Alberta’s 2016 budget: Ignoring lessons from Alberta’s history
(Appeared in the Calgary Sun) by Ben Eisen and Charles Lammam
Alberta expects to rack up $37 billion in new debt over the next three years.
 
Notley following Wynne’s failed Ontario strategy on deficits and debt
(Appeared in the Calgary Sun) by Ben Eisen and Charles Lammam
Ontario has seen its net debt increase by $126.5 billion since 2008/09.
 
Will B.C. ever export LNG?
(Appeared in the Vancouver Sun) by Kenneth P. Green and Taylor Jackson
The regulatory approval process for Pacific NorthWest LNG has taken more than 750 days and counting.
 
Energy conservation programs in Ontario: waste of time and money
(Appeared in the Globe and Mail) by Tom Adams and Ross McKitrick
One Ontario government agency—the Independent Electricity System Operator—plans to spend $3.1 billion for conservation programs through 2020.

ALERT

BLM is proposing a “Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation” rule, commonly referred to as the Venting and Flaring rule.

The rule will make oil and gas production on federal lands across the country more difficult and expensive, reduce production, increase energy prices, kill jobs and damage local economies – without providing any significant benefits to the environment. It will also reduce government revenues by driving oil and gas production from federal lands to private lands.

BLM’s Venting and Flaring rule is currently in a 90-day public comment period that ends April 22nd.

A draft comment letter can be found at this link, courtesy of our Consumer Energy Alliance friends. Please feel free to personalize the letter and return it to CEA’s Jame Voyles on company/organization letterhead — or on your own personal letterhead.  Jame will coordinate submission to the federal docket.

“Why carbon dioxide is a good thing,”

from one of our Canadian readers, Thorp Watson

Are politicians willing to learn from greenhouse operators?  Such knowledge will enable them to challenge the climate-change alarmist propaganda, which wrongly classifies carbon dioxide (“CO2”) as a pollutant. The advertisement for the Johnson CO2 generator reveals that:

– “CO2 enrichment at 2, 3 or 4 times natural concentration will cause plants to grow faster and improve plant quality.”

– “Plants must absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) in combination with water, soil nutrients and sunlight to produce the sugars vital for growth.”

– “After 3 to 4 hours of early morning sunlight the CO2 level can drop to around l00 to 150 ppm, then growth is practically stopped.”

It is important to note that the atmosphere’s CO2 content is reduced to about 180 ppm during the planet’s reoccurring glaciation cycles. Because this level is dangerously close to the no-growth level, tree lines retreat and deserts advance.

The consumption of the planet’s reserves of coal, oil, and gas will not materially replenish the CO2 content of the atmosphere. The atmosphere will continue to be CO2 impoverished.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to restore the highly desirable CO2 content of ancient atmospheres (e.g. 5 to 20 times) because most of that CO2 was naturally sequestered to form carbonate rocks such as limestone.

Thorpe

Johnson CO2 Generator

Fertilizes greenhouse air – easy and inexpensive to install

Improve plant quality – Increase production

CO2 Generator

Carbon dioxide is one of the essential ingredients in green plant growth, and is a primary environmental factor in greenhouses. CO2 enrichment at 2, 3 or 4 times natural concentration will cause plants to grow faster and improve plant quality.

Modern growers are becoming increasingly aware of the value of CO2. Particularly now that most greenhouses are purposely shutting out CO2 to conserve energy.

The Johnson CO2 Generator automatically provides the carbon dioxide to meet maximum growing potentials – and operates for only pennies a day. The Johnson Generator can easily be installed in any greenhouse. No expensive ductwork is necessary and CO2 is diffused evenly without supplemental fans.

Join with modern growers everywhere – use Johnson CO2 Generators – the low cost way to produce CO2 – the nutrient of the new millennium.

Why you get more rapid and efficient growth and better plant quality with Johnson CO2.
Plants must absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) in combination with water, soil nutrients and sunlight to produce the sugars vital for growth. A shortage of any of these requirements will retard the growing process. Normally there are approximately 300 parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere***; when this level is increased to over 1 ,000 ppm, results are higher production and better plant quality. The Johnson Generator provides up to 1,500 ppm per unit in an average 24′ x 200′ greenhouse or an equivalent 50,000 cu. ft. volume based on one air change per hour.
Nighttime levels in a greenhouse range from 400 to 500 ppm due to plant respiration. Shortly after sunrise this level will drop to normal atmosphere (300 ppm) due to the plant using the early light to start photosynthesis.After 3 to 4 hours of early morning sunlight the CO2 level can drop to around l00 to 150 ppm, then growth is practically stopped. Supplemental CO2 added during this period can substantially increase your plant and flower production. By adding CO2, during winter months when greenhouse ventilators are closed and when low CO2 concentration becomes a limiting factor in growth, users are obtaining yield and bloom quality which is normally associated with spring and summer.
CO2 More Important Than Ever
The Johnson CO2 Generator is more important than ever because greenhouse growers, trying to conserve energy, are shutting out CO2. Rising fuel costs have forced many growers to use doubled-layered glass, etc., to conserve energy – as a result much less CO2 is entering the greenhouse.
How to use the Johnson CO2 Generator
When there is sunlight and the vents are closed, CO2 should be added continuously to your greenhouse. If the vents are opened because of heat build up the generator should continue to operate for about 2 hours and then be shut off. Approximately 1 Lb. of CO2 per hour per 1,000 sq. ft. yields 1,000 ppm’s of CO2. A 4,000 sq. ft. house requires at least 4 Lbs. of CO2 per hour. If CO21evel drops off from 1,000 ppm’s to 500 ppm’s on a clear sunny day, you can easily adjust to a higher burning rate to make up for the more rapid absorption of CO2 by plants. Most growers use their Johnson Generator daily in winter from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Easy and inexpensive to install
You can install the Johnson CO2 Generator easily in any greenhouse. In fact, most growers do it themselves. No expensive duct work necessary. The CO2 is diffused evenly throughout the greenhouse without supplemental fans.
Automatic …fully adjustable
Completely automatic, the Johnson unit comes complete with a gas pressure gauge. Simply set the gauge to the gas pressure desired for your greenhouse area and the Johnson Generator will automatically provide the correct amount of CO2. Just as you adjust the amount of water and fertilizer to meet the changing needs of your plants, you also set the Johnson Generator to produce the desired amount of CO2 for your greenhouse. The Johnson unit includes a 24V. gas valve. This can be activated by a timer or a combination timer thermostat, which automatically turns the units on in the morning and off in the evening as desired. (Optional).
Safe …requires no floor space …rugged construction
In case of flame failure, gas supply shuts off automatically and the Johnson unit saves you valuable floor space. It hangs from the rafters …completely out of the way. It’s only 18″ in diameter and 20″ high, it weighs 21 Lbs. and is easy to move. The Johnson generator is constructed of special heavy gauge aluminized steel for maximum corrosion resistance and long life.
Specifications:

Maximum area fertilized per unit* 4,800 Sq. Ft.
Cubic feet/hr. CO2 @ 60� temperature* 72
Pounds CO2/hr.* 8.25
Burner Range BTU/hr.* 20,000-60.000
Diameter: 18″
Height: 20″
Shipping Weight: 25 Lbs.
*Based on adding 1,500 ppm CO2 to a greenhouse
with one air change per hour CO2 production
slightly less when burning natural gas.
Equipment
No.1332 Johnson CO2 Generator with safety valve & gas pressure gauge
Transformer (115V/24V; 50V A)
(Required for operation of one unit. Same transformer can be used to operate two additional units.)
Control Package (optional)
Automatically turns unit(s) on before sunrise — off after sunset. Package controls up to 3 units. Includes thermostat and 24 hr. timer.

The foregoing is found at:

http://www.johnsongas.com/industrial/CO2Gen.asp

***Correction: Current CO2 content of the atmosphere is about 400 ppm.