Written by Alex Schultz, ERS Did you know that the United States produced 278 million tons of municipal waste in 2017 – equivalent to 4.51 pounds per person, per day? Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22, which makes now a great time to reflect on ways we can make more sustainable choices in our everyday … Read more
This article was originally published on utilitydive.com on April 6, 2020. In an effort to halt the spread of COVID-19, at least 20 states have stopped retrofits under the federal low-income Weatherization Assistance Program, according to the National Association for State Community Services Programs. Remaining states have left the decision up to local coordinators, some … Read more
This article was written by Brian McCowan, ERS, on April 1, 2020. New Hampshire history buff repurposes Trebuchets for peak load shaving energy storage Florent “Fritzy” Fritterman was hurling pumpkins at the reproduction castles he had built when he was struck by an idea. “I had read on Zondits,” said Fritterman, “about the growing need … Read more
This article was originally published on energynews.us on 3.17.2020. Public schools in Maine this month can get extra financial assistance to install LED lighting. Aside from being a cleaner source of energy, efficiency experts say the new technology can save a lot of money in the long term for schools, where lights are one of … Read more
This article was originally published on news.usc.edu on Feb. 27, 2020. On a misty Saturday morning, a giant crane lifted 1,100-pound pallets loaded with solar panels on top of the Galen Center. The heavy lift is a first step toward sustainability for the 14-year-old venue. Unlike many of the University Park Campus’s venerable Romanesque revival … Read more
This article was originally published on esf.edu on March 3, 2020. The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is the first college in New York state and the third in the nation to sign the #breakfreefromplastic campus pledge, committing to develop a roadmap to a plastic-free campus by 2025. This pledge was developed … Read more
This article was originally published on neea.org on Feb. 11, 2020. Commercial buildings represent about 19 percent of U.S. energy use; of that, about 20 percent is lighting. To take the next big leap in lighting efficiency, the Northwest is turning to a promising solution: luminaire level lighting controls (LLLCs). LLLCs combine LEDs with integrated controls … Read more
This article was originally published on washingtonpost.com on Feb. 11, 2020. DENVER — The state of Colorado and three small businesses are trying a novel approach to reduce carbon emissions that sounds like something out of the fever dreams of Willie Nelson: using carbon dioxide produced from beer brewing to help marijuana plants grow. Denver … Read more
This article was originally published on coloradocollege.edu Colorado College has achieved carbon neutrality, a goal it set in 2009 when it committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2020. After a decade of work, the ambitious target has been met — even as the college increased its building footprint by more than 10% during that time. … Read more
Written by Shannon Dracup, ERS We’re taking a look at the environmental impacts of the fashion industry, a topic that is not often discussed when we think about sustainability. The fashion industry is one of the most lucrative and destructive industries on the planet, and its environmental damage is only increasing as the industry grows. … Read more