December 5, 2008 With help now, U.S. automakers will lead BY JOHN DINGELL The nation is debating the merits of yet another bailout of Wall Street. Meanwhile the rescue plan for Main Street -- an economic stimulus package and a loan for the Detroit Three automakers -- continues to stall in Congress. It is troubling that while a consensus developed that Wall Street giants such as Citigroup and AIG must be rescued, there are those still arguing that Detroit should not get a loan that would preserve American jobs, including not only those of autoworkers but of millions of other Americans. One in 10 jobs in this country is directly related to the auto industry, and the automakers account for 4% of our GDP. And while some of the Detroit Three's critics refuse to acknowledge it, the domestic automakers are already developing products and technology that lead the global marketplace. The collapse of our automotive industry would be a devastating blow to an already crippled economy, and could mean the permanent loss of the kind of good-paying manufacturing jobs that built the middle class. There is no substitute for a job that can make you proud. Generations of Americans who worked at textile plants, in television factories, and for America's great manufacturers could tell you this -- but you will not find them behind the shackled gates of those factories. Perhaps you will see them running the cash register at Wal-Mart or behind the counter at a local diner. Today could be the last stand for American manufacturing and our last connection to those who gave the world the Industrial Revolution and served as the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II. As the auto executives continue to make their case, we must not forget about the millions of men and women whose livelihood is dependent on a strong and thriving manufacturing sector. When testifying before Congress two weeks ago, the CEOs of General Motors, Chrysler and Ford did a poor job of making that case. In their answers and even in their use of company planes, they clearly did not appear to understand that this is not business as usual. In essence, because of the current extraordinary economic crisis, which we now know is officially a recession, the taxpayer has become the lender of last resort for these companies. The CEOs must present their thinking and action plans to match the challenges our auto industry faces. This includes communicating better the global plan they do have for success. My colleagues are right to demand that auto executives be able to comprehensively answer tough questions. Taxpayers deserve honest answers about how the government loan money would be spent. As a congressman from metro Detroit, I have seen first-hand how the companies are prepared for the next generation of advanced technology vehicles. The auto manufacturers don't need to convince me that they are on the right track, but they must make their case to the American people. Ford, Chrysler and GM are creating a new breed of green automobiles, and with those cars come millions of green jobs. These cars, like the plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt, the Ford Fusion Hybrid and a line of electric cars from Chrysler that includes a Jeep Wrangler, will be industry leaders. I know there is a generation that feels we have lost the innovation battle to our international competitors. This misperception has highlighted the need to do a better job of telling the "American car story." Fortunately, I am convinced that if America's automakers can weather the current financial crisis, they will be at the forefront of the global competition, creating the most energy-efficient vehicles on the road. Those vehicles will generate more than just money; they will create pride for those who make them, for the dealers that sell them, and for consumers all over the world who will drive them. Other countries are helping save their own auto industries as national treasures. We cannot remain a great nation unless we also do so. Our nation, our economy, and our industry have a bright future. We must seize it with strength and vigor. Our country, our children, and our future demand it.

December 4, 2008 Local Michigan Works! receives $25k from state BY KRISTOFER KAROL DAILY PRESS & ARGUS The Livingston County Michigan Works! received $25,333 from the state on Thursday to support the No Worker Left Behind initiative. "This funding will help citizens upgrade their skills for new good-paying jobs that demand more specialized skills and knowledge," Gov. Jennifer Granholm said in a statement. "A highly skilled workforce is key to retaining and attracting employers who want to grow their business in Michigan." The initiative, launched Aug. 1, 2007, aims to train 100,000 Michigan residents in three years for jobs in high-demand occupations. The county's allocation was part of $2 million distributed to 25 Michigan Works! agencies throughout the state.

Oakland County to build green airport terminal

metromode, 11/13/2008

A green terminal is coming to the Oakland County International Airport.

The new terminal will incorporate a number of top-shelf sustainable options, such as wind power generating technology, geothermal and landscaping that uses rain water irrigation. It will also be built with a number of recycled materials.

The "green" terminal replaces a building that has been around for nearly 50 years. Materials from the demolished building will be recycled where possible.

The new terminal will be smaller than the current building (13,500 square feet versus 17,000 square feet) but the space will be used more efficiently. It will include airport offices, a U.S. Customs Service office and have a private meeting room for up to 80 people.

The $5.5 million project is set to begin next spring. Construction should be wrapped up by the summer of 2010. It's being paid for by Oakland County's Airport Fund, which consists of money from fees from airport users.

Southfield-based Neumann Smith Architecture is designing the building. The firm is aiming for LEED certification with its designs.

Oakland International is the 16th busiest airport in the U.S. and the second busiest in Michigan behind Detroit Metropolitan Airport. More than 500,000 people pass through Oakland International annually and more than 800 private and corporate aircraft are based there.

Source: Oakland County
Writer: Jon Zemke

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U.S., Brazil to speed up cellulosic ethanol research

Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:24am EST

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - The world's top two producers of ethanol, the U.S. and Brazil, will join forces to speed up research into cellulose-derived biofuels, which use inedible plant matter rather than crops as their feedstock.

In a statement they said they would expand scientific collaboration led by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and Brazilian oil giant Petrobras' Center for Research and Development CENPES.

The two nations would also to help five countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean to develop their own biofuel industries, investing $4.3 million in biofuel projects in Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Guinea Bissau and Senegal.

Existing partners already being helped to develop their biofuel industries including the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti and St. Kitts and Nevis would also benefit.

The U.S. agriculture secretary Ed Schafer and Brazil's foreign minister Celso Amorim announced their agreement late on Thursday at an international biofuels conference Brazil has been hosting in Sao Paulo, which concludes on Friday.

The Latin American nation began pioneering use of sugar cane ethanol in the mid-1970s making cars adapted to run on the biofuel. A newer generation of "flex-fuel" cars launched around four years ago can run on any mix of ethanol and gasoline.

"Second generation" or cellulosic ethanol which is not yet produced on a commercial scale, involves breaking down the woody bits of crop waste or plants into sugars to ferment -- a method expected to emit less greenhouse gases than cane and corn-based production.

(Reporting by Peter Murphy; Editing by Marguerita Choy)

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Published on mndaily.com - Serving the University of Minnesota Since 1900 (http://www.mndaily.com)

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Green jobs could help Minnesota's economy

Publish Date: 

11/18/2008

Reporter: 

Conor Shine [1]

As the nation faces pressing economic and environmental, Americans are calling for action to combat both issues at the same time.
According to a survey released Nov. 12 by the Environmental Defense Fund, 58 percent of Americans think investment in new, clean energy technologies could create millions of jobs to help the country recover from the economic crisis.
The Minnesota Green Jobs Task Force , formed by the state Legislature in the last session, researches the current green industry and will develop an action plan to help the Legislature and governor decide how to best advance Minnesota's green industries.
State Rep. Jeremy Kalin, DFL-North Branch, who is co-heading the group with state Sen. Ellen Anderson , DFL-St. Paul, said there is an opportunity to create thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue by building Minnesota's green industries.
Kalin said there's been a call for more green initiatives at a grassroots level and some businesses have been taking steps to go green. But, he said, now is the time to start removing the remaining barriers to allow green industries to really take off.
By focusing on building a green economy, Kalin said the state can address its environmental and economic issues at the same time.
"There is certainly an opportunity in the next few years to turn this economy around as fast as we can in a sustainable way," he said.
Kalin said he sees students as playing an important role in building green industries, serving as leaders and innovators as the industry grows.
"There is definitely a role for young people to fill and make good money doing it," he said.
Although green jobs are becoming more common, there still isn't a concrete definition of what a green job is, Richard Overmoyer , a researcher for the task force, said.
In his team's research, Overmoyer said they defined a green job as any job in an industry that is involved in producing green products, creating renewable energy, providing green services or promoting environmental conservation.
Kit Batten , a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress , a Washington D.C. based think-tank, said that by investing $100 billion in the green economy over the next two years, an estimated 2 million jobs could be created nationwide.
According to a September report released by the CAP, more than 37,000 jobs could be created in Minnesota alone if the $100 billion national investment went through.
"We're talking about a major increase in job creation potential by investing in green strategies," Batten said.
EcoWatch student group president Holly Lahd , a University senior in applied economics and environmental sciences, policy and management, said it's exciting to see green industries growing from a niche market into an important sector of the economy.
Addressing economic and environmental problems at the same time is a good idea, she said, because there isn't time to put off environmental issues while the economy recovers.
"I'm worried that the slow economy will be used as an excuse to not achieve our environmental goals," Lahd said.

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© 2008 Minnesota Daily

Source URL (retrieved on 11/19/2008 - 6:55pm): http://www.mndaily.com/2008/11/17/green-jobs-could-help-minnesota%E2%80%99s-economy

WINDSPIRE INSPIRES GOING GREEN! (GREAT LAKES IT REPORT PRESS RELEASE)

An example of a Windspire installation

Posted: Monday, 17 November 2008 9:35PM

Warren Schools To Consider Renewable Energy Curriculum

A unique vertical-axis wind turbine would be installed at the Macomb Math, Science and Technology Center under an agreement to be considered Wednesday night by the board of the Warren Consolidated Schools.

The Windspire wind turbine would be installed by Southern Exposure Renewable Energy Co. of Ortonville. It's manufactured by Nevada-based Mariah Power.

The turbine is part of a larger proposal to create a "renewable energy institute" at the math and science magnet school, with the company and the school district working together to develop a new renewable energy curriculum.

More at www.mariahpower.com or www.seenergyco.com.

Recently Mariah Power partnered with Mastech of Sterling Heights to manufacture its Windspire product at Mastech's plant in Manistee. The first Michigan made wind turbines are scheduled to become available in February.

November 9, 2008
Choking back tears through the smog at the Brazilian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton's victory and a farewell to friends made Sao Paulo emotional
Martin Brundle

LAST weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix was a rollercoaster ride for me, for reasons that extend beyond Lewis Hamilton keeping us on the edge of our seats until the final corner to become the youngest Formula One world champion and the first British winner for 12 years.

Before the weekend I was arguing with myself whether it was right, as an impartial broadcaster, that I was hoping Hamilton would clinch it. After all, either he or Felipe Massa would have been a worthy champion. I satisfied myself that if this had been an England versus Brazil World Cup final, there would be nothing wrong with wanting England to win, so long as I honestly called it as I saw it. After all, I am a British former F1 driver and I don't need to hide from that.

I have spent most of my life working with teams of people, including ITV-F1 this past dozen years. This race was our last broadcast. Together we've travelled, worked and partied, creating award-winning programmes, including 12 Royal Television Society gongs and two Baftas. We have taken a lot of flak for cutting to adverts during the race action, but that's just the way it is: ITV gets the ad revenue, BBC gets the licence fee and Sky gets the subscriptions and ad revenue.

There was an emotional ITV party for the 40 of us present at the event on Saturday night. It turned out to be great, not the wake I had been fearing, given that several team members, like so many others in this difficult economic climate, are heading into an uncertain future.

James Allen said a few words including, "Tomorrow we will disband", which was sobering. We had no way of knowing that the next day was going to be such a thrilling cliffhanger watched by 13m people, otherwise we might have had fewercaipirinhas,Brazil's national cocktail.

Interlagos was the perfect place for a title decider. It is without a doubt the scruffiest, most ill-equipped venue we go to, yet there is something magical about it. It is in the grubby city of Sao Paulo, where favelasand five-star hotels perch side by side, a city of Porsches mixing it with rusty, beaten-up old Chevrolets. You never feel completely safe there, the smog catches the back of your throat, the bathwater is brown and you walk out from your hotel to find people with missing limbs begging.

The track looks old, the paddock is so ridiculously narrow that you see the tyre guys impatiently wheeling the would-be world champion's tyres through the middle of a crowd of nearly famous people. But it has the most fantastic atmosphere sitting in a natural amphitheatre that exaggerates the feeling of a coliseum.

To add to the drama, we had a downpour just as the race was due to start, delaying it by 10 minutes. Three teams told me the possible rainfall had dispersed. Nobody had umbrellas, the sky looked initially calm, but the downpour descended in 10 minutes. I remarked on television that, looking through the letterbox slot of his crash helmet, Lewis appeared more relaxed about the rain than Massa. It was because he had known it was coming. The McLaren forecasters had apparently predicted the correct time and intensity of the downpour to within 15 seconds. That confidence would be a significant factor five laps from the finish, but it could so easily have cost them the championship.

Through the first corner we lost Britain's David Coulthard from the race, another poignant moment for me because he is a former rival and long-time friend and I have negotiated his driving contracts for the past 11 years.

When the ITV commentating role first became available I didn't want it, because I was expecting to be an F1 driver in 1997. I seemed to be the last person to realise that I had already completed my last grand prix.

Coulthard can consider himself a lucky boy because he knew it was his last outing. There was an overwhelming, spontaneous feeling of goodwill towards him from pretty much the whole paddock. The team painted up a pedal car in Red Bull colours for his forthcoming baby boy, the mechanics arranged that he be bagpiped into the car and there was a photo lineup with the other drivers.

I've learnt a lot from him. Having observed F1 and Coulthard closely, if I had known then what I know now, I'd have been a lot more successful as a driver. I beat Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen, three of the great champions of my era, in the same car on the same day. Yet I didn't translate those performances into proper long-term results.

My time with Coulthard made me realise that I wasn't 100% focused. I should have had more people around me, such as a full-time trainer and a physio. I should have engaged the sport's powerbrokers with more frequency and confidence. I needed to have been more ruthless and selfish, less trusting and compliant.

Coulthard will have regrets too. He should probably have taken a world championship. Surely only Schumacher and the likes of Sir Jackie Stewart and Alain Prost could be fully content with their complement of championships, reputations and limbs intact, and proper money in the bank. Or maybe not, because none of them seems able to leave the sport alone.

Last weekend Massa was supreme and Hamilton was tight with fear of losing, his normal flamboyance at the wheel missing as the team carefully guided him to a necessary but overcautious fifth place. The final rainfall gave us one of the most exciting grands prix in history. McLaren did the only sensible thing in bringing Hamilton in for rain tyres, as did Massa, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel ahead of him.

However, with Toyota's Timo Glock staying out on dry tyres - a brave but smart decision that would eventually gain him a place and with Hamilton being overtaken by Vettel, suddenly he was sixth and out of position for the title. Hamilton went into the last lap 12 seconds down on Glock, who had just completed the penultimate lap only three seconds slower. But his tyre temperatures and pressures were falling off a cliff face.

Finally the heavy rain arrived, later than forecast, and we saw a Toyota struggling from Hamilton's onboard camera as he desperately tried to repass Vettel, a driver he had been told not to fight just a few laps earlier. In the next camera shot we saw it was Glock, and Hamilton was through.

Already crossing the line more than half a minute ahead, it seemed Massa could well be the champion, but, especially in such conditions, it's crazy to celebrate too early. Many people missed the Glock pass, but thankfully up in the commentary box we had it all under control.

With a tear in my eye, I decided that all caipirinha limits were immediately lifted. It was serious party time for so many reasons.

Brundle on the final moments

Felipe Massa's mother, father and close family celebrate his supreme victory from pole position in treacherous conditions in front of the adoring Brazilian fans in their own back yard in Sao Paulo, where Massa started racing. They also believe he has won the World Championship but the caption already shows Hamilton in a critical fifth place.

Moments later, a Ferrari team member tells them that Hamilton has passed Toyota's Timo Glock at the last corner, has crossed the line and is, in fact, the 2008 world champion. Utter disbelief and despair follows. Massa and his family have handled themselves throughout the season with style, class and dignity, never more so than in the final race, making this image all the more sad. For a TV commentator, however, there was no better way to end the season.

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