Energy and Climate Change

"The (climate) problem is global," Schweitzer said, "but it will be resolved by individuals."

For a slowing growing number of Utahns that dream no longer seems so far-fetched.

Users simply plug any appliance into the Conserve Insight. Whether it’s a TV, microwave or lamp, the Belkin device will show how much that device really costs each year in terms of watts, dollars and carbon dioxide.

Biochar is charcoal made from biomass that is slowly cooked at high temperatures though a process called pyrolysis.

Startups say reduced mandates for oil companies make it difficult to finance biorefineries.

A startup’s polymer sticker increases power output by 10 percent, and can be applied to panels that are already installed.

Butte College is poised to become the largest collegiate producer of solar power in the world, generating enough electricity to power 9,200 homes.

“NorthWestern Energy is pleased to be a leader in evaluating biomass potential. The study did an excellent job of clarifying how much biomass is available to fuel potential generating projects in Montana,” said John Fitzpatrick of Northwestern Energy.

The thing that concerns Allen is that “all the good things coming, like large-scale wind and solar energy, electric cars and all the benefits they’ll deliver won’t happen in our generation. There needs to be a better focus on what we can do now.”

A new process that simultaneously combines the light and heat of solar radiation to generate electricity could offer more than double the efficiency of existing solar cell technology.