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(Photo from Sanyo)
The Mira EV powered by Sanyo Lithium-Ion batteries gave a lot of hope to everyone who has been waiting for a viable long-range EV. That’s because on May 24, the Mira EV traveled from Tokyo to Osaka, a distance of 623 miles, and set the world record for the longest distance traveled by a non solar powered electric vehicle on one charge.
Find out more at Sanyo’s website.
I had lunch today with an interesting fellow—an architect specializing in sustainable practices in managing LEED buildings. He works in commercial and the government sector, advising building owners and managers.
Like many of us, he believes the Obama Administration’s push to make government the best example of green practices is important, even game changing. But, we both question how the directives, targets and practices will get translated to the people who must manage the buildings? The federal government is leading the charge to design, build and/or lease only LEED-certified buildings, but what’s the plan to educate the facilities managers?
Leaving it up to individual agencies seems like a recipe for—at the best—uneven execution, and at the worse complete failure. Is there a phase two?
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Green Government Podcast: Episode 1
Interview with Ron Buckhalt, Department of Agriculture’s BioPreferred program mananger Join us for an interview with Ron Buckhalt, manager of the USDA’s BioPreferred program, a mandatory Federal procurement program that requires all Federal agencies to buy and use biobased products designated by USDA. Find out about the history of the BioPreferred program, how the USDA is addressing sustainability, and Ron’s thoughts on the future of green government. Ron has over 40 years of communications and public policy experience, having worked as a Congressional Press Secretary, executive branch political appointee, public relations executive, communications consultant, lobbyist, radio and television newscaster, and video producer. |
Sure, you’ve heard about wind power, carbon sequestration, solar power and other types of renewable energy. But, do you know about the science behind these renewable energy types? How they actually generate energy?
Every week, we’ll find great videos to share with you that explain the science of green and how things work. This week, we’re sharing a video that explains how solar panels work to generate energy for your home or business.
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Green Government Podcast: Special GOVgreen Edition
Featuring panelists Craig E. Hooks, Assistant Administrator, Office of Administration and Resources Management (OARM), United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and William G. Dowd, P.E.- Director, Physical Planning Division, National Capital Planning Commission All Federal agencies are required to submit annual Sustainability Plans starting in June 2010. The plans must outline how the agency will meet the mandates of Executive Order 13514 to conserve more, consume less and substantially reduce its carbon footprint. In this interview, representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) will talk about the key components of Sustainability Plans, including implementation, monitoring and challenges. |
Sen. Lugar has released a draft verson of an energy bill he plans to introduce as an alternative to the Kerry-Lieberman proposal. Sen. Lugar says the bill will “meet many climate improving goals, without cap and trade, by conserving energy and saving people, businesses and government money” according to his website.
Some of the anticipated impacts of the bill include:
To learn more about this proposal, visit http://lugar.senate.gov/energy/
Solar company Sungevity is offering President Obama a free rooftop solar power system for the White House, and to get his attention they’ve launched the Globama campaign.
Sungevity is offering the 102-panel, 17.85 kW solar system, installation and warranty as a free donation, at no cost to the Obamas, the government or tax payers. The only costs associated with the panels would be the upkeep and maintenance. In case the president isn’t comfortable with the $107,900 donation, they’re also offering a 10-year lease of the equipment at $537/month with maintenance and monitoring included.
To sell the idea and to get us all onboard, Sungevity created a website, SolarOnTheWhiteHouse.com, where the company has laid out a full quote, detailing the financial aspects, utility savings, technical information and environmental benefits of the installation. Also at the website, you can sign a petition asking the president to accept Sungevity’s offer.
According to Sungevity, the solar array would reduce the White House electricity bill by 81 percent, or $1,610/month. To learn more about Sungevity visit http://www.solaronthewhitehouse.com/
On Wednesday, June 9, the full committee will hold the fourth in its series of hearings regarding the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In this hearing, the Committee will examine issues related to the Department of the Interior’s May 27 report, “Increased Safety Measures for Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf,” including oversight of recent actions recommended by the Department to address the safety of offshore oil development. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will be the witness.
Also, Majority Leader Reid hopes the Senate will take up clean energy legislation later this summer. In a letter, Reid asked key committee chairmen to either report bills or submit ideas before July 4 on how to respond to the as-yet-uncontrolled oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Fortunately, Senate Energy Committee staff has been working on these issues for several weeks, responding to Chairman Bingaman’s instructions to develop a legislative package that addresses key concerns related to this disaster. To read more visit the committee’s website.
Coming to the Washington, DC Convention Center November 9-10, 2010, the Center for Environmental Innovation and Leadership’s GOVgreen Conference and Expo will feature case studies, promising practices, how-to’s and inspiration for how to green government operations, facilities, and workforces.
To provide a sneak peak of GOVgreen‘s conference programming, below is the second of many lists describing some of the proactive steps the federal government is taking as a leader in the green movement.
As always, there is more to come so stay tuned!
Don’t forget, you can learn about these and other promising practices at GOVgreen, November 9-10, 2010 at the DC Convention Center.
Or, if you have ideas of other leading examples, either by federal agencies, the private sector, state and local governments, or anyone else, please submit a presentation idea so that we can consider featuring your idea as a blog and at GovGreen.
Be sure to tune in to Federal News Radio 1500 AM this Tuesday, June 8th at 11:30 a.m. for the GOVgreen: Sustainability in Federal Government segment.
In this interview, representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) will talk about the key components of Sustainability Plans, including implementation, monitoring and challenges. This special segment is moderated by Amy Morris, co-host of the Federal Drive and features a discussion between Craig E. Hooks and William G. Dowd.
About the Panelists:
Craig E. Hooks
Assistant Administrator
Office of Administration and Resources Management (OARM)
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Craig Hooks currently serves as the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Administration and Resources Management (OARM) at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On May 13, 2009, he was nominated by President Obama to serve in this role and was confirmed on August 7, 2009. In this capability, Mr. Hooks also serves as EPA’s Senior Accountable Official for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which seeks in part to spur technological advances in science and health and to invest in environmental protection and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits. OARM is responsible for governing the agency’s resources management including grants and contracts, human resources and facilities.
Prior to joining OARM, Mr. Hooks served as the Deputy Director and the Director of the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds within EPA’s Office of Water. He was also the Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Office of Environmental Information and the Director of the Federal Facilities Enforcement Office within the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA). Mr. Hooks also served as the Associate Director of the Administration and Resource Management Support Staff within OECA and spent two years as Special Assistant to the Assistant Administrators for OARM and OECA. br>
Before joining EPA, Mr. Hooks worked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a physical scientist. Mr. Hooks received a Masters degree in Oceanography from the Texas A&M University in 1987, and a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of Florida in 1982. Mr. Hooks is married and the father of three girls.
William G. Dowd, P.E.
Director
Physical Planning Division
National Capital Planning Commission
Bill Dowd is a licensed professional engineer and director of NCPC’s Physical Planning Division where he guides the design, visualization, and implementation of Commission policies that are focused on physical features or a specific geography. The division advances the federal interest and enhances the livability, human scale, and cultural treasures of the nation’s capital. Its initiatives address regional issues, including transportation, security, and sustainable communities. Currently his division is working to establish the first ecodistrict in the nation’s capital, a designated area that will capture, manage, and reuse a majority of energy, water, and waste within the boundaries of the district.
Prior to joining NCPC in 1998, Mr. Dowd spent 13 years with the Federal Highway Administration working on various projects throughout the country. He received a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Connecticut.
