QUICK NEWS, November 1: Climate Change Makes Winter Longer; Gas Up, Coal And Nuclear Down In Latest Look At U.S. Power; Energy Efficiency Boosts Home Resale Value
Climate Change Makes Winter Longer Polar vortex shifting due to climate change, extending winter, study finds
Jason Samenow, October 31, 2016 (Washinton Post)
“Global warming could be making winters in eastern North America even longer…[because sea ice loss in the Arctic is shifting the polar vortex, turning temperatures colder during March, according to Persistent shift of the Arctic polar vortex towards the Eurasian continent in recent decades.] The polar vortex is the zone of frigid air that encircles the Arctic and is most pronounced during winter. Occasionally, it fragments and pieces of it plunge into eastern North America carrying bitter cold air. The winters of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 witnessed several such polar vortex disintegrations and resulted in record-setting cold snaps…[T]he vortex has changed position while weakening over the past three decades. The net result has been to increase delivery of cold air into parts of Eurasia and North America, particularly in late winter and early spring…[T]his new study shows a marked shift in the vortex from North America toward Europe and Asia during February. The meteorology is complicated, but the study says this shift tends to result in more of a dip in the jet stream over the East Coast during March, which leads to colder temperatures…” click here for more
Gas Up, Coal And Nuclear Down In Latest Look At U.S. Power Electricity Monthly Update; Highlights: August 2016
October 25, 2016 (U.S. Energy Information Administration)
“…Wholesale electricity prices were at or near the high end of the 12-month range at many hubs due to very high electricity demand and rising natural gas price...Net generation in the United States increased 4.4% from the previous August, as many states in the eastern half of the country experienced significantly higher temperatures compared to August 2015…[The Eastern, Western, and the ERCOT Interconnection systems that make up the U.S. electric systems] differ widely in their amount of generating capacity, energy source mix, and type of capacity actually used to produce electricity. The Eastern Interconnection had 748 gigawatts (GW) of total generating capacity in 2015. This is significantly more than the Western Interconnection at 212 GW and the ERCOT part of Texas at 98 GW…The total U.S. net generation in thousand was 410,885 MWh, an increase of 4.4%. The residential retail price was 12.90/kWh, an decrease of 0.2%. The total retail electricity sales was 375,848 MWh, an increase of 4.7%. The Henry Hub natural gas price was $2.88/mmBTU, a 1.1% increase. Natural gas consumption increased 12.0% to 1,197,948 MCF. Coal consumption decreased 0.2% to 73,951 tons. Nuclear generation decreased 1.2% to 71,526 thousand MWh…” click here for more
Energy Efficiency Boosts Home Resale Value How energy-efficient upgrades can increase your home's value
November 1, 2016 (Associated Press via Tulsa World)
"Energy-efficient upgrades can not only shrink your utility bill; they can increase the value of your home…Just how much your home will increase in value depends on…where you live, which upgrades you have made, and how your home is marketed…The length of time to recoup the costs of green upgrades also depends on the energy costs in your area. In 2014, upgraded homes in Los Angeles County saw a 6 percent increase in value…Upgraded homes in Washington, D.C., saw a 2 percent to 5 percent increase in 2015…Consumer Reports suggests that upgrades like a gleaming new kitchen or a finished basement may give you more bang for your buck than energy-saving features. But if going green appeals more…[Start with] a quick energy assessment or a more thorough energy audit…The cost varies depending on location and who is providing the service…Once you know where you can improve your energy use, begin by making the changes that are most affordable and have a quicker payoff…[C]ommon energy upgrades, from least expensive to most…[are new insulation, new appliances, new heating and cooling systems, new windows, and solar panels]…If you weigh the costs and savings carefully, going green can be worth the investment.” click here for more
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