My Green Sonoma

Its time for an update on Natural Gas Vehicles.   I purchased a Honda NGV (compressed natural gas)  http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-gx/ in June 2007 in order to lower my carbon footprint.  As a Realtor I usually average 1200 to 1500 miles of driving per month.   I now have PHIL, home refueling unit, installed in my garage.

I've discovered  this car is very economical to operate. The convenience of being able to refuel at home combined with the cost savings makes this car well worth the investment. 

Using PHIL http://www.myphill.com/, which fills the tank at a higher compression than the local Natural Gas Utility filling station, the car goes for 220+ miles (instead of 140 miles) before the refueling light goes on. This has eliminated a great deal of the anxiety that I used to have about running out of gas. 

On longer trips where refueling remotely is needed, its important to plan and know the location of more than one accessible refueling station ... just in case.  I have found that refueling equipment at stations in other parts of the state are not standardized and operating them is not always straightforward.  Also some refueling stations don't take standard credit cards, or even cash. 

I was skeptical that the cost savings would pan out, but my actual fuel costs are running more than 50% less than the cost of my previous vehicle.

The biggest drawbacks to this vehicle are the trunk size and traction on dirt/gravel roads, but, like using alternative energy, I've learned to live with it.  This is truly a clean, convenient, and cost effective car for short to moderate length trips. 

CLEAN SOLUTIONS of Sonoma, CA offers a healthy chemical-free choice in selecting Green Cleaning products and services for both home and business.  Their product offerings include HydrOxi Pro, Green Logic floor care products, Stone Logix, Degreaser, and a variety of Microfiber cleaning cloths in terry, suede and waffle weave choices.

VP of Products, Cynthia McDougle says "By integrating new environmentally friendly green cleaning methods and a full line of products, we produce the highest quality cleaning results and cost savings for our customers. Our purpose is to bring positive change to the cleaning industry by enhancing a healthier environment for our clients."

In addition to being healthier and safer these products will most likely have a less damaging impact on our water systems.  People with septic systems and waste water treatment facilities take heed.  If we all do just a little bit, we'll live a healthier life stye and maybe the salmon will want to start swimming upstream again.

For more info go to www.cleansolutions.biz

Three Cheers to Clean Solutions of Sonoma, CA!

Here's yet another reason for Sonoma County Residents to be proud of our Sonoma County governmental leaders who are now paving the way for more alternative energy resources.  Called Solar Sonoma County they have announced joint plans to triple solar-generated electricity in the next three years.

These objective of this initiative is to make it easier for Sonoma County Residents to embrace solar energy and become proactive in helping achieve our climate protection objectives. 

It appears that incentives may include a streamlined permit process and bank loans that encourage conversion.  These incentives, combined with the fact that the cost of solar installations is projected to decrease, are making it easier for citizens to make and justify a cost/benefit case for installing solar systems.

Way to go SoCo!