Honda's Smart Home System - The Future's Future

Wow.  Honda and renewable energy FTW.  Honda is testing out their Smart Home System (HSMS) that controls in-house energy while utilizing energy from solar and water power. It's got a "Smart e-Mix Manager" that reduces CO2 emissions and circulates energy through the home multiple times.  After reading the article, I still don't really understand how it will work but I think the gist here is:

This home is more efficient than your home is, can or will ever be in your lifetime.

This, peeps, is the future of the future..

If they can do THIS then a HSMS house should be a breeze, right? (I know you will agree just to finish this article and get this horrible image out of your retinal memory).

So go!  Read the article!  And be happy and environmental!

Alternative Fueled, Non-Hybrid cars

Since the Honda Civic Natural Gas (NG) came out last year, we are seeing all kinds of interest in alternative fuel cars that have NOTHING to do w/ fossil fuels. 

Honda Civic NG

Recently Honda released its first all-electric vehicle (EV) in the US to three businesses in CA - Google, Stanford University and the city government of Torrence, CA. That's really exciting to me because, along with the Nissan Leaf which was released late 2011, Japanese car companies are making progress toward more eco-friendly transportation! (See clip and article at bottom).

Nissan Leaf

There is also the FCX Clarity, which is Honda's dedicated hydrogen platform.  However, that one doesn't seem to be getting quite as much attention, even though Jamie Lee Curtis now drives one.  Still...These are the next steps away from hybrids and towards a petrol-free world! 

Honda FCX Clarity

Even civilians and "average Joes" are starting to care about these new technologies. Just the other day one of the residents in my community was suggesting that we put EV charging stations into the garage or parking lot. How cool would that be? It blows my mind that people not only care about these new technologies existing, but actually see it as possible, nay probable, future for our cities!

This is no longer futuristic technology. The future is now people, embrace it!

Honda Fit EV

"Three 2013 Honda Fit Electric Vehicles were delivered to different institutions across the state of California last month. Stanford University, Google, and the city of Torrance received the new cars as a test run for Honda’s electric vehicle. A few years back, the Honda Clarity debuted in Southern California, further cementing the state as a leader in transport electrification. "

Read more: http://2ndgreenrevolution.com/2012/02/04/3-honda-fit-evs-arrive-in-california/#ixzz1ldSDtvOL

Article: Twice as many charging stations as Flex Fuel Stations in US

I had to grab this post because I've been looking at a lot of Honda stuff lately.  Honda is developing a new electric vehicle (the EV Fit) and plans to send it to the public in 2012. Also the Nissan Leaf hit the U.S. this fall, which is another all-electric vehicle.

Study: Twice As Many Charging Stations As Flex Fuel Stations

By Christopher DeMorro

One of the main arguments against electric vehicles are the lack of available charging stations. It’s always seemed like a silly argument to me, as anyplace with an electrical outlet can work as a charging station in a pinch. But get this; there are almost twice as many public electric charging stations as there are E85 ethanol stations. For reals.

Read the rest of the article HERE.

While I'm happy that they are putting in so many EV charging stations, I'm disappointed at the low number of E85 stations. I don't know if I agree of the author's concluding point about automakers getting around stricter emissions standards by making alternative fuel vehicles, however. And from what I know, it seems that electric is even better than E85, environmentally speaking.  At least this is kinda step in the right direction.

Coal Power: Safe? Seems Not...

Since we are in the midst of nuclear terror, I thought I'd show that coal power is no angel either.

This happened a few years ago (2008), before I started really paying attention to this environmental stuff but nonetheless I'm pretty shocked. This is the story of a toxic waste spill in Tennessee where a levy broke and spilled some 50 years of coal ash water into the Emory river, contaminating water, land and livelihoods. Now we're not just talking environmental impact, here, we are dealing with direct human-health consequences...I mean, if we can't even protect our fellow man...How are we EVER going to protect the environment?

Here is the 60 minutes story of that disaster and of the safety of coal ash which contains arsenic, cadmium, and other nasty things. It seems that companies have been trying to recycle it by building golf courses out of it and putting it in everything from cement to counter tops to carpeting. All without really knowing if it's dangerous or not and at the same time asserting that it's perfectly safe. I mean, I'm glad they're trying to recycle it but seriously people....

These two videos ask the question:

“How did we get to the point where coal ash is in products without anybody knowing” its safety?

How indeed?

That lobbyist seems about as slimy as the Emory River....



"Clean coal" my butt....

RTD Ecopass Discounts!!

Hey Boulder and Denverites!

Did you know you could use your Eco-Pass not only to take the bus all over (save ~$120 to the airport by not taking Super Shuttle), but also get discounts at local businesses?  Now it's an EVEN smarter investment. Here they are!!!

Alpaca Connection: 1326 Pearl St.
(15% discount) American Mountaineering Museum: 710 10th Street, Golden
(½ price admission and 10% off in Base Camp Adventure Gift Shop)

American Homebrewers Association:303-447-0816 or 736 Pearl St. ($5 discount on membership)

Barry Erdman, LCSW, DCSW: 1900 Folsom Street, Suite 203, 303 444-1404
($20 off first visit)
BeadforLife: 1143 Portland Place, Suite 1
(10% discount for purchases made at studio)

Belvedere Belgian Chocolate Shop: 1936 14th Street
(10% discount)
Berg's Small Moves: 1495 Riverside Ave
(10% off any move)
BJ's Restaurant: 1125 Pearl St.
(10% discount) Boulder Beer "The Pub": 2880 W Wilderness Place
(Happy Hour prices)
Boulder Cycle Sport: 4580 Broadway Unit B
(15% parts and accessories)
Boulder Financial Realty: 2961 Broadway
(At closing, a free appraisal for any buyer and/or free title insurance for sellers. One free month of management or discount management services for landlords)
Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra: Box office, 2995 Wilderness Pl., #100
(20% off regular concerts and 10% off of Nutcracker and Classical Mystery Tour - A Tribute to the Beatles)
Broadway Wine and Spirits: 2550 Baseline Rd., 303-494-0177
(10% off 1/2 case of mix & match wine - Sale items EXCLUDED. 15% off 1 full case of mix & match wine - Sale item INCLUDED)
Buyers' Slice Realty, LLC: 1942 Broadway Suite 314
(Buy property and add $200 to a large commission rebate)

Caffe Sole: 637R S. Broadway
(15% discount)

Ciana Grove Therapeutic Massage: 2346 Broadway, 303-443-4715 or e-mailThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(10% discount)
Common Era: 1500D Pearl St.
(10% off)
Community Cycles: 2805 Wilderness Place, Ste. 1000
(10% off bikes, parts, accessories and 10% off annual membership)
Conor O'Neill's: 1922 13th St.
(20% off brunch/lunch until 3pm)
Copy Experts: 2835 Pearl Street
(10% discount on copy and print services)
Dagabi Cucina:3970 N. Broadway
(Sunday-Thursday 15% off bill excluding tapas and carry out)

eGo CarShare:1919 14th St, Suite 330D
($10 discount on membership, use Promo code "NECO2011")
Exquisite Life Wellness coaching:1035 Pearl St. Suite 314, 303-993-4359
(25% off private health coaching sessions; 15% off group health coaching sessions)
Farfel's Farm: 906 Pearl Street
(10% Discount on Everything)
Fresh Produce: 1218 Pearl
(10% off one item)
Full Cycle: 1795 Pearl Street and 1211 13th Street
(Tuesday Tube deal: 50% off one tube - one per day, one per customer)
Indra's Net: 303-546-9151
(10% off DSL and dial-up services)
Jacque Michelle II: 2670 Broadway, 303-786-7628
(10% off)
Jean Pierce, NCTMB: 303-931-7920
($45 for one hour massage)
Joyful Furniture: 2000 21st St
(Free Delivery)
Lindsay's Boulder Deli at Haagen-Dazs: 1148 Pearl St.
(10% off or $1 off food and ice cream)
Mercury Framing: 4692 N. Broadway, 303-938-0123
(15% off total service)
Moe's Bagels: both Boulder locations (2650 Broadway and 3075 Arapahoe)
(10% discount)
Morningstar Boutique: 2027 Broadway St.
(10% discount)

Moving Day Boxes.com
(10% discount on-line with all moving boxes and moving supplies. After you complete order and receive order confirmation-claim 10% discount HERE. Free shipping on all orders)
North Boulder Liquor: 3990 Broadway
(10% off liquor by the case and 15% off wine by the case, except sale items)
Old Chicago: 1102 Pearl St.
(10% discount)
Only Natural Pet Store: 2100 28th St. Suite 1C
(5% discount)

Paradise Bakery: 1207 Pearl St.
(10% discount)
Parasoft Paragliding: 4310 9th St. or 303-494-2820
(10% off first lesson)
Perry's Shoe Shop: 949 Walnut
(10% off)
Play it Again Sports: 653 S. Broadway
(20% off on Tuesdays, max discount $25, not valid on sale items)
Savory Spice Shop:2041 Broadway
(10% off)
Selden & Sons Automotive: 4593 Broadway C-116
(Free tire rotation, $9.95 oil change, free brake check and free 22 point seasonal inspection)
Sensorielle Spa:
(10% off any facial, massage or body treatment 60 min or more, wax and tint excluded)
Solaterra Health Enterprises: 303-641-3047
(10% discount)
Subway: 5280 Spine Rd in Gunbarrel
(10% discount)
Thai Kitchen: 4479 N. Broadway
(15% discount dinner only)
University Bikes: 839 Pearl St.
(25% discount off bicycle rental)

The Unseen Bean: 2052 Broadway
(10% discount)
Check back frequently for updated discounts.
*Discounts offered are provided by merchants, not RTD

Via this website: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8877&Itemid=3010