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Small changes make a
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Light pollution degrades our environment in many ways and represents a significant waste of energy and money. Each night almost of a third of the light used out-of-doors escapes into the night sky where, instead of providing useful illumination, it causes glare, sky glow and other types of light pollution. About 2.500 individual stars . . . → Read More: Light Pollution Want to know what energy saving incentives might apply to you? Select the appropriate options and click “View Incentives.” if (WIDGETBOX) WIDGETBOX.renderWidget(’3652cea3-1d51-4b74-8689-16ce2ebe15a1′);Get the DSIRE Search widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox! Not seeing a widget? (More info) Check it out. 
An organization called Environment America has studied the issues and recommended some concrete steps to reduce oil consumption. The cost of our oil dependence has grown out of control, from the outrageous price we pay at the pump, to the pollution of the air that we breathe, to our contribution to global warming, to . . . → Read More: U. S. Can Reduce Oil Dependence By 79 Billion Gallons The Portland Press Herald reports (Inefficient builders about to hit a wall, June 14, 2010 ) on Maine’s new mandatory residential energy code, which will take effect in December. A few weeks ago, Maine formally adopted rules for a mandatory statewide energy code for new homes and substantial renovations. Starting in December, construction in . . . → Read More: Maine’s new mandatory residential energy code The following is a guest post written by Barbara O’Brien of the MAA Center. Green or “sustainable” building is the practice of keeping the protection of the environment above all other building considerations. This ideal of environmental concern in building new structures and improving older ones, is more pervasive now, and often guides companies and homeowners alike to make eco-friendly construction decisions. For new structures, the point of being sustainable is not to only use sustainable products, such as bamboo, and recycled and repurposed building materials. From lights to flooring and from the bones of the new building down to the plumbing and electrical, the top construction leaders are embracing this sustainable movement. Isn’t Green Building Expensive?This is one of the most widely misperceptions in the construction industry. Building green isn’t expensive. Not only in the short-term financial output, say for materials, but for the long-term benefit by saving overall utilities costs. Habitat for Humanity International (HHI) is one of the first and leading organizations that embraced the green building movement before it became a regular and expected practice. Since the organization provides low-cost homes for those disenfranchised, it recognized the cost-benefit of building green and using sustainable products. From radiant heat flooring to using recycled glass counter tops, Habitat for Humanity International embraced the green movement because of the cost effectiveness for not only their own building costs, but to provide a house that kept the homeowners’ costs to a minimum. Building green, sustainable homes and buildings is more cost effective now than any other form of building Further, the United States government, specifically the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “rewards” sustainable building by offering tax incentives and grants. Not only does the EPA recognize the importance and long term impact of sustainable building, so does the United States Green Building Council (USBGC). From city redevelopment, new builds and residential home improvements, the USBGC also provides financial incentive to build sustainable. Numerous government agencies, private organizations and foundations supplement the cost of building green. Nation-wide – even worldwide – understands the imperative to provide a clean environment for future generations. Why Are Green Structure Improvements Critical?Many homeowners of older, aging and often beautiful homes tend to be do-it-yourselfers (DIYers). Not only are these homeowners looking to save money and time, they understand the importance of maintaining the character of their home but also to make modern improvements. For homeowners, similarly to new builds, have a financial incentive to go green, including tax breaks. As these intrepid DIYers tackle projects in their older homes, they often run across deadly and extremely toxic materials: from asbestos to lead paint, these well-intentioned homeowners run the risk of being exposed while doing home improvements. Continue reading Green Building-What Everyone Should Know The following is a copy of a guest editorial in the May 6-19, 2011 York Independent (http://www.yorkindependent.net/) written by YEEC member Victoria Simon. In a publication titled “Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go?” the National Priorities Project informs us that environment, energy and science receive 3 cents for every tax dollar. That includes research . . . → Read More: Working to make clean energy a top local priority  Comments are closed  Climate change, Energy conservation, Environmental regulations, Recycling, Solar energy At the end of January 2011, Governor LePage released a set of proposals that, if enacted, would have far-ranging effects on the Maine environment and the health of Mainers. According to the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM): The LePage proposal seeks to: Gut laws that restrict the use of toxic chemicals such as . . . → Read More: Serious changes to Maine environmental laws proposed The Cape Neddick River Association will be making a presentation at the Board of Selectmen this Monday evening, Jan. 10, at 7:00. The group’s focus is to restore the river and beach to health. The CNR has a long history of evidence that the river has become degraded due to bacterial pollution. A recent . . . → Read More: Cape Neddick River cleanup Victoria Simon, a member of the York Energy Efficiency Committee, wrote the following article for the Dec. 17-30, 2010, issue of the York Independent. Find it at http://www.yorkindependent.net/ Plastic pollution realities According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually.(Estimated cost to retailers is $4 billion).Plastic is . . . → Read More: Plastic Pollution  |
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