Green D.C.

New Blog: Green Forward

2011-10-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

Click here to check out my new blog called Green Forward. The blog examines bipartisan, common sense solutions to global climate disruption, environmental conservation, renewable energy security and the transition to a sustainable economy.

I will no longer be blogging at Green DC.

Thanks for reading about the national capital's clean economy.

Where Does Our Electricity Come From?

2011-01-18T09:51:00.001-08:00

The Union of Concerned Scientists has put together an online interactive quiz about where our electricity comes from. The answers might surprise you. Hint: A lot of states (especially in the Southeast) are importing a lot of dirty coal from Wyoming and exporting a lot of their clean, renewable energy sources like woody biomass to Europe. Find out for yourself by clicking this link to take the quiz.

Movie Trailer: Carbon Nation

2011-01-17T19:12:00.000-08:00

Check out this trailer for "Carbon Nation: A Climate Change Solutions Movie (That Doesn't Even Care If You Believe in Climate Change)."

It will be screening in these select cities in February and March:

2/11/11 - New York, NY– Cinema Village
2/18/11 - Los Angeles, CA - Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatre
3/4/11 – Portland, OR – Regal Fox Tower Stadium
3/4/11 – Seattle, WA – SIFF Cinema
3/11/11 – Austin, TX – Regal Arbor Cinema

Climate Crisis In Pictures

2011-01-17T18:51:00.001-08:00

Queensland, Australia: The worst flooding in the last 35 years has devastated both human and animal alike.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: The strongest rains in 30 years have killed 81 people, causing the government to declare a state of emergency.

Carmel, Israel: Orthodox Jews watch the massive forest fire that claimed 44 lives, making it the deadliest in Israeli history.

Pakistan: Heavy monsoon rains flooded one-fifth of Pakistan's land area, killed close to 2,000 and affected 20 million people.

Moscow, Russia: Record heat and drought created massive wildfires that brought heavy smog to cities, killing an estimated 56,000 people.

New York, New York: The December 2010 blizzard dumped 20 inches of snow on Central Park and was the sixth largest recorded snow storm in NYC history.

Report: No Health Threat From Smart Meters

2011-01-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

As a follow up to my investigative piece on the safety of Smart Meters, a new report released today confirms my findings that Smart Meters pose no health risks to the public. In the report, the California Council on Science and Technology states that the intensity of the radiation from Smart Meters falls well within federal limits for wireless devices.

Click here for a link to the San Francisco Chronicle story on the report.

Click here for a link to download the full report on the health impacts of Smart Meters.

Click here for my original story on Smart Meters and Radiofrequency (RF) radiation.

Tesla Electrifies D.C.

2011-01-10T12:32:00.000-08:00

Looking out the window of my parents' 10th floor condo in downtown D.C. on a recent morning I was pleasantly surprised to see the Tesla Motors sign across the street. The iconic California-based luxury electric car maker is setting up shop in our Nation's Capital with a showroom at 11th and K St.

Not only is this a great sign for the national and local economy that Tesla is expanding, but it is also positive news for reducing tailpipe emissions and our dependence on petroleum.

Kudos to Tesla for doing their part in the clean and green economy.

Pictures:

Green Business Spotlight: Johnson Chimney Service and Home Vent Experts

2011-01-10T07:40:00.000-08:00

Chimney sweeping isn't just for movies like 'Mary Poppins,' above. It is a great way to save energy and provide better indoor air quality.

by Walter Kerr

My name is Walter Kerr, and I am the Owner and President of Johnson Chimney Service (johnsonchimney.com) and Home Vent Experts (homeventexperts.com). I have lived in Montgomery County, Maryland for over 30 years, and currently reside in Bethesda. I am the father of three boys, ranging in ages from 8 to 13. Needless to say, running two businesses, having three young boys, multiple sporting events and practices all over the area, keeps me quite busy and on my toes.

I worked for WGL (Washington Gas and Light) for over 10 years and was looking to expand myself, what I had to offer, and what I wanted to learn. In that time, I became certified and received my MCHI (Montgomery County Home Improvement) license and became certified with the National Chimney Sweep Guild. Aware of what matters most, I became licensed, bonded, and insured and directed my skills to what I like to do most: helping people.

I found in this industry what matters most is honesty, integrity, and professionalism. And I strive each and every day for all that and more - not only with my business, but in life as well. Johnson Chimney Services and Home Vent Experts are both deeply committed in volunteering our time, energy, and money back into our community.

In 1991, my wife and I started Johnson’s, and we’ve been intent and resolute in making the business work to help people with their chimney needs. Johnson’s is all about service, safety, and savings. Our goal is to keep a regularly scheduled maintenance program with all customers so bigger issues don’t become possible future disasters. We like to keep our clients informed in what is up and coming in the chimney industry, as well as what items and/or services benefit them first.

I recommend inspections and cleanings, for the majority, about every 2 years. No matter if you use your fireplace or not, it still takes a beating from the elements, and it still needs attention, both inside and out.

Sometimes, it takes annual cleanings to fix the many years of previous neglect.

Over the years of sweeping, cleaning, and repairing chimneys, I saw yet another avenue of overlooked, homeowner maintenance. At Home Vent Experts we provide the same service, the same dedication, and the same commitment to the maintenance, service, and care of your ducts and dryer vents. It is with the commitment to each customer that your home is provided with the safety and service it needs to keep comfort, health, and savings in your home and pocket.

Now that you know a little more about me and my background, I thought I’d fill you in on some frequently asked questions I get during my day to help you better understand the whats and whys and importance of maintaining and upkeep of your chimney and vents throughout your home.

For instance, not many people know the importance that a chimney cap holds and how it protects their home from water damage and at the same time keeping the critters out!

A properly sealed chimney keeps the cold air out, and the warm air in. This could equal a savings of $300 or more in your bills.

Furnace, Duct, and Dryer Vent maintenance and cleaning are just as important and cost-effective as maintaining your chimney. If your system is clean and working and up to par, then, in turn, it is using less energy and providing better indoor air quality to the consumer.

The typical inspection that I perform covers top to bottom, addressing all the seen and unseen places. It is important to me for you to live and feel secure in a safe environment. Any recommendation that I give to you is as if it were my own home.

Solar attic fans are important as well in savings and comfort because they are a natural way to circulate the air in your home.

Many homes in the DC and surrounding area could definitely benefit from the services I provide in that the community, as a whole, is protected from unwanted fire-related incidents and/or animals entering your living environment.

All in all, the amount of protection and maintenance for your home and family are the direct result of what you and I put into your upkeep. I stand behind you, the Customer, in the recommendations I provide and the protection that those recommendations give you and your family.

Metro Getting Better Looking and More Bike Friendly

2011-01-09T18:16:00.000-08:00

Metro is experimenting with different interior color and fabric schemes for its new 7000 series trains that will be rolling out soon. I was lucky enough to board a preview train with new blue seats and carpet-less floors. My first impression? I really like it. It's a big improvement aesthetically and will be easier to maintain. What do you think?

And on the topic of improvements. That hideous looking bike corral at the Ballston Orange Line Station has been removed and replaced with normal looking bike racks. Here are pictures of the construction progress:

Progress at Ground Zero

2011-01-07T12:28:00.000-08:00

On each visit to New York City I always make a pilgrimage to the sacred ground of The World Trade Center site where terrorists changed the world on that fateful September morning a little over nine years ago.

And each time I visit I come away disappointed at the lack of progress in rebuilding this massive graveyard where over 3,000 innocent souls lost their lives at the hands of a few misguided mad men. Why, I would ask myself, can New York build two new baseball stadiums and one new football stadium but let Ground Zero fall victim to politics and economics.

But this time was different. I visited NYC a couple of weeks ago and was amazed at the rapid pace of progress in lower Manhattan. One World Trade Center (formally called Freedom Tower) is already halfway to the top at 52 levels. When finished, it will be the tallest building in the United States. The PATH train station is up and running, carrying thousands of commuters every day from WTC to New Jersey and back. And the 9/11 Memorial should be finished in time for the 10th anniversary dedication this September 11th.

Here are recent photos of Ground Zero:

Video of snow storm at Ground Zero:

Pictures: NYC Blizzard of 2010

2011-01-06T23:22:00.001-08:00

Scientists: Smart Meters Are Safe

2010-12-23T07:40:00.000-08:00

Image credit: Fort Frances Times Online

Smart Meters are crucial to fighting climate change because they are the first step in implementing the Smart Grid, which promises to make it easier for households to become more energy efficient and also integrate clean energy sources into their residential electricity system.

That is why it is a relief that, unlike cell phones, there is no cause for concern with the radiofrequency (RF) radiation of Smart Meters. That’s because the wireless devices produce an infrequent and incredibly weak RF field, according to scientists interviewed by Green D.C. Essentially they are computers that automatically send real-time information to the utility allowing homeowners to electronically manage their energy usage.

The meters not only exceed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) safety standards, but the mainstream scientific groups including the World Health Organization, the National Cancer Institute, Health Canada and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention all say that low-intensity RF is safe.

Green D.C. interviewed two experts in the area of radiation about the risks associated with Smart Meters. They were:

-- Richard Tell, who has 38 years of experience working on issues related to RF hazards, including stints at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where he served as Chief of the Electromagnetics Branch and helped develop public exposure standards for RF fields;

-- and Dr. Jerold T. Bushberg, Clinical Professor of Radiology and Radiation Oncology at the University of California-Davis School of Medicine, and a member of the main scientific council of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement (NCRP) as well as its Scientific Advisory Committee on Radiation Protection in Medicine.

Tell says that Smart Meters are so low powered that they operate in FCC license free bands, meaning they are deemed very unlikely to cause interference because they use an ultra high frequency of 900 mhz and one watt or less of power.

“They transmit very infrequently in terms of percentage of times of day. As an example, they may only transmit a few seconds in a day,” Tell explained. “If you look at the intensity of the field produced by transmitters, the RF fields are quite low in comparison to applicable safety standards for human exposure.”

Both Tell and Bushberg believe the current FCC standards are adequate. But Bushberg says the agency goes even a step further by requiring every meter to go through a stringent certification test to meet FCC rules.

“The evidence with low exposure to smart meters is very reassuring and the standards are adequate,” said Bushberg. However, he did caution that no legitimate scientist will ever say that any chemical agent is 100% safe, and that there are still things the scientific community would like to know and that further tests are warranted.

He said there is a latency period between exposure to a carcinogen such as radiation, and cancer. This period varies depending on the strength of the carcinogen and the type of cancer. That is why he advocates for epidemiology studies on populations that are occupationally exposed to high levels of radiation, such as plastics workers and cell tower climbers.

“Of all the exposures of RF energy, Smart Meters would be very low and relatively easy to avoid,” said Bushberg.

Both Tell and Bushberg say that RF intensity inside the home is very low because as you back off only a few feet from the meter the intensity drops off dramatically. Also, meters transmit their signals out away from the homes they are mounted on, not towards the house. And finally, building materials and walls reduce the intensity of the already weak signal.

But what about people who claim they suffer from something called electrohypersensitivity, a condition that causes insomnia, split second head aches, high pitched ringing in the ears and nausea.

“I don’t understand how the RF fields produced by the Smart Meters (could) have caused any effects in these people. What I’m saying is that the strength produced by Smart Meters is so feeble in comparison to any health side effects of it. It’s not plausible,” said Tell.

And what about mesh networks and many meters in close proximity in an apartment complex. Wouldn’t that increase the intensity? No, says Tell, because the RF fields are linear so if you are close up to them you will only be exposed to the meter right in front of you. And if you back up a long distance from the meters, the RF is so weakened by the point it reaches you that it is harmless.

There are also some people who advocate for fiber optics instead of the wireless Smart Meter. According to Tell, this approach is not realistic because it is infinitely more expensive to have a wired connection to each home that wants one. And he says if people are really concerned about being exposed to radiation by a wireless Smart Meter, then the alternative of sending signals over a power line by a carrier current will have the unintended consequences of creating RF concerns near the power line and on the wires that go into your house.

The Obama Administration allocated $3.4 billion in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to jumpstart the installation of Smart Meters in every home as the first step in the National Smart Grid that will enhance energy efficiency and make widespread adoption of renewable energy easier.

“This investment will place Smart Meters in homes to make our energy bills lower, make outages less likely and make it easier to use clean energy,” President Barack Obama said on February 17, 2009 after signing the bill into law.

Nearly two years later the consumer-level technology is rapidly being installed across the country by utility companies – there are ten million already installed in the United States and two million in California alone. Not to mention the 27 million Smart Meters already installed in Italy and nearly one million in Canada. And the United Kingdom has mandated that all homes have Smart Meters by 2020.

Other benefits of Smart Meters include remote meter reading, which takes carbon-emitting utility vehicles off the roads; the ability to pinpoint power outages, which improves response time; the ability to instantly shut off power if there is a house fire; the ability of families to monitor their energy usage online, potentially reducing consumption and saving money on electric bills; and more accurate readings than older meters.

“Smart Meters can’t help but enhance the reliability of the current system because utilities can know in real time what is going on in terms of loads. There are other people arguing that it’s big brother spying on me now. I would say that it’s really helpful for the utilities to better manage the grid itself to help better manage brownouts and blackouts,” said Tell.

Government Gets Cool

2010-12-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

Can the Federal Government be cool? While the image of a nebbish bureaucrat slaving away in a soulless, fluorescent-lit warehouse will probably never go away, the Department of Energy has done a whole lot to change its image and help the environment by installing a "Cool Roof."

Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently oversaw the installation of light-colored materials on the roof of the DOE Headquarters West Building (the South Building's cool roof will be installed this spring). The 25,000 square foot roofing system will reflect heat and absorb less solar energy than a traditional roof, thereby decreasing energy use for cooling and removing carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere.

The two new roofing systems are expected to save taxpayers $8,000 in energy costs. Here is a video of Chu talking about the Cool Roof installation and why it's important.

DDOT's Gabe Klein Exits

2010-12-08T10:01:00.000-08:00

Image Credit: Mark Gail/The Washington Post

NBC Washington is reporting that D.C. Transportation Director Gabe Klein has told his staff this morning that he will be departing when new Mayor Vincent Gray takes office this January.

I can't begin to describe how disappointing this news is and what a loss this is for Washington area "smart growth" transit advocates. Klein was nominated by Mayor Adrien Fenty to lead DDOT in 2009 and he ran with it. He has been instrumental in making our Nation's Capital a safer and healthier place to live by expanding non-driving options such as the two-way bicycle lanes on 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, the popular Circulator bus system, and the Capital Bikeshare program. Capital Bikeshare is the largest in North America (until NYC implements its own bike sharing program) and was recently featured on CNN.

There is concern from Klein about a recent decision that could have negative results for the work DDOT has been doing to promote alternative forms of transportation. From the Washington Post:

"He also expressed concern about a little-noticed move in yesterday's budget gap-closing session to eliminate a special fund that allowed the transportation department the ability to easily transfer funds to and from projects. Klein said the move would change DDOT "from an enterprise agency to a more standard type of agency." He called the change "demoralizing."

"It's probably not a good fit for me going forward," he said. "It makes it a more administrative type of job."

Without the fund, he said, popular initiatives such as the 15th Street cycle lanes, Capital Bikeshare and the Circulator bus system "would require a longer conversation" with the council and others."

Ralliers to Obama: Keep Your Climate Pledge

2010-12-02T10:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday at noon a diverse coalition of climate hawks held a rally at Lafayette Park across from the White House to demand that President Obama keep his pledge to help the poorest nations deal with climate change.

The event, which was sponsored by 1Sky, ActionAid, Friends of the Earth and Jubilee USA Network, featured speakers including 1Sky Campaign Director Liz Butler, National Religious Coalition on Creation Care Chair Rabbi Warren Stone, and Dr. Mahmud Farooque of the Bangladeshi Environmental Network. There was also a live report by phone from Cancun with an update on the climate talks progress.

Below are pictures and video from the event. The videos are of Stone and Farooque speaking. After the speakers, there was a brief peaceful march on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House. People chanted "Climate Action Now!" and held up signs that read "Obama: Be a Climate Leader."

Norman Mineta: U.S. Needs High-Speed Rail

2010-11-30T13:50:00.001-08:00

In a video interview with the website The Railist, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta touted the economic benefits of bullet trains and warned that the United States is rapidly falling behind other nations in developing a high-speed rail infrastructure.

Here is the video:

Video: Building the Chevy Volt

2010-11-30T11:55:00.000-08:00

Video of the new plug-in electric hybrid Chevrolet Volt being built from start to finish at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant in Michigan, United States of America.

And today General Motors announced they are adding 1,000 jobs in electric vehicle development. These will be engineers and researchers based in Michigan who will help develop hybrids into electric vehicles with extended range, like the Chevy Volt.

And it has been a good week for GM on the awards front, as the Volt was named 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

Video: D.C.'s First Curbside Charging Station

2010-11-23T08:28:00.000-08:00

Here is video of D.C.'s unveiling of its first curbside electric vehicle charging station at 14th and U Streets Northwest. That's a Chevy Volt being juiced up and driven by outgoing Washington Mayor Adrien Fenty.

Pictures: Metropolitan Branch Trail

2010-11-22T19:02:00.000-08:00

The 8-mile Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) runs from Union Station in D.C. to Silver Spring, Maryland. As opposed to the popular Capital Crescent Trail, which runs from Georgetown to Bethesda, the MBT is lightly used, at least if the trip last Sunday on a brisk fall afternoon is any indication.

But the trail is one of the best kept secrets in our nation's capital. Much of it runs parallel to the CSX, Marc Commuter Line, Amtrak and Metro Red Line tracks northeast of Union Station. There are plans to connect the MBT to the seven Metro stations along the trail, and also to eventually connect the MBT to the Capital Crescent Trail, Anacostia Trails System and the East Coast Greenway.

There are long stretches of the MBT that run along lightly-used streets through historic neighborhoods like Brookland and Takoma Park. There are plenty of signs directing bikers such as the one pictured above, so you won't get lost while riding around the residential areas of Northeast Washington.

Here are pictures of the MBT.

The Capitol Dome can be seen in the distance and the New York Avenue Red Line Station can be seen just to the left of the Metropolitan Branch Trail.

The MBT is a smooth ride heading away from Union Station.

These trail lights are solar powered and use LED lighting.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The MBT runs right through the Brookland-CUA Red Line stop

Capital Bikeshare station next to Catholic University of America

Wonder where your trash goes? Well, if you live in the District it ends up at the Fort Totten Solid Waste Transfer Station. Basically the big landfill you see above.

The trail goes through historic residential neighborhoods such as this one.

A wide bike lane in the Fort Totten neighborhood of D.C.

The MBT runs through the city of Takoma Park, Maryland, just across the District line.

Takoma Park

A Metro train passes on its way to Silver Spring.

The historic Silver Spring B&O Railroad station

D.C.'s First Electric Car Charging Station

2010-11-18T14:17:00.000-08:00

Our Nation's Capital is doing its part to ensure that the charging infrastructure will be in place for the electric vehicles rolling out of dealer parking lots soon.

Drivers of the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt, Tesla Roadster and Model S, CODA and the Ford Focus Electric will already have one charging station in The District. Last Tuesday the city's first EV charging station was unveiled by outgoing Mayor Adrien Fenty, Department of Energy Undersecretary Cathy Zoi and District Department of Transportation Director Gabe Klein. It is located at the Franklin D. Reeves Center near 14th and U streets Northwest.

The station was built thanks to a $15 million Department of Energy grant that will make possible 4,600 charging stations around the country.

Click here for more pictures from the event.

More news headlines:

Philadelphia Eagles to Power Stadium with On-Site Renewable Energy
The Philadelphia Eagles has plans to power Lincoln Financial Field with a combination of on-site wind, solar and dual-fuel generated electricity, which would make it the world’s first major sports stadium to convert to 100-percent on-site renewable energy.

Task force seeks new Metro structure
A joint task force has determined that Metro's governance structure is outdated, lacks accountability and has "contributed to its decline."

Expanding pedestrian and bike safety to the whole District won’t be easy
On Monday morning, District Department of Transportation Director Gabe Klein sat at a dais at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments boardroom, next to the Dutch ambassador and other Netherlandish dignitaries. They were there to talk about how their country makes it easy to bicycle, before mobile workshops that would assess D.C.’s bike friendliness.

National Mall restoration moves forward
The heads of the Interior Department and National Park Service signed a final plan for the restoration and improvement of the National Mall on Tuesday, setting the vision for the 684 acres known as America’s front yard.

Potomac River report cites farms and forests
Here's what the troubled Potomac River needs to get healthy, according to a report released Thursday by a group devoted to protecting it: more forests and farmland to filter toxic rainwater.

Bus improvements coming soon
Electronic displays at bus stops, more dedicated bus lanes, bus priority at traffic signals, a new express bus route, and more improvements are all on the way, according to representatives from DDOT and WMATA.

Bike Sharing in the Capital

2010-11-10T11:12:00.000-08:00

I'm addicted to the Capital Bikeshare. So far I've used the bright red shiny bikes to have lunch in U Street and Georgetown, deposit a check at the credit union in McPherson Square, go to the gym in Golden Triangle and visit the dentist in Dupont Circle. According to my rental history log on the Capital Bikeshare website, my shortest trip was three minutes and my longest trip was 27 minutes, so I met the 30 minute time limit before the meter starts running. Therefore, my only bill so far has been the $50 annual introductory fee, which has since been raised to $75 for new members.

Here is a good video about how to use Capital Bikeshare:

Another Boneheaded Move by Bob McDonnell

2010-10-31T17:23:00.000-07:00

Virginia's Republican Governor Bob McDonnell plans to raise the speed limits on 680 miles of rural roads across the state from 65 mph to 70 mph.

This anti-American decision will increase our dependence on foreign oil and make us less safe. Way to go Bobbie! During the 1970s oil crisis it was considered a patriotic duty to slow down and consume less fuel. And it was another Republican who called on Americans to sacrifice. From the website Answers.com:

"To conserve gasoline and oil, President Richard M. Nixon reduced the speed limit on national highways to fifty-five miles per hour and encouraged people to carpool and to lower their house thermostats."

Reducing the speed limit not only combats terrorism by reducing our dependence on the oil cartels, but also reduces harmful carbon emissions and saves drivers an average of 12% on gas.

But McDonnell would rather score cheap political points than take a stand and do the right thing by lowering the speed limits. Shame on McDonnell for this wrongheaded decision.

Rally To Restore Sanity: The Best Signs

2010-10-30T22:42:00.000-07:00

Some of the smartest and most creative signs I've ever seen were displayed by the hundreds of thousands ralliers who gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Saturday for Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert's much-hyped Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Keep Fear Alive.

It was inspiring to see so many people come out for a day of music, comedy and an impassioned plea by a serious Stewart at the end of the event for civility and, well, sanity in these economically uncertain and politically polarized times.

Hopefully all the young people at the rally will go out and vote on November 2nd to keep America moving forward.

Please consider giving a donation to the official non-profit for the Rally to Restore Sanity -- The Trust for the National Mall, which works to restore and improve America's long-neglected front lawn. Please click here for the link to donate.

And here are the pictures:

D.C. Celebrates Science and Sustainability

2010-10-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

This past weekend our Nation's Capital transformed into a clean energy utopia as the inaugural USA Science and Engineering Festival brought the best and the brightest to the Mall and the annual Green Festival took place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center -- the largest sustainability event in the country.

Here are pictures I took from the two events.

USA SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FESTIVAL

AT&T's clean energy cell phone charging station was a popular draw. A small wind turbine and solar panels provided the power to juice up hundreds of phones.

An engineering model of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft that NASA will use to haul cargo to and from the International Space Station after the Space Shuttle retires, and that will one day carry astronauts. Dragon is set to make its inaugural flight this year.

These remote control robots were popular with the kids.

More pictures:

D.C. GREEN FESTIVAL

Greenpeace always finds a way to get your attention. The Koch Brothers are helping to finance Prop. 23 -- a ballot measure this November that would suspend California's global warming law -- AB 32.

Ford was a major sponsor of the event and they showcased their new green fleet of vehicles, including an all-electric Ford Focus that will have a range of 80 to 100 miles on a single charge and be available to consumers at some point in 2011. Also on display was the Ford plug-in hybrid Escape that will use electricity for the first 30 miles or so before blending gas and electricity as required. The Escape is capable of 120 miles per gallon.

Why Are Nordic People So Happy?

2010-10-24T21:35:00.001-07:00

Perhaps one explanation is that Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark are all rapidly transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy so their citizens can breathe clean air and know they are playing an important role in dealing with the climate crisis.

At least that was one possible reason given at a recent panel discussion at the Capitol Visitor Center hosted by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute and the Nordic Council titled "Shaping a Low-Carbon World: Lessons From Nordic Countries."

The panelists included Fridtjof Unander, Director of Energy and Petroleum, Research Council Norway; Jes Brinchmann Christensen, Managing Director, Danish Board of District Heating (DBDH); Mikael Möller, Head of Industrial Policy, Swedish Plastics and Chemicals Federation; Pekka Sauri, Deputy Mayor, City of Helsinki, Finland; and Gudni A. Jóhannesson, Director General, National Energy Authority of Iceland.

Moderator Juliet Eilperin of The Washington Post, provided the following facts about each country:

Sweden -- Was one of the first countries in the world to introduce a tax on carbon dioxide in 1981 and it applies to both households and industry. Sweden has a vision to be carbon neutral by 2050. They are really focusing on the transportation sector with the goal of increasing the share of renewables to 10% by 2020 and have a car fleet that is independent of fossil fuels by 2030.
Finland -- One of its primary sources of renewable energy include bioenergy like wood and wood-based fuels as well as hydropower, ground heat and solar energy. Its goal is to increase its share of renewables to 38% by 2020 and aims to cut its emissions by at least 80% from the 1990 level by 2050.
Norway -- It is the sixth largest hydropower producer and is going to overfulfill its commitment under the Kyoto Treaty by 10% by cutting 30% of greenhouse gas emissions compared to the 1990s by 2020. Norway aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Denmark -- Known for its wind power, today Denmark is energy independent and between a quarter and 30% of its electricity comes from wind.
Iceland -- Gets 82% of its energy needs from domestic renewable sources. It is known for its geothermal energy. Today about 97% of households in Iceland have access to geothermal district heating.

Here is video of the full presentation:

Shaping a Low-Carbon World: Lessons from Nordic Countries from Laura Parsons on Vimeo.

'Inside' the Economic Meltdown

2010-10-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

The villains are many and the heroes few in Director Charles Ferguson's examination of the events that led up to the 2008 financial crisis that still resonates to this day in foreclosed homes, lost retirement savings and the most painful global recession in decades.

"Inside Job" points the blame at the big players in Washington and Wall Street for placing a rigid free-market, deregulation economic ideology above common sense policy decisions and for failing to recognize the many warning signs that the credit default swaps, subprime mortgages, derivatives, etc... would all come crashing down like too many cocaine binges by Wall Street big shots.

The greedy, narcissistic culture on Wall Street was allowed to swindle the American people because of back-bending politicians in Washington greased by Wall Street money. Many of these leaders in the White House, Congress and regulatory agencies were either former Wall Street execs themselves or had strong ties to the financial services industry.

The victims, as usual, are the working class and middle class all over the world.

Ronald Reagan, George Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Alan Greenspan, Robert Rubin, Larry Summers, Timothy Geithner, Henry Paulsen, Ben Bernanke. The list goes on and on. And yes, President Obama is called out for speaking tough on Wall Street but then appointing Geithner as Treasury Secretary and Summers as an economic advisor (although the documentary fails to mention that Paul Volcker is an economic advisor and Elizabeth Warren has been appointed as an advisor to the new Consumer Protection Agency housed in the Federal Reserve -- both pro-regulation consumer advocates.)

Perhaps the most disturbing part of the film is its examination of how the financial services industry has hijacked academia through big money and high-profile faculty who espouse the free-market, anti-regulation philosophy that puts Wall Street profits above all else.

Here is the trailer:

Electric Motorcycle Rolls into D.C.

2010-10-21T13:02:00.000-07:00

Siemens and Orange County Choppers are showcasing their new electric motorcycle -- the first custom electric American chopper -- at this weekend's Green Festival in and around the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in downtown Washington, D.C.

Some features of the Siemens Smart Chopper include new and recycled materials, LED lighting, range of 60 miles on a single charge and an on-board charger that can be plugged into any 110-volt outlet for a recharge time of 5 hours (1-2 hours at a charging station.)

Capital Bikeshare: Downtown to U Street Corridor

2010-10-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to trying out the new Capital Bikeshare -- the largest bike-sharing program in the nation -- and it exceeded my expectations. The compactness of D.C. and plentiful bike lanes provides an environment conducive to bicycling short distances, which is exactly what CB is set up to do.

Before the trip I checked out the Bike Station Map website, which provides real-time information on exactly how many bikes and docks are available at each station. I found out that the closest station to me was at 13th St. and New York Avenue and that there were two bikes available.

I grabbed my helmet (CB doesn't provide helmets but encourages riders to wear them) and walked over to the bike station location. Sure enough there were two bikes waiting for me. I slid the small key card provided to me when I became a member and waited a few seconds until the green light turned on, indicating the bike was unlocked from the dock.

The shiny red bikes are very visible to cars and pedestrians. They are also heavy and sturdy to withstand the beatings they take riding around the city. The unique design, color scheme and weight also discourage any would-be bike robbers. There are three gears so obviously CB bikes are not meant for speed or going up big hills. They are meant for short distance commuting at cruising speeds.

I hooked up with the bike lane at Thomas Circle and continued on the bike lane that runs along the revitalized 14th Street Corridor to the bike station at 16th and New Hampshire Avenue, which I knew had plenty of available docks from looking at the Bike Station Map App on my Droid Smart Phone.

After locking the bike into the dock, I walked down the historic U Street Corridor all the way to the 9:30 Club at 9th and V where I briefly worked during my senior year at George Mason University some eleven years ago.

I then had probably the tastiest Gyro I've ever had at The Greek Spot on 11th, just off U.

Then it was back to downtown so I grabbed another bike at the 10th and U Bike Station and biked down U Street to 14th Street and finally returned to the original bike station at 13th and New York Ave.

The round trip was about 3 miles and was an overall positive experience. CB has the potential to transform the Nation's Capital into the most bike-friendly city in the country. As word spreads about how convenient and easy it is, more people will give it a try and CB should grow exponentially.

One suggestion would be to add more bike stations downtown and expand CB to parts of Northern Virginia such as the Rosslyn-Ballston Metro Orange Line Corridor, Old Town Alexandria and even Tysons Corner. And also install bike stations in Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park, Rockville and other urban areas in Maryland.

A Better Alternative to AAA

2010-10-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

AAA has been getting a lot of bad publicity lately regarding its negative stance towards bicycle lanes. Recently the American Automobile Association argued that the new Pennsylvania Avenue bicycle lanes will increase congestion, even though the District of Columbia Department of Transportation's modeling has predicted the bike lanes will actually reduce traffic congestion.

But thankfully there is a greener alternative to AAA and it is called the Better World Club, which labels itself as "America's environmentally friendly auto club."

While they don't yet offer the major discounts for Amtrak and vacation spots that AAA offers, they do offer roadside bicycle assistance, something AAA would never dream about offering in their car-first thinking.

And Better World has special rates for eco-friendly cars such as hybrids, electric and biofuel vehicles. Here is more info from their website:

"BWC has benefits that you won't find anywhere else. We aren't a member of the Highway Lobby. We donate 1% of Gross Revenue to the environment, and provides a free carbon offset to insurance clients. We discount membership fees for hybrid drivers... AND we have the only nationwide bicycle roadside assistance!"

Of course BWC has a long way to go to even begin to compete with AAA -- 20,000 members as of 2006 versus 53 million members of AAA. But as people demand more bike-friendly communities this number is poised to grow if AAA continues to disrespect bicycling as a commuting option.

And the list of partners is growing as well. BWC currently partners with Adventure Cycling Association, Car Talk, League of American Bicyclists, National Wildlife Federation, Organic Consumers Association, Washington Area Bicycle Association, and Working Assets.

Making Pedestrian Crosswalks Safer

2010-10-18T14:57:00.001-07:00

A virtual raised crosswalk in Sweden.

At one time or another we are all "pedestrians" or "drivers" or "bikers" or "passengers." And we most likely at one time or another have either been stuck in city traffic and blocked a crosswalk because we couldn't make it completely through the intersection. And we also have probably been on the other side as a pedestrian trying to cross the street only to have a vehicle blocking our way.

It is an awkward and frustrating experience for both the driver and the pedestrians. But what to do about it?

Well, as in a lot of other innovative ideas, the answer could come from across the pond. Many European cities have been experimenting with traffic calming measures including raised pedestrian crosswalks.

Raised crossings slow down motor vehicle traffic and increase pedestrian visibility.

Another idea being implemented in some places is LED lighting, or in-pavement lighting (pictured below). When pedestrians are walking across the street the pavement lights turn on, adding an extra visible warning to drivers that pedestrians are about to cross the street.

Raised pedestrian crosswalks, in-pavement lighting and other safety measures when implemented will make it easier for both pedestrians and drivers and hopefully reduce the annoying circumstances of cars blocking crosswalks in rush hour traffic.

Green D.C. Headlines: Metro Maps 30-Year Plan

2010-10-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

Metro mapping 30-year plan for system growth
Summary: Imagine a new series of north-south Metrorail lines connecting Union Station and Judiciary Square to the Waterfront, or streetcars gliding up and down Constitution Avenue. Metro officials are considering those ideas, as well as new bus rapid transit corridors and other transportation services, as they begin to craft a 30-year plan to handle the Washington area's projected population and employment growth.

Rosslyn’s Future, as Foretold by an Office Building
Summary: If Thursday’s groundbreaking for the 1812 North Moore Street office tower was anything, it was a vote of confidence in the DC area, and Rosslyn specifically, as a commercial center.

New Research Shows Americans Don’t Walk Much
Summary: For the year 2009 alone, the top five walking commuter cities were Boston (14.1 percent commuted by foot), Washington (11.1), San Francisco (10.3), New York (10.3), and Philadelphia (8.7). The city with the lowest commuter walking share for the year was Fort Worth, at 1.2 percent.

Solar Hero Dr. Hermann Scheer Dies
Summary: Hermann Scheer was able to see beyond the energy status quo and envisage a different energy future. A Social Democrat member of the German parliament since 1980, Scheer was instrumental in introducing Germany’s solar roof programmes and Renewable Energy Law (which included the feed-in tariff).

Big Oil goes to college: a conflict of interest?
Summary: Have hundreds of millions of dollars in grants from major oil companies compromised the ethics of energy research at such institutions as UC Berkeley, UC Davis and Stanford?

Green D.C. Around Town: A Global Warming Weekend

2010-10-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

National Book Festival: It was a global warming weekend on the National Mall on September 25th for the annual book fest. Record heat scorched the crowd gathered on the parched lawn. The temperature reached 93 degrees fahrenheit. The average high for D.C. in September is 79 and October is 68. The temperature last Monday, October 14th? 87 degrees.

D.C. VegFest: Washingtonians enjoyed a vegetarian cooking demonstration, animal rights activism and more at the D.C. VegFest, held at George Washington University on September 11th.

Discovery Communications Headquarters: This picture was taken shortly after the hostage crisis at the Discovery building in downtown Silver Spring. After the incident, the company closed the Sensory Garden indefinitely citing safety concerns. However, according to a story in the Montgomery Gazette, that decision is at odds with a county requirement that the area be open to the public during daylight hours.

Pennsylvania Avenue Bike Lanes: Although I have yet to see an actual member of Congress riding the new Pennsylvania Avenue Bike Lanes, it is impossible for them to miss this important symbol of our nation's commitment to bicycling as they make their way to the Hill and back. The bike lanes prove that bicycles can co-exist with vehicular traffic if planned out in a thoughtful manner that gives equal footing to both types of transportation options.

Shirlington Bus Depot: Bus riders wait in the comfortable indoor area of the Shirlington Bus Depot. The facility has electronic real-time arrival info, plenty of bike racks, a commuter store, vending machines and lots of sheltered benches. It is a short walk from Shirlington Village and is an example of humanizing the bus-riding experience by treating the riders with the respect they deserve.

Vince Gray Town Hall Meeting: Presumptive Mayor Vincent Gray holds a town hall meeting at the Foundry United Methodist Church at 16th and P Streets in Ward 2. Gray is holding town hall meetings in all eight wards before the November 2nd election.

Removing the Barriers to Going Green: Karen Penafiel, vice president of advocacy, Building Owners and Managers Association International, talks about how building owners and managers are finding creative ways to green their operations and retrofit their buildings. The presentation is part of a green lecture series at the National Building Museum.

D.C. Arts Festival: A visitor at the annual downtown arts fest checks out a row of Smart Bikes. The bike sharing program is being phased out for the new and more expansive Capital Bikeshare.

Bringing Streetcars Back to Georgetown

2010-10-14T13:04:00.000-07:00

The cobble-stoned streets of Georgetown are a constant reminder of our glorious streetcar history and its untimely demise at the hands of Big Auto and Big Oil. Now there are SUVs and BMWs rumbling over the streetcar rail lines along P Street instead of the electric trolley.

But this all might be changing because Georgetown is part of D.C.'s master plan to construct 37 miles of streetcar lines in the city. That means in the next five to seven years people will be able to ride a modern, efficient streetcar in Georgetown again.

Below are pictures of the old Georgetown streetcar, what the tracks looks like today, and what the new streetcars will look like.

Georgetown University Goes Green

2010-10-14T12:23:00.000-07:00

The new LEED-certified Science Center is being built next to the Intercultural Center's solar panels.

Well, actually Georgetown has been green since 1984, when the Bunn Intercultural Center solar array was installed. It is the longest-running installation of its scale in the country. So to say that G'town is ahead of the clean energy curve is an understatement. The array currently supplies 6% of the energy for the ICC.

And Georgetown is strengthening science education and research by building a new Science Center on the main campus. The state-of-the-art structure is slated for completion in 2012 and will be green with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification. The Science Center is supported in part by a $6.9 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

And the Hoyas have an impressive recycling program as well. This fiscal year the school achieved an average recycling rate of 45%. And the main campus is working towards a zero-landfill policy. To this point only about 15% of all campus waste ends up in a landfill.

George Mason University Under Construction

2010-10-13T21:46:00.000-07:00

George Mason University's Fairfax campus has been building at a furious pace. Even the economic downturn hasn't slowed construction as new housing and academic structures transform GMU from a commuter school to a national powerhouse. What was once over thirty years ago the Northern Virginia satellite campus of the University of Virginia has become a choice destination for kids from all over the country who want to study in the D.C. area.

Seeing the rapidly changing campus after nine years living in Southern California simply took my breath away. It is absolutely astounding how Mason has changed in such a short time period.

The list of new buildings, renovated buildings and structures under construction is enormous.

New Academic: Innovation Hall, Research I, Astronomy Observatory, Information Technology & Engineering Building, Visual & Performing Arts Building.
New Housing & Residence: York River Corner, Chesapeake, Mason Inn & Conference Center.
New Student Life Buildings: Recreation & Athletics Center, Student Union I addition, Student Union II renovation.

This is just a sampling of the new George Mason. It is almost as if a new campus has been placed on top of the old campus.

Here are pictures I took from a recent trip to Fairfax.

Reston Green Home Tour This Saturday

2010-10-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

The Nature House

This Saturday in Reston there is a great opportunity to check out some of the greenest homes in the region, including a stop at "The Nature House" education center which features wooden porch posts milled from oak trees that fell when Hurricane Isabel hit Reston.

Here is the press release:

For Immediate Release Media Contacts:
September 28, 2010 Carol Nahorniak – 703-476-9377
carol@myerspr.com
Tour Chair: Bonnie Haukness,
703-408-8926 (m), restonhometour@yahoo.com

‘Green Inspiration’ Tour of Five Private Homes, plus The Nature House
9th Annual
Reston Home Tour
Saturday, October 16, 2010 - 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Reston, VA - Reston Historic Trust will present the 9th annual Reston Home Tour on Saturday, October 16, 2010 from 10 am until 5 pm. The self-conducted tour takes visitors for an exclusive viewing of five outstanding private homes located throughout Reston’s renowned neighborhoods and clusters. Each tour destination features inspiring interior design and architecture, and demonstrates various ways of living and building ‘green’. This year’s tour will also feature a special stop at “The Nature House” education center where attendees can enjoy an exclusive chef demo, tastings, behind-the-scenes views and naturalist-led walks. Ticket holders will receive a beautiful program filled with stories and illustrations of each tour home, restaurant certificates, and much more. For more tour information, call Reston Museum at 703-709-7700, or e-mail Restonhometour@yahoo.com, or visit www.restonmuseum.org.

Since 2002, Reston Home Tour is presented annually by Reston Historic Trust to benefit Reston Museum, located at 1639 Washington Plaza in Lake Anne Village Center, the historic heart and soul of Reston. Reston Museum has been fully renovated and boasts a very special exhibit space featuring “From New Town to Our Town”, an onsite shop, plus special events and programs. Visit Reston Museum during the tour, or during its regular hours of Tuesday through Sunday from 12 until 5 pm. For information call 703-709-7700, e-mail RestonMuseum@gmail.com, or visit www.restonmuseum.org.
Support and sponsorship of the 2010 Reston Home Tour comes from numerous businesses, including Clyde’s of Reston, Paolo’s Ristorante, The Wine Cabinet at North Point, Flower Gallery of Chantilly, Herndon Florist, Lake Anne Florist, Reston Floral Design, Ultra Violet Flowers, and media partner Fairfax County Times.

Reston Home Tour tickets include the tour map and are available for purchase:
Online: $30 at www.restonmuseum.org
In Person: $25 until October 8; $30 October 9-16 at
Reston Museum, Lake Anne Florist, Appalachian Spring, GRACE, The Wine Cabinet at North Point, The Nature House.
Group discounts available.

‘Green Inspiration’
This year’s tour will showcase green building and sustainable design practices, emphasizing both big and small things that can be done to shrink our carbon footprint. The self-guided Reston Home Tour includes five private residences in Reston, and The Nature House that opened in the Walker Nature Education Center in November 2009.

Homes on the 2010 tour, open 10 am until 5 pm, October 16:

North Point – The Peebles Home
After 15 years of condominium living in Tysons Corner, Wes and Jackie were ready for a yard, as well as additional display space for their collection of textiles, paintings and sculpture, so in 1995 they moved into this former Gulick model home. Though much of their artwork was acquired during international travels, Wes’s days at the Corcoran School of Art are also represented. Dinners are always special on their multi-level deck overlooking the “walking woods garden”.

North Point – Reston Interfaith Housing
Since 1970 Reston Interfaith has answered the tough question some of our neighbors face: Where will I live? Working with Reston Interfaith, Graceful Spaces helps families turn a house into their home. Together these two local, non-profit organizations empower these families to take the path toward self-sufficiency by providing attractive and affordable housing. Their investment in the health of our community benefits us all.

Lake Anne – The Baum Home
This former Belgian block home, built in 1963, was rebuilt by Cathy and Mark after purchasing it on the courthouse steps in 1994. It’s perfectly sited to take full advantage of their expansive views of Lake Anne. An interesting mix of glass block, mahogany floors and sky-lit spaces surrounds the owners’ amazing collection of fine art and craft, much of which was purchased locally at the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival.

West Market at Town Center – The Granda Home
A long search led from their detached traditional home to this “in-town” space. Recently retired, Tom and Martha have found this an energizing place to live – a walk-friendly neighborhood where both country and city are immediately at hand. Inheriting many pieces of furniture from the previous owners, they concentrated their efforts on accessories, art, color and textiles. Their rooftop terrace, with nightly light shows, is accessed by their private ‘stairmaster’ (all four levels of it!).

Nature House at Walker Nature Education Center
Reston’s Nature House is a place to be proud of – truly a model of sustainable design and construction for a very special facility. Tour attendees can enjoy scheduled activities [see schedule, below] such as naturalist-led walks and behind-the-scenes views of this LEED Gold certified* building, along with edification on green building practices. *Only 17 buildings in Virginia have earned the distinction of LEED Gold certification. “Meet the Chef” of Paolo’s Ristorante, presenting complimentary tastings of autumn-inspired fare from 11 am until 4 pm, exclusively for tour attendees.

Hunters Woods – The Gupta Home
In every discussion of this modern masterpiece, owners Margaret and Shashi are sure to talk about the light, and visitors to this amazing home will see how that light is important. The highlights of this home are extensive: Venetian plaster and etched glass walls, a stainless and wenge social island, back-painted, low-iron glass, 2-story glass addition with green roof adjoining the reflecting pool, iridescent tiles and a quarter-sawn oak and glass floating stairway. Everything here has been done with the attention to detail and passion rarely found in today’s residential housing.

See home photos and ongoing updates by following Reston Home Tour on Facebook.

While visiting The Nature House, enjoy these scheduled activities:
11 am until 4 pm
• Paolo’s Ristorante presents a chef demonstration and tastings
10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
• Nature walks will be led by Reston Association’s Environmental Resource Manager, Claudia Thompson-Deahl, author of The Nature of Reston.
On the hour, 11 am to 3 pm
• Behind-the-scenes tours of the building will be offered by Reston Association’s Nature Center Manager and Executive Director of the Friends of Reston, Katie Shaw. Upstairs, see staff offices and downstairs, the geothermal ground source heat pump equipment. Some of those involved with the design and construction will be also be on hand for more information about the building and its grounds.

Advice for Reston Home Tour Attendees:
Start the tour at any location of your choice using the map provided on the ticket and inside the tour program.
Wear comfortable shoes. You may be asked to remove your shoes at some of the homes, especially if weather is wet. Bags will be provided for shoes to be carried until exiting the home.
Reston Home Tour is not recommended for children, and those under the age of 10 cannot be admitted into the tour homes.

Reston Historic Trust (RHT), a community-based non-profit organization, was founded in 1996 to sustain the unique history of the award-winning, innovative, planned community of Reston through the operation of Reston Museum and Shop, which opened to the public in 1997. Located at Lake Anne Village Center, Reston Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon until 5 pm, staffed by volunteer docents. Reston Museum offers walking tours, community exhibits and archives, programs, commemorative bricks, and annual events such as Reston Founders Day in April, and the Reston Home Tour in October. Reston Museum’s shop is the only source for Reston-ware such as t-shirts, mugs, and more. Funding support for operation of Reston Museum comes from public membership in the Reston Historic Trust, donations, grants, Reston Home Tour proceeds, and shop sales. Call 703-709-7700 or visit www.restonmuseum.org. Reston Museum and Shop, 1639 Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190

What is District Energy?

2010-10-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

That is a question many Americans will have in the coming months as Congress begins to take up legislation that will attempt to put our renewable thermal needs on par with our renewable electricity needs -- something that has been going on for decades in countries like Denmark.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute recently held a panel discussion with industry leaders on Capitol Hill to talk about what exactly is District Energy and Combined Heat and Power and why it is so crucial to meeting our energy needs in a sustainable way.

The event, titled "How We Can Tap Renewable Thermal Energy and Waste Heat," featured speakers including International District Energy Association President Rob Thornton, District Energy St. Paul President and CEO Ken Smith, International District Energy Association Legislative Director Mark Spurr and American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Associate Director of Research Neil Elliot.

Here are some notable quotes from the event followed by the full video of the presentation.

Rob Thornton:

"District cooling takes the bad cholesterol out of buildings."

"By taking energy out of buildings you increase the value of those buildings."

"Those energy dollars are recirculated in the economy."

"130 years ago District Energy was started in the U.S. as an emission control strategy. It was the first air quality strategy in the country."

"In the U.S. two-thirds of fuel is wasted. We only use 9% with Combined Heat and Power. Denmark uses over 60% with CHP."

"97% of Copenhagen is on District Heating. There is a wholesale heat grid in Denmark. They don't waste heat, they use it. Denmark has an energy surplus of $5.5. billion, their energy efficiency is up 4%, their fuel consumption is down 17% and their GDP is up 78%."

Ken Smith:

"St. Paul is the largest hot water district energy system in the U.S."

"Our thermal storage wood-fired CHP plant in downtown St. Paul serves 85% of downtown businesses."

"We are at 70% renewable with a goal of 100% renewable."

"Waste heat is a tremendous opportunity."

"Our plan is for the largest solar thermal integration in the Midwest. It will be the first project of its kind in the U.S."

Mark Spurr:

"The goal of the Thermal Renewable Energy and Efficiency Act of 2010 is to stimulate investments in low-carbon thermal energy infrastructure by focusing on the use of renewable energy to supply heating and cooling."

"Provisions include a renewable thermal production tax credit, tax-exempt bonding and energy sustainability grants for institutions."

Neil Elliot:

"One-third of energy goes to thermal, not electricity."

"These are opportunity fuels -- wood, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas and solar thermal."

"People know kilowatts, they don't know the value of thermal energy."

"In terms of environmental regulations, we treat thermal different than power. Thermal energy isn't valued."

"This legislation puts value on thermal energy. The bill begins an important step forward."

X Prize Spotlights Super Fuel-Efficient Cars

2010-10-06T20:05:00.000-07:00

Recently the X Prize Foundation and Progressive Automotive Insurance handed out $10 million in prize money to three teams that demonstrated the most super fuel-efficient vehicles that exceed 100 MPGe (Miles per Gallon or Energy Equivalent) -- a new way to compare the efficiency of gasoline to electric and other alternative fuel vehicles.

Here are descriptions of the winners from the official press release:

$5 Million Mainstream Class Winner:

Edison2 “Very Light Car #98” (Charlottesville, VA)
Economy: 102.5 MPGe
Fuel: E85 ethanol
Boasting the lowest drag coefficient of any car with four wheels tested in the GM wind tunnel and at the Chrysler Proving Grounds, this vehicle demonstrated over 100 MPGe on the test track, and verified in the lab, under stringent testing conditions using a highly innovative small displacement engine. Its low weight of just 830 pounds is a tribute to its use of light weight materials, reduced engine displacement and a host of other weight-saving innovations.

$2.5 Million Alternative Side-by-Side Class Winner:

Li-ion Motors Corp “Wave II” (Mooresville, NC)
Economy: 187 MPGe
Fuel: Battery Electric
This side-by-side two-seat battery electric car was built on a lightweight aluminum chassis and weighs in at only 2,176 pounds, despite the weight of its powerful lithium ion batteries. The Wave II demonstrated outstanding low mechanical and aerodynamic drag that resulted in 187 MPGe in combined on-track and laboratory efficiency testing, a 14.7s zero-to-60 mph acceleration time, and over 100 miles range over a real-world driving cycle.

$2.5 Million Alternative Tandem Class Winner:

X-Tracer Team Switzerland “E-Tracer #79” (Winterthur, Switzerland)
Economy: 205.3 MPGe
Fuel: Battery Electric
This tandem two-seat vehicle combines the best of motorcycles and automobiles. This clever design has two extra outrigger wheels that deploy at low speed to stabilize the vehicle. At 1436 pounds, the E-Tracer is able to deliver over 100 miles in range, led the competition with over 200 MPGe in combined on-track and laboratory fuel efficiency and achieved a zero-to- 60 mph acceleration time of just 6.6 seconds.

Here are some photos I took of the event on the grounds of the Historical Society of Washington, D.C.

And here are videos I took of the vehicles on display at the awards ceremony.

Pictures: Tysons Corner Metro Station Construction

2010-10-06T19:44:00.000-07:00

If you've driven around the Tysons Corner area recently you can't miss the massive Metro pylons rising from the dirt -- a symbol of hope in the economic rubble. Construction is on a fast pace for the first phase -- unofficially titled the Silver Line extension and officially called the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project -- that will eventually run past Dulles International Airport and into Loudoun County.

Phase one is going to run from the East Falls Church Orange Line station to Wiehle Avenue on the eastern edge of Reston and will be completed in 2013. The second phase will terminate in Ashburn and has an estimated completion date of 2016. There will be 11 stations in total with four stations in the Tysons Corner area.

The following is a picture slideshow of what will be the Tysons Central-123 aerial station that will drop off passengers across Chain Bridge Road from Tysons Corner Center Mall with a pedestrian bridge to the shopping center. You can see the skeleton of the bridge that will cross Interstate 495 to reach Tysons.

This is the largest mass transit project in Northern Virginia since the Orange, Blue and Yellow Metro lines were built. When the first phase is finished in a little over two years passengers will be able to ride the train from downtown Washington, D.C. directly to Tysons Corner and when phase two is finished it will be a straight shot from downtown to Reston Town Center, Herndon, Dulles and eastern Loudoun.

Green Videos: Nissan Leaf Polar Bear Ad

2010-10-06T18:13:00.001-07:00

Nissan Leaf Polar Bear Ad
Seeing its arctic home melting away, a lone polar bear sets out on a great journey to thank someone who is trying to help.

Villaraigosa posts video promoting 30/10 Initiative
The 30/10 Initiative will allow 12 crucial public transit projects to be constructed in Los Angeles in 10 years rather than 30, improving transportation in L.A. and creating more jobs.

The LA Streetcar: See what happens when Downtown connects
Film about the planned LA Streetcar Line. Prominent Angelinos extol the virtues of the proposed streetcar for Downtown Los Angeles. The film gives viewers a virtual experience of a streetcar gliding down the streets of Los Angeles. Production created by Nelson and Sixta, Los Angeles. Original footage by Brewhouse of Portland, Oregon.

How one Swedish city gets people to trade silly car trips for bikes
No ridiculous car trips is an informational film about a campaign with the same name. Trying to get more people too choose riding their bike over their car in Malmo City.

China Sets New High Speed Rail Speed Record
China sets a new record for high speed rail and America's long-term vision for high speed rail begins to emerge.

The Life of Coal and You
The Life of Coal is a dirty one. Learn about it and get involved in the work to build a cleaner future!

Green D.C. Headlines: Environmental Education Pushes Ahead in Maryland

2010-10-06T16:39:00.000-07:00

Environmental Education Pushes Ahead in Maryland
Summary: Environmental education took a giant leap forward in Maryland on Thursday. Previously, schools were only required to expose students once to environmental education sometime between pre-kindergarten and twelfth grade. That changed when the Maryland State Board of Education unanimously approved a measure mandating all Maryland schools to integrate environmental education into the curriculum.

Board Passes Sweeping Plan to Redevelop Crystal City
Summary: Just before the unanimous vote that would approve a sweeping plan to redevelop Crystal City, county board chairman Jay Fisette paused for reflection. Looking back at the four and a half year process of crafting the plan, Fisette remarked that it “an amazing moment and a startling success.”

O'Malley-Ehrlich transportation gulf is wide
Summary: If O'Malley is re-elected, he will almost certainly keep Maryland on a course toward construction of two long-sought but expensive light rail systems — the $1.8 billion Red Line in Baltimore and the $1.6 billion Purple Line in the Washington suburbs. As governor, Ehrlich supported the planning process on both lines, but has turned against them as proposed by O'Malley. The Republican has vowed to scuttle light rail on both lines, saying rapid bus lines are his preferred choice.

Metro loses more than a million riders on bus, rail
Summary: Metrobus ridership plummeted and the number of rail passengers fell well below staff projections during the first month of the agency's new fiscal year -- and the first month of higher fares.

County favors underground airport rail station at Washington Dulles
Summary: Fairfax County officials are still backing an underground Metrorail station at Washington Dulles International Airport, but say costs must come down for the project to remain viable.

Nearly 7,000 Go Car Free in the Metropolitan Washington Region
Summary: Over 6,900 residents in the Washington metropolitan region went car free or car-lite on Wednesday, September 22, making it the region’s most successful year yet in the international celebration of alternatives to solo-driving. Registrants pledged to rely less on their cars by riding metro, bicycling, carpooling, vanpooling, walking or teleworking.

Walkers Turn Out in Droves for September 26 Debut of WalkArlington's Yorktown Walkabout
Summary: Despite an early morning rain shower, skies cleared by mid-day Sunday, just in time for WalkArlington’s Yorktown Walkabout. More than 75 walkers of all ages and all walks of life turned out for the two-hour, two-mile walking tour of the northwest Arlington neighborhood, the latest in WalkArlington’s series of self-guided Walkabout routes.

Metro Board Member Falls on Slippery Train Platform
Summary: There is a call for change from a Metro Board member after he was hurt boarding a train Thursday. Bill Euille, who is also the Mayor of Alexandria, slipped and fell at the Braddock Road Metro Station as he was boarding a train.

Feds urged to use Bikeshare program
Summary: Three federal agencies are offering employees corporate memberships with the District's Capital Bikeshare program to help promote the new cycling network and reduce the government's carbon footprint.

New On-Street Bike Parking
Summary: Together with WABA’s bicycle parking program coordinator, District Dept. of Transportation crews installed new on-street bike parking corrals in five locations in northwest Washington, DC.

Amtrak Ignores Bikers

2010-10-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

One of the pleasures of riding Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner Train from Los Angeles to San Diego is how easy it is to bring your bike on the train. There are bike wall racks on nearly every car so you don't have to deal with the hassle and the costs of boxing your bike and stowing it.

Unfortunately the Southern California route is one of the few lines in the system that allow for roll-on and roll-off biking. That is a shame. I recently encountered a couple of guys who took the train up to D.C. from Richmond, Virginia and wanted to do the right thing and bring their bikes onboard instead of renting a car, but couldn't because there are no bike wall racks on any of the East Coast lines and they didn't want to spend the time and the money boxing up their bikes.

If Amtrak wants to stay competitive with the private operators that are bidding for the new high-speed rail lines that are coming, then they need to cater to bikers and not just business travelers around the country.

Wouldn't it be great if one day you could bike to Union Station in D.C., board a train bound for New York City and leave Penn Station on your bicycle?

Segway Lives in D.C.!

2010-10-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

It appears rumors of the death of the Segway Personal Transporter electric vehicle are premature. While the rest of the country mocks the awkward, bulky design and ridicules its use as a commuting option with a top speed of 12 mph, the Nation's Capital has been oblivious to this perception.

Every day Capital Segway City Tours and other tour companies zip visitors around D.C. to see the monuments and museums. You can't miss the big groups riding around town with fanny packs, cameras and FBI t-shirts in tow. And the Metropolitan Police Department is even using Segway scooters for community policing. While two D.C. cops riding the streets in an electric scooter might look like a scene out of "Robocop," it is apparently an effective method of policing that is used all over the world because it is quicker than on foot and increases the field of vision.

So say what you want about the Segway, but the machine has outlasted the late-night punchlines and is here to stay -- at least in Washington, D.C.

Breaking News: White House To Install Solar Panels

2010-10-05T11:07:00.000-07:00

President Obama will install solar panels and a solar water heater on the roof of the White House by the spring of 2011. Not since President Carter's solar panels has such a public commitment been made to renewable energy. This decision has the potential to give a huge boost to an already burgeoning solar power industry in the United States.

Here is the full press release of this morning's announcement:

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Public Affairs

News Media Contact: For Immediate Release:
(202) 586-4940 Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Obama Administration Announces Plans to Install New Solar Panels on the White House Residence

WASHINGTON – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) Chair Nancy Sutley today announced plans to install solar panels and a solar hot water heater on the roof of the White House Residence. These two solar installations will be part of a Department of Energy demonstration project showing that American solar technologies are available, reliable, and ready for installation in homes throughout the country. Secretary Chu and Chair Sutley made the announcement during CEQ’s 2010 GreenGov Symposium, which is bringing together leaders from Federal, state and local governments, nonprofit and academic communities and the private sector to identify opportunities around greening the Federal Government.

“This project reflects President Obama’s strong commitment to U.S. leadership in solar energy and the jobs it will create here at home,” said Secretary Chu. “Deploying solar energy technologies across the country will help America lead the global economy for years to come.”

“President Obama has said the Federal Government has to lead by example in creating opportunity and jobs in clean energy,” said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “By installing solar panels on arguably the most famous house in the country, his residence, the President is underscoring that commitment to lead and the promise and importance of renewable energy in the United States.”

The PV system will convert sunlight directly to electricity. The solar hot water heater will have a solar collector facing the sun that will heat water for use in the White House Residence. The Department of Energy will now begin a competitive procurement process to select the company responsible for the installations.

By installing solar panels on their homes, consumers are able to effectively lock in the price of electricity they will pay in the years ahead, acting as an insulator against future rises in electricity prices since the systems installed in homes today are expected to last approximately thirty years. Financial incentives are also available to offset the initial costs of installing solar energy systems, including a 30 percent federal tax credit and additional state, local, and utility incentive programs to encourage the deployment of renewable energy.

The deployment of solar energy and other renewable energy sources will help expand U.S. clean energy manufacturing and create new jobs for American workers. As a result of investments under the Recovery Act, the solar energy industry is growing and solar resources can now be seen in communities nationwide. In the coming years, continued investments in innovation and cutting-edge solar technologies will help make solar energy cost-competitive with conventional electricity sources all across the country.

This announcement is made on the one-year anniversary of President Obama’s Executive Order 13514 on Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance, which called on the Federal Government to lead by example towards a clean energy economy and reduce, measure and report direct and indirect greenhouse gas pollution. In support of this goal, the Department of Energy also released “Procuring Solar Energy: A Guide for Federal Facility Decision Makers” to support the use of solar energy throughout the Federal Government.

Thousands Rally For Green Jobs

2010-10-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

On Saturday afternoon thousands of people gathered along the Reflecting Pool and the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to rally for a range of progressive issues including green job creation. The officially-titled One Nation Working Together event featured a heavy turnout from labor and civil rights groups, and was billed by the media as the liberal answer to Glenn Beck's Tea Party rally which took place at the same spot in late August. Both events were aimed at energizing their base to get to the polls for the midterm elections on November 2nd.

Former White House Council on Environmental Quality's Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Van Jones, spoke about energy efficiency and renewable energy such as solar and wind as the solution to our economic, security and environmental problems. Here is the full video of his speech followed by a picture slideshow from the event.

Green D.C. Headlines: Amtrak's East Coast HSR Plan

2010-09-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

Amtrak Releases Plan for East Coast Upgrade
Summary: At a news conference in Philadelphia this morning, VP Joe Biden announced Amtrak's new vision for high-speed travel between Washington, D.C. and New York City.

James Hansen Arrested With 100 Others At Mountaintop Removal Mining Protest In DC
Summary: Around 100 people have been arrested outside the White House while protesting against mountaintop removal mining, including NASA scientist James Hansen.

Never Mind Oil, Group Says: Think Atlantic Wind
Summary: The Atlantic coast has more energy to give via wind than it does from oil or gas, according to a study sponsored by Oceana, an environmental group.

Fairfax looks at bike plan
Summary: Fairfax County hopes to redevelop Tysons Corner into a walkable, transit-oriented city. But what about a cycling-friendly city? The county's transportation department has scheduled a public meeting for Thursday to discuss recommendations on how bike-friendly design should become part of road and transit projects and private developments in Tysons.

Maryland Green Party Senate candidate killed by SUV while cycling
Summary: Natasha Pettigrew, a Maryland Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate, died late Monday, two days after a Cadillac Escalade hit her while she was bicycling. The 30-year-old was training for a triathlon about an hour before sunrise, the Washington Post reports.

BoltBus, RedCoach, other bus lines go for business travelers
Summary: On your next business trip, stretch your legs, plug in your laptop and prepare for a leisurely ride — on the bus?

Green D.C. News Roundup: The Greening of Chicago

2010-09-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

Chicago takes the LEED in eco building
Summary: Chicago has the highest number of LEED-certified buildings in the United States, the highest square footage of green rooftops, and a longstanding commitment to green building.

EPA puts bay states on notice
Summary: Federal officials began a sweeping crackdown on pollution in the Chesapeake Bay on Friday - threatening to punish five mid-Atlantic states with rules that could raise sewer bills and put new conditions on construction.

Potomac River Cleaner but Wastewater Upgrades Still Required
Summary: To help improve water quality in the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay, the U.S. EPA has reissued an operating permit for the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility that requires a steep cut in nitrogen discharges.

GEORGE bus service ends
Summary: The GEORGE bus,once operated by the City of Falls Church, made its last run on Friday.

Hagerstown, MD, USA: Staples and SunEdison Unveils 1.5 MW PV System
Summary: Staples and SunEdison today unveiled a 1.5 megawatt solar power installation at the Staples distribution center in Hagerstown, Md. Combined with the recent solar installation at the Staples fulfillment center in Hanover, Md., Staples is now hosting more than 2.5MW of solar capacity in the state of Maryland alone.

Metro showcases new vehicles, bus body and paint shop funded by federal Recovery Act dollars
Summary: Metro officially unveiled new Metrobuses and MetroAccess vehicles today, September 13, and offered a sneak preview of early construction on a new bus body and paint shop funded by federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) dollars.

Federal Agencies Outline Plans to Cut GHG Emissions
Summary: The White House released federal agencies’ sustainability plans, providing the first detailed glimpse of how the government plans to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions over the next 10 years, the New York Times reports.

Transportation officials mull massive new toll system
Summary: Area transportation officials are developing a plan to combat the Washington region's mounting traffic congestion and funding shortfalls with a mammoth new system of toll roads spreading across almost every major local roadway.

D.C., Arlington team up to launch Capital Bikeshare
Summary: The District Department of Transportation and Arlington County have teamed up to launch a new bike-sharing system, the largest in the country.

Get Ready: Capital Bikeshare will change everything
Summary: DC and Arlington deserve a lot of credit for having the vision to bring modern bike-sharing to DC, and as a result, things will never be the same again.

Judge Dismisses Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's Misguided Investigation of Michael Mann
Summary: he Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) called today’s decisions by a Virginia judge to dismiss Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s demand for documents related to research by climate scientist Michael Mann a “victory for scientific discovery.”

Most aspects of e-waste not regulated in U.S., Va.
Summary: Virginians are creating piles of potentially dangerous waste. The problem is old electronics, or e-waste -- computers, cellphones and other gadgets that people toss because they've found something newer and shinier.

Leesburg axes Southwest Connector Trail, moves forward with Downtown Improvements
Summary: At their Sept. 14 meeting, Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd and the Town Council voted to delete the planned Southwest Connector Trial from the town’s Capital Improvements Program and also to move forward with Phase I of the Downtown Improvements Project.

Q&A: Arbour Realty's Genevieve Concannon and Adam Gallegos

2010-09-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

Green D.C. recently participated in an email Q&A with Arbour Realty Founder Adam Gallegos and Director of Business Development Genevieve Concannon. They provide readers with insight into the emerging field of green real estate and Arbour Realty's efforts as the first sustainable real estate company in the D.C. area.

Green D.C.: What is Arbour Realty and what is a green real estate company?

Arbour Realty: Arbour Realty is the DC area's first green real estate firm and now the leader in technology and social media innovation in the real estate community. This means that Arbour Realty is founded on green living and sustainable principles, teams up with ecobroker professionals and employs advanced technology and social media into their real estate platform. What this means for their clients is that they have highly educated agents on their side who understand the market, the importance of energy efficiency and healthy living in the homes. Meanwhile, the Arbour Realty team is aggressively approaching the social media market with very relevant blogs, tips and community information. We are constantly seeking out the latest and greatest technology that will enable our clients to have an even more seamless transaction while remaining as conscious of our carbon footprint as possible.

GDC: Why was Arbour Realty started in this tough real estate market?

AR: Adam Gallegos, the founder of Arbour Realty already had a strong following of referral based real estate business. This foundation provided him with the confidence to break off from Re/Max (a recognized real estate brand) to start local firm, Arbour Realty. Adam felt strongly about creating an environmentally responsible business and could tell that the real estate industry is entering a major evolution. The distinction between “green” and “not green” is dissolving. Demand for more efficient, healthier homes is causing new home builders and home renovation companies to change the way they have been doing this since they entered the business. We see this happening very quickly with commercial real estate and residential is not far behind. You wouldn’t think about investing in a new commercial building if it was not going to be built to LEED standards. USA Today today recently reported that green building now accounts for 1/3 of new U.S. Construction. As more consumers demand a real estate team that can help them find more efficient healther homes, Arbour Realty is becoming the firm of choice in the DC area.

GDC: What sets Arbour Realty apart from other real estate companies in the D.C. Area?

AR: Arbour Realty stands on the forefront of real estate brokerages in the DC metro area because we are constantly striving for the latest technology for our clients. We have an incredibly user friendly website that enables clients and shoppers to view communities and do their due diligence before they even get started on their search. We use paperless office systems such as docusign to encourage time and paper saving techniques, we staff only ecobroker agents, and even have some LEED certified professionals on our team. Our agents are able to give their clients intimate knowledge of green building, healthy living and current market conditions to better guide their clients through their real estate transactions. Above all, Arbour Realty was selected out of thousands of real estate brokerages to be better homes and gardens real estate brokerage to watch for the Mid-Atlantic region due to all of the amazing technology that we incorporate into our business. We are also a gold certified green business, and are highly active in community building by putting on local lectures, promoting community involvement and offering a more consultative approach to the real estate process.

GDC: What is an ecobroker and what sort of education is required to be a certified agent?

AR: Ecobrokers are agents who have gone through extensive training to understand green building principles and healthy living practices. There is a strict curriculum outlined by the now eight year old program that ensures that ecobroker agents have the knowledge of environmentally sensitive issues, green building, comfort and health issues; all of these things marry into a strong agent who can effectively educate and guide their client to the best home for their needs. These agents, such as those on our team, are, again, able to guide their clients to cost effective, energy efficient homes that they will be healthy and comfortable in. Armed with this knowledge and the knowledge of their own market, ecobroker agents can really help their client understand what it means to live a healthy lifestyle, and own a home that is energy efficient and hopefully, in the long run, will have a greater return on their investment.

GDC: What criteria do you use to select your vendors?

AR: We incorporate vendor partners who are also led by a green commitment in their business practices, for instance, we partner with green living consulting to provide actionable healthy living plans for our clients once they are in their home. Green living consulting is founded on the same principles as Arbour Realty in that the owners practice what they preach, and are hugely active in the educational community. We also work with vendors whom we have done actual projects with, and feel that their integrity and value are unrivaled and really mirror our own core values.

GDC: What is green about your business practices?

AR: We have a green commitment that we would love for you to take a look at that outlines a very good portion of the reasons Arbour Realty is a green business.

GDC: Why is this a good time to go green if you are buying or selling your home?

AR: There are some great loan programs available that make it possible to improve the performance of any home. With as little as 3.5% down, you can purchase a home and make a number of improvements with additional money borrowed. Lenders already understand the additional value that such improvements make to a home. We are happy to talk to you more about your individual situation and goals.

For any improvements you plan to make to your home it is worthwhile to consider some eco-friendly options. Stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops do not capture the attention of a buyer like they did a few years ago. I’ve hosted open houses where potential buyers were much more impressed with some of the newest eco-friendly materials. If you plan to keep your home for several years or more, you will want improvements you make, to keep up with times.

GDC: What advice do you have for home buyers and sellers who might be curious about going green but are skeptical of the costs and don't know where to begin?

AR: The best place to start is with a home energy audit. A good auditor can make low and no-cost recommendations that can improve the efficiency and value of your home. They can also recommend ways to get the best bang for your buck when it comes to larger investments. The additional return on investment can happen a lot quicker than some consumers might think. We post a lot of tips and suggestions for free on our website, Twitter and Facebook page. You are welcome to check some of those out.

GDC: Any other information you would like add?

AR: We work with a lot of different people in the DC area with varying degrees of interest in “green.” Some, flat out don’t care. They just want to work with Arbour Realty because they have heard great things about the results we produce and the customer service. We love these clients just as much. What’s funny, is that they often find themselves asking questions about energy efficiency and healthy indoor air quality at some point during the home buying or selling process. We like to educate consumers when they are interested, but we are not hear to push our ideas on anyone. We simply want to provide a better customer experience than can be found at any other firm in the DC area. We will continue keeping a light carbon footprint in the meantime.

Guest Post: A Smart Grid For Heat

2010-09-26T21:51:00.001-07:00

A cement kiln waste heat recovery power plant

By Robert W. Timmerman PE, CEM, LEED AP

The need:
Buildings need both electric power and heat. Electric power runs lights, computers, and air conditioning; heat warms the building in winter, and heats domestic hot water year round. The total energy used by a building is the fuel burned to make electric power plus the fuel burned on site for heat. On a nationwide basis, about 30% of the total energy used by buildings goes for heat. The percentages are higher in the Northeast and the Midwest. To make buildings fully renewable, a renewable supply of heat is needed in addition to a renewable source of power.

The Thermal Smart Grid
The Thermal Smart Grid would supply much of the heat energy needed by buildings from renewables such as solar heat, and by recycling otherwise wasted heat from power and industrial plants,. The various sources of heat would be coordinated by real time controllers combined with a sophisticated rate schedule which would encourage the optimum use of resources to match each building’s particular need.

Availability of these sources would be enhanced by interseasonal thermal storage, storing heat in summer for use in winter. This technology has been demonstrated in Europe, and designs have been prepared for an interseasonal storage project in Massachusetts. The economies of scale with thermal storage give the Thermal Smart Grid a natural advantage over smaller scale systems. Interseasonal thermal storage extends the amount of heat available, and might make possible the storage of winter cold for efficient summer cooling. The same distribution system could distribute cooling in sumer.

Potential Energy Savings
By recycling the waste heat from fossil fired power plants within economic thermal transmission distances of population centers, the Thermal Smart Grid would save about 5% of the total energy used by buildings, and would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 75 million tons per year. Use of other heat sources would increase the savings: a combination of solar energy with interseasonal storage could increase the savings to perhaps 12% of the total energy used by buildings, which would be 40% of the fuel burned to heat buildings.

The Parts of the Smart Grid
Just as the Electrical Smart Grid, the Thermal Smart Grid is a system, that includes sources of heat, heat customers, piping to interconnect them, short term and long term thermal storage, and controls to manage the system and interconnections. The grid itself would be a piping network operating a relatively low temperature in order to obtain heat at high efficiency. At the design maximum water temperature of 120F (50C), heat is available at reasonable efficiencies from simple solar collectors and from recycled power plant and industrial waste heat. Use of water at this temperature for heating is an established technology.

Just with electrical grids, an overall control system would manage the Thermal Smart Grid. This would take the form of an executive controller that would match the daily demand for heat with the resources available. Surplus heat would go to storage, and shortages would be made up from storage, or from local heating systems. Overall control would be assisted by an innovative rate schedule, where customers contract for a fixed flow rate of hot water, and are billed for the quantity they use, as well as the monthly bill for the quantity. This gives the customers the flexibility to optimize how their buildings use heat.

Is McDonald's Going Healthy?

2010-09-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

I snapped this picture on the D.C. Metro. Could the ultimate symbol of our unhealthy fast-food nation finally be going on a diet? For the sake of the millions of obese, nutrient-deficient Americans out there I sure hope so.

Capital Bikeshare Launches Today!

2010-09-20T12:56:00.000-07:00

Our Nation's Capital is turning into a world-class biking city with expanded bike lanes and now Capital Bikeshare -- a bike sharing program launching today with 114 stations and 1,100 bicycles in the District and Arlington. An annual membership is only $50 to grab a bike whenever you want one and return it to any station you want.

Here are some pictures I took of the Adams Morgan station before the bicycles were installed plus a picture of what the bikes will look like from a demonstration at the Arts on Foot Festival in Gallery Place/Chinatown:

Adams Morgan Day Festival Goes Green

2010-09-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

This year's Adams Morgan Day Festival featured an expanded Green Pavilion sponsored by ZipCar, Washington Gas and the D.C. Department of Environment. I had the chance to interview some of the vendors and here are some notable quotes from the participants followed by pictures from the fest.

Quotes:

"Green DMV (District Maryland Virginia) started as an organization with a vision to create pathways out of poverty through green job training and sustainability. So we really focus on low income and disadvantaged communities, really involving them in the green movement and getting them into the green job force." -- Dina Faticone, Program Manager, Green DMV

"Live Green offers a green lifestyle to everyone at a very affordable price. So we're hoping on expanding to the rest of the country. Our offices are around the corner from Adams Morgan. We started here in D.C., in this community. We consider this our community. We believe America's ready to go green. It is a perfect opportunity." -- Megan Barret, D.C. Community Organizer, Live Green

"Standard Energy Solutions comes into your house to determine where you are losing energy from...People say they can sleep on the second floor again after a retrofit because it is not too hot. We've done lots of audits in D.C. It's a good chance for people to save money and increase their comfort level." -- Dave Condon, spokesman, Standard Energy Solutions

"Instead of bulldozing houses they can donate them and instead of buying virgin renovation materials they can buy reclaimed very cheaply. 40% of our solid waste is made up of construction debris. We need to recycle building material. For example, instead of buying a kitchen cabinet that's made out of sawdust from China with all the fossil fuels, harvesting, mining involved, instead of causing all that pollution and energy use you can get something that came out of your neighbor's house and you can build community and create good green jobs in the process." -- Ruthie Mundell, Outreach and Education Director, Community Forklift, a thrift store for home improvement

Pictures:

Big Oil Goes On Offensive

2010-09-18T22:30:00.000-07:00

You can't walk two blocks in our Nation's Capital without running into a Big Oil advertisement. There are the Shell ads plastered in every possible nook and cranny of the Metro subway system and in so many spots in Union Station that they might as well name it Shell Station.

These ads are deceptive because Shell has rebranded itself an "energy" company that wants to "pass energy on to future generations." But will that energy be dirty oil and gas or clean and renewable energy? If it is dirty fossil fuels then there won't be much of a future for the next generation of consumers Shell is so desperately seeking.

Let's get one thing straight -- Shell and other Big Oil companies are in the fossil fuel business and there is no way around it no matter how many oversized ads they plaster across D.C. If they were talking about algae oil and geothermal energy as the solution to greenhouse gas emissions that would be one thing, but they aren't. Instead they are talking about burning "cleaner" oil and natural gas. But guess what? They are still fossil fuels with a heavy carbon footprint that contribute to global warming no matter how you dance around it or no matter how many additives you mix in.

And then there is the ultimate deceptive advertising and marketing campaign run by the Oil and Natural Gas Industry in the form of the "Rally for Jobs" signs plastered on street lamps all over town and in banner ads on the Washington Post website.

This ladies and gentlemen is the result of millions of dollars being poured into fighting any sort of Climate Change and Clean Energy legislation that would cut the corporate tax breaks for dirty energy companies in favor of incentives for wind, solar, geothermal and biofuel companies. It is important the voting public sees right through their propaganda and says no to the dirty energy industry by electing officials who stand up to Big Oil and boot out politicians who are on their short leash.

This "Rally for Jobs" is actually not a rally at all, but a carefully crafted "virtual rally" on September 22nd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. where I assume a litany of oil and gas industry employees will spout off from Houston, Texas about how we need dirty energy jobs and not taxes. Not one word will be mentioned about renewable energy and energy efficiency and how for decades the tax breaks have been unfairly distributed to big oil and gas companies to the detriment of millions of clean energy jobs that would save our economy and the environment.

Shame on Big Oil for pouring millions into these deceptive advertising campaigns to keep the public addicted to their harmful products when they could be using that money to invest more in research and development of renewable energy sources that would end our dependence on oil and natural gas once and for all.

Pictures of Shell's advertising blitz:

Metro Train

Union Station

Pictures: Columbia Heights Revitalization

2010-09-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

Outgoing Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty's legacy of positive changes in our Nation's Capital will be sorted out and debated over the next few years. One vivid reminder out of many is the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Northwest Washington.

This area on 14th Street was scarred by riots in 1968 following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. And many storefronts and homes remained vacant for decades as drugs and crime ravaged the neighborhood. The District started the revitalization of the neighborhood in 1999, but the area really started taking off in 2008 when Mayor Fenty cut the ribbon for the DC USA shopping center that brought suburban amenities like a Target and Best Buy to the heart of the inner city.

And demographically Columbia Heights is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the Washington area with blacks, whites, Hispanics and other groups all mixing together. The melting pot gives the feeling of being in a bustling neighborhood in the middle of Manhattan.

Pictures:

Canucks Go Green

2010-09-15T21:05:00.000-07:00

Wednesday afternoon the Canadian Embassy in Washington hosted a renewable energy and energy efficiency showcase and reception. Innovative Canadian companies were on hand to display their latest technological breakthroughs and there were some noteworthy innovations that will hopefully soon start to take off on this side of the border.

Perhaps the most promising for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels is the home geothermal unit from NextEnergy. While geothermal technology has been around since the 1950s, it is only in the last 15 years that it has become more efficient.

Installing a unit in your home can provide you with peak efficiency all the time for heating during the winter and cooling during the summer. The reason is because the pipes go down anywhere from six feet to a thousand feet (depending on if it's a vertical, horizontal or pond loop) into the earth where the temperature is a constant 50 to 60 degrees. And there is only a six inch hole in the ground so no more big, noisy and wasteful air conditioning units.

And the carbon footprint of geothermal is incredibly low. A typical home using geothermal saves between 2 to 5.5 tons of CO2 per year. And the long-term financial savings are tremendous as well. The upfront cost for the unit and drilling averages around $20,000, minus any federal and state incentives that in some U.S. states can trim 25-30% off the initial cost. But here is where it gets good -- the upfront cost is all you have to pay for geothermal energy. For the next 40 to 60 years you will be getting free renewable energy from the earth to heat and cool your home that is always operating at peak efficiency and helping to fight global warming and our addiction to fossil fuels.

Other companies represented:

SunProject makes see-through sun screen shades to make buildings more energy efficient. They worked on providing exterior shades for the Vancouver Olympic Village Project. They also make recycled stainless steel railing systems.
The Power-Pipe recovers hot drain water energy to lower water heating costs by up to 35% and reduce your home's greenhouse gas emissions by up to one ton per year.
The Power Panel is a next generation solar panel that combines heat and electricity. The panel captures around 80% of the sun's energy versus 5-18% for a traditional PV panel and supplies both electricity and heat from the same panel. Power Panel is the first-to-market solar panel that provides both photovoltaic electricity and thermal energy.
Delta makes sustainable home drainage and water retention products to maximize efficiency such as waterproofing membranes, drain boards, rainscreens, breathable roofs and garden roof systems.

Gray wins, D.C. loses

2010-09-15T02:37:00.001-07:00

What if you had a once-in-a-generation mayor who took rare decisive action to fix a broken system and inspire thousands of young, diverse residents not bogged down by the deep divisions of race and class that have been exploited for decades by the political establishment?

Mayor Adrian Fenty was that special man, that rare breed of leader who actually made Washington D.C. a better place to live and work by reforming the schools, reducing the crime rate, improving city services, adding bike lanes and bus routes and streetcars to get people out of their cars, revitalizing long-neglected neighborhoods like Columbia Heights that helped spark a population growth after decades of decline.

And what if those hard-fought gains turned our Nation's Capital from a national joke to a model for urban renewal?

Mayor Fenty won many admirers for his dynamic approach to governing and was endorsed for re-election by The Washington Post, Washington Examiner, Washington City Paper and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Newark Mayor Corey Booker and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.

But that wasn't enough in this racially and economically divided city where leadership is still defined by personality over substance and getting things done. So this morning at 5:24 a.m. I sadly report that District voters rejected our great mayor and decided to take a major step backwards by electing Council Chairman Vincent Gray who ran a viciously negative, Republicanesque campaign by playing on the economic and racial insecurities of D.C. residents by tearing down Fenty and offering no alternative platform whatsoever other than to make disingenuous and false promises to disgruntled special interests.

Way to go D.C. Your shortsighted betrayal of Fenty will discourage dynamic young leaders from taking office in this city and perpetuate the stereotype of D.C. as a provincial backwater Southern town unable to tackle big issues, instead of the world-class city Fenty was trying so hard to create.

And this is the thanks he gets -- booted out of office despite the majority of residents saying their city is better off after four years of his visionary leadership.

It truly is a Gray day in Washington, D.C.

A Soulful 'Solar On The White House' Event

2010-09-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

Unity College in Maine students display the Jimmy Carter solar panel on the sidewalk prior to the official event inside the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Northwest D.C.

Given the gravity of global warming, a house of worship was the perfect place to welcome a group of students who traveled all the way from Maine to try to convince President Obama to re-install solar panels on the roof of the White House (Jimmy Carter first installed them in 1979 and Ronald Reagan removed them in 1986).

The historic All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church on 16th Street in Northwest Washington, D.C. was the setting Thursday evening for a soulful panel of speakers and an enthusiastic audience who welcomed the students from Maine's Unity College at the end of their road trip. They brought an original Carter-era solar panel with them which they planned to deliver to the White House. The students, who were accompanied on the trip by environmental activist, author and 350.org founder Bill McKibben, drove their vegetable oil-powered van to Boston, New York City and finally to D.C. for the meeting at the White House on Friday morning at 9 a.m.

The organization 350.org is named for the upper limit of CO2 parts-per-million in the atmosphere before the climate change tipping point. In addition to the Solar Panel Road Trip, the organization is busy preparing for a global climate change day of action on 10/10/10.

"We think (the failure of the climate bill) is a gift to the administration because it allows them to show everybody how committed they are to clean energy," said McKibben about why he is cautiously optimistic the White House will be receptive to the idea of re-installing solar panels on the roof.

Unity College students speak about the solar panel road trip and environmental education. In addition to the students and McKibben, other speakers included Hip Hop Caucus CEO Reverend Lenny Yearwood Jr., All Souls Executive Director Katie Loughary, Chesapeake Climate Action Network founder and director Mike Tidwell, and one of the laborers who helped install the first solar panels on the White House roof.

"I know people who don't believe in global warming and even they like solar panels," said McKibben. "What's not to like?"

McKibben cited Michelle Obama's White House vegetable garden as an example of how the First Family can influence millions of Americans by such a simple gesture.

"When Michelle Obama planted that beautiful garden, the next year the sale of vegetable seeds went up 30%," said McKibben. "People already knew intellectually that there was such a thing as a vegetable garden -- you plant the seed in the ground and it grows into a vegetable -- but clearly it was useful to see it acted out in public on the most important piece of real estate that we all together own as Americans."

McKibben candidly could give no guarantees that we still have time to slow down or reverse climate change or that there is even the political will to begin to tackle this massive problem. But he did have one rock solid guarantee that left the audience with some hope.

"There are lots of people around the world who will keep doing this work until the absolutely bitter end. They will continue to work as hard as they can to solve this problem."

Obama Turns Attention to Infrastructure

2010-09-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

The plan includes rehabilitating or reconstructing 150 miles of airport runways, while also installing a next generation air navigation system to reduce travel time and delays.

The Associated Press is reporting this morning that President Obama is calling on Congress to approve $50 billion in infrastructure spending to upgrade roads, railways and airports and spur long-term economic growth. Additionally, the President plans to call for the creation of a national infrastructure bank so there is a dedicated source of funding for national and regional infrastructure projects.

Obama will discuss the infrastructure plans at a Labor Day event later today in Milwaukee.

Click here for the link to the AP story on WashingtonPost.com.

2TUXD4DWWGRM

Sierra Club's Stunning Endorsement of Vincent Gray

2010-09-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

Mayor Adrien Fenty greets Metro subway riders. Picture courtesy of the website DCist.com

Picking up the Washington Post this morning my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe what I was reading. The Sierra Club had endorsed challenger Vincent Gray over incumbent Adrien Fenty for the Democratic nomination for mayor of our Nation's Capital (winning the September 14th primary is tantamount to a November election in this heavily Democratic city).

Gwyn Jones, chair of the Sierra Club D.C. chapter, was quoted as saying that "our decision was not a difficult one." Not a difficult one? That smug comment is an indicator that this was a wrong-headed decision from an ungrateful organization that has betrayed the greenest mayor Washington, D.C. has ever had.

So like the rest of their insecure and fickle Washingtonians, they would prefer their leader to listen to them instead of getting results. I guess reforming the education system, lowering the crime rate, improving city services and increasing the population are not enough. They want a mayor who will make promises he can't possibly keep and criticize our current mayor for making tough decisions that a "consensus-builder" like Gray will never make. But I digress. I'm not even talking about how much our beloved Mayor Fenty has done to green this city after decades of neglect and a car-first mentality.

In an email response, Political Committee Chair Chris Weiss stated that the Gray endorsement was a unanimous vote of both the Sierra Club political committee as well as a unanimous vote of the Sierra Club Executive Committee.

I'm curious what they think about Mayor Fenty's green accomplishments:

Formed a Green Team of over 80 members from over 40 agencies.
District Department of the Environment launched a Green D.C. website to educate and inform residents about green issues.
Installed bike lanes across the city including a bike lane down Pennsylvania Avenue, symbolizing the city and the nation's commitment to going green.
Promoted the Circulator bus, which has been a great success by getting people out of their cars. The Circulator continues to expand, most recently adding a Rosslyn-Georgetown-Dupont Circle route.
Instrumental in securing expanded bike sharing in D.C. and opening the new bike rental and storage facility at Union Station.
Put in place Gabe Klein who has transformed the Department of Transportation and has set in place an ambitious plan for 37 miles of streetcar lines of which two -- H Street NE and Anacostia -- are under construction and should be up and running by spring of 2012.

Picture I took this evening of the new Pennsylvania Avenue bike lanes.

Still not convinced? Below is video I took of Mayor Fenty and Mr. Gray talking about green issues at a debate at 6th and I Historic Synagogue. At a later point in the debate (not in the video) Gray talks about eliminating bus and bike lanes to make more room for car commuters (many of whom drive in from Virginia and Maryland). In this video Mayor Fenty touts his impressive record of installing bike lanes across the city and promoting alternative forms of transportation with initiatives such as adding more Circulator bus routes and moving ahead with laying down streetcar tracks in H Street NE and Anacostia.

Gray participated in the worst kind of political pandering at the next Washington Post-sponsored debate at the Newseum by stealing Mayor Fenty's lines from the previous debate and reversing his comments by saying that D.C. needs more bike lanes and less people driving. Of course he wasn't challenged about his cynical flip-flopping. But he did promise to lower parking meter rates which will attract even more motorists into the central city. It is easy to make promises Mr. Gray and tough to actually deliver, which is what Mr. Fenty has been doing for the past four years.

Perhaps this city just isn't ready for a forward-thinking and take-action kind of mayor such as Adrien Fenty. Well, if that is the case then it will truly be a sad day in our Nation's Capital on September 14th.

Here is the video:

Green D.C. Headlines: September 3, 2010

2010-09-02T21:04:00.000-07:00

Norfolk Southern to Cut Carbon Footprint 10% by 2014 (Environmental Leader)
Summary: Norfolk Southern has set a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per revenue ton-mile 10 percent by 2014, using 2009 as a baseline. The freight rail transportation company expects to reduce its carbon footprint through fuel-savings technology and improvements in operating efficiencies.

Judge quashes Cuccinelli subpoena of U-Va. records (Washington Post)
Summary: An Albemarle County Circuit Court judge has set aside a subpoena issued by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to the University of Virginia seeking documents related to the work of climate scientist and former university professor Michael Mann.

Real-time next train arrival information now available by phone (Metro)
Summary: Metrorail customers can now get real-time next train arrival information by phone, in addition to online and via web-enabled mobile devices.

I-66 Spot Improvement Now Under Construction (CommuterPlageBlog)
Summary: A "spot improvement" on westbound I-66 between the George Mason Drive and Sycamore Street is underway. These projects which are essentially short-distance widenings, have been the subject of great debate for more than a decade. VDOT has long wanted to widen I-66 to three lanes in each direction; Arlington, smart growth and environmental groups have been strongly opposed.

The First of Capital Bikeshare Stations Installed! (CommuterPageBlog)
Summary: The first of 114 stations has been installed in Crystal City.

Global Greening Effort (DowntownDC.org)
Summary: The Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Avenue) will be one of at least two federal sites where the US government will test a new pilot program designed to help businesses, governments and other organizations reduce energy use in their buildings.

Nike WVU Football Uniform Ad Enrages Activists For Appearing To Endorse Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining (Huffington Post)
Summary: Activists trying to stop mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia are furious over a Nike Inc. promotional ad for a new West Virginia football uniform designed in tribute to the 29 victims of the Upper Big Branch mine explosion.

The Smart-Growth Set (Washington City Paper)
Summary: Most fights among D.C. residents somehow involve parking. So you could argue that David Alpert’s introduction to local political warfare was only typical.

Group Bike Ride to Nationals Game

2010-09-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

Last Friday evening the Washington Nationals lost a ballgame. That is nothing new. But in attendance -- donning red curly W Nats hats given to them before the game -- was a group of Washingtonians who chose to bicycle to the ballgame. Now that is something different.

The popular area bike shop Revolution Cycles held the highly organized bike ride from their new City Hub bike rental and sharing location in Crystal City and in my view it was first class all the way. For only $40 they provided a bicycle, helmet, ticket, hat and a guided ride led by Revolution's bicycle advocate Angela Koch. She had already scouted the route which was just about perfect.

The City Hub staff made everything seamless by locking up all the bikes for us so we could focus on enjoying the game. They also had our bikes ready and waiting with headlights and tail lights turned on and glow sticks for us to wear around our necks for the night ride back across the Potomac River to Crystal City.

So while the Nationals lost the game against the St. Louis Cardinals, we all won because of the successful group bike ride thanks to Revolution Cycles. For more information on future group bike rides in the D.C. area click here for the City Hub events website.

Here are videos I took while on the bike trip. You can see the route we took from Crystal City to the Mount Vernon Trail past National Airport to the 14th Street Bridge to Hains Point to I-395 to Maine Avenue and the Southwest Waterfront and then down Half Street to Nationals Park at South Capitol Street.

And here are pictures from the event:

The bikes that City Hub provided us all had our name and a number on them and we were given an ID bracelet to wear with the number so we would easily identify which bike was ours.

Group leader Angela Koch gives pre-ride instructions at City Hub Crystal City.

Bike Trip from Purcellville to Leesburg

2010-09-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

45 miles west of Washington, D.C. lies the town of Purcellville, Virginia and the terminus of the Washington & Old Dominion Bike Trail. This is a great place to start a leisurely bike ride along the countryside of picturesque Loudoun County while breathing the fresh air not far from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

I recently took a 22-mile round trip bike ride from Purcellville to the historic town of Leesburg and it is one of the nicest rides I've been on. The relatively easy ride is mostly flat and shaded by big trees with a few hard climbs and takes you through working farms with horses and cows and other livestock as well as historic markers identifying places along the old railroad track. Electric and later diesel-powered streetcars brought passengers all the way from Washington, D.C. out to Leesburg and behind via rail.

Here are some pictures I snapped on the ride:

Downtown Leesburg

This Leesburg gas station is selling Bio Diesel.

Revenge of the Electric Streetcar

2010-08-31T15:31:00.000-07:00

The tracks have already been laid in this section of H Street NE near Union Station. The city is hoping these abandoned storefronts will be humming with new business activity when the streetcar line launches in the spring of 2012.

For a hundred years streetcars transported people in and around our Nation's Capital. At various times betwen 1862 to 1962 residents of Washington, D.C. enjoyed trolley service to historic neighborhoods such as Georgetown, Anacostia, Adams Morgan and even as far as Rockville, Maryland and Leesburg, Virginia.

At its peak in 1916 there were over 200 miles of streetcar tracks in the Washington area including 100 miles in the city. Now D.C. is moving forward with an ambitious effort to build 37 miles of modern electric streetcars and the tracks are being laid for the first two lines in Anacostia and H Street NE.

The local D.C. Sierra Club chapter has been active the past three years in working with the District Department of Transportation to get the lines built as fast as possible. They recently held a happy hour event at the Sova coffee shop in the Atlas District along H Street to celebrate the progress made and talk about the next steps forward.

"People are excited about it," said Sierra Club D.C. Transportation Committee Chair Jason Broehm, who organized the happy hour event on H Street. "It's an area that needs revitalization. Businesses are starting to move in here. We think that streetcars will bring a lot more economic investment in this corridor that really needs it."

The Sierra Club claimed two victories this past year -- successfully lobbying for $47 million in funding to ensure the H Street line begins operating in the spring of 2012; and pushing the D.C. council to pass legislation that temporarily allows overhead wires on the H Street corridor, which they hope will eventually become permanent (an 1889 federal law bans overhead wires in Georgetown and the historic center city.)

Advisory Neighborhood Commisioner Tony Richardson represents the H Street corridor and credits the Sierra Club with reviving the streetcars which had stalled a bit at DDOT.

"I live here. I'm about the community growing. I have a lot of businesses in my area. This is an up and coming area which is one of the reasons why I moved here. So to me it was a simple choice. It was logical for me to hop in and do my little part," said Richardson.

"The business people are elated. It can't come fast enough for them. They're looking forward to new customers. They're looking forward to people coming and not having to worry about parking. They've seen the studies. They've looked at other cities. They know the economic benefits to streetcar lines. So they're all aboard, no pun intended. They really want this thing to happen like yesterday."

More pictures of the H Street Corridor where a streetcar line will operate starting in the spring of 2012:

Green D.C. Headlines: August 30, 2010

2010-08-30T12:19:00.000-07:00

Picture courtesy of CommuterPageBlog

SLUGGING & BEYOND: First Regional Slugging & Dynamic Ridesharing Meeting (Ever) (CommuterPageBlog)
Summary: Monday, July 26, 2010 was a historic moment for the dynamic ridesharing movement in Washington, D.C. when Arlington County's Transportation Services hosted the first ever regional slugging and dynamic ridesharing coordination meeting at their Rosslyn offices.

Tesla Motors Considering K Street Location (DCist)
Summary: Who says the electric car is dead? The Washington Post is reporting that California-based Tesla Motors is close to leasing space on K Street for a dealership and service station. Tesla, founded in 2003, is a maker of luxury electric cars. The company raised more than $200 million with their IPO earlier this year. Tesla told the Post the location they are considering is at 1050 K Street, NW.

New Circulator Bus Route through Georgetown (The Georgetown Dish)
Summary: D.C.'s popular Circulator bus service introduced a route from Dupont Circle to Georgetown to Rosslyn. It operates Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Shelling Out For A Chesapeake Bay Oyster Comeback (NPR)
Summary: President Obama has pledged to make good on decades-old promises to restore the Chesapeake, the nation's largest estuary, and scientists and environmental activists say he needs oysters to help him do that.

Cardin bill undermines Clean Water Act (Baltimore Sun)
Summary: As written, the bill weakens the Clean Water Act, the one tool that we know can help us clean up our impaired waterways.

Warming could endanger Va.'s mountain wildlife (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Summary: Scientists fear that many high-living animals and plants will become stranded atop mountains that are too warm.

Dulles Metro station may be moved above ground (WTOP)
Summary: The original plans had the station under the parking lot in front of the terminal, but now the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority says they will consider an above-ground station that's farther from the terminal.

New ART Buses on a Route Near You! (CommuterPageBlog)
Summary: The ART bus fleet continues to improve with the recent delivery of four new buses to Arlington County.

DC's Streetcar Project Halted For Now (WUSA 9 News)
Summary: Contractors have been ordered to put the first phase of a $25 million pilot streetcar project in Anacostia into mothballs before work is complete, according to four sources close to the project.

Signs Stolen at Falls Church Bike Trail (My Fox DC)
Summary: The city leaders installed the signs on the evening of August 5. To their surprise, the very next day, six of the seven had been stolen.

It's Not Pepco's Fault the Weather is Changing (Chesapeake Climate Action Network)
Summary: Here’s the truth about the increasingly painful and widespread power outages in our region: It’s not Pepco’s fault.

TIGER II Redux (CommuterPageBlog)
Summary: The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) submitted a request for $12M USD to the U.S. Department of Transportation's TIGER II discretionary grant program for an expansion of the upcoming Capital Bikeshare service.

Graduating Green (The Georgetowner)
Summary: Many campuses in the D.C area are paving the way for future environmentalists by making their campuses green.

D.C. Public Transit Missing From Google Maps

2010-08-29T21:12:00.000-07:00

When I lived in Los Angeles I frequently used Google Maps to navigate the city via bus and rail. While the directions were not always as accurate or fast as they could be, it is still a handy tool for finding your way around a major city via mass transit.

That is why I was so bummed to find out that Washington, D.C. and Arlington County are not on board with Google Maps. Currently the ART commuter bus system and the entire Metro subway and bus system are not synced up, but oddly the D.C. Circulator bus and suburban Montgomery County bus systems are.

If Metro is serious about changing their image then one step in the right direction involves adding the transit agency to Google Maps. And when it comes to progressive transportation issues Arlington leads the country, which is why it is so puzzling that ART is not on Google Maps.

All the regional transit agencies should be linked up to Google Maps to provide comprehensive coverage of the entire D.C. area because you have to make it easy for people to abandon their cars for mass transit and Google Maps is one of the best tools in the arsenal for doing just that.

D.C. Mayoral Debate: Fenty, Gray Talk Green Issues

2010-08-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

Washington, D.C. mayoral candidates Vincent Gray, left, and Adrien Fenty look over their notes prior to their debate at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue on Tuesday night. The debate was moderated by ABC-7/WJLA-TV reporter Scott Thuman, far left.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrien Fenty and his opponent, Council Chairman Vincent Gray, participated in a debate at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue in Chinatown Tuesday night and the first question asked of the two candidates was regarding environmental initiatives in the District of Columbia.

Here is video I took of both of their responses. If you are a registered D.C. voter this hopefully will help you make a decision about who you want leading our Nation's Capital towards becoming a greener, more bike friendly and public transit oriented city with streetcars humming along once decaying but now vibrant neighborhoods. You decide.

Biden, Chu: Recovery Act Energizes Innovation

2010-08-24T22:06:00.001-07:00

Vice President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Steven Chu unveil a report with a new analysis on the impact of Recovery Act investments in innovation, science and technology at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building's South Court Auditorium on August 24, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

Vice President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Steven Chu held a press conference on Tuesday morning in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House to talk about a new report analyzing the Recovery Act's investments in science and technology breakthroughs.

The report, titled "The Recovery Act: Transforming The American Economy Through Innovation," was released by the Vice President's office and focuses on how federal seed money from the landmark legislation is spurring private sector growth in key areas related to American competitiveness in the 21st century global marketplace.

"Both the President and Vice President understand that innovation is directly tied to our nation’s future prosperity," said Chu in his opening remarks before Biden took to the podium. "It’s also hard-wired into our DNA. Throughout our history Americans have never been willing to accept that something can’t be done. We refuse to accept that any challenge is impossible. No matter what the challenge is we’ll find a way."

Chu went on to list some examples of innovation that are happening thanks to investments from the Recovery Act. They include cutting the cost of solar power in half by 2015, which will make installing solar panels on rooftops cost competitive with retail electricity from the grid; cutting the costs of advanced batteries for electric vehicles by 70% while at the same time adding "perhaps a hundred times the current energy storage capacity"; doubling U.S. renewable energy generation capacity and manufacturing by 2012; and building a smart grid "that lets appliances talk to the power grid, optimizing electricity use and saving consumers money."

"Our investments in innovation are creating jobs, creating new industries, making existing industries more competitive, and, in the process, they’re driving down costs for new technologies that are badly needed, and helping our nation reassert our place as the world’s center for inventors and entrepreneurs," said Biden about the Recovery Act report.

The Vice President explained the four investments the report focuses on. Here they are taken directly from the White House website's transcript of his comments:

1. Modernizing transportation, including advanced vehicle technology and high-speed rail;
2. Jumpstarting the renewable energy sector through wind and solar energy;
3. Investing in groundbreaking medical research; and
4. Building a platform that will enhance the private sector’s ability to innovate, through investments in broadband and the Smart Grid, by giving them the tools they need to grow.

"I want to see a day when you can pop the hood on your electric car made in Smyrna, Tennessee, to check on your advanced battery made in Holland, Michigan, or Noblesville, Indiana, and an electric motor made in Longmont, Colorado, as you recharge your vehicle at an electric charging station in San Diego," said Biden.

Here is the full video of Chu and Biden's remarks about the new Recovery Act report on innovation:

Q&A: Bicycle Advocate Angela Koch

2010-08-23T22:47:00.000-07:00

Coming from the bicycling mecca of Portland, Oregon, Angela Koch knows a thing or two about spokes and wheels. But her interest isn't in how to fix a derailleur gear or change a flat tire. Koch's passion is in educating people about the joy of choosing two wheels for fun and commuting.

That's why we in the D.C. area are lucky to have nabbed her from Portland. Koch is currently the Events & Advocacy Coordinator at popular bike shop Revolution Cycles.

She recently took time out of her busy schedule for an email Q&A with Green D.C.

Green D.C.: How did you first get involved in bicycle advocacy?

Angela Koch: I've lived car-free or car-lite for the past 15 years so bikes as a solution to a lot of problems has always been one of my interests. In 2007, I got a job with the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, a highly respected and effective statewide bike advocacy organization in Oregon. My title was Safe Routes to School Director, but my youngest daughter at the time (who was then 3) used to call me The President of Bicycling For Kids. I always thought of myself as just a programs person with a stronger interest in improving children's lives, but after three years in such a fantastic place, I couldn't help but evolve into a confident bike advocate.

GDC: You come from a city and state -- Portland, Oregon -- that has made great strides over the years in cultivating a bicycle culture and creating a biking infrastructure. Why did you decide to move to the Washington, D.C. area and how would you compare where this area is now compared to a place like Portland?

AK: My two motivating factors to move here were personal- moving to be closer to family- and professional- I found an amazing job with Revolution Cycles. They're doing cutting edge work as a retailer by taking on bike advocacy so directly and I wanted to be a part of that.

Comparing this area to Portland is a bit of an apples and oranges dance. Both areas are enjoying the benefits of the work of individuals and organizations that have been chipping away for years at improving infrastructure and changing policy in order to improve conditions for biking. Both areas also enjoy the benefits of very passionate people and groups who are working tirelessly to be innovative and thorough in their efforts.

The differences, I think, have more to do with the regional differences than with an attitude toward biking. In Portland, there are fewer jurisdictions that have to coordinate with each other, lower cost of living and housing costs that are better poised to support creating livable communities and an historically forward-thinking approach to planning and policy that supports sustainable initiatives such as biking. The biggest difference is mode split; Portland has a super high mode split for bikes.

DC is just plain bigger: there are three DOTs, federal land and security issues, trails managed by National Parks and a much larger metropolitan area that makes for a much larger ship to turn around when it comes to livability issues. The DC area is also a much more transitory place with people coming and going all the time so I imagine that affects our ability to make behavior change messages really stick. But, places like Arlington County are leading the way and are definitely very 'Portland' in their approach and the recent big changes in DC (bike boxes, contraflow lanes, bike lights) are incredibly exciting and right up there with Portland.

GDC: What is the biggest challenge you find in bike advocacy at the moment?

AK: Oh, don't hate me, but I think the biggest challenge has to do with the behavior of all road users and the tendency to lob grenades at each other from our respective bunkers. Seriously, every day I see people behaving badly - cyclists, drivers, pedestrians - and that makes it challenging to focus on the real issues of safety, livability, congestion mitigation, etc. It's kind of sad how quickly a thoughtful dialogue can deteriorate when you get thrown off track by individual stories of the time I saw a fill-in-the-blank do something stupid. My point of view? There are dummies out there but we shouldn't let them control the public discourse over an issue that's so vital to our community.

GDC: Do you have a particular success story you'd like to share in your work as a bicycle advocate?

AK: There are some really personal individual stories that warm my heart, but the most recent one really got me thinking about the bigger picture and the paradigm shift we're working toward. I just did a Ladies' Night event with the Georgetown GM, Katie Knight, in our store in Stafford. We had an awesome turnout and Katie and I had a blast talking to the group about how to ride, where to ride and why it's important that more women ride their bikes. Afterward, folks were mingling about and one lady pulled me aside. I was expecting a question about chamois cream or something embarrassing based on her hushed voice. Instead, she wanted to know about my life as a car-free mom of three. She shared that she's wanted to go car-free for a few years now and is trying to convince her husband. They're a military family, just moved here, and had hoped to get a place on the base so they could make the shift to car-free living. But they didn't, and she was bummed but still hopeful. I was struck by how shy she was about the conversation, as if she was admitting to a deep, dark secret. It was exciting to help her understand that there's no need to be so hard on herself, that what's important is to at least be thinking about it. Shifting your mindset to a less car-centric one is a great first step.

GDC: In a recent blog post titled "Be the Change" on the website CommuterPageBlog, you recap a recent family errands/shopping trip you took for your two kids by bicycle. It looks like it was a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience. When I was living in Los Angeles I would ask people why they drove instead of walking, biking or taking public transportation, and they would always say that they don't want to drive but their jobs (many of them were actors with portable wardrobes) require them to because they have to travel to multiple areas of L.A. in a single day with all their stuff. Your story is proof that it can be done without a car. What would you say to the car-free skeptics out there?

AK: I'd say what my step-dad used to say to me all the time growing up, "Can't never could." Again, it's a mindset. If you're creative enough and diligent enough, there's a solution out there to just about everything. The only thing holding you back is your own fear or skepticism and who wants to live life that way?!

GDC: Are there any interesting projects you are currently working on to make Arlington and Greater Washington a more bike-friendly community?

AK: From big picture to small picture, we're collecting signatures for the People For Bikes campaign that Bikes Belong is leading. This is a campaign to get 1 million people to sign in support of bikes so that when transportation funding is on the table at the federal level, advocates can honestly say they represent the wishes of 1 million people who want more transportation dollars allocated to bike projects. I'd love for people to come into any one of our stores and sign your name. It's that simple.

We're leading Hub Spin rides and hosting or collaborating on other fun events with partners to encourage as many people as possible to bike for the fun of it. On August 27, I'm leading a Hub Spin to a Nationals game, September 18 we're doing a bike scavenger hunt in Crystal City, and September 26 I'm leading a Progressive Dinner Hub Spin to Zaytanya, Oyumel and Jaleo. Also, on International Car-Free Day, September 22, our Clarendon store is hosting an event for local business leaders to learn more about the Arlington Transportation Partners' Car-Free Diet.

I'm also hoping to take our Ladies' Night events and grow those into a series suitable to different demographics and experience levels to share information and resources about bike safety, maintenance and advocacy. There are some specifics brewing, but you'll just have to stay tuned a bit for that.

And on a more micro level, I'm attending the Arlington and Rockville Bike Advisory Committee meetings and I'd like to get connected to the DC Bicycle Advisory Council meetings as well. We're starting to do research in the Stafford area to see how we can effect change down there. In addition, I've initiated our own Revolution Cycles Advocacy Committee in order to educate and energize our own staff to get more involved in bike advocacy work.

GDC: What advice do you have for both drivers and pedestrians in terms of sharing the road?

AK: Drivers: SLOW DOWN. Traffic calming is one of the best ways to reduce the number and severity of crashes. Wouldn't it be great if we didn't have to spend as much money on traffic calming treatments because everyone just naturally slowed down?

Pedestrians: Look both ways, make eye contact and cross where and when you're supposed to. It's pretty much the same for all road users: be smart and follow the law.

Mostly, all road users should try and remove labels and remember that we're all people just trying to get somewhere.

GDC: What can we learn from other places around the world in our transition to a multi-modal transportation system with spokes and wheels a part of the solution? Cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen seem like model bike-friendly areas that are able to share a lot of best practices with us.

AK: First and foremost, funding parity is critical in order to build the infrastructure necessary to support safe multi-modal transportation. What that means is that at the very least, we should spend the same percentage of transportation dollars on bikes as the percentage of trips made by bikes. It's a super simple concept that will leverage tremendous change that benefits entire communities and regions for a pretty small investment.

Next, get more people to ride bikes so that everyone is safer. It's a fact that as bike trip numbers rise, safety increases. And who should those people be? Women, families, grandma and grandpa - mainstream people using their bikes to get around and get life's work done and enjoy themselves while they're at it.

GDC: What are your thoughts on bike sharing, and particularly the new Capital BikeShare that is launching in September?

AK: I am so in love with bike share it's not even funny. Seriously, Revolution Cycles is a founding member of Capital BikeShare because it's going to get more butts on bikes, as we like to say. Anything communities can do to make cycling convenient and accessible is a step in the right direction and that is flat out what Capital BikeShare is doing. Thanks in a big way to all the electeds who supported it and made it happen.

GDC: Any other thoughts you'd like to share about bicycle advocacy in our Nation's Capital?

AK: This area is uniquely poised to make a tremendous difference because of the proximity to policy makers and power. I'm convinced that the more this region can model (flaunt?!) bikes as a viable form of transportation for a significant portion of the population, we'll reach a tipping point and it will be impossible for skeptics to continue to debate what I think is a total no-brainer issue. This is vital, exciting work and I'm glad to be a part of it!

How You Can Help Climate Refugees in Pakistan, Russia

2010-08-23T21:32:00.000-07:00

Climate Change -- the biggest threat to survival in the history of humanity -- is wreaking havoc upon Pakistan and Russia this summer. And just as the international community came to our aid when Global Warming hit us hard through Hurricane Katrina, we have a responsibility to pay it back as the second largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions next to China.

The Pakistan Floods have killed 2,000 people, destroyed nearly a million homes and displaced over twenty million people according to Wikipedia. The moonsoon rains that caused the flooding are said to be the worst in the area in 80 years.

Russia is experiencing its worst drought in 50 years and the hottest summer since records began 130 years ago. This is crippling its wheat industry. The government already declared a ban on wheat exports. It has also sparked severe wildfires that have cost an estimated $15 billion in damage so far and have forced President Dmitry Medvedev to declare a state of emergency.

And the poisonous smog from the wildfires reached Moscow where in addition to the brutal heat wave has caused an average of 700 deaths a day, twice the average. The smog and heat wave may have killed over 15,000 people so far. And the fires have affected areas contaminated by the Chernobyl disaster and there is fear that soil and plants contaminated by radioactive material could be released into the air and spread to other areas.

So what can you do to help? Click here for a list of relief organizations that are working hard to help the people suffering from these climate disasters. Please try to donate whatever you can.

The Dirty Truth About Big Oil: Citgo

2010-08-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

Citgo has been on an advertising blitz of late with full page ads in every glossy magazine on the newsstand. The oil and gas company wants you to believe that they are as American as apple pie with the tagline: "As Road Trips Go, This One Has Been Rolling 100 Years." There are pictures of happy American families at the gas station in the 1950s.

Don't believe it for a second.

While Citgo might have been born in America over a hundred years ago, it is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil company -- Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., (PDVSA). That's right. The Latin American nation run by fanatical anti-American leader Hugo Chavez also runs your neighborhood Citgo.

Here are a few gem quotes from Mr. Chavez:

“I hereby accuse the North American empire of being the biggest menace to our planet.”

"Let's save the human race, let's finish off the U.S. empire."

"Israel has gone mad. It's attacking, doing the same thing to the Palestinian and Lebanese people that it has criticised - and with reason - [in the case of] the Holocaust. But this is a new Holocaust."

Arlington Installs Smart Meters

2010-08-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

A recently installed smart meter at the intersection of Lee Highway and Harrison Street in North Arlington.

Dominion Virginia Power is currently testing smart meters in Arlington County through a pilot program. Of the 32,000 smart meters in Northern Virginia, 19,000 are being installed in Arlington. Replacing traditional meters with smart meters will be important for the coming smart power grid that will replace our outdated and overburdened electricity system to power America with 21st century technology.

This is the defintion of a smart meter from Wikipedia:

A smart meter, according to regulatory authorities, is an advanced meter (usually an electrical meter) that records consumption in intervals of an hour or less and communicates that information at least daily via some communications network back to the utility for monitoring and billing purposes (telemetering). Smart meters enable two-way communication between the meter and the central system.

Arlington to Bethesda to Georgetown by Bike

2010-08-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

Biking is a relative breeze in D.C. and the inner suburbs compared to many other cities. This was evident a couple of weekends ago during an easy bicycle ride through three very different areas in the Washington region.

From North Arlington I biked to the Martha Custis Trail, which is a separated biking and jogging trail that runs parallel to Interstate 66. The ride is very hilly but that is an advantage biking east towards The District as most of the biking is up small slopes and down long and steep grades. It is obviously much tougher taking the trip back west from the D.C. line to Falls Church City where the trail evens out a bit.

The same cannot be said for the Capital Crescent Trail, which runs from the C&O Canal towpath in Georgetown to Bethesda and then on to Silver Spring. After crossing the Key Bridge from Rosslyn to Georgetown I had to work the pedals a bit harder because the Capital Crescent Trail is more of a gradual continuous incline heading north towards Bethesda. So by the time you arrive in the downtown area of Bethesda you've gotten a decent workout.

After the 12 mile journey from North Arlington to Bethesda I had dinner, saw a movie and then headed back south towards Georgetown at dusk for the easy downhill trip. The Capital Crescent Trail is incredibly scenic with lush greenery, tall trees and amazing vistas of the Potomac River and the Virginia side. And as you get close to Georgetown there are the monumental views of the Nation's Capital and the hustle and bustle of lively G-Town.

I biked past Georgetown to the Foggy Bottom Metro Station and took my bike on the Orange Line subway to Ballston and then put my bike on the rack on the front of the ART bus which dropped me off across the street from my final destination in North Arlington.

Here are some more pictures I took of the ride on the Capital Crescent Trail:

Landmark Theatres Goes Green

2010-08-23T18:37:00.001-07:00

A recent trip to Landmark-owned Bethesda Row Cinemas revealed that the theater chain is reducing its carbon footprint by selling eco-friendly popcorn bags called EcoSelect. This is great news for moviegoers.

Here is the press release:

In honor of Earth Day, Landmark Theatres is initiating the launch of the new EcoSelect popcorn bag in its 55 theatres across the country.

EcoSelect popcorn bags are made of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified natural fiber—up to 50% of the energy used to produce the natural fiber is sourced from hydro power and renewable bio-fuels. The bags are printed with water-based inks on natural, chlorine-free paper and are 100% biodegradable.

“Our customer base not only loves independent film but are also environmentally conscious and this is one more way we feel we can connect with them in a positive way,” said Landmark Theatres’ CEO Ted Mundorff.

“Landmark Theatres sells almost 2 million bags of popcorn every year. It’s important to make improvements where you can and this is just one step in an ongoing effort,” said Damien Farley, Landmark Theatres’ Director of Concessions.

What's Swedish For Green?

2010-08-23T18:23:00.000-07:00

The answer is IKEA of course! Those big box yellow and blue suburban home furnishing stores are doing what they can to instill environmental values into everything they do.

Some lament that the super retailer has displaced local furniture stores around the world and there is also the little fact that founder Ingvar Kamprad was a member of the far-right fascist political group New Swedish Movement as a teen until 1948.

But I tend to look at the positives. And IKEA has come a long way in terms of treating employees with respect, community involvement and of course being a steward of the environment.

Here are a couple of pictures I snapped from the College Park, Maryland location on a recent trip.

And here is an excerpt from Wikipedia on IKEA's environmental initiatives:

Environmental performance

After initial environmental issues like the highly publicized formaldehyde scandals in the early 1980s and 1992, IKEA took a proactive stance on environmental issues and tried to prevent future incidents through a variety of measures. In 1990, IKEA invited Karl-Henrik Robèrt, founder of The Natural Step, to address its board of directors. Robert's system conditions for sustainability provided a strategic approach to improving the company's environmental performance. This led to the development of an Environmental Action Plan, which was adopted in 1992. The plan focused on structural change, allowing IKEA to "maximize the impact of resources invested and reduce the energy necessary to address isolated issues." The environmental measures taken, include the following:

Replacing polyvinylchloride (PVC) in wallpapers, home textiles, shower curtains, lampshades, and furniture—PVC has been eliminated from packaging and is being phased out in electric cables;

minimizing the use of formaldehyde in its products, including textiles;

eliminating acid-curing lacquers;

producing a model of chair (OGLA) made from 100% post-consumer plastic waste;

introducing a series of air-inflatable furniture products into the product line. Such products reduce the use of raw materials for framing and stuffing and reduce transportation weight and volume to about 15% of that of conventional furniture;

reducing the use of chromium for metal surface treatment;

limiting the use of substances such as cadmium, lead, PCB, PCP, and AZO pigments;

using wood from responsibly-managed forests that replant and maintain biological diversity;

using only recyclable materials for flat packaging and "pure" (non-mixed) materials for packaging to assist in recycling.

introducing rental bicycles with trailers for customers in Denmark.

More recently, IKEA has stopped providing plastic bags to customers, but offers reusable bags for sale. The IKEA restaurants also only offer reusable plates, knives, forks, spoons, etc. Toilets in some IKEA restrooms have been outfitted with dual-function flushers. IKEA has recycling bins for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), energy saving bulbs, and batteries. In 2001 IKEA was one of the first companies to operate its own cross-border freight trains through several countries in Europe.

In August 2008, IKEA also announced that it had created IKEA GreenTech, a €50 million venture capital fund. Located in Lund (a college town in Sweden), it will invest in 8–10 companies in the coming five years with focus on solar panels, alternative light sources, product materials, energy efficiency, and water saving and purification. The aim is to commercialise green technologies for sale in IKEA stores within 3–4 years.

Kimpton Cares About Environment

2010-08-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday evening the meet-up group Green Drinks Arlington held a mixer event at the Hotel Palomar in Rosslyn. The hotel is located near the Orange Line Metro Station with spectacular views of Georgetown and Downtown D.C. across the Potomac River.

A spokesperson from Kimpton Hotels, which owns Palomar, explained the company's green initiatives to the attendees enjoying their happy hour beverages. Some examples of their eco-friendly products and practices include:

No styrofoam or disposable cups
Paper recycling containers in all meeting rooms
Environmentally safe cleaning products
In-room recycling program
Organic food and beverages in honor bars
Elimination of phone books
Water-saving shower heads, faucets and toilets
Energy efficient lighting

Kimpton is a shining example to other companies in the hospitality industry that going green can be done without sacrificing quality or the bottom line.

Green D.C. Headlines: August 23, 2010

2010-08-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

Va. submits high-speed rail request (Washington Post)
Summary: Virginia has submitted new applications requesting federal funding for high-speed rail, including more than $50 million for the I-95 corridor between Richmond and the District, the commonwealth said yesterday.

Arlington expands HOT lanes lawsuit, discrimination claims (Washington Examiner)
Summary: Charges of race discrimination are a big part of the Arlington County Board's high-occupancy toll lanes lawsuit against Virginia and the federal government, which accuses several federal and state transportation officials of civil rights violations.

Traffic lights for bikes? (Washington Post)
Summary: An experimental project has had traffic signals added on New Hampshire Avenue to shepherd cyclists across 16th Street, and if it's successful, more lights for cyclists could be on the way on U Street.

Washington region bike-sharing network to start (Washington Post)
Summary: Cyclists can sign up for the region's new bike-sharing network, Capital Bikeshare, which is scheduled to debut next month.

Falls Church to end George bus service amid grim budget forecast (Washington Post)
Summary: Falls Church is terminating its local bus service after eight years because of a bleak budget forecast.

Energy Efficiency Shopping Spree

2010-08-12T14:45:00.001-07:00

I wasn't planning to buy energy efficiency products, but at a recent visit to Target I was so excited that this massive chain store was selling this technology that I couldn't resist. And plus they were all selling at clearance prices so who could turn down saving money up front, saving money on energy bills long term, and of course helping save the planet by reducing electricity use from dirty coal-fired power plants.

The first items I purchased were Energizer rechargeable batteries and an Energizer battery charger. The charger juices up any AA and AAA batteries which of course means less batteries ending up in toxic landfills. And all the chargers are Energy Star certified.

The next items were all from a company called Practecol. Here is the company info from their website:

"Practecol is the first home sustainability brand with a cohesive collection of superior, simple-to-install-and-use products that promote sustainability. Our company equips consumers with the tools needed to reduce their environmental impact at home while saving money. Even our packaging is eco-friendly. Each Practecol product is packaged in an eco-friendly Prac-PacTM and is recyclable, recycled or biodegradable. The paper is made of 80% post consumer waste and is printed with renewable, soy based inks. All plastic packaging is partially made from pre-consumer recycled plastic and is 100% recyclable.

Eco-frugal

A new movement toward an “eco-frugal lifestyle” is sweeping the country as consumers seek opportunities and solutions to save money while also preserving valuable natural resources. In response to the growing number of consumers who want to save money and protect the planet, Practecol offers a one-stop holistic solution to finding and evaluating products designed to optimize energy consumption, weatherize the home and conserve water.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to be the first home sustainability brand to provide consumers with a cohesive collection of superior, simple-to-install-and-use products that promote sustainability. Our focus is to reduce environmental impact, consistently adopt green manufacturing practices and deliver a compelling economic value to our customers through rapid payback.

Ethos

Save and Sustain. Simply."

The Energy Monitoring Consumption Meter is a great way to start to take control of your energy use. You just plug it into the wall outlet and then plug the appliance into the device and over a 24-hour period it monitors how much energy is used so you can find out where the energy hogs are and reduce or eliminate them. It tells you the kilowatts used per hour, the total price at a default of twelve cents per kilowatt hour (this can be changed to reflect your actual electricity rate) and more.

The Refrigerator Kit reduces electricity wattage through a temperature gauge for an optimal 36-38 degree environment, an alarm that goes off when the door is open for more than one minute since this wastes valuable electricity, and a dirty coil cleaner.

Lastly, I purchased a couple of Simple Switch Outlet Adapters which helps stop wasted standby power. You just plug in the device and then plug the appliance into the device and when the appliance is turned off you flip the switch to eliminate vampire energy suckers when the appliance is on standby mode. The website claims that you can save $40 a year by flipping the switch to eliminate standby power each time you turn off your TV.

And there are many products that will soon be available nationwide at Target and other retailers such as water saving devices, weather sealers and more.

Videos: Russia Launches new HSR and Global Warming FAQ

2010-08-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

Russia has launched their second high speed rail line that will travel at speeds of up to 250 kmph and whisk passengers from Moscow to St. Petersburg.

Five frequently-asked questions about global warming, covering sources, the influence of particulate pollution, the impact of the sun, and possible solutions.

Green Headlines: August 11, 2010

2010-08-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

MWAA considers moving Dulles Airport Metro stop (Greater Greater Washington)
Summary: The Washington Post reported today that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is building the Silver Line, is considering moving the proposed Metro station at Dulles Airport away from the terminal.

New Contraflow Bike Lanes Installed At 16th and U Streets NW (DCist)
Summary: Cyclists now have a legal lane beginning at T Street which they can use along New Hampshire Avenue to safely and orderly access U Street and 16th Street.

U Street block planning to go green (Washington Examiner)
Summary: A prominent U Street block has been selected to go green with the help of a Colorado nonprofit.

The car is still king of D.C. area commute (Washington Post)
Summary: Nicholas Ramfos, director of the Commuter Connections service, wants to help people find the best way to get to work while imposing the least stress on the D.C. region's transportation system. He couches this goal in the language of commuters: "It's all about time and money."

Empire State Building going green (Physorg.com)
Summary: The Empire State Building is being converted into an eco-friendly skyscraper, transforming the landmark into a "green" architectural marvel as part of a multimillion-dollar upgrade.

Green Transition Scoreboard™ Tops $1.6 Trillion in 2010 (Ethical Markets)
Summary: The Green Transition Scoreboard™ from Ethical Markets, the independent global multi-media company, tracks total private investment in companies growing the green economy since 2007. The mid-2010 update shows a rise to $1,646,719,228,993 from $1.24 trillion at the end of December 2009.

50 Best Twitter Feeds To Stay On Top Of Green News (Top Online Engineering Degree)
Summary: With the green movement consistently gaining momentum thanks to the passionate efforts of activists worldwide, those interested in learning more about its philosophies and applications desire to dig up as many news stories as possible

Biotech offers promise for producing fuel (LA Times)
Summary: The announcement of an altered bacterium with fuel-production abilities is the latest breakthrough in the fast-expanding field of 'synthetic biology.'

USPS Goes Green (Alternative Energy)
Summary: In strict adherence to guidelines released by the Department of Energy, the United States Postal Service gets on a fast track to reach the goal for energy reduction. Green roofs, green buildings and an optimally efficient management system of energy consumption form part of the energy-reduction strategy.

As the green economy grows, the 'dirty rich' are fading away (Washington Post)
Summary: Big business is more divided on energy and the environment than ever before, and the growing rift reflects major power shifts in the economy.

New Penn Station Can't Come Soon Enough

2010-08-11T11:33:00.000-07:00

New York City's Pennsylvania Station -- the busiest train stop in America -- is the ultimate symbol of our nation's shameful neglect of rail travel over the past sixty years.

As opposed to the impressiveness of historic Grand Central Terminal or the efficiency of modern European and Asian high-speed rail stations, Penn Station is the forgotten stepchild of transportation hubs.

Right now Penn Station is a mess. It is cramped, ugly, hot, smelly and forces passengers to huddle around the big arrival and departure board to wait for the gate announcement at literally the last minute before a mad scramble to crush each other while trying to get down the one escalator to the train tracks. It is not the way people should arrive or exit the greatest city in the world.

In fact there are third-world train stations that are easier and more pleasant than Penn Station. And like rubbing salt in the wound, Shanghai, China's high-speed rail station has installed a massive solar-power system. From the UPI story:

"The project is the world's largest stand-alone integrated photovoltaic -- or BIPV -- project, reports China's state-run news agency Xinhua.

Using 20,000 solar panels, the 6.68-megawatt system covers an area of 73,000 square yards.

The system, which started transmitting power to the grid in Shanghai Sunday, is capable of producing 6.3 million kilowatts hours of electricity each year, supplying power to 12,000 households in Shanghai.

The solar-powered train station has produced 300,000 kilowatts of power since it began operating in early July. It is expected to reduce coal consumption by 2,254 tons and cut carbon emissions by 6,600 tons."

But Penn Station hasn't always been such an awful place. Before the controversial construction of Madison Square Garden that started in 1963 demolished it, the old Penn Station was one of NYC's finest landmarks with its grand Romanesque architecture. It represented America's golden age of rail travel.

But thankfully there are plans in the works for a new Penn Station and while there have been many delays, it appears that the project is back on track again thanks to an injection of federal stimulus money. The original plans were initiated by the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

The station would be built across Eighth Avenue at New York's General Post Office, The James Farley Post Office. From Wikpedia:

"On February 16, 2010, $83.4 million from the federal government's TIGER program was awarded to the Moynihan Station project, which together with $169 million from other sources allows the first phase of construction to be fully funded. New construction plans include two new entrances from West of Eighth Avenue through the Farley Building, doubled length and width of the West End Concourse, thirteen new "vertical access points" (escalators, elevators and stairs) to the platforms, doubled width of the 33rd Street Connector between Penn and the West End Concourse, and other critical infrastructure improvements including platform ventilation and catenary work. On July 30, 2010, the New York state government approved the plans; as a result, construction is expected to begin in October 2010, with completion of the first phase scheduled for 2016."

GPS Reduces GHG

2010-08-11T09:59:00.001-07:00

Getting lost or taking a longer route while driving has real consequences for the environment. That is why installing an in-car global positioning system (GPS) is important for those who get behind the wheel frequently because it helps drivers stay on course and navigate the fastest route to their destination -- saving fuel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

And now there are many GPS devices that include real-time traffic information so there is the ability to not have to sit in congestion with the engine idling, thus further reducing tailpipe emissions and the need for more fuel.

Many commuters live in places or work types of jobs where public transit, walking or biking is simply not an option. So GPS is a great option for frequent drivers concerned about reducing our addiction to oil and lessening our own pollution.

Going Green: Staples and Office Depot

2010-08-10T22:29:00.000-07:00

Arlington Office Depot

Arlington Staples

Sports For Nature

2010-08-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

Reston-based Sports for Nature was represented at this year's Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Rock Creek Park. Click here for their website. And here is the company's description from Wikipedia:

"Sports For Nature is an initiative that started in 2007 that benefits environmental non-profit organizations through participatory sporting events. This unique concept harnesses the immense power of sports to benefit the environment and brings thousands of people together every year to play sports for nature in events around the world.

These events directly benefit environmental organizations with funds and publicity. Sports for Nature maintains the idea that "sports + nature = healthier people in a healthier world."

Skybuilt: Green Power On The Go

2010-08-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

Arlington-based Skybuilt designs portable renewable power stations for the Department of Defense and CIA and has been called the "Dell of renewable energy systems."

The company is currently displaying a demonstration unit in a parking lot off Interstate 66 and Quincy Road in the Ballston area. The solar and wind power combination provides an impressive glimpse into our clean energy future.

DC Vintage Cycles

2010-08-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

Once again I was biking in Arlington (is there a trend here?) and noticed two guys selling recycled bicycles at the Courthouse Flea Market. Click here for the DC Vintage Cycles website and learn more about the great work Dan and Larry are doing in the community to make biking fun, easy and affordable.