Aug

11th

LEAGUE CITY’S GREEN MILESTONE


LEAGUE CITY (Galveston County Daily News) — Associated Credit Union has helped the city achieve a green milestone by introducing the city’s first LEED-certified building.

The 30,000-sf, $5.5 million structure at 1095 W. League City Pkwy. will serve as the company’s new headquarters.

Wood from sustainable forests, as well as recycled carpet and countertops, were used to complete the interior. A reflective roof and eight-inch thick concrete walls insulate the building.

Concave light fixtures maximize bulb reflection and allow the building to use fewer lights. In addition, large sun-reflecting glass windows let in natural light but prevent heat from entering the building.

“We’re trying to set an example on the island that green is feasible and effective in the long run,” said Hank Hodde, education director for the U.S. Green Building Council’s Galveston branch. “It has to be more than a fad. Energy resources are just going to continue to decrease.”

About 80 percent of waste that resulted from building the credit union was recycled.

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May

30th

Cool House Tour June 6-TX Solar Energy Society


It’s a wonderful, unique opportunity to see some of  the way’s that Austinites have made their homes more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.  You’ll be inspired and impressed, and have fun in the process.

Sponsored by the Texas Solar Energy Society and Austin Energy Green Building, the annual Cool House Tour is coming this weekend, June 6.  Go here for details and ticket instructions:  http://www.txses.org/solar/content/cool-house-tour

cool house tourOne of your stops will be this renovated 1917 cottage at 607 Deep Eddy Avenue featuring sustainable materials such as renewable eucalyptus cabinetry and recycled paper countertops.

 

 

AD Stenger Cool House TourOr how about this updated AD Stenger home at 440 Ridgewood Drive? 

Get your guidebook/ticket at any Central Market, and google map your favorites!  Hope to see you there!

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Jul

17th

$22 Million For Community Renewable Energy Deployment


The Department of Energy (DOE) says it plans to provide up to $22 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to support the planning and installation of utility-scale community renewable energy projects in up to four communities nationwide.

The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will provide technical assistance to selected recipients, including concepts, best practices, planning, financial approaches, policy guidance and recognition to help communities rapidly plan and deploy utility-scale renewable energy systems.

The projects will demonstrate how multiple renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, biomass and geothermal systems, can be deployed at scale to supply clean energy to communities.

The DOE anticipates that each project will leverage significant investment, including public- and private-sector investment in renewable energy systems.

Up to $22 million in DOE funding is available for these awards in fiscal year 2010. The DOE anticipates making up to four awards totaling up to $21.45 million, and expects matching funds from public and private investment of $22 million or more.

Successful applicants will be awarded financial assistance to support the implementation of an integrated renewable energy deployment plan for a community, and the construction of renewable energy systems.

Completed applications are due Sept. 3. The DOE will select the award-winners by the end of November.

For more information, visit recovery.gov.

SOURCE: Department of Energy via North American Windpower

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Jul

14th

Technology for a Low Carbon Future


This report from The Climate Group finds that scaling up energy efficiency and renewable energy while avoiding deforestation can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the short term, and are much-needed steps to achieve global climate goals. Low Carbon Report

From the executive summary:

In recent years the scientific evidence on climate change has become increasingly clear: it is now almost universally accepted that, in order to minimise the risk of irreversible damage to our planet and our livelihoods, we need to strive to keep the average global temperature increase below 2°C. it is also widely recognised that, to achieve this, we will need to peak global emissions before 2020 and then reduce them by 50-85% below 2000 levels, setting interim targets along the way.

Likewise, the political will to act is in place. Heads of government from all parts of the world have declared their willingness to adopt ambitious emissions targets, both individually and collectively, but have wanted to be sure that such goals, while certainly challenging, are practically achievable. This report shows that this is indeed the case.

From analysis of the current status of the major abatement solutions, we draw five major conclusions:

1.We know the technologies we need, where to deploy them and the investment required.
2. The technologies required to meet our 2020 goals are already proven, available now and the policies needed to implement them known.
3. Investment now in the technologies of the future order is essential if we are to meet longer-term targets.
4. Financial support will be needed to enable global deployment of low-carbon technologies but the non-climate benefits are also significant.
5. Copenhagen can provide the spur for international collaboration that will bring costs down and accelerate diffusion and deployment.

Successfully reducing emissions to prevent dangerous climate change is without doubt a huge challenge and will require a revolution in the way we produce and consume energy, travel and design and manage our urban and rural environments. However, the pathway to this revolution is clear and, by means of ambitious international collaboration to develop and deploy low-carbon technologies, well within our grasp. We know what we have to do; this report shows us how.

Click Here to Download Full Report:

http://www.greenerbuildings.com/files/document/Technology_for_a_low_carbon_future_report.pdf

Article courtesy of Greener Buildings

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Jul

14th

Chipotle Earns the First LEED-Platinum Certification Awarded to a Restaurant


untitledDENVER, Colo. — A Chipotle Mexican Grill in Illinois with its own wind turbine and a 2,500-gallon underground water cistern to harvest rainwater was certified by the U.S. Green Building Council at the organization’s highest rating.

The Denver-based “fast-casual” dining chain of more than 860 restaurants and the USGBC announced the certification today.

The restaurant in Gurnee, Il., which opened last fall, is the first to receive the top green rating under the USGBC’s retail pilot program for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards covering new construction.

LEED’s five-tier green ratings start at basic certification and proceed to bronze, silver and gold before reaching the platinum level.

In addition to the 6 kilowatt wind turbine, which was expected to produce about 10 percent of the restaurant’s energy and is now described as generating “a portion” of the power needed, the Gurnee restaurant features:

• LED lighting
• Water-saving faucets and toilets
• Energy Star-rated kitchen equipment
• Landscaping with native plants, which are irrigated with water captured in the cistern
• Parking lot asphalt that reflects the sun’s heat instead of absorbing it

Chipotle started introducing energy efficiency and eco-friendly design elements in some of its buildings in 2001. Its first two restaurants that were constructed with green features are in Texas; one of them was featured in a case study by the utility Austin Energy.

The Gurnee restaurant and one that opened in a shopping in mall in Minnesota during the past year were designed to conform to LEED standards. According to the USGBC, Chipotle also has two further restaurant projects registered — one in Seattle and one on Long Island.

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Jul

10th

Austin Makes MNN Top Ten Green Cities


Mother Nature Network: Although the EPA has not established official criteria for ranking the greenness of a city, there are several key areas to measure for effectiveness in carbon footprint reduction. These include air and water quality, efficient recycling and management of waste, percentage of LEED-certified buildings, acres of land devoted to greenspace, use of renewable energy sources, and easy access to products and services that make green lifestyle choices (organic products, buying local, clean transportation methods) easy. MNN’s editorial team rounded up our top 10.
10) Austin, Texas
Carbon neutral by 2020 — it’s an ambitious goal, but Austin Energy is the nation’s top seller of renewable energy among 850 utility-sponsored programs, which makes its goal to power the city solely on clean energy within reach. As the gateway to the scenic Texas Hill Country, acreage in Austin that’s devoted to green space includes 206 parks, 12 preserves, 26 greenbelts and more than 50 miles of trails.   Full article (plus list of those other cities…. ) here:  http://bit.ly/HwkJx

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Jul

5th

McMansions Out of Favor for Now


Wall Street Journal.com Real Estate: McMansions out of favor, for now, according to study by American Institute of Architects. Americans want smaller homes. Will desire for less outlast recession? http://bit.ly/1b19JB

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Jul

5th

House Passes Sweeping Energy and Climate Bill


The bill could for the first time usher in widespread government restrictions on greenhouse gases and help renewable energy become cost competitive with fossil fuels.

The central part of the legislation limits the amount of carbon dioxide, the main gas behind global warming, that companies like electric utilities, gasoline refiners, chemical firms and other large users of energy can put into the atmosphere. There were previously no restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions. 

The bill aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% by 2050, in-line with what scientists say is needed to avoid the worst effects of global warming.   

Meeting those targets is expected to cost the average household $175 a year by 2020, according to a recent analysts by the Congressional Budget Office.

Read the rest of this excellent article from CNN Money here:  http://money.cnn.com/2009/06/26/news/economy/cap_and_trade/index.htm  

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Jul

4th

Purity of Federal ‘Organic’ Label Questioned


Three years ago, U.S. Department of Agriculture employees determined that synthetic additives in organic baby formula violated federal standards and should be banned from a product carrying the federal organic label. Today the same additives, purported to boost brainpower and vision, can be found in 90 percent of organic baby formula.

Relaxation of the federal standards, and an explosion of consumer demand, have helped push the organics market into a $23 billion-a-year business, the fastest growing segment of the food industry. Half of the country’s adults say they buy organic food often or sometimes, according to a survey last year by the Harvard School of Public Health.

The market’s expansion is fueling tension over whether the federal program should be governed by a strict interpretation of “organic” or broadened to include more products by allowing trace elements of non-organic substances. The argument is not over whether the non-organics pose a health threat, but whether they weaken the integrity of the federal organic label.

Washington Post article—read full article here:  http://tinyurl.com/lhqydg

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Jul

1st

Energy Saving Products Can Earn U.S. Tax Credits


Making your home more energy efficient qualifies you for a tax credit equal to 30 percent of what you spend and may no longer be limited as it was last year. Solar water heating, solar electric, geothermal heat and wind turbines are just some of the alternative fuel sources that qualify – even if installed on summer homes or rentals. There is no cap.

There are also credits available for energy-saving home improvements. The old 10 percent credit has now been boosted to 30 percent for 2009 and 2010 up to a maximum of $1,500 in the two-year period. Home improvements that qualify include skylights, windows, doors, biomass stoves and high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners. The credit must be for the taxpayer’s principal residence and you must show all the appropriate documentation.

Installation costs are covered in regards to solar panels, wind energy, water heaters and biomass stoves but are not covered with windows, doors, roofs or insulation.

Credits are also available to individuals who purchase energy efficient vehicles. These tax credits are based on the weight of the car and fuel economy compared with base-year models. For hybrid vehicles for personal use, fill out IRS Form 8910 and for business purposes use form 3800. Check with your tax adviser to see if you qualify for any of these credits.    By Barry Armstrong (Money Matters)

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