Energy Literacy Advocates (ELA) is a non-partisan, non-profit, public education organization working to improve the energy literacy of all sectors of our democracy.

DONATE TODAY
FREE NEWSLETTER
GET SOME GEAR

Energy Literacy Advocates Newsroom

Energy Literacy Advocates (ELA) is a non-partisan, non-profit, public education and advocacy group dedicated to improving the energy literacy of all sectors of our democracy in order to empower a comprehensive national energy policy that is responsible and sustainable. Stay tuned for updated energy news!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Saudi Minister Touts $75 As Optimal Price for Oil


As oil prices continue their market fluctuations, Saudi oil-minister Ali al-Naimi highlighted $75 as the best price for oil. According to al-Naimi, $75 earns oil producers enough profits to keep up supply, while being just high enough to encourage continued alternative fuel development and investment.


Whether $75 represents the perfect median price is debatable, but the 1970s demonstrate that once pain at the pump dissipates, consumers return back to the norm. While the price Americans pay for gasoline has returned once again to "acceptable" levels, the question for us is whether or not we've learned our lesson. Will inexpensive fuel derail continued investment in alternatives, or have we put the blinders back on? If the blinders are back on, history warns that our inflexible demand for oil will be tested again.


For more on al-Naimi in the New York Times, click here.

Labels: , , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 12:11 PM 0 comments

Monday, September 28, 2009

American Infrastructure: Short-Term Memory


1885 and 1886 were formative years for the car. Gottlieb Daimler, in 1885, invented a prototype of today's gas engine, while 1886 saw the first patent issued for a gas-powered car, to Karl Benz. From 1900 to 1915, the number of cars in America leapt exponentially.


Yet, up to 1920, the railroad industry was king of American transportation. It wasn't until 1940 that buses began replacing streetcars in urban settings. In 1960, only 20 percent of American households had two cars.


Why the lesson in history and statistics? Because, despite the current American houshold average of 2.28 cars (that is, 35 percent of reported households had three or more cars), our obsession with the automobile is a relatively new romance. Likewise our dependence on oil. And these are key facts in reminding ourselves that a short-lived romance can be broken/changed/altered. What we have isn't set in stone. We seem to forget that our country predates the discovery and mass utilization of oil.


This doesn't mean we have to shirk the car instantaneously. A look back at the history of the car gives us hope for alternatives - in 1807 Francois Isaac de Rivaz designed an internal combustion engine that ran off a mix of hydrogen and oxygen. The first diesel engines were planned to run off peanut oil.


Utilizing efficiency and innovation are our key strategies toward charting a sustainable path forward in energy policy for the US.


To read about diversification going on in the auto industry, visit treehugger.com by clicking here.

Labels: , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 1:00 PM 0 comments

Friday, September 11, 2009

Renewable Energy Debate Offers Insights


If trends in California predict national policy trends, then the renewable energy policy debate heating up in that state warrants national attention.


State Democrats are pushing two bills which would mandate that the state have at least thirty percent of its energy supply from renewable resources. Which resources those would be, and how that renewable structure would be built, is the subject of intense debate among the energy industry and environmentalists.


The bills limit the amount of renewable energy that can be source from out of state, limiting state electricity suppliers. Environmentalists have opposed proposed Californian wind and solar farms, limiting renewable development locally. Additionally, an estimated $115 billion in transmission lines and investment may be necessary to allow access to renewable power.


While California legislators continue the debate, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger supports an increase in renewable standards.


For more on this debate, click here.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 12:23 PM 0 comments

Monday, August 31, 2009

Wyoming to Get New Wind Farm


The Wall Street Journal reports that Duke Energy will build its ninth wind farm in Wyoming, on 17,000 acres of public and private lands. This move is the latest in a string of alternative energy projects taken on by Duke.


The farm will be operational by 2011 and will generate enough power to supply 50,000 to 60,000 homes.


For more details, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:01 AM 0 comments

Monday, August 24, 2009

International Energy News: Power Europe via the Sahara?

Desertec, the most ambitious solar energy project to date, is gaining support for its plans to supply European energy needs from solar energy collected in the Sahara. The project is estimated to cost $400 billion at completion.

The technology behind Desertec involves collecting energy from solar rays gathered in the Sahara desert and transmitting it via undersea cables to Europe. Supporters are promoting the project's non-carbon footprint and economic benefits for Northern Africa.

The project does face some opposition. Detractors are wary of investment in new technology in an unstable political region, and doubtful that intercontinental transmission of solar energy is more effective and efficient than local photovoltaic production.

To read more, click here.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 4:41 PM 0 comments

Monday, August 10, 2009

Vegas Hosts Alternative Energy Summit


Politicans and industry leaders convene on Las Vegas this week to discuss the future and prospects of the alternative energy industry. Speakers include Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and former president Bill Clinton.


The summit will also involve unions, manufacturers and researchers.


Hopes for an expansion of alternative energy jobs and products were put on hold this year, due to economic turbulence. The summit plans to craft a new agenda that provides both for the growth of the industry and an increase in clean energy.


To read more, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:23 AM 0 comments

Thursday, July 30, 2009

New Federal Loans Released for Renewable Energy


To continue bolstering renewable energy and modernization of America's electrical grid, the Department of Energy has opened $36 billion for loan guarantees.


Of the $36 billion, $2 billion is specifically aimed at biofuels and $6 billion at revamping the electrical grid. The rest is aimed at promoting general renewable energy projects.


Recepients of federal loan guarantees are insured against the failure of the project, and are helped with some initial subsidy costs.
For more information, click here.

Labels: , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 11:51 AM 0 comments

Monday, July 27, 2009

Developments in Alternative Energy: Harnessing the Power of the Sea


With demand quickly outpacing capacity in Florida, researchers are turning to the ocean for potential energy generation.


Scientists are evaluating sea turbines and their ability to harness the Gulf current. Some predictions for the efficacy of turbines foresee the ocean supplying one-third of Florida's power needs.


The concept is similar to electricity generation via wind turbines on land.


To read more, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:40 AM 0 comments

Friday, July 24, 2009

Hydrogen Cars May See Renewed Funding


A vote by the House of Representatives and the Senate Appropriations Committee may overrule Energy Secretary Steven Chu's decision to cut $100 million in funding for hydrogen car research.


Approving $153 million and $190 million, respectively for the research, Congress indicated confidence in the technology. In May, Energy Secretary Chu cut funding for the program citing that the technology may not reach the market within 15 years.


Japan and Germany continue to fund their hydrogen cell vehicle programs. Japan's investment bore results this week, with Toyota's announcement of an affordable mass production hydrogen vehicle available by 2015.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:26 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Some Big Oil Companies to Experiment with Biofuels


While Exxon-Mobil's announcement last week of a $600 million investment in biofuels may be the most dramatic, many "big oil" companies are starting to turn toward alternative fuels.


U.S. based Valero Energy began the year by purchasing seven ethanol plants. Shell is partnering with Prometheus Energy to convert waste methane into natural gas. Conoco opened an ethanol blending plant in Kansas this year, and is reportedly planning on opening a biofuels plant.


The recession and falling prices have meant good deals are up for grabs on purchasing renewable energy assets, and have driven much of the big oil investment in alternative energy. Oil companies are also investing now to meet future renewable energy requirements.


Going against the trend is oil giant British Petroleum (BP), which shut down a majority of its alternative energy budget in June.


To read more, click here.

Labels: , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:26 AM 0 comments

Monday, July 20, 2009

In Search for Alternative Fuels, New Coal Gasification Plant Emerges

Decatur, Illinois will be home to an $800 million coal-gasification to synthetic natural gas plant, the first built in the US in over two decades.

Emerson Process Management and Secure Energy are partnering on the deal.

The plant will serve as a template not on for coal gasification plants, but also for clean coal and carbon sequestration technologies.

To read more, click here.

Labels: ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:08 AM 0 comments

Friday, July 17, 2009

New Study Evaluates Most Sustainable Renewables


Geothermal and wind energy rank first and second in efficiency among renewable energy sources, according to a report by New York University's Stern School of Business.


The report measured various energy sources, government research and development investment and technological improvement. Both geothermal and wind energy returned high gains per dollar invested in development, and outpaced the potential of solar power.


The report also found that fossil fuels have likely reached their performance limits, and are no longer improving in terms of effiency.


In evaluating trajectory performance, the NYU report concluded that geothermal energy can outperform and cost less than fossil fuels.


To access the full report, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 12:00 PM 0 comments

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Investment Announcement Signals Shift for "Big Oil"


Over the past month, Exxon Mobil Corporation has made massive investments in electric cars, algae-based biofuels and unconventional natural gas. This abrupt shift in strategy signals to some a pervasive shift in viewpoint among oil companies.


Exxon has put an initial $5oo,ooo into electric car development, as well as $600 million into generating biofuels from algae.


While Exxon's recent investments were classified as studied moves by the company, industry experts view this as giving alternative energy a much-needed boost.


For the full article, click here.

Labels: , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:55 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Clean Energy Debate Exposes Regional Divides


As the Obama administration and Congress continue to sponsor clean energy initiatives, regional divides are surfacing in Congress.


Most of the promising sites for wind generated electricity are located in the Midwest, away from populous East Coast cities. This necessitates building new transmission lines to the East, as supported by Midwest representatives, or locating more and smaller wind farms in the East, negating the need for cross-country transmission.


While windfarms located in the rural midwest are able to produce more electricity, a decision to locate farms in the "wind corridor" also means new green jobs will be taken away from the East Coast, according to eastern regional representatives.


This debate highlights the current divisions in renewable energy policy, which is balancing economics, environmental and regional demands.


For more, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:08 AM 0 comments

Friday, July 10, 2009

Congress Contemplates Support for CNG Vehicles


Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) yesterday introduced legislation to offer as much as $12,500 in credits to purchasers of compressed natural gas (CNG) passenger vehicles, as part of a wider plan to sponsor low emission vehicle technologies.


The bill also included a $64,000 potential credit for the introduction of CNG transport to commercial fleets.


The House also has a similar bill, introduced earlier this year.


The principal manufacturer of CNG cars in the US is Honda, whose Civic GX, which debuted in 2005 for consumer purchase, is made in Indiana.


To read more, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:03 AM 0 comments

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Nuclear Included in New Energy Profile


Obama administration officials endorsed the revival of America's nuclear industry during hearings on the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The acceptance of expanded nuclear use was seen as key to gaining Republican and "Rust Belt" Democratic support for the energy bill.


Proposals include opening up to 100 new nuclear plants by 2030.


Energy Secretary Steven Chu openly supported nuclear technology, citing it as key to reaching a low carbon future.


To read more, click here.

Labels: , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:12 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Plans for World's Largest Wind Farm Halted


According to the New York Times, oilman and energy developer T. Boone Pickens is stopping plans to develop the world's largest wind farm, located in the Texas Panhandle. Pickens drew national attention to alternative energy by popularizing his "Pickens Plan."


Pickens cited lack of necessary transmission lines as the primary cause in halting the project. Other factors include the falling price of natural gas and the lack of available investment funds due to economic turmoil.


Pickens has substituted the Panhandle farm with plans to build three or four smaller wind farms in the near term, at a cost of $2 billion.


To read the full article, click here.

Labels: ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 8:32 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

New Energy Horizons: Biodiesel Update

Biodiesel fuels continue to garner a lot of interest as alternative sources of energy, since their manufacture can be adapted to regional resources, and the fuel itself can be generated from various types of waste.

MSN serves up a quick synopsis of biodiesel. To learn more, click here!

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:03 AM 0 comments

Monday, June 15, 2009

"Clean" Coal Again in America's Energy Portfolio?

Department of Energy Secretary Stephen Chu signalled a reversal in previous DOE policy today as he announced the government will fund a massive clean coal project, that 18 months ago was cancelled.

The government will offer 2 to 1 funding alongside private investors to create a prototype coal plant which captures the carbon dioxide it produces. Initial government funding estimates are over $1 billion for the joint research effort.

To read an opinion article about this policy reversal, click here.

Labels: , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 12:02 PM 0 comments

Friday, May 29, 2009

New Federal Funding for Alternative Energy Released

The Denver Post - New funding will be released from the Department of Energy's Office of Science to further the exploration of viable alternative energy.

"These centers will mobilize the enormous talents and skills of our nation's scientific workforce in pursuit of the breakthroughs that are essential to make alternative and renewable energy truly viable as large-scale replacements for fossil fuels," said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado will receive part of that funding, and will be home to a new multimillion-dollar Energy Frontier Research Center, the U.S. Department of Energy announced Wednesday. NREL's center is expected to receive $4 million annually for five years.

NREL officials will also participate in research conducted by six other Energy Frontier Research Centers.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:14 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

EIA Releases Extended Energy, Pollution Outlook

The Energy Information Administration released a new report today, stating that world energy consumption is expected to grow by 44 percent over the next two decades as the global economy recovers and expands. This assumes no changes to legislation or international treaties governing emissions.

While substantial growth is expected in the use of renewable energy sources such as hydropower, wind and solar, the EIA maintains that overall growth in demand will require continued reliance on fossil fuels, especially oil and coal.

The biggest increases in energy use will come from economically developing countries such as China and India.

To read more, click here.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 12:37 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

G8 Calls for Continued Investment in Alternative Energy

The G8 summit in Rome, which included 23 energy ministries, 18 executives of energy companies and OPEC members Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Libya and Nigeria, ended with a call for continued investment in energy projects. Members at the summit warned that a delay in energy investment will mean higher prices and a less sustainable economy.

With the global economic downturn and credit crunch, projects in both conventional and alternative energy sources have been halted.

“The current financial and economic crisis must not delay investments and programmed energy projects which are essential to economic recovery and sustainable prosperity,” ministers from the G8 and 15 other countries including Saudi Arabia, China and India said in their concluding statement yesterday after a three-day meeting.

To read the full article in Bloomberg, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:13 AM 0 comments

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Expansion of Government Funding for Renewables Research

The Associated Press - In an address from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced $193 million in funding for energy research. NREL, the primary U.S. lab for renewable energy will receive $110 million in federal stimulus funds and another $83 million will go toward wind energy and other alternative power and efficiency projects.

Obama's goal with these funds, Chu said, is to prepare the country to compete economically decades down the road, as well as meet the immediate challenges of climate change and energy demand.

In total, the stimulus package gave $39 billion to the Energy Department. The money is split between in grants, tax breaks and loan guarantees, with much of it going to renewable energy and conservation programs.

To read the full article, click here.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:00 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Next Big Energy Exporter: Kansas?

The Associated Press - Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson and members of the American Council on Renewable Energy presented a national study slating Kansas with the potential to become a major exporter of renewable energy.

The study, run by Joint Coordinated Systems, calculated the state's maximum wind potential at 19 gigawatts by 2030 and projected 1 megawatt of power annually each from solar and bio-energy.

The study found tremendous potential to market Kansas energy to places such as Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana and Georgia. This alternative energy exportation could create $23 billion in cumulative economic impact and 12,000 jobs from now through 2030.

To read the full article, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:13 AM 0 comments

Monday, April 27, 2009

New Policy Ushering in Renaissance for Nuclear Energy?

The New York Times/ClimateWire - While discussion surrounding cap and trade legislation for carbon dioxide emissions heats up, America's nuclear energy industry is awaiting what could be a rebirth.

Cap and trade could be a big win for nuclear power. The nation's 104 operating nuclear plants produce already 20 percent of its electricity, making them, by far, the largest source of electricity that does not result in greenhouse gas emissions. If a cap and a price are imposed on carbon dioxide emissions, these plants could be among the biggest winners in the vast economic shifts that would be created by greenhouse gas regulations.

While U.S. energy companies have already filed 17 applications with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for 26 new reactor operating licenses, demonstrating growing buzz around nuclear power, the future of the industry still hangs on the uncertain support of the Obama administration.

To read the full article, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 7:43 AM 0 comments

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Obama heralds "new era of energy exploration in America" on Earth Day

The Associated Press - Speaking from Newton, Iowa, the President set an Earth Day goal for wind to generate as much as 20 percent of the U.S. electricity demand by 2030. In his speech, delivered at a wind turbine factory, Obama declared that a "new era of energy exploration in America" would be a crucial to leading the nation out of an economic crisis.

"The nation that leads the world in creating new energy sources will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy," Obama said.

To read the full article, click here.

Labels: ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 8:26 AM 0 comments

Friday, April 17, 2009

Government Releases New Report on Biofuels

The National Commission on Energy Policy released a new report today, urging that better infrastructure and more aggressive policies necessary if the nation is to meet its mandates for ethanol and other alternative fuels.

The renewable fuel standard calls for Americans to use 36 billion gallons of biofuel by 2022, up from the current 9 billion today.

The biofuels report argues that the nation needs to increase the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline, as well as make it easier for biofuels plants and pipelines to get government permits and make it easier to transport ethanol.

To read the full article in the New York Times, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 8:08 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The New Frontier in Alternative Energy...From Outer Space?

Solaren is hoping to partner with California-based Pacific Gas & Electric to create solar energy collectors based in space. The project is anticipated to begin generating electricity for California homes as soon as 2016.

In the few details revealed from the project, satellites in space will collect and store solar energy. Solar energy will later be beamed to Earth, where it will be collected by a station in Fresno, California. There it will be converted to electricity and distributed out on the power grid.

More details about the project are expected this summer.

Labels: ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 11:52 AM 0 comments

Friday, April 10, 2009

Corn-Ethanol May Not Be the Root Cause Behind Food Price Woes

The Associated Press - The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report on 2007 and 2008 nutritional programs cited multiple factors fueling the rise in food prices.

While corn-based ethanol may have contributed 10 to 15 percent in the rise of food costs, the CBO said other factors, such as skyrocketing energy costs, had an even greater impact than ethanol on food prices during that period.

Roughly one quarter of corn grown in the United States is now used to produce ethanol, and overall consumption of ethanol in the country hit a record high last year, exceeding 9 billion gallons, according to the CBO. Nearly 3 billion bushels of corn were used to produce ethanol in the United States last year — an increase of almost a billion bushels over 2007.

Yet ethanol's impact on future food prices is uncertain, the report says, because an increased supply of corn has the potential to eventually lower food prices.

To read the full article, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 7:32 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Ethanol Producer Files for Bankruptcy

In another unfortunate sign of current economic woes, corn ethanol producer Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings Inc. stated today that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Chief Executive Ron Miller said in a statement that the company is challenged by a difficult market environment for an industry that suffers from poor operating margins.

To read an analysis done by The Wall Street Journal, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 11:33 AM 0 comments

Friday, April 3, 2009

Largest Public Utility Group Buys Into Renewables

Facing looming legislative pressures for cleaner energy, the nation's largest public utility agreed Thursday to buy a substantial portion of electricity from renewable energy sources.

The Tennessee Valley Authority board gave President and CEO Tom Kilgore authority to sign contracts totaling up to 2,000 megawatts of renewable and clean energy by 2011, with some of the power entering TVA's seven-state system as early as 2010.

To read the full article released in the Associated Press, click here.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 8:30 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Offshore Energy Regulation Settled

The Washington Post reports today that the Interior Department and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) divvied up rights to regulate offshore energy sources, settling a debate over bureaucratic controls.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar expressed relief at the settlement, which had threatened to entangle prospective renewable energy projects.

The FERC will have the primary responsibility to manage the licensing of wind, tidal and ocean current projects.

To read the full article in the Washington Post, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:10 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Interior Secretary Salazar Reveals Department's Energy Agenda

In an interview with The Associated Press, Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar called for the creation of "renewable energy zones" to smooth development of offshore wind projects and to spur solar energy development in the Southwest, as well as onshore wind energy in the Great Plains.

Salazar cited offshore wind projects on the Atlantic coast as a key to meeting renewable energy goals in America.

Additionally, Salazar promised to review oil and gas exploration leases on public lands. So far this year, proposed tests to explore oil shale in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming have been sidelined by Interior Department rulings.

To read the full Associate Press release, click here.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:34 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

L A Times: "Promise and Peril" of Energy Transition

As President Barack Obama campaigns for support for his stimulus package, the green cornerstone of his plans is under high scrutiny. The Los Angeles Times released an article acknowledging the tensions in shifting to a new energy paradigm.

"The stakes are high. If Obama succeeds, he could spark a domestic jobs boom and lead an international fight against climate change. If he fails, he could cripple existing industries and squeeze cash-strapped Americans with higher energy prices."

Comparing the efforts to transition America away from imported oil to the Manhattan Project and moon shot combined, the article offers an interesting comparison of the policy efforts to fast-track alternative energy in the U.S.

To read the article, click here.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 12:14 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Stimulus Plan Predicted to Bolster Green Energy

In details revealed by President Barack Obama, the approaching economic stimulus bill will also contain provisions to bolster energy efficiency and the green energy industry in America. The NPR reports that tens of billions of dollars out of the current $825 billion price tag are slated for electricity reforms and efficiency projects

Short term projects include funds to "weatherize" 2 million homes by improving things such as insulation and leaky windows, while also improving the efficiency of 75 percent of federal buildings. Another provision would pay for 3,000 miles of transmission lines to move electricity from wind farms and solar installations, many in the West and Southwest, to consumers in the rest of the country.

Finally, additional funds channeled to green energy industry are expected to put 460,000 Americans to work on energy projects and double the amount of alternative energy produced over the next three years.

To read the full NPR article, click here.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:27 AM 0 comments

Friday, January 23, 2009

Energy Attachment to Stimulus Bill Clears House Panel

$54 billion in funds for environmental energy projets received its first approval from a U.S. House panel. The panel approved spending an estimated $54 billion in economic stimulus funds for projects, including improving the transmission of wind-generated electricity and expanding conservation projects.

Other measures, like spending for power lines, efficiency projects, and a program to insulate low-income homes, are also included. Additionally, the measure would provide $8.4 billion in renewable energy loan guarantees, renewing and extending some existing programs.

The energy provision is a portion of the $825 billion economic stimulus measure. The broader legislation includes $550 billion in new government spending and $275 billion in tax cuts.

To read the full article, click here.

Labels: , , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 8:25 AM 0 comments

Monday, January 19, 2009

Search for Automotive Energy Solutions Likened to Race to the Moon

Prospective Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar (D-CO) compared reaching resolution on America's energy crisis to the space race during the Kennedy administration.

"I will play a keystone role in helping to craft the energy agenda," Salazar told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, according to Politico.com. "I would not have taken this job if I was not given the assignment to help craft the energy moon shot that we will take." While Salazar has conceded increased use of traditional fuels, including the expansion of oil shale and offshore drilling, he anticipates the era of the electric car and advanced hybrid batteries.

Meanwhile, Obama foresees change and sacrifice coming to the automotive industry. Obama met with the editorial board of the Washington Post and said the auto industry restructuring will require "everybody, from labor to management to creditors to shareholders, giving something up."

Policy watchers are anticipating a further unveiling of the new administration's energy plans during Obama's inaugural speech on Tuesday, January 20.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:17 AM 0 comments

Friday, January 16, 2009

Nominee Salazar Touts Energy Agenda as Secretary of the Interior

Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), nominated by President-elect Barack Obama to lead the Interior Department, appeared before a Senate committee yesterday for his confirmation hearing. Among his plans for the branch are a more intensive focus on energy issues.

Salazar emphasized the need for a balanced yet innovative approach to energy issues, promising to consider numerous options for energy independence, including offshore oil drilling and, under the right conditions, oil shale development on government lands.

While offering moderation on points like offshore drilling, Salazar emphasized his aggressive stance on energy independence for America. Renewable energy development -- a cause he championed as senator -- remains a main goal for Salazar, who also promised a balanced approach to energy and land-use policy.

Labels: , , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 8:29 AM 0 comments

Monday, January 12, 2009

Analyzing Popular Consumption of Renewable Energy: New York Times and NREL Reports

Monday, January 12, 2009 - The New York Times reports this morning on highlights of a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) report evaluating popular participation in voluntary renewable energy programs. The study, conducted in partnership with Applied Materials, offers analysis of these programs — why people sign up for them and how they are administered.

Among trends revealed in the report are that decisions to buy green power for homeowners are founded upon an “emotional” response or commitment, where corporate America opts for green power as a business decision. Additionally, green power may be more expensive than traditional utilities for now, but for businesses it offers a key advantage: the ability to predict the price of electricity.

To access the full NREL and Applied Materials report, click here.

To read the New York Times article and summary of these findings, click here.

Labels: , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 8:35 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Florida To Add Nuclear Power to Energy Mix

St. Petersburg-based Progress Energy Florida announced plans Monday, January 5, to purchase and build two nuclear reactors. According to Jeff Lyash, president and chief executive of the utility, this represents a major step in Florida's effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

When completed, the reactors are projected to generate enough electricity to power more than 1.3 million Florida homes.

While proponents tout nuclear power as a reliable and clean energy source which lessens American dependence on foreign oil, the project has fallen under criticism due to security concerns, both from terrorism and from the hazardous nature of nuclear materials.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:02 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

A View from the Other Side: Energy in the Tehran Times

December 30, 2008 - The Tehran Times, Iran's leading international paper, posted its own synopsis of oil prices, the energy market, and the world's future energy outlook. We have posted excerpts below, and have included a link to the full text of the article, in English.

In response to the negative effects of low oil prices, the article reported, "Moreover, lower oil prices are likely to impede the massive investment needed to meet rising demand by 2030, delay introduction of energy-saving technologies, and make alternative fuels less competitive. The tight credit environment will also make it more difficult for energy firms to obtain the necessary funding for financing the capital-intensive growth in production capacity, especially necessary for expensive and difficult offshore production, exploration and development, and heavy oil, oil sands, or oil shale production."

The article also discusses the growing threat of energy nationalism, the future supply crunch, and the sleeping giants of China and India.

To read the full article, click here.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 8:48 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Radical Change in Energy Department Predicted

CNN reports that President-elect Barack Obama's pick to head the Department of Energy - whomever that may be - will likely initiate a new era of change in US energy policy and spending priorities.

Currently, the bulk of the $24 billion Deparment budget goes to mitigating issues surrounding nuclear weapons: maintaining the nation's nuclear weapons stockpiles, cleaning up sites used to produce those weapons, or dealing with non-proliferation issues. Only $4 billion is allocated for energy research and development, with only $650 million put towards renewable fuels.

While its role in supervising nuclear affairs will never be abandoned, the new agency is likely to reverse current spending trends, expanding the R&D budget, with particular focus on renewable fuels, while also focusing on greater conservation efforts. Additional agenda items will likely be laying out a role for the Department in curtailing greenhouse gas emissions.

To read the full article, click here.

Labels: , , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:44 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

What a Depression Means for Alternative Energy

With falling oil prices and a slumping economy, what does the once-rosy future hold for alternative energy?

While alternative energy meant big business in the first half of 2008, with over $13 billion invested, investments and large-scale projects have dwindled in the final quarters, according to New Energy Finance, a market research firm based in London. Some fear that the decline in oil prices, coupled with a staggering economy, could doom alternative energy in a way reminiscent of the 1970s.

Yet observers say there are strong reasons for optimism about the alternative energy industry. Geopolitics has made clean energy and energy security a national priority in many countries, including the United States. The government has a host of support mechanisms for the nascent industry, including state and federal mandates for alternative-energy use, as well as subsidies and tax credits. Alternative-energy technologies are now much better, and hold more demonstrable promise, than in the 1970s. Alternative energy also has the support of science and agencies, demonstrated by the latest World Energy Outlook report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), which suggests that oil production could decline more rapidly than previously thought.

In the end, alternative energy groups are facing the same challenges as other businesses during this tough economy, but unlike the 1970s, this time the experts are betting on green.

To read the full MIT Technology Review article, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 1:43 PM 0 comments

Practical Applications in Our New Energy Future: Garbage to Ethanol Plant

November 28, 2008 - Lake County, Indiana has become the first county in the U.S. to experiment with converting municipal garbage and waste into ethanol. The county signed a 15 year contract with Powers Energy One to construct the plant. Lake County Solid Waste Management District Executive Director Jeff Langbehn predicts that 90% of the current garbage stream will be recycled because of the plant.

The gasification/fermentation process that will be used at the facility was purchased by Powers Energy One, and has already demonstrated results at the INEOS Bio pilot-scale facility in Fayetteville, Ark., for five years. According to Powers, this level of technological demonstration was a major selling point to members of the Lake County Solid Waste Management District.

The county hopes that their new approach will alleviate two societal crises - energy security and environmental damage linked to human consumption.

Labels: ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:06 AM 0 comments

Friday, May 30, 2008

Tipping Point for Consciousness is Economic

Is sheer market economics dictating the recent surge in hybrid and compact flourescent light bulb purchases? The U.S. is at a "tipping point," with people beginning to factor energy use into everyday decisions, says Lee Schipper in The Wall Street Journal. Schipper, who has studied energy consumption for decades, declares the driver isn't ecology, bur rather "Sadly, it's economics. No pain, no gain."

Columnist Jeffrey Ball attributes Europe's energy consumption patterns - where the average resident consumes less than half as much oil each year as the average American - to high energy taxes, rather than environmental awareness. These economic penalties make conservation rational and not just virtuous.

For the full text of this article, click here.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 8:51 AM 0 comments

Monday, May 19, 2008

Michael Klare's New Energy Order

"Oil at $110 a barrel. Gasoline at $3.35 (or more) per gallon. Diesel fuel at $4 per gallon. Independent truckers forced off the road. Home heating oil rising to unconscionable price levels. Jet fuel so expensive that three low-cost airlines stopped flying in the past few weeks. This is just a taste of the latest energy news, signaling a profound change in how all of us, in this country and around the world, are going to live - trends that, so far as anyone can predict, will only become more pronounced as energy supplies dwindle and the global struggle over their allocation intensifies."

So begins Michael Klare's article chronicling the end of the energy world as we know it. Klare identifies intense competition over energy sources among economic powers, insufficiency of existing energy supplies, the delay in developing alternative energy sources, migration of wealth and power to energy-rich nations and a growing risk of conflict as factors shaping our new energy reality.

For the full text of this article, click here.

Labels: , , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 4:10 PM 0 comments

Monday, March 24, 2008

U.S. Air Force Mulling "Green" Fuel Options

Great Falls, Montana and the nearby Malmstrom Air Force Base are centerpoints in the U.S. Air Force plan to develop a private coal-to-diesel plant. This plan also includes goals to increase synthetic fuel consumption, so that by 2016 alternatives account for half of the fuel supply. Currently, the Air Force allocates $4.5 billion annually to aviation fuel alone, a price tag that only continues to rise.

Tests in 2006 demonstrated that synthetic fuels can perform at high altitudes, prompting the Air Force to begin seeking a supplier. Proponents of coal-to-liquid technology hail the Air Force's strategy as a jump-start to the industry.

To read more about these developments, click here.

Labels: ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 2:13 PM 0 comments

Friday, March 21, 2008

The Joule Standard

While fairly technical in nature, this article about adopting a joule standard in order to easily compare energy sources is well put...


Read the article.

Labels:

posted by Jamie Lang at 1:36 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Winds of Change: Corporations Lend Names to Wind Farms

In this New York Times article, a new trend in corporate branding is revealed - companies rushing to provide their names and funds to wind farms. Businesses from John Deere to Steelcase furniture are investing both in construction and energy credits from these farms, hoping to reap the profits both from alternative energy and a responsible corporate image.

For the full article on this green corporate trend, click here.

Labels: , ,

posted by Amanda Voss at 12:30 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Oil From a Stone

This article about the potential of oil shale brings the reader up to speed on the latest technology advances in the difficult field of oil shale recovery. Oil shale may play an important role as a fossil fuel source in the future, with reserves located in the US that are three times that of Saudi Arabia. However there are limitations and drawbacks, including an extraction process that is far more intensive than conventional oil, leading to environmental concerns. A more intensive process also means fewer barrels can be easily extracted per day (witness the Canadian tar sands, who have worked for 30 years to reach the current level of production). In short oil shale, as with all other energy sources, is by no means a silver bullet.

Read the article here...

Labels: , ,

posted by Jamie Lang at 3:52 PM 0 comments

Copyright 2007- 2009 © Energy Literacy Advocates - All rights reserved.