Tag Archives: california
Biofuel Development Key To Meet California’s GHG Emission Reduction Goal
11 Jun 2013 Biofuel development could be the answer for California to meet its 2050 greenhouse gas emission reduction goal, according to a new report that focuses on the state’s biofuel potential. The report titled “California Energy Future: The Potential for Biofuels,” done by the California Council on Science and Technology, co-authored by Heather Youngs and Chris Somerville, concluded that developing the potential for next-generation biofuels can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, specifically, replacing the use of gasoline with cellulosic ethanol and biodieasel. However, replacing gasoline with conventional cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel can only reduce California’s emissions by as much as 53 percent of the 80 percent GHG emissions reduction goal. In order for the state to meet its target, the report suggested developing other alternatives to fossil fuel such as low-carbon lignoecellulosic ethanol or biomass derived from hydrocarbons and a reduction in the overall demand for fuel. The authors of the report cautioned that even with optimistic efficiency, electrification, the use of other renewable energy sources, the use of extensive amounts of low-carbon biofuels is still needed. That is why when it comes to the issue of using vast amounts of biomass to power the state; the authors explained that “sustainable resource management” and “judicious use of feedstocks” is needed to fully maximize the resource. Currently, California is targeting 75 percent of its biofuels from its state resources. According to Ms. Youngs, reaching the 75 percent goal can be met by importing biomass from countries like Brazil, of which will then be used to supply the state’s biorefineries, however, this would prove very costly. The target of reducing GHG emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050 comes from the State Executive Order S-03-05 that was signed by then governor Arnold Schwarzenegger back in 2005. With such a timeframe, Ms. Youngs believes that technologies can be deployed to produce low carbon biofuels by then, but this deployment of technologies will still have to depend on factors such as biomass supply and economic considerations. In another report also done by the California Council on Science and Technology, titled “California’s Energy Future – The View to 2050,” it was found that i to make a mark on the 2050 GHG emissions goal would require different strategies. The strategies in the report were stringent efficiency measures; avoiding the use of fossil fuel through electrification; doubling the use of electricity produced from renewable energy and other sources as well as storing carbon dioxide emissions underground; and getting enough supply of low-carbon fuel. – EcoSeed Staff Continue reading
REFILE-Elite Flyers Pressure United Airlines To Act On Climate Change
Mon Jun 10, 2013 6:25pm EDT By Valerie Volcovici (Reuters) – A group of United Airlines’ most frequent flyers, including billionaire investor Tom Steyer, on Monday called on the big airline to stop blocking climate change actions. United Airlines Inc has opposed “multiple efforts to curb climate change pollution, at home and abroad,” the group, Flying Clean, said in a letter to Chief Executive Jeff Smisek. Flying Clean, launched by several nongovernmental organizations seeking to reduce carbon emissions from airplanes, sent its letter ahead of United’s annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday in Arlington, Virginia. It had 85,000 electronic signatures including 2,700 elite frequent flyers. “If United wants to stay competitive, it needs to take climate change seriously and act in its customers’ – and the planet’s – best interest,” said Steyer, a former hedge fund manager turned environmental campaigner. The letter criticized United for leading a lawsuit to fight a European law that would make airlines pay for carbon dioxide they emit on flights to and from EU airports; lobbying in the United States against emissions initiatives; and trying to reverse California’s low-carbon fuel standard. United Airlines spokeswoman Megan McCarthy disputed the claims, and said the airline is on a task force of the International Air Transport Association, an industry lobbying group seeking a global solution to airline emissions. “The entire industry got together to say that we supported a global approach rather than a regional approach,” she said. Flying Clean also asked United to support a global market-based approach to cutting emissions in the U.N.’s International Civil Aviation Organization. That effort would cut emissions by more than current voluntary goals. Last week, the industry lobbying group said it will ask governments to create a system through which airlines would offset any increase in emissions after 2020 by buying carbon credits from projects that reduce emissions in other sectors. Some analysts doubted whether the airline industry would actually pressure governments to ink a deal in time for the U.N. group’s general assembly in Montreal beginning Sept. 24. Frank Loy, a former airline executive who led U.S. climate negotiations in the U.N. under President Clinton, said airlines should put their energy into pressure governments into securing a deal rather than trying to block one. “A major airline like United being a leader would make a big difference,” he said. Continue reading
Horse property for sale, Wadsworth, IL
Beautiful country estate with plenty of room for horses for sale in Wadsworth, IL. The custom built home has every luxury – hardwood floors, cherrywood cabin… Continue reading
