Mark Jacobson of Stanford University researched alternative energies to determine which fuels provided the most amount of energy, including inputs and outputs.  In a recent article in the New Scientist by Catherine Brahic, the author writes about Jacobson's detailed study "ranking 11 types of non-fossil fuels according to their total ecological footprint and their benefit to human health. . . . To compare the fuels, Jacobson calculated the impacts each would have if it alone powered the entire US fleet of cars and trucks.

Seattle's own Foss Maritime has developed a new generation of tugboats that use less fuel and generate less pollution than the older versions.  The LA Times had an article on a new hybrid that will be used extensively in maritime operations, especially in California.  The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the largest cargo container ports in the nation, have about $5 billion in expansion projects on the books, which they cannot build unless they are able to mitigate pollution. 

The ports, together with California's South Coast Air Quality Management District, provided $1.35 million in development costs to Foss. 

President-elect Obama's appointment for Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, has been widely applauded, as have Obama's choices for sub-cabinet positions related to science in general and climate change in particular.  Since Dec. 20, when Obama made the announcement that Chu would be Secretary of Energy; John Holdren would be Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; and Jane Lubchenco would be the new head of NOAA, people have been reassured that Obama's administration would 1) take the science on climate change seriously, 2) make use of innovative technology and collaborative approaches and 3) act quickly.

The Northwest may not be getting any seats on the Obama Cabinet but our local Congresscritters are looking to obtain stimulus package money for a huge new model project to build a new, green power grid along the Seattle - Portland corridor. 

Creating a modern grid that allows the population centers to use alternative energy is at the top of the list for all those working against time to solve the climate change crisis. 

McClatchy Newspapers has an article up describing the opportunity and the problem:

Whatcom County farmers Roberto Bermudez and Jose Ramirez met with IWF's Kevin Fullerton to sign up for sunflower growing trials that could start next summer, if a recent grant application is successful. IWF and our frequent partner, Community to Community, joined with feed and fertilizer dealer Merritt Wolfkill on a proposal to the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program that would pay for training, planting, and harvest of experimental organic sunflower crops for participating farmers.

The governors of the 19 states in the Western Governors Association met this last week and outlined the steps they believe the new administration should take in the first 100 days to address climate change and energy issues.

According to an AP article, the WGA is recommending that the new administration: