The Daily Graphic: Global Warming Not Settled in Public’s Mind

I’m not a scientist, but the presentations I’ve seen on global warming and humankind’s contribution make sense to me.  I thought it was making sense to most people, but apparently not.  Take a listen to the drumbeat of conservative talk show hosts and other opinion leaders like the Drudge Report.  I started noticing months ago that there seemed to be more of a concerted effort for all of them to use every cold snap and snow storm as some sort of counter argument against global warming.  The way I understand the “popular science” is that global warming is not just about some areas of the earth getting warmer, it’s about climate change in general.  I also don’t think you can take one season which is a bit more cold than the norm and call it a game changer.  These guys may be moving public opinion however.   You can find the whole Galllup Report here.

Video: Al Gore Handles a Critic at WSJ Conference

The Daily Graphic: Kyoto Treaty – Which Countries Meet Targets, Which Don’t

• Obama’s Backing Raises Hopes for Climate Pact – New York Times

Click to See Full Size

The Daily Graphic: The Greenhouse Effect

Check out the Pew Center on Global Climate Change.

Ohio Sunday Papers – It’s the Economy and Education with a smattering of Fisher, Brunner

• Editorial: Lawmakers must stop Strickland from killing charter schools – The Plain Dealer
• Editorial: Governor needs to tweek how he pays for education reform – Akron Beacon Journal
• Editorial: No Stimulus for Teardown – Toledo Blade
• Op-Ed, William Hershey: Ohio Dems Face Likely ‘Family Fued’ – Dayton Daily News
• Op-Ed, Thomas Suddes: Will Ohio House Dems Hold Together on Budget? – The Plain Dealer
• Op-Ed, Joe Hallett: Governor Sinned a Bit in Securing Manna from Washington – Columbus Dispatch
• Welfare rolls soaring in Ohio – Columbus Dispatch
• Toledo aid agencies fear what’s over horizon – Toledo Blade
• Late bill payments cost state – Columbus Dispatch
• Big repairs needed for U.S. automakers – Toledo Blade
• How would you spend $500 million taxpayer dollars? – The Plain Dealer
• Dems’ fight a cost of success – Cincinnati Enquirer
• Op-Ed, Dennis Willard: Race crucial for Fisher, Brunner – Akron Beacon Journal
• Brunner: Senate bid not a conflict – Columubus Dispatch
• Ohio tries to clean up payday lending one more time – The Plain Dealer
• Op-Ed, Jonathan Riskind: Obama’s economic plans leave some edgy, angry – Columbus Dispatch
• Development board’s City Center planning only quasi-public – Columbus Dispatch
• Farmland disappearing – Columbus Dispatch
• Preservationists hope to see some stimulus – Columbus Dispatch
• Ohio businesses must file sales taxes electronically for first time this year – The Plain Dealer
• Ohio officials OK new workers compensation program – Dayton Daily News\
• KELLY PAVLIK COVERAGE – The Youngstown Vindicator

Transcript: Remarks by President Obama to Department of Energy Staff | February 5, 2005

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT TO DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY STAFF

U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, D.C.

12:12 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you so much.  Well, it is a thrill to be here.  Thank you, Secretary Chu, for bringing your experience and expertise to this new role.  And thanks to all of you who have done so much on behalf of the country each and every day here at the department.  You know, your mission is so important, and it’s only going to grow as we transform the ways we produce energy and use energy for the sake of our environment, for the sake of our security, and for the sake of our economy.

Read more

Obama Action Will Please Environmentalists, Peak Oil Advocates

Action that President Barack Obama will take Monday to allow California and other states to require stricter tailpipe emissions and automobile fuel efficiency standards shouldn’t just please environmentalists.

If you’re concerned about Peak Oil and the United States’ dependence on foreign oil, this is also a win for energy conservation. This could be a market force that Detroit cannot ignore, pushing fuel efficiency farther faster. Conservation isn’t everything, but for a society so totally unprepared, it’s one span in the bridge to the energy future.

The New York Times is reporting tonight that President Barack Obama will reverse Bush Administration environmental policy tomorrow and allow California and other states to mandate their stricter rules.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had requested and been denied by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2007 a waiver to set California automobile emission standards higher than federal guidelines.  The Bush Administration told California and several other states that 2007 increases in federal fuel efficiency guidelines for cars and light trucks made their efforts moot and that a national patchwork of differing emissions laws would be untenable.

This is a win not only for environmentalists but also those concerned about the Peak Oil crisis and America’s continued over reliance on fossil fuels.  The stricter standards set by states will be a market force that the Big Three and other automakers will not be able to ignore.  According to the Times’ reporting, California’s action alone could have a great effect on fuel efficiency in the nation’s car and truck fleet:

The California law, which was originally meant to take effect in the 2009 model year, requires automakers to cut emissions by nearly a third by 2016, four years ahead of the federal timetable. The result would be an increase in fuel efficiency in the American car and light truck fleet to roughly 35 miles per gallon from the current average of 27.

In order to deal with the strategic, economic and societal changes which will brought on by a world where oil is harder to find and harder to extract, the U.S. and other nations will need to build bridges to the next energy economy.  Actions such as the one Obama will take on Monday will make it easier to build the “conservation” span of our nation’s bridge.

One question remains — will the Big Three automakers fight this in court? Probably, but they should be shamed out of the courthouse.  U.S. taxpayers are keeping two out of three of them afloat.  They should be discouraged from using our cash to fight our government …

Recycling – The Next Industry to Be Damaged by Recession

I came across this article in the Daily Mail (U.K.).  Great Britain is experiencing a collapse in demand for the discarded paper and cardboard stock which is used to produce recycled paper products.  The stuff is piling up in warehouses like the one to the left.

I guess the bright side of problems such as this is that a fairly robust market for our recyclables has finally taken hold in countries like the U.S. and Great Britain.

The downside is that this market – one which also has an altruistic side – is now as prone to the laws of supply and demand as any other market.  Because of the environmental and societal benefits of recycling, it’s still subsidized here and abroad through locally administered curbside recycling programs.  In order for the still youthful recycling market to stay viable through the lean times, local taxes or fees could increase – let’s hope those are temporary.  At any rate, I’ll be willing to pay a little more for such a worthy municipal service.

Read more

Ohio Sunday Papers – December 28, 2008

Columbus Dispatch

• FEC closing books on Noe scandal
• O’Shaughnessy leaves legacy for city
• Central Ohioans depart for war
• Probe dishonest, biased says Dann
  

Cleveland Plain Dealer

• Op-Ed, Thomas Suddes: House-keeping ideas for Ohio Dems
• Michael Connell death spurs conspiracy theories
• Financial analysts aren’t banking on 2009 to be much different

Dayton Daily News

• Could Ohio become ‘Silicon Valley’ of alternative energy?

• Wind, water, biomass in Ohio’s future
• Green push could have local firms seeing green
• McLin legacy celebration
• Strickland says education cuts possible
• Editorial: PNC needs to hear from Dayton region
• Op-Ed, Bill Hershey: Plant closing a bittersweet reminder of GM’s glory days

Toledo Blade

• Finkbeiner bullish on Toledo development prospects
• Tom Noe now at Hocking Correctional
• Editorial: Population Squeeze

Other Sources of Ohio News

• States seek efficiency using Japanese method - Associated Press
• Ohio reaches for a lifeline – Washington Post

News Roundup: Obama’s Energy & Environment Team

• Obama names choices for key energy, environmental posts – Los Angeles Times
• Experts comment on Obama enviro/energy picks - Reuters
• Obama’s Green Team – Christian Science Monitor
• Obama promises renewed focus on energy, environment – Bloomberg
• Obama rolls out energy and climate team – Washington Post
• Obama announces energy team - Politico
• Obama makes strong picks - News Release, Sierra Club

Transcript: Obama News Conference Announcing Environment and Energy Team | December 15

(Source: CQ Transcriptswire)

• SPEAKER: PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA
• STEVEN CHU, ENERGY SECRETARY NOMINEE
• LISA JACKSON, EPA ADMINISTRATOR NOMINEE
• NANCY SUTLEY, HEAD, COUNCIL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY-DESIGNATE CAROL BROWNER, ENERGY CZAR-DESIGNATE
• VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

[*] OBAMA: Good afternoon, everybody.

Over the past few weeks, Vice President-elect Biden and I have announced key members of our economic and national security teams. In the 21st century, we know that the future of our economy and national security is inextricably linked with one challenge: energy.

So today we’re pleased to introduce the majority of the team that will lead our efforts on energy and the environment. I say the majority, because we are going to be doing separate announcements for the secretary of the interior, who’s going to have a lot to do on energy policy. And, obviously, interior or — transportation and agriculture will be important, as well. Read more

Text: Obama Speech Announcing Environment & Energy Key Personnel

Stephen Chu, Energy Secretary, Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator, Carol Browner, Energy Policy Coordinator

Remarks as prepared for delivery (Source: Office of the President-Elect)

Good afternoon. Over the past few weeks, Vice President-Elect Biden and I have announced key members of our economic and national security teams. In the 21st century, we know that the future of our economy and national security is inextricably linked to one challenge: energy. So today, we’re pleased to introduce the team that will lead our efforts on energy and the environment. Read more

Video: Tom Friedman, Face the Nation | December 7

$2 Gas Doesn’t Mean Problem Solved

America Loses if Pickens Takes a Powder

Just over a week ago, T. Boone Pickens acknowledged on Meet the Press that the sluggish economy and lower oil prices have conspired to thwart his plans to fully fund what’s become known as the Pickens Plan.

BROKAW: Well, let me talk about what you have been talking about on television and everywhere else these days, which is converting to wind-driven general — generation of electricity and transferring natural gas to big public transportation.

I am told that, given the perilous state of the economy, the decline in oil prices, which has not made it as urgent in the minds of a lot of consumers, that you find yourself now at a very difficult crossroads financially in your own situation, and you’ve had to call a halt to your development plans.

PICKENS: Well, the wind, you know, it — I’ve got a — I had planned on 30 percent equity, 70 percent debt, and I can’t get any, any, any money for that at this point. But it doesn’t mean that’s the end of it. It’s been postponed is all it is. …

This is a shame on many levels.  U.S. oil production peaked in December 1970, some say in 1971.  Today we import over 70% of our oil.  Much of that comes from the friendly environs of Canada and Mexico, but a good bit of it comes from Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations.  As our dependence on foreign oil has grown since the 1970s, so has the flight of dollars used to buy that oil.  According to Pickens’ numbers – which no one disputes – Americans spend $700 billion every year on foreign oil. 

What does $700 billion mean?  Well, we all know how bad the U.S. economy is at the present time and it’s expected to worsen.  Congress just approved $700 billion to bailout the U.S. financial sector and it’s had barely an effect on the credit markets.  $700 billion is about 10% of the entire annual economy in the U.S.  What if those dollars were being put to use here at home – especially now.

But it’s not just about energy security and getting away from foreign oil for the sake of not being dependent.  Oil is a diminishing resource.  It’s non-renewable.  There hasn’t been a major new discovery of oil since the late 1960s.  The Middle East contains over half of the world’s proven reserves.  The problem with reserves is that in countries like Saudi Arabia and other OPEC nations, their production quotas are based on their stated reserves.  In order to produce more, thereby increasing revenue, these countries have restated their reserves to be higher year after year.  There is no transparency as there is here in the U.S., so we only have an educated guess as to what those reserves really are.  To make a long story short, they can’t be what they say they are – the rest of the world is reaching or has reached “Peak Oil” and every indication save OPEC official pronouncements says that the Middle East is not far behind.  Unless there is transparency, we won’t know what the score is until it’s too late.

So, oil is a matter of security.  Too much American wealth is being transferred to foreign countries to fuel our addiction.  The world is approaching peak oil production which will lead to less supply even as economies like those of China and India add to demand.  Tighter supplies and stronger demand mean higher prices that will eventually have nowhere to go but up.

Pickens, an oil man, understands all of this.  His plan is relatively simple.  Replace the portion of U.S. electrical power generation accounted for by natural gas (it’s 20% of the total) with wind energy.  The wind energy will come from a 4,000 Mw wind farm he plans to build in Pampa, Texas.  The natural gas which is not being used for electrical generation will be repurposed for transportation use – cars and trucks.  This would replace 38% – or $300 billion worth – of imported oil.  If this all sounds confusing visit Pickens’s site and watch the video, Whiteboard Presentation.  (Or watch the embedded video at the end of this post)

As someone who has read about the peak oil debate, considered the national security implications of our dependence on foreign oil and who wants the U.S. to be ready for the next energy economy – and better yet – leading it – I’ve learned this about energy policy:  There is no post-oil solution anywhere near ready to go.

We need a bridge to the future.  This energy bridge will be built on coal, solar, wind, nuclear, biomass and oil.  While we build this bridge there will have to be concurrent investment in research to determine what will take the place for oil as an energy source.  There is not a politician or business person in the United States who has put together the business plan and put their own money for building the bridge.  That is, except for T. Boone Pickens.

Give this some thought and consider signing up at the Pickens Plan website.  Sure, T. Boone could make some money off of his wind farm, but aren’t we constantly pontificating in this country about private sector solutions?  Pickens will need the support of Congress and President Obama to get this thing done and pull other industries and constituencies onboard. 

Don’t be fooled by $2 per gallon gasoline.  The economy slowed way down fairly quickly and demand went with it.  Four dollar gas was a foretaste of what’s to come and it won’t end at four bucks.  It’s more important than ever to show support for the Pickens Plan so that the politicians in Washington know we aren’t lulled to sleep by the calm in the storm. 

As an Obama supporter, beginning this bridge to our energy future is change I can believe in.  I hope you’ll join me and others by signing up to show your support.

Transcript: T. Boone Pickens on ‘Meet the Press’ with Tom Brokaw | November 16

Editor’s Note: This is a portion of the program Meet the Press from November 16, 2008.

(Source: CQ Transcriptswire)

BROKAW: (…) It is “Green Is Universal” all week here at NBC, and the issue of energy dependence is certainly key in that discussion. And joining us now, a very familiar figure, the legendary Texas oil man, T. Boone Pickens.

Welcome, Mr. Pickens, from Dallas this morning.

PICKENS: Good morning, Tom.

BROKAW: You just heard that very spirited discussion. Do you think the Big Three automobile dealers should survive?

PICKENS: You know, I — it’s not my subject. But I wonder, you know, what you’re going to do about the next industry. Is it going to be the airlines?  Or what if Toyota and Honda want some help, too?  I — I don’t know. I don’t know where it stops.

BROKAW: Well, let me talk about what you have been talking about on television and everywhere else these days, which is converting to wind-driven general — generation of electricity and transferring natural gas to big public transportation.

I am told that, given the perilous state of the economy, the decline in oil prices, which has not made it as urgent in the minds of a lot of consumers, that you find yourself now at a very difficult crossroads financially in your own situation, and you’ve had to call a halt to your development plans. Read more

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