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Nearly One in Ten 2004 Homes Qualified for Energy Star

Nearly 10 percent of all homes built in 2004 qualified for Energy Star, according to an EPA report. Since 1995 more than 350,000 of the nation’s new homes have met Energy Star ratings, saving homeowners an estimated $200 million and eliminating approximately 4 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the emissions of about 150,000 vehicles. Home energy use accounts for nearly 17 percent of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and 15 percent of energy consumption nationwide. For the past 10 years, EPA has been working with the housing industry, utilities, states, and independent energy efficiency home ratings professionals to bring increased energy efficiency to the homebuilding industry. Today more than 2,500 builders are committed to building Energy Star qualified homes, and in some markets 20 to 40 percent of new housing starts earn the Energy Star. New homes that qualify for the Energy Star designation use about 30 percent less energy than a home built to the model energy code without compromising comfort or quality. Energy Star qualified homes can be found in every state and the District of Columbia. States with the most Energy Star qualified homes include Texas, with more than 91,000 qualifying homes, California […]

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Nuclear Delusion – The Case for a New Atomic Dawn to Meet the Carbon Challenge

by Tom Burke, March 2, 2005 The nuclear industry has grasped at climate change like a drowning man clutching a passing log. Its latest piece of flailing around involved persuading some journalists that the prime minister is just waiting for the general election to be over to put out a white paper setting out the case for 10 new nuclear reactors. This was as much news to No 10 as it was to the public. But no doubt it accurately reflects the aspirations of the diminishing band of nuclear advocates. In reality, as energy minister Michael O’Brien has pointed out on several recent occasions, the government would happily consider an application for one or 10 or any number of nuclear power stations right now from anyone who wants to build them. Unfortunately, no one is offering. The brutal truth is that no one has yet managed to work out a way of getting nuclear reactors to burn uranium as effectively as they burn money – though extraordinary creativity has gone into concealing this from public view. Nor has anyone yet discovered how to make atoms work for peace without making them available for war. For all their enthusiasm, not one […]

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Nokia Drops Immediate Plans to Develop Fuel Cells

LONDON – Nokia Corp. has dropped plans to develop mobile phones with fuel cells for at least the next few years, a spokesman for the Finnish company said Thursday. The world’s largest cell-phone maker, which only eight months ago signaled its commitment to fuel cells, said the technology isn’t yet mature. However, Nokia’s Matti Naskali left the door open for future use of the technology. “Fuel-cell technology is promising and Nokia continues to follow it closely,” he said. In a cell phone, a fuel cell would remove the need for a rechargeable battery, instead allowing a user to recharge it the same way a cigarette lighter is refilled when it runs out of butane. A fuel cell would also allow longer talk and standby times and increased stamina for power-hungry applications such as television. In June 2004, Tero Ojanpera, head of Nokia’s research center, showed off a headset that was powered by a small amount of methanol. The fuel cell combined the methanol with air to produce power. At that time, Ojanpera said the technology was “reasonably mature,” and predicted that it would take less than two years to commercialize it. But Naskali said several issues with the technology had […]

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WilderHill Clean Energy Index ETF Begins Trading

On March 3, the first Clean Energy ETF started trading under the name “PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy Portfolio” (Amex: PBW). This new exchange traded fund (ETF) managed by PowerShares Capital Management LLC, replicates the WilderHill Clean Energy Index, the first index comprised of companies focused on clean energy technologies. The WilderHill Clean Energy Index was developed by Dr. Robert Wilder as a benchmark for the clean and renewable energy sector. According to industry research, the total clean energy market for wind, solar and fuel cells will grow to $92 billion in 2013, roughly seven times its present size. Lower costs from advances in technology are helping fuel the growth in alternative energy investment. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the cost of wind and solar technology has declined by 80% over the past two decades. As the prices of crude oil and other petroleum products remain near historic highs, investment in the development and use of alternative sources of energy becomes more attractive and cost effective. Thirteen states now require utilities to obtain a portion of their electricity from renewable sources. Nonpolluting alternative energy sources including wind, solar, hydroelectric, bio-fuel, geothermal, hybrid automotive and fuel cells have become multi-billion […]

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Timberland Announces Two-for-One Stock Split

The Timberland Company (NYSE: TBL) today announced that its Board of Directors approved a 2-for-1 split of its Class A and Class B Common Stock. The additional shares will be distributed on May 2, 2005, to shareholders of record on April 14, 2005. In addition, the Board of Directors approved the retirement of 10.0 million Class A Treasury shares. The Company had approximately 28.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock and 5.9 million shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding as of February 28, 2005. The Board also approved a 100% increase in shares remaining under its previously announced repurchase program as of the April 14, 2005 record date to reflect the impact of the stock split. The increase will be effective immediately after the May 2, 2005 distribution date. As of February 28, 2005, the Company had approximately 2.0 million shares remaining, pre-split, under its current share repurchase authorization. Timberland is a global leader in the design, engineering and marketing of premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories.

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WorldWater & Power Corp. Signs $1.8 Million Contract

WorldWater & Power Corporation (OTC BB:WWAT.OB), a manufacturer of solar water pumping systems, has signed a $1.8 million contract to supply solar-generated electricity for a tree farm in California. Worldwater’s proprietary solar AquaMax(TM) will drive a 200 hp water pump, saving an estimated 70% of the Cocopah tree farm’s electrical bills, according to Quentin T. Kelly, WorldWater’s Chairman and CEO. The company recently completed another AquaMax(TM) system driving a 200 hp pump for Seley Ranches, a citrus farm in California. It also supplied all the solar equipment for a one megawatt solar installation at Cerro Coso College in Ridgecrest, CA, which the college estimates will supply 60% of its electricity and save the college over $300,000 a year. WorldWater also recently signed a contract with the Idyllwild (CA) Water District to operate seven of the utility’s pumps by use of the AquaMax(TM) system. Engineering work has begun on that Project. Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

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