What's Happening with Electronics Waste?
The average person thinks nothing of buying the latest i-phone, Blackberry or other gadget, which is one reason why e-waste is growing about five times faster than conventional solid waste.
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Recycling Stocks: Turning Waste Into Profits
Shares of recycling companies' stocks rose over 200% in the last five years, showing that what's good for the environment is also good for your portfolio.
How About CO2 Emissions Labels for New Cars and Light Trucks?
As of September 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) newly designed window sticker has appeared on new cars, light trucks and SUVs. It includes the estimated annual cost of fueling the vehicle, the expected city and highway driving range, and how the fuel economy of a particular vehicle compares to others within its class, and a website link where consumers can go to for more information.While most changes are mostly cosmetic, adding the combined fuel economy and displaying the estimated annual fuel cost more prominently, the numbers used in the sticker have changed significantly. After years of criticism for inaccurate estimates of fuel economy, the EPA is using new methods which account for today’s faster highway speeds, people’s tendency to accelerate faster, and the effects of using air conditioning or operating the vehicle in cold weather. But there’s a very significant indicator that’s still missing from the label: a vehicle’s annual global warming emissions. Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about climate change but still don’t connect it with their purchasing decisions and everyday behaviors. Including this information on the label would clearly inform potential vehicle buyers about their contribution to climate change. For every gallon of gas burned, a […]
Weekly Clean Energy Roundup:September 19, 2007
News and EventsNational Governors Association Launches Clean Energy Initiative DOE to Assist China in Industrial Energy Saving Assessments DOE to Provide up to $2 Million for Tribal Renewable Energy Projects Frankfurt Auto Show Features Hybrids, Fuel Cells, and Minis California Partnership to Examine Transmission for Renewable Energy California Credits Conservation for Weathering Heat Wave Energy ConnectionsReport Documents Massive Flaring of Natural Gas Worldwide News and EventsNational Governors Association Launches Clean Energy InitiativeThe National Governors Association (NGA) committed last week to promoting clean energy policies across the country. The NGA’s new “Securing a Clean Energy Future” initiative will enlist the efforts of all governors to enact meaningful clean energy policies at the state level. Specifically, the initiative will promote state policies that encourage energy efficiency and conservation; promote non-petroleum fuels; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and accelerate the research and development of advanced clean energy technologies.The initiative’s efforts will be guided by a task force composed of eight governors that represent a cross-section of the country and that share a common desire to advance clean energy. The task force is chaired by the governors of Kansas and Minnesota and also includes the governors of Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Washington. See […]
Weekly Clean Energy Roundup:September 5, 2007
News and EventsIllinois Requires 25 Percent Renewable Power by 2025 Kentucky Sets Incentives for Biofuels and Renewable Energy Federal Renewable Fuels Standard Takes Effect EPA Recognizes 48 Companies for Promoting Renewable Fuels in Trucks Tax Credit for Honda Hybrids to be Halved on January 1st Energy ConnectionsKyoto Parties Agree Loosely on Long-Term Emissions Goals News and EventsIllinois Requires 25 Percent Renewable Power by 2025Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed a law last week that requires the state’s electric utilities to draw on renewable energy for 25% of their electricity needs by 2025. The renewable energy requirement starts at 2% of the power supply on June 1st, 2008, and ratchets up to 10% of the power supply on June 1st, 2015, then increases by 1.5% per year until 2025. The law requires 75% of the renewable power to come from wind energy. Other than wind power, the law also allows solar energy, biomass energy, hydropower that does not involve new construction or significant expansion of dams, and “other alternative sources of environmentally preferable energy.”The renewable energy requirement applies to electric utilities that serve at least 100,000 customers within the state. It allows those utilities to meet the requirements with renewable energy credits […]
Weekly Clean Energy Roundup:August 29, 2007
News and EventsDOE Offers up to $33.8 Million to Support Cellulosic Biofuels USDA Guarantees $97 Million in Loans for Biomass Projects Six Western States and Two Provinces Set Greenhouse Gas Goals North Carolina Sets a Requirement for 12.5% Renewable Power by 2021 GM Unveils an Advanced Combustion Engine that Reduces Fuel Use Trade Commission Launches New EnergyGuide Label for Appliances Energy ConnectionsEIA: Renewable Energy Consumption Increased 7 Percent in 2006 News and EventsDOE Offers up to $33.8 Million to Support Cellulosic BiofuelsDOE is offering up to $33.8 million to support the development of enzymes for converting cellulosic biomass into biofuels. Cellulosic biomass includes a variety of non-food plant materials, such as agricultural wastes, sawdust, paper pulp, and switchgrass. Enzymes can be used in biorefineries to more efficiently break down cellulosic biomass into simple sugars, which can then be fermented into biofuels such as ethanol. Enzymes developed with the help of the new DOE funding must prove durable and effective in the conditions at which biorefineries would operate.DOE issued its Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on August 17th, and the enzyme development projects are expected to begin in fiscal year 2008 and continue through fiscal year 2011. Industrial partners must provide half […]
What Kind of Financing Does Your Company Need?
Words to the wise for business seeking financing - common mistakes to avoid when you're raising funds.
New Rules of the Game
With Europe's REACH law coming into force, the burden of proof is shifting from regulators to manufacturers when it comes to chemicals.
Misconceptions About Green Construction Costs
Key players in real estate and construction commonly misjudge the costs and benefits of green buildings, creating a major barrier to more energy efficiency in the building sector, according to a study released by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Respondents to a 1400 person global survey estimated that building green costs 17% more than conventional construction – more than triple the true cost difference of about 5%. They also estimated that buildings emit 19% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, while the actual number is double at 40%. The study also found that fewer than one in seven industry respondents have participated directly in a green building project. Involvement ranges from a high of 45% in Germany to just 5% in India. About 20% of architects, engineers and developers have been involved in green building projects, compared to just 9% of owners and tenants.“The global construction boom in the developing world has created a tremendous opportunity to build differently and dramatically decrease otherwise energy demands,” says United Technologies Corp. Chairman and CEO George David. “Existing technologies combined with common sense design can increase energy efficiency by 35% and reduce heating costs by 80% for the average building […]
Weekly Clean Energy Roundup:August 9, 2007
DOE to Award up to $21.5 Million for Vehicle Efficiency Research Toyota to Road-Test Plug-In Hybrids in Japan and the United States Hybrid Sales on Record Course Despite Waning Interest New Fuel-Efficient Jet Prototype Features Blended-Wing Design DOE Announces New Criteria for Energy Star Refrigerators IBM Says Mainframes Yield Big Energy Savings in Data Centers DOE to Award up to $21.5 Million for Vehicle Efficiency ResearchDOE announced on Tuesday that it will award up to $21.5 million to 11 cost-shared research and development projects with a goal of improving the fuel efficiency of light-duty vehicle engines. Light-duty vehicles include cars, vans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. When combined with the industry cost-share, the investment will total nearly $43 million, with funding expected to begin this fiscal year and continue through fiscal year 2010. The 11 projects will focus on optimizing fuel economy in ethanol-powered engines; developing advanced lubrication systems; and exploring high-efficiency, clean-combustion diesel engines.Seven of the projects will aim to improve the fuel economy in light-duty vehicles that operate on E-85 (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) and in flex-fuel vehicles, which burn either E85 or gasoline. Five companies in Michigan and one each in Virginia […]
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