Don Green Environmental

Chattanooga VW Factory: First LEED Platinum in U. S.

2011-12-01T09:48:00.001-06:00

Volkswagen’s Chattanooga auto assembly plant is the first factory in the U.S. to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum certification, officials said today.

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New Florida Nutrient Propsed Rules

2011-11-07T08:11:00.002-06:00

“If adopted, these rules will be the most comprehensive nutrient pollution limitations in the nation, and will serve to protect our rivers, lakes, streams, springs and estuaries,’’ DEP Secretary Herschel Vinyard said.
“The proposed rule reflects significant progress in protecting the state’s critical aquatic resources and we are hopeful that it will be fully enacted without modification,’’ said EPA regional administrator Gwendolyn Keyes Fleming.
But environmentalists accused both agencies of “capitulating’’ to powerful industries and political pressure from both parties in Washington and Tallahassee in crafting rules they charge already contain too many loopholes.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/02/2484522/environmentalists-cry-foul-on.html#ixzz1d1quK6GS

Chattanooga' Second LEED Fire Station

2011-11-04T07:56:00.002-05:00

Check out Chattanooga's second LEED Gold Fire Station.
Below are some of the Green features of Station 4:

Energy conservation measures include: ultra-efficient mechanical systems, appliances and lighting, heat reflective roofing, natural light and occupancy sensors

Energy efficient measures should equate to a 23 percent savings in utility costs compared to a standard fire station

Water conservation measures include the use of dual flush toilets, low flow faucets, and pint flush urinals. Consumption of potable water was reduced by 47 percent below standard fixtures. Two bioswales and a landscape swale were installed to retain the rainwater. Even the run-off from the truck washing area is channeled into the bioswale.

A cistern is used to capture rainwater from the roof and then pumped to a spigot for the purpose of washing the fire trucks. Using this system is estimated to save more than 14,000 gallons of water each year.

All interior finishes and cabinetry have little-to-no volatile organic compound (VOC) content

Landscaped with native trees and plants to reduce watering needs

The roof has a highly reflective surface and insulation was added to reach a total R value of 30.

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_212672.asp

Leaf new motor plants

2011-07-20T10:19:00.001-05:00

7-20-11: Nissan Americas confirmed that, starting in early 2013, it will produce the electric motor for the Nissan LEAF – the world’s first all-electric, zero-emission vehicle designed for the mass market – at its Decherd, Tenn., powertrain assembly plant. Preparation of the plant for electric motor production, facilitated by U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program loan funds, will include addition of a new assembly line and will create up to 90 new jobs. When the new assembly line is completed, the plant will have the capacity to produce up to 150,000 electric motors annually for Nissan LEAFs, which will be built at the company’s assembly plant in Smyrna, Tenn.
Looks like the motor and the batteries are going to be home grown!

http://nissannews.com/newsrelease.do;jsessionid=7CC1099195CEC4DC76D967AF729E29D6?&id=2685&allImage=1&teaser=nissan-picks-decherd-tenn-plant-make-motor-assemblies&mid=1

USGS Rain Garden Study

2011-02-24T14:48:00.002-06:00

A five-year study by the U.S. Geological Survey's Wisconsin Water Science Center has confirmed that even simple, residential-style rain gardens can capture nearly 100 percent of stormwater runoff from the roof of an adjacent building, even in thick clay soils. The key in temperate climates is to use native prairie vegetation, the long roots of which can penetrate the silt/clay layer of the subsoil, according to the study.
Read More

First Leaf electric car in Nashville!

2010-12-23T07:20:00.003-06:00

Tuesday, Dec 21st, Nissan turned over the keys to the first Tennessee buyer of its new Leaf at a Nashville dealership to become the world's first automaker to introduce a mass-market, highway-capable electric car. The Heeren family of Nashville were the first to receive a Leaf in Tennessee by virtue of being the first to sign up to buy one on a Nissan website in August.
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Keep Williamson Beautiful plans bigger Green Expo

2010-12-06T13:25:00.005-06:00

During a Keep Williamson Beautiful committee meeting in November, members decided to switch the August Green Expo from The Factory at Franklin near downtown to the Williamson County Agricultural Exposition Park off Long Lane for more space and cost savings. The Expos has out grown the Factory space and this will save cost since the Expo center is county property.
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GM's Chevy Volt wins Green Car of the Year???

2010-11-20T20:30:00.002-06:00

I'm not sure how this happened. The Volt can not go but 40 miles on battery then has to use gas engine. It's more like a regular gasoline driven car with a battery back-up. Looks like the Leaf would have been a better choice. Go figure
Read More>

State and Local Agencies Observe America Recycles Day Nov. 15

2010-11-14T16:59:00.001-06:00

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation issued the following news release:

America Recycles Day is Monday, Nov. 15, and Tennessee's departments of Environment and Conservation and Transportation are joining local county and city agencies across the state, providing several opportunities for citizens to reduce waste and make a difference.
Read More>

TVA wants to use smaller nuclear reactors by 2020

2010-11-12T07:43:00.003-06:00

TVA has announced to nuclear regulators they may begin using new and smaller nuclear reactors by 2020. TVA will have to get approval through the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This brings up a whole set of issues that need to be discussed: environmental impact of several more power plants on the landscape; is this the direction we need to go or should we be looking at alternative energy?
See article

Review: 2011 Nissan Leaf electric car is a treat to drive

2010-11-08T12:41:00.002-06:00

This is a good article on the good and bad of the new Nissan Leaf. I'm still concerned about the short distance between re-charges.
Read the article

Franklin "green" Parking Program

2010-10-29T07:46:00.002-05:00

By Kevin Walters • The Tennessean • October 20, 2010
Franklin is moving forward on ideas put out by their sustainability committees. One idea that we developed on the Transportation Committee was to give a small incentive for 'green' high mpg vehicles parking in the city. 26 parking spaces in the inner city will designated for 'Green Vehicles". The Franklin Sustainability Commission approved the concept and the Franklin aldermen will discuss it in their the BOMA (board of mayor and aldermen) meeting in November.
Read more>
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20101020/WILLIAMSON10/101020035/-1/RSS05

Chattanooga Fire Station 7 Seeking LEED Certification

2010-09-17T08:10:00.005-05:00

New fire station 7 opened in Chattanooga is seeking LEED Certification 8-24-2010:
Features of the new station:
• One-story, three-bay fire station.
• 11,500 square feet, includes accommodations for two fire companies, training room and offices.
• A “green” building in design and energy efficiency. Seeking LEED certification. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was developed by the U.S. Building Council to establish standards for environmentally sustainable construction.
• Heat reflective paving and roofing.
• The building and surrounding site has a storm-water runoff system that features a water retention area with native vegetation.
• 15,000 gallon rainwater collection system for flushing fixtures and irrigation.
• Solar water heating system.
• High-efficiency heating/cooling system.
• Building orientation and windows maximize natural light on the interior.
• Durable, low-maintenance materials used throughout that are low-to-zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) off-gassing.
• High-efficiency plumbing and light fixtures with occupancy and daylight sensors. Low maintenance floors.
• Residential sprinkler system in sleeping areas.
See more
http://www.chattanooga.gov/General_Government/62_5313.htm

Tennessee offers a $2,500 incentive for Electric Vehicle Purchases

2010-09-09T13:19:00.003-05:00

The state of Tennessee offers a $2,500 incentive to early buyers of electric vehicles via a program that could later be extended to buyers of other alternative fuel vehicles.
"There's no reason Tennessee can't take the lead … in the development of electric vehicles," the Governor Phil Bredesen said. "We want their components to be made here and sold worldwide with a 'Made in Tennessee' label."
Read More
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100909/BUSINESS01/9090349/2221/BUSINESS

Light Rail's Real Cost

2010-09-02T20:35:00.000-05:00

From American Conservative
by Glen Bottoms

Rail transit’s great enemy isn’t public support or political will but its enormous price tag.

The expense of heavy-rail subway systems has limited recent growth to extensions of existing lines. The last heavy-rail construction completed in the U.S. was a 3.2 mile extension of Washington Metro’s blue line to Largo Town Center, completed in 2004 at a cost of $695 million ($217 million/mile). Phase I of the Metro’s 11.6 mile extension to Dulles Airport is estimated at a staggering $2.65 billion ($242.1 million/mile). The bite for New York City subway extensions is in another reality.

Tennessee's First Electric Car Charger Station

2010-08-25T06:29:00.002-05:00

The state's first electric car charging station opened Wednesday August 4th in Giles County. It was unveiled by a company called Richland, LLC of Pulaski.
The station generates enough electricity to power approximately four homes. It’s located at the "Future of Parking Lots" along Mines Road in Pulaski.

See links:
http://www.wsmv.com/news/24511659/detail.html
http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/23/solar-parking-lot-with-electric-car-charging-stations-opens-in-t/
http://inhabitat.com/2010/08/24/rural-tennessee-town-gets-solar-parking-lot-with-ev-chargers/

TN and GA Apply for Grant for high-speed rail

2010-08-23T21:21:00.003-05:00

Tennessee and Georgia's departments of transportation have jointly applied for $34 million in federal stimulus funding to develop high-speed rail service from Atlanta to Chattanooga, Nashville and eventually Louisville, Ky.
Read More

Portland mix-use High-rise with wind turbines

2010-08-18T19:48:00.002-05:00

Portland, Oregon
Wind Steals the Spotlight: Rooftop turbines draw attention to this new mixed-use high-rise in Portland, but it’s the less visible systems and design choices that make it a beacon of green.
Read More

Largest Solar Plant In Tennessee

2010-08-18T18:04:00.003-05:00

(from Knoxville Chamber Blog)
On August 12 the largest solar plant in Tennessee was put online. The system is comprised of 4,608 Sharp® ND-224UC1 solar modules made in the company’s Memphis plant and was developed, designed and constructed by Natural Energy Group in conjunction with Efficient Energy of Tennessee, LLC (EETN), its integrator arm based in Powell, TN. EETN will also maintain the facility.

“The City of Knoxville seeks to substantially increase the deployment of solar power in the area. Knoxville’s ‘Solar America Cities’ effort underscores our progress in working toward a sustainable solar infrastructure,” said Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. “This initiative furthers our goal of bringing solar power into the mainstream.”
Read the rest at:
http://www.knoxvillechamber.com/blogs/chamber/2010/08/18/eetn-completes-install-of-tvas-largest-solar-plant/

Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards

2010-06-05T09:49:00.001-05:00

Governor Phil Bredesen and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke announced the winners of the 2010 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards May 26. The 14 winners will be recognized for their achievements and positive impact on the state’s natural resources in an awards ceremony to be held in Nashville on June 24.
See the list
http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/5252

Stormwater: Mosquito control

2010-05-24T21:40:00.002-05:00

Most people outside the mosquito control arena do not realize that belowground sources of standing water often represent the largest sources of mosquitoes in urban environments and are among the most difficult to control.
http://www.stormh2o.com/blogs/marco-metzger/mosquito-myth-busting-101-belowground-stormwater-bmps-and-m.aspx

.

2010-04-23T08:04:00.001-05:00

Report: Energy reform could save Tennessee billions, add jobs

2010-04-13T22:06:00.002-05:00

Nashville Business Journal - by Dan Hieb Staff Writer

Tennessee could save billions of dollars and generate thousands of new jobs by enacting aggressive energy efficiency policies, a team of researchers from Georgia Tech and Duke say.
Their study, Energy Efficiency in the South, argues that by reducing the growth of electricity consumption, Tennesseans could save $1.6 billion a year by 2020, and $3.1 billion a year by 2030. Those savings, pumped into other industries such as green manufacturing, would in turn generate 15,100 jobs by 2020 and 20,700 jobs by 2030, the researchers said.
>More

Stormwater Project Dedication And Ribbon Cutting Is Friday

2010-04-09T08:37:00.000-05:00

From Chattanoogan.com
posted April 8, 2010
A dedication ceremony and ribbon-cutting to introduce Renaissance Park’s newest environmental feature will be on Friday at 11 a.m. at the new parking area and Rain Garden in Renaissance Park.

Mayor Ron Littlefield, Parks and Recreation Administrator Larry Zehnder, Anda Ray, senior vice president of TVA Environment and Technology from Knoxville, as well as representatives from the local TVA, the Chattanooga Green Committee, City Council, City Office of Sustainability, Public Works, and special guests, will be on hand.

This is the completed first phase of the River Street Extension, with a new environmentally-designed parking area and rain garden.

Portland's Sewers Right as Rain

2010-03-30T20:36:00.002-05:00

By Dennis Cauchon, USA TODAY
The most surprising tourist attraction in Portland, Ore., is its storm sewer system.

Eco-friendly tourists flock to the city to understand how Portland's innovative system of curbs, gutters, roofs and rain gardens sharply cuts water pollution.
>Read More
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2010-03-28-portland-sewers_N.htm

Brentwood Noon Rotary 4th Annual Little Harpeth River Cleanup

2010-03-23T11:39:00.006-05:00

The Brentwood Noon Rotary Club 4th Annual Little Harpeth River Cleanup, held Saturday, March 6th, was a tremendous success because of the many volunteers and organizations that participated in the event. The Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department allowed us to use the Indoor Sports Complex to organize the event. Keep Williamson Beautiful provided the vests, gloves, and trash bags. The City of Brentwood helped coordinate the on street parking at various locations along the river. The Brentwood Police and Fire departments were on hand in the event that emergency services were needed.

There were 91 volunteers divided into 9 teams that cleaned 20 miles of river bank (10 miles each side). We collected 73 bags of trash and some miscellaneous items totaling approximately 2,400 pounds.

In addition to the Rotary Club membership participation, we had volunteers from the following organizations:

Overton High School Interact Club
Brentwood High School Interact Club
Boy Scout Troop 86
Boy Scout Troop 93
Girl Scout Troop 1660
Cub Scout Pack 297
Numerous individual volunteers

Skip Heibert, organizer of the event says:
"It was great to see all the volunteers come together for such a worthy cause, but really is a shame that we have to coordinate this event at all. The amount of trash we find each year should be an embarrassment to all the citizens of Brentwood. Too many people are using our river as a dumping ground with no regard for our neighbors downstream. I hope this event helps people realize that just one soft drink can or plastic bag they toss really adds up on just our short 10 mile stretch of river. We removed 2,400 pounds of trash this year which is about the same amount we removed last year. Our goal is to educate our citizens to be better stewards of this wonderful resource. Then, hopefully, in the not too distant future, this event will not be necessary."

Chattanooga: Future of Green Infrastructure

2010-03-22T07:02:00.003-05:00

The city had made a concerted effort to pursue a course of creating “green infrastructure” as an alternative of ‘gray infrastructure’: below ground and impervious surfaces above ground. Green infrastructure is the method of collecting stormwater above ground with natural vegetation and systems that are attractive, less expensive and accomplish multiple objectives; this effort will become the central theme for neighborhood and commercial revitalization. The Public Works Department has been tasked by the Mayor to provide the resources and support for this and the Water Quality Program has targeted our water quality credit system to give heavy incentives for development of green infrastructure to address stormwater issues. Water Quality Program is also in the process of developing a Retrofit Plan for private and public properties focusing on implementing Low Impact Development and green infrastructure practices and monitoring the change in the water quality from the landscape.

Keep Williamson Beautiful: Environmental Leader Class

2010-03-20T11:48:00.002-05:00

Keep Williamson Beautiful is sponsoring a six week class, on how you can be an Environmental Leader. Classes start March 30 and are held every Tuesday evening from 6:30 - 8:30 for six weeks.

The goal of the class is "To increase awareness of the beauty of Williamson County and Tennessee and to promote keeping that beauty intact by stopping litter and encouraging recycling and to get more people involved."

There are two speakers during each session with area specialist in their fields. Classes include education and awareness about individual responsibility regarding proper waste handling practices and the minimization of waste, recycling, reuse, litter prevention, beautification and community improvement, and saving natural resources.

The cost of the class is thirty five dollars. The class will be held on Century Court in Franklin. A tour to the Williamson County Landfill will also be planned. Call 790-5848 for information and to sign up for the class. Or visit www.KeepWilliamsonBeautiful.org for speaker schedule.

http://www.keepwilliamsonbeautiful.org/

Alex Noble: Transportation woes need regional fix

2010-03-16T11:53:00.002-05:00

For Brentwood Home Page
I have been reading with some considerable interest and, yes, a good deal of excitement, coverage of Nashville Mayor Karl Dean’s latest initiative regarding regional transportation. I can only say, “Wow!
>>Read the rest
http://www.brentwoodhomepage.com/news.php?viewStory=1705

Creative Discovery Museum Getting Chattanooga's Largest Green Roof

2010-03-16T11:41:00.002-05:00

A new green roof is being installed this week over the existing roof of the at the Creative Discovery Museum.
Randy Whorton with Engineered Verdant Solutions (EVS), a division of Stein Construction, is installing the sedum green roof system and says “this will be the largest green roof in Chattanooga to date with over 3,000 square feet of sedum plants, planting boxes and even small trees. It will provide a multitude of benefits for the museum and the environment.”
>>More

LEEDuser.com: Overview page for LEED v3 Rating system

2010-03-09T19:16:00.005-06:00

The USGBC launched the new LEED 2009 rating systems in April 2009 as part of its LEED version 3 initiative. LEEDuser provides an overview page on on each credit in each of the LEED 2009 rating systems, with background information and key tips for success, such as which strategies are most likely to work well under which conditions. Many credit pages are supplemented with primary design strategy pages.
>>See more

Home Depot Shoots for 20% Reduction in Supply Chain Emissions Over 5 Years

2010-03-05T12:12:00.003-06:00

In a review of its progress so far, the retailer said it has saved 2.6 billion kilowatt hours at its U.S. operations since starting an energy efficiency program in 2004. In Canada, the chain has saved 220 million kWh since 2005, according to a press
>See More

New LEED Credential Maintenance Program

2010-03-03T12:55:00.005-06:00

If you are a LEED AP or want to be a LEED AP, here is an archived Webinar recorded Feb. 23, 2010 called "LEED AP Credential Maintenance—Cracking the Code."
It is a well done presentation that will help you understand the new LEED credential requirements.
http://www.leeduser.com/strategy/video-leed-ap-credential-maintenance

All New Office Depots to be Built to Energy Efficient, LEED Standards

2010-02-22T12:07:00.001-06:00

All New Office Depots to be Built to Energy Efficient, LEED Standards

All New Office Depots to be Built to Energy Efficient, LEED
Standards
Office Depot is adopting an energy efficient and green building model
for the interiors of all new stores.
Office Depot recently unveiled
a prototype energy efficient store in Austin, Texas, that was LEED
certified.
That store achieved a 23 percent redu...ction in carbon emissions per
square foot through energy efficiency efforts and solar power.
This year 14 scheduled new Office Depot locations will be built to
LEED for Commercial Interiors standards, according to a press release.

South Carolina Publisher First to Use 100% Environmentally Certified Paper

2010-02-20T20:57:00.001-06:00

South Carolina Publisher First to Use 100% Environmentally Certified Paper

San Francisco Launches Nation's Largest PACE Program | GreenerBuildings.com

2010-02-17T06:41:00.002-06:00

By GreenerBuildings Staff
Published February 10, 2010
San Francisco, CA — San Francisco has established the nation’s largest green financing program to allow businesses and homeowners to pay for efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy improvements through future property taxes.

The Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program will make $150 million in bonding capacity available to the city’s property owners beginning March 1.

The low-cost loans, which are paid back through property taxes over their lifetime, typically within 20 years, are attached to the property, not the property owner. Eligible property owners will have paid their property taxes on time for the previous three years.
San Francisco Launches Nation's Largest PACE Program | GreenerBuildings.com

Confluence Solar announces $200M plant in Tenn

2010-02-09T07:20:00.002-06:00

Tennessee Governor Phill Bredesen announced Jan 21st that Confluence Solar Inc. plans to build a $200 million solar manufacturing plant in Clinton, Tennessee.
Tennessee is positioning itself to be a US leader in solar energy with the Hemlock Semiconductor polysilicon plant under construction in Charksville, TN and Wacker Chemie AG. in Cleveland, TN producing the material used by Confluence Solar to make silicon ingots for solar cells.
Sharp Electronics in Memphis is the second largest manufacturer of photovoltaic solar cells in the world. This is Sharp's first panel manufacturing facility outside of Japan. Albeit, 75% of the panels it produces are sold outside the US.

LEED Green Associate Prep Class

2010-02-09T07:07:00.001-06:00

The LEED Green Associate, GA, prep courses will be 5, two hour classes and a practice exam that will assist you in preparing to pass the LEED GA Exam. This course will be taught by a group of knowledgeable instructors who will review LEED credits, provide sample exam questions, present synergy overviews and equip you with strategies for taking the test. Certificates of completion will be given to those who attend all five sessions and take the practice test.

Space is limited to the first 40 people that sign up. Sign up in person ONLY
@
green|spaces
63 e. main street
chattanooga, tn 37408
Chattanooga USGBC

Chattanooga Has Been Doing More Than Its Share In Water Quality

2010-02-02T06:23:00.002-06:00

Read the article in Chattanooga Times by Vance Travis posted January 14, 2010

The new Blue Ribbon Committee has made headway looking into the new and updated Water Quality Fee in Chattanooga. >>Read More

Updated their Tree Carbon Calculator

2010-01-20T11:49:00.002-06:00

Recently, the Forest Service has updated their Tree Carbon Calculator so that it works nationally instead of just for California. You can find the updated version in their Climate Change Resource Center. The calculator runs off an excel platform.
>>see Center for Urban Forestry Research
http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/programs/cufr/

January: National Radon Action Month

2010-01-06T18:35:00.000-06:00

During January’s National Radon Action Month, the U.S. Surgeon General and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urge all Americans to protect their health by testing their homes for radon.

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste but could be present at a dangerous level in your home. As the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. and the first leading cause among non-smokers, radon claims more than 20,000 lives annually. If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix it to protect yourself and your family.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is offering a limited amount of free radon test kits to Tennessee citizens. Please mail your request to: Radon Program, 711 R.S. Gass Blvd., Nashville, TN 37216 or email your request to TDEC.Radon@tn.gov. Be sure to include your name, address, city, state and ZIP code.

Wetlands: are they important?

2010-01-04T09:55:00.003-06:00

There is a good article in Nashville City Paper today concerning wetlands. I guess very few people get up in the morning and think "What can I do today to protect a wetland?" Few do. What do 'wetlands' do and why should we protect them and what do they have to do with the price of eggs (well, they don't have much to do with the price of eggs but they sometimes are associated with the price of development and/or the roads we build). A wetland is not just a swampy area that has sketters and we should avoid. It can be a complex ecosystem that supplies habitat for plants and animals you don't find anyplace else. We usually describe wetlands as what function they supply to the watershed: such as flood control(if the wetlands had not been destroyed outside of New Orleans, Katrina would not have been half as bad); ground water recharge; as I said before, they supply habitat for sensitive animals and their functions go on. But they are located and function best where mother nature has put them. If a road or development comes in and needs that space to develop on, then what do we do? If the state considers them to be large enough (and The Army Corps of Engineer also has input here) then a 'developer' would be required to mitigate for the destruction of them. To replace near by "on-site mitigation" is the best choice because wetlands function best in the watershed where they are located. There are wetland bank credits that can be purchased for mitigation, but they are pretty expensive. Read the article in the paper....
>>>Read More

City's 'All Green' Stormwater Plan Raises Eyebrows at EPA

2009-12-29T10:32:00.002-06:00

By TARYN LUNTZ of Greenwire
Published: December 24, 2009

....The New York City, for example, which averages an overflow a week, a rainy day means 500 million gallons of filthy discharges pouring into waterways, according to nonprofit watchdog group Riverkeeper. That foul brew contaminates drinking water, forces beach closures and pollutes shellfish beds.

Most cities are working with U.S. EPA to curb overflows as part of a mandate to cleanse waters to federal standards.

But the traditional options are expensive. Philadelphia, for one, found it would need to build a $10 billion sewage tunnel under the Delaware River to solve its overflow problem the standard way -- with so-called "gray" infrastructure.

So the city is proposing an alternate solution: Invest $1.6 billion to turn a third of the city green in the next 20 years. The plan involves replacing streets, parking lots and sidewalks with water-absorbing porous pavement, street-edge gardens and trees.
>> Read the rest

Nearly Half U.S. Lakes in Fair to Poor Condition

2009-12-28T12:05:00.000-06:00

WASHINGTON, DC, December 18, 2009 (ENS) - The condition of 56 percent of the lakes in the United States is rated as good and the remaining 44 percent are in fair or poor condition, according to a draft study released by today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
>> See more

EPA's Proposed Effluent Limitation Guidelines Are Here

2009-12-23T07:20:00.002-06:00

EPA announced last week the long-awaited proposed effluent guidelines for construction sites and released a pre-publication version (you can see it here). Once the guidelines are published in the Federal Register, comments are due to EPA within 90 days. For all of us who work in the erosion and sediment control field and whose work might be affected, it’s worth taking a look at the full document. But here, in a nutshell, are some of the highlights. The full title of the proposed rule is “Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Construction and Development Point Source Category,” and its intent is to tighten controls on discharges from construction sites by establishing technology-based effluent limits and performance standards. First, the rule calls for non-numeric limitations that require all dischargers to provide erosion and sediment control BMPs, which are specified in the rule. Additionally, sites of 10 acres or more would need to have a sediment basin, or something that controls sediment to the same extent. For certain sites, though—“large sites located in areas of high rainfall energy and with soils with significant clay content”—EPA proposes a numeric turbidity limit of 13 NTUs. Because this level is hard to achieve with fine silty and clay soils by settling alone, EPA says such sites will probably need to use active treatment systems, such as the addition of chitosan or other polymers to promote flocculation, followed by some type of filtration. It also mentions electrocoagulation as a technology capable of reducing turbidity levels. The sites subject to this 13-NTU limit would include those of 30 acres or more with an average soil clay content of more than 10% and a rainfall erosivity factor (the “R” factor from the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) of 50 or greater. (If you view the complete document, see Option 2 for more details on which sites would be subject to the numeric limit and what other possibilities EPA considered.) In areas for which the R factor hasn’t been calculated, total annual rainfall will be used as a criterion. (Discharge from rainfall exceeding the local 2-year, 24-hour storm, however, would be exempt from the limit.The proposal addresses the concern that polymers might be overused at some sites, and that discharges from those sites would be toxic. It judges the likelihood of this problem occurring to be low, however, citing the widespread use of polymers in wastewater treatment facilities. EPA is also asking for comment on setting a turbidity limit in the range of 50 to 150 NTUs, based on passive treatment. See the document for a discussion of this option. EPA says the rule will cost about $1.9 billion per year, and the document includes a detailed discussion of how it arrived at this figure.http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/construction/

Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure Action Strategy 2008

2009-12-17T06:45:00.003-06:00

This Green Infrastructure Action Strategy is the product of collaboration among many agencies, organizations and individuals. The following organizations are primarily responsible for coordinating the development of this first iteration of the action strategy:

American Rivers
Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators
National Association of Clean Water Agencies
Natural Resources Defense Council
The Low Impact Development Center
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

For more information on green infrastructure planning and implementation, and partnerships, visit the green infrastructure website at: www.epa.gov/npdes/greeninfrastructure
>>See Strategy
http://www.stormwaterpa.org/assets/media/benefits/gi_action_strategy.pdf

EPA Releases Final Specification for WaterSense New Homes

2009-12-11T11:40:00.002-06:00

This will help homeowners increase water efficiency and save on their utility bills

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final WaterSensesingle-family new homes specification today, creating the first national, voluntary, water-efficiency specification for an entire new home.

“Home builders can now partner with EPA and earn the WaterSense label for their newly built homes, helping to create livable communities and quality homes that are easy to maintain,” said Peter S. Silva, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Water. “These homes will save homeowners as much as $200 a year on utility bills compared to their current homes.” See WaterSense

Silva Cell Tech Makes for Safer Sidewalks and Healthier Trees

2009-12-09T15:02:00.000-06:00

Silva Cell Tech Makes for Safer Sidewalks and Healthier Trees

Printable Batteries Made From Paper

2009-12-08T16:58:00.007-06:00

Scientists have made batteries and supercapacitors with little more than ordinary office paper and some carbon and silver nanomaterials. The research, published online December 7 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, brings scientists closer to lightweight printable batteries that may one day be molded into computers, cell phones or solar panels. >>Read More

Shred, BOPAE and Medicine Recycle (not Attorneys at law)

2009-11-17T06:42:00.005-06:00

------
November 21st is Shred Day! (yeah)

Keep Williamson County Beautiful will hold another Shred Day: grab all of your documents that are too personal to recycle and bring them to KWB Shred Day, yeah! Come to 420 Century Court 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Bring documents that have identification numbers such as canceled checks, credit card statements, pay check stubs, insurance documents, IRS forms, marriage license (or not). If they’re not personal with ID numbers we won’t take them (don’t bother with newspapers, magazines or photos). Staples and clips are okay but no binders or clamps. Not bound and 1 inch thick or slimmer. Go to www.keepwilliamsonbeautiful.org for more details. (yeah!)

Medicine Collection: What do you do with medicine that you don’t use? Look in your medicine cabinet and when you see 2003 on the label, you know it’s too late to use that antibiotic. Do not flush them down the drain they will end up in our streams and rivers and might come full circle to our drinking water…water treatment plants may not have any effect on them. Keep expired medication from children and pets. Dispose of them before they reach the landfill or water supply. The Sheriff’s Office of Williamson County, in conjunction with the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force will participate in the City of Franklin’s Solid Waste Division disposal event on November 21st.

Citizens can just drive up and drop out your medications where they will be properly disposed of in accordance with local drug enforcement and environmental laws.

The event will be held November 21 from 8 a.m.—2 p.m. at the City of Franklin Solid Waste Division located at 417 Century Court, Franklin, Tennessee.

For more information, contact Hugh Tharpe, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, at (615) 790-5554 or HughT@williamson-tn.org.

BOPAE is not a city in India: Come to 417 Century Court Nov. 23rd from 6:30 am-2 pm, City of Franklin’s Municipal Service Center. But what is BOPAE: it stands for Batteries, Oil, Paint, Anti-freeze and Electronics the ‘stuff’ you might have in your garage, cabinets, outbuildings, doghouse, outhouse, etc. that you walk by every day, not really knowing what to do with. You know you’re NOT supposed throw them in the landfill and you used to take to Williamson County Household Hazardous Waste Collection day (but because of budget considerations by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, collection days are down to one day a fiscal year: (it will be again next Springs 2010).

Items will be accepted from Williamson County Residents only and no commercial items can be accepted.

Please visit http://www.keepwilliamsonbeautiful.org/ for details about these collections.

Stormwater fees bring flood of objections

2009-11-10T06:14:00.002-06:00

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009
By: Cliff Hightower & Dave Flessner

Chattanoogans will have to pay more than $100 million in extra fees over the next five years to fix decades-old problems with clogged ditches, broken pipes and polluted runoff.

But many of those who will pay the bill for upgrading the city’s stormwater system say the price tag is too high — and was adopted too quickly.
>>More

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/nov/08/stormwater-fees-bring-flood-objections/?local

GREEN ON GREEN: Brentwood Home Page

2009-10-25T15:42:00.005-05:00

by Don Green
Today's 3 Rs: Reduce, reuse and recycle
Most of us learned the 3 Rs as reading writing and arithmetic but lately they have been replaced with reduce, reuse and recycle.
Lewis Bumpus, director of Williamson County Solid Waste, says recycling should be the “last thing on your mind” (there is a country song in there somewhere). The first and most important thing we should think about is reducing what we buy, followed by reusing things.
Here are some suggestions to help you reuse, reduce and recycle thin:
>>More
GREEN ON GREEN: Brentwood Home Page

Visit BrentwoodHomePage for all your B.wood, TN news

Recovery Through Retrofit program offers numerous homeowner benefits

2009-10-22T10:33:00.002-05:00

October 20, "Phoenix Green Business Examiner" by Brian Coppa.

On Monday, Vice President Biden released a new report entitled “Recovery Through Retrofit,” which expands upon related green building programs in the Recovery Act to increase job opportunities and offers numerous homeowner benefits such as dramatically enhanced energy savings nationwide by improving the energy efficiency of residences. The Department of Energy (DOE) also announced $454 million under the Recovery Act will be available through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program to support this endeavor.
>>More

Energy Conservation Grants

2009-10-21T17:51:00.001-05:00

Nashville Business Journal - by Jeannie Naujeck Staff Writer

Small- to medium-sized cities in Tennessee can now apply for more than $9 million in federal stimulus funds to assist in conserving energy and reducing fossil fuel emissions.

The funds were made available Wednesday by Gov. Phil Bredesen and the Department of Economic and Community Development through the state’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. The program offers $9.3 million in competitive grants to local governments, with a maximum grant amount of $100,000.
>>More

THE THIRD ANNUAL SUMMIT FOR A SUSTAINABLE TN

2009-10-16T10:33:00.003-05:00

Forging new partnerships and solutions to key conservation issues will be the focus of the Third Annual Summit for a Sustainable TN, Nov. 13-14, 2009, at Ward Agricultural Center, Lebanon.
NOVEMBER 13-14, 2009 ~ WARD AGRICULTURAL CENTER ~ LEBANON, TN
>> More

Hamilton County: Health Department To Get "Green Roof" Through Federal Grant

2009-10-16T10:26:00.001-05:00

October 15, 2009
Hamilton County has received a $616,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy of $616,500 to develop and implement projects to improve energy efficiency, including a new "green roof" at the Health Department.

The grant is also aimed at reducing energy use and fossil fuel emissions.

Initial projects approved by DOE also include an energy audit for county buildings; light bulb replacement in county parks; and a “Go Green” educational campaign for county employees and in elementary schools.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_161037.asp

Household Hazardous Waste

2009-10-12T11:38:00.001-05:00

Williamson County will not hold a fall Household Hazardous Waste Collection this year. The event is funded through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the budget allows for only one collection event this fiscal year. The next HHW event will be held in the spring.
Visit www.keepwilliamsonbeautiful.org for a listing of year round proper disposal of many items often brought to Household Hazardous Waste Collection one day events. The spring 2010 event and updated information related to environmental issues will be posted on the website.
Tennessee residents may attend any county's mobile collection provided by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Collection Schedule:
http://www.state.tn.us/environment/swm/pdf/hazcoll.pdf

States to be held more accountable for nutrient pollution

2009-10-08T18:57:00.002-05:00

The shape of things to come:

By Karl Blankenship

States could be halted from issuing new discharge permits, while farmers, local governments-and even lawn owners-could be affected under a new federal plan to crack down on Bay pollution.....An EPA report says that two decades of voluntary cost-share and regulatory efforts had been insufficient to restore the Chesapeake's heath and were "not likely to be sufficient to ensure restoration of the Bay in a reasonable period of time."
The plan is a two-pronged approach. It would hold states accountable for nutrient reduction progress and would expand regulatory authority to force greater reductions from specific sources of pollution, such as stormwater and animal feedlots.
If states fall short, the EPA does not have direct authority to regulate nonpoint sources. Instead, the report suggests that the agency would crack down on activities that require permits to make up any shortfall in reductions from farms, septic systems and other largely unregulated sources of pollution. The agency believes the threat of further restrictions on regulated dischargers-which have already achieved the greatest reductions of any sector-would spur states to put adequate nonpoint source programs in place.

"Generally speaking, it will be very expensive to further reduce loadings from municipal and industrial wastewater dischargers" below limits already established, the report said. But it added that if states don't control other sources of pollution "such further reductions from municipal and industrial dischargers may be necessary."

Ordering further reductions for those facilities, the report said, could cost municipal treatment plants across the watershed $6.8 billion, and industries $246 million. >>See More

http://www.bayjournal.com/article.cfm?article=3672

Tennessee to Hold Series of Hearings on Prospective New Energy Code

2009-10-07T10:51:00.000-05:00

After the passage of legislation in June updating the state's energy codes, the Tennessee Fire Marshal's office will be holding public hearings (schedule below) throughout the state on the prospective regulations. Among the proposed changes:

1. The state Fire Marshal's office will adopt the new state commercial and residential energy codes, which will be based on a combination of the IECC and either the IBC (commercial) or IRC (residential). This combination will be chosen from either the 2006 or 2009 code series.
2. In local jurisdictions that have already adopted codes equivalent to or exceeding the 2006 IECC, the new state codes are not required to be adopted.
3. The state will enforce the IECC for residential and commercial buildings in jurisdictions that do not have inspection programs, but only in those that do not choose to opt out of the state code with a two-thirds vote of the local governing body.
4. Jurisdictions that do have their own inspection program may adopt any edition of the IRC within 7 years of the latest published edition of the IRC. They can enforce any edition of the IECC that is within 7 years of the latest published edition or enforce Chapter 11 (energy efficiency) of an edition of the IRC that is within 7 years of the latest published edition of the IRC.
5. The provisions of the new state code will sunset in 2014.

PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE:

Knoxville: October 8 at 1:00pm ET
University of TN Conference Center, 4th Floor dining Room
600 Henley Street

Chattanooga: October 9 at 9:00am ET
Chattanooga Marriott at the Convention Center Ballroom H/I/J
Two Carter Plaza

Jackson: October 13 at 1:00pm CT
West Tennessee Ag Research and Education Center, Room 150
605 Airways Boulevard

Nashville: October 15 at 1:00pm CT
Davy Crockett Tower, Room 160
500 James Robertson Parkway

Philly plan uses green tech to reduce storm runoff

2009-09-28T19:51:00.003-05:00

The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - The city of Philadelphia is proposing a $1.6 billion effort over the next two decades to use porous pavement, rain gardens, green roofs and thousands of new trees to absorb or at least delay billions of gallons of rainwater that overwhelms the urban sewer system each year. >> Read More

Tennessee solar farm project awaits federal approval

2009-09-08T07:57:00.002-05:00

The State Building Commission will meet Thursday to decide whether to spend $40 million to buy land for a 1,700-acre industrial park in West Tennessee, an area that would be a cornerstone of Gov. Phil Bredesen's plan to transform Tennessee into a center of the solar energy industry.
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But as of late last week, a related proposal — to build a 20-acre solar farm that would draw attention to the site — still had not been cleared by federal officials, nearly four months since it was announced.
>>More

Plastics: Part One

2009-09-07T08:06:00.012-05:00

Don’t Recycle
You might think that is a drastic statement, but recycling should be the last thing on your mind especially when you say the nasty work “Plastic”, which if you remember Dustin Hoffman and “koo koo ka choo, Mrs. Robinson”, you know that was the key word for his future ”Plastics”, along with TV dinners, saucer shaped houses and flying cars (by the way, I’ve been waiting a long time for my flying car, but that’s another column). Now plastics have made our lives easier, but have also become a bane of our existence. Plastics have changed our lives big time, saved money on shipping, manufacturing, some are pretty durable for shipping, a big part of our cars, etc. But when our culture has long been buried like “Planet of the Apes” (another movie reference for the baby boomers, eh?), what will our legacy be other than “Plastics”, Good, Bad, or Ugly.

Petroleum
To create plastics requires petroleum, 70% from natural gas, a non-renewable natural resource (it’s like ‘land’; they don’t make any more it). We’ve been trying to wean our society from using petroleum, gasoline, like trying to wean those wily squirrels in our yard from eating the pears from our pear tree (another column?). You might say, “Well, we have made a concerted effort to try and recycle the plastic we use”:
“Wrong!”
Then why do I find myself digging into trash cans at all kinds of events to rescue bottles from the landfill (along with aluminum cans, uck!) Believe me, there is still a considerable amount of plastic filling up our landfills: Did you know nationally, less than 6 percent of all plastic gets recycled, compared to recycling rates of 50 percent for paper, 37 percent for metals and 22 percent for glass, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency? Only about 37 percent of soft drink bottles and 28 percent of milk and water bottles are recycled the rest ends up as trash; and that’s the crux of this column, and you say “Finally”!

Plastics in our Environment
Toxic chemicals leach from the ubiquitous plastic (see BPA below) we throw away and can end up in our streams and rivers. These plastic bottles and plastic sacks are “photodegradable” which means the sun “slowly’ breaks down the plastic to smaller and smaller pieces which becomes food and ‘poison’ for for all sorts of critters such as turtles, fish, frogs, birds, etc. So all these plastic sacks in the trees and bottles in the ditches do more than just trash our lives!
They poison our lives.

There is a large floating island of trash in the Pacific Ocean, called a ‘gyre’ (about the twice the size of Texas) made of 90% plastic flotsam and the plastic is slowly breaking down and slowing poisoning any animals there. http://greatgreengadgets.com/gadgets/2009/02/16/the-widening-gyre-of-plastic-pollution-in-the-ocean/

Water Bottles
Plastic water bottles have become a common place item in this world of ‘Exercise. Stay fit. Stay hydrated. Stay hydrated…Seems, now a days, we all need to have water close to us and it seems everyone is selling bottled water, but the water in the bottles has less over-sight and/or guarantee of safety than the water that comes out of your water tap (some of the water in these bottles actually come from Your tap water: read the label!). Yes, we all need to stay hydrated, but say no to the plastic bottles.

Reuse
Make sacrifices: buy a reusable metal bottle--aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer’s--or hard plastic made in the good old USA, BPA free (‘Bisphenol A’ has been linked to health problems) and fill it up with tap water....let it set for a while to get rid of the chlorine taste or put some lemon in it……and when it’s gone, refill it again.
Sacrifice! Or get a good water filter; you’ll save money in the long run.

Tune in next week folks for Plastics Part Two: Reducing and Recycling in Brentwood
Keep those cards and letters.
(See this also at www.BrentwoodHomepage.com)

Rain Garden Man!

2009-09-04T07:48:00.003-05:00

Skip Heibert, Landscape Architect Sublime, made a presentation concerning rain gardens to the Hillview Estates Homeowner’s Association to an enthusiastic crowd last Monday, August 24th. It was entitled “A Homeowner’s Introduction to Rain Gardens”.
Here are Skip's six steps to installing a rain garden:

1. Understanding how a rain garden works.
2. Choosing a location.
3. Testing the soil.
4. Sizing the rain garden.
5. Choosing plants.
6. Constructing the rain garden.

His goal was to get at least one homeowner excited enough to install a rain garden this fall. After a round of questions, he believes there will be at least 3 rain gardens in Hillview Estates next spring.

Skip would be happy to make the presentation to other interested organizations.

Contact information:
Skip Heibert, ASLA, LEED AP
Heibert & Associates, LLC
Suite 400
1894 General George Patton Drive
Franklin, TN 37067-4665
615.376.2421
sheibert@heibertla.com
(See Skip modeling solar panels downtown Franklin: http://environmentgreen.blogspot.com/2009/07/redux-solar.html)

Duke Energy to Build Ninth U.S. Wind Farm

2009-09-02T10:43:00.004-05:00

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) continues to add to its renewable power portfolio with the announcement that it will build and operate a 200-megawatt wind energy project near Casper, Wyo. The Top of the World...
Windpower Project will be the company's ninth U.S. wind farm and its fourth in Wyoming.

Duke Energy will construct the Top of the World project on approximately 17,000 acres of private and public land it holds under long-term lease in Converse County. The project - expected to reach commercial operation by the end of 2010 - will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 50,000 to 60,000 homes on an annual basis. >>More

KWB Living Green Expo: August 29, 2009

2009-08-28T12:03:00.000-05:00

Be a part of Keep Williamson Beautiful’s Living Green Expo, August 29, 2009.
This event is KWB’s endeavor to educate the people of Williamson County as to how companies can contribute to making their lives cleaner and greener.
The event will be held at the Factory at Franklin where hundreds of people shop daily. On Saturday mornings there is a Farmers Market on the grounds of the Factory where environmentally aware shoppers gather for fresh vegetables and more. These same people will be an audience green companies will want to attract. In addition this will be KWB’s Environmental Leader class graduation and our annual volunteer appreciation event. Judge Larry Potter, presiding judge of the Memphis/Shelby County Environmental Court will be the speaker and we expect a large crowd to hear this 2006 Keep America Beautiful Iron Eyes Cody Award recipient.

California to Mandate Recycling for Businesses, Apartments

2009-08-25T07:38:00.000-05:00

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that if half of the 5.5 million tons of recyclable material dumped by large businesses, apartment complexes and mobile home parks were reused, the state could save space in landfills and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by the equivalent of taking almost 1 million cars off the road.
(see more)

Nissan to launch electric car in Tennessee

2009-08-10T19:15:00.001-05:00

By Mike Pare for the Chattanooga Times Free Press
A top Nissan official in the U.S. said Monday that Tennessee is one of the first locations where it will sell its new all-electric car after it arrives in late 2010.
The company would like to make the car and its batteries in Smyrna. The Chattanooga area is in line for electric refueling infrastructure for the new vehicle, said Mark Perry, director of product planning and strategy for Nissan North America.

Home Depot: Partner in Sustainable Housing

2009-08-06T06:55:00.005-05:00

A partnership/pilot project between Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humantity started last year resulted in 260 sustainable houses. Some of the houses were LEED Platinum. Preliminary results shows a 15 to 30 % energy savings. The partnership started in 30 affiliates and now is looking to go national in the coming months. Read More

Washington State Decision Makes LID Mandatory

2009-07-29T18:08:00.002-05:00

By Henrietta H. P. Locklear; she is with AMEC Earth and Environmental Inc. in Raleigh, NC.
LID, low impact development, are techniques used to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff by using green practices, such as wetlands, rain gardens, vegetative roofs, etc. In Washington state, LID poised to being implemented on a more-widespread basis. A decision in a Washington state lawsuit over National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit language, issued in August 2008, concludes that the Washington “Phase I Permit must be modified to require the use of LID where feasible, as it is necessary to meet the MEP [maximum extent practicable] and AKART [all known and reasonable technology] standards of federal and state law, respectively” (Pollution Control Hearings Board, PCHB, 2008). Because of the ruling, Phase I permittees in Washington will now require new developments to implement these green infrastructure practices, LID, where feasible. The Phase I ruling is the first decision that directly requires LID to be implemented through means of an NPDES permit. The Washington decision itself notes that the EPA has not required LID, but is increasingly supporting it through publications, fact sheets, and its Web site (PCHB 2008). >>See more http://www.stormh2o.com/july-august-2009/washington-state-decision-1.aspx or see more about LID, sustainablity or other environmental issues at my web site:http://www.dongreenenvironmental.com/index.html

In-Home Energy Evaluation

2009-07-24T09:51:00.002-05:00

Nashville Electric Service, NES, in partnership with TVA, offers the In-Home Energy Evaluation. Reduce your power usage and receive cash incentives for installing energy-efficiency improvements.

Participants pay an up-front fee of $150 for the evaluation. If any recommended improvements are made over $150, the fee will be reimbursed. Plus, you will be reimbursed 50% of the installation cost up to $500. >>More
http://www.nespower.com/home_evaluation.aspx

Going GREEN Better for the Environment and your Health

2009-07-23T20:53:00.001-05:00

With increasing technology and public initiatives, many cities and states are moving towards a green paradigm, insuring that environmental sustainability is on the minds of officials and citizens. Living in a world where environmental sustainability is a vital concern to the future of mankind, it is important to take note of the consequences of improper building materials and environmental degradation.

Many older homes may still harvest obsolete and corrosive building materials which can create health concerns. Used throughout the 20^th century, asbestos became one of most sought after building applications in the world. Asbestos is the name given for a group of fibrous minerals that were mined for their qualities as fire resistant, insulation and high durability. Commonly used to insulate boilers and pipes, most homes built after 1980 could harvest asbestos or other environmental defected insulation techniques. If any asbestos is suspected, the best advice is to leave it un-disturbed. Touching or breaking it off may cause it to become damaged and release its fibers into the air.

If any asbestos is suspected, the best advice is to leave it un-disturbed. Touching or breaking it off may cause it to become damaged and release its fibers into the air. Deteriorated or disturbed asbestos can cause a slew of health problems, such as malignant mesothelioma. With a latency period that lasts 20 to 50 years, it isn’t until the later stages of progression when physicians usually are able to accurately diagnose this disease. Due to the fact many symptoms are similar to less serious ailments, mesothelioma diagnosis is one of the more difficult tasks physicians encounter.

A catalyst for homes, schools, industries, universities and businesses, the diversity of enterprises is driven by a common bound to move to a greener, more sustainable form of living. With growing education and technology in green sustainable energy and building resources, many locations in the U.S. are swiftly changing their construction practices to suit the environment and the health of human beings. Most people are unaware to the fact that eco-friendly products can cut energy costs by 25 % per year. Due to these recycled materials, waste is decreasing in crowded landfills. On February 17, 2009, congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. Included in this act were extensions of the Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives first enacted in 2005 as well as some new tax credits for people building or remodeling their homes using eco-friendly or “green” materials. Green alternatives to asbestos include the use of cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. Cotton fiber is becoming a favorite insulation method. Made from recycled batted material, it is then treated to be fireproof. These green options have the same beneficial qualities as asbestos, minus the health deteriorating and toxic components. These options allow for a safe, environmentally sustainable home, free of any health corroding materials.
Paul James,
Mesothelioma Cancer Center

Chemicals That Eased One Woe Worsen Another

2009-07-21T06:42:00.004-05:00

Hydroflurocarbons (HFC) have been widely used as substitute for chlorofluorocarbons, CFCs, (chemicals used in air conditioners, refrigerators, etc.) and other chemicals that have been targeted as depleting the ozone layer (the layer that protects the earth from UV radiation - cancer causing sun rays). HFCs are a much more powerful greenhouse gas contributor than CO2 and are now potentially creating a problem.
According to the recent paper, there will soon be many more of HFCs used, as developing countries become more prosperous and their people buy vehicles and air conditioners.
From David A. Fahrenthold
Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, July 20, 2009

Green Infrastructure Webcast on Green Streets and Operation & Maintenance

2009-07-18T21:26:00.002-05:00

Green Infrastructure Webcast on Green Streets and Operation &
Maintenance: Tuesday, July 28, 2009, 1:00 - 3:00 pm Eastern

Green Highways and Green Streets are increasingly becoming critical elements of community strategies to create a sustainable infrastructure for the 21st Century. The integration of green technologies into street right-of-ways is allowing communities to develop innovative approaches
for stormwater retrofits of urban areas that incorporate many of the benefits of Green Infrastructure, including urban heat island reduction, job creation, and energy savings.
This webcast will also include numerous lessons learned from Seattle's experience, and examples of O&M manuals developed for specific projects.

This EPA webcast will be held June 28, 2009 from 1:00 to 3:00 Eastern time. To sign up for this free webcast, go to www.epa.gov/npdes/training

Nancy Arazan
ORISE Fellow
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Water Permits Division
Washington, DC
202.564.1045
www.epa.gov/greeninfrastructure
http://picasaweb.google.com/buildgreeninfrastructure/

Wal Mart Moves to Grade Suppliers on Sustainability

2009-07-15T17:38:00.004-05:00

Wal-Mart is set to announce a new sustainability index that will grade various suppliers and products by a range of environmental and sustainable factors. It will lead manufacturers to label their products in such a way that lets consumers easily discern the sustainability of one product over the other. Walmart has developed a a consortium which will be led by the University of Arkansas and Arizona State University. Additionally, faculty at Duke, Harvard, the University of Michigan, the University of California at Berkeley and Stanford have also been involved in planning the index. They have also invited Costco, Target and Kroger to join the sustainability consortium that will have a hand in crafting the index. Unless you look at the entire life cycle of the product, you just can’t measure the environmental impact.
This is a big step for them.
From Marc Gunther "The Big Money"

Solar Redux

2009-07-09T14:24:00.011-05:00

I attended "Flip The Switch" at 438 Main Street in Franklin today. Karen Noel Cochran, a member of the Franklin Sustainability Task Force, flipped the switch on her 64 SunPower 230 watt 4.7kW photovoltaic solar electric system atop her Five Points building.
Skip Heibert on top of the building
This system, designed and installed by LightWave Solar Electric, LLC is the second largest in the Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Coop. district (MTEMC). At peak it produces @ 14.7 kW per day; this will offset the energy costs of her Five Points Franklin properties at least $3,850 a year. The project was granted a TN Clean Energy Technology, TN-CET, grant (a Federal Energy Investment Tax Credit) that will pay for 40 percent of the system, a 30 percent tax credit, and a federal five-year accelerated depreciation benefit (MACRS): altogether it will cover approximately 85% of the cost of the system. These programs, TN Small Business Energy Loan and Tennessee Clean Energy Technology Grant Program are reimbursement programs and the system has to be built and certified, by TVA or MTEMC, prior to being eligible for the loan or grant.
TVA gives credit of 22 cents above the normal general power rate for all the power generated by the solar system; this means Mrs.Cochran can sell back the power not used at 22 cents above the current going rate.

The solar panel's performance is monitored and managed in real-time via the SunPower online monitoring system, which can be viewed inside the Starbucks at Five points or on the Internet, when it is up and running. You can also see the power being produced by the photovoltaic system installed at Bells Bend Nature Center/Metro Parks.

Solar in Tennessee

2009-07-03T23:24:00.003-05:00

FYI
Tennessee has the world largest manufacture of solar (photovoltaic) panels in Memphis: Sharp Solar (albeit they sell @ 75% of them outside the US!). In 2008 that company was joined by Shoals Technologies, Inc. which established headquarters and manufacturing operations for solar panels in Gallatin, TN and Hemlock Semiconductor announced plans to build a $1.2 billion (with a B) facility for manufacture of ultra pure polycrystalline silicon in Clarksville, TN in December 2008 (polycrystalline silicon is used as a semiconductor material in solar panels). A competitor of Hemlock, Wacker Chemi AG of Munich, Germany announced plans to build a $1 Billion dollar (B again) polycrystalline silicon operation in Cleveland, TN in early 2009.
-----
The word Photovoltaic is a combination of the Greek word for Light and the name of the physicist Allesandro Volta. It identifies the direct conversion of sunlight into energy by means of solar cells.>>more

Solar cells are composed of various semiconducting materials. Semiconductors are materials, which become electrically conductive when supplied with light or heat, but which operate as insulators at low temperatures.
See June 10th Energy Audit click here

State GREENLegislation

2009-06-27T10:33:00.004-05:00

Governor signed this bill a little over a week ago!
-------------------
Senate Bill 1919 by *Johnson, Overbey, Faulk, Marrero B, Finney L. (House Bill 1468 by *Shepard, Gilmore, Cooper B, Hackworth.)

Planning, Public - As introduced, incorporates the use of green building design, sustainable infrastructure, and energy efficiency technologies into the powers authorities are authorized to exercise for redevelopment projects. - Amends TCA Section 13-20-202.

Bill Summary
Present law authorizes a housing authority to establish a redevelopment project and lists the powers the housing authority has to carry out the project, such as:

(1) Installing, constructing, or reconstructing parks, public open spaces, public playgrounds, pedestrian ways, and parking garages in accordance with a redevelopment plan; and(2) Paying expenses for relocation, administrative costs, planning and engineering costs and legal expenses associated with carrying out a redevelopment plan.

This bill clarifies that the housing authority may install, construct, or reconstruct the structures listed above in (1), "regardless of use." This bill further clarifies that in addition to the expenses listed above in (2), the housing authority may pay any energy efficiency costs associated with carrying out a redevelopment plan. This bill adds the following powers a housing authority has to carry out a redevelopment project:

(1) Pay leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) costs, commissioning costs, costs of required documentation to meet LEED or other similar programs, and fees associated with commissioning, as well as greening costs and energy modeling costs for LEED certification or similar programs;
(2) Install, construct, add to, improve or reconstruct public infrastructure; and
(3) Take all other necessary actions designed to further the goals and local objectives articulated in a redevelopment plan.

AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the provision described above in the bill summary in (1) regarding paying costs to specify that the housing authority may pay the design costs, commissioning costs and fees, and costs of required documentation associated with meeting the requirements of LEED, Green Globes or other similar programs as well as greening costs and energy modeling costs for certification by such programs of both new construction, existing buildings and other projects.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009

2009-06-25T16:17:00.004-05:00

The House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act with an 219 to 212 vote. .

Now is the time to tell your Senator to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act

“The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009,” is comprehensive energy legislation. The legislation will create millions of new clean energy jobs, save consumers hundreds of billions of dollars in energy costs, enhance America’s energy independence, and cut global warming pollution.
The legislation has four titles:
(1) “Clean energy”: promotes renewable sources of energy and carbon capture and sequestration technologies, low-carbon transportation fuels, clean electric vehicles, and the smart grid and electricity transmission; (2) “Energy efficiency”: increases energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy, including buildings, appliances, transportation, and industry; (3) "Global warming”: places limits on the emissions of heat-trapping pollutants; and (4) "Transitioning”: protects U.S. consumers and industry and promotes green jobs during the transition to a clean energy economy.
Check out a complete summary

From: TRANSIT NOW NASHVILLE

2009-06-23T14:25:00.003-05:00

Take Action: Transportation bill moving fast!
Congress is about to pour billions of dollars into transportation. But we can't just throw money at the problem the same way we have been - we need smart investments.

The U.S. hasn't had a vision for transportation policy in decades. We've been trying to build our way out of a congested and inefficient system with no accountability and no actual plan to link our roads, trains, busses, bikeways and pedestrian-friendly streets. But the new transportation bill released this week needs to change all that.

Fill out the form at T4America.org to tell your member of Congress to ensure that our country's transportation investments strengthen our economy, our environment and our health.

3rd Annual Dragon Boat Race and River Festival!

2009-06-16T17:29:00.012-05:00

Sign up today for the 3rd Annual Nashville
Dragon Boat Race and River Festival!
On Saturday, August 22nd, the Cumberland River Compact and the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association are hosting the 3rd Annual Dragon Boat Races and River Festival at Riverfront Park, in Downtown Nashville. The purpose of the event is to promote the health of the Cumberland River and raise awareness of the work of these great organizations.

Organize a team!
Put together a competitive team of friends, coworkers, family members, or colleagues and try your hand at paddling a Dragon Boat for 250 meters down the Cumberland River. Each team is made up of 22 members and receives one practice session in the week before the event. To sign-up a team, click here to contact Brooke or give her a call at 615.430.4900. The cost is the same as the last two years: $1250!

The mission of the Cumberland River Compact is to enhance the water quality of the Cumberland River and its tributaries through education and by promoting cooperation among citizens, businesses, and agencies in Kentucky and Tennessee.
http://www.nashvilledragonboat.com/home.html

See YouTube from TeamGreen

KWB Living Green Expo: August 29, 2009

2009-06-14T15:47:00.003-05:00

Be a part of Keep Williamson Beautiful’s Living Green Expo, August 29, 2009. This event is KWB’s endeavor to educate the people of Williamson County as to how companies can contribute to making their lives cleaner and greener.
The event will be held at the Factory at Franklin where hundreds of people shop daily. On Saturday mornings there is a Farmers Market on the grounds of the Factory where environmentally aware shoppers gather for fresh vegetables and more. These same people will be an audience green companies will want to attract. In addition this will be KWB’s Environmental Leader class graduation and our annual volunteer appreciation event. Judge Larry Potter, presiding judge of the Memphis/Shelby County Environmental Court will be the speaker and we expect a large crowd to hear this 2006 Keep America Beautiful Iron Eyes Cody Award recipient.
Read More and be a vendor!
http://www.williamsoncounty-tn.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1599

Emerson Quote

2009-06-14T15:43:00.000-05:00

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet

Residential In-Home Energy Evaluation

2009-06-10T13:37:00.006-05:00

Middle Tennessee Electric Corporation, MTEMC, in partnership with TVA, offers the In-Home Energy Evaluation. Reduce your power usage and receive cash incentives or financing assistance for installing energy-efficiency improvements.
Participants pay an up-front fee of $150 for the evaluation. If any recommended improvements are made over $150, the fee will be reimbursed. Plus, you will be reimbursed 50% of the installation cost up to $500 (thanks to Miles for reminding me about this).>>More Info

Nashville Electric Service, NES
Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit
Just complete a “do-it-yourself” home energy audit and you’ll receive a free Energy Conservation Kit in the mail!(I've done this!) >>More

Don't Throw that used TV in the landfill

2009-06-10T09:38:00.002-05:00

Don't Throw that used TV in the landfill: Recycle it!
* 100% of the materials used to manufacture electronics can be recycled and diverted from land fill.

* Analog TVs contains a picture tube (cathode ray tube) which contains between four and eight pounds of lead.
Williamson County Recycles:
http://www.franklin-gov.com/pdf/tv%20and%20computer%20recycling.pdf

House again delays vote on statewide building code

2009-06-09T20:20:00.006-05:00

June 9, 2009 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A vote on Gov. Phil Bredesen's proposal to impose a minimum residential building code around the state has been delayed in the House.
Several lawmakers representing about 60 counties that have no building codes have tried to exempt their districts from the bill.
(see Energy bill needs help below)
>>> More

Go out tonight: Brentwood Environmental Committee Meeting

2009-06-09T09:43:00.003-05:00

Tonight's meeting is set aside for public input beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Annex Room at the Brentwood Municipal Center. Everyone should try to be there to listen and give your input.
Survey
Before you go please take a few minutes to answer a survey of your thoughts on Brentwood's environment and sustainablity: Click Here for Survey

Energy bill needs help, Call today!

2009-06-08T13:01:00.005-05:00

Today: June 8, 2009: Voting is Tomorrow!!!
The Tennessee Clean Energy Future Act, an initiative of the administration's Energy Task Force, needs our help. Please contact your House members and others who may be appropriate and urge them to vote for the bill without weakening amendments. The bill has passed the Senate comfortably but has run into trouble in the House.
Contact your House member: if you don't know them, go to http://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/ and put in your address and it will bring up your house and senate rep. Email and call them. Tell them to vote for the bill and against the amendments that opt out counties for the state building codes.

Some house members oppose the energy code requirements, which call for International Residential Code (IRC) adoption statewide. It will be helpful to stress that a statewide code not only improves energy efficiency, but also sets the minimum level for the Health and Safety of Tennessee homes. I understand that some in the House are reluctant to impose this regulation on counties when in the past, they have always been encouraged to let the counties have a choice in whether or not to participate.
Many of our counties do NOT have any kind of building codes!! This will put minimum codes to all the counties and will protect many home buyers from buying/building houses that could be unsafe and energy 'hogs'! The extra cost of satisfying the codes will be made up quickly by savings on energy bills and if and when they sell, the house will bring considerably more. A no Brainer.

BrentWord Communications LLC

2009-06-05T21:43:00.002-05:00

Congratulations on Susan Leathers and Kelly Gilfillan new endeavor: they are now formally "BrentWord Communications LLC" (and I didn't even bring a gift)!

What does sustainability really mean?

2009-06-04T11:43:00.003-05:00

In 1987 publication of Our Common Future by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (also known as the Brundtland commission). The report defined sustainability as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Did you ever think that we could over fish our oceans? During the early period of our nation's history, I don't think anyone thought we could cut down our forests like we have. What we do now with our landscape may not effect us but it will leave problems with our children and grandchildren. Some of the cities/counties' actions, or non-actions, have effected us today: uncontrolled sprawl; counties/cities without building codes, etc. Be informed and make sure you are a part of these decisions by your actions and voting!

Brentwood Journal: Green is the Word!

2009-06-03T11:27:00.003-05:00

Brentwood Journal featured a story on the Green Committee (quotes not withstanding):
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090603/COUNTY0903/906030303/0/COUNTY09/Brentwood+seeks+green+ideas

10 Things you can do to Prevent Water Pollution

2009-06-02T15:26:00.008-05:00

1) Take a soil sample to UT Ag Extension Office to find out how much fertilizer your lawn needs. Too much will end up fertilizing your neighbor's lawn or will wash into the stormwater system and becomes a pollutant and costs you money!
2) Never dump anything down storm drains or in the streams. Anything you put on your driveway can end up in the streams or rivers.
3) Mow the grass clippings into the yard and compost your yard waste.
4) Read the label on all pesticides and herbicides and follow the directions and learn how to prevent pest problems.
5) Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces; consider a rain garden or rain barrels to capture stormwater.
6) Take your car to the car wash or wash them on your lawn instead of in your driveway.
7) Check your car for leaks and recycle your motor oil.
8) Pick up after your pet.
9) Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly.
10) Keep soil on your site by stabilizing all bare spots. Soil is the state's number one pollutant.

Towne Centre T H E A T R E

2009-06-01T00:48:00.009-05:00

You don't have to drive all the way to Nashville or Franklin to see a well done live performance! Go to http://www.townecentretheatre.com/ (turn the volume down when you go there!)
* * * * * * * * *
Environmental Committee reminder: A public input meeting will be held on June 9, 2009 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Annex Room at the Brentwood Municipal Center. Everyone should try to be there to listen and give your input.
Survey
Please take a few minutes to answer a survey of your thoughts on Brentwood's environment and sustainablity: Click Here for Survey

Brentwood Town Center

2009-05-30T09:03:00.003-05:00

Apparently Brentwood's Town Center is starting to come alive. Visit it and save gas. Combine trips. As the old saying goes: Think globally and buy locally, or something like that. You can only change things here! As Margaret Mead once said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Visit Susan Leather's blog to see the "Amazing day in down town Brentwood": http://brentword.blogspot.com/

Program Aimed At Keeping Energy Bills Down

2009-05-27T20:31:00.004-05:00

Program Aimed At Keeping Electric Bills Down
Posted: May 27, 2009 05:34 PM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Valley Authority, Middle Tennessee Electric and Nashville Electric Service are teaming up to help residents save hundreds of dollars this summer.
A program called ‘In Home Energy Evaluation Program' helps residents save money on bills and cut back on the cost of building a substation supplying energy to homes.

Saving Energy by Saving Water!

2009-05-27T11:22:00.000-05:00

Energy production in the U.S. requires more water than any other sector. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 48% of water withdrawals in the United States are used for thermoelectric power production. In addition, water is used for growing biofuels or in the extraction of coal, petroleum and natural gas. To illustrate this connection, consider that a hundred-watt light bulb turned on in drought-stricken Atlanta, Georgia for 10 hours results in the consumption of 1.65 gallons of water.

Arlington Cemetery

2009-05-24T09:30:00.003-05:00

This is the weekend to remember those that give to make sure we are all still free!

Environmental Expo Aug. 29, 2009

2009-05-20T18:40:00.000-05:00

Keep Williamson County Beautiful, KWB, is sponsoring an Environmental Expo at the Factory in Franklin on August 29th and they are looking for vendors to make it a viable event. I think the price is $150 but not sure.
KWB sponsored an Environmental Leaders class in March for individuals to learn about sustainable issues and how to better treat this world or ours and make it a cleaner, greener and better for future generations.
A volunteer recognition celebration will be held at the Expo and a guest speaker, Larry E. Potter, presiding judge of the Memphis/Shelby County Environmental Court, recipient of 2006 Keep America Beautiful's Iron Eyes Cody Award. Potter became the first Environmental Court judge in Tennessee in 1983, to serve as a "bridge over troubled water" for matters relating to the health and quality of life of our citizens. Judge Larry Potter is considered a national authority on environmental law. He has traveled around the country assisting other cities in forming their own environmental courts.

If you are interested in having a table, please contact Jo Ann Jackson 790-5848, JoAnnJ@williamson-tn.org, or if you just have questions.
Keep Williamson Beautiful 420 Century Court,
Franklin, TN 37064

Environmental Quality Coordinating Committee

2009-05-19T14:52:00.000-05:00

At the last meeting of the Brentwood's Environmental Quality Coordinating Committee they decided to have a public input session at their next meeting on June 9th, 2009. The meeting is designed to gather input and ideas from Brentwood residents to help the committee develop goals and strategies to recommend to the city.
You can follow the committee meetings at this web site http://www.brentwood-tn.org/index.aspx?page=416 and/or come to the regular scheduled meetings and see it in actions.

The public input meeting will be held on June 9, 2009 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Annex Room at the Brentwood Municipal Center. Everyone should try to be there to listen and give your input.

Survey
The committee asks everyone in Brentwood to please take a few minutes to answer a survey of your thoughts on Brentwood's environment and sustainablity: Click Here for Survey

Solar and Wind Systems Tax Credits

2009-05-17T22:47:00.000-05:00

Homeowners or businesses that install qualifying solar energy and wind systems are eligible for a federal tax credit that can mean substantial savings on their tax bills. Recent federal legislation removed the cap on the credit amount that was previously applied to photovoltaic (PV) and solar water heating systems.
Businesses are also eligible for renewable energy grants from the U.S. Treasury Department equal to 30 percent of the solar system cost. Businesses may choose either the tax credit or the grant. Residential consumers are not eligible for the grant.

What types of wind systems are eligible?
Qualifying small wind systems must have a capacity of 100 kilowatts or less and may be installed at a home, farm, or business. The credits are available for home systems placed in service from January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2016.

Learn more?
For additional information, see these websites:
Tax Incentives Assistance Project: http://www.dsireusa.org
Solar Energy Industries Association: http://www.seia.org
American Wind Energy Association: http://www.awea.org

LEED V3

2009-05-16T15:51:00.000-05:00

Here is Pat Flynn's, LEED AP, with Intheleed.com, attempt to make sense of LEED Version 3 if you are a current LEED AP or thinking about it:
http://www.intheleed.com/leed-v3-credentials-green-associate-ap-specialty-test-taking-information/