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Academy of Engineering and Green Technology Gets Funding
Hartford, Conn., May 5 - The Academy of Engineering and Green Technology, opening at Hartford Public High School in August 2008, has received a $74,000 grant from United Technologies Corporation. More on this and other green news...
NLR Has New Name and New Web Site
East Windsor, Conn., May 5 Northeast Lamp Recycling is now NLR: Next Level for Recycling. Founded in 1994, NLR offers turnkey universal waste recycling services to a broad group of companies and institutions. More about NLR ...
Green Building Awards Program
There's still time to submit a nomination to The First Annual Connecticut Green Building Council Awards Program. These awards will cover several
categories and submissions are due on or before May 12, 2008. More about this event...
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Auggie V's Connecticut Green Blog
"Welcome to the greenest blog in Connecticut. Here you'll read about a person, place or thing that has a connection to green building and green business. Every now and then I might stray and discuss something outside our 500 mile sustainable region and it might just be about green business or green lifestyles but it will leave you with something to think about and hopefully make your day a little greener."
-Augustus "Auggie" Victorious
April 2, 2007
Please note: Auggie V has gone techno-geek and switched over to a real blog. Crazy what a little knowledge can do. Anyhow, here is the new URL to Auggie's new blogging home. Please visit and leave me a comment or two: http://buildingctgreen.com/AuggieVGreenBlog/
Baseball and Golf Seasons Arrive a Little Greener This Year
Two of my favorite passions have begun. One is baseball which started last night. The beloved Phillies lost their season opener today in extra innings. Ouch! And with the weather warming here in New England, after a somewhat mild winter, the golf season is starting and I can hit the links soon........For more, visit Auggie's new blogging home at http://buildingctgreen.com/AuggieVGreenBlog/
March 29, 2007
March Green Tidbits
America’s Fuel Cell Alley: Connecticut's fuel cell and hydrogen industry generates approximately $29 million annually in state tax revenue; approximately $2 million annually in local tax revenue and over $340 million annually in gross state product.
Source: CCAT
Eco Mini Vans: In a precedent-setting move, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), will soon begin a pilot project using 13 specially designed service vans with hybrid-engine systems. Because no domestic motor vehicle manufacturer currently makes hybrid vehicles in the "van" category, Verizon worked with Enova Systems Inc., a company that specializes in hybrid-power systems, to retrofit the vehicles to Verizon's specifications.
Source: SustainableBusiness.com
Too Much, The Magic Bus: This April, CTTransit will unveil the Northeast's first hydrogen fuel-cell bus. CTTransit secured $2.4 million in federal funds to develop the bus for the Hartford division. The bus was built with UTC Power fuel cell.
Source: Stamford Advocate
It’s Baseball Season: Executives from the San Francisco Giants and PG&E have announced that the utility will install a 120-kilowatt solar panel system at AT&T Park. The catch: the 590 Sharp solar panels won't power the park itself but will feed into San Francisco's grid. Still, the solar panels that will serve as awnings might raise the eco-consciousness of the ticket holders that drive to the bayside park in their Suburbans and Tahoes.
Source: greenbiz.com
More Bus News: According to the state DOT, Connecticut's bus and rail services saw ridership increase by 2.7 million in 2006, proving that the state's mass transit efforts are paying off. The largest increase was in the state's bus service, which had 1.5 million new riders last year on daily fixed routes, a 5 percent jump.
Source: Associated Press
Al Update: Drew Johnson and the Tennessee Center for Policy Research points out Al Gore’s Nashville mansion consumes more electricity per month than the average home consumes in one year.
Big Blue Goes Big Green: IBM earlier this month, launched a program called Big Green Innovations. The initiative takes aim at everything from creating "carbon dashboards" that help corporations lower their supply chain's carbon emissions to designing energy-efficient data centers and more powerful solar cells.
Source: News.com
Eco Rock: The rock band Barenaked Ladies during its latest tour, invited “greening coordinators” to gather up broken and used strings from the stage after gigs to be recycled by a New Hampshire company into jewelry.
Source: New York Times
March 26, 2007
Leading Tea Manufacturer Bags Some Solar Power
Fairfield based R.C. Bigelow Company goes for green energy.
Last Friday the CT Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) announced it had supplied R.C. Bigelow, the producer of Bigelow Teas, with a grant of $777,000 to help the company purchase solar panels. The amount represents 55 percent of the cost of installing the 171-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the company’s Connecticut headquarters facility. The panels will generate 195,600 kilowatt hours annually, or 6.7 percent of the electrical needs of the headquarters complex.
It appears that producing green tea is not the only green stuff Bigelow does. The instillations of the panels appear to be a continuation of the company’s commitment to being eco-conscious and socially responsible. As Lise Dondy, president of CCEF comments, “Bigelow has already demonstrated that it is a diligent environmental steward through its involvement with Fairfield’s Clean Energy Task Force and the energy efficiency and conservation measures it has taken over the past several years at its Fairfield facility.” Dondy added, “Furthermore, Bigelow’s solar panels, once installed, will help alleviate the electric load in the heavily congested region of southwest Connecticut.”
Besides Promoting clean energy Bigelow last year re-opened the nation’s only tea plantation. Located 25 minutes outside of Charleston, SC on Wadmalaw Island, the plantation produces American Classic Tea and offers free public tours. The tea bushes are the original ones brought from India and China during the early 1800s.
Cindi Bigelow, co-president of R.C. Bigelow, states in a press release, “This solar project is just one more example of how we are trying to be more environmentally friendly. We could not be more pleased to have partnered with the town of Fairfield and their ‘Green Talks’ to help spread the word of what each person can do to make environmentally-responsible choices. We are continually examining different ways that Bigelow can preserve, protect and promote a sustainable future in every part of our business operation.”
Another example of the greening of Connecticut’s economy. While 6.7 percent doesn’t seem like a lot, it’s what they can do and I know it’s a cliché - but it’s better than doing nothing. Bigelow Tea certainly has a glow of green to me.
Source: CT Clean Energy Fund
March 23, 2007
Just Another Green Day in the Neighborhood
Yesterday I encountered several green moments. These days I have been a little busy. I’m working at my regular job, building up a little book of business for Auctorverno by working early in the morning, during lunch and after work. So you’d think I’d have green stuff around me but yesterday was a little different.
My green day started when I read the Hartford Courant in the morning and found out that country legend Willie Nelson, who is very green, had played the Mohegan Sun on Wednesday night. The story mentioned that Willie, and his posse, eight tour buses in all, needed biodiesel to get to there next gig. Nelson, who owns a biodiesel company with stations in the mid-west, had his people call ahead and 1,500 gallons were trucked up to the casino from Hale Hill Farm Biofuels in Branford.
Later on in the morning, I got a call from a construction company who was calling about being awarded a major retail building project that will be LEED registered here in Connecticut. I was very encouraged by the project and will take a closer look at it over the weekend. Should be way cool.
Later on in the afternoon, I then got a chance to sit down with Jim Smith who is the former senior director of corporate real estate and facilities, for Mortgage Lenders Network. There I said the bad word of the month. Shame on me. The company was rocking and they were building a huge green office campus in Wallingford. Within the course of several months, the sub-prime home mortgage market went south. Way south. Jim had nothing to do with the business of the business but instead he was responsible for making sure the new headquarters was as green as possible. I blogged about this huge green building endeavor several times and even though the building is still being built, it is a shame what happened to this company. The story started out so nice. Jim is a great guy who gets it. He’ll find a place that really appreciates his experience and expertise.
After meeting with Jim I then headed over to Tambient Lighting in West Haven. The manufacturing company, housed in an old manufacturing facility, produces different task lighting fixtures. Tambient, which was awarded a 2006 CTGreen9, is an eco-friendly office lighting product that when used is worthy of LEED points. The reason I stopped by was because Tambient was hosting the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) monthly meeting. When I got there a reception was going on and then the company president & CEO, the legendary lighting guy, Sylvan R. Shemitz gave a tour. I had to leave during the tour but Sy and Dave, thanks for the beverage and food.
I had one more stop and that was the CT Minority Business Showcase. The program was held at the warehouse which is the old Spaghetty Warehouse and Troutbrook Brewery. It isn’t officially open but they let groups hold functions there. I ended up having a couple more beverages and some great food. Thanks Harland. There was absolutely nothing green about this part of the day but it was a nice event and a good way to end what was a very interesting day.
March 20, 2007
British Documentary Claims Climate Change is Rubbish
Earlier this month, Channel 4 in England broadcasted a documentary that basically presented the notion that climate change is a scam that has been promoted by environmentalist, scientist chasing funding, politicians and the media. The basic premise of the film is that all of the world’s leading scientist are wrong and the sun is the cause for global warming.
The documentary, "The Great Global Warming Scandal" is directed by filmmaker Martin Durkin who is at odds with scientific opinion as outlined in a United Nations report in February, which blames mankind for global warming. Mr. Durkin rejects the concept of man-made climate change, calling it "a lie ... the biggest scam of modern times." Durkin has also lined up an impressive list of noted experts who claim that everyone, including Al Gore, is full of bunk.
So if England is so progressive and totally hip to climate change and lowering its carbon emissions why is the movie being aired? I believe that it could actually be a little tongue in cheek. Don’t get me wrong, there is climate change happening. That’s for certain. When they find ticks in Norway for the first time and I watch the plight of the Imperial Penguins on the Discovery Channel, something is wrong. No doubt about it. But I kind of wish the alarmist would chill out a bit. The world won’t end tomorrow. With diligent work, consumers over time will become better stewards but that won’t happen over night either. Innovation, research and development and a bunch of light bulb moments will rule the day.
Source: The Washington Times
March 15, 2007
Gallup Takes Pulse of Public's Environmental Attitudes
Gallup announced yesterday that a survey done Feb. 22-25, 2007 asked 1,018 American respondents, 18 years or older how they and their fellow Americans should address environmental issues and what is government’s role. Among other things, The Gallup Panel survey results showed that Americans believe that energy conservation should be the country’s highest priority and the government should recognize climate change and do something about it.
When asked to name the one or two things average Americans can do to address environmental challenges, almost half (41%) said buying energy efficient products, buying more fuel efficient cars/hybrids and driving less/making fewer trips. On the other hand, only 9% said that using public transportation, carpooling and using and promoting alternative fuels are ways to be better stewards. What this shows is that as habitual consumers we recognize we like our own cars need our products so let’s make them more eco-friendly and also cut back. At the same time it also shows we hate to carpool, only a few of us believe in public transportation - especially those of us here in the Hartford area - and alternative fuels are not really high on average Joe and Jane’s mind. Some other interesting points,
Regarding government’s role, nearly half (45%) of the respondents feel the government should conduct more research for alternative fuels, recognize global warming and address concerns and impose stricter standards on emissions and greenhouse gases. About one third (35%) believe in stricter enforcement of environmental policies, more global treaties and want to see higher standards for clean water.
Believe it or not, only 1% of the respondents believe that there needs to be a greater awareness to global warming. Maybe Al’s movie didn’t have the huge impact we all thought.
Source: galluppoll.com
Auggie V's Note: Thanks Andrea for the info. 15
March 13, 2007
The Truth about Green Computing and Data Centers
This week’s issue of InformationWeek has a great cover story on green computing and data centers. The article covers various aspects of green computer technology from hardware to server farms and chips that use only 60 watts. The article stresses that companies are finding that data centers are becoming one of the biggest budget busters for them. Servers need certain temperatures to run efficiently and cooling servers and motors are a must. New strategies like virtualization, grid computing, multicore proceses, improved cooling and blade servers are all helping to lower energy costs. Ask me to describe what those mean, I have know idea but the article explains it and more.
Besides talking about environmental standards for hardware such as EPEAT and ROHS and the promotion of telecommuting, I found one aspect of particular interest. The article discussed how server processing chips have advanced to not only give speed but also save on energy costs. For example, at Princeton University’s plasma physics lab, they installed the higher efficient chips and cut their annual power and cooling bill from $105,000 in 2003 to $27,000 in 2006. And they improved processing power three to four times while eliminating the emissions of about 28 tons of carbon dioxide.
For many small to mid sized businesses, one of the first places to look to green your operation should be your IT departments. Check out your servers and look at your hardware purchases. Also, see if you can allow certain employees to telecommute. All of these will help your bottom line, save money and allow your firm to be seen as the good steward of the environment.
Source: http://www.informationweek.com/
March 9, 2007
LEED Gets Wet
I am truly amazed at the amount of green business stories that are coming out on a daily basis. When I first started doing this in 2005, I usually had to dig a little to find green stories to comment about. And it rarely involved Connecticut companies or projects. These days it’s become much easier. Take today, I could have opted to write about two Connecticut based fuel cell companies, which I would have jumped at 2 years ago, but instead, I chose to discuss a boat that set sail today that if it was on land could be LEED certified. I have choices.
The Explorer built by RiverQuest is being touted as the world’s first green-designed passenger boat. It left Florida today and will be docked in Pittsburgh. The boat will be a learning vessel for river-based experiential learning about sustainability including ecology, environment science, energy, climate change, green engineering and river history and culture for students, teachers and the community through hands-on activities and technologies.
Because there are no green standards for vessels, RiverQuest assembled a unique team of naval architects, marine and electric-drive engineers, and green building experts. The boat has roughly 100 green features and is powered by hybrid diesel-electric battery. Other green aspects include,
- A state-of-the-art, Siemens-furnished hybrid propulsion system and integrated electrical system that is the first commercial implementation in the world.
- The world's first marine application of the LEED™ design and construction standards that includes environmentally friendly coatings and paints, architectural windows, HVAC systems and a hull made of 100 percent certified steel.
- The ability to retrofit the power plant with solar, hydro and fuel cell technologies. RiverQuest will be adding a 1.5kW solar array to Explorer's roof later this year.
- Water conservation technologies including the use of river water and waterless waste systems.
So we have green boats, green homes, green offices, green cars, green finance, green funerals, and so on and so on, what’s next? Maybe green airplanes, beam me up Scotty!
Sources:
News.yahoo.com
FuelCellToday.Com
Auggie V’s Note: For the record, two Connecticut fuel cell companies did have major announcements. Fujitsu America, Inc. selected UTC Power, a United Technologies company based in South Windsor, to provide a PureCell™ Model 200 fuel cell to power and heat a portion of its Silicon Valley Campus located in Sunnyvale, Calif. And, Distributed Energy Systems Corporation in Wallingford, the parent company of fuel cell developer Proton Energy Systems, announced the formation of a joint venture with Morgan Stanley to develop and finance new power generation projects.
March 7, 2007
Bank of America Becomes Green Finance Champ
Yesterday, BoA stepped up big in the green finance world. Big as in $20 Billion big. And it all goes for green financing initiatives. More and more, these types of commitments are being made by leading financial institution. Within the last year Goldman Sachs, Wachovia, PNC, Citi and now BoA have recognized that there is a growing market for green finance and that the risk has been mitigated due to environmental factors, shareholder demand and the development of innovative products at competitive prices.
The announcement indicated that for the next ten years, BoA would look to change the way it does business by embracing sustainable business practices through lending, investing, philanthropy and the creation of new products and services. Kenneth D. Lewis, Bank of America chairman and CEO, states, "Today, we have a tremendous opportunity to support our customer's efforts to build an environmentally sustainable economy -- through innovative home and office construction, new manufacturing technology, changes in transportation, and new ways to supply our energy."
Here are some of the highlights of BoA's green initiatives:
- Corporate & Investment Banking: The company will focus on financing and advisory services to clients participating in emissions offsets markets, developing energy-efficient or low-carbon technologies and helping private/public sector entities adopt green and low-emissions technology.
- Carbon Emissions Trading: The bank will launch the capability to trade carbon emissions credits in order to enable clients to achieve carbon emission neutrality through existing and emerging market mechanisms.
- Eco-friendly Credit Card: For every dollar spent on this new card, BoA will make a contribution to an environmental organization to invest in greenhouse gas reduction projects. These cards, available later this year, will have environmentally friendly incentives and features.
- WorldPoints Rewards for the Environment: Existing cardholders may donate their WorldPoints rewards to organizations that invest in greenhouse gas reductions or redeem them for environmentally friendly merchandise.
- The Green Mortgage Program: Homebuyers will receive a reduced interest rate or $1,000 back for each home-purchase mortgage meeting ENERGY STAR specifications.
- Environmental Home Equity Program: For customers who use their home equity line of credit's Visa Access Card, Bank of America will make an annual donation to a non-profit organization that focuses on environmental conservation. At launch, donations will be directed to Conservation International for land conservation and carbon sequestration. Additional non-profit organizations may be added to the program over time.
- Committing $1.4 billion to achieve LEED certification in all new construction of office facilities and banking centers;
- Donating $50 million from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support non-profit organizations focused on forest preservation, innovative energy conservation, developing green affordable housing and other environmentally Progressive activities; and
- Investing $100 million in energy conservation measures for use in all company facilities.
BoA and others are looking to help fund and grow the green economy. It won't be long before it hits a tipping point.
Source: Bank of America
March 5, 2007
Recent Report Reviews Carbon Offsets
A recent report released by the Tufts Climate Initiative sheds some light on the business of carbon offsets. Many companies are now offering consumers options for being more earth friendly when making purchases. The report shows that the companies that participate in these programs should be transparent and allow consumers to see where the investments are being made and that the investments have been certified by a third party auditor.
For instance, when you book a flight with expedia.com, you can purchase offsets through TerraPass that will be the equivalent of your CO2 footprint. They have a calculator that does it for you. In a recent edition of USA Today, they do a nice job of explaining it:
A traveler buys a $6 voucher on Expedia — designed to cover emissions from a 2,200-mile flight — TerraPass commits to offsetting 1,000 pounds of carbon emissions within 90 days of purchase. TerraPass offsets emissions by buying so-called carbon credits, or green financial instruments. The hope is that TerraPass will make a profit by paying less for the credits than what customers paid. The carbon credits work this way: One credit equals a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by one ton because of a green activity. A windmill farm, for instance, creates credits by displacing energy that would otherwise be generated by a coal-fired plant.
Other types of offsets include the Bank of America and AT&T encouraging customers to go electronic with bills and eliminate paper by planting trees in their name or Dell Computers donating trees for the purchase of notebooks. The report shows that more and more consumers like these options but the consumer is not sure the added fees do in fact help fund sustainable causes.
The report does question where some investments go and urges consumers to do their homework and research and contact companies that sell or promote offsets. The report explores such issues as planting tree projects that have gone bad and also questions why offsets vary so much in terms of costs. The report also touches on consumers and others who ask if a $2-4 investment really does make a difference. Well, I believe it’s a start. Lastly, the report sites that the public is also struggling with the concept of for-profit companies developing business models that are based on environmental stewardship and make money. (So much for Ecoimagination, though I really like the wind and water commercials.)
Anyhow, for those of you who are interested, the Wall Street Journal put together a nice chart comparing different carbon offset options laid out by the Tufts Climate Initiative. Hope it helps.
Sources: Wall Street Journal, USA Today
March 1, 2007
Yesterday, the Hartford Courant’s Key Issues Forum looked at the growth and popularity of blogs. I ended up going with my friend, Samantha who blogs at lifeinconnecticut.com. I thought her review of the event was pretty good so I re-posted it below. Nothing green just blogging.
Blogging, The Final Frontier
I spent yesterday morning at a forum on political blogging. It was put on by the Hartford Courant and had a panel of local bloggers. These bloggers included two locals: Chris Bigalow, aka, Genghis Conn of ctlocalpolitics.net and Melissa Ryan, aka cgg, caffeinatedgeekgirl. It also featured Colin McEnroe, a local radio host and blogger on the Courant’s site. McEnroe also teaches a blogging class at Trinity. The panel was rounded out by Washington D.C. blogger, Matt Stoller from mydd.com and Tim Targris, who was a major part of Ned Lemont’s recent senatorial campaign.
I found it all very interesting and it gave me some great food for thought. As McEnroe put it at the forum, and in a recent commentary of the Courant, blogging is like the new frontier. It’s uncharted territory when a lot of people shoot from the hip. It’s instant. There’s no editor or publisher to get approval from. McEnroe said it’s a matter of “think it, write it, click it.” It’s a “raw” place. It also makes a lot of people instant “newsies” and publishers. Some are good, some are mediocre and some are horrid. But you know what, I love it all.
76% of the bloggers out there, like me, blog their personal experiences. The rest I believe have a method to their madness, just like the local political bloggers. I found it pretty interesting to see that one panelist blasted the media for being unfair and that blogs are a way to get new information that regular people aren’t privy to.
Hold on. While we all know that many journalists aren’t fair in their reporting and writing and don’t cover all sides, bloggers have their own agenda. After all, it’s why they started their sites. They have a specific reason and a focus. Are they bloggers really and truly trying to supplement the news that’s out there and putting forth new information? I call bullsh*t. It’s a matter of the blogging pot calling the media kettle black.
While I commend ctpolitics.com for being a true “major” in the world of political blogging, I have seen many political blogs swaying to one side or the other. But while the media needs to keep their sources and facts straight, bloggers have an audience that will keep them honest. “Your readership is your checks and balances. They will come down on you,” said Ryan. I believe it’s the one advantage that bloggers have over the media. Their readers are like loyal baseball fans. Tell them what they want to hear and they are there to cheer you on. When you mess up, they’ll turn on you like Sox fans on Schilling’s worst day. You give up three home run, they are going to blast you. But then again, as Stoller put it, many readers subscribe to a blog because they believe in what the blogger is “selling” be it pro-rep or pro-dem. If the blogger prints what they want to read, the readers aren’t going to hold their bloggers accountable for slandering the other side. They live for it.
It’s truly a new frontier, this blogging world, and I can’t wait to see how the west is won.
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