Comments on: President Bush Talks Climate http://www.terrarossa.com/president-bush-talks-climate/ Where Conservatives Consider a New Energy Future Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:13:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Alan Drake http://www.terrarossa.com/president-bush-talks-climate/#comment-4209 Alan Drake Fri, 08 Jun 2007 00:48:03 +0000 http://www.terrarossa.com/?p=167#comment-4209 <i>It occurs to me that most engines could be adapted to either use cantenary lines or start up their engines for their power, so an ongoing effort to provide cantenary would be effective without system interruptions. Is that possible ?</i> I have talked with the Chief Engineer of Brookville Equipment (the last small US locomotive maker) about this. In most cases, the operating voltage of the motors would be to be changed by rewinding or replacement (an on-board transformer would still be needed) but existing locos could be adapted to mixed operations. A nice map of "what could have been". http://www.trains.com/ctr/objects/images/railroad_electrification_1970s.gif They did miss the Katy RR plan to electrify from Dallas to Houston and Mexican plans. Best Hopes, Alan It occurs to me that most engines could be adapted to either use cantenary lines or start up their engines for their power, so an ongoing effort to provide cantenary would be effective without system interruptions. Is that possible ?

I have talked with the Chief Engineer of Brookville Equipment (the last small US locomotive maker) about this. In most cases, the operating voltage of the motors would be to be changed by rewinding or replacement (an on-board transformer would still be needed) but existing locos could be adapted to mixed operations.

A nice map of “what could have been”.

http://www.trains.com/ctr/objects/images/railroad_electrification_1970s.gif

They did miss the Katy RR plan to electrify from Dallas to Houston and Mexican plans.

Best Hopes,

Alan

]]> By: Amador http://www.terrarossa.com/president-bush-talks-climate/#comment-4128 Amador Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:35:45 +0000 http://www.terrarossa.com/?p=167#comment-4128 Alan, I read in TRAINS magazine that electric will be making a return due to the cost of diesel fuel similar to the use of electric in the 1970s when the availability of fuel was in question. The problem is the need for cantenary lines to supply the juice. It occurs to me that most engines could be adapted to either use cantenary lines or start up their engines for their power, so an ongoing effort to provide cantenary would be effective without system interruptions. Is that possible ? Alan, I read in TRAINS magazine that electric will be making a return due to the cost of diesel fuel similar to the use of electric in the 1970s when the availability of fuel was in question. The problem is the need for cantenary lines to supply the juice.
It occurs to me that most engines could be adapted to either use cantenary lines or start up their engines for their power, so an ongoing effort to provide cantenary would be effective without system interruptions. Is that possible ?

]]> By: Alan Drake http://www.terrarossa.com/president-bush-talks-climate/#comment-4105 Alan Drake Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:46:26 +0000 http://www.terrarossa.com/?p=167#comment-4105 As expected, Bush was just throwing dust in the air to confuse the issue. He has no intention of actually doing ANYTHING except talk (and a minimum of that) for his last 18 months in office. Perhaps our next president. <b>US rejects German G8 climate goal</b> Washington says it will not agree to a deal on slashing greenhouse gas emissions at the G8 summit in Germany. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6725801.stm As expected, Bush was just throwing dust in the air to confuse the issue. He has no intention of actually doing ANYTHING except talk (and a minimum of that) for his last 18 months in office.

Perhaps our next president.

US rejects German G8 climate goal

Washington says it will not agree to a deal on slashing greenhouse gas emissions at the G8 summit in Germany.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6725801.stm

]]> By: Alan Drake http://www.terrarossa.com/president-bush-talks-climate/#comment-3961 Alan Drake Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:43:22 +0000 http://www.terrarossa.com/?p=167#comment-3961 Just a tactical move a week before the G8 summit to confuse the issue. . "Aspirational" goals from the US while the Europeans are talking concrete goals and real actions. . I see BS with as much sincerity as his Jackson Square speech. . Simple example of REAL CONCRETE EU actions. One cannot get a building permit in Germany unless R-49 walls are specified. All new homes and buildings in Germany will be ultra efficient (less Russian natural gas needed). National strategic defense coupled reduced carbon emissions. Any added cost to build is recovered over the life of the building with reduced utility bills. . The economic disruption is a red herring. So the US has to live in 2007 with the GNP of 2004 (worst case) ? . Meanwhile the EU and Japan develop the industries of the future while we protect Detroit's right to build Hummers and Expeditions. Germany is producing half the world's solar PV, Denmark is very strong in wind turbines, Japan is leading in hybrids and nuclear power, etc. . Quite frankly, reducing oil use and carbon emissions is good economics *AND* good strategic defense. . A lesson that GWB has yet to learn. . After all, Saudi oil $ fund the Sunni militants that kill 80% of US dead in Iraq. Iran $ helps pay for the other 20% killed by Shia militants. . BTW: I will speaking at the ASPO-USA conference in Houston this October 19th on using electrified rail (Urban and inter-city) to reduce US oil consumption. Trade 20 BTUs of diesel or gasoline for 1 BTU of electricity. Just a tactical move a week before the G8 summit to confuse the issue.
.
“Aspirational” goals from the US while the Europeans are talking concrete goals and real actions.
.
I see BS with as much sincerity as his Jackson Square speech.
.
Simple example of REAL CONCRETE EU actions. One cannot get a building permit in Germany unless R-49 walls are specified. All new homes and buildings in Germany will be ultra efficient (less Russian natural gas needed). National strategic defense coupled reduced carbon emissions. Any added cost to build is recovered over the life of the building with reduced utility bills.
.
The economic disruption is a red herring. So the US has to live in 2007 with the GNP of 2004 (worst case) ?
.
Meanwhile the EU and Japan develop the industries of the future while we protect Detroit’s right to build Hummers and Expeditions. Germany is producing half the world’s solar PV, Denmark is very strong in wind turbines, Japan is leading in hybrids and nuclear power, etc.
.
Quite frankly, reducing oil use and carbon emissions is good economics *AND* good strategic defense.
.
A lesson that GWB has yet to learn.
.
After all, Saudi oil $ fund the Sunni militants that kill 80% of US dead in Iraq. Iran $ helps pay for the other 20% killed by Shia militants.
.
BTW: I will speaking at the ASPO-USA conference in Houston this October 19th on using electrified rail (Urban and inter-city) to reduce US oil consumption. Trade 20 BTUs of diesel or gasoline for 1 BTU of electricity.

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