The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning a

national program to promote water efficiency, in the hopes of reducing both water use and water and wastewater infrastructure needs nationwide. As part of the program, EPA is considering a water-efficiency label similar to the successful Energy Star label. More information on water efficiency is available at:

www.epa.gov/water/water_efficiency.html.

The

Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is seeking a new executive director as current head

Warren Leon begins work as program director for public awareness and education at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Renewable Energy Trust. A full job description and application information for the NESEA position are posted online at

www.nesea.org.

The Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) has recovered 1,947 pounds (883 kg) of

mercury from 221,000 discarded mercury-switch thermostats since it began operating in 1998. Under the program, established by Honeywell, General Electric, and White Rodgers, HVAC contractors can drop off any brand of mercury-switch thermostats, free of charge, at participating wholesalers for appropriate disposal. A list of participating wholesalers and more information about the program are available at

www.nema.org/trc.

According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials, Energy Star^® programs have prevented the release of over 150 million tons (136 million tonnes) of carbon emissions. Moreover,

every dollar spent on Energy Star returns $70 in benefits. Despite its success and bipartisan support, including recent praise from the White House, the energy conservation program is threatened by budget cuts. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the Bush administration had originally planned to cut Energy Star funding by roughly 30% during fiscal year 2003, which ended in September. Under pressure, however, the White House reinstated about half of the proposed cuts. The extra funding must come from EPA’s overall budget. For more information on Energy Star, see EBN

Vol. 7, No. 6 or visit

www.energystar.gov.

Metropolis magazine survey.

Metropolis posted a questionnaire on their Web site during last April and May and received 371 responses to questions about how schools are teaching sustainable design. Although 93% of respondents agree that sustainability is relevant to the design curriculum, only 14% report that their schools are developing programs to educate their teachers about sustainable design, and only 25% say they have faculty advisors on the topic. Complete results are available on the Web at

www.metropolismag.com.

Over one million acres (400,000 ha) of

Washington state forests will soon be certified to both Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) standards, the Pinchot Institute for Conservation reported in August. Lanoga Corporation, the country’s third-largest supplier of lumber and building products to the professional residential building sector, has agreed to fund the certification process, which should shed light on how the two certification systems compare. Pinchot is facilitating a similar study on 67,000 acres (27,000 ha) of Idaho forestland owned by Potlatch Corporation. Findings of both studies will be made public upon completion.

Portland General Electric has expanded its

Earth Advantage™ program for green homes in the Northwest. In addition to satisfying the basic level of performance, homes can now achieve gold certification for performing especially well in indoor air quality, energy efficiency, or water conservation; or platinum certification for going beyond gold requirements. Third-party testing and certification are required for all levels of certification. Details are online at

www.earthadvantage.com.

The

California Energy Commission (CEC) may no longer collect information about the energy efficiency of air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters, and furnaces, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California ruled in June. The case was filed by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association, and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. The Court found that the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act preempts state regulations requiring the disclosure of information about energy consumption. CEC’s data is used to enforce efficiency standards by Energy Star^®, utility rebate programs, and our own

GreenSpec Product Directory, among others. CEC plans to appeal the ruling.

are far less likely than permanent classrooms to be healthy environments, according to California’s Air Resources Board and Department of Health Services. During their two-year study, the state found portable classrooms to have inadequate ventilation and lighting levels; elevated particulate matter, moisture, and mold problems; and temperature, humidity, and noise levels outside recommended standards. Of special concern are significant formaldehyde emissions, mostly from pressed-wood furniture, wallboard, and carpeting. Because of inadequate construction budgets, nearly one-third of California classrooms are portable. Details are online at

www.arb.ca.gov.

Maine made history in June, when, by passing “An Act to Provide Leadership in Addressing the Threat of Climate Change,” it became the nation’s

first state to legislate a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Maine plans to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2010, 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, and 75–80% below 1990 levels over the long term. The law also requires the state to inventory and reduce emissions from programs and facilities they fund and to initiate at least 50 partnerships with businesses and nonprofit organizations to reduce carbon emissions.