New energy efficiency software makes life easier for builders and homeowners

Ed & Rachelle Begley, the King and Queen of living green; photo by Lisa Franchot

For those of you who may not know them, Ed Begley, Jr. and Rachelle Carson-Begley are “the King and Queen of green”.

Well-known environmental activists, the Begleys take living green to new heights in order to achieve the lowest carbon footprint possible. Along with driving an electric vehicle, being vegan and having what could be considered one of the greenest homes in America, the Begleys introduce TV viewers to an expanding variety of energy efficient, eco-friendly products, services and lifestyles on a weekly basis as hosts of the show Living with Ed.

Turning Trash Into Renewable Energy

Can we all agree that using more renewable energy and less oil would be a good thing? Great, and any objections to sending less trash to the landfill? Well Sierra Energy Corp., a recent winner at the Sierra Nevada Innovation Challenge, has developed a system that can help us do both.

To learn more about Sierra Energy and this award-winning, high energy, low pollution producing gasification system, see http://bit.ly/Md5FKP.

North Carolina plant soon to convert human waste for energy

It may seem odd or even bizarre for some, but a North Carolina wastewater treatment plant will soon begin converting human waste to energy.

Chemical-free desalination and fracking – a viable solution?

Atlantis Technologies has announced a new, low-cost technology that eliminates the use of chemicals for fracking

Among the many environmental issues related to fracking – a process in which high pressure water is injected into the ground to drill for and extract resources such as oil and gas – are the amount of water required and the serious chemicals used in it.

Atlantis Technologies, a southern California start-up company, recently announced it had created “a low-cost, chemical-free desalination system that can remove salt from oil, gas, mining, and industrial waste water.”

New efficiency Standards – good for consumers and the environment

The Dept. of Energy announced new federal energy efficiency standards for washers and dishwashers

The drive for greater energy efficiency has become part of our culture. So to is the growing awareness that water is a precious commodity we can no longer take for granted.

Manufacturers recognize that consumers are demanding better performing and less wasteful products. This resulted in 2010 in a gathering of oddfellows that under other circumstances wouldn’t have occurred.

Will the UN define “zero waste”?

As consumers demand more of companies in their green practices, more companies are scrambling to embrace sustainability. One of the biggest ways to do this is by being able to boast that they’ve produced zero waste, or at least are making great strides towards achieving that goal.

The environmental group Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) have created a zero-waste resolution proposal which they hope will lead to a universally recognized definition of zero waste.

First section of Oregon’s West Coast Electric Highway opens

The first section of the West Coast Electric Highway is now open in southern Oregon

Back in 2008, I wrote a story about how the state of Oregon had begun installing the first solar highway in the U.S. Now, once again, Oregon is leading the way in alternative energy transportation by opening the first section of its new West Coast Electric Highway.

Solar Roadways: Energy and Transportation Solution in One

Solar highways could produce 3 times the amount of energy we need here in the U.S.

There are 28,000 square miles of roadways spread across the 48 continental states. With the cost of traditional paving materials going up and their availability going down, innovator Scott Brusaw sees solar highways as the solution to several energy and transportation problems.

To learn more about this fascinating project and how Brusaw is working to solve the complex issues involved, see Part 1 of this two-part article at http://bit.ly/AlYVw6.

Could proposed new standards stop energy “vampires”?

Take a good look around any home and you’ll find them – those almost unnoticeable red, blue or yellow lights indicating that some appliance or electronic device is plugged in. That “vampire energy” drain happens even when you’re not around.

According to a 2008 study, unoccupied new homes in California used 117 watts before anyone had even moved in!

Natural Beauty with Unearthed Paints products

Unearthed Paints use natural raw ingredients in their paints - like clay, lime, chalk and Italian marble

Here in California, spring is bustin’ out all over with blooming fruit trees, nesting birds and wildflowers everywhere. With all this come thoughts of sprucing things up and household “projects”.

Before you head to the hardware or paint store, you’ll want to check out Colorado-based Unearthed Paints and their line of natural paint products.