Slanted Reporting on Keystone, Wind Energy Grew by 17% From last Year, Top Ten Trends in Smart Grid

Media Matters, the watchdog over all things media, released an interesting report on now the media covered the Keystone XL pipeline between August 1 and December 31. The report showed the media industry favored pipeline proponents. It is generally proven that the 20,000 jobs number is false and the project would create a few long-term employment opportunities, yet the pipeline was primarily portrayed as a jobs issue. Pro-pipeline voices were quoted more frequently than those opposed, and dubious industry estimates of job creation were uncritically repeated 5 times more often than they were questioned.  Among the broadcast networks, 79% of those quoted or interviewed were in favor of the pipeline. NBC and ABC did not quote anyone opposed.  On cable news 59% of those interviewed were propipeline and 16% were opposed to the pipeline.   Of those quoted by the major newspapers, 45% were in favor of the pipeline and 31% were opposed. The editorial boards of the Washington Post, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal have come out in favor of the Keystone XL pipeline. 

One of the year’s largest smart grid conferences, DistribuTECH, closes today in San Antonio, Texas. The event is relatively unknown in IT and web circles, but it’s like the CES for utilities, power companies and the vendors that are trying to sell them stuff.  Top ten identified trends were 1.  manage big data, 2.  become the internet of things 3.use of prepaid electricity 4. the smart thermostat  5.commercial deployment of energy storage batteries 6.a focus on software 7. Pivot/Flexibility 8.strong role for cellular 9.M&A still strong, 10. Go Big.

The 4th Quarter Report form AWEA has some good news -- U.S.-installed wind capacity grew by 6,810 megawatts in 2011, a 17 percent rise from the year before, according to the American Wind Energy Association's fourth-quarter report. But the good news may end there unless Congress acts soon, industry officials warn.