http://www.ecomii.com/blogs/renewable-energy ecomii renewable energy blog Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:03:45 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en After speaking with a few EPA employees, I have some follow-up information related to the Canary in a Coal Mine article from October 6th. The EPA intends to propose a rule on the status of fly ash by the end of 2009. There are three broad options for what this rule might ... http://www.ecomii.com/blogs/renewable-energy/2009/10/27/epa-to-propose-fly-ash-rule-by-year-end/ It's not a secret that a big draw-back of renewable energy is cost. The direct financial costs borne by the producers, and therefore consumers, of electricity created from fossil fuels is lower than that of renewable sources like wind and solar. However, the argument in favor of renewable energy is ... http://www.ecomii.com/blogs/renewable-energy/2009/10/06/canary-in-a-coal-mine/ A new study from the Environmental Law Institute in partnership with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, “Estimating US Government Subsidies to Energy Sources: 2002-2008,” shed light on US energy subsidies. The study finds that fossil fuels received almost two-and-a-half times more subsidies over the 7 year period than renewables: ... http://www.ecomii.com/blogs/renewable-energy/2009/09/21/the-truth-about-us-energy-subsidies/ Time to turn that old “icebox” into a “nice box” of money. Okay, bad pun.  But the point is: yep, cash for refrigerators.  The new measure from the Obama Administration’s national economic stimulus plan will provide you with a rebate for replacing your old “clunker” of a fridge for a shiny, ... http://www.ecomii.com/blogs/renewable-energy/2009/09/02/cash-for-refrigerators/ The term “alternative energy” has been around for a long time, and surely the words “solar panels” and “wind turbines” no longer sound futuristic, but the fact of the matter is that emerging energy technologies are coming out everyday, and sometimes with a strange twist. Here are four of the oddest ... http://www.ecomii.com/blogs/renewable-energy/2009/07/21/stranger-than-fiction-energies-of-the-future/   Consider Packaging for Savings at Landfill and Check Out Register One dollar of every ten-dollar purchase goes to the cost of packaging, and package waste accounts for more than half the trash in the U.S. These days, clever packaging can influence a purchasing decision and can be an important component in ... http://www.ecomii.com/blogs/renewable-energy/2009/07/20/5-smart-strategies-to-save-money-reduce-waste/ It amazes me the waste that occurs and the money spent to “figure things out.” I am happy that more people are jumping on the green bandwagon and in the beginning, I was even pleased with those who got into it for their own selfish reasons as they are still increasing ... http://www.ecomii.com/blogs/renewable-energy/2009/06/11/spend-wisely-get-greened-up-now/ Polystyrene is the practically indestructible material used in packing peanuts, foam cups, egg cartons and produce trays. Like all traditional plastics, polystyrene is made from petroleum and is a non-sustainable source of major pollution. It is ubiquitous, difficult to recycle, does not biodegrade and resists photosynthesis¹.  In a stunning development, a ... http://www.ecomii.com/blogs/renewable-energy/2009/05/28/biodiesel-dissolves-polystyrene/ The Smart Grid is a hot topic these days: it's in the press a lot, and gets tons of play in Washington DC. However, the average citizen is still pretty hazy on the details. Tracy Crawford gave a great rundown of the debate over whether or not to implement a Smart ... http://www.ecomii.com/blogs/renewable-energy/2009/05/26/what-exactly-is-the-smart-grid/ Have you wondered why areas with hot climates haven't utilized solar energy more? I have, and am happy to say that there is a man who wants to make the sun and integral part of the way we live. Syd Kitson, Chairman & CEO of Kitson & Partners has partnered with ... http://www.ecomii.com/blogs/renewable-energy/2009/05/21/all-solar-all-the-time/