Technology Transfer – From Lab to Marketplace
The U.S. is currently home to a suite of national laboratories that conduct cutting-edge research. Throughout the country, this network of 17 labs (overseen by the Department of Energy) focuses on a wide array of basic science and engineering questions. The results of this research have spurred innovation and technology development for more than seven decades. And, through the technology transfer process,... Read More
Solyndra: Soft Markets and Chinese Subsidies
In September, headlines erupted when the solar company, Solyndra, announced that it would be filing for bankruptcy just 2 years after the company received $535 million in federal loan guarantees under the Recovery Act. The situation quickly led to questions about why this company failed. And, according to recent discussions and testimony by energy Secretary Chu, the root cause might be found... Read More
Texas Tribune: Texas Lawmakers Ordered to Study Drought, Wildfires
by Kate Galbraith, The Texas Tribune, 10/19/2011 The Texas Legislature doesn’t meet again until 2013, but state Senate committees will soon begin studying the impact of the record-breaking drought on power generation, agriculture and the economy, and also how to improve Texas’ response to wildfires, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst announced Tuesday. “The drought has had a devastating... Read More
Declining Energy Quality and Economic Recession
According to many, downturns in the U.S. and European markets are primarily the result of unsustainable behaviors in the financial industry. But, some critics are asking – was declining energy quality a major contributor to these negative turns? According to Dr. Carey King, a research associate at the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin, the answer to this question... Read More
Guest Post: No, We’re Not There Yet – The Trouble With Hydrogen Cars
By Sheril Kirshenbaum One of the perks of being a Hill staffer is access to cool new technologies when lobbyists visit. And so in 2006, I looped around D and 2nd in a hydrogen car. When I asked the nice man who brought the vehicle about safety and the inherent ‘chicken and egg’ problem (cars and fueling stations – which comes first?), he provided a clearly scripted response intended to brush... Read More
The U.S. Now Uses More Corn For Fuel Than For Feed
For every 10 ears of corn that are grown in the United States today, only 2 are consumed directly by humans as food. The remaining 8 are used in almost equal shares for animal feed and for ethanol. And, for the 12 months from August 2011 to 2012, the U.S. biofuels industry used morecorn for fuel than domestic farmers did for livestock feed – a first for the industry. This significant milestone... Read More
Guest Post: LEED – Not just a pretty plaque, and certainly not perfect
By C. Sylvan A building revolution is happening right under our noses. And it looks like this (see left). You may have seen this plaque at the entrance to Office Depot, in the lobby of your office building, or at a multi-family housing development in your area. This plaque means that the building has achieved LEED certification. LEED has become the industry standard for commercial green building and... Read More
Solyndra – Illuminating Energy Funding Flaws?
Solyndra, once viewed as a sure winner in the solar industry, has closed its doors. Their technology works and they appear to have reached their goals for cost reductions. But, just 16 months after President Obama visited their manufacturing site and only 2 years after the Department of Energy approved $535 million in federal loan guarantees for Solyndra, this Fremont-based solar panel maker has given... Read More
In Texas, Perry Has Presided Over Wind, Gas Booms
by Kate Galbraith, The Texas Tribune, 8/21/2011 In the opening days of his presidential campaign, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas has railed against a favorite target, the Environmental Protection Agency, and declared himself a “skeptic” that humans are the cause of global warming. If Perry wins the White House, his national energy policy will focus on cutting federal regulations, especially at the... Read More
Energy Efficiency for Economic Strength
This post was originally published on 8/4/11 on Scientific American’s blog, Plugged In. In the face of this summer’s debates on how to manage the nation’s current debt load – which came to a temporary cease fire on Tuesday with the passage of a bill that will raise the government’s debt ceiling – I found myself looking back at speeches made by President Obama where he emphasized... Read More
