Month: February 2009

Eco-onomy/cology Movement

February 20, 2009 / Suzanne Maxx / 0 Comments

Leadership “Yes, WE Can…”
We , humanity are at a cross roads, and now the many plans emerging from The environmental movement in the USA are finally being considered, and taken seriously by our new President of the USA, Barack Obama. Hard to believe it was just one month ago today that he was sworn into office as the 44th President of the USA.

The first monday morning President Obama’s first full work week in office, he took a stand for renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal), green jobs, plug in electric vehicles (PEV’s) and was able to communicate the integrated correlation between where we are environmentally, with where we are in the global ECOmony. He signed docs before the press, and started his week with action. He froze all policies pending from the past administration.

After President’s Day, less than one month in office, President Obama made the largest investment in clean energy and green jobs in our history of the USA with his signature on the previously reviewed 787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is now legislature..

Thank you to all at World Team Now who believe these issues around energy and transformation are important. We are benefiting from your time, energy, and money with our actions and events. Our example is heard at a level where change can begin, with small actions like our net metering project, and larger ones now in government with policy. If governments can change why can’t we the people of the world unite together and work together for change?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan offesr possibilities for our alternative and renewable energies to emerge into mainstream, with programs to support change and inspire innovation now.

Closely tied in content to the stimulus package, for economic recovery and environmental transformation, is the RETECH event. Towards the bottom of the page along with UN’s NGO Committee, and the The U.S. Green Building Council, World Team Now joins this prestigious team of “Supporting Partners” for RETECH. This is the one of the 1st major US conference’s and convention following the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. ACORE’s RETECH in Las Vegas, Nevada teases out many of the core topics we at World Team Now are focused on in energy, with not only solar thermal farms, and nano-technology, but also tidal; and wave. This is a chance to learn more about net metering, the smart grid, EV’s, LED lighting and more through a large fun event, that seeks solutions form being on. This is the place to be on the cutting edge of renewable energy and technology, which may translate to “green” for you, in many ways. Join in this coming week February 25th-27th in Las Vegas.

Stimulus for Transformation?

February 14, 2009 / Suzanne Maxx / 0 Comments

What do you love for Valentine’s Day? How about a possibility for the USA to move towards transformation? It is hard to believe we may see some governmental support for Alternative and Renewable Energy & Technology: Green Building, Solar, Wind, Plug in Electric Vehicles, a Smart Grid, the fact that these are finally being recognized is a demonstration of love of our earth and humanity, consciousness growing– on Valentine’s Day in the USA. Here is what appears to be in the box of candy, but one never knows when you bite into it, what is on the inside….

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan (H.R.1), passed by Congress today is expected to be forwarded, and signed into law shortly.

Highlights from the Stimulus Package are:

Renewable Energy Incentives

$20 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency over 10 years, including: extending tax credits for energy produced from wind, geothermal, hydropower and landfill gas; (This is very exciting!)
grants to build renewable energy facilities ;(hope many can benefit, this is great especially if policy comes into play to inspire people towards transformation)
tax credits for purchases of energy-efficient furnaces, windows and doors, or insulation;(NYSERDA co-generation, heat coolant geothermal?)
tax credit for families that purchase plug-in hybrid vehicles (finally incentives, the Electric Vehicle will indeed be resurrected, and with better batteries: A123 )

Energy
About $50 billion for energy programs, focused chiefly on efficiency and renewable energy, (ok, this gets us going!) including
$5 billion to weatherize modest-income homes;
$6.4 billion to clean up nuclear weapons production sites; (this merits further discussion later)
$11 billion toward a so-called “smart electricity grid” —Yes, it is so anitquated our Grid, it’s time to reduce waste;
$13.9 billion to subsidize loans for renewable energy projects (Elation! World Team -Dream to Reality);
$6.3 billion in state energy efficiency and clean energy grants(NYSERDA’s deserves support for their programs)
$4.5 billion make federal buildings more energy efficient (“Got to be the change ….”)

Elated about most of this but, we will discuss the nuclear waste issue when we are not in a mode of gratitude…

Science
$3 billion for the National Science Foundation for basic science and engineering research; (Yes, hopefully explore the ocean and more with Tidal Energy)
$1 billion for NASA;
$1.6 billion research in areas such as climate science, biofuels, high-energy physics and nuclear physics. .

Infrastructure
$46 billion for transportation projects, including $27 billion for highway and bridge construction and repair;
$8.4 billion for mass transit;
$8 billion for construction of high-speed railways and $1.3 billion for Amtrak;
$4.6 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers;
$4 billion for public housing improvements;
$6.4 billion for clean and drinking water projects;
$7 billion to bring broadband Internet service to underserved areas.

Expanded college credit
About $13 billion to provide a $2,500 expanded tax credit for college tuition and related expenses for 2009 and 2010. The credit is phased out for couples making more than $160,000.

It will be interesting to see what legislation actually goes into effect and becomes solid. We focused on the legislation that aligned with the core competencies of the work we have been focused on developing with World Team for almost two decades. The other issues are significant as well but, and like cells of our body all contribute to the whole of this will become emergent.

Solar Energy: Here Comes the Sun

February 5, 2009 / Suzanne Maxx / 0 Comments

Our path for World Team Now is to create change, show it through the journey of teams of people, as they take on environmental and social projects.

Our pilot World Team project is the Malibu Solar Roof on “The Sunset Restaurant,” in 2009. Team World Corps'(“World Team Now’s”) first gala dinner event was held in December 2, 2007 at The Sunset. To learn more about the event and the Sunset Restaurant, click here:

http://worldteamnow.org/events/twcgala.html

Policy & Politics: Shining the Light on Solar Energy

A good for beginning real change in politics is to know that Congress passed an 8-Year Extension of Solar Investment Tax Credit

This historic legislation extends the 30-percent federal investment tax credit for both residential and commercial solar installations for 8 more years.

This legislation will:

Extend for 8 years the 30-percent tax credit for both residential and commercial solar installations;

Eliminate the $2,000 monetary cap for residential solar electric installations, creating a true 30-percent credit;

Eliminate the prohibition on utilities from benefiting from the credit;

Allow Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) filers, both businesses and families, to take the credit; and

Authorize $800 million for clean energy bonds for renewable energy generating facilities, including solar.

The energy presented with the Inauguration of President Obama is historical and represents the best of what can be united within us: unity within the possibility of freedom, and change for ALL.

Energy Grid: The Net Meter

February 5, 2009 / Suzanne Maxx / 0 Comments

World Team Now (WTN)

1. World Team Now: Education the Public about Net Metering

World Team Now is big on educating the public about the advantages of the Net Meter, with projects that lead communities with individual examples of Net Metering. In addition to our Net Metering initiative in Lake Placid at Betty Eldridge’s home, please double click below to see what World Team Now did this past year:

http://www.worldteamnow.org/events/netmetering.html

http://www.worldteamnow.org/events/nycskaters.html

This link plays Video automatically, but you must click double click on the words “Press Release” to open and read the press releases:

http://www.worldteamnow.org/press.html

Will you consider helping us to do more? We are looking for more volunteers for the developing educational programs, and for “T.E.A.M. donations, with whatever you choose to give, “Time, Energy, and Money. Please go to our site and double click on the boxes that say “Join Us” or “Donate Now” –it takes a team;

http://worldteamnow.org

Energy–Net Metering:

Do you know what Net Metering is, and how it could affect your future? What if instead of paying your monthly utility bill, you got a credit? Learn the basics of “Net Metering,” from expert Bob Bellman and find out what true energy independence really means:

http://worldteamnow.org/news/net_metering.html

New York– Net Metering:

The Net Metering Bills passed State of New York Legislature this past year for both residential and commercial users. New York State’s Secretary Deputy of Energy, Paul DeCotis from Governor Patterson’s Office, helped World Team Now move forward with not only Net Metering information but also our upcoming building projects in New York City with introductions. Jim Gallagher of Mayor Bloomberg’s Economic Development Council (EDC) was one; he spoke about Net Metering in this piece released by Con ED:

http://www.coned.com/newsroom/news/pr20090128.asp

Jim and his team at EDC met with World Team Now’s Founder/President, Suzanne Maxx, and Board member, Albert Boulanger of Columbia’s CCLS (also working on a Con Ed project), and they explored ways to work together…

4. California– Net Metering

It’s happening now! We all want specific measurable results, and the key to your renewable energy system is indeed: the meter:

Solar Metering & Performance Monitoring
San Diego CA * February 3-5 2009

http://www.solarelectricpower.org/index.php?page=

The third annual Solar Metering & Performance Monitoring (SMPM) Expo is held in conjunction with DistribuTECH 2009. SMPM 2009, presented by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), is designed to bring together utilities, technology vendors, and solar installers re: meters, inverters, monitoring equipment, services, the smart grid, and understanding photovoltaic performance measures.

Eco-onomy/cology Movement

Stimulus for Transformation?

Solar Energy: Here Comes the Sun

Energy Grid: The Net Meter

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