Get ready for a slowdown in clean energy momentum. As the Wall Street Journal reports this week, a recent announcement by the International Energy Agency forecasts that Iraqi oil production will more than double by 2020. The Journal calls this increased output “a shift that could alter the dynamics of global crude markets.” Although Iraq would need to invest substantially in oil production infrastructure—storage, transportation, power grid—this increased output capacity would mean the country would be able to supply “almost half the growth in world oil output.”
Currently, Iraq is pumping out millions of barrels a day—3.1 in August alone—making it the second only to Saudi Arabia in terms of OPEC oil production. Combined with increased output from the US, the Wall Street Journal predicts, “Iraq’s arrival in the big leagues could adjust the power dynamics within the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.”
But what will all this increased oil production mean for US energy policy? We’ve seen the ebb and flow before—when OPEC tightens production or environmental catastrophes, like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the call for clean energy reaches a fever pitch, but then the pendulum swings the other way, and we all know what it means: more oil equals less clean energy. In practical terms, when oil production is high and prices stabilize, there’s less incentive to pursue other options. Everyone becomes a bit more complacent and soon the big question looms—is it worth investing in renewable energy or clean energy technology when other alternatives are cheaper and much easier to incorporate into our existing energy infrastructure?
The increase in domestic natural gas production has already played a part in diminishing the urgency to pursue renewable energy as an adjunct—if not total alternative—to our current power systems. It seems likely increased oil production will have the same effect.
But the issues surrounding a dependence on fossil fuels will not go away. We must still find a way to decrease our dependence on foreign oil. Curtailing greenhouse gas emissions should still be a top agenda item. And any national energy efficiency policy must include a real discussion of the true costs of continuing to rely on fossil fuels instead of investing in a clean energy future.
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FORESTER UNIVERSITY - UPCOMING CLASSES
Beyond the Drip – Improving Indoor Water Efficiency, Planning & Implementation
Presenters: Paul Lander, Ph.D., ASLA, LEED AP
Consultant, dakota ridge partners
Lecturer, University of Colorado
Troy Aichele, LEED AP (O+M)
President, Aichele and Associates, LLC
Thurs., Oct. 18th @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST, 1hr
Save money and save water. Join industry experts Paul Lander, Ph.D., ASLA, LEED AP and Troy Aichele, LEED AP (O+M) to explore the key elements, variables, and the importance of indoor water conservation and savings within your conservation plan, as well as how to develop, implement, monitor, and maintain an effective indoor water savings plan. Additionally, learn the step-by-step process to perform a water audit, calculate your payback period, and select replacement fixtures, as well as how to develop and manage your maintenance plan to maximize your ROI short and long-term..
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Engaging Your Audience & Creating Lasting Change
Presenter: Stacie Greco
Water Conservation Coordinator,
Alachua County Environmental Protection Department
Tues., Oct. 23rd @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST, 1hr
Create change that sticks. Join Stacie Greco, M.S. to explore how to create, assess, and implement behavior change and outreach water conservation programs that successfully effect water use short and long-term. During this webinar we’ll discuss criteria for identifying target behaviors and audiences, how to effectively and affordably integrate social marketing, qualitative research techniques (e.g., focus groups, interviews, etc.), and market testing. Special emphasis will focus on the importance of testing and qualifying ideas, and practical tips for creating affordable, research-based social outreach campaigns.
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Building a Better Road—Designing & Constructing Pavements for Superior Long-term Performance
Presenter: David Hein, P.Eng.,
Vice President of Transportation, Applied Research Associates
Wed., Oct. 24th @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST, 1hr
Maximize your pavement performance! Join David Hein, P.Eng. to explore the design, specification, and construction elements that impact the performance of asphalt and concrete pavements, as well as the primary factors that contribute to the long-term functional and structural performance of pavements ranging from parking lots to municipal roadways, airports, and major highways. Through a series of photographs, you’ll gain a good understanding of what we can do to better ensure the cost-effective use of transportation investments.
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Using Hydro-Meteorological Guidance for Stormwater Management & Operations
Presenter: Michael McMahon,
Senior Hydro-meteorologist
HDR Engineering, Inc.
Thurs., Oct. 25th @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST, 1hr
Improve your stormwater management and reduce your risk of damage. Join Michael McMahon to explore how improved weather forecasting of quantitative precipitation and real-time quantitative precipitation estimate guidance for flooding can benefit your stormwater program’s mitigation, risk, and efficiency. This presentation explores the current state of hydro-meteorological technologies, and their application, implementation, and cost-to-benefit for consideration in your stormwater program.
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Looking to a Leaner, Greener Future—Reducing Lifecycle Costs through Total Ownership Cost Management
Presenter: Tom DeCoster
Business Development Manager
Parker Hannifin, Hydraulic Drive Systems Division
Tues., Nov. 6th @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST, 1hr
Increase your cashflow by reducing your fleet lifecycle costs! Join Tom DeCoster from Parker Hannifin for a FREE webinar exploring the best practices to assess and reduce your fleet’s total cost of ownership. In this webinar, DeCoster discusses the costs incurred during the life of a refuse truck, and provides specific methods to budget your maintenance, calculate your fuel use, and optimize your fleet for its best future, including: tracking routine maintenance, identifying and assessing attributes amortizing trucks, and utilizing Parker Hannifin’s Advance Series Hybrid Drive System.
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Sediment and Erosion Control
Master Class Series - NEW SESSION
Presenters: Jerald S. Fifield,
Ph.D., CISEC, CPESC
& Tina R. Evans, PE, CISEC
HydroDynamics Incorporated
Wed., Oct. 31st – Thurs., Dec. 14th
Join industry expert and bestselling author Jerald S. Fifield, Ph.D., CISEC, CPESC and Tina R. Evans, PE, CISEC for an advanced, comprehensive 6-part live and on-demand master class and workshop series (0.9 CEUs / 9 PDHs) exploring the ins and outs of effective sediment and erosion control plan design and review
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