Category: News

Researchers with the U.S Department of Energy (DOE)’s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) have identified a potential new advanced biofuel that could replace today’s standard fuel for diesel engines but would be clean, green, renewable and produced in the United States.

Using the tools of synthetic biology, a JBEI research team engineered strains of two microbes, a bacteria and a yeast, to produce a precursor to bisabolane, a member of the terpene class of chemical compounds that are found in plants and used in fragrances and flavorings. Preliminary tests by the team showed that bisabolane’s properties make it a promising biosynthetic alternative to Number 2 (D2) diesel fuel.

The rising costs and growing dependence upon foreign sources of petroleum-based fuels, coupled with scientific fears over how the burning of these fuels impacts global climate, are driving the search for carbon-neutral renewable alternatives. Advanced biofuels — liquid transportation fuels derived from the cellulosic biomass of perennial grasses and other non-food plants, as well as from agricultural waste — are highly touted for their potential to replace gasoline, diesel and jet fuels. Unlike ethanol, which can only be used in limited amounts in gasoline engines and can’t be used at all in diesel or jet engines, plus would corrode existing oil pipelines and tanks, advanced biofuels are drop-in fuels compatible with today’s engines, and delivery and storage infrastructures.

Read the complete article at Science Daily

“The Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing” session at the 2011-2012 Conference Series on Urban Sustainability.

Moderator: Ophelia Basgal,

US HUD Panelists:

• Steven Raphael, UC Berkeley
• Matthew Schwartz, California Housing Partnership Corporation
• Ann Silverberg, BRIDGE Housing
• Wayne Waite, US HUD

 

Walmart plans to complete rooftop solar arrays on more than three quarters of its California stores, with projects planned for up to 60 locations.

The planned projects will bring Walmart’s total number of solar installations in California to 130. Each array will provide 20 to 30 percent of the store’s electric needs, the company says.

When complete, the installations are expected to generate up to 70 million kWh of renewable energy per year, the equivalent of powering more than 5,400 homes and avoid more than 21,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

San Mateo, Calif.-based SolarCity will own, install and maintain the new solar power systems.

Walmart says its solar program has reduced energy expenses by more than $1 million.

Read the complete article at Environmental Leader

Now that students are back in school, teachers and parents can help improve a school’s energy efficiency and reduce pollution by participating in EPA’s many voluntary programs such as Energy Star, Healthy School Environments, National School Bus Idle Reduction, and Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools programs.  Students can also become environmental stewards through EPA’s Pick 5 and reduce pollution around schools, College Game Day Challenge, OnCampus ecoAmbassadors, and MyEnvironment: search near your school.

Find out about other programs at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/school.htm.

DEA

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to provide a venue for persons who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

Find a collection site near you.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. More

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that 25 percent of all single-family homes built nationally in 2010 earned EPA’s Energy Star, up from 21 percent in 2009. In partnership with its stakeholders, EPA continues to help American home buyers invest in high performing homes that save money on their utility bills and help protect the environment. Since 1995 approximately 1.2 million new homes have earned EPA’s Energy Star, representing savings of nearly $350 million on utility bills while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from more than 450,000 vehicles.

“New homes that earn EPA’s Energy Star seal of approval rise above the competition by offering a better quality and value while allowing homeowners to do their part to keep our communities clean,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, Gina McCarthy. “With Energy Star’s energy-efficient homes, homeowners will cut down on electric bills and emissions to keep our air cleaner and our communities healthier. Reaching this impressive market share milestone for Energy Star qualified homes is an accomplishment for American home buyers and builders and a step in the right direction to better protecting the environment through sustainable living.”

In 2010, more than 108,000 single-family homes earned the Energy Star across the nation and sixteen states had a market share of 25 percent or higher Energy Star qualified homes. These states include Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, and Vermont.

Homes earn the Energy Star by meeting strict energy-efficiency requirements set by EPA, including:

• Effective insulation systems
• High-performance windows
• Quality construction to reduce leaks and drafts
• Efficient heating and cooling equipment
• Energy Star qualified lighting and appliances

Energy Star was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy-efficiency. Energy Star offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to decrease energy consumption, save money, and help protect the environment. More than 20,000 organizations are Energy Star partners, committed to improving energy-efficiency in homes, products, and businesses.

More information on Energy Star’s qualified home market share: http://www.energystar.gov/homesmarketindex

More information on the Energy Star program: http://www.energystar.gov

NATIONAL – The Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx™) announces the launch of the “National Sustainable Lodging Network,” an online community of sustainable hospitality practitioners and an information clearinghouse to support the work of this community, found online at www.SustainableLodging.org.  Public interest in “going green,” personal ethic, and market demand have led to a growing community of practice in the sustainable hospitality area.  As a result, there has been an explosion of state and local sustainable hospitality programs in recent years and a proliferation of information on how to “green-up” hospitality operations.

Wendi Shafir, Green Lodging and Hospitality Lead for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 notes, “The hospitality industry has a large environmental footprint in terms of resources including energy, water, and materials.  Many hotels and chains have successfully reduced their energy and water consumption through a variety of initiatives such as installing energy-efficient lighting, switching to an ozone laundry system, composting and recycling, and at the same time improved their hotel’s bottom line.  The National Sustainable Lodging Network offers an opportunity to share successes and best practices with others in the industry who embrace similar goals.”

P2Rx created the National Sustainable Lodging Network in order to facilitate information sharing amongst the private and public sectors.  SustainableLodging.org brings lodging operations together with federal, state, local, and tribal sustainable hospitality programs, including environmental agencies, tourism boards, and lodging associations.  The goals for the site are to provide forums for sustainable hospitality practitioners to share information on practices and challenges; elevate sustainable hospitality programs and the facilities that participate in them; increase the adoption of sustainable hospitality practices nationwide; and foster innovation in sustainable lodging through the exchange of ideas.

The National Sustainable Lodging Network benefits its users by helping them to build networks among sustainable hospitality practitioners; gain access to and share content related to sustainable lodging initiatives; and find tools and information resources for measuring the outcomes of these practices.  Some of the features of the Network include:

• Groups  of sustainable hospitality programs and Discussion Forums within each group for programs and facilities to interact;
• A Calendar of Events for relevant conferences, workshops and webinars;
• Links to Training Materials and Recent Publications related to sustainable hospitality;
• Blogs, Videos, and News to keep the community active and the content relevant; and
• A section on Sustainable Practices that highlights P2Rx information resources such as Topic Hubs™, best practices, P2 opportunities, and case studies.

Michelle Veasey, Manager of the New Hampshire Sustainable Lodging & Restaurant Program, sees value in the networking aspect of the site.  “Our membership finds networking to be a critical piece of their sustainability efforts.  Networking helps them to develop new ideas for advancing their efforts and keeps their programs fresh,” said Veasey.  “In the past, members were limited to only having these kinds of interactions at events.  The National Sustainable Lodging Network allows them to discuss issues, collectively solve problems, and learn from each other – each and every day.  The Network is a valuable tool in moving sustainability forward because it allows people to connect with their peers in real-time and benefit from the variety of experiences of those in the Network.”

The National Sustainable Lodging Network is currently housed on the Ning platform and is supported by the P2Rx Regional Centers.  The P2Rx Centers, with NEWMOA acting as the site administrator, will continue to grow and nurture the site and look for opportunities to incorporate new information and features and other elements of sustainable hospitality.

The National Sustainable Lodging Network can be found at: www.sustainablelodging.org.  An online video tutorial, frequently asked questions, and downloadable user guide are available at: www.sustainablelodging.org/forum/topics/introduction-to-the-national.

Reporters/Editors Note:

P2Rx is a national partnership of regional pollution prevention information centers funded in part through grants from EPA.  They build networks, deliver P2 information, and measure P2 program results.  The strength of the network lies in the expertise and diversity among the regional centers and the variety of audiences served including government and state environmental agencies, technical assistance providers, businesses, educators, nonprofit organizations, and the general public.  For more information, visit: www.p2rx.org.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a notice in the Federal Register that it will write regulations to limit cadmium content in children’s jewelry if the industry does not take steps to remove the metal from its products by Dec. 16, Bloomberg reported. The agency also granted a petition from four consumer groups requesting that cadmium be banned unless ASTM International acts in the next three months to determine a safe level for consumer products.

Target, Gap, and Saks Fifth Avenue are among 26 major retailers that have reached a settlement under California’sProposition 65 to eliminate all but trace amounts ofcadmium from jewelry and other accessories, The Associated Press reported on Wednesday. The settlement comes months before the state’s new limit on the amount of of the metal in consumer products goes into effect. Last year, the Center for Environmental Health filed notices under Proposition 65, and a lawsuit, after reports revealed that some commonly sold bracelets and pendants contained more than 90 percent cadmium.