New Energy Efficiency Standards For Construction

The California Energy Commission released updated building-efficiency standards that call for high-performance windows, better-insulating roofs and more-efficient lighting.

The 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, also known as Title 24, regulate new residential and commercial construction.

The new standards include updated or new code regulations for lighting, windows, roofs, skylights, swimming pools and spa equipment, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, and California's Solar Homes Partnership.

Park Slated For Energy Efficiency Fixes

In Maryland, officials are eyeing Oriole Park at Camden Yards among hundreds of state-owned buildings with so-called green strategies that could yield $10 million annually in energy savings.

The energy efficiency fixes, such as automatic-flush toilets, motion-sensing lighting systems, efficient heating and cooling systems, window sealants and compact fluorescent light bulb replacements, would eliminate an estimated 545 million pounds of carbon emissions each year -- the equivalent of removing 45,000 cars from the region's roads.

In all, federal, state and local governments in the area plan to spend $175 million to make the upgrades in more than 600 buildings. In return, they predict the changes will yield $36.5 million in annual savings on their energy bills.

EPA connects with the Green Grid in support of Energy Efficiency

The EPA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Green Grid to promote energy efficiency in small computer rooms. The effort begins with evaluating an existing EPA computer room for ways to optimize energy efficiency, then finding ways to standardize processes and performance measures.

Ultimately, the goal of this partnership is to share best practices for replication with other governmental agencies and industry stakeholders. Future partnerships between EPA, federal partners, and associations will help design and build our way into a green federal IT infrastructure.

Who Is Reducing Their Carbon Footprint?

The Massachusetts Port Authority said Tuesday it has planned a series of environmental initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations.

The initiatives would also enhance its environmental stewardship and give customers options that can reduce their impact on the environment.

The initiatives include buying renewable energy credits, taking energy-saving steps, favoring cab drivers using hybrid fuels and making capital investments that will save energy in the long run.

Ohio Lawmakers Push Energy Efficiency

Ohio will attempt to cut 0.3 percent of its total usage in 2009, and gradually to reach a total drop of more than 20 percent by 2025. If utilities fail to meet the annual requirements, they will pay a penalty that will go into a fund to invest in advanced energy. The House and Senate still need to work out differences in the details between their plans.

Electricity customers would see an increase in their bills measured in cents, and in some cases, a dollar or so. Some of the money collected will go toward utility infrastructure improvements such as decreasing the amount of electricity lost on power lines.

Money will also go toward creating collaborative programs to make homes more energy efficient. Programs to provide home energy audits, improve their ability to trap warm and cool air, and give rebates for the purchase of efficient home appliances will be created. The subsidy provided by the surcharge will enable residential consumers to pay just a portion of what it would otherwise cost if they made those improvements on their own.