Monthly Archives: June 2011

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress- the Republican led House defunds – the Senate


the Senate Convenes at 10:00amET June 16, 2011

      • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.782, the Economic Development Act. The Feinstein amendment #476 and McCain amendment #411 will be debated concurrently with up to 4 hours of debate with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
      • Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 2pm if all time is used), the Senate will proceed to 2 roll call votes in relation to the amendments in the following order:
          • Feinstein #476, as modified (to repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit)
          • McCain #411 (prohibit Federal funds to construct ethanol blender pumps/storage facilities)
        • Each amendment will require 60 votes in the affirmative. Upon disposition of the McCain amendment, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
      • There will be no further roll call votes this week.
      • During Thursday’s session of the Senate, Senator Reid filed cloture on S.782, the Economic Development Act.
      • Senator Reid then made a motion to proceed to Calendar #75, S.679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act.
      • The Senate is now in morning business with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.
      • Today’s roll call votes:
        • Feinstein amendment #476, as modified (to repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit); Agreed to: 73-27
        • McCain amendment #411 (prohibits Federal funds to construct ethanol blender pumps/storage facilities); Not Agreed to: 41-59
      • The following amendments are pending to S.782, the Economic Development Act:
        • DeMint amendment #394 (to repeal Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act)
        • Paul amendment #414 (to increase debt limit by $2.406 trillion)
        • Cardin amendment #407 (prohibition on interest charges for on-time principal payments)
        • Merkley amendment #428 (mortgage servicing)
        • Kohl amendment #389 (NOPEC)
        • Hutchison amendment #423 (delay implementation of health care reform until pending lawsuits are resolved)
        • Portman amendment ##417 (inclusion of application to independent regulatory agencies)
        • Portman amendment #418 (Unfunded Mandates Reform Act)
        • McCain amendment #412(repeal of Davis-Bacon wage requirements)
        • Merkley amendment #440 (Energy Efficient Loan Program)
        • Brown (MA) amendment #405 (repeal imposition of withholding on certain payments made to vendors by government entities)
        • Inhofe amendment #430 (reduce the amounts appropriated for EDA)
        • Inhofe amendment #438 (regulatory assessment)
        • Merkley amendment #427 (technical correction to the HUBZone designation process)
        • McCain 2nd degree amendment #441 (to prohibit federal funds to construct ethanol blender pumps or ethanol storage facilities) to Coburn amendment #436, as modified (to repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit)
    • Unanimous Consent
    • Adopted S.Res.209, Congratulating the Dallas Mavericks on winning the 2011 National Basketball Association Championship.Adopted S.Res.210, congratulating the Boston Bruins for winning the 2011 Stanley Cup Championship.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 16, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

 

3:37 P.M. – On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 20, 2011.

Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.

2:31 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

2:26 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

2:06 P.M. – Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Thursday, June 16, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 20, 2011. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 1934:
to improve certain administrative operations of the Library of Congress, and for other purposes 

2:05 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On passage Passed without objection.

H. Res. 299:
permitting official photographs of the House of Representatives to be taken while the House is in actual session on a date designated by the Speaker 

2:04 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 1934:
to improve certain administrative operations of the Library of Congress, and for other purposes 

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to consider as introduced.

Considered by unanimous consent.

H. Res. 299:
permitting official photographs of the House of Representatives to be taken while the House is in actual session on a date designated by the Speaker 

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Considered by unanimous consent.

S.J. Res. 9:
providing for the reappointment of Robert P. Kogod as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution 

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed without objection.

H. Res. 299:
permitting official photographs of the House of Representatives to be taken while the House is in actual session on a date designated by the Speaker 

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

S.J. Res. 9:
providing for the reappointment of Robert P. Kogod as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution 

2:03 P.M. – Considered by unanimous consent.Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

S.J. Res. 7:
providing for the reappointment of Shirley Ann Jacksonas a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution 

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed without objection.

2:02 P.M. – Considered by unanimous consent.Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

2:00 P.M. – On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.

H.R. 2112:
making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 – 203 (Roll no. 459).

1:51 P.M. – On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 185 – 233 (Roll no. 458).

1:33 P.M. – The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

1:24 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to increase funds in CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) by $11.8 million for enforcement against oil and gas speculators, including establishing limits to diminish, eliminate, or prevent excessive speculation that unnecessarily drives up gas prices, and offsets it with a $4 million reduction in departmental administration, and a 7.8 million reduction in salaries and expenses.

1:23 P.M. – Ms. Hochul moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.

Ms. Hocul moves to recommit the bill H.R. 2112 to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with the following amendment: � Page 55, after line 23, insert the following: � In addition, for carrying out section 4a of the Commodity Exchange Act ***

1:22 P.M. – The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

1:21 P.M. – The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2112.On motion to rise and report Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Kingston moved for the Committee of the Whole to rise and report.

1:20 P.M. – On agreeing to the Flake amendment Failed by recorded vote: 101 – 314 (Roll no. 457).

1:17 P.M. – On agreeing to the Lipinski amendment Failed by recorded vote: 162 – 254 (Roll no. 456).

1:14 P.M. – On agreeing to the Flake amendment Failed by recorded vote: 186 – 228 (Roll no. 455).

1:11 P.M. – On agreeing to the Flake amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 283 – 128 (Roll no. 454).

1:08 P.M. – On agreeing to the Blackburn amendment Failed by recorded vote: 109 – 310 (Roll no. 453).

1:05 P.M. – On agreeing to the Campbell amendment Failed by recorded vote: 132 – 287 (Roll no. 452).

12:59 P.M. – On agreeing to the Holden amendment Failed by recorded vote: 84 – 335 (Roll no. 451).

12:55 P.M. – On agreeing to the Hirono amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 288 – 132 (Roll no. 450).

12:51 P.M. – On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 182 – 235 (Roll no. 449).

12:47 P.M. – On agreeing to the Scalise amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 238 – 179 (Roll no. 448).

12:44 P.M. – On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 181 – 237 (Roll no. 447).

12:41 P.M. – On agreeing to the Garrett amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 231 – 189 (Roll no. 446).

12:37 P.M. – On agreeing to the King (IA) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 240 – 176 (Roll no. 445).

12:34 P.M. – On agreeing to the King (IA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 155 – 262 (Roll no. 444).

12:29 P.M. – On agreeing to the Blumenauer amendment Failed by recorded vote: 154 – 262 (Roll no. 443).

12:26 P.M. – On agreeing to the Gibson amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 221 – 198 (Roll no. 442).

12:21 P.M. – On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 167 – 252 (Roll no. 441).

12:17 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dingell amendment Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 241 (Roll no. 440).

12:13 P.M. – On agreeing to the Kind amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 223 – 197 (Roll no. 439).

12:02 P.M. – On agreeing to the Foxx amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 212 – 201 (Roll no. 438).

11:57 A.M. – On agreeing to the Pingree (ME) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 170 – 238 (Roll no. 437).

11:32 A.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

11:24 A.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Flake amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Flake demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

11:15 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provsions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flake amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Flake.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to be used to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out a market access program.

11:14 A.M. – POSPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lipinski amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Lipinski demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

11:07 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provsions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lipinski amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order. Subsequently, the reservation was removed.Amendment offered by Mr. Lipinski.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to be used to alter contract no. GS-35F-4076D with respect to the location of data storage.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Flake amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Flake demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:49 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provsions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flake amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Flake.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to provide any benefit described in section 1001D(b)(1)(C) of the Food Security Act of 1985 to a person or legal entity if the average adjusted gross income of the person or legal entity exceeds $250,000.

On agreeing to the Flores amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:43 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provsions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flores amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Flores.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to enforce section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

10:42 A.M. – On agreeing to the Gardner amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:40 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provsions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Gardner amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Gardner.

An amendment to increase funds for “Integrated Activities” and to reduce funds for “National Institute of Food and Agriculture-research and education activities” by $4,400,000, respectively.

10:39 A.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Flake amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Flake demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:24 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flake amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Flake.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to be used for the construction of an ethanol blender pump or an ethanol storage facility.

10:23 A.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Blackburn amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Blackburn demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:14 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Blackburn amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mrs. Blackburn.

An amendment to reduce each amount made available by this bill by 5 percent.

10:13 A.M. – Mrs. Lummis raised a point of order against the Lujan amendment The amendment violates Clause 2 of rule XXI and imposes new duties on the Secretary of Agriculture. The Chair sustained the point of order.

10:09 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lujan amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.Amendment offered by Mr. Lujan.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to provide any marketing funds to any entity that advertises, describes, labels, or offers for sale chile peppers as New Mexico chile unless such chile peppers were grown in New Mexico.

10:08 A.M. – On agreeing to the Flake amendment Failed by voice vote.

9:42 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flake amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Flake.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to provide to upland cotton producers counter-cyclical payments for upland cotton, repayment rates for marketing assistance loans at the prevailing world market price for upland cotton, or loan deficiency payments for upland cotton.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Campbell (CA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Campbell (CA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:27 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Campbell (CA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Campbell.

An amendment to reduce the amount of funds provided by this bill for “Agricultural Programs, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Salaries and Expenses” by $11,000,000.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Holden amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Holden demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:18 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Holden amendment no. 38 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Holden.

An amendment numbered 38 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce each amount made available by the bill by 5.88% and the amounts may not be used to carry out the limitations contained in paragraphs (1) through (8) of section 728.

9:17 A.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

9:16 A.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

9:02 A.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to five per side of the aisle.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Walz of MN to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Poe (TX) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Poe (TX) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

9:01 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.

9:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Watch the lunar eclipse from anywhere … from the Offical Google blog

1 Comment

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 06:00 AM PDT

my source … the Official Google blog

(Cross-posted on the YouTube and Lat Long blogs)

We’re always fascinated by the unique wonders of space and the world—what can we say, it’s the geek in us! Naturally, when we learned that part of the world will be treated to a rare 100-minute long total lunar eclipse starting at 11:20am PDT today, we were both excited and disappointed that this rare occasion wouldn’t be visible from our Mountain View campus like last year’s eclipse. We suspect we aren’t alone, so you’ll be glad to know that we’ve worked with Slooh Space Camera to let you experience the spectacle wherever you are in the world, in real time.

Slooh will host a live mission interface using Google App Engine that lets anyone not lucky enough to live in certain areas (South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia) take part in this rare astronomical event. It’s equipped with audio narrations from real-life astronomers so you can hear a firsthand, expert account of the event. You can also watch the live stream on the Google YouTube Channel or from the Sky layer in Google Earth (download this kml), while exploring the fascinating world that exists in our galaxy. Finally, those of you on the go can download the Slooh Space Camera Android app to view the images right on your phone.

If you’re fortunate enough to be able to view this event in the sky, we hope you’ll get the chance to step outside and indulge in the spectacle. For everyone else, we hope our moon madness helps brighten your day.

Posted by Noel Gorelick, Chief Extraterrestrial Observer and Technical Lead in Special Projects

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

“Democrats intentionally steal elections.” says, Maine’s State GOP Chairman Charlie Webster


You need to know this: Republican governors and state legislatures are working to pass laws to suppress voter turnout in 2012. Texas, Wisconsin and Florida have already passed legislation including restricting early voting. Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maine might be next.

These are all crucial swing states in 2012. If Republicans can prevent Democratic voters from exercising their right, we could lose the White House. And we could lose the Senate. It’s that simple.

Republicans can’t win on the merits – look how unpopular their plan to kill Medicare is. But they might very well capture the Senate if they keep Democrats from voting. I need your help to fight back now. We need 100,000 people to stand with us and draw attention to the undemocratic actions of these Republican state legislators and governors. Will you add your name?

 www.dsccc.org

After you’ve signed, be sure to forward this email to friends. All Democrats need to join together and draw attention to these disgusting Republican tactics. We won’t stand quietly by while they try every trick in the book to steal an election. It’s undemocratic, and it must end.

Sincerely,

                                Guy Cecil

~ my 2cents ...

Wednesday &some News


Today,President Obama and The First Lady host a Congressional Picnic at the White House at 7pm ET.

My rant today … Two and a half years ago the democratic party controlled both chambers in Congress and both leaders of the House and Senate were on their way to establishing a new path toward the 21st Century with several bills that included among others a jobs bill, dream act, dadt, start treaty, UI and health-care reform. The legislation our representatives brought to the floor of Congress were supposed to address American issues. However, great legislation has been difficult to pass due to Republican filibusters and more recent the lies that won them control of the House of Representatives. While we now know what the true Republican mission is, the Democratic Party has stated they will not give up trying to help the middle class.

Then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressing the status of the middle class stated that in the near future people would be paying 1dollar out of every 5dollars for health-care. Nancy Pelosi also stated that the problem of health-care costs will not go away and we can solve the issue by repealing the anti-trust exemptions, increase, and lower cost and improves choices for all Americans. Though the new health care law allows children under 26 to be covered under their parents insurance, has eliminated discrimination that includes pre-existing conditions, more coverage for our elders and maintaining the health care rights for women. The Republican Tea Party continues to berate the achievement call it Obamacare in order to demean it. Thankfully, the new Affordable Health Care Law passed though the new Congress has made cutting, slashing, and burning it their main mission along with so many other social programs without giving Americans any idea how they will replace hcr or social security, Medicare/Medicaid. The new effort to attack a woman’s right to choose has become more important than creating jobs and as Republicans offer up bills, amendments and comments, it is obvious it should embarrass Americans at how narrow this new party has become since the last guy was in office. The party of no has become the party of let us cut spending, decrease the deficit but they are and or will do so in on the backs of the middle class, poor and we all know minorities by giving them less. The obvious culture wars have become an issue and while candidates running for Congress not only engaged in race baiting, exclusion and outright discrimination. Most if not all were defeated at the polls thankfully but some did get through and are sitting either in the Senate or House. Honestly, I want Republican constituents to ask themselves if these people are true public servant and how upset were you when your own party voted against helping firefighters, teachers, and police while stripping away worker rights. The idea to help maintain these jobs, helping those who lost jobs by voting yes to unemployment and or create them until the lame duck session happened because the RTP wanted something, not that they wanted to help their fellow American. The Republican Tea Party, as we all know managed to hold the middle class hostage and traded the bush bonus dollars for helping Americans even though the house of bush set a date for the bush bonus dollars to expire. Is it just me or does it seem less than American to hold or use money as a tool to insure those Bush bonus tax cuts …That top 2% of our population got those tax cuts but have failed to significantly improve the job numbers even though speaker Boehner stated they were the job creators.

Two and a half years ago, in a series of votes that dramatized the conflicting pressures Democrats face to spur job growth and control the deficit. The House voted 217-212 to raise the government is borrowing authority to a record level, with 37 Democrats joining Republicans opposing the measure. The then Speaker Pelosi reminded people that among other things that the Democratic Party, focused on jobs, concerned and working toward equal rights for the people, proud that the lily Ledbetter law  passed as well. Well, that was two years ago. After gaining control of the House of Representatives, the Republican Tea Party decided that taking apart any legislation that has President Obama’s stamp of approval is the only thing the people elected them for last November. This is not just offensive it is one of several issues that has divided Americans and will continue to until the Republican Tea Party stops playing games with the lives of all Americans and gets to work for the citizens of the United States instead of what seems like only for Corporate America.

Two and a half years ago, in an effort to make it hard to fill the Obama Administrations cabinet, like appointee Martha Johnson. Now, with half of President Obama’s term over, the Republican Tea Party has managed to hold up over 20% of his appointments and some have withdrawn completely, the result is a less than complete cabinet for the governing party.

This behavior by the Republican Tea Party is just not acceptable and be considered un-American. In a moment of emotion, Senator Dorgan voiced my feelings at the time,” that for over 8months Republicans have blocked her nomination and now almost unanimously vote to put her in, which raises doubts in the integrity of Republicans.”

Yes, some good things came out of the hard work that the House and Senate Democrats performed but it is obvious they need to do more while the Republican Tea Party has put the future of America at risk and will continue to do so unless Americans begin to push back.

Other News …

Life expectancy of US women slips in some regions

Washington Day Ahead: Fed Officials Discuss Inflation Target

 Why Michele Bachmann is no Sarah Palin

Latest union proposal exempts Wis. transit workers

Pakistan’s arrest of CIA informants exposes Bin Laden raid frustrations …

Police Fire Tear Gas, Stun Grenades Amid Fresh Athens Clashes

Despite Crackdown, Syria Calls for Refugees to Return Home

‘US says it won’t support UN Palestinian statehood bid’

CSPAN …

House Panel Continues Look into “Fast and Furious”

Defense Secretary & Joint Chiefs Chairman Testify on Pentagon Spending

Lawmakers Review Islamic Radicalization in Prisons

AP sources: Pakistan arrests 5 CIA informants from bin Laden raid in latest US-Pakistan rift – The Washington Post

F.D.A. Unveils New Rules About Sunscreen Claims – NYTimes.com

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Helping homeowners harness the sun


Official Google blog

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 09:16 AM PDT

(Cross-posted from the Green Blog)

Imagine sitting on your patio watching the sun’s rays pass overhead, knowing that they power your home with clean energy—at a cost that’s less that what you would have paid using just the grid. That’s what my colleague, engineer Michael Flaster, has been doing at his home in Menlo Park, Calif. since March of this year. He did it with the help of a company called SolarCity, which enables homeowners and businesses to begin using solar energy to power their homes and buildings.

Today, we’re announcing that we’ve investing $280 million to create a fund that will help SolarCity finance more solar installations across the country. This is our largest clean energy project investment to date and brings our total invested in the clean energy sector to more than $680 million. We’ve also launched a partnership to offer SolarCity services to Googlers at a discount.

In SolarCity’s innovative financing model, the company covers installation and maintenance of the system over the life of the lease. You can prepay, or pay nothing upfront after which you make monthly solar lease payments. All told, Michael will save $100 per month on his energy bills this year, and more than $16,000 over his 15 year lease, after factoring in his lease payment and lower energy bills.

 
We believe the world needs a wide range of clean energy options in the future, each serving different needs. We’ve already invested in several large-scale renewable energy projects, so we’re excited that this new partnership with SolarCity helps people power their homes directly with solar energy, too. We think “distributed” renewable energy (generated and used right at home) is a smart way to use solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to improve our power system since it helps avoid or alleviate distribution constraints on the traditional electricity grid.

Our investment is a quadruple-win for Google, SolarCity, its new customers and the environment. We continue to look for other renewable energy investments that make business sense and help develop and deploy cleaner sources of energy. Whether harnessing the sun on rooftops like Michael’s or in the desert sands of the Mojave, it’s all part of building a clean energy future.

Posted by Rick Needham, Director of Green Business Operations