Come January, California's CO2 cap and trade program (tip o' the hat to Gov. Schwartzenegger) will be applied to motor vehicle fuels. The increase in gasoline prices (estimated at about ten cents per gallon) can be neutralized by driving 70 rather than 72 mph on the freeway, or driving an automobile that gets 31 rather than 30 mpg. The target is to get CO2 emissions back down to 1990 levels by 2020. One huge accomplishment under Gov. Brown's first administration, back in the 1970's, was to decouple power companies' profits from electricity production, eliminating their financial incentive to encourage waste, and actually making it possible for them to earn more if they generate less power. It is a great idea, but I believe California remains the only state to do it. The naysayers were certain Californians would be freezing in the dark, but no such luck.
Yep, a gas guzzler is NOT on my Christmas wish list. I very strongly suspect that the supposed desire of so many in the US for huge pickups and SUV's is created by automobile companies, which make far larger profits on such vehicles. What I want in the way of a vehicle will call for significant advances in materials science, but lots of engineering groups are working on it: an electric automobile that uses capacitors rather than batteries for energy storage, will go around 200 miles at freeway speed and can be recharged in less than five minutes. Batteries are not a good solution, but the charge density of the best capacitors is still too low to do the job. Whoever cracks that particular nut (if it *can* be done) should transform the automobile industry. --Alan
I slept last night for 5-6 hours in a row for the first time all week. And today I have less pain. I am so relieved!! Tomorrow I have the job of calling my doctor and basically telling her that (as her office was closed) I took my diagnosis and treatment into my own hands. I don't yet know if she'll applaud or hit the roof.
Howard was first, and let us not forget why.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm…could Senator Warren play Huey Long to Senator Clinton's FDR? [Click] Methinks the situation is less extreme, but might therefore be more stable and long-lasting.
--Alan
Come January, California's CO2 cap and trade program (tip o' the hat to Gov. Schwartzenegger) will be applied to motor vehicle fuels. The increase in gasoline prices (estimated at about ten cents per gallon) can be neutralized by driving 70 rather than 72 mph on the freeway, or driving an automobile that gets 31 rather than 30 mpg. The target is to get CO2 emissions back down to 1990 levels by 2020. One huge accomplishment under Gov. Brown's first administration, back in the 1970's, was to decouple power companies' profits from electricity production, eliminating their financial incentive to encourage waste, and actually making it possible for them to earn more if they generate less power. It is a great idea, but I believe California remains the only state to do it. The naysayers were certain Californians would be freezing in the dark, but no such luck.
ReplyDelete--Alan
Here in Vermont our Green Mountain Power electric company is going solar, with more and more arrays feeding the system!
DeleteAnd how about if your Mini gets 40-46mpg? :-)
What I wanna know is when can I get an electric Mini?! Yeah!!
Yep, a gas guzzler is NOT on my Christmas wish list. I very strongly suspect that the supposed desire of so many in the US for huge pickups and SUV's is created by automobile companies, which make far larger profits on such vehicles. What I want in the way of a vehicle will call for significant advances in materials science, but lots of engineering groups are working on it: an electric automobile that uses capacitors rather than batteries for energy storage, will go around 200 miles at freeway speed and can be recharged in less than five minutes. Batteries are not a good solution, but the charge density of the best capacitors is still too low to do the job. Whoever cracks that particular nut (if it *can* be done) should transform the automobile industry.
Delete--Alan
I do believe I have "got de turn"!!
ReplyDeleteI slept last night for 5-6 hours in a row for the first time all week. And today I have less pain. I am so relieved!! Tomorrow I have the job of calling my doctor and basically telling her that (as her office was closed) I took my diagnosis and treatment into my own hands. I don't yet know if she'll applaud or hit the roof.
Glad you're better!
DeleteI wouldn't say "better" just yet, but I'm headed in that direction at long last! Huzzah!!
ReplyDeleteBetter than I was, for sure!! :-D
I knew that "better" wasn't "all better." but let's hope it's "all better" soon!
DeleteIndeed!
ReplyDeleteBetter is a relative term but still it is, well, better than not.
DeleteSending good vibes for continued recovery♥
What Cat said, and now to re-watch "Contact."
ReplyDelete--Alan
P.S.: We got a lot of stuff done this weekend; often looked wintry, but no rain. Daughter in Bay Area coming down 12/24 AM, staying through 1/12.