Tag Archives: program
In Focus: The Energy Star Program
We’re all looking to save a buck – if we can save the environment while we’re at it, even better. Over the last couple of decades, the ENERGY STAR trademark has found its way onto everything from washing machines to refrigerators to indicate the product’s ability to conserve energy and save money. More recently, the [...]
Did You Know? Individuals Can Buy And Trade Carbon Credits
One of the little-known facts about cap-and-trade is that individuals are allowed to buy and trade carbon credits just like corporations can. It’s the same as buying and trading a stock through a broker, but in this case individuals would do so through brokers that specialize in environmental credits. Take California’s first historic cap and trade auction [...]
Ikea’s People & Planet Positive Sustainability Initiative
Earlier this week Ikea announced a new, global sustainability strategy under which, among other things, the company will generate more power than it uses from renewables and make its products more sustainable. The company, famous for its flat-pack furniture and wordless, infographic instructions, is no stranger to sustainability and renewable energy, in fact, the majority [...]
In Focus: Dupont’s Solar Quality Standards
Solar installations were removed from twenty-four San Diego Unified School District campuses after corrosion was discovered that threatened the possibility of electrical issues that could lead to fires. The 4.3-megawatt installation was built in 2005-06 by Solar Integrated Technologies (SIT). SIT was acquired by Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) (PINK:ENERQ) in 2009. ECD’s Uni-Solar manufactured the [...]
Why Some Republicans Support Clean Energy
As an organization concerned deeply about climate change, we often heavily criticize the “all of the above” approach to energy development. If we’re truly going to address the problem and lower greenhouse gas emissions, a primary focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation need to be our number one priority. Digging a deeper carbon [...]
The “No More Solyndras Act” Passes The House
As I expected the “No More Solyndras Act” was just passed in the House: Republicans on Friday pushed a bill through the House shining a campaign-season light on the most conspicuous failure of President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package. The bill would phase out federal loan guarantees like those that went to the now-bankrupt solar power [...]
India Government Backs Electric Vehicle Program
The government of India has just approved a four billion dollar plan to support the development of its of electric and hybrid car industry. They have stated that this is in accordance with their goal to produce and sell six million EVs by the year 2020. While India’s EV industry is a relative newcomer to [...]
Advanced Sustainability Certificates at The University of Vermont
Editor’s Note: I attended the University of Vermont. It was the best experience of my life. The University of Vermont is now offering sustainability training that is designed to lead your organization to sustainability and profitability. The University of Vermont online sustainability certificate programs provide a flexible and convenient way for today’s organizations and busy [...]
Election 2012: Obama (Wind) vs. Romney (Coal)
The election of 2012 offers the stark contrast between fossil fuels like coal and clean renewable energy. Obama Supports wind power while Romney supports energy derived from coal. Each candidate offers a different conception of America’s energy future. Romney wants to see even more fossil fuel being burned while Obama wants to grow renewable sources [...]
SolarStrong: Alive and Kicking
Last year, SolarCity partnered with U.S. Renewables Group Renewable Finance and Bank of America Merrill Lynch in a $1 billion effort to solarize military housing across the U.S. It’s making progress and surging ahead with new projects at sites owned and managed by Lend Lease. On July 17 SolarCity announced that it is partnered with [...]
PACE: Still Alive?
Property assessed clean energy, or PACE, financing — paying for home solar installations, energy efficiency retrofits and other green improvements through property taxes — was all the rage a few years ago. Then, in 2010, Fannie May, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency decided that PACE payback obligations were problematic when combined with [...]
Hertz Expands Solar Program
Hertz continues to expand it’s solar footprint with a second phase of solar photovoltaic installations that will land panels at 10 more of its facilities around the country. In the first phase, Hertz installed solar panels on two facilities in Colorado – one at Denver International Airport and one at an equipment rental facility in [...]