Top Stories
Air Quality in Hong Kong Seen as Possible
Liability.—reliability high.
"In a city where business leaders wield substantial political
influence, Mr. Fung's remarks were unusually outspoken. They reflected
a growing frustration here with the perpetually poor air quality — and
the commercial implications for a city that prides itself on being one
of Asia’s most forward-looking centers of international finance. ...
For Hong Kong, pollution is not just about poor visibility and canceled
school athletics. Many analysts and business people say the failure to
push ahead on controlling emissions also risks tarnishing Hong Kong's
precious — and deserved — reputation of being one of Asia's most
advanced cities." More about costs to HK companies and related
pollution issues. Story in The
New York Times.
What factors make a green building market?—reliability
high.
"New index marries real estate economics with green design metrics.
Why does one market tend to have more LEED Certified buildings than
another? What is the impact of vacancy rates, utility incentives, or
public policies on the feasibility and economics of "going green?” In
this new study, Cushman & Wakefield and NEEA’s BetterBricks
initiative have published the Green Building Opportunity Index - a
comprehensive ranking of the top 25 U.S. markets for green buildings.
Combining fundamental indicators from real estate sector with cultural,
policy, and technical aspects related to green buildings, the Index
highlights the ingredients necessary for a healthy green building
market." From BetterBricks
site. [San
Francisco tops the list; Detroit comes last.]
Companies,
Industries, Markets and Supply Chains
Kaiser Permanente Invests in Solar Power.—reliability
high.
"Recurrent Energy, a San Francisco solar power company, will install
solar power systems on 15 of Kaiser’s hospitals, offices and other
facilities across California by summer 2011, the two companies
said Tuesday. The installation represents 15 megawatts of energy, or 10
percent of the power Kaiser uses at these sites. It probably is
the biggest installation of solar power projects at any health care
system in the country, according to Kaiser Permanente. ... Recurrent
will own, operate and install the solar systems and sell back the power
to Kaiser through 20-year purchase agreements. Kaiser expects to pay
Recurrent $95.6 million, or the amount it would have paid for
power from the grid. Given volatile energy prices, Mr. Kouletsis
expects Kaiser will save money over the life of the agreement." From New
York Times Green Inc. blog.
2011 Nissan Leaf US pricing officially
announced: as low as $25,280*.—reliability medium.
"starting this December, Nissan dealerships in select U.S
markets will start selling the all-electric Leaf, the first
mass-produced, zero-emission vehicle, at a starting price of $32,780.
After $7,500 worth of federal tax credits, the price should drop to as
low as $25,280. There are several states offering additional tax
credits that could lower the cost of owning a Leaf even more – such as
a $5,000 statewide tax rebate in California, a $5,000 tax credit in
Georgia and a $1,500 tax credit in Oregon." Includes press release.
From Autoblog
Green. [In
California it might cost as little as $20,000! Nissan really wants to
make a splash with these low prices. Much cheaper than a Prius.]
And Think
announces all-electric City will be sold in New York.—reliability
medium.
"Later this year, Think will begin importing the all-electric City
vehicle from Finland to sell in the U.S. By early next year, the first
Citys made in the U.S. (in Elkhart, IN) will roll off the production
line. Those two pieces of information we've known for a while. What we
didn't know – until now – was where Think would start sales of the
City. One answer, it turns out, is New York City." Quote from Think:
"Bringing the THINK City to New York will play a positive role in
PlaNYC, the city's comprehensive sustainability plan that seeks to
reduce the City's greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent from 2005
level by 2030." Also from Autoblog
Green.
Top Water-Saving Rebates and Incentives for
Your Business.—reliability medium.
Post explores incentives available for water-conservation actions by
businesses. "Some rebates can cover half of the cost of water-saving
equipment, drastically shortening the time it will take to see a return
on your investment. After that, it's more free money as businesses see
those water savings go straight to their bottom lines." See GreenBiz
blog.
Greenpeace Takes Aim at Koch Industries.—reliability
high.
"Greenpeace has unveiled a new report highlighting Koch
Industries, one of the biggest industrial conglomerates you've probably
never heard of. ... But the Greenpeace report suggests that Koch has
also made a small industry of funding research and public relations
endeavors aimed at undermining the prevailing scientific view that
human-driven greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to a warming
planet — as well as financing opposition to the development of
clean-energy policy and technologies." According to Greenpeace "From
2005 to 2008, Exxon Mobil spent $8.9 million while the Koch
Industries-controlled foundations contributed $24.9 million in funding
to organizations of the 'climate denial machine.' " From The New
York Times Green Inc. blog.
[Crossposted from HaraBara.com courtesy of HaraBara, Inc. Copyright © 2010 HaraBara, Inc.]
