Earth Day 2019 seems like an appropriate day to remind ourselves of the realities of climate change, and that there is no Planet B. This blog started in April 2010 (goodness, has it been that long!) with a focus on green building in Miami. And it is still that. But much like I imagine journalist…
USA
Thank You for Supporting the Energy Innovation & Carbon Dividend Act
Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), along with six co-sponsors, introduced the Energy Innovation & Carbon Dividend Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Since then, 21 additional Representatives have added their names in support. Thank you to the following Representatives for signing on as co-sponsors so far: Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49] 03/27/2019 Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray,…
91% of U.S. Coal Plants Have Unsafe Levels of Coal Ash Contaminants in Groundwater
Coal contains a long list of toxic chemicals, including arsenic, radium, and other carcinogens, several metals that can impair children’s developing brains, and multiple chemicals that are toxic to aquatic life. When coal is burned to produce electricity, these toxic chemicals become concentrated in the waste product – coal ash. Report: “Coal’s Poisonous Legacy: Groundwater…
Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act
What can reduce carbon emissions, create 2 million new U.S. jobs, and pay a dividend to every American household? The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act was initially introduce to Congress in November 2018, and re-introduced in January of this year. What is the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act? The Energy Innovation and Carbon…
Google’s Project Sunroof
Last week Google’s Green Blog announced “Project Sunroof: mapping the planet’s solar energy potential, one rooftop at a time.” Project Sunroof is a new online tool we’re testing to help homeowners explore whether they should go solar. Available in the San Francisco Bay Area, Fresno (in central California), and the Boston area for now, the…
President Obama at the National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas
President Obama delivers remarks at the National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas, NV. August 24, 2015.
Kilowatt Financial, With Citi Backing, Offers Solar Loans
According to a press release issued last week, Kilowatt Financial has secured a $200 million “debt warehouse facility” with Citi for the purpose of providing financing for residential solar power systems. Through Kilowatt’s lending program, consumers can own their own residential solar system with no money down and with loan terms of up to 20 years…
Michael Craig: Three Game-Changing Building & Construction Innovations in 2014
I’ve been seeing an increasing number of articles about “cargo container construction”, so it makes sense that this one tops Michael Craig’s list of “Game-Changing Building & Constructions Innovations” for 2014. The cargo container buildings are said to exceptionally hurricane-proof, but not always easy to cool. Cuban-born artist, Julio Garcia, brought cargo container construction to…
Christopher Davis: 200 years of LEED (or 20 historic buildings you probably didn’t know were green)
Christopher Davis was speaking to my tree-hugger heart when he wrote: These projects are incredible examples of how historic preservation and environmental sustainability can work hand in hand, and how saving the past can enrich the future. Renovating a historic building to LEED standards isn’t easy, but it is well worth it, in my opinion.…
President Obama Says New Standards to Cut Greenhouse Emmissions “Don’t Sound All That Sexy”
On June 25th, at Georgetown University, President Obama spoke about global climate change and what his administration is doing to address it. He also announced new mandatory restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sources. Today, about 40 percent of America’s carbon pollution comes from our power plants. But here’s the thing: Right now, there are…