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An energy audit by public high school students in Washington D.C. determined that energy costs at the U.S. DOEs Forrestal Building could be significantly reduced by making modifications to the already efficient building. The students presentation to DOE personnel suggested upgrading single pane windows, cleaning light fixtures, taking greater advantage of daylight, and installing window coverings and selective light switches. The student audit was part of an innovative program called Savings Through Energy Management (STEM). Students calculated that with their suggested modifications, annual energy costs could be reduced by more than $250,000. Students participated in a 30-hour course that focused on energy use patterns and resources; lighting and electrical use; heating; ventilation and air conditioning; energy audits; and renewable energy sources. Before their work at the DOE building, they audited their own schools and presented results to the Washington D.C. school board. They also visited DOEs National Renewable Energy Lab to see renewable energy in action. STEM is part of DOEs Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energys effort to provide energy information to students and teachers. Julia Thomas, NREL Public Affairs: julia_thomas@nrel.gov http://www.nrel.gov FROM Solar Today
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It’s hard to believe but off-road construction vehicles are not subject to vehicle emission standards. There are 200,000 of them in New England alone. The Massachusetts Highway Department will pay about $11,000 per vehicle to install catalytic converters and particulate filters on 70 contractor-owned backhoes, cranes, and other equipment on the Central Artery-Third Harbor Tunnel project, retrofitting 25 percent of the equipment on the Big Dig. This will eliminate pollution equivalent to that from 1,300 diesel buses. “This is a model for other major construction projects across the country,” says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s John DeVillars. The state’s voluntary action could help it comply with federal air pollution standards which are likely to toughen soon. Source: GreenClips: greenclips@aol.com
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Not to be undone by Toyota, whose Prius is set to enter the American market in 2000, American Honda announced its year 2000 model “VV” hybrid-electric car will be available to Americans in autumn of 1999. The 2-seater car, predicted to get more than 70 mpg, will be unveiled at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Honda hybrid has an extremely efficient 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder, lean-burn VTEC engine that is “assisted” by an electric motor during acceleration. It performs similarly to a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine. The VV meets California’s Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standard, currently the most stringent standard in the world. The car weighs less than 2000 pounds thanks to extensive use of lightweight materials such as aluminum and plastic body panels. Source: EV World
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According to The Natural Wealth of Nations, a new book from Worldwatch Institute, ending $650 billion in obsolete subsidies for environmentally destructive activities and levying taxes on resource depletion and pollutants like greenhouse gases, could provide $1.5 trillion a year for income tax cuts. Under this proposal, a family of four would get a net tax cut of $2000. Author David Malin Roodman argues that incorporating environmental costs into prices would allow us to put the power of the market to work to protect the environment. Worldwatch: worldwatch@worldwatch.org http://www.worldwatch.org 202-452-1999
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Lab discovered that nitroreductase enzymes found in spinach can eat, digest, and transform explosives such as TNT. Called “Environmentally Benign Digestion Process,” this biotechnology reduces dangerous explosives to low toxicity byproducts that, in turn, can be reduced to carbon dioxide and water. The U.S. military plans to use it as a substitute for burning and incinerating, currently the favored method of eliminating 500,000 tons annually of explosives stockpiled around the country. It is more cost effective than existing methods because no special equipment is required. The process is mobile and thus eliminates the high cost of transporting explosives to incinerators. EBDP is also energy efficient because it is done at room temperature. The enzymes are mixed in a solution with other bio-derived chemicals, such as lactic acid and ethanol, which activate the enzymes that neutralize the explosive powder/chemical mix. The enzyme industry is worth $1.3 billion and the market is growing by 10-15 percent each year. Enzymes are now commonly used by the detergent industry for cleaning, the beverage industry for making glucose and the textile industry for stonewashing denim. Manish Shah, PNNL: manish.shah@pnl.gov FROM The Carbohydrate Economy
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If you live in Pennsylvania or have a business there, you can now switch to cleaner electricity. Electric power plants are the single largest source of stationary air pollution in the U.S. and one of the largest contributors to global warming. All you have to due is enroll for the right to choose and then select a supplier. Your wiring won’t change and your service will not be interrupted. The only difference is your monthly payment will go toward environmentally preferable sources of electricity. Providers: The Energy Cooperative Association of Pennsylvania: 215-972-1537 Green Mountain Energy: 800-799-6876 Connectiv: 800-727-3200 Clean Air Council has the latest information on energy suppliers: 215-567-4004 EDF: [sorry this link is no longer available] Green Mountain: [sorry this link is no longer available]
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The closest thing to a Hypercar is about to hit the road – in China. This month, Huatong Motors will begin producing the world’s first commercial-volume vehicle that features both a composite/plastic chassis and hybrid-electric drive. These are the two most important elements of the Hypercar, developed by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). The four-door Paradigm will weigh 1,793 pounds – about half the weight of a Chrysler Cirrus – and get 60 mpg. It is not as light or efficient as an optimized Hypercar, but it’s a promising start. Most of its parts are manufactured in the U.S. and will be assembled in China. Huatong plans to sell 5,000 Paradigms in 1999, ramping up to 30,000 a year by 2002. This “leapfrog” technology, as RMI calls it, has the most potential in a developing country because industry is less invested in using inefficient old technologies. Huatong needs to differentiate itself in the crowded Asian market and the company isn’t wedded to steel (as U.S. companies are). Combining light-weight design and hybrid-electric drive produces a fuel-efficient, durable car the company believes will appeal to the Chinese. Learn more about Hypercars: [sorry this link is no longer available] FROM Rocky Mountain Institute […]
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The Environmental Finance Center – sponsored by EPA Region 9 and based at California State University/Hayward – was set up to inform environmental entrepreneurs, investors, financial managers, and small business owners who are interested in areas such as pollution prevention. Its latest project is a publication, “Financing Environmental Technology: A Funding Directory for the Environmental Entrepreneur.” Contents include private sources such as venture capital firms, socially responsible banks, and how to find “Angels,” and federal/state programs in California, Nevada, Hawaii and Arizona. Contact: Sarah Diefendorf, Executive Director: 510-749-6867
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The world’s first green post office opened in November in Ft. Worth, Texas, made entirely with recycled-content materials and energy efficient systems. With more than 35,000 facilities nationwide, and about 700 new facilities constructed each year, USPS is implementing alternatives to wasteful building practices. Some of the environmental features of the new building are: * Recycled cellulose and yard scraps used in landscaping mulch * Fly ash in concrete * Recycled plastic in toilet partitions and wall bumpers * Recycled tires in dock bumpers * Recycled cellulose in ceiling tiles and panels * Certified wood throughout * Strawbale exterior walls * Recycled trellis structure shades the south-facing windows during the summer * Recycled steel reinforcements The facility took two years to construct and saved the agency $36,000 over a similar size conventional structure.
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The Why of Life Foundation is seeking financial contributions to support the writing of “The Ecolonomics Bill”, U.S. legislation that will allocate part of the approved 1999 federal budget for sustainable community projects and Y2K preparedness strategies. Projects include the use of environmental technologies to upgrade systems for drinking water, energy, food production, waste management, housing and public health services. Strategies include education, leadership training, economic development, environmental stewardship and other grass roots efforts to build strong community participation and cooperation. Contributions should be made out to: The Why of Life Foundation P.O. Box 1627 Cripple Creek, CO 80813 Please write “The Ecolonomics Bill” on your check and envelope. For more information on The Ecolonomics Bill: Beverly Criswell: korbev@intplsrv.net 580-477-3902
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