Whetstone Gulf And Beyond
World Air Quality Index.
A comparison of global air pollution in various parts of the world. This time of year, most of America has little smog except for California. China has real air quality issues but that hardly is a surprise.
Smoggy Volkswagons
It should be noted that the illegally polluting Volkswagen TDI produce as much NOx as a model year 1998-2004 Tier 1 (0.3 g/mi). Which is much higher then the current Tier II Bin 5 standard of 0.02 g/mi, which they are accused of violating, but far below historic pre-controlled cars of the 1960s, that put out 3.0-3.5 g/mi.
So if you have a 10-year old car, it is likely putting out as much NOx as the new Volkswagon TDI. But that’s not an excuse — if everybody has to follow the law for current model year cars — so should Volkswagon. 10-year old cars are becoming rarer on the road, and will mostly be scrapped within the next few years.
Public Housing Can Work.
Muskrat Creek With Rain Clouds In Distance
Albany with Wind Turbines Behind It
On this clear evening you can see the new Brodie Mountain Wind Farm, putting out a peek of 15 MW (10 turbines x 1.5 MW), which is enough to power the Empire Plaza, as seen in the foreground, when the wind is blowing, and it's not too hot or cool out.
Taken on Sunday September 18, 2011 at John Boyd Thacher State Park.September 23, 2015 update
Certainly is a nice start to Autumn. It just feels warm with that bright sun, even if it still is only 55 degrees. 75 by lunch time will be great. The rest of the week won’t be quite as warm but just as delightful.
The solar switch on the door light is working good, although it comes on maybe 20-30 minutes before it’s absolutely necessary, it does its job of keeping the outside light off of until it gets dark. No more tripping around to find the lock when I get home after dark or wasting electricity all day.