| INFOGRAPHIC: The Energy Efficiency of Movement Posted: 27 May 2011 02:00 PM PDT We're all about getting around in the most efficient way possible, but comparing trains and cars and buses and biking can be quite a headache. Luckily, the fine people at Wellhome have provided with an infographic that does just that. I could blather on and on and on about the info in this graphic, but I'll just let the graphic speak for itself. Kind of makes you want to go buy a bicycle though, don't it? 
Source: Graphic Created By WellHome Energy Audits Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. You can read about his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout or follow his non-nonsensical ramblings on Twitter @harshcougar. 
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| GOP Rejects High-Speed Rail, Voters Reject GOP Posted: 27 May 2011 11:33 AM PDT 
How are the GOP governors who rejected high-speed rail projects doing? Buyer’s remorse has set in spectacularly swiftly – from Wisconsin to Florida, their approval ratings have a trajectory like locomotive plunging off a trestle. The Republican’s anti-rail ideology is part and parcel of the GOP philosophy of cutting government and slashing spending, saying it will magically create jobs when in reality it’ll just screw the public and transfer even more money to the wealthy. Voters in all four states are rejecting that approach and telling pollsters the GOP plan is “unfair to people like them.” The bad news: Those states handed the GOP the car keys and said “YOU drive for the next four years”. Now they’re stuck with the results. Florida - The headline in yesterday’s Miami Herald says it all: “Rick Scott among the least-liked governors in the nation“. - Scott took a plan that had bi-partisan support and full business backing and and derailed it, even fighting off a lawsuit from his own party-members in the Legislature.
- Why? Probably because it was a showpiece for what high-speed rail could do and would have been the first in the nation to be up and running. Anti-rail and anti-government ideologues couldn’t let that happen.
- Now Scott is at a dismal 29-57 percent approve/disapprove rating.
- The bad news for Florida: They’re stuck with this guy for another three and a half years.
See: Florida's High-speed rail money redirected to states that aren't run by idiots
 Wisconsin - Rejecting rail money was the first salvo in Governor Scott Walker‘s multi-front war against anything supported by Democrats, including collective bargaining, teachers/education, and science.
- Walker’s approval isn’t as subterranean as Scott’s or Kasich’s, but 43-54 percent approve/disapprove isn’t anything to be proud of (and among key independent voters, he’s at 40-56).
- The good news for Wisconsin: There’s a recall petition moving forward to pull the plug on Walker; four GOP State Senators are already facing recall elections in July.
- Public Policy Polling (PPP) has Walker losing to former Senator Russ Feingold 52-42 if the recall election goes ahead – and with half the populace ready for recall, you can bet the Democrats will be motivated to get the petitions signed… at high speed.
- The bad news: Even if Walker takes a hike, it’s probably too late to get any rail money back to Wisconsin, especially with the GOP Congress in Washington slashing spending. We’ll just have to see what happens next year, and whether rail-friendly Democrats take back the House.
See: Expensive Fallout Continues from GOP Train Rejection
 Ohio - John Kasich is tanking, too. Like Walker, Kasich told the Feds Ohio didn’t want their high-speed rail money; like Walker, Kasich is also trying to trash collective bargaining rights for public employees, and faces a ballot measure in November that would derail his plans.
- PPP has him at an anemic 33-56 approve/disapprove
- If there was a do-over election with Democrat Ted Strickland, who Kasich beat in November, Kasich would lose in a rout, 59 to 34.
- The bad news for Ohio: No do-overs. They’re stuck with Kasich. Maybe President Obama could appoint him ambassador to Kazakhstan?
See: Off the Rails: GOP Opens Reign By Killing Jobs
New Jersey – Some Republicans continue to talk up Governor Chris Christie as Presidential timber – although he hasn’t expressed an interest in actually running, he’s in second place in the latest Zogby poll, hot on the heels of African-American pizza executive Herman Cain, with Romney and the rest riding in the caboose (can you imagine an Obama vs Cain matchup in 2012?). But that may be a function of distance – among the people who actually KNOW something about him – New Jersey voters – the rail-spitting governor is heading toward the ash-heap. - Last year Christie cancelled the largest mass transit project in the US – a tunnel under the Hudson Riverinto Manhattan that would double the region's commuter rail capacity; rejecting billions in federal funds, killing thousands of jobs and wasting 10 years of planning.
- Fairleigh Dickinson has him in negative territory for the first time, at 40-45 favorable/unfavorable and 44-44 approve/dissaprove (and 32% give him a “poor” rating).
- 55% of voters say the state is "on the wrong track".
- Christie isn’t on the ballot in November, but members of the New Jersey State Legislature are – and FD’s poll shows New Jersey voters intend to vote Democrats back into control, by a 42-32 margin (that’s a lot of undecideds, but in the past couple of elections the “disgusted undecided” vote has tended to stay home…)
See: NJ Gov Cancels Mass Transit Project. Is America Going Off the Rails?
Hang on to your hats. It’s going to be a bumpy year. More on High Speed Rail: (Trainwreck photo via mpurcell under a creative commons license; Mickey Mouse train c Disney Animation)
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| Maker Faire is Over! So Start Your Own… Posted: 27 May 2011 08:37 AM PDT 
Make It Yourself! The beauty of the Maker Faire is to show us that we CAN make it. Want a diesel motorcycle? You can do it. Want to convert your vehicle to electric? Or steam? Go for it, these guys did! Too many to link to, but the first electric motorcycle I ever fell in love with was at Maker Faire, Lightning Motorsport’s Yamaha R1 conversion back in 2007. Want a suitcase you can cruise through the airport on? If my 10 year old nephew can make one, I'm sure you can too. 
And that is why I'm really glad they're finally expanding, encouraging people to begin faires all over. For the Maker Faire to expand is to revive that pioneer spirit so many Americans have lost. If innovation is all we have to set us apart from the rest of the world, then this is the best way to nurture and celebrate it, lest it be lost. Even the major sponsor, GE, found something fun and unusual to do with solar panels. They had a solar-powered carousel. It could've been a bit more Steampunk, though. 
These solar panels were off to the side of the carousel:  The True Steampunk Convention One Maker Faire trend I've seen grow dramatically has been Steampunk. There is now a Steampunk marketplace, where one can buy old-timey clothing. Yes, they go very well together (Steampunk is really all about making cool stuff), but as someone who was Goth back when it was shocking, I find it odd to see people dressed up Goth-esque who clearly don't dress that way every day. Still, it lends a more entertaining carnival atmosphere to the place. And yes, there did happen to be a Steampunk convention the same weekend. In New Jersey. And yes, I’m a jaded old Goth. I was surprised I didn’t see any airships. They really are the most Steampunk way to fly… Here’s their schedule (click to go to MakerFaire.com) Which one will you attend? What will you make? 
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| Pablo Montoya Loves His Chevy Volt Posted: 27 May 2011 08:18 AM PDT  When one thinks of NASCAR, "green" and "sustainable" aren't the first words to come to mind. As it turns out though, there are quite a few fans of the Chevy Volt in NASCAR circles, including owner Rick Henderson and driver Pablo Montoya.
All kidding aside, some of you might be surprised at how sustainable NASCAR is trying to become. When it was revealed that NASCAR team owner Rick Henderson was the highest bidder for the first Chevy Volt sold to the public, some eyebrows were raised. As it turns out, you don't have to be some granola-munching hippie to appreciate that the Volt represents a major stepping stone in the automotive world. It's a cool car, and a just a glimpse of what I am hoping GM has in store. Henderson isn't some lone sheep among a den of wolves though. NASCAR has also made other efforts towards greening up their act, including powering Pocono Raceway completely by solar panels, and collecting and recycling every drop of fluid spilled on race day. Yeah, they're still burning off high-octane fuel at an incredible rate, but a recent change in fuel to include a 15% ethanol blend is just another of their efforts of at least trying to go green. And because they are reaching a far different (and much less eco-friendly) segment of the population, their efforts to go green may carry more influence than some give them credit for. Now word comes from USA Today that Pablo Montoya has become an owner of the Chevy Volt. Montoya is a Colombian race car driver best known for jumping ship from Formula One to NASCAR a few years back. Montoya, who won both the Indy 500 and 24 Hours of Daytona on his first attempt, had this to say about the Volt; It’s a four-seater car! It actually has a lot of space. It’s not a Ferrari. It’s a very different concept. It’s an amazing-looking car for what it is. I’m not a small car guy. It’s actually entertaining to drive. I like it. Am I going to be a Greenpeace guy? No, I’m a fuel junkie. But if you can help a little bit, why not? And have fun in the meanwhile.
Ladies and gentlemen, I think he gets it. I know who I will be rooting for this Sunday at the Indy 500. Source: All Cars Electric | USA Today| Image: Rick Dikeman Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. You can read about his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout or follow his non-nonsensical ramblings on Twitter @harshcougar. 
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