Advocacy

One of the followers to the wwwatts.net twitter account sent me this link:

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/analysis/html/HB01687H.htm

If this becomes law it would make for an interesting change that I believe many of us here would appreciate. Maybe.

The idea is to:

• Remove the condition that an electric bicycle weigh less than 100 lbs
• Increase the allowable speed to 30 miles/hr

It does not mention any requirement that it include pedals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewg8yawjn-M&feature=player_embedded

At the 24 Hours of Electricross event I got to interview a guy with the Blue Ribbon Coalition. He was there to measure sound levels because there is some thinking about the potential of electric vehicles to mitigate noise complaints related to offroad activities like motorcycle races.

Using the dB meter he found the race noise level was 65 dB or so. This is equivalent to normal conversational speech. On the other hand normal motorcycle races have sound levels above 100dB hence the noise complaints.

www.RVSGemCars.com

I just finished making some funny videos about GEM cars to help increase awareness about NEVs and the environment.

Check them out and let me know what you think! You can also type "rvsgemcars" into youtube and watch them there!

I just took a look at the World Energy Outlook 2008 and found some alarming statements in the available summaries. The report costs over $200 and I've not yet convinced myself to buy it. This years report is supposed to be a departure from prior years with some shocking statements and conclusions. I'm shocked but then last years report also shocked me.

About a month ago I attended the founding meeting for the Open Sustainability Network (see also: http://www.appropedia.org/Open_Sustainability_Network). Their idea is this:-

See this link
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1911

The price of our oil addiction
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/11/10/what.matters.niger/index.html

It's a slide-show from a photojournalist who has some very powerful things to say about oil and the side effects that comes from oil production. One statement is he has witnessed that at every step in the way of oil production is negative and destructive, and for him that's why we must end our oil addiction.

The ballad of the EV

You don't hear my engine rumble
As I pull up next to you
And even as I pull away
You still don't have a clue

You think you need a lot of noise
To make you go real fast
But I have news for you, my friend:
You're only wasting gas.

The key to starting fast, my friend,
Is having torque to spare,
And Torque is what I have in spades,
And I also spare the air.

83-year-old Fla. man fights condo board over use of Segway

Yahoo Video: http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/v/10079687