A roundup of energy efficiency news, features and happenings from the U.S. Centex Raises Energy-Efficiency Standards in Houston Area Centex Energy Advantage standards up to 40% more efficient than typical 10-year-old home… http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2171603/ Ohio Democrats outline priorities for job creation Democrats who control the Ohio House said Monday they want to create jobs by requiring that public buildings meet energy-efficiency standards… http://www.ohio.com/news/39353122.html Pepco to implement energy efficiency...

A roundup of energy efficiency news, features and happenings from around the world. UNITED KINGDOM Scots capital to charge drivers of gas guzzlers higher parking fees Drivers of the most polluting vehicles in Scotland’s capital are to be hit with higher parking charges, it was announced yesterday… http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1071951?UserKey= Million pound prize for energy efficient Scottish homes An interesting initiative by the Scottish government sees an annual prize of £1million offered to the winner of the best scheme for improving...

This edition’s articles focus on high performance windows, tubular daylight devices for schools and a product for kids that I love - the POWERHOG piggybank. High Performance Windows A good article from New Home Portfolio on ENERGY STAR high performance windows. Read more at this link… http://www.newhomeportfolio.com/blog/?p=24 Solatube Tubular Daylighting Device from Solatube Home Comfort Products Release on the Solatube Tubular Daylighting Device (TDD) use in the he Commonwealth Government’s National Solar Schools Program (NSSP)… http://www.infolink.com.au/c/Solatube-Home-Comfort-Products/Solatube-Tubular-Daylighting-Device-from-Solatube-Home-Comfort-Products-n821880 POWER...

With the ushering in of a new U.S. presidential administration next week, it will be interesting to note what changes we will see regarding the position of various executive branch agencies on issues such as renewable energy, sustainability and climate change. Obviously, there will be changes from the previous administration, but it still remains to be seen how much will change and how fast it will occur. And it will be interesting to see how Obama’s “change we can believe in” translates into environmental and clean energy policy.   Pulled from the...

I starting following the voluntary carbon offset industry several years ago and have observed significant improvements in its overall quality, especially with regard to projects, providers, transparency and accountability. While some of these improvements were made in reaction to the media’s focus on problems in the industry, much of it can be attributed to the maturing of a new industry that provides a complicated, unregulated, non-standardized, and often poorly understood product. Carbon offsetting is still far from perfect and susceptible to dubious...

Despite the current economic turmoil and poor job market, the prospect of green job growth continues to hold much promise.  Aside from the obvious sites such as monster, hotjobs, careerbuilder and indeed, I have compiled this handy listing of obvious and not-so-obvious green job boards and related web resources. General & Multi-Discipline Related GreenBiz.com - Green Careers Find your dream job from a select group of highly qualified employers, all with a focus on green, cleantech, and sustainable business practices. Our listings emphasize high quality,...

Carbon offsets continue to remain a complex and controversial subject.  What follows is the first of several posts I plan to make on carbon offsets and related issues.    Resources for Understanding Carbon Offsets Good resources to obtain basic information on carbon offsets include Carbon Offset - Wikipedia and How Stuff Works - Carbon Offsets.  I have also gathered a number of terms and definitions links related to carbon offsets here.   Resources for Carbon Offset Issues, Projects and Providers There are several very good resources available that examine...

Here are some excellent green term, definition and glossary links. Green: Green Glossary - California Consumer Energy Center Green Glossary - Do Something Green Business Acronyms - Green to Gold Green Shopping Definitions - Pristine Planet Environmental: Environmental Glossary - Earth 911 Environmental Glossary, Abbreviations and Acronyms - U.S. EPA Renewable Energy: Renewable Energy/Efficiency Glossary - Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) Solar Energy Glossary - U.S. Department of Energy Energy Terms & Definitions -...

There are dozens of excellent web sites and blogs devoted to green living, personal emissions reduction and energy efficiency tips, ideas and approaches.  The resources I believe are the “best of the best” are listed in the GreenSetters.com Green Living Section here. All-Around Excellent Green Living Sites Ecologue Information, articles and tips on various going green and recycling topics. Global Stewards Provides environmental tips for sustainable living and information about exciting sustainable solutions. Green Options - Family & Lifestyle Green...