Category Archives: Energy Tough Love Blog

Energy Tough Love Blog – A weblog from Community Energy Systems

Africa Saved By Trees – Well not all of it but it is a start

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This is a really hopeful story.

http://news.yahoo.com/african-region-beats-back-desert-thanks-trees-220830579.html

An African Region Beats Back the Desert, Thanks to Trees

By Padma Nagappan | Takepart.com

The Sahel region in Northern Africa is sandwiched between the Sahara desert in the north and the savanna in the south, stretching across nearly a dozen countries. It is a hot, dry region where it’s hard to grow most crops, so locals depend on subsistence livestock herds, mostly cattle, sheep, and goats.

Overgrazing has long been blamed for creeping desertification of the Sahel, especially in the wake of devastating droughts in the 1970s and ’80s.

Now, research from South Dakota State University blows both claims out of the water, showing that 84 percent of the watersheds in the Sahel have recovered.

“In the past people have had a negative perception of the Sahel, that the pastoralists are misusing and overgrazing the land, but these findings prove that’s not true,” said Niall Hanan, a savanna ecologist with SDSU who has focused on Africa for the past 25 years.

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Go there and read. More next week.

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CWLP Takes A Step Backwards – It discourages renewables

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CWLP had been on the path towards renewable energy and maybe erecting a wind turbine or a solar panel field. This is sad, because many of us for years have tried to get Springfield off its addiction to coal. But as Clark Bullard says this seems to be ending.

http://www.sj-r.com/article/20151005/OPINION/151009761

 

Clark Bullard: Unclear if CWLP’s proposed rate changes are fair

 

  • City Water, Light and Power's Dallman power station is pictured in this 2012 photograph.Clark Bullard

    • Posted Oct. 5, 2015 at 10:03 PM

      When a monopolist offers you a price adjustment, it is wise to ask who wins and who loses.

      Springfield’s City Water, Light and Power is asking aldermen to restructure electric rates by increasing the meter charge while reducing the energy charge. The stated goal is to stabilize annual revenue.

      It is not labeled a rate hike, but CWLP admits small users will get bigger bills, while large users will get smaller bills. The proposal would penalize customers who counted on fast payback of the premium they paid for energy-efficient appliances, light bulbs, air conditioners or solar panels. It would reward large users who waste energy.

      To ease the pain and spread the joy, the utility proposes a four-year phase-in process.

      Extreme weather events are causing larger year-to-year revenue fluctuations for utilities everywhere. It is not surprising to see them trying to control their revenue stream by reducing customers’ ability to control their monthly bills.

     

     

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    Go there and read more. More next week.

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    This Is A Cool Site – That is if you are into Renewable Energy

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    In the new spirit of this BLOG I am only going to post articles that get my heart pumping and my blood flowing. Without further adieu I present SciencePlus.

    http://www.sciencesplus.ca/en/resource/1503

    What’s New for Renewable Energy

    Energy drives social and economic development. In the past, the discovery of oil triggered an unprecedented industrial revolution that had significant impacts on our quality of life. A single litre of oil provides as many calories as two to twenty weeks of human labour, enough energy to fuel our growing industries, heat our homes, and get us from point A to point B quickly.

    However, with an alarming scarcity of fossil fuels and growing energy demands on the horizon, especially for emerging economies, the search for sustainable means of production is not only imperative for the preservation of the environment—it is also becoming highly lucrative. That is why renewable energy is receiving more and more attention from governments and businesses. There is talk of a new industrial revolution, one that is all about green energy.

    Since the Kyoto Protocol, most countries have increased the proportion of their budget invested in energy with the potential for long-term sustainability. We can already see results; even in 2006, 18.6% of the world’s electricity came from renewable resources. Of that percentage, hydraulic energy (hydroelectric dams, underwater turbines, tidal power plants, etc.) constituted 89%, biomass constituted 5.7%, and wind power, geothermal energy, and solar power constituted 3.5%, 1.7%, and 0.2%, respectively.

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    This is a huge site. Go there and read. More next week.

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    More More Home Energy Services – Wisconsin does it right

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    A self revelation here. I started this because I was bored. Well, I am ending it because I am bored. From here on I am going to blog about what is topical and interesting TO ME. I have done this blog for 8 years and I deserve this freedom. But first, Wisconsin.

    http://www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov/

     

    The Wisconsin Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources provides services to Wisconsin qualified residential households with energy assistance and weatherization needs.  For more information call 1- 866-HEATWIS (432-8947).

    The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) administers the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Public Benefits Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP and its related services help approximately 230,000 Wisconsin households annually. In addition to regular heating and electric assistance, specialized services include:
    • Emergency fuel assistance,
    • Counseling for energy conservation and energy budgets,
    • Pro-active co payment plans,
    • Targeted outreach services,
    • Emergency furnace repair and replacement.

    Services are provided locally through:

    • County social services offices,
    • Tribal governments,
    • Private non-profit or other government agencies.

    For more information on WHEAP, call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947).

    To log in to the WHEAP System click here

    To log in to the Home Energy Plus System click here

     
    The Wisconsin Weatherization Assistance Program (WisWAP) uses
    energy conservation techniques to reduce the cost of home energy.
    Correcting health and safety hazards and potentially life-
    threatening conditions is the first consideration in WAP activities.

     

    To log in to the WisWAP System click here

     

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    Go there and read. More next week.

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    More Home Energy Services – These guys will do your solar for next to nothing

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    As I continue my mad cap romp over the internet search for “home energy services”, this website is the next one I like.

    https://www.directenergy.com/home-services/solar

    Power Your Home for Less!

    Take control of your electricity bill. Go solar.

    Direct Energy Solar

    Your Sun. Your Power. Your Way.TM

    People everywhere are discovering the quality of our custom system design, the ease of our premier process, the accuracy of our system performance, and the peace of mind of our worry-free guarantees.

    Why are People Going Solar?

    • Financial Savings — your monthly bill will be less that your current bill.
    • Energy Independence — lock in your own electricity rates!
    • Home Value Increases — solar panels have been shown to increase value.
    • It’s Great for the Planet — reduce your carbon footprint!

    Why choose Direct Energy Solar?

    We’re Up On Your Roof First
    Before we present you with a sales proposal, we come to your home, measure how much sunlight your roof receives and custom-design your system. We don’t guess by looking at your house online. Because we take accurate measurements before you meet with one of our solar consultants, you will know exactly what your system will produce, and we guarantee it. You will also receive accurate forecasts of your solar payback and ROI.

    Our Installation Process is Worry-Free
    We want to make the process of going solar easy for you. Our team of solar experts personally handles every detail throughout your entire experience to turn a complex process into one that’s smooth and carefree for you. Our professionals take care of everything, from precise measurements of your roof to post-installation paperwork for grants and rebates, and everything in between. Our installation process is fast and efficient, so you’ll be saving in no time.

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    Go there and read. More next week.

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    Home Energy Services – I decided to play Google Dare

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    I know I made that up, but I have been wondering all over the place in terms of Topics for this Blog. So, I decided to just type in that phrase and let Yahoo and Google go to town. For the next couple of weeks at least I will publish the results. I like these folks disclaimer right up front.

    http://homeenergysol.com/

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    Go there and fool around. More next week

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    Plant A Tree Or Grow A Garden – Save energy by getting your hands dirty

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    I found myself doing 2 big things today: saucing tomatoes and contemplating what to do with Paw Paws. On the same theme I was considering what to post today when the two lines ran together. Of course when you plant a trees (Paw Paws) you are fighting global warming. Harvesting your own food (Paw Paws and tomatoes) is both buying local and cutting transportation costs at the same time.

    So this is the Arbor Day Foundations take.

    https://www.arborday.org/globalwarming/treeshelp.cfm

    How Trees Fight Climate Change

    Whether you plant trees around your home and property, in your community, or in our national forests, they help fight climate change. Through the natural process of photosynthesis, trees absorb CO2 and other pollutant particulates, then store the carbon and emit pure oxygen.

    See how planting trees helps fight climate change.

    Shaded Home At Your Home Planting the right trees around your home saves energy.
    Shaded Community In Your Community Greener communities are cooler communities.
    Rural Windbreak On your Rural Property See several examples from Arbor Day Farm.
    National Forest In Our National Forests Trees absorb carbon dioxide and store carbon.

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    Go there and read. More next week.

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    Gas Prices Fall – Is there a reason for this

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    This is good news for those drivers in the US and the world for that matter. It will probably mean that transportation will be carbon based for the foreseeable future.

    http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/24696/gas-is-suddenly-cheaper-the-reason-is-bigger-than-you-think/

    Greater Greater Washington

    Gas is suddenly cheap(er); the reason is bigger than you think

    by Dan Malouff   •   October 28, 2014

    Gas prices have fallen below $3 per gallon in much of the US, and the explanation isn’t the simple seasonal differences that always make gas cheaper in autumn. The bigger reason: US oil shale deposits are turning the global oil market on its head.

    How did cheap gas happen?

    In the simplest terms, supply is up and demand is down.

    Travel drops between the summer travel season and the holidays, and cooler temperatures actually make gas cheaper to produce. That’s why gas prices always fall in the fall.

    But that’s not enough to explain this autumn’s decline, since gas hasn’t dropped this low in years. China is also using less gas than expected, but that’s also only part of the explanation

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    Go there and read. More next week.

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    IEPA Is Scammed – So how can they protect us

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    This guy stole from a fund that pays for fuel tank removal at Gas Stations in Illinois. Much like abandoned mines, abandoned bore holes, and most landfills, abandoned fuel tanks are a huge environmental issue. If the IEPA can’t even protect the funds, how the hell can they protect us. Me really.

    http://illinoistimes.com/article-16009-five-years-for-%252413-million-rip-off.html

    Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015 12:07 am

    Five years for $13 million rip-off

    Scam went undetected for years

    By Bruce Rushton

    Michael Keebler sounded sorry Monday when he finally faced the music.

    He turned emotional, putting his forehead down on the defense table for several minutes after tearfully apologizing to U.S. District Court Judge Sue Myerscough, who sentenced him to five years for stealing more than $13 million from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

    “I don’t get emotional ever,” Keebler told the judge. “I’ve worked ever since I was born. I’ve worked to help my mom out. This has just killed her. It’s torn my family apart. … I can make more money if I need to – that’s not the issue. I can’t come back and spend the time (in prison) with my kids.”

    It could have been worse for Keebler, who faced a maximum of 20 years in prison if he’d fought the charges. Instead, he pleaded guilty last spring in a plea bargain that should have him out of prison in time to see his eldest child graduate from high school.

    Keebler, an engineer who lives in Sherman, stole millions from the IEPA in massive fraud scheme that went undetected for a dozen years. The money came from a surcharge on gasoline sales that was supposed to pay to clean up leaking underground storage tanks. It was supposed to keep drinking water clean and protect public health. Instead, it went into the pockets of Keebler and his co-defendants, including two of his brothers, who have also pleaded guilty and are expected to receive lesser sentences.

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    Go there and read. More next week.

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    Humans Suck The Life Out Of The Earth – Is the Earth really a battery

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    No. Actually the Earth is not a battery. But are we sucking the life out of the Earth? Yes we are.

    http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/08/10/Earth-Battery-Running-Low/

    The Earth’s Battery Is Running Low

    We’ve drained our planet’s stored energy, scientists say, with no rechargeable plug in sight.

    By Andrew Nikiforuk, 10 Aug 2015, TheTyee.ca

    In the quiet of summer, a couple of U.S. scientists argued in the pages of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that modern civilization has drained the Earth — an ancient battery of stored chemical energy — to a dangerous low.

    Although the battery metaphor made headlines in leading newspapers in China, India and Russia, the paper didn’t garner “much immediate attention in North America,” admits lead author John Schramski, a mechanical engineer and an ecologist.

    And that’s a shame, because the paper gives ordinary people an elegant metaphor to understand the globe’s stagnating economic and political systems and their close relatives: collapsing ecosystems. It also offers a blunt course of action: “drastic” energy conservation.

    It, too, comes with a provocative title: “Human domination of the biosphere: Rapid discharge of the Earth-space battery foretells the future of humankind.”

    The battery metaphor speaks volumes and then some.

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    Go there and read. Be very scared. More next week.

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