Soils enriched with calcium could aid in the reduction of carbon gases through the “stimulation of plants’ natural carbon fixation process” ;

In most soils, that carbon returns to the atmosphere. But in calcium-rich soil, the acid, which contains carbon, reacts with the calcium by forming calcium carbonate deposits around the roots. Isotopic analyses have shown that this carbon-trapping is significant: it could reach 150 kg [330 lbs.] per year per hectare in a field of wheat.

The carbonates in the soil remain stable for very long periods and consequently constitute a virtually permanent geological carbon sink. “They could be used passively, the same way reed beds are used in lagoons to grab heavy metals out of polluted water,” according to David Manning, professor of geology at Newcastle University (United Kingdom).

Source:

• Le Monde Article by: Hervé Kempf, (translated to english)

If that does not work there is always the option of “genetically engineered carbon-eating trees.“

The report the on impact of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge requested by Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, concluded that drilling “is not projected to have a large impact on world oil prices.” The report, prepared by the Energy Information Administration, of the Department of Energy projected that it would probably drop the price of oil by 75 cents a barrel. If drilling were allowed the report estimated the oil would be available in 10 years.

Source: Mcclatchey News Service

Recent Congressional debate on energy policy:

1. Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) -
   Sets a modified standard that starts at 9.0 billion gallons in 2008 and rises to 36 billion gallons by 2022. Title emphasis is on production of biofuels, but shifts focus from corn based ethanol to cellulosic biofuels. (see
   Many Limitations Of Ethanol As A Viable Fuel Alternative)
2. Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE).
   Establish new targets in the 35 miles per gallon range for the combined fleet of cars and light trucks by model year 2020.
3. Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS).
   Each retail supplier that sells more than one billion kilowatt-hours (kwh) per year would have to meet a minimum electricity production requirement from renewable resources. Minimum standard would start at 2.75% in 2010 and rise steadily to a peak of 15% in 2020. (Not included in PL 11-140. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007)
4. Offshore Oil and Gas Royalties
   Establish royalties, or alternative payments, for certain federal leases established in 1998 and 1999. The leases didn’t include price thresholds that require companies to pay royalties to the Federal Government when the price of oil and gas exceeds a certain level. (Not included in PL 11-140. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007)
5. Repeal of Oil and Gas Tax Incentives
   Repeal of two tax subsidies in order to offset the estimated cost to implement the CAFE provision. The early efforts attempted to have repeal ~$22 billion of oil and gas subsidies that were designed to offset the cost of supporting a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy tax incentives, but these efforts were defeated.
6. Renewable Energy Electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC)
   Extend the PTC, for 4 years, and expand to include additional resources.
7. Other Tax Incentives.
   Extension of several investment tax credits covering solar energy and energy efficiency in residential and commercial sectors.
8. Energy Efficiency Equipment Standards
   Standards for residential refrigerators, freezers, refrigerator-freezers, metal halide lamps, and commercial walk-in coolers and freezers.
9. Loan Guarantees
   New loan authority to a wide variety of projects.

Source: CRS Report for Congress: Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

Other items of interest in the law, Titles VI, subtitles B and D:

• Geothermal Energy
  DOE is directed to support programs of R&D, demonstration, and commercial
  application to expand the use of geothermal energy (i.e develop advanced prospecting tools to locate and develop hidden geothermal resources; demonstrate advanced exploratory drilling technologies and techniques with industry partners) . Authorizes sum of $100 million.
• Energy Storage for Transportation and Electric Power
  Directs DOE to conduct a cost-shared RD&D program to support energy storage systems for electric drive vehicles, stationary applications, and electricity transmission and distribution. An Energy Storage Advisory Council will be created, with responsibility for preparing a five-year research plan, and DOE will establish four energy storage research centers managed by the Office of Science. DOE is required to conduct energy storage demonstration projects. Authorizes sum of $3 billion.

(USN&WR)

“When the consulting firm McKinsey recently mapped out a possible pathway for U.S. carbon dioxide cuts at a cost that would not break the economy, almost 40 percent of the potential savings came from energy-efficiency steps that also would save people money.”

With energy star appliances we are doing a better job of reducing energy use of large appliances, however the home continues to evolve with larger tv’s and other smaller electrical gadgets being added on a regular basis. The Energy Information Administration estimates that our energy use will continue to grow, rising from the 4.75 quadrillion BTUs today to 5.88 quadrillion BTUs by 2030.

Source: US News

1. Renewable Energy Stocks
   (www.renewableenergystocks.com/Companies/Renewable Energy/stock_list.asp)
   Companies organized by category (solar, wind, geothermal…) with brief description
2. Alternative Energy Stocks
   (www.altenergystocks.com/stocks.html)
   Stocks listed with symbol, company name, last price / change % (links to yahoo finance) and brief note.