Green Ink: All About Iraq

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://blogs.wsj.com/environmentalcapital/2008/03/28/green-ink-all-about-iraq/?mod=WSJBlog

March 28, 2008, 8:14 am

Green Ink: All About Iraq

Posted by Keith Johnson

Violence in southern Iraq has curtailed oil production by at least 300,000 barrels per day, and further disruptions could knock 800,000 barrels out, reports the WSJ (sub reqd.) For now, Basra violence has overtaken the dollar as the oil price driver: Crude opened lower Friday on reports that the Iraqi province was regaining control of the oil industry, reports Bloomberg. But more oil production isn’t the answer to “peak oil,” but rather better fuel-economy and plug-in hybrids, argues Climate Progress.

If you don’t tax it, they will come: Natural gas exploration is booming in British Columbia after the Canadian province created a more favorable tax climate, reports the WSJ. (sub reqd.) Like in many regions of the U.S., exploration for natural gas is growing across Canada thanks to increasing demand for electricity. Actually, taxing things might be the answer after all, reports the Globe and Mail. If the U.S. and Canada slap a “carbon tariff” on imports from China, it could reverse years of outsourcing and bring industry back.

Nuclear power is often touted as a green energy solution, but don’t forget about its dirty bits, like mining, says the Times Green Central. Ask the Navajo—memories of previous uranium mining operations in New Mexico have locals worried about a new mining boom as interest in nuclear power heats up, in the WaPo.

Britain is launching its own nuclear energy revival to help meet emissions-cutting targets, but new figures suggest the U.K. is already on track to comply with Kyoto. Coal burning decreased last year, reports the Guardian—but not because of environmental legislation. It just got more expensive. Pricier fossil fuels would help pave the way for solar power, one of the best sources of alternative power, says Dot Earth.

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