LA charging up

Posted on October 18, 2010 by quest

In a city like Los Angeles where everything is dependent on the automobile this is a move in the right direction. LA Metro, EV Connect and the California Energy Commission will be conducting a pilot program to assess the integration of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) into the transportation network and consumer behavior and ridership patterns.

EV Connect has 15 years of experience in the electric vehicle industry and is now a leading provider of EV Infrastructure solutions dedicated to widespread electric vehicle adoption of electrified transportation. EV Connect also services the entire spectrum of businesses and municipalities that are well-placed to benefit from the EV revolution as charging station hosts, including universities, hotels and resorts, and big box retailers and shopping centers.

“This project will bring the city of Los Angeles closer to achieving its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 35 percent below 1990 levels by 2030,” said Energy Commissioner Anthony Eggert. “The Energy Commission is proud to be a part of this first-of-its-kind PEV infrastructure rollout with EV Connect and Metro.” The transportation emissions accounts for 40 percent of greenhouse gas in the State of California. So this project could have a great impact. “We are looking forward to the success of this pilot effort, which will encourage drivers of plug-in electric vehicles to use Metro while charging their vehicles at our transit stations,” said Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. “At Metro we demonstrate best practices in sustainability with over 2,500 clean air buses along with a commitment in building all new transit facilities to LEED standards. This project is another example of how Metro is protecting the environment.” Several sites around LA have been selected for the project.

“This is the first study of its kind to analyze the integration of EV solutions into a transit network,” said Jordan Ramer, CEO of EV Connect. “The data procured from this study will establish industry benchmarks on charge and ride commuters which will help shape the future of multi modal transportation.”

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

What Americans know about climate change

Posted on October 18, 2010 by quest

I heard the words today on the Stephanie Miller Show one of the guest contributors of the show multi talented Edie McClurg said “There are none so deaf then those who do not listen” It seems American are beginning to listen to news and information about the environment and climate change, but may not know what to do about it. A new report from Yale’s School of Forestry & Environmental Studies called Americans’ Knowledge of Climate Change reports results from a national study of what Americans understand about how the climate system works. The report explores the causes, impacts, and potential solutions to global warming. Among other findings, the study identifies a number of important gaps in public knowledge and common misconceptions about climate change.

The Yale Project on grew out of a groundbreaking conference convened in 2005 in Aspen, CO. Over 100 national leaders representing science, media, religion, politics, entertainment, education, business, environmentalism, and civil society came together to develop an action plan to engage American society on climate change. Their charge was to diagnose why, in the face of ever stronger climate science, the United States had been slow to act and to recommend a set of initiatives to catalyze action. The Yale Project on Climate Change Communication works to: Advance public understanding and engagement with climate change science and solutions, and: Catalyze action by the general public and leaders of government, business, academia, and the media through improved knowledge and understanding.

Consider that the research reveals that 63 percent of Americans believe that global warming is happening, but many do not understand why and most have never heard of the of coral bleaching or ocean acidification. While a knowledge gap does exist many Americans understand that a transition to solar and other renewable energy sources is an important solution. Americans’ Knowledge of Climate Change reports results from a national study

SUSTAINABILITY

Natalie Portman a presenter at Environmental Awards

Posted on October 17, 2010 by quest

Natalie Portman presented Jeff Skoll with an honorary award for his environmental contributions last night at the 2010 Environmental Media Association awards. The Environmental Media Association (EMA) is a non-profit organization created in 1989 which believes “that through television, film and music, the entertainment community has the power to influence the environmental awareness of millions of people.

The Skoll Foundation which he started has funded organizations such as The Amazon Conservation Team, the American Council on Renewable Energy and Global Footprint Network. Portman, who has been a vegetarian since childhood and became a vegan in 2009 after reading Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals, is an advocate for animal rights. She does not eat animal products or wear fur, feathers, or leather. “All of my shoes are from Target and Stella McCartney,” she has said. In 2007, she launched her own brand of vegan footwear.

Other winners of the 2010 Environmental Media Association awards which acknowledges individuals, organizations and productions that help increase public awareness of environmental issues were Ted Turner for his wildlife habitat preservation work; the documentary “Gasland” and TV shows “Bones,” ”Handy Manny,” ”Living With Ed” and “Lights, Camera, Take Action! Backstage With Disney’s Friends for Change. Ted commented “You can change from somebody who doesn’t care much about the environment to somebody who’s very concerned about it.”

CLOSER

Actors Olivia Munn and Jason Ritter hosted the event, which was sponsored by Toyota Prius was held at Warner Bros. Studios featured organic food and compostable dinnerware. Rosario Dawson, Lance Bass and Eva Mendes were also among awards presenters.

OPEN A GREEN DOOR

US signs public lands solar projects

Posted on October 14, 2010 by quest

Solar Power International 2010 the nations’ largest solar exhibition has broken attendance records and the US government seems to be paying attention as we all should. The show highlighted Germanys’ success as a dominate player in the solar business which has been reported here and elsewhere. It has installed half of all the solar projects globally in 2010. These large scale projects are significant both in economic benefit to people who are employed, but there are also the environmental benefits of reducing greenhouse gases. US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar spoke at the Solar Power International 2010 Conference and Exhibition in Los Angeles, California. Following his remarks, Secretary Salazar signed a Record of Decision, approving the construction of Nevada’s first large-scale solar project on public lands.

“Good morning! Welcome to Solar Power International. And welcome to a key chapter in America’s New Energy Frontier as we move forward to stand up the largest solar projects in the world, right here in the United States! I want to thank Rhone Resch for his kind introduction. I also want to thank the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) for hosting this event. It’s an honor to be here.

Being at the largest solar conference and expo in North America gives you a real sense of possibility and promise. Just look around the exhibit floor at the pace at which your technologies are advancing. Or listen to the jobs report following my remarks to feel the momentum of this industry. Or better yet: look at the large-scale solar projects we at the Department of the Interior have approved for construction in the past two weeks alone. They are the firsts of their kind on public lands and some will be among the largest solar projects in the world. In Imperial County, California, we’ve

Macys and SunPower parade leaders in solar

Posted on October 13, 2010 by quest

Bay Area SunPower Corp announced that construction is underway on a 3.5-megawatt SunPower solar power system at Macy’s, Inc. online fulfillment center in Goodyear, Ariz. According to estimates provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Goodyear system is expected to offset more than 3,500 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, which is equivalent to removing more than 600 cars from Arizona’s highways each year.

The system will deliver the equivalent of 70 percent of the building’s electricity demand, and is expected to be the largest solar system on a single rooftop in the U.S. Since 2007, Macy’s has partnered with SunPower to install solar power systems on 31 Macy’s facilities. These systems include a 1-megawatt installation that was recently completed on the retailer’s distribution center in City of Industry, Calif. that generates the equivalent of half the power used at the facility. Upon completion of the solar power system in Goodyear, Macy’s will have more than 12 megawatts of SunPower systems installed at its facilities.

“We applaud Macy’s for its forward-thinking approach to environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility,” said Jim Pape, president of SunPower’s residential and commercial group. “SunPower’s reliable, high quality solar technology will deliver emission-free solar power and significant operational savings for Macy’s in Arizona for the next 25 years or more.”

SunPower just signed a large solar agreement with the US Airforce in Glendale, Arizona.

Google feels which way the wind blows

Posted on October 12, 2010 by quest

When the lens of history looks back on this time this maybe one of the moments when people could see clear signs wind power 300x218 Google feels which way the wind blows of the green movement in action. Googles‘ game changing move into the renewable energy business comes at a pivotal moment. The old guard is trying to demolish California’s Climate Act, kill off solar programs just beginning to see the light and the wind power business just catching some new energy in its sales. The BP oil rig explosion has not evaporated from public consciousness; so Googles’ investment in the Atlantic Wind Connection project may further aid the White House on behalf of the American people to move the country to a new national renewable energy policy. In laying out its plans Google reported