Westar makes pitch for transmission lines to Ford County Commission (Dodge Globe). Quotable:
Westar/ETA is competing with the Topeka-based company ITC Great Plains, which hopes to build two transmission lines: One from Spearville to Comanche County, and one from Comanche County to Medicine Lodge. ITC has teamed up with the Mid-Kansas Electric Co. and Sunflower Electric Power Corp. on its proposal.
The Kansas Corporation Commission will decide which proposal should move forward and which route the transmission lines will follow. Harrison said the new lines will not be built unless the companies can divide the cost among the ratepayers in the Southwest Power Pool, a seven-state organization dedicated to ensuring reliable supplies of power and adequate transmission lines.
“It needs to be regionally funded,” he said. “That’s because the whole region will benefit.” Harrison also said he did not think the KCC would approve either proposal unless it had regional funding.
At one point, Ford County Commission Chairman Kim Goodnight asked Harrison and Stough if they thought the United States would ever generate 20 percent of its energy from wind. Stough said, “I think 10 percent is achievable, but the limiting factor is the lack of access to transmission lines.”
The Canadian province of New Brunswick comes up with (neat) community wind model (Alberta Farmer). You’ll really have to read it yourself… too detailed to summarize here, sorry.
Iberdrola Renewables releases avian and bat protection plan, modeled after USFWS guidelines (NAWindpower). Quotable: “Currently, 836 species of migratory birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Many birds and bats are also protected by the Endangered Species Act and other federal and state wildlife statutes. The Iberdrola Renewables’ plan establishes internal processes that will help the company responsibly develop wind energy while addressing wildlife concerns. Iberdrola Renewables’ plan contains a corporate policy about wildlife protection and establishes a process for contact with agencies and non-governmental organizations early in the site assessment stage of project evaluation. It also sets up internal policies for pre- and post-construction monitoring and proper site design, impact assessment, permit compliance, nest management, training, mortality reduction measures and mitigation.”
Scientists are developing method to trace mercury back to emissions source (CSMonitor). This new “fingerprinting” method will probably transform the regulatory debates over airborne mercury emitted by coal plants. The technology should be ready in about five years. Quotable:
Coal-fired power plants are the greatest single source of airborne mercury in the US. But mercury emissions from power plants remain unregulated. One reason: A debate on where this highly reactive and far-traveling metal originates has delayed what many consider long-overdue controls. One camp says mercury pollution is a global problem: Tamping down emissions in the United States won’t help much if the mercury deposited here originates outside the country.
The opposing camp says that while the mercury problem certainly is global, it’s also clearly regional and local. Areas nearest to mercury emitters are disproportionately contaminated. And if emissions from nearby sources are controlled, mercury in the nearby food chain also diminishes measurably.
Now, a team of scientists is developing a way to trace mercury in the environment back to its origin by identifying a unique chemical signature and matching it to a known source. The technique promises to change – and perhaps end – the debate over how to control mercury.
— Maril Hazlett, www.climateandenergy.org
Guest Blogging: High school debaters speak out on alternative energy
October 31, 2008
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase alternative energy incentives in the United States.
In high schools across the nation, this year’s national debate topic is alternative energy. CEP has invited some of the best and brightest Kansas high school debate students to weigh in on the topic. Our Energy Debate ‘08 Guest Blog series will feature six debate teams across the state, from Dodge City to Overland Park.
Today’s contributor is Boya Abudu, a Junior at Field Kindley Memorial High School in Coffeyville. Here’s her answer to the question we posed: What does Kansas’ energy future hold?
Everyone is aware of one of biggest crises that our nation is facing; energy. It seems that no one can agree on that one renewable energy source that will help stop the use of fossil fuels. It may seem silly, but our best solution may be in the heartland of America; wind.
When looking to how today’s economy is run, many see electricity as one of the largest necessities. Without it, many of today’s easiest tasks would become life’s most difficult challenges. But with coal, the main source of electricity facing problems, that outcome may just be around the corner.
But thank goodness for technology! The United States has already moved far in innovation, and the technology for wind is available. With more of a push, it may be able to be used for the entire country. Wind’s electricity generation can provide for many applications, including electric cars, power plants, and simple household appliances. Not only could America slowly stop using fossil fuels, but it would become energy independent, reduce carbon dioxide and air pollution, and eventually it would lead to investment in other renewables. And this could all start with what has surrounded Earth for millenniums, the wind right here in Kansas.
CEP Debate ’08 series coordinated by CEP Director of Outreach, Eileen Horn.
Video Break! And Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2008
The world is so, so serious these days… let’s forget that stuff for a minute. I’m sitting here wishing I had millions to invest in industrial size wind turbines, to pick up the stock that other developers might have to drop due to financing complications. But. I don’t.
Want to hear a lovely children’s song on reduce, reuse, and recycle, that actually manages to find a workable rhyme for “extinction”?? Sure you do!
There was also a hysterical “recycling rap” that had me cackling so hard that my coworkers got a little worried. However, the two kids who made the video said two bad words and we don’t use bad words here at CEP, so, couldn’t post it.
I highly, highly recommend this next video, if you have eight extra minutes and really, really want to know how about how small wind power (could) work(s). Believe it or not, you can learn a LOT about it from what this engineering student did with his homemade wind turbine.
Although you probably (definitely!) shouldn’t try it at home. I’m fairly certain that this video will make a few of our utility readers scream in horror – but hey, it’s Halloween.
Now. Back to your desks!
— Maril Hazlett, www.climateandenergy.org
