[GWSG] FL solar $; home helpers; corn yields; no peat; EPA on coal; tidal power; House chided; wind over nukes; old hyperthermals

[Tilley, Al]

1.  In Florida, Progress Energy and Gulf Power both plan to offer a $2 a watt rebate toward solar panels, along with other clean energy incentives. http://www.panhandleparade.com/index.php/mbb/article/public_service_commission_approves_gulf_powers_new_renewable_energy_pr/mbb7727881/#ixzz1BzR3qzpU  ;   http://www.wakulla.com/Announcements/Community/Progress_Energy_Florida_to_Launch_Expanded_Solar_Energy_Program_in_March_2011020211462/

2.  The US Department of Energy runs an Energy Savers page with tools and tips for homes.  http://www.energysavers.gov/  The DSIRE site is the best comprehensive listing of energy incentives.  http://www.dsireusa.org/  Here is the USGBC’s Green Home Guide.  http://greenhomeguide.com/

3.  Combined heat and drought have a marked impact on corn yields.  The article focuses on Africa.  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-14/corn-may-be-more-vulnerable-to-warming-stanford-study-shows.html

4.  Thawing peat was not behind the temperature rise 10,000 years ago—the peat had not yet formed.  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110315130108.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29

5.  Meeting a court deadline, the EPA has proposed guidelines for emissions from coal plants which, if enforced, will probably lead to the early decommissioning of some older plants by 2015.  http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110316/us_nm/us_usa_epa_power

6.  Scottish Power Renewables announced that it will install the world’s first tidal array of turbines in the Sound of Islay.  The 10 megawatt project will begin producing power in 2013-15 and could be followed by a proposed 1600 megawatt installation in Scottish waters.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-12767211  (Further details are given in the linked 5 minute radio story.)

7.  Ignorant votes by US House Republicans have drawn a response from scientists in Nature: “. . .the US Congress has entered the intellectual wilderness. . ..”  http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0317-hance_us_climate.html

8.  The European Union climate change commissioner has said that it would be cheaper to generate power from offshore wind turbines than from new nuclear plants.  http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/mar/17/wind-cheaper-nuclear-eu-climate

9.  From 50 to 40 million years ago, the earth experienced hyperthermal periods of warming similar to that expected this century, lasting about 40,000 years per event.  The cause is thought to have been CO2 from the oceans.  The new study from Scripps can provide a base for the estimation of how long the earth might take to recover from our current greed, ignorance, and folly. http://www.sciencecentric.com/news/11031715-ancient-hyperthermals-guide-anticipated-climate-changes.html
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