In a historic move spelling hope for the triumph of sustainable business over dirty and outdated means of energy production, last week the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) vetoed one of the most destructive mining projects proposed in the United States. Invoking the agency’s authority under the Clean Water Act, the EPA formally overturned an earlier decision (more…)

Offshore drilling typically refers to the discovery and development of oil and gas resources which lie underwater. Most commonly, the term is used to describe oil extraction off the coasts of continents, though the term can also apply to drilling in lakes and inland seas. Offshore drilling presents environmental challenges, especially in the Arctic or close to the shore. (more…)

When the clocked struck 12:01 on New Year’s, two important green regulations went into effect that may have a long term influence on green building and renewable energy.  If successful, either of these regulations would do more to change the green industry than any legal challenge to LEED’s legitimacy (see the continued coverage of the Gifford v. USGBC case (more…)

Did you notice the air was a little fresher yesterday? It’s because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started the slow process of regulating greenhouse gases in an effort to address climate change.

Earlier this year, President Obama said he would have the EPA regulate greenhouse gases if Congress failed to pass climate (more…)

Ford is atop a wave of auto manufacturers that will bring technology that eliminates idling to North America. Stop-start technology, which has long been a feature of hybrids, will appear in Ford vehicles starting in 2012.

Stop-start is relatively simple and inexpensive to implement. By adding an enhanced battery and upgraded starter, (more…)

In the absence of any congressional legislative action on regulating greenhouse gas emissions and with political momentum on its side, the Obama administration announced today it would be moving forward with its plan to begin regulating carbon dioxide emissions from large point sources, namely refineries and power (more…)

I have curly hair. More heat and humidity = bad hair days.  Thus, from a purely personal perspective, climate change-caused increases in temperature and intensity of storms will be, for me, a nuisance. 

Apparently, my perspective on this does not count as much as that of the Supreme (more…)

An organization called Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) this week said in a statement that it expects the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to “dramatically lower the amount of cellulosic biofuel companies are required to purchase under the federal renewable fuel standard.”

Cellulosic biofuel, also known as second- (more…)

When you think of cutting-edge green vehicle technology, a giant semi-truck probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Despite the fact that large trucks, trailers, and buses account for some 20% of carbon emissions from transportation in the United States, they have long been overlooked as a source of potential fuel savings. Fortunately this is now change, as (more…)

It looks like the debate on fuel economy for plug-in hybrids rages on unabated. General Motors just announced that its Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid car will carry a better efficiency rating that the Toyota Prius (long been recognized as the industry leader in the category). The fact that this is like comparing apples with trombones doesn’t seem to be of any major concern to GM, the (more…)