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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Biofuels

The Impact of BiofuelsOne of the entrepreneurs whose project is included on our list of the clean energy business investment opportunities just sent me this article from Time Magazine on biofuels.  The author’s point, in brief, is that we tend to underestimate the damage that most biofuels do to the environment; he is completely correct, IMO.

There are several mechanisms at work here, but they largely come down to land use.  In some areas, farmers are planting crops whose ultimate use is biofuel, opting to go in this direction rather than planting food crops.  In other areas, large swaths of ecologically beneficial forests are being removed to make room to grow the biomass that will be processed into fuels.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

National Security and Renewable EnergyI spent most of the afternoon yesterday with 2GreenEnergy intern Louis de Saint Phalle, talking about the project he’s working on: a set of articles that will lay out the main issues associated with the adoption of renewable energy.  The first hour featured a walk on Hendry’s (dog-friendly) beach, pictured here, and a discussion of the national security implications of our energy policy. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Smart Grid

Defection from the Grid?There have been several articles about defecting from the grid talked about here as well as reshaping what the grid means to us and what it should now do for us. While defecting from the grid may not seem likely, I find with things like this happening it may become more frequent if things described in the article linked above continue. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Biofuels

Biomass Briquettes - Substitute To Fossil Fuels

Biomass briquettes are solid biofuel made from agriculture waste or bio waste under high mechanical pressure with the help of biomass briquetting press machine. It is the process of recycling bio waste material and turn into useful solid biofuel without harming the environment. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

Establish the Greenest Source of EnergyHere’s an article that attempts to identify the least environmentally offensive source of energy.  It’s very good, and the bar chart explains this very forcefully.

One conclusion that anyone would draw is that anything except fossil fuels – especially coal – looks pretty darn good – and that’s perfectly valid.  Yet, if one wishes to split hairs, here are a few of many things one may consider: (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Celebrating a Victory for the People of Vermont – Even If It’s Not in Renewable Energy It’s always heartening to see the will of the people vindicated, and it appears that this is exactly what’s happening in the food industry.  It looks like the state legislature in Vermont will be forcing Monsanto to label its GMO-based food, while outlawing the agri-giant’s practice of labeling such products as “natural” or “all-natural.”

Of course, this law has no impact on Monsanto’s practices in the other 49 states, though (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

Fracking May Wind Up on the Ballot in CaliforniaThis week, I’ve run into several politically active Californians who want to add my signature to a petition that would put fracking on the ballot in November.  I presume what they mean by this is that they want a public referendum which, if passed by a majority of voters, could ban fracking in the state.

Like anyone with any sense, I have concerns about fracking.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Some of the World's Top Corporations Are Embracing Sustainability, Eco-FriendlinessObviously, a great deal of immorality exists in both our public and private sectors.  Whether we’re talking about the purveyors of junk food, cigarettes, assault weapons, clothing made by children, or, more familiarly, oil and coal, it’s common for certain big corporations to behave badly, while buying favors from government to support their evil undertakings.

The question then becomes: What does one do about this?  While there’s no easy answer, personally, I’m willing to help corporations change direction for the better, and, I’m happy to report, there are plenty that wish to do exactly that. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Bernie Sanders, Who Honestly Stands for Environmental and Social Justice, Might Run for the U.S. Presidency?There is no doubt that, were he to run for president, Independent Party superstar Bernie Sanders would garner a great deal of support, for any or all of the six reasons that the author of this article suggests.   Perhaps the most compelling is the first: he wants money out of politics.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

GreenTechMedia’s “The Energy Gang” – Discussing the Future of the Electrical UtilitiesHere’s a post in response to this week’s podcast from GreenTechMedia called “The Energy Gang,” which features a couple of people I’ve come to know fairly well through the years.  One is the show’s brilliant young host Stephen Lacey, formerly with RenewableEnergyWorld and Climate Progress, whom I’ve interviewed for chapters in both of my first two books (Renewable Energy – Facts and Fantasies and Is Renewable Really Doable?).   I notice that Stephen’s “chops” for conducting interviews, which were always excellent, are even better now.  The other is Jigar Shah of the Carbon War Room, whom I’ve also interviewed twice.  (more…)

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