National News: Gases on auction block

In today’s Amarillo Globe News, there is an Associated Press story about the nation’s first auction of pollution credits aimed at curbing global warming.

Auction proceeds will go toward energy conservation and renewable energy programs in each of the 10 participating states: New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The program aims to hold carbon dioxide emissions steady through 2014 and then gradually reduce them; it is widely viewed as a model for future programs nationally and around the globe.

“It’s historic,” said Lance Pierce, climate program director of the Union of Concerned Scientists. “The carbon markets have arrived in the United States. And carbon markets, if designed correctly, hold the promise for development of cleaner energy … and reductions in global warming pollution that benefit consumers, businesses and the environment, as well.”

Click here to read more about the greenhouse gas sales.

Local News: Panhandle wind to generate power for ERCOT

There’s a new segment from High Plains Public Radio out about Panhandle wind power and ERCOT. Click here to listen.

The segment is part of the Regional News Report by Mark Haslett, who did an interview with AEI’s Ken Starcher earlier this month about how wind power might affect afterlife. Click here to hear that and check out HPPR for more local wind energy news!

Texas News: Texas approves major wind power project

Check out this article from My Way News AP about wind power in Texas.

In what experts say is the biggest investment in the clean and renewable energy in U.S. history, utility officials in the Lone Star State gave preliminary approval Thursday to a $4.9 billion plan to build new transmission lines to carry wind-generated electricity from gusty West Texas to urban areas like Dallas.

“People think about oil wells and football in Texas, but in 10 years they’ll look back and say this was a brilliant thing to do,” said Patrick Woodson, vice president of E.On Climate & Renewables North America, which has about 1,200 megawatts of wind projects already in use or on the drawing board in Texas.

Texas is already the national leader in wind power, generating about 5,000 megawatts. But wind-energy advocates say the lack of transmission lines has kept a lot of that power from being put to use and has hindered the building of more turbines.

Click here to read more.

Local News: Mike Pool's Solar Cooker

From Blogger Pictures

Today, we had a visit from Mike Pool who has had his solar cookers featured in Back Home Magazine’s June edition. (The article starts on page 42!)

His solar fryer can be seen here.

Local News: KVII Interview

KVII will be airing an interview with AEI’s Ken Starcher on ethanol tonight at 5, 6 and 10 PM. Tune in!