Sustainability


New Fuel Economy Labels to Take GHG Emissions into Account

The Department of Transportation and EPA are offering two proposals for public comment: a letter grade to communicate a vehicle’s overall fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions performance or a label similar to the current one that uses miles per gallon but adds comparison data on fuel economy and emissions.

Neighborhood design

A 'Prefurbia' Development Solution

In a multi-part series of articles, Rick Harrison, president of Rick Harrison Site Design Studio, will explain some of the problems in land development today and how innovative methods collectively known as "Prefurbia" can help to overcome them.

Landowner and Excavator Failed to Contact Corps of Engineers for Dam

The landowner and the company he hired to perform excavation to create an earthen dam will pay a $30,000 civil penalty.

surburban sprawl

Commentary: Opportunities for Rebuilding New Orleans

Patrick Phillips, chief executive officer of the Urban Land Institute, notes progress but cautions against suburban sprawl.

Fish and Wildlife Targets Spread of Invasive Mussels in the West

Invasive mussels can clog water intake and delivery pipes and dam intake gates, among other thiings.

Veolia Water to Manage Hollister's New Water Reclamation Facility

Veolia Water North America has signed a public-private partnership contract with Hollister, Calif., for its 2.1-million-gallons-per-day membrane bioreactor facility.

Biden Highlights Energy, Smart Grid in ARRA Analysis

More than $100 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been offered to innovative and transformative program investments, including some in the transportation, renewable energy and smart grid sectors.

Fewer Worker Deaths in Solid Waste Industry, DOL Says

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries reports that 19 solid waste collection workers died on the job in 2009, down from 31 fatalities in 2008.



West Basin Grants Will Help Local Businesses Install HETs

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation awarded nearly $300,000 to the California district to help conserve water by using high efficiency toilets.

Georgia Tech researcher Carson Meredith with sorption measurement system

Georgia Tech Scientists to Test Hollow Fibers for Carbon Capture

Two different studies are using hollow fiber technology to test the removal of carbon dioxide from the flue gases of coal power plants.

Textile Waste Solutions Company Wins California Recycling Award

Working with local thrift stores and businesses, the company recovers millions of pounds of textiles for reuse in developing countries and as industrial rags.

MVR's New Facility to Make Plastic from Recycled Material

Frankfort, Ky., plant is expected to support 360 green jobs by 2011

Tennessee DEC Unveils Tank Helper for UST Owners and Operators

Free, online resource comes complete with training, testing, certification, and customized compliance plan.

Researchers Learn More about How Plants Deal with Water Stress

University of Wisconsin professor says these small steps in understanding plant dehydration effects may eventually help in the development of crops that can withstand this type of stress.

Coating Will Keep Dust from Solar Panels, Increase Efficiency

Boston University's Malay Mazumder suggests applying technology used to clean solar-powered rovers on Mars to large-scale solar installations on Earth.

Waste Solutions Company Shares Why Recycling Textiles Is Smart

EPA estimates that most post-consumer textile waste is recyclable.

King County Housing Authority Starts $1.7M Stimulus Project

Funds will be used to lower energy costs in public housing complex and provide jobs.

Nash Hytor 6 rotor

82-Year-Old Pump Retires; Do You Have an Old One Working?

Nash is offering a GPS Navigator to the person who submits the oldest pump in a new contest; it doesn't have to be 82 years old, though.

new Titi monkey

Expedition Discovers Unique Titi Monkey in the Amazon

Javier Garcia found 13 groups of the species using a GPS and listening for their distinctive calls.

Kansas Home to 1,387 Bodies of ‘Impaired’ Water: EPA

"The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s extensive monitoring system helps locate waters in need of our attention. We now must take action to clean them up,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks.