The Bombardier-Alstom Consortium Confirms it has Received the Notice to Proceed for the Supply of 468 New Metro Cars …

N.C. DOT takes first step to replace Yadkin River bridge
Before crews can replace the aging Interstate 85 bridge over the Yadkin River in Davidson County, they need a platform to work from. In essence, they must build a bridge in order to build a bridge.

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Review: Danville’s Jules Thin Crust is a pizzeria gem — with a twist
A casual new pizza place turns the pizza option on its head with oblong, wafer-thin pizzas that brim with organic, seasonal produce and fresh, healthy ingredients. Choose from the intriguing menu or create your own — and there are gluten-free versions, too.

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Positron’s AK5RS Deciphers Sacred Wind’s Ultra Long Reach and Escalating Bandwidth Puzzle
Positron Access, a leader in asymmetric/symmetric MIMO-on-DMT technology, announced today its continuous advancement in helping Sacred Wind Communications extend its broadband services with the introduction of two new products, the AK5RS eight pair repeater and the AK5NTE, complimenting their widely deployed Carrier Ethernet AK5000 product family

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Groups aim to green Newtown’s brownfields
The area around Newtown Creek, known for decades as a toxic wasteland, is due for a makeover. Several community groups have received funding to revitalize the area surrounding the creek, which divides Queens and Brooklyn, but the question remains: what to do?

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The Bombardier-Alstom Consortium Confirms it has Received the Notice to Proceed for the Supply of 468 New Metro Cars …
MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC–(Marketwire – Nov. 16, 2010) – The consortium comprising Bombardier Transportation and Alstom Transport confirmed today it has received the Notice to Proceed from Société de transport de Montréal (STM) on the supply of 468 metro cars (52 nine-car trainsets).

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Image Microsystems Named 2010 Green Supply Chain Award Winner

Green Club Sites Go For Gold
The Camping and Caravanning Club has once again exceeded expectations in the prestigious David Bellamy Conservation Awards, achieving three gold rosettes for 2011. (PRWeb November 09, 2010) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/11/prweb4764634.htm

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County hikes water rates
Being green may cost Norfolk residents green in their pocketbooks.

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Portland metro area wins award for planning
The international competiton recognizes local work to improve environmental health and quality of life.

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Food production under pressure from EU biofuels usage targets
EUROPEAN food production could come under severe pressure as member states strive to meet the EU’s 2020 biofuels usage targets, according to a new environmental report.

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Image Microsystems Named 2010 Green Supply Chain Award Winner
Reverse Logistics Leader Fosters Supply Chain Sustainability Through Proprietary MicroStrate(TM) Manufacturing Process — Diverting E-Waste Plastic From Landfills and Transforming It Into Cost-Effective Signage and Road Markers

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The Power of Greening Supply Chains

Sustainable supply chains are an integral part of a rapidly growing trend that is transforming businesses around the world. Supply chains are critical links that connect an organisation’s inputs to its outputs. The increasing environmental costs of these networks and growing consumer pressure for eco-friendly products has led many organisations to look at supply chain sustainability as a new measure of profitable logistics management.

Approximately 70 percent of all surveyed top executives consider sustainability efforts essential to long-term profitability. For firms’ purchasing strategies, purchasing heads rank environmental efforts as most important among sustainability initiatives.

In response to overwhelming demand for sustainable supply chain expertise, educational facilities like the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University are building green supply chains into their curriculums.

The level of an organizations involvement can be catagorized into one of three general groups sometimes referred to as the three tiers of sustainability.

Tier 1) The Basics: This is the base level where companies employ simple measures such as switching lights and PCs off when left idle, recycling paper, and using greener forms of travel with the purpose of reducing the day-to-day carbon footprint. Some companies also employ self-service technologies such as centralised procurement and teleconferencing.

Tier 2) Thinking Sustainably: This is the second level, where companies begin to realise the need to embed sustainability into supply chain operations. Companies tend to achieve this level when they assess their impact across a local range of operations. In terms of the supply chain, this could involve supplier management, product design, manufacturing rationalisation, and distribution optimisation.

Tier 3) The Science of Sustainability: The third tier of supply chain sustainability uses detailed auditing and benchmarks to provide a framework for governing sustainable supply chain operations. This clarifies the environmental impact of adjustments to supply chain agility, flexibility, and cost in the supply chain network. Moving towards this level means being driven by the current climate as well as pushing emerging regulations and standards at both an industry and governmental level.

An October 2009 GTM report, titled Greening the Supply Chain: Benchmarking Sustainability Practices and Trends, indicates that green supply chain leaders are benefiting from reduced costs, increased revenue and recognition.

The report includes case studies and interviews with supply chain executives and sustainability officers. Although energy reduction in the supply chain has received a lot of attention, there are other efforts including more efficient product designs.

According to David Schatsky, one of the report’s authors, “The supply chain represents a big opportunity for firms to realize the financial, operational and strategic benefits of sustainable business practices.”

Despite its growing prominence, sustainability is not at the core of most companies’ strategic planning and although involvement is increasing, it is not yet the prime driver of supply chain agendas.

While there are many benefits to greening the supply chain, there are also impediments. Many companies cannot fully evaluate their suppliers and customers, making it difficult to assess the true environmental costs. However, as the basic standards of sustainability reporting become increasingly common it will be easier to make more accurate assessments.

Sustainable supply chain efforts are a defining feature of a serious environmental commitment. Overall the research indicates that firms that take sustainability seriously show major competitive advantages, especially with regard to production efficiency, supplier management skills and employee morale.
    Supply chain sustainability reporting is a key feature of Puma’s overall sustainability strategy. At the GRI Global Conference in Amsterdam, sporting goods manufacturer Puma, in cooperation with the Global Reporting Initiative, announced its intention to expand environmental considerations and improve working conditions throughout their strategic supplier network.

Those responsible for more than two-thirds of all Puma products will receive GRI certified training on transparent measurement and reporting on their sustainability performance using the GRI G3 Guidelines – the world’s most widely-used framework for sustainability reporting. These twenty Puma suppliers are based in China, Vietnam, Cambodia and other countries. The first sustainability reports are expected to be released in 2011/2012.

Reiner Hengstmann, Puma’s Global Head of Social and Environmental Affairs said, “Without sustainable suppliers, we will not be able to produce sustainable products or credibly report about Puma’s own sustainability initiatives.”

Puma originally joined a GRI pilot project called “Transparency in the Supply Chain” back in 2006. Under this project three South African Puma suppliers were trained on issuing sustainability reports. Managers learned how to measure sustainability concepts such as waste diversion, energy efficiency, and other performance indicators.

As the result of this training Impahla Clothing, a Puma supplier in Capetown, was the first carbon-neutral garment supplier on the African continent in 2009. Impalah’s 2009 Sustainability Reports reveals a 40% increase in production, a doubling of its permanent staff, and a 10% drop in absenteeism. The company’s bottom line improved through the cost savings gained.

Similar projects are underway in China, South Asia, Turkey, and Portugal. By engaging with its vendors and offering them further resources, PUMA has empowered these companies to proactively address the weak points in their operations, while also giving them the tools to find those improvements independently.

Many companies can learn from PUMA’s leadership. PUMA has added value to its offering by changing its corporate mission from the most ‘desirable’ sporting brand, to ‘desirable AND sustainable.’ Once accused of having low labor standards, Puma is now emphasizing transparency and using supply chain reporting as a central part of its strategy to become the most sustainable sport-lifestyle company in the world.   Walmart and HP are also leveraging their buying power to increase sustainability throughout their supply chains. Wal-Mart has launched a number of sustainable supply chain programs, including its Sustainability Value Network which directly involves its suppliers in a number of green initiatives. Wal-mart also implemented a supplier packaging scorecard, that formally rates suppliers on their progress toward developing sustainable packaging, as well as their ability to help Wal-Mart reach the company’s sustainability goals to reduce waste, use renewable energy and sell sustainable products.

In 2008, HP published a set of guidelines to make their supply chain more sustainable. The guidelines help multinationals to better equip their suppliers. This initiative focuses on assisting small and medium-sized business to effectively compete in the global market while improving environmental standards.   Research funded by the European Supply Chain Institute (ESCI) indicates that IT supply chains afford significant opportunities for carbon reduction.

The ESCI is a member-driven organization that researches all areas that will have a direct, positive impact within the supply chain. Last September, ESCI formed a new group called the Supply Chain Carbon Council to research issues related to carbon emissions in the supply chain and make recommendations.

According to the Supply Chain Carbon Council, “Businesses need to focus less on how IT contributes to their environmental impact and more on how IT can help lessen the environmental impact of their supply chain operations. While making IT more green must remains a concern, there are areas where deploying more IT can significantly contribute to making an organization’s supply chain activities more environmentally sustainable.”

There’s a mounting evidence to indicate that by leveraging their supply chains companies can multiply environmental benefits. Although there are barriers that need to be overcome, sustainable supply chains are part of a world changing trend that is sure to continue.

Fall Lawn Care Video – Fresh Start Growers’ Supply

The first installment of the web video series “Grow It Forward!” focuses on tips for Fall lawn care. The video series is produced by Fresh Start Growers’ Supply, a sustainable farm, garden, and lawn care supplier located in Louisville, Kentucky. Fresh Start Growers’ Supply provides soil and animal care products for farms, lawns, and gardens. Our goal is to help you farm better, eat better, and live better. We want to provide enjoyable solutions that connect people to their garden and land. Visit the online store at: www.freshstartgrowers.com 1-888-347-8569

Horizon’s NEW MiniPak – compact fuel cell power supply for your power-hungry portable electronics

Horizon is proud to announce the start of shipments of MiniPak – its first handheld fuel cell product, powered by mass-produced Horizon micro-fuel cells and new low-cost hydrogen storage cartridges. The MiniPak addresses the power gap created by increasingly power-hungry devices and limited improvements in the batteries that power them. It also helps bring myriads of low cost USB devices traditionally designed to be linked to the PC – into portable off-grid settings. This disruptive development is now available and other important announcements should follow shortly – WATCH THIS SPACE!

China Ritar Power Corp. Announces Major Supply Contracts with American Power Conversion Corp.

Cyclists make stand against big carbon footprints
The parking spot rage incident still amazes Melissa Hellwig. Last year, a handful of cyclists gathered near the post office on Queen St. in Niagara-on-the-Lake. They bought a ticket and occupied two spots along the road.[...]

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EcoPlum Expands Resources for Environmentally Friendly Living with Site Redesign
Today, EcoPlum, a green shopping rewards site and eco-information destination for green lifestyles, announced several new features and a whole new look to empower and engage consumers to lead sustainable lives and buy eco friendly products.

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Scott Burgess: Volt test drive quiet, efficient — and fun
The Volt is anything but ordinary. The plug-in electric vehicle with a range extending gasoline engine can fly down the highway, roll through tight corners and silently stalk traffic under electric power.

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Grit International Inc. Begins Corporate Re-Branding Process
GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB–(Marketwire – 10/11/10) – GRIT International Inc., “GRIT” (Frankfurt: 3GR1 – News ) (Pinksheets: GRIG – News ) is pleased to announce that as part of its expanded business plan, it will be re-branding GRIT International and its newly created subsidiaries to better reflect its direction and to increase brand recognition. GRIT International will contract with advertising …

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China Ritar Power Corp. Announces Major Supply Contracts with American Power Conversion Corp.
China Ritar Power Corporation , a leading supplier of innovative nano gel battery products and solutions, today announced that the company was awarded a new contract to supply VRLA batteries to American Power Conversion Corporation , a global leader in the UPS markets.

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Mitsui OSK Lines and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to develop a hybrid power supply system

Using solar power generation technology and lithium ion batteries MOL will construct a hybrid car carrier that will use natural energy and generate electricity to be stored in the batteries which will then supplu power to the vessel when it is at berth. This is slated to be launched in 2012. Mitsui Engg and shipbuilding is working on the development of tension leg platform type floating structures for offshore wind farms. China’s state oceanic administration has warned that this year’s severe winter could have an adverse impact on oil exploration and shipping

Ford Picks Compact Power To Supply Batteries For Electric Focus

The Little 57-mpg Engine That Could
Fiat says the TwinAir 875cc will be the world’s most fuel-efficient gasoline automobile engine — getting 57.4 mpg — when it appears in the 500 this fall. It meets Euro 5 emission regs and will allow Fiat to retain its position as the European automaker with the lowest overall fleet CO2 emissions.

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Camaro’s launch tops all rivals
The Chevrolet Camaro, which is built in Oshawa, has outscored all other new models for its launch, according to a major auto consumer information website.

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Honda plans electric vehicle, plug-in in 2012
Honda will start selling an electric vehicle as well as a plug-in hybrid in 2012 in the U.S. and Japan, joining the race to manufacture green cars in which rivals have already taken slight leads.

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Korea’s LG Chem wins Ford Focus battery pack deal
Ford Motor Co. has picked a subsidiary of Korean battery maker LG Chem to supply battery packs for an electric version of the Ford Focus that will hit showrooms sometime next year.

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Ford Picks Compact Power To Supply Batteries For Electric Focus
Ford Picks Compact Power To Supply Batteries For Electric Focus

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Electric vehicles should not use household supply

City layout of electric vehicle charging piles, the “at home to charge it?” “How many full time energy to run away ah?”

Driving range is generally more than 100 km

“Compared to traditional fuel vehicles, apart from the use of low-cost, zero-emission driving, low noise, energy efficiency, the advantages of diversification of energy sources, the electric car is also some bad points.” Quanzhou electrical Board official said, there are now electric cars a relatively short driving range, HP PAVILION DV6000 Battery technology was not mature enough, use lithium batteries are more expensive electric cars and other shortcomings.

According to reports, the current use of electric vehicles on the market after a single charge driving range is generally 100-300 km. However, this figure needs to maintain an appropriate speed, and has good battery conditioning system can be guaranteed, most electric vehicles in general traffic environment driving range of about 100-200 kilometers. “In addition to the relatively short driving range, the battery technology has not yet been a breakthrough.” Quanzhou Electric Power Bureau to give reporters the calculations: the current good performance of the battery charge and discharge times up to 1000 times, discharge 200 times per year basis, a battery life of typically 5 years. In addition, the existing quality and the battery still larger problem.

Charging stand for 20 minutes full of Liu Cheng electricity

Quanzhou will build the first charge pile, people wonder maybe electric cars of the times coming. However, many people are most concerned about is the possibility of electric vehicles like electric bikes use the same power outlet for charging at home. According to the present information, Quanzhou Electric Power Bureau these people do not recommend this charge mode.

It is reported that electric automobile charging can be divided into slow charge and fast charge, slow charge and charging facilities, power size, the size of vehicle power, the time is different. BYD F3e these people to electric vehicles as an example, saying that the battery rated capacity of 120 Ah, and the average family of 4 kW power supply, electrical power at the same time ensure that other cases, less allowable charge current (about the highest in the 8-10 safety), electric vehicle charging time is very long. On the other hand, the electric vehicle battery charging and discharging the technical requirements are very high charge and discharge to ensure the safety and extend battery life and reliability, require special management system (BMS) on the battery system, charge and discharge process to monitor and management. “The family is not charged with such a socket technology.”

Electric vehicle charging facilities can be divided into AC and charging station charging pile into two categories. AC charging power generally do not pile more than 7 kilowatts, while the single charging station charging facilities power, 7 kW, 10 kW, 30 kW, 60 kilowatts in four grades. Charging Station from the scale is divided into large, medium, small, electric power from 90 to 300 kilowatts, which can accommodate from 3 to 10 electric vehicles at the same time charging. With the FUJITSU LIFEBOOK C2220 of electric vehicles, the residential area parking lot will gradually complete the exchange charge pile construction, made it more convenient for charging electric vehicles.

Supply Not A Concern For Nat Gas As Reserves Increasing: Analyst Predicts $4 Per Million BTU Pricing

Alstom Opens in Chattanooga, USA, a State-of-the-Art Turbine Manufacturing Facility to Address the North American …
On 24 June 2010, Alstom inaugurated a new production facility for steam turbines, gas turbines, large turbo-generators and related equipment for the North American fossil fuel and nuclear power generation market.

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FuelCell Energy: Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock
Die untenstehende Meldung ist eine Original-Meldung des Unternehmens. Sie ist nicht von der ECOreporter.de-Redaktion bearbeitet. Die presserechtliche Verantwortlichkeit liegt bei dem meldenden Unternehmen.

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Cabinet approves mission to cut greenhouse emissions
Cabinet approves mission to cut greenhouse emissionsCabinet approves mission to cut greenhouse emissions

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Our view: Energy future
Alaska’s energy future is current events.

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Supply Not A Concern For Nat Gas As Reserves Increasing: Analyst Predicts $4 Per Million BTU Pricing
67 WALL STREET, New York – June 24, 2010 – The Wall Street Transcript has recently published its Alternative Energy and Utilities Report offering a timely review of the sector to serious investors and industry executives. This Special feature contains expert industry commentary through in-depth interviews with public company CEOs, Equity Analysts and Money Managers. The full issue is available …

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