Category Archives: Articles

Pioneering the Electric Highway, One Man’s Story

By Roy L Hales

It was almost inevitable that Chad Schwitters would buy an EV. He had used biodiesel, rode the bus, carpooled, moved close enough to work that he could walk, etc – all for environmental reasons. He didn’t know anybody who owned EV, and thought they would probably “suck,” but was willing to make the sacrifice. He was wrong.

“It turns out there is no sacrifice, EVs are better cars,” Schwitters said. “Even if somebody invented carbon-free domestic gasoline and gave it away for free, I would still drive electric simply because the experience is so much better.”

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Keever Gave Most Alaskan Cruise Lines High Marks

By Roy L Hales

Princess Cruises have been voted “Best Cruise Line in Alaska” for the seventh year in a row, by the annual Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards. The cruise line also won awards for “Best Itinerary Design” and “Best Travel Agent Educational Program.” These are all industry awards. Every year Marcie Keever of Friends of the Earth (FoE) grades the industry’s environmental records in  her Cruise Line Report The “B ” she gave the Princess  Line was good, but not exceptional.  Keever gave most Alaskan Cruise Lines high marks.

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Wind Turbine Catches Fire in Campo

A wind turbine exploded on the Campo Indian Reservation, in San Diego’s East County, around noon on December 16. Flames spread to the surrounding bush. Two bombers that responded to the emergency were hampered by high winds. The situation might have got out of control, had a helicopter not arrived. Half an acre of brush was consumed, but the flames did not reach any of the neighboring houses.

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First Nation’s History Seen Through A Village Workshop

I recently took part in a “Village Workshop” at the Klahoose New Relationship Building on Cortes Island, in BC. This is a role playing exercise designed to help people see British Columbian history from a First Nations perspective.

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Boulder and the Spread of Community Choice Utilities

By Roy L Hales

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Boulder Colorado’s election results are being heralded as yet another “solar victory,” in a string that stretches back to the Louisiana and Idaho Public Utilities Commissions decisions earlier this year. The relevant questions on the ballot, however, pertain to Boulder’s attempt to join more than 1,300 American communities that have formed their own utility.

Question 310 would have required voter approval before the city issued bonds to pay for Xcel’s equipment and run its own utility, was defeated by a 2:1 margin (21,100 to 9,543).

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