NEWSLETTER
Center for Sustainable Energy
September 15, 2006

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Contents

• Annual Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conference joins “AFV Odyssey Day”on October 12 Keynoted by Director of “Who Killed the Electric Car”
• Center’s Next Introductory PV Course Set for November
• Tips: Al Gore and the Climate Project to Train 1,000; CUNY Dec. 8 Event
• Recommended Viewing: “Who Killed the Electric Car”
• Recommended Readings: clean trash trucks; MPG ratings; green machines; rush to coal
• Kudos: Perlman & Marks for Getting the Word Out
• Events of Interest in the Area: September 18 through October 25

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Center’s Fall Conference to Feature Director of “Who Killed the Electric Car?”

Christopher Paine, Director and Screen Writer of “Who Killed the Electric Car?” (http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/) will deliver the keynote address at the annual conference of the Center for Sustainable Energy on Thursday, October 12, 2006, at Bronx Community College. Called by The New York Times’ A. O. Scott as “a prosecutorial examination of the role of oil companies, the automobile industry and the Bush administration (them again) in stymieing the development of emission-free electric vehicles,” the film is a must-see for anyone who is concerned about overcoming what even President Bush admits as this nation’s addiction to oil.

“Road to Energy Independence: New York City’s Alternative Transportation Future,” the Center’s Fall Conference, is free and will take place at the historic Gould Memorial Library Auditorium on the BCC campus with vendor displays in the Rotunda and luncheon at the Roscoe Brown Student Center. It will coincide with the “AFV Odyssey,” a nation-wide initiative of the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) taking place in more than 50 locations around the country.

The day-long conference will present four thought provoking panels-- exploring such issues as the latest fuel developments, cutting edge technologies, policy challenges, incentives and business opportunities. In addition, a vendor display and vehicle exposition will feature the latest in energy-efficient vehicles that will appeal to fleet managers, business representatives, educators, students, and the general public. The day will end with a ceremony for the Annual Center for Sustainable Energy’s Sustainable Energy Pioneer Awards. Watch for further details on this year’s awardees!

Current sponsors include the New York City Department of Transportation, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation-Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment, Manhattan Beer Distributors, Clean Energy and Fuel:Bio, Inc. To register for the conference, see: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/October12RegistrationForm.cfm
For information about the AFV Odyssey, see: http://www.nationalafvdayodyssey.org/

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Next Introductory PV Course Scheduled for November 7

The Center for Sustainable Energy is sponsoring another introductory PV (photovoltaic, or sunlight-to-electricity) installation training course at Bronx Community College. The 20-hour course, instructed by Jonathan Lane of Quad State Solar, begins Tuesday, November 7, at 6 PM. It runs three hours each Tuesday and Thursday over a two-week period and ends with an all-day hands-on workshop Saturday, November 18. See: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/SolarEnergy_Training.cfm For persons who are contemplating solar energy as a new career path, or for anyone who just wants to get a thorough grounding in this rapidly expanding field, this is an excellent opportunity to learn from a very experienced professional. Interested persons can call 718-289-5332, or email mail@csebcc.org

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Tips:

Al Gore and the Climate Project to Train 1,000 in Public Education about Climate Change

Beginning in the fall of 2006, Al Gore and a team of renowned climate change scientists and educators will train more than 1,000 individuals to give a version of his presentation on the effects of, and solutions for, global warming, to community groups throughout the U.S. The presentation and training program are based on the message Mr. Gore has been giving for more than two decades, which inspired the extraordinary documentary film and book, “An Inconvenient Truth.” The Climate Project is “Dedicated to research and community information programs that will spread the message of opportunity to solve the challenge of global warming.” For details on applying, see: https://www.theclimateproject.org/

Call for Abstracts: Energy and Environmental Sustainability

A major CUNY-wide conference will be held at The Graduate Center on December 8, 2006 to discuss the critical issues of energy and environmental sustainability. This conference recognizes CUNY's emerging role as a leader in addressing these issues. Particular emphasis will be placed on these issues as they affect the nation, New York State, and New York City, but all of these impacts will be discussed within the context of global concerns. These front page issues include: the impacts of rapidly rising global energy use and fossil fuel demand; the connection between fossil fuel-based energy production and potentially devastating climate change; and the social, political and economic effects of rapid urbanization and its influence on energy use.

The conference will address two major themes: 1) the cutting-edge scientific and engineering innovations that will lead to breakthroughs in alternative energy sources, energy efficiency, and increasing energy supply; and 2) the policy questions to be defined and resolved to bring these innovations forward to the wider society.

This "Call for Abstracts" invites CUNY faculty from all disciplines to submit abstracts of their current research/scholarship responsive to the themes of this conference. Faculty are particularly encouraged to submit abstracts that include students and/or staff as co-authors. Topics might include, but are not limited to, the following subjects:

1) Emerging technologies in energy production, storage, and distribution;
2) The hydrogen economy;
3) Solar energy conversion;
4) Hydrocarbon production via alternative technologies;
5) Gas hydrates;
6) Nuclear energy;
7) Global climate change and other environmental impacts of energy use;
8) Environmental justice and other social dimensions of energy use;
9) Energy economics and the design of effective incentives;
10) Energy efficient design and engineering;
11) Impacts on transportation;
12) Impacts on real estate and construction;
13) Domestic politics and public awareness;
14) Sustainable practices and energy efficiency opportunities at CUNY; and
15) Training needs, educational development, and technology transfer.

Please e-mail abstracts to Karen Belin in the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, ( karen.belin@mail.cuny.edu ) by October 1, 2006. The abstract should be no more than 250 words and should include three keywords. Please indicate the CUNY affiliation and status (e.g., faculty, staff, graduate student) of each author and indicate the lead author(s) with an asterisk. An individual faculty member may submit several abstracts related to conference themes. Abstracts with non-CUNY scholars will be accepted, but the CUNY affiliate should be the lead author. Abstracts will be reviewed by members of the conference planning committee and will be accepted for oral presentation or for presentation as a poster. Criteria for acceptance will be the strength of the abstract as reflected in the review comments and compatibility with the overall themes of the conference. Dr. Mike Seliger, CSE’s Dean-in-Charge, is a member of the conference planning committee.

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Recommended Viewing: “ Who Killed the Electric Car?”

“Who Killed the Electric Car?” traces the history of battery-powered motor vehicles and how one of the largest auto companies in the world managed to create what one General Motors employee called “the world's most efficient production vehicle.” By the year 2000 several thousand all-electric cars (such as Honda's EV Plus, G.M.'s EV1, Ford's Ranger pickup EV, Nissan's Altra EV, Chevy's S-10 EV, and Toyota's RAV4 EV) were produced by big car manufacturers, although most of them were available for lease only. Mysteriously, the major automakers' advanced all-electric production programs were discontinued by the early 2000s. Scores of people who leased the cars were denied their repeated requests to purchase them from the manufacturers. Come hear the director of this film, Christopher Paine, deliver the keynote address at the Center’s annual conference October 12 (see article above).

See: http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/ and also
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/223/electric-car-timeline.html

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Recommended Reading

Garbage Trucks: Progress in Switching to Clean Fuels

A recent study finds that the high-polluting refuse truck sector is slowly, but successfully, shifting from diesel to cleaner natural gas. This report on one of this country’s largest and most polluting vehicle sectors-- the refuse truck sector-- is now available in printed form. “Greening Garbage Trucks: Trends in Alternative Fuels Use, 2002-2005,” found strong growth in the use of alternative fuel refuse trucks in the US and internationally. Its findings were first released earlier this year by INFORM, the national environmental research organization, which sponsored the study. The report is now being made available by Joanna D. Underwood, Advisor on this project and Environmental and Energy Consultant. For further information, contact: Joanna D. Underwood at joannaunderwood@gmail.com or 212 254-5777.

“All About Green Machines,” Primer and Glossary on Fuel Efficient Cars

According to the Car Connection, “Fuel prices are hovering near record levels, while turmoil in the Middle East threatens to cut off supplies of petroleum. Meteorologists predict another year of record heat and high hurricane activity as some skeptics start to accept the threat of global warming.

It's no wonder American motorists have begun to think twice about the cars, trucks, and crossovers they buy. Wherever you turn these days, you hear people talking about hybrids, diesels, ethanol, and fuel-cell vehicles. But what exactly do these terms mean? Can they really reduce your fuel bills, trim back on imported oil, and lower harmful automotive emissions? Are any of these products are right for you? And are there any downsides?” Read the Primer and Glossary by Paul A. Eisenstein of theCarConnection.Com
See: http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Green_Machines/All_About_Green_Machines.S196.A10656.html

“Real MPG: Putting the Truth in Your Tank”

Here is the executive summary of this recently released report by the Environmental Working Group:

“The U.S. would have imported about 20 percent less foreign oil in 2005 if automakers met federal fuel efficiency or miles per gallon (MPG) standards based on real world driving conditions. That reduction is equivalent to more than 1.3 times the amount of oil imported from Saudi Arabia in 2005, or about two million barrels of oil per day. For consumers this translates into 33 billion gallons of gasoline saved that year.

Instead, over the past 20 years, car company lobbyists and their friends in Congress have dramatically increased US dependence on foreign oil by prohibiting the EPA from requiring MPG tests that reflect how people actually drive.

In the car company test for compliance with corporate MPG requirements, cars never exceed 60 miles per hour, never have the air conditioning on, never go up hills, never accelerate rapidly and always drive in perfect weather. According to several EPA analyses, these test results exaggerate real world MPG by about 25 percent for city driving and 30 percent on the highway.”

See: http://www.ewg.org/reports/realMPG/index.php

“Making Sense of the Coal Rush: The Consequences of Expanding America’s Dependence on Coal”

The executive summary of a recently released report by the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group is bad news for those who believe that arresting climate change means serious cuts in atmospheric CO2 emissions:

“Energy companies have proposed building a fleet of new coal-fired power plants across America. As of June 2006, power producers have approximately 150 new coal-fired plants on the drawing board, representing a $137 billion investment and the capacity to supply power to 96 million homes.

If energy companies succeed in building even a fraction of these new power plants, it would have major impacts on America’s environment and economy. Further, this ‘coal rush’ would consume investment dollars that could otherwise promote more sustainable energy sources.”

See: http://njpirg.org/NJ.asp?id2=25570&id3=NJ&id4=HP

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Kudos:

To Jeff Perlman of Bright Power, Inc., who was featured on “Marketplace Money” on National Public Radio for a profile “A Day in the Work Life” -- a look at how folks trade their time for money, going green with an energy consultant about “Greening A Block” in Manhattan Community Board No 3. See: http://marketplacemoney.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/09/08/day_in_the_work_life_energy_saver/

To Sam Marks , Director of Housing Development, The Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDCO), for his letter in the New York Times, “Green' Housing Isn't Just for the Rich,” published August 20, in response to the Times’ article on green buildings, “It's Getting Easier to Be Green,” on Aug. 13. Sam wrote that “Nonprofit developers of affordable rentals are reducing fuel usage by up to 40 percent in new buildings with a modest upfront investment (as low as 2 percent of construction costs). These upgrades reduce costs for low-income residents, who arguably are most in need of relief from rising utility prices. We intend to demonstrate that if we can build green, anyone can.”

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EVENTS OF INTEREST IN THE AREA: 

Monday, September 18, 2006, 9 AM to 4:30 PM, New Brunswick, NJ

The annual New Jersey Clean Energy Conference, “Getting ahead of the energy curve,” showcases information and real world examples about energy, the energy market, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Sponsored by the NJ Board of Public Utilities. See: http://www.njcleanenergy.com/conference/

Tuesday, September 19, 2006, 5:30 PM, Bronx, NY

Reception & Tour for New York City's First Demonstration Green Roof on a City-Owned Building, hosted by Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, and the Bronx Initiative on Energy and the Environment. Bronx County Building, 851 Grand Concourse. RSVP 718-590-7159.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006, 5:30 PM to 8 PM, New York, NY

Building Performance: Emerging Tools for Enhanced Operations, Association of Energy Engineers New York Chapter, at the Cornell Cooperative Extension, 16 East 34th Street, 8th floor, $15 for chapter members, $20 for non-members. See: www.aeeny.org

Wednesday, September 20, 2006, 11 AM, Bronx, NY

Clean Energy, Hallahan Truck Sales, and the Center for Sustainable Energy at Bronx Community College Cordially Invite You to Attend The Premier of the “Clean Air” Solution for Trash Collection in New York City: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Trash Trucks. Learn how heavy duty diesel powered trucks can be made to run more cleanly with natural gas. Press conference & reception. See: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/events.cfm?page=161

Monday, September 25 & Tuesday, September 26, 2006, Syracuse, NY

6th Annual Empire Energy & Environmental Exposition hosted by the Environmental Business Association of New York State, Inc. Oncenter Complex, 800 South State Street. See:

http://www.e4ny.com/program.html

Saturday, October 7, 2006, 10 AM to 4 PM, selected locations

Green Buildings Open House sponsored by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association

http://www.nesea.org/buildings/openhouse/

Thursday, October 12, 2006, Bronx, NY, 9 AM to 4PM

"Road to Energy Independence: New York City’s Alternative Transportation Future" conference and exposition at Bronx Community College's historic Gould Memorial Library and Auditorium: keynote; speakers; luncheon; vehicle exposition; awards ceremony. Call 718-289-5332, see details above, and: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/events.cfm?page=159

Wednesday, October 25, 2006, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Melville, NY

Greater Long Island Clean Cities Coalition's 10th annual Advancing the Choice: A Decade of Making a Difference Conference. Advancing the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Choices. Call 631-969-3700 or email aadler@lift.org

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The Center for Sustainable Energy, established in 2003 at Bronx Community College, City University of New York, was initially funded with a Congressional appropriation sponsored by The Honorable Jośe E. Serrano, and administered through the U.S. Department of Energy.

The mission of the Center is to promote the use of renewable and efficient energy technologies in urban communities through education, training, workforce development, research, and project facilitation. The Center supports clean energy development and energy conservation as the means to protect the environment, enhance public health, and position New York City to capture emerging economic development opportunities in the energy sector.

Tax deductible contributions to the Center may be sent to the address below. Checks should be made payable to “ Bronx Community College Foundation/ Center for Sustainable Energy.”

Center for Sustainable Energy
Bronx Community College , CUNY
Hall of Fame Terrace, GML 102
Bronx , NY10453

Call the Center at: 718-289-5332
Email the Center at: mail@csebcc.org
Visit the Center website at: http://www.csebcc.org

For links to past newsletters of the Center, see: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/News_Publications.cfm

West 181st. Street & University Ave., GML-104 Bronx, New York 10453