Sam Wells’s Recent Comments

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  Works for Power Plants but ...

  A great article and I believe it Sean, but for mobile sources such as locomotives, harbor vessels, ships, jets, and other mobile sources that rely on liquid fossil fuels, Jet-A to ship IFO 380 heavy fuel oil, fuel equals energy. Thermodynamically, a diesel engine has a certain fuel consumption rate that varies very little (I am not a turbine expert). The efficiency level of these diesel cycle power plants is pretty well maxed out as to much benefits, and it there are benefits they are on the order of a few percent, 2-5 at most.  

  Not a big deal you say?  Global shipping has an amazing 11-14 percent contribution to man-made CO2 inputs into the atmosphere - and that doesn't count all the locomotives, tugboats, and highway trucks. At least those are some numbers I've seen and can document.

  Of course, carbon pricing was really meant for stationary industries such as electric power generating stations, so maybe I am arguing a moot point. But it's a big deal for my clients who are "under the gun" to find any reductions. So far, a 10 percent reduction in global shipping CO2 due to the depression has been seen, although I'd hate to "claim" that as a true reduction - the economy could bounce back.  -sammie

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  On Carbon pricing does not necessarily cause high energy prices posted 8 months, 2 weeks ago 6 Responses

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  "The climate finger"

  LOL, I love the motif, rather graphic, too!

  As to George Will, I had responded in a way that Will had some OK points about alarmism but remember, he's a very smart East Coast intellectual who knows his stuff and which battles to fight - and I don't think he is fighting Climate Change, which you mistakenly assumed.

  As to his piece on food, I say right on. I have the pleasure of being "off beef" for so long even a little bit makes my stomach sick & sour. I got tired of preserving fruit in all that sugar so I found the miracle of dried fruit - so the stuff would last longer. Food is a national crisis, and worldwide too. Kudos for spreading the word.

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  On A finger to Slate, but a grudging thumbs-up to George Will posted 8 months, 2 weeks ago 3 Responses

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  Thanks Max

  I used to live in Connecticut so I had a pulse on the NY economy and its state of politics ... being in Texas now I'm rather in the dark other than to say that NY and NJ are doing things VERY differently from California, which to me is interesting. So I appreciate the message Max and no way do I know everything or take offense for me being slightly off-message.

  I do think I get some minor "Brownie points" for noticing that what NY and NJ are doing is diametrically opposed to what California is doing. There is definitely a sentiment to NOT do like they did in California. That might confuse people, don't you think? The goals are the same but the objectives are radically different.
  sam

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  On New York governor goes in the tank for industry, backs away from climate plan posted 8 months, 2 weeks ago 12 Responses

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  Paterson's dilemma

  The RGGI is not a New York thing but is a consortium of Northeast states where certain power companies, industries, and environmental groups have forked to raise a few hundred million by selling carbon permits for auction prices somewhere around 3-4 dollars a ton.  

  The low credit auction values reflect the fact that the RGGI is "skimming the cream of the top" rather than making meaningful reductions. I have high hopes for it too, but to make that mandatory in one area and not another can really mess up the markets. Of course Paterson knows the realities of the situation, that carbon credits should be mandated nationally, and something would have to be done about purchasing electric power from Canada (and to the south, Mexico). For example, some of the power consumed through the grid comes from the Ohio Valley, which relies on stinky old coal. Interstate Commerce Clause, folks.

  In my port work for New York and New Jersey, greenhouse gases were and are a hot topic. There have been some major improvements on the land-side, such as the port loading and unloading equipment, but again there was a major regulatory roadblock because international ships are regulated by the IMO, not even the EPA. Let's not even mention that cleaner fuels, as opposed to that high sulfur fuel used in ships, result in HIGHER CO2 emissions.  International treaties, folks, and the US hasn't even signed the IMO regulations!

  So it's a difficult issue with lots of national and international implications. It is easy to wildly speculate and imagine that Elliot Spitzer would be more forceful on the issue, since he also knows that defending against lawsuits of this kind are more difficult than going after some dirty trading on Wall Street (for which had partial jurisdiction). Some people will make up the darnedest things to "prove their point."

  To his credit, Paterson has denied an LNG facility in Long Island Sound called Broadwater.  he has many other energy-related programs and initiatives. I'm not defending him as much as to say you're taking unfair pot-shots at him for grappling with a very difficult and complex situation.  -sam

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  On New York governor goes in the tank for industry, backs away from climate plan posted 8 months, 2 weeks ago 12 Responses

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  Crazy Uncle Syndrome

  The problem is that people either believe in global warming or don't and think any opposing people are insane.  

  It makes for some comical interludes, and I guess the "greens" are so worried because George Will is perhaps the best political journalist in America and, we must admit, speaks for a majority of the people (unfortunately).  

  You're getting way off track by attacking Will on technical grounds, like errant satellites and bad quotes about ice cover. That's exactly the trap he'd hope you'd fall into, blathering like idiots foaming at the mouth. I'd say y'all fell into his trap like babes - I recall I posted a note here telling you this but you ignored my advice anyway.
  sam

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  On The Washington Post lets George Will reassert all his climate falsehoods plus some new ones posted 8 months, 3 weeks ago 11 Responses