gas industry new initiatives

While the earlier inspections covered two LNG pipelines, the new integrity management contract will cover additional offshore product lines that will rely significantly on PII Pipeline Solutions' extensive 'wet gas' experience. ... GE Oil & Gas (www.ge.com/oilandgas) is a world leader in advanced technology equipment and services for all segments of the oil and gas industry, from drilling and production, LNG, pipelines and storage to industrial power generation, ...Nuclear Power Industry New is a blog about utilities, companies, suppliers in the nuclear energy market. ... Nuclear Power Industry News, Nuclear Power Industry, (Entire Site) ... carbon tax or uncompromising energy security initiative and federal loan guarantee program) continue, the first few units do not experience cost overruns, and there is no significant worldwide nuclear accident, then the U.S. could carry on building new units to provide clean baseload power. ...Green Investor News at Renewable Energy and GreenTech Business and Stock RSS NewsFeed at Investorideas.com. Submit green business news to be read by investors and industry following renewable energy, cleantech and water, or subscribe to ... "In addition, our investors have already begun funding strategic marketing initiatives including the development of our online retail store energizersolar.com, which is expected to go live and begin generating revenue during December. ...In a Senate hearing on a new climate change and energy bill and in coordinated appearances by President Obama and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., the administration promoted measures to cap greenhouse gas emissions and support new means of fueling homes and vehicles ... The agency is poised to issue a slew of new air pollution rules — some are Bush-era rules that were tossed out in courts; others are new climate initiatives that the Obama administration has taken on. ...Bureau of Land Management : $1.1 billion, $100 million above 2009, including $64 million for wild horse and burro management, an increase of $23 million above enacted, full funding for the oil and gas management programs, and $31 million ... The bill also denies $28 million requested for a new initiative in Federal aid in wildlife restoration program due to concerns about implementation of the program. IMPORTANT POLICY ITEMS. FLAME Act of 2009 : The conference agreement ...Textile News - Pakistan : Pakistan - APTMA urges implementation of gas supply initiatives: Gohar Ejaz, Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Punjab has urged the government to implement textile policy initiatives ... Already 90 percent of the knitwear industry in Punjab, with 2 billion dollars export, has closed due to terrorism and security concerns. Continuous gas supply to the textile industry is of vital importance at this time when industry is ...more SAS Middle East news. As the region remains on track with its massive oil and gas expansion initiatives, SAS, the leading provider of business intelligence and analytic software and services, is offering solutions that helps upstream, ... With the current challenges in the market brought about by sheer size of the industry and the global economic slowdown, we believe that we can offer an excellent host of benefits through our predictive analytical solutions, ...The right for the solar industry to access and use public lands — at least equivalent to the rights given to the oil and natural gas companies using millions of acres of public land to drill. ... Consumers who take the initiative to use solar energy should be able to rely on the fact that it is better for the environment, reliable and being charged for fairly. Look for more news from Solar Power International as the week progresses. greenbeat_logo71 ...Nuclear Power Industry New is a blog about utilities, companies, suppliers in the nuclear energy market. ... FPL Group and FPL operate in a changing market environment influenced by various legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding regulation, deregulation or restructuring of the energy industry, including, for example, deregulation or restructuring of the production and sale of electricity, as well as increased focus on renewable and clean energy sources and ..."This is an industry that provides significant benefits to all Nova Scotians, so it is important that we continue to move ahead with new initiatives," the premier said. Premier Dexter welcomed the $15-million geoscience work underway by ...
Today, it is up to all Mexicans to act with true patriotism, to make better use of our resources for the benefit of all Mexicans.

Mexican men and women, good evening.

I am addressing you at a key point in the history of our nation.

Today, exercising the powers vested in me by the Constitution, I submitted a reform proposal to Congress to make the best use of the potential of our petroleum industry and strengthen Petróleos Mexicanos.

Seventy years ago, General Lázaro Cárdenas' vision gave Mexico a future.

Today, it is up to all Mexicans to act with true patriotism, to make better use of our resources for the benefit of all Mexicans.

Mexico requires lofty goals and a vision of the future.

First of all, I would like to make it quite clear that petroleum is and will continue to belong exclusively to Mexicans. PEMEX will not be privatized. Petroleum is an emblem of national sovereignty and has been vital to the development of Mexico.

The initiative does not seek to privatize but rather to strengthen Petróleos Mexicanos.

Mexico is losing ground vis-à-vis international competition. PEMEX has dropped to 11th position after being one of the world's leading oil companies.

The causes are not only financial but mainly technological and operative. As a result, the country’s oil reserves are declining.

At current production rates, we have proven reserves for just over nine years of production. Production has fallen and we now extract 300,000 fewer barrels than 3 years ago.

This means that we have stopped receiving approximately $100 billion pesos annually, with which we could have quadrupled the Oportunidades Program budget, which supports the country’s poorest families.

Despite being an oil-rich country, four out of every ten liters of the gasoline we use in our cars comes from other countries, since PEMEX lacks the necessary capacity to refine petroleum.

The good news is that it is possible to increase the capacity to find new oil reserves, that it is possible to boost Petróleos Mexicanos’ production capacity for the country's benefit.

Fortunately, we have the capacity and the potential to adjust our course. We have workers who have provided proof of their capacity, responsibility and patriotism.

We have major inland seams and near the coasts but it is estimated that over half our potential reserves are in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico. We should take advantage of that wealth.

That is why the aim of the reform is for Mexico to have oil, not only for the next few years, but for future generations of Mexicans and for oil wealth to produce more well-being for all.

The initiative I sent Congress seeks to strengthen PEMEX by guaranteeing its status as a public firm at all times and guaranteeing Mexicans' exclusive ownership of oil and the company's control of exploration, drilling, exploitation and petrochemicals.

The initiative does not seek to modify the Constitution. It will guarantee that the company continues to belong to all Mexicans.

The principles proposed for reinforcing Petróleos Mexicanos are as follows:

First. I propose to give Petróleos Mexicanos the financial and managerial autonomy it requires to cope with new challenges as well as possible.

In particular, we wish to give PEMEX greater freedom as regards the handling of its budget and debt, so that it can re-invest any surplus in improving the firm. This will enable more resources to be allocated to new petroleum and gas exploration and production projects.

Second, and in conjunction with the above, the aim is to create a new administrative structure for Petróleos Mexicanos and give the firm greater powers of decision, administration and hiring so that it can have access to state-of-the-art technology and increase its capacity to implement projects.

In particular, the aim is to establish a special system for hiring, acquisitions and public works that is different from the rest of the government, which would allow the firm to be much more efficient.

Third. In order not to have to import gasoline, diesel and other products from abroad, as we do now, in other words, in order to reduce our dependence on foreign countries for refined petroleum products and to reinforce our energy sovereignty, the aim is to allow PEMEX to contract firms specializing in the construction and running of new refineries for Petróleos Mexicanos.

This will permit the creation of far more jobs, trigger regional development in places where new refineries are built, produce cleaner, environmentally friendly gasoline that will protect our families' health and totally eliminate Imports, in addition to reinforcing the national petrochemical industry.

This will enable much cheaper fertilizer to be produced in the country for people in the countryside.

I should point out that during this process, PEMEX will continue to own the country's oil and all the by-products obtained from it.

Fourth. I propose to
Fourth. I propose to nothing
president barack O G.O.A.T has spoken
wow
i cant believe president fox got my speech


Imagine that last fall, before being elected, Barack Obama had outlined the positions he has embraced since being inaugurated. An honest campaign speech could have gone something like this:

"As we approach Election Day, the American people should not waste the crisis we find ourselves in.

"Consequently, if elected, I promise to get us over the Bush financial meltdown with a stimulus program that will borrow $787 billion - which, of course, will add to the already sizable budget deficit (nearly $500 billion) projected in the Bush administration's last budget.

"By March of next year, my new $3.6 trillion budget will include a spending bill with over 8,500 budget earmarks to target in-need constituents.

"In addition to the stimulus/borrowing plan, I intend to devote $634 billion to fund a new supplementary national health-care system. But that is not all. Unfortunately, the initial Bush bank bailout of some $700 billion also may well have to be augmented by an additional $750 billion.

"Although my new spending proposals may raise the federal deficit in my first year to $1.75 trillion, I promise the American people that by the end of my first term, I will halve the federal deficit - albeit adding another $3 to $5 trillion to the national debt.

"Those savings can be accomplished by upping the federal income tax to about 40 percent on those rich 5 percent of Americans who currently pay only 60 percent of our aggregate income taxes - as well as lifting Social Security caps on their payroll taxes and cutting out many of their tax deductions.

"With state income taxes, federal income tax, and Social Security and payroll taxes, along with new cutbacks in deductions, some of these rich will pay over 60 percent of their incomes in taxes. That is not an unreasonable rate in comparison with past levels - or the fact that well over 40 percent of Americans do not make enough to pay any federal income taxes.

"I expect that Wall Street may react negatively to these proposals. We may see the Dow fall an additional 2,000 to 3,000 points after I'm elected. It may descend to under 7,000 during my first weeks of office. And this may be the moment when the economy continues to cool and unemployment rises.

"But to deal with this reaction of entrenched interests, I promise a fresh team of hard-nosed American professionals - understanding that it is impossible to ensure that none have past insider connections and occasional tax problems.

"From the former Clinton administration, I will select Rahm Emanuel to run my staff. To oversee revenue, Timothy Geithner will assemble a large team at Treasury. Senator Clinton herself will run State, and I will anchor my cabinet with pros like Tom Daschle, Eric Holder, Bill Richardson, and Hilda Solis.

"On matters of protecting civil liberties, I assure the American people that I have examined the Patriot Act, the FISA accords, and renditions - and I have discovered that they, in fact, do not shred our Constitution. I will, however, shut down Guantanamo Bay - but must keep it open another year and appoint a task force to study the issue.

"Our new direction in energy policy will center on cap-and-trade initiatives that promote wind and solar power. While we won't rule out oil, gas, coal, and nuclear development, problems with greenhouse-gas emissions and nuclear waste mean that these ossified 20th-century industries - including new offshore-drilling development - must be discouraged and further taxed or regulated to subsidize our green future.

"Abroad, I promise to give America a new image. My first television interview will be with al Arabiya. Due to both new initiatives and my unique background, I can reassure them that no longer will the United States alienate the Muslim world. Our aim is to return to stable and friendly relations with the Middle East characteristic of 20-30 years ago.

"Indeed, on matters in the Middle East, I will bring back my suspended adviser Samantha Power. I look forward to her input, along with that of Charles Freeman, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia and critic of Israel, as head of the National Intelligence Council, to craft new directions in the region.

"We expect to open new dialogues with Basher al-Assad of Syria and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran without preconditions. And to further the cause of peace in the Middle East, the United States will pledge almost $1 billion to help rebuild the Gaza strip that is governed by Hamas."

Now all that would have been hope and change that we could have voted on.
Thank you, Mr. Victor Davis Hanson for your truthful words you so skillfully put into Hussein Obama's mouth.


Imagine that last fall before being elected, Barack Obama had outlined the positions he has embraced since being inaugurated as president. An honest campaign speech could have gone something like this —

”As we approach Election Day, the American people should not waste the crisis we find ourselves in.

“Consequently, if elected, I promise to get us over the Bush financial meltdown with a stimulus program that will borrow $787 billion - which, of course, will add to the already sizable budget deficit (nearly $500 billion) projected in the Bush administration's last budget.

“By March of next year, my new $3.6 trillion budget will include a spending bill with more than 8,500 budget earmarks to target in-need constituents.

“In addition to the stimulus/borrowing plan, I intend to devote $634 billion to fund a new supplementary national health-care system. But that is not all. Unfortunately, the initial Bush bank bailout of some $700 billion also may well have to be augmented by an additional $750 billion.

“Although my new spending proposals may raise the federal deficit in my first year to $1.75 trillion, I promise the American people that by the end of my first term, I will halve the federal deficit - albeit adding another $3 trillion to $5 trillion to the national debt.

”Those savings can be accomplished by upping the federal income tax to about 40 percent on those rich 5 percent of Americans who currently pay only 60 percent of our aggregate income taxes - as well as lifting Social Security caps on their payroll taxes and cutting out many of their tax deductions.

”With state income taxes, federal income tax, Social Security and payroll taxes, along with new cutbacks in deductions, some of these rich will pay over 60 percent of their incomes in taxes. That is not an unreasonable rate in comparison with past levels - or the fact that well over 40 percent of Americans do not make enough to pay any federal income taxes.

“I expect that Wall Street may react negatively to these proposals. We may see the Dow fall an additional 2,000 to 3,000 points after I'm elected. It may descend to under 7,000 during my first weeks of office. And this may be the moment when the economy continues to cool and unemployment rises.

”But to deal with this reaction of entrenched interests, I promise a fresh team of hard-nosed American professionals - understanding that it is impossible to appoint some without past insider connections and occasional tax problems.

”From the former Clinton administration, I will select Rahm Emanuel to run my staff. To oversee revenue, Timothy Geithner will assemble a large team at Treasury. Sen. Clinton herself will run state, and I will anchor my Cabinet with pros like Tom Daschle, Eric Holder, Bill Richardson and Hilda Solis.

”On matters of protecting civil liberties, I assure the American people that I have examined the Patriot Act, the FISA accords and renditions - and I have discovered that they, in fact, do not shred our Constitution. I will, however, shut down Guantanamo Bay - but must keep it open another year and appoint a task force to study the issue.

“Our new direction in energy policy will center on cap-and-trade initiatives that promote wind and solar power. While we won't rule out oil, gas, coal and nuclear development, problems with greenhouse gas emissions and nuclear waste mean that these ossified 20th-century industries - including new offshore drilling development - must be discouraged and further taxed or regulated to subsidize our green future.

“Abroad, I promise to give America a new image. My first television interview will be with al Arabiya. Due both to new initiatives and my unique background, I can reassure them that no longer will the United States alienate the Muslim world. Our aim is to return to stable and friendly relations with the Middle East characteristic of 20 to 30 years ago.

“Indeed, on matters in the Middle East, I will bring back my suspended adviser Samantha Power. I look forward to her input, along with that of Charles Freeman, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia and critic of Israel, as head of the National Intelligence Council, to craft new directions in the region

“We expect to open new dialogues with Bashar al-Assad of Syria and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran without preconditions. And to further the cause of peace in the Middle East, the United States will pledge almost $1 billion to help rebuild the Gaza strip that is governed by Hamas.”

Now all that would have been hope and change that we could have voted on.
I have no expectations that libs will be able to concentrate long enough to read this.


Petro-Canada to Sponsor Project Homeless Connect for 2009


11:57 AM ET, February 5, 2009


CALGARY, ALBERTA, Feb 5, 2009 (Marketwire via COMTEX) -- Hundreds of homeless or near-homeless Calgarians will receive needed support through Project Homeless Connect (PHC) in 2009 due to the financial and in-kind support of Petro-Canada.

"Petro-Canada is pleased to be able to help Project Homeless Connect," said Ron Brenneman, Petro-Canada's president and chief executive officer. "This is a practical and immediate way to help the growing number of homeless in Calgary."

PHC is a one-day event, to be held four times in 2009, where homeless or near-homeless individuals and families are provided with many services in one location. On-site access to materials and services include: medical treatment, counseling, housing, new identification documents, income support, employment and education opportunities. In addition, hair-cuts, meals, clothing and comfort kits containing personal items are provided.

"We are thrilled to have Petro-Canada's support for Project Homeless Connect," said Tim Richter, President and CEO of the Calgary Homeless Foundation. "With Petro-Canada's investment, as well as their direct participation in staging the four editions of PHC in 2009, the Homeless Foundation has a strong partner in helping provide much needed resources and supports to homeless and near-homeless Calgarians."

PHC events for 2009 will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Petro-Canada Centre, 150 - 6th Avenue SW, Calgary, on February 28, May 23, September 19 and November 23.

Project Homeless Connect (PHC) in Calgary

The Calgary Homeless Foundation organized and hosted Calgary's first PHC on April 26, 2008, serving 650 people. The next two PHC events saw a steady increase in participants, with 1,038 people served in the most recent event on November 22, 2009. PHC is an initiative from Calgary's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness and is based on a model used in more than 170 communities in Canada, Australia and the United States.

Petro-Canada

Petro-Canada is one of Canada's largest oil and gas companies, operating in both the upstream and the downstream sectors of the industry in Canada and internationally. The Company creates value by responsibly developing energy resources and providing world class petroleum products and services. Petro-Canada is proud to be a National Partner to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Petro-Canada's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol PCA and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol PCZ.

Calgary Homeless Foundation

The Calgary Homeless Foundation leads the implementation of Calgary's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. Issued in January 2008, Calgary's 10 Year Plan was created by the Calgary Committee to End Homelessness, a community-based, multi-stakeholder, leadership group, who issued the Plan and selected the Foundation to implement the Plan. The Foundation is moving forward on Calgary's 10 Year Plan in partnership with the many homeless serving agencies, the private sector, our government partners, the faith community, other foundations and all Calgarians to end homelessness in Calgary once and for all


I'm trying to make a list of Bush's failures, but there are so many I can't remember them all. What have I forgotten?

Worst fiscal meltdown since the Great Depression
Lost war in Iraq; silly aircraft carrier landing
No WMD's found in Iraq
Vetoed healthcare for kids
Abu Graib
Ignored law, allowed torture
Illegal wiretapping
Had enough info to stop 9/11 and didn't, then hid that fact
Stripped resources from Afghanistan, let Bin Laden go free
Gay prostitute accredited to White House Press Core to ask Bush easy questions
Made illegal propaganda video and sent to TV stations for airplay
Cheated during presidential debate
Lied about reducing greenhouse emissions, then ignored warming
Muzzled warming scientists in NASA and elsewhere
Political appointments to Department of Justice and political prosecutions
Cheney, Rove, and others in contempt of Congress -- refused to tell the American people the truth
The moment election was over, put in place executive orders to destroy the environment; will take years to undo
No Child Left Behind a total flop
Smeared Kerry -- Swift Boating
Smeared McCain -- North Carolina
Why did Karl Rove resign again?
Revealed identity of deep cover CIA agent to get revenge against Ambassador Wilson for telling the truth about the yellowcake
Lied about supposed relation between Saddam and 9/11
Didn't attend one single military funeral
On vacation more than one out of eight years
Katrina -- "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job!"
Social Security privatization plan so bad even his own party wouldn't go for it
Bridge to Nowhere and other pork; first president not to veto pork
Record deficits
Recessions
Tax cuts for the rich
Made aid for auto industry contingent on free trade agreement with Colombia(!)
Banned stem cell research
Terri Schiavo
Goosed the chancellor of Germany
Alienated all of our allies
Made America so hated that China was more popular
Failed to unfloat Chinese currency
Shameful, failed begging mission to Saudi Arabia
Read The Pet Goat to schoolchildren after being informed the country was under attack
Pork barrelled anti-terrorism funds so cities like New York that were at highest risk didn't get any
No-bid contracts for billions went to vice-president Cheney's company
Department of Faith-Based Initiatives, unconstitutional and in practice a conduit for money to religous right as reward for supporting the GOP
Fought fuel efficiency standards, high demand caused soaring gas prices
Lied about effects of drilling in ANWR and offshore on gas prices
Gonzales
That ridiculous attempt at a Supreme Court appointment, forget her name
22% popularity rating, destroyed his own party

OK, I know I'm missing some, but it's like trying to make a list of all the states . . .
LOL chimp, stop throwing things. Those of us with a human cranial capacity can see that Obama isn't in office, and Bush is.
Oh, uh, yeah, SFC. What exactly have I made up here? I'm waiting. Can you seriously tell me you didn't read about this stuff in the newspaper?
Margaret H., Your comments are noted, as is your complete failure to refute anything I said (or answer my question).
Wider scope, You'd have to give some examples. Why do you think you know better than the newspaper?



YOUR TASK: You are an economist for a corporation or a labour union. Your job is to research current events and report on their possible impact in a particular market or industry in Canada. The focus of this investigation is a cost- benefit analysis of the impact on the marketplace of a government initiative or of an economic decision by a large business or labour union.
Suggested topics: Corporate acquisitions and mergers; regulation of anti-competitive behaviour; advertising; consumption taxes on gas or tabacco; price floors and subsidies in agriculture; production technology, innovation, and productivity; collective bargaining; labour disputes; and privatization and deregulation of government services.


YOUR TASK: You are an economist for a corporation or a labour union. Your job is to research current events and report on their possible impact in a particular market or industry in Canada. The focus of this investigation is a cost- benefit analysis of the impact on the marketplace of a government initiative or of an economic decision by a large business or labour union.
Suggested topics: Corporate acquisitions and mergers; regulation of anti-competitive behaviour; advertising; consumption taxes on gas or tabacco; price floors and subsidies in agriculture; production technology, innovation, and productivity; collective bargaining; labour disputes; and privatization and deregulation of government services.


Read this:

'Energy has enormous implications for our economy, our environment and our national security," President Bush said in proposing the plan. "We cannot let another year go by without addressing these issues together in a comprehensive and balanced package."

That was in June 2001 — more than seven years ago.

His words came just after he first proposed a comprehensive energy bill that included 105 separate steps the U.S. could take to boost its energy supplies. It was something he promised repeatedly while campaigning for the presidency in 2000. He kept his promise. His first plan included, among many other things:

• New drilling for more oil and gas and new refineries.

• Building of nuclear power plants.

• Revamping the U.S. electricity grid.

• $10 billion in tax breaks to help push energy efficiency and alternative energy.

The fact is, these are remarkably similar to the plans that economists, oil experts and energy wonks say need to be put in place today in order to end our oil crisis.

Yet, those proposals went nowhere — not approved in 2001, not in 2002, not in 2003, not ever. Bush tried repeatedly to get something through Congress. He pleaded. He tried to cut deals with Democrats. It didn't work.

A New York Times headline from August 20, 2003, sums it up: "Ambitious Bush Plan Is Undone by Energy Politics."

That's an understatement. Instead, Democrats ridiculed Vice President Cheney for meeting with oil industry representatives to craft U.S. energy policy — and for insisting on finding more oil.

They had no plan themselves, mind you — apart from massively expensive global warming initiatives that would force Americans to lower their standard of living to Third World levels by spending as much as $800 billion a year to cool Earth.

Yet, if Bush's plan had been put in place in 2001, we'd have replaced millions of barrels of oil, billions of tons of coal and untold trillions of acre feet of natural gas with clean, safe nuclear power.

We'd be pumping millions of barrels more of oil, creating thousands of American jobs, cutting prices and saving literally hundreds of billions of dollars every year —money that today goes to line the pockets of the Saudi royal family, Venezuelan petrotyrant Hugo Chavez, Libyan leader-for-life Muammar Qadhafi and Vladimir Putin's Russia.

When the Democrats took control of Congress in 2007, and oil was $50 a barrel and corn $2 a bushel, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promised an energy plan. We're still waiting for it. Today, crude oil is $134 and corn is $6.50.

It's pretty clear who's to blame: Congress. In fact, House and Senate Democrats have obstructed any progress in America's fight to regain some semblance of energy independence.

"Now is the time for Congress to move and get something done," President Bush said all the way back in August 2003. He's still waiting, and so are we.

Bush's original energy plan, derided by the Democrats and so-called progressives as a wet-kiss to Big Oil, was in fact a visionary plan. At the time, Reid joked that GOP now stood for "Gas, Oil and Plutonium." Funny, we don't hear anyone laughing now.

Such puerile shenanigans, as we've said before, endanger our security and weaken our standard of living.

Angry? You should be. Call your political representatives and tell them you want more energy, not less. If they won't do it, tell them you'll vote for someone who will.

Then maybe you'll really get change you can believe in
Well now Chi, if the Democrats listened, we wouldn't be in this crisis now would we?
You Liberals are retarded. I give you facts, you give me rants.


Will this lead to the end of big-budget, blockbuster movies and the end of action movies. Will they be replaced by smaller, more family-friendly films that don't require a huge amount of money and resources to produce?

By GARY GENTILE, AP Business Writer

LOS ANGELES - From "green carpets" at awards shows to organic fruit
served to actors on sets, Hollywood is going all out to promote itself
as being environmentally hip.

But is it all just show?

No amount of public service announcements or celebrities driving
hybrid cars can mask the fact that movie and TV production is a gritty
industrial operation, consuming enormous amounts of power to feed
bright lights, run sophisticated cameras, and feed a cast of
thousands.

Studios' back lots host cavernous soundstages that must be air-
conditioned to counter the heat produced by decades-old lighting
technology. Huge manufacturing facilities consume wood, steel, paint
and plastic to build sets that are often torn down and tossed out
after filming ends.

The energy guzzling continues on the exhibition side, too, with
multiplexes drawing millions of kilowatts to power old-school popcorn
makers and clunky film projectors that cash-strapped theater owners
are reluctant to replace.

A two-year study released last year by the University of California at
Los Angeles concluded that special effects explosions, idling vehicles
and diesel generators make the entertainment industry a major Southern
California polluter, second only to the oil industry.

Still, financial and public pressures have resulted in many studios
expanding their environmental efforts, doing everything from using a
biodiesel fuel mixture to run the generators on the set of the Fox
show "24" to converting Warner Bros.' enormous set-building facility
to solar energy.

"Public consciousness on this issue has changed dramatically," said
Kyle Tanger, a principal at Clear Carbon Consulting. "The talent
themselves are requesting it from some of the studios. And a lot of
these things make economic sense."

Economic benefit can come to studios directly, by switching to more
efficient lighting or cooling systems or driving hybrid cars on
location, which can save gas. Other projects, such as installing solar
power, can take decades to pay off.

But there are other benefits that are harder to quantify. Besides the
public relations angle, many performers and other employees want to
work with eco-friendly companies, so it also helps in recruiting and
retaining employees, Tanger said.

Form and function merged at this year's Primetime Emmy Awards show.

To symbolize its commitment to energy conservation, Fox had wanted to
replace the traditional red carpet with a green one.

The tradition-bound Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which
gives the awards, politely said "no."

But the carpet that ended up cushioning the heels of such stars as
Sally Field and America Ferrera was made from recycled plastic bottles
and later cut into pieces and donated to several local schools.

"No doubt some efforts have been window dressing. But I actually think
Hollywood is doing far more than people are giving it credit for,"
said Terry Tamminen, who served as an adviser to Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger before starting his own environmental consulting
company.

One convenient yet controversial method is the purchase of carbon
credits by studios and producers to offset the greenhouse gases from
their production activity. The credits attempt to counter such
pollution by investing in environmentally friendly projects such as
planting trees or funding wind power.

Studios and a growing number of other industries calculate their
emissions, then write a check to one of several brokers who funnel the
money to projects around the world. The goal is to become carbon
neutral by funding activities that reduce an equal amount of
emissions.

The 2004 Fox film "The Day After Tomorrow" and last year's Al Gore
documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" offset all or some of their
pollution. This year's "Evan Almighty," from Universal, donated money
to the Conservation Fund to plant 2,000 trees, enough to "zero out"
the greenhouse gases produced.

But the practice has come under fire by some who say it is an easy way
to avoid the hard work of directly reducing pollution. Others question
whether carbon credit payments are actually going to projects that
make that much of a difference.

"If you're going to drive around in a big ol' Hummer and then buy
carbon offsets to mitigate that, that's like getting drunk on the
weekends and throwing some money through the window of an AA meeting
and thinking you're doing something," said Ed Begley Jr., who was a
poster child for energy conservation long before Al Gore made it
trendy.

The Federal Trade Commission, meanwhile, has begun examining claims
made by the nascent multimillion-dollar carbon credit industry.

Warner Bros., which bought carbon credits for the 2005 film "Syriana,"
has also become more aggressive at reducing emissions during all
phases of production.

In addition to solar-powered set-building, the studio is recycling
sets, using recycled plastic lumber in the construction of some
buildings, and printing double-sided scripts where feasible.

Pieces built for the 2001 film "Ocean's 11" now sit in the Santa
Monica offices of the National Resources Defense Council. Sets from
this year's sequel "Ocean's 13" were donated to decorate the halls of
local community colleges.

"You have to start by measuring your own footprint, then reducing it,
whether through using alternative fuels, reducing electrical loads or
combining trips," said Shelley Billick, vice president of
environmental initiatives at Warner Bros. Entertainment. "It's too
easy to write a check, pay thousands of dollars and say, 'I'm climate
neutral.'"

Last year, Fox parent News Corp. set a goal of being carbon neutral by
2010.

To further that goal, Fox Broadcasting chose its popular "24" series
as a case study and to serve as a model for other television
productions.

Diesel generators that power the show's lighting were switched to a
mixture that uses 5 percent biodiesel fuel. That percentage will be
increased in coming years. The show also has secured energy from solar
and wind generation from a local utility for its soundstages.

But News Corp. has a more ambitious goal than simply reducing its own
carbon emissions.

"We knew from the beginning that if our goal is to make as many carbon
reductions in the world as possible, probably the best way we can do
that is through our audiences," said Rachel Webber, director of energy
initiatives for News Corp.

The company concluded that worldwide, it produced the equivalent of
641,150 tons of carbon dioxide. But a rough estimate revealed that the
people who read its newspapers, watch its TV shows and browse its Web
sites use about 7 billion tons.

"That's the greatest potential to reduce carbon, but we have to get
our own house in order first," Webber said.

To reach the wider audience, Webber and a climate expert from Harvard
University met with show writers and executive producers earlier this
year to brainstorm on ways to integrate environmental messages into
show plots.

But Webber said Fox is not forcing "tacked on" messages into its
shows, but rather offering resources should writers choose to address
the issue.

"We can't use this in a way that doesn't fit into the show," Webber
said. "It can't be Jack Bauer driving in a car he otherwise wouldn't
drive in."

Ultimately, any steps Hollywood takes, big or small, to reduce
emissions are positive, Begley said. "There are different shades of
green."


- Changes to the Clean Air Act now allow for the dirtiest power plants to install scrubbers to reduce their pollution.

- By providing for simplified and reduced regulation and taxing on Industry, The top 10 polluting Companies in the U.S. have stepped forward with voluntary initiatives to reduce greenhouse gasses. Under this plan the U.S. will surpass Europe (again) in actual greenhouse gas reductions, and may exceed expectations of the Kyoto Protocol. The previous Administration did not sign Kyoto for 6 years, Yet Bush gets the grief?

-W enacted rules to take polluting Sulfur out of Diesel Fuel and to unify Gasoline grades from 19 types to down to 5. This will increase our refinery capacity without building new refineries. To keep people happy about cheap gas, the previous administration canceled this implementation.

- After proper review, G.W. Bush signed a rule reducing the levels of Arsenic permitted in drinking water.
- G.W. Bush signed into Law the creation of the First Marine Protected Area, off the North Coast of Hawaii. This now opens the way for more of such areas in the future.

- C. Todd-Whitman, Bush's first EPA Secretary established uniformity to the quality of water being released to the environment, facilitating State implementation of the Clean Water Act.

- C.A.F.E.(Corporate Average Fleet Economy) standards were only moderately increased, but while now to include light trucks and vans. This means that more vehicle than ever are now required to meet this expectation.