Tuesday, April 18, 2006

[Environmental awards] Illinois Governor’s Pollution Prevention Awards Since 1987, the Illinois Waste Management and Research Center (WMRC) has presented the Illinois Governor’s Pollution Prevention Awards to companies and organizations in Illinois that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through the practice of pollution prevention (P2). Continuous Improvement Awards also are awarded to companies that have shown an ongoing commitment to pollution prevention.   Applications are now being accepted.  The deadline to apply for an award is May 22, 2006.   Pollution Prevention (P2) is the use of material, processes or practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants or wastes at the source.  It includes practices that reduce the use of hazardous materials, energy, water or other resources and practices that protect natural resources through conservation or more efficient use.   Pollution Prevention activities range from product changes to process changes to changes in methods of operation.  Activities that will be considered for an award may include, but are not limited to: Improved operating practices (e.g. maintenance, material handling, production scheduling, inventory control and waste stream segregation) Technology changes (e.g. layout changes, increased automation, improved equipment, new processes) Input material changes (e.g. material purification, substitution of less toxic materials) Product changes (e.g. redesign for less environmental impact, increased product life). Energy conservation To view a sample application, list of past winners, and to download an application visit us at our web site at www.wmrc.uiuc.edu/gp2a.   Winners will be announced on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 in Bloomington, Illinois.   Display Opportunity at the Awards Ceremony Display space is available at the 20th annual Illinois Governor’s Pollution Prevention Awards ceremony. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at the Doubletree Hotel in Bloomington.   The program will include presentations on pollution prevention topics in the morning, with a luncheon following during which the winners of the 2006 awards will be officially announced. This program is a great opportunity for companies to reach an audience of business professionals with a display.   The cost to display is $50, which includes one admission to the luncheon.  The 2006 award finalists can display free of charge.  Each additional person wanting to attend the luncheon will cost $35.    For more information about the poster presentations contact Deb Jacobson at 1-630-472-5019.  Sign-up deadline is Friday, September 29.  After that date, companies requesting display space will be accommodated based on space availability.   The Waste Management and Research Center is a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. WMRC’s mission is to conserve natural resources, reduce wastes, and increase economic vitality by providing Illinois businesses, institutions, and citizens with information, research, innovative technologies, and technical assistance.  4:05:05 PM Google It!    [Energy policy] New Job to Focus on Biomass Technology in Indiana The person who gets appointed to a new position funded jointly by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and the Office of Energy and Defense Development (OED) will focus on biomass technologies to advance the state's already aggressive pilot bioenergy projects. Indiana also plans to develop more biofuel-production facilities. [Source: RenewableEnergyAccess.com, 4/7/06] 3:39:17 PM Google It!    [E-waste] E-Cycling: A New Path for Electronics Our elected officials need to take action now to pass strong laws promoting the management of e-waste before our country becomes one giant e-scrap heap, writes Angela Neville in the April issue of Environmental Protection Magazine. 3:37:03 PM Google It!    [Energy efficiency] All Tech Lighting Calculator Schaumberg, Ill.,-based design firm All Tech Lighting offers this free online calculator to help building owners understand the financial impact of replacing or retrofitting their existing lighting to energy-efficient systems. Simply enter the number of fixtures, number of hours on per day, and cost per killowatt hour to calculate your savings. [Source: GreenBiz.com] 3:09:51 PM Google It!    [Corporate environmental responsibility] Dictionary of Sustainable Management San Francisco-based Presidio School of Management offers an innovative MBA program that integrates environmental, ethical, and socially responsible concerns into every course. This onlin dictionary, compiled by Presidio MBA students, features more than 250 must-know terms of sustainable business. Definitions range from e-waste to zero waste, including common sustainable-business terms such as "integrated bottom line," "natural capital," "biomimicry," and "life-cycle analysis." Listings for traditional business terms describe how a sustainability slant may alter or enhance their mainstream definitions. The dictionary also includes a feature that allows users to comment on (or add meaning to) any term. 3:07:49 PM Google It!    [Environmental awards] Fifth Annual Globe Awards Celebrate Canadian Leaders in Environmental Excellence The awards celebrate Canadian companies that take a proactive approach to sustainable business strategies and have made significant strides towards developing progressive technologies and services. [Source: GreenBiz.com, 4/4/06] 3:05:55 PM Google It!    [Corporate environmental responsibility] Social Footprint Introduces Simple Elegance in Measuring Corporate Sustainability Performance The method conceived by the Center for Sustainable Innovation for quantifying corporate social and environmental impacts uses quotients to compare company action to sustainability goals. [Source: GreenBiz.com, 4/5/06] 3:04:35 PM Google It!    [Schools] Microbes at the Gas Pump Bacteria and other organisms can turn waste plant material into fuel for cars. Science News for Kids has the full story. 2:51:59 PM Google It!    [Alternative fuels] Tools for Cleaning Up Illinois Diesel: Technology, Funding and Collaboration Date: May 2, 2006 Location: BP Naperville Complex, Naperville, Illinois On Tuesday, May 2, 2006, EPA Region 5’s Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative, in conjunction with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Cities Program, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago Area Clean Cities, Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, Caterpillar, International Truck and Engine Corporation., Engine Control Systems, and the Diesel Technology Forum, is pleased to present Tools for Cleaning up Illinois Diesel: Technology, Funding, and Collaboration a one-day event aimed at educating fleet managers on how to address current environmental and energy challenges by incorporating new technologies and alternative fuels into their operations.  The event will be held at the BP Naperville Complex in Naperville, Illinois. The conference will feature multiple panel discussions focusing on the various strategies, fuels and technologies available in the marketplace to assist private sector and municipal fleets in conserving fuel, decreasing emissions and saving money. There will be networking opportunities with technology vendors, government officials and fleet managers. Featured speakers include: Cheryl Newton, Deputy Director, Air and Radiation Division, USEPA, Region 5 - Overview of the Clean Air Act and the Importance of Voluntary Programs Bob Schaefer, Regulatory Issues Manager for BP Global Fuels Technology -Transitioning to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Ken Katch, Director Emission Solutions, Caterpillar, Inc.- Retrofit Opportunities for Diesel-Powered Engines Dr. Michael Walsh, Senior Vice President of the Chicago Climate Exchange- Innovative Market Opportunities to Reduce Air Pollution Ed Arts of EcoTrans Technologies - Idle Reduction Technologies for Locomotives Registration for this event is $40.  Due to security restrictions, participants must register prior to the event.  Space is limited, so please register early. 2:50:39 PM Google It!    [Schools] Earth Day 2006: Checkup Reveals Global Fever The WhyFiles explains the consequences of global warming. 2:47:11 PM Google It!

© Copyright 2006 Laura L. Barnes. Last update: 5/9/2006; 10:36:31 AM.