I’m No Expert…

Everyone seems to agree that America needs to break its addiction to oil. But for many the solution is to drill more oil wells here in the lower 48, Alaska, and offshore; you know “Drill Baby Drill.”  But that really doesn’t break our addiction, it only changes “dealers”. That’s like trying to quit cocaine by switching to a dealer closer to home.

I’m no expert, but these people don’t seem to have a clue. Even in the wake of the greatest oil disaster in history, they still think “Drill Baby Drill.”

Breaking our addiction from oil must begin with changing the mindset of Americans. Oil can be just one component of our energy. As we add other sources, such as renewables, we use less oil. More drilling only begets more more drilling! It’s time to break the viscious cyle of oil.

Tags: Energy, National Issues by Jay Stuart
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As if you really need to ask. But Jonathan Powers, a veteran of the war in Iraq, reaffirms the reasons, probably adding a few you never thought of, and describes the consequenses of maintaining the status quo.

“This year, as Americans across the nation celebrate July Fourth with barbecues and fireworks, those most responsible for defending our independence, the military, will continue to fight two wars. And it is a shame that we will let yet another July Fourth pass us by without making substantial progress toward ending our unnecessary dependence on oil, a dependence that is funding the bullets that our enemies fire at our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.”  READ MORE

Tags: Energy, National Issues, Politics, Renewable energy, environment by Jay Stuart
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Everyday millions of gallons of oil pour into the Gulf of Mexico, poisoning it’s wildlife and destroying the economy. Thousands of people are without work and permanently lost their livelihood.  The effects are just beginning to ripple to the overall economy. [Read more →]

Tags: Economy, Energy, environment by Jay Stuart
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For decades environmentalists and those “bleeding heart liberals” warned of environmental disaster should we from fossil fuels, oil spills in particular. Opponents insisted leaks such as the one we face in the Gulf were virtually impossible. Besides they were carefully “self-regulating” and taking all precautions and safe guards. Even now supporters of our fossil-fuel based society argue that this is just one off shore oil rig while there are hundreds operating safely. But it only takes one to see an ecosystem destroyed, not to mention the economy of a large portion of the country. And unfortunately we are just seeing the beginning of this disaster. The ramifications this may not be know for years. [Read more →]

Tags: Economy, Energy, National Issues, environment by Jay Stuart
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BP announced it plans on capturing 20,000 barrels of oil/day from the leaking pipe with its newest containment cap. That’s great! But for the last few weeks BP estimated 12,000 – 19,000 barrels of oil/day were being released from the leak. I’m no expert, but that’s 1,000 barrels more than they said was leaking. Makes you wonder about the truth.

They may not know how much oil is being released into the Gulf of Mexico. What’s worse, they may not know how to stop it. The other day Admiral Allen of the Coast Guard said that even if the relief wells work, at best they are two months away. Note the scary words in that sentence…”even if”.

Tags: Energy, environment by Jay Stuart
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BP engineers said Saturday that the “top kill” technique had failed and, after consultation with government officials, they had decided to move on to another strategy. Repairing this disaster is no easy feat and we can be sure the best minds in the country are working on it. But that doesn’t mean it that there is actually a fix out there.

First, BP tried to repair a blowout preventer with submarine robots. That failed. Then its efforts to cap the well with a containment dome failed when it became clogged with a frothy mix of frigid water and gas. BP then tried using a hose to gather escaping oil but managed to catch only a fraction of the escaping oil. In the meantime, BP has started work on two relief wells, but has said that it will not be completed until August — further contributing to what is already the worst oil spill in United States history.

At a rate of 12,000-19,000 barrels of oil a day (504,000-798,000 gallons a day), the spill has already dumped 18 million – 40 millions gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Assuming the spill continues until the relief wells are completed that would add an additional 1,104,000- 1,748,000 barrels of oil or 46,368,000 – 73,416,000 gallons (for grand total of 64,368,000-113,416,000 gallons).

But what if the relief wells don’t stop the leak? What then? How can we count on that working in light of the current failures. Is anyone preparing for this? Can we prepare for this? Will the Gulf of Mexico become a wasteland void of life? The Gulf fishing industry crushed? I’m no expert so no answers here. But what is surprising are the lack of questions and discussion that it’s time to make a serious effort to move away from this oil-based society.

The argument that moving to renewable energy would cost too much pales in comparison to the cost of staying on oil.

Tags: Economy, Energy, National Issues, Politics, Renewable energy by Jay Stuart
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Texas Gov. Rick Perry offered a stern warning against halting oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico in the wake of a massive oil leak, and he raised the question of whether the explosion was an “act of God.”

While it’s known that the Governor is a staunch supporter of the oil industry, I actually agree with him, but probably for different reasons. I think god is sending us a message to stop this dangerous drilling. We ignored previous signs such as the Valdez accident, middle-east blackmail, and the havoc oil prices wreaked on our economy.

God has given us other safe and bountiful sources of energy; it’s time we listen and use them.

Tags: Economy, Energy, National Issues by Jay Stuart
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For decades, the US automotive industry fought pressure to develop and research more energy efficient cars. The big 3 cried that it would be too expensive destroying their bottom line. They spent millions on PR and lobbyists to persuade Congress no to adopt more stringent laws compelling manufacture of cars with higher MPG. Well we knw what happened to the Big 3.

Today, Republicans in Congress are resisting any laws, tax breaks, or financial incentives that would help springboard the renewable energy industry. Their main argument is that it would cost companies and the country too much money. Clearly the Republican party has not learned anything from decades helping the automotive industry fight manufacturing cars with greater fuel efficiency.

Will this country need to run out of gas or become too expensive for anyone to afford it before they wake up?

Tags: Energy, National Issues, Renewable energy by Jay Stuart
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Here’s an exciting new technology that could revolutionize energy production–Solar cells soon could be painted onto the sides of buildings or rooftops with nanoparticle inks. [Read more →]

Tags: Energy, Renewable energy by Jay Stuart
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I’m as lazy as can be and if I lowered my electric bill 25% by doing these three things—you can too!

1. Use Compact fluorescent bulbs
First replace your traditional incandescent light bulbs with the new energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs. They use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. They cost a little more than regular light bulbs, but you make up the cost difference in no time. So that’s easy!

2. Unplug unnecessary electronics
Next unplug all electronic equipment that you don’t regularly use. Believe it or not all our electronics, such as TVs, DVDs and CDs players, are on stand-by mode and still draw electricity even while we are not actually using them. You may think it’s just a little power so what’s the difference, but it adds up. So if you have a TV or DVD player in your guest room or someplace else in your home that you do not regularly use, unplug it.

3. Turn off computer equipment
The third thing is switch off all your computer equipment and accessories at night. Your printer, modem, external hard-drive, computer, display, and USB hubs are all drawing electricity. If you’re not using them while you’re asleep at night why leave them and finance the electric company? To make it easier I turn off my computer then turn off the powerstrip/surge protector to all my computer equipment. That’s just 2 switches!

Saving money, using less fossil fuels, producing less CO2—I’m no expert, but it seems like a no brainer! save money, save electricity, save money, save electricity, save money, save electricity, save money, save electricity, electric bill, cut electric bill, electric bill, cut electric bill

Tags: Economy, Energy, environment by Jay Stuart
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