Despite a national push for efficiency, Americans aren’t doing enough to stop their homes from being energy hogs, according to research from Shelton Group. “People have to do more – at least four energy efficiency improvements – to make a real impact on their utility bills,” said Shelton Group President Suzanne Shelton. “Unfortunately, Americans aren’t reaching that magic number, even though the government and utilities have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to get them to act.” That a key finding of the advertising and consultancy firm’s seventh annual Energy Pulse survey, a national poll of attitudes and habits on energy use and efforts to curb it. Survey results showed that “self-reported energy conserving behaviors and home improvement activities dropped significantly from last year” and now are more in line with percentages from 2008 and 2009. Researchers looked at more than a dozen improvements and behavior changes from simply turning off lights and using less energy during peak periods to having a home energy audit. Activity fell in each category this year with respondents doing a mere 2.6 things on average to reduce energy consumption – which was not enough to lower electricity bills. [Read this article]
Americans Aren’t Putting Enough Energy Into Efficiency Efforts
Date: 11/02/2011 | Source: GreenBiz.com 
Obama Administration Announces Desert Solar Energy Zones
Date: 11/02/2011 | Source: Los Angeles Times
The Obama administration unveiled its road map for solar energy development, directing large-scale industrial projects to 285,000 acres of desert land in the western U.S. while opening 20 million acres of the Mojave for new development. The Bureau of Land Management’s long-awaited “solar energy zones” are intended to make some of the desert’s most sensitive landscapes less desirable for solar prospecting by identifying “sweet spots” that have already passed environmental requirements and therefore promise expedited permitting, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said. “These 445 square miles of zones are … where development will be driven,” Salazar said. The 17 solar energy zones in six western states – including two extensive areas in California – were identified by their absence of major environmental or cultural conflicts. But nothing prevents a developer from requesting permission to build on federal land outside the preferred areas. Industry and environmental groups have eagerly anticipated release of the plan, with both sides saying much is at stake. [Read this article]
How Consumers And Communities Can Benefit From Buying Local
Date: 11/02/2011 | Source: U.S. News & World Report
“Indie shopping” is a conscientious effort to patronize independents, or locally owned businesses, over chain stores when it’s possible to do so. “Buy Local” campaigns draw the support of like-minded citizens and community groups, particularly as businesses and consumers continue their slow crawl from recession. The pro-indie argument usually centers on community benefits, from social interaction to tax revenues. There’s an impact on the wallet as well. The energy costs typically associated with shopping at big shopping complexes or standalone chains must also be accounted for. Advocates say the decision to buy locally should be a lifestyle choice that reflects a commitment to the community. Shopping at locally owned establishments can leverage community funds times three, on average. For example, by supporting a local clothing boutique, a consumer is also supporting a local attorney, tax preparer, and printer. Local businesses tend to source small manufacturing and banking needs closer to home as well. [Read this article]
The Not-At-All-Distant Future Of Green Gamification
Date: 11/02/2011 | Source: GreenBiz.com
Games are like ketchup: widely loved and diversely applied, with an appeal rooted in childhood. In fact, a new report reveals that over 90 percent of U.S. kids aged 2-17 are gaming today. Yet the gaming generation has been on the rise for three decades, leading to not only an army of young gamers, but also an influential adult segment. Gamification refers to the use of game mechanics, such as points, badges, leaderboards and challenges in non-game settings. Traditional examples include airline frequent flyer programs and “Buy 10, Get 1 Free” loyalty offers. Gamification presents an exciting opportunity to advance sustainability initiatives. The synergy between gamification and sustainability is based on the fact that, like gaming, greening is largely a social action that triggers an emotional response. Innovative companies recognize the opportunity to tap into consumer passions and have begun to employ “green gamification” to create shared value for individuals, businesses, communities and the environment. [Read this article]
Green Homes Wanted In Austin Suburbs
Date: 10/31/2011 | Source: KXAN.com
Central Austin is not the only haven for green living. Many clients who are looking for new homes in suburbs like Pflugerville, Round Rock and Buda now want green homes, according to Darin Chaffin, Managing Partner at Chaffin Realty. “I do get a lot of clients calling in and asking about green homes where I wasn’t getting that three years ago,” Chaffin said. Developers like Lennar Homes are building green features in many of their homes. Some of those features include windows and doors that don’t allow as much heat to get in, a radiant barrier under the decking of your roof that keeps your attic cool, more efficient air conditioning systems, energy star appliances and in some cases solar panels. [Read this article]
Solar Power Is Beginning To Go Mainstream
Date: 10/24/2011 | Source: Bloomberg Businessweek
Solar energy may finally get its day in the sun. The high costs that for years made it impractical as a mainstream source of energy are plummeting. Real estate companies are racing to install solar panels on office buildings. Utilities are erecting large solar panel “farms” near big cities and in desolate deserts. And creative financing plans are making solar more realistic than ever for homes. Solar power installations doubled in the United States last year and are expected to double again this year. More solar energy is being planned than any other power source, including nuclear, coal, natural gas and wind. “We are at the beginning of a turning point,” says Andrew Beebe, who runs global sales for Suntech Power, a manufacturer of solar panels. Solar’s share of the power business remains tiny. But its promise is great. The sun splashes more clean energy on the planet in one hour than humans use in a year, and daytime is when power is needed most. And solar panels can be installed near where people use power, reducing or eliminating the costs of moving power through a grid. [Read this article]
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