Howdy friends,

I would like to draw your attention to a term called “Open-source.” Most of you that are familiar with the term think of the collaboration and cooperation that is part of software development. It has been a MAJOR player in the development of our current software and hardware computer technologies. It has now evolved into much, much more than that. We have shifted into a time where “people” (collective masses) now have more power than the giant corporations… through collaboration and synergies.

What I would like to submit to you, is that an amazing new company has utilized this concept of “Open-source” to bring about a paradigm SHIFT in the energy industry through decentralized cooperation and collaboration. We are talking about a group of passionate and caring individuals that are dedicated to a mission much greater than themselves. Why? Is it the money? Is it the fame? ……… or is it to be part of something that has the POTENTIAL to SHIFT our experience of business as usual on it’s head. Could it be a worth the risk of time and personal energy to contribute toward part of the solution for the biggest challenge of our time? Both economically and environmentally?

We are on an adventure… if it were easy, it would not be called an adventure. If there were no challenges there would be no learning. We are breaking ground with not only a business that has not been done before… but even more importantly, with a collective energy of people that will rival the likes of Google, Wikipedia, and SETI. Citizenre will become not only a household name… it will become “THE” company to emulate in the new “green” age. Life is not an accident. Everything has it’s ultimate purpose and each and everyone of us has a part to play.

I am very happy to be part of this process and find the process a joy. Sure results are what counts in the end… but the end is not all it is cracked up to be…. Smelling the roses along the way, while not being to worried about a few thorns, makes for a happy solar traveler…

I would like to share three videos with you to illustrate these points… hope you enjoy them and find inspiration in them.

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##A Man Who Grew A Finger

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We live in an amazing time folks! GO SOLAR!
In-joy,
Bruce

Even though our government has chosen to subsidize the Ethanol from Corn technology there are some major questions as to why this was passed. Turns out the net energy to create the Corn based ethanol is no more than what you yield from it…. no net energy.

There are a couple of attractive alternatives that are not getting the support they should.

The first alternative bio-fuel is Switchgrass Ethanol…

Here is a report by Scientific American on a 5 year study…
“switchgrass ethanol delivers 540 percent of the energy used to produce it, compared with just roughly 25 percent more energy returned by corn-based ethanol according to the most optimistic studies.”-USDA plant scientist Ken Vogel
“”Cellulosic ethanol contains more net energy and emits significantly fewer greenhouse gases than ethanol made from corn.”-DOE Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman.

But even a native prairie grass needs a helping hand from scientists and farmers to deliver the yields necessary to help ethanol become a viable alternative to petroleum-derived gasoline, Vogel argues. “To really maximize their yield potential, you need to provide nitrogen fertilization,” he says, as well as improved breeding techniques and genetic strains. “Low input systems are just not going to be able to get the energy per acre needed to provide feed, fuel and fiber.”

University of Rhode Island scientist aims to genetically modify switchgrass and produce 100% ethanol for less than $1 per gallon.

“That’s a key concern with using corn for ethanol because some of the genes being engineered into corn to make it a better source of ethanol aren’t genes we want in the food chain. And without confinement, such as plant sterility, those genes could find their way into the corn that we eat.”
“It won’t entirely solve the problem, but it sure will help,” said Kausch. “And the reduced CO2 that comes from your tailpipe is then absorbed by the plants that are then turned into ethanol again, so it becomes a natural cycle.”

– Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island, plant geneticist

Second alternative bio-fuel is Ethanol from Hemp…

Hemp: the New Soy The THC in this food is so minuscule it is like comparing poppy seeds with heroin.

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Willie on Hemp and the Family Farm…

The Declaration of Independence was printed on Hemp!

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Hemp Building materials -Hemp can make a cement-like substance that is stronger & lighter than traditional cement , in fact 1/6th the weight.

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1941 Ford Hemp Car- lighter than steel, yet could withstand 10 times the impact without denting

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Could this all be about the control of the oil industries… or the fear of ???

Why are we kept in the dark about this particular plant? Who has the most to loose if we start to utilize this fiber the way our ancestors did? Good questions to answer.

The old stigmatism about Hemp needs to change, or at least soften. The “medicinal” pot is a distant relative of the other varieties of Hemp. You could eat a life time of the new “healthy” hemp seeds and never get high… instead you would just suffer from better health…. darn.

Is ‘Hemp’ The Right Thing to Do?
Are there better options for fiber? super foods? better sources of ethanol? Maybe. There are better ways to harvest energy. How about Solar Energy? One onethousandth of one percent of the solar energy reaching the earths surface can satisfy all of the earths energy needs. In fact, in just one hour the Sun provides enough energy to supply all our needs for an entire year… There is a better way… like the solar rental REnU from Citizenre! We could even use this energy to make methanol out of carbon dioxide and not only do we have a superior fuel but we stop and possibly reverse global warming.

Be well,
Bruce

Happy Earth Day from the Environmental Defense Fund…

Choose HOPE…. Choose ACTION…

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And from our Native Brothers and Sisters…

Food for thought…

WARNING: this international presentation may open your mind about the world’s consensus about Climate Change through the 2008 World Economic Forum in Davos.

Davos 2008: - Climate Change Divide

Davos 2008: A Unified Earth Theory

Davos 2008: The World is Getting Better! - Bill Gates

There is much more there check it out!

I also wanted to share a wonderful resource to bring understanding about the real debate about the IPCC, Global Waming etc. I have no intention of re-inventing the wheel here. Others have done a very good job of putting the facts together.

Just visit this site…

I you are still a skeptic… that is perfectly fine. The vast majority of the planet’s people will continue to more forward to solve this problem. Hopefully sooner than later.

The Citizenre REnU solution is one of those “unifying” products that provides an economic solution as well as an environmental solution or vice versa. It does not matter which angel you come at it… it still benefits everyone.

The evidence and the facts are overwhelming. In fact, it seems every few weeks we are finding out about new scientific evidence that the climate crisis is significantly worse and unfolding more rapidly that even the most skeptical points of view from the IPCC.

Like this article from Harvard Science

and this article from Science Daily

The debate about Global Warming will continue, there are those who will always disagree. The “no consensus” argument is just plain uninformed. The real debate is not about if it is happening it is about how quickly and in what ways we will make the changes to solve it.

We Can Do This.
Visualize World Peace.

In-joy,
Bruce

For many the debate about Global Warming or Climate Change or Creation Care is ongoing.

What I would like to propose is a way to cooperate with all points of views. This is important as we speak to each other but also how we embrace the wide array of opinions across our great nation.

1.Our solution is appealing to all from monetary, economic and social standpoints. We will give homeowners a way to save money, create thousands of jobs, and move our country toward a safer more energy independent country. We have little to do with weather or not humans are the cause of the climate changes or who is right or wrong in the “debate.”

2. The skeptics are always of value. They enlighten areas we may have overlooked and push us toward that which we want in an indirect but honest way. Sometimes the political spin personal attacks and sarcasm can get ridiculous on both sides of the issue. Finding ways to remain open minded and not accusatory or retaliatory is very important. “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” -Gandhi

3. Use common sense. Let’s say global warming is all a political spin and they are wrong that humans are the cause. Or let’s say special interest groups and political spins are trying to create doubt for their own benefits. Then let us find solutions and ways to create a better economy without sacrificing our lifestyle or liberties through a strong renewable energy policy that promotes economic growth and national security. We do not have to have painful governmental mandates. We can responsibly wean our selves from fossil fuels and use our military to protect Americans and not need to fight over oil on foreign soil. The bottom line should be a common goal that benefits all the people not just the corporations although the corporations and the private sector will be providing the solutions. Make going green profitable not just a popular trend and then will will have a solution everyone can get behind.

4. Let the scientific community continue the debate. To pretend to know as much as they do would be foolish. Look at the big picture and the overall message from the majority of scientists with up to date peer reviewed studies. Scientists by nature are very conservative and can never reach total consensus because there is always a margin of error built in to their calculations. Look for overall trends and realize there will always be disagreement.

5. Step back and find common ground with each other. Step away from the political and religious platforms and find ways to be inclusive rather than fault finding or trying to persuade others to your point of view. Use compassion and kindness as a guideline.

6. Make a difference with the Citizenre REnU renewable energy solution, help folks upgrade their homes to solar… everybody wins!

Below is an article from the Christian Science Monitor that is very congruent with these points.

Hope this helps bridge the gap on climate change.

In-joy,

Bruce

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GLOBAL WARMING REPORT: A CALL FOR ALL TO CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION
Faith and science can complement each other to accomplish a common cause.
By Joel C. Hunter
from the February 8, 2007 edition Christian Science Monitor

“The earth is not heating up nearly as fast as the debate about its climate. We can blow up so irresponsibly that we lose the steam we need to act constructively. Or we can respond to this environmental challenge in a way that increases respect and effectiveness, while decreasing the hot error.”

“The most credible authority on climate change is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a panel of hundreds of the world’s best scientists, evaluated by hundreds of other scientists, further evaluated by government officials of 154 countries and the major national academies of science around the world. Scientists, like cats, are difficult to coordinate. Therefore, this continually updated consensus report is a very conservative document. This year’s report, released last Friday, says that there is more than a 90 percent likelihood that human activity is a significant contributor to climate change. I believe it because they are the experts (not politicians or some retired engineer who has “done his own research”). All the disagreements I have read have either been founded on old information or have very limited perspectives.”
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This is an amazing presentation from the UK-Channel 5.
It has many, many points woven into a problem solving approach to the out of control Consumerism that is growing on a global scale. It makes the point, much like the “Story of Stuff” that we are living a linear mode of consumption on a finite planet… we will run out of resources.

It may take a few minutes to watch all four parts but it will be well worth your time.

Big Ideas That Changed The World - Consumerism (1/4)

Big Ideas That Changed The World - Consumerism (2/4)

Big Ideas That Changed The World - Consumerism (3/4)

Big Ideas That Changed The World - Consumerism (4/4)

Consumerism re-born?

I wanted to offer a few words clarifying the terminology of the “Forward Rental Agreement” (FRA) For some there seems to be confusion about if the customer is signing an “application” or a binding “agreement”.

We recently has some changes in the FRA and the  “application” wording is still in the cover letter and the FRA. It has just been removed from the title.

The best way of explaining this is through the words on the cover letter…
“Once Citizenre receives the application, they will review it and check it for accuracy. If there are no problems with the application, then the company will approve your application and provide a Letter of Acceptance to you.” The “application” will also be their “agreement” as they move forward to the next level of commitment with their security deposit after the site review. No need for anyone to feel nervous, they can cancel at anytime with no financial obligation. The new wording (section 9) of the T&C is very clear and easier to understand than before… that should help folks alleviate their fears.

I also agree, as Rob has stated, that the wording needs to convey a sincere interest of what they “will” be agreeing to in the future…. thus the words “Forward Rental Agreement”. If they are not serious about wanting solar we have plenty of folks that are, no need to convince anyone… although we certainly want to include everyone…

Hope this helps.

Peace,
Bruce

EnergyIndependenceToday (empowured.net)
Team Newsletter
June 1, 2007

Hello everyone!

Spring has sprung… and I for one have been quite busy. It has been a while since the last newsletter so I will just give you the cream of the current crop of news and support information I have been gathering.
Remember to have fun and share your passion!
-Bruce Marshall-Jones

Support the S.O.L.A.R. Act in congress
(Solar Opportunity and Local Access Rights)
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/654310470
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Tell congress to support the securing of America’s Energy Independence Act!
http://www.seia.org/home.php
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I got this from a new site called Powurwiki, put together by other Ecopreneurs. You may also find even more great information there.
http://powurwiki.pbwiki.com (The password is solar909)
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From Rob Styler… here is a link from a recent radio interview with David Gregg, the CEO of Citizenre. This is a long stream and David is in the last part. Before David, Jeff Wolfe, who has been active critic of ours, shares his model and his perspective. He is not aggressively against us in this interview, but he suggests that we are not real.
David’s responses are great and the enthusiasm of the hosts is priceless!
http://www.bestrateofclimb.com/EFF-Episode5.mp3
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Here is another good source of information showing the net metering programs by state.
http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/resources/maps/netmetering_map.shtml
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Just in case you did not get my last email here is another copy of the new Ecopreneur video put together by Rob Styler…
http://www.powur.com/web/video/
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Great News Wire - Airtricity Finalizes Largest Wind Project to Date
http://www.greatnewswire.com/wire/press_release/11929
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Residential Electricity Prices: A Consumer’s Guide
from the EIA (Energy Information Administration)
http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/brochure/electricity/electricity.html
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Get the kids enrolled in solar energy!
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Educational/educational.htm
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Silicon Valley Expores Solar Technology… ABC News
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=2478754
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Energy Crisis - Robert Redford on Larry King Live