Oil and US Politics-Following the Oil Money

Following the Oil Money: How 'Slick' are Your Representatives?

I recently wrote a post about the BP Republicans in Congress. Those are the no-brainers like Joe Barton who apologized to the now infamous oil (spilling) company because President Obama took some semblance of leadership on the issue by forcing BP to set aside billions for the relief effort.

The actual list of BP Republicans was put together by the Democratic National Committee and I took a lot of guff for harboring "one-sided," "partisan" and [insert other buzzword] politics. 

Now while I regret no part of the word-lashing we gave these frankly out-of-touch and steeped-in-oil-money Republicans (Joe Barton is the leading beneficiary of oil money in the 111th House of Representatives), those who admonished me are not wrong, either.

Obviously, the DNC is not an impartial source of information, and while Barton and the BP Republicans are, in my opinion, fools, at least they had the wherewithal to openly stand up for their benefactors. Many Democrats in Congress will loudly scold BP for its negligence and incompetence but quietly take their money at the same time, defending them in any way they can in the legislative process (i.e. yell NAY, vote YEA).

Democrat Chet Edwards (TX) is the second-leading beneficiary of oil money in the 111th House of Representatives.

So I thought hard about writing up a "Who are the BP Democrats?" piece in fairness, and knowing even without looking at any data that perhaps the only non-partisan deals in Washington were political contributions, especially from the energy industry. However, when I did look at the data, I noticed BP contributions were small potatoes in the grand scheme of oil and gas donations; BP is not even in the top 75 percent of total contributions by company in either house.

Nevertheless, oil money flows freely and abundantly throughout Congress, and like tributaries, the majority of senators and representatives feed into a system that carefully and quietly protects dirty energy interests.

The proof-laden pudding containing all this information regarding oil money is a web tool developed by Oil Change International. There you can follow every dime of oil money straight to its Congressperson.

For instance, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) has accepted nearly $34,000 of oil money since 1999, although very little since 2002, and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Kerry's co-author of recent climate change legislation, has received nearly $100,000 since 1999.

You can also check contributions during political campaigns. Barack Obama received $898, 251 from oil companies during his winning 2008 campaign, most of that coming from ExxonMobil ($113,646). BP gave President Obama $39,405.

Obama's rival, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), blew everybody out of the water in oil contributions. He pulled in more than $2.4 million from oil and gas companies, spread out over a wide range of sources. McCain did receive a comparatively small $18,850 from BP.

Bear in mind that every major party candidate, including the likes of Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney, Rudolph Giuliani, and Bill Richardson, took money from oil companies during their 2008 campaign. And in an election system where the candidate with the most money tends to win, who's going to turn it down? Not to excuse politicians that prize oil companies over constituents, but the problem may be more systemic than it is individual.

The oil and gas industry has in the realm of 600 registered lobbyists pestering Capitol Hill, and three out of every four of them once worked for the federal government. That, in political jargon, is what you call a revolving door (by far the most used door in D.C.).

How does an out-of-work shrimper in Louisiana stand up against that?

Whether Republican or Democrat, the money can be followed — as required by law — and it's important that we follow it. This way, we can know why on one hand John Kerry wants to put a cap on carbon emissions but on the other votes no on ending tax subsidies for the oil and gas industry.

Here are the top 10 recipients of oil and gas contributions in each house during the current 111th Congress:

Top Ten House Members (contributions 2009-2010)

1. Joe Linus Barton (R-TX) – $85,770
2. Chet Edwards (D-TX) – $73,430
3. Michael Conaway (R-TX) – $72,800
4. Eric Cantor (R-VA) – $69,400
5. David Daniel Boren (D-OK) – $65,100
6. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) – $64,750
7. Peter G. Olson (R-TX) – $54,400
8. Michael Avery Ross (D-AR) – $54,250
9. Charles Boustany Jr. (R-LA) – $49,450
10. John Calvin Fleming Jr. (R-LA) – $44,800

Top Ten Senate Members (contributions 2009-2010)

1. Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D-AR) – $216,700
2. David Vitter (R-LA) – 170,200
3. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) – $146,550
4. Robert F. Bennett (R-UT) – $117,650
5. John Cornyn (R-TX) – $87,575
6. Thomas Coburn (R-OK) – $76,500
7. Arlen Specter (D-PA) – $74,000
8. Byron Dorgon (D-ND) – $70,950
9. Evan Bayh (D-IN) – $62,150
10. James Demint (R-SC) – $58,850

Look to Oil Change International to learn more about oil contributions for these as well as your own representatives in Congress. Follow the money and then follow their actions. Connections between the two are hard to miss.

Also check out OpenSecrets.org for more comprehensive information on campaign contributions to senators and representatives.

BP Oil Logo: Seven-Sided Cube & Congress Oil Money: Not the Answer

Tags: OilPolitics & Legislation

July 28, 2010 by TaylenPeterson

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New Study Shows- Solar power is cheaper than nuclear

The Holy Grail of the solar industry — reaching grid parity — may no longer be a distant dream. Solar may have already reached that point, at least when compared to nuclear power, according to a new study by two researchers at Duke University.

It's no secret that the cost of producing photovoltaic cells (PV) has been dropping for years. A PV system today costs just 50 percent of what it did in 1998. Breakthroughs in technology and manufacturing combined with an increase in demand and production have caused the price of solar power to decline steadily. At the same time, estimated costs for building new nuclear power plants have ballooned.

The result of these trends: "In the past year, the lines have crossed in North Carolina," say study authors John Blackburn and Sam Cunningham. "Electricity from new solar installations is now cheaper than electricity from proposed new nuclear plants."

If the data analysis is correct, the pricing would represent the "Historic Crossover" claimed in the study's title.

Two factors not stressed in the study bolster the case for solar even more:

1) North Carolina is not a "sun-rich" state. The savings found in North Carolina are likely to be even greater for states with more sunshine –Arizona, southern California, Colorado, New Mexico, west Texas, Nevada and Utah.

2) The data include only PV-generated electricity, without factoring in what is likely the most encouraging development in solar technology: concentrating solar power (CSP). CSP promises utility scale production and solar thermal storage, making electrical generation practical for at least six hours after sunset.

Power costs are generally measured in cents per kilowatt hour – the cost of the electricity needed to illuminate a 1,000 watt light bulb (for example) for one hour. When the cost of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of solar power fell to 16 cents earlier this year, it "crossed over" the trend-line associated with nuclear power. (see chart below)

Solar-Nuclear cost comparison (from Blackburn and Cunningham)

The authors point out that some commercial scale solar developers are now offering electricity at 14 cents a kWh in North Carolina, a price which is expected to continue to drop.

While the study includes subsidies for both solar and nuclear power, it estimates that if subsidies were removed from solar power, the crossover point would be delayed by a maximum of nine years.

The report is significant not only because it shows solar to be a cheaper source of energy than nuclear. The results are also important because, despite the Senate's failure to pass a climate and energy bill this year, taxpayers now bear the burden of putting carbon into the atmosphere through a variety of hidden charges – or externalities, as economists call them. Fossil fuels currently account for 70 percent of the electricity generated in the U.S. annually. (Nuclear generates 20 percent.)

Having dropped below nuclear power, solar power is now one of the least expensive energy sources in America.

Tags: Alternative Energy Energy Nuclear PowerSolar Power

July 27, 2010 by OshaDavidson

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FORM 2010-Guest Post

Guest Post: Form 2010 http://formdesignshow.com/ FORM 2010 is the first installment of an annual contemporary furniture, functional object and architectural design show in Saint Louis, MO. Presented by The Luminary Center for the Arts, the two-day event will bring together some of the best designers and firms from around the country on August 13-14, with a focus on sustainable design. FORM is one of the the first events of its kind in the area and is a developing platform for the cultivation of contemporary design. FORM is a fundraiser for The Luminary Center for the Arts, a nonprofit artist resourcing organization that that seeks to provide meaningful support to emerging artists, audiences and appreciators in the St. Louis area. Proceeds from FORM will benefit an innovative new artist equipment library at The Luminary, which will provide area artists and creative professionals with access to specialized equipment such as a woodshop, media lab, film and video equipment, and large format printers. For more information about the Luminary Center for the Arts, please visit http://theluminaryarts.com/ or contact Brea McAnally (brea@theluminaryarts.com). Guest Post Provided by: Scott's Contracting scottscontracting@gmail.com http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Green Build-Business Referrals

Scotts Contracting- latest Green Build Web Promotions includes:

• While working for a Business I will document the work done with photos/video of my Crew Doing the Actual Work and post them to my web pages, associate links and other business advertising mediums. I will list Your Business Name, Web Site, Contact Links, Tag Lines, etc. Advertisements will be Custom Tailored for your Business.
• I will enable a Dual Promotion that entails: Promotion for your Business while promoting my Green Build Services. We will custom tailor your Business in the Promo. The advertising campaign can be viewed at http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com/p/advertising-invitation-green-and-eco.html will be FREE- $500 Value.
• Our Business will Gain extra exposure to our web sites by Promoting Web Site content with services such as: linkedin, stumble upon, digg, delicious, friendster, etc.
  • What this does- is create back-links for Internet Search Engines
  • ie: useful back-links create higher Search Engine Listings
  • I am currently in Excellent Standing with Google, Yahoo, and other search engines.
• I feel this is my way of Thanking the Company I do business with and also highlights my skills and abilities as a Green Builder.
• Prior Job Site Photos can be viewed
  • http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com/current-projects.html
  • http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com/job-site-pictures.html
  • http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com

Objective

Seeking Employment/ Contract Labor for Renovations, Weatherization, and Building Up-Grades-

Profession Profile

Affordable-Punctual-Experienced: Carpenter, Green Builder, Handy-Man, Maintenance professional with over 15 years of industry experience. Experienced in many areas of residential / commercial building and improvements

Miscellaneous Job Skills

Design and Estimating	Door & Window Installation/Repair Lock Changes / Board Up
RE (Renewable Energy) Producing Systems	Framing [metal or wood], Drywall [Installation & Finishing]
Weatherization for Homes and Business	Concrete / Cabinetry / Appliances
Carpentry, Custom Wood Work, Flooring: Carpet, Tile, Wood	Roofing: Flat-Torch Down / Pitch- Shingles or Metal
Painting / Staining / Wood Refinishing / Custom Finishes	Basic: Plumbing, HVAC, Electric
Masonry / Tuck Pointing	Green Builder seeking additional training

Recent Employment History

Scotts Contracting Contract Labor / Skilled Labor 2007-Present St. Louis, MO

Improved homes and offices in the St. Louis area. Green Build Services- carpentry, repairs, remodels, rehabs, and maintenance. Residential or Commercial

G & H Home Improvement Carpenter/Rehabber 2006-2007 St. Louis, MO

Performed duties including: Carpentry from framing to finish, basic plumbing and electric, drywall installation, flooring, and finishing.

American National Skyline Inc. High Rise Window Cleaner/Crew Leader 2006 St. Louis, MO. Ensured safety of self and crew members. Cleaned windows by utilizing Boatman Chairs and Rolling Roof Rigs on buildings in St. Louis area.

Spanish Lake Development Rehabber 2005-2006 St. Louis, MO. Performed all tasks involved in rehab of 20-25 building apartment complex. Duties included power washing, welding, carpentry, concrete, and plumbing.

Education

• Milan C-2, High School Diploma-Milan, MO 63556
• Western Iowa Tech Com College, Residential and Commercial Draftsman
• USARMY Wire Systems Installer/Tower and Antennae Maintenance
• Enrolled- Green Building Energy Auditor Certification (testing July 30)- Solar and Wind Electricity Production

References

• Personal / Work References -Provided upon request or View Web Site for References and contact information
• Job Site Pictures: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com/job-site-pictures.html
• Green Build Project Photos: http://stlouisrenewableenergy.com/current-projects.html
  

Scotty, Scott's Contracting St Louis Renewable Energy

Holly Hills/Kingshighway, St. Louis, MO 63109

(314) 243-1953

email:Scotts Contracting

:http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Generating Electricity with Your Toilet

Waste Not Want Not with DMU Student's Electric Idea

21. Jul, 2010

A graduating industrial design student at Leicester's De Montfort University (DMU) is hoping for award-winning success with his innovative design which transforms falling wastewater into electricity.

DMU Industrial design student, Tom Broadbent's money and energy-saving brainwave is called the HighDro Power and works by harnessing the energy from falling waste water in the soil pipes of high-rise buildings, converting it to electricity through an ingenious device.

As well as having developed a potentially commercially viable product, Tom is waiting to hear whether he will win accolades from the Institute of Engineering Designers (IED) and the Dyson Awards. He is also entering the Kevin McCloud Green Heroes award to win the opportunity to show HighDro Power at the NEC's Grand Designs Live show.

The invention was developed in answer to targets set at the G8 Summit by governments to reduce their country's carbon dioxide emissions and dependency on fossil fuels for energy production by 2050. In HighDro Power, the electricity can either be utilised in the building to save £926-per-year for a seven-storey building or sold back to the national grid on a buy-back tariff.

Tom, who is from Cropwell Butler, near Nottingham, said: "The inspiration for HighDro Power was literally a 'Eureka!' moment that came when I emptied a bath in a hotel and found that it cleared very quickly and with a large amount of force. It seemed logical that this energy should be harnessed in some way to create green electricity and help governments meet targets and it filled an obvious gap in the market."

To make a working prototype of the design, Tom used rapid prototyping techniques – laser sintering and CNC milling machinery – as well as vacuum forming. He sourced bearings, gears and other materials from companies supplying standard components.

He added: "HighDro Power works by using the water discharged from appliances such as showers, toilets and sinks in high-rise apartments. The water goes down the pipe and hits four turbine blades that drive one generator.

"The whole thing was influenced by traditional waterwheels to ensure that any solids passing through had limited effects on whether they could function."

In the future, Tom hopes to take his innovation to the next stage by having it fitted to a building for testing.

"I am currently a freelance designer but would love to work for James Dyson or a design team at a consultancy or company. My vision is to design products that actually benefit society in some way and get released on the market," he said.

Dr Guy Bingham, DMU Senior Lecturer for the Faculty of Art and Design and programme leader for the Industrial design course within the University's Faculty of Art and Design, said: "Tom's idea is truly an innovation in the area of energy micro-generation and the actual prototype is simply fantastic; I hope to see this go into production very soon. His work is a great example of what can be achieved from DMU's design degrees."

During his second year, Tom's EarPill was shortlisted for the RNID's national competition to redesign earplugs so that they were more attractive and 'cool' to wear in clubs and bars. He also spent a placement year with Vauxhall Motors Ltd in Ellesmere Port.

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Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
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scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Green and Eco Friendly Wine Guide

Green Wine Guide: Solar-Powered Wine from Jacuzzi Vineyards and Cline Cellars

Jacuzzi Vineyards and Cline Cellars go beyond organic with 100-percent solar power and a flock of sheep to do their weeding.

By Jerry James Stone | Mon Jul 19, 2010 02:40

 A Jacuzzi white for those hot summer days
Photo by Jaymi Heimbuch

READ MORE ABOUT:
Green Wine Guide

While the name Jacuzzi is better known for its spa and hot tub fame, the family itself has a long history of innovation. They first made their mark with the construction of the very first enclosed-cabin monoplane during the 1900s. In 1925 they revolutionized California's orange grove industry (and the agricultural industry, for that matter) by creating the first submersible pump. From there it was just a hop, skip and a soak to the hydrotherapy tub...and then of course, hot tubs in the 1960s!

And Fred Cline, owner of Jacuzzi Family Vineyards and Cline Cellars, is an apple that doesn't fall from the tree. Cline started Cline Cellars in 1982 with a $9,000 inheritance from his grandfather, Valeriano Jacuzzi. Jacuzzi Family Vineyards came some twelve years later but the actual vineyard itself didn't break ground until 2005.

Cline Cellars has been practicing sustainable farming since 2000. The grapes are grown organically without the use of pesticides. The weeding is done by an army of sheep and goats who--called the Woolly Weeders--also, um, "fertilize" the fields. In 2005, over 2,000 high-capacity solar panels were installed providing 100-percent of the vineyards electricity.

Photo by Jaymi Heimbuch

But Charlie Tsegeletos explains, "You can make good wine organically, or you can make good wine conventionally farmed. We do it because we feel good about it." Organic farming means healthy soil and clean water systems. He boasts how their "dog can [safely] swim in the pond." And we'll drink to that!

Follow the @GreenWineGuide or @JerryJamesStone on Twitter or fan us on Facebook.

Wine Pairing + Recipes
Homemade Pizza with Caramelized Onions, Blue Cheese and Thyme
Chèvre-Stuffed Dates with Pomegranate Molasses and Chili Oil

Slideshows
A Green Wine Tour of Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
Solar-Powered Winemaking with Cline Cellars

Take our green wine quiz!

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Do-It-Yourself Energy Audit

Do-It-Yourself Energy Audit: Go On, Try These Improvements Yourself!

Whether you Do-It-Yourself or choose to hire outside assistance, Build Green and do your part in reducing the US Oil Dependency- while becoming an Energy Wise User of Electricity!

If you find outside Assistance is needed-Scotts Contracting if available to Help. Scotty will provide a Cost Effective solution to your Home or Business Energy Needs. Click Here to Email Scotty for a No-Cost Free Green Site Inspection

What is a Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit

As a homeowner you can easily perform your own home energy audit as there are many improvements that thousands and thousands of Americans have made in their homes to save energy. Below we have compiled a list of the critical areas in your home for you to inspect and take action on to fix in order to save energy. All of these suggestions require you to walk around your home and see how your home stacks up, then make the appropriate small home improvement.

D-I-Y Home Audit Checklist

	HOME AREA	WHAT IS WASTING ENERGY?	HOW TO SAVE ENERGY?
1	Lighting	Incandescent or halogen Light bulbs; lights turned on all the time	Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs or LEDs; turn off lights in rooms that you're not using
2	Water Heater & Piping	Un-insulated	Upgrade or install insulation
3	Water Heater Thermostat Setting	Set to 125 °F	Set to 120 °F or lower
4	Electronics and small appliances	Left on when not using, plugged directly into outlets (but still using electric power even when turned off!)	Plug all electronics and appliances into power strips that you turn off when not in use (turning off power strip completely shuts off power use)
5	Heating & Cooling Equipment	Older than 10-12 years	Time to replace with energy efficient equipment; Install programmable thermostat; make sure air conditioner has proper amount of refrigerant
6	Forced Air Furnace	Dirty, old filter on the air intake	Replace or clean air intake filter once every 1-2 months during high use season
7	Electrical outlets, windows and window frames, baseboards, doors, attic hatch and wall/window mounted air conditioners	Air flowing in due to gaps or deteriorating of exterior caulking or weather stripping*	Apply new caulking, seal or weather stripping**
8	Exposed faucets, pipes, electric outlets and wiring	Cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, and siding	Seal effectively with mortar or caulking to prevent any heat loss
9	Attic floor	Poorly insulated floor with gaps, thin insulation	Upgrade or install insulation including the attic hatch cover
10	Attic vents	Vent and interior air flow blocked by insulation	Clear vents of any insulation to help interior air circulation
11	All exterior corners of home; where siding and chimneys meet; and areas where the foundation and siding meet	Air flowing in due to cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, and/or siding	Apply new mortar, sealer or siding to seal leak*

* To determine whether there is a gap for air to flow in any of these areas, consider the following: rattle your windows and doors to see if there is a proper seal; put your hand on seams or joints and see if there is any air flowing through them; and use the incense test: carefully (avoiding drapes and other flammables) move a lit stick along walls or potential openings and where smoke flutters, you have air sneaking in.

** When sealing your home, please be aware of backdrafting. Backdrafting is when various appliances and exhaust fans pull the combustion gases they emit back into the living space which can create an unhealthy situation in the home.

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