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SPECIAL NEWS:
Maureen Asbury, leader of the Trentham Environmental Action Campaign and
prominent contributor to the SAGE group, died this morning. She had
multiple cancer which became apparent only in September this year but
which deteriorated seriously in the last few weeks.
A letter on behalf of the Revolt Committee was read to Maureen earlier
this month. Here are some short extracts: "You know we admire and
appreciate your battling qualities, and, despite our sadness, it was
good to hear you in good spirits, as ever, when we last spoke on the
phone. ... Maureen, you have really made a difference, uniquely in a way
none of us could, to carry the argument about powerlines and their
health effects."
Maureen Asbury will be remembered with great respect and affection.
The rest of the news follows.
1. Physicists at UC Berkeley say they have produced the world's smallest
radio receiver out of a single carbon nanotube that is 10,000 times
thinner than a human hair. It receives signals via high-frequency
mechanical vibrations of a filament-like nanotube.
2. The nanoradio shows the potential for bio-detection and therefore
health response from exposure to radio frequency EMFs. Further, once you
have an oscillator resonant with one frequency range, it is possible to
have networks of such oscillators with modes at much slower frequencies.
It can be shown that a linear array of N oscillators can have a mode N
times slower than the individual oscillators. In this way bundles of
nanotubes could respond to power frequency. A bundle the diameter of a
human hair would contain of the order of 100 million nanotubes, though
not arranged linearly. But potentially there could be frequencies
millions of times slower than those of a single nanotube.
3. After 800 villages and 52 departments were represented in a
1500-strong demonstration on 6 October, President Sarkozy announced the
end of the wind-farm rush in France (APPENDIX A).
4. Snips from news@all-energy101 are at APPENDIX B, including links to
the Queen's Speech and Energy Bill.
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APPENDIX A Sarkozy announces new wind turbine policy
(translated by National Wind Watch)
Industrial wind turbine development to end in rural and wild areas
The Sustainable Environment Federation (FED), with the heritage and
countryside associations who demonstrated in Paris on October 6 against
industrial wind energy, are pleased by President Sarkozy's redirection
of French policy concerning wind turbines and renewable energy.
In his comments at the closure of the Grenelle de l'environnement, the
president of the republic announced the end of the rush that has
characterized French policy on wind turbines up to now and that
ultimately means degradation of the environment. New wind turbines will
be installed first in brownfields and far from emblematic locales.
In an improvisation that was not in the prepared text provided to the
press, M. Sarkozy turned to José-Manuel Barroso, president of the
European Commission, and added : Frankly, when I see some European
countries, it doesn't make me envious.
The president of the republic also announced acceleration of research
into energies of the future.
This new policy marks the end of industrial wind turbine installations
in rural and wild areas. This is a relief for the 800 villages and 52
departments represented in the October 6 demonstration. It is also a
powerful contribution to the image of France and shows Europe that an
energy policy can reconcile the fight against global warming and respect
for the countryside and every life.
The 1500 demonstrators on October 6 brought six demands. Many of them
have been accepted : publicize the true numbers of wind energy
development (M. Borloo [environment minister] has committed to this),
protect public health from wind turbine nuisance, protect the cultural
and natural heritage of France, restore peace in the villages, commit to
an effective energy strategy.
The sixth concerns the financial scandal of the price of wind-generated
electricity. The highly elevated price encourages the production of
intermittent energy which does not promote the reduction of greenhouse
gases. It will lead to speculative pressure for the few areas in France
that meet the criteria of the new policy.
Just as the president announced that the policy of supporting biofuels
will be reviewed, price support for wind turbines needs to be reviewed.
*****
*****
APPENDIX B Snips from news@all-energy101
1.UK GOVERNMENT ACTION
1.1.The Queen's Speech sets out UK government policy Bill by Bill -
Climate Change Bill; Energy Bill; Housing and Regeneration Bill; Marine
(draft) Bill; Planning Reform Bill - brief details
The entire Queen's Speech
1.2.Strengthened Climate Change Bill
Details of a strengthened, more effective and more transparent Bill to
help tackle climate change have been set out by Environment Secretary
Hilary Benn
4.GRID, TRANSMISSION
4.1.Ofgem shows its true colours
Ofgem does not share the Sustainable Development Commission's view that
its remit must change
4.2.Winter electricity supplies secure
Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks set out the facts on gas and electricity
supplies for the coming winter. Speaking to the Energy Networks
Association, he said: "We do not face the prospect of power shortages
this winter"
4.3.Salmond plans Norwegian RE link
Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland, is to meet Jens
Stoltenberg, the Norwegian prime minister, over plans to create a subsea
'supergrid' to take green energy from Scotland to Europe
7.MICROGENERATION; ZERO CARBON BUILDINGS
7.1.Living off-grid
The falling cost of renewable energy could fuel a city stampede for the
country to exchange clean air for carbon emissions, says Nick Rosen,
author of a new book, "How to live Off-Grid".
*****
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--
Mike O'Carroll