September 26, 2011 The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Rule (GHGRR), found in 40 CFR Part 98, has a major deadline in front of us. The first reports of GHG emissions for 2010 are required to be submitted to the USEPA electronically by this Friday, Sept. 30. The USEPA set up an electronic data submission system [...]

Let’s face it: it’s tough to sell a corporate “green” program in-house. You know of the many financial advantages for your company if it develops a robust program. But most companies – especially in these tough times – are conservative and don’t want to spend money on a program with even the slightest risk of [...]

July 2011 You are aware of the business arguments for establishing a sustainability or “green” program (see last month’s newsletter!) and are seriously considering or have begun such a program. It is therefore important to plan the proper metrics of your program in order to demonstrate success so that all stakeholders understand your benefits and [...]

July 5, 2011 I hate to bring up this issue on Independence Weekend when we should celebrate the many great things about America. But we are falling behind the rest of the world in one area of great importance to us, and that is, clean energy and energy efficiency. The U.S. has an estimated 120 [...]

June 1, 2011 As you walk down your local supermarket aisle and you compare brands, you generally see only price, price per measure ($ per lb, per fluid ounce, etc.), and maybe calories. Well, several supermarkets and stores are beginning to experiment with labels to provide consumers with the product’s relative carbon emissions. Tesco, the [...]

May 24, 2011 Last month, the USEPA issued its periodic update report on where the US stands in terms of our overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory, and trends since statistics began to be kept in 1990. It is important to step back and see where our GHG emissions derive and trends in recent years [...]

April 26, 2011 Earlier this year the World Resources Institute and other organizations issued a report providing ways for the federal government to implement a cap and trade program to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions independent of Congress, through Section 111 of the Clean Air Act (§111), New Source Performance Standards. This report states that [...]

Environmental News for You(TM) February 2011 The USEPA has begun to apply Clean Air Act (CAA) regulations to greenhouse gases (GHGs), as of Jan. 1, 2011. The USEPA was forced to as the CAA requires the agency to develop and enforce rules for any compound designated a pollutant, and GHGs were so stated. But how [...]

January 25, 2011 Last week in my blog, I discussed the growing issue of energy risk. It is almost a certainty that we will have future energy price volatility and overall cost increases, as we see this winter with gasoline prices and news reports of more accidents (i.e., Deepwater Horizon) and potential impacts on the [...]

Dec. 28, 2010 2011 is coming and many people have made their new year’s resolutions and wish lists. My wish for 2011 (besides a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year for all) is simple. I would like to return to a time in the U.S. when things were done at a high quality level. It [...]