New Rules for US Cars and Light Trucks

As part of the national vehicle program, the Obama administration is reducing emissions with new fuel efficiency standards. These new rules will require cars and light trucks manufactured in the US to get 54.5 mpg by 2025. According to the Office of the Press Secretary, these standards will require performance equivalent to 163 grams/ mile of CO2 by model year 2025. In addition to lowing emissions these new standards will also drive innovation that will fuel economic growth and create good jobs. These new rules will save consumers $1.7 trillion in gas, which breaks down to $8K per vehicle by 2025.

New Rules for US Trucks and Buses

US industry officials are welcoming new rules for trucks and buses that will cut greenhouse gas emissions and fuel usage. The Obama administration set the nation’s first ever fuel efficiency rules for both heavy-duty trucks and buses. These rules apply to everything from big yellow school busses to tractor trailers.

Germany Abandons Nuclear for Coal

In the wake of the explosion of the Fukishima nuclear plant in Japan, Germany shut down 7 nuclear power plants. Coal fired power plants will fill the gaps left by phasing out nuclear power. Germany is moving away from nuclear power even though there is very little similarity between the threats confronted by the German and Japanese reactors.

On the Anniversary of the Bombing of Nagasaki Japan Vows to Develop More Renewable Energy

As the city of Nagasaki held a solemn memorial for the victims of the nuclear bomb that devastated that city on August 9, 1945, the city's mayor joined Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan in calling for a shift from nuclear power to renewable energy.

The Credit Downgrade and the Green Economy

In the wake of the US credit downgrade entitlement reform may be the only hope for the green economy. Many believe that the battle against climate change cannot be fought with a weakened economy. The credit downgrade will increase pressure to resist any new government investments particularly those related to combating climate change.

Social Network for Sustainable Development

The number of social networks is rapidly growing and for the sustainably minded networker, there is enviMotion. Some members compare enviMotion to a mix between Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Groupon. This social network is designed to bring together all those interested in sustainable development. The network welcomes businesses and NGOs involved in sustainability, industry experts, and others committed to sustainable development.

Population is Compounding Climate Change

A recent episode of Hardball with Chris Matthews asks the question, what is the relationship between ongoing heat waves and global population? As revealed in daily news reports we are continually breaking climatic records as we change weather patterns on earth. Even though the people who are having the greatest number of children are emitting the smallest per capita amount of greenhouse gases, it is obvious that the more people there are, the more GHGs are emitted. Population is a sensitive issue but the provision of family planning services is intimately connected to managing climate change. The more people there are on the earth the more the climate will change. With the world population expected to be 7 billion on October 31, 2011, there is an urgent need to address the issue of overpopulation.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Let Boehner Know that US Competitiveness Should not be Compromised

Under the cuts imposed by the Republicans, US competitiveness is being compromised. The American people expect Congress to come together to ensure that America can be competitive with the rest of the world. To be competitive forward looking nations are investing in the green economy because they understand that competitiveness is increasingly about sustainable economic growth and green jobs.

EPA Proposes Standards for the Airline Industry

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed nitrogen oxide (NOx) standards for engines used in large commercial aircraft. In addition to being a global warming causing greenhouse gas (GHG), NOx emissions are known to cause and aggravate lung diseases and increase susceptibility to respiratory infection.

The proposed standards came shortly after the courts upheld the EPA's responsibility to regulate carbon emissions from aviation. As reported in Courthouse News, early in July, a US District Court judge denied a motion to dismiss claims that the EPA had failed to investigate aircraft engine emissions. He said that the agency had ignored “a required component of the regulatory process.”

Environmental Implications of the Credit Ceiling Agreement

Republicans used the looming debt crisis to force their anti-environment agenda on America. The credit ceiling agreement passed by the House on August 1, makes the Tea Party the big winner and intransigence the winning tactic. Although widely referred to as a "compromise," the Democrats made most of the concessions including eradicating tax increases for the top 2 percent of Americans and big cuts to the EPA. There is also significantly reduced funding for important energy and water projects.

Supreme Court Recognizes EPA Role in Carbon Pollution Protection

On June 20, 2011, the Supreme Court confirmed the vital role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect against global warming causing carbon pollution.

Carbon reduction is critically important particularly in power production. As America's biggest polluters, power plants are pumping more than two billion tons of carbon dioxide pollution into the air each year.

The US Debt Ceiling Crisis and the Green Economy

On Sunday July 31st, President Obama announced that a compromise has been reached to avert an American credit default. The President's announcement came just as the Asian markets opened for business causing Tokyo's Nikkei Index and the valuation of the American dollar to respond favorably.

If it passes in the House and the Senate, this deal will succeed in averting a Tuesday, August 2nd deadline.

A credit default would be devastating to the environment and the economy. As a sector with unparalleled growth potential, the green economy could address the revenue shortfalls that cause debt crises without raising taxes. As many economists are warning, investment in the green market is vital to economic growth and competitiveness.

Canadian Federal Provincial Energy Conference on Resource Exploitation

In the middle of July Canada's energy ministers met in Kananaskis, Alberta to discuss creating a national energy strategy and opportunities in the mining sector. The annual conference between federal, provincial and territorial officials was held between July 16th and 19th.

Predictably, Conservative Federal Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver said it was "in the interest of all Canadians, from coast to coast, to exploit the enormous natural resources we have."

For pro-oil Conservatives, now is the time to push ahead with an environmentally hazardous resource exploitation policy. After the Conservative election victory earlier this year, many companies associated with the old energy economy are counting on a regulatory environment that expedites the exploitation of Canada's natural resources.

Chu Video: The Worst Anti-Environmental Bill of her Career

Rep. Judy Chu spoke out today in strong opposition to H.R. 2584, the Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2012. This Bill represents the greatest threat to the environment and public health in decades, and undermines jobs and economic development in growing clean energy industries at a time when Americans are struggling to overcome economic crisis. H.R. 2584 is being considered in the House of Representatives this week. Congresswoman Chu received a lifetime rating of 100% from the League of Conservation Voters for her outstanding environmental voting record.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Gerry Connolly Video: Climate Disasters And GOP Denial

7/25/11: Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) railed against the efforts by the Republican majority to prevent action on climate pollution with their FY 2012 Interior and Environment appropriations bill, HR 2584. Connolly observed that the extreme weather disasters around the United States are the "symptoms of global warming," but Republicans are putting animals, ecosystems, infrastructure, and public health at risk with their denial.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Blumenauer Video: 'The Jihad Against Climate Change Continues'

7/25/11: "The jihad against climate change continues for my friends on the Republican side of the aisle," Rep. Earl Blumenaur (D-OR) said on the House floor this afternoon, criticizing the anti-climate provisions of the FY 2012 Interior and Environmental Agencies Appropriations Act (HR 2584) now under debate. "And it's ironic. when people can barely walk outside in Washington, DC., where we're dealing with drought, flood, wildfires, extreme weather events across the country. And the scientists tell us that it's related to human activity. This budget reduces our ability to deal with climate change and extreme weather events."

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Republican Obstructionism on the Debt Ceiling Risks Global Environmental Collapse

If Republicans do not compromise on a new debt ceiling, it will undermine the American economy which will surely undermine efforts to address climate change. If Democrats accept the Republican's plans to cut spending (including the bill known as H.R. 2584), it will significantly cut the budgets of environmentally oriented government organizations and agencies.

If a deal cannot be reached by the August 2nd deadline, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s have threatened to downgrade America's credit rating. This would undermine the credit system, raise interest rates and put pressure on an already fragile recovery.

EDF Campaign Opposing US Anti-Environment Bill

An EDF campaign is working to kill the Republican's anti-environment crusade. Under a bill known as H.R. 2584 Republicans are seeking to drastically cut funding to the EPA and other environment oriented government organizations and agencies.

The EDF campaign asks Americans to "Help Stop Mother of All Anti-Environmental Bills!" In an open plea to America, the EDF says:

If you care about the water you drink, the air you breathe, and America's natural heritage, we need you to stand with us right now against the mother of all anti-environmental bills.

Republican Assault on the Environment

Under the cover of America's preoccupation with the debt ceiling the Republicans are launching an all out offensive against the Environment. This is the latest attempt by Republicans to slash funding to the EPA and undermine environmental regulations. Cutting funding on environmental issues like air quality and pesticides will prove harmful to Americans and their environment. It will also eliminate jobs and undermine the economy.

"This is the most anti-environmental House in history," House Energy and Commerce Committee ranking member Henry Waxman told the House. "The new Republican majority seems intent on restoring the robber-baron era where there were no controls on pollution from power plants and oil refineries and factories."

Resistance to Cuts at Environment Canada

On July 5, nearly 50 civil society organizations sent a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper decrying the cuts to Environment Canada and outlining serious concerns about the impacts of the cuts.

As reported in rabble.ca, the letter was endorsed by labour, environmental, social justice, women's and First Nations organizations, including the Council of Canadians, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources, International Institute of Concern for Public Health, Keepers of the Athabasca Watershed Council, Métis Women's Circle, Mining Watch Canada, National Council of Women of Canada, National Network on Environments and Women's Health, Polaris Institute, Public Service Alliance of Canada, and Sierra Club Canada.

Conservatives Cut Budgets and Slash Jobs at Environment Canada

In addition to cuts at the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the NRC the Conservatives are also taking the axe to Environment Canada. Over $200 million is being cut from Environment Canada's budget which is resulting in the loss of services and jobs. Amongst the people being let go are those involved in climate change research and those responsible for contaminated sites. These cuts will result in the elimination of 1211 jobs (full-time equivalents) over the next three years. The 50 employees cut in June, include people working in the areas of water and atmospheric science.

Environment Canada is the leading organization related to the country's environmental agenda. They are charged with  a number of responsibilities including environmental protection and natural heritage conservation. They also provide meteorological information and science that informs the nation's regulations and legislation.

Canadian Conservatives Slash Environmental Assessment

Recently, in the speech from the throne, the Canadian Conservative government affirmed its commitment to improving environmental assessment, now it is gutting those institutions responsible for environmental oversight.

The Conservative government of Canada is cutting jobs and funding to the environmental agency that evaluates policies and projects. These cutbacks ensure that Canadians will have less information about proposed resource projects.

Home Depot Loves the Green Energy Act

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Canadian Conservatives Slash NRC Budget

The Canadian Conservatives have cut almost $200 million from the budget of the National Research Council of Canada. The Harper governments cuts eliminate more than 20 percent of the NRC's budget.

The National Research Council promotes leading-edge technological research and is the Government of Canada's premier organization for research and development. For almost 100 years the NRC has been contributing to more informed decision making. This year, the NRC named sustainable energy as one of its three national priority areas.

Even the Axis of Evil is Investing in Renewables

Every nation on earth is exploring green energy alternatives even pariah states. To prove the point, even North Korea and Iran, members of what former President Bush called the Axis of Evil are Developing Renewable Energy.

North Korea wants to increase their production of renewable energy. China has agreed to collaborate with North Korea in the sector of renewable energy. North Korean officials recently visited China to learn from China’s experience in the geothermal sector.

US Protests Against the Keystone XL Tar Sands Oil Pipeline

Canada wants to build a pipeline to transport tar sands oil from the province of Alberta all the way down to refineries in Texas. Earth friendly groups see the 1,700-mile long pipeline, known as the Keystone XL, as a disaster for the environment. According to Dr. Hansen who is one of America’s top climate scientists, the full exploitation of Canada’s tar sands would constitute a “game over” scenario for efforts to solve climate change.

Now that it has Canadian approval, the fate of the Keystone XL Pipeline is in the hands of President Obama. The President will decide on the fate of the pipeline as early as September. This decision will have dire implications for renewable energy production. The more access the US has to tar sands oil, the less it will turn to renewable sources of energy.

Canada is a Dirty Energy Superpower

At the federal provincial energy conference in July, Canada's energy ministers agreed on the broad strokes of a plan to make Canada a dirty energy superpower. The plan is to squeeze as many petrodollars as they can out of the tar sands which some have described as the most environmentally destructive project on earth.

Normal oil is very harmful to the environment but tar sands oil emits even more heat-trapping and toxic air pollution when it’s produced and refined. Dr. Hansen – America’s top climate scientist – has said that full exploitation of Canada’s tar sands would constitute a “game over” scenario for efforts to solve climate change.

Ontario's Green Energy Investments in Sault Ste. Marie

Ontario’s Green Energy Act is providing jobs and benefiting the environment in places like Sault Ste. Marie. According to a news release from MPP David Orazietti, Green energy has already created over 900 construction jobs and 110 permanent jobs in the Sault and Algoma region.

“The Ontario Green Energy Act is the most visionary program for renewable power generation in North America and Heliene Inc. is proud to have made the solar modules that are on top of the local Water Treatment Plant,” said Martin Pochtaruk, President of Heliene Inc. “We need this alternative energy program to remain in place for years to come in order to replace old coal-power generation with modern green technologies and, more importantly, we need this framework to stay in place to provide our youth with a sustainable future, clean air and value added manufacturing jobs.”

Ontario's Green Energy Act is Leading the Green Economy

Ontario is leading North America with an energy vision focused on renewable energy and conservation. The province's vision is spurring the economy and creating green jobs. Ontario’s Green Energy Act (GEA) became law on May 14, 2009. Regulations to fully implement the legislation were introduced in September 2009.

Since 2003, Ontario has brought more than 1,200 megawatts of new renewable energy on-line. New renewable energy projects already in place or under construction in Ontario since 2003 represent a total investment of over $4.6 billion.

The GEA builds on the Ontario government’s earlier initiatives, including plans to eliminate coal from the power supply. Coal-fired generation is the single largest source of air pollution in Ontario and eliminating it from the supply mix will be the largest climate change initiative in Canada.

Ontario Urged to Stay with Green Energy Act

Ontario’s Green Energy Act is “good for consumers, good for business and good for workers,” says the ex-chief of staff for former president Bill Clinton. He also warned Canadians about the fear and misinformation campaigns from entrenched interests in the old energy economy.

On Tuesday June 13, John Podesta who now heads the Center for American Progress, told a Toronto audience at the MaRS centre that fossil fuels are increasingly expensive, dangerous to health and bad for the climate. Nuclear power, which supplies about half of Ontario’s electricity is “a really expensive option,” he said.

Federal Provincial Energy Conference Sponsored by Big Oil

Earlier this week a coalition of environmental groups revealed that the Canadian Federal Provincial Energy Conference is being sponsored by several energy companies.

Eleven companies and associations are spending an unprecedented $180,000 to pay for nearly a third of the $600,000 price tag. The sponsorship is an attempt by the petroleum industry to influence people who will be making crucial decisions about Canada's energy future. The sponsors have access to key individuals and they are given a high profile on the website for the conference.

Video: Volkswagen's Dark Side

Volkswagen has made the strategic decision to produce and market vehicles that are more price competitive than they are fuel efficient.

All the major automotive brands are making radical fuel efficiency improvements to help reign in carbon. It is obvious to all but the willfully misinformed that climate change is a serious threat to all life on the planet, and anthropogenic carbon is the leading cause.

TOA Technologies' ETAdirect Mobile Workforce Efficiency Software

TOA Technologies offers ETAdirect mobile workforce management software that lowers fuel expenditures and improves productivity.

ETAdirect is a routing and scheduling solution which manages more than 50 million appointments annually around the globe. The software cuts drive times for mobile workers, helps reduce expenditures on fuel, improves productivity and reduces paper usage. Companies save an average of $18,000 per mobile employee annually using TOA's ETAdirect.

This complete mobile workforce management solution suite accomodates the uniqueness of each business and industry. ETAdirect modules are designed to be configurable to individual needs. TOA's customer appointment management system is flexible, expandable, and infinitely scalable. And because the platform is web-based, implementation is fast and painless.

TOA's complete mobile workforce management solution includes:

Predictive Planning and Scheduling
Mobile Workforce Management and Reporting
Predictive Customer Communications
Integration and Web Services

Click Here To Download theWhite Paper: Next Generation Strategies For Managing The Mobile Workforce And Enhancing The Customer Experience.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Trucking Companies Need to do More than Reduce Emissions on the Road

A recent report found that trucking companies should not rely solely on the SmartWay Transport Partnership Program, which calculates emissions of a company’s on-road vehicle fleet. The study by the American Transportation Research Institute said that significant sources of trucking company emissions also include on-site equipment, office space, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems.

According to a report by Fleet Owner, there are variables that must be factored including things like GHG emissions from purchased electricity which can vary significantly throughout the country.

The study suggests that there is need for standardization of carbon accounting. Standardized carbon accounting is an important part of measuring and reducing emissions.
© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Cardinal Health and the EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership Program Agency

The DOE's National Clean Fleets Partnership initiative complements the EPA’s SmartWay Transport partnership program, which is a program designed to reduce emissions in the freight industry.

As reported in Environmental Leader, the partnership brings together major freight shippers, trucking companies, distribution firms and trade associations in an effort to reduce emissions. The partnership aims to save 1.5 billion gallons of fuel, $3.6 billion in fuel costs, 14.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, 215,000 tons of nitrogen oxides and 8,000 tons of particulate matter.

Cardinal Health is a $99 billion health care services company, it has earned the top score in the SmartWay Carrier Partnership and is in the top five percent of all companies in the Shipper Partnership

“We’re proud to join the SmartWay Transport Partnership and to be recognized by the U.S. EPA for our work in the area of environmental sustainability,” said Frank Macielak, vice president of environment, health and safety for Cardinal Health. “This is an important milestone as we strive to reduce our carbon footprint and improve our overall sustainability efforts.”

As a SmartWay Transport Partner, Cardinal Health has committed to improve its environmental performance by measuring its current environmental performance with the SmartWay Transport FLEET (Fleet Logistics Energy and Environmental Tracking) Performance Model for carriers. They are also creating an action plan for improving the environmental performance of its fleet within three years and reporting to the EPA annually regarding its progress toward achieving its environmental goals.

As an EPA SmartWay Shipper Partner, Cardinal Health has committed to shipping at least 50 percent of its goods using SmartWay Truck Carrier Partners. They are also adopting recommended SmartWay Transport Shipper Strategies, which range from implementing ‘no idling’ policies to incorporating warehouse improvements that reduce emissions.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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PepsiCo's Sustainability Efforts

PepsiCo is committed to protecting the Earth's natural resources through innovation and more efficient use of land, energy, water and packaging. The company's Sustainability Reports detail PepsiCo's governance and economic impacts, as well as achievements in human sustainability, environmental sustainability, and talent sustainability.

Earlier this year, PepsiCo UK produced its second environmental sustainability report. As reported in a MarketingWeek article, the report looked at climate change, agriculture, water use, its products and how the company works with others to drive change within the business.

Since 2005, PepsiCo has also been committed to greening its vehcle fleet. As of 2009, the company had 1,250 hybrid vehicles, which amounted to the second largest non-governmental fleet of hybrid vehicles in the US.

“Our commitment to hybrid company cars is part of our overall commitment to corporate sustainability and reducing our fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions,” said Pete Silva, director fleet procurement, PepsiCo.

The company’s sustainability policy includes steadily improving environmental, social, and economic aspects of the world in which it operates. Topping three EPA lists (The Top 25; Fortune 500 Challenge; and “100 Percent Green Power Purchaser”), PepsiCo will continue to add hybrids to its fleet.

Hybrid fleet models include Toyota Prius and Ford Escape and delivery trucks. Pepsi Co. owned, Frito Lay has electric delivery vans and they use hybrid refrigerated delivery trucks in select divisions.

PepsiCo has also worked with GreenDriver to train sales and delivery drivers on fuel-efficient driving techniques.

In addition to sustainable initiatives in its manufacturing of food and drink the company plans to introduce FSC paper-based packaging to its Quaker and Walkers brands within three years as part of its plan to make all packaging renewable, recyclable or bio-degradable by 2018.

For more information on PepsiCo's sustainability efforts click here.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Sustainable Transportation

Sustainable transportation seeks to improve access to goods while simultaneously reducing environmental and social impacts. Research indicates that transporatation is a major cause of climate change.

According to reseach by A. Schafer titled, "The global demand for motorized mobility," transport systems generate approximately one quarter of world energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Air pollution is an unavoidable byproduct of the traditional fossil fuel powered transportation industry. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, greenhouse gas emissions from transport are increasing at a faster rate than any other energy using sector. Road transport is also a major contributor to local air pollution and smog.

Green transportation is defined by its low environmental impact. A truly sustainable transportation system makes a positive contribution to the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the communities they serve.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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The DOE's Public-Private Partnership is Reducing Petroleum Use

Early in July, the DOE announced that six companies have been added to the five charter members involved with the National Clean Fleets Partnership. The initiative is designed to help large companies incorporate electric vehicles, alternative fuels and fuel-saving measures into their fleets. The goal is to reduce US petroleum use by 2.5 billion gallons by 2020.

Collaboration is also part of the Obama administration’s National Clean Fleets Partnership. The public-private partnership promotes a peer-to-peer information exchange, and allows small and large companies to work together to benefit from buying vehicles in bulk.

The program enables companies to use DOE cost calculators, interactive maps, customizable database searches, and mobile applications to compile and analyze essential data. Each company will work with the DOE to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce petroleum use in their fleets. DOE will also help connect partners with clean fuel providers and equipment manufacturers where their fleets operate.

The partnership was Introduced in April 2011, and is run by the Department of Energy (DOE), it includes charter members AT&T, FedEx, PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, UPS, and Verizon. The five charter members are planning to deploy over 20,000 advanced technology vehicles, and will displace over 7 million gallons of petroleum a year, according to the DOE.

In 2009, ATT announced it would spend up to $565 million to deploy about 15,000 alternative fuel vehicles over the course of a decade. In 2010 the company has avoided the purchase of over one million gallons of gas and diesel fuel. ATT has indicated that it has deployed more than 3,500 alternative fuel vehicles as of March 2011.

In June, FedEx announced that it was adding 4,000 new fuel efficient trucks and cars to its fleet including hybrid and electric vehicles.

Since 2005, PepsiCo has been working on greening its vehcle fleet. As of 2009, the company had 1,250 hybrid vehicles, which amounted to the second largest non-governmental fleet of hybrid vehicles in the US.

In addition to Coca-Cola, Staples, Enterprise Holdings, General Electric, Osram Sylvania, and Ryder Systems inc., are now part of the National Clean Fleets Partnership. Between them they operate nearly a million commercial vehicles.

Coca-Cola has the largest hybrid delivery fleet in North America. Staples says it has increased the fuel economy of its fleet by more than 20 percent since 2007 through fuel-saving steps and the company is also in the process of testing all-electric delivery trucks in Ohio and California. Enterprise Holdings, offers Chevrolet Volts and Nissan Leafs to consumers for rentals. General Electric has committed to convert half of its global vehicle fleet to alternative fuels and to deploy a total of 25,000 electric vehicles by 2015. Osram Sylvania aims to replace 10-12 percent of its fleet annually with more energy-efficient vehicles. Ryder recently opened its first natural gas vehicle maintenance facility, including two liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling stations, to support hundreds of heavy-duty LNG trucks.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Coke and the WWF's CO2 Eating Billboard

The WWF has collaborated with Coca-Cola since 2007, together they have focused on freshwater conservation, including Coke's agricultural supply chain. The two work together on action plans aimed at mitigating risks to some of the world’s most important freshwater basins and watersheds that are threatened by dams, pollution and damaged habitat.

Coca-Cola is also working with the WWF to render its advertising message in an environmentally appropriate medium. On June 23, the World Wildlife Federation and Coca-Cola unveiled a billboard in the Philippines that actually eats CO2.

The 60 x 60 foot living billboard in Manila is made of thousands of Fukien tea plants and was created in conjunction with Coca-Cola Philippines’ Live Positively sustainability program. The billboard is shaped in the iconic outline of a coke bottle and written across it is the statement ‘This billboard absorbs air pollutants.'

“We are proud that we have brought to life the first plant billboard in the country. It is an embodiment of our company’s Live Positively commitment to making a positive difference in the world by incorporating sustainability into everything that we do. With this, we hope to inspire Filipinos to join us in our journey, because we know that together, we can make a positive impact,” stated Guillermo Aponte, president of Coca-Cola Philippines.

The billboard is using pots made from recycled bottles that contain 3,600 trees, which live off a mixture of organic fertilizers. The novel advertising employs an efficient drip irrigation system which saves water and fertilizer. Each of the 3,600 trees on the billboard can absorb up to 13 pounds of CO2 a year. When fully grown, the billboard will absorb a total of 46,800 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Xcel Energy's Planned Emissions Reductions

While some utilities are resistant to the EPA's new clean air rules, others, like Xcel Energy are more supportive and they are already working on reducing emissions.

"From our perspective it's almost a moot point," said Mark Stutz, a spokesman for Xcel Energy. "We support it because we've come up with a plan of action."

In 2010, Colorado passed legislation called the Clean Energy-Clean Jobs Act. Xcel was part of a diverse group that helped to create the measure initiated by former Gov. Bill Ritter. The law calls for Colorado utilities to reduce their emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury and carbon dioxide.

Xcel is expected to close a coal-fired unit at a Boulder plant and three at a plant in Denver. They plan to replace these plants with power from new cleaner natural gas-powered plants. The utility will also install modern emissions controls to cut emissions.

These measures will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by about 85 percent and sulfur dioxide and mercury emissions by about 80 percent. These significant emissions reductions come at a very modest cost to consumers. Xcel has indicated that these changes will result in rate increase of roughly 2 percent annually over the next decade.

Xcel will reduce its carbon emissions by 28 percent below a 2005 baseline, which is the goal stipulated in the Clean Energy-Clean Jobs Act.© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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