Energy, Environment and Technology News

NPR: $1 Billion That Nobody Wants

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:34:14 +0000

Summary: Politicians in Washington hardly let a few minutes go by without mentioning how broke the government is. So, it’s a little surprising that they’ve created a stash of more than $1 billion that almost no one wants.

Unused dollar coins have been quietly piling up in Federal Reserve vaults in breathtaking numbers, thanks to a government program that has required their production since 2007.

And even though the neglected mountain of money recently grew past the $1 billion mark, the U.S. Mint will keep making more and more of the coins under a congressional mandate.

The pile of idle coins, which so far cost $300 million to manufacture, could double by the time the program ends in 2016, the Federal Reserve told Congress last year.

A joint inquiry by NPR’s Planet Money and Investigations teams found that the coins are the wasteful byproducts of a third, failed congressional effort to get Americans to use one-dollar coins in everyday commerce.

Source: June 28, 2011 NPR News Investigation

More Information:

ChokePoint US: In Era of Climate Change and Water Scarcity, Meeting National Energy Demand Confronts Major Impediments

admin — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:35:17 +0000

Summary: Circle of Blue today published Choke Point: U.S., a comprehensive report that was featured Wednesday at the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York. The report finds an emerging and critical conflict in the United States between the rising demand for new sources of energy and the nation’s diminishing supplies of fresh water.

Circle of Blue concludes that meeting the significantly higher demand has put energy production and water supply on a collision course with profound consequences. The speed and force of the collision is occurring in the places where growth is highest and water resources are under the most stress — California, the Southwest, the Rocky Mountain West and the Southeast.

Through its reporting, Circle of Blue also demonstrated new uses for Fusion Tables, a new tool from Google Labs that allows management of large collections of tabular data that can be exported to detailed maps and graphics.

In addition, the Woodrow Wilson Center China Environment Forum hosted an event today with J. Carl Ganter, the director of Circle of Blue, Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue’s senior editor, and Jeffrey J. Fulgham, chief sustainability officer and ecomagination leader at General Electric to discuss the findings of Choke Point: U.S. A video archive of the event will be posted online here.

Date Released: September 22, 2010

More Information:

Read the report at http://www.circleofblue.org/waternews/featured-water-stories/choke-point-u-s/
Read the full press release at http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clinton-global-initiative-highlights-circle-of-blues-commitment-to-report-news-and-science-from-front-lines-of-global-water-crisis-103523234.html

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The Coca-Cola Company and The Nature Conservancy Release Water Footprint Report

admin — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:58:39 +0000

Summary: The Coca-Cola Company and The Nature Conservancy announced today the release of a water footprint report in conjunction with World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden. The report, entitled “Product Water Footprint Assessments: Practical Application in Corporate Water Stewardship,” examines three pilot studies that were conducted on Coca-Cola products and ingredients.

Through their research and analysis, the Company and the Conservancy have gained important knowledge about the water footprint process and how the findings can inform and improve the Company’s water stewardship strategies.

Date Released: September 8, 2010 Business Wire

To View Full Press Release: http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/email/headlines/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&div=276513058&newsId=20100908006074

More Information: To download the water footprint report, www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/TCCC_TNC_WaterFootprintAssessments.pdf.

Contact:

The Coca-Cola Company, Lisa Manley, +1-404-676-2683,pressinquiries@na.ko.com
The Nature Conservancy Scott Anderson, +1-703-841-8779,scott_anderson@tnc.org

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EETN Blog Monitor: September 13, 2010

admin — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:57:24 +0000

*Blog posts are taken directly from the source and do not reflect the opinions of EETN or its employees*

Topics covered in this Blog Monitor include:

Climate Change
Energy
Sustainable Development
Water

Climate Change

Can Climate Change Survive the 112th Congress?

By: Frank Sesno Date: September 10, 2010 Source: The Huffington Post, Green

The political climate is more polarized than at any point in recent memory, and hopes for comprehensive climate change legislation during the waning days of the 11n1th Congress now appear dashed.

RGGI CO2 Allowance Auction Price Sinks to Lowest Level

Date: September 10, 2010 Source: Environmental Leader

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has announced the results (PDF) of its ninth auction of carbon dioxide allowances since it’s launch in 2008. The auction, held Wednesday, September 8, hit its lowest allowed level for allowance prices for the two-year old program, selling at $1.86 a ton, which indicates an over-supplied market primarily due to lower power demand, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Energy

China Rations Power to Meet Energy-Efficiency Targets

Date: September 10, 2010 Source: Environmental Leader

To meet the country’s energy-efficiency targets, some local governments in China are rationing power to factories, homes and hospitals and in some cases shutting down traffic lights, reports The Wall Street Journal. China targets a reduction in energy intensity by 20 percent from 2006 to 2010. The country has cut its energy intensity 15.6 percent by the end of last year.

Recovery Act Provides $9.6 Million for Transformational Energy Research Projects

By: John Schueler Date: September 10, 2010 Source: DOE Energy Blog

Today, Secretary Chu announced $9.6 million dollars of Recovery Act funding for six projects that could revolutionize how the country uses, stores and produces energy. Selected by the Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency- Energy (ARPA-E), these projects are focused on improving energy efficiency in buildings by reducing loads on air conditioners; reducing costs associated with generating electricity from solar power; and improving efficiency and power density of electric machines.

Sustainable Development

Innovation, Sustainable Consumption, and ‘The Mesh’

By: Joel Makower Date: September 13, 2010 Source: Two Steps Forward

I’ve just glimpsed a world in which the elusive notion of “sustainable consumption” is both possible and profitable. It’s a world where products are built to last, shared among both friends and strangers, made more affordable to all, support local communities, and are recycled back into more useful stuff. Best of all, it’s a world that’s already here, and is growing and thriving.

Quest for a Good Environmental Sustainability Scorecard

By: Dr. Aruna Ram Date: September 13, 2010 Source: Triplepundit

Everyone knows we need to strive toward environmental sustainability but how can we encourage companies to strive for the same? This is the first article in a series to review of currently existing environmental performance rating/measuring methodologies, drawbacks and potential solutions. Most current rating schemes warn investors of laggards in the industry instead of evaluating the environmental performance and improving the intrinsic ethical worth of a company on grounds of value based sustainability and environmental quality.

USW Accuses China of Violating Trade Rules

Date: September 10, 2010 Source: Environmental Leader

The United Steelworkers on Thursday filed a 5,800-page petition with the administration contending that China’s central and provincial governments are giving Chinese companies unfair advantages over American firms through the use of government subsidies that are prohibited under global trade rules.

Water

“Lack of Water Makes People Poor”

By: John Sauer Date: September 10, 2010 Source: The Huffington Post, Green Blog

This week thousands of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) experts and hundreds of members of the media came together in Stockholm for World Water Week to discuss solutions for the world WASH challenge.

E.P.A. Meeting Stalled by Security and Cost

By: Tom Zeller Jr. Date: September 10, 2010 Source: The New York Times, Green

The Environmental Protection Agency has been on something of a listening tour lately, holding public meetings around the country where stakeholders concerned about hydraulic fracturing can share their thoughts with the agency.

GE & EPA Team Up On Green Clean Water

By: RP Siegel Date: September 10, 2010 Source: TriplePundit

As we look ahead into our collective future with its rapidly growing human population and increasingly unstable climate, it’s pretty clear that meeting our energy, water and food needs is going to be a growing challenge. And since these three areas are so intricately linked in so many ways, not only do their challenges often impinge on each other, so do their solutions.

EPA to Host a Series of Webinars on the Electronic Greenhouse Gas Reporting Tool (e-GGRT)

admin — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:52:09 +0000

Summary: EPA will host a number of web-based training sessions for people involved with reporting under the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Program. These sessions will provide users with information on the electronic GHG reporting tool (e-GGRT) and will provide information on registration, the designated representative, how to use the web forms, and other topics.

Webinars:

October 6, 2010, 1:00-2:30 pm EST
October 20, 2010, 1:00-2:30 pm EST
November 3, 2010, 1:00-2:30 pm EST
November 17, 2010, 1:00-2:30 pm EST
Additional sessions are expected to be scheduled.

Date Released: September 9, 2010 EPA Climate Change and Water News

More Information: http://epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/training.html

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White House Announces the Release of Federal Agency Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans, Outlines Commitment to Achieve Environmental and Energy Goals

admin — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:48:52 +0000

Summary: Continuing a commitment to lead by example, the White House today announced the release of Federal Agency Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans, which work to achieve the environmental, economic and energy goals called for in the Executive Order on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance (Executive Order 13514) signed by President Obama on October 5, 2009. This announcement marks the first time agencies have developed and submitted Sustainability Plans, now available at www.whitehouse.gov/ceq.

Under the Executive Order, Federal agencies were required to submit their plans to the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Agencies were asked to develop, implement and annually update a plan that prioritizes sustainability actions based on a positive return on investment for the American taxpayer and to meet energy, water, and waste reduction targets.

Source: September 9, 2010 Press Release The White House

More Information: www.whitehouse.gov/ceq

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EPA to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Plan for Greenhouse Gas Permits

admin — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:45:08 +0000

Summary: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing on its proposed federal implementation plan for greenhouse gas permitting. The federal plan would allow EPA to issue permits for large GHG emitters located in states unable to address these emissions under their Clean Air Act permitting program. This would be a temporary measure that is in place until the state can revise its own plan and resume responsibility for permitting.

The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue until 6:00 p.m. EDT time, or later if necessary, at the following location:

WHO: EPA officials
WHAT: Public hearing
WHEN: September 14, 2010
WHERE: EPA Ariel Rios East Building, Room 1153, 1301 Constitution Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C.

The public may register on the day of the hearing, and will be worked into openings in the schedule of speakers.

EPA also will accept written comments on the proposed standards until October 14, 2010.

Source: September 10, 2010 Press Release U.S. EPA

More information and instructions for submitting written comments: http://epa.gov/nsr/actions.html#aug10

Contact:

Cathy Milbourn,milbourn.cathy@epa.gov , 202-564-7849
Enesta Jones, jones.enesta@epa.gov, 202-564-7873

To View Full Press Release: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/C0A0A5A308457CC78525779A00542957

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DOE Continues Aggressive Energy Efficiency Enforcement Effort with Nearly 30 New Proposed Penalties

admin — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:38:35 +0000

Summary: The Department of Energy today announced 27 new proposed penalties against companies selling products in the United States without certifying that they comply with energy efficiency or water conservation standards. The legally required certifications help ensure that products sold in the U.S. deliver significant energy and cost savings to the American public. The 27 companies include manufacturers, importers, and private labelers of appliance, plumbing, and lighting products.

Source: September 13, 2010 Press Release DOE

More Information: http://www.energy.gov/news/9483.htm

News Media Contact: 202-586-4940

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Proposed Regulations for Safer Consumer Products Alternatives Submitted

admin — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:35:36 +0000

Summary: The Green Chemistry Initiative’s proposed Regulations for Safer Consumer Products have been submitted to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) to begin the formal rulemaking process. The proposed regulations have undergone a two-year process of gathering input from stakeholders, environmental organizations, scientists and the public.

Date Released: September 13, 2010 Green Chemistry

More Information: Along with the regulation text, DTSC will post the Initial Statement of Reasons, the 45-day notice of public comment, a list of frequently asked questions, and a DTSC news release announcing the proposed regulation. These documents and more information can be found at: http://dtsc.ca.gov/PollutionPrevention/GreenChemistryInitiative/Proposed-Regulation.cfm

Comments: Comments can be submitted to DTSC electronically by using the comment link on DTSC’s website. They also can be submitted via conventional mail, via e-mail to gcregs@dtsc.ca.gov, or at a public hearing to be held November 1, 2010.

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EPA Challenges Manufacturing Industry to Improve Energy Efficiency

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:44:33 +0000

Summary: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today recognized the first group of manufacturing sites that have met the Energy Star Challenge for Industry and reduced their energy intensity by 10 percent within 5 years or less. The U.S. manufacturing industry is responsible for nearly 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and spends almost $100 billion annually on energy. Under the umbrella of the Energy Star Challenge for Industry, EPA is working with individual manufacturing sites and their parent companies to fight climate change and save money through improvements in energy efficiency.

The first manufacturing facilities owned by Energy Star partners to meet or exceed the 10 percent reduction goal within 5 years or less under the Energy Star Challenge for Industry are:

Kodak’s Manitou site in Rochester, N.Y.: 25 percent reduction (2007-2009)
Kodak’s GCG Columbus manufacturing site in Columbus, Ga.: 10 percent reduction (2007-2008)
Shearer’s Foods, Inc.’s Lubbock, Texas plant: 15 percent reduction (2009-2010)
Detroit Diesel’s Redford Component Manufacturing Center in Detroit, Mich.: 17 percent reduction (2008-2009)
John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.’s Elgin Headquarters facility in Elgin, Ill.: 17 percent reduction (2008-2009)
John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.’s Selma, Texas facility: 26 percent reduction (2008-2009)
John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.’s Garysburg, N.C. facility: 23 percent reduction (2008-2009)
FetterGroup’s Headquarters Facility in Louisville, Ky.: 23 percent reduction (2007-2009)

Learn more about the Energy Star Challenge for Industry: http://www.energystar.gov/industrychallenge

Source: May 6, 2010 EPA News Release

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