Much talk -- no progress -- fossil fuel still the rule

Analysis: Roaring fossil fuels outpace green energy | Reuters: "(Reuters) - Fossil fuel investments will continue to outstrip low-carbon alternatives this year, darkening a sector struggling to shake off the financial crisis and sagging political momentum on climate change.

Soaring fossil fuel prices, where the European oil benchmark is pushing $100 a barrel, favor oil and coal producers, while falling gas prices have undermined wind power generation especially in the United States.

And the financial crisis has hit capital-intensive renewable energy projects, trimming demand for wind turbines, while the near-term solar future is clouded by cuts in European subsidies."

Letter: Environmental agenda must include transit | The Burlington Free Press | Burlington, Vermont

Letter: Environmental agenda must include transit | The Burlington Free Press | Burlington, Vermont: "When talking about energy and environment, transportation must be included in the agenda.

WAYNE MICHAUD
Bristol"

Zero-Fare Canada

Zero-Fare Canada: "While diseased cultural norms have kept the public distracted with shopping and irrelevant corporatized propaganda, the military has been gearing up for years for our upcoming climate wars. Indeed, while well-funded lobbyists engaged the public in a deadly game of 'is global warming real?', this issue was never a matter of dispute within the military and the US Pentagon itself. Within the realm of militarism, climate change and the deadly threats it presents have always been seen as unequivocal and the dangers it presents are viewed as unparalleled in magnitude."

New director of ShuttleBus sees ridership picking up | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

New director of ShuttleBus sees ridership picking up | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram: "BIDDEFORD - As the average price of gas in Maine tops $3 per gallon, people look for ways to leave their cars at home and, naturally, ridership on local transit lines tends to increase.

Al Schutz has seen the trend before, and as the new executive director of ShuttleBus, he anticipates seeing it again.

'When gas hit $4 a gallon, my ridership spiked 22 percent in Gloversville, (N.Y.),' Schutz said."

More oil-trolls in Congress now, thanks to tea party morons

Next American City » Columns » The Administration’s Big Streetcar Push Could Implode with New Congress: "After last month’s elections, however, the program may come to an end. Republicans soon to head the House of Representatives have made apparent their interest in limiting transportation expenditures on modes other than the automobile. Unless they suddenly have a collective change in heart, this could mean an elimination of funding for the grant programs that have funded these projects, including Small Starts"

MassTransit » Blog » What Makes the Wi-Fi Bus Successful?

MassTransit » Blog » What Makes the Wi-Fi Bus Successful?: "This week the Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) in Vermont announced free Wi-Fi services aboard a portion of its bus fleet; CCTA operates 19 bus routes between cities and towns on the east shore of Lake Champlain, including the Burlington suburbs of Essex Junction and Winookski. Wi-Fi has been deployed on the LINK Express commuter vehicles that service the longer routes to neighboring county towns, including Middlebury, Montpelier and St. Albans. The authority carries around 2.5 million passengers annually, with approximately 117,000 people using the LINK Express service."

Insurance companies have no doubts about global warming | Marketplace From American Public Media

Insurance companies have no doubts about global warming | Marketplace From American Public Media: "Insurance companies are taking into account the potential for rising water levels and more aggressive hurricanes when considering rates. Marketplace's Scott Tong reports."