Clean Energy

Looking back, Swarthmore's leaders are a tad foggy on how the borough came to far outpace other communities in the use of alternative energy. Maybe it stemmed from the borough's long history of environmental activism. Or the nature of a town founded by Quakers that is host to a celebrated liberal-arts college. In any event, Swarthmore has achieved a level of green that most towns would envy. In the last year, more than a quarter of the energy needed to power its homes, buildings, and schools - 27.9 percent - came from renewable sources.

Arie Versendaal spent 20 years stamping steel into washing machines at Maytag, following his grandfather and uncle into the factory that provided the ticket to prosperity here for more than a century. He figured eventually he'd get the traditional "30 and out" plant walk-through that ushered the Maytagger into a generous retirement. Instead, the plant closed for good in October 2007. Versendaal carried his personal tools to his truck, past work boots dangling from the gates. "I haven't thought about it in two years.

As snow blanketed the region Friday afternoon, it seemed appropriate for Akiba Hebrew Academy to be holding a seventh-grade science fair titled "Problems in the Environment. " While the snow created environmental hazards on the streets of Lower Merion, students inside were focusing on the harmful effects of pollution on the earth's oceans, land and atmosphere. "I think that all grades should do this," seventh-grader Naomi Taubman said as she looked at a demonstration of how radon seeps into a house.

Comedians are going to have a field day with the newly formed Sunrise Party of Japan. It's not a terrible name, considering this is the land of the rising sun and all. When its two founders have an average age of 71.5, though, Sunset Party seems more accurate. This septuagenarian group aims to revitalize an economy plagued by deflation and out-of-control debt. Instead, it only highlights a paucity of youthful energy and the demographic perils facing Japan's future and credit rating.

Two weeks ago, Gov. Rendell presented his "Energy Independence Strategy" in the Capitol Rotunda with his environmental secretary, Kathleen McGinty, at his side. That same day, Senate Republicans were circulating a letter urging him to withdraw McGinty's name from renomination. There was a sense of d?j? vu. Four years earlier, Rendell had pulled his cabinet appointee's name at the request of Senate Republicans wanting to review her role as an environmental adviser to President Bill Clinton.

By Mike Krancer In Pennsylvania, we're seeing how rational and responsible energy policies can transform America into an energy superpower, create high-paying jobs, generate new revenues, and drive the cost of energy down. Best of all, we're applying our state's unique expertise to ensure that our environment is protected whenever and wherever energy development occurs. From experience, we know there is no "choice" that must be made between environmental protection and energy development.

It's a summer day a few years from now. Some things are familiar - for one, you're stuck in a Philadelphia heat wave. Other things aren't. You drive your plug-in hybrid car to work. At 3 p.m., when no one's home, your smart electric meter notices that power prices are rising. The meter switches your air-conditioner into energy-saving mode. No human intervention necessary. At 4 p.m., also automatically, the smart electrical grid notices that same spiking demand, and sends a signal to your company's meter.

The President and the debate on global warming Your editorial "A broken promise" (Inquirer, March 16) is right on the mark. President Bush is wrong. Despite his claims to the contrary, the science of climate change is very strong and warrants urgent action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and vehicles. As part of the justification for his back-pedaling, President Bush cites a recent Department of Energy report, "Analysis of Strategies for Reducing Multiple Emissions from Power Plants," which concludes that including caps on carbon dioxide emissions as part of a multiple emissions strategy would significantly increase electricity costs.

It's a summer day a few years from now. Some things are familiar - for one, you're stuck in a Philadelphia heat wave. Other things aren't. You drive your plug-in hybrid car to work. At 3 p.m., when no one's home, your smart electric meter notices that power prices are rising. The meter switches your air-conditioner into energy-saving mode. No human intervention necessary. At 4 p.m., also automatically, the smart electrical grid notices that same spiking demand, and sends a signal to your company's meter.

WASHINGTON - Rep. Jon Runyan, freshman Republican from South Jersey, slipped into the crowded, phone-booth-size reception area of his Longworth Building office on a recent morning, looming over aide Kara Webster, who was eating forkfuls of steamed vegetables between phone calls. "What's going on?" he said, then stopped and wrinkled his nose. "What's that you're eating? It smells like sauerkraut or cabbage or something. " The needling by Runyan, 37, was reminiscent of the teasing in a locker room, though much tamer.