Stay Another Day: The Green Revolution in Laos

Fantastic article--as we continue to look globally for the "business side of green"--in the International Business Times profiling the green revolution and sustainable tourism engulfing Laos.  Here's the first paragraph:  "There's something terribly right going on in Laos.  Engulfed in a green revolution, sustainable tourism is racing through the recently paved roads from the provincial cities to the remote edges of this pristine country.  From organic farm cooperatives to ethnic fashion shows, the idea is pulsing and putting money back where it belongs - with the people"How sweet the last sentence:  "From organic farm cooperatives to ethnic fashion shows, the idea is pulsing and putting money back where it belongs...

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Weekend Edition

Found this on the PR Wire:  First Fuel Cell to Power Residential Building in New York,Here's the link: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-fuel-cell-to-power-residential-building-in-new-york-122723448.htmlPart of the story: ROOSEVELT ISLAND, N.Y., May 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- "Yesterday, The Octagon, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) Silver 500-unit apartment community on Roosevelt Island, made green history by becoming the first residential building in the State of New York to be powered and heated by a 400 kilowatt (kW) fuel cell from UTC Power. This installation marks a paradigm shift in the State's use of clean energy technologies, made possible through New York's progressive stance on energy policy....

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New ‘solar customer benefit’ will spur solar energy, jobs across Vermont

Great news in VT:   The Governor yesterday signed a new bill spurring solar energy, and related jobs, through out the state.  We own a facility in Brattleboro, VT, and will most likely move ahead with renewable energy on that site.Here's the link:  http://vermontbiz.com/news/may/new-‘solar-customer-benefit’-will-spur-solar-energy-jobs-across-vermont.Here's part of the article:  "Governor Shumlin signed the Vermont Energy Act of 2011 (H56) Wednesday in South Burlington. The law includes a new, statewide solar customer benefit that will help deliver net metered solar energy and jobs throughout Vermont.  “There is a fiscal and environmental urgency for Vermont to move off fossil fuels and toward sustainable sources of power,” the Governor said at the bill...

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Energy groups oppose bill to undermine Wisconsin's renewable energy commitment

From statements issued by three groups in opposition to Assembly Bill 146:"Clearly, this bill is a drastic step in the wrong direction for our state. The Wisconsin Energy Business Association therefore opposes this attack on renewable energy in our state." - Wisconsin Energy Business Association. Full statement.We strongly recommend that this bill not be approved as it solves no known problem in Wisconsin and seeks only to roll-back policies on renewable energy that have served the state well and are otherwise benefitting Wisconsin residents with cleaner air and lower prices for electricity. - Wind on the Wires. Full statement.Fresh attack on Wisconsin voters’ desire for a renewable energy standard would kill wind projects and sap state’s economy, say wind energy advocates - American Wind...

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Trucking Info Magazine

Some great stuff in Trucking Info this week, including articles on a split-cycle engine coming from a W. Springfield company, Navistar's investment in a Danish  company inventing a better aftertreatment process and profiling a company a Northeast company that just covered half its 570,000 warehouse with solar panels.  Take a look:http://www.truckinginfo.com/clean-green/index.aspHere's a sample:  "Amidst endless chatter about electric power and even fuel cells, the good old internal combustion engine clearly isn't going away any time soon. I refer you to the flurry of new engine designs we've seen lately. In my archly humble opinion, one of the most interesting is a split-cycle motor coming out of the Scuderi Group in West Springfield, Mass. The company is a seemingly well-funded...

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Transit: A Lifeline for People with Disabilities and Seniors

From a news release issued by Make It Work Milwaukee! Coalition:The Make It Work Milwaukee Coalition supports the preservation of publictransportation funding. Transit and paratransit services are critical to maintaining the independence of older adults and people with disabilities as many do not drive or own a vehicle because of their disability, aging, and/or limited income.When transportation is cut, not only are people with disabilities and older adults unable to work or get out in their community, but a caregiver may no longer be able to provide care when it is needed. Some people with disabilities need supports at all hours of the day. Transit lowers government costs by helping people with disabilities live independently and be employed.Our agencies urge legislators to restore transit...

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From EcoGeek/Arpin Broadcast Network

Very interesting possibility of creating hydrogen from sunlight (talk about an alternative, clean fuel--the discharge being water.  Here's the link:http://www.ecogeek.org/hydrogen/3501Here's some of it: "A team of scientists from the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University and others at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) are also working on a method to generate hydrogen from water using sunlight. This form of photo-electrochemical (PEC) water splitting uses molybdenum sulfide as a catalyst rather than platinum. Platinum has been known to work as a catalyst for PEC water splitting, but it is also a particularly rare and expensive mineral, which makes it problematic for widespread use. In addition to developing an inexpensive catalyst,...

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Great day today for Renewable Now

We hit a record today for views (and it is early in the morning here back East): 247 and counting.Here's our upcoming show:  Tune in at Arpin Broadcast Network (Arpin.tv.co...

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Guest Blogger: Mark Learn

Mark sent the following link to us so you can get a good summary of the front runners in the EVSE market:  http://gm-volt.com/2011/05/20/coulomb-technologies-and-ecotality-ranked-top-charging-equipment-suppliers/.  Here's part of the story:"A recent report by Pike Research has identified two front runners in the still-only budding electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) industry.The Colorado-based clean-tech research company said for now it is Coulomb Technologies and ECOtality based on their strategy and execution.“The electric vehicle charging equipment market is in its formative stages, and business models are still developing as vendors gain experience with charging station deployments,” said senior analyst John Gartner. “Pure-play...

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Schlitz Park to add electric vehicle charging station

From an article on BizTimes Daily:Schlitz Park in downtown Milwaukee has become the first corporate development in the state to install an electric vehicle (EV) charging station as part of a growing effort to make sustainable transportation easier for its tenants and their employees. The charging station was provided by ElectriCharge Mobility and manufactured by Coulomb Technologies, which operates the worldwide ChargePoint Network. Major automakers began to sell EV models late last year. Projections estimate that by 2012, 20 models will be available and that by 2015 there will be more than 3 million plug-in electric vehicles in use worldwide. “As electric vehicle use grows, there will be employee demand for EV charging services at their workplace,” said Dave Hansen of Brookfield-based ElectriCharge...

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Toys "R" US installs huge solar system

Do you have a large, flat building with a rooftop with Southern exposure?  If you do, read about Toys "R" US PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) on their site in NJ, and start looking at the economics of a possible PPA on your site.Here's the link:  http://www.ecogeek.org/solar-power/3500.Here's part of the story:  A Toys "R" Us distribution facility in New Jersey will soon be home to the largest solar rooftop installation in the country.  The huge installation will feature 37,000 solar panels producing 5.38 MW of power.Toys "R" Us has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Constellation Energy Group -- the builders of the project -- and will meet 72 percent of the facility's energy needs with the solar power...

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Guest Blog by Greg Gerritt

Thanks, Greg, for sending this article along:  http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/05/electric_cars.Here's part of it:  Electric carsHorsepower v cash cows May 17th 2011, 18:30 by The Economist online "AS IF petrolheads did not already have reasons aplenty to hate electric vehicles. With oil prices rising inexorably (the recent dip notwithstanding) drivers of these silent, soulless battery-powered contraptions are set to look smugly on as gas-guzzlers burn a hole in their owners' pockets. Now, adding insult to injury, research suggests that electric cars might actually make a profit for their owners.At present, in order to meet sudden surges in demand, power companies have to bring additional generators online at a moment's notice, a procedure that...

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Al Dahlberg: Wednesday, May 18

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Central Library renews environment via green roof, including solar

From an article by Bobby Tanzilo on OnMilwaukee.com:There are always exciting things going on in Milwaukee Public Library's Downtown Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave. But, these days, there is also some excitement on the building's roof, too. When the library needed to replace its 25-year-old roof last year, instead of going for a conventional roof, a 30,000-square foot green roof was constructed and 132 solar electric panels were added to generate about 36,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. That's enough to power four homes annually."Everyone's very enthused about it," says the library's public services manager Christine Arkenberg, on a recent visit that begins on the library's first floor, where there is an area dedicated to the green roof initiative. There, visitors can see...

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Today's Green News

A couple of good updates from Environmental Leader today: Fleet Briefing: Nissan Leaf Torture Test, Fossil Fuel ‘Greener’ than Biofuel, Oil Price Predictions:"Automotive manufacturer BYD has received an order for what it says will be the world’s largest all-electric bus fleet. The buses will serve the global collegiate athletic competition the International Universiade Games in Shenzhen, China this summer. Post-games, the buses will be incorporated into Shenzhen’s city bus fleet.The trend toward cleaner transit buses will continue over the next several years, according to a recent report from Pike Research. The cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts that by 2015 alternative fuel vehicles will represent more than 50 percent of the 64,000 total transit buses that will be delivered worldwide...

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State clean energy mandates have little effect on electricity rates so far

From an article by Don Huagen in Midwest Energy News:One of the larger reviews of renewable portfolio standards was a 2008 report (PDF) from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The study looked at data on a dozen state renewable policies enacted before 2007. The estimated impact on electricity rates varied by state, but it was a fraction of a percent in most cases and just over 1 percent in two states, Connecticut and Massachusetts. “There is little evidence of a sizable impact on average retail electricity rates so far,” the report concluded.One of the report’s co-authors, Galen Barbose, said in an interview that they are collecting data for an updated version of the report. So far he said he hasn’t seen any new information to suggest their conclusion about rate impacts will change...

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Construction on wind turbine project near Hoan Bridge could start in July

From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:Plans are proceeding for Milwaukee to erect a 154-foot tall wind turbine this summer next to the Port Authority building near the Hoan Bridge.The stimulus-funded project would generate more than enough electricity to power the port office building and sell a small amount of power back to the grid.Some Bay View residents had raised concerns about a different alternative for the project, which would have been closer to the lake, next to the Lake Express ferry terminal.A community meeting about the project attracted hundreds of people on a snowy evening in January. At that time, about one-third of those in attendance were in favor, another third were opposed and another third were seeking more information, said Ald. Tony Zielinski.Zielinski...

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CSR Wire/ Conferences

Just found this on the Corporate Social Responsibility wire: Green Initiatives ConferenceOrganizer:Fidelity One ConferencesDate:09.29.11, 09:00AM – 09.30.11, 02:30PMLocation:Fort Lauderdale, FloridaSponsor:Fidelityoneconferences.comWebsite:www.greeninitiativesconference.comCome and hear from America's top business and sustainability leaders like Carol Williams, President of Dow Chemical's Energy Division, about how they plan to tackle the issues, risks and challenges surrounding Sustainability!!!The Green Initiatives Conference is the perfect forum for top sustainability executives to learn from each other and discuss the way forward with regards to the latest trends in Sustainability.Smart Organizations are embedding sustainability into their...

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From Gregg Gerritt, Part 2

http://prosperityforri.org/?page_id=108The Shrinking Economy: Time to Get Real about Ecology (PART 2)Greg GerrittPart of Getting Real: Full Cost Accounting "The US is actually gearing down.  A system of Full Cost Accounting would clearly demonstrate less is available after subtracting all the damage.    Our old forests are gone and we struggle to keep the second growth we have regained. Our oil is depleted and more and more found in very difficult places to work like the bottom of the Ocean. Food is cheap but has a huge carbon footprint and more and more of our soil sits at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico creating dead zones. We have already made it harder for working people to retire safely, have made medical care harder to access and ever more expensive, fallen...

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Great night and new blog from Gregg Gerritt

Arpin Group was fortunate enough to receive a Chaffee Conservation award last night, recognizing our installation of the first auto recharging facility in the state.  It was a great night, graced by the Governor whose dad the awards are named after.  Our sincere and humble thanks to the Environmental Council for this great honor and the privilege of attending with the other award winners.Also, one of our future guests, Gregg Gerritt, Prosperity for RI. com, has been gracious enough to write an article (and blog), and off Renewable Now the chance to have him as a guest on our blog.  We'll include the first part today, and we'll finish tomorrow.Here, by the way, is the link to the entire article if you want to read it all right now:  http://prosperityforri.org/?page_id=108.And...

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We Energies may not meet renewable energy standard

From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:We Energies won final approval to build a $255 million biomass power plant in north-central Wisconsin Thursday. The utility had wanted a decision this week to help it keep on target to complete construction by late 2013. But the utility hasn’t decided whether it will proceed with the building the plant at this point. Utility spokesman Brian Manthey said We Energies and Domtar Corp., its partner in the project, are reviewing conditions that regulators attached to the deal – conditions that aim to bring down the overall cost of the project for utility customers. The biomass plant at the Domtar paper mill in Rothschild is being proposed at a time when the utility has enough power to meet the needs of its customers but is required...

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Milwaukee solar manufacturer lands huge contract and added financing

From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:Helios Solar Works was awarded an additional $150,000 in financing for the purchase of robotic manufacturing equipment at its factory in the Menomonee River Valley.Helios, which began production in February, was initially awarded a $500,000 by the Milwaukee Economic Development Corp., a business lender affiliated with the city of Milwaukee, but the size of the company’s investment in robotic equipment has increased. MEDC’s loan and finance committee awarded more funding on Tuesday. . . .Steve Ostrenga, Helios chief executive, said the increase resulted from higher costs for robotic equipment used in the production of solar panels that it says are more efficient than competitors’ panels. . . .Ostrenga has just won its largest...

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Chaffee awards and NY Times article

Great first show today.  Streaming live again at 4.  Go to Arpin Broadcast Network (arpin.tv.com) to watch. Thank you, Julian Dash, for a great job.Thursday night I am honored to accept a Chaffee Environmental award on behalf of Arpin Group.  The award recongnizes our effort in installing the first electric auto recharging station in RI.  Timing is great as our first show for Renweable Now broadcast on a live stream earlier in the day.Today's NY Times Opinion Page does a great job of citing some of the compelling statics on the future gowth of EV's, and hybrids, and reports "The Electrification Coalition, an electric-vehicle advocacy group, estimates that if, by 2040, 75 percent of all miles driven in the United States are powered by electricity, oil consumption by light-duty...

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Rail money went to states with "farsighted leadership"

From an editorial in The New York Times:None of the money in Monday’s announcement will be going to Wisconsin, for example, where Gov. Scott Walker has also decided that his strapped state could do without rail improvements and the construction jobs that go with them. Nor will it go to Ohio, where Gov. John Kasich preferred rejectionism to the improvement of rail service among the state’s largest cities, which could have produced 16,000 jobs. Instead, it will go to 15 states that have more farsighted leadership, who understand the important role federal dollars can play in stimulating the economy, moving people quickly from place to place and reducing tailpipe emissions. Some of those states are led by Republicans: Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan happily stood beside Transportation Secretary...

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Renewable Now getting picked up around the world

With our recent flurry of releases we've issued, in anticipation of our world premier this Thursday, May 11, stories about the show are starting to get published in many places.  Here's one I found yesterday:Green Technolgy News[May 06, 2011]New Web-based Show, ReNewable Now, Focuses on the "Business Side of Green"WEST WARWICK, R.I. --(Business Wire)--On May 11, the creators of Arpin Broadcast Network will debut a new Web-based show, ReNewable Now, an eco-conscious series dedicated to the "business side of green." Peter Arpin, partner of Arpin International Group and award-winning green business advocate, hosts the program at ReNewableNow.TV."Businesses today are only just beginning to realize the substantial cost savings that...

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The new ABN (Arpin Broadcast Network) is live

The home network for Renewable Now is broadcasting on its new platform:  ABN 2.  You can log on at arpin.tv.com.  Our first show runs live on Thursday, 10a, EST, with a second live stream at 4p, EST.  Log on to take a look between now and Thursday.Also, found this on Green Technology World today (green.tmcnet.com):  Bob Vila Teams Up With GreenTowns.com to Promote Sustainability"Bob Vila, a pioneer in helping share green ideas and promoting new sustainable home renovation and repair products and technologies, has tackled a new role as partner and featured expert in the launch of a new online network, GreenTowns.com, a digital platform that connects and celebrates green initiatives and the people leading them in towns across America. “Every town has its own unique challenges...

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Boneheaded move on transit

From an editorial in The Journal Times, Racine:In a lamentable vote last week, state Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, led the state’s Joint Finance Committee to vote 12-4 along party lines to do away with recently authorized regional transit authorities in southeastern Wisconsin and four other areas of the state.It is a boneheaded and short-sighted maneuver that could well ring the death knell for commuter rail linking Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee and Chicago.Unlike the high-speed rail proposed for Milwaukee to Madison by former Democratic Gov. James Doyle, KRM would connect a corridor of highly populated areas in the southeastern corner of the state. It would give businesses access to willing workers through the region, provide those workers with the means to get to jobs, give residents a car-free...

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