The California company, SolarCity, has started offering solar EV chargers to customers in 11 states and Washington, DC, allowing people to drive their cars purely on sunshine.
The company, fresh off a $280 million investment from Google, makes it easy for electric car owners to embrace solar power by leasing them complete photovoltaic packages.
It already installed solar EV charging stations along highway 101 between Los Angeles and San Francisco in 2009.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued draft rules on Thursday that would cut toxic emissions, which contribute to smog and asthma, by nearly 25 percent across the oil and gas industry and by 95 percent from natural gas wells drilled using the controversial technique of hydraulic fracking.
By using technologies to capture and sell natural gas that now escapes into the air, the industry would actually save nearly $30 million a year even as it cut dangerous emissions, the agency said.
Alabama leads the lower 48 states in river bed extinctions, with 29 snails and 28 mussel species so far. But the state now becomes the first in U.S. history to bring back such a species, crucial for maintaining good water quality, from the brink of extinction.
In 1991, after dam construction ended the free flow of water, the Tulotoma snail was barely clinging to one small spot, extinct in 99 percent of its historic range. The snail now has expanded to ten percent of its range, bringing the numbers from 10,000 to hundreds of thousands.
BMW unveiled two plug-in electric cars yesterday both headed for production beginning in 2013 — the sporty i8 hybrid super-coupe and the i3 urban all-electric car, a small vehicle designed to go about 80 miles between recharges.
The i3, specifically designed for city use, uses carbon fiber to shed 500 pounds making it capable of 0 to 62 mph in less than eight seconds. It can be recharged in less than an hour with a high-capacity recharger.
President Obama today announced the next phase in the Administration’s program to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks sold in the United States. These new standards will cover cars and light trucks for Model Years (MY) 2017-2025, requiring performance equivalent to 54.5 mpg in 2025 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 163 grams per mile.
Developed in partnership with auto manufacturers, the State of California, the United Auto Workers (UAW), national environmental organizations and other stakeholders, these standards will:
Rachel Beckwith is getting her wish — more than 1000 times over.
One month before she was fatally injured in a car crash last week, Rachel made it known that all she wanted for her 9th birthday was donations toward her goal of raising $300 to bring clean water to African villagers.
After she died, the donations poured in beyond any expectation, raising $331,000.
Since the story was updated on Tuesday in the Seattle Times, Rachel’s birthday donation page at MyCharityWater.org has doubled, and today exceeds $614,000!
On her page, Rachel wrote, “I’m celebrating my birthday like never before. Even better, every dollar is “proved” when the projects are complete, and photos and GPS coordinates are posted using Google Earth.”
(READ the original story from the Seattle Times)
Rachel Beckwith is getting her wish — more than 1000 times over.
One month before she was fatally injured in a car crash last week, Rachel made it known that all she wanted for her 9th birthday was donations toward her goal of raising $300 to bring clean water to African villagers.
After she died, the donations poured in beyond any expectation, raising $331,000.
In this recession, many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, but people in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, have a unique safety net of sorts: Sal Dimiceli.
Raised in poverty, Sal vowed when he was 12 years old that he’d always help people in need, and he’s spent nearly all of his adult life making good on that promise.
Through his local newspaper column, Sal invites people who’ve fallen on hard times to write him letters, describing their situation. Once he’s verified that the need is real, he’ll assist with immediate needs – food, rent, utilities – and try to improve their long-term situation with financial management skills.
For decades, his nonprofit, The Time Is Now To Help, has provided basic needs – and often much more – to more than 500 people a year.
WATCH the CNN Heroes video below, or READ the story here.
In this recession, many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, but people in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, have a unique safety net of sorts: Sal Dimiceli.
Raised in poverty, Sal vowed when he was 12 years old that he’d always help people in need, and he’s spent nearly all of his adult life making good on that promise.
Through his local newspaper column, Sal invites people who’ve fallen on hard times to write him letters, describing their situation. Once he’s verified that the need is real, he’ll assist with immediate needs – food, rent, utilities – and try to improve their long-term situation with financial management skills.
For decades, his nonprofit, The Time Is Now To Help, has provided basic needs – and often much more – to more than 500 people a year.
Eli Manning has helped raise $2.9 million for the only children’s cancer care center in Mississippi. But, he has lent more than his famous name and recognizable face to the cause. He has devoted countless hours to cheering up the kids there.
Bringing boxes of gifts, Manning spent one-on-one time with every patient — signing autographs, playing video games with some… anything to make them smile and feel better for a little while.
“That’s about as classy as it gets,” said James Keeton, vice chancellor for health affairs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
International film star Ewan McGregor will join comedians Betty White and Whoopi Goldberg as celebrity hosts for a televised gala celebrating the first Hero Dog Awards presented by the American Humane Association.
Other dog lovers, like broadway and “Glee” star Kristin Chenoweth will serve as celebrity judges during the 90-minute special on the Hallmark Channel November 11.
Voting is currently underway to determine 8 finalists for the award show.
In Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, six low-income families are moving into houses they helped build themselves, thanks to a remarkable program set up by the Interfaith Housing Alliance. Working collectively as a group, participants build their own homes and the homes of their future neighbors, and only move-in when all of the homes are completed.
IHA has created more than 1,100 affordable housing units in the last 20 years through private donations, public grants and “sweat equity”.
The key component of sweat equity is donated in lieu of a down payment. Building the 6 homes required a substantial investment of time (30 hours per week) for a total of more than 1,000 hours over a period of 9-12 months. About 65% of the total construction is performed by participants, who are trained and supervised by experienced IHA construction supervisors.
In Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, six low-income families are moving into houses they helped build themselves, thanks to a remarkable program set up by the Interfaith Housing Alliance. Working collectively as a group, participants build their own homes and the homes of their future neighbors, and only move-in when all of the homes are completed.
IHA has created more than 1,100 affordable housing units in the last 20 years through private donations, public grants and “sweat equity”.
When horses are brought to Karen Pomroy’s ranch in the Arizona desert they are starving, scared, and unwanted.
But, at Jumpin’ Jack ranch, the horses find a safe haven where they are well fed and loved.
Their wounds are treated and volunteers train them to be riding horses able to be adopted.
When horses are brought to Karen Pomroy’s ranch in the Arizona desert they are starving, scared, and unwanted.
But, at Jumpin’ Jack ranch, the horses find a safe haven where they are well fed and loved.
Their wounds are treated and volunteers train them to be riding horses able to be adopted.
The US Air Force has developed an energy plan focused on reducing demand and increasing efficiency.
For instance, 99 percent of the Air Force fleet is now certified to operate on a 50/50 blend of synthetic fuel derived from byproducts like feed stock and normal jet fuel.
Operational flight paths of some aircraft have been changed to take advantage of shorter distances to destinations in Asia, which saves not only fuel but also wear and tear on aircraft.
Evangelical, Roman Catholic, mainline Protestant and other Christian leaders joined together to creating a “Circle of Protection” for the poor and vulnerable during this season’s budget debate. Representing more than 50 Christian groups, a joint statement released by the leaders three months ago provided a unified Christian voice at the start of the American budget debate.
“As Christian leaders, we are committed to fiscal responsibility and shared sacrifice. We are also committed to resist budget cuts that undermine the lives, dignity, and rights of poor and vulnerable people. Therefore, we join with others to form a Circle of Protection around programs that meet the essential needs of hungry and poor people at home and abroad.”
| Leith Anderson- President, National Association of Evangelicals
Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore Sr. – Pres., Progressive National Baptist Church Geoffrey Black – Minister and President, United Church of Christ Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton US Conference of Catholic Bishops Bishop Charles E. Blake Bishop, Church of God in Christ Bishop John R. Bryant African Methodist Episcopal Church J. Ron Byler – Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee US Patrick Carolyn, Franciscan Action Net Rev. Peg Chemberlin- President, National Council of Churches of Christ Rev. Luis Cortes, Jr. Pres., Esperanza Joseph Flanagan – Pres., Natl Council of US Society of St. Vincent de Paul Wes Granberg-Michaelson – General Sec., Reformed Church in America Bishop Mark S. Hanson – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Howard J. Hubbard Cmte. Chair, US Conf. of Catholic Bishops Michael Kinnamon – Gen. Secretary, National Council of Churches of Christ The Very Reverend Leonid Kishkovsky Orthodox Church in America A. Roy Medley -General Secretary, American Baptist Churches USA John A. Nunes – President and CEO, Lutheran World Relief See more signatories at: |
They charge politicians in both parties with failing to bring moral leadership to the budget debate. In the words of the Christian leaders:
“These choices are economic, political—and moral. As Christians, we believe the moral measure of the debate is how the most poor and vulnerable people fare. We look at every budget proposal from the bottom up—how it treats those Jesus called “the least of these” (Matthew 25:45). They do not have powerful lobbies, but they have the most compelling claim on our consciences and common resources. The Christian community has an obligation to help them be heard, to join with others to insist that programs that serve the most vulnerable in our nation and around the world are protected.”
Congress has been wrangling for months over the 2012 budget and raising the ceiling on the national debt to pay its bills. According to the Christian leaders’ statement:
“Budgets are moral documents, and how we reduce future deficits are historic and defining moral choices. As Christian leaders, we urge Congress and the administration to give moral priority to programs that protect the life and dignity of poor and vulnerable people in these difficult times, our broken economy, and our wounded world.”
The leaders outlined eight principles for ethical decision-making that must be considered in a moral budget. These include protecting and improving “poverty-focused development and humanitarian assistance to promote a better, safer world” and ensuring that budget discussions “review and consider tax revenues, military spending, and entitlements in the search for ways to share sacrifice and cut deficits.” They also call for a focus on creating jobs since “decent jobs at decent wages are the best path out of poverty, and restoring growth is a powerful way to reduce deficits.”
The leaders said that it is the “vocation and obligation of the church to speak and act on behalf of those Jesus called ‘the least of these.'” This basic principle has provided a unifying point for Christians that gets past the partisan politics dominating Capitol Hill. They say they plan to hold political leaders accountable for protecting programs that serve the poor and for using moral principles to make budget decisions.
Rhinoceros horn cups brought to the Antiques Roadshow on Saturday in Tulsa became the highest-value appraisal ever made by the PBS television show in its 16 year history. The unidentified man, who started collecting the carved Chinese cups inexpensively, and had no idea of their worth, was told they were valued at 1-1.5 million dollars.
The rhino horn cups from the late 17th- or early 18th-century, have increased in value dramatically since their original purchase because of today’s strong market for Chinese antiques.
Rhinoceros horn cups brought to the Antiques Roadshow on Saturday in Tulsa became the highest-value appraisal ever made by the PBS television show in its 16 year history. The unidentified man, who started collecting the carved Chinese cups inexpensively, and had no idea of their worth, was told they were valued at 1-1.5 million dollars.
The rhino horn cups from the late 17th- or early 18th-century, have increased in value dramatically since their original purchase because of today’s strong market for Chinese antiques.
He has been on a labor of love since he was 17 — hauling litter, tires, and even rusty cars out of the nation’s rivers. Spearheading 500 cleanups he’s pulled 70 million pounds of trash from the water and water’s edge, including 775 refrigerators, with the help of thousands of volunteers.
For the past 13 years, Chad Pregracke has brought together donors, boats, barges, and even cranes to help him finish a job he started in high school, cleaning up every river in the country.
He was featured last Friday in the NBC Nightly News Making a Difference segment. Last fall he was named the Hardest Working Man in America (story on GNN).
