Three universities have recently concluded in a comprehensive study that renewable energy policies could lead to a wealth of new employment opportunities in the near future. The study has also…
The global solar panel oversupply plaguing the industry over the past year may be set to ease, according to a report issued last week by industry research firm iSuppli Corporation. The report…
The Augustine panel, a collection of space experts summoned by President Obama to study the future of NASA, published its final report today. Totaling 157 pages, the report concludes that the United States’ current space plans are underfunded by at least $3 billion a year. The report also makes the controversial assertions that commercial companies like Space X should play a role in the future of manned space exploration, and that the Ares I rocket should be scrapped in favor of the heavier Ares V Lite for trips to the moon. But the panel isn’t exactly enamored with any future manned trip to the moon.
“A long-duration exploration of the Moon is a step towards Mars, but not a giant step, and not the only possible step,” the panel said.
Today, Wired published an article entitled “Human Spaceflight Ball in Obama’s Court.” In an email written to Wired, White House spokesman Nick Shapiro writes, “The President has on numerous occasions confirmed his commitment to human space exploration, and the goal of ensuring that the nation is on a vigorous and sustainable path to achieving our boldest aspirations in space.”
Obama hasn’t put his stamp on the space program yet, besides commissioning the panel in the first place. We’ll know before long how he chooses to proceed with its pricey recommendations.
[image via Wired]
It’s no secret that almost every item on President Obama’s 2009 agenda has been met with staunch resistance from conservatives. Even centrist Democrats have sought to throw a wrench is some of the grander plans of this administration. But I read an encouraging op-ed in the New York Times last week by Senators John Kerry and and Lindsey which should move the debate over climate change legislation in the right direction.
In the op-ed, Kerry and Graham essentially plead with their peers on the right and left to begin working together on a comprehensive strategy to cut Carbon emissions. Much of the focus concerns nuclear power and sequestered Coal power technology, which is much cleaner than traditional coal power. And even though many on the left have pushed for legislation which would put the U.S. on a course to completely eliminate old energy practices, the two senators are being realistic in suggesting a gradual decrease of fossil fuel use.
Furthermore, this op-ed provides an impetus to get something done stateside before the international climate change meeting in Copenhagen. After all, much of the developing world will refuse to work with the us until it sees proof of a commitment towards change in our own energy policy.
This piece of writing represents more than just a symbolic gesture. It represents a new way forward. The only way we will see the kind of change needed to turn the country’s energy policy around is to force Republicans and Democrats to be open-minded. There must be dialogue, compromise, and above all a willingness to place politics in the background. Once we accomplish that, legislation will soon follow suit.
I gave an interview on the future of powering the world a couple weeks ago. Today it was published. Check it out at my Scribd page to get an idea of how I feel about nuclear power in the near term, the future of the grid, clean coal and whether solar alone can power America into the 21st and into the 22nd century.
An excerpt, on hydroelectric power’s role in our future…
The Hoover Dam will generate power as long as the Colorado flows. But you won’t see much in the way of new dams here. Still, there’s a good bit of potential for hydroelectric development outside the developed world. hydroelectricity provides a whole lot of zero-emission power. Three Gorges, for instance, can power 3% of China when it’s running at full capacity. That’s 40 million people. It’s an exceptional case considering the size of the project, but you can’t deny the electricity generating potential provided by flowing water. Obviously there are serious ecological concerns with hydroelectric power, but I would never say this or any zero-emission process has no future.
Read the full interview HERE.
Check out some of the news of the week on my official website. Comments and feedback always welcomed and encouraged!
The University of Minnesota’s submission to The Solar Decathlon, a Department of Energy sponsored competition to create an appealing and self-sufficient 21st century home. Read about this home and the other competitors here.
