The Institute of Civil Engineers posted a video about the engineering of venues at the Olympics and the massive infrastructure needed to support them. To build anything in a city as populous, large, crowded and ancient as London is a challenge. To redevelop a large area near the center of such a city with a lot of large, sometimes innovative structures and rebuild most of the infrastructure around them is enormously impressive. Take a look.
Showing posts with label green smart sustainable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green smart sustainable. Show all posts
Monday, August 13, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Recycled Water: Is it the Wave of the Future?
Many young idealists ask me
why we don’t just don’t just take the wastewater we’re cleaning, clean it up
some more, and drink it? The short
answer is most people think it is disgusting.
Water professionals might say that is kind of what happens anyway. If you’re interested in finding out more
about these issues, here are links to some informative articles.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Short Items
For my sister, an architectural historian: Historic buildings can be green buildings (link, more).
Reader’s Digest recognized water and wastewater operators as some of the most needful jobs in America (link).
Reader’s Digest recognized water and wastewater operators as some of the most needful jobs in America (link).
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Activity in Congress
Bill Introduced To Review Impacts of Rules Affecting Energy Production
Rep. John Sullivan (OK) has introduced the Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act of 2011 (H.R. 1705). The bill would require a committee to review certain air pollution, waste disposal and other selected regulations and assess their impacts on the nations economy and energy sector.
Bill Would Limit EPA Administrator’s Determinations Related to Water Quality Standards
Rep. John Micah (FL) has introduced the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011 (H.R. 2018). The bill would reduce the powers of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in relation to determinations of water quality standards and permitting in relation to the states.
Bill Would Require Environmental Agency to Consider Regulatory Affects On Jobs
Rep. Shelly Moore Capito (WV) has introduced the Employment Protection Act 2011 (H.R 1872). The bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency to consider the impact of rulemaking or permitting actions on employment in the various states. A version of this bill has also been introduced in the Senate (S. 1292).
Green Infrastructure Bill Introduced
Sen. Tom Udall (NM) has introduced the Green Infrastructure and Clean Water Act of 2010 (S. 1115). The bill would establish three to five centers of excellence in green infrastructure at higher education or research institutions. It would also make green infrastructure grants of up to $200,000 available to communities for planning and implementing green infrastructure projects. Various offices of the Environmental Protection Agency would be tasked with promoting green infrastructure. A version of the bill has also been introduced in the House of Representatives (H.R. 2030).
Hydrokinetics Bill Introduced
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK) has introduced the Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Promotion Act of 2011 (S. 630). The bill would establish funding and programs for hydrokinetics development, mainly by adding hydrokinetics to programs established in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
Rep. John Sullivan (OK) has introduced the Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act of 2011 (H.R. 1705). The bill would require a committee to review certain air pollution, waste disposal and other selected regulations and assess their impacts on the nations economy and energy sector.
Bill Would Limit EPA Administrator’s Determinations Related to Water Quality Standards
Rep. John Micah (FL) has introduced the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011 (H.R. 2018). The bill would reduce the powers of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in relation to determinations of water quality standards and permitting in relation to the states.
Bill Would Require Environmental Agency to Consider Regulatory Affects On Jobs
Rep. Shelly Moore Capito (WV) has introduced the Employment Protection Act 2011 (H.R 1872). The bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency to consider the impact of rulemaking or permitting actions on employment in the various states. A version of this bill has also been introduced in the Senate (S. 1292).
Green Infrastructure Bill Introduced
Sen. Tom Udall (NM) has introduced the Green Infrastructure and Clean Water Act of 2010 (S. 1115). The bill would establish three to five centers of excellence in green infrastructure at higher education or research institutions. It would also make green infrastructure grants of up to $200,000 available to communities for planning and implementing green infrastructure projects. Various offices of the Environmental Protection Agency would be tasked with promoting green infrastructure. A version of the bill has also been introduced in the House of Representatives (H.R. 2030).
Hydrokinetics Bill Introduced
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK) has introduced the Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Promotion Act of 2011 (S. 630). The bill would establish funding and programs for hydrokinetics development, mainly by adding hydrokinetics to programs established in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
National News
Airport Improvement Program Extension Passes Congress
A bill to extend the Airport Improvement Program (H.R. 6190) and the taxes that fund it passes both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The bill awaits presidential signature.
Bill Would Alot Additional SRF Funds to Smart Growth States
Rep. Frank Kratovil (MD) has introduced a bill (H.R. 6182) that would provide additional capitalization grants to the clean water state revolving fund (SRF) in states that adopt smart growth principles. The additional appropriation would be 5 percent of the appropriation for the normal capitalization grants.
Infrastructure Bank Proponents
Infrastructure bank proposals have found advocates in Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Treasury Department’s Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy Alan Krueger.
A bill to extend the Airport Improvement Program (H.R. 6190) and the taxes that fund it passes both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The bill awaits presidential signature.
Bill Would Alot Additional SRF Funds to Smart Growth States
Rep. Frank Kratovil (MD) has introduced a bill (H.R. 6182) that would provide additional capitalization grants to the clean water state revolving fund (SRF) in states that adopt smart growth principles. The additional appropriation would be 5 percent of the appropriation for the normal capitalization grants.
Infrastructure Bank Proponents
Infrastructure bank proposals have found advocates in Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Treasury Department’s Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy Alan Krueger.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Jefferson City, MO, Part of Greening America’s Capitals Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected Jefferson City, MO, (home of Infrastructure Watch) for green design assistance that includes cleaning up and recycling vacant lands, providing greater housing and transportation choices, reducing energy costs and improving waterways. Through its new Greening America’s Capitals program, EPA will fund private sector experts to provide sustainable design assistance to Jefferson City, Boston, MA; Hartford, CT; Charleston, WV.; and Little Rock, AR.
Greening Americas Capitals is a new project of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, an agreement between EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to coordinate federal housing, transportation, and environmental investments; protect public health and the environment; promote equitable development; and help address the challenges of climate change. HUD and DOT were involved in the review and selection process and will provide technical expertise on relevant portions of each project.
Jefferson City and the four other state capitals were selected from a total of 38 cities that responded to a solicitation of interest. EPA will now organize teams of urban planners and landscape architects to provide direct, customized technical assistance as requested by Jefferson City officials. Greening America’s Capitals provides direct technical assistance to communities by working with private sector experts and leveraging partnerships, such as with HUD and DOT, to consider implementation options.
Jefferson City’s primary area of focus is bounded on the west by U.S. Highways 63/54, on the north by the Missouri River, on the south by U.S. Highways 50/63, and by the Capitol Building on the east. Wears Creek and vacant properties within the area provide the greatest opportunity for reconnecting nearby residents in the Southside neighborhood to the riverfront. Wears Creek can serve as an important connection to planned bike and pedestrian greenways.
EPA‘s support of the Jefferson City project is also undertaken to advance EPA’s Urban Waters focus, which seeks to support communities in their efforts to access, improve, and benefit from their urban waters and surrounding lands. EPA’s Urban Waters efforts place particular emphasis on engaging underserved neighborhoods and on providing equitable access to urban waters through well-planned community revitalization leading to improved urban water quality. EPA’s assistance to Jefferson City will integrate the goals of both the agency’s urban waters and livability efforts.
Partners on this project include: Governor Jay “Boondoggle Bridge” Nixon, State Senator Carl Vogel, Jefferson City Mayor John Landwehr, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri State Office of Administration Jefferson City Council, Jefferson City Housing Authority & Land Clearance Authority, Jefferson City Environmental Quality Commission, Jefferson City Planning & Zoning Commission, Jefferson City Parks & Recreation Department (tangentially, they have an adult kickball league), Historic Jefferson City, Old Town Revitalization Company, Downtown Association, Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Greening Americas Capitals is a new project of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, an agreement between EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to coordinate federal housing, transportation, and environmental investments; protect public health and the environment; promote equitable development; and help address the challenges of climate change. HUD and DOT were involved in the review and selection process and will provide technical expertise on relevant portions of each project.
Jefferson City and the four other state capitals were selected from a total of 38 cities that responded to a solicitation of interest. EPA will now organize teams of urban planners and landscape architects to provide direct, customized technical assistance as requested by Jefferson City officials. Greening America’s Capitals provides direct technical assistance to communities by working with private sector experts and leveraging partnerships, such as with HUD and DOT, to consider implementation options.
Jefferson City’s primary area of focus is bounded on the west by U.S. Highways 63/54, on the north by the Missouri River, on the south by U.S. Highways 50/63, and by the Capitol Building on the east. Wears Creek and vacant properties within the area provide the greatest opportunity for reconnecting nearby residents in the Southside neighborhood to the riverfront. Wears Creek can serve as an important connection to planned bike and pedestrian greenways.
EPA‘s support of the Jefferson City project is also undertaken to advance EPA’s Urban Waters focus, which seeks to support communities in their efforts to access, improve, and benefit from their urban waters and surrounding lands. EPA’s Urban Waters efforts place particular emphasis on engaging underserved neighborhoods and on providing equitable access to urban waters through well-planned community revitalization leading to improved urban water quality. EPA’s assistance to Jefferson City will integrate the goals of both the agency’s urban waters and livability efforts.
Partners on this project include: Governor Jay “Boondoggle Bridge” Nixon, State Senator Carl Vogel, Jefferson City Mayor John Landwehr, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri State Office of Administration Jefferson City Council, Jefferson City Housing Authority & Land Clearance Authority, Jefferson City Environmental Quality Commission, Jefferson City Planning & Zoning Commission, Jefferson City Parks & Recreation Department (tangentially, they have an adult kickball league), Historic Jefferson City, Old Town Revitalization Company, Downtown Association, Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
What’s Up in Congress
Axe the Plaque is Back
Rep. Aaron Schock (IL) has introduced the End the Stimulus Advertisement Act (H.R. 5679), which would prohibit funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) from being used to pay for signs indicating the project is ARRA funded. The bill would also reduce appropriations for administration of ARRA-funded agencies to recover the funds already spent on signs.
Senate Bill Calls for Study of Mississippi River-Great Lakes Separation
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (MI) introduced the Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act of 2010 (S. 3553). The bill calls for a study by the Corp of Engineers to study the feasibility of hydrologic separation of the basins of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes in order to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species
Senate Bill Would Establish Green Infrastructure Program, Centers
Sen. Tom Udall (NM) introduced the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2010 (S. 3561). The bill would establish centers for excellence in green infrastructure throughout the United States and create a green infrastructure program in the Environmental Protection Agency.
Related posts and articles
Bill Watch—111th Congress
Bill Would Axe Stimulus Plaques
Green Infrastructure Bill Introduced
Infrastructure & Stimulus News
Rep. Aaron Schock (IL) has introduced the End the Stimulus Advertisement Act (H.R. 5679), which would prohibit funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) from being used to pay for signs indicating the project is ARRA funded. The bill would also reduce appropriations for administration of ARRA-funded agencies to recover the funds already spent on signs.
Senate Bill Calls for Study of Mississippi River-Great Lakes Separation
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (MI) introduced the Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act of 2010 (S. 3553). The bill calls for a study by the Corp of Engineers to study the feasibility of hydrologic separation of the basins of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes in order to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species
Senate Bill Would Establish Green Infrastructure Program, Centers
Sen. Tom Udall (NM) introduced the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2010 (S. 3561). The bill would establish centers for excellence in green infrastructure throughout the United States and create a green infrastructure program in the Environmental Protection Agency.
Related posts and articles
Bill Watch—111th Congress
Bill Would Axe Stimulus Plaques
Green Infrastructure Bill Introduced
Infrastructure & Stimulus News
Monday, January 4, 2010
Green Infrastructure Bill Introduced
Rep. Donna Edwards (MD) has introduced the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2009 (H.R. 4202). The bill would
-Create 3 to 5 centers for excellence to research and disseminate information on green infrastructure.
-Provide grants for planning and implementing green infrastructure projects.
-Create a Green Infrastructure Program within the Environmental Protection Agency.
The bill authorizes $350 million a year from 2011 through 2014 for these purposes.
Related bills:
Bill Watch—111th Congress
Environmental, Energy Bills Introduced in Congress
-Create 3 to 5 centers for excellence to research and disseminate information on green infrastructure.
-Provide grants for planning and implementing green infrastructure projects.
-Create a Green Infrastructure Program within the Environmental Protection Agency.
The bill authorizes $350 million a year from 2011 through 2014 for these purposes.
Related bills:
Bill Watch—111th Congress
Environmental, Energy Bills Introduced in Congress
Monday, June 22, 2009
Federal Agencies Agree on Sustainable Communities Principals
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced an interagency partnership for sustainable communities. Testifying together before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, they outlined the six guiding ‘livability principles’ they will use to coordinate federal transportation, environmental protection, and housing investments at their respective agencies.
The six livability principles that will act as a foundation for interagency coordination are
1. Provide more transportation choices. Develop safe, reliable and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote public health.
2. Promote equitable, affordable housing. Expand location- and energy-efficient housing choices for people of all ages, incomes, races and ethnicities to increase mobility and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation.
3. Enhance economic competitiveness. Improve economic competitiveness through reliable and timely access to employment centers, educational opportunities, services and other basic needs by workers as well as expanded business access to markets.
4. Support existing communities. Target federal funding toward existing communities – through such strategies as transit-oriented, mixed-use development and land recycling – to increase community revitalization, improve the efficiency of public works investments, and safeguard rural landscapes.
5. Coordinate policies and leverage investment. Align federal policies and funding to remove barriers to collaboration, leverage funding and increase the accountability and effectiveness of all levels of government to plan for future growth, including making smart energy choices such as locally generated renewable energy.
6. Value communities and neighborhoods. Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe and walkable neighborhoods – rural, urban or suburban.
Related articles and posts:
Original DOT news release
Federal Housing and Transportation Agencies Team Up
The six livability principles that will act as a foundation for interagency coordination are
1. Provide more transportation choices. Develop safe, reliable and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote public health.
2. Promote equitable, affordable housing. Expand location- and energy-efficient housing choices for people of all ages, incomes, races and ethnicities to increase mobility and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation.
3. Enhance economic competitiveness. Improve economic competitiveness through reliable and timely access to employment centers, educational opportunities, services and other basic needs by workers as well as expanded business access to markets.
4. Support existing communities. Target federal funding toward existing communities – through such strategies as transit-oriented, mixed-use development and land recycling – to increase community revitalization, improve the efficiency of public works investments, and safeguard rural landscapes.
5. Coordinate policies and leverage investment. Align federal policies and funding to remove barriers to collaboration, leverage funding and increase the accountability and effectiveness of all levels of government to plan for future growth, including making smart energy choices such as locally generated renewable energy.
6. Value communities and neighborhoods. Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe and walkable neighborhoods – rural, urban or suburban.
Related articles and posts:
Original DOT news release
Federal Housing and Transportation Agencies Team Up
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
American Institute of Architects Names Top 10 Green Buildings
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has named the top ten green buildings and sustainable designs for 2008. The AIA Top Ten Green Projects program recognizes projects that integrate architecture and technology with natural systems.
You can find out more by following these links.
AIA News Release
AIA’s Top 10 Green Projects ListDepartment of Energy News Release
You can find out more by following these links.
AIA News Release
AIA’s Top 10 Green Projects ListDepartment of Energy News Release
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Guide for Energy-Saving School Design Available
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has published The Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings. This book provide guidance to architects, engineers, and designers for creating energy-saving buildings. As much as 16 percent of a school district’s controllable cost is for energy, and the design techniques in this book have the potential to reduced energy costs by 30 percent.
In addition to ASHRAE, contributions to the book came from American Institute of Architects, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, the U.S. Green Building Council and the U.S. Department of Energy. They are sending over 14,000 complimentary copies to school officials.
More information is available here. An electronic version of the book is available free from ASHRAE at www.ashrae.org/freeaedg.
ASHRAE has published other green design guides.
In addition to ASHRAE, contributions to the book came from American Institute of Architects, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, the U.S. Green Building Council and the U.S. Department of Energy. They are sending over 14,000 complimentary copies to school officials.
More information is available here. An electronic version of the book is available free from ASHRAE at www.ashrae.org/freeaedg.
ASHRAE has published other green design guides.
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