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
Reid: Energy on Agenda for September
According to Senator Harry Reid (D-Nevada), energy will be on the agenda this coming September. After Congress resumes work following a 4-week recess, job creation will be high on the list of issues to debate. And, green jobs will certainly play a role. Check out the full story here. Read More
EPA Chief, in Texas, Calls Pollution Rule “Not Onerous”
Originally published by Kate Galbraith, The Texas Tribune on 7/20/2011. Lisa Jackson, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, said a pollution rule adopted this month that has infuriated many Texas officials is “not onerous” and could be enacted “cheaply and efficiently.” Jackson visited Austin today, and after she emerged from an afternoon meeting with green energy... Read More
Senate Votes – No more ethanol subsidies
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted decisively in favor of ending ethanol subsidies and removing tariffs for imported alternative fuels. With a vote of 73-27, the Senators approved an amendment authored by Senator Feinstein (a Democrat from California) that eliminates the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit. This credit provided a 45 cent/gallon tax credit for blending ethanol into regular gasoline.... Read More
Chinese Coal Plants Face Bankruptcy – Woes of the Regulated Utility
According to a recent article by Industrial Fuels and Power, 87of China’s coal-fired power plants could face bankruptcy as a result of disagreements between state-owned utilities and government economic planners. These plants, which represent 20% of China’s coal fleet, are struggling to survive as high demand (and resulting high coal prices) collides with government mandated electricity... Read More
The Fracking Debate – The “Truth” about Gasland and water contamination
One of the major concerns with regards to hydraulic fracturing is the potential for fracking fluids – specifically, the chemicals in them – to contaminate drinking water. The YouTube video titled “My Water’s on Fire Tonight” outlined this concern: But there’s more in the water than just H2O Toxic chemicals help to make the fluid flow With names like benzene and formaldehyde You... Read More
Texas Smart Grid Experts Head to the White House
Kate Galbraith The Texas Tribune, 5/19/2011 Texas’s smart-grid initiatives are getting some attention in Washington. On Friday morning, a small group of Texans, including the chairman of the Public Utility Commission, Barry Smitherman, will brief White House representatives on the smart-meter rollout and related issues in the state. “There is a lot of experimentation and research going... Read More
CNN: 70% of Americans Favor Increased Offshore Drilling
Today, the House of Representatives voted 266-149 in favor of H.R. 1230, the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act. According to the current Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R – Ohio), this bill will help to stop policies that drive up the price of gasoline while creating jobs for Americans. According to Boehner’s website, this bill acts on what Americans want – more offshore... Read More
Democrats Pounce on Subsidies After Boehner’s Comments
Yesterday, Speaker of the House John Boehner (Republican – Ohio) said that ”we oughta be looking at” ending some federal oil and gas subsidies, stating that oil and gas companies should “pay their fair share in taxes.” The Republican leader’s seemingly casual commentary has caused waves in Washington and online, with former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (Democrat... Read More
Now is the moment – to move away from foreign oil?
According to the last 8 Presidents of the United States, our nation’s dependence on foreign oil is concerning (at best) and threatens our long-term success (at worst?). Each of these Presidents has supported the reduction or elimination of our dependence on foreign oil sources, but none have succeeded. Today, in an article in Yale Environment 360, Professor Michael Graetz discusses the challenges... Read More
