Sustainability


Study Claims Human Activities Overload Ecosystems with Nitrogen

Resulting ecological damage is serious, but could be reduced by wider use of more sustainable, time-honored practices.

WaterSense Honors Four Partners for Water-Saving Efforts

Cascade Water Alliance, Moen Inc., Lowe's and Judy Benson received awards at a banquet last week.

EREF Issues RFP for Sustainable Solid Waste Management Research

Applicants have until Jan. 8, 2011 to submit their proposals.

Ontario Replaces Coal with Clean Energy

The Green Energy Act Alliance applaudes the Ontario government for shutting down four coal-fired units

First Large-scale Solar Energy Plants Ever to be Built on Public Lands

The two projects, both located in California, are the first in a series of renewable energy projects on public lands under final review by the Department of the Interior that would provide thousands of U.S. jobs and advance U.S. clean energy technologies.

PsomasFMG Breaks Ground on a Solar Solution for the Antelope Valley Union High School District

Solar system will provide energy savings in excess of $40 million during the next 20 years.

Hemp Produces Viable Biodiesel

Industrial hemp, which grows in infertile soils, is attractive as a potential source of sustainable diesel fuel.

Brown University Researchers Converted Waste Vegetable Oil to Biodiesel in a Single Reaction Vessel

Brown University researchers were able to convert waste vegetable oil to biodiesel in a single reaction vessel using environmentally friendly catalysts. Their process is also six times faster than current methods for converting waste vegetable oil to biodiesel, so it consumes less energy.



Solar Panels to be Installed on White House Residence

Obama administration announces plans to install new solar panels on the White House residence.

Regulatory Reforms Needed to Allow Cellulosic Bioenergy to Reach its True Potential

Faster development of the promising field of cellulosic biofuels -- the renewable energy produced from grasses and trees -- is being significantly hampered by a "deep and thorny regulatory thicket" that makes almost impossible the use of advanced gene modification methods, researchers say.

Prefurbia traffic flow

Part 2: Prefurbia Incorporates Flow

This is the second 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.

free book

15 Profiles Show How Material Reuse Can Change Construction

The “Design for Reuse Primer,” a free e-book, looks at the untapped potential of material reuse through the perspectives of the architects, contractors, and clients committed to its use.

Oceana: Modest Investment in Offshore Wind Could Easily Power Half of the East Coast States

An Oceana analysis shows that offshore wind potential is so high off the U.S. Atlantic coast that investments in offshore wind power in Atlantic waters could generate about 30 percent more electricity than economically recoverable offshore oil and gas in the same region combined.

Soy-based Glue May Make a Friendlier Wood Adhesive

A U.S. Department of Agriculture study has developed a formaldehyde-free glue for wood applications.

ICMA Survey: Local Governments Slow to Walk the Sustainability Walk

The International City/County Management Association found that while local governments recognized the need to create sustainability, they generally have not been able to act on that knowledge.

Cali Resources Lowers Recycling Costs with Zylog Tracking Software

Advanced tracking software and ISO standard procedures improve performance and provide assurance for responsible recycling.

New System Monitors How Clouds Affect Large-scale Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants

By observing cloud shape, size and movement, the system provides a way for utility companies to predict and prepare for fluctuations in power output due to changes in weather.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Growing in Number

Nearly 1 million charging stations are expected to be installed across the United States; activity is already starting with collaborations and investment across the country.