NEWS BRIEFS FOR THE WEEK OF NOV. 22, 2006
NOV. 22, 2006 CO2 Emissions Rise at Accelerated Rate LONDON (Nov. 14, 2006) - According to a study done by the Earth System Science Partnership, global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have risen 400 percent faster between 2000 and 2005 than in the preceding 10 years.
(Graphic: Global Carbon Project) The Global Carbon Project (GCP) shows that despite efforts to curb emissions, the worldwide growth rate in CO2 emissions grew by 3.2 percent in the five-year period, compared to just 0.8 percent in the preceding decade. The study noted that the use of fossil fuels was the greatest source of the increase. The project's scientists note that stringent efforts to rein in emissions growth are needed sooner than later, because the problem is still manageable at current growth levels. The chairman of the GCP, Dr. Michael Raupauch, says current voluntary emissions reduction policies and programs are not effective enough: "This is a very worrying sign. It indicates that recent efforts to reduce emissions have virtually no impact on emissions growth and that effective caps are urgently needed." (Source: Global Carbon Project) Winter Weather Advisory Issued
for Biodiesel JEFFERSON CITY, MO (Nov. 14, 2006) - The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has issued a "winter weather advisory" warning in response to fuel quality testing results that the trade association shared at an NBB-led industry meeting. "Ensuring that consumers have a high level of confidence in the biodiesel they purchase is a top priority for the National Biodiesel Board and a key element for the industry's continued growth," says Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. "As the industry ramps up to meet the vast increase in demand for biodiesel, this growth simply cannot occur at the expense of fuel quality." A national fuel-quality testing project, co-funded by NBB and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, found that one-third of biodiesel samples pulled between November 2005 and July 2006 did not meet specifications because of incomplete processing. That's the same issue that caused some filter clogging problems in Minnesota last year. Although fuel quality is always important, cold weather can amplify problems caused by out-of-spec fuel. "The National Biodiesel Board views these results as unacceptable," Jobe says. "This underscores the need for enforcement agencies to take action against those who aren't producing biodiesel that meets the existing standard, ASTM D-6751." As a result of issues in Minnesota last winter, NBB board members in June approved a comprehensive Fuel Quality Policy that directs NBB to work diligently with all state and federal agencies, with authority to regulate fuel and enforce quality. The NBB urges consumers to only buy fuel from BQ-9000 accredited producers or certified marketers. Today there are 17 accredited producers and certified marketers, representing more than 40 percent of the biodiesel production capacity on the market. Seven more are expected to be accredited by the end of 2006. The industry has also asked government agencies to adopt fuel quality standards for biodiesel and enforce them. NBB's Fuel Quality Outreach program has made contact with all state Divisions of Weights and Measures, and encouraged them to adopt ASTM D-6751 into the laws that regulate fuel quality. Currently, half of the states have adopted the ASTM D-6751 specification as part of their fuel quality regulations, and an additional 13 states are either planning to adopt the specification or are studying it. Ten states now proactively test biodiesel or biodiesel blends. (Source: National Biodiesel Board) Equus Announces
Extended Support Hours
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA - Equus Products Inc. announced it is extending its technical support hours for the second consecutive year. The new hours will be Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., U.S. Pacific Time, and will officially go into effect Jan. 2, 2007.
"ASE Certified Technical Support remains the No. 1 reason [why] customers purchase our products" says Richard Amador, Equus' marketing director. "As we introduce more technically advanced products such as CanOBD2 professional Scan Tools and expand our distribution reach, it is more important than ever for us to support our customers' needs."
In addition, the company hired four new technicians in 2006 alone, all of whom are National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified. Their supervisor, Director of Technical Services Keith Andreasen, earned the distinguished honor of ASE Double Master Technician Certification.
"Over the past several years, our product offering and customer base have expanded rapidly to meet the diverse and growing needs of end users across the country. As vehicles and products become more advanced, our customer support must rise with the technology," says Andreasen. "When we expanded our technical support hours last year, we received a very favorable response. We will continue to expand our hours and adapt our level of support to meet demand from end-users and counterpersons assisting with product selection."
(Source: Equus Products
Inc.)
STUTTGART, GERMANY (Nov. 11, 2006) - DaimlerChrysler (DCX) has unveiled its all-new Smart Fortwo Cabrio. The vehicle concept is designed for practicality, especially for people who live in cities or urban areas. Today, most journeys still involve just a single occupant, and the vehicle's size and enhancements enable faster progress through city traffic, says DCX. In addition, its smaller size makes finding a parking space easier.
(Photo: DaimlerChrysler) Among the features offered, the new Fortwo provides: * New gasoline engines with more power: The 1.0L, three-cylinder engine comes in ratings of 61 brake horsepower (bhp), 71 bhp or 84 bhp. All engines are linked to an automated manual five-speed transmission that has also been re-engineered. The Fortwo can now achieve a maximum speed of 85 mph, more than 10 percent faster than its earlier version. * A passive safety system has been further improved to maximize occupant protection, and the vehicle complies with U.S. crash regulations. In addition, new regulations concerning pedestrian protection have been implemented in the vehicle's front section. New head/thorax side airbags, offering extensive protection in the event of a side crash, are available as an option. * Despite increased engine performance, the new Fortwo consumes less fuel than its forerunner, consuming just 3.5 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers (67.2 U.S. miles per gallon). The automaker says that the vehicle will be introduced to the United States by 2008. (Source: DaimlerChrysler) Ford Restates Earnings at SEC DEARBORN, MI (Nov. 14, 2006) - Ford Motor Co. has filed its 2006 third-quarter 10-Q Report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). For the third quarter and first nine months of 2006, the company reports a net loss of $5.2 billion and $7 billion, respectively. This is an improvement of about $550 million over the third quarter of 2005 and $250 million for the first nine months of 2005. (Source: Ford Motor Co.) Uniforms Create Positive "Halos"
for Workers WILLMINGTON, MA (Nov. 13, 2006) - According to a recent study by J.D. Power and Associates for the Uniform and Textile Service Association, consumers view employees who wear uniforms as being more professional, organized and reliable than their non-uniformed counterparts. In addition, consumers regard companies with uniform programs as having workers who are properly trained to do the job right. Results from "The Customer Perceptions of Uniforms in the Workplace" study show consumers overwhelmingly prefer to do business with companies whose employees wear uniforms. "Generally speaking, it's about business image," explains Robert Isaacson, marketing director at UniFirst Corp., a uniform supply company. "And standing in the forefront of every company's image are its employees and how they're attired. If appropriately uniformed ... customers typically view employees as able to do a more professional job and as taking greater pride in their work. " "The perceived link between employee uniforms and positive public impressions is what social scientists refer to as the 'halo effect,'" adds Isaacson. "It's similar to the association people make when they interpret someone as being smarter because he or she wears eyeglasses or someone as having more redeemable qualities because of physical attractiveness." (Source: UniFirst Corp.)
Maxwell Introduces New
125V Ultracapacitor
(Photo: Maxwell Technologies)
SAN DIEGO, CA (Nov. 14, 2006) - Maxwell Technologies Inc. has introduced a compact, fully integrated, 125-volt BOOSTCAP ultracapacitor module, designed to provide scalable energy storage and power delivery solutions for hybrid-electric and fully electric vehicles, as well as heavy-duty industrial applications requiring up to 1,500 volts.
These ultracapacitors deliver up to 10 times the power and longevity of batteries, require no maintenance and operate reliably in extreme temperatures, according to Maxwell. In transportation applications, they efficiently recapture energy from braking for reuse in hybrid and all-electric drivetrains, reducing energy consumption and emissions. They also provide compact, lightweight, "life-of-the vehicle" solutions to stabilize automotive power networks and power new, all-electric subsystems, such as drive-by-wire steering.
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