Well, I ended up taking this class more as an alternative than choosing it specifically.
The overall class was enjoyable and had a good amount of new information that I found very interesting. However, there are a few things I would change in order to make the class more effective.
Choosing a single story to work on the entire sememster, for me at least, didn't seem to work very well. More in class review and peer editing would have been useful not only to help create a stronger sotry, but also as a means of making sure students are actually progressing throughout the semester. Grant it this is a 400 level class and at this point students need to be taking initiative, there still needs to be a way of checking the work periodically.
Also, as Jimmy stated, there were days during which I was nodding off, I'm sure it wasn't hard to miss, in class. Attendance was pretty much mandatory but the material discussed certain days seemed a bit more trivial than others.
More editing advice from the professor in class would be helpful. I have to say that I enjoyed researching biodiesel in Washington State, but the story itself was not very strong. I felt as though the entire piece was forced and unorganized. Not to mention that it very quickly turned from a climate theme into a piece about the biodiesel market and the struggles of major manufacturers. Again, I feel as though more peer and professor editing throughout the semester would have been useful.
This is a useful and interesting class and I've done more in terms of actuall reporting during this course than I have at any other time in my life. It allowed me to experience some of the work that journalists must do day in and day out. Although, I'm sure I would have benefited much more had I not procrastinated so much.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Troublesome Times: Biofuels in Washington
Troublesome Times: Biofuels in Washington
Biofuels are better for the environment but still have minimal impact.
By Colby Farvour
WASHINGTON - Recent decades have seen an increasing interest into alternative fuel sources. One of those fuels is known as biodiesel and its potential for a permanent alternative to fossil fuels is very real.
“Biofuels are definitely a long term solution,” says University of Idaho Professor and member of its Biodiesel Education Program Dr. Jon Von Gerpen.
Dr. Gerpen has been studying biodiesel for nearly 16 years and has been teaching at U of I for the last 5 years. Dr. Gerpen says that biodiesel has great potential, but the market in the northwest simply can’t support it. The types of crops needed to produce biodiesel aren’t being grown.
Biodiesel can be produced from a variety of “feedstock” crops from which the seeds are harvested and then processed. They include canola, mustard, rapeseed and soy among others. Soy is the most common feedstock crop used in the U.S. for biodiesel production, but the Pacific Northwest can support Soy crops due to the region’s climate. One of the crops produced in Washington is Canola, but the amount is minimal.
“Canola, one of the only crops that we can grow in Washington is grown on extremely limited acres,” says President and founder of Imperium Renewables John Plaza, “less than 5,000 acres total for the whole state.”
Imperium Renewables is a Seattle based company that owns two large-scale biofuel production plants in Washington. Its Grays Harbor facility (Imperium Grays Harbor) is the largest of its kind in the U.S. and it can produce up to 100 million gallons a year of biodiesel.
Plaza says the infrastructure and market are ready and can work, but large purchasers are hesitant to invest in biodiesel when it is currently more expensive than petroleum diesel, especially with current economic trends.
The majority of Washington farmers grow Wheat because it is the most profitable crop that can be produced in this regions climate.
“For a Washington farmer to grow Canola instead of Wheat is a massive risk for little reward,” Plaza reports. Plaza also said that Imperium worked with Washington farmers to expand Canola crops but they were unsuccessful.
-MORE-
BIODIESEL IN BRIEF
Biodiesel is produced from renewable resources and emits on average less than half of the harmful greenhouse gasses and carcinogens that petroleum diesel does. In small production, like that of a homeowner, biodiesel can be produced with used cooking oil and be ready to pump in about two days or less and cost much less than regular diesel.
According to the National Biodiesel Board, this renewable fuel is less toxic than table salt and degrades nearly as fast as sugar. Biodiesel was initially tested and approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) in 1999 and again in 2001. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Congress have implemented many programs and legislation to encourage the production of biodiesel. Many view biodiesel as a practical long term alternative to fossil fuels.
“…when oil prices spike, innovation happens.”
CHALLENGING TIMES
Despite the fact that biodiesel is a renewable fuel source and releases many times less the amount of greenhouse gasses, carcinogens and particulates than petroleum diesel, it still hasn’t been implemented on a big enough scale to exploit those attributes. Several issues still slow the implementation of biodiesel on a larger state, federal and global scale.
“Governments fuel consumption accounts for very large amounts of fuel and by using the government fleets’ ability to leverage for biofuels,” Plaza adds, ”more progress could be made in the development of new crops to grow for biofuels.”
Research and Development will continue to be an integral role in the effort to create a stronger biodiesel market.
But one factor that the biodiesel market has been trying to address all along seems to be causing it the greatest trouble; Fossil fuels.
The petroleum market has fluctuated significantly over the last four decades and the U.S.’s idea about fossil fuel independence has followed along with the rollercoaster like petroleum market.
“By petroleum prices dropping, all demand for alternatives for petroleum lose momentum for development and market access,” Plaza continues, “Over and over when oil prices spike, innovation happens. When oil prices fall we go back to consumption of petroleum like addicts.”
The day when fossil fuels run out is approaching though it may not be in the immediate future.
“The era of cheap, easy to find oil is over,” says Plaza.
Biodiesel does have the potential to take the place of fossil fuels. But biodiesel alone can’t make the U.S., or the world for that fact, end its obsession with oil alone.
“Biodiesel is a piece of the puzzle, but not the whole solution,” says Dr. Gerpen.
###
Biofuels are better for the environment but still have minimal impact.
By Colby Farvour
WASHINGTON - Recent decades have seen an increasing interest into alternative fuel sources. One of those fuels is known as biodiesel and its potential for a permanent alternative to fossil fuels is very real.
“Biofuels are definitely a long term solution,” says University of Idaho Professor and member of its Biodiesel Education Program Dr. Jon Von Gerpen.
Dr. Gerpen has been studying biodiesel for nearly 16 years and has been teaching at U of I for the last 5 years. Dr. Gerpen says that biodiesel has great potential, but the market in the northwest simply can’t support it. The types of crops needed to produce biodiesel aren’t being grown.
Biodiesel can be produced from a variety of “feedstock” crops from which the seeds are harvested and then processed. They include canola, mustard, rapeseed and soy among others. Soy is the most common feedstock crop used in the U.S. for biodiesel production, but the Pacific Northwest can support Soy crops due to the region’s climate. One of the crops produced in Washington is Canola, but the amount is minimal.
“Canola, one of the only crops that we can grow in Washington is grown on extremely limited acres,” says President and founder of Imperium Renewables John Plaza, “less than 5,000 acres total for the whole state.”
Imperium Renewables is a Seattle based company that owns two large-scale biofuel production plants in Washington. Its Grays Harbor facility (Imperium Grays Harbor) is the largest of its kind in the U.S. and it can produce up to 100 million gallons a year of biodiesel.
Plaza says the infrastructure and market are ready and can work, but large purchasers are hesitant to invest in biodiesel when it is currently more expensive than petroleum diesel, especially with current economic trends.
The majority of Washington farmers grow Wheat because it is the most profitable crop that can be produced in this regions climate.
“For a Washington farmer to grow Canola instead of Wheat is a massive risk for little reward,” Plaza reports. Plaza also said that Imperium worked with Washington farmers to expand Canola crops but they were unsuccessful.
-MORE-
BIODIESEL IN BRIEF
Biodiesel is produced from renewable resources and emits on average less than half of the harmful greenhouse gasses and carcinogens that petroleum diesel does. In small production, like that of a homeowner, biodiesel can be produced with used cooking oil and be ready to pump in about two days or less and cost much less than regular diesel.
According to the National Biodiesel Board, this renewable fuel is less toxic than table salt and degrades nearly as fast as sugar. Biodiesel was initially tested and approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) in 1999 and again in 2001. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Congress have implemented many programs and legislation to encourage the production of biodiesel. Many view biodiesel as a practical long term alternative to fossil fuels.
“…when oil prices spike, innovation happens.”
CHALLENGING TIMES
Despite the fact that biodiesel is a renewable fuel source and releases many times less the amount of greenhouse gasses, carcinogens and particulates than petroleum diesel, it still hasn’t been implemented on a big enough scale to exploit those attributes. Several issues still slow the implementation of biodiesel on a larger state, federal and global scale.
“Governments fuel consumption accounts for very large amounts of fuel and by using the government fleets’ ability to leverage for biofuels,” Plaza adds, ”more progress could be made in the development of new crops to grow for biofuels.”
Research and Development will continue to be an integral role in the effort to create a stronger biodiesel market.
But one factor that the biodiesel market has been trying to address all along seems to be causing it the greatest trouble; Fossil fuels.
The petroleum market has fluctuated significantly over the last four decades and the U.S.’s idea about fossil fuel independence has followed along with the rollercoaster like petroleum market.
“By petroleum prices dropping, all demand for alternatives for petroleum lose momentum for development and market access,” Plaza continues, “Over and over when oil prices spike, innovation happens. When oil prices fall we go back to consumption of petroleum like addicts.”
The day when fossil fuels run out is approaching though it may not be in the immediate future.
“The era of cheap, easy to find oil is over,” says Plaza.
Biodiesel does have the potential to take the place of fossil fuels. But biodiesel alone can’t make the U.S., or the world for that fact, end its obsession with oil alone.
“Biodiesel is a piece of the puzzle, but not the whole solution,” says Dr. Gerpen.
###
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Biodiesel Draft 2 (very rough)
Washington has done much in the last few years in terms of legislation for a greener state. Many of these initiatives involve the implementation of biofuels on a larger scale. This biofuel market has the potential to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and reduce harmful emissions of greenhouse gases. But, current economic and other market trends are making the transition a difficult one.
Perhaps the best known form of biofuels is biodiesel. Biodiesel is a non-petroleum renewable fuel that is produced by processing vegetable oil. Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum to make a mixture or be used in its pure form. It can be used in any diesel engine with only a minor amount of modifications.
Biodiesel not only is a renewable fuel source but it produces on average less than half the number of the harmful greenhouse gases produced by regular diesel. Biodiesel is cheaper than regular diesel, better for the environment and is a renewable fuel. However, this wonder-fuel does have its downsides.
One of the biggest issues facing the biodiesel market here in Washington is the global economy. Currently, the Grays Harbor Facility receives much of its feedstock from Canada. Unfortunately, the price of vegetable oil worldwide has increased between 100 to 200 percent in the last year. This in turn has greatly slowed the growth of the bio fuel industry. In an article recently published by the Tacoma News Tribune, Imperium Renewables Inc., owner of the Grays Harbor Facility, halted a $345 million project to build four new facilities. The article also attributed that the facilities main source of feedstock is supposed to be produced by Eastern Washington farmers, but that aspect of the market has not materialized yet. Eastern Washington farmers can’t compete with the larger, more well-established markets to the north and east. John Plaza, president and founder of Imperium Renewables, operator of the Grays Harbor and Seattle biofuel plants, says that he would like to Washington farmers to provide much of the feedstock needed. Plaza also says that there isn’t a market at the moment in Washington. Not enough crops are being produced at a cost that can compete with the global market.
Though biodiesel is much more environmentally safe than its petroleum counterpart, it still raises issues. Many Indonesian and South American countries are cutting down large amounts of rainforests in order to make room for feedstock crops. This results in the permanent loss of habitat for animals and causes erosion on a massive scale. The price at which some of these crops are being maintained is too much to make the final product worth it.
Although the food market has made marketing bio fuels much more difficult, the qualities they have still render them a valuable asset to Washington State and the world. Bio fuels contain no petroleum, but can be blended with other petroleum products to create a mixture. They can be produced using renewable resources and are non-toxic. The National Biodiesel Board states the biodiesel is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Many of the harmful greenhouse gasses such as Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons, Nitrous Oxides and Sulfur are often reduced around 50 percent or more by pure biodiesel compared to petroleum diesel.
The potential for a strong bio fuel industry here in Washington is great. However, current economic trends are proving it difficult for commercial and state entities to move forward. If a solution can be reached that would allow the industry to expand, the repercussions would be profound. Bio fuels have the potential to bridge the gap between our dependence on foreign oil and the ideal day where our impact on the climate nears zero.
Perhaps the best known form of biofuels is biodiesel. Biodiesel is a non-petroleum renewable fuel that is produced by processing vegetable oil. Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum to make a mixture or be used in its pure form. It can be used in any diesel engine with only a minor amount of modifications.
Biodiesel not only is a renewable fuel source but it produces on average less than half the number of the harmful greenhouse gases produced by regular diesel. Biodiesel is cheaper than regular diesel, better for the environment and is a renewable fuel. However, this wonder-fuel does have its downsides.
One of the biggest issues facing the biodiesel market here in Washington is the global economy. Currently, the Grays Harbor Facility receives much of its feedstock from Canada. Unfortunately, the price of vegetable oil worldwide has increased between 100 to 200 percent in the last year. This in turn has greatly slowed the growth of the bio fuel industry. In an article recently published by the Tacoma News Tribune, Imperium Renewables Inc., owner of the Grays Harbor Facility, halted a $345 million project to build four new facilities. The article also attributed that the facilities main source of feedstock is supposed to be produced by Eastern Washington farmers, but that aspect of the market has not materialized yet. Eastern Washington farmers can’t compete with the larger, more well-established markets to the north and east. John Plaza, president and founder of Imperium Renewables, operator of the Grays Harbor and Seattle biofuel plants, says that he would like to Washington farmers to provide much of the feedstock needed. Plaza also says that there isn’t a market at the moment in Washington. Not enough crops are being produced at a cost that can compete with the global market.
Though biodiesel is much more environmentally safe than its petroleum counterpart, it still raises issues. Many Indonesian and South American countries are cutting down large amounts of rainforests in order to make room for feedstock crops. This results in the permanent loss of habitat for animals and causes erosion on a massive scale. The price at which some of these crops are being maintained is too much to make the final product worth it.
Although the food market has made marketing bio fuels much more difficult, the qualities they have still render them a valuable asset to Washington State and the world. Bio fuels contain no petroleum, but can be blended with other petroleum products to create a mixture. They can be produced using renewable resources and are non-toxic. The National Biodiesel Board states the biodiesel is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Many of the harmful greenhouse gasses such as Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons, Nitrous Oxides and Sulfur are often reduced around 50 percent or more by pure biodiesel compared to petroleum diesel.
The potential for a strong bio fuel industry here in Washington is great. However, current economic trends are proving it difficult for commercial and state entities to move forward. If a solution can be reached that would allow the industry to expand, the repercussions would be profound. Bio fuels have the potential to bridge the gap between our dependence on foreign oil and the ideal day where our impact on the climate nears zero.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Hurrican Katrina Photo Response
The photo that has the most symbolism regarding the entire scope of the aftermath of Katrina is the photo with two elderly women wading through waist high water. In the background there is a Military vehicle sitting on dry ground with troops atop of it and they seem unaware of the two women. To me this epitomizes the suffering of the victims and the lack of response from the government.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Biodiesel Outline
3 Main Questions:
Why isn’t biodiesel being implemented more effectively into the Wash. State economy?
Several aspects, on a state and global level, are slowing the production of biofuels in Washington. Washington State has passed legislation giving tax breaks for the use/production of biofuels and other bills that will require a certain percentage of biofuels to make up the total of fuel consumption in the state. However, the more substantial of these bills, where biofuels will make up a percent of total fuels sold will not go into effect until 2009. The state is making efforts to lessen its dependency on fossil fuels and its negative impacts on the climate. However, the increase in food prices has slowed the production of biodiesel. This has also made it more difficult for farmers in Washington to compete with Asia, Canada and the Mid-West over feedstock prices. John Plaza, president and founder of Imperium Renewables, operator of the Grays Harbor and Seattle biofuel plants, says that he would like to Washington farmers to provide much of the feedstock needed. Plaza also says that there isn’t a market at the moment in Washington. Not enough crops are being produced at a cost that can compete with the global market.
What is happening to the feedstock crops being produced in Washington?
Are they being sold to Europe? Current speculation projects that Europe may ban the importation of some imported biofuels (primarily palm oil) in reaction to their deflating economy. What is being done, if anything, to stimulate the growth of the eastern Washington feedstock crops? Can the local, national or global market support this fairly recent economy?
Is biodiesel (biofuel(s)) really as good for the environment as predicted?
The numbers don’t lie. Years of testing and analysis have proven that biodiesel reduces nearly all the harmful chemicals released by regular diesel by half. That means serious reduction in greenhouse gases, which is at the top of the priority list for most local and national government. Not only does it produce less than half the harmful chemicals than diesel, but it is a renewable fuel source. Biofuel can be produced from any number of crops (corn, soy, palm, rapeseed…), of which some can be harvested in little as six months. However, farming itself, is harmful to the environment. The worst of this is taking effect in areas like Indonesia and some of the southern Americas. Millions of acres of forests are being cleared to make way for feedstock crops. This causes irreversible loss of habitats for thousands of species, many of which are endangered. It also greatly increases the erosion processes.
Any comments or other ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Colby Farvour
Why isn’t biodiesel being implemented more effectively into the Wash. State economy?
Several aspects, on a state and global level, are slowing the production of biofuels in Washington. Washington State has passed legislation giving tax breaks for the use/production of biofuels and other bills that will require a certain percentage of biofuels to make up the total of fuel consumption in the state. However, the more substantial of these bills, where biofuels will make up a percent of total fuels sold will not go into effect until 2009. The state is making efforts to lessen its dependency on fossil fuels and its negative impacts on the climate. However, the increase in food prices has slowed the production of biodiesel. This has also made it more difficult for farmers in Washington to compete with Asia, Canada and the Mid-West over feedstock prices. John Plaza, president and founder of Imperium Renewables, operator of the Grays Harbor and Seattle biofuel plants, says that he would like to Washington farmers to provide much of the feedstock needed. Plaza also says that there isn’t a market at the moment in Washington. Not enough crops are being produced at a cost that can compete with the global market.
What is happening to the feedstock crops being produced in Washington?
Are they being sold to Europe? Current speculation projects that Europe may ban the importation of some imported biofuels (primarily palm oil) in reaction to their deflating economy. What is being done, if anything, to stimulate the growth of the eastern Washington feedstock crops? Can the local, national or global market support this fairly recent economy?
Is biodiesel (biofuel(s)) really as good for the environment as predicted?
The numbers don’t lie. Years of testing and analysis have proven that biodiesel reduces nearly all the harmful chemicals released by regular diesel by half. That means serious reduction in greenhouse gases, which is at the top of the priority list for most local and national government. Not only does it produce less than half the harmful chemicals than diesel, but it is a renewable fuel source. Biofuel can be produced from any number of crops (corn, soy, palm, rapeseed…), of which some can be harvested in little as six months. However, farming itself, is harmful to the environment. The worst of this is taking effect in areas like Indonesia and some of the southern Americas. Millions of acres of forests are being cleared to make way for feedstock crops. This causes irreversible loss of habitats for thousands of species, many of which are endangered. It also greatly increases the erosion processes.
Any comments or other ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Colby Farvour
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Going Green: Biodiesel in Washington State (500 word draft)
Washington State begins implementing biodiesel initiatives in efforts to reduce negative impacts on climate change.
The continued efforts to pursue alternative fuels for this state have led others to join the effort. In recent weeks, The Daily Evergreen, Washington State Universities’ campus paper, published a story on a group of students who formed the Universities’ first Biodiesel Club. The club, being newly created, is still figuring out supply, production, and safety variables. However, once established, they estimate their initial production to be around 200 gallons of biodiesel per day.
However, Washington is no stranger to using biodiesel. In fact, the largest biodiesel production facility in the United States is located in Grays Harbor. This plant was opened in August of 2007 and has a production capacity of 100 million gallons per year and can process different feedstock (crops) simultaneously.
This facility was one of several steps being taken by the state to reduce our dependence on petroleum products and reduce greenhouse gases. One of Washington’s newest initiatives, taking effect this December, will require all fuel sold in the state to contain a minimum of two percent ethanol blend. This means an increase in the amount of bio fuels, and potentially an increase in fuel crops produced by Washington state farmers.
Currently, the Grays Harbor Facility receives much of its feedstock from Canada. Unfortunately, the price of vegetable oil worldwide has increased between 100 to 200 percent in the last year. This in turn has greatly slowed the growth of the bio fuel industry. In an article recently published by the Tacoma News Tribune, Imperium Renewables Inc., owner of the Grays Harbor facility, halted a $345 million project to build four new facilities. The article also attributed that the facilities main source of feedstock is supposed to be produced by Eastern Washington farmers, but that aspect of the market has not materialized yet.
Although the food market has made marketing bio fuels much more difficult, the qualities they have still render them a valuable asset to Washington State and the world. Bio fuels contain no petroleum, but can be blended to create a mixture. They can be produced using renewable resources and are non-toxic. The National Biodiesel Board states the biodiesel is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Many of the harmful greenhouse gasses such as Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons, Nitrous Oxides and Sulfur are often reduced around 50 percent or more by pure biodiesel compared to petroleum diesel.
The potential for a strong bio fuel industry here in Washington is great. However, current economic trends are proving it difficult for commercial and state entities to move forward. If a solution can be reached that would allow the industry to expand, the repercussions would be profound. Bio fuels have the potential to bridge the gap between our dependence on foreign oil and the ideal day where our impact on the climate nears zero.
The continued efforts to pursue alternative fuels for this state have led others to join the effort. In recent weeks, The Daily Evergreen, Washington State Universities’ campus paper, published a story on a group of students who formed the Universities’ first Biodiesel Club. The club, being newly created, is still figuring out supply, production, and safety variables. However, once established, they estimate their initial production to be around 200 gallons of biodiesel per day.
However, Washington is no stranger to using biodiesel. In fact, the largest biodiesel production facility in the United States is located in Grays Harbor. This plant was opened in August of 2007 and has a production capacity of 100 million gallons per year and can process different feedstock (crops) simultaneously.
This facility was one of several steps being taken by the state to reduce our dependence on petroleum products and reduce greenhouse gases. One of Washington’s newest initiatives, taking effect this December, will require all fuel sold in the state to contain a minimum of two percent ethanol blend. This means an increase in the amount of bio fuels, and potentially an increase in fuel crops produced by Washington state farmers.
Currently, the Grays Harbor Facility receives much of its feedstock from Canada. Unfortunately, the price of vegetable oil worldwide has increased between 100 to 200 percent in the last year. This in turn has greatly slowed the growth of the bio fuel industry. In an article recently published by the Tacoma News Tribune, Imperium Renewables Inc., owner of the Grays Harbor facility, halted a $345 million project to build four new facilities. The article also attributed that the facilities main source of feedstock is supposed to be produced by Eastern Washington farmers, but that aspect of the market has not materialized yet.
Although the food market has made marketing bio fuels much more difficult, the qualities they have still render them a valuable asset to Washington State and the world. Bio fuels contain no petroleum, but can be blended to create a mixture. They can be produced using renewable resources and are non-toxic. The National Biodiesel Board states the biodiesel is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Many of the harmful greenhouse gasses such as Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons, Nitrous Oxides and Sulfur are often reduced around 50 percent or more by pure biodiesel compared to petroleum diesel.
The potential for a strong bio fuel industry here in Washington is great. However, current economic trends are proving it difficult for commercial and state entities to move forward. If a solution can be reached that would allow the industry to expand, the repercussions would be profound. Bio fuels have the potential to bridge the gap between our dependence on foreign oil and the ideal day where our impact on the climate nears zero.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Washington has much greater influence on regional climate than expected.
An article posted by the departemnt of ecology here in Washington reveals that the state has a much greater influence on the region in terms of its' "green efforts".
The article describes progress made by the Climate Action Team (CAT) and their efforts in Spokane during July of this year. They made thier presence known by visiting local "eco friendly" power production facilities.
However, what was suprising was that Washington State is the Chair and founding member of the Western Climate Initiative which also includes the U.S. states of California, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Montana as well as the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec, and Ontario.
I knew Washington was a "green" state but I had no idea we had nearly the entire western coast of North America and then some behind us.
The article describes progress made by the Climate Action Team (CAT) and their efforts in Spokane during July of this year. They made thier presence known by visiting local "eco friendly" power production facilities.
However, what was suprising was that Washington State is the Chair and founding member of the Western Climate Initiative which also includes the U.S. states of California, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Montana as well as the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec, and Ontario.
I knew Washington was a "green" state but I had no idea we had nearly the entire western coast of North America and then some behind us.
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