articles tagged:

renewable energy


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Economic Downturn Cannot Be Allowed to Slow Shift to Green Resources

November 25, 2008 :: J.E. Robertson :: One Comment

The issue is not, as so many would like to believe, whether carbon-based fuels are affordable to the end-user. They are not. The total costs per gallon of gasoline are estimated at more than $11, covered by government subsidies, public-private research funding, tax incentives, military spending, public health funding, and funds devoted to cleaning up the ill effects of pollution. Capitalist markets need not be dependent on unsustainable excesses in resource use, but we are in the current global economic crunch, because they have been.

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Geothermal: West Digs Deep for the Next Big Thing in Power

August 13, 2008 :: l.johr :: No Comment Yet

Geothermal energy is increasingly being touted by scientists and researchers as one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly sources of power available. Currently, geothermal sources supply enough energy, 2,800 megawatts, to run 2.8 million American homes.

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McCain Wants Government to Fund Push for New Energy Technologies

June 23, 2008 :: J.E. Robertson :: 2 Comments

In a speech today in California, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) pledged to create a fund to grant $300 million to anyone who can invent a significantly more powerful car battery, which would make hybrid and electric automobiles more viable as a replacement for petroleum-fueled cars, and promised to give $5,000 tax credit automakers for every zero-emissions vehicle sold. He also demanded that automakers help make every new car “flex-fuel” vehicles, and speed the move away from petroleum powered automobiles.

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US Begins Difficult Task of ‘Breaking Addiction’ to Foreign Oil

May 26, 2008 :: J.E. Robertson :: One Comment

According to the Financial Times, the United States is, however gingerly, beginning to break its dangerous reliance on foreign-sourced petroleum-based fuels. Foreign oil has been a major driving force in US economic and political trends for the better part of a century, and many in the US, both in politics and in private life, are increasing their calls for the country to move away from the resource that’s sown so much instability and propped up undemocratic regimes.

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Global Wind Power Capacity Reaches 100,000 Megawatts

March 4, 2008 :: staff :: No Comment Yet

At its current growth rate, global installed wind power capacity will top 100,000 megawatts in March 2008. In 2007, wind power capacity increased by a record-breaking 20,000 megawatts, bringing the world total to 94,100 megawatts—enough to satisfy the residential electricity needs of 150 million people. Driven by concerns regarding climate change and energy security, one in every three countries now generates a portion of its electricity from wind, with 13 countries each exceeding 1,000 megawatts of installed wind electricity-generating capacity.

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Food prices expected to rise for prolonged period; panic selling hits world markets; US surpasses EU in green tech investment…

January 22, 2008 :: admin :: No Comment Yet

22 January :: British agribusiness report suggests steep rise in food prices to continue over prolonged period; environmental degradation, water scarcity and climbing fuel prices will contribute to short supply, higher cost of production… Panic selling and steep Asian drop, for second day running, have caused massive losses in stocks across the world, as fears [...]

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NJ Assembly passes death penalty ban; US accused of trying to derail Bali climate talks; US may be engaging Iran via Arab allies…

December 14, 2007 :: admin :: No Comment Yet

14 December :: New Jersey Assembly has passed death penalty ban, Gov. Corzine says he may sign within one week; 8 men currently awaiting execution will have sentences commuted to life in prison, observers comment some states may begin to follow suit, after DNA evidence has demonstrated high rate of erroneous convictions… The Bush admin. [...]

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Senate vote one short of passage of energy bill; judiciary committee votes for contempt charges against 2 Bush aides…

December 13, 2007 :: admin :: No Comment Yet

13 December :: Pro-industry forces in the US Senate have blocked the sweeping energy-policy reform bill that Democrats have touted as necessary for future economic and ecological wellbeing of the nation; “in order to bring the bill to a vote, Democrats were forced to drop a provision that required utilities to obtain at least 15% [...]

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Geothermal Energy Creates Hope for Global Energy Solution

September 23, 2007 :: l.johr :: No Comment Yet

The race to tap large quantities of underground, geothermal energy is heating up. In a recent bid to solve their country’s demand for clean energy, the Swiss are digging deep, and the Earth is responding. A scientist at MIT, in the US, says 40% of US geothermal sources could power the entire country’s energy needs in excess of 56,000 times.

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Pink Solar Cells Can Produce Power at 25% of Current Cost

August 3, 2007 :: J.E. Robertson :: No Comment Yet

As environmental groups, lobbyists and the general public push for more environmentally friendly industrial practices, scientists are finding innovative ways to bring down costs and increase the efficiency of renewable resources. The dye-sensitive solar cells (DSSC), with a pinkish sheen, now being developed at Ohio State University, are an example of the type of engineering innovation that could bring about a genuine green-power revolution.

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