Hybridfest 2008
Saturday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, July 20 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Located at Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wisconsin

You’ll be able to catch plug-ins, electrics, biodiesel, hydrogen and other alternative autos, as well as listen to the experts speak on how to save gas with everyday vehicles. Then there’s the Hybridfest MPG Challenge where drivers do their best to stretch their mileage.

Speakers include:
Felix Kramer, Cal-Cars
Mike Granoff, Project Better Place
Jo-Ann Yantzis, Clean Energy
Francis Vogel, Wisconsin Clean Cities
Wayne Gerdes, CleanMPG
Peter Kozan, MPG Challenge Winner
Michael Sefton, Diesels 101

Hybridfest 2008 is presented as part of Dane County Fair. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children 6 to 11, parking and admission for younger children is free. Visit the Hybridfest website for more information.

* Don’t forget to comment to win a free Rand McNally road atlas … now Earth-Friendlier!*

Post from: EveryJoe

Hybridfest 2008 – Madison, Wisc.

Way back in April of 2007 – now more than a year ago – the American Chemical Society’s online journal published the results of a study done by Standford atmospheric scientist, Mark Z. Jacobson. You can read the paper here (PDF).

The San Francisco Chronicle did a wonderful job of summing up the results, and checking them out with other scientists who supported his methods:

Pollution from ethanol would be riskier than pollution from gasoline because when ethanol breaks down in the atmosphere, it generates considerably more ozone. Ozone is a highly corrosive gas that damages the delicate tissues of the lungs. In fact, it’s so corrosive that it can crack rubber and wear away statues, Jacobson told The Chronicle.

While he was attacked by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights for working with a university that accepts funding from ExxonMobile, the results of his other studies show no bias toward oil companies, and even his critics said his study was sound.

As of yet, I haven’t found any studies that were able to refute Jacobson’s methods or his results.

This is a good example of an interest group using environmental issues to further their own agendas, and the problems that they cause. While many scientists are calling ethanol a “transitional” fuel, my fear is we may wait too long to accept the risks of this alternative.

In addition, especially because we live in the Midwest and near a VeraSun plant – where my nieces’ father works – are the harmful emissions that stay near the production areas. My 34 year old (former) BIL had a heart attack last year. He’s a little overweight and heart problems run in his family, but still – so young for something like that. I’m wondering now how much of a factor these toxins had on his health problems. How will effect those of us living nearby? It’s an important question we all need to start asking.

Please remember, now through July 4th, you can comment to win a free Rand McNally atlas, made from trees grown in sustainable forests and incorporating less harmful chemicals. (Especially important when carried in the glove compartment during a summer trip!) Or you can grab one at their website. ;)

Source: SF Chronicle, CleanTech

Post from: EveryJoe

Year-old study: Ethanol emissions worse than gas

In 2003, the United Stated Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published rules outlawing any product containing any quantity of THC unless it was medicinal in nature, or not intended for consumption.

THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, puts the wacky in weed, so to speak, but most hemp doesn’t contain enough THC to have an effect. Unfortunately, the DEA bases its rules on the Controlled Substances Act, in which Congress used the wording “any quantity” of THC. In other words, if you have a problem with the limits of THC allowable in products, take it up with your state representatives. While the DEA determines how this law affects you and me (for instance, by denying permits to grow hemp, which was once a very successful US crop) the law gives them that opportunity.

Legal issues aside, is hemp a good alternative?

Personally, I would have to say no. We need to be looking toward transportation methods that create significantly less pollution, and uses fewer resources. Ethanol just isn’t it, regardless of what it’s made of. As far as the cost of corn and grain goes, if farmers make the switch to hemp, they’d affect the supply of other corns and grains and still drive up the cost of food. (This is not to say I’ve jumped on the ethanol = starvation bandwagon.) Why not focus on converting garbage? We have plenty of that we don’t know what to do with.

Sources: DEA, Farm and Ranch Guide

Image: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Hemp for Ethanol?

The 2009 H2 models out later this year will be FlexFuel capable, something that other companies have been making standard for nearly a decade now. By 2010, all of their cars will be E85 capable, meaning they will use even more fuel than before, but emissions will be less. According to Autobloggreen, a diesel may be in the works (bringing bio-diesel into play).

Roughly 30,000 of these hit the road every year, so it does add up. I guess.

What about their H2H Hummer Hydrogen prototypes? They’ve been on the road since October of 2004, and go a whopping 60 miles on 12 lbs of fuel. A collaboration between the Governor’s office, GM and Quantum Technologies, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere quickly.

Hummer is a good example of how the law propels progress (making the recent decision by the California Air Resources Board so tragic). This is a quote from their website regarding the new H2 SUT.

The H2 SUT’s new engine is not just more efficient, but beats the deadline for the new US federal emissions standards by a year.

That’s their benchmark, and if expectations go down, so will their priority with one of the world’s leading gas-guzzler brands.

Post from: EveryJoe

Diesel Hummer, Zero Emissions Vehicle?

Recently, another study in Minnesota showed that E20 can be used in regular automobiles without damaging internal components BUT TO BE FAIR they only looked at roughly 80 cars over the course of ONE year. The automobile association still claims higher ethanol contents will damage autos that haven’t been designed to run on it.

Minnesota has already said they’re standards for 2013 will call for E20 at every pump IF the EPA approves it as gasoline. Personally, I think they need a much longer study since most of us use our cars for longer than one year.

Post from: EveryJoe

E20 – E30 offers better mpg, fewer emissions

I live in Iowa. My ex-brother-in-law works at the Vera Sun ethanol plant. I have a van that runs on E85. But something gives me the heebie jeebies about ethanol. Whether it’s the tremendous amount of subsidies fueling the industry or the idea of other resources at risk because of ethanol production, I’m not sure. Maybe it’s just the fact that ethanol gets about 30% fewer miles per gallon?

I was flipping the channels tonight and ran across a story on ethanol’s effect on ground water supplies, and how this could be a problem in certain areas. In particular, in Iowa. I remember the droughts of the 90’s that kept our farming communities in limbo (and keeping showers at a minimum). To hear that ethanol production uses 3 gallons of water to produce one gallon of fuel was disconcerting. Worse was hearing that we haven’t set up any way of recording exactly how much water these plants are using. We have a plan in action to change that, and imo it can’t come soon enough.

Post from: EveryJoe

Ethanol’s impact on water

From KOB.com:

“City Council wants more drivers to qualify for free parking. A bill being introduced would extend the benefit to hybrid cars and ‘green vehicles.’

Any car that can pass a “Green Vehicle Guide” would get a pass to park for free. The guide requires cars to have a lower emission, lower carbon emission, and be fuel efficient.

Right now, hybrid cars are able to park in Old Town, downtown and Nob Hill for free. City Council wants to see all cars have that benefit.

City Councilor Martin Heinrich said the plan would continue the city’s effort to lead the country in environmentally-friendly policies.

‘This is one more step in making Albuquerque the preeminent city in the nation in terms of efficiency, in terms of implementing technologies that produce energy without a large carbon footprint,’ Heinrich said.

Mayor Martin Chavez stressed that just because a car is a hybrid or runs on E-85, that it doesn’t mean it cuts down on emissions. For example, Honda Civics and the Ford Escape would qualify if the law is passed.”

Great example of how cities can help offset the cost of a more expensive hybrid model for the benefit of a cleaner, greener community.

Post from: EveryJoe

Attention Albuquerque!

September 28 & 29, 2007

Where?

Boston City Hall Plaza

What?

The 5th Annual Alternative Transportation & Energy Festival!  

This Friday and Saturday event is chock full of activities to help show you how to lead a greener lifestyle, and will showcase some of the latest innovations in environmentally-friendly travel.  It’s also just a few days after my 30th birthday, so I will just pretend you’re all really celebrating for me. Yay for delusional thinking! Too bad I won’t be at the festivities.

As for what will be there, the selection really is mind-boggling. From the newest hybrids to demos on renewable energy and green building, music, kids activities (provided by the #1 Children’s Museum in the country, I might add). The options of what you see, what you learn, are amazing.

Post from: EveryJoe

AltWheels Alternative Transportation & Energy Festival

What is it? The world’s first renewable energy chopper. And yes, it does look like a cornstalk, but it was made by the Teutuls so what would you expect? The owners, and stars, of Orange County Choppers made a specially commissioned motorcycle for Iowa Farm Bureau that runs on E85.

The last drawing opportunity to win the bike will be at the Iowa State Fair.

Post from: EveryJoe

High on the Hog