We all want the latest cars, the grooviest clothes and the shiniest gadgets. But what of the price to the planet? Is it possible to go shopping with a clear conscience? Can environmentally sound products still be objects of desire? The cutting-edge environmental website treehugger.com thinks so. Here, its editor, Michael Richard, shows Josh Sims how a new breed of inventors is coming up with the goods - and they don't cost the earth.
| Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/6/06. Wisconsin appears unlikely to regulate a controversial and widespread farm chemical that state environmental officials say is the most prevalent synthetic farm chemical found in the state's groundwater. The chairman of a legislative committee said Tuesday that his panel would likely suspend a rule that would have regulated a byproduct of the pesticide alachlor, known as alachlor ethane sulfonic acid, or ESA, which is sprayed on corn. |
PA: DEP to hold municipal energy workshop in Williamsport
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), 9/6/06. The PA Department of Environmental Protection will hold a free municipal energy workshop Oct. 11 at the Genetti Hotel in downtown Williamsport. During the workshop, representatives from DEP's Office of Energy and Technology Deployment, Penn State University and private industry will make presentations related to heating, ventilating and air conditioning; building automation; lighting; traffic signals; wastewater treatment; utility bill analysis; and energy service contracting. Municipal government officials who are responsible for purchasing energy-consuming devices or equipment are encouraged to attend the free workshop. |
EU proposes platform for "sustainable chemistry"
| Source: GreenBiz.com, 8/31/06. The European Union recently unveiled a proposed "action plan" that would boost sustainable chemistry, industrial biotechnology and chemical engineering research, development, and innovation in Europe. The European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry, or SusChem, seeks to foster and focus European research in these areas and "offers an unique opportunity to focus European spending in chemical R&D towards the most promising areas in respect of their impact on the overall goal of sustainability and a high level of competitiveness," says the report. |
GE and mtvU launch search for best ideas to green campuses
| Source: GreenBiz.com, 8/28/06. MTV's 24-hour college network, and GE, have announced a partnership to inspire college students to make a meaningful environmental impact on their campuses and beyond. As part of the mtvU GE ecomagination Challenge, the team proposing the most impactful and innovative project to "green" their campus will receive a $25,000 grant towards the execution of their idea. The winner's school will also receive an mtvU Earth Day Concert and Festival in Spring 2007, complete with performances from top emerging artists on the college music scene. |
EPA orders destruction of banned children's products at Target, Dollar Tree, other stores
| Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 9/5/06. EPA has ordered five national retail chains to pull from their shelves cans of illegally imported confetti string products that contain banned hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These substances deplete the earth's protective stratospheric ozone layer and increase the risk of skin cancer. Millions of cans of these novelty items, all imported from China or Taiwan and known by various names such as Zany String, Crazy String, and Party Streamer, have been sold illegally in the United States. |
DOE conducts energy saving assessment at U.S. Steel in Gary, IN
| Source: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), 8/29/06. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently conducted a three-day Industrial Energy Saving Assessment (ESA) at the U.S. Steel facility in Gary, Indiana. This is part of the comprehensive national energy efficiency effort undertaken by the Bush administration. Through no-cost assessments, DOE is working with major manufacturing facilities to identify energy- and money-saving opportunities, primarily by focusing on steam and process heating systems. |
Pennsylvania and ski resorts commit to renewable energy
| Source: U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) News, 9/6/06. Pennsylvania has increased its purchase of electricity from renewable sources from 10 percent to 20 percent of the state's usage. Four ski resorts are joining Pennsylvania in making commitments to renewable energy, including Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado, Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont, Mount Sunapee Resort in New Hampshire and Crystal Mountain in Michigan. |
First residence awarded platinum LEED rating
| Source: U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) News, 9/6/06. In August, the first Platinum rating for a residential building was awarded to the homebuilder LivingHomes for its highly efficient model home, which the company touts as a "Zero Energy, Zero Water, Zero Waste, Zero Carbon, Zero Emissions residence." LivingHomes designs each of its houses to achieve at least a Silver LEED certification. |
New York law prohibits shutout of alternative fuels
| Source: U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) News, 9/6/06. A new law in New York will make alternative fuels such as biodiesel and E85 (a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline) more readily available to consumers. New York Governor George Pataki on July 31st signed a law prohibiting the "exclusivity" contracts between fuel distributors and gas stations. These contracts limit service stations from purchasing or selling fuels from sources other than the main distributor. Because most major petroleum fuel distributors do not sell E85 or other alternative fuels in New York, service stations bound by these contracts were unable to offer renewable fuels to customers. The fuels covered under the new law include E85, biodiesel, hydrogen, and compressed natural gas. |
