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Energy audit inspires Virginia yogis to ‘stand up for something that's important'

Elizabeth McGowan

July 08, 2019 |

Energy News Network |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Yogaville, Virginia

A self-imposed audit of energy resources aimed at reducing a Virginia community's carbon footprint and utility bill resulted in a move towards solar power. The community now partners with other surrounding entities to teach solar bootcamps and raise awareness about the need for renewable energy sources.

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As Massachusetts looks to boost electric vehicle adoption, Norway offers a model

Sarah Shemkus

June 17, 2019 |

Energy News Network |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Norway, Oslo

Financial incentives in Norway have contributed in a huge switch to electric vehicles. By eliminating certain taxes and tolls, drivers of electric vehicles reap financial benefits. Improved infrastructure in recent years has contributed to the widespread adoption, as well. Massachusetts is looking to Norway’s success as it tries to implement its own financial and environmental incentives.

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How one utility powers its entire plant from wastewater

Christopher Booker Sam Weber Connie Kargbo

June 02, 2019 |

PBS NewsHour |

Broadcast TV Programs |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Downers Grove, Illinois

A wastewater treatment facility in suburban Chicago has become energy neutral. By accepting waste from oil and other sources not normally treated together, the facility increases biogas that can power the plant. Besides saving energy, it saves the plant almost half a million dollars each year.

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Lessons Learned From California's Pioneering Microgrids

Justin Gerdes

May 13, 2019 |

Green Tech Media |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Years after the California Energy Commission funded and launched demonstration microgrids, they’re seeing results. These microgrids, which are localized energy sources that can work independently from large electric grids, were fairly costly, but have shown demonstrable success in lowering utility bills and delivering low-carbon power. As the Commission moves forward with this effort, they hope to continue to learn by doing and improving their processes.

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Generating energy from trash in Sarasota

Andrea Thrower Pia Jasinski Yamile Escobar

May 07, 2019 |

Changing Florida |

Multi-Media |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Sarasota, Florida

Methane emissions from landfills in five Florida counties are being captured and turned into electrical power. Pipes collect the methane gas emitted by the trash and Aria Energy covers that greenhouse gas into electricity for up to 2,500 homes.

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Tiny Branson has plenty of water. But like other small rural delivery systems in Colorado, it must find a way to meet new state standards.

Kevin Simpson

May 06, 2019 |

The Colorado Sun |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Branson, Colorado

Innovation is the key to resilience. In Branson, Colorado, the community of only 55 residents and with volunteer town council has taken on the massive task of bringing its water system up to compliance with the Colorado Department of Health. Because the state and federal government did not have the specific resources to assist Branson, the community turned to a locally developed, innovative water filtration system and an unorthodox funding campaign to pay for it.

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The Town That Extended ‘Smart Growth' to Its Water

Jason Plautz

April 30, 2019 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Westminster, Colorado

Haunted by a 1962 drought in the town of Westminster, Colorado, the city's planners now incorporate water data in their planning processes to ensure that they never face the same sourcing issues again. By breaking down the silos between its water management and planning departments, the town has figured out how to manage its finite water resources, even in the face of a ballooning population. Now, other towns are following suit.

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Biogas saves money at wastewater treatment plant

Olivia Fecteau

April 26, 2019 |

WEWS-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Medina, Ohio

Turning sewage sludge into usable biogas helps make wastewater treatment more efficient. A water treatment plant in the city of Medina, Ohio, produces net energy from sludge. The plant uses anaerobic bacteria and a thermal hydrolysis process to convert wastewater and sludge into usable byproducts, like biogas.

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Paying and Scraping in Pursuit of Zero Waste

James A. Anderson

April 22, 2019 |

Next City |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Worcester, Massachusetts

Pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) is a model that charges residents of a given city for the trash they throw away, aiming to spur people to decrease the amount of waste they dispose. Acting like a utility payment, this model has been successfully implemented in a handful of cities, even decreasing trash by half in Worcester, Massachusetts. Some cities have even aimed for zero waste by adding in composting programs - though there’s still a long way to go.

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A climate change solution slowly gains ground

Steven Mufson

April 19, 2019 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Huntsville, Alabama

Three major US companies are leading the way in developing the technology to extract carbon dioxide from the air: Global Thermostat, Carbon Engineering, and Climeworks. With federal tax credits per ton of carbon dioxide captured and a prosperous system of injecting the CO2 back into the ground to stimulate crop yield, the companies' three different approaches all offer a way to cut into the massive amount of global emissions, an opportunity to make a lot of money with new technology, and a helping hand for states working on achieving new federal guidelines and restrictions for a green future.

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