http://www.powermag.com POWER Mag en-us 2010 Thu, 9 Sep 2010 19:19:04 EDT Cap and trade officially died on July 22 when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced at a news conference that the Democratic Caucus was unable to reach a consensus on any form of energy bill, even a recent short-lived version that proposed reducing carbon emissions from only the utility sector. I predict that carbon cap and trade is now dead for at least a decade, maybe longer.... http://www.powermag.com/issues/departments/speaking_of_power/2937.html Wed, 1 Sep 2010 0:00:00 EDT The cover of the July 5 special History Issue of TIME magazine features Thomas Edison holding a glowing bulb. A series of articles celebrate Edison’s many inventions and closes with this: “Edison’s laboratories were the forerunners of the interactive technological think tanks of Apple, Google, and Microsoft.” Though the sentiment lauds Edison, I think it’s an overstatement.... http://www.powermag.com/issues/departments/speaking_of_power/2865.html Sun, 1 Aug 2010 0:00:00 EDT Cap-and-trade programs are featured in at least two U.S. legislative proposals to reduce carbon emissions, usually by around 80% by 2050 using a 2005 baseline. The benefits that accrue from the immense investment required to reach these goals are nebulous and don’t occur until decades after the investment. Based on my back-of-the-envelope analysis, the cost-benefit ratio of these proposals does not pass a cursory cost-benefit analysis.... http://www.powermag.com/issues/departments/speaking_of_power/2782.html Thu, 1 Jul 2010 0:00:00 EDT Carol Browner, director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy, trusts the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report’s conclusions that anthropogenic carbon emissions are the primary cause of climate change. When pressed, the customary response of Browner and other proponents has been to rely on that oft-cited list of 2,500 scientists said to have given their full support of the report’s conclusions. Browner should check her facts.... http://www.powermag.com/issues/departments/speaking_of_power/2700.html Tue, 1 Jun 2010 0:00:00 EDT The Brattle Group released a provocative study paper in March in which the authors postulate that using more natural gas for generating electricity could reduce our dependence on coal-fired generation and reduce carbon emissions. Also discussed is an unexpected side effect: Renewables could push natural gas plants down in the dispatch mix in the future. Just because natural gas reserves are at a record high and the price is at historic lows doesn’t mean that gas demand will increase.... http://www.powermag.com/issues/departments/speaking_of_power/2647.html Sat, 1 May 2010 0:00:00 EDT The Brattle Group released a provocative study paper in March in which the authors postulate that using more natural gas for generating electricity could reduce our dependence on coal-fired generation and reduce carbon emissions. Also discussed is an... http://www.powermag.com/issues/departments/speaking_of_power/2699.html Sat, 1 May 2010 0:00:00 EDT I’m often asked about my source of ideas for this space each month. I have two primary sources of subject material. First, I read the industry news every day and save those items that either annoy or agitate me. At the end of the month, I go over the list, often a long one, and pick the one item that immediately motivates me to take virtual pen to paper. This month, no single item emerged as the topic for my bully pulpit, so I present a potpourri of loosely connected topics for your consideration. (It should be noted that other things bug other members of the editorial staff; we’re a diverse group and do not always agree about industry issues.)... http://www.powermag.com/issues/departments/speaking_of_power/2565.html Thu, 1 Apr 2010 0:00:00 EDT A loosely knit coalition of state leaders and environmental activists petitioned the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in late 2007 for interpretive guidance on the corporate obligation to disclose material information about all aspects of climate change. The petitioners received what they asked for and a little bit more.... http://www.powermag.com/issues/departments/speaking_of_power/2501.html Mon, 1 Mar 2010 0:00:00 EST Congress snubbed the biomass power industry in 2004 when open-loop biomass power plants were given only half the production tax credits (PTCs) received by other renewable sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal. It further dissed open-loop biomass plants by authorizing the credit for only five years (it expired December 31, 2009) rather than the 10 years given to other renewables. Why is the biomass power industry not getting the policy respect and equity with other renewable technologies that it deserves?... http://www.powermag.com/issues/departments/speaking_of_power/2438.html Mon, 1 Feb 2010 0:00:00 EST David Letterman has entertained us with his "Late Show" Top Ten list since 1985. In keeping with this issue’s theme of forecasting the future of the power industry, I’m going to step out with my top 10 list of what to expect in the next... http://www.powermag.com/issues/departments/speaking_of_power/2353.html Fri, 1 Jan 2010 0:00:00 EST