Wednesday, April 27, 2005

[Biofuels] Study: Growth in biomass could put U.S. on road to energy independence Relief from soaring prices at the gas pump could come in the form of corncobs, cornstalks, switchgrass and other types of biomass, according to a joint feasibility study for the departments of Agriculture and Energy. The recently completed Oak Ridge National Laboratory report outlines a national strategy in which 1 billion dry tons of biomass -- any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis -- would displace 30 percent of the nation's petroleum consumption for transportation. Supplying more than 3 percent of the nation's energy, biomass already has surpassed hydropower as the largest domestic source of renewable energy, and researchers believe much potential remains. [Source: Environmental Protection E-News] 10:53:19 AM Google It!    [Meetings] Building Zero Waste Communities: Tools to Take Home Dates: May 23-25, 2005 Location: New York, NY This two-and-a-half-day gathering is designed for public officials, planners, community members and organizers working toward Zero Waste. Attendees will learn best practices, initiatives and processes from other communities that have implemented Zero Waste plans or elements of Zero Waste, and the technical information and tools needed to build a Zero Waste community.  10:52:18 AM Google It!    [Schools] San Diego Schools Going Solar From sustainablog: RenewableEnergyAccess.com announces an exciting partnership among the state of California, solar roofing company Solar Integrated Technologies and GE Commercial Finance Energy Financial Services. The planned outcome: "...14 San Diego schools should have... new solar roofing systems installed and operational in the next few weeks. Additional installations will go up over the next two years." The project also demonstrates innovation in solar roofing technology as Solar Integrated Technologies has developed "the company's proprietary photovoltaic roofing systems, which not only keep the elements out of buildings but also generate renewable solar electricity." Daniel Gross, senior vice president of Renewable Energy at Energy Financial Services, notes that "Everybody wins with this transaction. Solar Integrated serves its customers better. San Diego schools get new roofs and cleaner energy. A distressed community in South Los Angeles sees more manufacturing jobs. And GE expands, serving an even wider spectrum of the energy market" Technorati tags: solar power, green building, San Diego By noemail@noemail.org (Jeff McIntire-Strasburg). [sustainablog] 10:32:10 AM Google It!    [Green lifestyle] The GUPPYs are Coming From sustainablog: And who are the GUPPYs? They're "green urban professionals who are young," and, according to this Christian Science Monitor article, they're driving the move towards green home building, particularly in the very green Pacific Northwest. Green building isn't just a movement for these folks, though: "It's a responsibility, and it's becoming irresistibly chic." Via Tidepool. Technorati tags: green building, Pacific Northwest 10:31:25 AM Google It!    [Alternative energy] District of Columbia Adopts a Renewable Energy Requirement Electricity suppliers in Washington, D.C., will draw on renewable energy for 11 percent of the electricity supply by 2022, thanks to a law that became official on April 12th. The Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Act of 2004 also sets a minimum requirement for electricity from solar power. [EERE Network News] 10:29:21 AM Google It!    [Organic foods] Coleman Natural Foods Announces Natural Product Line for Conventional Grocery Retailers Coleman Natural Foods, the largest natural meat company in the United States, announced today that it is offering a new line of all natural beef, poultry, lamb, pork and sausage products to the conventional grocery channel. [ENN Business Headlines] 10:04:53 AM Google It!    [TV Programs] EarthNews Radio: PBS Series PBS has been presenting an impressive number of science and nature programs in April. One new series, National Geographic's "Strange Days on Planet Earth," documents some of the odd things going on the natural world in our time. [ENN Business Headlines] 10:04:20 AM Google It!    [Alternative energy] Wind Energy Industry Sets Sails for Good Year during 2005 2005 is shaping up to be a good year for the American wind energy industry, a trade organization said Tuesday. The American Wind Energy Association in Washington, D.C., said it expects the industry to install 2,500 megawatts of new capacity this year. That's enough energy to serve about 700,000 homes. [ENN Business Headlines] 10:03:32 AM Google It!    [Climate change] Ameren is Asked to Press Fight on Global Warming Environmental and consumer groups turned up the heat on Ameren Corp. on Tuesday in a bid to persuade the utility to do more to combat global warming. St. Louis-based Ameren is the seventh-largest source of carbon-dioxide emissions among electric utilities, according to an analysis of government data by Clear the Air, a coalition of environmental groups. [ENN Business Headlines] 10:03:00 AM Google It!

© Copyright 2005 Laura L. Barnes. Last update: 10/25/2005; 12:09:58 PM.