November 8, 2011

Wise Energy Investments Fuel Job Growth

November 8, 2011 No Comments

First Solyndra, then Beacon Power Corp.Both alternative energy companies declared bankruptcy this year after receiving millions in federal job stimulus dollars. It’s just what the United States does not need right now, says nuclear scientist Michael T. Gamble, an alternative energy researcher and investment-banking analyst.
The public backlash to ill-spent tax dollars could hurt a vital emerging industry – one that is very much key to future U.S. jobs.
“Cheap energy would enable little Silicon Valley businesses to develop phenomenal things because they’re not hampered by the cost of doing business,” says Gamble, a former scientist at the Los Alamos National Lab in New Mexico and author of Zeroscape (www.zeroscape-thebook.com), a high-tech thriller. “Work with certain technologies, like high-energy lasers, requires large amounts of energy. A little photonics companies will be a future Apple.”

Tsunami Debris Cleanup Efforts by U.S. Agencies

November 8, 2011 No Comments

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies are teaming up to document and track potential marine debris generated by the Japan earthquake and tsunami in March.
EPA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will issue a monthly bulletin to keep key stakeholders informed about tsunami debris activities, an effort resulting from an EPA lead marine debris workshop held in June in Honolulu.
The workshop, part of the regular Oceania Regional Response Team meeting, explored options for a coordinated response to the tsunami debris. The ORRT, comprised of federal, state and U.S. Territory agencies, has an area of responsibility that includes Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Mission Bay street in San Francisco with rain gardens, permeable pavement, and new trees in a modern urban setting.

Bay City Green Infrastructure: Managing Stormwater Efficiently

November 8, 2011 No Comments

The San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Workforce and Economic Development and Mission Bay Development Group, are hosting a tour today with senior leadership from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to launch the newest park and roadway in San Francisco’s Mission Bay Redevelopment Area.
The Mission Bay Drive and Circle project is a model of innovative, sustainable design made possible by a Brownfields grant from DTSC, as part of the EPA’s Federal Stimulus funding. This project and the funding from DTSC and EPA play a key role in the growth of the Mission Bay neighborhood, which is located on 300-acres of environmentally impacted former rail yards. Mayor Edwin Lee expressed his support of “the continued partnership between the City and State and Federal agencies to help promote successful infill, reuse projects, such as the Mission Bay and Hunters Point Shipyard Redevelopment Projects.”

Detroit from the air at night, with views of Windsor, Ontario across the river which show that the Canadian city has much less light being given off. Learn mor...Read More PHOTOGRAPH BY JIM RICHARDSON, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

National Geographic’s 360 Energy Diet, Round 3 Begins!

November 8, 2011 No Comments

To what lengths are we willing to go to reduce our carbon footprints and lead healthier lives? Thanks to the bloggers of National Geographic’s 360° Energy Diet, we just might have the answer.
Now entering its third round this year, the 360° Energy Diet has inspired households around the world to share their most effective ways to reduce energy usage. Earlier this year, one participant stuck to a temporary vegetarian diet for an entire week despite being caught in the middle of the Egyptian revolution. Another blogger in Portugal tried “eco-parenting” by switching to reusable cloth diapers for her baby.
360 Energy Diet bloggers are expected to check off as many steps as they can on the checklist. But this time around, there are a couple of new twists. First, National Geographic will track participants by country and ask them to address the energy challenges that are unique to where they live. Second, anyone registered on the diet will be allowed to guest post.