July 23, 2008

Nuclear energy now has a big endorsement from world leaders who say it is an effective means to slow global warming. But the Group of Eight cautioned that any future development must abide by nuclear nonproliferation standards.

The solid support is more of a symbolic gesture -- one that officially takes nuclear power out of the backrooms and into the limelight. For three decades the fuel source had been a taboo topic. But today the global community is focused on energy security and environmental awareness. Indeed, the growing demand for fossil fuels has not just placed upward pressure on prices but it has also added to concerns over greenhouse gas emissions. Multiple nations have reacted with plans to construct new nuclear power facilities, which is why many international leaders are standing behind the idea.

July 21, 2008

It is a national scandal how America deals with energy research. Certainly not like a leader of the energy world.

You do not have to spend much time with Dan Arvizu, the director of the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado before he starts simulating the ups and downs of a rollercoaster with his hands to convey levels of federal support for energy research since the 1970s.

A recent example is DOE's retreat on the FutureGen research effort meant to come up with the technologies that would convert our massive coal inventory into a source of pristine energy. DOE said it was shocked -- shocked -- by cost-overruns and had no choice but to cut the program.

Wal-Mart rolls out the green carpet to build a sustainable future

Name the organization that recently announced these environmental goals: "To be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy; to create zero waste; and to sell products that sustain our resources and the environment." If you think it must be a dreamy-eyed environmental group, think again. This ultra-green pledge actually came from the country's biggest retailer, Wal-Mart, which operates more than 4,100 stores in the United States and another 2,900 internationally.

July 18, 2008

If India is to develop economically, it must have access to new energy resources. It's now dependent on coal. But leaders there are committed to change and to using cleaner technologies that include renewable and nuclear power.

The country is fully in tune with the concerns over global warming. Toward that end, it has laid out a plan to increase its use of wind, solar and nuclear energy -- all in an effort to move away from its reliance on fossil fuels. But it has not set any hard targets with respect to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, noting that it requires international collaboration that involves the transfer of all modern technologies.

Below are a few letters we received on topics that appeared in the past few weeks. They capture the essence of how many readers say they feel.

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Starting in October, you'll save a couple of dollars on your energy bill. That's right. Nevada Power says it's going to lower the electric rates -- for a short time.

The low rates won't last long, because the price of natural gas is skyrocketing and the cash to pay for that will come out of your wallet.

Steve Rypka's energy bill is only $8 a month. That's because the energy in his house runs off of solar panels. He got the idea from the ones at the Desert Springs Preserve.

"If you look at a chart of all the non-renewable resources on the planet, it's minuscule to all the amount of solar energy we get every year," he said.

July 16, 2008

On July 7, New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced the long-term action plan to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the city's municipal buildings and operations by 30 percent by 2017.

The long-term plan is a comprehensive guide to reducing the city's carbon footprint, through making city buildings more efficient, improving preventive maintenance, capturing energy potential at wastewater treatment plants, and more. The plan was developed by the Energy Conservation Steering Committee created by an executive order signed by the mayor in October, 2007.