The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new action plan for chemicals used in spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation. Isocyanates, such as MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate), are highly reactive chemicals that can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation, asthma, and chemical sensitization when absorbed through... Read more

After a long, cold winter in Vermont (and yes, it even... Read more

The 2011 Living Future "unconference" in Vancouver is a hopping, high-energy event. As usual, CEO, host, and MC Jason McLennan has set a high bar with his passion and willingness to push boundaries. Except Jason, all the... Read more

A recent study published in

Environmental Science and Technology reports that the actual rate of greenhouse gas production from septic tanks is half what has previously been estimated. One-fifth of the U.S. population uses residential septic tanks to treat wastewater; during this process, micro-organisms decompose the matter and... Read more

EBN July 2009). Products can be certified as level... Read more

EBN Oct. 2010). The Maryland housing department and local governments are allowed to amend IGCC within their own jurisdictions. The bill, developed by the International Code Council and others, establishes a green model code focused on commercial buildings. For more information, visit mlis.state.md.us.

When specifying or using forest products, some people want to know that they originated in a forestry operation that respects the long-term health of the forest and its important functions, such as wildlife habitat, recreation, and support for local communities. You can’t tell those things by scrutinizing the lumber or furniture product—that’s... Read more

In a digital world, why are we still using analog power? That’s the question posed by Brian Patterson, general manager of business development for Armstrong Ceilings and chairman of EMerge Alliance, an industry association that is trying to change the way power is distributed. EMerge promotes the idea that a long-term switch from alternating... Read more

Test your energy personality! How much energy our buildings use matters to you, but comparing from building to building is tricky. Answer these questions and we’ll tell you which energy metric suits you best.

A. I want to be able to check my utility meter and my solar... Read more

Clanton Associates just completed a study for wireless lighting control company Daintree Networks that compares first costs and energy savings for six different lighting control retrofit options for a typical 1970s office space. Not surprisingly, the study shows significant first-cost savings with the wireless systems, with higher... Read more