Archive for September, 2010

The U.S. EPA is kicking off its national “Green Power Community Challenge,” a year-long campaign to encourage cities, towns, villages, and Native American tribes to use renewable energy and fight climate change. To participate in the challenge, local governments must use green power in amounts that meet the program’s purchase requirements and they must also conduct a campaign to encourage local businesses and residents to collectively buy or produce green power. Read the rest of this entry »

They are everywhere, from small businesses to doctor’s offices to the local auto shop and probably even your own kitchen counter.  Single serve brewers are convenient, fun, and so popular. But, not so good for the environment. Until now.  Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR), maker of the K-Cup® for Keurig Single-Cup Brewing Systems has designed a paper-based cup that can be used for brewing the perfect cup of tea. Read the rest of this entry »

Not too long ago, we talked about the merits of algae becoming a viable source of renewable energy in the blog post, Is Alage Poised for Renewable Energy Superstardom? Guess what? Now it’s sludge’s turn! Sure, turning wastewater sludge into sustainable energy isn’t a new concept, but a recent “cost-effective” process developed by University of Nevada researchers has brought sludge out of the sewers and into the sustainable spotlight again. The end result of this process could lead to the mass-production of a cheap source of renewable energy. Read the rest of this entry »

Just as the last major factory in the U.S. making incandescent bulbs closes its doors, sending 220 workers to the unemployment lines,  U.S. Reps. Joe Barton, R-Texas, ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Michael Burgess, R-Texas, ranking member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., introduced H.R. 6144, the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act in an effort to repeal the ban on incandescent light bulbs. Read the rest of this entry »

If you keep an eye on green manufacturing news, you’ll know that many countries are vying to take a spot out front in what is expected to be just about the only boom industry on the planet in the coming years. It’s no secret that the country ascending the fastest is China: the nation is using its traditional manufacturing dominance to carve out a big chunk of the green manufacturing pie. Read the rest of this entry »

The Environmental Defense Fund has launched Green Jobs California, a comprehensive resource for job seekers and guidance counselors that want to join or learn more about the state’s emerging green economy and includes thousands of business, institutions, and organizations throughout the state. Read the rest of this entry »

Winning the Innovative Green Design Award from New York House Magazine, WAC Lighting LEDme™ Recessed Downlights, part of their commitment to “Responsible Lighting,”  use the latest energy efficient LED technology and offer a potential life of 50,000 hours. Engineered for precise thermal and optical performance, the fixtures are dimmable and available in 2-, 3- and 4-inch apertures. Read the rest of this entry »

Yahoo’s data center in upstate New York uses a radical new design to reduce energy costs by 40 percent. Located in the upstate town of Lockport, N.Y., the 155,000 square-foot data center, which can accommodate 50,000 servers, is cooled almost entirely by outside air that blows through the long data center halls to keep server equipment cool, eliminating the need for chillers, one of the most energy-intensive pieces of equipment in a traditional data center. Read the rest of this entry »

Packaging World magazine has announced the winners of the second-annual Greener Package Awards. The competition, sponsored by GreenerPackage.com, recognizes innovations in five categories that significantly reduce packaging’s environmental footprint. Eight winners were selected by members of the Greener Package Expert Network, all demonstrate that sustainability can be found in a wide variety of technologies and materials. Read the rest of this entry »

Manufacturing, innovation, and design are heading back to Michigan with the opening of the Magna E-Car Systems Hybrid and Electric Vehicle System Development Center.  Magna E-Car Systems is a joint venture between Magna International and Stronach Trust. Read the rest of this entry »