Obama wins Solar Power debate, hands down
Just heard on NPR's Science Friday, that for the last 7 votes in the Senate having to do with solar energy, McCain was not present for ANY of the votes, while Obama was present for 5 of the 7 and voted "yes" each time.
Given that McCain is the Senator from Arizona, which stands to benefit mightily from solar energy power creation (they could supply the entire nation's electrical needs using solar plants in Arizona), this was an irresponsible lapse on his part. Given the crisis of energy of the past 18 months, it shows something beyond mere irresponsibility.
Obama's campaign should take advantage of this lapse on McCain's part and point out just how out-of-touch he is with the needs of the 21st Century.
Given that McCain is the Senator from Arizona, which stands to benefit mightily from solar energy power creation (they could supply the entire nation's electrical needs using solar plants in Arizona), this was an irresponsible lapse on his part. Given the crisis of energy of the past 18 months, it shows something beyond mere irresponsibility.
Obama's campaign should take advantage of this lapse on McCain's part and point out just how out-of-touch he is with the needs of the 21st Century.
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Is there a tally of all the votes McCain has missed? Several have been pointed out in the past week or so, but if a summary was presented I missed it.
I've done some preliminary research on the existing power grid as well as of solar and wind energy applicability to that grid, as well as an current international summary of manufacturers of solar and wind systems.
If someone will give me instructions-for-idiots that will result in being able to insert a link which appears in red and actually works, I will be happy to list these articles and professional papers.
I have similar links that cover water condition/conservation/treatment(very sobering, that); and a few preliminary links about light rail systems.
July 18, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m000303/votes/missed/page1/
If you post it to the origianl blog, you have to use the link button
July 18, 2008 3:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the summary.
Thanks, too, for the advice on posting links, but not quite idiot-proof enough for me: as I understand it, the link button you refer to is within the framework for an original post, but does not answer how to do it as a response or comment to someone else's post, like this one. Sorry. If there are TPM instructions somewhere I missed, just point me in the right direction.
July 18, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
just paste the link in the reply. It is only for the original blog post that you must use the link button.
July 18, 2008 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Democrats need to develop a complete package of alternative energy plans.
Then market the plan as the SOLUTION to our energy problems
if you start making the point that alternative energy is the SOLUTION, and more drilling is just A CONTINUATION OF THE PROBLEM, then America will wake up and learn that more drilling only kicks the problem down the road
we're GONNA RUN OUT OF OIL at some point
we should find the next energy source NOW
is that too complicated to sell ???
July 18, 2008 4:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dems could do this, but too many of them (Obama included) are beholden to special interests, including oil, coal, nukes, and Big Ag (= corn biofuels, a truly stupid idea).
July 18, 2008 7:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wind:
www.eere.energy.gov/de/us_power_grids.html
www.ecobusinesslinks.com/small_wind_generators_turbines_manufacturers.htm
www.humdingerwind.com/story.html
July 18, 2008 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Water:
/www.gcrio.org/CONSEQUENCES/spring95/Water.html
Where Obama and McCain stand on energy resources and development: “It is now”
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/6/24/232346/123
July 18, 2008 6:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rail:
Where Obama and McCain Stand on Rail Travel
http://dcist.com/2008/06/05/transit_on_thur_34.php
www.mapsofworld.com/usa/usa-rail-map.html
www.lightrail.com/northamericalist.htm
http://www.apta.com/research/info/online/documents/light_rail_bro.pdf
www.eurotransportmagazine.com/categories/20080523_3
July 18, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Never mind. If you cut and paste nothing else that I listed, please read:
http:///www.gcrio.org/CONSEQUENCES/spring95/Water.h
July 18, 2008 6:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Solar Thermal -- low tech, relatively inexpensive, can be made ubiquitous very quickly.
Essentially, concentrate solar rays by means of mirrors. Heat a fluid (water, molten salts, something else) which turns a good ol-fashioned turbine, which generates electricity. Exactly what a nuke does, except without the nuke. Pretty much what a gas-fired or oil-fired turbine does... except without the gas or oil. No fancy expensive photovoltaics needed.
Heat storage is well-understood and inexpensive, meaning heat can be stored during the day to provide for nighttime electricity generation, so the generation is no longer intermittent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_thermal_energy#High-temperature_collectors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_thermal_collector
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/solarthermal/solarthermal.html
http://www.ausra.com/
http://www.nevadasolarone.net/
July 18, 2008 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain was also not present for any of the five hearings of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Afghanistan. Senator Kyl, another Arizona do-nuthin' Republican also voted against cloture on the bill #6049 on solar power.
Why don't we just talk about Cindy's hair and how cool she was doing a photo-op and riding a NASCAR car this week? Odd though how neither McCain or Cindy ever seem to have their young children around.
July 18, 2008 7:13 PM | Reply | Permalink