BART Ups Green Ante

January 21, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

The BART Board of Directors voted unanimously to lift the price cap on the purchase of alternative energy, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The initiative, which could add an estimated $1.8 million to the rail system’s annual power bill, will raise the $70-per-megawatt hour price-limit for green power so that BART can seek other alternative energy, much of which averages $100 per megawatt hour.

Currently, more than half of BART’s power comes from hydroelectric, and while that is considered a renewable source, it falls into a different category from wind, wave, solar or thermal. Tom Radulovich, BART’s director, said that the new investment can be used as a catalyst to expand the alternative-energy supply, which may help bring the price down.

BART is in the top ten of electricity users in Northern California and has set a goal of getting 20 percent of its energy from alternative sources by 2010. The Northern California Power Agency has agreed to supply BART with seven megawatts of renewable energy.

Recently, New York City’s MTA launched a sustainability initiative, and last year, Cincinnati’s transit authority claimed that switching to biodiesel in its buses saved the city almost half a million dollars.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Survey Results: Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader