Conservation

August 12, 2008 -- PORTLAND -- Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today joined a host of sponsors and contributors for a ceremonial wall raising of the newest Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland home. The house is part of a green affordable subdivision in Portland, the first Habitat home built in Maine to meet the National Association of Home Builders National Green Building Standards.    » read more »

Addressing global concern on climate change and water to have greatest impact on Asia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 16 June 2008 – Climate change and water shortage have emerged as the top issue with the greatest impact on Asia, according to a survey of business leaders by the World Economic Forum. The survey showed that an overwhelming 81% of the 55 business leaders voted for “addressing growing global concern over environmental challenges such as climate change and water” as the top choice of issues with potential impact on Asia.

Other major concerns include “preventing political and economic instability linked to rising food and energy prices” and “managing the social, environmental and infrastructural implications of rapid urbanization”.    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- Washington, D.C.—With the official first day of summer around the corner, U.S. households are already feeling the strain of early summer heat waves and cooling costs, high gas prices, and consumer price increases due to inflation. This summer, households are expected to pay about 30% more for gasoline, 20–40% more for food staples like milk and eggs, and 5% more for electricity relative to last year. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), low-cost efficiency investments can help defray these costs for U.S. households.    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today testified before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on National Parks on the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park Wilderness Act, legislation she introduced to protect nearly 115,000 acres of pristine public land within the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park as wilderness. The bill is cosponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

Sequoias at Sequoia National Park, California: Photo by Phil (CC)    » read more »

Changes in Government Operation Reduce Energy Use, Stimulate Renewable Energy Sector

June 17, 2008 -- HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced a number of strategic initiatives the commonwealth will immediately make to reduce energy use, stimulate the renewable energy sector and cut costs.

“Rising energy prices affect every customer, including state government,” Governor Rendell said. “We need to make immediate, sweeping adjustments to the way state government operates to counter escalating gas prices and rising energy prices.

“The steps I am announcing today will reduce our environmental impact by using less energy, and helping to grow our renewable energy sector by purchasing more clean, renewable energy,” he said.    » read more »

Introduction of Solar Power System to Ray Brook Adirondack Park Agency Headquarters will Provide 30 Percent of the Agency’s Annual Energy Needs, Cutting Cost and Pollution

June 16, 2008 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today praised the work of State agencies that are cutting their energy needs and announced the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) will install photovoltaic solar equipment at its Ray Brook Headquarters. The solar panels will provide one third of the agency’s energy needs, a major reduction of its outside power consumption.    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- Proactive energy management policies and energy efficiency efforts to improve process, thermal, and motor-driven systems were already in place at the Boise Inc. paper mill in St. Helens, Oregon, when it participated in a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Save Energy Now energy assessment. After implementing several assessment recommendations, the Boise Inc. St. Helens mill saved $1 million in energy costs and 154,000 MMBtu in natural gas with a simple payback of 1 month.    » read more »

OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 2008 — The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and General Electric have collaborated to finalize, test and market the first product from a major brand to meet DOE's new Energy Star criteria for electric heat pump water heaters.

The GE ® Hybrid Water Heater is affordable and designed to be 50 % more energy efficient than a standard 50 gallon electric water heater, which should help reduce carbon emissions associated with standard electric storage water heaters in the average home.

GE and Oak Ridge National Laboratory entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement where ORNL and GE will jointly test and market the units, which could be available in home improvement centers by late 2009.    » read more »

English and Spanish transcripts of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's weekly radio address are below.

06/07/2008 -- California Governor Schwarzenegger:

Hi, this is Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with another California Report.

Dry cornfield, California: Photo by Jimmy McDonald (CC)

Now, this week we took some major action to address California's growing water crisis.

Over the last 2 years, our state has suffered from low rainfall, low snowpack and court-ordered restrictions on pumping from the Delta.    » read more »

June 2, 2008 -- BERKELEY, CA — For the third consecutive year the U.S. was home to the fastest-growing wind power market in the world, according to a report released today by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).

A California wind farm: Photo by cobalt123 (CC)    » read more »

Reminds Citizens That Worsening Drought Conditions Mean Conservation Still Important

5/29/2008 -- Raleigh - North Carolina Governor Mike Easley today said worsening drought conditions in western North Carolina should be a warning to citizens that the state has not fully recovered from the drought. He also advised citizens to continue using water wisely since a hot, dry summer is likely.

Falls Lake, North Carolina: Photo by Kevin Greene (CC)    » read more »

May 23, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced legislation Thursday to protect almost half a million acres of wilderness lands in California. Congressman Buck McKeon (R-CA-25), whose congressional districts contain these lands, introduced the companion bill in the House.    » read more »

Agreement will drastically boost salmon returning to Puget Sound and Columbia River

May 22, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today hailed the news that representatives from the United States and Canada have agreed to recommend their governments approve new coast-wide fishing arrangements under the Pacific Salmon Treaty.

The new ten-year agreement outlines each nation’s fishery management plans for Chinook, Coho, chum, and some pink and sockeye stocks from 2009 to 2018. The treaty, if approved, will result in approximately one million fewer Chinook salmon harvested in Canada and Alaska. About half of those fish saved originate from Washington and Oregon waters.    » read more »

05/20/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today joined with business and environmental leaders to unveil the Environmental Defense Fund's (EDF) inaugural "Innovations Review: Making Green the New Business as Usual" report, which is the result of a nationwide review of products and practices that increase environmental efficiency and provide savings to businesses.

California Governor Schwarzenegger showcases green business: Governor Schwarzenegger joined business and environmental leaders to unveil the Environmental Defense Fund’s inaugural “Innovations Review: Making Green the New Business as Usual” report.    » read more »

Alaska Filing to Challenge Decision

May 21, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin announced today the state of Alaska intends to file suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne’s decision to list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Polar bear: Photo by Bruno D Rodrigues (CC)

“We appreciate the Secretary’s recognition that oil and gas activities are already regulated under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to prevent impacts to the polar bear and do not pose a threat to the polar bear,” Governor Palin said.    » read more »