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Converting Coal Power Plants to Nuclear Gains Steam

Cars That Think

On a planet aspiring to become carbon neutral, the once-stalwart coal power plant is an emerging anachronism. It is true that, in much of the developing world, coal-fired capacity continues to grow. But in every corner of the globe, political and financial pressures are mounting to bury coal in the past.

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Comparative genome study finds ancestral fungus may have influenced end of coal formation; potential resource for biofuel production

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Coal deposits—the fossilized remains of plants—were formed during a 60-million year period from around 360 to 300 million years ago. Instead of accumulating as peat, which eventually was transformed into coal, the great bulk of plant biomass decayed and was released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

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Oregon Governor Signs Climate Change Bills, Including Low Carbon Fuel Standard and B2

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Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski signed into law a series of bills constituting a climate change package that includes a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS), a B2 mandate, and other transportation-related measures. The series of bills the Governor signed into law today include: House Bill 2186. House Bill 3463. Senate Bill 79. Senate Bill 101.

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Global geothermal industry passes 12,000 MW operational

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New geothermal power came on line in Kenya, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Turkey, and Mexico, as well as Oregon, Nevada and Utah in the United States. In Nevada, NV Energy is looking to replace coal plants with 300 MW of renewable energy, including geothermal. Ormat Technologies, and AltaRock Energy.

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The Complex Calculus of Clean Energy and Zero Emissions

Cars That Think

Energy-system models that marry engineering, physics, economics, and policy constraints and concerns allow us to test assumptions, explore actions, and build intuitions about how those systems work. The best we can do is to build tools that allow us to explore possible futures.” And Oregon is pretty transparent.

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MIT Researchers Elucidate Model for Escape of Underground Methane in Frozen Regions; Current Rate of Escape May be Much Faster Than Earlier Believed

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It is estimated that about 60% of global methane emissions are tied to human activities like raising livestock and coal-mining, with the rest tied to natural sources such as wetlands, decomposing forests and underground deposits known as methane hydrates. Ruben Juanes.

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Profile: Farmers Ethanol: Focusing on Sustainable Corn Ethanol Production and a Triple Bottom Line

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At the recent International Biomass Conference and Expo in Portland Oregon, Edward Einowski, a partner in the law firm Stoel Rives and an expert on biomass project financing, provided an overview of today’s financial situation: “ There has been a tremendous push towards quality ” said Einowski. Earlier post.). Financing challenges.