McCain’s opposition swept aside as new head of Bureau of Land Management confirmed by U.S. Senate-
Senate Confirms Abbey to Lead BLM. The architect of the Great Basin Restoration initiative takes the helm at BLM. By David Frey. New West.
Abbey has generally gotten good reviews from conservation groups.
It’s about time BLM got a new director. It’s 8 months into the new Administration.
More on Aug. 8, 2009. Reno’s Bob Abbey talks about his goals as new director of the BLM. By Erin Kelly. Gannett Washington Bureau.
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is President of the Western Watersheds Project.
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Let’s hope Abbey lives up to his namesake.
In response to an Article in local Newspaper Power Dreams? article dated August 25, 2009: (Press Enterprise Riverside CA)
Why build the new transmission lines? Why build Solar Electric Generating plants so far from where it is going to be used? What is wrong with the existing system that we have now?
The answer is simple, because we are over thinking the solution. We can install smaller solar farms within the communities and utilize private and public land. For instance the PPA programs that cities are looking into and implementing is a great start. Allowing private companies to put out the up front cost of building the system while the company is reaping the profits in the long run, this is a win-win situation for both sides.
By utilizing Solade Concepts, Solar Structures ( Solar Bus Stop, Comfort Station, Cabana, Umbrella and more) throughout the cities, factories or businesses, they can be placed in parking lots, (To Charge Electric Vehicles) sidewalks, eating areas, around pools or anywhere the need arises, while building an internal and virtually invisible solar farm. Residential use could also be part of the solution by adding a multi-functional structure at a home as opposed to a large, costly rooftop project. This concept will allow the renewable electricity to be used where the actual electricity is being generated as opposed to the massive transmission lines project. This type of undertaking may not solve the entire problem but it sure will take a big bite out of it.
If these plans are implemented it will keep utility rates down as the utility companies will not have to build new plants, transmission lines or smart grids, lowering the operating cost of their company.
I like to call it the Micro Grid.
Sincerely,
Andrew Ferrick
Solade Concepts