Next X Prize: A $10 Billion Renewable Energy 401(k) Challenge?

Next X Prize: A $10 Billion Renewable Energy 401(k) Challenge?

First Company or Corporate team to Generate $10 billion in Renewable Energy Investment via Retirement Plans Could be the Winner of a Proposed New X Prize. Adding a renewable energy sector fund to 401(k) retirement plans will: 1)generate a significant number of new jobs 2)create a healthy economy, 3)increase clean energy production, 4)lower energy costs and combat climate change

Boulder, CO November 11, 2008 -- The X Prize Foundation, creator of the Ansari X Prize for suborbital spaceflight, has launched a contest to design a new X Prize that will boost renewable energy production. A unique entry format requires contestants to pitch their X Prize contest idea via a two minute video (http://www.TheRenewableEnergyInitiative.org) posted to YouTube.

Ken Beitel, a computer systems analyst and documentary film producer ("Grizzlies of the Canadian Rockies" Discovery Channel), has entered the contest and is proposing that the next X Prize be a $10 billion corporate challenge focusing on renewable energy investment. The first round of judging for the contest to design the next X Prize closes Friday (November 14, 2008).

"It will be outstanding for employees to have the opportunity to invest in renewable energy," explains contest entrant Ken Beitel, "Renewable energy is clean, cost effective, fast to build, and is ready to create a significant number of new jobs."

Set against the spectacular backdrop of Colorado National Monument during a desert sunset, the video includes majestic shots of wind turbines and a huge solar power plant. During the video, Beitel explains how retirement plan investment could play a major role in increasing renewable energy production.

The renewable energy sector is also expected to experience rapid expansion under President Elect Barack Obama who backs federal investment in renewable energy, along with regulatory and tax support for clean electricity and alternative fuels. The Obama administration plans to invest $15 billion annually in renewable energy, and sees the industry as a key source of new American jobs. This year in Colorado, Vestas, one of the world's largest wind turbine manufactures, has opened 2 new manufacturing plants that will employ more than 1,300 people.

Beitel acknowledges the tough economic times: "While $10 billion dollars sounds like a lot of retirement dollars to invest in renewable energy, in reality it is only about 1/3 of 1% of the roughly $2.7 trillion dollars in US 401(k) plans."

The proposed "Invest Renewable" X Prize will encourage Fortune 500 and smaller companies in the US and Canada to add a renewable energy sector investment option, such as the Calvert, Guinness Atkinson or Firsthand alternative energy fund to retirement plans. The first company or team of companies to generate $10 billion in renewable energy investment through their corporate retirement plans will split the $10 million X Prize amongst employees who have chosen to invest in renewables.

Ken Beitel is optimistic about his contest entry designing the next X Prize, "The 'Invest Renewable' X Prize will make it possible for employees to invest in the renewable energy sector which will help create a healthy economy and lower energy costs."

The "Invest Renewable" X Prize contest entry can be viewed at http://www.TheRenewableEnergyInitiative.org or http://www.youtube.com/xprize

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Ken Beitel at 720 436-2465.

Contest video can be used for B-Roll. Stills and video can be downloaded at http://www.TheRenewableEnergyInitiative.org

Courtesy credit GE for use of wind turbine or solar production plant video/stills

Background Information:

About Ken Beitel:
Originally from Calgary, Canada, Ken Beitel currently lives in Boulder, Colorado where he works as Computer Systems Analyst. A passionate environmental communicator, in 1997, Ken was awarded an International Digital Media Award for producing the "Windows On Wildlife" interactive kiosk for Parks Canada and the Calgary Zoo. The multimedia display features the hit game "Eat Like A Grizzly!"

Mr. Beitel used publicity from the 1999 national broadcast of "Grizzlies of the Canadian Rockies" documentary to lead the successful call for the creation of a new protected wilderness area in the mountains adjacent to Banff National Park in Canada. The rugged and spectacular Spray Valley Provincial Park area is featured in the Hollywood "X-Men" feature film series. Ken's hobby is to use his environmental communication talents to promote a rapid societal transition to renewable energy as an effective method of building a healthy economy, securing energy independence and combating climate change.

About the X PRIZE Foundation:
The X PRIZE Foundation is an educational nonprofit prize institute whose mission is to create radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. In 2004, the Foundation captured the world's attention when the Burt Rutan-led team, backed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, built and flew the world's first private spaceship to win the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE for suborbital spaceflight. The Foundation has since launched the $10 million Archon X PRIZE for Genomics, the $30 million Google Lunar X PRIZE, and the $10 million Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE. The Foundation and its partner BT Global Services are creating prizes in Exploration (Space and Oceans), Life Sciences, Energy & Environment, Education and Global Development. The Foundation is widely recognized as the leading model for fostering innovation through competition. For more information, please visit http://www.xprize.org.

Global Warming Report Issued

The much anticipated Global Warming Report Issued on Climate Change

Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis

Link to report
http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM2feb07.pdf

reminder to hear more experts on the subject -
"Investing in the Environment: Global Warming, Global Warning – Investing Today for Tomorrow’s Future"
An Online Format to Reduce the Carbon Footprint and the Carbon Dioxide Created by Travel
http://www.investorideas.com/forums/Portals/green.aspx

EnvironmentStocks.com: “Insiders Place Bets on Global Warming Play”

EnvironmentStocks.com: “Insiders Place Bets on Global Warming Play”

EnvironmentStocks.com Reminder: Upcoming Conference "Investing in the Environment: Global Warming, Global Warning – Investing Today for Tomorrow’s Future"

www.EnvironmentStocks.com (ES), an investor and industry news portal for the environmental and cleantech sector within the InvestorIdeas.com umbrella, presents the timely exclusive 'Insiders Corner', by Michael Brush on how investors can participate in a changing climate, both in the stock market and in the global environment.

“Insiders Place Bets on Global Warming Play”

By Michael Brush, Insiders Corner http://www.investorideas.com/insiderscorner/Exclusively for InvestorIdeas.com®

Ever since Al Gore’s movie “An Inconvenient Truth” hit the circuit last year – and spooky-warm weather seemed to confirm his thesis – many investors have been on the hunt for climate change stocks.

What’s more, reports of bizarre weather persist – most recently in Europe which was struck by unusually severe wind storms in January. Since bizarre weather patterns are a symptom of global warming, according to Gore, I’ll nominate Home Solutions of America (HSOA) as my Insiders Corner climate change stock.

More: http://www.investorideas.com/insiderscorner/Articles/020107.asp

Based on an Investors and Industry global movement in investing in a green future and changing the rapid rate of global warming and environmental damage, EnvironmentStocks.com and InvestorIdeas.com have announced an online conference March 21, 2007 as a venue for companies, analysts and experts to share their vision and the investment opportunities. Greentech Online Investor and Industry Conference "Investing in the Environment: Global Warming, Global Warning – Investing Today for Tomorrow’s Future" http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/Forums/Portals/green.aspx

The online conference is free to investors and online visitors, with login registration. To register free please click here: http://www.investorideas.com/forums/Register.aspx

EnvironmentStocks.com is a global investor and industry research portal for the environmental and socially responsible investing sector, within the InvestorIdeas.com Greentech umbrella. The website does not make stock recommendations, but features industry and stock news, exclusive articles and financial columnists, audio interviews, investor conferences, Blogs, and a directory of stocks in the sector.

Featured Sponsors for the EnvironmentStocks.com Portal Participating in Upcoming Conference:

International Barrier Technology Inc. (OTCBB: IBTGF; TSXV: IBH) develops, manufactures, and markets proprietary fire resistant building materials branded as Blazeguard®. Barrier's award-winning Blazeguard® wood panels use a patented, non-toxic, non-combustible coating with an extraordinary capability: it releases water in the heat of fire. The panels exceed "model" building code requirements in every targeted fire test and application, and are unique in combining properties that increase panel strength and minimize environmental and human impact. For More Info: www.environmentstocks.com/Companies/IntlBarrier/Default.asp

ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) is at the forefront of alternative energy vehicles with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems. ZAP currently offers the entirely electric street-legal vehicle, the XEBRA sedan and PK. ZAP is also offering the ZAP Recharge-It-All brand of portable energy technology that manages power for mobile electronic devices like cell phones, PDA, MP3/iPod, laptop computer, digital cameras and more. For More Info: http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/CO/ZAAP/Default.asp

Rotoblock Corporation (OTCBB: ROTB) is focused on the continued development and improvement of its energy efficient Oscillating Piston Engine to the state where its mechanical, ecological and economic viability leads to the profitable licensing of the manufacturer's rights to a proprietary patented design or a partnership for its manufacture. For More Info: http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/CO/ROTB/Default.asp

The portal is compensated by sponsors; see disclaimer.

Additionally, the portals offer a service for content contribution in the form of sector targeted news and press release submission at: http://investorideas.com/NewsUploader/ as well as research and article submission at: http://investorideas.com/NewsUploader/Submit_Article/ .

InvestorIdeas.com® Disclaimer: www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp. Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. The site is compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) and Rotoblock Corporation (OTCBB: ROTB) each pay Two thousand five hundred per month equivalent in shares for one year commencing Nov 2006, discounted as a courtesy to previous sponsorship of the InvestorIdeas Greentech contest. International Barrier Technology, Inc. (OTCBB: IBTGF; TSXV: IBH) currently pays three thousand per month and 100,000 options.Our featured columnists are freelance writers and may or may not hold positions in the companies discussed. Please read individual disclaimers. Nothing in the articles should be construed as an offer or solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell any specific products or securities

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Source: EnvironmentStocks.com, InvestorIdeas.com, ZAP, Rotoblock Corporation, International Barrier Technology