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Solar PV on New Jersey Telephone Poles Is More Symbolic than Practical — But Symbolic of What?

craigshieldsPosted on June 7, 2014 Posted in Photovoltaics

I spent an uncharacteristically long time in the state of New Jersey last week, during which time I realized that, apparently, these people actually did make good on their threat to install little PV panels on each of 175,000 telephone poles. Here’s a shot I took from my cell phone from a speeding train; miraculously it’s not too blurry.

When you do the math associated with the cost of acquisition, installation and maintenance, this is a terrible idea; it’s a ridiculous use of funds that provides a great tool our numerous enemies can use to show that renewable energy advocates have no grasp on basic economics and mathematics. I can’t imagine the discussions and political wranglings that culminated in such a farce. But I guess that’s what politicians do for a living.

Guest Blogger Anne Kristine Offers a Post on Climate Change: After a Winter of Flooding, The UK Ponders How to Manage Water

craigshieldsPosted on June 6, 2014 Posted in Climate Change

In recent times the UK has dealt with its fair share of flooding, and while the government response has been questioned by some (a majority of poll responders felt the government did a poor job responding to the flooding), the UK government ensures their citizens that they are doing all they can to manage water and flooding in the future. Along with the Flood and Water Management Act that was implemented in 2010, the government continues to update their flood plans with different schemes for different regions within the country. (more…)

The Predictions of Those Who Oppose Environmental Regulation Have Been Dead Wrong

craigshieldsPosted on June 6, 2014 Posted in Renewables - Business

Here’s an article that speaks to two basic truths on our discourse on the environment, at least here in the U.S.:

a) those who favor protecting our skies and oceans are uniformly opposed by critics who have consistently predicted that such regulation would cripple the economy, and

b) these predictions, historically, have uniformly proven to be incorrect. (more…)

Tagged with: extracting the last molecule of coal oil and natural gas, fossil fuel companies, is the renewable energy industry really a job killer, migrating from fossil fuels in the direction of clean energy, new manifest destiny leading the world in clean energy, protecting our skies and oceans, regulation will cripple the economy

From Guest Blogger Lizzie: Seven Ways New Doors and Windows Can Make Your Home Energy Efficient

craigshieldsPosted on June 5, 2014 Posted in Efficiency

When you’re trying to make the home more energy-efficient, consider replacing the doors and windows. Installing energy efficient fixtures will help you lower utility bills while maintaining more stable temperatures inside the house. Here are seven ways that new doors and windows outperform their predecessors. (more…)

Tagged with: energy efficiency, reducing home energy consumption

Ocean Energy Is Important, But Faces Stormy Conditions

craigshieldsPosted on June 4, 2014 Posted in Hydrokinetics

Here’s another post from the Energy Ocean show in Atlantic City, NJ. As I mentioned earlier, ocean energy in its various forms, including off-shore wind, tidal, ocean current, wave, and OTEC, lacks the maturity of its cousins in renewable energy, e.g., solar and wind. As such, the processes by which capital comes together to drive the development of some of these technologies are quite different. (more…)

Tagged with: climate change doesn't exist, environmentalism is a job killer, investments from venture capitalists, NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory, ocean current energy, Ocean Energy show, off-shore wind, OTEC, Tidal Energy, wave energy

Ocean Energy Show in Atlantic City, NJ, USA

craigshieldsPosted on June 4, 2014 Posted in Hydrokinetics

Just a quick note to let readers know that this Energy Ocean show is really worth-while, and I’m very glad I built an extra day onto my trip to New York to attend it.

The introductory speaker opened the proceedings by saying that she’s often asked if ocean energy (marine hydro, offshore wind, tidal, ocean current, and wave energy) is “before its time,” and that her answer is: absolutely no. I have to disagree. (more…)

Tagged with: marine hydro, mature forms of renewable energy onshore wind and solar, ocean current, Ocean Energy show, offshore wind, Tidal Energy, tidal hydro resources enormous, wave energy

From Guest Blogger Lizzie: Four Ways Your Air Conditioner Can Help Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

craigshieldsPosted on June 3, 2014 Posted in Sustainable Building

The warm weather is nearly upon us and that means its time to think of ways to beat the heat. If using a fan and opening the windows isn’t enough for you, you’ll probably join the ranks of those who install air conditioners every year. You’ll welcome the cool air, but could do without the electric bill. Take advantage of four tips that can make your home more energy efficient when you are using your air conditioner this season.

Combine Your Approaches for Cooling (more…)

Tagged with: Air conditioner, Air conditioning, energy efficiency, temperature

Change in Regulating Carbon Emissions from Power Plants Calls To Mind the Words of Frederick Douglass

craigshieldsPosted on June 2, 2014 Posted in Renewables - Politics

I had a short but interesting conversation with a friend earlier today about gay rights and the remarkable progress that the gay community has made in eroding the stigma attached to homosexuality and gaining social parity with heterosexuals in such a short period of time. “I don’t object to the outcome for gays here,” my friend said, “but I do resent their being so aggressive and ‘in-your-face” about the demands they make.”

I understand my friend’s concerns, but I asked her to keep in mind that an aggressive attack is the only thing that got them the results they were looking for. Let’s not forget the words of Frederick Douglass, American author, abolitionist and slave: (more…)

Tagged with: Frederick Douglass, new proposals for regulating carbon emissions from power plants, power concedes nothing without a demand

2GreenEnergy in Manhattan Tomorrow

craigshieldsPosted on June 2, 2014 Posted in Renewables - Business

I’m writing this from an altitude of 35,000 feet, on my trip back East for a series of meetings with some new contacts – and some old friends as well. It will be my pleasure to spend time with 2GreenEnergy financial guru Bill Paul, whom I’ll be seeing in New York city on Tuesday. Bill was a staff writer for the Wall Street Journal for many years, and has forgotten more about the energy markets than most people ever knew. I’m anxious to get caught up and hear about his recent escapades, which, I understand, deal with using his journalistic skills to report on “environmental crime.” Sounds exciting.

I happen to have a few time-slots open. In case anyone in town wants to discuss our clean energy future, please let me know.

Tagged with: 2GreenEnergy financial guru Bill Paul, clean energy future, energy markets, environmental crime, Wall Street Journal

World Economic Growth Limited by Sustainability Constraints

craigshieldsPosted on June 2, 2014 Posted in Uncategorized

I had the pleasure of listening to a number of fine Ted Talks on my trip to the airport this morning, each addressing the growing disparity between the rich and poor, and the demise of the middle class. In a fabulous presentation, Harvard professor Niall Ferguson (pictured) explained how and why the West came to economic prominence over the last 500 years (he cites six “killer apps”). He then goes on to assert that these are “downloadable,” in fact, that cultures around the world have already incorporated them into their societies, and have begun to experience skyrocketing levels of GDP per capita.

(more…)

Tagged with: consumption, Harvard University, Niall Ferguson, sustainability