Energy discussion throughout the United States and international forums is linked to this website on about a quarterly basis. Energy discussion from previous weeks will continue to be listed here but articles may be subject to newspaper source archiving, which will affect access to articles. We will endeavor to update this site, as often as possible, with key energy issues raised in the national and international media. Currently, items linked by this website are obtained from policy discussion websites as well as online newspapers. The views expressed in these articles and linked websites do not necessarily reflect LEA, Inc.'s opinion. Choice of sources may be expanded in the future if needed.

Energy Discussion Links:

    The Washington Post highlights Cloudy Germany a Powerhouse in Solar Energy. [WP, May 5, 2007] Although having only half as many sunny days as countries such as Portugal, about half of the world's solar electricity is produced in Germany. On a worldwide scale, Germany operates 15 of the largest 20 photovoltaic plants.

    CBS News reports U.S. Opposes Canadian Coal Mine. [CBS, March 11, 2007] The U.S. State Department said in a letter to the British Columbia government that the proposed site just north of Glacier National Park could cause "significant adverse environmental effects" in the United States. Montana officials say the open-pit mine would jeopardize water quality in Flathead Lake and other waters popular for recreation.

    The Washington Post observes Midwest Has 'Coal Rush,' Seeing No Alternative [WP, March 10, 2007] with a new coal-fired generation station coming on line this spring. The Iowa power plant is one of over a dozen coal-fired plants currently being constructed in the United States that will increase emissions of carbon dioxide, the most prevalent greenhouse gas. Forty (40) more facilities are likely to be constructed within the next 5 years putting the energy industry on an apparent collision course with Congress, which is moving to cap and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

    The Seattle Times reports Utility gets OK to start tidal-power study. [ST, February 23, 2007] The Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) will study five northern Puget Sound sites for their tidal-power potential. Permits were issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for research sites at Speiden Channel and San Juan Channel, off San Juan Island; Guemes Channel, near Anacortes; and Agate Passage and Rich Passage, along Bainbridge Island. The PUD has three years to determine whether the sites are economically viable and environmentally safe as tidal-power sites. Tidal-current measurements are planned for next month (March 2007). The PUD will use the help of the Electric Power Research Institute ( EPRI ), which helped Tacoma Power begin Washington's first tidal-power project at the Tacoma Narrows.

    The Financial Times summarizes Study sees harmful hunt for extra oil [FT, February 19, 2007] as future oil reserves decline. The study indicates nations and energy firms worldwide will be turning to unconventional energy sources such as the Canadian oil sands, Venezuela’s Orinoco tar belt, Texas shale oil and Madagascar's heavy oil. The study was performed by the energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.

    Yahoo News reports that 4 states may divert conservation funds [YN, February 17, 2007] from oil royalty revenues. The funds were orignally intended to be used to reverse decades of environmental damage from coastal industry.

    A commentary in The Christian Science Monitor discusses Plug-in hybrids: the way to reduce emissions and foster energy independence [CSM, February 12, 2007]. The commentary is adapted from a technical paper written in the December 2006 issue of Public Utilities Fortnightly by: Steven Letendre, associate professor of business, economics, and the environment at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vt.; Paul Denholm, senior energy analyst at the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL); and Peter Lilienthal, senior economist at the NREL.

    CBS discusses Global Warming Debate Shifts To Who Pays [CBS, February 2, 2007]. The Christian Science Monitor investigates how dollars invested in clean energy may create more jobs than those invested in traditional energy sources (Unions see greenbacks in 'green' future) [CSM, January 25, 2007]. CBS reports that California regulators approved banning power companies from buying electricity from high-polluting sources, including most out-of-state coal-burning plants (California Bans Purchase Of "Dirty" Power) [CBS, January 25, 2007]. The New York Times discusses alternative energy in their editorial response to President Bush's 2007 State of the Union address [NYT, January 25, 2007]. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has an interesting website for information on energy policy.
  • Others to be Announced

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