|
Advocacy for the environment
- Pennsylvania Sierra Club
- PennEnvironment, www.PennEnvironment.org
Appliances
- Get old appliances out of circulation (even a 10-year old refrigerator). Upgrade to EnergyStar appliances. They will pay for themselves in a few years, and then there will be savings year after year. It's a win-win for you and for the earth.
Art
- "Art, Science, and Environmental Solutions," by Dr. Linda Dugan Partridge and Pamela Parsons, Marywood University, Scranton, PA
Art supplies
- Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety (ACTS), www.artscraftstheatersafety.org
Attic
- Adding insulation on the attic floor is one of the best things you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your home. The new code requires 9" of insulation. Cellulose is a good choice. From where? Cost?
Attic fan
- Solar attic fan, www.nltubular.com, Solair, 570-995-5747, vents up to 1200 square feet
Automobiles
- www.greenercars.com/bestof - best and worst green cars
- www.epa.gov/greenvehicles - check specific models
- www.fueleconomy.gov - comparison of cars
- www.biodiesel.org
- www.flexcar.com - car-sharing services
- www.metrocommuterservices.org/costcal.asp - cost of driving a car
- Look at the sticker on the door for what the tire inflation should be, not at the tire.
- Turn off the motor while waiting for a drive-in bank teller.
- Research Amsoil, synthetic motor oil. This oil is presented as far exceeding conventional motor oil, so much so that it only has to be changed once a year or at 25,000 miles. I picked up a brochure from www.ReliableLube.com, 610-393-9432.
- Toyota Prius hybrid gets better mileage than the Camry hybrid. If you have children, you might measure the back seat for magnetic fields prior to purchase. A gaussmeter costs about $50, such as the Dr. Gauss, from www.lessemf.com.
- Diesel is not a good alternative at present, although it has the lowest radiation. Diesel fuel is cleaner in Europe than here. Investigate biodiesel?
Bathrooms
- During construction, the insulation guy needs to come in before the plumber. If not, there may not be insulation behind bathtubs and showers on exterior walls.
Batteries
- Check out Deka batteries, www.eastpenn-deka.com, 610-682-4231. East Penn Manufacturing is reportedly a green company.
Bau-Biologie
- www.baubiologieusa.org - European protocol for environmental home inspections. May Dooley is a BauBiologist.
Bees
- Use non-colony-dwelling bees for pollination. www.byfg.org, Chris Manning, Backyard Fruit Grower Newsletter.
- Where have all the honeybees gone? Ron Bogan, Bogansky's Milk & Honey Farm, bmhfarm@enter.net
Bicycles
- Soar over hill and dale on an electric bicycle. About $600, www.sailsports.biz, 695 State Street, Harrisburg, 610-562-1550
Biofuels
- See also "plant oil presses"
- What are the downsides of "green" fuels, such as biomass incineration and biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel, etc.) www.actionpa.org, www.energyjustice.net
- What's happening locally? How practical is it to use biofuels at this time?
- Penn State, Energy center studies alternative energy crops, Glen Cauffman, Manager of Farms and Facilities, College of Agricultural Sciences
- Try a search on "biodiesel small scale production panel," "vegetable oil car conversions," "vegetable oil filtration techniques." Classes on these subjects were offered at PA EnergyFest 2007.
- For diesel and gasoline, hemp is the best. "Hemp is way ahead of everything else," Thom Hartmann, The Thom Hartmann show, www.airamericaradio.com, 11-16-07.
- For gasoline, corn is the worst.
Blower door test
Builders & contractors - green
- See "green building"
- The Green Advantage Contractor Training Program, as well as USGBC LEED workshops, are available through the Lehigh Valley Green Builders Forum, www.lvgreenbuilders.org, 610-797-6200.
- Green Advantage Training, www.greenadvantage.org, William Marston, Green Advantage trainer
- Incorporating recycled materials in site design and construction, Ludgate Engineering Corporation, www.ludgate-eng.org; Recycling Markets Center, www.parmc.org
- Approach local builders with list of green resources? Check first with the local green building association regarding their interface with particular builders?
Calculating your carbon footprint
- Natural gas or propane - check your delivery paperwork or call the gas company for annual ccf (100 cubic feet, the volume of gas measured by your gas meter or delivered to a tank)
- Electric - check your last bill. You want the total kilowatt hours for the year.
- Oil - check your paperwork for gallons/year or call your oil company
- Comparison of pounds of carbon dioxide generated per household per year: (source - Empowerment Institute)
- American: 55,000
- German: 27,000
- Swedish: 15,000
Candles
- Soy candles, available scent-free, TLC Candles, www.tlc-candles.com, 717-350-1812
Carbon offset credits
- Contribute to new renewable energy projects to offset the energy you must use. There's an interview with George Hoguet, www.nativeenergy.org, at www.createyourhealthyhome.com.
Cement
- See also "concrete"
- Check out photocatalytic cement, www.essroc.com
Children's activities
- Check out Journey for the Planet - A Kid's Five Week Adventure to Create an Earth-friendly Life. www.empowermentinstitute.net
- What's happening at your children's schools regarding climate change?
Climate change
- A video of Don Brown's UN presentation on the ethical dimensions of climate change is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=faBHqVu04.
- May's interview with Don Brown on the ethics of climate change is available at www.createyourhealthyhome.com.
Co-housing
- PA project?
- Danby, NY, 5 miles south of Ithaca, objective of being affordable, White Hawk Ecovillage, 120 acres, www.whitehawk.org, 607-273-5879
Commercial projects
- Hershey Foods sells used oil to cosmetics companies. Explore the sources of biofuel in the area and see if any overture has been made to Hershey Foods.
- KMart discards plastic hangers after selling garments. Are recyclable/green hangers a feasible alternative? Approach KMart HQ?
Composting
- Simple how-to's? Recommended composters?
- Local sources of compost? In Hummelstown, we can drop off our yard waste, which is taken to Hershey for composting, but only Hershey residents get to pick up the compost. What to do? Hummelstown doesn't have the right equipment for composting.
Concrete
- See also "insulating concrete forms"
- Pervious concrete, "when it rains, it drains." This open-cell concrete "reduces runoff, cleans stormwater, replenishes aquifers, conserves water, protects streams, and is ADA friendly." (What is ADA?) "The best application ...is parking lots." www.PerviousPavement.org, www.NRMCA.org, www.ConcreteParking.org, www.ConcreteHelp.org. For more information in freeze-thaw applications, goto www.concreteparking.org and view documents, including "Freeze-Thaw Resistance of Pervious Concrete" and "Concrete in Practice #38 - Pervious Concrete."
Cups & dishes
- Greenware, 100% renewable, 100% compostable, Fabri-Kal Greenware, www.naturworkspla.com, made from corn, cold drinks only, forms PLA plastic (which is?)
- www.harvestcollection.com, for renewable containers for meals. BPI certified (Biodegradable Products Institute), when properly discarded in a commercially run compost facility (needs 150-degrees F for degradation).
Deregulation of utilities
- Former Governor Tom Ridge deregulated the utilities but put on 10-year caps. Now the caps are expiring, and the cost of electricity is going up significantly. Update?
Education - There are plenty of websites relating to what we can do to reduce our carbon footprints.
- www.cleanwateraction.org/njef
- www.cleanair-coolplanet.org
- www.gonetomorrow.org - The Hidden Life of Garbage
- www.eartheducation.org/eeanb-5r01.asp
- www.epa.gov - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- www.doe.gov - U.S. Department of Energy
- www.eetd.lbl.gov/links/global.html
- www.foe.org - Friends of the Earth
- www.nrdc.org - National Resources Defense Council
- www.ewg.org - Environmental Working Group
- www.environmentaldefense.org - Environmental Defense
- www.climatestrategies.us - Center for Climate Strategies, Inc., - state climate mitigation plans
- www.woodpro.cas.psu.edu/Goddard%20Forum.htm - Penn State Wood Products website, presentations of the 2006 Goddard Forum on the PA Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act
- www.solartopia.org
- www.worldwildlife.org
- www.ovonic.com
- your findings?
Email list
- Shall we start a master email list for brief announcements, etc?
Energy audit, municipal
- The mayor of Camp Hill has called for a municipal energy audit. How can we tap into forms, results, recommendations and disseminate the findings/resources? Universities are working with municipalities on this.
- How can we promote energy audits to other communities?
Energy audit, residential
- With a professional energy audit, the house is pressurized by means of a blower door test. Then, with an infrared camera, the inspector can determine where the areas of heat leakage are, such as around windows, at the access foor to the attic, through the ceiling of the top floor, the band joists (between the top of the soil and the bottom of the first floor), around bathtub enclosures, and so on. Spending a few thousand dollars (on the average) to plug up these sources of leakage can result in significant savings on the household heating/cooling bills. Having an energy audit done is recommended prior to consideration of solar or geothermal heating.
- For a professional energy audit of your home, find a certified rater at www.natresnet.org (Residential Energy Services Network) or www.bpi.org (Building Performance Institute)
- Learn about self-help energy audit tools at www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_index_tools
Energy Star
- Information on energy-saving appliances, www.energystar.gov
Energy websites
- www.eere.energy.gov - US Dept of energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- www.nrel.gov
- www.repp.org
- Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association (MAREA)
Farmers' markets
- See also "sustainable agriculture"
- Resources - unknown if all/some organic
- Boyertown, PA - Ehst Hillside Farm, Patricia
- Lynch-Ehst
- Boyertown, PA - Woodsong Hollow, Nitya Akeroyd
- Canton, PA - Mooooshine Calves, Ray Chaapel Jr.
- Fleetwood, PA - Green Haven Farm, Brian Moyer
- Hamburg, PA - M & B Farview Farm, Mary Hill
- Kutztown, PA - Seasons' Harvest Farm, Stephen
- Heine
- Manheim, PA - Breakaway Farms, Nate Thomas
- Myerstown, PA - A Suri Farm LTD, Dennis Balbac
- Newburg, PA - Painted Hand, Sandra Miller
- Palmyra, Municipal Building parking lot, Saturday
- mornings, seasonal, some organic produce
- Perkasie, PA - Sheep Shelter Farm, Karen Moss
Farmland preservation
Films
- Bullfrog Films, US publisher of independently produced, environmental videos
- Don Brown says there are many worthy climate change films on YouTube.
Financial incentives
- Shift subsidies away from coal, oil and nuclear industries to finance incentives for households for renewables and energy efficiency. Public Citizen, www.citizen.org, Tyson Slocum
Food, healthy
- "Leave our food alone: Protecting OUr Right to Healthy Food," a talk by Martin Boksenbaum PhD, martin@sustainLV.org. He explained how food is degraded by pasteurization, irradiation, etc., in a talk at PA EnergyFest 2007.
Food storage, energy efficient
- Low energy ways of storing and preserving food, such as simple root cellars, canning, solar food driers, running refrigerators on solar, etc., Maine Solar Energy Association, www.mainesolar.org
Fragrances, synthetic
- Why be concerned? These products are largely unregulated and unstudied. The EPA lists synthetic fragrances as a cause of asthma. Go scent-free.
- Learn more at www.fpinva.org, Fragrance Products Information Network of Virginia, Betty Bridges, RN.
Fresh air in your home
- Every cell in the body needs oxygen. We need to tighten up our homes to conserve energy, but when we do that, stale air gets recycled. A mechanical fresh air source will bring in fresh air, possibly filter and dehumidify it, and give you air exchange year-long through the ductwork.
- What are the options for bringing in fresh air?
Fruit trees
- No-spray fruit trees (with fruits that insects don't like) is the subject of Lee Reich's book, Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden. Lee also wrote Weedless Gardening, A Northeast Gardener's Year, and a book on pruning. May plans to interview Lee at the end of the winter.
Generator, standby
- Cummins Onan residential standby generators, Renewable Energy Solutions, www.renewenergysolutions.com, 484-505-0936, 610-217-6976. Within ten seconds of a power failure event the transfer switch takes your home off the main power supply and "transfers" it to the auxiliary power provided by the standby generator. The distribution panel then distributes that power to the preselected appliances and lights you've designated for emergency use.
Geothermal heating
- This refers to taking advantage of the steady temperature beneath the earth's surface for cooling in the summer and warmth in the winter.
- One "green" speaker remarked that he wouldn't build a house any other way than with geothermal.
- How expensive it is to drill wells is how efficient it is to put in geothermal heating. Could we get a group rate?
- For more information:
- International Ground Source Heat Pump
- Association, www.igshpa.okstate.edu
- GeoExchange - www.geoexchange.org
- Geothermal resources at green festival:
- www.geothermalheatpump.com
www.waterfurnace.com,
- www.apexgeothermal.com
Government resources and legislation
- Federal agencies
- EPA
- DOE
- Federal legislation
- Energy Policy Act of 2005 - Money for research, such as solid state lighting and LEDs. Teamed with Disney for public education - check out materials.
- State legislation - status/ inclusions of Gov. Rendell's energy bill?
- What has Bill Richardson done energy-wise in NM?
-
Green building
- See also "builders," "holistic homes"
- Complying with ASHRAE Energy Standards results in incentives that make compliance a no-brainer: 40% less heating cost/year. Some builders are achieving zero-energy houses.
- Search for green guides for homeowners and recommend a couple of good ones.
- One speaker noted that you need an integrated design team right from the start.
- PA's Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP), www.askemap.org, 877-ask-emap, for answers to questions about cutting costs by decreasing material and energy usage. Helpful for builders.
- The Sustainable Energy Fund of Central Eastern PA, www.thesef.org, 610-264-4440.
- To learn about tax incentives, go to www.energystar.gov/taxcredits.
- Green Builders Forum, advocates, www.housingzone.com/forum-green
- L ehigh Valley Green Builders Forum, www.lvgreenbuilders.org
- Green Building Association of Central PA, www.gbacpa.org
- Real Goods - company dedicated to energy efficient products and services, www.gaiam.com/realgoods
- U.S. Green Building Council, www.usgbc.org
- Environmental Building News, www.greenbuilding.com
- www.architectureweek.com/links.cgi/Green_Building
- Sustainable Building Magazine, www.oikos.com/companies/aeneas
- www.smart-homeowner.com
- Rocky Mountain Institute, www.rmi.org
- American Institute of Architects, www.aia.org
- Green Building Alliance, Pittsburgh, www.gbapgh.org
- ?
Green building local sites:
- Hershey schools are doing something - what?
Greenhouse gases - what are they?
- Carbon dioxide - 91% of greenhouse gases are from fossil fuels
- methane (CH4) - from natural gas consumption, livestock, rice
- nitrous oxide - from fertilizers
- HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) - refrigerants
- perfluorocarbons (PFCs) - aluminum production (one reason why we recycle aluminum)
- sulfur hexafluorides - electric transportation/distribution systems
Harrisburg area
- City of Harrisburg, Mayor's office
- Dauphin County Commissioners
- Cumberland County Commissioners
- CREDC - Capital Region Economic Development Corporation, www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org/chamber/credc_overview/
- Harrisburg schools
- Dauphin Vo-Tech, Cumberland-Party Vo-Tech
- Harrisburg University
- Penn State University
- HACC
- Dickinson College
- ?
Harrisburg Builders Association
- www.harrisburgbuilders.com. What's happening? What's the status of interest in LEED certificaiton, green building, advocacy for building code changes, legislation? Should we have an interface here? With whom?
- Is there a Harrisburg green builders association?
Heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV)
- How do tightly-insulated homes get fresh air? One way is through HRV or ERV technology, where heat is transferred from stale air being discharged to colder, incoming fresh air. In the summer, the reverse happens, where heat from incoming fresh air is transferred to cooler discharged air. This technology is popular in green building.
- However, the technology is controversial and needs more investigation. On a 70° day when it is raining, humid air is drawn into ductwork. Moisture and ductwork can cause mold growth, if there is dust in the ductwork or on the AC coils. Is there a way to satisfactorily resolve this issue, such as through whole house dehumidification, the use of dessicants, etc.? What third-party proof exists that the suggested resolution is adequate? I heard that the Health House in Florida (American Lung Association) had to introduce dehumidification with their HRV system. What's the latest on this?
- One way to protect AC coils and ductwork from dust (assuming you are starting with a clean system) is to use a tightly fitting pleated media filter.
- For information on ductcleaning, check out the EPA's brochure, www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html. Beware of companies that only clean ductwork.
- If this HRV question cannot be adequately resolved, what's the alternative to bring in fresh air in an energy-tight house? Systems engineer Patrick Derrickson suggests ductwork with a Lennox whole house dehumidification system, a mechanical fresh air source, plus filtration and UV light. I can provide Pat's phone number to anyone wanting to research this area.
Holistic homes
- There are some differences between "green" homes and "holistic" homes, according to this website, www.HolisticHomes.biz, 800-517-2915. What are the differences? (May plans to interview the owner of holistic Homes on her radio program in the spring of 2008. Currently building in NJ for $379,000. These are houses with near zero utility costs -- less than $1,500 total for the year.
Home Depot
- Home Depot has been listed as an environmentally responsible company. In what ways? What should we know about Home Depot? Check out the Eco Options department at their website.
- Is Lowe's similarly environmentallyresponsible? One sales associate at Lowe's appliance department told me that all their appliances are EnergyStar appliances.
Hydrogen homes
- To learn about solar hydrogen homes, check out the Hopewell Project, Renewable Energy International, Inc.. www.hopewellproject.org, www.renewableenergyinternational.com, Michael Strizki. This project "prove said on-site power generation and storage is not a futuristic fantasy, but a reality today."
- May visited a similar-sounding house during the 2006 National Solar House Tour on the grounds of the U.S. Merchant Academy in Kings point, New York.
Incentives
- www.dsireusa.org - Database of State (and Federal) Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)
Insulated concrete forms (ICFs)
- ICFs form the foundation, with a double row of foam insulation and an air space between them. This is a technique used to build zero energy houses.
- One speaker said all new house should be built with ICFs. Toni Lynch, Polysteel Better World Building Technology, www.polysteel.com. Or, search for ICFs.
Insulation
- See also "insulating concrete forms."
- Cellulose insulation is much better than fiberglass for attic floors. US Borax assessment of boric acids and borax pentahydrate in eight-year-old cellulose attic insulation showed that there was no statistically verified loss of either chemical or loss of fire retardant properties. Borates are also insect-and mold-resistant.
This study contradicted a widely-quoted (by fiberglass manufacturers) California study of borate characteristics in small boxes. According to the US Borax study, attic insulations do not have the "disappearing fire retardants" found when borates age in small boxes.
Insulation fires account for less than 0.05% of all fires, and that includes insulation of all types. One out of 50 insulation fire starts in the attic, leaving 49 of 50 starting in walls. Walls typically have fiberglass insulation. Paper-faced batt insulation can no longer be sold in Canada because of fire incidents.
A testing laboratory measured the flame spread of paper-faced glass batt insulation at approximately 2000. Cellulose insulation that qualifies as a Class I material must have flame spread of 25 or lower as determined by ASTM Standard E-84.
With fiberglass batt insulation, wall cavities become "convection chambers that literally pump oxygen to the fire," "Consumer Update Insulation Effective Bulletin #2, National Fiber, 800-282-7711). "Cellulose is dense material that is relatively impervious to flames and gases ... [and] greatly restricts the amount of oxygen available." In one test, a house with fiberglass in wall cavities burned to the ground in two hours. A house with cellulose had all four walls still standing after three hours, and the fire had burned out. There was little damage to framing lumber.
"When compared with cellulose, fiberglass has no benefits that can be marketed. Fiberglass decreases fire safety, and may cause cancer and sick building syndrome. Most significantly, cellulose outperforms fiberglass insulation material by a wide margin -- 26 to 38% in a study of Colorado University. Glass insulation can only be sold by creating fear of the superior alternative."
- Sprayed foam insulation has the best R-value, but it must have a wall or approved fire retardant over or on it.
Check out bio-based foam insulation distributors at www.biobased.net, 800-803-5189, AR.
Other companies offer a petroleum-based foam, feeling that not all issues with bio-based have been resolved and that the long-term energy gains from their foam offset the one-time use of the petroleum products. Corbond is one of these low odor foam installations, www.corbond.com, 888-949-9089, MT. In the Lehigh Valley area, check out 610-916-6866, www.berksfoam.com.
Interfaith Environmental Coalition of Harrisburg, PA
- This coalition is hosted by the Religion and Society Center, www.religionandsocietycenter.org, coordinated by Rabbi Carl Choper. The first project was a workshop on energy savings for houses of worship. Functioning somewhat as an organizational EcoTeam, the coalition is feeling its way to the next project.
It's Easy Being Green - A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living, by Crissy Trask, www.greenmatters.com. Lots of practical ideas, organized in user-friendly checklists.
Land preservation and management
- Manada Conservancy, local office in Hummelstown, www.manada.org - farmland preservation, etc.
- Berks Conservancy, www.berks-conservancy.org
- Berks County Conservation District, www.co.berks.pa.us/conservation/site/default.asp
- Schuylkill Action Network, www.schuylkillactionnetwork.org
- Schuylkill River Greenway, www.pagreenways.org
- PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, www.dcnr.state.pa.us/education
- Natural Lands Trust, www.natlands.org
- Smart Growth Online, www.smartgrowth.org
- Low Impact Development Center, www.lowimpactdevelopment.org
- EPA, "Window to my environment," www.epa.gov/enviro/wme
- Community Land Tursts, regaining the commons, www.landincommon.org
- School of Living, www.schoolofliving.org
- How communities can encourage energy conservation through zoning and land use issues, a talk at PA EnergyFest 2007 by Shawn McGlynn, shawnmcg@ptd.net, 610-767-7066
Landscaping
- See "native plants," "organic landscaping"
LEED standards for green building
- These standards are developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, www.usgbc.org. What buildings in our area are built to LEED standards? What are the differences between silver and gold designations? What involvement does the Harrisburg Builders Association have with LEED standards? www.harrisburgbuilders.com.
A smaller segment of the LEED program deals with residential standards.
- Check out the green building group in Harrisburg
- A competitive program, which costs less, is the Green Building Initiative, Green Globes designation, www.thegbi.org.
Life cycle costing
- Life cycle costing means the cost of implementation of the measure divided by the amount it will save annually. This equates to simple payback. In other words, if it costs $300 to purchase a GreenStar dehumidifier, but you save $100 a year in energy costs, then the payback on the dehumidifier is three years. You'll make your money back in three years of use, and savings after that will be gravy. Of course, you're better off if you don't need a dehumidifier at all.
Living simply
- www.smallisbeautiful.org, E. F. Schumacher Society
Low Carbon Diet Workshops
- These workshops are aimed at helping participants to reduce their carbon footprints. Low Carbon Diet workbooks are available at www.empowermentinstitute.net. 5 groups at the Harrisburg Unitarian Universalist Church used these workbooks in the fall of 2007 in a series of 4 sessions. 2 groups were enthusiastic about the workbooks. Others offered constructive criticism, such as 2 sessions might have been enough (lifestyle changes and household system changes): the workbook was too basic for the people who came to the sessions [perhaps developing our own materials would have worked better], and the progression of pages in the workbook was hard to follow. Some of us had to work from a prepared agenda to get the pages right. (E-mail May for a copy of the agenda.)
Nevertheless, the workbook is attractive and certainly could be used to "sell" the program at libraries, etc. Workshop participants wouldn't need to purchase the workbooks. In-house tip lists might prove of more value than the material in the workbook.
- Who will work on developing the "tips" sheets for the 2 sessions?
Low income weatherization assistance program
- WAP, www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization
- What's happening in the Harrisburg area? Something to get involved in?
- For an average cost of $2500-$3000, there typically would be a 25% reduction in energy costs.
|
Magazines
Micro-hydro power
- Samuel Yoder form Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association spoke about small scale, stream-based hydropower systems. MAREA
Mold
- Explore the rest of this website for a classroom on a green, effective approach to mold control.
- Listen to the latest on mold and homeowners insurance at www.createyourhealthyhome.com. Look for the July 2, 2007, interview with Melinda Ballard. Check her website, www.policyholdersofamerica.org.
Mortgage
- What is an "energy mortgage"? I believe that either Dennis Ravell or Tom Reilly (800-468-6344) mentioned these, possibly with State Farm.
Native plants
- Advantages of using native plants:
- Native plants are uniquely adapted to the soils and
- climate of the area.
- Native plants play an important role in our
- ecosystem, such as attracting birds, beneficial
- insects, butterflies, and wildlife, slowing water
- run-off and reducing pesticide and fertilizer
- usage.
- Landscaping with native plants: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/wildplant/native.aspx
- Local sources of native plants
- Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery, www.edgeofthewoodsnursery.com, 610-285-2471, Orefield, PA; home visits/landscape plans available
Nuclear energy
- See also "renewable energy"
- Controversy: Are climate change issues so severe that we need to give nuclear power another look? The Bush administration is friendly toward nuclear power (as is Barack Obama and ?).
- Speakers at the PA Energy Fest 2007 against the use of nuclear power:
- Union of Concerned Scientists, www.ucsusa.org, Jon Block, Project Manager, Nuclear Energy and Climate Change
- Radiation and Public Health Project (RPHP), www.radiation.org, Joe Mangano, Baby Tooth Study traces strontium 90 in baby teeth in comparison to distance from a nuclear reactor. They are soliciting baby teeth from the 3-Mile Island area. www.radiation.org
- www.tmia.com - myths about nuclear energy, Eric Epstein. Discussion of nuclear power's twin legacy.
- A "low level" radioactive waste dump is being planned for PA, www.pennsylvania.sierraclub.org, Jeffry Schmidt, director PA chapter
- Nuclear power plants give off some 200 isotopes 24/7, many of which cause cancer and damage to the unborn. Nuclear power is not carbon-free. Janette Sherman, MD, www.janettesherman.com
- The economic case against nuclear power, Michele Boyd, Public Citizen, www.energyactivist.org. Discussion of subsidies.
- Environmental Coalition on Nuclear Power, Penn State, Judy Johnsrud, Ph.D., johnsrud@uplink.net, 814-237-3900
Office supplies
- www.greenpaper.com, 800-641-1117, food service products
Open spaces
- See "land preservation"
- Check out "Growing Greener," one of PA's most effective open space preservation programs.
- Resources for farmland preservation?
Organic landscaping and lawn care
- This is the best approach for the health of the soil, the plants, the family, and the earth.
- Are there any companies offering organic landscaping and lawn care in the area? (IPM, or "integrated pest management," companies try to limit the use of chemicals. Without standards, it is left up to the company to define their use of "IPM." You're safer with an organic company.
- Sources for information on organic lawn care:
- www.grassrootsinfo.org. Listen to May's interview
- with Doug Wood on organic lawn care,
- www.create-your-healthy-home.com.
www.neighborhood-network.org
www.safelawns.org - Maine-based non-profit
- organization
- Natural insecticides, www.bluerockstation.com - Talk by Annie & Jay Wamke, Blue Rock Station - "poo" tea,
tobacco and hot pepper dust, etc.
Organic meat
- A vegetarian is invited to provide reasons why going vegetarian is better for the environment. However, for those who think they need some animal protein, do your best to avoid animals that have been raised in inhumane factory farms and given growth hormones and antibiotics. Organic meat refers to animals that have been pastured and naturally fed.
- Some local sources:
- PA Meat Goat Association, www.pmgpa.org, meat
goats control weeds
- Canton, Mooooshine Calves
- Fleetwood, Green Haven Farm, 610-944-9349
- Fleetwood, Holben Valley Farm, Lehigh Valley
- Hamburg, 610-562-4912, www.mbfarviewfarm.com
Organic pest control
- IPM, or "integrated pest management," refers to limiting the use of chemical pesticides in favor of safer means. But, without standards, it is left up to the company to define their use of "IPM." You're safer with an organic company. If you can't find an organic company, query the IPM company closely about plans and alternatives.
- What are other states doing to regulate less toxic pest control?
- Are there any organic pest control operators in the area?
- Resources for organic treatment of pests:
- Beyond Pesticides, www.beyondpesticides.org
- Children's Health Environmental Coalition,
www.checnet.org
- Pesticide Education Center, San Francisco,
non-profit center maintained by a physician, Dr.
- Marion Moses, author of Designer Poisons
- National Pesticides Telecommunications Network,
- 800-858-PEST
- National Pesidicide Center, 800-438-4318
Passive design
- A house with passive design takes advantage of seasonal weather changes because of its orientation (facing south), vegetation (windbreak to the northwest), deep roof overhang/shutters at south, and so on.
- Row houses can be especially energy efficient because only 2 walls and an attic require insulation.
- If you can shade your glass on the south side of the house, the size of the AC or heat installation can be half as big.
There is a formula for determining how much roof overhang (or awning overhang) is needed at the southern exposure. The angle of the summer shade is 28-degrees at noon of December 21st, the winter solstice. With such an angle, you'll get the sun at winter but shade on the window in the summer. For about 32.5-degree latitude, the sun will be at 78 degrees at noon of the summer solstice, June 21st.
You could also plant fruit trees in front of south windows. They will shade in the summer but not prevent sunlight from reaching the windows in the winter.
- If you minimize the glass facing east and west and maximize the glass facing north and south, there is an incredible solar gain. You save 30% of your energy bill just by turning the house (in new construction of course).
- Very few office buildings would need heat if built with passive design.
Pellets
- See "wood and pellet stoves"
Penn Future
- www.pennfuture.org
- Resources? our interaction? sign up for legislative updates?
Pennsylvania
- We produce 350,000,000 tons of greenhouse gases annually. This amount is greater than 106 developing countries combined. We are 3rd among the states in energy usage.
- What's happening to reduce this figure? Our input?
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation
- www.dcnr.state.pa.us
- What's happening here? What can we learn from this agency? Is the grants program of interest? What is the department doing regarding water conservation?
Pennsylvania state government
- Gov. Rendell proposed a 50% rebate on renewable energy technologies. What else? What should we be doing re: advocacy?
Periodicals
- BackHome Magazine - sustainable living. "Discover the rewards of a simpler way of life." 828-696-3838 www.BackHomeMagazine.com, $21.97/year for 6 issues
- Environmental Building News, www.buildinggreen.com
- E Magazine
- Garbage Magazine - now defunct, articles available at www.well.com/~art/garbagemag.html
- ?
Pesticide treatment
- See "organic pest control"
Planning for smart land use
- Gov. Rendell reactivated the state planning board after it was inactive for 30 years. This board has no authority and there are no statewide requirements for planning. There is statewide planning for watersheds and transportation.
- Objective: Learn from Lancaster Country, PA, and try to implement in your area:
- Lancaster Cty, comprised of 60 municipalities, recognized that they would need an additional 50,000 houses in the new few decaides. They could either plan for those 50,000 units, or they could face suburban sprawl.
- A network of concerned citizens applied their energies to planning, land preservation, and negotiating equity for farmers who want to sell their farms. They deal with tax credits, development rights, etc. The majority of municipalities are working together on this and have won national recognition with over 200 farms preserved, for a total of 3000 acres since 1969. There are 24 preserves in the county.
- Cooperating organizations include the Lancaster County Commission for Smart Growth, the Lancaster Farmland Trust, and the Lancaster County Conservancy.
- Lehigh Valley Green Builders Forum
- Christine Osler, teaches architecture at Lehigh University, principal of Artifact. Donald "Rusty" Sullivan, green builder, Sullivan Design; Charle Regner, PeaceShed - solar voltaic systems.
- We can learn more about land preservation in our area from Sally Zaino, Director of the Manada Conservancy in Hummelstown.
- Even if illegal immigration were to stop tomorrow, it is estimated that population will still increase by 1/3 by 2050. Imagine your county with 1/3 more people. Will there be any farmland left?
Plant oil presses
- Oekotec, www.ibg-monforts.de. They also offer a hand-crank KOMET oil press. U.S. distributor: EPM Distributing, www.fruitoil@hotmail.com, E. Peter Matthies, CO.
Plastics
- Recent research points to health effects from much lower levels of chemical exposure, such as xenoestrogens from plastics, than formerly suspected. Exposures have been linked with male sexual development, lowered sperm count, and more. Avoid plastics as much as possible for food and drink storage. Science News, January 20, 2007, "Scientists Can't Predict a Poison's Low-Dose Effects," by Janet Raloff, and reproduced in Our Toxic Times, a newsletter for the chemically injured individuals. May has a copy if interested.
- "A German team recently found that in newborn male rates, the lowest DEHP [di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, a ubiquitous plastic-softening agent] suppressed the brain activity of an enzyme critical for male development. This was a surprise because higher DEHP doses stimulated that enzyme's action," as quoted in Our Toxic Times, www.ciin.org, March 2007.
- Check out www.lifewithoutplastics.com.
- See also Tips for an Energy Efficient House, "Water treatments and bottled water."
Political
- Representatives/environmental records? Check for voting records at League of Conservation Voters, www.lcv.org.
- Governor's Green Government Council, www.gggc.state.pa.us.
- AEPS, Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards, www.puc.state.pa.us/PcDocs/547870.doc
- Systems Benefits Fund - energy conservation activities. This is a utilities tax which is really a fund to support conservation programs. Wording is important. People will vote for a "benefits" program.
- 60% of the total energy use in the U.S. is from buildings. Are there any legislation requirements for sustainable building? LEED green building rating standards are set by the U.S. Green Building Council, www.usgbc.org.
- Pennsylvania is a commonwealth, which means the state does not do enforcement. Local municipalities have jurisdiction and are charged with enforcement. They interpret and administer the laws. This can be both bad and good. Locally, there are more options for creativity.
- My notes indicate that Schuykill County, PA, is requiring LEED standards. Who will check this out and add to this section? How did they do it? How can we do it in our counties? Does Schuykill County require silver or good LEED certifications.
PPL
- Pennsylvania Power and Light. Update us re: what they are doing to reduce the carbon fotprint, how we can help, etc.
Preservation of open spaces
Public meetings - ideas
- Geothermal presentation
- Solar presentation
- ?
PV (photovoltaic) hybrid systems
- See also "solar."
- Presentation by Joe and Lisa DiFrancisco, North Coast Energy Systems, www.ncenergysystems.com, at PA EnergyFest 2007.
- Presentation by Roy Butler, Four Winds Renewable Energy
- New developments in photovoltaics, such as nanoparticles and thin film organic semiconductor solar cells, presentation by Richard Komp, Maine Solar Energy Association, www.mainesolar.org.
Radon
- Air and water test kits for radon are available from www.radon.com. If air levels are elevated (or were elevated prior to correction), then water levels are likely to be elevated, too. You may need to explore options for reducing radon levels in water.
Rain garden technology
- A rain garden keeps water on your site and recharges ground water. Did out 2-3 feet of soil in your "rain garden." Blend 30% sand, 30% compost, and 30% leaf mulch. Create a garden area with high organic content. Such a mix will hold more water. Some mixes could hole as much as 50% of the space in water. 1 cubic yard cna store 50% water.
- Facultative native plants tolerate wet and dry conditions.
- Have 2-3 rain gardens at your site. Don't concentrate water into one.
- www.raingardens.org - learn how to design, build, and maintain your own rain garden
- At PA EnergyFest 2007, Michael Stark, Stark Environmental, www.starkenvironmental.com, discussed the four essential steps required to harvest and use the rainwater that falls on your roof.
- The way we are doing housing developments and the way we have paved over the earth are messing up our hydrology. Drainage basins put water that should be kept local into the river. They circumvent 80% of the hydrological cycle. In nature, less than 5% per year would go to a creek. The rest would be part of the evapo-transpiration cycle (evaporation, and water used and given off by plants).
- Curbs and gutters are the worst thing. You want the pavement to be higher than the grass. If it is lower, it prevent swater from getting into the grass.
- Pennsylvania typically gets an average of 42-44 inches of rainfall annually.
- What can we do?
- Disconnect roof leaders that take rainwater away from your site. Keep rainwater at your site. Use commonsense if you have a leaky basement.
- Put in a bio-swale (earthen ridge) to divert rainwater if needed.
- Look into rain cisterns to collect rian water from your roof.
Recycled materials
- Close the Loop, www.closetheloop.com, 866-629-8414, playground materials such as rubber mulch, rubber timers, swing mats, landscape garden glass, tire swings
Recycling information
- Where? What? Does anyone know of a place that takes batteries (Best Buy takes rechargeable batteries)?
- What about a field trip to a recycling center? Waste Management had a booth at one of the green festivals, why?
- What do we do with material that cannot be recycled?
- Dauphin County Dept of Solid Waste Management & Recycling had a community recycling day several months ago, where items were brought ot Harrisburg Area Community College. Dauphin Recycling Hotline, 717-780-6351. No household hazardous wastes were accepted.
- 3,000 pounds of construction waste per person per day are trashed in the U.S. What is happening iwth construction waste in our area?
Reducing greenhouse gases
- Reducing consumption.
- Increasing recycling.
- Carbon sequestration, such as planting trees.
Religious associations: Check their materials, network?
- Unitarian Universalist Church - Resource Guide, 2004-2006, Threat of Global warming: www.uua.org/documents/csw/globalwarming_resources041015.pdf. Unitarian universalist Ministry for the Earth
- GreenFaith, www.greenfaith.org
- Interfaith Environmental Coalition, www.thesef.org
- Christian Churches United, www.christianchurchesunited.com
- Evangelical Climate Initiative, www.christiansandclimate.org
- Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, www.jewishharrisburg.org
- Quaker Institute for the Future, www.quakerinstitute.org
Renewable energy
- See also "energy," "nuclear energy," "financial incentives"
- Carbon emissions reductions in the U.S. with energy efficiency and renewable energy - we can get there, Brad Collins, American Solar Energy Society, www.ases.org/climatechange
- Penn Environment, www.PennEnvironment.org. Nathan Wilcox presentation at PA EnergyFest 2007.
- Replace all dirty power with clean energy, talk by Mike Ewall of Action PA and the Energy Justice Network. At PA EnergyFest 2007, Mike spoke about the potential for conservation, efficiency, wind and solar to replace dirty energy within 20 years, replacing nuclear power, fossil fuels, hydroelectric dams, incineration and other dirty fuels, www.actionpa.org, www.energyjustice.net.
- What are and how about purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs)? www.nrel.gov/analysis/staff/l_brid.html. What about the carbon cap-and-trade programs under development under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI - pronounced "reggie") in the Northeast and other areas?
- Renewable energy can provide a secure foundation for humanitarian aid, sustainable development and homeland security. Talk by Charles Bigelow, Light Speed Power, Inc., 571-265-9536, was cancelled at PA EnergyFest 2007.
- Renewable Energy Solutions, small wind, solar, standby power, geotherma, 484-505-0936, gary@renewenergysolutions.com
- Also see "solar," "geothermal," "wind"
Roofs
- Metal roofing systems, Atas International, www.atas.com, 800-464-1441
- Green roofs were featured at PA EnergyFest 2007. While membranes are supposed ot be virtually foolproof now, if there is a leak, mold could grow.
Schools
- What is your school district doing to green their schools and make them more energy efficient and healthier for children?
- What are ideas from other school districts? (One PA GreenFest 07 presenter said that most schools are interested in LEED certification.)
- Are Vo-Tech schools encouraging the training of green construction skills?
- Linda Godfrey, Organizations United for the ENvironment (OUE), www.oeunews.org, discussed a wind turbine machine as part of a green school project at PA EnergyFest 2007.
Sierra Club
- What are they up to? Should we be interfacing? What resources are on their website? www.sierraclub.org
- What is their Cool City Campaign about?
Skylights
- Natural light tubular skylights, www.nitubular.com, distributed by Solair Energy, 570-995-5747
Small business assistance
- EMAP, Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers' Environmental Management Assistance Program - no-cost and confidential service, on phone or on-site: energy efficiency, environmental regulatory requirements, new technology development, waste minimization and pollution prevention, health and safety requirements, finding sources of financing for environmental upgrades, permit applications, forms and plans and environmental management strategies. Allison McKechie, EMAP, www.askemap.org, 877-ask-emap.
Socially responsible investing
- Joyce Moore of Joyce Moore Financial Services, www.jmfs.com, gave a talk on green investing at PA EnergyFest 2007.
Solar cooking
- Cook with the sun. Annie and Jay Wamke were making and selling chili cooking in the demo oven during PA EnergyFest 2007, www.bluerockstation.com
- www.solarovens.com - a wonderful project to bring to countries where firewood is scarce! A solar cooker helps lungs by eliminating cooking smoke.
Solar heating/cooling
- The first Saturday in October is the National Solar House Tour, where you can visit homes with solar installations and speak with homeowners about their experience. In 2007, the closest to Harrisburg was about an hour away, whereas on Long Island you'd have a choice of a hundred or more within an hour. Renewable Energy Long Island (RELI) (www.renewableenergylongisland.org) set itself a goal of 1,000 solar houses and is close to reaching that goal. Rebates were available to help defray the cost. As Gordion Raacke, director of RELI, reminds us that we'll be paying for a solar installation over the next ten years ... whether we put the money into a solar installation or pay it to the electric company.
- Over a 25 year period, just one solar electric system provides about half the energy for an average home (5kW), eliminating 80 tons of carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas responsible for global warming and climate change. That is the equivalent of not driving 160,000 car miles, according to a RELI email, 4-25-07.
- Solar roofing shingles are available but are said to be more expensive than solar panels. One day, a presenter said, every house will have solar roofing material on it.
- Do we have enough sunlight for solar in PA? PA gets an average of 4.5 hours of sunlight per day. New Mexico only gets 5.
- Ask about annualized net metering for solar installations.
- "We need to convince the politicians to subsidize solar in the beginning." There is sticker shock at the cost of solar installations. What other options might be developed to bring the cost of solar down, such as a group rate? What makes for a better quality solar panel? What innovations are coming down the pike?
- May heard that one type of electromagnetic fields could be elevated with solar installations, but she hasn't had an opportunity to measure a solar house yet. If anyone knows of a house with solar installation where she could make some measurements, please e-mail her. If there turns out to be a concern, the installation often could be put in the yard instead of on the roof.
- Susan LeGros from Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association, spoke on the basics of renewable energy credits at PA EnergyFest 2007.
- Nick Pine, www.ece.vill.egu/~nick, is associated with a low cost, do-it-yourself solar house and water heating.
- Even if you can't go with a full solar installation, look into a solar hot water heater.
- PA installers mentioned at the PA EnergyFest 2007:
- Four Winds Renewable Energy, www.four-winds-energy.com
- Advanced Solar Industries, (ASI) stand-alone systems which do not tie into the main power grid. Multiple panels power a battery inside your home or business and provide as much, or as little, energy as you need. ASI's Stand-Alone System comes as a complete kit, which they can install or provide technical assistance for your electrician. It can be mounted on the house or shed roof, or with rigid pole installations. 717-768-8500, or write W. Newport R., Ronks, PA 17572.
- Solair Energy, www.solair.com
- Solardelphia, www.solardelphia.com, 215-257-1718, Jude Webster
Solar water pumping
- Is this solar domestic hot water?
- Mike Fisher of Solair Energy, www.solairenergy.com, spoke on solar water heating at PA EnergyFest 2007.
- Vertis Bream was a speaker at PA EnergyFest 2007. His name comes up in a search.
Stoves
- Avoid stoves that dump exhaust gases into indoor air.
- Amaizablaze corn stoves, Nesco, 931-372-0130. Dealer: Kutztown Home and Farm Center, Kutztown, PA, 610-683-3889. Cost analysis based on 50 million BTUs/year: shelled corn $273; electricity $1,172; natural gas $450; fuel oil $360; LP gas $649; wood $397; wood pellets $465.
- Kozi gas, natural gas, and pellet stoves. Kutztown Home and Farm Center.
Strawbale construction
- Next spring, a NJ non-profit center is offering a weekend conference on constructing a strawbale house.
- Annie and Jay Warmke, www.bluerockstation.com, deal with combining tires and strawbales.
Sustainable agriculture
- See also "farmers' markets."
- Check out PA's "Buy Fresh, Buy Local" campaign, www.pasafarming.org, 814-349-9856. Motto: "Promoting profitable farms which produce healthy food for all people while respecting the natural environment." Does that mean that only organic foods are produced?
- For information on nationwide efforts on behalf of locally produced food, visit www.foodroutes.org.
- Diana Jerkins, Ph D, www.shumeipenn@aol.com (something wrong with that address), Shumei Pennsylvania Center, Alburtis, PA 18011, spoke at the PA EnergyFest 2007 on natural agriculture, growing for the earth and the community.
Sustainable energy
- Alliance for Sustainable Living-LV, www.sustainLV.org, Stephen Hoog. True values: maintaining high quality soil, individual and community control over water reserves, sufficient usable tree growth and management.
Tax credits
- Information found at www.energystar.gov. Some tax credits are set to expire at the end of 2007.
- One speaker at PA GreenFest 2007 noted that legislators don't understand that credits must come through the utility, or we will be taxed on them.
Tradable Renewable Energy Certificates
- Support renewable energy through renewable energy brokers.
Utilities
- Gas and electric companies - what's happening? Interface?
- The demand for electricity in PA is rising 1.8% annually, with a projected 40% increase by 2030.
Walls
- Metal wall panels, ATAS International, www.atas.com, 800-468-1441. Note: Metal can serve as an antenna for electric and radio frequency. While metal can be grounded, reducing the electric fields, some individuals remain sensitive to Rf.
Water - clean and available?
- An older farmer in my area remembered a time of drought, long ago, when water was available only from one spring, and people came from all around to use that spring.
- Where does our municipal water come from? I asked a township supervisor. He didn't know. South Hanover township has gone from 9 postal routes to 13 or 14 in a few years. Apparently housing permits are granted here without questioning the water supply, or the septic capacity.
- What are our water supplies? What would you want to know as a town planner?
- Many counties in southern PA are experiencing drought, possibly related to climate change. What does that bode for our water supply down the road?
- What are the water issues relating to pesticide and herbicide use on farms and lawns? What are the water issues relating to factory farming of animals?
- Resources: Sierra Club?
Water testing
- WaterCheck, a broad spectrum test including common pesticides, MTBE (the controversial gasoline additive), and the contaminants on the EPA's list, is available from National Testing Labs, about $150, www.ntllabs.com, 800-458-3330. Or, May's recommendation is to order the same test kit through Ozark Water, 800-838-8908, and then you have access to the chemist there, Warren Clough, for questions/recommendations.
Watershed alliances
- What watershed preservation activities are happening in your area?
- In York, check www.watershedsyork.org for information on boat and water dam tours, lectures, cleanups, native plant sales, harvest fairs, kayak tour of Native American rock art, and more.
|
