Michael Giberson In August we took note of stories indicating that appliance sales were going to get a “cash for clunkers”-like boost. James Hamilton at Econbrowser offers updated discussion, links, and commentary: Here is the description of the program from the Energy Department (hat tip: King Banaian): In late 2009 or early 2010, you may …
Appliance Sales to Get ‘cash for Clunkers’ Boost? (2) Read More »
Michael Giberson I am mildly amazed that it is possible to take something as simple as, say, palm oil or soybean oil, and – with a few relatively simple chemical tricks – turn it into motor vehicle fuel. [See it on YouTube.] However, I’m not so amazed that I’m willing to pay you or anyone …
U.S. Biodiesel Continues to Need Taxpayer Support, or Else… Read More »
Michael Giberson A few weeks ago we mentioned commentary by John Harrell of the Institute for Local Self Reliance asserting that the “last thing renewable energy needs right now are new transmission lines.” The ILSR has a recent study suggesting the almost every state could be energy self sufficient relying only on in-state renewable power …
Long-Distance Transmission Complements “Local Self Reliance” Read More »
Michael Giberson In parts of the United States (and worldwide), limited availability of water is limiting the ability to build new power plants. While the water-energy connection has been of interest for some time, particularly in more arid areas, the issue has seemed to be more in the news of late. (I.e., this news article …
Electricity and Water-understand the Relationship That is Causing Problems Read More »
Michael Giberson From the Texas Energy and Environment Blog, reports that in New Mexico “solar panels on homes can take as little as seven years to pay for themselves in energy savings.” The post continues: That’s faster than Texas, where even in the best economic case, solar panels take at least a decade to pay …
Michael Giberson Worth reading: Megan McArdle, “The Search for Financial Villains Founders,” at The Atlantic: Business Channel. Apparently, damning remarks taken out of context from emails are not so damning when considered within the original context. On the other hand, I’m not so convinced by the earlier post at The Atlantic Business Channel by Daniel …
Michael Giberson There seemed to be a tone of mild amusement in some of the press coverage of the fake Chamber of Commerce press release and staged press conference earlier this week. Activist group Yes Men staged an elaborate hoax, with a fake press release, website, and press conference (but fake press conference held in …
Fake Chamber Press Conference? Funny. Fake Reporters? Not So Much. Read More »
Michael Giberson Just because someone is professionally qualified to discuss a tree, a rock, or a cloud does not make them expert on what makes good public policy toward trees, rocks, or clouds. Need an example? Here is a clip from an interview with climate scientist Ken Caldeira on Yale Environment 360. Caldeira is currently …
A Tree, a Rock, a Cloud, and Policy Toward Devices That Emit Carbon Dioxide Read More »
Lynne Kiesling The International Energy Agency has put a quantitative estimate on an effect that we all suspected — this year’s economic recession is contributing to a reduction in global carbon emissions. They estimate that 2009 carbon emissions will be 2 percent lower than 2008, with 75% of the reduction attributable to the economic slowdown …
Michael Giberson A Reuters story on an ethanol techology advancement is titled, “UK technology could turn U.S. ethanol industry green.” The essence of the process is a composting bacteria that can take distillers’ grain, a by-product of ethanol production, and extract more ethanol from it. Because the process works while the distillers’ grain is still …
Will Ethanol Become an Environmentally-friendly Fuel Some Day? Read More »
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