Is High-Octane Gas
Bad for Environment?
By Brendan Koerner

Patzek

Many who are enamored of their car try to do right by using premium gasoline. But is 93-octane gas significantly worse for the environment than run-of-the-mill unleaded? Some drivers contend that they've achieved better gas mileage by using premium, but their claims probably can't hold up to scientific scrutiny. According to Tad Patzek, with Berkeley Lab’s Earth Sciences Division, the main determinant of miles-per-gallon potential is a fuel's heating value. And there is simply no significant difference between premium and regular in terms of heating value. But emissions on the production end are another matter, he says. A gas is usually made premium by the addition of oxygenates, or hydrocarbons that contain one or more oxygen atoms. Making a gallon of premium gas thus consumes more energy than making a gallon of regular. Full story.

Story Reports on Turkey
Problem, Safety Issues
By Doug Oakley

They're breaking windows, defecating on public property and intimidating workers. Now scientists at Berkeley Lab are calling them a public safety problem. Who would have thought a bunch of wild turkeys could cause so much trouble? At least 60 of them that are reproducing like rabbits have officials in the Berkeley hills lab worried someone is going to get hurt. The hubbub started last spring when the growing group of gobblers got bigger. At the time, they were a cute sideshow, and occasionally interrupting a meeting with loud gobbles. Full story.

DOE's Orbach Responds
To Budget Reductions

Orbach