Manufacturing’s, energy’s, transport’s environmental records: They could be better

If you’re looking at today’s environmental landscape as a gauge, a measure, a yardstick and are contemplating whether or not it is where it needs to or should be, the answer is: no; the environment is not where it could or should be. That’s the reality. Environmental stewardship the name of the game It’s all … Read more

Roboticized: As we automate, are we going about it right?

Someone once posited that with the advent of personal computing our society would become paperless. Well, not only did that not happen but we seem nowhere near that prospect coming true. In a related vein, the draft for the article you are now reading, I composed with pen and paper prior to my transferring it … Read more

Electricity sector decarbonization advances through formed VPP alliance: Affordability, dependability both key elements of program

The below Jan. 10, 2023 press release* is from the Rocky Mountain Institute. RMI, a leading nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the global energy transformation, announced the formation of the Virtual Power Plant Partnership (VP3) Tuesday. In recognition of the critical work needed to tackle scaling the market for virtual power plants, initial funding of the VP3 effort … Read more

Addressing the air-pollution crisis: Chalking up wins where we can

When the interested Conference of the Parties (COP) attendees head off to these annual global climate-change networking summits, they, for the most part, I would think, have open minds, their hoping, their expecting that, by the time the conference concludes, they will come away with something to show for all the time, energy and hard … Read more

Nuclear fusion could help us meet our climate goals sooner

One of the limitations of Direct Air Capture (DAC) of carbon dioxide removal from, for example, the lower atmosphere – where, as we know, is currently at a density of nearly 420 parts per million (roughly 50% more concentrated or dense than it was when the Industrial Revolution first came into being in 1750 – … Read more

Ambitious plan to cut GHGs in Calif. air 85%, achieves carbon neutrality by 2045 approved by state air regulator

The below Dec. 15, 2022 press release is from the California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board.* The California Air Resources Board today approved the final proposed 2022 Scoping Plan, a world-leading roadmap to address climate change that cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 85% and achieves carbon neutrality in 2045. The 2022 Scoping Plan provides … Read more

Want to clean up your dirty air? Look to transportation – and not just to cars – as the place to start

The world view is that what we as humans need to do to avoid a climate-related meltdown, if you will, and meet short-, medium- and long-range climate goals, is to forgo dependence on combustion of fossil fuels – hook, line and sinker. We’re talking about an across-the-board transition to clean energy here to power all … Read more

More hydrogen-powered trains on their way to California this decade

The below Sept. 20, 2022 press release is from Stadler US Inc.* Stadler has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the design and delivery of four zero emission hydrogen FLIRT trains for California. This MOU articulates the responsibilities and roles … Read more

Nationwide rail strike would cripple economy, worsen air quality

Action is underway in Congress to avert a rail-workers strike and keep America’s trains on track. The underlying issues between labor and management whom, as it had been reported, had failed to reach complete agreement, appear to be over paid time off for sick leave as well as worker pay. Absent a binding agreement the … Read more

Electric propulsion tested on prototype heavy-haul mine truck with glowing results

The below Nov. 22, 2022 press release is from Caterpillar Inc. Caterpillar Inc. announced today a successful demonstration of its first battery electric 793 large mining truck and a significant investment to transform its Arizona-based proving ground into a sustainable testing and validation hub of the future. Caterpillar completed development of its first battery electric … Read more