Green Research Labs

Propane Conversion Kits Being Installed in Goverment Vehicals

Ryan B — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:56:20 +0000

With the cost of gas still looming around $4.00, and the price of propane nearly half that, at around $2.00, Propane is starting to be used to fuel cars. Conversion kits are on the market, and are becoming popular. Popular enough in fact, that the city of Ashburn Georgia has its government vehicles currently being switched over. “We started looking at this when we noticed, along with every other city and every other employer in the state and in the nation when gas prices started escalating, and we noticed that propane costs weren’t escalating as high as gas,” Ashburn City Manager Ben Taylor says. Not only is propane saving the town money, but also keeping cars running for longer, as propane has proved to be a much cleaner fuel.

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Gas Pumps Rigged

Ryan B — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:54:48 +0000

A report from RipOffReport.com makes an interesting, and disturbingly possible claim. Serviced pumps are possibly rigged to over charge customers, who are never aware of how much gas they need. The report’s victim claims that he purchased a 1.25 gallon gas can, and asked the attendant to fill it with a gallon. He watched the meter climb above the cost per gallon, as well as the total amount of gas go above 1 gallon, even while his gas can was no where nearly full. When the pump stopped at 1.42 gallons, and $4.00 on $3.78 a gallon, the victim asked the attendent if he knew the pumps were flawed. The attendent acted nervous, and walked away.

Those serviced pumps could very easily rip off customers, considering no one really know if their tank is truely full or not. So check those receipts, and know how large your tank is!

Oregon Tech Prepares to Build Geothermal Power Plant

Ryan B — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:28:06 +0000

As the new school year starts, and students are fighting for the envrionment, schools are starting to help go green. Oregon Tech is planning on installing a 7.6 million dollar geothermal power plan on campus, to keep the whole campus running on its own. No announced completion date, but when it is completed, it will be the first energy independent college campus.

Oil Predicted to Hit $200 a Barrel

Ryan B — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:17:03 +0000

With the oil crisis becoming more and more scarily apparent, news that oil is anticipated to hit $200 a barrel is a scary one. A report from Chatham House reports that a ’supply crunch’ will be in effect within the next 5 to 10 years. The report is also claiming that there is only one way to avoid the impending crisis, which is a major recession of demand, which of course, is not very likely.

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Hollywood Hypes Hydrogen

Ryan B — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:02:44 +0000

It seems that the green movement’s advancement into the media is working splendidly. Oscar award winning writer and director Paul Haggis owns 4 Toyta Priuses, and is on the wait list for the new electric ‘Tesla’ roadster…and now, after hearing about Hondas commercial hydrogen car, the FCK Clarity, he is adding another car to the list. Joley Fisher of ‘Til Death’ fame is ahead of the game, driving a borrowed BMW Hydrogen-7, one of only 30 of the experimental car. Now, GM is giving Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Iger, ‘Ugly Betty’ star America Ferrera and former Los Angeles Laker Magic Johnson the keys to their $1 million dollar Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell.

Hollywood continues boasting the new green technology whenever possible, and their effect on the movement is drastic. Keep it up Hollywood!

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Global Warming’s First Appearnce in 1988

Ryan B — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:16:00 +0000

It seems that these days, when envrionmental technology is all the rave, global warming has become popular in the media. It is truly interesting to see global warming’s modest beginnings in the media in Discover Magazine in 1988. The article was so old, that it had to be retyped in order to be republished on their website. Even the pictures show a bit of an aged yellow to the paper that was scanned. A fun read, enjoy everyone!

[Read the article]

M. Night Shyamalan Uses The Happening to Promote the Green Movement

Ryan B — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:02:39 +0000

With the release of Shyamalans newest movie, The Happening, the reviews has been rolling in, with the general belief is leaning towards failure. But, the catch of the movie, is the subtle hint of environmental activism thrown in. While the movie is widely hailed as a flop, the concept of movies including the environment is a step toward more activism. Its amazing how quickly the green movement has grown since this little blogs humble beginings. And its only going to grow more before something is done!

Honda Begins Producing The First Commercial Hydrogen Car

Ryan B — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:08:34 +0000

While the concept of Hydrogen cars is not new, the concept of having them parked in your drive way is. Honda has beaten the competition to the punch, and have produced the first commercially available hydrogen cars, which is officially certified by the U.S. EPA.

The new car, the FCX Clarity, will get around 280 miles before needing to refuel, which is about the equivelent of a 74 MPG gasoline car. The engine is electric, which is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell battery. The only byproduct is water vapor. (Remember chemistry class?, H2 + 2O2 (for combustion) = 2H20)

The car will be launched in July, and the lease program will be small, and restrictive. Prospective lessees must fit guidelines including living in close range to a hydrogen fueling station.

Shirt.Woot’s Derby Theme is Green!

Ryan B — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:23:45 +0000

Shirt.Woot.com does an awesome weekly contest for best t-shirt design. The best design is voted by the readers, and is sold at the end of the week on Friday. This week, the contest is going Green. There are amazing contestants, so be sure to check them all out!

Shirt.woot.com’s Green Derby

Pictures of the interesting candidates after the break.

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Solar Lawn Mower

Ryan B — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:41:36 +0000

Instructable user ’somebullcrap’ has written a new intructable on building a solar powered lawn mower from a battery operated lawn mower. (Battery oporated lawn mower? Who knew those even existed?!

Solar Powered Lawnmower
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