This guest blog was written by Dr. Dan Zhu, Ph.D., LEED GA, Chief Climate Officer with the City of Gainesville, FL; and Jennie Ford, an Environmental Planner with the City of Gainesville’s Department of Sustainable Development.On Friday, October 25, Gainesville accelerated its commitment to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 with an electric vehicle (EV) Ride and Drive event hosted in partnership with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. This event provided city leaders, elected officials, and staff the unique opportunity to test drive a Tesla Model 3, immersing them in the benefits of EV technology while highlighting Gainesville’s ongoing efforts in transportation electrification. Transportation electrification is a key priority in Gainesville’s Climate Resilience Plan, with the city’s EV Steering Committee hard at work developing a comprehensive plan for electrifying both city and bus fleets, along with public charging infrastructure across the city.
The test drives offered more than just a thrilling ride—they were an opportunity to learn about the technology directly, with a knowledgeable EV driver in the passenger seat. Dory Larsen, Senior ET Program Manager with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, brought expertise and patient guidance to the experience, ensuring participants fully understood the benefits and mechanics of EVs, as well as available tax incentives. Alongside her, city staff shared information on Gainesville’s recent initiatives to increase EV adoption, enhancing participant engagement and bolstering support for the city’s electrification goals.
“Driving a Tesla showcases the remarkable range and seamless technology of electric vehicles—it’s a glimpse into a cleaner, smarter future.”
Participants from various city departments—including Human Resources, Fleet, Public Works, Parks, Housing, Communications and Sustainable Development—joined, as did an elected official, including a representative from the Alachua County and City of Gainesville Joint Water and Climate Policy Board. For many, this was their first time behind the wheel of a Tesla, and the experience was met with enthusiasm and appreciation for the support provided by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
This event not only fueled excitement around EVs but also reinforced Gainesville’s dedication to creating a sustainable, resilient future for all. Together, we’re embracing a cleaner, greener path forward.
“Taking Tesla’s autonomous driving for a spin, we’re showcasing how effortless and impactful the switch to electric vehicles can be for our community and our world.”
The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy’s Electrify the South program leverages research, advocacy, and outreach to accelerate the equitable transition to electric transportation across the Southeast. Visit ElectrifytheSouth.org to learn more and connect with us.
The post Gainesville Embraces Electrification: City Leaders and Staff Test Drive Tesla Model 3 at EV Ride & Drive Event appeared first on SACE | Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Renewable Energy
The SAVE Act
It appears that there are a few Republicans who understand the SAVE Act is simply an exercise in voter suppression and thus an attempt to overturn American democracy.
We need to accept any little bit of good news where we can find it.
Renewable Energy
What We Want from the State
What we see at left is a a perfect example of a “straw man” argument, i.e., one that deliberately twists one side of the debate. If you asked to guess as to the percentage of Americans who want to give up free enterprise and hand over the “means of production” to the government, I’d say it could be 1/100th of a percent.
Practically nobody wants “everything from the state.” What most of us want, in addition to the many dozens of other things that the U.S. federal, state, and local governments provide us is Medicare for all and subsided education, which is the form of government in the countries that consistently come in at the top of the World Happiness Rankings.
Renewable Energy
Preferences for Musical Genres and Political Demographics
The following is simply raw speculation on my part. I’ll be interested in your comments.
There are musical styles that align themselves with left- and right-wing politics, though none of these, with the possible exception of one, has 100% of its audience–more on this below.
Here are a few musical genres, where they seem to be pro- or anti-Trump. and why:
Classical. Largely but not exclusively anti-Trump. Classical appeals to the mind and the emotions that surround the perception of beauty, and people who are strong in these areas are generally anti-Trump. There are exceptions, in that there are plenty of billionaires and weirdo intellectuals, e.g., the “objectivists” of Ayn Rand fame many of whom adore classical music.
Country. Pro-Trump. Most of it appeals to people whose most nuanced thinking concerns getting drunk and laid in the back of their pick-up truck.
HipHop: Pro-Trump. The opposite of classical, this is music that appeals to the genitalia as opposed to the mind.
Rock. Mixed bag. Heavy metal probably favors Trump; fans of prog-rock bands like Yes and Pink Floyd have too much going on in their minds and hearts to be Trump supporters.
Folk: Mostly anti-Trump. Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan fans aren’t big on stupidity and fascism. I’m sure there are exceptions.
Reggae: Distinctly anti-Trump. Black folks’ songs of love, peace, weed, and escape from slavery aren’t going to resonate with the hate of the White supremacists.
The Grateful Dead. I’ll leave you with this. If you can find me a single Dead Head Trumper, I’ll be astounded. Now, I know that essentially no one sits on the fence about the Dead; they have their detractors. But there is essentially zero intersection of Dead Heads and those who favor war, corruption, hate, greed, and ignorance.
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