An article by the Associated Press today (5/14/2012) reported that a $670 million overhaul at the San Onofre nuclear plant in California, intended to avoid problems with deteriorating pipes which could cause leakage of radioactive steam, was actually causing the pipes to deterioate faster.  San Olfre's twin reactors have been off line for three monthe while an investigation was in progress. So far the cause has not been pinpointed. Some pipes were so eroded that they were deemed unsafe to continue in operation. 

Jonah  Goldberg, the ‘brilliant’ columnist who proclaimed not too long ago that oil and gas were the “True” green fuels, is criticising President Obama for saying we need all available fuels, pursuing nuclear as well as fossil fuels and alternatives such as wind and solar. Goldberg maintains that Obama blocked the Keystone XL pipeline and his policies are responsible for high gas prices now. Jonah is playing fast and loose with the truth. First, it is pretty well known that financial firms, speculating on future oil prices, are responsible for the high cost of gas at the pump. I don’t think the president has been buying oil futures. (Anyone with evidence that he is doing this let me know.) The president stopped the pipeline to allow an evaluation of the proposed route which passed through sensitive areas in which a pipeline spill could seriously harm a vital aquifer. Just a week ago he lifted the block and allowed the start of the lower end of the pipeline. As for not embracing cap and trade, that program does not take greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere. It just lets big polluters buy credits from a clean industry so they can pursue business as usual. Germany has tried cap-and-trade and found that the system was easily scammed.

Paul Ryan, Rep. Wisconsin is calling for cuts in federal spending on clean energy research and development and the elimination of subsidies and tax breaks for wind, solar, and other alternative energy technologies. He justifies these cuts to clean energy R & D by describing  them as expensive handouts for "uncompetitive" energy sources. He neglects to mention enormous subsidies and tax breaks for non-clean energies such as oil, gas, and coal, making it far from a level playing field. If the tax breaks and subsidies for dirty energy are continued, clean energy will find it impossible to become competitive in the global market place.

Running on Empty was submitted to the 18th Annual Writer's Digest Self Publishing Book Awards. While it didn't win an award it did receive a good rating. The reviewer thought the cover needed improvements  but overall the book got high marks. The following is excerpted from the review. No name was given for the reviewer.

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning "poor" and 5 meaning "excellent," Running on Empty was rated 5 for structure and organization and 5 for grammar. The cover was rated 2.

Comment: This book is extremely timely, and I'm glad the author has decided to strike while the iron is hot. There's never been a bigger market for original and incisive material in the fields of energy and energy conservation. I urge the author to continue to retool and market Running on Empty to get the notice it deserves. Greene is obviously a master of the material, and I felt in capable hands all the way through. The writing is clear and punchy (though a bit technical at times for a general readership), and thanks to great organizational tools the text is easy to follow. This book has the best table of contents I've encountered among this year's entries, and that's carried through with excellent non-narrative elements including ample subheadings, accessible illustrations, and a fat glossary. Overall, a strong entry that would benefit from a little update of appearance. Best wishes!