Commercial buildings in the United States alone contribute to an estimated 18% of total energy usage and also contribute to an estimated 4% of global Carbon Dioxide emissions. In 2006, lighting alone constituted about 25% of energy use by the Commercial sector, making it the largest single component of energy usage, which also contributed to about 42% of a commercial building's cooling load. Needless to say, it is about time that this issue was addressed by the Department of Energy.

On May 5th, 2009 the United States Department of Energy introduced Commercial Lighting Solutions, the latest innovation designed to improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings. Commercial Lighting Solutions is an interactive web tool that is designed to help commercial building owners improve lighting efficiency by at least 30%. The tool provides the user with energy savings projections based on user input and selections. The solutions that are produced are designed to meet or exceed energy savings levels required to qualify for tax incentives put in place by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Commercial users and designers can also use the tool to document performance against energy goals which can support end-user applications for incentives and rebates from utilities and state or regional energy efficiency programs.

Commercial Lighting Solutions is the first commercial technology solution to be launched as a part of the Department of Energy's Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative (CBI). Hopefully the next installment will not be too far off, as this is a huge leap in the push towards global energy efficiency. 

Earth Day is a very special day that is celebrated on April 22nd every year. Earth Day was actually founded by a United States Senator by the name of Gaylord Nelson in 1970 as an environmental teach-in (a kind of educational forum). This special day is not only celebrated here in the United States, but is now celebrated by countries all over the world. Essentially, that day, April 22nd of 1970, marks the beginning of the modern environmental movement. As such, this is a day that is indeed worthy of celebration, education, and awareness. At its inception in 1970, there were over 20 million Americans who participated, including thousands of colleges and universities who staged protests against the deterioration of the environment. That first Earth Day in 1970 also saw the birth of the Earth Day Network, an organization that promotes environmental citizenship and year-round progressive action worldwide. Through this network, activists can connect change in local, national, and global policies. Earth Day Network's international network reaches over 17,000 organizations in 174 countries, while the domestic program engages 5,000 groups and over 25,000 educators coordinating millions of community development and environmental protection activities throughout the year.

While the Earth Day Network and billions of others are making their contributions, you can be doing the same. You do not need to stage a protest or clean up an oil spill to take part in Earth Day. While we should be aware of our environment every day, Earth Day is a special time to heighten this awareness. Do you usually drive to work? On Earth Day, take the bus. Do you usually pack your lunch in a plastic bag? Pack it in a reusable bag on Earth Day. Do you usually throw that newspaper in the garbage? On Earth Day take that extra step to make sure it gets recycled. Whatever you do, just be aware that this is a special day for our planet, and billions of people worldwide recognize that and celebrate the world in which we all live. So have a Happy Earth Day and...until next year! 

So you have more than likely heard a lot lately about how our current administration is addressing the nation’s most critical energy and environmental issues. To quell any concerns and clarify any existing confusion, I have taken the liberty of providing an overview of the Obama-Biden “New Energy for America Plan”, a plan with many various aspects that will confront some of the difficulties that America is experiencing both in the realms of environment and the economy. The new plan will:

Provide Short-term Relief to American Families

• Crack Down on Excessive Energy Speculation.

Eliminate Our Current Imports from the Middle East and Venezuela within 10 Years

• Increase Fuel Economy Standards.
• Get 1 Million Plug-In Hybrid Cars on the Road by 2015.
• Create a New $7,000 Tax Credit for Purchasing Advanced Vehicles.
• Establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
• A "Use it or Lose It" Approach to Existing Oil and Gas Leases.
• Promote the Responsible Domestic Production of Oil and Natural Gas.

Create Millions of New Green Jobs

• Ensure 10 percent of Our Electricity Comes from Renewable Sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.
• Deploy the Cheapest, Cleanest, Fastest Energy Source – Energy Efficiency.
• Weatherize One Million Homes Annually.
• Develop and Deploy Clean Coal Technology.
• Prioritize the Construction of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline.

Reduce our Greenhouse Gas Emissions 80 Percent by 2050

• Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.
• Make the U.S. a Leader on Climate Change.

"Clean Coal" - A term that has been thrown around for years and has gained significant popularity in recent times. Perhaps you asked yourself the same question that I did when I really considered this term; How exactly can coal be "clean"? Personally, saying "clean coal technology" is along the same lines as saying "clean dirt technology". 

Although some new specific technologies and policies can contribute to a reduction in the deadly emissions produced by coal burning plants, the reality is that "clean coal" just does not exist, and never will. Putting the words "clean" and "coal" together is blatantly misleading to the public and only contributes to this destructive industry's hype, which acts as dirty cover for their deadly and baneful practices. To see one of the many faces of this deceit and environmental devastation, watch excerpts from this speech given by Don Blankenship, CEO of Massey Energy, the fourth largest coal producer in the United States: Big Coal, Big Lies

So if coal can't be clean, then why is it so dirty? Check out "The Coal Hard Facts" given by www.coal-is-dirty.com and see for yourself. Coal increases rates of disease and kills jobs, burning coal emits mercury pollution and significantly contributes to global warming, it kills miners, wastes huge quantities of water, pollutes seafood and freshwater fish, destroys mountains, kills freshwater streams, and costs billions in taxpayer subsidies. Need I say more?

So you are still not convinced that coal is dirty and destructive? Well consider the following:

• According to the American Lung Association, 24,000 people per year die prematurely from pollution emitted at coal-fired power plants. In fact, the ALA found that coal plants are responsible for 38,000 heart attacks, 12,000 hospital admissions, and 550,000 asthma attacks every year.
• Being the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, burning coal contributes to 40% of U.S. Carbon Dioxide emissions (those most greatly responsible for global warming). As a result, the U.S. produces 25% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
• Between 1992 and 2002 the Centers for Disease Control estimates that 12,000 coal miners died from black lung disease.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that the amount of mercury in the atmosphere is estimated to have increased by 200% - 500% since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, when coal use began to become prominent. Mercury can have devastating neurological effects, especially on infants and young children.

First some background on this addiction that America has to foreign oil.

It is an addiction that has been worsening for decades and threatening our national security, our environment, and our economy. According to T. Boone Pickens' website, in 1970 the U.S. imported 24% of our oil. Today, that figure has skyrocketed to 70% and with no end in sight. In addition, with oil at its current price, we will send over $700 billion to foreign countries this year alone. It is projected that this figure will reach $10 trillion over the next 10 years. With the United States consuming 24% of the World's oil demand for just 4% of the World's population, what is the solution?

Wind power. The states of the Great Plains are said to have the greatest potential for wind energy in the World. According to Pickens, the wind power that could be produced in North Dakota alone is enough to provide power for over 1/4 of the country. The development of wind power also makes an investment in rural America by providing numerous high skilled jobs without threatening local food production operations or economies.

Natural gas and bio-fuels. Cleaner, cheaper, and domestically available, natural gas and bio-fuels are essential in the process of kicking America's addiction to foreign oil.

These solutions and other essential information is all a part of the Pickens Plan, "a bridge to the future -- a blueprint to reduce foreign oil dependence by harnessing domestic energy alternatives, and buy us time to develop even greater new technologies." Stop being a part of the problem and take the first step towards becoming part of the solution. Visit www.pickensplan.com today and find out how to help kick America's addiction to foreign oil.

Bicycle and mixed-mode commuting can both be healthy and eco-friendly alternatives to your car, truck, or van. Riding your bike to work or using mixed-mode commuting (a combination of biking and public transportation) can have a significant effect on reducing the consumption of fuel, eliminating the emission of harmful greenhouse gases, and preventing the creation of air pollution. According to Southern California Edison, most ozone pollution is caused by motor vehicles, including 72% of nitrogen oxides and 52% of reactive hydrocarbons, which are the principal components of smog. Additionally, for every person that chooses bicycle commuting over vehicle commuting, there is one less car on the road to contribute to traffic congestion. A reduction in auto use also contributes to a reduction in maintenance costs, including oil changes, tune-ups, and tire replacements.

There are also many health benefits of bicycle and mixed-mode commuting methods. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), shifting from auto trips to walking and biking is the number one strategy for reducing inactivity-related illnesses.  Riding a bike even part of the way to work is a healthy alternative that can burn extra calories, combat obesity, coronary heart disease, and some forms of cancer, and contribute to muscle maintenance and growth. 

For those who are, for whatever reason, unable to make their complete commute by bicycle, the mixed-method of commuting still makes positive contributions to the health of the individual and the Earth as a whole. Most major metro transportation systems are outfitted with some type of bicycle storage and, even if they are not, perhaps a folding bicycle would be another option. Riding those first or last few miles on your bicycle may just end up giving you that extra energy to have a more productive and efficient day.

Does the prospect of a 4 day work week make you excited? What benefits would this reduction in days worked (not necessarily hours) have for both us as individuals and for the World as a whole? The most conspicuous benefit of the 4 day work week would be the reduction of fuel consumption and, thus, a reduction in harmful emissions. The less our vehicles are on the road, keeping in mind that approximately 60 - 70% of urban air pollution is caused by these vehicles, the less fuel is burned and the less emissions and pollution is created. In addition to this benefit, consider for a moment the potential savings in keeping the office shut down for an extra day every week: no air conditioning or heating, no computers or lights to remain on, no elevators to run, along with countless other energy-saving opportunities. The 4 day work week would also lead to a reduction in traffic congestion. Consider that if the work week were staggered, with 20% of workers each taking a different day off, this would logically lead to a 20% reduction in cars on the road and a 20% reduction in rush-hour congestion without the need to build a single new road. This reduction in congestion would also lead to a reduction in building and maintenance costs for roads and highways.

From an individual worker's perspective, this 4 day work week has potential benefits as well. When compared to the prospect of a "cost of living" raise, the advent of a 4 day work week prevails in popularity. Also, according to a recent study by the EPA, 50% of a person's exposure to ultra-fine particles (those linked to cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses) can occur during a commute. So staying out of that car an extra day every week can have health benefits as well. As far as personal financial expenses are concerned, not only would you save money on that gas that you didn't burn, but your car would also require less frequent tune-ups, oil changes, and new tires. Of course these savings will be more significant for some than others, but every little bit helps. Finally, less cars on the road means a decrease in the potential for accidents and more time to spend with yourself, your friends, and your family.

Sound good to you? 

Smart Meters, also known as Advanced Meters, take the place of conventional electric meters. Through a series of wired and/or wireless networks, consumption information and data can be sent directly to utility companies. This eliminates the need for monthly visits by a meter reader, which saves us the gas that would have been burned to visit all of those meters. More importantly, however, this means that utility companies will be able to closely monitor rates of consumption as it rises and falls throughout the day, therefore allowing them to introduce dynamic pricing that is based on simple supply and demand economics. Customers will then be able to track these variable rates and their consumption, with the hope that this will encourage homeowners to use less power during peak periods.

Many major utility companies are now experimenting with the Tendril Residential Energy Ecosystem, or TREE, introduced by the Tendril company based out of Boulder, Colorado. In this automated energy management system, homes are outfitted with items such as smart thermostats, power supplies, and other electronic equipment that are connected to each other and their power supplying utilities through a series of networks. These appliances can then be monitored by both the individual and the utility so that their power usage can be scaled back accordingly. It is a win-win situation for business or home owners and the utilities that supply them with power. Check out Tendril here: www.tendrilinc.com