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When it comes to fossil fuels, almost all of the externalities are damaging costs (from causing cancers to leaks polluting local waters to driving climate chaos). When it comes to ‘green’ action, almost all of the externalities are positive (improved health, ecosystem resiliency, productivity). Assessing these co-benefits and including them in decision-making should drive faster […]

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Governor Northam has a real opportunity – assuming he seizes it – to set Virginia on a path toward increased prosperity, improved security, and global leadership this fall. “Virginia law requires the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) to write a ten-year Energy Plan in the first year of every new administration. The statute lists […]

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 Trade show spaces often have interesting surprises and value at conferences. Currently on through tomorrow in Washington, DC, EcoBuild America‘s trade show has been the source of intriguing leads and items every time I’ve visited. (Note, I was told that this is free to visit if all you wish to do is go to the […]

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Construction and use of buildings account for a major share of global warming emissions. Depending on how one calculates, allocating roughly 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to this built infrastructure is roughly correct.  Heating … cooling … lighting … building materials … etc, it all adds up (and up … and up). […]

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The day before the 40th Earth Day, VP Joe Biden kicked off a series of White House actions and announcements with an excellent initiative: selection of 25 communities for up to $452 million in Recovery Act funding to “ramp-up” energy efficiency building retrofits. Under the Department of Energy’s Retrofit Ramp-Up initiative, communities, governments, private sector […]

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Try an experiment with paint. Paint one side of a piece of wood with low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint and lay it to dry somewhere in the house. Wait a day or two, paint the other side with traditional. The difference will be clear. When it comes to cleaning, however, too many of us have […]

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Clean Energy Jobs Go Home: $30 Billion to put 4.5 Million to Work This is part of a series of brief posts on ‘clean energy jobs‘ opportunities for sparking meaningful employment, quickly, in the United States as discussed in Clean Energy Jobs: Stimulate Me. Investing in building energy efficiency is one of the most effective […]

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This is part of a series of posts on ‘clean energy jobs’ opportunities for sparking meaningful employment, quickly, in the United States as discussed in Clean Energy Jobs: Stimulate Me. Clean Energy Jobs Go to School: $50 billion / year to support 1,000,000 Clean Energy Jobs America’s public schools are, in some cases all too […]

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With our ever mounting trade and budget deficits, unemployment above 10 percent (and, dependent on counting, un- and under-employment above 20 percent), looming peak oil and other resource (water, for example) limitations, enviornmental challenges, and ever-mounting climate chaos , we are in a very serious situation. Our serious challenges are, as the previous sentence suggests, […]

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Since diving into the deep end when it comes to energy issues, almost every day sees new fascinating concepts, approaches, and technologies. Fascinating … exciting … even hope inspiring at times. And, as well, as the passion builds, so many of these are truly Energy COOL. When determining how to prioritize action using, by definition, […]

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