Living (Partially) on Booze Power

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Monday March 26, 2007 · 9:22 AM PDT

2007/03/26 · 09:22

Yesterday there was an an EtOH diary, initially based on a WaPo editorial, which received a lot of interest, and a lot of comments, some of them related to the article, and some to the diary:
http://www.dailykos.com/...

Anyway, here is another view of the EtOH as fuel vs. Imported Oil based fuel vs. Fuel or Food vs. the idea that our country must keep driving more and more in inefficient vehicles so that our transportation fuel consumption keeps rising at least as fast as the population, if not more (which is a really dumb idea, but popular).

deb9

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Monday March 05, 2007 · 1:57 PM PST

2007/03/05 · 13:57

It is not unusual to convert lower cost, available resorces into more highly sought after ones - one term for this is "value added". And in many parts of the country some energy resources are plentifully available, and can be used to convert real low value items (such as corn, based upon its current price of 7 cents per pound) into more value added ones, like the average of Ethanol and DDGS ( 34 c/lb and 6 c/lb, equal to 13.3 c/lb for the corn). So here is a take on the EtOH from crops arrangement sweeping the nation. Part of the Energize America 2020 discussion.... and a tale of unexpected consequences.

deb9

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Friday January 26, 2007 · 9:10 AM PST

2007/01/26 · 09:10

As many of you know, Senator Clinton has been "requesting a conversation" via a Blog set up for this - its advertised on dKos. Here is my 2 cents worth, and some reasons why she needs to apologize for her IraqNam stance in 2002 and on. I'm sure that she and her campaign can figure out some face saving ways to do this...but whatever. Here goes...

deb9

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Thursday December 21, 2006 · 8:55 AM PST

2006/12/21 · 08:55

In one corner, the new kid on the block - commercial scale wind turbines. In the other corner, bad old coal, but with new disguises, and some fresh lipstick so it looks all pretty and user friendly. All to supply us the electrical energy that keeps us lit up, and rocks our world with music and tunes and communicates to our wildest....well, communicates something, anyway.

And also all those other new electricity supply requirements, or replacements of old supplies that don't supply enough - like hydroelectricity in areas with droughts, or where glaciers are drying up the river sources.

deb9

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Tuesday December 12, 2006 · 1:58 PM PST

2006/12/12 · 13:58

As predicted by many, a huge avalanche of proposed new coal burning electrical generation projects is in the works for the U.S. and a few other countries, such as China and India. Well, there is not a lot we can do about China except to not buy their crap, seeing as how the U.S. is in such hock to the mercantilists that run China. So, it's up to us to get our own house in order. And not getting seduced by the "Clean Coal" muzak would be a step towards a better direction. Stepping towards an even more coal based future is like stepping into another nightmare on Elm Street.....

deb9

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Thursday October 12, 2006 · 1:34 PM PDT

2006/10/12 · 13:34

I just received a well intentioned email from Montana's Governor. He is announcing that a coal to deisel and coal gasification (for electricity) plant is to be constructed in Montana, for diesel fuel production and electricity production (300MW).

Anyway, he just bought another ticket on the Hellbound Train. He's not the only one doing this, and this may actually be less gross than most coal burners. And it will lower the imported fuel bill of our country by some miniscule amount (20,000 bbl/day diesel or so). Still, put another log on the fire - let's toast this earth! And so unnecessary. A solution is given below: Read More

The Balls Out Wind Turbine Challenge

deb9

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Monday September 04, 2006 · 7:39 PM PDT

2006/09/04 · 19:39

One of the most technically astute magazines in the wind turbine business puts out a monthly free preview (its $25/issue, so it's not cheap). This month, they plainly state that modern wind turbines can supply MOST of the electricity in countries like the US, and that the technology already exists to manage this. Here is the link:

http://windpower-monthly.com/...

The magazine is not prone to hype, which is why it is among the most highly admired in the industry. And perhaps why it is pricey, though typical of technical/industry magazines

Anyway, this means that nukes can be mothballed, coal can be saved for making steel, electrodes and elemental silicon, and gas need not be wasted generating so much of our electricity.

So, please read this, check it out and talk up a storm. And even though this is an apolitical article, it's dripping with politics, potential job growth, wealth redistribution to the working and middle classes by increasing manufacturing employment, and numerous other ways.

So, use your imagination. And also check out http://www.ea2020.org

Chernobyl - 20 years and ticking

deb9

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Wednesday April 26, 2006 · 8:39 AM PDT

2006/04/26 · 08:39

Today is a 20 year anniversary of a very sad event - the 3rd worst nuclear event in recorded history. I guess it is a tie for the first two places, although feel free to sound off on which is the worst (hint: they happened in Japan). Hopefully the history of this dreadful incident does not go down the memory hole and disapear. The full version of my view of this "OOPS" event is below. And yes, it may be a little New York centric, but them's the breaks. Read More

Ngas; N= Natural, or N= No ?

deb9

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Thursday December 22, 2005 · 7:16 AM PST

2005/12/22 · 07:16

Some time ago, Natrual Gas (= mostly Methane) became a popular fuel that could be used to generate electricity. Before that (in the 1980's and 1990's), Ngas use was largely restricted to heating and chemicals (especially for hydrogen synthesis) uses. The consequences of the additional use - to make electricity -have, in the year 2005, turned out to be "Oops", and a major screw-up. The result is higher priced electricity, higher heating costs, closed factories and very expensive chemicals - especially ammonia. And ammonia costs do relate to food costs, and even automotive fuels.

More below on this strange outcome that springs from the expansion of the market for natural gas in the U.S. Read More

For Gov. Schweitzer - Syn Fuels and Sinful Fuels

deb9

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Wednesday October 19, 2005 · 7:48 AM PDT

2005/10/19 · 07:48

First off - Many commendations to Gov. Schweitzer for his efforts to do something for Montana's residents, and also the U.S., with regards to the current energy debacle.

But the "sin-fuels" (liquid fuels from coal) ideas that he is talking about need a tweeking or two. And maybe a touch of science to put some common sense in it. And remember, burying CO2 is going to be an expensive process, so "sinfuels --> sun fuels" will NOT be cheap. Which is good, because large scale uses of coal derived fuels would not be good for the world. Why ? Right now, in one word - WILMA. Shout it like Fred Flintstone would.

More below. Read More

Torture Dude = Alberto Gonzales

deb9

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Thursday November 11, 2004 · 6:12 AM PST

2004/11/11 · 06:12

Sometimes it is importatnt to describe a concept and/or a person in a concise term. For Alberto Gonzales, I recommend the term "Torture Dude" - it seems to sum up his role in the Iraq/Afghanistan FUBAR. He has been instrumental in basicly trashing the U.S. involvement in the Geneva Conventions, in the attempt to bring the worst aspects of prison rape and prisoner abuse from U.S. prisons to the rest of the world, not that many regions needed any help in that regard.

This is typical of Orwellian George - appoint someone to run the Department of Justice who has a track record of Injsutice (Justice = Injustice). Torture Dude seems to be a real piece of work, and no doubt has lots of other unsavory aspects - even his work for a client of his - Halliburton. Hopefully, the promotion of Torture Dude to Attorney General from White House Counsel (a very appropriate place, given the current residents in that house of ill repute) will be trashed, but until that, if we would all refer to this so-called human as Torture Dude, so much the better.

Tsunami of voters

deb9

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Monday November 01, 2004 · 6:59 PM PST

2004/11/01 · 18:59

What's the odds that the number given by Charles Cook on MTP on Sunday of up to 130 million votes is exceeded by 5 to 10 million voters ? Is there a snowballs chance on the surface of the sun that such an event could happen in the USA ? Such an awesome event would probably shake up a lot of the prevailing conjectures. Read More

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Living (Partially) on Booze Power

Putting More “Renewable” in Renewable Fuels

My Blog Posting to Sen Clinton - Apology Required

It's Now Coal vs. Wind for that Holiday Lightning

Orwellian Coal

Sin-Fuels Strike - Addicts Rule the Roost

The Balls Out Wind Turbine Challenge

Chernobyl - 20 years and ticking

Ngas; N= Natural, or N= No ?

For Gov. Schweitzer - Syn Fuels and Sinful Fuels

Torture Dude = Alberto Gonzales

Tsunami of voters