Remarks by President Obama at UN Climate Change Summit

AFP

United Nations Headquarters New York, N.Y. PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you very much. Good morning. I want to thank the Secretary General for organizing this summit, and all the leaders who are participating. That so many of us are here today is a recognition that the threat from climate change is serious, it is urgent, and it…

News from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

AFP

Thursday, Sept. 3 – Remarks by Vice President Biden on the 200 days of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Thank you. (Applause.) It’s a pleasure to be back. And I told Strobe in the anteroom that, Mr. Secretary, the many, many times that I’ve been here, almost always the subject has been foreign policy….

Earth Talk | Your personal environmental footprint

AFP

Dear EarthTalk: Since President Obama took office, have any new incentives been put in place for homeowners looking to increase energy efficiency and reduce the overall environmental footprints of their homes? – Rob Felton, Little Rock, Ark. In fact, yes. Homeowners can get up to $1,500 back from the federal government for any number of…

Earth Talk | How much does it all cost?

Roddy Scheer

Dear EarthTalk: I’d like to know the relative electricity cost of utility scale solar and wind plants versus rooftop residential solar. In other words, how can I know whether to subsidize my utility’s alternative energy plant or renovate my own home? – Randy Wilson, Flagstaff, Ariz. Making such a determination is complex, but you could…

Kaine touts green building

AFP

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine on Monday toured the renovated, environmentally friendly Virginia Association of Counties headquarters where he highlighted the benefits of green construction and green roofs. The VaCo headquarters on Main Street in Richmond was built in 1866 and recently was completely renovated using LEED standards.

Earth Talk | Water-powered cars?

Roddy Scheer

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard that cars can be modified to run on water. How is this possible? – Diane McMorris, Rockport, Maine There are a number of online marketing offers of kits that will convert your car to “run on water,” but these should be viewed skeptically. These kits, which attach to the car’s engine,…

Page Shields | Can coal be clean?

Letters

With all of the controversy surrounding the construction of a coal plant in Wise County, VA it bears repeating that coal is not clean energy. The phrase “clean coal technology” fosters hope that scientists will find a way to take harmful elements, especially carbon, out of coal. Unfortunately this is a lost hope as the…

Earth Talk | ‘Clean’ coal?

AFP

Dear EarthTalk: As I understand it, “clean” coal really isn’t—yet the Bush Administration gushed strongly for it. What is Obama’s take on it? – John Zippert, Eutaw, Ala. Barack Obama and George W. Bush differ in many ways, but both have embraced so-called “clean coal” for providing an ongoing supply of cheap and readily available…

In the News

Chris Graham

– Local News: Staunton appoints new fire chief – Sports: Waynesboro Generals game postponed – Economy: Consumer Price Index up in May – Local News: EMU residence hall to run on solar – Event: Presidential Library to host history camp – State News: Kaine signs veterans legislation