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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Reno Green Summit Outstanding Success

City of Reno Green Summit

Reno’s Green Summit at the incredible new Joe Crowley Student Union on the beautiful University of Nevada campus couldn’t be seen as anything but a major success.

Reports are noting that close to 300 people spent the afternoon at the summit, filled with informational booths from a variety of vendors and organizations from around the region.  As a representative from our green social network, Project ecoBrand, I can tell you that the opportunity to connect with the other vendors and attendees was really welcomed and appreciated.

The display tables were provided free of charge by the City of Reno, who did an outstanding job planning, organizing, coordinating and executing this great City branded gathering.

The Reno Gazette-Journal noted “close to 50 people attended a session on recycling and plastic bags” – and the main session was filled to the brim with individuals who spent the afternoon connecting and learning more about how we can all become more eco-conscious in our daily lives – as well as providing much needed inspiration to our City leaders.
Jason Geddes, the city’s Energy Administrator, says he expects to present several options to Reno City Council on Oct. 23 for regulating plastic bags, as well as an update on recycling negotiations with Waste Management Inc., which collects trash locally.  Jason’s efforts should be applauded by us all.

I had the opportunity to connect directly with several City Council members, and spent a good deal of time talking about how the event might be made more effective and accessible to our community.  I can tell you, Reno is truly progressive when it comes to our environmentally consciousness – and it’s really inspiring to be part of that effort.

Stay tuned for more updates about the event, and Jason Geddes’ final report to the City of Reno.

In the meantime, I’d really welcome your comments and thoughts about the event.  Together, we can make this a core value to our community, while developing habits and systems that will protect our environment, and our children’s future.