Saving Energy Saves Money, Says Lovins by Patricia Koning Money
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VOLUME XLVI, NUMBER 19 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009 Don't Miss It! Saving Energy Saves Money, Says Lovins By Patricia Koning money. Efficiency is cheaper than Medals, and ten honorary doc- its truck fleet’s fuel economy. that three-quarters of the fuel Anyone worried about global buying fuel. Economists who say torates, among many other Boeing turned itself around by used is weight-related, he advo- warming or energy insecurity can climate protection is costly have awards and honors. redesigning its airplane to be cates making cars slippery and take comfort in the message that the sign wrong.” In 2004, RMI released Win- lighter, more energy-efficient, light. Amory Lovins presented on Lovins is the cofounder and ning the Oil Endgame: Innova- and less expensive to manufac- RMI designed a concept SUV, Thursday, April 30 in the final chief scientist at the Rocky tion for Profits, Jobs, and Secu- ture, features that have translated the Hypercar, using carbon fiber lecture of the Livermore Valley Mountain Institute (RMI). As a rity. Co-funded by the Pentagon, the upcoming 787 Dreamliner composite—the same material Performing Art Center’s Rae consultant experimental physi- the report is a blueprint for mak- into the fastest selling airplane Boeing uses in its 787 Dorough Speaker Series. cist, he advises governments and ing the United States oil free in history. Dreamliner—that gets 100 miles He opened his talk with what major firms worldwide on ad- within a few decades. Instead of searching for elu- to the gallon and has just 14 he called the stupid multiple vanced energy and resource effi- In his talk, Lovins provided sive oil in the arctic wilderness parts, most of which are so light choice test. “Would you rather ciency. His work has been recog- examples of large corporations and other domestic locations, they can be lifted with one hand. The Independent die of a) climate change, b) oil nized by the Blue Planet, Volvo, that have embraced energy effi- Lovins said that better automo- The Hypercar’s biggest problem wars, or c) nuclear holocaust?” Onassis, Nissan, Shingo, and ciency as a way to cut operating tive design and use of advanced might be that auto thieves could now comes in he asked the audience. “The an- Mitchell Prizes; a MacArthur costs. Lovins described how materials could save so much gas simply pick it up and walk away swer is none of the above, if we “genius grant” Fellowship; the Walmart, one of RMI’s clients, it would be like finding “a Saudi with it, Lovins quipped. two sections. use energy in a way that saves us Benjamin Franklin and Happold has saved millions by increasing Arabia under Detroit.” Noting (See ENERGY, page 5) Section II is filled with infor- mation about arts, entertainment and special events. There are education features, as well as the May 19 arts and entertainment and bul- letin board listings. Measures Pleasanton Have Rose Show This Saturday Voters The 69th annual Pleasanton Rose Show will be held Sat., May Conflicted 9 at the Pleasanton Library. By Ron McNicoll Theme for this year's show is Many voters feel conflicted "Days of Wine and Roses." concerning the merits of the six Rose show exhibitors bring propositions on the May 19 their entries to the library be- ballot. tween 7:30 and 10 a.m. Judging Five of the six measures are will take place until 12:30 p.m. trailing in the polls. According The show will be open to the to those polls, only Proposition public for viewing from 1 to 5 1E, which would block legisla- p.m. There will be an awards cer- tors’ and the governor’s pay in- emony at 1:30 p.m. creases, if they don’t pass a bud- The show has been dubbed, get, has a chance of passing. Even "the people's show," because it that one is opposed by people features home grown roses. who feel it would be punitive, It started at a Pleasanton bank without saving much future tax in the 1930s when Harry Harding revenue. gave his customers rose bushes The state is trying to make up to show his appreciation for their for an estimated $40 billion hole patronage. His customers brought in the budget, because of the economic recession. To accom- in blooms they had grown. Photo - Doug Jorgensen plish that, Proposition 1A would Harding was inspired to start the Alisal Elementary School in Pleasanton held its 1st Annual Jog-a-Thon on Friday, May 1, during the school day. In the photo, raise $16 billion in taxes that rose show. kindergartners and first graders took to the track. Students collected pledges from friends, family, and neighbors to raise were authorized conditionally The event is sponsored by money for the school. Money raised will go toward the school-wide running club. Students participating in the running club by the Legislature, after months Alan Pinel Realtors and the City can earn a necklace and charms based on number of miles covered. of voting deadlock between the of Pleasanton. Republicans and Democrats. For more details, visit The price of compromise be- www.PleasantonRoseShow.com. tween the two parties and also The library is located at 400 with Gov. Arnold Old Bernal Avenue. Pleasanton General Plan Ready for Review Schwarzenegger are the ballot The Pleasanton Planning The update of the general plan mute to the jobs in the city, tak- sued by the State of California. propositions. Commission will hold a public got underway in 2003. Points of ing a toll on the environment and Impacting housing are the Prop. 1B would authorize hearing to take comments on the controversy have delayed the California's infrastructure. He city's cap of 29,000 units. There supplemental payments of $6 city's draft general plan and ac- completion. Among them is the wants the city to raise the cap to are roughly 2.000 units left un- billion to schools. Districts have been laying off teachers because companying environmental im- housing element, which is out of make it easier for people that der the cap. However, an addi- of the steep decline in revenue pact report. compliance with state law in that work in Pleasanton to live there. tional 600 second units are ex- projected from the state. Passage The new General Plan will the city has failed to rezone land The draft of the general plan pected to be constructed. In ad- of 1B would allow them to re- guide development in Pleasan- where affordable housing could update gives notice that the city dition, group living facilities will store teaching and support posi- ton for the next 10 to 20 years. be built. will update its housing element house approximately 1100 resi- tions. By year, 2025, the city's popula- The city's housing policies in 2009. Housing Element law dents. Propositions 1A and 1B are tion is predicted to be 78,200. have been challenged by Urban requires a city to plan for its fair The city council's preferred paired together. The meeting will be held May Habitat in court. share of the regional housing plan for housing is one that dis- Prop. 1C would raise an addi- 13, 7 p.m. in the city council State Attorney General Jerry need, identifying sufficient sites perses the units throughout the tional $5 billion by borrowing chambers, 200 Old Bernal Av- Brown said that the city's hous- at adequate densities to accom- city. Some have argued that more from future state lottery profits. enue. ing cap forces workers to com- modate the need for homes as is- (See REVIEW, page 4) (See BALLOT, page 5) Photo - Doug Jorgensen Spring rains and sunshine Redevelopment Agencies Photo - Doug Jorgensen have produced brightly Las Positas College held a colored blooms throughout ground breaking for its new the valley. Win Case Over Revenue Child Development Center (CDC). The $10,000,000 The Livermore Redevelop- money from the state’s redevel- ment Agency will be keeping opment agencies. It was part of construction contract was AAUW to Host $321,237 in revenue this month, the state’s 2008 budget legisla- awarded to Lathrop thanks to a decision in a state tion. Construction of Benicia. The Panel Talk by court in Sacramento. Sacramento Superior Court Center will be 18,000 square feet Livermore is a member of the Judge Lloyd Connelly ruled late and accommodate 122 toddlers Muslim Women California Redevelopment Asso- last month that the CRA was cor- and pre-school children. It will Three Muslim women from ciation (CRA), which sued the rect in contending that the bud- also include two outdoor the Livermore Mosque will be state Finance Department over a get law provision was unconsti- learning environments. the guest speakers at a panel dis- law that authorized the state to tutional. The funds clearly were Completion is expected by cussion hosted by the American take $350 million in one-time (See MONEY, page 4) summer of 2010. Holding up a Association of University child-size souvenir shovel, in the Women, Livermore-Pleasanton- photo at left, is Hal G. Gin, Dublin Branch, on Saturday, New TVIN Makes It Easier president of the Chabot-Las May 16, at 7:00 p.m. at Positas Community College Lynnewood United Methodist District Board of Trustees. The Church, 4444 Black Avenue, to Start Up Companies By Ron McNicoll Innovation Network (TVIN). Its College also held a "Topping Off Pleasanton. This is an opportu- Ceremony" for the College nity to hear about their experi- The Tri-Valley Business motto is “Where entrepreneurs Council (TVBC) has launched come to grow.” Center for the Arts (CCA).