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House of Pollution Solutions

Do you need a demonstration eco-house? The Lane Area Pollution Prevention Coalition has constructed a “House of Pollution Solutions.” Its facades showcase household appliances, an eco-lawn, recycled plastic decking, energy efficient lighting, a bicycle for transportation, and a gas stove. Signs are placed around the house with tips describing the environmentally friendly choices people can make, such as using water-based paint. The house is designed to be reused at events like home shows and local festivals. Contact Kim Kagelaris: kkagelaris@ci.springfield.or.us

Renewable Energy Can Displace Nuclear in Japan

After the recent nuclear accident in Japan, the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Geothermal Energy Association compiled data on the potential of wind and geothermanl energy in Japan. They concluded that offshore wind turbines could generate up to 40 percent of Japan’s electricity needs. The Japan Wind Energy Association projects the wind market there will grow from 150 megawatts in 2000 to 30,000 megawatts in 2030. Geothermal energy could supply more than three percent of Japan’s 1996 electricity use, enough to replace six nuclear plants.

Architectural Record Launches Green Architect Section

It’s not been updated since August, but maybe it will be soon. The Green Architect is a new section devoted to sustainable design on the magazine’s website. At the moment, there is a list of green product manufacturer’s, a compendium of green building projects contributed by the American Institute of Architects, and an excellent introductory article, “What It Means to Be Green” by Nadav Malin of Environmental Building News.

Renewable Energy Portfolio Requirements Work

The largest windfarm in the eastern U.S. will be built as a result of 1997 legislation that requires eastern Wisconsin utilities to source 50 megawatts of power from renewable sources. FPL Energy Wisconsin Wind, a subsidiary of Florida-based FPL Energy, will install 33 turbines by the end of 2000 north of Milwaukee. FPL is the largest U.S. wind generator, with 4300 megawatts of capacity in the U.S. and South America. In other news, one of the world’s largest windfarms has commenced operations in Iowa. The 260 turbine Storm Lake Wind Power Project will generate 193 megawatts of energy, enough to power 72,000 homes. Enron Wind developed the site where wind towers soar 208 feet above the ground with 79 foot blades as wide as the wingspan of a jumbo jet. The project displaces 300,000 tons of coal.

New Green Building Listserv

The green building listserv sponsored by Environmental Building News and CREST has been going strong since 1996 with about 500 subscribers. Now a new group has formed to focus explicitly on environmental issues affecting large buildings. Instructions for joining both lists: http://www.ebuild.com

Grace Cathedral Switches to Green Power

The third largest U.S. church joined 16 northern California Episcopal churches as part of the ‘Episcopal Power & Light’ initiative to purchase renewable energy and practice energy efficiency. They are GreenMountain.com customers, buying its 100 percent renewable product which comes from geothermal, biomass, small-scale hydro, and landfill gas.

U.S. Presidential Candidates' Views Vary Widely on Climate Change

The results of a preliminary survey conducted by the Sustainable Energy Coalition show the range of views held by the presidential candidates on climate change and the proposed Kyoto Protocol. Democrats Bill Bradley and Al Gore support Senate ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and emphatically concur that climate change is a matter of major concern. Gore stresses “there is overwhelming scientific consensus that human activity is contributing to global warming … while Bradley notes it is a “serious problem” that “we need to confront … without further delay.” Both candidates endorse corporate incentives for voluntary action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. No Republican is in favor of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. Bush calls it “ineffective, inadequate, and … a bad deal for America and Americans.” He “believe[s] there is global warming,” but “both the causes and impact of this slight warming are uncertain.” What does he think should be done about it? Bush says, “America must work with businesses … to develop new technologies to reduce harmful emissions.” John McCain acknowledges that “a growing number of scientists believe that global climate change is a real phenomenon” but sees the issue as a “scientific question, not a political question.” He wants […]

Resources for Promoting Global Business Principles & Best Practices

The Office of Policy and Reinvention of the U.S. EPA offers an international directory of organizations and contacts related to sustainable business. It is available in PDF format and is updated monthly. It covers national initiatives, policy & business organizations, NGOs related to labor and human rights and the environment, monitoring organizations and programs, financial organizations, foundations, media, and academia. Michael J. Kane: kane.michael@epa.gov [sorry this link is no longer available]

Move Over L.A., George Bush is Here

For the first time since the 1940s, when the air quality in Los Angeles became a public concern, the city issued no Stage 1 smog alerts this summer (the most dangerous level of smog). Instead, Houston won the honor of being the most smoggy U.S. city, with 44 Stage 1 alert days. The Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) Texas chapter blames it on Texas Governor George Bush’s cozy relationship with polluters. The group claims Bush allowed industry to “write loopholes to allow their smokestacks to avoid regulation.” PEER’s website reveals internal memos that document how Texas air quality laws were weakened for the benefit of key industry players. Watch this website for ongoing stories related to Bush’s environmental record. Texas Peer: http://www.txpeer.org Source: Environment News Service: [sorry this link is no longer available]

300 Stores In India Will Sell Renewable Energy

Shri Shakti Alternative Energy Technologies (SSAET) received US$2.2 million in seed money to open 300 energy retail stores across India. They will sell solar thermal and PV systems, solar cookers and water pumps, instant gas water heaters, and energy efficient products and appliances. SSAET is a subsidiary of Indias largest private distributor of liquefied petroleum gas. The company sells solar lanterns, power packs and home lighting systems, and offers customer financing and service. Two stores are already operating. One in Kakinada was financed by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency and another in Hyderabad was financed directly by Shri Shakti. The seed money is a combination of loan, equity and grant, and comes from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), as part of the $25 million Photovoltaic Market Transformation Initiative. The Initiative was created in 1998 to spur solar energy markets in India, Kenya and Morocco. This marks the first investment; others are in the works for all three countries. Source: Environment News Service: [sorry this link is no longer available]

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