Europe’s Way of Encouraging Solar Power Arrives in the U.S.

Europe encourages solar power in an environmentally friendly way that gives direct compensation to rooftop producers-

Europe’s Way of Encouraging Solar Power Arrives in the U.S. By Kate Galbraith. New York Times.

Obama admin faces power grid vs. public lands conundrum

Our own KT quoted in New York Times!

Obama admin faces power grid vs. public lands conundrum. By Scott Streater. New York Times.

Wyoming hasn’t fed elk at Gros Ventre feedlots, plus herd’s calf/cow ratios improve from last year’s worrisome levels.

Good news. Lack of feeding has kept wolves from keying on the feedlots-
In general not feeding is good regardless of wolves-

It is good news when elk don’t have to be, or simply are not fed.

Mike Jimenez, wolf coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said recently that wolves appear to not be concentrating on the Gros Ventre herds because the elk are not bunched on feedgrounds.

Louise Lasley, public lands director for the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, praised the decision to keep feedgrounds closed, but said wildlife managers should use the option more often.

“Wyoming Game and Fish Department showed a willingness and ability to discard entrenched practices and showed that not feeding elk is a viable option for winter management,” she said.

Staffers with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition have been taking measurements and finding levels “are comparable to levels in studies from prior years,” she said.

“To argue that conditions this winter facilitated not feeding would be erroneous,” she said.

Rest of the story. State hasn’t fed elk at Gros Ventre feedlots. By Cory Hatch. Jackson Hole News and Guide.

Raser ready to flip the switch on Beaver, Utah geothermal plant

New geothermal plant in Utah will send 7 megawatts of power to California-

This is what should not be done. Seven megawatts, relatively speaking, is nothing. Most coal and nuclear plants are built in 300 to 1000 megawatt units. At any rate, small sources like this should be used locally.

One good thing about this is that it is a technological advancement. In the past geothermal electricity generation has required very hot water. This one does not.

I fear most hot springs are going to end up becoming an industrial site.

Raser ready to flip the switch on Beaver geothermal plant. Clean energy. Utah company cites milestone in green energy production. By Steven Oberbeck. The Salt Lake Tribune

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Here is a closely related story.

The most efficient use of solar may be to heat water for “passive use” (meaning not to turn turbines and create electricity with the solar heat)- Solar Water Heating Pays For Itself Five Times Over. Science Daily.

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I think the ultimate beneficial use of geothermal energy will come when technology allows us to tap the heat of the Earth using the heat gradient as you drill down. This way, geothermal power could be tapped anywhere on the planet. Ralph Maughan

Idaho mulls shorter elk hunting season

Weather plays biggest role in elk populations

Idaho mulls shorter elk hunting season
Associated Press

“Hunters have blamed growing numbers of wolves. Hayden acknowledged that wolves are a factor, but he said the winter of 2007-08, which was colder and longer than normal, was the primary reason for the low calf numbers.”