Bethesda Welcomes Solar Power Generating EV Charging Station

By Dan Rudt

photo by Dan Rudt

Despite prior predictions of rain, the sun was fully present Monday morning (August 8, 2011) along with politicians, business executives, reporters and area residents. They were gathered in a parking lot off Old Georgetown Road, just north of the Wildwood Shopping Center, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and demonstration marking the debut of Maryland’s first solar energy-generating, electric vehicle (EV) charging station.

Made in Columbia, Maryland by Advanced Technology and Research Corp (ATR), the new charging station differs from EV chargers installed elsewhere around the state. The unit is the first to include a 1,410 watt array of 6 solar panels equipped with ATR’s GPS-based sun-tracking technology atop an 18-foot tall steel pole. Two Level II car chargers are mounted to the pole to service two vehicles at once. The solar generated electricity is fed through a micro-inverter that converts the DC electricity to AC, then into the utility grid, from which the chargers, in turn, draw their electricity. The sun-tracking technology allows the solar array to follow the sun throughout the day. ATR claims this will enable the solar panels to generate at least 30% more electricity than fixed panels would generate.

The entire installation is very compact. The charging station demonstrated on Monday sits atop a narrow island in the parking lot. A shopping center or transit station parking lot could offer customers the use of these charging stations with a minimal space allocation.

Alvin L. “Tripp”Aubinoe III, President of Aubinoe Property Management, and part owner of the property at 10401 Old Georgetown Road, purchased the charging station. Aubinoe stated he anticipates a growing number of EVs in the area and wants to provide a service for patrons of the surrounding businesses while they shop. “I hope that my actions here will inspire others to take their own steps towards a more sustainable future,” Aubinoe said.

photo by Dan Rudt

According to Cynthia K. Hoes, property manager for Alvin L. Aubinoe Inc., the two chargers are fully operational now. An EV driver (or two) can simply pull up, attach the charger cables to their cars and visit adjacent offices and stores while adding miles to their EV batteries. The service is free at this time. Aubinoe intends to charge a fee, which has yet to be determined, at some point in the future.

The pole mounted, sun-tracking solar energy generator was produced with the assistance of a $1.1 million Clean Energy Economic Development Initiative (CEEDI) grant that the Maryland Energy Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy awarded ATR last July. In addition to the EV charging station, the grant, which uses federal stimulus funds, helped enable ATR to develop sun-tracking solar power producing generators that mount on parking lot and highway light poles, a post mounted solar unit for residential use, and a system that attaches to a wind turbine to create a hybrid electrical generating unit.

Speakers at the Monday morning ceremony, in addition to Tripp Aubinoe, included Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, ATR Founder and CEO Dr. Jackson Yang, Baltimore-Washington Electric Vehicle Initiative Executive Director Jill Sorensen, Bethesda Green Executive Director Dave Feldman and other government and ATR officials.

Governor O’Malley, a supporter of renewable energy and electric vehicles, spoke of the importance of “creating the high-tech jobs of tomorrow, using innovation and imagination to expand opportunity.” He called ATR’s sun-tracking charging station, “the very embodiment of an imagination economy” and said he was “pleased that ATR is innovating and manufacturing new green technologies right here in Maryland.”

Dan Rudt is a former radio news anchor and public affairs program host for WPGC-AM, and producer for Westwood One Radio Networks. He is currently a freelance writer/reporter in Montgomery County, Maryland covering the “green” beat.

 

Green News & Events, 8/1/2011

Green News & Events, Week of August 01 – 07, 2011

by Dan Rudt

Earn a Certificate in Commercial Urban Agriculture at PGCC – Prince George’s Community College partners with ECO City Farms to offer the first program of its kind in the region, designed to give you a comprehensive introduction to starting your own urban farm. A total of six courses (28 hours of instruction) make up the Certificate program. The courses are taught by ECO City Farms staff at their urban farm at 4913 Crittenden Street, Edmonston, Maryland, 20781. More information here.

Volunteer and Experience Urban Farming – Not ready to farm for a living, but want to get your hands dirty? You can experience urban farming every Saturday as a volunteer at ECO City Farms. The educational, not-for-profit in Edmonston is designed to serve as a prototype for sustainable local farming. Workshops, potlucks and tours are also available.

Green Tech Company Wins DC Business Plan Competition – For the second year in a row, a green technology company has won the annual Washington, DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) Business Plan Competition. The award consists of a $100,000 investment and $50,000 of in-kind services. The winning company, Skyline Innovations, offers solar water heating and energy efficient HVAC systems, with no capital outlay by the customer. EnviRelation, LLC, a District-based business that composts restaurant waste and scraps, was last year’s competition winner.

Planned Solar Installation will Double Maryland Solar Power Production – The Baltimore Sun reports that Maryland Solar, LLC was granted a 20-year lease by the state for 250 acres near the Maryland Correctional Institute in Hagerstown. The company plans to install 100,000 solar panels on the land and will create approximately 125 construction jobs, beginning later this year.

Good News for Electric Vehicle Owners – If you own an EV, you will soon be able to buy the GE WattStation Wall Mount Electric Vehicle Charging Station at Lowe’s. GE and Lowe’s have announced the WattStation will be available at 60 Lowe’s stores and nationwide at Lowes.com in September. Lowe’s will be the first retailer to carry the GE product.

More Good News for EV Owners – The nation’s largest drugstore chain plans to become the largest retail host of electric charging stations. Walgreens says it will install electric vehicle charging sites at 800 of its retail locations across the country (including the DC market) by the end of the year. Two types of chargers will be installed. One, a high speed charger, should add 30 miles of driving with a 10 minute charge. The other, a Level 2 charger, is expected to add up to 25 miles of range with a one hour charge. Walgreens also will have more than 100 rooftop solar installations at stores and distribution centers by the end of the year.

Upcoming Green Events

Bethesda Green First Thursday Happy Hour @ Flanagan’s Harp & Fiddle, Thursday, August 4, 5:00 PM, 4844 Cordell Avenue. Meet fun, like-minded people and learn about exciting, upcoming Bethesda Green events. Let us know you’re coming!

Green Networking Event at Dirty Martini, Wednesday, August 10, 5:30 – 8:00 pm. Capital Cabal and the Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SBNOW) invite you to enjoy appetizers, drink specials, door prizes and meet dozens of other “green” professionals at the 100% wind electrified Dirty Martini, 1223 Connecticut Avenue NW, (Dupont Circle). $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Preregister here.

2011 Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, August 12-20^th. Experience the mobile science lab, Old MacDonald’s barn, animal birthing center & milking parlor, chat with master gardeners at the Bay Friendly Garden, and learn about honeybees. Don’t forget to buy some food and enjoy the rides and contests. More information here.

Closing the Loop in Our Food System: Breakfast, Panel Discussion & Optional Farm Market Visit, Sunday, August 21, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. This is the first in the series On the Farm; Around the Table, connecting farmers, food and community in three meals. Location: Bethesda Green & Bethesda Central Farm Market. More information here.

Maryland Clean Energy Summit 2011, Thursday, August 25 – Saturday, August 27, Marriott North Bethesda Hotel and Conference Center. More than 60 speakers from business, government and energy non-profits will discuss how Maryland is “Investing in Energy to Generate Jobs.” Clean energy companies and those that serve them will exhibit. This is an excellent education and networking opportunity for those who are in the clean energy field or curious about it.

Fertile Ground: Local Sustainable Farm Tour and Lunch, Saturday, September 10, 12:30 – 3:00 pm. Rocklands Farm, 14525 Montevideo Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837. This is the second in the series On the Farm; Around the Table, connecting farmers, food and community in three meals.  More information here.

Savor Local Flavor: Four Course Dinner and Discussion with Chef Tony, Monday, September 19, 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Chef Tony’s, 4926 St. Elmo Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814.  This is the third in the series On the Farm; Around the Table, connecting farmers, food and community in three meals. More information here.

 

Green News & Events, 7/25/2011

Green News & Events, Week of July 25 – 31, 2011

by Dan Rudt

Ribbon Cutting for Maryland’s First Wind Farm – Constellation Energy held a ribbon cutting ceremony last week at the site of Maryland’s first commercial wind farm. Constellation’s 28 wind turbines, spread along eight miles of Backbone Mountain in Garrett County, can produce enough electricity for 23,000 homes. Reporter Scott Calvert of the Baltimore Sun reports on the mixed reviews the turbines are receiving from Garrett County residents.

More American Families Growing Their Own Veggies – The National Gardening Association says the number of U.S. households with food gardens grew from 36 million in 2008 to 43 million, or 37% of all households, in 2009. Four out of five home gardeners have at least some college education, while two-thirds of them are over 45 and a slight majority are women. For more information, see the attractive infographic on the Mother Nature Network, or mnn.com.

Maryland Wins Federal Grant for Conservation and Parklands – Senators Cardin and Mikulski have announced a $723,598 matching grant to the state from the Department of Interior’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). According to the press release, the LWCF grant “will enable Maryland’s state and local governments to establish urban parks and community green spaces; to restore and provide public access to rivers, lakes and other water resources; and to conserve natural landscapes for public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment.” LWCF matching grants “leverage public and private investment in state and local public outdoor recreation.”

Car Sharing Provides Multiple Benefits to City of Baltimore – Zipcars, Inc., which has provided car sharing services in Baltimore for the past year, has released results of a Baltimore member survey showing multiple benefits for the city, as well as for Zipcar drivers. Nearly half the survey respondents were able to avoid buying a car, while 18% sold their existing cars. Some said they drive less and walk, bike and use public transit more than they did a year ago. For the city, fewer cars means less pollution, less congestion and less competition for parking spaces.

Sustainable Food Jobs – Sustainablefoodjobs.wordpress.com has been around since 2009, so this may not, strictly speaking, belong in a news roundup, but if you are interested in the field and not familiar with the site, it is well worth visiting. Unlike the many sites that waste your time with jobs that are unrelated to your search term, all the listings I have seen are actual sustainable food jobs! The site also provides links to college programs in sustainable agriculture as well as sustainable food blogs and companies and organizations you can contact for information and networking.

Volunteers Needed to Distribute Recycling Info at MC Ag Fair – The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection seeks volunteers to staff recycling information tables during the upcoming County Agricultural Fair, August 12 – 20. To volunteer or request additional information, contact the Recycling Volunteer Program at (240) 777-6445 or ana.arriaza@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Upcoming Green Events

The Buy Local Challenge, July 23 – 31. Support Maryland farms. Eat at least one thing from a local farm every day during Buy Local Week. And, bring the challenge to your workplace today.

BG 101, Thursday, July 28, 4 – 5:30 pm. Bethesda Green’s monthly orientation session. Learn about Bethesda Green history, programs, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

Home Canning Demonstration, Saturday, July 30, 10:30 – 11:30 am. Learn to can food at the Bethesda FreshFarm Farmers Market at Veteran’s Park, corner of Woodmont and Norfolk.

Connecting Local Farms, Food, and Community in Three Meals

Join Bethesda Green and Full Plate Ventures to enjoy the gastronomic pleasures of three local, seasonal, and home-style meals while meeting those who are building a healthy, local, sustainable food system in our region. Register early; space is limited!

• Closing the Loop in Our Food System: Breakfast, Panel Discussion & Optional Farm Market Visit, Sunday, August 21, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Location: Bethesda Green & Bethesda Central Farm Market. More information here.

• Fertile Ground: Local Sustainable Farm Tour and Lunch, Saturday, September 10, 12:30 – 3:00 pm. Location: Rocklands Farm, 14525 Montevideo Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837. More information here.

• Savor Local Flavor: Four Course Dinner and Discussion with Chef Tony, Monday, September 19, 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Location: Chef Tony’s, 4926 St. Elmo Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814. More information here.

 

Green Events & News, 7/18/11

Green News & Events, Week of July 18 – 24, 2011

by Dan Rudt

Solar Installation Completed at Bethesda Synagogue, Adat Shalom – With 180 new, American-made solar panels on its roof, Adat Shalom expects to generate 50,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity every year. A project originated and developed by Kenergy Solar, the array was installed by Baltimore-based S.H. Silverblatt Electric, a Maryland Women-Owned Business Entity (WBE). Altus Power Management owns the solar system and is responsible for financing, operating and maintaining it. The synagogue incurred no construction costs, and will buy the generated power from Altus for the next 20 years for less than it would pay for power from the grid. Federal and state grants helped make the project possible. More information here and here.

Residential Clean Energy Grant Applications Are Growing Steadily – but not evenly. Grant applications filed with the Maryland Energy Administration for residential solar installations far outstrip those for wind installations, which lag behind geothermal as well. It appears local zoning ordinances overwhelmingly approve of rooftop solar. Most Maryland cities, towns and counties, on the other hand, have yet to decide their position on wind turbines; some have banned them from their jurisdictions. Barbara Pash, at baltimore.citybizlist.com, reports on the numbers and trends of the past few years.

Maryland Offshore Wind Farm May Be Half What O’Malley Wanted – The (Ocean City) Dispatch reports that a Federal Environmental Assessment recommends reducing the area available for an offshore wind farm off the Maryland coast from around 206 square miles to ninety-four. The proposal to downsize was made after the U.S. Coast Guard expressed concern about the possible danger that the larger size wind farm might pose to coastal ship travel.

Hybrid Vehicle Scorecard Issued by Union of Concerned Scientists – The UCS compared thirty-four hybrid vehicles in two categories: luxury and non-luxury models. The scorecards compare the vehicles on four different measures: fuel efficiency, pollution relative to each car’s comparable non-hybrid model, cost-effectiveness, and the degree to which upgrade features are forced on the buyer as standard equipment. Topping the list of luxury models are the Lexus CT 200h and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. Among non-luxury models, the Toyota Prius stands head and shoulders above the rest. The scorecard is available here. Good information in the press release here.

Upcoming Green Events

Forest and Tree Conservation – Forest Conservation Advisory Committee, Tuesday, July 19, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. This meeting of the Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection is open to the public. See the DEP Calendar of Events for address and contact information.

Conservation Landscaping Training, Saturday, July 23, 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Learn how to select, install and maintain native plants at Croydon Creek Nature Center in Rockville. To register, call the RainScapes Coordinator at 240-314-8877 or e-mail rainscapes@rockvillemd.gov.

Activist Workshop Sponsored by Environment America, Saturday, July 23, 1:00 – 4:00 pm. The workshop will cover the best techniques for organizing your neighbors to take action, and the best ways to persuade your local media to cover an issue you care about. Central Arlington Library, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201. RSVP.

22nd Annual Farm Tour & Harvest Sale, Saturday & Sunday, July 23 & 24, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Celebrate Montgomery County’s agricultural heritage at a dozen local farms. Purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, and plants – and the kids can pet the farm animals. Hooray!

Rain Barrel Information Session, Sunday, July 24, 1:00 – 3:00 pm. This free information session at Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, 12920 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, teaches how to select, install and maintain a rain barrel and how this storm water management technique helps protect city watersheds. To register, contact Amanda Matheny at amatheny@rockvillemd.gov or 240-314-8877.

 

Green News & Events, 7/11/2011

Green News & Events, Week of July 11 – 17, 2011

by Dan Rudt

Deadline Tomorrow: Nominations for Bethesda Magazine 2011Green Awards – Nominate local individuals, businesses, non-profits, neighborhoods, school organizations, condo associations or faith-based organizations from Montgomery County or NW DC by Tuesday, July 12. Winners will be profiled in the November/December issue of Bethesda Magazine and recognized at the Bethesda Green Gala on October 5, 2011, at the Round House Theatre in Bethesda.

Maryland, DC and Virginia Create New, Green Jobs Database – The Mid-Atlantic Regional Collaborative’s (MARC) Green Consortium last week announced their new green jobs portal, available at www.marcgreenworks.com. The MARC Green Works Jobs portal provides free, real-time job search and recruitment tools for DC, Maryland and Virginia jobseekers and employers. In addition, the portal provides real-time labor market data (area profile, occupation profile, industry profile, and labor market facts) to help jobseekers and employers make real-life decisions.

Bethesda Avenue Restaurant, Cava Mezze Grill, Goes Zero Waste – Unlike many restaurants, where food scraps end up in a dumpster, Cava Mezze Grill separates its scraps and other recyclables, which are picked up daily by EnviRelation and transported to nearby composting facilities. All the restaurant’s bowls, drink cups, cutlery, napkins, and paper bags are compostable as well. Even the insulated foil used to keep sandwiches warm is gone, replaced by EcoCraft Biodegradable Deli Insulated Paper. Rob Gresham of Cava Mezze Grill, remarks, “We are proud to implement a program that not only has a positive impact on the environment, but empowers our customers. Our zero waste initiative fits perfectly with our ‘big flavor, small footprint’ motto.”

Montgomery Parks Foundation Invites You to Join the “Friends of Montgomery Parks” – The non-profit foundation is appealing to local residents and businesses to help counter county budget cuts that are hurting our parks. According to the Foundation website, “Over the past 10 years, the total acreage managed by M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks has increased by 11% to over 35,000 acres….Over the same time period, the staff available to support the work program has decreased by 22% and funding has been declining at an alarming rate for the past three years.” Membership is $35 and includes an invitation to a special, members-only night at Brookside Gardens “Garden of Lights,” Wednesday, November 23, 2011. WUSA9 story here. Foundation website here.

U.S. Production of Renewable Energy Surpasses that of Nuclear – The Takoma Park based Sun Day Campaign has crunched the numbers from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s most recent “Monthly Energy Review” and the EIA “Electric Power Monthly.” Here are some highlights from the Sun Day Campaign analysis:

In the first quarter of 2011, renewable energy sources (biomass/biofuels, geothermal, solar, water, wind) accounted for 11.73% of U.S. energy production or 5.65% more than energy produced from nuclear power. The 11.73% represents a 15% increase from first quarter 2010 and a 25% increase from first quarter 2009. Biomass/biofuels accounted for half, hydropower for one-third and wind for one-eighth of the renewable energy, while geothermal and solar provided 2.45% and 1.16%, respectively.

Renewable energy sources, according to the Sun Day Campaign, accounted for 12.94% of first quarter U.S. electrical generation — up from 10.31% in first quarter 2010. “Solar-generated electricity increased by 104.8%, wind-generated electricity rose by 40.3%, hydropower output expanded by 28.7%, and geothermal electrical generation rose by 5.8%. Only electricity from biomass sources dropped — by 4.8%. By comparison, natural gas electrical output rose by 1.8% and nuclear-generated electricity increased by only 0.4% while coal-generated electricity dropped by 5.7%.”

Upcoming Green Events

Scaling Up Residential Biomass Heating: A Stakeholder Symposium, Wednesday, July 13, 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Free symposium “explores the opportunities for policy makers to maximize the potential of residential wood heat to reduce fossil fuel use…” Location: US Forest Service, 201 14th St. SW (14th & Independence) in the Yates Training Room. RSVP is required.

Bethesda Green Education, Outreach and Marketing (EOM) Group Meeting, Thursday, July 14, 4:00 – 5:30 pm. This team of volunteers meets on the second Thursday of every month to discuss Bethesda Green’s marketing and communications needs. New members are encouraged to join.

Green Wheaton, 2nd Annual Green Drinks Networking Happy Hour, Thursday, July 14, 5:00 – 8:00 pm. Come to the Royal Mile Pub, 2407 Price Avenue, Wheaton and meet friends from Green Wheaton and the Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce. Register to attend.

Greening Our Sanctuaries: An Interfaith Workshop and Expo, Sunday, July 17, 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm. Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light hosts this event at Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation, 7727 Persimmon Tree Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817. Local congregations can learn to form a green team, save energy, green their grounds, go solar, and commit to greener procurement. Register here

Forest and Tree Conservation – Forest Conservation Advisory Committee, Tuesday, July 19, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. This meeting of the Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection is open to the public. See the DEP Calendar of Events for address and contact information.

Mid-Atlantic SPROG, July 31-Aug 7.  The Sierra Club Student Coalition annual summer training program for student environmental leaders is accepting applications. High school and college students will spend the week at the Hard Bargain Farm in Accokeek, Maryland, learning to organize and manage environmental campaigns. They will also meet like-minded students from around the mid-Atlantic area and most likely have a great deal of fun.

 

Nominate a Green Champion

Nominations are being accepted for the 2011 Bethesda Magazine Green Awards, sponsored by Bethesda Green. The Green Awards recognize businesses, non-profits, communities and individuals that are leading the local fight to protect the environment.  Know someone, a business, or group worthy of recognition as a green champion?  Anonymous or self nominations are welcome.

Nominate a Green Champion

Deadline for submissions is July 12, 2011. Winners will be profiled in the November/December issue of Bethesda Magazine and recognized at the Bethesda Green Gala on October 5, 2011, at the Round House Theatre in Bethesda.

Nominations are being accepted in five categories:

1. Businesses or non-profit organizations whose primary focus is producing and/or selling innovative green products, providing innovative green services, and/or promoting a green lifestyle.
2. Businesses or non-profit organizations not involved in providing green products or services, but that have significantly incorporated green practices into their culture and operations.
3. Communities (neighborhoods, school organizations, condo associations, faith-based organizations etc.) that are promoting and implementing green practices.
4. People, 19 or older, who are actively promoting and living a green lifestyle.
5. People, 18 or younger, who are actively promoting and living a green lifestyle.

Eligibility:

To be considered, businesses, non-profit organizations and community groups must be based in Montgomery County, Maryland or Upper Northwest Washington, D.C. (ZIP codes 20015 and 20016). Individuals must have their primary residence in the above areas.

 

Green News & Events, 6/27/11

Green News & Events, Week of June 27 – July 03, 2011
by Dan Rudt

Chesapeake Region Now Has an Online Searchable Native Plant Database – Sarah Morse of the Little Falls Watershed Alliance, writing about the new plant database, points out that, “Replacing portions of lawn areas and typical landscapes with native plants that suit local conditions reduces or eliminates the need for fertilizers and pesticides which wash into our streams, rivers and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay.” The new plant database, developed jointly by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Image Matters LLC, will assist area property owners and landscapers in identifying plants that will thrive locally without those pesticides and fertilizers.

An Environmental “First” for Maryland Public Schools – The Maryland State Board of Education voted last week to add a new high school graduation requirement in environmental literacy for all Maryland public school students. Maryland will be the first state in the nation to enact such a requirement. According to My Green Guide Maryland, “public schools will be required to infuse core subjects with lessons about conservation, smart growth and the health of our natural world. Local school systems will have flexibility in how these programs take shape in each county, but all will align with standards set by the State.” The No Child Left Inside Coalition, closely aligned with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the state government’s Partnership for Children in Nature, all worked to make the new requirement a reality.

A New Tourist Attraction in Atlantic City: Wind Turbines – Jacqueline L. Urgo of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports, “Some casino hotel guests are so fascinated that they ask for rooms with a view of the five delicate fans…” There is so much interest in the 385 foot turbines that the Atlantic County Utilities Authority will offer twice-weekly tours of the facility during June, July and August. The turbines, along with a solar array, provide 65% of the electricity needed to power a wastewater treatment facility located on a coastal salt marsh. The facility treats 40 million gallons of wastewater a day. More information and a contact telephone are available at the Jersey Shore Guide.

Founder of Bkind Vending Profiled in Bethesda Magazine – The photo of Jason Schwartz is that of a man who takes his business seriously. He’s walking around Bethesda in a bee outfit and a wicker basket, presumably full of healthy snacks. Jason founded Bkind Vending last year to distribute a line of snacks he would be happy to buy for his own kids. Bkind is part of the Bethesda Green Business Incubator, which provides support to green, socially responsible companies. Read about Schwartz and Bkind on pages 46-47 of the July/August Bethesda Magazine.

Upcoming Green Events

Green Night at Big Train Baseball  Wednesday, June 29, 6:30 pm. Treat yourself to an evening of fun, friends and green information. Game time is 7:30 at Shirley Povich Field in Cabin John Park, but come early and meet Bethesda Green staff and supporters, as well as Dartmouth College’s amazing Big Green Bus and our friends from Honest Tea.

BG 101  Thursday, June 30, 4 – 5:30 pm. Bethesda Green’s monthly orientation session. Learn about Bethesda Green history, programs, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

Greening Condos Series, Session 5  Wednesday, July 6, 7 – 8:30 pm. The topic of this free Bethesda Green and ecobeco educational session for condo owners and residents, condo boards and property managers, is Eco-Friendly Exteriors – Solar PV, Solar Hot Water, Green Roofs, and eco-Landscaping. Seating is limited. More information and RSVP here.

Clean Water Innovations Trade Show  Wednesday, July 13, 10 am – 3 pm. The Maryland Department of the Environment is hosting the 1st Annual Maryland Clean Water Innovations Trade show in Baltimore. This free event will provide a forum for professionals and stakeholders from around the State to display innovative storm water management and water quality management techniques, exchange information, and promote the protection of Maryland’s resources. Please R.S.V.P. by June 28.

Mid-Atlantic SPROG  July 31-Aug 7.  The Sierra Club Student Coalition annual summer training program for student environmental leaders is accepting applications. High school and college students will spend the week at the Hard Bargain Farm in Accokeek, Maryland, learning to organize and manage environmental campaigns. They will also meet like-minded students from around the mid-Atlantic area and most likely have a great deal of fun.

 

Green News & Events

Green News & Events, Week of June 20-26, 2011

by Dan Rudt

Capital Bikeshare May Be Coming to Rockville Next Year – According to the Washington Post, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board approved the use of a $1.9 million Federal grant last Wednesday to fund the expansion of the Capital Bikeshares program into Rockville. The plan calls for 200 bicycles and 20 docking stations at Metro stops, Rockville Town Center, Montgomery College and Rockville Pike. The program now serves 13,835 annual members in DC and Arlington with 1,100 bicycles. Grant money will be used to pay for memberships for low-income Rockville residents.

How Did Your Representatives in Annapolis Vote on the Environment this Year? – Environment Maryland has published its 2011 Legislative Scorecard, created in conjunction with the Maryland League of Conservation Voters. The scorecard lists each State Senator and Delegate’s votes on several key environmental bills. Bethesda’s State Senator Brian Frosh scored 100% in favor of the environment, as did Bethesda Delegates Ariana Kelly and Susan Lee. Delegate Bill Frick scored 80%. A PDF file of the scorecard, with summaries of each bill and scores for all Maryland Delegates and State Senators can be found here.

Major Announcements about Electric and Hybrid Production from Renault-Nissan and Ford – With all the news media focused mercilessly on a certain New York Congressman recently, you might have missed the June 9 news from Ford Motor Company about their plans to triple hybrid production and introduce a plug-in by 2013. That would mean an output of 100,000 EVs and hybrids a year. Not to be outdone, Renault-Nissan’s CEO told Wired.com he was ready to invest $5.6 Billion to build 500,000 electric cars a year by 2013. These are aggressive (and impressive) plans when you consider total electric car sales worldwide in 2010 came to 20,000 vehicles.

Upcoming Green Events

Bethesda Solar Expo – Saturday, June 25, 10 am  – 4 pm – Bethesda Green invites you to the second annual free solar expo. Get your questions answered by solar experts, local solar contractors and neighbors who have switched to solar power. More information and pre-registration here.

Green Night at Big Train Baseball – Wednesday, June 29, 6:30 pm – Treat yourself to an evening of fun, friends and green information. Game time is 7:30 at Shirley Povich Field in Cabin John Park, but come early and meet Bethesda Green staff and supporters, as well as Dartmouth College’s amazing Big Green Bus and our friends from Honest Tea.

BG 101- Thursday, June 30, 4 – 5:30 pm – Bethesda Green’s monthly orientation session. Learn about Bethesda Green history, programs, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

Greening Condos Series, Session 5 – Wednesday, July 6, 7 – 8:30 pm – The topic of this free Bethesda Green and ecobeco educational session for condo owners and residents, condo boards and property managers, is Eco-Friendly Exteriors – Solar PV, Solar Hot Water, Green Roofs, and eco-Landscaping. Seating is limited. More information and RSVP here.

 

Gazette of Politics and Business Publishes ‘Maryland Gone Green’

Cliff Chiet and Dave Feldman shake hands at the Maryland Gone Green event.

Today’s Gazette of Politics and Business features a special “Maryland Gone Green!” insert section, highlighting 35 companies and organizations that have gone green, provide environmentally friendly services, or educate people about environmental sustainability.

Representatives from most of those businesses showed up early—8 a.m.—at Bethesda Green, March 31, for an appreciation breakfast sponsored by the Gazette and Bethesda Green.

Cliff Chiet, publisher of the Gazette of Politics and Business, thanked everyone for participating in the special publication.

“It’s the first time ever we’ve published something showing off all the green things in the county,” he said. “You already see it,” he told the crowd, “how important this movement is. Montgomery County is really leading the charge, and what’s really exciting is this publication proves it.”

Chiet noted that all the legislators in Annapolis will get a copy, as will the 20,000 businesses that subscribe to the Gazette of Politics and Business.

Bethesda Green’s Executive Director Dave Feldman added, “We applaud that there are economic benefits to being green. You’re all companies that recognize that.”

Firms featured in the publication include large international companies such as Marriott International, Inc., and Lockheed Martin, as well as local outfits such as All Eco Center, and Sustainable Design Group.

The Bethesda Green Business Incubator also received a mention, with a sidebar about Aquabarrel.

Chiet noted he hopes to publish this section every year, and, referring to everyone in the room, said, “We have to be ambassadors.”

The Gazette has also gone green in one way, by using a color printing press that produces high-quality, color copies of the paper sooner in the printing process, thus reducing waste copies that cannot be distributed. Chiet said the press saves them 2,500 tons of paper per year.

If you don’t subscribe to the Gazette of Politics and Business, you can read the “Maryland Gone Green!” section here.

 

DC Environmental Film Festival Runs March 15-27

Make plans to check out one or more of the 150 films being shown at 60 venues over the next couple of weeks during the 19th annual DC Environmental Film Festival. The filmmakers cover almost every environmental topic, but this year’s festival features a multi-day Energy Film Series, with films about the impact of the BP Oil Spill, mountaintop coal mining, and wind power.

Renowned oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle will appear with the portrait film-in-progress, Mission Blue, distinguished biologist Dr. E.O. Wilson will discuss his two recent books about ants and visionary Canadian environmentalist Dr. David Suzuki will attend the screening of Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie.

Local filmmaker—and friend of Bethesda Green—Laura Seltzer will introduce her film, “The Last Boat Out,” which screens as part of a set of films about the Chesapeake Bay, March 23.

Many of the festival screenings are free.

One topic of note: For folks interested in food issues, there’s a series of short films about food showing at the Maret School, March 17, as well as the hour-long “Community of Gardeners,” about the community garden movement in D.C., March 24 and 25 at two D.C. locations.

So check out the full list of films, go see one and get inspired!