• The best way for ethanol to survive is to stand on its own two feet, without spending something we don’t have to get something we’re going to have anyway.
• Sen. Tom Coburn • Making an argument against handing out ethanol subsidies — which cut gas prices but also cost the federal government $6 billion per year. An amendment to kill the subsidies passed both the House and Senate. In the case of the Senate, it was a straight-up bipartisan vote: 73-27. And a number of groups — including environmental groups — note that the subsidies are no longer needed because the federal government already requires refineries to mix ethanol and gasoline. However, don’t get too excited, budget hounds: The amendment is tied to an economic development bill that likely will not pass. source

• dirty death Cremation has long been one of the two mainstream methods of corpse disposal. The burnings are not necessarily eco-friendly, though, releasing carbon into the air and using up a fair share of energy to turn a body to ash.
• clean death? Jeff Miller, a California state assemblyman, proposes allowing people to have their remains liquefied, a new process that uses 1/10th the energy of cremation. We can’t help but think this is going to hurt his political career. source

(via John Ness)

• We are producing about 100,000 to 130,000 barrels a day. We can easily up that to about 300,000 a day.
• Libyan rebel spokesman Ali Tarhouni • The rebels have reportedly signed a deal with Qatar under which they’ll export oil to the nearby country. Ahh, oil politics, we’ve missed you. source

• Frankly, the toilets don’t work in my house. And I blame you.
• Sen. Rand Paul • To Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency at the U.S. Department of Energy. Paul was arguing against efficiency standards for toilets and light bulbs at a National Resources Committee hearing. source

• 2015 one million electric vehicles on US roads
• 2035 80% of US energy from clean energy sources source

• We have, in truth, learned nothing from the genome other than probabilities. How does a 1 or 3 percent increased risk for something translate into the clinic? It is useless information.
• Human Genome Project researcher Craig Venter • Regarding the end result (as of right now) of all the work he did with the Human Genome Project. “We couldn’t even be certain from my genome what my eye color was,” he also claims. “Isn’t that sad?” These are harsh words because of the fact that he spent so much of his life working on this project. But it doesn’t mean it’s a total wash – Venter is looking to use his history in genetic research to help create new forms of energy. Which, let’s face it, would be cool. source

• Apparently, carbohydrates totally fool the brain. See, most athletes, when they need energy, drink sugary drinks to give themselves just a little bit more of a push. But swigging carbs (but not swallowing) apparently has the same effect for a short period. Not enough for normal people, but in the midst of competition, every little bit counts. “Your brain tells your body, ‘Carbohydrates are on the way,’” said University of Birmingham, England’s Matt Bridge, who discovered the effect. “And with that message, muscles and nerves are prompted to work harder and longer.” Freaking cool. source

• I feel like if you’re going to boycott the candy store, you’ve got to leave all the candy alone. I feel like Arizona is the candy store.
• Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce • Making an entertaining douchebag claim to the city of Los Angeles after the city promised to boycott the state over their immigration bill. Pierce’s claim: You make 25 percent of your power for L.A. in Arizona, and we’re gonna shut it down! If you think that’s kinda jerkish. You should see the response by the city’s energy manager, where he points out the city owns the plants. Key highlight: “I might add that, as the City’s Job Czar, I certainly would welcome any conventions or meetings that were going to be held in Arizona to come to Los Angeles. We have fantastic facilities and incomparable weather and we’d welcome them to the City of Angels.” Ouch. Take that, jerkwad! source

• 700k people without power due to the snow source