Environmentalism's New Windbag
Philippe Cousteau, president of EarthEcho International and the son of famous marine scientist Jacques Cousteau, held a press conference April 26th to express support for an energy producing windmill park in the Atlantic Ocean, just south of Long Island.
"Today we draw a symbolic line in the sand," he stated, to a small gathering of bored journalists and handholding activists, "and say we're tired of being held hostage to OPEC and other foreign oil producers, and we're going to do something positive to develop an alternative energy resource."
Philippe Cousteau's "positive" solution? A windfarm in the ocean that's 8 square miles large, has a projected cost of several hundred million dollars and is estimated to produce the energy equivalent of 13.5 million barrels of oil . . . over a 20 year period!
OPEC pumps out 29.44 million barrels of oil per day, of which the United States consumes 19.7 million barrels . . . again, per day. This would make Cousteau's offshore 8 square mile windfarm capable of producing the OPEC-busting energy equivalent of approximately 1849 barrels of oil per day, at an initial cost of several hundred million dollars, and that's without factoring in the inevitable additional maintenance and repair costs.
Much was made of the supposed elimination of "millions of tons of combustion emissions" from entering the atmosphere (over a 20 year period, natch), though precious little information was offered as to how much this allegedly "efficient" alternative energy might end up costing the residents of Long Island in real dollars.
MEANWHILE: With much less fanfare, Doug Crabtree of the Alternative Energy Resource Organization (AERO), based in Helena, Montana, has developed a process for transforming used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel capable of powering modern engines. The fuel is made through a chemical process where glycerin is separated from vegetable oil fat. The resulting product has lower emissions than petroleum diesel, is less toxic than table salt and it biodegrades as fast as natural sugar. Tanner Franklin, who produces small quantities of the product at his Canyon Ferry home using waste frying oil, has been powering a VW Bus on the stuff for the past year.
Discussions are still in the fledgling stage, but Crabtree sees promise, despite the lack of press conferences or a famous father's name to invoke: "It takes the initial investment and getting all the players to the table," Crabtree says. "But it's not insurmountable . . . I fully intend to have something going this spring or summer. Whether that's on an individual basis or with a small co-op, it's too soon to say."
If you're interested in investing in, or contributing to, AERO's biodiesel fuel project, you can contact Doug Crabtree through the Montana Organic Certification Program.
WINDBAG RUNNER-UP:
"'Cuz the third-world is, you know, like, so cool!"
Comments
There is a similar proposal in Cape Cod but much of the controversy there is being stirred up by other environmentalists who are concerned about endangering habitats. Frankly I dont see why this is an either-or. Sure one windfarm wont end OPEC, but I doubt we can affordably produce enough biofuel to replace all of our oil either. Its going to take a lot of different approaches and they will all cost millions of dollars but oil is just not going to be there forever.
Posted by: Jonathan | April 27, 2005 7:12 PM
Biodiesel has been around for a while. Countries in Europe already sell 5%, 20%, and 100% biodiesel. There are even a few pumps in the US. In fact, you can make your own (and many people do). Visit www.journeytoforever.org for much more information.
Posted by: Chris | April 27, 2005 8:22 PM
Reminds me of the sugar industry. There's a healthier alternative that's safe for diabetics, doesn't involve the use of chemicals, is nutritionally beneficial and inexpensive to make. But the sugar industry is well established, earns millions of dollars, has supporters in the White House and isn't going anywhere any time soon. Windmills, solar, great! Do you realize how many homes (and cities for that matter) that could be supported by solar-generated electricity from a small amount of space in rural Arizona? It's not going to happen. Money is locked in elsewhere. Biodiesel? Check this out: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/7203633?rnd=1113405728853&has-player=true Cheers.
Posted by: Carla Beth | April 28, 2005 3:16 AM
Poor fuel cells. Nobody's talking about you anymore. What I find amazing is that America consumes 19.7 barrels of oil per day! And the shit produced by that oil doesn't stay in America mind you.
Environmentalism isn't left wing its common sense.
Posted by: Jesse A. | April 28, 2005 4:47 AM