Nissan's 'Drive Electric Tour' Headed to 26 U.S. Cities

Nissan North America Inc. is bringing test drives of the all-electric Nissan LEAF to 26 cities across the United States, as part of Nissan's "Drive Electric Tour." The second phase tour kicks off in Long Island, N.Y., on the heels of the Nissan LEAF achieving the milestone of 4,000 U.S. deliveries. Nissan is resuming the tour, which began last fall, with a combination of new cities and return stops, due to the growing, nationwide enthusiasm for the Nissan LEAF – the first and only 100-percent electric, zero-emission vehicle available to the mass market. Since its launch in December 2010, Nissan has delivered more than 4,000 Nissan LEAF electric vehicles in the United States. The Nissan LEAF currently is available in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon and Washington, with additional markets launching later this year. To date, more than 350,000 people have expressed interest in the Nissan LEAF by signing up for updates, including information on how to purchase and reserve a vehicle, at www.NissanUSA.com. "As the Nissan LEAF gains momentum in its U.S. rollout, more consumers have expressed the desire to get behind the wheel and experience gas-free driving for themselves," said Jon Brancheau, vice president, Marketing, NNA. "We're thrilled to bring the 'Drive Electric Tour' to new cities across the country, as well as revisit several key markets where consumer interest continues to grow." The Drive Electric Tour, a one-of-a-kind consumer driving experience, began in October 2010 and by March 27 had provided approximately 50,000 Nissan LEAF test drives in key markets across the country. The tour provides prospective Nissan LEAF owners the opportunity to learn about the car, its technology and features, and take it for a test drive. Current Nissan LEAF owners also are invited to participate and share their ownership experiences with others interested in electric-vehicle technology. Interested drivers can learn more about the tour, including specific locations, and register to drive the Nissan LEAF at www.drivenissanleaf.com. Tour stops include:

July 8-10: Long Island, N.Y.	Oct. 7-9: Los Angeles
July 15-17: Jersey City, N.J.	Oct. 14-16: Houston
July 22-24: Hartford, Conn.	Oct. 21-23: Dallas
July 29-31: Boston	Oct. 28-30: Phoenix
Aug. 5-7: Washington, D.C.	Nov. 4-6: Las Vegas
Aug. 12-14: Philadelphia	Nov. 11-13: San Diego
Aug. 19-21: Detroit	Nov. 18-27: San Francisco
Aug. 26-28: Chicago	Dec. 2-4: Portland, Ore.
Sept. 2-4: Indianapolis	Dec. 9-11: Seattle
Sept. 9-11: Memphis, Tenn.	Jan. 6-8, 2012: Austin, Texas
Sept. 16-18: Columbus, Ohio	Jan. 13-15, 2012: Atlanta
Sept. 23-25: Denver	Jan. 20-22, 2012, Orlando, Fla.
Sept. 30-Oct. 2: Santa Monica, Calif.	Jan. 27-20, 2012: Miami

 

Melvin Wylie

World's First Wave Power Plant

On July 8th, 2011, the Basque seaport of Mutriku, located between Bilbao and San Sebastian witnessed a historical day in energy generation history. Utility Ente Vasco de la Energ a (EVE) officially inaugurated the Mutriku wave power plant - the first worldwide in commercial operation. Voith Hydro supplied the equipment for Mutriku's 16 power units that will provide an output of 300 kilowatts in total - electricity sufficient for around 250 homes. "The rising global demand for green energy proves to be a strong catalyst for the implementations of innovative forms of renewable energy. The Mutriku project shows: Our wave power technology is commercially viable and ready for wide deployment on the global markets," says Dr. Roland Muench, Chief Executive Officer of Voith Hydro Holding. "To further this development, adequate feed-in-tariffs for wave power, as they already exist for a number of renewables, can now set the right legal framework." Voith Hydro's wave power technology can be deployed in new and existing breakwaters, and in purpose-built structures. Building on its long-term proven reliability, continuous design improvement have allowed for developing the technology to its leading-edge performance. The worldwide potential of the ocean energies is at an estimated 1.8 terawatts and still remains largely untapped.

Melvin Wylie

Eco Artist Greg Pitts

Music in the Wind

Melvin Wylie

Mitsubishi Electric & Motors Debut Solar-Powered Charging Station

CYPRESS, Calif. - Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc. (Mitsubishi Electric) and Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. debuted a solar-powered charging station for electric vehicles at the MMNA headquarters in Cypress, California. The unveiling took place on July 7, 2011. This charging facility, the first of its kind in Cypress, symbolizes MMNA's commitment to electric vehicle readiness, and will help kick off the preparations as certified Mitsubishi dealers become EV-ready in anticipation of the scheduled launch date of Mitsubishi i for each state. The charging station is powered by 96, 175W photovoltaic modules from Mitsubishi Electric. This charging station will help support CHAdeMO compatible electric vehicles such as the Mitsubishi i, which will arrive in showrooms in November of this year. Mitsubishi i vehicles are now being reserved by prospective owners through a pre-order process available at i.mitsubishicars.com. Able to charge up to four vehicles at once, the station features three types of chargers with different voltages: standard level 1 voltage (110v) will deliver a 100 percent charge in 22 hours on the new Mitsubishi i; level 2 (220v) which can charge the vehicle in six hours; and level 3 CHAdeMO Quick Charger, which can charge to 80 percent battery capacity in 25 minutes. The DC Quick Charger used for the Cypress charging station is manufactured by the Eaton Corporation, and is the first-of-its-kind CHAdeMO Quick Charger certified for U.S. sale and public utility. The actual installation of the charging equipment and the supporting electrical infrastructure was handled by Rogers Electric. The twin-arch structure for the charging station was designed by California Green Designs. The charging station is the first such collaboration between the two similarly named companies, whose headquarters are just a few blocks apart in northern Orange County. Situated near the junction of the 405 and 605 freeways, the hope is that the Cypress charging station, with its Quick Charge capability, can serve as a gateway charging pad for Mitsubishi i users commuting between Los Angeles and Orange counties. "This project will build awareness of solar power's versatility and efficiency," said Katsuya Takamiya, president and chief executive officer, Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA. "As electric vehicles' popularity grows, we expect to see more charging stations at large employers, automobile dealerships, shopping centers and schools, where cars can charge while people work, shop or study." Mitsubishi Motors North America President Yoichi Yokozawa said "We hope that our dealers, learning institutions, and municipalities will look to this technology with a keen eye towards the future, and bear in mind that the gradual acceptance of the pure-EV transportation will be aided by increasing the number of facilities like this one." Mitsubishi Electric's solar panels are made with 100 percent lead-free solder, and have one of the higher sunlight-to-energy conversion ratios in the industry, adding to the project's efficiency and sustainability.

Melvin Wylie

Bahamas Acts to Protect Sharks

NASSAU, Bahamas - Sharks in The Bahamas can breathe more easily after the nation's government announced on July5, 2011 that all commercial shark fishing in the approximately 630,000 square kilometers (243,244 square miles) of the country's waters is now prohibited. "2011 is fast becoming the year of the shark," said Jill Hepp, manager of global shark conservation for the Pew Environment Group. "Today's announcement permanently protects more than 40 shark species in Bahamian waters. We applaud the people and government of The Bahamas for being bold leaders in marine conservation." The island nation joins Palau, the Maldives and Honduras in prohibiting the commercial fishing of sharks. Together, this adds up to almost 2.4 million square kilometers (926,645 square miles) of ocean, where these animals can now swim safely. The Bahamian sanctuary was created by adding an amendment to the Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Act (Chapter 244) to prohibit commercial shark fishing along with the sale, importation and export of shark products. "The Bahamas' prohibition on longline fishing gear 20 years ago protected the marine resources of The Bahamas and ensured that our shark populations would remain healthy," said Eric Carey, executive director of The Bahamas National Trust (BNT). "But there were no specific laws in The Bahamas for sharks, the crown jewels of ocean health. The new regulations signed this morning by Minister Cartwright ensure that that sharks can continue to thrive for generations in our waters, one of the world's best places to see sharks." The new sanctuary is the result of a partnership between the Pew Environment Group and BNT, which began just as a major Bahamian seafood company announced its intention to catch sharks and export their fins. Globally, commercial fisheries kill up to 73 million sharks annually (threatening the future existence of many species)—mainly for their fins. The collaboration between the Pew Environment Group and BNT produced popular public service announcements and a supportive petition signed by more than 5,000 Bahamians. Staff also coordinated outreach trips to support shark protections by Pierre-Yves Cousteau (son of Jacques Cousteau), scientist and artist Guy Harvey, and Sherman's Lagoon cartoonist Jim Toomey. "We congratulate the Right Honorable Hubert Ingraham, the Bahamian Prime Minister, and Lawrence S. Cartwright, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, for acting to save sharks, the ocean's apex predator," said Hepp.

Melvin Wylie

Toxic Soup 2011

It's the politics of pollution as corporations manipulate the system

Melvin Wylie

14th Episode of GreenNews4U

Welcome to the 14th Episode of GreenNews4U In this episode I interview Teresa Clark the Co-Founder of ENSO Plastics, LLC. ENSO Plastics is a leader in Biodegradable Plastics and can be found here ENSO Plastics was created with a vision of making the world a cleaner place through plastic solutions that are better for the environment.  Our goal is to end plastic pollution by developing earth friendly plastic solutions. I hope you enjoy the 14th Episode of GreenNews4U.  

Melvin Wylie