May 14, 2008

Detractors of ethanol are trying to decelerate its take off. Ethanol production is ramping up to meet federal mandates, which critics say has created global food shortages and potentially more greenhouse gas emissions.

Federal policies have favored ethanol production as a way to lessen the dependence on foreign oil and as an innovative to way to clean the air. But critics say that this country's strategy is not working, pointing out that ethanol is made mostly from corn. That has diverted about a quarter of the nation's corn crop away from food production and into ethanol use -- an amount that will grow to 30-35 percent this year.

March 21, 2008

Electricity reliability may not be top-of-mind with consumers but it is with technology wonks. Albany, N.Y. is now testing the use of the latest iteration of grid technologies that can carry 10 times the electrons of conventional copper wires.

The so-called high-temperature superconducting cable must actually be super-cooled. That will virtually eliminate the resistance to electricity flow, thereby greatly increasing the efficiency of the wire. The second-generation technology is one solution to the challenging task of providing sufficient electric power to densely populated areas. Burying cable and acquiring rights-of-way is prohibitively expensive, often representing three-quarters the cost of such projects. With their greater capacity, however, superconducting cables hold lots of promise.

We've included the February 11, 2008 edition of the 'Buildings.com @ the Moment' newsletter with three very interesting and informative articles relating to energy usage.  The archives and other articles in the newsletter also contain some fascinating topics.

• 11 Surprising Ways that Your Building Wastes Energy
• New Publication Provides Energy-Efficiency Guidance for K-12 Schools
• Moving LEDs into the Mainstream

and more...

View complete articles

May 16, 2008

Alliant Energy's business strategy is shifting. With coal-fired generation becoming cumbersome, the utility is committing itself to use more natural gas.

Alliant's thinking is turning trendy again, at least for the time being. It is increasingly difficult in many states to get coal plants sited, resulting in a dramatic decline in the number of planned units. States such as Florida, Kansas and Oklahoma have recently rebuffed efforts by companies to build such facilities and have instead forced them to consider plants that use alternative fuels.

ESCANABA - Energy audits and energy-efficiency upgrades are a great way for businesses to save money as well as positively impact the environment, said a guest speaker at Escanaba's Economic Summit at city hall Wednesday.

"Energy audits are a great investment because you need to learn, in all these areas, where you can save," said Kevin Cook, president of G-ENERGY and a board member of Michigan Green.

Cook said right now is the "perfect storm of energy" because economics are really important, people are interested in the green movement, and businesses are seeking energy independence.

April 16, 2008

Clean air laws are once more mired in the courts. Now petitioners are asking a panel of judges to force the Bush administration to comply with a High Court ruling issued a year ago that said carbon dioxide emissions could be regulated.

In all likelihood, the issue won't be resolved until a new administration takes office. While the Bush administration says that it respects the U.S. Supreme Court's decision, it adds that it must consider several nuances that will have a profound affect on all aspects of the American economy. Critics of the tactic respond that the administration is dragging its feet in an effort to appeal to its industrial backers.

Dec 14th, 2007

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has awarded Michigan GREEN (Group for a Renewable Energy Efficient Nation) a $500,000 grant from its Low-Income Energy Efficiency Fund to organize, implement, and complete a low-income energy efficiency project.

This Michigan GREEN grant will fund the purchase and distribution of energy saving kits to low-income multifamily facilities throughout Michigan. The kits, specifically designed for apartments, will contain items such as compact fluorescent lamps, LED nightlights, energy/water saving showerheads and faucet flow moderators.

May 15, 2008

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.

May 2, 2008

Brazilians are dancing in the streets. But will the hoopla last? The celebration comes amidst observations by key energy officials there that surveyors have discovered an area off-shore that may hold 33 billion barrels of oil. That would make it the largest such find in 30 years and the third biggest ever.

Brazil could potentially transform into an international powerhouse while the United States could win access to oil supplies from a friendly and democratic nation. Brazil, meantime, is warm to foreign investors, having already partially privatized its oil sector. A rich, new source of oil would invite a host of prospects. "We're already doing well, and if I look ahead, I think it will only get better," says Antonio Bonchristiano, who manages Latin America's largest private equity firm called GP Investments. In a speech, he also praised Brazil's well-developed infrastructure.

Plymouth, MI (September 18, 2007)

Green Street Fair, Inc. was founded to help educate and inform people of all ages about the benefits of green, organic, and eco-friendly products and services. To promote global interest and personal well-being, the Green Street Fair, will blend companies, artisans, entertainers, workshops and speakers together in a friendly and family-oriented outdoor environment.

December 21, 2007

The economic climate facing utilities in 2008 is mild. That's the general forecast from the two leading ratings agencies, which say that the troubles facing the housing and banking sectors are less problematic for power companies that are more defensive.

KALAMAZOO -- After years of planning and incremental advances, the city of Kalamazoo is poised to open an environmentally friendly business park on the once badly polluted site of an oil refinery on the city's southeast side.

Mayor Hannah McKinney, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, and city officials will host a phalanx of dignitaries in a ceremonial opening of the Davis Creek Business Park, on about 18.5 acres of land on the north side of Cork Street, at 2 p.m. Wednesday.