Solar power sales are soaring

Diesel automobiles in US, status report

Blog that frequently updates with stories regarding the adaptation of diesel automobiles in the United States.

Taxing gas most efficient way to force adoptation of the best substitute

The government should encourage development of alternatives to fossil fuels, economists said in a WSJ.com survey. But most say the best way to do that isn't in President Bush's energy proposals: a new tax on fossil fuels. Forty of 47 economists who answered the question said the government should help champion alternative fuels. Economists generally are in favor of free-market solutions, but there are times when you need to intervene," said David Wyss at Standard & Poor's Corp. "We're already in the danger zone" because of the outlook for oil supplies and concerns about climate change, he said. A majority of the economists said a tax on fossil fuels would be the most economically sound way to encourage alternatives. A tax would raise the price of fossil fuels and make alternatives, which today often are more costly to produce, more competitive in the consumer market. "A tax puts pressure on the market, rather than forcing an artificial solution on it," said Mr. Wyss.

Cheaper Natural Gas from Coal

Great Point Enegy (venture capital stage) has an inexpensive conversion process and is 1-2 yrs away from production.

Diesel automobile tax credit

Diesel cars on the way; they are 1/3 more efficient

Over half of all cars sold in Europe -- and over three-quarters of performance cars -- are diesel powered. The reasons are that diesel engines achieve one-third better mileage and perform better (have better torque at lower speeds). Furthermore, at the manufacturing level, diesel fuel is less expensive to produce because it requires less refinement. As of today (July 3, 2006) only two manufacturers (VW and Mercedes) offer diesel cars in the U.S. This will change within the next two years as Honda among others enter the market. There are two reasons that diesel is not presently popular here: First, an outdated (mis)perception that diesel is smelly and dirty. In fact, the common rail diesel engines manufactured today are an entirely new breed from those sold here in the 1980s. Common rail is in many ways cleaner than gasoline engines. Second, certain pollution stands in the U.S. are specifically difficult for diesel engines to meet largely because the diesel fuel sold here is insufficiently filtered (unlike that sold in Europe). This changes as of September 2006 when an EPA mandated raising of this standard takes effect. Cleaner diesel fuel, combined with certain technological innovations, will enable diesel engines to meet particulate emission pollution standards.

Solar panels price drop by 2008