·:[ Environmental News Bits ]:·
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Read the full story in the New York Times.

Democrats from industry-dependent states are expected to clash with other lawmakers over climate legislation.

EPA’s Clean Energy-Environment Municipal Network is kicking off the 2009 series of webcast trainings targeted to local governments with a webcast on how local governments can use landfill methane to generate energy.

EPA and local government experts will provide an overview of the benefits of using landfill gas, tools and resources for local governments, financing information, and examples of local governments that have successfully implemented landfill gas to energy projects.

The webcast will be held on February 5, 2009, from 2:00 – 3:30 PM (Eastern).

To register for the webcast, send an e-mail with your name and affiliation to: CleanEnergyWebcast@icfi.com.

You will receive a confirmation email with registration information within 24 hours.

Future webcast topics may include energy efficiency in affordable housing, combined heat and power, transportation control measures, smart growth, and urban heat islands. Priority for registration will be given to local and regional government staff and officials. EPA will record and post all webcasts on its Clean Energy website.

For more information

The Illinois Rain Garden Initiative is designed to empower students and communities to confront local flooding concerns, restore native Illinois prairie habitats, and learn about green solutions to storm water management.  The Lt. Governor’s Office will award 20 grants of $500 each to plant rain gardens.

This year we are pleased to announce that as part of the grant, we will be awarding rain barrels that can be integrated into the rain gardens for a more sustainable project. Eligible organizations include: public institutions, non-profit groups and schools.

For more information and application materials, please visit: www.raingarden.il.gov or contact Jamie Campbell at 312-814-6671.

Read the press release.

A visually arresting look at the plight of the Polar Bears, and a fact-filled journey through the deterioration of our water supply, earned Grand Prize awards in the 2008 Mobile Learning Institute Earth Day Challenge, sponsored by The Pearson Foundation and Nokia. The Challenge is a global, environmental filmmaking competition that provides young people the chance to share their views on the earth’s future and the importance of combating climate change.

The 2008 Grand Prize Winners are The Earth is Warming, University High School, Orlando, FL; and Water Pollution, Plaquemines Parish, Belle Chasse, LA. They will receive technology and support worth up to $25,000, including digital arts technology and a workshop for up to 60 students in their school. All winners also receive a copy of An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore. A complete list of the runners-up is included below. They will also receive digital technology and copies of An Inconvenient Truth. The winning videos can be viewed at www.earthdaychallenge.org.

If you’re a non-profit looking for low-cost computer equipment or a company looking to discard old electronics, check out TechSoup’s Refurbished Computer Initiative. According to the web site:

TechSoup Stock offers only high-quality computers formerly used by large corporations. These are machines that are typically phased out after two to three years of use and are in very good condition. Each one is loaded with a new operating system and comes with a 90-day swap warranty.

Our donor partners donate their used computers, which are then refurbished by our refurbisher partners. The refurbisher partners also acquire computers from their own sources. TechSoup Stock distributes all of these refurbished computers to qualified nonprofits for a low administrative fee.

To participate in the program, a nonprofit organization must meet the requirements specified in the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) and must operate in the United States. U.S. public libraries must either have valid 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or be listed in the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) database. For a complete list of requirements, see the RCI program guidelines and restrictions.

Read the full post at InfoWorld.

One man finds a way to get rid of old computers responsibly and pocket a little cash for his company.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

Scientists need a more detailed understanding of how human-produced atmospheric particles, called aerosols, affect climate in order to produce better predictions of Earth’s future climate, according to a NASA-led report issued by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program on Jan. 16.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

Consumers in emerging economies are more concerned and willing to take actions against climate change than those in developed countries, according to global research by Accenture released Jan. 15.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is launching the nation’s first Green Rental Car program that rewards customers for renting “green” alternative-fueled vehicles and rental car companies for increasing rentals of high mileage and alternative-fuel vehicles.

The Steel Framing Alliance has prepared an overview of three green building programs to show how steel can contribute to sustainable design and construction.

Read the full story in Renewable Energy Focus.

Elsevier is launching a ‘one-stop’ site for energy researchers covering all aspects of energy including renewables. Energylocate can be found at www.energylocate.com.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule under the New Source Review (NSR) program that revises the agency’s policy on “aggregation,” according to a Jan. 12 press release.

For the purpose of determining whether NSR applies, a facility should group together, or aggregate, emissions from multiple related changes into one single project, only if those activities are substantially related.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

Energy efficiency programs in the United States could realistically reduce the rate of growth for electricity consumption by 22 percent over the next two decades if key barriers can be addressed, according to an analysis released Jan. 14 by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is extending the compliance dates for all facilities and establishing new compliance dates for farms subject to the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule as part of the agency’s multi-phased strategy to address concerns with the current regulation.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

Scientists are using new and creative ways to help protect endangered and at-risk species and the ecosystems they — and humans — depend on for survival, according to a Jan. 12 press release.

Read the full story from Environmental Leader.

In recent years, technology advancements have made it easier to telecommute, a green move that many governments are encouraging, CIO Today reports.

Via the Responsible Purchasing Network.

Finding green lighting just got easier, thanks to the City of San Francisco’s new SF Approved Lighting guide.  The guide will help institutional purchasers of bulbs, tubes, or ballasts to:

• Find over 700 energy-efficient, long-lasting lighting that has the least amount of toxic mercury.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs or compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and save about $30 or more in electricity costs over each CFL’s lifetime.
• Safely dispose of lighting.

The comprehensive list is the first resource in the nation to list mercury levels of lightbulbs by major manufacturers–who are not themselves required to indicate how much toxic mercury is in their products.

San Francisco City Departments are required to purchase only “SF Approved” lighting from this list, screened for their environmental benefits, cost, reduced toxicity, and performance.  The list is available online for others to use as well.

Via Librarians’ Internet Index.

EPA Fugitives
URL: http://www.epa.gov/fugitives/

“Defendants charged with environmental crimes or violations of the U.S. Federal Criminal Code sometimes flee the court’s jurisdiction. … When these circumstances occur, the defendants become fugitives from justice. … [These] wanted posters identify fugitives sought by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division. Each one provides a brief case summary and instructions on how to report information related to their identity and/or current location.” From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Now, more than ever, government agencies throughout California need to fulfill green building and climate change mandates. From retrofitting  buildings for energy efficiency to setting up a basic recycling program, to understanding California’s new green building codes and climate change regulations, the Green California Summit & Expo (Sacramento Convention Center March 16-18, 2009) will bring you all the information, insight and networking you need to get the job done.

This unique event is where the policymakers and government agencies, facilities managers, architects, engineers and product suppliers meet together to learn about cutting edge technologies and how to negotiate a path to reducing greenhouse gases, water conservation, reducing pollution and the host of other environmental initiatives and regulations.

The Summit, now in its third year, is developed under the auspices of an advisory board co-chaired by Secretary of State and Consumer Services Rosario Marin and Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency Linda Adams. Complete education program and Expo with over 200 exhibitors is all part of the event.

Group discounts available. For information and to register, go to:  http://www.green-technology.org/gcsummit/ or call 626-577-5700.

Read the full story in the New York Times.

The analysis, which officials plan to finish next year, will identify how much bacteria can discharge into the river without exceeding safety standards.

The latest issue of Renewable Energy Weekly is now available. Highlights include:

• Early-stage Companies Tightening Belts
• Massachusetts Governor Calls for 2,000 MW of Wind by 2020
• Inside Renewable Energy podcast: Tumultuous Times for State Solar Programs
• Where Are the Local Stimulus Packages?
• Going Against the Grain: Ethanol from Lignocellulosics

New cable, satellite and telecommunications set-top boxes that have earned the Energy Star label are at least 30 percent more energy efficient than conventional models. The new specification became effective Jan. 1.

If all set-top boxes sold in the United States met the new Energy Star specification, the savings in energy costs would grow to about $2 billion each year and greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by the equivalent of those from about 2.5 million vehicles.

EPA has worked with cable, satellite, and telecommunications companies that deliver television and video content to homes via set-top boxes, bringing energy and cost savings to their customers. Most set-top boxes are given to the consumer as part of their contract with a service provider, rather than sold independently at retail stores.

AT&T and DIRECTV are the first to sign on as Energy Star cable, satellite and telecommunications partners. These companies have improved the energy efficiency of a significant number of their set-top boxes and will offer newly-qualified boxes to subscribers or upgrade boxes already in homes. Cisco, Motorola, and Pace plc. are the first manufacturers to offer Energy Star qualified set-top boxes.

Energy Star was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the Energy Star label can be found on more than 50 different kinds of products, new homes as well as schools and commercial buildings. Products that have earned the Energy Star prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2007 alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved more than $16 billion on their utility bills while reducing the annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles.

More information on set-top boxes: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=settop_boxes.settop_boxes

Read the full story in Biodiesel Magazine.

Greenline Industries, a biodiesel process technology provider, is developing a new process to esterify free fatty acids without using acid catalysts, according to the company’s Senior Process Engineer Gaurav Shah. He couldn’t give details on exactly what approach Greenline Industries’ new esterification process will use, but said in a couple of months, once patent protection is in place, the company will provide more details.

Read the full story in Biodiesel Magazine.

Carlsbad, Calif.-based Flometrics Inc., an aerospace, medical, and consumer products engineering company, plans to launch a biodiesel-powered unmanned rocket from the Mojave Desert in California later this winter. The company recently tested B100, obtained from a local retail fuel pump, in a RocketDyne LR-101 rocket engine and found the performance of biodiesel to be within 4 percent of RP-1 kerosene rocket fuel, the propellant that the rocket engine originally was designed for, according to Steve Harrington, chief executive officer of Flometrics.

Read the full story in Biodiesel Magazine.

Warnings about biofuels contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) production are based on a set of assumptions that may not be correct, according to a paper recently published by researchers at Michigan State University. “Biofuels, Land Use Change, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Some Unexplored Variables” by Hyungtae Kim, Seungdo Kim and Bruce Dale, was published online by the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Underwriters Laboratories Launches Green Verification Service
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/01/26/underwriters-labs-launches-green-service
The venerable product safety testing service is launching an environmental
claims verification service, UL Environment Inc. The new unit was created to help companies and the public make sense of green claims and provide
manufacturers with transparency and credibility in the marketplace.

California’s Green Innovations: Steady Momentum, Plenty Work to Do
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/01/26/californias-green-innovations
The second annual California Green Innovation Index compiles a wide array of statistics, showing how the state is making progress on cutting greenhouse gas emissions from a number of sources.

Wal-Mart Cuts Ribbon on Giant PV Array in Mexico, Canada’s First Green Store Prototype
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/01/22/wal-mart
Wal-Mart’s international operations have installed the largest photovoltaic
solar power system in Latin America and opened Canada’s first store to serve as a high-performance prototype for green building.

New IBM Consulting Service Finds Savings Throughout Supply Chains
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/01/23/ibm-consulting-supply-chains
IBM’s SNOW consulting offering gives a holistic look at supply chains,
identifying ways to cut costs and lower environmental impacts, from product materials to distribution routes.

Clorox Expands Green Works Line, Gives $470K to Sierra Club
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/01/20/clorox-expands-green-works-line
Clorox has added biodegradable wipes to its line of Green Works cleaners and announced how much it is giving the Sierra Club as part of their marketing relationship.

Sainsbury’s Aims to Turn All Food Waste into Biofuel
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/01/23
Sainsbury’s, Britain’s third-largest supermarket chain, kicks off a major
biofuel initiative in Scotland and vows to stop sending all its U.K. food waste
to landfill by summer.

New England Firm Says Its New Waste-to-Energy System is a GEM
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/01/01/gem
The IST Energy Corporation has launched a mobile green waste-to-energy
conversation system and says its new GEM can serve any site that produces at least two tons of trash a day.

Casdex, CinnaWorks Partner in Digital Archiving Deal
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/01/23/casdex-cinnaworks
Casdex Inc. and CinnaWorks, the largest franchisee of the Cinnabon brand, are partnering to digitally archive the pastry retailer’s HR records.

General Electric to Open Ecomagination Centre in Masdar City
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/01/01/ge-ecomagination-centre-masdar-city
Masdar City, planned to be the world’s first carbon neutral and zero waste city, will include an Ecomagination Centre for research and development of energy efficient products and solutions.

The Climate Group to Develop Low Carbon Cities in China
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/01/21/low-carbon-cities-china
The Climate Group plans to develop 15 to 20 low carbon cities in China as part of the organization’s drive to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and battle climate change.

REI Adopts Bluesign Standard for Product Sustainability
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/01/22/rei-bluesign-product-sustainability
REI will begin using Bluesign Technologies’ research into textile raw materials, chemical components and processes to inform product design and sourcing choices.

Masdar Institute Becomes a Member of the MIT Energy Initiative
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/01/20/masdar-institute-mit
The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology of Abu Dhabi has become the inaugural founding public member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative, MIT announced yesterday.

Vital to Business Survival: Reading the Signs of Change
By Brandi McManus
http://www.greenbiz.com/feature/2009/01/26/building-business-sustainability
In this era of heightened environmental awareness, the ability to recognize the transformational power of the green movement — and act on it — can be the difference between life and death for a business. Brandi McManus’ four-part series “Growing a Green Corporation: Meeting the Next Great Disruptive Challenge of the 21st Century” begins today with a look at the perils of failing to recognize disruptive change.

Abu Dhabi’s Green Ambitions: An Emirate Focused on Energy
By Marc Gunther
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/01/23/abu-dhabi-green-ambitions
As the World Future Energy Summit comes to a close, Marc Gunther writes of Abu Dhabi’s green vision — and how the emirate, whose vast wealth is based on oil, is focused a path toward a sustainable future.

Delaware Town Becomes First U.S. City to Use Cars for Grid Power
By Ariel Schwartz
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/01/22/newark-de-uses-cars-grid-power
Earlier this month, the Delaware town of Newark became the first U.S. city to
use Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technology. V2G relies on an electricity-powered
vehicle to store energy and improve grid reliability.

Schwarzenegger Petitions Obama to Terminate EPA Emissions Ruling
By Leslie Guevarra
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/01/21/california-seeks-clean-air-act-waiver
With President Barack Obama barely a day in office, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger lost no time in writing the nation’s new chief executive to ask that he direct the EPA to favorably reconsider the Golden State’s request for a Clean Air Act waiver — a move that would allow California and 13 other states to enforce tougher laws to reduce auto emissions.

Carbon Accounting Amid Corporate Silos: Will It Add Up?
By John Davies
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/01/22/carbon-accounting
For sustainability and environmental executives, measuring what you want to manage is the key to success and a company’s carbon footprint is no different. John Davies talks with Groom Energy CEO Jon Guerster about bridging the corporate disconnect between those who measure and those who manage emissions.

Rethinking Dining, From Kitchen to Compost
By Sarah Fister Gale
http://www.greenbiz.com/podcast/2009/01/22/rethinking-dining-from-kitchen-compost
Xanterra Parks and Resorts operates has more than 20 locations at national and state parks. In line with its connection to nature, Xanterra has been taking steps to lower its environmental impacts. Chris Lane from Xanterra spoke with GreenBiz Radio about how the company is greening up its dining facilities, from lightbulbs to menu items to compost piles.

State of the 2009 Sustainable Meeting Industry
http://www.greenbiz.com/resources/resource/state-2009-sustainable-meeting-industry
This first report looking at the state of sustainable meetings gives an overview of trends and forecasts, with ideas and recommendations for greening meetings.

Defining, Estimating and Forecasting the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Industries in the U.S. and Colorado
http://www.greenbiz.com/resources/resource/defining-estimating-and-forecasting-renewable-energy-and-energy-efficiency-indust
This report estimates and forecasts the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries for the U.S. and Colorado, including definition, current size and composition and expected growth under three policy scenarios.

Via Environment Massachusetts:

Environment Massachusetts praised the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,”  the economic recovery bill working its way through the U.S. House of Representatives this week, as making bold investments in clean energy and energy efficiency. The group urged Congress to pass the package and capture an enormous opportunity to prevent pollution, save oil, and create more jobs by investing more in mass transit and greener transportation.

“Clean energy is job number one for protecting the environment and getting America back to work,” said Environment Massachusetts Field Organizer Winston Vaughan. “This economic recovery package will deliver more secure energy in the long term; less global warming pollution; fewer asthma attacks from air pollution; more clean lakes and rivers for drinking water, swimming and fishing, and more good jobs right here in Massachusetts.”

The draft bill includes at least $37.8 billion for energy efficiency, $27.8 billion for renewable energy and $11.6 billion for public transit and clean transportation.  The following specific proposals were lauded by Environment Massachusetts:

• extending the clean energy production tax credits and making them “recession proof;”
• investing $6 billion in efficiency and conservation renovations in federal buildings;
• investing $6.2 billion to help low income families weatherize their homes; and
• providing $6.9 billion in community block grants to fund state- and city-run efficiency programs.

While the group supports the bill’s funding for more efficient buses and other pressing transit improvements, Environment Massachusetts is concerned that three-quarters of the bill’s transportation funding is for highway infrastructure.  With no provision ensuring that funding will be used to repair existing infrastructure rather than to build new roads, this funding would increase global warming pollution and oil consumption.  Only $10 billion is devoted to much-needed mass transit and rail improvements that will reduce pollution, reduce our nation’s reliance on oil, and create more jobs than investing in new highways.

Environment Massachusetts has called for $59 billion to expand transit capacity to meet rapidly growing demand and reduce the environmental cost of passenger car travel. According to the group’s analysis, such investment would create 1.5 million new jobs and provide environmental benefits equivalent to taking one million cars off the road each year.

“Clean energy and green investment could be the workhorse of America’s economic recovery.  But to fully realize that potential, Congress should do much more for public transportation,” continued Vaughan. “We urge more funding for ready-to-go transit and green transportation projects that would cut more pollution, save more oil, create more jobs, and deliver the economic boost the country needs.”

Environment Massachusetts released a report last week outlining investments in clean energy, energy efficiency, and public transportation that when fully implemented could cut America’s annual global warming pollution by 10 percent, provide the power equivalent of 170 coal power plants, and expand public transit capacity by 10 percent per year – while creating three million jobs.

Environment Massachusetts applauded funding for efficiency and renewable energy in the bill. However, the group warns that, as the bill stands, Big Oil, the road-builders and other polluting interests are too dominant in the transportation component of the economic recovery package.

“This proposal is a good start and we are calling on Congress to keep it clean and make it even greener. By making clean energy and green infrastructure investments a cornerstone of any economic recovery package, we can make a down payment on solving global warming and ensure a cleaner, safer, stronger America,” concluded Vaughan.

Environment Massachusetts’s report with recovery recommendations, Clean Energy, Bright Future, is available at http://www.environmentmassachusetts.org/reports.

Read the full story in the New York Times.

This year’s Sundance Film Festival has a schedule that’s greener than Fifth Avenue on St. Patrick’s Day, but what’s the environmental impact of the festival itself?

Effective January 18, 2009, the Office of Solid Waste (OSW) is reorganized and has changed its name to the Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR). The name change reflects the breadth of the responsibilities/authorities that Congress provided to EPA under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the primary authorizing statute. The ORCR has three divisions, which consolidate the operations of the six divisions under the old OSW structure. This reorganization will create a more efficient structure, consistent with current program priorities and resource levels, which will enable EPA to better serve the needs of the public and its key stakeholders over the next 5-10 years. EPA has increased focus on resource conservation and materials management; the emphasis on this important aspect of the RCRA program is expected to continue while maintaining a strong waste management regulatory and implementation program.

This reorganization also:

• consolidates the four major areas of the Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) under one division;
• combines data collection and data analysis activities thus streamlining operations to better coordinate EPA’s efforts to analyze and present the benefits of its program; and
• consolidates waste-to-energy activities in one division and branch.

The three divisions in the new organization are: Materials Recovery and Waste Management Division; Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division; and, Program Implementation and Information Division.

For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/basicinfo.htm

Green, T.A., and D.H. Gouge, eds. 2008. School IPM 2015: A Strategic Plan for Integrated Pest Management in Schools in the United States. 286 pp.

Abstract: Pest management practices in our nation’s schools are in need of improvement. More than 50 published surveys and studies since 1994 have documented deficiencies including unmanaged pest infestations, unsafe and illegal use of pesticides, and unnecessary pesticide exposures to individuals at schools. Improvement is feasible and affordable. Pest complaints and pesticide use in schools and other public buildings have been reduced by 71 to 93% through Integrated Pest Management (IPM), with no long-term increase in costs. Full implementation of IPM includes a thorough understanding of pests and pest biology by pest managers; careful inspection and monitoring for pest presence and pest-conducive conditions; and pest prevention through effective education, sanitation and facility maintenance. Pesticides are used only when non-chemical measures are inadequate. When needed, pesticide products are selected that minimize toxicity and potential for exposure. Our challenge is to replicate our well documented IPM successes in all of our schools. The goal of this Pest Management Strategic Plan is to assess the current status of pest management in our school systems, compile our current understanding of best practices and set out a plan of action to achieve full implementation of IPM in all of our schools by 2015.

Read the full story in the New York Times.

PepsiCo calculated that the equivalent of 3.75 pounds of carbon dioxide is emitted to the atmosphere for each half-gallon carton of orange juice.

The latest issue of Renewable Energy Weekly is now available. Highlights include:

• Energy Conversion Devices’ Turnaround: Is BIPV Finally Ready To Take Off?
• Residential Solar PPAs Continue To Drive Solar Market Growth
• Abu Dhabi Sets 7 Percent Renewables Target
• Climate Change: The Power Game Still Lies Ahead!
• Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Means 37 Million Jobs by 2030
• Roadmap for A Changed Landscape: Consolidation and Integration in the Solar PV Business

Read the full post at InfoWorld.

Sixty-five percent of consumers think some companies overstate their green credentials to sell more products, according to research presented by industry organization Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) at the International Consumer Electronics Show on Tuesday.

Read the full post at InfoWorld.

More CIOs are being tasked with reducing energy consumption. Here’s how to determine which areas to optimize.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

Consumer advocacy organization BuildClean warned that cancer-causing radon may emanate from indoor building materials, according to a Jan. 6 press release. “The only way to know for sure is to test your home,” says Sara Speer Selber, president of BuildClean.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

States must now certify that their building codes meet the requirements in ASHRAE/IESNA’s 2004 energy efficiency standard, under a ruling issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that finds the standard saves more energy than an earlier version.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has joined with the Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) — a grassroots network of more than 400 universities, scientific societies, and organizations — to celebrate The Year of Science 2009, according to a Jan. 7 press release.

*** DOE Funding for Alternative Fuels & Clean Cities

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory, on behalf of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, is seeking applications for projects covering a range of commercial technology deployment and educational activities under the Clean Cities Transportation Sector Petroleum Reduction Technologies Program.

Applications should address only one of the three areas of interest, which are:

1. Refueling Infrastructure for Alternative Fuels
2. Incremental Costs of Dedicated Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs)
3. Education and Outreach Workshops for Petroleum Reduction Fuels and Technologies

Up to $6 million is expected to be available, with up to 24 awards anticipated. Responses are due February 27, 2009. For more information, contact Janet Laukaitis at janet.laukaitis@netl.doe.gov or go to https://e-center.doe.gov/iips/faopor.nsf/0ba000b968a07c9885256c3f0067b90d/1a2666e72e53ddbe85257527005b80df?OpenDocument.

Refer to Solicitation #DE-PS26-09NT01236-00.

***Forest Service Funding for Urban Forestry

The U.S. Forest Service requests proposals for the 2009 Urban and
Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program. This program will support the establishment of sustainable urban and community forestry projects that have a national or widespread impact and application. A total of $1 million in funds is expected to be available, with up to 12 awards anticipated. The funds will be divided into two main categories: Innovation Grants and Best Practices Grants.

Innovation Grants will focus on one of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council’s identified priority areas. One or more grants may be awarded from the $500,000 available in this category. Best Practices Grants are smaller grants intended to improve existing or develop new best practices related to urban forestry. A maximum of $50,000 per application can be awarded from the $500,000 available in this category.

Responses are due February 17, 2009. For more information, contact Nancy Stremple at nstremple@fs.fed.us or go to http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/nucfac. Refer to Solicitation #USDA-FS-2009.

Read the full story in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Lisa Jackson, President-elect Barack Obama’s pick for EPA administrator, said Wednesday she would immediately revisit the Bush administration’s decision to block California and 18 other states from setting tough limits on greenhouse gases from vehicles, and she hinted strongly that she will overturn it.

Eco-Friendly Smart Growth Takes Root in Dallas
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/blog/2009/01/15/eco-friendly-growth-dallas
By Anna Clark
Savvy developers are capitalizing on growing demand in Dallas for eco-friendly urban alternatives. Can a city known for its conspicuous consumption really be the next green frontier? Several prominent real estate pioneers and a pro-sustainability mayor think so.

MGM Tower to Receive Third Largest Solar Installation in Los Angeles
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/01/13/mgm-tower-receive-third-largest-solar-installation-los-angeles
By Ariel Schwartz
Constellation Place, LLC and Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will unveil a photovoltaic solar system on top of the MGM Tower’s parking structure tomorrow afternoon. The system will be the third largest in Los Angeles, and will significantly reduce energy costs for the building.

PET Project: Coke’s Big Recycling Plant
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/01/14/pet-project-coke-recycling
By Marc Gunther
Coke stages a grand opening for the world’s largest bottle-to-bottle recycling
plant, a $60 million joint venture of Coke and the United Resource Recovery
Corp., in South Carolina this week.

How to Make a Corporate Sustainability Program Work at the Local Level
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/01/01/making-programs-work
By Robert Pojasek
Remember the saying “Think Globally, Act Locally”? Many corporate sustainability programs are keen to the “Think Globally” part, but encounter lots of trouble trying to make things work at the local level.  See Robert Pojasek’s advice on how to avoid those headaches.

Coca-Cola Enterprises to Cut Electricity Use by 5.6M KWH a Year in California
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2009/01/13/coca-cola-cuts-electricity-use
The production, distribution and marketing firm that bottles Coca-Cola products expects to slash its consumption as a result of an energy efficiency overhaul of lighting systems at 24 facilities in the state.

Stanford University to Create $100M Green Energy Research Institute
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2009/01/14/stanford-university-energy-institute
Stanford’s new Precourt Institute for Energy, financed primarily by major contributions from alumni, will work toward development of more  affordable and efficient ways to capture the power of the sun and store, deliver and use energy in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Wal-Mart, WEC Team Up for Greener, Cleaner Production in Central America
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2009/01/14/wal-mart-wec
The World Environment Center and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. are working together to foster cleaner production and improved energy efficiency practices among more than two dozen company suppliers in El Salvador and Guatemala.

Cushman & Wakefield Partners with EPA to Green Real Estate
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2009/01/09/cushman-wakefield-epa
Commercial real estate services giant Cushman & Wakefield has signed on with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce the environmental impact of the more than 3,200 offices and buildings the firm manages in the U.S.

Suntech Power, Open Energy Forge Licensing Deal for Solar Roof Membrane
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2009/01/14/suntech-power-open-energy-forge-licensing-deal-solar-roof-membrane
The exclusive agreement to license Open Energy’s building integrated solar roof membrane enables the firms to leverage the manufacturing and marketing strength of Suntech, the largest producer of photovoltaic modules, to make, distribute and sell the product.

Visitor Center for Blue Ridge Parkway Lands a LEED Gold Rating
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2009/01/13/blue-ridge-parkway
The Destination Center for the Blue Ridge Parkway has attained LEED Gold status in a rating that acknowledges the building’s design exceeds the standard for high energy efficiency.

Australian Environmental Groups, Unions Call for Green Stimulus Package
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2009/01/12/australian-green-stimulus
Australian environmentalists and trade unions say their government needs to take a cue from the strong green elements of President-elect Barack  Obama’s proposed economic stimulus package and act swiftly to adopt similar measures to fire up their country’s economy.

ASHRAE, 9 Other Groups Want to Work with DOE on High-Performance Green Buildings
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2009/01/13/ashrae-doe
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and nine other design, building, professional, energy and standards groups are looking to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy in its efforts to bring high-performance commercial buildings to market.

USGBC Update: The New Agenda – Green Jobs That Save Energy And Save Money
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/resource/usgbc-update-the-new-agenda-green-jobs-that-save-energy-and-save-money
The U.S. Green Building Council reports to its more than 18,000 members about ongoing talks with the energy and environment members of President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team about green building and its role as an essential element to economic recovery.

Read the full story in Water & Wastewater News.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking advice from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) before making a final determination on whether to issue a national regulation for perchlorate in drinking water, according to a Jan. 8 press release.

The Green Youth Award is an annual program sponsored by the Illinois EPA that recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of youth in Illinois who are working on environmental and conservation friendly projects. Eligible projects involve one or more of the following categories: waste reduction, prevention or reduction of pollution in the air (climate change/global warming), land or water; restoration, preservation or enhancement of natural areas; and energy or water efficiency. Applications are due by March 20, 2009 and can be obtained online at www.epa.state.il.us/green-youth/index.html or by calling 217-557-7826. The Awards ceremony will be on Earth Day, April 22 in Springfield at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

Nearly 100 largely unregulated “wet dumps” across the United States that are comparable to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s breached site in Harriman, Tenn., for the storage of toxic pollution from coal-fired power plants have a place on one or more of the “worst site” lists for six toxic metals, including arsenic and lead, according to a new data analysis from the nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project (EIP).

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

In a Jan. 7 statement, the U.S. Department of Transportation said that the Bush Administration will not finalize its rulemaking on Corporate Fuel Economy Standards.

The latest issue of Renewable Energy Weekly is now available. Highlights include:

• New Uses for Old Staples: Butter and Coffee As Biodiesel Feedstocks
• Researcher Focuses on Reducing Turbulance in Large Wind Farms
• Wafer-based Solar Cells Aren’t Done Yet
• Inside Renewable Energy podcast: The Long, Hard Road for Clean Energy Finance
• Charting a Bold Course
• 2009 Cleantech Predictions
• British Offshore Wind Power – Icebergs Ahead!
• SEPA Study to Improve Acquisition of Solar Power by Electric Utilities
• Biomass Gasification in Skive: Opening Doors in Denmark

Read the press release.

BCLC, in partnership with the Siemens Corporation, will honor three U.S. communities with the 2009 Siemens Sustainable Community Awards. One small, medium, and large community each will receive an award.

The nomination deadline for the awards is fast-approaching — all submissions must be received by 5:00 Eastern Time on Friday, January 30, 2009.

EPA’s Clean Energy-Environment Municipal Network is kicking off the 2009 series of webcast trainings targeted to local governments with a webcast on how local governments can use landfill methane to generate energy. EPA and local government experts will provide an overview of the benefits of using landfill gas, tools and resources for local governments, financing information, and examples of local governments that have successfully implemented landfill gas to energy projects.

The webcast will be held on February 5, 2009, from 2:00 – 3:30 PM (Eastern). To register for the webcast, send an e-mail with your name and affiliation to: CleanEnergyWebcast@icfi.com.

You will receive a confirmation email with registration information within 24 hours.

Registrants can access a draft section of EPA’s Clean Energy Strategies for Local Governments guide that discusses landfill methane utilization as background for the call at http://epa.gov/cleanenergy/documents/7.4_landfill_methane_utilization.pdf.

Additional information is available from EPA’s Landfill Methane Outreach Program at http://www.epa.gov/lmop/.

Future webcast topics may include energy efficiency in affordable housing, combined heat and power, transportation control measures, smart growth, and urban heat islands. Priority for registration will be given to local and regional government staff and officials. EPA will record and post all webcasts on its Clean Energy website. For additional information, or to view past webcasts, visit http://epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/webcast.html.

Read the full interview in E The Environmental Magazine.

“Something wicked this way comes,” quips the tagline for Jennifer Forman Orth’s blog, invasivespecies.blogspot.com. Orth serves as the state plant pest survey coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and also runs the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project.

Read the full story at News.com.

Sue Butler decided it was time to cut the cord on fossil fuels. So when her aging gas furnace needed replacing, she turned to the Earth for a solution.

She installed a geothermal system–also called a ground-source heat pump, a water-source heat pump, or geo-exchange system–which recently started heating and cooling her Cambridge, Mass. home. Butler said she was motivated by environmental reasons and concerns over carbon monoxide from burning natural gas.

“It’s not that much more expensive and I could manage it. And it means no more combustion and it gets the building off of carbon, which is urgent,” she said.

Ground-source heat pumps have been around for decades but every year seem to attract more homeowners and organizations who are looking for alternatives to traditional space heating and cooling. They can hook into existing forced hot air and hot water systems but not steam heat.

Read the full story at News.com.

Nevermind the Hollywood glitterati. Many of the films debuting at this year’s Sundance Film Festival feature a more understated star known as Mother Earth, and she plays roles ranging from dramatic to mysterious to horrific.

With one film all about dirt, another about global overfishing, and another still about a family’s attempt to live with no net impact on the earth, the environment is getting top billing this year at Robert Redford’s indie film festival, which kicks off Thursday night in Park City, Utah, and runs through January 25.