Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC): The Schatz Energy Research Center on the HSU campus is one of the foremost fuel cell development laboratories in the United States. SERC uses these facilities to design, fabricate, and test fuel cells, and then integrate the fuel cells into energy systems for a variety of uses: small, portable remote power systems for locations far from the electric grid, vehicle power systems, and demonstration/education packages. SERC's fuel cell systems have proven to be among the most reliable and efficient in the world. SERC's staff currently consists of 11 research engineers, support staff and graduate and undergraduate students. SERC provides support and facilities for labs in Engr 475 and 480.
Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT): CCAT is a completely student run organization that seeks to educate people on sustainable living practices through their demonstration at the Buck house on HSU's campus. The house has a 2.4 kW grid-intertie PV system, 2-flat plat solar hot water collectors, a wind turbine, solar greenhouse, thermal curtains, and energy efficient appliances. The house is so energy efficient that the PV system produces much more electricity than the house requires on an annual basis. CCAT feeds this excess renewable energy back into the grid to be used elsewhere on the HSU campus. Students use CCAT to understand how many of the energy technologies discussed in class can be applied.
Contrast the good work the Humboldt State University is doing in energy research with the evil of the Bush... and his nuclear waste disposal solution...
One of the most tragic consequences of the Iraq war is the astounding quantity of Depleted Uranium the USA has left there. This is a TOXIC metal that is used to make bullet shells. It vaporizes when a round is fired and burns a hole in the object that it hits. This metal has been shown to cause abnormal increases in miscarrages for the wives of soldiers and Iraqis. It has a half life of about 4 billion years so that the country will be polluted until the END OF TIME. The reason the USA uses this metal is two-fold. It works great as a weapon because of it's armor piercing quality AND it is a by-product of the Nuclear power plant industry. Manufacturers can get this metal very cheap because the power plants are happy to get rid of their toxic waste. The town of Concord Mass. is a SUPERFUND CLEANUP SITE due to the factory that made shells... Now THAT'S a shot heard 'round the world...
What the congress ought to do now:
1. Restore Miranda.
2. Repeal the Patriot Act.
3. End US government spying on Americans.
4. End the War in Iraq.
5. Impeach Bush and Cheney.
6. Universal Health Care.
7. Increase Minimum Wage.
8. Switch to Ethanol and Biodiesel from oil.
9. Legalize Medicinal Marijuana.
10. Fix Global Warming. Build the Space Shade.