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This story was posted on the San Fernando Valley Business Journal website on Dec. 9, 2008. Photo is courtesy of the Los Angeles Times, photo credit goes to Scott Firestone.
Solar power, drought-resistant plants and recycled materials all contribute to Hangar 25 at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, what its builder is calling the most sustainable aircraft hangar in the world.
The hangar built by Shangri-La Construction was given Platinum LEED Certification, the highest rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The building, which is powered by a solar array on the roof, plugs the aviation industry into the green market, said John Picard, a consultant on the project.
“The doors have opened to the industry and now can ask, ‘What can we do next?’” Picard said.
The building has a concrete floor that uses no chemical polymers, a hi-fog fire suppression system that reduces water usage and minimizes waste from fire damage, and bicycle racks to encourage employees to not drive to work.
Shangri-La is in negotiations to construct a similar facility for Maguire Aviation at Van Nuys Airport.
Burbank Airport Unveils First LEED-Certified Hangar
Way back in April of 2007, the City of Burbank City Council passed a resolution to put a project in motion to bring hydrogen-powered buses to Burbank. The bus, when it goes into use in March of 2009, will be the first kind in Southern California.
The Burbank Leader reports that $2 million dollar project was paid for predominately by the State of California, though the city partnered with private developers to make up around $600,000 not covered by state funding. The bus, which will be fueled by hydrogen stations being built into city infrastructure. The bus's only emissions are water, and in addition to its positive impact on city pollution it will be significantly cheaper to run as far as day to day costs once the project is completed. Burbank plans to add more such buses as time goes on.
Image credit City of Burbank Press Release
Green Job Growth to Benefit California
A study by researchers from the Duke University Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness shows that growth in sustainable industries could directly benefit California, among other states.
"Manufacturing Climate Solutions" identifies manufacturing jobs that already exist and which new ones might get started as the U.S. moves forward in its sustainability policies.
"Until now, there was no tangible evidence of what the jobs are, how they are created and what it means for U.S. workers. We are providing that here," said Gary Gereffi, the report’s lead author. "We don't guess where the jobs are; we name them. Our report uses value chains to show that clean technology jobs are also real economy jobs."
These five carbon-reducing technologies with potential for future green job creation were the subject of the study:
- Concentrating solar power
- LED lighting
- High-performance windows
- Auxiliary power units for long-haul trucks
- Super Soil Systems (a new method for treating hog wastes)
The report includes a detailed breakdown of the supply chains that provide parts and labor for these five industries and also identifies companies already positioned to support green jobs.
Burbank Signs Natural Gas Deal
From the San Fernando Valley Business Journal website
The City of Burbank has extended for an additional 14 years a partnership for compressed natural gas from Clean Energy Fuels Corp.
Clean Fuels opened its first natural gas station in 2002 and under the modified agreement will design, build and operate a new station at the Burbank Public Works Yard to support the city’s growing fleet of natural gas-powered refuse trucks.
The effort will significantly support the City’s efforts to meet its sustainability goals and reduce its carbon footprint, while enhancing both the health and environmental benefits of all its citizens,” said James Harger, Clean Energy Senior Vice President.
Waxman Wins Battle for Key Chairmanship
Rep. Henry Waxman was successful in his bid to remove another Democrat, Rep. John Dingell, from his position as chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Dingell, the most senior member of the House, represents Michigan, the automaker's state while Waxman gains his constitutency from California, which has been battling the EPA and automakers to set even greater emissions reductions and efficiency increases.
The vote was close, 137-122, and signals a significant increase in California's Capitol Hill power.
Obama Addresses Los Angeles Climate Conference
Gov. Schwarzenegger announced Barack Obama as a surprise guest speaker at the Governors Global Climate Summit he hosted in Los Angeles on Nov. 18 and 19. Obama addressed the gathering via this four-minute video. Enjoy!
Chevrolet Volt Smashes EPA Fuel Economy Rating Methods
The day is finally upon us where passenger cars running on more than straight ol' war starting fossil fuel are hitting the mainstream. While this is great for consumers all around, it is forcing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to rethink their methods for testing a car's fuel economy. The last generation of hybrid cars, like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, ran their gasoline and electric motors at the same time, making fuel economy estimates easier.
But how do you test fuel economy for a car like the Chevy Volt, which will be able to run for around 40 miles on electricity alone? Traditional EPA test methods include stretches of highway and city mileage around 11 miles long, which the Volt can pull off without ever using a sip of fuel. So how do you rate it? Many have called for a new EPA testing system that will be fair to all new cars and automakers, and still give consumers a good idea what they can expect to pay at the pump.
