An Energy Saver

NRG Systems, Inc., manufacturer of wind assessment systems for the wind energy industry, cut the ribbon on its new 46,000 square foot manufacturing facility and office building.

Two thirds of the building's electricity is supplied by a 67-kilowatt solar photovoltaic installation, which will avoid the emission of up to 105,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

David Blittersdoff, founder of NRG Systems said, "We spent more to build our facility green, but we see it as a long-term investment that will more than pay for itself..."

NRG's building is LEED registered and seeking gold level certification.

The Truth Behind SFI Certification

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is a project of the American Forest & Paper Association, a woods products industry trade association. The SFI claims to be a certification system for sustainably managed forests. However, the SFI's standards fail to protect old growth, many endangered species and public lands from being logged. To date, the SFI has authorized at least 20 SFI certified companies to use the SFI name and logo on their wood products. These companies include: SPI, Pacific Lumber, Allegheny, Wood's Prod's and IP.

Today, activists from Don't Buy SFI Coalition forced decision makers at the North American Wholesale Lumber Association to come face to face with full color display photograph exhibit demonstrating the clear-cut forests and other destructive forestry practices that have been certified as sustainable.

Green Power Group

The Green Power Market Development Group is a collaboration of 12 leading corporations and the World Resources Institutededicated to building corporate markets for green power. Their goal is to develop corporate markets for 1000 MW of new, cost competitive green power by 2010.

I am not in the position to state whether this is an applaudable endeavor or yet another greenwashing attempt. However, I can say that these partnerships will push the viability of alternative power into the mainstream. To date, the Green Power Group has completed projects totaling 123 megawatt and their purchases have occurred at 330 facilities across 26 states.

Burning is not recycling!

Epson America Inc. announced on September 14, 2004 its continued partnership with FundingFactory. This partnership offers schools and nonprofit groups an opportunity to benefit by recycling used printer cartridges. Participation in FundingFactory is completely free to all schools and nonprofit organizations. But is Epson misleading the public by using the term "recycling" when the company is in fact incinerating the cartridges. Incineration releases many toxic emissions that are harmful to public health and the environment.

Superfund law extended?

Environmental News Network reported that the Supreme Court is currently considering whether companies that voluntarily seek to clean up their polluted land can sue former owners to help with the associated costs. Under Superfund law, officials can seek money from current and former owners for the cleanup costs. Companies continue to watch this case closely.