By Robert L. Candiotti

It has been two weeks since I attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2009 Renewable Energy Symposium.

Even today, I am still reflecting on the two-day event with appreciation and fulfillment.

Held August 11 and 12 on UNLV's campus, the 3rd Annual Renewable Energy Symposium went non-stop with interesting presentations covering the academic, industrial, scientific and political aspects of trends in renewable energy today.

I have been to all three annual gatherings that have taken place in the month of August. I am appreciative that these happen in the city where I live - Las Vegas, Nevada.

There is no question that I leave these annual meetings feeling enriched and enthused about the current intellectual connection and commitment with renewable energy and low carbon advancements in Nevada, the Southwest and the nation.

My ability to write intelligently and competently in my two websites - IvanpahValley.com and GreenAirport.net - would definitely suffer if I was not able to attend these high-level gatherings.

Something that I recognize about the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is that it seems to have an academic culture that is quite cerebral, but not at all snobbish. I have always felt comfortable and welcomed at UNLV.

Certainly, part of the success of the 2009 Renewable Energy Symposium is reflective of the quality of the co-sponsors: the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies and the Division of Research and Graduate Studies.
Chairman Dr. Oliver Hemmers and co-chair Dr. Kristina Lipinska-Kalita were both, I am sure, also responsible for the success of the two-day symposium.

More than 200 people attended the 2009 symposium. I feel fortunate to have been an individual in that group. 
 

By Robert L. Candiotti

According to a report in Airport Technology, the government of Mongolia has requested that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) do a survey to determine if Mongolia's Chinggis Khaan International Airport can run by solar power.

Mongolia's Ministry of Road Transportation, Construction and Urban Development will oversee the survey to determine if solar energy can successfully power Mongolia's international airport. The country's Civil Aviation Authority "will handle its execution," states Airport Technology.

A release put out by Mongolian authorities says the integration of solar power will be the airport's "first step to become a 'green airport'."

The Mongolian news release states that most of the 365 days each year "are sunny and cloudless in Mongolia. So, experts consider that the country has a great opportunity to produce solar energy."

Though Mongolia has several domestic airports, Chinggis Khaan - located near Ulaanbaatar (the country's biggest city) - is its only international airport. Wikipedia.org says direct flights from South Korea, China, Japan and Russia land at Chinggis Khaan International Airport.

Mongolia is bordered by Russia and People's Republic of China. Its total population (at around 3 million) is quite low, but 59 percent of the population is under 30 years of age, so its population is sure to be energetic and forward-looking.

The government of Mongolia apparently has its eye on the future, as well as on its sustainable energy resources.

Asking for a survey to be done on solar energy possibilities reflects an awareness of the country's renewable energy potential.

Though halfway around the world, the analyzers and developers of Southern Nevada's Ivanpah Valley Airport will benefit by taking a clue from the Mongolians.  

By Robert L. Candiotti

The "Reid still faces sticky hurdles to re-election" article by Benjamin Spillman in the August 17, 2009, Las Vegas Review-Journal makes me think that the "Republican consultants" are actually very funny comedy writers.

Spillman writes that the Republican consultants are "planning to say Nevada ranks dead last in terms of how much money, per capita, comes to the state from Washington, D.C."

The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2007 that Nevada receives $6,000 per resident from the federal government, as opposed to the 50 state median of around $8,000.

There is one catch, though. Spillman reports an August 29, 2008, article in the Reno Gazette-Journal says the Nevada Legislature in Carson City is to blame, not Reid. And Nevada receives less Social Security and Medicare money than most other states.

In fact, states Spillman, "The report didn't even mention Reid."

So, the Republican consultants are latching onto a good issue. A good issue to be ridiculed about, that is.

But even better is the consultants' apparent brilliant idea to talk about the fact that Nevada requires a 12-page form to apply for food stamps, "as opposed to a two-page application in California," writes Spillman.

I say right on to the Republican consultants. Everyone knows the voters in Libertarian Nevada always want the Silver State to be modeled after California.

Applying for for food stamps should be far easier in Nevada. The voters will agree. I even have a suggestion for the Republican consultants. Just have people who want food stamps simply clip a coupon and mail it with pre-paid postage.

Food for free with no hassle. More like the way California does it. Nevada voters will certainly agree.

For sure, the last thing that the Republicans need to be concerned about is to come up with an actual candidate for Senator with a platform to stand on.

The Republican consultants have me doubled over laughing. 

As I have said, I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican, either. However, I am most definitely a Nevada voter.

I have to disagree with the headline in Spillman's article. So far, it seems to me Harry Reid's hurdles are not high at all, and they're not sticky. They're low and greased, and so far it looks like Reid will be able to glide over them. 

By Robert L. Candiotti

The front page story in yesterday's - August 12, 2009 - Wall Street Journal had the headline "Electricity Prices Plummet."

The story says electricity demand in the U.S. has recently declined significantly, "offering a break for consumers and businesses who just a year ago were getting crunched by massive energy bills."

This front page, above-the-fold, article reminded me immediately of a comment made by Al Gore - former U.S. Vice President, and more recently a Nobel Peace Prize recipient - at this week's National Clean Energy Summit 2.0 held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on August 10.

Gore referred to a famous quotation by General Omar Bradley - a five-star American Army General during World War II who became the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Bradley's quote, mentioned by Gore at the intense roundtable of politicians and business people organized by U.S. Senate Majority Leader from Nevada Harry Reid, is "Set your course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship."

Electricity demand in this country has dipped. The headline and story in the Wall Street Journal can understandably make some people complacent, thinking the worst may be over with regard to electricity demand and costs.

But common sense and knowledge of history dictate this surely is not the case.

In fact, Gore also referred to a statement by President Barack Obama about the rise and fall of gasoline prices. Gore acknowledged that Obama has said the American public can easily vacillate between "shock and trance" with the repeated rise and fall of oil prices.

The dip in electricity prices is temporary. Electricity demand and prices will undoubtedly rise again. The constant message of the Clean Energy Summit 2.0 is the nation cannot afford to waiver from a mission to develop a low carbon energy future.

Gore said we need to "make a transition to a low carbon economy and put people to work doing it."

Electricity prices may have come down in 2009, but the situation of world energy usage, according to Gore, remains urgent. He stated at the major summit at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, "If we continue on the road we now travel, the global warming situation will create a world far different than what civilization has been based on."

The clear message of the National Clean Energy Summit is the nation needs to continue on a dedicated path to a low carbon future. The country's attention and resolve should not be diverted or dissipated. 

To repeat General Omar Bradley's statement, "Set your course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship."