Using land to feed cars -- like burning down the house to get some light

Image via WikipediaFrom the ASPO-USA Peak Oil Review weekly newsletter:

Last week the USDA released a revised estimate for US grain production this year that shocked observers. The new report cut US harvest projections from corn, soybeans and wheat. The reduction in terms of bushels was the largest in nearly 40 years. Although the harvest is expected to be the third largest ever – 12.7 million bushels – the increasing call on US agriculture to make up for shortfalls around the world should lead to much higher prices as more nations move to restrict exports.
As we saw two years ago, the imposition of food export bans by governments fearful of the domestic unrest that could result from grain shortages led to higher food prices around the world.

The conversion of corn into ethanol for motor fuel is using up US corn reserves which are expected to fall to the lowest level in 15 years. In the past four years, the US has had its four largest corn crops ever and supplies are still tight. Due to the rapid expansion of the corn to biofuels program that began in earnest five years ago, there is little spare farm land that can be brought into production. This suggests that high corn prices could lead to shortages of other crops as farmers react to high corn prices. Given the bad economic conditions, US food companies say they are reluctant to pass on price increases to retail consumers.

Ironically, the price surge comes just as the government is expected to approve the marketing of 15 percent (E15) ethanol blend for use as a motor fuel. This move could, in theory, increase the demand for corn-based ethanol from its current 12-13 billion gallons every year by 50 percent. There is, however, a possibility that the government could restrict its use to vehicles built in the 2007 model year and later. This would greatly complicate the marketing of the product as retailers would have to install new tanks for the E15 and might have to eliminate self-service pumps to ensure that the right blends get into the right vintage cars. All this suggests that it may be some time, if ever, before E15 comes into widespread use.

Megabridges are Megadisasters

Someone who cares did a great job warning the powers that be about the upcoming disaster if plans to build a megabridge over the Columbia proceed (pdf).

We need a similar study for the ongoing waste of money called the Salem River Crossing, a dreamed-of third auto bridge.

Seen near the Capitol, Part Deux

Speaking of insane lobbyist power, there's this sign, a perfect commentary on what Salem and Oregon find worthy of exaltation and glory. This plaque is perhaps in the most prestigious spot imaginable -- dead center in front of the Capitol, just on the other side of the fountain, centered on the Capitol mall greensward, we find

a) a monument to, a hero or heroine from Oregon's storied history?
b) A tribute to the brave fallen from the wars?
c) A gentle encouragement to better citizenship?
d) A plaque glorifying a parking garage for cars?

Of course you knew it was d) all along. Truly, we can know a people by what they honor.

Seen near the Capitol

Tobacco lobby missing a beloved pet?

Please note, sign, and forward a link to the petition to the right

Please click on the petition to the right and consider it carefully as we approach the National Work Day on climate, 10/10/10.

Here's what the best thinking is on climate, in a nutshell: humans will use all the oil and gas we can get our hands on, and it's irrelevant to climate stability as to who uses it. And even so, we have a good chance of getting a grip on climate. What we can't survive is coal use, whether mined, or fractured to get at the coal-bed gas.

And we have zero chance of persuading others to forgo coal use unless we lead by example. Oregon is the perfect place for leadership, because we have just one coal plant (Boardman) and it's such an inefficient and dirty pig that we'll see tremendous benefits from its closure or conversion to other fuels.

But its main owner, PGE, is playing the terrorist, pointing a gun at the planet and saying "Yo, here's the offer, you leave us alone and don't make us spend any money on cleaning up this pig and we'll agree to shut it down in 2020 or else" with the "or else" being that they will fight to keep the plant open to 2040 or beyond.

Just as with so many other steps towards environmental sanity, the business fighting progress is the very one that will benefit the most from the measures that they're fighting. It has happened again and again and again, so much so that it's practically an iron law: given any proposed environmental restriction that has costs and benefits, businesses grossly overestimate the costs of environmental improvements, downplay the benefits, and ignore the followup benefits that accrue to society in general (like, you know, a livable planet).

PGE is in an interesting spot because their PR machine is all about being green, even as they operate the single biggest polluting facility of any kind in Oregon. You practically need a microscope and a Ph.D in research to find the word "coal" on the PGE website, so adverse is the utility to admitting that it's a filthy polluter that uses the atmosphere as a sewer for tons of CO2, NOx, particulates, and mercury (not to mention polonium, lead, and a host of other nasties, all of which coal plants emit in tremendous quantity relative to any other source of exposure for society).

So the petition offers a deal: Make the bastards richer for doing the right thing (getting off coal by 2014) than they are getting from doing the insane thing (continuing to burn coal). We shouldn't have to pay people to act sensibly, but that's the way it is. The other side of the bargain is that, after 2014, nobody could make a dime -- not even recover their costs -- for burning coal or selling imported electricity derived from coal.

We can't afford zero progress on coal until 2020 -- and if places like Oregon don't lead the way, that's exactly what we're going to see, zero progress globally. I'm starting into the back nine of life, so this won't affect me too terribly much, but if you have kids or grandkids you care about, then you owe it to them to understand the world PGE plans to unleash on them and why that's not a world you should want to leave them.

99% perspiration

Image via WikipediaEdison would disagree with her statement that she's not a genius. And she's doing work in a vital area.

Could be called "Desperately Sought in Salem"

Perhaps our longings will be satiated . . . .

WORD: Why there's no money for the things Salem actually needs

It would be nice if Jeff Merkley had a talk with Ron Wyden, who remarried rich, about this article.

Salem Green+Solar Tour, this Saturday 10/2

Image by Steve Rhodes via Flickr

Salem Green + Solar Tour 2010
A tour of nine leading green-building projects in our area.

Salem Green + Solar Tour is part of a state-wide tour in 14 communities across Oregon, all happening on the same weekend. According to Solar Oregon, which oversees state-wide coordination, "the Oregon Green and Solar Tours are one of the biggest events of their kind in the nation" and "each tour reflects the unique interests of the community, yet all share a common goal: to educate the public about green and solar strategies."

You can also read about the National Solar Tour overseen by the American Solar Energy Society.

Saturday, October 2nd, 2010; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All new sites this year include:

• the first Passive House-certified home in the Pacific Northwest, so efficient it almost never needs mechanical heating or cooling;
  
  
• the first net-zero-energy small commercial building in Oregon, the LEED Platinum Painters Hall, a 1930s industrial building renovation;
  
  
• ABC Extreme Makeover’s newly-completed LEED Gold dormitory at Oregon School for the Deaf — get the personal tour before you watch it on TV Oct 31st!;
  
  
• downtown’s beautiful LEED Gold commercial-retail building, WaterPlace;
  
  
• a solar electric and hot water system integrated into an existing home at McNary Estates, compatible with the community CC&Rs;
  
  
• the first Solarize Salem Co-op’s solar PV installation, at $5.50 per watt, possibly one of the lowest costs in the nation;
  
  
• a modern, efficient & healthy home with natural materials, solar hot water, and a thermal mass “masonry heater” -- one small fire provides enough radiant heat for the entire day;
  
  
• the newly-renovated Gordon House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the original visionaries to integrate the built environmental with the natural;
  
  
• a 30-acre homestead owned by Master Gardeners, with solar hot water and electric, new construction, and fun, friendly animals!

To view preview photos and information. Tour sites are located throughout the area — West Salem, Keizer, downtown Salem, East Salem, and Silverton.

SCHEDULE
Architect Nathan Good will begin the tour at 9am with a preview of tour sites and a presentation on green building and design -- key terms, costs, features and benefits.

Project sites will be open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., and will be hosted by the owner, architect and/or builder who will explain the green features, benefits, costs & lessons learned.

REGISTRATION & TICKETS

Tickets sold day-of beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Painters Hall, Pringle Creek Community, located off Madrona, Fairview Industrial Drive, and Lindburg Rd (formerly Strong Rd. SE). Click link for directions and a map.

Tour sites are located throughout the area — West Salem, Keizer, downtown, East Salem and Silverton.

COST: $10 per car, carpooling encouraged — bring your friends!
Bicyclists free! An organized group bike tour leaves from Pringle Creek at 10:15 a.m.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Pringle Creek Community, Marion County Public Works Environmental Services, Salem AIA (American Institute of Architects), Nathan Good Architect, Wild Pear, Friends of Straub Environmental Learning Center, Tanner Creek Energy, Zena Forest Products, Solarize Salem, BAM Agency, Inc., Lifesource Natural Foods, Barnwood Naturals, Mahonia Vineyards & Nursery, Bilyeu Homes, Spectra Construction, and City of Salem.

FOR MORE INFORMATION or call 503-315-1055 or email.

James Santana
Pringle Creek Community
3911 Village Center Dr SE
Salem, Oregon 97302
503-315-1055 office

Oregon Caves --- if you're heading South, don't miss

If work or the wandering spirit takes you South -- like way south, to Medford or surrounds, then make time to go to the Oregon Caves, a National Monument maintained and presented by the National Park Service. Seriously cool, and not just in temperature.

Alas, due to the decay of the nation's rail network, not that easy to access by train. When I'm Emperor, you'll be able to take a train to Cave Junction and then a shuttle to the fine old tour jumpoff point shown here.