Environment

Beijing Wins 'Gold' For Green Building

Here's some interesting green news coming out of Beijing: the city's Olympic Village has become the first to win a green building certification.

The non-profit, non-partisan U.S. Green Building Council gave the Olympic housing a gold rating for environmental design, according to a press release (pdf here). The environmentally friendly village, home to 17,000 athletes from around the world, is contributing to improved air quality in the city.

How To Send In Comments On Endangered Species Act

Not happy with the Bush administration's proposed new rules for the Endangered Species Act? You've got 30 days to complain. The New York Times editorial board has posted  how you can send in your comments:

Despite Pelosi Flip-Flop on Drilling Vote, GOP Energy Revolt Continues

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) this week might have softened her opposition to an offshore drilling vote, but GOP leaders want to see some proof of sincerity. From a Tuesday statement from House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio):

Global Warming Battle Heats Up

Jason Burnett, former No. 3 at EPA, helped legislators reveal that the White House strong-armed the agency. Even many Burnett supporters wonder why he changed sides.

More Green Affordable Housing Successes

Just wanted to flag this informative comment from one of our readers regarding our story, Affordable Housing Goes Green. Reader pierced talks about an affordable housing project in Rohnert Park, Calif., about 40 miles north of San Francisco:

Green affordable housing seems so rare that I wanted to mention another project in California called Sonoma Mountain Village. Sponsored by One Planet Communities and a local developer, Codding Enterprises, this project will have about 380 affordable for-rent/sale units in a 1900-unit mixed-use development.

Big Oil Ties Could Hurt GOP

By Mike Lillis 08/13/2008 | 5 Comments

The GOP is striving to establish itself as the party with energy solutions, but connections with Big Oil companies could undermine their efforts.

Endangered Species Threatened by Bush

By Suemedha Sood 08/12/2008 | 2 Comments

Opponents of the Bush administration's new rules for the Endangered Species Act, say vulnerable species like prairie dogs are victims of a "sneak attack."

Endangered Species Overhaul Is NOT About Climate Change

By Suemedha Sood 08/12/2008

Some media outlets and environmental groups may be missing the point on the Bush administration's proposed overhaul of the Endangered Species Act by making the issue about global warming. And I tend to think that's exactly what the administration wants them to do.

Bush Administration Launches "Sneak Attack" On Endangered Species Act

By Suemedha Sood 08/12/2008

The Bush administration announced a proposal Monday to gut protections for endangered wildlife. New rules would overhaul the Endangered Species Act to allow federal agencies to decide by themselves whether agency construction projects (including highways, dams and mines) threaten endangered animals and plants. Until now, this process has always required independent scientific reviews.

Local Governments Take The Lead On Green Building

By Suemedha Sood 08/08/2008

Green-housing advocates and developers are quick to say progress in green building is being made at the state and local levels, driven by rising energy prices and concerns about climate change. And this week, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom signed into law what's being considered the "nation's most aggressive green-building legislation."

In A Lousy Housing Market, Green Housing Soars

By Suemedha Sood 08/08/2008

I was reading today in the Chicago Tribune about an exhibit at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry dedicated to green building. It's a 2,500-square-ft. green home with everything from bathroom tiles made of recycled wine bottles to a solar-paneled roof.

In light of my recent piece on green affordable housing, one point made in the Tribune article really stood out: Even though the housing market is badly suffering, green housing is growing faster than ever. The piece cited a McGraw-Hill study finding that green building is expected to account for 6 percent of the residential construction industry this year. It accounted for just 2 percent in 2005. That's a rapid increase.

The Great Offshore Drilling Flip-Flops

By Suemedha Sood 08/06/2008

Now that Sen. Barack Obama has hopped on the offshore drilling bandwagon, I find myself asking, who won't cross over to the dark side on this issue?  Grist has a good answer: state governors.

As Grist's Kate Sheppard points out, President George W. Bush, Sen. John McCain and many GOPers agree that states should get final say in whether or not to allow drilling on their shores. And many state  governors are saying no.

Affordable Housing Goes Green

By Suemedha Sood 08/05/2008 | 1 Comment

New "green" amenities like solar power panels and sensor-controlled lights aren't just for celebrities anymore.

Republicans Stay in Washington, Push for Offshore Drilling

By Mike Lillis 08/04/2008 | 1 Comment

The House on Friday adjourned for the month-long August recess, but some Republicans have opted to stick around town to score political points in the absence of any Democrats. Continuing their strategy begun last Friday, a small group of GOPers took to the chamber floor again Monday to stage a one-sided debate on the virtues of expanding offshore drilling. It's a scene you can't watch on C-Span, which is turned off because the House is in recess. But the Republicans hope the rare spectacle will stir the public to pressure House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal.) to bring the drilling expansion up for a vote.

FEMA Braces for Slew of Trailer Suits

By Suemedha Sood 07/31/2008

FEMA has asked a federal judge for immunity in cases filed over high levels of formaldehyde found in trailers used to house Hurricane Katrina victims.

Not to Beat This Stephen Johnson Resignation Push to Death…

By Mike Lillis 07/30/2008

…but the questions of potential perjury are not the only charges being leveled at the controversial EPA administrator. Yesterday, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) delivered a lengthy tirade on the chamber floor outlining nine separate reasons he says Johnson is unfit for the job. The entire speech is worth reading, but here's a quick summary of the charged ineptitude (which Matt has cataloged diligently):

McCain Bets on Off Shore Drilling

By Sherry Bebitch Jeffe 07/30/2008 | 11 Comments

Off shore drilling has remained a third rail issue in California for 40 years, even as gas prices rise.

Senate Dems Call on EPA Chief to Resign

By Suemedha Sood 07/29/2008

Four Senate Democrats have called for EPA administrator Stephen Johnson to resign.

EPA to Employees: Don't Talk to Investigators

By Suemedha Sood 07/29/2008 | 1 Comment

It comes as little surprise to reporters that the EPA warns its staff against talking to the press. But now there's some evidence that the agency is also discouraging employees from talking to congressional investigators and even its own inspector general.

A June 16th email, leaked to the non-partisan group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), instructs managers to send friendly reminder to staffers to “not respond to questions or make any statements” to investigators or reporters and to instead direct inquiries to certain designated officials. (PEER is a nonpartisan, national alliance of local, state and federal professionals "dedicated to upholding environmental laws.")

Site Selection Extremely Important In Underground Carbon Storage

By Suemedha Sood 07/24/2008 | 1 Comment

The House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing today on proposed projects to bury carbon dioxide underground. The main question being looked at is how federal and state governments can ensure that once injected deep into the earth, the CO2 will stay put. If it doesn't, the gas has the potential to cause lead and arsenic contamination in drinking water sources.