Ways to Prevent Global Warming

Re “Wind Energy Bumps Into Power Grid’s Limits” (“The Energy Challenge” series, front page, Aug. In areas where the electric grid is overloaded or does not exist at all, the solar, wind or other forms of renewable energy can be stored in hydrogen. During the night or when the unit cost of electricity is high (peak periods), it can convert the stored hydrogen back into electricity. Additionally, it must now bring power from location-constrained clean energy resources like wind, solar, geothermal and biomass as well as from other low-carbon resources like additional nuclear plants and potential low-carbon coal generation. After a quarter-century of underinvestment, with national electricity demand slated to increase by one-third in the next two decades, and the grid already tested to the limits of its capabilities, we cannot start soon enough to plan to expand and upgrade these vital facilities. read more

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The state Public Service Commission voted, 4-0, to approve the merger, ending a lengthy review that led to state regulators imposing a host of conditions on the deal, including a reduction of as much as 5 percent, or $275 million, in electricity and natural gas delivery rates over five years. Those conditions also include a commitment by Iberdrola to spend $200 million on new wind power facilities in New York within roughly two years, which PSC officials would add about 100 megawatts of renewable generating capacity. Iberdrola has said it is considering up to $2 billion in investments in wind power and other renewable energy projects in New York if the deal was approved, but that pledge was not part of the merger so it was not considered as part of the debate at the PSC. The commission also imposed several conditions to limit the market power that Iberdrola would gain by owning wind energy projects at the same time that it owns electricity transmission systems within the state. Some PSC commissioners had raised concerns that Iberdrola would have too much market clout — and potentially could unfairly favor its own wind farms — if it was permitted to own substantial wind power facilities, as well as the power lines that transmit that electricity and that of competing power plants. The PSC doubled the size of the $200 million “binding commitment” it demanded that Iberdrola make for investments in new wind power projects in New York within two years of the merger taking effect. read more

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WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Chrysler LLC is feeling left out in the cold by a new tax credit for plug-in electric cars in pending Senate legislation. Chrysler and Vectrix are seeking to add a separate credit, with a base amount of $1,500 , for “urban commuter vehicles,” which would apply to both GEM cars and Vectrix maxi-scooters. The broader tax bill has been hung up by a dispute between Democrats and Republicans over how much of the tax package should be “paid for” by closing tax loopholes and targeted tax increases. Chrysler and Vectrix will have few opportunities to modify the tax credit, since Senate tax staff has signaled the bill is closed for changes that do not win votes. read more

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Louis San Antonio San Francisco San Jose Seattle South Florida Tampa Bay Washington, D. Some Wichita employees will begin driving 2008 Honda Civic hybrid vehicles in September. The fleet will be added to the city’s 2,600 other cars and used for state travel and city business. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of bizjournals. read more

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Three years ago, images of immense destruction and poverty in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward filled the television screens of Americans following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Now, Jindal and others in the area are keeping a close watch on Tropical Storm Gustav, which is barreling in their direction. Though the storm’s path hasn’t been confirmed, it is expected to turn into a Category 3 hurricane and hit the Gulf Coast sometime Sunday. Jindal has already declared a state of emergency, and put 3,000 National Guard troops on alert, and New Orleans will issue a mandatory evacuation of the city if a Category 3 storm comes within 60 hours. Many area residents are blaming city and state officials for stalling the process, even as they hear about disaster relief plans like the $10. Despite all the money that has poured into the state for rebuilding the levees and protecting the city from future hurricanes, Jindal said it is just a drop in the bucket considering the city is only prepared for a Category 3 storm. read more

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DEMAND for hybrid vehicles is beating supply, with almost 3000 petrol/electric powered cars and SUVs having been sold this year. While business fleets are two-thirds of hybrid business, Honda’s Civic sedan is challenging Toyota’s Prius, the car which is virtually synonymous with green motoring. Priced at $32,990, almost $5000 less than the cheapest Prius, 603 Civics have been sold in Australia so far this year, up from 501 for the same period in 2007. Mr Higgins said a positive in the Civic hybrid’s favour was that it looked like the normal petrol sedan. But Honda’s natural-gas powered Civic, billed as the world’s cleanest combustion engine, is unlikely for Australia as there is no refuelling infrastructure. While business fleets are two-thirds of hybrid business, Honda’s Civic sedan is challenging Toyota’s Prius, the car which is virtually synonymous with green motoring. read more

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Given the significant role that recycling plays in reducing our greenhouse emissions, one has to ask why recycling has not been included in the Federal Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. As an emissions reduction activity, recycling can play a significant role in stabilising and reducing Australia’s emissions. The green paper rightly flagged landfill waste as a sector that should be covered under the scheme, but recycling was conspicuously absent. Federal policies that promote recycling and waste reduction activities will result in real and measurable reductions in Australia’s greenhouse emissions. read more

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Perks may include being able to pass in the car pool lane, free parking, tax breaks, discounts in your favorite stores and even educational services like tutors and online courses. Hybrid car drivers can already get preferential parking spaces at IKEA stores. Los Angeles has been offering free parking all over the city for the past three years to owners of hybrids and cars that get over 45 miles per gallon. Many think that although some rewards, such as a fast ride in the carpool lane or reduced registration rates may be warranted, some perks like free or preferential parking are not. The argument is that no hybrid car owner is in more need of preferential parking than someone in a wheelchair or a pregnant woman. read more

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Louis San Antonio San Francisco San Jose Seattle South Florida Tampa Bay Washington, D. So far this year (sales through May), buyers in the state have bought more than 5,400 hybrid cars, ranking No. By last year, Hybrid car registrations increased more than 564 percent from 2003, when 1,972 new hybrids were registered in the state. Use of, or registration on, this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy . The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of bizjournals. read more

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