Chad's News

Chad’s News has previously discussed compact fluorescent lightbulbs, but this 5-minute speech by US Representative Ted Poe provides an interesting counterpoint (as well as a political statement on government regulatory authority). Personally, I think my CFLs will hold out until LED lightbulbs are ready—I’ve lived at my current address for 2½ years and have had only one CFL burn out.

Link: http://youtube.com/…
(via Presurfer)

In an update to this Chad’s News article, the researchers at LS9 have made some significant advances with their genetically-engineered bacteria that create gasoline, especially in terms of what can be used as raw materials. From the article: “The company is not interested in using corn as feedstock … instead, different types of agricultural waste will be used according to whatever makes sense for the local climate and economy: wheat straw in California, for example, or woodchips in the South.”

Link: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/…
(via Engadget)

In an update to this Chad’s News post, it turns out there can be serious problems with cars that run on grease, vegetable oil, and other biofuels. The problems are not mechanical or technical; rather, they have to do with legal and regulatory issues (at least in California).

Link: http://www.latimes.com/…
(via Neatorama)

A startup company named Coskata claims it can make ethanol for $1 per gallon. The great thing about this, however, is that they can produce the ethanol from pretty much anything organic, so they won’t be cutting in to food production. Coskata is backed by General Motors, and we can expect to see production plants in the next few years.

Link: http://www.wired.com/…
(via Slashdot)

Although it would be really nice if we could get rid of nuclear waste just by incinerating it, I think someone’s been watching a bit too much Lord of the Rings. Wonder what would’ve happened if the One Ring was made of Plutonium? Alternatively, sending the waste into the Sun would actually be an effective (but hideously expensive) solution.

Link: http://www.slate.com/…
(via digg)

Come 2012, US retailers will no longer be able to sell “normal” incandescent light bulbs. This means that either most people will have to switch to compact fluorescents (CFLs), or manufacturers will have to design incandescents that are more efficient. LED-based light bulbs are also a possibility. For me, first thing I did when I moved in was replace all my light bulbs with CFLs.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/…
(via Engadget)

I like seeing this type of energy production. Hopefully it will gain popularity.

Link: http://www.news.com/…
(via Engadget)

Toshiba is creating micro nuclear reactors that are capable of powering a single building (or a city block). They’re self-contained and totally automatic, and last for about 40 years.

Link: http://www.nextenergynews.com/…
(via engadget)

A United Nations expert says that it’s a “crime against humanity” to create biofuels from food (such as sugar cane or corn). He has a point, but I think he’s abusing the term.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/…

When running on electric only, hybrid cars are silent. This turns out to be a safety problem for people (both blind and sighted) who use their ears to identify moving automobiles.

Link: http://ap.google.com/…

Chad’s News has previously discussed compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). They last longer and use less energy than regular incandescent bulbs. Turns out, however, that CFLs also contain mercury, so when one finally burns out it’s important that it be properly disposed of. The linked article lists five ways to recycle a CFL.

Link: http://lighterfootstep.com/…
(via digg)

As a side-effect of global warming, the fabled Northwest Passage has opened up for the first time in recorded history. Wonder if anyone is actually going to use it for commercial shipping?

Link #1: http://www.esa.int/…
(via Slashdot)

Link #2: http://news.bbc.co.uk/…