This Organic Food Thing

Posted on July 17, 2011 by quest

The town of Hardwick, Vt., has been celebrated as the scene of a local food revival. In recent years, lots of small farms have started up nearby. Tom Stearns, president of a local organic seed company called High Mowing Seeds, says there are more organic farms per capita within 10 miles of Hardwick than anywhere else in the world. There’s also a thriving local grocery co-op; a busy farmer’s market; even a classy restaurant — Claire’s — where almost anything you eat grew or grazed on land nearby.

But it was Ben Hewitt, as much as anyone, who really put Hardwick and its local food scene on the map. He’s a writer and a back-to-the-land activist himself. He lives on 40 acres near Cabot, down the road from Hardwick, with his wife, their two home-schooled children, and an assortment of pigs, cows and a very friendly dog named Daisy.

Hewitt saw what was happening in Hardwick, and it struck him as unusual, even odd. “Here’s this town: Unemployment rate 40 percent higher than the Vermont state average; median income 25 percent lower; and then there was this thing happening around so-called sustainable ag and local food!” Hewitt says. So Hewitt wrote a book about Hardwick: The Town That Food Saved. Source: NPR By Dan Charles - Listen Here

BMW Launches i Series Electric Cars

IKEA To Host Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Posted on July 16, 2011 by quest

IKEA, a leading home furnishings retailer, today announced a partnership with ECOtality, Inc., a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies, to host Blink electric vehicle charging stations at select IKEA stores in the Western United States. IKEA locations being considered for hosting the charging stations include 10 stores in Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington. These sites will be evaluated for feasibility and installation needs; operational charging stations could be available as early as Fall 2011. This initiative represents the first project of its kind for IKEA.

“We are excited this partnership will make charging stations more accessible to the many people choosing to drive electric vehicles,” said Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president. “Hosting charging stations at IKEA locations known for regional draws furthers our commitment to a smaller carbon footprint and technological opportunities that help protect the environment. This project is part of a global effort to promote the sustainable transport of people.”ECOtality is the project manager of The EV Project, a public-private partnership funded in part by a federal stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Energy made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to provide the necessary infrastructure to support the deployment of EVs. ECOtality is overseeing the installation of approximately 14,000 commercial and residential charging stations in 18 cities and major metropolitan areas in six states and the District of Columbia. IKEA stores are in four of those states.

In addition to this sustainable project, IKEA U.S. has solar energy installations operational in eight locations – including a Denver-area store opening this year in Centennial, CO that also has a geothermal system – as well as solar projects underway at 12 other locations. IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business and strives for its operations to minimize impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates all locations regularly for energy conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings in terms of energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water conserving restrooms; and operationally, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs.

GREEN INVESTING

Solar Icon Eicke Weber Envisions Worldwide Solar Power Network

Posted on July 13, 2011 by quest

Eicke Weber German physicist, former UC Berkeley professor and Head of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems of Freiburg was among high profile “A” listers, green leaders and attendees who opened this year’s Intersolar Show in San Francisco. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, Ramamoorthy Ramesh of the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative and Solar Energy Technologies Program, Katherina Reiche of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment and Mignon Marks, Executive Director of California Solar Energy Industries Association kicked off this year’s session among the realities that the solar industry is now the fastest growing industry in the US.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee underscored San Francisco’s commitment to the solar industry and environmental leadership noting that San Francisco is home to over 30 solar companies and was recently named North America’s “greenest city” by a unique study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and commissioned by Siemens, which assesses and compares 27 major U.S. and Canadian cities on environmental performance and policies across nine categories – CO2 emissions, energy, land use, buildings, transport, water, waste, air quality and environmental governance. The conference which opened yesterday will attract 22,000 visitors representing 62 countries and 800 exhibitors are from 30 countries.

Katherina Reiche spoke of a need for a Trans Atlantic Dialog of ideas between between Germany and the US in order to create a low carbon society. Ramamoorthy Ramesh from SunShot Initiative outlined the DOE’s strategies to increase effeiciencies and manufacturing throughout the solar industry, as California Solar Energy Industries Association’s Executive Director, Mignon Marks called on attendies to join the organization and take advantage of the organization’s resources and services.

Eicke Weber closed out the morning session predicting that the solar industry will grow to be a $100 billion market by 2020. Professor Weber envisions a worldwide solar powered network capable of distributing solar power across vast distances similar to the Desertec Project already underway in northern Africa. Intersolar runs until July 14th, 2011.

DESERTEC

Solar Incentives Powering Growth In Arizona

Posted on July 10, 2011 by quest

Fueled by aggressive, new business incentives, Arizona is quickly becoming the premier location for renewable energy companies. The Arizona Commerce Authority will feature those new incentives and business opportunities available to companies at Intersolar North America, the leading annual solar industry exhibition and conference in San Francisco, July 12-14. Arizona is home to more than 100 significant solar energy businesses, including the world’s two largest solar companies, First Solar and Suntech.

“Arizona has been an ideal location for First Solar to grow its business, including our new factory under construction in Mesa that will add 600 associates to our local workforce,” said Maja Wessels, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for Tempe-based First Solar. “Arizona offers an attractive business climate, a talented workforce and boundless potential for clean solar energy.”In recent months, Arizona has experienced significant growth in the renewable energy marketplace. Companies are taking advantage of tax incentives, a pro-business climate, a specialized workforce and more sunny days than any other state in the country.

“Arizona’s aggressive new focus on solar and renewable energy following the passage of the Arizona Competitiveness Package will significantly enhance economic development opportunities and encourage business relocation for companies that are leading the way in this fast-paced, innovative industry,” said Governor Jan Brewer. “The ACA is spreading the word that Arizona is the place to be for cutting-edge solar technology.”Incentives for renewable energy companies in Arizona include: Up to 10% of capital investments as a refundable income tax credit, Arizona Competes deal closing fund, Income tax credits up to $9,000 for each quality new job, Up to $1.5 million in reimbursable grants to train employees, Up to 34% R&D tax credit, and Significant business tax reductions including lowering the state income tax from 6.97% to 4.9%.

“The U.S. solar industry has the opportunity to double in the coming year. Arizona and the ACA are committed to being a part of that growth,” said Don Cardon, president and CEO of the ACA. “Arizona is armed with business opportunities and tax incentives which make us the leading contender in the renewable energy.”

QUESTPOINT IS: MOBILE

LA To Hold Solar Power Workshops

Posted on July 9, 2011 by quest

Due to public demand, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power canceled a single public meeting about its solar energy programs and replaced it with four workshops, the utility announced today. Thursday’s 2 p.m. meeting at DWP headquarters downtown was canceled and expanded into two, and two more will be held Friday.

All four will be at the DWP headquarters, 111 N. Hope St., in the A-level auditorium. Each workshop will focus on the DWP’s incentive program for installing solar panels and a proposed “feed-in tariff” program meant to spur the use of renewable energy. Attendance will be limited to 125 people per meeting, and reservations will be required. Anyone who reserved a spot for the original meeting will need to RSVP again via the DWP’s web site.

The first meeting is set for 9 a.m. Thursday July 14, 2011 and expected to wrap up about noon. The second meeting starts at 2 p.m Thursday July 14, 2011. On Friday July 15, 2011, the first meeting will be held at 9 a.m., and the final workshop will start at 2 p.m.

Taiwan activates a whole new green solar future

Huge solar business opportunities await in Taiwan with its position as the world’s 2nd largest solar cell maker. Great prospects blossom on July 13 with the Taiwan-organized seminar The Taiwan Solar Energy Industry Outlook & Renewable Energy Business Alliance Seminar at the show venue of InterSolar North America at the Moscone Convention…

Nissan Drive Electric Tour Hits 26 U.S. Cities

Posted on July 9, 2011 by quest

Nissan North America Inc. is bringing test drives of the all-electric Nissan LEAF to 26 cities across the United States, as part of Nissan’s “Drive Electric Tour.” The second phase tour kicks off today in Long Island, N.Y., on the heels of the Nissan LEAF achieving the milestone of 4,000 U.S. deliveries.

Nissan is resuming the tour, which began last fall, with a combination of new cities and return stops, due to the growing, nationwide enthusiasm for the Nissan LEAF – the first and only 100-percent electric, zero-emission vehicle available to the mass market. Since its launch in December 2010, Nissan has delivered more than 4,000 Nissan LEAF electric vehicles in the United States. The Nissan LEAF currently is available in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon and Washington, with additional markets launching later this year. To date, more than 350,000 people have expressed interest in the Nissan LEAF by signing up for updates, including information on how to purchase and reserve a vehicle, at www.NissanUSA.com.

“As the Nissan LEAF gains momentum in its U.S. rollout, more consumers have expressed the desire to get behind the wheel and experience gas-free driving for themselves,” said Jon Brancheau, vice president, Marketing, NNA. “We’re thrilled to bring the ‘Drive Electric Tour’ to new cities across the country, as well as revisit several key markets where consumer interest continues to grow.”The Drive Electric Tour, a one-of-a-kind consumer driving experience, began in October 2010 and by March 27 had provided approximately 50,000 Nissan LEAF test drives in key markets across the country. The tour provides prospective Nissan LEAF owners the opportunity to learn about the car, its technology and features, and take it for a test drive. Current Nissan LEAF owners also are invited to participate and share their ownership experiences with others interested in electric-vehicle technology. Interested drivers can learn more about the tour, including specific locations, and register to drive the Nissan LEAF at Nissan’s “Drive Electric Tour.