If you listened to, or read, President Bush’s speech last night, you might be thinking that a 20% reduction in gasoline use over the next decade sounds pretty good. That is, until you go to the White House website to read the details of the plan, in which they use a word the President conveniently … Read More
Alternative energy
Bush Expected to Stress Energy Security
A year after warning that America was addicted to oil, President Bush is expected to renew concerns about energy security in his State of the Union address tomorrow night. But despite his positive rhetoric, little has changed over the last year and little is expected to radically change during the next.
General Motors Pushes Alternatives to Oil
The CEO of General Motors, Rick Wagoner, is pushing for government tax credits and fuel subsidies to encourage the development and use of alternative fuel technologies. With the price of oil at its lowest level in 19 months, Wagoner said that the US runs “the risk of reverting back to our traditional energy policy … … Read More
Asian States Sign Key Energy Deal
Leaders at an East Asian summit have signed an agreement to promote energy security and find alternatives to conventional fuels. The agreement was signed by 10 South East Asian nations, China, Japan, New Zealand, India, S Korea and Australia.
To Drive or Eat, That is the Question
A new study has found that ethanol plants could use as much as half of America’s corn crop next year, renewing concerns about whether there will be enough corn to support the demand for both fuel and food.
Indian PM Asks for Alternative Energy
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called for his country’s scientists and engineers to develop alternative energy sources. Addressing the Indian Science Congress he said “India must find alternative sources of energy supply. We will need bio-fuel, solar energy, photo voltaic, nuclear and almost all sources, which do not burden the conventional sources of energy … Read More
The End of Oil in Africa?
As the oil price continues to rise, many African oil-importing countries are beginning to look at ways of lessening their dependence on the fuel. Whilst continuing high oil prices are good news for the 13 African countries which are net oil exporters, for the 42 oil-importing countries, higher prices are creating serious challenges.
EU’s Secret Rethink on Carbon Emissions
The European Commission is arguing that Europe should set a new, unilateral, target for cutting CO2 emissions, agree legally binding plans to boost renewable energy and bring cars into its carbon trading scheme. The secret blueprint, drawn up by the Commission’s vice-president, Gunther Verheugen, marks a significant shift in thinking as officials in Brussels seek … Read More
Boulder to Introduce First US Carbon Tax
Voters in Boulder, Colorado have approved what may the US’s first “carbon tax.” The tax, which will take to take effect in April next year, will be based on the number of kilowatt-hours used. The tax is to pay for the “climate action plan,” efforts to “increase energy efficiency in homes and buildings, switch to … Read More
India Expands Wind Market
India’s growing economy – and with it its increasing emissions of carbon dioxide – are often cited as one of the reasons why countries such as America refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol. The argument went like this: Why should America hurt its economy by reducing emissions, when China and India were free to grow … Read More