On March 23 and 24 encourage your friends and family to join you in shutting off the phone, heading outdoors instead of lounging in front of the TV, and turning off the computer in honor of the third National Day of Unplugging. From sundown to sundown, participants will sign a pledge and embrace a world free of technology, giving Mother Nature –and yourself –a moment to breathe.

From sundown at March 23 to sundown at March 24, participants in the National Day of Unplugging will disconnect from the technologically overcharged world and enjoy the simple pleasures of life, such as reading, camping, writing, or having a face-to-face conversation with a friend.

Created in 2012, the Sabbath Manifesto refers to itself as a “creative project designed to slow down lives in an increasingly hectic world.”

According to their website, the organization was created by a group of Jewish artists with the common objective of finding a modern way to observe a weekly day of rest. All members are also part of Reboot, a non-profit group designed to “‘reboot’ the cultures, traditions and rituals of Jewish life.”

Taking their goals to the next level, Sabbath Manifesto teamed up with Causes.com to create an Unplugging Pledge, asking participants to turn off technology, or apply the manifesto, to everyone’s best capacity during the selected date.

Additionally, the organizations have created a series of events promoting the national holiday. On March 11, the “Tech Detox: Can You Survive a Day Without Technology” forum will take place at the Courtyard Marriot in Austin, Texas. This will be an “off-the-record, technology free panel” to open the conversation about the Day of Unplugging.

Hours later, the first-ever Unplugged Party will take place at The Lodge in Austin, Texas. In their words, the price of admission is checking your cell phone.

Now you know! Sign the pledge, share with friends, and take the day off that you and the planet so truly deserve.

Photo Credit: sabbathmanifesto.org/Jessica Tully, sabbathmanifesto.org/causes.com

Pittsburgh is the second largest city in the state of Pennsylvania, in North Eastern United States. The city is known for its economic influence, especially its steel industry, but is also known for its robotics, financial services, technology, and health care. The city is also home to a number of major worldwide financial institutions, including Federated Investors, PNC Financial Services, and BNY Mellon. The city has also been listed by Forbes and The Economist as one of the “most livable” cities in the United States. Because of the factories, the city has been given a reputation as one of the most air-polluted cities in the United States. In an effort to turn this around, the city of Pittsburgh has been taking a number of steps to increase environmental sustainability and reduce climate change. Here are a few of the highlights of cleantech efforts throughout the city.

2 ) Carnegie Mellon University Green Report Card
Every year the Sustainable Endowments Institute comes up with the Green Report Card for universities located around the United States. In 2011, Carnegie Mellon, located in Pittsburgh, scored a B on the report card. The university received top marks for its programs regarding climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building, student involvement, and transportation. For example, all new buildings on campus must meet at least the United States Green Building Council’s LEED Silver Certification standards. In another example, all students, staff, and faculty are provided with free public bus passes as well as a free shuttle service that takes individuals to locations off-campus. Both are provided in an effort to decrease the number of single drivers to the campus.

3 ) University of Pittsburgh Green Report Card
Much like Carnegie Mellon, the University of Pittsburgh was also included in the Sustainable Endowments Institute’s 2011 Green Report Card and the university received a B-. While its climate and energy grade was a bit lower (but the university did just complete its very first carbon dioxide gas emissions inventory and started making waves in 2010 to become more energy efficient), the university did receive high marks for food and recycling, green building, student involvement, and transportation. For example, over 50 percent of all employees use environmentally preferable methods for transportation, including carpooling, bicycles, and public transport. Furthermore, there are a number of active environmentally-focused student groups throughout the campus that aid in creating and funding various sustainability-related projects.

4 ) Community Ball Field Lights
In recent years, the city has purchased more than two million kilowatt hours annually to light up all the sports fields. Starting in the year 2006, Pittsburgh started converting some of the lights in community ball parks to new fixtures that were more energy efficient. The city then installed a central control system in 2007 for the ball field lights. In the first year along, this project saved approximately 101 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

5 ) Traffic Signals and Street Lights
Pittsburgh did a study and saw that the traffic signals and streetlights, when combined are responsible for 25 percent of total energy consumption in the city. To change this up, in 2008, the city installed LEDs into all traffic signals, replacing traditional bulbs. In 2009, Pittsburgh started an energy efficiency streetlight pilot project to look into saving energy and money as well as improving light quality and public safety. It was a ten month pilot program where vendors donated LED lights to the South Side of the city. The results are being utilized to create a new program to change the street lights.

6 ) Green LEED Buildings
In the last few years, Pittsburgh has passed new green building legislations that would promote the building of green LEED certified buildings throughout the city, including a requirement that all developments that are publicly-financed for more than $2 million or more than 10,000 square feet need to get a minimum of LEED Silver certification. Currently, Pittsburgh is ranked as eighth in the entire nation in regards to total number of LEED certified buildings. Currently, there are more than 35 LEED certified buildings in the city, including the very first green convention center, green university dormitory, green radio station, green public arts facility, and green financial institution in the entire nation.

7 ) Home Energy Audits
There are a number of companies throughout the city that offer home energy audits to make homes much more energy efficient and greener. One such company is Vox Energy Solutions. This company provides home energy audits to see where homes can be made more energy efficient and then provide custom designs for wind, solar, and solar thermal systems that will offer years of energy savings for all homeowners.

8 ) Pittsburgh Renewable Energy Community Project
Created by ACTION-Housing Inc, Pittsburgh Renewable Energy Community Project provides a “community-scale approach to energy efficiency and the use of renewables while creating a mixed-income housing community of approximately 120 units in Pittsburgh.” The program uses the performance goals set up by the Department of Energy and utilizes partnerships with local universities and the green building community to aid in building homes that are affordable as well as carbon-neutral.

9 ) University of Pittsburgh Center for Energy
Centered at the University of Pittsburgh is the Center for Energy. Located in the Swanson School of Engineering, this center is, according to the website, “dedicated to improving energy technology development and sustainability, including energy efficiency, advanced materials for demanding energy technologies, carbon management, and energy diversification.” A number of initiatives currently going on at the Center for Energy include carbon dioxide sequestration and conversion, new sensors for more efficient fossil fuel plans, and novel technologies for harnessing solar energy.

10 ) Pittsburgh Opera Green Initiative
Doing its part to further promote environmental sustainability throughout the city, Pittsburgh Opera started a new green initiative with the primary focus that of obtaining LEED Operations and Maintenance Certification for the Opera’s newest headquarters along the Strip District in the city. It will be the oldest building in the entire city and the very first opera company throughout the United States seeking LEED Certification.

-Shawn Lesser

Article by Shawn Lesser, Co-founder & Managing Partner of Atlanta-based Watershed Capital Group – an investment bank assisting sustainable fund and companies raise capital, perform acquisitions, and in other strategic financial decisions. He is also a Co-founder of the GCCA Global Cleantech Cluster Association ”The Global Voice of Cleantech”. He writes for various cleantech publications and is known as the David Letterman of Cleantech for his “Top 10″ series. He is also author of The 2012 Cleantech Directory. He can be reached at shawn@watershedcapital.com.

Photo Credit: Flickr/Jon Dawson

A “Smart City” in the United States may be defined as one that uses technologies in the field of information and communication to become much more intelligent in the way it handles resources to ensure in savings via cost and energy. These technologies are also utilized to improve quality of life for all residents as well as decrease climate change and negative environmental impact. Here is a list of ten cities that support being “Smart” in the area of clean technology.

1. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is said to enjoy some of the most supportive policies in the United States for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Boston is second in the country in clean technology venture capital investments. With an environment that is ripe for cleantech start-ups, numerous companies are moving their business to Boston. The MIT Clean Energy Prize is a venture and innovation creation competition that encourages clean energy innovation. Its objective is to provide educational opportunities and supply incentives to ventures demonstrating the clean energy affordability. As well, the development of MIT’s cleantech incubator will provide Boston with more access to cleantech flow, increasing the demands for all future building to be constructed in accordance to LEED standards.

2. San Jose, California

San Jose, known as part of California’s famed Silicon Valley, has been very productive in clean technologies. The city has expanded a number of clean technology investments and because of the research and development institutions in the area, many cleantech companies are making their home in San Jose. San Jose’s, “Long-time leadership in engineering know-how, combined with semi-conductor, nanotechnology and optics R&D gives it a leg up in renewable energy development, particularly in solar energy applications.” San Jose is also home to the Environmental Business Cluster, a non-profit technology commercialization center assisting start-up cleantech companies developing goods and services to positively impact the environment, including NuEdison.

3. San Diego, California

San Diego is world renowned for its culture of collaboration and collegiality and is a natural setting for a cleantech “collaboratory.” Through meaningful partnerships with private and public sector champions, CleanTECH San Diego promotes sustainable best practices in the San Diego region and promotes the region’s high concentration of cleantech activities. By collaborating with the multitude of stakeholders, we leverage these assets and position ourselves effectively as a world leader in the low carbon economy. Home to CleanTECH San Diego, which is a private, non-profit member organization formed in 2007. As one of the nation’s premier cleantech cluster organizations, its mission is to position the region as a global leader in the cleantech economy. CleanTECH San Diego serves as a catalyst for a diverse group of stakeholders to advance a common agenda.

4. Austin, Texas

Austin has long been Texas’ hub for solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass power, as well as fuel cell technologies. Its commitment to the environment and sustainability has made it not only a national cleantech player, but a global one as well. Austin is home to some of the largest cleantech companies on a global level, including HelioVolt, Xtreme Power, and Green Mountain Energy. A large research and development hub, the University of Texas at Austin has created several research expenditures to elevate research into energy efficiency and renewable energy. This includes a project by the College of Natural Sciences to create biofuel from blue-green algae and hybrid-electric automobile programs developed by The Center for Electromechanics. There is also the Clean Energy Incubator, which provides facilities and resources to turn renewable energy ideas into working projects.

5. Seattle, Washington

Seattle has been leaving its mark in cleantech society by increasing the need for green standards. The Green Building Sustainable Communities Program, for example, creates city projects that meet sustainable outcomes. Tax breaks and loans are provided to businesses and residences that utilize green practices. Seattle has been a leader in using their garbage to get electricity. They have invested into electricity from garbage landfills. Seattle also houses the top Green Fleet Plan in the nation, which works toward the adoption of alternative sources of fuel, advanced technology vehicles, fuel reduction policies, and educational programs. But the biggest reason for the impact of Cleantech is the participation of the local community. The Seattle community has been instrumental in energy efficiency policies.

6. Portland, Oregon

Consistently, Portland has ranked high on the sustainable city index. The city has been committed to making itself a sustainable city since the early 1990s. Portland is consistently named the number-one city for bicyclists. Many roads have a designated bike lane and sometimes a blocked-off box for bikes to pull in front of cars at stoplights. As evident by its operations with the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, there is not an area of focus that Portland is not addressing. From climate to food to energy all areas are focused on key sustainability measures.

7. Chicago, Illinois

Over 20 percent of total power in Chicago is coming from renewable sources. Due to the increase in the need for renewable energy and energy efficiency, Chicago has been able to create numerous job opportunities while, at the same time, increasing solar power and saving on CO2 emissions. A number of large cleantech companies call the economic capital of Illinois their home, including G-Tech Energy Inc. and SoCore Energy. Chicago is also becoming one of the major investment locations for international businesses. For example, 2010 provided Chicago with a deal with China’s Goldwind to build a branch there for wind-power solutions. Chicago also has a number of green initiatives, including the Chicago Green Office Challenge and “Smart Grid Innovation” project.

8. Berkeley, California

Berkeley has become a hub for biofuel technology. For example, in 2007, the creation of a $500 million research effort to create new, renewable energy sources that will decrease the overall impact on the environment. The funding created the Energy Biosciences Institute, which focuses its research on biofuel technology and turning field waste, corn, and algae into fuels that can be used for transportation. Berkeley was also the first city to launch a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program focused on residential solar.

9. Washington D.C.

As the capital of the United States, it must be a leader and set an example when it comes to cleantech. D.C. is the center for all major U.S. cleantech associations and initiatives, including the American Wind Association, the American Council on Renewable Energy, the Renewable Energy Incentive Program, and the Renewable Energy Policy Project to name a few. American University, residing in D.C. is the first east coast U.S. University to go 100 percent green. Because D.C. needs to lead by example, they have a number of energy efficient residential programs, including tree planting, disposal of items harmful to the environment, and various programs on instructing energy saving, environmentally friendly techniques.

10. San Francisco, California

California is one of the top cleantech nations in the United States and it is cities like San Francisco that makes it happen. Currently, San Francisco is well on its way to becoming the first city to be completely run by renewable energy by the year 2020. With projects like Sunset Reservoir Solar Project, which is the largest municipal solar facility in the state and a new $250,000 grant to increase renewable energy capabilities to reach 2020 goal, it is easy to see how quickly it will happen. San Francisco is also home to a number of cleantech investment firms that assist in creating new cleantech businesses. For example, there is The Energy Foundation, an organization that partners donors to assist in solving the energy problem around the globe. Funding is provided to businesses that advance renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

-Shawn Lesser and Ben Taube

Article by Shawn Lesser, Co-founder & Managing Partner of Atlanta-based Watershed Capital Group – an investment bank assisting sustainable fund and companies raise capital, perform acquisitions, and in other strategic financial decisions. He is also a Co-founder of the GCCA Global Cleantech Cluster Association ”The Global Voice of Cleantech”. He writes for various cleantech publications and is known as the David Letterman of Cleantech for his “Top 10″ series. He is also author of The 2012 Cleantech Directory. He can be reached at shawn@watershedcapital.com.

Ben Taube, president of BLT Sustainable Energy, Inc., is an experienced leader in developing cleantech companies with an extensive expertise in shaping environmental partnerships, policy and education.

Photo Credit: Flickr/Paul Aloe, Flickr/Matthias Rosenkranz, Flickr/four years, Flickr/Ben Pollard, Flickr/Stuart Seeger, Flickr/Jeff Muceus, Flickr/Razvan Orendovici, Flickr/Mark Brennan, Flickr/Charlie Nguyen, Flickr/gkrew, Flickr/Selena N.B.H.

Turkey, potatoes, apple pie and beef stew are some of the traditional winter meals we all love, offering enough warmth and spice to turn an otherwise cold and bleak season into something special. Considering the origins of these foods, however, we find that they are a recipe for environmental problems.

Tracing winter delicacies like roasted chicken and vegetables back to their roots, researchers pinpoint the methods and philosophies employed in raising and producing these foods as leading contributors to land degradation, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, perhaps the ultimate environmental concern. Just how do these foods cause environmental problems? Here is a list of the top problems our food causes and their key culprits.
1. Land Degradation
Referring to the loss of nutrients in landscapes such as soils, land degradation is a primary result of many of the United States’ agricultural processes. Through poor farming techniques that leave soil susceptible to erosion and overgrazing by livestock, it is estimated that the cost of erosion in the U.S. is $44 billion dollars a year.

Cereals, vegetables and any animal that is fed a crop product including cows, chickens and pigs all affect the rate of land degradation. With U.S. cows eating up to 30 pounds of feed a day, we can get an idea of just how much corn, soybean and other grains are grown to feed them. To keep up with this demand (and government subsidies) many farmers are growing record-breaking amounts of feed– and destroying the land in the process.

2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide , methane and nitrous oxide are released from a variety of sources along the food-processing chain. Between the equipment used on farms to cultivate crops to manage manure and to the machinery used to clean and process meats and other farm products after they leave the farm, our agricultural system is responsible for 6.3percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Beef is one of the most environmentally hazardous foods, contributing 13 times as much carbon dioxide as chicken per pound.* Beef (and dairy) cattle are also responsible for the bulk of methane emissions from agricultural activities. Nitrous oxide emissions hail chiefly from soil management with potatoes bearing some of the heavier costs.

A tool that measures greenhouse gases emitted from the soil. Scientists are developing tools such as these to better measure agriculture's gas emissions.

Aside from the “maximize feed and maximize food” mentality employed on factory farms and feed lots across the U.S., the refrigeration and transportation of food also contributes to the environmental cost of food. In a world where climate change is being taken more seriously worldwide, it might be time for us to look beyond the pounds our foods are measured in– they weigh more than that.

For more information, check out the following government reports and news articles: EPA, Scientific American and Fat Knowledge.

-Alivia Ashenfarb

Photo Credit: Flickr/Just George 2, Flickr/LandLearnNSW, Flickr/CIMMYT

Best Buy Co., Inc. launched its Home Energy™ retail concept, via an Online Learning Center on BestBuy.com and physical departments within three U.S. Best Buy stores, to provide technology products, solutions and services that help consumers understand, control and reduce their energy consumption and costs. Both the online experience and the physical departments, located within three Best Buy stores in Chicago, Houston, and San Carlos, Calif., provide unique services including self-assessment tools, home energy survey and audits and product installation.

“Through several small-scale experiments over the past two years, from home energy audits to installation of home charging stations for electric vehicles, we have learned there is real consumer interest in options to cut energy costs and use in their lives, particularly in the home,” said Neil McPhail, senior vice president, new business customer solutions group, Best Buy.” 

The learning center and retail departments provide customers, not only access to information, but to tools that help reduce their home energy consumption through a dynamic experience as follows:

• Interactive vignettes to educate consumers on technology that manages home energy and electricity consumption
• Energy consumption self-assessments and audits
• Self-guided product and solution selection and demonstration tools
• ENERGY STAR rebate finder 

“Our role is to help consumers make the most of the technology in their lives, and the Home Energy concept is our latest experiment that will demonstrate the knowledge and expertise of our employees, and how our brands and our channels can help consumers understand how to own, use, and maintain energy efficient technologies,” McPhail said.

Alternative energy is not only good for the environment; it’s good for job creation, too. According to the Solar Foundation, 100,237 Americans are now working in the U.S. solar industry. The statement is based on preliminary data from National Solar Jobs Census 2011: A Review of the U.S. Solar Workforce.

Solar businesses added 6,735 new workers in all 50 states since August 2010, which represents a 6.8 percent growth rate. The National Solar Jobs Census 2011 measured solar employment during the period between August 2010 and August 2011. 

The figures reveal that the job growth within the U.S. solar industry outpaced the overall economy and fossil fuel based electric generation when compared to overall economic data from Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. (EMSI). During the same 12-month period, jobs in the overall economy grew by only 0.7 percent, while fossil fuel electric generation lost two percent of its workforce. 

“The U.S. solar industry is creating jobs at a far greater pace than the economy as a whole,” said Andrea Luecke, executive director of The Solar Foundation. “The National Solar Jobs Census series provides a definitive measure of the U.S. solar workforce and its growth over time. It proves where smart solar energy policies are having the most impact both in terms of states and across the vast solar supply chain.” 

The full National Solar Jobs Census 2011 report became available at Solar Power International 2011 in Dallas on October 17. The Census examines employment along the solar value chain, including installation, wholesale trade, manufacturing, utilities and all other fields and includes growth rates and job numbers for 31 separate occupations. It also examines solar employment at the state level. 

The National Solar Jobs Census 2011 was conducted by The Solar Foundation and Green LMI (a division of BW Research Partnership) with technical assistance from Cornell University.

“By using high-quality research methodology, we can ensure that these numbers are as accurate as possible,” said John Bunge, associate professor in the Department of Statistical Science at Cornell University’s School of Industrial Labor Relations. “Using both primary and secondary data sources, along with careful statistical analysis, gives us high confidence in the results.” 

Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.

Photo Credit: Flickr/valli_mark

Congressman Barney Frank and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. joined the City of New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang to launch a city-wide, multi-site solar power initiative that will use solar panels that are exclusively manufactured in the United States. This will reduce the City’s overall energy spending through a goal of installing up to 10 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy, enough to power approximately 1,500 homes.

The program is the first of its kind in a Massachusetts municipality.

The City of New Bedford will install rooftop and ground-based photovoltaic units at city-owned sites using panels that are exclusively manufactured in the United States. Locations will include municipal buildings, schools and selected municipal land parcels.  All installations are expected to be operational by 2013.

In addition to decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, production of solar energy is expected to equate to 25 percent of electricity consumed by city-owned facilities when all installations are completed. City officials said total savings could reach as high as $10 million by the year 2033.    

“This creative solar program will help the people of New Bedford save money while they protect the planet,” said Mayor Lang. “We will be adding value to our City’s facilities and underutilized space by using roofs and unused parcels of land to collect clean and renewable solar power. Our ultimate aim is to further the development of renewable energy by building out this precedent-setting program to a full spectrum of private-sector energy consumers.”

The City is undertaking the project in cooperation with two private-sector partners, Boston-based BlueWave Capital, LLC and Consolidated Edison Solutions, Inc. (ConEdison Solutions) of Valhalla, NY and Burlington, Mass. BlueWave Capital and ConEdison Solutions, along with their engineering, construction and community partners, were selected by the City to develop up to 10 megawatts of solar photovoltaic projects on city-owned properties.

BlueWave will also partner with the City in a program aimed at bringing third-party-financed solar energy to New Bedford businesses and homeowners, and will also work with the City to maximize an array of added benefits delivered by solar power, including local job and apprenticeship opportunities, the re-use of brownfields and other surplus land, and educational programs in New Bedford schools. To help boost area employment, Mayor Lang said that ConEdison Solutions has agreed to maximize its use of local construction contractors for the project.

“With the help of municipalities like New Bedford, we’re closer to meeting our nation-leading renewable energy goals, which create jobs, decrease energy consumption and lower energy costs,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. “The number of solar projects installed or in construction or under contract has increased 30-fold since 2007. We’ve gone from 3.5 megawatts of solar in 2007 to nearly 100 megawatts installed or the pipeline today.” 

ConEdison Solutions will own the solar installations on City sites and will enter into long-term power purchase agreements with the City. ConEdison Solutions will also be responsible for installation, ongoing operations and maintenance — and will provide for financing of the projects.

Beaumont Solar Company of New Bedford is designing and constructing the fast-tracked roof-top projects to be completed in 2011. They are providing similar services for other ground and roof projects within New Bedford that are to be operational in 2012.

Alteris Renewables, a Real Goods Solar Company, is designing and constructing the largest of the proposed New Bedford projects, an approximately 4 MW ground system on land owned by New Bedford in Freetown near the Quatticas Reservoir. This facility will serve the Water Treatment Plant and is expected to be complete in 2012.

The solar initiative is the latest in a series of innovative programs designed to position New Bedford as a national leader in energy efficiency and renewable energy. The City’s overarching energy program targets municipal, commercial, transportation and port-related end-users. The municipal component has set a goal of reducing energy use by 20 percent within the next five years. The commercial element is helping to enable the City’s business sector to implement a systematic array of energy-saving techniques and strategies. Under the transportation portion, five percent of New Bedford’s municipal vehicle fleet would switch from gasoline to hybrid/electric energy within five years. And the port-related initiative aims to install 42 dockside, electric pedestals as charging stations at New Bedford Harbors Wharves, America’s number-one commercial fishing port.  

Another Consolidated Edison, Inc. company, Con Edison Development, one of the Northeast’s leading developers of renewable and energy infrastructure assets, delivered the largest operating solar installation in New England to date on a site within the New Bedford Business Park, which straddles the towns of Dartmouth and New Bedford.  The ten-acre solar farm began generating electrical power in March. Con Edison Development shares the same corporate parent as ConEdison Solutions.    

The City of New Bedford buys energy today through the SouthCoast Electric Buying Group, an aggregated buying group consisting of various entities and Towns along the South Coast of Massachusetts. ConEdison Solutions is the current contracted supplier of energy to the buying group. Once the new solar program is complete, the City’s purchases of power through the buying group will be reduced by about 25 percent.

“We are off to the races on an exciting and path-breaking venture,” said John DeVillars, BlueWave Capital’s Managing Partner. “This has been and will continue to be a team effort, and we are grateful for the chance to work with the City and an incredibly dedicated and talented team of engineering and financing professionals.”

“The multi-site solar project in New Bedford is a fantastic program and we believe it will change the way towns and cities buy and use energy,” said Jorge Lopez, CEO of ConEdison Solutions. “We are proud to have been selected by the City to help them make energy history. When it comes to embracing renewable energy, New Bedford stands as a model to other municipalities.”

New Bedford used $80,000 of the city’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds to develop a municipal solar strategy. The city developed a procurement strategy for a vendor to supply solar-generated power from onsite generation sources.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s EECBG Program, funded for the first time by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) of 2009, represents a national priority to deploy the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable energy technologies we have — energy efficiency and conservation — across the country.

New Bedford is one of 44 communities in Massachusetts that received a total of $43 million to develop, promote, implement and manage local EECBG-funded projects.

Office Depot's first LEED Gold Certified store in Austin, Texas opened in 2008. Photo Credit: Office Depot

The global headquarters of the office supply and service store earns certification for superior energy efficiency for its facility performing in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide. 

Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), celebrating 25 years as a leading global provider of office supplies and services, announced last Friday that the company’s global headquarters, located in Boca Raton, Fla., has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR certification. The certification signifies that the building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meets strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA.

 “Office Depot is pleased to accept EPA’s Energy Star certification in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts,” said Edward Costa, vice president of construction for Office Depot. “Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship while also lowering our energy costs.” 

Commercial buildings that earn EPA’s Energy Star certification use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Office Depot improved its energy performance by managing energy strategically across the entire organization and by making cost-effective improvements to its building.  

“Improving the energy efficiency of our nation’s buildings is critical to protecting our environment,” said Jean Lupinacci, chief of the Energy Star Commercial & Industrial Branch. “From the boiler room to the board room, organizations are leading the way by making their buildings more efficient and earning EPA’s Energy Star certification.” 

Energy-saving actions that Office Depot took to earn the certification included retrofitting most of the lighting on the global headquarters’ campus, which consisted of:

• Replacing all T5 lamps with 27-Watt, 4100 Kelvin lamps.
• Changing all parking garage lights from 150-Watt metal-halide to 42-Watt florescent lamps.
• Reducing the amount of lamps that are on during the daylight hours by 70 percent. 

Over the past five years, Office Depot has consistently built and operated environmentally sustainable stores and facilities. The global headquarters was Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certified in 2010 and Office Depot opened its first LEED Gold Certified store in Austin, Texas during the summer of 2008. In early 2010, Office Depot announced plans to only open LEED for Commercial Interior certified stores going forward and has opened 15 locations since. Additionally in 2010, Office Depot announced that it will pursue LEED certification at its new warehouse facility in Newville, PA. For more information on Office Depot’s environmental strategy, please visit www.officedepot.com/environment.

Photo Credit: Rexel

Rexel unveils results of the first international survey conducted by Harris Interactive about what’s important to Americans when it comes to energy efficiency. 

Energy efficiency aims to reduce energy consumption without deteriorating the level of service and therefore reduce economic, ecological and social costs. Professionals in this field are very familiar with the issue, but how do American citizens perceive energy efficiency? How do they go about saving energy in their households? Are they prepared to make sacrifices and change their habits? And how do they view energy efficiency, as compared with citizens in France, England and Germany?

Rexel, a leading worldwide distributor of electrical supplies, called on Harris Interactive to ask a representative population from the United States, France, England and Germany for their answers to these key questions. 

The results of the survey reveal that, for most people, energy efficiency is important and requires action. In fact, respondents from all four countries see the subject of energy efficiency as important: between 86 percent and 95 percent of respondents judge the subject as important, of which nearly two-thirds say it is “very important.” 

The survey also found that Americans consider themselves responsible for electrical efficiency and its promotion. They have already adopted some new habits and select applications according to their energy consumption. The issue of energy efficiency also appears to be inextricably linked to financial considerations, as 54 percent of Americans cited the excessively high price of low-energy products as an obstacle in becoming more energy efficient. Consumers are keen to invest in order to reduce their electricity bills as long as they can measure the impact, and see the return on their investment. 

Among all respondents, nine out of ten citizens view energy efficiency as an “important” issue, but after looking at the data they only have a superficial understanding of the measures already taken. 

Although Americans are aware of energy efficiency issues, and believe they are informed about the measures taken in their country, their knowledge is actually somewhat limited. In the U.S. three out of four people claim to have heard that incandescent light bulbs are being phased out, but only 46 percent know exactly what the incandescent lamp phase out means. Similarly, in the U.S., 88 percent of respondents have heard of the Federal and State Government tax incentives related to home heating and ventilation systems and renewable energy devices, however, only 34 percent of them know exactly what it is. 

U.S. respondents said that improving energy efficiency is justified for three important reasons: the desire to reduce expenses (97 percent said good reason, of whom 75 percent consider this to be a very good reason); the guarantee of energy security (95 percent said good reason, of whom 53 percent believe this to be a very good reason); environmental protection (91 percent said this was a good reason).

“This survey shows that we are moving towards a new energy model. As market leader, Rexel is particularly involved in accelerating change through innovative solutions and education that informs our clients how to adopt eco-efficient solutions. As a distributor we continue to play a driving role in energy efficiency issues within the electrical field,” Chris Hartmann, CEO of Rexel Holdings USA, said. “It is also important for people to know that energy efficiency is not a one size fits all approach. Everybody can do their part even on the smallest level by simply upgrading to energy efficient light bulbs, but Americans should know that there are solutions available to accommodate varying levels of budget and energy objectives.” 

American respondents also said that while they pay attention to their energy consumption (89 percent), many lack information about practical steps they can take towards improving their own energy efficiency. Only 33 percent regularly defrost their freezer and refrigerator, 52 percent fill the washing machine to the top before starting the wash cycle and 56 percent shut off electronic devices rather than switching to stand-by.

By publishing this study, Rexel solidifies its role as an industry leader in providing energy efficient solutions within the electrical sector and its active participation in developing partnerships with manufacturers and contractors. Rexel has also set up an information site, www.electrical-efficiency.com/, in order to promote awareness of electrical efficiency issues.  

From small everyday habits to dedicated applications, our households are committed to the issue:
Americans are very aware of energy efficiency issues and to some extent have already changed their everyday habits to save energy. For example: 69 percent of Americans purchase low energy light bulbs and 64 percent use power strips. 

As far as investments are concerned, 72 percent of Americans have already, or are willing to, install an environmentally-friendly hot water system, and 75 percentwould consider installing an eco-efficient heating system. 

The issue of energy efficiency is strongly influenced by financial considerations: 
Respondents say they would make 3 types of effort to improve their energy efficiency: efforts in terms of time (76 percent in France, 82 percent in the UK, 75 percent in the USA), investment in equipment that is more expensive to buy but with long-term savings (69 percent in France, 78 percent in the USA), or giving up certain comforts (71 percent in the UK, 61 percent in France, 52 percent in the USA). Respondents were interested in the impact on their personal finances and tended to be torn between spending less in the short term and investments that reduce energy costs in the short and medium term. 

Rexel: a market leader committed to promoting efficient electrical solutions: 
For 85 percent of American’s, distributors of electrical material have an important role to play in the promotion of electrical efficiency. Rexel is committed to promoting electrical efficiency by actively participating in debates and discussing the industry’s standpoints, but also by training and informing installers via its 2,200 outlets and the http://www.electrical-efficiency.com/website. 

Present in 36 countries, the Rexel group advises clients and selects the best solutions to master energy in buildings, optimize lighting and heating, install intelligent systems to pilot and regulate electricity consumption.

Photo Credit: GE Energy

An OEM partnership agreement with Inovateus Solar for solar carport charging stations reached while at Greenbuild International Conference & Expo. 

GE Energy Industrial Solutions (NYSE: GE) announced Wednesday, Oct. 5, that it has reached a partnership agreement to work with Inovateus Solar, a U.S. solar-power distribution and integration company, to build new solar carports with electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

The announcement of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement was made at a press conference at the annual Greenbuild Conference & Expo, the world’s largest annual trade show dedicated to green building. 

“We’re very pleased to be able to forge this exciting partnership with Inovateus,” said Luis Ramírez, CEO of GE Energy Industrial Solutions. “The renewable energy sources in our portfolio of products and solutions will enable us to continue innovating and leading the future of electrification.” 

GE Energy Industrial Solutions collaborated with Inovateus this year to build a 100-kilowatt-hour solar carport, one of the largest structures of its kind in North America, at its Plainville, Conn., facility. 

The solar carport can generate enough energy to offset the power needed to charge up to 13 electric vehicles per day, using the six installed Level 2 GE DuraStation^TM EV charging stations, as well as all the overhead lighting in the parking lot. 

Now, GE is partnering with Inovateus to bring the same turnkey solar carport solution, scalable to a variety of needs, to a multitude of facilities, including universities, municipalities, office buildings and sports complexes. Inovateus will include GE EverGold^TM Solar combiner boxes, GE DuraStation and WattStation^TM electric vehicle charging stations and traditional GE electrical distribution panels and switches as part of its solar offerings. 

Additionally, GE Energy Industrial Solutions continues to expand its offering in the solar category with the recent introduction of a new line of solar safety switches, also known as photovoltaic (PV) disconnects. 

“This agreement is a fantastic opportunity that will help us bring to market and develop new systems for generating renewable energy,” said T.J. Kanczuzewski, president of Inovateus. “We are very excited to be working alongside GE Energy Industrial Solutions to offer customers the latest innovations in solar carport technology.” 

GE is a participating member of the EMerge Alliance, an open industry association leading the rapid adoption of safe direct-current (DC) power distribution in commercial buildings through the development of EMerge Alliance standards.

Greenbuild is the world’s largest green-building conference and represents all sectors of the green-building movement. GE Energy is among the participants for three days of extensive educational programming, workshops, product displays and networking events featuring the latest technological innovations and new products. 

For more information, visit GE Energy solar power and GE Energy solar products, as well as their Twitter and Facebook.