Re:energy

In the of course it makes sense green column: An energy concept bike that recharges electronic devices.  The bike collects usable energy generated by the pedaling in its front wheel to recharge electrical devices such as a laptop, mp3, cell phone and more. The battery is a component of the front wheel.

're:energy' by jin sik kim and bo sung seo

It's call 're:energy' and was designed by jin sik kim and bo sung seo from Korea.  The concept is one of the shortlisted entries from more than 4000 participants in the 'IIDA awards 2010' competition, organized by designboom in collaboration with Incheon Metropolitan City in South Korea.

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FHFA TAKES UNFRIENDLY STEP AGAINST LEON COUNTY'S ENERGY PROGRAM

Leon County announced in a October 8th press release that it has brought suit against effors to block Leon County's innovative energy efficiency program.  

The County filed its complaint in federal court against the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac") and the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") in an effort to reverse recent federal regulatory actions taken by the FHFA. 

These regulatory actions affect  the Energy Assistance Program, also known as "LEAP," and others like it throughout the nation, which are intended to assist property owners by funding energy efficiency improvements on their homes and businesses through property assessments. 

From the Leon County Board of County Commission's press release:

"The primary purpose of LEAP is to enact meaningful energy reduction efforts that will also help to create jobs and reduce green house gas emissions for our entire community," said Leon County At-Large Commissioner Cliff Thaell, who initiated the creation of LEAP. "Through LEAP, property owners will be able to lower their utility bills, reduce the up-front cost of energy retrofits, and add value to their property."

The FHFA regulation, which was announced in July, would prohibit home mortgages with energy assessments from being acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two federal private corporations that purchase or guarantee more than 50 percent of the residential mortgages in the nation. The FHFA regulation upholds determinations by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that property-based energy assessments in these programs, a growing national trend more commonly known as PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy), are not valid, contradicting long-standing principles of state and federal laws.

"The FHFA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s actions would effectively halt Leon County’s energy program, as well as others throughout the country," said Leon County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Bob Rackleff.

The County’s suit charges the FHFA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with violating state and federal constitutional laws, violating procedures for creating agency regulations and practicing unfair trade practices.
Leon County Attorney Herbert A. Thiele said Leon County is confident that the lawsuit will resolve these challenges and allow County residents to move forward with energy saving projects without being under threat from the federal banking regulators.

"It is our hope that Congress will act to resolve the FHFA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s interpretations so that we can continue to offer LEAP to Leon County homeowners," said Thiele. "Without any action to date, we are forced to seek a judicial remedy to protect our right to implement energy efficiency programs."

For more information regarding the complaint, contact the Leon County Public Information Office at (850) 606-5300 or at pio@leoncountyfl.gov . For more information regarding LEAP, contact the Leon County Office of Sustainability at (850) 606-5300 or at Sustainability@leoncountyfl.gov

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URBAN EDIBLE PLANT WALK

Today, at 4:00 PM, after the 10.10.10 Climate Action Rally at Lake Ella, there is an Edible Plant Walk at Lake Elberta Park right next to Lake Bradford Road, south of the FSU stadium.  Meet at the red-roofed gazebo by the park sign.  Walk, collect edible plants and taste some wild plant dishes.  


Sponsored by the FSU Enviornment Service project.

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350 + CLIMATE CHANGE

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JUST FINISHED READING

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope, by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. An amazing story of potential, determination and the importance of wonder. Consider the possibilities of harnessing wind energy at the village level across Africa!

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ORLANDO SOLAR TOUR

If you are in the Orlando area this weekend, check out their solar tour:

The Orlando Solar Tour will have twelve homes and businesses open to the public and offering an opportunity to see how others in Central Florida are putting reliable solar power and energy efficient technologies to work. Come meet the owners and see how they have used a 30% Federal Tax Credit and local utility incentives to go solar and cut their electric bills.

Learn more by clicking here: www.OrlandoSolarTour.org.

A few special features you can expect to see:

• Solar-electric module manufacturing plant
• A photovoltaic tracking system (a solar array that follows the sun)
• Two solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations
• A zero-energy 7,000 sq. ft. home
• A tolal-home solar makeover in Baldwin Park

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