Federal Stimulus Money Will Weatherize Homes
Millions of federal dollars that were held up in the state budget impasse, will be used to weatherize Pennsylvania homes. The state has been awarded $123 million dollars in stimulus money for a program that's expected to reach almost $253 million dollars. The cash is expected to save or create nearly 1,000 jobs in the state over the next 2 and a half years. This stimulus is very similar to the stimulus money reeived by Texas to weatherize homes in Austin, TX - Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and many of the other large cities throughout our state.
Craig Heim is the Executive Director of the Office of Energy Conservation and Weatherization.
Heim: We're at the point now where we're reviewing the plans of each of these agencies. Some will be approved right away and in some cases we'll want to sit down with agencies and refine the plans that they have. If we find that some of the agencies are failing in their production we'll consider bringing new organizations in.
Local groups in Pennsylvania have had several months to prepare for the large infusion of cash and the sevenfold increase in weatherization services. One of the organizations expecting to get money is the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation. A spokesperson says the money will allow PHDC to do more weatherstripping, pipe wrapping, and heating system repairs.
In Austin TX, energy efficiency measures similar to those mentioned above, should be moving forward around mid-October according to our sources. Weatherstripping, Weatherization, attic insulation, radiant barrier, blower door test, energy audits, duct blaster tests and other energy efficiency measures will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously making the the homes around Austin Texas more energy efficient -and therefore reducing energy costs. Texas Gas and Austin energy both provide rebate programs. Here is a link
http://www.austinenergy.com/energy%20efficiency/Programs/Rebates/index.htm
For more information, contact:
www.greencollaroperations.com
Friday, August 28, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Harry Reid pushes for energy efficiency measures such as insulation, radiant barrier and insulation that Austin Energy provides rebates on
Energy efficiency should be the first source we turn toward to meet energy demand and reduce consumers' bills" said Reid, who is a key figure in the energy and climate bill being considered by Congress. "It creates more jobs than nearly every other energy investment and the cheapest, cleanest, safest energy is the energy we never have to use."
Harry Reid commented on energy efficiency of both residential and commercial buildings at the Clean Energy Summit in Nevada. Programs similar to those offered by Austin Energy, which provide rebates for things like weatherization, duct sealing, attic insulation, radiant barrier and other energy efficiency measures in Austin TX, are just a few of the ideas that were mentioned at the conference. Other attendees included Al Gore, former President Bill Clinton, and green jobs advocate Van Jones.
For more information on the Austin Energy rebate program please visit www.austinenergy.com or go to www.greencollaroperations.com
Harry Reid commented on energy efficiency of both residential and commercial buildings at the Clean Energy Summit in Nevada. Programs similar to those offered by Austin Energy, which provide rebates for things like weatherization, duct sealing, attic insulation, radiant barrier and other energy efficiency measures in Austin TX, are just a few of the ideas that were mentioned at the conference. Other attendees included Al Gore, former President Bill Clinton, and green jobs advocate Van Jones.
For more information on the Austin Energy rebate program please visit www.austinenergy.com or go to www.greencollaroperations.com
Monday, August 10, 2009
Green Energy "brainstorm" in California-
It's a gorgeous 90-degree day here at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, and Fortune magazine (spearheaded by Marc Gunther) has assembled the world's top business and technology leaders here for a second annual green "brainstorm."
Marriott, Walmart, IBM, Starbucks, Ford, McDonalds, Dell, Toyota, HP, Microsoft and GE as well as top environmental nonprofits Conservation International (CI), Environmental Defense (EDF), Rainforest Action Network (RAN), and dozens more organizations at the forefront of the green business revolution report on their latest environmental initiatives and explore how to deepen their corporate commitments to sustainability while making money during a recession.
One impressive addition ... our very own Mother Nature Network is represented by both Joel Babbit and Chuck Leavell, who played one kick-ass acoustic set last night on the Ritz's grand piano (man, is he talented)!
In dramatic contrast to the Wall Street Journal's similar effort in March, this event abandons the punch & judy sideshow approach to getting press. Here no one is wasting time debating the larger climate issues, and it is quite clear that everyone at the upper echelon of corporate America is fully on board and mobilized in an attempt to gain a leadership position in the emergent green economy.
Already several stories have broken here. Last night, Green pundit Paul Hawken announced that his new company with biomimicry guru Janine Benyus called OneSun is fully funded (and in fact the first funding round was oversubscribed) and will be producing a $17 solar panel that is modeled after the most sophisticated energy technology on the planet -- the leaf.
And this morning on a panel with the sustainability directors of Marriott, Starbucks, and Dell, Starbucks announced that tomorrow morning it will be publishing (online only) its new corporate sustainability report, which includes a brand new program that looks into monetizing the carbon value of the land that their coffee growers manage, letting local growers gain additional revenues by taking their carbon credits to the voluntary carbon market.
Right now, I'm at a panel called "Green Superpowers" with the directors of sustainability for WalMart, GE and IBM. Walmart VP Leslie Dach just led a "packaging summit" where its 300 packaging suppliers presented the latest in efficient and biodegradable packaging. But Bill Valentine from HOK socked it to him saying packaging is great, but "Walmart is sucking the life out of the small town." How can it put the life back into a building sustainable community? Walmart's response: they are working on "rightsizing" their stores.
Marriott, Walmart, IBM, Starbucks, Ford, McDonalds, Dell, Toyota, HP, Microsoft and GE as well as top environmental nonprofits Conservation International (CI), Environmental Defense (EDF), Rainforest Action Network (RAN), and dozens more organizations at the forefront of the green business revolution report on their latest environmental initiatives and explore how to deepen their corporate commitments to sustainability while making money during a recession.
One impressive addition ... our very own Mother Nature Network is represented by both Joel Babbit and Chuck Leavell, who played one kick-ass acoustic set last night on the Ritz's grand piano (man, is he talented)!
In dramatic contrast to the Wall Street Journal's similar effort in March, this event abandons the punch & judy sideshow approach to getting press. Here no one is wasting time debating the larger climate issues, and it is quite clear that everyone at the upper echelon of corporate America is fully on board and mobilized in an attempt to gain a leadership position in the emergent green economy.
Already several stories have broken here. Last night, Green pundit Paul Hawken announced that his new company with biomimicry guru Janine Benyus called OneSun is fully funded (and in fact the first funding round was oversubscribed) and will be producing a $17 solar panel that is modeled after the most sophisticated energy technology on the planet -- the leaf.
And this morning on a panel with the sustainability directors of Marriott, Starbucks, and Dell, Starbucks announced that tomorrow morning it will be publishing (online only) its new corporate sustainability report, which includes a brand new program that looks into monetizing the carbon value of the land that their coffee growers manage, letting local growers gain additional revenues by taking their carbon credits to the voluntary carbon market.
Right now, I'm at a panel called "Green Superpowers" with the directors of sustainability for WalMart, GE and IBM. Walmart VP Leslie Dach just led a "packaging summit" where its 300 packaging suppliers presented the latest in efficient and biodegradable packaging. But Bill Valentine from HOK socked it to him saying packaging is great, but "Walmart is sucking the life out of the small town." How can it put the life back into a building sustainable community? Walmart's response: they are working on "rightsizing" their stores.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Mckinsey Study Says Energy Efficiency Measures Similar To Those Performed By Contractors Like Green Collar Operations Would Save $700 Billion
McKinsey says that an energy efficiency push over the next 10 years could save the US Economy $700 BILLION (Yes, Billion) over the next decade.
Although implementing this program would cost roughly $520B to put in place, they estimate that through 2020, 1.2 TRILLION could be saved. This all by implementing measures similar to those that Austin Energy gives rebates on. Not bad, huh?
In the process, efficiency could meet 23% of America's future electricity demand. But in order to get their, overall charges would need to go up by roughly 8%- in order to eventually offset the 24% savings. What does this mean for you? Start looking at the rebates Austin Energy, TXU, Texas Gas and other providers in Central Texas offer for things like Radiant Barrier, Attic Insulation, Weatherization and Duct Sealing.
www.greencollaroperations.com
Although implementing this program would cost roughly $520B to put in place, they estimate that through 2020, 1.2 TRILLION could be saved. This all by implementing measures similar to those that Austin Energy gives rebates on. Not bad, huh?
In the process, efficiency could meet 23% of America's future electricity demand. But in order to get their, overall charges would need to go up by roughly 8%- in order to eventually offset the 24% savings. What does this mean for you? Start looking at the rebates Austin Energy, TXU, Texas Gas and other providers in Central Texas offer for things like Radiant Barrier, Attic Insulation, Weatherization and Duct Sealing.
www.greencollaroperations.com
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Radiant Barrier, Attic Insulation and other energy efficiency measures are about to have a cost tied to them in Michigan
A utility in Michigan is about to begin following Austin Energy's lead and begin charging customers a surcharge to help pay for it's newly implemented rebate program....
Customers will pay — 71 cents for (residential electric customers)and $1.72 a month for those who use natural gas. An additional fee of $2.50 a month will appear on bills starting this fall....Not too sure how succesful they will be in implementing the program - but with the cold weather in Michigan, I am sure the Attic Insulation rebates will be getting turned in left and right....
Customers will pay — 71 cents for (residential electric customers)and $1.72 a month for those who use natural gas. An additional fee of $2.50 a month will appear on bills starting this fall....Not too sure how succesful they will be in implementing the program - but with the cold weather in Michigan, I am sure the Attic Insulation rebates will be getting turned in left and right....
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