What Will It Take to Get EVs on the Road (Really)

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:00:13 GMT

Solving the chicken or egg dilemma for electric vehicles. Image credit:Photobucket,Goodstuff1852 Electric cars have the potential to improve our energy system, resuscitate the automobile industry, and dramatically reduce America's oil use. At least, that's the goal. President Obama has called for one million plug-in vehicles on the road by 2015. One million! Sounds huge, right? Well, not exactly. That's less than one-half of one percent of the entire U.S. fleet--a pretty modest market share. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Nuclear Power: Climate Fix or Folly?

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:40:26 GMT

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons Can nuclear-generated electricity lead us off fossil fuels? After years of sitting in the energy dustbin, nuclear power is enjoying a renaissance. Countries such as France, Japan and China are furiously building nuclear plants to deliver cheap electricity and help combat climate change. Yet in the U.S. nuclear power carries a great deal of baggage: safely storing spent fuel, preventing catastrophic accidents like the one that occurred at Chernobyl in 1986, and combating proliferation. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

"Payback" Dilemma Holds Back Campus Climate Initiatives

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:26:37 GMT

LEED gold certified Lory Student Center, Colorado State University (Photo: Michael Kinsley) Rocky Mountain Institute is in the final stages of developing "Accelerating Campus Climate Initiatives," an on-line book that will describe the many barriers that campus leaders confront in their efforts to reduce the greenhouse gases that result from campus operations. More important, the book will describe solutions to those barriers, which we found in our research, which included visiting twelve campuses (We posted about this research earlier here). One of our discoveries was that many campus sustainability directors are frustrated by what they regard as a double standard in campus budgeting: A climate-mitigation project, such as energy-efficient building design, is subject to strict payback requirements. That is, in a certain period of time, it must pay back capital costs with savings it achieves in operations costs. But other projects competing for budget money are considered with no reference to payback.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Day After Zipcar Makes a Profit - Part II

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:15:17 GMT

ZipCar has used a variety of innovative advertising techniques for a new market (Image Via PSFK.com) The day after ZipCar turns a profit will find us asking some big questions about the potential split between smart growth, the next generation of electric vehicles - and the possibility of a completely different path. As I pointed out in my last post, car sharing has become a serious force in mobility - and with ZipCar going public in 2010, we might change how we think about getting from A to B.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Day After ZipCar Makes a Profit - Part I

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:30:00 GMT

What are the implications of the world's largest car sharing company rolling into the black? Image credit:Convertible Mini, Zipcar In the year 1 A.Z.P. (After Zipcar Profits) the biggest counterpoint against proponents of car sharing will dissipate and we may have to rethink its meaning entirely. Until the present, car sharing has been discussed in terms of being a boutique car rentalship model instead of the mobility revolution it actually represents, because when Zipcar finally turns a profit, end-use questions will start to bubble to the surface including, "Do we want a car or mobility?" Or, "Do we want more efficient electric cars or more transit-oriented development?"...Or, "Is it not an either/or question at all anymore?" ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Towards Carbon-Neutral College Campuses

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:10:27 GMT

Participant Yale University is taking significant steps towards carbon-neutral buildings. Photo by Michael Kinsley. "Can you name a college that was not founded to exist into perpetuity?" David Shi, President of Furman University, asks the room rhetorically. "Sustainability is the most precious endowment," he says, explaining his reasons for participating in RMI's June workshop on campus climate initiatives - a follow up to research mentioned previously.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Rail Versus Trucking: Who's The Greenest Freight Carrier?

Wed, 20 May 2009 09:44:47 GMT

Our last two posts on improving trucking efficiency (see here and here) received quite a bit of push-back from the TreeHugger audience. While some comments were tempered, others were more blunt, "There is nothing green about trucks," you said. And, "Get freight back on the rails where it belongs." At RMI we agree that any serious freight strategy needs to have a big picture, integrative perspective that includes smart land-use and development as well as efficient rail, truck, and shipping transport.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

14 Things You Probably Never Considered About Making Trucks More Efficient

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:27:30 GMT

Denver, CO, RMI's Transformational Trucking Charrette: After three days' discussion by trucking suppliers, OEMs, drivers, and industry experts, the technological potential for drastic trucking efficiency gains-as well as the complexity of the barriers preventing their adoption-has never been clearer. We've created a list of some essential and perhaps counterintuitive facts on advancing heavy-duty trucking efficiency. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

17 Federal Policy Initiatives Could Save 50 Percent Of U.S. GHG emissions In 10 years

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:26:45 GMT

With all the hype surrounding the recently unveiled American Clean Energy and Security Act, it seems appropriate to reflect upon the policy framework Amory Lovins and his colleagues at the Rocky Mountain Institute put together a few months ago. Based on rigorous analysis and modeling, Rocky Mountain Institute found the following 17 policy aims, if adopted, could reduce U.S. oil use and greenhouse gas emissions each by 50 percent in 10 years, while creating over three million jobs in the next four years, and rapidly generating economic benefit for the nation. See the 17 recommendations below: ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Transformational Trucking, How The Trucking Industry Can Avoid The Automotive Industry's Fate

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:12:59 GMT

The volatility of fuel costs and the reeling economy have taken their toll on the long-haul, heavy-duty trucking industry, though their tribulations have received less attention than those of the auto sector. More than 2500 owner operator trucking companies--self-employed commercial truck drivers or small businesses--went bankrupt in 2008. And in late February 2009, Transport Topics reported that Class 8 tractor sales hit a 17-year low in sales. Heavy-duty, long-haul trucks' smokestacks emit 6 percent of the United States' carbon dioxide per year, so with carbon regulations becoming all but certain in the next year or two, some serious changes will have to be made. It's safe to say the industry is at a critical juncture. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ready, Set, Go! Paving the Way for Plug-In Vehicles

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:24:27 GMT

Image credit:RMI President Obama has set the goal of adding one million plug-in vehicles to the country's fleet by 2015. And while the recently passed stimulus bill, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, contained some very generous incentives for plug-in vehicles, much work remains to be done. One million is one half of a percent of the fleet-a good start, but a small start. How do we make sure the first million are a screaming success, and that we accelerate to 10 million, and 100 million soon?... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Quantifying Energy Efficiency's Potential In Developed And Developing Countries

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:43:15 GMT

Image credit:iStock. Policy makers and business owners alike have promoted efficiency investments as a way to generate high returns while saving energy. Anecdotal evidence presents a convincing case. Between 1991 and 2006 DuPont saved $3 billion by reducing its emissions 80 percent. The company cites efficiency gains in manufacturing, building, lighting, and air compression, as the source of their revenue. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Economic Stimulus! Sometimes What We're Looking For is Right Under Our Nose.

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:20:18 GMT

The Equitable Building, Denver, CO is currently undergoing significant energy retrofit including window rehab, lighting, controls, HVAC, and infiltration reduction. Image credit: St. Charles Town Co. By Elaine Gallagher Adams, RMI Economic stimulus? Have I got a deal for you! With over 300 billion square feet of existing built space in the United States alone, we have an astounding opportunity for transformational sustainability while leading the world in building technology, creating millions of jobs and profitable financial investments, and revitalizing communities. Retrofitting existing buildings provides the most profound, yet most under-appreciated, strategy for reducing resource consumption and increasing wealth ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Green Room With A View: Denali's Cutting-edge, Off-Grid Visitors Center

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:11:14 GMT

Sixty miles down a dirt road in the Alaskan Wilderness, sits a cutting-edge green building nestled in the mountains. An educational landmark for visitors and a starting point and shelter for backcountry hikers, the LEED platinum Eielson Center in Alaska's Denali National Park sports some of the greenest features yet produced by federal funds. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Drawing The Water And Energy Connection

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:00:07 GMT

In the necessary flurry to reduce carbon emissions, water issues are arguably taking a back seat. Scarcity and quality of water present cause for concern, but saving water doesn't seem to excite like saving energy does. Consider what must happen for water to reach your sink. First, it must be extracted, lifted, and pumped. Then it is treated and pressurized for distribution. Once water reaches the vicinity of your house, further energy is used to circulate, heat, and cool it. Then as water slips down the drain, it is collected and treated by a wastewater system, and the process starts over again. In states that desalinate or transport water over long distances and heights, energy consumption is even greater. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Plug-In Hybrids Address The OTHER Energy Security Issue: The Grid

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:41:57 GMT

In early 1981, Salvadoran Civil War guerillas bombed a power plant and blacked out San Salvador. A few months later, guerillas targeted a dam that provided half of El Salvador's electricity. By November, a third of this small, Central American nation had seen its electricity knocked out. All told, in only four months, Salvadoran guerillas attacked that country's electric grid more than 150 times, blacking out some cities for as long as seven weeks.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Climate Strategy: Every Dollar Counts

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:13:07 GMT

While some believe we shouldn't act at all because the price will be too high, other research suggests inaction would be far more costly. But both sides of this debate are wrong if we choose the best buys first, because then the cost of climate protection will be negative -- not a cost but a profit.

Investing in energy efficiency -- energy-saving buildings and appliances, lighter cars, smarter industrial processes, and cogeneration, for example -- can actually generate profit and create jobs, simply because it's cheaper to save energy than to buy it.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Gustav Highlights Energy Vulnerabilities

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:46:22 GMT

Though less fierce than expected, Hurricane Gustav highlighted once again the vulnerabilities presented by our centralized energy systems.

Within the Gulf of Mexico, 98 percent of the oil and natural gas production facilities were shut down, ahead of the storm. More than 10 refineries were also closed, while numerous others were running at a reduced rate. Combined, this halted at least 18 percent of the U.S. capacity to turn crude oil into gasoline and other petroleum products.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Doing Well by Doing Good: Why Patagonia Makes a Profit, Naturally

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:28:29 GMT

Corporate sustainability -- no longer just the latest collection of business buzzwords -- now is a required feature in the mission statement, annual report, and work-force makeup of many companies. In fact, corporate sustainability is becoming more and more important in the business community -- now, you can even track the performances of leading sustainable-driven companies via the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, while the Greenhouse Gas Protocol monitors and measures corporate greenhouse gas emissions.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Designing Radically Efficient and Profitable Data Centers

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:25:47 GMT

Do you ever wonder what keeps our e-mail servers, search engines, and Web applications like Facebook and Flickr running?

Data centers around the world are responsible for storing and processing the "petabytes" of information that power modern computing.

But what's supporting data centers?

Vast amounts of power.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Indiana Launches Ambitious Energy Plan

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:23:26 GMT

As debate over U.S. energy policy stalls on whether or not we should drill for more oil, it's heartening to see states taking the lead on real energy solutions.

And it's not just California anymore. From Texas's multi-billion dollar wind projects to Pennsylvania's rust-belt renewal, states across the country are realizing the many benefits of developing a green economy.

The latest state to join the fray: Indiana.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Profitable Climate Protection

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:47:22 GMT

Rocky Mountain Institute cofounder and Chief Scientist Amory Lovins has long argued that it's possible to protect the earth's climate at a profit. By taking an integrated approach to climate protection, he explained Tuesday night during a talk in Aspen, CO, we can find cost-effective solutions that generate more solutions -- not more problems:... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Rebuilding Green in the Wake of Disaster

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:50:06 GMT

The May 12th earthquake in Sichuan province, China was completely devastating. In some towns near the epicenter, 80 percent of structures were destroyed. With more than 5.5 million people left homeless and many more displaced, there is a huge urgency to create new living spaces and get people working again. Dramatic proposals for solutions to this huge challenge range from building entirely new cities in safer locations to relocating millions of refugees to other provinces.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Green Product Labeling: Is It Valid and Does It Matter?

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:31:15 GMT

You might think The Footprint Chronicles trace someone's journey through foreign lands or a hike in the forest. But these Chronicles refer to the ecological footprints of ten items made by outdoor clothing manufacturer Patagonia. As TreeHugger has reported, Patagonia is not alone in trying to convey to customers the environmental impact of its products. Timberland, PepsiCo and others are getting in the game. Regardless of their motives, the question is whether these calculations -- assuming they are scientifically valid -- actually influence consumer behavior and help to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing consumer goods.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Re-thinking the Variability of Wind and Solar Power

Fri, 30 May 2008 10:12:40 GMT

As utilities, investors, and researchers gear up for next week's WindPower 2008 conference in Houston, the nascent wind industry's potential is on many people's minds. Just how much of future electricity demand will wind be able to meet? And what will the industry need to get there? TreeHugger readers are probably already aware of a recent DOE study that projected wind supplying 20 percent of U.S. electricity by 2030. That's about as much electricity as nuclear power contributes to the U.S. mix today. But bringing that much wind online means overcoming many hurdles.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Beating the Energy Efficiency Paradox (Part II)

Thu, 15 May 2008 13:50:49 GMT

Energy efficiency seems to be proving its potential for making our American lifestyle less energy intensive and more sustainable. But is it the same case in the developing countries?

Around the world, more and more people are leading energy-intensive lifestyles, as cheap, efficient technologies bring modern conveniences within reach.

Take the introduction of a new, incredibly cheap, very efficient vehicle in India -- the Tata Nano. It costs only $2,500, and luckily it gets around 47 miles per gallon. In many ways, it is encouraging to see India setting the bar so high with such a fuel-efficient vehicle. But even with that standard, can the world really afford to see millions of similar, new vehicles on the road, with their twin threats of increased oil demand and greenhouse gas emissions?

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Beating the Energy Efficiency Paradox (Part I)

Thu, 01 May 2008 07:53:10 GMT

Photograph:- The Daybreak Residential/Commercial Community in South Jordan, Utah features Energy Star homes. Energy efficiency has been a consistent part of America's energy security policies and increasingly become an essential framework for abating carbon emissions. In fact, the federal government now offers several tax credits for everything from green home improvements to fuel cells. But the effectiveness of energy efficiency does not go undisputed. Skeptics such as the Energy Tribune's Robert Bryce point out that total energy use in the United States continues to rise, despite efficiency gains. Per capita, we're using more energy even as sales of hybrid cars increase and more green buildings get erected. The argument hinges on an economic theory called Jevons' Paradox.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Harvard Business Review Discusses Leadership and the Environment

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:51:20 GMT

Mainstream businesses are embracing sustainability initiatives. You probably knew that. But did you stop to consider the motives behind such initiatives? Look at the words of Michael Potts, chief executive officer of Rocky Mountain Institute, the self-described entrepreneurial, nonprofit organization focused on the efficient and restorative use of the world's natural resources:

Companies that are successful with sustainability initiatives are lead by executives who have a personal passion for these issues, leaders who lead with a moral imperative. And, sometimes these executives make decisions to do the right thing even when the payback alone does not justify them.

Potts was discussing companies that green their supply chains, and he was doing so on Harvard Business Review's Green blog, which bills itself as "A Discussion about Leadership and the Environment." Simple, huh? Nothing more than a run-of-the-mill conversation. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Introducing Rocky Mountain Institute's First Guest Post: - "Time For Plan B"

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:20:37 GMT

Imagining a future where the world's economy is based on renewable energy sources may sound far off. A world where population has stabilized, poverty doesn't exist, and we've begun to repair our damaged ecosystems even farther off. But for Lester Brown, president of the Earth Policy Institute, that's exactly the future we need to realize if we're going to save civilization. Last week, Brown outlined his plan for a group of business leaders, environmental activists, scientists, journalists, and policy experts, at the first-ever Aspen Environment Forum, a conference hosted by the Aspen Institute and National Geographic Magazine.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

TreeHugger Welcomes Guest Poster The Rocky Mountain Institute

Fri, 18 Jun 2004 17:18:12 GMT

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is a nonprofit organization that fosters the efficient and restorative use of resources so that companies, governments and organizations are more efficient, make more money, and do less harm to the environment. RMI is engaged in cutting-edge research on oil independence, renewable energy technologies, distributed energy, resource planning, green buildings, and radically efficient transportation. Our innovations have profoundly influenced the energy sector, helped corporations to change how they do business, and informed governments about key enabling policy reforms. RMI areas of expertise include: energy use and supply, buildings and land development, transportation, manufacturing, climate protection, and community economic development. RMI is a think and do tank. About half of its support comes from individual donors and foundation grants, whose donations fund our leading edge research projects and implementation. The other half comes from earned revenue--from consulting for corporations and governments to implement the research findings made possible by generous donors. Rebecca Cole, current guest writer, is the web content manager for Rocky Mountain Institute where she helps drive the direction, strategy and content for RMI's online presence. Prior to her position with RMI, Rebecca was the online editor for ColoradoBiz, a monthly business publication located in Denver. She took some time off between the two positions to participate in a fellowship program in Washington, D.C., where she worked in the Washington bureau of The Tribune Publishing Company, reporting on politics, energy, technology and the environment for their two flagship publications, The Los Angeles Times and The Chicago Tribune. Rebecca has a BA in communications from the University of Iowa and is working towards a master's degree in journalism at the University of Colorado at Boulder.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Recent Posts by TreeHugger's Rocky Mountain Institute

What Will It Take to Get EVs on the Road (Really)

Nuclear Power: Climate Fix or Folly?

"Payback" Dilemma Holds Back Campus Climate Initiatives

The Day After Zipcar Makes a Profit - Part II

The Day After ZipCar Makes a Profit - Part I

Towards Carbon-Neutral College Campuses

Rail Versus Trucking: Who's The Greenest Freight Carrier?

14 Things You Probably Never Considered About Making Trucks More Efficient

17 Federal Policy Initiatives Could Save 50 Percent Of U.S. GHG emissions In 10 years

Transformational Trucking, How The Trucking Industry Can Avoid The Automotive Industry's Fate

Ready, Set, Go! Paving the Way for Plug-In Vehicles

Quantifying Energy Efficiency's Potential In Developed And Developing Countries

Economic Stimulus! Sometimes What We're Looking For is Right Under Our Nose.

Green Room With A View: Denali's Cutting-edge, Off-Grid Visitors Center

Drawing The Water And Energy Connection

Plug-In Hybrids Address The OTHER Energy Security Issue: The Grid

Climate Strategy: Every Dollar Counts

Gustav Highlights Energy Vulnerabilities

Doing Well by Doing Good: Why Patagonia Makes a Profit, Naturally

Designing Radically Efficient and Profitable Data Centers

Indiana Launches Ambitious Energy Plan

Profitable Climate Protection

Rebuilding Green in the Wake of Disaster

Green Product Labeling: Is It Valid and Does It Matter?

Re-thinking the Variability of Wind and Solar Power

Beating the Energy Efficiency Paradox (Part II)

Beating the Energy Efficiency Paradox (Part I)

Harvard Business Review Discusses Leadership and the Environment

Introducing Rocky Mountain Institute's First Guest Post: - "Time For Plan B"

TreeHugger Welcomes Guest Poster The Rocky Mountain Institute