Author: Monica Williams
Website: http://aessolarenergy.com/blog/index.php/c1/making-an-impact…

I set out to write a blog this week addressing the changes people make and the attitudes they have after they get solar power in their homes. I assumed I would find a plethora of happy customers exalting there new contribution to the environment, and I also assumed that maybe some had become more lax on their energy conservation activities around the home since their energy is now practically free. Instead, I spoke with happy customers who had made no change in their daily routines, as they already were energy conscious before solar, and continued with this mindset even after solar was installed. Their opinion towards the solar panels on their home is that it is their duty to the world. I was surprised to not immediately find the answer I was looking for, but instead to speak with individuals who were truly energy conservationists.

In my mind, the moment I knew I was getting free energy, I would feel no remorse in running the dryer two more times, or leaving my computer on…

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Author: Monica Williams
Website: http://aessolarenergy.com/blog/index.php/c1/seia-s-solar-bil…

http://seia.org/cs/solar_bill_of_rights

At the Solar Power International 2009 Conference that took place in Anaheim, CA October 27 - 29, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Rhone Resch presented a call to action with the Solar Bill of Rights. This document brings to light the issues facing the solar industry today. The solutions to these problems are critical for the widespread acceptance and availability of solar power in the United States. Along with other solar professionals, I urge you to read this document and pass it along so that action can be taken to aid in the general usage of solar power in our country, and world.

Below is the Solar Bill of Rights from the SEIA website. http://seia.org/cs/solar_bill_of_rights

SOLAR BILL OF RIGHTS©

To secure a policy environment that allows solar energy to compete and empowers consumers to choose, Rhone Resch declared today, October 27, 2009, in the City of Anaheim, California, a Solar Bill of Rights©:

We declare…

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Author: Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP
Website: http://www.blogger.com/profile/07495457719901726105

November 5, 2009 - The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today applauded Congress for passing legislation that will extend and expand the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, stating that this will provide a much-needed boost to the fragile housing market and economy.

“We commend lawmakers for acting in a bipartisan manner to extend the first-time home buyer tax credit beyond its Nov. 30 deadline and expand it to a wider group of home buyers,” said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. “The tax credit has proven to be a powerful economic incentive. Today’s action by Congress will further stabilize housing and the economy by creating new jobs, stimulating home sales, reducing foreclosures, cutting excess inventories and stabilizing home prices.”

The new law will extend the $8,000 credit for first-time home buyers for sales contracts entered into by April 30, 2010 and closed by June 30. Further, it has been expanded to include a new $6,500…

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Author: Lisa Frack
Website: http://www.enviroblog.org/2009/11/school-cleaning-supplies-p…

By Lisa Frack

Baking soda, vinegar and plain soap are my cleaning supplies at home - plus a little elbow grease. I don’t use conventional cleaners for a reason: I don’t know what’s in them (very weak labeling laws) and I’m pretty certain they’re not good for my family. But for about 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, my kids aren’t at home. They’re at school. And what, exactly, do they clean with there?

Beats me.

But it shouldn’t, because EWG tests revealed 100’s of chemicals in common school cleaning products - most of which have never been assessed for safety and others that are linked to asthma and cancer. Not exactly ideal for young learners - or the teachers and school staff who are also exposed.

EWG product tests revealed 100s of unhealthy air contaminants
Because cleaning product labels are so under-regulated, product testing is the only way to know what’s in them. So test we did. Among the 457 chemicals identified were:

• 6 chemicals known to cause asthma.
• 11…

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Author: easy eco blog
Website: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/easyecoblog/~3/BsY_ZS5DZGY/

Looking for a new water heater?  Ours is getting old and with the Federal Tax Rebates, it was time to look into the area.
AO Smith makes the Vertex 100 water heater that is very efficient at 96% thermal efficiency. The 50-gallon Vertex delivers hot water output that exceeds a 75-gallon atmospheric gas water heater. it [...]

Related posts:

1. Federal Tax Credit on Energy Efficient Water Heaters
2. Hybrid Water Heaters
3. Reduce Water Heater Energy Use

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Author: Joe Ascanio
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2009/11/11/how-to-avoid-crowded-ai…

We have all seen the lines – wrapping around the dividers at the check-in counters, jam-packing the security queues. And the worst part? That is just on a regular day. So what happens on, say, Thanksgiving – the busiest travel day of the year?

A new post by the Orbitz Insider Index has just announced the busiest airports for Thanksgiving, with Chicago, Los Angeles and Denver taking the top three spots. Interestingly enough, New York-area airports ranked 7-9, narrowly beating Seattle which squeezed itself into the number 10 spot.

Where to expect the smallest crowds? Check out San Jose, CA, followed by Nashville and then Richmond, VA.

But, regardless of your departure site and/or destination, there are some friendly and useful tips that just may make your holiday travel a little bit easier.

Go small and flexible

You will find that planning in advance can make all the difference. One thing to think about before buying those tickets is whether or not you can fly out of smaller,…

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Author: Jean-Paul
Website: http://www.thechicecologist.com/2009/11/healthy-morning-blen…

Just wanted to share with you my favorite new breakfast treat from the blender. If you are a smoothie fan, give this one a blend, if not, you will be after tasting this!
Roasted Blueberry Banana Breakfast Smoothie
Yeah, sounds a bit funky, but it’s the best way I could explain it. The roasted flax seeds give [...]

Related posts:

1. Fine and Raw Chocolates
2. Artisana Organic Raw Cacao Bliss Coconut Butter – CocoNutella
3. Exotic Flavor Natural French Truffles – Intrigue Chocolates

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Author: easy eco blog
Website: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/easyecoblog/~3/diFOPs48dPU/

Garmin has a new ecoRoute software for some of their nuvi GPS navigation devices that adds a “less fuel” option as a routing preference. When selected, the Garmin nüvi GPS will determine if more fuel efficient routes exist based upon road speed data and vehicle acceleration data for a given route.
It is compatible with Garmin [...]

Related posts:

1. Multi-speed Pool Pumps save Energy
2. Fuel Efficient Tires
3. Cash for Clunkers or Car Allowance Rebate System

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Author: Green Talk
Website: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/green-talk/jRYI/~3/wcyvnbGdgV…

A Young Amaranth Plant

This year I decided to plant Amaranth, a highly nutritious grain.  I saw its ornamental cousin last year and flipped at how beautiful this plant was.  My husband tells me that I grow to grow.  It does not matter if I intend to eat it.  I enjoy the pleasures of watching a plant grow into its splendor until he hands me the scissors and tells me to cut it.  This always pains me.  Amaranth is one of those plants that you hate to cut down since its purplish/magenta plumes are just breath-taking.   You don’t have to plant it to enjoy the benefits of Amaranth.

What is Amaranth? It  was called the grains of the gods. The Aztecs used Amaranth in their rituals until its use was outlawed by the Spaniards who sought to convert the Aztecs to Christianity.  According to the USDA plant database, Amaranth is related to Pigweed, and is really an herb not a true grain.  But what makes it so special is it is a…

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Author: Dan Kulpinski
Website: http://www.blogger.com/profile/12232686698712497546

Last week I published a guide on the BethesdaGreen.org site to energy-related tax credits in Montgomery County and Maryland.The federal incentives apply throughout the DC region (30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for home energy improvements such as windows, insulation and HVAC equipment in ‘09 and ‘10; plus 30% of the cost — no limit — through 2016 for big ticket items such as solar panels and

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