Friday, January 23, 2009

International Energy Annual

This annual report by the Energy Information Administration is the primary report of international energy statistics. For many series, data begin with the year 1980 and extend through 2006. Included are data on energy consumption and production; overviews of petroleum, natural gas, coal, and electricity, as well as carbon dioxide emissions from the use of fossil fuels, petroleum prices, energy reserves, and population ; and data unit conversion tables.

This report consists of numerous Excel spreadsheet showing energy consumption and sources for the year.

Annual Superfund Report to Congress fro Fiscal year 2008

This Environmental Protection Agency Report (EPA-350-R 09-001, dated January 2009) sets forth Superfund activity for the past year.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Renewable Energy Databook

This publication from the Department of Energy dated September 2008 provides statistics and numbers on the current production of energy in the U.S., the percentages produced by various forms of energy, Coal, Wind, Nuclear, and Hydro along with the future capacity to increase the proportions from renewables.

Integrated Modeling for Integrated Environmental Decision Making

This White Paper produced by the Environmental Protection Agency dated November 2008 (EPA100/R-08/010) aims to lay the foundation for the consistent and systematic implementation of integrated modeling approaches and practices that inform Agency decision making, at both the strategic and tactical levels. By adopting a systems approach, the goal is to facilitate better problem conceptualization, analysis of multimedia fate and transport of pollutants, assessment of cumulative exposure and risk, development and comparison of policy options and the holistic determination of the likely impacts of alternative management actions and policies. Furthermore, the goal of integrating modeling into decision making is to achieve a process that results in significant improvement in our decision effectiveness and enhances stakeholder collaboration and decision making transparency. By pursuing an organization-level approach to integrated modeling, the goal is to promote consistency and repeatability of analyses.

Monday, January 12, 2009

20% Wind Energy by 2030: Increasing Wind Energy's Contribution to U.S. Electricity Supply

This Report dated July 28, 2008 by the U.S. Department of Energy dated July 28, 2008 in a joint effort with industry, government, and the nation’s national laboratories (primarily the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory). The report considers some associated challenges, estimates the impacts, and discusses specific needs and outcomes in the areas of technology, manufacturing and employment, transmission and grid integration, markets, siting strategies, and potential environmental effects associated with a 20% Wind Scenario.

This report examines some of the costs, challenges, and key impacts of generating 20% of the nation’s electricity from wind energy in 2030. Specifically, it investigates requirements and outcomes in the areas of technology, manufacturing, transmission and integration, markets, environment, and siting.

To successfully address energy security and environmental issues, the nation needs to pursue a portfolio of energy options. None of these options by itself can fully address these issues; there is no “silver bullet.” This technical report examines one potential scenario in which wind power serves as a significant element in the portfolio. However, the 20% Wind Scenario is not a prediction of the future. Instead, it paints a picture of what a particular 20% Wind Scenario could mean for the nation.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissionfrom Light-Duty Motor Vehicles

This Report prepared by Northeast States Center for a Clean Air Future (NESCCAF) dated September 2004 this study provides an assessment of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions that could be achieved in new, light-duty motor vehicles through the application of currently available and advanced motor vehicle technologies in the 2009-2015 time frame. Results were obtained from original cost and technology analyses conducted for this study, together with information obtained from other available reports. Relative to other sectors of the economy, motor vehicles account for a particularly large share – 20 to 25 percent – of total anthropogenic GHG emissions in the Northeast.

Because total vehicle miles traveled are predicted to rise steadily in coming decades, motor vehicles also represent the fastest growing portion of the region’s overall GHG inventory. As such, the Northeast states – all of which, individually or as a region, are committed to reducing emissions that contribute to the risk of future climate change – have a keen interest in addressing the emissions contribution of the light-duty vehicle fleet. Further impetus for this assessment comes from California’s recent action – as required by Assembly Bill 1493 – to develop regulations aimed at achieving maximum feasible and cost-effective reductions in GHG emissions from light-duty vehicles beginning in model year 2009.

In recent years, numerous technologies that could substantially reduce motor vehicle GHG emissions have been developed and brought into production. For the most part, however, recent technology advances have been used to boost vehicle performance rather than to reduce emissions. With more aggressive deployment of these technologies and greater emphasis on their application in ways that reduce emissions, this study finds that average GHG emissions from new vehicles could be substantially reduced over the next decade.

Applicability and Feasibility of NOx, SO2, and PM Emissions Control Technologies for Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) Boilers

This report by the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) dated November 2008 finds that ICI boilers are a significant source of NOx, SO2, and PM emissions, which contribute to the formation of ozone, fine particles, and regional haze, and to ecosystem acidification. These boilers are relatively uncontrolled compared to EGUs and offer the potential to achieve cost-effective reductions for all three pollutants. A host of proven emission control technologies for EGUs can be scaled-down and deployed in industrial, commercial, and institutional settings to cost-effectively reduce emissions of concern. Other technologies that have not been applied to EGUs show promise for ICI boiler applications. Careful analysis will be needed to match the appropriate emission control technology for specific applications given: boiler size, fuel type/quality, duty-cycle, and design characteristics. Further, regulators will need to determine
the level of emission reductions needed from this sector in order to inform the appropriate choice of controls.

Friday, January 9, 2009

State of the Parks: Redwood National and State Parks

The Center for the State of the Parks of the National Parks Conservation Association produced a report date December 2008 on the state of the Redwood National Park. The Report found that the current overall conditions of Redwood’s known natural resources rated a “fair” score of 69 out of 100. Park staff continue to work to correct past ecosystem damage that resulted from unsustainable logging practices and incompatible upstream development. These efforts include watershed restoration (road removal and erosion control) monitoring, and vegetation management. This work is carried out by park staff and a broad-based coalition of external partners.

Redwood National and State Park’s cultural resources received a “fair” score of 66 out of 100. These cultural resources include 19th-century ranch structures, a World War II-era radar station disguised as a farmhouse, a wealth of archaeological resources, an expansive museum collection and archives, and a rich history of American Indian and Euro-American use. Among the items visitors can see at the park is a redwood dugout canoe on display within the Kuchel Visitor Center; historic stone tools, arrowheads, other carved items made by American Indians; and pieces from local, modern American Indian culture.