| Electrical power around the globe is still primarily | | | | liquid fire generation of petroleum was up over |
| generated by fossil fuel. Legislators, | | | | 200 percent although what it contributed to the |
| environmentalists and others who have an | | | | overall fuel generation was still comparatively |
| interest in saving our planet abhor this. | | | | minimal as opposed to natural gas, coal and |
| Green energy, the use of renewable electrical | | | | nuclear means of electrical power. |
| energy by means of wind, sun and water, is | | | | Overall the net electrical power generation had |
| promoted extensively in just about every country | | | | increased nearly seven percent since February |
| on the planet by environmentalists, researchers | | | | 2006. The net electrical power generation that |
| and others concerned with the harm carcinogens | | | | could be attributed to plants fired by coal was up |
| are causing the environment. Fossil fuel, | | | | 3.4 percent and commercial nuclear use increased |
| unfortunately, still remains the number one source | | | | by 3.5 percent. Petroleum liquid as a commercial |
| of electrical power. | | | | electrical power resource increased by more than |
| In February of 2007 the U.S. National Oceanic and | | | | 62 percent while natural gas as a commercial |
| Atmospheric Administration NOAA published its | | | | electric provider went up nearly 32 percent. |
| latest report on climactic conditions and the use | | | | Conventional hydroelectric electrical power |
| and means of electrical energy. This 2007 | | | | sources were actually one fourth lower than the |
| February was reportedly the coldest since we | | | | prior February although the total electrical power |
| first started keeping U.S. records in 1895. The | | | | only decreased 14.4 percent. Wind powered |
| nation averaged 32.86 degrees Fahrenheit. This | | | | renewable energy as a source of electrical power |
| was nearly two degrees below the mean | | | | went up 31.8 percent from the prior year, which |
| temperature for the entire 20th century. During | | | | may account for the reduction in hydroelectric |
| the month, the heating degree days turned out to | | | | power. |
| be just under 16 percent higher than the prior | | | | Discouraging, however, is the fact that in spite of |
| February and well over 15 percent higher than | | | | rampant green energy efforts and even legislation |
| what is considered normal. As a result of this | | | | in the UK and other parts of Europe and |
| colder weather and its resulting electrical heating | | | | voluntary programs in the United States to |
| power increase, the total net electrical energy | | | | implement, fund and reward the use of renewable |
| generation increased more than five percent over | | | | energy, more than half of the U.S. electrical power |
| February of 2006. | | | | still came from coal and coal-fired plants. Nuclear |
| The NOAA report broke down the electrical | | | | energy accounted for just under 21 percent, |
| energy use by the various fossil fuel resources | | | | natural gas for 17.4 percent and petroleum for 2.2 |
| and other sources of electrical power. Coal | | | | percent. 6.7 percent was provided by conventional |
| generation, statisticians noted, went up nearly | | | | hydroelectric means. The small portion of electrical |
| three percent and nuclear generation increased | | | | power remaining came from the use of |
| more than four percent. Natural gas increased by | | | | renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, |
| a whopping 23.8 percent over the prior year. The | | | | geothermal and biomass. |