December

Scores of Russians Die in Big Freeze: "Forty-one people have died of hypothermia in Moscow since early October, as power and heating cuts grip the eastern part of the country." It is not unusual for people in Russia to freeze to death every, but they are usually those without shelter. In this case people are dying in their homes, where power cuts have made it impossible for their apartments to achieve temperatures higher than 6 degrees Celsius. This has prompted hundred of enraged residents in Russia's Pacific coast region to block roads near the port of Vladisvostok, creating vast traffic jams and disrupting the airport. CNN.com, 12/1/00

Space Station to Get Solar Array: "A pair of spacewalking astronauts and a their colleague working a 50-foo robotic arm gave the International Space Station a new solar-power system … The 17-ton solar array mast… will generate enough electricity to power 30 homes on Earth…will provide most of the $60 billion space station's power as it continues to grow over the next five or six years." Brad Liston, Reuters, 12/3/00

European Union Meets in France to Discuss Restart of Climate Talks: European heads of government are meeting in Nice, France in an attempt to salvage and revive the recently failed climate change talks at The Hague. "If EU leaders secure a deal among themselves, British Prime Minister Tony Blair will tackle the issue with President Clinton during his farewell visit to the United Kingdom." Clinton has been reported as saying he believed negotiations only narrowly missed agreement. Reuters,12/2/00

State Officials Shifting Away from Battery Powered Cars in Favor of Fuel Cells, Hybrid and Natural Gas Engines: "California air regulators are proposing a major shift in their strategy for smog-free cars: downplaying battery power in favor of other technologies… [M]ore consideration will be given to other clean technologies, such as fuel cells, hybrid and natural gas engines." Gary Polakovic, Times, 12/8/00

UK Energy Policy Yields to Wind Power: "Minister for Energy, Helen Liddell… officially [opened] the Blyth Offshore Wind Project in northeaster England… the largest ever erected offshore… The turbines began generating electricity in November and at full capacity, can power 3,000 households." ENS, 12/8/00

Western U.S. Power Grid Faces Critical Shortfall: "Power industry official warned… electricity shortfalls threatening to plunge California into darkness expose a supply problem across the entire Western power grid… 'We're nervous. There's no doubt about it,' said Mike Hansen, a spokesman for Bonneville Power Administration, the federal agency that markets up to 15,000 megawatts of power from giant hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers." James Jelter, ENN, 12/9/00

Treacherous Weather for Plains: "Residents across the Plains coped with treacherous travel and widespread power failures… freezing rain, frigid conditions and heavy snowfall pounded the area. 'This is as much snow as we've seen in the last 15 years, and we got it all in one whack,' said Charles Ward, city superintendent… in Colony, Kansas." MSNBC, 12/14/00

Storm Prompts Clinton to Declare Wyoming a Disaster: "President Clinton … declared Wyoming a major disaster area because of severe winter storms that began hitting the state more than a month ago." AP, 12/12/00

U.S. Braces for More Rough Weather: "The nation braced for more severe weather… as it emerged from a weekend of deadly storms, heavy snow and quirkily unseasonable temperatures… A storm system spawned tornadoes that killed 12 people in Alabama… blowing down trees… causing flooding and scattered power outages in Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia… 'Normally we don't start off with the copious amounts of precipitation and the numerous thunderstorms. This is very atypical weather for December,' said Charlie Foley, a weather service meteorologist in Taunton, Mass."

U.S. Had Above-Normal Temperatures in 2000: "[T]he nation logged above-average temperatures for most of the year, government forecaster said… 'Although colder than normal temperatures have affected much of the U.S. recently, the trend to warmer temperatures which began more than a century ago continues,' The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said." Reuters, 12/18/00

Boise State Radio Uses Wind to Boost Broadcast Power: "Boise State Radio is extending its reach to Jackpot, Nevada, with a transmitter powered mainly by wind-possible the only one in the nation." Charles Etlinger, Idaho Statesmen, 12/18/00

Environmental & Engineering Studies Get Underway for California High Speed Rail System: The California High Speed Rail Authority approved work plans for three teams of consultants to begin environmental and engineering studies for a 700-mile high-speed train that will connect the state's major population centers." Business Wire, 12/18/00

Electric Bus Comes to California Southland: A 32-foo-long, 20 passenger electric bus, built by Ballard Power Systems, using a fuel cell and an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine is making its way through southland streets, thanks the South Coast Air Quality Management District. "This proves that we have the technology to put zero-emission buses on the street," said James M. Lents, executive officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management District. "Now we need to take steps to make them economically viable." cbcharlie 2000. Yahoo! Message Boards:BLDP, 12/19/00

World Still Gripped by Warming Trend: "The warming trend that has gripped our climate for the past 20 years will make 2000 one of the hottest years since 1860, despite La Nina's cooling effect on the tropical Pacific and other anomalies, the United Nations weather agency said." Stephanie Nebehay. Reuters,12/19/00

U.S. Turns Down Meeting on Climate Change: "The United States has rejected an offer to meet European Union ministers this week on the issue of global warming. U.S. chief negotiator, Frank Loy, said convening ministers, but then failing to reach agreement, would not advance common goals… The attempt to restart negotiations follows the collapse of last month's climate summit in The Hague, Netherlands." ENS, 12/19/00

Ballard Power Systems Commissions First Manufacturing Facility: "Ballard Power Systems, recognized as the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane fuel cells for use in transportation, electricity generation and portable power products, has commissioned its initial fuel cell manufacturing facility , Plant 1. 'The capacity of this facility will allow us to meet the requirements of our customers as we introduce initial commercial products in each of our target markets, starting in 2001,' said Eamonn Percy, Ballard's Vice-President, Operations." Business Wire, 12/20/00

Much of U.S. Shivers in Arctic Air: "Arctic air spread bone-chilling cold across much of the United States… [B]elow-normal temperatures extended from the Northern Plains to the Florida Panhandle." Andrew Stern. Reuters, 12/22/00

Deadly Storm Paralyzes Arkansas, Oklahoma: "A deadly storm bearing ice and snow moved across the mid-southern United States, paralyzing Arkansas and Oklanhoma with widespread power outages and ice-coated roadway…. The storm caused Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating to declare his state a disaster area… [D]evastation… so widespread… Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee dispatched National Guard troops… to search for people stuck in frozen buildings and disabled vehicles." Steve Barnes, Reuters, 12/27/00

Heating Bills Double, Triple This Year: "Record-high natural gas prices coupled with the cold weather in the nation's heartland have doubled or tripled heating bulls for homes and businesses… Winter heating bills were projected to climb more than 50 percent, with gas consumers paying a record $834 to warm their homes compared to last winter's average of $540, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration." MSNBC, 12/28/00

Europe to Remain Icy Cold and Wet: "Europe is set to remain in the grip of icy conditions and winter flooding until the New Year, weather forecasters predict. Britain… shivering its way through its frostiest winter since 1994, is set for more cold weather with temperatures dipping overnight… to minus 12 degrees Celsius in Scotland." CNN.com, 12/29/00

Record Snowfall Eats at City Budget: Measured snowfall at Midway, Chicago is up nearly 39 inches, breaking a 1951 record of 33 inches. Chicago officials have estimated spending $13 million dollars on snow removal already. MSNBC, 12/30/00

Harsh Weather Delays Salt Supply to Frozen Cities: Salt suppliers are having difficulty delivering shipments to snow-stricken cities in the Midwest and East, causing delays in snow removal and road de-icing. All modes of transportation have been affected, including the railways. "This is shaping up to be one of the top years ever for rock salt usage," said Richard Hanneman, president of the Salt Institute, an industry group in Alexandria, Virginia. Roger Worthington, Oscar Avila, Chicago Tribune, 12/30/00

Peoples Energy Announces a 43 Percent Gas Price Hike: "Peoples Energy announced… gas prices that have already rapidly escalated this winter will jump another 43 percent… The utility… said… average monthly gas bill will be about $200 higher than it was a year ago today." Heather Vogell, Chicago Tribune, 12/30/00

Snowfall Unofficially Breaks Record: "New snow on Saturday morning unofficially broke the record for the snowiest December in [Chicago]… The total snowfall in December also surpassed Chicago's average winter snowfall of 38.6 inches." Maria Kantzavelos, Chicago Tribune, 12/31/00