Glacier National Park Loses Two More Glaciers

I snowboarded on Saint Mary's Glacier outside Denver back in 1991. I returned not but 3 years later at the same time of year, and I was truly shocked at how much the glacier had receded in that short time.



http://www.thirdcoastkites.com - support wind energy!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

West Michigan Wind Farm Proposal Withdrawn

BP Alternative Energy is withdrawing its application for a proposed commercial wind farm in the Huron-Manistee National Forest along the Lake Michigan shoreline north of Ludington.

The special-use application submitted in 2008 by White Pines Wind Farm, a subsidiary of BP Alternative Energy, to the U.S. Forest Service called for construction of 20 to 28 wind turbines on the forest land north of Forest Trail in Mason County’s Grant Township. The 420-foot-tall turbines would have combined to produce up to 70 megawatts, enough to supply 20,000 homes.

According to a press release issued Wednesday by the U.S. Forest Service, BP Alternative Energy decided not to proceed with the proposed project as a result of the company’s review of recent wind resource data and developments in the market for wind-generated energy.

The proposed wind farm generated both positive and negative comments during public open houses in Ludington and Manistee in 2008. Supporters mentioned the expected need for alternative energy sources and opponents mainly voiced concerns over putting turbines in a national forest.

Proposed wind-energy developments have produced a region-wide conversation over recent months. Much of the debate has centered on Scandia Wind’s proposal for offshore wind farms in Lake Michigan off Grand Haven and Ludington.

Mason County seems to be an ideal location for prospective developers. In addition to the Scandia and BP proposals, Consumers Energy has proposed a 100-megawatt land-based wind farm in various locations in Mason County.

Wind Turbine Webinar

NREL will host a 1 ½ hour webinar to discuss site assessment and micrositing issues for small wind turbines. Presented by Mick Sagrillo, the webinar will cover the basics, rules of thumb, tools of the trade, and what not to do.
The presentation will take about an hour followed by ½ hour for questions and answers.

Start Time: Thursday, Mar 4, 2010 11:30AM PACIFIC TIME
End Time: Thursday, Mar 4, 2010 1:00PM PACIFIC TIME

CORRECTED CALL-IN INFORMATION

Attendee URL: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/mmancusa/join?id=HT2Z4N&role=attend&pw=W%2Bm%29%5CB%217F
Meeting ID: HT2Z4N
Attendee Entry Code: W+m)\B!7F

Audio: 888-995-9709

Audio passcode: 4494844

Please contact Arielle if you have any questions

Arielle Wolfe
Administrative Assistant
National Wind Technology Center
1617 Cole Blvd. MS3811
Golden, CO 80401
Phone: 303-384-6925
Fax: 303-384-6999

Spread the Word: Clean Energy Means New Jobs for Our Generation

Green jobs are being created every day, and more and more states, municipalities, and individuals are getting on board.



http://www.thirdcoastkites.com - we support Michigan's Green Energy Industries



The fact that youth and youth-culture embraces this movement is no surprise - Youth, by definition, don't have entrenched interest in the status-quo. They are interested in building their own future, and they recognize that the Green Movement is a means by which they can insure they have a future.



I am very happy that artists like Omarion are using their cultural reach to encourage environmental stewardship, because the urban blight that so many youth experience is a case in point of what happens when the environment is secondary to corporate profits...the money leaves, wreckage remains.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Wind Turbine Webinar

The Great Lakes Regional Wind Energy Institute will be holding a webinar on the myths and facts surrounding wind turbines.

When:

Thursday February 11th at 11am EST for a discussion of the myths and facts behind wind turbine syndrome and how scientific research is used to both support and deny the claims made.

Attendees will hear experts in sound impacts discuss:

• The science of sound;
• Overview of wind turbine syndrome;
• Published research on sound impacts and how it is used to both support and deny claims of wind turbine syndrome;
• How the “nocebo” effect plays a role (A nocebo response occurs when the suggestion of a negative effect of an action leads to an actual negative outcome)

Connection Instructions:

You will need an internet connection and a phone line to participate in this webinar. Simply copy the link below into your web browser to connect – you do not need to pre-register. In order to hear the audio, you will need to call into one of the phone numbers below.

Audio Access:

Toll Free: 877-951-7311

Toll: 203-607-0666

Participant Passcode: 9348502

Web Access:

https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW1627857&p=9348502&t=c

or

URL: https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join/

Conference number: PW1627857

Audience passcode: 9348502

Questions or issues with connecting to the webinar? Please contact Sue Hinnen at NREL (Susan.Hinnen@nrel.gov).

Questions or comments about the webinar topic, speakers, or the Great Lakes Regional Wind Energy Institute? Please contact Christina Mills at Windustry (Christina@windustry.org) or visit http://www.windustry.org/GLRWEI

Third Coast Kite and Hobby - Go Green!

New HQ Montana V and NEO II

For most of the Northern Hemisphere, the kiteboarding (water) season is over...Que lastima! But, if you love the snow as much as you love the water...and I guess it's the same stuff anyway...you are siked about the beginning of the Snowkiting season!

Get pumped up by checking out this new video of HQ's 2010 Montana V and Neo II kites!

http://www.thirdcoastkites.com

China's Reforestation Commitment: Imperfect, Important Progress

China is vast and has an even larger population...that being said, there seems to be a growing awareness of the real value of their environment to their booming economy and to themselves. It's Maslow's Hierarchy of Need in action...A critical mass of people are moving from a basic need for survival to safety and security, which includes the recognition that a cleaner / greener environment gives one the security to know they can continue to grow and keep and enjoy what they've gained.



Secondly, those who pull the levers of power (much easier there than here) know where the money is at, and are shifting strategies and going green faster than we. I've been approached by several wind and solar power equipment manufacturers from China...they are moving fast, and we're still debating the reality of the green economy.



I support their efforts and encourage more for ourselves

http://www.thirdcoastkites.com
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost