On January 31st, the two-day R20 Conference: “Implementing the Sustainable Energy Future” begins in Vienna, Austria. R20 is the Regions of Climate Change. This 2-day conference, which will be opened by Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Federal Chancellor of Austria Werner Faymann and the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, is focused on bringing together … Continue reading Save these dates – January 31st to February 1st
Tag: local & regional
New York gives new push to improve energy performance of its public buildings
Greenbiz.com provides us with an important new executive order by outgoing Governor of the state of New York to improve the energy efficiency of it’s state buildings. It ranks amongst the most ambitious in the USA. There is a very interesting comment below on comparing some of its older buildings to LEED-certified ones. How … Continue reading New York gives new push to improve energy performance of its public buildings
Making our cities more energy efficient
Cities are getting a lot of attention globally because of their high energy consumption and their potential to make significant savings. Dr. Mayarani Praharaj from the Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, provides a detailed account of some of the issues and the initiatives underway Bhubaneswar for the Daily Pioneer in Delhi and … Continue reading Making our cities more energy efficient
Municipality uses energy services company
The Republican-American newspaper in Connecticut in the United States gives us an important example of how using performance contracting has become a winning proposition. The article discusses many of the issues related to using such financing mechanisms. Improvements without bonds – Energy savings committed to pay for projects Cheshire Town leaders believe they have found … Continue reading Municipality uses energy services company
Fossil fuel freedom in Manitoba
The Gallon Environment Letter states that Manitoba is adopting a Clean Energy Strategy announced November 20, 2012 by Innovation, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak who said, "Building on our strengths, this new plan sets the province on a course that will ensure reliable, affordable energy for future generations, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and maximize local … Continue reading Fossil fuel freedom in Manitoba
A very targeted financial instrument – for one weekend a year
The fayobserver.com in Fayetteville, North Carolina in the United States reports that North Carolina holds a sales tax holiday on the purchases of certain energy-efficient appliances on the first full weekend of November every year. If the appliances were Energy Star-qualified, met energy-efficiency guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and were purchased during … Continue reading A very targeted financial instrument – for one weekend a year
Pushing green energy in France
Marion Douet writes for the Reuters news agency about the important but difficult role of local government to push for a greater share of green energy in France, given how centralised electricity production is. France needs more local power for green energy shift Centralised France may lack the clout at local government level to … Continue reading Pushing green energy in France
Reaction to use of LED lighting for streetlights
Kale Roberts reports in Mother Earth News on a recent survey taken of the reaction to the use of LED lighting in US cities. Energy Efficient LED Lighting Hits the Streets: 95 Percent of Cities Satisfied There are more than 50 million streetlights in the United States. From parking lots to park trails to bridges, … Continue reading Reaction to use of LED lighting for streetlights
How shale gas is affecting energy efficiency discussions
John Funk of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported on the discussions underway at an energy efficiency conference at the end of September. What it shows is that there are many who are now questioning the focus on energy efficiency when such cheap energy supply is available. Shale gas dominates energy efficiency conference The steady … Continue reading How shale gas is affecting energy efficiency discussions
The Eiffel Tower sets important example for using renewables in Paris
With the public sector expected to play an exemplary role to convince the public of the importance of sustainable energy policies, no greater symbol could there be in Paris than using the Eiffel Tower. This article by Guillaume Duhamel of Zegreenweb.com provides a refreshing example of an innovative sustainable energy project. Renewable energy takes … Continue reading The Eiffel Tower sets important example for using renewables in Paris
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 