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,

Oil Imports To Pass $400 Billion In US This Year, Petroleum Intelligence Weekly.

Well what a few billion dollars more would do to our economy?

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the run-up in oil prices over the past four years, the United States is paying dearly for its dependence on imported oil, Petroleum Intelligence Weekly (PIW) reports in its latest issue. The US oil import bill last year came to some $327 billion, and should easily top $400 billion this year. That's an increase of some 300% since 2002, according to PIW.

Last year, PIW reckons that the US paid out a record $245 billion for about 10 million barrels per day of crude oil imports, and another $82 billion for about 3.5 million b/d of imported oil products. This year it looks like paying out even more, with domestic crude production continuing to fall, demand for imports of high-priced transport fuels remaining strong, and oil prices around 30% higher year-on-year so far in 2008. The increase to an estimated $440 billion for 2008 is based on an average $90 per barrel crude oil price for the year. In 2002, before the current bull market for oil began, US oil imports cost less than $103 billion.

US Oil Import Bill
($-bill)		Total		Crude		Products
2000		119.26		89.88		29.38
2001		102.74		74.29		28.45
2002		102.77		79.25		23.52
2003		132.44		101.80		30.64
2004		179.27		136.03		43.24
2005		206.06		138.94		67.12
2006		300.07		225.53		74.54
2007p		327.34		245.53		81.81
2008e		440.00		331.00		109.00

p-preliminary, e-estimated.

With oil prices this year as strong or stronger than in 2007, any moderation in the US import bill must come from reduced volumes. While oil demand growth has slowed in recent years due to both high prices and greater fuel efficiency, the higher quality of crude oil imports that US refiners require and the emphasis on high-quality transport fuels in the product import mix are likely to keep upward pressure on import costs even if volumes are stable, according to PIW.

Although "energy security" and "dependency on the Mideast" get the attention in the national debate over oil imports, huge and rapidly rising costs are of greater immediate economic significance, PIW says. Relatively secure supplies from Canada and Mexico account for about one third of crude imports.

Petroleum Intelligence Weekly is published by Energy Intelligence, www.energyintel.com.

tag: Oil dependence, Petroleum Intelligence Weekly, crude oil imports, energy security,

WIREC 2008, US Need To Do More.

Introduction speech of Michael ECKHART, president of ACORE, the American Council On Reneweable Energy
tag: wirec 2008, acore, the American Council On Reneweable Energy

Solar Powered Capitalist, Interview with T.J. Rodgers

Today I read an interesting interview and an insight look into T.J. Rodgers, of San Jose's Cypress Semiconductor. and of SunPower by Declan McCullagh of CNET News. SunPower has been a regular news in this blog and I am sure there will be more. Follow the link at the end of the post to read the first part of the interview.

Cypress's product catalog includes things like programmable logic devices, USB controllers, and SRAM chips--the basic building blocks of modern gadgets and computers.

Today in Silicon Valley, though, Rodgers is just as well known for his role in buying and building up SunPower, which sells rooftop solar systems that provide power at prices competitive with utility rates. SunPower's market capitalization is more than $5 billion, which isn't bad for a company that Rodgers kept alive with his own money until his board came around.

In the political world, Rodgers is famous for his plain-spoken approach and verbal skewering of his opponents, who have included everyone from Jesse Jackson (complaining about the so-called digital divide) to a nun from the Sisters of St. Francis on Philadelphia. Sister Doris Gormley wanted racial and gender quotas for Cypress' board; Rodgers responded in detail, saying her advice was "immoral" and "we pursue talent--and we don't care in what package that talent comes."

Rodgers recently married Valeta Massey in a ceremony at the Fairmont hotel in San Jose. In a choreographed ceremony, he had a faux IRS agent stand up and object to the nuptials on grounds that the U.S. treasury would lose money. Silicon Valley uber-lawyer Larry Sonsini provided some on-the-spot legal advice, and bagpipers provided a counterpoint.

This buccaneering, free-market spirit makes Rodgers an interesting fellow to interview, so I did. Here's a lightly edited (I abbreviated some of my questions and some of his answers) transcript of our conversation from last month. Part two will follow Friday.

Interview with T.J. Rodgers, of San Jose's Cypress Semiconductor.

tag: renewable energy, SunPower, Cypress Semiconductor.

Do you want to protect the planet? Get A EPA Job

Release date: 03/05/2008

Contact Information: Melissa Anley-Mills, (202) 564-4355 / anley-mills.melissa@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - March 5, 2008) Do you want to protect the planet? Then consider a science or engineering career at EPA. On Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. EDT, George M. Gray, Ph.D., EPA Science Advisor and assistant administrator for Research and Development, will host the online interactive forum, Ask EPA, and take questions from the public about science careers and opportunities at the agency.

This online interactive forum for the public is patterned after Ask the White House (http://www.whitehouse.gov/ask), and allows the public to interact with EPA officials on a wide range of environmental and human health issues. Questions can be submitted online, in advance, beginning on Monday, March 10 as well as during the one-hour live session. As many questions as possible will be answered by Dr. Gray and posted to the Web site as a transcript so that others may also benefit from the discussion.

For more information or to receive e-mail alerts on upcoming hosts and topics, visit the Ask EPA page on our Web site: epa.gov/askepa

tag: EPA,

3TIER Remaps The World!

We all have been looking for benefits of alternative energy resources and Solar and Wind Energy has been close at hand for all of us. But do we know how much sun light or wind energy that we are able to capture from the places where we live? Thanks to an innovative company, 3TIER, now we can.

With wind energy or Solar Energy, knowing how hard the wind blows or how strong is that sun beam are like knowing how much money you have in the bank.

On March 3, 2008, a global 15km wind map was launched online at firstlook.3tiergroup.com Based on data from a single year, the intent of this background map was to provide a broad sense of the wind potential throughout the world by renewable-energy assessment company 3Tier.

Also according to the news on site, over the next 21 months, 3TIER will create a much more accurate map for the entire world for wind, country by country, based upon a priority order that takes into account such issues as renewable energy policies, availability of renewable energy resource and economic status. Solar and other renewable energies will be included in the future.

I am happy that I know exactly how much wind and Sun energy I am wasting (by not using properly) after little calculations with the 3Tier data.
tag: renewable energy, 3TIER, renewable-energy assessment, wind energy, Solar Energy, firstlook

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,

Al Gore and Cisco on Climate Change and Technology Innovation

If you have seen those Cisco Television advertisements about Cisco TelePresence system, virtual conferencing system tying up people from different parts of the world, now you have a chance to actually experience the system. I have so far avoided having to fly to different parts of the world just to have a meetings, by using a similar systems (smaller scale! see the photo on your left) but I can put those carbon savings to my green account!. If you cannot be near one of the places hosting the event, The virtual discussion will also be streamed live via a webcast session for general viewing. Mark your calendars.

Nobel Laureate Al Gore and Cisco CEO John Chambers Host Virtual Discussion on Climate Change and Technology Innovation

February 27, 2008

WHO:
Al Gore, Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President
John Chambers, Chairman and CEO, Cisco
Sue Bostrom, EVP, Chief Marketing Officer, Cisco

WHAT: Al Gore, John Chambers and Sue Bostrom will come together in a virtual unified communications environment before a live audience of technology leaders to examine the critical role that innovation can play in mitigating climate change. The virtual discussion will also be streamed live via a webcast session for general viewing. Key discussion topics will include:

* the latest observations of the effects of global warming and the impact of information technology

* how businesses can reduce greenhouse gas emissions through innovation

* how the technology industry can help create the most sustainable model for addressing global climate change

The public is invited to submit topic ideas and panel questions to: ecopanelquestions@external.cisco.com

HOW: This event marks a technological breakthrough showcasing a new way of communicating and collaborating in which the panelists will appear as if they are in the same room even though they will be thousands of miles apart. This unique virtual discussion will take place via the Cisco TelePresence system with John Chambers, Al Gore and Sue Bostrom addressing live audiences simultaneously in London, England, Orlando, Fla.,and several other locations around the world.

WHEN: March 19, 2008 at 11 a.m. ET (8 a.m. PT /15:00 GMT)

WHERE: Technology leaders attending the communications industry conference, VoiceCon, in Orlando, Fla., will have the opportunity to watch the discussion live via a Cisco TelePresence system that will be placed on stage. The event will take place during Cisco's keynote session hosted by Cisco chief marketing officer Sue Bostrom.

WEBCAST: To register for the webcast, go to www.cisco.com/offer/ecopanel

CONTACT: Jacqueline Pigliucci, Corporate Communications, Cisco
jpigliuc@cisco.com, 408.853.6389

tag: Climate Change, Technology Innovation, Al Gore, John Chambers, Cisco, VoiceCon, Cisco TelePresence, ecopanel

NARF & Alaskan Native Village Sues 24 Oil and Energy Companies for Destruction Caused by Global Warming

Alaskan Native residents of Kivalina, AK face imminent relocation from their traditional homeland due to impact of global warming on their community. Photo by David Hocs.

• Lawsuit results from ravages of global warming;
• Case seeks relocation of Native Alaskan village in order to protect against total destruction.

KIVALINA, Alaska A tiny and impoverished Alaskan village of Inupiat Eskimos located in the Arctic Circle , Kivalina, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against industrial corporations that emit large quantities of greenhouse gases. Kivalina faces imminent destruction from global warming due to the melting of sea ice that formerly protected the village from coastal storms during the fall and winter. The diminished sea ice due to global warming has caused a massive erosion problem that threatens the village’s existence and urgently requires the village be relocated. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Kivalina by two non-profit organizations-Native American Rights Fund (NARF) and The Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment- plus six law firms. NARF is a national non-profit legal and advocacy organization for Native American rights that has been based in Boulder , CO for 37 years

The Native Village of Kivalina, which is a federally recognized Indian Tribe, and the City of Kivalina, which is an Alaskan municipality, filed the lawsuit Tuesday in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, located in San Francisco.They filed the case on their own behalves and on behalf of all tribal members against defendants ExxonMobil Corp., Peabody Energy Corp., Southern Company, American Electric Power Co., Duke Energy Co, Chevron Corp., and Shell Oil Co., among others. In total there are nine oil company defendants, fourteen electric power company defendants and one coal company defendant. The suit claims damages due to the defendant companies’ contributions to global warming and invokes the federal common law of public nuisance. The suit also alleges a conspiracy by some defendants to mislead the public regarding the causes and consequences of global warming. The residents of Kivalina are among the nation’s poorest people.

Colleen Swan, Tribal Administrator of the Native Village of Kivalina, said “The campaign of deception and denial about global warming must stop.” She added, “Global warming and its effects are a reality we have to deal with. Peoples’ lives are in danger because of it.” Swan noted that “official reports from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Government Accountability Office have found that Kivalina is directly harmed by global warming and must relocate at an expense that could cost $400 million or more.”

“We need to relocate now before we lose lives,” echoed Janet Mitchell, City Administrator for the City of Kivalina . “We are seeing accelerated erosion because of the loss of sea ice. We normally have ice starting in October, but now we have open water even into December so our island is not protected from the storms.”

The defense of Alaska Native rights has been a long-standing priority for the Colorado-based NARF. The non-profit, with offices also in Anchorage , Alaska and Washington D.C. has represented Alaska Native Tribes for over two decades bringing litigation to protect tribal sovereignty and customary and traditional subsistence practices.

"In recent years it has become evident that another, perhaps more impending threat to Alaska Native lifeways looms," stated NARF Alaska attorney Heather Kendall-Miller. "Global climate changes are wreaking havoc on the Arctic causing loss of habitat and widespread erosion. Subsistence practices, too, are being threatened. Upon learning that many villages along Alaska ’s coastline were eroding into the ocean necessitating relocation, NARF’s Alaska office took on the challenge of developing new litigation that would seek compensation from industry polluters for the cost of village relocation."

Kendall-Miller further added that, "Working with the environmental public interest firm, Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment, NARF reached out to the private bar to establish a team of top notch attorneys to develop the first climate change case that seeks damages from industry for the loss of property due to global warming. While the private firm attorneys bring the workforce and tort experience to the case, NARF brings the client and the relationship Together this coalition of law firms hope to establish the climate change equivalent of the tobacco cases."

Tell-A-Friend About This Important Issue: http://narf.convio.net/site/TellAFriend

Unsubscribe: http://narf.convio.net/site/CO



tag: global warming, Alaskan Natives, KIVALINA, Inupiat Eskimos, NARF, ExxonMobil Corp., Peabody Energy Corp., Southern Company, American Electric Power Co., Duke Energy Co, Chevron Corp., Shell Oil Co.,

Get A Green Job

I know you are interested in being green if you happened to be reading Solarion. So how about a Green Job? TreeHugger has a good post and now I might stop Green blogging and some real green work.!
No, once I finish Solarifying my home, and completely independent, off the grid, I will look for a job!
tag: Solarifying, Green Jobs, Off the grid, Green blogging

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

Horizon Wind Energy, GE Energy Signs Wind Turbine Supply, Service Agreements

Horizon Wind Energy Signs Wind Turbine Supply, Service Agreements With GE Energy

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - January 29, 2008 : – Horizon Wind Energy LLC, a leading wind project developer, has signed wind turbine supply and service agreements with GE Energy for future U.S. projects. Horizon also announced today the establishment of a regional headquarters in Albany, N.Y. to oversee its future projects in New York State and the Northeastern United States.

GE will supply Horizon with 201 1.5-megawatt wind turbines, to be shipped during 2010. Under a separate, two-year agreement, GE will provide operations support, parts and maintenance for those units.

"We see strong potential for future wind projects throughout this region, and our new Albany office positions us to better serve this promising market," said Antonio Martins da Costa, CEO of Horizon Wind Energy. "In addition, our local presence will reinforce our strong relationship with GE Energy's renewable energy business, based in nearby Schenectady, NY."

"Albany and the Capital Region have a rich history in the energy industry," said Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings. "It's great to see that we will continue to play an integral role in the future as clean energy technologies from companies like GE Energy begin to change the way we produce energy. I'm thrilled that Horizon Wind Energy has chosen Albany as the site to manage its northeastern activities."

"With their new presence in the region, we look forward to working even more closely with Horizon Wind Energy," said Victor Abate, Vice President-Renewables for GE Energy. "The new agreements with Horizon are further evidence that the wind industry continues to embrace our 1.5-megawatt wind turbine technology and support services. We have provided more than 7,700 of these machines for projects worldwide."

Headquartered in Houston, Horizon Wind Energy is a fully owned subsidiary of Energias de Portugal S.A. (EDP), a major Portuguese utility and one of the world's largest generators of electricity from renewable energy sources. At the end of 2007, Horizon was operating wind power plants with a total installed capacity of more than 1,300 megawatts, and the company currently is developing a portfolio of more than 10,500 megawatts in more than a dozen states.

The new agreements with Horizon Energy follow the October 2007 announcement of a global frame agreement between GE and with Horizon's parent company, EDP, for the supply of 500 megawatts of wind turbines for 2008 and 2009 projects in the U.S. and Europe.

In addition to its relationship with GE Energy, Horizon Wind Energy is receiving a $300 million equity investment from GE Energy Financial Services in four of its wind farms. The investment will go to a 600-megawatt portfolio of wind farms in Oregon, Minnesota, Illinois and Texas.

GE Energy's wind turbine technology is a key component of ecomagination, the GE corporate-wide initiative to address challenges such as the need for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy, reduced emissions and abundant sources of clean water.

http://www.gepower.com/about/press/en/2008_press/012908c.htm

tag: wind energy, wind turbines, Renewables, GE Energy, wind farms, Horizon Wind Energy, Energias de Portugal

Costaka To Produce Ethanol Costing less than $1/gallon

Warrenville, IL – January 13, 2008 – Coskata Inc., a leading developer of biology-based technology for the production of biofuels, formally launched and unveiled its proprietary process today. The Coskata process can produce ethanol almost anywhere in the world, using a wide range of feedstock, for less than US $1.00 per gallon. This technology makes the widespread use and availability of ethanol much more achievable.

Today, the company also announced major industry support through a strategic partnership with General Motors. Rick Wagoner, the Chairman and CEO of General Motors, announced the partnership and that GM had taken an undisclosed equity stake in Coskata at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. Coskata was initially formed with funding from Advanced Technology Ventures (ATV), GreatPoint Ventures and Khosla Ventures.

“As a nation, we’ve been dependent on oil for so long, we continue to think we will be dependent on oil to meet our future energy needs,” said Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures. “Scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs like Coskata are here to prove it doesn’t have to be this way. With the development of an economically-viable ethanol solution, Coskata has the propensity to change the types of fuel consumers find at the pump – providing fuel derived from widely-available national resources, rather than foreign imports.”

Coskata’s process is feedstock flexible, and enables the use of cost-effective, locally abundant materials to achieve the lowest ethanol production cost targets in the industry. This groundbreaking approach addresses many of the constraints lodged against current renewable energy options, including environmental, transportation and land use concerns.

Using patented microorganisms and transformative bioreactor designs, Coskata ethanol is produced via a unique three-step conversion process that turns virtually any carbon-based feedstock, including biomass, municipal solid waste, bagasse and other agricultural waste into ethanol, making production a possibility in almost any geography. Coskata’s process technology is ethanol-specific and enzyme independent, requiring no additional chemicals or pre-treatments; environmentally superior, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 84% compared to conventional gasoline; and has the ability to generate 7.7 times as much energy as is required to produce the ethanol, compared to corn ethanol which generates approximately 1.3 times as much energy according to Argonne National Labs.

“Our technology and proprietary process have been validated by some of the world’s most renowned research labs, universities and energy companies,” said Bill Roe, CEO of Coskata. “Coskata is poised to revolutionize the ethanol industry with the backing of GM and our partners. Together, we can make ethanol a viable transportation fuel with production costs of under $1 per gallon.”

Coskata is working closely with leading research institutions focused on renewable energy to bring this compelling syngas-to-ethanol process technology to market, including Oklahoma State University, The University of Oklahoma, Brigham Young University and Argonne National Laboratory. Founded in 2006 by Todd Kimmel and Dr. Rathin Datta, the company has compiled a strong IP portfolio of patents, trade secrets, know-how and assembled a first-class management team.

"Coskata's announcement is a perfect example of the evolutionary state of the ethanol industry," said Bob Dinneen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, the national trade association for the U.S. ethanol industry. “Building on the solid foundation grain-based ethanol production has provided, and partnering with companies like General Motors that have demonstrated a commitment to renewable fuels, Coskata demonstrates what is possible when financial and intellectual capital are applied to solving the growing energy crisis in the United States."

More info at Costaka

tag: Ethanol, biofuels, Coskata, General Motors, Advanced Technology Ventures, GreatPoint Ventures, Khosla Ventures, bioreactor,

SunEdison Simplifies Solar by Pushing Adoption of Utility-Industry Standards

Implementation of IHS Standards Expert™ Service, the Leading Information Management Tool for the Utility Industry, is a Key Step.
BELTSVILLE, Md — January 18, 2008—SunEdison, North America's largest solar energy services provider, announced today a significant step in simplifying solar across North America by beginning integration of more than 3,300 electric utility-industry standards in the engineering,construction, deployment, and maintenance of photovoltaic systems.
With the IHS Standards Expert solution, a leading information management tool for utility industries, SunEdison engineering, construction and maintenance crews will have real-time access to utility industry standards. The new capabilities and easy-to-use interface of the IHS tool also support SunEdison's mission to simplify solar. Implementation of broad solar standards will facilitate traditional utility interconnections and drive economies of scale for the solar industry.
IHS (NYSE: IHS) is a global provider of critical technical information, decision-support tools and related strategic services for leading companies in the utility industry.
SunEdison will use the IHS standards management tool to fully integrate standards for the solar industry which are used by electricity providers and traditional utilities. More than 300 SunEdison team members globally will have access to IHS Standards Expert during the development, implementation and refinement of photovoltaic energy systems, tapping more than 3,300 utility-adopted standards and specifications from standards developing bodies, such as IEEE, NEMA, UL and IEC.
"Solar is complex. By driving standards, SunEdison is simplifying the solar industry," said Thomas (Tom) Rainwater, CEO of SunEdison. "Industry standards are key to ensuring a common language, specifications and measurements for development, construction and maintenance of photovoltaic energy systems in order to extract the maximum value from their systems." "We are proud to be working with SunEdison, providing the critical standards information they need in their leadership role in the solar energy industry," said Jeff Tarr, co-president and cochief operating officer, IHS. "The utilities industry has complex standards and managing that is the key for any energy service provider. SunEdison is helping to establish the benchmark for the industry which will lead to economies of scale in solar."
About SunEdison
Sun Edison LLC is North America's largest solar energy services provider. SunEdison provides solar-generated energy at or below current retail utility rates to a broad and diverse client base of commercial, municipal and utility customers. For more information about SunEdison, please visit www.sunedison.com. The company headquarters is located in Beltsville, Md.

About IHS (www.ihs.com)
IHS (NYSE: IHS) is a leading global source of critical information and insight for customers in a broad range of industries. Our customer product and service solutions span four major areas of information: energy, product lifecycle management, environmental and security. By focusing on our customers first, we deliver data and expertise that enable innovative and successful decision-making. Customers range from governments and multinational companies to smaller companies and technical professionals in more than 180 countries. IHS has been in business since 1959 and employs more than 3,000 people in 35 locations around the world. IHS is a registered trademark of IHS Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (C) 2007 IHS Inc. All rights reserved.
CONTACT: For SunEdison
Loretta W. Prencipe, 703-941-0277
loretta@m1pr.com
OR
IHS Inc.
Lauren Baker, 303-397-2615
lauren.baker@ihs.com
Tags: solar power, Solar Standards, SunEdison, IHS

Whole Foods Market®, Today "Bring Your Own Bag Day;" Celebrates by Giving Away Over 50,000 Reusable Bags to Customers Companywide

We usually shop a lot at Whole Foods because we like the quality of products that Whole Foods Market offer. Not only the products we get from the counters but efforts like, solar Power, BYOB, Bring Your Own Bag. We have been using the bag shown in the picture for months. The bag was a gift from Whole Foods.Now they have completely end the use plastic grocery bags and be plastic bag free by Earth Day, April 22, 2008. Way to go Whole Foods!

AUSTIN, Texas. (January 22, 2008). Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFMI), the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket, announced today it will end the use of disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts in all of its 270 stores in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. with the goal to be plastic bag-free by Earth Day, April 22, 2008.

"Central to Whole Foods Market's core values is caring for our communities and the environment, and this includes adopting wise environmental practices," said A.C. Gallo, co-president and chief operating officer for Whole Foods Market. "More and more cities and countries are beginning to place serious restrictions on single-use plastic shopping bags since they don't break down in our landfills, can harm nature by clogging waterways and endangering wildlife, and litter our roadsides. Together with our shoppers, our gift to the planet this Earth Day will be reducing our environmental impact as we estimate we will keep 100 million new plastic grocery bags out of our environment between Earth Day and the end of this year alone."

The first U.S. supermarket to commit to completely eliminating disposable plastic grocery bags to help protect the environment and conserve resources, Whole Foods Market has declared today "Bring Your Own Bag Day" and will give out over 50,000 reusable shopping bags to customers at the checkouts this morning to celebrate today's announcement. "We hope to inspire shoppers to prompt positive environmental change by adopting the reusable bag mindset," added Gallo.

"Doing away with plastic grocery bags won't just help protect marine life, it's a key move in shifting us away from a 'consume-and-dispose' mentality," says Lisa Mastny, editor of the Worldwatch Institute report Oceans in Peril. "Disposable plastic bags can linger in the environment for more than 1,000 years and are the major debris item found on the seabed, especially near the coast."

"During our International Coastal Cleanup each year, our volunteers find hundreds of thousands of bags on beaches and in the ocean posing a threat to birds, turtles and other marine life. As people continue to learn more about the impact their lifestyle has on the environment, we find they are looking for personal solutions to global problems," said Laura Capps, senior vice president of communications and outreach with Ocean Conservancy. "We applaud Whole Foods Market for encouraging their customers to bring re-usable bags when shopping and for making better stewardship of our environment a part of their everyday lives."

Beginning immediately, each store in the Company will work on depleting stocks of disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts and will help raise awareness about the benefits of reusable bags. Over the next three months, stores will reduce plastic grocery bag inventories and increase selections of reusable bags for purchase.

Whole Foods Market has encouraged shoppers to bring their own bags for years by offering a refund of either five or ten cents at the checkouts, depending on the store. The Company also sells different types of reusable bags, ranging from canvas to its new large, stylish "A Better Bag" - a sound environmental choice since 80 percent of its content comes from recycled plastic bottles and it is an economical choice as well since it costs only 99 cents.

"Before Whole Foods Market decided to do away with this disposable plastic grocery bags at our checkouts, we ran tests in San Francisco, Toronto and Austin. Customers have overwhelmingly supported the plastic bag ban initiated by Whole Foods Market in these cities and applauded the progressive stance the stores have taken," said Gallo. "The response has been incredibly positive, and our customers are thanking us for doing this. Additionally, our Team Members are excited and passionate about taking this initiative, and we're finding it's created a great forum for discussion and awareness at the checkout counters."

Although the natural and organic grocer hopes to inspire shoppers to bring their own reusable bags, the Company will continue to offer an environmentally sensitive option when needed - 100 percent recycled paper grocery bags. Last year, Whole Foods Market became the first and only food retailer in North America to offer these recycled paper grocery bags made with 100 percent recycled fiber content, which also are completely recyclable.

Discontinuing disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts is another step in the Company's ongoing effort to provide more Earth-friendly bags and containers in its stores. Recently, Whole Foods Market stores began using all-natural fiber packaging at its salad and food bars. The fibers for the new containers come from plants that are cultivated or grow wild and are harvested annually. Additionally, the Company continues to seek alternatives to plastic bags in its bulk, produce, bakery and seafood departments.

"We realize there are many more steps to take, and we recognize it's an ongoing process to provide as much Earth-friendly packaging as possible," said Gallo. "We will continue to evaluate each department within our stores as we seek to continually improve."

More information can be found at online at www.wholefoodsmarket.com/byobag.

Tags: solar power, Earth Day, BYOB, whole foods

"We Are Running Out Of Time". Project Better Place

As I promised in my earlier post, I am posting the speech by Shai Agassi's at today's announcement by the government of Israel and Renault-Nissan on their collaboration along the Better Place framework - creating the first three way partnership for an oil-independent country. The original speech was in Hebrew and the following is the first few lines of the translated version of the speech. I would have posted the the speech in it's entirety but then I want even the little traffic I get, to visit the Project Better Place. We all will benefit from the work they are doing and as Shai said, the time is running out! So please follow the link below for the complete speech and the rest of the Project Better Place.

Mr. Prime Minister; Mr. Ghosn; honorable guests. It is an honor to be here with you today.

It is not typical and a rather humbling moment for a founder of a small startup to share a stage with the prime minister of his own country - Ehud Olmert, and one of the legendary CEOs of our times – Carlos Ghosn.

It is not a typical for a government take a bold strategic decision and challenge the private sector to help it solve a problem of global magnitude as the prime minister and its President of Israel did.

But these are not typical times.

These are times where we are running out of oil in the ground and we are running out of air, The oil we burn harms the atmosphere that controls the climate of our the planet. We have reached times where in some parts of our world children cannot see the sky.

Finally, we are running out of our most precious commodity of all – we are running out of time.

Project Better Place

tag: Project Better Place, , Renault-Nissan, electric vehicles, zero-emission, Israel