Energy Conservation & Management
Governors call for National Climate Policy
HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell led more than a dozen governors from across the country in signing the Governors’ Declaration on Climate Change.
Joining Governor Rell were governors Jon Corzine of New Jersey and Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas. In addition, the Governors of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington signed the Declaration.
In addition to recommitting state efforts to address climate change, the Declaration sets forth three key principles: |
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Governors Corzine, Sebelius, Rell and Schwarzenegger and Yale President Richard Levin (center)
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- A federal-state partnership is critical to success – the federal government and the states must be fully engaged and there needs to be federal support for state innovation and the development of “green” energy technology
- State-based climate action plans and programs have paved the way for cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gases and deserve continued support. States should seek ways to strengthen and develop them further, with federal support
- There must be incentives for states to provide leadership on climate action. These incentives can come from existing federal energy, transportation, and agriculture programs as well as from auction revenue derived from a federal cap and trade program
For more information, see www.ct.gov
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ARI to make standards
ARLINGTON, Virg. –The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) today announced that it has been awarded accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a standards developing organization.
"ANSI accreditation adds value to our standards development process by confirming that our procedures meet ANSI's essential requirements for openness, balance, consensus and due process," said AHRI President Stephen Yurek. "In order to maintain accreditation, AHRI is required to consistently adhere to a rigorous set of requirements and procedures."
Many of AHRI's standards outline technical procedures for uniformly measuring the performance of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and commercial refrigeration (HVACR) equipment. Through the use of these standards and voluntary participation in the industry's performance certification programs, consumers can be assured manufacturers' performance claims are verified and rated uniformly to enable fair comparisons.
"The rigor of ANSI accreditation makes it widely recognized as a valid measurement of a standards program's credibility and competency by federal and state governments and governments outside the United States," said Yurek. "It also enhances the integrity of AHRI's industry certification programs, and improves consumer confidence in the performance of heating, cooling and commercial refrigeration equipment and components both domestically and abroad." For more information, see www.ari.org
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EPA boosts copier standards
SAN FRANCISCO – The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching the first steps toward new green standards for copiers and other imaging devices. This effort builds on the success of EPEAT - an on-line tool to help institutional buyers identify and buy greener electronic equipment.
EPEAT – the electronic product environmental assessment tool – was launched in 2006, focusing on desktop and laptop computers and monitors. It includes a set of environmental criteria and a system for registering and verifying equipment that meets those criteria. EPEAT-registered computers have reduced levels of toxics, are more energy efficient, are easier to upgrade and recycle, and use more sustainable packaging than conventional equipment. EPA supported the development of EPEAT, but it is now a largely self-sustaining system operated by the Green Electronics Council.
Purchasers have embraced EPEAT enthusiastically. Nearly all electronic equipment purchases by the U.S. government must be EPEAT-registered. In addition, more than six states and dozens of local governments and colleges and universities have adopted EPEAT in their procurement for computers. Major private companies are using the tool as well. That success has driven demand by purchasers for additional products to be added to EPEAT.
For information on the EPEAT standard and the searchable database listing all EPEAT-registered computer products, visit: www.epeat.net
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National Standards Day coming
WASHINGTON, D.C. – From increased energy efficiency to integration with the latest information and communication technologies, the world’s attention is focused on commercial, government, and residential buildings that are accessible, safe, and sustainable. In today’s global trade environment, major construction projects often require coordination among many different countries, including important decisions about which building and safety codes apply.
The global celebration of World Standards Day will spotlight the critical role of standards and conformity assessment programs in ensuring safety requirements; facilitating coordination among contractors, builders, engineers, and architects; and incorporating new technologies in the design and construction of intelligent and sustainable buildings.
On October 23, 2008, the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day will bring together leaders of business, industry, academia, and government along with consumer representatives and experts in science and technology. The event will kick off with a reception and exhibition at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The evening’s festivities include presentation of the 2008 Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award, which was named after the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce and honors an individual who has dedicated him/herself to the promotion of standardization as a key tool in the elimination of global trade barriers. The winners of the 2008 World Standards Day Paper Competition will also be announced and presented with their awards.
For more information or to register, visit www.wsd-us.org
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EPA offers training to colleges
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering a web-based compliance assistance center that provides comprehensive environmental compliance assistance and pollution prevention information for colleges and universities. The center was developed by the National Association of Colleges and University Business Officials with support and funding from EPA.
The web site makes it easier for school officials to learn more about applicable environmental regulations and ensure a safe and sustainable environment for students, faculty, and staff. The online center provides information on topics including waste management, air and water resources, drinking water, and public safety. Viewers can find out what types of campus activities are regulated by EPA and see how best to comply with environmental regulations. They can query federal enforcement and compliance data, learn how to apply for federal grants, and e-mail comments to EPA on regulations under development. See www.campuserc.org
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Sweden pioneers in sustainability reporting
AMSTERDAM – All 55 state owned companies in Sweden must file an annual sustainability report based on the Global Reporting Initiative (G3) Guidelines before the 31 March each year starting in 2009.
To improve the sustainability performance of state owned companies and ensure the effective and transparent use of public money, the Swedish Government has been the first government in the world to introduce such sustainability reporting measures. For more information, see www.globalreporting.org/
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Employees care about environmental impact
BROOMFIELD, Colo. – Most U.S. workers (64%) say that their decision to work for a company or purchase its products are “strongly” or “somewhat” influenced by a company’s environmental practices or polices, according to a survey conducted by Corporate Express US.
According to the survey, American preferences toward environmental safeguards in the office continue to increase. The survey found that:
- Approximately two out of three workers at companies without environmental policies would like to see such policies implemented in their office;
- 83% of employees would like to see their companies use environmentally friendly cleaning chemicals in their offices; and
- Nearly one in three workers say they possess allergies that are aggravated by environmental conditions in their offices.
According to the survey, demand for environmentally focused products has increased steadily over the past 10 years – with most respondents (60%) reporting that the environmental policies at their companies have been implemented within the last decade. For more information, see www.corporateexpress.com
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USDA, DOE invest up to $18.4 million
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will invest up to $18.4 million over three years, for 21 biomass research and development (R&D) and demonstration projects to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the production of biomass.
Projects aim to change the way this nation powers its cars, homes and business by increasing energy efficiency and diversifying energy sources in effort to increase energy, economic, and national security. Grant recipients include:
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey – up to $971,799 to develop a U.S. native grass breeding consortium to identify regional optimum biomass productivity on marginal lands and switchgrass performance in specific U.S. regions.
- Agrivida, Inc. (MA) - up to $982,589 to study altered plant compositions for improved biofuel production including analysis of rice straw, sorghum, and switchgrass performance in specific U.S. regions.
- University of Florida - up to $866,576 to address genetic engineering of sugarcane for increased fermentable sugar yield from hemicellulosic biomass in Florida.
- Ceres, Inc. (CA) - up to $839,909 to identify and characterize plant genes involved in biosynthesis and deposition of cellulose and hemicellulose in plant cell walls, with a focus on switchgrass throughout the U.S.
- Ceres, Inc. (CA) - up to $883,290 to evaluate herbacious and woody crops for use in thermochemical processing, specifically examining willow and switchgrass species grown throughout a wide range of geographies in the United States.
- Regents of the University of Colorado - up to $1,000,000 to develop rapid solar-thermal chemical reactor systems for conversion of biomass to synthesis gas.
- North Carolina State University - up to $999,889 to develop advanced technology for low-cost ethanol from engineered cellulosic biomass.
- Regents of the University of Minnesota - up to $975,676 to develop a microwave-assisted pyrolysis system for conversion of cellulosic biomass to bio-oils.
- Regents of the University of Minnesota - up to $715,340 to develop pathways to achieving U.S. bioenergy policy goals, develop economic costs and environmental impacts, and identify potential technological bottlenecks.
- Regents of the University of Minnesota - up to $576,368 to research and analyze lignin as a facilitator during saccharification by brown rot fungi.
- University of Kentucky Research Foundation - up to $999,964 to develop advanced ceramic materials for the separation and recovery of high-value pentose derivatives from cellulosic biomass using molecular imprinting.
- Battelle Memorial Institute, on behalf of DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (WA) - up to $1,000,000 to address catalytic conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals using ionic liquids.
- Packer Engineering (IL) - up to $1,000,000 to research and develop on-farm conversion of biomass to synthetic gas, combined heat and electric power, and fertilizer.
- Kansas State University - up to $690,000 to demonstrate pelletizing forage crops and perennial grasses in the field to increase cellulosic ethanol production.
- University of Akron (OH) - up to $743,904 to research and develop supercritical methods for biorefinery of rubber-bearing guayule biomass.
- Purdue University (IN) - up to $1,000,000 to develop a low-cost, high-yield process for direct production of high energy density liquid fuel from biomass. Synergistic use of solar hydrogen with biomass will be explored.
- Iowa State University - up to $944,899 to develop catalytic production of ethanol from biomass-derived synthesis gas.
- Cornell University (NY) - up to $998,943 to develop more effective enzymatic conversion processes through nano-scale elucidation of molecular mechanisms and kinetic modeling.
- GE Global Research (NY) - up to $820,035 to integrate biomass gasification with catalytic partial oxidation for tar conversion.
- Texas Engineering Experimental Station - up to $600,000 to provide a demonstration of commercial feasibility of anaerobic fermentation of biomass for the production of carboxylate salts and their conversion to keytones.
- Washington State University - up to $839,909 to provide product diversification strategies for a new generation of biofuels and bio-products.
For more information, see www.energy.gov/news/6035.htm
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DOE encourages solar power
DENVER, Colo. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will make available up to $2.4 million to 12 cities across the country.
Cities designated as Solar America Cities, which will each receive $200,000 from DOE to integrate a variety of solar energy technologies throughout the city, include: Denver, Houston, Knoxville, Tenn.; Milwaukee, WI; Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN; Orlando, FL; Philadelphia, Sacramento, Calif.; San Antonio, Texas, San Jose, Calif.; Santa Rosa, Calif.; and Seattle.
In addition to investing a total of up to $2.4 million (Fiscal Year 2008), DOE will also provide hands-on assistance from technical experts to help cities integrate solar technologies into energy planning, zoning and facilities; streamline local regulations and practices that affect solar adoption by residents and businesses; present solar financing options; and promote solar technology among residents and local businesses through outreach, curriculum development, and incentive programs. Technical assistance is estimated at $3 million (Fiscal Years 2008-2009), subject to appropriations from Congress.
Cities selected are geographically diverse and have varying degrees of solar resources and experience with solar technologies. Each city will adopt a variety of approaches to building up their solar infrastructure and deploying cutting-edge technologies, which include solar water heating, photovoltaics – a technology which turns sunlight into electricity, and concentrating solar power - and large-scale solar thermal technology.
The development of solar energy technology is integral to the President’s Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI), which seeks to change the way we power our homes, offices and vehicles by increasing the use of clean, renewable technologies. Awards announced today build upon the $5.4 million in financial and technical assistance awarded to the thirteen Solar America Cities selected in 2007, including: Ann Arbor, MI; Austin, TX; Berkeley, CA; Boston, MA; Madison, WI; New Orleans, LA; New York City, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City, UT; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Tucson, AZ, bringing the total number of Solar America Cities to 25. For more information, see www1.eere.energy.gov
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