Prudent, or Politics? (via Mackerel Sky)
I was reading through an article in Politico today and was contemplating writing a response to some of the arguments and thoughts presented in the piece. Before putting together my thoughts on “paper,” I decided to check out my friend Chris’s blog – Mackerel Sky – online (I hadn’t been there in a few days). Wouldn’t ya know it – he’d just written... Read More
Texas Longhorns Energy
The University of Texas will be adding their brand to energy via a sponsorship program that will raise funds for sustainability initiatives at UT by providing 100% renewable energy to alumni and fans of UT athletics. These renewable energy credits will be provided by a Dallas-based company working as Texas Longhorn Energy (TLE). The credits will be available only in deregulated regions of Texas. Fabulous! The... Read More
Back to the drawing board in Washington
Yesterday marked the day that Senate Democrats decided to cut their loses by abandoning a year’s worth of work toward a comprehensive energy and climate bill. Today, it is not clear if even the very limited climate and energy bill touted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will be presented before the summer recess. What IS clear is that the Senate has failed to grab the baton passed to it... Read More
BP oil leak stops, static kill, National Oceans Council, Senate energy & climate bill
What a week – lets recap: Oil stopped flowing into the Gulf of Mexico (temporarily) from the BP oil spill thanks to a new cap Controversy developed between BP and the US Coast Guard regarding opening the new cap, which would re-start the flow of oil into the surrounding ocean BP announced that it might be able to seal off the well using a process called “static kill“ The Obama Administration... Read More
Oil flow stopped in the Gulf – for a moment or two
Today marks the day that oil stopped flowing into the Gulf of Mexico – at least temporarily. After nearly three months of hopelessly watching oil gush into the Gulf of Mexico, mud-slinging blame games, and attempts to find a silver lining to this environmental disaster we have finally been able to temporarily stop the root of the problem – up to 80,000 barrels of oil per day pouring... Read More
Where the Internet’s Power Comes From (via Mackerel Sky)
This summer, Chris Mergerson and I – along with another friend and LBJ student, Mark – explored the intersection of the internet and energy as a part of a fabulous summer course taught by Gary Chapman on internet policy. Some of this work inspired a blog post, which I wanted to share with y’all. When we send an e-mail or surf the web, we generally do not think about the energy it... Read More
New cap – how it works
CNN just published a pretty good explanation of how the new cap could improve oil recovery from the well by sealing off the oil leak itself. Check it out here Read More
New cap in place – BP to test effectiveness
A new cap has been put in place over the Deepwater Horizon oil leak. This newest effort was originally announced on July 2nd via a report in the Miami Herald (see my previous post on July 5th). This cap has the potential to contain all of the leaking oil and send it to ships waiting at the surface for transport. BP will test the cap this week to gauge its effectiveness. Read More
Energy Innovation & Collaboration
At the end of last month, Time Magazine published a great piece written by Bryan Walsh on innovation in the United States. In it, Walsh discusses the past, present, and future of American innovation and highlights the importance of large-scale collaborative efforts. Below you will find some of my thoughts on the piece and ideas presented in it, but I hope that you will take a moment to read the entire... Read More
Deepwater Horizon Update: The Numbers
Today, oil is leaking into the Gulf of Mexico at a rate of between 35,000 and 60,000 barrels per day. As I wrote yesterday, the U.S. Coast Guard has announced plans to place a cap over the leak well that could capture the entire stream of oil. According to a CNN report published this evening, the cap could capture up to 80,000 barrels per day of oil, sending it to ships connected at the surface. Crews... Read More
