- Pete Darbee, likely an ardent Grateful Dead fan in his youth, has discovered the other important use for cow poo. PG&E, working with David Albers's BioEnergy, will create nearly 3 billion cubic feet of natural gas from the manure of 5,000 cows - enough to power nearly 50,000 homes. PG&E spokesperson Jennifer Zerwer was overjoyed, commenting "there's cow poo in them thar hills." It appears Jennifer and Pete have hit the mother load, so to speak. Remember, good energy comes from happy cows. And happy cows come from California.
- John Redding, spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in Boise, wakes up every morning and asks "how do you quench the thirst of the hungry masses?" 300 miles away, Jon Bonnano awakes with the same question on his mind. The difference is that only Redding's idea for hydro power will get permitted. The Columbia River Management Plan, a $200 million public-private coalition, was formed this week to begin assessing the possibility of new dam construction to the Pacific Northwest's growing electricity needs.
- General Electric, running head long into the great Texas wind rush of '08, has struck a $700 million deal with Renewable Energy Systems Americas. The GE deal will give the Austin-based power group an additional 500 MW of wind capacity during 2009 and 2010, which will allow RES to expand beyond its current 12 percent U.S. market share. Insert Suzlon joke here.
- And finally today... this reminds us of Treehugger, trying desperately, but unable to hold a candle to the real deal.
The Morning Feedstock
Daniel Englander: March 4, 2008, 3:52 AM
Unseasonably warm edition.
