Alternative Energy Bits

The U.S. Geological Survey just conducted its first national geothermal assessment in 30 years. The conclusion they've reached is that if fully developed, geothermal sources could contribute significantly to energy production in the U.S.. (via CleanTechnica)

Researchers have made significant advances in learning to create hydrogen gas from biowaste -- ordinary sewage. A possible side-effect? Cleaner water. "Conceptually, treatment plants could be developed that take in sewage on one end and send clean water and hydrogen fuel out the other." (via PhyOrg.com)

The World Bank is currently under attack by environmental groups for continuing to fund fossil fuel heavy projects in developing countries and dropping their funding of renewable energy projects. (via BusinessGreen.com)

Leaked World Bank study asserts that 75% of recent food price hikes are due to biofuels

It's finally slipping into the mainsteam that biofuels aren't the panacea that Washington would like us all to think they are. They're actually worse, and it seems that continuing to pursue them as a viable alternative source of energy will invariably mean that more and more people will go hungry. As it stands now, food prices will almost certainly hike significantly over the next several months as price increases for raw materials end up trickling down to consumers who'll pick and choose 'em off grocery store shelves. I hope that this report has an impact on governments currently rolling in minimum biofuel content requirements in their respective countries.

Read the Guardian article on it here.