Bard Center for Environmental Policy Director Eban Goodstein Advising Chevrolet on Clean Energy Initiative

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.— Bard Center for Environmental Policy Director Eban Goodstein is one of the environmental experts working with Chevrolet on its plan to invest $40 million in clean energy projects across America. The goal of the project, announced at a news conference Thursday in Detroit, is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 8 million metric tons, which Chevrolet estimates is equal to the annual emissions produced by the 1.9 million vehicles it expects to sell in the United States this year. The initiative is based on projects that promote energy savings, renewable energy, responsible use of natural resources, and conservation in communities across the United States. To define project criteria and the program’s investment portfolio, General Motors has engaged environmental experts, nongovernment organizations, and academics through the Climate Neutral Business Network.

“Creating American jobs weatherizing homes, installing solar panels, and building wind turbines is investing in clean energy and building a secure energy future for America and our kids,” said Goodstein, who praised Chevy for enlisting the help of climate and environmental policy experts. “Their engagement of NGOs and academia in development of the scope and strategy of this initiative shows their commitment to projects that will make the most impact across America’s communities.”

Announced on the same day as GM’s record public-stock offering, Chevrolet’s clean energy initiative made headlines in many business and environmental media outlets and news blogs. To see a few, please visit:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS255320343220101118

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10926957/1/gm-watch-chevy-to-invest-40-million-in-clean-energy.html

To see a video of Goodstein's comments at the press conference in Detroit, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/bardcep

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 8 million metric tons equals the carbon dioxide emissions of one year of electricity use in 970,874 homes or the annual carbon reduction from 1.7 million acres of pine forest. Chevrolet’s clean energy investments, to be implemented in the next three to five years, may include the following projects:

• Providing energy-efficient technology, such as smart energy sensors and solar panels, to schools and other community-based facilities in need of upgrades, to decrease carbon dioxide emissions and reduce heating bills
  
• Supporting wind farms and solar projects that deliver renewable energy to the grid and also help family farms increase their revenues per acre

• Capturing flammable methane from community landfills that delivers clean energy to the grid and improves local air quality and safety.

Since 1990, GM has decreased its manufacturing emissions by 60 percent. GM also has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to build fuel-efficient vehicles like the Chevrolet Cruze Eco, which gets an EPA-estimated 42 mpg on the highway, and the Chevy Volt electric car with extended-range capability. The Volt allows 25-50 miles of pure electric driving on a single charge after which a small gasoline engine/generator creates electricity for an additional 300 miles.

For more information about Chevrolet’s clean energy investment initiatives, visit www.chevycarbonreduction.com. Also, for ongoing updates, go to the ChevyCarbon Twitter handle, Facebook tab Reducing CO2, or GM’s BeyondNow blog. For more information about the Bard Center for Environmental Policy, please call 845-758-7073, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.bard.edu/cep.

The Bard Center for Environmental Policy was created to promote education, research, and public service on critical issues pertaining to the natural and built environments. Its primary goal is to improve environmental policies by facilitating the use of the best available scientific knowledge in the policy-making process at the local, regional, national, and international levels. Bard CEP’s premise is that to address environmental problems and pursue sustainable use of natural resources, scientists, economists, lawyers, ethicists, and policy makers must understand one another’s perspectives and values, and communicate effectively with the general public.

Bard CEP’s cohort-based program and intensive, campus-based, first-year curriculum requires students to synthesize information from a range of disciplines and sources. The emphasis on science-based policy enables students to progress from knowledge of the issues to the formulation of feasible, effective policy responses. Distinctive program features include a modular approach to course work; close student-faculty interaction; professional internships; practical training in geographic information systems (GIS), statistics, and communication strategies; and research opportunities created to fit student interests.

Directed by Eban S. Goodstein, Bard CEP offers graduate degree programs for the next generation of environmental leaders. Earning either an M.S. in environmental policy or an M.S. in climate science and policy, Bard CEP graduates enter the workforce with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue high-level careers in research and policy. The value of Bard CEP’s approach has been recognized through established partnerships with Pace Law School, the Bard College Master of Arts in Teaching Program, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and Peace Corps. 

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(11/18/10)

This event was last updated on 11-22-2010

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