China Tops Table for Renewables Investment

Good report from Renewable Energy World.com.  Where does your country sit in the list...why?

LONDON -- China is currently the best country in the world for renewable energy investment, while India has the strongest potential for conventional power investors, according to a new report.

Published by analysts at PA Consulting, ‘Mapping Energy Investment Potential Around the World’ ranks 30 countries against several criteria to determine where the best internal rate of return can be found.

China tops the renewable league table, followed by Sweden and Denmark. The top ten also includes the Philippines and Brazil while the U.S. is way down the list in 28th place.

The report covers 16 countries in Europe; Dubai, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East; Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Singapore in the Asia-Pacific; the five BRICS nations and the U.S.

The analysis examines seven renewable technologies: solar photovoltaic, concentrated solar power, onshore and offshore wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass and looks at four conventional technologies: nuclear, combined cycle gas turbine, gas turbine and coal.

PA Consulting scores each country based on two criteria: business case and risk assessment. The business case is calculated on the expected internal rate of return for each technology. The final score is based on several factors that influence the financial performance of an energy project: initial investment costs; operation and maintenance costs; revenues, including capacity factors, incentives, subsidies, market price forecasts and revenues from CHP; fuel costs and fuel price forecasts; and CO2 emissions.

The risk assessment is also weighted across key factors for each technology: country risk (credit default and financing risk); market risk (revenue risk and market potential); project risk (technology availability and grid access); and operational risk (sourcing and fuel risk, labour availability and O&M expertise).

PA Consulting says China’s position “at the head of the class for renewables is a result of a relatively unique combination of extensive, high-quality renewable resources — and the potential for their development — as well as government support that provides attractive pricing for renewable energy.”

It states that Sweden, Denmark and the UK — which is at number six in the renewables league table — scored highly because of “a combination of good-quality renewable resources plus the effective use of market mechanisms in the form of renewable energy credits.

However the U.S. ranks so low for renewable energy investment because “many key states have already met or exceeded their renewable targets, resulting in low prices for renewable energy credits. The effects on renewable investment economics are compounded by relatively low overall power prices.”

The report notes that countries on the Arabian peninsula have made significant renewable energy progress, with Saudi Arabia “leading the region with one of the world’s most ambitious energy transition programmes supported by a market-based renewable energy policy.”

The UAE is also highlighted for its “high-quality renewable resources” as well as the Gulf region’s first renewable energy framework, and PA notes that “other Arabian countries are quickly moving in the same direction.”

PA highlights a significant shift in the fortunes of renewables in Europe. It states that for a long time, many European countries were “the safest havens for renewable investments”, but now they are “losing momentum as a result of policy responses to the financial and debt crisis.”

“Customers have pushed back against the increasing energy prices resulting from many countries’ renewable policies, and policymakers have significantly scaled back on expensive feed-in-tariff programmes in many countries, notably Spain, Germany and Austria.” 

The top 10 countries are ranked as follows:

1. China 
2. Sweden
3. Denmark
4. Austria
5. Philippines
6. UK
7. Norway
8. Brazil
9. New Zealand
10. Germany

We would agree with Tesla

That they should not be punished for devising a new style dealership.  We understand the old guard has a lot o money invested in buildings and overhead, but that should not prevent--in seeking legislative help--new manufacturers to find streamlined, mostly internet-based--with small dealerships in malls--from competing for business.

We abhor any attempt by any industry to control the playing field, and even resent more an effort to use government regulation to usurp the free market.  We don't want to see them lose jobs or their investments.  That is not our intent.  But we think they should spend more time being innovative and less trying to eliminate competition.

Read this from Tesla and let us know what you think:

As you may know, Tesla is under attack from a number of car dealer associations in various states who are challenging Tesla's right to directly serve our customers at Tesla Stores and Service Centers. Their efforts are protectionist in nature and infringe on the right of the consumer to choose how they purchase and service their vehicle. An anonymous Tesla enthusiast created a White House petition to allow direct sales of cars to consumers in all states. We want to thank the tens of thousands of fans who have voiced their support and have already signed the petition. We want this petition to succeed. For that to happen, the petition needs 64,000 more signatures by next Friday, July 5, 2013. Please act now and take a moment to register, sign and forward the petition today!

This week's radio show

Is now available 24/7 at this link:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/renewable-now/2013/06/26/rnw-radio-06-26-2013 

Here's a description:  This week on Renewable Now we continued our series on sustainability in personal automobiles, we look into how the new Rhode Island EV charging station initiative--with 50 new stations coming on line-- will benefit our local economy.

Peter Arpin and Jim Murphy of Rhode Island College catch up with John Gilbrook of National Grid and Scott Miller from Charge Point.

John Gilbrook pointed out that the network of charging stations will not greatly impact the overall electric grid. The technology on how these charging stations work was was explained as John pointed out how there would be a means in which these stations would communicate to your vehicle which charging stations are closest to you and available.  How cool is that?

In addition, cars will already have on board indicators that warn you and remind you when its time to recharge and how far the nearest charging facility is.
For more information on charge point and their technology visit their website,www.chargepoint.com also visit wwwq.nationalgridus.com/RhodeIsland

Be sure to visit our website for more on this and other great topics, renewablenow.biz

Good to see the Federal Government support EV's

Here's the report from Enhanced On Line News:

GSA Urged to Spur Alternative Fuel Vehicles in $1.5 Billion Contract for Deliveries

June 25, 2013 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An upcoming five-year government-wide contract for package delivery services is a prime opportunity for the Obama Administration to make good on commitments to reduce America's oil dependence and cut greenhouse gas emissions related to contract transportation services, said the American Clean Skies Foundation (ACSF), a Washington, D.C. non-profit group.

“However, as a major customer, we think the federal government can encourage a more rapid expansion of these electric and natural gas vehicles while cutting spending at the same time.”

In a June 24 letter to the General Services Administration (GSA), ACSF urged Acting Administrator, Daniel M. Tangherlini, to require the overnight delivery vendor that wins the government's new business - which could be worth over $1.5 billion from 2014 to 2018 - to meet annual targets for reducing emissions, cutting petroleum and increasing the use of alternative fuel vehicles. ACSF also suggested that GSA consider providing contract incentives based on the vendor's environmental performance.

"The leading overnight delivery services - UPS and FedEx - have both begun to integrate alternative fuel vehicles into their fleets," said Gregory C. Staple, the Foundation's CEO. "However, as a major customer, we think the federal government can encourage a more rapid expansion of these electric and natural gas vehicles while cutting spending at the same time."

Staple noted that, at a June 10 Washington workshop hosted by ACSF, GSA and 12 other federal agencies were briefed on the savings several Fortune 500 companies, including PepsiCo Frito-Lay, Owens Corning, and Procter & Gamble, expected from contracting with trucking services that used fleets powered by alternative fuel vehicles.

The GSA solicitation addressed by ACSF is the third generation contract, known as Domestic Delivery Service or DDS3, for express and ground shipping of an estimated 15 million to 35 million packages annually from federal agencies. FedEx won the first such contract, and UPS was awarded the current DDS2 contract in 2009, which expires in September 2014. GSA is expected to advertise the DDS3 opportunity later this summer.

ACSF said that its proposed contract terms are supported by President Obama’s executive orders on emission and petroleum reduction, especially Executive Order 13514 on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance. That order, issued in 2009, requires every agency to adopt a sustainability plan with annual performance targets for reduced emission and petroleum use, and to ensure that their vendors are energy efficient and environmentally preferable.

The Foundation noted that GSA also adopted a Green Purchasing Plan in 2009 that requires the agency to consider, to the maximum extent practicable, a preference for environmentally sustainable products or services.

The GSA transportation contract was identified as part of ACSF's ongoing effort to implement the Foundation's landmark 2012 report on energy security and the environment. That report - "Oil Shift: The Case For Shifting Federal Transportation Spending To Alternative Fuel Vehicles" - explains how the government can point its $150 billion dollar annual spend on transportation services to advance fiscal, defense and environmental objectives.

ACSF said that, in addition to DDS3, forthcoming transportation contracts by the Defense Logistics Agency and the US Postal Service may also offer large opportunities for reducing petroleum use and unwanted emissions.

Details of Request

The ACSF letter asks GSA to include the following four elements in the DDS3 procurement:

1. Establish a preference for vendor commitments on fuel efficiency, emissions, and alternative fuels in year one of the contract and in each of the potential four years of the renewal term;

2. Set targets for each year of the contract for reduced emissions, lower petroleum use, and increased use of alternative fuels (at least 2 percent annual emission and petroleum reductions are proposed based on past industry performance);

3. Require annual reporting by the vendor of relevant environmental and fuel measures; and

4. State a preference (or renewal expectancy) in deciding on annual contract extensions based on the vendor’s performance against its commitments and the targets, and offer contract incentives for superior environmental performance.

ACSF’s letter and a related background memo are posted here: http://www.cleanskies.org/oilshift/DDS3-contract

About the American Clean Skies Foundation

Established in 2007, ACSF seeks to advance America’s energy independence and a cleaner, low- carbon environment through expanded use of natural gas, renewables, and efficiency. The Foundation is a not-for-profit organization.

Contacts

American Clean Skies Foundation
Jack Deutsch, 202-682-6294

More on Obama's call for action on climate change

This today from The Climate Reality Project:

Thank President Obama for cutting carbon pollution

The Climate Reality Project applauds President Obama's leadership in providing a plan to mitigate the major contributing factors to climate change.

Thank President Obama for putting America on the road to cutting carbon pollution.

Just as the global threat of terrorism united our country in the last decade, it is imperative that the American people rally behind the President in supporting these initiatives to dramatically reduce the 90 million tons of carbon pollution that is dumped into our atmosphere each day -- pollution that has already cost this nation hundreds of billions of dollars in direct costs to our businesses, our homes, and our way of life.

The three main planks of President Obama's plan -- reducing carbon emissions, providing international leadership, and preparing the United States for climate-related disasters -- are critical steps forward domestically and abroad. The President's plan makes clear that a clean energy future, the performance of the American economy, and the protection of our planet are mutually reinforcing. Fortunately, the solutions and technology are already at our disposal, and the President's plan will create the enabling environment to bring these solutions to scale.

Fortunately, the solutions and technology are already at our disposal, and the President's plan will create the enabling environment to bring these solutions to scale.

Tell the President that you support his efforts to put America on the road to cutting carbon pollution.

Good week to fire up the discussion around climate change

The President is clearly stepping up the move towards much higher clean air standards.  Will Congress follow?  Certainly, those parts of the world already taking drastic action to reduce carbon emissions and slow global warming will welcome US action.  Others will see it as a new hit to the already fragile global economy.

Let us know what you decide:

The link:  http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/25/19119744-obama-aims-to-sidestep-congress-with-new-initiatives-to-reduce-carbon-emissions?lite

Part of the story:

Obama aims to sidestep Congress with new initiatives to reduce carbon emissions

By Michael O'Brien, Political Reporter, NBC News 

President Barack Obama will direct his administration on Tuesday to begin addressing the issue of climate change with executive branch actions, sidestepping a Congress that has displayed little appetite for addressing the issue.  

Among a range of initiatives aimed at cutting carbon emissions both at home and internationally, the president will announce a directive for the Environmental Protection Agency to establish carbon emission standards for both new and existing power plants.

The speech he will deliver at Georgetown University is being billed as a major policy address by the White House on one of the top priorities of his second term. And the administration made it clear they are more than willing to do what they can to bypass Congress. 

“I think, going back to the president’s words in the State of the Union, he made it very clear that his preference would be for Congress to act, and move comprehensive energy and climate legislation forward,” a senior administration official said in a conference call previewing the speech, explaining that Obama’s actions rely on existing executive authority. “At this point, the president is prepared to act...”

This week's radio show

Is now available 24/7 on WARL 1320 and Blog Talk Radio.

Here's some background on the show and guests:

The link:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/renewable-now/2013/06/19/renewable-now-06-19-

On Renewable Now this week ,we had a very interesting conversation with Bill James ,founder and CEO of JPods .Bill spoke with Peter Arpin and Jack Gregg on what the JPod system is and how physics and engineering can come together to move payloads as small as a pickup truck, farther, faster and more efficiently . We will discover that a model of this system has already been put into place in a place called Morgan’s town West Virginia.

To give us an update on some of the challenges we are facing in implementing a system like that here in nearby Massachusetts, we spoke to Judith Van Hamm of South Shore Mobility. After listening to this very interesting segment, visit both www.jpods.com and southshoremobility.com to learn more about this technology and how you can get your community involved.

Presently there are plans for a system to go into place that will take passengers from New Jersey to New York.

Great follow up to last week's show

As we welcomed our newest sponsor, WB Mason. Here's a release we ran last week:

Next up is a link to our radio show.

PRESS RELEASE June 20, 2013 For Immediate Release Contact: Michael Catanzaro 508-967-6817 E-Mail: info@renewablenow.biz W.B. Mason Goes Green with ReNewable Now Providence, Rhode Island - 6/20/13   On June 20, 2013 W.B. Mason became one of ReNewable Now's Corporate Sustainable Partners as it continues its path in becoming a greener, more sustainable company, and providing its clients with environmentally smart products. With an impressive history of over a century of providing great products, and professional service that always puts their customers first, W.B. Mason has grown to be one of the preeminent office supply companies in the U.S. Founded in 1898 by William Betts Mason in Brockton, Massachusetts, where it is still headquartered today, the company continues to grow employing over 2,300 people. With its eye on always improving the customer experience W.B. Mason understands the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR), and the increasing awareness of environmental issues and sustainability among its clients. W.B. Mason's Marketing Director and Public Outreach Coordinator, Matt Rogers,  had this to say about W.B. Mason's newly formed partnership with ReNewable Now:  "Green initiatives allow our sales representatives another opportunity to educate and consult our customer base. It is important for us to not only set an example, but to actually participate in helping to educate others.  Over the past several years the office products channel has "gone green". The cost of purchasing Green items still comes at a small premium to the customer, but is quickly becoming standard. Office supply manufacturers of popular brands such as 3M or Avery have started even manufacturing some of their most popular items with post-consumer content. The Green message is consistent across the industry - seeing that customers are looking for products that have a positive environmental impact.  W.B. Mason also makes a strong effort to feature products that are manufactured in the United States. We see a tremendous value in both the higher quality of these products as well as the environmental impact of not having to transport these goods across the world.  Lastly, our "One Source Wonderful" approach to doing business allows a customer to order everything they may need for their office, from coffee to printed goods, and have the delivery made on one truck, from one supplier, rather than multiple. Additionally drivers are encouraged, and rewarded, to pick up empty ink and toner cartridges as part of our own internal recycling efforts." As a partner to ReNewable Now, W.B. Mason pledges to continue to grow its Green product line, conduct a ReNewable Now E-Waste collection day, and take part in the ReNewable Now lecture series on "Creative Ways Businesses Embrace Green." Theses initiative are part of ReNewable Now's corporate partnership program that allows businesses the opportunity to not only promote their sustainability practices, but also help to educate their clients, and the public, while also keeping hazardous material out of landfills. ReNewable Now's mission is to educate, promote, and report on the positive growth that results when moving towards a more sustainable future, both economically and socially. We believe that there are tremendous business opportunities when it comes to the green economy, opportunities that will result in creating millions of new jobs, and providing an environmentally responsible manner in which to grow from.

Thanks to Seth Handy

For a great story on some needed energy expertise getting exported to China:

Rocky Mountain Institute Launches Reinventing Fire: China

Coalition of unique partners to map path for China to maximize efficiency and renewables

Snowmass, Colo. (PRWEB) June 19, 2013

"Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) announced in Beijing the launch of “Reinventing Fire: China,” an effort to create an analytically robust model that outlines a path for China to economically meet its energy needs using the maximum share of efficiency and renewables through 2050.

Together, the U.S. and China account for about 38 percent of global energy use and 43 percent of global energy-related CO2 emissions. Working with a unique team of American and Chinese partners, RMI plans to deliver an analysis of the four energy-producing and -consuming sectors of the economy (buildings, industry, transportation, and electricity) to spotlight the economic, social, and environmental benefits of rapidly deploying renewables and energy efficiency technologies in China.

“The transition to an efficient and clean global energy future cannot happen without leadership from both China and the United States,” said Amory Lovins, RMI’s chief scientist and chairman emeritus. “Reinventing Fire: China will serve as a platform for pan-Pacific cooperation and leadership between the world's two largest economies for one of the most pressing issues of our time."

Reinventing Fire: China is developing insights that will lead to actions—policies, technology development, and adoption approaches—and is designed to build an enduring resource that can be applied by Chinese leaders to continually advance the country’s global clean energy efforts. To complete this work, RMI is partnering with Energy Research Institute (ERI), the energy think-tank of China's National Development and Reform Commission; China Energy Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL); and Energy Foundation's China Sustainable Energy Group (CSEP).

"We want to have a beautiful China and need to break through our existing energy constraints. That is why Reinventing Fire: China is so important," said Deputy Secretary General of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhao Jiarong, a leader on the initiative's advisory panel.

"China is undergoing a critical period of transformation. We have encountered a number of challenges: environment and climate change, economic development, and resource availability. Reinventing Fire is an exciting vision for China to pursue to solve these problems," added Yang Hongwei, Director of the Energy Efficiency Center at China's Energy Research Institute.

Reinventing Fire is a compelling vision for China to consider as an instrument to promote a revolution in energy production and consumption. Today, China is experiencing staggering growth in energy production and consumption, recently surpassing the U.S. to become the world’s largest gross energy consumer and carbon emitter, (although the U.S. still leads those categories in per-capita calculations). And, while previous energy studies have provided key insights, no model currently exists that integrates all four sectors while also examining technical feasibility and economic impact.

The two-year project has several planned deliverables, including an executive report disseminated to key Chinese government, business, and thought leaders; policy briefing and recommendations authored by ERI; and an online database documenting analytic approaches, assumptions, and calculations. An advisory panel consisting of key Chinese energy stakeholders—including leaders responsible for writing China’s 13th Five Year Plan, the country’s social and economic development initiatives—will guide the effort.

“China needs to build a sustainable energy infrastructure to preserve environmental quality and support future growth,” said Jon Creyts, the RMI program director leading the project. “This project builds on the rigorous analysis of RMI’s Reinventing Fire vision, released in 2011, and will offer practical and actionable solutions that China and other developing countries can follow.”

About RMI
Rocky Mountain Institute is an independent, entrepreneurial, nonprofit think-and-do tank with offices in Snowmass and Boulder, Colorado. RMI emphasizes integrative design, advanced technologies, and mindful markets in fulfilling its mission to drive the efficient and restorative use of resources. RMI’s strategic focus is to map and drive the U.S. transition from fossil fuels to efficiency and renewables by 2050. Please visit http://www.rmi.org for more information. "
---

Kudos to Rhode Islan

For becoming the second state to adopt a mattress recycling law:

Mattress Recycling Law On Track to Pass

By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI News staff

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island is poised to become the second state to adopt a mattress recycling law. Last month, the Connecticut Legislature passed the nation's first mattress disposal program.

The Rhode Island bill (S621), endorsed June 12 by the Senate Committee on the Environment and Agriculture, is modeled after Connecticut’s. The producer-responsibility program brings together manufacturers and retailers to collect and properly dismantle old mattresses and box springs, which are 95 percent recyclable.

The program receives funding through a yet-to-be-determined fee paid by consumers at the point of purchase.  

It didn’t take long for the bill to get the green light during its second committee hearing. The bill’s sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio, D-North Providence, noted that the legislation was two years in the making but has added urgency this year as a mattress processor is likely to relocate to Rhode Island if the bill becomes law.

The program would establish mattress drop-off sites at municipal transfer stations and collection at retailers. The bill doesn't require retailers and municipalities to participate, but they must have an alternate mattress recycling program in place.

The Connecticut law begins in 2014. The Rhode Island law would start 18 months after it is approved. A mattress stewardship council would set the rules and cost for the program, with manufacturers and retailers. The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation would oversee the program.

The bill is expected to pass the full Senate on June 19. If passed, it would move to the House for a hearing.

Much of the push for proper mattress recycling comes from cities and towns that are saddled with the expensive cost of collecting and disposing of discarded mattress. Donna Kaehler, recycling coordinator for North Smithfield, said her town paid to dispose of 350 mattress and box springs, weighing 9 nine tons, last year.

“We’re doing the right environmental thing but it is very costly," she said.

Sarah Kite, director of recycling services for the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, said the Central Landfill takes in about 70,000 mattresses annually. Foam, metal, wood and other parts can be salvaged, but cities and towns currently pay for the work. Three companies in the mattress disposal industry want to relocate to the state if the program is established, she said.

The bill was endorsed by the mattress industry group, the International Sleep Products Association. The group opposed the legislation in previous years. “The industry is taking responsibility for the products they put out,” said Jeff Taylor, a lobbyist for the group.

The Rhode Island Hospitality Association industry opposes the bill due to concerns it would make mattresses more expensive. Many hotels already pay to properly dispose of old mattresses, said the group's lobbyist, Terrance Martiesian. "We have recycling already."

The bill passed, 9-0.

The mattress program would be the third producer-responsibility program passed in three years by the General Assembly. A used paint can collection program was instituted in 2012. In 2011, a collection program was launched for collecting thermostats containing mercury. The producer-responsibility programs have been a collaborative effort with the Product Stewardship Institute, the state Department of Environmental Management, Clean Water Action and other environmental groups. Medical sharps, light bulbs and product packaging are also actively being considered for product stewardship programs.

In addition to Rhode Island and Connecticut, California also is expected to pass a mattress recycling program.

Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations Surpass 400 PPM Milestone

Not sure if you caught this when we talked about it on the show.  Very unsettling:

The Huffington Post  |  By James Gerken Posted: 05/10/2013 2:21 pm EDT  |  Updated: 05/10/2013 7:07 pm ED

Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide surpassed a notable milestone this week.

They reached a daily average above 400 parts per million, reported NOAA, for the first time in human history.

The milestone, hit on May 9, may be symbolic, notes Climate Central, but manmade CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels continue to rise, bringing greater atmospheric warming and exacerbating the effects of climate change.

Scientists argue we've loaded the "climate dice" in favor of more weather anomalies and extreme heat waves.

Research also shows that continued emissions of long-lived greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide will mean "largely irreversible" climate change for 1,000 years even after we curtail emissions.

"The last time we're confident that CO2 was sustained at these levels is more than 10 million years ago, during the middle of the Miocene period," climate scientist Michael Mann told The Huffington Post in an email. "This was a time when global temperatures were substantially warmer than today, and there was very little ice around anywhere on the planet."

Readings are taken at the NOAA-operated Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii and form part of the Keeling Curve -- a continuous record of CO2 measurements dating back to 1958. Bubbles found inside Antarctic ice core samples provide a longer record of CO2 in the air for the past 800,000 years.

CO2 measurements surpassed 400 ppm in the Arctic last summer, but the readings from Hawaii mark the first time prolonged levels above 400 ppm have been observed at more moderate latitudes.

Global carbon dioxide levels fluctuate over the course of the year, reaching an annual peak in May. LiveScience explains that the cycle reveals how trees and vegetation remove more CO2 from the air during the summer, until the annual minimum is reached in October.

"Take this day and the milestone it represents to reflect on the fragility of our civilization and and the planetary ecosystem on which it depends," Al Gore urged on Friday. "We must take immediate action to solve this crisis. Not tomorrow, not next week, not next year. Now."

350.org founder Bill McKibben said in a statement emailed to HuffPost, "The only question now is whether the relentless rise in carbon can be matched by a relentless rise in the activism necessary to stop it."

Great show coming up tomorrow on WARL 1320 and Blog Talk Radio, Renewable Now channel at 1p, EST

Which I will be doing with my rotating co-host from Boston, Jack Gregg.

You will notice we've adopted a slightly different style for the show, introducing different elements and using a little more of a magazine format.  Tomorrow, we will start by interviewing the managing director and outreach coordinator from W. B. Mason, our newest sponsor, and we'll talk about their many green products that allow companies to buy smart.

We will then jump into a fascinating discussion with Bill James from JPODS and look at his transforming product and technology.  Judeth Van Hamm from South Shore Mobility will join Bill and explain why parts of MA are looking at JPODS as a great feeder network to their MBTA system.

Take a look at some of the information below.

Join us tomorrow on the business side of green.

Here are the details of the guests we will have on air Wednesday June 19th.  First, Bill James of the Jpods company will talk about the future of his company's solar powered transit alternative.  Judeth Van Hamm with join us to update her efforts to bring Jpods to Massachusetts.

 

Here is some background information on Jpods using their recent trip to Haiti as an example of what they plan to accomplish by 2015:

• 4 minute summary of Haiti details

Some other background documents and videos that might be helpful:

• Net Energy,  the Key to Energy Investing
• How to Ensure Peak Oil Doesn't Bring the End of Economic Growth
• Backing the Dollar with Energy.
• 50 second summary of JPods and ET3
• 12 minute summary of JPods business case as a National Semi-Finalist in the CleanTech Open.
• Attached Letter from the Mayor of Morgantown, WV on the success of the PRT network there

Take a look at our brand new site

A lot of long hours and work has gone into totally revamping and expanding our RN web site.  We have built what we think is the perfect platform for growing our radio and TV side into a full time, 24/7 network dedicated to the business side of green.

Thanks so you and many others, our average listens/views per month exceeds 200,000.

Take a look and let us know what you think:  http://renewablenow.biz/main.html

Last week's radio show

Is now available 24/7 on WARL 1320 and Blog Talk Radio, Renewable Now channel.  Enjoy.

The link:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/renewable-now/2013/06/12/hybrid-trucking-advancements-to-farm-fresh-seafood

Some background on the show:

Jeff Flath from Enow will be in studio with Peter Arpin. Together they will be interviewing Bill Van Amburg who is the senior Vice President of Cal Start.

It was Bill's team that had managed an award winning $39-million Hybrid Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP) for the California Air Resources Board (ARB), have launched the California Hybrid Efficient and Advanced Truck Research Center (Cal HEAT) with the California Energy Commission and are working with the L.A. County MTA and South Coast AQMD on developing a zero-emission goods movement corridor.

We will also be joined in this show by Sebastian Belle of Maine Aquaculture.
We will take a fascinating look at the imbalance of seafood imports and how it affects our economy. We will also learn how farm fresh fish are raised and what the major hurdles are in this industry.

Tune In lives or take it on the Go in Podcast format!!
Listen every Wednesday at 1:00pm on both 1320warlradio.com and Blogtalkradio.com on the Renewable Now channel.
Also coming Soon Renewable Now Biz .com
Go there now and check us out.

Thanks to EcoRINews

For a good article that follows up on a show we did on students pushing schools to divest of holdings in energy companies, mostly focused on coal.

It will be interesting to see how successful the kids are in convinced schools like Brown, MIT, etc, to put their money elsewhere.   Let's hope if that money shifts, it is into companies that can create jobs.  We'll lose some in the energy sector as we pull dollars out.

Here's the link:  http://www.ecori.org/green-groups/2013/6/9/students-do-the-math-on-school-divestment.html

Part of the story:  

Students Do the Math on School Divestment

By KEVIN PROFT/ecoRI News staf

PROVIDENCE — Bill McKibben, climate activist and founder of 350.org, is concerned about carbon emissions. During the past 10 months, McKibben has brought attention to the fossil-fuel industry’s plan to burn five times more coal, gas and oil than the Earth’s atmosphere can safely absorb. He’s written for Rolling Stone, completed a nationwide bus tour and, most recently, released “Do the Math: The Movie,” a 45-minute documentary chronicling 350.org’s climate activist movement.

In the video, McKibben enumerates how fossil-fuel companies can help mitigate the impacts of climate change: stop lobbying in Washington; transition from being fossil-fuel companies to energy companies focused on a rapid transition to renewable energy; and stop exploring for new fossil-fuel reserves.

“The first rule of holes is that when you are in one, stop digging,” McKibben says about the industry’s ever-growing reserves.

The fossil-fuel industry, however, is unlikely to listen to McKibben, unless there is no other alternative. In fact, according to McKibben, Exxon currently spends about $100 million a day exploring for new fossil fuels to burn. In order to force the industry’s hand, McKibben recognizes he will need a lot of help.

That’s where groups such as Fossil Free RI come in. Fossil Free RI, the Ocean State’s newest student-led divestment campaign, has been working since March to get the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island to divest their funds from the fossil-fuel industry. The endowments at all three state schools are ultimately overseen by the Rhode Island Board of Education, which is why Fossil Free RI is targeting the schools together, say campaign leaders.

Fossil Free RI, unlike its counterparts at Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design, intends to target municipal and state funds as well, according to member Nick Katkevich. Many municipal and state pension funds, for example, are invested, in part, in fossil fuels. The goal of selling off fossil-fuel related stock is to hurt the industry’s market value and create a public stigma against them, he said..."

The Climate Reality Project

Sent us an update and invitation to a Google Hangout event today--still good on the West Coast--and some suggestions on positive climate changes you can make...which we are happy to share with you.

Let us know what you think:

Seven years ago, I was honored to have my presentation on climate change turned into a movie called An Inconvenient Truth. To this day, I am consistently gratified when people tell me that the film opened their eyes to the climate crisis, and that it has encouraged and inspired acts of leadership, big and small, around the world.

In honor of the seventh anniversary of the film's release, I'm pleased to invite you to join me for an interactive Google Hangout with my good friend Jeff Skoll tomorrow, June 11, at 2pm EDT. We will talk about some key developments in the climate effort since the film originally came out. Most importantly, I want to invite you to participate in shaping the conversation by submitting your questions and watching the Hangout here.

Also, as part of the anniversary celebration, The Climate Reality Project has helped put together this list of ten actions you can take right now on climate change. I hope that you'll visit the site, share it with your friends, and get inspired!

Sincerely,

Al Gore

World Ocean's Day

Was celebrated last week, June 8, which we talked about on the radio side.  Next year we'll do a week-long series highlighting the many aspects of the world coming together to restore and preserve this incredible resource.

In the meantime here's some information to consider and get involved:

On World Oceans Day people around the planet celebrate and honor the body of water which links us all, for what it provides humans and what it represents. Be a part of this growing global celebration! Thanks to The Ocean Project and The World Ocean Network for helping to promote and coordinate this event since 2002.HowcanIgetinvolved?

It’s fun and easy!

• Check out the list of event ideas
• Plan your event and submit it to the event listings.
• Or find a planned event you like and attend!
• Spread the word about ocean conservation by “Wearing Blue and Telling Two.”
• Sign up to join the World Oceans Day mailing list!WhyShouldICelebrateWorldOceansDay?

The world’s ocean:

• Generates most of the oxygen we breathe
• Helps feed us
• Regulates our climate
• Cleans the water we drink
• Offers us a pharmacopoeia of potential medicines
• Provides limitless inspiration!

Nowwecangiveback.

Take part in World Oceans Day events and activities this year and help protect our ocean for the future!

It’s up to each one of us to help ensure that our ocean is protected and conserved for future generations. World Oceans Day allows us to:

• Change perspective – encourage individuals to think about what the ocean means to them and what it has to offer all of us with hopes of conserving it for present and the future generations.
• Learn - discover the wealth of diverse and beautiful ocean creatures and habitats, how our daily actions affect them, and how we are all interconnected.
• Change our ways – we are all linked to, and through, the ocean! By taking care of your backyard, you are acting as a caretaker of our ocean. Making small modifications to your everyday habits will greatly benefit our blue planet.
• Celebrate - whether you live inland or on the coast we are all connected to the ocean; take the time to think about how the ocean affects you, and how you affect the ocean, and then organize or participate in activities that celebrate our world ocean.

Why“WorldOceanSDay”?

The Ocean Project recognizes that there is one world ocean that connects us all. (One need only look at an image from space to see that our planet should have been named “Ocean” rather than “Earth.”) Through 2008, we promoted “World Ocean Day” but added the “s” in 2009 after the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution officially recognizing June 8th as World Oceans Day each year. We hope that the UN will eventually embrace the singular “Ocean” but in the meantime, we are following the UN-designated use of World Oceans Day to show solidarity for the conservation of this important resource that connects us all.