A turtle crossing a road somewhere in the United States.

This is just a quick reminder that when you see a turtle in the middle of the road, don’t take it home. You may like your home but the turtle probably has one already.

The best thing to do if you want to help a turtle out, is to pull over in a safe spot, pick it up carefully, and take it to the side of the road it was heading towards, trying your best not to get squashed yourself. Then wash your hands.

Don’t take it home, and don’t drop it off at school with your kid (I’ve seen that happen a million times and trust me, a wild turtle doesn’t want to hang out with 30 six year olds). The turtle was on its way somewhere, help it get there without getting it or you run over, and then let it do its turtle thing.

The Research Vessel Russell W. Peterson ran aground yesterday in Bethany Beach after two crew members were pulled from the ship. One of the crew members died. (Photo courtesy of a listener.)

The Love Creek Marina at high tide.

Earlier today we found out that the research vessel Russel W. Peterson, which has been studying the potential impact of a wind farm on birds for Bluewater Wind, was in distress and needed Coast Guard intervention. The vessel ran aground in Bethany. We’ve since learned that one of the two crew members on the R/V Russel W. Peterson is dead. Ken Hayes, President of Aqua Survey, the company who owned the vessel released this statement:

This morning the liftboat Russell W. Peterson sent out a distress signal to the US Coast Guard.

The Peterson had been offshore Rehoboth Beach, DE, studying bird migration. The Coast Guard
is to be commended for dispatching rescuers by both sea and air. The Peterson was staffed by
two captains. Both were removed by the Coast Guard. We have been informed that one of the
captains did not survive the ordeal. Aqua Survey is not releasing names at this point. Our hearts
and prayers are with the family and friends of the lost mariner.

Aqua Survey will work closely with the Coast Guard and other agencies to safely and quickly
salvage the vessel.

And this is from Peter Mandelstam, President, Bluewater Wind:

“Everyone here at Bluewater Wind is deeply saddened by this tragic occurrence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the captain’s family, friends, and loved ones.”

The public parking lot at the end of Savannah Road in Lewes. It’s all sand.

A tree blocking the eastbound lane of King’s Highway, that’s the road to Cape Henlopen High School and the District office if you’re coming from Route 1 north. School was on time, but then around 8:30 a.m., an hour after the start of the day for many schools, the automated call came from the District Office that you shouldn’t send your child to school if there was flooding in your area…little late, fellas.

Downtown Milton.

The end of Old Landing Road.

Route 1 by Five Points.

The ocean at the Indian River Inlet.

A snowplow keeping Route 1 directly north of the Indian River Inlet Bridge free of sand.

The ocean in Rehoboth Beach, Rehoboth did a good job weathering the storm so far.

A small windmill on a home in Rehoboth cranking out power like a champ.

And, the R/V Russell W. Peterson, the research vessel that Bluewater Wind launched to study the possible impact of their wind farm on avian life, has run into trouble:

From WGMD News:

The Coast Guard responded to a distress call from a research vessel off the coast of Rehoboth Beach. Authorities say two people aboard the Russell W. Peterson activated an electronic positioning radio beacon and reported that the boat was breaking up and taking on water about 14 miles off the coast. A helicopter crew from the Coast Guard air station in Atlantic City, N.J., was on the scene, and two small boats from Cape May and Ocean City were also en route. The vessel, named after a former Delaware governor active in environmental issues, was christened in Wilmington just six weeks ago and was being used by Bluewater Wind to study migratory bird routes in connection with the proposed offshore wind farm.

More to come as the tide rolls in…

And no, I’m not talking about at Irish Eyes….

The goose in Milton I took a picture of last week has two eggs in her nest, and apparently a mate, good for her.

Every December media outlets recap their favorite and/or biggest stories for the year. In that same tradition, I’ve decided to put up some of my favorite blog pictures of the year and 10 posts I’ve made that I feel changed the course of world history and, of course, saved all of humanity.

My Favorite Pictures of 2007

A beautiful day at Tower Road.

A Civil War Reenactment during Milton’s 200th Anniversary.

Governor Ruth Ann Minner running away from me and out of the Georgia House in Millsboro the night of the 41st District special election.

Even after his resignation from the State House for ethics issues, John Atkins’ supporters launched a failed write in campaign to send him back to Dover. His campaign signs cropped up all over the 41st.

The table where Laura Bush ate breakfast at the Royal Treat on Wilmington Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.

The Cohen brothers, they found the ill fated Rissos dolphin washed up at Tower Road.

The Rissos dolphin dying on the beach at Tower Road.

The SINKING South Side approach of the “new” Indian River Inlet bridge and the road it tried to pull down with it.

John Andretti, I met him. How cool.

The “Dic Dang” sandwich at the Corner Market Bistro in Milton.

Lighting the balloons up like lanterns during Milton’s 200th Anniversary celebration.

Joe Biden talking about Iraq at Browseabout Books on Rehoboth Avenue.

Jared Morris and Dan Gaffney having fun at the Best of Delaware celebration in Dover. (And yes, Dan always has that light shining above him, it’s the most amazing thing…).

The French invade Rehoboth Beach.

Disheveled Barbies from Washington DC spotted loitering on Columbia Avenue after their Dream House furniture was recalled.

Dr Wray and Stell Parker Selby changing seats at the Cape Henlopen School Board meeting in December after Wray resigned the Presidency.

My Favorite Posts of 2007

# Ten: Your Sussex County Council

# Neuf: The French visit Rehoboth

# Eight: The Atkins Scandal

# Seven: The Indian River Inlet Bridge

# Six: Biden at Browseabout Books

# Five: European Football

# Four: Laura Bush visits Rehoboth Beach

# Three: My interview with John Andretti

# Two: Toy Recalls

# One: The Global Warming

Kevin Fleming is a world class photographer, and now a world class First State blogger.  Kevin is working on his latest book, “Wild Delaware”.  Once a day for an entire year, (365 days) Kevin will trudge out into the wilderness of Delaware and capture on camera local wildlife in it’s natural environment.  The photo’s from the days shoot appear daily on his blog, http://www.wilddelaware.com

 

For a real treat scroll back in time on his site and see the insect close-up’s and a great shot of a fox gazing into the morning sun.

No, your turkey doesn’t cost more because it hangs out with President Bush and his buddies.

This year your Thanksgiving turkey is going to cost more than last year because we’re turning to alternative fuels:

Turns out your Thanksgiving dinner is going to cost about $5 more this year. One big reason? Ethanol. Here’s why. The most expensive part of the dinner is the turkey (though some grocers give it away if you overload on everything else). And 60% of the cost of the turkey is the feed. Most of the feed is corn, and corn prices are through the roof because corn is being diverted to the hot item of the moment: ethanol.

California’s poultry industry alone has seen a “$100 million dollar” increase in the cost of corn feed. So is there a bright side? Well, no, not if the “side” you’re talking about is creamed corn or cornbread stuffing….

Former Delaware Congressman Thomas B. Evans, Jr. (R) surrounded by a group of local children at the wind power rally in Rehoboth Beach.

With it gusting around 40 mph, you just couldn’t have picked a better day for a wind power rally in Rehoboth Beach. As pinwheels whirled in the crowd, organizer Marc Weiss kicked off the rallly,

“It’s absolutely vital that it (the wind farm) get built and that the project be approved now.” - Marc Weiss audio

And while some politicians felt that sending their regards was enough, two Delaware politicians were in Rehoboth Beach Saturday to take a stand for clean, renewable energy.

Former Delaware Congressman Thomas B. Evans, Jr., (R), who lobbys for environmental causes (like not wasting tax payer money to build roads in the Tongass National Forest for lumber companies), lectures at Florida Atlantic University, and grew up in Seaford, Delaware, (he’s also my father-in-law), took the time to show his support for clean energy and talk about the realities of burning coal,

“…it’s a calculable cost to people here, to their lives, to their futures and the young people.” - Thomas B. Evans, Jr. audio

Yes, that’s gubernatorial candidate, Mike Protack (R), (in the back of the crowd to the left with the baseball cap and the moustache), supporting “renewable power.”

Mike Protack (R), who’s running for Governor, was also at the rally and more than happy to share his views on wind power and Delaware’s energy future,

“Delaware is selling itself short if we don’t make that gradual and necessary move to renewable power.” - Mike Protack audio

Wilmington blogger Tom Noyes of Tommywonk, spoke about letting the state know that you back the Blue Water Wind project, and he had some encouraging words for the crowd,

“The Public Service Commission and other state agencies need to hear from you….I’m convinced that these numbers can work and they can work in a way that’s going to save us money over the next 30 years.” - Tom Noyes audio

The general consensus at the wind power rally today in Rehoboth Beach was that there was still hope for the nation’s first off-shore wind farm to be built in the First State.

Citizens for Clean Power was in attendance and helping with the rally. I spoke with Pat Gearity from CCP, and she also wanted to tell people to “get involved,”

“Get involved right away with writing the Public Service Commission and making your feelings known about the Blue Water Wind project.” - Pat Gearity audio

Delaware’s Public Service Commission chose Blue Water Wind’s wind farm proposal to be the new source of energy in the state. However, after the PSC reduced the size of the project from 200 to 150 turbines, and made BWW and DP & L negotiate terms of agreement, the PSC rejected the newly negotiated BWW proposal, (because it wasn’t like BWW’s original proposal anymore, duh), sending the state’s energy future back to square one. So here’s how you can get involved, and since you’re on the internet right now, I’m going to assume you can e-mail:

Delaware Public Service Commission
Arnetta McRae, Chair
arnetta.mcrae@state.de.us

Office of Management and Budget
Jennifer W. Davis, Director
jennifer.davis@state.de.us

Controller General’s Office
Russell T. Larson, Controller General
russell.larson@state.de.us

DNREC
John Hughes, Secretary
john.hughes@state.de.us

And wait, to give you some of that, “This blog post made me almost feel like I was there,” feeling, HERE is the rally’s chant.

Looks like we’re gonna say “bye bye” to this…

The Delaware Public Service Commission is deeming Blue Water Wind’s proposed off shore wind farm “not in the public interest” after the company changed it’s original proposal during negotiations with Delmarva Power and Light.

After an informed and deliberative review of the Term Sheets, Staff cannot recommend that the State Agencies direct Purchase Power Agreements (“PPAs”) based on any of the long-term generation proposals, including the backup arrangements. Although Staff would like to be part of the effort to pioneer offshore wind power to take control of Delaware’s energy future, such a recommendation is — at this time — not in the public interest and is not consistent with the underlying principles of the Electric Utility Retail Customer Supply Act of 2006 (“EURCSA”).

Staff believes that approval of Bluewater’s revised project is not in the public interest because:

• The revised project, which includes a commercially unreasonable pricing escalator, imposes significant additional risk as well as cost on Delmarva’s SOS ratepayers;

• Bluewater shifts the project’s risk associated with cost increases during construction to Delmarva SOS ratepayers, and thus, the ratepayers – not Bluewater – assume full responsibility for any losses incurred with project delay and/or failure;

• The delayed timing of the revised project results in additional cost and exacerbates the price risk;

• Staff expected that the negotiations would yield a lower price for the wind project, on a per customer kWh basis, but rather the negotiations resulted in a more expensive, less favorable project than the original bid proposal; and

• Other jurisdictions, such as New York and Texas, have determined that offshore wind facilities are not an acceptable solution to energy needs based on unreasonable expense and uncertainty with regard to project viability.

Moreover, the bidders and Delmarva have not complied with the State Agencies’ direction to craft Term Sheets that include the material aspects of the long-term power arrangements because several crucial issues remain in dispute in all three proposed Term Sheets.

And “hello” to another century or so of this…

It bothers me that the PSC is deeming the offshore wind farm “not in the public interest” and using because other states have as one of their reasons. This looks bad for the people crossing their fingers for a clean source of energy for the state, but the PSC has left the door open….

You can read what Tommywonk has to say about this latest twist HERE.

Former US Vice President and Oscar winner, Al Gore.

Who would have imagined that a full 3 months after Al Gore’s Live Earth concert extravaganza, global warming wouldn’t be fully reversed and all of humanity wouldn’t be saved from a horrifying and painful greenhouse gas induced death? Certainly not me.

Well, it’s true, we aren’t saved yet, but thanks to science and a business professor, there is still hope.

Craig Venter, a DNA scientist, is expected to announce that he’s created artificial life, life that could possibly someday be used to save the world from global warming:

Bacteria could be created, he speculates, that could help mop up excessive carbon dioxide, thus contributing to the solution to global warming….

Releasing carbon dioxide eating bacteria to stop the global warming? Sounds like it could work, or end up being like a late night science fiction movie. The idea certainly needs to be added to the list of things science is working on to solve the global warming crisis and its pending doom.

Meanwhile, Bjorn Lomborg, a business professor and not a scientist at all, has a totally different take on the global warming doomsday scenario and how to deal with it:

Environmental groups say that the only way to deal with the effects of global warming is to make drastic cuts in carbon emissions — a project that will cost the world trillions (the Kyoto Protocol alone would cost $180 billion annually). The research I’ve done over the last decade, beginning with my first book, “The Skeptical Environmentalist,” has convinced me that this approach is unsound; it means spending an awful lot to achieve very little. Instead, we should be thinking creatively and pragmatically about how we could combat the much larger challenges facing our planet.

And Bjorn gives us an example of what he’s talking about:

A one-foot rise in sea level isn’t a catastrophe, though it will pose a problem, particularly for small island nations. But let’s remember that very little land was lost when sea levels rose last century. It costs relatively little to protect the land from rising tides: We can drain wetlands, build levees and divert waterways. As nations become richer and land becomes a scarcer commodity, this process makes ever more sense: Like our parents and grandparents, our generation will ensure that the water doesn’t claim valuable land.

He also has this plan to stop the decline of the polar bear population by not hunting down “300 to 500″ of them a year and killing them. But overall, Lomborg’s ideas to combat global warming-like wind power and levees and mosquito netting and not hunting the polar bears-aren’t quite as sexy as carbon dioxide eating bacteria or blocking out the sun like an episode of The Simpsons, so don’t expect them to take off any time soon.

And one more thing of note, Lomborg mentions all of the dignitaries traveling to Greenland to see glaciers melt so they could go home in a panic about global warming, (not that I’ve noticed), and he had an interesting point:

Curiously, something that’s rarely mentioned is that temperatures in Greenland were higher in 1941 than they are today. Or that melt rates around Ilulissat were faster in the early part of the past century, according to a new study. And while the delegations first fly into Kangerlussuaq, about 100 miles to the south, they all change planes to go straight to Ilulissat — perhaps because the Kangerlussuaq glacier is inconveniently growing.

And where did our Congressional members stay while in Greenland watching glaciers melt and “studying” the global warming?

By 10:30 p.m., the lawmakers will be gone again. The delegation will spend the night in Ilulissat, have Sunday lunch with the president of the home-rule government of Greenland, tour the fjords, and fly back to Washington, D.C., Steffen said.

Of course.