Saturn Vue Hybrid The Saturn Vue hybrid is going to be the first plug-in model on the hybrid SUV market. Read more here.

High gas prices High gas prices may stay up because foreign factors determine how much we pay a BP economist says.

Fuel efficient vehicle Fuel efficient vehicle travels 3,145 miles on one gallon of gasoline.

Solar shingles Solar shingles are an incredible breakthrough in the solar energy market. They appear to be regular shingles but they contain thin film photovoltaic cells which harness solar power.

Fuel cell boost from ethanol push The United States’ sudden love affair with ethanol fuel will boost prospects for embracing hydrogen-powered fuel cells later.

Ethanol e85 in Texas gas stations H-E-B stores have started selling E85 ethanol at select gas stations around the central Texas area. The e85 blend is 60 cents cheaper than regular unleaded at these select gas stations.

Urban Wind Power by AeroVironment AeroVironment Wind Turbines The late Dr. Paul MacCready’s firm AeroVironment has long been on the frontier of energy efficient aviation, starting with the creation of the first human powered airplane, and then the first human powered airplane to cross the English Channel. AeroVironment has gone on to design solar powered aircraft that can linger [.]

Keep it Clean, From Drain to Stream H2O Jo and Flo are spreading the word about water quality as part of Denver’s Wastewater Management Division’s Keep it Clean campaign. Their message this month is “pick up litter and after your critter!” Help conserve and protect our natural waterways and keep pollutants out of our storm drains by disposing of litter and pet waste properly, which can harm fish, birds and other wildlife in our streams and rivers.

Solar power trash cans Solar powered trash cans are now a reality in Santa Cruz. They use solar power to compact trash, but is this a good thing?

Home heating oil prices Why are home heating oil prices so high, and what can you do about them? Find out here!

California one million solar roofs plan Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation that is designed to have one million solar roofs built in California by 2018.

]]> http://electriccostmonitor.com/fuel-efficient-vehicle/1406/feed/ http://electriccostmonitor.com/energy-efficient-google/1405/ http://electriccostmonitor.com/energy-efficient-google/1405/#comments Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:33:03 +0000 admin Hybrid cars break even
The auto web site, Edmunds.com, is now saying that some hybrid cars are worth their premium price tag due to higher gas costs and tax credits from the government.

Solar power energy Solar power energy has always been available. Until now, we have not learned to harness solar power energy.

2007 Hybrid Cars Check out the 2007 hybrid cars that are making an impact with the green and automotive communities alike.

Denvers Climate Plan In-Depth: Voluntary Travel Offsets Here on the Greenprint blog, we’re taking a closer look at each of the 10 recommended strategies from Denver’s recently-released draft climate action plan. Today: an overview of Item 3, which suggests promoting programs for voluntary purchases of certified carbon offsets:“Provide the opportunity to pay a small voluntary fee, at the time of air ticket [.]

Energy Efficient Google Google Inc., typically tight-lipped about the technology behind its data centers, builds its own servers to save costs and because standard products don’t exactly meet its needs.

Save the environment Save the environment with our easy tips. You can be the person to make a difference for the environment.

Strategic oil reserves are alive and well Saudi prince says world has enough oil.

Energy Saving Strategies With gas prices stuck in the stratosphere, you can save hundreds of dollars a year by using these tips and tricks to buy your gas for less.

Press Release: 2008 Farm Bill A Disappointment FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sean Crowley – (202) 550-6524-o, scrowley@edf.org Sara Hopper – (202) 572-3379–o, shopper@edf.org   (Washington D.C. - May 21, 2008) – The 2008 farm bill that Congress is nearly certain to enact into law over a presidential veto provides some badly needed new funding for conservation programs over the next five years, and makes improvements to some of these programs. However, these benefits are overshadowed by the lack of meaningful subsidy reform, the addition of an environmentally damaging new subsidy program and last-minute changes made to the bill by the conference committee that undermine the effectiveness of the bill’s conservation provisions, according to the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).    The House this afternoon voted 316-108 to override the president’s veto of the bill earlier today and the Senate is expected to follow suit tonight or tomorrow.  The Senate originally passed the bill by an overwhelming margin of 81 to 15.   “The good news is that the 2008 farm bill includes $4 billion in new money for conservation, and makes changes to some conservation programs that will make them more effective in helping farmers deliver environmental benefits like cleaner water to the public,” said Sara Hopper, an attorney with EDF who was a staff member of the Senate Agriculture Committee during the 2002 farm bill.  “The bad news is that the bills that both the House and Senate passed last year provided more money and included stronger conservation policies.  Unfortunately, the conferees worked behind closed doors to make this a weaker bill for the environment.”    Like the versions of the farm bill passed by both the House and Senate last year, the final bill makes important improvements to, and increases funding for, two programs that help farmers improve stewardship of working agricultural lands. It also retains a new initiative designed to assist groups of farmers willing to work together to address specific environmental issues and leverage the resources of states, local government and other partners.    Unfortunately, the conference committee reduced the size of programs that reward farmers for taking environmentally sensitive lands out of production and restoring wetlands.  Conferees also added new provisions to restrict participation in existing conservation programs that were not originally included in either bill. Finally, they gutted a “Sodsaver” provision included in both bills that would have barred crop insurance and disaster payments to any producers who plow up native grasslands in order to plant crops.    The House and Senate versions of the farm bill each included approximately $5 billion in new funding for conservation, but conferees reduced this amount, in part to pay for a new, environmentally damaging “permanent disaster” program.  Both the Government Accountability Office and USDA’s Economic Research Service have found that disaster payments provide incentives to convert grassland to crop production.    “Cutting conservation spending to help fund a new subsidy program that will encourage intensive crop production on grasslands and other environmentally fragile lands represents a double blow to the environment,” concluded Hopper.    In addition to providing $3.8 billion for the new disaster program, the 2008 farm bill increases support levels for some crops, adds new crops to the subsidy roll, and fails to make any significant reduction in direct payments.  Direct payments will cost over $5 billion a year for the next five years and mostly flow to producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton and rice regardless of how high prices are or whether the farmer needs the assistance.   President Bush cited these increases in farm subsidies when he vetoed the 2008 farm bill today.

Ethanol production in the U.S is growing Ethanol production in the United States is growing so quickly that for the first time, farmers expect to sell as much corn this year to ethanol plants as they do overseas.

Diesel Cars- Finally for Everyone in the US, or Too Late to the Party? Conflicting forces buffet the world of diesel-powered cars just as their greatest fuel efficiency successes are achieved.

]]> http://electriccostmonitor.com/energy-efficient-google/1405/feed/ http://electriccostmonitor.com/hybrid-school-buses/1404/ http://electriccostmonitor.com/hybrid-school-buses/1404/#comments Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:48:05 +0000 admin Hybrid School Buses
11 States Are First in the Nation to Receive Hybrid School Buses as IC Corporation Awarded Bid by Advanced Energy Consortium.

Geothermal heating and cooling Geothermal heating and cooling systems use the earth to provide up to 50 percent of a building’s total heating and cooling needs.

Press Release: Statement on Grants to Convert NC Hog Lagoons FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONTACT: Dr. Joe Rudek, 919-881-2913 Georgette Shepherd, 919-880-8033   (Raleigh, NC - June 4, 2008) The NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources today announced that three hog farm operations in Sampson County will receive funding to install innovative waste treatment technologies, the first cost share grants to be awarded under the NC Lagoon Conversion Program established by the 2007 General Assembly. The following statement may be attributed to Dr. Joe Rudek, senior scientist with Environmental Defense Fund. Rudek helped document the air and water pollution associated with the traditional lagoon and sprayfield system and helped shape state legislation that permanently bans open air lagoons for treating hog waste.   "The hog farmers receiving the first grants are innovators. They deserve a salute for their commitment to finding ways to treat swine waste that will protect the state’s air and water quality and the health of communities.   "The technologies selected for funding will use a centralized system large enough to treat nearly 60,000 hogs. This is a great beginning for the state’s push to convert all open air lagoons to modern systems.   "The Lagoon Conversion Program was designed to help farmers make the switch to better systems, and its success over the coming year should spur legislators to provide additional funding in the state budget."   The state’s press release is available here.

Hybrid cars beat high gas prices Hybrid cars can save you gas and money but should you still buy a hybrid vehicle?

Ethanol Fuel Ethanol fuel is a sustainable energy resource that is intended to provide a more environmentally and economically friendly alternative to fossil fuels such as diesel and gasoline.

]]> http://electriccostmonitor.com/hybrid-school-buses/1404/feed/ http://electriccostmonitor.com/albany-solar-tax-breaks/1403/ http://electriccostmonitor.com/albany-solar-tax-breaks/1403/#comments Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:40:03 +0000 admin Albany solar tax breaks
Albany County, N.Y. to give homeowners wanting solar energy systems a tax break.

Solar Panel Subsidy Solar panel subsidies makes it easier to save money on solar panels and solar energy.

Santa uses alternative energy Santa uses alternative energy and you should too. Get green this coming year.

Chicago Spire ]]> http://electriccostmonitor.com/albany-solar-tax-breaks/1403/feed/ http://electriccostmonitor.com/green-blogger-needed/1402/ http://electriccostmonitor.com/green-blogger-needed/1402/#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:50:03 +0000 admin

Green Blogger Needed EnergyRefuge.com is looking for a green blogger- someone with a passion for the environment and alternative energy.

Do You Make These Energy Mistakes? Don’t make these energy mistakes or you could be hurting and not helping your energy bill!

Press Release: EDAF Launches National Ad Campaign in Support of Climate Security Act FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Contact: Tony Kreindler, EDF, 202-572-3378 or 202-210-5791 (cell) Emily Diamond-Falk, EDF, 202-572-3365 or 202-841-8605(cell) (Washington – May 29, 2008) In the run up to an historic Senate vote on comprehensive climate change legislation, Environmental Defense Action Fund has launched a national television advertising campaign to counter special interest groups opposing the Climate Security Act, S. 3036.   "These ads are an effort to mobilize everyone who is sick of having our economy and environment hostage to imported oil,” said Keith Gaby, Communications Director for the National Climate Campaign at Environmental Defense Fund. "Americans clearly want action to fix climate change and break our oil addiction, but the interests opposing this bill are well-funded and well-organized.”   The Climate Security Act is a common-sense environmental and economic response to the escalating threat of climate change, and the ads call on Senators from both parties to support the bill. Its cap and trade policy will cost-effectively reduce U.S. global warming pollution, lessen our oil dependence, and restore American competitiveness.   Grounded, a television ad that is running nationally and in Washington, D.C., shows a man standing in front of an empty factory. "The Climate Security Act will spur investment in cleaner technology," he says. Suddenly, a barrel of oil falls out of the sky and whacks him in the head, driving him into the ground. After every statement, a barrel hits him, driving him further down. With only his head above ground, he says, "So, no surprise, some in Big Oil want to drive this bill into the ground." Melt, another ad that begins running today nationally and in Washington, D.C., shows a candle in the shape of a man in a business suit. As he burns, he gives the typical excuses as to why we should not pass climate legislation now. "Sure, climate change is a problem, but let’s not rush into anything," he says. As he continues to melt, he offers obtuse excuses as to why America should postpone climate change legislation. With only his lips remaining on a mound of wax he cautions, "Remember: haste makes waste."   Grounded can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij8rUPoTzPo Melting can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFehmrVeCsI     ###   Environmental Defense Action Fund Founded in May 2002, Environmental Defense Action Fund is at the forefront of educating legislators about developing new solutions that protect the natural world. Through grassroots and direct lobbying, EDAF amplifies Environmental Defense Fund’s ability to champion laws that are based on science, economic incentives, and, above all, the protection of our environment.

Mayor Hickenlooper Adopts Denver’s Climate Plan Denver’s Climate Action Plan was officially adopted on October 24, 2007 following eight months of research by Denver’s Greenprint Council and five months of public feedback. Mayor Hickenlooper also signed Executive Order 123, which formally establishes the city’s sustainability policy. It includes Denver’s first municipal green building policy along with several measures to promote sustainability within city operations.

]]> http://electriccostmonitor.com/green-blogger-needed/1402/feed/ http://electriccostmonitor.com/epa-fuel-economy/1401/ http://electriccostmonitor.com/epa-fuel-economy/1401/#comments Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:45:04 +0000 admin The Great Warming
The Great Warming is a moving documentary film about global warming that urges action on climate change and ecological issues.

Gas savers Gas savers that will help you save money after you leave the pump. Check out these hot tips to beat the high prices.

EPA fuel economy The EPA fuel economy estimates assist consumers in comparing the fuel economy of different vehicles. Don’t buy a car without knowing what to look for.

Energy Tax Credits A guide to understanding and utilizing energy tax credits. Make the most of your energy conscious purchases by knowing what qualifies for the tax credit.

Home and car energy savings There is a lot you can do to save energy and money at home and in your car.

Solar Crystals get 2-for-1 Solar crystal technology advances.Solar crystals get 2 for 1.

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