Browsing environmental news sources so you don't have to. Contact Laura Barnes (lbarnes@istc.illinois.edu) with questions, comments, and suggestions.
Follow ENB on TwitterRead the full story at News.com.
Can the lowly algae ease a growing food-versus-fuel debate?
A growing number of start-ups are betting against the dominant biofuel crops–corn and soy–and looking to sidestep the backlash against biofuels, which are being blamed in part for higher food prices and deforestation around the world.
Read the full story in the New York Times.
About one in five vehicles sold in the U.S. in April was a compact or subcompact car, while sales of pickups and S.U.V.s fell sharply.
The latest issue of Renewable Energy Weekly is now available. Highlights include:
Read the full story in Environmental Capital.
U.S. and European biofuel producers are singing the blues these days. But that’s nothing compared to the tsunami overwhelming Asian biofuel makers. The good news? There may actually be a silver lining to it all.
American ethanol refiners, swamped by rising feedstock prices and a capacity glut, have seen economics go south, even with federal subsidies. European biofuel producers are shuttering plants, complaining about unfair U.S. competition and higher feedstock prices.
But in Asia, where demand for transport fuel is growing much faster than in Western economies, biofuel producers still can’t catch a break. Our EC colleague Tom Wright reports today in the WSJ (sub reqd.) that biofuel producers across southeast Asia are shelving plans for tens of billions of dollars of investment in new refineries.
Via Docuticker.
Leading by Example: A Report to the President on Federal Environmental and Energy Management (2004-2006) (PDF; 2 MB)
Source: Office of the Federal Environmental Executive
From press release:Today, Earth Day 2008, the Federal Environmental Executive (FEE) released the 2004-06 Biennial Report to the President on the Federal government’s environmental and energy efficiency accomplishments.
President George W. Bush called on the Federal government to lead by example in environmental stewardship, while meeting their missions in an efficient and reliable manner.
In January, the President signed Executive Order 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management, requiring Federal Agencies to lead by example in advancing the Nation’s energy security and environmental performance through effective environmental, energy, and transportation management.
This order directs the Federal Environmental Executive (FEE) to prepare a biennial report highlighting Federal agency accomplishments.
Please join us for a free web seminar on Financing Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Schools.
Hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Clinton Climate Initiative, and the Office of Lt. Governor Pat Quinn.
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Is your school looking to conserve energy but lacking the capital and technical expertise to tackle major energy-efficiency projects? This seminar will introduce you to “performance contracting,” a method of financing a broad range of operational improvements that result in increased energy efficiency and savings for your school.
During the web seminar, experts from the U.S. Green Building Council and the Clinton Climate Initiative will explain how your school can take advantage of performance contracting to:
School officials, facility managers, and teachers are encouraged to attend to learn about performance contracting opportunities for your school. To join the web seminar, you will need Internet access and a phone (or just a phone if you prefer to listen only) – no travel is necessary!
Please RSVP to Jon Zirkle at 312-814-2094 or Jonathon.Zirkle@Illinois.gov by Tuesday, May 6 to receive instructions for joining the web seminar.
Read the full story in Environmental Protection.
Businesses do business for profit. But today, some businesses are stretching their investment because the market is willing to bear the cost for sustainability.
Take 545 Madison Ave., N.Y., for example. The building at this Manhattan address was demolished a little over a year ago but is being reconstructed as a high-end, 17-story office building for 8 to 10 percent more than a conventional Class-A building would cost. The extra investment is going toward Gold certification for the building’s core and shell under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.
Read the full story in Environmental Protection.
A new study released by Environmental Defense Fund finds a clear consensus among leading economic models that a cap-and-trade policy to cut global warming pollution is consistent with long-term economic growth. The anticipated cost of reducing greenhouse gas emissions on the U.S. economy is small, even difficult to measure against projected economic growth, the study finds.
Read the full story in Environmental Protection.
Short-term exposure to current levels of ozone in many areas is likely to contribute to premature deaths, says a new National Research Council report, which adds that the evidence is strong enough that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should include ozone-related mortality in health-benefit analyses related to future ozone standards.
Read the full story in Environmental Protection.
Fuel efficiency standards for both passenger vehicles and light trucks would increase by 4.5 percent per year over the five-year period ending in 2015 – a 25 percent total improvement that exceeds the 3.3 percent baseline proposed by Congress last year – under a new proposal announced April 22 by U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters.
Read the full roundup at News.com.
A sampling of green tech news, from California to Malyasia.
Read the full story at News.com.
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a ruling today that will let passengers carry approved methanol fuel cells and up to two spare fuel cartridges in their carry-on bags.
Today, EPA is taking steps toward revising the nation’s air quality standards for lead for the first time in 30 years, proposing to dramatically strengthen the standards to reflect the latest science on lead and health.
Economic and Other Implications of Switching from Coal to Natural Gas at the Capitol Power Plant and at Electricity-Generating Units Nationwide. GAO-08-601R, May 1.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-601R
Read the full story at Environmental Leader.
Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission moved up by one year the regulatory review of its environmental marketing standards. If you look at these “Green Guides,” which haven’t been updated since 1998, you’ll get a vivid reminder of the stark changes in the environmental world.
Read the full story at Environmental Leader.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) saw a 10 percent increase in trademark filings last year for green-themed marks, making it the busiest year ever for according to a report (PDF) released by the Dechert law firm.
Read the full story in Environmental Leader.
At the recent Supplier Management conference hosted by eyeforprocurement, sustainability and green purchasing was a hot topic with executives. This article looks at green procurement initiatives and the results that make a “clean” difference.
Read the full story in Environmental Leader.
This year’s top picks for the best green building projects of the year from the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment are a showcase of sustainable design approaches, Inhabitat reports.
Read the full story in Environmental Leader.
Even the most energy conscious people in the U.S. use more than twice the energy of the average person around the world.
And the wealthy even more. Bill Gates’ impact is 10,000 times the national average, an MIT class estimates.
Read the full story in the Christian Science Monitor.
America’s love affair with corn-based ethanol is cooling – at least in Washington.
Some legislators blame the rising use of corn as a biofuel as a key factor behind high food prices. Others want to freeze the federal mandate on biofuels production at current levels, reversing legislation passed just a few months ago that increases it through 2022. Still others are pushing to shift tax incentives away from corn-based to cellulose-based ethanol in the nearly completed farm bill.
Read the full story at News.com.
The idea of personal planes may conjure up dark visions of Blade Runner, but the first batch of two-seater aircraft to fly on electricity rather than fossil fuels could reach more than a dozen buyers by year’s end.
Read the full story in the Guardian.
Only 24 books are produced for every tree felled. But book-swapping websites could provide a solution for the eco-aware reader. Charlotte Northedge reports
IN THIS ISSUE:
Enviro-Tip of the Month
What You Can Do, What You Can Use
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
About This Newsletter
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ENVIRO-TIP OF THE MONTH
Exercising outdoors? Use your local air quality forecast to help plan the best time for a workout or run.
http://www.airnow.gov/
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WHAT YOU CAN DO, WHAT YOU CAN USE
Chat us up: Have a Greenversation – EPA bloggers give a behind-the-scenes look at activities that are often not publicized but greatly affect how the agency protects our environment.
http://blog.epa.gov/
Check your air quality before you go – The Air Quality Index or AQI will help you reduce exposure to ground-level ozone pollution. AAQI forecasts range from code green, a good day to engage in outdoor activities, to code red, when everyone should use caution.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2008-4-29_Air_Quality_Week
Plug-in to eCycling – Learn how to recycle cell phones, TVs, computers, and other electronics and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, and conserve natural resources.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2008-4-23_E-Cycling
Pledge to fight climate change wtih Energy Star – You can use these set of steps to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Taking energy efficient steps at home and at work can make an important difference in addressing climate change.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2008-4-22_Energy_Star
Help your school with the online compliance tool for colleges – Find out what types of campus activities are regulated by EPA, see how best to comply with environmental regulations, how to apply for federal grants, and more.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2008-4-1_compliance
Enjoy the winners of the 2008 Earth Day Photo Contest – Hundreds of you responded, sending in nearly 750 photos. Entries depicted scenes from around the world, including the United States, Namibia, Malaysia and Antarctica.
http://www.epa.gov/earthday/photocontest/winners.html
Celebrate the environment – Enter the Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Intergenerational Poetry, Essay and Photography Contest. The deadline for entries is June 16.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2008-3-18_rachel_carson
Ask EPA – discuss how to better protect the environment with top EPA experts. On May 13, join EPA experts to discuss EPA’s role in helping people effectively manage Asthma and how the environment can affect this condition.
http://www.epa.gov/askepa
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
May
Month
American Wetlands Month
Asthma Awareness Month
Clean Air Month (American Lung Association)
National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection
and Prevention Month (American Academy of Dermatology)
Week
4 – 10 National Safe Drinking Water Week
11 – 17 National Transportation Week (DOT)
12 – 16 Bike to Work Week (League of American Bicyclists)
25 – 31 National Hurricane Preparedness Week (NOAA)
19 – 25 Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week (CDC)
Day
2 World Asthma Day
16 Bike To Work Day
27 Rachel Carson B-day
ACEEE is proud to announce the opening of nominations for the 2008 Champion of Energy Efficiency Awards. The nomination form for the 2008 Champion of Energy Efficiency Awards is now available, Presented at ACEEE’s 2008 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings conference, these awards recognize leadership and accomplishment in the energy efficiency field. Winners will be selected based on demonstrated excellence in the following categories:
Nominations will be made by peers and the final awards will be chosen by the ACEEE Board of Directors Awards Committee.
The 2008 Champions awards will be presented at the 2008 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings in Pacific Grove, California scheduled for August 17-22, 2008 at the Asilomar Conference Center. The “Buildings” Summer Study is the premier energy efficiency conference in its field, and draws leading academics, energy efficiency professionals, government representatives, researchers, and policymakers. For more information on, and to register for, the 2008 Summer Study, please visit http://aceee.org/conf/08ss/08ssindex.htm.
Please complete the nomination form electronically and e-mail it as a Word file to Lori Nachman at Champions@aceee.org by June 20, 2008. We value your input and appreciate you taking the time to nominate the best leaders in our community.
