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Free Hybrid Parking Proposed

Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn wants to free hybrid vehicle drivers from fear of the city's parking enforcement officers by allowing hybrids to park at meters at no cost. "I think we want to do whatever we can to improve air quality in Los Angeles," said the mayor, adding that he hopes the plan encourages motorists to turn to hybrids. "I think it will be fun. People will realize they won't have to fish around for those quarters," he said. Hahn's proposed gift to hybrid drivers comes as the mayor prepares for a tough reelection battle against some seasoned opponents. Councilman Eric Garcetti's office said the councilman, who zips around in an electric car, will introduce a motion this morning asking the council to order the city's Department of Transportation to waive the fees for six months, starting Sept. 1. The city already offers free parking for electric and natural gas cars and trucks. Vehicles that can park for free would still have to abide by posted time limits. Hybrid drivers welcomed the proposed break. "I would love that," said Jerry Burnham, an Atwater Village resident who drives a Toyota Prius. Hybrid vehicles use both gas and electric power. […]

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PTC Extension Waits for House-Senate Conference

Three weeks after the House passed the corporate tax bill (H.R. 4520) containing an extension of the wind energy production tax credit (PTC) and seven weeks after the Senate passed a similar bill (S. 1637), Congress has yet to start up the next stage of the process, called the conference committee. In the conference committee process, select members of the House and Senate negotiate differences between competing versions of legislation to arrive at one bill that must be passed again by both houses. There is never a fixed schedule for the beginning or end of a conference committee. The first step in the process is to name conferees. At the moment, neither the House nor the Senate has yet named members to serve as conferees on the corporate tax bill. The delay in naming conferees stems from behind-closed-door negotiations between Republican and Democratic Congressional leaders over the ground rules for how the conference will progress. All year long Democrats have complained that they have been excluded from playing a decision-making role during crucial conferences on numerous bills. Earlier this week, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (RIowa) said that even if conferees were named this week, July would not offer […]

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Washington Good Guys Start Nation's First Retail TV Recycling

SEATTLE, Washington, July 12, 2004 (ENS) – Federal, state and local agencies, six electronics companies and Good Guys are partnering in the nation's first month-long television recycling program, the partners announced on Thursday. Through August 7, area residents can bring their old televisions to Good Guys stores in Bellevue, Tukwila, Lynnwood and Puyallup for recycling. People who bring in their old TVs will pay a $10 recycling fee, $25 for consoles. Recycling televisions through current local government and business programs costs up to $50 per unit. Consumers who recycle their televisions will receive a 10 percent discount on the purchase of any television sold by participating manufacturers – JVC, Phillips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp and Sony. The program is made possible by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, King County, Snohomish County, Pierce County, the City of Seattle, and the City of Tacoma, Good Guys and the participating electronics manufacturers. Northwest Washington residents will generate more than one million units of obsolete electronics in 2005, including 463,000 televisions. Televisions contain hazardous materials like lead, cadmium and mercury, which can contaminate air, land and water if not properly disposed. Recycling televisions also reclaims valuable resources like copper and lead for reuse reducing the […]

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Democratics Plan to Hold Green Convention

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and Boston 2004, Inc., the host committee for the 2004 Democratic National Convention, announced their plans to make the Democratic National Convention the greenest political convention in American history. To reach this goal, the DNCC and Boston 2004, Inc., have worked extensively with the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Conventions (CERC), and have collaborated with other organizations to design a multi-faceted plan to ensure an environmentally friendly Convention. Said Bruce Hamilton, National Conservation Director for the Sierra Club, "Democrats have regularly promoted renewable energy, recycling, mass transportation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is encouraging to see a major national convention that reflects these environmental values." Convention organizers have launched the following environmental initiatives: * organizers will purchase Green Tags in the amount of the energy needed to supply energy for the convention. * Fuel Cell Energy Inc (Nasdaq: FCEL) will supply a 250-kilowatt fuel cell power plant which will provide power for events at the FleetCenter. The unit can supply enough power to provide the base load electricity requirements of a 300-room hotel, will directly convert natural gas, supplied by Keyspan Energy, through a patented internal reforming process into the hydrogen needed to electrochemically […]

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High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2004 Introduced in Congress

U.S. Sens. Jim Jeffords, I - Vt., and Frank Lautenberg, D - NJ, today introduced legislation to promote the development and construction of environmentally friendly federal buildings and schools. The "High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2004," authorizes $35 million over five years to support federal buildings and schools that are designed and operated to boost environmental, economic, health and productivity performance above that of conventional buildings. Jeffords, the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee said, "Green buildings are an environmental investment in our future. This legislation promotes buildings that incorporate energy efficiency, waste reduction and other efficient design features. Green buildings improve the health of their occupants, protect our natural resources, and in the long-run can save our nation billions of dollars in energy and other costs. It's time for the federal government to catch up to the private sector and work together to reap the many benefits of high-performance buildings." Lautenberg said, "Since people, on average, spend 90% of their time indoors, we must encourage the proliferation of 'green buildings' to make those hours healthier. We will do a lot through our legislation to improve the indoor air quality and safety of school buildings, while […]

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