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“FUEL” the Film comes to Chicago

Seamus Ford — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:32:00 +0000

On Friday October 9^th, a new film will have a green carpet premier at Chicago’s Piper’s Alley theater .

The film simply titled “FUEL” was written and directed by Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell and has been praised by Robert Redford and won the best documentary audience award at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. FUEL is a comprehensive and entertaining look at energy in America. It looks at how we got on our present crash course with an energy emergency and offers possible solutions.

Click here to view the embedded video.

According to the Los Angeles Times: “Fuel is a vital, superbly assembled documentary…doesn’t dwell on muckraking, however; it’s more focused on broadly inspiring viewers than preaching to the converted….Smartly animated interstitials, memorable archival material and a lively soundtrack round out the fast-paced proceedings.”

Among the people who have lent their name to this film are Julia Roberts, Richard Branson, Neil Young and Woody Harrelson and this green carpet premier will be hosted by Peter Fonda.

I will be there.

Do It Yourself Hydrogen Pump adding 6-8 mile a gallon increase in mpg. Don’t forget Peak Oil is still here

Seamus Ford — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:30:45 +0000

As the US congress argues over what is going to go into the stimulus bill, something that must not be forgotten is that while the economic crisis started in the housing and credit markets, it was immediately preceded by a massive spike in fuel prices. Global demand for oil had reached the absolute limit of the supply chain. The faucet could not open up any further. While the economic crisis has dropped demand and prices have dropped to a 5 year low the price will certainly go up as soon as the economy begins to pick up.

There will be arguments for continuing with fossil fuels because in the near term they will be cheaper and if we succumb to that temptation it will be a mistake. Most oil experts agree that we are certainly at the peak of supply. Future economic growth will have to take place while the price of fuel increases in price at an ever higher rate. Going green is neither a slogan nor a choice. It is the only way forward. We must all be involved and we must be creative.

Neighborhood Electric Vehicles- More Practical Than You Think

Seamus Ford — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:04:14 +0000

Probably one of the most difficult things to get a handle on as we enter the post carbon era is personal electric transportation. For years the viability of electric transportation has been called into question primarily because gasoline has been so cheap for so long. However, with gas very clearly heading in the direction of $5 and up people are increasingly interested in it. Until now, most people would not buy an all electric vehicle because of the limited range. Even the most efficient electric vehicles have a range of about 100 miles. This makes them unfeasible for cross country travel. However research has shown that vast majority of driving that people do is much closer to home.

As Americans recognize the un-sustainability of the many trips taken to local or “neighborhood” destinations in wasteful oversized SUVs, there is a new class of electric vehicle that is intended exclusively for this kind of driving. There are a number of manufactures that are developing these kinds of vehicles. They are coming in a surprising variety as well. In this video, I interviewed Tom Shea of International Motor Works in LaCrosse, Wisconsin about an electric delivery van.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Where to start with an elecric car

Seamus Ford — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 18:54:17 +0000

By Seamus Ford

No doubt by now, you have had some kind of conversation at a Barbque or cocktail party about electric cars. With new technolgy there are lots of questions that are often answered with partially informed opinions. If you are considering having your next car be an electric or a hybrid and you want to education yourself, here are some basic things that should help you begin: