Hydroelectric Power

Renewable vs. nonrenewable resources.  Are all renewables as "green" as many people think?

Read the attached article from NOAA on a hydro dam removal project and the complex issues associated with dams.  Several projects are underway on the Penobscot River in Maine too.

Dam removal article

Drought

Do you wish that our area had less rain this summer? Well, take a look at this NOAA article to see the other extreme.  Texas is in the midst of its worst 1-year drought.  Ever.

There are a number of excellent diagrams, maps, and pictures.

NOAA Drought Article

The Tropics Continued...

Here's an impressive satellite record of Hurricane Irene's path, including over Long Island.

The statistical peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is right around September 14, not in August as many people suspect.

Watch out! Tropical Depression #14A has formed and has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Maria.  It'll be interesting, as always, to watch where it goes.  Click on the link to see the latest info: TS Maria Information

Now That's a Lot of Rain...

If you thought the NY Metro area had a lot of rain from Tropical Storm Irene, take a look at the Doppler estimates for Tropical Storm Lee's precipitation totals.

Click on the link below to view the radar estimates:
NWS Prepitation Estimates - TS Lee

A few good days to stay indoors and read a good book!

Marcellus Shale

The Marcellus Shale is the geologic unit most desired for its supply of natural gas.  A few months ago I mentioned "frakking" or "hydrofrakking." This is the process by which that natural gas will potentiall harbested with.  There are a number of critical issues with regards to this process that still need to be fully analyzed.

Click on this link for the USGS's geologic assessment of the Marcellus Shale.
USGS Marcellus Shale Assessment