New Florida Nutrient Propsed Rules

“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

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

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

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.
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First Leaf electric car in Nashville!

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

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???

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
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