Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–November 30, 2010. U.S Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the largest ever awards of the Department’s supercomputing time to 57 innovative research projects – using computer simulations to perform virtual experiments that in most cases would be impossible or impractical in the natural world. Utilizing two world-leading supercomputers[Read More…]
Environmental
Extremely Active Atlantic Hurricane Season was a ‘Gentle Giant’ for U.S.
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–November 29, 2010. According to NOAA the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, which ends tomorrow, was one of the busiest on record. In contrast, the eastern North Pacific season had the fewest storms on record since the satellite era began. In the Atlantic Basin a total of 19 named storms[Read More…]
Secretary Chu: China’s Clean Energy Successes Represent a New ‘Sputnik Moment’ for America
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–November 29, 2010. In a speech at the National Press Club, U.S Energy Secretary Steven Chu said that the success of China and other countries in clean energy industries represents a new “Sputnik Moment” for the United States, and requires a similar mobilization of America’s innovation machine so[Read More…]
Greenhouse Gases Reach Record Levels, Could Rise Further, Warns UN Agency
NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–24 November 2010 – The main greenhouse gases have reached their highest concentration levels since pre-industrial times, a United Nations climate research body said today. The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) 2009 Greenhouse Gas Bulletin warns that carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have all increased their presence, increasing their[Read More…]
Fifth Circuit Decision Finds Construction of Sandy Creek Coal Plant Unlawful
RIESEL, TX–(ENEWSPF)–November 24, 2010. The United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that the Texas Commission on Environmentally Quality (TCEQ) unlawfully approved the construction of the Sandy Creek coal plant in Riesel, Texas. The Sandy Creek plant, which would be a major source of hazardous air pollution including[Read More…]
Salazar Announces New Offshore Wind Initiative; Sierra Club Applauds Effort
BALTIMORE–(ENEWSPF)–November 24, 2010. Yesterday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced a new initiative by his agency to encourage development of offshore wind energy along the Atlantic Coast. Statement of Sierra Club Deputy Conservation Director Bruce Nilles: It’s encouraging to see the Interior Department taking serious steps to further accelerate the rapid[Read More…]
Commerce Secretary Locke Criticizes Escalation of Icelandic Whaling
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–November 23, 2010. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke issued the following statement on Iceland’s decision to resume international trade in fin whale meat, and its escalation of commercial whaling outside of the control of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Iceland killed 273 endangered fin whales in the last two[Read More…]
Why Do People Behave Badly? Maybe It’s Just Too Easy
TORONTO, ON–(ENEWSPF)–November 23, 2010. Many people say they wouldn’t cheat on a test, lie on a job application or refuse to help a person in need. But what if the test answers fell into your lap and cheating didn’t require any work on your part? If you didn’t have[Read More…]
Department of Energy Offers Vehicle Production Group Nearly $50 Million Conditional Loan Commitment
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–November 23, 2010. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced yesterday an offer of a nearly $50 million conditional loan commitment to The Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG). The conditional loan commitment will support the development of the six-passenger MV-1, a factory-built wheelchair accessible vehicle that will run on compressed[Read More…]
All Viruses ‘Are Potential Stowaways in Our DNA’
GREAT BRITAIN–(ENEWSPF)–19 November 2010. ‘Fossil viruses’ preserved inside the DNA of mammals and insects suggest that all viruses, including relatives of HIV and Ebola, could potentially be ‘stowaways’ transmitted from generation to generation for millions of years, according to new research. A team from Oxford University and the Aaron Diamond[Read More…]