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Biogas Association
www.BiogasAssociation.com

Biogas Association
www.BiogasAssociation.com

Supporting the Biogas, Biomethane & Synthesis Gas Industries
Though Education, Research & Development, Information, 
Grants and New Product Development

Biogas Magazine
www.BiogasMagazine.com

Coming Soon, the Biogas Magazine, published by the Biogas Association.

What is Biogas and Biomethane?

Biogas is defined as a combustible gas that is generated through the anaerobic decomposition of organic materials.  Biogas is comprised of; methane which is combustible, but also several other impurities, including; carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfides. 

While biogas is combustible, and even explosive if not properly handled, biogas, in its "raw" form, is not useable due to its corrosive properties and must be cleaned in order to remove the impurities, before it is useable.   

In its "useable" form, biogas is then referred to as "Biomethane."

What is Biomethane?

Biomethane is "renewable natural gas" made from organic sources - which starts out as "biogas" but then is cleaned up in a process called "Biogas to Biomethane" which removes the impurities in biogas such as carbon dioxide, siloxanes and hydrogen sulfides (H2S).

Biomethane is soon to be re-classified from the category of "Low Carbon Fuels" to "Super Low Carbon Fuel" due to it being the greenest of all biofuels!

"Cleaned-up" and ready for use in an onsite cogeneration or trigeneration power plant, the Biomethane could also be sold to a pipeline company and completely replace the "natural gas" that is typically transported to markets via the vast underground pipeline system.

Biomethane will some day replace the "methane" that is sold by natural gas utility companies.

Biomethane has an unlimited supply, whereas the methane sold by gas companies has a limited supply.  Biomethane is renewable, whereas the methane sold by your gas utility company is not renewable. Biomethane recovery, use and production generates "Greentags" or a "Renewable Energy Credit" for the owners and is GOOD for our environment.

As previously mentioned, Biomethane is "naturally" produced from organic materials as they decay.  Sources of Biomethane include; landfills, POTW's/Wastewaster Treatment Systems, and every tree or agricultural product that is no longer living.  Biomethane is also generated from animal operations where manure can be collected and the Biomethane is generated from anaerobic digesters where the manure decomposes.

Biomethane, after installation of the Biomethane equipment is essentially free, as opposed to buying natural gas, presently costing around $10.00/mmbtu. 

Methanogenesis is the production of CH4 and CO2 by biological processes that are carried out by methanogens.

Unlike the price of natural gas, which has been very unstable, and wildly fluctuating from $5.50 to as much as $17.00/mmbtu this past year, Biomethane prices will tend to be more stable over the years. As more and more Biomethane is produced, and produced in reliable and sustainable methods that can fuel our energy needs now and for.

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When It Comes to Energy Independence,
Biomethane, Not Coal, is America's "Ace in the Hole"
and One of the Greenest of All Biofuels

It's Time to Start Building Our Country's Biomethane Infrastructure &
Producing Biomethane, the Cleanest/Greenest Biofuel!

By:  Monty Goodell, MBA
Chairman
Renewable Energy Institute

Biomethane, NOT Coal, is America's True "Ace in the Hole" when it comes to our energy future, economics, the environment, sustainability and America's “Energy Independence.” And biomethane is also receiving recognition as one of the greenest of all biofuels.   

For years now, the coal industry has been touting "coal is America's 'Ace in the Hole'" when they discuss the abundance of our coal reserves here in the U.S. and the role they hope coal will play in America's energy future.

But coal is far from being the “Ace in the Hole” the coal lobby would have everyone believe.  That’s due to the proverbial “black eye” not to mention the “black lungs” and other problems that are inherent with “dirty coal.”  

While there may be a place for coal in America's energy future, coal must become "clean" for America to value it as a possible energy resource. Plans or building 18 new Coal fired power plants were cancelled in Texas last year due to the fact that coal isn't clean, and utilities aren't interested in investing the extra costs for building power plants that use "Clean Coal Technology" or "Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle" power plants that also now need to include "Carbon Capture and Sequestration" technologies to remove the carbon dioxide emissions from the stacks. Plans for many other coal fired power plants are being cancelled. And even now, owners of coal fired power plants (pulverized coal) are switching from coal, to biomass, and biomass gasification technologies, as the writing is on the wall.

Unless our society relishes the thoughts of moving back to the caves, and using candles, and foregoing our modern-day comforts, we need to move forward with renewable energy technologies such as biomethane, as the alternative is power shortages and blackouts.

We believe biomethane represents the best and greenest of all biofuels. There are no supply problems with biomethane, and we have a virtually unlimited supply for using biomethane wherever natural gas is presently used as a fuel.

It should be pointed out that biomethane is chemically no different than natural gas from the "fossil fuel" form of natural gas or CH4.

However, one important distinction between biomethane and the fossil-fuel variety of natural gas, is that the production and use of biomethane is “carbon neutral” in that the greenhouse gas emissions from biomethane use do not add any new net greenhouse gas emissions.

Biomethane starts out as “biogas” but must be cleaned and purified before it can be used as a renewable fuel.  The process of cleaning and purifying the biogas is called “biogas to biomethane.”  The impurities that are found in biogas include hydrogen sulfides, siloxanes, and carbon dioxide. When the impurities are removed from biogas, it is then referred to as biomethane and available for use as a clean fuel, just as the fossil-fuel form of natural gas is used. 

Biomethane reserves and supplies, unlike fossil-fuel natural gas, are virtually unlimited. Biomethane is produced from many sources including anaerobic digesters, wastewater treatment systems, landfills and most agricultural and forestry operations. Last year, the first Biomethane NGV refueling station was opened in Eugendorf, Austria.  Like a gas station provides gasoline for cars, the the NGV Biomethane station in Eugendorf provides biomethane for NGVs (Natural Gas Vehicles).  Presently, the station provides a blend of biomethane and natural gas.  Eventually, they hope to provide 100% biomethane for natural gas vehicles.  Companies and researchers in Germany and Austria have determined that “Cellulosic Biomethane” is the greenest of all biofuels, and the least expensive biofuel to produce.  Germany and Austria are now planting vast amounts of a form of Kentucky Bluegrass which will be harvested for use in producing “Cellulosic Biomethane,” through anaerobic digesters and fermentation.

Researchers from around the world, starting in Austria, are finding that grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass are easily converted into biomethane as well as organic fertilizer. Cellulosic Biomethane production doesn’t require the fermentation of sugars or starches - as the first generation of liquid biofuels – requiring grains and oilseeds from food crops. As the Austrian Cellulosic Biomethane project shows, biomethane can be produced from a cellulosic biomass feedstock like grass. Yield estimates from the Austrian Cellulosic Biomethane research indicate that one natural gas vehicle can travel 10,000 to 15,000 miles on just one acre of Kentucky Bluegrass that was processed into biomethane.

At a Jan. 8, 2009 public workshop held by the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, they documented the superior benefits and potential of biomethane as a clean, renewable energy resource.  The California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition stated that Biomethane should be classified as a "Super Ultra Low Carbon fuel."  Super Ultra Low Carbon fuel is defined as providing at least an 82 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions - based on the California Air Resource Board’s analysis of biomethane from landfill gas.

Biomethane has a carbon dioxide emissions intensity of only 11 as compared with:

                                                                        67.9 for natural gas
                                                                        95.8 for diesel
                                                                        96.7 for gasoline

Biomethane can displace and substitute the equivalent of 29% percent of all petroleum diesel transportation fuel used - almost immediately.

According to the California Energy Commission and the Biomass Collaborative, landfills, wastewater treatment, and dairy waste sources - which are "developable today" and can start producing Biomethane almost immediately, with low investment/high returns, could yield 121 billion cubic feet of Biomethane. At $8.00/mmbtu, that's a $1 billion market opportunity in California alone.  The 121 billion cubic feet of Biomethane equals about 860 million gallons of petroleum diesel. California alone uses about 3 billion gallons of diesel annually for transportation. Emerging biomass gasification and Biomethanation technologies could more than double Biomethane supplies.

Biomethane - like natural gas from "fossil fuels" - can be compressed or liquefied. And using "Compressed Biomethane" is a significantly better choice as a transportation fuel than traditional "natural gas."

Biomethane is the "natural, natural gas" and is far better for the environment and the economy than natural gas. Biomethane, when "vented" to the environment, is 21 times more hazardous to the climate than carbon dioxide emissions which are the only emissions (and water vaport) from compressed natural gas vehicles' engines when used as a fuel.

Again, we are reminded that Biomethane is the same chemical compound as natural gas: CH4, and completely replaces and substitutes for natural gas. Engines, turbines, boilers and every other natural gas appliance can use Biomethane without any adjustments or modifications - just like natural gas.

Biomethane supplies, as opposed to natural gas supplies from the fossil fuel industry, are available in an unlimited supply.

Moving forward with a “Biomethane Infrastructure” is the direction our country needs to be moving as one of our fuel choices as we become energy-independent.  Every MCF of Biomethane that we use displaces about 8 gallons of gasoline and creates jobs that will never be outsourced or downsized.

(Some of the above information from the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition.)

Please Support H.R. 1158, The Biogas Production Incentive Act of 2009 to Help Create our Nation's Biomethane Infrastructure & Biomethane Reserves

SUMMARY:  The Biogas Production Incentive Act of 2009 if enacted, will amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for the production, sale, or use of biogas. Defines biogas as a gas that is derived by processing qualified energy feedstock (i.e., manure of agricultural livestock and other organic agricultural or food industry byproduct waste material) in an anaerobic digester and that contains at least 52% methane and carbon dioxide and trace gases. Provides an increased credit for biogas produced from qualified cellulosic energy feedstock.


Dear Senator or Representative ________

I am writing to you in support of HR 1158, the Biogas Production Incentive Act of 2009 and recommend that Congress develops and passes this much needed legislation that provides a $4.27 per MMBTU tax credit for the production of Biogas – also known as "Renewable Natural Gas," "Renewable Biogas" or "Biomethane."

            H.R. 1158, the Biogas Production Incentive Act would establish this tax credit that will help jumpstart this vital industry.  Renewable biogas and biomethane have been heralded by many as being the greenest of all biofuels.  Biomethane has a carbon dioxide emissions intensity of only 11 as compared with 67.9 for natural gas, 95.8 for diesel and 96.7 for gasoline.  Biomethane can displace and substitute the equivalent of 29% percent of all petroleum diesel transportation fuel used - almost immediately.  The California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition stated that Biomethane should be classified as a "Super Ultra Low Carbon fuel."  Super Ultra Low Carbon fuel is defined as providing at least an 82 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions - based on the California Air Resource Board’s analysis of biomethane from landfill gas.

The U.S. Congress has wisely supported the expanded use of domestic renewable resources through a variety of tax incentives and other programs.  Up to this point, Congress has focused primarily on measures that support the production of renewable liquid transportation fuels or electricity.  In the U.S., however, natural gas represents 23 percent of the energy consumed.

            Natural gas is the fuel of choice to provide residential and commercial heat for space and hot water in most applications and is used to produce steam in a variety of commercial and industrial applications. Natural gas is also the fuel that provides the energy to manufacture many industrial products including aluminum, steel, glass, chemicals, fertilizer, and ethanol.  

            Incentivizing the production of renewable natural gas or "Biomethane" from sources that include animal manure, landfills, renewable biomass and agricultural wastes will support expanding the role of renewables into this existing energy sector, where little opportunity exists today.   It will also create another business investment prospect for renewable project developers and the potential to expand rural economies while supporting existing industrial jobs and dramatically reducing carbon emissions.     

Please consider the following:

•           Renewable Biomethane is a versatile form of bio-energy. It can be used directly at the site of production, or placed in the pipeline to support a variety of residential commercial or industrial applications.

•           Renewable Biomethane produced from renewable sources including animal manure, landfills, renewable biomass and agricultural wastes can be produced at high efficiencies ranging from 60–70 percent.  Additionally, all of the technology components to produce renewable gas from this variety of sources exist today.

•           Renewable Biomethane can be delivered to customers via the existing U.S. pipeline infrastructure.

•           Renewable Biomethane can provide a renewable option for many heavy industries, which could save existing industrial jobs in a carbon constrained economy - while creating new rural green jobs to produce Renewable Biomethane.

•           Renewable Biomethane production in digesters provides the agricultural sector additional environmental benefits by improving waste management and nutrient control. 

We believe this is a fiscally responsible proposal that will provide the following benefits:              

•           Jump-start new biomethane gas production

•           Begin the creation of the biomethane infrastructure and biomethane industry

•           Increase biomethane “reserves”

•           Creation of green jobs

•           Expand the rural economy and increase revenues for farming and agricultural operations

•           Increase energy independence

•           Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Thank you for your support and consideration of this legislation.

Sincerely,

_______________________
Signature and address

Please write to your Representative and Senators, and ask them to support H.R. 1158 and the $4.27 per MMBTU tax credit for the production of Biomethane/Renewable Natural Gas, using the above letter as a suggested letter you are welcome to use as your own.

Thank you!

For more information on Biomethane, see www.Biomethane.com

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How we make and distribute electricity is changing! 

The electric power generation, transmission and distribution system (the electric "grid") is changing and evolving from the electric grid of the 19th and 20th centuries, which was inefficient, highly-polluting, very expensive and “dumb.”  

The "old" way of generating and distributing energy resembles this slide:

How To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

You can easily and affordably reduce or eliminate your company's "carbon footprint." 

Did you know that the United States Congress will be passing the S. 2191 "Cap and Trade" Law in 2009?  Did you know that Supreme Court ruled in April (2008) that the EPA already has the authority to regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions?  Cap And Trade narrowly passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is now in the U.S. Senate, who has threatened to make even greater reductions of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in their final Bill of the Cap And Trade legislation. 

Are you ready for these new regulations?  We can help you get ready!

According to Monty Goodell, the Founder and Chairman of the Renewable Energy Institute, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Dioxide Emissions will be the world’s biggest commodity market and will probably soon be the world’s largest market, period." In fact,  Mr. Goodell anticipates that Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Dioxide Emissions will become one of the fasting-growing commodities and markets ever.

Every day, leading companies are spending millions of dollars going "GREEN" and reducing their Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

The Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Dioxide Emissions Market Potential is staggering!  According to a recent New York Times article, carbon trading is one of the “fastest-growing specialties in financial services.” 

Already, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading and International Carbon Trading markets are worth in excess of $50 billion/year. The United Nations expects this market to be valued in excess of $2 Trillion/year by 2012 and others are saying this could easily exceed $5 Trillion/year within the next several years!

DO THE MATH on the Carbon Dioxide Emissions market! 

You may be wondering, how can such a relatively new commodity grow so rapidly?  Here in the USA, 40 billion tons of Carbon Dioxide Emissions are produced every year. At the present price of $50 per ton of carbon dioxide, the Carbon Dioxide Emissions market is valued at $2.0 Trillion (40 billion tons of Carbon Dioxide Emissions x $50.00/ton).

How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Carbon Emissions, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions can be reduced or completely eliminated with renewable energy technologies, such as our Solar Energy Systems - including our super high efficiency Solar Cogeneration and Solar Trigeneration energy systems.  Brown buildings can be upgraded in to green buildings and  "Net Zero Energy Buildings" through the products and services that we offer.  

Qualified commercial, government, industrial and municipal clients can affordably have one of our Solar Cogeneration and Solar Trigeneration energy systems installed, with ZERO up-front costs, with our Power Purchase Agreement.  Call (832) 758 - 0027 to learn more and find out if your business qualifies.

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Monty Goodell, Founder and Chairman of the Renewable Energy Institute, along with the Renewable Energy Institute's Scientific Advisory Board, which is comprised of several of our nation's leading experts, engineers, attorneys, professors and universities, is calling for our nation and all 50 states to adopt a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) of at least 25% by 2025.

And even better than a Renewable Portfolio Standard, according to Mr. Goodell, is a "Feed In Tariff," which is the route Germany took, and why they have had such great success in their transition to a solar based economy. The fastest paths to jump-start the renewable energy industry, is through a "Feed In Tariff.

A Feed In Tariff is superior to a Renewable Portfolio Standard," according to Mr. Goodell.  "For example, look at Germany's success in their transition to an economy based on the installation of solar energy systems, they adopted a Feed In Tariff, are further north from the Equator than we are here in the U.S., and they are placing solar panels on every rooftop and wind turbine generators throughout their country. They are leading the world in renewable energy technologies, primarily due to their early adoption of a Feed In Tariff"

What is a Feed In Tariff? 

A Feed In Tariff is a utility rate that is established by a state or federal government, that requires a utility to pay higher electricity rates for green electricity generated by the owners of the solar energy systems, whether that is a homeowner or business owner. Feed In Tariffs shifts the expenses of subsidizing green energy from taxpayers, to electricity ratepayers. Feed In Tariffs also include guarantee that the Feed In Tariffs' artificially higher rates, will continue for periods as long as 25 years.  

Germany's great success for jump-starting the solar energy industry there, first established Feed In Tariffs in 1999.  Germany now has about five times as many solar photovoltaic panels installed as the United States - even though their total combined installations of PV panels  still only account for about 0.5% of the electricity generated there. 

"So, we go with a Feed In Tariff in lieu of a Renewable Portfolio Standard.  Simultaneously, we need to start re-building our national electric grid, and transforming it into 'Transmission Superhighway' or 'Unified Smart Grid' and dramatically increase the nation's power supply as well as implement greater use of 'Energy Efficiency Measures' - also referred to as Energy Conservation Measures.  And we need to implement "real" 'Demand Side Management' programs.  Failure to move in these areas and to do so immediately increases the risks to our country, our national security and the climate" according to Mr. Goodell. 

According to Mr. Goodell, our nation is at a crossroads and we have been 'over the Middle Eastern barrel of their fossil fuels' long enough. We must shift from energy dependence to energy independence and place significant emphasis and investments in our national energy security and lower greenhouse gas emissions.    

Renewable energy, and only renewable energy provides the significant economic and environmental dividends our country now needs.  Preferably, our fledgling renewable energy  industry in the U.S., will be "jump-started" with a Feed In Tariff.  

Some of the economic and environmental dividends that renewable energy will provide our country include:

• Creation of more than 3 million new jobs in the U.S..

• Generate more than $1 trillion in economic impacts

• Eliminates or Reduces Carbon Emissions and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Significant reductions of oil imports

• Reduce energy prices and save consumers as much as $50 billion on their energy bills

• Elimination of billions of pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions

• Stimulate rural economies

• Conserve natural gas supplies 

• Creates a clean, safe energy future

• Position the US as a world leader in renewable energy technologies

According to the Energy Information Administration, the total US primary energy consumption is expected to increase from 100 quadrillion Btu (quads) in 2005 to 131 quads in 2030. However, the renewable electricity generation remains at 9% while use of coal increases 50 percent in 2030 to 57%.  Ethanol use is expected to increase from 4 billion gallons in 2005 to 14.6 billion gallons in 2030, yet that is only about 8% of total gasoline consumption.

In January (2008) the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) blamed the burning of fossil fuels as a key contributor to global warming and accelerating climate change. The NCDC warned that the rate of the warming is accelerating and that the rise in temperatures over the past 9 years is “unprecedented in the historical record." This was underscored in February (2008) in the consensus report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that concluded with near certainty that human activity was the main contributor to global warming.

The renewable energy industry, single-handedly, provides a powerful argument and solutions for these problems. 

Global warming and climate change are symptoms of a sick planet and the results of unrestrained "dumping" of huge amounts of pollution - in the form of carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

The vast majority of carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gas emissions comes from "dirty" fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) used in making electricity at power plants and dirty fuels (gasoline and petroleum diesel) that run our internal combustion engines in our cars, trains, planes, and trucks. Our planet is home to millions and millions of internal combustion engines that run on dirty fossil fuels - whether they are fueled with gasoline for running our cars and lawnmowers or running on diesel fuel in the engines of trucks and ships like the very large crude carriers that transport the crude oil all around the world...... every internal combustion engine that is running on dirty fossil fuels is dumping millions and millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gas emissions into our atmosphere - which is aggravating and exacerbating our sick planet - and making manmade climate change and global warming more difficult to resolve through manmade remedies and solutions.

"Finally, the fact that over 60% of the gasoline we use every day in our cars comes from foreign countries - should be the "clarion call" that jump-starts the renewable energy industry here in the U.S." said Mr. Goodell.

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Why We Need The "Unified Smart Grid" 
or "Transmission Superhighway"

According to Monty Goodell, the Chairman and Founder of the Renewable Energy Institute, "our country desperately needs to upgrade its' national electric grid.  The grid of today is a relic from the past, that is inefficient and costly.  Originally built in the 1930's, it is costing our nation approximately $120 billion every year due to its' outdated and out-lived existence.  The national power grid as designed and built in the 1930's does not have the efficiencies and capabilities to keep pace with the national power grid's demands of today." 

"What we need" according to Mr. Goodell, is what former Vice President Al Gore calls a "Unified Smart Grid" or what we prefer to call a "Transmission Superhighway."

A Transmission Superhighway would be buried underground and "wheels" or transmits the renewable power ("green electricity") from the wind farms of the midwest, and solar farms of the southwest, and geothermal farms of the west, to load centers throughout every corner of the U.S."

According to many estimates, the "Unified Smart Grid" or "Transmission Superhighway" could be built for about $400 billion.  Through its' increased efficiencies, savings and reliability improvements that it will provide, the nation's new "unified smart grid" will be paid in full, in less than 4 years. 

The carbon clock tracks total carbon dioxide emissions in metric tons since 1750.

Since 1750, humans have emitted over 5 trillion pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Roughly half of this has ended up in the oceans where it is beginning to damage the coral reefs. The other half is still in the atmosphere and causing global warming. Each pound of CO2 takes up as much space as a 500 pound person.

The formula (which should be good for a year or two) is:
C(t) = 2.58 ×1012 + 1240×t, where t is seconds since the start of 2007.

C is tonnes (metric tons) of carbon dioxide emissions.
2205 x C gives pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

That comes to over 43 billion tons/year or over 86 trillion pounds/year.

Carbon dioxide (2) = 1 carbon atom with 2 oxygen atoms.
Carbon has relative weight 12 and Oxygen 16.
So it takes only 12 pounds of carbon to make 12+16+16 = 44 pounds of CO2. 

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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Linked to 
the Loss of Polar Bears

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About the Renewable Energy Institute, Climate Science,
Tax-payer Subsidies for Fossil Fuel & Nuclear Industries,
Peak Oil & America's Clear and Present Danger

Monty Goodell, MBA
Founder and Chairman
Renewable Energy Institute

The Renewable Energy Institute (REI) does not take a stand in the debate on global warming, and if there is global warming, is it "anthropogenic" or is it caused by the sun, or the sun's normal cycles.  Or, if there is " climate change," is it " global cooling" caused by the water vapor in the atmosphere?

At the Renewable Energy Institute, we are waiting for the "true" scientists who doing the real research, to provide us with the science and answers critically needed to formulate correct policy - and not the phony " scientists" who are following politically-motivated and profit-driven agendas of the United Nations and government leaders. These phony scientists are not interested in conducting real scientific research.  Their very livelihoods are dependent on the government grants to fund their phony research that have pre-determined conclusions before and "research" is conducted.  

Political-interference by governments, governmental agencies, and bureaucrats that hand out billions of tax-payers dollars to phony scientists to conduct "junk science" and research,  expect the conclusions that supports anthropogenic global warming, or climate change. 

When scientists conclude in their research that they find no evidence of anthropogenic climate change or global warming, they are summarily dismissed, and black-balled from their communities and colleagues, and never again receive funding or grants.  Grants and funding by government bureaucrats with politically-driven agendas to "scientists" expecting their pre-determined results and conclusions supporting anthropogenic global warming must stop.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2007

• the solar industry received $198 million in subsidies.

• the oil and natural gas industry collected $2.1 Billion in tax-payer subsidies.

• the coal industry coal received $3.2 Billion in tax-payer subsidies.

And since 1960:

• the nuclear industry has received nearly $70 billion in tax-payer incentives and tax-payer subsidies. 

Taxpayers have bankrolled the oil and gas industry, and the coal industry for 100 years now, and the nuclear industry for 50 years, to keep these dirty fuels and energy "cheap." Take away the tax-payer incentives and tax dollars, and we believe the real cost of gasoline, would be similar to the gasoline cost in Europe - $7.00 - $8.00/gallon!

In the meantime, our U.S. Military is spending billions of tax-payer dollars each year protecting the Straits of Hormuz where much of the world's crude oil is produced and shipped through the straits' international shipping lanes.  Each day, hundreds of "very large crude carriers" pass through the Straits of Hormuz carrying oil from OPEC and the Middle-East to the U.S. and many other countries. 

Isn't it time we take some of the tax-payer dollars supporting the nuclear, coal and oil and gas industries, and start incentivizing clean, renewable energy technologies that don't pollute or harm the environment in any way?  Isn't it time that America ends its reliance on non-sustainable energy sources and stop over $1 billion every day, to oil suppliers from foreign countries, and start putting this money in "solar on every rooftop?!?

Mercury Emissions from Coal Fired Power Plants Far More Harmful to the Planet and People than Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Regarding the harm being caused to our planet from energy use, far more harm is being done to the planet, as well as to people and plants and animals, particularly fish, from the mercury emissions from coal fired power plants than from the coal fired power plants' greenhouse gas emissions.  We surmise that if any polar bears have died as a result of an environmental problem, it was more likely from the high levels of mercury in their food chain, than from greenhouse gas emissions. 

The Renewable Energy Institute is supporting and advancing renewable energy technologies, as well as reducing and eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and the fossil-fuel problems related to America's oil addiction and ending our dependence on foreign oil.  The renewable energy technologies we support are already deemed to be economic, viable and practical. Solutions such as Solar Trigeneration energy systems (see www.SolarTrigeneration.com for more information) for any kind of facility or building - office buildings, shopping centers, data centers, university campuses, etc. 

Since 2003, a Solar Trigeneration energy system has been providing 100% of the power and energy for a 5,300 sq. ft. office building near downtown Los Angeles, and doing so without any connection to the electric grid, whether its 12 noon or 12 midnite!  

The Renewable Energy Institute is also involved in research and advocacy of "Net Zero Energy" (see: www.NetZeroEnergy.com for more information) and "Net Zero Energy Buildings" (see:  www.NetZeroEnergyBuildings.com for more information).  Net Zero Energy Buildings generate as much (or more) energy than they use, and export their excess power to the grid, which we believe needs to be updated into a "Transmission Superhighway."

Climate Change, Global Warming or Global Cooling?

The past 10 years indicates the opposite of "global warming" has occurred - that the "Earths Fever" has and that global cooling has taken place. 

Weather, on a daily basis, or even an annual basis, is not climate, and climate is not weather. 

"Climate change" is always taking place, from one day to the next, and one week to the next, as well as one year to the next. The planet's climate is an ever-evolving, changing and dynamic process.  

Again, researchers and scientists need to refrain from being political, and stay out of politics, and politicians need to stay out of the way of the scientists and researchers, and let them do their work.  Politicians, government leaders and bureaucrats scientists need true and accurate data and climate research from scientists that do not have a political agenda.

In the meantime, as there may still be 30 years of research before there are conclusive answers concerning anthropogenic climate change, can we "risk" 30 years of our children and grand children's future, should there is a link between climate change and greenhouse gas emissions?  Should we not err on the side of caution?

Hubbert's Peak Oil Predictions Now Proving True?

Marion King Hubbert was a geologist and scientist who worked at Shell Oil company's research lab in Houston, Texas.  Hubbert made several important contributions to geology, geophysics and petroleum geology.  Hubbert is most recognized for the "Hubbert Curve" and " Hubbert Peak Theory" which is now referred to as " Peak Oil. 

Hubbert's life work determined that the world has a finite amount of petroleum that can be produced.  (Similarly, there is a finite amount of coal.) Many scientists and engineers believe we have reached Hubbert's "peak oil" limit.  Hubbert's espouses that when 50% of domestic crude oil production has been reached, that there will be such significant upward demand on prices of the limited supplies of oil production, that the U.S. economy will experience severe economic, social, and political turmoil.

Hubbert's Peak Oil predictions have proven to be true and this is validated as the U.S. in the early 1970's produced about 60% of its' oil demand and imported 40%.  That equation has flipped since then, because our domestic oil production has been on the decline since 1970, so now, due to our declining domestic oil production, we have to import 60% of our oil supplies, to meet our country's oil/energy demands.

The Next Oil Shock Could be the "mother" of All Oil Shocks

How severe our economic calamity and next "oil shock" will depend upon a number of factors, including when this occurs, as well as the following:

1.  the dependence of the individual country upon its own crude oil production to meet its energy needs and to subsidize consumer imports; 

2.  the rate of relative decline in crude oil production; 

3.  the degree of difficulty encountered in replacing missing energy inputs; 

4.  the degree to which our country had prepared in advance for this inevitable geological and economic calamity.

Examples of past "oil shocks" and the economic and political calamities that followed:

United States: Our peak crude oil production of domestic oil occurred in 1970; the first "oil shock" and oil crisis followed in 1973 with the Arab/OPEC Oil Embargo.

Iran: Their peak crude oil production occurred in 1974; They had their islamic revolution 1979 that overturned government and replaced it with radical islam.

Soviet Union: Their peak crude oil production was in 1989; what happened next? 
Their country disintegrated and the collapse of the Soviet Union followed in 1991. 

Indonesia: Their peak crude oil production was in 1991; their financial and government crisis followed in 1997.

Iraq: Iraq's crude oil production was in 1989; they then invaded Kuwait (for their oil) in 1991.

Using Mr. Hubbert's predictions, that beginning around 2000  we would see peak (global) oil production, then, if the country's not weaning themselves off of their oil addiction, and had not begun making the switch to renewable energy, that the negative economic and political calamities would soon follow, including ever-increasing prices of energy that is from fossil fuels. 

Now is the time to begin weaning ourselves off of fossil fuels and making the transition to and increasing the use of renewable energy. If you don't believe in climate change, or global warming, GREAT! Join us in the switch to renewable energy and a fossil-free economy!

America's "Clear and Present Danger"

America Has INCREASED its' Dependence on Foreign 
Sources of Energy by 50% Since 1973.

America is even more "addicted" to foreign oil today, than we were in 1973 - 1974 when OPEC, Saudi Arabia and other suppliers from the Middle-East  stopped selling us their fossil fuels, and created a significant blow to our economy.

This Means that 65% of America's Energy Supplies are Now Imported from Suppliers from Foreign Countries.  

Simply put, about 65% of the gasoline in your car's gas tank, comes from a foreign country.

EVERY day, the U.S. must IMPORT over 13 million bbls of oil from foreign countries and foreign suppliers to meet demand. 

At $80/barrel of oil, this also means that $1,040,000,000.00 American Dollars leave our country, EVERY DAY, to foreign countries/suppliers of our fossil fuels, to pay for the energy we need. 

That's $1 Billion EVERY day leaving our economy, and going to support a foreign country's economy. 

Talk about our foreign trade deficit..... nearly $400 Billion each year, leaves our country to pay for our oil addiction and the energy we need.  To be exact, that's $379,600,000,000.00 American Dollars.

This is NOT acceptable.

America needs to quickly transition to Energy Independence. 

Renewable Energy is the Only Way America Can Achieve Energy Independence. 

Millions of new and sustainable American jobs would be created here at home, if we would end our addiction to foreign fossil fuels, and quickly transition to an economy based on renewable energy and renewable fuels, produced here in the U.S.A. 

The good news is that today, America already has all of the Renewable Energy Resources and Renewable Energy Technologies needed to make American Energy Independence a reality. 

According to Monty Goodell, Founder and Chairman of the Renewable Energy Institute, "our increased dependence and reliance on foreign energy supplies represents a Clear and Present Danger to our national security, our economy, and the lives and livelihood of every American. Energy - including the energy we use from imported fossil fuels, is the very "lifeblood" of the American economy as it is for every industrialized country.  An economy dies without it's lifeblood of energy. This Clear and Present Danger we face is far more serious than the problems related to greenhouse gas emissions.  And while greenhouse gas emissions are very serious issue, in the long-term, pales in comparison to America's vital national security interests and America's economic stability in the short term.  For this reason alone, America needs to transition away from its addiction to foreign energy supplies. And America's abundant renewable energy resources such as the energy we receive from the sun, and renewable energy technologies such as concentrated solar power (CSP) plants - can supply 100% of America's power requirements with a concentrating solar power plant measuring 75 miles by 75 miles, located in the Southwest U.S.  By generating America's power from concentrating solar power plants, America resolves its' short-term Clear and Present Danger as it relates to importing its energy from foreign countries, and the long-term problems relating to greenhouse gas emissions."

Continuing, Mr. Goodell states that "too many Americans have forgotten what happened to us in 1973, when the Arabs and OPEC brought the United States economy to a screeching halt during the OPEC Oil Embargo.  This happened because they (mainly the country of Saudi Arabia) disagreed with our foreign policy and is the reason why they "turned off the tap" of our need for their oil supplies. When Saudi Arabia and OPEC stopped the vital flow of oil to our country in 1973, they caused an "oil shock" that severely and negatively impacted our economy. 

Mr. Goodell's question for us to ponder is, "do these countries who sell us 60% of our daily energy requirements, like us and our foreign policy, or might they leverage our addiction to their fossil fuels, and turn off the tap to make us adjust or revise our foreign policy??  Like any addict, America's foreign policy may be held hostage to its addiction, and in this case, our addiction to foreign oil, may over-ride our national interests."

Have American's forgotten the gas shortages and long lines at 
their gas stations to get gas during the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973? 

"Apparently so."  Mr. Goodell states that "in 1973, America was 'addicted' and 'over the barrel' of foreign oil to the amount of 40%.  Forty percent of our energy 'needs' in 1973 came from countries - many of which didn't like us then, and I'm afraid, many of them still don't.  The difference between 1973 and today - is that today we receive 50% MORE foreign oil now than we did in 1973.  And now we know about the problems relating to greenhouse gas emissions that we didn't know then.  America needs to change course, and change course now, in terms of its' energy supplies and how we keep America's economy strong, without the threat of being held hostage to a middle-east tyrant or regime, that could once again, turn on us, and turn off our supply of foreign oil." 

Remember ????

" Sadly," Monty Goodell continues, " most Americans have forgotten the long lines of people waiting in their cars - lined up and waiting for gasoline at their nearby gas station, with lines that were many blocks long.  And, after waiting 4-5 hours, many even waiting overnight in many places, to finally take their turn to fill up their car with gasoline, only to find that the gas station had run out of gas." 

"Let me Repeat.... That was 1973 when we imported 40% of our daily energy requirements in the form of crude oil from overseas, and from foreign countries - and many of these from countries that don't like us.

Today, over 35 years later, America has yet to learn the lesson.  We cannot continue our reliance on energy from foreign countries that supply us with 60% of the crude oil that our refineries use as a feedstock for producing gasoline and diesel fuel for our cars and trucks comes from overseas. 

America is "over the barrel" and it's not our barrel, but the barrels of oil that we are addicted by and owned by other countries.  Why have we not learned the lessons we needed to learn in 1973 when we were cut-off from the vital energy supplies we need? 

Countries like China, are growing rapidly, and have an insatiable need for crude oil. China, with their booming economy, is increasingly growing in its clout and control over international supplies of crude oil - whether they do this through their ability to buy as much oil as they need on a daily basis, or whether they simply but American drilling rigs, technology, and explore and produce oil and gas from their own fields. China, is buying large amounts of oil for their country, and causing upward pricing on declining supplies. What happens if Russia, with all of their oil and natural gas, along with China and Venezuela, with or without the help of OPEC, decided to NOT sell oil to us????

To be sure, greenhouse gas emissions are a problem, and to some, greenhouse gas emissions are also a Clear and Present Danger, but not to the extent that it presents an imminent Clear and Present Danger. 

America's reliance for 60% of our energy "needs" coming from foreign suppliers is un-acceptable.

The "driver" to get America to begin reducing and eliminating fossil fuel use should be our nation's national security and the welfare and safety of its citizens. And this can all begin with developing and investing in our own renewable energy resources and renewable energy technologies, let's start by putting solar on every rooftop that has a clear and unobstructed view of the Southern sky. See www.RooftopPV.com  or  www.DistributedPV.com  for more information.  Let's create incentives begin with adopting a national "Feed In Tariff" as Germany did in 1990. 

We simply do NOT have the luxury of time on our hands.  We need to end our dependence and reliance on foreign fossil fuels, especially from countries that don't like us! We need to rapidly begin expanding renewable energy resources and renewable energy technologies from our vast and abundant renewable energy resources, such as; solar, solar energy systems, solar cogeneration, solar trigeneration, "solar on every roof," along with; Biomass Gasification, B100 Biodiesel, Biomethane, E100 Ethanol (from cellulosic, agricultural waste, sugar cane, etc., and NOT from corn), Geothermal Power Plants, Natural Wastewater Treatment, Synthesis Gas, Waste To Energy, Waste To Fuel and Wind Power Generation where it makes economic and environmental sense."   

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For More Information, Visit One of the Following Sites

Our following EcoGeneration technologies, including our Biomethane, B100 Biodiesel and Synthesis Gas Fuels Generated from our "Waste to Fuel" technologies are Carbon Free Energy and Pollution Free Power solutions that will:

* forever change the way energy is generated and used.

* eliminate or greatly reduce our customer's electric demand charges and electric expenses.

* slow, stop and eventually reverse climate change by reducing and then eliminating anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions - of which carbon dioxide emissions makes up 80% of all greenhouse gas emissions.

* reduce and eventually eliminate the use of coal and other fossil fuels.

* reduce the need for inefficient and expensive central power plants owned by utility companies. 

* promote energy independence.

* end America's dependence on oil from OPEC and other countries in the Middle-East, Venezuela and end our need for importing natural gas from Russia.

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