Shocking Revelation: EPA Declares 'Fracking May Be To Blame For Causing Groundwater Pollution'

Picture: This is a picture of a derrick digging underground for natural gas. The drilling companies pollute the drinking waters of neighboring citizens because of their operations.

Summary: The EPA has found dangerous fracking chemicals in the water supply of Pavillion, Wyoming. The citizens began to complain about the appearance of their drinking water. There was a yellowish color, increased turbidity, coats of oil, and small bubbles of gas in their drinking water. Their water also presented a strong odor causing headaches and dizziness. Plasticizers were also found in their water. It was originally thought that the pollution was from dilution. But the EPA took action and found these hazardous chemicals due to fracking.

Opinion: This is very unfortunate for this town in Wyoming. I'm pretty sure there are other towns and communities that are suffering from the same situation. We watched a documentary in Mrs. Deluca's about fracking and the effect it had on people. People's water supplies are contaminated with fracking chemicals that are known to cause cancers and defects. Their tap water is so full of gases and chemicals, it can be lit on fire. Fracking is very contreversial and we should spread awarness about this to inform others.

Shocking Revelation: EPA Declares 'Fracking May Be To Blame For Causing Groundwater Pollution'

\

A Gold Rush of Subsidies in Clean Energy Search

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/12/business/energy-environment/a-cornucopia-of-help-for-renewable-energy.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
The California Valley Solar Ranch under construction near Santa Margarita. By ERIC LIPTON and CLIFFORD KRAUSSPublished: November 11, 2011

Picture: This picture shows a wide spread of solar panels. This is what NRG Energy is looking to do.
Summary: Between LA and San Francisco, NRG Energy is building a medley of almost one millions solaro panels. These panels will be located on a once cattle ranch and gypsum mine. This source of energy is said to be able to "produce enough electricity to power about 100,000 homes."
Opinion: I think that it is awesome that we are finally trying to use more resources other than the ones that we are running out of due to the limitedness of it. Personally, I would like to see more energy efficient items being used around the world but this is a great start. Hopefull, the people's tax dollars will not increase too much to pay for the installment. I think that this is a wonderfully giant step forward!
Questions:
1. Do you think this will help of harm the people who are recieving the energy? Why or why not?
2. What do you think about the fact that these are being placed ontop of an abandoned mine and cattle farm? Why?
3. Do you think that the government will continue to fund this project? Explain.

Navy's Biofuel

Link: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/12/navy-biofuels/

Title:Navy’s Big Biofuel Bet: 450,000 Gallons at 4 Times the Price of OilAuthor: Noah Shachtman

Summary:

The Navy is planning on buying 450,000 gallons of biofuel at fifteen dollars a
gallon. that is a grand total of twelve million dollars. This type of fuel is
made from algae and will be expected to be used at the Hawaiian coast. A 9,000
ton destroyer and a cruiser wil go on the journey across the pacific using only
alternative energy. Two companies will split the large Navy order. Dynamic
Fuels and Tyson foods take grease and other waste of this kind to make the
biofuel. Solazyme uses algae to ferment anything from plant matter to municipal
waste for their biofuel. Before this decision, the Navy would use their regular
fossil fuels combined with the environmentally friendly biofuel to gradually
convert to full biofuel use.
Nonsummary:
I
think this is a great idea for the Navy on going green. I am glad to hear that
the major organizations that use most of the gasoline and other fossil fuels
are becoming greener in the mindset of using fuels that are better for the
environment. I do not think that these alternative energy sources should be
priced so highly. It may be expensive to create these but maybe in a few years,
more people will use this alternative fuel source and the prices would
decrease.
Questions:
1.What
are your thoughts on the Navy "Going Green?"
2.Do
you think that more companies and organizations should use more alternative
fuel sources such as biofuel?
3.
Since the military is one of the highest using fuel organizations, do you think
that it is a good decision to be switching to biofuel?

A Gold Rush of Subsidies in Clean Energy Search

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/12/business/energy-environment/a-cornucopia-of-help-for-renewable-energy.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

By ERIC LIPTON and CLIFFORD KRAUSSPublished: November 11, 2011

Picture: This picture shows solar panels spread out over a wide span. This is what NRG Energy is looking to do.

Summary: Between LA and San Francisco, Halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on a former cattle ranch and gypsum mine, NRG Energy is building an engineering marvel: a compound of nearly a million solar panels that will produce enough electricity to power about 100,000 homes

450,000 Gallons Of Biofuel For The Navy

Link: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/12/navy-biofuels/

Title:Navy’s Big Biofuel Bet: 450,000 Gallons at 4 Times the Price of Oil
Author: Noah Shachtman

Date:December 5, 2011

Summary:

The Navy is planning on buying 450,000 gallons of biofuel at fifteen dolloars a gallon. hat is a grand total of twelve million dollars. This type of fuel is made from algae and will be expected to use at the hawaiian coast. A 9,000 ton destroyer and a cruiser wil go on the journey across the pacific using olny alternative energy. two companies will split the large Navy order. Dynamic Fuels and Tyson foods take grease and other waste of this kind to make the biofuel. Solazyme uses algae to ferment anything from plant matter to municipal waste for their biofuel. before this decision, the Navy would use their regular fossil fuels combined with the environmentallty friendly biofuel to gradually convert to full biofuel use.

IKEA to Expand US Solar Investment to 75% of Stores

"IKEA to Expand US Solar Investment to 75% of Stores"

Sami Grover

December 6, 2011

Treehugger

Link to Article!

Follow up article for other information!

(Daniela Rivera, IKEA, August 3, 2011)

Summary:

In the UK, IKEA bought a wind farm at a whopping twelve million dollars and is also planning to install solar panels (39,000) on seventy-five percent of its stores and allow them to run on 100% renewable energy. Their very first solar energy system installation occurred on August 3rd of this year and happened at Costa Mesa, California. This one solar energy system consisted of 1,078 panels. Most of the installations will continue to happen in California and also the east coast. IKEA has planned to "own the installations outright" instead of leasing them, so they do not make profit off of this project. It is only a matter of time before another well-known retailer will adopt themselves a green stimulus package themselves (actions that can be taken to help better both your life/business and the environment).

Picture:

Solar panels are one of several well-known alternative energy sources and as IKEA gets ready to begin construction on their stores, Amp Solar Group Inc. representatives pose for a picture as they prepare to provide IKEA with their company's solar panels.

Opinion:

This is quite wonderful! It is nice to know that a large corporation like IKEA is taking a big initiative and trying to make a difference. And the fact that they will not profit from the solar panel through any lease makes it all the better. Especially since if you want to do environmentally friendly, you should be doing it with your own will and not some profit incentive. I always feel like California is THE state of solar energy or eco-friendliness. There was that one time in class where we talked about how California (San Diego specifically) had houses where people would place plants all on top of their roofs not only to help keep their houses cool (because the plants would absorb the sunlight) but would also help grow plants better and the more plants, the more oxygen! That is like a personal green stimulus plan in fact! I do wish more large companies would do what IKEA is doing and has already done once to help the environment. It is a nice way to make up for the products that they sell which already use up so much of our resources.

Questions:

1) What is another corporation/company that would be a good choice to initiate the green stimulus package (most benefit) and why?

2) Do you think this project is a good idea? Consider the resources that will be used and what needs to be done to even produce the solar panels that will be used.

3) Have you ever initiated a personal green stimulus plan for yourself? (In other words, what are some things that you have done or actions that you have taken that has helped better yourself and better the environment?)