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July 30, 2010
$10M Project To Store CO2 Underground In China
The project will focus on advancing enhanced coal bed methane (ECBM)
recovery and providing a pathway to adoption for near zero emissions
technology from coal-fired power.
A Rift
Between Russia & Iran?
"Iran expects the United States to launch a
military strike on 'at least two countries" in the Middle East in the
next three months, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told state-run Press
TV," reports Reuters. Ahmadinejad's warning
comes amidst several interesting
developments in the region -- surprisingly
tough new economic sanctions imposed on Iran
by the European Union and Canada, and a
curious rift developing between Russia and
Iran.
Advocates press Congress on renewable energy standard
Renewable energy advocates are pushing Congress to include a renewable
electricity standard in a climate bill that was proposed Tuesday in the
Senate, and the idea got a boost this week when 27 Democrats and a
Republican pressed for its inclusion.
AMA’s Government-Protected Monopoly Squeezes Out Alternative Medicine
The world of medicine is run by billing codes. Every
hospital, doctor, and practitioner who accepts insurance or Medicare
uses billing codes so they can be reimbursed. But where are the codes
for integrative and alternative medical services?
Audit says Pentagon mismanaged $2.6b in funds for Iraq
Because of poor record keeping and lax oversight, the
Defense Department cannot account for how it spent $2.6 billion that
belonged to the Iraqi government, according to the inspector general for
Iraq reconstruction.
Backbone of marine food chain in alarming decline
Tiny marine algae, known as phytoplankton, are the
backbone of the marine food chain, yet a new study in Nature has found
that this backbone is disintegrating. Researchers discovered that since
1950 phytoplankton has declined by approximately 40 percent across the
Northern Hemisphere, a decline that corresponds to warming waters due to
climate change.
Bill Boosts Natural Gas Vehicles But Hurdles Remain
The Energy Bill released on Tuesday is a big boost for the natural gas
vehicle (NGV) industry, but natural gas faces hurdles to eroding
oil's dominance as a transport fuel in the United States.
Black Swan Solar Technology Emerges
Scientists from the United States, Belgium and Korea are
developing a new and novel approach for collecting and converting solar
energy to DC output, which makes possible the design and fabrication of
a new class of solar energy converters. This breakthrough science offers
the potential for a dramatic increase in energy conversion efficiency
and cost savings compared to current solar cells.
California's clean energy future threatened by federal delays, state
officials say
Plans for a massive expansion of clean energy in California are being
jeopardized by federal foot-dragging, according to state officials who
say that more than 20 nearly shovel-ready solar and wind projects are
being held up by the U.S. Department of Energy.
China Floods Wash Explosive Chemicals Into River
Flooding in northeastern China has washed more than 1,000 barrels
containing explosive chemicals into a major river, state media said
on Wednesday, as the death toll from flooding nationally this year
neared 1,000.
China threatens world health by unleashing waves of superbugs
China's reckless use of antibiotics in the health system and
agricultural production is unleashing an explosion of drug resistant
superbugs that endanger global health, according to leading scientists.
Chinese doctors routinely hand out multiple doses of antibiotics for
simple maladies like the sore throats and the country's farmers
excessive dependence on the drugs has tainted the food chain.
Curve Ahead; Navigating Carbon Uncertainty on the Road to Sustainability
The road to a sustainable energy
future
is paved with profound and unpredictable
change. Of these changes, one
of the greatest sources of uncertainty—
at least in the US—is the direction of
carbon policy.
Doctors call for NHS to stop funding homeopathy
The NHS should stop funding
homeopathy and it should no longer be marketed as a medicine in
pharmacies, doctors say.
E-cars are coming
"Suddenly, electric utilities are in the car business --one of their new
businesses is doing things for cars," he said. "And how do we permit the
recharging stations? How do we deal with power peak demand changes for
recharging? How do first responders handle a fender bender? If something
goes wrong on the road, how will small-town mechanics handle it?
End of a
378-year era
Like generations of Tuttles before him, Will Tuttle has
spent his life on the family farm, working its tree-lined acres from
seed to harvest. He learned by the side of his father and grandfather
and, like them, chose to make his living off the land.
But after years of toil and dwindling demand for the crops he
produced, the thick-armed 63-year-old has decided the family legacy will
end with him
EPA Rejects Petitions to Reverse Climate Change Endangerment Finding
The Environmental Protection Agency today turned back 10 petitions
from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Peabody
Coal and others that asked the agency to rescind its scientific finding
that heat-trapping greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare.
In December 2009 the EPA determined that climate change is real, is
occurring due to emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities,
and threatens human health and the environment.
Expiration of Bush Tax Cuts Would Cost Families Thousands in 2011, Study
Shows
Millions of families will be faced with thousands of
dollars in tax increases if the Bush tax cuts are allowed to expire at
the end of the year, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Joint
Committee on Taxation.
/Extremely Efficient
...we must first
acknowledge that we are in our present situation because we gambled and
lost. In order to satiate our need for fossil fuels, we enabled risky
behavior—we became champions of “extreme energy.”
Feds balk at home energy-efficiency loan program
In April, the state passed a law allowing local governments to develop a
program dubbed PACE -- Property Assessed Clean Energy. At least 16 other
states passed similar laws that let residents pay for upgrades such as
more-efficient furnaces or solar panel systems with loans paid back
through property tax assessments.
The program would create jobs, increase property values and help
communities reduce their energy consumption, supporters said.
But to date, no Minnesota city or county has signed on, as a dispute
over the program lingers.
France declares war against al-Qaida
France has declared war on al-Qaida, and matched its fighting words
with a first attack on a base camp of the terror network's North
African branch, after the terror network killed a French aid worker
it took hostage in April.
Good News
for Gulf Fishermen
The good news is that about one-third of that closed off
area has just been reopened by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA).
Groundbreaking Sandia Study Ties Climate Uncertainties To Economies Of
US States
A climate-change study at Sandia National Laboratories
that models the near-term effects of declining rainfall in each of the
48 U.S. continental states makes clear the economic toll that could
occur unless an appropriate amount of initial investment — a kind of
upfront insurance payment — is made to forestall much larger economic
problems down the road.
Growth of wind power slows as legislation stalls
U.S. wind power companies slowed their expansion of electricity
generation in the first half of this year, adding 1,200 megawatts -- 70
percent less than a year earlier, the head of the American Wind Energy
Association said Monday.
Immigration Decision Will Erode Obama Support
When Judge Susan Bolton granted an injunction halting the
enforcement of key provisions of the Arizona immigration enforcement
law, she ruled in favor of the Justice Department's position, but
against the president's political interest.
Had the judge sustained this law, it would have made moot Obama's
opposition to the Arizona law. As it is, she has transformed the
law into a big campaign issue against Obama
Judge opens way for nuclear waste site
A federal judge has ruled a nuclear waste storage project in Utah can go
forward, throwing out U.S. Interior Department decisions that had killed
the plan.
Judge Susan Bolton blocks parts of Arizona immigration law
Just a day before Arizona's controversial immigration law goes into
effect, a U.S. district judge has issued a ruling, applauded by the
Obama administration, temporarily blocking the most contentious
provision of the new law.
Kepler space observatory continues search for Earth-like planets
When NASA talks about “Earth-like” planets, it’s
referring to ones that are about the same size as Earth, and that orbit
stars in a warm, habitable zone where liquid water could exist on their
surface.
Lawmakers OK winner-take-all bill
The Massachusetts
Legislature has approved a law intended to bypass the Electoral
College system and ensure that the winner of the presidential
election is determined by the national popular vote.
Million Gallons of Oil Spill into Michigan's Kalamazoo River
Oil spill response workers said Thursday that they have
stopped the spread of oil heading down the Kalamazoo River from a broken
pipeline in southwest Michigan, but officials from various agencies
differ on how far the oil has moved and whether or not the oil leak has,
in fact, been stopped.
National RES Will Not See Senate Floor, Dies on Harry Reid’s Instead
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) released details of the energy bill
he is putting before the Senate on Tuesday, making it official that any
hope for a national
renewable electricity standard (RES) is dead.
New
York's Solar Thermal Plans
By unveiling a solar heating and cooling programme that could create
25,000 new green jobs, generate US$2.6 billion in revenue and see 2 GW
of new solar thermal capacity installed in the state over the next
decade, New York has revealed its ambition to become America’s national
leader in solar heating and cooling.
No More Excuses; Climate Action Now
Last week, the Senate decided to delay taking up comprehensive climate
and energy legislation at least until after Congress returns from August
recess. Some senators have indicated that they will continue to work on
climate and energy issues in September.
Please tell your senators that inaction is absolutely not an option.
Unless they hear from their constituents now, the Senate will be
very hard-pressed to pass such legislation before the year ends.
Obama signs ‘historic’ Tribal Law and Order Act
“And in doing so, I intend to send a clear message that all of our
people – whether they live in our biggest cities or our most remote
reservations – have the right to feel safe in their own communities, and
to raise their children in peace, and enjoy the fullest protection of
our laws,” Obama said.
Orders for Chevrolet Volt now being taken
For those in the U.S. looking to be the first to get their hands
on the
Chevrolet Volt GM has announced that it is now taking orders for
the vehicle that is due at the end of the year.
Pot smokers outnumber prohibitionists in California poll
If only 36 percent of respondents opposed Prop. 19, that
means, in a random sampling of 614 California voters, there were more
actual cannabis
consumers than legalization opponents.
Rainwater Harvesting Continues to Grow
In discussions with folks around the
country interest in rainwater harvesting is growing in these uncertain
times. Whether it is increasing water prices,
new regulations,
new building codes or a renewed desire to conserve a
precious resource it all amounts to the same thing - growth
in the rainwater harvesting market.
Receipts Could Be Harmful to Your Health
Cash-register receipts from many fast-food outlets,
groceries, pharmacies, big-box stores and U.S. post offices contain high
levels of the endocrine-disrupting chemical bisphenol A.
Report says Utah, Northwest best poised to make change to clean energy
Utah is among seven regional states identified in a new
analysis as the best-positioned area in the country to transition to
clean energy within 40 years.
Researchers making fusion energy steps
U.S. researchers say they've made a discovery that could bring nuclear
fusion reactors and the possibility of clean, almost limitless power one
step closer.
Sen. Scott Brown could go green; Eyes energy-efficiency bill to boost
Massachusetts
Sen. Scott Brown may soon find himself in the increasingly familiar
position of holding the key to a major piece of legislation in
Washington, D.C.
The Massachusetts Republican is playing a major behind-the-scenes role
in promoting a multibillion-dollar energy-efficiency program that could
be a huge boon for some Massachusetts firms, including Westboro-based
Conservation Services Group.
So ... Has Anyone Seen the Oil That Spilled into the Gulf?
“[u]p to 4 million barrels (167 million gallons), the
vast majority of the spill, remains unaccounted for in government
statistics. Some of it has, most likely, been cleaned up by nature.
Other amounts may be gone from the water, but they could have taken on a
second life as contaminants in the air, or in landfills around the Gulf
Coast.”
Solar backers vow to fight for novel financing ideas
Supporters of a novel way of financing solar installations said Tuesday
that they plan to negotiate in Washington and fight in the courts and
Congress to save the program.
Spain Sees Temperatures Rising 3 to 6 Degrees By 2100
Spanish daytime temperatures will rise by an average of
between 3 and 6 degrees Celsius by 2100, and rainfall will tumble to
15-30 percent of recent levels, according to forecasts on Tuesday by the
Met Office
Ten key indicators show global warming 'undeniable'
Melting glaciers, more humid air and eight other key indicators show
that global warming is undeniable, scientists said on Wednesday, citing
a new comprehensive review of the last decade of climate data.
Without addressing why this is happening, the researchers said there
was no doubt that every decade on Earth since the 1980s has been hotter
than the previous one, and that the planet has been warming for the last
half-century.
The Arctic
Continental Shelf
The Arctic still has unmapped and unknown areas. In
particular, there is the continental shelf that extends out from the
American and Canadian northern lands. Who controls it? Who has the right
to drill for example which then leads into the complicated morass of
environmental rules and controls.
The EDGE packs a lot of home into a little house
If small is beautiful, then the 320 square-foot EDGE
house from Wisconsin’s Revelations Architects is absolutely gorgeous.
The Only Way Is Up; CSP Builds Up Heat
Despite a slowdown because of stalled credit markets and
regulation, Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) finds itself ready
to add multiple gigawatts of new capacity.
The Rise
of CIGS – Finally?
If the rise of the solar energy market is written as a fantasy novel,
then the makers of copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) are members of
a mythical clan from far far away that are reputed to be fierce warriors
who are gathering forces to reshape the geopolitics of the realm. But so
far, this big army hasn't materialized.
The Truth
About Car Payments
I'll always have a car payment.
You've probably heard that comment before, right? You might have even
said it yourself—with a defeated, woe-is-me tone of voice. So what's the
deal? Are car payments really just a way of life?
Tired of Keeping Up with the Joneses
We all know the Joneses.
No budget. No worries. They've got it all. Or so it seems...
Transmission; Not the Only Path to Green
It is vital to continue investing in a strong transmission grid.
Today, however, there is a debate about the role of transmission in
moving energy in a new, green direction.
Trapped Glacier Water Threatens French Alps Valley
Researchers at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)
said 65,000 cubic meters of water discovered inside the Tte-Rousse
glacier could explode and destroy everything in its path, including
nearby villages and nearly 900 homes.
UN Evaluates World Heritage Proposals from Hawaii to Tajikistan
Eight natural areas of outstanding global heritage value
are being considered for inscription on the United Nations' World
Heritage List by a 21-nation panel now meeting in Brasilia.
UN Recognizes Access to Clean Water as a Human Right
Access to clean, safe drinking water is now an official
basic human right everywhere in the world, like the rights to life,
health, food and adequate housing. The water rights resolution was
approved late Wednesday by the United Nations General Assembly, not
unanimously, but without opposition.
US Beige Book Implies a Slight Downgrade to the Economic Outlook
Although the report opened by stating that economic activity continued
to grow, the qualifier “on balance” quickly followed.
US Consumer Confidence Falls in July on Concerns Over Employment Outlook
The Conference Board’s measure of U.S. consumer confidence followed
June’s sharp decline with a further easing in July, falling to 50.4 from
the prior month’s 54.3 (revised from 52.9). Market expectations were for
a slightly smaller drop in the index to 51.
US Fixed-Rate Mortgage Rates Inch Downward to Another New Low for the
Sixth Consecutive Week
30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.54 percent with an
average 0.7 point for the week ending July 29, 2010, down from last
week when it averaged 4.56 percent. Last year at this time, the
30-year FRM averaged 5.25 percent.
Watching Grass Grow In The Gulf, And Cheering!
Marsh grasses are the tough guys of the plant world. Left alone,
they dominate coastal marshes from Texas to Newfoundland. Burn their
stems and leaves, and they come back bushier than ever.
They help slow down hurricanes and filter pollution. As
impenetrable to humans as a green wall, they shelter birds, fish and
endangered mammals, and act as nurseries for commercial species like
shrimp and crabs.
But let oil get into their roots and underground reproductive
systems, and they can wither and die.
Well,
Is It Organic or Not?
When it comes to personal care items like toothpaste and body lotion,
claims like "made with organic ingredients" or "authentically organic"
can flummox even the greenest consumer. No federal agency polices
organic claims for personal care items - at least not yet - so
manufacturers have been able to use these customer-pleasing terms
loosely and liberally.
Wildfires
sweep central Russia
Forest fires swept across central Russia on Friday, killing at least
eight people and forcing the evacuation of thousands during the hottest
summer since records began 130 years ago.
Fanned by strong winds, raging fires ripped through woods and fields
already scorched by the heatwave.
World’s Thirst for Energy Growing
World energy consumption will increase
49% in the next 25 years, driven
by rapidly developing countries such as
China and India, according to the Energy
Information Administration.
July 27, 2010
APS Reaches Agreement for New Arizona-Based Wind Project
Arizona Public Service Co. has entered into a long-term power purchase
agreement with Perrin Ranch Wind LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy
Resources, for 100 percent of the energy output from a wind farm located
13 miles north of Williams in Coconino County, Ariz. When completed, the
99-megawatt Perrin Ranch Wind Energy Center will be the largest wind
project in Arizona.
Battle over Bush tax cuts looms in Washington
An epic fight is brewing over what Congress and
President Obama should do about the expiring Bush tax cuts, with such
substantial economic and political consequences that it could shape the
fall elections and fiscal policy for years to come.
BP plans $30bn sales to meet Gulf costs
BP plans to sell assets worth $30bn (€23bn,
£19bn) to meet the costs of its massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico,
and has confirmed the departure of its chief executive Tony Hayward.
Canoe Journey builds bridges between cultures
‘We can work together and sustain
together’
Pulling in the Canoe Journey, on the waters traveled by
the ancestors, is often a spiritual experience.
It can also be a hazardous one.
Car Charging Group, Inc. Signs Agreement With Laz Parking to Provide
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Their Parking Facilities
This partnership is an effort to support the potential
need for electric vehicle charging stations nationwide to satisfy the
plans of automobile manufacturers such as Tesla Motors, the Renault and
Nissan alliance, General Motors, Ford and others lining up to offer
consumers a choice of electric vehicles available in dealer showrooms
during 2010.
China Dalian Oil Spill Cleaned 9 Days After Accident
Nearly 8,000 workers and hundreds of fishing boats have managed
to clean up the oil spill off the major northern Chinese port
Dalian, nine days after a pipeline blast leaked 1,500 metric tons of
heavy crude into the sea.
Climate bill blame game begins
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Thursday
that he did not have 60 votes for the climate bill, leaving the White
House's biggest energy initiative in tatters
Climate Change Equals More Mexican Migration; Study
Continued climate change will drive Mexican farm workers to migrate to
the United States in greater numbers, environmental experts
predicted on Monday.
Coalition of Consumers Urges Senate Not to Legislate Natural Gas Demand
in EnergyClimate Bill
A coalition of major manufacturers, agricultural organizations and other
industrial energy consumers today cautioned the Senate to avoid
legislating new natural gas demand in any energy or climate change bill,
saying such an approach would be "misguided" given existing strong
demand growth and looming regulatory and political uncertainty
surrounding access to major supply sources.
Do-it-yourself solar panels become classroom project
If an East Ridge High School class can build a reasonably priced solar
panel in the classroom, why shouldn't anyone?
Economic Logic is Once Again Sacrificed for Political Sound Bites
For all the showmanship on display on the U.S. Capitol Hill, the fact
remains that the new law will be ignored if we go through a similar kind
of crisis in the future. In fact, if anything, it might even be blamed
for the next crisis, since it gave people a false sense of security.
First-of-Its-Kind Map Details the Height of the Globe's Forests
Using
NASA satellite data, scientists have produced a
first-of-its kind map that details the height of the world's forests.
Although there are other local- and regional-scale forest canopy maps,
the new map is the first that spans the entire globe based on one
uniform method.
Gee Whiz; Human Urine Is Shown to Be an Effective Agricultural
Fertilizer
Human urine, which contains nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium, can be used to fertilize plants, scientists say...
"It is totally possible to use human urine as a fertilizer instead of
industrial fertilizer," says Heinonen-Tanski, whose research group has
also used urine to cultivate
cucumbers,
cabbage and
tomatoes.
Gulf Oil Spill Response Back on Track
Oil spill response vessels and drilling rigs are
returning to their places above BP's blown-out well in the Gulf of
Mexico today after they were evacuated Friday to avoid the impact of
Tropical Storm Bonnie.
Halt on California solar incentives stuns schools, nonprofits
The California Public Utilities Commission has stunned public officials
and the solar industry by suspending lucrative rebates to school
districts, cities and other government agencies that install solar
panels on public buildings.
Holding Off Dementia
A new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge has
discovered that people who have received more education are less likely
to develop dementia. Previous studies have looked at this issue but have
been unable to determine if it was education, and not its effects such
as higher economic status or healthier living, that impacted the chances
of dementia. This new study has found that dementia is in fact a direct
consequence of the amount of education received earlier in life.
IP is
dead, Long Live Media!
The Internet is a wonderful thing. It has enabled
communication in a way no other invention since the telephone has. It
has also enabled the sharing and reproduction of all kinds of media,
from print, to audio and video. The only comparable revolution was the
Printing press.
Mideast land aims to lead in alternative energy race; Project
chief visits UT, receives degree
The United Arab Emirates is a world leader in oil exports, but if Sultan
Al Jaber has his way, the Middle East nation one day will become the
global leader in alternative energy.
More roadside chargers needed for electric cars
The auto industry calls it range anxiety: Drivers want electric cars but
worry they won't have enough juice to make long trips. After all, what
good is going green if you get stranded with a dead battery?
More Than One Out Of Three U.S. Counties Face Water Shortages Due To
Climate Change
More than 1,100 U.S. counties — a full one-third of all
counties in the lower 48 states — now face higher risks of water
shortages by mid-century as the result of global warming, and more than
400 of these counties will be at extremely high risk for water
shortages...
Murray's Yucca Mountain amendment dies in Senate committee
An amendment to restore money to license the Yucca Mountain, Nev.,
nuclear repository failed in the Senate Appropriations Committee on
Thursday.
However, the committee did approve the Senate version of the proposed
Hanford budget of almost $2.2 billion for next year.
NASA Satellite Improves Pollution Monitoring
NASA scientists improved watershed pollution monitoring
models by incorporating satellite and ground-based observations of
precipitation. The NASA data replaces weather station observations, and
will allow states to monitor non-point pollution and improve water
quality.
NASA's Deep Space Camera Locates Host of 'Earths'
Scientists celebrated Sunday after finding more than 700 suspected
new planets -- including up to 140 similar in size to Earth -- in just
six weeks of using a powerful new space observatory.
New Health Risk Found in Public Pools
Public swimming pools are more dangerous than you might think, a new
study suggests. When sweat and urine, among other organics, mix with the
disinfectants in pool water, the result can be hazardous to health.
New NOAA Analysis Gives Further Clues about Location and Movement of
Subsurface Oil in Gulf — and how little of it there is
The data shows that the movement of subsurface oil is consistent with
ocean currents and that the concentrations continue to be more diffuse
as you move away from the source of the leak. This confirms the findings
of the previous report.
Online predators can determine where posted photos and videos were shot
Before you proudly go posting photos of your Ming vase
online, you should be aware that computer-savvy burglars can likely use
that photo to find out where you live. The same goes for photos or
videos of your kids, yourself, or anything else that you don’t want
strangers knowing how to locate.
Packing heat in AZ to become easier soon Senate Bill 1108 removes the requirement that
gun owners must be trained and licensed to carry a concealed weapon.
Arizona already allows for "open carry" - anyone not legally
prohibited from possessing a firearm, such as convicted felons or
those adjudicated mentally incompetent, can carry firearms in public
as long as they are clearly visible.
Pollution Makes Quarter Of China Water Unusable; Ministry
Almost a quarter of China's surface water remains so polluted
that it is unfit even for industrial use, while less than half of
total supplies are drinkable, data from the environment watchdog
showed on Monday.
Raids are increasing on farms and private food-supply clubs
When the 20 agents arrived bearing a search warrant at
her Ventura County farmhouse door at 7 a.m. on a Wednesday a couple
weeks back, Sharon Palmer didn’t know what to say. This was the third
time she was being raided in 18 months, and she had thought she was on
her way to resolving the problem over labeling of her goat cheese that
prompted the other two raids.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 072610
Solar activity remained very low. Region 1089 (S24W21)
produced occasional B-class flares as it continued to gradually
decay...there is a slight chance for an isolated C-class flare..Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels. Despite the quiet
conditions, Earth remained within a recurrent coronal hole high-speed
wind stream. Geomagnetic field activity is
expected to increase to quiet to active levels with a slight chance
for a minor storm on day 1 (27 July) as the current coronal hole
high-speed stream intensifies.
Smog blankets Moscow on city's hottest day
Moscow sweltered on Monday through its hottest day since records
began 130 years ago, as temperatures hit 37.4 degrees Celsius (99.3
degrees Farenheit) sparking peat fires that blanketed the city in smog.
A heatwave has engulfed central parts of European
Russia, and Siberia since June, destroying crops covering an area
the size of Portugal. Green groups, including Greenpeace, say the
temperatures are evidence of global warming.
Terra-Gen Power secures $1.2 billion for largest wind farm in U.S.
New York-based alternative energy supplier Terra-Gen
Power has secured $1.2 billion in financing for the construction of what
it says will be the largest wind farm in the U.S. The funds will deliver
four projects at the company's Alta Wind Energy Center in Kern County,
California, with a capacity of 570 megawatts.
The Natural Gas
Bridge
Don't confuse the BP oil spill with the future of natural gas. The fuel
is expected to be a global contender when it comes to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions from power plants through 2050.
The Power of
Competition
Retail electricity competition has taken a drubbing. But information now
out is suggesting that the concept is alive and well, and likely to gain
momentum: More customers switched in the first quarter of this year from
incumbent utilities to alternative suppliers that purport to deliver
lower costs and better services.
The Race to Make Fuel Out of Algae Poses Risks as Well as Benefits
One day, Big Algae may be competitive with Big Oil, but as
researchers search for the ideal oil-producing algae strain to
grow in commercial quantities, there are still a host of
uncertainties standing in the way.
Trafficking our
children
Cherri was 11 years old the first time she was bought
and sold.
Alone on the streets of Vancouver’s downtown Eastside, abruptly
abandoned by her new “boyfriend,” she was accosted by an older man who
said he’d bought her, and insisted she now belonged to him.
U.S. Farmers May Face Crackdown on Pesticide Use
The nation's farmers could face severe restrictions on
the use of pesticides as environmentalists, spurred by a favorable
ruling from a judge in Washington state, want the courts to force
federal regulators to protect endangered species from the ill effects of
agricultural chemicals.
US deficit heads toward record $1.47 trillion
There is some good economic news. The red ink the US is
swimming in is not as bad as projected in February. Yes, at $1.471
trillion, it's still huge – 10 percent of the nation's gross
domestic product – but an improvement of $84 billion from earlier
estimates.
But bad news still looms large.
US New Homes Sales Surge in June
New home sales in June jumped 23.6% to 330,000 units from May’s
downwardly revised record low of 267,000 units (initially reported
300,000 units). The rise beat market expectations for an increase to
312,000 units. Months’ supply of unsold new homes dropped to 7.6 in June
from May’s 9.6 (revised from 8.5), while the total number of new homes
for sale dropped to 210,000 from 213,000 in May, the lowest level since
September 1968.
Voith Hydro Overhaul at Bonneville Dam Improves Fish Protection and
Creates Jobs for the Pacific Northwest
Voith Hydro's first-of-its-kind patented fish friendly hydropower
turbines are giving new life to the Bonneville Dam, after more than 70
years of providing clean, renewable energy to the Pacific Northwest.
Want Raw Milk? Lease a Farm - and Hire a Lawyer
...agents from the Wisconsin Department of
Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection raided his Grazin'
Acres farm near Madison, and placed seals on the refrigerators
in his small store. He was operating without a retailer license
and a dairy license, the regulators said. The fact that he
wasn't open to the general public, but was selling direct to
"members" of his farm, didn't matter.
The day after the raid, Hershberger cut the DATCP seals and
defiantly re-opened for business. His confidence was buttressed
by the fact that he decided that day to sign the contract with
Right to Choose Healthy Food.
Welcome to a new generation of wave-powered electricity
THE team behind the tidal turbine at the mouth of Strangford Lough has
been awarded Pounds 250,000 to develop a second- generation version
capable of generating power from deeper waters.
What to
do with the CO2
Burning fuel releases a lot of carbon dioxide. For more is emitted
than any other air emission. What can we do with it all? A basic reuse
of carbon dioxide or CO2 is to have plants and trees use it to make new
plants and trees. Recently, the U.S. government has been
funding more than $100 million to six research
projects that will turn carbon dioxide into fuel, plastics, cement and
more. Though the US is spending some money even more comes from private
investors.
WikiLeaks Data Seem to Show Pakistan Helped Attack American Troops
Perhaps the single most damming collection of data in a massive
trove of secret documents from Afghanistan released by the website
WikiLeaks is some 180 files that seem to show Pakistan's premiere
intelligence service, the ISI, helping the Afghan insurgency attack
American troops.
World Will Run Out of Internet Addresses in Less Than a Year,
Experts Predict
The internet protocol used by the majority of web
users, IPv4, provides for about four billion IP addresses -- the
unique 32-digit number used to identify each computer, website or
internet-connected device.
There are currently only 232 million IP addresses left -- enough for
about 340 days -- thanks to the explosion in smartphones and other
web-enabled devices.
July 23, 2010
4 Massey foremen plead guilty in deadly mine fire
Three foremen from Massey Energy's Aracoma Alma No. 1 Mine admitted
Tuesday that they not only failed to conduct required mine evacuation
drills, but also faked official record book entries that would cover up
their crimes.
30-Year, 15-Year Fixed US Mortgage Rates at Record Lows
Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) yesterday released the results of its Primary
Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), with the 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate
mortgages reaching record lows for this survey. (The 30-year fixed-rate
survey began in 1971, and the 15-year began in 1991.)
75 Member of Congress Ask Vilsack To Allow Farmers To Plant Biotech
Alfalfa This Fall
A letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
from 75 Members of Congress asks that farmers be allowed to
plant Roundup Ready alfalfa (RRA) in the fall 2010 planting
season.
An update on genetically engineered meat and fish — Are they coming soon
to a plate near you
Trout with double the usual amount of muscle, pork loaded with
omega-3 fatty acids, and beef from cattle resistant to mad-cow
disease are just a few products from genetically engineered
animals under development in labs around the world.
Another Breakthrough in Solar Powered Ventilation by U.S. Sunlight
Corporation
U.S. Sunlight Corporation introduces its latest Solar Powered Attic Fan
with an increased wattage solar panel and a revolutionary new patent
pending design that maximizes air circulation.
Archaeologists Find New Structure At Stonehenge
Archaeologists have discovered a wooden version of British
prehistoric monument Stonehenge at the same site, the project's
leader told Reuters on Thursday.
Area coal-powered plants ready to meet new EPA rule
A new federal environmental rule will make the air
around coal-fueled power plants safer to breathe by reducing harmful
emissions from the plants, according to the agency that proposed it.
Baghdad
Dog Cull Raises Alarm
The Baghdad provincial government has pledged to continue destroying
stray dogs in the capital despite safety worries and accusations of
animal cruelty.
Earlier this year, the city authorities hired teams of hunters and
vets to dispose of the bulk of the estimated 1.25 million ownerless dogs
that live in and around Baghdad, following concerns they were spreading
disease and setting upon residents.
Bernanke’s Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress
The following is the Semiannual
Monetary Policy Report to the Congress by Chairman Ben S. Bernanke
before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, U.S.
Senate.
BP eyes new option for plugging well
It will aim for water depths up to 10,000 feet and have an initial
capacity to contain 100,000 barrels (4.2 million gallons/15.9 million
liters) of oil per day. The failed BP well is a mile below the ocean
surface.
BP looks to use static kill on Macondo if approved
BP is so eager to include its "static kill" procedure in its Macondo
response that BP senior vice president Kent Wells told reporters Tuesday
the company definitely plans to use it if the government authorizes it.
BP signs agreement to develop hydrocarbon resources in Egypt
BP has signed a new agreement with the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum
and Egyptian General Petroleum to develop the significant hydrocarbon
resources in the North Alexandria and West Mediterranean Deepwater
concessions.
California appliance rebate program expected to expand
A few hundred bucks for new, energy-efficient refrigerators, clothes
washers and room air conditioners was not enough to send
recession-pinched Californians rushing to appliance stores.
So the state is going to sweeten the offer.
California delays fee tied to climate change law
The state, facing a ballot initiative to roll back its landmark climate
change law, has pushed back a $63 million fee to pay for the legislation
until after the November elections.
CCNY-Led Team Develops Non-Toxic Oil Recovery Agent
A team of chemists led by Dr. George John, Associate Professor at
The City College of New York (CCNY), have developed a non-toxic,
recyclable agent that can solidify oil on salt water so that it can
be scooped up like the fat that forms on the top of a pot of chilled
chicken soup. The agent could potentially be used to recover oil
lost in the British Petroleum (BP) spill in the Gulf of Mexico,
Professor John said.
Clean Edge Jobs
The most recent government employment reports have been
disappointing because they show a profound lack of job creation on the
part of the private sector.
In addition to calling the
health of the overall U.S. economy into question, many analysts say that
the latest data raise troubling issues about the viability of clean
technology as a positive force for 21st-century prosperity.
Coal industry sues EPA, Corps of Engineers over permit crackdown
Coal industry lawyers on Tuesday sued the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers to try to slow down the Obama
administration's efforts to more strictly regulate mountaintop removal
mining.
Cooling the Country One Roof at a Time
Designers will begin this summer on cool roof
replacements for the Department of Energy Headquarters in Washington,
and Energy Secretary Steven Chu Monday announced a series of cool roof
initiatives underway across the department. Secretary Chu also is
encouraging other federal agencies to re-roof their buildings with cool
roof technologies.
Corruption driving Nigeria's state NNPC into bankruptcy; report
Widescale corruption and fraud perpetuated by former Nigerian leaders
has driven the state oil company into insolvency, local media Thursday
reported the head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp saying.
County commissioners approve 'manure energy' plant
Weld County commissioners approved plans Wednesday to build a solid
waste disposal site that will turn cattle manure into a gas that could
supply power to as many as 22,000 homes.
Criminalizing Doctors—Yet Again
The moment the government started paying medical bills under
Medicare and Medicaid, doctors became theoretically liable for
jail if they billed in a way that the government didn’t agree
with. Laws dating from the Civil War say that you can’t make a
false claim or false statement to the government without
exposing yourself to five years in jail.
DOE seeks disposal of extra plutonium
The Department of Energy officially announced Monday that it is looking
for a way to dispose of 13 tons of surplus plutonium, enough for more
than 1,600 nuclear weapons, that was not part of that destined to be
turned into mixed oxide fuel at the MOX project being constructed at the
Savannah River Site.
Energy answer may be blowing over the water
Northwest Indiana may someday become a center of wind energy production,
but without 100-meter tall turbines looming over houses.
EPA says Pa. farmers should try to prevent contamination
Farmers in Pennsylvania should take steps to prevent groundwater
contamination and to prevent manure from their farm animals from
entering streams, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
Ethanol or not to ethanol - that is the question
Retail gasoline marketers are taking on a new mantra these days,
"to ethanol or not to ethanol," as consumers decide whether the
renewable fuel is best for anything from a Mini Cooper to a
tractor.
First Clean Energy Ministerial Builds Global Low Carbon Future
Ministers from 24 governments took part in the
first-ever Clean Energy Ministerial in Washington Monday and Tuesday,
launching 11 new initiatives to accelerate the global transition to
clean energy.
Flooding shuts down Unit 1 at nuclear plant
Unit 1 at PPL's Susquehanna nuclear plant was
shut down safely on Friday after about 1 million gallons of river water
flooded the basement.
Funding can be found for clean energy
With the stated goal of using biofuels as an engine to move the region
to a positive economic future, community leaders heard Wednesday about
tools to make that happen.
Glacial Melt and Ocean Warming Drive Sea Level Upward
The average sea level around the world has risen a total
of 222 millimeters (mm) since 1875, which means an annual rate of 1.7
mm. Yet at the end of this long period, from 1993 to 2009, the sea level
rose 3.0 mm per year—a much faster rate.
Green dream;
Meet reality
The vision of a "green" economy fueled by wind, sun, and renewable fuels
is powerfully appealing. But there's a huge disconnect between this
vision and the reality of America's energy needs.
Gulf Spill Cleanup Efforts Harming, Not Helping, Birds
Some of the BP oil spill cleanup efforts are hurting
birds and their habitats rather than helping them, according to a new
report by American Bird Conservancy.
Gulf storm threatens efforts to plug spill
BP Plc oil spill workers in the
Gulf of Mexico prepared for a possible evacuation on Thursday as a
tropical storm threatened more delays in attempts to end the
environmental disaster.
Heating and cooling Europe with solar
When talking about solar thermal, it is
tempting to think only about domestic hot water, and in some cases,
space heating, but solar thermal has potential for larger applications
and cooling/air-conditioning. Kari Larsen looks at how solar can heat
and cool Europe towards 2020
How Music Training Primes Nervous System and Boosts Learning
Those ubiquitous wires connecting listeners to
you-name-the-sounds from invisible MP3 players -- whether of Bach, Miles
Davis or, more likely today, Lady Gaga -- only hint at music's effect on
the soul throughout the ages.
Kagan Promoted
Shariah
Islamists are seeking to spread Shariah law by inducing American and
European financial institutions to establish Shariah
Compliant Funds in which their clients can invest. Exposed
in our books Fleeced and Outrage, these funds follow the
prescriptions of Shariah law in their investments.
Lautenberg Introduces Bills To Protect Chemical And Water Plants
Nationwide
Recently, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ)
introduced a comprehensive legislative package that would help to
prevent debilitating terrorist attacks at America's chemical, drinking
water, and wastewater facilities.
Lending Coal a Hand
When the World Bank approved a $3.75 billion loan to build a highly
efficient coal plant in South Africa, it provoked outrage among many in
the developed world who responded that those resources should go to
cleaner energy forms. Supporters have said, however, that the facility
is needed to bring electric power to the underserved.
Need For Energy And Climate Legislation Boils Down To Water
A new report shines a brighter spotlight on what western
water managers already know: climate change threatens western water
supplies, and energy and water planning are on a collision course.
Nuclear plant unit could be down for extended time
An estimated 1 million gallons of Susquehanna River water flowed from an
8-feet diameter pipe heading to the condenser room -- where steam
leaving the turbine is cooled -- and damaged equipment in the basement
of the plant's turbine building.
Obama's Approval Ratings -- and Energy
It’s fairly obvious what lies at the core of president Obama’s
dwindling approval ratings: none of the things he
apparently stands for are happening to the satisfaction of the
electorate.
Ocean Power May Be Able To Turn The Tide When It Comes To
Renewable Energy Technologies
...oil spill is one of, if not the biggest natural
disaster that America has had to deal with and it shows that the time is
now to invest, innovate, and utilize specific renewable energy
technologies that can reduce our dependency on oil consumption and
preserve our environment.
Plug-in hybrid bill OK'd; Energy loan plan also wins support
A Senate committee approved two proposals Wednesday to boost plug-in
hybrid vehicles and expand a $25-billion loan program for fuel-efficient
vehicles to include commercial trucks and possibly more money.
Puerto Rico Aggressively Pursuing Renewable Energy
In order to promote and facilitate the development of renewable energy
sources in Puerto Rico, the Government of Puerto Rico is establishing
and implementing a series of new policies that will create the necessary
legal framework to spearhead said development.
Rebate available for changing out old stoves
WHITE MOUNTAINS - American Lung Association in Arizona Director of
Community Outreach Stephanie Winn said the organization is working
closely with retailers/manufacturers in northern Arizona to
encourage residents to take advantage of a rebate program to change
out their old wood, gas or pellet burning coal stove or non-EPA
certified wood stove for newer EPA-certified higher efficiency
units.
Renewable energy surpasses fossil fuels second year in a row
Renewable energy topped fossil
fuels and nuclear for the second year in a row in the USA and Europe in
2009, according to the Global Wind Energy Association (GWEC).
Renewables are Growing Fast; What's New?
If you're looking for a comprehensive resource for renewable energy
installation figures, look no further: The Renewables Global Status
report was released last week, and it provides a great snapshot of where
and how renewables are being developed around the world.
Requests for help paying utility bills surge upward
Light switches, furnaces and water faucets aren't the typical gauges of
economic health, but at Pikes Peak United Way's 2-1-1 call center, they
tell a tale of people who continue to struggle to pay their bills in a
weak economy.
River Falls, Wis., sees green in new solar power program; Residents
offered installation loans
With an $18,000 loan, Mike Harvey is installing solar panels and an
electrical system to the home he shares with his fiancee. The money will
be paid back through an assessment added to his property taxes.
Saudi Arabia key energy supplier for years to come, says prince
...Saudi Arabia is the
world's energy supplies safety valve, noting that his country was and
would be a key source of energy supplies for long years and, moreover,
that it would remain committed to provide assistance for developing
energy alternative sources.
Scotts Valley joins SmartMeter moratorium request, even though
installation has begun
Council members reminded the audience of about 30 that the decision to
have PGandE install SmartMeters across the state came years ago and is
supported with federal stimulus money. The city's request for a
moratorium, while well intentioned, was unlikely to have much effect,
they said.
Siren failure getting a full-scale analysis
The operators of Iowa's only nuclear power plant vowed Monday to get to
the bottom of a recent warning siren problem.
The warning message at that failed siren in northeast Cedar Rapids was
not triggered by operator accident, officials said, but rather the
prerecorded message was activated on its own for unknown reasons.
Solar power 'sets a very good example'; Parking structure gets solar
panels to generate power
Almost 190 solar photo-voltaic panels sit atop the
four-story parking structure, a solar-energy system that on sunny days
should provide more than enough power to run the deck's high-efficiency
lighting system.
Solar PV and thermal – a marriage made in heaven
Solar photovoltaic cells become less
efficient as they get hotter, a decline that can be substantial on hot
sunny days. Furthermore, solar PV is inefficient and some energy is
‘lost’ to the surrounding environment. What solar PV needs is a partner
able to complement its strengths and compensate its deficiencies.
Fortunately, such a partner exists – solar thermal.
Stealing utilities could now bring felony charges
Those who illegally connect electric and gas lines to homes could now
face felony charges under legislation signed Wednesday by Gov. Jennifer
Granholm.
Suit Says Coal Mine Is Polluting; Sierra Club Claims Quality Of Water Is
Being Damaged
The Four Corners mine that supplies 6.5 million tons of coal annually to
the San Juan Generating Station in northwest New Mexico has damaged
water quality and endangered wildlife outside its permit area, the
Sierra Club claims in a federal lawsuit.
The
Air Near the BP Oil Spill
Scientists found common air pollutants, such as ozone,
nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, in amounts typical of urban areas
in U.S. cities. However, 15 to 70 kilometers downwind from the oil
spill, concentrations of certain hydrocarbons were much higher than than
would be found in urban air.
The Killing Fields of Multi-National Corporations
"We are witnessing a massive corporate genocide - the killing of
people for super profits. To maintain these super profits, lies are told
about how, without pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs),
there will be no food.
The Smog
to Heart Connection
It is well known that certain concentrations of air
pollution can adversely affect human respiratory condition. What is not
as well-known is how air pollution can affect the heart.
Top 10 Reasons to Label Genetically Engineered Food
HR 5577, Representative Kucinich's Genetically
Engineered Food Right to Know Act
Transitioning to Cool Roofs
In the effort to slow the pace of global warming,
researchers and policy makers are encouraging the use of lighter colors
for rooftops and streets worldwide.
Tribal Law and Order Act to become law at cost to tribes
The legislation, which bolsters justice resources for reservations
in a number of areas, was supported by key Democrats and
Republicans, who said they wanted to reduce crime on reservations.
The president noted that American Indians and Alaska Natives are
victimized by violent crime at far higher rates than Americans as a
whole, and some Native communities have seen increased gang and drug
activity, with some tribes experiencing violent crime rates at more
than 10 times the national average.
U.S. consumption of recovered paper increases 6%
June´s consumption was "essentially flat" compared to that of May
2010, the Washington, D.C.-based trade group said. But U.S. consumption
was 8.2% more in the first 6 months of 2010 than during the same period
in 2009.
US and China sign eight renewable energy deals
The US and Chinese governments began a renewable energy partnership
in Beijing by signing eight government and corporation-level agreements
covering five fields.
US President Obama signs sweeping financial reform bill into law
The act, which runs more than 2,300 pages and will form the basis of a
massive rulemaking process over the next year, gives the US Commodity
Futures Trading Commission and Securities and Exchange Commission
oversight of the roughly $600 trillion OTC derivatives market and forces
most swaps to be cleared on a regulated exchange.
Will Vertical Axis Wind Ever Scale Up?
Vertical-axis wind turbines have been around for thousands of years, yet
we still haven't seen modern turbine producers make a dent in the wind
market. Why is that so?
Your Place; Solar energy is there, why not use it to cool
"You can buy a solar fan for a tad over $200 at the big-box lumberyards.
Installation is pretty straightforward. I can't imagine that a local
handyman couldn't put one in for around $100.
July 20, 2010
A new incentive to go solar in the Philadelphia area
Is going solar proving too daunting -- with too many installers to
choose from, reliability hard to judge, and prices all over the place?
For Philadelphia-area homeowners and small businesses, there's an
alternative to going it alone, starting Monday.
Consider it matchmaking for the solar-inhibited -- with a chance to save
some money.
Are wild bison coming back to Montana?
One year ago, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks employee
Arnold Dood said he was given the task of “evaluating the
opportunity to restore a huntable population of wild bison somewhere in
Montana.”
Attacks on Freedom
Something's happened to America, and it isn't good. It's become
easier to get into trouble. We've become a nation of a million
rules. Not the kind of bottom-up rules that people generate through
voluntary associations. Those are fine. I mean imposed, top-down
rules formed in the brains of meddling bureaucrats who think they
know better than we how to manage our lives.
Beneath the Surface; A Survey of Environmental Risks from Shale Gas
Development
Improved drilling techniques have unlocked vast new
reserves of shale gas, a resource that could be large enough to displace
significant amounts of coal, and an energy source that emits less than
half the carbon dioxide. But growing shale gas development has raised
both environmental questions and public controversy.
Big Pharma Nanotechnology Encodes Pills with Tracking Data that You
Swallow
Nanotechnology allows scientists to manipulate
individual atoms and molecules to create unique materials and even
micro-scale devices, and this is leading to a wide range of applications
in clothing, textiles, electronics and even food and medicine.
Sounds great, right? Except for the fact that, like genetic
modification of food crops, nanotechnology tampers with Mother Nature in
a way that's largely untested for safety.
BP to continue test, seepage unrelated to well
Thad Allen, the top U.S. oil spill official, said the energy company
could continue for 24 more hours a pressure test at the well, which was
capped last week.
Burglary turns deadly in NW Travis Co.
The caller told officials that a man, later identified as
Ryan Glen Bradford, 34, had broken into her home and was
fighting her husband. According to Roger Wade with the Sheriff's
office, at one during the assault the suspected burglar was
shot.
Charlotte will be site of hearing on coal ash
Last month the Environmental Protection Agency proposed new rules on
coal ash, of which utilities generate millions of tons a year. Ash
contains potentially toxic metals that can contaminate groundwater and
lakes.
A massive spill from a Tennessee Valley Authority ash pond in 2008
riveted public and regulators' attention to the issue.
Coal ash plan to seal Mississippi River levees raises eyebrows
Residents from up and down the Mississippi River came to St. Louis on
Thursday to question a federal proposal that would use toxic coal ash to
strengthen levees, a move that environmental groups say poses a threat
to the region's main waterway.
Consumer Choice
and Coal
Coal's future may not be as cloudy as some would think. It still ranks
as the number one energy source for electric generators while 38 states
here import the fuel from either other states or other nations.
Double Dip? Seven Reasons Why Not
History, after all, offers only one true double-dip experience, and that
grew out of a policy error. More, the actual data on the economy fly in
the face of such an outlook. Following are seven reasons to doubt the
double-dip outlook.
EIA says Kerry-Lieberman plan to boost power prices 4-9%
The US Energy Information Administration on Friday said that while
imposing economy-wide limits on greenhouse gas emissions would raise
energy prices, providing utilities with free emission allowances would
limit the effect on electric and natural gas consumers' bills.
EPA Requires 800 million Gallons of Biodiesel in the U.S. Domestic
Market in 2011
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
announced it would require the domestic use of 800 million gallons of
biodiesel in 2011. This is consistent with the renewable goals
established in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA),
which expanded the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) and specifically
requires a renewable component in U.S. diesel fuel.
Food industry's green efforts may hit price wall
The European food and drinks industry is finalising plans to measure
its environmental performance but increasingly price-aware consumers
might derail their efforts, the European Commission cautioned.
Growing Number of Prosecutions for Videotaping the Police
In early April, state police officers raided Graber's parents' home
in Abingdon, Md. They confiscated his camera, computers and external
hard drives. Graber was indicted for allegedly violating state wiretap
laws by recording the trooper without his consent.
House bill guarantees loans for nuclear reactors
House lawmakers approved a spending bill Thursday that includes $25
billion in loan guarantees for new nuclear reactors, an amount that
could enable the expansion of North Texas' Comanche Peak plant.
India takes a big leap in renewable energy
"Manufacturing leadership is shifting from Europe to Asia, as countries
like China, India and South Korea continue to increase their commitments
to renewable energy," it said.
Instability to stalk European solar PV market over next five years
Instability to stalk European solar PV market over next five years
Market research analyst, Solarbuzz, reports that the pace of the
European solar photovoltaic (PV) market in the first half of 2010 was
dominated by the impending mid-year incentive tariff reductions in
Germany and conditioned by the lower module pricing that emerged through
2009.
Iran Revolutionary Guards pull out of gas deal over sanctions
Khatam al-Anbiya, the construction arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary
Guards Corps., or IRGC, said Saturday that it had pulled out of a $2
billion gas project so as not to endanger the country's national
interests after the UN, the US and the EU banned any dealings with the
IRGC and its affiliates.
Iroquois passport dispute raises sovereignty issue An
American Indian lacrosse team's refusal to travel on passports not
issued by the Iroquois confederacy goes to the heart of one of the most
sensitive issues in Indian Country — sovereignty.The rights of Native nations to govern
themselves independently has long been recognized by federal
treaties, but the extent of that recognition beyond U.S borders
is under challenge in a post-Sept. 11 world.
Lebanon is booming but no end to power outages
On a typical night out in Beirut, glitzy nightclubs thrum with revelers,
tourists pack breezy seaside restaurants and the lights from brand-new,
million-dollar skyscrapers dot the horizon.
But beneath Lebanon's gleaming exterior lies a creaky, third-world
infrastructure that is preventing the country from fully emerging from
its war-torn past.
Macondo oil leak stopped for first full day
Meanwhile, BP resumed work on its primary relief well that represents
the ultimate Macondo solution through a targeted mid-August interception
and bottom-kill of the Macondo wellbore at the reservoir more than
18,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico.
MERMAID Opens Prospect Of Cleaner Seas With Pollution Early Warning
System
Within the framework of MERMAID – Marine Environmental
Remote-controlled Measuring And Integrated Detection – an international
team of scientists and engineers developed automatic sensors and
analyzers, mounted on a network of radio-controlled stations, to sample,
measure and record chemical and biological changes to water.
More Than Half New Power In U.S., EU Is Green; Study
More than half of all new electricity capacity added in the
United States and Europe last year was from renewable power such as
wind and solar, a body backed by the International Energy Agency and
the UN reported.
NASA appears to no longer be shooting for the stars The likely termination of the Constellation moon project points to the
constraints on the once ambitious space program that accomplished so
much in half a century.
Obama Sets Plan For Oceans, Great Lakes
As his administration contends with the BP Plc oil spill, Obama
was to sign an executive order creating a single National Ocean
Council to make sense of the huge number of rules from different
agencies on the use of U.S. coastal waters and the Great Lakes.
Pandora’s Box in the Gulf; Does Hope Remain?
Americans, especially those unfortunate enough to reside
along the Gulf coast, are beginning to get a glimpse of what life is
like in an occupied country. The occupying power, in this case, is
British Petroleum
Pickens puts polish on plan to curb oil imports
T. Boone Pickens has no intention of letting President
Barack Obama out of his campaign pledge to eliminate oil imports from
the Middle East.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 071910
Solar activity was very low. Region 1087 (N17W61)
produced a long duration B5 flare.The geomagnetic field is
expected to be predominantly quiet for days one and two (20-21
July). Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected for day three (22
July) as a recurrent coronal hole high speed stream will be in a
geoeffective position.
Revolution; The Wrong Kind and the Right Kind
Lately I've been encountering articles and news stories touting
the need for revolution in the wake of a gansterized U.S.
financial system and a government that has itself become a
criminal enterprise. I sense that many bloggers and their
readers are salivating with anticipation that someone or
something will light the fuse of a revolutionary cannon that
will eviscerate the present system and replace it with something
more just and humane.
Russia swelters in heatwave, many crops destroyed
Soaring temperatures across large swathes of Russia have destroyed
nearly 10 million hectares of crops and prompted a state of
emergency to be declared in 17 regions.
Some differences in new US drilling moratorium
The new ban employs different language and gives different
justifications from the old ban but suspends activity on the same
set of deepwater drilling rigs as the previous order.
Some leakage detected in BP well capping stack; Allen
...it appears seepage from the seabed floor in the Gulf
of Mexico about a mile from the well blowout site is not related to the
testing of the well capping or to Macondo itself, but he said monitoring
of that seepage will continue.
Spill Probe Eyes Anomalies In Crew's Response; Report
U.S. authorities probing BP's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico are
looking into why workers missed signs of an impending explosion and
have drawn up a list of more than 20 anomalies in the crew's
response to them, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.
Stop Me Before I Regulate Again!
I’m told that this morning the Senate will pass the
Dodd-Frank financial regulation bill. 2,300 pages long. Nothing so
complex ever makes life better for consumers. Mostly, it
guarantees that you will not start a business without hiring
specialists.
Timeline; Gulf of Mexico oil spill Millions of gallons (liters) of oil had spilled into the Gulf since the
April 20 explosion on a rig that killed 11 workers and led to an
economic and environmental catastrophe along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Below is a timeline of the disaster and its impact.
US lawmaker says BP could 'evade' fines by shutting in Gulf well
A key US lawmaker blasted BP Sunday for announcing that it looked to
keep the recently fitted cap closed on its blown-out Macondo well,
saying the strategy would prevent the US government from accurately
measuring how much oil and natural gas spewed into the Gulf of Mexico
over the course of the last three months.
Why Is the Obama Administration Parroting Monsanto Talking Points?
When key government officials start touting the need for
biotechnology there's reason to be concerned.
Now, another explanation why Monsanto and Roger Beachy have similar
talking points could be that both are correct and they are simply
explaining the facts about the future of food and agriculture. Do we
really need biotech to feed a growing population?
Nope, turns out that we don't.
World simmers in hottest year so far
The world is enduring the hottest year on record, according to a
U.S. national weather analysis, causing droughts worldwide and a
concern for U.S. farmers counting on another bumper year.
July 16, 2010
Africa's Game Parks Rapidly Losing Animals, Study Finds
The continent-wide study by specialists, including from the
London Zoological Society and U.N. environment program (UNEP), late
Monday found big mammal populations inside national parks declined
59 percent between 1970 and 2005.
Agency asks Colorado Supreme Court to rule on nuclear site case
Colorado regulators will attempt to get the state's Supreme Court to
overturn an appeals court ruling that gave two families who live near
the site of a 40-year-old underground nuclear blast standing to sue for
the right to protest applications for permits to drill in the area, a
spokesman with the agency said Tuesday.
Americans Skeptical Financial Overhaul Will Avert Future Crisis
Americans harbor doubts that a
financial-regulation bill about to be passed by Congress will do what
President Barack Obama says it will: help avoid another crisis and make
their finances safer, a Bloomberg National Poll shows.
An
indigenous call to action
Indigenous
environmental philosophers from the four corners of the earth came
together May 1 to sign the
Redstone Statement, a declaration of the rights of the peoples
and the earth that includes a list of “mechanisms for restoring
balance,” including a call for indigenous self-determination and a
definition of that indigenous philosophical perspective.
Biomass questions shed more heat
The technology behind a new wood-fired power plant being built in north
Eugene has been touted as Oregon's piece of the green-power economy. It
has been championed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski and endorsed by Eugene Mayor
Kitty Piercy -- not to mention encouraged with up to $24 million in
state and federal tax incentives.
BP positions tight cap in attempt to kill Macondo well
The US government on July 12 imposed a new deepwater
drilling moratorium that bans most deepwater drilling until November 30.
BP
stops oil spewing into Gulf
BP Plc's stricken oil well showed no sign of leaking on Friday after a
new cap stopped crude from flowing into the
Gulf of Mexico, but President Barack Obama cautioned there was more
work to do before the gusher was permanently stopped.
BP To Proceed With Crucial Test On Leaking Gulf Oil Well
BP Plc will go ahead with a key pressure test on its ruptured
Gulf of Mexico well to determine if it can proceed with a plan to
temporarily seal the well, a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday.
California Sues Fannie, Freddie Over Clean Energy California's attorney general sued U.S. mortgage giants Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac on Wednesday for blocking a home clean-energy program he
says will create jobs and stimulate local economies.
Climate Change & the Food System
What is simultaneously one of the greatest contributors to climate
change and one of its greatest potential solutions?
Believe it or not, it’s how we farm and eat.
Indeed, food and climate change are inextricably linked.
CO2 Emissions to Rise 3.2% This Year, EIA Projects
U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from energy use will climb
3.2 percent this year on economic growth and higher use of fossil fuels
to generate electricity, the Energy Information Administration forecast
today.
Consumer Behavior and Electricity Usage
To the ongoing conversation on how consumers behave, what they think and
how to engage them, let's add a new Accenture study. ..."We wanted to
step back from the smart grid and its technologies and survey customers
and consumers on barriers to changing behavior around energy usage,
because -- especially in North America -- utilities are responding to
pressures from various stakeholders to reduce use,"
Cooling Caused Wars And Drought In China
As Chinese policymakers grapple with an expected increase in
extreme weather due to global warming, a study has found that
periods of cooling between AD 10 to 1900 also caused a wave of
disasters, war and upheaval.
Cypress's CEO Issues Declaration of Energy Independence, Planning 100
Percent Self-Generation by 2015
CEO T.J. Rodgers today declared that Cypress's
headquarters campus in San Jose, Calif., will be independent from the
public utility grid by the year 2015.
Defend Free Speech
We recently won an exciting legal victory over the US Food and Drug
Administration. A federal judge found that the FDA had
unconstitutionally suppressed ten credible health claims about the
benefits of selenium—that they had infringed on the free speech rights
of natural health product manufacturers!
Diet can sharply cut Alzheimer’s risk
A diet rich in olive oil, nuts, fish, poultry and certain fruits
and vegetables may have a powerful effect at staving off Alzheimer’s
disease, researchers reported on Monday.
Energy and
Environment Update
As Congress returns from the July 4th recess, the future of climate and
energy legislation is still uncertain.
EPA Launches National Water Conservation Campaign
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense
program today is kicking off its national “We’re for Water” campaign to
encourage Americans to make simple choices that save water. The
program, in collaboration with its partner, American Water, will spread
the word about saving water by traveling cross-country...
EPA Offers Tips on How to Protect Eyes, Skin from the Sun’s Harmful Rays
In recognizing Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing tips and tools to
people of all ages that will protect them from the sun’s harmful rays.
Overexposure to the sun can cause skin cancer and eye damage during any
time of the year, regardless of skin color.
Exxon says growing its algae biofuels program
Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) said on Wednesday
it opened a greenhouse facility to grow and test algae, the next step
for its nascent biofuels program.
First solar-coal hybrid power station up and running
The world's first hybrid solar/coal power plant has been built near
Palisade in Colorado. Xcel Energy and Abengoa Solar are partnering on
the demonstration project which uses solar parabolic trough technology
to supplement the use of coal.
House appropriations panel rejects Yucca Mt. amendment
Under the amendment, DOE would have been obligated to continue the
Yucca Mountain licensing process "concurrently with any regulatory or
judicial appeals until such time as the [Energy Secretary] is granted
authority to withdraw the license application."
Hydrogen is back. Can it catch up with Hybrids and EVs?
Hydrogen is back this week; will it stay? And the new
version of Microsoft SYNC is out; we'll tell you what it does and if
your Ford can get it. Plus, a ride in a hotted-up Lexus.
Indian Ocean Sea Level Rise Threatens Millions
Sea levels are rising unevenly in the Indian Ocean, placing
millions at risk along low-lying coastlines in Bangladesh, Indonesia
and Sri Lanka, scientists say in a study.
Long-endurance, hydrogen-powered Phantom Eye UAV unveiled
(UAV) technology when it takes to the skies in 2011.
With a wing-span of 150-feet, the hydrogen-powered aircraft will cruise
at 150 knots, carry up to 450-pounds and stay aloft at 65,000 feet for
up to four days. Boeing calls it a game-changer...
Maine hopes to sell carbon credits to finance energy projects
Energy experts long have touted home weatherization as the best way to
save money while reducing Maine's reliance on fossil fuels.
Methane detector disabled at W.Va. mine
Reports say survivors of a West Virginia mine explosion that killed 29
workers said an electrician disabled a methane detector weeks before the
deadly blast.
Netherlands to develop world's first biomass market
The Anglo-Dutch energy exchange APX-ENDEX announced on Tuesday that it
has signed the Letter of Intent with Rotterdam Port to develop the
world's first biomass market.
Nigeria's oil exports to the US on the rise
The success of oil producing companies in Nigeria in ramping up
production over the past year can be seen in the rise in the country's
crude exports to the US, which averaged 945,000 b/d in the first quarter
of this year compared with just 606,000 b/d in the same quarter of 2009.
Not everyone charged up about electric car
In 2008, Mark Bush had grown tired of the internal combustion engine.
Air pollution, global climate change and a general concern for the
environmental impact of the automobile motivated him to look for an
electric car to buy.
Nuclear
waste worries groups
A Canadian nuclear power station is planning to ship 16 decommissioned
radioactive steam generators through the St. Lawrence Seaway this
September.
Obama Digs a
Deeper Hole
Any president facing a recession has a basic
conundrum to resolve: If he doesn't try to make people believe that a
recovery is in progress, nobody will. But if he tries to make them
believe that all is getting better, he risks being seen as out of touch
at best or insensitive at worst.
OPEC sees oil market staying well supplied through 2011
World oil markets are set to remain well supplied
through 2011, thanks to brimming inventories and rising crude production
capacity, oil producer club OPEC said July 15 as it forecast the first
increase in demand for its crude in three years.
Poland and US sign nuclear cooperation deal
The deal, which covers, among other things, the regulatory framework
for a nuclear power sector, was signed by Polish deputy economy minister
Hanna Trojanowska and the US Commerce Department's undersecretary,
Francisco Sanchez.
Relationship between Carlsbad and WIPP a roadmap for future of nuclear
waste disposal
How can the United States establish one or more disposal sites for high
level nuclear waste in a way that is technically, politically and
socially acceptable?
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 071510
Solar activity is expected to be very
low to low. There is a slight chance for an isolated M-class event
from Region 1087. The geomagnetic field was at unsettled to minor
storm levels. with solar wind speeds
increasing to 500 km/s early in the period and gradually decreasing
thereafter. The geomagnetic field is
expected to be unsettled with a chance for isolated active periods on
day one (16 July) due to a coronal high speed stream.
Researchers; Va. ready to lead in wind power
Virginia and other mid-Atlantic states are positioned to lead an effort
to establish an offshore wind technology demonstration program and test
center, researchers argue in a new analysis to the federal government.
San Diego Base Acts as Global Force For Green
With recent environmental initiatives designed to meet and exceed Navy
sustainability goals, Naval Base San Diego is proving to be a "Global
Force for Green."
San Jose could be called Solar City
San Jose brands itself the capital of Silicon Valley.
Now it can also call itself Solar City.
New data about the California Solar Initiative, the state's aggressive
program to encourage homeowners, businesses, local governments and
nonprofit organizations to install solar panels on their roofs, shows
that San Jose has installed more solar power than any other city in the
state.
Senate Climate Bill Falls Short Of Copenhagen Aim
A scaled-back climate change bill Senate Democrats are
considering would achieve far less than President Barack Obama
promised at a U.N. global warming conference last year -- but even
this may be too much for Congress.
Senators push $20 billion clean-coal bill
Declaring that a major global-warming bill cannot pass the Senate,
Republican George V. Voinovich of Ohio and Democrat Jay Rockefeller of
West Virginia want to spend $20 billion in the next decade to develop a
commercially viable way to burn coal cleanly.
Seventy-One Percent of Americans See Economy Mired in Recession
More than 7 out of 10 Americans (71%) say
the economy is mired in recession, and the country is conflicted over
how to balance concerns over joblessness and the federal budget deficit,
according to a Bloomberg National Poll.
Sewage Raises West Nile Virus Risk
The analysis of six years of data showed that people living near
creeks with sewage overflows in lower-income neighborhoods of
Southeast Atlanta had a seven times higher risk for West Nile virus
than the rest of the city.
Solar thermal costs down 50% by 2050
Within the next 10 years solar thermal
could be able to run with a profitable business model – challenging
conventional and other renewable energy sources without any
subsidies, A.T. Kearney and ESTELA says.
Statement of Lisa P. Jackson Administrator, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
My testimony today will provide you with an overview of
EPA’s role and activities in the affected Gulf Coast region following
the April 20, 2010 Deepwater Horizon mobile offshore drilling unit
explosion and resulting oil spill as well as a summary of our primary
environmental activities, including dispersant use, waste management,
and beach cleanup.
Study Reveals Critical Role of Electricity Transmission Technologies to
Enable Rapid Growth of the US Wind Energy Market
“New wind farms must be located in areas with excellent wind
resources and, unfortunately, these areas are often far from load
centers and have weak transmission infrastructure.”
Taking Control
“Diesel” conjures to mind the rumble of high-power-density
engines that can do the job. Unfortunately, until a few years ago, you
probably also winced your nostrils at soot-puffing truck tailpipes,
toxic with the scent of that black hydrocarbon combustion.
Tell Obama's FDA to Regulate, Not Cheerlead for Genetically Modified
Organisms
In 1992, Monsanto toppled regulatory hurtles facing its new
transgenic crops by convincing the George H.W. Bush Administration
to go along with the ruse that genetically engineered foods are
"substantially equivalent" to normal foods and therefore don't need to
be safety tested or labeled.
TEP urges solar rebates be reduced
Tucson Electric Power Co. is asking state regulators to lower subsidies
for residential customers who install solar arrays, saying the utility
is running out of funding for the rebates amid a surge in demand.
The Heat Is On; Pennsylvania American Water Offers 10 Tips To Conserve
Water
As the commonwealth swelters in the latest heat wave,
Pennsylvania American Water today recommended water usage tips to help
residents get the most out of every drop.
The War on
Antibiotics Would you like some antibiotic-resistant bacteria with your grilled
chicken at your backyard barbeque? Of course not. But that
likelihood continues to grow unless the government makes industry
change the way most American farm animals are raised.
Unlike BP's, Natural Oil Seeps Can Help Sea Life
Natural seeps from thousands of spots from the Pacific Ocean to
the North Sea account for about 45 percent of all oil entering the
oceans in a typical year, according to the U.S. National Academy of
Sciences. The rest is from leaks caused by people.
US 30-Year Mortgage Rate Ties Last Week's Record Low
30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.57 percent with an
average 0.7 point for the week ending July 15, 2010, unchanged from
last week when it averaged 4.57 percent. Last year at this time, the
30-year FRM averaged 5.14 percent. This rate ties the all-time low
reached last week in Freddie Mac's 39-year survey.
US Fed Modestly Revises Down Growth Outlook
In all, the minutes highlight that the Fed is seeing some greater
downside risks to growth, although the committee members were generally
of the view that the recovery will continue. The increased downside
risks reflected some deterioration in financial markets and attendant
rise in the cost of capital in the wake of rising fiscal strains facing
some European countries.
Waste_Inbox 071510
There are a lot of reasons why people don´t like government. For me,
the difficulty government has in making a decision ranks up there pretty
high.
And the poster child for that indecisiveness is Yucca Mountain.
Water Wise Group, Inc. Selected To Distribute An Innovative Grey Water
System
If you are one of millions of Americans concerned about
water, saving thousands of gallons of water every year without changing
your lifestyle is about to become much easier.
Woolly Mammoth Hunters Helped Change Climate
Ancient hunters who stalked the world's last woolly mammoths
likely helped warm the Earth's far northern latitudes thousands of
years before humans began burning fossil fuels, according to a study
of prehistoric climate change.
World's Mangroves Retreating At Alarming Rate; Study
The world's mangroves are being destroyed up to four times faster
than other forests, costing millions of dollars in losses in areas
such as fisheries and storm protection, a report said Wednesday.
July 13, 2010
Amazon Natives struggle for control of ancestral lands
Loggers are damaging the forests that have long provided Amazonian
Natives with food, medicinal plants and building materials. As is the
case in Puerto Azul, it sometimes affects their water supplies.
America's Deadliest Sweetener Betrays Millions, Then Hoodwinks You with
Name Change
Aspartame is the most controversial food additive in history,
and its approval for use in food was the most contested in FDA
history. In the end, the artificial sweetener was approved, not
on scientific grounds, but rather because of strong political
and financial pressure. After all, aspartame was previously
listed by the Pentagon as a biochemical warfare agent!
Arizona spending at record levels despite budget deficit
Arizona is still spending at record levels despite a
$2.7 billion dollar budget deficit and an 18 percent state sales tax
increase to help fix it.
Today marks the start of Fiscal Year 2011 and, according to a spending
clock sponsored by the Goldwater Institute and the Arizona Free
Enterprise Club, Arizona is on track to spend $29.3 billion this year.
As Eastern U.S. Sizzles, U.S. Nuclear Plants Operate at Exceptional
Levels to Stabilize Grid
As the Eastern United States suffered through record-breaking
triple-digit temperatures threatening brownouts and blackouts, the
nation's nuclear power plants posted an average operating capacity of 97
percent July 4-7.
As Rooftop Temps Rise, Power Decreases in Crystalline Silicon Solar
Modules
The performance of crystalline silicon declines amid
rising temperatures of rooftop modules. Most
photovoltaic modules made with crystalline silicon are known to decrease
by 0.5 percent per Celsius degree as the temperature increases.
Biomass battle heats up; Wood-burning power plans defended
"Anyone developing any biomass facility in Massachusetts is now in
jeopardy," said Matt Wolfe, the developer of a proposed biomass plant in
Greenfield.
Biomass questions shed more heat
...since construction on
the Seneca Sustainable Energy plant got under way this year, critics
across the country have raised questions about the amounts of carbon
dioxide that such plants pump into the air, and the supposed impact on
global warming.
Black Hills, customers await ruling on rate hike
Black Hills Energy and its customers are awaiting an administrative law
judge's ruling on whether a proposed 10.35 percent rate hike will be
approved.
BP says Helix Producer operations to start later Monday
BP expects to have its Helix Producer containment system in operation
later Monday, Doug Suttles, the company's chief operating officer, said.
Builders now pay to power new homes
For decades, Arizonans' electric bills have subsidized the cost of
powering up new subdivisions. But under new rules from the state's
utility watchdog, home builders are now having to foot that bill.
Clean Vehicle Research Initiative Should Continue to Include Hydrogen
Technologies Along With Advanced Combustion Engines and Electric
Vehicles
The public-private partnership to develop vehicles that
require less petroleum-based fuel and emit fewer greenhouse gases should
continue to include fuel cells and other hydrogen technologies in its
research and development portfolio, says a new report by the National
Research Council.
Climate Change Means More Heatwaves, Premature Deaths, Scientists Warn
Climate change is a serious health hazard that the
United States must prepare for, according to government and university
scientists from across the country.
Climate to warm at double rate
THE world is heading for an average temperature rise of
nearly 4 degrees, according to a global analysis of
national pledges. Such a rise would bring a high risk of
major extinctions, threats to food supplies and the
near-total collapse of the huge Greenland ice sheet.
Concerns Spread Over Environmental Costs of Producing Shale Gas
Around suppertime on June 3 in Clearfield County, Pa., a
geyser of natural gas and sludge began shooting out of a well called
Punxsutawney Hunting Club 36. The toxic stew of gas, salt water, mud and
chemicals went 75 feet into the air for 16 hours. Some of this mess
seeped into a stream northeast of Pittsburgh.
Conditional Commitment Offer to Support Solar Panel Manufacturing
This will be the first time this new manufacturing
technology for Cadmium-Telluride panels is deployed commercially
anywhere in the world.
Congress lauds Senate passage of government fraud legislation
The bill, sponsored by Senators Carper, Lieberman, Collins, McCaskill,
and Coburn in the Senate and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) in the House,
requires federal agencies to identify and recover the estimated $98
billion of taxpayer dollars lost annually due to improper payments. The
Senate bill will now be sent to the House for their approval and then to
the President's desk for his signature.
Dead zone in gulf linked to ethanol production
While the BP oil spill has been labeled the worst
environmental catastrophe in recent U.S. history, a biofuel is
contributing to a Gulf of Mexico "dead zone" the size of New
Jersey that scientists say could be every bit as harmful to
the gulf.
RFA Response to San Francisco Chronicle 'Dead Zone' Article
Let’s start with what the scientists say. Those
scientists who served on federal agency panels convened in recent years
to examine hypoxia issues concluded that the hypoxia zone has many
causes and it is difficult—if not impossible—to positively isolate any
one cause.
DOE seeks home for depleted uranium
The U.S. government is looking for even a temporary storage site for
10,000 drums of depleted uranium from a South Carolina nuclear plant,
Utah officials said.
The waste was supposed to have been stored permanently in Utah by
EnergySolutions Inc. But the state intervened as the first shipment
arrived, seeking more information from the Salt Lake City company and a
review of the site
Duke, Lacker Say Fed Has No Plans for Further Monetary Easing
Two Federal Reserve officials said the central bank has
no plans to deploy additional tools for stimulating the economy and that
the recovery is intact.
During peak demand, Navy bases generate own power
Eight local Navy installations produced 35 megawatts of their own
electricity Wednesday -- less than half of what they typically pull from
the power grid -- as part of a new program to reduce power consumption
during times of peak usage.
Energy Information Administration, June 30, 2010
According to the latest issue of the Monthly Energy Review,
during the first quarter of 2010, renewable energy sources (biomass, biofuels, geothermal, solar, water, wind) accounted for 10.73% of
domestic energy production. The combined output of 1.967 quadrillion
Btus was 6.6% higher than for the same period in 2009 and 9.7% higher
than for the first quarter of 2008. By comparison, nuclear power
accounted for 11.54% of domestic energy production while experiencing a
drop of 1.5% compared to the first quarter of 2009.
Energy Yield of ‘cheap’ Solar Panels Raised from 7 to 9 Percent
Researchers from TU Delft have shown how the energy yield
of relatively cheap solar panels, made of amorphous silicon, can be
considerably raised: from around 7 percent to 9 percent.
EPA considers tougher rules against fly ash
Those opposing or supporting tougher rules on fly ash, a by-product of
coal-fired power plants, have until Sept. 20 to make their opinions
known.
The Environmental Protection Agency is considering regulating coal
combustion residuals and has published two options in the Federal
Register.
EPA Proposes 2011 Renewable Fuel Standards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today
proposed the 2011 percentage standards for the four fuels categories
under the agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard program, known as RFS2.
Gods, floods – and global warming
The new science of geomythology links ancient
legends and natural disasters - and supports climate change , writes
Steve Jones.
'Green' advocates say clean energy a job-creating engine
Ask Jim Funk if there's a future in green energy, he'll likely say
"yes."
With millions of gallons of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico and the
country in need of new industries to create jobs, advocates of renewable
and alternative energy sources think they have momentum on their side.
Proponents are pointing to the disaster and high unemployment rates to
say now is the time for the government to pass legislation to further
development of clean energy.
Green startups find it difficult to turn profits these days
It's a tough economic climate out there, especially for the new and the
green.
While many small businesses are finding it difficult to turn profits,
those selling green products or services face the extra hurdle of
introducing something new that typically costs more upfront.
Group in Grand Forks promotes energy independence
"With America's $1 billion per day addiction to oil and the disaster in
the Gulf, it presents us with a clear choice," said Jason Schaefer,
North Dakota representative of the National Wildlife Federation.
"We can either keep delaying or we can finally take action to become
energy independent," he said.
Harnessing 'hot' electrons could double efficiency of solar cells
Researchers from University of Minnesota have
removed a barrier to improving solar cell efficiency by showing how heat
energy currently lost from semiconductors can be captured and
transferred to electric circuits. They hope manufacturers will use the
results to produce solar cells with twice the output of current solar
cells and at a lower cost.
In current solar cells, the topmost layer is
made from a crystalline semiconductor, usually silicon, which absorbs
excess solar energy in the form of "hot" electrons, and radiates the
energy away before it can be harnessed.
Heat wave shouldn't strain power grid, utility says
The nation's heat wave has started to put a strain on electric company
power grids, as some utilities in the East Coast have begun asking
customers to do more to conserve energy to prevent blackouts.
HillsdaleFundDrive
2010 Annual Fund Drive to Rescue Liberty... and Stop
America's Slide Toward Bigger Government and Bureaucratic Despotism
Is that a wind
turbine?
Jim Bailey got interested in wind power partly from traveling around the
country with his wife, Sandy, seeing the towering turbines.
Meanwhile, at home, he said electricity bills just keep going up.
Lobbyists heat up over climate law
The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 is beginning to look like a
stimulus package for the lobbying trade.
LUMENHAUS; the responsive architecture, zero energy house
The house maximizes occupants’ exposure to
bright light during the day through its open, flowing spaces and at
night radiates it back via a low-energy LED lighting system in the
insulating panels.
Making Sense
of Renewables
Long before carbon cap-and-trade or renewable energy mandates became
part of the utility lexicon, California was out in front developing
green energy. California is still way out in front in one important way,
but there are plenty of followers, with utilities everywhere building
and buying renewable energy assets from coast-to-coast.
New Illinois coal plant looks like less of a bargain
Sold on a promise of cheap, clean electricity, dozens of communities in
Illinois and eight other Midwest states instead are facing more
expensive utility bills after bankrolling a new coal-fired power plant
that will be one of the nation's largest sources of climate-change
pollution.
Nitrogen Fertilizer in Industrial Farming; Acid Rain is Back
In the 1970s and '80s, sulfur dioxide pollution from industry
and transportation were the principle causes of acid rain. The
Clean Air Act dramatically reduced those sources. But now, as
Dr. William Schlesinger, president of the Cary Institute for
Ecosystem Studies, explains to host Jeff Young, acid rain has
returned and it's coming from nitrogen emissions produced by
agriculture.
Paper Gold vs the Dollar! Interview with James Rickards
This week in the IRA Advisory Service, we
look at the implications of the impending Dodd-Frank regulatory fiasco.
This legislation represents a huge increase in regulation on GE as well
as two dozen other grandfathered thrift holding companies. We provide
our subscribers with a detailed analysis of the points of contention in
the likely regulatory regime and a list of the companies that are
affected.
President Obama Announces $1.45 Billion Conditional Commitment Offer for
Abengoa Solar Inc.
The Solana, Arizona plant will add 250 megawatts (MW) of
capacity to the electrical grid using parabolic trough solar collectors
and an innovative six-hour thermal energy storage system-the first of
its kind in the country.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 071210
Solar activity is expected to be at
very low to low levels. There is a slight chance for an isolated M-class
event ..The geomagnetic field is
expected to be unsettled with a chance for isolated active periods
during the next three days (13-15 July) due to a recurrent coronal
hole high speed stream.
Right Is Wrong
By the waning years of the Bush administration, the old
"fusionist" alliance between libertarians and social conservatives
seemed to be on its last legs. After the inglorious collapse of Social
Security reform, the political agenda of the right was more or less free
of any contamination by libertarian ideas. The GOP sank into
ruling-party decadence marked by borrow-and-spend fiscal incontinence
and K Street Project cronyism.
Rising sea drives Panama islanders to mainland
Rising seas from global warming, coming after years of coral reef
destruction, are forcing thousands of indigenous Panamanians to leave
their ancestral homes on low-lying Caribbean islands.
Shipping company fined for discharging oily wastewater
The ship´s officers used a bypass hose to get around on-board pollution
control equipment and dumped 6,000 gallons of oil sludge and bilge waste
and plastic bags filled with oil-soaked rags, outside Baltimore in
December, 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Crew
members were told to lie to U.S. Coast Guard inspectors about waste
water treatment and dumping.
Shrinking costs give solar energy a new allure
At a former industrial site on Chicago's South Side, more than 32,000
solar panels slowly tilt every few minutes, following the sun as it
moves across the sky.
Star power; Creating electricity from sunshine is gaining fans
Looking much the same as the other homes in the Parrot Bluff
neighborhood on James Island, Stephen C. Miller's house doesn't hint at
the thousands of watts of electricity surging from his rooftop into his
power system.
Ten Nations an 'Extreme Risk' Because of Water Shortages, Report Says
Ten countries worldwide, including five African nations,
are at "extreme risk" because of limited access to clean, fresh water,
according to a new global water security index. And the effects of
climate change and population growth will exacerbate the stress on these
water supplies, potentially threatening stability in many regions...
Terahertz sensing promises breakthrough in remote bomb detection
Hidden explosives, chemical weapons, biological agents
and illegal drugs could one day be optically detectable from up to 20
meters away. How? Well, every substance has its own unique terahertz
(THz) radiation “fingerprint”, the waves of which pass through anything
other than metal or liquid. Scientists from New York state’s Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute are working on a way of analyzing those waves...
The
Free Yourself First Movement
In response to the economic and political emergency that
is our current reality -- and in preparation for a deepening crisis --
people are taking care of themselves and their families first. Although
focusing on your own welfare and that of loved ones is a natural part of
daily life, the phenomenon I am talking about is different in that the
focus is entirely conscious and in specific response to an unnatural
state of affairs -- again, our current economic and political reality.
The Return
of the Bicycle
The bicycle has many attractions as a form of personal
transportation. It alleviates congestion, lowers air pollution, reduces
obesity, increases physical fitness, does not emit climate-disrupting
carbon dioxide, and is priced within the reach of the billions of people
who cannot afford a car.
U.S. farmers can't meet booming corn demand
Exporters, livestock feeders and ethanol makers are going through the
U.S. corn stockpile faster than farmers can grow the crops, the
government said on Friday.
Despite record crops in two of the past three years and another record
within reach this year, the Agriculture Department estimated the corn
carryover will shrink to the lowest level since 2006/07.
UK’s Taranis stealthy UAV unveiled
The demonstrator will have two internal weapons bays
and, with the inclusion of “full autonomy,” the intention is for the
craft to “think for itself” for a large part of any mission.
Unlocking clean coal
The dream of the alchemist is to make something valuable from something
worthless.
Billions of tons of coal considered worthless because its depth
underground has made it inaccessible can be converted to low-cost, clean
fuels with a process gaining traction around the world, and possibly in
North Dakota in the future.
The technique, underground coal gasification, "turns lead into gold,"
according to Julio Friedmann, an expert on the process, also known as
UCG.
What a Disaster; Grappling with the Gulf's 'Dead Zones'
For the hundreds of thousands of people in the Gulf of Mexico
who depend on commercial and sport fishing (directly and
indirectly), the assault on sea life from the BP oil disaster
has been a serious blow. But it's hardly unfamiliar.
That's because even before the spill, up to 8,000 square miles
of Gulf waters would turn every year into Dead Zones -- vast
areas of the coast so depleted of oxygen that shrimp, crabs and
other marine animals could no longer live.
July 9, 2010
50,000 Ohio jobs linked to energy loan fund
A multibillion-dollar revolving loan fund could bring more than 50,000
jobs to Ohio and create a renewable energy economy, advocates say.
But Congress first has to pass a climate and energy bill -- a thorny
proposition loaded with likely partisan clashes.
Abandoned Oil Wells Make Gulf of Mexico 'Environmental Minefield'
The Gulf of Mexico is packed with abandoned oil wells from a
host of companies including BP, according to an investigation by
Associated Press, which describes the area as "an environmental
minefield that has been ignored for decades".
About half of the electricity generated in the United States comes from
coal
About half of the electricity generated in the United
States comes from coal. Of all our sources of energy, coal is the
dirtiest and it is America's single biggest source of global warming
emissions. Fortunately, we have an abundance of home-grown, clean energy
sources that we can tap into—we just have to make the transition off
dirty coal to cleaner energy
Allentown
touts solar panels
Hailing it as a symbol of the city's commitment to green energy,
Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski announced Wednesday the completion of a
solar energy project at the Bridgeworks Industrial complex that he hopes
will become a model for the Lehigh Valley.
Antibiotics for Farm Animals—Is the FDA Serious?
Last Wednesday, the FDA announced that it wanted to reduce the use of
growth-promoting antibiotic drugs for meat-producing animals because it
contributes to drug resistance in humans. Good intentions, perhaps—but
it doesn’t go nearly far enough.
Are 'Natural' Household Cleaners Really Safer?
A growing number of Americans are concerned about the safety of
household cleaners, laundry detergents, and other home care
products. For some, their family’s health has been damaged by
chemicals found in mainstream products. Others have studied the
issue and want to protect themselves and those they love, and so
shop for home care products whose ingredients they understand and
feel confident using.
Baghdad's Trash
Piles Up
The Baghdad municipality has launched new plans to
tackle the capital's rubbish problem, though there are question marks
over whether the city has the money or manpower for the clean-up.
Boaters prohibited for discharging sewage in Mass. bay
Boaters are now prohibited from discharging boat sewage into Pleasant
Bay and Chatham Harbor, along with the rest of Cape Cod Bay, according
to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
British climate change scientists cleared of dishonesty
Scientists at a top British climate research unit
embroiled in a row over their work were cleared of dishonesty by an
independent probe on Wednesday, although their lack of openness was criticised.
China's Renminbi Revaluation, Small Step, Big Impact?
...in March, C. Fred Bergsten, director of the Peterson Institute for
International Economics (PIIE), a Washington, D.C.-based think tank,
blamed the "severe" undervaluation of China's currency -- by as much as
40% against the dollar -- for major job losses in the U.S. and global
trade imbalances...
Choose Biofuels and Efficiencies, Not More Oil
The Gulf oil spill is the latest in a series of warnings that we must
reduce our dependency on petroleum with an eye toward moving away from
oil entirely. While "getting off oil" remains a distant goal, we can
choose to halt oil expansion today. Technologies exist to improve the
efficacy of biofuels and to stretch the availability of existing
petroleum supplies through increased efficiency.
Cincinnati To Become Largest Midwest City To Reward Residents For
Recycling With RecycleBank Citywide
As the leaves turn brown this fall, Cincinnati residents
will have incentives to turn green when the City furthers its commitment
to environmental quality and unveils an enhanced recycling program,
slated to begin this October.
Clean Energy and the Challenge of Technology
One of the major challenges facing the realization of clean energy is
technology. Since the mid 19th Century, scientists noted that the
earth's temperature was rising as a result of the high concentration of
Green House Gases (GHG) in the earth's atmosphere.
Clean Energy Poised for Major Growth in Latin America
Latin America is poised to be the next region of the
world to embrace clean energy in a significant way with major new
investment to flow there in the next several years, global clean energy
and research data provider Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts in a
new report.
Climate Change Means More Heatwaves, Premature Deaths, Scientists Warn
Climate change is a serious health hazard that the
United States must prepare for, according to government and university
scientists from across the country.
Climate Scientists Praise Report On Hacked Email Scandal
Leading climate scientists on Thursday welcomed a British report
that cleared researchers of exaggerating the effects of global
warming and said they hoped it would restore faith in the fight
against climate change.
Climategate Scientists Vindicated, 'Honesty Not in Doubt'
Climate scientists at a UK research unit whose emails
were hacked and published in a scandal known as Climategate have been found to be both honest and credible after a
lengthy independent investigation.
Cobell settlement succeeds again in House
The $3.4 billion Cobell settlement has now passed the House
two times, while the Senate has yet to act.
Computer model predicts the spread of the BP oil spill after one year
...an animated computer simulation that shows the
potential spread of the oil over a period of 360 days from when the
spill started. To calculate the particle dispersal the researchers used
ocean flow data from simulations conducted with the high-resolution
Ocean General Circulation Model for the Earth Simulator (OFES).
Costs to shift from coal to gas for generation are high; APPA
A shift from coal to natural gas for power generation would require a
large investment in new infrastructure and includes other costs that
make gas inadequate as a "bridge fuel," the American Public Power
Association said Wednesday in a new report.
Court Asked to Stop Planting of Genetically Engineered Eucalyptus Trees
An alliance of conservation organizations is suing the
U.S. Department of Agriculture over its approval of open-air field tests
of a genetically engineered hybrid of eucalyptus tree across the
southern United States.
Drones Over America; Tyranny at Home
The U.S. government has a history of commandeering
military technology for use against Americans. We saw this happen with
tear gas, tasers and sound cannons, all of which were first used on the
battlefield before being deployed against civilians at home. Now the
drones-pilotless, remote controlled aircraft that have been used in
Iraq and Afghanistan-are coming home to roost.
Early Humans Settled In England 800,000 Years Ago;Study
Flint tools found in an English village show ancient humans
settled northern Europe 800,000 years ago, far earlier than
previously thought, which could prompt scientists to reassess the
capabilities of early humans.
Economic
Numbers Hurting Obama
The increasing consensus that we are entering a "double dip" recession
is seeping into the conventional wisdom, posing a further obstacle to
Obama's attempts to keep control of Congress. Even when the
conventional wisdom was that the economy was slowly emerging from
recession, the president was having his problems keeping Congress. But
now that all indicators - from employment to housing to consumer
confidence to the Dow - are trending downward, the task is likely to
become even harder.
Efficiency, renewables essential to utilities' future; report
A coalition representing investors with energy and environmental
interests said Thursday in a new report it commissioned that power
utilities wanting to remain competitive and grow financially in the
future would be wise to invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy
and other low-emission resources now.
Emissions Of Greenhouse Gases Methane And Nitrous Oxide Underestimated,
Research Suggests
The emission of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide has
been structurally underestimated, as a result of the measuring
methods used. This is the conclusion of the scientist Petra Kroon,
who carried out research for the Energy research Centre of the
Netherlands (ECN) and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft, The
Netherlands) into an innovative method for measuring the emission of
these gases.
Energy
plant plan draws fire
Three months after announcing plans to move its proposed tires-to-energy
plant south from Erie, representatives of Erie Renewable Energy brought
their plan to their proposed host community.
The reception was less than warm.
EPA Issues Greenhouse Gas Reporting Requirements for Four Emissions
Sources
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing
requirements under its national mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG)
reporting program for underground coal mines, industrial wastewater
treatment systems, industrial waste landfills and magnesium production
facilities.
EPA Releases First Round Of Toxicity Testing Data For Eight Oil
Dispersants
The US Environmental Protection Agency recently released peer
reviewed results from the first round of its own independent
toxicity testing on eight oil dispersants. EPA conducted testing to
ensure that decisions about ongoing dispersant use in the Gulf of
Mexico continue to be grounded in the best available science.
Ethanol or
Electricity?
The BP oil spill could give biofuels the bump they need to fuel
America's automobiles and hit the road running. Ethanol advocates are
saying that they are ready to step up production, although others are
cautioning against the move.
Florida State Investigates How Fast Microbes Can Break Down Oil In Gulf
Beach Sands
A new Florida State University study is investigating how quickly
the Deepwater Horizon oil carried into Gulf of Mexico beach sands is
being degraded by the sands' natural microbial communities, and
whether native oil-eating bacteria that wash ashore with the crude
are helping or hindering that process.
For Hudson Bay Polar Bears, The End is Already in Sight
No polar bears have been more closely studied than Canada's western
Hudson Bay population. In recent decades, biologists such as Andrew E.
Derocher of the University of Alberta have compiled an impressive store
of data on everything from the weight of females at denning, to the body
mass of bears of all sexes, to the length of time the bears spend
annually on the shores of Hudson Bay, to the decline of sea ice in the
bay itself.
Germany Could Kick Fossil Fuel Habit By 2050; Study
Germany could derive all of its electricity from renewable energy
sources by 2050 and become the world's first major industrial nation
to kick the fossil fuel habit, the Federal Environment Agency said
on Wednesday.
Gulf Coast now a BP police state as law enforcement conspires with BP to
intimidate journalists
What happened is that Lance Rosenfield, a photographer working
for ProPublica (http://www.propublica.org), was standing on a
public road, taking photos of a BP refinery in full public view.
After taking his photos, he was tailed by local law enforcement
officials to a gas station, where they demanded to look at the
photos he had just taken. A private BP security goon then showed
up at the scene, and an official from the Department of Homeland
Security soon arrived and began to intimidate Lance.
Haiti Most At Risk From Natural Disasters; Survey
Haiti and Mozambique are the nations most at risk economically
from natural disasters, according to a ranking on Thursday that says
some rich countries such as Italy and the United States also face
high risks.
High Above the Earth, Satellites Track Melting Ice
After carbon dioxide, the substance most crucial in
determining how climate change will play out over the next century and
beyond isn't a greenhouse gas — it's the solid state of the molecule
H20. Summer melt in the sea ice that covers the Arctic Ocean exposes
heat-absorbing seawater to the sun, accelerating global warming in a
phenomenon known as Arctic amplification.
IMF offers tough medicine to bring the U.S. budget deficit under control
The United States must rein in its deficits sooner than President
Barack Obama wants, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said
Thursday.
India's Poor Risk 'Slow Death' Recycling E-Waste
Few statistics are known about the informal "e-waste" industry, but a
United Nations report launched in February described how mountains of
hazardous waste from electronic products are growing exponentially in
developing countries.
Investors; Renewables Growth is Slower but Steady
In just one year, the story line for the renewable energy industry has
been flipped on its head. Last summer, as investors tried to figure out
the stimulus package, there was a lack of capital and a pent up demand
for projects. This summer, there are far fewer projects being developed,
but more willingness to lend from financiers.
Iran denying woman will be executed by stoning
Iran's government is denying reports that an Iranian
woman convicted of adultery will be executed by stoning, though her
death sentence may still be carried out by some other method.
Iran's offer to help with Gulf spill more propaganda than sincere
The State Department announced last week that the US will accept
offers of assistance from 12 countries and international bodies
in cleaning up the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Twenty-seven
countries had offered assistance from (alphabetically) Belgium
to Vietnam.
La Niña conditions are likely to develop during July - August 2010
During June 2010, sea surface temperature (SST)
anomalies continued to decrease across the equatorial Pacific Ocean,
with negative anomalies expanding across the central and eastern Pacific
Lack of imports and record exports fail to boost ethanol
Ethanol prices have not increased and production margins
are not terribly attractive this year despite a dearth of imports,
unprecedented levels of exports, and a government-mandated increase in
demand, Platts data indicates.
Lawmakers urge US DOE to stop dismantling Yucca Mountain project
Some 91 members of Congress on Tuesday called on Energy Secretary Steven
Chu to halt the dismantling of the high-level nuclear waste repository
project at Yucca Mountain, Nevada.
McCain, Kyl 10- point plan to spur U.S. into action on border security
Many communities in the country deal with effects of illegal
immigration, but none like those near the border in Arizona. There,
American citizens no longer feel safe in their homes and worry about
the security of their property - indeed, the failure to secure the
border is altering their way of life.
Mississippi Coast Faces Environmental Crisis
Coastal Mississippi is facing its biggest environmental crisis since
Hurricane Katrina as oil from a leaking BP well in the Gulf of
Mexico fouls its beaches and creeps onto inshore wetlands.
Most Stupid Government Move of the Week; Treasury Department Hits PACE
Homeowners
On Tuesday, the Federal Housing Finance Agency effectively shut
down an innovative green financing program called Property
Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE, by restricting the ability of
homeowners to take out loans to install solar panels and make
other energy efficiency improvements.
Now the United States Treasury Department has piled on. A new
Treasury directive tells the nation's banks how to enforce the
FHFA rules.
National Renewable Electricity Standard Campaign
A strong national renewable electricity standard (RES) would reduce
global warming pollution, create “green” jobs, and save consumers
money. An RES would require utilities to generate an increasing
percentage of their electricity from clean, renewable resources such as
the sun, wind, heat from the planet’s interior, and plant and animal
waste.
Natural Gas and Coal Square Off
Tougher air regulations that hover over the utility market place are
pitting the fossil fuels against one another. Environmental disasters
are furthermore compounding the issue and forcing coal and natural gas
to square off.
Netanyahu Engages in Media Blitz; Noteworhty, PM is not Indicating War
with Iran is Imminent
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is engaging in a U.S.
media blitz. In part, he is calling for direct peace talks with the
Palestinians. In part, he is trying to remind Americans that there are
fundamental areas of agreement between Israel and the Obama government
Nevada Nuclear Test Site to Host Solar Demonstration Zone
Advanced utility-scale solar energy technologies soon
will be tested at a sprawling federal site in the Nevada desert where
nuclear weapons were tested 60 years ago.
New Batfish Species Found Under Gulf Oil Spill
Researchers have discovered two previously unknown species of
bottom-dwelling fish in the Gulf of Mexico, living right in the area
affected by the BP oil spill.
New heat pump could cut heating costs in cold climates
Heat pumps provide heating in winter and
cooling in summer. While they’re OK for moderate climates, they are not
efficient in extreme cold climates. Building on work that began five
years ago, researchers at Purdue University are developing a new type of
heat pump that is much more efficient and could allow residents in cold
climates to cut their heating bills in half.
NSA Program Targets Domestic Cyber Attacks
The U.S. government is launching an expansive program dubbed
"Perfect Citizen" to detect cyber assaults on private companies
and government agencies running critical infrastructure such as
the electricity grid and nuclear-power plants, The Wall Street
Journal reported late Wednesday.
Nuclear plant must stop killing fish
Nearly 1 million fish and 62 million fish eggs and larvae die each year
after being sucked into the water intake channel that is part of the
cooling system of the power plant, completed in 1986.
Obama touts economic turnaround, bashes GOP.
President Barack Obama said Thursday the U.S. economy is
"headed in the right direction," and he challenged Republican critics to
work with him to continue making progress instead of trying to obstruct
his agenda.
Oil Spills Raise Arsenic Levels In The Ocean, Says New Research
Oil spills can increase levels of toxic arsenic in the ocean,
creating an additional long-term threat to the marine ecosystem,
according to research published in the journal Water Research.
On Defense, Obama Tries to Improve US - Israeli Relations
If this was the first meeting between President Obama
and Prime Minister Netanyahu, it would have been great. The President
was warm and friendly. He reaffirmed the "special relationship" and
"unbreakable bond" between the U.S. and Israel. Netanyahu publicly
invited Obama to come to Israel and meet there, and Obama smiled and
said, "I'm ready."
The problem is that this wasn't their first meeting. It was their
fifth...
On the design and simulation of an airlift loop bioreactor with
microbubble generation by fluidic oscillation
Microbubble generation of biofuel by a novel fluidic
oscillator driven approach is analyzed, with a view to identifying the
key design elements and their differences from standard approaches to
airlift loop bioreactor design.
OPEC says its 2009 oil exports earned $575.3 bil, down $426.7 bil
July 6 - OPEC's 12 member countries earned a collective $575.3 billion
from oil exports in 2009, down $426.7 billion or 43% from the $1.002
trillion earned in 2008, the producer club's Vienna secretariat said
July 6 in its Annual Statistical Bulletin.
Raw Milk
Gets a Raw Deal
To public health officials and state departments of agriculture,
unpasteurized milk is a dangerous, germ-ridden liquid that is
especially hazardous to children and their immature immune systems.
The FDA says more than 800 people in the US have gotten sick
from drinking raw (that is, unpasteurized) milk or eating cheese
made from raw milk since 1998.
But let’s put it in perspective: that’s only twelve people per
year on average—less than 0.00000004 percent of the US population.
Six times as many people are struck by lightening.
Really High
Pressures
Deep down in the earth are tremendously high pressures.
What happens under high pressure is not the same as what happens at
lower pressures. The Earth’s lower mantle varies in pressure from
220,000 atmospheres) to 1,400,000 atmospheres. These cannot be directly
studied and can only be stimulated and tested in the laboratory.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 070810
Solar activity was very low. The SOHO/LASCO EIT
imagery observed a faint eruption along a filament channel
approaching the northwest limb. A CME was observed. Several
B-class flares were observed during the last 24 hours.The geomagnetic field was quiet. The greater than 2 MeV electron
flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels today. The
geomagnetic field is
expected to be mostly quiet with isolated unsettled levels for day
one (09 July) due to a recurrent coronal hole high speed stream.
Scientists discover antibodies that neutralize over 91 percent of HIV
strains
...an enormous number of HIV variants exist worldwide.
However, there are a few surface areas that remain nearly constant
across all variants of HIV and scientists have now discovered two potent
human antibodies that attach to one of these sites and can stop more
than 90 percent of known global HIV strains from infecting human cells
in the laboratory.
Sea state may affect 3rd containment option installation
National Incident Commander Thad Allen said on July 7
that BP has begun the process of hooking up the Helix producing unit to
the "kill line" of the runaway Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico.
Solar powered plane flies through the night
A plane powered entirely by the sun that flies
at night. It sounds improbable, but
Solar
Impulse has just proven that it can be done.
Struggling to Be 'Fully Alive' ...asking people to report on how they cope with the
anguish of living in a world in collapse.
That simple statement is a reminder that (1) the social and
ecological crises we face have been building for a long time and
(2) the best of our traditions have, for a long time, offered
wisdom useful in facing those crises. The unjust social systems
and unsustainable ecological practices of contemporary society
started with the agricultural revolution 10,000 years ago..
Study; Pot prices would plummet if Calif legalizes
Legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in
California would sharply drive down prices for the drug, causing more
people to use pot while possibly undercutting the tax windfall that
supporters have touted, according to a study published Wednesday.
The Big Lie; BP, Governments Downplay Public Health Risk From Oil and
Dispersants When Ryan Heffernan, a volunteer with Emerald Coastkeeper,
noticed a bag of oily debris floating off in Santa Rosa Sound,
she ran up to BP's HazMat-trained workers to ask if they would
retrieve it."No, ma'am," one replied politely. "We can't go
in the ocean. It's contaminated."
The Costs of
Coal
As we confront global warming and make choices about how to meet
energy needs for the next generation, it is critical to tap the
potential of efficiency and clean, renewable energy sources and
reconsider the heedless rush to build new pulverized coal power plants.
Considering all the costs of coal along its entire fuel-cycle makes the
case for renewable energy and efficiency even stronger.
The Five Things That Worry Solar Customers Most
Adoption of solar power is not (just) about a vendor promising
to install panels on your roof that generate electricity. Ninety
percent of the problem resides in the mix of
tangible and intangible factors that actually convince
people to buy, delay buying, or not buy at all. (Notice that
two out of the three outcomes are negative as far as the solar
vendor is concerned.) This article is about those factors that
worry solar customers most.
The Left
Wing Spiral Trap
Barak Obama faces about the same problem that
confronted Bill Clinton in 1994 when he lost control of Congress. In
both cases, the Democratic presidents had alienated moderate and
conservative voters and found themselves increasingly isolated with a
political base of liberals and minorities.
The United States Needs 13 Million More Acres of Fruits and Vegetables
to Meet the RDA
We don't produce enough fresh fruits and vegetables in
the United States for everyone to eat a balanced and nutritious diet,"
says Jon Scholl, President of American Farmland Trust (AFT). "In fact,
it is estimated that we need at least another 13 million acres of
farmland growing fruits and vegetables just for Americans to meet the
minimum daily requirement of fruits and vegetables set by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's (USDA) 2005 dietary guidelines."
The water market; a thousand times bigger than oil by 2030 (correction)
(This update corrects the estimated size of water market and
recasts the lead)
Supply of essential commodities like electricity and water are
seen by many as human rights issues to be tackled by
governments, rather than price-driven conundrums to be tackled
by free markets. Dealing in such commodities can arouse more
suspicion than excitement in the public imagination.
Understanding Carbon Offsetting
Most of us know about carbon emissions and understand the idea of our
own individual "carbon footprint," but here is a new concept that seems
to be catching on: carbon offsetting. Carbon offsetting seems to be an
indirect way to "reduce" one's carbon footprint - by paying someone else
to support eco-friendly projects. Below is a fantastic article from
Sierra Club Green Home that helps explain what carbon offsetting
is...
US 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Drops Slightly to Create Another
New Low
Freddie Mac (OTC:FMCC) yesterday released the results of its Primary
Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM)
averaged 4.57 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending July
8, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 4.58 percent. Last year at
this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.20 percent. This rate is yet
another all-time low in Freddie Mac’s 39-year survey.
US court rejects government request to uphold drilling ban
A US Appeals Court July 8 rejected a government
request to stay a lower court order that overturned a six-month
moratorium on deepwater drilling.
US domestic demand for ethanol increases
Domestic demand for ethanol in the US has increased. The federally
mandated Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for corn-based ethanol in 2010 is
12 billion gallons, up from 10.5 billion gallons in 2009. This RFS
increases every year, topping out at 15 billion gallons for corn-based
ethanol in 2015.
US EPA to cut power plants' SO2, NOx; limit trading
A federal proposal to reduce ozone and soot pollution from power plants
in 31 states starting in 2012 will allow for only limited interstate
trading of emission allowances, a tactic spurring praise from air
regulators and concern from the utility industry Tuesday.
US gas industry should embrace new friends to fight coal; Wirth
"I have never seen such an opportunity as this one," he said, noting
a push to limit greenhouse gases at the same time huge gas reserves are
being uncovered, but he added that the industry needs to play tough to
counter coal lobbyists. "We're not playing bean bags. The coal companies
are playing hard, and you must fight back," he said.
Visiting Our
Border
Many communities in the country deal with effects of illegal
immigration, but none like those near the border in Arizona. There,
American citizens no longer feel safe in their homes and worry about
the security of their property - indeed, the failure to secure the
border is altering their way of life.
We need an Energy Independence Day!
Every day we're reminded of just how costly our dependence on dirty
fossil fuels has become: The ever-worsening oil spill in the gulf coast,
the tragic loss of life at the Upper Big Branch coal mine, the
destruction of a mile of the Great Barrier Reef by a Chinese coal
tanker. We need an Energy Independence Day!
Editor: "This should be a PERSONAL
Independence Day!"
We the
people......
As "armed militant foreigners" invading our
country bring in illegals and transport drugs. These armed illegals have taken over
some areas of our state. There are signs warning us for our own
safety to stay out of these areas. This seems like an act of war.
Our constitution requires our president to protect us from foreign
invaders, but he refuses! Why?
July 6, 2010
26% flub question on US independence
Twenty-six percent of those surveyed did not know that the United
States achieved its independence from Great Britain, according to the
poll, conducted by the nonprofit Marist Institute for Public Opinion.
A pilot project starting Thursday in Oregon pays customers to generate
solar power
It seems such a simple idea, one that has spread solar power across
Europe. Put solar panels on your roof, wire them to the electrical grid
and recoup your costs -- and then some -- thanks to monthly checks from
your power company.
Americans turn against offshore drilling
Back in February of this year, 63 percent of the public supported more
offshore drilling as a policy response to address our energy
needs, compared to 31 percent who were opposed. Today a majority
of the public—52 percent—opposes offshore drilling, and support
has fallen to 44 percent.
Analysis Shows Steady Progress Toward 25x'25 Renewable Energy Goal
Renewable energy
produced in the United States between 2004 and 2009 grew by about 23
percent, according to a report issued today by the leaders of the 25x'25
Alliance.
Bingaman; ‘Difficult to see’ 60 votes for climate change bill
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman
(D-N.M.) said it is unlikely the Senate can pass legislation that
imposes limits on greenhouse gas emissions.
BP plans third containment device July 7
With only 12.8% of Gulf of Mexico oil production
curtailed July 2, operators were shrugging off the impact of Hurricane
Alex while the Macondo oil spill response group was projecting a July 7 target for
installation of a third containment device.
BP says it recovered 24,955 barrels oil from Macondo well July 4 BP recovered a total of 24,955 barrels of oil and around 56,900 Mcf of
gas from the leaking Macondo well on July 4, the company said Monday.
Of the total, 16,920 barrels of oil was collected, and the remaining
8,035 barrels of oil and all of the gas was flared, BP said.
Coal Mines, Wastewater Systems, Landfills to Report Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
Four major categories of industrial facilities will have to report
their emissions of climate-altering greenhouse gases under a final rule
issued for public comment Monday by the U.S. EPA.
The rule will bring underground coal mines, industrial wastewater
treatment systems, industrial waste landfills and magnesium production
facilities under the national mandatory greenhouse gas reporting
program.
Community Legal Victory Banishes South Bronx Sewage Smells
An environmental justice case in the South Bronx was
settled Wednesday when New York City agreed to resolve long-standing
community concerns about odors and emissions from sewage facilities in
the Hunts Point neighborhood.
Deaf to 'Music Saves Mountains,' EPA Approves New Surface Coal Mine
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given its
conditional approval to a new mountaintop removal coal mining permit, as
long as the mine operator makes changes to protect downstream water
quality.
Distinctive Road Map
West Virginia has staked a claim as the first state in the nation to
have what is being depicted as a legitimate statewide smart grid plan in
place and is moving toward implementation.
Eating Healthy Food Is Now Considered A Disease!
Eating disorder charities are reporting a rise in the number of
people suffering from what they believe is a serious psychological
condition characterised by an obsession with healthy eating.
The condition, orthorexia nervosa...
Global Food Problems Are About Justice Not Scarcity
In 1969, as I tried to grasp the root causes of hunger, I
struggled to absorb the shocking picture my simple research was
uncovering: While world food experts cried "scarcity," in truth
we bright humans were-and still are-creating hunger out of
plenty. We'd turned our food system into a scarcity-creating
machine, and were undermining the Earth's food-producing
potential, too.
Gulf Beaches Quiet As Spill Spreads
Gulf coast beaches, normally packed on Independence Day, were
quiet on Sunday as workers cleaned up tar balls from BP's leaking
oil well while the company was reported to be taking steps to ward
off potential takeover bids.
Gulf Seafood After the Oil Spill; Who Decides How Safe Is Safe?
The shopper stood staring at the large, ice-covered shrimp in the
chiller-case of the high-end Seattle grocery.
"Fresh. Wild Gulf Shrimp. Never Frozen. $16.99 lb." read the sign.
"They're my favorites, but are they safe?" the woman asked the
fishmonger.
Hydro, Wave, and Tidal Power Market Outlook Bright as Conventional
Energy Sources Dwindle, Finds Frost & Sullivan
It is estimated that the worldwide wave resources is 6,000 TWh/year,
twice as much as global nuclear production and 700 TWh/year for
tidal power. In other words, the market potential for the wave
industry is about $1 trillion worldwide.
Idaho officials applaud Yucca Mountain move
Idaho officials are cheering news that a bid to pull the plug on a
proposed national nuclear waste dump has stalled, concerned that
eliminating the site could delay removal of nuclear waste from the
state.
Italy Surpasses USA in Solar PV
In a dramatic display of the power feed-in tariffs have in driving
markets, Italy installed more solar photovoltaics (PV) in 2009 than the
entire US. Moreover, within the first quarter of 2010, Italy's total
installed solar PV capacity was expected to exceed that of the US.
Kyoto May Push Factories To Pollute More; U.N. Report
A Kyoto Protocol scheme may be encouraging projects to emit more
greenhouse gases because of incentives to earn carbon offsets from
subsequently destroying these, a U.N. report said.
Making more
U.S.-made power
It's time for Congress to get serious and enact a bill that will
promote cleaner domestic power sources, cut our oil addiction and
reduce global warming pollution. Waiting for tomorrow's leaders to
solve today's problems will only increase the ultimate costs of
tackling this challenge. That's an option America simply can't
afford.
MIT Researchers See Natural Gas as the Choice for Lower Carbon Emissions
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are
encouraging U.S. policymakers to consider the nation's growing
supply of natural gas as a short-term substitute for aging
coal-fired power plants.
'Never-before-seen material' can store vast amounts of energy
Using super-high pressures similar to those found deep
in the Earth or on a giant planet, researchers from Washington State
University (WSU) have created a compact, never-before-seen material
capable of storing vast amounts of energy.
Nitrogen Pollution Alters Global Change Scenarios From The Ground Up
Scientists Find Excess Nitrogen Favors Plants That Respond Poorly to
Rising CO2
As atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rise, so does the pressure on the
plant kingdom. The hope among policymakers, scientists and concerned
citizens is that plants will absorb some of the extra CO2 and mitigate
the impacts of climate change. For a few decades now, researchers have
hypothesized about one major roadblock: nitrogen.
North Anna water-permit ruling overturned
An environmental group lost the latest round in a court fight over a
disputed water permit for North Anna Power Station.
The Virginia Court of Appeals ruled this week that the State Water
Control Board's 2007 renewal of a Virginia Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System permit was appropriate.
Obama Commits Nearly $2 Billion To Solar Companies
President Barack Obama, under pressure to spur job growth, said
on Saturday two solar energy companies will get nearly $2 billion in
U.S. loan guarantees to create as many as 5,000 green jobs.
Obama's
Immigration Hypocrisy
When Obama could have passed comprehensive immigration reform - when
he still had 60 Senate Democrats - he didn't lift a finger to push
it. Now that he can't pass it - it is too late in the year, he
doesn't have 60 votes, and many Democrats will defect - he
aggressively pushes it in a national speech.
The opportunism and hypocrisy of his attempt to manipulate America's
Latinos into forgetting his previous inaction is transparent and
obvious.
Outperforming the Status Quo
The university's most recent venture is the advancement of its internal
smart grid through a software partnership with two companies: one
focused on virtual power generation, and another providing UCSD with the
software to manage and optimize the information it is receiving from the
first.
Penn State Clears Climate Scientist Mann of Climategate Wrongdoing
A Pennsylvania State University investigative committee
today cleared a well-known Penn State climate scientist of research
misconduct, in connection with pilfered e-mails about global warming
called Climategate.
Record Russian exports for July weigh on European diesel market
Record Russian exports from the Baltic region are weighing on the
Northwest European diesel market, trading sources said Monday.
Reduce Antibiotics For Animal Growth Urges FDA
The FDA issued draft guidance on Monday that outlines the agency’s
current thinking on why antibiotics that are “important for therapeutic
use in humans” should be used sparingly in livestock.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 070510
Solar activity was very low. New Region 1086 (N18W53)
formed on the disk as a simple beta sunspot group..The geomagnetic field was quiet. The greater than 2 MeV electron
flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels during the past 24
hours.
Solar company coming to empty Getrag plant
The vacant Getrag Transmission plant on U.S. 31 in Tipton County has a
new tenant that will bring 850 jobs to the region by 2013.
Solar power could create fuel for cars
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could soon be used to create fuel to
drive the word's cars and trucks, researchers say.
Solar-powered technology could be used to "photosynthesize" hydrocarbon
fuels that present-day vehicles could run on without major
modifications...
State RPS Policies Will Drive 250% Increase in Renewable Energy
Generation by 2025
State
renewable portfolio standards (RPS) will be the
most critical driver determining the pace of U.S. renewables
growth going forward, according to a new IHS Emerging Energy
Research market study. IHS estimates that cumulative renewables
demand across all states with binding RPS policies will grow
from an expected 137 TWh (terawatt-hours) in 2010 to 479 TWh by
2025--an increase of approximately 250 percent.
Summit yields human rights violations report
A group of southwestern tribes has filed a collective
report for the United Nations Human Rights Council, documenting the
human rights violations imposed on the indigenous peoples of the area by
the United States government.
The future of refrigeration could be magnetic
In the future, your refrigerator might keep
your food cold by using a magnet. Not only would it use less power and
run quieter than your current fridge, but it also wouldn’t contain any
hydrofluorocarbons, gases which can add tremendously to the greenhouse
effect if not properly disposed of. It all comes down to something
called the magnetocaloric effect, wherein a changing magnetic field
within a material causes it to get colder. It definitely holds promise,
although scientists first have to figure out just how the thing works.
The Incandescent Bulb Heads Offstage After Century-Long Performance
Earlier this month, when Ikea announced this will be its last year
selling incandescent light bulbs, the retailer billed it as an early,
pro-sustainability move before federal law "bans" the famously
inefficient lamps
US House passes budget bill with energy loan guarantees The US House of Representatives included authority for $18 billion in
new energy loan guarantees, split evenly between nuclear power and
renewable projects, in a supplemental spending bill passed late
Thursday.
Water market to overtake oil by 2030, trade gets cold shoulder
The world water market will be bigger than oil by 2030, but traders
looking to branch out into the potentially lucrative business of moving
water to where it will be needed the most will face massive challenges
getting into the space, speakers said at a special seminar organized for
Singapore International Water Week said late last week.
Wyo. threatens to sell park land
For sale: Two square miles of Grand Teton National Park.
Majestic views of the Teton Range. Prime location for luxury resort,
home development. Pristine habitat for moose, elk, wolves, grizzlies.
Price: $125 million. Call: Governor Dave Freudenthal.
July 2, 2010
A Big Bang for
Greece
How did Greece get into the death spiral that it's in?
Unfunded entitlements. In other words, promise somebody something, don't
come up with the financing for it, and pretty soon you find yourself in
a fiscal/debt crisis.
Action Alert on the Senate Food Safety Bill
As written, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
(S.510) would add a new layer of regulation to even the smallest food
producers. The rules that would apply to large, corporate food companies
would also apply to family food producers across rural America, which
are already regulated at the state and local level.
Afghan President Karzai Steps Up Talks With Insurgents
In the last few weeks senior Afghan officials have met with the head
of Pakistan's army and the Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, to talk
about the Haqqani network and the Quetta Shura, two leading
Afghan insurgent groups whose leadership are believed to be hiding
inside Pakistan.
Ancient Fossils Show Arctic Now Near Climate Tipping Point
Current levels of Earth's atmospheric carbon dioxide may be high
enough to bring about "irreversible" shifts in Arctic ecosystems,
according to new research published today by scientists from the United
States, Canada and The Netherlands.
The Arctic climate system is more sensitive to greenhouse warming
than previously known...
ANH–USA Joins Healthcare Repeal Lawsuit
ANH–USA strongly opposed the recently enacted healthcare
bill for a variety of reasons. We stand for the freedom of consumers to
choose the type of healthcare they want, and the freedom of
practitioners to practice without harassment. The healthcare reform act
seriously impinges on both.
Appeals court rules against GE in case against EPA
The company argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia that unilateral administrative orders -- which direct companies
and others to clean up hazardous wastes -- violates the Constitution´s
due process clause because the orders are issued without a hearing
before a neutral decision maker, the court said.
But the court ruled the process satisfies due process because companies
and others "may obtain a pre-deprivation hearing by refusing to comply
and forcing EPA to sue in federal court."
Arizona launches second appliance rebate program
The Arizona Department of Commerce (ADC) says a new,
simpler second round of the Arizona Appliance Rebate program begins on
July 1 continuing until all funds are gone.
Bigger 'Dead Zone' Projected for Gulf, Even Without Oil's Effects
A satellite view of past Dead Zone in the
Gulf: The red areas show how a vast, nitrogen-fed algae bloom
has risen, blotting out most sea life underneath.
Brown pleased with meeting on energy
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown was optimistic Tuesday after he attended a
bipartisan meeting led by President Barack Obama that focused on efforts
to pass clean energy legislation and to outline priorities for energy
independence and clean energy manufacturing jobs.
Cobell settlement stumbles in Senate
Any last-minute hopes that the Cobell settlement could pass
the Senate as part of a tax extenders package before the Independence
Day congressional recess have proven futile.
Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid admitted June 30 that the settlement
could not pass as part of the package on the table at the time. He
blamed Republicans for blocking the overall bill.
Communication 101
Insiders at Commonwealth Edison figured they would ace their advanced
metering infrastructure (AMI) pilot program rollout. Who, after all,
wouldn't be thrilled to delve into a survey and eight scintillating
pages of intricate text detailing all the bells and whistles that
automated metering infrastructure makes possible? Their customers, it
turns out. Consequently, last summer's introduction landed with a
resounding thud.
Contempt of court George Wallace style
Hard on the heels of yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling in McDonald v.
Chicago that the Second Amendment to the US Constitution protects an
individual right to bear arms for self-defense and that the right thus
protected is incorporated against state and local governments, Chicago
Mayor Daley expressed his contempt for both the Court and the citizens
whose rights he has trampled.
Dave's Thoughts on the National Debt
The nation's debt now exceeds $13 trillion. That's enough to pay the
rent for every renter in the U.S. for three years or pay the monthly
payments on all U.S. mortgages for 14 months. A $1 trillion stack
of $1 bills would wrap around the equator 2.72 times!
And $1 trillion is just a fraction of the money the U.S. owes.
Dispersant toxicity data released by EPA
The US Environmental Protection Agency
today released peer reviewed results from the first round of its own
independent toxicity testing on eight
oil dispersants. EPA conducted testing to
ensure that decisions about ongoing dispersant use in the
Gulf of Mexico continue to be grounded in the
best available science.
Dispersants in
the Gulf
EPA continues to carefully monitor BP’s use of
dispersant in the Gulf. Dispersants are generally less toxic than oil
and can help prevent some oil from impacting sensitive areas along the
Gulf Coast. EPA believes BP should use as little dispersant as necessary
and, on May 23, EPA directed BP to reduce dispersant usage by 75 percent
from peak usage.
Dow Closes Below 10,000, Nasdaq -3.9% on Global Fears
Stocks plunged Tuesday after a sharp downward revision
to China's leading economic indicators and a dismal U.S. consumer
confidence reading heightened concerns about the economic recovery. Also
weighing on investors' minds were the €442 billion in European bank debt
obligations coming due this week.
Ensuring Seafood Safety in the Gulf of Mexico
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is having a devastating impact on
marine wildlife. Fishery stocks are off limits in the affected areas.
However, there are still large portions of the Gulf which the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has kept open to fishing
activities. To ensure the safety of the seafood caught in these areas,
federal and state agencies have joined together to implement a
comprehensive and coordinated safety program.
EPA Issues Greenhouse Gas Reporting Requirements for Four Emissions
Sources
The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing requirements
under its national mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting program
for underground coal mines, industrial wastewater treatment systems,
industrial waste landfills and magnesium production facilities.
EPA Supports Superfund 'Polluter Pays' Provision
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently sent a
letter to Congress in support of reinstating the lapsed Superfund
"polluter pays" taxes. Superfund is the federal government's program
that investigates and cleans up the nation's most complex, uncontrolled
or abandoned hazardous waste sites. If reinstated, the Superfund
provision would provide a stable, dedicated source of revenue for the
program and increase the pace of Superfund cleanup.
EPA to sample Macondo spill waste; had been solely BP role The US Environmental Protection Agency will begin sampling oil,
contaminated materials and liquid and solid wastes recovered in cleanup
operations from the the Macondo spill to help verify the waste is being
properly managed, EPA said Thursday.
Expired swine flu shots amount to $260 million loss
About a quarter of the swine flu vaccine produced for
the U.S. public has expired — meaning that a whopping 40 million doses
worth about $260 million are being written off as trash.
Fisher on Why is CPI Inflation So High
On a recent visit to Liverpool, Paul
Fisher – Executive Director Markets and member of the Monetary Policy
Committee – spoke about the factors that had combined to push inflation
above the Bank's target and set out what in his view was the appropriate
monetary policy response.
Floating ocean wind turbines proposed
Offshore wind farms have been built, but only in shallow water near
coasts, and one naval architect wants to go much farther out by placing
turbines on floating platforms, a release from the American Institute of
Physics said Wednesday.
Flood
of Gun-Rights Suits Seen
Monday's high-court decision expanding gun rights will likely trigger
a flood of litigation in states and cities with restrictive laws, so it
could take years before the practical impact of the ruling is clear.
The ruling requires states to respect a federal right under the
Second Amendment to keep and bear arms, but it doesn't say specifically
how broadly the right extends.
Florida bank working on organic-only grounds program
BankAtlantic in Florida is working on an organic-only grounds
maintenance program at 31 of its 100 branches in Broward County and Palm
Beach as part of a sustainability campaign.
Composter Converted Organics and Integrated Turf Care are supporting the
landscaping effort.
Florida’s First Open Carry Event
“There could not be a more fitting time than Independence Day
weekend to celebrate our freedoms as Americans and exercise our
right to self defense as intended by the founding fathers of this
great nation,” says Florida Open Carry founder Sean Caranna.
Gathering strength through the water
The sunrise service at Little Presque Isle Point in northern Marquette
County was one of many Native events across the country during 2010
National Sacred Places Prayer Days as the tribes try to protect their
threatened religious sites.
Governments Face Cost Hurdle To Halve CO2 By 2050; IEA
Governments will have to grapple with sharply higher upfront costs to
deploy clean energy technologies and halve carbon emissions by 2050, the
International Energy Agency said on Thursday.
Grand jury shines light on solar power
Cities and the county should do more to promote solar power and make
buildings energy-efficient, which would reduce energy costs and create
jobs, the county's civil grand jury has concluded.
A report by the grand jury urges local governments in the county to
invest in solar power -- rooftop panels in particular -- and energy
efficiency.
Greener palm oil arrives in the United States
The
first shipment of palm oil certified under sustainability criteria have
arrived in the United States, according to the Roundtable on Sustainable
Palm Oil (RSPO).
Gun-Toting Homeowner; 'Shut Up -- No Crying'
A man who deputies say burglarized a home got more than
he bargained for when the gun-toting, tough-talking homeowner caught and
held him until deputies showed up.
Healthy Watersheds Can Sustain Water Supplies, Aquatic Ecosystems In A
Changing Climate
Titled Water, Climate Change, and Forests: Watershed Stewardship
for a Changing Climate, the publication describes healthy, resilient
watersheds as a primary strategy for sustaining ecosystems and the
clean, abundant water they provide.
Home loan snafu halts green loans in California
A new state program allowing homeowners to pay for solar panel
installations and other energy efficiency improvements through their
property taxes was put on hold in Placer County and San Francisco in May
after federally backed mortgage lending giants Fannie Mae and Freddie
Mac began raising questions about such loans.
House
passes sweeping bank rules
Nearly two years after a
Wall Street meltdown left the economy reeling, the House on
Wednesday passed a massive overhaul of financial regulations that
would extend the government's reach from storefront thrifts to the
high-finance penthouses of
New York City.
I Own My Body, NOT The Government. So Why The Hell Do THey Think They
have The Right To Tell Me What I Do With It?
Who owns your body? I mean the physical shell your mind
inhabits, and also the products MADE by that body/mind combo?? When I
put it that way, does it make you think? So who does own it? To me, it
is as clear as the clearest pane of glass ever made. Each and every
single one of us is the SOLE owner of our body. Not Uncle Sam. Not Uncle
State. Not our husband or wife. Not our children.
Iran nuclear scientist Shahram Amiri 'flees US captors'
A man who says he is an Iranian nuclear
scientist claims to have escaped after being abducted by US agents.
In a video shown on Iranian state TV, he says he has escaped in the
US state of Virginia and is now on the run.
Iraqi Energy
Protests Grow
The interim Iraqi government is reeling from riots and demonstrations
that have erupted across the country to protest severe electricity
shortages, as summer temperatures soar.
Anger has been growing for weeks over the continued power cuts and
rising fuel prices, resulting from the demand for generators, and the
stalled efforts to form a new government.
Japan Successfully Deploys a Solar Sail in Space
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has successfully deployed
a solar sail in outer space. While solar energy has successfully powered
small cars and airplanes, nobody has yet managed to use the sun's energy
to propel a spacecraft, although that goal is now within reach of JAXA.
Live Dangerously; Ten Easy Steps to Becoming a Radical Homemaker
I came up with the simplest things I could imagine-like
committing to hanging laundry out to dry, dedicating a portion of the
lawn to a vegetable garden, making an effort to get to know neighbors to
enable greater cooperation and reduce resource consumption.
Mainers full of gusto for wind power, survey finds
Maine residents overwhelmingly support wind power development, chiefly
because it cuts dependence on fossil fuels and creates jobs, according
to the first survey released by the industry.
Nearly 1 in 3 first-quarter home sales a foreclosure; report
Foreclosure homes accounted for 31 percent of all residential sales
in the first quarter of 2010, with the average sales price of properties
that sold while in some stage of foreclosure nearly 27 percent below
homes that were not in the process, Irvine, California-based RealtyTrac
said.
Nuclear commission rejects plan to abandon Yucca Mt.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission´s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board
has rejected the federal government´s plans to abandon Yucca Mountain as
a national nuclear waste repository.
Offshore wind farms bring concerns over radar systems
"If we don't have a better system for engaging with federal agencies on
radar and airspace issues... then wind projects will continue to be
imperiled and we will not be able to meet our nation's energy goals,"
said Stu Webster, who spoke on behalf of the American Wind Energy
Association, based in Washington.
Once Again All US Rates But 1-Year ARM Hit Yet Another Record Low
Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) yesterdaty
released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in
which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.58 percent with
an average 0.7 point for the week ending July 1, 2010, down from last
week when it averaged 4.69 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year
FRM averaged 5.32 percent.
Organic Farms Win at Potato Pest Control
A study suggesting that organic agriculture gives better pest
control and larger plants than conventional farming is sure to
reignite longstanding debates about the merits of organic versus
conventional agriculture. It also highlights an often-neglected
aspect of biodiversity.
Perennial grains could be biggest agricultural innovation in eons
A just-published paper suggests that the cultivation of
perennial grain crops could revolutionize agriculture...
While perennial versions of common annual grains have seen little in the
way of development, a new research paper says it’s about time they did.
The advantages of cultivating perennial grains, the paper’s authors
submit, could be one of the biggest advances in the 10,000-year history
of agriculture.
Professor Pioneers New Product To Purify Polluted Water
Sharma has invented a liquid cleaning product based on
ferrate, a supercharged iron molecule. The resulting compound may be
used as an oxidant, disinfectant and coagulant, and for industrial
"green" purposes.
Recession Hit Working Capital Hard in 2009, as Collections Slowed
Dramatically, Inventories Spiked to New Highs
The analysis showed that the largest U.S. companies saw working capital
performance deteriorate by over 8 percent in 2009, the largest decline
in more than five years.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 070110
Solar Activity Forecast: Solar activity is expected to
be very
low throughout the forecast period (02-04 July).
The geomagnetic field was mostly unsettled with an isolated active
period The geomagnetic field is
expected to be quiet to unsettled with a chance for isolated active
periods at high latitudes on days 1 and 2 (02-03 July) due to a
recurrent coronal hole high speed stream.
Report;
Meters falling short
Smart meters are all the rage in utility circles these days... But a Tuesday report found that smart-meter initiatives nationwide are
falling short of their potential to curb energy consumption, because
they don't include the technologies ratepayers need to take control of
their power use.
Residents encouraged to exchange wood stoves
President of American Energy Systems Inc. Mike Haefner wants to convince people to change out their old,
non-efficient wood or coal burning stoves for highly energy
efficiency units that would not only save on utility costs, but
produce less pollution.
Russia Floats Barge For Waterborne Nuclear Plant
Russia on Wednesday took a big step toward the controversial creation
of the world's first floating nuclear power station, putting a barge
that will house the plant into the water.
Environmentalists say Russia's plan to dot its northern coastline
with floating nuclear power plants is risky.
Scientists Question EPA Estimates Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The approach the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) uses to estimate greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural
anaerobic lagoons that treat manure contains errors and may
underestimate methane emissions by up to 65%, according to scientists
from the University of Missouri.
Senate Panel Votes To End Oil Spill Liability Cap
Congress on Wednesday took major steps to rein in Big Oil's offshore
drilling practices, as one Senate panel voted to lift all caps on
liability in oil spills and another moved to deny offshore leases to
companies with poor track records.
Small Wind Picks Up Even as Economy Turns Down
The number of Americans generating their own electricity with
small-scale wind turbines (those with rated capacities of 100 kilowatts
and under) increased by just under 10,000 last year despite an economic
downturn that impacted the heart of the small wind market: homeowners
and small-business owners.
So the Economic Recovery Wasn’t That Solid After All, What a Surprise!
the decision by the ECB to not cut interest
rates allowed economists to test whether the untested actions of the
Federal Reserve and the Bank of England would actually help stave off an
economic collapse within the major Western Economies or whether it could
be possible to prevent economic collapse by less aggressive fiscal and
monetary actions.
Solar Energy Costs to Achieve Grid Parity by 2013, According to Pike
Research
The solar energy market has undergone a
dramatic transformation over the past two years, driven by a new
abundance of polysilicon, the effects of the worldwide financial
crisis, and the plunging price of solar modules. As a result of
these factors, the solar industry has shifted from
supply-constrained to demand-driven, and a few strong companies
have been able to improve their revenues and market share based
on a low cost per watt combined with high module efficiency.
Solving
the Water-Energy Crisis
The world is running out of water. By 2030, the UN projects that 60
percent of the global population will face water shortages, increasing
social unrest and creating additional risk for companies.
Somali clashes kill 21, wound 42
Government troops alongside African Union peacekeepers exchanged shells
in Mogadishu with al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab rebels, who are waging an
Islamist insurgency against the Western-backed government. Seven people
were killed and 18 wounded.
Some
Renewable Energy Calculations
How many renewable energy facilities covering how much area are required
to meet the electrical energy demand of the United States? The following
will identify some critical issues along with a possible solution, while
demonstrating that renewable energy resource installations could be
available to meet the required demand, should sufficient will be exerted
to actually install.
Special message from Hillsdale College
How many members of Congress do you think have read the
U.S. Constitution?
I would guess
not many, judging by the
explosive
growth in the size of government that we have
seen over the past half-century, and particularly over
the past year.
Today, our Founding Fathers would not recognize the
America they created, as
President Obama
and the Left
use their political power to nationalize huge portions
of our economy.
Terrafugia Transition flying-car cleared by the FAA
Is this the first viable
flying
car? It's a question we posed back in 2006 when we first looked at
the prototype
Terrafugia Transition. It now looks like the answer is yes. The
flying car (or “roadable aircraft,” as the Massachusetts-based company
prefers), can fly like a regular plane and land at an airport before
folding up its wings and hitting the road. In car mode, it can travel at
highway speeds and park in regular parking spots.
The Anti-Supplement FTC Expansion Provision is Defeated—At Least for Now
the provision to expand the Federal Trade Commission’s
powers—and with it, the likely restricted access to nutritional
supplements—did not make it into the final Wall Street “Reform” bill.
The Corporate
Green Room
Green investments are good for the wallet. That's the conclusion of some
financial advisors, who are saying that the technologies that underscore
such endeavors will become increasingly accepted and part of everyday
life.
The Electrifying Pace of Wind Power Development in China
While President Obama continues to exhort Congress and the American
public to move ahead with legislation that will put the U.S. on a path
to rapid and sustainable development of renewable energy, China is
building a formidable renewable infrastructure. China's wind industry is
a case in point.
The Hundred Years' War over Toxic Chemicals
In America, chemicals are innocent until proven guilty. It's a
rule that's been in place for one hundred years and still
applies to compounds used every day in industry and in your
home.
The
Internet Must Remain Free
The Internet is abuzz with news that a US Senate committee has approved
a bill that apparently gives the President authority to shut down the
Internet. According to TechWorld.com, "A US Senate committee has
approved a wide-ranging cybersecurity bill that some critics have
suggested would give the US president the authority to shut down parts
of the Internet during a cyberattack."
The pollution
solution
Who’s the greatest polluter of all? The oil companies? The
chemical companies? The nuclear power plants?
If you guessed “none of the above” you’d be correct. Our
government, at the federal, state, and local levels, is the single
greatest polluter in the land. In addition, our government doesn’t
even clean up its own garbage!
The World According to Robert Rubin
Last week the FDIC closed several more banks, including
High Desert State Bank, Albuquerque, NM; First National Bank - GA,
Savannah, GA; and Peninsula Bank, Englewood, FL. It is interesting to
note that all of the deposits of these institutions were assumed by
other banks. There were no private equity firms in sight -- or were
there?
US begins issuing shallow-water permits in Gulf of Mexico
The US government issued 11 shallow-water drilling
permits in the Gulf of Mexico from June 8 through June 30, an agency
under the Department of the Interior said July 1.
US Companies May Face US $1 Trillion in Additional Capital and Liquidity
Requirements as a Result of Financial Regulatory Reform
A change in the wording of the financial
reform bill now being finalized in the US Congress could cost US
companies as much as $1 trillion in capital and liquidity requirements,
according to research by the International Swaps and Derivatives
Association, Inc. (ISDA).
US Consumer Confidence Falls in June on Pessimistic Jobs Outlook
The Conference Board’s measure of U.S. consumer confidence more than
unwound May’s surge, falling to 52.9 in June from the prior month’s 62.7
US warns Deepwater Horizon companies on depleting assets
The US Department of Justice has asked the companies involved in the
Deepwater Horizon disaster to notify the government in advance of any
plans to "deplete" their assets, according to copies of letters sent the
companies and released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Washington State Unveils 'Electric Highway' Project for I-5
Washington state officials plan to make the Interstate 5 corridor a
focal point in emerging green technology, as the governor's office this
week unveiled a plan to install electric vehicle charging stations along
the freeway.
Water scarcity, restrictions boost prospects for industrial, municipal
water reuse in North America
Increased concerns regarding water scarcity
and water use restrictions are main drivers for growth in the North
American
industrial and
municipal water reuse
markets. Current technological advancements make water reuse
applications viable options for both municipal and industrial end users
to circumvent the above-mentioned bottlenecks.
Why Afghanistan's Poppies Aren't the Problem
For years, there has been
much discussion about the best strategy to rid Afghanistan of its
poppies...Afghanistan accounts for about 90% of global illicit opium
production. Western Europe and Russia are its two largest markets in
terms of quantities consumed and market value..it is the West that has a
drug problem, not producer countries like Afghanistan (or Colombia):
demand is king and drives the global industry.
Wind Turbine Blade Comes to DC with Message from Americans to Federal
Policymakers; 'We Want Action on Clean Energy Now'
American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) delivered a
petition from Americans across the country in the form of a 131-foot
wind turbine blade. The blade traveled more than 4,000 miles through 10
states gathering signatures from Americans who support a clean energy
future.
Worldwide Desalination Plant Investment To Double By 2016, Forecasts
Pike Research
Water scarcity, population and economic growth,
pollution, and urbanization are all placing increased pressure on
freshwater resources around the world. The gap between the supply of
freshwater and demand for water for industrial, agricultural, and
domestic use is growing at a rapid pace. At the same time, the cost of
desalination has come down steadily, and it is becoming a more
affordable means of meeting the world's growing freshwater needs.
Xcel Energy's First-Ever Solar-Coal Project is Running
Xcel Energy is now operating a first-of-its-kind
demonstration of a hybrid solar-coal approach, using parabolic-trough
solar technology integrated with a coal-fired power plant.
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