BREATHE CA Charity Soirée and Tesla Roadster Auction

 Tesla Roadster to be auctioned live at Youth Energy Summit

Sacramento, CA - This January 22, 2010, as a special add-on to the Youth Energy Summit (YES) being held at the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD), Renew America Roadtrip^TM (RAR) will be holding an exclusive green charity soirée to benefit Breathe California of Sacramento – Emigrant Trails.  The soirée will feature a live auction for the “RAR’dster” – the all-electric, zero-emission Tesla Roadster that just completed America’s first green, charity, drive cross country this past July.

The soirée will also feature special guest speakers including Jacob Griscom – founder, Sacramento Sustainability Forum and Tom Turrentine – Director, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Research Center, and offer an opportunity for attendees to interact over light hors d’oeuvres with some of the over one-hundred students, administrators, staff and featured presenters attending the Youth Energy Summit.  YES attendees include such notables as Chelsea Sexton – an EV activist featured in the movie "Who Killed the Electric Car" and Dr. Daniel Kammen, Nobel Peace prize recipient and lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.  Soirée attendees will also get a chance to tour the electric-vehicle exhibit hosted at SMUD, featuring GM’s EV1, the RAR’dster and over twenty other alternative-fuel vehicles, as well as get an opportunity to meet Maddy & Michael, the co-founders of the Renew America Roadtrip^TM. 

BREATHE soirée schedule

5:45 PM – 6:00 PM:  Badging & alternative fuel vehicle exhibit tour

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM:  Light Hors d’oeuvres, dessert, refreshments, and YES attendee meet & greet

6:15 PM – 7:00 PM:  Speakers and VIP introductions

7:00 PM – 7:200 PM:  RAR’dster Auction, Raffles

(For those unable to attend, RAR’dster bidding will also be made concurrently available via eBay)

More About the RAR’dster - The RAR’dster is everything you would expect of a high-end sportscar.  It is a gorgeous, arctic white, high-performance convertible two-seater, with a blistering 0-60 mph acceleration of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph.  It includes leather, tinted power windows, remote entry, body armor, premium paint, traction control, premium audio, CD, MP3, iPod interface, navigation, and all the little extras.  However, it is not just some “reliving your glory days” classic high-end sportscar. Not only is the RAR’dster an environmentally-sensitive marvel of modern engineering with a 244-mile range per charge and an energy-sipping 125 mpg equivalent efficiency, but it is the Roadster that just completed the pioneering 3200 mile cross-country charity eco-drive from NYC to Seal Beach, CA this past July.  Thus, the RAR’dster is arguably the greenest sportscar in America today and a one-of-a-kind. 

The RAR’dster comes with notable extras as well, including an HPC and various road-tested power adapters, authentic, autographed RAR merchandise, and limited-duration rights to Roadtrip photos, video and the temporary vinyl RAR’sdster logos for press and promotions (subject to RAR approval of use), as well as  optional co-promotion and press releases with the RAR team.

Thus, not only is this a great opportunity for a collector to acquire a truly-unique vehicle, it is also an excellent opportunity for an environmentally-friendly philanthropist, individual investor or corporate entity to put their capital to work for our country’s energy future by utilizing the vehicle to continue its mission of promoting renewable energy.  Not only does the RAR’dster make a significant positive impression wherever it is seen, its specifications back up its attractive good looks.  And, as evidenced by its cross-country pedigree, it can go the distance.

Loaned to California Automobile Museum (CAM) following completion of the cross-country trip, the RAR’dster has been on display since late summer as part of CAM’s permanent Going Green exhibit.  5% of the proceeds of the auction of the RAR’dster will be paid to CAM, a 501c3 non-profit, in exchange for auction services provided as part of a special eBay auction for the car, the culmination of which will be the live component that takes place at the BREATHE soirée. For more information on the upcoming auction or to discuss co-marketing opportunities with RAR, contact Michael@renewamericaroadtrip.com.

Soirée guest speaker bios

** Just Added *** Virgil Welch is special assistant to the Chairman of the California Air Resources Board, Mary Nichols. He works on a variety of issues related to air quality, climate change, and clean energy. Virgil previously worked as an attorney at the Environmental Fefense fund where his work included representing the organization on the passage and implementation of AB32, the California Global Warming Solutions act of 2006 which includes, among other things, a plan to reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2020. 

Jacob Griscom - A leading thinker in holistic thought and practice, Jacob holds degrees in liberal arts, social sciences and sustainable community development from Prescott College. He is the Western Regional Manager for BetterWorld Telecom, a triple bottom line full service voice and data telecommunications carrier, and the founder of the Sacramento Sustainability Forum, a monthly venue connecting businesses, non-profits, government and interested citizens in the Sacramento region in order to promote sustainability, share insights and resources, and support movement towards a more sustainable future. Passionate about the health and sustainability of local communities, he serves as Community Development Coordinator on the board of Think Local First Nevada County Foothills, and as a member of Full Circle Fund, an engaged philanthropy organization cultivating the next generation of community leaders and driving lasting social change in the Bay Area. He has been a featured speaker at T. Harv Eker's Peak Potentials: Master of Influence event and his articles have been published internationally. He lives with his wife and two boys in Nevada City, California.

Dr. Tom Turrentine – Tom is Director, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Research Center, Director, Electric Transportation Track for the Sustainable Transportation Energy Pathways Program, and Research Anthropologist at the Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis.  He studies the role of travel and movement in the evolution of culture, society and lifestyle. He focuses on understanding automobile-based lifestyles, applying anthropological methods and theories to explore potential responses of car users to new technologies and policies aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of automobile infrastructure and use. Tom utilizes methods and theory from anthropology to guide research on potential consumer response to alternative fuels, vehicle technologies, road systems, micro-vehicles, station car systems, advanced traveler information, and other intelligent transportation systems and policies with environmental benefits.  Dr. Turrentine also studies travel behavior and road systems in environmentally sensitive areas, focusing on Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada region in California. His projects incorporate adaptation of social theory to transport research pathways and "interactive" interview gaming approaches to exploration of household automotive consumption choices.  He has published numerous articles related to fuel economy, plug-in hybrid technology, and the symbolism and message behind the new breed of alternative-fuel vehicles.

Renew America Roadtrip^TM founder bios

Michael L. Craner  - Michael is a technology executive with over 25 years experience in cutting-edge systems development, integration, deployment, and management; and over 10 years experience in licensing and intellectual property development/analysis/assertion/protection.  His experience spans concept-to-revenue development of a broad range of products: from advanced telecommunications and military systems, to high-volume consumer multimedia and CATV digital appliances. He is a prolific inventor with over 40 filed applications in his name and an experienced patent agent with over 50 applications drafted and/or prosecuted. He is also an alternative energy advocate and EV/AFV enthusiast who conceived the Renew America Roadtrip, along with Ms. Gunawardana, to reach out to the masses with an appeal for a green future for America.

Madushini Gunawardana - ‘Maddy’ is presently a physician-in-training at Touro College in NYC. Previously, Maddy worked as a cancer researcher at the renowned Fels Institute in Philadelphia.  She holds a B.Sc., degree in biology and a minor in psychology from Temple University.  Maddy is active with charitable initiatives, having supported numerous causes including the hurricane Katrina relief drive, Red Cross blood drives, and Bone Marrow drives. As a Sri Lankan native, she also served as a volunteer at ground zero in the aftermath of the tsunami of 2004. Following completion of her medical training, she plans to attend law school to obtain a degree in international medical law. Her long-term goals include working in a global healthcare organization such as CARE and contributing to international healthcare reform.

Select YES attendee bios

Dr. Daniel M. Kammen – is a Professor in the Energy and Resources Group Energy and Resources Group (ERG) , Professor of Public Policy in the Goldman School of Public Policy, and Professor of Nuclear Engineering in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley . He is also the founding Director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL) and the lead Author, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.   Daniel has executed numerous projects related to renewable energy and environmental resource management and has worked on risk analysis as applied to global warming.  Kammen is the recipient of the 1993 21st Century Earth Award, recognizing contributions to rural development and environmental conservation and he is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a Permanent Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences.  Dr. Kammen's research interests include: the science, engineering, management, and dissemination of renewable energy systems; health and environmental impacts of energy generation and use; rural resource management, including issues of gender and ethnicity; international R&D policy, climate change; and energy forecasting and risk analysis. He is the author of over 90 journal publications, a book on environmental, technological, and health risks (Should We Risk It?, Princeton University Press) and numerous reports on renewable energy and development. He has been featured on radio, network and public broadcasting television and in print as an analyst of energy, environmental, and risk policy issues and current events. His recent work on energy R&D policy appeared in Science, and Environment, and has been featured on PBS, KQED, CNN, and in many newspapers via the Reuters news service. Kammen advises the U. S. and Swedish Agencies for International Development, the World Bank, and the Presidents Committee on Science and Technology (PCAST), and he is a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Working Group III and the Special Report on Technology Transfer).

Chelsea Sexton  - is a green energy consultant, marketing expert and advocate of alternative-fuel vehicles. She became well-known as an advocate for clean, efficient transportation after joining the General Motors EV1 electric vehicle program, where she focused on building a market for alternate-fuel vehicles through partnerships with corporate and non-profit stakeholders, shaping public policy and incentives, developing marketing strategies, and working directly with the drivers themselves.  When GM ended the EV1 program in 2001, Sexton left the company and became a consultant to auto manufacturers and clean-energy providers to help bring alternate-fuel vehicles to market. In her spare time, Chelsea has helped to organize several grassroots campaigns to stop the destruction of various electric vehicles and she is the co-founder of Plug-In America, a coalition of individuals and organizations that advocates the preservation and development of EV/PHEV.  Chelsea was also one of the key individuals interviewed in the 2006 documentary film “WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR?”

About the Renew America Roadtrip™ - The Renew America Roadtrip™ was “America’s first green charity drive coast-to-coast in a production all-electric sportscar.” It was a media event designed to help raise awareness of renewable, sustainable, and eco-friendly (RSE) initiatives and raise money for charities.  www.renewamericaroadtrip.com

About the California Automobile Museum - The California Automobile Museum is a 72k sq. ft Museum, housing over 150 rare and unique vehicles from across time. Highlighting the past and future of transportation, the museum includes the Going Green exhibit featuring the GM EV1 and Tesla Roadster alternative fuel vehicles. www.CalAutoMuseum.org

About the Youth Energy Summit -The second annual Youth Energy Summit (YES), Leadership in Action event 2010 is a four-part high-school student outreach program implemented by three local utilities (SMUD, Roseville Electric and Lodi Electric Utility) as well as the LegiSchool project at CSU Sacramento.  The objective of YES is to educate students on energy issues, enlist youth to disseminate energy efficiency and climate change information within the community, and encourage green workforce development.  Steps include student submission of essays on climate change, a 2-day energy workshop,  student designed and implemented community service-learning projects, and a scholarship competition on Earth Day when over ninety top students present the details of their projects to legislators, the general public, legislators  and a panel of judges.  www.roseville.ca.us/electric/about/kids_corner/yes

Click HERE to see a Video Review of the Summit 
Clikc HERE to read sample essays from the 2008-2009 contestTo see a video from last year's

About Breathe California of Sacramento – Emigrant Trails – Breathe California is dedicated to healthy air and preventing lung and other air-pollution related diseases by partnering with youth, advocating public policy, supporting air pollution research, and educating the public. Breathe California has been a leader in fighting for clean air, healthy lungs and a tobacco-free future since 1917.  100% of every dollar raised by Breathe California goes to support programs that benefit the health and wellness of local residents.  www.sacbreathe.org

 More about the Renew America Roadtrip from CNET's Green Show