It's Not Easy Being Green: A New Infographic from CarInsurance.Org Urges Caution When Considering EV's to Lower GHG Emissions

In the United States, we use 13 million barrels of oil a day.  That number is staggering and indicates that we have choices to make when it comes to transportation.  Those choices, however, have to be smart.

The graphic below from CarInsurance.org succinctly demonstrates the issues that consumers and policy makers need to consider in making decisions with respect to transportation.  As a practical matter, are we plugging our electric vehicle into a coal-fired generation facility or does the mix contain more renewable or clean energy?  We posed this question to Bob Yuhnke of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) on ICOSA's Driving Force radio.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcWYk8WNuYQ&feature=plcp  The other environmental consideration is batteries.  How are they made, how long do they last, can they be recycled? 

These issues and price appear to be holding consumers back as Dan Bigman noted in his Forbes article titled, "Who's Killing the Electric Car." Why aren't electric vehicles taking hold as precicted? According to Bigman, "Is it the lack of charging stations? Is it the batteries? Is it the range? Is it the price? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes."  http://www.forbes.com/sites/danbigman/2012/10/05/whos-killing-the-electric-car-the-consumer/

Transportation is a tough issue and our society is built on having the freedom to get where we need to be when we want to be there.  The bottom line is that for every action there is a consequence and we need to carefully consider those consequences before we take action.

For a clearer image go to:  http://www.carinsurance.org/green-cars

ICOSA Driving Force Radio: Red, White & Green: The True Colors of America’s Clean Tech Jobs – a discussion with co-authors Nancy Pfund and Michael Lazar

 

Clean tech isn’t partisan – except in Washington, D.C.  When it comes to clean tech, “we need to hear less from Capitol Hill and more from Main Street” concludes a report by DBL Investors, a venture capital firm located in San Francisco whose goal is to combine top-tier financial performance with meaningful social, economic and environmental returns in the region and sectors in which it invests.  The report titled, “Red, White & Green: The True Colors of America’s Clean Tech Jobs,” (the “Report”) looks at the disparity between Washington D.C.’s view of “green jobs” and the rest of the country.  On Capitol Hill, “in general,” says the Report, “Democrats support them.  Republicans oppose them.  End of story.”

This isn’t how it’s always been.  “Indeed, some of the strongest pieces of environmental legislation were enacted during the presidency of Republican Richard Nixon.  The polarized discussion of the environment is a relatively recent phenomenon, and, perhaps sadly, echoes the sharp divisions occurring throughout American political discourse,” continues the Report.  At the state level, clean tech doesn’t appear to have a political party.  Indeed, “many of the governors working the hardest to bring clean tech jobs to their home states are not only Republican, but are usually regarded as leaders of their party.”  Governors are focused on creating jobs and the data shows that they are using clean tech to bring high-quality jobs to their states. 

Clean tech is a significant part of the economic engine in the U.S. contributing significantly more employment opportunities than the coal industry.  However, even though the clean tech portion of the economy is much larger than that of coal, clean tech receives proportionally less attention in the national discussion of the economic effects of environmental policies.  The Report explains it this way:

According to the National Mining Association, coal employs 136,000 people in the entire country.  (See, National Mining Association, Fast Facts About Coal 2012) But three states all by themselves each have more clean tech workers than all the coal mining workers in the USA.  The total number of Americans working in clean tech is many times the size of those in coal.  This rarely-acknowledged statistic suggests that we broaden the national discussion of the economic effects of environmental policies.  That discussion often emphasizes their impact on the coal industry, without the much larger clean tech portion of the energy economy receiving proportionally much less attention.

The Report bolsters its conclusion by highlighting the clean tech efforts of five Republican governors: Mississippi Former Governor Haley Barbour, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and Texas Governor Rick Perry.  It appears that while each governor approached clean tech differently, the result was the same – job growth and a higher voter approval rating.  For example, Governor Christie moved New Jersey from second to the first largest solar market in the U.S. by signing a law mandating solar purchases for state utilities.  According to the Report, at the time of signing Christie commented that, “having renewable energy in our state, having it be a larger part of our portfolio, creating jobs, is not a Republican issue or Democratic issue. It’s an issue that the people of our state demand we work on together.” 

In order to maintain momentum, the Report urges implementation of policies that support long term investment including: (1) keeping the Solar Investment Tax Credit; (2) redrafting tax legislation affecting clean tech-related Master Limited Partnerships and allow for solar REITs; and (3) extending the Production Tax Credit. 

The emphasis is that clean tech is recognized by both Parties as a valuable tool for job creation at the local and state level.   “We all need to understand that green jobs and clean tech are not merely the idle dreaming of a small group of partisan activists and insiders, but a source of livelihood for millions of Americans, literally in all parts of the country.  What’s more, their numbers are growing every day.” 

Co-authors Nancy Pfund and Michael Lazar will join Jan Mazotti and co-host Kelly de la Torre on ICOSA’s Driving Force radio (http://www.youtube.com/user/ICOSAmagazine) next week.  Nancy Pfund is Managing Partner of DBL Investors.  Nancy writes frequently on matters relating to clean tech and “Impact investing.” Last year, she co-authored a widely-cited study showing that contrary to popular belief, current federal subsidy levels for alternative energy sources are in fact much lower than they ever were in the early days of “traditional” energy sources, such as coal, gas, and nuclear.

Michael Lazar is an MBA candidate at the Yale School of Management.  During the summer of 2012, Michael joined DBL Investors as a Summer Associate.  Prior to Yale, Michael worked for the Glover Park Group, a strategic communications and political advocacy firm in Washington, D.C.  Michael earned his BA from Stanford University.

A Night of Sustainable Celebration with the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, Former Governor Ritter and Vice Admiral McGinn

 

The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado (the “Alliance”) held its Heroes of Sustainability event this evening at the Grand Hyatt in Denver, CO.  The event was a Who’s Who of sustainability in Colorado including a number of former Ritter administration cabinet members including Jim Martin, current Administrator for EPA’s Region 8 Office and former executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources; and Alice Madden, Wirth Chair for the CU School of Public Affairs and former Climate Change Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to Ritter.  Former Governor Ritter himself was there to highlight the Alliance and introduce the Hero of Sustainability, Vice Admiral McGinn, President of the American Council on Renewable Energy.
 

After a hearty standing ovation, Ritter started by saying that, “being in this room tonight may be one of the most comforting things that I’ve done since leaving office.” The people in the room share values for quality of life for years to come.  “It is with great pride that I stand up here.” In his new position as Director of the Center for the New Energy Economy, Ritter works with people around the country.  Ritter emphasized that 220 million Americans live in states with a renewable portfolio standard or renewable energy standard and 240 million Americans live in states that have efficiency standards. The take home message is that there is public support for what the Alliance and for what Colorado is doing.  “The people in this room are doing the things that the public wants them to do.”

This sentiment is echoed in an article by Mark Jaffe in the Denver Post (http://blogs.denverpost.com/thebalancesheet/2012/09/11/renewable-energy-red-states-blue-states-swing-states-green-states/6424/), titled, Red, Blue and Swing States are Green When it Comes to Renewable Energy.  According to Jaffe's article:

"Showing clean tech job growth in some of the blood-reddest of states and aggressive renewable energy policies by Republican governors, even Tea Party darlings like New Jersey’s Chris Christie, the analysis by Nancy Pfund and Michael Lazar contends 'clean tech and green jobs are only contentious inside Washington.'

'It is almost universally appreciated as the important engine for job development and economic growth that it is,' says the study Red, White & Green."

Following another standing ovation, true to his character, Vice Admiral McGinn recognized that while this is an individual award he recognizes that life is a team sport.  He then proceeded to recognize Veterans Green Jobs (http://veteransgreenjobs.org/), a non-profit organization that connects military veterans with training and employment in the green sector economy.  It is very important that we employ our veterans and use their skills to make a more sustainable nation and a more sustainable Colorado.

The military gets it, said McGinn, and he explained why.  He served with other veterans – retired Generals and Admirals with CNA, a research group that represents all of the military services and the Coast Guard.  CNA produced a report titled, “Climate Change and the Threat to National Security.”  The title says it all, urged McGinn.  Climate change is a threat because the increase in global warming and weather events will increase the severity and frequency of extreme weather events, like drought.  In this way, climate change acts as a threat multiplier for instability and fragile governments will fail.

Even in the face of great science, however, some people just don’t get it.  It may be that we are afraid of believing in climate change because we may have to give something up.  The truth is that sustainability is a way to live better.  Increased energy security, environmental security, economic security - all factors in making a better life. 

The military gets it, repeated McGinn.  In another report by CNA, Powering America’s Defense Energy and the Risks to National Security, the unambiguous conclusion was that America’s energy posture, and in particular, America’s dependence on foreign oil puts our country at risk.  Those who wish to do us harm can exploit that vulnerability.  Using September 11^th as an example, we can no longer believe in business as usual, emphasized McGinn.  What we can do, however, is come together in alliances like this one.  We can come together in every town and village across the country.  We can create opportunity for jobs and local, regional and global environmental quality.

These problems won’t be solved in Washington but in states around the country.  Referring to the statistics offered by Ritter, McGinn emphasized that multitudes of people are already living in states with RES and RPS standards.  This is just the beginning.  This beginning is being led by the military services.  From here in Fort Carson by creating a net zero installation and prototyping microgrids coupled with traditional forms of energy.  Leading the way technically and culturally.  We can follow that lead and we can see the technology benefits.

Sustainable technologies have made a tremendous impact on military personnel, especially at forward operating bases, by reducing the number of fuel convoys that have to resupply these units to decreasing the weight of the backpacks.  What is the take away? The military gets it because sustainability comports with the bottom line namely, operational efficiency and combat effectiveness.   According to McGinn, just like we benefit from GPS or the Internet and economic drivers from investments that the military made decades ago, so too can we benefit from their investment in renewable energy and efficiency.  We also can’t let political noise drown out the signal that this country will be more secure and more prosperous.  This is good for business.  CO and the Alliance is a leader in showing the nation how we can move forward.

The alliance is about being everyday heroes as part of this team sport called life for our children and our children’s children for many generations to come.

 

Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn – Alliance for Sustainable Colorado 2012 Hero of Sustainability

 

Many people understand the direct link between oil and America’s enemies. But what they may not understand are the realities of our oil dependency as a nation.  As a 35-year veteran of the Navy and President of the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), Vice Admiral McGinn understands these realities because he’s experienced them.  The good news is that his knowledge and experience puts him in the ideal position to change our dependency on traditional energy sources by creating opportunities for Americans.  Better yet, he’s leading the charge.

In addition to his ACORE presidency, Admiral McGinn lends his expertise to, among other energy and climate boards, the CNA Military Advisory Board.  The CNA Board comprises 11 recently retired three- and four-star generals and admirals, examining the national security implications of climate change and the nexus of energy, climate change and national security.

McGinn believes America’s heavy dependence on fossil fuels poses significant security risks to the country and our military.  This is not a new issue for him.  He became interested in national energy security issues during the OPEC oil embargo in the 1970’s when there were long lines at the gas pumps.  “We were relying too heavily on imported oil.  I realized then how vulnerable we really were, and I haven’t lost focus on the critical link between energy and America’s economy and national security,” recalls McGinn in CNA’s Voices of Experience.  Further, he believes, “our dependence on fossil fuels comes as a cost that is not fully reflected in the amount paid at the gas pump,” says McGinn.  “Every time we fill up, we need to understand the costs involved, especially the high price we pay with the lives of the men and women in the armed forces.” 

Our dependence on oil undermines our national security on multiple levels.  Vice Admiral McGinn explains that oil’s pervasiveness in America’s energy policy forces the country to engage at various levels with hostile and unstable regimes, weakening our international leverage and putting our economy in a precarious position.  According to one CNA report, “The United States consumes 25 percent of the world’s oil production, yet controls less than three percent of an increasingly tight supply.”  The trouble is that oil is traded on a global market, a market that is vulnerable to manipulation by those who control the largest shares.  “Without bold action now to significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, our national security will be at greater risk,” testified Vice Admiral McGinn, before a U.S. Senate panel.  “Fierce global competition and conflict over dwindling supplies of fossil fuel will be a major part of the future strategic landscape.”  America’s goal should be, he believes, to relieve our oil dependency by diversifying our fuel supply, increasing the efficient use of fuel and increasing our use of low carbon technologies.

Moving toward low carbon energy sources and technologies also helps confront the challenge of global climate change.  “Climate change poses a serious threat to America’s national security, acting as a threat multiplier for instability in some of the world’s most volatile regions, adding tension to stable regions, worsening terrorism and likely dragging the united States into conflicts over water and other critical resource shortages,: testified Admiral McGinn before a Senate Committee.  “The truth is, climate change aside, our energy choices have a direct bearing on our economic well-being,” he says.  “If we’re not economically strong and stable we aren’t going to be militarily stable.” To address these challenges, there needs to be recognition that “climate change, national security, and energy dependence are a related set of global challenges.” 

Security, infrastructure, and climate threats are more than challenges-they are opportunities-opportunities to create industries around energy efficiency and renewable and low carbon technologies.  Notes Vice Admiral McGinn, “One of ACORE’s guiding principles is that we are for all kinds of renewable energy, and against none.  ACORE is about building a more secure and prosperous America with clean renewable energy because that is part of the solution.  We need to apply every technology and efficiency to solve our energy challenges. There is no ‘one size fits all’ energy solution.” The energy platform can’t be rigid. The platform needs to evolve depending on variables like need, geography and availability of resources, to name just a few.  For example, solar might be the best resource for Arizona while wind is better in the Midwest. We are looking at an integrated system of variable parts and we need to look for solutions to fit with that system.

The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado (sustainablecolorado.org) will celebrate Vice Admiral McGinn as the 2012 Hero of Sustainability on September 11, 2012 in Denver, CO.  According to Vice Admiral McGinn, “we can be the ‘Next Greatest Generation’ in the 21^st Century by taking on the new challenge so today that are threatening our way of life.  We can do something about these challenges.  The beauty is that to do so doesn’t mean sacrifice – it means more jobs, more national and energy security, and more economic security.  Let’s get over the fear of the future and do something now to shape a better future for all of us.  Business as usual is not the answer.”

This article is a truncated version of the article from ICOSA Magazine (http://www.theicosamagazine.com/vice-admiral-dennis-mcginn) written by Kelly de la Torre.  For more on Vice Admiral McGinn go to www.acore.org,  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsBMblTvE1k&feature=plcp and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trgRvoiPz5E&feature=plcp.

ICOSA Driving Force Radio: Improving the Bottom-Line Through Energy Efficiency Technologies and Creating Unique Finance Mechanisms to Facilitate Investment

The least expensive power is the power that we don’t have to create.  Not only that, but not having to create that power can be an economic engine.  “In Colorado alone, the energy efficiency industry provides over 14,000 jobs and creates more than $1 Billion in local economic development, according to the State of the State, a report produced by the Energy Efficient Business Coalition (http://energyefficiencybusinesses.org). 

To introduce this concept from the perspective of a business owner, ICOSA invited Tim Heaton, Vice President and co-founder of Coolerado, Inc. (www.coolerado.com) to talk about his experience with energy efficiency, both the successes and the challenges.  Energy is the single largest controllable business expense.  “The commercial real estate industry spends approximately $24 billion annually on energy -- typically a third of variable expenses,” according to statistics.  Of that, lighting and cooling account for 80% of that cost. 

The biggest impact is in the retrofit market because new construction accounts for only 1% of market activity. In fact, 73% of our commercial buildings are 20 years or older.  The benefits of reducing energy costs are huge and represent big opportunity, according to Heaton.  A 10% decrease in energy use could lead to a 1.5% increase in net operating income (NOI).   This is money that goes directly to the business’ bottom line, emphasizes Heaton.

As we take a deeper dive on the show, however, we see that the benefits exceed those that are directed towards a business’ bottom line.  Studies have shown that conserving 1 megawatt of energy:  creates 22 new jobs; generates an increase of $2,230,572 in annual economic output for the region; provides $684,536 in new wage income; produces $125,000 in new business income for local businesses.  This is yet another time on the show that we see the impact of market failures.  In this case, if numbers show that energy efficiency is an economic engine, why isn’t the energy efficiency industry growing in-line with its potential?   

One market challenge is the upfront cost associated with energy efficiency retrofits.  To understand the challenges and some solutions in this area we talk to Sharon Procopio, P.E. Commercial Energy Program Administrator, City and County of Denver Department of Environmental Health.  Sharon manages the Denver Energy Challenge for Businesses, which provides education, free support services, and financial assistance to businesses in the City and County of Denver.  (http://www.denverenergy.org/)  The Denver Energy Challenge was created to expand energy efficiency services to residents and businesses in the City of County of Denver and its funding was derived under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

Because energy is a business cost and not necessarily associated with a business’ core objective, decisions on energy efficiency and investment are time consuming and can be confusing.  To address this, Elevations Credit Union (elevationscu.com/energyloans) has teamed up with Energy Smart and the Denver Energy Challenge to bring Elevations Energy Loans to eligible homes and businesses in Denver City and County and Boulder County.  This team of experts provides access to energy advisors to help assess the business needs and make retrofit recommendations, qualified contractors to make the improvements and loan specialists to provide low interest loans (2.75% for homes and 3.75% for businesses). 

Under this program, Elevations Credit Union is committing $35M in financing for energy efficient and renewable energy upgrades for eligible homes and businesses in Denver and Boulder Counties.  Boulder and Denver Counties have set aside $8M of grant funds to create a finance program to improve energy efficiency of existing buildings and stimulate local economic growth.  Businesses and residences can find more information by looking at this video http://youtu.be/xzkW_wpstJk or going to the Denver Energy Challenge website http://denverenergy.org/content/energy-loans.

Join us for a more detailed discussion on ICOSA’s Driving Force radio with Jan Mazotti (http://www.talkzone.com/shows/199/icosa.html) and co-host for Energy 101, Kelly de la Torre.   

 

 

 

 

 

Jon Powers, Federal Environmental Executive in the White House council on Environmental Quality: Leading by Example

“Example isn’t another way to teach, it is the only way to teach.”  - Albert Einstein

Jon Powers, the Obama Administration’s Federal Environmental Executive within the White House Council on Environmental Quality recently addressed a packed room at the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado (http://sustainablecolorado.org/).  As Federal Environmental Executive, Jon is responsible for promoting environmental and energy sustainability across federal government operations. During this meeting Powers emphasized the Obama Administration’s commitment to lead by example as directed by Executive Order 13514 that sets sustainability goals for Federal agencies.  These goals are closely tied to environmental and economic performance as well as to our energy security.  While the scope of the Order is daunting - the Federal government occupies nearly 500,000 buildings, operates more than 600,000 vehicles, employs more than 1.8 million civilians, and purchases more than $500 billion per year in goods and services – the results that can emerge and are emerging by this lead by example strategy are staggering. 

A movement and culture shift of this size needs leadership, passion and determination.  Fortunately, these are skills that Jon Powers brings to the table. Powers told a story about his first days in the Army when his Platoon Sargent took him aside and said there are two types of leaders: those that lead by rank and those that lead by example.  Powers took leading by example on as a value and draws upon his intimate understanding of the impact of energy and sustainability on our security to focus on the initiatives under Executive Order 13514.

More than leadership, Powers demonstrates a commitment to learning about what is working and it is a goal of the Council to use that knowledge to replicate success stories.  For example, on his tour of Denver, Powers also visited with leaders at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to discuss a joint federal/local government leadership team that created a sustainability challenge to increase conservation awareness, save natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The team consists of the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 and the City of Lakewood.  The sustainability challenge engaged employees with the goal of reducing carbon dioxide and educating local communities.  Some of their successes include a 1 MW Denver Federal Center Grid (DFC)-Tied Photovoltaic Solar Park.  The 6,192 panel site generates about 1,600,000 kWh per year – approximately 10 percent of the DFC's entire electrical demand.  Retrofits for interior lighting have reduced electrical demand by 3,765 kWh per year.  It is these types of strategies and partnerships that the Council on Environmental Quality is seeking to replicate, according to Powers. 

For the federal government to meet mandates for reductions in energy use, water use and GHG emissions, however, mechanisms are needed.  The government can leverage its buying power but there still need to be functional mechanisms to finance improvements and funding available for research and development and according to Powers, there are barriers. 

Federal funding supports research and development.  As one example, the Internet and GPS came out of R&D projects under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an agency created to develop technology beyond immediate requirements of the military.  Recognizing the need for transformational energy research “where success would drive dramatic benefits to the nation,” ARPA-E was funded in 2009 with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  These funding opportunities can also leverage partnerships with the Department of Defense and enable investment in high risk/high reward energy research.  A current challenge however, is that the House Republican Budget currently proposes a 19% cut to funds for clean energy.  These budget cuts would undermine the findings in the 2007 report, “Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future,” the same report that recommended creation of ARPA-E.  The report found, in part: 

The United States takes deserved pride in the vitality of its economy, which forms the foundation of our high quality of life, our national security, and our hope that our children and grandchildren will inherit ever-greater opportunities. That vitality is derived in large part from the productivity of well-trained people and the steady stream of scientific and technical innovations they produce. Without high-quality, knowledge-intensive jobs and the innovative enterprises that lead to discovery and new technology, our economy will suffer and our people will face a lower standard of living. Economic studies conducted even before the information-technology revolution have shown that as much as 85% of measured growth in US income per capita was due to technological change.

Another challenge is lack of data necessary to design appropriate funding mechanisms.  Powers noted Green Button as an innovative program directed towards data collection.  According to www.greenbuttondata.org, “Green Button is an industry-led effort that responds to a White House call-to-action: provide electricity customers with easy access to their energy usage data in a consumer-friendly and computer-friendly format via a "Green Button" on electric utilities' website.”  Accurate energy information can not only empower consumers to make educated choices around managing their energy use but also provide data that innovators can use to produce new consumer applications that address energy management needs. 

In short, one important take away message was that the federal government is leading by example and at the same time, this work is creating data that we can use to innovate and educate from the ground up.  Having access to critical data is key in removing barriers to innovation.  Innovation is closely tied to our energy security – and thereby our national security, and to me, nothing is more compelling. 

Energy From Thorium – An ICOSA Interview with Kirk Sorensen and Member of the House of Lords, Baroness Worthington

What is the potential for the use of thorium as an energy resource? I just traveled to Huntsville, Alabama with Jan Mazotti for ICOSA magazine to find out directly from Flibe Energy. Liquid fluoride thorium reactors or LFTR (pronounced "lifter"), have the potential to revolutionize the energy industry by providing clean, reliable, and continuous power generation while using a fuel that we have in abundance. Remarkably, however, it's not just about power. It's also about creating a reliable supply of isotopes for medical treatment, rocket fuel, and other useful by-products. In short, LFTR is about taking a fresh look at a proven technology so that we can move securely into the future. 

In our interview with Flibe, we discuss how it works, the state of the technology, what needs to happen to integrate LFTR into America's energy generation portfolio and more specifically, what that might look like. What struck me, however, is the similarity of Flibe's story to some of America's greatest success stories and greatest leaders.  

"To alter the course of an industry requires a very special and rare partnership between one who knows why and those who know how," says Simon Sinek in his book entitled, "Start With Why."  Why is the vision and the how is the processes and systems that make the vision a reality. "In nearly every case of a person or an organization that has gone on to inspire people to do great things, there exists a special partnership between why and how . . . Bill Gates, for example, may have been a visionary who imagined a world with a PC on every desk, but Paul Allen built the company," observes Sinek. According to Sinek, "the why types are the visionaries, the ones with the overactive imagination, whereas how types live more in the here and now." They build the structures and processes needed to get things done. Success requires both.

Flibe Energy was co-founded by Kirk Sorensen and Kirk Dorius, former college roommates.  Both were students in mechanical engineering. Sorensen went on to study aerospace engineering and Dorius went to law school. The match pairs Sorensen's infectious enthusiasm, charisma and vision with Dorius' tenacious determination and practicality needed to lay to the foundation to turn vision into reality. According to Sinek, this is the beginning of a recipe for success. "A shared upbringing and life experience increases the probability of a shared set of values and beliefs." Sinek provides several examples of why/how partnerships.  Walt Disney and Roy Disney were brothers. Bill Gates and Paul Allen went to high school together. Herb Kelleher was Rollin King's divorce attorney and friend (Southwest Airlines). Martin Luther King Jr. and Abernathy both preached in Birmingham.  Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were best friends in high school. Kirk Sorensen and Kirk Dorius were college roommates. If history is any indication, Flibe is on solid footing.

Pessimists are often right, but it's the optimists that change the world, says Thomas Friedman, author of "The World is Flat." In his book, Sinek demonstrates that American's have had great success in making a vision a reality when we understand why. The process starts with the vision and charisma of the leader - something Sorensen clearly demonstrates. Each tangible demonstration of success that the vision became a reality strengthens the foothold and encourages acceptance. The energy landscape is transitioning. With LFTR technology and Flibe Energy, we may very well be at the beginning of another great American success story.

You will be able to listen to the radio show on http://www.talkzone.com/shows/199/icosa.html and ICOSA's YouTube station http://www.youtube.com/user/ICOSAmagazine soon. 

Watch Simon Sinek’s TEDX talk here: http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html