Insight, Plymouth Rock and more Drill Baby Drill

Honda Insight- Honda introduced the new 5-door 2009 Insight at the Paris Auto Show yesterday. The car is expected to get fuel economy similar to the Honda Civic hybrid which gets 45 mpg highway. So it doesn’t quite enter Prius territory. Honda continues to say this will be one of the more affordable hybrids, but pricing has not been announced. The first models are expected to be on lots (I am sure they will be back-ordered) sometime in the first half of 2009.

Proud Pilgrims- Plymouth Rock Studios to be built on 240 acres in Plymouth, MA announced it was registering the entire development project with the United States Green Building Council in order to register to receive certification under LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). When completed the $422 million project is expected to be the world’s first “green” studio complex. Plymouth Rock Studios will contain 14 sound stages, a multi-purpose theatre, hotel, office buildings and educational components. Slated to open in 2010, the development is expected to contain many state of the art sustainable practices and materials such as low impact design strategy, high performance building design, renewable energy systems, alternate transportation, geo-thermal systems, day lighting capture and water reuse systems. Hollywood we found your answer and it’s 3000 miles east.

Debate- Once again hardly a great debate providing for many details. Gwen Ifill definitely was lobbing softballs and was like ghost moderator. No follow-up and she just allowed meandering and evasion. Barely touched on energy policy and alternative energy. The most detail provided was “energy expert” Governor Sarah Palin correcting Joe Biden over properly pronouncing the McCain-Palin mantra “Drill Baby Drill”. This was hardly a look forward to our nation becoming energy independent.