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specialmaggic's comments:
on The Switch: Biomass
To clarify- gasification can extract the energy from biomatter (Anyone living anywhere around McFarlanes knows the results of allowing this energy to escape into the air), produce multiple form or energy and still provide concentrated nutrients for soil building. Of course my suggested feedstock is what is accumulated in the urban areas wood should be left in the woods where it forms a critical aspect of natural preservation.
posted 3 years, 12 months ago
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on The Switch: Biomass
trur19
There a lot of things that I believe we should be doing to be more respectful of the natural world, allowing controlled burns is one (obviously I agree we have done to much to just to let it burn). In regards to the homes and properties, how often that houses that are burned by wildfires are rebuilt in the same spot. I have very little sympathy for anyone who builds close to dense forest or in flood plans as it is the consequence of short sighted planning bumping up against natural carrying capacity.
Dave
My concept of the "lessons of biodiesel" as it can be applied to the biomass discussion is simply this. Biodiesel went through a huge boom and then bust because of restrictions on feedstock such as corn or soy. There is not enough waste vegetable oil to meet the demand, but in my mind the biomass discussion is the evolution of the biodiesel discussion because the key to success in nature is diversity. our propseperity requires a high level of biomimicry, which in the context of this conversation is the exploration of the best use of the wide variety of biomass energy feedstocks such as waste water treatment plants, leaves, food waste, and general yard debris.
I honestly think we need to stay out of the forests. All those roads break apart ecosystems and has a huge impact on biodiversity. Hemp can provide ALL of our lumber, and paper needs with a drastically reduced environmental impact. It seems common sense to me that the lumber and timber companies would catch up to the 21st centrury and shift there business models to hemp production. This is a huge source of "bioenergy" which is being ignored because of poor politics.
So the lesson is we need to recognize the power of diversity in meeting our energy needs
posted 3 years, 12 months ago
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on Rethinking Schools
Lets just turn all our schools into clean power plants as a way to fund school teachers and activities. This can be accomplish with the same financing model that put 800+ KW on the PHC building in NE Portland. This would allow us to properly fund the education of our future leader regardless of their unique learning style.
With a sharp scissor to cut all the red tape we could create new jobs, secure our energy independence, increase real estate values, reduces our cities carbon footprint, and develop a basis for a locally generated clean energy grid.
As a side effect all of the schools would undergo energy remodeling which would make them all healthier cleaner schools which provide direct hands on educational opportunities in the green jobs of the 22nd century.
robert@arkpdx.org
posted 3 years, 12 months ago
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on Paying for Special Ed
Lets just turn all of our schools into clean power plants so that we have the money to properly fund the education of our young people. This will also create jobs, reduce the cities carbon footprint, and help establish a locally generated clean energy grid.
posted 3 years, 12 months ago
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on The Switch: Biomass
Biofuel can mean a GREAT many things.
Even here in the Northwest I think its a bit narrowminded to focus on forest debris as a sustainable feedstock (has biodiesel taught us nothing !!) when in the urban areas 440,000 tons of leaves, grass clipping and yard debris are generated each year, which is likely to increase with the climate change action plan to cover 1/3 of Portland with trees.
Gasification can yield fuel, which can be used either as heat, elecrticity, or transportation fuel.
What we really need is a first generation Mr. fusion. The closest thing I have seen is a device called an EcoKAT KDV http://ecokat-at.com/. A device which converts any biomass feed stocks and breaks it all down to bio-crude. This raw material can be then used to create a wide variety of substances from renewable plasitcs to jet fuel grade renewable diesel.
posted 3 years, 12 months ago
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on The Switch: Biomass
i like the analogy, but really worry about suppressing the natrual role fire serves in a thriving and diverse ecosystem.
posted 3 years, 12 months ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
Ok here are my 2 cents worth.
I believe solar energy can be mainstreamed as an economically viable energy source (and part of the total clean energy mix) if four "simple' things are accomplished
1) End all subsidys for nonrenewable energy sources-period. Sure its going to drive up the cost and make it harder for the poor but it will make any renewable energy source more economically viable
2)Pass an agressive Feed in Terriff
3) In Oregon get Solarword and PV Power to sell their product directly to installers, this will help bring down the price to end users.
4) Push for tougher carbon caps which will drive up the price for Green Tags.
Hope this helps
posted 4 years ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
I like this guy. I would like to see the alternative reality where he won and how life would have evolved in America from that point forward.
throw in schools, libraries, and churches into that mix and you see what i have been working so hard on. Lets' just Do it!!!
posted 4 years ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
Way to GO!!! Good Luck you got my vote
posted 4 years ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
Many of us are working on the access issue for the the poor. However, if no one pioneered investments in cutting edge technologies despite the payback or ROI we would not have innovation in our country and that is not what this country was founded on.
posted 4 years ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
See- the previous post on Umpqua Bank for guest suggestions
posted 4 years ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
you get what you pay for solar lights for the most part are cheap, and while I agree with your thoughts there are tons of really great solar yard lights but there not cheap. Keep shopping!
posted 4 years ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
Have you looked into solar assist radient floor? You know you can combine your hot water and space heating needs. There are some factors like where your at in your remodel but its got to be cheaper than geothermal wells or ground loop systems. Just a thought
posted 4 years ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
I understand your reasoning, however, you have to think about your end game plan. I think why it makes so much sense to invest in solar PV and hot water is because they are much better education tools than conservation will ever be. The more panels people see the more people will buy. And I can garuntee you ANYONE who own solar has gone back through their homes and businesses to make those conservation efforts which improve the value of the solar
posted 4 years ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
I here you
posted 4 years ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
The answer you seek can be found with Umpqua Banks Green Street Loan program. http://www.greenstreetloan.com/. they specialize in providing the upfront money needed to make conservation and invest in wind and solar energy. Contact Carol Gaouette |Vice President | Business Relationship Manager | 201 B Avenue Suite 100 | Lake Oswego, OR 97034 | 503-422-8490 for more information.
You can also get a Energy Improvement Mortgage for both residential and commerical improvements which can be very helpful. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bldrs_lenders_raters.energy_efficient_mortgage
posted 4 years ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
AMEN!!
The externalization of costs is the "way to do business". This fundemental flaw was exploited during the period after the second world war when consumption was promoted as the highest purpose of life and tat the core of the American dream.
One of the transistional tools we need to teach is the basics of ecological economics http://www.ecoeco.org/, as the means of calculating things like cradle to grave costs in terms and accountant can understand.
posted 4 years ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
Jay
I agree with access to low income families (to whom saving 15% of their monthy electric bill is one more box of mac and cheese to feed their kids. We need to collectly work at addressing this access issue. A discussion on this and related topics is being started on Linked In in the Alliance for Reason and Knowlege group.
posted 4 years ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
thank you for your comment and your lifestyle choices.
posted 4 years ago
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on The Switch: Solar Power
thank you thank you thank you
posted 4 years ago
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