Comments on Cleantech Blog: 2006 in Review

Anyone helpful, I have been given a light which is...

2007-02-05T07:15:04.579-08:00

Anyone helpful, I have been given a light which is fluorescent but which I am not familiar with. It seems to have piping for hard gas as a medium. I have some images of it online at: - www.clivenicholas.com
Cleantech Blog
Any advise welcome as I cannot identify it to find an instructional manual. I have tied before, whereupon I discovered that such items were taken off the market as the plastic cover could heat up if the appliance be left on continuously. Thanks Clive Nicholas.

Wow, this is some pretty well put together stuff. ...

2007-02-02T19:30:43.253-08:00

Wow, this is some pretty well put together stuff. I liked number one the most.

Richard, great list and it puts so much opportunit...

2007-01-02T20:18:56.226-08:00

Richard, great list and it puts so much opportunity back in the hands of Americans. As a manager with ZAP! working with green consumer products every day I can tell you that we still need urging and encouragement from policy makers to help bring the light to the people! and it feels like the tides are indeed turning away from ignorance!

Charles,Thanks for the catch: absolutely, Californ...

2007-01-02T15:57:32.363-08:00

Charles,

Thanks for the catch: absolutely, California's passage of a fairly bold greenhouse gas program should have made my list. An oversight on my part.

Great list Richard!On the topic of climate change,...

2007-01-02T05:22:50.400-08:00

Great list Richard!

On the topic of climate change, I would add that in 2006 California moved ahead with formal greenhouse gas reduction targets, including a commitment to using "market-based" mechanisms (i.e. emissions trading). Other Western states are in discussion with California for the possible implementation of a region-wide framework.

On the East Coast, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative continued to firm up plans for its cap-and-trade system.

While I agree that there may not be a framework to control GHG at the federal level anytime soon, I think 2006 has been the year that has seen the most action at the regional level so far on climate change. There is no doubt that formal regulatory approaches to control GHG will have a very positive impact on the clean tech and alt energy sectors.

MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY – THE ENERGY EVOLUTION ...

2007-01-01T23:45:02.176-08:00

MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY – THE ENERGY EVOLUTION –R2

In order to insure energy and economic independence as well as better economic growth without being blackmailed by foreign countries, our country, the United States of America’s Utilization of Energy sources must change.
"Energy drives our entire economy." We must protect it. "Let's face it, without energy the whole economy and economic society we have set up would come to a halt. So you want to have control over such an important resource that you need for your society and your economy."
Our continued dependence on fossil fuels could and will lead to catastrophic consequences.

The federal, state and local government should implement a mandatory renewable energy installation program for residential and commercial property on new construction and remodeling projects with the use of energy efficient material, mechanical systems, appliances, lighting, etc. The source of energy must by renewable energy such as Solar-Photovoltaic, Geothermal, Wind, Biofuels, etc. including utilizing water from lakes, rivers and oceans to circulate in cooling towers to produce air conditioning and the utilization of proper landscaping to reduce energy consumption.

The implementation could be done on a gradual scale over the next 10 years. At the end of the 10 year period all construction and energy use in the structures throughout the United States must be 100% powered by renewable energy.

In addition, the governments must impose laws, rules and regulations whereby the utility companies must comply with a fair “NET METERING” (the buying of excess generation from the consumer), including the promotion of research and production of “renewable energy technology” with various long term incentives and grants. The various foundations in existence should be used to contribute to this cause.

A mandatory time table should also be established for the automobile industry to gradually produce an automobile powered by renewable energy. The American automobile industry is surely capable of accomplishing this task.

This is a way to expedite our energy independence and economic growth. It will take maximum effort and a relentless pursuit of the private, commercial and industrial government sectors commitment to renewable energy – energy generation (wind, solar, hydro, biofuels, geothermal, energy storage (fuel cells, advance batteries), energy infrastructure (management, transmission) and energy efficiency (lighting, sensors, automation, conservation) in order to achieve our energy independence.

Jay Draiman
Northridge, CA. 91325
1-1-2007

P.S. I have a very deep belief in America's capabilities. Within the next 10 years we can accomplish our energy independence, if we as a nation truly set our goals to accomplish this.
I happen to believe that we can do it. In another crisis--the one in 1942--President Franklin D. Roosevelt said this country would build 60,000 [50,000] military aircraft. By 1943, production in that program had reached 125,000 aircraft annually. They did it then. We can do it now.
The American people resilience and determination to retain the way of life is unconquerable and we as a nation will succeed in this endeavor of Energy Independence..