Hot water heaters on the Capitol steps! Yes, all day today (well, until 2 p.m., anyway), environmentalists and leaders of California’s solar industry are gathering on the North Lawn of California’s State Capitol in Sacramento to demonstrate the technology and benefits of solar water heating (a rather primitive example is shown in the photo at left, which has no relation to today’s event). The organizers also promise free ice cream; who could resist?
If you live in the Bay Area, chances are you’ve seen the wind turbines at Altamont Pass. But in case you haven’t, check out this video. Though the camerawork is definitely in the “Shake, Rattle & Roll” school, the beauty of these huge white birds still shines through.
California motorists are losing 3 to 9 cents a gallon on gas that is warmer than standard and hence contains less energy, watchdog groups claim - and a U.S. senator has introduced legislation that aims to provide a solution.
Senator Claire McCaskill, (D-Mo.), has introduced a bill requiring automatic temperature compensation at retail fuel pumps. The Owner-Operated Independent Drivers Association, a truck drivers’ group, Friday applauded the move.
“The senator deserves high marks for standing up for consumers and small businesses,” said Todd Spencer, the organization’s executive director.
Here’s the deal: Gasoline is supposed to be sold at 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but on hot days, it’s hotter. When gasoline heats up, it expands, Read the rest of this entry »
Rescuers in Utah are drilling through a mountainside to try to get to six miners who have been trapped in a collapsed mine since early Monday, according to news sources including BBC News. As we all know, coal- fired plants emit tons of pollutants and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and mercury. And they’re not exactly safe, fun places to work, as this grim news story attests. Check out this Reuters story on the dangers of working in coal mines.
Dunno if you’re anything like me, but I have this outlook like, the Department of Energy, this big ol’ official government entity, must have existed from the dawn of the United States, yes? Well, no. On August 4, 1977, President James Carter signed a measure establishing the Department of Energy. There was an oil shortage then, too, which probably had something to do with it. But hey, the DOE is our friend, with a metric ton o’ energy conservation tips and all kinds of helpful information. Check out their site!
Recent developments in Texas suggest that California’s once-mighty lead over the rest of the nation in one area of alternative energy may be gone with the wind - the wind turbine, that is.
Last year, California was passed by Texas for the title of state with the most wind-power generating capacity. Texas! Texas! OMG! The state that nailed us to the wall during our 2000 energy crisis! And it looks like they’ve done it again this year. Stay tuned for an upcoming MediaNews article on the competition reporting on why and how the state known for its oil rigs seems to have blown past green California in this area.
Hot water heaters on the Capitol steps! Yes, all day today (well, until 2 p.m., anyway), environmentalists and leaders of California’s solar industry are gathering on the North Lawn of California’s State Capitol in Sacramento to demonstrate the technology and benefits of solar water heating (a rather primitive example is shown in the photo at left, which has no relation to today’s event). The organizers also promise free ice cream; who could resist?
Rescuers in Utah are drilling through a mountainside to try to get to six miners who have been trapped in a collapsed mine since early Monday, according to news sources including 
Recent developments in Texas suggest that California’s once-mighty lead over the rest of the nation in one area of alternative energy may be gone with the wind - the wind turbine, that is.