October

New Power Plant Pitched to South Gate Community with Pollution Reducing Technology: Wayne Gould, president of Sunlaw Energy Partners, is pitching a power plant with a new revolutionary technology that would clean the air it takes in, as well as provide energy for the Los Angeles basin. Sunlaw has invented a technology that utilizes SCONOx, a device whose function is to treat nitrogen oxide (NOx) one of the two main ingredients of smog, so that it is converted into a less harmful component, when released into the air as a by-product. However, Sunlaw still must contend with other emissions such as volatile organic compounds and soot, which it has yet to harness or neutralize in the same way. Sarah Catania, LA Weekly, 10/6/00

Siemens' Unit Gets OK for Solar Electric Kits: Siemens Solar Industries L.P. has received approval of its earthsafe™ solar electric kits for use in homes, schools and commercial buildings, from the Florida Solar Energy Center. This is the first UL listed system to receive this approval. Anil Kumar, BridgeNews, 10/9/00

Drought Still Serious in Kenya: "The persisting drought in Kenya is expected to continue well into next year, [according to a report in the] Kenya Times, a government run newspaper." The prolonged drought is adding pressure to Kenyans already struggling with famine. Xinhua, 10/10/00

Floods Spark Riots in Bangladesh: "Hundreds of people fought with shotguns, spears and kitchen knives to defend a mud embankment that protects dozens of villages from devastating monsoon floods… The four-hour battle pitted villagers against flood victims on the other side of who tried to cut through the 3-mile-long embankment… to ease flooding on their side." Farid Hossain, AP, 10/10/00

Flood Threat Persists in South East England: "Flood waters have begun to subside in south east England, but the threat of flooding remains high… Some insurers believe it will prove to be the most expensive natural disaster in British history… 'We seem to be having more violent weather patterns and we accept that it could be due to global warming,' said Countryside Minister Elliot Morley." BBC, 10/13/00

Italy Floodwaters Force 12,000 to Flee: "Around 12,000 people are being evacuated from their homes in northwest Italy as rising flood waters threaten fresh devastation in the region… The floods have brought Italy's industrial heartland to a virtual standstill." CNN.com, 10/17/00

Power Plant Pollution Linked to 30,000 Premature Deaths Each Year: "Pollution generated by U.S. power plants is responsible for cutting short the lives of over 30,000 Americans each year, more deaths than are caused by murderers or drunk drivers," according to the report Death, Disease and Dirty Power : Mortality and Health Damage Due to Air Pollution from Powers Plants. The report funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts and released by a consortium of Clear the Air, a national clean air campaign, the Clean Air Task Force, the National Environmental Trust, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group and the National Campaign Against Dirty Power. The full text can be found at http://www.cleartheair.org. Brian Hansen, ENS, 10/17/00

Aborigines Drop Diesel, Embrace Solar Power: "Federal Environment Minister Robert Hill has announced the Pitjantjatjar Council and the South Australian department of Aboriginal Affairs will receive funds to install 10 solar concentrators in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands in the Far North West of South Australia… The solar power station will send electricity to the grid, reducing diesel consumption by 136,000 litres, and displacing 1,800 tons of carbon dioxide each year." ENS, 10/17/00

California's 10,000-vehicle Fleet Switching to Nonpolluting Cars: "The state's 10,000-vehicle fleet will be exchanged for low-polluting cars beginning next year… 2,500 of the state's fleet will convert to gasoline-powered cars that release up to 90 percent fewer pollutants." The other 7,500 vehicles will be powered by alternative fuelsand electricity. An average of 1,400 cars will be replaced yearly. AP,10/19/00

New Water-filled Windows Good for Insulation: Frederick McKee, an engineer has designed double-glazed windows that have water between the panes instead of air. The water contains a chemical that absorbs infrared energy, while at the same time allowing light to pass through. "This system basically enables us to put up a building that doesn't need cooling in the summer or heating in the winter," he said. Reuters, 10/24/00