Council Goal is 25,000 EVs on CT Roads by 2020

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Council Goal is 25,000 EVs on CT Roads by 2020

Twenty-five-thousand plug-in vehicles on state roads by 2020 is the goal and vision embraced by Gov. M. Jodi Rell and her Electric Vehicles Infrastructure Council.

The 25,000 target is one of the many recommendations the Council included in its final report this week to the governor on comprehensive ways to prepare the state for the advent of the new generation of zero-emission electric vehicles.

The state’s commitment for EVs complements Governor Rell’s ‘Energy Vision for a Cleaner, Greener State,’ which set a goal of increasing the percentage of clean, renewable energy consumed by state government from all sources to 20 percent by the year 2020.

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Featured Story

Council To Wait For Cheshire BOE Vote On Turf Council To Wait For Cheshire BOE Vote On Turf

Until the Cheshire Board of Education formally votes on a new turf field and bids are received for the project, it appears the Town Council will not accept a state grant which is expected to fund more than 60 percent of the work. Council Chairman Tim Slocum, who stated he is in favor of the
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Pillsbury Seeks 1% Against DeLauro Pillsbury Seeks 1% Against DeLauro

Charlie Pillsbury said he had hoped a younger Green Party member would emerge to try to unseat U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro this November. No such luck. So he’s dusting off his 2002 campaign signs, calling for a 70 percent military budget cut, and throwing his hat—gently—into the ring. via Pillsbury Seeks 1% Against DeLauro |
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White-tailed Kite month #2 White-tailed Kite month #2

The White-tailed Kite has entered its second month at Stratford Point. It is beyond amazing. I do not know of anyone that thought this length of a stay probable or even considered it a possibility. Click above for photos of this beautiful raptor.

New York Smart Growth Act Signed Into Law | Steven Higashide, Mobilizing the Region New York Smart Growth Act Signed Into Law | Steven Higashide, Mobilizing the Region

The Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Priority Act (A8011B/S5560B), which directs New York state agencies to make their infrastructure spending decisions in accordance with smart growth principles, has been signed into law by Gov. Paterson. The law was a priority for Vision Long Island, Empire State Future, TSTC, and other transportation and planning groups, and its passage was hailed by advocates.

Geneva talks aim to secure climate finance progress. – swissinfo Geneva talks aim to secure climate finance progress. – swissinfo

Switzerland’s top climate envoy hopes this week’s informal financing meeting in Geneva will rebuild trust to revive the stalled global climate change talks.

Bill McKibben book ‘eaarth’ frightens David Letterman Bill McKibben book ‘eaarth’ frightens David Letterman

Letterman has read the book and told McKibben it frightens him. On Late Night with David Letterman last night, they discussed the recent record-breaking 129-degree days in Pakistan and the record rain flooding that continues there. Click above to watch the whole clip courtesy of 350.org.

Water

NRG sponsoring CRWC ‘Great River Cleanup’ Oct. 2 NRG sponsoring CRWC ‘Great River Cleanup’ Oct. 2

NRG has announced that it is “‘leading the way as sponsor of the ‘Great River Cleanup’” The company announced that the Connecticut River Watershed Council needs a few thousand volunteers for the Oct. 2, 2010, Source to Sea Cleanup.  This year, NRG Energy again leads the way as title sponsor, with many of its Connecticut
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Blumenthal appeals to environmentalists and other lovers of Long Island Sound Blumenthal appeals to environmentalists and other lovers of Long Island Sound

U.S. Senatorial Richard Blumenthal has released an ad in which he promises to hold big oil accountable if elected to the Senate, just as he fought Shell Oil and TransCanada Energy, who proposed building “Broadwater,” a huge liquefied natural gas storage facility in the middle of Long Island Sound, that Blumenthal opposed.

Land

Easton selectmen vote to form ag committee Easton selectmen vote to form ag committee

The Easton Board of Selectmen (BOS) voted unanimously Thursday night to create a town Agricultural Committee. The three selectmen had been debating whether to form a committee or a commission to promote agriculture in town. The BOS can create a committee on its own, but forming a commission requires that residents approve an ordinance at
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Non-Native Beetles Have Potential to Devastate State Forests Non-Native Beetles Have Potential to Devastate State Forests

Gov. M. Jodi Rell has reminded residents and visitors to be aware of the serious threat that non-native beetles pose to thousands of acres of Connecticut forests, particularly those with stands of maples, birches, elms and willows. The governor urged residents to be on the lookout for the Asian Longhorned beetle and the Emerald Ash borer. Both are highly destructive and invasive forest pests.

Energy

Clotheslines snipped at Quarry Knoll I senior complex Clotheslines snipped at Quarry Knoll I senior complex

GREENWICH — After nearly 50 years of service, the clotheslines that provided free drying for senior citizens on fixed incomes at Quarry Knoll I in Greenwich bear their soggy burdens no more. Following complaints that they were unsightly and posed a potential liability for the Greenwich Housing Authority, the clotheslines were dismantled and the polls
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EPA asks CT to curb electricity use EPA asks CT to curb electricity use

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants businesses and residents in Connecticut and the rest of New England to cut their energy and fuel consumption over the next two days as the air quality has reached unhealthy standards. via EPA asks CT to curb electricity use | Hartford Business.

Business

South Kent School Ready to Install Solar Panels South Kent School Ready to Install Solar Panels

C Solar, a Con­necticut-based provider of renewable energy solutions, has been hired to design and install photovoltaic systems at South Kent School, an independent secondary school in South Kent. via South Kent School Ready to Install Solar Panels – Litchfield County Times.

Energy upgrades will save dealership $1,000 a month Energy upgrades will save dealership $1,000 a month

BRANFORD—State Sen. Ed Meyer (D-Guilford), the Senate Chairman of the Environment Committee, today helped recognize Brandfon Honda owner Jeffrey Brandfon with a plaque acknowledging the energy-efficiency upgrades he undertook through Connecticut’s Small Business Energy Advantage Program—upgrades which will save the dealership more than $1,000 per month in electricity costs while removing carbon from the atmosphere
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