The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today the investment of up to $24 million for three research groups to tackle key hurdles in the commercialization of algae-based biofuels. The selections will support the development of a clean, sustainable transportation sector—a goal of the Department’s continued effort to spur the creation of the domestic bio-industry while creating jobs. Developing cost-effective renewable transportation fuels is a key component of the Administration’s strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions and move the nation toward energy independence.

“Partnerships such as these focus the creative powers of the public, private, and academic sectors on key challenges facing the development of renewable energy for transportation,” said Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Cathy Zoi. “The United States must find effective ways to hasten the development of technologies for advanced biofuels made from algae and other renewable resources to reduce our need for foreign sources of oil.” Zoi made the announcement while speaking today at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) 2010 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing.

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You are helping us all create a global model for sustainability, right here on Hawaii Island.

Mahalo for being the change we are all seeking for our island and for ourselves. You know it starts within and you’ve created a future where all this is possible.

Getting recognized for our efforts provides a moment to reflect on how each of us have contributed to the mission and our goals for a sustainable Hawaii Island.

Three events in particular underscore your efforts:

1. SBA Special Senate meeting at the State Capitol
   http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/hi/news/index.html
   http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/hi_hawaii/hi_2010_award_winners.pdf
2. SBA Small Business Awards Luncheon Hosted by the Hawai’i Women’s Business Center
   http://www.hwbc.org/index.php?id=146
3. The 2010 SBA Awards - Hawai’i Island Chamber of Commerce – Hilo, Hawaiian Hotel
   http://greencollartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2010-sba-awards-flyer.pdf

Special Mahalos to Stacey Chun Fat at the Bank of Hawaii. She nominated Green Collar Technologies (YOU!) for this award. Without her nomination we’d never get the free lunches or the recognition we ALL deserve. Congratulations Hawaii Island for leading by example.

These are online marketing internships designed to help local students learn to market online products and services.

“We’re building a new workforce capable of working anywhere for out of state clients in need of marketing services. Strengthening our local digital economies must become a priority. We intend to teach students skills that are in demand  on high profile projects in urban metropolitan areas on the U.S. Mainland. Our interns will become tomorrow’s best online marketers.”

To qualify, students must attend skills-building classes in several areas. Additional qualifications include;

• An ability to work alone and on teams.
• A desire to learn professional online marketing skills.
• Self-transportation and an ability to arrive on-time to various workplaces in Hilo and Mountain View.
• Until we can partner with an organization capable of providing laptops to our organization, you must have your own laptop and broadband connection to the Internet.
• Internships require completion of a series of three skills building classes and demonstrate an ability to provide online marketing services upon completion of classes. Learn more about online marketing classes here.

Prospective interns must review our Green Collar Intern page and fill out online application to be considered for this intern program.

Apply Now:
http://greencollartech.com/green-collar-intern-application

Match Required: No
Actual Funds: $2,200,000,000 (Confirmed)
Summary:
The purpose of this program is to facilitate broadband deployment in rural communities. Ultimately, this program is designed to foster economic development in remote areas and improve the quality of life for rural residents. All projects must ensure that 75 percent of the funded area is in a rural region that lacks sufficient access to high-speed broadband service. Funding may also be provided for projects serving non-remote and underserved rural areas that have at least 50 percent of the premise in the area without broadband service at the rate of five Mbps.

The administering agency will favor projects that request a higher percentage of loan funds. Extra points will be assigned to projects that provide significant assistance to critical community facilities, promote rural economic development, support persistent poverty counties, serve chronically underserved areas, demonstrate cost effectiveness, offer low-cost service options, and/or provide for geographical diversity.

eCivis Alert: This program has received funding through the economic stimulus bill formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Save this funding opportunity now by clicking the tan “Save” or “Save/Assign” button at the top of this page to be alerted by email about any changes or new information.

In a previous fiscal year, the program officer stated that the number of awards that the funding agency will issue depends on the highest ranking applications and the amount of funding they are requesting.

Local gardening expert and biologist, Claudia Ziroli will be demonstrating along with Tyler Nethers from Oahu as they share techniques for growing food in raised bed gardens.

This is a great chance to network with Hawai‘i Habitat for Humanity on Oahu. We’re developing a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to help teach more folks how to live sustainable lives in Hawaii.

Everyone is invited. Donations will be accepted to support Sustainable Education onHawai‘iIsland.

Lunch will be provided by Hawai‘i Habitat for Humanity.

Please let us know you’re coming by sending us an email via our contact form here, or calling Brent at 808-896-7656

More details from Liz at Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity and Green Collar Technologies are partnering for green jobs training on the west side of the Big Island!  To kick off this partnership, we are getting our hands dirty with a raised bed organic garden project.  A few Green Collar Technologies instructors and students will be attending.  Habitat for Humanity volunteers are encouraged to participate- we could use the help!  Habitat volunteers- come out and help and learn more about composting and organic gardening for on-site food production!

Arrive at 11:00 and leave by 2:00- lunch and cold drinks provided.  Bring your own bottle for water refills, work clothes, and gloves if you have them.  We should have some extra gloves if you do not have a pair to bring.

A map of the area is below… the address is 61-4003 Kailopa Street Kawaihae, HI 96743

Looking forward to seeing everyone there- feel free to contact me on my cell if you have any questions after Wednesday since I will be on island and away from my office on Oahu.  My cellphone number 919.210.0207.

Mahalo!