New U.S. Coins
People on the far right or far left may not like this (embedded below too; thanks, Anup!). I was cracking up!
Hat tip to my neighbor Tom for the link.
People on the far right or far left may not like this (embedded below too; thanks, Anup!). I was cracking up!
Hat tip to my neighbor Tom for the link.
I like this blogger’s/photographer’s sense of humor. My favorite is “Ending a Dysfunctional Relationship” (Nov. 1, 2007).
Hat tip to my cousin Tarit for the link.
A little late for the holidays, I know; I only just saw this (apologies for not being able to embed the video - my HTML is weak) yesterday, but I’ve been cracking up ever since! :) Boymongoose, who appears to be the brainchild of a group of Australia-based Indians, has an entire album of re-worked Christmas carols, but as yet no further “videos”. I’m looking forward to more!
Hat tip to my friend Joe for the link.
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As you may know, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an energy bill last week (H.R.6) that among many other things raises mpg standards for cars (to 35 mpg by 2020), extends and raises the tax credits for residential solar energy (thru 2014, and to $4k from $2k), and eliminates tax breaks for oil companies (currently $13.5 billion - that’s $13.5 thousand million, for our readers who speak U.K./European English).
The bill is currently being debated by the Senate, which may reject all or portions of it, and the President may also use his veto powers. If you are a U.S. voter, please send a quick note to your elected representatives to let them know your views on the matter.
To write in support of H.R.6, click here.
I’ve been asked this question fairly often ever since I had a PV solar array installed on my roof in early 2006. The short answer is yes, but many factors are involved.
The main components of a PV system are the solar panel array, which converts light into DC electricity, and the inverter, which converts the DC electricity into 110 Volt AC electricity that can be used by the house. The system is designed to run the house on solar power first and only switch to the grid when electrical demand exceeds the PV system’s power output. It operates seamlessly, so no manual intervention is ever necessary.
During winter and early spring, my home’s electrical demand is low enough that I use solar power exclusively. In fact, for a few months I generate more electricity than I consume, and sell the excess to my power company, which applies a credit to my bill during those months. During the summer, however, air conditioning (a necessity in Phoenix) requires more power than my array provides.
As an enthusiastic long-time fan of his products during my childhood, I read this story with a touch of melancholy-infused nostalgia.
Hat tip to my Dad for the link.
With all of the unpleasant side-effects of our addiction to oil (e.g. pollution, dependence on OPEC), I’ve been wondering how to reduce my own personal oil dependence. I’ve already been using my 55 mpg (= 65 mpg Imperial = 4.3 liters/100km = 23 km/liter) motorcycle for several years for most commuting & some errands, so the next step was to either buy a vehicle that gets even better mileage (but still uses gasoline), or buy one that doesn’t use gasoline at all. My preference was the latter.
The next questions were what fuel to use and what vehicle to get. The U.S. Dept. of Energy has a great alternative fuels webpage, on which one can find the pros & cons of various alternative fuels and a partial listing of alt fuel vehicles. They even have a sort of “store locator” to find locations near one’s home that sell each type of fuel. Since I’m keeping my conventional car and motorcycle for long trips, I figured a short-range vehicle for commuting and errands would be fine. I decided to get the Taiwanese-made, Vespa-style EVT-168 electric scooter after extensive research*. It can be charged at home using a standard household outlet, and, at about $2,200 delivered, is a way to test the alt fuel lifestyle (drivestyle?) without making a massive investment. On that note, beware of cheapo scooters that are more likely to be novelty items than durable vehicles.
(Photo credit: Dave’s & Jean’s EV1 Chronicles site)
Over the weekend I saw the movie “Who Killed The Electric Car”. While a bit biased, it was nonetheless an interesting look at a unique product - the General Motors EV1 - and the people and forces that brought it to market, and those that killed it.
The movie shows footage of industry insiders, celebrities, and enthusiasts praising the EV1 and attempting to save the remaining vehicles from being crushed by GM, and discussing what they’re doing today to reduce petroleum dependence. It covers the pros & cons of electric vs. gasoline vehicles in an interesting manner, and also mentions hybrids, as well as hydrogen & the issues involved in its distribution. Notably absent, however, is coverage of other alternative fuels, such as propane, biodiesel, natural gas, and ethanol, which already have existing & growing infrastructures (http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructure/refueling.html).
Despite the movie’s title, the electric car is not dead; the movie itself shows brief clips of the Venturi Fetish and the recently unveiled Tesla Roadster electric sports cars, though I don’t recall if it showed the Commutercars Tango. More information, and generally less biased, on electric and other alternatively fueled vehicles can be found at http://www.greencarcongress.com/ and http://www.autobloggreen.com/.
As an environmentalist, I had already decided before I’d even heard of this movie that my next vehicle would likely be alternatively fueled. As an occasionally left-leaning Centrist, I hope this film doesn’t suffer the same “by Liberals, for Liberals” fate as other, more flagrant “documentaries” that appeal chiefly to the already converted. Despite some bias, this movie deserves a broader audience, as it has potential to generate useful debate on current and planned transportation policy.
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