J.C. Moore Online

Current Events from a Science Perspective.

  • Westar Energy’s Proposal to Increase Rates on Solar Customers

    Westar Energy is proposing a rate increase for customers who install solar panels or other distributive energy sources. Those Net Energy Metering (NEM) customers would have to choose between an additional $50 a month energy charge, or a $15 fixed fee plus a per-kilowatt rate demand charge based on the previous month’s maximum usage. If… Read more

  • We Should Not Weaken the EPA

      Opponents of the EPA are now seeking comments on regulations that need to be eliminated by the EPA. They are, of course, focusing on the regulations that save businesses money by allowing them to pollute the environment. Please submit a comment at the link above asking that  no steps be taken to weaken the EPA.… Read more

  • Alternate Facts Make Fake News

    Kansas now has its own fake news source, The Sentinel . Not only does its alternate news misinform the public, but it provides cover for politicians who use it to justify their positions. This letter describing The Sentinel was published in the Wichita Eagle on May 5, 2017. Alternate facts The Wichita Pachyderm Club recently hosted… Read more

  • Green Energy Is Not a Frivolous “Add on”

    Dr. Pirotte’s clinic with solar panels This is a reprint of a letter to the Wichita Eagle from Dr. Patrick Pirotte, which explains why renewable energy is important for our future. Dr. Patrick Pirotte, O.D., is a board certified Fellow in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and treats children with vision and learning-related vision problems. He lectures nationwide on… Read more

  • Beans to Beef: How Diet Affects the Climate and Your Health

    This guest article is a PowerPoint presentation given by Jane Byrnes to the March Citizens Climate Education meeting. Jane is a Licensed Dietitian and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. It is a balanced presentation encouraging you to eat more locally grown fruits and vegetables and encouraging you to eat less meat, particularly beef and lamb. Though… Read more

  • Wichita: Doubling Down on Air Pollution

    Perhaps you can’t beat city hall. The plan to buy 120 Yamaha gasoline golf carts was dropped last Fall as a bad idea after citizens pointed out the high cost and the risk of increasing  ozone pollution.  Now, the city is planning to buy 240 Yamaha gas carts to replace their fleet of electric golf carts. That idea… Read more

  • Winners of the 2016 Hall Of Fame and Hall of Shame Awards

      Thanks  to those of you who submitted nominations and who voted.  The four top candidates in each category were selected from the nominees and the poll was  conducted on three internet sites and Facebook. This year’s winners won by landslides. Here are the winners: Hall of Fame  1. Dr. Katharine Hayhoe ( 91% of the vote) –  an atmospheric scientist at… Read more

  • Poll: Vote for the 2016 Hall Of Fame and Hall of Shame Candidates

      Thanks  to those of you who submitted nominations. The four top candidates in each category have been selected from the nominees. Please vote for the ones who you think have most affected the environment for good or ill.  If you will, please post a reason for your vote and a suggestion for suitable gifts for your favorite candidate. The most… Read more

  • The Malheur Refuge and Standing Rock: A Tale of Two Standoffs

    The Malheur Refuge standoff and Standing Rock standoff were handle very differently by the authorities. This article describes the standoff and examines the reasons for the different treatment of the protesters. Read more

  • Carbon Fee and Dividend: Legislative Action Needed

    Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., was certainly right when he told a group of energy executives that cheap energy was necessary for our economy to be competitive and that legislation is needed to keep energy costs low (Wichita Eagle, Oct. 1 Business). Fossil fuels provide cheap energy because they do not pay their external costs, which include… Read more