Green Harbor

Possible 170-MPG Automobile Designed and to be Built in the U.S.A.

AlwaysGreen — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:14:10 +0000

As the U.S. federal government encourages more hybrid vehicle research and development the technology and capabilities only seem to improve every month.

Recently, Valentin Technologies of Elm Grove, Wisconsin has released some teaser images as well as basic specifications for their new 170 Mile-Per-Gallon (MPG) hybrid vehicle.

The new car is a 4-doore, 5-seat sports wagon with an innovative hydraulic-fluid drive that will enable the car to go from 0 – 60 in 4 seconds as well as travel 1,000 miles on 6 gallons of gas.

Unfortunately, company executives state they will still need $3.8 million to develop a prototype.

We certainly hope someone can take the chance because it seems like it could be a great new hybrid vehicle. Also, it would certainly help create more Green Collar Jobs in the U.S.

Geoengineering that involves Iron Fertilization of the Ocean could be Extremely Deadly

AlwaysGreen — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:19:06 +0000

Once again, another study is released that shows us we still know very little about mother nature and how she will react. However, we believe more in sustainability and energy efficiency here at greenharbor.org so we are a tad bias.

But, this latest report is extremely important when it comes to geoengineering that involves fertilizing the global oceans and waterways to promote phytoplankton growth.

The latest report released in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that geoengineering that involves iron fertilization of the oceans to promote phytoplankton growth can be extremely harmful and deadly.

When too much iron is introduced to the ocean, phytoplankton blooms of Pseudonitzschia occur and these particular organisms will produce an excess amount of domoic acid which is a potent nuerotoxin. In fact, this neurotoxin has already been proven deadly to fish, birds, and even humans.

Promoting plankton growth in our waters does seem like a promising idea, but when it comes to geoengineering we cannot move to hastily otherwise we may encounter severe and unintended consequences.

Wyoming Calls For More CO2… Yes, MORE CO2

AlwaysGreen — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:49 +0000

It definitely makes for an interesting headline, but you read that correctly. The State of Wyoming is calling for more CO2.

However (and maybe obviously) it’s not what you might think.

Midwest, Wyoming is home to 100 year old Salt Creek oil field near the Rocky Mountains. It was once one of the riches and lightest oil fields in the nation. Originally, it was so light that U.S. settler heading West would use it in raw form to grease their axles.

But recently, the easy-to-extract oil had been drying up and the Salt Creek field was only expected to keep producing until 2015. However, the field has been given new life with a $265 million investment by Anadarko Petroleum Corp of Texas.

Anadarko brought with it new carbon capture and storage technologies which will enable the field to remain open until 2050 and produce nearly 800 million barrels of crude.

Now, your first reaction may be: “Big oil makes bigger money. UGGH!!” But there is a lot of great Green Business in this story.

The Salt Creek field used to lay in ruins with old equipment strewn about, uncapped, dry oil wells in the open, and a deteriorating local economy. Now, the town of Midwest is on the rise again.

Anadarko’s investment has brought new Green Collar jobs, new stimulus, and new hope back to the town. They have also removed much of the old equipment for recycling and they are developing the latest technology in carbon capture and storage.

Anadarako’s carbon capture and storage facility has become so successful that they are already going above and beyond the capacity of their 125 mile carbon dioxide pipeline that delivers 10 million tons of CO2 to the site. So much so, that state official and local residents are calling for more CO2 along with Anadarko given all the benefits of this new business.

The project has become the largest carbon capture and storage facility in the U.S. and the company states that they bury about 7,000 cubic feet of CO2 to produce 1 barrel of oil which, when used, creates about 7,000 cubic feet of CO2 emissions (we’ll let you think about that one.. we’re waiting for more data).

Regardless of Anadarko/Big Oil making money, we call this Green Business with many great side effects.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!! Stay Green!!

AlwaysGreen — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:22:20 +0000

What can we say… here at greenharbor.org we’re suckers for GREEN and today is definitely one of our favorite holidays! Even the beer is Green! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Stay Green! Related posts:Happy Thanksgiving!Happy New YearIs Your Beer Green? And No, We Are Not Talking About St. Patrick’s Day Related posts:

The Greenest of Green Getaways in the United States of America

AlwaysGreen — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:39:18 +0000

It’s getting close to our favorite time of year when everything begins to turn Green! But it also means the days are getting longer, the sun is shining more, and the temperature is getting warmer. It’s only a matter of time before the first summer Green Getaway to the lake!

Now we know that may be a shocking statement given the traveling involved and typical lake activities, but being green doesn’t mean you can’t go on vacation.

In fact, we have just stumbled upon the best Green Getaway you can find the U.S.

If you’re looking for some “R & R”, check out the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in Lake Placid, NY. It has just recently received the highest possible rating of 5-Leafs from Audubon International. It’s like a 5-star rating but for eco-friendliness.

No other resort in the U.S. shares this rating and there is only one other property with this rating in the world.

Not only does the resort have living roofs, recycling programs, no bottled water, etc.; if you arrive by any Green form of transportation you also receive special care and gifts for your dedication to the environment.

We don’t know about you guys… but we are off to the lake… once, of course, we recover from our favorite holiday that is upon us tomorrow

Billionaire Richard Branson’s Carbon War Room Focuses on the Global Shipping Fleet

AlwaysGreen — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:40:25 +0000

As some of you may know, U.K. billionaire Richard Branson started his own Green Non-Government Organization (NGO) called the Carbon War Room in Washington D.C.

Branson’s company the Virgin Group has invested in several green companies before such as biofuels, but, the billionaire still believes climate change is the biggest issues of our lifetime and develop the Carbon War Room to focus on the issue full time.

The Carbon War Room believes in market-driven solutions to climate issues through technology, information, and quality standards. The group helps bridge some of the many policy and principal-agent gaps that are found in such potential agreements as Copenhagen.

Currently, the Carbon War Room has turned its focus on the global shipping fleet since in total it represents the 6th largest carbon emitting “country” in the world and it will only grow.

The Carbon War Room is addressing the shipping fleet emission issues by providing major shippers such as Walmart, Cargill, and commodity producers with lists of the most efficient shipping vessels since customers pay for fuel. Also, the group is helping bring information to the shipping companies about new technologies that create more energy efficient vessels in which they can recoup investments made.

The Carbon War Room believes that with current technologies global shipping vessels can gain up 75% in energy efficiencies if the proper equipment is installed and implemented. However, they feel the companies just don’t have the proper information.

Sustainable Styles: March 12, 2010

AlwaysGreen — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:33:27 +0000

After a little too much time off, our section on Sustainable Styles is back again and with some new featured designers.

Sustainable Styles is back with more of your favorite designs and styles to keep you eco-chic and eco-fabulous. As always, all the styles and the designs highlighted are made from reclaimed, recycled, fair-trade, and/or organic materials.

Our goal to is to make sure you’re not only informed about the latest Green News but to also make sure you have the latest Green Fashions.

This time we look at the top designers featured at this year’s New York Fashion Week at The GreenShows Eco-Fashion Week event.

The eco-designers with the new spring/summer line are:

Bodkin
Izzy Lane
Bahar Shahpar
House of Organic
Lara Miller
Mr. Larkin
STUDY by Tara St. James

Stay Green!

China and India Finally Decide on Copenhagen Accord

AlwaysGreen — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:32:53 +0000

It has been a few months since Copenhagen and many are upset that the global climate meeting was not what was expected. Some blame the leaders of the developed nations, but two of largest developed nations have finally announced a decision regarding Copenhagen.

China and India, two of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, have finally released statements in regards to their country’s stance on the Copenhagen Accord.

Unfortunately, China’s and India’s response still clearly acknowledges the rifts amongst the leaders of developed nations on how the new global climate standards should be developed and negotiated.

China and India have both agreed to be “listed” as parties to the Copenhagen Accord but not “full association”. They also restated their position and belief that all climate change talks should be handled through the United Nation processes and procedures.

Their statements are direct shots at the U.S. and England who’s legislative leaders seem to still be at a stand still on the climate change and carbon emission reduction matter.

The State of Colorado Increases Their Renewable Energy Requirements

AlwaysGreen — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:37:09 +0000

As the U.S. federal government continues to drag its feet and gets stuck in partisan politics, state and local governments pick up the slack and keep the Green Initiative moving forward.

The latest climate and environmental policy to emerge from a state government in an increase in required renewable energy generation in the State of Colorado.

The Colorado legislature has recently increased the renewable energy generation requirement from 20% to 30% by 2020. This is only second to the State of California.

The Colorado officials also require that 3% of this renewable energy must come from distributed projects such has rooftop and small-scale wind power and solar power.

The new legislation is also expected to create 3,333 new Green Collar Jobs every year.

If the legislation works as planned, Colorado could be a shining example for other state legislatures to follow.

Everything is Always Bigger in Texas; Even When It Comes to Wind Energy

AlwaysGreen — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:25:45 +0000

It may seem hard to believe that the state that led the way in oil is also leading the way in renewable energy, but that’s exactly what’s happening in Texas.

Last week, wind turbines on the ERCOT energy grid produced 6,272 MW of energy. This is a record for Texas wind energy, however, it is not an accurate number since all the wind farms in the “panhandle” are tied to a different power grid and not calculated in these numbers.

According to the American Wind Energy Association, Texas leads the way with potential wind energy production followed by Iowa and than California.

In fact, due to transmission line and energy storage constraints, some wind turbine operators in Texas are forced to shut down their turbines due to over production. Energy storage is still a big hurtle in the effort to bring more wind power online.

But it will be fun to see if the energy industry will give Texas wind power another second name such as calling oil “Texas Tea”.