Thursday, April 29, 2010

May at the Technical Society of Knoxville

Some of the presentation topics at the Technical Society of Knoxville’s May luncheons will deal with issues the Task Force is currently working on:

May 3: Gary Gilmartin, CROET, will speak on the “An Update on the East Tennessee Technology Corridor”.

May 10: John Halliwell, EPRI, will speak on the “Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles”

May 17: Mike Ingram, TVA Chattanooga, will speak on the “Smart Grid”

May 24: William Fulkerson: Institute for Secure and Stainable Environment


NOTE:

CROET is the “Community Reuse Organization of East Tennessee”
EPRI is the “Electric Power Research Institute”

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Energy & Sustainability Work Group Meeting Schedule Update

1.) Community Involvement Work Group:

• Wednesday, March 24, 9:00 AM, KCDC Conference Room (1st Floor)
• Next Meeting: To Be Scheduled with Group


2.) Energy Work Group:
• Wednesday, April 21, 11:00 AM, Room 549 of the City County Building
• Next Meeting: To Be Scheduled with Group

3.) Goods & Services Work Group Main:

• Monday, March 15, 2010, 2:00 PM, Room 662 of the City County Building (Finance Conference Room)

• Monday, April 19, 2010, 2:00 PM, Room 662 of the City County Building (Finance Conference Room)

• Next Meeting: To Be Scheduled with Group

3a.) Purchasing Subgroup:

• Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 11 AM, Room 549 of the City County Building.
• Next Meeting: To Be Scheduled with Group

3b.) Sustainable & Edible Landscapes Subgroup:

• Thursday, April 8, 2010, 2:00 PM in room 309 of the City County Building (3rd floor, Parks and Recreation conference room).
• Wednesday, April 28th, 2:00 PM in room 309 of the City County Building (3rd floor, Parks and Recreation conference room).

3c.) Waste Reduction & Recycling Subgroup:

• Monday, April 12, 2010, 1:30 PM at the CAC Offices, Conference Room B.
• Next Meeting: May 12th at 2:30 PM at the CAC Office, Conference Room B.

4.) Infrastructure Work Group:

• Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 11 AM, Room 584 of the City County Building
• Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 5th at 3:00 PM in Room 584 of the City County Building


5.) Sustainable Growth (1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month):

• Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 12:00 -1:30 PM, Room 584 of the City County Building
• Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 12:00 PM in room 549 of the City County Building (the large conference room to the right of the elevators on the 5th floor).
• Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 12:00 PM in room 584 of the City County Building.
• Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 4th, 12:00 - 1:30 PM in Room 549 of the City County Building


6.) Transportation Work Group:

• Friday, April 9, 2010, 10:00 AM in the MPC conference room, 4th floor of the City County Building
• Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 3:00 PM in the MPC conference room, 4th floor of the City County Building

Monday, April 26, 2010

Knoxville - Solar America City continues to expand green job skill set

Efficient Energy of Tennessee Mike Butler and Jason Maclsaac become two of the four NABCEP Solar PV installers in the Solar America City, Knoxville Tennessee.

Efficient Energy of Tennessee employees, Mike Butler / HERS Rater & Energy Efficiency Specialist, and Jason Maclsaac / Solar Design & Installation Specialist, were notified Earth Day April 22, 2010 that they passed the NABCEP Solar PV installer test. Mike and Jason are now part of an elite group of Knoxville professionals with the demonstrated and certified technical knowledge and field experience to install solar PV systems safely and efficiently. Congratulations to these two for their hard work and dedication to the solar energy industry in Knoxville!

Knoxville's two other NABCEP Certified Installers are Ed Zubko of Green Earth Solar and David Bolt of Sustainable Future.

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a volunteer board of renewable energy stakeholder representatives that include representatives of the solar industry, NABCEP certificants, renewable energy organizations, state policy makers, educational institutions, and the trades.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Nissan Leaf Reservation Information

NISSAN LEAF RESERVATIONS BEGIN APRIL 20

- Pool of 115,000 registrants gains first priority -

April 19, 2010 – In response to strong consumer demand, Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) will begin taking reservations for the Nissan LEAF zero-emission, all-electric vehicle on April 20. The reservation process is a first step in securing a place on the list to purchase or lease a Nissan LEAF. The Nissan LEAF begins rolling out to select markets in December, and will be widely available in 2011.

In the United States, more than 115,000 people have formalized their interest in driving a Nissan LEAF by signing up for more information on NissanUSA.com. These registrants will be given priority in the reservation process. Consumers must be registered on NissanUSA.com by the end of today in order to be eligible for the early reservation process.

Reservations will open to the general public on May 15. “Early interest in the Nissan LEAF has been highly encouraging,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, sales & marketing, NNA. “People from across the country have raised their hands to be among the first to drive home a Nissan LEAF. Consumers are pledging broad support for the first affordable electric vehicle for the mass market.”

RESERVATIONS
• Priority reservation instructions will be sent to early registrants by email between 1-6 pm EDT on April 20. The email will include an exclusive link enabling each person to start the reservation process.
• Through the link, the customer will create an account, configure his or her vehicle, and answer questions to complete a driving profile.
• Consumers will be asked to pay by credit card a $99 reservation fee, which is fully
refundable.
• After placing a reservation, a customer will be able to indicate a preferred dealer.
• Consumers who reserve a Nissan LEAF will receive confirmation numbers. Nissan will
provide individual updates for their reservations by June 30.
• Reservations are limited to one per household.
• Consumer inquiries about the reservation process can be answered at the Nissan LEAF call center, 1-877-664-2738.

April 20 also marks the date for the debut of a new website on NissanUSA.com to support the launch of the Nissan LEAF. The website will continue to serve as a resource about the most up-to-date information for the Nissan LEAF, including upcoming special events.

Including the $7,500 federal tax credit for which the Nissan LEAF will be fully eligible, the consumer’s after-tax net value of the vehicle will be $25,280. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price *(MSRP) for the 2011 all-electric, zero-emission Nissan LEAF is $32,780.

Additionally, there is an array of state and local incentives that may further defray the costs, and increase the benefits, for owning and charging a Nissan LEAF. For example, a $5,000 statewide tax rebate is offered in California; a $5,000 tax credit in Georgia; a $1,500 tax credit in Oregon; and car-pool lane access in some states, including California. The lease price for the Nissan LEAF begins at $349 per month.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com.

MSRP excludes applicable tax, title and license fees. Dealer sets actual price. Prices and specs are subject to change without notice.

Contact:
Katherine Zachary
Nissan North America
Tel: 615-725-1447
www.nissannews.com

Knoxville Knox County Food Policy Council

Meeting Notice:

The Knoxville Knox County Food Policy Council's focus for this year is community gardens, and they are holding a public meeting on April 27, 6:30pm at Tribe One on Magnolia Ave. All are welcome to attend!

March Commuter Awards

Lisa Willliams, Knox County: $50 Bliss gift card
James Simmons, ORNL: $50 Mast General Store gift card
Elizabeth Cantrell, UT: $50 Tomato Head gift card
Shelley Powers, UT: Five Regal Cinemas tickets

1st Quarter 2010 Commuter Rewards Winners:
Jessica Brown, UT Medical Center: $100 Bliss gift card
Rachel Hickman: $100 Mast General Store gift
Yaxing Wei, ORNL: $100 card Tomato Head gift card

Gift cards will be mailed out April 23.

Energy & Sustainability Work Group Meeting Schedules Update

NOTE: The Energy & Sustainability Task Force will meet Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 9 AM in the Small Assembly Room of the City County Building, 400 Main Street. The agenda will feature local transportation issues and working group updates. All Task Force meetings are open to anyone who would like to attend.

1.) Community Involvement Work Group:

• Wednesday, March 24, 9:00 AM, KCDC Conference Room (1st Floor)
• Next Meeting: To Be Scheduled with Group


2.) Energy Work Group:
• Wednesday, April 21, 11:00 AM, Room 549 of the City County Building


3.) Goods & Services Work Group Main:

• Monday, March 15, 2010, 2:00 PM, Room 662 of the City County Building (Finance Conference Room)

• Monday, April 19, 2010, 2:00 PM, Room 662 of the City County Building (Finance Conference Room)

• Next Meeting: To Be Scheduled with Group

3a.) Purchasing Subgroup:

• Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 11 AM, Room 549 of the City County Building.
• Next Meeting: To Be Scheduled with Group

3b.) Sustainable & Edible Landscapes Subgroup:

• Thursday, April 8, 2010, 2:00 PM in room 309 of the City County Building (3rd floor, Parks and Recreation conference room).
• Wednesday, April 28th, 2:00 PM in room 309 of the City County Building (3rd floor, Parks and Recreation conference room).

3c.) Waste Reduction & Recycling Subgroup:

• Monday, April 12, 2010, 1:30 PM at the CAC Offices, Conference Room B.
• Next Meeting: To Be Scheduled with Group


4.) Infrastructure Work Group:

• Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 11 AM, Room 584 of the City County Building
• Next Meeting: To Be Scheduled with Group


5.) Sustainable Growth (1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month):

• Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 12:00 -1:30 PM, Room 584 of the City County Building
• Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 12:00 PM in room 549 of the City County Building (the large conference room to the right of the elevators on the 5th floor).
• Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 12:00 PM in room 584 of the City County Building.


6.) Transportation Work Group:

• Friday, April 9, 2010, 10:00 AM in the MPC conference room, 4th floor of the City County Building
• Next Meeting: To Be Scheduled with Group

Monday, April 5, 2010

April Environmental Events

A list of local outside events this month:

April 17: Earthfest 2010 at Pellisippi State from 10 AM to 5 PM

April 19: Tillery Self Storage Solar Installation Ribbon Cutting
Please contact Sustainable Future to attend: 865-851-8192

April 24: Oak Ridge Earth Day at Bissell Park from 11 Am to 3 PM

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Energy & Sustainability Work Group Meeting Schedules

1.) Community Involvement Work Group:

• Wednesday, March 24, 9:00 AM, KCDC Conference Room (1st Floor)
• Next Meeting: To Be Scheduled with Group


2.) Energy Work Group:
• Next Meeting: To Be Scheduled with Group


3.) Goods & Services Work Group Main:

• Monday, March 15, 2010, 2:00 PM, Room 662 of the City County Building (Finance Conference Room)

• Monday, April 19, 2010, 2:00 PM, Room 662 of the City County Building (Finance Conference Room)

3a.) Purchasing Subgroup:

• Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 11 AM, Room 549 of the City County Building.

3b.) Sustainable & Edible Landscapes Subgroup:

• Thursday, April 8, 2010, 2:00 PM in room 309 of the City County Building (3rd floor, Parks and Recreation conference room).

3c.) Waste Reduction & Recycling Subgroup:

• Monday, April 12, 2010, 1:30 PM at the CAC Offices, Conference Room B.


4.) Infrastructure Work Group:

• Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 11 AM, Room 584 of the City County Building
• Next Meeting: To Be Scheduled with Group


5.) Sustainable Growth (1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month):

• Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 12:00 -1:30 PM, Room 584 of the City County Building
• Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 12:00 PM in room 549 of the City County Building (the large conference room to the right of the elevators on the 5th floor).


6.) Transportation Work Group:

• Friday, April 9, 2010, 10:00 AM in the MPC conference room, 4th floor of the City County Building

Spring Commuter Perks

May is officially Smart Trips Month, filled with events such as "How Many Can You Fit in a Fit?", "Bike to Work Day", and chances to win prizes and save money.

May 1 through September 30 also kicks off the Smart Trips Commuter Challenge, which will give commuters the chance to save money, earn rewards, and win prizes. This applies to individuals and businesses alike.

To register for Smart Trips, see the events calendar, and learn about the prizes, visit www.knoxsplat.com.

For more info, email smarttrips@knoxtrans.org, or check them out at facebook.com/knoxsmarttrips.