See, we’re not all that different. They fight wind farms in the UK, too.
From the United Kingdom’s Gazette-News:
“Anti-wind farm campaigners are calling on residents to join a last-ditch protest against plans for a land-based wind farm between Clacton and St Osyth.”
At least the “call” is described as “a last ditch protest.”
Here’s an interesting article authored by Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in the Mid County Chronicle that calls on Congress to reform the Energy Independence and Security Act that was passed into law just last December.
Why do we need to reform this infantile policy that was heralded as “one of the best pieces of legislation the President has signed during his entire term in office…“?
According to the Senator, the expansion of biofuel capacity is directly linked to the increase in food prices we’re all seeing. She views the Act as a catalyst for the problem. It calls for “a huge spike in the biofuel production requirement from 7.5 billion in 2012 to 36 billion gallons in 2022″ This level would require nearly all of our domestic corn and grain supplies, according to the Senator, which, in essence, “robs” the world of an important food supply.
And food-related inflation might be the least pressing of our concerns. Apparently our biofuel initiative threatens global stability as well:
“For the first time in 30 years, food riots are breaking out in many parts of the globe, including major countries such as Mexico, Pakistan, and Indonesia. The fact that America’s energy policies are creating global instability should concern the leaders of both political parties.”
The Senator’s solution is to increase domestic energy supply across the board, including old-world energy sources:
“The best way to lower energy prices and reduce our dependence on foreign oil is to accelerate production of all forms of domestic energy. Expanding biofuels, while refusing to take other measures, such as lifting the ban on oil and natural gas production in Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf, is counterproductive. We should be tapping into a broad portfolio of energy options, including clean coal, nuclear power, and wave energy. The key is increasing energy supply. By taking these measures, we can enable biofuels to be part of the energy solution, instead of contributing to the energy problem.”
I speak from experience when I say that Toledo, OH is not known for excellent sun exposure. Oddly enough, though, the city has enjoyed a key role in solar energy research and development. Several solar start-ups, including one that ultimately became First Solar, call (or called) Toledo home at one point in time. And a second generation is cropping up right now.
The ties to Toledo are due to the city’s history in the glass industry…it is The Glass City, after all.
And now it looks like the solar future in Toledo will remain bright for years to come. The McMaster family (yes, that McMaster), today announced a $2M gift to the University of Toledo that will be dedicated to funding a “Chair in Photovoltaics.”
Bringing in additional faculty can only lead to bigger and better things in the Toledo solar community…and we’ll all benefit from that. Keep up the good work, Toledo. The world thanks you for it.
Read the full article in The Toledo Blade.
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland yesterday signed an energy bill that, among other things, requires that utility companies finad at least 25% of their power from renewable sources by 2025. It specifically requires that half of that 25% come from “true renewable sources,” such as wind and solar energy.
The source requirement is an attempt to force a market for renewable energy and the advanced technology that underlies the use of such sources. Ohio has several renewable energy startup companies and universities that are working in the area, both of which stand to benefit, ultimately, from the bill.
Read more about the bill in this article in the Toledo Blade.
Earth First picked up on an article in the Times Online that discusses the efforts of the British Army to make better use of renewable energy sources. Absolutely fascinating juxtaposition of environmentalism and war.
From the Times Online article:
Possible innovations include unmanned attack aircraft powered by the sun. They would fire missiles fuelled with hydrogen produced by feeding algae to microbes.
Tanks could be electrically powered or run on fuel produced from oil squeezed out of weeds so hardy they can grow in the desert.
Ships could run completely on electricity produced from generators powered by synthetic fuels made from grass.
The environmental requirements of the army, navy and air force will be presented this week to specially vetted defence and research companies.
I guess Earth 2.0 will still include war and other 1.0 stuff.
ECO Worldly has an overview of the 13 largest photovoltaic installations in the world. A very interesting read.
Good news for US residents - three of the top four installations are US-based. Bad news for us - none of those three are completed yet (all are scheduled to come online in 2011).
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. These (middle school?) girls are takin’ the message to the streets:
Help our world, don’t be a foe
let’s be nice, and give the earth a break
Watch the video and spread the word.
The Electric Weblog has a decent ‘Renewable Energy Overview‘ posted to the site. A quick and well-informed read, the post even includes a snippet on tidal power.
Want to learn more about tidal power? Read this concise introductory article, How Tidal Power Plants Work.
Today, April 22, is Earth Day.
We propose a simple celebration. First, read something short and sweet that reminds you of the future that renewable energy sources make possible. This article fits the bill perfectly: Rockport declares itself 100 percent wind-powered. (note - the title is a bit misleading…the city is actually more than 100% wind powered; it’s actually selling surplus power to a local joint utility group for sharing with other municipalities).
Second…call or write your Senators and Representatives. Tell them about what you read. Ask them to read it. And ask them to get serious about renewable energy policy.
Wind is wonderful, right? Seems like wind is fast becoming everyone’s favorite renewable energy source. Wind farms are popping up all over the place.
There are some opponents though….Luddites and NIMBY’s (the “not in my back yard folks“).
Not sure why Luddites would oppose wind (doesn’t this technology sort of ‘take us back’?), but I can see the NIMBY position. Even though modern wind towers are sleek in design, when you group hundreds of them together…they tend to add a little something to the landscape.
Hmmmm…I wonder what they would say about wind farms being built in the middle of the ocean…..
