Here’s a reasoned, lively but civil debate on the pros and cons of natural gas fracking.  The guy (pro) generally does a very good job, though I agree more with the woman – particularly that gas, while better than coal, is not good enough if humankind is to address the climate catastrophe that’s coming its way.  It’s also true that the gas industry systematically understates the ecologic issues associated with extraction.

The guy responds that there are far more beneficiaries of gas than there are people who are hurt, which strikes me as a fairly meaningless statement.  Even if it’s true right this minute, it won’t be for long – at least if what our scientists are telling us is correct.

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Here’s a good discussion on the level of certainty (95%) that the scientific community has on the existence of anthropogenic climate change. Even the chief scientist at the Cato Institute (whose spokesperson I interviewed for “Renewable Energy – Following the Money”) is on board with the theory.

Do we need to be absolutely certain before we take action?  Astonishingly, some people say yes.

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According to this article in the New York Times, the nuclear industry is complaining that the energy industry is “rigged against them,” insofar as the price paid to the sources that generate electricity varies on an hour-to-hour basis, and nuclear plants can’t ramp up and down to meet those changes in pricing. (more…)

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Does the world pay attention when little ol’ Craig Shields says that the power utilities are in trouble, due to distributed generation and microgrids? Hardly. But when the best minds at Citibank (see article linked above) say essentially the same thing, referring to them as “dinosaurs” – and pointing out that change is happening much faster than anyone could have predicted — that gets some consideration. (more…)

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Our planet faces huge challenges, mostly created by individuals who are profoundly disturbed in terms of their so-called “moral compasses.”  Here’s a story about those who slaughter elephants and rhinoceros who kill their victims – and any humans who happen to be unlucky enough to be in the way – for the money they gain from selling the pachyderms’ horns to people who are only slightly less depraved than the poachers themselves.  But should these people be shot on site — as the author of the article wonders?  I hope you’ll check this out; it’s good writing on an important topic. (more…)

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One of the email lists I am on is an organization’s called “Operation Free,” a group of former military personnel who believe that eliminating our use of oil is paramount for our national security. In a missive I received from them today, they are promoting a company in New York City called “HEVO power” that is developing a means to charge electric vehicles by placing wireless power transmitters in the street and parking locations which can then be parked over by vehicles desiring to be charged. (more…)

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The world’s poorest countries are investing more in LED lighting, energy storage, and other off-grid electricity technologies, according to a report by Larry West.

 In cities across the United States, LED lighting like LED wall packs or LED bollards help cut energy costs, carbon dioxide emissions, and excessive light pollution. But in developing countries, LEDs are changing lives. (more…)

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Here’s an article that speaks to the challenge of creating a viable infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles.  The problem at its core is a Catch 22: EVs will not become popular without such an infrastructure, but the return on investment associated with building it will not exist until EVs occupy a considerable market share.

One way to look at this is to make this a part of the re-regulation of utilities: forcing them to do the work here, and compensating them accordingly.  (Hint: They’re not doing it on their own – one of the take-aways from the article.) (more…)

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When Mark Jacobson, popular expert on renewable energy, appears on the David Letterman Show tomorrow night, it’s likely that he’ll be saying essentially what I would if given the chance:  It’s technically and economically feasible – as well as morally imperative – to phase out of fossil fuels and power the world with renewable energy.  (more…)

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Not to say “I told you so,” but for several years I’ve been predicting a steep decline in the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) coming from concentrated solar power (CSP).  Now, that prediction is quite definitely coming true.

According to the article linked above, When the SunShot program was planned in 2010, CSP was 21 cents a kilowatt hour without subsidies. Now, SunShot Initiative CSP Director Dr. Pitchumani tells CSP Today, they are getting reports of prices of as low as 13 cents a kilowatt hour.” (more…)

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