Quick Afternoon News

Sylvania is making an effort to get consumers to recycle their bulbs.

SYLVANIA Continues Commitment to Lamp Recycling Program with the Inclusion of the United States Postal Service

SYLVANIA recognizes the public concerns over the effects of mercury in the environment and the need for proper CFL disposal. SYLVANIA CFLs use 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. However, because they contain a small amount of mercury, it is important that CFLs be recycled.

Yes, there is a bit of mercury in the CFLs but there is less mercury in the wild with these vs a regular lamp at home which can end up putting a lot more mercury into the environment. 50% of our power comes from coal fired plants and they are the biggest sources of mercury pollution. Recycling a CFL reduces the impact even more only allowing a minimal amount of mercury into the environment.

Democrats are pushing to punish big oil and take away money and now the House may veto the new bill.

House Set to Vote on New Energy Bill

The tax package totals about $21 billion - two-thirds of it coming from big oil companies. It was completed late Wednesday.

Panda Ethanol Receives Air Permit for Sherman County Refinery

Panda Ethanol Inc. today announced that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has granted an air permit for the company's planned 115 million gallon-per-year ethanol refinery in Sherman County, Texas. The facility will be designed to annually refine an estimated 38 million bushels of feedstock-grade corn into a clean burning, renewable fuel for the nation's transportation needs. The biofuel produced by the Sherman plant could displace approximately 2.6 million barrels of foreign oil a year.

Ohio may drill for oil in state parks

In behind-the-scenes discussions, a provision has been advanced that would allow drilling on state lands “covered by concrete, asphalt, gravel, turf, crops or fields that have plants or trees not exceeding 10 years in growth.” The proposal would create a five-member Oil and Gas Leasing board to oversee the leasing of state property for developing oil and natural gas reserves.

technorati tags: alternative energy, CFL, Ohio, ethanol

Wired Green News

Storing sun and wind power
By Martin LaMonica

One company with a novel approach is Massachusetts-based start-up General Compression, which is building a wind turbine that compresses air and stores it underground in caves or other geological structures. The compressed air is drawn when needed and expanded to drive electricity generators.

Rumor: Taiwan mulling a phase out of incandescent bulbs
Posted by Michael Kanellos

Taiwan may soon join the list of national and state governments to impose regulations that lead to the demise of traditional incandescent bulbs. Neal Hunter, CEO of LED Lighting Fixtures (LLF), says there are rumors in the lighting world that Taiwan will pass legislation that would phase out incandescents by 2011 or 2012.

Green disinformation stunt fools media
Posted by Elsa Wenzel

The U.S. Climate Action Partnership, a high-profile collection of 33 corporations and environmental nonprofits, pledged Monday to slash its greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2050, and demanded that no new coal power plants be built.

technorati tags: alternative energy, green power, Taiwan, Massachusetts

Nuclear plants a welcome neighbor?

The very notion seems to run counter to what most people believe is the common reaction to having a nuclear power plant as a neighbor. However, in New Jersey it is exactly what is going on.

PSEG runs the nuclear plant in Salem on what is called the Artificial Island. Recently they announced that they would very much like to go ahead with plans for expansion. Instead of local protests, they were met with cheers. Expansion means more jobs for this area of the country and jobs are very much needed.

Not only that but there are other things to consider such as the tax breaks that those who live near the reactor receive. Other monetary benefits lay with the fact that PSEG makes large charity donations and with all of that money being handled, it is no wonder that most of the locals embrace their nuclear neighbor.

Even without the protestors there are enough obstacles to get through in getting the fourth plant up and running. PSEG still has to decide what type of reactor it will be, there are billions of dollars in cost, and it will take a long time before it is up and running which leaves us to wonder what kind of reception might this new plant get ten years from now? Will PSEG continue to perform well and not slide back into trouble? How will new technologies impact not just the final plant but the building of it as well? If the US is faced with a new terror attack, will things such as nuclear plants be put aside?

No one holds a crystal ball to see what the future holds but we do know that the US is continually increasing energy demands and we have a long way to go before they will be met for our future generations.

technorati tags: alternative energy, nuclear power, energy, New Jersey

Upping it a notch with green cars

The Hybrids vehicles such as the Prius have become far more popular than what was expected I think. Soaring oil and gas prices have helped them along as has the fact that the newer generations of them have what the Honda Insight lacked, room. The Prius has better gas mileage than my little Suzuki AND gets better gas. Another advantage is the savings now. Not have only new cars appear to be coming out at a higher price point and with that, the overall spread between non-hybrid and hybrid has shrunk. Now all the owners need to happen is for the pricing of parts to come down so that repairs do not cost an arm and a leg. A friend of mine gave up his hybrid after needing to do minor repairs that cost thousands each year. The Chevy
truck had 1) more room and 2) was less expensive to operate in the long haul.

NOW though we see the next generation of fuel efficient cars coming out and they are greener than green (not really, just sounds really good. They actually have a variety of colours.). One in particular is already starting to make a splash in the United States even though the price point is pretty high. Good thing it is a lease only vehicle but that raises the spectre of the old electric car that GM had out there, owners loved, and GM pulled.

How big of a splash are these types of cars making? Really big. In the Marketing Watch by Media Matters, Karl Greenberg writes on how the new green cars are overtaking the muscle cars at car shows.

News of powerful vehicles with big engines and bigger gas tanks was overshadowed -- perhaps for the first time - by news of new powertrain programs and think tanks.

With a backdrop of smoldering hills and record crude oil prices, General Motors, Honda and Ford were among automakers that used the show as a platform to announce multi-year programs.

He went on to write that Ford actually had a sustainability blue print that encompassed not just the new alternative energy goals but also included impact on the environment and climate change. Seriously, when was the last time you expected to hear something like this at a car expo?

Now, the big Papa of the show. The Honda FCX Clarity sedan. Let me type that again: SEDAN. This is no small vehicle but it will get you almost 70 miles to the gallon and have a driving range of about 270 miles. Oh and is the first fuel cell type vehicle on the US market. If you live in California and want to plop down $600 a month for three years, she can be all your's. The big drawback?

For now, those drivers will have to stay in Southern California where they will have access to the limited number of hydrogen fuel stations.

Of course there are a few of them and plans for more but we will still have to wait and see what the future holds for us and our love affair with the American open road.

technorati tags: alternative energy, fuel cell, Honda, cars

News of Note

Today Jim Ostroff of the Kiplinger News asks, `How High Can Oil Go?'

The fundamentals simply don't justify current price levels. "By every supply and demand standard, the oil market is nowhere as tight as it was in 2004 [when oil was fetching about $50 a barrel], yet prices are nearly double now," says Tim Evans, an energy analyst at Citigroup Global Markets. One factor contributing to the higher cost of oil is the dollar's ongoing decline.

Xcel chief backs off on clean coal power

But Xcel's technology won't include a cutting-edge power plant known as Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle, or IGCC, until at least 2016, Kelly said.

Some environmentalists consider IGCC plants to be the gold standard of coal power, and critics of the proposed Desert Rock Energy Project in New Mexico say the plant should be built with IGCC technology.

Chinese oil giant defends supply efforts amid fuel shortage

Shortages have caused long lines at filling stations and disrupted trucking in export-driven coastal provinces. The country's state-owned oil companies blame a scarcity of refining capacity due to price controls, but some customers and Chinese media have accused them of creating a phony crisis to force regulators to raise retail prices.

GRID GENERATES POWER IN ALL WEATHERS

The microgrid enables consumers to see how much power is being generated and its source, how it is being used and the amount of energy stored in the system.

technorati tags: alternative energy, clean coal, energy, General Motors

News of the Moment

GM Sees Alternative-Energy Vehicles 50% Of Output In 5 Yrs

General Motors Corp. (GM) Chairman Rick Wagoner said Monday vehicles that use alternatives to gasoline will likely grow to account for about 50% of the U.S. automaker's global production over the next five years, up from a projected 10% share this year.

Energy Secretary: Mandates May Be Needed

Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said Monday that government mandates are not ideal but might be a necessary part of efforts to boost the use of alternative fuels.

Israeli unveils ambitious plan to shift transportation to electric cars

Israeli entrepreneur Shai Agassi is that man. The 39-year-old former SAP executive has come up with an ambitious plan to shake up the auto industry by encouraging consumers worldwide to give up their heavily polluting fossil fuel cars and purchase electric cars instead.

technorati tags: alternative energy, Israel, energy, General Motors

Why Oil Prices Are So High

excerpt:

The recent jumps in oil prices can be linked to four things - fears over supply shortages, political tensions, a weak dollar and strong demand.

Reports from America's Energy Information Administration have revealed that oil stocks in the US are much lower than expected, sparking concern over a lack of supply ahead of the winter months.

technorati tags: oil, economy, energy, politics

News Brief

A new model for predicting peak oil has been generated and the person who did so say that anytime between now and 2018 we shall hit peak oil.

Oil Production Could Peak Next Year

The new model, developed by Fredrik Robelius, a physicist and petroleum engineer at the University of Uppsala in Sweden, uses a “bottom-up” approach based on field-by-field analyses of the 333 giant oil fields in use today. These together account for more than 60 percent of today’s oil production. He pooled the contributions from all the smaller fields together, treating them as an additional giant field.

Nuclear power could really help us get our alternative energy groove on.

Report: Nuclear Power Has Bright Future

Nuclear power's share of worldwide electricity production rose from less than 1 percent in 1960 to 16 percent in 1986, and that percentage has held essentially constant in the 21 years since 1986, the agency reported in a statement today. Nuclear electricity generation has grown steadily at the same pace as overall global electricity generation.

Fianlly, some good news on the ozone layer.

NASA: Ozone Hole Shrinks Back to Average Size

The Antarctic ozone hole is back to an average size, shrinking about 16 percent from last year's record high, NASA said Friday. But it's still the size of North America.

technorati tags: alternative energy, NASA, energy, nuclear, ozone, peak oil, clean energy

Tuesday's Alternative Energy Headlines

Tired today and got into work late. Teach me to go out and about all night.

Canada is Coming Clean: First Canadian Global Clean Energy Fund Launched

"Clean energy and energy efficiency is on everyone's radar screens, but more importantly the clean energy sector has matured; it's no longer a nascent industry," said Ian McPherson, President of Criterion Investments. "The clean energy investment universe, as identified by the investment manager has a market cap of $1.4 trillion with capital flows of $70 billion a year right now."

Remember what I said in earlier posts... it is all about the money.

Rep. Davis Calls for ‘Manhattan Project’ on Alternative Energy

The solution, the alternative to military actions such as the invasion of Iraq, he said, was to “launch a Manhattan Project to develop alternative energy in the next 10 years.” The comment was met with loud applause.

“It is in our national interest to do this, because we can’t drill or conserve our way out of this box,” he said. “There are lots of options in the area of alternative energy, and all can play a role,” he added.

Manhattan Project? You want to use alternative energy to blow up our enemies? Chase them down with rays of sunshine? Another case of a Congress Critter who opens his mouth up without educating himself on history?

Nigeria: Minister Advocates Use of Solar Energy

The minister made this remark recently in her office when the managing consultant of the African-Asian investor's management gave a presentation on the benefit of solar energy. She equally said that the solar energy has a pivotal role to play in sourcing for alternative energy supply for Nigeria.

The article goes on to say that it is really expensive and that they need to look locally for good resources. It also mentions that a lab would need to go solar to meet its energy demands. A lab for gamma radiation. OK, how many thought about `The Incredible Hulk'? Raise your hands up.

Medical Discoveries Responds to DOE Biofuel Project Request for Proposals

“We believe the DOE’s Request for Proposals reflects the growing recognition of the need to develop cost-effective feedstock for use in biofuels that does not compete with land and other resources used for food production,” said Richard Palmer, MDI's President and Chief Operating Officer. “The per barrel cost of Jatropha oil is significantly lower than the current cost of crude oil, uses a fraction of the resources, and is considerably cheaper to produce than soybean, rapeseed or corn oil, the primary crops presently used for the production of biofuels. Due to our expertise in plant and soil sciences and our continued development of Jatropha plantations, we believe MDI is uniquely qualified to satisfy DOE requirements, and to become the first United States-based producer of commercial quantities of Jatropha oil.”

Solar start-up lures top energy exec

The company said it had hired Bob Fishman, former executive vice-president in charge of power operations at Calpine, which generates about 3 per cent of the electricity used in the US. Through separately financed projects each capable of producing 100 megawatts or more, Mr Fishman said that Ausra eventually plans to run solar plants generating "tens of thousands of megawatts".

Exciting times, it would be very neat to see this happen. But with all of the solar panels that will be going up around the world in the next two decades, do we risk bringing on global cooling by reflecting so much sunshine (function of what is left of the Arctic). Then will they push for the special, non-reflection ones that are in use here and there?

technorati tags: alternative energy, Canada, energy, solar, Nigeria, manhattan project, clean energy, economics

Alternative Energy News Roundup

A few articles of interest this AM.

“One Hurricane Away” From the End of Cheap Oil

In New Orleans yesterday, he told a crowd that the United States is just “one hurricane away from energy scarcity,” according to the Times-Picayune.

OK, nevermind the multi-year reserves we have in case of an emergency. Or the fact that a good portion of our oil comes in from Canada, who has been building more pipelines. The fact that technology is making more oil readily available without necessarily placing a huge debt burden for the companies to do so. For now I will have to label this FUD. We are one big hurricane away from Wall Street Investors sending our oil sky high, no matter what the reality might pan out to be in the long run.

Ohio Proves to be Ideal Location for Advancements in Fuel Cell Industry

Ohio's supportive business environment and significant government initiatives are helping companies research, develop and commercialize cutting-edge technology in the fuel cell industry, according to the Ohio Business Development Coalition (OBDC), the nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment. Through the help of programs such as the Third Frontier Program, Ohio is an ideal location for companies dedicated to delivering fuel alternatives to the world.

Yup Ohio saying that Ohio is an ideal place. I would have been more surprised if they had picked another state. ;p

Sony Makes Sugar-Powered Batteries

Sony, one of the world’s largest battery makers, developed a battery that generates electricity from carbohydrates (sugar). The device was developed based on the same power generation principles found in living organisms. Test batteries showed the ability to produce 50 milliwatts - currently the world's highest level of power production for passive-type bio batteries (a system in which reactive substances such as glucose and oxygen are absorbed into electrodes through a process of natural diffusion). By combining 4 battery units, the supplied power is sufficient to operate a typical MP3 player or cell phone.

It is all fine and well until you end up stranded somewhere and then eat your batteries. Then what are you going to listen to?

World's largest solar power plant launched in Spain

The facility, called Planta Solar de Salamanca, consists of 70,000 modules on a site of 36 hectares. It produces 13.8 MW of energy, enough to meet the needs of 5,000 houses. The company plans to gradually increase the output to 25 MW.

It is a fact that solar technology continues to improve. Pretty soon this place will be on the small side of things. Right now any little help the people and the environment can get is a good thing. I would love to see a huge array up in the Artic so that when the "new" islands are occupied, they will have access to renewable energy from the get go.

Ministry of Industry to build 250,000 solar boilers- Iraq

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry announced that the Iraqi Prime Minister has agreed to assign the ministry to manufacture 250,000 solar boilers to use instead of electrical boilers, IDP reported.

You know things are bad when oil rich nations HAVE to embrace things like this. ;p Seriously, they are still having power generation issues and the less that the people have to rely on bad infrastructure, the better.

technorati tags: alternative energy, Ohio, energy, solar, Spain, fuel cell, clean energy, Iraq

Whirlwind week continues

Wow is the alternative energy global scene starting to take off! At one time I would be lucky to find 10 good mainstream articles a month and now there are a ton every day.

Conferences, people like to have a conference to attend as it means getting out of work. For today there's news on two of them.

First up is the Friedland Investment Events’ Alternative Energy and Clean Technology Conference in New York City which is tomorrow. Power Efficiency's CFO will be presenting there. The conference is tomorrow, the 19th, and can be found in New York.

The second one is the 31st Annual Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition in San Antonio, Texas. It runs from October 15th to the 19th and it will have thousands of participants, near 200 companies, and people from all over the world.

Speaking of people from all over the globe...

Oracle said that it is planning to invest in certain Israeli interests as Israel is expected to take the lead in R&D of alternative energy technologies.

Over in Australia, the Qantas airline plans on offsetting 24 hours of emissions by dumping $500K into alternative energy projects and tree planting. They will also offer customers the option to pay a bit more to offset their own carbon footprint.

For those who do not know, nuclear power is big in India, very big. However, not everyone is pleased with this news. MOF, some activists are saying that the current deal with the US threatens India's sovereignty.

Looks like the Dominican Republic will get by with a little help from its friends. The US and Brazil are expected to help out the DR by providing help with the manufacture of biofuels.

technorati tags: alternative energy, Texas, energy, nuclear, India, biofuel, clean energy, Israel

Monday Morning Energy

After what hopefully was a very relaxing weekend for everyone, there should be lots of energy going into today. Yes, today, Monday. ;p

Ontario announced that it was giving AGS Automotive $6 million. Part of those funds are going to be used for alternative energy and waste reduction technologies. On the other side of the world, PetroChina said that they were going to put $1.33 billion towards things like coal bed methane, thermal power, and bio-fuels. Considering how badly polluted China is, this is a step in the right direction.

Gulf Ethanol has retained the services of a real estate company in order to find a good piece of land in South West Texas. Also in the announcement was the news that they have also retained a solar energy consultant.

NanoLogix's bioreactor at Welch Foods is now generating electricity. It does so by capturing hydrogen gas that is given off when certain bacteria eat through waste products. It is the first of its kind and may herald a whole new way of looking at alternative energy in the workplace. Right now the generator is powering very little but the results have been so promising that they hope to increase the potential in the near future.

Florida is a huge consumer of energy and yet very little of the energy comes from renewable resources. Lack of a steady wind and an abundance of cloud cover eliminates the two most common forms that people look into when it comes to these types of resources. So what options does Florida have? Benoit Wirz takes a look at this in his article, ` Florida: the Dark Horse in the Alternative Energy Race?'.

Other articles of note for today:
Uranium Resources: A Perfect Play on Nuclear Energy {Investments}
Solar-Powered Rolling on the River

technorati tags: alternative energy, Texas, energy, nuclear, Florida, solar power, clean energy, Canada

Sunday News Blurbs

Ethanol campaign prints new book to further promote industry

The Ethanol Fact Book contains statistics and information documenting the economic and environmental benefits of ethanol, Nelson said. According to the book, a typical 40 million gallon per year ethanol plant expands the local economic base by $110 million, generates $19.6 million in household income, increases tax revenue by $1.2 million, and creates nearly 700 permanent jobs.

Giving full credit to N.C. GreenPower

Furthermore, it was the N.C. GreenPower program, negotiated and governed by a diverse group of stakeholders including utilities, consumer advocates and environmental groups, that convinced the utilities in our state to allow renewable energy providers to interconnect with our power grid.

Turbulence over turbines at Virginia's first planned wind farm

Out here in the Allegheny Mountains, snug to the West Virginia line, the first commercial wind farm in Virginia is planned. As many as 22 turbines, each as tall as the Statue of Liberty, would churn out enough clean energy to power more than 12,000 homes a year, according to plans.

If approved by regulators, it would be the highest wind development on the East Coast, atop two mountain ridges more than 4,200 feet in elevation.

EPA: No plans for regulation

But an EPA spokeswoman said the agency's not planning to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired electric plants anytime soon, although top administrators are planning new limits on greenhouse gases that come out of vehicle tailpipes.

"At this point, we're still studying the issue," said Kim Olson, spokeswoman for EPA's regional office in Kansas City.

Energy session not guaranteed to bring solution

Special legislative sessions are designed to focus public attention on an issue. The energy issue will have its day in the sun when a special session convenes later this month. Gov. Ed Rendell will deliver an address Sept. 24 to the General Assembly on his proposals to make Pennsylvania less dependent on expensive oil and natural gas supplies.

Drivers aim to save money, Earth

But does going green mean saving the environment or saving a little cash?

Kevin Riddell, JD Power powertrain analyst, said the primary motivation for most people who buy an alternative energy vehicle is improved mileage, with the environmental benefits as a bonus.

"It's more difficult to sell environmental friendliness than to sell fuel economy," he said.

technorati tags: alternative energy, Italy, energy, autos, EPA, wind power, clean energy, ethanol

Energy like lightning

The more and more that I read the news from around the world, the more evident it is that alternative energy is catching on everywhere. However, can it continue to keep making ground where it counts? That is to say, is the interest big enough to gather the needed consumer dollars and make it worthwhile to the corporations out there?

One would think that with the high oil prices that posted this week that clean energy would be in the forefront. However, Nick Perry noted that this is not necessarily the case in his recent post:

As recently as 2 weeks ago I was discussing the appeal of the PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy Fund (PBW), so I am disappointed to see the group post a loss this week. With the headlines abuzz about a new high in oil, I would have thought the alternative energy area would be "re-energized," but clearly that wasn't the case.

But is this just an unusual blip or does it foretell more hard times for alternative energy companies?

That is not to say that there is not an economic benefit within the field. Alternative energy continues to dominate politics and nothing is more political than cold, hard cash. Matter of fact, George Avalos wrote in his article, `Bay Area stands to benefit from green-tech boom' that the East Bay is poised on raking in a lot of cash.

Several East Bay communities could be suitable for green-tech manufacturing, at least to the extent of a pilot factory or production of prototype devices, machines, or fuels, he said. Among them: Richmond, Antioch, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Oakley, Dublin and Livermore. If the field of activity is extended, California could provide all of the facilities needed for such projects from start to finish.

Speaking of politics, Reuters is carrying an article about the interest that the Italian government has in alternative energy. Of course it is especially a big issue there since nuclear power is banned within the country, making that part of the topic very touchy among the people and politicians. However, with supplies becoming tight and with Italy's huge dependence on importing for their energy need, it is just a matter of time before they have to do something. Some say the time has already come.

Last week, the country's biggest power producer Enel said there could be blackouts this year because Italy did not have the infrastructure for alternative supplies -- a push for reluctant regional administrations to open up to building of gas terminals.

Other news to note:
Nuclear Power is Not the Answer

Instead, unless the House of Representatives quashes the Senate giveaway, the national security risks inherent an atomic power, complete with growing transportation on the rails and highways of radioactive wastes, will multiply. So make your Representative in the House especially, Cong. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), listen to your arguments.

My opinion: people refuse to believe that nuclear power generation has evolved since they watched the movie, "The China Syndrome".

Ethiopia: U.S. Oil Company to Enter Fuel Distribution Market

The company will be engaged in fuel and lubricant distributions in Ethiopia, while it particularly aims at supplying the whole market with its own products, according to sources.

My opinion: Oil and its byproducts will continue to have huge importance in our daily lives, especially in poorer countries, for the next century.

SUNY: Bill McKibben, First Global Warming Author, to Speak Here Sept. 25

Bill McKibben, a leading environmentalist whose first book, The End of Nature (1989), raised the alarm about global climate change, will speak on Tuesday, Sept. 25, at SUNY Cortland.
McKibben, who frequently writes about global warming, alternative energy and the risks associated with human genetic engineering, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Old Main Brown Auditorium. The lecture opens the College's yearlong series on the theme of "Earthly Matters," organized by the College's Cultural and Intellectual Climate Committee.

technorati tags: alternative energy, Italy, energy, economics, nuclear, politics, SUNY, Bill McKibben

Extinction, energy, and politics

The week started off on a rather down note when we were told that almost 200 more species were threatened with extinction. Climate change, disease, and war seem to be the biggest enablers of this. Perhaps with time we can reverse this, but how much longer until that time runs out?

Alternative energy and the environment are really starting to dominate politics, both in the local and federal arenas in the United States. Virginia's governor, Tim Kaine, recently put out his proposal to cut greenhouse emissions by 30% before 2025. His proposal is basically centered around the citizens and government using less energy by using available energy more efficiently. To set the pace the state purchased 27,000 CFLs. CFLs are pretty good but I have found that some of the cheaper ones burn out pretty quickly. Take your time, stick with namebrands, and do not just go for the cheapest guy on the block. I have reduced my bill from an average of $135 per month to $100 per month just by introducing these bulbs to my home.

Speaking of conservation, retired professor Richard Hill recently stated that conservation is the way for humans to have a more balanced (and cleaner) relationship with nature. Part of his plan calls for the doubling of the amount of nuclear power plants in the US and also requiring a minimum standard of 30 mpg for passenger cars.

Meanwhile the feds are giving Southern Co. a hard time over a cooling valve that was not up to snuff in their Alabama nuclear plant. Not enough to cause a meltdown but it might have, just maybe, if things went just wrong enough, endanger the public in some form or fashion. Southern is rather pissed due to the fact that the black eye comes during a time when they are trying to expand their operations in other parts of the country.

In an effort to cut greenhouse emissions Vermont modeled a law on vehicles after the one in use in California. Of course it got dragged into court by the automakers. Part of the problem, they said, was that the states were usurping federal authority. The judge did not buy it and ruled in favor of the law.

Speaking of those evil and vile automakers. You know the ones who are so dead set against alternative energy? General Motors announced that is plans on expanding its use of solar power. It will be the largest solar plant in the US and produce 1.3 million killowatt hours of electricity every year. Wow! Is that enough to travel Back to the Future?

Taking a look northward, Wisconsin is once again expanding its reach into alternative fuels. I had been up in that state a couple of years ago and it was the first time that I saw an E-85 gas pump anywhere. Right now the city of Evansville wants to build a soy crush plant. The cooperative in the area stated that they would be willing to work with the state in financing the facility.

Why be so keen on clean electricity? Well it is not just better for the trees, birds, and plants but also for us, the humans. Dirty the environment and you cause all sorts of the health issues. Right now "dirty energy" threatens the health of over 2 billion people and it is not just the usual suspects. Apprently un or poorly ventilated indoor cook fires are quite a concern.

technorati tags: alternative energy, Wisconsin, energy, dirty energy, nuclear, politics, Alabama, extinction, solar power, General Motors

Alternative Energy News

Oil is up, supplies are down (but still up compared to last year), and Americans are getting hit so hard in the wallet that they actually might start to lose weight. The roller coaster ride in the energy field is far from over, even if the oil bubble popped tomorrow and dropped the price down to $55/barrel. Alternative energy is "IN" and people from all over are trying to get in on the action.

The NY Times article, `‘Feel Good’ vs. ‘Do Good’ on Climate' takes a skeptic's view on the whole global warming debate. Bringing in Dr. Bjorn Lomborg and also taking a look at an area already hit with rising water levels and increase in temperatures, New York. Can we really fight the warming more efficiently by painting the roof tops and roads white? It would be an interesting experiment to say the least.

Where's there is a demand, there is money. It is one of the laws of the universe. The amount of money to be made and thrown at any given project is equal to 2.3 times the amount of good press that doing so would generate, whether it does anything or not. Well, that is my theory anyway. Alternative energy is hot right now. Governors are touring ethanol plants to appear to be sensitive to issues rather than really being sensitive to getting enough good press so that the next election is easier.

On the money side, big companies like Citi (was Citigroup) are getting involved. In their case their involvement is to the tune of $50 billion dollars US (over the next decade) into green house gas reductions. That's a lot of money going into the market. Of course things like that is leading NYMEX to launch new alternative energy equity index futures even though some professionals are starting to wonder if there is a bubble here and whether it is going to pop on us (hate it when that happens, the gum gets stuck to your nose and sometimes your hair, it is a mess).

The real question though, and one without a clear answer, is which technology will lead us to renewable nirvana?

The big question beyond that though is will the solution be able to save the polar bear?

technorati tags: alternative energy, Lomborg, energy, green power, oil, politics

OT: Please take action now

I know that I have not been around in awhile. I have been busy working hard and making ends meet. In whatever spare time I have had, I have been trying to make a difference. You see every year there are many living in the US who are openly discriminated against. They have lost jobs, housing, and access to the most basic of services that the rest of the country enjoys. Lost because they happen to be or perceived to be a part of the LGBT community.

I am asking for everyone to stand up and let Congress know that all citizens should have equal protection under the law. Ask them to support ENDA. Do not fall victim to the lies that the other side have been spreading. There are First Amendment protections for those who wish to continue along with their faith view of choice, no matter how vulgar and dangerous it comes across to so many.

technorati tags: ENDA, civil liberties, politics

Cold Snap Putting Strain On Power Grid

Link

Excerpt:

As of noon Tuesday, 15,000 megawatts of power were flowing through the grid, with only 600 megawatts in reserve, according MISO officials.

"It's been at least three years since we've seen winter temperatures like these," said Eric Pierce, Xcel's managing director of energy trading and commercial operations. "We have more peaking facilities running right now than I can recall running at this time of year in the last three years."

Schwarzenegger and Fuel Economy Plus NJ and CFLs

In a move sure to tick off most of the Republican party: Next Schwarzenegger target: fuel emissions

A white paper by Schwarzenegger advisors and obtained by The Times said, "To protect our jobs and wages, clean our air, cool our Earth and maintain our way of life, we must diversify our fuel sources and reduce our reliance on oil."

Such an order would be the first major step in implementing the state's landmark law approved last fall that requires California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2020. Greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere, are considered a major cause of global warming.

Meanwhile Atlantic County in New Jersey is getting together with Lowes in order to give away CFLs.

Atlantic County government and the Atlantic County Utilities Authority, in cooperation with Lowe’s, will promote the importance of energy efficiency in protecting the environment during National Cut Your Energy Cost Day by holding workshops and giving away 1,000 Energy Star compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs at four locations to those who participate in the Energy Star Change a Light Pledge.

Also see this blog post that I made in May of 2006:
What Good Will It Do?

Yesterday I updated two more light fixtures to using CFLs. I picked up a two pack of some really small, but very bright (60W), CFLs for ~$8. They fit into the fixtures perfectly. I need 9 globes for the bathrooms and four more of the small CFLs and my entire house will have only fluorescent lighting.

technorati tags: alternative energy, energy, compact fluorescent, New Jersey, fuel, California, oil

Iran and OPEC Threaten the World

Gee, just a couple of days ago I mentioned that the current falling gas prices would prompt OPEC to say that they will cut production (but they probably will not or not as much as they state) and that Iran will threaten to nuke someone, probably Israel.

Oil is around $55 a barrel, which is what I predicted for the end of 2006, I was off by a couple of days.

OPEC threatens to cut production. Surprise. I still say that $60 a barrel is 1) not realistic due to the fact that it will be hundreds of years before oil supply is really threatened, plenty to go around and 2) not sustainable on the world market for too long.

They are building a top heavy house with their policies. Now it is good in some ways because we do not want the prices to just crash. Give the market a little time to diversify their investments and gently ease the prices down to about $35 a barrel, which would be a reasonable price.

Unfortunately we know that would be bad for alternative energy. Why? because the general public will be able to drive their vehicles rather cheaply again and will use the extra money to buy fast food rather than pay off their bills. Due to that, not as many politicians will continue to push for a more expensive in the short term solution to the problem of dependence on oil imports.

In other news, it is going to be almost 80 degrees in NC this Saturday. Time to dust off the Carolina Rollergirls tight tank top and my soccer short.

technorati tags: alternative energy, energy, Wal-mart, Iran, politics, OPEC, oil

Alternative Energy Spending Going Bye Bye?

Alternative-Energy Spending Fizzles Out

Although Bush proposed a fiscal-year 2007 budget that would have increased funding for some renewable-energy resources, including solar and biomass, as well as for research into hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, the budget was not passed. Instead, Congress passed a stop-gap continuing resolution that will keep the budget at 2006 levels, which, because of inflation, amounts to a cut in funding, and it specifically decreases funding in some cases.
[...]
Romm says the budget "for all energy efficiency and all renewable energy is something like a billion. Given [that] the scale of the problem with global warming and our oil imports is so humongous, we're hardly addressing the issue at all."

Perhaps the private sector will pick up the slack, even if some of the incentives go away? Or even if there may be a slowing down of research due to a lack of federal funding?

Wal-Mart has had a few experimental stores that used green energy. This link here shows a row of their solar panels at one store. The text states that Wal-Mart may start pushing green solutions to other stores. With how many stores they have, the impact could be quite impressive.

Farm Futures ran the article, Firms Double Investments in Energy Ventures, today and in it they state that:

Venture capital firms more than doubled their investments in biofuels and other energy ventures in 2006, and even more is expected in 2007.

Maybe we might have a better idea after the Wall Street Green Trading Summit VI which has been announced for April 16th and 17th of 2007.

technorati tags: alternative energy, energy, Wal-mart, United States, politics, economy

Oil drops due to warm US weather

So possible global warming is good for the economy! ;p

Now that oil is below $59 (at this instant, may not be by the time I hit publish) I am wondering when Iran will threaten to nuke Israel or to use oil as a weapon in order to up the price again. Of course if Iran's usual assortment of threats do not impact the price then their real leader (OPEC) will step in and say that they may make cuts or that there may be a supply issue in order to raise the price back up to $60+, which I still think is unsustainable for the global market.

Fortunately the DoE is looking into diversifying US oil imports with more non-OPEC countries being thrown into the mix. Saudi Arabia was still our top OPEC source in October and Canada our largest non-OPEC source. Imports were also a bit lower than they were in September.

technorati tags: oil, energy, oil price

Watch your wallet

I have noticed an increasing trend in the posting and pushing of little gadgets that are advertised as improving the performance of your vehicle. Many of these note (and usually with large and bold text) that these little contraptions will improve gas mileage. A great pitch during these times.

However, most of the time the claims do not live up to what is advertised and some gadgets can have a negative impact on your vehicle. Be sure to research any and all claims before trying anything out.

Good ways to save a few $$$$:

Drive within the posted speed limits
Do not step on the gas pedal to quickly accelerate
Purchase a hybrid vehicle
Clean out the car (reduce some of that extra weight you are carrying around)
Check the air filter
Make sure to use the recommended oil and gas grades for your vehicle.
Be sure that your tires are inflated to the proper pressure and if you are unsure whether or not the car is still in alignment, have it checked out.

technorati tags: save energy, oil, energy, alternative energy