Chemically Green
Whoa, California Uses More Gas than China?
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Doesn’t seem possible but California is the 2nd largest user of gasoline in the world!
From Treehugger, check this out! Well, wonders never cease. Talk about a state that needs to wake up and smell the biofuels (except corn ethanol)!
Given all the news coverage about the rise of the Chinese economy, you could be forgiven for thinking that the world’s most populous country is hogging all the world’s resources, while the developed nations are fighting for scraps.
But, at least with transportation fuel, you’d be wrong. California alone uses more gasoline than any country in the world (except the US as a whole, of course). That means California’s 20 billion gallon gasoline and diesel habit is greater than China’s! (Or Russia’s. Or India’s. Or Brazil’s. Or Germany’s.) I thought California was the state that set the standard for Green! But China’s oil thirst is growing — to almost 20 billion gallons in 2007 – and perhaps as early as this year, China’s 1.3 billion people will overtake California’s 37 million people in total gasoline and diesel usage.
One more choice statistic: gasoline usage in California has increased 50 percent, that’s 6.7 billion gallons, since 1988. Has there been anything close to a commensurate increase in quality of life here to accompany that rise in energy use?
If Water Runs Out, Oil May Be Hard to Swallow
Is the sun setting on America’s water supply?
Oil the elixir that runs industry, water the elixir that sustains life and industry. What happens if the U.S. runs out of water, oil may not be as important as we think?
A real dilemma facing our country that is raising the worst question of all. What happens if and when our water supply runs out? We can have oil and fuels, but if our water supply starts failing or begins to run out, what then? Unfortunately, this is happening now to our water supply in the US - I am not a voice in the wilderness or an alarmist, but people realize our water resources are being strained and even conservation of water that is being required by a lot of states may or may not help. Without water, our oil issues will seem somewhat small.
Era of Water Scarcity
Scientists and resource specialists say freshwater scarcity, even in unexpected places, threatens farm productivity, limits growth, increases business expenses, and drains local treasuries.
That’s desert. It was never meant to have cities. There are millions of people there, and they all have one water supply, only one, the Colorado.
“I truly believe we are moving into an era of water scarcity throughout the United States” said Peter Gleick, science adviser to Circle of Blue and president of the Pacific Institute, a think tank specializing in water issues based in Oakland, California. “That by itself is going to force us to adopt more efficient management techniques.”
From Circle of Blue, an interview with the Pacific Institutes’s Dr. Peter Gleick discusses water resource challenges the U.S. faces in the near future. As co-founder and president of one of the nation’s leading water think tanks, Gleick served as an academician at the International Water Academy in Oslo, Norway in 1999 and was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2003. He was also elected to the National Academy of Sciences in Washington D.C in 2006. Gleick currently serves as a science adviser for Circle of Blue.
(Above: Picture from Circle of Blue)
Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam make a bold statement of the U.S. water systems. Lake Mead is low and in a drought condition.
Striking symbols of American engineering prowess, Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam stand in testimony to the U.S. spirit of growth and prosperity. But the 28.5 million* acre-foot Lake Mead is shrinking, as an ever-thirsty nation sprawls across the desert and consumes the waters of the Colorado in an increasingly unsustainable way.
(*An acre-foot is a unit of volume commonly used in the U.S. in reference to large-scale water resources, such as reservoirs, aqueducts, canals, sewer flow capacity, and river flows.)
However, the We cannot take water for granted anywhere in any form in the US!
Exactly what would happen if we ran out of water, Check this Out.
From: (CSR Wire)- July 9, 2008 -
Just as diminishing supplies of oil and natural gas are wrenching the economy and producing changes in lifestyles built on the principle of plenty, states and communities across the country are confronting another significant impediment to the American way of life: increased competition for scarce water.
Scientists and resource specialists say freshwater scarcity, even in unexpected places, threatens farm productivity, limits growth, increases business expenses, and drains local treasuries. The U.S. Drought Monitor, a weekly online report produced by the Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, shows that severe drought still grips much of the American Southeast, is spreading east from California across the Rocky Mountains, and has also settled in the Texas Panhandle and parts of Oklahoma and Colorado.
While agriculture in the Colorado Basin faces shortages, farmers to the east in the high plains - tapping the Ogallala Aquifer - have progressively seen their wells dry up. The aquifer is the largest in the United States and sees a depletion rate of some 12 billion cubic meters a year, a quantity equivalent to 18 times the annual flow of the Colorado River. Since pumping started in the 1940s, Ogallala water levels have dropped by more than 100 feet (30 meters) in some areas.
Kevin Dennehey, program coordinator for the Ground-Water Resources Program at the U.S. Geological Survey, said, “The problem with the aquifer is that it’’s a limited resource. There is not an unlimited supply, so the recharge is much less than the withdrawals.”
(Above: Large automatic spraying system for crops in the midwest.)
How much longer will this type of irrigation be utilized before the Ogallala Aquifer becomes completely exhausted? I mentioned in a previous post about the effect growing corn has had on the midwestern states’ water supply.
With the aquifer being depleted so rapidly, what is going to happen to ethanol production that depends on corn crops that have to be heavily irrigated to maintain high yields? The prognosis for farmers, whose irrigation accounts for 94 percent of the groundwater use on the high plains, does not look optimistic. In the future, irrigation may not be possible at all as the levels continue to drop past the well intakes of farmers. More likely, before the pumping stops, the cost of drilling and maintaining deeper wells may exceed the value of what can be grown, severely limiting the farmland’s value. “There is no other water available,” said Dennehey.
Read More from the CSR Wire article.
including drought in Georgia, “In Atlanta, where a severe drought also persists, authorities pressed residents to reduce water use, successfully. Then leaders of the city’s Watershed Management Department, concerned about declining revenue to operate the system, asked permission to raise rates. Officials in Fulton County, where Atlanta is located, did the same thing, praising residents for their efforts at conservation — then increasing their rates by 15 percent. If approved by the city council, the average residential water bill in Atlanta would jump from $84 to $107 next year. ” The gravity of the situation hasn’t set in for most Americans. In Atlanta, where drought dramatically lowered Lake Lanier, the region’s primary reservoir, water scarcity is generally seen as temporary, and not related to how the region has grown. Water levels have risen slightly in Lake Lanier, but drought conditions still continue and as long as Atlanta uses over 2 billion gallons a day from a extremely low reservoir, the problem continues to be a serious problem.
Is there a water problem in the US? Most compelling information on this post. Water is the elixir of life and if we run out, oil will be hard to swallow!
Map: circleofblue.org - Extent of state shortages likely over the next decade under average rain fall conditions.
Live Interview: Makers of Kudzu Ethanol (Kudzunol)
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
In several polls conducted last week, Americans want more ethanol for fuel use, check this out. After all, biofuels is not just about corn.
There is no denying that we have a serious problem with America’s oil addiction and now is the time for the American people to show our resolve, stand-up and do something as the head of OPEC says $170.00 per barrel for oil will be here before summer ends, which equates to another $.75/gallon for gasoline. Time will tell about what price oil will be by the end of summer. However, there are companies that are stepping up to offer practical solutions to America’s oil dilemma.
One company that has accepted the challenge and is going to try and put a dent in reducing oil use in America is Agro*Gas Indusrtries, LLC.
Chemically Green had the opportunity to interview Mr. Doug Mizell, co-founder of Agro*Gas Industries LLC, and we asked Doug a series of questions about Kudzunol, ethanol distilled from kudzu. The interview will be very informative to everyone interested in using ethanol being produced from a non-edible biomass instead of corn, soybeans or sugar. Just Say No to Corn Ethanol.
Global Warming May Cause Kidney Stones?
Having trouble with kidney stones?
They can really be painful. Global warming may be causing increased cases of kidney stones because of increased temperatures and people not drinking enough water.
Check out this article, not to mention this video on William Shatner’s Kidney Stone.
Check this out: CNBC gets in on the reporting action.
Bottom Line, remember to drink plenty of water during the hot summer!
Growing Nuts for Biodiesel, Update on Jatropha Curcas
Nuts from Jatropha Curcas contain an oil being used for biodiesel.
All around the world, countries and companies are investing big dollars in Jatropha Curcas as a source for biodiesel.
Jatropha Curas
Update on Jatropha Curcas: the world’s interest in using this plant to produce biodiesel!
- United States: California: Allegro Biodiesel has commenced processing of jadtropha oil into biodiesel on a test basis.
- England, De-Ord Fuel opened a new 100,000 GPY biodiesel facility in Mansfield that will use jatropha and waste vegetable oil as feedstocks. The company will distribute fuel to bus and truck fleets. The $550,000 project is one of the first of a wave of micro-facilities that will utilize sustainable feedstocks in Europe. (Read on …)
It’s Official: Abu Dhabi Owns 90% of the Chrysler Building
Chrysler Building, 2nd tallest building in New York
On a previously post on CG, Foreign Investors Buying Major U.S. Properties, we reported about Abu Dhabi was looking at purchasing the Chrysler Building through a real estate investment group.
From the International Harold Tribune:
Abu Dhabi buys 90% of the Chrysler Building
The government of Abu Dhabi bought a 90 percent stake in the Chrysler Building on Tuesday for $800 million from German real estate investors and Tishman Speyer.
From The New York Post:
Chrysler Building Goes Abu Dhabi
From The nearly $800 million deal, first reported by The Post on June 11, by the Middle East sovereign wealth fund included the purchase of 90 percent of the ownership stake while leaving local Tishman Speyer Properties as the manager of the 77-story tower. As of today, the majority of the iconic Chrysler Building should be in the - we expect - happy hands of the Abu Dhabi Investment Council.FLASH NEWS BREAK:
Donald Trump closes deal on Palm Beach residence to Russian investor for $95 million dollars. Check this out.
How Corn Grown for Ethanol is Killing Our Oceans
Reasons Why Corn Ethanol is Bad for the Environment!
Biofuels can provide a significant source of renewable energy to reduce dependency on foreign oil and reduce climate change pollution. Since Congress voted to use corn as a biofuel, this decision has turned out to be a big mistake because of increased oil prices and flooding in the mid-west. (Read on …)California Not Green With Envy From Global Warming Scores
California residents have been going green, but with this new mandatory requirement for global warming scores on all new vehicles starting in 2009, California residents may soon be seeing red!
From GreenBiz.com:
OAKLAND, Calif. — California is making it mandatory for cars to be labeled with global warming scores, figures that take into account emissions from vehicle use and fuel production. Fuel production, what does that mean? California is going green, but with this requirement on all new cars, The law requiring the labels goes into effect at the start of next year for all 2009 model cars, though its expected the labels will be popping up on cars in the coming months.
The labeling law forces cars for sale to display a global warming score, on a scale of one to 10, which is based on how vehicles in the same model year compare to one another. The higher the score, the cleaner a car is. The score takes into account emissions related to production of fuel for each vehicle as well as the direct emissions from vehicles.
The California Air Resources Board said Thursday the window sticker will give consumers the information they need to choose a cleaner-burning car or light truck.
The score will be displayed next to the already-required smog score, which also rates cars from 1-10 for how many smog-forming emissions they emit. For both scores, an average vehicle will have a score of five. What does this mean? The whole law seems so vague. Well, California, get ready to pay some more.
Approved earlier by California lawmakers and supported by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the regulation was signed into law this week by California Secretary of State Debra Bowen.
The data for the scores is being provided by auto companies to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“The environmental performance label will provide two scores on a scale of 1-10, a Smog Score and a Global Warming Score,” the board stated. “The average new car will score five on both scales. The higher the score the less impact the car has on the environment.”
What will happen to used cars? Sounds like only new cars are covered, so save money and buy a used car.
California Air Resources Board
California is the first state to pass such a law, and a similar law will take effect in New York for 2010 model year vehicles. Check out California’s Drive Clean website for more information on this new requirement for new cars starting in 2009.
Bureau of Land Management Lifts Ban on New Solar Power Plants
If you want to get heard in Washington, all you have to do is get enough people to stand up and make a lot of noise on a major issue, and something is going to happen! Case in point: The BLM, the Bureau of Land Management, placed a moratorium just a few days ago for 2 years on any new solar plant startups.
For some background info see our recent post: Coal and Oil are Making Us Sick.
Well, the moratorium was dropped today by the BLM. A salute to all the bloggers who posted on the moratorium and the public outcry that was made for dropping the 2 year moratorium. Check out these two articles:
Government lifts solar project ban on public lands
From the article: Companies planning to build huge solar power plants in the desert will be able to file new applications to use federal lands after the Bureau of Land Management reversed its position on the issue Tuesday. The BLM had imposed a two-year moratorium on new land claims…
WASHINGTON—The government said Wednesday it is calling off a recently announced moratorium on applications to build solar plants on public lands. The Bureau of Land Management made the announcement after public opposition to its original decision, reached at the end of May.
“Coal and Oil are Making Us Sick”, says Senator Harry Reid
Coal and oil makes us sick? Check out Senator Harry Reid on YouTube.
Senator Reid, we hear the talk, but where is the action? Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader heads the “do nothing Congress.”
Senator Reid, why do you give an interview to talk about the U.S. getting off coal and oil and start using renewable energy (Solar), when Congress puts a halt to solar plants for 2 years?
From the New York Times: Faced with a surge in the number of proposed solar power plants, the federal government has placed a moratorium on new solar projects on public land until it studies their environmental impact, which is expected to take about two years.
But the decision to freeze new solar proposals temporarily, reached late last month, has caused widespread concern in the alternative-energy industry. Fledgling solar companies must wait to see if they can realize their hopes of harnessing power from swaths of sun-baked public land, just as the demand for viable alternative energy is accelerating.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” said Holly Gordon, vice president for legislative and regulatory affairs for Ausra, a solar thermal energy company in Palo Alto, Calif. “The Bureau of Land Management land has some of the best solar resources in the world. This could completely stunt the growth of the industry.”
Much of the 119 million surface acres of federally administered land in the West is ideal for solar energy, particularly in Arizona, Nevada and Southern California, where sunlight drenches vast, flat desert tracts.
Did the oil cartel get to Mr. Reid and the “do nothing Congress”or was it something about Mr. Reid and the solar lobby from his state of Nevada?
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
« Previous Page — Next Page »
