A Peak at California environmental leadership

Posted on November 25, 2010 by quest

The Energy Coalition has been named by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as one of the 2010 winners of the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) for its PEAK Student Energy Actions Program. “In a world where energy is a precious commodity, smart energy management is critical for the economic success of California,” says PEAK Program Manager Nikole Reaksecker. “PEAK creates a generation of individuals capable of controlling their energy future. The program recognizes that to effectively manage energy use, students must understand the entire energy equation from the science of how energy is created to the environmental ramifications of electrical generation and the financial impact of energy use on household budgets.”

PEAK is a statewide, standards-based educational program designed to empower elementary and middle school students with the knowledge and skills to manage energy use in their homes, schools and communities. The Energy Coalition has been developing energy initiatives with partners in the United States and Sweden for almost thirty years.
The organization’s purpose is to mobilize, educate, inform and empower individuals to change the way they think about and use energy. The Energy Coalition, which won the award for the best children’s environmental education program, is one of only 13 award recipients recognized at the Governor’s Global Climate Summit in Davis. Award recipients were chosen in ten categories based on their programs’ results, transferability, environmental impact, resource conservation, economic progress, innovation and uniqueness, pollution prevention and environmental justice.

ECO FRIENDS SHOP

A sustainable rainforest reserve in South America

Posted on November 24, 2010 by quest

World Land Trust-US and BTS USA, a strategic consulting firm have agreed to purchase and protect 100 acres of threatened tropical rainforest in South America’s Chocó biogeographic region. BTS made a donation to the organization, which prevents deforestation through strategic land purchase, as part of a commitment to sustainability. BTS USA’s donation will assist in establishing the Las Tangaras Nature Reserve in Colombia. In addition to safeguarding an expanse of rainforest and species, the Las Tangaras Reserve will also protect the watershed of the Rio Atrato – the Chocó’s most important river – which serves as a vital economic resource for tens of thousands of inhabitants living in poor rural communities. Future strategic land purchases would also benefit communities of the Embera indigenous group – by creating a buffer between indigenous lands and non-native colonizers.

Jonas Åkerman, president of BTS USA said, “continued success and growth brings with it a responsibility to build more sustainability into our business by supporting a more sustainable world. From the simulations we develop for our clients to our own employees, we are seeing sustainability reach a critical priority and we’re pleased to be able to fulfill our responsibility through this excellent organization, where we know the investment will be extremely productive.”

World Land Trust-US is a conservation organization that specializes in land purchase for biodiversity protection, working with local partners to acquire and save threatened tropical rainforests and other habitats for endangered species. Over the past 21 years, WLT-US has protected over 1.6 million acres for biodiversity conservation.

ECOTOURISM

Pole mounted Solar maker wins national green award

Posted on November 19, 2010 by quest

Petra Solar the New Jersey based solar manufacturer who is supplying the state of New Jersey 200,000 solar units for its “Solar 4 all” program has been selected by Green For All and SJF Institute as one of the first Green Jobs Award recipients. The Green Jobs Award honors innovative private businesses that contribute to the economy and the environment. The award was given at Citi Executive Conference Center in New York City. Green For All is a national organization working to build an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty. The SJF Institute is an independent non-profit institute that works with positive impact businesses and sustainable entrepreneurs to facilitate their access to capital, promote employee engagement, and help build sustainable economies. “We hope that by acknowledging the tremendous work these companies are doing, we can support their noble efforts, and inspire other business leaders to follow their lead,” says Bonny Moellenbrock, Executive Director of SJF Institute.

Petra Solar, founded in 2006 by CEO and president Kuran, is the pioneer of SunWave™, a grid-tied, pole-mounted, distributed solar generation system. “We are grateful for the recognition from Green for All and SJF Institute,” said Shihab Kuran, CEO and President of Petra Solar. “Our goal at Petra Solar is to create and grow green jobs as we create smart solar generation systems and export them across the nation and around the world.”By creating its own R&D and manufacturing supply chain, Petra Solar’s job count has grown from 15 in the spring of 2009 to 166 currently, over a 10 fold increase. In keeping with the company’s commitment to return ratepayer and taxpayer support, the company will create new manufacturing facilities in jurisdictions in which it does significant business. As a result, major contracts with utilities will result in the creation of jobs to staff local manufacturing operations.

“Each of the companies chosen this year does its part in building the green economy through innovation and job creation here in the United States,” says Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of Green For All. “They are demonstrating that by addressing the climate crisis we can take real steps in addressing the economic crisis as well.”

OPEN A GREEN DOOR

Half of GE fleet to be electric vehicles by 2015

Posted on November 12, 2010 by quest

In a move that will put some confidence into the future and sustainability of the reborn electric vehicle industry; General Electric has placed an order tens of thousands of electric vehicles. GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt said the large order will, “accelerate the adoption curve, drive scale, and move electric vehicles from anticipation to action.”
GE is a global powerhouse and diversified technology, media and financial services company. They are already in power generation including solar and wind energy. From Fairfield, CT GE announced

The Austonian Gets Four-Star Rating From Austin Energy Green Building

The Austonian, Austin’s newest and tallest luxury residential high-rise in the heart of downtown, has been awarded a coveted Four-Star rating from Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB).

The Austonian is the newest and most modern example of a sustainable and environmentally-smart high-rise community in the United States.
The Austonian’s Four Star rating from Austin Energy is the equivalent to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold rating.
“This accomplishment is the result of support from

Update A New Green Renaissance VI

Stage coach money from Wells going to solar

Posted on November 9, 2010 by quest

San Francisco based Wells Fargo is moving ahead to fund $100 million in the development of solar photovoltaic power projects throughout the U.S. with GCL Solar Energy Inc. GCL Solar Energy, also based in San Francisco, California, builds, owns, and operates solar photovoltaic power plants without the world. “Wells Fargo is proud to expand its commitment to growing the U.S. solar market by working with a respected industry player like GCL-Poly,” said Barry Neal, director of Wells Fargo’s Environmental Finance Group. “The solar projects developed by GCL Solar will create new jobs in the U.S. and help businesses and public entities better control their electricity costs.”

Wells Fargo has provided more than $2 billion in tax equity financing for renewable energy projects since 2006. That includes funding for 30 wind projects, more than 190 commercial-scale solar projects and 1 utility-scale solar thermal project. Financing provided by Wells Fargo will enable GCL Solar to cost-effectively provide a clean and reliable source of electricity to its customers, including schools, municipalities, corporations, and utilities. GCL Solar will build and operate solar power plants, and its customers will purchase the electricity under long-term power purchase agreements at rates equal to or lower than traditional utility rates.

Speaking for GCL Solar Hunter Jiang, Executive President said, “We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with Wells Fargo. With our continued commitment to bring green power to life and this provision of new capital, we stand ready to invest in the solar business and create more job opportunities in the U.S.” GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited (3800.HK) is China’s largest polysilicon producer, one of the world’s leading wafer suppliers, and a top green energy enterprise in China.

A NEW TREND ECOTOURISM

PlanetSolar on world tour heading for Miami

Posted on November 6, 2010 by quest

After a four days stopover, the largest solar powered boat, PlanetSolar left Las Palmas. After its stay on the Canary Islands the solar catamaran continues its transatlantic crossing, setting course for Miami. The boat is expected in Miami by end of November / beginning of December. For the 1st solar boat expedition has commenced and the longest leg since the start in Monaco at the end of September. The goal of the PlanetSolar is to circumnavigate the globe driven exclusively by solar energy.

The current routing around the globe (subject to suitable weather and nautical conditions) foresees stopovers in Miami, Cancun, San Francisco, Sydney, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and returning to Monaco. The project PlanetSolar will inform the public about the importance of sustainability and
renewable energies. PlanetSolar has already made technological developments possible in many fields such as the production of composite materials and structures, and also the production and storage of solar energy (or electricity). Each stage in the project and each day that PlanetSolar sails will enable science to progress. At the heart of this project is the conservation of our planet by the promotion of solar energy, energy efficiency and eco-mobility. This is a great occasion to advance knowledge and to inform and make the general public aware of the importance of renewable energy

Planet Solar has an impressive group of supporters such as IMMOSOLAR, Candino Swiss Watch, SunPower and Jean Verne, Great-Grandson of the writer, Jules Verne who writes, ” In the spirit of the PlanetSolar project that calls upon scientists, technicians, industries, financiers and scholars who are working together on an “extraordinary voyage into known and unknown worlds,” I am writing these few words at the same time our society is asking the unthinkable question of its own survival. A special thanks to my Great-Grandfather Jules Verne who has given the PlanetSolar team the idea, the will, the audacity and who has inspired such an exciting, valuable project.”

The leading-edge solar catamaran (without flaps) boosts 31m in length, 16m in width, and approximately 540 square meters of solar panels as the solar generator. The specially developed energy storage should permit the boat to move for approximately 3 days and nights without sunlight. The MS
TÛRANOR PlanetSolar was designed by the extraordinary designer and constructor Craig Loomes and his company LOMOcean (New Zealand). It has been built by high-performance yacht builder Knierim, based in Kiel (Germany). The boat is navigating under Swiss flag.