1.  Bush on alternative energy (Nixon goes to China?)

2.  Consumer report on hybrid cost-effectiveness bogus?

3.  YUCCA MOUNTAIN blame game; USGS scientists accused of fabricating hydrology studies

4.  The $10M X-Prize  ... for entrepeneurial innovation in cars?

5.  JOB:  Senior Energy/Sustainability Manager  HDR/Brown in S.F.

6.  Summer Paid  Internship at PG&E on Renewable electricity

7.  Congressional Research Service jobs

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http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060309-10.html

March 9, 2006

President's Remarks at Georgia Republican Party's President's Day Dinner

Part of shaping our future is to make sure we're not hooked on oil. I
know that sounds odd for a Texan to say. (Laughter.) But if you see
the world from my perspective, I think you would agree with me. Being
addicted to oil is a problem. When demand for hydrocarbons or fossil
fuels goes up in developing parts of the world, it causes the price
of gasoline to go up here at home. When parts of the world that don't
like the United States of America threaten to withhold supplies of
oil from the market, it creates a national security problem. And so
I'm looking forward to working with Congress to diversify away from
oil, to spend money on research and development so we can have
plug-in hybrid automobiles that can drive the fist 40 miles on
electricity, to spend money to make sure that our technologies are
able to help us develop ethanol. Look, we want our farmers in Georgia
growing crops that can run our automobiles. We need to become less
dependent on foreign sources of oil in order to be a competitive

nation. (Applause.)

We need nuclear power and solar power and wind power. In order for
this country to be competitive in the out years, in order for us to
be confident about our national security, we have got to be less
addicted to Middle Eastern oil, and I intend to lead that country

this direction [sic]. (Applause.)

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By Gary Richards
Mercury News Staff Columnist for Roadshow

Q Regarding the March 2 Mercury News article entitled ``Magazine: Hybrids don't save money'' -- we realize that Consumer Reports is read by people who wish to get good value for the money they spend. Buying a hybrid though, is not just about saving money by getting better mileage. Any new technology that is not yet mainstream is bound to cost more, but we Prius owners are trying to put some momentum in the movement toward fuel economy because we care about our planet. We are disappointed in the resolve of America to reduce our dependence on oil. Shame on Consumer Reports for being so narrowly focused.

Ann and Craig Northrup ,Los Gatos

A And wrong. As Matt-The-Merc-Auto-Man reported Wednesday, Consumer Reports said it goofed in the issue out this week. New calculations show that owners of the Toyota Prius will save $406 and owners of the Honda Civic hybrid will save $317 compared with owners of gas-only counterparts over five years. Owners of the Honda Accord, Ford Escape, Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX 400h hybrids will end up spending $1,883 to $5,508 more in the same period.

As for the batteries, the AAA says hybrid car nickel-metal hydride batteries, like the lead batteries used in regular cars, can be recycled and, because of the value of the nickel used in hybrid batteries, present a potentially lucrative opportunity for recyclers. Hybrid batteries are designed to last for the life of the car, generally around 150,000 to 200,000 miles. Most auto manufacturers cover the batteries under warranty for 8 to 10 years. At Toyota, all hybrid batteries have a phone number on them to call for recycling information, and dealers are paid a $200 bounty for each battery.

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Mary O'Driscoll, E&ENews PM senior reporter

Lawmakers today pressed the Energy Department to pursue interim nuclear waste storage as Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman acknowledged the Yucca Mountain project has been plagued by management and operational problems.

Hobson, the subcommittee chairman, said Yucca Mountain or even Nevada does not necessarily have to store the waste. He suggested other areas around the country would be eager to host an interim storage site because it would generate jobs and economic development.

Hobson and subcommittee ranking member Peter Visclosky (D-Ind.) are concerned that the continuing delays at Yucca Mountain could put at risk the nuclear power industry's much-touted plans to build and operate the next generation of reactors. Applicants for the new power plants need waste disposal contracts with DOE before they get their combined construction and operating (COL) licenses.

The first new reactor license application is expected in 2008, with approval anticipated sometime in 2011. There will be no new timetable for the Yucca Mountain licensing process until this summer, but it is safe to say the repository will not be operational before 2012.

Bodman asked for patience as he tries to grapple with the changes and problems at Yucca Mountain, which he blamed on lack of management oversight and on systemic problems that led U.S. Geological Survey scientists to fabricate hydrology studies at the site.

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http://www.xprizefoundation.com/news/pr4_XPC_march6.asp?

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 2006--The X PRIZE Foundation has announced that Mark Goodstein will join as Executive Director of a new prize that will inspire entrepreneurial innovation in the automotive industry.

"The X PRIZE is about changing paradigms," explains Goodstein. "The current paradigm is that it's perfectly acceptable to drive a car that only gets 20 or 30 miles per gallon. This prize is about leveraging cash and opportunity to effect positive change in the

environment, economy and geopolitics."

The X PRIZE Foundation is an educational nonprofit organization. Its mission is to create radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. Based on the success of the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE, the foundation is widely regarded as the leading prize management

institute in the world. For more information please visit www.xprize.org.

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HDR/Brown, Vence and Associates (BVA) is seeking a senior level energy engineer or energy specialist to assist in growing HDR/BVA's energy and sustainability practice in the San Francisco office.  HDR/BVA is an energy and waste management consulting group within HDR with 25 years of experience providing a full range of technical services related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and cogeneration projects.  The ideal candidate has experience in marketing and management of projects in one or more of the following areas: energy efficiency, renewable energy, cogeneration, green building/sustainable design, energy/sustainability policy. This individual will have the opportunity to work on a variety of exciting projects already underway with California utility companies, government agencies, and private companies. In addition, he or she will help influence the direction of the HDR/BVA energy and sustainability practice. An engineering degree combined with project and/or business management experience is preferable. The ideal candidate has experience both in marketing and management of projects in one or more of the following areas: energy efficiency, renewable energy, cogeneration, green building/sustainable design, energy/sustainability policy. Please email resume to Amy Guy: amy.guy@hdrinc.com

 

There's some really good Stanford folks working there already, by the way (Hi Amy and Cody!)

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Our guest speaker from PG&E, Hal LaFlash, is looking for a summer paid intern to work on renewable electricity.  This looks like a great opportunity. 

General internship description:
http://www.pge.com/careers/college/summer_internships/index.html
 
Specific Position on Renewables:
http://www.pge.com/docs/pdfs/careers/college/summer_internships/GES_Resource%20Analyst.pdf

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The Congressional Research Service is where Members of Congress turn for the nonpartisan research, analysis, and information they need to make informed decisions on behalf of the American people.
 

All of the positions that are open now are listed at http://www.loc.gov/crsinfo/