Interstate Power reduces plan to reduce emissions

Interstate Power and Light Co. said Friday it plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by retiring two coal burning electricity generating units in Lansing and switching a Dubuque power plant from coal to natural gas.

The plans will only be implemented if the company, a subsidiary of Wisconsin-based Alliant Energy Corp., is allowed to build a new $1.5 billion coal plant in Marshalltown.

The company expects to complete the regulatory application process and get an answer from the Iowa Utility Board this summer.

Siemon Gives Tips For Green IT Cabling

Network cabling company Siemon has launched an online resource with cabling tips that can make buildings greener.

Siemon's green cabling website gives an overview of the United States Green Building Council's LEED program, offers advise on how to use cabling to maximize energy efficiency, and lists products and their green credentials.

Most importantly, the website talks about using the design and routing of cabling to allow cool air to flow unobstructed through data centers and also to guide cool air where it is needed.

Siemon also looks at the benefits of installing high-bandwidth cabling systems to avoid frequent replacement, noting that using cabling with longevity prevents wasting materials and resources like copper.

New energy Law Increases Opportunities For Businesses

New energy efficiency requirements will spur sales of many next-generation products -- from light emitting diodes to cutting edge biofuels -- to help America go greener.

Suppliers of components for fuel-efficient cars will be big winners as automakers scramble to meet a 40% increase in average fuel efficiency by 2020. They'll snap up diesel engines from BorgWarner, IHI Corp. and Honeywell's Garrett. And batteries for hybrids from Johnson Controls and Panasonic. Hitachi, TRW and others will see more orders for electronic and mechanical components.

Lighting manufacturers can also expect their order books to fill up fast. New efficiency regulations for lighting will effectively KO incandescent bulbs by the middle of the next decade. Lighting firms such as Osram Sylvania and Philips can expect huge demand for light emitting diodes, compact fluorescents and pinpoint halogens. Among smaller firms likely to benefit: Element Labs, an LED expert. And Orion Energy Services, a leading player in efficient fluorescents.

Heating Efficiency Bill Up For Action

MONTPELIER, Vt.—A legislative committee Tuesday approved another bid to set up an energy efficiency utility aimed at cutting use of heating fuels, and lawmakers hope they've made enough changes from last year's version to avoid another veto by Gov. Jim Douglas.

The measure, approved by the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee, would set up a new program to promote and manage efficiency efforts aimed at buildings. Supporters cited estimates that Vermonters could cut $300 million off the more than $800 million per year they spend now to heat homes, businesses and other buildings.

Green Companies Target China

AUSTRALIAN businesses offering green building products and services can take advantage of China's burgeoning construction sector, export agency Austrade says.

With China expected to have half the world's building construction between now and 2020, its energy consumption is set to spiral.

Austrade's country manager for China, Peter Osborne, said Chinese authorities had established environmentally friendly building plans and policies.

Survey Finds Investors Are Interested In Green Investing

Investing in the environment is rich soil to till, reports a survey released by Allianz Global Investors. Almost half of those surveyed said that in the next year they are likely to invest in a company or fund that is proactive on environmental issues.

The survey of over 1,000 adults on the environment and investing was conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media for Allianz.

Seventy-one percent of investors surveyed said that environmental technology was a "buy" and the most desirable sector to invest in. Fifty-four percent of those surveyed listed investing in the environment as an "important focus" for their future investments.

Students Tackle Global Warming Through Game

Four groups of students finished the college’s National Symposium on Global Warming with the Climate Change Game, working as corporations, governments and individuals to affect climate change and reduce carbon emission from their respective organizations.

"It puts people in charge of the global climate,” said Medard Gabel, a consultant with Big Picture, Small World, which designed the climate game and helps educate students and corporate offices on the subject matter. “It’s about changes we need to make as a society to deal with the climate change. There are things we can do as governments, corporations, organizations and as individuals.”

Each group was given a set of strategies released by international scientists on what people could do to help alleviate the problem in their respective areas, such as raising fuel efficiency standards. From all 17 corporations, governments and organizations listed, the groups chose to represent, the Chinese government, U.S. government, Chinese individuals and Wal-Mart.

With students within the groups working against each other as “change-makers” and “keepers of the status quo,” the game wasn’t entirely easy, especially when the goal was a 200 billion ton reduction of carbon. Students also tried to outdo each other, funding certain programs and making deals or merely bribing two students representing the media outlets for preferential treatment.