think it'll ever happen?
DesMoinesRegister.com | Opinion: "One scenario has a fuel cell in each home. Hydrogen could be piped into homes - as natural gas is now. Each home could generate its own electricity and use the waste heat to provide hot water. Another scenario has larger fuel cells supplying entire neighborhoods with electricity."
Thursday, August 21, 2003
News: "The Bush administration rushed to defend itself yesterday from accusations that reluctance to upset its friends in the energy industry was to blame for the regulatory chaos leading to last week's massive power blackout across the north-eastern United States and Canada.
The lights may be barely back on and the cause of the electricity failure still subject to preliminary investigation, but that has not prevented finger-pointing from beginning in earnest. And it is the White House - 18 months after dodging a bullet over the collapse of Enron, the politically juiced Texas energy trading giant - that is finding itself in the hot seat.
President Bush's energy secretary, Spencer Abraham, popped up on the Sunday TV talk shows to insist the administration was doing everything it could to update an electrical grid that, by his own admission, was already obsolescent at a time of tremendous growth in demand.
'We've identified the corridors where we need more transmission,' he said. 'We've been working with the states to upgrade and improve the identification of new technology. We've invested more than 50 per cent in our budget on research.' None of that, however, answered the crucial question, which is how the most advanced economy in the world could experience the biggest blackout in its history and not even know why."
The lights may be barely back on and the cause of the electricity failure still subject to preliminary investigation, but that has not prevented finger-pointing from beginning in earnest. And it is the White House - 18 months after dodging a bullet over the collapse of Enron, the politically juiced Texas energy trading giant - that is finding itself in the hot seat.
President Bush's energy secretary, Spencer Abraham, popped up on the Sunday TV talk shows to insist the administration was doing everything it could to update an electrical grid that, by his own admission, was already obsolescent at a time of tremendous growth in demand.
'We've identified the corridors where we need more transmission,' he said. 'We've been working with the states to upgrade and improve the identification of new technology. We've invested more than 50 per cent in our budget on research.' None of that, however, answered the crucial question, which is how the most advanced economy in the world could experience the biggest blackout in its history and not even know why."
Sunday, August 17, 2003
it's sunday. a day we will start this week as a day where we'll post a story that, like cbs' sunday morning... makes ya feel good. and this story just warmed my heart.
A valuable lesson in honesty
Parking south of the Iowa State Fairgrounds is a ritual, and this year was no exception.
Walking from the car to the gate, I transferred some money from a money belt into a shirt pocket. I folded the majority of the cash into a blank check I had brought for an "emergency" and put it back into the money belt - I thought. Apparently I stuck it behind the belt and it was soon lost. Several hours later I realized it was missing. I was concerned about the check but continued to enjoy the fair.
Later, I noticed a note stuck on the mirror in the swine barn, "We found your rings, check with "lost and found"." I wondered where to find "lost and found," asked around and located it in the Iowa State Patrol headquarters. I felt foolish to ask if it had been turned in. However, I was surprised to find that a lady in the neighborhood where I had parked had indeed called to report the missing articles. She had also left a message on my answering machine at home.
This lady is a shining example to her children and to everyone who reads this letter that true honesty does still exist. How often would this be the outcome? She has children she said she is teaching to do the right thing. What a lesson she taught that day. We all teach by example. I share this story to renew faith in mankind.
Sharon Hutchings,
Pleasantville.
DES MOINES REGISTER - OPINION
A valuable lesson in honesty
Parking south of the Iowa State Fairgrounds is a ritual, and this year was no exception.
Walking from the car to the gate, I transferred some money from a money belt into a shirt pocket. I folded the majority of the cash into a blank check I had brought for an "emergency" and put it back into the money belt - I thought. Apparently I stuck it behind the belt and it was soon lost. Several hours later I realized it was missing. I was concerned about the check but continued to enjoy the fair.
Later, I noticed a note stuck on the mirror in the swine barn, "We found your rings, check with "lost and found"." I wondered where to find "lost and found," asked around and located it in the Iowa State Patrol headquarters. I felt foolish to ask if it had been turned in. However, I was surprised to find that a lady in the neighborhood where I had parked had indeed called to report the missing articles. She had also left a message on my answering machine at home.
This lady is a shining example to her children and to everyone who reads this letter that true honesty does still exist. How often would this be the outcome? She has children she said she is teaching to do the right thing. What a lesson she taught that day. We all teach by example. I share this story to renew faith in mankind.
Sharon Hutchings,
Pleasantville.
DES MOINES REGISTER - OPINION
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