Category: Green Building LEED News
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U.S. Carbon Emissions From Fossil Fuels Grew in 2013
By Yanna Antypas and Tyson Brown Once all data are in, energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2013 are expected to be roughly 2 percent above the 2012 level, largely because of a small increase in coal consumption in the electric power sector. Coal has regained some market share from natural gas since a low in April 2012.…
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Record Year Pushes U.S. to Second-Strongest Solar Market in the World
Last year ended in record-setting fashion for new solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in the U.S., but that’s not exactly a surprise to some. “Each year, the final quarter in the U.S. results in a new quarterly record for solar PV installed,” Michael Barker, a senior analyst at NPD Solarbuzz, said. “The solar PV industry in the…
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Supreme Court Denies Family Farmers the Right to Self-Defense From Monsanto Lawsuits
The U.S. Supreme Court today issued a decision in the landmark federal lawsuit, Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association (OSGATA) et al v. Monsanto. Farmers were denied the right to argue their case in court and gain protection from potential abuse by the agrochemical and genetic engineering giant, Monsanto. Additionally, the high court decision dashes…
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UK Proposes to Frack One-Half of Great Britain
By Frederick Reese As the rapid expansion of fracking in the U.S. has led to a growing chorus of concerned voices about the potential health and environmental repercussions of this activity, news has surfaced that the European Union (EU) has taken significant steps toward removing fracking in Europe. In a conversation with Polish Prime Minister Donald…
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Innovative Wind Turbine Smaller Than a Penny Could Power Your Smartphone
Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington have developed a renewable energy technology smaller than our smallest form of currency, yet capable of charging smartphones. The micro-windmills designed by electrical engineering professor Dr. J.-C. Chiao and research associate Smitha Rao are so tiny that a single grain of rice could hold about 10 of them, according to…