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Salt River Project (SRP) is opening its Community Solar program to business customers, allowing businesses to purchase solar power from the 20 megawatt Copper Crossing Solar Ranch, located in Florence, Arizona. The Copper Crossing Solar Ranch currently provides solar power for homes and schools, and about half of Copper Crossing's generated solar power will be allocated for business customers. Beginning in February 2012, business customers will be able to purchase solar electricity through the Community Solar program at a fixed rate of 9.9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), over a 10 year period.
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New Jersey Resources Clean Energy Ventures (NJRCEV) has completed a 14.1 megawatt (MW) solar installation on McGraw-Hill's East Windsor, New Jersey campus. The solar array is expected to produce 18.4 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, providing renewable electricity for McGraw-Hill's offices in East Windsor. In addition to the McGraw-Hill installation, NJRCEV completed a 3.6 megawatt (MW) solar project at Manalapan Township , New Jersey, the remaining 25 percent of a 4.7 MW solar system in Vineland , New Jersey, and a 1.3 MW rooftop installation in Edison, New Jersey.
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The City of Ithaca, New York signed a 2-year power purchase agreement with Integrys Energy Services to purchase 100 percent of the city's electricity consumption from renewable energy sources. Beginning in January 2012, Ithaca will begin purchasing Green-e Energy certified renewable energy credits to match all of its electricity use.
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The 9-megawatt (MW) PaTu Wind Farm, a local wind farm located in Sherman County, Oregon has signed two long-term power purchase agreements to sell its renewable energy credits (RECs) to OneEnergy Renewables and Seattle City Light. OneEenergy Renewables, a Seattle-based REC marketer, will purchase PaTu generated RECs through 2015. Seattle City Light, Seattle's municipal utility, will begin purchasing PaTu RECs in 2016.
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Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) dedicated two solar sites located in Huntsville, Alabama and Dyer, Tennessee, which began generating solar power in early December. The solar projects include a 23 kW installation at the Huntsville Botanical Garden, and a 19.7 kW installation at Gibson County High School, located in Dyer.
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President Obama's annual State of the Union address included proposals for clean energy tax credits, a clean energy standard, and energy efficiency assistance for manufacturers and businesses. The president also announced two initiatives to advance the deployment of clean energy technologies.
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Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced the 20 teams, representing 13 states and Washington, D.C. plus 3 foreign countries, that will compete U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013, which will be held in California for the first time.
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DOE has announced the launch of the second year of its "America's Next Top Energy Innovator" program, which cuts fees and paperwork for start-ups licensing DOE laboratory technologies.
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Voting is underway in DOE's "America's Next Top Energy Innovator" challenge. A public vote and expert review will select the top start-up companies.
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The U.S. Department of Defense has released a study showing that four military bases in the California desert could generate 7,000 megawatts of solar energy.
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Live in NH. Will walk on the floor a lot, going from outside to a hard wood floor. We have snow 4 -5 months a year. I have read here something that gave me the idea that radiant heat is not good for bamboo?.

Dear Poly,

The short answer is that radiant heat works well underneath certain types of linoleum, ceramic tile, stone, hardwood, bamboo, cork or carpeting:

• as long as the floor temperature is not too high,
• the...
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Should the inspectors allowed this?

Cynthia,

Asbestos was banned in 'popcorn' ceiling textures in 1977, when they switched to styrofoam bits.

If your home was built in 2006, it is extremely unlikely that it contains asbestos.

Removal is...
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I recently purchased a home with an unfinished basement. The builder has already installed fiberglass insulation batts between the exterior and interior wall studs, as well as the ceiling joists of the basement. The exterior walls are also covered with a vapor barrier (6 mil. polyethylene sheeting) as specified by residential building codes in my area. The interior walls of the basement have nothing covering the insulation.While it's nice that the basement is already insulated, I'm concerned about IAQ, particularly with regard to formaldehyde. I'm currently finishing the basement, and I'm ready to sheetrock the walls. Is there a way to "cover" the insulation prior to installing the sheetrock that will further reduce formaldehyde when my basement is eventually finished? Would installing the same 6 mil. polyethylene plastic sheeting over the insulation in the interior walls help to reduce formaldehyde offgassing? Thank you so much for your time and experti

Jesse,

The amount of formaldehyde in insulation is far less than it used to be and some insulations are made formaldehyde-free.

You can buy a do-it-yourself test kit (google formaldehyde test kit)...
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For several days, I was unwittingly exposed to PVC dust while sawing and sanding pipes and fittings for a home project. I wore a mask after the first day because of tightness in my chest. I did not learn of PVC dust's toxicity till afterward. Assuming the dust is in my lungs and digestive tract, will my body be able to metabolize and flush it out, or do the PVC particles not break down? I have read about PVC dust's effects in cases of chronic exposure, but I've yet to find information about acute exposure and its effects.

Marc,

I'll answer this as best I can. I am not a doctor although my degree is in Toxicology.

If your symptoms have persisted, I strongly suggest you do see your doctor. My...
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1940s construction wood frame house, peaked roof , open attic with existing wood shavings insulation. External temperature vary from -35 to + 35 C. Home is occupied. I am concerned with the safety issues re off-gassing both during and after installation. Also opinions on the relative safety and efficiency of eco (soy based) foam and PUFI systems.

It depends. I use Roxul in nearly all of my retrofits now.

• Seal every air leak,
• install roxul
• then install an interior vapor barrier.

Every hole in the vapor barrier must be sealed...
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Someone asked me recently if the green movement was losing its momentum. Well, according to Google Trends, words like "sustainability," "green design," "green buildings" and "LEED" are not being searched for as often these days. In fact, it looks like the peak search year for these topics was around 2008/2009. Since then, these words are still being "Googled" but not as often. (Google Trends searches new media, blogs and general search terms. It's a pretty good indicator of general interest.)

And it's true that many companies have had to put their big green initiatives on hold given the slowdown in the economy - that new solar array on the roof, buying a fleet of hybrid cars or installing a new building monitoring system - it's just not happening this year. But that doesn't mean companies haven't forgotten about the principals of being sustainable or their impact on the environment. If anything, companies are moving past the "green bling" and starting to internalize what it really means to be sustainable as a business - which often overlaps with what it really means to be sustainable in the environmental sense. Doing more with less. Considering the real cost of global growth. Being considerate of the social and environmental risks along with financial ones.

Much of the recent green movement, in my view, has been a lot of fun - I'm the first to flock to those new green gadgets - but buying green stuff is not really the right mindset if we're serious about this whole sustainability thing. I think, in this time of economic duress, we're having to be better stewards of resources, which is, in turn switching on little LED light bulbs in our heads. Because we don't have a lot of extra cash lying around, we're more thoughtful with our choices, we're thinking about getting more bang for the buck and stretching our dollars just a wee bit more. That is the mindset that makes us better stewards of our business assets, but also of our selves, our families, our communities and the Planet.

And yes, green may be going a bit grey, but I like to think it is from maturity, not from a lack of interest.
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Before movies, there was only theater. And for a long time the theatrical set of the theater, with a stage, lighting above and in front, sets off to the side and actors moving to and from the stage defined how stories were told. Most of the activity occured behind what is called the proscenium, or an archway in front of the curtain. This opening separates the audience from the performance. Anything that happens behind the proscenium can become any place imaginable, as long at the actors make it believable.

When film was first invented, early movies were conceived to behave like a theatrical stage, with a "still" camera and actors moving back and forth. The fact that moving pictures existed at all was very exciting, and just aiming a camera at a stage was acceptable. However, at some point, filmmakers decided to "splice" the film and shoot one scene, and they cut to a completely different scene. There was concern that this would be very confusing to the audience, but once filmakers tried it there was no going back. Filmmakers also realized that you could change the point of view that the audience might see... close ups and worm's eye view shots were now possible. The results of these changes in perspective was transformative. Here's a wonderful example of this from Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train.

Now of course we have movies conceived from the start in 3D like James Cameron's Avatar.

I got to thinking last night... We have technology that allows us to truly work anywhere, and just about any way we want. Why are we still shooting the proscenium and working in cube-like environments all day? And what are we missing in terms of a rich, collaborative, meaningful and innovative work experience by defining our "office" as a single place? Let's break out of dilbert-ville, turn our idea of the workplace upside down and break a paradigm or two.

If all the world's a stage now, WHY ARE WE NOT USING IT?
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This is the fifth of several posts explaining how we are looking to nature's principles (Life's Principles) to develop new ways of thinking about our workplace:


Optimize the system rather than maximizing components. Creatures always have to balance multiple cost/benefit dimensions, there are no single-minded goals (like being bigger, faster, etc.)
- Perform as many functions with as few components as possible
- Think Buckminster Fullers geodesic dome

Examples from nature:
- The spider web is a nest, a means for catching prey, infinitely flexible and made from the minimum amount of material.
- The Native American tipi is made of sticks and stretched animal skins. It is infinitely flexible and easily transportable with minimal material required.

Workplace implications:
- Consider the many variables involved, like life-cycle cost, culture change, training needed, space, technology or policy implications
- Use technology, policies, space, and materials as wisely as possible
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This is the third of several posts explaining how we are looking to nature's principles (Life's Principles) to develop new ways of thinking about our workplace:


Organize fractally. Nature creates beautiful and functional elements that occur over and over again. Self-similarity is a way of planning for several different scales at once.

Examples from nature:
Fibonacci spirals don't occur all over the place in nature because they're pretty, they occur all over because they're an algorithm that allows perpetual growth to any size without having to readjust or plan ahead. They appear in shells, the solar system, weather patterns and pine cones.

Workplace Implications:
- Consider designing at the individual, group and community level simultaneously
- Consider building with smaller, more flexible modules
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Finally some serious promotion to the dangers of cycling and the responsibility of drivers.
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The Guardian's George Monbiot talks about climate deniers, junk science, and the need for nuclear.
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There's no doubt we've seen an uptake in jellyfish numbers over the last few years, but does that mean they'll dominate the seas for year's to come? A group of scientists aren't so sure about that, and are taking a closer look.
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A quick and easy-to-use design that takes up no space, at a reasonable price.
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A local TV show gives home, car makeover and branding help to Brazilian 61-year-old Dona Eunice, who has 27 children, feeds around 60, and created a sewing cooperative.
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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC. AUGUST 26, 2010. By Marianne Lavelle

Renewable energy, efficiency part of New Orleans rebuilding

The rooftop of Robert Greens home bears two unmistakable marks that it is part of the effort to rebuild New Orleans with a new resilience.

There is a safe exit to a secure area of the roofa feature that needs no explanation for longtime Lower Ninth Ward residents like Green, who lost both his mother and his three-year-old granddaughter in 20-foot-high floodwaters after the Industrial Canal levee broke in the wake of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005.

But in addition to that echo of the tragic past, there is an installation that points to a hopeful future: 15 solar photovoltaic panels.

Greens home is one of 50 that have been completed so far in the Make it Right development, spearheaded by actor Brad Pitt, which aims to incorporate renewable energy and efficiency into every element of design. Similarly, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachevs Global Green project in the Lower Ninth Wards Holy Cross neighborhood has five low-energy homes. And the Pontchartrain Park Neighborhood Association, organized by actor Wendell Pierce, also is aiming to rebuild with solar and geothermal energy in every home.

Making use of Louisianas new incentives for renewable energyamong the best in the countrythe projects aim to show that the up-front effort and investment in clean energy will pay dividends for the community, and for the individual homeowners, for years to come.

Getting It Right After Things Went So Wrong

Green moved into his 1,800-square-foot Make It Right home in July 2009, after spending three years in a Federal Emergency Management Agency trailer on the same site. A sense of family and community is still here, explains Green. He paid $126,000 for his new house with solar electric panels that can generate up to three kilowatts of energy. And the home is built to reduce the need for power, with Energy Star appliances and a tankless water heater.

Of course, there are many other features Green likesthe low-emissions carpeting and paint that he says helps keep his asthma symptoms at bay, the better light and air circulation, and a sense of security. Make It Right homes, many with a view of the levee, are elevated against future floods, and bolstered with frames and windows that can withstand 160 mile-per-hour winds. In addition to the rooftop escape hatches, they have insulation that is easier to replace should it mold.

And, says Green, there are the energy savings. Green says he has seen his summer electricity bill drop from more than $300 a month in the 1910 home that was destroyed in the flood and demolished, to $170 a month in his FEMA trailer, and to now around $125 in his new home.

Day to day I breathe better, says Green, and it doesnt cost as much.

Full National Geographic Article

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Proponents of the Green movement insist that making environmentally conscious decisions will not only encourage a safe and ecologically friendly atmosphere, but are good for business and will also save money in the end, thanks to a streamlined spending structure.

Five schools across the country have become LEED certified in order to provide the cleanest and most energy-efficient learning environments for their students.

Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins, CO has been certified LEED Silver. By following standards outlined by the USGBC, the Poudre School District saved about $11,500 annually on their water bill. They also incorporated as much natural light as possible, simultaneously saving money on artificial light and creating a more favorable learning environment for students.

Sidwell Friends Middle School in Washington, D.C. received a LEED Platinum certification, the highest award a school has received from the USGBC. They constructed an artificial wetland in between the new and old wings of the school, which serves a dual purpose: allow for efficient, recyclable water, and provide a hands-on learning environment for science classes. Solar panels and natural light systems take full advantage of sunlight while saving on energy costs.

Clearview Elementary in Hanover, PA - certified LEED Gold - is also bathed in natural light thanks to huge windows along its long corridors. According to studies by the California Board for Energy Efficiency, tests scores were 15%-26% higher in classrooms with plenty of natural light versus classrooms with lower levels of sunlight.

Rosa Parks Elementary in Portland, OR - certified LEED Gold - selected paints, carpets adhesives and sealants were selected for their low carbon emissions.

Finally, the LEED certified West Brazos Junior High School in Brazoria, TX, saved 18% on construction costs compared to the average middle school while using 55% locally manufactured materials.

Going Green doesn’t have to cost a fortune either. Whether you have a home you’re looking to turn Green or a local school you’d like to recommend, it can be affordable with government Green tax credits and debt consolidation.  With some smart planning and energy efficiency, any school can become the next LEED-certified school.

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Go Green Expo has organized the first annual Northeast Green Building & Design Show, coming up this October 8th and 9th at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center.

The event, which is targeted towards both building industry professionals (10/8 and 10/9) and homeowners (10/9 only), will showcase energy-efficient and environmentally responsible products and services.  Additionally, the event will feature a variety of interactive seminars from leaders in green building and design.  Think of it as a more navigable version of GreenBuild.

Tickets are only $10 in advance (www.gogreenexpo.com) or $20 at the door.

Special thanks to Chelsea Gleis from Organic Works PR for the event information.

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The USGBC has awarded a LEED EB O&M Sliver certification to the BASF Construction Chemicals - Building Systems headquarters in suburban Minneapolis.

The 50,879 square foot Shakopee, Minnesota facility was originally constructed in 1972 and has since three renovations and one major addition.  Highlights of the LEED-approved program include landfill waste reduction, an improvement of IAQ for the 100+ on-site employees and a sustainable purchasing program.

“As a supplier of products and solutions to this market, our decision to certify our building is an outward expression of our commitment, and has allowed us to more fully understand what it takes to participate in green and sustainable construction and renovation projects,” said Doug MacRae, Head of Building Systems.

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany.  BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $17.5 billion in 2008.

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The University of Minnesota Gophers’ new 58,800-seat football stadium has been awarded LEED Silver by the USGBC.    The Minneapolis venue was designed by Populous is officially named TCF Bank Stadium and hosted its first game on September 12th to rave reviews from fans and players.

During a two year construction period, general contracted by M.A. Mortensen Construction Co., the following sustainable features were incorporated:

• 90% recycled steel, primarily locally produced
• A high Albedo roof system
• Low-VOC paint, carpet, sealants and adhesives.
• A comprehensive storm water management system that harvests, filters and drains runoff to the Mississippi River.

The project also achieved a 50% reduction of potable water use in landscaping (30% indoor use reduction) and diverted 98 percent of construction waste from landfills.  Further, in a testament to the true sustainable nature of the facility,  it can be expanded to just over 80,000 seats.

Take a virtual tour of this impressive stadium at http://stadium.gophersports.com.

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It might be hard for you to believe, but we’re a bunch of big-hearted softies here at Bounce Energy. And since it’s February, we welcome the chance to celebrate Valentine’s Day. To commemorate the heart-on-your-sleeve spirit that fills this time of year, we decided to share our love with people looking to enter into a healthy relationship with a new electricity provider. From now through February 14th, 2012, Bounce is offering all new customers the opportunity to receive both a $50 Gift Card to Restaurant.com and 2 movie passes through Fandango.com .

This fantastic Valentine’s Day promotion is fairly straight-forward. If you choose one of the special plans eligible for our featured reward, you will need to enter the promotion code of ” dinnerMovie ” into the promotion field located at the end of the online order form. Then, once you receive your first bill from Bounce Energy, you only need to pay your first bill on-time to redeem this reward. If you did enter the promotion code correctly and your first bill is paid on-time, Bounce will automatically mail you the $50 Gift Card to Restaurant.com and 2 movie passes through Fandango.com within 6 weeks of your bill payment date.

During the order process, we also encourage you to learn more about our great Rewards Programs. By simply making on-time bill payments, you can earn amazing rewards that, depending upon the plan you choose, range from more free movie passes, different gift card options, American AAdvantage airline miles, or cash back.

Think of this promotion as that wonderful bouquet of flowers offered on that first date, that memorable outing where you start thinking that this person might just be “the one.” Bounce welcomes the chance to woo its customers in every way possible, whether through our great electricity rates, fabulous rewards programs, and superb customer service. Come celebrate Valentine’s Day with Bounce Energy!

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Smartphone apps are amazing. There are apps that allow you to chat face-to-face with someone halfway across the world, pay your bills, and even start your car – all from a tiny computer that fits in your pocket! Bounce Energy, a Texas energy company, has joined the app revolution by creating an iPhone app and Android app, both of which allow you to manage your MyAccount from anywhere at any time.

By downloading the new Bounce Energy MyAccount app, you will have access to many features within your MyAccount. Our app allows you to do the following:

• View bills
• Make payments
• Edit payment options Bounce Energy provides a variety of ways to make a payment such as online, in person, or via the mail.
• Contact customer service Visit Bounce Energys customer service portal to submit a question or issue and receive escalated support.  Also, check out Bounce Energys newest member of the family, an answer-providing bunny named Bouncey. Whether you have a question about your bill, payment, or your account information, just AskBouncey and get the answers you need online.
• Read up on the latest articles and blogs from Bounce Energy Bounce Energy has three blogs dedicated to help you save energy and money.

Best of all, the Bounce Energy MyAccount app is FREE! So download this app from iTunes or the Android Market today!

Check out the Bounce Energy videos below for more information on the Bounce Energy MyAccount app .

 

 

 

For easier access to download just zap these QR codes.

 

 

 

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There was a lot of talk over the holidays about trouble brewing for Texas electricity rates this summer. But once all the New Year’s Eve party debris was cleaned up, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) announced that it expected to meet this summer’s electricity peak demand levels.

All the same, are you still a little nervous? Are you looking for a Texas electricity provider who offers fixed-rate plans but you’re not sure how long you want to commit?

Wouldn’t it be great to find a Texas electricity company that had low fixed-rate electricity plans? Wouldn’t it be great to lock in a fixed-rate for the next four bills from an electricity provider who rewards you just for paying your bill on time? Wouldn’t it be great to find a Texas electricity provider who contacts you before your plan ends to discuss your options? Wouldn’t it be great to choose from a wide variety of fixed-rate plans instead of 3 or 4 cookie-cutter plans?

TA-DA! You’ve just discovered the Fast Fixed 4 Plan from Bounce Energy!  When you sign up for the Bounce Energy Fast Fixed 4, not only will you get a low, fixed-rate plan for four months, you’ll also qualify for the Bounce Energy Rewards Program. You can choose from bill credits, movie tickets, companion airfare tickets, and even FREE electricity just for paying your bill on time.

Maybe four isn’t the magic number? Not to worry. Bounce Energy is the most “liked” electricity company in Texas because it has electricity plans that fit your lifestyle and your energy needs.

Fixed-Rate Plans	Oncor	Centerpoint	TNMP	AEPN	AEPC
Tremendous 24:	9.4	10.1	10.8	9.6	10.9
Terrific 12:	9.1	9.7	10.6	9.2	10.7
Nifty 9:	8.8	9.5	10.1	9.4	10.0
Fantastic Fixed 6:	8.6	9.3	9.5	8.6	9.5
Fast Fixed 4:	6.9	7.2	8.7	8.4	9.0
Easy Fixed 3:	6.8	7.2	8.6	8.3	8.9
Month-to-Month Rate Plans	Oncor	Centerpoint	TNMP	AEPN	AEPC
Thrifty Saver Promotional:	4.3	4.7	6.1	5.5	6.1
Smart Saver:	9.1	9.7	9.7	9.0/td>10.1
Express Move:	11.6	12.1	12.2	11.8	12.7
The Organic Section: 100% Green Plans!	Oncor	Centerpoint	TNMP	AEPN	AEPC
Organic Power Promotional:	5.9	6.5	6.4	6.0	6.8
Smart Green:	11.0	11.7	11.7	11.8	12.2
Organic Power Fixed 6:	9.0	9.7	9.9	9.0	9.9
Organic Power Fixed 12:	9.4	10.2	10.8	9.5	11.0

*all rates shown represent 2,000 kWh useage as of January 28, 2012

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Living in Texas, Im never exposed to harsh cold winters. My body literally goes into shock if the weather drops below 60 degrees. And on those few days where the weather temps do fall below 60, my heating costs do quite the opposite. If I even hear the word 50 degrees, I make a dash to the heater to crank it up. But as my husband keeps telling me that energy doesnt just appear, that we do indeed have to pay for it, it turns out I have to keep my heater cranking habits under control. And one of the best ways to do that is by using a programmable thermostat.

Not only does using a programmable thermostat save energy, but you can save about 10% a year on cooling and heating bills too. I can think of plenty of things to spend that money on (or maybe save) rather than spending it on energy.  By keeping your thermostat programmed 10-15 degrees cooler (for the winter) for at least eight hours, it will result in saving energy and saving money.

Not only does a programmable thermostat save energy and money, but it saves you the hassle of remembering to change your thermostat when leaving the house or throughout the day. When using a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on your heater (or A/C) to a pre-set schedule. So you no longer have to change the temperature when you are asleep or away from the house. Most programmable thermostats have six or more temperature settings that you can program for each day of the week. The key is to figure out a program that will automatically reduce heating and cooling in your home when you dont need it as much.

Now, in order to see your savings, not only do you need to program your thermostat for 10-15 degrees lower, but you also need to keep your thermostat on those settings as well. It doesnt help your bottom line if you program the thermostat and then keep manually adjusting it throughout the day.

As a point of reference, here are the pre-programmed settings for a programmable thermostat during the winter months according to energystar.gov:

Programmable Thermostat Setpoint Times & Temperatures
Setting          Time                Setpoint Temperature (Heat)
Wake              6:00 a.m.       70° F
Day                8:00 a.m.       Setback at least 8° F
Evening        6:00 p.m.       70° F
Sleep            10:00 p.m.     Setback at least 8° F

 

VIDEO:  “Using a Programmable Thermostat during the Winter”

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