The Tennessee State Parks Calendar of Events: www.tnstateparks.com/events.pdf
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October 1, 2008
Denso gets greener with 'Ecovision' (Times Free Press)
ATHENS, Tenn. - Denso Manufacturing Athens facilities have gone from being "green" to having "Ecovision" that saves the environment, and money, a company official said Thursday. the savings realized as Denso reuses items or cuts consumption is a windfall being divided among employees as a monetary bonus, said Jeannette Widman, Denso's Environment Department supervisor. "We began with the easy things," she told a group of reporters during a facilities tour designed to emphasize efforts to reduce pollution and waste products. More difficult items were tackled and as the savings ideas developed, Ms. Widman said. The result: Waste products have been reduced dramatically at Denso plants in Athens and Maryville. She said water consumption was cut more than 50 percent, landfill waste nearly 75 percent, and carbon dioxide emissions are down nearly 18 percent. Denso has a program that pays employees a percentage of savings for cost cutting, and they have helped with energy saving ideas that have resulted in more than $90,000 in monetary rewards being distributed to the workers, Ms. Widman said. Improvements made include processes designed for recycling waste products, reducing air leaks at machines, improving heating and air conditioning cycles. There was even replacement of alcohol cleaning solvents with a household detergent to clean pallets, for a savings of $2,800 a year and elimination of 1,500 pounds of hazardous waste. She said the firm has reusable containers to ship the products to their customers, and a freight line is hired to return the containers to the plants for reuse. She said the Ecovision program has taken Denso a step past being a "green" company that is environmentally friendly. It is now saving money and conserving with changes to management, products, factory and manufacturing processes and in work with the community. Denso spokesman Hugh Cantrell said the Athens plants manufacture spark plugs, fuel injectors, oxygen sensors and other items related to vehicle engines.
Patricia Miller
Aquatic Education Program Coordinator
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
(615) 781-5276
Recycling stations will be located throughout the Lipscomb High School football field parking lot, 3901 Granny White Pike, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days to accept unwanted computers, televisions, printers and more.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to bring any electronic equipment, "anything with a plug" (except refrigeration or air conditioning units) for proper recycling at no cost.
All of the E-waste will be completely disassembled for proper recycling. Hard drives and other data items will be completely shredded, destroying all information. Proper documentation will be provided to businesses needing certification of their proper disposal of hazardous waste.
Improperly discarded E-waste is a major source of lead and other toxic agents in landfills, which eventually seeps into our waterways and food chains. By serving as the host location for the event, LU is making another statement about its committment to preserving the environment. Last November, LU hosted a two-day Summit for a Sustainable Tennessee, the same day that its elementary campus became a state-certified "Green School", designated as such by the Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership. David Lipscomb Elementary School was also one of only ten schools in the state to receive the 2007 Eastman Chemical Company Good Sports Always Recycle (GSAR) Award.
Southeast Recycling Technologies, a Tennessee-based recycling company, has specialized in proper recycling for mercury bulbs and electronics since 1996.
For more information about the event, contact Southeast Recycling, 615-259-8112, or visit recyclebulbs.com
Southeast Recycling Technologies
906 Chase Dr.Johnson City, TN 37604
Toll Free: 1-800-592-3970
Phone: (423) 282-2022
recyclebulbs.com
I hope you will be able to join Governor Bredesen and Sen. Howard Baker in Knoxville on Oct. 14 and 15 for the first-ever Governor's Summit on Clean Energy Technology. The summit will explore practical ways Tennessee can become a leader in the clean tech sector. Please join the conference and help in the creation of high-quality jobs to support clean energy and the environment.
Key partners participating in the conference include Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Sen. Baker and Governor Bredesen will be joined by more than 30 world-class speakers, moderators and panelists, including: Volkswagen of American President and CEO Stefan Jacoby, Sen. Bob Corker, TVA President and CEO Tom Kilgore, ORNL Director Thom Mason, UT President John Petersen, and Appalachian Regional Commission Co-Chair Anne Pope.
Please visit www.tn.gov/energysummit where you can get more information and register online.
Conference registration is at:
https://utconferences.outreach.utk.edu/ei/getdemo.ei?id=126&s=_2K40PHOOO
I look forward to participating in the conference and hope that you will be able to as well.
With best regards,
Paul Sloan
Deputy Commissioner
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Two Important Dates – Two Important Events
October 3 : Odyssey Day
CCMT and the Nashville Auto Diesel College are co-hosting an alternative fuel day as part of the national DOE and NAFTC Odyssey Day celebration.
DOE and the National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium have chosen to use our Nashville event as the national kick-off.
Media event and speakers 9am-11am October 3
Nashville Auto Diesel College
Odyssey workshops and vehicle showcase all day. Click link for more information:
www.nationalafvdayodyssey.org
October 8 : E85 for I65 Grand Opening
This great event is part of the four state partnership initiated by Clean Cities of Middle Tennessee and three of our sister organizations in Kentucky, Indiana and Alabama.
Interstate 65 is now the longest alternative fuel corridor in the nation.
More details on these events will be available soon.
Contact Dave Pelton / 615-482-4849 for more information.
THE SECOND ANNUAL
SUMMIT FOR A SUSTAINABLE TN
Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee
November 13-15, 2008
Register Now!
www.tectn.org
"To educate and advocate for conservation and enrichment of Tennessee's environment, communities, and public health."
Reinventing Sustainable Communities Workshop in Nashville
Local, regional, and state government officials, as well as professionals involved with the land development industry have many questions about sustainable development. For instance, what exactly is sustainable development? How can we encourage or implement new ordinances to foster them? Does it cost more?
What are the real benefits to sustainable development? What innovative designs and techniques will drive demand for people to want to live, work, and play in a sustainable development?
Nashville, TN October 15, 2008
Morning Scarritt-Bennett Center,
Afternoon _ Both 1008 19th Ave. South
KILOWATT OURS
Award Winning Film About Energy Solutions Hits the Airwaves Across America
Award-winning film Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America is a timely, solutions-oriented look at one of America’s most pressing environmental challenges: energy. Kilowatt Ours will be available this fall to public television stations nationwide to schedule for broadcast. Times and dates will vary in each market. Check local listings or call your local public TV viewer services department to find out if Kilowatt Ours is airing in your community. Please do not call station programmers directly. This may undermine our efforts.
In Kilowatt Ours, filmmaker Jeff Barrie offers hope as asks the question, “How can I make a difference?” In his journey Barrie explores the source of our electricity and the problems caused by energy production including mountain top removal, childhood asthma and global warming. Along the way he encounters individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities who are leading the way, using energy conservation, efficiency and renewable, green power all while saving money and the environment. This often amusing and always inspiring story shows, “You can easily make a difference and here’s how!”
Kilowatt Ours is currently scheduled in the following communities:
East Lansing, MI — WKAR — 10/9 8:00 pm and 10/27 11:00 pm
Greensboro/High Point/Winston Salem NC — WUNL — 10/23 10:00 pm
Las Vegas, NV — KLVX — 10/5 6:30 pm
Las Vegas, NV — Vegas PBS Rewind Cable 110 — 10/8 4PM
Las Vegas, NV — Vegas PBS Jackpot Cable111 — 10/25 4:01 AM, 9AM, 2:01PM
Louisville, KY (Statewide Reach) — KETKY — 10/5 1:00pm, 10/9 6 am, 4pm, 10/10 7pm, 10/11 12am, 2PM
Milwaukee, WI — WMVS — 10/15 10:00 pm
Memphis, TN — WKNO — 10/22 8:00 pm
Nashville, TN — NPT Channel 8 — 10/24 7:00 pm
Raleigh/Durham, NC — UNC-TV — 10/23 10:00 pm
Oklahoma City, OK — KETA — 10/7 10:00 pm
Sacramento, CA — KVIE — 10/8 2:00 pm
Washington, DC — WHUT — 10/1 9:00pm
For more information, visit www.KilowattOurs.org, or email info@KilowattOurs.org
Economic Summit for Women
The Women’s Economic Council Foundation will present its fifth Economic Summit for Women at the Nashville Airport Marriott on October 28, 2008. Former United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, author and leadership development expert Robin Gerber and motivational speaker Delores Pressley will be the keynote speakers. There will be other sessions dealing with issues such as financial planning, health care, legislative issues, and business networking. I will be there to award six scholarships to high school seniors and women from West, Middle and East Tennessee.
I am also excited to announce that the Department of Human Resources has approved this event for CEU credit for state employees.
Visit www.tnwomensummit.org to see the full agenda. Scholarship information and applications are also available at this Web site. The cost of the conference, including lunch, is $80. If you need additional information, feel free to call the Tennessee Economic Council on Women office at (615) 253‑4266.
Best,
Andrea Conte
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Building Outside the Box: FEATURE NEWS
Bells Bend Nature Center - Solar Power Tracking Live Online!!
The new Bells Bend Nature Center is open for business and its Solar Power generation is live online for everyone to see. Since the installation on May 30, 2008 the site has been tracking the power generation for the center and counting up the pounds of carbon dioxide saved using solar power. So far the solar panels have generated near 3000 Kilowatt hours of power and avoided over 6600 pounds of green house gas production. That’s equivalent to powering 48 houses for one day or 241 days of average car driving. Go to www.fatspaniel.com and find the "Live Sites" button at the top of the page. Scroll down the list of solar providers to “Lightwave Solar Electric”. This is Steve Johnson’s company, a key solar provider in middle Tennessee and a strong BOB supporter. There you can check out Bells Bend, Mellow Mushroom and Street Dixon Rick solar power generation in real time. Congratulations to these companies for using solar power that benefits their bottom line and all of us too!!
Main site: www.fatspaniel.com – Click on “Live Sites” and scroll down to Lightwave Solar Electric
Direct Link to Bells Bend: http://view2.fatspaniel.net/PV2Web/merge?&view=PV/detailDC/HostedAdmin&eid=134284
EVENTS:
River Inside Exhibit Opens -- October 1 @ Tennessee State Museum
See this wonderful exhibit featuring platinum photographs by John Guider. www.reflectinsontheriver.com
Farmland Legacy Conference – October 9-10, 2008 Montgomery Bell State Park, TN
“Today’s farms for tomorrow’s families and communities”- Farmers, landowners and community leaders will have the opportunity to learn about protecting and growing today’s farms for tomorrow’s families and communities. Discussion topics will include property taxes, estate planning, conservation easements as well as other agriculture and community issues. Hosted by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, The Land Trust for Tennessee, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, The Century Farm Program, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Cumberland Region Tomorrow, the conference will offer valuable information for producers and community advisors. Find the details and registration at: http://picktnproducts.state.tn.us/legacy/
FLOW 2008 – Interdisciplinary Solutions to Instream Flow Problems – Oct 7-9
Conference October 7-9, 2008 San Antonio, TX Information and registration on line at www.instreamflowcouncil.org/flow2008 .
Planning & Designing for the Natural Infrastructure – Session III The Neighborhood and Regional Scale – Friday, Oct 10 , 2008 Nashville Downtown Library
Comprehensive community and regional planning is not complete without considering the value of our natural resources to the local economy, environment and quality of life. Cumberland Region Tomorrow, in conjunction with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency and several key partner agencies, is completing a Regional GreenPrinting Pilot Project that will create a comprehensive GIS-based decision making tool that can be used by local and state planners, as well as design and development professionals, to ensure access to and knowledge of critical lands for conservation in the CRT region. By identifying and focusing on maintaining important open space and ecosystem functions, the CRT Region can minimize the cost of built infrastructure and provide critical open space resources for many years to come. GIS information currently available in the TWRA Tennessee Wildlife Action Plan will serve as the base layer, with other critical layers being added to comprehensive GIS data products that will be presented and provided at this one-day workshop.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Architects, Professional Engineers, Landscape Architects, Planners, Public Works Officers, Developers and Open Space Advocates. COST: $100 for session III, Continuing Education Credits will be available for design and planning professionals. Contacts: Dr. Bridget Jones, bridget@cumberlandregiontomorrow.org and Carol Pedigo, cpedigo@aiamidtn.org
And More:
· October 13 - Cheatham Lake Watershed Public Meeting
Hosted by TDEC and CRC - Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, Nashville, TN from 7 to 9 pm. A meeting open to the public to discuss the Cheatham Lake Watershed Water Quality Management Program.
· October 25 - Rain Barrel Workshop at Warner Park Nature Center 12:30 pm Call to register 352-6299 , Cost $35 including rain barrel www.cumberlandrivercompact.org
· November 12 - Rain Barrel Workshop - First United Unitarian Church 7:00 pm Call to register 352-6299 $35, includes rain barrel www.cumberlandrivercompact.org
USGBC Gala Event
Riverwood Mansion, Nashville Tennessee
Friday, October 24th, 2008 6:00 pm to 10:00pm
The USGBC Gala event, is a time to celebrate the Middle Tennessee Chapter's successes in 2008 and to recognize leaders in our community through the Green Star awards program. This year, the event will be held at the historic Riverwood Mansion. Built in the late 1790's, it has been identified as one of Nashville's most significant historic structures/sites by the Metropolitan Historical Commission.
A silent auction will begin at 6pm offering unique items from local vendors and service providers. To offer an item for the silent auction or for a list of sponsorship opportunties, please visit our chapter website or contact Laura Schroeder at l.schroeder@hawkinspartners.com. Please make plans to join us and help celebrate this year's successes!
Green Star Award Nominations
The Green Star Awards are presented at the USGBC Gala Event each year to an individual, organization or project that has represented the Mission of the US Green Building Council Middle Tenneessee Chapter and has served to promote the principles of sustainable design and construction.
Please submit nominations via. email to Chapter Vice-Chairman, Fernando Rodriguez at fjrodriguez@tcco.com no later than Tuesday, September 30th. Nomination only needs to include a.) the name of the nominee, and b.) a brief description for consderation of the award selection committee.
Questions? Contact:
Mike Leonard
mleonard@tmpartners.com
P.O. Box 22515 Nashville TN 37202-2515
WWW.USGBC.ORG/CHAPTERS/Middletennessee
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CLICK HERE to view the HRWA Newsletter Online
Don't Miss Nashville's Signature Green Event, the Harpeth River Jam. Tickets are on sale now and space is limited, get yours today!
Harpeth River Watershed Association
P.O. Box 1127, Franklin, TN 37065 • 615-790-9767 • www.harpethriver.org
Working together to protect and restore the ecological health of the Harpeth River Watershed
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TP3 Green School in the News!
Schools go green(Daily Herald)
Julie Stickney used to keep trash cans crammed full of garbage at her Spring Hill Elementary School classroom. Now, the first-grade teacher finds she has a hard time filling up one since the school implemented a recycling program. Not only does recycling generate money for the school and keep trash out of the landfill but it also teaches students about the importance of caring for the planet, Stickney said. “Being green is such a big thing now,” she said. “It’s the new trend.” Spring Hill Elementary held an assembly Friday to launch its recycling program. The school will recycle plastic bottles, steel and aluminum cans, cardboard and paper. Six other Maury County schools will join Spring Hill Elementary this semester, marking a dramatic expansion of the number of schools in Maury County that recycle. Once all of the programs are up and running, 15 Maury County schools will be recycling. All the construction paper, milk cartons and juices boxes students consume can add up. During this past school year, Spring Hill Elementary School produced 51 tons of garbage — equivalent in weight to about four school buses. That equates to about 200 pounds of trash each student produces over the course of a school year, according to the report. In an effort to keep some of the garbage out of landfills, the Maury County Commission adopted a resolution earlier this year that placed bins at seven schools. The solid waste department agreed to pick up the containers. The county and schools are splitting proceeds from the sale of recyclable goods. The county received about $142,600 from the sale of recyclable materials during the 2006-07 fiscal year. There’s also money to be saved by not having to transport the waste to a landfill, said Cynthia Rohrbach, director of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s green schools program. It costs about $35 per ton to transport garbage to the landfill. “There’s a real incentive for doing it,” she said. As concerns mount about global warming, Rohrbach said she has noticed more and more educators calling with questions about what they can do to help the environment. Rohrbach said she is encouraging school officials to think about how they can conserve energy and reduce waste. In Maury County, school officials recently installed an energy-efficient lighting system they hope will help the system save on its utility bills.
Mary Hamilton helps to oversee the recycling program at Highland Park Elementary School, which started recycling cans in 1995. The school narrowly edged out Hampshire School as the county’s top recycling school during the 2007-08 school year. Hamilton said she never viewed recycling as a competitive sport until she saw a report breaking down recycling performance at different schools. “I thought this is like a football game,” she said. “We can really win this again.” The Highland Park teacher said she has considered embarking upon a new environmental mission — trying to persuade the school to stop using Styrofoam in its cafeteria.
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Dragon Boat & River Festival
www.nashvilledragonboat.com
Best Team Building Exercise: Dragon Boat Racing
Nashville Scene October 4, 2007
Teamwork is key to winning Nashville’s newest tradition, the dragon boat race. Twenty rowers, sitting in a long canoe-like vessel, must paddle in absolute harmony or victory is unattainable. A drummer sitting at the head of the boat sets the pace—think Spartacus with less dying. Dragon boating started in China 2,500 years ago. The prows of the boats are decorated with a large, fearsome dragon head while a scaly, dragon tail curls from the stern. The race was held here for the first time in August on the Cumberland. The Scene fielded a team—Dragon Ass—and through practice, paddling and heckling the other teams, employees who at first didn’t even know each others’ names became pals. We may not have won first place, but it beat the hell out of trust falls and ropes courses at a corporate picnic. —P.J. TOBIA
Cumberland Region Tomorrow
Hosting two workshops:
Session 1: Thursday-Friday, August 28-29 , Nashville Downtown Library
The Neighborhood and Community Scale: Light Imprint Integration of Sustainability and Urbanism
Session 2: Friday, October 10 , Nashville Downtown Library
The Neighborhood and Regional Scale: GreenPrint Resources and Strategies for Conserving our Region’s Land, Cultural and Natural Resources
For more information and registration info, visit the following websites:
Homepage: www.cumberlandregiontomorrow.org
Registration Page: www.cumberlandregiontomorrow.org/registration.aspx
For questions about this event, contact:
Dave Keiser
Program Director
Cumberland Region Tomorrow
511 Union Street, Suite 1600
Nashville, TN 37219
office: 615.986.2698
fax: 615.986.2697
mobile: 615.668.3728
email: davek@cumberlandregiontomorrow.org
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Greener Nashville is loaded with fresh updates! Local Green News Financial Permaculture Blog |
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Greener Nashville is partnering with the Green Living Journal! The Green Living Journal is a quarterly publication featuring articles about the environment and green development in Tennessee. The journal highlights local green lifestyle success stories and upcoming green events. Get events listed in the upcoming edition of the journal to be distributed on September 22, simply by posting your event on Greener Nashville. Save paper - read the latest edition of the Journal on-line. |
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Greener Tennessee coming soon... Get ready for Greenertn.org to debut this Autumn 2008 in conjunction with the Summit for a Sustainable TN, November 13-16. Greener Tennessee is a primary partner of the November Summit. Greener Tennessee will be your connection to green business, events and networking opportunities for all of Tennessee. The site is being sponsored by grants from the USDA and the Community Foundation. |
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GET INVOLVED! Greener Nashville and Greener Tennessee are seeking 2 interns to help with networking and data entry. |
Lend a hand! |
2621 Gallatin Pike | Nashville, TN 37216 |
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USGBC MIDDLE TENNESSEE CHAPTER
NEWSLETTER- August 2008
CLICK HERE for a direct link to the August 2008 edition of the US Green Building Council Middle TN Chapter newsletter:
http://chapters.usgbc.org/middletn/chapternewsletters.html
What's inside:
- Notes from the Chair - Mike Leonard
- Member Spotlight
- Historic Preservation: The Utilimate in Recycling - Michelle Fox
- LEED NC Technical Review Workshop - Flyer
- Counting Kilowatts - Jeff Barrie
- CSI Products Show Announcement (Construction Specifications Institute, Nashville Chapter)
- Have You Heard What's Hot in Energy Efficiency? - Laurie Parker
- Understanding TVA's Fuel Cost Adjustment - Laurie Parker
- Green Tie Gala - Save the Date Announcement
- Gala Sponsorship Contract
- Local Happenings
Walk/Bike Nashville Celebrates 10 Years
CLICK HERE to see the details
Walk/Bike Nashville has a birthday coming up -- we're 10 years old! We'll be celebrating on Thursday, October 23 at the Nashville Farmers Market during our annual meeting. More information will soon come in the form of an invitation and details will soon be available on our website.
Please join us in making it a success with your attendance and by submitting nominations for the Walk/Bike Nashville Annual Awards. Descriptions of each award and nomination directions are below. You can also help make it a success by volunteering - we'll need volunteers to help out with pre-meeting set up 4:00 p.m. October 22 and day-of meeting set up beginning at 4:00 p.m. on October 23. If you are interested in volunteering to help make our birthday a blast, please email dkleinfelter@gmail.com.
Kibby Clayton Friendly Streets Award
Volunteer of the Year Award
Pedestrian Friendly Development Award 
CLICK HERE to see the Newsletter online. Articles include:
Advocacy Update
Rosa Parks Boulevard Bike Lanes
Music City Moves Kids!
Getting Out of My Car
Guest Article by Walk/Bike Nashville Member Adrian Reif
10th Annual Walk Nashville Week
October 4 - 10
Plan to get out and walk during October at several scheduled events. See the newsletter or website for details.
Remembering Jim Benson
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Your UT Center for Industrial Services Manufacturing Solutions
Manufacturing Solutions Is: Ask an Expert | Tools You Can Use | eLibrary
In This Issue of UT Center for Industrial Services Manufacturing Solutions:
Is Your Company Leaving Research and Development Tax Credits on the Table?
Succession Planning - The Key to the Future
NIOSH Weight Lifting Calculations and Standards
Energy Self-Audit: Tools You Can Use
CLICK HERE to view the entire Newsletter online
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Nashville Clean Air Partnership
CLICK HERE to view the Clean Air Quarterly.
I'd like to bring your attention to a new section called "Real People Chronicles" that highlights success stories from average people working to make a difference in Middle Tennessee's air quality. If you or someone you know has a story to tell, send an e-mail to melissa@cleanairpartnership.info.
As always there are several live links to information in the stories throughout the newsletter.
Thank you all for your dedication to improving Middle Tennessee's air quality. Happy reading!
Melissa Stevens
Communications Director
Clean Air Partnership of Middle TN
(615) 340-0383
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September 2008
In this issue:
National Pollution Prevention (P2) Week – Sept. 15-21
-KPPC Receives National Award for Technical Assistance Program
-Industrial Water Management Webinar
-FREE, Confidential and Non-regulatory Pollution Prevention (P2) Services
-P2 Tips
KREC 25x'25 Roadmap Report Released
KPPC Welcomes New Staff Members
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events
- The 32nd Annual Governor's Conference on the Environment
- Fundamentals of Compressed Air Systems, USDOE Training Workshop –
Oct. 15, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EDT in Louisville - October is Energy Awareness Month
- Electric Transportation for the Bluegrass, Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition –
Nov. 10, 2-6 p.m. in Lexington
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EPA News Items and Updates
News for Release: Friday, Sept. 19, 2008
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
42 New Performance Track Members Set Environmental Improvement Goals Going Above and Beyond Environmental Regulations
Dallas First Major City to Join
Contact: Dave Ryan, (202) 564-4355 / ryan.dave@epa.gov
(Washington, D.C. - Sept. 19, 2008)The City of Dallas, facilities from Intel Corporation and John Deere, and Dyess and Barksdale Air Force Bases in Texas and Louisiana are among the 42 new members setting goals to go above and beyond environmental requirements as part of EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track Program.
“Our Performance Track partners are producing real, measurable results,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “EPA applauds their efforts for doing what’s best for both the environment and business.”
For example, Dallas, the first large city government to become a member of the program, intends to reduce water use at all city sites by five percent over a three-year period, a reduction of 49 million gallons of water used.
Both public and private individual facilities may apply for Performance Track membership, with some companies having multiple facilities in the program. EPA also provides a Corporate Leader designation for companies and public agencies that exhibit policies and behavior at a corporate level that are associated with environmental excellence and are substantially committed to Performance Track. .Performance Track members represent a wide range of sectors, including the public sector, electronics, chemical products, pharmaceuticals, and rubber and plastics.
This latest group of Performance Track members, accepted from applications submitted in Spring 2008, included facilities from the U.S. Postal Service, Baxter Healthcare, Forever Resorts and Xanterra. These organizations already had facilities represented in Performance Track.
To earn membership, Performance Track applicants must demonstrate and commit to maintaining a strong record of environmental compliance, set three-year goals for continuous improvements in environmental performance beyond their legal requirements, have internal systems in place to manage environmental impacts, engage in community outreach and consistently report results.
Performance Track facilities typically set four goals for environmental improvement. The Frito-Lay Inc. facility in Pulaski, Tennessee, for example, has set a goal to reduce non-transportation energy use by 15 percent through a series of energy-saving measures, including better utilization of waste heat, more efficient operating equipment, and installation of a building energy management system.
Since the 2000 launch of the program, Performance Track membership has grown to 548 members in 49 states and Puerto Rico, and members have set more than 4,000 goals to benefit the environment. As a result, Performance Track members have reported greenhouse gas reductions of 310,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, reductions in nitrogen oxides of 13,000 tons, and reductions of hazardous waste of 52,000 tons.
More about Performance Track members: http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack/round16PTFacilities.htm
More about Performance Track members: http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack/
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New EPA Toolkit to Help Municipal Governments Confront Recycling Challenges
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, harris-young.dawn@epa.gov
(Atlanta, Ga. – Sept. 19, 2008)
EPA Region 4 is releasing a new Municipal Government Toolkit (MGTK). The MGTK provides a centralized web-based resource for recycling-related information designed specifically to assist local government leaders and recycling program coordinators. The MGTK provides a key resource to help elected officials and decision-makers identify information to develop, evaluate, support, and/or expand their reduction programs. This resource presents a collection of economic data, sample legislation, waste reduction efforts, guidance resources, and case studies regarding the impacts of recycling in the Southeast. The website focuses on six key areas related to recycling in the Southeast: economic impacts, climate change aspects, community benefits of recycling, and recycling hot topics, as well as modules on starting a recycling program, and improving a recycling program. The toolkit also emphasizes Region 4's new Recycling Grows Green logo, (Embedded image moved to file: pic07093.jpg) , demonstrating that recycling efforts by municipalities often have the dual benefits of helping the environment and local budgets.
Persons interested in obtaining additional information are encouraged to contact Rhonda Rollins at (404) 562-8664 / rollins.rhonda@epa.gov or Angela Bivens, (404) 562-8623 / bivens.angela@epa.gov. The website can be accessed at www.epa.gov/region4/recycle, then follow the link to the Toolkit.
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CARE Connection
sponsored by USEPA Community Action for a Renewed Environment
Environmental Public Health Leadership Institute Accepting Applications
From August 15 through October 31, 2008, CDC’s Environmental Public Health Leadership Institute (EPHLI) will accept applications for the class of 2009–2010.
Each year, approximately 30 practicing environmental public health professionals are admitted to the program. EPHLI strengthens the country’s environmental public health system by enhancing the leadership capabilities of state, local, and tribal environmental public health professionals.
Application instructions are posted at http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/EPHLI/application.htm For more information about EPHLI, please contact Kim Ayers at KAyers@cdc.gov or John Sarisky at JSarisky@cdc.gov.
Deldi Reyes
Community Action for a Renewed Environment
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 7409-M
US Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington DC 20460
Phone: (202) 564-8534
reyes.deldi@epa.gov
2008 Collegiate Environmental Sustainability Conference
Spelman College
Atlanta, Georgia
October 23-24, 2008
Going GREEN has never made more “cents”...
Now more than ever, economic and environmental benefits are critical to the sustainability of our institutions. Energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water conservation, smart land use and more are essential components for a healthier campus. Remodeling and building with sustainable materials to meet the needs of growing campuses are key to reducing our impact on the environment, health, and resources. Environmental decisions now affect us economically later.
Make the right environmental decisions: join us in learning the dollars and sense of Going Green. Learn about benefits, success stories and resources available for Colleges and Universities. The window of opportunity is now!
Check http://www.epa.gov/region4/greencolleges/, information will be updated as it becomes available!
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Pam Swingle
Office of P2 and Innovations
EPA, Region 4
61 Forsyth Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 562-8482
Fax: (404) 562-8210
Email: swingle.pamela@epa.gov
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CLICK HERE to view the September issue of P-Track News
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE
* Teleseminar September 16 on Incorporating Renewables and Efficiency into Your Energy Portfolio
* Performance Track Defrays Rates for Members Seeking a Green Suppliers Review
* West Virginia Signs MOA with Performance Track
* Denver International Airport Installs Large Solar Energy Array
Follow links to view the August 2008 issue
HIGHLIGHTS OF August ISSUE
* Ninety-six Facilities Renew Their Membership in Performance Track
* Performance Track Announces 2008 State and Regional Conference
* Fact Sheets Available on Common Practices of Performance Track Facilities
* BFGoodrich Facility Gets Media Attention for Beekeeping Project
* SavATree Provides Volunteer Care for Central Park Trees
ARE WE REACHING THE RIGHT PEOPLE?
If you are interested in finding out more about EPA Performance Track, please contact Mr. Reggie Barrino, EPA Region 4 PTrack Coordinator, at barrino.reginald@epa.gov.
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EPA Recycling Newsletter
Extra! Extra! - Read All About the great news in Recycling!
CLICK HERE to see the 6 th issue of The Environmental Sustainicator - R4 EPA Materials Management Section Quarterly Newsletter.
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From our Friends at EPA Region 4 P2:
USDA is offering grants to support/educate farmers on composting, including food waste. CLICK HERE for information.
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News for Release: Friday, Aug. 29, 2008
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Manufacturers and Retailers Balance Tires and the Environment
Contact Information: Latisha Petteway, (202) 564-4355 / petteway.latisha@epa.gov
(Washington, D.C. - Aug. 29, 2008) Tire companies, big box stores, and the government are putting the brakes on the use of lead wheel weights. Through EPA's National Lead-Free Wheel Weight Initiative, partners have agreed to phase-in the use of lead-free alternative wheel weights and reduce the amount of lead released into the environment by 2011.
"Our partners have pledged to reduce or eliminate their use of lead wheel weights," said Susan Parker Bodine, assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. "Their efforts will remove millions of pounds of lead from the environment and the waste stream."
Eliminating lead wheel weights is a significant step toward reducing the overall amount of lead released into the environment. EPA estimates that 50 million pounds of lead per year are used for wheel weights in cars and light trucks. It is common for wheel weights to come off when a vehicle hits a pothole in the road or stops suddenly, which results in lead entering the environment. Lead-containing wheel weights also add lead into the environment as they move into the waste stream at the end of product life.
The charter members include Firestone Complete Auto Care; Firestone Racing (a division of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire); Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.; Costco Wholesale; Wal-Mart Tire and Lube Express; Sam's Club Tire and Battery Centers; Wal-Mart Transportation; Hennessy Industries Inc.-BADA Division; Perfect Equipment; 3M Automotive Division; the U.S. Air Force; U.S. Postal Service; General Services Administration; Ford Motor Co.; General Motors Corp.; Chrysler; Plombco; the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers; the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia; the Ecology Center; Sierra Club; the Environmental Council of States and several small businesses.
Information about lead-free tire weights: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/nlfwwi.htm
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News for Release: Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA Encourages Americans to Bring their Green to Work
New Energy Star Online Tool Provides Employees with Workplace Energy Saving Tips
Contact: Enesta Jones, (202) 564-4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov
(Washington, D.C. – Sept. 9, 2008) Today, EPA revealed a new online tool, Energy Star @ Work, to provide Americans with tips and information on how to save energy and protect the environment in the workplace. Energy use in commercial buildings and manufacturing plants accounts for nearly half of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 50 percent of energy consumption nationwide. With the average American worker spending almost 8 hours a day at their place of employment, the workplace offers a unique opportunity for people to make a significant impact in the fight against climate change.
"Millions of Americans are already doing their part to save energy by being more energy efficient at home," said Robert J. Meyers, EPA's principal deputy assistant administrator for Air and Radiation. "With help from EPA's Energy Star program, we can also take many of the same energy efficient steps in the workplace."
Energy Star @ Work is an animated image of a typical office work space with tips and links to valuable information employees can use on a daily basis—from starting a Green Team in the office to simply changing a desk lamp bulb. Simple actions by employees can make a big difference in the overall energy performance of a building. Some of the tips included in the Energy Star @ Work tool include:
Replace the bulbs in desk lamps with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs. These light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Energy Star qualified lamps and light fixtures also are available for even more energy savings.
Use a power strip as a central "turn off" point when you are done using office equipment to completely disconnect the power supply. Even when turned off, electronic and IT equipment often use a small amount of electricity when plugged in.
Remember to turn off your lights when leaving conference rooms and your work space, especially at the end of the day.
Use Energy Star qualified battery chargers or power adapters which, on average, use 30-35 percent less energy than conventional models. Don't forget to unplug battery chargers or power adapters when equipment is fully charged or disconnected from the charger.
Get involved! Create a Green Team with your co-workers, help reduce office waste, and set a goal to earn the Energy Star label for your building.
EPA also offers energy-saving tips for building managers, executives, and small businesses; information on taking the Energy Star Challenge; and a downloadable tip card to pass along to friends, family, and coworkers.
About Energy Star
Energy Star was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through superior energy efficiency. Today, the Energy Star label is on more than 50 different kinds of products, on new homes, and on commercial and industrial buildings. In 2007 alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved more than $16 billion on their utility bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 27 million vehicles.
To take a tour of Energy Star @ Work, go to: http://www.energystar.gov/work
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News for Release: Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Small Businesses and Congregations Fight Climate Change through Energy Efficiency and Innovation
EPA Names 13 New Energy Star Winners
Contact: Enesta Jones, (202) 564-4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov
(Washington, D.C. - Sept. 16, 2008) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency named the 13 winners of the 2008 Energy Star Small Business and Congregation Awards. This year's winners are recognized for doing their part to save energy and fight climate change through effective energy management practices and innovative efficiency solutions.
Together, these award winning organizations reduced annual carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions by more than 860 tons, equivalent to the CO 2 emissions from the average electricity use of more than 100 homes for one year. The winners also demonstrated that improving energy efficiency is an effective low-cost solution, even in the face of significantly expanded business operations. Financial savings for this year's winners totaled more than $160,000 in annual energy costs.
"EPA applauds these award winners for preserving our environment and our energy resources," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "Whether you are running an auto dealership or a summer camp, these energy all-stars prove a brighter future starts with each one of us."
The energy saving efforts of the winners include lighting upgrades; improved insulation and sealing; installation of Energy Star qualified appliances and equipment; installation of solar arrays; and new energy efficient construction. Strategic operations and maintenance efforts, as well as education and outreach, were also fundamental to the success of this year's winners.
Small businesses and congregations can cut utility costs by 25 percent or more without sacrificing features, convenience, style or comfort while making significant contributions to a cleaner environment by strategically managing the energy performance of their facilities.
The 2008 Energy Star Small Business and Congregation Award winners are:
Complexions Spa for Beauty & Wellness (Albany, N.Y.)
Evelyn Hill Inc. (Liberty Island, N.Y.)
FXFOWLE (New York, N.Y.)
Hand Motors (Manchester Center, Vt.)
Johnson Braund Design Group (Seattle, Wash.)
Lambert Auto Sales (Claremont, N.H.)
Long Island Village Realty (Syosset, N.Y.)
National Benefit Service Center Inc. dba City Java (Orlando, Fla.)
Pine Forest Camp (Greely, Pa.)
Priority Communications (DuBois, Pa.)
Congregation Or Shalom (Orange, Conn.)
Dennis Union Church (Dennis, Mass.)
Sparks United Methodist Church (Sparks, Nev.)
About Energy Star
Energy Star was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the Energy Star label can be found on more than 50 different kinds of products, new homes, and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned the Energy Star designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2007 alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved about $16 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles.
To learn more about the 2008 Energy Star Small Business Award winners and to view the interactive map, visit: http://www.energystar.gov/SmallBizAwards
To learn more about the 2008 Energy Star Congregation Award winners and to view the interactive map, visit: http://www.energystar.gov/CongregationAwards
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Monday, September 22
• Philadelphia Parks Value Report
• Childhood Obesity Prevention and Healthy Living
• Smart Growth, Community Planning and Public School Construction
• 5th World Environmental Education Congress: Call for Papers
• National Park(ing) Day Stories
• Kuna, Idaho: Where a Community Pulls Together to Face Growth
Monday, September 08
• Retaining Our Sense of Place by Managing Our Highway
• CNU Project Database -- Updates
• Walkable Communities Podcast
• Climate Change and Schools Resources
• Cities Go Green
• Smart Growth in the States
Tuesday, September 02
• AIA Sustainable Design Assessment Team RFP
• Revitalizing Older Cities and Sustainable Development
• Reviewing the Promise of Smaller Industrial Cities
• Sample Safe Routes to School Programs
• From Sprawl to Smart Growth: Sacramento as a Case Study
• Learning for Sustainability
Monday, August 25
• CNU 17: Call for Academic Papers
• Green Government Initiative Webinar Presentations
• Healthy Community Design Video
• Tips for County Officials to Work Creatively in Tough Fiscal Times
• Portland Brownfield Program Sites
• Directory of the New Urbanism 2008
Monday, August 18
• August 2008 "Getting Smart!" Newsletter
• Infrastructure Planning: An Expanded View
• GLS Greenlinks
• Land Trust Accreditation Launches New Registration System for 2009
• Heritage Case Studies
• Growing a Healthier DC
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Whether your goal is to save money or save the environment, our new weekly Green Living newsletter gives you tips to consume less, reuse what you have, and reduce your carbon footprint - all while saving a buck or two.
Click HERE to sign up for the Green Living newsletter.
This is a one-time email sent to users who have signed up for our daily news emails. Users who wish to continue receiving the Green Living newsletter must sign up at NewsChannel5.com.
Click Here to see the newsletter
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VISIT the Tennessee Energy Task Force Web site at www.tn.gov/energy
Save The Date! Natural Areas Conference 2008
CLICK HERE to see the flyer for the Natural Areas Conference 2008, which will be held at The Doubletree Hotel in Nashville on October 14-17, 2008.
More details can be accessed on the attached and at http://www.naturalarea.org/
If you have any questions please contact Reggie Reeves in the TDEC Division of Natural Areas at 615-532-0431.
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For posting notices and articles on this site, please contact Karen Grubbs at 615-532-0463 or 1-800-734-3619 or by email at Pollution.prevention@state.tn.us
