Sometime back I wrote a piece on the reasons why nuclear energy is not a very good solution to our energy woes, though I do include the fact that keeping existing nuke plants going makes some sense.

Oil and coal industries are doing their best to deny global warming altogether. The nuke inudstry is taking another approach. They are embracing global warming completely...and claiming that ONLY nuclear power can save us. I was open to this, but skeptical, particularly since their claims tended to be way overblown. And, as I outlined in the article linked to above, nuke plants cannot even begin to be part of the solution, beyond what we already have, for another 5-10 or MORE years because that is how long it takes to build a new plant. We need faster solutions.

But now a new report has come out that shows that nuclear energy is just plain too expensive to be a vaible option. Again, existing plants are probably needed, but new plants just aren't worth it. I suggested that in the article above, and was slammed for it. But seems I was indeed right:
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2008 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings
"Scaling Up: Building Tomorrow's Solutions"

August 17–22, 2008 • Asilomar Conference Center • Pacific Grove, California

Conference Co-Chairs:

Michael Baechler, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Rich Brown, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

The 2008 ACEEE Summer Study is the 14th biennial ACEEE conference on Energy Efficiency in Buildings and will be held August 17–22, 2008. A diverse group of energy efficiency professionals from around the world will gather at this pre-eminent meeting to discuss the technological basis for, and practical implementation of, reducing energy use in buildings. Presentations and discussions will relate to the theme, "Scaling Up: Building Tomorrow's Solutions." What started out at the Summer Study nearly three decades ago as a fringe activity is now mainstream: energy efficiency in buildings. Energy efficiency now represents our best hope to avoid the worst consequences of global warming and energy resource depletion. But to achieve this potential, the energy efficiency "engine" has to be greatly expanded. New programs, technologies, and financing sources need to be developed. A new generation of energy efficiency practitioners, researchers, and policymakers needs to be trained and deployed to solve the problems we face. Do you have ideas about how to make this happen? Come share your ideas and engage in dialogue about these issues at the 2008 Summer Study. Exchange ideas with some of the leading thinkers, visionaries, and luminaries in the field while experiencing the magnificent natural setting that is Asilomar.
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Energy Efficiency Finance Forum
The Next Generation in Financing Clean Energy

April 10-11, 2008
Opening Night Gala April 9th, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

The Westin Arlington Gateway, Arlington, Virginia

Are you poised and positioned to take advantage of the explosion of financing opportunities in the energy-efficient landscape?

The Energy Efficiency Forum will be held April 10-11, 2008 at the Westin Arlington Gateway in Arlington, Virginia just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. Reservations should be made at least 30 days prior to the start of the Finance Forum. Please advise the reservation agent that you are attending "FRA's Energy Efficiency Finance Forum" to receive the negotiated conference discount rate. Within 30 days of the conference (after March 10, 2008), prevailing hotel rates may be quoted because the conference rate will no longer be guaranteed. Book early! The hotel will sell out.

More info here.

Register here.

Preliminary Agenda Here (PDF)

American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy's 2nd National Forum on Energy Efficiency in Agriculture

Food and Energy from the Ground Up: Efficiency's Role in Sustainable Agriculture

Embassy Suites Hotel • Des Moines, Iowa • Februrary 20–22, 2008

Co-Chairs:
Rich Hackner, Wisconsin Focus on Energy and GDS Associates
Mike Morris, National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)

In the recent national dialogue about biofuels and other renewable energy opportunities for agriculture, efficiency has been a strangely neglected topic. The usual vision or hope is that agricultural lands will produce enough fuel and electricity to meet future energy demands that continue to expand rapidly.

This conference will explore an alternative vision, where increased energy production by agriculture is accompanied by equally significant improvements in energy efficiency throughout our economy. Making these improvements will require rethinking and redesigning many aspects of our interrelated food and energy systems.

Background

In recent years, ACEEE has been active in reinvigorating interest in energy issues in agriculture. We supported the Senate Agriculture Committee in their crafting the energy title (Title IX) of the 2002 Farm Bill, helping to insure that energy efficiency was included. Since the bill's passage, we have worked to provide information on energy efficiency opportunities in the agricultural sector and to identify successful program strategies, becoming a leading source of information the government and the energy efficiency community on energy efficiency in agriculture through our Web site, reports and presentations.
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Location

In a recent article I described how a detailed analysis of energy production and usage in the US shows that about 51% of the energy produced is wasted. One of the best ways of addressing our energy problems is energy efficiency. True, we need to do more: carbon sequestration (saline wetlands and trees in all but the northernmost latitudes are the best ways of sequestering carbon) and alternative energy are necessary. But even without changing our energy production, we can get a good head start on dealing with global warming by improving energy efficiency. In John and Teresa Heinz Kerry's book, This Moment on Earth, they describe how Texas Instruments was able to design a factory in Texas where energy efficiency was the primary design element that saved them so much money that it allowed building in Texas to be competitive with outsourcing to India. They saved money, saved energy and kept jobs in the United States all by designing with energy efficiency in mind.

Energy efficiency is the smartest step towards dealing with global warming.

There are many ways that you as a private citizen can be part of the solution. Carpooling, using mass transit, bicycling, walking, buying a hybrid car, turning your thermostat down a degree in the winter, and up a degree in summer, turning off lights, insulation, etc. are all ways where YOU can both save money in the long run and save energy. They all make sense both for your budget AND for dealing with global warming. You should do all you can to do these things. But there is one that is such a no-brainer, that if you haven't already done it, you are losing. The number one change you should have made at least 5 years ago is to switch your light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs.
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