Knowledge Center
Sustainability News
June 2010
Alternative energy gets jump-start, by Gloria Park, Politico.com, June 30, 2010
Washington—Under the bills introduced in the House and Senate last month, five to 15 “deployment communities” would be established across the country to begin creating an “electric vehicle infrastructure.”
Tesla bets on electric car, by Dan Strumpf, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, June 29, 2010
New York— Tesla Motors Inc. begins selling stock to the public today. The sale's success depends on how much investors are willing to bet on a car company that has never made a profit, sells a single vehicle and expects to lose money until at least 2012.
GE Lighting signs licensing agreement with Rambus Inc. for patented technology, Crain's Cleveland Business, June 29, 2010
Cleveland—The companies said the initial focus of their licensing agreement will be to create a flat-panel LED lighting system for architectural and commercial lighting for global markets.
Eaton Corp. to create solar photovoltaic system for Albuquerque VA operation, Crain's Cleveland Business, June 29, 2010
Cleveland—The diversified manufacturer said the scope of the $20 million contract includes designing and installing a 3.2-megawatt photovoltaic system throughout the site, as well as implementing a building-integrated system to help reduce demand from the local utility grid.
UT report envisions solar industry, research recharging area economy, by Christopher D. Kirkpatrick, Toledo Blade, June 28, 2010
Toledo—The 150-page report, The Relevant University: Making Community and Economic Engagement Matter, has been showing up this month in the mailboxes of elected officials and opinion leaders across northwest Ohio.
Babcock & Wilcox fires up new ideas, by Katie Byard, Akron Beacon Journal, June 28, 2010
Barberton, Ohio—Rich Killion, president and chief operating officer of Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group Inc., spoke at a luncheon last week celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Barberton Community Development Corp. He said the power-generation company is tapping into demand for green energy with solar, biomass technologies.
UT to add $1M facility for algae biofuel work, Toledo Blade, June 26, 2010
Toledo—By early next year, the University of Toledo's Scott Park Campus for Energy and Innovation will be home to a nearly $1 million facility to research and develop algae biofuels in hopes of accelerating the alternative fuel's commercialization.
Guaranteed risks in America's "green" loans, by Peter Eavis, Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2010
Washington—Through the Department of Energy, the government is guaranteeing loans to clean-energy companies. But the loan program's success depends on the viability of firms involved. And a closer look at two big recipients shows some of the risks in store for taxpayers. (Subscription)
GE to double investment in energy efficiency, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 24, 2010
Fairfield, Conn.—General Electric Co. said Thursday that its plan to pour $5 billion in investments into energy efficient and environmentally oriented projects has been met a year ahead of schedule.
Babcock & Wilcox unit lands clean energy work at University of Missouri, by Scott Suttell, Crain's Cleveland Business, June 15, 2010
Barberton, Ohio—Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group Inc. in Barberton said it has signed a contract to replace a coal-fired boiler on the University of Missouri campus with a biomass boiler that will generate steam and electricity from clean, renewable biomass fuel.
Wyandot County solar project finishes early, by Aliyya Swaby, Toledo Blade, June 15, 2010
Salem Township, Ohio—The largest solar power field in Ohio has been completed three months early. The Wyandot Solar project now can supply electricity for more than 1,400 homes. Juwi Solar Inc., which built the power-generation project, announced yesterday it finished its work that began in September on an 83-acre site.
Wind advocates push for renewable energy standard, by Bill Rice, WCPN IdeaStream, June 15, 2010
Cleveland—Area manufacturers anxious to get a piece of the emerging wind energy market gathered to show their support for a national policy to promote wind and other clean energy.
ABSMaterials hopes its water purification machine can aid in the oil spill cleanup., by Chuck Soder, Crain's Cleveland Business, June 14, 2010
Wooster, Ohio—ABSMaterials last week was preparing to send an innovative water purification machine to a contaminated water treatment field in Galveston, Texas. (Subscription)
GM workers hoping Volt can recharge U.S. autos, by Sharon Cohen, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, June 13, 2010
Warren, Mich.—Initially, the Volt will be available only in Michigan, California and Washington, D.C. GM won't reveal the price tag, though it's believed to be about $35,000 — not taking into account a $7,500 tax credit.
NE Ohio is ready to make materials, Ryan says, by Grace Wyler, Youngstown Vindicator, June 8, 2010
Youngstown, Ohio—The United States is on the brink of a green-energy revolution, and Northeast Ohio is poised to take advantage of the manufacturing opportunities that sustainable-energy industries will present, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, told about 100 academics, government leaders and clean-energy enthusiasts gathered for Youngstown State University’s Sustainable Energy Forum.
May 2010 Sustainable Manufacturing News Briefs