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This is the weblog of
Raymond Powers.
Here I will be sharing what I find of import, humor, concern, inspiration and on the transformational edge
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A Quote:
"In deep silence we return to the ultimate cause, pure being. There you come face to face with the womb of creation, the source of all that was, is or will be, which is simply - yourself." (Deepak Chopra)
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Raymond lives in Ojai, where the time now is:
09:50AM
Unique Readers:
Primarily
Public Domain
Everything I've written here, except my copyrighted
essays, poetry, lyrics, and music is hereby placed in the public
domain. The quotes from other people's writings, and the pictures
used might or might not be copyrighted, but are considered fair
use. Thus the license here would best be described as:
Primarily Public
Domain.
Please ask permission if there is any question in
regards to public domain usage.
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Syndication:
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| Thursday, May 4, 2006 |  |
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4 May 2006 @ 16:47
Manila welcomes Asia’s first big biodiesel plant
By Roel Landingin in Manila
Published: May 4 2006 01:01
The Philippines yesterday inaugurated Asia’s first large-scale biodiesel plant, which can produce up to 60m litres a year of the alternative fuel from coconut oil, a big step for the poor south-east Asian country.
Chemrez Inc, a Manila-based oleochemicals maker, built the plant for 650m pesos ($12.6m, €10m, £6.9m) ahead of the passage later this year of legislation requiring petrol refiners and distributors to sell diesel fuel mix with at least 1 per cent coconut oil, and petrol containing at least 5 per cent of sugar ethanol.
The company expects initially to export up to 80 per cent of its output to Europe, the world’s biggest biodiesel market, as well as to Japan and Australia, while local petrol distributors set up the infrastructure for pre-blending the biofuel, said Jun Lao, Chemrez president.
Across Asia, governments and companies are developing plans to build biofuel plants or expand production of palm oil, sugar, jatropha and other crops that could prove to be cheaper and more sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-based petroleum products.
In Malaysia, palm oil plantation companies, in partnership with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, are planning to build three 60,000-tonne plants to export biodiesel.
Kuala Lumpur is also considering a law requiring petrol stations to sell biodiesel using palm oil from 2007 in an effort to reduce state diesel subsidies.
“We expect to hold the distinction of being Asia’s first large-scale biodiesel plant for only six to eight months because bigger projects, especially in Malaysia, are coming on stream later this year and early next year,” said Mr Lao.
He said global demand for biodiesel was set to rise as European Union members switched to palm or coconut oil from more expensive rapeseed in producing biofuels.
The Philippines, which buys all its crude oil requirements from abroad, saw economic growth fall to 5 per cent last year from a 15-year high of 6.1 per cent in 2004 mainly because of inflationary pressures stemming from soaring crude oil prices. The country’s trade deficit grew by almost a third to $7.5bn as its oil import bill surged.
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Philippine president, welcomed the new biodiesel plant and said it represented a big step forward in the country’s efforts to find a solution to soaring world crude prices.
Unable to cut taxes on petroleum, much less subsidise gas prices because of the government’s large budget deficits, Mrs Macapagal is instead promoting private investments in alternative fuels such as biodiesel from coconut oil, ethanol from sugar and compressed natural gas.
Her cabinet recently rejected a proposal from an economic adviser to suspend the collection of the 12 per cent value added tax on petroleum products to provide immediate relief to consumers.
The move could lower the unleaded gasoline price by about a tenth but would also cost the government about 29bn pesos a year in forgone revenue, equivalent to about a fourth of its 125bn pesos budget deficit target this year. More >
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4 May 2006 @ 00:40
State's first hemp farming rules aimed at clearing federal hurdle
By James MacPherson, Associated Press
Grand Forks Herald - Grand Forks, ND
May 3, 2006
BISMARCK, N.D. - State Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson is
proposing rules that he hopes will make North Dakota the first state
to allow commercial hemp cultivation and quell law enforcement fears
about the biological cousin of marijuana.
Johnson acknowledges it's an uphill battle.
The rules would require a criminal background check on farmers who
want to grow hemp. The sale of hemp and location of the hemp fields
must be documented. And the farmer must get a permit from the Drug
Enforcement Administration.
Hemp contains trace amounts of tetrahydrocannobinol, or THC, a banned
substance, and it falls under federal anti-drug rules, said Steve
Robertson, a DEA special agent in Washington.
The DEA does not have the authority to change existing federal law,
Robertson said.
"It's very simple for us: The law is there and we enforce the law,"
he said Wednesday. "We are law enforcement, not lawmakers."
The state rules would be "contingent on the federal government
changing its mind," Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said. The
likelihood of that is "very small," he said.
Johnson and other proponents say hemp is safe because it contains
only trace amounts of the mind-altering chemical. Industrial hemp
would be an alternative cash crop for North Dakota farmers because
it's used to make food, clothing, cosmetics, paper, rope and other
products, they say.
Johnson said his department crafted the state's industrial hemp rules
after he and agriculture commissioners from three other states met in
February with DEA officials in Washington. They discussed what would
be required to allow industrial hemp production, Johnson said, and he
believes North Dakota's proposed rules address those requirements.
READ More >
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4 May 2006 @ 00:39
T R A N S I T I O N S
by Steve Sprinkel
appearing in ACRES,USA
June 2006
2006 should have been the year when industrial hemp was finally produced commercially again in the United States. Though hemp is produced in forty countries, in the United States unfortunately that is still for the future. However, recent developments in various state governments have opened the way so that a new crop can be added to an organic farmer’s rotation in as few as three and probably no more than five years.
Lobbying government, rational publicity and dialogues in state legislatures help, but the coming explosion in hemp products worldwide and consequential economic forces will make cultivation irresistible. In a few short years there will be so many organic hemp products on the market that further delay in the US will just be bad business. And its business that steers the Washington, DC leviathan more than any appeal to reason.
We may merely wear a bit of cannabis now and nibble on a spoonful of seed, but the inevitable advent of a multitude of viable products, from fuels to packaging and construction materials to a replacement for plastics is upon us. This was the consensus at an impromptu meeting in southern California of five international hemp production experts hosted by John Roulac of Nutiva.
Mr. Roulac, the author of Hemp Horizons ( 1997, Chelsea Green Publishing Co.) manufactures a number of hemp food products made from Canadian-grown hempseeds. This season he is offering Hemp Shakes at retail. He has positioned himself as a realist in the campaign to make industrial hemp cultivation in the US possible.
Mr. Roulac is careful to choose moderate allies, while at the same time serving as an activist litigant to repel ongoing legal challenges launched by the Department of Justice. Mr. Roulac, who lives a few miles from us in a small community surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest, was a key defendant in the landmark 2004 victory against the US Drug Enforcement Agency that renewed importation of processed hemp foods.
US Hemp food sales are growing at a 50% annual clip according to the US industry research group SPINS. Hempseed-based foods are becoming more common in a variety of applications, including bread, cereal, specialty nutritional oils, food bars, nut butters, and protein powders and shakes. The market is always hunting up the new, and hemp delivers good values like omega three in the nutraceutical category filled by flax and fish oils.
John Roulac is certain that hemp oil is primed for significance: “ …the product tastes as good ( many say better), provides a wider array of beneficial nutriments ( omega three, plus steridonic and gamma linoleic acids) and is competitively priced. The high-end market for the specialty oils has been built by flax and fish, so we are optimistic.”
READ More >
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| Monday, May 1, 2006 | |
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1 May 2006 @ 06:12
I’m excited to share that I have been given the honor to steward the Matilija Sanctuary in Ojai,CA. I will be in residence there, as well as managing the property and retreat rentals. It’s 9 acres of secluded private land, tucked in a canyon on the Matilija River just north of Ojai, with year round natural hot and cold springs and accommodations for 40+ guests
I have been in conversations with the new owners for several months developing our vision and intention for the land and resources there. We want to invite workshop and seminar facilitators to come and utilize the space for education, training and community. For many years it has been a hub of new thought, spiritual exploration, permaculture, and conscious gatherings. We will be continuing this legacy and plan to have it available by June.
Though a private residence, and not available for unscheduled public use, we do want to continue renting it for single and multiple person retreats and vacations, as the previous stewards had. If you want ore information or to visit the property, please contact me.
It’s a nourishing, potent, inspirational location where I will have the opportunity to host and nurture our visitors, share the healing power of nature, provide live music for our guests and offer private coaching and mentoring sessions upon request.
I am grateful to be in service and entrusted with the care of this amazing land and hold the container for those that will be visiting. More >
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| Saturday, April 29, 2006 | |
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 29 Apr 2006 @ 08:34
the Goddess Re-Awakening
an introduction to the Goddess Religion
Presented by Letecia Layson
According to Demetra George, Feminist Astrologer and Author, the Goddess is awakening from a 5,000 year cycle of sleep. Hear Her-Story as we trace the roots of the Goddess Religion, the contemporary Goddess Movement and how these are both affecting and contributing to a sustainable future.
Join us for an lively afternoon of sharing, guided visualization, and ending with a short ritual. The content includes insights and information from Letecia's travels. Through sound, we will merge our voices with hers in celebration of ourselves, the season and our commitment to personal and planetary transformation.
Date/Time: Sunday, April 30th, 2006 ~ from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location: The Goddess Temple of Orange County
17905 Sky Park Circle, Suite A, Irvine, CA 92614
Directions: San Diego/405 freeway (Irvine) exit MacArthur (north/inland)
on MacArthur go two streets, past Main to Sky Park East
Left on Sky Park East one street to Sky Park Circle
Right on Sky Park Circle about two blocks to building 17905 on right
Temple at end of building. Abundant free parking all around.
Cost: $30.00 at the door ($20 pre-registration by April 20th)
What to Bring: journal/note-taking materials and a candle in a holder
About the Presenter: Letecia Layson is a Filipina, Feminist, Futurist, Priestess of Morphogenesis (Form Coming Into Being), Priestess of Isis and High Priestess of Diana, ordained in the Dianic Tradition, The Fellowship of Isis (FOI) and TheTemple of Isis. Letecia was the recipient of the 2003 Catherine Wright Award for Equality and Justice in Alternative Spiritual Awareness by Feas2t. In 2005 Letecia's activism has brought her to the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil and 13th Commission of Sustainable Development at the UN in New York.
Dedicated to a path of service to She of Ten Thousand Names, Letecia is committed to embodying the principle, 'personal is political' by healing and transforming civilization through her words, voice, dance, art and rituals. She works with her communities, Circle of Aradia and The Temple of Isis in Los Angeles, CA. She cultivates Life and land through permaculture in Ojai, CA with her new cat who has not shared her name, three housemates, their two cats and Kalu a Tibetan Mastiff.
Additional Info / Questions – leave a message for Bridget at 949-589-7236 More >
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| Thursday, April 27, 2006 | |
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 27 Apr 2006 @ 22:39
GE Energy Takes Equity Position in Ocean Energy Company
April 21, 2006
Norwalk, Connecticut [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] UK-based Ocean Power Delivery (OPD), the company behind the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter, received a major vote of confidence this week as U.S. industrial giant General Electric took an equity position in the company.
"We're expanding our renewable energy team to take advantage of a perfect nexus of positive developments in relative costs, technology, regulations and public opinion. This nexus propelled our renewable energy portfolio growth during 2005 by 40 percent, to nearly $1 billion."
-- Kevin Walsh, Managing Director and leader of GE Energy Financial Services' renewable energy team
GE's Technology Lending unit is providing capital to OPD, developer of the world's first commercial facility that will generate electricity from offshore ocean waves. The transaction, made in conjunction with GE Energy Financial Services, extends a loan facility of $2.6 million (GBP 1.5 million) to the company.
Additionally, GE will take an undisclosed equity position as part of OPD's $22.5 million (GBP 13 million) equity raise as OPD prepares to deliver on its first commercial contract for a wave power farm.
"Renewable energy is of global importance, and GE's commitment helps us to develop and commercialize new and improved wave energy technology," said Richard Yemm, Managing Director of OPD. "We look forward to exploring additional opportunities with GE's cleaner energy initiatives."
OPD developed the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter, which generates 750 kilowatts (kW) of electricity from offshore wave motion. The company's first order is from a Portuguese consortium that will install the system to generate enough electricity to meet the demands of more than 15,000 Portuguese homes while saving more than 60,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, compared to equivalent fossil fuel generation. OPD expects to install and commission the first stage of the project during the summer of 2006.
"This transaction is another example of GE's ongoing commitment to companies that are developing new, environmentally beneficial technologies," said GE Technology Lending's Mark Huang. James Kim of Technology Lending added, "OPD clearly is a leading innovator in the emerging field of ocean-wave energy generation, a fact validated by the company securing the world's first commercial order in the sector."
The move comes at a time when GE is expanding its financial services unit and specifically those in the division that serve the renewable energy market. Estimates of annual global renewable energy investment requirements range from $20 billion to $30 billion, excluding large hydroelectric plants. Energy Financial Services is seeking to grow its renewable energy investments to more than $3 billion by 2008.
"We're expanding our renewable energy team to take advantage of a perfect nexus of positive developments in relative costs, technology, regulations and public opinion," said Kevin Walsh, Managing Director and leader of GE Energy Financial Services' renewable energy team. "This nexus propelled our renewable energy portfolio growth during 2005 by 40 percent, to nearly $1 billion."
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27 Apr 2006 @ 16:53
I’m excited to share that I have been given the honor to steward the Matilija Sanctuary in Ojai,CA. I will be in residence there, as well as managing the property and vacation retreat rentals. It’s 9 acres of secluded private land, tucked in a canyon on the Matilija River just north of Ojai, with year round natural hot and cold springs and accommodations for 40+ guests
I have been in conversations with the new owners for several months developing our vision and intention for the land and resources there. We want to invite workshop and seminar facilitators to come and utilize the space for education, training and community. For many years it has been a hub of new thought, spiritual exploration, permaculture, and conscious gatherings. We will be continuing this legacy and plan to have it available by June.
Though a private residence, and not available for unscheduled public use, we do want to continue renting it for single and multiple person retreats and vacations, as the previous stewards had. If you have interest in having retreat here or visiting the property, please contact me.
It’s a nourishing, potent, inspirational location where I will have the opportunity to host and nurture our visitors, share the healing power of nature, provide live music for our guests and offer private coaching and mentoring sessions upon request.
I am grateful to be in service and entrusted with the care of this amazing land and create a sanctuary for those that will be visiting. More >
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| Friday, April 21, 2006 | |
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21 Apr 2006 @ 22:54
OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 17, 2006
11:03 AM
CONTACT: Environmental Working Group
Bill Walker, EWG, (510) 444-0973, ext. 301
Tracy Fairchild, office of Sen. Jackie Speier, (916) 651-4008
Bush Plan To Hide Data on 1.5M Lbs. of Toxic Chemicals in California
State Legislation Would Protect Californians' Right to Know About Pollution in Their Communities
SACRAMENTO - April 17 - A Bush Administration proposal to roll back Americans' right to know about chemical hazards in their neighborhoods would let California industries handle almost 1.5 million pounds of toxic chemicals a year without telling the public, according to an investigation of federal data by Environmental Working Group (EWG).
Currently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program requires industrial facilities to report annually the release, disposal, incineration, treatment or recycling of 500 pounds or more of 650 chemicals covered by the law. But last fall the EPA proposed sharply raising the reporting threshhold so that only releases of 5,000 pounds or more would be reported, and reports would only be required every other year.
"The right to know what hazardous chemicals are coming out of the smokestack across the street from your child's school is essential," said EWG Vice President Bill Walker. "The Administration's proposal makes it easier for industries to pollute our communities with hazardous chemicals—in secret."
EWG's report, "Stolen Inventory," lists all facilities in California that would be allowed to stop or cut back on reporting chemical releases, broken down by county, city and chemical. It is available at www.ewg.org.
EPA will announce later this year whether it plans to adopt the proposed rollback. But two California legislators, Sen. Jackie Speier of San Francisco/San Mateo and Assemblymember Ira Ruskin of Redwood City, have introduced bills to establish a state-level TRI, to ensure that complete reporting of toxic chemical releases would continue. Speier's bill (SB 1478) will be heard at 1:30 p.m. today by the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, and Ruskin's (AB 2490) will be heard at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday by the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee.
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| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 | |
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 12 Apr 2006 @ 14:40
With Big Boost From Sugar Cane, Brazil Is Satisfying Its Fuel Needs
By LARRY ROHTER
Published: April 10, 2006
PIRACICABA, Brazil — At the dawn of the automobile age, Henry Ford predicted that "ethyl alcohol is the fuel of the future." With petroleum about $65 a barrel, President Bush has now embraced that view, too. But Brazil is already there.
This country expects to become energy self-sufficient this year, meeting its growing demand for fuel by increasing production from petroleum and ethanol. Already the use of ethanol, derived in Brazil from sugar cane, is so widespread that some gas stations have two sets of pumps, marked A for alcohol and G for gas.
In his State of the Union address in January, Mr. Bush backed financing for "cutting-edge methods of producing ethanol, not just from corn but wood chips and stalks or switch grass" with the goal of making ethanol competitive in six years.
But Brazil's path has taken 30 years of effort, required several billion dollars in incentives and involved many missteps. While not always easy, it provides clues to the real challenges facing the United States' ambitions.
Brazilian officials and scientists say that, in their country at least, the main barriers to the broader use of ethanol today come from outside. Brazil's ethanol yields nearly eight times as much energy as corn-based options, according to scientific data. Yet heavy import duties on the Brazilian product have limited its entry into the United States and Europe.
Brazilian officials and scientists say sugar cane yields are likely to increase because of recent research.
"Renewable fuel has been a fantastic solution for us," Brazil's minister of agriculture, Roberto Rodrigues, said in a recent interview in São Paulo, the capital of São Paulo State, which accounts for 60 percent of sugar production in Brazil. "And it offers a way out of the fossil fuel trap for others as well."
Here, where Brazil has cultivated sugar cane since the 16th century, green fields of cane, stalks rippling gently in the tropical breeze, stretch to the horizon, producing a crop that is destined to be consumed not just as candy and soft drinks but also in the tanks of millions of cars.
CLICK TO READ More >
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| Thursday, March 30, 2006 | |
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30 Mar 2006 @ 02:41
Toshiba Offers USB Flash Drives for Laptops, LCDs, PDAs
Everyone knows that electronic equipment will cause the downfall of humanity. Luckily we have people like Toshiba trying to do something about it. Their latest project, TERRE — Toshiba’s Environmental Recovery and Recycling Effort — is offering an incentive for turning over electronic equipment to them for safe and proper recycling. They will send a free courier service to your pad to pick up the busted equipment, and then in four to six weeks, they will send you a new USB flash drive in the mail. The strangest thing about TERRE, it seems to be Canada only. What do they have that we don’t? Looks? Bacon?
Here’s the link to Toshiba to find out more: Toshiba TERRE
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Sounding Circle implies the cycles, spirals and symbols of our thought, our culture, our lineage and our imagination.
A place to share ideas, create community, and give voice to our muse.
"Giving more than we take, taking just what we need."
"The universe is music connecting 10th dimensional hyperspace".
Prof. Michio Kaku, Phd. |
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"It's not what you think, it's what you think about."
- lyric from You Can't Turn Back (But You Can Turn Back On) |
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Sounding Circle
