All Kinds of Glass

Bowl Federal

Solar Panels Prevent Dust Bowls

In Los Angeles, California, the city's Department of Water and Power (DWP) is eyeing flat, dusty, arid Owens Lake as the potential site for a future mega-solar farm, but the initiative is focused less on clean, renewable solar energy than on preventing the interminable dust storms generated by the dry lake bed.

Owens Lake started to run dry when, in 1913, the city began diverting water from the Owens River. By 1926, the former lake was a shallow hardpan. Today, it ranks as the largest single source of PM10 dust (windborn dust particles smaller than 10 microns) in the United States. In fact, one estimate suggests the lake produces up to 8 million metric tons per year.

The DWP thinks that covering 616 acres of the lake bed with solar panels could cut down on dust storms, which threaten the health of nearby Keeler and Ridgecrest residents by delivering up to 23 times the amount of airborne particulate matter federal levels suggest as safe.

The plan may be a good one, since attempts to achieve dust control by flooding the lake bed have met with limited success, and flooding - at least this year - may be further hampered by a cutback to California's 2010 water delivery, limiting the state to 5 percent of the water it has normally been allotted over the past 40-some years.

The solar project is backed by $500 million in funding, which buys a lot of solar panels, but the proposal still has to win the approval of the California State Lands Commission, largely because the DWP wants the commission to waive an environmental impact review.

Another project deterrent may be the designation, by Audubon California this year, of Owens Lake as one of the 17 most important avian sanctuaries in the state, and an emerging "wetland in the making" as bird watchers record the return of record numbers of migrating waterfowl to the partially flooded lake basin.

The DWP has promised to continue flooding at least a portion of Owens Lake to appease these environmentalists, and is in meetings with Inyo County officials, ranchers and residents to win regional support for their proposal.

The response of the former is likely to be guarded; the response of the latter looks largely promising as the state eyes renewable energy resources like solar not only as power sources but badly needed boosts to a failing economy. California is in such dire financial straits that Los Angeles recently raided its recycling initiative fund to balance the budget.

Another plus on the project side is that flooding Owens Lake sufficiently to reduce dust uses enough water to supply 60,000 households. If the DWP plan, which proposes to flood a smaller area than normal for dust control, can salvage even a third of that water, it looks like an environmental win-win.

The DWP proposes starting the solar array with a small test plot, to see if solar panels and migratory waterfowl can coexist, and if a field of solar panels can actually help prevent dust storms.

This pilot project would generate about 50 megawatts by 2012, and save 2,460 acre feet of water per year, or enough to provide for about 4,000 households practicing water conservation measures.

About the Author

Cooler Planet is a leading solar resource for connecting consumers and commercial entities with local solar Installers. Cooler Planet's solar panel resources and solar energy page contains articles and tools to help with your solar project.

A Roadmap For 2010

2009 was a year during which you needed more than a roadmap to navigate the financial markets. It was a year of volatility and amplifying investors’ mistakes. It was a year when a lot of ‘scared’ money moved out of Wall Street. It was a year with the lowest levels. And if investors did not enter the markets they missed one of the biggest rallies ever - the Dow Jones bounced more than 60% from the low to the high in 2009.

Some thought I ‘nailed it’ for 2008. In a December 2007 article about predictions for 2008, I was quoted as saying I was concerned about subprime lending and that perhaps that the bond market would do better than stocks and that perhaps stocks would be down. I did not know that the ‘wheels’ would come off the economy and that we would experience one of the greatest crashes in a generation. I had simply reviewed pre- 2008 statistics and averages – as the market was up for the fifth year. In an early 2009 blog posting I spoke about the need to re-balance. It was my opinion that although the stock market was ailing perhaps it was time to rebalance and add to stock holdings. These were not predictions for 2008 or 2009 but rather examples of how money management and rebalancing can work to your benefit.

As we begin our journey into 2010 I would like to share some thoughts, not predictions, about where we are headed financially. Following are some factors you should keep on your radar screen.

The Federal Reserve Bank
Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank, was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2009. According to Time, he saved us from going into a depression. He cut rates and was creative in implementing programs to help the ailing mortgage and real estate markets. I am not so sure he will receive the same distinction for 2010. Sooner or later Mr. Bernanke will have to take away the proverbial ‘punch bowl’ and raise rates. During the last meeting of the Federal Reserve Bank in December 2009, the Fed stated that they will keep rates low for an extended period of time. What the Fed means by “an extended period” and when that extended period will end will play a key role in the future of our economy. This does not mean you need to ‘duck and cover’ should the Fed raise rates but you will need to monitor the situation. The question for most market observers will be how fast and how much the Fed will raise rates?

Washington, DC and Taxes
As always, we have to watch what Washington does. Government policies shape our economy, impacting the various sectors differently and affecting the stock market. Many investors will be watching how the Government will raise taxes. Will higher taxes be a burden to businesses and/or consumers and/or investors? How will capital gains be treated? Will owning stocks be advantageous or disadvantageous? Until we can get a better handle on what Washington plans to do there are several avenues for investors to consider - converting your IRA to a Roth IRA, reviewing your portfolio positions in relation to a potential increase in the long term capital gains tax rate and maintaining a balanced portfolio.

Smaller is Bigger?
As consumers we are looking for smaller and smaller electronics - we started with desktops then downsized to laptops and now our cellular phones, often just larger than a credit card, meet many of our computing and communicating needs. In the works are smaller and more efficient mobile chips as well as enhanced software programs. With newer and more efficient technological developments emerging almost every day worth looking at are the companies behind them.

Oil
Oil prices play a significant role for consumers in the U.S. Oil prices indicate levels of worldwide demand. Most consumers, needless to say, would like to see gasoline at two dollars a gallon and crude at forty dollars a barrel but what would that say about the state of our economy? And the world economy? Oil gives us a lot of clues as to what is going on in the world. As the world economy emerges slowly from recession, developing countries will increase the demand for oil with almost every expert predicting significantly higher price. While that in turn will benefit the producers it will certainly negatively impact the consumers.

China
Can you imagine China as the world’s engine? There are some reports that put China’s gross domestic product growth at 8 percent. The Chinese consumer is seeking more and driving global demand. In November of 2009 our trade deficit shrank as our exports increased - and where are so many of these exports going? To China. So, keep in an eye out for China in the coming year.

In 2010 we will have some tailwinds in our favor as the global economy rebounds but we will continue to face the headwinds with consumer leveraging and high unemployment. There are of course many factors to consider but the factors noted above are certainly worth tracking as you and/or your financial advisor plan for the future.

I wish you and your family peace and prosperity in 2010.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss this email with you in greater detail. Please feel free to call me at 845/371-0101 or email me at kmahoney@auroracapital.com.

And don’t forget to visit my blog for additional articles and comments – http://kenmahoney.blogspot.com

Disclaimer: This email and its contents is neither a solicitation nor an offer to buy/sell any insurance and/or financial product(s). Information about insurance and/or financial product(s) and/or investment products provided herein may not be suitable for all individuals and/or investors. Moreover, the information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable; its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. Individuals and/or investors are advised to contact their appropriate professional for all personal planning, including but not limited to healthcare planning, retirement and estate planning, tax planning and/or corporate planning.

About the Author

Mr. Mahoney is a registered broker with Aurora Capital, LLC, an SEC registered broker-dealer and member FINRA and SIPC. Aurora Capital Brokerage, trades cleared by Legent Clearing.