Trane Helping Schools Cut their Energy Bills in Half

The combination of efficiency and renewables is driving big savings at Massachusetts' Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District. A performance contract signed with HVAC manufacturer Trane Inc. is expected to slash the districts annual energy spending by 62 percent, or $564,000 each year.

Trane is far more than just a leading manufacturer of HVAC equipment, they also offers cost saving projects and renewable energy efficiency solutions. They helped to design and install the district's 1.2-megawatt solar photo-voltaic system including five carport canopies ranging in size from 117 kW to 639 kW. This system now generates around 75 percent of the energy used by the district.

Infographic - Saving Energy to Make Everyday Earth Day

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China Using Drones to Combat Air Pollution

Chemical dispersing drones are being used by the Chinese government to combat the serious smog problem in Beijing. The pollution in Beijing is caused primarily by the cities five million motor vehicles, nearby coal burning, dust storms and local construction dust.

Previously, fixed wing aircraft sprayed chemicals that freeze floating particles, allowing them to fall to ground. Now these chemicals will be sprayed by an unmanned parafoil drone designed by the state owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China. The new design uses the same chemicals but can carry three time more weight (700kg) than fixed wing designs making it 90 percent less expensive to operate.

Beijing Passes New Air Pollution Law

China is plagued by dangerous air pollution, and the city of Beijing has taken the first step to address the issue. Beijing, one of the most polluted cities in the world, has introduced China’s first legally binding regulations. The new rules are designed to reduce PM2.5 levels were overwhelmingly approved by Beijing’s municipal congress by a vote of 659 to 23.

Particulate Matter, 2.5 micrometers or less are abbreviated as PM2.5. They are defined as fine particles in the (ambient) air that are 2.5 micrometres or less in size. They are small enough to invade even the smallest airways and they are known to produce respiratory and cardiovascular illness. They generally come from activities that burn fossil fuels, such as traffic, smelting, and metal processing.

China's national standard is 35-micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter, while Beijing has levels that are more than twice that level (89.5 micrograms). Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun has said that air pollution is the biggest problem concerning people’s livelihoods in the capital.

Event - Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum

The Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum, is subtitled the future for the Green Deal: engagement, integration and tackling fuel poverty, will take place on March 24, 2014, at Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, UK. A year on from the official launch of the Green Deal, this seminar will provide a timely opportunity to review progress and consider the way forward for the scheme in the context of the government's wider energy efficiency strategy

Guest of Honour: David Thomas, Deputy Director, Green Deal Demand, Department of Energy and Climate Change.

China's New Year: Smog and Drought Underscore the Contradiction of Pollution and Mitigation

As China celebrates its new year festival, many of the country's major cities appear deserted as millions of workers returned to their childhood homes in rural parts of the nation. On the upside the mass exodus has improved air quality in some of China's biggest cities. However, as the New Year was being celebrated another round of heavy smog hit a large region of the country.

In China, the Lunar New Year ushers in the year of the Horse which is one of 12 animals that make up the Chinese zodiac. According to Chinese astrology the year will be marked by conflict. One of the ongoing issues that is contributing to social tensions in the country is the problem of smog.

Video - National Weatherization Day: The Value of Energy Efficiency

This video is in recognition of National Weatherization Day which is an annual event that takes place on October 30th. In this 2009 video, senior government energy advisor Matt Rogers emphasizes the energy and cost benefits of improved energy efficiency - encouraging all Americans to install energy efficiency measures in their own homes - and he expresses appreciation to the nation's weatherization network for its past accomplishments and its continued commitment to serving low-income citizens.

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Weatherization Day: Energy Efficiency Resources for those in Need

Weatherization Day is celebrated on October 30, which is fitting as the days grow colder as we head towards winter. The day is intended to raise awareness about the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) which is a nationwide program that was created in 1976. Their energy mission is geared towards reducing energy use and costs for low-income families, particularly for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children, while ensuring their health and safety.

In addition to the focusing on the WAP, the day is intended to raise awareness about the work being performed by the WAP network. The DOE has also added to the focus of the day by declaring October to be Energy Awareness Month.  Continue reading to see the wide range of resources that can help to institute energy efficiency measures and communicate their value.

Chinese Smog Crisis is Driving the Transition to a Greener Economy

Air quality and other environmental concerns are forcing China to transition to a greener more sustainable  economy. With visibility in Harbin, China being reduced to 10 meters, the city was shut down by a thick blanket of smog that descended on Monday, October 21. Levels of smog in the city are five to ten times worse than America's most smog ridden city, (the Southern California city of Bakersfield). While officials are blaming the dense smog in Harbin on heating, the real issue is the country's reliance on coal.

China's Economic Growth and Low Carbon Leadership

China's economy is growing along with the nation's efforts to combat climate change. The nation is an increasingly competitive leader in low carbon thanks to its renewable energy initiatives, sustainability efforts, and reductions in CO2 and HCFCs.

The latest economic reports out of China indicate that the country has increased its rate of growth. The Chinese economy grew by 7.8% in the third quarter of 2013 compared to a year earlier, the highest growth rate so far this year. Foreign investment in China rose to $8.8 billion (US), marking a 4.9% increase over last year. Manufacturing output recorded double-digit growth for the second month in a row, expanding by 10.2% in September. Credit Suisse expects the Chinese economy to grow by 7.6% in 2013 and 7.7% in 2014.

Webinar - Product Sustainability Dos and Donts and the Business Benefits

Leading sustainability strategies have shifted in the last five years from enterprise-focussed, looking at the impacts within a firm’s own four walls, to strategies encompassing product-based sustainability initiatives. This recognises the sheer scale of the life cycle impact of products, from raw material sourcing and manufacture to usage and disposal.

Join this Verdantix webinar as they reveal the business benefits of product sustainability, key features of leading strategies and emerging best practices. They will analyze the progress of buzzword concepts including sustainable innovation, closing the loop and net positive strategies and identify the trends shaping next generation strategies.

Webinar - 360report: Sustainability as an Essential Success Factor

Get to know 360report during a 45 minute free webinar on September 26, 2013. Matthias Keitel leads the webinar and answers all your questions. In recent years, public interest in the sustainability of economic activity has increased and as a result, companies are increasingly adopting the practice of sustainability reporting and benefiting from the economic advantages and additional market opportunities.

Sustainable corporate practice implies a company's acceptance of social, ecologic and economic responsibility and the orientation of economic activities towards this responsibility. However, sustainability comprises more than good sustainability performance within the organization's own business operations. In addition, investors, suppliers and employees have to be geared to recognizing and maintaining the same values.

The Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill: Jobs, the Economy and Action on Climate Change

Getting support from Republican legislators on any issue is difficult, this is especially true of bills related to climate change. However, an energy efficiency bill moving through Congress has a good chance of securing bipartisan support, and according to a new analysis, it could provide much needed economic benefits including jobs while significantly decreasing climate change causing emissions.

As reported in Cleantechnica The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013, also known as the Shaheen-Portman bill, could create hundreds of thousands of green jobs while saving consumers billions and cutting energy use and emissions.

Shaheen-Portman bill is named for sponsoring Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH). The modified bill already passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in April by a vote of 19-3. The bill promotes energy efficiency across the US economy through a mix of building codes, financing and rebates, voluntary labeling, and technical assistance. If enacted, the bill would target improvements in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, which represented two-thirds of US energy-use emissions.

Event - Waste Solutions, Treatments and Opportunities

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Event - International Green IT Awareness Week

A Green technology brainstorm is headed for the IT world as International Green IT Awareness Week running from the 1 - 7 June 2013 aims to shine a spotlight on Green IT and pave the way for organisations and individuals to initiate, promote and support Green IT discussions and action.

Event - Creative Disruptive (Water) Leadership Workshop

Creative Disruptive (Water) Leadership workshop will take place Friday May 31 to Sundany June 2, 2013, in Wyebridge, Ontario.

Great leaders learn to develop a capacity to navigate through complexity, to facilitate collaboration and to disrupt when the time is right. This workshop will focus on offering important techniques to move you along the spectrum of your leadership journey. We will offer you the inspiration and tools to become more creative, more innovative, and to build your leadership potential.

Video - Water in the Anthropocene

Water in the Anthropocene (Ambient Version) from Globaïa on Vimeo.

Water in the Anthropocene is a 3-minute film charting the global impact of humans on the water cycle. Evidence is growing that our global footprint is now so significant we have driven Earth into a new geological epoch — the Anthropocene. Human activities such as damming and agriculture are changing the global water cycle in significant ways.

The data visualisation was commissioned by the Global Water Systems Project for a major international conference (Water in the Anthropocene, Bonn, Germany, 21-24 May, 2013).

Complimentary eBook - Energy Efficient Lighting Explained

Learn why lighting is one of the most cost-effective energy efficiency investments. Get the details about the industry's technological and political revolution.

Learn why lighting is one of the most cost-effective energy efficiency investments. Get the details about the industry's technological and political revolution.

Real Energy Writers' "Energy Efficient Lighting Explained: A guide for business people who aren't lighting techies:

- Educates you about your lighting technology options
- Informs you about the political landscape and controversies surrounding lighting
- Describes to take advantage of current lighting market conditions to cut costs and reduce your footprint.

Event - 2013 Annual Spring Environment Conference

On April 18, 2013 the Business Council is hosting the 2013 Annual Spring Environment Conference at the Hilton Albany in Albany, NY. Climate change, natural resources and industrial energy efficiency are among the topics which will be discussed during The Business Council of New York State, Inc.’s 2013 Spring Environment Conference.

Meanest Vehicles for the Environment in 2013

Make and Model	Specifications	Emission Standard a	MPG: City	MPG: Hwy	Green Score
FORD F-350 FFV b	6.2L 8, auto stk 4wd	Bin 8	11	16	17
FORD F-250 FFV c	6.2L 8, auto stk 4wd	Bin 8	11	16	17
FORD E-350 WAGON d	6.8L 10, auto	Bin 8	10	13	17
CHEVROLET G2500 EXPRESS (CARGO CONVERSION / GMC G2500 SAVANA (CARGO CONVERSION) (MDPV) e	6.0L 8, auto	Bin 8	10	15	18
CHEVROLET SUBURBAN K2500 / GMC K2500 YUKON XL f	6.0L 8, auto 4wd	Bin 5	10	15	19
BUGATT VEYRON	8.0L 16, manual Awd [P]	Bin 5 / LEV II	8	15	19
FORD E-150 WAGON FFV	5.4L 8, auto	Bin 8	12	16	21
MERCEDES-BENZ G63 AMG	5.5L 8, auto 4wd [P]	ULEV II / Bin 5	12	14	21
BENTLEY MULSANNE	6.8L 8, auto stk [P]	Bin 5 / LEV II	11	18	21
MERCEDES-BENZ G550	5.5L 8, auto 4wd [P]	ULEV II / Bin 5	12	15	22
FORD F-150 RAPTOR	6.2L 8, auto stk	Bin 4	11	16	22
FORD E-250 VAN FFV	5.4L 8, auto	Bin 8	12	16	22
[P] denotes premium gasoline. "auto stk" denotes manually adjustable automatic transmission. a A listing with two emission standards (e.g., Tier 2 bin 5 / LEV II) denotes a single vehicle carrying both a federal and a California emission certification. Green Scores for such listings reflect the cleaner of the two certifications. b The 2wd version of this vehicle scores a 19 c The 2wd version of this vehicle scores a 19 d The E-250 Van earns a score of 18 . e The passenger version of these vehicles score a 19 f The 2wd version of these vehicles score a 20

Source: Greenercars.org

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