Cold Air Currents: Articles of interest
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Energy Costs Having Serious Impact on the North's Economy
wawa-news.com - FONOM - Energy Costs Having Serious Impact on the North's Economy
"Spacek then quoted a report done by the Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors (NOLUM) that states “The energy intensity of business in Northern Ontario is significant: 10 – 40% of operating costs. Further, the overall consumption of electricity in Northern Ontario is 80% business and 20% consumers. Therefore, Northern energy costs and the energy economy are much more significant than in Southern Ontario.”
"Spacek then quoted a report done by the Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors (NOLUM) that states “The energy intensity of business in Northern Ontario is significant: 10 – 40% of operating costs. Further, the overall consumption of electricity in Northern Ontario is 80% business and 20% consumers. Therefore, Northern energy costs and the energy economy are much more significant than in Southern Ontario.”
Friday, May 6, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Wilkinson's Dishonourable Answers
Excerpt from the Hansard for May 5th, 2011-05-05
Mr. John Yakabuski: My question is for the Minister of the Environment. Your ministry has received 750 complaints about wind turbines in just two years. That’s more than one complaint a day. This should come as no surprise. Every member in this House has received complaints about the siting of wind turbines. You claim to have rules regulating the placement of wind turbines, but by your own admission you’re doing absolutely nothing about non-compliance. Companies are in the business of making a profit. If your ministry issues no fines and issues no orders to comply, you are giving them your tacit approval to ignore the rules.
Why have you abandoned your responsibility as a government to set the rules and to also make sure that they are followed?
…..
Clueless In Toronto
Wind versus nuclear - the debate - thestar.com
It's not very complicated.
Nuclear is purchased by the system operator at less than Ontarians pay to consume it.
Wind, solar and natural gas are purchased by the system operator at far more than Ontarians pay to consume them.
Mr. Spears' deliberate obfuscation adds nothing to Bruce Sharp's calculations.
It's not very complicated.
Nuclear is purchased by the system operator at less than Ontarians pay to consume it.
Wind, solar and natural gas are purchased by the system operator at far more than Ontarians pay to consume them.
Mr. Spears' deliberate obfuscation adds nothing to Bruce Sharp's calculations.
More Monbiot - With More Notable Quotes
"The problem we face is not that we have too little fossil fuel, but too much."
One interesting point made in, "Let's face it: none of our environmental fixes break the planet-wrecking project."
The excellent column was followed closely by an excellent post at his blog; "The green problem: how do we fight without losing what we're fighting for?"
1. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions means increasing electricity production. It is hard to see a way around this. Because low-carbon electricity is the best means of replacing the fossil fuels used for heating and transport, electricity generation will rise, even if we manage to engineer a massive reduction in overall energy consumption. The Zero Carbon Britain report published by the Centre for Alternative Technology envisages a 55% cut in overall energy demand by 2030 – and a near-doubling of electricity production.
One interesting point made in, "Let's face it: none of our environmental fixes break the planet-wrecking project."
The excellent column was followed closely by an excellent post at his blog; "The green problem: how do we fight without losing what we're fighting for?"
1. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions means increasing electricity production. It is hard to see a way around this. Because low-carbon electricity is the best means of replacing the fossil fuels used for heating and transport, electricity generation will rise, even if we manage to engineer a massive reduction in overall energy consumption. The Zero Carbon Britain report published by the Centre for Alternative Technology envisages a 55% cut in overall energy demand by 2030 – and a near-doubling of electricity production.
Mallick - didn't she use to be somebody?
Canada's cold new dawn | Heather Mallick | Comment is free | The Guardian
I particularly enjoyed the description of Prime Minister Harper as, "a Canadian version of George W Bush, minus the warmth and intellect, is now prime minister."
To steal from Prime Minister Trudeau, I'm sure Harper has been called far worse things by far better people.
I particularly enjoyed the description of Prime Minister Harper as, "a Canadian version of George W Bush, minus the warmth and intellect, is now prime minister."
To steal from Prime Minister Trudeau, I'm sure Harper has been called far worse things by far better people.
Publish Post
Sunday, May 1, 2011
one fish, two fish, true-ish ...
Scientists Spar Over Fish Populations - NYTimes.com
It's a little obscure - but I found it interesting:
“I have no argument with the point that with stocks that are well managed you can have sustainable fisheries ...”
It's a little obscure - but I found it interesting:
“I have no argument with the point that with stocks that are well managed you can have sustainable fisheries ...”
Study Forecasts Economic Harm to Ohio from Energy Mandates
Study: Ohio’s Alternative Energy Mandates Will Keep Its Economy in a Slump
A quote from the full study:
"Not unlike taxes, higher electricity prices produce negative effects on economic activity, since one is paying a higher price for electricity without an increase in the value of that electricity."
A quote from the full study:
"Not unlike taxes, higher electricity prices produce negative effects on economic activity, since one is paying a higher price for electricity without an increase in the value of that electricity."
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