daniprettothis will not end well...
On display at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Audi is currently testing its new Smart City Traffic Light Assistance, a system that provides a countdown until the next stoplight on your route will turn green. Alternatively, treat yourself to a jetpack and forget about stoplights altogether.
...the Smart City Traffic Light Assistance system relies on local data sources about traffic light patterns and timing (beamed to your vehicle over Wi-Fi) instead of a camera scanning the horizon for upcoming stop lights. Using this data, and the speed and heading of your vehicle, the system provides a countdown timer of when the next traffic light will change to green, letting you adjust your speed accordingly so you hopefully don't have to come to a full stop.I mean sure, until you're relying on the system so heavily that you just assume the light is going to be green when it says so and go sailing through a red and get t-boned. You ever been t-boned before? Driving terrifies me. I haven't been in a car in over a week, you know why? "You lost your license again?" My car loves sidewalks for some reason. Thanks to Dax, who sits at red lights watching as the other direction's light turns red then pretends to "blow" his light green. Kids eat that shit up (or at least I did).
daniprettosharks tweet?
Because nobody wants to get eaten by a shark (although I have fantasized about it before), 320 sharks known to lurk in the waters off Western Australia have been fitted with tags that will send a tweet from the Surf Life Saving Twitter account if they swim within a kilometer of the shore. That way you know where not to go surfing. Or, if you're like me, where to pick a fair fight.
Thanks to Chris, who once punched a shark in the mouth so hard he put all the teeth it lost under his pillow and made $65.daniprettoi will be conducting my own research with jersey
Watch your step, Florida.
In case you were wondering, my Spirit Quest was a huge success and I am returning to reality refreshed AND with the knowledge of my spirit animal. I think it was a coyote, but it was pretty flat and there were a lot of tire tracks.
In news that required way too much watching dogs circle and squat, researchers have discovered that the majority of dogs align themselves with earth's north/south magnetic field before opening the gates to their brownie factories. Anybody have Little Debbie Fudge Brownies in their lunchbox today? I'll be taking those.
...the researchers measured the direction of the body axis of 70 dogs from 37 breeds during 1,893 defecations and 5,582 urinations over the course of two years, and found that dogs "prefer to excrete with the body being aligned along the North-south axis under calm magnetic field conditions." They fittingly published their results in the journal Frontiers in Zoology. It is still enigmatic why the dogs do align at all, whether they do it 'consciously' (i.e., whether the magnetic field is sensorial perceived (the dogs 'see,' 'hear' or 'smell' the compass direction or perceive it as a haptic stimulus) or whether its reception is controlled on the vegetative level (they 'feel better/more comfortable or worse/less comfortable' in a certain direction). Our analysis of the raw data (not shown here) indicates that dogs not only prefer N-S direction, but at the same time they also avoid E-W direction.Apparently, all the studies were conducted on dogs that were off-leash and in the middle of a field with no fire hydrants or trees, so don't think your dog is special if it pees or shits facing east. If it shits in my yard though I will come out and yell at you. Thanks to Rob, who agrees they should only install toilets in north/south facing directions so people stop peeing on the floor.
daniprettoi assume they shop local more than food chains, but wonder what the overall enviro impact is. is it positive? i mean they are trucks. huge trucks.
You may have noticed that an increasing number of food trucks are appearing at events, public parks and in city centers across the United States, giving people a wider range of lunch options. According to a new report from The NPD Group, these mobile food suppliers are beginning to threaten traditional fast food restaurants thanks to changes in consumer habits.
Read the rest of Food Trucks are Rapidly Replacing Traditional Fast Food Outlets in the U.S.
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Post tags: fast food, fast food restaurants, food truck, food trucks, food trucks are replacing fast food chains, food vans, mobile food service, snack van, sustainable food, The NPD Group, US food trucks
    
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UC Berkeley Professor Michael Ranney surveyed 270 people in San Diego and found that not even one person could explain what global warming is at even a basic level, so he and his fellow researchers decided to create a simple, succinct phrase to explain how climate change works. What they came up with might be the simplest explanation we have ever heard – it’s just 35 words long, and it’s accompanied by a video clip that expands on the subject in just 52 seconds.
Read the rest of VIDEO: How to Explain Global Warming in Just 35 Words
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Post tags: 35 word climate change explanation, 35 word global warming explanation, Changing Global Warming Beliefs, Climate Change, Climate Change Attitudes, climate change information, Climate Change Knowledge, climate change opinions, climate change videos, Daniel Lee Reinholz, Dav Clark, explaining climate change, explaining global warming, global warming, Michael Ranney, Reinforced Theistic Manifest Destiny Theory, Sarah Cohen, Scientific Information, teaching climate change, understanding climate change
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daniprettoambitious...
Hamburg photo via Shutterstock
Hamburg is currently working on a plan that would eliminate the need for cars within the next 15-20 years, making the city a greener, healthier and more pleasant place to live. The city’s proposed Grünes Netz, or “Green Network” will create pedestrian and cycle paths to connect the city’s existing, substantial green spaces, and provide safe, car-free commuter routes for all residents.
Read the rest of Hamburg Announces Plans to Become a Car-Free City Within 20 Years
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Post tags: Angelika Fritsch, car free, Climate Change, cycle path, flooding, germany, Grünes Netz, Green Network, hamburg, resilient design, sea level rise, urban parks, urban planning
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danipretto@craig. so i can get over the bakery smells every day!
Blue Water Cafe is located at 1095 Hamilton Street in Vancouver, BC | 604-688-8078 | www.bluewatercafe.net
Vancouver, BC | This February executive chef Frank Pabst of Vancouver’s Blue Water Cafe will celebrate the tenth anniversary of his sustainable seafood festival. Aptly named “Unsung Heroes”, Pabst initially created the month-long event to bring awareness to local and unique seafoods and to avoid species that are over-fished or harvested in ways that can damage ocean beds. It is now one of the most-anticipated events on the city’s culinary calendar.
“Our objective was – and is – to utilize lesser-known ingredients while introducing guests to new experiences and flavours,” says chef Pabst. “The popularity of the event has increased tremendously and these formerly ‘unsung’ species are now heroes in their own right – they have truly entered the ‘mainstream’ of the public’s consciousness.”
Blue Water Cafe restaurant director Stephan Cachard adds, “We have seen the demand for this event grow immensely – as much as 400% over the past decade – with the majority being repeat guests.”
Known for championing British Columbia’s sustainable seafood movement, Blue Water Cafe is a founding member of the Vancouver Aquarium’s ‘Ocean Wise’ conservation program. The restaurant strives to educate guests on seafood sustainability while providing an exceptional dining experience. Every year, Blue Water Cafe donates 10% of the proceeds from Unsung Heroes to the Ocean Wise program.
In prior years, the Unsung Heroes menu has consisted of dishes such as red sea urchin trifle, stir-fried jellyfish and poached periwinkles. Always aggressively raising the bar, chef Pabst promises new flavours in 2014 with previously unavailable ingredients including steamed gooseneck barnacles and sustainably-raised sturgeon liver mousse.
For further information or reservations, please contact Blue Water Cafe by telephone at 604-688-8078 or online at www.bluewatercafe.net.
1095 Hamilton St. | Vancouver, BC | V6B 5T4 | MAP
Voice: 604-688-8078
Web: bluewatercafe.net
Email: info@bluewatercafe.net
Dinner 5pm – 11pm
Late Menu 11pm – Midnight
Bar 5pm – 1am
Valet Service 7 nights
Frank Pabst, Executive Chef
Raw Bar Chef, Yoshiya Maruyama
Jean-Pierre Sanchez, Pastry Chef
Stephan Cachard, Restaurant Director
Andrea Vescovi, Wine Director
Tara Thom, Restaurant Manager
Celebrating Our Ocean’s Harvest
An anchor in Vancouver’s culinary landscape, Blue Water Cafe is lauded as the City’s definitive destination for seafood.
Executive Chef Frank Pabst is known for his innovative and brilliantly executed West Coast plates, insisting on using seafood from wild and sustainable harvest.
Enhanced by the intuitive service from Stephan Cachard’s dedicated team, the dynamic dining room provides action views of the opposing ‘East meets West’ kitchen and raw bar. The sweeping main bar leads out to the heated patio and the private wine room holds the extensive award-winning wine and bubble selection
Housed in a handsome brick and beam heritage warehouse conversion, Blue Water Cafe is in the heart of historic Yaletown, the city’s vibrant and hip neighborhood.
Blue Water Cafe Seafood Cookbookby Frank Pabst $45.00
One of Canada’s leading culinary talents, chef Frank Pabst has made enormous contributions to Vancouver’s culinary landscape. Tenures in Michelin-starred restaurants in Germany and the south of France led Pabst to Blue Water Cafe, Canada’s quintessential seafood restaurant. In Blue Water Cafe Seafood Cookbook, Frank’s signature brand of ‘Unsung Heroes’ sings of the sea, and formerly under-recognized coastal species. Wine pairings from Andrea Vescovi and Chris van Nus, both Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival Sommeliers of the Year.
Best Seafood & Fish Book in Canada, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, 2009
Best Fish & Seafood Cuisine Cookbook, Cordon d’ Or – Gold Ribbon, International Culinary Academy Awards, 2010
As one of the first restaurants in Vancouver to partner with Ocean Wise, Yaletown’s Blue Water Cafe is at the helm of this movement.
Air Canada’s enRoute Magazine, 2013
The most admired seafood room in the city.
Macleans Magazine, Canada’s Best Restaurants, 2012
This elegant and sustainably conscious restaurant is a must try.
CBS Seattle, 2012
Frank Pabst is one of Canada’s most accomplished chefs.
Food Network Canada, 2012
Blue Water Café is a great place for fresh and innovative seafood.
Savvy Insider, 2012
In the kitchen, executive chef Frank Pabst runs the show like the culinary master that he is.
24 Hours, 2012
Best Seafood
Georgia Straight Golden Plate Awards, 2013
Wine List Award, Platinum (Best Overall)
Vancouver International Wine Festival, 2013
Top 50, Canada’s Best Restaurants
Maclean’s Magazine, 2012
Best Seafood, Gold
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2012
Best Upscale Restaurant, Silver
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2012
Best Seafood
WHERE Magazine ‘To DIne’ Awards, 2012
Best Seafood
Westender ‘Best of the City’, 2012
Best Seafood
Georgia Straight Golden Plate Awards, 2012
‘Best of’ Award of Excellence
Wine Spectator, 2012
Best Japanese, Honourable Mention
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2011
Four Diamond Award
AAA, 2010
Best Bar (Formal)
Westender Reader’s Choice Awards, 2010
Blue Water Cafe Seafood Cookbook – Best Fish & Seafood Cuisine Cookbook
Cordon d’ Or – Gold Ribbon, International Culinary Academy Awards, 2010
Blue Water Cafe Seafood Cookbook – Best Seafood & Fish Book in Canada
Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, 2009
As one of the first restaurants in Vancouver to partner with Ocean Wise, Yaletown’s Blue Water Cafe is at the helm of this movement.
Air Canada’s enRoute Magazine, 2013
The most admired seafood room in the city.
Macleans Magazine, Canada’s Best Restaurants, 2012
This elegant and sustainably conscious restaurant is a must try.
CBS Seattle, 2012
Frank Pabst is one of Canada’s most accomplished chefs.
Food Network Canada, 2012
Blue Water Café is a great place for fresh and innovative seafood.
Savvy Insider, 2012
In the kitchen, executive chef Frank Pabst runs the show like the culinary master that he is.
24 Hours, 2012
Best Seafood
Georgia Straight Golden Plate Awards, 2013
Wine List Award, Platinum (Best Overall)
Vancouver International Wine Festival, 2013
Top 50, Canada’s Best Restaurants
Maclean’s Magazine, 2012
Best Seafood, Gold
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2012
Best Upscale Restaurant, Silver
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2012
Best Seafood
WHERE Magazine ‘To DIne’ Awards, 2012
Best Seafood
Westender ‘Best of the City’, 2012
Best Seafood
Georgia Straight Golden Plate Awards, 2012
‘Best of’ Award of Excellence
Wine Spectator, 2012
Best Japanese, Honourable Mention
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2011
Four Diamond Award
AAA, 2010
Best Bar (Formal)
Westender Reader’s Choice Awards, 2010
Blue Water Cafe Seafood Cookbook – Best Fish & Seafood Cuisine Cookbook
Cordon d’ Or – Gold Ribbon, International Culinary Academy Awards, 2010
Blue Water Cafe Seafood Cookbook – Best Seafood & Fish Book in Canada
Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, 2009
daniprettogo colorado!
Colorado’s recent legalization of recreational marijuana has brought about some strange new changes, including the Denver Post hiring a cannabis critic and realtors catering to out-of-state buyers who want to capitalize on the green gold rush. Restaurants are also feeling the reefer madness, and local chain Hapa Sushi is offering a cannabis pairing menu with its Japanese cuisine. In association with ad company TDA Boulder, their fixed courses come with suggestions for your favorite strain of bud.
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Post tags: ad campaign, barry bonds, hapa sushi, japanese cuisine, marijuana, marijuana dispensary, marijuana legalization, pairing menu, pot, pot critic, recreational marijuana, steroid-free meat, sushi, td boulder, the denver post, weed
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daniprettosuper creepy
daniprettoi love this blog's writing.
This is a short video of ice boulders washing up in Glen Arbor on Lake Michigan. When reached for comment, the Ice Witch had this to say, "Want to rub my nipples?" Nice try lady, but you're not turning me into an ice sculpture.
The giant ice balls form in just-below-freezing water and start as small chunks of ice. The boulders grow layer-by-layer, getting shaped the waves before washing up on Lake Michigan shore.Oh man, how much fun would it be to wade out there and play with all the ice balls? If you answered, "NOT AT ALL, IT LOOKS F***ING FREEZING OUT," congratulations, you still have some sense left in you. Now let's go sip hot cocoa by the fire. Hit the jump for the video.
daniprettowould love to know wtf this was about...
This is some dash-cam footage from Russia (where else?) of a guy in a Toyota Camry constantly trying to get in front of and stop another Ruskie in a Nissan MPV, presumably to stab him with the the knife he has. He finally gets the guy to swerve off the road into a ditch, then climbs on top of his van (after slipping and eating shit a couple times), when he discovers, SURPRISE, his adversary brought a shovel to the knife fight. And, as I'm sure the original attacker's shattered hip will attest, it was a smart decision.
Keep going for the video, but the real action is at 0:45, 2:30, and the accident and fight beginning at 3:00.daniprettosad that this is only now a goal
When you buy an electronic device, it is almost impossible to know whether or not it has been made with materials that fuel social unrest, violence, and corruption in areas like the Democratic Republic of Congo. But today Intel CEO Brian Krzanich promised at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas that all of the company’s microprocessors will be made with conflict-free minerals. Through a detailed investigation of their supply chain and third party accreditation, Intel will make sure that the tin, tungsten, gold, and tantalum that they need for their microprocessors will come only from smelters that get their metals from places that do not contribute to human rights abuses.
Read the rest of All Intel Microprocessors Will be Conflict-Free Starting Today
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Post tags: brian kzanich, ces, conflict minerals, Democratic Republic of Congo, DNC, dodd frank wall street reform and consumer protection act, electronic device, enough project, GOLD, intel, las vegas, Microprocessor, mineral suppliers, smelter, supply chain, tantalum, tin, tungsten
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daniprettoneed
…a loyal dog. Mari-kun the Shiba Inu knows when to draw the line whenever its owner forgets. Good dog!
daniprettoso cool. want to go.
Read the rest of Dome-Dotted Whitepod Eco Resort is a Winter Wonderland in the Swiss Alps
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Post tags: "sustainable architecture", eco design, eco resort, eco-tourism, eco-travel, geodesic dome, green architecture, Green Building, green design, Sustainable Building, sustainable design, swiss alps, Switzerland, whitepod
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danipretto@kurt & andrea
Longing for a luxury lodge in one of the world’s best ski destinations? If your desk-chained daydreams are filled with fresh mountain air, desperate-to-be-skied downhill runs and fireside vin chaud-fuelled fondles, allow us to whisk you away to one of our stylish slopeside stays, freshly plucked from the peaks, pistes and valley villages of the US, France and Switzerland. Slip on your sunnies and strap on your boots: at these five boutique mountain hotels the ski season is set to dazzle…
1. THE KNOCK-YOUR-SOCKS-OFF NEWCOMER
What Our latest Smith Ski recruit
Where Viceroy Snowmass, Colorado
Meet Viceroy Snowmass (above), a hunk of a hotel blessed with a laughably good location, clean-lined Eastern style, an irresistible Ute Indian-inspired spa and a chandelier-strung restaurant that’s a destination in itself. From here, the four peaks of Aspen, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk offer themselves up for exploration, all under the curation of your own dedicated concierge. But don’t bet on doing it all first time round – being lured back for more every season is half the fun.
2. THE HYDROTHERAPY HERO
What A pool with a view
Where The Cambrian, Adelboden
Take the mountain scene off a Swiss chocolate wrapper, throw in an award-winning spa and a good dose of sleek slate-hued design, and you’ve got the Cambrian. Float under halcyon skies to the chime of cowbells in the outdoor pool, luxuriate in the steam room as the snow swirls outside, or doze under crisp down-stuffed linen… this place is the pinnacle of remedial relaxation, and the ski runs are just a cable car ride away.
3. THE PELTS-AND-PINE PARTY PAD
What Fur-trimmed-fabulous après-ski
Where Le Lodge Park, Megève
This snow queen of a chalet is not afraid to flaunt her glitzy good looks, mixing up a heady cocktail of Alpine opulence to create the perfect habitat for hedonistic capers. Rug up to sip on champagne cocktails on the terrace of Le Bar Trappeur, join the well-heeled as they tour Megève’s 81 restaurants or shimmy till sun-up at infamous Jazz Club les Cinq Rues… oh, and don’t forget to book a date with the slopes.
4. THE RURAL AND ROCKY RETREAT
What Geothermic rejuvenation in the Wild West
Where Dunton Hot Springs, San Juan Mountains
The majestic mountain setting of this cowboy-cool former mining town helped it fight off fierce competition to win the inaugural Smith Hotel Award for the Greatest Outdoors last week. Whatever your chosen powder-snow pursuit – be it dog-sledding, snowshoeing or heli-skiing – you’re sure to regain a mountain-fresh glow here with a warm post-piste soak in one of Dunton’s indoor or outdoor natural springs. Then curl up in your cabin or share travel tales around the communal dining table in the original saloon – this is après-ski, Western style.
5. THE SKI-IN SKI-OUT SUPERSTAR
What On-the-slope easy ski-sy setting
Where Portetta, Courchevel
There’s an obvious perk to this hotel’s piste-side perch, and that’s the luxury of being able to slide straight onto Courchevel’s biggest terrace for an al fresco lunch, still foot-in-boot… then out again, tartiflette overdose notwithstanding. The luxuries don’t stop there, though: offering muscle-soothing massages, jaw-dropping mountain vistas and sparkling service, Portetta makes the peaks of 1650 your round-the-clock playground.
For more ski holiday inspiration, check out Smith Ski, our collection of luxury lodges and ski resorts. Will you be hitting the slopes with the little Smiths in tow this season? Don’t miss our top three family-friendly ski destinations over at Smith & Family.
*Copy compiled by Isabelle Yates
daniprettolove
A new species of sea slug was discovered of the coast of Brazil by Federal University of Ceará Tropical Marine master's student Felipe de Vasconcelos Silva and named Tritonia khaleesi in honor of Game of Throne khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen's braided hair. That's cool, sometimes I wish I was named after a Game of Thrones character. "Joffrey Baratheon, the Whiny Boy King?" Hmmm, I was thinking more along the lines of Dragonfire McFacemelter.
Thanks Felipe, and keep your eyes peeled for one that looks like me (shouldn't be hard, I've been likened to a sea slug before).daniprettoyes!
This is a video created by Hungarian animation firm Delov Digital featuring Chuck Norris one-upping Jean Claude Van Damme's Volvo leg-split commercial. It's not real though, it's all CG -- including Chuck. Still, I bet you show it to your mom and convince her it's real. "If he's not careful, he's gonna kill himself!" I imagine her saying while taking a break from prepping Christmas dinner to watch the video on your phone.
Keep going for the video.danipretto@jersey!
daniprettoIt cost $5.... http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/facerig
We’ve got a lot to look forward to in the new year, including the opening of the long-awaited One World Trade Center. The tower’s construction has faced many obstacles over the past few years, but developers say it will finally be set to open some time in 2014.
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Post tags: 1 World Trade Center, 1 world trade center opening, 1 wtc, eco design, green design, lower Manhattan, one world trade center, Skidmore Owings and Merrill, sustainable design, Tallest Building in the United States, WTC
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daniprettofor our retirement home. done.
This is Batman's Tumbler inspired golfcart for sale on eBay. I actually posted about it back in 2010 too (I have a memory like an elephant -- penis too), but now it's for sale. Will you and I be going halvsies? NOPE. It's $17,500, which is a little bit out of my price range, even for halvsies. If enough of us got together to make it $17.50 apiece I could probably do that provided I don't eat for the rest of the week. What's food anyways? "Are you seriously asking?" What if I swallowed a bunch of marbles to trick my stomach into thinking it's full until I have money to eat again? "I say go for it." Cool, I don't have any marbles though so I'm gonna have to use Hot Wheels.
Keep going for several more shots.daniprettowant
Vessel Ideation is the creator of this fashionable concept tea kettle, which was designed with both boiling and serving in mind. We love the modern look, the advanced technology, but mostly the fact that it blooms beautiful blue patterns when the water is hot enough. It’s like hypercolor for tea.
Read the rest of Brilliant “One” Teapot Changes Color When the Water is Hot Enough
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Post tags: color changing teapot, energy efficient design, energy efficient devices, green design, green housewares sustainable design, greener gadget, one teapot, vessel ideation
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danipretto@phil - or the doctor may just print you a new body part...
In a breakthrough for the effort to cure blindness, researchers at the University of Cambridge have used an inkjet printer to print living retinal cells for the first time. The cells could be built up and used to replace defective eye tissue. Professor Keith Martin from Cambridge’s neuroscience department is hopeful the development will bring them one step closer to treating retinal diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Read the rest of World’s First 3D-Printed Retinal Cells Could Help Cure Blindness
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Post tags: 3d-printed adult nerve cells, 3d-printed cells used for neural repair, Cambridge neuroscience department, cure for blindness, professor Keith Martin, research journal Biofabrication, synthetic ocular membrane, world's first 3d-printed retinal cells
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Photo © Shutterstock
Warren Buffet’s utility company, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co, announced yesterday that it had placed a massive order for 448 wind turbines, worth $1 billion. The turbines, which will be installed in Iowa, represent the largest order to date for a land-based wind energy project.
Read the rest of Warren Buffet Spends $1 Billion on Largest Land-Based Wind Power Purchase Ever
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Post tags: "wind power", clean energy investments, Iowa power, land-based wind power, MidAmerican Energy, utility companies, warren buffett, wind power prices, wind power purchase, wind turbines
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