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2006 AltWheels Co-Hosts:
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2006 AltWheels Participating Companies:
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2006 AltWheels Co-Hosts and Participating Companies:
AlternateFuels.com
www.alternatefuels.com
Brought to you by DeRosa Enterprises Inc. Bringing you flexible fuel automobiles and the home based filling stations of tomorrow!
DeRosa Enterprises is a Massachusetts based Production & Promotions Company, established to promote the economic development of electric vehicles and alternate fuels technology industries in the hopes of a greener, cleaner global environment. The Boston based operation is proud to be one of the first world wide distributors of home based filling stations, clean alternative fuels and the vehicles of the future.
"Home based filling stations are the way of the future," says Glenn DeRosa, President of DeRosa Enterprises Inc. " Long gas lines? When that happens to the United States again Americans will buy & drive flexible fueled vehicles that run on Compressed Natural Gas, LP, Methanol and others fuels that are safe to store at home. Refueling your car will be easier than refilling the LP tank on your B-B-Q grill. Trucks will conveniently deliver clean fuels to your home based filling station. Most homes are already equipped with a gas meter and a constant Natural Gas clean fuel supply"
Alternative Needs Transportation
www.antbikemike.com
Alternative Needs Transportation, or A.N.T., is a one-person shop run by Mike Flanigan. Mike is dedicated to building bikes for transportation that have the right combination of function and style. Mike has been in the bike trade since 1983 and joined the Boston bike building scene in 1989.
Mike's passion for the bike industry and the culture of living by bike shows in the creation of A.N.T. "I not only hope to meet the needs of people's commuter bikes, but to influence the consumers to think about bicycle commuting in a more positive way. I love all types of cycling but feel that there is a real need to bring to the table bikes that have the right combination of style and function that is so lacking in the market. Most people have this fear of investing in a bike for commuting, but it is their most-used bike!"
Mike Flanigan, 24 Water St., Holliston, MA 01746
tel:508-429-3350 email:info@antbikemike.com
Appalachian Mountain Club - Boston Chapter Conservation Committee
www.amcboston.org/conservation
The AMC Boston Chapter's Conservation Committee helps to educate local AMC members, and the general public about environmental issues. These generally focus of land-use conservation, such as urban sprawl, biodiversity, and watersheds. of special interest is how continued suburbanization of the Greater Boston area is increasing our reliance on auto transportation, and the need for alternatives that improves the environment, resource use, community spirit, and the quality of life.
Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) Patriot Chapter
www.abctma.com/pcact.htm
The Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) is an international organization made up of Regional Transit Authorities, Transportation Management Associations, private transit providers, city and state transportation departments, and others interested and working towards enhancing mobility, improving congestion and air quality, and conserving energy through Transportation Demand Management (TDM).
The Patriot Chapter of ACT represents the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Chapter membership is comprised of professionals working for Transportation Management Associations (TMAs), Regional Transit Authorities, City, State, and Regional Governments, as well as, environmental organizations, and transportation/planning firms.
Babson Outdoor Association
www.babson.edu
This club focuses on all sports activities found in the wild open spaces. The members participate in orienteering competitions, join in hunting expeditions, and fish the local lakes and streams.
Best Rate of Climb
www.bestrateofclimb.com
Since 2005, Steven Jones-D'Agostino, founder and principal of Best Rate of Climb in Worcester, MA, has provided marketing, business-development and communications services to local and national clients.
Steve has more than 30 years of news-media and public-communications experience and extensive experience in reporting, writing and editing articles on the banking, education, environment, finance, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, retail and technology industries.
For 12 years, he was Editor of Worcester Business Journal, Central Massachusetts' and Metrowest's oldest and largest business publication. During those years, WBJ won 16 national awards, including five for first place.
Since 1995, Steve has hosted The Business Beat, Central Massachusetts' only radio business-interview program. The 30-minute Q&A, which focuses on Central Massachusetts and Massachusetts business and economic development and expansion issues, is broadcast Sundays at 10 p.m. (Eastern) on WICN/90.5 FM, the NPR affiliate serving Central New England, and webcast simultaneously at WICN.org.
From January to April, 2006, Steve hosted "This New Car: Clean, Mean Driving Machines," a 13-week special edition of The Business Beat. The series, which focuses on hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles, is also available in MP3 format. "This New Car" is being expanded to 60 minutes and and AltWheels founder Alison Sander is joining as a regular expert. The new 13-week series will run on WICN and at WICN.org on Sundays at 10 p.m. (EST), from October 16, 2006 to January 15, 2007.
Better World Club
www.betterworldclub.com
We are the only roadside assistance and travel club that strives to balance your transportation needs with your desire to protect the environment. We advocate on behalf of the consumer and the environment. We pledge to donate an amount equal to 1% of annual revenues toward environmental clean-up efforts and we provide unique eco-friendly travel alternatives like discounts on hybrid car rentals.
BASEA - Boston Area Solar Energy Association
www.basea.org
BASEA is primarily an educational organization involved in the promotion of solar and other sustainable energy technologies throughout the greater Boston area. Since 1982 BASEA has been an active part of the region's energy-use conscience. Our membership includes engineers, architects, scientists, utilities, builders, students, and the general public. We advocate the balanced, mindful and responsible use of renewable energy to insure a sustainable future. BASEA is the Boston area chapter of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association. As an educational resource, BASEA provides opportunities to learn more about solar and sustainable energy technologies through our monthly BASEA Forum. The BASEA Forum provides an excellent opportunity to hear distinguished speakers from private industry, universities, government, and political advocacy groups. Past speakers have included representatives from the City of Boston, speaking on their building energy management efforts, Enersol Associates and their rural electrification projects in Central and South America, and various speakers on the subject of electric utility deregulation. BASEA is a prime sponsor of the annual Junior Solar Sprint where middle-school-age students build and race a small solar car model, competing towards national recognition.
Boston Bicycle Planning Initiative
www.bikethehub.org
Launched in November 2004, the Boston Bicycle Planning Initiative (BBPI) seeks to make Boston a more bicycle-friendly city. BBPI is bringing together key bicycle advocates, including MassBike, and creating partnerships with other diverse stakeholders, such as WalkBoston. Working together, we can make Boston a more livable city for everyone!
Many people want to be bicyclists in Boston but aren't because of poor cycling conditions. People want to bike for many different reasons, such as: commuting to work, taking their families to nearby parks, doing errands, getting exercise, visiting friends, and reducing the hassle of parking.
Boston can be a much better place to ride a bicycle and this won't require a huge budget - only leadership and a commitment to do it from City Hall. Boston, as a whole, will benefit from having more bicycling through improved public health, more "livable" streets, and a more efficient transportation network. Their affilate organization is Livable Streets.
Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College
www.bcccc.net
The Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College is a membership based research organization. We work with global corporations to help them define, plan and operationalize their corporate citizenship. Our goal is to help business leverage its social, economic and human assets to ensure both its success and a more just and sustainable world. The Center is part of the Wallace E. Carroll School of Management at Boston College.
The Center's mission is to create knowledge, value and demand for corporate citizenship. One way we do this is by providing enriching, empowering knowledge, from cutting edge research and original publications to a robust online collection of corporate citizenship reference material and links. Our research includes benchmarking, trend tracking, participatory research and global surveys. Learn more about our current projects, or view research reports from completed projects through the website at www.bcccc.net.
Boston Society of Architects
www.architects.org
The Boston Society of Architects's Committee on the Environment (COTE) is a forum for architects and related professionals dedicated to improving the built environment through consideration of the natural environment, and offers a place to exchange ideas about sustainable building design, construction and operation.
Brookline Climate Task Force
www.townofbrooklinemass.com/conservation/climatechange.html
Buckingham Browne and Nicols School
www.bbns.org
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School is a coeducational independent day school for Pre-K through Grade 12 students and is located in Cambridge, MA. We work in the pursuit of excellence and celebrate the diversity of our community. At BB&N we foster intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a deep concern and respect for others. Each day we work to create and further a climate that encourages risk and exploration. We ask members of our community to be engaged learners, compassionate individuals, and productive citizens who live our School's motto: "Honor, Scholarship, and Kindness."
Cambridge Arts Council
www.cambridgema.gov/~CAC
The Cambridge Arts Council (CAC) is the official arts agency for the City of Cambridge, MA. Established by City ordinance in 1974 and incorporated as a public non-profit in 1976, CAC's mission is to ensure that the arts remain vital for people living, working and visiting Cambridge. As both a service and presenting organization, CAC accomplishes this mission by stimulating public awareness of and support for the arts, preserving and celebrating the City's diverse cultural heritage, displaying art in public places, and developing opportunities to improve the overall aesthetic experience for residents and visitors of Cambridge.
Cambridge Climate Protection Plan
www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/et/env/climate/climate.html
The City of Cambridge has made a commitment to respond to the problem of global climate change. Activities include the following: The City Council passed a resolution committing to join Cities for Climate Protection and develop local action plan, dowloadable from the website.
Cambridge has joined the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign (a project of ICLEI, the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives). The Cambridge City Manager has appointed a Climate Protection Advisory Committee to assist with the City with implementation of the Climate Protection Plan. The Climate Protection Task Force issued a Climate Protection Plan plan to reduce Cambridge's contribution of the greenhouse gas emissions.
Also, check out the Cambridge Climate Leader Program at
here.
Cambridge Walks - City of Cambridge
www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/et/ped/prog/ped_cambwalks.html
Cambridge Walks is an interagency campaign, coordinated by the Cambridge Public Health Department, to encourage residents of all ages to walk for their health, for the environment, and for the public health and safety benefits of less traffic on our streets. The campaign grew out of the collaborative spirit that created Walk Your Child to School Day in October of 1999; this is now an annual event. Participants are City departments, including the police, community development, the schools, and traffic and parking; university, state, and local health providers, educators, and advocates; and community groups. Cambridge Walks includes people in wheelchairs or using other mobility aids in its activities.
Although there are many positive reasons to walk in Cambridge-environmental and safety benefits of less traffic, creating a more livable city, and an increase in foot traffic to local business--Cambridge Walks specifically focuses on the health benefits of walking. It was formed to increase the number of walkers in the city by:
- Supporting current walking initiatives
- Creating new initiatives that encourage walking and physical activity
Classic Communications
www.classic-communications.com
Classic Communications is a full-service public relations, marketing and event management agency based in Foxboro, Massachusetts. With clients in 14 states, Classic maintains a strong emphasis on promoting environmental organization's signiture events such as the Charles River Watershed Association's Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts's Earth Night. Classic Commuications recently helped the Coaliton for Environmentally Responsible Conventions with their activities during the Democratic National Convention, and of course is helping with AltWheels. For more details look here.
Ciclismo Classico
www.ciclismoclassico.com
Ciclismo Classico specializes in bicycle tourism, especially in Italy and New England. Our guests share a love for active outdoor life, cross-cultural learning and the group energy that blossoms on every Ciclismo tour. Our itineraries are rich with superlative scenery and cultural treasures. Each is thoroughly researched, scouted, and constantly updated to bring out the best and most authentic aspects of each region.
From our Arlington headquarters, we carefully craft your vacation based upon your interests, including the types of rides you enjoy, as well a other activities including night life, cooking (preparaiton and consumption), etc.
For 16 years we have chosen to grow the depth of our active Italian vacations rather than expand beyond our expertise. This focus drives our excellent reputation that keeps growing among our guests and industry peers. We have led over 6000 guests on hundreds of tours all over Italy.
Clean Air-Cool Planet
www.cleanair-coolplanet.org
Clean Air-Cool Planet creates partnerships in the Northeast to implement solutions to climate change and build constituencies for effective climate policies and actions.
Clean Air-Cool Planet (CA-CP) is the region's leading organization dedicated to finding and promoting solutions to global warming:
- We partner with campuses, communities, and companies throughout the Northeast to help reduce their carbon emissions.
- We help our partners, their constituents, and other regional opinion leaders and stakeholders understand the impacts of global warming and its best available solutions, through comprehensive outreach efforts celebrating commitment, innovation and success in climate action.
- We showcase practical climate solutions that demonstrate the economic opportunities and environmental benefits associated with early actions on climate change.
- We advocate the implementation of effective policy solutions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the state and regional levels.
- We work to build support for the implementation and strengthening of the
- New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers' regional Climate Change Action Plan.
- CA-CP is a science-based, non-partisan, 501(c)3 non-profit.
CleanAIR Technologies International
www.cleanairt.com
Clean Air Technologies International, Inc. (CATI) is a manufacturing and consulting company for Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS), located in Buffalo, New York. CATI provides both equipment and consulting services in the area of monitoring on-road, real-world exhaust emissions from vehicles and other equipment: cars, trucks, buses, locomotives, marine vessels, yard equipment, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, excavators, cranes, dozers, recreational boats, generators, forklifts, compressors, and other machinery powered by internal combustion engines. Nationwide and internationally, customers need to have in-field testing to collect data verifying their emissions reduction strategies or to test for baseline data to help determine what type of strategy they will use. We have tested a variety of retrofits, fuels and fuel additives on both on and off-road vehicles. Our OEM 2100 Montana System is capable of testing emissions during the regular, everyday operation of the vehicles.
Cole & Co.
www.cole-co.com
Cole & Company is a full service marketing communications and creative services agency, headquartered in Boston, Mass. For over 20 years, we have helped clients meet their objectives through programs such as: Brand Building, Channel Development, Corporate Identity, Customer Education, Lead Generation, Messaging, New Product Introduction, Organizational Development, Training, and Strategic Marketing. Our expertise includes: 1-to-1 Direct Marketing, Advertising, Case Studies, Direct Mail, Exhibits, Event Management, New Media, Online Marketing, Public Relations, Road Tour Marketing, and White Papers. We have worked with clients of all sizes and from multiple industries. Our clients include firms such as: Hewlett Packard, Nikon, LoJack, Beacon Power, Sonopress, Ditan, XTech, LTSC Networks, FarSounder, LifeClips and Safety-Kleen. We have also recently worked with Microsoft, Agfa, NexPress, Heidelberg, Polaroid, Thomson Financial, and TyCo.
Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Conventions
www.cerc04.org
The Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Conventions (CERC) is a diverse coalition of environmental, health, and commercial organizations.
CERC seeks to minimize the local and global environmental footprint of the major 2004 national political conventions by reducing emissions associated with global warming, decreasing waste, encouraging public transportation and low-emissions vehicles, and promoting environmentally preferable products and services.
CERC originated in Boston in November 2002 and now has project responsibilities and working groups in both Boston and New York to introduce environmental-best practices for both the Democratic and Republican national conventions of 2004 in conjection with city host committees and national parties.
CommuteWorks-MASCO
www.masco.org/commuteworks
CommuteWorks is a transportation management association (TMA) located in Boston's Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA), the 213-acre area formed by the Riverway, Fenway, and Huntington Avenue, which constitutes one of the premier medical, research and academic communities in the world and generates over $3.4 billion in annual revenues. Each weekday, more than 52,000 people work or study in the 21 medical, research, academic and religious organizations that form the LMA. Annually, more than two million patients visit the area.
CommuteWorks is actively promoting commuting alternatives to encourage the employees and students at MASCO's member institutions not to drive alone to the LMA. As of 2004, 65% of LMA employees and students used an alternative to driving alone. Commuting programs and services assist MASCO's institutions by improving access to the LMA and reducing the demand on the limited parking supply. CommuteWorks offers a variety of commuting programs to MASCO's member institutions, including carpool and vanpool formation, The T-Party Program, Commute Fit, personalized commute assistance, Pool-Aide Parking Program, and the Emergency Ride Home Program. CommuteWorks will help individual employees find the most efficient and cost effective way for traveling to the LMA.
The LMA has 15.8 million square feet developed and three million square feet under construction or recently completed in the LMA. Development projections indicate that there could be additional 2.875 million square feet in the future, generating 10,000 new jobs. Due to the existing demand for transportation services combined with anticipated demand associated with future development in the LMA, CommuteWorks will continue to expand our programs and services to more employees.
MASCO (Medical Academic and Scientific Community Organization, Inc.) is a charitable corporation established in 1972 by its member institutions to plan, develop, and enhance the Longwood Medical and Academic Area for the benefit of the general public and its members, and to create and implement programs that assist the institutions and individuals in the LMA. MASCO's mission is to pursue programs that promote a sense of community among its members, and create and deliver services more effectively provided on a shared basis.
Conservation Law Foundation
www.clf.org
The Conservation Law Foundation is the oldest and largest regional environmental advocacy organization in the United States. We're based in New England, where our attorneys, scientists, economists, and policy experts work on the most significant threats to the natural environment of the region and its residents. We've been around since 1966, and maintain advocacy centers in Boston, Massachusetts; Concord, New Hampshire; Montpelier, Vermont; Providence, Rhode Island; and Rockland, Maine. CLF is a nonprofit, public interest group supported by many thousands of loyal members.
To go directly to CLF's Smart Growth page click
here.
DaimlerChrysler
www.fleet.chrysler.com/afv.jsp
DaimlerChrysler has a long-standing commitment to help improve our nation's environment and reduce our country's dependence on foreign petroleum. Our state-of-the-art technology centers incorporate a vast network of engineers dedicated to developing vehicles powered by clean, domestically produced alternatives to gasoline.
DaimlerChrysler Fleet vehicles utilize a variety of alternative fuel choices (ethanol, electric).
Deka Research
www.dekaresearch.com
Founded in 1982 by Dean Kamen, DEKA consisted of a relatively small group of individuals and lots of innovative ideas. Today, almost 200 engineers, technicians, and machinists work in our electronics and software engineering labs, machine shop, and on CAD stations. Our facilities have been designed to promote constant interaction between and within the engineering groups. Our on-site machine shop and molding facility are central to the success of our projects; ideas are prototyped and tested in record time. DEKA's mission, first and foremost, is to foster innovation. It is a company where the questioning of conventional thinking is encouraged and practiced by everyone-engineers and non-engineers alike-because open minds are more likely to arrive at workable solutions. This has been our formula for success since we began, and it will continue to drive our success in the future.
One of DEKA's most widely anticipated products is the INDEPENDENCEª IBOTª Mobility System. Developed for Independence Technology (www.indetech.com) a division of Johnson & Johnson, the IBOTª is a sophisticated mobility aid for the physically challenged designed to climb stairs and traverse uneven terrain. The IBOTª uses self-balancing technology, allowing users to better operate in a world architected for those with balance.
Ecologic
www.ecologic.org
EcoLogic Finance is a nonprofit offering affordable financial services to community-based businesses operating in environmentally sensitive areas of Latin America and select countries of Africa and Asia. Targeting the rural credit market, EcoLogic Finance provides loan capital to support low-income communities whose business activities foster environmental conservation and grassroots economic development. Founded in late 1999, EcoLogic Finance manages a portfolio of $25,000 to $500,000 loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises that do not meet traditional requirements to access loans from local financial institutions. Target sectors include agroforestry (shade-grown and sustainable agriculture), wild-harvested products, certified wood, sustainable fisheries, and ecotourism.
Electrifying Times
www.electrifyingtimes.com
Electrifying Times magazine has dedicated itself to electric vehicles and
innovative alternatives to gasoline since 1994. The print edition is
available on better newsstands. The Electrifying Times website is equally
popular with industry professionals as it is with the general public and
automobile enthusiasts. The ET editorial staff is made up of a dozen
dedicated writers and researchers with years of experience. Bruce Meland
founded the publication and is the publisher/editor-in-chief based in Bend,
Oregon. Remy Chevalier joined Bruce in 1995 and runs the East Coast office
as its editor-at-large and webmaster. Remy is currently planning a Better
Motors - Better Batteries conference in Connecticut. This will be the topic
of his workshop at AltWheels.
Click
HERE to see Electrifying Times's cool webpage review of 2004's AltWheels
(including lots of photos).
ElectroChem
www.fuelcell.com/
ElectroChem Inc. was founded in 1986 to provide leading edge research and development in the fuel cell industry. It holds many patents and a strong list of industry firsts. With the maturing of this industry ElectroChem has modified its business focus to include market and product development for the industry, specifically including fuel cell power systems, fuel cell test equipment and fuel cell research supplies. Since 1992 it has brought more than 15 product lines to market. Today its clients are on every continent and include small businesses, fortune 500 companies, universities, and governments. ElectroChem's management team has the breadth and depth of experience to bring fuel cell technology to the market.
Energy Teachers
www.energyteachers.org
Shawn Reeves, a physics teacher, along with Stephen Cremer, also a physics teacher, and Beth Lurvey, a chemistry teacher, started EnergyTeachers.org in 2004. Shawn runs the daily operations of the organization in Newton, MA. EnergyTeachers.org (ETO) offers help to teachers interested in teaching about energy production and use. Services include this web site, face-to-face meetings, newsletters, a lending library, and other tailored services.
ETO's greatest accomplishment has been to connect busy teachers with a wider system of curriculum. We answer questions like "how can I teach about solar energy in my ancient history course?" and "What books should my library order so I can take my chemistry students there for library research?"
ETO studies how humans carry energy from one place to another, how we extract or produce those carriers, and how we use them, including its impacts on society and ecosystems. EnergyTeachers.org seeks to invigorate the exchange of new ways of teaching about energy and new specific topics in energy to teach.
Environmental Defense
www.environmentaldefense.org
Environmental Defense is fighting to protect human health, restore our oceans and ecosystems, and curb global warming. To go to Environmental Defense's Transportation page click here.
Environmental League of Massachusetts
www.environmentalleague.org
The Environmental League is an independent, member-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the air, water, and land for the people of the commonwealth. ELM voices citizens' concerns, advocates for strong environmental laws, ensures that these laws are enforces and implemented, and educated the public about our environment. From preserving open space and safeguarding drinking water to protecting wildlife, stopping air pollution, and encouraging recycling, ELM has been leading the way for more than 100 years.
Equal Exchange
www.equalexchange.com
Organization with a mission to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relations between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate through our success the viability of worker-owned cooperatives and fair trade.
FedEx/Kinkos
www.fedex.com
AltWheels would thank FedEx/Kinkos for again providing printing
and technical support for putting on the 4th Annual AltWheels.
FedEx/Kinkos is leader in environmentally responsible business practices.
Earlier this year they announced an increase in their green power purchases.
Over 100 locations will purchase roughly 40 million kilowatt-hours (kWh)
of electricity from renewable sources. See details
HERE.
In 2004, FexEx/Kinkos decided to shift from 10 to 30 percent post-consumer recycled in its print centers. Moving from 10 to 30 percent is expected to raise the company's annual post-consumer recycled content average to an estimated 26.2 percent. Detail can
be found HERE.
Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) Cars
www.gemcar.com
GEM Cars provides environmentally friendly mobility solutions.
Greater Boston Breaths Better (GB3)
www.epa.gov/region1/eco/gb3
Greater Boston Breathes Better, GB3, ia a unique partnership between
public, private and governmental entities, with the mission of helping
greater Boston's citizens and visitors to breathe better. Through
voluntary partnerships, expanding networks and increasing collaboration
among the metro area's strong, diverse sectors, GB3 educates, innovates,
and disseminates technology and ideas to reduce air pollution from
transportation and construction sources.
GreenCar Journal
www.greencar.com
The award-winning Green Car Journal is the "auto magazine of today," with coverage that focuses on the intersection of automobiles, energy, and the environment. It reads just like the top mainstream auto magazines with colorful features, bold layouts, and interesting thought pieces, but is distinguished from its competitors because every article includes a tie-in with fuel economy, emissions reduction, or energy security. Typical coverage includes hybrids, fuel cells, and vehicles running on biodiesel, clean diesel, batteries, ethanol, synthetic fuels, hydrogen, and natural gas. Select content from the print edition is included on the magazine's companion website, Green Car Journal Online, at www.greencar.com.
Green Decade Coalition
www.greendecade.org
We are people living or working in Newton and neighboring communities, including representatives of community organizations, institutions and businesses. We are working together to create sustainable solutions to environmental problems facing our city and our world.
Harris Cyclery
www.harriscyclery.com
We are a small, service oriented bike shop. Although we primarily serve the Western suburbs of Boston, we are also available to cyclists throughout the planet. We can help with hard-to-find parts and accessories and good advice. This site contains a number of useful articles on bicycling and bicycles, plus links to other bicycle-related sites on the Internet. We are very proud of our problem-solving ability. We can often create custom solutions to your bicycling problems, adapting your bicycle to your specific needs. We make a bit of a specialty of updating high-quality older bikes with modern parts, for the rider who doesn't want to give up on an old friend, but wants more gears, better brakes, and a more relaxed position.
Harvard Divinity Students for Environmental Justice
Harvard Divinity School Students for Environmental Justice is dedicated to advancing environmental justice worldwide through increasing the environmental awareness and leadership of Divinity School students, faculty, staff and alumni. Students for Environmental Justice helps organize regular public forums on environmental justice issues and plans actions throughout the academic year.
Harvard Environmental Law Society
www.law.harvard.edu/students/orgs/els
The Environmental Law Society is one of Harvard Law School's most active student organizations. Society members work to improve the Law School's environmental record through campaigns to promote environmental awareness, increase recycling on campus, and encourage the use products made from post-consumer recycled materials. The Society also organizes group outings, sponsors speakers and panel discussions, lobbies for expanded course offerings and a tenured environmental law professor, and assists students who are interested in job placements with local environmental organizations and employers.
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
www.hshassoc.com
Now in its eighteenth year of service to the transportation industry, Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates (HSH), provides consulting services in the areas of transportation planning, traffic and civil engineering, public involvement, management consulting and training, and construction management. HSH takes pride in its creative approach to transportation issues, which synthesizes sound planning and engineering practice with an understanding of community concerns.
Revitalizing and protecting neighborhoods and corridors requires both a broad perspective and specific, creative strategies that encompass traffic and transit planning, policies and practices to encourage pedestrians and bicyclists, and good urban design. HSH addresses the complexity of such projects and provides practical solutions that will help cities, towns, and regions guide growth and change.
Home Depot
www.homedepot.com
For several years Home Depot has been an environmental leader, especially in the
area of purchasing lumber from certified forest product companies. Read about Home
Depot's wood purchasing program
HERE.
INFORM
www.informinc.org
INFORM, Inc. is an independent research organization that examines the effects of business practices on the environment and on human health. Our goal is to identify ways of doing business that ensure environmentally sustainable economic growth. Our reports are used by government, industry, and environmental leaders around the world.
Our three research areas focus on Advancing the Shift to Sustainable Transportation, Promoting Waste Prevention and Design of Less Wasteful Products, and Toxic Chemicals and Human Health. INFORM tackles the toughest environmental challenges in a serious, objective way. We have earned a reputation for thorough, accurate analysis and clear, solution-oriented reporting.
INFORM does not lobby or litigate. We identify constructive solutions to business problems and work with companies, communities, government agencies, and environmental organizations to translate ideas into action.
In-Line Club of Boston
www.sk8net.com
The Inline Club of Boston (more fondly known as the ICB) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992. It consists of concerned, dedicated skaters who have a wide variety of professions, skating abilities, and skating goals. The ICB has been the driving force behind organized recreational and competitive skating in New England. Although many of the club's events and activities are centered in the greater Boston area, enthusiastic skaters from all six New England states have joined to take advantage of the vast array of informational and technical support the ICB offers. The mission of the ICB is to promote and support the sport we love, inline skating. With a dedicated core of volunteers and an energetic membership, the ICB teaches people about inline skating, how to do it safely, and, most important, how to have fun. The ICB also provides its members with opportunities to skate together, participate on TeamICB and represents the interests of skaters in community affairs in the Greater Boston area while encouraging and promoting the sport of inline skating. Whether your interest is general or very specific in nature, we think there will be something here for you. We hope you find the information here helpful and we would be honored if you would join us.
Institute for the Analysis of Global Security
www.iags.org
Our energy supply is vulnerable: Our energy supply is extremely vulnerable. A terrorist attack on a major oil facility overseas or in one of the narrow ocean channels through which oil is shipped could have severe impact on our economy. Over the past 30 years, our dependence has cost America countless jobs and dollars.
Our energy demand is financing terror: We are dependent for our energy on regimes that derive their power from oil and use it to fuel terror and spread hatred toward our country and our democracy. On September 11, 2001, we paid the ultimate price. If we do nothing, our dependence, and our vulnerability, will steadily increase.
Our Solution - Moving beyond oil: The Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to setting America free from the oil dependence that threatens its security. It is the world's only think tank focused on energy security. We believe that a shift from oil is the best guarantor of global security, prosperity, and freedom for generations to come. Through technology we can win the war on terror and shake the yoke of our energy dependence without compromising our way of life.
Institute for Children's Environmental Health
www.iceh.org
The Institute for Children's Environmental Health (ICEH), founded in 1999, is a nonprofit educational organization working to ensure a healthy, just and sustainable future for children and the planet. ICEH's primary mission is to foster collaborative initiatives to reduce and ultimately eliminate environmental exposures that can undermine the health of current and future generations.
To support this mission, ICEH is committed to:
- creating long-term partnerships with a broad range of organizations and institutions to help build a more effective and collaborative environmental health movement;
- working with health-affected constituencies, in particular learning and developmental disabilities organizations, to educate their members about possible environmental links to various health problems, and to nurture their capacity to advocate for policies that protect children from neurotoxicants; and
- supporting policies and actions that are based on preventative, transparent, democratic and precautionary practices to ensure children's unique susceptibilities to environmental exposures are being addressed.
Larz Anderson Auto Museum
www.mot.org
The Larz Anderson Auto Museum cares for and protects many unique and remarkable vehicles, as well as many other significant historic artifacts. It offers engaging educational programs for all age levels. And throughout the Museum's castle-like building, are enriching exhibits and displays that are not only captivating, but educational as well. The Museum is fortunate enough to hold and care for America's oldest collection of automobiles. The collection is important because it highlights the rapid development of the automobile and related technologies and societal changes which filled the early years of the twentieth century. Who we are today, where we live, how we get around, what businesses we find on our street corners...all of society and culture have been altered radically by the advent and advance of the automobile.
Major Taylor Association
www.majortaylorassociation.org
The Major Taylor Association exists to memorialize Marshall W. "Major" Taylor (1878-1932), also known as "the Worcester Whirlwind," 1899 world champion bicycle racer, who overcame racial prejudice to become the first internationally acclaimed African-American sports star. The organization is raising money to put up a statue of Major Taylor at the Worcester, Mass., Public Library, in recognition of his athletic achievements and strength of character. Further, the organization is creating a living memorial to Major Taylor by conducting good works in his name and educating people about his life and legacy. A free downloadable curriculum guide is available to teachers and youth groups at
www.majortaylorassociation.org/mtcurric.htm
Manchester Honda
www.manhonda.com
Manchester Honda is New England's #1 alternative fuel vehicle dealer and home of the Honda Civic GX," The cleanest car on earth." (www.civicgx.com) In addition to the natural gas -powered Civic GX, Manchester Honda also offers three Hybrid vehicles: the Insight, the Hybrid Civic Sedan and the Hybrid Accord.
Manchester Honda of Connecticut has been serving the public since 1964 and has become one of the largest volume dealers in New England, offering exceptional value to our customers with award winning sales, parts and service departments. Manchester Honda has also been awarded the State contract for compact Natural Gas Vehicles.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
www.mbta.com
The MBTA's new bus color scheme reflects the MBTA's purchase of nearly 600 environmentally-friendly CNG buses. The new fleet will dramatically reduce emission levels. By providing an alternative to the automobile for over one million people each day the MBTA reduces pollution. Over just two years, the MBTA will reduce particulate matter emissions by 92% and pollutants that cause smog by over 44%. In addition to the new CNG buses, the MBTA is rebuilding engines, adding new diesel particulate filters and using low sulfur fuel to reduce emissions from the existing diesel buses.
In the near future, the MBTA will be inaugurateing major projects such as the Silver Line, the Fairmont Line and other projects that will provide even better transit service, and a cleaner environment. Where feasible, we are working to relocate maintenance facilities from urban neighborhoods to industrial locations. In addition, we are working collaboratively with EPA through its grant program in a first in the nation pilot project to evaluate and develop a strategic model for locomotive engine pollution control devices which will reduce emissions from our trains.
MASSBIKE
www.massbike.org
The purpose of MassBike is to promote the bicycle as a safe, healthful, enjoyable, efficient, and environmentally sound means of transportation, to seek to establish an atmosphere which enhances those desirable qualities of bicycle transportation, and to serve and protect the interests of the bicycling public. The primary means of achieving these goals is the education of bicyclists and motorists as to safe riding skills, good driving habits with regard to bicyclists, and the rules of the road. MassBike shall also advance its purposes through the sponsorship of public events, through the dissemination of information to the public, through cooperative activities with other organizations, through encouragement of favorable actions by government and private industry, through publicity of the benefits of cycling, and through other suitable means.
MCAN - Massachusetts Climate Action Network
www.massclimateaction.org
Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) is dedicated to halting the threat of global climate change. We are striving to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, principally carbon dioxide (CO2), in our communities and the state. The MCAN Network is composed of local and statewide groups that have joined together in a cooperative effort. There are 14 local groups and 4 regional or statewide environmental groups in MCAN at present. The groups' efforts are principally devoted to conducting public education and influencing municipal governments in their home communities, to achieve local reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. MCAN is also striving to change climate policy at the state level in Massachusetts, through influencing the state's climate action plan; legislation related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation; and regional planning efforts.
MCAN MEMBERS INCLUDE: Acton, Amherst, Arlington, Berkshires, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Cape Ann, Concord, Franklin, Lexington, Medford, Newburyport, Newton, Northampton, Salem, Somerville, South Shore, Waltham, Watertown, Westwood
MassCommute
www.masscommute.com
MassCommute is a group of Massachusetts Transportation Management Associations (TMAs), which leverage public and private funds to increase the use of ridesharing and other commuting alternatives that reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality across the state.
As membership organizations TMAs operate in specific geographic areas to influence transportation policies and create programs for TMA member employers, institutions, governmental organizations, and commercial property owners. By collaborating and sharing resources, TMAs promote the use of alternative commute methods, making it easier to get around by reducing reliance on single-occupant vehicles. TMA activities contribute to limits on sprawl, more efficient use of existing transportation infrastructures, and improved commutes for employees in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation
www.eot.state.ma.us
The Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) is the primary transportation umbrella agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It has $1.4 billion in annual operating expenditures and a $1.4 billion capital program. EOT has direct oversight of the Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD), the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission (MAC) and the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), and works closely with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). The Secretary of Transportation also serves as the Chair of the MBTA's Board of Directors. Approximately 8,600 employees work for the agency.
EOT is charged with promoting economic vitality and a better quality of life by safely and efficiently moving people and goods within and through the Commonwealth. It manages 9,500 miles of roadway, oversees more than 2,800 bridges in the Commonwealth and serves 38 public use airports. It oversees the $500 million statewide road and bridge improvement program and Commonwealth motorist licensure. It also coordinates efforts to improve transit, water, bicycle and pedestrian modes of transportation in Massachusetts.
MassHighway
www.mhd.state.ma.us/
MassHighway's Environmental Section is responsible for overseeing the environmental compliance activities for MassHighway to ensure that the roadway and bridge construction and repair program as well as maintenance depot operations are conducted in an environmentally sound manner. This includes preparing and reviewing various environmental documents such as: Environmental Impact Reports, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and developing environmental policy.
Environmental staff are engaged in numerous permitting activities across a broad spectrum of environmental resource areas. They also conduct training and provide regulatory guidance and technical expertise to support the Engineering, Maintenance, Construction and Right of Way functions of the department to insure that all activities are in compliance with current regulations. These duties and responsibilities are carried out within four units: Project Development, Cultural Resources, Wetlands and Water Resources and Hazardous Waste/Materials, which perform a common function of ensuring that impacts to the environment and cultural resources are avoided , minimized and mitigated to the maximum extent practicable and providing guidance for environmental enhancement.
Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition
www.massh2.org
The Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition is a newly formed membership driven organization whose mission is to accelerate the development, deployment and use of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in Massachusetts, to enhance the commercial success of firms and organizations in Massachusetts directly involved with the hydrogen and fuel cell industry, to broaden awareness of the economic, environmental and other benefits associated with hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, and to increase and help facilitate commitments to and investments in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, education, demonstrations, product development and deployment on the part of government, institutions, companies and investors.
For more information contact Brad Bradshaw, Group Veritas at 978-232-0080 /
Brad@GroupVeritas.com / www.GroupVeritas.com.
MASSPIRG
www.masspirg.org
MASSPIRG is an advocate for the public interest. When consumers are cheated, or our natural environment is threatened, or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, MASSPIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposes, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. MASSPIRG's mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects our environment, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government. MASSPIRG's transportation agenda is to promote clean, affordable, accessible and efficient pubic transit, and to improve air quality by lessening the number of cars on the road and implementing cleaner and more efficient fuel standards.
MassRIDES
www.commute.com
MassRIDES is the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's statewide travel options program funded by the MassHighway and Federal Highway Administration. MassRIDES offers personalized travel planning and bilingual customer service for English and Spanish-speaking callers, helping travelers find alternate transportation options. MassRIDES can help you establish a vanpool or carpool arrangement, or help you find the best transit route to work, which can save you money on fuel costs and insurance, decrease wear and tear on your vehicle, reduce your stress, improve your health, and much more..... Travelers can contact the state's toll free telephone number (1.888.4COMMUTE) and start saving today!
Medford Energy Task Force
www.medford.org/Government/cityhall/Energy&Conservation/medfordenergytaskforce.htm
The role of the Medford Energy Task Force is to carryout the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign sponsored by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). Medford is one of over 500 local governments worldwide that participates in the CCP Campaign. Medford joined the Campaign in 1999. Since then, the City has completed a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, set reduction targets, and developed a local Climate Action Plan. In October 2001, Medford became the first city in Massachusetts with an approved Climate Action Plan. The Medford Energy Task Force consists of members of various municipal departments, utilities, and state representatives.
MIT Environmental Programs Office
web.mit.edu/environment
MIT's Environmental Programs Office works with both MIT's administrative
and academic sides (research and education) to promote greater environmental
awareness, identify envrionmental best practices, and propogate those solutions
across campus.
AltWheels would like to thank MIT and the EPO for its help in coordinating
the AltWheels Caravan in 2004 and 2006.
MIT Laboratory for Energy and the Environment
lfee.mit.edu
The Laboratory for Energy and the Environment (LFEE), one of MIT's numerous multidisciplinary research labs, focuses on the technical, policy, and systems related research on energy supply and use and its impacts on air, land, water, health and the economy. Recent transportation related research has focused on world trends in the use of--and emissions from--cars, trucks and planes; how to radically reduce vehicle emissions in developing country megacities (Mexico City); and how good future hydrogen-fuel cell vehicles are compared to advanced hybrid-gasoline and diesel fueled vehicles on a "well to wheels" basis.
MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team
web.mit.edu/solar-cars/www/
Congratulations to the MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team for coming in THIRD in the 2005 American Solar Challenge, a rally from Austin to Calgary. See the final standings here.
The Solar Electric Vehicle Team is a recognized student organization at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, working under the auspices of the Edgerton Center. The team draws on a broad range of technical knowledge encompassing all fields of engineering and science. Team membership provides an intense educational experience which teaches practical skills impossible to communicate in the classroom environment, turning students into engineers. In addition to providing real-world design and manufacturing experience, involvement in the team develops project management and business skills. The team also gives students the opportunity to work closely with professors and members of the business community, including those on the board of consultants, when developing the vehicles.
The MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team sets its goals beyond just winning races. The team is dedicated to promoting alternatively powered vehicles. Members participate in seminars, lectures, museum displays, conferences dedicated to alternative energy, and numerous Earth Day and ecological fairs. Team members answer questions about electric transportation at these events as well as during race-sponsored demonstrations.
Museum of Science
www.mos.org
As Boston's most-attended cultural institution, the Museum sparks the curiosity of 1.6 million visitors a year through public presentations and over 550 interactive exhibits. Each year, some 250,000 students visit the Museum in school groups. The Museum serves others through Camp-Ins, adult lectures, Science Vans, and other educational outreach programs, partnerships, traveling exhibits, and Web-based activities. Its long-range exhibit plan Science Is an Activity has profoundly influenced exhibit development at other major science centers and continues to receive major funding from the National Science Foundation, and private donors. With the support of the Lowell Institute and others, 16 to 25 percent of our visitors experience the Museum through fully or partially funded visits each year.
New England Aquarium
www.neaq.org
The New England Aquarium opened its doors in June 1969. The Aquarium's Giant Ocean Tank is designed to provide an underwater experience to the Aquarium's visitors. The New England Aquarium has developed numerous scientific and educational programs in order to help preserve and bring a better understanding of marine life, and our exhibits are under constant expansion and renovation.
From the Giant Ocean Tank, opened in 1970 that was, at the time, the largest circular, salt water tank in the world to the new Matthew and Marcia Simons IMAX®, the only 3D theatre in Boston, opened in December 2001. The Aquarium continues its tradition to serve as a leader in research, education and conservation. The leadership of John Prescott, who served as Executive Director from 1972-1994, Jerry Schubel, from 1994-2001, and today, Ed Toomey, continues to move the Aquarium to the forefront of these issues.
Please help support the Aquarium's environmental mission by entering the Fall 2006 raffle for a new Mercury Hybrid Mariner. Details HERE.
New England Electric Auto Association
neeaa.org
The NEEAA's Purpose is to act as a source of information for the membership, other organizations and the public, on the current state of electric vehicle technology in the Northeast and is part of the international Electric Auto Association http://eaaev.org.
The NEEAA encourages experimentation in the building of electric vehicles, particularly to improve energy and resource efficiency, reduce emissions and improve vehicle safety. It also promotes and organizes public exhibits of electric vehicles built by members and others for the purpose of informing the public on the progress of electric vehicle technology and conducting public opinion polls.
New Hampshire - Granite State Clean Cities Coalition
www.granitestatecleancities.org
The Granite State Clean Cities Coalition is a collaborative of over 50 public and private interests from all regions in New Hampshire. Coalition members support the goals of reducing dependence on foreign oil, and improving air quality, through the use of domestically produced, cleaner burning alternative fuels and other fuel reduction strategies.
Alternative Fuel Vehicles that run on fuels such as electricity, natural gas, propane, biodiesel, ethanol and hydrogen can help reduce vehicle emissions, provide domestic economic benefits, and increase the energy security of the U.S. by reducing our dependence upon foreign sources of petroleum. The stability of our transportation future, and perhaps even the nation's economy, rests upon our ability to diversify the nation's fuel sources and types.
NAVC - Northeast Advanced Vehicle Consortium
www.navc.org
The Northeast Advanced Vehicle Consortium (NAVC) is a non-profit association of private and public sector firms that believe that advanced vehicle technologies such as fuel cells and hybrids can play a key role in:
1) reducing the impact of transportation on the environment;
2) strengthening the Northeast region's economy through the creation of highly-skilled technology jobs; and,
3) increasing U.S. energy security.
Since 1993, the NAVC has strived to spur the successful implementation of these technologies through research and demonstration programs, and through outreach and advocacy efforts. Together, our partners have initiated over 70 projects, spanning a wide range of vehicle technology areas including electric, hybrid electric and fuel cell propulsion systems, light weight structural composites, energy storage and management, and emissions testing.
NESEA - Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
www.nesea.org
The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is the nation's leading regional membership organization focused on promoting the understanding, development, and adoption of energy conservation and non-polluting, renewable energy technologies. for more than thirty years, NESEA has facilitated and enhanced a network of professionals, practitioners, and other citizens in pursuit of responsible energy use. Our programs and activities focus on the northeastern United States, from Washington, DC to Maine.
NESEA acts as a hub that connects people across a broad base of interests and disciplines. Our network of active citizens, professionals, businesses, and organizations in the Northeast seeks to discover and demonstrate the responsible production and use of energy. We collaborate and cooperate with allied organizations to advance our common interests. We celebrate, inspire, and nurture visionary ideas, emerging markets, and practical solutions.
In the area of transportation, NESEA runs the annual "Tour de Sol," which you can read about through their Green Car Club webpage.
City of Newton
www.ci.newton.ma.us
Onward Via
www.onwardvia.org
Our vision: healthy communities in which people have safe, affordable, and sustainable transportation choices.
Our mission: develop and promote transportation choices that work for both individuals and communities.
Pachamama Alliance
www.pachamama.org
The Pachamama Alliance is a U.S. based not-for-profit organization that was born out of a relationship developed between a group of people from the modern world and the leaders of remote indigenous groups in the Amazon region of Ecuador. This relationship was initiated by the indigenous elders and shamans who, out of their deep concern for the growing threat to their ancient way of life, and their recognition that the roots of this threat lay far beyond their rainforest home, actively sought the partnership of committed individuals living in the modern world.
The Pachamama Alliance believes that to meet the challenges that face humanity as we make the transition to the next millennium, depends on our ability to successfully combine the best elements of these two worldviews into a single global vision. This is the commitment which underlies the work of The Pachamama Alliance. Another underlying principal is based on the recognition of the pervasive role economics plays in the fate of rainforests. It is generally agreed that the Earth's tropical rainforests are one of its most valuable ecosystem. Yet, the economics which shape decisions regarding the use of the Earth's resources, rainforests seldom show up as adding value in their natural state. The direct costs of having to use technology to replace these environmental services are seldom considered.
Pachamama is committed to strengthen and clarify this vision and to being a clearinghouse of new ideas and information that will alter our perspectives and, ultimately, our behavior. The Pachamama Alliance is a place for individuals to take a stand of personal responsibility for the well being of the Earth's global commons. We invite you to join us.
PlanetTran
www.planettran.com
Founded in early 2003, PlanetTran strives to complement public transportation and other pooled methods by providing livery service to Logan from the greater Boston area using hybrid vehicles exclusively. Based initially on the Toyota Prius, PlanetTran offers the most environmentally friendly option to those travelers who need the reliability of advanced reservations and the convenience of doorstep service. While providing this first of a kind service, PlanetTran plans to actively work with the community, partners, and the government to influence the livery/hackney service community to utilize the most sustainable vehicle base possible.
Plug Power
www.plugpower.com
Plug Power is proof of the promise of fuel cell technology with units operating in the field, and partners around the world that are identifying customers who can put our stationary products to use today. Plug Power is working to realize several near-term objectives that include enhancing product performance, reducing costs, improving manufacturing and integration processes, and continuing to build key customer and partner relationships.
Plug Power is engaged in discussions with state and federal governments to increase funding for R&D, provide tax incentives, and put in place that kind of regulatory infrastructure that will serve as the foundation for widespread adoption of distributed power generation.
Plug Power is striving to meet longer-term objectives of delivering economic, social, and environmental benefits in terms of reliable, clean, cost-effective power and, ultimately, sustainability Ð preserving and protecting the earth's natural resources.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
www.railtrails.org/field/new_england/
The purpose of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is to enrich America's communities and countryside by creating a nationwide network of public trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. RTC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with more than 100,000 members and supporters. Founded in 1986, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is located in Washington, D.C. and has offices in California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Responsible Business Association of Greater Boston
www.rbaboston.org
The Responsible Business Association of Greater Boston (RBA) is an organization of business leaders committed to promoting high ethical standards in business, a multiple stakeholder business model, productive and fulfilling workplaces and environmentally sustainable business practices. We aspire to share lessons learned regarding best practices both in the workplace and in relation to our greater communities. RBA is Boston's local chapter of a network of organizations around the country called Business Alliance for Local living Economies (BALLE) which promotes business practices that support the needs of all stakeholders.
Rocky Mountain Institute
www.rmi.org
Rocky Mountain Institute is an entrepreneurial nonprofit organization that fosters the efficient and restorative use of natural, human and other capital to make the world more secure, just, prosperous, and life sustaining. We do this by inspiring business, civil society, and government to create more wealth and employment, protect and enhance natural and human capital, increase profit and competitive advantage, and enjoy many other benefitsÑlargely by doing what they do far more efficiently.
Our work is independent, nonadversarial, and transideological, with a strong emphasis on market-based solutions. For detailed descriptions of our Research & Consulting within the Natural Capitalism Framework as well as our activities and areas of impact, please follow the links at left.
RMI knows that least-cost end-use includes the significant improvement of public transportation, as well as alternatives to actual transportation, such as intelligent community design, smart growth, and telecommuting among others. On this note, our Green Development Services unit works on making communities and real-estate developments less mobility-hungry and more transit-friendly. For information on transportation technology initiatives click here.
The Saunders Hotel Group
www.saundershotelgroup.net
The Saunders Hotel Group is offering discounted rates at two of its Boston properties. Go to the AltWheels hotel page for more information and reservation links.
The Saunders Hotel Group is a third generation, family business that is known worldwide for its genuine commitment to gracious hospitality, service innovation and environmental leadership. SHG owns and operates three distinctive properties in Boston including The Four Diamond Lenox Hotel and charming Copley Square Hotel in historic Back Bay as well as The Comfort Inn & Suites Boston/Airport. SHG also operates The Marriott Residence Inn in Merrimack, NH, The Holiday Inn in New London, CT and the Hawthorne Suites in Alexandria, VA. Please support Saunders Hotel Group's efforts to "Do Well By Doing Good" and stay with them whenever you or your colleagues are in the Boston, Merrimack, New London or Alexandria areas. The Saunders Hotel Group's continued success will demonstrate that responsible business practices benefit not only companies, but protect the health of people everywhere and the planet we all rely upon.
Tedd Saunders, co-owner and executive VP for environmental affairs for the Saunders Hotel Group is also president of Ecological Solutions (www.ecological-solutions.net). Often credited with creating luxury urban ecotourism in the 1980's, EcoLogical Solutions is recognized for the hospitality industry's most acclaimed environmental management models. In 1989, Tedd pioneered this innovative business approach at his family's historic properties: The Lenox and Copley Square Hotels, as well as The Comfort Inn & Suites Boston Airport and the Park Plaza (till 1996).
EcoLogical Solutions (ELS) has since advised The White House Conference on Tourism, HRH The Prince of Wales' Intl' Hotel Environmental Initiative, Harvard University, Taj Hotels of India, Choice Hotels International, Four Seasons Place, Ritz Carlton, Bank of America, US AID, and CERES' Green Hotel Initiative. EcoLogical Solutions' efforts have not only significantly reduced hotels' operating costs but also generated unprecedented customer loyalty, employee morale and community goodwill for their clients. ELS' comprehensive yet practical approach has also earned clients worldwide recognition with glowing press and international awards.
Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI)
www.rei.com
In March of 2006 REI, a national retail cooperative providing quality outdoor gear and apparel, announced that it will purchase 10 million kilowatt hours of green power, or 20 percent of the company's national electricity usage. The purchase of wind, landfill gas and solar generated electricity will provide 100 percent of the power for 17 of REI's 82 retail stores, and is equivalent to the annual use of more than 1,000 average homes. The switch to renewable resources eliminates over 5,500 tons of CO2, equivalent to removing more than 1,000 average cars from the road.
REI has joined the Green Power Partnership, a voluntary partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and organizations interested in buying green power. REI also has announced that it will be a founding member of the Seattle Climate Partnership, a group of Seattle employers working together on climate issues.
REI selected qualifying, Green-e certified, renewable energy contracts. In addition to reducing green house gas emission, in most cases these contracts also reduce the company's exposure to fossil fuel surcharges.
As an active supporter of communities in which it does business, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through education, gear donations and financial contributions.
Seahorse Power
www.seahorsepower.com
Seahorse Power Company is a team of dedicated business leaders, scientists, policy experts, and customer outreach professionals who believe that humans must quickly change their behavior to avoid catastrophic environmental consequences from unsustainable behavior. We believe socially responsible business is good business, and we prove it by inventing, developing and disseminating cost-effective clean energy products to replace those that threaten our delicate ecological balance.
Founded in the Spring of 2003, Seahorse Power Company is currently offering its first sustainable product Ð the BigBelly PV powered trash compactor for parks and other environmentally sensitive areas where the inability to frequently empty trash cans can lead to extensive littering. On September 1, 2004, Seahorse Power rolled out the second generation BigBelly, featuring automated compaction, dual bins, a wheeled cart, pickup notification indicators, and a new, highly-robust and efficient drive system.
The City of Boston is testing out several of the solar powered "trash cans" around Boston this year. A Boston Globe article on the city's use of the BigBelly's appeared on PAGE ONE of July 26th's Boston Globe. BigBelly solar trash compacters are expected to save the City money, since they only need to be emptied once a day, instead of the usual four times in heavily trafficed areas.
Segway
www.segway.com
Like most of Dean Kamen's innovations, the Segway reflects his belief that science and engineering can be harnessed to improve people's daily lives. Dean and his team saw a way for his balancing technology to be applied to human transportation, brought together a core team to perfect it and bring it to market.
See also Segway of Northern New England in Conord NH (31 Hall Street, Concord, NH 03301) at
www.patsyco.com or call MaryBeth Alosa at 603.724.2937 or 877.424.4774.
SegwayBoston
www.segwayboston.org
Founded on January 1, 2003, Segway Boston is an organization dedicated to education, outreach and advocacy of alternative transportation generally, and the new Segway Human Transporter specifically. Segway HT is the world's first self-balancing, two-wheeled, electric, personal transportation device.
Seven Cycles
www.sevencycles.com
Seven Cycles's mission is to enhance the cycling community's experience through the optimum fit, function, performance, and comfort of their bicycles. Seven Cycles built their business on the understanding that what you really want and value in a bicycle, and delivering that, accompanied with unparalleled service.
Every Seven employs the latest advances in materials technology and carefully considered, highly functional design innovations. And each Seven is backed by the experience and commitment of craftspeople, engineers, and professionals whose passion for excellence is matched only by their passion for cycling.
If you love cycling, and also your value of choice and your reluctance to compromise on the things that really matter, check out Seven's products. Owning a Seven provides you with more than just a great bicycle; it gives you membership in a community who shares your values.
Seven Cycles is an employee-centered company whose mission is to create the best possible cycling experience for our customers through benchmark quality, craftsmanship, and service. We provide a fast-paced, yet creative work environment, offering competitive salary and benefits, including flextime.
The Sierra Club Massachusetts
www.sierraclubmass.org
The Sierra Club's members are 700,000 of your friends and neighbors. Inspired by nature, we work together to protect our communities and the planet. The Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.
Small Planet Institute
www.smallplanetinstitute.org
Frances Moore Lappe and Anna Lappe founded the Small Planet Institute to bring to light the emergence of "living democracy," a rewarding, inclusive, learned practice that creates communities that work for all. On every continent, people are bringing this democracy to life by discovering their power to act on their values. At the Institute we further this historic transition through books, articles, speeches, and other media.
SANE - Society of Artcars in New England
www.blert.net/sane
We're a loosely organized group of artcars in the New England area. This group was started to help us come together for events and to help share our resources. Membership is very casual. If you live in New England and do own, have owned, want to own, or just like artcars you are welcome to join. About the only rules for the group right now is that you have to be polite and considerate. This means not insulting/belittling/etc anyones artcar/person/event/ideas/etc.
Society for Organizational Learning
www.solonline.org
SoL, the Society for Organizational Learning, is an intentional learning community composed of organizations, individuals, and local SoL communities around the world.
The SoL Sustainability Forum serves as a catalyst for accelerated learning and thinking on sustainability through innovative best practices, compelling case studies, and interaction with leaders in the field.
Our purpose is to discover (research), integrate (capacity development) and implement (practice) theories and practices of organizational learning for the interdependent development of people and their institutions and communities such that we continue to increase our capacity to collectively realize our highest aspirations and productively resolve our differences.
Members of the SoL community are committed to developing the capacity to address issues like:
- The social (and economic) divide
- The system seeing itself
- Redefining growth
- Variety and inclusiveness
- Attracting talented people and realizing their potential
- The role of the corporation
Complex, interdependent issues such as these are increasingly shaping the context for strategy. SOL founder Peter Senge and other thought leaders for the SoL Sustainability Consortium's will be hosting the first Business Innovation for Sustainability Forum: Leadership, Learning, and Collaboration for a Living Economy on October 11-14, 2004 in Dearborn, Michigan.
South End Technology Center
www.tech-center-enlightentcity.tv
The South End Technology Center @ Tent City (The Tech Center) is a collaborative venture between the Tent City Corporation (TCC) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Our fundamental purpose is to enable people to become producers of knowledge and sharers of ideas and information. Our scope and methods are as diverse as the people we serve. We provide free or low-cost access and training in most aspects of computer-related technology. The staff, mostly volunteers, have extensive backgrounds in computer technology and their applications.
The South End Technology Center has been working with the Boston Public School System to develop teaching modules focused on fuel cells and other future energy technologies, so that Boston residents can avoid being caught in the forthcoming "energy technology gap."
Stoneham Ford
www.stonehamford.com
In addition to the Hybrid Escape, Ford Motor's Sustainable Mobility Technologies division is currently working seven prototype vehicles represent Ford Motor Company's dedication to preserving the environment. Two are already in real-world, limited use. The electric Ford Ranger is available for corporate fleet sales, and our electric delivery truck is being used by the U.S. Postal Service in communities around the country. Addressing climate change and sustainable mobility issues requires excellent technology, smartly deployed. It also requires innovative partnerships with a range of governmental and civil society institutions to address complex issues.
Sustainable Arlington
www.massclimateaction.org/arlington.htm
Formed in late 1999, Sustainable Arlington (SA) convinced the town's government to join Cities for Climate Protection, and to sponsor an intern during the summer of 2000, who conducted an inventory of emissions within the town. Arlington has now formed a "Climate Wise" task force, composed of municipal government staff, elected officials, and a representative of SA, to do implementation. SA is currently drafting a "Climate Action Plan" on behalf of the Town. SA has been helping to educate town officials on specific areas that have potential for large energy savings, including 1) reconstruction of the town's elementary schools is currently underway, and could be done with energy-efficiency measures designed in, 2) under utility deregulation, the town has the opportunity to replace all its street lights with high-efficiency bulbs, saving about half the electricity. We are working with the Town to accomplish this change. At Town Meeting in May 2003, Arlington passed SA's proposal establishing the goal of LEED silver certification (an accepted standard for "green buildings") for new and substantial renovations of town-owned buildings. This is the first such law in Massachusetts, and one of only a handful in the country (as far as we know) - but every community with an MCAN group or that belongs to Cities for Climate Protection should use this as a model and pass something similar! Due to SA's initiative, the library has replaced all of its lights (both incandescent and older fluorescents) with modern, highly efficient fluorescent fixtures and bulbs, with an expected savings of about $9,000 a year in electric bills! In addition, all the Town's traffic signals have been replaced with LED's (light emitting diodes), saving about 85% of the electricity. SA has also done public education, including publishing several articles in the Arlington Advocate newspaper, having tables at large local events, a display table at the local library this month, and is currently planning several events around Earth Day 2001.
The Sustainability Institute
www.sustainabilityinstitute.org
The Sustainability Institute was founded in 1996 to apply systems thinking and organizational learning to economic, environmental and social challenges. Its mission is to shift mindsets (values, attitudes, and beliefs); restructure systems when the rewards and incentives of the system are inconsistent with long term social, environmental, and economic goals; andb uild the capability to manage and learn in complex environmental, social, and economic systems.
Sustainable Step New England
www.ssne.org
Sustainable Step New England (SSNE) was founded in 1998 by professionals who wanted to address environmental and social challenges with positive systemic solutions. Inspired by the way the Natural Step framework and other tools could help jumpstart initiatives that provided triple bottom line benefits, we have since conducted a wide variety of high-quality consulting projects, speeches, seminars, discussion courses and networking meetings. Through these efforts we have helped many hundreds of people gain a practical understanding of the sustainability challenge and implement solutions tailored to their situations.
In keeping with our roots, SSNE provides technical expertise, neutral 3rd party facilitation, and supporting services for organizations helping to regenerate the region's natural and social capital. While we see many destructive activities, our talents are focused on helping those who want to act constructively. We seek --in every interaction with every person-- to demonstrate support for their best efforts, insight, compassion, and recognition that in the end only they can find the best answers for their challenges. Our goal is to make organizations so successful at "doing well by doing good" that others will follow their examples.
Tellus Institute
www.tellus.org
Over the coming decades, society faces a profound responsibility-navigating the transition toward ways of producing, consuming, and living that bequeath a sustainable world to future generations. This goal presents a critical development challenge: harmonizing the rights of future generations to a decent environment and quality of life, with the rights of people today. These two themes-environmental stewardship and equitable development-lie at the core of the vision of sustainability and at the heart of the mission of Tellus Institute.
Founded in 1976, Tellus is a nonprofit research and consulting organization. It has conducted numerous studies and assignments and maintains a diverse program of research, consulting, and communication. Recognizing that efforts to promote sustainable development must occur at every level: global, regional, national, local, and enterprise, the Institute brings to its activities a keen awareness of the linkages that cut across spatial levels, and across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Tellus is committed to bringing insight, vision, and guidance to all participants in the transition to a sustainable society.
Thames and Kosmos Science Kits
www.thamesandkosmos.com
Thames and Kosmos was founded in 2001 with the mission of developing high-quality science and technology related educational products for children of all ages. We place an emphasis on teaching concepts and skills through hands-on modeling of real-world devices and processes, and by offering comprehensive, meaningful reading materials for a rich learning experience.
Our first product, the Fuel Cell Car & Experiment Kit, has received excellent industry recognition, including a Parents' Choice Silver Honor and a seal of approval from the National Parenting Center. It is now being used in homes, schools and programs across the country and around the world to demonstrate hydrogen fuel cell technology. Thames and Kosmos is proud to donate several Fuel Cell Car kits to AltWheels for use in the show and as raffle prizes!
Trees for the Future
www.treesftf.org
Trees for the Future is participant in 2006's AltWheels "Energy Freedom Trail."
Trees for the Future is an organization that has been the steward of planting trees throughout the world since the early 70's. Our mission and history shows you how dedicated we are to the mission of sustainable agroforestry thoughout the world.
The Tufts Climate Initiative
www.tufts.edu/tie/tci/TCIMenu.html
TCI is the pioneer in the field of climate change mitigation at institutions of higher learning. In 1999, former Tufts University President, John DiBiaggio committed Tufts to meeting or exceeding the Kyoto target for its greenhouse gas emissions. In 2003, President Lawrence Bacow renewed the University's dedication to climate protection by adopting the goals of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.
TCI focuses on four specific areas:
- CO2 Reductions: Realizing direct and measurable reductions in carbon emissions on all three Tufts campuses.
- Research and Monitoring : Understanding the needed actions and incentives.
- Education: Increasing awareness about climate change and fostering environmental stewardship.
- Outreach and Events: Helping other institutions to progress toward innovation and sustainability.
The Kyoto Protocol on global warming asks the United States to lower its greenhouse gas emissions by 7% below 1990 levels by 2012. Given current growth trends at Tufts, the university must cut its emissions by 30% to meet this goal.
Tufts Nerd Girls
nerdgirls.eecs.tufts.edu
"breaking the stigmas and stereotypes of women in engineering"
The engineering team task for the "Nerd Girls" has recently been to build a solar car named the Anne E.B..
Tufts University has female engineers who have danced in the Nutcracker ballet, sang at the Apollo Theater, are award-winning pianists, and nationally ranked athletes. The mission of this program is to show a wide audience of young women and young men how successful these students are as they work together to design and construct an engineering system.
The solar car project showcases these young women's talents, diverse backgrounds and engineering skills.
Union of Concerned Scientists
www.uscusa.org
UCS is an independent nonprofit alliance of more than 100,000 concerned citizens and scientists. We augment rigorous scientific analysis with innovative thinking and committed citizen advocacy to build a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world.
UCS was founded in 1969 by faculty members and students at MIT who were concerned about the misuse of science and technology in society. Our core groups of scientists and engineers collaborate with colleagues across the country to conduct technical studies on renewable energy options, the impacts of global warming, the risks of genetically engineered crops, and other related topics. We share the results of our research with policymakers, the news media, and the public.
In the area of clean vehicles, UCS develops and promotes strategies to reduce the adverse impacts of the U.S. transportation system. UCS focuses on:
- Advanced Vehicles: Encouraging automakers to build and sell battery-electric, hybrid-electric, and fuel cell vehicles.
- Cars and SUVs: Cleaning up conventional automobiles.
- Trucks and Buses: Cleaning up heavy trucks and buses.
- Clean Vehicles California: Precedent-setting initiatives on cars, light trucks, and heavy-duty diesel in the Golden State
Find more about UCS's clean vehicle activities at
www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles.
Also check out their new Hybrid Vehicle site at
HybridCenter.org for useful, thorough, and independent information on hybrid-electric vehicles, including side-by-side comparisons, reviews, and tips on driving and buying a hybrid.
UNH Climate Education Initiative
www.sustainableunh.unh.edu/climate_ed
The Office of Sustainability Programs is collaborating with faculty, staff and students from across the campus and beyond to address the critical educational issue of Climate Change. In the almost 40 years since atmospheric scientists recognized that concentrations of carbon dioxide and other so-called greenhouse gases were increasing in the atmosphere, the unforeseen impact of human activities on the global climate system has given rise to intense scientific, political and economic debate.
By encouraging the university community to take direct action on climate change, UNH and Clean Air - Cool Planet seek to heighten the role of institutions of higher education in the national and international climate discourse. The goals of this collaborative action are to produce real emission reductions, establish a network of universities and communities working together toward a common goal, and create a model of local climate protection that can be adopted in other communities.
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility
www.vbsr.org
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) was founded in 1990 by a group of businesspeople who believed businesses have as much responsibility to workers, communities and the environment as they do to being financially successful. VBSR was started to pioneer a new focus for business: "the multiple bottom line." Profitability is essential to business. However, VBSR members are equally concerned about the "other bottom lines" - quality of the workplace, the natural environment and community. VBSR members share basic values and goals. Our diverse and dynamic membership is what makes VBSR an energetic and growing forum for business in Vermont.
VBSR is one of the largest regional socially responsible business organizations in the US, even though it represents a small state. VBSR's membership has grown rapidly, from 35 members in 1991 to over 600 members in 2006. Currently, VBSR's members represent over 30,000 employees and over $4.5 billion in annual sales.
VBSR's mission is to advance a business ethic that values multiple bottom lines economic, social, and environmental.
We do this through:
- Education - Bringing together resources and information to help our members to meet their own goals for improving business practices and solving social, environmental and economic problems.
- Public Influence - Representing a socially responsible business ethic to the larger community, including news media and legislative bodies, to foster positive change and resist exploitation of our people, our state and our planet.
- Workplace Quality - Fostering a work environment and economic climate that enable every worker to earn a fair income safely, to contribute his or her labor to a high quality product or service, and to work and live with dignity and respect.
Walkable Communities, Inc.
www.walkable.org
Walkable Communities is a non-profit corporation, established in the State of Florida in June, 1996. It was organized for the express purposes of helping communities (large cities, small towns, rural villages, neighborhoods, business districts, school districts, subdivisions, parks or specific roadway corridors) become more walkable, pedestrian and bicycle friendly and traffic calmed. By improving conditions for walking and bicycling, areas become more livable and sustainable, better places for healthier living and much more economically viable.
Services provided by the corporation (Dan Burden, Executive Director) are:
- Presentations passionately delivered and fully illustrated with high quality images
- Walkable Audits (site evaluations to help determine specific problems and solutions)
- Training Courses (bicycle and pedestrian facility design, traffic calming, bicycle and/or pedestrian law enforcement, charrette facilitation, human factors, photography and PowerPoint for effective presentations, etc., always customized)
- Workshops (usually focused on alternative transportation, roadway redesign, traffic calming or community visioning)
- Planning and Visioning Charrettes, multi-day, interactive, public involvement process to facilitate community redesign or planning efforts
- Mediation in community disputes over planning or facility design issues.
WalkBoston
www.walkboston.org
WalkBoston, the first and foremost pedestrian advocacy organization in the country, was formed in 1990 to raise public awareness about the benefits of walking for transportation, health, recreation and vital communities. Since then, WalkBoston has played a prominent role in improving the design and use of streets, sidewalks and pathways in the greater Boston area. Working with citizens groups, government officials and private developers, WalkBoston has dramatically improved the walking experience for all to enjoy.
WalkBoston advocates for pedestrians by making sure that projects provide for pedestrians' safety and comfort. We advise cities and towns on how to redesign streets to reduce speed and to make walking safer for everyone. for example, WalkBoston led the effort to redesign the new streets on the surface of the Central Artery, reducing traffic lanes from 10 to six. As a result there will be wider sidewalks, new plazas, bicycle lanes and safer intersections.
WalkBoston created the first Safe Routes to School program in New England, which increases the number of children walking and bicycling to school, enhances their physical fitness and encourages their independence. We currently are a co-sponsor of legislation for a statewide Safe Routes to School program.
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
www.wilmerhale.com
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP offers unparalleled legal representation across a comprehensive range of practices, offering a cutting-edge blend of capabilities that enable us to handle a broad range of clients' needs. Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP was formed in May 2004 through the merger of two leading law firms, Hale and Dorr LLP and Wilmer Cutler Pickering LLP. Our culture embraces the staunch commitment to public service and the causes of justice and fairness for which both predecessor firms were justly famous. Many of our lawyers have played, and continue to play, prominent roles in public service activities of national and international importanceÑfrom counseling US presidents to opposing racial discrimination and fighting apartheid.
World Resources Institute
www.wri.org
For the past 30 years, the transport sector's share of CO2 emissions has increased at a faster pace than other sectors. From 1971 through 1997, transport-related CO2 emissions from industrialized countries nearly doubled and transport emissions, compared with 1971, 1980, and 1990 levels, increased their share of total emissions in almost all industrialized countries.
Globally, the transport sector now contributes 25 percent of all the CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere. Approximately 80 percent of those emissions are from road transport, of which 60 percent is from automobiles, sports utility vehicles, and pick-up trucks used to meet commuter and other household transport needs.
In 2001, WRI established EMBARQ, a center for transport and the environment, which works in polluted, congested cities in developing countries, partnering with public decision-makers responsible for transport policy, the private sector, and local non-governmental organizations.
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