Sustainability Partners News Blog

Stephanie Simon of the WSJ provides an excellent overview of Boulder, Co.’s efforts to become a sustainable city. http://bit.ly/bmyOVM.  Boulder has found that after undergoing an energy audit, people don’t make the changes recommended.  The likely barrier?  Cost.

One innovative idea to help owners pay for expensive energy reduction measures are Property Assessed Clean Energy Bonds (PACE).  A PACE bond is a bond where the proceeds are lent to commercial and residential property owners to finance energy retrofits (efficiency measures and small renewable energy systems) and who then repay their loans over 20 years via an annual assessment on their property tax bill. For more information, go to http://www.pacenow.org.

http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/02/09/study-shows-wide-gap-between-actual-and-perceived-green-efforts

http://bit.ly/a7XH67

Looking for new appliances, water heaters or HVAC units? Check out the this website to learn about appliances that qualify for rebates, and a list of qualified professionals and retail stores that can help you. http://bit.ly/9iddYf

Today, SEC Chairwoman Mary Schapiro said.: “It is neither surprising nor especially remarkable for us to conclude that of course a company must consider whether potential legislation — whether that legislation concerns climate change or new licensing requirements — is likely to occur,” Schapiro said.

Also, companies need to consider the effects of severe weather patterns and changing market demand related to a business’ carbon footprint. Here’s the letter: http://bit.ly/bE35mQ

Listen to Anderson Window’s Mr. J. Glassnap explain how sustainability is at the heart of Anderson’s products and business practices.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pEi_T9eCtY

Whole Foods and Staples Office – past sponsors for our sustainabiility events – stand out for their renewable energy purchases.  Check out other top retailers, colleges, printers and towns who are committed to renewable energy.  http://www.epa.gov/grnpower/toplists/top50.htm

No. 1 = Honda Civic GX (natural gas powered), No 2 = Prius, No 3 = Hondic Civic Hybrid.  http://www.greenercars.org

Here is the Executive Summary from a new study released by Environmental Leader. Survey of 350 corporate executives shows that green marketing is very effective – especially on the internet. http://reports.watershed-publishing.com/assets/uploads/GreenMarketingReport_ExecutiveSummaryEL.pdf