Article originally published in October 2002
In electricity, everything is connected to virtually everything else. That is why, when electricity began to flow across state lines in significant volumes in the 1920s, regional power pools began to form. By 1965, when a blackout affected 30 million people in northeastern United States, regional power pools blanketed the nation. A national coordination council was established.
Article below originally posted in October 2002.
Wind energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world. Wind energy provides benefits to land owners and rural communities, but not as much as it could be. At least that’s what Dan Juhl, principal of Dan Mar Associates in Minnesota, believes and he has created an interesting solution.
Note: This article was originally published in the April 2002 issue of Democratic Energy
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD’s) Advantage Home program requires a home to consume 25-50 percent less energy for cooling than the existing state energy code allows. When coupled with rooftop solar cells, these Solar Advantage homes are nearly energy self-sufficient on an annual basis. A Solar Advantage Home can result in $450 in yearly energy cost savings for homeowners.
Note: This article was originally published in the April 2002 issue of Democratic Energy
Note: This article was originally published in the April 2002 issue of Democratic Energy
Note: This article was originally published in the April 2002 issue of Democratic Energy.
Note: This article was originally published in the April 2002 issue of Democratic Energy.
Note: This article was originally published in the April 2002 issue of Democratic Energy.
In March 2002, Minnesota enacted the nation’s first biodiesel mandate. The new law requires nearly all diesel fuel sold in the state to contain at least 2 percent biodiesel by 2005. The mandate can go into effect earlier than 2005 if Congress enacts financial incentives for using vegetable oil in vehicles and if Minnesota has a sufficient in-state capacity to produce 8,000,000 gallons per year.
Note: This article was originally published in the April 2002 issue of Democratic Energy.
In a classic battle of state vs. Federal authority, Nevada faces country-wide opposition in its fight to prevent the nation’s nuclear waste from being shipped to a mountain 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Nevada has no nuclear reactors but will be home to radioactive wastes from the 31 states that do. Thirty-one states translates into 62 votes in the Senate, so Nevada faces an uphill struggle even if some of those Senators support its position.
