Hi Diane, If you agree with this plan please consider passing to other people in your district as it will be a great tool to get funding for PickensPlan projects. This is a way to help and give tools to all of us for getting more RE projects started. I have been pushing for the sell of US Treasury "Energy Independence Savings Bonds". Savings bonds are normally purchased in $25 increments. This gives a way for just about any American to tighten their belts just a bit by skipping a meal at McDonalds or Pizza Hut and buying a RE savings bond to support a project. I need help pushing this project, I've faxed and emailed many in Congress/Senate already. My email is ke6cvh@yahoo.com. Here is a copy of a fax sent to Nancy Pelosi yesterday:
27FEB09
Honorable Speaker of the House Congresswoman Pelosi,
I am an Electronic Technician Chief in the US Navy with 27 years service stationed overseas. I’m outlying an idea to assist and work with current plans for achieving energy independence. I urge you, as speaker of the house and the driving force to form the select committee on energy independence and global warming, consider for discussion and introduction into the house US Treasury Savings Bonds for Energy Independance.
In WWII America sold war bonds supporting the war effort. When young, my mother told me her primary school raised enough money through bonds to build a tank to support troops. I am impressed with the patriotism and purpose of our greatest generation that accomplished so much.
Selling energy bonds for RE (Renewable Energy) development would lower foreign oil imports and assist with the complex problem of funding. Bonds sold as “Energy S” could support new solar trough plants, “Energy W” to support wind farms, Energy “H” to support hydroelectric plants, Energy “T” to support RE transportation such as electric bullet train routes powered by RE, Energy "C" COOPS for small communities only needing a small quantity of turbines, and Energy “I” for needed infrastructure high voltage power lines to the RE site. Bonds will have the project name and include an artist’s perspective of the project and an American flag. President Obama had great success with the internet during his campaign. In a similar manner, using the internet, energy bonds could have a website listing current projects and an “electronic checkout” could purchase a bond $25 or higher. Simpler methods of payment such as “PAYPAL” and credit cards would be available and after an electronic purchase is complete a color print out of the bond is available with a follow up of the bond in the mail. The website would limit quantity of projects for each category until funding is complete. After a project becomes funded, a new project will be available. A tab on the site will show history and status of previous projects. Purchasers may take great pride in “collecting” and displaying bonds of various RE projects and participating at different levels of financial support. Solar trough plants in the multi-hundred MW size capacity with molten salt energy storage in California, Arizona, and West Texas can provide a major portion of electric needs. North Dakota has potential to support 1/3 of our nations electric needs in it’s class 4 wind zone areas. There are plenty of suitable proposed wind turbine farms now around the nation to significantly increase our RE if funded. Mid sized hydro-electric has not been used in America to it’s full potential. Following the example of our neighbor, Canada, it would provide a significant increase in percentage of electric production. Developing all three we could provide the majority of our electric and heating needs through renewable energy in a "New New Deal" fashion allowing natural gas for transportation as T. Boone Pickens is working for. Bullet train routes have proven a viable alternative to commercial domestic air service and when powered by electricity provided by RE suppliers America would be in the forefront of world technology. Example, I heard of discussion for a commuter train from Denver to Colorado Springs. Such a route built as a renewable energy project with charter requirement legally requiring to only purchase electricity from available renewable energy sources would be a model example. There are many train routes, city bus systems, and government vehicles that can be converted to run from alternative energy sources and fuels. Jobs created would bolster the economy, lower trade deficit, and strengthen national security. I would take great pride in print outs of bonds with graphics of each project I supported and many other Americans would also. The energy bonds could have tax breaks. BLM lands may be a viable place to start for some projects.
I contacted the US treasury department and was told that the marketing department for savings bonds closed several years ago. I was told there would be problems because savings bonds are at the federal level while the projects will be at the state and local level. I disagree and believe that these can easily be figured out in the way of grants to the state and local level using money from the bonds for those specific projects. I was told to check out auctions on the www.treasurydirect.gov website and found them to not apply to citizens wanting to buy savings bonds to support a cause such as energy independance. I was told by the treasury department to look into CREB (Clean Renewable Energy Bonds). I found CREB to be large scale funding that a citizen would not be able to participate in as a US Treasury Energy Independance Bond would provide. If given the tools to participate directly, the power of the citizens of the United States to help achieve energy independance could not be denied. Americans mean well and the Energy Independance Savings bond program will give citizens the power at their level to make it happen. If marketed through a web page, commercials, and to federal employees the word would get out and participation would spread like wildfire.
Mr. Paul Gipe, a resident of Bakersfield CA, an author of several books about wind energy, and recipient of multiple awards as a pioneer in the industry since the 1970's has put a letter I wrote to Senator Dorgan on this subject as well as an older letter I wrote on wind COOP in JAN07. These websites are:
I have sent letters to my senators and congressmen telling them of the EPA roadblocks to CNG conversion, and at least Senator Kyl responded in a favorable way to my request. He said that he would have a serious talk with his contacts in the EPA and try to find out WHY conversion kits need to remain so expensive.
If the PEOPLE of this country scream loudly enough for change, eventually the bureaucrats will begin to listen. As to your question about converting a JEEP to CNG, sadly the technology exists, but you most likely will not find anyone willing to do the work. It is against EPA law to do such work unless a very expensive ($200,000) authorization process is approved by the EPA. Then you have to repeat the same process for the next model year even if they did not change the engine or or ECU computer. Those companies who are willing to pay that outlandish fee only do so for the VERY MOST popular cars so they can make their $200,000 back in less than one year. I doubt that a JEEP is in that category of VERY MOST popular cars sorry.
Installation of The New will be the toughest , in order to build new the Permit tenders need to be free the addiction to monies that drive all counties commuinty's cities forward .....
"I just finished getting signatures for the pledge. It took less than four hours , including travel time. I am amazed at the community response. I live in a very small town, but after a brief explanation, most people were grabbing for the petition. People of all age groups. I would like to say that out of 100 people not one said "No" but I can't, because in fact ONLY 1 said no!"
Thanks for your thoughful comment. You made some very good points and I agree with you. However, conversion, is not going to be my focus at this time but the subject matter of conversion will definitely be an element that will be woven into what I am setting out to do. Allow me to explain...
On the 10th of November a friend of mine on the PP site, Iain McKennon, left me a comment on my wall. Within his comment Iain said, "My approach to Pickens at this point in time is to think globally and act locally." Unbeknownst to me at the time that particular comment of Iain's firmly lodged in my mind and has ever since been gradually working its way into a position of being an influential element in my creativity regarding Green solutions.
Speaking of friends, an old friend of mine used to tell me that the road to attaining an affluence (in anything) was to go with what one knew not new things that were as of yet untried. While I am sure that there are exceptions to this rule, I do believe that empirically, my friend's advice can be seen to be immensely more true than not.
So, here I am at a juncture in my life where I want to play an effective role in environmental repair, in preventive envirionmental health and overall be an active participant in a Green solution. Therefore, in listening to a couple of friends, it occurred to me that I can probably have a greater and more effective impact by concentrating my creativity and production on a local/regional target than doing otherwise. I also recognize that acting along the lines of what I already have personal experience with and/or incorporating a familiar reality in what I do is a strong plus in anything I set out to accomplish. And, I know that while acting locally it is critical that I continue to be thinking globally.
HERE IS A SEED I AM PLANTING
I want to share this seed with you because it just might be a seed that you too would want to plant where you are residing.
What I am going to do is form a corporation that is a Green construction company, an investment club, an online social community, a market research company, a research and development company, a documentation and educational video production company and an online course in the ways and means of how to build green. There's even more but those are all the top liners.
What will this company do (broad generalities only):
It will begin by doing infill development i.e., in Fort Smith, AR where I live there is an abundance of vacant properties within the city limits that can be purchased whereupon new dwellings (single family, duplexes, three and four-plexes) can be built. Currently there are not any builders in this area that are interested in building on these properties. Instead the local builders have their attention on building in whatever new subdivision is being developed.
The company will target these inner city vacant properties to purchase and construct new dwellings suitable and appropriate to the neighborhoods where they are located. The dwellings will be aesthetic, have high curb appeal, in most cases be small ( 800 sq ft. - 1,500 sq ft.) as the lots are small, will be built to endure, will be practical, will enhance the neighborhood, indeed the city, and...will be constructed with viable GREEN technologies.
Each dwelling built by this company will be model of green construction and green technologies utilized in home building.
The company will circumvent the need for borrowing capital by opening up investment (per project) to the general public (local, national or international).
Participation in this company will be made very simple and inclusive. For example: The range of investment accepted will go from as low as $10 to as high as, but not exceeding, 5 percent of a project's total cost. Therefore, the lowest number of investors that could ever be possible on any project would be 20. Investments will be done by project.
Every project will be audio/video documented from beginning to end. The video documentation will be made available to any investor who has invested in the project. Also, when the completed dwelling is sold the buyer will receive a copy of the entire video documentation of their new green home from planning to completion.
Of course, all investors will be able to follow the progress of each project that they have invested in online and interact with the project. There will be web cams at each job site, weekly reports will be online by the project mgr. including detailed photos and anecdotes and detailed weekly expenditures. And, any and all tech used in the building of the project will be thoroughly explained as it is incorporated. I guess you could say that this aspect of the company is like doing an in-house Better Homes and Gardens type of production. Who knows...perhaps it could even become a series for PBS.
The entire operation process of the company will be transparent.
Nothing is done unless the money to pay for it is immediately available. Nothing is bought on credit.
All personnel who are involved in anyway with a project of the company or the company itself are a member/investor of the company. The exception to this would be anyone employed by the government eg., builidng inspectors, city planners, etc.
This is not a volunteer based company. Those who deliver a product and/or service for the company will be paid for the product/service just as they are always paid for their services rendered.
All frontline and backline costs are factored into the overall cost of a project. The video production and the online access availability are atypical expenses to a construction project. However, these elements are critical to the purpose and operation of the company so they will become a typical expense included in the budget of each project carried out by this company.
The company's motto: Purpose - Product - Profit (listed in relative order of importance).
At this stage in the creative process everything is subject to modification.
Okay, Diane. There's the seed I'm planting in very broad and general terms. I'm sure you will see and extrapolate all the possibilities and potential of such a company. Feel free to ask any questions that you may have or comment as you wish. I am totally willing to share any of this project and how it progresses with anyone. In my opinion, if we had myriad of these companies in active operation we could all only benefit by such a circumstance.
If you would like to be a sounding board or otherwise participate in the ongoing development of this company just let me know by emailing me at mfs01@mynewroads.com
I have helped to construct many dwellings of many different sizes over the last 35 years but I have never constructed a house that totally utilizes green technologies. There will obviously be a learning curve to overcome and I will have to recruit those who have this expertise from numerous areas including the PP site. Access to green expertise does not seem to be all that available locally.
Diane,
There are kits available that will convert virtually any gasoline engine to run on CNG. These kits are available overseas; some may be available here in the US. The problem is certification. You may be able to convert but may not be allowed to drive your vehicle in public roads. Any conversion done in the US must be certified by DMV through a difficult series of criteria and procedures.
The cost of overall conversion aside from time lost and perhaps frusrations may likely not economically feasible for your car and use thereof. The affordability and convenience for conversion is NOT here yet -- unless your specific purpose is beyond pragmatism but rather for curiosity or experimental goals.
Otherwise, if I were you, I'd rather just keep your Commander as is and donate it to worthy cause for tax write-off and invest your money on those new hybrid vehicles readily eager to negotiate with new buyers.
Please forgive me for what I am about to do...I'm going to blog on your comment wall.
I feel the need to get this little story and then some of my opinions out of the way.
I want to acknowledge that our country and our world is in one hell of a mess. And it is a mess of magnitude like we have never seen or experienced before. We have never had this enormity of population or plethora of myriad technologies that on one hand can destroy us all and on the other hand have the potential to be used to save us all. And it is an irony that while we can, in an instant, talk with almost anyone anywhere in the world through numerous channels...we are a world that is not in communication. And because we seem to only know how to talk without ever communicating we don't cooperate and we very seldom agree on anything. Instead we all wander off chasing our own dream and in many cases our own dream is a dream that serves only the person having it. And in this country in particular we are, in general, a population that is blind but believes it can see.
When I first saw T. Boone on Good Morning America back in early July of this year and he was pitching his plan I immediately had a surge of hope and I decided right then and there that I was going to do whatever I could to help this guy. Then, in early Aug when I signed in at PP.com I was first frustrated by no apparent organization but I was soon distracted from that and became amazed at how many intelligent, creative, willing, people there were that had come to do the same thing I had...Help. I saw communication (not just talk). I saw cooperation. I saw agreement and I saw unconditional help. of course, I saw other elements - negative elements - too but that was expected. This other, though, was not expected i.e., such an extensive aggregation of people willing to work together to forward a common cause and that not only invigorated me but it inspired me and really gave me a surge of hope. And had I not seen this I would have never brought the Elephant out to be looked at.
Okay, here is an image of what I am looking at. I see a multi-story switchback stair case that has a landing at each story. At the very top story there sits a wonderful world of peace, friendship, happiness, cooperation, unbound creativity, abundance, prosperity and all life is in harmony and is flourishing and expanding. In other words...utopia! But we are a very long way from the top landing of this stair case.
What else I see, though, are individuals and a sundry of groups that have pieces (solutions) that form together to make a huge puzzle. And when the puzzle is all assembled what we see is a much improved world for all of life that inhabit it. And we see life in complete knowing harmony with the all that is inanimate. The problem is that the solutions have left the bulk of the world stranded down the staircase several landings below. And no matter how great and wonderful the solutions are the people can not see them for what they are because the people are unable to see beyond the landing where they themselves are located. Therefore, the incredible solutions that can better the condition of the world are just sitting there waiting to be enacted but do not get enacted and in the meantime the world condition diminishes.
What IS the key to getting the puzzle put together? EDUCATION! We have got to get creative and devise effective means by which we can address the population and gradually or abruptly enlighten them. We need to raise the awareness AND understanding of the overall population so that they can actually confront and view the dangerous condition that they are all in and be able to see, recognize and act upon the solutions that are available. If we do neglect to accomplish this step...nothing else matters because the solutions will never get the support they need or be understood to even be a piece of the solution.
This Elephant that I put out there is something that I fully believe can have designed into it a way to help accomplish the education part of the puzzle. But enough for now. Now it is your turn. Please feel free to reciprocate in blog on my comment wall.
May we always desire to play a better game and create a better tomorrow (for everyone!).
You are so right, LOCALLY, is the best lace to start.
I am asking 5,000 people today, who believe in their hearts that we can do this, to get 10 signed pledges! Will you print off 10 pledges, get them signed and fax them back? The clock is ticking and it is time for us to ramp it up. Tap into that moment when you first saw this and thought, "WOW, this could really happen", go out of your comfort zone a bit and get it done. We only have 80 days until inauguration day- to create our own destiny. We have incredible momentum - WILL YOU PLEASE GET 10 TODAY?!
Thank you and Best,
Kim
At 11:01am on October 16, 2008, Kim Anderson said…
Hi Diane
We are now over 1.2 million suporters. We will need many more if we are to beat back the damn lobbyists and special interests. Can you help with the pledges? Every American needs to sign on. With pledges we can fan out and reach so many. It is an easy ask- Boone has done the hard work. I was able to get 300 signed in the first 4 days - everyone wants to to get off of foreign oil. We may never have a golden opportunity like this again!
ARE YOU IN?
Diane, when you get a chance you might want to check out the Artists Round-Up group that is not really a group but more of a roster. Just enter the keyword artists in the search engine on the group page or go to my page and find the icon in my group list.
May we always desire to play a better game and create a better tomorrow (for everyone!)
Help Topic: Strategies for Building a Hydrogen Infrastructure is a PDF file.
Session II: Hydrogen Technology
Chair: Gerhard Achtelik The ZEV Technology Symposium more PDF Files available at Presentations for ZEV Technology Symposium.
That study actually mapped out California for distribution of Hydrogen. 47 pages total.
aiiieee carrummba, not another one! My father was a technical theatre director, my mother was a costumer, and I was a professional musician for most of my life before thirty (when I went and studied engineering just to see what was on the other side of the wall)
If you have the Hemi V8 you *might* be able to convert, but otherwise you are out of luck unless/until the Inhofe Bill passes.
At 11:21pm on September 13, 2008, James Artuso said…
Hello,
Just wanted to take a second of your time to invite you to view the solar solution equivalent of the PickensPlan.
www.powur.com/homeenergy1
click View Our Mission and if interested click the back arrow to Become an Ecopreneur.
Also you can see what we offer home owners - www.glenburniesolar.com
Thank You For Your Time
At 8:17am on September 13, 2008, KENN DRESCHER said…
Great Make-Up. An HOH can help with that Gas Guzzler!
At 6:03pm on September 12, 2008, Charles Jones said…
For Santa Barbara, CA tell the Mayor and City Counselors and others to see the recent findings for Energy there at http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CA where the map image shows the following...
See this is all California has done so far and the governor needs to be alerted that there's so much being forgotten that CA needs a boost for economic gains for the future.
am helping Ken get the word out to the folks on his list.
Have you seen T. boones AUTO MATIC system to send
e-mail to your rep. You type in a few key strokes and
it auto adresses the e-mail to all your reps and the GOV.
of your state based on zip code. Has a sugested draft of a letter to send. NEVER EASYER. Spread the word to click on the ACTION CENTER at the main web site.
Diane Stevenett's Comments
Comment Wall (75 comments)
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Join this Ning Network
I sent you a request a few days ago
Sure would be nice to have you as a friend
Peace MR MIKE
27FEB09
Honorable Speaker of the House Congresswoman Pelosi,
I am an Electronic Technician Chief in the US Navy with 27 years service stationed overseas. I’m outlying an idea to assist and work with current plans for achieving energy independence. I urge you, as speaker of the house and the driving force to form the select committee on energy independence and global warming, consider for discussion and introduction into the house US Treasury Savings Bonds for Energy Independance.
In WWII America sold war bonds supporting the war effort. When young, my mother told me her primary school raised enough money through bonds to build a tank to support troops. I am impressed with the patriotism and purpose of our greatest generation that accomplished so much.
Selling energy bonds for RE (Renewable Energy) development would lower foreign oil imports and assist with the complex problem of funding. Bonds sold as “Energy S” could support new solar trough plants, “Energy W” to support wind farms, Energy “H” to support hydroelectric plants, Energy “T” to support RE transportation such as electric bullet train routes powered by RE, Energy "C" COOPS for small communities only needing a small quantity of turbines, and Energy “I” for needed infrastructure high voltage power lines to the RE site. Bonds will have the project name and include an artist’s perspective of the project and an American flag. President Obama had great success with the internet during his campaign. In a similar manner, using the internet, energy bonds could have a website listing current projects and an “electronic checkout” could purchase a bond $25 or higher. Simpler methods of payment such as “PAYPAL” and credit cards would be available and after an electronic purchase is complete a color print out of the bond is available with a follow up of the bond in the mail. The website would limit quantity of projects for each category until funding is complete. After a project becomes funded, a new project will be available. A tab on the site will show history and status of previous projects. Purchasers may take great pride in “collecting” and displaying bonds of various RE projects and participating at different levels of financial support. Solar trough plants in the multi-hundred MW size capacity with molten salt energy storage in California, Arizona, and West Texas can provide a major portion of electric needs. North Dakota has potential to support 1/3 of our nations electric needs in it’s class 4 wind zone areas. There are plenty of suitable proposed wind turbine farms now around the nation to significantly increase our RE if funded. Mid sized hydro-electric has not been used in America to it’s full potential. Following the example of our neighbor, Canada, it would provide a significant increase in percentage of electric production. Developing all three we could provide the majority of our electric and heating needs through renewable energy in a "New New Deal" fashion allowing natural gas for transportation as T. Boone Pickens is working for. Bullet train routes have proven a viable alternative to commercial domestic air service and when powered by electricity provided by RE suppliers America would be in the forefront of world technology. Example, I heard of discussion for a commuter train from Denver to Colorado Springs. Such a route built as a renewable energy project with charter requirement legally requiring to only purchase electricity from available renewable energy sources would be a model example. There are many train routes, city bus systems, and government vehicles that can be converted to run from alternative energy sources and fuels. Jobs created would bolster the economy, lower trade deficit, and strengthen national security. I would take great pride in print outs of bonds with graphics of each project I supported and many other Americans would also. The energy bonds could have tax breaks. BLM lands may be a viable place to start for some projects.
I contacted the US treasury department and was told that the marketing department for savings bonds closed several years ago. I was told there would be problems because savings bonds are at the federal level while the projects will be at the state and local level. I disagree and believe that these can easily be figured out in the way of grants to the state and local level using money from the bonds for those specific projects. I was told to check out auctions on the www.treasurydirect.gov website and found them to not apply to citizens wanting to buy savings bonds to support a cause such as energy independance. I was told by the treasury department to look into CREB (Clean Renewable Energy Bonds). I found CREB to be large scale funding that a citizen would not be able to participate in as a US Treasury Energy Independance Bond would provide. If given the tools to participate directly, the power of the citizens of the United States to help achieve energy independance could not be denied. Americans mean well and the Energy Independance Savings bond program will give citizens the power at their level to make it happen. If marketed through a web page, commercials, and to federal employees the word would get out and participation would spread like wildfire.
Mr. Paul Gipe, a resident of Bakersfield CA, an author of several books about wind energy, and recipient of multiple awards as a pioneer in the industry since the 1970's has put a letter I wrote to Senator Dorgan on this subject as well as an older letter I wrote on wind COOP in JAN07. These websites are:
http://www.wind-works.org/coopwind/RenewableEnergyBondsforEnergyIndependence.html
and
http://www.wind-works.org/articles/AmericanEnergyIndependencethroughCooperativeInvestmentinWindEnergy.html
Sincerely and very respectfully,
ETC(SW/AW) Mike Kendall USN
Mailing address: PSC 476, Box 879, FPO AP, 96322 USA
Telephone (803) 265-4756, Email: ke6cvh@yahoo.com
If the PEOPLE of this country scream loudly enough for change, eventually the bureaucrats will begin to listen. As to your question about converting a JEEP to CNG, sadly the technology exists, but you most likely will not find anyone willing to do the work. It is against EPA law to do such work unless a very expensive ($200,000) authorization process is approved by the EPA. Then you have to repeat the same process for the next model year even if they did not change the engine or or ECU computer. Those companies who are willing to pay that outlandish fee only do so for the VERY MOST popular cars so they can make their $200,000 back in less than one year. I doubt that a JEEP is in that category of VERY MOST popular cars sorry.
ArtByLetters Beyond2020 N.AmGreenEnergyArmy Artist/Carpenter/Poet/
Thank you so much,
Kim
Please Congratulate Stephine Watson - our newest 100CLUB member!
http://push.pickensplan.com/profile/Stephine
Here is what Stephine said about her experience:
"I just finished getting signatures for the pledge. It took less than four hours , including travel time. I am amazed at the community response. I live in a very small town, but after a brief explanation, most people were grabbing for the petition. People of all age groups. I would like to say that out of 100 people not one said "No" but I can't, because in fact ONLY 1 said no!"
Stephine ia a Picken's Hero!
Best and thanks,
Kim
Thanks for your thoughful comment. You made some very good points and I agree with you. However, conversion, is not going to be my focus at this time but the subject matter of conversion will definitely be an element that will be woven into what I am setting out to do. Allow me to explain...
On the 10th of November a friend of mine on the PP site, Iain McKennon, left me a comment on my wall. Within his comment Iain said, "My approach to Pickens at this point in time is to think globally and act locally." Unbeknownst to me at the time that particular comment of Iain's firmly lodged in my mind and has ever since been gradually working its way into a position of being an influential element in my creativity regarding Green solutions.
Speaking of friends, an old friend of mine used to tell me that the road to attaining an affluence (in anything) was to go with what one knew not new things that were as of yet untried. While I am sure that there are exceptions to this rule, I do believe that empirically, my friend's advice can be seen to be immensely more true than not.
So, here I am at a juncture in my life where I want to play an effective role in environmental repair, in preventive envirionmental health and overall be an active participant in a Green solution. Therefore, in listening to a couple of friends, it occurred to me that I can probably have a greater and more effective impact by concentrating my creativity and production on a local/regional target than doing otherwise. I also recognize that acting along the lines of what I already have personal experience with and/or incorporating a familiar reality in what I do is a strong plus in anything I set out to accomplish. And, I know that while acting locally it is critical that I continue to be thinking globally.
HERE IS A SEED I AM PLANTING
I want to share this seed with you because it just might be a seed that you too would want to plant where you are residing.
What I am going to do is form a corporation that is a Green construction company, an investment club, an online social community, a market research company, a research and development company, a documentation and educational video production company and an online course in the ways and means of how to build green. There's even more but those are all the top liners.
What will this company do (broad generalities only):
It will begin by doing infill development i.e., in Fort Smith, AR where I live there is an abundance of vacant properties within the city limits that can be purchased whereupon new dwellings (single family, duplexes, three and four-plexes) can be built. Currently there are not any builders in this area that are interested in building on these properties. Instead the local builders have their attention on building in whatever new subdivision is being developed.
The company will target these inner city vacant properties to purchase and construct new dwellings suitable and appropriate to the neighborhoods where they are located. The dwellings will be aesthetic, have high curb appeal, in most cases be small ( 800 sq ft. - 1,500 sq ft.) as the lots are small, will be built to endure, will be practical, will enhance the neighborhood, indeed the city, and...will be constructed with viable GREEN technologies.
Each dwelling built by this company will be model of green construction and green technologies utilized in home building.
The company will circumvent the need for borrowing capital by opening up investment (per project) to the general public (local, national or international).
Participation in this company will be made very simple and inclusive. For example: The range of investment accepted will go from as low as $10 to as high as, but not exceeding, 5 percent of a project's total cost. Therefore, the lowest number of investors that could ever be possible on any project would be 20. Investments will be done by project.
Every project will be audio/video documented from beginning to end. The video documentation will be made available to any investor who has invested in the project. Also, when the completed dwelling is sold the buyer will receive a copy of the entire video documentation of their new green home from planning to completion.
Of course, all investors will be able to follow the progress of each project that they have invested in online and interact with the project. There will be web cams at each job site, weekly reports will be online by the project mgr. including detailed photos and anecdotes and detailed weekly expenditures. And, any and all tech used in the building of the project will be thoroughly explained as it is incorporated. I guess you could say that this aspect of the company is like doing an in-house Better Homes and Gardens type of production. Who knows...perhaps it could even become a series for PBS.
The entire operation process of the company will be transparent.
Nothing is done unless the money to pay for it is immediately available. Nothing is bought on credit.
All personnel who are involved in anyway with a project of the company or the company itself are a member/investor of the company. The exception to this would be anyone employed by the government eg., builidng inspectors, city planners, etc.
This is not a volunteer based company. Those who deliver a product and/or service for the company will be paid for the product/service just as they are always paid for their services rendered.
All frontline and backline costs are factored into the overall cost of a project. The video production and the online access availability are atypical expenses to a construction project. However, these elements are critical to the purpose and operation of the company so they will become a typical expense included in the budget of each project carried out by this company.
The company's motto: Purpose - Product - Profit (listed in relative order of importance).
At this stage in the creative process everything is subject to modification.
Okay, Diane. There's the seed I'm planting in very broad and general terms. I'm sure you will see and extrapolate all the possibilities and potential of such a company. Feel free to ask any questions that you may have or comment as you wish. I am totally willing to share any of this project and how it progresses with anyone. In my opinion, if we had myriad of these companies in active operation we could all only benefit by such a circumstance.
If you would like to be a sounding board or otherwise participate in the ongoing development of this company just let me know by emailing me at mfs01@mynewroads.com
I have helped to construct many dwellings of many different sizes over the last 35 years but I have never constructed a house that totally utilizes green technologies. There will obviously be a learning curve to overcome and I will have to recruit those who have this expertise from numerous areas including the PP site. Access to green expertise does not seem to be all that available locally.
Monte
Additional info for you: Track the following threads from Tai Robinson.
http://americanfuelvehicles.com/contactus.aspx
There are kits available that will convert virtually any gasoline engine to run on CNG. These kits are available overseas; some may be available here in the US. The problem is certification. You may be able to convert but may not be allowed to drive your vehicle in public roads. Any conversion done in the US must be certified by DMV through a difficult series of criteria and procedures.
The cost of overall conversion aside from time lost and perhaps frusrations may likely not economically feasible for your car and use thereof. The affordability and convenience for conversion is NOT here yet -- unless your specific purpose is beyond pragmatism but rather for curiosity or experimental goals.
Otherwise, if I were you, I'd rather just keep your Commander as is and donate it to worthy cause for tax write-off and invest your money on those new hybrid vehicles readily eager to negotiate with new buyers.
Please forgive me for what I am about to do...I'm going to blog on your comment wall.
I feel the need to get this little story and then some of my opinions out of the way.
I want to acknowledge that our country and our world is in one hell of a mess. And it is a mess of magnitude like we have never seen or experienced before. We have never had this enormity of population or plethora of myriad technologies that on one hand can destroy us all and on the other hand have the potential to be used to save us all. And it is an irony that while we can, in an instant, talk with almost anyone anywhere in the world through numerous channels...we are a world that is not in communication. And because we seem to only know how to talk without ever communicating we don't cooperate and we very seldom agree on anything. Instead we all wander off chasing our own dream and in many cases our own dream is a dream that serves only the person having it. And in this country in particular we are, in general, a population that is blind but believes it can see.
When I first saw T. Boone on Good Morning America back in early July of this year and he was pitching his plan I immediately had a surge of hope and I decided right then and there that I was going to do whatever I could to help this guy. Then, in early Aug when I signed in at PP.com I was first frustrated by no apparent organization but I was soon distracted from that and became amazed at how many intelligent, creative, willing, people there were that had come to do the same thing I had...Help. I saw communication (not just talk). I saw cooperation. I saw agreement and I saw unconditional help. of course, I saw other elements - negative elements - too but that was expected. This other, though, was not expected i.e., such an extensive aggregation of people willing to work together to forward a common cause and that not only invigorated me but it inspired me and really gave me a surge of hope. And had I not seen this I would have never brought the Elephant out to be looked at.
Okay, here is an image of what I am looking at. I see a multi-story switchback stair case that has a landing at each story. At the very top story there sits a wonderful world of peace, friendship, happiness, cooperation, unbound creativity, abundance, prosperity and all life is in harmony and is flourishing and expanding. In other words...utopia! But we are a very long way from the top landing of this stair case.
What else I see, though, are individuals and a sundry of groups that have pieces (solutions) that form together to make a huge puzzle. And when the puzzle is all assembled what we see is a much improved world for all of life that inhabit it. And we see life in complete knowing harmony with the all that is inanimate. The problem is that the solutions have left the bulk of the world stranded down the staircase several landings below. And no matter how great and wonderful the solutions are the people can not see them for what they are because the people are unable to see beyond the landing where they themselves are located. Therefore, the incredible solutions that can better the condition of the world are just sitting there waiting to be enacted but do not get enacted and in the meantime the world condition diminishes.
What IS the key to getting the puzzle put together? EDUCATION! We have got to get creative and devise effective means by which we can address the population and gradually or abruptly enlighten them. We need to raise the awareness AND understanding of the overall population so that they can actually confront and view the dangerous condition that they are all in and be able to see, recognize and act upon the solutions that are available. If we do neglect to accomplish this step...nothing else matters because the solutions will never get the support they need or be understood to even be a piece of the solution.
This Elephant that I put out there is something that I fully believe can have designed into it a way to help accomplish the education part of the puzzle. But enough for now. Now it is your turn. Please feel free to reciprocate in blog on my comment wall.
May we always desire to play a better game and create a better tomorrow (for everyone!).
Monte
You are so right, LOCALLY, is the best lace to start.
I am asking 5,000 people today, who believe in their hearts that we can do this, to get 10 signed pledges! Will you print off 10 pledges, get them signed and fax them back? The clock is ticking and it is time for us to ramp it up. Tap into that moment when you first saw this and thought, "WOW, this could really happen", go out of your comfort zone a bit and get it done. We only have 80 days until inauguration day- to create our own destiny. We have incredible momentum - WILL YOU PLEASE GET 10 TODAY?!
Thank you and Best,
Kim
We are now over 1.2 million suporters. We will need many more if we are to beat back the damn lobbyists and special interests. Can you help with the pledges? Every American needs to sign on. With pledges we can fan out and reach so many. It is an easy ask- Boone has done the hard work. I was able to get 300 signed in the first 4 days - everyone wants to to get off of foreign oil. We may never have a golden opportunity like this again!
ARE YOU IN?
Best
Kim
May we always desire to play a better game and create a better tomorrow (for everyone!)
Monte
Session II: Hydrogen Technology
Chair: Gerhard Achtelik
The ZEV Technology Symposium
more PDF Files available at Presentations for ZEV Technology Symposium.
That study actually mapped out California for distribution of Hydrogen. 47 pages total.
If you have the Hemi V8 you *might* be able to convert, but otherwise you are out of luck unless/until the Inhofe Bill passes.
Just wanted to take a second of your time to invite you to view the solar solution equivalent of the PickensPlan.
www.powur.com/homeenergy1
click View Our Mission and if interested click the back arrow to Become an Ecopreneur.
Also you can see what we offer home owners - www.glenburniesolar.com
Thank You For Your Time
See this is all California has done so far and the governor needs to be alerted that there's so much being forgotten that CA needs a boost for economic gains for the future.
Have you seen T. boones AUTO MATIC system to send
e-mail to your rep. You type in a few key strokes and
it auto adresses the e-mail to all your reps and the GOV.
of your state based on zip code. Has a sugested draft of a letter to send. NEVER EASYER. Spread the word to click on the ACTION CENTER at the main web site.
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