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Ocean Renewable Power Receives $300K Grant

Ocean Renewable Power Company Maine LLC received a $300,000 development award from the Maine Technology Institute to support the commercial development of power from tidal energy. The award is to be used for the detailed engineering of a prototype project, testing, and eventual installation of a full-scale commercial project. “Maine has tremendous indigenous tidal resources and the State has the leadership and foresight to understand the importance of ocean renewable technologies.” stated Chris Sauer, president & CEO of ORPC-Maine. “We want to set the example by delivering the best possible tidal projects in North America.” The project will use proprietary Ocean Current Generation (OCGen”) technology being developed by ORPC Maine and initially will be deployed in Western Passage and Cobscook Bay. ORPC Maine has applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for Preliminary Permits for the sites. ORPC Maine plans to begin building and installing a full scale prototype OCGen” module in Western Passage in late-2008 and, upon successful testing and monitoring, develop, permit and build commercial scale OCGen” projects at the sites. MTI was created by the Legislature in 1999 to encourage, promote, stimulate and support research and development activity leading to the commercialization of new products and […]

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GE Brings Ecomagination to India

General Electric Company (GE) has launched Ecomagination in India — designed to bring to market new technologies that will help customers address their most pressing environmental challenges such as the need for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy, reduced emissions and abundant sources of clean water. GE signed an MoU with Air India that will help the airline achieve its goal of becoming an environmentally sustainable airline. GE will supply advanced aircraft engines from its ecomagination portfolio worth $2.2 billion. GE will also partner with Air India on green building, in flight content creation, and co-branding. In another MoU, GE India and Haryana Technology Park will collaborate to create a world standard green building project specifically in the areas of utility services like power generation & distribution, lighting, water treatment, security and sensing equipment. The Haryana Technology Park is a Government of India approved integrated IT Park supported by Paharpur Business Centre & Software Technology Incubator Park, New Delhi. Finally, GE announced it would supply ecomagination-certified solar energy modules and water filtration technology to a new initiative, launched by Dynoil LLC, to increase the availability of clean drinking water in rural areas of India and in other developing countries of […]

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IKEA U.S. Takes a Stand on Plastic Bags

Starting March 15th All IKEA U.S. stores will charge Five Cents for Plastic Bags. Good for you, IKEA! According to the US EPA, the U.S. consumes over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps every year. Each year, Americans throw away some 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags, and less than one percent of them are recycled. The bags do not biodegrade for up to a thousand years. IKEA U.S. is taking a stand. IKEA will no longer offer customers free plastic bags. Beginning March 15, every plastic bag at every IKEA U.S. store across the nation will cost five cents. All proceeds* from this ‘program year’ bag campaign will go to American Forests, the nation’s oldest non-profit citizens conservation organization, to plant trees to restore forests and offset CO2 emissions. Also, to help alter customer behavior and endorse environmentally responsible habits, IKEA will be selling its iconic reusable ‘Big Blue Bag’ for 59 cents, a cost that has been reduced from 99 cents. The blue bag, while also made of plastic, is durable, strong and roomy. Because one sturdy reusable bag will replace hundreds of single-use bags, IKEA hopes customers will bring it along to carry purchases when they shop […]

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United National Foods 2Q Profit Rises

United Natural Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI), the largest natural foods distributor in the U.S., reported a three percent rise in second quarter profit on higher revenues. Sales for Q2 2007, ended January 27, 2007, were $668.5 million, an increase of $67.5 million, or 11.2%, from the $601.1 million in the previous year. Net income rose to $10.9 million, or 25 cents per share, from $10.6 million, or 25 cents per share, in the prior year quarter. Analysts expected earnings of 30 cents per share on sales of $682.8 million. Operating expenses during the second quarter of fiscal 2007 were negatively impacted by approximately $2.2 million of losses related to the Company’s two Auburn, California facilities. In January 2007, the Company incurred a loss of $1.5 million associated with the sale of one of the facilities. It also incurred $0.4 million in fees related to the early termination of unused leased space at a facility in Minnesota, and recorded a related write-off of $0.3 million in abandoned leasehold improvements. “Fiscal 2007 continues to be a strong year and we are quite pleased with our operating performance and financial results during the second quarter,” said Michael Funk, President and CEO. “Sales growth […]

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WorldWater Announces Outlook for 2007

WorldWater & Power Corp. (WWAT.OB), developer and marketer of proprietary high-power solar systems, has provided guidance for 2007. The company estimates 2006 revenue of $17 million and expects to see sales nearly double in 2007 – to $30-$35 million, representing 5 megaWatts of electricity. WorldWater has a steady backlog of solar projects and is bidding on an active pipeline of opportunities. Seasonality will be similar to 2006, with higher revenue expected to be realized in the latter half of the year. However, each quarter is expected to show strong comparisons over 2006. The seasonality reflects both normal demand trends and a shift in the company’s focus to larger, multi-megaWatt projects. In addition, WorldWater anticipates showing a profit for the full year – a major accomplishment – as it leverages increasing opportunities and takes a growing share of the solar market. Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

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