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The Pain Mound is Going to Work: Woodchip pile is already 130 degrees.

Mon, 07/06/2009 - 10:23pm — The Energy Optimist

Just a quick update. The pile of chips is now 130+ degrees. I tested at depths of 6 inches, 24 inches and 48 inches and consitently get just over 130 degrees. It literally burns your hand if you stick into the chip pile.

This week Marc DeMario of Sunwood Systems (wood gasification furnaces and solar hot water) is going to help me with the water lines and next week I'm going to start packing down layers of chips over sections of the coiled water line.

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Hot Water and Natural Gas From Woody Biomass...True Shredding

Thu, 04/02/2009 - 1:45am — The Energy Optimist

“Jean Pain (1930 - 1981) was a French innovator who developed a compost based bio energy system that produced 100% of his energy needs. He heated water to 140 degrees Fahrenheit at a rate of 4 litres a minute which he used for washing and heating. He also distilled enough methane to run an electricity generator, cooking elements, and power his truck. This method of creating usable energy from composting materials has come to be known as Jean Pain Composting, or the Jean Pain Method. ” (from Wikipedia)

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Carbon Shredding Going National: Who wants to save $1300 per year?

Tue, 03/17/2009 - 1:55pm — The Energy Optimist

By WILSON RING The Associated Press - Published: March 17, 2009

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Vote for Motley Fool's "Most Socially Responsible Company" Contest

Sat, 01/10/2009 - 12:58pm — The Energy Optimist

I have to admit that I am biased, as an employee of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters in Waterbury, Vermont.

However, among the choices given by The Motley Fool, GMCR is clearly the "top dog" regarding corporate social responsibility. And I'm not just saying that because my wife Jasna works in the CSR Department either. Well, maybe I'm too biased afterall.

Please click here to cast your vote and help a local company get some recognition over the other large companies (like Starbucks! who are they kidding?) on the list.

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Climate Activists Planning Civil Disobedience: Shred HARD!

Mon, 12/15/2008 - 5:35pm — The Energy Optimist

This email from Bill McKibben and the 350.org group caught my attention. Perhaps the Environmental movements are realizing that our corrupt gargantuan government is the root cause of our environmental problems, and that a real platform for change needs to be based on re-localiztion, State's rights, and even potentially secession as a means to slowing down the beast of corporate growth.

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An Energy Optimist: "Change" Locally, NOW

Mon, 12/15/2008 - 4:19pm — The Energy Optimist

Fuel is cheap for the moment. So is TALK, as it always has been. I advocate that we invest this cheap fuel into what should be our top priority: building local renewable food and fuel economies.

And here's a radical thought: immediately dispense with spending energy on "talk" about illusionist social distractions around race, gender, religion, social services and education. We first need to straighten out our food and energy economies in Vermont. We will have to make some sacrifices to do this.

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Sun and Wood: Heating Our Homes and Hot Water With Local Renewables

Tue, 11/25/2008 - 12:59am — The Energy Optimist

Below is a lengthy interview with Marc Dimario of Sun Wood Systems in Waitsfield, Vermont. Sun Wood installs solar hot water and bio-mass-fueled home heating systems for residential and commercial use. These systems include pellet and wood/multi-fuel boilers that can also be combined with solar hot water systems and connected to existing home heating/plumbing systems.

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Carbon Shredding While Toasty Warm

Tue, 11/25/2008 - 12:55am — The Energy Optimist

Ahh, while the world melts down in chaos, I bask in a sense of gratitude from the home energy improvements I recently made. And while I'm at it, I would like to share two key strategies all Northern-climate Shredders need for energy and economic independence: insulation and kindling.

Based on my fuel consumption on the cold days so far, I believe I will cut my fuel use by more than 30% this year, from doing the following:

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Bonnaroo Carbon Shredders

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 10:24pm — The Energy Optimist

The Bonnaroo community is really getting fired up about reducing energy waste. The festival-fans, the festival organizers, and everyone in their networks, are entering the Shreddolution. Since yesterday the www.Bonnaroo.com homepage has featured a Shredder Video and a Shredder contest to get "roo-sters" to join the Do Your Part Bonnaroo Group.

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"Solar Rate" Net-Metering: Example of Solar Economics in Vermont

Thu, 07/10/2008 - 11:32pm — The Energy Optimist

The economics of solar power in Vermont under Green Mountain Power's new "Solar Rate" net-metering program means that solar power is a good investment, even in a place like Vermont that doesn't have a lot of hot sunny days.

This program offers people a “market rate” credit from their power bill for solar power generated by homes and sent into the grid, meaning people and businesses can go solar without having to go "off grid.”

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