According to an article in the Hartford Courant, Northeast Utilities is looking for government funding to install a network of plug-in hybrid charging stations in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Connecticut-based NU announced plans on Tuesday to install 575 stations over the next two years. Approximately half of the funding for the plan will come from a nearly $700,000 grant from the US Department of Energy that will be decided in June.
Their plan is similar to the "green highway" plan in Oregon and California where charging stations, as well as biodiesel, ethanol and other forms of alternative energy will be available along the I-5 corridor.
The NU plan has been embraced by local officials as a necessary catalyst to drive change in electric automotives. They hope that consumers will gain confidence by seeing the system in place.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Green upgrades for Empire State Building
A $20 million project to upgrade the Empire State Building was announced today. An article in Forbes reports that the upgrades will result in $4.4 million of annual savings due to increased efficiencies.
The upgrades will also reduce carbon emissions by 105,000 tons over the next 15 years (roughly equivalent to taking 17,500 cars off the road). New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg hopes that this will help move the city towards their goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2030.
The cost of the project is being supported by the Clinton Foundation. Bill Clinton said that the project would serve as an example to the world that established buildings can be made greener to great affect.
Specific plans include replacing each of the building's 6,500 windows with insulated glass that will prevent heat transfer in both hot and cold weather. There are also plans to install more insulation around radiators and upgrade water cooling systems, ventilation, heating and lights.
The upgrades will also reduce carbon emissions by 105,000 tons over the next 15 years (roughly equivalent to taking 17,500 cars off the road). New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg hopes that this will help move the city towards their goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2030.
The cost of the project is being supported by the Clinton Foundation. Bill Clinton said that the project would serve as an example to the world that established buildings can be made greener to great affect.
Specific plans include replacing each of the building's 6,500 windows with insulated glass that will prevent heat transfer in both hot and cold weather. There are also plans to install more insulation around radiators and upgrade water cooling systems, ventilation, heating and lights.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Recycle your cell phone
The upcoming week is National Cell Phone Recycling Week, according to the EPA. Their goal is to raise awareness about cell phone recycling and prevent about 90 million unwanted cell phones from entering landfills every year, according to this article.
They are cooperating with cellular manufacturers and retailers to get information out to the public. Most of these companies have programs to recycle your old phone and information is readily available from those companies.
Cell phones contain a number of materials--copper, precious metals and plastics--that have a high carbon footprint to produce. Using materials from recycled cellphones has the potential to reduce the energy used in production by enough to power 18,500 homes for a year.
They are cooperating with cellular manufacturers and retailers to get information out to the public. Most of these companies have programs to recycle your old phone and information is readily available from those companies.
Cell phones contain a number of materials--copper, precious metals and plastics--that have a high carbon footprint to produce. Using materials from recycled cellphones has the potential to reduce the energy used in production by enough to power 18,500 homes for a year.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
UK retailer tests new packaging return policy
British based Tesco, the worlds fourth largest retail outlet is testing out a new recycling system at select stores in the UK.
An article in The Guardian reports that the retail giant is asking customers to discard unwanted and bulky packaging near the tills. They will use this to find out what packaging consumers are prepared to do without.
The store aims to divert 95% of its waste stream away from landfills--largely through reduced and recyclable materials--by the end of the year. They are currently at 87%. Tesco uses the least packaging measured against a group of similar retail outlets.
The pilot project will also ensure that materials are recycled properly. Head of energy, waste and recyling Alasdair James said, "We know our customers expect us to help them recycle easily and we have also committed ourselves to cutting our own waste."
An article in The Guardian reports that the retail giant is asking customers to discard unwanted and bulky packaging near the tills. They will use this to find out what packaging consumers are prepared to do without.
The store aims to divert 95% of its waste stream away from landfills--largely through reduced and recyclable materials--by the end of the year. They are currently at 87%. Tesco uses the least packaging measured against a group of similar retail outlets.
The pilot project will also ensure that materials are recycled properly. Head of energy, waste and recyling Alasdair James said, "We know our customers expect us to help them recycle easily and we have also committed ourselves to cutting our own waste."
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