Good Vibrations: CA Bill Explores Renewable Energy Via Traffic

Photo by Non Paratus via the LAist Featured Photos pool

L.A.'s much-loathed, incessant traffic may actually benefit society and the environment should Governor Jerry Brown pass a renewable energy bill by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Silver Lake). The bill would require the California Energy Commission - the state's primary energy policy and planning agency - to explore generating green electricity from passing cars, trucks and trains.

Are you familiar with piezoelectric technology? It's okay, we weren't either. Here's how it works. Sensors are placed under a roadway, and the vibrations produced by vehicles are converted into electricity. The measure centers on this technology, and Gatto says other countries are already reaping from its use.

“Thirty years ago, who would have believed that black silicon panels left in the desert could generate solar power,” Gatto said in a written statement, according to LA Canada. “And just 10 years ago, people were incredulous when you described a Bluetooth device. This technology is very real, and it merits study.”

A Japanese railway company installed said sensors under its Tokyo train station's floor and powers all of the station's displays from the energy generated by pedestrians. Israel has also installed sensors under some highways.

Gatto's legislation passed both the Senate with a 27-9 vote and the Assembly with amendments in a 56-21 vote.

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By Lauren Lloyd in News on September 27, 2011 11:20 AM

Comments [rss]

Barefoot Intactivist

Nice to see the creep Gatto promoting a bill that doesn't involve promoting the forced sexual abuse of infants #AB_768 http://youtu.be/xKMLV--lXQI

PicoPhreako69

"Censors are placed under a roadway..."

Umm,............ 0_o

"A Japanese railway company installed said censors under its Tokyo train station's floor..."

Gee.
I, uh, think the more-appropriate term would be sensors.
Because, yanno, putting a "censor" under a roadway or a floor would be kinda cruel and unusual punishment for the censor, even if you don't like what they do.

Just sayin'.

0:>}=

LadyLloyd

HA! Good call. We've adjusted, and it looks like a couple other sources need to fix as well. Thanks, PicoPhreak!

Hannah Lee

Assemblyman Mike Gatto worked to promote AB 768, so that even babies who grow up to renounce the religion their parents chose , will be forced to be genitally mutilated. That is why there is a Facebook page called : Mike Gatto The Face of Genital Cutting

Didi De Valencia

There is a good chance that assemblyman Mike Gatto thinks that Barack Obama is spreading disease. Barack Obama's father is one of the Luo people, a Muslim group of people in Kenya who are ***against*** the ritual of circumcision.
Luo men have been kidnapped recently in Kenya and they've been circumcised by other tribes who believe that circumcision should be a ritual for them since they are Muslim.
I believe that Luo men have a right to keep all of their genitalia. And, this right should extend to babies of all religions as well.