Comments bkrell has made

  • wind

    Like it or not, coal is what we will be dealing with for a long time. We'll be off oil WELL before we ever get off coal. On Anti-coal activists get a boost from Tennessee ash spill and other mishaps posted 9 months, 2 weeks ago 9 Responses

  • I would have no problem with Cornyn's plan...

    Except he has opposed so many pieces of renewable energy legislation.  He has no problem keeping "red tape" in place when it doesn't benefit petro producers to tear it down.  Speaking as someone who bathes in this red tape daily, it's not that beastly an issue.  Oil and gas wells are popping up all around me...On Sen. Cornyn offers up simplistic recipe for energy security posted 11 months ago 1 Response

  • What a bunch of whiners

    Gesh, give me a break. Are we going to take all our toys home b/c someone writes a story that doesn't agree with us?  I'm sure every pro AGW story out there in the media is meticulously sourced and worthy of a Pulitzer.  The whining ABOUT this article is ten times more ridiculous than the article itself.  On Beltway paper runs two of the dumbest stories of the decade on climate science posted 1 year ago 18 Responses

  • In the words

    In the words of a recent wall street journal editorial on the financial crisis...Don't just do something, stand there.On EPA board freezes construction of new coal-fired power plants in U.S. posted 1 year ago 15 Responses

  • awesome

    Perhaps this will inspire the Chinese.  Oh wait, nevermind...On EPA board freezes construction of new coal-fired power plants in U.S. posted 1 year ago 15 Responses

  • not so simple

    Umbra needs to spend less time on Edmunds and more time on Ecomodder.com, gassavers.org, or cleanmpg.com.

    A/C vs. windows down is going to vary by car and speed.  On my car, a/c is unquestionably less efficient than windows down, even at 75 mph. The previous posters comments on cruise are correct as well.  On flat terrain, cruise is great.  Once you get into uphill/downhill stretches, however, cruise controls preference for constant speed means it's going to increase engine load accordingly on uphill stretches to maintain that speed.  It's much more efficient to slow down a tad on the uphill and then try to gain it back on the downhill if possible.  I'm just scratching the surface here.....On Umbra on cruise control posted 1 year, 2 months ago 8 Responses

  • not so simple

    Ubra needs to spend less time on Edmunds and more time on Ecomodder.com, gassavers.org, or cleanmpg.com.

    A/C vs. windows down is going to vary by car and speed.  On my car, a/c is unquestionably less efficient than windows down, even at 75 mph. The previous posters comments on cruise are correct as well.  On flat terrain, cruise is great.  Once you get into uphill/downhill stretches, however, cruise controls preference for constant speed means it's going to increase engine load accordingly on uphill stretches to maintain that speed.  It's much more efficient to slow down a tad on the uphill and then try to gain it back on the downhill if possible.  I'm just scratching the surface here.....On Umbra on cruise control posted 1 year, 2 months ago 8 Responses

  • Where's the logic here.

    This guy's logic is above mine.  There are 500k square miles MORE ice this year than last yet this proves the ice is in a death spiral????  Can this guy do my taxes?

    Don't get me wrong, I am a student of both the prevailing thought on climate change and the more competent skeptical counter-arguments....This just doesn't make sense, though.  And why, last year, was this same agency saying that the shrinking ice was just an abnormal expression of a more routine weather pattern?On Arctic ice in a 'death spiral' as it hits second-lowest point ever posted 1 year, 3 months ago 16 Responses

  • King of the Sea

    This guy is the Bill Clinton of marine sanctuaries.  But, working for a fed land mgt agency, all I can say is.....I hope someone finds some funding!!!!On President Bush exploring creation of massive marine sanctuaries in Pacific posted 1 year, 3 months ago 1 Response

  • compromise

    Sounds like compromise, which is the name of the game when your doing anything in govt.  It's hard to make friends!On Bush admin proposes scaling back speed-limit zone meant to protect right whales posted 1 year, 3 months ago 4 Responses

  • roads and roadlessness

    He's right about one thing-lack of roads can prevent the FS from doing it's job.  As an FS peon, I can say we have a LOT of masters to please.  Everything we do gets criticized by environmental groups, logging interests, and recreation groups at the same time.  I never thought it was possible to be hated by so many people at once!On Roadless rule shot down, again posted 1 year, 3 months ago 7 Responses

  • that's the point

    The point is businesses don't bury their heads in the sand (unless they're bad businesspeople).  They have to weigh the pros and cons of each move.  If it's good business to go green, they'll go green.  It's not ideology; it's money.  It took a little boat-rocking to wake up business that oil won't be here forever.  So they're looking elsewhere.  They aren't suddenly eco-friendly, even if their PR depts proclaim them o be.  They're just protecting themselves and the bottom line.On U.S. economy shifting to -- gasp! -- efficiency posted 1 year, 3 months ago 7 Responses

  • Duh!!!!!!!!!!

    Great big duh!!!!  This is news???  This is what every one with a brain has been trying to say about the shift to more efficient tech for quite some time!  People could care less about a bunch of wacko, toke it up, greenies.  It's money that people get.  When green cost less...green, people go for it in droves.On U.S. economy shifting to -- gasp! -- efficiency posted 1 year, 3 months ago 7 Responses

  • Argh part 2

    While yes, I agree that public transit options should be considered, this constant chiding that we don't need to be thinking in terms of fuel efficiency dodges a very hot potato.  We don't all live in areas that have access to the Seattle Metro Transit bus system or any bus system for that matter.  Let's adress the issue at hand before we build Utopia.

    Back to the issue, though, pointed out by Kevin, yes, in an ideal world where diesel was the same price as gasoline, longer distance rural commuters would be better served by diesels.  However, at the current 20% premium (at least in my part of the country) people are getting out a diesels faster than you can say $5 per gallon.  So in all actuality, regardless of the stop-and-go benefit of a gas hybid like the Prius or Insight, they are still, due to their overall efficincy, better options for a highway commute verses the diesels out there. Any diesel would have to get an EPA 54 mpg highway to just break even with a Prius with the current gas/diesel price structure in place.  

    But yes, weight is a major problem in today's cars, but it's not all nav systems and extra cup holders, it's safety gear like air bags and steel reinforcements.  If you don't mind not having the latest safety gear, you may as well buy a new small displacement motorcycle rather than scouring eBay for a 20 year old Civic CRX HF. Regarding a modern Civic, it's current weight ranges from 2,586 lbs for a manual trans DX to 2,769 lbs for an automatic EX.  Granted, at 1,713 lbs, the 1985-1987 CRX HF was tiny.  On Umbra on diesel hybrids posted 1 year, 4 months ago 16 Responses

  • Ugh!

    Decent article but why the opening diatribe?  It must be nice to live in a overly developed urban corridor, but many of us out here in flyover country have no options for public transit.  I'd pay what I pay in gas just to not have to do the driving!  Until then, though, we would enjoy hearing about more fuel efficient options for the way we do things NOW.  

    But back to the why, yes, cost to the consumer is the main issue.  Both, on the front end, with purchase, and in fuel savings during the car's life.  Hybrid tech adds a premium to a car.  Diesel also adds a premium.  Put them together and, well, it gets pricey.  Then, it's harder to get the same efficiencies out of a diesel engine as it is out of a gas one.  Diesels are MUCH more efficient at idle than gas engines are. Therefore, fuel savings when a diesel hybrid idles aren't going to be as great.  

    There are other techical reasons and nuances as well. One big problem right now it makes less sense to produce a new diesel car for the US market is the cost of diesel itself.  Unlike Europe, where diesel is much cheaper compared to gasoline, in the US we pay much more.  To acheive a monitary savings verses a gasoline engine in today's US market, a diesel engine first has to overcome the, on average, 20% premium in price per gallon diesel currently carries on top of regular unleaded.  

    And then, there's the emissions.  Diesels have more emissions issues to deal with, as mentioned in Umbra's article-namely NOx and particulates.  Manufacturers like Daimler (Mercedes) have had to equip their newest diesels with exotic gear such as "urea tanks" to help neutralize emissions in the quest to meet stricter regulations. And that's just to be 45 state legal. More elegant solutions are on the way, but right now you need a high profit margin vehicle to make a conventional diesel worthwhile, let alone a hybrid.

    So it's not just a case of slap a hybrid on that diesel sucker and go. Market and regulatory realities make diesel hybrids a challenging proposition. On Umbra on diesel hybrids posted 1 year, 4 months ago 16 Responses

  • Hah!

    I wonder if Wal-Mart and Disney will market millions of "eco" Miley t-shirts, note books, Trapper Keepers (hah!), pencils, pens, makeup sets, hats, posters, and pj's for the kids....On Popster Miley Cyrus pens 'eco-anthem' posted 1 year, 4 months ago 7 Responses

  • Argh!

    If it drives people into a greener car, who cares about Toyota's motivation?  Who cares why people buy them?  Perhaps we should admonish Prius buyers that they aren't really having a positive effect and urge  them to get back into their Yukons and Suburbans....

    My bigger concern is how is this going to work?  I'm having trouble reconciling the energy produced by a solar roof and the amount currently used by the Prius's already-efficient a/c.On Toyota may put solar panels on new Prius to power air conditioning posted 1 year, 4 months ago 14 Responses

  • AMEN!

    People have got to realize that without regulation that NO congress is going to pass, the market is going to have to be a driving force in the transition to a greener society.   People on here are poo-pooing them because they think this is a cynical ploy to cut costs.  So what?  Wal-Mart's motivation is not the point.  It is the end result that matters. Whether it is out of sheer concern for the environment or not does not matter.  This move still means less environmental impact.  And this stuff about it being no big deal that the produce will come from the same state as a distribution center....nutty....  Has anyone looked at where Wal-Mart produce comes from now?  All over North and South America.  

    Now, the biggest concern will be to try and get them to use a greater percentage of locally-sourced fruits and vegetables.  But unless the consumer comes to the realization that they can't have the exact fruit or vegetable that they want year-round, that won't happen.

    But if the cost, due to rising fuel prices, makes imported or long-distance produce prohibitively expensive for the average Wal-Mart customer, the problem will take care of itself.   More local farmers will be the only game in town because long-distance transport won't be an issue.... On Wal-Mart gobbles up local produce posted 1 year, 4 months ago 23 Responses

  • never happy

    Folks, barring a crisis much more serious than what we are experiencing now, society isn't going to make wholesale immediate changes.  The free market is doing a good job of shifting folks into efficiency. Legislate later-get them thinking small on their own, first.  This increase in compact sales is the best environmental news in years.  Not everyone can bike to work or take mass transit or move closer to their job.  What is going on now is incredible.  There are tons of "gearheads" out there that pracatically overnight, instead of brainstorming ways to make more horsepower, are finding ways to make more mpgs.  And best of all, people are starting to slow down on the road and are driving more sane.  On Small cars gaining popularity in U.S. amid high fuel costs posted 1 year, 6 months ago 8 Responses

  • oh please

    Go out and have kids and see what you carry them around in.  Oh wait, you all want to get sterilized.  On The Chrysler Town & Country freaks me out posted 1 year, 10 months ago 15 Responses

  • well, who can blame him?

    The "market god" is merely capitalism.  It drove us off the cliff and will pick us back up.  Think Al Gore's book changed everyones' minds?  Think it was Katrina?  Nope.  It has been the price of petroleum.    Same thing that is, like Mr Lovins said, driving BP and the lot toward diversification.  It makes good business sense.  That's how the world works.  Not saying it's necessarily a good thing but...On A conversation with energy guru Amory Lovins posted 2 years, 1 month ago 11 Responses

  • Nice

    Glad to see Grist at least doesn't take the tack that religion is anti-environmental.  

    If we could nominate historic figures I think every Catholic would vote for St. Francis.On 15 Green Religious Leaders posted 2 years, 4 months ago 28 Responses

  • Well Rush doesn't like it

    If it makes you all feel better, Rush Limbaugh is flabbergasted by Newt's performance, saying he gets starstruck around the Dems.  I'm anxious to see what Newt says b/c I agree with his insinuation. I'm just not sure that we have enough time for a private sector approach.

    The whole argument over what the government's approach to emission reduction should be reminds me of the fact that Hitler diverted money and men to work on wonder weapons that he was sure would save the day for the Fatherland while the once mighty German army was crumbling all around him.  On Gingrich and Kerry face off on climate, except they don't really face off all that much posted 2 years, 7 months ago 3 Responses

  • This is still a landmark case

    C'mon guys, we can second guess this all day long but this is still huge.  In what the courts did and in terms of the popular view of the issue. Sure, the administration is going to stall, but that was a foregone conclusion.  It would seem to me this provides an awful lot of impetus for any future administration, Republican or Democrat, to get CO2 regulation on track.  Not to do so now will result in myriad lawsuits. If there's one thing those of us in federal agencies enjoy, it's dealing with lawsuits. It'll be a vexing proposition to find political appointees (or even career ones) willing to follow the business as usual path things are on now....not impossible, but more difficult.On This is a game changer posted 2 years, 8 months ago 19 Responses

  • But what about....

    Hansen and Oppenheimer's quotes in the article?  Though not red meat, they do seem a bit reluctant...

    Speaking of which, Oppenheimer may be a brilliant man but I felt kinda sorry for him in the Discovery Channel documentary narrated by Brokaw where he hypothesized El Nino would make the Atlantic hurricane season worse...

    I dunno, speaking as someone who cringes every time I have to talk to the press, it is HARD to explain things in a way that doesn't get misconstrued and taken out of context.  Gore's done a pretty good job of relating obscure scientific minutia to the average Joe and Jane.On The gray lady gets it woefully, laughably wrong posted 2 years, 8 months ago 53 Responses

  • But...

    what about BioWillie?On Texas renewable energy schemes posted 2 years, 8 months ago 32 Responses

  • triumvirate

    triumvirate-

    1.Roman History. the office or magistracy of a triumvir.
    2.a government of three officers or magistrates functioning jointly.
    3.a coalition of three magistrates or rulers for joint administration.
    4.any association of three in office or authority.
    5.any group or set of three.

    It's most popular use is in describing the alliance between Julius Caesar, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey), and Marcus Licinius Crassus. On Over global warming, of all things posted 2 years, 9 months ago 48 Responses

  • Ah Dawkins

    Hey, according to Dawkins, religion is a natural biological construct of our brains....just like homosexuality....Evangelicals can't help the way they are.  Don't be upset with them and try and change them...On Over global warming, of all things posted 2 years, 9 months ago 48 Responses

  • There's no war

    There's no war, only apathy.....Apathy is worse than war.On Over global warming, of all things posted 2 years, 9 months ago 48 Responses

  • wow

    "James Dobson, Gary Bauer, and Tony Perkins -- has America ever puked up a more loathsome triumvirate? "

    To quote the GEICO commercial, "Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the rock this morning!"On Over global warming, of all things posted 2 years, 9 months ago 48 Responses

  • There you go again

    I guess you have to be pro-abort to be green????  If you want more people to jump in the big green boat, you're going to have to moderate comments like that...Environmentalism...it's not just for hippies anymore...On Creation Careless posted 2 years, 9 months ago 1 Response

  • Groan

    I don't know what's sillier.  The fact that we are in Iraq or the crackpot conspiracy theories about why we are in Iraq.  Bush's Iraq policy has been the best thing for the enviro movement.  It has illustrated how insecure and fleeting our oil supply is these days.  Global Warming be damned, it'd still be something talked about only by Mother Earth News readers without the terror and Iraq War-induced premium on a barrel of oil. A premium that has driven (pun intended) people out of gas guzzlers in large numbers and given the quest to get off oil wide acceptance by the masses (red and blue).On Here we go again posted 2 years, 9 months ago 10 Responses

  • Kudos to Grist!

    For publishing such a fair article.  In the past I'd  bought into the skepticism over anthropogenic climate change, though I fully supported other environmental concerns.  But the evidence is too strong now. I just hope you'll let all of us green dittoheads in the boat!On How a conservative think tank's foray into climate policy stirred up a media hornet's nest posted 2 years, 9 months ago 25 Responses

  • Well

    I guess that's why they keep turning the lights on and off in my store?  On All these green initiatives, oy posted 2 years, 10 months ago 9 Responses

  • but Gore.....

    Still has baggage amongst most red-staters.  If the movie had been the product of anyone else, it may have gotten more acceptance than it did.  Of course, it may have never made it to the big screen, either.

    I think the thing that many environmentally conscious conservativea and moderates worry about the coupling of the environmental movement to all sorts of "fringe" issues.  Fuel efficiency and the mainstreaming of renewables are one thing.  But they are often coupled with all sorts seemingly socialist schemes and crunchy granola viewpoints.  I don't want to debate the worthiness of such issues-they may well have merit.  But the environmental "movement" is trying to force a really big pill down everyones' throat.  Focus the message and connect it with the daily life of most Americans.  Furthermore, emphasize the fact that it's the moral thing to do.On GOP strategist Frank Luntz argues enviros are failing -- and they're mean to boot posted 2 years, 10 months ago 35 Responses

  • exactly

    Thanks for making Luntz's point.  On GOP strategist Frank Luntz argues enviros are failing -- and they're mean to boot posted 2 years, 10 months ago 35 Responses

  • Amen!

    Yep, he's dead on.  That's why I've subscribed, unsubscribed, and resubscribed to this site.  I'm a republican who WANTS to get more involved and be part of the solution, not the problem, but the rhetoric gets so damn nasty.  There are a lot of us but we're being scared off.

    Well, I'm staying, if for no other reason than to remind everyone of that fact.  On GOP strategist Frank Luntz argues enviros are failing -- and they're mean to boot posted 2 years, 10 months ago 35 Responses

  • But what about....

    The USDA's Wetland Reserve Program.  I personally know many "farmers" buying up land at cheap prices then getting good money from the USDA to let it sit idle as a wetland.  It's a subsidy!  I think it's great but there aren't enough strings attached.On Where farm subsidies came from, and why they're still here posted 2 years, 10 months ago 2 Responses

  • re burning gasoline in a lawnmower

    A high combustion lawnmower engine, yes, burns much cleaner than a lazy yard burn pile.  On Umbra on burning yard waste posted 2 years, 10 months ago 12 Responses

  • Lawnmower?

    I've yet to find a honeysuckle vine that won't succumb to mulching mode on my $99 Home Depot lawn mower.  Really, I barely even need a compost pile.  I have a small one for large branches that I eventually chop up and use strategically to stem soil erosion.   On Umbra on burning yard waste posted 2 years, 10 months ago 12 Responses

  • How it will happen

    Lovins gets what so many enviros don't.  Energy efficiency and conservation are only going to catch on when clear profit motive can be seen.  We are a capitalist society and that's not going to change anytime soon.  It doesn't have to be an either/or proposition.On And does it well posted 2 years, 10 months ago 9 Responses