The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative held its second auction for carbon credits in December. This was the first auction where all 10 states in the initiative took part, and the sale price rose about 10 percent from the previous auction in September, 2008.

These carbon credits have some bite to them; the auction wasn’t just a public relations affair for the local utilities. The northeast is attempting to achieve a major shift in carbon dioxide emissions. Greenhouse gasses from power plants in these 10 Northeastern states are capped at current levels from January 1, 2009 until 2014. Then, the cap will drop 2.5% a year until 10% reductions are hit in 2018.

Now that the carbon cap is in effect, utilities that use coal or natural gas to generate electricity will have to buy carbon credits to offset their pollution. They are likely to pass along the cost to consumers, which will drive up the price of dirty electricity and help make alternative energy sources more competitive. Regional cap and trade systems have already proven effective at reducing Nitrogen Oxide emissions, and policy makers hope to have similar success with reducing carbon. Funds raised from the carbon auction are earmarked for efficiency improvements, building alternative power sources on government buildings, and eliminating emissions from non-powerplant sources.

The RGGI isn’t the only regional group working on a cap and trade system. In the middle of the country, the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord is developing a system that will cover Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, and the Canadian Province of Manitoba. Other western states and Canadian Provinces formed their own group, the Western Climate Initiative. WCI membership includes Arizona, British Columbia, California, Manitoba, Montana, New Mexico, Ontario, Oregon, Quebec, Utah, and Washington State.

Some states are tackling emissions on their own. California passed laws in 2006 to reduce CO2 emissions by 20%, and is considering ways to extend the reach of those laws into neighboring states. California plans to roll out a Cap and Trade system by 2012, and the state budget crisis may accelerate the process. A carbon credit auction would raise desperately needed revenue for California, but there’s concern that the money would be squandered instead of spent on reducing emissions.

Federal action is also expected in the near future. The President-Elect, Speaker of the House, and other national leaders have publicly spoken in favor of a cap and trade system. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency is facing pressure to treat CO2 as a pollutant. The EPA recently published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to regulate agricultural emissions of greenhouse gas.

Some surprising voices have also spoken out against cap and trade carbon systems. A small number of utilities and businesses who use large volumes of electricity have raised concerns about the costs, but some environmentalists are also skeptical of the concept. There’s a concern that carbon credits don’t actually reduce total emissions, and that flaws in the systems can allow polluters to play a shell game with their emissions. Another concern is that the system wont achieve it’s goals of reducing emissions. The cap and trade system in Europe has been plagued by politics and lobbying, and emissions have risen since it was introduced.

Even with these concerns, the US looks likely to move ahead on efforts to reduce carbon production. Many changes are on their way, and some will arrive sooner than others.

Photo courtesy of bytepusher at Flickr.com.

Have you ever noticed that alkaline batteries seem to work better in digital cameras, handheld games, and other high drain devices? That’s because alkaline batteries put out electricity at a higher voltage. They offer 1.5 volts, while rechargeable technologies such as Nickel Metal Hydride and Nickel Cadmium put out lower voltage - usually 1.2 to 1.3 volts. Devices using NiMH and NiCd can seem sluggish, because their capacitors take a longer time to charge between cycles.

A new type of rechargeable battery will change that. This new type of battery is based on Nickel Zinc technology, and it delivers 1.5 volts of juice. These batteries aren’t just a laboratory pipe dream either - the first shipments should arrive on store shelves by Christmas time. NiZi batteries are being produced by a company named PowerGenix. They’ve made distribution deals with Ritz Camera, and the batteries will be labeled as Quantaray Super Z rechargeable AA batteries

Zinc Nickel batteries haven’t been widely used before due to problems with durability. Previous zinc electrodes didn’t last as long as electrodes made with other materials, but they showed serious promise because Nickel Zinc batteries offer higher energy density.

A lead acid car battery has a power-to-weight ratio of roughly 30 Watt hours / Kilogram. A Nickel Metal Hydride battery (like the one found in a 2001 Prius) offers 25% more power for the same amount of weight, but that’s nothing compared to a Nickel Zinc battery. These new batteries have a 60 Wh/Kg energy capacity, which means they offer 100% more power than a lead acid battery of the same weight.

Power Genix is also developing Nickel Zinc technology for use in electric and hybrid cars, so we’ll likely hear more about these batteries. They’ll be competing with lithium ion batteries (which are even more powerful), but Nickel Zinc batteries have some major advantages. They’re much cleaner to produce, and they’re being promoted as the easiest type of battery to recycle. One thing about hype though - it tends to create a market for counterfeit batteries…

Photo courtesy of Jim Rees at Flickr.com.

A lot of news about the environment lately has been good news - there are huge solar arrays being built, energy efficiency is improving by leaps and bounds, and more people are recycling today than even knew what recycling was 20 years ago. But, there’s some bad news on the environmental desk too.

For starters, the ailing economy is threatening to undermine recycling programs nationwide. Demand for commodities has fallen so quickly that we have a surplus of many raw materials, and those surplus materials are exerting negative price pressure on recycled ingredients. Don’t worry though - runaway inflation in the first quarter of 2009 should “solve” those problems.

A controversy is brewing in the world of organic food. Several large organic suppliers have been caught using unapproved farming techniques in their overseas operations, and the FDA is reviewing their certification. This is a little bit of a good news / bad news situation, because the problem was caught before harm was inflicted and it’s a sign that the internal reviews are working to catch abuse.

A lot of politicians are burning the midnight oil before their terms in office expire, and this means that some poorly crafted laws, rules, and regulations are on the way. One of the most worrisome developments is that the Endangered Species Act is being undermined by rule changes within the Fish and Wildlife Department. The department has assigned only 15 people to review more than 200,000 unique comments… that means a lot of comments are going to be brushed off and ignored, and that the rule changes will likely face a legal challenge.

Okay, now on to the good news.

With automakers begging Congress for a bailout, there’s a lot of attention focused on their business plans. Last year, they were offered a $25 Billion line of credit to develop fuel efficient cars, and these green strings have been cut from the older loan. Just to confuse things, the Big 3 are asking for another $34 Billion dollars to fund their operations, which really makes you wonder if they forgot about the treat they were already given. Now that the funds have been released for GM, Ford, and Chrysler to use at their discretion, there’s still a good chance that some of the money will be used to make fuel efficiency improvements. Consumer preferences have shifted towards improved mileage, but there’s no consensus about how green the cars of the future will be.

There are a lot of competing standards for determining the “greenest car” on the road. Some carmakers stress miles driven per gallon of fuel, while others focus on the grams of CO2 emitted per mile driven, or the amount of smog causing particulates that are released. These competing claims can be very confusing, and the confusion allows some car makers to greenwash their dirtier vehicles with misleading claims. Until recently, there hasn’t been a clear mechanism to weigh the eco-credentials of competing cars. Now though, the Environmental Protection Agency has created a new standard that combines air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The new SmartWay Certification Program, is designed to highlight best in class vehicles just as the EnergyStar rating system highlights efficient appliances. Honda was able to secure the first top rating for a vehicle - they earned Smartway Elite certification with their Honda Civic Hybrid and the Honda GX (a natural gas powered car). Hopefully, American car manufacturers are following close behind.

Cars are raising environmental awareness in other ways too. Daniel Bowman Simon and Casey Gustowarow are driving cross country to gather signatures for the White House Organic Farm petition. The bus was donated by Ben Cohen (of Ben and Jerry’s fame) and has a very unusual container garden built into the roof. If you see a strange bus that looks like it had a collision with another bus and kept driving, ask for Daniel or Casey.

To bring this post full circle, here’s some good news about recycling. If you still have any McCain, Obama, or other political signs sitting around from election 2008, don’t throw them out. Waste management experts have found a way to recycle corrugated plastic campaign signs!

The price of gas is down sharply from it’s peak around $4 a gallon, but the spike in gas prices has left a lasting impact on the way that many consumers feel about fuel efficiency. Manufacturers are responding to this increased demand for fuel efficient vehicles with several new gas-sipping cars.

Here’s a quick rundown on what’s available today: (the first number is the estimated mileage on city streets, the second is the estimated highway mpg)

2009 Toyota Prius: 48/45
2009 Honda Civic Hybrid: 40/45
2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid: 35/33
2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid: 34/32
2009 Ford Escape Hybrid: 34/30
2009 Mazda Tribute 2WD Hybrid: 34/30
2009 Mercury Mariner 2WD Hybrid: 34/30
2009 Smart Fortwo Coupe: 33/41
2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Hatchback: 30/41
2009 Toyota Yaris: 29/36
2009 MINI Cooper Clubman: 28/37
2009 Honda Fit: 28/34
2009 Toyota Corolla: 27/35
2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 27/25
2009 Lexus RX 400h: 27/24
2009 Honda Civic: 26/34
2009 Nissan Versa: 26/31
2009 Saturn Vue Greenline: 25/32
2009 Ford Focus: 24/35
2009 Chevrolet Aveo: 24/34
2009 Chevy Malibu Hybrid: 24/32
2009 Saturn Aura Green Line: 24/32
2009 MercedesBenz E320 Bluetec: 23/32
2009 Audi TT: 23/31
2009 Audi A4: 23/30
2009 Chevy Malibu: 22/30
2009 Nissan Rogue: 22/27
2009 Lexus GS 450h: 22/25
2009 Subaru Impreza: 20/27
2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid 2WD: 20/22

Trading in a car with terrible gas mileage can make a much bigger difference than upgrading a fuel efficient car for a super-efficient car. The most efficient car on this list (the 2009 Prius) will emit approximately 4.0 tons of Carbon Dioxide in a typical year. That’s less than half as much as the Hybrid Chevy Tahoe, which emits about 8.7 tons of CO2 every year.

There are a lot of hybrids on this list, so here are the top 10 models traded in for a hybrid. Many of those cars have better fuel efficiency than other vehicles on the road, and may be available for cheap at a used car lot.

Photo courtesy of marshalltownpublic library at Flickr.com.

Americans are migrating to hybrids in impressive numbers. In light of the economic slowdown, it is expected that purchases of 2009 hybrid cars will be brisk, even more so than in 2008. That’s good for commuters, the planet and the automakers that have gone the hybrid route.

Hybrids are the first mainstream move by the automotive companies to lessen the reliance of auto consumers on the old gas-driven varieties, which are high in harmful emissions and also represent a heavy reliance by the United States on foreign oil.

As the term suggests, a hybrid is a combination, a compromise. Hybrid cars seek to significantly increase the mileage potential and reduce the emissions of a gas-powered car while overcoming the shortcomings of an electric car.  To be useful to a significant proportion of users, cars must meet certain minimum requirements.
•    Go at least 300 miles before re-fueling
•    Be refueled quickly and easily
•    Keep up with the other traffic on the road
Sure, a gasoline car meets all these requirements but, as we all know, they produce a relatively large amount of pollution and get rather poor gas mileage. Electric cars are practically pollution-free, but they get only 50 to 100 miles between charges. Recharging (refueling) an electric car is a notoriously slow overnight process.

Enter the hybrid car. Automakers have succeeded in combining gas and electric elements in the same drivetrain to combine the benefits of both, and reduce the negatives of each type of locomotion.

Here is a round-up (in alphabetical order) of the 2009 model hybrid cars available in the United States. Take your pick!

Taking a look at these vehicles, it’s pretty clear why the Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry and Honda Civic hybrids are the most popular hybrid automobiles by far. It’s the gas mileage, stupid!

Many of the other hybrid manufacturers don’t seem to get it, and keep cranking out hybrid after hybrid with mediocre gas mileage. Is it any wonder that no one wants to buy a car that is more expensive and more technologically complex when it doesn’t even provide a substantial increase in gas mileage?

One last point. You’ll probably notice what seems like very low numbers for hybrids like the Chevy Tahoe. Increases from a very low number to something reasonable actually end up saving large amounts of gasoline overall though. Read why here.

CADILLAC

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid SUV

Some say the sheer size, features and options connected to the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid somewhat negates its gas/2 electric motor hybrid benefits. But that’s probably nit-picking. This is the only hybrid option on the market in the large luxury-SUV segment, so it definitely meets a need. 2008 sales proved it. This vehicle brings limited carbon footprint and fuel economy to the world of large Sports Utilities. It brags everything that opens and shuts, from Bluetooth to cup holder, and a lot of (pricey) optional extras too. The cabin is gorgeous, the ride dreamy, and it accommodates eight passengers easily. The 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is available in 2WD and 4WD.

Gas mileage: 2WD: 20 mpg City / 21 mpg Hwy, 4WD: Untested

Emissions: No data. You be the judge. This is a 5,900-pound SUV……

Cadillac webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

CHEVROLET

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Here is GM’s answer to the Toyota Prius, which leads the way in mid-size hybrid sedans.  Power in the Chevy Malibu hybrid is generated by the GM Hybrid Propulsion Electric System, combined with the ECOTEC 2.4L 4-cylinder hybrid engine. Critics say the mileage it gets is not much more than the gasoline version but auto buyers really like its styling and the fact that low emission reduce the carbon footprint. It’s affordable and at least now there is a hybrid Chevy sedan out there….even if Bluetooth doesn’t come as standard! GM has done a lot to make an attractive family/commuter car, and this translated into brisk sales in 2007/8, with further refinements in the 2009 edition. The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is an automatic, 4-speed FWD family car with with overdrive.

Gas mileage: 26 mpg City / 34 mpg Hwy

Emissions: PZEV

GM webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

This is a no-frills hybrid SUV (the frills come as optional extras and for those you will have to pay dearly). It’s a nicely styled 4-door vehicle with a comfortable interior seating eight. The Chevy Tahoe hybrid  powered by a 6.0L 8 cylinder gas/electric drivetrain, offering solid capability and efficiency. It’s a basic automatic 4 Speed with overdrive. You can get it in 4WD or 2WD. Chevy’s hybrid SUV has not exactly taken the market by storm, but at least Chev now has a hybrid SUV option.

Gas mileage: 21 mpg / 22 mpg
Emissions: No data

GM webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

CHRYSLER

2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid SUV

Fans are saying this Hemi-powered vehicle 5.7 liter SUV is an incredible vehicle with bundles of built-in features. Definitely a huge improvement on the 2008 model, they say. The new hybrid offers Hemi V8 power with V6-like fuel efficency. Unfortunately, all that hybrid hardware pushes the Aspen’s price up by $3,000 over the similarly equipped non-hybrid model. But the naysayers are saying that this is a rough diamond, that there are better, quicker HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) SUV’s out there with more for less……unless you need to tow a boat, in which case this is the perfect workhorse.

Mileage: 19 mpg / 20 mpg

Emissions: No data

Chrysler webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

DODGE

2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid SUV

The 2009 Durango Hybrid is anything an SUV-lover wants it to be. It’s big on comfort and features,and delivered on the HEV promise. The two-mode system integrates a hybrid-electric drive system – which reduces fuel consumption dramatically when town driving – with the brute power of a 5.7L Hemi V8 for towing and highway driving. It’s a pretty-to-look-at, comfortable 4 door,  and fun to drive,  with the vehicle switching between electric motor and Hemi mode seamlessly. When you need the power (pulling a trailer, driving steep gradients, passing other cars) it’s there, and when you need to cruise and save fuel it switches over to the electric motor undetected. It gives a whole new meaning to “automatic”.

Mileage: 19 mpg / 20 mpg

Emissions: No data

Dodge webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

FORD

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid SUV

Ford was the first to combine SUV flexibility with outstanding fuel economy and limited carbon footprint of a full hybrid. The Ford Escape Hybrid SUV meets the strick Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV II) and Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards. The Ford Escape Hybrid SUV is a 4 cylinder, 2.5 Liter automatic, CVT, available in 2WD and 4WD. It has a highly competitively-priced Base option (no frills) or a Limited option (with frills). There is terrific range of optional features available, ranging from Sirius Satellite radio to a voice-activated navigation system. Ford has really put itself out to set the benchmark against which toerh hybrid SUV makers should aspire.

Mileage: 34 mpg city / 31 mpg highway

Emissions: No data

Ford webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

GMC

2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid SUV

An earthy-looki V8, 6.0 Liter Hybrid from GMC, available in RWD and 4WD. The GMC Yukon Hybrid SUV is not going to win any beauty competitions and it comes with quite a hefty price sticker too. But this is a powerful, no-nonsense machine without pretentions. It seats eight passengers and combines considerable fuel economy with the towing capacity of a traditional SUV. Please note thought that critics are saying folks would be better served by any of GM’s full-size crossovers that are nearly as efficient and much less pricey.

Mileage: 21 mpg City / 22 mpg Hwy

Emissions: No data

GMC webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

HONDA

2009 Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan

Here is Honda’s answer to the Toyota Prius, the leading commuter sedan on the US market today. It does not offer the lowest price in the range (far from it)  but the features are good and it really is an effective 1.3 Liter, 4 cylinder, FWD hybrid. The 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid employs a small gasoline engine assisted by an electric motor that can, under certain low-speed situations, become the car’s sole powerplant. It certainly delivers extremely frugal city and highway fuel economy compared to its gasoline counterpart, while producing minimal greenhouse emissions. Unlike the Toyota Prius, which assumes a functional but futuristic appearance, the Civic Hybrid closely mirrors the popular Civic Sedan, with only a couple of minor exterior and interior variations that differentiate the two cars.

Mileage: 40 mpg city / 45 mpg highway

Emissions: No data

Honda webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

LEXUS

2009 Lexus GS 450h
Lexus has done everything its power to bring luxury to the midsize hybrid sedan market. Motorists rave about the 2009 Lexus GS 450h, because they can forget they are in a hybrid. This model offers power, comfort and the knowledge that it is helping the environment to drive it. One minor anomaly is that it takes premium gas, but the positives evidently outweigh the negatives here. It’s a 4 door, RWD vehicle powered by a V6 motor (3.5 L). The hybrid delivers 292 HP. It is manufactured and assembled in Japan.

Mileage: 22 mpg city, 25 mpg hwy

Emissions: No data

Lexus webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

2009 Lexus LS 600h

Japan has done it with the 2009 Lexus LS 600h - produced a luxury hybrid that rides as well as the best comparable Beemers and Mercs. This is a step up on the other 2009 Lexus hybrid, namely the GS 450h, because it offers masses more power and an 8 speed gearbox with overdrive. Power is the watchword here, with V8, 5.0 L engine coming and standard. It costs a pretty penny, but then the value is extraordinary. This is my choice for a large car test drive in the hybrid market.

Mileage: 20 mpg city / 22 mpg highway

Emissions: No data

Lexus webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

MAZDA

2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid SUV

Mazda has put all its hybrid eggs into this neat SUV with four variations: Touring AWD and FWD, and Grand Touring AWD and FWD. In true Mazda style this appears to be reliable, decent vehicle with all the important specs. very practical and bound to make many folk happy. It has a competitive price tag and neutral good looks. It boasts a 2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid drivetrain and great color options in organic green, blue, gray and silver. Technically speaking, hybrid-wise, it is simple and innovative: The Tribute HEV, with the modified MZR gasoline engine, has been optimized to run on the Atkinson combustion cycle. The Atkinson cycle modifies the timing of the closing of the valves,  letting the engine realize more efficiency. At the time of writing the 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid SUV had just had a limited launch in California — just 300 off the production line. Kelley Blue Book had not even listed it yet. The jury is still out on performance and impact, but this hybrid vehicle is undoubtedly long on great looks, specs and pedigree.

Mileage: 31 mpg city, 34 mpg hwy

Emissions: No Data

Mazda webpage

Edmunds

MERCURY

2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV
Mercury has made its mark with this vehicle in the crowded hybrid SUV market and has introduced a number of new features in 2009.  With an additional 24 hp, the 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid does an excellent impression of a lively conventionally powered compact SUV with superb gas mileage. The new braking system gets mixed reviews, as does the relatively ponderous handling capabilities. And it’s also a pricey hybrid SUV option. But no one can argue with Mercury fans who would not dream of getting any other hybrid SUV. The 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV is available in 4WD and 2WD.

Mileage: 34 mpg city, 31 mpg hwy

Emissions: No data

Mercury webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

NISSAN

2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid Sedan

Nissan has leapt into the market for midsize hybrid cars with this neat, well-priced vehicle that is short on frills but high on performance. The huge drawback of this car is that it is available in only eight states — those that have adopted California’s stringent emission standards.  The Nissan Altima hybrid is bound to sell well where it can be bought.  It’s not the most exquisite car around, but this 4WD car is perfect if you are a commuter who is serious about saving the planet, not spending a fortune on a runabout and yet you want spaciousness and power. The 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid Sedan features the 2.5L 4cyl gas/electric
hybrid CVT common to several vehicles in this hybrid class. Nissan opted to use Toyota’s hybrid technology for the Altima.

Mileage: 35 mpg city, 33 mpg hway

Emissions: No data

Nissan webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

SATURN

2009 Saturn Aura Hybrid Sedan

This is Saturn’s great-looking midsize hybrid car model, yielding good mileage from a optimal 4 cylinder, 2.4 Liter drivetrain. Saturn was late to enter the hybrid sedan market. At the time of writing Edmunds did not yet have specs available on the Aura, let alone a review, and availability was limited. The power plant is a  pretty standard GM type, with a 4 cylinder, 2.4 Liter power plant delivering 164 HP. But the attention to detail and Saturn’s distinctive emphasis on driver comfort and convenience makes this a real contender.The 2009 Saturn Aura Hybrid Sedan, with its reasonable price tag, is set to give popular midsize hybrids from Toyota, Chev, Honda  and Lexus a run for their money.

Mileage: 26 mpg City / 34 mpg Hwy

Emissions: No data

Saturn webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid SUV
As is usual for the Saturn marque, GM includes nearly all options on the hybrid model including sunroof and leather seats. This is a super-looking car and a comfortable ride. It plugs right into the American SUV psyche and delivers on its promises. Power from the 2.4L 4 cylinder engine is fine for everyday driving and results in excellent gas mileage you would expect of a successful hybrid SUV. The agressive styling including 17″ chrome alloy rims and great lines. The styling inside is sharp too. It’s too soon to say (it was first launched in 2008) whether this model is going to capture a significant share of the hybrid SUV market.

Mileage: 25 mpg / 32 mpg

Emissions: No data

Saturn webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

TOYOTA

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid Sedan

The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid’s compelling duo of superior fuel economy and comfortable sedan attributes makes it a top choice for a midsize hybrid car.  This is arguably the most fuel-efficient family sedan available, with a roomy interior and stronger acceleration than most regular four-cylinder sedans. This is a successful hybrid configuration: FWD, 4 cylinder, 2.4 Liter, Automatic, CVT. The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid sees no major changes from 2008 model. Beyond its powertrain and the eerie quiet that goes with its electric operation, the hybrid is virtually indistinguishable from a regular Camry. Actually the eerie quiet referred to here some drivers actually find disturbing. One does not expect a car to be dead silent at the traffic lights! But never fear, when quick acceleration is needed the Camry Hybrid delivers.

Mileage: 33 mpg city, 34 mpg hwy

Emissions: No data

Toyota webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid

This is the hybrid that really put midsize hybrid sedans on the map. It’s new age, simple and fun to drive. Drivers just love the button start, called the Smart Key System. No fumbling for keys. Just walk up, get in, and drive off! It’s powered by a 110 HP motor, 4 cylinders, 1.5 Liters. The gas savings are incredible and the emission levels are low, low, low. There are Standard, Base (hatchbacks) and Touring versions for every pocket and persuasion. Toyota is planning to launch the “third generation” of Prius Hybrids soon. This is definitely my choice of midsize hybrids for a test drive.

Mileage: 48 mpg city, 45 mpg hwy

Emissions: No data

Toyota Prius webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV

Just as Toyota defined the midsize hybrid sedan with the Prius, Toyota has pretty much sewn up the SUV hybrid market with the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. There are two version: Hybrid and Limited Hybrid versions depending on your power preferences. The 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV offers comfort (some are calling it a Camry in an SUV) and terrific mileage for a vehicle this size. Fans are also saying GM and Ford are light years behind Toyota Hybrid SUV technology. Powered by a   V6 engine, 3.3 Liter with automatic transmission and CVT, this is a 4W SUV that makes your mouth water. Like the Toyota Prius and Toyota Camry hybrids, this ride is quiet on the highway, handles flawlessly and has all the gadgets you could want. This is my top choice for a hybrid SUV test drive. I’ll have to hurry. These beauties are in demand….

Mileage: 27 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy

Emissions: No data

Toyota webpage

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

Some of our readers are critical of hybrids and prefer high mileage diesel cars instead. If that’s you, then don’t miss our 2009 Diesel Car Roundup.

Even if you have a high-tech, earth friendly toilet, how many times have you heard someone say “Light a candle” after you use the bathroom? Not only does lighting a candle reduce the unpleasant smell, but it also burns up a lot of stinky hydrogen sulfide as well as odorless methane gas.

Methane is the second worst gas causing climate change, responsible for climate change, and it has a much stronger heat trapping effect than CO2:

Molecule for molecule, methane gas is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a warming agent. However, since methane doesn’t stay in the atmosphere as long - around 12 years, on average, compared to a hundred years for CO2 - and human activities do not produce all that much of it, concerns about climate change have mostly been focused on carbon dioxide. The one big worry was that warmer temperatures might cause massive releases of methane from natural sources.

Burning up the stink not only reduces the greenhouse effect but it can also reduce some friction in your household. That said, be careful with matches. Don’t burn a candle if your bathroom always smells funky - that could be a sign that explosive sewer gas is leaking into your house from the pipes. Also, don’t spray any deodorant before lighting that match. No one wants to find out the hard way that fire and aerosol cans are an explosive mix.

Photo courtesy of Poet for Life at Flickr.com.

With all the news coverage focused on the election, there are a lot of important and/or awesome things that have escaped attention. Here’s a quick overview of environmental news that’s worth following:

First off, it’s common to get a craving for pumpkin pie around this time every year. But it would take hundreds of people to eat a pie made from this enormous 1,900 lb pumpkin. This behemoth is expected to set a new record for giant pumpkins (a record that has grown bigger every year in recent memory). Maybe this is the monster that Charlie Brown’s been waiting for.

I’m sure that pumpkin wasn’t grown naturally, but no one tried to stick an organic label on it at the store. On the other hand, some businesses have been caught making false environmental claims to sell their products. It can be challenging to tell greenwashed products apart from their legitimate green competitors, but one way to make informed choices is to research the companies involved. Many large companies now publish yearly ‘Corporate Sustainability Reports’ that describe their environmental track record. Corporations are also assigning a dedicated board member to oversee environmental performance. Many of the pro-environment changes that companies are adopting also contribute to the bottom line, and make great economic sense while money is in short supply.

On a related note, the credit crunch is slowing down plans to build new wind farms. Even though wind power accounted for about a third of all new power capacity built last year, the credit climate is making it really hard to line up investors. Wind energy is also running into some problems of scale. Windy days in Washington state are causing salmon deaths in a weird series of unintended consequences. As the wind picks up, wind turbines generate more and more electricity. The excess electricity floods the transmission lines, and automatic controls kick in to shutdown other sources of power. In some cases, this causes hydroelectric dams to idle their turbines and dump water over spillways. If only there was an efficient interstate transmission system, or a better way to store electricity, this whole chain of events could be avoided.

But what if we lived in a world without any need for a power grid? Bloom Technologies is trying to create a lower pollution future based on efficiencies of micro-scale. With small fuel cells, the company hopes to eliminate power loss from transmission lines and bring electricity to the third world. As a bonus, they are designing fuel cells that produce hydrogen as a byproduct - that waste gas could be used to warm homes and fuel vehicles.

Whether cars burn hydrogen or gasoline, tailpipe emissions are pretty much inevitable. This waste product has something that is surprisingly useful though - untapped energy in the form of heat. Researchers are developing new thermoelectric systems that can harvest electricity from tailpipe emissions. If they can keep cost and weight to a minimum, these devices will likely be incorporated into a wide range of hybrid vehicles to boost mileage. The energy recovery isn’t 100 percent, but it can really add up to a serious boost in efficiency:

GM researcher Jihui Yang said a metal-plated device that surrounds an exhaust pipe could increase fuel economy in a Chevrolet Suburban by about 5 percent, a 1-mile-per-gallon improvement that would be even greater in a smaller vehicle.

Photo courtesy of fensterbme at Flickr.com.

Bottle caps are surprisingly difficult to recycle. Many curbside recycling programs ask that you remove any lids or caps from bottles. For one thing, this allows the bottles to dry out (reducing transportation costs by reducing weight). Also, open bottles are easier to crush and bale. And some recycling machines are easily jammed by plastic shards and tiny lids.

Most importantly, plastic bottle caps are often made from a different type of plastic from the bottles they’re attached to. Soda bottles are generally made from Type 1 Plastic (Polyethylene Terephthalate) while bottle caps are made from Type 5 Plastic (Polypropylene). These different types of plastic have to be recycled separately. If the bottle and the cap were recycled in the same batch of plastic, the two different plastics would melt unevenly and the whole batch would be ruined.

For this reason, bottle caps are often removed at the recycling facility. People are paid to hand sort the recyclables and remove unwanted trash. Contamination of recycling bins with garbage is a huge problem. Mixing the wrong kinds of plastic with recycling significantly increases the cost of recycling because when workers hand sort the entire bin it slows down the process and increases the cost to such a degree that it’s cheaper for most recycling organizations to simply toss the entire bin as waste material.

But what about metal bottle caps? These are often made of steel, with an attached plastic seal. This mix of plastic and metal isn’t universally recycled, so the first thing you should consider is re-using the bottle caps for homebrewing. This will keep the bottlecaps out of the waste stream for a few more uses (without any energy used to melt and reform the metal) and it can also save you a few bucks (each re-used bottle cap will save 2-3 cents). Just make sure to boil the caps between uses, and don’t re-use lids that are wearing out.

Photo courtesy of jnhkrawczyk at Flickr.com.

Steel bottle caps can also be made into other things. They make interesting artistic crafts, such as bottle cap jewelry, checkers, or paint mixers. There’s even a company that sells fishing lures made from bottle caps.

If your recycling center can process metal bottle caps, all you have to do is put loose caps in the recycling bin. Before you recycle your bottle caps, check with your local recycling program to see if they accept bottle caps. Many programs sort steel bottle caps using magnets. If the recycling center in your town is unable to process the bottle caps, you can also check and see if neighboring towns are equipped rather than throwing them away.

Whether you’re using steel or plastic bottle caps,

…the best way to reduce all kinds of container and cap recycling is to buy in large rather than single-serving containers. Does the event you’re holding really require dozens and dozens of 8- to 16-ounce soda and water bottles, many of which will get left behind only partly consumed anyway? Why not buy large soda bottles, provide pitchers of (tap) water and let people pour into re-usable cups?

Photo courtesy of alexdresko at Flickr.com.

Around the country, times are tough. The US economy is losing more jobs than it’s creating, and retail sales are down sharply from last year. There’s been a run on piggy banks and belts are getting tight. If you’re looking for ways to be frugal without sacrificing hard earned comfort, here are a couple of ways to help the earth while trimming your budget at the same time:

Photo courtesy of debaird at Flickr.com.

1) Shop local!

Have you ever looked at the labels in your pantry and tried to figure out where your groceries came from? With high gas prices, we’re starting to see transport costs reflected in the cost of food. Vegetables that travel across the country (or across the planet) often cost far more than local produce, and that cost reflects the carbon footprint of transporting the goods. If you drink less Fiji water and eat fewer bars of Belgian chocolate, you can save some serious green. Local foods are often fresher, free of dangerous pesticides, and more connected to our roots. As a bonus, local foods are often grown by our friends and neighbors, so buying local helps build community and food independence.

Photo courtesy of KVBPhotos at Flickr.com.

2) Shop at salvage stores

Did you know that stores throw out millions of pounds of food, cleaning supplies, and seasonal items every year? When a can gets bent or a product is discontinued, grocery stores often take these ‘less desirable’ items off of their shelf to make room. While some of these supplies really are junk, there are times where the blemishes are purely cosmetic.

Surplus items often end up at charity or salvage stores where you can get amazing deals. When was the last time you went to a Goodwill, Salvation Army, Dollar Store, or other business with a grocery list in hand? You my be surprised by the savings - imagine paying 5 cents for a family sized can of soup where the only problem is a torn label, or $5 for a new and unused cooking pan that someone got for their birthday. Just keep an eye out for your own safety - there’s no law against selling expired foods, and if cans are crushed enough that the metal comes in contact with other metal, that can pose a health risk.

Photo courtesy of donkeycart at Flickr.com.

3) Re-use items to get the most life out of them

Before you throw something into the recycle bin, have you tried thinking outside of the box? For example, plastic bottles can easily be turned into bird feeders, and you can cut down on ziplock bags by reusing airtight food containers. Just because a manufacturer claims that an item is single use, that doesn’t mean it should be thrown away. Some common items that can be used more than once include dryer sheets, rubber bands, shoe laces (when you throw out one pair of shoes, save the laces!), and even car oil!

Try finding new uses for packaging and other trash. Popsicle sticks are great for craft projects, and twist-ties from bread bags are a great way to organize your computer cables. Those junk mail envelopes can be saved from the trash too - just put a label over the barcodes and you’ll never have to buy letter envelopes again!

Photo courtesy of susiepie at Flickr.com.

A man in Georgia was recently called out on news shows around the country for being the biggest water hog in his county. News vans parked in his driveway, his behavior caused the city to introduce new rates for excessive use, and Chris G. Carlos was too embarrassed to even step outside. Many of his neighbors were interviewed for their opinion about watering a palatial lawn and running fountains during the worst drought Atlanta has seen in recent memory:

“I think it’s absurd, I really do,” said Ken Scott. Scott lives across the street from 4151 Thunderbird Drive. It’s a single home that uses as much water as a 60 home subdivision. “With all the pressure on everybody not to use water and to conserve…I think it’s ridiculous,” said Scott.

The good news? Public shaming apparently works! The water hog hired a PR company to tell the world that he’s changing his ways. That’s what you do when you’re rich and really make a mess - you hire a professional to apologize for you.

This begs the question - can public shaming be used to change other people’s wasteful habits? Many cities cite businesses and homeowners for wasting water (Las Vegas even has a dedicated water police force). What if the database of offenders was published online, for everyone to see?

Many celebrities are also guilty. Would fans still buy merchandise if they knew the extent of water wasted by Celine Dion and Tiger Woods?

The Palm Beach Post did a study of local water usage and found Celine Dion’s 5.7 acres in Jupiter, Florida, used about 6.5 million gallons of water in a year. That’s more than 250 times the amount of water the average resident uses, or equivalent to filling a 50-gallon bathtub every four minutes.

The reputation of public figures is essential for selling their “product”. Even a hint of scandal can undermine sponsorship deals or delay financing for tours. So, it doesn’t require a country club membership or private audience to gain leverage over most celebrities. We ask performers to be our role models, and many of them may not even know that they’re wasting water on a flood-like scale.

When Kathie Lee Gifford was interviewed about sweatshop conditions among the workers who made her branded clothes, she probably had no idea about the true situation. But, the scandalous news coverage quickly changed her business habits and also made Americans more aware of worldwide labor conditions. Perhaps a frank discussion about the bad habits of water hogs can encourage all of our neighbors to adopt water saving devices and get runoff out of the streets.

And don’t forget Lance Armstrong, who used the most water of any individual home in Austin, Texas! Five gallons a minute, anyone?

“I need to fix this,” Armstrong said. “To use that much more water (than most residents) is unacceptable. I have no interest in being the top water user in Austin, Texas.”

Photo courtesy of 89AKurt at Flickr.com.