want to subsidize renewable energy, but he maybe doesn’t know
that the state of Georgia subsidizes Georgia Power’s new nuclear
plants through an indirect tax, and that fossil fuels are far
more subsidized than renewable energy.
That plus the chickens.
Continuing Gov. Deal: the good, the ugly, and the bad on prisons, quoting again from David Rodock’s interview with Gov. Nathan Deal in today’s VDT.
Jane Osborn talked about two health issues:
the downside of coal mining,
and no institutions for mental health.
…also related to the solar discussion that was begun yesterday, I think a piece we don’t talk about very often is the extraordinary negative side of coal mining. We are taking the tops off of mountains in Appalachia, leaving pristine streams clogged with the debris and the toxic waste of that. So coal is not just the price you see that we pay for it. Coal is seen in the price of people still dying of black lung, every time a mine collapses, and every time another mountain is taken down. I would guess if they were taking mountains down in North Georgia, we’d be fussing about it.She said she has been a social worker for 33 years. She said starting June the DBHDD there would be a new service she recommended the county advertise on its website.
As of June 1st no person in the state of Georgia with a developmental disability may be placed in an institution.The new service is a 24/7 toll free number to call for help.
Here’s the video:
The extraordinary negative side of coal mining —Jane Osborn @ LCC 13 September 2011
Regular Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 13 September 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
-jsq
The VDT picked up that I referred to Ashley Paulk’s
personal attention of the day before
as flattery.
Sorry, elected officials who can’t even get recognized by the Chairman:
bring a camera next time; then he’ll notice you!
First I pointed out that the Mayor of Hahira was in the room. The Chairman had recognized the new Mayor of Valdosta, his replacement on the Valdosta City Council, and the Chair of the Lake Park Chamber of Commerce, but not the Mayor of Hahira. I didn’t want anyone to think the County Commission doesn’t care about Hahira!
Then I commended the voting Commissioners for their comments
Continue reading
Dr. Noll made the case for the cost-effectiveness of solar energy
through, among other things, an analogy to finaninc buying a car.
First Dr. Noll thanked people who had supported WACE’s anti-biomass work, and hoped people had had time to read his recent LTE in the VDT, Waste Not, Want Not. Then he addressed Commissioner Raines’ comments of the previous day. Dr. Noll pointed out that solar is fast becoming less expensive and with financing costs little more than a car or truck.
Here’s the video:
Solar is cost-effective —Dr. Noll @ LCC 13 September 2011
Regular Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 13 September 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
-jsq
William Branham talked about solar initiatives he’s involved in
and a variety of public officials he’s talked to who are positive
on solar and renewable energy for generating jobs.
He pointed out that solar grew faster than any other energy source.
He mentioned the Chamber’s
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Network
(of which I am also a member).
After Branham spoke, Commissioner Raines cited one solar company that had failed together with financing concerns and indicated he didn’t think it was time for solar here.
I don’t agree with Commissioner Raines. What do you think?
Here’s the video:
Solar for Georgia —Bill Branham @ LCC 12 September 2011
Work Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 12 September 2011.
Videos by John S. Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
-jsq
Jerry Grillo wrote for the July 2011 Georgia Trend, Partly Sunny In Georgia: The state’s solar industry is growing steadily, but slowly, as the national industry explodes
“Georgia is shackled to the 20th century,” Peterson says.All it would take to fix this is the political will.“If all I did was look at Georgia, I’d think we were doing well. But I work all over the country, and I’m not kidding when I say we’re dealing with $500-million solar projects that have no chance of coming here because of systemic problems that keep Georgia from participating in the 21st-century economy, which has renewable energy as a major component.
“It’s disgusting, considering our potential, how much opportunity is lost, how much capital investment is passed up.”
Maybe if the people and elected and appointed officials look at the handwriting on the wall: Continue reading
Well, you have to qualify.
That costs
$750 down at the Board of Elections.
According to the City of Valdosta’s website, there are a few other requirements:
Qualification Mayor. To be eligible for election or appointment and service as Mayor, a person must be a minimum of 21 years of age, be a resident of the City of Valdosta for one year prior ro the date of qualifying, and a registered and qualified voter of the City of Valdosta at the time of qualifying.Then you have to campaign and win. Some people will doubtless spend a lot of money running for mayor. However, some recent elections to Lowndes County Commission and Valdosta Board of Education indicate Continue reading
According to Southern Company, which is building two new reactors at Plant Vogtle:
1886 was more than 100 years ago! Probably a 500 year event. Oh, wait, we had a 700 year flood here a few years ago. And those earthquakes in Colorado and Virginia were 100 year events….Among the largest known regional earthquakes was an 1886 earthquake that struck Charleston, S.C., about 85 miles from the Plant Vogtle site….
Well, if it was near Charleston it must have been minor, less than that 6.8 quake in Virginia just now (within a few dozen miles of a nuke). Except USGS says the Charleston quake was 7.3 magnitude:
This is the most damaging earthquake to occur in the Southeast United States and one of the largest historic shocks in Eastern North America. It damaged or destroyed many buildings in the old city of Charleston and killed 60 people. Hardly a structure there was undamaged, and only a few escaped serious damage. Property damage was estimated at $5-$6 million. Structural damage was reported several hundred kilometers from Charleston (including central Alabama, central Ohio, eastern Kentucky, southern Virginia, and western West Virginia), and long-period effects were observed at distances exceeding 1,000 kilometers.So let’s see, 86 miles is 137 kilometers.
The most recent San Francisco earthquake, the Little Big One of 1989,
was a 7.1.
That’s the one that turned the 880 freeway into the 440
by collapsing the upper deck and closing the Bay Bridge.
Well, at least they’re not building a solar power plant on the Savannah River. If those things break in a quake you get… sunshine.
-jsq
Tomorrow, Wednesday 24 August 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Savannah:
The Georgia Solar Energy Association is proud to present the Southern Solar Summit 2011 as we bring together an outstanding group of industry leaders to demonstrate that Solar Works in Georgia though job creation, economic development and energy security. You are cordially invited to attend this FREE session to inform and prepare you for the expansion of solar energy in Georgia. Agenda: 8:15-8:30A Networking & Welcome by Joy Kramer, GSEA Director- Sponsored by Suniva and Power Partners Solar. 8:30-9:30A Solar 101. A review of solar thermal and solar phovoltaic systems for utility-scale and rooftop applications. Speakers: Lee Radney, MAGE Solar Deborah Purcell, Power Partners Solar 9:45-10:45A Financing Solar Projects: A discussion of the tools and methods that get Wall Street investors interested in Georgia solar projects and new ideas for generating revenues for County and school administrators. Speakers: Lee Peterson, Reznick Group TBD 11:00-12N The Economic Impact of Solar Energy in Georgia. A panel discussion on the skilled jobs and revenues that can be created by supporting an industry that is growing at an annual rate of 26%. Speakers: Tim Echols, Public Service Commissioner, Pete Marte, Hannah Solar, Joy Kramer, GSEA
Mike Morrison wrote for Jacksonville.com 4 August 2011, 14 dogs die from heatstroke at Waycross kennel; cooling fans pledged
And on 10 August he wrote, Continue readingThe heat has killed dogs at the Waycross animal shelter because the kennel isn’t wired to power fans, but a city official said Wednesday that help is on the way.
Okefenokee Humane Society shelter manager Ben Hood said 14 dogs have died of heatstroke in the past three months, including a 7-month-old black Lab that died Wednesday.
“We’ve had record high temperatures this year,” Hood said, “but we don’t have any fans in the kennel because we don’t have any electricity out there.”