News and Articles


Most U.S. Consumers Want to Buy an Electric Vehicle

Plug-in electric vehicles may just be entering the market, but most U.S. consumers are ready to buy them.

Incorporating Virus in Solar Cells Could Increase Efficiency

Researchers at MIT have found a way to make significant improvements to the power-conversion efficiency of solar cells by enlisting the services of tiny viruses to perform detailed assembly work at the microscopic level.

U.S. Treasury to Retire Paper Check for New Recipients of Social Security

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is retiring the paper Social Security check for millions of baby boomers and others applying for federal benefits, a move that will save taxpayers $1 billion over the next 10 years.

Five Eastern Washington Gas Stations Fined for Violating Federal Air Rules on Tribal Land

Three companies operating five gas stations in eastern Washington will pay more than $8,000 for violating federal air rules on tribal land, according to several orders issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Four Million Rural Kenyans to Get Safe Drinking Water

Close to one million LifeStraw® Family water filters will be donated and installed in households in the Western Province of Kenya.

Research: Environmentalists Had Spending Edge in Cap and Trade

New research challenges the commonly held view that cap and trade legislation failed because of the spending advantages of opponents and false balance in news coverage.

Survey Finds Many Working Americans Want to Improve Green Practices on the Job

According to OfficeMax's 2011 Green Workplace survey, companies are making strides in adopting environmentally responsible business practices, and many employees make it their personal mission to be mindful of the environment at the office.

Hazardous Waste on Your Living Room Floor

Carpet pads commonly sold to consumers in the United States and other developed countries contain dangerous chemicals that can cause nervous system damage, particularly in infants and toddlers.

Colorado Climber Launches Three-year Expedition for Global Water, Sanitation Solutions

Beginning on Earth Day 2011, Internationally acclaimed mountain climber Jake Norton is attempting to do something no climber’s yet done so more people throughout the developing world realize their fervent dream of drinking safe water and having improved sanitation.

Send a Lei to Raise Money for The Ocean Project

Maui Jim plans to spread some virtual "aloha spirit" around the world with a new promotion, "Send a Lei," that raises money for The Ocean Project.

Celebrities Show Our Planet is Not an Ashtray (With Video)

More than 360 billion cigarettes are smoked in the United States on an annual basis. The butts and filters pollute beaches, parks, roads and waterways worldwide.

Concrete Recycling May Cut Highway Construction Cost, Landfill Use

Purdue University civil engineers are working with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to perfect the use of recycled concrete for highway construction, a strategy that could reduce material costs by as much as 20 percent.

Photovoltaic Systems Boost Sales Prices of California Homes

New research by the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory finds strong evidence that homes with solar photovoltaic systems sell for a premium over homes without solar systems.

Window World of Omaha to Pay $3,976 Penalty for Failure to Notify Owners, Residents of Lead Risks

The company failed to notify owners and occupants of at least eight Omaha residential properties built before 1978 of lead-based paint risks before performing renovation work at those locations.

System Recovers Ethanol from Wastewater Facilities

Using principles of process intensification, the system is designed to process 50 gallons per minute of scrubber water generated from a 50 MM gallon per annum ethanol plant.

Villanova Launches Sustainable Engineering Research Center

Villanova's center will house multi-disciplinary research and teaching in a number of emerging areas and seeks to protect and restore the environment through the systems-based integration of sustainability principles into engineering solutions.

Simple Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-friendly

Creating an eco-friendly home doesn't have to be expensive or time consuming.

Army Identifies Net Zero Pilot Installations (With Video)

As part of the Army's overall effort to conserve precious resources, net zero installations will consume only as much energy or water as they produce and eliminate solid waste to landfills.

Leftovers Reborn as Compost

At Sandia's largest cafeteria, a leftover burrito will be sent off to eventually help some backyard garden bloom. When someone leaves a bit of lunch behind at Thunderbird Café, employees send it out for composting.

Japan Remains Atop ICT Sustainability Index

The index was created using data sources that reflect energy creation, consumption, and ICT spending among the G20 nations over the past two years. Events from 2011 – including the Japanese earthquake and tsunami – were not taken into account in generating this year's scores. </p><p>