To contact us Click HERE
Reason and facts often fall prey to passion. And Charles Koch passionately opposes wind power as well as President Obama, views that he recently advanced in a single op-ed on the perpetually wind-bashing, editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal.
In the September 10th Wall Street Journal, apparently realizing that electric rates are flat or down in most parts of the country, Koch wrote: "...the government is pushing up energy prices for all of us--five times as much as in the case of wind generated electricity."
No doubt that Koch and the WSJ editorial page believes that wind costs "five times as much." It, however, just is not so!
Michael Liebreich, Chief Executive of Bloomberg's New Energy Finance, dismantles Koch. Speaking of the "five times as much charge," Liebreich writes: "It is an extraordinary claim, with no evidence to support it. Bloomberg New Energy Finance's regular levelized cost calculations--based on real data from folk who build clean energy projects--show that wind energy is in many cases competitive with new-build coal capacity. Wind is also nearly competitive with new-build gas capacity if you use a gas price rising quickly to $4 and then on $6 per million British thermal units, as the future curve suggests you should, rather than the current spot price of $3." www.bnef.com/WhitePapers/view/130.
Koch and the WSJ have an ideological world view that they passionately advance and defend. In it, wind will always cost five times as much, no matter what it does in the real world. .
13 Ekim 2012 Cumartesi
Stunning Fact: Nitrogen Oxide Pollution Levels Drop 32% Since 2008 & America's Great Air Clean Up Quickens
To contact us Click HERE
EPA's nitrogen oxide data tell a powerful tale and offer another example of why today often is better than the nostalgically remembered "Good Old Days." In terms of air quality, all of us are much better off today than 4 years ago and the pace of improvement is quickening.
Indeed, America is more rapidly than ever returning our air to a quality not breathed in 80 or more years. One marker of the wonderful cleaning of America's air is the decline of nitrogen oxides, a leading cause of human illness, and regulated by the Clean Air Act.
In 1970, total nitrogen oxide emissions stood at 26.8 million tons, with vehicles and electric power plants being the two top sources. From 1970 to 2000 nitrogen oxide pollution levels in this country dropped 16% or 4.3 million tons, an improvement but slow indeed.
From 2000 to 2008, nitrogen oxide pollution declined at a more rapid pace, dropping another 5.3 million tons or about 24%, in the 8-year period. By 2008 the annual nitrogen oxide emission as 17.2 million tons.
And the pace of the decline in nitrogen oxide levels hit top speed in the last 4 years. From 2008 to 2012, nitrogen oxide emissions fell another 5.5 million tons or another 32%. The total level is reported as 11.7 million tons by the EPA. All data is at: www.epa.gov/ttnchie1/trends/.
Today, power plants are no longer among the two leading sources of nitrogen oxide pollution. They have dropped to number 3. Vehicles and off-highway equipment rank 1 and 2.
All told America has cut its nitrogen oxide emissions by 15.1 million tons since 1970 or by 56%, while greatly expanding its population, cars on the road, and the amount of electricity consumed. For this important progress that benefits our health, environment, and economy, thank both the Clean Air Act and its standards and the private sector for making cleaner fuels like renewable energy and natural gas, installing pollution controls on power plants, building cleaner cars, and increasing energy efficiency.
So is the job of cleaning up our air finished? Huge progress has been made but there are still days when the air is unhealthy to breathe for many Americans. There is still too much mercury in fish. The clean up is not yet done. But we should recognize the progress made and finish the job.
Indeed, America is more rapidly than ever returning our air to a quality not breathed in 80 or more years. One marker of the wonderful cleaning of America's air is the decline of nitrogen oxides, a leading cause of human illness, and regulated by the Clean Air Act.
In 1970, total nitrogen oxide emissions stood at 26.8 million tons, with vehicles and electric power plants being the two top sources. From 1970 to 2000 nitrogen oxide pollution levels in this country dropped 16% or 4.3 million tons, an improvement but slow indeed.
From 2000 to 2008, nitrogen oxide pollution declined at a more rapid pace, dropping another 5.3 million tons or about 24%, in the 8-year period. By 2008 the annual nitrogen oxide emission as 17.2 million tons.
And the pace of the decline in nitrogen oxide levels hit top speed in the last 4 years. From 2008 to 2012, nitrogen oxide emissions fell another 5.5 million tons or another 32%. The total level is reported as 11.7 million tons by the EPA. All data is at: www.epa.gov/ttnchie1/trends/.
Today, power plants are no longer among the two leading sources of nitrogen oxide pollution. They have dropped to number 3. Vehicles and off-highway equipment rank 1 and 2.
All told America has cut its nitrogen oxide emissions by 15.1 million tons since 1970 or by 56%, while greatly expanding its population, cars on the road, and the amount of electricity consumed. For this important progress that benefits our health, environment, and economy, thank both the Clean Air Act and its standards and the private sector for making cleaner fuels like renewable energy and natural gas, installing pollution controls on power plants, building cleaner cars, and increasing energy efficiency.
So is the job of cleaning up our air finished? Huge progress has been made but there are still days when the air is unhealthy to breathe for many Americans. There is still too much mercury in fish. The clean up is not yet done. But we should recognize the progress made and finish the job.
Franklin & Marshall Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Press Release re: Hazing Incident
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Lauren Paul Fired; Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza Placed on Indefinite Leave in F & M Lacrosse Scandal
John A. Gallagher, Esquire has been retained to represent these coaches. Here is a Press Release on behalf of the coaches:
Neither F &M woman’s lacrosse Head Coach Lauren Paul, nor her Assistant Coaches, Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza, had knowledge of or involvement in the March 11, 2011 incident giving rise to their present circumstances, and do not condone hazing in any form. If they had known that hazing occurred in March 2011, if it occurred, they would have taken corrective action.
The facts of this matter are important for the public to understand.
In early February 2012, Coach Paul made cuts from her team in the ordinary course. Soon after, the parents of one of the cut players registered a complaint about a student-led event in March 2011, eleven months prior. This incident, about which no details have been released to Ms. Paul or her assistants, has since been categorized as “hazing.” It is unknown whether the parents in question made any sort of threats to the college.
After hearing of the March 2011 event in mid-February 2012, the administration took virtually no steps to investigate same until April 6th, 2012. It is unknown what action the complaining parents, or their lawyer, took during this period of inactivity.
F&M thereafter began an “investigation” wherein the student-athletes were instructed not to speak with their parents, and told they did not need to seek representation of any kind. This investigation was procedurally flawed in many significant respects.
Although F & M fired Ms. Paul, placed her assistants on leave of absence (a particularly curious decision where Ms. Sanza is concerned, since she wasn’t even coaching F & M in March 2011) and suspended 11 student athletes from the team on April 17, the investigation was on that date still ongoing.
It appears that F & M elected to release news of these sanctions to the public on April 18, 2012. It is unknown if this release was made solely at the election of F & M, or to satisfy the demands of third-parties. The initial press releases were accompanied by statements from F & M that sought to blame Ms. Paul, and her assistants, for the March 2011 events.
The college acknowledged in writing that, as of Friday, April 20, 2012, the investigation was still ongoing. Why F & M chose to fire Ms. Paul, and to zealously publish the news of such firing, while its investigation was still ongoing, is a matter that only F & M and its lawyers can answer.
Earlier this week, and having completed its investigation, F & M decided to invite the 11 suspended players back on to the team. None of the suspended players were suspended or expelled from the college. Interestingly, the suspended players have rejected the college’s invitation to rejoin the team.
Ms. Paul understands that F & M takes its Student Code of Conduct very seriously, and that it enforces same vigorously when students have engaged in violations that threaten the mental or physical safety of its students. The decision to reinstate the suspended players, coupled with the absence of any meaningful student discipline being pursued or carried out, particularly when viewed through the prism of F & M’s stated principles where student well-being is concerned, clearly suggest that whatever occurred in March 2011 did not constitute “hazing.”
Ms. Paul's goal moving forward is to have a fulfilling and rewarding career. Ms. Powderly and Ms. Sanza share that ideal. While the coaches believe the actions taken against them were rash and wholly unwarranted, they understand that F & M, having published the reports concerning same, is unlikely to change its mind at this time. Consequently, they are presently considering their vocational and legal options.
Join the Petition Seeking Reinstatement of Coach Lauren Paul
There is a strong grass roots campaign advocating the rescission of the termination of Ms. Paul, and her reinstatement as F & M Head Coach. Please Click Here to sign a Petition supporting this important cause in the name of what is just and right.
Footnote: The remaining members of the F & M lacrosse team elected on Friday April 27 not to play in the Centennial Conference tournament, thereby foregoing a near surefire NCAAA tournament bid for the 10th ranked Diplomats. These student athletes are a credit to themselves, their parents and families, and to Coach Paul and her staff.
Lauren Paul Fired; Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza Placed on Indefinite Leave in F & M Lacrosse ScandalJohn A. Gallagher, Esquire has been retained to represent these coaches. Here is a Press Release on behalf of the coaches:Neither F &M woman’s lacrosse Head Coach Lauren Paul, nor her Assistant Coaches, Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza, had knowledge of or involvement in the March 11, 2011 incident giving rise to their present circumstances, and do not condone hazing in any form. If they had known that hazing occurred in March 2011, if it occurred, they would have taken corrective action.
The facts of this matter are important for the public to understand.
In early February 2012, Coach Paul made cuts from her team in the ordinary course. Soon after, the parents of one of the cut players registered a complaint about a student-led event in March 2011, eleven months prior. This incident, about which no details have been released to Ms. Paul or her assistants, has since been categorized as “hazing.” It is unknown whether the parents in question made any sort of threats to the college.
After hearing of the March 2011 event in mid-February 2012, the administration took virtually no steps to investigate same until April 6th, 2012. It is unknown what action the complaining parents, or their lawyer, took during this period of inactivity.
F&M thereafter began an “investigation” wherein the student-athletes were instructed not to speak with their parents, and told they did not need to seek representation of any kind. This investigation was procedurally flawed in many significant respects.
Although F & M fired Ms. Paul, placed her assistants on leave of absence (a particularly curious decision where Ms. Sanza is concerned, since she wasn’t even coaching F & M in March 2011) and suspended 11 student athletes from the team on April 17, the investigation was on that date still ongoing.
It appears that F & M elected to release news of these sanctions to the public on April 18, 2012. It is unknown if this release was made solely at the election of F & M, or to satisfy the demands of third-parties. The initial press releases were accompanied by statements from F & M that sought to blame Ms. Paul, and her assistants, for the March 2011 events.
The college acknowledged in writing that, as of Friday, April 20, 2012, the investigation was still ongoing. Why F & M chose to fire Ms. Paul, and to zealously publish the news of such firing, while its investigation was still ongoing, is a matter that only F & M and its lawyers can answer.
Earlier this week, and having completed its investigation, F & M decided to invite the 11 suspended players back on to the team. None of the suspended players were suspended or expelled from the college. Interestingly, the suspended players have rejected the college’s invitation to rejoin the team.
Ms. Paul understands that F & M takes its Student Code of Conduct very seriously, and that it enforces same vigorously when students have engaged in violations that threaten the mental or physical safety of its students. The decision to reinstate the suspended players, coupled with the absence of any meaningful student discipline being pursued or carried out, particularly when viewed through the prism of F & M’s stated principles where student well-being is concerned, clearly suggest that whatever occurred in March 2011 did not constitute “hazing.”
Ms. Paul's goal moving forward is to have a fulfilling and rewarding career. Ms. Powderly and Ms. Sanza share that ideal. While the coaches believe the actions taken against them were rash and wholly unwarranted, they understand that F & M, having published the reports concerning same, is unlikely to change its mind at this time. Consequently, they are presently considering their vocational and legal options.
Joe Paterno Used E-Mail - Sandi Segursky's E-Mail
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Recently, the attorney for the Paterno family said that Joe Paterno never used e-mail. But, he did.
A recent report indicates that, while dealing with a 2007 controversey involving player misconduct, Mr. Paterno utilized the e-mail account of his assistant, Sandi Segursky.
This new additional information that shows just how crafty PSU officials were - and how little they can be trusted. More sophisticated than you would imagine, in fact.
For example, the 2001 e-mail exchanges between PSU President Gram Spanier, Athletic Director Tim Curly and Vice President Schultz, wherein they discuss what to do about Monster Sandusky after he was seen molesting a boty in the shower by then grad assistant Mike McQueary are notable because: 1) they never used Sandusky's name (calling him "the subject" or "the person"; 2) they never used the name of Sandusky's charity, the Second Mile; and, 3) they never used the word children (calling them "guests").
They also reported intially that the shower incident took place in March 2002. It wasn't until Louis Freeh stepped in that it was recently revealed that the incident took place in February 2001.
They clearly engaged in all of these tactics to avoid detection but, in the end, Louis Freeh was smarter than they were.
Recently, the attorney for the Paterno family said that Joe Paterno never used e-mail. But, he did.A recent report indicates that, while dealing with a 2007 controversey involving player misconduct, Mr. Paterno utilized the e-mail account of his assistant, Sandi Segursky.
This new additional information that shows just how crafty PSU officials were - and how little they can be trusted. More sophisticated than you would imagine, in fact.
For example, the 2001 e-mail exchanges between PSU President Gram Spanier, Athletic Director Tim Curly and Vice President Schultz, wherein they discuss what to do about Monster Sandusky after he was seen molesting a boty in the shower by then grad assistant Mike McQueary are notable because: 1) they never used Sandusky's name (calling him "the subject" or "the person"; 2) they never used the name of Sandusky's charity, the Second Mile; and, 3) they never used the word children (calling them "guests").
They also reported intially that the shower incident took place in March 2002. It wasn't until Louis Freeh stepped in that it was recently revealed that the incident took place in February 2001.
They clearly engaged in all of these tactics to avoid detection but, in the end, Louis Freeh was smarter than they were.
Joe Paterno's New Ranking - All-Time Wins
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Having had 111 wins wiped out by the NCAA (all wins from 1998 through 2011 vacated by NCAA on July 23, 2012), the new rankings for the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA Division I college football history look like this:
Having had 111 wins wiped out by the NCAA (all wins from 1998 through 2011 vacated by NCAA on July 23, 2012), the new rankings for the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA Division I college football history look like this: |
| The New Leader - Bobby Bowden 377 |
 |
| JoePa Never Could Beat Bear Bryant - 323 |
 |
| Pop Warner (not Curt) - 319 |
 |
| Amos Alonzo Stagg - 314 |
 |
| On the Day He Set the New Record with Win 409 - Now at 298 |
12 Ekim 2012 Cuma
Joe Paterno's New Ranking - All-Time Wins
To contact us Click HERE
Having had 111 wins wiped out by the NCAA (all wins from 1998 through 2011 vacated by NCAA on July 23, 2012), the new rankings for the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA Division I college football history look like this:
Having had 111 wins wiped out by the NCAA (all wins from 1998 through 2011 vacated by NCAA on July 23, 2012), the new rankings for the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA Division I college football history look like this: |
| The New Leader - Bobby Bowden 377 |
|
| JoePa Never Could Beat Bear Bryant - 323 |
|
| Pop Warner (not Curt) - 319 |
|
| Amos Alonzo Stagg - 314 |
|
| On the Day He Set the New Record with Win 409 - Now at 298 |
Massive Oregon Wind Farm Becomes America's Biggest: 825 Megawatts & 2 Billion Kilowatt-hours
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America loves big, and now it has a new biggest wind farm--a 845 megawatt colossus, called Shepherds Flat in Oregon. www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/caithness-shepherds-flat-commences-official-operations-becomes-one-of-the-worlds-largest-wind-farms-170832256.html. The Shepherds Flat will generate 2 billion kilowatt-hours of power each year and beats the former number 1 wind farm in North America, the 781.5 megawatt Roscoe Wind farm in Texas. www.cbsnews.com/2100-503023_162-5358287.html.
Four hundred workers built Shepherds Flat, and it will provide $37 million per year in payments to state and local governments. Forty-five permanent positions were created to operate and maintain the wind farm. The zero-fuel cost facility is among the lowest production or operating cost (much less than 1 cent per kilowatt-hour) sources of electricity in the USA.
Zero fuel cost also means zero water consumption, zero water discharges, and zero-air pollution. The wind farm will avoid 1.483 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year as well as considerable amounts of other air pollutants.
Four hundred workers built Shepherds Flat, and it will provide $37 million per year in payments to state and local governments. Forty-five permanent positions were created to operate and maintain the wind farm. The zero-fuel cost facility is among the lowest production or operating cost (much less than 1 cent per kilowatt-hour) sources of electricity in the USA.
Zero fuel cost also means zero water consumption, zero water discharges, and zero-air pollution. The wind farm will avoid 1.483 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year as well as considerable amounts of other air pollutants.
Charles Koch's Wind Cost Data In WSJ Debunked By CEO Of Bloomberg New Energy Finance
To contact us Click HERE
Reason and facts often fall prey to passion. And Charles Koch passionately opposes wind power as well as President Obama, views that he recently advanced in a single op-ed on the perpetually wind-bashing, editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal.
In the September 10th Wall Street Journal, apparently realizing that electric rates are flat or down in most parts of the country, Koch wrote: "...the government is pushing up energy prices for all of us--five times as much as in the case of wind generated electricity."
No doubt that Koch and the WSJ editorial page believes that wind costs "five times as much." It, however, just is not so!
Michael Liebreich, Chief Executive of Bloomberg's New Energy Finance, dismantles Koch. Speaking of the "five times as much charge," Liebreich writes: "It is an extraordinary claim, with no evidence to support it. Bloomberg New Energy Finance's regular levelized cost calculations--based on real data from folk who build clean energy projects--show that wind energy is in many cases competitive with new-build coal capacity. Wind is also nearly competitive with new-build gas capacity if you use a gas price rising quickly to $4 and then on $6 per million British thermal units, as the future curve suggests you should, rather than the current spot price of $3." www.bnef.com/WhitePapers/view/130.
Koch and the WSJ have an ideological world view that they passionately advance and defend. In it, wind will always cost five times as much, no matter what it does in the real world. .
In the September 10th Wall Street Journal, apparently realizing that electric rates are flat or down in most parts of the country, Koch wrote: "...the government is pushing up energy prices for all of us--five times as much as in the case of wind generated electricity."
No doubt that Koch and the WSJ editorial page believes that wind costs "five times as much." It, however, just is not so!
Michael Liebreich, Chief Executive of Bloomberg's New Energy Finance, dismantles Koch. Speaking of the "five times as much charge," Liebreich writes: "It is an extraordinary claim, with no evidence to support it. Bloomberg New Energy Finance's regular levelized cost calculations--based on real data from folk who build clean energy projects--show that wind energy is in many cases competitive with new-build coal capacity. Wind is also nearly competitive with new-build gas capacity if you use a gas price rising quickly to $4 and then on $6 per million British thermal units, as the future curve suggests you should, rather than the current spot price of $3." www.bnef.com/WhitePapers/view/130.
Koch and the WSJ have an ideological world view that they passionately advance and defend. In it, wind will always cost five times as much, no matter what it does in the real world. .
Stunning Fact: Nitrogen Oxide Pollution Levels Drop 32% Since 2008 & America's Great Air Clean Up Quickens
To contact us Click HERE
EPA's nitrogen oxide data tell a powerful tale and offer another example of why today often is better than the nostalgically remembered "Good Old Days." In terms of air quality, all of us are much better off today than 4 years ago and the pace of improvement is quickening.
Indeed, America is more rapidly than ever returning our air to a quality not breathed in 80 or more years. One marker of the wonderful cleaning of America's air is the decline of nitrogen oxides, a leading cause of human illness, and regulated by the Clean Air Act.
In 1970, total nitrogen oxide emissions stood at 26.8 million tons, with vehicles and electric power plants being the two top sources. From 1970 to 2000 nitrogen oxide pollution levels in this country dropped 16% or 4.3 million tons, an improvement but slow indeed.
From 2000 to 2008, nitrogen oxide pollution declined at a more rapid pace, dropping another 5.3 million tons or about 24%, in the 8-year period. By 2008 the annual nitrogen oxide emission as 17.2 million tons.
And the pace of the decline in nitrogen oxide levels hit top speed in the last 4 years. From 2008 to 2012, nitrogen oxide emissions fell another 5.5 million tons or another 32%. The total level is reported as 11.7 million tons by the EPA. All data is at: www.epa.gov/ttnchie1/trends/.
Today, power plants are no longer among the two leading sources of nitrogen oxide pollution. They have dropped to number 3. Vehicles and off-highway equipment rank 1 and 2.
All told America has cut its nitrogen oxide emissions by 15.1 million tons since 1970 or by 56%, while greatly expanding its population, cars on the road, and the amount of electricity consumed. For this important progress that benefits our health, environment, and economy, thank both the Clean Air Act and its standards and the private sector for making cleaner fuels like renewable energy and natural gas, installing pollution controls on power plants, building cleaner cars, and increasing energy efficiency.
So is the job of cleaning up our air finished? Huge progress has been made but there are still days when the air is unhealthy to breathe for many Americans. There is still too much mercury in fish. The clean up is not yet done. But we should recognize the progress made and finish the job.
Indeed, America is more rapidly than ever returning our air to a quality not breathed in 80 or more years. One marker of the wonderful cleaning of America's air is the decline of nitrogen oxides, a leading cause of human illness, and regulated by the Clean Air Act.
In 1970, total nitrogen oxide emissions stood at 26.8 million tons, with vehicles and electric power plants being the two top sources. From 1970 to 2000 nitrogen oxide pollution levels in this country dropped 16% or 4.3 million tons, an improvement but slow indeed.
From 2000 to 2008, nitrogen oxide pollution declined at a more rapid pace, dropping another 5.3 million tons or about 24%, in the 8-year period. By 2008 the annual nitrogen oxide emission as 17.2 million tons.
And the pace of the decline in nitrogen oxide levels hit top speed in the last 4 years. From 2008 to 2012, nitrogen oxide emissions fell another 5.5 million tons or another 32%. The total level is reported as 11.7 million tons by the EPA. All data is at: www.epa.gov/ttnchie1/trends/.
Today, power plants are no longer among the two leading sources of nitrogen oxide pollution. They have dropped to number 3. Vehicles and off-highway equipment rank 1 and 2.
All told America has cut its nitrogen oxide emissions by 15.1 million tons since 1970 or by 56%, while greatly expanding its population, cars on the road, and the amount of electricity consumed. For this important progress that benefits our health, environment, and economy, thank both the Clean Air Act and its standards and the private sector for making cleaner fuels like renewable energy and natural gas, installing pollution controls on power plants, building cleaner cars, and increasing energy efficiency.
So is the job of cleaning up our air finished? Huge progress has been made but there are still days when the air is unhealthy to breathe for many Americans. There is still too much mercury in fish. The clean up is not yet done. But we should recognize the progress made and finish the job.
The Incredible 5-Year Revolution In How America Generates Electricity & What It Means In The Fracking Wars
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The impossible sometimes happens. That is the lesson of the revolutionary changes in how electricity is generated in the USA since 2008.
Indeed, as of January 2008, not a single expert said that by 2012 gas and non-hydro renewable energy would increase their generation market shares by 51% and 76% respectively, while coal would lose 25% of its share. Those thoughts were not thought. They were impossible.
But that's exactly what has happened in the last 4 years--an incredible revolution in the electricity industry.
www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_1_01.
In 2008, coal accounted for 48% of electric generation but 36% in the first 7 months of 2012.
In 2008, gas provided 21.4% of our power and 31% in 2012 through July.
In 2008, non-hydro renewable energy generated 3.1% of America's electricity and now 5.4%.
These facts also underscore two critical points that are important in the fracking wars and a real understanding of America's energy choices. First, despite what some say repeatedly, the shale gas boom has not killed renewable energy. Instead, gas and renewable energy have boomed at the same time.
Among the multiple reasons why low gas prices have not done in renewable energy are that: (1) competitive electric generation markets favor low-production cost generation and renewable facilities are the lowest production cost units; (2) state and federal incentives for renewable energy work to attract substantial private investment and new capacity; and (3) the capital costs of building wind and solar have been slashed over the last 10 years.
A second critical point that the facts above demonstrate is the intense competition between gas and coal for market share. From 2008 through the first 7 months of 2012, gas gained about 10 percentage points of market share (21% to 31%). Gas's gain was coal's loss, as coal lost 12 percentage points (48% to 36%).
This coal-gas duel continues everyday, and rising gas prices make it likely that coal will recapture some of its lost market share during 2013.
Will coal continue to regain some lost ground after 2013? The price of gas will largely answer that question.
But, after the last 5 years of incredible changes like the shale gas revolution and plummeting solar prices, the only thing that can be said surely about the next 5 years within the electric industry is that little is impossible.
Indeed, as of January 2008, not a single expert said that by 2012 gas and non-hydro renewable energy would increase their generation market shares by 51% and 76% respectively, while coal would lose 25% of its share. Those thoughts were not thought. They were impossible.
But that's exactly what has happened in the last 4 years--an incredible revolution in the electricity industry.
www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_1_01.
In 2008, coal accounted for 48% of electric generation but 36% in the first 7 months of 2012.
In 2008, gas provided 21.4% of our power and 31% in 2012 through July.
In 2008, non-hydro renewable energy generated 3.1% of America's electricity and now 5.4%.
These facts also underscore two critical points that are important in the fracking wars and a real understanding of America's energy choices. First, despite what some say repeatedly, the shale gas boom has not killed renewable energy. Instead, gas and renewable energy have boomed at the same time.
Among the multiple reasons why low gas prices have not done in renewable energy are that: (1) competitive electric generation markets favor low-production cost generation and renewable facilities are the lowest production cost units; (2) state and federal incentives for renewable energy work to attract substantial private investment and new capacity; and (3) the capital costs of building wind and solar have been slashed over the last 10 years.
A second critical point that the facts above demonstrate is the intense competition between gas and coal for market share. From 2008 through the first 7 months of 2012, gas gained about 10 percentage points of market share (21% to 31%). Gas's gain was coal's loss, as coal lost 12 percentage points (48% to 36%).
This coal-gas duel continues everyday, and rising gas prices make it likely that coal will recapture some of its lost market share during 2013.
Will coal continue to regain some lost ground after 2013? The price of gas will largely answer that question.
But, after the last 5 years of incredible changes like the shale gas revolution and plummeting solar prices, the only thing that can be said surely about the next 5 years within the electric industry is that little is impossible.
11 Ekim 2012 Perşembe
1.1 Million Gallon, Kalamazoo River Oil Spill Stark Reminder That Oil Does Much More Damage To Water Than Gas
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Some critics of gas production at least create the mistaken impression that there is no difference in the environmental impacts of gas, coal, and oil. Indeed, ignoring the different environmental impacts of the three fuels or even claiming falsely that gas is dirtier than coal is at the foundation of the effort to ban shale gas production.
Yet, in the real world, though gas is not pristine or perfectly clean, gas has much less impact than either oil or coal on water, air, or climate. Another stark reminder of this point comes courtesy of the still unfinished clean up of a 1.1 million spill of oil into the Kalamazoo river that happened in 2010. The spill led to massive damage to a stretch of the river and a difficult, expensive clean up operation that to date has required the removal of 200,000 cubic yards of soil. www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/03/enbridge-pipeline-spill-michigan_n_1936619.html?utm_hp_ref=green.
Gas displacing oil lowers impacts and risks to the environment and especially to water. Moreover, more gas and less oil is a recipe that is essential to our economic and national security.
Yet, in the real world, though gas is not pristine or perfectly clean, gas has much less impact than either oil or coal on water, air, or climate. Another stark reminder of this point comes courtesy of the still unfinished clean up of a 1.1 million spill of oil into the Kalamazoo river that happened in 2010. The spill led to massive damage to a stretch of the river and a difficult, expensive clean up operation that to date has required the removal of 200,000 cubic yards of soil. www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/03/enbridge-pipeline-spill-michigan_n_1936619.html?utm_hp_ref=green.
Gas displacing oil lowers impacts and risks to the environment and especially to water. Moreover, more gas and less oil is a recipe that is essential to our economic and national security.
Natural Gas Generation Projected By EIA To Decline 10% But Coal To Rise 7% In 2013
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Judged by usage of gas and coal to make electricity, 2013 is shaping up to a bad year for gas and a good one for coal. And the price of gas tells the whole tale.
Since 2008, falling gas prices fueled a 45% surge in usage of natural gas to make electricity, but that bull run is projected to screech to a halt in 2013. www.eia.gov/forecasts/steo/tables/?tableNumber=22#. Gas prices rising from the 2012 depths also mean a 10% decline in gas generation during 2013, with daily gas-fired production projected by the EIA to drop from 3.4 billion kilowatt-hours to 3.06 billion kilowatt-hours each day.
The projected 2013 retreat in gas generation means a substantial rise in coal-fired generation. EIA projects that coal generation will increase 7%, rising from 4.187 to 4.475 billion kilowatt-hours per day. EIA is also predicting a 6% increase in carbon dioxide emissions from coal generation and a 1.9% increase in all energy-related carbon emissions in 2013.
Approximately 65% of America's electric generation comes from either coal or gas. How much of that 65% comes from either coal or gas is decided by intense competition between the fuels. That's the real choice in the real world for 65% of the generation market, and the price of gas substantially makes the choice between coal or gas.
With gas prices rising, 2013 will see rising coal generation and coal recapturing some of its lost market share. 2013 will also end a run of annually increasing gas-fired electricity generation and will be the first year since 2008 that America will get less of its electricity from natural gas than in the year before.
Since 2008, falling gas prices fueled a 45% surge in usage of natural gas to make electricity, but that bull run is projected to screech to a halt in 2013. www.eia.gov/forecasts/steo/tables/?tableNumber=22#. Gas prices rising from the 2012 depths also mean a 10% decline in gas generation during 2013, with daily gas-fired production projected by the EIA to drop from 3.4 billion kilowatt-hours to 3.06 billion kilowatt-hours each day.
The projected 2013 retreat in gas generation means a substantial rise in coal-fired generation. EIA projects that coal generation will increase 7%, rising from 4.187 to 4.475 billion kilowatt-hours per day. EIA is also predicting a 6% increase in carbon dioxide emissions from coal generation and a 1.9% increase in all energy-related carbon emissions in 2013.
Approximately 65% of America's electric generation comes from either coal or gas. How much of that 65% comes from either coal or gas is decided by intense competition between the fuels. That's the real choice in the real world for 65% of the generation market, and the price of gas substantially makes the choice between coal or gas.
With gas prices rising, 2013 will see rising coal generation and coal recapturing some of its lost market share. 2013 will also end a run of annually increasing gas-fired electricity generation and will be the first year since 2008 that America will get less of its electricity from natural gas than in the year before.
Franklin & Marshall Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Press Release re: Hazing Incident
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Lauren Paul Fired; Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza Placed on Indefinite Leave in F & M Lacrosse Scandal
John A. Gallagher, Esquire has been retained to represent these coaches. Here is a Press Release on behalf of the coaches:
Neither F &M woman’s lacrosse Head Coach Lauren Paul, nor her Assistant Coaches, Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza, had knowledge of or involvement in the March 11, 2011 incident giving rise to their present circumstances, and do not condone hazing in any form. If they had known that hazing occurred in March 2011, if it occurred, they would have taken corrective action.
The facts of this matter are important for the public to understand.
In early February 2012, Coach Paul made cuts from her team in the ordinary course. Soon after, the parents of one of the cut players registered a complaint about a student-led event in March 2011, eleven months prior. This incident, about which no details have been released to Ms. Paul or her assistants, has since been categorized as “hazing.” It is unknown whether the parents in question made any sort of threats to the college.
After hearing of the March 2011 event in mid-February 2012, the administration took virtually no steps to investigate same until April 6th, 2012. It is unknown what action the complaining parents, or their lawyer, took during this period of inactivity.
F&M thereafter began an “investigation” wherein the student-athletes were instructed not to speak with their parents, and told they did not need to seek representation of any kind. This investigation was procedurally flawed in many significant respects.
Although F & M fired Ms. Paul, placed her assistants on leave of absence (a particularly curious decision where Ms. Sanza is concerned, since she wasn’t even coaching F & M in March 2011) and suspended 11 student athletes from the team on April 17, the investigation was on that date still ongoing.
It appears that F & M elected to release news of these sanctions to the public on April 18, 2012. It is unknown if this release was made solely at the election of F & M, or to satisfy the demands of third-parties. The initial press releases were accompanied by statements from F & M that sought to blame Ms. Paul, and her assistants, for the March 2011 events.
The college acknowledged in writing that, as of Friday, April 20, 2012, the investigation was still ongoing. Why F & M chose to fire Ms. Paul, and to zealously publish the news of such firing, while its investigation was still ongoing, is a matter that only F & M and its lawyers can answer.
Earlier this week, and having completed its investigation, F & M decided to invite the 11 suspended players back on to the team. None of the suspended players were suspended or expelled from the college. Interestingly, the suspended players have rejected the college’s invitation to rejoin the team.
Ms. Paul understands that F & M takes its Student Code of Conduct very seriously, and that it enforces same vigorously when students have engaged in violations that threaten the mental or physical safety of its students. The decision to reinstate the suspended players, coupled with the absence of any meaningful student discipline being pursued or carried out, particularly when viewed through the prism of F & M’s stated principles where student well-being is concerned, clearly suggest that whatever occurred in March 2011 did not constitute “hazing.”
Ms. Paul's goal moving forward is to have a fulfilling and rewarding career. Ms. Powderly and Ms. Sanza share that ideal. While the coaches believe the actions taken against them were rash and wholly unwarranted, they understand that F & M, having published the reports concerning same, is unlikely to change its mind at this time. Consequently, they are presently considering their vocational and legal options.
Join the Petition Seeking Reinstatement of Coach Lauren Paul
There is a strong grass roots campaign advocating the rescission of the termination of Ms. Paul, and her reinstatement as F & M Head Coach. Please Click Here to sign a Petition supporting this important cause in the name of what is just and right.
Footnote: The remaining members of the F & M lacrosse team elected on Friday April 27 not to play in the Centennial Conference tournament, thereby foregoing a near surefire NCAAA tournament bid for the 10th ranked Diplomats. These student athletes are a credit to themselves, their parents and families, and to Coach Paul and her staff.
Lauren Paul Fired; Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza Placed on Indefinite Leave in F & M Lacrosse ScandalJohn A. Gallagher, Esquire has been retained to represent these coaches. Here is a Press Release on behalf of the coaches:Neither F &M woman’s lacrosse Head Coach Lauren Paul, nor her Assistant Coaches, Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza, had knowledge of or involvement in the March 11, 2011 incident giving rise to their present circumstances, and do not condone hazing in any form. If they had known that hazing occurred in March 2011, if it occurred, they would have taken corrective action.
The facts of this matter are important for the public to understand.
In early February 2012, Coach Paul made cuts from her team in the ordinary course. Soon after, the parents of one of the cut players registered a complaint about a student-led event in March 2011, eleven months prior. This incident, about which no details have been released to Ms. Paul or her assistants, has since been categorized as “hazing.” It is unknown whether the parents in question made any sort of threats to the college.
After hearing of the March 2011 event in mid-February 2012, the administration took virtually no steps to investigate same until April 6th, 2012. It is unknown what action the complaining parents, or their lawyer, took during this period of inactivity.
F&M thereafter began an “investigation” wherein the student-athletes were instructed not to speak with their parents, and told they did not need to seek representation of any kind. This investigation was procedurally flawed in many significant respects.
Although F & M fired Ms. Paul, placed her assistants on leave of absence (a particularly curious decision where Ms. Sanza is concerned, since she wasn’t even coaching F & M in March 2011) and suspended 11 student athletes from the team on April 17, the investigation was on that date still ongoing.
It appears that F & M elected to release news of these sanctions to the public on April 18, 2012. It is unknown if this release was made solely at the election of F & M, or to satisfy the demands of third-parties. The initial press releases were accompanied by statements from F & M that sought to blame Ms. Paul, and her assistants, for the March 2011 events.
The college acknowledged in writing that, as of Friday, April 20, 2012, the investigation was still ongoing. Why F & M chose to fire Ms. Paul, and to zealously publish the news of such firing, while its investigation was still ongoing, is a matter that only F & M and its lawyers can answer.
Earlier this week, and having completed its investigation, F & M decided to invite the 11 suspended players back on to the team. None of the suspended players were suspended or expelled from the college. Interestingly, the suspended players have rejected the college’s invitation to rejoin the team.
Ms. Paul understands that F & M takes its Student Code of Conduct very seriously, and that it enforces same vigorously when students have engaged in violations that threaten the mental or physical safety of its students. The decision to reinstate the suspended players, coupled with the absence of any meaningful student discipline being pursued or carried out, particularly when viewed through the prism of F & M’s stated principles where student well-being is concerned, clearly suggest that whatever occurred in March 2011 did not constitute “hazing.”
Ms. Paul's goal moving forward is to have a fulfilling and rewarding career. Ms. Powderly and Ms. Sanza share that ideal. While the coaches believe the actions taken against them were rash and wholly unwarranted, they understand that F & M, having published the reports concerning same, is unlikely to change its mind at this time. Consequently, they are presently considering their vocational and legal options.
Joe Paterno Used E-Mail - Sandi Segursky's E-Mail
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Recently, the attorney for the Paterno family said that Joe Paterno never used e-mail. But, he did.
A recent report indicates that, while dealing with a 2007 controversey involving player misconduct, Mr. Paterno utilized the e-mail account of his assistant, Sandi Segursky.
This new additional information that shows just how crafty PSU officials were - and how little they can be trusted. More sophisticated than you would imagine, in fact.
For example, the 2001 e-mail exchanges between PSU President Gram Spanier, Athletic Director Tim Curly and Vice President Schultz, wherein they discuss what to do about Monster Sandusky after he was seen molesting a boty in the shower by then grad assistant Mike McQueary are notable because: 1) they never used Sandusky's name (calling him "the subject" or "the person"; 2) they never used the name of Sandusky's charity, the Second Mile; and, 3) they never used the word children (calling them "guests").
They also reported intially that the shower incident took place in March 2002. It wasn't until Louis Freeh stepped in that it was recently revealed that the incident took place in February 2001.
They clearly engaged in all of these tactics to avoid detection but, in the end, Louis Freeh was smarter than they were.
Recently, the attorney for the Paterno family said that Joe Paterno never used e-mail. But, he did.A recent report indicates that, while dealing with a 2007 controversey involving player misconduct, Mr. Paterno utilized the e-mail account of his assistant, Sandi Segursky.
This new additional information that shows just how crafty PSU officials were - and how little they can be trusted. More sophisticated than you would imagine, in fact.
For example, the 2001 e-mail exchanges between PSU President Gram Spanier, Athletic Director Tim Curly and Vice President Schultz, wherein they discuss what to do about Monster Sandusky after he was seen molesting a boty in the shower by then grad assistant Mike McQueary are notable because: 1) they never used Sandusky's name (calling him "the subject" or "the person"; 2) they never used the name of Sandusky's charity, the Second Mile; and, 3) they never used the word children (calling them "guests").
They also reported intially that the shower incident took place in March 2002. It wasn't until Louis Freeh stepped in that it was recently revealed that the incident took place in February 2001.
They clearly engaged in all of these tactics to avoid detection but, in the end, Louis Freeh was smarter than they were.
Joe Paterno's New Ranking - All-Time Wins
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Having had 111 wins wiped out by the NCAA (all wins from 1998 through 2011 vacated by NCAA on July 23, 2012), the new rankings for the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA Division I college football history look like this:
Having had 111 wins wiped out by the NCAA (all wins from 1998 through 2011 vacated by NCAA on July 23, 2012), the new rankings for the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA Division I college football history look like this: |
| The New Leader - Bobby Bowden 377 |
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| JoePa Never Could Beat Bear Bryant - 323 |
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| Pop Warner (not Curt) - 319 |
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| Amos Alonzo Stagg - 314 |
|
| On the Day He Set the New Record with Win 409 - Now at 298 |
10 Ekim 2012 Çarşamba
The Economy & Election: Obama Sinks In Low-Unemployment States But Rises In High Unemployment States
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Ever since James Carville made famous in 1992 the political rallying cry, "It's the economy, stupid," everyone knows that the economy determines election outcomes and people vote their pocketbooks.
President Obama, however, will lose 5 to 8 of the 10 states (North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah, Minnesota, Vermont, New Hampshire, Iowa, and Virginia) with the lowest unemployment rates, all of which have rates below 6%. Of those 10, the President is guaranteed to win only Minnesota and Vermont, with New Hampshire, Iowa, and Virginia among the 8 remaining battleground states.
Moreover, he will surely lose the three states with the lowest rates--North Dakota (3%), Nebraska (4%), and South Dakota (4.5%)--as well as Oklahoma, and Utah. So much for being rewarded for good economic times.
Yet, the President is favored to win the 3 states (Nevada, Rhode Island, and California) with the highest rates, all of which have rates above 10%. So much for being punished for bad economic times.
Carville's message to the Clinton campaign reflected his understanding that many things--demography, culture, and quality of candidates and campaigns--shape election outcomes as much as or more than the economy. Indeed, he insisted that a laser focus must be put on the economy, if more voters are to be persuaded to actually vote their pocketbooks.
President Obama, however, will lose 5 to 8 of the 10 states (North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah, Minnesota, Vermont, New Hampshire, Iowa, and Virginia) with the lowest unemployment rates, all of which have rates below 6%. Of those 10, the President is guaranteed to win only Minnesota and Vermont, with New Hampshire, Iowa, and Virginia among the 8 remaining battleground states.
Moreover, he will surely lose the three states with the lowest rates--North Dakota (3%), Nebraska (4%), and South Dakota (4.5%)--as well as Oklahoma, and Utah. So much for being rewarded for good economic times.
Yet, the President is favored to win the 3 states (Nevada, Rhode Island, and California) with the highest rates, all of which have rates above 10%. So much for being punished for bad economic times.
Carville's message to the Clinton campaign reflected his understanding that many things--demography, culture, and quality of candidates and campaigns--shape election outcomes as much as or more than the economy. Indeed, he insisted that a laser focus must be put on the economy, if more voters are to be persuaded to actually vote their pocketbooks.
Massive Oregon Wind Farm Becomes America's Biggest: 825 Megawatts & 2 Billion Kilowatt-hours
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America loves big, and now it has a new biggest wind farm--a 845 megawatt colossus, called Shepherds Flat in Oregon. www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/caithness-shepherds-flat-commences-official-operations-becomes-one-of-the-worlds-largest-wind-farms-170832256.html. The Shepherds Flat will generate 2 billion kilowatt-hours of power each year and beats the former number 1 wind farm in North America, the 781.5 megawatt Roscoe Wind farm in Texas. www.cbsnews.com/2100-503023_162-5358287.html.
Four hundred workers built Shepherds Flat, and it will provide $37 million per year in payments to state and local governments. Forty-five permanent positions were created to operate and maintain the wind farm. The zero-fuel cost facility is among the lowest production or operating cost (much less than 1 cent per kilowatt-hour) sources of electricity in the USA.
Zero fuel cost also means zero water consumption, zero water discharges, and zero-air pollution. The wind farm will avoid 1.483 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year as well as considerable amounts of other air pollutants.
Four hundred workers built Shepherds Flat, and it will provide $37 million per year in payments to state and local governments. Forty-five permanent positions were created to operate and maintain the wind farm. The zero-fuel cost facility is among the lowest production or operating cost (much less than 1 cent per kilowatt-hour) sources of electricity in the USA.
Zero fuel cost also means zero water consumption, zero water discharges, and zero-air pollution. The wind farm will avoid 1.483 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year as well as considerable amounts of other air pollutants.
Charles Koch's Wind Cost Data In WSJ Debunked By CEO Of Bloomberg New Energy Finance
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Reason and facts often fall prey to passion. And Charles Koch passionately opposes wind power as well as President Obama, views that he recently advanced in a single op-ed on the perpetually wind-bashing, editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal.
In the September 10th Wall Street Journal, apparently realizing that electric rates are flat or down in most parts of the country, Koch wrote: "...the government is pushing up energy prices for all of us--five times as much as in the case of wind generated electricity."
No doubt that Koch and the WSJ editorial page believes that wind costs "five times as much." It, however, just is not so!
Michael Liebreich, Chief Executive of Bloomberg's New Energy Finance, dismantles Koch. Speaking of the "five times as much charge," Liebreich writes: "It is an extraordinary claim, with no evidence to support it. Bloomberg New Energy Finance's regular levelized cost calculations--based on real data from folk who build clean energy projects--show that wind energy is in many cases competitive with new-build coal capacity. Wind is also nearly competitive with new-build gas capacity if you use a gas price rising quickly to $4 and then on $6 per million British thermal units, as the future curve suggests you should, rather than the current spot price of $3." www.bnef.com/WhitePapers/view/130.
Koch and the WSJ have an ideological world view that they passionately advance and defend. In it, wind will always cost five times as much, no matter what it does in the real world. .
In the September 10th Wall Street Journal, apparently realizing that electric rates are flat or down in most parts of the country, Koch wrote: "...the government is pushing up energy prices for all of us--five times as much as in the case of wind generated electricity."
No doubt that Koch and the WSJ editorial page believes that wind costs "five times as much." It, however, just is not so!
Michael Liebreich, Chief Executive of Bloomberg's New Energy Finance, dismantles Koch. Speaking of the "five times as much charge," Liebreich writes: "It is an extraordinary claim, with no evidence to support it. Bloomberg New Energy Finance's regular levelized cost calculations--based on real data from folk who build clean energy projects--show that wind energy is in many cases competitive with new-build coal capacity. Wind is also nearly competitive with new-build gas capacity if you use a gas price rising quickly to $4 and then on $6 per million British thermal units, as the future curve suggests you should, rather than the current spot price of $3." www.bnef.com/WhitePapers/view/130.
Koch and the WSJ have an ideological world view that they passionately advance and defend. In it, wind will always cost five times as much, no matter what it does in the real world. .
The 2 Big Electric Generation Winners: Gas Up 47% & Non-hydro Renewable Energy Up 76% Since 2008
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Since 2008, both natural gas and non-hydro renewable energy have experienced boom times, generating ever larger shares of our nation's electricity. But which fuel--natural gas or non-hydro renewable energy--has increased more its electricity generation market share?
From 2008 to first 7 months of 2012, non-hydro renewable energy has seen its market share of electricity generation increase from 3.1% to 5.4% of all electricity generated. Its market share has jumped 76%.
www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_1_01. With hydro added, renewable energy now consistently provides 13% to 14% of America's electricity, an impressive, growing number.
During the same period of 2008-2012, natural gas has seen its generation market share jump from 21.4% to 31.1% or about 47%. The gains of gas have come at the expense of coal that has seen about a 25% decline in its market share. Unlike the 2 big winners gas and non-hydro renewable energy, coal, nuclear, hydro, and oil have either lost or maintained market share.
This data obviously offers no support for the assertion that gas would displace non-hydro renewable energy. Instead, both have enjoyed boom times.
From 2008 to first 7 months of 2012, non-hydro renewable energy has seen its market share of electricity generation increase from 3.1% to 5.4% of all electricity generated. Its market share has jumped 76%.
www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_1_01. With hydro added, renewable energy now consistently provides 13% to 14% of America's electricity, an impressive, growing number.
During the same period of 2008-2012, natural gas has seen its generation market share jump from 21.4% to 31.1% or about 47%. The gains of gas have come at the expense of coal that has seen about a 25% decline in its market share. Unlike the 2 big winners gas and non-hydro renewable energy, coal, nuclear, hydro, and oil have either lost or maintained market share.
This data obviously offers no support for the assertion that gas would displace non-hydro renewable energy. Instead, both have enjoyed boom times.
Stunning Fact: Gas Prices Will Determine Whether 21,000 Megawatts Or 141,000 Megawatts Of Coal Retires, According To Blockbuster New Study
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The extent and intensity of gas versus coal competition is simply astonishing, as the respected Brattle Group documents in a new study. http://www.brattle.com/_documents/UploadLibrary/Upload1081.pdf.
Brattle predicts that 59,000 to 77,000 megawatts of coal plants will retire by 2016, if gas prices are around $4.30 in 2015 or roughly 20% of the nation's coal fleet and 7% of total, current US generation of all types. The latest estimate is about twice its previous number.
Brattle states: "Our new analysis shows about 25 GW [25,000 megawatts] higher retirements than the levels we projected in December 2010 due mainly to lower expected gas prices--despite the somewhat more lenient environmental regulations that we currently envision." See page 2 of the Executive Summary. So Brattle boosts its estimate of expected coal retirements, because much lower gas prices and lower power demand are powerful, negative factors that overwhelm regulatory concessions and flexibility for coal plants included in finalized rules.
Indeed, the number of actual coal retirements is highly sensitive to the price of natural gas. As of July 2012, retirements of 30,000 megawatts of coal plants had been announced, but Brattle finds that coal retirements would fall to as low as 21,000 megawatts, if gas prices are $1 per thousand cubic feet higher than its $4.30 modeled price.
Conversely, coal retirements skyrocket to as much as 141,000 megawatts or about 43% of the nation's entire coal fleet, if gas is $1 below the $4.30 mark.
Yesterday's spot natural gas price averaged $3.17. If prices stayed close to that level, the Brattle Group study concludes that an enormous 115,00 to 141,000 megawatts of coal generation would retire due to competition from gas.
The price of gas is the pivotal variable. Put simply, the price of gas is king!
Brattle predicts that 59,000 to 77,000 megawatts of coal plants will retire by 2016, if gas prices are around $4.30 in 2015 or roughly 20% of the nation's coal fleet and 7% of total, current US generation of all types. The latest estimate is about twice its previous number.
Brattle states: "Our new analysis shows about 25 GW [25,000 megawatts] higher retirements than the levels we projected in December 2010 due mainly to lower expected gas prices--despite the somewhat more lenient environmental regulations that we currently envision." See page 2 of the Executive Summary. So Brattle boosts its estimate of expected coal retirements, because much lower gas prices and lower power demand are powerful, negative factors that overwhelm regulatory concessions and flexibility for coal plants included in finalized rules.
Indeed, the number of actual coal retirements is highly sensitive to the price of natural gas. As of July 2012, retirements of 30,000 megawatts of coal plants had been announced, but Brattle finds that coal retirements would fall to as low as 21,000 megawatts, if gas prices are $1 per thousand cubic feet higher than its $4.30 modeled price.
Conversely, coal retirements skyrocket to as much as 141,000 megawatts or about 43% of the nation's entire coal fleet, if gas is $1 below the $4.30 mark.
Yesterday's spot natural gas price averaged $3.17. If prices stayed close to that level, the Brattle Group study concludes that an enormous 115,00 to 141,000 megawatts of coal generation would retire due to competition from gas.
The price of gas is the pivotal variable. Put simply, the price of gas is king!
9 Ekim 2012 Salı
Stunning Facts: 85% View Solar Favorably & 78% Support Incentives
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Solar has favorable ratings of 85%, more than enough to make any politician in America green with envy.
http://www.seia.org/news/poll-reveals-strong-support-solar-energy-across-political-spectrum-eve-first-presidential. Sixty percent say that they have a very favorable view of solar.
Of all our energy sources, solar commands the highest levels of support, with wind coming in second. Seventy-eight percent support incentives for solar.
Yet, despite overwhelming public support, solar is not immune from lawsuits to block it or local regulations that prevent its installation on rooftops.
http://www.seia.org/news/poll-reveals-strong-support-solar-energy-across-political-spectrum-eve-first-presidential. Sixty percent say that they have a very favorable view of solar.
Of all our energy sources, solar commands the highest levels of support, with wind coming in second. Seventy-eight percent support incentives for solar.
Yet, despite overwhelming public support, solar is not immune from lawsuits to block it or local regulations that prevent its installation on rooftops.
Has Anything Improved Public Health More In NY And America Than More Natural Gas Since 2008? Probably Not!
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For years air pollutants that cause illness have been reaching New Yorkers from out-of-state as well as in-state pollution sources. The same is true in Pennsylvania and virtually every part of America. Public-health-damaging pollutants include soot, mercury, lead, arsenic, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides.
Soot alone is known to cause massive amounts of illness and premature deaths. Indeed, the public health literature has documented that lessening soot in the air extends significantly the life expectancy of whole populations. For example, in the Pittsburgh region, reductions in soot have added at least 10 months on average to the life of everyone living there.
Given what we know about air pollution does to public health, there is no doubt that it poses a major public health threat. To address this threat, key questions become: what are the major sources of air pollutants that damage health? What can be done to reduce the total air pollutants in our air? And what are the current trends? Part of the answer to these questions comes from the fact that natural gas emits no soot, mercury, lead, arsenic and much, much less of other air pollutants that damage health than oil or coal.
In addition to transportation, two major sources of air pollution in New York are out-of-state and in-state coal plants, with no or limited pollution controls, and burning heavy sulfur oil to heat buildings. Indeed, though New York City plans to transition from high sulfur heating oil to gas, the City still consumes large amounts of high sulfur heating oil to get through each winter, at the price of emitting substantial air pollution.
By contrast, gas-heated buildings or gas-fired power plants emit none or very little of the pollutants that cause human illness. Consequently, the substantial increase in gas to displace coal and oil inside and outside of New York has slashed air pollutants that cause illnesses and even premature deaths.
And let's remember these astonishing facts that the shale gas revolution has produced by sharply lowering the price of natural gas. In 2008, coal power plants provided 48% of our electricity but 36% so far in 2012. New York has increased its usage of gas to make electricity in 2012 by 21%, while reducing substantially the amount of coal generation in the Empire state. So far in 2012, coal accounts for just 4% of New York's electricity generation. And building owners are rapidly switching from oil to gas for heat.
Not surprisingly, given those trends, NRDC documents that toxic air pollution declined in the nation by 19% during 2010 and specifically identifies the use of more natural gas as a major reason. Gas up; pollution down.
www.johnhanger.blogspot.com/2012/08/stunning-fact-nations-toxic-air.html.
Further major declines in toxic air pollutants have certainly taken place in 2011 and 2012, as more gas, renewable energy, and energy efficiency displaces coal and oil combustion.
All these facts lead to a question, has anything improved public health more in New York since 2008 than natural gas? Yes, scrubbers on coal plants help and so do more renewable energy and energy efficiency. Gas alone is not the full answer.
But gas substituting for coal and oil may be the single biggest source of air pollution reduction since 2008 and certainly is among the top three. And so, serious study of the public health impacts of shale gas production should include the large health benefits of less pollution delivered by more gas usage, before reaching conclusions about the public health impact of natural gas.
For the fact is that low-priced natural gas, made possible by the shale revolution, has slashed the amount of air pollution that every New Yorker and every American breathes!
Soot alone is known to cause massive amounts of illness and premature deaths. Indeed, the public health literature has documented that lessening soot in the air extends significantly the life expectancy of whole populations. For example, in the Pittsburgh region, reductions in soot have added at least 10 months on average to the life of everyone living there.
Given what we know about air pollution does to public health, there is no doubt that it poses a major public health threat. To address this threat, key questions become: what are the major sources of air pollutants that damage health? What can be done to reduce the total air pollutants in our air? And what are the current trends? Part of the answer to these questions comes from the fact that natural gas emits no soot, mercury, lead, arsenic and much, much less of other air pollutants that damage health than oil or coal.
In addition to transportation, two major sources of air pollution in New York are out-of-state and in-state coal plants, with no or limited pollution controls, and burning heavy sulfur oil to heat buildings. Indeed, though New York City plans to transition from high sulfur heating oil to gas, the City still consumes large amounts of high sulfur heating oil to get through each winter, at the price of emitting substantial air pollution.
By contrast, gas-heated buildings or gas-fired power plants emit none or very little of the pollutants that cause human illness. Consequently, the substantial increase in gas to displace coal and oil inside and outside of New York has slashed air pollutants that cause illnesses and even premature deaths.
And let's remember these astonishing facts that the shale gas revolution has produced by sharply lowering the price of natural gas. In 2008, coal power plants provided 48% of our electricity but 36% so far in 2012. New York has increased its usage of gas to make electricity in 2012 by 21%, while reducing substantially the amount of coal generation in the Empire state. So far in 2012, coal accounts for just 4% of New York's electricity generation. And building owners are rapidly switching from oil to gas for heat.
Not surprisingly, given those trends, NRDC documents that toxic air pollution declined in the nation by 19% during 2010 and specifically identifies the use of more natural gas as a major reason. Gas up; pollution down.
www.johnhanger.blogspot.com/2012/08/stunning-fact-nations-toxic-air.html.
Further major declines in toxic air pollutants have certainly taken place in 2011 and 2012, as more gas, renewable energy, and energy efficiency displaces coal and oil combustion.
All these facts lead to a question, has anything improved public health more in New York since 2008 than natural gas? Yes, scrubbers on coal plants help and so do more renewable energy and energy efficiency. Gas alone is not the full answer.
But gas substituting for coal and oil may be the single biggest source of air pollution reduction since 2008 and certainly is among the top three. And so, serious study of the public health impacts of shale gas production should include the large health benefits of less pollution delivered by more gas usage, before reaching conclusions about the public health impact of natural gas.
For the fact is that low-priced natural gas, made possible by the shale revolution, has slashed the amount of air pollution that every New Yorker and every American breathes!
Franklin & Marshall Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Press Release re: Hazing Incident
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Lauren Paul Fired; Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza Placed on Indefinite Leave in F & M Lacrosse Scandal
John A. Gallagher, Esquire has been retained to represent these coaches. Here is a Press Release on behalf of the coaches:
Neither F &M woman’s lacrosse Head Coach Lauren Paul, nor her Assistant Coaches, Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza, had knowledge of or involvement in the March 11, 2011 incident giving rise to their present circumstances, and do not condone hazing in any form. If they had known that hazing occurred in March 2011, if it occurred, they would have taken corrective action.
The facts of this matter are important for the public to understand.
In early February 2012, Coach Paul made cuts from her team in the ordinary course. Soon after, the parents of one of the cut players registered a complaint about a student-led event in March 2011, eleven months prior. This incident, about which no details have been released to Ms. Paul or her assistants, has since been categorized as “hazing.” It is unknown whether the parents in question made any sort of threats to the college.
After hearing of the March 2011 event in mid-February 2012, the administration took virtually no steps to investigate same until April 6th, 2012. It is unknown what action the complaining parents, or their lawyer, took during this period of inactivity.
F&M thereafter began an “investigation” wherein the student-athletes were instructed not to speak with their parents, and told they did not need to seek representation of any kind. This investigation was procedurally flawed in many significant respects.
Although F & M fired Ms. Paul, placed her assistants on leave of absence (a particularly curious decision where Ms. Sanza is concerned, since she wasn’t even coaching F & M in March 2011) and suspended 11 student athletes from the team on April 17, the investigation was on that date still ongoing.
It appears that F & M elected to release news of these sanctions to the public on April 18, 2012. It is unknown if this release was made solely at the election of F & M, or to satisfy the demands of third-parties. The initial press releases were accompanied by statements from F & M that sought to blame Ms. Paul, and her assistants, for the March 2011 events.
The college acknowledged in writing that, as of Friday, April 20, 2012, the investigation was still ongoing. Why F & M chose to fire Ms. Paul, and to zealously publish the news of such firing, while its investigation was still ongoing, is a matter that only F & M and its lawyers can answer.
Earlier this week, and having completed its investigation, F & M decided to invite the 11 suspended players back on to the team. None of the suspended players were suspended or expelled from the college. Interestingly, the suspended players have rejected the college’s invitation to rejoin the team.
Ms. Paul understands that F & M takes its Student Code of Conduct very seriously, and that it enforces same vigorously when students have engaged in violations that threaten the mental or physical safety of its students. The decision to reinstate the suspended players, coupled with the absence of any meaningful student discipline being pursued or carried out, particularly when viewed through the prism of F & M’s stated principles where student well-being is concerned, clearly suggest that whatever occurred in March 2011 did not constitute “hazing.”
Ms. Paul's goal moving forward is to have a fulfilling and rewarding career. Ms. Powderly and Ms. Sanza share that ideal. While the coaches believe the actions taken against them were rash and wholly unwarranted, they understand that F & M, having published the reports concerning same, is unlikely to change its mind at this time. Consequently, they are presently considering their vocational and legal options.
Join the Petition Seeking Reinstatement of Coach Lauren Paul
There is a strong grass roots campaign advocating the rescission of the termination of Ms. Paul, and her reinstatement as F & M Head Coach. Please Click Here to sign a Petition supporting this important cause in the name of what is just and right.
Footnote: The remaining members of the F & M lacrosse team elected on Friday April 27 not to play in the Centennial Conference tournament, thereby foregoing a near surefire NCAAA tournament bid for the 10th ranked Diplomats. These student athletes are a credit to themselves, their parents and families, and to Coach Paul and her staff.
Lauren Paul Fired; Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza Placed on Indefinite Leave in F & M Lacrosse ScandalJohn A. Gallagher, Esquire has been retained to represent these coaches. Here is a Press Release on behalf of the coaches:Neither F &M woman’s lacrosse Head Coach Lauren Paul, nor her Assistant Coaches, Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza, had knowledge of or involvement in the March 11, 2011 incident giving rise to their present circumstances, and do not condone hazing in any form. If they had known that hazing occurred in March 2011, if it occurred, they would have taken corrective action.
The facts of this matter are important for the public to understand.
In early February 2012, Coach Paul made cuts from her team in the ordinary course. Soon after, the parents of one of the cut players registered a complaint about a student-led event in March 2011, eleven months prior. This incident, about which no details have been released to Ms. Paul or her assistants, has since been categorized as “hazing.” It is unknown whether the parents in question made any sort of threats to the college.
After hearing of the March 2011 event in mid-February 2012, the administration took virtually no steps to investigate same until April 6th, 2012. It is unknown what action the complaining parents, or their lawyer, took during this period of inactivity.
F&M thereafter began an “investigation” wherein the student-athletes were instructed not to speak with their parents, and told they did not need to seek representation of any kind. This investigation was procedurally flawed in many significant respects.
Although F & M fired Ms. Paul, placed her assistants on leave of absence (a particularly curious decision where Ms. Sanza is concerned, since she wasn’t even coaching F & M in March 2011) and suspended 11 student athletes from the team on April 17, the investigation was on that date still ongoing.
It appears that F & M elected to release news of these sanctions to the public on April 18, 2012. It is unknown if this release was made solely at the election of F & M, or to satisfy the demands of third-parties. The initial press releases were accompanied by statements from F & M that sought to blame Ms. Paul, and her assistants, for the March 2011 events.
The college acknowledged in writing that, as of Friday, April 20, 2012, the investigation was still ongoing. Why F & M chose to fire Ms. Paul, and to zealously publish the news of such firing, while its investigation was still ongoing, is a matter that only F & M and its lawyers can answer.
Earlier this week, and having completed its investigation, F & M decided to invite the 11 suspended players back on to the team. None of the suspended players were suspended or expelled from the college. Interestingly, the suspended players have rejected the college’s invitation to rejoin the team.
Ms. Paul understands that F & M takes its Student Code of Conduct very seriously, and that it enforces same vigorously when students have engaged in violations that threaten the mental or physical safety of its students. The decision to reinstate the suspended players, coupled with the absence of any meaningful student discipline being pursued or carried out, particularly when viewed through the prism of F & M’s stated principles where student well-being is concerned, clearly suggest that whatever occurred in March 2011 did not constitute “hazing.”
Ms. Paul's goal moving forward is to have a fulfilling and rewarding career. Ms. Powderly and Ms. Sanza share that ideal. While the coaches believe the actions taken against them were rash and wholly unwarranted, they understand that F & M, having published the reports concerning same, is unlikely to change its mind at this time. Consequently, they are presently considering their vocational and legal options.
Joe Paterno Used E-Mail - Sandi Segursky's E-Mail
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Recently, the attorney for the Paterno family said that Joe Paterno never used e-mail. But, he did.
A recent report indicates that, while dealing with a 2007 controversey involving player misconduct, Mr. Paterno utilized the e-mail account of his assistant, Sandi Segursky.
This new additional information that shows just how crafty PSU officials were - and how little they can be trusted. More sophisticated than you would imagine, in fact.
For example, the 2001 e-mail exchanges between PSU President Gram Spanier, Athletic Director Tim Curly and Vice President Schultz, wherein they discuss what to do about Monster Sandusky after he was seen molesting a boty in the shower by then grad assistant Mike McQueary are notable because: 1) they never used Sandusky's name (calling him "the subject" or "the person"; 2) they never used the name of Sandusky's charity, the Second Mile; and, 3) they never used the word children (calling them "guests").
They also reported intially that the shower incident took place in March 2002. It wasn't until Louis Freeh stepped in that it was recently revealed that the incident took place in February 2001.
They clearly engaged in all of these tactics to avoid detection but, in the end, Louis Freeh was smarter than they were.
Recently, the attorney for the Paterno family said that Joe Paterno never used e-mail. But, he did.A recent report indicates that, while dealing with a 2007 controversey involving player misconduct, Mr. Paterno utilized the e-mail account of his assistant, Sandi Segursky.
This new additional information that shows just how crafty PSU officials were - and how little they can be trusted. More sophisticated than you would imagine, in fact.
For example, the 2001 e-mail exchanges between PSU President Gram Spanier, Athletic Director Tim Curly and Vice President Schultz, wherein they discuss what to do about Monster Sandusky after he was seen molesting a boty in the shower by then grad assistant Mike McQueary are notable because: 1) they never used Sandusky's name (calling him "the subject" or "the person"; 2) they never used the name of Sandusky's charity, the Second Mile; and, 3) they never used the word children (calling them "guests").
They also reported intially that the shower incident took place in March 2002. It wasn't until Louis Freeh stepped in that it was recently revealed that the incident took place in February 2001.
They clearly engaged in all of these tactics to avoid detection but, in the end, Louis Freeh was smarter than they were.
Joe Paterno's New Ranking - All-Time Wins
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Having had 111 wins wiped out by the NCAA (all wins from 1998 through 2011 vacated by NCAA on July 23, 2012), the new rankings for the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA Division I college football history look like this:
Having had 111 wins wiped out by the NCAA (all wins from 1998 through 2011 vacated by NCAA on July 23, 2012), the new rankings for the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA Division I college football history look like this: |
| The New Leader - Bobby Bowden 377 |
|
| JoePa Never Could Beat Bear Bryant - 323 |
|
| Pop Warner (not Curt) - 319 |
|
| Amos Alonzo Stagg - 314 |
|
| On the Day He Set the New Record with Win 409 - Now at 298 |
8 Ekim 2012 Pazartesi
Americans Support More Regulation Of Fracking 56% To 29%
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Headlines of a Bloomberg poll of public opinion about regulating fracking trumpeted that support for more regulation is declining. Indeed, it is, according to the latest numbers. But the decline is not the real story.
www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-fracking-poll-20120928,0,7371121.story.
Though support for more regulation of fracking is down from stratospheric levels of 68% to 19% in March to a strong 56% to 29% today, the real message of the poll is that the American people do not believe that current regulation is adequate. And by a huge margin!
Also, the national numbers conceal regional differences. For example, support for more regulation in the Northeast is an overwhelming 69%.
Effective regulation requires strong rules, reasonable enforcement, and a genuine culture of safety embraced by all companies that compose the big, diverse gas industry. The American public is right that their is more work to do in making regulation of the gas industry better and smarter.
www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-fracking-poll-20120928,0,7371121.story.
Though support for more regulation of fracking is down from stratospheric levels of 68% to 19% in March to a strong 56% to 29% today, the real message of the poll is that the American people do not believe that current regulation is adequate. And by a huge margin!
Also, the national numbers conceal regional differences. For example, support for more regulation in the Northeast is an overwhelming 69%.
Effective regulation requires strong rules, reasonable enforcement, and a genuine culture of safety embraced by all companies that compose the big, diverse gas industry. The American public is right that their is more work to do in making regulation of the gas industry better and smarter.
Massive Oregon Wind Farm Becomes America's Biggest: 825 Megawatts & 2 Billion Kilowatt-hours
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America loves big, and now it has a new biggest wind farm--a 845 megawatt colossus, called Shepherds Flat in Oregon. www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/caithness-shepherds-flat-commences-official-operations-becomes-one-of-the-worlds-largest-wind-farms-170832256.html. The Shepherds Flat will generate 2 billion kilowatt-hours of power each year and beats the former number 1 wind farm in North America, the 781.5 megawatt Roscoe Wind farm in Texas. www.cbsnews.com/2100-503023_162-5358287.html.
Four hundred workers built Shepherds Flat, and it will provide $37 million per year in payments to state and local governments. Forty-five permanent positions were created to operate and maintain the wind farm. The zero-fuel cost facility is among the lowest production or operating cost (much less than 1 cent per kilowatt-hour) sources of electricity in the USA.
Zero fuel cost also means zero water consumption, zero water discharges, and zero-air pollution. The wind farm will avoid 1.483 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year as well as considerable amounts of other air pollutants.
Four hundred workers built Shepherds Flat, and it will provide $37 million per year in payments to state and local governments. Forty-five permanent positions were created to operate and maintain the wind farm. The zero-fuel cost facility is among the lowest production or operating cost (much less than 1 cent per kilowatt-hour) sources of electricity in the USA.
Zero fuel cost also means zero water consumption, zero water discharges, and zero-air pollution. The wind farm will avoid 1.483 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year as well as considerable amounts of other air pollutants.
Charles Koch's Wind Cost Data In WSJ Debunked By CEO Of Bloomberg New Energy Finance
To contact us Click HERE
Reason and facts often fall prey to passion. And Charles Koch passionately opposes wind power as well as President Obama, views that he recently advanced in a single op-ed on the perpetually wind-bashing, editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal.
In the September 10th Wall Street Journal, apparently realizing that electric rates are flat or down in most parts of the country, Koch wrote: "...the government is pushing up energy prices for all of us--five times as much as in the case of wind generated electricity."
No doubt that Koch and the WSJ editorial page believes that wind costs "five times as much." It, however, just is not so!
Michael Liebreich, Chief Executive of Bloomberg's New Energy Finance, dismantles Koch. Speaking of the "five times as much charge," Liebreich writes: "It is an extraordinary claim, with no evidence to support it. Bloomberg New Energy Finance's regular levelized cost calculations--based on real data from folk who build clean energy projects--show that wind energy is in many cases competitive with new-build coal capacity. Wind is also nearly competitive with new-build gas capacity if you use a gas price rising quickly to $4 and then on $6 per million British thermal units, as the future curve suggests you should, rather than the current spot price of $3." www.bnef.com/WhitePapers/view/130.
Koch and the WSJ have an ideological world view that they passionately advance and defend. In it, wind will always cost five times as much, no matter what it does in the real world. .
In the September 10th Wall Street Journal, apparently realizing that electric rates are flat or down in most parts of the country, Koch wrote: "...the government is pushing up energy prices for all of us--five times as much as in the case of wind generated electricity."
No doubt that Koch and the WSJ editorial page believes that wind costs "five times as much." It, however, just is not so!
Michael Liebreich, Chief Executive of Bloomberg's New Energy Finance, dismantles Koch. Speaking of the "five times as much charge," Liebreich writes: "It is an extraordinary claim, with no evidence to support it. Bloomberg New Energy Finance's regular levelized cost calculations--based on real data from folk who build clean energy projects--show that wind energy is in many cases competitive with new-build coal capacity. Wind is also nearly competitive with new-build gas capacity if you use a gas price rising quickly to $4 and then on $6 per million British thermal units, as the future curve suggests you should, rather than the current spot price of $3." www.bnef.com/WhitePapers/view/130.
Koch and the WSJ have an ideological world view that they passionately advance and defend. In it, wind will always cost five times as much, no matter what it does in the real world. .
Senator Inhofe Shows Commendable Humor After Being Attacked By Algae
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Readers of this blog know that few supportive words for Senator Inhofe are found here, since he declares climate science a hoax and votes against the Natural Gas Act (Pickens Plan).
But give the Senator credit for humor. Though fortunately fully recovered, he recently became quite sick, after swimming in a lake in Oklahoma that had an unprecedented algae bloom. The Senator attributed his illness to his swim with algae and said: "Inhofe attacked by the environment. The environment strikes back."
www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=505&articleid=20110702_16_A4_CUTLIN2938.
Temperatures have been setting all time record highs in Oklahoma in 2011 and 2012. High temperatures lower dissolved oxygen levels as well as promote algae growth. Perhaps Inhofe's commendable humor about his algae encounter is a precursor of new wisdom. At least, I can hope.
The Senator also recounts that his grand-daughter refused his encouragement to swim with him, as she said she didn't want to jump into the "green stuff." The Senator has a smart grand-daughter, and I encourage her to exercise the same caution about following his environmental, climate, and energy views, as she wisely did about his pleas for her to join him swimming.
But give the Senator credit for humor. Though fortunately fully recovered, he recently became quite sick, after swimming in a lake in Oklahoma that had an unprecedented algae bloom. The Senator attributed his illness to his swim with algae and said: "Inhofe attacked by the environment. The environment strikes back."
www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=505&articleid=20110702_16_A4_CUTLIN2938.
Temperatures have been setting all time record highs in Oklahoma in 2011 and 2012. High temperatures lower dissolved oxygen levels as well as promote algae growth. Perhaps Inhofe's commendable humor about his algae encounter is a precursor of new wisdom. At least, I can hope.
The Senator also recounts that his grand-daughter refused his encouragement to swim with him, as she said she didn't want to jump into the "green stuff." The Senator has a smart grand-daughter, and I encourage her to exercise the same caution about following his environmental, climate, and energy views, as she wisely did about his pleas for her to join him swimming.
NY Cuts Coal To Less Than 4% Of State Generation By Using Much More Gas: NY Moratorium Does Not Apply To Gas Consumption
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The Empire state's appetite for gas grows, even as it extends its moratorium. In fact, after another big increase in gas-fired generation in 2012, New York generates substantially more of its electricity from gas than any other source and is using gas to nearly eliminate coal generation.
In the first 7 months of 2012, New York's gas-fired generation increased 21%, compared to the same period in 2011, and provided 34.6 billion kilowatt-hours of generation or 6 billion more kilowatt-hours more than in 2011. www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/. Only Texas, California, and Florida generate more electricity from gas.
In addition to burning gas to make electricity, New York relies also on nuclear power and hydro, but both of those sources saw small declines in 2012. Nuclear power plants in New York provided the second highest amount of power in 2012 at 23.4 billion kilowatt-hours or down 2.3% compared to 2011. Hydro ranked third at 15.6 billion, down 1%.
What about wind and coal? Wind provided 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours, up 9% from 2011 and about 2% of New York's generation. In actual kilowatt-hours generated the wind increase and the hydro decrease were offsetting.
Interestingly and ironically, New York is displaying the same pattern of gas displacing coal as is seen around the country. Coal generation within New York declined from 7 billion kilowatt-hours, during the first 7 months of 2011, to 2.7 billion kilowatt-hours, from January to July of 2012.
In fact, gas generation increased 6 billion kilowatt-hours, while coal generation fell 4.25 billion kilowatt-hours. And it is gas that is displacing coal generation, and not renewable energy, that is displacing coal within New York in 2012. New York's combined renewable energy generation from hydro and non-hydro sources was almost exactly the same in 2012, as it was in 2011, since wind's modest increase was offset by a slight decline in hydro production.
As a result of the 21% increase in gas-fired generation in 2012, coal generation now accounts for less than 4% of the power generated within New York.
Even though its appetite for gas grows, New York recently announced that shale gas production would be delayed, until further study of health impacts of gas production could be completed. Inasmuch as the growth of gas has reduced coal generation to less than 4%, New York's study should include the health benefits of decreased air pollution coming from New York power plants and buildings, as a result of more gas being utilized, to displace coal and oil. Indeed, so far, New York's public health has been improved by its use of natural gas.
In the first 7 months of 2012, New York's gas-fired generation increased 21%, compared to the same period in 2011, and provided 34.6 billion kilowatt-hours of generation or 6 billion more kilowatt-hours more than in 2011. www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/. Only Texas, California, and Florida generate more electricity from gas.
In addition to burning gas to make electricity, New York relies also on nuclear power and hydro, but both of those sources saw small declines in 2012. Nuclear power plants in New York provided the second highest amount of power in 2012 at 23.4 billion kilowatt-hours or down 2.3% compared to 2011. Hydro ranked third at 15.6 billion, down 1%.
What about wind and coal? Wind provided 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours, up 9% from 2011 and about 2% of New York's generation. In actual kilowatt-hours generated the wind increase and the hydro decrease were offsetting.
Interestingly and ironically, New York is displaying the same pattern of gas displacing coal as is seen around the country. Coal generation within New York declined from 7 billion kilowatt-hours, during the first 7 months of 2011, to 2.7 billion kilowatt-hours, from January to July of 2012.
In fact, gas generation increased 6 billion kilowatt-hours, while coal generation fell 4.25 billion kilowatt-hours. And it is gas that is displacing coal generation, and not renewable energy, that is displacing coal within New York in 2012. New York's combined renewable energy generation from hydro and non-hydro sources was almost exactly the same in 2012, as it was in 2011, since wind's modest increase was offset by a slight decline in hydro production.
As a result of the 21% increase in gas-fired generation in 2012, coal generation now accounts for less than 4% of the power generated within New York.
Even though its appetite for gas grows, New York recently announced that shale gas production would be delayed, until further study of health impacts of gas production could be completed. Inasmuch as the growth of gas has reduced coal generation to less than 4%, New York's study should include the health benefits of decreased air pollution coming from New York power plants and buildings, as a result of more gas being utilized, to displace coal and oil. Indeed, so far, New York's public health has been improved by its use of natural gas.
7 Ekim 2012 Pazar
Wind Power Cuts Carbon Emissions: New Data Debunks Claims That Back-Up Power Erases Carbon Reduction
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It seems every source of energy has critics determined to kill it. Wind energy is no different from natural gas in that important respect.
Like gas, no doubt exists that wind has weaknesses as well as strengths. But the partisan critics of wind that seek its demise exaggerate or outright concoct claims to justify their opposition. For example, some opponents of wind are fond of saying that the carbon or air pollution benefits of running wind turbines are erased by the need to operate increasing amounts of typically gas-fired back up power as the percentage of wind rises.
New actual, operational data from the UK again debunks the claim that more wind means as much or more carbon. Instead a study of actual data in the UK reveals that one more megawatt-hour of wind reduces total gas generation by about an equal amount. www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2012/sep/26/myth-wind-turbines-carbon-emissions. Back-up generation systems are not erasing the carbon benefits of wind, even on a record wind production day.
In fact, the data includes a new record production day for wind in the UK, September 14th, when wind supplied 10% of the nation's power. On a typical day, wind provides 6% of the island nation's electricity, as compared to about 3% in the US.
The bottom line of the operational data in the UK is that the amount of carbon displaced rises with the amount of wind generated. Windy days mean less carbon in the UK system. And that again takes into account the emissions from back up generation!
Like gas, no doubt exists that wind has weaknesses as well as strengths. But the partisan critics of wind that seek its demise exaggerate or outright concoct claims to justify their opposition. For example, some opponents of wind are fond of saying that the carbon or air pollution benefits of running wind turbines are erased by the need to operate increasing amounts of typically gas-fired back up power as the percentage of wind rises.
New actual, operational data from the UK again debunks the claim that more wind means as much or more carbon. Instead a study of actual data in the UK reveals that one more megawatt-hour of wind reduces total gas generation by about an equal amount. www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2012/sep/26/myth-wind-turbines-carbon-emissions. Back-up generation systems are not erasing the carbon benefits of wind, even on a record wind production day.
In fact, the data includes a new record production day for wind in the UK, September 14th, when wind supplied 10% of the nation's power. On a typical day, wind provides 6% of the island nation's electricity, as compared to about 3% in the US.
The bottom line of the operational data in the UK is that the amount of carbon displaced rises with the amount of wind generated. Windy days mean less carbon in the UK system. And that again takes into account the emissions from back up generation!
Charles Koch's Wind Cost Data In WSJ Debunked By CEO Of Bloomberg New Energy Finance
To contact us Click HERE
Reason and facts often fall prey to passion. And Charles Koch passionately opposes wind power as well as President Obama, views that he recently advanced in a single op-ed on the perpetually wind-bashing, editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal.
In the September 10th Wall Street Journal, apparently realizing that electric rates are flat or down in most parts of the country, Koch wrote: "...the government is pushing up energy prices for all of us--five times as much as in the case of wind generated electricity."
No doubt that Koch and the WSJ editorial page believes that wind costs "five times as much." It, however, just is not so!
Michael Liebreich, Chief Executive of Bloomberg's New Energy Finance, dismantles Koch. Speaking of the "five times as much charge," Liebreich writes: "It is an extraordinary claim, with no evidence to support it. Bloomberg New Energy Finance's regular levelized cost calculations--based on real data from folk who build clean energy projects--show that wind energy is in many cases competitive with new-build coal capacity. Wind is also nearly competitive with new-build gas capacity if you use a gas price rising quickly to $4 and then on $6 per million British thermal units, as the future curve suggests you should, rather than the current spot price of $3." www.bnef.com/WhitePapers/view/130.
Koch and the WSJ have an ideological world view that they passionately advance and defend. In it, wind will always cost five times as much, no matter what it does in the real world. .
In the September 10th Wall Street Journal, apparently realizing that electric rates are flat or down in most parts of the country, Koch wrote: "...the government is pushing up energy prices for all of us--five times as much as in the case of wind generated electricity."
No doubt that Koch and the WSJ editorial page believes that wind costs "five times as much." It, however, just is not so!
Michael Liebreich, Chief Executive of Bloomberg's New Energy Finance, dismantles Koch. Speaking of the "five times as much charge," Liebreich writes: "It is an extraordinary claim, with no evidence to support it. Bloomberg New Energy Finance's regular levelized cost calculations--based on real data from folk who build clean energy projects--show that wind energy is in many cases competitive with new-build coal capacity. Wind is also nearly competitive with new-build gas capacity if you use a gas price rising quickly to $4 and then on $6 per million British thermal units, as the future curve suggests you should, rather than the current spot price of $3." www.bnef.com/WhitePapers/view/130.
Koch and the WSJ have an ideological world view that they passionately advance and defend. In it, wind will always cost five times as much, no matter what it does in the real world. .
Franklin & Marshall Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Press Release re: Hazing Incident
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Lauren Paul Fired; Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza Placed on Indefinite Leave in F & M Lacrosse Scandal
John A. Gallagher, Esquire has been retained to represent these coaches. Here is a Press Release on behalf of the coaches:
Neither F &M woman’s lacrosse Head Coach Lauren Paul, nor her Assistant Coaches, Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza, had knowledge of or involvement in the March 11, 2011 incident giving rise to their present circumstances, and do not condone hazing in any form. If they had known that hazing occurred in March 2011, if it occurred, they would have taken corrective action.
The facts of this matter are important for the public to understand.
In early February 2012, Coach Paul made cuts from her team in the ordinary course. Soon after, the parents of one of the cut players registered a complaint about a student-led event in March 2011, eleven months prior. This incident, about which no details have been released to Ms. Paul or her assistants, has since been categorized as “hazing.” It is unknown whether the parents in question made any sort of threats to the college.
After hearing of the March 2011 event in mid-February 2012, the administration took virtually no steps to investigate same until April 6th, 2012. It is unknown what action the complaining parents, or their lawyer, took during this period of inactivity.
F&M thereafter began an “investigation” wherein the student-athletes were instructed not to speak with their parents, and told they did not need to seek representation of any kind. This investigation was procedurally flawed in many significant respects.
Although F & M fired Ms. Paul, placed her assistants on leave of absence (a particularly curious decision where Ms. Sanza is concerned, since she wasn’t even coaching F & M in March 2011) and suspended 11 student athletes from the team on April 17, the investigation was on that date still ongoing.
It appears that F & M elected to release news of these sanctions to the public on April 18, 2012. It is unknown if this release was made solely at the election of F & M, or to satisfy the demands of third-parties. The initial press releases were accompanied by statements from F & M that sought to blame Ms. Paul, and her assistants, for the March 2011 events.
The college acknowledged in writing that, as of Friday, April 20, 2012, the investigation was still ongoing. Why F & M chose to fire Ms. Paul, and to zealously publish the news of such firing, while its investigation was still ongoing, is a matter that only F & M and its lawyers can answer.
Earlier this week, and having completed its investigation, F & M decided to invite the 11 suspended players back on to the team. None of the suspended players were suspended or expelled from the college. Interestingly, the suspended players have rejected the college’s invitation to rejoin the team.
Ms. Paul understands that F & M takes its Student Code of Conduct very seriously, and that it enforces same vigorously when students have engaged in violations that threaten the mental or physical safety of its students. The decision to reinstate the suspended players, coupled with the absence of any meaningful student discipline being pursued or carried out, particularly when viewed through the prism of F & M’s stated principles where student well-being is concerned, clearly suggest that whatever occurred in March 2011 did not constitute “hazing.”
Ms. Paul's goal moving forward is to have a fulfilling and rewarding career. Ms. Powderly and Ms. Sanza share that ideal. While the coaches believe the actions taken against them were rash and wholly unwarranted, they understand that F & M, having published the reports concerning same, is unlikely to change its mind at this time. Consequently, they are presently considering their vocational and legal options.
Join the Petition Seeking Reinstatement of Coach Lauren Paul
There is a strong grass roots campaign advocating the rescission of the termination of Ms. Paul, and her reinstatement as F & M Head Coach. Please Click Here to sign a Petition supporting this important cause in the name of what is just and right.
Footnote: The remaining members of the F & M lacrosse team elected on Friday April 27 not to play in the Centennial Conference tournament, thereby foregoing a near surefire NCAAA tournament bid for the 10th ranked Diplomats. These student athletes are a credit to themselves, their parents and families, and to Coach Paul and her staff.
Lauren Paul Fired; Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza Placed on Indefinite Leave in F & M Lacrosse ScandalJohn A. Gallagher, Esquire has been retained to represent these coaches. Here is a Press Release on behalf of the coaches:Neither F &M woman’s lacrosse Head Coach Lauren Paul, nor her Assistant Coaches, Caitlin Powderly and Lidia Sanza, had knowledge of or involvement in the March 11, 2011 incident giving rise to their present circumstances, and do not condone hazing in any form. If they had known that hazing occurred in March 2011, if it occurred, they would have taken corrective action.
The facts of this matter are important for the public to understand.
In early February 2012, Coach Paul made cuts from her team in the ordinary course. Soon after, the parents of one of the cut players registered a complaint about a student-led event in March 2011, eleven months prior. This incident, about which no details have been released to Ms. Paul or her assistants, has since been categorized as “hazing.” It is unknown whether the parents in question made any sort of threats to the college.
After hearing of the March 2011 event in mid-February 2012, the administration took virtually no steps to investigate same until April 6th, 2012. It is unknown what action the complaining parents, or their lawyer, took during this period of inactivity.
F&M thereafter began an “investigation” wherein the student-athletes were instructed not to speak with their parents, and told they did not need to seek representation of any kind. This investigation was procedurally flawed in many significant respects.
Although F & M fired Ms. Paul, placed her assistants on leave of absence (a particularly curious decision where Ms. Sanza is concerned, since she wasn’t even coaching F & M in March 2011) and suspended 11 student athletes from the team on April 17, the investigation was on that date still ongoing.
It appears that F & M elected to release news of these sanctions to the public on April 18, 2012. It is unknown if this release was made solely at the election of F & M, or to satisfy the demands of third-parties. The initial press releases were accompanied by statements from F & M that sought to blame Ms. Paul, and her assistants, for the March 2011 events.
The college acknowledged in writing that, as of Friday, April 20, 2012, the investigation was still ongoing. Why F & M chose to fire Ms. Paul, and to zealously publish the news of such firing, while its investigation was still ongoing, is a matter that only F & M and its lawyers can answer.
Earlier this week, and having completed its investigation, F & M decided to invite the 11 suspended players back on to the team. None of the suspended players were suspended or expelled from the college. Interestingly, the suspended players have rejected the college’s invitation to rejoin the team.
Ms. Paul understands that F & M takes its Student Code of Conduct very seriously, and that it enforces same vigorously when students have engaged in violations that threaten the mental or physical safety of its students. The decision to reinstate the suspended players, coupled with the absence of any meaningful student discipline being pursued or carried out, particularly when viewed through the prism of F & M’s stated principles where student well-being is concerned, clearly suggest that whatever occurred in March 2011 did not constitute “hazing.”
Ms. Paul's goal moving forward is to have a fulfilling and rewarding career. Ms. Powderly and Ms. Sanza share that ideal. While the coaches believe the actions taken against them were rash and wholly unwarranted, they understand that F & M, having published the reports concerning same, is unlikely to change its mind at this time. Consequently, they are presently considering their vocational and legal options.
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