Calling All Governors!

On July 2, 2008 Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts signed the Green Communities Act into law, a bill that put "Massachusetts at the forefront of clean energy policies and the development of alternative fuel sources." Governor Patrick said after signing the bill, "this legislation will reduce electric bills, promote the development of renewable energy, and stimulate the clean energy industry that is taking root here in the Commonwealth." (What a smart man!) 


As a result of signing the Green Communities Act into law The Department of Energy Resources' Green Communities Designation and Grant Program was established. Today, this program has named 21 new cities and towns that will now be eligible for over $3.7 million in grants for local renewable power and energy efficiency projects. These 21 cities and towns join 53 other municipalities that have received funding from this program over the past 3 years. The cities and towns receive these grants only after meeting five "clean energy benchmarks," one of which is requiring the city to purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles for municipal use. The grants, capped at $1 million, and based at $125,000, are funded through auctions of carbon emissions permits.

Governor Deval Patrick stated today, "We are making real progress in achieving a clean energy future for the Commonwealth, one community at a time. These investments encourage energy savings, create jobs and protect our environment - boosting our economy and improving our quality of life." It is encouraging to see the Massachusetts Governor so enthusiastic about this program, I only hope that Governors all over the country look to this state for inspiration on how to spur growth in their own communities. 

Lights Out

The House Republicans have managed to pass an amendment to the 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations Act that prohibits funding to implement light bulb efficiency standards. Light bulb efficiency standards that were set forth in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, passed by George W. Bush and several Republican congressmen. 

Rep. Michael Burgess

The amendment was introduced by Representative Michael Burgess (R-TX) who feels that, "the Federal Government has no right to tell [him] or any other citizen what type of light bulb to use at home." Representative Burgess and those who voted in favor of the amendment are, in effect, reversing much of the progress made by the light bulb industry. Energy efficiency is obviously of no concern to these members of congress and the fact that the efficiency standards enacted in 2007 were actually supported by the lighting industry seems to hold no merit either. 


There is no good explanation for the Republicans blatant attack on clean energy policy, other than their deep seeded desire to fund successful oil companies and eliminate all other competition. While the House Republicans are busy patting themselves on the back for de-funding the "light bulb bill" the rest of the country is still wondering where all the jobs are...

The Colbert Report on Talisman Terry

Looks like Mr. Colbert has discovered Talisman Terry as well! (his take is much funnier)

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And, if you haven't already make sure you check out Gasland parts 1-7 on YouTube.

If Australia Can Do It...

It appears that the Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has more cojones than our own U.S. Senators. This past Sunday, Gillard proposed a plan that would enact a tax on carbon emissions and eventually transition  into an "emissions trading" system. Sound familiar? No? That's because our country's version of this bill The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, although passed by the House, was never voted on by the Senate, putting all hopes, that a bill such as this may be passed, to rest. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, better known as the "cap and trade bill," would have set a cap on the total amount of greenhouse gases allowed to be emitted nationally, and then allow polluters to buy and sell permits that would specify the amount of greenhouse gases they could continue to emit. 


The U.S. bill was rejected by many policy makers who felt that it would cause too much stress on the companies affected by the bill and, as a result, cause energy prices to rise. With the millions of dollars spent on lobbying by these energy companies, it's no surprise that policy makers would use this as an excuse to further delay clean energy progress. While our country, and others like us, continue to grow and use more and more energy we will soon be forced to meet our demands with a more sustainable, efficient, and clean source. Australia's Prime Minister seems to realize this and if the bill passes (as it is expected to) will be the first of its kind to be enacted. Although many Americans, myself included, would like to believe that we are the world's leader in clean energy policy and progress, as of recent it seems this is no longer the case. 


It is my hope that Australia's progress toward a cleaner future will be regarded as a good example on how America and other countries should move forward. Our planet needs help and it is up to our leaders and policy makers to make the big changes that will set the tone for our future. Let's hope it's a good tone. 

Why I'm Praying Michele Bachmann Does NOT Become President

A message from God?

Ever since the June 13th New Hampshire Republican Debate, Michele Bachmann has shot to the forefront of the 2012 Presidential race. It seems that her clean cut appearance and passionate, anti-Obama rhetoric is what has earned her quite a bit of attention lately. But there's more to this politically charged, tea party candidate than meets the eye. 


We all know that Republicans hate taxes, big government, and Obama. We also know that Republicans tend to think that leading the country based on what the Bible says is a good idea, "anti-abortion", "anti-gay marriage" we've heard it all time and time again. But what I thought we had all moved passed as a nation is the idea that women should "serve" their husbands. Michele Bachmann has made it very clear that she takes her orders from God and from her husband, she took a vow and told her husband that she would be a submissive wife. I never thought I would hear any woman admit this publicly, let alone a Presidential candidate! 

Illustration by Victor Juhasz

While Michele Bachmann cannot be faulted for being a religious person, she can be faulted, however, for wanting to run the country based on these religious principals. She has stated several times that she would leave the problem solving to God. In a recent speech she gave in Iowa she said, "We, too, are at a crucial time today. And I think it is for us to remember, that if we do as Chronicles tells us, if we humble ourselves, and pray and confess our sins, and turn away from our wicked ways, and ask an almighty God to come and protect us and fight the battle for us, we know from his word, his promise is sure. He will come. He will heal our land. And we will have a new day." This may sound more like a sermon than a political speech, and that's because it is. Michele Bachmann wants to preach our country out of this "crucial time." 


Michele Bachmann also feels that energy is "the most easy problem for America to solve." Her solution is simple, drill, drill, and then drill some more, "we have 25 percent of the world's coal here. Trillions of cubic square feet of natural gas here. We just built one of the world's largest lines of natural gas here. We have got more oil in three Western states in shale oil than all of Saudi Arabia. Did you hear that on your local nightly news? Are you kidding? We've got it. I say let's go get it." I wonder if God told her about all the oil, and I wonder if he told her that we should completely destroy the nation's environment to "go get it." 


I don't know about you, but Michele Bachmann scares the crap out of me. I hope the rest of America wakes up and realizes that we cannot afford to have a "leader" who leaves the leading in the hands of God. While it may be admirable for one to give their life to God, whoever their God may be, the last thing I want is for them to give the entire country to God as well!!

The Quicker Picker Upper

On Friday June 1st, the Exxon Mobil pipeline in the Yellowstone River near Laurel, Montana ruptured spilling crude oil into the river and all along its banks. After the spill Exxon Mobil issued several statements claiming the clean up efforts were in full effect, and by "in full effect" they meant that they placed ineffective boons on the river to contain the spill, and used about 2,500 "absorbent pads" to soak up the oil. (Still no word on whether Bounty or Brawny is more effective in absorbing oil without tearing.)

Some of the "clean up" efforts by Exxon Mobil.

The President of Exxon Mobil, Gary Pruessing, also stated that they were still unaware of how the oil spill happened and that it was "very unusual." In a recent interview on PBS News Hour he stated, "Obviously we had a lot of oil enter the water very quickly and whatever it is, it is something that is very unusual for us. It is not something we have our hands around yet."


So, while Exxon Mobil is one of the most profitable companies this planet has ever seen, five days after an oil spill no more than six feet below the river bed, they still don't have their hands around it? Not only should that be an embarrassment for the company, but it should be an embarrassment for tax payers as well. We are continuing to subsidize oil companies with millions of dollars each year and they can't seem to find a better way of cleaning up their own messes than with some paper towels!? We can no longer accept this kind of behavior, either we stop giving them money, or we demand that they use it to find cleaner, smarter and less dangerous ways of drilling. Why we haven't been demanding this all along is beyond me. 

Image of the Yellowstone River after the pipeline ruptured.

Climate Change Theater

I thought this video was too cute, and well done, not to share.


...enjoy!

Hmmm?

I think this miiight be what our friend Mr. Gore was talking about in his, afore mentioned article, "Climate of Denial."

What do you think?

"The Earth is Round, Elvis is Dead, and the Climate Crisis is Real"

Al Gore's recent article in the Rolling Stone, has been commanding a lot of attention the past few days. It has been touted, by the media, as an attack on President Obama's lack of progress on Climate Change and Clean Energy legislation. The article, aptly titled, "Climate of Denial," has been featured on many different TV and Radio shows and has been portrayed as a plea from Mr. Gore to the President for more action.


While Gore does address his feelings on how President Obama is handling the climate change situation, I would have to say it falls far short of being a full on attack. His empathy for the President's current political situation is clear and he seems to believe that simply attacking the President will only add fuel to the fire of those who oppose the President on every political platform. Instead Gore focuses much of his article on the media who, he claims, have disregarded the need to report facts and instead spew what they know their audience will want to hear (fact or not).... nothing new here. He cleverly relates the battle of climate change to a wrestling match where there are good guys fighting bad. The referee (or in this case the media) somehow always manages to have his back turned when the bad guys breaks the rules and never fails to blow the whistle at the first sign of rule breaking from the good guys.


Gore's central message is that climate change policy is needed, and it is needed now. We can no longer engage in the debate of whether or not it is real, nor can we continue giving air time to those who believe it is simply a hoax. Inaction is no longer an option and to make a change we need the President of the United States to make a stand.


I urge you to read the article, while much of it may come across as a lecture to the media, there is a lot of useful information that is worth the read. Take a look, and then take action!

Finally!

Watch the President's latest News Conference here, finally some proof that he's still alive and running the White House!

Wait, what?

While surfing the internet between classes the other day I happened to stumble upon this article on Think Progress.org.  My first reaction was; "wait, what?? Is this real?" And then my second reaction was, "what a great way to start my new blog!"


It seems as though the Natural Gas Industry feels the need to create favorable depictions of fracking techniques to 9 year-olds. A good indication that they're running out of people to convince... Maybe?
So, how have these energy giants gone about 'educating' the children? Through coloring books of course!! Yes, that's right now you and your child can download the free pdf version of Talisman Terry, your friendly Fracosaurus, and color the enlightening pages that depict a world before drilling (booooring) and a world after drilling (uuhh-maazing!). 

See, without drilling there would be no rainbows, and that would be bad. Also, not that many trees are cut down and small pretty ones are planted to replace the other ones. What a wonderful world... :-) Thank goodness for "Talisman Terry." 




This kind of reminds me of something else...