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Entries in Water (15)

Saturday
Mar282009

Peach Bites

Citywide Conversation on Transit & Trails
Atlanta Beltline Inc.

This Citywide Conversation on April 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 634 West Peachtree St., will focus on how ABI and MARTA are working together to complete an Environmental Impact Statement as required to compete for federal transportation funding and preserve the BeltLine right-of-way. The conversation will cover feedback from the first round of public scoping meetings including updated goals and objectives and new evaluation criteria and a review of the EIS process and milestones for public input. It will also include an open house on the inventory of existing environmental, cultural, and socio-economic features along the BeltLine that may be impacted by construction of the transit and trails.

Georgia House Nixes New Transportation Agency
Atlanta Business Chronicle

After the senate narrowly passed the bill three weeks ago, the house has voted it down. Much of the concern is over the fact that the govenor, lieutenant govenor and speaker would be responsible for appointing the members of the agency. We should see a new version of the bill sometime next week though.

Georgia Legislature is Pushing to Ease Restrictions on Stream Barriers
Georgia Public Broadcasting

The Georgia Legislature is seeking to soften mandatory buffers aimed at protecting Georgia's waterways from pollution and development. The House voted 106-58 Thursday to remove the buffers around an untold number of unnamed tributaries - or ephemeral streams - that crisscross the state. State law provides for a 25 foot buffer along all streams and as much as 150 feet for watersheds providing drinking water. Supporters say many of the streams are little more than ditches and that the buffers restrict growth and hamper property rights. Critics say loosening rules could threaten the state's clean water.

Tuesday
Mar172009

Peach Bites

State Public Service Commission Approves Two New Nuclear Reactors
GPB - Atlanta,GA,USA
Hooray for Nuclear!! Having lived three miles as the crow flies from a reactor, I can vouch that I was perfectly safe (and scared out of my mind that something would go wrong). Good thing these things won't be ready until 2017 and they will be in the Far East of the state. BTW, what are we going to do with the waste?

The Nature Exchange opens at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in June
Examiner.com - USA
This should be a great addition to the Chattahoochee Nature Center's 10000 sq. ft. LEED certified Discovery Center that is set to open to the public in June. The Nature Exchange is a unique organization that fosters learning about nature by creating a place where kids of all ages can exchange things that they have found or collected.

EPA lauds 25 US cities with most Energy Star Buildings - Atlanta Ranks 9th
Green Right Now - Los Angeles,CA,USA
Maybe we make the list because we're one of the top 10 largest cities in the US. I prefer to think that we make the list because businesses, builders and architects in the metro area are recognizing that designing and building for efficiency is actually a good idea.

Lanier Water Level
GPB - Atlanta,GA,USA
"Three months ago, Lanier was 20 feet below full pool. Now it's more than 11 feet below." I guess all that rain last weekend was good for something.

Monday
Jan192009

Peach Bites

The American Planning Association’s National Planning Excellence Award for Implementation goes to the Atlanta Regional Commission's Livable Centers Iniative (AJC Planning.org)

Supreme Court Won't Hear Georgia Water Wars Case (Atlanta Business Chronicle)

The McMansion Trend in Housing is Slowing (Christian Science Monitor)

Time To Reboot America - Op Ed by Thomas Friedman (NY Times)

The 22-Mile LifePreserver - Almost a decade after it was first proposed, the BeltLine still offers promise - or potential pitfalls? (Next American City)

 

Thursday
Oct022008

Energy Star and WaterSense Tax Free Weekend

 

Today marks the beginning of the 4th annual tax free weekend here in Georgia for Energy Star products.  They have also expanded the program to include WaterSense products as well.  It began today and will end on Sunday night.  Most products priced $1500 or less that have one of these labels qualify.

So, if you have been in the market for an energy efficient fridge or another appliance, this might be your lucky weekend.  Check with your local retailer to see if they are offering additional incentives as you may be able to get an additional 10% off on top of the sales tax discount.

An added bonus for Atlantans is that Energy Star has selected Atlanta as the site of one of its six Change the World: Start with Energy Star  exhibits.  It will be at the Lowe's Edgewood location on Saturday & Sunday.  You will be able to walk through a custom built house that showcases Energy Star products and educates on how those products can save money and help preserve the environment.

If you are interested in what qualifies for the holiday, here are details from the GA Department of Revenue website:


The energy efficient products eligible for the exemption are as follows:

air conditioners ceiling fans
fluorescent light bulbs clothes washers
dishwashers windows (including skylights)
refrigerators programmable thermostats
dehumidifiers doors



The water efficient products eligible for the exemption are as follows:

bathroom sink faucets faucet accessories (such as aerators)
showerheads high-efficiency toilets
high-efficiency urinals weather or sensor-based irrigation controllers
Thursday
Jan112007

Tip Thursday: Save by Washing Cold

So, this is our first installment of Tip Thursday where we will spotlight a tip or factiod that will help you save energy, money, and the environment.  Today's deals with your washer.

Washing Machine.jpgYou can save a lot of money by just cutting the hot water out of your clothing washes.  When using a washer, about 90% of the total energy used goes into heating the water. While about 10% goes into powering the actual washer.  You should use cold water and cold water detergents whenever you can.

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