Consumer Opportunities with EV's

The transportation sector is the second largest consumer of energy in the U.S. -- with 93 percent of the energy consumed coming from petroleum.  

And while electric vehicle interest is growing, if consumers are going to more rapidly make the transition, they need more exposure and more incentive.

A cooperative in Colorado of nonprofits, municipalities, 

Pioneering Spirit Like the Wright Brothers

Solar powered flight is not currently scalable for widespread, commercial purposes.  And wont be anytime soon.  But the writing is on the wall.  Much like the Wright Brothers, with a pioneering spirit, increasingly powerful technology, and an unwavering commitment to fulfilling the vision - solar powered commercial flights will one day be a reality. 

Planes Burn Massive Carbon

Today, the aviation industry burns the most carbon per passenger of any mode of mass-transport and, despite efforts to limit emissions, remains the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases. The sector is identified by the UK’s committee on climate change as the toughest major emissions source to decarbonise.

An Unfair Game

An interesting thing is happening in the energy subsidy game. Oil and gas have long standing subsidies dating back to the 1800's. while renewable energy companies, new to the scene, do not receive such ingrained subsidies. Time for everyone to be playing by the same rule book.

Fossil Fuels Subsidies Written into the Tax Code

As part of the tax code, the fossil fuel industry gets significant tax advantages including land rental prices that are significantly undervalued.  In the last 30 years, the treasury has lost nearly $30 billion in revenue by undervaluing public lands in Wyoming and Montana where Powder River coal is mined.  

The Weather Channel Says, "The Science is In"

Who better to weigh in on a changing climate than the professionals, journalists and experts who have made weather their life:  the folks from The Weather Channel. Starting last week, Climate 25 is a series of interviews on the Weather Channel with prominent people who believe climate change is happening.  The interesting part?  The interviewees aren't just environmentalists, they are folks from across the societal spectrum - heck, Al Gore isn’t even in the lineup.

Spoiler Alert: the Weather Channel isn’t interested in initiating a debate about whether climate change is happening through these interviews.  The science is already in they say. And as their website states, "[we have] adopted a position on climate change that can generally be summed up as follows: we report the science, and the science consistently says climate change is real, humans are causing it, and we must prepare for its effects."

Further, the network says its "The Climate 25" series is about science, not politics. 

Who are the Climate 25?

Pope Francis Speaks Out

Pope Francis is calling for an environmental revolution - a wake up call to not just the 1.2 billion Catholics across the globe, but to humanity as a whole.

In his encyclical address, an "authoritative teaching" document traditionally addressed from St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis makes his stance clear: climate change impacts us all, especially the poor. To prevent its catastrophic consequences we need an ethical and economic shift, a revolution in hearts and minds.   

Francis' encyclical address was more than a year in the making and drew from the work of dozens of scientists, theologians, scholars from various fields and previous popes.  It was published in at least five languages during a news conference at the Vatican. 

The Root of the Problem

Batteries Replacing Peakers?

During an extended summer heat wave, energy demands peak as consumers use air conditioners and powered fans - the demand on the grid is at its most intense.  Traditionally, utilities have relied on "peakers," power stations (typically natural gas) that provide power to electrical grids during the peak times of demand. These peakers must be ready to respond as quickly as possible when peak demands occur, therefore, they are always kept idling - even though most of time the energy they produce is not needed.  It's an inefficient model that raises electricity rates.

As an alternative to peakers, batteries can store power (from grid electricity or from intermittent sources such as solar and wind), then discharge it when peak demand occurs -- without burning natural gas and emitting carbon dioxide or other pollutants.  

Batteries Make Sense

California Adds To Climate Change Legislation

California continues to lead the charge on climate change, with the California Senate passing a comprehensive package of bills last week.  

Renewable Portfolio Standards - A good thing

Across the country, states have been proactive in adopting or increasing their renewable portfolio standards (RPS).  The RPS is an effective tool for spurring consumer demand as it mandates that utilities offer incentives for renewables and encourages a mix of energy options. Coupled with federal incentives such as the Investment Tax Credit, an RPS is a very powerful mechanism for increasing renewables.

Renewables Present Dual Opportunity for Hawaii

In a dual effort that would help curb carbon emissions and eliminate dependency on imported - and expensive - oil, Hawaii is on the verge of being the first state in the U.S. to set a goal of generating all of its electricity from renewable energy sources.

In states such as Massachusettes and Nevada, net metering caps are threatening to stall solar progress. The solar industry, environmentalists, and policy makers are focused on expanding access to this critical solar incentive.