Kerry & Lieberman are Going Ahead
Just minutes after I published my last post, I received an update from EENews that Senators Kerry and Lieberman have submitted their energy and climate bill to the EPA for review, a multiple week process that must be completed before the bill can be discussed on the Senate floor. This step gives me hope that this bill will be debated and voted on soon. Read More
Energy vs Immigration – Legislative Rivals?
The energy and climate baton has been held by the Senate since last June, after the House passed their own bill (H.R. 2454). Over the past several months, the baton has been carried by three Senators: Lieberman – an Independent from Connecticut Kerry – a Democrat from Massachusetts (also the home state of Representative Markey, a primary author on the House bill) Graham – a Republican... Read More
What price are we willing to pay?
A commentary piece on CNN today, written by environmental economics Professor Andrew Kleit at Penn State. A few excerpts: “The reality is our economy is set up to burn coal for electricity and gasoline for cars, and moving away from this will be difficult, time consuming, and will compel consumers to decide whether they think it is worth it.” “If we want to address our country’s... Read More
Shaping the Energy Technology Transition
One year ago, I participated in my first radio interview with Dialectica Radio (91.7 FM here in Austin). The topic was Shaping the Energy Technology Transition and the discussion included policy recommendations for a comprehensive federal energy and climate policy. These recommendations were developed over a two semester (9 month) period by 13 graduate students. This was less time than it has now taken... Read More
Energy and Climate Bill in the Senate – is Graham backing out?
Today was supposed to be the day that the Senate unveiled its long anticipated energy and climate bill. This revealing had been in the works for months, originally planned to be announced on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day (a.k.a. last Thursday). It was postponed until today, but over the weekend unrelated immigration reform discussions derailed it once again. Instead of announcing a momentus accomplishment,... Read More
Water and Energy, Energy and Water
We use water to create usable energy and energy to create usable water. Water and energy, energy and water – inextricably linked. Energy needs water In the United States, we predominately generate electricity in large power plants that burn fossil fuels (coal and natural gas) to generate heat. This heat is used to boil water to make steam and it is this steam that is used to generate electricity... Read More
Sweetwater, TX coal plant gets the EDF ‘thumbs up’
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) gave the thumbs up to a new 600-megawatt coal power plant near Sweetwater, TX. Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center Yesterday, EDF and Tenaska Inc. signed an agreement that ensures that EDF will not stand in the way of the facility’s permits as long as the plant meets conditions regarding air emissions and water use. The agreement between EDF and Tenaska requires... Read More
Wal-Mart saving the planet?
The power of businesses in the drive toward a sustainable energy economy is undeniably HUGE. Retailers in particular have the power to influence how we move toward sustainability in broad sweeping strokes through the direct and indirect influence they have over the products they sell. They not only choose whether or not to offer items supplied by green companies like Seventh Generation and Horizon,... Read More
Dream About it First
In order to make anything a reality, you have to dream about it first. ~Adora Svitak (12 years old), February 2010 What is your dream for our energy future? Read More
Reid about to take the reins in the Senate on climate and energy?
Headlines today that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (a democrat from Nevada) will soon be given the reins on the comprehensive climate and energy bill sitting in the Senate. The ball has been in the Senate’s floor since H.R. 2454 was passed last June. The Senate version of this bill (S.1462) will place a cap on greenhouse gas emissions – similar to the House bill. At the same time,... Read More
