Family Corruption In The Big Easy

PG&E Seeks Approval

2008-05-15T22:22:00.002-05:00

Pacific Gas and Electric Company today asked the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to approve a six-year initiative -- the Cornerstone Improvement Program -- to significantly improve the reliability of PG&E's electric distribution system. At the same time, the utility requested enhancements to its Low Income Energy Efficiency program.

The Cornerstone Improvement Program comprises a set of initiatives proposed by PG&E to decrease both the number and duration of electric outages by increasing the flexibility of the electrical grid. Major initiatives include increasing the capacity and interconnectivity of distribution lines and substations, implementing distribution automation on 1,200 circuits in urban and suburban areas, and installing 5,000 switching devices on rural circuits to reduce the number of customers affected by outages.

AT&T Joins Energy Star Program

2008-05-14T10:43:00.001-05:00

AT&T Inc. has joined the government's Energy Star program, which means that the company's Internet Protocol television set-top boxes have now been rated energy efficient.

As a Energy Star program participant, AT&T U-verse TV will furnish customers with Motorola and Cisco Systems Inc. receivers that meet the new Energy Star energy efficiency criteria.

The new criteria for the voluntary program for digital set-top boxes isn't actually set to go into effect until Jan. 1, 2009. By delivering its boxes as part of the installation equipment, AT&T U-verse TV equipment is working meet this standard early.

Eastman Receives Energy Efficiency Award

2008-05-13T19:32:00.002-05:00

For the 15th consecutive year, every year since the program began, Eastman Chemical Company has earned energy efficiency awards from the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

As part of the Responsible Care® program, the ACC honors specific projects that have achieved distinction in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Eastman received three awards, two of which received an ‘exceptional merit’ designation.

N. C. electric co-ops launch energy efficiency initiatives

2008-05-12T14:15:00.003-05:00

North Carolina's electric cooperatives have created a nonprofit company to focus on energy-efficiency initiatives.

The operation, named GreenCo Solutions Inc., will focus on developing energy-efficiency programs and pilot projects involving renewable energy.

Going Green At Hotel-Motel Show

2008-05-09T18:20:00.003-05:00

The 2008 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (May 17-20 at McCormick Place in Chicago) will provide restaurateurs with the resources and tools they need to explore and increase environmental efforts, including products and services from many of the 2,000+ exhibiting companies and a specialized track of education sessions presented by leading experts.

Among the thousands of products and services throughout the exhibit floor, there are many "green" options at this year's NRA Show. Several of the 25 Kitchen Innovations Award recipients have eco-conscious features, and the Organics & Natural Pavilion will feature sustainable food and beverage options.

Other environmentally conscious products include energy management system technologies; packaging, tableware and cups made of recycled and renewable materials; eco-friendly uniforms; bio-degradable drinking straws; energy-efficient ambient lighting; sustainable seafood products; eco-conscious signage; and much more.

IBM Helps Clients Measure Energy Progress

2008-05-01T10:29:00.001-05:00

IBM has announced new energy-management software, an expansion of its energy certificates program, and an energy benchmark to help clients establish energy efficiency goals, optimize for energy efficiency and measure and verify their green IT progress across the enterprise.

The new offerings for energy measurement include: IBM Active Energy Manager software to measure power usage of key elements of the datacenter, from IT systems to chilling and air conditioning units; an expansion of IBM's Energy Certificates program to 34 countries; and an online energy assessment benchmark.

UTSA To Host Energy Summit

2008-04-29T10:22:00.002-05:00

UTSA will bring together energy leaders, industry professionals and academicians representing three countries for the inaugural UTSA North American Energy Summit (NAES) May 1-2 at the UTSA Downtown Campus. The summit will feature experts in a range of fields from the United States, Canada and Mexico who will discuss future energy needs.

The Thursday, May 1 panel sessions will address short-term energy futures over the next 20 years, global environmental change, and energy production and efficiency. Friday, May 2 panel sessions will cover paths to sustainability, emerging technologies and social and educational challenges.

Microsoft Funds Energy Efficiency Computing Research

2008-04-28T14:53:00.002-05:00

Microsoft Research has given out $500,000 to four universities doing research in more energy-efficient computing. The grants are aimed at techniques to lower power consumption.

* The University of Tennessee was awarded research money to develop frameworks to account for power and performance improvements in virtualized data centers.
* Stanford University will design a sensor network to gather data and analyze power consumption.
* Harvard University will develop a "dynamic runtime environment" that ensures power consumption corresponds to the computational load.
* The University of Oklahoma will created a simulation framework for studying "low-power microarchitectures for innovative muliticore systems."

New Energy Efficiency Standards For Construction

2008-04-25T18:09:00.001-05:00

The California Energy Commission released updated building-efficiency standards that call for high-performance windows, better-insulating roofs and more-efficient lighting.

The 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, also known as Title 24, regulate new residential and commercial construction.

The new standards include updated or new code regulations for lighting, windows, roofs, skylights, swimming pools and spa equipment, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, and California's Solar Homes Partnership.

Park Slated For Energy Efficiency Fixes

2008-04-24T19:44:00.001-05:00

In Maryland, officials are eyeing Oriole Park at Camden Yards among hundreds of state-owned buildings with so-called green strategies that could yield $10 million annually in energy savings.

The energy efficiency fixes, such as automatic-flush toilets, motion-sensing lighting systems, efficient heating and cooling systems, window sealants and compact fluorescent light bulb replacements, would eliminate an estimated 545 million pounds of carbon emissions each year -- the equivalent of removing 45,000 cars from the region's roads.

In all, federal, state and local governments in the area plan to spend $175 million to make the upgrades in more than 600 buildings. In return, they predict the changes will yield $36.5 million in annual savings on their energy bills.

EPA connects with the Green Grid in support of Energy Efficiency

2008-04-23T09:17:00.003-05:00

The EPA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Green Grid to promote energy efficiency in small computer rooms. The effort begins with evaluating an existing EPA computer room for ways to optimize energy efficiency, then finding ways to standardize processes and performance measures.

Ultimately, the goal of this partnership is to share best practices for replication with other governmental agencies and industry stakeholders. Future partnerships between EPA, federal partners, and associations will help design and build our way into a green federal IT infrastructure.

Who Is Reducing Their Carbon Footprint?

2008-04-22T10:20:00.002-05:00

The Massachusetts Port Authority said Tuesday it has planned a series of environmental initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations.

The initiatives would also enhance its environmental stewardship and give customers options that can reduce their impact on the environment.

The initiatives include buying renewable energy credits, taking energy-saving steps, favoring cab drivers using hybrid fuels and making capital investments that will save energy in the long run.

Ohio Lawmakers Push Energy Efficiency

2008-04-21T06:35:00.003-05:00

Ohio will attempt to cut 0.3 percent of its total usage in 2009, and gradually to reach a total drop of more than 20 percent by 2025. If utilities fail to meet the annual requirements, they will pay a penalty that will go into a fund to invest in advanced energy. The House and Senate still need to work out differences in the details between their plans.

Electricity customers would see an increase in their bills measured in cents, and in some cases, a dollar or so. Some of the money collected will go toward utility infrastructure improvements such as decreasing the amount of electricity lost on power lines.

Money will also go toward creating collaborative programs to make homes more energy efficient. Programs to provide home energy audits, improve their ability to trap warm and cool air, and give rebates for the purchase of efficient home appliances will be created. The subsidy provided by the surcharge will enable residential consumers to pay just a portion of what it would otherwise cost if they made those improvements on their own.

GM Hybrid Goes To China

2008-04-19T01:55:00.001-05:00

General Motors Corp will sell its first gas-electric hybrid cars in China in July, introducing a model created in part by GM's Shanghai design center. The Buick LaCrosse will be the second hybrid to enter the Chinese automobile market following Toyota Motor Corp's Prius in early 2006.

Hybrids improve fuel efficiency and cut emissions by generating extra power from the brakes as a vehicle tops. But they also cost more because they require both gasoline and electric motors.

GM says the LaCrosse will be the first hybrid made in China. The Prius is assembled from imported parts.

Noteworthy Recognition For Energy Efficiency

2008-04-18T01:21:00.003-05:00

The Kentucky Office of Energy Policy has recognized five Louisville buildings that have attained the Energy Star label from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The federal program recognizes buildings that rate among the top 25 percent of facilities of similar use across the country for energy performance. The five Louisville buildings recognized are:

* E.On U.S. Center
* Cemex Kosmos Cement Co. Louisville plant
* Aegon Center
* Courtyard by Marriott Louisville Airport-Expo Hotel
* Isaac Shelby Elementary (Jefferson County Public Schools)

Rhode Island Town Switches To "Greener Computing"

2008-04-17T02:19:00.002-05:00

North Kingstown, R.I. will start a wholesale conversion of its government computers to more energy efficient systems in an effort to save money and reduce its environmental impact. Over the next three years, the town will switch to products in Dell's Energy Smart line of energy-efficient machines, including models from the OptiPlex and PowerEdge series.

In addition to switching over to Dell's green computers, North Kingstown also announced it will be joining Dell's Plant a Forest For Me program, an initiative the company launched in September 2007 to offset carbon emissions among its clients by encouraging them to fund reforestation projects around the globe.

Con Edison's New Energy Efficiency Program

2008-04-16T08:07:00.003-05:00

Con Edison has filed a plan with the New York State Public Service Commission asking that a package of new energy efficiency programs be approved for implementation this summer.

The 11 residential and commercial programs proposed in the filing are designed to achieve 378 MW of demand reduction and reduce energy use overall by 4.4 billion kilowatt hours (KWh). The resultant 2.3 million tons of CO2 reduction is the equivalent of taking 380,000 vehicles off the road, or growing 53,000 tree seedlings for 10 years.

Total estimated cost of the programs is $306 million through 2015, varying from approximately $10 million this year to $75 million in 2015. The funding would be drawn from funds already designated for energy efficiency programs in the most recent rate plan approved by commission effective April 1.

Stamford Takes Energy Efficiency Award

2008-04-15T02:22:00.002-05:00

Stamford has been named Municipal Leader for Energy Efficiency by the nonprofit Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships.

The award cites Stamford's Local Action Plan, which documents actions taken since 1998, the plan's first year. In the plan, the city laid out a framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent.

Building improvements from 1999 to 2002, such as better lighting and efficient air-conditioning and hot-water pumps, produced annual energy savings of $306,920. Public school buildings also were improved, including a new environmental magnet school that has been designed to meet "green" standards.

Is There More Interest In Energy Efficiency?

2008-04-14T12:15:00.003-05:00

According to the second annual Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency Indicator survey, nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of organizations are paying more attention to energy efficiency than they were just a year ago. However, the percentage of companies expecting to make energy efficiency improvements, as well as their planned investment over the next year, has remained constant.

The research identified energy management decision-makers and asked how their organizations were responding to rising energy costs and environmental issues. Members of the International Facility Management Association and the American Society of Healthcare Engineering were included as survey respondents.

Sun plans for Energy Efficient Servers

2008-04-11T01:32:00.003-05:00

With energy efficiency and environmental issues of growing concern, Sun is preparing to tune its servers to be more environmentally friendly by introducing power management capabilities.

Sun plans to introduce the notion of power-managed states, in which future servers will respond to a user's internal energy policies. For example, a 1 kilowatt server might be tuned to run at only 500 watts, and the server figures out how to run under that constraint, Bapat said.

Power management also will be offered for memory components, chips, disk drives, and fans via intelligent firmware that will calibrate power. There will be states like idle and sleep states.

Other suggestions include running datacenters at off-peak hours for activities such as batch jobs and even siphoning off the cheaper nighttime megawatts during the night to freeze water. During the day, air conditioning use is cut by running the hot air off the ice.

County Aims For Energy Efficiency

2008-04-10T02:19:00.001-05:00

Schenectady County officials recently announced initiatives aimed at improving energy conservation and efficiency.

The county will give preference to Energy Star products when buying for county facilities. Energy Star, which is managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, is a voluntary labeling program from appliance manufacturers designed to help consumers identify products that are energy-efficient.

IBM Introduces New Energy Efficient Supercomputer

2008-04-09T06:50:00.002-05:00

IBM has introduced a new supercomputer powered by one of the world's fastest microprocessors and cooled by an innovative water system.

The new Power 575 supercomputer, equipped with IBM's latest POWER6 microprocessor, uses water-chilled copper plates located above each microprocessor to remove heat from the electronics.

Requiring 80 percent fewer air conditioning units, the water-cooled Power 575 can reduce typical energy consumption used to cool the data center by 40 percent. IBM scientists estimate that water can be up to 4,000-times more effective in cooling computer systems than air.

Climate Change Affecting Human Health

2008-04-08T07:29:00.003-05:00

WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan said yesterday, World Health Day, that climate change was already affecting human health and was giving "a glimpse of the challenges public health will have to confront on a large scale".

Many human diseases are climate sensitive, and warming up the Earth will increase the numbers of people exposed to diseases that today kill millions. These include malnutrition (kills over 3.5 million people a year), diarrhoeal diseases (kill over 1.8 million), and malaria (kills nearly 1 million).

Expert:: Climate change can increase risk of cataract blindness

2008-04-07T00:55:00.003-05:00

According to an expert, climate change will increase the risk of people losing their sight through cataracts because of higher levels of ultraviolet rays.

Andreas Mueller of the Fred Hollows Foundation went on to say:

The three main risk factors that lead to cataract blindness are age, smoking and UV exposure, in that order.

Climate change will increase UV levels and therefore increase the risk of developing cataracts.

A spokesman for the foundation, which works mostly in developing countries to restore sight to people with cataracts, said the increased exposure to ultraviolet rays would be caused by depletion of the ozone layer.

San Leandro to tackle Energy Efficiency

2008-04-06T04:35:00.003-05:00

In the next few months, the Energy Watch program of the Association of Bay Area Governments will be working with PG&E to make energy-hogging city buildings more fuel-efficient. Energy Watch is funded by the California Public Utilities Commission to provide incentives to local governments looking to reduce energy consumption.

San Leandro now joins the more than 35 Bay Area governments that participate in Energy Watch. Whenever a city or agency signs on, Energy Watch covers three-quarters of the related costs — provided the plans for the new member city align with Energy Watch's budget, officials said.

San Leandro staff have been working with a consultancy called Energy Solutions to survey the city's en-ergy use and analyze how the city can improve its buildings. The consultancy has now developed an energy action plan to help the city implement some of those measures.