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Vehicle Proves Automakers Can Surpass Global Warming Standards, No Sweat Required

“Meeting state laws for fighting global warming should be no sweat for the automakers,” said Spencer Quong, a senior vehicles engineer with the Union of Concerned Scientists (USC) and former automaker consultant. “They already have the solution to pollution right under the hoods of their own cars and trucks.” Automotive engineers at UCS unveiled a minivan design that shows automakers can build affordable vehicles with existing technology that would meet or exceed global warming pollution standards for cars and trucks adopted by California and 10 other states. Automakers are currently fighting these standards in court. The minivan, dubbed the UCS Vanguard, features off-the-shelf engine, transmission and fueling systems and other technologies that would save consumers money, maintain vehicle safety and performance, and cut global warming pollution by more than 40 percent. All of the technologies in the Vanguard are in vehicles on the road today, but automakers have yet to combine them all in one single package. “Today’s announcement confirms that we already have the technology and the tools to combat climate change and that now it is simply a question of the political will,” said Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Oregon adopted the California tailpipe standard in 2005. “Oregon is […]

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Carmanah Gets Contract for Canada's Largest Solar System

Carmanah Technologies Corporation (TSX: CMH) is has been awared a contract for $1.4 million from Public Works & Government Services Canada (PWGSC) to build a 108-kilowatt solar system on the Jean Canfield Building in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. This installation will become the largest solar power system in Canada. Currently under construction, the Jean Canfield Building will house 500 civil servants and, while maintaining the historical architectural style of downtown Charlottetown, will become a national showcase for sustainable and green design. The PWGSC is striving to achieve Gold certification under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System – the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. “Carmanah is proud to supply the PWGSC with a custom-designed, turnkey solar power system that will help make the Jean Canfield Building one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in Canada,” states Art Aylesworth, Carmanah’s CEO. “LEED-certified buildings are 44 per cent more energy efficient on average than conventional buildings; this is a testament to what we can achieve toward the reduction of fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions using today’s sustainable energy technologies.” Carmanah’s grid-tied solar system will consist of 500 […]

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DOE Selects Six Cellulosic Ethanol Plants for $385M

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Bodman announced that DOE will invest up to $385 million for six biorefinery projects over the next four years. When fully operational, the biorefineries are expected to produce more than 130 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year. “These biorefineries will play a critical role in helping to bring cellulosic ethanol to market, and teaching us how we can produce it in a more cost effective manner.” The projects directly support the goals of the Bush Administration’s Twenty in Ten Initiative, which aims to increase the use of renewable and alternative fuels in the transportation sector to the equivalent of 35 billion gallons of ethanol a year by 2017. Funding for these projects is an integral part of the Biofuels Initiative that will lead to the wide-scale use of non-food based biomass, such as agricultural waste, trees, forest residues, and perennial grasses in the production of transportation fuels, electricity, and other products. The solicitation, announced a year ago, was initially for three biorefineries and $160 million. The DOE raised the ceiling to accelerate meeting the goals. “We had a number of very good proposals, but these six were considered ‘meritorious’ by a merit review […]

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