Auto Industry Expert: We’ll have more than 100 Hybrid / EV models in U.S. by 2015

Alan Baum, a Michigan based auto industry analyst, forecasts that there will be a large jump in the number of types of hybrids and electric vehicles sold in the US by 2015 – over 100 different models. This is up from about the 22 hybrids and one electric car (the Tesla Roadster) Related posts: US hybrid sales up 21% in November 2009 – 2.7% of new vehicles sold Hybrid sales hit the skids in June US hybrid sales up 5.2% over last June, and 3% of all cars sold

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Auto Industry Expert: Well have more than 100 Hybrid / EV models in U.S. by 2015

Austin Energy Excels as #1 Green Energy Electricity Utility in America

UPDATE: This is a list of the top ten green energy programs in the United States with the latest December 2005 figures and links to these electric utilities. One of the biggest differences we can make is to switch to “green energy” – energy generated from 100% renewable sources. Florida Power & Light is a new entry into the top ten at number four. The company recently announced the construction of the largest solar array in Florida on the site of a closed landfill in Sarasota. The 1,200 photovoltaic solar panels are each about 31 inches wide and 63 inches long. The facility is to be more than 28,000 square feet, or about half the size of a football field. “We sought a location that had a ground site large enough for 250 kilowatts of photovoltaic panels,” said Jeff Bartel, FP&L VP of external affairs. If you live in a part of the United States that is not served by an electric utility on this list please see this Map of Green Energy Providers by State . As our energy challenges are global I appreciate every assistance in compiling a similar list of renewable energy providers in other countries. Feel free to email or leave a comment. Returning to the United States, Austin Energy has shown its commitment to renewable energy by topping the list. The U.S. Department of Energy said Austin Energy’s Green Choice program sold more than 334 million hours of renewable energy last year. More than 350 businesses in Austin get their power from renewable sources as an alternative to fossil fuels. Austin Energy uses electricity from 61 West Texas wind turbines. Here’s the top ten green energy programs in the United States (as of December 2005). 1. Austin Energy – areas served include Austin, Texas green energy from Wind Power, Land Fill Gas, Small Hydro – 435 MWh/year 2. Portland General Electric (PGE) – areas served include Portland, Oregon green power from existing Geothermal, Wind Power, Small Hydro – 340 MWh/year 3. PacifiCorp – includes Pacific Power and Utah Power areas served include: Oregon , Washington , Wyoming , California , Utah , Idaho green energy from Wind Power, Biomass, Solar Energy – 234 MWh/year 4. Florida Power & Light – green power from Biomass, Wind Power, Solar Energy – 225 MWh/year 5. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) – green power from Landfill Gas, Wind Power, Small Hydro, Solar Energy – 195 MWh/year 6. Xcel Energy – areas served include: Denver,Colorado; Elkhart, Kansas; Wakefield, Michigan; Saint Paul, Minnesota; Roswell, New Mexico; Fargo, North Dakota; Boise City, Idaho; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Amarillo, Texas; Eau Claire, Wisconsin green electricity from Wind Power – 148 MWh/year 7. National Grid – areas served include: New York , Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Nantucket green power from Biomass, Wind Power, Small Hydro, Solar Energy – 128 MWh/year 8. Basin Electric Power Cooperative (SMUD) – green power from Wind Power – 114 MWh/year 9. Puget Sound Energy (PSE)- area served Washington state green energy from Wind Power, Solar Energy, Biogas – 71 MWh/year 10. OG&E Electric Services – area served Oklahoma green electricity from Wind Power – 64 MWh/year (source: NREL ) MWh/year = million kWh/year rounded down List of Green Energy Providers by State One of the single biggest ways we as individuals can encourage the use of alternative energy and help aid the transition to a post fossil fuel age is to buy electricity partly, or preferably completely, generated using alternative energy. Switching your electricity utility provider may be as simple as requesting a form or filling one in online. That’s exactly how I switched to 100% renewable energy (generated mainly from wind power with some solar power and small scale hydro thrown into the mix). Renewable energy options are available throughout the U.K. and in many other countries. To find out if you can switch to renewable energy in your area look on your search engine of choice for ” green energy “, ” green power ” or ” green electricity “. You may also need to add your location to the search. If your local utility doesn’t provide a renewable energy option yet, email or call them and ask why. Original News 8 Austin Article Green-e Certified Electricity Products

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Austin Energy Excels as #1 Green Energy Electricity Utility in America

Mixed Signals & Federal Funding for Alternative Energy Research

There have definitely been some mixed signals on alternative energy research recently. At the same time President Bush’s State of the Union address called for a 22 percent increase in federal spending to develop alternative energies, dozens of staffers and contractors for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, were being laid off. The disconnect was a political embarrassment for the president, so federal officials restored the laboratory’s funding, rehiring the workers who had been laid off just in time for President Bushs scheduled speech at the NREL. In his speech the President acknowledged the confusion, I recognize that there has been some interesting mixed signals when it comes to funding,” President Bush said. This comes at a time when a new national public opinion survey demonstrates overwhelming public support in the United States for government policies and investments that will support development of alternative energy sources. The survey of 1,000 registered voters was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies of Alexandria, VA, for the Energy Future Coalition. The surveys findings included: According to the survery there is nearly unanimous support for a national goal of having 25% of the United States domestic energy needs met by alternative energy by the year 2025. Ninety-eight percent of voters see this goal as important for the country, and three out of four (74%) feel that it is “very important.” Ninety percent of voters believe this goal is achievable. Similar majorities support government action to encourage greater use of renewable energy. Eighty-eight percent of voters favor financial incentives, and 92% support minimum government standards for the use of renewable energy by the private sector. Nearly all voters (98%) say the costs, such as the cost of research and development and the cost of building new renewable energy production facilities, would be worth it to get the United States to the 25% by 2025 goal. Voters consider energy to be an important issue facing the country, rating it similarly with health care, terrorism and national security, and education, and ahead of taxes and the war in Iraq. Half (50%) of voters believe America is headed for an energy crisis in the future, and 35% believe the country already is facing a crisis. So just how much is the United States government spending on alternative energy research? After the 22% increase the budget will stand at $771 million. This amounts to less than one percent of the $55,000 million the federal government spends annually on research, nearly half of which is devoted to healthcare. Its time for action. Source for figures on federal funding for alternative energy research President Bush’s speech at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory America’s Energy Future

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Mixed Signals & Federal Funding for Alternative Energy Research