petesabo's Blog

Ohio Public Transportation: Cleveland, Cinci., and Columbus Passenger Rail!!!

Take action and send an email letter to your senator. This was sent to me in an email via Ohio Environmental Council's listserv:

http://ga1.org/campaign/PassengerRail09/xxsdk85rpdn8e5m?

Van Jones Appointed in the Obama Administration

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5379/t/4413/content.jsp?content_KEY=832

Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
Van Jones, Green for All

Exposing Bush's EPA Criminal Record

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/02/bush-epa-pollutant-standard-contrary-law.php

"And now, the most blunt (and legally binding) smackdown of Bush's EPAjust took place: a federal appeals court found yesterday that the Bushadministration's standards on pollutants like soot are “contrary to lawand unsupported by adequately reasoned decision making.” Zing."

We shouldn't just think about moving forward like Obama preaches, but instead we should focus on making Bush's actions and, in the EPA's case, more importantly his inaction accountable.

Peace

Green Edge Fund

This forum should be a spot for people to list ideas for the Green Edge Fund.
The GEF website is:
http://oncampus.oberlin.edu/webapps/lobj-wiki-bb_bb60/wiki/StuOrg-GreenEDGE/_215349_1/Home
List of topics:
http://oncampus.oberlin.edu/webapps/lobj-wiki-bb_bb60/wiki/StuOrg-GreenEDGE/_215349_1/Project_Ideas
-------------
To break the ice, I'll put up what ideas I've come across over google. I've only been to one or two meetings, but it seems like they've already got ideas to work on. The problem is that they need students to take up the research and work and carry a project out through.
Here's my little list of possible ideas
Green Edge Fund ideas
1.    automated thermostats
2.    low flow shower heads
3.    motion sensor lights
4.    biomass plant
5.    improving coal plant (like cornell)
6.    rooftop garden, vertical garden
7.    compost
8.    keep converted into an ecohome
9.    posting monthly energy consumption information (electric, heating, water, etc.)
10.    freebox infrastructure: put trashbins that are to be used for clothing and other goods people don’t want
11.    incentive program for printing double sided and multiple pages per print page
12.    incentive program for using refillable mugs for coffee/takeout
13.    produce eco-friendly laundry detergent (only cost would be materials, but would get incoming freshman to purchase instead of similar products that aren’t eco + cost more) someplace like the RPC could produce them.
14.    Rainwater Harvesting (cistern)
15.    Energy monitoring on all major buildings: who is the new energy person? *
16.    Heat Pump: electric heating, more than 100% efficiency. COP 3 = 1 electric:3 heat (2/24 notes PHYS 068)
http://www.msarch.co.uk/ecohome/feature.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/12/eco-homes-energy-efficiency
The Nottingham Ecohome
    -retrofitting
- Solar water heating
- Roof insulation 300/400mm (12-16'') thick
- 150mm (6'') exterior wall insulation
- Heat recovering fans
- Induction cooktop and comined microwave/oven
- Dual flush toilets
- Rainwater harvesting
- LED lighting
5 Tools for Energy Management
    -http://www.sustainableindustries.com/energy/38727372.html
Rainwater Harvesting
    -http://www.metaefficient.com/rain-water-harvesting/high-school-captures-280000-gallons-of-water-per-year.html
Waterless Urinals
    -http://www.waterwisetech.net/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=131
    -waterless.com ecotrap
    -
Energy Monitoring System per building: “real-time feedback on energy use, which studies show results in savings of up to 26%”
    -http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/agilewaves-shows-off-user-friendly-home-energy-monitoring-system-at-wcg-2008.php
    -http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/save-money-energy-onzo.php
    -Onzo
    -http://agilewaves.com/
        --“Agilewaves has developed the Resource Monitor, a web-based system that actively monitors electric, gas and water usage in real-time, while automatically calculating carbon footprint. This highly accurate conservation technology solution enables home and business owners to easily track performance, manage and control resource consumption, reduce environmental impacts and save money.”
        -Top 10 Green Building Products: http://www.csrwire.com/News/12417.html
Data System Monitoring
    -www.powerassure.com

The Stimulus and Green Jobs in Ohio

http://www.environmentohio.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/green-recovery-bill-will-deliver-less-pollution-more-jobs-through-clean-energy

By the numbers--

$33.80 billion for clean energy,

$26.86 billion for energyefficiency

$18.95 for green transportation. 

Environment Ohio highlighted the followingprovisions:

• Extending and “recession proofing” the renewable energy incentives, which will prevent 55.8 million tons of global warming pollution per year by the end of the three year extension and create or protect 254,000 jobs in the near term;
• Creating a renewable energy manufacturing tax credit;
• Fully funding the Green Jobs Act at $500 million over 2 years which will train 70,000 workers in renewable energy and energy efficiency job;
• Invest $4.5 billion to upgrade our electricity transmission system to better take advantage of renewable energy and improve efficiency;
• Providing $5 billion for the Weatherization Assistance Program, enough to prevent 9.7 million tons of global warming pollution and create 375,000 jobs;
• Providing $4.5 billion to improve energy efficiency of federal buildings, the nation’s biggest energy user;
• Funding the State Energy Program at $3.1 billion to help citizens and business save energy;
• Providing $3.2 billion in block grants for local government energy efficiency and renewable energy projects;
• Providing $8.4 billion in public transit, which will save 10.3 million barrels of oil and create or preserve 252,000 jobs, with $1.5 billion set aside for expanding capacity and upgrades to existing transit systems;
• Investing $8 billion for new high speed rail projects.

Carbon Emissions Cap Coming Soon?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123531391527642021.html
"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) said Friday that he aimsto pass a climate-change bill by the end of the summer; Rep. HenryWaxman (D., Calif.), head of the House panel responsible for draftingsuch a bill, said he wants it approved in May."
So far the new EPA is off to a good start. Let's hope for cap and trade.

Also here's more info on Harry Reid's plans.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jJGH92I1bBxSYUuuJxTDWEhJyxrwD96F7VMO0

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