Hawaii State Buildings To Become Energy Efficient

The state of Hawaii is doing what all states should be doing in order to help curb the effects of global warming:

Eleven state government buildings, on four islands, are going to be "retrocommissioned" to increase the state's energy independence, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism announced.

The state Department of Accounting and General Services and the energy efficiency branch of DBEDT will look for opportunities to save energy in buildings and reduce operating costs, the department said. They also will improve occupant comfort, extend equipment service life and reduce the volume of emergency calls for maintenance staff.

The 11 buildings, including the State Capitol, contain more than 1.4 million square feet of space and use about 33 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, the department said.

The City of New Orleans would have been on the right track of making its' city buildings more energy efficient if it were not for the actions of Stan "Pampy" Barre, a confidant of former New Orleans' Mayor, Marc Morial. Now Mr. Barre is a convicted felon, who is awaiting sentencing for his role in looting from the massive energy savings contract.

We Must Improve Energy Efficiency

The world's largest energy consumer the United States on Monday called for a global push for increased energy efficiency to help meet rising demand and alleviate the impact of high prices on economic growth.

The U.S. consumes about 21 million barrels per day of oil, around a quarter of the world's supply. Record oil prices have cooled U.S. appetite for gas guzzling cars and, along with increasing environmental concerns, lend weight to calls for more sparing use of energy.

The country last month passed a bill requiring increased fuel efficiency in vehicles for the first time in over 30 years.

Although Stan "Pampy" Barre tried to thwart New Orleans efforts to help make the city more energy efficient, the rest of us know how important it is to conserve energy. Please do your part in order to help preserve our natural resources and decrease the effects of global warming.

Johnson Controls To Supply Lithium-Ion Batteries

For those of you who have forgotten who Johnson Controls is, let me refresh your memory. Johnson Conttrols is the company that had an energy efficiency contract with the City of New Orleans under former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial's administration. Stan "Pampy" Barre, a confidant of the mayor, looted the Johnson Controls contract for his own personal greed.

Now Johnson Controls is in the headlines again:

The company will be supplying the People's Republic of China with lithium-ion batteries for its demonstration fleet of new energy vehicles. This fleet will help China usher in a new age of fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.

This should turn out to be a huge success since they won't be dealing with a corrupt individual like Stan "Pampy" Barre.

Find Out What Your City Is Doing To Curb Global Warming

Today is day 14 into the new year and I have been discussing what some states and countries have been doing to curb global warming. I have also discussed how the City of New Orleans missed the mark when Stan "Pampy" Barre was allowed to steal from an energy savings contract under former Mayor Marc Morial's administration. The city really blew it with that one. I also urged all of my readers to find out what there city was doing to curb global warming.

It is time that you should ask that question because New Orleans is suffering right now and it may take years for the City to recover from Stan "Pampy" Barre's actions.

Energy Efficiency Contract Thief Gets Temporary Reprieve

Stan "Pampy" Barre was granted a temporary reprieve, from the federal pen, during this holiday season. The ex-political operative and confidant of former New Orleans' mayor, Marc Morial is awaiting sentencing for his role in looting from a massive energy efficiency contract that was awarded during the final year of Morial's administration.

Mr. Barre is now scheduled to be sentenced in April. Let's hope he receive the sentence he so richly deserves.

Washington - Global Warming & Theft

This is an excerpt from an editorial in the Seattle Times that peeked my curiosity. It got me to thinking that Washingtonians have a litttle more to worry about this holiday season.

They have Stan "Pampy" Barre, III lurking in their midst. Who knows if Stan "Pampy" Barre, III will go on another crime spree to possibly steal some child's XBox.

Outdoors economy demands governor's focus

If the recent record floods and droughts haven't gotten our attention, we are not paying attention.

As an avid angler and a proud grandfather, I am very concerned about the devastating effects that global warming could have on the region's treasured fishing heritage. On top of the enormous human toll, recent flooding scours out spawning nests and destroys critical river habitat for our wild salmon and steelhead.

Because the stakes are so high, I am closely watching the actions and decisions of the state Climate Advisory Team, which will soon release a draft report of recommendations.

I am looking to Gov. Christine Gregoire for strong leadership on this issue. She should be bold in addressing the issue of global warming as it impacts our economy and culture, including our sportfishing traditions.

To all parents in Washington State: Make sure you keep your homes and vehicles secure, this holiday season. You don't want Stan "Pampy" Barre, III stealing your kids' Xbox.

The Trial Of Stan "Pampy" Barre, III Has Been Delayed

The trial of Stan "Pampy" Barre, III has been delayed. The new trial date has been scheduled for September 20, 2007. According to sources, the delay is the result of a court back load in Pierce County Superior Court in the State of Washington. Mr. Barre was arrested in Sumner, Washington on February 19, 2006. He is charged with first degree burglary, first degree theft and theft of a firearm. If convicted of all of the charges, he faces a prison term of nine years.

Mr. Barre is the son of convicted operative and restaurateur, Stan "Pampy" Barre, who pleaded guilty to skimming from an energy savings contract that would have benefited the City of New Orleans. His sentencing has been delayed until November 7, 2007.

Stan "Pampy" Barre's Sentencing Date Has Been Delayed Until November 7, 2007

"Less than a week after political operative and restaurateur Stan "Pampy" Barre' helped prosecutors convict City Councilman Oliver Thomas, federal officials asked a judge to delay his sentencing, a sign that investigators believe Barre' can help in more corruption cases.

Thomas pleaded guilty last week to accepting bribes from Barré in exchange for his support for retaining a contract for managing public parking lots that Barré shared with a partner.

Barré was scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier on Sept. 5. After receiving an unopposed motion from U.S. Attorney Jim Letten's office Friday, Barbier pushed the date to Nov. 7.

Prosecutors often ask judges to delay the sentencing of a convict whose testimony they need in another case. Because Thomas has already pleaded guilty, the government no longer needs Barré's help to make those charges stick." |Read more|

I hope this does not mean that Mr. Barre' should receive a lesser sentence as a result of his cooperation. After all, he was the one who set the entire corruption scheme in motion. Sure, it is easy now for him to pretend that he is remorseful. He has nothing to lose. If he believes that faking remorsefulness can somehow help him acquire a lesser sentence, I am sure that would not be hard for him to do. After all, he did try to portray himself as an honest and ethical businessman. We all know that was a lie.

New Orleans Councilman, Oliver Thomas Convicted Of Bribery

Councilman Thomas accepted bribe from corrupt businessman, Stan "Pampy" Barre'

"According to documents filed in federal court, Oliver Thomas in 2002
met with Stanford Barre, who enlisted Thomas to assist him in maintaining a
parking contract Barre had with the French Market Corporation (FMC), City
of New Orleans. Barre was concerned that the newly elected mayor would
replace his company and thereby contract with another company. Barre
believed that based upon Thomas's position on the New Orleans City Council
and the FMC Board, he could delay, at least temporarily, the termination of
Barre's parking contract." |Read more|