Plug In America Refutes Obama Auto Task Force Conclusion on GM Volt

In response to an Obama Administration auto task force report, Plug In America on Tuesday proposed a plan to make GM’s Chevy Volt and other plug-in cars more affordable, noting that most advanced new technologies are initially more costly.

California law requires that the Volt and other plug-in hybrids come with a 10-year warranty. To ensure this longer life, automakers are as much as doubling the size of the battery pack, increasing cost to manufacturer and consumer. But not a single production plug-in electric vehicle sold to date, from GM’s early EV1 to today’s Tesla, has had a warranty of more than five years, noted Plug In America advisory board member Chelsea Sexton.

“To support early deployment, California should relax the warranty requirement for cars like the Volt to five years, phasing to 10 years over time,” said Sexton, a former GM employee. “This alone could cut the number of batteries required by as much as half and reduce the cost of each vehicle by thousands of dollars.”

The warranty reduction would not impose added liability on GM or consumers, Sexton noted, because President Obama has said the federal government will guarantee the warranties of GM and Chrysler vehicles should they go bankrupt. And dealers can sell extended warranties, providing additional security for consumers who want it as well as revenue when auto companies need it most.

“The minimum Volt warranty we’re asking for has historically been the maximum ever given for any plug-in car,” Sexton said.

Plug In America’s legislative director Jay Friedland further noted that the existing $7,500 tax credit for plug-in vehicles would further reduce the Volt’s cost. Moreover, several states are implementing additional tax credits of up to $5,000 per vehicle.

“These incentives reduce costs for consumers and will increase sales, helping auto manufacturers reach economies of scale sooner,” Friedland said.

Said Sexton: “We applaud the Obama Administration for its robust support for plug-in vehicle technology. But, this discouraging statement about the Volt’s early viability is counter-productive to the President’s own goal of 1 million plug-in vehicles by 2015.

“It is unreasonable to expect the Volt and any similar new technology to be immediately profitable when others that similarly started with a price premium, such as the Toyota Prius, became wild successes. Even the first DVD player costs many times more than it does today.”

About Plug In America: Plug In America leads the plug-in vehicle movement. The nonprofit organization works to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation's dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. For more information: http://www.pluginamerica.org.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

As we all go to visit our families these holidays, let's not forget all those not able to be home with their families! Happy Thanksgiving!!

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NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER IS NOW ON LINE

Imagine that all the products available for purchase to the consumer in their quest to green up their lives was a pie. How much of the green pie can a consumer digest all at one event? Obviously not all of it . That is why the Solar and Wind Expo has chosen a more focused format.

To capture your audience a trade show should be of interest to all genders and age. It should be interesting, educational and fun. Advertising must be properly placed in the types of medias that cater to the segment of the population whom you are trying to reach. The consumer who is well educated, motivated with the ability to make purchases can be found and motivated with the right marketing plan.

These customers must know that the event they are attending was put together just for them with one reason in mind. A trade show is a collective effort that unites companies interested in promoting similar products. By organizing and partnering with similar companies, you help promote your business and industry while creating an environment of experience and capability.

Read more www.TheSolarandWindExpo.com/Newsletter.html

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WYPR/NPR PARTNERS WITH THE SOLAR AND WIND EXPO 2010

10/15/09 WYPR, the Baltimore area NPR affiliate, has agreed to become a sponsor of The Solar and Wind Expo. WYPR’s audience stretches from the Pennsylvania line to Washington, DC. This represents a significant addition to the electronic and print media partnerships The Expo has already established with WBAL (NBC affiliate) and Baltimore Magazine.

The addition of WYPR is yet one more step in making The Solar and Wind Expo the premier event for renewable energy in the region. All participants of The Expo, exhibitors and sponsors, will benefit greatly from these robust affiliations resulting from the endless efforts of the Expo organizers.

Participation in The Solar and Wind Expo by exhibitors and sponsors who are looking for a credible and focused event in the east coast marketplace is strongly encouraged. Now is the time for all of us who are serious to “make green a reality” to make our mark and take the industry forward.

The Solar and Wind Expo organizers sincerely thank WYPR/NPR for its support and vision.

ENER G MAGAZINE PARTNERS WITH THE SOLAR AND WIND EXPO

10/14/09 Jan Raulin, publisher of the well regarded Ener G Magazine, announced today that the Magazine will be supporting The Solar and Wind Expo through its website (www.altenerG.com) and in print.

Ms. Raulin explained that she is pleased the east coast states are beginning to take the correct steps in advancing the case for renewable energy. She further stated in her endorsement that she feels that The Solar and Wind Expo possesses the correct values and vision to succeed in this effort.

Now is the time to “make green a reality”. The Solar and Wind Expo, with the exhibitor and sponsor support and industry recognition it is garnering, will be the premier renewable energy event in the region. The Solar and Wind Expo organizers sincerely thank Ener G Magazine for its support and vision.

The Economic Benefits of Ending Mountaintop Removal

The Sierra Club today released a groundbreaking new report that reaffirms the economic benefits of ending mountaintop removal coal mining and transitioning to clean energy sources in Appalachia.

The report shows that America can have affordable electricity without mountaintop removal because many factors contribute to the cost of electricity, with coal prices playing just one small part.According to the report:

• 
  Ending mountaintop removal would have a negligible effect on electricity prices in the eastern United States, where mountaintop removal coal is currently burned.
• 
  We have an abundance of cost-effective alternatives to mountaintop removal coal.
  Other types of mining in Appalachia employ more workers.
• 
  Mountaintop removal coal mining costs state budgets more than it generates.
• 
  Mountaintop removal destroys clean energy sources.

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Read more: http://sierraclub.typepad.com/compass/2009/10/the-economic-benefits-of-ending-mountaintop-removal.html

Offshore wind Power in Maryland

Did you know that:

• The very best resources for wind are off the East Coast.
• East Coast states could meet all their energy needs from wind.
• The East Coast waters are so shallow the construction for these turbines would be cheap.
• Wind electricity would be cheaper, cleaner and eternal compared to coal.
• East Coast Governors are teaming up to make it happen.
• The entire East Coast population could harness their own power.

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