tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616638454001555867.post1345343617233765685..comments2016-08-31T08:37:04.506-05:00Comments on From 0-60 mph to connect: Is there a silver lining to the bad world economy?James T. Parsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18366576374825688428noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616638454001555867.post-26471649092079793742009-04-29T11:35:00.000-05:002009-04-29T11:35:00.000-05:00One interesting thing to watch over time - is the ...One interesting thing to watch over time - is the impact of loss of polar ice and the effect that has in the summer time for each pole, when there is 24 hour days. Unlike more equatorial latitudes, which have nighttime, the poles are exposed to constant daylight in the summers. That means that the impact without any ice - might be greater than one might normally assume. I kinda wonder if climatologists have generally factored this issue in?James T. Parsonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18366576374825688428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616638454001555867.post-2414439892027563782009-03-06T08:56:00.000-06:002009-03-06T08:56:00.000-06:00Hey Brandi,I heard coverage of the solar farm toda...Hey Brandi,<BR/><BR/>I heard coverage of the solar farm today. While the number of consumers supported by the farm is currently limited as I understand (5000?), and the cost per kilowatt hour might be slightly higher, I think it is a start to new energy technology. I hope that Austinites that are willing to support this cause (with a greater guaranty on their energy prices) will opt to be a customer. Such can build demand. This is not unlike those consumers who wanted flat-screen TV's in the beginning, which slowly created a large enough demand and supply system that the cost has come down. With solar power, the initial investment is the greatest, and the more citizens are supportive of solar (or wind) power, the startup costs can be covered. <BR/><BR/>For other areas, I think Lynn and your concern about water conservation is correct. As you both have noted to me, Austin Energy is the largest consumer of water. The likelihood of long-term water shortages real in both Texas and many other parts of the US is real because of warmer temperatures and more irregular and flood/draught cycles of rain. The more we can create demand for wind/solar energy, I think (you can correct me) we also gain in water conservation, when we go away from fossil fuel/nuclear generation plants and their use of water. <BR/><BR/>Lastly, water conservation in other ways must occur. The age when we plant tropical plants in Texas in outdoor gardens probably needs to be left in the 20th Century. Native plants and grasses, such as buffalo grass or other ground covers, probably need to be the norm. Maybe the water system can take some plays from Austin Energy and give water rebates for those that install xeroscapic plants and have them inspected by the city for compliance. AE has done similar efforts with energy efficiency and that is a great tool. <BR/><BR/>The City and County also need to take similar steps for public parks. Instead of using extreme amounts of water to fight to keep non-native grasses in Zilker and elsewhere, maybe seeding buffalo grass is the way to go. While the government may or may not be "charged" for water in the same way, all of the community need to find ways to conserve. <BR/><BR/>If that isn't a softball down the center of the plate for you to smack, I don't know what I can say? ;-) Thanks for contributing and doing ALL you do, Brandi.<BR/><BR/>jtp.James T. Parsonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18366576374825688428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616638454001555867.post-41695826127867791312009-03-06T01:21:00.000-06:002009-03-06T01:21:00.000-06:00James, I think you are right on. What do you propo...James, I think you are right on. What do you propose we do in Central Texas to retool our energy economy. Our City Council passed the solar farm project this afternoon and the Pecan Street Project (smart grid, distributed energy, and more) shows a lot of promise. It still feels like a long shot, unless we generate massive consumer support for it, since it threatens the status quo of our municipally-owned (read monopoly) utility. Don't get me wrong, a LOT of my friends work there, are very green people, and Austin Energy is responsible for a huge transfer to the City's general fund that supports park and libraries and safety and such. BUT, it will take political will, and citizen willpower to really effect a big shift.<BR/>Peace, BrandiBrandi Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15340198799340381227noreply@blogger.com