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Reduced Emissions From Electricity Generation

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A recent report from the Energy Information Administration notes that for the first time in 40 years, carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation are less than those from transportation.   The reason is that power plants nationwide are abandoning the use of coal and turning to cleaner burning natural gas, as well as newer sources such as solar and wind power.

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Climate Change And Reindeer

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Hundreds of thousands of reindeer roam Russia’s Yamal Peninsula, which is located in northwestern Siberia, and are herded by the indigenous Nenets people, reportedly among the Arctic’s last truly nomadic reindeer herders.  Reindeer provide these indigenous people with transportation, food, clothes, and even tools made from their bones.  Reindeer are well suited for the freezing temperatures and thick snow of this climate.  But they are not well suited for climate change. 

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A Hydrogen-Powered Ferry

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The Red and White Fleet has been ferrying tourists around San Francisco Bay since 1892 and is a company committed to environmental sustainability.  When looking for ways to reduce the emissions from its fleet of passenger ferries, the company wondered if there was a way to eliminate emissions entirely.  That question was put to researchers at Sandia National Laboratories in a very specific form:  Is it feasible to build and operate a high-speed passenger ferry solely powered by hydrogen fuel cells?  According to a recently-released report, the answer is yes.

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Electric Buses And Trucks

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We hear a great deal about electric cars these days.  Will people buy them?  Are they worth it?  And, of course, there is the tremendous buzz surrounding Tesla’s forthcoming moderately-priced car.   But there is also lots of activity in electrifying larger vehicles, including garbage trucks, city buses, and medium-sized trucks used by freight companies like FedEx.

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Greener Friendly Skies

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In March, United Airlines began using a new biofuel for flights between Los Angeles and San Francisco.  The fuel is a renewable product called Honeywell Green Jet Fuel that can replace up to half of the petroleum jet fuel used in flight without any changes to the aircraft technology and it meets all current jet fuel specifications.  

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WAMC Northeast Public Radio

WAMC/Northeast Public Radio is a regional public radio network serving parts of seven northeastern states (more...)