Thursday, 30 Nov 2006

Letting the Cataclysm Out of the Bag

Supreme Court hears opening arguments in landmark climate-change case

Climate change made its Supreme debut yesterday, as the high court began considering whether the U.S. EPA must regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Much of the opening session concerned whether the plaintiffs, including several green groups and a dozen states, had suffered enough harm to sue. Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General James Milkey said coastlines were in grave danger and emissions rules would help; Deputy U.S. Solicitor General Gregory Garre countered that such rules would do economic harm and were unadvisable "in light of the substantial scientific uncertainty surrounding climate change." (Really? They're sticking with that?) The Supremes split along predictable ideological lines, with conservative Justice Antonin Scalia asking early on, "When is the predicted cataclysm?" Across town, under pressure from Democrats, EPA agreed to revise a controversial proposed rule for companies reporting toxic releases. So hey, maybe these kids can settle this thing yet.


Within a few decades, solar photovoltaic technology will fundamentally change and eventually dominate our global energy portfolio. That's the chutzpah-tastic claim at the heart of Travis Bradford's new book Solar Revolution. Solar's been the Next Big Thing for a while, so don't feel bad if you're skeptical. But Bradford's no hippie dreamer -- he's a number-cruncher from the world of private equity and corporate acquisitions. David Roberts asks him why he's so bullish on PV, and how we'll get there from here.

Cut and Run

Easy efficiency steps could slash global power demand, report says

Thoreau said the preservation of the world was in wildness, but it might be in light bulbs. A new report says efficiency improvements could cut global energy-consumption increases by more than half over the next 15 years. From replacing bulbs and improving insulation to rejiggering government regulations, "the opportunities are huge, and yet they are being left on the table," says Diana Farrell, director of the McKinsey Global Institute, which issued the report. With the U.S. responsible for nearly a quarter of the world's carbon emissions and electricity generation accounting for 71 percent of U.S. household emissions, many are pushing for changes at home. "One of the great mysteries is why the public has not shifted faster to fluorescent bulbs," says Alexander Lidow, head of the frighteningly named power-saving equipment manufacturer International Rectifier. It's no mystery to us. Change your product name from compact fluorescent bulbs to Tickle-Me Wii Brites, and watch the magic happen.


Growing up in sleepy Pinedale, Wyo., Brian Calvert never imagined he'd return some day to find a bustling burg driven by natural-gas drilling -- or that he'd take work in a gas field nearby. But times change, and Sublette County seemed headed for gas-fueled greatness. That is, until the feds pushed things too far, leasing out land in the Wyoming Range that's a treasured local habitat for Canada lynx and other species. Can a coalition of local groups stop the push for more drilling? Calvert surveys the scene.

Top Goes the Diesel

L.A. auto show sees Germans, GM committing to clean-tech cars

This week's Los Angeles Auto Show has set the car world abuzz. General Motors, plagued by its gas-guzzling reputation and notorious electric-car bungle, announced its commitment to creating a rechargeable plug-in hybrid, becoming the first automaker to do so. "The technological hurdles are real, but we believe they are also surmountable," said CEO Rick Wagoner, bursting with can-do spirit. And German manufacturers Volkswagen and DaimlerChrysler are promoting Bluetec, clean diesel technology that meets even California's tough air-quality standards. Diesels are 30 percent more fuel-efficient than gasoline engines, and Bluetec addresses pollution with a tank of urea (don't smirk) that neutralizes nitrous oxide emissions. The companies also hope clean diesel's higher torque will appeal to macho American drivers. VW and DaimlerChrysler plan to unveil several new diesel vehicles by 2008; BMW, GM, and Honda also have models in the works. If only they could do something about the freeways.