Daily Archives: March 25, 2008

A Power Grid Smartens Up

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Technology Review. Boulder, CO, should soon boast the world’s smartest– and thus most efficient–power grid, thanks to a $100 million project launched last week by Minneapolis-based utility Xcel Energy.

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Copper May Actually Reduce EDC Toxicity, Study Says

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Water & Wastewater News. Copper and other metals may reduce the toxicity and bioavailability of estrogenic and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in sewage treatment plant effluents. This reduction can lead to less exposure of aquatic species … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Environmental Health, Research | Leave a comment

The energy challenge

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Nature. Global energy consumption is expected to grow by 50% by 2030, squeezing already scarce water resources. Mike Hightower and Suzanne A. Pierce recommend ways to integrate water and energy planning.

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Water: Purification with a pinch of salt

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Nature. Climate change, growing populations and political concerns are prompting governments and investors from California to China to take a fresh look at desalination. Quirin Schiermeier wades in.

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Lexington Insurance Company Announces Upgrade to Green Commercial

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the press release. Lexington Insurance Company, an American International Group company, has announced Upgrade to GreenSM Commercial, insurance that allows commercial property policyholders to rebuild the insured building and replace personal property with products that embrace sustainability principles and … Continue reading →

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Sustainable Facility Management is the Next Wave

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in the McMorrow Report. Now that the design process is recognized as a major tool of sustainable practices in facilities, we should turn our attention to existing facilities. With over five million commercial buildings in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Green Building, Schools, Sustainability | Leave a comment

America's 50 Greenest Cities

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Popular Science. See also the summary from Consulting & Specifying Engineer. Want to see a model for successful and rapid environmental action? Don’t look to the federal government– check out your own town. Here, our … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Initiatives, Sustainability | Leave a comment

Buildings earning Energy Star certification rise 50% in 2007

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Consulting & Specifying Engineer. Last year, more than 1,400 commercial buildings and plants earned the Energy Star certification–a rise of more than 50%. More than 4,100 buildings now have the Energy Star label, with Energy … Continue reading →

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Vocational education could go green

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in the Tahoe Daily Tribune. Lake Tahoe Unified School District’s master plan has a green component with the proposed South Tahoe High School Green Academy project. The academy would focus on teaching students trades in green … Continue reading →

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Green Stakeholders: Pesky Activists or Productive Allies?

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full post at HBR Green. Executives who still think of environmental stakeholders as pesky activists that can easily be ignored are in for a rude awakening. Today, it’s big investors — pension funds, state controllers, institutional investors, and … Continue reading →

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