Weekly Clean Energy Roundup: September 9, 2009

Scientists Fear Methane Emissions from Oceans, Tundra Reports Find Huge Potential to Cut US Energy Use EPA Sets Stricter Standards for Energy Star TVs DOE Finalizes $535M Loan Guarantee for Solyndra Tiny Algae Loom Large in Biofuel Pilots US, Australian Advanced Geothermal Projects Face Setbacks USDA Awards $13M for Rural Clean Energy Projects Scientists Fear Methane Emissions from Oceans & Tundra due to Warming Warming of the Arctic ocean over the last 30 years has triggered the release of methane from seabed sediments, according to U.K. researchers. During a recent Arctic survey, scientists from the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS) found more than 250 plumes of methane gas bubbles rising from the seabed in one area, at depths of about 500 to 1600 feet. The scientists believe the methane is being released from methane hydrates, which are becoming unstable in the warming conditions. Methane hydrate is an ice-like substance composed of water and methane that is stable in conditions of high pressure and low temperature – huge amounts of methane hydrate are expected to be present in the seabed sediment. The researchers say that most of the methane currently being released from the seabed is dissolved in the seawater before […]

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