February 7, 2012

Energy Department Announces Student Teams, New Location for Solar Decathlon 2013

February 7, 2012 No Comments

WASHINGTON, DC – At an event today in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the 20 collegiate teams selected to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 and unveiled the competition’s location, the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. The 20 teams from colleges and universities across the United States and from around the world will now begin a two-year process to build solar-powered, highly energy-efficient homes that combine affordability, consumer appeal and design excellence. Throughout the two-year process, the teams will design, construct and test their homes before reassembling them at the Solar Decathlon 2013 competition site. As part of the Solar Decathlon, teams compete in ten different categories – ranging from best architecture and engineering to energy production for heating and cooling – while gaining invaluable real-world experience in a growing global industry.
“As President Obama made clear in the State of the Union address this week, we need to ensure that the next generation of America’s architects, engineers and entrepreneurs have the hands-on experience and training they need to lead our nation’s clean energy future,” said Secretary Chu. “The Solar Decathlon will unleash the ingenuity, creativity and drive from these talented students to demonstrate new ideas for how families and businesses can reduce energy use and save money with clean energy products and efficient building design.”

A flat-design illustration of a SunRidge Farms building with rooftop solar panels, set under a bright sun with surrounding trees, wind turbines, and eco icons.

SunRidge Farms Solar System Promotes Clean Energy

February 7, 2012 No Comments

Pajaro, CA – February 1, 2012 – SunRidge Farms, a California-based company best known for its large offering of natural and organic foods, snacks, confections, and trail mixes, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with the completion of its new solar panel expansion. 2,500 U.S.A.-made solar panels now line the roofs on top of its candy-making facility and warehouses.
“We founded our company on a commitment to respect the sanctity of the earth and to contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Our investment in solar energy is an important part of that commitment” said Morty Cohen, President and CEO of SunRidge Farms. “We are excited because this expansion will allow us to continue delivering the high quality foods that our consumers love and deserve, at a reduced environmental cost.”

2012 Cinema Verde Environmental Film & Arts Festival Feb. 24th – March 2nd in Gainesville, FL

February 7, 2012 No Comments

The third-annual Cinema Verde Environmental Film and Arts Festival, which will be held Feb. 24 to March 2nd in Gainesville, FL, announces its initial lineup for the 2012 festival. The full roster will be announced soon.
“We’re thrilled to be entering into our 3rdannual festival with such a supportive and ever-expanding audience,” said Trish Riley, Founding Director of Cinema Verde. “We’re moving into an era that’s requiring more environmental conservation and sustainability than ever, and what better way to get the message across than presenting environmental causes in artful and entertaining ways,” she continued.
This year’s initial lineup includes the following films, many of which will be sending directors or principals to talk with audiences:
· CONFESSIONS OF AN ECO-TERRORIST
· DOG IN THE MANGER
· DEEP GREEN
· THE PIPE
· ON COAL RIVER
· SCARRED LANDS AND WOUNDED LIVES – The environmental impact of war –
· MAD CITY CHICKENS

Volunteers of diverse backgrounds clean a sandy beach under a bright sky, holding recycling bags with a ‘Green Living Guy’ banner in the background.

Surfrider Foundation Honors 2011 Wavemakers

February 7, 2012 No Comments

San Clemente, CA (February 6, 2012) – On Saturday, the Surfrider Foundation’s Board of Directors and Staff gathered at the Talega Golf Club in San Clemente to honor their 2011 Wavemakers. This annual awards ceremony honors individuals and companies for their outstanding volunteer efforts and support during the previous year to help the Foundation fulfill its mission of protecting oceans, waves and beaches.
The Surfrider Foundation congratulates the 2011 Wavemaker Award recipients:
Coastal Impact Award
Peter Douglas
In 2011, Peter Douglas announced his retirement from the California Coastal Commission after 34 years (26 of them as Executive Director). Peter helped to write the Coastal Act of 1976, the guiding document for management of California’s coasts, and has devoted his life to executing the ideals of that Act. He has served under both Democratic and Republican governors and has been responsible for creating one of the most powerful state land-use agencies in existence. Peter’s retirement marks the lamentable loss of a hero in coastal protection. Surfrider Foundation is extremely appreciative for his years of commitment to our oceans, waves and beaches. His wisdom and guidance have bestowed upon California’s citizens and visitors a great service that is evidenced by our healthy and accessible coastal areas.

An infographic celebrating the IDEA Gold Award win for the GE + frog Design Interactive Idea Project, showing how storytelling, clean energy data, public engagement, and strategic design came together to drive sustainability and innovation.

INTERACTIVE DESIGN (IDEA) PROJECT STRIKES GOLD

February 7, 2012 No Comments

Design for West Town Library Branch Achieves LEED Gold Status
CHICAGO – (February 6, 2012)– When IDEA architects Paul Steinbrecher and Jeff Parfitt designed Chicago’s West Town Branch Library, they were required to ensure that it would certify as LEED silver. However, as construction proceeded, they found that they were able to exceed that goal. It was announced today that the building had attained LEED Gold status for Commercial Interiors.
The library is housed in the Goldblatt’s building, which has been designated a Chicago Landmark. “We’re thrilled with attaining LEED Gold,” says project architect Jeff Parfitt. “The design intent was to create an environment that was harmonious with the original structure. The library is located on the first floor of the former department store, so we wanted to utilize some of the historic features of the original building while making it engaging for the users.” The team discovered marble floor tiles during the rehabbing phase and utilized it in the entrance as well as decorative plaster column capitals. In addition, recycled materials for rubberized flooring and beneath the floor, installed an energy efficient HVAC system, water efficient plumbing fixtures and designed windows that would harvest daylight were incorporated into the project.