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Wednesday, June 15, 2005
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Via sustainablog:
Poop and Pee to Power. The animal wastes keep coming, and new ideas about converting them to energy are right behind them.
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal via TriplePundit, Wisconsinites (or, at least, Wisconsin dairy farmers) are in the poop-to-power vanguard. This article focuses on the use of anaerobic digesters to convert massive amounts of cow manure into power:
The manure management side of farming is far less smelly and far more profitable when the animal waste is converted into a power source.
Such a biomass process is up and running at farms across Wisconsin and other states. Although the basic technology isn't new, it's generating attention for a local company, GHD Inc.
Company owner Steve Dvorak has run a farm implement dealership for 27 years. The farm boy turned engineer kept hearing farmers complain about manure management, and ended up developing his own line of anaerobic digesters, or waste-to-energy processors, in a complex system born of the simplicity of nature's call.
His business, with 11 employees, sells such systems around the state, across the country and now overseas.
In an anaerobic digester, cow manure is funneled in 24-inch underground pipes to long underground caverns, about the length of a football field.
A generator is used to heat the manure to 100 degrees; the reaction from the heated manure, in turn, helps run both the generator and power other parts of the farm. Unneeded power is sold to the broader electric grid.
What's left: Lagoons of wet manure, minus the toxins - and suspended solids, an odorless remnant of cow dung that is used for cow bedding.
And lest we forget that farm animals do more than poop, the Brits are experimenting with converting sheep urine into fuel:
An unusual source of fuel is being trialled as a way of cutting down on emissions and saving energy: a bus in Winchester is to be fitted with a tank of sheep's urine.
The "fuel" is being used by bus company Stagecoach in a bid to reduce emissions of harmful nitrous oxide, with the urine sprayed into exhaust fumes to achieve this effect.
Andrew Dyer, managing director of Stagecoach South, told the Guardian: "It is a novel way of reducing pollution but we believe it will work."
The Hampshire county council-backed scheme sees urine collected from farmyard waste and refined into pure urea, which contains ammonia that reacts with nitrous oxides in exhaust fumes and neutralises them.
Mr Dyer added that while the source of fuel might seem unusual, it could provide a realistic alternative in the fight to cut down on emissions.
"I got some laughs when I told a transport conference in Birmingham that sheep urine could be the key to cleaner vehicles but it is becoming a reality," he explained.
"This is the latest in green technology and we believe it will help make our cities better places to be for the public." I heard about this one on the local rock station, KSHE 95, so my philistine tastes in music do pay off every now and then... [sustainablog]
4:47:13 PM Google It! 
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Energy Policy--Manufacturing Jobs
Source: National Association of Manufacturers, the Manufacturing Institute and the American Council for Capital Formation
The Impact of Energy and Environmental Policy Choices on U.S. Manufacturing, U.S. Economic Growth and Energy Markets (PDF; 728 KB)
From press release: "Nearly 2 million jobs could be lost in the next decade if the Senate does not pass comprehensive energy legislation to be debated this week, according to a study released today by the National Association of Manufacturers, the Manufacturing Institute and the American Council for Capital Formation. The study showed that by 2020, 700,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector could be lost without passage of the energy bill, which is designed to increase energy supplies, particularly oil and natural gas, enhance the diversity of the nation's energy mix, improve energy infrastructure, promote energy efficiency and encourage research, development and deployment of new technologies."
Impact reports for individual states (PDFs) [ResourceShelf's DocuTicker]
4:44:16 PM Google It!
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Housing--Environment Policy
Source: The Enterprise Foundation/Green Communities
A Greener Plan for Affordable Housing (PDF; 1.53 MB)
From press release: "A report released today by The Enterprise Foundation shows that state housing agencies are encouraging affordable homebuilders to utilize a wide range of 'green building' practices to make homes healthier, more efficient and more sustainable. A Greener Plan for Affordable Housing summarizes elements in state plans for allocating federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (Housing Credits) in the areas of smart site locations, energy and resource efficiency, and healthy living environments. [ResourceShelf's DocuTicker]
4:35:19 PM Google It!
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For a low-income family, it's a great to have Habitat for Humanity help build you a home, but what if that home also uses little or no energy? On June 13th, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman saw firsthand how new building technologies can allow a home to use net zero energy on an annual basis. [EERE Network News]
4:13:41 PM Google It!
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DOE announced on June 14th its award of nearly $2.5 million to 18 Native American tribes located in 12 states. The tribes will employ the funds to advance their use of energy efficient technologies and to investigate the use of biomass, geothermal, solar, and wind energy on their tribal lands. [EERE Network News]
4:13:10 PM Google It!
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A new Web site from DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) provides access to state-specific energy information such as DOE grants, resource maps, project databases, energy statistics, publications, news, and contacts. [EERE Network News]
4:12:32 PM Google It!
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The Bat and Wind Energy Cooperative (BWEC) released its 2004 report on bat interactions with wind turbines in early June. While the study found high bat mortality rates at two wind power sites, it also found trends that could lead to a mitigation strategy. None of the dead bats were listed species. [EERE Network News]
4:11:57 PM Google It!
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $4.4 million to 20 small enterprises that will develop innovative uses of woody biomass, including using it as an energy source. The projects will be carried out in nine western states, as well as Louisiana, Minnesota, and South Carolina. [EERE Network News]
4:11:24 PM Google It!
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"Covering Water Quality: What You Need to Know" is a short online course offered free of charge by the Society of Environmental Journalists and the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, through Poynter's innovative e-learning center, News University. Sign up today right here.
Written by Amy Gahran of the TipSheet writing team, "Covering Water Quality" includes information on Source Water Assessments, Source Water Protection Programs, how to look for key information online and other crucial resources to help journalists develop informative and compelling stories on a topic that everyone in your audience is concerned about.
[SEJ: TipSheet]
4:10:21 PM Google It!
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While headlines continue to clamor about dwindling and precarious oil supplies, biodiesel (the fuel with "that French fry smell") has been making quiet, steady progress as a viable alternative transportation fuel in many regions. Biodiesel can burn safely in any diesel engine, making it an attractive option as US car makers begin to introduce hybrid diesel models.
Few people know that German inventor Rudolph Diesel originally designed his engine to run on peanut oil. Equipment for making "home brew" diesel fuel out of used frying oil (or just about anything else) is comparatively cheap and light enough to be portable. Biodiesel began taking on its current glitz in 1995 when 5 women (the so-called "Babes of Biofuel") crossed the country on french fry oil cadged from truck stops and greasy spoons u and made a movie about it.
A new USDA/DOE report claims that the US can sustainably produce enough biodiesel to replace 30% of the nation's current petroleum consumption. This total includes crop waste (cornstalks, etc.), grains, perennial crops (grasses, etc.), animal manure, process residues, and miscellaneous other feedstocks. The report projects that by 2010, biofuels (including biodiesel) could supply 4% of US transportation fuel needs u up from 0.5% in 2001. By 2030, that could reach 30%. If true, this could make a significant dent in US oil imports.
The USDA/DOE report includes detailed projections for various crops and other feedstocks. If your region produces these, it might be a good time to ask local farmers and state ag agencies about your region's prospects in the nation's energy future.
Biomass recently surpassed hydropower as the largest domestic source of renewable energy u currently serving about 3% of US total energy consumption. Also, biomass represents the only existing renewable source of liquid transportation fuel. DOE biodiesel backgrounder.
Interestingly, the DOE biodiesel info page bears this undated note: "The Department of Energy's Office of Biomass Program has refocused its research and development portfolio and the technology on this page is no longer a research priority."
Many states also are active in supporting and developing biodiesel and other biofuels. Find details and contacts for your state at this DOE clearinghouse site.
Meanwhile, biodiesel cooperatives have sprouted all across the nation. Several are mentioned here. These use locally available feedstocks, and distribute both to members and commercially to local gas stations.
Concerned about quality? BQ-9000 is a new accreditation program for biodiesel mfrs., marketers, and distributors throughout North America (573-635-3893).
The Natl. Biodiesel Board has published a guide to buying biodiesel, including maps and contact info for US suppliers.
In October 2004, Congress passed a two-year federal biodiesel tax incentive (excise tax credit) as part of the American JOBS Creation Act of 2004. The Natl. Biodiesel Board, American Soybean Assn., and other biodiesel advocates are lobbying for an extension of that credit.
EPA is considering redefining biofuels in a way that may negatively affect some biodiesel producers. Example coverage: Sioux City (IA) Journal, May 9, 2005 (paid archive). EPA: Barry Garelick, 202-564-9028.
BILLS TO WATCH: Also on the biodiesel legislative agenda is a federal Renewable Fuels Standard, currently included in the Fuels Security Act of 2005 in the House (HR 1608) and Senate (S 650). Both bills are currently in committee.
The largest US biodiesel plant is currently being built by a German company in Minot, ND, and should be completed by Dec. 2006.
4:09:11 PM Google It!
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Some lakes may suffer for millennia from excess nutrients in soil [ScienceNOW]
4:08:04 PM Google It!
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Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez decided to get himself tested for toxic chemicals and came away alarmed at what he found out about his favorite products. He says we're all probably doomed -- not that there's all that much we can do about it, 6/8/05. [SEJ: Environmental Journalism Today]
3:37:59 PM Google It!
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A green urban renaissance is growing, writes Francesca Lyman in the summer 2005 issue of Yes! Magazine. She cites Vancouver, Seattle, London and Chicago as prime examples, and says your town can be transformed, too. [SEJ: Environmental Journalism Today]
3:36:44 PM Google It!
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What looks like a motorcycle and sounds like a bicycle? A hydrogen-powered motorbike. USA TODAY's Chris Woodyard explains how it works and how you might be able to get one, 6/15/05. [SEJ: Environmental Journalism Today]
3:33:48 PM Google It!
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Via sustainablog:
From the Caspar, WY Star Tribune via ClimateArk, news that Murray, UT, will join the ranks of towns producing part of its power from landfill methane. What's beter is that adding this power source to the mix will result in only minimal cost increases:
"We determined to blend this with our other resources," said Gary Merrill, general manager of Murray City Power.
"We're not going out on a limb. There's no major expense involved," he said, pointing out that a private company will collect the methane and handle its conversion on site at the landfill. "Customers will see an increase of about 3.8 cents per month or 45 cents a year, worst-case." This is the kind of innovative public-private solution that can result from getting past ideological labels. Congratulations, Murray! [sustainablog]
3:33:05 PM Google It!
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Via sustainablog:
Some time back, Jonathan Adler and I debated the use of DDT to control malaria outbreaks in poorer parts of the world. I had to concede that in very limited circumstances, spraying living quarters with DDT looked like an effective use of this otherwise nasty chemical concoction. Now, from the Times of London comes news that there may be a much safer and equally effective means of controlling the mosquitoes that carry malaria parasite: a fungus similar to cheese mold:
British research has revealed that a common fungus can reduce malarial transmission by 98 per cent in the laboratory, by killing the mosquitoes that pass the parasite on.
The findings, from a team at the University of Edinburgh and Imperial College, London, suggest that spraying living quarters with the fungus, which is harmless to humans, could help to prevent infection with a disease that kills up to 2.7 million people a year.
A second study, in Tanzania, has indicated that the fungus is likely to be a practical method of malaria control in the field.
Ernst-Jan Scholte of Wageningen University in the Netherlands, who led the field research, said: "The results are extremely encouraging. The fungi provide another tool in the fight against malaria."
The approach to malaria prevention uses the fungus Beauveria bassiana as a biological pesticide. I'd imagine that even the most diehard DDT supporter (and, yes, they're out there) would have to concede that this would likely be a preferable alternative...
Thanks to my buddy Bobby for passing that along. [sustainablog]
3:32:06 PM Google It!
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Via sustainablog:
May be a possibility in the future thanks to "...a new process for converting waste plastic into lubricating oil for engines." Mike at Green Car Congress notes that such a product would provide several environmental benefits:
First, a more stable synthetic oil (an oil with high paraffinicity and, therefore, high Viscosity Index (VI, signifying high stability to change in viscosity over a wide temperature range) and low viscosity) will extend the interval between oil drains. That in turn reduces the amount of used oil requiring disposal. According to the EPA, some 200 million gallons each year are dumped into the environment.
The other benefit of a low-viscosity oil is reduced engine friction and thereby improved fuel economy.
Second is the obvious benefit in being able to recycle a portion of the ever increasing stream of waste plastics. Plastics represent 11 wt% of municipal solid waste today, up from less than 5 wt% in 2001. Sounds great, although the question I still have concerns the process of conversion: how "green" is it?[sustainablog]
3:30:28 PM Google It!
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The World Business Council for Sustainable Development has released its 'Sustainable Livelihoods video library', an online video gallery showcasing the views of global business leaders about Sustainable Livelihoods and how they are actually implementing the approach in their companies. The easy-to-navigate site also features a variety of short video clips illustrating concrete examples of sustainable livelihoods businesses already undertaken, as well as links to several other resources, including WBCSD publications and links to CNBC's Business and Development video series. The video clips I viewed were all well put together and very informative. You could spend hours exploring this site. [NextBillion.net - Development Through Enterprise - Eradicating Poverty through Profit]
3:29:09 PM Google It!
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Add the acronym PBDE -- chemicals found in everything from furniture to fish -- to the list of toxic substances about which activists are expressing concern. [Joel Makower: Two Steps Forward]
3:20:56 PM Google It!
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© Copyright
2005
Laura L. Barnes.
Last update:
10/25/2005; 12:10:49 PM.
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