LNG: Benefits and Risks of Liquified Natural Gas

For decades, natural gas has been used to provide clean power to thousands of households and businesses nationwide. Today, more than 1,000 vehicles traveling U.S. roads are powered by natural gas that is cooled to a liquid—liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG results when natural gas is cooled to temperatures of 260 degrees below zero, thus […]


Investing in Solar Electricity. What’s the Payback?

What is the energy payback for photovoltaics? Producing electricity with solar photovoltaics (PV) emits no pollution, produces no greenhouse gases, and uses no finite fossil-fuel resources. The environmental benefits of PV are great. But just as we say that it takes money to make money, it also takes energy to save energy. The term “energy […]


Global Climate Scenarios: Temperatures, Precipitation and Sea Levels

Part 9 of United States Climate Change Impact. Rising global temperature All climate models project that human-caused emissions of heat-trapping gases will cause further warming in the future. Based on scenarios that do not assume explicit climate policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, global average temperature is projected to rise by 2 to 11.5°F by […]


Heat Trapping Gases & Other Climate Change Influences

Part 4 of United States Climate Change Impact. Carbon dioxide concentration has increased due to the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation, transportation, and industrial and household uses. It is also produced as a by-product during the manufacturing of cement. Deforestation provides a source of carbon dioxide and reduces its uptake by trees and […]


Global Climate Change: Introduction

Part 3 of United States Climate Change Impact. Key Messages: Human activities have led to large increases in heat-trapping gases over the past century. Global average temperature and sea level have increased, and precipitation patterns have changed. The global warming of the past 50 years is due primarily to human-induced increases in heat-trapping gases. Human […]


Possible Climate Change Impacts on Fish & Wildlife in the United States

With the weight of scientific data pointing to the changes in the environment due to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases—called climate change—the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has begun monitoring and analyzing impacts of climate change on fish and wildlife and working toward solutions to help species adapt to their changing habitats. Representing a […]


Today’s Alternative Fuel Choices: Biodiesel

Part 4 of Advanced Technology and Alternative Fuel Vehicles. Biodiesel is an ester (like vinegar) that can be manufactured from different types of oils such as vegetable oils and animal fats. Each year about 30 million litres of biodiesel is produced in the USA recycled cooking oils and soybean oil. Biodiesel is currently not available […]


Today’s Alternative Fuel Choices: Biofuels

Part 2 of Advanced Technology and Alternative Fuel Vehicles. Not only do alternative fuels burn cleaner to reduce emissions, but some are also renewable, unlike fossil fuels, which means that we could develop a continuous supply of them. Alternative fuels in use today include ethanol, biodiesel, methanol, natural gas, propane, electricity and hydrogen. Biofuels are […]


Water Heating

Part 5 of Ways to Save Money on Energy at Home. Hot Water Usage (based on national averages) Shower: 37% Clothes washer: 26% Dishwasher: 14% Bath: 12% Sinks: 11% Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 14% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut […]