On Earth Day and Every Day, It’s What’s “Green” That Counts!

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Alan Kandel

I hereby pledge to do my part to lower my carbon footprint on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, otherwise known as Earth Day. Who will do likewise? How I intend to accomplish this is by not doing much of anything, basically. I plan on not using the computer, not talking on the cell phone, not watching television, not listening to the radio, not driving and not using appliances that don’t need activity such as the washing machine and dryer. I’m not even going to do any lawn mowing. So what does this leave? Not only putting words in writing to express what I’m not going to do, but to bring attention to what one “green” business concern is up to these days, is what’s on tap for today. Remember, you read it here first!

Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m not one much for endorsing companies, businesses, retail outlets, or what-have-you, nor do I plan on doing so now or in the future. However, every once in a blue moon (I think “green” moon would be more appropriate here), I happen upon an article in a newspaper or magazine, or in electronic format, or I meet someone who introduces me to a process or product that grabs my attention.

What all this is segueing into is there is a California company looking to be a world leader in energy production. It isn’t the fact that this particular business concern aspires to be a world leader in energy production that gets my interest piqued, it’s all in the approach.

According to information on the Full Circle Energy, Inc. website, the production of energy is to be done “through the optimum utilization of advanced thermal conversion technologies.” So what does this mean, involve?

Full Circle Energy of Clovis, California, “is an integrated technology company that will develop and market thermal technologies with the capability to use coal or organic waste such as municipal solid waste, spent tires, hospital waste, agricultural waste as a fuel to generate energy in the form of electricity, ethanol, diesel or LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas),” as information on the FCE website reveals. This is just one among numerous state-based or even out-of-state-based entities engaged in solutions to help ease California’s growing energy demand. It is particularly with the “waste-to-energy production conversion process” in mind that I am taking note.

Why this is important, appropriate - and perhaps even necessary - not only for Californians and, understandably, certain state-based business and industrial interests, but also for those that happen to exist outside the state’s borders, in addition to in-state energy consumers, should be easily understood.