Proton Energy Systems, Inc. has been awarded a $375,000 contract to develop a solar-powered fuel-cell system for the U.S. Navy. During daylight hours, the one-kilowatt demonstration system will supply solar power while also generating hydrogen fuel through electrolysis of water. When the sun is not shining, the system will rely on the stored hydrogen and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell to provide power. Proton Energy Systems is online at www.protonenergy.com.

According to research performed by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), 22% of available

residential gas furnace models are rated at or above 90% annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). Only 12% scored that high five years ago. Although the federally mandated minimum efficiency for gas furnaces is 78% AFUE, 90% AFUE is required for CEE to define it as “high-efficiency.” In its Residential Gas Heating Initiative of October 2002, CEE revised its performance levels, setting tiers at 90, 92, and 94% AFUE, allowing energy-efficiency programs to be tailored to specific climates. More information is available online at

www.cee1.org.

The Portland, Oregon-based Bonneville Environmental Foundation has announced an impressive

increase in support of Northwest wind and solar energy production. Due largely to new commercial accounts, Bonneville’s Green Tag renewable energy sales were 471% higher in 2002 than in the previous year! These sales represent the avoidance of over 40,000 tons (36,300 tonnes) of carbon emissions and other pollutants released in the burning of fossil fuels.

The

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Products Association (AACPA) offers a wealth of information about autoclaved aerated concrete and its structural and insulating capabilities. The organization aims “to promote the AAC industry in all aspects,” with the eventual goal of mainstreaming AAC in American construction. For more information on AAC or the AACPA, including a map of AAC distributors and the organization’s latest newsletter, visit

www.aacpa.org.

The

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has moved its headquarters from Oaxaca, Mexico to Bonn, Germany. FSC plans to use the new International Center to coordinate FSC activities worldwide. The Oaxaca office will serve Latin America, joining a network of regional offices that will eventually include hubs in Asia, Africa, Europe, the United States, Canada, Russia, and China. Most Oaxaca staff moved along with the headquarters but can be reached at the same e-mail addresses. The FSC International Web site will remain at

www.fscoax.org. The new mailing address is: FSC International Center Bonn, Goerresstrasse 15/IIa, 53113 Bonn, Germany.

In related news, USGBC has awarded Meeting Strategies Worldwide the challenge of “greening” the 2003 Conference. The Portland, Oregon consulting firm will work with local hotels, food and beverage caterers, the city of Pittsburgh, the Lawrence Conference Center, and the exhibit hall decorating company to incorporate sustainable practices into the conference. Such efforts at the 2002 conference in Austin, Texas included the donation of 300 pounds (135 kg) of consumable food and the composting of over 6.5 tons (5.9 tonnes) of food waste. The Austin conference organizers also obtained donations of carbon credits to cover expected carbon dioxide emissions of conference participants traveling to the event (see EBN Vol. 11, No. 12). Over one million meetings and conventions are held in the U.S. each year.

The

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has put out the call for presenters for its

2003 International Conference and Expo, to be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this November 11–15. The Council is seeking proposals and abstracts for both formal presentations and poster sessions in four categories: design and case studies, process and tools, systems and strategies, and education and policy. Abstracts are due April 7; visit

www.usgbc.org for details. The second annual conference is expected to draw at least 5,000 attendees and over 350 exhibitors.

Students, faculty, and practicing architects from across Canada gathered in Montreal last August to discuss

how architecture can address environmental concerns, how sustainable design is integrated into various architecture programs, and how those programs can more effectively collaborate on such issues. To get involved, contact Ray Cole at the University of British Columbia (raycole@arch.ubc.ca) or Daniel Pearl at the Université de Montréal (daniel.pearl@umontreal.ca).

New York State’s Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) is offering $1 million for development and demonstration of

innovative heating and cooling technologies for residential and commercial buildings in the state. NYSERDA expects to give out multiple awards of up to $250,000 each to support new technologies or substantial improvements to existing technologies. More information is at

www.nyserda.org or available by e-mailing Karen Whalen at kew@nyserda.org.

Governor George Pataki thrilled the environmental community in January with his announcement that within the next ten years, 25% of New York’s electricity will come from renewable sources. Although 17% of the state’s electricity is already renewable (mostly from hydroelectric sources), Pataki’s announcement means financing for the construction of

4,000 MW of additional green power. The commitment makes New York’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) among the most progressive in the nation. Maine leads the country with an RPS of 30% (17% from hydropower), and 14 states now have RPS requirements on the books.