Tag Archives: Sustainability

Hydro dam site recommendation to come next week

From The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, November 12, 2010:

Analysts in state government who have spent months studying two options for a proposed large-scale hydroelectric dam in Alaska will recommend one next week.

The Alaska Energy Authority officials prefer one site over the other and will name that project as early as Tuesday.

A dam has long been discussed for Southcentral, which is connected to Fairbanks by electric grid. A year-old plan cited Chakachamna Lake, west of Cook Inlet, and the Susitna River as two top spots for the multibillion-dollar proposal.

Karsten Rodvick, a spokesman for the authority, said the agency plans to release its preference in a detailed recommendation next week. It will compare cost estimates, outline detailed construction plans, cite risks expected through permitting processes and list environmental concerns linked to both options.

“The intent of this is not only ultimately to be providing affordable, reliable, sustainable power to the Railbelt,” but also to meet the state’s goal of producing half its power from renewable resources by 2025, he said. He said the agency will post more information about the recommendation on its website following next week’s announcement. It will hold public workshops later this winter

How to Go Green: Thanksgiving Day

From PlanetGreen.com:

With all the planning, cooking, and cleaning, the last thing you want to think about is greening your Thanksgiving, right? But this is the perfect time to reflect and reassess your holiday preparations with a nod to sustainability.

It’s not as hard as you might think: Do you typically put a wreath on your door and a cut flower arrangement on your table? Try buying organic, or better yet, find living succulent wreaths for both. Is your centerpiece a turkey? Find a heritage breed, or consider a vegetarian alternative. Find out how to shop your local farmers’ markets for your feast, and find recycled elements for your holiday decor.

We’ve broken it down to make Thanksgiving an easy, eco-friendly, and fun holiday for all involved. Follow our countdown and you can make an easy transition to a more sustainable holiday tradition. With extensive tips on menu planning, decorating, shopping, cleaning and more, we’ve got you covered from now ’til leftovers.

There can you find an heirloom turkey? Where are cranberries grown? How much food do Americans normally waste? We’ve got the answers and lots more questions about Thanksgiving in our quiz: Do You Give Thanks With Minimal Impact? Click on over to get started and learn tons of great green knowledge along the way.

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Energy fair offers chance to learn about renewables

From The Tundra Drums, Wednesday, October 27, 2010:

There are plenty of reasons to visit the 2nd YK Delta Regional Alternative Energy and Energy Conservation Fair on Saturday, Oct. 30, at Bethel’s Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center.

Vendors greet attendees starting at 10 a.m. and presenters begin at 10:30 and continue until 4 p.m. Admission is free and tables are provided at no charge to vendors thanks to sponsorship by UAF’s Kuskokwim University Campus (KUC), the City of Bethel, Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC), and Yuut Elitnaurviat, The People’s Learning Center.

Sign up for a ride to visit two working residential wind turbines with Kirk Garoutte of Susitna Energy Systems who will answer your questions about feasibility for your location, cost recuperation, and shipping and installation logistics. The number in Anchorage is 877-485-1100 or 907-222-3992, email info@susitnaenergy.com, web site www.susitnaenergy.com.

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Greenhouse rises in Quinhagak, thanks to Jenny Jones, students

From The Tundra Drums, Wednesday, October 27, 2010:

Students recently built a greenhouse in Quinhagak, thanks to a $10,000 grant from former celebrity talk show host Jenny Jones. There are still some final touches to be done on the inside such as lighting, heat, shelving. Those jobs won’t be done until next February when the class is ready to start planting.

Teacher Sherry Pederson applied for the grant from Jenny’s Heroes. Learn more at www.jennysheroes.com [http://jennysheroes.com].

Pederson wanted to improve nutrition in the Western Alaska village by providing fresh, cheap veggies.

People in rural Alaska often buy their vegetables in cans because fresh ones in remote village stores are often wilted and costly, if they’re available at all.

School renovation is a lesson plan for Weller Elementary students

From The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Tuesday, October 26, 2010:

The students at Weller Elementary School initially had mixed emotions about the renewable energy project in their backyard because it caused some trees to be cleared outside their windows. But they seemed to have come around by last Thursday, when engineer Robbin Garber-Slaght gave an interactive presentation to about 100 fifth and sixth graders on the ins and outs of the ground source heat pump and solar thermal system installed in September.

“I learned that it was worth it to destroy the trees,” said fifth grader Chase Wagner. “It will help the school be green. I’m worried about the planet. It will cut down on oil and it will save money.”

Students showed their impressive knowledge of energy efficiency and power generation, as dozens of hands waved in the air to offer thoughts and ask questions in the school’s common area.

“That was a really fun group. They’re up on their science,” said Garber-Slaght of the Cold Climate Housing Research Center, which collaborated with the school district and other contractors on the experimental project.

Future of Interior Alaska energy leads District 10 race between John Brown, Steve Thompson

From The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Tuesday, October 19, 2010:

There’s an obvious theme in the campaign for House District 10, and even the two candidates involved say it’s hard to overlook.

Both Democrat John Brown and Republican Steve Thompson say energy is the issue that contributes to most of the challenges that Fairbanks residents face. It costs too much to heat a home or business in the Interior, they agree, which in turn leads to barriers to job creation, employment and basic quality of life.

Brown and Thompson have heard it plenty when they talk to constituents in District 10, which includes east Fairbanks and Fort Wainwright.

“You’re knocking on doors, and people are saying ‘We’re moving, we can’t afford to live here anymore,’” Thompson said. “That’s not good.”

Think of houseplants as winter indoor air cleaners

From The Anchorage Daily News, Wednesday, October 13, 2010:

Alaskans have always had a different view of things, and that includes houseplants. There are many of us who still have cuttings from grandmother’s plants (or some other Outside relative) that we grow, because they have become our connection to family left behind. Others grow houseplants given to them by departing friends or purchased because they are a reminder of “home” — Outside.

We grow houseplants, too, because we need them during the long winter. Not only do they mentally help us through the long winter, they also clean the air indoors. Those studies NASA did in the ’80s that showed certain houseplants removed toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde and ammonia from the air, apply even more now that conservation has resulted in airtight homes that don’t refresh the indoor air like our old, leaky ones did.

According to NASA, 15 to 18 houseplants in containers 6 to 8 inches in diameter can really improve the air you breathe. Best of all, there are lots of familiar plants on the list of recommendations from NASA. As you would expect, all have good leaf area. What you might not suspect is all are extremely easy to grow.

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Glass, Plastic Recycling Now Accepted in Fairbanks

Interior Alaska Green Star is pleased to let you all know about some NEW RECYCLING OPTIONS for the Fairbanks area!

K&K Recycling is now accepting all of the following materials for recycling:

  • Glass Bottles – All colors
  • All Plastics #1-7 (check number on bottom of container)
  • Cardboard and Paper
  • Aluminum
  • Tin

Location: 2040 Richardson Highway ( 9 mile ) between Fairbanks & North Pole

Hours: Monday – Saturday: 8 am – 5 pm

Some tips for preparing your materials for recycling

  • Please rinse all bottles and cans and remove labels
  • Please rinse all plastic containers
  • Please NO containers with food waste

In addition, K&K asks that you help by doing the following:

  • Monitor the recycling transfer site by only placing the proper material into the receptacles
  • Tell a friend or co-worker about the importance of recycling & available locations
  • Let them know if you’d like to be kept informed of upcoming locations or events by emailing philchenapower@gmail.com
  • You can find more information on the K&K Recycling website: http://www.kandkrecycling.us/

 Below is a statement from K&K Recycling about their new recycling programs:

 Since 1984, K&K Recycling Inc. has been recycling in the interior of Alaska. In August, Fort Wainwright and K&K Recycling Inc. began a source separation recycling program to eliminate the waste stream by realizing it’s a resource stream of raw new materials waiting to be utilized by making new industry, product and local jobs.

As of October 3rd, UAF has also partnered with K&K Recycling Inc. by delivering their first load, over the upcoming weeks working agreements are expected to be finalized with Eielson AFB, Fort Greely and discussion with the FNSB Recycling Commission is ongoing.

Agency Seeks to Tighten Rules for ‘Green’ Labeling

From The New York Times, Wednesday, October 6, 2010:

Manufacturers of products that claim to be environmentally friendly will face tighter rules on how they are advertised to consumers under changes proposed Wednesday by the Federal Trade Commission.

The commission’s revised “Green Guides,” last updated in 1998, warn marketers against using labels that make broad claims that cannot be substantiated, like “eco-friendly.” Marketers must qualify their claims on the product packaging and limit them to a specific benefit, such as how much of the product is recycled.

“This is really about trying to cut through the confusion that consumers have when they are buying a product and that businesses have when they are selling a product,” said Jon Leibowitz, chairman of the commission.

Continue reading: Agency Seeks to Tighten Rules for ‘Green’ Labeling