Tag Archives: environment

Renewables doubled – Coal decreased

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photo courtesy of Wikipedia
photo courtesy of Wikipedia

A gradual shift away from coal-generated electricity in the U.S. has resulted in a drop in power-plant CO2 pollution. April CO2 power-plant emissions were nearly back to 1988 levels. Between April 1988 and April 2015 coal use for power generation decreased 17 percent, while the use of renewable sources, like solar, wind, and hydro, increased by more than 100 percent. Burning coal is considered to be the dirtiest method, in terms of CO2 emissions, currently being used on a large scale to generate electricity.
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Conspiracy of ignorance – for the better?

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image courtesy of pagetwentyseven.com
image courtesy of pagetwentyseven.com

Noted by Dr. Noh Mann-Greenbaum

“I’m not a scientist . . .”

Were Jeb Bush’s and Rick Santorum’s statements about the Pope’s environmental encyclical just the first salvos of a conspiracy to avoid discussion of climate change during the U.S. Presidential election? If so, could that end up being a good thing? Continue reading Conspiracy of ignorance – for the better? →

California water savings beat 25% mandate

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Xeriscape - photo courtesy of OutdoorCraftsmen.com
Xeriscape – photo courtesy of OutdoorCraftsmen.com

Despite being the hottest June on record, California cities and towns used 27.3% less water during June 2015 than they did during the same month in California’s regulatory baseline year of 2013. Under California’s emergency water conservation regulation, state municipal areas must reduce water use by at least 25% from 2013 levels. Continue reading California water savings beat 25% mandate →

U.S. power plant CO2 for April is the lowest in 27 years – GDP up 95%

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GDP vs CO2In April 1988 gas cost $.91 per gallon in the U.S. and the median price of an existing home was $90,60. Although, real GDP adjusted for inflation increased by 95% between April 1988 and April 2015, U.S. electricity power plant CO2 emissions were still at approximately 1988 levels. Continue reading U.S. power plant CO2 for April is the lowest in 27 years – GDP up 95% →

Renewables supply 99.7% of island’s annual power

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photo source: Islanded Grid Resource Center
photo source: Islanded Grid Resource Center

For an island of only about 14,000 people Kodiak Alaska uses a lot of electricity. So it’s impressive that 99.7% its annual electricity needs are met by pollution free sources. And when the Kodiak Electric Association (KEA) switched to full renewables use, it eliminated $7 million a year in fuel costs for diesel powered generators. KEA is now able to deliver power at a price that is lower than it was in 2001. Continue reading Renewables supply 99.7% of island’s annual power →