The United States used significantly less coal and petroleum in 2009 than in 2008, and significantly more wind power. There also was a decline in natural gas use and increases in solar, hydro and geothermal power according to the most recent energy flow charts released by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

A lot of the transition is attributed to the economy and higher efficiency devices and machines. We have also installed more renewable energy sources, in particular wind power during 2009. Many incentive programs for renewable energies kicked in during 2009.

To see a high definition version of the image above, follow the related link below.

Scientists at the Norwegian Academy of Science have designed a new type of hydrogen fuel cell that is inspired by human lungs. The new design can reduce the amount of expensive platinum catalyst, while increasing the efficiency of the cell.

The new approach spreads gases more uniformly across the catalyst than current designs providing a greater surface area and higher efficiency.

Expiration dates on food products can protect our health, but those dates are really more about quality than safety, and if not properly understood, they can also encourage consumers to discard food that is perfectly safe. Keep in mind, the company producing the food item is happy to sell you a replacement.

Which five foods are most often feared as being unsafe after the printed date? According to ShelfLifeAdvice.com, we are most wary of milk, cottage cheese, mayonnaise, yogurt, and eggs, and the site offers these helpful explanations:

- Milk: If properly refrigerated, milk will remain safe, nutritious, and tasty for about a week after the sell-by date and will probably be safe to drink longer than that, though there’s a decline in nutritional value and taste.

- Cottage cheese: Pasteurized cottage cheese lasts for 10-14 days after the date on the carton.

- Mayonnaise: Unopened, refrigerated Kraft mayonnaise can be kept for 30 days after its expiration date or 3-4 months after opening, the company told ShelfLifeAdvice.

- Yogurt: Yogurt will remain good 7-10 days after its sell-by date.

- Eggs: Properly refrigerated eggs should last at least 3-5 weeks after the sell-by date, according to Professor Joe Regenstein, a food scientist at Cornell University. Note: Use of either a sell-by or expiration (EXP) date is not federally required, but may be state required, as defined by the egg laws in the state where the eggs are marketed.

So take this knowledge and save a few dollars as well as reducing your demand on the environment just a bit.

SUGAR Volt concept decreases aircraft fuel burn by more than 70 percent and total energy use by 55 percent.

As this is really just a concept vehicle at this time, I will direct you to the original article for more information. You can follow the related link below.

Well, I have been waiting a long time to write that headline. It isn't flashy, but it is clear. I have been working toward this goal for close to 2 years now, about 20 months. The stars have begun to align and we are asking qualified vendors to make proposals.

The proposal information can be found on the MDUSD Planroom website:
http://169.199.90.240/rfp.html


This system will save the MDUSD hundreds of millions of dollars over 40 years. We will only install panels with a proved track record and only in self standing structures to protect them from things like roof maintenance or easy access for vandalism or theft. This is a long term benefit to the district and the environment. I feel proud to have maintained the districts focus on this unprecedented project.