Bucket trucks go green!

A plug-in hybrid Ford F-550 boom/bucket truck is being used by Southern California Edison electric company as part of a test to see if the technology can be applied to large commercial applications. The plug-in delivers approximately 70% more fuel economy (and emissions reductions) and uses the electrical system to power the auxiliary systems, such as the boom, when the truck is stopped at work sites, instead of leaving the engine running.

The Eaton Corporation is spearheading this program and also offers assistance to diesel truck fleet owners who want to purchase a hybrid apply for the 25% grant offered under the Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

$45.5 million in grant funds were recently approved to produce 378 additional trucks in the largest commercial plug-in hybrid deal struck to date.

Blogging from the National Clean Energy Summit

Al Gore is very passionate about America getting off our foreign oil dependency. He claims it is a national security measure. Some of the speakers at the National Clean Energy Summit being held right now at UNLV in Las Vegas have pointed out that 4.5 million of the 12 million barrels of oil that we use come from "unfriendlies." Participant T. Boone Pickens pointed out that America uses 25% of the world's supply of oil, although we make up only 4% of the population. If we continue status quo, there will be "trouble in paradise." Our current energy sources, method of transmittal and how we use it cannot continue. T. Boone suggests updating the grid to take advantage of wind, which is currently available; electric for light duty transportation and natural gas for all new Class A vehicles (and natural gas for backup when the wind isn't blowing or the sun shining).

Green Your Body and Drive it Green!

The G3reen Outlet in the Arts Factory will feature ways to green your body, inside and out, with eco-friendly lotions, makeup and natural oils as well as organic cooking oils, spreads and food ideas on August 7, 2009, 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., during First Friday, Las Vegas Arts District’s monthly arts, entertainment, and social block party held downtown.

A chance to win a copy of Robyn O'Brien's The Unhealthy Truth will be available and all antics will be broadcast LIVE here on goinggreen.com. If you cannot be with us in person, you can sign up on your left to win a copy of the book.

In addition, a five-passenger zero-emission electric van from rEVolution Vehicles will be on display to showcase greener transportation options available now and what to expect in the future. The G3reen Outlet in the Arts Factory, located at 107 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite 100, connects people, planet and products through interactive displays, internet TV, business to business networking and creative workshops.

Fortune 500 companies go green!

Several Fortune 500 companies, such as Coca-Cola, Staples and Frito-Lay, are going green with zero-emission all-electric delivery trucks. The new Smith Newton electric delivery trucks are powered by lithium-ion batteries and they also convert the kinetic energy produced during braking into electric power.

With a top speed of 50 miles per hour and a range of over 100 miles, it is perfect for around-town deliveries, and makes a significant impact in smog reduction. Electric vehicles in general have lower operational and maintenance costs, better for the environment and reduce our dependency on foreign oil and fossil fuels.

Things that make you go Hmmmm......

We spent many summer nights in tents growing up. Camping was the ultimate adventure...picking the perfect campground, the perfect campsite, and then the perfect spot for the tent. We were taming the Wild, Wild West! With no TV, no radio and no clocks, bedtime was shortly after dark and wakeup time was shortly after sunrise. Other than the initial situating once you've turned in for the night, a flashlight was needed only for the trip to the bathroom in the middle of the night, (or to shine on the source of those mysterious night noises to scare it away!). But in case YOU want to hang out in the tent after the sun has gone down, Eureka has designed a tent with solar panels that illuminate without the need for batteries.
Super-durable, lightweight and flexible solar panels charge by day, then hang inside the tent for night-time illumination.
Should you need night-time illumination.

Bike Lounge at First Friday in Las Vegas

Go Green for lunch and save green!

Home-made lunches are healthier, taste better and save us money. One brown-bagger estimates that he saves $3,000 a year compared to his co-workers, assuming they spend $10-$15 on lunch.  $3,000! Wow!  To make brown-bagging even better, the people at The Daily Green are giving six lucky people a New Wave Enviro reusable healthy lunch kit!  This super green kit includes a bamboo lunch bag, a stainless steel food container and a stainless steel bottle, a total value of $48.47.  Register to win here.

If you must have it now and can't wait to win, get it directly from New Wave Enviro!

Eco Drinking

Did you know that 14 billion cups of coffee are served in Styrofoam or paper cups per year? The disposal of these cups is a detriment to the planet. Even paper cups may seem biodegradable, but the conventional coating on hot cups prevents them from even being compostable. Instead use a reusable water bottle, like the stainless steel one offered by Runka.com, or an ecomug, lead-free and imprinted using toxic free inks in America.

If you have to go, go green!

Alternative Transportation is featured at the Green Outlet in the Arts Factory during First Friday in downtown Las Vegas, this July 3rd! 

Come check out RTC's "Grease Bus" that runs on used vegetable oil! The Green Outlet will feature Alternative Transportation this First Friday, with new permanent bicycle racks at the Arts Factory, a SMART car display, and other alternative forms of transportation, such as electric cars, RTC's Ride Share program, even electric Karts from Pole Position indoor kart facility. In addition, there will be eco-friendly products and LIVE streaming on the internet, right here at GoingGreen.com.