Talent Out

AP reports former Republican US Sen. Jim Talent said Tuesday he won't bid for a political comeback by running in Missouri's open Senate race in 2010.

Sobering

In the Winter of 2009, The Heritage Foundation will release a high-definition documentary that tells the story of the very real threat that hostile nations and rogue dictators now pose to every one of us. In 33 minutes or less, life as we know it in America could end. That's the time it would take for an enemy's ballistic missile to hit the United States. Hit this link to view the trailer.

OH What a Race

Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher (D) has made public his desire to run for U.S. Senate. Fisher filed paperwork to form an exploratory committee for the race to replace retiring Sen. George Voinovich (R). Fisher's demonstrated interest will likely clear the Democratic field of primary challengers given virtually assured support from Gov. Ted Strickland. Barring scandals before the primaries, the Senate race is now set between Fisher and ex-Rep. Rob Portman (R).

Maybe Shuler Wants to Stay in the House

In the Charlotte News & Observer today, Rep. Heath Shuler, D-NC, is quoted saying that while President Obama has "reached out to listen to his concerns," Democratic leaders on the Hill haven't.

"I truly feel that's where maybe House leadership and Senate leadership have really failed," Shuler said.

This prompted a withering response from Jim Manley, the spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

"Let me get this straight - this is coming from a guy who threw more than twice as many interceptions than touchdowns?"

WSJ: Renewable-Energy Power Grid Could Cost $100 Billion

The new system would be needed because the existing Eastern grid couldn't handle the volume of power coming from the wind-producing states. In addition, the new grid would need to be able to handle the fluctuating nature of wind power, which can surge at some moments and drop sharply at others.

There is strong political and public support for increasing production of renewable energy, and Congress is considering enacting a nationwide standard that would require utilities to garner more of their power from renewable sources. However, there is only an emerging understanding of how new standards would affect the country's existing electricity infrastructure.

The study, sponsored by some of the nation's biggest grid-running organizations east of the Rockies, is the most comprehensive attempt by the industry to figure out what kind of infrastructure upgrades would be needed if the U.S. attempts to sharply increase the amount of power it gets from sources such as wind and solar.

NV Energy postpones plans for coal plant in Nevada

NV Energy has postponed plans to build the 1,500-megawatt Ely Energy Center in Nevada due to environmental pressures and estimates that capturing coal-fired carbon emissions will not be feasible before 2020, company president and ceo Michael Yackira said.

Tough Job!

Rick feeds the pigeons on the boardwalk in Venice. Says Rick, " somebody's gotta feed 'em.