Olympia School District Goes to School with Propane

Joanna Schroeder

Stanford, Illinois students are traveling around town in school buses fueled by propane. The Olympia Community Unit #16 School District, a rural district covering 377 square miles, converted to propane-fueled buses to meet the district’s needs for reliable, lower-cost buses. The school buses travel an average of 20,000 miles per year. According to John Olsen, assistant superintendent for Olympia, the …

Alternative energy, Propane, Video

#COP21 Attendees Travel Carbon Free

Joanna Schroeder

There is an incredible amount of news this week coming from Paris during COP21. Much of the focus this week is getting commitments from 143 countries to significantly reduce their carbon emissions, and many key attendees are practicing what they are preaching – traveling carbon free to and from the events. This week a network of carbon-free trains arrived in …

Alternative energy, Carbon, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Renewable Energy

Study: Affordable Technology Can Reduce U.S. GHGs

Joanna Schroeder

A new study from the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project (DDPP) details how the U.S. can reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) in line with the goal of limiting any additional temperature increases due to climate change by 2 degrees Celsius. The two-volume report finds that reductions are technologically feasible and economically affordable. Volume One, “Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States,” …

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Climate Change

20 Countries Pledge “Mission Innovation” at #COP21

Joanna Schroeder

Leading up to the World Climate Summit and #COP21 that kicked off in Paris today, three major announcements were make regarding the acceleration of technological developments in clean energy and clean technologies. The first announcement came from Bill Gates about the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, that will will working directly with Mission Innovation, a “pledge” by 20 countries to commit to …

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Environment, International

Gates Launches Breakthrough Energy Coalition @ #COP21

Joanna Schroeder

In Paris this past weekend, leading up to COP21 and the World Climate Summit, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook fame, launched a new clean energy initiative, The Breakthrough Energy Coalition. Gates announced the news on his blog, “Gates Notes,” where he wrote that a global group of investors are taking innovative clean-energy ideas out of the lab and …

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Environment, Solar, Video, Wind

Cornell, McGill U Win Chem-E-Car Competition

Joanna Schroeder

Cornell University and McGill University tied for first place in the 17th Annual Chem-E-Car competition. The collegiate event features cars ranging in size from shoeboxes to fire hydrants powered by alternative fuels. The competition is sponsored by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and its goal is to teach chemical engineering students to think creatively about alternative fuels. Cornell’s …

Alternative energy, Alternative Vehicles

Portland Int’l Airport Adds EV Charging

Joanna Schroeder

Portland International Airport (PDX) has become the airport with the largest number of electric vehicle (EV) chargers in the country. PDX installed 42 L1 PowerPost EV charging stations that are designed and manufactured by Telefonix. EV drivers are able to recover about 5 miles of range for every hour they are plugged in. The range lost in a typical commute …

Alternative energy, Electric Vehicles

The Quest for a Sustainable Highway

Joanna Schroeder

The Mission Zero Corridor Project in Troup County West Georgia is trying to build a ‘green highway’. The travel corridor would, according to Innovia Technology, who has been commissioned for the project, rethink the purpose and function of infrastructure to generate social, environmental and economic value. Some of the technologies being looked at for the project include algae biodiesel gas …

advanced biofuels, algae, Alternative energy, Biodiesel, Climate Change, Electric Vehicles, Environment, Solar

Louisiana Clean Fuels Honors Republic Services

Joanna Schroeder

Louisiana Clean Fuels has awarded its Fleet of the Year Award to Republic Services of Baton Rouge for their use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Republic’s collection company, BFI Waste Services has reduced its use of petroleum and emissions by using CNG. Louisiana Clean Fuels presented the Award at its 15th annual Clean Fuel Leader Awards Gala in Baton Rouge …

Alternative energy, Alternative Vehicles, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

SMART Adds Propane AutoGas

Joanna Schroeder

SMART has added 61 new Connector paratransit propane autogas fuel system buses. This, says SMART, makes them the second largest propane autogas powered paratransit fleet in Michigan and one of the top five largest in the country. “SMART is committed to responsibly and eco-consciously serving the communities in southeast Michigan. By using domestically produced propane we help support local jobs …

Alternative energy, Propane