Comments Jay Alt has made

  • The Chinese government has full authority over utilities and wields a strong hand in many investment decisions. That is not the case in the US, so here the amount of government spending isn't the key. The Waxman-Markey bill has emissions targets and a host of policy provisions. The private investments which they'll generate will be worth many times what the bill sets aside for the government to spend. Your piece frets that apples are not oranges; both can be used to make a fruit salad.

    On Joe Romm's strategy to lose the clean energy race posted 4 months ago 30 Responses

  • Emphasis that the 'cap and trade' bill has other important parts - 

     

    • Renewable energy standard
    • Efficiency provisions
    Those sections will require that the manufacturing capacity now idled in Michigan
    to be put to work. 

     

     

     

    On How should you talk to your cab driver about cap-and-trade? posted 4 months, 2 weeks ago 59 Responses

  • Good stuff!

    thanks SeanOn Duke University's study on the intersection of green jobs and rust belt manufacturing posted 8 months, 4 weeks ago 3 Responses

  • High speed rail

    This reminds me of the chicken-egg arguments over photovoltaic power panels.  We couldn't install them because they were too expen$ive.  Govt couldn't subsidize them because that would offend the invisible hand.  They were too expensive because the market was too small.  

    Things change.  Government support for green markets can help turn them into winners.
    http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2236953/ ...  On Why not medium-speed rail? posted 9 months ago 8 Responses

  • Killacycle

    It's powered by drill batteries.  This run is
       7.89 s @ 168 MPH  

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVv0NVLFPig

    http://www.killacycle.com/  On 1972 Datsun dominates drag strip posted 9 months, 1 week ago 2 Responses

  • The problem- no one anticipated having so much

    money available.  The long-term plans haven't been laid for some of the good ideas they still want.  

    http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-na-oba ...  On Bills for highways, no change for transit posted 10 months, 1 week ago 10 Responses

  • Turn into the wind and pull, hard -

    1.  Obama will talk compromise and independent posters here will gripe. Not compromise on the science and ultimate goals, and we can't waste money on projects that won't help enough.   But get ready for some cellulosic ethanol, unclean coal (sequestration projects), nuclear power and limited offshore drilling on the table.  In return, proponents of those ideas must buy into conservation, wind power, solar thermal, HVDC grid  and other renewable plans.  

    2.  EPA mandates may get us started, but we need national legislation to motivate the world to agreements.  (or alternately to use as a lever and pry stubborn China, etc into helping)

    3.  Who'll awaken the minds of the unengaged public, helping them to pay attention and change behavior?  It won't be scientists, their warnings are easily ignored.  And not  Gore, who has no traction with this group.  Nor even the efforts of bloggers of goodwill.  Having an articulate President helps but not for all; some will still write it off as mere politics.   Messages with moral resonance are needed.  What else for the US where so many attend (and claim to attend) church?  Legislators always pay attention when they hear from congregations.   Many churches and faiths are and will be addressing this.

    4.  Then we'll need to move our asses faster than Shakira to get the generational work started.  
    On What the Obama presidency means posted 10 months, 1 week ago 26 Responses

  • Funny stuff

    Ambler is expanding his writing style to include irony, with his newfound concern over factual errors.
    On Arianna Huffington clarifies editorial policy around climate skepticism posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago 1 Response

  • ecosystem modeling

    Modelers of Arctic ecosystems expect the spread of vegetation to have a significant long-term effects.  Currently, flat tundra areas are readily covered with snow and this reflects well.  But anything that 'sticks up' is harder to cover with snow.  And the warming climate is encouraging bushes and trees to encroach further north.  The albedo will therefore considerably.  The conversion of arctic tundra into shrub habitat (dark) or shrubs into boreal forest (darker still) will absorb more and more sunlight.  

    IIRC from a talk, the vegetation there is (on average) darker than the soil and rocks. On Doubts Chu's ease of transition from the 'academic world to the administrative world' posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago 7 Responses

  • A brother-in-law lived in WVa

    for several years.  As manager of a small newspaper he got to know many of the issues and people.

    He says West Virginia has the highest % of out-of-state ownership for property of any state.  And they really don't care what happens to the land or inhabitants - what goes on there 'doesn't effect them.' On West Virginia DEP approves permit to blast Coal River Mountain posted 12 months ago 4 Responses

  • People will use their time

    People will use their time as they value it.

    An electric drier uses about 900 kwh or  3240 MJ / yr.  That requires about 300# of coal and generates more than a half ton of CO2.  There were 61 million clothes dryers (electric) in use according to the 2001 census.

    Last year I met a UK woman in her 50s who'd recently moved to the US.   In her decades in Britain, she'd never owned (nor known anyone that owned) a clothes dryer.  Drying clothes without one isn't hard nor very time consuming.  

    Today it is 41 degrees and mostly sunny.  The heaviest towels on the line won't dry fully, they are too pale to absorb much sun.  But the lighter ones will.  Those still damp will be put back on the racks and will dry fully in a few hours from furnace air.  Like they do after a shower.  In colder weather, they'll improve indoor air quality with added humidity. On New country tune 'Green' boasts, 'I was green before green was a thing' posted 12 months ago 4 Responses

  • Well Sam

    his 2nd to last paragraph refers to salt buildup as an
    additional burden.  The warming & acidification are already happening. On Droughts and desalination in Australia -- another amplifying feedback posted 1 year ago 3 Responses

  • Need a good theory to make the solutions work -

    If by "clean coal", the Democrats mean CSS, then what does Obama mean by invest in low emissions coal plants?

    Glad you asked  
    FutureGen was designed to initially capture and store 85% of emissions, with a goal to improve that to 90% later on.On The Biden-Obama position on 'clean coal' is not a mistake posted 1 year, 1 month ago 50 Responses

  • ice thickness

    The other thing is that the average thickness of the ice has decreased greatly.  The older ice is thick, up to 5 meters. New ice formed this winter will be only 1 meter.   The absence of the thicker ice cover is conditioning the region for additional record melts.  

    Here is a very large file from last year.  
    http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/2007.html

    3/4 of the way down the page an animation runs.  Figure 4, with brown landmasses.  The ice is color-coded by thickness.  The months and years spin by in the lower LH corner.   Compared to 1981, today much of the thicker ice is gone.  On Summer ice in the Arctic has recovered--Was the Arctic ice retreat a climate anomaly? posted 1 year, 2 months ago 7 Responses

  • They are linked, but

    CR removes the standard 'leafy forest' offset option.

    Jonas -  
    From the page titled:
    Why is this better than other types of offsetting?
    . . .
    Carbon Retirement is based on European industrial efficiency, not reductions in the developing world.

    Traditional offsetting projects are designed to make communities in the developing world more carbon efficient, while the developed world continues to produce high levels of emissions. Many people are uncomfortable with this concept.

    Offsetting projects in the developing world can make life difficult for local communities because they change they way land is used and prevent communities from using it according to their tradition.

    When you use Carbon Retirement, the reduction is made by an industrial company within the European Union.
    - - - -

    When CR buys EU carbon allowances and retires them from circulation, they're no longer available to be offset with a third world CDM project.  

    Therefore the EU polluter must reduce that amount of emissions themselves.  On Carbon Retirement sees opportunity in European allowances posted 1 year, 4 months ago 8 Responses

  • Very interesting idea

    Re: Criticism replies above -
    The EU experience simply tells us not to start with an excess of carbon credits, and to auction them off.  EU startup problems provide lessons that will help the rest of the world avoid repeating their problems.  

    Complaints about Kyoto's  Joint Implementation and Clean Development Mechanisms seem irrelevant to a program that retires emissions credits in the most industrialized EU countries.  On Carbon Retirement sees opportunity in European allowances posted 1 year, 4 months ago 8 Responses

  • List of committee members

    Give them an earful -

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Senate_Committee_on_Env ...On Republicans block subpoena of EPA climate document, while Boxer releases choice excerpts posted 1 year, 4 months ago 2 Responses

  • don't sell CA short

    the CARB knows just what they're doing-

    Sean writes:   6:22 11.7.08  
    As an interesting aside, Toyota did a study for CA back in the early . . . CA did nothing with the report, and

    California has set guidelines and helped organized projects to buy junker cars and take them out of circulation since the mid '90s -  the VARV program.
    On Smart ideas for post Lieberman-Warner climate policy posted 1 year, 4 months ago 71 Responses

  • New riders choose mass transit in car capitol.

    Gas prices nudge So Cal drivers onto mass mass transit -- slowly

    Car culture has stubborn roots in Southern California. The vast majority of Southern Californians are holding tenaciously to the privacy and convenience of their own cars, over the crush of humanity on the region's trains and buses.

    But longtime riders notice more professionals aboard a system that has mostly served low-income workers who don't have the option to drive.

    Now the parking structure at the Willow Street stop in Long Beach is full by 8:30 a.m. -- and spaces used to go empty all day. Some of the riders are not so much new to the system as they are nagged by gas prices to take it more often.On Obama reaffirms support for rail and transit posted 1 year, 4 months ago 16 Responses

  • Amtrak is not a for-profit corporation

    "Didn't it [passenger rail] used to be?"  [ profitable ]

    Perhaps to the accounting and history impaired.  Decades of US presidents and lawmakers subsidized the rail tycoons with pet loans and huge land grants. (Conservatives call these 'handouts', unless they're giving them to favored corporations).  This bought time for the business to grow.  

    Airline prices will double in the next 3 years.  Travelers will look for alternate transportation and switch to more efficient forms.  Our passenger rail system needs to be improved and expanded. On Obama reaffirms support for rail and transit posted 1 year, 4 months ago 16 Responses

  • like a southbound freight -

    As a reference Bush zeroed out Amtrack funding several times and Congress always puts it back in.  Rail usage is going up and route expansions are likely in order.

    Sen. Obama's interest in expanding high speed and commuter rail links through the midwest has been discussed here.   Lobbing softheaded questions doesn't raise the level of discussion. On Obama reaffirms support for rail and transit posted 1 year, 4 months ago 16 Responses

  • more info

    Here is a link to the UM  news release
    On Global warming will worsen storms, says U of Michigan scientist posted 1 year, 4 months ago 4 Responses

  • As much as 20% and as little as 10%

    IIRC, thats the estimate range for untested CCS technology.  And the only way to establish the ultimate overall cost is to build a few.  Our experience has been- as any energy system matures, the costs decrease.  

    So lets use the interest in these projects as a carrot.  Our leaders shouldn't fund CCS (or nuclear) projects without them being part of a package with a solid array of renewable energy and conservation policies.
    On CCS: Environmental whack-a-mole posted 1 year, 4 months ago 21 Responses

  • The Chicago bike plan -

    has a central roll in the city's Olympic bid and push toward green.
    The eventual goal is to have bike routes within 1/2 mile or less of  residences and businesses.

    http://www.bike2015plan.org/intro.htmlOn Obama, transportation policy, and the highway bill posted 1 year, 4 months ago 9 Responses

  • and

    West Virginia is also the state with the highest level of land ownership by non-residents.   The rape of the state's mountains is made easier by the large influence of absentee landlords.  On Cause and effect posted 1 year, 5 months ago 1 Response

  • saw that yesterday.

    I assume it is an astroturf job.On Mysterious new pro-coal organization posted 1 year, 8 months ago 4 Responses

  • replies and thoughts

    JMB writes:
    Jay, his #1 point is dead accurate, regardless of the device.  When you say
    "FutureGen efficiencies were equal or higher than most present coal plants, even with sequestration."
    you are not responding to the point actually made -- which is that, no matter the efficiency of the system, CCS is costing you something -- it reduces the plant's net output (compared to the same power island operating without CCS).

    First, I don't accept that using the Administration's phony 'excessive cost' argument is truthful or productive.  Second, I don't disagree there is a cost, only what that really means -

           A rising coal price_tide raises all renewable boats.  

    elbarto
    You link the IPCC Special Report on carbon sequestration.  I have read it.  The top US expert (probably the world) is Ken Caldeira.  He's very concerned with global warming and is a primary author.

    In a 3.07.08 broadcast from the Commonwealth Club, Caldeira expressed dismay that FutureGen had been cancelled.  He said it could have (and certainly should have) been begun several years ago.  So I think I'll go with Dr. Caldeira's considered view.

    http://www.commonwealthclub.org/archive/08/08-02climatepa ...

    Climate Change After Bali
    [ panel discussion and questions ]
    AMB. RENO L. HARNISH III, DIANA FARRELL, KEN CALDEIRA

    (Harnish 'represented' the US in obstruction at Bali. )

    Concerning your calculation, we do produce alot of CO2.  And we don't have the capacity to bury any, so perhaps we shouldn't fret about burying all of it all, just yet.  Just bury part of it.  Just for a while.    

    bigTom
    I don't see CCS and FutureGen as mutually exclusive.  We shouldn't toss out our seed corn (futuregen) because Bush's DOE politicos couldn't see that CCS was an imminent priority.  

    You make many good points.  Especially the one about assuring reliable power.  It won't do to convince the public we need action, then loose support & momentum because of power/grid problems, ala California.  Delayers will then blame renewables.  On The blind alley of more coal posted 1 year, 8 months ago 19 Responses

  • Rumors of the demise have been greatly exaggeratd

    Thanks for the link to Keith and Homer-Dixon's thoughtful editorial.  You have some misconceptions in your reply, john.  Like some of the other writers here.  

    FutureGen was killed when it touched the third-rail of Administration climate objections - Bush can do nothing about AGW that might cost money.  But the utilities are suddenly panicky because they see cap-and-trade ahead and need a plan for their baseload.  The price of wind, solar, coal and nuclear power have ALL soared drastically in the past few years.  Don't be so sure FutureGen is dead.  It could be built by the next Administration, if they have any sense.  

    DOE took the money from FutureGen and are putting it in multiple CCS projects.  They'll fund CCS at a much higher level, trying several capture processes including one suitable (perhaps) as a retrofit.  They will inject C02 into monitored wells at high volumes.  The downside is DOE foolishly killed what is essentially a long-term efficiency project to fund this.  IMO the next Administration will drastically increase $ for energy research.  We need to be sure that budget again includes the orphaned renewables and that policies are put in place to drive their growth.  

    1.  That is not true.  FutureGen efficiencies were equal or higher than most present coal plants, even with sequestration.  

    2.  Of course it will.  That's why we'll need electric and PHEV to use that base-load, nightime power.  

    3.  The CO2 will be sequestered in deep saline reservoirs and unmineable coal seams, not in the empty caverns often used for natural gas.  So there is no conflict .  Now if as you suggest, the release of CO2 is awful, imagine how bad it would be for the methane to slip out.  20X worse, right?  Yet no one bothers to talk or think about that.  Why?  Because natural gas storage clearly works.

    4.  That is a lucky thing, since it has given us alot of experience in the technology.  Put a rising price on carbon and sites won't be limited to depleted oil and gas fields.  (But CO2 sequestration must still be proven and regulated first. )

    Perhaps someone here will eventually figure out that supporting renewables should be linked to supporting CCS demonstrations.  Otherwise you simply get new Administrations canceling perfectly good projects when they like one over another.  We don't have time for that stupidity.  We will need all the wedges of reduction options that are available.   On The blind alley of more coal posted 1 year, 8 months ago 19 Responses

  • Des -

    In all my reading on the subject I have not seen a rational approach to combat the over-abundance of CO2 in the atmosphere.  

    Look into biochar.  This is a process that could generate energy by partially burning plant material, then stirs the ash/charcoal into the soil to enrich it.  Apparently this was something indigenous farming cultures did in the Amazon.  On 'Long-term' climate sensitivity of 6 degrees C for doubled CO2 posted 1 year, 8 months ago 3 Responses

  • Been there, done that.

    No climate for old men: Why John McCain isn't the candidate to stop global warming  -   Joe Romm

    http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/2/7/235140/6275On Campaign energy wonks clarify candidates' differences on climate change posted 1 year, 8 months ago 11 Responses

  • McSame

    McCain may espouse the weakest platform . . .

    Indeed.  One could say 'does', except that his proposals are so poorly documented no one can tell what he has in mind.  Or, it's all about the omission - meaning, he'll leave the solutions up to the invisible hand.  On Why this is the last election, and another look at McCain posted 1 year, 8 months ago 48 Responses

  • 2 cents

    The Orlando article suggests FPL gets tax write-offs and is doing it as a gesture to Crist, who they didn't support.  The state of Florida should fix their faulty incentive system and not help fund boondoggles.  

    Very little wind potential in Florida -

    http://rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas/maps/chap2/2-06m.ht ...

    http://rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas/maps/chap3/3-36m.ht ...

    But if they still want to raise awareness of renewable power, let them do it on their own turf but not conservation areas.  On Florida Power & Light on wind power posted 1 year, 8 months ago 2 Responses

  • Gee, that's pricey -

    but since the costs of solar and wind power are rising faster than coal, how is that development a good thing, without a price for carbon?

    http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1339129420080214?page ...

    Nuclear power construction costs -- mostly materials, labor and engineering -- have gone up 185 percent as shown by the index, followed by wind power costs up 95 percent, natural gas plants up 90 percent and coal-fired plants up 70 percent.

    I'm not surprised AEP won't be sequestering CO2 as yet.  They are probably running a corporation, not a charity.  More informative articles mention AEP will run a CO2 separation process at the plant on a pilot scale. On Coal: getting expensiver posted 1 year, 8 months ago 11 Responses

  • Obama's energy proposals

    Here are Obama's energy proposals.   They are at least the equal to that of his Democratic rival.  

    It is laughable to suggest McCain, who doesn't even mention climate on his website / energy page, offers more.  He has bravely submitted legislation for what are now seen as a) weak cap-and-trade proposals  and b) a much expanded role for nuclear power.  

    Those ideas and buying a few credits don't add up to much for me.  They could not be more effective than the 20 policy points outlined below -

    http://www.barackobama.com/issues/energy/

    Obama did catch some heat from Illinois conservation groups who schooled him on coal/CO2 problems.  He promised to use whatever policy tools are necessary to solve the problem, including banning traditional coal facilities.  
    On Three related stories about coal power posted 1 year, 8 months ago 16 Responses

  • sobering numbers

    A few months ago there were reports here on the cancellation of FutureGen.  Some responded with great hoots of joy.  Coal, they announced, is now too expensive.  Unfortunately this study shows that sentiment was wrong and coal remains cheaper than the alternatives.  

    So, we must redouble the efforts to hang a price on carbon.

    http://www.thesixrulesofeverything.com/9000%20folder/bell ...
    On Power plants' costs doubled since 2000 posted 1 year, 8 months ago 8 Responses

  • Al Wynn

    Here is representative Wynn's voting record on Energy, a committee on which he serves -

    http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Albert_Wynn.htm#Energy_+ ...

    I am curious why it is deficient -

    Yes - to implement Kyoto protocol
    Yes - to continue ban on drilling in ANWR
    No - on schedules and on permitting of refineries
    Yes - to remove oil and gas subsidies
    etc, etc, etc,

    90% rating from LCVotersOn I'm back posted 1 year, 9 months ago 8 Responses

  • Obama proposals . . .

    to: John former Marine-
    Obama's uplifting speeches haven't prevented him from thinking and proposing policies to solve the problems of energy security and climate change:

    http://climateprogress.org/2007/10/09/obamas-excellent-en ...

    http://www.grist.org/feature/2007/07/30/obama_factsheet/  On A solar grand plan posted 1 year, 9 months ago 29 Responses

  • water vapor and aircraft emissions -

    Adding water vapor to the atmosphere from fossil fuel use is an insignificant source compared to increased evaporation from the oceans.   Rising Sea surface temperatures are due to increased human output of GHG.

    Further, the CO2 we emit stays in the atmosphere for an average of a hundred years, with a longer 'tail' lasting for centuries.  It will add extra energy all those years.  In contrast, the average time to cycle evaporated water from the atmosphere as precipitation is only 10 -14 days.  

    Aircraft emissions.  There are ongoing US and EU studies to pin down the effects of these emissions, present and projected, on the atmosphere and global warming.  The chairman of the US group looking at this thinks the case is still open.  The exhaust clearly effects clouds, but whether the net influence is cooling or warming is not certain.  For example -

    http://transportation.northwestern.edu/seminars/06-07/Wue ...On FutureGen "clean coal" demonstration plant slated for Illinois posted 1 year, 9 months ago 26 Responses

  • Conquest & coronation

    Hillary was a very humble man.   IIRC, Neither he or his Sherpa climbing partner Tenzing would say who reached the summit first.  Only that they walked up together and that neither one noticed at the time.  Nice.  

    The Everest expedition included a newspaperman.  He realized the goal might be achieved in time for Elizabeth's coronation.  The two men reached the summit on May 29 but it took time for word of it to get off the mountain and out.  The reporter hired runners and a driver to speed to Katmandu.  A telegram with a code phrase was sent to Britain.  His paper scooped the story and portrayed it as a coronation gift to Elizabeth.

    According to wiki, there was a 2nd climb team that came within 300 feet of the summit two days earlier, but turned back due to exhaustion.  On Everest climber dead at 88 posted 1 year, 10 months ago 5 Responses

  • Activists do better who know their friends -

    http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2005/10/05/cizik/

    http://www.creationcare.org/

    http://www.theregenerationproject.org/

    http://www.quakerearthcare.org/InterestGroups/OtherAreasB ...

    http://www.enn.com/climate/article/22800
    On Today: Chris Allen posted 1 year, 11 months ago 19 Responses

  • Batter Up !

    Some of 'the 400' have advanced degrees but no expertise in climate issues.  The 1st 'expert' listed is Nathan Paldor, a professor of oceanography in an atmospheric sciences department.  That's a good start, sounds promising.    

    But checking his  ~ 70 papers, 95% deal with dynamics - waves, winds and flows.  They do include 3 or 4 examining the effects of deep current upwelling on local Sea Surface Temps.  But those are all in small zones near Israel - none of his work considers global or even regional SSTs.  

    Paldor has complained that journals don't publish his opinions on global warming.  I'm sure they'd be happy to publish scientific papers supporting his views.  But he has a familiar problem - none of his peer-reviewed research or writings deal with climate change.  

    http://earth.huji.ac.il/staff-details.asp?topic=3&id= ...

    Interestingly, they do include refs 59 and 65 show that Jesus couldn't have walked on water of the Sea of Galilea . . .

    Surely Morano/Inhofe could have picked a lead-off hitter who could actually walk the walk?      On More bogus climate skepticism posted 1 year, 11 months ago 227 Responses

  • LLNL report

    DOE isn't having 2nd thoughts, they wanted the project ~6 years ago. How quickly it goes up depends on what is in appropriations bills between now and 2012.  

    The 'bonkers' data are the calculations done by steam engineers for every power plant built in the last 80 years.  Steam tables, pressure drops, inlet temperatures, all to calculate efficiencies.  Typically, when a plant is finished, tests must prove the system meets guaranteed efficiencies, or the final payment will be reduced per the contract.  So it is safe to say- the numbers are solid and the result of a proven process.

    Efficiencies don't change, regardless of construction costs.  And that study is for a 400 MW unit rather than the 275 MW station being built.

    DOE & fossil energy producers have shot themselves in the foot with the timing.  They had no urgency to build anything with Bush stalling and Congress passive for 6 years.  They waited for them to make things more friendly, delay pollution restrictions, and avoid new construction that would require tighter emission standards.  

    Now AGW, the 'other problem,' comes at them hard and they aren't ready.  They should have gotten lower bids during a business lull, now they must pay top dollar.  As a result, the plant is smaller than previously proposals and some reports suggest it won't contain everything in the earlier versions.

    The 5 - 6 cent /KWe estimate is the theoretical production cost from a mature technology.  If the concept works, the costs would decline for additional plants.    On FutureGen on at 5:00 p.m. Central, tonight posted 1 year, 11 months ago 15 Responses

  • Here's two more -

    1.  Wyoming utility snuffs coal projects.

    2.  Maine ruling &  vote sink 700 MW plant.
    On Thirteen stories of coal getting stiffed posted 1 year, 11 months ago 5 Responses

  • 3 Misunderstandings -

    Energy Cost -
    The study below analyzes the costs of an advanced coal plant with the exact same features as FutureGen.  It was done by experts at Lawrence Livermore Nat'l Lab and industry and presented at the 2003 ASME power conference.

    They estimate a cost/KWHr that is less than 1/3 rd of the amount claimed here.

    https:/e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/244643.pdf

    Funding -
    $400 million is private with 8 companies involved.
    Industry shares technical knowledge and risk, but never gets any payment for the power produced.  

    There is wide interest in the project and costs will be reduced by payments from foreign participants.  These include partners from London, Sydney, Beijing and Melbourne.
    I'm not sure why this is being italicized but they are my words.

    Hydrogen -
    Hydrogen isn't a final product (although it could be drawn off).  IGCC means Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle.  The gasification process produces a "Syngas" consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.  The CO is then reacted with water to make additional hydrogen.  The hydrogen is burned to spin a gas turbine.  Waste heat from the exhaust is captured by a heat exchanger and runs a low-pressure steam turbine.   [combined cycle     gas & steam turbines]

    It is an efficient process, even after the energy used to separate the gases is included.

    A big advantage of the process is that by converting all fuel into gases, it is easier to cleanup unwanted by-products.  They  expect to capture all the CO2, 99% of Sulfur and 90% of mercury.  Also, instead of loose, useless fly ash, it makes a glassy slag that is strong enough to use in pavement or construction.     On FutureGen on at 5:00 p.m. Central, tonight posted 1 year, 11 months ago 15 Responses

  • A US Feebate proposal already exists -

    and will be voted on by the California Assembly in January.

    Economic Analysis of Feebates to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Light Vehicles for California
    Author:   McManus, W.S.  UMTRI
    http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/55180/1/U ...

    California Cleaner Cars for all Consumers (CCCD)  
    http://www.ucsusa.org/publications/catalyst/solutions-off ...

    Support for Feebate strong in California  
    http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/clean_vehicles/CCC ...

    California AB 493
    http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/10/californi ...
    On French government charges fees to new owners of gas-guzzling vehicles posted 1 year, 11 months ago 20 Responses

  • Good work youth delegates

    Caption:  Message to America's youth - Get Lost!  

    Responder feigns surprise that Bush Administration is accused of foot dragging.  He thinks global warming isn't an issue for US voters.  As 'the suit' speaks, note smirking intern beside him.  Earlier he covers his mouth, to avoid laughing?

    High level representatives aren't present.  Delegation is headed by Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky, chief 'negotiator' is Dr Harlan Watson, high level meetings include the White House's James Conover.  

    The Administration is working hard on a plan to avoid the UN and work with the largest emitters, each country at their own leisurely pace . . .
    http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4161849
    On Confronting the belligerent U.S. delegation at the 2007 climate talks posted 1 year, 11 months ago 3 Responses

  • Simple strokes

    Think that might be a little alarmist?

    If not, other bad analogies woven from whole-cloth are still available.  On Simple answers posted 1 year, 11 months ago 4 Responses

  • Bruce's lyrics

    I don't own many but all his albums I've listened to include a lyrics booklett.  Listening to them while reading along makes the images and messages clearer and more powerful, even for songs I've heard a hundred times before.  He writes it all and is a master lyricist.  On Start your weekend with The Boss posted 1 year, 11 months ago 6 Responses

  • more on the hearing -

    The first time I read that quote I didn't understand what he was getting at.  I guess since he didn't jump into the discussion in anti-GW mode, they knew he wasn't worth inviting back.

    Testimony included comments by Surgeons General Koop and Satcher who served under Reagan and Clinton.  Both complained about political pressure in their terms.  But both also said what had happened to Dr. Carmona was extraordinary and very disturbing.  And if they'd been placed under the same bell jar restrictions as he was, they wouldn't have been able to accomplish much during their terms.  

    He had no staff, no budget and wasn't even allowed to pick what conferences he could address.  The office is about promoting the nation's health, not pandering to ignorant ideas.  He wasn't allowed to do his job.  

    This is a sadly familiar story, an Administration of incompetent ideologues that insists on trying to re-shape facts to fit their view.  The think-tanks and neocoms have a limitless supply of bad faith ideas.  Unfortunately they apply the method everywhere.  (see Gen. Shinseki)  What they are great at is undermining expert advice with uninformed opinion.

    So a note to the uninformed - Arnold says the debate on the existence of GW is over - it's time to act!  

    http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/07/09/solar.californ ...
    On It's as bad as we thought posted 2 years, 4 months ago 2 Responses