Date: 08/18/2010 | Source: USA Today
Source: Jay DeChesere
One of the nation’s greenest home rehabs — in Wilmington, N.C. — has perhaps a surprising origin: the housing market’s collapse. When Jay DeChesere’s parents recently moved into an independent living facility, he tried but couldn’t sell their home. So he and wife Heather bought it and set out to showcase eco-friendly renovation. He didn’t just change light bulbs or faucets. He took the house down to the studs, creating an ultra-efficient home that has earned one of the highest points (113.5) ever for a gut rehab from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. Click here to read all about this extreme green home remodel!
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Date: 08/18/2010 | Source: Planet Green
Source: Inhabitat.com
Before hitting the malls or online shops in search of green back to school gear, plan out your day (and your year) at school, and ask yourself some questions. Are you really going to ride your bike enough to warrant buying a new set of wheels? Are you going to be diligent enough about bringing your lunch each day (or most days) to require a new lunchbox or other reusable vessel? Do you really need a new ruler (the measurements haven’t changed over the summer, you know) or a package of 68 pens? Make a list of what you absolutely know you need, what you think you might need, and what you want, and carefully consider which items go in which section of the list. Once your list is made, it’s time to…Click here to find out!
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Date: 08/18/2010 | Source: Sunpluggers.com
Source: Solar Home & Business Journal
Just as the first wave of large-scale solar power plants proposed in the U.S. Southwest is about to arrive at a decision point, a new science report could throw cold water on some of the plans.A draft report of recommendations from the Independent Science Advisors for the California Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan urges that new renewable energy developments – whether solar, wind or geothermal – be located whenever possible on already disturbed land. ”Every effort should be made to avoid and minimize any new disturbance of soil surfaces in the siting, design, construction and maintenance of any and all project features,” says the draft report by the group of a dozen specialists in desert ecology, plants, animals and water resources. Click here to read more about this report and its impact on the solar industry.
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Date: 08/11/2010 | Source: The New York Times
Source: J. Emilio Flores/New York Times
Thousands of acres of farmland here in the San Joaquin Valley have been removed from agricultural production, largely because the once fertile land is contaminated by salt buildup from years of irrigation. But large swaths of those dry fields could have a valuable new use in their future — making electricity. Farmers and officials at Westlands Water District, a public agency that supplies water to farms in the valley, have agreed to provide land for what would be one of the world’s largest solar energy complexes, to be built on 30,000 acres. At peak output, the proposed Westlands Solar Park would generate as much electricity as several big nuclear power plants. Click here to read more about this exciting new land recycling-solar project!
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Date: 08/10/2010 | Source: EPA
Are your ceiling fans set properly in your home? From season to season, ceiling fans need a bit of attention to ensure that the blades are rotating in the correct direction. The minimal amount of time it takes to make these adjustments can save you money on your energy costs. Ceiling fans provide great air circulation and you can optimize these benefits by ensuring the rotation of the blades is correct for circulating warm air or a cooling breeze. Click here to learn more about this cost-saving tip!
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Date: 08/10/2010 | Source: USA Today
Source: Don Ryan, AP
Could you do it? Could you really live comfortably without relying on the local utility company? More Americans, seeing potential in renewable power sources, are giving it a try. About 750,000 U.S. households are now living off the grid and the number is increasing about 10% each year, estimates Nick Rosen, author of Off the Grid: Inside the Movement for More Space, Less Government, and True Independence in Modern America. His website has a map showing where these people live. “Going off the grid is like insuring yourself against a time the lights may go out,” Rosen says. “If we are going to move toward an age of energy independence, these are the foot soldiers, the people who show us what we have to do.” Click here to read more about these energy adventurers!
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