Solar in the news: Life after coal
A group devoted to creating green jobs in Central Appalachia just completed its first rooftop solar array installation on the Williamson Family Care Center in West Virginia’s southern coalfield region.
The installation of a solar power system signals to an area that there is life beyond the coalmines. An 11kW solar array may be small by industry standards, but has a large economic impact on job creation.
The JOBS Project, a non-profit organization promoting sustainable energy, is striving to offer more options to blue-collar 
workers in areas of West Virginia where traditionally the skilled workforce would turn to the mines.
“Projects like this won’t negatively affect mining jobs one bit. West Virginia has long been an energy state. We need to make sure we stay the nation’s leader in all forms of energy,” stated Eric Mathis, CEO of The JOBS Project.
West Virginia is diversifying. Energy can come in many forms – solar, wind, geo-thermal. Chevy is diversifying. Now manufacturing a car that runs on batteries like the Volt while still manufacturing trucks.
It begs to question, if skilled electricians, traditionally working in the mines, now turn to installing solar, what’s to say that a closed car manufacturing plant can’t become the new location for manufacturing solar panels?
Is this how “renew” and “reuse” can make economic sense?
Can a solar manufacturer put long-time unemployed GM Auto Workers in Lansing Township, Michigan back to work?
Now that would create “green jobs” – who’s up for the challenge?
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Thoughts on State of the Union Address
Earlier this week, President Obama delivered his State of the Union Address and touched on the topic of clean energy. Here are some excerpts we found particularly interesting:
We’ll invest in biomedical research, information technology, and especially clean energy technology — an investment that will strengthen our security, protect our planet, and create countless new jobs for our people.
… We’re not just handing out money. We’re issuing a challenge. We’re telling America’s scientists and engineers that if they assemble teams of the best minds in their fields, and focus on the hardest problems in clean energy, we’ll fund the Apollo projects of our time.
… We need to get behind this innovation. And to help pay for it, I’m asking Congress to eliminate the billions in taxpayer dollars we currently give to oil companies. I don’t know if — I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but they’re doing just fine on their own. So instead of subsidizing yesterday’s energy, let’s invest in tomorrow’s.
Now, clean energy breakthroughs will only translate into clean energy jobs if businesses know there will be a market for what they’re selling. So tonight, I challenge you to join me in setting a new goal: By 2035, 80 percent of America’s electricity will come from clean energy sources.
We’re excited to have greater backing and encouragement of solar energy in 2011 and moving forward. We accept the President’s challenge and will continue to meet the highest standards of solar energy production – for you and for our environment.
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Happy Solar New Year!
As we dust off 2010 and forge ahead into 2011, January offers a perfect opportunity to consider green resolutions for the new year. Will you use less hot water? Turn down the heat a little bit? While every change makes an impact, 2011 is the perfect year to make a bigger change with a great impact, like investing in solar energy.
Even if there’s still snow on the ground, we’re happy to discuss your solar options. Start small and take our solar quiz to see where you stand on your solar knowledge: http://www.solareworld.com/solar-learning-center/solar-quiz.
After you review your quiz results, take another small step and attend our On Demand Solar Workshop (Solar 101), where we’ll discuss solar climates, financial incentives, and how to choose a contractor. If you’re ready for the next step, contact us to schedule a consultation. We’re examine your home and discuss the best system for your individual residence.
Once you’ve received your free solar energy analysis, the next step is up to you. Will 2011 be the year that you invest in your financial future and lessen the environmental impact on your community?
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Is Solar Energy the Key to Oil Independence?
America is the largest consumer of energy, and we’re not slowing down. Widely used fossil fuels like oil are a leading cause of global warming and air pollution. The United States relies heavily on fossil fuels from potentially unstable countries, vulnerable to upheaval, disputes, and other disruptions.
In 1973, the United States imported only about 34% of our oil, but the 1973 oil embargo was a serious blow to the economy. Today we import over 53%; this should cause concern over our dependence on importing fossil fuel. We also run the risk of environmental crisis like the recent destruction in the Gulf of Mexico.
Solar energy reduces the amount of fossil fuel that is burned and reduces pollutants and carbon dioxide released. We recommend solar energy systems are highly efficient, durable, and sustainable. Solar energy is generated locally, keeping energy dollars at home, creating economic growth and community benefits.
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What you can do to reduce your carbon footprint
In the spirit of the upcoming 10/10/10 Global Work Party, we’ve gathered together some environmental tips, facts, and other information we can all do right away to help reduce our carbon footprint.
So, what is global warming and why is it such a big deal? The folks at 350.org tell us “Global warming is caused by releasing what are called greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The most common greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. Many of the activities we do every day like turn the lights on, cook food, or heat or cool our homes rely on the combustion of fossil fuels like coal and oil, which emit carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases when burned. This is a major problem because global warming destabilizes the delicate balance that makes life on this planet possible. ”
To some “going green” feels like a undertaking but we’ve gathered some information about what you can do to curb your carbon footprint and work towards a greener planet – and some are rather simple, really. Here they are:
10 Green Home Improvement Resolutions You Must Make Right Now
Why not make some resolutions now that will help you lower your carbon footprint and increase the energy-efficiency of your home throughout the winter and for years to come. You know what they say, “If you can’t change yourself, you can at least change the environment in which you live.” Nobody actually says that…
15 Ways to Practice Water Conservation at Home
Water is a precious commodity, and Americans and Canadians use more water per capita than people in any other part of the world. A lot of the water we use is wasted, but you can save a lot of water between simple adjustments…
Interview With The Authors of The Carbon-Free Home
This beautiful two-story house produces enough energy to fill all of their energy needs and is outfitted with all kinds of ingenious projects straight from their book. In front, a garden grows everything from artichokes to pomegranates, while chickens roam around in the backyard.
Wanting to learn more about how you can reduce your carbon footprint?
Join us at the Kentlands 350 Global Work Party.
When: Sunday, October 10th, 10:00am – 11:30am
Location: Whole Foods Market Cafe – 316 Kentlands Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Pre-register for Kentlands 350 Global Work Party
What is Kentlands 350?
Let’s celebrate climate solutions. Join Whole Foods Market, Solar Energy World and Greenavise at a 10/10/10 Global Work Party. Learn how you can reduce your carbon footprint by powering your home with 100% renewable solar power and teach your children the importance of the number 350 through an art project.
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Greening Maryland Schools
After years of hard work by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and other groups, all Maryland public school students will now have access to comprehensive environmental education, and will graduate with environmental literacy. This comes after a unanimous state board ruling to add the Maryland Environmental Literacy Curriculum.
What does this mean?
The standards don’t necessarily add extra work for Maryland students, but rather enhance their current curriculum with a shift in approach to add dimensions to students’ understanding of how humans and the Earth interact. With environmental issues and studies being so interdisciplinary, it’s pretty straightforward to integrate it into existing schooling.
A specific number of environmental experiences aren’t mandated, and each local school system can adapt the curriculum to fit their needs and resources.
What changes for students?
The curriculum includes topics such as “Humans and Natural Resources,” “Sustainability,” and “Environment and Society.”
For example, a final project for an economics class could be to analyze the relationship between people, companies, and air pollution. Or, a field trip might take eight graders to a Chesapeake Bay watershed to clean up trash and then, in small groups, generate ideas for how to prevent trash buildup in the stream they visited.
For the youngest age groups, more opportunities to go outside are offered, in order to help foster the connections and relationships young children have with nature. As Rachel Carson said, the author of game-changing environmental advocacy book Silent Spring, “It is not half so important to know as to feel when introducing a child to the natural world.”
The new curriculum also requires a “local action” project to serve and improve their community environment.
What’s next?
The curriculum will be applied after it is reviewed and finalized in mid-October. Every five years, school districts will report back on the state of the integration of the curriculum.
Said board member Ivan C.A. Walks, “I don’t know how many things are as important as people understanding the environment.”
Many Maryland State Board of Education members, however, are hopeful that there will be some measurable indicator or requirement for graduation. If the regulation passes, Maryland would be the first state to have an environmental graduation requirement.
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Green Living: Green Cleaning Products
Too often, when we’re trying to live a greener lifestyle, it’s easy to overlook the everyday objects that we use in our lives, concentrating only on bigger things like our cars or houses. Yet using organic household products can have a huge impact on the environment.
Think about this: The average American uses about 40 pounds of toxic household cleaning products each year (according to http://charityguide.org). These products are filled with chemicals and metals that can cause respiratory issues, allergic reactions, as well as serious damage to a person’s internal organs. Unless exposed directly, damage can occur slowly over time, so we may not always see the effects right away. Additionally, the chemicals from these products inevitably find their way into our water supply, which we then ingest when we drink water from the tap, use it in our cooking, or even wash ourselves.
There are several companies out there who make and sell organic cleaning products, but you can also save money while saving the environment when you make your own. The website EarthEasy.com has some great recipes for making your own cleaning products, but here’s a list of environmentally safe products you can use without having to do any mixing. Be aware, though, even if these products are environmentally sound to use, some of them are dangerous if ingested! Keep them out of the reach of children.
- Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
- Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates.
- Lemon - one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria.
- Borax - (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
- White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
- Washing Soda - or SAL Soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. Use care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.
- Cornstarch - can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.
- Citrus Solvent - cleans paint brushes, oil and grease, some stains. (Citrus solvent may cause skin, lung or eye irritations for people with multiple chemical sensitivities.)
- Trisodium phosphate (TSP) - a mixture of soda ash and phosphoric acid. TSP is toxic if swallowed, but it can be used on many jobs, such as cleaning drains or removing old paint, that would normally require much more caustic and poisonous chemicals, and it does not create any fumes.
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Green Living: Green Transportation
Many consumers are enthralled with the idea of driving a hybrid vehicle, one that runs on electricity as much as gas.
But other sustainable modes of transportation abound. Just check out this long list of land, sea and air vehicles that are all striving for more eco-friendly modes of transportation. Our favorites? The solar-powered ones of course!
Of course, some of these are a little over-the-top or not fully applicable (at least not yet). If one of these vehicles don’t appeal to you, then we hope you’ll think about walking or biking to your destinations instead of driving. You can help curb carbon emissions, and you’ll feel great doing it!
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Conservation Is Key
Solar energy can take a long way to reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources like oil. But one of the best ways to keep our energy consumption in check is to simply reduce the amount of energy we consume. Here are some tips to help you reduce your carbon footprint, use less energy, and help fight climate change. Every little step helps!
- In the winter, keep your thermostats at 68 degrees or lower. For each 1 degree you turn down the thermostat in the winter, you’ll save up to 5% on your heating costs.
- Turn off and un-plug non-essential lights and appliances. The electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars!
- Avoid running large appliances such as washers, dryers, and electric ovens during peak energy demand hours from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Close shades and blinds at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows. This also applies during the day for warm climates.
- Buy Energy Star appliances, products and lights.
Source: www.Earth911.com
Want more energy saving tips? Check out BGE’s Simple Steps to Saving Money.
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Green Living: Recycling Electronics
In last month’s Green Living, we talked about recycling. This month, we’d like to focus specifically on recycling electronics, sometimes called “eClycling.”
In our gadget-filled world, people are buying more electronics than ever before, including cell phones, computers, laptops, TVs, DVD players—you name it. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, in 2005, discarded electronics totaled about 2 million tons. Only about 15 – 20 percent of it was recycled. These products, while certainly great to have and use, they contain toxic chemicals such as mercury and lead that can pollute the environment and cause contamination and serious health problems.
Fortunately, Maryland and DC offer eCycling programs that accept household electronics for recycling. These programs ensure that electronics are properly disposed off, rather than contaminating our environment.
You can read more about Maryland’s eCycling program at the Maryland Department of the Environment.
You can read more about DC’s eCycling program at the Department of Public Works.
Additionally, if you want your used electronics to go to a worthy cause, you may want to consider donating them. Often times, schools and nonprofits will accept these types of donations, so check with your favorite nonprofit to see if you can donate your old, unused electronics.
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