US Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced $93 million for the development of wind energy from the Stimulus Plan. Of the total, $45 million will be directed toward wind turbine drivetrain R&D and testing, $14 million for advanced technology development, $24 million for wind power R&D, and $10 million for National Wind Technology Center.

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Chances are that if you are interested in green business initiatives, you have heard of  LEED, (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The term is frequently mentioned in articles covering green building practices.  LEED is a voluntary sustainable building rating system created by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), a national nonprofit organization promoting sustainable architecture and design. The LEED rating system establishes national criteria for constructing green buildings.   Read the full story

Greenbiz reports a new study on carbon offsets called “The Forest Carbon Offsetting Survey 2009.” This study samples 120 corporations and 21 carbon market companies. It is sponsored by EcoSecurities, Conservation International, The Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance, and Climatebiz.com. Read the full story

Iceland has no coal, no petroleum reserves and no trees. Yet it produces the cheapest electricity in the world. How? From green energy – all of it. Iceland makes electricity using 70.1% hydropower and 29.9% geothermal energy. The country is blessed with a tremendous amount of renewable energy from sources, such as volcanoes that provide geothermal energy and glaciers that power electric turbines. Read the full story

We have heard of carbon taxes that citizens in some countries pay for greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon taxation I think is good for the environment and possibly makes people climate conscious. But what if people had to pay for everything they owe mother nature – air, water, coral, fish, forest, etc? Not too bad. Costa Ricans have been doing it for over a decade. Once known for the world’s highest deforestation, Costa Rica today is the world leader in conservation policy and ecotourism. Costa Rica achieved this remarkable environmental conservation through its policy called Payment for Environmental Services (PSA in Spanish). Read the full story

In a study conducted by InfoTech Research Group & IBM called greener Computing, found that mid-sized companies (employing between 100-1000) are adopting green IT strategies. Read the full story

A green banking survey carried out by Javelin Strategy & Research reports that 75% of customers still receive paper bills and statements. The research company estimates that America can save 687,000 tons of paper if each American stops receiving paper bills and statements. Read the full story

On the way to get pizza with my younger son, my wife noticed a squirrel running around the street. (See picture below.) The squirrel stayed near the car and at first we thought he was carrying a potato chip bag. Then we noticed the bag was covering his head. Baghead as my son called him, stayed near the tire and wouldn’t move. Poor Baghead. Read the full story

Energy consumption accounts for a large chunk of an organization’s operating costs. Energy efficiency practices help reduce energy costs without compromising service. In addition to saving money and helping to improve the bottom line, energy efficiency supports the environment and improves employee morale. According to Green Workplace Survey, environmental programs improve employee morale by 43% and increase employee loyalty by 16%.

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