« January 2008 | Main | March 2008 »
February 27, 2008
Where is your candidate on climate change?
UBS did a good analysis, excerpts below
Basically everyone is doing something.
On our front page this week, we highlight our US Strategy teams report on the
implications of Obamanomics for industries and sectors.
Much of the analysis focuses on Senator Obamas ambitious plans to build a
Clean Energy Economy. The support Senator Obama showed early in his
campaign for coal-to-liquids technology and ethanol-based biofuels has now
been qualified, resulting in practically identical positions on environmental
issues for the Democratic contenders:
Both Clinton and Obama support a cap and trade system to cut US emission
80% below 1990 levels by 2050; both support raising fuel economy standards
for autos to 40mpg by 2020; both call for getting 25% of US electricity from
renewables by 2020; where Senator Clinton proposes a $50bn 10 year fund to
invest in renewables and other energy sources, Senator Obama proposes a
$150bn fund; both call for 60 bn gallons of homegrown biofuels to be produced
in the US by 2030; both support coal-to-liquid fuels if they emit 20% less carbon
over their lifecycle than conventional fuels.
It is worth noting, however, since the election results are not a foregone
conclusion, that Republican front-runner Senator McCain could be said to be at
least equally environmentally aware.1 Senator McCain co-sponsored the first
Senate bill calling for mandatory cuts to greenhouse-gas emissions and is the
only candidate to have come out strongly against the US corn-based ethanol
industry on environmental grounds. Although he has subsequently
compromised his expressed views on ethanol, he remains an outspoken
opponent of ethanol subsidies.
The leading climate change proposal currently being considered by Congress is
the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act, which is modelled on previous
McCain-sponsored legislation; this would create a market similar to the EU ETS,
where, in the first instance, free allocations would be made to industry based on
their past emissions. Both Senators Clinton and Obama have expressed their
support, instead, for a 100% auction of carbon permits with no free allowances.
Whatever divergent areas of policy may exist between Republican and
Democratic Presidential candidates, it seems likely at least that the next
President of the United States, regardless of party, will be committed to tackling
Climate Change.
Posted by Martin at 9:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
market trends in green cars
The most comprehensive summary for 2008 can be found over at GreenCars.
fun fact:
On average, every new large SUV cruising the streets produces 40 percent more climate-threatening carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than a new car. Large vehicles are likely to remain prominent in the U.S. market for years to come, so improving their fuel economy is essential to reducing the environmental impact of the U.S. auto fleet as a whole. In fact, bumping up the low end of the efficiency spectrum is the quickest way to save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions: raising the fuel economy of, say, a Yukon Denali from 14 to 16 miles per gallon would save over 100 gallons per year for the typical driver and eliminate 1.3 tons of CO2 emissions, while achieving the same savings through improvements to a 42 mile-per-gallon Civic Hybrid would require a 25 mpg boost, to 67 mpg.
Posted by Martin at 9:23 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Top 10 most green cars
The folks over at GreenerCars.org have put out their Green Car 2008 list. Prius on top (no surprise). A big surprise is seeing Toyota Tacoma and Siena and the Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid.
Posted by Martin at 9:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Excellend WGA report on Transportation fuels
Many government funded reports are so watered down by the committees that write them that they are of no use in the end. Fortunately the Western Governors Association has a different view. Their new report on Transportaion Fuels of the future is a good read and spot on. The first paragraph is:
"Among the most critical issues facing our nation is our dependence on petroleum for nearly
all of our transportation fuel. This dependence and global competition for the resource present
enormous risks to our future energy supply, the environment and to our nations economy."
wow, a governement admitting a problem and proposing actual actions through elected officials that actually can get them done. Wow. A new day in America.
Posted by Martin at 9:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
WGA speed development of alternative fuels
Western Governors to Speed Development of Alternative Fuels
Western governors agreed on Saturday to take action to speed the development of alternative fuels in the West. A resolution adopted by the Western Governors' Association (WGA) commits to the development of a regional framework for a performance-based greenhouse gas standard for transportation fuels, such as a low-carbon fuel standard. The governors will also work together to promote an analytic methodology for evaluating the entire lifecycle of fuel production and use in terms of greenhouse gas emissions as well as other impacts upon the land, water, and air. The initiative was spearheaded by the governors of California, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington.
Most other items in the resolution are optional, such as asking each governor to consider procuring alternative fuel vehicles for state fleets, ensuring those vehicle use alternative fuels, and creating partnerships between public and private fleets for procuring alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels. Governors are also asked to work regionally on issues such as alternativefuel workforce training, biomass feedstocks, alternative fuel infrastructure, and policies that promote the sustainable use of natural resources in the transition to an economy based on alternative fuels. The WGA represents the governors of 19 western states and three groups of Pacific islands: American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. See the WGA press release and resolution (PDF 60 KB). Download Adobe Reader.
The western governors' focus on greenhouse gas emissions from fuel production calls to mind two recent studies, published online by Science Magazine, that generally conclude that clearing land to produce biofuels generates more greenhouse gas emissions than is saved by the biofuel production. Researchers from the DOE Biomass Program and DOE's Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)took issue with the results of the first study, which focused on the United States, noting that the researchers used an ANL computer model incorrectly, overestimated ethanol production, and made conservative assumptions about corn yields. In a letter to Science Magazine, the researchers conclude that it is not clear what land use changes will result from increased U.S. biofuel use, and that a more scientific study of land use impacts needs to be carried out. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) also responded, noting that the studies say nothing about the benefits of today's biofuels, and instead use a number of assumptions to examine a "worst case scenario" for the future. See the abstracts about the use of U.S. croplands for biofuels increasing greenhouse gases and land clearing and the biofuel carbon debt on the Science Magazine Web site, the ANL response, and the RFA press release (PDF 93 KB).
Posted by Martin at 8:56 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
More on Imperium Renewables biojet flight
"The partnership between Virgin Atlantic, Boeing, GE and Imperium Renewables has advanced our understanding of biofuels for aviation applications," said GE Aviation Manager of Advanced Combustion Engineering Dr. Tim Held. "Prior to this historic flight, the engine ground testing conducted by GE and CFM International required no hardware modifications to the engine, and the fuels performed as expected."
"A successful flight will not only validate the use of biofuels in aviation, but also provide a glimpse into the future of all fuels," said Imperium Renewables President and CEO John Plaza prior to the flight. "Today's biojet fuel offers higher-quality standards and a more sustainable fuel than traditional jet fuel. Additionally, it illustrates the potential for second-generation biojet fuel to be even more viable in the coming years."
The results of the biofuel flight will be analyzed by the collective team and used for research and development of next-generation biofuels that can help to further reduce carbon emissions. Boeing will use findings from this flight as a baseline for conducting another biofuel flight later this year with Air New Zealand.
Posted by Martin at 12:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 26, 2008
Virgin flys on Imperium Renewables BioJet
Posted by Martin at 11:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 25, 2008
Update bio
I know you have all been waiting for this. Complete with hyperlinks!
Posted by Martin at 11:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Hussein has some new wares on sale
Posted by Martin at 11:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
and a Twitter
And the best ones are coming in fast and furious from the twitter feed
follow BOisyourNanny on twitter.
Posted by Martin at 10:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Your new nanny has a blog
Want to submit your own pithy comment for display on barackobamaisyournewnanny.com?
follow the blog
Posted by Martin at 10:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Bubble chart in Wired
People keep asking for the bubble chart, showing the key influencers from technology going into clean tech. Wired did a good job here.
Here is a link to it. http://www.deepgreencrystals.com/images/wired%20bubble%20chart.bmp (careful 12.5MB download).
Posted by Martin at 2:18 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Virgin flys on Imperium Fuel
Finally it is public. Did this deal last year.Posted by Martin at 11:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 23, 2008
Barack Obama is your new Nanny
forget barackobamaisyournewbicycle, this new site is brilliant!
barackobamaisyournewnanny.com
Posted by Martin at 5:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 22, 2008
time to short AVR
From their earnings yesterday and the Lehman analyst:
* The results were slightly ahead of our forecasts, however the big news in the release were liquidity issues. The company has $223 million liquidity available in the form of cash in hand and availability under credit facility. This compared to remaining capex for the two plants under construction of $295-$305 million. The company's 2007 EBITDA was $58 million and given the trends in the commodity market, webelieve 2008 number will be substantially lower. The company has additional $127 million in auction rate securities, however, the market for these securities has dried up and the company may not be able to liquidate them on a timely basis. AVR indicates that in this case it will have to attempt to raise additional funds or slow down the construction of new facilities. Delay in construction could mean "material penalties" for the company.
read: "We are F***ed by the credit market"
look for them to get bought before year end.
Posted by Martin at 8:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 21, 2008
What Obama actually believes
Cut through the "we can do anything" rhetoric and see how he actually voted in this article.
"A solid party loyalist. Obamas roll call votes in 2005, 2006 and 2007 have been analyzed by the non-partisan journal Congressional Quarterly which found him to be a Democratic Party loyalist." Obama is as partisan as they come. And his votes in the Senate are exactly what he will vote for and work for as President: Big government, higher taxes, lax immigration policy, abortion on demand, immediate exit from Iraq, white flag to terrorists, and a host of more hard line liberal causes. Watch out when you see Obama treking to North Carolina to curry favor from the socialist Edwards. Obama is not change, he is 97% traditional partisan Democrat.
"In 2007, Obama voted with his fellow Democrats 97 percent of the time. In 2006, his score was 96, and in 2005, he again netted a 97 percent rating."
Posted by Martin at 8:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 20, 2008
Review of 50 great walks in Florida
My mother's newly published book was recenty reviewed by the Ocala Star Banner where she worked for many years.
Look for my review soon.
Posted by Martin at 11:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 19, 2008
Martin Tobias's Renewable Energy Reading list
Posted by Martin at 5:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
thinking about transcription services
I am looking for a simple to use, cheap voice to e-mail transcription service.
Have tried CastingWords and Jott.
Casting Words has a web only interface. Upload a digital file and ask for a fast turn around or a slow turn around. (expensive and slower). This doesn't work. I want a phone interface. This is only really for digital recordings from an ipod or tape. People do the transcriptions (probably india). Too expensive.
Jott has a phone interface (good), but limited to 30 seconds (bad).
Too slow. Not very accurate.
still looking
Posted by Martin at 5:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
A story about "Jumper"
Going to the movies in central florida on a saturday night. This is middle america. Everything PG-13. Nothing independent. Didn’t really want to see Jumper, but it was the only thing starting at a reasonable time that wasn’t horror. Saw with my brother and mother. Basically hollywood escapeism for the 20 something set. Has the pudgy chick from the OC who is no longer pudgy (a HUGE improvement!). If you are bored, it is worth the entertainment value. If you want to think, don’t go see this.
I rate 3 of 5 stars.
Posted by Martin at 5:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Read this book to for information not entertainment (rated 3 stars)
Ok, The first one of this series was a snoozer. I don’t really like Kim Stanley Robinson’s writing style. He spends too much time having his characters doing mundane things that don’t move the story or change the plot in anyway. Too much expository. This was no different. It slogged along with little drama and ended in a whimper.
The only reason to read this is to get a very vivid picture of a scenario of what could happen if the gulf stream is stalled. How would politics change? How would the country and world react? What would be the challenges? Who would oppose it? What could be a solution to restart it? How would the weather be affected? Those parts were thrilling and engaging. Unfortunately this is only about 1/5 of the book. The rest of the characters and “plot” is a waste. The book could be way shorter!
I rate 2 of 5 stars.
Posted by Martin at 5:18 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
A story about "Cripple Creek: A Novel"
Bought this at the airport. I rode Cripple Creek Road (http://maps.google.com/maps?rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7DMUS&um=1&q=road&near=Cripple+Creek,+CO&fb=1&view=text&sa=X&oi=local_group&resnum=1&ct=more-results&cd=1) one time on my harley trying to take a short cut. The road started out paved, turned gravel then peetered out into a cow trail through the fields. When we came down the hill to Cripple Creek and stopped at the Gas Station, we said we had come down cripple creek road and the attendant’s eyes got wide and said “on those?”. He had never heard of a harley going down that road before.
So I bought the book. The road was memorable. THe book is not. It is about a month after i read it and I can’t remember anything other than I read it. Give it a pass. I rate 1 of 5 stars.
Posted by Martin at 5:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 13, 2008
New energy balance study shows Biodiesel EVEN BETTER than last study!
A new analysis shows that the energy balance of biodiesel is a positive ratio of 3.5-to-1. For every unit of fossil energy needed to produce the fuel over its life cycle, the return is 3.5 units of energy, according to new research conducted at the University of Idaho in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The announcement of the increase up from 3.2 was made today at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Orlando.
The Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and USDA had produced the first comprehensive life cycle inventory for biodiesel in 1998. That landmark research found a 3.2 energy balance for biodiesel, while petroleum diesel yielded 0.83 units of energy per unit of fossil energy consumed. The many changes that have occurred in the U.S. biodiesel and agricultural industries since the 1990s prompted researchers at the University of Idaho to update the study in cooperation with the USDA. Both the 1998 and 2007 study are based on biodiesel production from soybeans, which according to U.S. Census data is responsible for more than 80 percent of 2007 estimated biodiesel production. Biodiesels energy balance improved in the 2007 study even though the new analysis is more comprehensive than previous work, and even extends to the energy required to manufacture the farm machinery used to produce soybeans.
"The bottom line is that the energy balance of biodiesel has definitely improved in the last decade," says University of Idaho Department Head of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Jon Van Gerpen. "The increase in soybean yields and a decrease in herbicide use greatly contributed to the increased energy balance. Meanwhile, energy used for crushing soybeans is significantly lower than what was reported in the NREL study.
"For more on this study, read the news release, "Biodiesel Yields Even Higher Energy Balance." Although the University of Idaho study has not been published yet, you can view presentation slides from the conference.
Posted by Martin at 10:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
new biodiesel health benefits study
Biodiesels value to human health receives international attention in the new special issue of Inhalation Toxicology, the key forum for international exchange of the latest advances in pulmonary toxicology. "The use of biodiesel is an important medical, public health, social and economic issue, one that health and medical scientists, epidemiologists, toxicologists, and policymakers cannot afford to ignore," states Dr. Bailus Walker, Jr. PhD, MPH who served as the guest editor of the special issue. The publication features contributions by Dr. Jonathan M. Samet of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, U.S. Department of Agriculture Senior Economist James A. Duffield, National Renewable Energy Laboratory Principal Engineer Robert McCormickand Medford New Jersey Township Director of Operations and Technology Joe Biluck, Jr.
Have you ever wondered how much youre helping clean the air through your use of biodiesel? Theres a tool available on the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) website that can calculate emissions reductions based on the amount of biodiesel and the blend level youre using. Just visit the site to see what a difference youre making by using cleaner burning biodiesel.
Posted by Martin at 9:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Inventure Chemical on the move
in Q4 they tested over 20 next generation feedstocks.
Posted by Martin at 1:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Thinking about Lent 2008
I have been posting about my Lenten observances since 2003. Getting started a little late this year due to being in Mexico at a wedding. I did go to the beautiful church of Santo Domingo, Oaxaca, Mex, on Ash Wendnesday. Many people give up something for 40 days. In recent years I have tended to commit myself to something for 40 days. This year it will be fasting each day (one full meal and two smaller snacks not to equal one meal) and not eating any meat on fridays. This is a traditional Catholic observence. Started it today.
Posted by Martin at 12:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 12, 2008
new top key word leading to dgc
I am happy to say that a quick check of the web stats just now shows that searching for "martin tobias" has edged out "buy cocaine" as the leading search term of origin bringing people to Deep Green Crystals. Whew...
Posted by Martin at 11:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
My Oaxaca, Mexico Flickr stream
just got back. see the photos here.
Morgan and Sarah had a beautiful wedding!
Posted by Martin at 9:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 4, 2008
Green Gadgets
Gadgets are consumables. Designed to be out gadgeted next year (or month). So why not make them as green and recyclable as possible? There was a conference last week for just that in NYC. InfoWeek has a good review of the products here. I already have a portable solar charger for my gadgets from Solio. A must have.
Posted by Martin at 12:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 3, 2008
Steve's love letter to Yahoo
Wish I had seen this one coming.
January 31, 2008
Board of DirectorsYahoo! Inc.701 First AvenueSunnyvale, CA 94089Attention: Roy Bostock, ChairmanAttention: Jerry Yang, Chief Executive Officer
Dear Members of the Board:
I am writing on behalf of the Board of Directors of Microsoft to make a proposal for a business combination of Microsoft and Yahoo!. Under our proposal, Microsoft would acquire all of the outstanding shares of Yahoo! common stock for per share consideration of $31 based on Microsofts closing share price on January 31, 2008, payable in the form of $31 in cash or 0.9509 of a share of Microsoft common stock. Microsoft would provide each Yahoo! shareholder with the ability to choose whether to receive the consideration in cash or Microsoft common stock, subject to pro-ration so that in the aggregate one-half of the Yahoo! common shares will be exchanged for shares of Microsoft common stock and one-half of the Yahoo! common shares will be converted into the right to receive cash. Our proposal is not subject to any financing condition.
Our proposal represents a 62% premium above the closing price of Yahoo! common stock of $19.18 on January 31, 2008. The implied premium for the operating assets of the company clearly is considerably greater when adjusted for the minority, non-controlled assets and cash. By whatever financial measure you use - EBITDA, free cash flow, operating cash flow, net income, or analyst target prices - this proposal represents a compelling value realization event for your shareholders.
We believe that Microsoft common stock represents a very attractive investment opportunity for Yahoo!s shareholders. Microsoft has generated revenue growth of 15%, earnings growth of 26%, and a return on equity of 35% on average for the last three years. Microsofts share price has generated shareholder returns of 8% during the last one year period and 28% during the last three year period, significantly outperforming the S&P 500. It is our view that Microsoft has significant potential upside given the continued solid growth in our core businesses, the recent launch of Windows Vista, and other strategic initiatives.
Microsofts consistent belief has been that the combination of Microsoft and Yahoo! clearly represents the best way to deliver maximum value to our respective shareholders, as well as create a more efficient and competitive company that would provide greater value and service to our customers. In late 2006 and early 2007, we jointly explored a broad range of ways in which our two companies might work together. These discussions were based on a vision that the online businesses of Microsoft and Yahoo! should be aligned in some way to create a more effective competitor in the online marketplace. We discussed a number of alternatives ranging from commercial partnerships to a merger proposal, which you rejected. While a commercial partnership may have made sense at one time, Microsoft believes that the only alternative now is the combination of Microsoft and Yahoo! that we are proposing.
In February 2007, I received a letter from your Chairman indicating the view of the Yahoo! Board that now is not the right time from the perspective of our shareholders to enter into discussions regarding an acquisition transaction. According to that letter, the principal reason for this view was the Yahoo! Boards confidence in the potential upside if management successfully executed on a reformulated strategy based on certain operational initiatives, such as Project Panama, and a significant organizational realignment. A year has gone by, and the competitive situation has not improved.
While online advertising growth continues, there are significant benefits of scale in advertising platform economics, in capital costs for search index build-out, and in research and development, making this a time of industry consolidation and convergence. Today, the market is increasingly dominated by one player who is consolidating its dominance through acquisition. Together, Microsoft and Yahoo! can offer a credible alternative for consumers, advertisers, and publishers. Synergies of this combination fall into four areas:
Scale economics: This combination enables synergies related to scale economics of the advertising platform where today there is only one competitor at scale. This includes synergies across both search and non-search related advertising that will strengthen the value proposition to both advertisers and publishers. Additionally, the combination allows us to consolidate capital spending.
Expanded R&D capacity: The combined talent of our engineering resources can be focused on R&D priorities such as a single search index and single advertising platform. Together we can unleash new levels of innovation, delivering enhanced user experiences, breakthroughs in search, and new advertising platform capabilities. Many of these breakthroughs are a function of an engineering scale that today neither of our companies has on its own.
Operational efficiencies: Eliminating redundant infrastructure and duplicative operating costs will improve the financial performance of the combined entity.
Emerging user experiences: Our combined ability to focus engineering resources that drive innovation in emerging scenarios such as video, mobile services, online commerce, social media, and social platforms is greatly enhanced.
We would value the opportunity to further discuss with you how to optimize the integration of our respective businesses to create a leading global technology company with exceptional display and search advertising capabilities. You should also be aware that we intend to offer significant retention packages to your engineers, key leaders and employees across all disciplines.
We have dedicated considerable time and resources to an analysis of a potential transaction and are confident that the combination will receive all necessary regulatory approvals. We look forward to discussing this with you, and both our internal legal team and outside counsel are available to meet with your counsel at their earliest convenience.
Our proposal is subject to the negotiation of a definitive merger agreement and our having the opportunity to conduct certain limited and confirmatory due diligence. In addition, because a portion of the aggregate merger consideration would consist of Microsoft common stock, we would provide Yahoo! the opportunity to conduct appropriate limited due diligence with respect to Microsoft. We are prepared to deliver a draft merger agreement to you and begin discussions immediately.
In light of the significance of this proposal to your shareholders and ours, as well as the potential for selective disclosures, our intention is to publicly release the text of this letter tomorrow morning.
Due to the importance of these discussions and the value represented by our proposal, we expect the Yahoo! Board to engage in a full review of our proposal. My leadership team and I would be happy to make ourselves available to meet with you and your Board at your earliest convenience. Depending on the nature of your response, Microsoft reserves the right to pursue all necessary steps to ensure that Yahoo!s shareholders are provided with the opportunity to realize the value inherent in our proposal.
We believe this proposal represents a unique opportunity to create significant value for Yahoo!s shareholders and employees, and the combined company will be better positioned to provide an enhanced value proposition to users and advertisers. We hope that you and your Board share our enthusiasm, and we look forward to a prompt and favorable reply.
Sincerely yours,/s/ Steven A. BallmerSteven A. BallmerChief Executive OfficerMicrosoft Corporation
Posted by Martin at 5:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Fixies are going around
Joi has a new fixie from Mission Bicycles. Drop versus straight bars are a personal perference. I like straight for fixie in town. Don't like drop for in town, no leverage for bunnyhops over curgs. The concept of a base bike with little branding that you can customize is cool. But at $790 base model and up, they are a little pricey versus Swobo. I will take the Swobo. And it has a beer bottle opener in the seat. Beat that boyz!
Posted by Martin at 5:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
ummm more tech chocolate
Thanks Joi for the tip over to TCHO Beta. Good to see what Louis is up to now. Ever since Timothy Childs did Cabaretchocolates, I am stuck on pure high end dark chocolate. It seems that they have changed their model and are back in research mode because you can't buy their chocolates on their site anymore. I just ordered some TCHO so look for the review soon.
Posted by Martin at 4:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack