Sundance Channel

Green tech finds: the monster trade shows edition

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:44:16 +0000

CES and the Detroit Auto Show are going on this week, and we've got finds from both! The tiny electric pick up: Need to haul stuff? You won't get much into the Smart For-Us, but, as Charis Michelsen at Gas 2.0 points out, it's awfully cute, and may serve the actual hauling needs of most truck drivers. Your plants are Tweeting: And they're thirsty. That's right: the Botanicalls gadget (not sure what else to call it) sends you a tweet when your plants need watering. Only marginally green, but kind of cool. (via Crisp Green)

Green tech finds, 9/29/11

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:54:30 +0000

Lots of green tech on wheels this week: Ford's concept e-bike, Peugeot's tiny electric car, and the Air Force's big move towards EV adoption. Ford getting into the bicycle business? Maybe: the company released an e-bike concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The frame weighs in at a very light 5.5 pounds, and the electric assist motor can run for 53 miles. (via Matter Network and Rodale) The printed bicycle: The Aerospace Innovation Centre's bicycle concept on display at the London Design Festival is made from nylon and created by a process similar to 3D printing. The result: a lightweight frame that's supposedly as strong as steel. (via Do the Green Thing)

New Chicago green building brings lighter footprint to food distribution

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:47:22 +0000

While I don't have numbers at my fingertips, I'd be willing to bet that most new LEED certified commercial buildings fall into the office space category: corporate headquarters or other buildings in which lots of people work behind desks. There's nothing wrong with that; These structures certainly use plenty of energy and water, and elements of green building such as the focus on daylighting and air quality make for more pleasant and productive workplaces. But what about those buildings where products are manufactured, processed and/or distributed? In many cases, these are the real resource hogs sorely in need of, at the very least, a good green retrofitting. And new structures built around resource efficiency can be real cost savers for their owners.

Bike-touring musician inspired by “the trembling music of water”

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:07:39 +0000

As a musician who tours by bike and train with the Pleasant Revolution, and also powers performances by pedaling, Heather Normandale already has a lot of green cred. But her environmentalism doesn't stop with her methods of traveling or amplification; She also finds the inspiration for her music in the natural world. Her current project looks to the source of all life on the planet: water.

VOICES OF THE TRANSITION: the transition movement comes to film

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:33:29 +0000

Voices of the Transition - english Trailer from les jardins on Vimeo.

Feeling paralyzed by news of environmental challenges like climate change, water shortages, and biodiversity loss? Fed up with political inaction and posturing on these issues? Groups of people around the world have decided to take matters into their own hands, and the transition movement represents efforts to by towns, villages, and even countries to adapt to changing environmental circumstances, to lighten their impact, and to even create more meaningful ways of life.

Green collar jobs turn blue: water quality in disadvantaged communities

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 31 May 2011 18:19:29 +0000

Green collar jobs aren't just for the mechanically and technically inclined: as we've seen, numerous organizations, businesses and local governments have focused on tasks ranging from tree planting and care to herb growing (the legal kind) to energy efficiency consulting and assistance.

Green tech finds (4/14/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:00:33 +0000

Lots of solar news this week... from a new efficiency record, to solar company corporate responsibility rankings, to a DIY solar cooker.

Solar powered washing machines: They're just one part of a test to see if people are ready for the smart grid in Breda, The Netherlands. (via Crisp Green)
ENERGY STAR certification for senior facilities: Living and care facilities for elders are now among new commercial building types eligible for ENERGY STAR certification (via Earth Techling)

Green tech finds (3/31/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:05:53 +0000

LSA In Action from Sticky Advertising on Vimeo.

Plastic made from meat wastes, and "self-charging" cell phones... these and more in this week's green tech finds.

Floating solar panels: "Offshore renewables" has generally meant wind or wave power, but an Australian company has developed a prototype for floating solar panels... and Indian company Tata Power is going to give the concept a go. Check out the Liquid Solar Array in action above. (via Calfinder's Residential Solar blog)
Plastic bottle schools: Plastic bottles get recycled into all sorts of consumer products... but the Bottle Schools Project is turning them into literal building blocks for schools in the developing world. (via Springwise and @COSEnergy)

National PB&J Day: lower your lunch’s environmental impact

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:00:59 +0000

This Saturday, April 2nd, is National PB&J Day. While such an event seems aimed at our sense of childhood nostalgia, the folks at the PB&J Campaign have latched on to it (they didn't add it to the calendar... they swear) as an opportunity to get us all thinking about the environmental impact of our lunch choices.

Green tech finds (3/24/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:02:57 +0000

Lots of solar this week... plus an app for Earth Hour, and lighter footprints for U.S. embassies.

Water, water everywhere: It's World Water Week, and this cool new interactive map and tool allows you to explore water supplies and consumption by country, and to see the embodied water in a wide range of products. (via @togethergreen)
The Earth Hour app: Earth Hour 2011 is this Saturday... and this year, while the lights are off, you can check in on activities around the world with the Earth Hour iPhone app. (via The Alternative Consumer)

Berkeley non-profit creates green job opportunities for teens

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:38:11 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, I looked at New York City's efforts to provide disadvantaged youth with green job skills through its MillionTreesNYC initiative. On the other side of the country, a non-profit organization is also helping young people develop the skills they'll need to take advantage of green job opportunities... by sending them out into their neighborhoods to help residents save energy, water, and money.

Green tech finds (3/17/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:43:43 +0000

Raise a glass of Guinness to St. Paddy... and to a couple of Irish green tech finds this week.

Social gaming app for saving energy: JouleBug, a social gaming iPhone app for saving energy, was released this week at SXSW.
ENERGY STAR certified buildings increase by nearly 60%: That's just one finding from this week's release of its third annual report on the top 25 cities for ENERGY STAR certified buildings.

Green tech finds (3/3/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:23:30 +0000

An electric unicycle, iPad recycling, and creating your own bike lane on the go... this week's green tech finds.

California farmers leading the way on renewables: According to the USDA's new On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey, "California farms and ranches now make up more than 20 percent of all operations in the nation with solar, wind and methane digester use." (via Calfinder's Residential Solar blog)
Harvesting energy from slow tides: That's the concept behind Minesto UK's Deep Green technology, a "kite-like device [which] is tethered to the seabed and is steered by a rudder, which allows it to adjust the speed at which water enters the turbine." The UK's Carbon Fund has awarded Minesto £350,000 to test the device.

University of Georgia offers refilling stations for reusable water bottles

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 19:30:04 +0000

We greenies just love our reusable water bottles... with good reason: bottled water provides little benefit at a high price, and creates a ton of waste (only 20% of which gets recycled). Refilling those bottles on the go can be a challenge, though. Sure, you can use a water fountain, but they're designed for direct drinking... so refilling a bottle can be a slow process. The Ecology Club and Office of Sustainability at the University of Georgia have addressed this problem head on with the installation of three water bottle filling stations in the Odum School of Ecology building.

Green tech finds (1/20/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 22:30:03 +0000

Green tech spanning the globe, from Ohio to New York City to Algeria... your finds for the week.

What's up with switchgrass: Remember all the discussion about biofuels produced from switchgrass? The talk's died down, but the experimentation hasn't... but there are still some arguments out there about the efficiency of this feedstock.
Ohio's green economy: Ohio? Really? While it's still small and growing, this Rust Belt state made the most of the manufacturing infrastructure already in place to create green jobs. (via Calfinder's Residential Solar blog)

Vimeo of the Week: Water & Rocks

Bradford Shellhammer — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:31:12 +0000

Water & Rocks, New Zealand from Metron on Vimeo. When posting my favorite Vimeo video of the week round these parts I find myself returning to moving, ethereal short films focusing on natural beauty. This week’s choice, Water & Rocks, is one of those types. As I have two friends in New Zealand now I [...]

Green tech finds (12/9/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 20:44:43 +0000

Fuel cells, iPhone apps, and chicken coops... this week's green tech finds.

The fuel cell that does... everything: Think fuel cells are just for energy? Think again... researchers at the University of Colorado, Denver, are working on a microbial fuel cell that desalinates and cleans wastewater... in addition to producing electricity. (via Cleantechnica)
Border checkpoint to feature Living Machine: The US General Services Administration has approved a Living Machine wastewater treatment system for the border crossing point at Otay Mesa, California. That's an artist's rendering above... (via Water and Waste Water)

US colleges compete in Campus Conservation Nationals

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:12:22 +0000

Thought football was the main competition going on between colleges and universities this fall? Well, it will get the lion's share of the attention... but we're smack dab in the middle of another intercollegiate competitive event that could make a difference for the planet: the Campus Conservation Nationals.

Green tech finds (11/4/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 18:29:47 +0000

Lots of electric vehicle news this week, plus mushroom plastics and watching watersheds with your iPhone... this week's green tech finds.

Sun-powered transportation... in the Sunshine State: Sarasota-area beachside community Pelican Bay will be using solar-powered trams to move people around the development. (via Cleantechnica)
GE making massive EV purchase: General Electric will not only make components for electric vehicles, but plans to become the largest single purchaser of them.

Kids embrace green design and invention

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:01:21 +0000

Green innovation from a major manufacturer or established design house? Hardly news these days, right... everyone in the research and development space seems to be thinking about environmental impact. But the 18 and under demographic is getting in on the fun... and coming up with some intriguing ideas. A couple of items passed through the RSS reader this week that demonstrate kids thinking green... not just in terms of getting the family to recycle, but in the context of creating solutions to challenges both children and adults face.

Green tech finds (10/7/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:37:40 +0000

Off-grid battery packs for the developing world, a green tech playground, and more... this week's green tech finds.

Making solar cells from wind: Welsh solar cell maker G24 Innovations is preparing for the installation of a wind turbine at its Wentloog Environmental Centre in Cardiff in order to produce its renewable power systems with renewable power (at least partially). (via Treehugger)
The off-grid battery pack: Start-up Fenix International rolled out its website and first product this week: the ReadySet, a "a 12-volt lead acid battery designed specifically for frequent charges from a variety of sources, including a solar panel, bicycle generator, the power grid, or eventually hydro and small-wind turbines." The product is designed for use in areas of the developing world without access to power. See the video above for details. (via CNET Green Tech)

Green tech finds (9/30/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:15:19 +0000

Solar ivy, French hybrids, and green cheese... your weekly green tech finds.

Are smart grids smart for cities?: Stephen Hammer at Harvard Business Review wonders if smart grid technology is the most efficient way to make our cities more sustainable.
New portal features green tech ready for funding: Looking for a green technology investment opportunity? The US Department of Energy's new Technology Commercialization Portal features over 200 marketing summaries of technologies ready for investment or licensing. (via Environmental Leader)

Green tech finds (8/19/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:52:52 +0000

A zero-emissions race around the world, whiskey biofuel, and more... your green tech finds for the week.

Energy efficient motors mean green jobs in Arkansas: Electrocraft, Inc. has announced it will start producing energy efficient electric motors for heating and air conditioning units in its Searcy, Arkansas plant. This means 55 new green jobs for the small town.
Cell phone tech meets data centers: Data centers (aka server farms) suck up a lot of energy. Start-up Smooth-Stone thinks it can cut that power use by applying "low-power cell phone technology to servers..." A number of VCs think they can do it, and have provided $48 million in funding.

The organic golf course: green or greenwash?

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:13:13 +0000

US presidents golfing on vacation is hardly news, but President Obama's choice of a course for his ten days of family time in Martha's Vineyard this month did make the New York Times... because the Vineyard Golf Club "is thought to be the only completely organic golf course in the United States..."

Green tech finds (6/24/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:02:28 +0000

Can fish 'n' chips help with London's drought? How much power can you get from a potato? These questions and more answered in this week's green tech finds.

Keeping your gadgets charged in the great outdoors: Heather Clancy at GreenTech Pastures provides a run-down of her favorite solar-powered chargers.
Cheaper, greener biofuel: That's the ultimate goal of Professor Scott Banta's new project to genetically engineer a bacteria that will turn CO2 and ammonia from wastewater into butanol. (via Cleantechnica)

Green tech finds (5/13/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:05:14 +0000

AbundantWater.org [An Open Source Approach to Clean Drinking Water] from AbundantWater.org on Vimeo.

Cajun-style oil spill clean-up, solar powered iPod speakers, and beer cans that convert to cups... your green tech finds for the week.

Low-tech oil clean-up: Louisiana shrimper Alex Pellegrin didn't wait for others to come up with ideas for cleaning up the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Using shrimp netting and "blue roof" tarp, he designed a prototype for an oil skimmer.
Mayans were the OGBs: That's "Original Green Builders." Archaeologists, with help from NASA, "...have 'unearthed' a complete ancient Mayan city that employed a system of green urban architecture."

Hiking for the global water crisis

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 11 May 2010 20:05:33 +0000

According to Denver-based non-profit Water for People, 884 million people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water, and 6000 people die every day from water-borne illness. That's a bit overwhelming, but a father-son team from Independence, Missouri has decided to do something about this crisis... by hiking the Appalachian Trail. Steven Spydell and son Matt began their journey along the 2178-mile trail on April 5th, and are using their hike to raise funds for Water for People. They've set a goal of $10,000, but will likely surpass that: a graphic on their Hiking for Water website shows over $9400 dollars raised already... and they're only into Virginia at this point.

Green tech finds (5/6/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 06 May 2010 18:24:04 +0000

Seed-laden packing boxes, energy capture from sewage, and the power of pokeberries (pictured above)... your green tech finds for the week.

Electricity to gas: German researchers are experimenting with converting excess power from renewable energy sources into methane. This creates a means for storing this energy in a manner that could be used with existing natural gas infrastructure.
Pokeberries to power: New solar cell technology under development by Wake Forest University’s Center for Nanotechnology and FiberCell, Inc. makes use of dye from pokeberries to increase the cells' ability to absorb sunlight. (via Calfinder and Smartplanet)

Green tech finds (3/11/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:04:29 +0000

Homes wired for electric vehicles, artificial islands, and floating power plants... here are your green tech finds for this week.

Dell's new Optiplex -- most efficient desktop ever? According to Jaymi Heimbach at Treehugger, the new 980 model is, as it features a 90% efficient power supply, meets ENERGY STAR 5.0 standards, and has earned an EPEAT Gold rating.
No more downcycling for plastic? That's what researchers at IBM and Stanford claim their new development in plastic production does: the material can be continuously recycled. See the video above... (via Green Inc.)

Green tech finds (2/25/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:52:20 +0000

Outlet Regulator Video from conor klein on Vimeo.

It's Thursday... and that means green tech finds! Here's what we found this week:

Princeton calls Kindle experiment a success: In our very first green tech finds post, we took note of Princeton's plans to experiment with the Amazon Kindle to save paper. The pilot worked on that front... though findings showed the device may still may not be ready to fully supplant paper texts.
The beach sand fuel cell rolled out: Bloom Energy received tons of coverage yesterday for its public launch of the "Bloom Box," a fuel cell system based on "solid oxide ceramic fuel cells." Developers promise a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions, cheaper electricity, and fuel flexibility with the system.

Oil From Port Arthur Tanker-Barge Collision Stretches Nine Miles

Sundance Channel — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:56:42 +0000

Cleanup crews and 27 skimmer boats are working to contain and remove oil from a massive spill that happened when a crude oil tanker and a barge collided Saturday in the Port Arthur Ship Channel.

Green tech finds (1/14/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:54:28 +0000

We've still got a ways to go until Spring, but we do have baseball and beer for you at this week's green tech finds:

A green Mercedes on the way?: We'll have to see, but Daimler, the brand's owner, says it plans to challenge BMW's supremacy in the "green luxury" market by putting half of its $6.4 R&D budget for 2010 into green tech.
Rainwater recycling comes to baseball: The Minnesota Twins' new stadium will feature a rainwater collection and purification system. The water will be used for washing down stands and irrigating the fields (see the video above). (via CNET Green Tech)

Sundance environmental films: the natural environment

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:00:28 +0000

They're big! They're ugly! And they might give you warts! They're cane toads... in 3D! Mark Lewis' CANE TOADS: THE CONQUEST, which premieres at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, isn't your typical nature documentary. This follow-up to 1988's CANE TOADS: AN UNNATURAL HISTORY portrays the "horror" of an invasive species with a heavy dose of comedy, but still provides a provocative illustration of the ecological damage a non-native "invader" can wreak. Imported to Australia in the 1930s to deal with pests decimating the Queensland sugar crop, cane toads represent "Australia’s most notorious environmental blunder": they didn't eat the Greyback Cane Beetles, but did multiply like crazy...

Green tech finds (12/24/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:37:25 +0000

Because green technology never takes a holiday… here are this week’s finds. Salting away solar power: Nevada Power has announced a 25-year deal to buy solar power from the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project, which will be “the nation’s first commercial solar power plant using salt storage to distribute energy after the sun sets…” Satellites [...]

Huge Alaska Oil Spill Blamed on Ice Plugs

Sundance Channel — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:07:01 +0000

Ice plugged an inactive pipeline, causing it to burst, officials said Tuesday in an attempt to explain how 46,000 gallons of crude oil spewed onto the tundra near a BP Exploration processing center at Prudhoe Bay on Alaska's North Slope

Purdue University Will Test Alternative Fuels for Aircraft

Sundance Channel — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:15:59 +0000

Purdue University will operate a new federally funded facility to test aircraft engines and develop alternative fuels for aircraft in an effort to reduce U.S. reliance on imported oil.

Rain harvesting design: the Waterwall

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:45:55 +0000

If you're thinking about getting started with rain water harvesting, but aren't impressed by the aesthetics of the typical rain barrel, fear not: a number of companies out there are creating more pleasing designs that also capture a lot of rain water. Urban Gardens and Home Design Find recently took note of Waterwall's Fatboy storage tank, which holds 650 gallons of water, saves a ton of space, and doesn't look like, well, a plastic barrel.

Are we pissing away our water?

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:20:01 +0000

Yep... so much so that US Environmental Protection Agencies WaterSense program (an ENERGY STAR for water) has addressed the issue by making the flushing urinal the first commercial product for which it's developed standards. According to the EPA, "Approximately 65 percent of the estimated 12 million urinals in the United States are old and inefficient. While the current federal standard for commercial urinals is 1.0 gallon per flush (gpf ), some older urinals use as much as five times that amount!"

Creative re-use: the Dominican University cistern

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:44:57 +0000

For 90 years, a 60,000 gallon cistern at River Forest, Illinois’ Dominican University has done its job of collecting rainwater from 1920s-era buildings. That’s great… the problem is that everyone kind of forgot about it. Dan Bulow, the school’s director of building and grounds, told Trib Local’s Patrick Rollens “We knew [the cistern] was there, [...]

Green tech finds (9/24/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:47:37 +0000

Yep, it's that time again... here are this week's green tech finds.

Fighting the downturn with rooftop windfarms: Co-op and condo building owners are exploring wind and solar energy options as a way to cut building costs during the down economy.
Deep water floating wind turbines go online: Norwegian company Statoil has flipped the switch on the world's first floating wind turbine. (via EcoGeek)

World’s first barge-based wetlands classroom launches in September

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:59:10 +0000

Apparently, “floating environmentalism” isn’t limited to Huck Finn wannabees: on September 14, the Learning Barge, a joint project of the University of Virginia School of Architecture and the Elizabeth River Project, will be christened and opened to the public. Designed as an environmental education center for teaching elementary and middle school students about water and [...]

Fill your water bottle on the go: TapIt

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:50:34 +0000

Bottled water contributes to a host of environmental challenges -- you know that. But, let's face it -- bottled water is also incredibly convenient, especially if you're on the go a lot. A refillable bottle is environmentally preferable, but if you're out and about, and run out of water, you may also find yourself out of luck in terms of refilling it.

Green tech finds (7/17/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:45:55 +0000

It's that time again... your weekly green tech finds.

The Google of hybrid tech? Toyota's talking to Mazda about a partnership to share the larger company's hybrid technology.
Want to support your favorite environmental non-profit? Start using social media...

Green tech finds (6/25/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:44:36 +0000

Elephant poop, chicken feathers, and iPhone apps... that's the stuff of good green tech stories!

Smart water: You've heard all about smart electrical grids... now Rotterdam, in partnership with IBM, is working on a smart water management system. (via Fast Company)
Transformers 3 -- The Solar Edition? No greenlights on the movie yet, but these cool 6-toys-in-1 solar-powered robots can introduce your kids to the wonders of solar power (via The Fun Times Guide to Living Green and Inhabitots).

Bottled water: can it ever be green?

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:00:17 +0000

Still have bottled water as a regular item on the grocery list? Or just pick up the occasional bottle when you're out? It's so convenient... As you probably know, that convenience comes at an environmental and social price: documentaries such as FLOW and Thirst, organizations such as the Sierra Club and Environmental Defense Fund, and even a few of us lowly bloggers, have reported on the costs created by water's transformation from a freely-available resource to a multi-billion dollar commodity. That bottle of water you buy now contributes to the world's third-largest industry.

Natalie Imbruglia on water conservation

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:26:54 +0000

If our H2.0 shorts inspired you to take action to reduce your water use, check out green.tv's new video featuring singer Natalie Imbruglia discussing water-saving tips, and the impact of wasteful water consumption on the developing world.

Green tech finds (5/28/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:13:16 +0000

Here's your weekly run-down of breaking green tech stories...

Need a reason to spend more time on Facebook? Timberland and changents.org have you covered with their new game Earthkeeper Heroes: Mission Possible. (via sustainablog)

Toxic Hudson river sediment could poison Texas aquifer

Sundance Channel — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:39:57 +0000

FORT EDWARD, New York, May 19, 2009 (ENS) - The long awaited dredging of the Upper Hudson River to remove sediment contaminated by PCBs from a General Electric factory began Friday near Roger’s Island in Fort Edward.

The six-year dredging project will be conducted by General Electric under the terms of a November 2006 consent decree. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will oversee all aspects of the work; dredging will continue through October 2009, weather permitting.

This first phase of the dredging project will be conducted 24 hours a day, six days a week and aims to remove 265,000 cubic yards of sediment and 20,300 kilograms of PCBs from a six-mile stretch of the river between Roger’s Island and Thompson Island.

Work to upgrade Texas water quality pays off

Sundance Channel — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:49:26 +0000

AUSTIN, Texas, May 18, 2009 (ENS) - The water quality in Texas improved somewhat in 2007 over the previous year, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, in its 2008 annual report on managing nonpoint source pollution issued Thursday.

Of the 925 water bodies tested in 2007, 386 were included on the 2008 303(d) List, an annual list of impaired waters that all states are required to submit to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the federal Clean Water Act.

This was a slight decrease from the 2006 303(d) List, which included 399 water bodies.

Time to transform Utah’s energy-producing future

Robert Redford — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:25:57 +0000

image credit: the russians are here used under a creative commons license Anyone who knows Utah knows the power of wind, water and sun. You can see that power in Utah's sculpted arches of stone, in our majestic mountains capped with snow, and in the cracked earth of our deserts. Nature's power is so obvious that you have to wonder why we've mostly ignored it as a source of energy to run our homes and businesses, and to propel our cars and trucks.