Within two years, Chinese emissions of greenhouse gases will have vastly outstripped the reductions achieved by all the countries that have signed up to the Kyoto protocol combined. (New Scientist)
While every mode of transportation in the U.S. will be affected as the climate changes, potentially the greatest impact on transportation systems will be flooding of roads, railways, transit systems, and airport runways in coastal areas because of rising sea levels and surges brought on by more intense storms, says a new report from the National Research Council. (Science Daily)
Chairman Edward J. Markey (Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming) and Chairman Henry A. Waxman (Oversight and Government Reform Committee) introduced the “Moratorium on Uncontrolled Power Plants Act of 2008.” (U.S. Senate Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming)
The Massachusetts Senate passed landmark global warming legislation that will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from the Commonwealth by 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent. (Environment Massachusetts)
A new proposal for a wind farm off the coast of Martha's Vineyard is promising what people on all sides of the Cape Wind debate can embrace: turbines in a location where nobody has to see them. (Boston Globe)
'The Amazing Race,’ as Played in the Lab The X Prize Foundation is kicking off a contest for a drivable, affordable car that gets 100 miles a gallon at the New York International Auto Show. (New York Times)
Transitions
Ocean Power: Europe's Next Green Thing Ireland's OpenHydro and Germany's RWE are spending millions to try to turn the power of waves into electricity. (New York Times)
Time to Downsize That McMansion Sustainability and issues of growth in urban—and suburban—areas have focused regulators' attention on house size. (Business Week)
A growing number of plug-in hybrid electric cars and trucks could require major new power generation resources or none at all— depending on when people recharge their automobiles. (Phys Org)
The City of Denver has launched a pilot programmed designed to quantify the impact of driving behavior on fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. (Giz Mag)
Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed a low-risk, transformational concept, called Green Freedom, for large-scale production of carbon-neutral, sulfur-free fuels and organic chemicals from air and water. (Science Daily)
The conveyor belt of Atlantic warm water known as the Gulf Stream massively influences the lower layers of the atmosphere, a finding that could shed light on a poorly-understood aspect of global warming, scientists report. (Phys Org)
Don't blame the sun for recent global warming. A new analysis, based on historical data rather than computer simulations, shows that our star's role in climate change has been vastly overtaken by other factors, particularly the human-induced buildup of greenhouse gases. (Science Magazine)
Eleven university solar research projects aimed at developing advanced solar-photovoltaic technology manufacturing processes and products got a $14 million boost from the U.S. Department of Energy.
General Electric Co. and Vestas Wind Systems A/S, the world’s two biggest wind-turbine makers, are reaping benefits from record orders by U.S. utilities racing to add generating capacity even as they face the loss of subsidies. (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
No one ever said that the re-emergence of nuclear power would take the fast lane. (Energy Central)
A Ray of Hope for VeraSun The ethanol outfit's fourth-quarter earnings beat the Street's gloomy forecast, and growing production volumes could boost profits further. (Business Week)
Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell is to cut its reserve figures for 2007, taking about 1.3 billion barrels off its books or the equivalent of nearly one year's production, The Observer said. (AFP)
Political & Legal
Oil for China, Guns for Darfur A new report by a nongovernmental organization links Beijing's access to Sudan's oil with China's sale of small arms used in the Darfur conflict. (New York Times)
The auction of greenhouse gas emissions permits could provide the foundation for a federal-state partnership to revolutionize energy use. (New York Times)
In early March, President Bush, addressing an International Renewable Energy Conference, was widely quoted saying that the United States has to "get off oil." Earlier he had said that America was "addicted" to oil. These are such huge lies one wonders why he is telling them, unless perhaps he has quietly been investing in ethanol production. (Axcess News)
New tough emissions standards will slash pollution from locomotive and marine diesel engines by up to 90 percent, helping Americans to breathe cleaner air as soon as this year. (EPA)
CO2 Terminators
March 19: Boston University & Mass. Hydrogen Coalition: Fuel-cell program and laboratory tour
BostonUniversity in collaboration with the Mass. Hydrogen Coalition will hostand present aprogram from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at Boston University, which will center on BU's activities in hydrogen and fuel cellsalong with energy efficiency and advanced lighting. Five professors willprovide short presentations followed by a tour of BU's laboratories focused onclean energy.
March 22 & 23: Energy Freedom Fighters: All-new Episode 33
Energy Freedom Fighters co-hosts Jim Dunn and Steve D'Agostino talk with exhibitors and attendees at the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association's 2008 Building Energy Conference & Trade Show. Listen to the 60-minute episode on Saturday, March 22, 6-7 a.m. & 5-6 p.m. plus Sunday, March 2, 5-6 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.(Eastern),or immediately following Sunday afternoon's Red Sox game, on True Talk 830 AM WCRN and in streaming audio at WCRNradio.com. The following Monday, will be available on the Episodes page of the EFF website, in MP3 format, which contains all past episodes. Listen to Jim Dunn, Gilles Labelle or Steve D'Agostino preview the upcoming episode on The Peter Blute Show, Thursdays between 8:30 and 9 a.m. (Eastern) on True Talk 830 AM WCRN and in streaming audio at WCRNradio.com.
March 28-30: Down 2 Earth: An Exploration Into Sustainable Living
Down 2 Earth holds "An Exploration Into Sustainable Living" on Friday-Sunday, March 28-30 at the Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St., Boston 02115. For more information call 617-266-6540 or e-mail info@d2eboston.com.
March 28: Worcester Business Journal: Central Mass. Green Awards Nomination Deadline
Worcester Business Journal is accepting nominations for its annual Central Mass. Green Awards through March 28. The awards will honor businesses and organizations based in Central Mass. in the following “green” categories: Renewable Energy Usage; Energy Efficiency; Green Building; Land Use;p and Public Sector. The winners will be profiled in the April 28 issue of the paper and will be honored at an awards event in May. For more information, click here.
April 5 & 19: Energy Freedom Fighters:Free home & business energy-efficiency workshop
Join Energy Freedom Fighters Jim Dunn, Gilles Labelle "The CO2 Terminator" and/or Steve D'Agostino from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Percy's TV & Appliance, 19 Glennie St., Worcester, MA for a free home & business energy-efficiency workshop. In addition, you can be interviewed for an episode of The Energy Freedom Fighters. For more information, email us at info@energyfreedomfighters.com.
April 17: Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston: 19th Annual Conference on Sustainable Business
The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston holds its 19th Annual Conference on Sustainable on Thursday, April 17 from 7:45 to 11:30 a.m. at The Hampshire House, 84 Beacon St., Boston. The theme is "Building Sustainable Businesses and Strong Local Economies." A full buffet breakfast will be served. Fee is $35 for SBNGB members, $50 for non-members. For more information, call Steven Jones-D'Agostino at 508-791-0459 or e-mail him at srdagostino@charter.net.
May 16: Boston Business Journal: Green Energy Summit
Boston Business Journal holds its annual Green Energy Summit on May 16 from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at the Seaport
Hotel, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston. Keynote speaker is Jim Gordon, CEO, Cape WindAssociates,which has
proposed a controversial windfarm in Nantucket Sound. Cost:Single ticket, 1 person, $85;table, 10 people
June 3: Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce: Environmental Business Solutions Workshop
The Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce holds its "Environmental Business Solutions" workshop on Tuesday, June 3 at the Boston Marriott Newton Hotel, 2345 Commonwealth Ave. Newton, MA. All Eastern Mass. Chambers of Commerce will be invited. Exhibits and workshops are free. Lunch with keynote speaker is $35 per person, payable in advance. Exhibitors are: 1.organizations providing environmental information, products or services for businesses; or; 2. businesses that incorporate green-building, energy-efficient/non-polluting manufacturing processes and cost-saving environmental policies that set an example for others. Exhibitor fee: $300 (100 exhibit spaces available). For more information, call Tom O’Rourke at 617-244-5300 or e-mail him at torourke@nnchamber.com.
June 5-7: Business Alliance for Local Living Economies: 6th Annual Conference
The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies its 6th Annual Conference on Thursday-Saturday, June 5-7 at Boston University, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. Titled "Grow Deep: Businesses Building Strong Economies," the conference will celebrate pioneers of the local green economy. Hundreds of business owners and entrepreneurs, BALLE network leaders, economic-development professionals, and local government officials will gather on the campus of Boston University to discuss emerging opportunities to grow community wealth through strong, locally owned businesses. Join independent business owners, local government officials, and community leaders to learn how Local Living Economies are transforming communities around the world. Click here for registration fees. For more information, call Todd Mills at 415-255-1108 x113 or e-mail him at todd@livingeconomies.org.
Submit information about your upcoming economic, energy, environmental and transportation sustainability events toinfo@energyfreedomfighters.com.
Crude prices spiked above $102 a barrel for the first time, then retreated after the government reported the nation is greased with more oil and gasoline than expected. (Telegram & Gazette)
APPA Calls for Electricity Market Reforms to Address Growing Crisis Restructured wholesale electricity markets in some of the most populous states are driving up energy bills and have failed to provide promised benefits to consumers, the American Public Power Association said. (Energy Central)
Report: New England clean tech VC money soared in '07 Investment in New England-based clean technology companies more than doubled last year compared with 2006, ranking the region as No. 2 in the nation for both the volume of deals and investment level, according to a report. (Mass High Tech)
Famed geneticist creating life form that turns CO2 to fuel A scientist who mapped his genome and the genetic diversity of the oceans said he is creating a life form that feeds on climate-ruining carbon dioxide to produce fuel. (Energy Daily)
Entergy and NuStart Energy Development announced the submittal of a combined construction and operating license application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a potential new nuclear unit in Port Gibson, Miss. (Energy Central)
A national program that has cut more than one ton of mercury has reached a major milestone: 1 million switches have been removed from scrapped vehicles. (EPA)
Carbon-neutrality has never been more highly prized. (New Scientist)
Op-Ed: My Forbidden Fruits (and Vegetables) Ultimately, it is the consumer who will pay the greatest price if the federal government continues to prevent the local food movement from expanding. (New York Times)
New Research Suggests Biofuel Blending Is Often Inaccurate While sampling blended biodiesel fuels purchased from small-scale retailers, researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that many of the blends do not contain the advertised amount of biofuel. (Energy Daily)
Turning just one Sumatran province's forests and peat swamps into pulpwood and palm oil plantations is generating more annual greenhouse gas emissions than the Netherlands and rapidly driving the province's elephants into extinction, a new study by WWF and partners has found. (Science Daily)
An innovation called Carbon Hero may help reduce global warming by making people more aware of their carbon footprint. (Science Daily)
Consumer & Financial
Florida Blackouts Affect One Million Across State Households and businesses in southern Florida were affected in the outage that knocked out traffic signals and trapped scores of people in elevators. (New York Times)
Investors and utilities intent on building solar power plants are increasingly turning to solar thermal power, a comparatively low-tech alternative to photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity. (Technology Review)
Toyota says hybrid sales will be lower in 2008 than 2007, not because people don't want them, but because Toyota simply can't make any more. (AutoBlogGreen)
White House says the president will refuse to sign a bill that puts an end to $18 billion in tax cuts for the oil industry. (CNN)
Energy Among The Top Presidential Campaign Issues With crude oil, gasoline, and home heating oil prices near all-time highs, energy security in the US is one of the most common themes among the presidential candidates. (Energy Daily)
A tiny Alaska village eroding into the Arctic Ocean sued two dozen oil, power and coal companies, claiming that the large amounts of greenhouse gases they emit contribute to global warming that threatens the community's existence. (CNN)
CO2 Terminators
March 1 & 2: Energy Freedom Fighters: All-new Episode 31
Energy Freedom Fighters co-hosts Jim Dunn and Steve D'Agostino talk with Kevin Maroney of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Assocation about NESEA's 2008 Building Energy Conference & Trade Show. Listen to the 60-minute episode on Saturday, March 1, 5-6 p.m. plus Sunday, March 2, 5-6 a.m. (Eastern) and immediately following Sunday afternoon's Red Sox game, on True Talk 830 AM WCRN and in streaming audio at WCRNradio.com. The following Monday, will be available on the Episodes page of the EFF website, in MP3 format, which contains all past episodes. Listen to Jim Dunn, Gilles Labelle or Steve D'Agostino preview the upcoming episode on The Peter Blute Show, Thursdays between 8:30 and 9 a.m. (Eastern) on True Talk 830 AM WCRN and in streaming audio at WCRNradio.com.
March 11-13: NESEA: 2008 Building Energy Conference & Trade Show
The latest in cutting-edge, sustainable residential and commercial building materials and products, renewable-energy technologies, and green design and construction services will highlight the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association's 2008 Building Energy Conference & Trade Show, March 11-13 at Boston's Seaport World Trade Center.
March 12: Energy Freedom Fighters:Episode taping at BE08
Join Jim Dunn, Gilles Labelle "The CO2 Terminator" and/or SteveD'Agostino atthe Northeast Sustainable Energy Association's 33rd annual Building Energy Conference and Trade Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. you can be interviewed for an episode of The Energy Freedom Fighters. For more information, email us atinfo@energyfreedomfighters.com.
March 19: Boston University & Mass. Hydrogen Coalition: Fuel-cell program and laboratory tour
BostonUniversity in collaboration with the Mass. Hydrogen Coalition will hostand present aprogram from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at Boston University, which will center on BU's activities in hydrogen and fuel cellsalong with energy efficiency and advanced lighting. Five professors willprovide short presentations followed by a tour of BU's laboratories focused onclean energy.
March 28-30: Down 2 Earth: An Exploration Into Sustainable Living
Down 2 Earth holds "An Exploration Into Sustainable Living" on Friday-Sunday, March 28-30 at the Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St., Boston 02115. For more information call 617-266-6540 or e-mail info@d2eboston.com.
April 17: Energy Freedom Fighters: Free home & business energy-efficiency workshop
Join Jim Dunn, Gilles Labelle "The CO2 Terminator" and/or Steve D'Agostino from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Percy's TV & Appliance, 19 Glennie St., Worcester, MA for a free home & business energy-efficiency workshop. In addition, you can be interviewed for an episode of The Energy Freedom Fighters. For more information, email us at info@energyfreedomfighters.com.
April 17: Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston: 19th Annual Conference on Sustainable Business
The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston holds its 19th Annual Conference on Sustainable on Thursday, April 17 from 7:45 to 11:30 a.m. at The Hampshire House, 84 Beacon St., Boston. The theme is "Building Sustainable Businesses and Strong Local Economies." A full buffet breakfast will be served. Fee is $35 for SBNGB members, $50 for non-members. For more information, call Steven Jones-D'Agostino at 508-791-0459 or e-mail him at srdagostino@charter.net.
June 3: Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce: Environmental Business Solutions Workshop
The Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce holds its "Environmental Business Solutions" workshop on Tuesday, June 3 at the Boston Marriott Newton Hotel, 2345 Commonwealth Ave. Newton, MA. All Eastern Mass. Chambers of Commerce will be invited. Exhibits and workshops are free. Lunch with keynote speaker is $35 per person, payable in advance. Exhibitors are: 1.organizations providing environmental information, products or services for businesses; or; 2. businesses that incorporate green-building, energy-efficient/non-polluting manufacturing processes and cost-saving environmental policies that set an example for others. Exhibitor fee: $300 (100 exhibit spaces available). For more information, call Tom O’Rourke at 617-244-5300 or e-mail him at torourke@nnchamber.com.
June 5-7: Business Alliance for Local Living Economies: 6th Annual Conference
The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies its 6th Annual Conference on Thursday-Saturday, June 5-7 at Boston University, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. Titled "Grow Deep: Businesses Building Strong Economies," the conference will celebrate pioneers of the local green economy. Hundreds of business owners and entrepreneurs, BALLE network leaders, economic-development professionals, and local government officials will gather on the campus of Boston University to discuss emerging opportunities to grow community wealth through strong, locally owned businesses. Join independent business owners, local government officials, and community leaders to learn how Local Living Economies are transforming communities around the world. Click here for registration fees. For more information, call Todd Mills at 415-255-1108 x113 or e-mail him at todd@livingeconomies.org.
Submit information about your upcoming economic and environmental sustainability events toinfo@energyfreedomfighters.com.
February 23, 2008
Hot News
Oil Prices: It's Not About the Oil Crude oil prices are again breaking records, but not because of real issues with supply and demand. (Business Week)
T. Boone Pickens is nobody's fool. Pickens, who has a net worth of $2.5 billion and is ranked as the 131st wealthiest person in the United States by Forbes, is not prone to invest in pipe dreams. (EnergyBiz Insider)
A California meat company issued a recall of 143 million pounds of beef, some of which was used in school lunch programs. (New York Times)
Transitions
Wind Power Development Surging in US With oil prices on the rise, the U.S. wind energy industry grew at record levels in 2007 and an industry group says it expects similar growth this year. In today's searching for solutions report, Paul Sisco looks at the increasing use and development of wind energy in the United States. (Energy Central)
With Oil Prices Rising, Wood Makes a Comeback With oil prices rising people are turning to wood heat, raising concerns about the environmental impact of some older devices that are being used. (New York Times)
Some of the region’s best minds are captivated by the challenge of solar power and hope to put the development of solar technologies on a faster track. (New York Times)
Despite their eco-rhetoric, some USCAP members are supporting efforts to undermine restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions (Business Week)
The Dawn of Green Mobile Networks Escalating oil prices are pushing operators to use alternative energies to power cellular base stations in remote areas of the world. (Business Week)
Make "reduce, reuse, recycle" a breeze with new gadgets and technology tips for your home, your gear, and the rest of your life. (MSN)
Babson College to harness wind power on campus Babson College in Wellesley plans to install a residential-scale wind turbine on the school's campus as a demonstration project. (Mass High Tech)
Magplane gets $1.9M more from Mongolian maglev deal Magplane Technology Inc., a maker of magnetic levitation transportation systems, has added a new technical services contract to its joint venture with transportation interests in Inner Mongolia. (Mass High Tech)
Dragin Geothermal Well Drilling Inc. has acquired the assets of Hartley Industries, a Meredith water well drilling firm. (Foster's Daily Democrat)
Northboro Firm: Customers Love Green According to Northboro, Mass.-based consulting firm Brockmann & Co., going green isn't just good for a company's bottom line. (Worcester Business Journal)
For most northern indigenous people, the roughly 3 million caribou in the world are their most important terrestrial subsistence resource, and while hunters and scientists alike have long expressed concern about the on-going availability of caribou, their perceptions of the causes of change have differed. (Science Daily)
In an environmental dispute seemingly scripted for eco-friendly California, a man asked prosecutors to file charges against his neighbors because their towering redwoods blocked sunlight to his backyard solar panels. (Phys Org)
Editorial: That Newfangled Light Bulb It is time to find more efficient ways of recycling fluorescents or, better yet, to invent light bulbs that don’t leave a toxic hangover. (New York Times)
