B&V's 25-year prognosis for the North American energy market sees nuclear staying steady at 19 percent, renewables doubling to 13 percent, and while coal drops significantly, natural gas replaces coal as the predominant fossil fuel powering the continent's electricity.

Cheap natural gas and abundant reserves changes the game.

B&V notes that, "North American natural gas prices have realized a separation from world oil prices and the price of natural gas in Europe, reducing the throughput on US LNG re-gasification facilities and increasing the potential for natural gas exports."

Erilk Straser, a partner at MDV, a VC investment firm, noted yesterday on a panel that this produces some opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors. Somewhere in a VC boardroom is a thesis statement looking for opportunities in a world where natural gas is abundant and cheap with a stable supply.

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/no-fracking-way/

Here are some comments on natural gas from past articles in Greentech Media.

Dan Reicher, Executive Director, Steyer-Taylor Center on Energy Policy and Finance, Stanford University, said, "Globally, there are immense supplies of natural gas, both conventional and unconventional," By unconventional, Reicher means shale gas.

In Reicher's words, "We need the combination of natural gas, renewable energy and energy efficiency," adding "We need to build this bridge between natural gas and renewables."

T. Boone Pickens claims that the United States has natural gas reserves that are equivalent to 700 billion barrels of oil and it is his personal crusade to move that ocean of natural gas into the American transportation sector.  He claims to have already spent $ 62 million on this quest, known as the Pickens Plan.

Bolder words were uttered by Vikram Rao, former CTO, Halliburton and the current Executive Director of RTEC (Research Triangle Energy Consortium). He said that the shale gas supply "is the most important energy event in the U.S. since the discovery of Alaskan oil." Rao saw the shale gas keeping a lid on natural gas prices because of the peculiarities of shale gas extraction.  He claimed that "once you have the lease you can produce gas very quickly — in 180 days." That turn-around time will keep speculators away and therefore pricing will not spike, according to Rao. He also saw the water transport and contamination issue as solvable.

Carl Pope, Chairman of The Sierra Club, spoke of coal and how utilities have powerful incentives to hold on to coal. Pope said, "Renewables and gas are fighting for table scraps while we should go after coal."  He urged, "Make sure that the Public Utility Commissions do not allow irrational investments in upgrading 50-year-old coal fired power plants."

Pope suggested, "Run the railroads on natural gas, not diesel, [...] run fleet vehicles on natural gas," and "Replace peakers with fuel cells."  He asked, "Can we power locomotives with fuel cells or natural gas?"
 
Pope finished his remarks by asking us to "Look at the system differently."  He said that the biggest missing ingredient is that there is no institution where consumers and utilities can communicate. "We need to create a place where that conversation can happen."

***

Extracting shale gas entails a drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," which involves blasting through rock with a mix of water, sand and a chemical cocktail used to split the shale formation and free the trapped gas.

According to The Oil Drum, water needed for hydraulic fracturing and disposal of produced load water are becoming serious obstacles for Marcellus development. The problem with water sourcing is not availability but getting water management plans approved for the high volume withdrawals (drilling requires about 100,000 gallons and completions use another 3 million to 4 million gallons). There are few waste treatment plants and the cost of transporting disposal water from the well may add $ 250,000 to the cost (Tudor, Pickering and Holt, 2009). Also, there is widespread belief that hydraulic fracturing will contaminate aquifers and that this is a risk that cannot be tolerated.

Here's an except from a USGS document entitled, "Water Resources and Natural Gas Production from the Marcellus Shale."

The Marcellus Shale is a sedimentary rock formation deposited over 350 million years ago in a shallow inland sea located in the eastern United States where the present-day Appalachian Mountains now stand (de Witt and others, 1993). This shale contains significant quantities of natural gas. New developments in drilling technology, along with higher wellhead prices, have made the Marcellus Shale an important natural gas resource.

The Marcellus Shale extends from southern New York across Pennsylvania, and into western Maryland, West Virginia, and eastern Ohio (fig. 1). The production of commercial quantities of gas from this shale requires large volumes of water to drill and hydraulically fracture the rock. This water must be recovered from the well and disposed of before the gas can flow. Concerns about the availability of water supplies needed for gas production, and questions about wastewater disposal have been raised by water-resource agencies and citizens throughout the Marcellus Shale gas development region. This Fact Sheet explains the basics of Marcellus Shale gas production, with the intent of helping the reader better understand the framework of the water-resource questions and concerns….

The Marcellus shale deposit that straddles the U.S.-Canadian border produced 200 million cubic feet a day in July 2008. Two years later, 1.4 billion cubic feet a day were being pumped out. Gulf Coast shale deposits will generate 15 billion cubic feet a day in 2030.

***

But according to a website devoted to an anti-fracking movie, Gasland, "For each frack, 80 to 300 tons of chemicals may be used. Presently, the natural gas industry does not have to disclose the chemicals used, but scientists have identified volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene."  The film also suggests that explosive gases have entered private water wells, causing "flammable water."  Here's a link to the FAQ at the film's website and here's a link to a long list of "Chemical Constituents in Additives/Chemicals" used in fracturing identified by the state of New York.

An oil and gas industry website, Energy in Depth, sees it another way and maintains that the typical solution used in hydraulic fracturing is 99.51 percent water and sand and only 0.49 percent additives. They tend to see the glass of (polluted?) water as half full. The website casts doubts on many of Gasland's claims and asserts it is not a documentary but propaganda.

Go Green

Many conventional pet food brands consist of animal byproducts and low-grade meats that are unsuited for humans but considered good enough for pet chow. If you wouldn’t go near it, why feed it to your beloved pet?

Since nutrition directly influences health and resistance to disease, ideally you want pet food that is comparable to the food you eat, or close to it. There’s not a lot of research out there on pet diets, but the anecdotal evidence suggests that natural or organic pet foods can improve skin and coat health, especially if the pet has allergies. Some claim that dogs fed natural food have better dental health and more manageable weights. Hey, you could potentially extend the life of your kitty or pooch, or at the very least, save on vet bills.

But aren’t organic brands more expensive? Many green pet foods do cost more per ounce, but no need to fret. They also tend to have higher concentrations of nutrients, so you may not have to feed your pet as large of a meal, said Doug Mazeffa, research director at Greenopia.com, which rates the “greenest” pet foods on the market.

Mazeffa suggests looking at ingredient labels at your local supermarket before making a decision. Avoid ethoxyquin, a food preservative and pesticide linked with a variety of health problems including liver issues and mutations. Luckily, with pressure from the public, many brands have replaced this ingredient with more natural preservatives, like vitamins C and E, but some brands may still fall short.

He also advises to steer clear of the ingredient “meat and bone meal” which is the lowest quality protein that is often made with a percentage of animals that are 4-D: Dead, Dying, Diseased or Disabled.

Greenopia.com rates pet food brands based on sustainable and humane production, packaging, food grade and ingredients, recycled materials, building logistics and their overall supply chain. Companies that produce pet foods that are minimally processed without added drugs or hormones, and that are preserved with natural substances, rank higher. They also consider the transparency of the company (how well they report their ingredients), and their environmental goals and practices.

Mazeffa suggests looking for food that is certified organic and meets USDA standards for being free of pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and artificial preservatives like butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). On average, cat food tends to be healthier, and contains more fish, Mazeffa said.

Below are the top performers in Greenopia’s product ratings:

Best Organic and Natural Dog Foods:

• Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Dog Food ($ 78 for 10 pounds — 43 pounds of rehydrated food — at thehonestkitchen.com or $ 85 at amazon.com)
• Karma Organic Dog Food ($ 24.50 for 4.4 pounds at amazon.com)

Best Organic and Natural Cat Foods:

• Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Cat Food ($ 41.50 for 4 pounds — 15 pounds of rehydrated food — at shop.thehonestkitchen.com or $ 40 at amazon.com)
• Natural Planet Organics Cat Food ($ 18 for 6.6 pounds at Amazon.com)

Check out more Greenopia ratings to help you pick the right pet food off the shelf.

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc

More from The Daily Green:

• Best Natural Cat Products
• Safe Natural Flea and Tick Control Products and Tips
• 25 of the Worst Exotic Pet Attacks
• 4 Homemade Dog Food Recipes You Can Eat Too!
• Best Natural Dog Products

Go Green

Some of the reluctance to choose tea stemmed from the days of the American Revolution when a tax was placed on tea. More recently, green tea has become a popular drink because of the evidence that shows green tea has many substances with positive benefits.

The natural ingredients have led many people to use green tea for medicinal reasons. Several companies, recognizing the important substances in tea, have produced green tea cleansing skin care products. These companies produce green tea cleansing skin care products that have been very successful.

There are many different green tea cleansing skin care products now available for those interested in using natural substances. The companies that make green tea cleansing skin care products make many other products with natural substances. The experts at these companies often recommend products that complement each other.

Green Tea Cleansing Skin Care Products Use Natural But Effective Ingredients

Green tea cleansing skin care products are formulated to cleanse and protect the skin. These green tea cleansing skin care products are also used to provide a vibrant look to the skin. The substances in these cleansing products remove the dirt from the skin as effectively as the other products on the market.

The green tea that is used in these products has antioxidants that protect the skin throughout the day and night. The green tea cleansing skin care products use other substances including aloe and jojoba which moisturize the skin.

Green tea cleansing products are formulated especially for different skin types just like the traditional products available in the stores. These products usually have a special product for dry, oily or combination skin types. The green tea cleansing skin care products come in cleansing creams that can be used on a daily basis, but there are also specialty products for deep cleaning the skin.

The deep cleansing products such as masques are usually applied on a weekly basis. Customers will choose the frequency for the use of these special products based on their budgets and skin condition. The companies that offer the skin cleansing creams also offer other products such as moisturizers and toners for additional skin care.

Few of us may not realize the origins of green tea, but it may surprise you that even the Chinese knew about it’s restorative properties, over 5,000 years ago, and cultivated it long before it reached the western world.

They even used it to cure headaches, but modern day studies have probed further into how green tea affects those of us who drink it on a regular basis.

Much of that garnered evidence has highlighted its protective and preventative qualities in relation to a whole host of modern day ailments and health conditions.

I call it the green tea ‘triple A list’, which includes antioxidant, anti inflammatory and anti carcinogenic. Let’s have a quick look at the first one. The potent antioxidants inside green tea are known to help  our body fight the damage we suffer from free radicals, which if left unchecked contributes to those visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and lines.

The second star in the pack is green teas anti inflammatory powers which is better in some cases than maybe using man made formulations. Where it starts to get interesting is when experts looked at its anti carcinogenic properties. What many found was that it’s preventative actions could reduce the risks of catching some forms of cancer, but nothing is so clear cut. The sheer volume of studies has some way to go and we should be wary of reading too much into any health claims in general.

But, with so many plus points in green teas favor there is surely a case for most of us to drink it a little more often, or to change our choice of beverage for the good of our health.

The greatest benefit of green tea is that they are a natural substance that comes from the earth. Therefore, this would be most likely the supplement of choice for natural foods enthusiasts. Green-tea is also often mixed with other useful herbs that many believe are good for the health. Those who know and learn about herbs are the ones that most would benefit from the use of green tea extracts.

Green-tea has its downsides, as well. The biggest one is it is one that many dietary supplements containing this herb with other ingredients, both natural and man made have not necessarily been approved by the FDA. Therefore, you may not know the long term effects.

Greentea can also contain quite a bit of caffeine in some cases. However, there are some that do not. Furthermore, there is limited evidence to support the fact that green tea, or green tea extracts, can in fact reduce weight. According to some medical professionals it also can cause minor side effects, such as vomiting, bloating, indigestion, or diarrhea.

Although there are a few downsides to using green tea in dieting, many know about green tea and find that it has not many side effects when drank rather than taken in a pill with other herbs. Therefore, green tea can be considered useful to many people. However, one cannot lose weight on green tea alone.

Green-tea is one option for losing weight and in order for it to be effective you also have to have a proper balanced diet and meal plan as well as to be enrolled in an exercise program. You can also create your own exercise program upon receiving advice from various fitness professionals.

If you are wondering if green tea is the right supplement for you, it is best for you to do your own research. Some of the best research is made when you consider conflicting sources and come up with your own conclusion. Likewise, going to more than one qualified profession to hear their varying opinions about greentea can help as well.

More importantly, you should consider reading documents about the use of green tea in dieting from sources that you trust. These sources that you read should also be unbiased, and/or proven. For example, sources that has no interest for or against green-tea or green tea extracts being sold would the best judges of the effectiveness of green tea extract this may be impossible in its entirety, but do the best you can.

Further studies may need to be done in the United States before the FDA approves the use of drinking green tea for the purposes of weight loss. For now, though it is often sold just as a tea to drink or as a dietary supplement.

Green-tea is only one supplement that is designed for weight loss. Other supplements for weight loss include ingredient include gululipid used in ayurvedic medicine practices, and other ingredients such as chromium, hydro citric acid, and other natural and synthetic ingredients.

Many weight loss supplements, including those with green tea, have also been fortified with various vitamins and nutrients to help provide further nutrients to a vitamin and mineral deficient body. However, you can also eat all the right foods and this will help you gain the nutrients you need while dieting as well.

There are pros and cons to using green-tea. If you need to learn more about this herb or the various supplements that contain herbs of green tea or green tea extracts, you can read more articles such as this, or consult your doctor. You can also consult an ayurvedic or herb specialist, as well. The second type of doctor is most often found in other countries; however, knowledge of herbal medicine can be found in the U.S. as well.

The more that the United States learns about various herbs the more chance that these will gain wider acceptance by the FDA. However, once approved by the FDA they may possibly then require a prescription. This may not necessarily happen, but could happen, which can help provide regulation and help determine safe use of this substance for everyone.

IMPORTANT: I am purposely writing to the person of average knowledge regarding these terms. I am NOT talking of certification and the like. This article also has nothing whatsoever to do with the plethora of other meanings of green or organic. Let’s please just keep it simple.

Hence, for the purpose of this article, I am defining “green” and “organic” combined to mean: Provided or produced by Mother Nature and completely void of alteration or manipulation by man.

Nope, that’s NOT a definition from the dictionary, and I’ll probably still get some heat for using organic in this. BUT the fact is that is what the terms mean is something very close to MY definition to many (if not most) of the average people I speak every single day – particularly when it comes to natural detergents, other household cleaners, skin care products, etc. As the founder of NaturOli and one of the largest sellers of soap nuts in the US and Canada – that’s a LOT of people. So again, for the purpose of this article, the definition works great. Yes, man harvests soap nuts, removes their seeds, allows them to dry and packs them, but man does NOTHING to alter soap nuts from their pure and 100% natural state. Man only facilitates getting them from the tree to your door. Nothing more.

Soap nuts are a 100% totally natural, green, organic cleaning product that is entirely and completely void of any man-made substances. Period. By my definition it is right on target. The supposedly “green” detergents and cleansers all over the market all have additives – many, many additives. Relative to the purity of the soap nut they are chemical soups. They have been formulated (which says it all). Some are better than others, but nonetheless they are not 100% pure. Mother Nature has NOT handed down these other products on a silver platter for us to use – AS IS. She did so with soap nuts. ONLY soap nuts in their RAW form are totally natural, green and organic. The soap that soap nuts produce is completely pure and natural. It contains ZERO additives. No other detergent, cleanser or soap anywhere in the world can make that claim. End of story.

So, if you want a highly EFFECTIVE, truly natural, “green” and “organic” detergent, cleanser or soap by the definition I provided above – soap nuts are your answer. Your ONLY answer. I intentionally use “effective” because there are other genuinely natural ways to clean, but none clean as well as saponin (the natural active ingredient in the soapberry / soap nut). You can beat your laundry on rocks in a river or stream and they will become cleaner, but let’s get realistic in regards to what we want. We know that saponin is hypoallergenic, biodegradable, anti-fungal and antimicrobial. It is a highly effective surfactant making it a great detergent/cleanser/soap. It is all this – and is still 100% natural, green and organic.

If you are having issues with the products you use, try soap nuts as an alternative. Many people suffer from eczema, psoriasis, and a myriad of irritating skin conditions. Many of these conditions have been linked through clinical studies directly to the chemicals and additives man has used in the production of detergents, cleansers and soaps.

I have personally heard SO many people tell me that since using soap nuts previous irritating skin conditions are gone – totally GONE! Eczema and rosacea sufferers have reported dramatic improvements. I have documented only ONE case where a gentleman actually developed a minor rash from saponin. He even did a skin patch test to be sure that was what caused it. There are always people that will be allergic to something. But only ONE known case out of thousands of soap nut users! Interestingly, he and his family STILL use soap nuts for they believe soap nuts remain the better alternative to today’s commercial detergents. Incredible.

Odds are that 99+% of people suffering from skin irritations caused by the commercial products (even the “SUPPOSEDLY” green, natural detergents, cleansers and soaps) they’ve been using will benefit greatly from using soap nuts. There is an EXCELLENT chance soap nuts may be the ticket to living far more comfortable lives. If you change to soap nuts (and go totally green in doing so) and you find relief, don’t thank me. I’m just a messenger. Thank Mother Nature for soap nuts. Soap nuts are HER 100% natural, “green”  and “organic” gift for us all.