For those about to rock…
Although I’m still trying to figure out how to walk the fuzzy line between my job and blogging, when I saw this come across my desk, I knew it was something I could share.
The public is invited to come, too, so if you’ve got nothing better to do on Thursday (July 26) at 9:30 am, come on out and see the new solar panels for yourself. Actually, if you’ve never been to Merriweather while it’s “dark,” you’re missing out. I think I had as much fun on the tour a few years ago as I did at some concerts.Howard County Executive Ken Ulman will be on hand to get a birds-eye look at Merriweather Post Pavilion’s newest addition, rooftop solar paneling. Brad Canfield, Director of Operations & Production for Merriweather Post Pavilion, has invited the County Executive to come view Merriweather's first step in "going green" and to learn more about exactly what these types of solar panels can do. In addition to viewing the solar panels, County Executive Ulman will also be awarding Merriweather the County's first "Green Salute."
This salute will be part of an ongoing effort to recognize Howard County residents and businesses who have decided NOW is the time to do their part to protect our environment. After a brief presentation, the County Executive and Mr. Canfield will be joined by the installers of the solar panels; all will then take a lift up to the rooftop to get an up close look at the installed solar panels.
And while we’re on the topic of Merriweather, the Sun this week asked residents how they felt about the possibility of a renovation that allowed for year-round use. Send your letters here.
And, finally, speaking of letters, I was glad to see the letters to the Sun about the Columbia birthday party – just a bunch of people who, apparently, had a grand old time. Ain’t nothing wrong with that.
Stay tuned for more pictures of the deck! (Are you tired of that yet?)
6 comments:
HD,
Keep the deck updates coming! Although it may be a little late, I have an extra extension ladder, would you like it?
Bill
Will the County Executive drive there in his hybrid or be driven in a Crown Victoria Police Cruiser? The Crown Victoria emits between 27,000 and 37,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year. It would be nice if he practiced what he preaches.
How can CO2 weigh anything? Isn't it a gas?
good questions anon 1 and 2. To answer anon 2.
There was a good discussion on the HCAA list serv. Here is a sample.
It seems impossible that a gallon of gasoline, which weighs about 6.3 pounds, could produce 20 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO 2) when burned. However, most of the weight of the CO 2 doesn't come from the gasoline itself, but the oxygen in the air.
When gasoline burns, the carbon and hydrogen separate. The hydrogen combines with oxygen to form water (H 2O), and carbon combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide (CO 2).
A carbon atom has a weight of 12, and each oxygen atom has a weight of 16, giving each single molecule of CO2 an atomic weight of 44 (12 from carbon and 32 from oxygen).
Therefore, to calculate the amount of CO2 produced from a gallon of gasoline, the weight of the carbon in the gasoline is multiplied by 44/12 or 3.7.
Since gasoline is about 87% carbon and 13% hydrogen by weight, the carbon in a gallon of gasoline weighs 5.5 pounds (6.3 lbs. x .87).
We can then multiply the weight of the carbon (5.5 pounds) by 3.7, which equals 20 pounds of CO 2!
David, I think that question was a joke. Everyone who attended six grade science class knows that gases, like all matter, has mass and takes up space.
Even if it was a serious question, you did not answer it. Your “answer” already assumes that CO2, H2 and O2 have mass.
A Herculean effort, none the less.
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