Public Lands, the Solar Fast Track, and a Greener Future ... hopefully

by jamess

In case you didn't know, Solar, Wind, Geothermal Projects, are being "Fast Track" by the Obama Administration.

Fast Tracking attempts to minimize the red tape, in order to get the boots on the ground as soon as feasible.

They are OUR Public lands by the way.  We should use them to secure our Energy Future while protecting our wonderful Natural Heritage.

Here are the highlights:

BLM> California> California Desert District> Alternative Energy> Fast-Track Projects

Fast-Track Renewable Energy Projects

Solar

Ivanpah BrightSource Solar Project

The 400-megwatt project would incorporate seven 459-foot tall power towers and 214,000 heliostats (each holding two flat mirrors).

The project’s power plants would share an administrative complex/construction logistics area on approximately 4,073 acres of public land.

continued at Daily Kos....

Gulf Waters Riddled with BP Carcinogens

by rb137

An Oregon State University toxicology team has been sampling Gulf of Mexico water for contamination over the course of the BP spill and recovery. Although this work is not yet published, they report finding a 40-fold increase in often carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic compounds between May and June. They are now sampling with a technique that can select only the chemicals that are bioavailable -- the ones likely to make us sick and able to move into the food chain.

This study is crucial to understanding how chemical dispersants and exposure to UV light -- both factors that can crack hydrocarbons -- act on crude and affect PAH levels and bioavailability of the toxins created in an oil spill. The "deployed dispersant" study is pertinant in the BP spill, because they sprayed so much of the chemical onto the water's surface.

continued at Daily Kos....

Sunday Train: 1:36 NYC/Boston, 1:23 NYC/DC, $117b, 30yrs

by BruceMcF

Burning the Midnight Oil for Living Energy Independence

As The Transport Politic reported earlier this week: Amtrak Unveils Ambitious Northeast Corridor Plan, But It Would Take 30 Years to be Realized

After months of sitting on the sidelines as states and regional agencies promoted major new high-speed rail investments, Amtrak has finally announced what it hopes to achieve over the next thirty years: A brand-new, 426-mile, two-track corridor running from Boston to Washington, bringing true [Express] high-speed rail to the Northeast Corridor for the first time.

Some questions and answers, over the fold.

continued at Daily Kos....

AGW: Tianjin10/04-09 & 350 ppm

by koNko

You won’t hear about it on CNN, MSNBC or the front page of the New York Times.

It won’t make your teeth whiter, your breasts larger, grow hair to cover your bald spot or get you laid Monday night.

Bono, Bjork and Sting are unlikely to jet in for the photo ops, and Obama is not scheduled to make a surprise appearance so BWD can post some eye candy.

And the title, UNFCCC Intercessional Meetings AWG-KP14 & AWG-LCA12, aka, United Nations Climate Change Conference 4-9 October 2010 Tianjin, China, is unlikely to cause Young Republicans to masturbate compulsively, so Christine O'Donnell is safe to take the week off and attend a Church Picnic or whatever it is she does when she’s hiding from the press.

But if, like me, you think this summer was a mind-fuck of an environmental disaster for the world, join me after the flip and let’s talk about talking, because COP16/CMP6 is so last year and there are only 57 shopping days remaining until COP16 starts Nov 29, and the clock is still ticking on 350ppm.

continued at Daily Kos....