THE ISSUE: Set-top boxes. A report on the energy consumption of set-top boxes by the NRDC has been bouncing around the Internet. These inconspicuous devices that sit beneath our TVs use only a little less power when they are “off” as when they are on. They waste at least $2 billion worth of electricity nationwide […]
Everyone can agree that curtailing oil and gas subsidies is a no-brainer. Spending tax dollars on a mature, profitable (and polluting) industry doesn’t make sense economically or environmentally. But what about ethanol? Ethanol is a home grown renewable resource that reduces our dependence on oil. Turning corn into fuel is an energy intensive process. When […]
I have been teaching continuing education courses for some time at Rutgers University in New Jersey. One of the courses that I teach is for Certified Recycling Professionals. Recently, I received an inquiry regarding why the Association of New Jersey Recyclers (ANJR), New Jersey’s professional recycling organization, is opposed to a bottle bill. The question […]
Federal energy subsidies, from ethanol to oil, are on the congressional chopping block with lawmakers on both sides of the fence arguing for their end. Rising national debt has put the spotlight on imprudent spending, and greens rejoice at the opportunity to curtail government support of dirty energy. Well, if only it was that simple. […]
What’s In It for Us? On June 16, 2011 New Jersey’s Sustainable Raritan River Initiatives held a conference at Rutgers University’s Cook College in New Brunswick, New Jersey. To this writer, the key element of this conference was the fine print….What’s in it for Us? When speaking to environmental issues, it is important to understand […]