Tuesday, April 12, 2005

[Schools] Living laboratory: U of C launches campus-wide energy initiative The University of Calgary and Direct Energy Business Services have reached a master partnership agreement that will yield a forecasted $38M in student and research support, and energy savings. It will be the catalyst for a new generation of sustainability initiatives and buildings on campus, with built-in technologies directly involving students and researchers. 10:08:53 AM Google It!    [Corporate sustainability] Briefing Shows Increased Link Between Energy Efficiency And Shareholder Value Energy Management and Shareholder Value, an executive briefing released yesterday, offers businesses increased evidence on and successful practices for linking energy efficiency and shareholder value. The document’s publication is a partnership between GreenBiz.com, the online resource for business, environment and the bottom line, and the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program. To download a copy of  the publication, visit www.GreenBiz.com/energybriefing. 10:07:01 AM Google It!    [Fuel cells] Army accepts keys to first fuel-cell truck The Army accepted delivery of the world’s first fuel-cell-powered military truck Apr. 1 at the General Motors Corp. research facility outside Rochester, N.Y. 10:04:03 AM Google It!    [Green building] Jubilee! plans 'green' building renovations A downtown church will gut its building to make way for renovations that should make the structure more energy efficient and generally 'greener." [Source: Asheville (NC) Citizen-Times] 10:03:21 AM Google It!    [Green building] South Dakota building 'green' Three "green buildings" are in the works in South Dakota, making the state the last to join this environmentally friendly construction trend. [Source: Aberdeen (SD) American News] 10:02:00 AM Google It!    [Grants] Washington Mutual Corporate Giving Program Washington Mutual awards millions of dollars in cash grants each year to support K-12 public education, financial education, affordable housing and community development. 10:00:19 AM Google It!    [Grants] Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program The initiative -- which has awarded $6 million in education grants to date -- benefits, recognizes and rewards teachers in underprivileged schools who strive beyond challenges and limited resources to achieve excellence through instructional creativity, innovative teaching and high learning expectation for students. The application deadline is June 15, 2005. Download this year's application and eligibility requirements (pdf, 98kb). 9:58:38 AM Google It!    [Pesticides] E.P.A. Halts Florida Test on Pesticides Stephen L. Johnson, the acting administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, said on Friday that he was canceling a study of the effects of pesticides on infants and babies, a day after two Democratic senators said they would block his confirmation if the research continued. [Source: New York Times -- need a login/pw?] 9:56:44 AM Google It!    [Renewable energy] From Gil Friend's web log Duke Energy CEO: We Need A Carbon Tax. [WorldChanging.com]: It's almost enough to cause a double-take: the CEO and Chairman of Duke Energy announced that the firm will lobby for the introduction of a carbon tax in order to reduce fossil fuel use and address global warming. 'Personally, I feel the time has come to act - to take steps as a nation to reduce the carbon intensity of our economy....' Interesting times ahead, as traditional alliances shift (conservative Republicans moving toward renewable energy out of national security concerns), as different industries stake out different strategic positions on the landscape (think reinsurance vs petroleum), and as monolithic industries split (think BP and Shell) over very different perceptions of where viable futures lie. [Gil Friend] 9:20:32 AM Google It!    [Chemical industry] New Feature Article: "Integrating Sustainability Principles in a Small Chemical Company" In spite of their size, small chemical companies bear as much responsibility to conduct their businesses in a financially, socially and environmentally responsible way as large manufacturers do. Because of their smaller size, these manufacturers can find the thought of integrating sustainable development activities overwhelming. A myriad of benefits, including reduced costs, make the effort worthwhile. Commitment from top management and a thoughtful and practical approach can enable smaller companies to successfully transform their organizations. Cynthia Challener discusses the benefits, challenges and specific aspects of implementing sustainable development into your operations. [ChemAlliance Environmental News] 9:14:22 AM Google It!

© Copyright 2005 Laura L. Barnes. Last update: 10/25/2005; 12:09:52 PM.