Author Archives: admin

Green Cities

The EPA ranked 25 US cities by the number of Energy Star certified buildings. Los Angeles led the way with 294 buildings, with Washington DC in second place with 204 and San Francisco in third place with 173

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Climate Bill

The original Waxman – Markey climate change bill had proposed a National Energy Efficiency Code. That same proposal appeared in the Senate’s first American Clean Energy Leadership Act (ACELA).  In both versions there were specific energy efficiency targets, timelines, adoption … Continue reading

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Solar power significantly increasing in residential installations

Solar power In the U.S. is presently a minor contributor of electricity, but it is significantly increasing in residential installations.  The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) estimates that the residential photovoltaic market in the U.S. doubled in 2009. The price … Continue reading

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$2 billion for new solar plants

Pres. Obama announced an initiative to provide $2 billion for new solar plants. The two companies that will initially receive the money from the president’s  economic stimulus are Abengoa Solar, which will build one of the world’s largest solar plants … Continue reading

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RENEWABLE ENERGY INCENTIVE

In response to President Obama’s National Export Initiative, announced on March 11, 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Commerce are working with the interagency Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) to develop the first U.S. … Continue reading

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CO2 EMISSION STUDY

The Netherlands Environment Assessment Agency reports that global carbon dioxide emissions held steady last year. This was the first time since 1992 that no growth was registered. The recession has slowed industrial activities in rich countries resulting in a 7% … Continue reading

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LCA ON SWIMMING POOLS

A new study in nine cities examined the life cycle analysis of swimming pools. Inputs, included electricity, water and pool chemicals.  The environmental impact is worse in cities like Phoenix that have little water and use coal-fired electricity. The operating … Continue reading

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GREEN INSURANCE INCENTIVE

Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company is offering a 5 percent discount to policyholders with Energy Star buildings. This is the latest expansion of the firm’s green insurance coverage. Earlier this year Fireman’s Fund introduced several new endorsements for policyholders who have … Continue reading

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Manufacturing costs of PV have dropped 20%

Manufacturing costs of PV have dropped 20% with every doubling in volume.  A new process from SunFab was introduced in 2007.  Based on flat screen television technology, it uses nanotechnology to turn thin pieces of glass the size of a … Continue reading

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Google introduces home energy monitoring progam

Google has introduced their PowerMeter progam which is a free energy monitoring tool for saving energy.  The Google PowerMeter allows one to view a home’s energy consumption from anywhere online. It uses utility smart meters and energy monitoring devices to … Continue reading

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