The Stanley Furniture Plant in Martinsville, Virginia received recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and also the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for its efforts to protect the environment. The Martinsville plant was honored for its recycling of cardboard, metal, and paper, its use of processed wood as fuel, and its reduction of plant emissions – specifically volatile organic compounds. Stanley furniture is the first U.S. furniture company to become a member of the EPA’s National Performance Track program and Stanley has also been admitted into Virginia’s Environmental Excellence E3 program.
Donald Welsh, Region III EPA Administrator stated that companies committed to environmental production can simultaneously increase production, increase profits and reduce their impact on the environment. The Performance Track program is designed, he said, to provide some regulatory relief for proven performers, allowing them to “focus on environmental innovation”. Congratulations to Stanley Furniture for proving that a major manufacturing company can increase production and profits while incorporating environmentally friendly practices.
CITY OF RONAOKE RECEIVES WATER CONSERVATION AWARD
Roanoke won an award for its water conservation during and since the 2002 drought. Mayor Ralph Smith received the award for the city’s “Every Drop Counts” campaign Friday, December 12, at the National League of Cities conference in Nashville, Tennessee. During the 2002 drought, residents reduced water consumption by 1.3 million gallons a day compared with 2001. Even after the water restrictions were lifted, residents continued to curb their water consumption, down 1.1 million gallons a day during the first three months of 2003 when compared with the same time in 2001, an 8% drop.
“It’s a recognition that the citizens of Roanoke value and appreciate their natural resources,” said Carol Davit, Roanoke environmental communications coordinator. Part of the success of the program came from the water conservation kits the city handed out that contained low-flow shower- heads and faucet aerators.
PRODUCTION OF THINNER SOLAR CELLS WILL REDUCE COST OF SOLAR PANELS
Solar cells that are made of crystalline silicon are now being produced that are thinner thus reducing the overall cost. The material cost of crystalline silicon is the most expensive part of solar cells and a thinner cell uses less material and is, therefore, cheaper. This is great news for the solar industry that has long been hampered by the high cost of solar equipment and installations. A solar panel or photovoltaic panel converts sunlight directly into electricity. A normal panel consists of solar cells that are enclosed in a solar module (about 40 cells to a module). The modules (about 10) are mounted into a solar panel, which is then positioned and installed facing south.
NEW JERSEY BUILDS PLASTIC BRIDGE
A 56-foot long bridge crafted from recycled soda bottles, coffee cups and similar refuse has been carrying traffic over the Mullica River in New Brunswick, New Jersey for more than a year. Rutgers University scientists developed the plastic material used to build the one-lane bridge. They say that recycled plastic is already technically and economically competitive with wood, which is used in more than half a million bridges in the U.S., but not yet ready for use on heavily traveled spans, such as those in the interstate highway system. The price tag for the bridge was $75,000 – far less than the $350,000 a conventional wood bridge might have cost. And the plastic bridge has the added bonus of safely and creatively disposing of solid waste.
LIHEAP FUNDING IS REDUCED
Congressional conference committees have reduced the amount of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds available to states by about $200 million dollars. This means that thousands of low-income citizens will not receive fuel assistance, emergency heating services and weatherization. Virginia will receive over $4.5 million dollars less than in 2003. This will have a significant impact on weatherization services in the Commonwealth since the Virginia Weatherization Program receives 15% of all LIHEAP funding. Hey its great to be an American when the rich get richer and the poor get colder!
ENERGY TIP
Use a live tree for your Christmas tree this year. After the holidays plant the tree in your yard.