Game plan:
Story slug and type of story (i.e. consumer):
Alternate sources of energy and how they are becoming economically feasible. (consumer)
Source of story idea (if article, news release, etc. will need to see actual copy): Multiple news articles found in The Wall Street Journal Report on Energy on Friday, February 9, 2007
Why story idea is unique/relevant: With rising gas prices it is important to know where else we can turn for energy; especially those that are better for our environment.
Primary audience: Car drivers/home owners
Secondary audience: Business owners
Story news peg (why is this news now, why I’m doing the story now): In the winter we use a lot more energy to hear our homes, and basically stay alive. Energy required to run things is more valuable in the winter than in the summer.
Focus of story: Consumer focused on car drivers and home owners who require a lot of energy, and sources, for operation.
Sources (remember, a minimum of three human sources needed) and why this person (what questions they can answer, stats provide, etc.):
Expert: Ryan Brown, Indiana Department of Energy and Defense, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, rbrown@oed.in.gov or 1-317-232-8961. Official: Dr. Wally Tyner, Purdue University Agricultural Economics Professor with an emphasis in energy, wtyner@purdue.edu or (765) 494-0199
Real person: Brian Duckett – very energy aware human who just recently bought a hybrid car. bduckett@purdue.edu. Documents
Background:
Economic Green Journal - http://egj.lib.uidaho.edu/egj09/youngqu1.html
BP Alternative Energy Information - http://www.bp.com/modularhome.do?categoryId=7010&contentId=7026283
Stats or numbers needed and source of these:
Various IEA Energy statistics
What will reader take away from story: Basic knowledge on alternative energy sources; where to find them, how to use them, and how much they cost.
Service journalism box idea: Side-by-side comparison of bioenergies vs. non-renewable energy sources.
posted by Janelle S. Thompson @ 4:29 AM
5 Comments:
i like the story idea because its always good to know about more types of energy, and you have great sources. one thing i really think you should use in this story is how much these new kinds of energy will cost, and if there are any side effects from using alternate energy sources.
Wow, this is a really ambitious and different story. I would make sure, you probably do, to have backup sources just in case the expert source doesn't get back to you. I would find someone who wastes energy or finds him or herself using more because of the cold weather. For example, the heat in my apartment is powered by gas, and this month my gas billed jumped up thirty bucks because of how much I used. Maybe you could show how someone like me would love to learn how to be more energy efficient and have cheaper gas bills.
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I really think this is a very relevent topic for today, and love that you found someone with a hybrid car. Did you think of talking to a gas station that sells alternate fuel? How much are they selling now a days?
Also, Frank Dooley, He's in AGECON sits on an ethanol board for the state or something. You might want to pick his brain.
Janelle,
I am concerned about your focus. If you had to sum up your story in one sentence, what would it be? And can you give all that enough space in a 500-700 word story? Can you talk about cars and heat and all that and not shortchange? And what is new? We know about hybrid cars. Are sales up? Did someone here just get a new shipment?
I really think you need to pick a narrower focus on what eco friendly thing you want to talk about and why now.
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