Posts Tagged ‘critical’

California, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York and Colorado Top the Nation in Clean-Energy Leadership

August 22, 2011 | Author Erin Kilgour

California, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York and Colorado Top the Nation in Clean-Energy Leadership

Clean Edge’s “U.S. Clean Energy Leadership Index” Provides Companies, Investors, and Governments with Critical Data and Insights on the Clean-Energy Landscape

Clean Edge’s second annual U.S. Clean Energy Leadership Index, released today, provides the industry’s most comprehensive and objective analysis and ranking of how all 50 states, and the individuals, businesses, and organizations that operate there, compare across the clean-energy spectrum. According to Clean Edge’s assessment and ranking of more than 70 different indicators in technology, policy, and capital, the top 10 states in the nation are California, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, Washington, New Mexico, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Vermont.

Key market indicators tracked by Clean Edge include total electricity produced by clean-energy sources, hybrid and electric vehicles on the road, clean-energy venture and patent activity, and policy regulations and incentives. The 2011 Leadership Index paints an important and insightful picture of the U.S. clean-energy landscape. Based on this analysis the bottom 10 states in this year’s rankings (placing 41st through 50th) are Oklahoma, Wyoming, Alaska, North Dakota, Louisiana, Nebraska, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, and West Virginia.

Highlights from this year’s research include:

•     Three states now generate more than 10 percent of their utility-scale electricity from wind, solar, and/or geothermal. Iowa leads the nation with 15.4 percent of its electricity now generated from wind power, followed by North Dakota (11.99 percent from wind) and California (10.06 percent from wind, solar, and geothermal).
•     Top-ranked California’s longtime commitment to clean energy has put the state far ahead of the pack in terms of technology deployment and capital creation. The state’s burgeoning clean-energy industry brings in more venture capital than all other states combined.
•     Idaho leads the U.S. in clean electricity as a percentage of its total generation – at an astounding 84 percent – when you include hydro and biomass. Other states that get more than 60 percent of their electricity from renewable sources including hydro and biomass are Washington (71.59 percent), South Dakota (65 percent), and Oregon (63.84 percent).
•     Oklahoma had more new EVs registered last year than any other state, but the number is somewhat misleading. Two of the nation’s largest rental car agencies register their vehicles in Oklahoma, accounting for the state’s high ranking for EV registrations in 2010. Without that statistical anomaly, California is the nation’s EV leader.
•     Michigan held the top spot in clean-energy patents for 2010 with 192 patents. Leading the charge is General Motors, which is reinventing itself as a sustainable transportation leader. GM received more clean-energy patents last year than any other company in the U.S., with 135 patents registered in 2010.
•     Mississippi, which ranks in the bottom 10 of the overall Leadership Index, is aggressively pursuing clean-tech manufacturing as it aims to garner its share of the clean-tech market. In the past year, the state has attracted a host of clean-tech companies to build manufacturing facilities and plants there, including California-based solar company Stion Solar Panels and Texas-based biofuel company KiOR. This shows that even low-ranking states are beginning to aggressively target clean-tech companies and services for their job creation and capital attraction, and are likely to rise in the ranks.

“This year’s Leadership index shows that clean-energy activity is dispersed across the nation, with leaders on both coasts and in between,” says Clean Edge managing director Ron Pernick. “While the industry faces many challenges, including strong national-level commitments in China and Germany against the backdrop of uncertain federal leadership here, the U.S. is still a relevant clean-energy innovator as exhibited by the state-level movements tracked in this year’s Leadership index.”

About the U.S. Clean Energy Leadership Index

Clean Edge’s U.S. Clean Energy Leadership Index tracks and analyzes the clean-energy economies of all 50 states. The detailed information (data from more than 70 indicators) covers technology, policy, and capital infrastructures for the clean-energy ecosystem. The subscription product is geared toward corporations, economic development agencies, investors, policy makers, technology innovators, foundations, and other stakeholders actively involved in the clean-tech marketplace.

Clean Edge leverages public and private data to generate each state’s leadership scores. Private data partners include Cleantech Group, R.L. Polk & Co., and Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti P.C. Public data sources include the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE), Energy Star, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Energy Information Administration, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

A summary of the index is available at http://www.cleanedge.com/leadership/.

About Clean Edge:

Clean Edge, the world’s first research and advisory firm devoted to the clean-tech sector, delivers comprehensive insights to corporations, investors, governments, and other key stakeholders. The company integrates timely clean-tech data with expert analysis to provide critical intelligence to its clients and subscribers. Covering the entire clean-tech ecosystem, the firm’s offerings include subscription publications and related advisory services, industry-leading sponsored reports, the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit, and benchmark clean-tech stock indices. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech trends or learn more about Clean Edge, its partners, and services, visit http://www.cleanedge.com.

Media Contact:

Ron Pernick

Cofounder and Managing Director

Clean Edge, Inc.

pernick(at)cleanedge(dot)com

503-493-8681

Business Contact:

Bryce Yonker

Director of Business Development

Clean Edge, Inc.

yonker(at)cleanedge(dot)com

503-206-8448

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arkansas department of motor vehicles

Posted in News | Tags: analysis, annual, california, clean, Colorado, companies, comprehensive, critical, data, edge’s, energy, governments, index, industry’s, insights, landscape, leadership, massachusetts, nation, objective, oregon, ranking, released, second, york | No Comments »

Limousine Association Executive Director, Barry E. Lefkowitz Participates on NJ MVC Safety Advisory Council

August 21, 2011 | Author Erin Kilgour

With several prominent achievements in the Limousine industry, Barry E. Lefkowitz, Executive Director of the Limousine Association of New Jersey, was requested to be a member of the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission Safety Advisory Council

The Limousine Association of New Jersey is pleased to announce Barry E. Lefkowitz’ participation on the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s Safety Advisory Council. The Safety Advisory Council, which held a critical planning meeting in May 2007 regarding the NJ MVC’s future, requested the experience and expertise of Lefkowitz, Executive Director of the Limousine Association of New Jersey, and a recognized key participant in the NJ Limousine industry.

New Jersey is experiencing several key trends from an increase in densely populated areas, to teenage accidents, to special needs for an aging population. To work along with these trends, the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission’s (MVC) Safety Advisory Council will be taking active steps to try to improve safety in New Jersey by developing a plan for the next five years, which includes emphasis areas and coordinated strategies. The NJ Motor Vehicle Commission realizes that to capably address the hurdles to its future success, strong feedback and innovative ideas are needed.

Other participants on the advisory council included: the NJ Deputy Attorney General; President of the NJ State Safety Council; Director and Deputy Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety; NJ Dept. of Education – Office of Academic and Professional Standards; Department of Transportation, Chief Technical Assistance Unit Admin Office of the Courts; Assistant Director of Municipal Court Services; Manager of the Motor Vehicle Commission Driver Management Dept.; State Executive Director of MADD; School Bus Owners Association, NJ State Municipal Prosecutors Assn., State of NJ Congressman for the American Motorcyclist Assn.; NJ State Chiefs of Police; Executive Director of the NJ Motor Truck Association; Director of Public Affairs AAA; NJ State Police Field Operations; American Motorcyclist Association; State Coordinator for the AARP/NJ Driver Safety Program; Chief NJ Police Traffic Officer’s Association; CMCA, President of the NJ Municipal Court Administration Association

The MVC realizes that it needs to partner with key organizations to address safety concerns. At the Safety Advisory Council’s most recent meeting, topics that represented key safety areas for the NJ MVC were discussed. Law enforcement, the courts, regulating entities, educators, safety organizations and others organizations impacted the priority of topics.

Representatives discussed, and then voted on which topics were priority. The following are the topics according to priority.

1. Driver Control – MVC has almost lifetime involvement with drivers from supporting driver education, testing, licensing, monitoring, sanctions, improvement and license retirement. Point system and driver improvement are addressed.

2. Teen Drivers – Teens are involved in more accidents per mile driven than any other driver age category. Education, testing and driver improvement issues are addressed.

3. Older Drivers – With the population aging increasing the number of older drivers who can exhibit reduced skills and medical conditions impact safety. Education, medical reporting, and re-exams are addressed.

4. Motorcycle Safety – With motorcycles growing in popularity it is recognized that specialized training is proven to help prevent collisions. Education by novice and experienced riders are addressed.

5. Commercial Vehicle Driving – Many trucks and buses travel NJ roads leading to a greater risk of collisions. Commercial driving is regulated at the federal level. The availability of qualified drivers is a safety concern. School Bus Drivers, small buses and vans, and commercial vehicles are addressed.

“The human and economic costs associated with accidents on the road are too great. The NJ MVC Safety Advisory Council is charged with the courageous responsibilities to develop more effective strategies to reduce the number of lives lost, the human suffering, and the economic costs associated with motor vehicle collisions in New Jersey,” said Lefkowitz. “The Council has effective and well-attended sessions made up of people with various areas of expertise and knowledge including the directors of key traffic and motor vehicle-related departments within the state of New Jersey. I am honored to be selected to sit as a participant on this council.”

Mr. Lefkowitz has a strong government background, with three decades of governmental relations, regulatory, economic development, media, and educational experience at the federal, state and local levels. Lefkowitz has developed and successfully guided over 200 Bills through the State Legislative and Congressional processes, including “The Limousine Safety Act”, and the “Real Interstate Driver Equity Act”.

About the Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ)

The LANJ was created to ensure that New Jersey operators are treated fairly by legislators, enforcement officers and governing bodies. Members are active in Trenton and Washington D.C.

The organization has grown into a dynamic political entity that is respected nationwide for its successes and member programs.

Additional information about the Limousine Association of New Jersey is available at http://www.lanj.org

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Posted On: Lumberton, NJ June 6, 2007

Posted in Driving Record | Tags: achievements, advisory, announce, association, barry, commission, council, critical, director, executive, industry, jersey, lefkowitz, limousine, member, motor, participates, participation, planning, pleased, prominent, requested, safety, several, vehicle | No Comments »