US Chamber's history--and the stuff we found is not pretty

Dear friends, 

What is the US Chamber of Commerce hiding?

Our team recently decided to dig into the US Chamber's history--and the stuff we found is not pretty. You've got to see it to believe it:

Visit www.USChamberOfSecrets.org

With the final installment of the Harry Potter movie series premiering this weekend, we thought we'd seize the moment and poke a bit of pop-culture fun at the US Chamber. After all, the campaign to stop the US Chamber has all the elements of an epic story: dark forces are conspiring to control the world, a battle of good versus evil is brewing, and a set of unlikely heroes is emerging to save the day. 

The heroes of this story are all of you: citizens and business owners across the nation who are outraged by the way corporate interests are hijacking our political system. And the tide is starting to turn in our favor. 

In the past few months, the campaign to stop the US Chamber has picked up some serious steam: thousands of new businesses are on board, local Chambers of Commerce large and small are starting to sign on, and people are hitting the streets to strip the US Chamber of it's legitimacy. 

Perhaps most importantly, people are truly waking up to the fact that the US Chamber is a corporate front group--and not just any front group, but the largest lobbyist in the country by far.  What's worse, the US Chamber seems hellbent on undermining our democracy and wrecking our climate.

The majority of the US Chamber's funding comes from just 16 anonymous corporations. They refuse to reveal which corporations, but when you look at the US Chamber's actions it's easy to figure out which big polluters are pulling the strings. The corruption in the US Chamber is impossible to deny: of the $32 million it spent on the 2010 elections, 94% of it went to support climate deniers. 

And it's not just climate action that the US Chamber opposes--over the last century they have a vile history of opposing progress in our country on issues ranging from clean air to health care and women's and civil rights. Now, their secrets can be exposed: www.USChamberOfSecrets.org

But we haven't won yet, and the mission we face right now is to spread the truth about the US Chamber, and expose their secrets to the world. So take a couple of minutes to open the US Chamber of Secrets, and please do spread the word to your friends on Facebook and Twitter with just a couple of clicks. Forward this message, share the link (www.USChamberOfSecrets.org) and help us build this movement to reclaim our democracy and remove one of the biggest barriers to climate progress in our country.

Together, we'll overpower the dark force of the US Chamber, and we'll be sure to have some fun while we do it. 

Onwards,

Phil Aroneanu

 

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350.org is building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. Our online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions are led from the bottom up by thousands of volunteer organizers in over 188 countries. You can join 350.org on Facebook by becoming a fan of our page at facebook.com/350org and follow us on twitter by visiting twitter.com/350. To join our list (maybe a friend forwarded you this e-mail) visit www.350.org/signup. To support our work, donate securely online at350.org/donate.

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*Scott's Contracting*

Green Me UP-Scotty
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Solar economics- A whole new ball game

One of the things that drives alternative energy advocates up the wall about trying to explain the benefits of these energy sources is that some people simply don’t understand the economics of alternative energy. Nowhere is this more obvious than with solar power. The average solar panel is actually an economic asset as much as a planet-saving technology, but naturally the media and its five second attention span never mention this very basic fact.

Getting the solar message across

As the dino-fuels become more expensive and interfere with the bottom lines of more businesses and family budgets, the economic message will eventually sink in. The alternative energy industries, however, could be doing a lot more to get their message across in hard dollar terms. It’s important to recognize that the levels of unfamiliarity about alternative energy sources aren’t so much selective ignorance as a case of simply not getting the facts communicated effectively.

It’s critically important to make sure that the message that alternative energies are costs savers and game-changers for the bottom line gets through to the public, economists and governments. Arguing about environmental principles is too easy. Arguing with figures is a lot more difficult. Solar power can do a respectable job of proving its values at spreadsheet level, so it’d be nice to see some publicists getting to work on the subject, preferably ASAP.

The solar economic overview

In economic terms, solar power as an energy source is almost unprecedented. Being a passive energy source puts it in the same class as old water wheels and windmills, a type of energy technology which doesn’t have an equivalent in modern economics. There simply isn’t an economic model to assess the effect of universal solar power usage. That’s one of the main reasons economics as a science is dragging the chain on assessing the global values of solar power.

Solar power comes with some massive economic benefits

A comparatively short, competition-based supply chain: The logistics of solar are pretty much entirely contained in the assembly process. At end user point, the most that’s likely to ever be required is some maintenance. This short supply chain means that real costs to the economy are very low overall, particularly if assessed over time and in relation to competition for consumer dollars.

Flexibility and adaptability: Spreading cities have exposed the Achilles heel of the grids. Real cost factors are building up to the point at which only developers can afford to expand traditional grids. Solar simply doesn’t have that problem. 

Solar power generation has real community dollar values: Individually, a solar power generation system produces X amount of power at a measurable cost. Collectively, particularly if fed into a grid system, solar power values increase exponentially, across the entire grid. Solar power needs to be seen as a community asset as much as a household asset.

Commercially, solar power is a true cost saver: The overheads of running an office or a factory can be colossal in terms of power costs. Anything which impacts those costs positively, particularly on a large scale, directly affects the entire economy. The solar panels springing up in New York’s notoriously thrifty schools aren’t there solely for fashion reasons, either, and this is another commercial/social community solar asset that needs recognition.

When you’re installing solar panels for your home, consider for a moment your own economic issues- If it makes economic sense to install solar in your home, how about the world? Interesting thought, isn’t it?
  

John Boehner right-wing war on middle class families

John Boehner is forcing the country into bankruptcy as part of his right-wing war on middle class families

Scotty -

John Boehner is forcing the country into bankruptcy as part of his right-wing war on middle class families.

Here are the facts -- Republicans don't have the votes to increase the debt limit without Democrats, but Boehner has rejected every Democratic proposal to repeal the Bush tax cuts for the rich, end subsidies for big oil, or close tax loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas. Instead, Boehner wants to gut Social Security and Medicare.

Cutting Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid is insane. It will be a punch in the gut to middle class families and will send the country deeper into recession.

Thankfully, Nancy Pelosi and progressives in Congress are standing up against John Boehner and his right-wing Tea Party colleagues. We need to let them know that we have their backs.

Call your Congressperson right now at (202) 224-3121 and tell them to take Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid off the table.

This is crunch time. Congress has less than two weeks to find a compromise and raise the debt limit. We need to make clear everyone understands that we can't cut the deficit on the backs of middle class families.

Thank you for all that you do.

- Michael

Michael Langenmayr, Deputy Political Director
Democracy for America

Democracy for America relies on you and the people-power of more than one million members to fund the grassroots organizing and training that delivers progressive change on the issues that matter. Please Contribute Today and support our mission.

Paid for by Democracy for America, http://www.democracyforamerica.com/?akid=1069.1758181.xQlzs-&t=3 and not authorized by any candidate. Contributions to Democracy for America are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

This message was sent to Scottscontracting@gmail.com

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*Scott's Contracting*

Green Me UP-Scotty
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://scottscontracting.wordpress.com
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Re: The Kochs Just Made It Personal. OR The Kochs and your children OR Our Children's Lungs.

On Mon, Jul 11, 2011 at 1:55 PM, John Sellers, The Other 98% <info@other98.com> wrote:

The Kochs are taking aim at our children's lungs. Will you help us fight back? Yes, I will!

Dear Social Justice Warrior,

The Kochs are at it again - and this time, they're taking aim at our children's lungs.

The Koch Brothers and their Tea Party-funding oil front group, Americans For Prosperity, are suing New York's Governor, Andrew Cuomo, for taking part in RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative), a cap-and-trade program that has forced corporate polluters to pay, and that has so far raised over $700 million for renewable energy and green jobs.

The Koch Brothers want it to be illegal for huge corporations to pay for their pollution - but they think it's just fine to make the American people pay the price.

Join us in telling Andrew Cuomo to fight back against the Koch Brothers - before it's too late.

The dirty energy Koch-Blockers in congress have thwarted attempts to address our climate emergency at every turn. RGGI is a shining example of states stepping up to the plate to protect our children's future. If it crumbles in New York, it's going to crumble across all the RGGI states along the east coast - and it'll be even tougher to challenge the Kochs in the future. We have got to stop this.

Andrew Cuomo needs to hear from us: we need him to stand up strong against the Kochs and this dirty lawsuit.

Thank you for fighting the good fight with us.

Sincerely,

John Sellers, The Other 98%

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The Other 98% is making democracy work for the rest of us. Our website is http://other98.com/.

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*Scott's Contracting*

Green Me UP-Scotty
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://scottscontracting.wordpress.com
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Weatherization Tips- Home

I encourage everyone to utilize the information to Weatherize Your Home or Schedule a Free Green site evaluation and Scotts Contracting will outline a Personal Energy Plan to reduce the Costs of High Summertime Cooling Bills.

Attic Insulation-Energy Solutions-

• Part 1 on Home Weatherization Series

Attic Insulation-I've put a little information to explain Attic Insulation for a Home. 

It takes a whole house approach to Reduce a Home's Energy Needs.

• The Attic Area and Attic insulation being just one area. When Combined with a Green Roofing System- The pair combined are your First Defense Against Rising Energy Costs.

AIR INFILTRATION AREAS BE RESOLVED BEFORE ADDING INSULATION- STOP THE AIR (HOT OR COLD) FROM ENTERING OR LEAVING A HOME.

• This includes: proper attic ventilation, ceiling protrusions(Light Boxes / Ceiling Fan), access points, mechanical and electric points, Attic Knee Walls, Obtrusion's-

• Anything that will allow the unconditioned air from the Exterior of the Home

Adding Radiant Barriers for Existing Buildings-in a nutshell this bounces the Exterior Temperature back outside and the Interior Temperatures Reflected inwards. 

Radiant Barriers are being used in more Construction Projects in today's construction techniques to assist homeowners with additional savings on utility bills.

• Attached to the Underneath Side of Existing Rafters- Best Option for Retrofits

• Reflective Radiant Barriers have R-Values that range from R-3.7 to R-17 (When used in accordance with Manufactures Recommendations and Insulation Levels)

  Radiant Barriers can also act as vapor Barriers 

Prior Experience: R30 2x4 Vaulted Roof System Example #105:

• Light Color Shingles on Exterior

• 1 in roof decking

• 2x4 Rafters 16" Space

• R13 Batt Insulation

• Double Sided Radiant Barier

  • Also Acts as Vapor Barrier

• Adequate Ventilation Provided by

  • Automatic Power Attic Fan Peak of Roof

  • Proper Vents in Soffits and Gable Ends

ENERGY SAVINGS:

• Reduced the Need for 1 window AC unit in Typical Two Story Stick Built Home-

• This translates to a Savings of $30 / Month during Cooling Months or $120-$160 / Year.

  • This Application Payed for itself in the 1st Summer 06. At the time of writing this article the estimated savings for 5 yrs is $600. This Pays for 100% of the Materials used in the Green Roof Retrofit System in the Upstairs Bedroom Remodel.

• The Only drawback reported by owner (which wasn't really a drawback since it was his teen-age sons room) was the decrease in cell phone reception-

  • Caused by the Reflective Nature of the Reflective Foil Radiant Barrier.

Energy Star, Department of Energy, US Government Suggestions for Optimum Home Energy Savings (Reference Links Below)

Attic Add Insulation to meet Suggested Guidelines for the St Louis Area

• w/ no insulation Add Insulation to achieve=R38 to R60

• If existing 3-4 inches Add Insulation to achieve=R38

• Suggested needed R value of Insulation on Attic Floor=R25 to R30 Optimum  Performance would be to upgrade to: R30-R60- Green Fiber Blow-In Natural Fiber Insulation.

Insulation when used in conjunction with a Radiant Barrier can lower the Cost of Insulation by reducing the Amount of Insulation Needed

Scotts Contracting is Available to assist you in improving your “Homes Energy Efficiency”

When Scotty comes over to perform an Green Site Evaluation.

1. Scotty will inspect for the above mentioned problem areas.

2. Discuss the various solutions.

3. Next-Determine the Materials and Labor Needed to Complete and Fix the Areas Quoted in the Project.

4. I'll then submit a Project Proposal that will discuss project in detail.

5. Answer any Questions, Explain Procedures, and determine the least obtrusive time to Weatherize your Home.

6. Computerized Energy Audits for your Home for Estimated Energy Savings are also available- [Equest, Sam, HEED are just a few of the programs I am currently using. The Latest Simulated Advisory Model Beta is in the testing stages and being offered by the US Department of Energy].

Looking forward to meeting you and discussing the ways I can help with Lowering your Energy Bills for your Home or Business.

I encourage everyone to utilize the above information to Weatherize Your Home or Schedule a Free Green site evaluation-

Scotty will Weatherize You Building Against the High Costs of Ameren UE Electricity Rates that increase your Homes Summer Time Cooling Costs- Any Green Projects done to reduce energy needs reduces Pollution from burning Fossil Fuel (Coal) that creates our Electricity.

I will Save You $Money$!!!!

Scotty, Scott's Contracting

Find me at: Green Me UP-Scotty

scottscontracting@gmail.com http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com http://scottscontracting.wordpress.com http://twitter.com/StLHandyMan

Referrence Materials:

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/radiant/rb_fig2.html http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/radiant/rb_02.html http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/radiant/rb_tables.html#table1 http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_07.html http://www.greenfiber.com/step_one_-_calculate_your_need_how_to_install.html http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Insulation-Radiant-Barrier/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xjlZbedf/R-100052556/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Re-posted from: Weatherization Tips

Wind Turbine-- Used Vestas V44 – 600kW-Only$199,750

Get More Power

Used Vestas V44 – 600kW (50Hz)

Due to Re-powering project - This mint conditioned turbine is immediately available for sale

Serviced by Vestas

Only €140,000 EUR – ($199,750 USD)

USED VESTAS V42 - 600 KW (50Hz) wind turbine

1999  built

50m tower (3 sections)

42m rotor diameter

Serviced by Vestas

 

·       Total output to date approx. 10,000,000 kwH

·       Only €140,000 EUR – ($199,750 USD)

·       Terms – ExWorks owners site in Germany - Europe

·       Still in full operation – Early viewing before dismantle recommended

Transformer station 690kv/50Hz included!

Full Service history

Spare parts easily available

Unbelievable price!

ONLY €140,000 EUR ($199,750 USD) for this 1999 built – mint conditioned 600kW Vestas V42 on 50m tower incl. transformer station

This is a one time opportunity for any individual  who wants to start selling back to the grid or for any business who wants make a start to run their operation more responsible by feeding electricity to their business premises and contribute to reduce the carbon footprint while reducing their own electricity costs for a fraction (25%) of the price of a new wind turbines of the same quality and size.

The turbine is still in operation and can be viewed at work with full functionality testing

Approx. yearly production at 6 m/s* : 920.000 kWh/year **
Approx. yearly production at 7 m/s* : 1.345.000 kWh/year**
Approx. yearly production at 8 m/s* : 1.745.000 kWh/year **

*10 min average values, according IEA standards on hub (shaft) height
** Weibull factor k=2; 100% availability

Vestas V42 – 600kW (50Hz)

Manufacturer Specification:

·        Rated output: 600 kW

·        Hub Height: 51 m

·        Tower Height: 50 m – 3 sections

·        Rotor Diameter: 42 m

·        Year of build: 1999

·        10 kV 690 V/10 kV. 50 Hz transformer included in price

·        Contact us asap so not to miss out on this amazing opportunity!

·        Appointments only after receipt of truly signed LOI (Letter Of Intent)

·        Please do not ask us for a shipping quote

·        Buyer must dismantle and collect from seller's site

·        Purchase is subject to 7% sales commission at close of sale!

Your MWPS Service Team

Powering The World

MyWindPowerSystem Ltd.

311 Chase Road

London N14 6JS

Notice To Recipients:

This Turbine Sale Overview ("Overview") does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer in respect of any securities or assets described in this Overview. The information in this Overview is merely a proposal and is provided solely for discussion and evaluation purposes.

The proposal discussed in this Overview and the information provided is subject to change without notice. The information may contain statements which are either missing information or which assume completion of matters expected to be completed in the future. Accordingly, this Overview does not purport to be all-inclusive or to contain all the information that may be required in relation to such discussions or for an evaluation of any proposal. This Overview shall not form the basis of any contractor commitment. This Overview does not constitute investment, legal, tax or other advice, and does not take into consideration the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular investor.

Although all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information given in this Overview is accurate, it has not been independently verified. Accordingly, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy or completeness of the information and opinions expressed in this Overview and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any and all liability in respect of such information and opinions is hereby expressly excluded, including, without limitation, any liability arising from fault or negligence, for any loss arising from the use of this information or otherwise arising in connection with it. No responsibility is accepted by MyWindPowerSystem Ltd., or any of its directors, representatives, officers, employees, agents, advisors, associates, affiliates, subsidiaries nor any other person, for any of the information or for any action taken by you on the basis of  the  information or opinions expressed in this Overview.

MyWindPowerSystem Ltd. makes no representation nor warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this Overview, and nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied up on as, a promise or representation, whether as to the past or the future. This Overview does not purport to contain all of the information that may be required to evaluate any proposed transaction.

MyWindPowerSystem Ltd. has not independently verified any of such information and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness. This material is not for external distribution.

If you are interested in Green Building on an Investment Property Check out the Benton Gut Rehab Blog Series-Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series

Part 1: History

Part 2: Stone Foundation Repair

Part 3: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 1

Part 4: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 2

Part 5: What were they thinking?

Part 6: Paint Pro Tip #35

Part 7: Repairing Water Damage-Exterior Wall

Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization

Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes

Part 10: Interior Framing-Plumbing-Laundry Room

Part 11: Kitchen Framing Tip #36-Benton Rehab Project

Part 12: Water Main Repair- Benton Rehab

Part 13: Benton Rehab Project Drywall Installation and Tip: Number 1172

*Scott's Contracting*
Green Me UP-Scotty
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://scottscontracting.wordpress.com
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Energy Saving Tips-Insulation ROI

Misunderstood Payback Periods of Proper Insulation:

This is a huge mistake people make.  I had a consumer recently tell me that 2 years was too long to get all his money back.  If he understood Payback periods, he'd understand that he was turning down a 50% return on his money.

Now, investments that return 50% every year are EXTREMELY RARE and frankly quite exotic.  The S&P used to average 8%.  Homes used to gain 3% a year.  So here is someone who thinks 50% is too low because he doesn't understand money and he doesn't understand investments.

The truth is a 50% return on an investment in your building's insulation is possible.  But let's look at other common scenarios:

   36 months / 3 years:                                         33%
   48 months / 4 years:                                         25%
   60 months / 5 years:                                         20%
120 months/ 10 years:                                         10%

Even if it took 10 years to pay for itself (and it's very rarely that long), investing in the right insulation outperforms almost every other investment over that same time period.

The standard payback is usually between 3-4 years.  That means that the proper investment can yield somewhere between 25 -33%.  I wish there were more investments out there like that because I cannot stuff my 401k into my home!

It's a limited amount of money I can, or need to, put into my home's insulation.  And I'm not really investing in insulation per se, I'm investing in avoiding energy costs and my home's comfort and value.

There's another thing to think about here.  It's important to say the right insulation.  Most people add insulation based on R-value and never get any savings.  Why?

Air and moisture lower the cheaper insulation's ability to control Conduction.  And we know that the cheaper insulations can't stop the convection that is already undercutting their performance.  Adding more of them isn't going to stop the problems plaguing them!  That's like adding more wood to the fire.

Author: Mark Munns, Guardian Energy Technologies; Guardian Energy Tech; 2033 N. Milwaukee #136; Riverwoods, Illinois 60015 United States

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*Scott's Contracting*

Green Me UP-Scotty
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://scottscontracting.wordpress.com
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