Green brides, Better Paper at Barnes & Noble, and Fair Trade chocolate
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Dear Daniel A Stafford,
We've got lots of exciting news from all sectors of the green economy.
But first ... if you haven't already, please vote for our Clean Energy Victory Bond proposal in the final phase of the competition for a big $200,000 grant. Please vote right now – the competition ends on April 7.
From our Climate Action Program comes the good news of a big victory against mountaintop removal coal mining. Green America's climate action plan calls for a moratorium on coal, and for years our Green America members have taken action with us to stop mountaintop removal – the most destructive form of coal mining. The Bush administration had relaxed restrictions mountaintop removal, but just last week a federal judge voided the Bush-era process. This is a huge victory for clean water, clean air, Appalachian communities, and our environment.
From our Better Paper Project, we are proud to announce our Earth Day partnership with Barnes and Noble. Titles from our honor roll of magazines using environmentally preferable paper will receive preferable placement in Barnes & Noble stores throughout the month of April. We're also proud to announce two magazines that are upgrading their use of recycled paper after consultation with our Better Paper project – Tricycle and The American Prospect.
From our Fair Trade Program comes news of a major chocolate company – Cadbury – beginning to offer Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate. This is good news for cocoa farmers, as more companies learn what the members of our Green Business Network™ already know – that it's possible to run a successful company while providing a living wage to workers across the supply chain. So far, Cadbury's Fair Trade chocolate is only available in Europe. Cadbury needs to hear from Green Americans that there's demand for Fair Trade chocolate here too.
Finally, from our Green Business Network™ comes this month's green business interview with the Green Bride Guide. Says green entrepreneur Kate Harrison: "I think this is the best time in thirty years to start a green business. Consumers are looking for alternatives, and the new administration is behind us." We agree! The is the time for the green economy to take the lead.
Thanks for all you do,
Alisa Gravitz, Executive Director, Green America
P.S. Please help us earn a big $200,000 grant for our Climate Action work. If you haven't already voted for our Clean Energy Victory Bonds proposal at JustMeans.com, please take a moment to do so before voting closes on April 7.
Action: Tell Cadbury to offer Fair Trade in the US
Because of Cadbury's market share, the announcement of its entry into the Fair Trade marketplace in England will likely boost Fair Trade to the point of representing 15 percent of all chocolate sold in that country.
This is huge for Fair Trade, and yet none of Cadbury's products in the US are currently Fair Trade Certified™. Especially with spring celebrations coming soon, when millions of Americans will be purchasing Cadbury's popular crème eggs and other chocolate products, Cadbury needs to hear two messages from Green Americans: 1) Thanks for offering Fair Trade in England, and 2) Please offer it in the US as well.
Please take a moment to sign our letter to Cadbury, and when you're looking for Fair Trade chocolate this spring, use our online Fair Trade directory <link>. Companies like Sweet Earth Organic Chocolate and Divine Chocolate are 100-percent Fair Trade, and also offer products like chocolate eggs and bunnies for your seasonal celebrations.
News: Our Better Paper Project Partners with Barnes & Noble
When you visit one of Barnes & Noble's top 240 stores during the month of April, you'll see their partnership with our Better Paper Project on display, with recycled-paper magazines singled out for special recognition. This month, the titles recognized by our Better Paper promotion include: Ode, Mother Jones, Make, Herb Companion, Organic Spa, Mother Earth News, Natural Home & Garden, and Nick.
What's more, the Buddhist bi-monthly magazine Tricycle, and the progressive politics monthly The American Prospect will soon be switching to "better paper" after consultation with our Better Paper Project.
"We always look forward to the Better Paper bookstore promotion, as it bumps our newsstand sales dramatically," says Robyn Griggs Lawrence, the Editor-in-Chief of Natural Home magazine, a recycled paper leader. "The promotion gives us visibility and lends credence to our green message. It's a great vehicle for letting readers know that Natural Home is walking its talk."
Resources: Our April Interview with the Green Bride Guide
One of our newest Green Business Network™ members, the Green Bride Guide offers one-stop advice for green weddings.
"Weddings in this country are a $70 billion dollar industry, and a lot of that money is spent on one-time-use disposable items," says Kate Harrison of the Green Bride Guide. "The goal of my business is to show couples and their guests that there are hundreds of ways to decrease the impact of an event and save money at the same time – without sacrificing style. In fact, I have found that across the board, couples can save up to 40 percent off the cost of their weddings by going green!"
Find out more from Kate, when you read our April interview, and don't forget that you can always ask your own questions at the end of our monthly interviews. For example, readers of last month's interview with Mr. Ellie Pooh wanted to know more about the process "from pooh to paper," and we give you the "scoop" in our update this month…
Read our interview with the Green Bride Guide »
Read our update with Mr. Ellie Pooh »
LAST DAY TO VOTE!
Please help us win a $200K grant for our Clean Energy Victory Bonds proposal. Voting ends April 7.
Vote now »
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Green Cities Florida Sustainable Solutions for Business and Government
May 19-21, 2009 »
On April 16 at 3pm, join our Green Business Network™ for our first, free, "No Green Business Left Behind" Webinar. This series is designed to help green businesses improve their marketing and financial planning, and learn access points to stimulus dollars. The first session is "Success Factors for Business Survival in the New Economy." With the economy down, but green consumer awareness up, this is a critical opening to usher in a new, green economy.
Send an e-mail now to abelanger@
greenamericatoday.org
to add your name to the invitation list.
All supporting members
receive subscriptions to Real Green and the Green American, as well as a copy of the National Green Pages™ and our Guide to Socially Responsible Investing. Don't miss out on these resources for green living, and for shifting our economy "from greed to green."
Join today.
A personal quest to promote the use of wind energy and hydrogen technology in the Great Lakes area of the United States. The Great Lakes area is in a unique position to become an energy exporting region through these and other renewable energy technologies. *Update 2014: Just do it everywhere - Dan*
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The time is now for the green economy
Friday, April 10, 2009
Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
From: Google Alerts
Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 6:16 AM
Subject: Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
Google News Alert for: hydrogen, wind, power
Invention harnesses hydrogen energy | ||
Students Design Award-Winning Green Building with Hydrogen | ||
| Clean Tech Stocks That Make Sense | ||
| PennyPerformers.com: "Penny Stocks that Perform" picks are: APWR ... | ||
| The Big Question: Are electric cars the answer to Britain's ... |
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
From: Google Alerts
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 6:11 AM
Subject: Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
Google News Alert for: hydrogen, wind, power
[Green Growth:Korea's New Strategy (24)]Korea seeks to harness ... | ||
| Interior secretary: Wind could replace coal power | ||
| Air Products' Hydrogen Fueling Technology to Power Nestle Waters ... | ||
| University Board of Regents committee recommends research center |
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
From: Google Alerts
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 6:13 AM
Subject: Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
Google News Alert for: hydrogen, wind, power
| Oil Companies Loath to Follow Obama’s Green Lead | ||
Earth Week activities scheduled for April 20-22 | ||
| The New GM Segway: PUMA | ||
| US Rep. Hoekstra: Political correctness won't power America | ||
| In Our View: The promise of renewables |
Monday, April 06, 2009
Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
From: Google Alerts
Sent: Saturday, April 04, 2009 6:16 AM
Subject: Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
Google News Alert for: hydrogen, wind, power
| New Funding For Renewable Energy | ||
How microbes can power America’s future | ||
| Retired President of Shell Addresses US Oil Dependence | ||
| Siemens’ crisis response: A new ’green’ factory |
Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
From: Google Alerts
Sent: Sunday, April 05, 2009 6:14 AM
Subject: Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
Google News Alert for: hydrogen, wind, power
| The energy crisis is an artificial one, created by bad policies. |
Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
From: Google Alerts
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 6:14 AM
Subject: Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
Google News Alert for: hydrogen, wind, power
| Bacteria eat CO2 to store energy |
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Truthout: Google Shows Alternative Energy Firms the Way
Google Shows Alternative Energy Firms the Way http://www.truthout.org/040209EA David R. Baker, The San Francisco Chronicle: "Picking the right place for an immense solar power plant or wind farm is a tricky business, one that can turn natural allies into enemies. An open stretch of desert might look empty to a renewable-power developer who wants to blanket a few hundred acres with solar panels or mirrors. To environmentalists, the same spot could be vital habitat for an endangered lizard or bird - an ecosystem too delicate to touch. Now, a collaboration between Google and two leading environmental groups intends to head off those fights."
UW-Madison News Release--Survey: Americans Interested in Biofuels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/1/09 CONTACT: Bret Shaw, brshaw@wisc.edu; Hernando Rojas, hrojas@wisc.edu SURVEY SHOWS HIGH INTEREST IN BIOFUELS MADISON - Most Americans want to know more about biofuels, according to a new survey fielded by researchers in the Department of Life Sciences Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The national survey showed that 67 percent of respondents were interested in learning more about renewable biofuels. "These findings indicate people are really interested in this issue," says Hernando Rojas, co-investigator for the study and assistant professor of life sciences communication at UW-Madison. "Biofuels have received substantial media coverage over the past year, and the public is paying attention." On the positive side, a majority of respondents perceive some clear benefits of biofuels, with 66 percent agreeing that using them can help the United States reduce reliance on foreign oil. Another 53 percent believed biofuels can have a positive impact on climate change trends by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Respondents had mixed opinions about the advantages and disadvantages of corn-based ethanol (an alcohol biofuel derived from the fermentation of corn), which has become a significant source of energy in the United States. More than 10 billion gallons of ethanol are expected to be included in the nation's fuel supply this year. Respondents indicated some concerns about ethanol, with 44 percent believing that the production of corn-based ethanol will create pressure on the food supply, and 43 percent indicating ethanol will create pressure on local water supplies. Additionally, only 28 percent agreed that biofuels are a permanent solution to the energy problems in our country. Despite high general interest in learning about biofuels, only 24 percent said they were interested in using corn-based ethanol for their transportation needs, while 52 percent disagree, and 24 percent are neutral. "Our historical data suggests public interest in ethanol may fall when prices drop at the gas pump, but interest will likely rise when oil prices go up again," says Bret Shaw, co-investigator of the study and assistant professor of life sciences communication at UW-Madison. There were also gender differences regarding attitudes to biofuels in general and corn-based ethanol in particular. Women were significantly more likely than men to think biofuels are a permanent solution to energy and environmental problems, are more willing to use corn-based ethanol for their transportation needs, and perceive that corn-based ethanol exerts less pressure on food and water supplies. "Public perceptions about the positives of biofuels outweigh the negatives, but the corn-based ethanol industry needs to continue to make their case for why ethanol should be a part of the solution to address the long-term energy needs of the United States," says Shaw. The survey questions are part of the Cooperative Campaign Analysis Project, a joint venture that brought together more than 60 researchers from 25 academic institutions, to conduct a six-wave panel study of 18,250 respondents throughout the United States. Surveys were conducted online. Data was collected by Polimetrix. Results reported here are based on a subsample of 1,191 that represents the general population with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percent (95 percent confidence interval), and correspond to observations collected between Nov. 5 and Dec. 1. ### **************************************************** For questions or comments about UW-Madison's email news release system, please send an email to: releases@news.wisc.edu For more UW-Madison news, please visit: http://www.news.wisc.edu/ University Communications University of Wisconsin-Madison 27 Bascom Hall 500 Lincoln Drive Madison, WI 53706 Phone: (608) 262-3571 Fax: (608) 262-2331
UW-Madison News Release--New Waves in Thermoelectricity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/1/09 CONTACT: Max Lagally, 608-263-2078, lagally@engr.wisc.edu SILICON SUPERLATTICES: NEW WAVES IN THERMOELECTRICITY MADISON - A University of Wisconsin-Madison research team has developed a new method for using nanoscale silicon that could improve devices that convert thermal energy into electrical energy. The team, led by Max Lagally, Erwin W. Mueller Professor and Bascom Professor of Surface Science, published its findings in the March 24 issue of the journal ACS Nano. Thermoelectric devices can use electricity to cool or, conversely, convert heat to electricity. To improve efficiency in tiny thermoelectric devices, researchers build superlattices of alternating thin layers of two different semiconductor materials, called heterojunctions. Charges in multilayer heterojunction wires travel through a periodic electric field that influences their motion; however, it is difficult to create modulation large enough to be effective with traditional heterojunctions, Lagally says. The UW-Madison team addressed the problem by creating a superlattice from a single material: a sheet of silicon nanometers thick, called a nanomembranes, and cutting it into ribbons nanometers wide. The researchers can induce localized strain in the silicon, creating an effective strain wave that causes charges the electric field in the ribbon to vary periodically. "Essentially we're making the equivalent of a heterojunction superlattice with one material," says Lagally, whose home department is materials science and engineering. "We're actually doing better with these strained regions than you can do easily with multiple-chemical-component systems." The strained-silicon superlattices display greater electric field modulation than their heterojunction counterparts, so they may improve silicon thermoelectric near or above room temperature. In addition, they are relatively easy to manufacture. Lagally and his group theorize that their method could apply to any type of semiconductor nanomembrane. "It's cool in several ways: It's a single material, the modulation in the electric field is bigger than what others can make easily, and it's very straightforward," says Lagally. Co-authors of the paper include Lagally; UW-Madison postdoctoral associate Hing-Huang Huang; graduate students Clark Ritz and Bozidar Novakovic; assistant scientists Frank Flack; associate scientist Don Savage; materials science and engineering associate professor Paul Evans; and electrical and computer engineering assistant professor Irena Knezevic; along with Decai Yu, Yu Zhang and Professor Feng Liu of the University of Utah. The U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research supported this work. ### - -Liz Ahlberg, 608-265-8592, eahlberg@wisc.edu **************************************************** For questions or comments about UW-Madison's email news release system, please send an email to: releases@news.wisc.edu For more UW-Madison news, please visit: http://www.news.wisc.edu/ University Communications University of Wisconsin-Madison 27 Bascom Hall 500 Lincoln Drive Madison, WI 53706 Phone: (608) 262-3571 Fax: (608) 262-2331
UW-Madison News Release--College Partners With Wind-Energy Leader
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/1/09 CONTACT: Thomas Jahns, 608-262-5702, jahns@engr.wisc.edu; Michael Holm, +45 9730 3236, micho@vestas.com Wind-energy leader Vestas forges partnership with UW College of Engineering MADISON - Vestas, the world's leading producer of wind power technology, has entered into a long-term partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering that promises to propel wind-energy research, provide student learning opportunities and give the company a long-term presence in Madison. "Wind energy is a growing source of new power generation in the world and the technology has even greater untapped potential," says Grainger Professor of Power Electronics and Electrical Machines Thomas Jahns, who helped establish the partnership. "By teaming with an industry leader like Vestas, our research environment will thrive, and Wisconsin will see expanded opportunities in wind energy and other renewable-energy options." Under the partnership, Vestas will begin providing funding support this year that will grow to sponsor as many as 10 graduate and undergraduate students working on wind technology projects. The company also plans to provide visiting research fellows to campus and start a small research-and-development facility near the engineering campus that will focus on technology transfer. "We are highly interested in working closely with leading universities worldwide in order to ensure that we maintain our position as the leading supplier of wind energy solutions. We are happy about this partnership, which we believe will help us strengthen our position as number one in modern energy," says Zoe Moore, innovation network manager of Vestas Technology R&D, who helped establish the partnership. Gov. Jim Doyle also praised the development and its potential for the state. "Geographically, Wisconsin has the advantage of being strategically located to supply the upper Midwest with wind turbine components," Doyle says. "And the University of Wisconsin is one of the country's greatest academic institutions, with the best and brightest students and researchers. With those resources combined with our skilled workforce and manufacturing expertise, together we can become a world leader in wind energy and create the jobs of the future." Energy research has developed into an interdisciplinary strength at UW-Madison, and the Vestas project will complement and draw from other major research taking place in bioenergy, batteries and fuel cells, solar energy and superconductivity, says Jahns, who directs the Wisconsin Power Electronics Research Center. "The Vestas partnership is an exciting addition to the range of energy research and education at the college," says Paul Peercy, dean of the UW-Madison College of Engineering. "Wind power has the potential to serve as much as 20 percent of the nation's energy needs by 2030, and our students will be highly motivated to participate in this growth industry." Vestas also will benefit from an established corporate community that interacts with the power engineering team. The Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium (WEMPEC), established in 1981, features more than 65 corporate members that support pre-competitive research across a wide range of industry applications, from aviation to household appliances. Another stage of the partnership will support named professorships or endowed chairs with expanded focus on wind-energy research and education. Vestas is committed to recruiting and retaining future talent for the wind-energy industry, so one named professorship will focus on developing new curriculum materials to support the emerging energy and sustainability fields. The Wisconsin Department of Commerce, the Madison Office of the Mayor, and Madison Gas and Electric Co. (MGE) all offered letters of support for the project and commitments to collaborate further with Vestas. Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz offered to work with Vestas and MGE in the establishment of a beta wind turbine site within the city. MGE already uses Vestas turbine technology at its two wind farms in Worth County, Iowa and Kewaunee County, Wis. Vestas is the world's largest manufacturer of wind turbines and has the wind industry's largest research and development unit. Vestas has research centers in Denmark, Singapore, India and the United Kingdom, and new R&D units are being established in the United States in Houston and Boston. Vestas develops its wind turbines in-house, but also collaborates worldwide with leading universities and adjacent industries in the traditional energy and transport industry. For more information, visit http://www.vestas.com. ### - Brian Mattmiller, 608-890-3004, bsmattmi@engr.wisc.edu **************************************************** For questions or comments about UW-Madison's email news release system, please send an email to: releases@news.wisc.edu For more UW-Madison news, please visit: http://www.news.wisc.edu/ University Communications University of Wisconsin-Madison 27 Bascom Hall 500 Lincoln Drive Madison, WI 53706 Phone: (608) 262-3571 Fax: (608) 262-2331
Environmental News and Green Advice from Mother Nature
Dear fans of PlentyMag.com,
You were recently sent an email from the staff at PlentyMag.com that outlined the economic demise of that fine publication and also noted that the Mother Nature Network is going to become a new source of green news for its readers.
We wanted to introduce ourselves to you. We're the staff of MNN, a new environmental site founded by Rolling Stones keyboardist (and tree farmer) Chuck Leavell. We're experienced journalists with a strong interest in the environment and living a sustainable lifestyle.
We're glad to connect with you and we'd like to give you a quick look around the place:
- MNN's award-winning bloggers give you daily dispatches from the green front.
- Our editors and writers cover environmental and green news from around the globe
- MNN TV gives you visual advice from organic farmers to impassioned celebrities to local-food chefs
- In our community, you can join friends of Mother Nature who are creating blogs, uploading videos, and commenting on their green interests.
- And our eco-friendly newsletters bring the best of the green world right to your in-box.
And to Find Out More about a Green Lifestyle ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reporting on the environment is what we do best
and we think you'll love these features as well:
- Visit the Lazy Environmentalist for easy ways to go green without even trying.
- Not sure which green way is the right way? Ask our advice columnist Vanessa.
- Know that the government must have good environmental news but not sure how to find it? We translate Uncle Sam for you.
We've got a lively crew following us over at Facebook
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Our YouTube annex features the best of green videos.
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A final thought: We believe that you're going to find Mother Nature Network to be a valuable source of information. But if you prefer not to receive future mailings, you can easily opt out by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.
All the best,
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This e-mail was sent by Mother Nature Network, located at 191 Peachtree Street N.E., Atlanta, GA 30303 (U.S.).
Friday, April 03, 2009
Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
From: Google Alerts
Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 6:13 AM
Subject: Google Alert - hydrogen, wind, power
Google News Alert for: hydrogen, wind, power
Horsepower from Hydrogen | ||
Moving Closer to a Sustainable Future | ||
| GREENWASH – The drama and the reality | ||
Plan B: Hydrogen becomes base for battery pack | ||
| Areva sees nuclear future for Saskatchewan |
This once a day Google Alert is brought to you by Google.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Spoonful of sugar, big biofuel hopes
Great Lakes Directory Weekly News Headlines
Great Lakes Directory Weekly News Headlines 
Great Lakes Directory Weekly News Headlines________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Dan,
The Great Lakes Directory is a comprehensive online resource highlighting environmental issues around the Great Lakes basin. The Directory contains daily environmental articles, a network of over 1,000 environmental groups, funding resources, free environmental software, nonprofit management resources, and a massive library of online Great Lakes environmental information. Find more headlines, action alerts, resources, and free activist software at http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 19, 2009 - House Approves Funding for Clean Water Infrastructure Upgrades: WASHINGTON, DC, A bill that will help bridge the multi-billion dollar annual gap between wastewater infrastructure needs and available funding is working its way through Congress.
March 18, 2009 - Security for wetlands: The State of Michigan needs to give the federal government at least a preliminary head's up by April 1 that it intends to drop its separate wetlands permit program and return control to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (which uses the staff of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to do its field work for wetlands permits).
March 17, 2009 - Updated 3/17: Experts concerned over drops in Lake Michigan water level. Experts say two recent studies could point to a worrisome trend concerning Great Lakes' water supply and demand.
March 17, 2009 - Council seeks IMO standard for ballast water permits: The Superior City Council is adding its concern to the chorus of voices speaking out on a proposed ballast water permit in Wisconsin.
March 17, 2009 - Green power: Harvesting Great Lakes wind and water, Michigan's power plants venture into renewable energy: Holland isn't the only area in Michigan undergoing a power shift - generating electricity that is. Energy providers in urban and rural communities across the state are re-examining how to bring reliable, clean energy into homes and businesses.
March 17, 2009 - Scientists concerned about Great Lakes levels: (CHICAGO) -- Congressman Mark Kirk says climate change and the growing demand for water could dramatically lower the level of the Great Lakes.
March 17, 2009 - Officials push to ban phosphorus in detergents: State officials want to almost completely ban phosphorus in dishwashing detergents and restrict the mineral nutrient in lawn fertilizer to improve quality in stressed New York lakes and rivers.
March 16, 2009 - Milwaukee business leaders hail Doyle's proposed UWM investments: Milwaukee business leaders today hailed Gov. Jim Doyle's announcement that his capital budget will provide $240 million in total bonding over the next six years for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's building projects.
March 16, 2009 - Judge rejects fish-virus lawsuit Wisconsin, Minnesota groups seek Lake Superior protection: A judge has tossed out a lawsuit filed by conservationists demanding the federal government do more to protect Lake Superior from a fish-killing virus that has invaded the rest of the Great Lakes.
March 16, 2009 - More ships have ballast tanks inspected: A new study by the U. S. Coast Guard has found a 25 per cent increase in the number of ballast tank inspections for foreign ships entering the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system.March 16, 2009 - Doyle proposes tougher controls on Great Lakes water quality: When Dean Haen, president of the Wisconsin Commercial Ports Association, first learned of the state's latest effort to improve water quality in the Great Lakes, he was not impressed.
.
Contact Information:E-mail: matthew@eagle-ecosource.orgPhone: 218-726-1828Website: http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org
Forward email
Environmental Association for Great Lakes Education (EAGLE) | 394 Lake Avenue South, #222 | Duluth | MN | 55802
Citizen's Utility Board Presentation Last Night...
A little background: I'm one of the two Co-Chairs of the Progressive Democrats of Illinois. ( www.illinoisprogressives.org ) I've held this position since 2005. CUB offered via e-mail to do a presentation at one of our monthly meetings, and I gladly accepted.
*It should be noted that CUB is a non-partisan organization*
The presentation given covered such topics as: CUB mediation services in utility billing disputes, telephone billing analysis and plan comparison assistance for both cell and landline services, the new IL law on net metering for home renewable power systems, federal and state credits and rebates for the installation of high-efficiency appliances and renewable energy systems, upcoming smart grid technologies and remote utility management programs for air conditioning systems, demand-rate billing programs, and home electronics power-management. There was more, and several hand-outs outlining these programs.
Additionally, CUB advised us that Illinois has adopted a Renwable Portfolio Standard of 10% by 2010, and 25% by 2025, and is moving to match CAFE standards in California for new vehicle sales in Illinois.
Highly impressive was the removal of system price caps on federal and state tax credits for renewable energy installations such as wind & solar.
All in all, energy and consumer-oriented policies in Illinois are growing up to face a new standard of fairness and sustainability. There is still much more to be done, but these programs represent a great leap forward.
My heartfelt thanks goes out to CUB and especially to Celia and Rebecca for making the trip out to spend the evening with us.
Dan Stafford
Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Broke my ankle a week & 1/2 ago
Sayonara,
Dan