Welcome to the December 2008 Green InSight eNewsletter!

Jon Dougal Editor, Green InSight

This insightful and progressive newsletter is concerned with present energy issues and technologies as well as the future of energy. The information is brought to you in living color, on widescreen digital HD format, and sparing paper use with our long shelf-life, greedy little electrons to deliver the latest from the far corners of the alternative and renewable energy empire to foster sustainable development. We exalt your feedback and contributions of your latest experiences and reactions to our content. Sustainability is not just our mission, it is our passion.

SunEthanol Changes Name To Qteros

By: Staff Writers
Date: Nov 21, 2008
Source: Hadley MA (SPX) (www.biofueldaily.com)

The biggest development in the future of the planet by way of more zero carbon fuel has happened. Cellulosic enzymes are the mechanism to change plant waste into alternative fuels through conversion to sugar and then fermentation to alcohol. Here we get word of that development and subsequent major investment. This development will take the heat off the corn growers and the resultant rising price of food to supply the ethanol mandate of the US Congress.

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IAEA to Issue New Report on Quake-hit Japan Nuclear Plant

By: Staff Writers
Date: Dec 5, 2008
Source: Vienna (AFP) (www.nuclearpowerdaily.com)

If the current economic crisis doesn't forestall investment, nuclear power will be a major factor in meeting the energy needs of the future world. The major problem is the time it takes to get a plant online, maybe 10 years. All will go well if the public perceives the technology as safe from human error. Past mishaps have been costly to public relations. Yet many nations have been using nuclear power with not problems. If damage from a quake is non-existent the public may buy-in to meet growth targets and employment projections. We haven't yet learned how to have a healthy world economy without growth - that means power = employment = prosperity = happy campers!

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California Moves To Dramatically Reduce Diesel Particulate-Matter Emissions

By: Karen Caesar
Date: December 12, 2008
Source: California Environmental Protection Agency, Air Resources Board (www.arb.ca.gov)

Big rig trucks in combination with rail and ocean freight distribution are a cost effective means of getting the goods to the end consumer. However, port operations contribute to 30% of air pollution in major port cities. Ocean vessels, vehicles transporting containers around port yards and the trucks that take the containers to rail lines have had a free ride for too long. Just as non-road engines were regulated in 2004, regulations need to come to all trucking and freight distribution services. AB32, California's anti-global warming act sets up a new economy through overt actions and regulation of trucking. AB32 will be hard and costly at first, but it does create an economy of scale through incentives to replace older trucks or retrofit them to be compliant to current air pollution guidelines. Better air pollution guidelines will in return save the major population from extraneous healthcare costs associated with bad air.

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Low Carbon Economies

By: Kirstin Miller
Date: December 2008
Source: Ecocity Builders (ecocitybuilders.org)

A Low carbon economy is what the California anti climate change act of 2006 AB32 is all about. As society moves forward toward such a loft goal as this there will be sacrifices. Like loosing certain conveniences like going to the store for a single loaf of bread. Keep an open mind and realize that progress is sometimes painful and requires individual sacrifice.

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The 2030 Challenge Stimulus Plan Transition Team Brief Architecture 2030

By: Edward Mazria
Source: Architecture 2030 (www.architecture2030.org)

Project

Because investing in energy efficiency in buildings is the most effective way to create jobs and revive the economy (see Justification), Architecture 2030 recommends an investment of $171.72 billion ($85.86 billion each year for two years) in a plan that integrates a housing mortgage buy-down and an accelerated-depreciation program for commercial buildings with energy efficiency in buildings, specifically with the widely adopted energy reduction plan called the 2030 Challenge1. This investment will create 3.75 million direct jobs in the Building Sector, as well as 4.34 million indirect and induced jobs and over 350,000 jobs from consumer spending.

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OPEC's Desperate 1-Trick Pony

By: Sam Hopkins
Date: 12/18/08
Source: Green chip Stocks (www.greenchipstocks.com)

It was a desperate move, one that was forecasted on a “60 Minute”s interview Dec 14th.  But contrary to OPEC’s best guess the price still went down, reflecting the world’s mood about the immediate prosperous future. The price dropping after cutting production really sends a very ominous message about the world’s economic status.

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Opec Defends Oil Prices

Higher Prices Crucial to Future Supply

By: Chris Nelder
Date: December 17th, 2008
Source: Energy & Capital (www.energyandcapital.com)

Oil analysts and soothsayers can’t seem to forecast correctly (like the weatherman) the future of oil. The price forecast for the next 6 months is all over the map, just keep reading and making your own forecast it can’t be any less accurate.

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Interested in sponsoring our next eNewsletter issue? Contact Jon Dougal at (415) 798-1933 or editor@greenmotion.org.