Chevrolet: Big steps for its small-car lineup
Chevrolet’s growing small-car lineup came together today at the North American International Auto Show with the introduction of the Aveo RS show car – a European-inspired hot hatch aimed at young enthusiasts.
The all-new Chevrolet Cruze and the Aveo RS show car – hinting at the next-generation Aveo production car – along with the all-new Spark five door mini car, showcase the foundation of Chevrolet’s growing small-car portfolio. Cruze will be available in the U.S. later this year, the all-new Aveo production car comes to the U.S. next year, and U.S. sales of the Spark begin in early 2012.
Chevrolet also announced that Michigan joins California as a key initial Volt launch market. Chevrolet is partnering with Detroit-based utility DTE Energy and other key Michigan stakeholders as part of a larger, real-world development and demonstration program to introduce customers to electric vehicles and establish vehicle charging programs. Last week, Chevrolet and OnStar demonstrated technology beyond the battery with the industry’s first working smartphone application that will give Volt owners 24/7 connection and control of vehicle function and OnStar features remotely.
“Our new small cars and the Volt electric vehicle with extended-range capabilities represent cornerstones in Chevrolet’s gas-friendly to gas-free approach,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager. “We expect the trio of Spark, Aveo and Cruze to be fuel economy leaders, while the Volt can operate gas-free before switching to extended-range capability when the battery runs low.”
Here’s a look at Chevrolet’s small and compact car presence at NAIAS:
Chevrolet Aveo RS show car: The Aveo RS show car provides a glimpse of what designers have in mind for the future production car. One look at the show car’s electric Boracay Blue finish, motorcycle-inspired exposed headlamps and taillamps, low roofline, fender flares, large wheels and tires, and dual-cockpit interior hints at the next-generation Aveo.
“The current Aveo is a major player in Chevrolet’s global small-car portfolio,” said Campbell. “Our intent with the Aveo RS show car is to demonstrate Chevrolet’s vision and design potential for a small car we think customers will love.”
Focusing on Aveo’s target audience of young buyers, Chevrolet gave the show car a sporty appearance inside and out. An aggressive front fascia; clean, uninterrupted body side lines; an integrated rear roof spoiler; wide stance; and large, 19-inch, five-spoke wheels with a gun metal metallic Chevrolet logo and Boracay Blue brake calipers suggest upscale style and dynamic handling.
The Boracay Blue continues inside, with accent stitching in the instrument panel dual cockpit, front and rear door panels, gear shift boot, parking brake and seat bolster.
The Aveo RS show car features the same small-displacement 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine that will be available in the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. Delivering 138 horsepower (103 kW), it performs like two powerplants in one, with the fuel economy of a small engine and the performance of a larger one. In the Aveo RS show car, the 1.4L turbo is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
Chevrolet has previously announced the new Aveo will be built at Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Mich., in 2011, a move that will restore 1,200 jobs to Southeast Michigan. Retooling Orion Assembly for Aveo production is anticipated to begin in late 2010.
Chevrolet Cruze: The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan is already on sale in Asia and Europe with strong market acceptance. Refined for America, the 2011 Cruze changes the rules by bringing a midsize car presence to the compact sedan segment. It will deliver many segment-leading features, more interior room and cargo capacity than the competition and upscale amenities such as Bluetooth, USB and navigation. It offers midsize roominess, safety and amenities with the fuel economy and expected price of a compact car. The U.S. production version of the Cruze was unveiled last month.
The Cruze affirms Chevrolet’s commitment to lead in small-displacement, turbocharged four-cylinder engines that are highly fuel efficient. Cruze is expected to deliver segment-leading fuel economy with a new Ecotec 1.4L I-4 turbo with variable valve timing – including up to 40 mpg on the highway with a high-efficiency model. The all-new Cruze will be built in Lordstown, Ohio beginning in the third quarter.
Chevrolet Spark: The five-door Chevrolet Spark, the smallest member of Chevrolet’s family of cars, brings style, roominess and versatility to a segment of extremely fuel-efficient small cars. Spark will provide great fuel economy, and its trim size makes it very agile in all kinds of driving conditions while still feeling substantial on the open road. The U.S. production version of the Spark will go on sale in early 2012.
“This small vehicle makes a big statement,” said Margaret Brooks, Chevrolet marketing director for small cars. “With its fresh, youthful approach, we believe Spark will appeal to customers who want excellent fuel economy, functionality and style at an affordable price.”
More details on the U.S. version of the Spark will be announced at a later date.
Chevrolet Volt: Michigan joins California – announced last month at the Los Angeles Auto Show – as another initial retail market. Other markets will be announced later.
“Launching in California and Michigan gives us important West Coast and Midwest platforms that will allow us to introduce the Volt more effectively into broader regions across the U.S.,” said Maria Rohrer, Chevrolet marketing director for Volt.
Chevrolet will deliver more than 100 Volts to several utilities beginning in 2010 – including DTE Energy – as part of an extended research and demonstration fleet program. As part of the program, 500 charging stations will be installed for residential, business and public use. They will be used to learn more about the installation process, vehicle charging, and to gain customer feedback.
“A key factor in the widespread success of electric vehicles will be the ability of utilities to supply ‘fuel’ on demand and at a reasonable cost,” said Steven E. Kurmas, president and chief operating officer of DTE Energy’s electric utility, Detroit Edison. “Working with the auto industry, the Department of Energy and other stakeholders, DTE Energy and electric utilities nationwide are fully committed to developing a robust charging infrastructure that will support electric vehicles and make the transition to electric transportation a success.”
The program is made possible with a grant of more than $30 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Chevrolet is also working with other Michigan entities outside of the Detroit area to begin making Michigan ready for plug-in vehicles. Utilities we are working with include the Lansing Board of Water & Light and Consumers Energy.
Chevy announced a similar partnership last month with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and California utilities Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
In an effort to expand the Volt ownership experience, Chevrolet and OnStar unveiled the auto industry’s first working mobile smartphone application last week. It will give Chevrolet Volt owners 24/7 connection and control of vehicle functions and OnStar features remotely.
OnStar’s Mobile Application takes technology beyond the battery and allows Volt drivers to communicate with their vehicle from Droid by Motorola, Apple iPhone and BlackBerry Storm smartphones. It uses a real-time data connection to perform tasks such as displaying the charge status and setting grid-friendly charge modes. The application:
– Displays charge status – plugged in or not, and voltage (120V or 240V)
– Provides flexibility to “Charge Now” or schedule charge timing
– Displays percentage of battery charge level, electric and total mileage ranges
– Allows owner to manually set grid-friendly charge mode for off-peak times when electricity rates are lowest
– Sends text or e-mail notifications for charge reminders, interruptions and full charge
– Displays miles per gallon, electric-only miles and odometer readings
– Shows miles per gallon, EV miles and miles driven for last trip and lifetime
– Remotely starts the vehicle to pre-condition the interior temperature
The smartphone application for Volt will be available at launch. Demonstration applications are now available at OnStarMobileDemo.com.
Source: General Motors
Survey reveals roadways increasingly filled with unsafe drivers distracted by their cell phones
72% of Survey Respondents Say Current and Upcoming Texting While Driving Bans by States Will Not Alter Their Use of a Cell Phone While Driving According to Cellcontrol
cellcontrol announced a new study that shows a majority of drivers still use cell phones while on the road even though its proven to be more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. The study was conducted by odbEdge, the creator of cellcontrol, during the week of December 14, 2009, to learn about views on driving while distracted. From a pool of 100 respondents, 88 percent of drivers admitted to using their cell phone to text, email, surf the Web or have a conversation in the past 12-months. However, nearly 75 percent of the same group agreed that driving while intoxicated and texting are equally dangerous. While this shows an increased awareness of distracted driving as a problem, drivers still fail to realize that Distracted Driving is 23 times more dangerous than Driving While Intoxicated.
While great progress has been made with laws in place and awareness campaigns, the study shows that 72 percent of drivers still continue to drive and be distracted by their cell phones and other mobile devices regardless of state cell phone usage while driving bans. Solutions like cellcontrol, which works by plugging into a car’s on-board computer and uses a downloadable application and Bluetooth technology to pair to your phone, is an option to help keep drivers safe on the road and curb the habit of driving while using a cell phone.
“Cell phone use and driving is still a safety problem on our roadways and that’s why at cellcontrol our main objective is to help parents, friends, employers, etc., protect those they care about with technology that is easy and simple to use,” said Leigh Gilly, Director of Business Development of cellcontrol. “We are aimed at preventing driving while distracted to help reduce the over 500,000 injury-resulting accidents each year caused by mobile phones and other technologies used while driving.”
While cell phone use when driving spans across all age groups, teenagers draw the most attention to this national problem. If given the choice, the study shows 65 percent of parents would put their worries to rest with technology to prevent their children from driving while using their cell phones. More than 60 percent of parents would purchase a particular cell phone if they had the ability to control distracted driving as a feature option. In addition, more than 75 percent would use technology to restrict use of mobile devices while driving if they received a discount on their automobile insurance premium.
Survey questions/results included:
In the last 12 months, have you engaged in distracted driving caused by any of the following cell phone activities: texting, emailing, surfing the Web or talking on your phone?
Yes – 88.4%
No – 11.6%
If given the technology to block the use of cellular phones while operating a vehicle, on which of the following would you use the technology:
Yourself – 26.8%
Spouse or significant other – 23.2%
Children – 65.2%
Employees – 27.7%
None of the above – 17.0%
What do you consider to be more dangerous?
Driving while intoxicated – 17.0%
Driving while texting – 9.8%
They are equally dangerous – 73.2%
Has the passing of new laws prohibiting distracted driving changed the way you use your cellular phone while operating a vehicle?
Yes – 27.7%
No – 72.3%
Are you aware of any accidents in the last 12 months involving yourself, family or friends that was caused by distracted driving?
Yes – 27.7%
No – 72.3%
In purchasing cellular phones for your children or employees, would you consider the ability to control distracted driving on a specific phone type as an important feature in the buying decision?
Yes – 60.7%
No – 8%
Maybe – 31.3%
Besides cellular phones, which of the following mobile devices do you currently have or use in your personal or work vehicle?
Laptop – 28.8%
Handheld ordering device – 2.7%
MP3 player – 27.9%
GPS system – 45.9%
DVD player – 32.4%
None of the above – 27.9%
In regards to automobile insurance: Would you use technology to restrict your use of a mobile device while operating a vehicle if you received a discount on your premium for doing so?
Yes – 75.9%
No – 24.1%
In regard to automobile insurance: Would you be willing to change insurance carriers if a different carrier offered a discount that ultimately saved you money for the use of technology to stop distracted driving?
Yes — 53.6%
No – 46.4%
Source: cellcontrol
National study finds Americans are hopeful for 2010 Decade after learning from past ten years
OfficeMax Survey Uncovers How Consumers Really Feel About Past and Future Decades
With one decade concluding and another on the horizon, Americans are gearing up for 2010 by learning from the past and making plans for a better decade ahead. According to a nationwide survey from OfficeMax® Incorporated Americans have high hopes for the approaching decade with clear plans for their personal lives and heightened focus on family and personal wellbeing while embracing change and opportunity. When referring to the 2010 decade, nearly four in ten (38%) Americans prefer to use the phrase “the twenty-tens” over other popular terms that include “the oh-tens” (16%), “the tens” (14%) and “the teens” (11%).
Moving forward, Americans predict that family, personal development and self-discovery will define the next ten years. Many believe they will spend more time with family (64%) and reconnect with old friends (42%). Others plan to nurture themselves by grabbing the reins on their health (62%) and finally creating a work-life balance (38%). Over half (57%) of Americans believe the next decade will be about discovering what’s most important in life, while others think they’ll laugh more than ever before (47%).
As Americans consider the advancements and transformations they hope to achieve during the next decade, it’s fitting that nearly three in ten people think “Changes” by David Bowie (28%) is the song title that best represents their outlook on the approaching decade. Others selected “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash (13%) to demonstrate their optimism while some shared their apprehension choosing “Help!” by the Beatles (16%) and “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (12%) to illustrate their future outlook.
Gearing up for the next decade, Americans plan to learn from the past and incorporate these lessons into the future. Demonstrating the importance of action in 2010, a large number of Americans selected the expressions – “action speaks louder than words” (73%) and “talk is cheap” (67%) – to illustrate what they learned over the past decade. Nearly seven in ten people selected “knowledge is power” (69%) and “don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched” (67%) to describe their hopes for smarter, more calculated decisions in the future. With the touch economic times, personal finances were also top-of-mind for most Americans, which is perhaps why phrases like “a penny saved is a penny earned” (66%) and “money makes the world go round” (50%) are what many will use as a springboard for the new decade.
“Everyone has the chance to start fresh in 2010 with a new decade ahead of them, and we’re excited to learn through this national survey that consumers are ready to take the express train to a brighter, more prosperous future,” said Bob Thacker, SVP of Marketing & Advertising for OfficeMax. “At OfficeMax, we’re kicking off the year by celebrating positive achievements and helping people do their best work at home, the office, or on-the-go. It’s going to be a delightful decade as we focus more on what’s important and improve on the past ten years.”
The national survey of 1,000 consumers was conducted by Kelton Research in December 2009 using Random Digit Dialing of listed and unlisted phone numbers. Quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population ages 18 and over.
Consumers Energy: Clean coal plant project reaches major milestone with air permit
Consumers Energy’s clean coal power plant reached a major milestone today with the issuance of an air permit for the $2 billion-plus project.
The 830-megawatt plant is expected to create 1,800 construction jobs, about 2,500 indirect jobs, and then more than 100 permanent jobs after it is operating in 2017. Overall, the plant is projected to provide a $1.2 billion economic boost to Michigan.
“The issuance of the air permit for our new clean coal plant is good news for Michigan. This permit moves our project a step closer to creating badly needed jobs and boosting the state’s economy,” said John Russell, Consumers Energy’s president and chief operating officer.
“It also provides best-in-class protection for the environment with an offset for carbon dioxide emissions from the new plant and a substantial net reduction in overall emissions from our coal-fired generating fleet. It also will allow us to fully implement our balanced energy plan and provide customers with reliable, competitively priced electricity in the future.”
The new plant is part of Consumers Energy’s Balanced Energy Initiative. That comprehensive plan calls for a portfolio of diverse energy resources to meet the power needs of the utility’s 1.8 million electric customers over the next 20 years.
A recent analysis of the plan details how two-thirds of the projected new energy resources needed to serve customers through 2018 will be provided by renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and demand side management (reducing customer usage during peak periods).
The utility launched its energy efficiency initiative in July with programs to help business and residential customers save energy and save money. In its first six months of operation this initiative has benefited more than 170,000 Michigan homes with energy-saving measures.
Consumers Energy plans to invest more than $1.2 billion to build 450 megawatts of wind generating capacity and has secured wind development easements for more than 57,000 acres in Mason, Tuscola and Huron counties. The utility already is the largest supplier of renewable energy in Michigan, with more than 4 percent of the power that it supplies to customers coming from renewable sources.
The air permit for the new clean coal plant includes a commitment from Consumers Energy to retire up to seven of its older, less efficient coal units after the new unit begins operating at the company’s Karn/Weadock Generating Complex, near Bay City. Five of these older units will be retired following operation of the new unit, with retirement of the additional two older units dependent on customer need. The utility has the oldest fleet of coal plants in the nation with an average age of 50 years.
Russell said the plant retirements are consistent with the company’s Balanced Energy Initiative and will substantially reduce overall emissions from the company’s coal-fired fleet. The Balanced Energy Initiative approach – the new plant plus the eventual retirements of some existing plants and expanded renewable energy and energy efficiency – is expected to provide emissions reductions by 2018 from the current levels from the company’s existing coal fleet. Emissions are expected to be down as much as 91 percent for sulfur dioxide; 83 percent for nitrogen oxides; and 81 percent for mercury.
“The new coal plant will use state-of-the-art technology and be one of the cleanest coal power plants in the world. We’ve said all along that building the new unit would have an environmental benefit because it would allow us to retire some of our older units and result in emissions reduction,” Russell said.
The new plant will be designed to utilize carbon capture and storage technology once it becomes commercially and economically viable. Consumers Energy has been working with Western Michigan University scientists to evaluate the suitability of the geology surrounding the plant site to store carbon dioxide. Preliminary analysis indicates that the geology surrounding the plant site looks promising for carbon sequestration.
The next major step for the project is filing a certificate of necessity application with the Michigan Public Service Commission. The company expects to file that application in 2010.
“The certificate of necessity process is new for Michigan and was established in the state’s new energy law, put in place last year. With that process, the Michigan Public Service Commission conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the new power plant and evaluates alternatives. It also gives all stakeholders the opportunity to analyze and comment on the project,” he said. “This forward-looking regulatory process is one of many public policy improvements made in the state’s new energy law.”
The Balanced Energy Initiative is a key part of Consumers Energy’s Growing Forward strategy, which calls for investing more than $6 billion in the utility over the next five years. That includes significant investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, environmental and customer service enhancements, and new power generation.
The substantial investments make Consumers Energy one of the largest – if not the largest – investor in the state of Michigan. Those investments will help the utility maintain and improve service to customers, create jobs, boost the state’s economy, and expand the state’s tax base.
Source: Consumers Energy
10,000 companies prepare to start low carbon diet plans on Jan. 1
President Obama and the EPA are gearing up to put the nation on a low-carbon diet and their strategy would do Weight Watchers proud: Count first, cut later.
The counting begins on Jan. 1, 2010 when some 10,000 companies and other entities, including municipalities and even some universities, must start measuring their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
And while it’s uncertain when mandatory cuts will be announced – and whether Congress or the EPA will act first – the law firm of Plunkett Cooney said today that polluters might want to start dieting sooner rather than later because their GHG emissions, down to the plant level, will become part of the public record after March 31, 2011.
“New regulations to reduce carbon emissions are coming but public scrutiny will come first,” said Plunkett Cooney Senior Attorney. “Companies need to understand that from the standpoint of government regulation and public opinion, the debate about global warming is over. That means it’s time for them to develop sustainability plans and carbon reduction strategies before regulators, environmental advocates, shareholders and other groups force them to act.”
According to Mikalonis, entities that annually generate or emit at least 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, which includes gases such as methane, nitrous oxide or several fluorinated gases, must measure and report their emissions to the EPA or face fines of up to $37,500 per day for each violation. The reporting threshold is equivalent to the annual GHG emissions from approximately 4,600 passenger vehicles.
Entities covered under the new rules include fossil fuel-fired power plants, landfills, fuel production facilities, chemical plants, steel and aluminum works, cement factories and large livestock operations. Data collection for motor vehicle and engine manufacturers begins in 2011.
“The reporting rules will drive a lot of transparency and allow company-to-company and plant-to-plant comparisons,” Mikalonis pointed out. “They will create public relations issues and potential legal problems for some companies, especially if they have been marketing themselves as ‘green’ when the emissions report says otherwise. But they also may speed up the adoption of energy-saving technologies, which can flow straight to the bottom line.”
In Michigan, carbon dioxide accounts for the vast majority of GHG emissions, which are due in large part to burning fossil fuels for transportation and electricity. Methane is the next largest contributor, mostly from the anaerobic decay of solid waste in landfills. Nitrous oxide, the third largest contributor, comes chiefly from agricultural soil management and mobile source combustion.
In 2002, a study conducted for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality estimated per capita GHG emissions in Michigan were 6.2 million metric tons of carbon equivalents (MMTCE), which is slightly below the national average.
In terms of mandatory GHG cuts, Mikalonis said new rules are a fait accompli now that the EPA has said that rising levels are a danger to present and future populations. Companies must therefore decide how they want to influence the regulatory process.
“The EPA is obligated to enact rules to drive down greenhouse gas emissions if Congress does not act,” Mikalonis said. “Congress must decide if it is willing to compromise on issues like carbon cap and trade and energy taxes, or accept the risk that EPA may implement ‘command and control’ solutions. Businesses may prefer a mix of voluntary and legislative solutions and that approach should inform their overall sustainability strategy.”
Source: Plunkett Cooney
Top-grossing films and publisher successes mark 2000-2009 as decade of the Pulps
Pulp fiction is back as entertainment, according to box office and publishing reports.
America’s fascination was evidenced with Hollywood’s top-grossing films for the first decade of the 21st century, of which 8 of the top 10 were either stories written during fiction’s golden age in the 1930s, 40s and 50s like Lord of the Rings or based on heroes from that time as in Batman: The Dark Knight, Spider Man 1 and 2 and Star Wars Episode 3, garnering well over $3,200,000,000 in the US alone. While in publishing, L. Ron Hubbard’s multi-genre pulp fiction series, “Stories from the Golden Age,” Walter Gibson’s “The Shadow” and Lester Dent’s “Doc Savage” all saw marked increases in distribution and sales in traditional and non-traditional outlets.
Pulp classics date back to the 1930s and 40s – the time known as the Golden Age of Pulp Fiction and the last period that America faced both an economic collapse and multiple wars.
Hollywood-based Galaxy Press alone reported a 500% sales increase spurred by a strong domestic demand from the library, education and transportation markets since the launch of its line of 80 pulp fiction print and audio books by pulp master L. Ron Hubbard.
“It’s clear that these audiences are looking for high-action entertainment with a broad appeal to readers of all ages – including readers who need to see the story take off right away,” said John Goodwin, president of Galaxy Press, publishers of the Stories from the Golden Age (www.goldenagestories.com) book series.
“During the 1930s and 40s, America was going through the Great Depression, war had just finished, and another was looming,” Goodwin said. “Americans needed an escape and the pulp writers – at least the very good ones like Hubbard, Gibson, Dent and Burroughs – provided that desperately needed outlet.”
Pulp fiction characters, like the stories, were bigger than life and that is what appealed to the 30,000,000-plus readers caught in harsh economic times. America needed and wanted heroes and the pulps provided them. Adventure House publisher, John Gunnison, a Maryland-based republisher and distributor of pulp fiction (www.adventurehouse.com), understands why Hollywood is so enamored with pulp fiction, stating, “There’s no better heroes than the pulp heroes.”
“For a few decades,” Goodwin added, “Americans didn’t need their heroes with America’s global expansion, housing, technology and Internet booms – who needs a hero to save you if you’re not in danger?”
Based on film success and publishing numbers, America’s love for heroes and desire to see them win has definitely returned.
For more information on L. Ron Hubbard and Stories from the Golden Age go to www.goldenagestories.com.
Source: Author Services, Inc.
The Worst Scandal of 2009: Big money in Politics
What was the biggest scandal of 2009?
Blagojevich trying to sell a Senate seat? Senators, governors, and their mistresses? Allegations that lobbyists were lining up defense earmarks in exchange for straw donations?
No, the biggest scandal of 2009 was that the entire pay-to-play system that dominates Washington and occupies Congress’ time and attention sidetracked bold policies.
One year after President Obama was swept into office on a ticket of change, a wall of big money from the health interests, banks, and Big Oil thwarted, slowed, or deep-sixed legislation in Washington. Special interests were on track to spend $3.3 billion to shape policy outcomes, according to a recent story in Politico. Despite the voters’ mandate for change, the underlying problem of Washington – what author and Washington Post reporter Robert Kaiser calls “too damn much money” – remained unaltered and in many ways, more powerful than ever before.
The bottom line is that America will not see the significant change that a majority of people are demanding until we change the way we pay for political campaigns by getting special interests out of the business of paying for our elections.
“Yes we can” has been blocked by “no you don’t.”
Here are some facts to consider:
The health care debate is a perfect example of all that is wrong.
Everyone agrees health care must be made more affordable, and that more people need coverage. But with the health care industry spending more than $1 million a day this year to lobby for their bottom line, and contributing more than $200 million to candidates for Congress in the 2008 election cycle and first nine months of 2009, it’s not a surprise that reform proposals were watered down.
At the beginning of December, the U.S. House passed legislation to reform the financial regulatory industry.
The vote came fifteen months after the collapse of the financial sector and the $700 billion bailout of Wall Street banks. Reform of Wall Street shouldn’t have been so hard — these firms exploited a weak regulatory regime to wreak havoc on our economy — but throughout 2009, financial, real estate, and insurance interests poured $85 million in campaign contributions into Washington, D.C. They succeeded at watering down sections of the House bill, and have declared all out war on the Senate bill.
As the climate change conference in Copenhagen comes to a close, President Barack Obama’s hands were tied not just by China and India’s unwillingness to negotiate far-reaching agreements.
He was also hemmed in by the politics of passing climate legislation through the U.S. Senate – and the stranglehold that Big Oil and coal companies have over our elected officials. The energy sector has contributed more than $4.5 million to Senators just this year – an off-election year. Senators like Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) have declared that any action on climate change in the Senate faces an uncertain future. Inhofe has received more than $1.2 million in contributions from oil and gas interests during his career.
The swamp of special interest money is rising in Washington and Congress needs a way out.
The Solution: The Fair Elections Now Act
One year later, it’s become clear that change doesn’t come simply with the election of a new president or new members of Congress. To dramatically change the way Washington works we need to change the way campaigns are financed in this country.
It’s time for the Fair Elections Now Act (S. 752, H.R. 1826), legislation that would sever the ties between big money campaign contributors and members of Congress. With Fair Elections, candidates would be able to run a competitive race for congressional office with a blend of small dollar donations and limited public funds. Sponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), this voluntary system would put people in office unencumbered by special interest influence. In addition to Rep. Larson, the House bill has the broad bipartisan and cross-caucus support of 124 members.
There have been a lot of political scandals and intrigue in Washington this year, but the worst of them all is the sordid impact of money in our political process. The scandal is what is legally permitted day in, day out, in Washington, D.C. It is time to change the system and pass the Fair Election Now Act.
www.fairelectionsnow.org.
Source: Common Cause and Public Campaign
NASA selects New Jersey teacher Peloquin to inspire next generation explorers
Corey Peloquin, Coleman Middle School teacher in Tampa, N.J., has been awarded a fellowship with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project was created to allow teachers an opportunity to carry back to the classroom a greater understanding of NASA discoveries to inspire a next generation of explorers, scientists, engineers and astronauts.
“Through the program, educators learn how to deliver cutting-edge science into the classroom, promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics education,” said Joyce Winterton, assistant administrator for education at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “This includes proven NASA and NASA-sponsored educational resources to meet specific learning goals.”
The program provides workshops and online graduate courses with NASA content and materials with a focus towards students in K-12 classrooms. NASA is also working in partnership with state departments of education to ensure program participation is accredited towards state certification requirements.
Project fellows will earn graduate credit and a certificate of completion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) from Teachers College, Columbia University, N.Y.
The project is administered by the U.S. Satellite Laboratory Inc., of Rye, N.Y. Funding for the program is provided through the NASA Endeavor Teacher Fellowship Trust Fund, in tribute to the dedicated crew of the space shuttle Challenger.
For additional information about the Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project and other NASA education programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education
Source: NASA
New law protects consumers against illegal billing practices
AARP urges families to review phone bills over the holidays
The holidays are a time of hustle and bustle – and now AARP is urging Illinoisans to add another critical item to their holiday to-do lists. As families come together for the holidays, AARP is urging people to review their phone bills, particularly bills of elderly friends, family, and neighbors, who may be paying too much — and needlessly — for phone services.
Many Illinois consumers have paid untold amounts of money for phone services or products they did not even order or authorize — a growing and illegal practice known as ‘cramming.’ However, a new Illinois law will help protect consumers against this illegal practice and will help to drive down costs for individuals in a tough economy.
“Access to affordable telephone service is critical for older adults, many of whom live alone and may not have access to other forms of communication,” said Bob Gallo, AARP Illinois Senior State Director. “That is why it is also critical that older adults, and all consumers, be protected against illegal practices that result in wrongfully inflated phone bills.”
The law fights cramming practices by requiring third party verification on charges placed on telephone bills. Third party charges may include charges for services such as three-way calling, voicemail, and caller ID. Parties that charge for services or products on a consumer’s bill must now confirm the consumer has requested the service, and must also record the phone call. Records will also be maintained by the service provider for at least two years.
“We are urging families to take a few minutes to review their phone bills this holiday season and make sure they are not a victim of this deceptive practice,” Gallo added.
If you feel that you have been charged unfairly for telephone services, please contact your telephone service provider. You may also contact the Illinois Attorney General’s Senior Citizens Consumer Fraud Hotline at 1-800-243-5377, or 1-800-964-3013 (TTY).
Source: AARP Illinois
Recovery Act keeping Rroughly 189,000 Pennsylvanians out of poverty in recession
Investments Have Boosted Economy, Saved and Created Jobs
Along with boosting the economy and preserving jobs, seven provisions of the federal economic recovery act are also keeping about 189,000 Pennsylvanians from falling into poverty this year, according to a new study from the Washington, DC-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), as a whole, is likely keeping many more Pennsylvanians out of poverty, since these seven provisions account for only about one-fourth of the act’s total funding.
Pennsylvania was one of 11 states to see a statistically significant increase in the official poverty rate from 2007 to 2008, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. In 2008, 1.5 million Pennsylvanians – 12% of the population – were living below the official poverty level.
“These are difficult ecnomic times, but the recovery act has kept things from being much worse, as this study shows,” said Sharon Ward, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center. “Thousands of Pennsylvania families are getting help making ends meet despite the worst recession in decades.”
Act Includes Expanded Food Stamps, Tax Credits for Workers, Jobless Benefits
The study examined the following seven provisions of the recovery act:
– a new Making Work Pay Tax Credit of up to $400 for workers ($800 for a couple) earning up to $95,000 (up to $190,000 for a couple);
– an expanded Child Tax Credit for lower-income working families with children;
– an expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, including increased tax-credit benefits for a working family with three or more children and for married families to lessen the marriage penalty the EITC can otherwise impose;
– additional weeks of emergency unemployment compensation benefits (paid after a worker’s 26 weeks of regular state unemployment benefits expire);
– an additional $25 per week for unemployed workers to supplement their unemployment benefits;
– a $250 one-time payment to elderly people and people with disabilities who receive Social Security, SSI, or veterans’ benefits; and
– an increase in food stamp benefit levels.
The findings of the report should be instructive for federal policymakers as they consider additional efforts to create jobs and counter the recession, said Arloc Sherman, author of the report.
“Congress agreed to extend the extra unemployment benefits through February,” said Sherman. “But with unemployment likely to remain high for some time, it will need to extend them further. Congress should also extend the act’s tax credits next year so they continue to boost the economy and help families.”
Researchers lacked the data to examine other recovery act elements that are likely fighting poverty as well, such as funding for health care and child care.
Recovery Act Also Helping Economy and Jobs
Along with stemming the increase in poverty during the recession, the recovery act is also boosting the economy and preserving jobs, the study notes.
“When Pennsylvanians spend the extra food stamp or jobless benefits they get from the recovery act in local stores, that helps those stores stay in business and retain their workers,” said Kathy Fisher of Public Citizens for Children and Youth in Philadelphia. “It’s a win-win for families hit hard by the recession and for our state’s economy.”
More than stimulus bills passed in earlier recessions, the recovery act was designed to reach a wide range of low- and middle-income Americans, the report notes. Policymakers included extensive help for low-income families not only because they stand the greatest risk of hardship during recessions but also because they are the most likely to spend quickly whatever money they receive, thereby pumping it into the economy.
Study Uses Broader Definition of Poverty
To determine the poverty-fighting impact of the seven provisions, the researchers used a broad poverty measure, which the National Academy of Sciences has recommended and a wide array of analysts favor, rather than the government’s official measure of poverty. The official measure considers only a family’s cash income, the report explains. Thus, it would miss many of the recovery act provisions that provide non-cash benefits, such as extra food stamps or tax credits.
The report is available at http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3035.
Source: The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center