Source: US Environmental Protection Agency Green advocates on Tuesday rallied to pass legislation that would allow homeowners to pay for energy efficiency improvements through charges on fuel bills. The proposal for what’s known as on-bill financing has been introduced in both the Assembly and the Senate, potentially leading to a new wave of energy efficient projects by easing and simplifying payment. Supporters rallied in Merrick for the passage of the bill, arguing it will help lower energy bills, generate construction jobs and give a boost to the home performance industry, one of the state’s fastest growing, if little noted, sectors. Only contractors who obtain certifications accepted by the state would qualify. The legislation would essentially end the need to pay for energy efficiency upfront or through separate installments by creating a mechanism for utilities to collect money on behalf of lenders through energy bills.
DOE Window Program and Your Energy Savings
Builders, contractors, architects, schools and universities, lodging, public and senior housing, 2nd weatherization and public agencies in search of more energy efficient windows at cost-effective prices now have additional options available to them as the Department of Energy'sHigh Performance Windows Volume Purchase Program expands. Program managers will announce new products and vendors, and launch the next phase of the program on Tuesday, May 3, at the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Conference & Expo in Salt Lake City. High performance windows, such as triple pane windows, can reduce a building's heat loss through windows, improving occupant comfort and overall energy efficiency. Triple Pane Window Highly insulating windows, like this triple pane window, can help reduce heat loss in residential and commercial buildings by as much as 20 percent in heating-dominated climate zones, like Salt Lake City. The Department of Energy’s High Performance Windows Volume Purchase Program recently expanded, to include more highly insulating windows and an upgraded website, to encourage consumers to purchase these windows. The expanded program will offer windows for commercial and residential buildings, and an expanded website that will make finding window products, prices and vendors easier. The volume purchase program was launched in May 2010 to bring new and emerging technologies to the market at competitive prices. Although highly insulating windows have been available for several years they have existed primarily as niche products that have been too expensive for widespread market adoption.
Electric Motorcycle: Who’s Holding It Back?
By txchnologist “Who holds back the electric car?” sang the members of Homer Simpson’s secret society, The Stonecutters (it was rhetorical; they do). Perhaps they would have done better to ask, who holds back the electric motorcycle? The hype for two-wheeled electric vehicles has lagged behind that of the mass market Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf, but a recent report by Pike Research indicates that there will be 138 million e-motorcycles and e-scooters on the roads worldwide by 2017. The e-scooter market, which is big in Asia Pacific, will be significantly larger than the e-motorcycle market, according to the report. But in North America e-motorcycles will dominate because of their better range and higher top speeds. Have a browse of these e-motorcycles. We won’t tell your mom. (Prices are before 10 percent federal tax credit.)
New Online Network Connects and Celebrates Local Green Initiatives in Towns Across America
Source: AmericanTowns and GreenTowns.com Built on AmericanTowns’ Local Platform, GreenTowns’ Partners at Launch Include Reader’s Digest, Bob Vila, E-The Environmental Magazine AmericanTowns is launching GreenTowns.com, a new online network that connects and celebrates green initiatives and their leaders, locally and nationally. Now, through GreenTowns, residents of 15,000 towns and cities in the United States are invited to discover, share and support inspiring sustainability efforts in their community, between towns, and across a range of environmental concerns. GreenTowns.com is a free service for green non-profit organizations and local communities. It plans to be self-supported through local, green-conscious sponsors, following the local business model which brought AmericanTowns.com to profitability within two years of its national launch. “We are adding a new dimension to the green landscape available online by featuring green initiatives that are working, spotlighting ways to get involved and sparking local interaction,” said Daphne Dixon, Director of GreenTowns. “By sharing the expertise and enthusiasm of both dedicated specialists and local citizens who care, GreenTowns will be a valuable resource and a catalyst for change, as it connects and supports local green efforts across the country.” Building on the technology and communication tools that power AmericanTowns.com – currently organizing and sharing information on hyper-local events, announcements, local resources and community organizations in 15,000 towns across America – GreenTowns.com features local sustainability initiatives that are searchable by location and category.
Green Lighting Company LED Saving Solutions Took Earth Day 2011 to Three Breakthrough Heights of Energy Savings
Source: LED Saving Solutions
Greater Philadelphia based LED Saving Solutions announces today three key benchmarks in its business growth on Earth Day and across April EARTH MONTH 2011. Holy Green Lighting!!!
#1: The largest monthly sales in company history
#2: The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listing of the company’s new Parking Garage Fixture
#3: Con Edison’s approval of the company as a Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Market Partner.
