Hi-Tech Energy Efficiency Initiative

Intel, Advanced Micro Devices, Dell, HP, IBM, Microsoft, AMC, SprayCool, Rackable Systems, VMware, and Sun Microsystems have launched an initiative called The Green Grid that aims to develop standards, measurement methods, processes and technologies to improve the energy efficiency of high technology products, Red Herring reports.

Energy usage is a growing concern for the high technology sector. U.S. data centers and their associated infrastructure consumed five million kW of energy in 2005, the equivalent of five 1,000 MW power plants, according to a recent report from AMD, a member of The Green Grid.

Computer companies have also been rolling out new energy-efficient products recently. Dell has unveiled two PowerEdgeservers that the company says underscores its commitment to environmental responsibility and its goal to design the most energy-efficient products.

Dell’s not alone - manufacturers such as IBM, HP and Sun have made recent announcements concerning the energy efficiency of their systems. IBM recently announced that it would launch a new business unit in 2007 that will focus on environmental technologies. Hewlett-Packard announced a new energy management system, dubbed HP Dynamic Smart Cooling, that’s designed to deliver 20 to 45 percent savings in cooling energy costs. In addition, Sun has unveiled its Project BlackBox.

Most recently, Pacific Gas and Electric Company announced that it is leading a nationwide coalition of utilities to tackle energy efficiency programs for the high tech sector, focusing on data centers and incentives for energy efficiency.

Hollywood goes "green" at Oscars

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) made history tonight by partnering with the producers of the 79th Annual Academy Awards to significantly reduce the impact the telecast and related events had on the environment, setting a high profile example for an estimated 40 million viewers at a time when global warming, soaring energy demand and threats to forests and other landscapes are the focus of rising national attention.

The Academy Award's first-ever greening initiative -- which included a variety of energy-saving solutions -- was led by NRDC in collaboration with Oscar producer Laura Ziskin. The effort included offsetting carbon emissions of the pre-show, the red carpet event, the telecast, and the Governor's Ball; incorporating environmental features into the greenroom design; promoting recycling and reducing waste generated by the annual event; and using recycled materials in paper products, including the Oscar ballots themselves.

Leonardo DiCaprio, an NRDC trustee and nominee for Best Supporting Actor, announced this landmark initiative with former Vice President Al Gore during the live Oscar telecast. According to Mr. DiCaprio, "For the first time in the history of the Oscars, environmentally intelligent practices have been thoughtfully integrated into the planning of tonight's event to make our world healthier and help combat the threat of global warming."

Farm Waste as an Energy Source

Eastern North Carolina's largest utility and the region's largest hog producer say they found an economical way to generate energy from farm waste.

"For us, it has a lot of positives," said Don Butler, spokesman for Smithfield subsidiary Murphy-Brown. "We're sequestering greenhouse gases, utilizing what we have to make fuel and energy, and creating a revenue stream."

The proposal comes at a time of increasing interest in alternative forms of energy generation. The state legislature is considering requiring utilities to produce at least some of their energy from sources other than coal or uranium.

Global Warming: An Energy Problem

Global warming is not an "environmental" problem, it is an energy problem, first and foremost. Almost 90% of the world’s energy is supplied through the combustion of fossil fuels, and every time we burn these fuels to make energy we release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere; carbon dioxide, in turn, is the principal component of the "greenhouse gases" (GHGs) that are responsible for warming the planet. Energy use and climate change are two sides of the same coin.

This article was written by Michael T. Klare, a professor of peace and world-security studies at Hampshire College, a Foreign Policy In Focus columnist, and the author of Blood and Oil: The Dangers and Consequences of America's Growing Dependence on Imported Petroleum (Metropolitan Books, 2004).

Tax Credit Incentives for Energy-Saving Homes & Vehicles

With fuel and other energy costs skyrocketing last year, consumers who purchased energy-efficient home improvements or hybrid vehicles can take a tax credit — one of the tax code's biggest prizes.

Credits amount to pure gold for the taxpayer because they are a dollar-for-dollar reduction in tax liability, whereas a tax deduction only reduces the income against which tax is assessed.

Many home improvements can qualify for the residential energy credit, including insulation, certain water heaters, air conditioners, fans, furnaces, skylights, exterior windows and doors, solar panels and metal roofs with pigmented coatings designed to reduce a home's heat gain.

Trash into Energy

Called a tactical biorefinery, the device was designed at the behest of the U.S. Army. But researchers say the generators could also be used in civilian situations, such as emergencies that require portable generators.

About the size of a small moving van, the diesel generator can process several types of refuse, including paper, plastic, Styrofoam, cardboard, woodchips and food waste.

"This is a very promising technology," Michael Ladisch, a Purdue professor of agricultural and biological engineering who leads the project, said Thursday in a statement. "In a very short time, it should be ready for use in the military, and I think it could be used outside the military."

Finding the Cheapest Gas Prices

Average U.S. gasoline prices are on the rise, based on this 3 month outlook provided by AustinGasPrices.com.


Here is a useful resource for finding the cheapest gas prices in your city. Using this effectively will save you a fortune.
Gasoline Prices For US Cities

Department of Energy Building Going Solar

The House of Representatives passed new legislation for the installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) building -- with hopes that the project will serve as a model for other government buildings.

$25 Million Global Warming Prize

British billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson, with former Vice President Al Gore, offered a $25 million prize Friday for anyone who can figure out a way to curb global climate change by removing at least 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide a year from Earth's atmosphere.

Six Ways Students can Save Energy and Money

By following the tips listed below students can help the environment while helping them selves. It’s simple: less energy use = reduced bills. I was able to cut my $104.11 electric bill down to $33.16 in 3 months by following these tips. It really works and all it takes is a little awareness.

• Unplug appliances not in use.

• Shutdown instead of using standby mode for TV’s, monitors, and other appliances.

• Turn off AC/Heater when not at home.

• Turn off lights when not in use.

• Use energy saving light bulbs. On average they last 10 times longer and use 25% less energy than ordinary light bulbs.

• Take showers instead of baths. On average showers use 50% less water than baths.

Five Tips to be an Energy Efficient Driver

• Observe the Speed Limit
• Gas mileage rapidly decreases at speeds above 60 mph.
• On average every 5 mph over 60 mph is $0.20 extra per gallon of gas.
• Drive Sensibly
• Rapid acceleration, speeding, and braking are all factors in wasted gas.
• On average driving erratically lowers gas mileage by 35% at highway speeds.
• Avoidable Idling
• Idling achieves zero mpg.
• On average larger engines waste more gas than smaller engines at idle.
• Remove Extra Weight
• Relative to the vehicles weight, extra mass can decrease gas mileage.
• On average an extra 50 pounds can reduce mpg by 1%.
• Use Cruise Control
• Maintaining a constant speed, in most cases, will save gas.

Super Bowl XLI powered by Renewable Energy

This year Super Bowl XLI and the NFL Experience Theme Park will both be powered by 100% renewable energy. By using REC’s (renewable energy certificates) the NFL Environmental Program exhibits their commitment to clean renewable energy.
"The NFL has taken a leadership role in bringing energy independence and environmental stewardship to the state," said Vinnie Fugere, Sterling Planet's client manager for the NFL.

Further reading at Sterling Plant

Exxon Mobile sets new profit record

Breaking the previous annual record of $36.1 billion, Exxon Mobile earns $39.5 billion in 2006. The oil giant posted these numbers despite having a slip up in fourth quarter earnings.