We have 2 Evergreen Solar panels 180 watts each, Tristar 60Amp Controller, 2, 400 watt Air-x wind generators, about 8 marine deep cycle batteries from walmart now. A 250A DC breakerbox from Midnight Solar, Xantrex DR-2412 2400Watt Inverter, and a Reliance transfer switch. So far the system has cost about $6000 with everything overbuilt to be upgradeable with more solar panels as soon as we get some more funding! More videos soon lots has changed since winter has set in.
Read more »

The US government has asked BP to provide plans to remove the containment cap after a leak was detected near the ruptured Deepwater Horizon oil well in the Gulf of Mexico, as the hydrocarbon leak could mean that oil is still leaking from the damaged well on the ocean floor.

Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen sent a letter to BP boss Bob Dudley stating: “Given the current observations from the test, including the detected seep a distance from the well…I direct you to provide me a written procedure for opening the choke valve as quickly as possible without damaging the well.” and demanded that the oil company provide swift action over the latest detected seepage.
Read more »

The Energy Saving Trust have said that most of the least energy-efficient homes in the UK could be improved for less than £3,000.
Read more »

BP executive Kent Wells said they have temporarily stopped oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico from the Deepwater Horizon well, but BP are stressing that even if no oil escapes for 48 hours it will not mean the flow of oil and gas has been stopped permanently.

This is the first time the flow has stopped since the explosion on the rig on 20th April.

Read more »

According to oil giant BP, work to put a new cap on the leaking oil well in the Gulf of Mexico is making good progress. Work began on Saturday and BP hopes the cap, one of several devices they have deployed as they work on a permanent solution, will help to capture all of the leaking oil. Work is expected to be completed within days.

Read more »

Scientists with the International Whaling Commission (IWC) have said that eastern Russian oil exploration plans being undertaken by the Rosneft company – a seismic survey around Sakhalin island – are a serious threat to Western Pacific gray whales (also known as grey whales) in the area. Scientists are “extremely concerned” about the plans and calling for a postponement.

Read more »

Belarus plans to suspend Russian transit gas deliveries to Europe because President Alexander Lukashenko says Moscow cut supplies in a dispute over debts. He said the neighbours were facing a “gas war” and he would resume supplies only when Belarus got $260m (£176m) in outstanding transit fees. The dispute has the potential to affect 6.25% of gas consumption by the EU. Russia had previously cut gas supplies to Belarus by 30% after they had failed to pay debts of $200m (£135m).

Read more »

A US Geological Survey says that 40,000 barrels (1.7 million gallons) of oil a day may have been gushing out from a blown-out Gulf of Mexico well – the Deepwater Horizon rig that exploded on 20 April before a cap was put on the well on 3 June, doubling many estimates.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, during a visit to Afghanistan on Thursday, said:

“BP needs to do everything it can to deal with the situation, and the UK government stands ready to help. I completely understand the US government’s frustration. The most important thing is to try to mitigate the effects and get to grips with the problem. It’s something I will discuss with the American president when we next talk”.

Read more »

A US Coast Guard official has said the special cap applied by BP to try and cap the the Gulf of Mexico spill, is having some success. Admiral Thad Allen said 6,000 barrels of oil were captured in the first 24 hours after the procedure began on Thursday.

Read more »

Since oil platform Deepwater Horizon exploded, approximately 5,000 barrels of oil a day are gushing into the sea in the Gulf of Mexico and the drift towards the coast of the United States is threatening wildlife and livelihoods depend on tourism and fishing.
Read more »