California presses rules on greenhouse-gas emissions

Here is some interesting news out of California, provided by the AFP...

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the legislation of California have agreed to some serious greenhouse-has limits. This plan is an effort to cut these gases by 25%. Putting California even farther than the federal government in emissions standards.

"The move makes California the first state in the country to limit the emission of carbon dioxide and other gases accused of contributing to global warming.

California is the 12th largest carbon emitter in the world, Schwarzenegger noted, 'despite leading the nation in energy efficiency standards and its lead role in protecting its environment.

'Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an issue we must show leadership on,' he said.

The proposed bill, called AB 32, would cut the state's carbon dioxide emissions -- the principal contributor to global warming -- by 25 percent by the year 2020.
It would require large firms that generate greenhouse cases, such as power plants, oil refineries, factories and cement kilns to report their level of emissions to California's Air Resources Board.

However, the bill includes a provision allowing firms who exceed the limits, or cap, on greenhouse gas emissions to buy 'credits' from companies with below-cap emissions."

My favorite, and the most interesting idea - is the bartering or buying of 'credits' allowed under the plan for people who go over their limits.

HMMM...

Maybe it's time for me to start a small manufacturing company, which produces ? (something - anything) and start selling my emissions credits.

Maybe I'm starting to see $$$.

Talk soon.
Al

Wind farming in Iowa

Here's a very interesting read about another renewable energy resource - the wind.

Although the article talks mostly about the money factors involved in making this happen, it does give some of the energy and customer numbers that can be supported by wind farms of this size.

The information comes from the Associated Press, and the photo from Reuters.

"Iowa has nearly 900 wind turbines capable of producing 836 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 226,000 average homes, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Planned projects � besides the Franklin County farm � would add 120 turbines capable of generating an additional 249 megawatts of electricity, the group said.

Texas leads the nation with 2,400 megawatts of wind energy installed and California has 2,323 megawatts."

An interesting read - definitely worth a look.

Al Speer

Green building is hitting the mainstream

Here is an interesting article, by Sarah Max, CNN/Money senior writer.

People are not necessarily interested in saving the environment, unless, of course, it just happens to lie in line with their goals of acquiring a styllish, high quality home. And maybe saving them money.

"'People are starting to ask about green building,' said Bill Hurme, vice president of building services for John L. Scott real estate in Seattle, who has noticed an increase in interest within the last year. 'They want to know what does it mean, and what's in it for me?'

Although environmentally friendly doesn't top most buyers list of needs, he added, the lower utility costs and a healthier feel are among the selling points. 'And I think they just think it's sort of cool.' "

I guess the good thing is... now that we've pulled all of the easy energy out of our ecosystems it is getting more cost effective to build with energy and resource efficiency.

Definitely worth a look-see though.

Al Speer

Some Basics about Diesel Vehicles...

While ethanol has been getting a LOT of press lately, diesel is an interesting option that I have wanted to look into for quite a while.

This article, by Peter Valdes-Dapena, a CNN/Money staff writer, offers a great basic idea into the realities of owning a diesel vehicle.

I think we are going to see quite a bit more of these vehicles on the road in the years ahead.

"While diesel-powered passenger cars are common in Europe, they haven't caught on here.

That's partly because the diesels most U.S. drivers are familiar with are the noisy smelly trucks and buses they get stuck behind in traffic. Or they may remember the diesels their neighbors bought during the last big fuel economy crisis in the 1970s.

Either way, diesel has become associated with noisy clatter, puffs of black smoke and patience-testing acceleration.

Modern diesel engines are considerably better than that. No black smoke, fewer rattles and acceleration that's at least on par with gasoline-powered cars.
While diesel cars get about 30 percent better mileage, overall, than comparable gasoline-powered cars, they are most efficient in steady highway driving, said David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports. "

If you have any comments or thoughts, I would love to hear them.

All the best,
Al Speer

The Most Fuel-Efficient Cars on the Road

Here is a quick look-see at Consumer Reports vehicle tests for the "Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicles".

They break it down by category so it's easy to see where your vehicle fits in the grand scheme of things. OR to see where your next vehicle fits...

From what I can see, 3 of the top 4 gas savers is a manual transmission.
I had no idea!


It's definitely worth checking out. Although it doesn't look like they've updated their gas pricing lately - that doesn't really matter for the testing of the efficiency of the cars.

Best Wishes,
Al Speer

Tiny Cars Are Taking Over the Planet

This is a great article about what's hot right now...

Small cars - specifically the smart car, which has already been selling in Europe since 1998.

Frederick J. Staab, from BusinessWeek Online gives a step-by-step, blow-by-blow account of his experience driving this teensy little vehicle on the streets of Manhattan.

"In the automotive business these days, big is out and small is in. Sales of large sport-utility vehicles are down 45%. Small-car sales have increased 70%."

"After clunking over steel construction plates on 37th Street, my Smart commuter experience came to a successful end. I hadn't been run over by a Hummer nor laughed off the road."

This is definitely worth a read.

All the best,
Al

Gas Guru's gas price surveys very popular...

Here is a great article about a gas price guru...

Jeff Wilson from the Associated Press talks about Trilby Lundberg, a gas price guru.

She condemns the "overzealous meddling" of the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies, and said government-mandated reformulation of unleaded gas and engine modifications aimed at curtailing emissions are more to blame for gas price increases than the worldwide Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

She also criticized the "woefully ignorant" media and public perception about gas prices.

"It is wild-headed and often destructive," she said of the reporting. "The explanation can be boring, it can be a little bit dry, it takes a long time, and the majority of folks simply do not have that time and do not have the interest."

Lundberg has strong opinions on other issues. For instance, she calls global warming a "boogeyman for political opportunism." Those who promote the theory are trying to create a power base and "believe global warming is a reason to hike taxes and hike prices," she said.

It's definitely worth a read.

All the best,
Al

High gas prices mean changes for some drivers...

Well, there's not a lot new in this article, from STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, an Associated Press Writer.

But it does bring up an interesting question that I've been wondering about. When will the gas prices get TOO high? And what changes will it bring? And what will it mean?

You and I both know, there will come a time when gas will be too high to do normal everyday stuff. But what will that mean?

More bicycles
More motorcycles
More scooters
More mass transit buses
More mass transit trains
More carpooling
More types of fuel
More walking

And which of these will be the most important?

"Fifty-five percent of drivers said they had reduced their driving because of high gas prices, according to a poll released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center. About one in five said they had started carpooling or sharing rides more often, while 12 percent said they had begun using mass transit more often.

Economists say Americans' dependence on the automobile makes it unlikely drivers will change their driving habits dramatically, regardless of price increases, at least in the short term.

'There are small ways to cut down on driving. But in comparison to other products, there is no substitute for gasoline or for driving,' said Matthew Lewis, assistant professor of economics at Ohio State University. 'You probably can't buy a smaller car (in the short term). And people can't change where they live or where they work.'"

Anyhow, it's a great article. One you should definitely read more on.

All the best,
Al

Oil prices spike from Alaska oil pipeline shutdown

Isn't it amazing how alarming the news can be. This report, from the Associated Press hits home seriously, with the possibility that gas prices are going to continue to go higher.

OUCH!

Unfortunately, finding alternatives is not getting a whole lot easier.

Ethanol and biodiesel remain some of best and most realistic options.

"BP Exploration Alaska, a unit of Britain's BP PLC, began shutting down oil production Sunday at Prudhoe Bay due to severe corrosion on a pipeline.
Once the field is shut down, in a process expected to take days, BP said oil production would be reduced by 400,000 barrels a day. That's close to 8 percent of U.S. oil production as of May 2006, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

BP officials said they didn't know how long the Prudhoe Bay field would be off line."

I don't want to shake things up too much, but I think it's a valid article to read. And anything that helps understand where we are heading can help us think up more solutions to the problem.

All the best,
Al Speer

Another interesting cost saving idea for your vehicle

WOW - this is one I haven't heard of, but this is definitely a very interesting idea for saving more money on your gas costs.

I wonder if any of you have any experience with using this type of air in your tires.

"Bourque, an engineer, said he has seen a 1 to 1.5 mile-per-gallon increase since he began filling his tires with nitrogen, which is touted as maintaining tire pressure longer and resisting heat buildup on hot summer days.

'I analyze everything,' he said.

Nitrogen has been used for years in the tires of race cars, large commercial trucks, aircraft and even the space shuttle."

This great article by David Sharp, from the Associated Press, is definitely worth a look-see...
All the best,
Al Speer

Brief description of how Ethanol is Made?

It's amazing. The amount of interest and buzz floating around ethanol right now.

What's even more amazing is how few people REALLY know how to do it. Lots of people share theories, but very few people have even tried the process of producing gas from a feedstock.

Here is a general overview of the process.

It's even so challenging that a guy called me and asked strategies for doing it. And guess what, I don't even know yet. I am working with another expert who builds stills and he is going to show me how to do it.

This article from the U.S. Department of Energy will give you an idea of where you will start in this process.

"The ethanol production process starts by grinding up the feedstock so it is more easily and quickly processed in the following steps. Once ground up, the sugar is either dissolved out of the material or the starch or cellulose is converted into sugar. The sugar is then fed to microbes that use it for food, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide in the process. A final step purifies the ethanol to the desired concentration."

I hope you enjoy it.

All the best,
Al