alternative energy

Green Revolution, Green Jobs Central to National Clean Energy Summit 2.0

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:32:09 -0400

by Lisa J. Wolf

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Hosting his second annual all-star gathering of clean energy proponents at University of Nevada, Las Vegas on Monday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada called for "a new revolution ... a clean energy revolution" to restore American prosperity and global leadership.

Comparing the National Clean Energy Summit 2.0 to the original American Revolution, Reid told participants why the date of the meeting, August 10, is important to him.

Scientists Explore How the Humble Leaf Could Power the Planet

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:30:57 -0400

by Alok Jha

It is one of evolution's crowning achievements - a mini green power station and organic factory combined and the source of almost all of the energy that fuels every living thing on the planet.

Warning: Oil Supplies Are Running Out Fast

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:20:42 -0400

by Steve Connor

The world is heading for a catastrophic energy crunch that could cripple a global economic recovery because most of the major oil fields in the world have passed their peak production, a leading energy economist has warned.

Higher oil prices brought on by a rapid increase in demand and a stagnation, or even decline, in supply could blow any recovery off course, said Dr Fatih Birol, the chief economist at the respected International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris, which is charged with the task of assessing future energy supplies by OECD countries.

We Need an Energy Revolution

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:54:39 -0400

by Bernie Sanders

The United States today spends some $400 billion a year importing oil from countries like Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Mexico, Russia, and Venezuela. Think for a moment what an incredible impact that same $400 billion a year could have on our country if that money were invested here and not abroad, in such areas as weatherization, energy efficiency, sustainable energies like wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, public transportation and automobiles that are energy efficient or don't use fossil

Offshore Wind: Europe Surges, US Dawdles

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:39:46 -0400

by Charles Kleekamp

SANDWICH, Mass. - Imagine A renewable-energy source so large it can provide enough power for 750,000 homes, or a quarter of all homes in London, especially when the fuel is free. It’s called the London Array, and when built it will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

The first phase of the project, announced May 12, is financed by the DONG Energy, of Denmark, E.ON, of Germany, and Masdar, of Abu Dhabi.

The GOP’s 100-Reactor/Trillion-Dollar Energy Plan Goes Radioactive

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:25:07 -0400

by Harvey Wasserman

As the prospective price of new reactors continues to soar, and as the first "new generation" construction projects sink in French and Finish soil, Republicans are introducing a bill to Congress demanding 100 new nuclear reactors in the US within twenty years. It explicitly welcomes "alternatives" such as oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and "clean coal." Though it endorses some renewables such as solar and wind power, it calls for no cap on carbon emissions.

Greenwash: Shell Betrays 'New Energy Future' Promises

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:09:16 -0400

by Fred Pearce

Shell, I have to report, is the new Exxon. The company that back in December was filling this and other newspapers with double-page adverts promoting its conversion to a "new energy future" of wind farms, hydrogen fuels, fuel made from marine algae and much else, has pulled the plug.

Obama's Excellent Atomic Omission

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:08:56 -0500

by Harvey Wasserman

Two lethal words went thankfully unspoken in President Obama's address to the nation this week---atomic energy.

Unfortunately, two others---"clean coal"---were included.

An increasingly desperate reactor industry just tried to sneak a $50 billion loan guarantee package into the stimulus bill. But for the third time since 2007, it got beat by a powerful national grassroots movement and key Congressional leaders.

Nuke pushers now want reactors painted "green" in a renewable standard Congress may soon set.

Saving the Economy, One Furnace at a Time

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:08:22 -0500

by Paul Rogat Loeb

Like most Americans, I'm guarding my dollars, but when my furnace died during Seattle's coldest winter in decades, I needed to replace it. And when I did, with a high-efficiency Trane model made in Trenton New Jersey, the costs and gains underscored key lessons about what we need to do to craft a stimulus package that actually builds for America's future. My new furnace saves energy and fights climate change. It promotes American jobs, and pays back its costs in a reasonable time frame.

Electric Cars Put Hawaii on The Road to Independence

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:12:17 -0500

by Chris Ayres

LOS ANGELES - Hawaii is to become the first US state to create a transport infrastructure that will allow cars to run almost entirely on electricity.

The plan involves building up to 100,000 charging stations in car parks and streets by 2012 and importing electric vehicles manufactured by a joint venture between Nissan and Renault.

Motorists who buy the cars will be able to purchase mileage plans - including recharging services and battery swaps - or use the charging stations on a pay-as-you-go basis.