Organic Overnight at Tahoe

Posted on October 29, 2010 by quest

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe announced its new Organic Overnight Spa Package for the fall this year. Intended to attract guests that live within driving distance of the mid-mountain resort in Northstar-at-Tahoe near Truckee, California, the package includes overnight accommodations and one of the resort’s most popular spa treatments. “It is a great way for guests to relax with a spa treatment and also experience a getaway to the first luxury resort to be built in Lake Tahoe,” said Allen Highfield, General Manager.

“The Organics Spa treatments have been our most popular services during our debut season at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Lake Tahoe,” said Adam Estrella, Spa Manager. “Our guests seem to like that we use organic products in our services.” The Organic Overnight Spa Package includes one night’s accommodations on Sunday – Thursday only through December 9, 2010. Also included is the choice of a 50-minute Organic Facial or Organic Massage in The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Lake Tahoe. The treatment choice features the all organic Eminence line of products and is included within the $299 per night room rate. Overnight valet parking is also included. For more information contact The Organic Overnight Spa Package.

VISIT ECO FRIENDS

The Power of India

Posted on October 29, 2010 by quest

A new report called “Indian Power Sector Analysis”, indicates there is a huge demand for power in some Indian states due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Electricity is vital for economic development of a country. The Indian electricity market today offers one of the highest growth potential for private players. Government reforms will be the key factor driving the power sector. Reforms such as The Electricity Act and National Electricity Policy will give impetus to the Indian power sector.

The report conducted by RNCOS a leading market research firm also revealed that alternative energy sources such as nuclear, wind and solar will fulfill a large chunk of India’s energy needs in the coming years. Many states are formulating exclusive policies for renewable energies in order to promote and develop these energy sources. RNCOS E-Services’ report focuses on the growing power sector in India. It thoroughly investigates the current market trends, evolving markets and growth prospects for the power industry. It will help interested parties to analyze the driving forces and leading-edge opportunities critical to the success of the power industry.

Based on the study of the Indian power sector, the report discovered that the total installed capacity will add around 45000 MW by 2013-14. However, demand is much higher than supply with a deficit projected to be more than 12% during 2010-11. The report also found that renewable energy creates huge opportunities for power generators as the commitment to generate clean energy and environmental obligations have become top priority for most of the nations around the world. However, coal based power will remain the dominant source for energy in India.

JAMES CAMERON ON PROP 23

LISTEN TO QUESTPOINT N THE MIX

San Francisco to offer Electric Vehicle Taxi Service

Posted on October 29, 2010 by quest

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission with the backing of U.S. Department of Transportation, announced a commitment to bring a switchable battery, electric taxis service to San Francisco and San Jose. This comes just after a recent decision by LA Metro to roll out electric vehicle charging stations around Los Angeles. As for the bay area this announcement further cements the region position as the “EV Capital of the U.S.” The program is a partnership between a company called Better Place, which has been successfully operating a EV taxi program in Tokyo, Yellow Cab, various state agencies, and community organizations. This marks a significant milestone towards accelerating the mass adoption of electric vehicles in the Bay Area because this program will touch a broad audience and demonstrate a solution that offers drivers a more convenient option than today’s gasoline cars.

Over the next three years, the program will deploy and operate four battery switch stations in the San Francisco to San Jose corridor, that supports a fleet of zero-emission, switchable taxis. This fleet will offer many thousands of Bay Area residents and visitors their first EV(electric vehicle) experience. The program also has the potential to help California and the Bay Area meet their aggressive energy and climate policy goals when scaled to the entire region.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our march towards accelerating the mass adoption of electric cars in the Bay Area. This program will enable us to reach a broad audience and demonstrate a solution that offers drivers a more convenient option than today’s gasoline cars,” said Jason Wolf, VP of North America for Better Place. “The battery switch model is gaining momentum globally. Our Tokyo EV taxi program has proven to be an example to major metropolitan areas around the world, and we are pleased that the MTC recognized this and the Bay Area is taking a leadership position in the U.S.”

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said, “In November 2008, I was joined by Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and Better Place in calling for making the San Francisco Bay Area the EV Capital of America, “This partnership with Better Place to build the first electric taxi program with switchable battery EVs in the U.S. helps make this a reality.”

NEWS & VIEWS AT THE GREEN WALL

ITALY – Number One Producer of Organic Grapes

Posted on October 28, 2010 by quest

ORGANIC WINE

Italy, Europe’s top grower of organic grapes

by Elvira Ackermann: According to the latest IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Associations) report, Italy is the major grower of organic grapes in Europe.
As a matter of fact, the country of “la dolce vita” boasts 34.000 hectares (84.015 acres) of land dedicated to organic wine growing. Italy is followed by France with 19.000 hectares (46.950 acres) and Spain with 16.000 hectares (39.537 acres). They represent the three major growers of organic grapes in Europe. Germany, being the fourth producer of the old continent, includes only 4.000 hectares (9.885 acres) of land planted with organic grapes.

Italy maintains also an excellent position in the general ranking of organic wine producing countries worldwide earning the fifth position with 1.147 hectares (2.834 acres) of organic vineyard land. The first four positions are being maintained by countries that are way larger than Italy, i.e. Australia, Argentina, China and the U.S. The above statistics show an outstanding organic grape growth in the Italian wine world thanks to an increasing market penetration of organic and biodynamic wine in Italy and Europe.

Note 1: la dolce vita = literally “the sweet life,” indicates the pleasant Italian life style including sunshine, beaches, fine wine and food, fancy cars, fashion, friendly people……

Note 2: biodynamic wine = At its most basic, the biodynamic approach to grape-growing sees the vineyard as an ecological whole: not just rows of grapevines, but the soil beneath them—an organism in its own right—and the other flora and fauna in the area, growing together interdependently.
Where biodynamics differs from other forms of organic or sustainable agriculture is in its idea that farming can be attuned to the spiritual forces of the cosmos. This might mean linking sowing and harvesting to the phases of the moon or the positions of the planets; it also might mean burying cow manure in a cow’s horn over the winter, unearthing it in the spring, diluting a minute amount of the substance in 34 liters of water, “dynamizing” it by stirring it by hand in alternating directions for an hour or so and then spraying the mixture over one’s vineyard.

QUESTPOINT GOES MOBILE

Yo New York City greens up and so does Yo Valley

Posted on October 28, 2010 by quest

Let’s give it up for green city New York, New York. Just a few days ago Mayor Bloomberg and other city officials broke ground on a new municipal recycling facility in Sunset Park that will process all of the city’s metal, glass and plastic recyclables. The opening represents another step for New York in going green. The Sims Municipal Recycling Facility on the Brooklyn waterfront will minimize the distance that collection trucks travel between pick-up sites and receiving centers and allow Sims to expand its barge and rail-based transport systems which will eliminate over 260,000 vehicle miles traveled annually from New York City roadways. The project will create 100 new jobs when the facility is opened, which is expected in December 2011; with 11,000 more to follow over the next 10 years.

“This state-of-the-art facility is another great example of repurposing our Brooklyn waterfront. And we’re not just talking trash here – this facility will promote recycling, take garbage-hauling trucks off our already overburdened streets and highways, and create jobs as well,” said Borough President Markowitz. “It’s a win-win for everybody, and proves yet again why, when it comes to recycling, Brooklyn and New York City make everyone else ‘green’ with envy.”

Selldorf Architects of the project designer created the facility to be sustainable. It includes green roofs, renewable solar and wind energy production, on-site stormwater treatment, and landscaping that serves to offset heat and provide a pleasing visual aesthetic for the surrounding community. The project will revitalize Brooklyn’s waterfront industrial space, improve pedestrian access to the waterfront by adding 22 acres of new open space, and reduce truck traffic throughout the region by 70,000 truck trips annually. An onsite Visitor Education Center will welcome school groups and visitors who can learn about recycling. It will operate 24 hours a day, six days a week.

YO VALLEY

Like the green movement we know that rap music has spread around the world. French, Chinese and rappers from India all have some swag and lay it down for real. But Yo Valley (Yeo Valley)…who knew, organic farmers rapping from England? I guess it was time for the song “Ole MacDonald had a Farm” to get a makeover…E i… E i… O !

Write a story: A Green Renaissance

SunRun continues taking solar mainstream

Posted on October 27, 2010 by quest

San Francisco based solar leasing company SunRun just announced an influx of tax equity from an affiliate of U.S. Bancorp to develop 1,900 residential solar installations. SunRun recently relocated to larger offices in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district to house its growing staff. “U.S. Bancorp has been a fantastic long-term partner and instrumental in helping SunRun provide affordable and hassle-free solar to thousands of homeowners.” said SunRun CEO and Co-founder Edward Fenster. With this additional financing, SunRun will continue to change the way Americans power their homes by delivering solar as a clean, affordable, renewable service. SunRun owns and maintains each homeowner’s solar system for the life of the agreement, while homeowners simply pay monthly for the power they use. The company can help homeowners acquire a solar power system for as little as $0 down. Customers can save 10-15% on total monthly power bills right away and the savings increase as utility rates increase.

Very recently SunRun completed a project financing fund with PG&E Corporation to support the purchase of approximately 3,500 residential solar facilities, tripled the size of its bank lines, and closed additional funding led by Sequoia Capital. It recently received the Department of Energy Green Power Leadership Award, as well as inclusion on the Cleantech Group’s Global Cleantech 100 list and the GoingGreen Silicon Valley Top 100 List.
SunRun, provides an alternative for homeowners who want to go solar without a large upfront investment. They are currently doing business in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. SunRun partners with local solar installers who complete the onsite homeowner projects.