July

Not Fun in the Summertime

Oil Industry Backs Bush Campaign: "[T]he oil industry has pumped more that $1.5 million into George W. Bush's campaign… [O]il executives believe Bush and the people he would appoint to key posts will be more receptive to their point of view… The industry has contributed less than $100,000 to Gore's campaign." H.Josef Hebert. AP, 7/2/00

Midwest Storms Cause Some Flooding: "Severe thunder storms that pounded parts of the Midwest caused flash floods and left thousands of Wisconsin residents without power… Flash flooding was reported along the Mississippi River in the Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island Illinois areas… Hail the size of golf balls pummeled some areas of southern Minnesota." Reuters, 7/3/00

Punishing Drought in Afghanistan: Afghanistan is experiencing the worst dry spell in 30 years, "devastating entire provinces in the south and relentless rains wipe out entire villages north of the capital… The drought has wiped out entire herds." AP, 7/3/00

China Battling Severe Drought: "China is going all out to fight against a devastating drought that has ravaged northern China. More than 40 million people are battling the severe drought every day." Xinhua News, 7/4/00

Heat Wave to Hit parts of Balkans from Romania to Greece: "A heat wave was expected to sweep through the Balkans… and countries from Romania to Greece… were bracing for temperatures that could soar to 43 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit)." AP, 7/4/00

Canadian Government Includes Innovative Landfill TEAM Gas Project in $1.3 Million Investment: Canadian Minister of Environment, David Anderson announced funding for nine projects totaling $1.3 million, which will include $772,750 in a Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM) pilot project. The project, headed by CFS Alternative Fuels Inc. is intended to demonstrate converting landfill gas into liquefied natural gas for use in vehicles is cost effective. "The landfill gas project is an excellent example of how we can find ways to turn environmental problems into solutions," said Minister Anderson. "Projects like this prove that climate change solutions can offer both economic opportunities and environmental benefits," said Ralph Goodale, Canada's Minster of Natural Resources." CNW, 7/4/00

Abnormal Weather Afflicts China: "A series of climatic anomalies plagued China during the first half of this year, leading to climatic disasters in some regions, said Wen Kegan, director of the China Meteorological Bureau… From March to May, the average high temperature across China was second only to the same period of 1998 since 1961… [T]he average precipitation in north China was only 23 mm, the lowest in 50 years." Xinhua News, 7/4/00

Heat Wave Hits Southern Europe: "Hundreds of wildfires burned across southern Europe on Tuesday as the region remained in the grip of a heat wave that has driven temperatures as high as 120 degrees." Mihaela Armaselu, AP, 7/5/00

Funds for Pakistani Drought Relief Evaporate: Hundreds of millions of dollars intended for drought victims in the province of Balochistan, have disappeared. "It's not a question leakage, where small amounts may be pilfered. It's like a huge burst," said former chief minister of Balochistan, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Ahmar Mustikhan. ENS, 7/5/00

Typhoon, Tropical Depression Hit Phillipines: "A typhoon east of the Philippines and a tropical depression blowing from the west dumped heavy rains over the main Philippine island of Luzon… killing at least three people and flooding wide areas." AP, 7/5/00

Nation Faces Possible Power Outages: "With growing demand for electricity and a power industry in the midst of a rocky transition, customers are facing another summer of tight electricity supplies and possible rolling blackouts in some parts of the country… Power problems [that] already… surfaced in New England and California 'could be an ominous sign' of things to come'… said Energy Secretary Bill Richardson." H. Josef Hebert, AP, 7/6/00

Fuel Cell Bus Field Trials Set for California: Ballard Power Systems and EXCELLSIS Fuel Cell Engines Inc. have announced plans to stage of field trials of pre-commercial fuel cell bus engines with SunLIne Transit Agency in Palm Springs, California and Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District in Oakland California. "Through the California Fuel Cell Partnership, we will further validate our technology with the deliver of 25 buses over the next two years," said XCELLIS President Dr. Ferdinand Panik. Business Wire, 7/6/00

Southeast Europe Scorched as Heat Wave Reaches Record High: "Scorching heat swept southeast Europe… breaking century-old records and sending temperatures from Romania to Italy and Turkey as high as 44 degrees Celsius (111.2 Fahrenheit)." Arid conditions contributed to 136 blazes in Bucharest, Hungary over a 24-hour period. "Meteorologist blame the hear on hot air masses Moving north from Africa." Patrick Quinn, AP, 7/6/00

Minorities Could Be Hard Hit by Kyoto Protocol: "American minorities would suffer more than white Americans if the Kyoto climate change treaty is ratified by the U.S. Senate… argues a study released and supported by the Center for Energy and Economic Development. [The] study warns that the Kyoto Protocol would cause a ten percent drop in earnings among some 25 million black and Hispanic American workers." ENS, 7/7/00

Nevada See Vast Potential for Geothermal Energy: "Senator Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, wants Nevada to lead the U.S. in the development of geothermal energy. 'Think of what we could do in research and other programs if we didn't have to import all this foreign oil,' he said at a conference of scientists, federal and state government officials and business people from across the country." ENS, 7/7/00

Killer Algae Invades Southern California: "A mutant algae responsible for killing marine life throughout the Mediterranean has now invaded the seas off San Diego. The ocean weed smothers marine plants and animals, and releases a toxin that can destroy the eggs of many smaller species." ENS, 7/7/00

Winds Cool Heat Wave in Europe: Temperatures have finally dropped by several degrees across some parts of southeastern Europe, which had been recently hit by a record-setting heat wave. AP, 7/7/00

Climate Change Affects Polar Bears: "A new study by Ian Stirling, Nicholas J. Lunn, and John Iacozza, scientists with the Canadian Wildlife Service, concluded that polar bears are under threat of starvation from climate change due to melting sea ice." The Compendium Newsletter, 7/10/00

Extreme Weather Across Europe: "Scorching heat claimed more lives, rekindled fires and closed weltering offices across southeast Europe." [However] an unusual cold snap in Switzerland, brought snow to Alpine passes forcing the closure of at least one to close. AP, 7/12/00

Torrential Rains Pound Western India: "More than 100 people were buried alive in massive… as torrential rains pound across Western India… The monsoon rains drench India each year from July through September, but these are the heaviest rains in recent memory, weather officials say." ENS, 7/13/00

Oil Field Stores Greenhouse Gas Underground: Saskatchewan's Weyburn oil field will become the world's newest site for storing carbon dioxide (CO2) underground." PanCanadian Petroleum has been pumping CO2 into the oil field since 1997 because it is a good solvent that aids in the separation of crude oil from the porous rock where it is located. The Weyburn Monitoring Project is unique in that, in addition to scientists and researchers being able to collect background information before the oil field is flooded with CO2, they will also be able to "better understand the interaction and relationships between oil recovery and CO2 storage." ENS, 7/14/00

Quest for Reliable Power Turns to Fuel Cells: "The energy industry is packaging fuel cells and small turbine generators in new 'hybrid' mini power plants to make electricity more efficiently and cleanly than conventional generating stations for factories, office building, rural homes, hospital an other facilities. The new systems … may give the growing Internet economy a more reliable and higher-quality source of power, energy analysts believe." Leonard Anderson, Reuters, 7/14/00

June Warmer Than Normal and Year-to-Date Temps Warmest on Record: "January-June 2000 was the warmest first half of the year on record… The six-month period was also the third direst year-to-date for Florida and the second wettest year-to-date for New York… [S]atellite data… indicated the presence of slightly warmer than normal temperatures in the lower half of the atmosphere over the U.S." NOAA, 7/14/00

Report Helps Policy Makers and Journalists to Understand Economic Analysis of Climate Policies and Assessments: "A new report commissioned by the Pew Center on Global Climate Change explains how economic analysts use computer models to predict the costs and benefits of proposed policies, and why the predictions vary so widely." The report identifies five variables that explain the majority of differences: How the economy adjust to fluctuating energy prices; how this influences the development of new technologies practices as well as buying patterns; how the economy might respond to policy measures; policy environment affecting adjustments the economy might make and the benefits of reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions. "A clear understanding and interpretation of these determinants will help explain nearly all of the difference in climate policy cost estimates," said Eileen Claussen, President of the Pew Center. PRNewswire, 7/17/00

High-Tech Senator Buys High-Tech Car: "Senator Bob Bennet (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate High-Tech Task Force, is the proud new owner of a high-tech car-a 2000 Honda Insight… He is the first member of the U.S. Congress to purchase an Insight… The Insight feature's Honda's 'Integrated Motor Assist' (IMA) system-a 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder gasoline engine combined with an electric motor for improved efficiency… It does not require an outside source of electric power [and]… never needs to be plugged in. "PRNewswire, 7/18/00

FuelCell Energy Selected by King County, Washington: "FuelCell Energy, Inc. has been selected by King County, Washington… to negotiate a fuel cell project using municipal digester gas and the Conmpnay' Direct FuelCell™ (DFC) power plant technology… A digester is a municipal waste treatment system that produces a methane-rich gas which can be fed to the DFC power plant as a fuel source. Jerry Leitman, president and CEO Fuel Cell Energy said 'We see this large water treatment application as further validation of our carbonate technology and its capability with multiple fuels for commercial applications.' Business Wire, 7/18/00

WRI Urges G7 Governments to Stop Undermining Commitments to Reduce Climate Change Threats in Developing Countries: "A new World Resources Institute study reveals that Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, also know as the G7, privately continue to subsidize billions of dollars in exports and investments that encourage fossil fuel-intensive development [while] publicly assuring developing countries financial and technical assistance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions... 'It is the height of hypocrisy for the world's richest countries and their industries that oppose the Kyoto Protocol to finance new carbon emissions in developing countries while insisting that those same countries reduce their carbon emissions before the protocol can be ratified,' said Jose Maria Figueres, WRI board member and former president of Costa Rica." Business Wire, 7/18/00

Dallas Declares Heat Emergency: "At least eight people have been killed by a week of temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Texas and neighboring states… In Dallas health officials declared a heat emergency triggered by six consecutive days of temperatures over 100 degrees." Reuters, 7/18/00

Heat Wave Continues in the South: "No relief was expected anytime soon from the deadly heat wave also baking Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Kansas." Dave Bryan, AP, 7/19/00

Hot Weather Hits Alabama Hard: "All 67 Alabama counties have been declared federal disaster areas and many hospital are reporting an increase in the number of patients checking in with heat-related problems… The hot weather and lack of rainfall have also caused wildfires, farming problems and pleas for people to cut back on water their lawns and gardens." MSNBC, 7/19/00

Cal-ISO Declares Stage 2 Emergency: "[T]he California Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO)… declared a 'Stage 2 Emergency' and called upon Southern California Edison and other investor-owned utilities to begin voluntary 'load' curtailment programs… 'We're issuing a call to action, a call that everyone needs to take seriously,' said Pam Bass, SCE's senior vice president for customer service." PRNewswire, 7/19/00

Heat Prompts Call for Energy Conservation: "With inland temperatures pushing 100 degrees and higher, the operators of the state's power grid are asking Southland residents to conserve energy… In Chatsworth… temperatures peaked at 105, breaking the old mark of 104 set in 1998." MSNBC, 7/19/00

Greenland's Thinning Ice Signals Global Warming: "The massive ice sheet that blankets much of Greenland is thinning rapidly around its edges, a key sign of global warming, a NASA scientist said… [I]f all the ice sheet [is] melted, it could raise the world sea level by seven yards, according to an article published in the [same] journal Science, where the National Aeronautics and Space Administration team findings by were [presented]." Deborah Zabarenko, Reuters, 7/21/00

French Compressed-Air Automobiles to Replace Mexico City Taxi Fleet: According to Rosa Zubizarreta, Mexico City has contracted to have 40,000 compressed air automobiles built in order to replace its taxi fleet. "The compressed air engine was designed by a French inventor … Guy Negre [and] uses about two dollar's worth of electricity to the tank with compressed air. [It] can power a car at speeds of up to 60 mph… A compressor driven by an electric motor connected to standard electric outlet [recharges] the compressed air tanks." In May of 1988, the first road tests of the prototypes "TOP" (Taxi Zer0 Pollution) were done in Brignoles, France. MID-NIGHT-SUN Trading Post/electrifyingtimes.com, 7/21/00

U.S. Senate Support for Culm-to-Clean-Fuel Moves Schuyykill County Project Closer to Reality: "The nation's first project to convert coal wastes into a clean, zero-sulfur diesel fuel was endorsed twice this week in the United States Senate, including passage of a potential federal funding mechanism… 'Their recognition and support for an environmentally friendly culm and silt conversions process into a clean diesel fuel is both timely and welcomed,' said John W. Rich, Jr., project developer and president of Waste Management and Processors, Inc." PRNewswire, 7/21/00

Report Reviews National Climate Change Programs of Five EU Countries and their Kyoto Targets: "Of five European Union countries reviewed in a newly-released report, only the United Kingdom is currently on track to achieve its Kyoto Protocol emissions reduction target." PR Newsire, 7/22/00

Los Angeles Braced for Another Record Breaking Day: "The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a special weather statement today, warning that record high temperatures are possible over a wide area today and tomorrow." KNBC, 7/23/00

APS Sets All-Time Record Peak Electric Demand: "Arizona Public Service (APS) today established its fourth record peak demand for electricity consumption in a week… The record marked the ninth time in the past 10 years that the Company's peak demand exceeded the prior year's record." Business Wire, 7/24/00

Conversion of Coal-Fired Generating Stations May Not Be Necessary: "'Technology exists today to effectively eliminate sulphur dioxide (S02) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from coal-fired generating stations at a fraction of the cost of conversion to natural gas,' [according to] Tom Hinke, President and CEO of Thermal Energy International Inc." Thermal Energy International Inc. Press Release, 7/24/00

Bush Hauls in Coal Contributions: ""Through the end of May, coal [industry] contributions to [the] Bush [campaign] were ahead of industry donation to Democratic candidate and Vice-President Al Gore by a margin of 11-to-1… [Bush received $150,144.00 compared to Gore who received $13,500]. Bush opposes the Kyoto Protocol." Ken Ward Jr., The Charleston Gazette, 7/24/00

More Power Cuts Likely in Kenya: "Energy official in Kenya say more power cuts are likely during the next few days as engineers attempt to correct technical problems… [and that] the general shortages are the result of drought, which has caused water levels to fall in the country's hydroelectric dams… The government blames the crisis on the worst drought for 100 years." BBC, 7/24/00

Study Shows Greenland Ice Cap is Melting: "A warming climate is eroding more than 50 billion tons of water a year from the Greenland ice sheet, adding to a nine-inch rise is sea level over the last century and increasing the risk of coastal flooding around the world, a new U.S. study shows… 11 cubic miles of ice is disappearing annually… 'When we can go back after five years and see 10 meters of glacier gone, there is something happening,' said William B. Krabill, first author of the study." Paul Recer, AP, 7/24/00

New Study to Show Harmful Heat on the Rise Nationwide: "Physicians for Social Responsibility and Ozone Action [have examined] government weather station data from 1948-1999 and [have found] that the frequency and duration of excessive heat days are on the rise, and nighttime temperatures are above average, offering little relief form the excessive daytime heat… data from the new report [shows] that the growing frequency of harmful heat days and nights is consistent with prediction made by the world's top global warming scientists." U.S. Newswire, 7/25/00

Virus Scare Shuts Central Park: "New York's Central Park has been temporarily closed to the public because of the discovery of mosquitoes carrying the potentially deadly West Nile virus… The virus… was brought to the United States by mosquitoes for the first time last year, killing seven people in New York and causing panic in the city." This could be one of the first of many predicted ramifications of the unusual heat experienced in the United States since last year. (See First Three Months, 4/19/00). Mosquitoes thrive, multiply and expand their territory in warm environments. Jane Hughes, BBC, 7/25/00

IdaTech Delivers Fuel Cell Systems to BPA: "In early June, IdaTEch delivered the first of 110 furl cell systems to Bonneville Power Administration… [T]wo additional units have been delivered with the final seven 'alph' units scheduled to go out by the end of 2000… IdaTech is on schedule to demonstrate a natural gas fuel cell system later this summer and it continues to work on key alliances to meet the goal of commercializing fuel cell systems for home and small commercial applications by 2003." Idacorp, Inc., Press Release, 7/26/00

SolarHost.com Comes to Internet Market: "The world's first and only solar-powered web hosting service, Solar Host.com [has made its debut on the Internet]… SolarHost's high-density solar panels convert sunlight to electricity for its computer server and facility. A battery back stores excess power to keep thing running during the night, on rainy days and in times of technical difficulty… SolarHost has surprised its co-founders by drawing half its clientele from mainstream commercial businesses." Mark Dwortzan, ENN, 7/26/00

Ontario Canada Continues Fight Against Air Pollution From the United States: "Ontario is keeping the pressure on polluting American states to implement a tough new law that would cut smog coming across the US border into Canada… Ontario Environment Minister Dan Newman is fed up with US industry representatives who are putting the brakes on the new rules for clean air. 'It's high time for the industry to quit stalling and start cleaning up the air we all breathe.'" CNW, 7/26/00

FuelCell Energy to Expand Manufacturing Operations: "FuellCell Energy, Inc. has broken ground on a new manufacturing facility in Torrington to meet demand for its Direct FuelCell™ power plants… The decision to expand capacity is part of the Company's business plan… It reflects an increasing number of field trial and orders for the Direct FuelCell… from Germany, the U.S. Navy, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Japan… 'These orders from around the glove validate our technology for producing clean energy,' said Christopher R. Bentley, executive vice president and head of manufacturing operations." Business Wire, 7/26/00

Heavy Rains Cause Floods in Khabarovsk: "Heavy rains have caused flood in the southern parts of the Khabarovsk region, the Far East… [T]he level of water in the local rivers is expected to rise by four or four and half meter n the two or three days." Itar-Tass News Agency, 7/27/00

Soldiers Called in to Fight Blazed Across West: [F]ederal officials have called out the Army to help in ten states from Washington to Texas … 'The West is definitely blazing right now' said Don Smurthwaites, a spokesman for the National Interagency Fire Center. 'It's very hot and it's very dry.'" MSNBC, 7/27/00

Applied Power Installs 22kW Solar Carport for City of Colton Electric Utility: "Applied Power Corporation recently completed the installation of a 22kW solar electric system for the City of Colton Electric Utility (CEU) in Colton, California. The solar power system is integrated into a 120-foot long carport structure that provides shade for parked vehicles at the City's Public Works Administration Building… 'The Colton Electric Utility see renewable power to be increasingly effective and viable,' said Gerald Katz, project manager for the City." PRNewswire, 7/28/00

Nuclear Lab Threatened by Fire: [A] new fire threatening a nuclear lab in Idaho has resulted in the evacuation of 1,800 at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. The small fire entered a reactor test areas before it was extinguished. MSNBC, 7/28/00

Heavy Floods in Yunnan Province: "Heavy floods have hit Hekou County in southwest China's Yunnan Province since July 21." Xinhua News, 7/28/00

Thai Floods Spread Rat Disease: "Floods sweeping through Thailand's northern regions have aided the spread of rat urine disease [killing] at least 70 people this year." AP, 7/28/00

Shanghai Fights Sinking Feeling: "The land under the skyscrapers [of Shanghai] and 13 million people is deflating… slowly settling as its shallow water table collapses after decades of overuse… Drought has complicated the efforts of Chinese officials [who] warn publicly about relying too heavily on wells. [With the drought], as rivers dry up, cities and farms drill more wells… [O]fficial projections say water levels could rise 19 to 27 inches by 1050, threatening waterfront areas." Joe McDonald, AP, 7/28/00

Continuing Hot Temperatures Narrow Energy Reserves Throughout West: "High temperatures throughout the western states for the third straight day have prompted the California Independent System Operator to declare tomorrow July 31st a Power Watch Day… The California ISO requests that California swatch their energy consumption, curtailing the use of electricity whenever possible." Business Wire, 7/30/00

Drought Threatens Fish Habitats in Wyoming and Neighboring States: "Two counties in Wyoming and three in Idaho have declared drought emergencies [with] half of Montana's major river stretches [being] rated moderately to extremely dry. 'We are concerned that the drought might add to the problems endangered fish currently face such as habitat degradation and invasive species,' said Kathy Buchner, director of the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited… 'As temperatures rise, there are more algae blooms due to nutrient concentration, [decreasing] the amount of oxygen available in the water,' explained Tom Rogers, fisheries hatchery supervisor for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game." Cold-water species are especially at risk. ENN, 7/31/00

Southern Idaho Continues to Bake: "Hot, dry weather continues to bake Southern Idaho, Gov. Dirk Kempthorne has declared a drought emergency in Lemhi and Lincoln Counties… [L]and mangers will impose tougher fire-related restrictions for recreationists… prohibiting motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails." Idaho Statesman.com, 7/31/00

Idaho's Fire Situation Gets Worse: "A red flag warning indicating a high risk of winds and conditions ripe for wildfires has been issued for much of the rest of eastern and central Idaho… More that $18 milion ha been spent in Idaho alone since mid-July in what has quickly become the worst fires season since the mid-1990's." Idaho Statesman.com, 7/31/00

California Fire Consumes 60,000 Acres: "A tiny mountain town went up in flames and eight homes were destroyed as a 63,270-acre wildfire continued its weeklong rampage through the Sierra Nevada mountains. The blaze… was only 15 percent contained… will take two weeks to surround." MSNBC, 7/31/00

Seven People Die in Romania From Latest Heat Wave, Fires in Greece: "A heat wave sweeping southeastern Europe has triggered forest fires in Greece and Bulgaria and caused the deaths of at least seven people in Romania over the past three days." AP, 7/31/00

Episcopalians Take Stand on Energy: Rev. Sally Bingham head of the environmental ministry at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco has founded Episcopal Power and Light, a California-based group that works with churches desiring to switch to green power: wind, solar or geothermal energy. Reverend Sally has said the covenant between God and Noah was for generations to come and that covenant was for every living thing, not just people. "The California Council of Churches plans to start California Interfaith Power and Light… patterned after the Episcopal group." Judith Kohler, AP, 7/31/00