Tag Archives: ~ Culture & History

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Green technology a beacon of hope?


February 9, 2010

Program Note: Don’t miss Casey Wian’s report on Green Wave technology tonight onAC360° at 11 p.m. ET.

Green Wave's prototype product - a light pole powered by a windmill and solar panels.

Green Wave’s prototype product – a light pole powered by a windmill and solar panels.

Casey Wian
CNN Correspondent

Skeptics might say Mark Holmes is tilting at windmills. The long-time attorney started his new alternative power company, Green Wave Energy, in October 2008, during the depths of the U.S. financial crisis.

“Well, we had a major financial meltdown, everybody was in a panic. Those were really dark days and we figured, what better time to start a company?” Holmes said.

We visited the Newport Beach, Calif. shipyard that is home to Green Wave’s prototype product, a potentially revolutionary light pole powered by a windmill and four solar panels. It operates completely off of the electric grid, and can actually generate enough excess power to run a 1,000-watt appliance.

Green Wave Energy is funded by 33 partners, mostly friends, acquaintances and colleagues of CEO Holmes, whose career as a corporate lawyer included cases involving both the marine and alternative energy industries. Together, they’ve raised a little more than $200,000 in cash, and nearly $3 million in products and services to launch the company. They hope to soon be providing light to places like Haiti and other remote locations without easy access to the electric grid.

One partner’s busy shipyard is where Green Wave’s World Light Pole is tested. Another partner’s SUV and trailer serve as a makeshift wind tunnel, saving the company $50,000 a day. And a third partner’s struggling luxury yacht factory is now Green Wave’s manufacturing facility.

“Most of my background has been working with people in the marine industry, and they are absolutely perfect for developing renewable energy products, because they build to a standard that assumes the worst is going to happen,” Holmes said, adding that the company is using fiberglass to enable its light pole to survive hurricanes, floods and earthquakes.

At the Green Wave partner’s yacht manufacturing facility in Perris, Calif., the recession has slowed business dramatically and forced deep layoffs. But Green Wave is providing hope.

“I think that’s one way of looking at it, they’ve had some very tough times, a significant reduction in force,“ Holmes said. “I think with us coming here and starting up production they are going to be able to bring back a lot more folks, and hopefully several hundred folks, if everything works out right.”

A UC Berkeley study estimates green technology companies could create more than 400,000 jobs in California alone during the next decade.

“These are in general, higher paying jobs. They are engineering jobs, research jobs, higher-paying manufacturing jobs, specialized manufacturing jobs, so they are important,” said Jerry Nickelsburg, an economist at the UCLA Anderson Forecast.

So far, Green Wave has sold just one of its $20,000 light poles. But it’s negotiating two potentially large contracts, including one that could bring the devices to Haiti. Holmes says the business model of “green tech” companies partnering with recession-plagued traditional manufacturers is not unique to Green Wave Energy.

“I think this is the model, if anything. I think there is so much ‘old school’ technology, or old school manufacturing facilities out there that need this sort of re-invigoration. Bringing green technology to those facilities will be basically bringing them back to life.”

More about: 360° Radar

Black History

Capitol Hill … 2/10/2010


Snow Delays Legislation On Capitol Hill

Today

Most of the agenda in Washington has been postponed due to the inclement weather. The House has adjourned until Feb. 22. The Senate will next meet on Thursday and Sen. Majority Ldr. Harry Reid (D-NV) hopes to begin debate on a jobs-related bill. The weather also caused the House Oversight Cmte. to postpone a hearing looking into the Toyota gas pedal problems.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The House of Representatives on Tuesday postponed further action on legislation until later this month as the capital city braced for a second major snowstorm in less than a week.

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However, The President is suppose to Meet today with Black business men, leaders and politicians to discuss unemployment and its impact on African-Americans.

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Back-to-back snow storms put Congress on ice

U.S.

Reuters

House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer said flight cancellations made it difficult for House members to get into the snowbound city and leaders decided to put off scheduled votes until the week of February 22 when Congress returns from a week-long break for the Presidents’ Day holiday.

“Members are unable to get here because the airlines are reluctant to fly here, they are reluctant to get their planes on the ground and get caught here,” Hoyer told reporters.

Weather forecasters are predicting the area could get another 12 inches of snow just days after a blizzard dumped up to 3 feet in some areas.

The House had been scheduled to vote this week on legislation that would repeal the antitrust exemption for health insurers. Hoyer said that vote will now take place the week lawmakers return from their break.

Meanwhile Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid held out hope that the Senate would complete work on a major jobs-creation bill before leaving for the week-long Presidents Day break.

But Reid said the Senate may not be in session on Wednesday when the latest snow storm is expected to be in full fury.

Many people in the region are still trying to dig out from the weekend storm and many streets are still covered with snow.

(Reporting by Donna Smith; Editing by Vicki Allen

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Senate JOBS BILL …


Senate jobs bill extends Medicare payment rates

Tue Feb 9, 2010 2:44pm EST

WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) – A jobs-creation bill that could pass the Senate this week would delay a scheduled 20 percent reduction in doctor payments under the Medicare health-insurance program, according to a copy of the text obtained by Reuters.

The bill also extends soon-to-expire jobless payments, health-care subsidies for the unemployed and highway-funding programs, according to the text of the bill, which has not yet been introduced.


~ my 2cents ...

New Rules … Feb. 22nd


Credit Cards companies will have to stop some of their  ways … starting February 22

the information below is from http://www.federalreserve.gov

  • When they plan to increase your rate or other fees. Your credit card company must send you a notice 45 days before they can
    • increase your interest rate;
    • change certain fees (such as annual fees, cash advance fees, and late fees) that apply to your account; or
    • make other significant changes to the terms of your card.

    If your credit card company is going to make changes to the terms of your card, it must give you the option to cancel the card before certain fee increases take effect. If you take that option, however, your credit card company may close your account and increase your monthly payment, subject to certain limitations.

    For example, they can require you to pay the balance off in five years, or they can double the percentage of your balance used to calculate your minimum payment (which will result in faster repayment than under the terms of your account).

    The company does not have to send you a 45-day advance notice if

    • you have a variable interest rate tied to an index; if the index goes up, the company does not have to provide notice before your rate goes up;
    • your introductory rate expires and reverts to the previously disclosed “go-to” rate;
    • your rate increases because you are in a workout agreement and you haven’t made your payments as agreed.
  • How long it will take to pay off your balance. Your monthly credit card bill will include information on how long it will take you to pay off your balance if you only make minimum payments. It will also tell you how much you would need to pay each month in order to pay off your balance in three years. For example, suppose you owe $3,000 and your interest rate is 14.4%–your bill might look like this:
    New balance $3,000.00
    Minimum payment due $90.00
    Payment due date 4/20/12

    Late Payment Warning: If we do not receive your minimum payment by the date listed above, you may have to pay a $35 late fee and your APRs may be increased up to the Penalty APR of 28.99%.

    Minimum Payment Warning: If you make only the minimum payment each period, you will pay more in interest and it will take you longer to pay off your balance. For example:

    If you make no additional charges using this card and each month you pay. . . You will pay off the balance shown on this statement in about. . . And you will end up paying an estimated total of. . .
    Only the minimum payment 11 years $4,745
    $103 3 years $3,712
    (Savings = $1,033)

New rules regarding rates, fees, and limits

  • No interest rate increases for the first year. Your credit card company cannot increase your rate for the first 12 months after you open an account. There are some exceptions:
    • If your card has a variable interest rate tied to an index; your rate can go up whenever the index goes up.
    • If there is an introductory rate, it must be in place for at least 6 months; after that your rate can revert to the “go-to” rate the company disclosed when you got the card.
    • If you are more than 60 days late in paying your bill, your rate can go up.
    • If you are in a workout agreement and you don’t make your payments as agreed, your rate can go up.
  • Increased rates apply only to new charges. If your credit card company does raise your interest rate after the first year, the new rate will apply only to new charges you make. If you have a balance, your old interest rate will apply to that balance.
  • Restrictions on over-the-limit transactions. You must tell your credit card company that you want it to allow transactions that will take you over your credit limit. Otherwise, if a transaction would take you over your limit, it may be turned down. If you do not opt-in to over-the-limit transactions and your credit card company allows one to go through, it cannot charge you an over-the-limit fee.
    • If you opt-in to allowing transactions that take you over your credit limit, your credit card company can impose only one fee per billing cycle. You can revoke your opt-in at any time.
  • Caps on high-fee cards. If your credit card company requires you to pay fees (such as an annual fee or application fee), those fees cannot total more than 25% of the initial credit limit. For example, if your initial credit limit is $500, the fees for the first year cannot be more than $125. This limit does not apply to penalty fees, such as penalties for late payments.
  • Protections for underage consumers. If you are under 21, you will need to show that you are able to make payments, or you will need a cosigner, in order to open a credit card account.
    • If you are under age 21 and have a card with a cosigner and want an increase in the credit limit, your cosigner must agree in writing to the increase.

Changes to billing and payments

  • Standard payment dates and times. Your credit card company must mail or deliver your credit card bill at least 21 days before your payment is due. In addition
    • Your due date should be the same date each month (for example, your payment is always due on the 15th or always due on the last day of the month).
    • The payment cut-off time cannot be earlier than 5 p.m. on the due date.
    • If your payment due date is on a weekend or holiday (when the company does not process payments), you will have until the following business day to pay. (For example, if the due date is Sunday the 15th, your payment will be on time if it is received by Monday the 16th before 5 p.m.).
  • Payments directed to highest interest balances first. If you make more than the minimum payment on your credit card bill, your credit card company must apply the excess amount to the balance with the highest interest rate. There is an exception:
    • If you made a purchase under a deferred interest plan (for example, “no interest if paid in full by March, 2012”), the credit card company may let you choose to apply extra amounts to the deferred interest balance before other balances. Otherwise, for two billing cycles prior to the end of the deferred interest period, the credit card company must apply your entire payment to the deferred interest-rate balance first.
  • No two-cycle (double-cycle) billing. Credit card companies can only impose interest charges on balances in the current billing cycle.

Useful terms...

  • “go-to” rate
    interest rate you are charged after the introductory rate
  • index
    an economic indicator used to calculate interest-rate adjustments (e.g. the Cost of Funds Index 71KB PDF)
  • opt-in
    giving your credit card company permission to include you in a particular service
  • workout agreement
    a type of debt management plan

Other Resources..

Need direction...

  • To learn more about how these new rules directly apply to you, contact your credit card company by calling their toll-free number.
~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

What’s going on … in the House and Senate


Today 2/4/2010

Both leaders of the House and Senate are on their way toward establishing a new path toward a jobs bill and health-care reform. The issues have been difficult but they will not give up. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi states that in the near future people will be paying 1dollar out of every 5dollars for health-care, the problem will not go away, we can solve the issue by repealing the anti-trust exemptions, increase , lower cost and improve choices for all Americans.

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’s borrowing authority to a record level, with 37 Democrats joining Republicans opposing the measure.

The speaker reminded people that this is a important day, the House celebrated the enactment of payasyougo (HJ RES 45) today in a vote of 233yeas and 187nays without one Republican vote; payasyougo does not pay down the current debt accrued; it does force or puts the brakes on future increases. The 1.9 Trillion increase in the cap the govt can borrow and the measure to force stricter rules will create fiscal responsibility. The speaker reminded people that she is definitely focused on getting Eleanor Holmes-Norton re-elected, is concerned and working toward equal rights for the people, is very proud that the lily ledbetter law has been passed as well.

In a vote of 94 yeas and 2nays, which, was changed to 96-o because two Republican Senators rescinded their votes.   Martha Johnson was finally appointed to her position as GSA head. In a moment of emotion, Senator Dorgan voiced my feelings at least,  that for over 8months Republicans have blocked her nomination and now they almost unanimously vote to put her in, which raises doubts in the integrity of Republicans.

The intent is clear, question is will they continue to hold up appointments; without them in place the administration will never be as competent as they should be, any Republican holding up appointments are directly responsible for any and all problems that occur.

Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced that the Senate will begin work on job creation legislation, offering a hand of good faith to do this in bipartisanship.  He also discussed the recent meeting between Pres. Obama and Senate Democrats, and outlined his broader legislative goals for the year.

In what was quite possibly the last business of the day in the Senate; a step-down speech; sad but a proud moment for Democrat Senator Paul Kirk,a speech delivered from a true Public Servant  who will be truly missed on the Senate Floor.