Monthly Archives: July 2010

Call for Papers: Deadline Extended!

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GOVgreen Conference and Exposition LogoThere’s still time to submit your paper and share your expertise and knowledge with thousands of people at the 2010 GOVgreen Conference and Expo, this November 9-10, 2010 at the Walter E. Washington Center in Washington, D.C.

Academics, researchers, green workers and managers are encouraged to submit papers and proposals for programming at the conference.  Extended Submission Deadline: July 30, 2010.

Papers should fit into one of the following topic areas:

  • Waste management and recycling
  • Healthy and efficient federal workplaces and facilities
  • Federal workforce
  • Transportation
  • Alternative fuels
  • Energy efficiency and renewable energy
  • Water and wastewater
  • Green purchasing and products
  • Facility siting
  • Partnerships

To submit your proposal, visit:
http://ceileadership.org/index.php/call-for-papers

Find it. Fuel it. Go.

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That’s the motto for the Department of Energy’s new mobile app, the Alternative Fuel Locator.

Find fueling stations for your alternative fuel vehicle on-the-go with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator. The locator works on any mobile Internet-ready device and allows drivers to find the five closest biodiesel, electricity, E85 (etha­nol), hydrogen, natural gas, and propane fueling sites. It uses familiar, easy-to-navigate Google technology to map fueling stations, list contact information and business hours, and provide detailed driving directions and an instant phone connection.

You can learn more about the app here: http://apps.usa.gov/alternative-fuel-locator/

And test run it on your desktop here: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/m/stations/

CEIL Blog Friday Wrap-Up

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In case you missed any posts from earlier this week, we’ve collected them below in a handy list for you!

In Case You Missed It: Solar Plane Flew for 26 hrs.

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Last Thursday, a solar-powered aircraft landed in Switzerland after flying continuously for 26 hours and 9 minutes.  The goal of the flight was to demonstrate that a solar-powered aircraft could store enough energy during the day to fly through the night.  Now, it seems as though they’ve ended any debate on the subject.  The next step? An Atlantic Ocean crossing.  Read more here.

Photo via Reuters.

Greendex Exposes the Reality of My Not-So Green Life

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I work hard to live a green life and try to instill environmental values on my family – I purchase 100 percent wind energy from our electricity provider, drive a hybrid, compost, don’t eat meat (but my family does), and all of my appliances are Energy Star certified. I was excited to learn about and take the Greendex, National Geographic’s survey which measures consumer consumption and its environmental impacts to see how I compare to others in terms of green behavior.

The sad result: I live like a Canadian (my score 48, Canada’s average 47.9). I’ve always liked our neighbor to the north and have many Canadian friends and relatives, but I was hoping to be more Swedish (50.7) or German (score: 50)—two countries that I think of as having very environmentally conscious citizens. I do live a slightly greener life than most of my American compatriots (average score 45: the worst in the entire global survey).

My failings were very much in the food and vehicle departments. My strategy for improvement: buy locally grown food as much as possible, consume imported food less than once per week (so long Trader Joes!), and pick one or two days per week to leave the car at home.

What is your Greendex Score? Take the survey (it only takes about 3 minutes) and send me your results and your ideas for how you will score higher in the future.

To learn about how federal agencies, and states and local governments are improving their own Greendex’s sign up for GovGreen, taking place November 9-10, 2010 at the DC Convention Center.

Deputy Under Secretary of Defense to speak at GOVgreen Conference and Exposition

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GOVgreen Conference and Exposition announced that Dr. Dorothy Robyn, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installation and Environment is scheduled to be a keynote speaker during its conference taking place this November 9-10.

Dr. Robyn provides management and oversight of military installations worldwide and manages environmental, safety and occupational health programs for DOD. DOD’s installations cover 29 million acres, with 539,000 buildings and structures valued at more than $700 billion. Dr. Robyn’s responsibilities include energy programs, environmental management and restoration of closing bases, pollution prevention, conservation and environmental research and technology. Meeting the mandates set forth by President Obama’s Executive Order 13514 will be integral to the programs Dr. Robyn oversees.

The GOVgreen Conference and Exposition is the first ALL Government, ALL Green event to focus exclusively on providing real-world solutions for all government professionals charged with implementing EO 13514. Located in Washington, DC to provide easy access for the widest range of government professionals, GOVgreen’s programming—free to credentialed government and military professionals– focuses on energy, transportation, conservation, facilities and workforce management. The more than 30 educational sessions will include panel presentations, interactive workshop sessions and moderated discussions with speakers drawn from federal agencies. In addition, the exhibit floor will feature a new green product showcase (the Extreme Green Pavilion) as well as prototype presentations (Green Alert).

Save the date, November 9-10, for the first ALL Government, ALL Green event, GOVgreen Conference and Exposition: Where Government Professionals Purchase Green Solutions!

The Science of Green: Air-Purifying Stones

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There is seemingly no end to the creativity of scientists working on green products.  Researchers in the Netherlands have created a new type of paving stone that will absorb nitrogen oxide from vehicle emissions.  These paving stones would work well in parking lots that see lots of engine starts each day.  Read more here.

Photo via The Green Optimistic

Green Government Podcast: Episode 4

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Green Government Podcast

Green Government Podcast: Episode 4

Interview with Crystall Merlino, Sustainable Program Manager DoD, DFD, Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), Environmental Office.

Join us for Episode 4 of the Green Government Podcast as we chat with Crystall Merlino. Crystall is currently the Sustainable/LEED program manager for the Washington Headquarters Service (WHS), National Capital Region/Pentagon, Department of Defense. Over the past fourteen (14) years, Crystall has led and supported large-scale government and private sector environmental and energy projects – providing project management, technical program development and implementation, regulatory and voluntary program support. She has facilitated projects on behalf of the Architect of the Capitol, the Environmental Protection Agency, National Security Agency (NSA), U.S. Department of Defense, and numerous private corporations. She has developed and implemented environmental programs, metrics and acquisition strategies for government and private clients.

In this interview, Crystall share some information about DoD’s headquarters (the Pentagon), building and renovation programs and how she is helping the Pentagon and National Capital Region address environmental sustainability through its design/construction and operations and maintenance program.

Interview with Crystall Merlino, Sustainable Program Manager DoD, DFD, Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), Environmental Office. Join us for Episode 4 of the Green Government Podcast as we chat with Crystall Merlino. Crystall is currently the Sustainable/LEED program manager for the Washington Headquarters Service (WHS), National Capital Region/Pentagon, " data-image="http://blog.ceileadership.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/spacer.jpg" data-site="Center for Environmental Innovation and Leadership">