In Twitter Fight, Rep. Blumenauer Slams Sen. McCain’s Attack On Solar Power Highway
In Twitter Fight, Rep. Blumenauer Slams Sen. McCain’s Attack On Solar Power Highway
When he was running for President, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) freely admitted that he was computer “illiterate” and that he relied on his aides to use a BlackBerry. But McCain recently increased his use of technology, using Twitter to mock what he thinks are the “the TOP TEN PORKIEST PROJECTS in the Omnibus Spending bill.”
Yesterday, his #1 porkiest project was the Oregon Solar Highway:
As Danny Glover points out at AirCongress, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, whose home state stands to benefit from the earmark, didn’t appreciate McCain’s sarcasm and he tweeted his displeasure:
The Oregon Solar Highway is “the nation’s first solar panel project on a major U.S. highway,” which seeks to use a row of solar panels about five feet wide and two football fields long to feed electricity directly into Portland General Electric’s systemwide grid. It is meant to “account for 28 percent of the energy needed to power lights that illuminate the highway’s sweeping interchange at night.”
When he was running for President, McCain declared that “no one in Arizona is against solar.” But, as The Washington Independent pointed out at the time, McCain’s voting record has not been supportive of solar energy. In May 2008, McCain trashed subsidies for solar power while simultaneously arguing for subsidies for the nuclear industry. (HT: Jonathan Singer)
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Wow – under $1 million can build an energy-efficient highway?
Why are we not doing more of these?
March 4th, 2009 at 4:52 pmHe’s just one of the Twittering Repugnant hypocrites!
March 4th, 2009 at 4:52 pmIf this is supposed to be the best example of pork, that just proves that the GOP has completely abused the word to the point of meaninglessness.
Jobs will be created to design, implement, contruct, and maintain this project, and all McCain can do is smile that insane creepy smile as he uses Twitter. Tell me this is the real death of the GOP.
March 4th, 2009 at 4:54 pm- – Hey TP, how come no post on Rush challenging Obama to a debate?
Personally, I’d rather see Maddow or Olbermann take on Rush.
March 4th, 2009 at 4:54 pmMy No#1 GOP moron of the day :
John McDepends ……..Who is proving daily why he was rejected by the majority of US voters.
March 4th, 2009 at 4:55 pm“#1. $1.7 million for pig odor research in Iowa”
WOW – TP, you are brilliant!
You put up a post about earmarks and McCain and still manage to bring the GOP’s drug addicted leader Limbaugh into the story.
Not sure why anyone wants to really know why the fat radio blowhard smells so bad, though……
March 4th, 2009 at 4:58 pmI’m not sure a loser has ever gotten this much run. Go away McCain.
http://www.pufferfishblog.com/
March 4th, 2009 at 4:58 pmRealness Says:
If this is supposed to be the best example of pork, that just proves that the GOP has completely abused the word to the point of meaninglessness.
March 4th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
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Seriously. In a $3.6 trillion budget, $950,000 isn’t pocket change – it’s pocket lint.
March 4th, 2009 at 4:59 pmIs there no end to the hypocracy of angry John McCain? He’s angry that Obama plans to sign the omnibus bill that contains earmarks. Although no earmarks were added by McCain, fellow AZ Senator is bringing the bacon home to Arizona. Funny, I don’t recall hearing McCain complain about that. Where is McCain’s outrage at his fellow Republicans? They’ve added the 3 most expensive earmarks in the bill; 6 out of the top 10 purveyors of pork in this bill are Republicans.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:02 pmArizona takes back $1.30 in federal spending for every dollar it sends to washington john.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/sr139.pdf
Why don’t you put our money where your mouth is…
March 4th, 2009 at 5:03 pmWhy does McIIIrd hate light? Should be obvious, he’s only comfortable keeping his constituents in the dark about what a moron he truly is.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:03 pmThe GOP likes Twitter because it sounds like spitter.
And the GOP like to spit on this nation and everyone who isn’t a top 5% wage earner.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:05 pmSure a solar highway is a good thing but what about a mag lev train whose last stop is a whore house?
March 4th, 2009 at 5:06 pmWhen Reagan was about McCain’s age, signs of Alzheimers were already appearing. McCain seems unable to recall what he’s said from day to day.
Perhaps the U.S. Congress should incorporate tests for mental competence. That would also clear out some of the other blowhards.
PEACE
March 4th, 2009 at 5:08 pmCongress member were all over the news today defending their states earmarks. Nobody was defending McCain. So sad.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:10 pmStop the Twittering.
Is this what the Congress has turned into, a bunch of giggly teenagers playing with their cell phones during class?
Behave, or I’m sending Nancy Pelosi around with a ruler.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:11 pmdbadass, I’m good with that, as long as it runs from Seattle to New Orleans, through Reno and Las Vegas…
March 4th, 2009 at 5:12 pmPurple. only if she dresses up in a severe black habit…
March 4th, 2009 at 5:12 pmThis kind of spending, innovation, and experimentation is exactly what we need.
Interestingly, on a road trip I took awhile ago I was daydreaming about the possibility of solar panels in the median strip of the highway, connected to a grid on the road which electric cars could somehow utilize (something like the electric trains of old).
We NEED to think out of the box and try unconventional things. McCain is stuck in his Hanoi Hilton box.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:15 pmdbadass Says:
Sure a solar highway is a good thing but what about a mag lev train whose last stop is a whore house?
March 4th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
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We have that already, don’t we? RNC Headquarters is just a few blocks from Union Station…
March 4th, 2009 at 5:15 pmtoasty, that had to hurt.
Our trolls!!
March 4th, 2009 at 5:18 pmMcCain is talking about how angry his constituents are, both of them.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:19 pmPatrioticLiberalChristian Says:
Interestingly, on a road trip I took awhile ago I was daydreaming about the possibility of solar panels in the median strip of the highway, connected to a grid on the road which electric cars could somehow utilize (something like the electric trains of old).
March 4th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
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I don’t think the numbers would work, even if there was some way to get the electricity to the cars while they’re moving. Solar technology over a small area like a median strip wouldn’t generate enough energy for that. It does make perfect sense, though, to use it to power lighting.
From what I saw in the article, the one obstacle seems to be regulatory. Some antiquated Oregon state law prevents the redistribution of power – it needs to be used in the same place it’s generated. I hope the Obama Administration is looking into setting some national legal and regulatory framework that’ll make a smart grid possible.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:24 pmThis country needs a New SMART GRID….and it’s going to get one.
A Smart Grid uses computer applications to seamlessly transport electrons (electricity) from where ever it can be produced to where ever it is needed.
Energy will follow the same pattern as Information. When the Internet was first started, information was slow and expensive. Now it’s practically free.
Same with Energy. The Sun Shines for free. The wind Blows for Free. All that is needed is a Better Way to move that energy around. A SMART GRID.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:24 pmRight. Why put solar panels on an unused highway right of way? That’s as crazy as properly inflating your tires!
March 4th, 2009 at 5:27 pmtoaster, yeah I know it is not a feasible idea but it’s the thinking itself that is important. Ideas that are not feasible, goofy, unreasonable, and just plain bad can nonetheless generate intellectual thought that does lead to good ideas. You know, kind of like how our trolls help us formulate our good ideas!
March 4th, 2009 at 5:27 pmBobwurst Says:
Why don’t you put our money where your mouth is…
March 4th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
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Speak for yourself, Bobwurst. I don’t want John McCain’s mouth anywhere NEAR my money, thank you very much…
March 4th, 2009 at 5:30 pmAnti-tech Republicans need to be put out to pasture. Give them a nice couch and the tv remote and get out of the way of the modern world.
Forget the remote. They probably wouldn’t want to CHANGE channels anyway. Even if they did, they could probably use the exercise.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:30 pmSo no one told McCain that anything he twitters “Can and Will be used against him” – of course, he still hasn’t figured out that he’s floating around YouTube also.
But looking at the projects that he is slamming:
Hog odor control. That is a big issue in the midwest as the folks are trying to make large pig farms (CAFO – Confined Animal Feeding Operation). Odor is one of the main limiting factors.
Solar power – has anyone pointed out to McCain that his state is rather sunny and could really benefit from applying solar ?
March 4th, 2009 at 5:30 pmWhat is a “twitter fight”?
:|
Is that a fight between 2 twits?
March 4th, 2009 at 5:31 pmI’ve been thinking for years (yes I have) that all new homes should be required to have solar panel roofs. Imagine, if all of the new homes that were built over the past ten years had solar roofs. What would our electric bills be now, a few cents a month?
O.k. o.k, I know they’d find a way to still rip us off.
Where I am in CA our bus. electrical rate is $18. per kwh. The next highest rate in the entire nation (when I did my research last year) was $4. per kwh. And they apply to the highest spike in usage, and that’s spike as in .0001 second to the entire month, every minute minute of every day for thirty days.
What a bunch of crooks. No wonder nothing inovative gets passed.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:38 pmPatrioticLiberalChristian Says:
toaster, yeah I know it is not a feasible idea but it’s the thinking itself that is important. Ideas that are not feasible, goofy, unreasonable, and just plain bad can nonetheless generate intellectual thought that does lead to good ideas. You know, kind of like how our trolls help us formulate our good ideas!
March 4th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
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Hmmmm… Electricity, goofy ideas, trolls… Electricity, goofy ideas, trolls…
AHA! I’ve got it! TROLL POWER!
It’s so simple! Just attach a piezoelectric surface behind the keyboards of TP trolls and Congressional Republicans’ blackberries, and they’ll be generating electricity while they Troll and Tweet! Soon, the trolls/Republicans will be offsetting their carbon footprint, and actually contributing something to the world!
Thanks for the inspiration, PLC! :)
March 4th, 2009 at 5:38 pmSo it costs neaarly $1 million dollars and it only provides 28% of the energy required to light a highway interchange? Wow.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:38 pmAlejandro, can you think past tomorrow, or today, or the next hour?
March 4th, 2009 at 5:40 pmNo, it’s one interchange. Like a cloverleaf. And it’s 28% of the power.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:41 pmAlejandro Says:
So it costs nearly $1 million dollars and it only provides 28% of the energy required to light a highway interchange? Wow.
Yeah..but Alejandro…once it is built…it provides energy for FREE for EVER.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:42 pmTHE Danny Glover? whaaa???
March 4th, 2009 at 5:43 pmCan you? You’ll be paying for this stimulus bill for way longer than tomorrow.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:43 pmHA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !
You think solar cells last forever.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/02/solar-cell-coating.php
March 4th, 2009 at 5:43 pmThe unit cost of such panels is inversely proportional to the number produced. If we make millions of them, they’ll be cheaper per unit. And employ (gasp!) American workers?
March 4th, 2009 at 5:46 pmhussein toasterhead Says:
Wow – under $1 million can build an energy-efficient highway?
Why are we not doing more of these?
especially in ARIZONA!
but the sun shines everywhere, of course…
March 4th, 2009 at 5:48 pmSomebody please, make it stop.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:49 pmThese War-pigs were the ones that plunged our country into the bowels of economic hell and they are still being heard from ?
Good Gawd, get out the duct tape and shut them up.
RUCerious Says:
Not to mention the potential for export. If America specializes in renewable energy technology, and does it right, other countries that are tired of playing the oil game will be lining up to buy our wares. Manufacturing base could come home again. Heartwarming thought to think of the millions of good jobs this would create.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:50 pmYou all are being pretty tough on McCain. He thought it was a highway system for Martians. A simple mistake. As for the pig oder research the problem pales when compared to John staggering around from his paymasters back to the Senate with a ripe load in his Depends.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:55 pmOK … NOT Forever
from the link:
Most polymer, or thin film, solar cells currently have a lifespan of about 25-30 years; over time, their ability to convert sunlight into electricity is degraded by UV light.
A team of researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, has developed a “photon conversion material,” a special coating, … the coating, when applied to the cells, not only boosts the cells’ energy conversion efficiency; it also increases their longevity by sharply reducing the damage caused to the cells.
So people are working on extending the life of solar cells…as we speak.
How long does a tank of Gas last????
March 4th, 2009 at 5:57 pmI seriously don’t want to line up with McCain but, as a resident of Portland, I have not been impressed with the costs of this project and the expected result.
Remember, this is the land of relatively inexpensive electricity and even though solar power is a great idea, it doesn’t seem to me that the ROI makes any sense.
March 4th, 2009 at 6:00 pmBadmoodman Says:
- – Hey TP, how come no post on Rush challenging Obama to a debate?
for real? what a completely pompous delusional azzhole…
that’s a no-win if there’s even a response…
watching 1600 now…
March 4th, 2009 at 6:04 pmyep, time to turn him off.
Relstively inexpensive electricy? Then I guess you don’t live in Southern Ca. Don’t worry high prices will make it to Portland too.
Alejandro, I think it’s fine to invest in something we can actually get a return on. How do you feel about investing in Wall Street?
While solar cells don’t last forever, the sun will. How’s the oil situation working out for you?
Alejandro to Salk, man your wasting your time on that vaccine. Think of all the time and money you’ve put in, you’ll never get a return.
March 4th, 2009 at 6:08 pmhoo wee! wait ’til you hear are fleisher spinning on 1600 -
it’s all the fault of president obama and his staff!
they started it!
wheee!
March 4th, 2009 at 6:09 pmthat would be ari fleisher…
March 4th, 2009 at 6:12 pmno politics even have to be involved, Alejandro. You just do some math and you’ll see the amount saved, even with a 25-30 year life span. You are a perfect example of brain-dead conservatism that doesn’t have this country’s best interest in mind. You’re willing to follow ideology over real numbers, and that’s another reason you guys lost and losing relevance every day.
March 4th, 2009 at 6:24 pmMaple Street #30 Well yeah, DUH, just think of all the solar radiation they could utilize in Arizona. Heck, here in OZ, It’s a law that all new homes have solar water heaters, and they work well. In fact, I recently heard that an Aussie scientist increased the efficiiency of solar cells b 50%!
So, McGrmpy considers renewable energy as pork.
How much energy does his 12 houses use ?
March 4th, 2009 at 6:25 pmRich H Says:
Relstively inexpensive electricy? Then I guess you don’t live in Southern Ca. Don’t worry high prices will make it to Portland too.
Not a lot of hydropower in southern California, no.
Again, I have no problem with solar power. I just don’t think this particular project makes a lot of sense.
March 4th, 2009 at 6:29 pmaccount for 28 percent of the energy needed to power lights that illuminate the highway’s sweeping interchange at night.”
i’d be interested to see just how quickly the 28% of energy savings pays for the solar highway on its own.
i’d imagine it’d be pretty quickly considering the amount of energy used in powering highway lights etc.
i don’t see how something that saves us money in the long run and creates construction jobs in the shortrun and maintenance jobs in the long run could be defined as pork.
March 4th, 2009 at 6:29 pmGummitch,
We get dragged over hot coals on the rates down here. Also Enron wasn’t that long ago. They shut off our power for fun. I don’t know if Enron affected where you are or not. And hydropower is an excellent source of electricy.
So actually we can agree on that.
As for southern ca. all I’ve seen in the twenty plus years I’ve lived here is foot dragging by politicians. Any time anyone talks about rail projects (up unitl a few years ago) they got laughed out of the discussion.
Every year that money not spent on “just” expanding the freeways is a total waste. Boston’s had a subway since the 1840s. It’s just the mindset I find in SC and in the republican party I find very frustrating.
You can’t just assume the status quo is fine when you know it’s not. Anything that is a step in the right direction is o.k. with me, and the panels along the highway seem fine.
We have constant work on the highways down here, I’ve counted them as wide as 17 lanes across. Right now there adding more lanes a few miles from here. Why not rail, or a subway, or adding solar panels?
The future’s going to come, might as well get out in front of it.
March 4th, 2009 at 7:22 pmIf the buffoon McSame does not retire, maybe he will just drop dead!
March 4th, 2009 at 7:39 pmTwitterpated:
March 4th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
A twelve-year old boy in Beaverton, Oregon has made progress with the solar cell.
http://www.katu.com/news/28432984.html
I don’t think it’s beyond our top scientists in the energy field to make solar power more affordable and efficient. The highway project is a start.
March 4th, 2009 at 8:33 pmMcCain needs to retire…
March 4th, 2009 at 9:50 pmWhy is anyone still listening to this…crap. The man was obsolete in October of last year.
Although I did enjoy the “bang the fist on the desk” theatrics. Made him look…oh, I don’t know…manly? Decisive?…
Okay, whackko. Poor guy. The only control he has is over Cindy. I really think she would have been great on Dancing With the Stars.
March 4th, 2009 at 11:28 pmRich H Says:
While solar cells don’t last forever, the sun will. How’s the oil situation working out for you?
March 4th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
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Now that’s silly talk. The Sun is most certainly not going to last forever. Yes, it’ll be quite efficient as a power source for the next five billion years or so as it gradually increases in magnitude. Then it’ll begin depleting its supply of hydrogen and will begin to swell, swallowing up Mercury and Venus and probably Earth. And then over another billion years or so it’ll outgas a bunch of helium and heavy metals and stuff and turn into a white dwarf, which will last perhaps 10^32 years (a time measurement which will be irrelevant since Earth will no longer exist) though it could last as long as 10^200 years if the Sun decays into a black hole, though it’s quite possible that the Universe will either unravel completely or collapse in a Big Crunch long before that time.
All of which will be shorter than infinity. So your estimation that the sun will last “forever” is clearly bunk. You, sir, owe this forum an apology.
March 4th, 2009 at 11:54 pmgummitch Says:
Not a lot of hydropower in southern California, no.
Again, I have no problem with solar power. I just don’t think this particular project makes a lot of sense.
March 4th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
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I think it’s a good pilot project for something that could be helpful. Hear me out here.
The thing I keep hearing about solar projects is that too much energy is lost in the transmission from the deserty areas where we have a lot of solar radiation to the urban centers where we have a lot of demand. And that there aren’t enough high-volume power lines to carry the power.
So what if we used our highways, which already constitute a grid connecting all our major and minor cities. If we lined the medians and sound baffles with photovoltaics, couldn’t we replenish the portion of wind and solar energy that would be lost in long-distance transmission?
March 5th, 2009 at 12:00 amO.K. is someone really having an issue with the life of the sun? I could have googled it and come up with the best estimate given.
Rest assured whatever that number is, we will probably be gone before then. If not, then it will hasten our demise. With the end result being for all intents and purpose that the sun will last forever.
Really, do I need to give you a number?
March 5th, 2009 at 2:52 am