Posts Tagged ‘solar’

The mini-midterm elections have come and gone, which means I am not turning on the TV today (except for Dr. Nancy at 9am, I’m a convert!), because all the chatter of what this election means will drive me mad.  So if you’re wondering what last night's returns meant, I will save you time by telling you—they meant nothing.  Virginia’s gubernatorial race has gone against the party in the White House since 1977, and it’s Democratic candidate hoped attacking a term paper written 20 years ago would sink his opponent, who spanked him by 18 points.  In upstate New York, a Democrat won a seat that had been in Republican hands since Susan B. Anthony’s days.  California’s Lieutenant Governor was bored with his job and kept the Contra Costa County-based seat in Democratic hands.  Mayor Bloomberg barely won a third term as New York’s Mayor after spending tens of millions and barreling the City Council into revoking term limits, which turned off many of the Big Apple’s voters.  And then there’s hapless Jon Corzine.

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We’re almost into November, which means planning the holidays, scoring last minute Halloween candy, and readying the house for winter, even if you live in Los Angeles.  It’s also the time to sort out your favorite charities for tax-deductible donations, max out your health insurance plans, and scrounge for purchases for which you can get a tax rebate:  which is why I’m bringing up the Energy Star tax credits you can earn while making your home energy efficient! (more...)

I don’t understand the fuss over hapless Richard Heene and his wife.  They should not be going to jail, because clearly, they were conducting an experiment to see how solar-powered balloons could generate power for homes without the eyesore and noise of those humongous wind towers.  Balloon boy, sadly, only hid in the rafters because the experiment went awry, meaning that another season of “Wife Swap” with a family that drives SUVs and leaves the lights on all day would not be in the works.  Furthermore, had they explained this to Larry King, he would not have understood a word of it. (more...)

We've been teasing ourselves about solar since the 1970s, when Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the White House roof.  With oil prices skyrocketing last year, and their creeping rise this year, there's much talk about solar power being the wave (or ray?) of the future.  Recently I've been to several solar conferences, and the promise of houses in the Southwest and beyond generating their own power, and even contributing to the local grid, are tantalizing prospects. (more...)

Pity New Jersey.  The state has an identity crisis, overshadowed by New York.  It’s the rear end of constant jokes.  Television gave it plenty of exposure—thanks to The Sopranos.  Its politicians always get caught up in corruption scandals, including the one last week that even ensnared some rabbis!  But there’s more to Jersey than the jokes.  There is wonderful countryside, nice beaches, and small towns that take you back in time.  And thanks to some maneuvering by its utilities regulatory body, the state will soon be a leader in solar power generation, second only to California.

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Last month I mentioned that the future of alternative energy could hinge on investment from big oil.  Well, it’s certainly looking that way.  (more...)

Tax credits.  Cap-and-trade.  Kyoto.  Utility credits.  How can we really embrace alternative fuel?

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I visited Bulgaria in 2003.  I had zero expectations.  Basically I was running out of places in Eastern Europe to visit, so I thought, what the hey.  I ended up loving the country—it’s one big open air museum, has friendly people, and great food and wine.

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American farmers are often resistant to change, and have an antagonistic relationship with those in the green movement.  But there’s no reason why they can’t be part of the “green revolution,” and there’s a new program that can help smaller family farms improve their bottom line. (more...)

I mentioned in an earlier post that the LADWP is borderline hostile to solar energy.  But could there be a potential workaround for those that want to reduce fossil fuel dependence, and uh, actually shade their cars at the same time? (more...)