes the 2008 National U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
released the15th annual U.S. greenhouse gas inventory report, which
shows a drop in overall emissions of 2.9 percent from 2007 to 2008. The
downward trend is attributed to a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions
associated with fuel and electricity consumption.
EU could switch to 100% renewables by 2050; EREC study
A report published Thursday by the European Renewable Energy
Council (EREC) sets out a "pathway" for moving the EU to renewable
energy sources for all its electricity, heating, cooling and transport
needs by 2050.
FERC Looks to Ease Development of Small Hydropower Projects
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) took a step toward making its small hydropower licensing program
more user-friendly today by announcing a series of Web-based tools that
will help developers understand the FERC licensing process, help improve
coordination with other agencies, and help license applicants complete
the process more quickly and efficiently.
First step towards carbon-free ‘power-plant’
Plants, including algae blooms such as this, could be a source
of high-efficiency, clean bioelectricity
GAO questions accuracy of US oil and gas production measurements
The two offices charged with verifying oil and natural gas
production volumes at the US Department of the Interior could not
reasonably prove to congressional auditors that US oil and gas
production on government leases is accurately measured.
Gas exporters forum will not become OPEC-style organization; Libya
A meeting of major gas exporting countries due to take place in the
Algerian city of Oran on Monday will discuss gas market developments and
prices, but the Gas Exporting Countries Forum will not be turned into an
OPEC-style cartel, Libya's senior oil official said Thursday.
Geothermal Grows 26% in 2009
The US geothermal power industry continued strong growth in 2009,
according to a new report by the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA).
The April 2010 US Geothermal Power Production and Development Update
showed 26% growth in new projects under development in the United States
in the past year, with 188 projects underway in 15 states which could
produce as much as 7,875 MW of new electric power.
Global Temperatures Last Month Broke Heat Records for March
The world's combined global land and ocean surface
temperature made last month the warmest March on record, according to
federal government scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, NOAA.
Global
Warming; Next Chapter
For those in the American Northeast last winter was
rugged and fairly cold. Yet what is he world picture? The World
Meteorological Organization’s latest report demonstrates that 2000-2009
is the warmest decade since modern measurements began recording
temperatures around 1850.
Groups ask White House to act on coal ash regulations
The Environmental Integrity Project, along with more than 200 local,
state and national organizations, have sent a letter to the White House
asking for movement on proposed federal regulations for coal ash
disposal.
Iceland Volcano; Not Yet A Global Cooling Eruption
Cataclysmic eruptions, led by Pinatubo and Mount Chichon in
Mexico in 1982 in the 20th century, spewed so much debris into the
upper atmosphere that they cooled the planet for months, briefly
offsetting the effect of industrial heat-trapping gases.
"This is not like Pinatubo. So far the scale is not big enough to
have a global effect," said Hans Olav Hygen, a climate researcher at
the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.
Icelandic Volcano Eruption Intensifies
A volcanic eruption in Iceland, which has thrown up a 6-km (3.7
mile) high plume of ash and disrupted air traffic across northern
Europe, has grown more intense, an expert said on Thursday.
Is Bigger Always
Better?
Ozone is a multi-functional technology, with many applications for both
disinfection and oxidation.
Although ozone plays an important role in water treatment today, it is
often viewed as being too
expensive or too complicated to implement. While there have been drastic
improvements in the cost and
footprint of ozone systems over the past 15 to 20 years, these
pre-conceived notions can hinder the
consideration of ozone for some water treatment applications.
Is Raw Milk Becoming Too Popular for its Own Good?
As far as the public health and medical establishments
are concerned, whenever people consume raw dairy products, it's a
problem. In their view, raw milk is inherently dangerous and shouldn't
be produced or consumed.
But the fact that as many as three million Americans regularly
consume raw milk...raw whole milk from grass-fed cows (fed pasture, hay
and silage), produced under clean conditions and promptly refrigerated,
contains many anti-microbial and immune-supporting components; but this
protective system in raw milk can be overwhelmed, and the milk
contaminated, in situations conducive to filth and disease. Know your
farmer!"
Mainstream Scientists Finally Admit that GMOs are Environmentally
Destructive
“Genetically engineered crops have provided
‘substantial’ environmental and economic benefits to American farmers,
but overuse of the technology is threatening to erode the gains, a
national science advisory organization said Tuesday ...
March Global
Temperatures
How hot is it? It depends, of course, on where you are. From a global
perspective there are agencies that check and recheck and average it all
out.
The world’s combined global land and ocean surface temperature made last
month the warmest March on record, according to National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Mine downplayed airflow problem, inspector says
Three months before last week's deadly explosion, Massey Energy managers
at the Upper Big Branch Mine told workers "not to worry" that the flow
of air in the mine -- meant to control deadly gases and coal dust -- was
headed in the wrong direction, a federal government inspector said in
newly released U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration records.
Mortgage Rates Ease a Bit This Week
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 5.07 percent with an average 0.6 point for the week ending
April 15, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 5.21 percent. Last
year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.82 percent.
NASA Puffin personal electric aircraft concept
It’s a vertical take-off and landing tail-sitter that
has generated quite a lot of interest from those inside and outside of
NASA. It’s definitely a weird-looking craft, with a tail that splits
into four "legs" that serve as landing gear.
Natural Gas is an eloquent Option for vehicles - Fiat CEO
New nuke plants, new challenges, NRC says
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will face new challenges as it
scrambles to meet demands brought forth by a surge in nuclear power
plant construction, according to a senior agency official.
New PV cell generates electricity from UV and IR light
The new PV cell can generate electricity from ultraviolet and
infrared light as well as visible light.
Nothing negative about cheaper treatment for open wounds
For some reason, and nobody knows exactly why, the
healing process for open wounds can be sped up by applying suction to
them under a tightly-sealed bandage. ...Students at a Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) engineering class have been able to
develop a basic negative pressure pump that doesn’t require electricity,
is cheap to manufacture, lightweight to transport and can be left in
place for days.
NRC; Radiation monitor at Oyster Creek plant wasn't working
A radiation monitoring device at the Oyster Creek nuclear plant was
found during routine maintenance to be not functioning, according to
Nuclear Regulatory Commission records.
Obama Administration Announces Nearly $100 Million for Smart Grid
Workforce Training and Development
U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced today that
the Department of Energy is announcing award selections for nearly $100
million for 54 smart grid workforce training programs that will help
prepare the next generation of workers in the utility and electrical
manufacturing industries
Ohio senator asks Chu to act against rising gasoline price
Concerned about the impact of rising gasoline prices on his
economically struggling state, Ohio Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown on
Tuesday asked the Obama administration to "redouble its efforts" to stem
the increase.
Proposed rate hike irks residents
This just in: People aren't happy about the prospect of seeing their
monthly electric bills go up by 34 percent.
Proposed utility rate hikes extra costly to poor
Jack Burch, the non-profit agency's executive director, said tough
economic times have greatly increased the number of people coming in his
door looking for help with utility bills.
"Some people had a really good job, and they're working retail now," he
said. "They were making $25 an hour, and now they're making $8."
Regulation
Courtesy of Kafka
Not long ago, a form
of Vitamin B6 (pryadoxamine) was forbidden by the FDA because a drug
company had studied it and wanted to make it into a drug. ...Now, because another
drug company wants to make another form of Vitamin B6 into a drug,
and it fears, in writing, that people would take the supplement
rather than the drug if it were not banned as a supplement, The FDA
is considering granting its Citizens Petition to do just that.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 041510
The geomagnetic field was mostly quiet with isolated active to minor
storm periods from 14/21-15/03Z due to recurrent coronal hole high speed
stream effects. The geomagnetic field is
expected to remain quiet for day one (16 April). Mostly quiet to
unsettled levels are expected for days two and three (17-18 April),
with possible isolated active periods at high latitudes on day three
(18 April). Increased activity levels are due to effects from the
CME observed on 13 April. .
Seattle residents increase food waste composting 47%
In 2009, city residents sent 89,000 tons of organics and food waste into
the city composting program instead of the landfill, SPU reported, an
increase of 47% over the previous year.
Secretary Chu Announces New Partnerships under the Energy and Climate
Partnership of the Americas
"Dozens of countries from across the Americas have come together today
to promote clean energy future for our Hemisphere," said Secretary Chu.
"By expanding our cooperation and collaboration on key energy and
climate issues, we will lay a foundation for broad-based economic growth
while helping to protect our environment."
Securities Lawsuit Filings Drop and Dismissals Surge as Credit Crisis
Eases
After dominating securities litigation for three years, new securities
lawsuit filings related to the global credit crisis all but disappeared
in the first quarter of 2010...
Solar fire raises questions about panel safety
A small house fire caused by a solar panel in San Diego last week
exposed a potentially dangerous flaw in the building codes of many
cities across California, which is pushing for tens of thousands of
homeowners to install the generating systems on their rooftops.
Survival of the
FIT-est
The year 2009 was tough on every industry, and the 'hot' solar energy
industry wasn't immune to the global recession and the financial market
upheaval. And, although 2010 is shaping up to be a better year, it won't
be without its challenges. But what are the major business challenges
that industry players will face in the coming year and what are their
implications?
Talk of a shale gale shows no signs of dissipating
Its pink and purple blotches represent the shale basins that sprawl
across the country, from the Rockies clear across to the Appalachians.
Tell The FDA That Cherries—And Now Walnuts—Are NOT Illegal Drugs
In the latest volley of the US Food and Drug Administration’s
bizarre war on scientific freedom of speech, the
FDA has sent a Warning Letter to the president and CEO of
Diamond Foods stating that the firm’s packages of shelled
walnuts are “in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act.”
The Coming Smart Grid Boom -- and Bust
Smart Grid is the power industry's version of the legendary dot.com
boom. It could bring some long overdue innovation and excitement to the
industry, or it could leave enormous disappointment in its wake. There
are certainly some interesting parallels -- legions of starry-eyed
entrepreneurs with big ideas chasing venture capital; a whole cottage
industry of newsletters, seminars and conferences; and lots and lots of
hype.
Trina Solar launches solar PV modules and systems
Trina Solar is launching two
black residential solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for homeowners and
small businesses, and a multicrystalline solar PV module for large,
ground-mounted systems.
US Air Force flies with biomass on all engines
The US Air Force scheduled a
A-10 Thunderbolt II jet aircraft flight at Eglin Air Force Base in March
on a blend of biomass-derived and conventional JP-8 jet fuel.
US Beige Book, Overall Economic Activity 'Increased Somewhat'
The Fed’s Beige Book, prepared with data collected before April 5,
indicated that U.S. economic activity “increased somewhat” since the
last report across all Districts except one (St. Louis), which reported
that conditions “softened”.
US House Republicans blast bid to repeal oil and gas tax credits
"I am ... discouraged by the administration's proposed tax
increases on oil and gas and coal industries," Michigan Representative
Dave Camp, the senior Republican on the committee said. He added that
tax incentives should not be directed solely at renewables.
US House vote on home energy efficiency bill seen in weeks
A bill that would encourage homeowners to pour money into energy
efficiency improvements to their homes--and put unemployed contractors
back to work at the same time--could get a vote in the US House of
Representatives in two to three weeks, a key House Democrat said
Wednesday.
US Military Warns Oil Output May Dip Causing Massive Shortages by 2015
The
US military has warned that surplus
oil production capacity could disappear within two years and
there could be serious shortages by 2015 with a significant
economic and political impact.
Utah State board imposes new regulations on depleted uranium
EnergySolutions can take no more depleted uranium until it shows its
radioactive landfill can contain the radioactive waste for thousands of
years.
Vermont House; Entergy liable for cleanup
The decommissioning bill, which was given preliminary approval on a 139
to 0 vote, establishes that Entergy is responsible for costs associated
with decommissioning, managing spent nuclear fuel and restoration the
site to a greenfield condition. Entergy must kick in additional money to
help accomplish those goals when the plant shuts down, now scheduled for
March 2012.
Volcanic ash disrupts northern Europe air traffic
Air traffic in much of northern Europe was halted Thursday by ash
from a volcanic eruption in Iceland, aviation authorities said.
"Due to ash, air traffic on the sea area between Scotland, Norway,
northern Sweden, Britain, Norway and northern Finland is being limited,"
Finland's airport agency Finavia said.
Wisconsin's scaled-back global warming bill unveiled
A revised state clean energy and global warming bill unveiled Tuesday
scales back the scope of the legislation but retains a commitment to
expand use of renewable energy and opens the door to construction of
nuclear reactors in Wisconsin.
Workers discover leak at Callaway Nuclear plant
The leak was discovered around noon during normal maintenance in an
auxiliary building. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission was immediately
notified that an "unusual event" occurred, AmerenUE said.
April 13, 2010
8 Things You Should Know About US Hydrogen
A
Civilizational Tipping Point
In recent years there has been a growing concern over thresholds
or tipping points in nature. For example, scientists worry about
when the shrinking population of an endangered species will fall
to a point from which it cannot recover. Marine biologists are
concerned about the point where overfishing will trigger the
collapse of a fishery.
Biomass Under Attack; When is Carbon Neutral?
The use of biomass from forests, grasslands and other organic
material to produce electricity has
been expected to be a major contributor to meeting clean energy goals in
the United States and
around the world. Yet recently, the combustion of biomass for
electricity has caused some
scientists and environmental advocates to raise concerns about its
long-term impact on forests
and climate change.
Climate Bill Sets Oil 'Rack' Transport Tax
Details of an oil industry tax are being filled in Congress as part of
an upcoming U.S. climate control bill, sparking a spirited lobbying
campaign this week over how the revenues from that tax would be
used.
Coalition wants US tax benefits for industrial energy efficiency
A coalition of almost 90 industrial companies, environmental groups
and associations Monday urged the US Congress to pass legislation that
would increase federal tax incentives for certain generation projects
that make industrial manufacturing more energy efficient.
Combating One Of Mother Nature's Overlooked Assassins; Dirty Water
Purging water of parasites, viruses, bacteria and other
grunge is nothing new. But unlike the fuel-guzzling, generator-driven
systems of yesteryear, S&T is seeking a portable and self-sustaining
purifier, one that would lend itself to ready usage on a stand-alone
basis
Decarbonizing EU power to cost little more than business as usual
The cost of decarbonizing the European Union's power sector by
mid-century, including a switch to 80% renewables, is only slightly
higher than following a high-carbon business as usual strategy,
according to a study by the European Climate Foundation to be published
Tuesday.
Don’t They Like the Sun in Hawaii?
If there’s any state in the Union that could call
itself a natural candidate for solar power, it might have to be
Hawaii... The Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) is attempting to
block homes and businesses from installing rooftop solar panels and
connecting them to the grid in every island except Oahu.
DOT, EPA Set Aggressive National Standards for Fuel Economy and First
Ever Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels For Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
...the first-ever national greenhouse gas emissions
standards and will significantly increase the fuel economy of all new
passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States.
Electric vehicles; Sprouting a new industry
The race to develop electric vehicles is generating billions of dollars
of investments as a new set of companies vies for a piece of this
expanding global market.
Amid the excitement, Michigan has planted its flag as a center for
advanced battery manufacturing.
Energy Storage Market to Hit $44B by 2015
With virtually every major automaker planning an electric vehicle
launch, and governments worldwide funneling billions of dollars into
smart grid technologies, the prospects for energy storage technologies
are getting lots of attention.
The market for batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells targeting
transportation and smart grid applications will more than double from
$21.4 billion in 2010 to $44.4 billion in 2015, according to a new
report from Lux Research.
FDA says studies on triclosan, used in sanitizers and soaps, raise
concerns
The
Food and Drug Administration said
recent research raises "valid concerns"
about the possible health effects of
triclosan, an antibacterial chemical
found in a growing number of liquid
soaps, hand sanitizers, dishwashing
liquids, shaving gels and even socks,
workout clothes and toys.
Glacier breaks in Peru, causing tsunami
A huge glacier broke off and plunged into a lake in Peru, causing a
75-foot (23-meter) tsunami wave that swept away at least three people
and destroyed a water processing plant serving 60,000 local residents,
government officials said on Monday.
Greenspan Also Highlights the Risks of Securitization
In a statement to the Congressional
Hearing, Alan Greenspan, the former chairman of the Federal Reserve,
defended his policy on interest rates and placed the blame for the
recent crash on the fact that most new mortgages in the final years of
the property boom were securitized.
Institutional Investors New Embrace
When major institutional investors and venture capitalists start
investing in alternative and low-carbon energy companies, it is
noteworthy.
Iraqi oil minister urges other ministries to support oil majors
Iraqi oil minister Hussain al-Shahristani has urged other
ministries to help facilitate the logistics of foreign oil companies, in
a bid to increase their presence in the country as it prepares for a
drastic boost in oil production.
Mammoth high-voltage line alarms residents
Like most people, Eric Johnson never really thought much about
transmission lines.
But now that a high-voltage power line threatens to dwarf his Dakota
County home, he thinks about it every day.
Massive Arctic Ice Cap Is Shrinking, Study Shows; Rate Accelerating
Since 1985
Close to 50 years of data show the Devon Island ice cap,
one of the largest ice masses in the Canadian High Arctic, is thinning
and shrinking.
Measured Response to Greenhouse Gases
No issue has been as politically polarizing as climate change. With the
positions of both the right and the left mostly predictable, the power
is now in the hands of the political and industrial moderates.
Momentum Gathers for the Senate to Enact its Version of the Financial
Regulatory Reform Bill
With Congress on recess for the past two weeks, both the Democrats and
the Republicans spent
the time away from the nation’s capitol engaged in a delicate dance
regarding regulatory reform,
with each side trying to achieve the best positioning.
Nation Mourns for 29 West Virginia Miners, Investigators Poised
The U.S. Attorney in West Virginia today said he plans
to prosecute any criminal activity related to the deaths of 29 coal
miners in the Upper Big Branch mine explosion, the deadliest U.S. coal
mine incident in 25 years.
New Canadian studies suggest seasonal flu shot increased H1N1 risk
Despite a rapidly launched range of studies, investigators in Canada
are still unable to say—or to rule out—whether receiving a seasonal flu
vaccination in the 2008-09 season made it more likely that Canadians
would become ill from 2009 pandemic H1N1 flu.
Nigerian military uncovers fresh plot for attack on oil industry
Nigeria's security agencies have discovered fresh plans for attacks
on the country's oil and gas production facilities, a military spokesman
said Monday.
Nuclear's New
Confidence
Nuclear energy development in this country is getting a big boost now
that the nuclear loan guarantees are being processed. Southern Co.,
which snagged the first $8 billion of what will be $54 billion pie,
still has to wait about a year for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to
okay its license application.
Oil, gas industry 'under attack' on multiple fronts; IPAA
The oil and natural gas industry is "under attack" on the tax,
environmental and hedging fronts, though industry has made some inroads
with lawmakers, Bruce Vincent, chairman of the Independent Petroleum
Association of America, told IPAA conference attendees Monday.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 041110
The solar disk was generally void of spots,
although there was some evidence late in the period for emerging flux...The geomagnetic field was initially quiet but became unsettled at
mid-latitudes and active with some isolated storm periods at high
latitudes after a sudden impulse at 1305Z (5 nT in Boulder). The
geomagnetic field is
expected to be quiet with some unsettled periods for the first day (12
April) as the current disturbance subsides.
Same Old Divisions Mar Restart of Climate Negotiations
Government climate negotiators today opened a three-day
round of official talks in Bonn, the first since the Copenhagen summit
ended in December with the weak Copenhagen Accord, a political
agreement. Many countries and the United Nations had aimed for a legally
binding deal to limit global greenhouse gas emissions after the Kyoto
Protocol expires at the end of 2012.
Scientists back more geothermal exploration
Hoping to attract federal stimulus money or developers to drill test
holes, the U.S. Geological Survey is republishing a study highlighting
possible geothermal energy about 15 miles northeast of Flagstaff.
Scientists discover new superheavy element_117
Scientists at the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear
Reactions at the Joint Institute of Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia
announced internally that they had succeeded in detecting the decay of a
new element in January 2010, and the results have now been published in
the journal Physical Review Letters.
Search for 'God particle' underway at LHC
After months of testing, the
Large Hadron Collider research program has started at the European
Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) laboratory on the Franco–Swiss
border. Accelerating particles and colliding them at 7 trillion electron
volts - just half of its full capacity, but already three and a half
times the energy previously achieved by the most powerful particle
accelerator in the United States - scientists at LHC are now hoping to
answer fundamental questions on the nature of our universe.
Secretary Chu Announces More Stringent Appliance Standards for Home
Water Heaters and Other Heating Products
U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced
today that the Department has finalized higher energy efficiency
standards for a key group of heating appliances that will together save
consumers up to $10 billion and prevent up to 164 million metric tons of
carbon dioxide emissions over 30 years.
Solar energy, other 'green' industries a growing source of jobs
Yet the jury is out on the large-scale promise of "green jobs," said
University of Arizona economist Marshall Vest, although he doesn't write
off the possibility of an important new sector based on energy
conservation.
Solar
switch a 'game-changer'
When building his garage, Spinney positioned specifically for the
ability to use solar panels to their maximum impact. But in seeking a
solar installation, the up-front cost was a barrier.
Swallow parasitic worms to eat your food for you?
One of the latest diet crazes in the country, the
practice of eating the giant intestinal roundworms has become so popular
that the nation's Department of Health decided to make a public
statement in opposition to it.
The Biology of
Stress
The external causes of stress are multiple such as: Jobs
and The Workplace, Financial Problem, Personal Relationships,
Children/Family, and Being Too Busy. The biological link may show how to
treat the stress symptoms in a better way.
Ukraine to get rid of highly enriched uranium stocks
Nonproliferation sources expect the next summit to take place
in 2012. The White House said Ukraine plans to remove a "substantial
part" of its highly-enriched uranium stocks this year.
The US will provide technical and financial assistance to help
Ukraine with its effort, the White House said.
US court's Clean Air Act ruling seen a precedent for other cases
A victory for the Tennessee Valley Authority in a US court over a
Clean Air Act lawsuit is likely to set a precedent for other courts
attempting to define what constitutes exempt routine maintenance at
coal-fired power plants.
US DOE to appeal licensing board hold on Yucca termination
The US Department of Energy intends to request on Monday that
members of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission review a licensing
board's order Tuesday that puts termination of DOE's Yucca Mountain
repository project on hold until a federal court rules on the legality
of DOE's action.
US Eastern forests suffer 'substantial' decline; 3.7 million hectares
gone
The United States' Eastern forests have suffered a "substantial and
sustained net loss" over the past few decades, according to a detailed
study appearing in BioScience. From 1973 to 2000, Eastern have declined
by 4.1 percent or 3.7 million hectares. Deforestation occurred in all
Eastern regions, but the loss was most concentrated in the southeastern
plains.
Utah Governor to Sign NGV Bill Later This Month
As the market in Utah has grown so has concern about the
use of non-certified and non-approved NGV storage systems. The quality
of conversion installations also has raised some concerns.
Utopia revisited; Illinois town a pioneer of green living
On the first Earth Day in 1970, Rebecca Wilson rode a bike on the beach
at Santa Monica, Calif. The goal of the event was to raise environmental
awareness at a time when a generation of young people clamored for
change.
Nine years later, Wilson moved to the small town of Stelle in Central
Illinois. The unincorporated community was founded in 1973 on a vision
of sustainability outlined in the book, "The Ultimate Frontier."
World Leaders Meet to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism
President Barack Obama welcomed the leaders of 47
nations to Washington today for a two-day nuclear security summit with
the goal of securing all vulnerable nuclear materials around the world
within four years.
April 9, 2010
160-Square-Mile Oil Spill Fouls Mississippi Delta Wildlife Refuge
An 18,000 gallon spill of crude oil from a pipeline into
the Delta National Wildlife Refuge has personnel from the U.S. Coast
Guard, the state of Louisiana, and the Cypress Pipe Line Company
scrambling to contain the spreading mess.
A
legacy of Katrina; Green homes
In this city on the mend, hundreds of state-of-the-art, energy-efficient
homes are being built in lower-income neighborhoods, a trend that's
outpacing most of the rest of the USA.
More than 500 green homes are being built with features such as solar
panels and rain-catching cisterns
Active 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season Likely, Gulf Coasts Vulnerable
Impacts from a decade of extreme storms on the coastline
of the northern Gulf of Mexico have left many coastal areas vulnerable
to future storm events, scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey
warned today.
Arizona forests to take spotlight in largest restoration effort ever
attempted
Fire, as many in the White Mountains know, is both a healer and
destroyer of the forests. In a healthy forest, fire helps to
maintain the balance; in an unhealthy forest, fire is more
destructive, hotter and harder to fight and control.
Bee Populations Continue Rapid Decline
The 4-year-old crisis of the
disappearing bee is deepening. Harsh winter conditions led to a
massive bee die off and a new study found bee pollen and hives
laced with pesticides.
Ben Bernanke, The REPO Man and Castles Made of Sand
For those of you who have not been reading the front-page stories about
accounting fraud at Lehman Brothers through what is called "REPO 105," a
repurchase agreement is a way for dealers and other market participants
to finance securities, mostly by lending the securities overnight but
sometimes for longer periods of weeks or months.
Beyond The Dust Bowl; Challenges In Soil And Water Conservation
Have agricultural management efforts begun in the
desperation of the Dust Bowl brought us to where we need to be tomorrow?
The lessons of history and the future of research are explored in a new
book, Soil and Water Conservation Advances in the United States
Big Coal Angry Over EPA Water Standard Rule Change New federal rules to restrict mountaintop mining are likely to hurt
coal production and endanger jobs in poor Appalachian communities
recovering from the recession, industry experts, politicians and
analysts say.
Brazil farmers shown how to profit by conserving
The state is Brazil's top soy producer, churning out an annual
harvest of about 18 million tones. Fields of emerald green line the
highways, stretching out to horizons so flat they look drawn with a
ruler.
Breakthrough in low-cost efficient solar cells
The Earth receives more solar energy in one
hour than the human race currently consumes in a year. At least, that’s
what the scientists at Canada’s Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
tell us. That’s a lot of energy, and it’s going mostly untapped. Why?
Because, we are told, solar collection cells are too inefficient and
expensive to be more widely used. A researcher at UQAM, however, has
come up with new technology that addresses these problems...
California to develop three more solar projects
The electricity generated by each plant will prevent a quarter megaton
of global warming pollution from being emitted into the atmosphere,
according to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger 's Office.
The reduction of pollution by the solar plants is equivalent to taking
about 40,000 cars off the road each year, said the office.
China becomes the world's largest exporter
World trade suffered the biggest decline in
more than 70 years in 2009, but is set to rebound with 9.5% growth in
2010, according to the
WTO. The global economic crisis sparked a 12.2% contraction in the
volume of global trade, though measured in US dollars, global exports
fell by a whopping 23% from the 2008 peak, due mainly to falling oil
prices and a sharp contraction in global demand for all types of goods,
especially consumer durables (e.g. automobiles) and investment goods
(e.g. industrial machinery).
Chocolate 'can cut blood pressure and help heart'
Easter eggs and other chocolate
can be good for you, as long as you eat only small amounts,
latest research suggests.
Easter eggs 'may be healthy'
Climate Catastrophe; Obama's Second Chance on the Predominant Moral
Issue of This Century
President Obama, finally, took a get-involved get-tough approach
to negotiations on health care legislation and the arms control
treaty with Russia -- with success. Could this be the
turn-around for what might still be a great presidency?
The predominant moral issue of the 21st century, almost surely,
will be climate change, comparable to Nazism faced by Churchill
in the 20th century and slavery faced by Lincoln in the 19th
century. Our fossil fuel addiction, if unabated, threatens our
children and grandchildren, and most species on the planet.
Climate Scientist Hansen Wins $100,000 Prize
"Hansen has played a key role for the development of our
understanding of human-induced climate change," the prize citation
said.
Concern raised over nuclear waste storage at Turkey Point
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has called a special meeting next week
to discuss three apparent violations involving a spent-fuel pool at
Turkey Point -- a critical issue as the long-held plans for storing
waste in Nevada have collapsed.
Consumer Reports Finds 10 Recommended Water Filters That Can Replace
Bottled Water
There's good news for consumers when it comes to clean
drinking water: Water filter manufacturers are producing products that
remove impurities, not just improve taste and appearance. Plus filters
that cost as little as $30 can provide cleaner, better-tasting water,
according to Consumer Reports latest water filter tests.
Cows Absolved Of Stoking Warming With Nitrous Oxide
Grazing by cows or sheep can cut emissions of nitrous oxide -- a
powerful greenhouse gas -- in grasslands from China to the United
States, according to a study that overturns past belief that farm
animals stoke releases.
Crude prices up on technical considerations, spreads weaken
Crude prices remained above the Thursday's settle through the
European morning Friday on the back of technical considerations with
fundamentals still viewed as weak.
...
The dollar was down on the day as the euro traded at $1.3408
compared with Thursday's close of $1.3360.
El Niño is expected to continue through the Northern Hemisphere spring
2010 and transition to ENSO-neutral conditions by Northern Hemisphere
summer 2010
El Niño weakened to moderate strength during March
2010, with sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies decreasing slightly,
but still exceeding +1oC across much of the central and
eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean at the end of the month
Farmer's
Markets on the Cheap Eating organically and locally make for a dynamic dining duo. Add
seasonality to the mix, and you’ve got quite the food trifecta. Why
do all of these things? Glad you asked.Seasonal fruits and
vegetables taste better and are better in quality than their
out-of-season counterparts.
Firms Urge Obama To Offer Consumer Energy Info
Almost 50 U.S. firms and organizations, including Google, General
Electric and AT&T, urged President Barack Obama on Tuesday to let
consumers know how much energy they use so they can decide where to cut
back.
This could "unleash the forces of innovation in homes and businesses ...
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save consumers billions of dollars,"
the group of 47 companies and organizations said in a letter to Obama.
First energy vessel makes journey to Iraq
The Turkish minister said: "energy will be the trigger of peace in
the region, not wars. This is what this ship will do."
Yildiz said he hoped the power ship would contribute to the improvement
of prosperity of the Iraqi people, as well as the normalization process
in the country.
First robotic underwater vehicle to be powered entirely by natural,
renewable, ocean thermal energy
NASA, US Navy and university researchers have
successfully demonstrated the first underwater vehicle to be powered
entirely by natural, renewable, ocean thermal energy. Scalable for use
on most robotic oceanographic vehicles, this technological breakthrough
could usher in a new generation of autonomous underwater vehicles
capable of virtually indefinite ocean monitoring for climate and marine
animal studies, exploration and surveillance.
Fraud Claims Mount in Chevron-Texaco Ecuador Oil Pollution Trial
A lawsuit over oil contamination of Ecuadorian land by
the oil giant Texaco, now owned by Chevron, has taken another nasty turn
with accusations of fraudulent evidence being presented to the public
and to the court by both sides in the long-running legal battle with $27
billion at stake.
Global Chronic Hunger Rises Above 1 Billion
In 2009, an estimated 1.02 billion people were
classified as undernourished, 12 percent more than in 2008.1
This means nearly one in six people on Earth suffers from
undernourishment.2 Undernourishment—or chronic hunger—is
defined as regularly eating food that provides less than 1,800
kilocalories (kcal) a day.3 In comparison, Americans,
Canadians, and Europeans on average consume food that provides more
than 3,400 kcal per day.4
Grid proposed for offshore wind turbines
U.S. scientists are proposing creation of a grid project to allow
offshore wind turbines to generate steady power despite changes in wind
speed and direction.
Hold The Salt; UCLA Engineers Develop Revolutionary New Desalination
Membrane
The highly permeable, surface-structured membrane can easily be
incorporated into today's commercial production system, the
researchers say, and could help to significantly reduce desalination
operating costs. Their findings appear in the current issue of the
Journal of Materials Chemistry.
IBM's solar-powered desalination plant to hydrate the Saudi desert
In spite of the technological age we live in it
is reported that one-in-five people on this planet still don’t have
access to clean drinking water. To help correct this imbalance, a new,
energy-efficient desalination plant with an expected production capacity
of 30,000 cubic meters per day will be built in the city of Al Khafji,
Saudi Arabia...
Mine
blast called 'preventable'
"This tragedy, which left wives without husbands and
children without fathers, is a classic example of a large coal company
that put productivity over safety of the miners."
New report provides tribal energy outlook
A new report finds that tribes disproportionately bear negative costs
resulting from U.S. energy policy and its aftereffects, yet there is
substantial potential on tribal lands to generate clean energy from
renewable resources.
New reverse-osmosis membrane to improve desalination
A growing number of countries are turning
to
desalination plants to bolster dwindling water supplies. Most of
the new facilities make use of reverse osmosis technology, but
unfortunately these systems are susceptible to clogging and membrane
damage, which places higher energy demands on the pumping system and
necessitates costly cleanup and membrane replacement. Now
researchers have unveiled a new class of reverse-osmosis membrane
that resists the clogging that typically occurs when seawater,
brackish water and waste-water are purified.
New York chosen for first wave of THINK electric vehicles
Norwegian EV company THINK has chosen New York
as the first port of call in its push to capture a slice of the
electric-vehicle market in the United States. The 100 mile range
THINK City Electric Car will be rolled-out in New York and "other
select cities" later this year with plans to begin manufacturing the
THINK City in Elkhart, Indiana from early 2011.
Nitrous Oxide’s Global Warming Impact No Laughing Matter
Thawing permafrost in the Northern Hemisphere releases "large
amounts" of greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, according to a new study from
the journal Nature Geoscience.
The study found that under certain conditions thawed permafrost can
release as much nitrous oxide as tropical forests, one of the main
sources of the gas.
Obama Administration Announces Comprehensive Strategy For Energy
Security
President Obama and Secretary Salazar announced that the
Administration will expand oil and gas development and exploration on
the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to enhance our nation's energy
independence while protecting fisheries, tourism, and places off U.S.
coasts that are not appropriate for development.
Peak Oil Man Shifts Focus To Peak Price, Demand
The economic shock of global recession has led a prime exponent of the
theory conventional oil output has peaked to shift his view of the
consequences, but he still thinks the world has to go green....What
has changed is his opinion of the price impact and implications for fuel
consumption after the spike of July 2008 to nearly $150 a barrel was
followed by world economic recession
Permanent Solution
The Application of permanent magnet generators is gaining ground
in the wind turbine industry.
Pickens wind turbines coming to Goodhue
After shelving plans for a mega wind farm in the Texas Panhandle, Texas
oilman T. Boone Pickens renegotiated his headline-making order of 667
wind turbines from General Electric Co., cutting it to about 334
machines with plans to stick them somewhere in the country's gusty
central zone. Now we know where some of his stash is headed: Goodhue.
Recognizing
Coal's Constraints
Coal's long term future is up in the air. But if it is to continue to
serve the American economy and to provide the preponderance of fuel that
generates electricity, it is clear that the utilities using it will have
to make it much cleaner.
The status quo won't do.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 040810
B3 flare at 08/0325Z with an associated EIT wave and a
earth directed full halo CME. SOHO C2 imagery observed a second CME,
This CME is not expected to become
geoeffective....Observations from the ACE spacecraft show continued influence from
the coronal hole high speed stream. Solar wind speeds have averaged 600
km/s...
CONTINUED ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Twenty-Seven Million People with Mortgages Believe They Owe More than
Their Homes Are Worth
A new Harris Poll provides some unpleasant numbers about the housing
crisis and the collapse of the house price bubble. Fully 24% of people
with mortgages believe they owe more on their mortgages than their homes
are worth.
U.S. Reveals Nuclear Target; Oceans
The new U.S. nuclear weapons doctrine released on Tuesday had
stern warnings for Iran and North Korea, with Secretary of Defense
Robert Gates explaining that it left "all options on the table" for
dealing with atomic renegades despite its broader goal of
restricting the U.S. use of its nuclear stockpile.
US FOMC March 16 Minutes Provide Balanced View of Risks to the Economy
and the Interest Rate Outlook
The statement contained very little in terms of surprises although it
seemed to hint at a slightly more upbeat assessment of the economic
recovery.
US Long-Term Mortgage Rates at Second Highest Level This Year
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 5.08 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending
April 1, 2010, up from last week when it averaged 4.99 percent. Last
year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.78 percent.
US Treasury Market is Headed Toward Rapid Growth in Trading Volume,
Attracting New Dealers, Arbitrageurs and Trading Venues
Competition in the US Treasury market has been sparse with the number
of primary dealers on the decline since the mid-1980s, but according to
TABB Group in a new research note written by Adam Sussman, their
director of research, new entrants are beginning to emerge.
Washington State considers Yucca Mountain legal options
At least three actions are pending in federal court on Yucca Mountain,
including a lawsuit filed by three Tri-City business leaders -- Bob
Ferguson, Bill Lampson and Gary Petersen -- asking the court to decide
if the Obama administration has the legal authority to terminate Yucca
Mountain.
They believe it is a violation of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act.
Waste_Inbox 040810
Paper has long made up the biggest piece of the pie by
far. It still does, but its dominance is shrinking. There's the
depressed state of newspapers, with declining advertising revenue
translating into significantly fewer news pages. Increasingly, we're
viewing and storing information electronically that we used to read from
a hard copy.
Water Utilities Raise Rates As Demand Falls
Manufacturing closures and cut-backs, a poor real estate market, and a
downturn in tourism were cited as causes for the drop in water usage,
exemplified in southern Maine by an 11 percent drop in sales last year
for the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells Water District.
"This is happening most everywhere. It's a regional thing, it's a
national thing," ..
West Basin Municipal Water District Begins Construction Of
Ocean-Water Desalination Demonstration Facility Utilizing Ocean
Protection Technology
"Southern California is faced with a fragile,
out-of-date state water delivery system, predicted reductions in
imported water supplies caused by climate change, continued statewide
population growth, and other limitations.
West Virginia blast site near other controversial Massey projects
Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine, where 25 workers died in an
underground explosion April 5 and four miners are still missing, is
within a few miles -- as the crow flies -- of other company mining
projects that have aroused the ire of the community and
environmentalists.
Why YOU
Should Raise Rabbits
Rabbits produce manure that is arguably the BEST for the
gardeners' purposes. It is ready for use with absolutely no composting:
no building bins, no heavy work turning the piles, no trucking in loads
of manure from animals who may be heavily medicated. ...
Meat Production--Rabbits are the most economical, labor
efficient, and practical way to produce protein.
April 6, 2010
APS Community Power Project Approved
APS will own, operate and receive energy from solar
panels on customer rooftops that are suitable for the project. The
company will hire solar contractors to install and maintain the systems
in a limited area of northeast Flagstaff. Customers will receive a
long-term Community Power Rate for the solar portion of their bill. This
rate will remain fixed at a guaranteed level -- approximately equivalent
to what they pay today -- for 20 years.
Arctic Thaw Frees Overlooked Greenhouse Gas; Study
Thawing permafrost can release nitrous oxide, also known as
laughing gas, a contributor to climate change that has been largely
overlooked in the Arctic, a study showed on Sunday.
Bolivia’s indigenous women continue struggle for land
Land is a hot commodity in impoverished agrarian Bolivia, where much of
the country’s 60 percent indigenous population lives by farming small
parcels.
Canadian Cement Plant Becomes First to Capture CO2 in Algae
A Canadian company called Pond Biofuels is capturing CO2
emissions from a cement plant in algae — algae the company ultimately
plans on using to make biofuel.
Chinese ship leaking oil on Great Barrier Reef
A stranded Chinese bulk coal carrier leaking oil into the sea around
Australia's Great Barrier Reef is in danger of breaking up and damaging
the reef, government officials said on Sunday.
Chinese Coal Ship Aground on Great Barrier Reef Spills
Oil
Angry Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says "the book
should be thrown" at the owners of a grounded Chinese coal cargo ship
leaking oil into pristine waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Conservation Grant Flows to Africa's 'Miracle,' iSimangaliso Wetland
Park
"The park is a major natural asset that has the potential to play an
important role in fostering economic growth in the region," said Andrew
Zaloumis, CEO of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority at the signing
ceremony March 24.
Dr. Mehta signs club for growth 'Repeal It' pledge
The pledge reads:
I, Dr. Steve Mehta, hereby pledge to the people of my district
(AZ01) upon my election to the U.S. House of Representatives, to sponsor
and support legislation to repeal any federal health care takeover
passed in 2010, and replace it with real reforms...
E.P.A. Delays Plants’ Pollution Permits
The
Environmental Protection Agency said Monday that it would
not require power plants or other industrial sites to obtain
federal pollution permits for emitting greenhouse gases before
next January.
EPA Preparing to Finalize First National Greenhouse Gas Pollution
Standards in U.S. History
The Obama administration is preparing to finalize new
fuel economy benchmarks and the first national standards for greenhouse
gas emissions in U.S. history, putting the nation on a path to more
efficient fuel use and significant pollution reductions from cars and
light trucks over the next two decades.
Explosion at Tesoro Refinery in Pacific Northwest Kills Four
An explosion and fire at the Tesoro oil refinery in
Anacortes just after midnight Friday has claimed the lives of four
employees and left three others critically injured.
Fuel oil to be drained from coal vessel stranded on reef
Heavy fuel oil aboard a Chinese-registered coal carrier that ran
aground on Australia's protected Great Barrier Reef will be transferred
to another vessel, Queensland state premier Anna Bligh said Tuesday.
GM crops cause liver and kidney damage
A report published in the International Journal of Microbiology has
verified once again that Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) crops are
causing severe health problems. A legal challenge issued against
Monsanto forced the multi-national agriculture giant to release raw data
revealing that animals fed its patented GM corn suffered liver and
kidney damage within just three months.
How Wind Farms Affect the Global Climate
Proponents claim wind power can reduce the threat of
global warming. However, a recent study from the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT) has found that the opposite is true. Mass produced
wind farms can actually affect climate in a negative way.
Natural Gas Boom Brings Riches To A Rural Town
At a windswept rail yard at Wellsboro in northern Pennsylvania,
dozens of railcars wait to load thousands of tons of sand onto
trucks that will take the cargo to natural gas rigs across the
state.
Natural Gas Output Overestimated, Shale Blamed
The U.S. Energy Information Administration is revamping the way it
calculates domestic natural gas production after it overestimated
output from key producer states Texas and Louisiana, an agency
official said on Monday.
Nestle Drops Palm Oil Supplier Destroying Rainforest in Indonesia
Nestle's announcement came after Greenpeace released a report on
Wednesday which looked into how the company was sourcing palm oil.
NGVAmerica congressional testimony
As the title of this hearing suggests, transportation
policy has a profound impact on efforts to improve energy security and
the environment. NGVAmerica believes that national transportation and
energy policies should encourage the increased use of natural gas as a
transportation fuel.
No Deaths from Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids or Herbs
Why then is the government trying to restrict our access to them? Big
Pharma ties? Sports ties? I mean really!
Nuclear power plant remains intact after strong quake
A nuclear power plant in Southern California remained intact after a
7.2-magnitude earthquake shook the region on Sunday, authorities said.
The temblor did not result in the shutdown of the San Onofre Nuclear
Generating Station...
PGE Asks DEQ to Allow Early Closure of Boardman Plant
Portland General Electric Company today submitted a
proposal asking the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for rule
revisions to allow the utility to meet new environmental standards by
closing the Boardman Power Plant in 2020, at least 20 years ahead of
schedule.
Putting wind-generated power where it’s needed
The national push for more wind turbine-generated electricity could
turn Illinois into a transmission hub.
(Editor Arizona Energy: Suggestion:
Have every family, every business, every entity, produce enough energy
on site to satisfy their demand requirements. The remainder
of those who simply cannot do this, arrangements can be made for
transmission.)
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 040510
The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to severe storm levels during
the past 24 hours. Conditions were initially quiet to unsettled, but
increased to active levels after 0300Z, and increased further to
major to severe storm levels between 0900-1200Z. The increase in
activity followed a strong shock observed at the ACE
spacecraft...Activity
declined to active to major storm levels from 1200-1800Z and declined
further to mostly unsettled levels from 1800-2100Z....The geomagnetic
field is
expected to be unsettled to active during the early part of the
first day (06 April) due to persistent effects from the current
disturbance. In addition, another increase to unsettled levels with
a chance for active periods is expected late in the day and
continuing through the second day (07 April) due to the onset of a high
speed stream from a favorably positioned coronal hole.
Scientists Say F.D.A. Ignored Radiation Warnings
Urgent warnings by government experts about the risks of
routinely using powerful CT scans to screen patients for colon
cancer were brushed aside by the Food and Drug Administration,
according to agency documents and interviews with agency
scientists.
'Shocking' Reasons to Go Organic
Eating organic foods has lots of benefits, from protecting the
environment to helping you stay slim and healthier.
Small-scale windmills generate mixed reviews
While the Dyers, who live on Route 7 in Dover-Foxcroft, are unhappy with
their purchase, others say their windmills have generated what they
expected, but they say location is the key.
SRP's largest reservoir at all time highest elevation
Nearly three months of unusually productive winter storms have pushed
water levels at Roosevelt Lake to its highest-ever elevation.
US Biodiesel Industry Gets Government Boost
A federal mandate on use of biodiesel and the likely
extension of a tax credit for the fuel are resurrecting hopes for the
industry in the U.S.
Production of the fuel--which is similar to crude-oil-based diesel but
made from vegetable or animal oils--essentially came to a halt over the
past several months due to the economic downturn and the expiration of
the $1-a-gallon tax credit at the end of 2009.
US nuclear industry sues DOE over continued waste fee collection
The Nuclear Energy Institute and 16 of its member companies sued
the US Department of Energy in a federal appeals court Monday, asking
the court to order the department to suspend collection of a fee nuclear
utility customers pay for the federal government's spent fuel management
activities.
US oil company donated millions to climate sceptic groups, says
Greenpeace
A
Greenpeace investigation has identified a little-known,
privately owned US
oil company as the paymaster of global warming sceptics in
the US and Europe.
Wind Power Soared Past 150,000 Megawatts in 2009
Even in the face of a worldwide economic downturn, the global wind
industry posted another record year in 2009 as cumulative installed wind
power capacity grew to 158,000 megawatts. With this 31 percent jump, the
global wind fleet is now large enough to satisfy the residential
electricity needs of 250 million people. Wind provides electricity in
over 70 countries, 17 of which now have at least 1,000 megawatts
installed.
With Yucca Mountain out, nuclear waste has nowhere to go
The tanks are still there, 177 in all, packed with 53 million gallons of
radioactive waste. One million gallons have leached into the desert
soil.
A decade from now, this byproduct of the atomic age at Hanford nuclear
reservation was to be turned into 14-foot-long glass rods, loaded in
steel canisters and shipped to Nevada, where it could sit forever
beneath a mountain. An additional 2,300 tons of spent nuclear fuel would
go with it.
Year-End 2009 Data Reveal Renewables at 10.66pct of Domestic Energy
Production While Nuclear Output Drops for Third Consecutive Year
In its latest "Monthly Energy
Review," the Energy Information Administration confirms
continued growth for renewable energy, which accounted for
10.66% of domestic energy production in 2009. By comparison,
renewables accounted for 10.10% of domestic energy
production in 2008 and 9.44% in 2007.
April 5, 2010
STRONG GEOMAGNETIC STORM IN PROGRESS
The source of the storming is an Earth-directed
Coronal Mass Ejection associated with a weak solar flare that
occurred in Active Region 1059 on April 3 at 05:54 AM EST.
Systems that can be affected include electric power
systems, spacecraft operations, high-frequency communications, GPS, and
other navigation systems.
April 2, 2010
A New Geologic Era
It is a new age of geological time or so some say called the
Anthropocene Epoch. This is noted in the in the journal Environmental
Science & Technology. (web issue March 29; print issue April 1). This is
because of the dramatic recent or potential changes in the world such as
climate warming and species extinction. The dawning of this new epoch
may include the sixth largest mass extinction in the Earth's history.
Whether the new era will be dramatic as the Jurassic with the end of the
dinosaur is still to be determined.
Acetaminophen; the Killer Painkiller
The active ingredient in the painkillers Tylenol, Anacin and
Panadol was the focus of a recent analysis of 19 studies of
425,000 children and adults treated with acetaminophen in the past year.
Children given acetaminophen were 60 percent more likely to suffer from
asthma, while adults who had taken the drug were 75 percent more likely
to experience asthma.
American Clean Skies Foundation calls natural gas key to less smog
Tougher proposed air quality
standards for ozone could be met, in part, by greater use of natural gas
for power generation and transportation, according to comments filed
with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the Washington-based
non-profit organization American Clean Skies Foundation (ACSF).
Another Reason We Need The Free Speech About Science Bill; U.S. Media
Ignore 'The Power of Your Plate'
Nutrition — “The Power of Your Plate,” as Dr.
Neal Barnard termed it in his book of that name — is known to be
important in the prevention and treatment of disease. And yet, the
American press gives nutrition a pass.
Anti-mountaintop mining bill killed, environmentalists say
A House subcommittee today voted unanimously to strengthen legislation
banning mountain-top mining of coal in Tennessee.
But immediately afterwards, the panel angered proponents of the measure
by adjourning the panel for the year without taking a final vote.
Below 2C Opens New Rift In U.N. Climate Battle A goal to limit global warming to "below" 2 degrees Celsius (3.6
Fahrenheit) is opening a new rift for 2010 talks on a U.N. climate
treaty as developing nations say it means the rich must deepen cuts
in greenhouse gas emissions.
An alliance of 101 developing nations and island states says the
temperature target, endorsed by major emitters since the Copenhagen
summit in December, is tougher than a previous goal by
industrialized nations of 2 degrees as a maximum rise.
Canada, US to collaborate on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations
Canada will not unilaterally impose limits on greenhouse gas
emissions from industry, saying on Thursday that it will work in tandem
with the United States, as it is doing with vehicle standards.
Clean Car Rule Makes History—But Auto Dealers Try to Turn Back the Clock
Many automakers supported these common-sense
regulations, which mark the first time in U.S. history the federal
government has regulated global warming pollution under the Clean Air
Act.
Unfortunately, the National Automobile
Dealers Association (NADA) is still trying to keep
cleaner cars off our roads. Their lawyers
are actively supporting attempts to block the
government’s ability to regulate global warming
emissions.
Climate Unit Criticized For Stonewalling Skeptics
Scientists at a leading British climate research center had a culture
of withholding information from global warming skeptics but did not
deliberately manipulate data to support their case, lawmakers said
on Wednesday.
Commercial Cooking Elevates Hazardous Pollutants In The Environment
As you stroll down restaurant row and catch the
wonderful aroma of food — steaks, burgers, and grilled veggies — keep
this in mind: You may be in an air pollution zone.
Congress should do more to support natural gas for transportation
Faster growth in the use of natural
gas as a transportation fuel would provide increased energy
security, cleaner air, less greenhouse gas emissions, and more
U.S. jobs, the president of NGVAmerica told the Senate
Environment and Public Works Committee.
Consumers snapping up appliance rebates
Ohioans still looking to save money on a new dishwasher through a "cash
for clunker" appliance-rebate program might be out of luck.
All the rebate money for dishwashers had been allocated ..
Court Voids Malaysian Palm Oil Giant's Leases on Native Lands
A native community on the Tinjar River in the Malaysian part of Borneo has won an
important legal battle against the Sarawak state government and a
subsidiary of IOI, one of the world's largest palm oil companies.
Designate renewable energy zones across US, suggests think-tank
A US think tank says creating
‘competitive renewable energy zones’ would be a solution to raise the
private investment that is needed to update transmission infrastructure,
increase capacity for renewable energy and move toward the ‘smart grid.’
Developing Nations Eye Renewable Energy
Developing countries are ramping up renewables after
Copenhagen. About 151 developing countries took part in the Climate
Change conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Economists Warn against Setting Price for Carbon Too Low
In its first attempts to regulate carbon emissions, the U.S. government
is hindering its own efforts by using flawed economic models that
grossly underestimate the impact of carbon dioxide (CO2) on the climate
and on our economic future, says a new report issued today by America's
largest network of independent climate economists.
Energy producers, consumers to establish formal charter
The agreement "confirms the political and financial commitment
of IEF countries to an enhanced energy dialogue and outlines the path
for a stronger institution," the IEF said, though it stressed the need
to maintain the informality of dialogue.
'Evil Twin' Threatens World's Oceans, Scientists Warn The rise in human emissions of carbon dioxide is driving fundamental
and dangerous changes in the chemistry and ecosystems of the world's
oceans, international marine scientists warned recently.
"Ocean conditions are already more extreme than those experienced
by marine organisms and ecosystems for millions of years," the
researchers say in the latest issue of the journal Trends in Ecology
and Evolution (TREE).
First advanced prototype revealed for the Australian bionic eye
Researchers at Bionic Vision Australia (BVA)
have produced a prototype version of a bionic eye
implant that could be ready to start restoring rudimentary vision to
blind people as soon as 2013. The system consists of a pair of glasses
with a camera built in, a processor that fits in your pocket, and an
ocular implant that sits against the retina at the back of the eye and
electronically stimulates the retinal neurons that send visual
information to the brain.
Fracking Not A Cleaner Alternative; Cornell Prof
Natural gas obtained by the controversial technique of hydraulic
fracturing may contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions
and so should not be considered as a cleaner alternative to coal or
oil, according to a Cornell University researcher.
FSA - Seven Charged in Insider Dealing Investigation
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) yesterday charged seven people
with 13 charges in respect of conspiracy to deal on inside information
obtained by the defendants from two major investment banks.
Fuming over solar rules; State mandate adds $250M a year to electricity
costs
Massachusetts businesses are feeling burned by new solar-power rules
that it now appears the state knew could cost electricity customers up
to $250 million more a year.
Getting
real about small wind
The first article in this series by wind
energy expert David Sharman outlined the scale of the small wind turbine
industry, and listed 30 notable manufacturers who compete commercially
worldwide. Below, he describes co-operation in the important area of
product standards, testing, and certification.
Gov't;
Yucca suit lacks merit
In an answer to a complaint filed in February by Aiken County Council,
the response agencies argue on several fronts that Aiken does not have
standing to stop proceedings or that the municipality has not suffered
any damage.
Greening the Grid
Utilities and environmental groups are coming together to help modernize
the transmission system. It's arduous job, though, requiring
conciliation and patience.
Hawaii environmental law being reshaped in private talks
A group of builders, environmental groups, lawyers and public agencies
and institutions has been quietly meeting in private to help shape the
first overhaul of Hawai'i's environmental laws in 40 years, even as
lawmakers hold public hearings on a bill that is likely to go nowhere
this session.
High Fat Breakfasts May Not Be So Bad
For all of you who enjoy syrupy pancakes, bacon, eggs,
and sausage for breakfast; for all who crave omelets and pork-roll, egg
and cheese sandwiches; for all who relish the breakfast of champions,
there is some great news coming your way.
IEF
to media; No access allowed
When the proceedings kicked off at 8:30 local time this morning, it was
with the understanding no media would be allowed in the main conference
room. Not a great arrangement, but reporters would at least be able to
watch the sessions on the two large-screen television sets hanging from
a wall in the press room.
Improving the fuel economy of heavy vehicles
While there are fuel consumption standards for passenger
cars, there is no such regulation of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in
the U.S. With such vehicles accounting for about 26 percent of the
transportation fuel used in the U.S. regulators are looking to establish
fuel economy standards for these vehicles in the next few years. Now a
new U.S. report has been released recommending the best ways to measure
and regulate fuel economy for these vehicles...
Just How
Broken is the FDA?
There has been comment of late about the FDA’s refusal — under
the guise of protecting trade secrets — to notify practitioners and
consumers about defective medical devices. But that
controversy pales in comparison with the scandal now swirling around
Menaflex,..
Lower cost solar panels using plastic electronics
It seems that half the world’s R&D is involved in solar
energy, which isn’t a bad thing considering the mess our reliance on
traditional energy generation has got us into.
Making your house more energy efficient
These days, few homeowners have the thousands of dollars it would take
for a whole-house energy makeover. In the shakedown of what does make
the most sustainability sense, we asked local energy experts to list the
top five green building renovations in Portland.
Mega-Flood Triggered Cooling 13,000 Years Ago; Scientists Scientists say they have found the trigger of a sharp cooling 13,000
years ago that plunged Europe into a mini ice age.
Mark Bateman from the University of Sheffield in England said a
catastrophic flood unleashed from a giant North American lake dumped
large amounts of freshwater into the Arctic Ocean.
This led to the shutting down of the Gulf Stream ocean
circulation pattern that brings warmth to Europe.
Mercury Free Drugs, Genes Cannot Be Patented
The system has just declared itself to be without either
conscience or shame. By killing children, maiming them and continuing
the sham of pseudoscientific and pseudo legalistic justification...
At stake is the notion that isolated DNA can be patented
and owned, the very foundation upon which GMO patents rest.
Microorganisms In Toxic Groundwater Fine-Tuned To Survive
Microorganisms can indeed live in extreme environments,
but the ones that do are highly adapted to survive and little else...
Minding the Store
In his days as a control room operator more than a decade ago, John
Pespisa remembers working intermittent renewable energy resources like
wind into the system. The footprint may have been small, but the
resource had to be dispatched. "Sometimes at 3 a.m., you'd wonder where
the wind went," he said.
No longer.
New CO2 'Scrubber' From Ingredient In Hair Conditioners
Relatives of ingredients in hair-conditioning shampoos and fabric
softeners show promise as a long-sought material to fight global
warming by "scrubbing" carbon dioxide (CO2 ) out of the flue gases
from coal-burning electric power generating stations, scientists
reported today at the 239th National Meeting of the American
Chemical Society (ACS).
Niger
Delta amnesty disappoints
Nigeria's amnesty has not delivered the intended
results. Oil wealth has not percolated through society, and many of its
citizens are still feeling marginalized. But promises of market reform
and hopes for a more settled future continue to tempt producers.
Not Feeling Well? Perhaps You're 'Marijuana Deficient'
For several years I have postulated that marijuana is not, in
the strict sense of the word, an intoxicant...the word
'intoxicant' is derived from the Latin noun toxicum (poison). It's an
appropriate term for alcohol, as ethanol (the psychoactive
ingredient in booze) in moderate to high doses is toxic (read:
poisonous) to healthy cells and organs.
Obama Puts Pesticide Pusher in Charge of Agricultural Trade Relations
Sidestepping a stalled Senate confirmation vote,
yesterday President Obama recess-appointed Islam Siddiqui to be chief
agricultural negotiator in the office of the U.S. trade representative.
Dr. Siddiqui’s nomination was held up in the Senate and was opposed by
the Center for Biological Diversity and more than 80 other
environmental, small-farm, and consumer groups.
Official; Gov't contradictory over Yucca plan
The federal government's game plan for the "political football" of
nuclear waste are contrary to long-term promises made to the Savannah
River area and its history of patriotism and sacrifice, according to the
head of a the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO).
Pollution From Asia Circles Globe At Stratospheric Heights
The economic growth across much of Asia comes with a side effect:
pollutants from the region are wafting up to the stratosphere during
monsoon season.
Power going out on incinerator deal for city, Tampa Electric
For decades, the city and Tampa Electric Co. have been partners in a
waste-to-energy project that has prevented millions of tons of trash
from ending up in landfills.
Prescribed Burns May Help Reduce U.S. Carbon Footprint
Results of a new study find that such burns, often used by forest
managers to reduce underbrush and protect bigger trees, release
substantially less carbon dioxide emissions than wildfires of the
same size.
"It appears that prescribed burns can be an important piece of a
climate change strategy,"...
Prop 16 is June's priciest ballot initiative, with PGandE coughing
up big money
PG&E has thrown $28 million behind a ballot measure that would limit
competition in the electricity market, making the utility the biggest
contributor so far in June's slate of initiatives and drawing charges
from critics that customer rates are bearing the brunt of lavish
campaign spending.
Reclaimed Water System to Feature 'Green' Storage Tank
Even with its strong water conservation
culture, the fast-growing city of Austin, TX, must balance hot, dry
summers and recurring drought with the steadily increasing demand for
drinking water.
Record Number of Clean Technology Venture Deals in 1Q 2010
$1.9 billion in venture capital invested
in 180 clean technology companies in 1Q10; transportation top sector by
amount invested while energy efficiency attracted most deals
Renewable biofuel oozes from reprogrammed microbes
It seems like every day, a new way of producing
biofuel is being discovered. Within the past few years, we’ve reported
on technology that harvests biofuel from
garbage,
booze,
crop waste,
carbon dioxide and
wood-munching marine isopods. Now, Arizona State University has
announced a new development in the harvesting of biofuel from
cyanobacteria microbes
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 040110
Region 1059 (S22E10) remains stable.No flares were
observed during the past 24 hours. The geomagnetic field has been at
quiet to active conditions.
WARNING: Geomagnetic Sudden Impulse expected
Safer Nuclear Reactors Could Result From Los Alamos Research
Self-repairing materials within nuclear reactors may one day become
a reality as a result of research by Los Alamos National Laboratory
scientists.
Secretary Chu Announces $37.5 Million Available For Joint U.S.-Chinese
Clean Energy Research
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today the
availability of $37.5 million in U.S. funding over the next five years
to support the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center. Funding from the
Department of Energy will be matched by the grantees to support $75
million in total U.S. research that will focus on advancing technologies
for building energy efficiency, clean coal including carbon capture and
storage, and clean vehicles.
Solar Roofing or Traditional Solar Panels - Which Should You Choose?
As far as we’re concerned, it’s a loaded question. The reason?
Frankly, solar electric (aka photovoltaics, or PV for short) is
frequently not the best choice to begin with.
Superbus; on-demand luxury public transport at over 150 mph
Looking more like a futuristic stretch limo
than a bus, the Superbus is a 15-meter long vehicle that provides
seating for 23 passengers who can embark and disembark via its 16
gull-wing doors (eight on each side). The electric bus runs on four
E2M electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries with its
highly streamlined shape and lightweight construction designed to keep
energy consumption down as it hurtles along at 155 mph.
Terrorism Vulnerabilities to the Water Supply and the Role of the
Consumer; A Water Security White Paper
The vulnerability of our water supplies to disruption and
contamination by potential terrorist or malicious acts has been well
documented.1,2 These potential attack scenarios have the
ability, if orchestrated successfully, to produce casualties on a
massive scale.
The challenges ahead – Yvo de Boer
At the opening session of the
European Union
Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) on 22-26 March in Brussels, de
Boer identified four trends that are on collision course with each
other: energy prices and security; climate change; resource
scarcity; and lifestyle changes.
The Forbidden Fuel – A Personal Odyssey
In 1980, three young professionals decided to embark on
an anthology of the early and modern dreamers of a sustainable
biomass-based transportation system.
The Kamakura Corporation Monthly Forecast of US Treasury Yields
Concerns about potential rises in interest rates from unprecedented low
levels have risen dramatically in the last few months. On January
6, 2010, U.S. banking regulators went so far as to issue an “interagency
guidance” on interest rates, warning of the dangers that lie ahead.
Total still plans 200,000 b/d European refining cut
French oil major Total is still planning to reduce its refining
capacity in Europe by 200,000 b/d and would prefer to sell rather than
to shut down an existing refinery, CEO Christophe de Margerie said
Tuesday.
United Nations Unite for Haiti, Pledge $10 Billion for Recovery
Pledges of nearly $10 billion in immediate and long-term
aid to help Haiti recover from January's catastropic earthquake were made Wednesday within hours after
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon opened a day-long donors' conference by
calling for "a sweeping exercise in nation building on a scale and scope
not seen in generations."
Unity and future goals stressed by three Ute tribes
The Ute people who were the area’s
first residents are still waiting for the state to acknowledge it drove
some of their members into what is now Utah in the aftermath of fighting
in 1879 at Meeker, a small central Colorado town that has held a pow wow the last two years with Ute
descendants and others.
US DOE find 'resource-quality' gas hydrate in Gulf of Mexico
Significant concentrations of gas hydrate exist in the deepwater
Gulf of Mexico, potentially boosting the amount of natural gas reserves
in the US, according to a study released Tuesday by the US Department of
Energy's Office of Fossil Energy. Gas hydrate is a solid substance
composed of natural gas combined with water molecules, and DOE said they
have the potential to be "a significant new energy source to meet future
energy needs."
US Personal Spending Rises in February, Personal Income Flat
Personal consumer expenditure (PCE) rose 0.3% in February following
January’s downwardly revised 0.4% gain (initially reported as 0.5%).
The rise in spending in the month equalled market expectations going
into today’s report. February’s rise in spending was in spite of
unchanged personal income, although this followed gains of 0.3% (revised
from 0.1%) and 0.4% (revised from 0.3%) in January and December,
respectively. Personal disposable income was unchanged in
February, which, combined with the increase in spending, pushed the
saving rate down to 3.1% from 3.4% in January.
US Power Generation; Gas Versus Coal
Gas prices could hold at low enough levels in 2010 for power generators
to switch away from marginal coal-fired units to cheaper gas-fired
plants, much the same way as the cycle in 2009, according to analysts.
Wal-Mart in Trouble Again Over Organic Marketing Practices
The Cornucopia Institute has filed legal complaints with the
USDA alleging that
Wal-Mart, and a North Carolina-based company,
HOMS LLC, are violating the USDA organic standards by using
conventional agricultural oils, and other ingredients, in pest
control products that bear the word organic and the green “USDA
organic” seal.
Who Holds the Power?
Last year a new ruling came down from the State Board of Electrical
Examiners that stated only Massachusetts licensed electricians and
registered apprentices can perform any and all aspects of installing
solar energy. Seasoned solar installation veterans, some of whom had
been putting solar energy on homes and businesses for more than 20
years, were literally forced off the roof as a result of the ruling.
Now, one year later, a battle is brewing in Boston over who should be
allowed to perform solar installations in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
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