Sep 30
The Tonight Show, Starring John Doerr
There's so much noise about "clean energy" and "green jobs" and "Obamacare"...oh, well, maybe not Obamacare, but it's tainted by the same brush these days, I'm afraid.

I was talking with my cleantech colleague Scott Moon of Ernst & Young the other day at the ribbon cutting for Renmatix's new technical facility in King of Prussia, PA.

Renmatix has developed a technology that converts wood waste into cellulosic sugar for use in biofuels and biochemicals.  It's not just an energy play.

The world in which we live -- tech, manufacturing and service companies that are trying to disrupt energy, building materials, chemicals, and even finance -- is getting a black eye from a peanut gallery full of enemies. 

As if that wasn't enough, then came Solyndra, which was like getting hit by friendly fire as we were taking the hill.

"We can't get a break," I said to Scott.  "Good companies that have solid solutions and good products and even customers lined up out the door are being lumped into the rubbish bin of broken dreams."

Even my pals at Fox Business are trash-talking the entire sector while attacking the President's policies and insider shenanigans.

"We need to come up with a new name for 'cleantech,'" Scott said. "I can't get anybody to pay attention to it."

Inside the spartan facility, Renmatix's presentation was beginning.  John Doerr, venture partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and a long-time advocate of and investor in cleantech, came on the stage to a rock music intro.  It was a talk show entrance.  He even did a Johnny Carson move to silence the music.

"There were basically three revolutions over the past 30 years," Doerr related. "computer technologies: IT; biotech: BT; and now we have the third, energy tech or ET."

"Energy Tech."  With all due respect to Mr. Doerr or my brethren at Enertech Capital, who were prescient in being inclusive when naming their firm, I'm not sure that does it either.

Sure you can lump stuff like "clean coal," natural gas, nuclear, and maybe even tar sands under the "ET" label, but wasn't that what "clean energy" was accomplishing over "renewable energy."

At the end of the day, we really need to find not a new brand, but to make a better case for the energy technologies we need to power the future. 

The debate over whether we can make money in this stuff has started, but that's still too early.  The real test is still a way off.

Until we do make some green from green, however, we'll never see cleantech, clean energy or even energy tech become the new normal.  And I just hope we don't get caught with the lights off one day.



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Sep 30
Today I am reviewing the NDP platform. You can view the PC party platform from yesterday here.

The NDP platform is called the Plan for Affordable Change and it outlines making life affordable, jobs and health care. They also have an Affordable Green Choices Plan, and a Change that Works for Rural Ontario Plan.

I interviewed 2 candidates from the NDP Party. Nik Spohr from the Halton riding and Karen Gventer from the Dufferin-Caledon riding. Their answers are below and offer additional explanation of the NDP party platform.

Environment
     * Ensure the burden of the cost of recycling/disposal is on the manufacturer
     * Develop a cap and trade plan with revenues going to reducing carbon emissions
     * Strengthen regulations to reduce over packaging

What programs/incentives/penalties will be available to corporations to ensure that Ontario resources are kept in Ontario?
According to Nik the NDP party will ensure that the government is purchasing local products to build Ontario transportation, construction, local food processing, and other services. They want the government to always try to “Buy Ontario” first, and only go out of province if they can’t find that resource or product in the province.
  
Energy
     * Merge the 3 Agencies to reduce duplication and cost in the power sector
     * Fund large scale, publicly owned green energy projects (10,700 MW by 2018, 5000 by 2030)
     * Target 5000 MW of combined heat and power by 2021
     * Phase out coal powered electricity by 2014
     * Will not proceed with plans to build any nuclear plants

What incentives do you propose for individuals choosing the more sustainable products or services? 
Karen explains that the NDP party will help people who want to make their homes more energy efficient. We will offer rebates of up to $5,000 for people who want to retrofit their homes. As well, by making life more affordable for everyone, it will be easier for individuals to make more sustainable choices.

Food
     * Require Ontario government to spend more money on local produce
     * Assist farmers to market/promote their local food.
     * Increase Ontario grape content in 'cellared in Canada' wines
     * Expand risk management program for meat and honey

Your platforms says you will ban junk food advertising that is aimed at children. Does this include fast food restaurants like McDonalds?
Nik explains that the NDP want to amend the Consumer Protection Act to prohibit commercial advertising of “unhealthy food and drink” targeting children under the age of 13. The key word here is “targeting”- so we wouldn’t be banning advertising for unhealthy food and drink outright- only the advertising aimed at children, who are in an early-developmental state and highly susceptible to the addictive nature of these products. Both Nik and Karen agree that this would indeed include advertising by companies like McDonalds.

Transportation
     * Freeze transit fares at current levels for 4 years
     * Invest in new transit projects
     * Create cycling infrastructure (bike lanes, storage and bike tourism)

What improvements in transportation systems can Ontarians expect from the NDP party?
Nik outlines the NDP platform for transportation as a transit fare freeze over four years in exchange for a 50-50 budget funding model between municipalities and the province; making sure that transit models work for the community, and not profits, first; and support a comprehensive strategy that makes roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians. Karen explains that they would support an active transport strategy to make roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians.  An important principle of the NDP is to provide municipalities with more input into decisions; the NDP would work with municipalities to build public transit that makes sense for the community.

Health Care
     * Cut ER wait times in half
     * Scrap the LHIN's and replace with local decision making
     * Forgive student debt of new doctors who practice in under serviced communities
     * Fund 50 new 24 hour health care clinics by 2015

What programs can we expect to support new moms?
Nik explains that the NDP party will cancel the recent cuts to the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program. They will invest in the development of a provincial breast feeding strategy and pilot 4 birthing centers that will be run by Midwives. Their plan will cost $5 million but if they cap executive salaries at $300,000 then $80 million could be diverted to programs like these to help new mothers.

Do you plan to support other health professionals? (doulas, midwives, naturopaths etc)
Karen explains that in addition to what Nik outlined above for creating birthing centers for Midwives the NDP's plan to support prescribing authority to Naturopaths as it is necessary for them to maintain access to natural or botanical substances.

Additional Commitments include:
     * Removing the HST from daily essentials (hydro, gas for heating, gas for cars)
     * Will set gas price ceilings at the pump each week 
     * Develop an Ontario Retirement Plan 
     * Create a 10% tax credit for companies who invest in equipment and buildings in Ontario
     * Amend Mining Act so that minerals mined in Ontario are processed in Ontario

What do you think about the NDP platform? Have their 3 plans? What are your thoughts?

You can follow Nik and Karen on their Twitter accounts.
Sep 29
Thomas Hicks speaking at Clinton Global Initative
For every 50 fuel convoys deployed by the US military, one soldier dies or get injured.

An astounding figure shared by Thomas Hicks, deputy assistant secretary of the US Navy for energy, at the Clinton Global Initiative meetings in New York Tuesday on a panel about innovations in green technology.

The Navy, along with other branches of the military, recognizes the need to switch to alternative fuels both to reduce the risks in getting fuel into theaters of war and to reduce its exposure to price volatility.

Last year, the Navy spent over $11 billion on fossil fuels and intends to reduce petroleum use by half by 2020, which could mean replacing it with as much as 8 millions barrels of biofuels a year.

Read my full post in The Energy Collective



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Sep 29
During the federal election Annie at PhD in Parenting had great coverage of the party platforms. I decide to review the PC, NDP, Liberal and Green party platforms for the provincial election. I will mostly focus on their commitments to the environment, green energy, transportation, food and healthcare but I will also give the top highlights of other parts of their platforms. I also interviewed candidates from across the Province and will post their perspectives on their parties platforms. 

The Progressive Conservative platform is called the Change Book and it outlines their commitment to health care, education, taxes, business, transparency in government and the environment.

The Environment  
    * 100% of hunting and fishing license revenue will be dedicated to conservation
    * Investment of $10 million in Ontario Parks to make them even more enjoyable and accessible 
    * Increase funding to expand land acquisition for the Bruce Trail 
    * Cancellation of the eco taxes on items like batteries and light bulbs
 
Energy
    * Complete the closure of coal powered plants by 2014. Use sites for natural gas or biomass
    * Focus on natural gas, hydroelectric, and nuclear for power generation
    * Remove the provincial portion of the HST on hydro and the cost of home heating 
    * Unplug mandatory smart meters and allow families to decide if they want time-of-use pricing

Food
    * Implement  a Buy Ontario food policy

Transportation
    * Invest  more than $35 billion to pay for new infrastructure (transit and transportation)

Health Care
    * Eliminate the 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs)
    * Make ER wait times available in real time through Telehealth and online
    * Increase annual investments in health care by more than $6 billion by the end of the first term

Addition Commitments include
    * Continue to roll out full day daycare
    * Reduce business tax to 10%
    * Lowering income taxes by 5% on the first $75,000 of taxable income
    * Change the tax system to allow all couples to share up to $50,000 of their income
    * End the foreign scholarship program and reinvest those funds in Ontario students instead
    * Create up to 60,000 post-secondary spaces in Ontario

I reached out to several PC candidates for interviews and did not hear back from any of them so I am unable to provide their perspective on the Change Book. 

What do you think about the PC platform? Have you read the Change Book? What are your thoughts?
Sep 28
This video captures the beauty of Autumn, my favorite time of year.  So, relax and enjoy natures beauty and the marvelous Autumn colors, as edited by laona (goddesslight1)
Sep 28
He Said - Joe’s Reply to Fruit Flies
icon1 The Green Skeptic | icon2 Member Posts | icon4 09 28th, 2011| icon3Comments »
First off, let me start with this…..I have never done this before. I have never blogged, written a response to any editorial or story I have read in the on-line version of our local daily newspaper (although I’ve been tempted many a time), post a comment, HELL ….. as many family and friends can attest to, I haven’t even used the wall on Facebook, EVER! But alas, no better a time than now, to give the readers of my lovely wife’s Blog some insight of the “his” viewpoint.

Now let it be known, I will admit that Jen and I don’t always agree on certain ways of handling various pests or intruders. Jen will always resort to the more environmentally friendly solution first, followed by another if that doesn’t work, and then another. I will entertain the first attempt, but inside my manly instinct is already taking over and the little guy sitting on my shoulder wearing the skull and crossbones is chomping at the bit.

As you are all well aware by now, she has developed many enemies; bees, ants from hell, vines large enough to consume small children, and most recently the dreaded flesh-eating fruit flies. What prompted the decision to go out of my comfort zone was not the great “alternative” remedies she has offered to everyone, but to highlight the one flaw I as her husband have identified. Something that is a constant reminder each and every time I step out into the yard.

I admit that her remedy with the fruit-in-a-glass covered with plastic wrap worked…..it truly did. BUT, here is the flaw. You see, Jen makes the point of reminding everyone you can release them outside IF YOU WANT TO. People, in order for this to truly be an effective option you must, I repeat, you MUST remove the plastic from the glass!! As you can see from the picture, the constant reminder I have is the fossilized fruit flies that are still on the back step in the glass coffin for all to see, circa 2010!

Jen my love, the idea is to release them……but only IF YOU WANT TO I guess??

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Sep 27
Air Conditioner & Window (Silver Spring, MD)Image by takomabibelot via Flickr
Con Edison has been promoting green initiatives for some time now, but certain problems impede their progress: dense urban environments are ill-suited to the promise of smart meter technologies, consumer behaviors are hard to change, and there are those pesky window air conditioners.

Yes, window air conditioners.

Read my post in The Energy Collective



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Sep 26
Standing Up by Sitting In
icon1 Go Green | icon2 Member Posts | icon4 09 26th, 2011| icon3Comments »
Tomorrow environmental activists will gather in Ottawa to protest the Tar Sands Pipeline from Canada to the US. When I initially found out about the event I was excited and wanted to go. The reason why I will be at work tomorrow instead of Parliament Hill is because the risk of arrest was too high for me and adding to it is the fact that I would be 6 hours from home. In the end it was just too far outside my comfort zone. Now if there is another one that is closer to home I will seriously consider going.

The main issues are as follows:

*Alberta's land use planning process is currently not protecting biodiversity, managing tailing waste and placing limits on water withdrawals especially during low flow periods.

* 95% of the Woodland Caribou (a threatened species) habitat will be lost in order to promote tar sands development.

* Recent reports indicate that cancer rates are up 30% in the Aboriginal population and as such further studies are needed on the health impacts from the water pollution.

* There have been no successful reclamation of tailings to date and therefore no comprehensive plan to deal with the 223 billion gallons of toxic waste that will be generated by the tar sands.

* Models (no actual rates are available) indicate that roughly 3 million gallons of tailings leak into the environment every day from the tailing lakes. 

* Alberta plans on an emission growth over the long term (16% over 1990 levels) due to CO2 emissions from the tar sands. This will put Canada beyond the targets that we have committed to. 

* $820 million has been set aside by the Companies for reclamation but studies indicate that the actual costs could be $10-15 billion. The difference may have to paid by Albertans ($4300-$6300 per person).

This isn't just a Canada issue either. The US is heavily involved and citizens are standing up and saying No (99% of exports from the tar sands go to the US).  

What can you do?  
* Vote with your pocket book - Take public transit or if you have to have a vehicle buy hybrid or electric cars
* Talk to your local government about their stance on the tar sands. Use this information when elections come up
* Attend a protest or if you can not consider donating so someone else can
* Look for local events that can attend
* Educate as many people as you can about the tar sands

Have you taken action on the Tar Sands?

The Pembina Institute has a lot of research and papers available on this issue. I encourage you to check it out.

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Sep 24

fuels

Green Fuels That Have Been Overlooked Through the Years

Petrol is running out, diesel hasn’t got too long left and fossil fuels, in general, are on death’s door. Whether we like it or not, we have to look at alternative and green fuels for the future – otherwise, we’ll all burn to a crisp and the South-American dingo bat will definitely die. So what do we do? What technologies and fuels have been overlooked over the years? Are we still being naïve about certain fuel sources or should we just continue on the same path?

Hydrogen

In theory, hydrogen is the perfect fuel source. It is, after all, the most abundant element in the universe, and as a result, it makes perfect sense for us to utilize it as a green and renewable energy source for our cars. But can it be done? Well, yes and no. At this present moment, we’re struggling with the technology. It’s not that we can’t make hydrogen-powered cars – think Honda Clarity – but we just can’t seem to get the price down and find a reliable and marketable form of storing the stuff.

Unlike petrol, you can just put 1000-litres of hydrogen in a tank under the ground. So clever folk with higher IQs than you and I are trying their best to find alternative ways of storing the element and to bring the price down.

If they do it, we can all relax; as hydrogen is a 100% green form of fuel. All that comes out of the rear of a Honda Clarity is baby foxes, so we’re not only driving; we’re driving and saving the world. But, at the moment, only California has the ability to sell the Clarity thanks to one of their hydrogen re-fueling stations.

Electric

Electric, love it or hate it, it’s here to stay. Powering our cars via the medium of electric isn’t a 21st century innovation, as our forefathers were using it – albeit quite poorly – during the early 1900s. So why, in 2011, are we still talking about electric? Fact is, electric isn’t 100% green. You plug your electric car into the socket at night and it charges it up, but where exactly is that power coming from? A fossil-fuel burning power station, of course! Not exactly environmentally friendly, is it?

Despite this, there is, quite clearly, a market for electric power. And with the public’s obsession with green motoring, electric cars are selling at an alarming rate. But while electrics are economical – thanks to them running off electric power – they are not perfect. It’s 2011, and we still can’t produce a mass-market electric car that’s affordable and practical. Sure, there are plenty of them, but none of the electrics have a proper range like a proper fossil-fuel car. Before electrics can dominate, they need to step their range game up, as 100-miles to a tank is just not going to cut it.

Vegetable oil

Sounds odd, but vegetable oil is a half decent way of powering your motor. People have been utilizing veggie oil for years in their diesel cars, and even though you do end up with a car that smells of a chip-shop, it’s a great way of saving some pennies and driving past the pumps.

For some strange reason, however, the motoring industry just hasn’t embraced vegetable oil like it should. Perhaps they fear we’d all feel hungry 24/7.

Biofuel

Biofuel is one of those fuels of the moment. It has been seriously overlooked in recent years, but it’s finally getting some recognition as a viable fuel source. Made from basically anything like rapeseed, sunflower, palm oil and algae, Biofuel is a seriously renewable fuel source, but despite this, the public is yet to be convinced.

The UK already has a few biofuel stations littered across our great country, so the infrastructure is almost there, it just needs that big government push to really get us behind the idea and force us into fuelling our cars with algae.

As you’ve read, there are plenty of fuels that are viable right now and in the future, but which one will take the crown as our next-generation fuel? That is the big question!

This guest post was written by our friends at Car Finance 247.

Fuels … as the green future unfolds.

Sep 21
I sat down today with Wendy Bounds of WSJ.com's new LunchBreak program to talk about solar leasing and two companies, SolarCity and SunRun, making solar energy generation more affordable for homeowners.

Here is the video:



And her is a link to the program: The Green Skeptic on WSJ.com's LunchBreak
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Sep 21
It's that time of year again....the time when peaches are in season, apples are delicious and fruit flies stalk us like we are their prey. All it takes is one night where you forget to take out the compost or you leave an apple core on a plate on the counter. You wake up and it is pure mayhem in your kitchen. Obviously everyone knows how to prevent getting fruit flies in the first place but let's be realistic...we are all going to get them every year so here are some green ways you can get rid of them. I have tried most of these over the years so I have put them in the order of what I find to be the most effective.

Soap and Vinegar - I put some vinegar into a shot glass and then add a few drops of dish soap on top. They say that apple cider vinegar works best but I have seen great results with balsamic and red wine vinegar. Perhaps I just have fancy fruit flies? You are probably wondering how this works? Magic! Or maybe science....so the fruit flies are all 'OMG look at that vinegar, I love me some vinegar' and they fly into the shot glass to enjoy its bounty. They think they can land on the vinegar but when they try the dish soap breaks the surface tension of the vinegar and BAM the fruit flies fall in and drown.

Fruit in a Jar - I take a piece of fruit that is a bit too ripe (like a peach or apple) and put it into a glass (I prefer clear so I can see the action). I then cover the glass with plastic wrap and secure the sides with an elastic. The top has to be very tight so it doesn't look like there is anything there...you want the plastic to act like a ninja barrier. Then poke some tiny holes into it using a pin or toothpick. Now sit back and watch as the fruit flies fly in but can not get out. You can then release them outside if you want to. Tip - re-use plastic wrap from packaging

Cone in a Jar - I haven't used this technique but basically you follow the same instructions as Fruit in a Jar but instead of doing the plastic on top you make a cone out of paper (scrap paper people) secure it so it is a tiny hole at the bottom. Place this into the opening of the jar.

Okay I just did a quick google search to see if there were any other methods that I hadn't used that I thought would work and I came across this. Check your flour. That's where they hatch larvae. You are looking for shed larvae skins. They are light brown and translucent. W.T.F? Okay now I am officially grossed out.

How do you get rid of fruit flies? You totally want to go and check your flour don't you?

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Sep 21
It occurred to me that it has been awhile since I last put up a relaxation video.  It is always the right time to just clear your mind, kick back and enjoy a rejuvenating break.  Enjoy! Check here for flights to bourgas
Sep 21
This is the tree that we bought for Earth Day.

Sep 21
I sat down with Stewart Varney & Company this morning at Fox Business to talk about climate skeptics, Solyndra, and setbacks, oh my...

Here is the video:

Watch the latest video at <a href="http://video.foxbusiness.com">video.foxbusiness.com</a>

And here is a link in case the viewer doesn't function in your browser: The Green Skeptic on Fox Business


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Sep 20
Beyond Junk Mail
icon1 Go Green | icon2 Member Posts | icon4 09 20th, 2011| icon3Comments »
This week we got 2 pieces of mail that went beyond junk mail. The first was stuck to our front door with magnets. When our friend found it she asked why the hell we have a picture of our house on our house. You see a local real estate agent put a laminated picture of our house with a calendar under it on our front door. I'm not sure why someone would want a picture of their own house. I'm also not sure what I am supposed to do with a calendar that I can't write on. And you should see the grass in the picture...it is like they photoshopped it greener to stick it to us that our lawn sucks. 



I hope that next year I get a picture of my car under my wiper.

The 2nd pieces of junk mail on steroids that we got was related to our upcoming provincial election. We got not 1 but 3 political ads from our local PC candidate. These ads were printed on cardstock that is thicker than a cereal box. And forget about recycled content....these bad boys looked like genuine virgin trees.

How can you prevent receiving items like this in the mail? You could try searching for services that allow you to "block" junk mail but I don't think that would have prevented us from getting either of these items. I plan on reaching out to the real estate agent and the politician and explaining the situation to them so hopefully they will change their practices in the future. 

What is the weirdest and most un-eco friendly that you have gotten in the mail?

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Sep 19
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of UPromise for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine. This isn’t just any celebration.  To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Upromise is giving away $20,000 to users who share a story that tells how a parent has supported a child’s dream!  Over the last 10 years, [...]
Sep 19




When I first started to use Method's All Purpose Cleaner I was positive I would not like it because the smell over powered my senses. It was like a pink grapefruit on crack. I have since tried the Lilac as well and it is the exact same over powering fragrance at first. It is weird because the 2nd or 3rd time I use it I don't have the same sensory overload. I'm certain that it isn't because I have burned all my nostril hairs or something but I do think that it is worth mentioning for those that are more sensitive to fragrances. Maybe try shaking the bottle before you first use it.


I instantly did like the results that I got with the cleaner. It is great for heavy spills and also every day use. I used it in our kitchen, family room and dining room and found similar results using it on wood, laminate and stainless steel. Another thing about this product that I like is that you don't need a lot to get results. 1 bottle lasted me longer than 6 months and I used it every day.

On the Method website you can see exactly what is in this product. It is non toxic, biodegradable, and the bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic. 

What would have given this product a 5 leaf rating? Well if there was a way to buy a refill instead of having to buy the entire bottle all over again. They have this for some of their other products so hopefully they will have it for their all purpose cleaners sometime soon. The fragrance issue mentioned above also is a reason I did not give it a 5. Their website indicates that they have a Free and Clear option but I have yet to see this in store here.

Have you used this product? What did you think of it?

** I bought this product myself and was not asked to review it. I am an affiliate of well.ca which does offer Method products for sale.

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Sep 18

grid

Grid Friendly Charging of Cars

Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratories say they are closer to solving one of the main problems with wind power, how to store the energy when it’s not immediately needed. They are working on an electric car charging system that would essentially use the car batteries as storage.

Currently, the grid has very limited storage for additional power that is generated when the wind is at peak performance. So, they have created a box that will either sit in the car or the charging station that will balance the charging rate.

This is a great idea for areas of the country that have wind power at their finger tips!

Grid …as the green future unfolds.

Sep 15
I had a very stimulating conversation this morning with Kerri Miller of Minnesota Public Radio's "Midmorning" talk show about Solyndra, green jobs, and the state of cleantech manufacturing in America.

Darren Samuelsohn, a senior energy and environment reporter for Politico, and Tim Greeff, policy director for the Clean Economy Network, were also on the program.

Here is the podcast:



And here is the link to the show page, with audio: The Green Skeptic


Sep 14
Solyndra Tubes
The Solyndra saga just gets worse every day. 

This morning, The Washington Post reported that it had obtained emails from August 2009, that allegedly ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reviewers to expedite the federal loan in advance of a press event announcing the deal.

OMB officials apparently expressed concerns about being rushed to approve the company for the loan without adequate time to assess the risk.

Bloomberg also reported on the emails this morning, noting that one email from an OMB official to a colleague in March 2009, which was earlier in the process for Solyndra's approval, claimed "This deal is NOT ready for prime time."

"Solyndra was the first loan guarantee issued by the Obama Administration using stimulus dollars.  Administration officials held out the company as a glowing example of how the stimulus was creating jobs and invigorating the economy," said the Honorable Cliff Stearns of the House Energy & Commerce Committee.  The Committee opened its hearings on the Solyndra DOE deal this morning.

"However, just two years after receiving this half of a billion dollar loan guarantee, and six months after DOE restructured the terms of the deal, Solyndra has closed its doors, laid off over a thousand workers, and filed for bankruptcy. Last week, FBI agents raided the facility. million loan guarantee to Solyndra," opined Stearn in his prepared statement.

One email between DOE staff dated August 19, 2009, which is quoted in a slide show developed by the House Committee, reads
 "we still have a major outstanding issue . . . . The issue of working capital assumptions has been a major issue repeatedly raised since December [2008]."
Another from the following day says,
"The issue of working capital remains unresolved. . . . the issue is cash balances, not cost. [Solyndra] seems to agree that the model runs out of cash in Sept. 2011 even in the base case without any stress. This is a liquidity issue."
Solyndra filed for Chapter 11 last month and laid off over 1,000 employees.

"If Solyndra really is the 'litmus test for the loan guarantee program's ability to fund good projects quickly,' as DOE's stimulus advisor called it in an email to DOE officials," Stearn wrote in his prepared remarks. "I am  very concerned about where the $10 billion DOE has left to spend before the September 30 deadline is going."




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