I've been hearing a bit about T. Boone Pickens and his energy plan so this morning I thought I'd take a look. I very much dislike some things this man has done (Swiftboat Veterans for Truth? Riiggghhtttttt ...) but I think I can forgive him after seeing this:
The United States is the Saudi Arabia of wind power.
The recent Al Gore Speech has had one great effect - widespread news, publicity for the idea, at least for a day. he made the evening national news...so far, so good. And he focussed a lot of people on the tremendous wind resource that our country just happens to have.
Somehow, some constructive and positive news about energy happened this week - and no, its not the temporary decline (by ~ 10%) in the price of crude oil. Give it time - it will bounce back, and eventually resume its upward price trajectory. First there was T. Boone Pickens' plan and his website (http://www.PickensPlan.com), and then Al Gore's speech (see previous posting). There was also Jerome a Paris' commentary and further explanation of how either plan could work (see
There are times in the history of our nation when our very way of life depends upon dispelling illusions and awakening to the challenge of a present danger. In such moments, we are called upon to move quickly and boldly to shake off complacency, throw aside old habits and rise, clear-eyed and alert, to the necessity of big changes. Those who, for whatever reason, refuse to do their part must either be persuaded to join the effort or asked to step aside. This is such a moment. The survival of the United States of America as we know it is at risk. And even more - if more should be required - the future of human civilization is at stake. - Al Gore
The rest of today's statement by Gore is available below the fold ...
This morning on the Today Show, Exhibit Z in Another Version of "Why this country is such a mess" was shown, in the form of a suburban family of consumers who were asked to "do with less" for a week. Pedicures, manicures, the lawn service, going out for meals, and even the expensive Starbucks beverages were zipped out for a week. They saved $660 versus "normal", and then came the "I had no idea" phrase got uttered by the Ms.
I get press release type stuff from Paul Gipe and I'm remiss in getting it all out. I'll try to do a better job and this one is important - Jay Inslee is pushing for good stuff on the energy front.
Robert Rapier is viewed as a relentless foe by the ethanol industry, but I don't see him that way. His analysis of the business is detailed and well cited; if this displeases those involved the problem lies in the fundamentals, not in the fact that he takes the time to analyze the economics of the fuel.
Robert recently came across with a very well researched post over at The Oil Drum and it deserves a read by anyone interested in the agriculture or energy markets.
Remember several months back when we presented a plan for anhydrous ammonia production in northwest Iowa with an associated greenhouse operation to make use of the waste heat?
http://strandedwind.org/node/129
The ammonia price at the time was $700/ton and there weren't enough people to fill the positions the greenhouse would create so the plan was shelved ... until this week.
As fate would have it, the Buffalo, New York area is ripe for such a development - if you're creating jobs there you can get $0.0.2/kwh electricity and the ammonia price has almost doubled to $1,200/ton.
Since Peak Oil Day (May 21, 2008), when the genie's (= Peak Oil) presence outside of the lamp was officially acknowledged by The Wall Street Journal, among other very establishment business media entities, the U.S. public has shown that it is also increasingly "getting it". Vehicle miles traveled is down, SUV sales are down, small car (which get better mileage than big cars) sales are up, to name just a few examples. The frown on people's faces as they gas up their vehicles is becoming quite noticeable.
No, it’s not the title of a new and cheesy monster movie epoch, though these twin new horses of the Apocalypse are apt to bring in a new epoch or two, and there will be little that is not affected in this country by these events. Like a slow motion avalanche, it’s best to step out of the path where possible, and definitely “go with the flow” if avoidance is not possible.