Sustainability


PA Governor Announces $7.9M in Grants to Promote Biofuels and Alternative-Fuel Vehicles

Pennsylvania’s Gov. Edward G. Rendell said his state is aiming to cut its oil consumption by more than a half-million gallons as it invests in 21 alternative fuel projects that will create 221 jobs and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 14.5 million pounds.

Governors Global Climate Summit 3

Governors' Global Climate Summit Creates Subnational Alliance

State-level leaders are building regional partnerships to accelerate work on the green economy while California recognizes the work in progress through its award program.

U.S. Policymakers Consider a National Renewable Electricity Standard

U.S. policymakers must focus more closely on developing new energy storage technologies as they consider a national renewable electricity standard.

Volkswagen electric taxi

Volkswagen, Great Dragon Tout Zero Emission Vehicles

Eco Expo Asia featured green transportation at its fifth annual conference and exhibition in Hong Kong.

ASLA winning green roof

ASLA Green Roof Earns Top North American Design Honor

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities will present the American Society of Landscape Architects the 2010 Award of Excellence in December.

How to Earn LEED Success

Ron Sivitz' designed beach house recently won Platinum status from the U.S. Green Building Council. The builder shares tips on how to make your project LEED-worthy.

Researchers Examining Methods of Harvesting Solar Energy from Pavement

The heat radiating off roadways has long been a factor in explaining why city temperatures are often considerably warmer than nearby suburban or rural areas. Now a team of engineering researchers from the University of Rhode Island is examining methods of harvesting that solar energy to melt ice, power streetlights, illuminate signs, heat buildings and potentially use it for many other purposes.

Global Warming Reduces Available Wind Energy

Rising temperatures decrease wind speeds, making for less power bang for the wind turbine buck.



Ostaras Phillip Abrary

From the Top: Q&A with Phillip Abrary

Using a University of British Columbia-developed technology, Abrary and his team at Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies Inc., have managed to launch four full-scale facilities with two more in the design phase in just five years.

UNC Wins First National Building Competition to Save Energy

Sears and JCPenney stores in Maryland and California came in second and third, respectively.

Stanford Students Design Recyclable Laptop with Autodesk Inventor Software

Modular computer simplifies electronics recycling, reduces e-waste and disassembles in two minutes.

Atlanta Officials Stake a Claim for Green Jobs Epicenter

The Southface SWEET Center has already trained 700+ energy-efficiency professionals, benefiting 3,500 low-income families.

BASF Releases Comparison of Turf, Natural Grass

The environmental and economic impact of turf fields fares well against natural grass fields, says a BASF study that was verified by NSF International.

New System Monitors Electricity for Residential Use

Most households have no way of monitoring how much electricity is being consumed; however, researchers in Pittsburgh believe a new monitoring system may soon be available for residential use.

Dow Honors Winners of Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge

Among the winning entries were projects applying organic photoelectric materials in solar power generation and a synthetic route to developing PET plastic.

Researchers Develop a Solar-powered Air-conditioning System for Vehicles

The innovative system has been installed on the top of a truck for carrying beverages and proved to work on the road.

Harnessing Tidal Energy

Kepler Energy Limited has been formed to develop a tidal turbine that has the potential to harness tidal energy more efficiently and cheaply, using a device which is simpler, more robust and more scalable than current designs.

General Motors Selects Envision Solar to Install Solar-powered Electric-vehicle Charging Stations

Envision Solar International Inc., a leading sustainable infrastructure designer and developer, has been selected by General Motors to install its CleanCharge™ solar powered electric-vehicle charging stations integrated into EnvisionTrak™ tracking Solar Trees® at prominent locations.

Largest Solar Project Ever on Public Lands Approved

The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the largest solar energy project ever to be built on U.S. public lands.

Walkable neighborhoods

Part 3: Prefurbia Gives Preference to Walkable Neighborhoods

This is the third installment of a multi-part series on some of today's problems in land development and how innovative methods collectively known as "Prefurbia" can help overcome them.