Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Energy policy: Nuclear Here's an update on the opposition to proposed in-situ uranium recovery operations in Park County, from The Fairplay Flume From the article: Uranium is a hot issue, but it's not a partisan issue. That was the message delivered by Soren Frederiksen, chairman of the Park County Democrats, at a July 16 meeting held in Bailey about the uranium mines that may develop in South Park. "I tried to make people aware that this was more of an informational meeting and wasn't a political meeting," he said. "Uranium doesn't care whether you're a Democrat of a Republican."[...] The meeting was held to enlighten Park County residents who live in and around Bailey about the possible dangers to their way of life if the mines move forward. Members from Save Our South Park Water 2008 attended the meeting and gave a presentation on the possible effects uranium mining could have on the surrounding area. Dennis and Kristin Kist, South Park residents and members of SOSPW08, gave a presentation of the progress of Golden-based Horizon Nevada Uranium in staking mining claims. The Kists showed photographs of mining claim stakes close to a drinking water well. Jay Davis, an organizer of Coloradoans Against Resource Destruction, was on hand to talk about the fight in Weld County against uranium mines. "We are 18 months in front of Park County," he said, referring to the fight between some Weld County residents and PowerTech Uranium Corp. over the planned in-situ mining. More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "colorado water" 9:19:28 AM     Energy policy: Geothermal From The Glenwood Springs Post Independent: "A new group meets for the first time today to start looking at using hot water in the ground for heat and electricity. The Glenwood Springs City Council decided to form a 12-member geothermal task force June 5. Its three main charges are to update a 268-page 1980 geothermal heat use plan for the area by the University of Denver for the Department of Energy, to assess how current technology can apply to Glenwood's geothermal resources and to develop a business plan for a geothermal utility. Discussion will include the possibility of tapping hot water to heat structures or even creating electricity. In one example in Colorado, Pagosa Springs has operated a geothermal heating system since 1982. Hot water is pumped to the surface and heat is transferred to a "fresh-water loop" used to deliver heat to customers." "cc" 6:43:57 AM     Climate Change: The earth is a beautifully complex system You have to love predicting the weather (along with predicting climate change). It turns out that the Arctic Ocean may not see another record melt this year after all, according to Reuters. From the article: Arctic sea ice is unlikely to shrink below a 2007 record low this year in a reprieve from the worst predictions of climate change even though new evidence confirms a long-term thaw is under way, experts said. The 2007 record raised worries of a melt that could leave the North Pole ice-free this year, threaten indigenous hunters and thaw ice vital for creatures such as polar bears. It would also help open the Arctic to shipping and oil and gas firms. "Most likely there will not be a new record minimum ice year in the Arctic this September," said Ola M. Johannessen of the Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center in west Norway. Arctic sea ice area reaches an annual summer low in September but is about 1 million square kms (386,100 sq mile) bigger than at the same time in late July 2007 at about 6 million sq kms, an area almost as big as Australia. It is still far smaller than the average of recent decades... "The North Pole is likely safe for at least this year," he said. The NSIDC had suggested in May that it was "quite possible" that the pole could be ice-free this year. "The basic reason that while last summer saw an ideal atmospheric pattern for melting sea ice -- essentially a "perfect storm" -- the pattern so far this summer has been characterized by somewhat cooler conditions," he said. The 2007 low area of 4.13 million sq kms shattered a 2005 record and was among factors adding pressure on governments to slow a build-up of greenhouse gases from factories, power plants and cars. Governments have agreed to negotiate a new climate treaty by the end of 2009 to succeed the U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol. "cc" 6:25:48 AM

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