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On Earth Day and Every Day, It’s What’s “Green” That Counts!

By Alan Kandel

I hereby pledge to do my part to lower my carbon footprint on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, otherwise known as Earth Day. Who will do likewise? How I intend to accomplish this is by not doing much of anything, basically. I plan on not using the computer, not talking on the cell phone, not watching television, not listening to the radio, not driving and not using appliances that don’t need activity such as the washing machine and dryer. I’m not even going to do any lawn mowing. So what does this leave? Not only putting words in writing to express what I’m not going to do, but to bring attention to what one “green” business concern is up to these days, is what’s on tap for today. Remember, you read it here first!

Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m not one much for endorsing companies, businesses, retail outlets, or what-have-you, nor do I plan on doing so now or in the future. However, every once in a blue moon (I think “green” moon would be more appropriate here), I happen upon an article in a newspaper or magazine, or in electronic format, or I meet someone who introduces me to a process or product that grabs my attention.

What all this is segueing into is there is a California company looking to be a world leader in energy production. It isn’t the fact that this particular business concern aspires to be a world leader in energy production that gets my interest piqued, it’s all in the approach.

According to information on the Full Circle Energy, Inc. website, the production of energy is to be done “through the optimum utilization of advanced thermal conversion technologies.” So what does this mean, involve?

Full Circle Energy of Clovis, California, “is an integrated technology company that will develop and market thermal technologies with the capability to use coal or organic waste such as municipal solid waste, spent tires, hospital waste, agricultural waste as a fuel to generate energy in the form of electricity, ethanol, diesel or LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas),” as information on the FCE website reveals. This is just one among numerous state-based or even out-of-state-based entities engaged in solutions to help ease California’s growing energy demand. It is particularly with the “waste-to-energy production conversion process” in mind that I am taking note.

Why this is important, appropriate - and perhaps even necessary - not only for Californians and, understandably, certain state-based business and industrial interests, but also for those that happen to exist outside the state’s borders, in addition to in-state energy consumers, should be easily understood.

Why This Company, Why Now?

In the Golden State in 2001, air quality concerns along with soaring utility rates and accompanying power shortages and outages, forced state electricity suppliers, energy producing companies, state legislative leaders and a whole host of interested others to take a long, hard look at considering ways to add to the electricity supply without taxing, or taxing too heavily, consumers’ pocketbooks.

Meanwhile, the San Joaquin Valley and southern state, which are among the nation’s worst offenders for both ozone and particulate matter pollution, myriad efforts to reduce this pollution are in vogue. These reduction efforts run the gamut, everything from targeting that which is produced from mobile sources to that which is created via farming operations, etc. Be it with regard to agriculturally, commercially, industrially, or residentially caused air pollution, no source is exempt from the focus of attention, discussion and related reduction efforts.

It’s What’s In The Refuse That Counts

With heightened air quality concerns, electricity shortages and outages, economic and other factors, this has resulted in not only companies like Full Circle Energy to want to get involved and be part of the solution, but has prompted many consumers and agricultural and commercial business and industrial interests to consider more efficient and less environmentally harmful ways to increase yields, production, output, etc. Certainly a noble and noteworthy cause and which is being made possible through the efforts of companies like FCE and others.

The blueprint processes of Full Circle Energy’s approach for example, first involves taking the selected or above-listed waste material, and then “using a combination of thermal technologies,” with plasma being but one of the elements, turning that refuse into synthetic gas (syngas), according to FCE. The syngas in turn, can be further refined or converted into ethanol, diesel or LPG, fuel which, can be used to power various types of internal combustion-driven engines including those used in the private sector or in running today’s typical mechanical farming implements such as tractors, harvesters, shakers, diesel-powered irrigation pump and other such typical internal-combustion-powered agricultural equipment, for example.

“Full Circle is currently working to complete an Ultra Clean Coal Gasification plant in Fresno that will be the first of its kind in the world,” according to information posted on the FCE website. “This coal gasification plant will become the most efficient coal gasification plant ever constructed.”

Alan Kandel is a concerned California resident and retired railroad signalman previously employed by the Union Pacific Railroad in Fremont, California.

Posted on April 22, 2008

Comments

Going green just got a little easer for Fresno and the surrounding towns!

Although it would be nice to be able to tend every lawn and garden with 100% Zero Emission equipment and 100% organic services with today’s technology it is not yet possible. Zero Emission equipment is used primarily in small to midsized residential and some small business applications only.

But the more we use the zero emission equipment the more demand there will be to build better zero emission equipment!

We do offer standard lawn and garden services using the traditional methods and equipment.

The only difference is while servicing are client’s propertys, we will look at Organic alternatives before applying any inorganic treatments. And use zero emission equipment at every opportunity!

What makes super green lawns Different from all the competition? Super Green Lawns is the first and only! Zero Emission and Organic Lawn and Gardening Service in California that combines twentieth century technology, Mother Nature, old-fashioned common sense and hard work in to an Environmentally Sound Business that produces a Beautiful, Safe, and Healthy Environment for you, your pets and your family. At better than competitive rates, we eliminate waste 99.9%, reduce noise pollution by 90% over traditional lawn services and we offer numerous payment methods for your convenience. Our staff is always happy to talk to you about any concerns you may have about your Lawn & Garden, or Maintenance needs

visit us at www.supergreenlawns.com

Posted by: Daniel Morris at January 6, 2009 03:59 PM

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