Energy and Climate Change


14 Buildings Compete for Energy Efficiency Bragging Rights

EPA hosts first national building competition to improve energy efficiency

bio-oil pressure cooker

University of Michigan Pressure Cooks Algae Soup for Bio-oil

The $2-million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded research combines hydrothermal, catalytic, and biological approaches to make biofuel.

DOE to Decommission, Clean Up West Valley Demo Project

Phase 1 of process includes the removal of several facilities, lagoon areas, and contaminated soils.

Herman Miller Reaches 100% Green Energy Use Goal

Using renewable energy certificates and power purchase agreements, the company uses energy from the sun, wind, and water flow to power its operations.

AccuWeather Predicts Storm May Spread Deepwater Oil Spill to Coast

A Pacific Northwest storm system may pull the oil toward Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida coasts.

New Biofuel Gasification Process Doubles Production

University of Massachusetts and University of Minnesota researchers used methane and carbon dioxide in a single reactor to lower greenhouse gases and make more fuel.

Wake Forest Study Suggests Pokeberries Could Make Solar Affordable

Red dye from purple pokeberries help trap more sunlight in fiber-based solar cells.

Katrina Storm Surge Caused More Than 200 Petroleum, Hazmat Releases

Scientists call for more risk-based facility design, improved prevention, and response planning.



Fannie Mae Data Center Saves $1.7 M in Energy Costs

Five years after achieving LEED certification, the Fannie Mae facility preserves nearly 13,000 gallons of water per day from consumption and waste.

North Shore-Long Island Hospitals to Improve Sustainability

The North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System has agreed to join EPA programs that will help lower energy and water usage, waste, and air pollution at 12 areas hospitals.

11 Groups Urge Suspension of Nuclear Licensing; Defect Found

Nuclear engineer Arnold Gundersen says corrosion turns “passive” emergency feature into greater accident risk.  

Free Guidebook Profiles 286 Green Colleges

The Princeton Review and the U.S. Green Building Council surveyed hundreds of colleges to find those with commitments to sustainability.

Let's Go Travel Guides Share Green Vacation Tips

To celebrate Earth Day's 40th birthday, student travel writers have compiled some of their favorite eco-friendly ideas to help travelers reduce their environmental impact.

New Energy Star Home Guidelines Push for 20 Percent More Efficiency

The guidelines will go into effect in January but may be adopted earlier.

Exxon Subsidiaries in Guam and CNMI to Pay $2.4 M for VOC Emissions

Mobil Oil Guam and Mobil Oil Mariana Islands allegedly discharged hundreds of tons of volatile organic compounds from gasoline terminals.

Fish & Wildlife Offers Ways to Lower Wind Farm Impact on Wildlife

Department of Interior will take recommendations under advisement as the agency develops guidelines for wind energy development on public and private land.

McIlvaine Puts Nuclear Control Market at $35 B in Next 10 Years

Valves and pumps make up the biggest portion of the total and are critical to nuclear safety.

palm oil

Economic Researcher: EU Biofuel Policy Not Based on Science

Gernot Pehnelt's report, which was presented in European Parliament last week, says the directive uses faulty greenhouse gas calculations and purposely discriminates against palm oil.

Pennsylvania Honors 16 for Environmental Innovation

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council will present the 2010 Governor's Award to businesses and organizations that have cleaned up watersheds, saved energy, and eliminated pollution.

SECURE Insignia Attracts Small Water Purifier Companies

Water systems that are portable and self sustaining will be able to bear the System Efficacy through Commercialization, Utilization, Relevance and Evaluation insignia from Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate.