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Smart irrigation controllers (SICs) can save water by adapting watering schedules to climate and soil conditions.  The potential benefit of SICs is particularly high in southwestern U.S. states, where the arid climate makes water scarcer and increases watering needs of landscapes.  A number of studies have tested the ability of SICs to save water in residential and small commercial settings.

Water Scarcity and Water Use in the United States

The southwestern United States is the driest part of the country, and much of it was developed in conjunction with large water works projects intended to support an increasing population (Reisner 1986).  In the recent past, Arizona and Nevada have been two of the fastest growing parts of the United States, but also the driest (Day and Conway 2009).  The West is also the largest user of water for landscaping and agriculture in the nation. Eighty-five percent of irrigation withdrawals are used in 17 western states, with California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, and Arkansas being the largest users in all of the United States (Kenny et al. 2009).  On the level of home water use, it is estimated that in Las Vegas 70% of residential drinking water is for exterior uses, which is mostly landscaping (Devitt et al. 2008).

Read the complete article online at the Journal of Industrial Ecology

November 10, 2010

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory recently released a report on how governments and industry can spark homeowners to seek out home energy improvements, or retrofits, which save energy and money for consumers. Energy efficiency upgrades include energy saving improvements such as adding insulation, sealing air ducts, installing high-efficiency lighting, enhancing or replacing windows and doors, and replacing furnaces, heat pumps, water heaters, and air conditioners. Called “Driving Demand for Home Energy Improvements,” this study will help ensure that the Department’s investments in energy efficiency provide taxpayers with a high rate of return on their investments, deliver the maximum impact in local communities, and support a self-sustaining industry for residential energy efficiency improvements that will help grow America’s economy and create new jobs.

The report is aimed primarily at policy makers and energy efficiency program designers, especially those new to the field. The authors examined 14 residential energy efficiency programs, conducted an extensive literature review, interviewed industry experts, and surveyed residential contractors to draw lessons from first generation programs. The report highlights emerging best practices, provides insights into how to increase the effectiveness of incentive programs for comprehensive home energy improvements, and suggests methods and approaches to use in designing, implementing, and evaluating these programs. The report’s findings will guide future investments for DOE’s residential energy efficiency programs and similar state and local programs. The report’s conclusions include:

Read the complete article on the DOE Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy website:

By Steve Rypka on November 4th, 2010

When we have a choice to make, taking the high road means choosing the honorable or ethical course over some lesser alternative. In terms of housing efficiency, Nevada has a choice to promote an ethical path toward increased home energy efficiency and savings, or to maintain the dismal and expensive status quo.

I’m referring to legislation passed in 2007 to require a professional home energy audit whenever an older home is sold in Nevada. The requirement could be waived if both seller and buyer agreed to do so. To allow time for the industry to prepare, the activation date was set for January of 2011. I won’t bore you with the torturous details, but the bottom line is that due to opposition from industry trade groups, primarily the Nevada Association of Realtors, it may not happen. This would be a tragic outcome for the citizens of Nevada.

Home energy audits provide the key to reducing energy consumption, improving the environment, increasing home comfort and establishing an honest real estate market that acknowledges the true value of home performance. Energy costs are a significant part of a home’s operating budget, yet home performance is rarely a factor in the buying decision. When looking for a home, a prospective buyer will find more information about granite countertops and fake fireplaces than energy consumption.

For those lucky enough to find a good, high-performance home, there are additional hurdles to overcome. Typically, most realtors, appraisers and lenders are not well-versed on the unique benefits and true value of such homes. Current practices tend to focus on square footage, number of bathrooms and cosmetic amenities. This represents a gross distortion of the market since high-performance homes have significant intrinsic value representing real dollars. Why should they not be represented, appraised and funded accordingly? With a home energy audit at the time of every sale, our existing housing stock will have a mechanism to improve over time and help prospective buyers make decisions based on the real cost of home ownership.

It’s all about education. The so-called “free market” has not led to a solution since even in the best of times the industry has not acknowledged the true value of energy efficiency. That’s why wise legislators passed the law and it’s why we need corresponding regulations that meet the intent.

Read the complete article at Green Dream

This free EPA webinar will be held on Thursday, November 18,  2010 @ 1:00-2:30 PM (Eastern Time).  To register: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/rcc/web-academy/index.htm
Food Waste Reduction and Recovery Waste?  This is food and it’s too valuable to waste!  Join us to meet three outstanding leaders who are changing the mind set of industry in diverting away from landfills what was once a waste and is now a product which not only saves companies disposal costs, but also creates new business opportunities.  Economic growth and environmental responsibility — we applaud these companies and their successes.  Please join our speakers as they help us understand industry’s issues with organic materials, disposal options and their strategic decision-making approaches.
Speakers:  Kim Brunson, Publix Supermarkets; Tom Raymond, Hormel Corporation; Andrew Shakman, LeanPath Inc.  For more information on the speakers, go to http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/rcc/web-academy/2010/nov10.htm

The Division of Environmental Health Services of the Washoe County Health District will be holding a public workshop to hear and consider comments on additions, deletions and amendments to the Regulations of the Washoe County District Board of Health Governing Solid Waste Management, Sections 085. This section pertains to waste tires, waste tire haulers, waste tire management facilities and disposal of waste tires.
The workshop will be held at the Washoe County Complex, Building B-North Auditorium, 1001 E. 9th Street; Reno, Nevada, on November 17, 2010 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.

For copies of the proposed regulation, visit http://www.washoecounty.us/health/ehs/regulations.html

Get more information…

Here are seven ways that businesses can start transitioning toward a sustainable business model, according to Dr. Sally Uren, deputy chief executive, Forum for the Future, in a contributed article for The Guardian.

The Forum for the Future recently held its second Business Network event, which looked at sustainable business models in practice.

Here are Uren’s seven tips for starting on the path toward sustainability.

1. Try new financing mechanisms. Uren says these could include forward purchase agreements for suppliers to allow them to experiment with new production methods, match funding arrangements with government bodies and a sustainable innovation or investment fund, which could be used to kick-start sustainable innovations.

2. Aim for profitability. She tells organizations not to view the sustainability program as a cost, but rather as an investment that will yield financial benefits to the business. As an example, Mark & Spencer’s Plan A program generated £50 million (approximately $81 million) net profit from resource efficiencies and new product developments in year three of the five-year program.

Read the remaining tips at Environmental Leader