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1. 

   BethLBeth Posted 4:15 am
   01 Nov 2007

   Excellent point!

   We do need government intervention!  It does, however, threaten our economy to go greener, but if the government sponsors and monitors a lot of smaller businesses that specialize in alternate technology innovation (just one company for an example), we will provide a foundation for the short-run equilibrium to take hold.  The government needs to impose the initiative for the public, since people aren't about to alter their lifestyles in such a drastic fashion on their own.

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2. 

   BethLBeth Posted 4:16 am
   01 Nov 2007

   Excellent point!

   We do need government intervention!  It does, however, threaten our economy to go greener, but if the government sponsors and monitors a lot of smaller businesses that specialize in alternative technology innovation (just one company for an example), we will provide a foundation for the short-run equilibrium to take hold.  The government needs to impose the initiative for the public, since people aren't about to alter their lifestyles in such a drastic fashion on their own.

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3. 

   WWAGD?! Posted 4:35 am
   01 Nov 2007

   Great policy...for 1975

   The Bush Administration simply took a look at the roles best for business and Government.

   Solar cells are a mature technology -- the have large and small going concerns to keep research alive.

   Fuel cells and hydrogen needed a boost and Bush poured millions into them (something Carter-Clinton did not) and now the benefits (Chevy Equinox SUV) are here.

   http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/presiden ...

   Clean and Secure Energy Future

   In his 2003 State of the Union Address, President Bush announced a $1.2 billion Hydrogen Fuel Initiative to reverse America's growing dependence on foreign oil by developing the technology needed for commercially viable hydrogen-powered fuel cells -- a way to power cars, trucks, homes, and businesses that produces no pollution and no greenhouse gases. The initiative will dramatically improve America's energy security by significantly reducing the need for imported oil. At the same time, it is a key component of the President's clean air and climate change strategies.

   John Bailo
   Sutext:

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4. 

   Sam Wells Posted 5:54 am
   01 Nov 2007

   Smog

   Loved the article, which is fairly well reasoned and balanced.  Small quibble about "Since smog formation is very temperature-sensitive..."  That's not really true.  Ozone and particulate (smog) react and form for very different reasons and temperature is a poor limiter of either.  Ozone is really caused by UV radiation, hydrocarbons, and oxides of nitrogen; secondary particulate is formed by reactions with condensing salts of sulfur and nitrogen.  

   For example in Houston we have high ozone on cool mornings in December, and have high particulate levels during hot summer days (one would expect cooling to cause dewpoints to form aerosol - but absolute humidity is something to consider).

   The problem as I see it is that the Heat Island Effect for cities will only get worse, no matter how many trees and high-tech surface treatments are installed.  The reason is because as global warming raises average ambient temperatures, people will use more air conditioning - which as we know pumps out an inordinate amount of hot air.
   sam

   Onward through the fog

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5. 

   solar greg Posted 11:03 am
   01 Nov 2007

   airconditioning

   Air conditioners should use large water tanks as heat sinks. This water can be used as pre heated water for reducing the solar water heater load.
   Any aditional cooling shoul be done with cooler night air. It is insane to have airconditioners running, pumping heat into hot air.

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6. 

   Steve Erickson Posted 1:34 pm
   02 Nov 2007

   Mature subsidies?

   JB posted:
   The Bush Administration simply took a look at the roles best for business and Government.
   Solar cells are a mature technology -- the have large and small going concerns to keep research alive.
   . . .now the benefits (Chevy Equinox SUV) are here.
   ---------------
   Huh? Then why the multi-billions for coal and nuclear?
   And I don't think there are going to be other than demonstration fuel cell vehicles on the market for a long time.

   Steve E.

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