January 26, 2009

It is breathtaking how easily many now say, "This is the worst economic crisis since the Depression." The Depression remade America. It spawned the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, transforming the business landscape occupied by electric and natural gas utilities. It led to the construction of towering federal hydroelectric dams in the West, and brought electrification to the poorest hollows of Appalachia.

The changes coming to the power industry promise to be equally sweeping - if not more revolutionary - than what occurred eight decades ago. Energy, national security and the environment have become so intertwined that each will shape the other for years to come. Crises in any of the three will quickly inflame the other two. Barack Obama promises a new era in which America will be led by a vigorous, intelligent and optimistic leadership team. Energy is certain to be at the core of his administration's agenda.

By ERIC TALMADGE
Posted: 1/23/09
Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — The first satellite dedicated to monitoring carbon dioxide emissions was launched into space Friday from a center in Japan, where officials hope to gather information on climate change — and help the country compete in the lucrative satellite-launching business.

The satellite — named "Ibuki," which means "breath" — was sent into orbit along with seven other piggyback probes on a Japanese H2A rocket. Japan's space agency, JAXA, said the launch was a success but officials there said they were monitoring the satellites to make sure that they entered orbit properly.

Ibuki, which will circle the globe every 100 minutes, will store information on greenhouse gas levels around the globe for the next five years. The data will be shared with NASA in the United States and other space and scientific organizations.

Officials said the Ibuki satellite mission was the first of its kind. It is equipped with optical sensors that measure reflected light from the Earth and check the density of carbon dioxide and methane, two gases that are considered to be the main contributors to global warming.

January 19, 2009

Turning trash to energy is probably a better alternative to burying it in landfills. But the ideal solution would be to recycle it. Localities that are faced with the choices, however, are trying to assess the overall costs and the environmental effects of each option.

A movement is afoot to turn household trash into renewable energy. Supporters of the idea say that it restricts the level greenhouse gas emissions as fewer heavy trucks burning less gas are needed to haul away the trash while fewer hazardous materials wind up getting buried beneath the earth's surface. Doubters question that proclamation, however, saying that burning trash is both expensive and filthy -- one that releases an array of toxic fumes into the air.

by Elizabeth Shaw | The Flint Journal
Tuesday November 11, 2008

GENESEE TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- There are lots of toxic hazards to guard against in the stuff that ends up at recycling centers and landfills.

Until this past summer, a radioactive cheese grater wasn't one of them.

According to the state Department of Environmental Quality, the common kitchen utensil with an uncommon past set off the alarms at Genesee Recycling in August, sending ripples all the way to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Environmental Protection Agency.

"We know it was manufactured in China but at this point we are still unsure what the source of the material is or was, or where it possibly entered the system," said Thor Strong, the state DEQ's chief of radiological protection.

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) submitted written testimony to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for the Oct. 29 hearing, "Investing in Infrastructure: The Road to Recovery."

In its testimony, NACWA strongly encouraged Congress to pass an economic stimulus package that includes funding for wastewater infrastructure projects. NACWA emphasized that these projects are important to protect public health and the environment and also to provide jobs and a much-needed boost to the municipal, state, and national economies.