GOOD STORIES THERE WASN’T TIME TO GET TO THIS WEEK

A NewEnergyNews Friday feature.


AL GORE SAYS – TELL EPA TO STOP THEM!
Tell EPA to protect our health and climate
November 28, 2008 (Repower America)

“After more than a year of delay, the Environmental Protection Agency is now requesting public comments on whether carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping pollutants -- the primary causes of the climate crisis -- are endangering our health and our climate. Friday is the last day to voice your opinion…[CLICK THROUGH TO] Send a message about how crucial it is to reduce harmful carbon dioxide pollution and stop global warming.”

click to enlarge

TO BARBARA WALTERS, ABOUT YOUR OBAMA INTERVIEW
From NewEnergyNews columnist Anne B. Butterfield to Barabara Walters on the Barack Obama Interview

Submitted to ABC’s 20/20 feedback:
“Hi There. Please forward my message to Barbara Walters at 20/20. Thank you.
Dear Ms. Walters:
Congratulations on your impressive and enjoyable interview with the Obamas. But I must share that one question you posed was offensive and important. You asked our future president if he would be "tip-toeing around the White House to turn out the lights." It hardly needs explanation that the subtext of that question exists to shun conservation, affiliate it with weakness and fear, and to extol the tradition in our nation of maximizing consumption of every type. And this preference for pointless over-consumption is causing us to suffer gravely in every dimension -- environmentally, financially, and in our national security. There is not one crisis faced by our nation now that is NOT associated to heedless consumption.
I hope you will consider the irony of the fact that when Ronald Reagan moved into the White House he removed the solar panels installed by Jimmy Carter, downsized federal research into renewable energy (so that Europe now dominates the race for clean energy production), and Reagan supported the maximal use of fossil fuels. Reagan's influence led us straight into the crisis where we now find ourselves gravely dependent on hostile nations and immoral practices like mountain-top removal mining.
Therefore the proper response from you or anyone to the Obamas' intent to conserve resources should be one of respect and enthusiasm for the clean energy era that they so valiantly intend to lead. They will make it elegant, and workable, and large portions of the nation are ready to follow.
Thank you for your consideration and your life of trend-setting work, so awesome for women all over the world.
Sincerely, Anne B. Butterfield Boulder, CO”


MOVING TOWARD A TIDE INSTALLATION IN SCOTLAND
Tidal Power in the Pentland Firth: Yes we can!
26 November 2008 (Marine Current Turbines)

“The UK’s leading tidal energy company, Marine Current Turbines Ltd, today confirmed that it intends to apply for a lease from the Crown Estate to deploy its world-beating tidal technology in Scotland’s Pentland Firth. Subject to financing and securing the necessary approvals, Marine Current Turbines proposes to install potentially up to 50MW of capacity by 2015, using its pioneering commercial-scale SeaGen technology, and up to 300MW or more by 2020 if the local grid can take it…”

click to enlarge

HOLY SOLAR
Vatican unveils ambitious solar energy plans
Philip Pullella (w/Dominic Evans), November 26, 2008 (Reuters)

“And then there was light -- and it was powered by the sun. The Vatican on Wednesday activated a new solar energy system and announced an ambitious plan that could one day make it an alternative energy exporter…The massive roof of the "Nervi Hall" where popes hold general audiences and concerts are performed, has been covered with 2,400 photovoltaic panels to provide energy for lighting, heat and air conditioning…The new system on the 5,000 square meter roof will produce 300 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean energy a year for the audience hall and surrounding buildings…”

click to enlarge

EUROPEAN WIND SLOWING?
Wind Energy: First Signs of Slowdown
November 24, 2008 (PR Newswire/COMTEX via MarketWatch)

“The global economic turmoil has started having an impact on the wind energy industry in Europe. Some companies are cutting down forecasts and production for 2009 and the market is showing the first signs of slowdown…This situation will have positive effects like reduction in turbine prices (due to fall in raw material prices), the reduction of delivery times of components leading to a more balanced demand supply situation…”


THE DEMISE OF AGROFUELS
Fuel from food? The feast is over
Arthur Max, November 23, 2008 (AP)

“In future years we may look back at the Great Mexican Tortilla Crisis of 2006 as the time when ethanol lost its vroom…Right or wrong, that was when blame firmly settled on biofuels for the surge in food prices. The diversion of American corn from flour to fuel put the flat corn bread out of reach for Mexico's poorest…Two years later, the search is on for ways to keep corn on the table rather than in the gas tank. Moving away from food crops, the biofuel of the future may come from the tall grass growing wild by the roadside, from grain stalks left behind by the harvest, and from garbage dumps and dinner table scraps…”

click to enlarge

COST OF EMISSIONS DROPS IN EU
U.K. Gets Lower Price in Carbon Auction Than Germany
Matthew Carr, November 19, 2008 (Bloomberg News)

“The U.K., the European Union's second-biggest economy, sold emissions allowances at a price 32 percent lower than an average for German sales as slumping energy demand has pushed down the cost of carbon credits…The U.K. got 16.15 euros ($20.37) a metric ton… Germany has gotten a price of 23.58 euros a ton…”


EMISSIONS SELLING CHEAP IN U.S.
U.S. Carbon Futures Start Trade as Low as $11.75/Ton
Matthew Carr, November 20, 2008 (Bloomberg News)

“U.S. carbon dioxide futures, which may be used under a potential mandatory cap-and-trade program as early as 2013, traded as low as $11.75 a metric ton on Nov. 18, their debut on the Chicago Climate Futures Exchange…That's less than half the 2013 contract in the European Union, which closed that day at 21.35 euros ($26.92) a ton on the European Climate Exchange in London…”