Eco Car Talk: Tesla And Toyota

On Thursday afternoon Toyota announced it will invest $50 million in Tesla Motors and will partner with Tesla to manufacture electric vehicles (EVs).

Tesla and Toyota announce partnership, May 20th, 2010.

Additionally, Tesla announced that it will acquire the NUMMI plant in Fremont, California and begin production of its Model S EV in 2012. This is expected to create more than 1,000 green jobs in California.

Tesla expects to produce 20,000 EVs per year. Tesla is a California company, founded in 2003 in Silicon Valley. Their first vehicle, the Tesla Roadster, was the first production automobile to use lithium-ion battery cells and the first production EV with a range greater than 200 miles per charge that could go from 0-60 in under four seconds.

Tesla will use the NUMMI plant to begin production of its second generation vehicle, the Model S EV. This 300-mile range, seven-seat SUV will open Tesla Motors to a whole new market of car buyers.

"What we are witnessing today is an historic example of California's transition to a cleaner, greener and more prosperous future. We challenged auto companies to innovate, and both Tesla and Toyota stepped up in a big way, not only creating vehicles that reduce emissions and appeal to consumers but also boosting economic growth," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I am thrilled with today's announcement and can't wait to see what this partnership brings next."

Governor Schwarzenegger announces Tesla-Toyota partnership.

Photos Courtesy: Justin Short

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was joined on Thursday afternoon by President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Motor Corporation Akio Toyoda, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tesla Motors Elon Musk and Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado to announce the historic new partnership.

The Governor also recently signed legislation, SB 71, to create a sales tax exemption for the purchase of green-tech manufacturing equipment in California. This expanded a sales tax exemption that applied only to Zero Emission Vehicles, which Tesla took advantage of. The expanded exemption, a part of the Governor's California Jobs Initiative, will not cost the state tax dollars; it will increase revenue by expanding the number of clean technology manufacturing companies with sites in California.

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Eco Car Talk: Tesla And Toyota

Greening NYC: One Bryant Park Receives LEED Platinum Certification

by: Alisa Ahmadian

At 6:30 PM, Thursday May 20^th, the lobby of the Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park was filled with hundreds of people clad in business casual attire. With 8,000 employees regularly shuffling in and out of the 55-story skyscraper, passersby might have assumed that the hub-bub merely signaled the end of another workday in the building which has been officially operating for 2 years.

 

Greening NYC - One Bryant Park Gets USGBC LEED Platinum Certification

Instead, the crowd inside was composed of hundreds of people that literally helped to build the tower—a fraction of the team of thousands involved in the intensive six year long building process. Needless to say, the flutes of local sparkling wine passed about were long-awaited and much deserved, with laughter heard and warm embraces shared amongst those that had formed friendships after years of collaboration.

The grandeur of the Bank of America Tower cannot be denied; it is a 2.1 million square foot skyscraper erected in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, and the first commercial high rise to receive the US Green Building Council’s coveted LEED Platinum Certification. However, the tone of the evening was one of graceful deference and thanks. The speaking program included Jody Durst of the Durst Organization, the project’s developer; Rick Cook of Cook+Fox Architects; Christine Quinn, New York City Council Speaker; Anne Finucane of Bank of America; Rick Fedrizzi, founding Chairman of the US Green Building Council; Vice President Al Gore; and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Jody Durst, who experiences the day-to-day operations of the building from his offices inside, joked about the irony of the event’s title-a “grand opening.”

All joking aside, what drew so many people to the lobby last night-- two years after the official opening, was an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. Rick Cook noted that building a green building meant creating something that felt different, something that he would be “proud to be show his children and grandchildren.” It did feel different. Although the reception was held in the vast lobby of the skyscraper, attendees received views of trees in neighboring Bryant Park, as well as live, planted structures in the Urban Garden Room—a portion of the lobby created as part of the project’s effort to increase valuable public space. Aside from the Urban Garden Room, the building symbolizes a way of new of way of thinking about buildings: as a means to give back. This ideology was reflected by Rick Fedrizzi, who called the building’s conception a chance to “doing the right thing on as large a scale as possible.”

One Bryant Park, NYC, USGBC LEED Platinum Certification

The building gives back to its tenants; air filtration removes 95% of particulates, making the air inside cleaner than outside, and creating a healthy workplace that boosts worker productivity and happiness. The tower also gives back to New York City. A newcomer to an impressive skyline of historic skyscrapers, the Bank of America Tower’s contribution is unique—as a result of its construction, New Yorkers enjoy widened sidewalks, improved sightlines and views, and the City’s power grid gets a break due to the installation of a co-generation plant and a thermal storage plant that creates ice during off-peak hours, reducing daytime demand on the grid. Last night, the Bank of America also gave back to the youth of New York City in the form of a $125,000 donation to 100 schools to plant gardens. The announcement was happily received by three schoolchildren from PS 43 in the Bronx who arrived on the stage toting small plants.

The true significance of the event was memorialized in one of the more sobering remarks made last night by speaker Al Gore, a tenant of the building. He mentioned the comprehensive reports issued by the National Research Council on May 19^th that stress the need for the United States to develop a strategic plan to address climate change. Specifically, Gore cited the fact that “30% of CO2 emissions in the United States come from inefficient buildings.” Despite the glamour of the event, the true intentions of all attendees and project leaders present were clear: taking real action to address and reverse these global concerns. Although the Bank of America Tower is one LEED Platinum skyscraper, in just one of America’s large cities, it certainly won’t be the last. With any hope, its completion serves as a tipping point, with many others closely following its lead and even surpassing its pioneering standards.

All Images credited to Cook+Fox Architects.

To learn more about LEED Certification, please visit the USGBC website at www.usgbc.org

Alisa Ahmadian recently migrated to New York City, where she will begin work shortly for Cook+Fox Architects. In her past life in California, she was an environmental activist, a UCLA student and a vegan foodie.

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Greening NYC: One Bryant Park Receives LEED Platinum Certification

Green Innovation Institute Rocks The Cradle2Cradle Crowd

(Mountain View, CA.,) "California is the perfect birthplace for this Institute, but ultimately its reach is global, and it has been our long-held wish to see the principles of Cradle to Cradle applied globally," said William McDonough, co-founder of the Green Products Innovation Institute.

...for a safer and healthier world for ALL children of ALL species...

"Even before Michael and I wrote Cradle to Cradle in 2002, we have wished and worked for a safer and healthier world for ALL children of ALL species. That world is not just a wish anymore-it is here now, thanks to Gov. Schwarzenegger, the donors and supporters of the Green Products Innovation Institute, and the people of California," continued McDonough.

GPII will work to advance the framework outlined in the book "Cradle to Cradle," authored by architect and designer William McDonough and Dr. Michael Braungart, co-founders of GPII.

Governor Schwarzenegger announcing first-in-the-nation Green Products Innovation Institute. From left to right: Schmidt Family Foundation President Wendy Schmidt, YouTube Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Chad Hurley, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry Co-Founder William McDonough. 

Photo Credit: Justin Short

GPII will help transform how companies design, manufacture and use chemicals - driving a new era in research, innovation, economic growth and competition in the green chemistry sector.

"This Institute will revolutionize the way we design products and serve as a benchmark for those who aspire to set new standards of environmental and human health and safety for all products sold in California," said the Governor of California.

In More Breaking Environmental News Today:  

West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health

The Governors of California, Oregon, and Washington today released eight issue-specific work plans to improve and sustain the health of the three states' shared coastal and ocean resources and the communities that depend on them. 

More On GPII: The Institute will help implement this framework by working with industries to create cleaner water and eliminate the concept of waste while creating healthy products.

"California has the most comprehensive Green Chemistry program in the world, and our leadership in ensuring the products we use every day are safe for our families and environment has resulted in the Green Products Innovation Institute choosing to headquarter here in California," said Governor Schwarzenegger.

Nationally-renown design consultancy firm, MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry), has given the certification mark along with the Cradle to Cradle ® protocols to the Institute, which will now be responsible for certifying products. Companies from a wide range of industries have already demonstrated the viability and benefits of designing products according to the Cradle to Cradle framework, such as Herman Miller, Shaw Industries, Ford Motor Company, Aveda and Method Laundry. To date, more than 300 products and 90 companies have engaged in the Cradle to Cradle certification (CM) process.

Governor Schwarzenegger has made California a leader in green chemistry and in 2008 signed legislation to establish the first green chemistry program in the United States.

Speakers at this morning's event included  California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; William McDonough, Co-Founder of the Institute; Michael Volkema, Chairman, Herman Miller; Chad Hurley, co-founder and CEO, YouTube; Vance Bell, CEO, Shaw Inc.; Matt Petersen, Executive Director, Global Green; Professor Martin Fischer, Stanford University  : www.gpinnovation.org.

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Green Innovation Institute Rocks The Cradle2Cradle Crowd

Las Vegas Goes LEED Retro

The first Las Vegas LEED Retrofit, 302 Carson, was unveiled yesterday by Shangri-La Construction and Thompson National Properties, LLC. It's located downtown at 302 East Carson Avenue and had its grand opening yesterday afternoon. It is, in fact, the first LEED Certified Retrofit in the state of Nevada.

Approximately 250 green jobs, primarily in construction, were created by this LEED Retrofit building project about a block and a half from Las Vegas's off-strip Fremont Street. In a current U.S. jobless economy that has seen construction as one of the hardest hit industries, averaging approximately 25% unemployment, this is a welcome RetroFit.

"This was an unusual type of construction project for Las Vegas where more often you see buildings imploded and then something huge replaces it, built from the ground up," commented Andy Meyers, President, Shangri-La Construction.

(Photo Credit Denise Truscello, Wire Image)

See and download the full gallery on posterous

See the full gallery on posterous

Pictured In Photos: Former President Bill Clinton, founder, Clinton Foundation and sponsor of the Clinton Climate Initiative;  Mayor Goodman, Las Vegas; Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council; Andy Meyers, president of Shangri-La Construction; Tony Thompson, chairman and CEO, Thompson National Properties, LLC, the building’s owner.

Meyers stated that 302 Carson was "very much a collaborative effort" between the original client, Thompson National Properties, themselves, Shangri-La Construction, and Las Vegas department of planning, fire department and even Las Vegas Mayor Goodman's office. They put primarily Union  members to work for the construction jobs who bid competitively on the employment offered.

He also acknowledged that Las Vegas Tax Commissioner, along with Mayor Goodman, took a very pro-business. "progressive with tax incentives" stance when it came to this Cutting Edge LEED Green Building Retrofit. "In tough times, they want to create jobs," commented Meyers.

New Building Features Include:

·         Window System Replacement – to reduce heat transfer, lower utility bills and increase tenant comfort.

·         Chiller Replacement and Extensive HVAC Efficiency Upgrades – to improve building performance by more than 30 percent, saving an excess of $50,000 per year in electricity costs.

·          “Cool” Roof Installation – to reduce the building’s urban heat island effect and interior temperature.

·         Upgraded Lobby, Elevator and Finishes – to modernize the building to current Class “A” standards.

Former President Clinton was also on hand, along with USGBC President, Rick Fedrizzi, to commemorate this groundbreaking LEED construction project. "He's been passionate about our cost-competitiveness in terms of Green and LEED building retrofits," explained Meyers. "This has been the Clinton mantra in terms of green building, unless it's affordable, it's never going to happen."

302 Carson earned the Gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating System™.

The formerly obsolete, 1960’s vintage energy-wasting building is now the new state-of-the-art standard for property redevelopment in Las Vegas’ downtown revitalization zone. LEED design strategies and efficiency upgrades are projected to decrease building energy use by more than 30 percent and water consumption by 40 percent, resulting in sustained operating cost reductions and improved tenant comfort and productivity.

Yet again Shangri-La Construction, along with partner client Thompson National Properties LLC, have proved that sustainability is absolutely affordable. As of yesterday's Grand Opening of 302 Carson in Las Vegas, it was already 40% occupied. It is to date the only LEED Certified building in Las Vegas downtown that's not 100% leased.

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Las Vegas Goes LEED Retro

Olympic Mascots 2012 London Games Unveiled Today

(London, England May 19, 2010) The 2012 Olympic Mascots were unveiled today in London. They have yet to make any announcements on record about their sustainability policies.

It is thought that London will compete with Vancouver to be the "greenest" Olympic games.

Wenlock, Orange and silver in colour, has been named after Much Wenlock, the Shropshire town whose Olympian games inspired Baron de Coubertin to establish the first games in Athens in 1896.

Mandeville is the mascot for the 2012 Paralympics, named after Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire, where the first 1948 paralympic games were conceived.

In related- green - news, London's double-decker buses have shifted to Green Tech energy.The new design uses the latest in green hybrid technology and will be 15% more fuel efficient than existing hybrid buses.  Read More HERE

Is it just us, or do these mascots look a little bit like scary Teletubbies? Watch the videos below and decide for yourself!

Can't See The Video? Click HERE

Can't See The Video? Click HERE

Can't See The Video? Click HERE

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Olympic Mascots 2012 London Games Unveiled Today

Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement, Historical And Unprecedented

In what is being described as "the greatest accomplishment in the history of forest conservation," today 21 member companies of the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), and nine leading environmental organizations, unveiled the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement.

This unprecedented agreement applies to 72 million hectares of public forests licensed to FPAC members.

 “The importance of this Agreement cannot be overstated,” said Avrim Lazar, President and CEO of FPAC. “FPAC member companies and their ENGO counterparts have turned the old paradigm on its head.
Together we have identified a more intelligent, productive way to manage economic and environmental challenges in the Boreal that will reassure global buyers of our products’ sustainability. 
It’s gratifying to see nearly a decade of industry transformation and hard work greening our operations, is culminating in a process that will set a forestry standard that will be the envy of the world.”

Read More Here>>>

The Agreement calls for the suspension of new logging on nearly 29 million hectares of Boreal Forest and to develop conservation plans for the approximately 36,000 remaining endangered woodland caribou, while maintaining essential fiber supplies for uninterrupted mill operations.
The Agreement identifies explicit commitments for both sides and sets out a plan, which includes:

• The development and implementation of world-leading forest management and harvesting practices;
• The completion of joint proposals for networks of protected areas and the recovery of species at risk including woodland caribou;
• A full life cycle approach to forest carbon management; and
• Support for the economic future of forest communities and for the recognition of conservation achievements in the global marketplace.

The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement: An Historic Agreement Signifying A New Era of Joint Leadership in the Boreal Forest.

Parts of Canada that will be most affected by this agreement are Alberta, Quebec and Ontario.  However the Forest Lands included in this agreement stretch from British Columbia to New Foundland.
"This is a key element of our economic policy, going forward, to keep the jobs in Canada," stated a signatory participant during this morning's Press Conference. It was also noted that this agreement can set a precedent for other industries and other environmental groups, "Instead of going to war, come to the solutions table."
The signatory participants to the agreement have agreed to independent auditors and reports made public among other transparency features. They have also integrated First Nations' Treaty and Land Rights into the Conservation Agreement. "The Agreement raises the bar on how we approach First Nations' Land Rights," commented a signatory participant.

Environmental groups, including the three organizations that have been mobilizing large customers towards green products, say the coming together of two traditional adversaries reflects a new commitment to a common goal.

 “This is our best chance to save woodland caribou, permanently protect vast areas of the Boreal Forest and put in place sustainable forestry practices,” said Richard Brooks, spokesperson for participating environmental organizations and Forest Campaign Coordinator of Greenpeace Canada.
Following is a list of Companies and Environmental Organizations participating in the agreement.

Read More Here>>>


Forestry Companies Participating in the Agreement:
AbitibiBowater, Alberta Pacific Forest Industries, AV Group, Canfor, Cariboo Pulp & Paper Company, Cascades Inc., DMI, F.F. Soucy, Inc., Howe Sound Pulp and Paper, Kruger Inc., LP Canada, Mercer International, Mill & Timber Products Ltd, NewPage Port Hawkesbury Ltd, Papier Masson Ltée, SFK Pulp, Tembec Inc., Tolko Industries, West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited−all represented by the Forest Products Association of Canada.

Environmental Organizations Participating in the Agreement:
Canadian Boreal Initiative, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Canopy (formerly Markets Initiative), the David Suzuki Foundation, ForestEthics, Greenpeace, Ivey Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and the Pew Environment Group’s International Boreal Conservation Campaign. The Hewlett Foundation’s support for boreal forest conservation has been critical to the collective efforts of these groups.

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Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement, Historical And Unprecedented

Young Hollywood Awards And Greening Hollywood Fresh Gossip!

Jonas Brothers made rare appearance together at Young Hollywood Awards May 13th in support of Nick Jonas, YH Artist of The Year Award Recipient.

It was a family affair for the Jonas Brothers. Older brothers Kevin and Joe attended the Young Hollywood Awards Thursday night to support younger brother Nick, who was honored as Artist of the Year. The trio couldn't have been more gracious, posing for pictures with the mob of fans who had waited for their arrival.

Young Hollywood Awards, May 13, 2010. Los Angeles.

Vampire Diaries’ hotties Matt Davis, Steven R. McQueen, Zac Roerig and Michael Trevino were the talk of the evening at the Young Hollywood Awards presented by JC Penney, mark., and Lipton Sparkling Green Tea on May 13 in Los Angeles.

The handsome foursome walked the carpet together while celebs, media and partygoers drooled on the sidelines and picked which Vampire Diaries cast member they would want to take a bite out of.

 Read More On Greening Hollywood, Green Teens and Young Hollywood Awards>>>

Ben Stiller made a surprise appearance last night, May 13, at the Young Hollywood Awards presented by JC Penney, mark., and Lipton Sparkling Green Tea.  The movie star was spotted backstage dancing to Kevin Rudolf's "Let It Rock" which was performed live onstage.  Stiller came to surprise the crowd and present Whitney Cummings with YH Comedian of the Year.  The funny guy had a lot of jokes about Young Hollywood and said nowadays "young Hollywood" is to ten years old, then one becomes middle aged!

Ben Stiller made appearance at Young Hollywood Awards, May 13 2010.

Newly wed Kevin Jonas came with his wife Danielle to the Young Hollywood Awards presented by JC Penney, mark., and Lipton Sparkling Green Tea on May 13 in Los Angeles to support his brother Nick Jonas who won the YH Artist of the Year.

Young Hollywood Awards Host, Mario Lopez and Candy Girls

**LOVE LIFES** Former 90210 hunk Dustin Milligan admired his girlfriend Jessica Stroup from a far as she walked the carpet at the Young Hollywood Awards presented by JC Penney, mark., and Lipton Sparkling Green Tea on May 13 in Los Angeles.

Whoops!  Nikki Reed was overheard at the Young Hollywood Awards presented by JC Penney, mark., and Lipton Sparkling Green Tea saying that her Mom is mad at her because she "rear-ended" her on Mother's Day!  She then said just kidding--about the mad part!  She actually hit her mother's car!

Young Hollywood Awards, May 13, 2010.

Touching up with mark. cosmetics midway through the evening, Ashley Greene was always camera ready at Thursday night's Young Hollywood Awards. The Twilight actress was honored as Young Hollywood's Style Icon.

Swarmed by a crowd of fans before even arriving to Thursday's Young Hollywood Awards, Twilight's Booboo Stewart was thrilled to be a part of the evening. The wolfpack member accepted the Newcomer of Year award on behalf of Justin Bieber, who was unable to attend.

It was a date night for Twilight's Peter Facinelli and his wife, actress Jenny Garth at Thursday's Young Hollywood Awards. Both presenters at the awards show,

Dodging the red carpet at Thursday night's Young Hollywood Awards, 90210’s Rumer Willis tried to stay low key, slipping in behind the paparazzi. They actress kept a low profile at the awards show in the crowd supporting her friends, Jessica Stroup and Nina Dobrev.

Fresh from his split with Paris Hilton, Doug Reinhart arrived to Thursday night's Young Hollywood Awards solo.

Young Hollywood Awards May 13, 2010.

Young Hollywood Awards Presented by Hollywood Life, May 13, 2010.

Nickelodeon brothers Kyle and Chris Massey were right at home at the Young Hollywood Awards in Los Angeles on May 13. The brothers worked the red carpet drinking Lipton's Sparkling Green Tea to beat the heat.

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Young Hollywood Awards And Greening Hollywood Fresh Gossip!