Editor's note: In the newest edition of Red, Green and Blue, writers Shirley Siluk Gregory and Jimmy Hogan take a look at the "smaller" concerns of environmentalists, and whether it's worth worrying about such issues when there are much greater and more pressing matters affecting our lives and health.

Shirley: When the Environmental Working Group last week announced its release of an updated and expanded "Skin Deep," its online database of chemicals in cosmetics, my first reaction was, "That's great. At least someone is keeping an eye on what goes into the stuff we put on our faces, hair and skin." (The EWG says it created Skin Deep to provide consumers with information that's not required by the federal government — i.e., whether the ingredients in our personal-care products are proven to be safe, or not.)

But as I spent a little time exploring the extensive data online, I started wondering, "Are we worrying too much about every little thing instead of focusing our energies on the greatest environmental hazards?" That is, should we be as concerned about the potential dangers of parabens in lipstick, phthalates in toys and possible endocrine disruptors in pesticide-sprayed produce when we've got global warming, depleted topsoils, desertification, shrinking biodiversity and other far-reaching problems?

Ultimately, I think, the short answer is, yes. While it can be overwhelming trying to keep track of every possible environmental hazard, I find that every bit of information I gain about the "little" dangers helps me make better decisions that might also diminish the "big" dangers. Maybe phthalates in toys and shower curtains might (or might not) interfere with my toddler son's normal endocrine development, but if I choose all-natural wood toys or hemp shower curtains instead, I'm adding a little less plastic to the world and supporting companies that are probably smaller, more sustainable and more environmentally aware. I'm not going to live in fear of every bit of plastic or every synthetic substance that might be lurking in my home, but the less of it I have, the more responsibly and healthily I believe I'm living.

Skin Deep: The Cosmetics Database

Posted by Page (in Amsterdam)

Small group of beluga whales swimming near ice. Photo by Robyn Angliss, NMML. Click for larger.

A couple of weeks ago, there was a really great editorial by Michael Jasny on the BBC News website. It was called “Beyond the harpoon – whale saving begins at home“. It’s about the big picture, i.e. commercial whaling isn’t the only threat to whales, and that anti-whaling countries should do the right thing and address the other dangers.

These include deadly physical harm to whales and other cetaceans from ships and fishing nets, bioaccumulation of toxic pollutants in whales’ systems, a cacophony of ocean noise such as military sonar, and, of course, climate change.

Continue reading Global climate change versus the whales…

Whoo, whoo a major rainforest victory! Uganda’s cabinet has suspended a proposal to give away part of the Mabira rainforest near its capital and on the shore of Lake Victoria [more | search]. The significance of the protection remaining on this important Ugandan rainforest from sugar cane production (possibly for biofuel) lies not in the extent of the area — some 7,000 hectares were to be removed from the area — but more in the cooperation between local and international civil society to bring about the victory. Local activists organized boycotts of the sugar company that was to expand into the area. And Ecological Internet internationalized the issue, with 8,627 Earth Action Network participants generating 1,833,279 protest emails to the parliament that has now blocked the project. Now onward to the Congo where industrial rainforest logging’s very existence will be challenged. Expect a press release soon. Meanwhile, break out the beverage of your choice, and celebrate by making a donation to keep EI’s network in existence, the world’s life giving ecosystems best friend. Congratulations to all those that participated in the three alerts we ran on the campaign!

FUND-RAISER UPDATE: $19,130 raised, 57 donors, 32% to goal. This Ugandan rainforest victory is the sort of thing EI does all the time, internationalizing local conservation concerns to help local peoples achieve real ecosystem protection. We need to raise $20,000 in next 5 weeks. Help us out – donate now.

Filed under: EV/Plug-in

Altair Nanotechnologies and American Electric Power have joined the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA). The EDTA promotes electric drive (which means hybrids, battery electrics, and fuel cell) vehicles, and members of the association meet each year to promote their work. Last year, the conference was in Washington, D.C. I’m not sure if Altair and AEP have joined as small business or general members, but either way, expect to see them at the EVS 23 conference in Anaheim later this year.

The official announcement from EDTA is after the break.

Related:

• Miles Automotive, Segway and ZENN join EDTA
• EDTA Conference: Final Overview

[Source: EDTA]
American Electric Power, Altair Nanotechnologies Join EDTA

May 22, 2007-Washington, DC-The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) is pleased to welcome American Electric Power and Altair Nanotechnologies as its newest members. EDTA, the trade association representing battery, hybrid and fuel cell electric drive technologies and infrastructure, provides public policy advocacy, education, industry networking, and international conferences and exhibitions. EDTA’s membership includes automotive and other equipment manufacturers, electric utilities, technology developers, component suppliers, and government agencies.

“The diversity of the electric drive industry mirrors the versatility of the technology itself and the numerous visions for its use in transportation.” says EDTA President Brian Wynne. “Our members come from different business sectors, but they share a common vision of the enormous value and environmental benefits that electric drive transportation can provide.”

“AEP expects electric drive to have a significant impact on our business, and we are determined to be ready for that impact,” says Larry Dickerman, Director of Distribution Engineering Services for AEP. “We look forward to working with the other utilities in EDTA, and association members from other business sectors, as we explore options relating to electrifying transportation. This is an area that will help us fulfill our sustainability goals as both a fleet owner and an energy provider.”

“Membership in EDTA gives us access to the major players in this growing industry,” says Robert Goebel, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Altairnano. “We look forward making a strong contribution to the advancement of electric drive as it enters mainstream markets.”

About American Electric Power (AEP):
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit www.aep.com.

About Altair Nanotechnologies:
Altairnano is an innovator and supplier of advanced novel, ceramic nanomaterials which are used in products that exhibit ground breaking performance. A seasoned management team complements Altairnano’s leading edge scientists, with substantial experience in commercializing innovative, disruptive technologies. The company has developed nanomaterials for the alternative energy, life sciences and performance materials markets based on its proprietary manufacturing process. This process also provides the foundation for its innovative AHP pigment process. For more information visit www.altairnano.com.

About EDTA:
The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) is the trade association representing battery, hybrid and fuel cell electric drive technologies and infrastructure. EDTA conducts public policy advocacy, education, industry networking, and international conferences. EDTA’s membership includes automotive and other equipment manufacturers, energy providers, technology developers, component suppliers, and government agencies. For more information about EDTA and its members, visit www.electricdrive.org.

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Green Culture, Transportation Alternatives, Honda

Star Wars fans, someone has gone ahead and built your dream car without you. Cleverly masquerading as a road-going Honda Civic Del Sol, this starship is actually capable of .5 past lightspeed, running on ionized tritonium, available at any starport fueling station. Replacement parts, while expensive, are easy to find, and last I heard, Tosche Station on Tatooine had a great deal going on power converters. It has a standard astromech port in the rear to handle major navigation duties, though this particular vessel would not be too comfortable on long hyperspace jumps. And one must always remember to return and secure the removable hardtop to its place before leaving the atmosphere. The laser cannons are functional, and while not exactly environmentally friendly, will get you out of a road rage situation one way or another. This ship kicked in its afterburners and went to lightspeed before we could get a shot of the front or of the pilot, but my guess is it’s someone from Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, CA. For those as confused as I was regarding the license plate, it reads: Obi-Shawn. Hah.

This guy did a great job on his car, and certainly has gotten the most fun possible out of his 1.6L four-banger – a little imagination and it’s a hyperdrive. You can see pictures of him and his wife (that’s right, he has a wife) gallivanting around at various Star Wars events, detailed shots of the ‘show car’, as well as some creative specifications on the vessel here.

Thanks for the ‘tip’, dad.

[Source: H-wing]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Coal to Liquid

The Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory has completed a feasibility study for a proposed Coal to Liquid fuel production facility in Illinois. The proposal would include a plant that would convert 24,500 tons of coal daily into 50,000 barrels of fuel along with 124 MW of electrical power that would go back into the grid. The output would include almost 28,000 barrels per day of diesel that would still require additional additives before it could be used. The rest would be naptha for use as a chemical feedstock.

The input to the plant would be high-sulfur bituminous coal which would be gasified and then the gas would be converted to liquids by the Fischer-Tropsch method. The study projected the $3.65 billion plant would have a twenty percent annual return on investment. The problem remains, though, that coal is a fossil fuel and any fuel you make from it will be releasing carbon from the earth into the atmosphere. While the fuel may displace some imported fuel it does nothing at all about environmental concerns.

[Source: NETL]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

One of the ongoing challenges of the Internet seems to be the ability to provide specific, local information. Case in point: I can find the GDP of Uzbekistan ($10.78 billion, in case you’re wondering) more easily than I can find an eco-friendly dry cleaner open past 7:00 in my neighborhood. Go figure.

Luckily, companies around the country are stepping in to fill this void. Here in Los Angeles, Greenopia is definitely the leader of the pack. Billed as “the urban dweller’s guide to green living” the Greenopia guide is available for $12.95 in a portable paperback version. The listings include just about every category that you can imagine, including service providers (my dry cleaner, at last!), restaurants, retailers and other green resources.

You can pick up a guide at many locations throughout LA, including area Whole Foods Markets. The company also offers a San Francisco edition, launched last month, along with a new website that includes searchable listings for both cities. And, according to Greenopia’s Hannah Davey, the company has plans to expand to New York within the next year or so, followed by Chicago, Seattle, Portland, and Boulder/Denver.

Unlike a typical Yellow Pages model, like Co-op America’s National Green Pages, businesses are strictly local. Perhaps more importantly, businesses cannot pay to be listed in Greenopia – they have to qualify. The results of this screening process are included in the guide as Greenopia’s own “leaf award” rating system. Representing each business’s commitment to sustainability, the ratings are based on considerations specific to each category. For example, restaurants are rated primarily based on the percentage of organic, locally grown, sustainably produced food on their menu.

This qualification process sets Greenopia apart, as it provides assurance that a business has earned the right to be included in the guide. Though the boom in environmentally-friendly products and services is definitely a good thing, who has the time or ability to investigate every “green” claim? Thank you, Greenopia, for helping us act locally, while thinking globally.

Talk about embracing the future! While China's environmental record won't get them off Santa's naughty list anytime soon (granted, they would probably take the coal), you can't say they don't have any interesting green projects going on at the moment.

Take for instance the example of Rizhao, a coastal city of nearly three million on the Shandong Peninsula in northern China. Almost every single building or flat surface is covered with solar panels! Most all are solar water heaters. In total, the city has over a half-million square meters of solar water heating panels, the equivalent of about 0.5 megawatts of electric water heaters!

This incredible achievement is made even more amazing when one considers the per capita income of Rizhao is lower than most other cities in the region. According to the article, the city was able to take advantage of renewable energy through strong political backing, investment in R&D, and the birth of local suppliers. Subsidies were provided by the government that side stepped end-users and instead went directly into research and development for solar hot water. All of these factors combined brought the cost of solar hot water down to the same level as an electric one; about $190.00.

Here's a great excerpt from the article that pretty much says it all,

"In Rizhao City, which means City of Sunshine in Chinese, 99 percent of households in the central districts use solar water heaters, and most traffic signals, street and park lights are powered by photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. In the suburbs and villages, more than 30 percent of households use solar water heaters, and over 6,000 households have solar cooking facilities. More than 60,000 greenhouses are heated by solar panels, reducing overhead costs for farmers in nearby areas."

Rizhao's commitment to renewable energy sources has also earned it accolades. It's consistently in the top ten cities for air quality and was recently designated as an Environmental Protection Model City by the State Environmental Protection Agency.

If a city in China can embrace renewable energy with great success, how about programs for geographically-similar cities in the U.S.? I would love to see Phoenix, San Diego, or Los Angeles pursue efforts like this. Rizhao isn't the only city with beautiful sunshine, but it sure seems like they're the only ones taking advantage of it.

Hit the jump for more!

Filed under: Ethanol

Last fall, I tried to make the case that all-electric vehicles were ideally suited for the transportation needs of most of the people who live in Hawaii. I stand by that idea, but realize that there are others (like Vinod Khosla) who are more into biofuels in the islands than EVs. David Cole is one such proponent, and his call to take a look at sugar cane as an ethanol feedstock is getting a bit of attention (like, for example, the New York Times).

Green economist Ken Stokes, who writes at the Sustainability in Hawaii, explains that he’s not totally thrilled with the idea of sugar cane ethanol because “it’s our thirstiest crop” even though it might be a lot cheaper to make ethanol from cane than corn. In a place that imports about 90 of its energy, almost any move towards self-sufficiency is a smart one. Read more at SusHI.

Related:

• Why electric car companies should be focused on this one ideal EV market: Hawaii
• Getting off the gas in Hawaii – part 1: Three hundred electric vehicles
• Getting off the gas in Hawaii – part 2: The first electric car in Hawaii
• Getting off the gas in Hawaii – part 3: Bio-Beetles Away!

[Source: Sustainability in Hawaii]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Hybrid

Phone companies may not like to actually provide service to their customers but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot of service vehicles running around. Verizon apparently has the second largest vehicle fleet in North America and in order to save enough money on fuel to hook up three more houses to their FIOS network they are retrofitting some of the vehicles with hybrid systems.

Verizon is adding a parallel hybrid system from Enova to some of their service vehicles and Cobasys is supplying the battery system. The 336V nickel metal hybrid battery pack is liquid cooled and includes all the control electronics. The system is designed to be plug and play so that drive-train developers can take an off-the-shelf energy storage system and integrate it without worrying about things like thermal management.

[Source: Cobasys]Cobasys NiMHax Battery Systems to Power Verizon Hybrid Service Vans

Orion, MI, May 21 , 2007— Cobasys, a leader in advanced, integrated energy storage system solutions, today announced it has supplied its patented Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) NiMHax(R) battery systems to Enova Systems for integration into specially designed hybrid service vans for Verizon. The service van program will make Verizon the first major U. S. company to retrofit vans with hybrid power technology for use in their fleet.

As part of North America’s second largest fleet operation, the Verizon vans will be equipped with Enova’s Post Transmission Parallel Hybrid Drive System supported with the Cobasys powerful, light weight, compact, liquid-cooled NiMHax 336-70 battery system. The NiMHax battery system utilizes Cobasys’ flexible high power Series 1000 battery module and incorporates all necessary features that enable fully integrated “plug-and-play” capabilities. System features include: integrated battery management system hardware and software, redundant safety controls, packaging, wiring, and thermal management based on newly developed liquid cooling systems for optimized performance in high power Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) application. Fully integrated control algorithms have also been implemented to help optimize the energy management functions and product durability.

“Our advanced energy storage system solutions offer a completely integrated “plug-and-play” battery pack ready for customer use,” stated Scott Lindholm, Vice President of Systems Engineering and Chief Sales Officer at Cobasys. “As a recognized innovator in hybrid battery system technology, Cobasys is delighted to be a part of Enova and Verizon’s leading-edge hybrid program.”

With the addition of Verizon’s precedent-setting service van program, Cobasys has been awarded numerous contracts to supply its hybrid battery and control system solutions for major HEV production and/or development programs both in North America and Europe. Cobasys’ battery systems continue to play a key strategic role as companies look for solutions to reduce energy dependence and impact on the environment. Previously announced Company hybrid program awards include: Saturn Vue, Saturn Aura, Chevrolet Malibu, Lotus Engineering “EVE” and most recently, Armor Holdings military vehicle application.

About Cobasys

Cobasys designs, manufactures and integrates advanced energy storage systems solutions for transportation markets, including Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), Electric Vehicles (EV) and 36/42 Volt applications and stationary markets, including Back-Up power supply systems for Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), Telecom and Renewable Energy applications.

Cobasys is a joint venture between Chevron Technology Ventures LLC, a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) and Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENER).

http://www.cobasys.com/.

About Enova

Enova Systems, (AMEX: ENA and AIM: ENV and ENVS), an early stage production company in an emerging industry and a leading developer of proprietary electric, hybrid and fuel cell digital power management systems. The Company’s core competencies are focused on the development and commercialization of power management and conversion systems for mobile applications. Enova applies unique ‘enabling technologies’ in the areas of alternative energy propulsion systems for light and heavy-duty vehicles as well as power conditioning and management systems for distributed generation systems. The Company develops, designs and produces non-invasive drive systems and related components for electric, hybrid-electric, and fuel cell powered vehicles in both the “new” and “retrofit” vehicle sales market.

For further information, contact Enova Systems directly, or visit its Web site at http://www.enovasystems.com/.

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.