Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Corridor Development Announcements At Nevada State Legislature

ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE (ZEV) CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS AT STATE LEGISLATURE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2009

Media Contact: Larry DeVincenzi
Project Outreach Coordinator
Cell: 775.771.7004

ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE (ZEV) CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS AT STATE LEGISLATURE

WHAT: The Renewable Energy Accelerator (REA250) in collaboration with state and local officials and private industries will announce initial agreements to begin development of a zero emission vehicle corridor on Interstate 80 through northern Nevada and California.   Together, they will announce an environmentally responsible process that can be the template for implementation nation-wide.

WHERE: Legislative Building steps, 401 S. Carson Street, Carson City, NV

WHEN: Thursday, April 16th, 2009 at 10 a.m.

DETAILS: The University of California, represented by Co-Director Daniel M. Kammen of the Berkeley Institute of the Environment and the Nevada Renewable Energy Integration and Development Consortium of the Nevada System of Higher Education, which is represented by President Steve Wells of the Desert Research Institute, have agreed to develop a feasibility study proposal for the new Zero Emission Vehicle Corridor from Berkeley, California to Reno-Sparks, Nevada.

The feasibility study will focus on the development of infrastructure needed to support the testing and development of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) and associated highway and community networks.   Research will also address the needed business, legal, and governmental oversight structures necessary to rapidly convert to zero emission vehicles.

The Corridor utilizes the wide range of environmental conditions on a short stretch (240 miles) of Interstate 80. It is anchored on one end by the innovative technology environment found in the East Bay/Bay Delta areas of California including:
•      Ground breaking environmental, energy and vehicle technology research capacity
•      A wide range of existing public-private partnerships for ZEV’s
•      A growing market for ZEV’s
•      At the other end of the corridor, the Reno/Tahoe Region of Nevada is located in a beautiful mountainous/high desert location that has:
•      An exceptional business climate located in a major transportation hub for the West Coast
•      Exciting educational and tech commercialization opportunities
•      Unique geothermal and other renewable energy assets to support the production of ZEV’s.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid offered his support of these developments: “This is a tremendous step forward as we work to make our state the leader in clean energy,” said Reid. “Renewable energy has the potential to power not only all of our homes, but also all of our cars. I am pleased to support this collaboration, which will help protect our air while creating much-needed jobs in Nevada.”

“Advancing green technology and renewable energy must be a top priority, and I’m hopeful that as these types innovations are proven, they will become more and more a part of our everyday lives,” said Senator John Ensign, who led efforts in Congress to ensure passage of a bill to encourage renewable energy development across the country. “Our plan must include a vast array of resources such as solar, wind, geothermal and more to ensure our security and protect our environment.”

The Zero Emission Vehicle Project was initiated by a group of Reno-based business visionaries and local, state, and federal governmental leaders and facilitated by REA250 staff. They envisioned a ZEV corridor that would enhance and accelerate the research and development of new technologies in both California and Nevada while creating the infrastructure for an emerging zero emission vehicle industry in Northern Nevada.

Susan Clark, Ph.D. and co-founder of the Renewable Energy Accelerator notes “We have now assembled the best and brightest in Nevada, while engaging our neighbors in California, to leverage its renewable energy resources, excellent business climate, and sophisticated networks to make sure that Northern Nevada is the epicenter of an accelerated American ZEV economy.”  Clark will present Thursday’s announcement on the Legislature steps, and continue to initiate future development of the ZEV corridor project.

ZEV Project accomplishments to date include:
•      Outreach to ZEV companies looking for production facilities that utilize renewable energy resources for production.
•      The assemblage of land and initial funding to support the private development of office buildings and production facilites powered by renewable resources.
•      The on-going development of the business and legal structure needed to support the rapid development of a ZEV economy in Northern Nevada as a model for the US conversion.

STORY ANGLES:

•      Acceleration of a zero emission vehicle economy in Northern Nevada
•      Nonpartisan support of ZEV corridor development with support from educational, private and public entities.
•      Collaboration of a integrated renewable energy entities for Nevada that are inclusive of existing programs and responds to state and federal mandates
•      Support for inclusive dialog to create effective policy infrastructures and outreach strategies for renewable energy generation in Nevada
•      Continue developing 250 Bell Street, which has become a center for community events, as a “net-zero” facility

Founders Susan and Don Clark with their team of highly ambitious and qualified business professionals identified the need for an action-oriented strategic organization designed to accelerate the use of renewable energy resources in Nevada. The Renewable Energy Accelerator at 250 Bell (REA250) was created to meet said demand. In alignment with national, state, and local renewable energy policies, the REA250 was established for the sole purpose of advancing Nevada’s economic and environmental sustainability while providing a role model for other regions.

REA250 was developed to meet the needs for high-stakes, fast-moving solutions in renewable energy.

REA250 is part of a larger collaborative at 250 Bell Street including the Education Design Group, Sierra Club, Dynamic Competence, Cathexes Architecture, Clean Energy Center, Great Basin Wind, Bombard Renewable Energy,  Renewable Nevada and SmartBrand.

Other regional collaborators include Northern Nevada Urban Development Company, Nevada System of Higher Education, Nevada County School Districts, Building and Trade Councils, Electrical Workers Union, AFL-CIO, and various industry representatives and consultants.
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G3REEN OUTLET OPENING AT THE ARTS FACTORY

Don’t miss this First Friday! Downtown’s monthly art festival is going green January 2, 2009 with the addition of the G3reen Outlet.

Located in the heart of the Arts District in downtown Las Vegas, G3reen Outlet is designed as an eco gallery, store and resource center focused on green living solutions.

Kick start your Green New Year’s Resolution at G3! Among the displays, Pulte DelWebb Homes will feature their new community, Villa Trieste, the first LEED certified and Solar Community in Nevada. Other participating partners include Liquid Stucco, Car Planet, and a variety of artists, designers, and green product suppliers. The event is free to attend.

Display space available for $100. Showcase your eco art and green products to 5,000 people attending First Friday events each month. Contact Tara at 702.556.8619 or tara@smartbrand.biz for details.

For details visit: http://ecobrand.ning.com/events/g3reen-outlet-opening-at-the

G3Reen Outlet Opening

Project ecoBrand Launch

One of the distinct advantages of working in a truly collaborative environment is the ability to focus your attention toward a common goal. Collectively, we put our heads together to ask one simple question – What kind of work or client inspires us?

The answer was immediate – and unanimous. We want to focus new work with eco-based clients that can not only provide a valued resource to prospects, but also give back to, and protect our earth.

But how do you do this well? First… as always… a ton of research was undertaken. If we are going to help our eco-prospects position and market their brand, then we’d better understand the industries they’re engaged in on a daily basis.

We began, as a stroke of luck, at Las Vegas’ newest eco-adventure area: Springs Preserve. And what a start that was. It took several weeks, countless hours of research and learning – but we finally came to the understanding of the industry – its potential growth and suppliers, and felt a deeper affinity with the eco-branding process overall.

And so, launches our effort to reach out to, and partner with eco-friendly suppliers of products. At first, we’ll focus our efforts on getting those suppliers into the eyes and hearts of commercial real estate developers and projects. What better way to show the mass appeal, and the bottom-line cost savings than to help connect these niche suppliers with their much larger target market?

We’ve created an incentive program for anyone who knows of a good prospective client for SmartBrand, but more importantly, a good partner that suits our skill set in developing strong brands, and implementing campaigns that create true word-of-mouth virility.

So after reading this, ask yourself. Who do I know that might need a truly dedicated team of creatives focused on developing innovative brand platforms for eco-based products or services?

And then…call us, or visit our site to tell us more.