Forget the status-quo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4o0ZVeixYU&feature=player_embedded#!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Workshops to attend
Public Workshops on Federal Stimulus Funds Begin June 14
Sessions Explore How Energy Investment Boosts California's Economy, Creates Jobs
What: Starting Monday, June 14, the California Energy Commission will host a series of six public workshops examining the benefits, challenges, and policy implications of investing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds in California's energy sector. The workshops will explore how clean energy can stimulate the economy and create long-term jobs while reducing carbon emissions.
As part of the ARRA, the Energy Commission is administering $314.5 million for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The first workshop will focus on accountability and how to ensure that economic stimulus dollars are being spent responsibly to create jobs and improve the economy while preventing waste, fraud, and abuse.
Who: Matt Rogers, Senior Advisor to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, will talk about the U.S. Department of Energy's unprecedented efforts to provide clear accountability in the distribution and use of federal stimulus funding. Other presenters will explain how California is overseeing the distribution of ARRA funds and how the Energy Commission is auditing, verifying, and evaluating energy projects receiving stimulus dollars.
When: The six ARRA workshops will examine these topics.
June 14 - 1 p.m.: " Measuring, Verifying and Evaluating the Recovery Act's Benefits." This workshop will explore how California is fundamentally transforming the way we assess the benefits and verify the results of energy efficiency programs implemented under ARRA and what implications that has for the MV&E of other efficiency programs in the State.
July 8: "Local Government Leading Recovery Through Energy Retrofit." This workshop will explore how funding for state and local government energy projects is reducing energy consumption and saving taxpayers money. The workshop will highlight the innovations of the use of ARRA funds and how ARRA will forever change efficiency funding for local government programs.
July 13: "Golden State Leverage." This workshop will explore how the State used research and development and clean transportation funds to secure millions in dollars in federal funding for clean technology development in California. Particular focus will be on the projects and benefits that the funding will allow and how the ARRA forever changed the way federal funds are pursued.
July 21: "Clean Energy Jobs and the growth of the Clean Energy Economy." This workshop will explore the various initiatives underway to expand training and employment opportunities in the clean energy field. The workshop will hear from researchers, training organizations and agencies implementing some of the most cutting edge clean energy jobs programs in the country.
July 22: "Creating the Next Industrial Revolution." This workshop will explore how California is using ARRA funds and other tools to build a clean energy manufacturing base in the Golden State. The workshop will focus on new and existing programs and hear from industry leaders on what more can be done.
July 29: "How Energy Efficiency will Lead an Economic Recovery." This workshop will highlight and examine the roll-out of transformational existing building energy efficiency retrofit and financing programs across the State. The workshop will focus on how the programs address major market barriers and use ARRA funds to lay the ground work for the start of a new California economic sector.
Where: All six workshops will be held at the Energy Commission, 1516 Ninth Street in Sacramento and are open to the public. The workshops will also be broadcast via the Internet through WebEx, the Energy Commission's online meeting service. Presentations will appear on your computer screen, and you listen to the audio via your telephone. For more information, go to http://www.energy.ca.gov/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=1034&year=2010&month=6
Why: These workshops are part of the Integrated Energy Policy Report, which the Energy Commission prepares and submits to the State Legislature every two years, with an update in alternate years. The report recommends energy policies and actions to conserve resources, protect the environment, ensure reliable, secure and diverse energy supplies, improve the state's economy, and protect public health and safety. The 2010 Integrated Energy Policy Report Update will focus on how ARRA funding helps to advance state energy policy by stimulating the economy, creating jobs, reducing energy use, and furthering California's energy and environmental policy goals.
More information about the workshops and the Integrated Energy Policy Report is available on the Energy Commission's website at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/2010_energypolicy/
Sessions Explore How Energy Investment Boosts California's Economy, Creates Jobs
What: Starting Monday, June 14, the California Energy Commission will host a series of six public workshops examining the benefits, challenges, and policy implications of investing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds in California's energy sector. The workshops will explore how clean energy can stimulate the economy and create long-term jobs while reducing carbon emissions.
As part of the ARRA, the Energy Commission is administering $314.5 million for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The first workshop will focus on accountability and how to ensure that economic stimulus dollars are being spent responsibly to create jobs and improve the economy while preventing waste, fraud, and abuse.
Who: Matt Rogers, Senior Advisor to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, will talk about the U.S. Department of Energy's unprecedented efforts to provide clear accountability in the distribution and use of federal stimulus funding. Other presenters will explain how California is overseeing the distribution of ARRA funds and how the Energy Commission is auditing, verifying, and evaluating energy projects receiving stimulus dollars.
When: The six ARRA workshops will examine these topics.
June 14 - 1 p.m.: " Measuring, Verifying and Evaluating the Recovery Act's Benefits." This workshop will explore how California is fundamentally transforming the way we assess the benefits and verify the results of energy efficiency programs implemented under ARRA and what implications that has for the MV&E of other efficiency programs in the State.
July 8: "Local Government Leading Recovery Through Energy Retrofit." This workshop will explore how funding for state and local government energy projects is reducing energy consumption and saving taxpayers money. The workshop will highlight the innovations of the use of ARRA funds and how ARRA will forever change efficiency funding for local government programs.
July 13: "Golden State Leverage." This workshop will explore how the State used research and development and clean transportation funds to secure millions in dollars in federal funding for clean technology development in California. Particular focus will be on the projects and benefits that the funding will allow and how the ARRA forever changed the way federal funds are pursued.
July 21: "Clean Energy Jobs and the growth of the Clean Energy Economy." This workshop will explore the various initiatives underway to expand training and employment opportunities in the clean energy field. The workshop will hear from researchers, training organizations and agencies implementing some of the most cutting edge clean energy jobs programs in the country.
July 22: "Creating the Next Industrial Revolution." This workshop will explore how California is using ARRA funds and other tools to build a clean energy manufacturing base in the Golden State. The workshop will focus on new and existing programs and hear from industry leaders on what more can be done.
July 29: "How Energy Efficiency will Lead an Economic Recovery." This workshop will highlight and examine the roll-out of transformational existing building energy efficiency retrofit and financing programs across the State. The workshop will focus on how the programs address major market barriers and use ARRA funds to lay the ground work for the start of a new California economic sector.
Where: All six workshops will be held at the Energy Commission, 1516 Ninth Street in Sacramento and are open to the public. The workshops will also be broadcast via the Internet through WebEx, the Energy Commission's online meeting service. Presentations will appear on your computer screen, and you listen to the audio via your telephone. For more information, go to http://www.energy.ca.gov/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=1034&year=2010&month=6
Why: These workshops are part of the Integrated Energy Policy Report, which the Energy Commission prepares and submits to the State Legislature every two years, with an update in alternate years. The report recommends energy policies and actions to conserve resources, protect the environment, ensure reliable, secure and diverse energy supplies, improve the state's economy, and protect public health and safety. The 2010 Integrated Energy Policy Report Update will focus on how ARRA funding helps to advance state energy policy by stimulating the economy, creating jobs, reducing energy use, and furthering California's energy and environmental policy goals.
More information about the workshops and the Integrated Energy Policy Report is available on the Energy Commission's website at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/2010_energypolicy/
CARB's SB375 agenda calendar
Senate Bill 375 Target-Setting Public Workshops
- Meeting Notice and Agenda Available -
The California Air Resources Board’s (ARB or Board) is announcing seven SB 375 target-setting public workshops throughout the State in July. Specific dates and city locations are below.
SB 375 requires the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in the state to add a Sustainable Communities Strategy to their regular regional planning process that is designed to look at how different land use and transportation strategies can help meet long-term sustainability goals. To help guide these regional planning efforts, ARB is to set regional passenger vehicle greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for 2020 and 2035 and update them over time.
These workshops are an opportunity for the public to participate in the first target-setting cycle under SB 375. The July workshops will include time for public comment. In addition, ARB maintains a web-based comment system to provide an ongoing opportunity for public comment throughout the target-setting process. Interested stakeholders may submit comments to ARB through the following website:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/sb375/comments.htm . Comments received by July 30, 2010 will be considered for ARB staff’s proposed final targets that will come out in August. Comments received after July 30, 2010 will be considered as part of the ARB Board consideration of final targets in September.
The notice, agenda, and directions to the locations for these meetings are posted on the ARB’s website at:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/sb375/meetings/meetings.htm
Date: Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location:Cal/EPA Building
Byron Sher Auditorium
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Webcast Available
Date: Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location:Los Angeles Metro Building
Board Chambers – 3rd Floor
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Webcast Available
Date: Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location:San Diego County Admin. Bldg.
Board Chambers
1600 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92101
Webcast Available
Date: Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Time: 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location:Caltrans Oakland Building
Auditorium
111 Grand Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612
Webcast Available
Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location:Corona Public Library
Main Street Room
650 South Main Street
Corona, CA 92882
Parking on Corner of Belle & 7th
Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location:SJV APCD Regional Office
Governing Board Room
1990 E. Gettysburg Avenue
Fresno, CA 93726
Webcast Available
Date: Friday, July 23, 2010
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location:Ventura County Govt. Ctr.
Board Chambers
800 S. Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009
Webcast Available
- Meeting Notice and Agenda Available -
The California Air Resources Board’s (ARB or Board) is announcing seven SB 375 target-setting public workshops throughout the State in July. Specific dates and city locations are below.
SB 375 requires the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in the state to add a Sustainable Communities Strategy to their regular regional planning process that is designed to look at how different land use and transportation strategies can help meet long-term sustainability goals. To help guide these regional planning efforts, ARB is to set regional passenger vehicle greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for 2020 and 2035 and update them over time.
These workshops are an opportunity for the public to participate in the first target-setting cycle under SB 375. The July workshops will include time for public comment. In addition, ARB maintains a web-based comment system to provide an ongoing opportunity for public comment throughout the target-setting process. Interested stakeholders may submit comments to ARB through the following website:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/sb375/comments.htm . Comments received by July 30, 2010 will be considered for ARB staff’s proposed final targets that will come out in August. Comments received after July 30, 2010 will be considered as part of the ARB Board consideration of final targets in September.
The notice, agenda, and directions to the locations for these meetings are posted on the ARB’s website at:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/sb375/meetings/meetings.htm
Date: Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location:Cal/EPA Building
Byron Sher Auditorium
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Webcast Available
Date: Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location:Los Angeles Metro Building
Board Chambers – 3rd Floor
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Webcast Available
Date: Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location:San Diego County Admin. Bldg.
Board Chambers
1600 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92101
Webcast Available
Date: Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Time: 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location:Caltrans Oakland Building
Auditorium
111 Grand Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612
Webcast Available
Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location:Corona Public Library
Main Street Room
650 South Main Street
Corona, CA 92882
Parking on Corner of Belle & 7th
Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location:SJV APCD Regional Office
Governing Board Room
1990 E. Gettysburg Avenue
Fresno, CA 93726
Webcast Available
Date: Friday, July 23, 2010
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location:Ventura County Govt. Ctr.
Board Chambers
800 S. Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009
Webcast Available
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Innovation is fun
Life is suppose to be enjoyed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4o0ZVeixYU&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4o0ZVeixYU&feature=player_embedded
Thursday, June 24, 2010
RR properties
Who is the RE arm of UP?
Here is a history of Catellus:
http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Catellus-Development-Corporation-Company-History.html
Here is a history of Catellus:
http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Catellus-Development-Corporation-Company-History.html
Clean and green energy car funds
SACRAMENTO - California drivers soon will be able to find charging stations for their electric cars, or fueling stations for their ethanol-powered vehicles. The California Energy Commission today approved three awards that leverage $15.4 million in state funding with $49.6 million in federal stimulus money and $49.3 million in private funds.
"California's investment will leverage more than six times as much money for new infrastructure and new jobs, and help to solve one of the biggest problems with alternative-fueled vehicles - making sure motorists have ready access to fuel, including electricity," said Energy Commissioner Anthony Eggert. "By taking this bold step, state and federal government, along with the private sector, are advancing new technology and collecting important information that will help America replace petroleum and reduce pollution."
A $8 million grant with Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. (ETEC), in conjunction with Nissan, will establish up to 1,000 residential chargers, 1,300 commercial chargers, and 60 Level 3 fast chargers for electric vehicles in San Diego County. Nissan will deploy 1,000 of its new Leaf electric cars; once the infrastructure and vehicles are in place, ETEC, the local utility, and other technical partners will collect data on the effectiveness of the technology and the impact of electric vehicles on the local grid. For the project, the Energy Commission will provide $8,000,000 from the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, established in 2007 by Assembly Bill 118. The US Department of Energy will provide $39,350,127 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Additional match funding of $32,572,007 will come from the project's participants.
The 1,000 Nissan Leaf vehicles are expected to save more than 1.7 million gallons of gasoline and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 5,000 tons of CO2 per year over the term of the project. The project is expected to spur the deployment of 242,000 Nissan electric cars by 2015, encourage other electric vehicle manufacturers like participant Zipcar, and create an estimated 153 jobs in California.
A second grant of $3,417,000 to Coulomb Technologies will provide 1,667 networked electric vehicle charging stations to the San Francisco, Sacramento and Los Angeles regions. The federal government is providing $3,354,000 in ARRA funding, while other partners are providing $508,000 in match funding. The three-city recharging station project should displace 500,000 gallons of gasoline a year and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2,500 tons of CO2 annually.A third grant of $ 4 million will help to make the low-carbon, domestically-produced, ethanol-based fuel E-85 available to more Californians. To build 75 publicly accessible E-85 dispensers throughout the state, California's Department of General Services, the nation's largest fleet of state-owned vehicles, is joining with Propel Fuels, Inc., an alternative fuel supplier on the West Coast; the East Bay Clean Cities Coalition, a "grassroots" volunteer organization promoting petroleum reduction projects; CALSTART, a member-supported organization advocating high-tech, clean transportation alternatives; and the Local Conservation Corps of California. The Energy Commission is supplying $4,000,000 in AB 118 funds for the E-85 project, while the Department of Energy is providing $6,917,000 in stimulus funding. The project's participants will supply an additional match of $16,260,371.
The new E-85 dispensers should reduce petroleum use by over 24 million gallons annually and reduce emissions by an estimated 170,000 tons per year. This project will create or retain over 450 jobs while creating opportunities in at least 18 of California's Enterprise Zones.
Assembly Bill 118 (Núñez, Chapter 750, Statutes of 2007) created the California Energy Commission's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program. The statute, subsequently amended by Assembly Bill 109 (Núñez, Chapter 313, Statutes of 2008), authorizes the Energy Commission to develop and deploy alternative and renewable fuels and advanced transportation technologies to help attain the state's climate change policies.
"California's investment will leverage more than six times as much money for new infrastructure and new jobs, and help to solve one of the biggest problems with alternative-fueled vehicles - making sure motorists have ready access to fuel, including electricity," said Energy Commissioner Anthony Eggert. "By taking this bold step, state and federal government, along with the private sector, are advancing new technology and collecting important information that will help America replace petroleum and reduce pollution."
A $8 million grant with Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. (ETEC), in conjunction with Nissan, will establish up to 1,000 residential chargers, 1,300 commercial chargers, and 60 Level 3 fast chargers for electric vehicles in San Diego County. Nissan will deploy 1,000 of its new Leaf electric cars; once the infrastructure and vehicles are in place, ETEC, the local utility, and other technical partners will collect data on the effectiveness of the technology and the impact of electric vehicles on the local grid. For the project, the Energy Commission will provide $8,000,000 from the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, established in 2007 by Assembly Bill 118. The US Department of Energy will provide $39,350,127 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Additional match funding of $32,572,007 will come from the project's participants.
The 1,000 Nissan Leaf vehicles are expected to save more than 1.7 million gallons of gasoline and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 5,000 tons of CO2 per year over the term of the project. The project is expected to spur the deployment of 242,000 Nissan electric cars by 2015, encourage other electric vehicle manufacturers like participant Zipcar, and create an estimated 153 jobs in California.
A second grant of $3,417,000 to Coulomb Technologies will provide 1,667 networked electric vehicle charging stations to the San Francisco, Sacramento and Los Angeles regions. The federal government is providing $3,354,000 in ARRA funding, while other partners are providing $508,000 in match funding. The three-city recharging station project should displace 500,000 gallons of gasoline a year and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2,500 tons of CO2 annually.A third grant of $ 4 million will help to make the low-carbon, domestically-produced, ethanol-based fuel E-85 available to more Californians. To build 75 publicly accessible E-85 dispensers throughout the state, California's Department of General Services, the nation's largest fleet of state-owned vehicles, is joining with Propel Fuels, Inc., an alternative fuel supplier on the West Coast; the East Bay Clean Cities Coalition, a "grassroots" volunteer organization promoting petroleum reduction projects; CALSTART, a member-supported organization advocating high-tech, clean transportation alternatives; and the Local Conservation Corps of California. The Energy Commission is supplying $4,000,000 in AB 118 funds for the E-85 project, while the Department of Energy is providing $6,917,000 in stimulus funding. The project's participants will supply an additional match of $16,260,371.
The new E-85 dispensers should reduce petroleum use by over 24 million gallons annually and reduce emissions by an estimated 170,000 tons per year. This project will create or retain over 450 jobs while creating opportunities in at least 18 of California's Enterprise Zones.
Assembly Bill 118 (Núñez, Chapter 750, Statutes of 2007) created the California Energy Commission's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program. The statute, subsequently amended by Assembly Bill 109 (Núñez, Chapter 313, Statutes of 2008), authorizes the Energy Commission to develop and deploy alternative and renewable fuels and advanced transportation technologies to help attain the state's climate change policies.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
new technology maglev sites
Three maglev sites:
This one is more along the traditional train type technology but, Tony is leaning towards carrying freight with his system development.
www.american-maglev.com
These guys have the most advanced technology with two system capabilities; a one meter and two meter systems, the two meter would be for heavier weight usage like freight.
www.appliedlevitation.com
This system has been designed by an engineer from Florida that has computer simulated this technology to the speed of mach 6 (4,500 mph).
www.et3.com
These systems offer an excellent alternative to CA's proposed HSR system at significant less expense and extremely more efficient transportation systems.
This one is more along the traditional train type technology but, Tony is leaning towards carrying freight with his system development.
www.american-maglev.com
These guys have the most advanced technology with two system capabilities; a one meter and two meter systems, the two meter would be for heavier weight usage like freight.
www.appliedlevitation.com
This system has been designed by an engineer from Florida that has computer simulated this technology to the speed of mach 6 (4,500 mph).
www.et3.com
These systems offer an excellent alternative to CA's proposed HSR system at significant less expense and extremely more efficient transportation systems.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Latest Chevy Volt tests:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20007927-48.html
New info for batteries:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20008320-48.html
Tesla news:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20008339-48.html?tag=mncol;posts
Nisson Leaf:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20008319-48.html?tag=mncol;posts
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20007927-48.html
New info for batteries:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20008320-48.html
Tesla news:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20008339-48.html?tag=mncol;posts
Nisson Leaf:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20008319-48.html?tag=mncol;posts
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Fresno's transit history
Historical Perspective: Fresno streetcars
Posted at 12:56 AM on Monday, May. 17, 2010
Fresno's first endeavor into mass transit began in the late 1880s, a period of boom in the region.
It didn't take long for entrepreneurs to realize a system of streetcars and trolleys would fill the need for easy travel within the city and attract business to the area.
In 1887, six municipal franchises for street rail service were granted. Two were given up and one was repealed, leaving Fresno Street Railroad Co., Fresno Railroad Co. and the Fresno, Belmont and Yosemite Railroad. Each would carry passengers in horse- or, at first, mule-drawn trolley cars, to different areas of the city.
Fresno Street Railroad was the first to hit the rails in January 1889. The others soon followed.
Most of the trolleys used were antiquated cars from San Francisco. The cost of a round-trip fare was a nickel. The most successful streetcar company was the Fresno, Belmont and Yosemite Railroad. They started out with six trolleys, six employees and 18 horses or mules.
In 1901, Fresno Railroad Co. was granted a municipal franchise for electric streetcar service. There was also a flurry of buyouts of the rival streetcar businesses: Fresno City Railroad Co. was bought by the Fresno, Belmont and Yosemite Co., which in turn was bought by Fresno Traction Co. in 1903. The same year, Fresno Traction bought Fresno City Railway Co.
The peak years of streetcar travel -- carrying tens of thousands of riders -- were 1902 to 1929. As the 1920s came to a close, the streets were filled with automobiles, which began to compete with trolleys for space.
Streetcar revenues fell with more and more auto travel. By May 1939, after 50 years of streetcar service and almost 200 miles of track, the last two lines were abandoned when National City Lines took over and switched to buses.
The city eventually bought the bus line -- service we still have to this day.
Go to fresnobee.com/galleries to see more historic photos of streetcars in Fresno.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Watching the culture change
http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/06/new-report-shows-biking-and-walking-gains.html
More on the heavy rail status-quo
Politics as usual in the traditional method of living in the past:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704463504575301051535500696.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704463504575301051535500696.html
Monday, June 14, 2010
who's behind the high speed heavy rail trains
The article to answer the title question: http://www.investmentu.com/2010/June/siemens-high-speed-rail.html
Friday, June 11, 2010
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