Archive for July, 2011

Cutting Need for Energy by Using Less of It

“In Hong Kong, as in much of the rest of the world right now, a debate is raging about how best to generate the additional electricity that is needed to power economic growth and development.

Do we use more oil and coal, which pollute and are ultimately finite? Or nuclear energy, which comes with safety concerns, and is being phased out entirely in Germany? Or renewable energies likesolar power, which many nations are promoting, but which make up only a small portion of the energy mix in most countries, and often have physical limitations?

Relatively little attention is being paid to what some analysts refer to as the “fifth fuel”: ways to consume less energy in the first place.”

Cutting Need for Energy by Using Less of It via Bettina Wassener – NY Times

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EPA, SEC Take the Lead on U.S. Environmental Progress

“While the EU charges ahead with carbon trading, stricter environmental laws and better enforcement, we here in America hang our heads in shame. Our Federal government is in environmental denial and the media cries Cassandra. Al Gore goes to a highly-publicized meeting with President Obama to lobby for climate change mitigation, while Obama has still not honored his promise to reinstall solar panels on the White House roof. Businesses beg for definitive rulings on issues such as carbon pricing and environmental social governance (ESG) reporting requirements, while the legislature clamors (successfully) “drill baby drill” and accuses environmentalists of favoring spotted owls over jobs. Our leaders’ attitude seems to be climate change has to wait until the economy has turned around.

But civil servants are having remarkable success. In living up to their duty to protect the health and wealth of U.S. citizens, the EPA and the SEC are remarkably focused, even strident, about green. In fact, the EPA has had a number of amazing wins.”

EPA, SEC Take the Lead on U.S. Environmental Progress via Carol Pierson Holding – Triple Pundit

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Coal-Fired Power Plants Targeted By Sierra Club In Washington, D.C.

“Commuters probably weren’t expecting this on their way to work in the morning. But beginning July 12th, theSierra Club took over all of the ad space inside Washington, D.C.’s Farragut North Station to share their message that air pollution from coal-fired power plants poses health risks.

80 metro cars have carried similar ads since April.”

Coal-Fired Power Plants Targeted By Sierra Club In Washington, D.C. via Huffington Post

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Al Gore Launches Climate Reality Project

Al Gore turned from a waffling politician to a leading climate action activist a few years ago. If someone mentions Al Gore now, probably the #1 association that comes to mind is global warming, due to his wildly popular and influential film “An Inconvenient Truth” and resulting Nobel Peace Prize. While there are probably thousands upon thousands of trolls spreading misinformation about Al Gore and climate change across the internet, confusing the public and hurting a very respectable man’s reputation, Al Gore and his message are tremendously needed today.

We are facing unprecedented catastrophe and Gore is doing his best to avert that. His latest effort, launched yesterday, is the “Climate Reality Project.”’

Al Gore Launches Climate Reality Project via Zachary Shahan – Planet Save

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14 US States Currently Wracked by Crippling Droughts

“Fourteen U.S. states, from North Carolina to Arizona to Texas — where conditions are crushing records set in 1917 — are currently in the midst of devastating droughts. Many are seeking emergency disaster aid; most notably so is Governor Rick Perry of Texas, famous for his vociferous climate change denial. The New York Times covers the storyin sordid detail, documenting the economic destruction, the scorching heat, the excruciating dryness. But they leave out one little thing. Guess what that could be?

Any mention of climate change. They come dangerously close to making the connection, interviewing a climatologist or two — but they end up pinning the blame on La Nina. But if I seem to recall correctly, there have been a La Nina or two since 1917 that didn’t smash drought records in Texas …”

14 US States Currently Wracked by Crippling Droughts via Brian Merchant – Treehugger

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Major U.S. companies converting fleets to electric and hybrid vehicles

“Just as the EPA keeps tabs on companies that use green energy for buildings and stamps out Energy Star labels for efficient appliances, the Department of Energy has begun recognizing companies that are greening their vehicle fleets.

The National Clean Fleets Partnership helps companies that are trying to reduce their use of gasoline and diesel by connecting them with clean fuel providers and equipment manufacturers in the hope of accelerating the adoption of clean, advanced, energy-efficient vehicles across the U.S.”

Major U.S. companies converting fleets to electric and hybrid vehicles via Barbara Kessler – ABC Green Right Now

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U.S. Backs Project to Produce Fuel From Corn Waste

“WASHINGTON — The Energy Department plans to provide a $105 million loan guarantee for the expansion of an ethanol factory in Emmetsburg, Iowa, that intends to make motor fuel from corncobs, leaves and husks.

Experts say that the new factory, being built by POET, a major producer of ethanol derived from corn kernels, could be the first commercial-scale plant to make ethanol from a nonfood, or cellulosic, plant source. However, POET would first have to overcome technical hurdles in scaling up its production from the current pilot project, which processes one ton of plant matter per day, to a plant capable of processing 700 tons of biomass a day. High volume is necessary to make cellulosic ethanol competitive with the corn-based version.”

U.S. Backs Project to Produce Fuel From Corn Waste via Matthew Wald – NY Times Environment

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Fracking forces recoil in New Jersey and France, and new rules in New York

“Natural gas drilling techniques have either advanced or deteriorated, depending on your viewpoint, with the increased use of hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking.

Fracking is being used to release gas from hard shale deposits in various hot spots across the U.S. and the world. It has allowed gas companies to access gas supplies that were not viable with traditional drilling methods, opening up a spigot that could supply the U.S. for years to come and launching a drumbeat for domestic natural gas to become the “bridge” fuel to the future, because it burns cleanly in combustion engines and because it has created thousands with much-needed jobs.

Critics, however, say fracking comes with a high environmental cost and even its promise of increased U.S. supplies could go unfulfilled if speculators sell the gas off on the global market. Gas companies, they say, are overly optimistic about natural gas production, withevidence emerging that fracked wells may run strongly for a few years, then diminish to a trickle, potentially hurting investors and landowner leasees.”

Fracking forces recoil in New Jersey and France, and new rules in New York via Barbara Kessler – Green Right Now

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Toyota, Ford hybrid vehicles rank highest

“Toyota and Ford are producing the best hybrid vehicles, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

In its annual review of hybrids, the organization ranked the Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion hybrid and Honda Civic hybrid as the top vehicles in the nonluxury segment of the market. The nonprofit group rated the Lincoln MKZ hybrid, built by Ford, and the Lexus CT 200H, a Toyota product, as the top luxury models.”

Toyota, Ford hybrid vehicles rank highest via Jerry Hirsch – LA Times

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