Low Cost Solar Cells From Unconventional Material Is The Key To Solar Future

When we think about solar cells we tend to think about silicon and other semi conductor based instruments that translate in to high cost. But the adaptation of solar power as a major component of making our earth a better place and to combat climate change is forcing us to look in to better and cheaper solar photovoltaics. That is exactly the information, what a group of researchers at the Energy and Resources Group and the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) released in a form of study.

The study states that these materials are abundant and could expand the use of solar cells as a significant source of low-carbon energy.

Following is an abstract of information released by University of Berkeley (A link to the article at the end of this post);

The work provides a roadmap for research into novel solar cell types precisely when the U. S. Department of Energy and other funders plan to expand their efforts to link new basic research to deployment efforts as part of a national effort to greatly expand the use of clean energy, according to Daniel Kammen, UC Berkeley professor of energy and resources and director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory.

“The reason we started looking at new materials is because people often assume solar will be the dominant energy source of the future,” said Wadia, a post-doctoral researcher who spearheaded the research. “Because the sun is the Earth’s most reliable and plentiful resource, solar definitely has that potential, but current solar technology may not get us there in a timeframe that is meaningful, if at all. It’s important to be optimistic, but when considering the practicalities of a solar-dominated energy system, we must turn our attention back to basic science research if we are to solve the problem.”

The most popular solar materials in use today are silicon and thin films made of CdTe (cadmium telluride) and CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide). While these materials have helped elevate solar to a major player in renewable energy markets, they are still limited by manufacturing challenges. Silicon is expensive to process and mass produce. Furthermore, it has become increasingly difficult to mine enough silicon to meet ever-growing consumer demand.

Thin films, while significantly less costly than silicon and easier to mass produce, would rapidly deplete our natural resources if these technologies were to scale to terawatt hours of annual manufacturing production. A terawatt hour is a billion kilowatt hours.

“We believe in a portfolio of technologies and therefore continue to support the commercial development of all photovoltaic technologies,” Kammen said. “Yet, what we’ve found is that some leading thin films may be difficult to scale as high as global electricity consumption.”
“It's not to say that these materials won't play a significant role,” Wadia added, “but rather, if our objective is to supply the majority of electricity in this way, we must quickly consider alternative materials that are Earth-abundant, non-toxic and cheap. These are the materials that can get us to our goals more rapidly.”

Finding an affordable electricity supply is essential for meeting basic human needs, Kammen said, yet 30 percent of the world’s population remains without reliable or sufficient electrical energy. Scientific forecasts predict that to meet the world’s energy demands by 2050, global carbon emissions would have to grow to levels of irreversible consequences.

"As the U.S. envisions a clean energy future consistent with the vision outlined by President Obama, it is exciting that the range of promising solar cell materials is expanding, ideally just as a national renewable energy strategy takes shape," said Kammen, who is co-director of the Berkeley Institute of the Environment and UC Berkeley's Class of 1935 Distinguished Chair of Energy.

The study by Wadia, Kammen and Alivisatos, available online at http://pubs.acs.org, will appear in the March print issue of Environmental Science & Technology. Wadia will discuss the report on April 14 at the upcoming spring meeting of the Materials Research Society, to be held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

The work was supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Energy Foundation, the Karsten Family Foundation Endowment of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory and the Class of 1935.

Cheaper materials could be key to low-cost solar cells

Tags: Solar Cell Research, Materials Research Society, EPA, UC Berkeley, photovoltaic technologies, CdTe, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium selenide, Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory, EPA, DOE, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Eco-criminals, EPA's Most Wanted List

The EPA has released a list of its most-wanted 23 fugitives and two that have been captured this year.

These fugitives alleged to have smuggled chemicals like R-12 Freon, that damages Earth's ozone layer, Many who dumped hazardous waste all over the country, Ship captains and engineers who violated environmental laws, even a pair for importing cars that did not follow emission control standards.

But there is also in big red letters asking;

Do not attempt to apprehend any of these individuals.

Instead you can inform via the phone numbers provided on the EPA site or by submitting the Report a Fugitive's Location web form.

Tags: EPA, EPA's most wanted, EPA Fugitive list

EPA Releases New report on ecosystems and climate change.

(Washington, D.C. – June 20, 2008) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a report that can help reduce the potential impact of climate change on estuaries, forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and other sensitive ecosystems. The report, entitled Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources, identifies strategies to protect the environment as these changes occur.

"People always say 'Don't just tell us what will happen – tell us what we can do about it,'" said Dr. George Gray, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Research and Development. "By using the strategies outlined in this document, we can help managers protect our parks, rivers, and forests from possible future impacts of a changing climate."

To develop this assessment, scientists studied national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, wild and scenic rivers, national estuaries, and marine protected areas – all protected by the federal government. The report takes a unique approach by using the management goals set for each protected area to understand what strategies will increase the resilience of each ecosystem – in other words, increase the amount of change or disturbance that an ecosystem can absorb before it shifts to a different ecosystem. Using these strategies, managers can maintain the original goals set for these ecosystems under changing climatic conditions. The strategies will be useful to federal agencies and can also be broadly applied to lands and waters managed by other government or nongovernmental organizations.

The report finds that climate change can increase the impact of traditional stressors (such as pollution or habitat destruction) on ecosystems, and that many existing best management practices to reduce these stressors can also be applied to reduce the impacts of climate change. For example, current efforts to reverse habitat destruction by restoring vegetation along streams also increase ecosystem resilience to climate change impacts, such as greater amounts of pollutants and sediments from more intense rainfall. Our country's ability to adapt to climate change will depend on a variety of factors including recognizing the barriers to implementing new strategies, expanding collaboration among ecosystem managers, creatively re-examining program goals and authorities, and being flexible in setting priorities and managing for change.

The peer-reviewed report provides the best-available science to date on management adaptations for ecosystems and resources. It was developed following the guidelines developed by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program.

The Global Change Research Program in EPA's Office of Research and Development led the development of the report. It is one of 21 synthesis and assessment products commissioned by the CCSP.

The CCSP was established in 2002 to provide the Nation with science-based knowledge to manage the risks and opportunities of changes in the climate and related environmental systems. The program is responsible for coordinating and integrating the research of 13 federal agencies on climate and global change.

For more information on Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources: http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=180143

The Office of Research and Development's Global Change Research Program: http://www.epa.gov/ord/npd/globalresearch-intro.htm

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) http://www.climatescience.gov/

Contact: Roxanne Smith
smith.roxanne@epa.gov
202-564-4355
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Tags: ecosystems, climate change, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems, Climate Change Science

3M, EPA Reaches Agreement On Clean-air Violations.

No. 08-OPA103


CHICAGO (June 6, 2008) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with 3M Co. on alleged clean-air violations at the company's Abrasive Systems Division at 10746 Innovation Road, Cottage Grove, Minn.

The agreement, which includes a $30,000 penalty, resolves EPA allegations that 3M violated monitoring and record keeping requirements for systems to control particulate matter emissions from its calciners and dryers.

The alleged violations were discovered during an EPA inspection in October 2006. EPA said 3M has since demonstrated compliance with these requirements.

Inhaling high concentrations of particulates can affect children, the elderly and people with heart and lung diseases the most.

Information about EPA Region 5's air enforcement program is at http://www.epa.gov/region5/air/enforce/index.html. Potential environmental violations may be reported at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints.

Tags: EPA, 3M, heart and lung diseases

Recallr: "Greenversations," New EPA Blog.

EPA has a new blog, Greenversations, to inform us about Environmental Protection Agency's inner workings by various employees stationed around the country.
Recallr: "Greenversations," New EPA Blog.
tag: Greenversations, EPA, Recallr

American Samoa Honored At 10th annual Environmental Awards

(04/14/08) SAN FRANCISCO -- During the agency's 10th annual Environmental Awards Ceremony in San Francisco today, U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Wayne Nastri presented plaques to over two dozen organizations and individuals throughout the Pacific Southwest including one from American Samoa in recognition of their efforts to protect and preserve the environment in 2007.
“The EPA is pleased and honored to acknowledge the innovative and far-reaching environmental work achieved by this impressive group of organizations and individuals. They set an example for all of us to follow,” Nastri said. “All of this year's winners -- in fact, all of this year's nominees -- have made commendable efforts to protect and preserve our air, water and land or increased our awareness of the environmental challenges we face.”
The Region 9 Environmental Awards program acknowledges commitment and significant contributions to the environment in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Pacific Islands and tribal lands. Twenty nine groups and individuals were selected from over 130 nominees received this year from businesses, local, government officials, tribes, media, environmental organizations and citizen activists.

The Pacific Islands winner:

American Samoa EPA
Piggery Compliance Program, Pago Pago, AS

A significant percentage of American Samoan families raise pigs for, among other things, use in family and village celebrations, which often feature a roasted pig as a central part of the feast. As the population has grown, so have the number of pigs and the concern that pig waste contributes to pollution and disease. The common practice of locating a pig pen above or adjacent to a stream and washing pig waste into the stream has led to many cases of leptospirosis, a disease associated with the urine of pigs and other animals, which can infect people in contact with contaminated water. The American Samoa EPA created the Piggery Compliance Team to take action to reduce the piggery problem. Identifying over 1,000 families that owned piggeries, the team conducted outreach, educating families on how to comply with regulations, followed up with inspections, and where needed, compliance actions. By the end of 2007, its efforts resulted in the closure of 69 non-compliant piggeries, and helped 57 other pig owners comply. Nutrient loads to nearby waters were reduced by over 11,000 pounds of nitrogen and 4,000 pounds of phosphorous. One watershed saw a reduction in bacterial contamination by over 90 percent.

For the complete list of winners.

tag: EPA, Environmental Awards Ceremony, American Samoa EPA, Piggery Compliance Program, Pago Pago,

"The Sense of Wonder," in "Silent Spring"; Second Annual Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Intergenerational Poetry, Essay and Photography Contest

Second Annual Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Intergenerational Poetry, Essay and Photography Contest

Release date: 03/18/2008

Contact Information: Shakeba Carter-Jenkins, (202) 564-4355 / carter-jenkins.shakeba@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - March 18, 2008) The U.S. EPA Aging Initiative, in partnership with Generations United and the Rachel Carson Council Inc., are inviting submissions for its Second Annual Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Intergenerational Poetry, Essay and Photography Contest.

Carson is considered to be the founder of the contemporary environmental movement through her landmark book, Silent Spring. Its publication is credited with reversing the nation's pesticide policy.

Using the title of another of Carson's books, "The Sense of Wonder," the contest is seeking submissions from intergenerational teams "that best express the "Sense of Wonder" that you feel when observing the sea, the night sky, forests, birds, wildlife, and all that is beautiful to your eyes."

"Through this contest, we are inspiring the youngest and oldest among us to appreciate wonders and beauty of the natural world," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.

"We experience a sense of wonder at every point in our lives, whether as children or older adults. The contest's intergenerational message exemplifies a long history of environmental work bridging the generations which goes back to the first Earth Day," said Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United. "We are delighted to again co-sponsor this important contest."

The contest's intergenerational approach reflects Carson's desire to have adults share with children a sense of wonder about nature and help them discover its joys. Entries must be intergenerational involving a team of persons related or unrelated and describe the intergenerational project and how this project brought the team in touch with the natural world.

The deadline for entries is Monday, June 16, 2008. A panel of expert judges will select finalists. The winners in each category will then be determined by the public, who will have an opportunity to vote on-line in July and August for their favorite submission in each category: photography, essay, and poetry. Winners will be announced on the EPA Aging Initiative Web site in October during Children's Health month.

Carson wrote that she would endow every child with "a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life." However, "if a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in."

The contest seeks to spur and instill that same sense of wonder among all generations.

For more information, see: epa.gov/aging/resources/thesenseofwonder/index.htm

tag: EPA, Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Intergenerational Contest, EPA Aging Initiative, Rachel Carson Council Inc., Generations United, Earth Day,

Greener Ports In USA, New Strategy By EPA

(Washington, D.C. - March 7, 2008) EPA has unveiled a new plan of action for working with public port authorities and other interested groups to reduce the environmental impacts of moving goods through ports. The "Vision, Mission, and Strategy for Sustainable Ports" recognizes the steady growth in global maritime commerce and the critical role American ports and related transportation and supply chain partners play in managing the environmental impacts of moving goods across the country.

Ports are vital to the United States economy. Ocean-going ships move more than 99 percent of U.S. overseas trade (by weight). The top ten U.S. ports moved a combined total of 23 million cargo containers in 2006. The environmental challenges for ports and their transportation network include reducing air emissions, improving water quality, and protecting the health of communities near port facilities.

EPA's Strategy focuses on six themes: Clean Air and Affordable Energy, Clean and Safe Water, Healthy Communities and Eco-systems, Global Environment, Ports Communications, and Enforcement. There are more than 70 possible actions, including working with port authorities, their business partners and other sectors of the transportation industry to quantify and reduce air emissions from all sources along the shipping supply chain; setting up state innovative financing funds to help small owner-operators of diesel equipment finance the upgrading or replacement of older, dirtier engines; and collaborating with the international port community on innovative technologies and development of international standards.

EPA's strategy complements the recent resolution and guiding principles on port sustainability issued by the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). EPA programs will work with AAPA, individual port authorities, private port operators, transportation supply and logistics companies, government agencies, states, communities, and other interested groups to promote and implement sustainable practices at ports and their related operations. EPA regions will work collaboratively with individual ports to select (from among the full menu of possible actions in the EPA Strategy) a specific set of activities to work on together. These shared action plans will address the unique environmental impacts and opportunities for ports in different parts of the country.
Contact Information: Dave Ryan, (202) 564-4355 / ryan.dave@epa.gov

tag: EPA, AAPA, Sustainable Ports, United States economy, Clean Air, Affordable Energy, Clean and Safe Water, Healthy Communities and Eco-systems, Global Environment, Ports Communications,

EPA Teaches “Green” Backyard Gardening Techniques

PHILADELPHIA (March 3, 2008) – Come visit EPA’s urban backyard at the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show. You’ll learn the best techniques for having a beautiful, carefree garden that doesn’t need mowing, uses little water and fossil fuels, reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides, and keeps garden waste out of landfills.

“We want to show people it’s possible to have a beautiful garden without a lot of fuss, and have it do good for the environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Donald S. Welsh.

No-mow sod, native plants, composting, using a rain barrel to capture rain and using recycled materials such as old wrought iron fencing are just some of the topics demonstrated in this year’s EPA exhibit.

One of the more intriguing methods for backyard gardeners this year is the no-mow sod. It’s an ornamental grass that has long slender blades which grow long and lay over. The sparkling green color remains beautiful year-round. It is fairly wear resistant and works best in areas that don’t get a lot of wear from foot traffic. Gas powered law equipment such as mowers, blowers and trimmers emit 10 to 30 times more air pollution than a typical car for every hour in use. And in the Eastern U.S., 30 percent of residential water consumption goes toward watering lawns. The no-mow sod requires less watering, and less mowing – from once a month to once a year depending on landscape tastes.

EPA’s exhibit stresses the importance of minimizing air emissions from mowing and reducing the use of chemicals on lawns. Structural elements include re-used wrought iron fencing, re-cycled glass mulch, and re-cycled glass and aluminum tiles in fountains and obelisks. Our final elements include the composting of yard waste and capturing water in a rain barrel to assist with garden watering.

EPA’s exhibit won awards of merit for non-academic education from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Philadelphia Flower Show.

For more information on green landscaping, go to: http://www.epa.gov/reg3esd1/garden/
tag: EPA, green technologies, urban backyard, fertilizers, pesticides,

The National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program, Recovers One Millionth Mercury Switch From Discarded Automobiles.

US EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson hails the success of vehicle mercury program with the one millionth mercury switch being removed from the waste stream. Seated from left to right, Senator Jonny Isakson, Senator Saxby Chambliss, Steve Levetan, Senior Vice President, Pull-A-Part. US EPA Photo by Eric Vance

Release date: 02/29/2008

Contact Information: Roxanne Smith, (202) 564-4355 / smith.roxanne@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - Feb. 29, 2008) A national program that has cut more than one ton of mercury has reached a major milestone: 1 million switches have been removed from scrapped vehicles. The millionth mercury switch was removed through the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program, a collaboration among EPA, automobile manufacturers, steel makers, scrap recyclers, automotive recyclers, states and environmental groups.

"By pulling mercury switches before they enter the recycling system, we are improving the health of our environment and the health of generations of U.S. residents," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "The one millionth switch may be just another drop in a bucket, but it's a big step toward erasing the environmental impacts of mercury air emissions in America."

Before model year 2003, some vehicles contained mercury switches for convenience lighting in hoods, trunks, and some anti-lock breaking systems. The program provides dismantlers with information, materials, support and incentives to remove these switches from end-of-life vehicles before they are crushed and sent to furnaces that recycle the steel. The goal of the program is to capture 80 to 90 percent of available vehicle mercury switches by 2017 when most pre-2003 vehicles are expected to be off the road and the program is scheduled to end.

Vehicles are the most recycled consumer goods in America. Each year, the steel industry recycles more than 14 million tons of steel from old vehicles. Most vehicles that have reached the end of their useful life are dismantled, stripped, flattened, shredded and melted to make new steel. If mercury switches are not removed from retired vehicles, a significant amount of that mercury can be released into the environment as air emissions. These air emissions are considered a primary source of mercury that poses a risk to human health and the environment.

Mercury automotive switch removal is an easy, cost effective and energy efficient way to reduce emissions. Dismantlers can find and remove most switches in a few minutes. Doing so costs far less per pound of mercury than emission controls, and supports many industries that produce and use scrap metal. Removal also conserves energy and natural resources by promoting automotive steel recycling while reducing mercury contamination.

Information on the mercury switch program and directions on how to join: epa.gov/mercury/switch.htm or http://www.elvsolutions.org/

tag: National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program, EPA, mercury switch, recycling system, emission controls,

EPA Pressed Over California Clean Air Act?

It looks like EPA has been pressed to deny Clean Air Act waiver requested last december. California requested to reduce vehicle greenhouse gas emissions last December and EPA turned down the request. In denying the waiver, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson said that a national approach would be better and that California had not demonstrated a compelling need for the law, which would have forced automakers to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in new cars and light trucks by 2016.

The Clean Air Act gives California special authority to regulate vehicle pollution because the state began such regulations before the federal government. But a federal waiver is required, and if California gets one, then other states can adopt California's standards, too.

Twelve other states — Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington — had adopted California's tailpipe standards and the governors of Arizona, Colorado, Florida and Utah had said they also plan to adopt them. The rules were under consideration elsewhere, too.

Google News AP article

tag: Clean Air Act, EPA, California clean air act, vehicle greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gas emissions

Upper Cape towns (New England) Residents Needed to Join EPA’s Massachusetts Military Reservation Impact Area Review Team (IART).

(Boston, Mass. – Feb. 19, 2008) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England Office announced today that they are seeking new members from the Upper Cape towns to join EPA’s Impact Area Review Team (IART).

EPA established the Impact Area Review Team in 1997 to provide a forum for local citizens to assist EPA in ensuring a thorough and timely investigation and cleanup of Camp Edwards.

The IART provides advice to the EPA, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Environmental Command on the cleanup of groundwater contamination and its sources on or emanating from Camp Edwards on the northern part of the Massachusetts Military Reservation.

“The Impact Area Review Team serves as an important forum for community input, information exchange and education. Cape citizens have clearly played an instrumental role in advancing the investigations and cleanup underway at Camp Edwards,” said Robert Varney, regional administrator for EPA New England. “I encourage area citizens to take a look at the team and consider joining us in our efforts to understand and address the wide range of community concerns about the cleanup going on at the base just beyond their backyards and neighborhoods.“

As members of the IART, citizens can provide feedback on investigation and cleanup decisions, help evaluate the progress of cleanups, and recommend approaches to keep the public informed and involved. A scientific or technical background is helpful, but not required. Town residents from areas adjoining Camp Edwards in Bourne and Sandwich are particularly encouraged to seek membership on the IART.

The IART meets regularly on the fourth Tuesday evening of each month at various locations in the Upper Cape area. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 22 at 6:00 p.m. at the Massachusetts Military Reservation Welcome Center on the base.

If you are a resident of Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth or Mashpee and would like to become an active member of the IART or attend a future meeting, please contact Jim Murphy, EPA’s Community Involvement Coordinator at 617-918-1028, or toll-free at 1-888-372-7341, extension 81028, or by e-mail at murphy.jim@epa.gov

tag: EPA, IART, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Army Environmental Command, groundwater contamination

Evergreen California Leads The Nation In ENERGY STAR Buildings

As usual California is leading the nation in ENERGY STAR buildings with 917 of these buildings in the state. These buildings that cover about 177 million square feet of space saves $199 billion annually just from energy bills. But it is more than that as this also translate in to 1.6 Billion pounds of green house gas emission reduction. Well done California, Please keep it up.

(San Francisco, Calif.) Finding energy efficient schools, supermarkets, offices and other facilities throughout the country has become even easier for Americans interested in being green. Now we can find the ENERGY STAR not only where we live but where we work, shop, learn and play. The number of commercial buildings and manufacturing plants to earn the ENERGY STAR for superior energy efficiency is up by more than 25 percent in the past year, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions reduced has reached an all-time high of more than 25 billion pounds.

California is home to 917 ENERGY STAR-qualified buildings representing approximately 177 million square feet of space and saving an estimated $199 billion annually in lower energy bills, while meeting industry standards for comfort and indoor air quality. These buildings also prevent 1.6 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the emissions from more than 135,000 vehicles.

"Building owners in California are taking important steps to reduce their carbon footprint by creating ENERGY STAR buildings,” said Wayne Nastri, EPA administrator for the Pacific Southwest region. “They realize they can reduce energy costs without sacrificing comfort or tenant satisfaction."

In the U.S., 4,056 office buildings, schools, hospitals, and public buildings have earned the U.S. EPA's ENERGY STAR for superior energy and environmental performance, including 1,400 in 2007 alone.

Commercial buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR use nearly 40 percent less energy than average buildings and emit 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. About 500 ENERGY STAR buildings use 50 percent less energy than average buildings. Many of these buildings excel due to good energy management practices such as routine energy efficiency benchmarking.

Energy use in commercial buildings and manufacturing plants account for nearly half of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 50 percent of energy consumption nationwide. For more than a decade, EPA has worked with businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through strategic energy management practices. There are ENERGY STAR qualified facilities across the country. To qualify for the ENERGY STAR, a building or manufacturing plant must score in the top 25 percent using EPA’s National Energy Performance Rating System.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. In 2006, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved about $14 billion on their energy bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million vehicles.

To learn more about ENERGY STAR visit: http://www.energystar.gov/buildings. To see a complete list of California ENERGY STAR buildings, visit: http://www.energystar.gov/LabeledList .

tag: ENERGY STAR, EPA, ENERGY STAR buildings, greenhouse gas emissions, California,

Is Your Copier Green?

Environmental protection Agency, EPA has started a new standard for copiers and other similar imaging machines. These will join other EPEAT products such as notebooks, desktops, monitors and integrated systems that follow international standards in manufacturing, distributing and eventual discard of these machines in environmentally safe manner.

SAN FRANCISCO – The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency is launching this week the first steps toward new green standards for copiers and other imaging devices. This effort builds on the success of EPEAT - an on-line tool to help institutional buyers identify and buy greener electronic equipment.

On February 20, 2008 EPA will host a two-day roundtable to kick-off the development process for the new environmental standards. The forum will bring together representatives from manufacturers, suppliers, public and private sector purchasers, public interest groups and experts in electronics design to define the scope of the products to be covered, look at other standards and labels, and begin to develop potential environmental performance criteria for the new standards.

“EPEAT is a trusted resource for buyers looking for greener computers, because it was developed by all the stakeholders,” said David Jones, Associate Director of the Waste Division in EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “The success of EPEAT has led to significant environmental benefits. EPA is committed to supporting stakeholder efforts to now reduce the impact of printers and copiers as well.”

EPEAT – the electronic product environmental assessment tool – was launched in 2006, focusing on desktop and laptop computers and monitors. It includes a set of environmental criteria and a system for registering and verifying equipment that meets those criteria. EPEAT-registered computers have reduced levels of toxics, are more energy efficient, are easier to upgrade and recycle, and use more sustainable packaging than conventional equipment. EPA supported the development of EPEAT, but it is now a largely self-sustaining system operated by the Green Electronics Council.

Purchasers have embraced EPEAT enthusiastically. Nearly all electronic equipment purchases by the U.S. government must be EPEAT-registered. In addition, more than six states and dozens of local governments and colleges and universities have adopted EPEAT in their procurement for computers. Major private companies are using the tool as well. That success has driven demand by purchasers for additional products to be added to EPEAT.

The February 20^th workshop will begin a 12-18 month process to craft the criteria for imaging devices. EPA will not develop the new standard itself, but is providing funding and staff support to bring stakeholders together to do so. The standard will be finalized the IEEE Standards Association.

For information on the EPEAT standard and the searchable database listing all EPEAT-registered computer products, visit: http://www.epeat.net. Additional information on the Green Electronics Council is available at http://www.greenelectronicscouncil.org.

tag: EPA, EPEAT, IEEE Standards, green copier

EPA opens public comment period for Big West of California refinery project

U.S. EPA opens public comment period for Big West of California refinery project

Release date: 11/05/2007

Contact Information: Marc Mowrey, (415) 972-3324

SAN FRANCISCO - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency opened the public comment period on a proposed air permit for the construction of a Clean Fuels Project at the Big West of California, Bakersfield refinery.

Air emissions from the proposed project are subject to federal air pollution permitting laws for new emission sources under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration regulations of the Clean Air Act.

The proposed project would consist of new process units and supporting equipment at the existing Bakersfield refinery for the conversion of intermediate products into gasoline and diesel fuel that meets California Air Resources Board gasoline and diesel fuel specifications.

The public comment period for the proposed air permit opens today. Interested parties may submit comments on the permit now through December 12. An open house and public hearing have been scheduled as follows:

Date: December 5

Time: Open House: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Location: Discovery Elementary School, Multipurpose Room
9500 Vaquero Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93308
For more information about the project and proposed permit, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/region09/air/permit/r9-permits-issued.html

Tags: EPA, public comment, Air emissions, Clean Fuels Project, Big West of California, Bakersfield refinery

Enviro Battle, California Might sue EPA over Auto Emmissions

California's attorney general plans to sue the Environmental Protection Agency. Attorney General Jerry Brown hopes to force the EPA to decide whether to allow 12 states, including California, to impose stricter standards on vehicle emissions.

The lawsuit could be filed as early as Wednesday in a Washington, D.C. federal court. Brown's move comes 22 months after California made its initial request to the EPA to let the state mandate tighter regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from cars, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles.

Specifically, California wants to implement a law that passed in 2002 that would force automakers to begin manufacturing vehicles that emit less greenhouse gas emissions by the 2009 model year. The goal is to cut emissions by 25 percent by the year 2030.

"California submitted the waiver request to the EPA two years ago. EPA has been slow-walking it. California wants to start implementing the program for model year 2009. Time is running short," said David Bookbinder, chief counsel for the Sierra Club.

Source

Tags: EPA, Green house gas, Auto emissions, Sierra club

EnergyStar 4.0, New Specifications for Many Office Products in 2007

2007 brings new ENERGY STAR specifications for office and imaging equipment. This means it will be more difficult for computers, copiers, fax machines, mailing machines, multifunction devices (MFDs), printers, and scanners to earn the ENERGY STAR

Energy Star 3.0 was all over the place, but those standards have been in place for a decade. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will introduce new ENERGY STAR 4.0 requirements on July 20th, 2007. What’s going to change? What is in it? What do manufacturers have to do to get compliant? What does business' need to do to be compliant? well it seems that it is easier than one tend to assume. Even small business' can still save money on power and cooling by implementing ENERGY STAR 4.0 compliant desktops and other office appliances.

There are two fundamental changes from the current ENERGY STAR 3.0 program to the ENERGY STAR 4.0 that will have a decided impact on your organization should you choose to implement the new standards:

1. Idle power usage will now be measured and used as a metric to earn the ENERGY STAR 4.0 rating as opposed to Standby power.
2. An 80% efficient power supplies are a requirement.

In Standby, the number of storage devices, processor cores, graphics power, memory, etc. makes very little difference to the power used. These devices are either turned off or are in a very low power state. However, in idle, all these devices are drawing power. The amount of memory or the number of hard drives has a big impact on power used. This is why the ENERGY STAR 3.0 configuration you’re buying today might not be a configuration that will meet ENERGY STAR 4.0 in the future.

The 80% efficient power supply is a principal requirement of Energy Star 4.0 and a major new innovation. What is an 80% efficient power supply? When a power supply converts AC power from the wall to the various DC voltages that the computer needs, there is always a loss of power. The power loss varies with how busy the computer is. An 80% efficient power supply is guaranteed to lose less than 20% of the AC power at 20%, 50% and 100% loads. Currently, power supplies for desktop computers range from approximately 65% to 75% efficiency.

Revisions to existing specifications by energy Star!

Tags: ENERGY STAR 4.0, ENERGY STAR, EPA