Government Interference Does More Sustainability Damage than Good

Governments around the world are constantly touting their sustainability initiatives and patting each other on the back for a job well done yet in reality many other initiatives, tax breaks and accepted practices negate those sustainability measures making any real growth in sustainability an exercise in futility.  This topic is discussed in length in the article, “Perverse Government Subsidies Impede Sustainable Business”, on The Guardian.

At the heart of the issue the article describes the following as the issues at work:

“For many economists, subsidies and any other government interference in the market are undesirable purely because they distort competition and lead to inefficiencies. So far as sustainability is concerned, that generalised opposition is not the point. The point is that governments espouse a variety of ways to advance sustainability, but at the same time operate spending policies that make it more difficult.”

The article points out, repeatedly, the fact proven time and time again that the more governments insert themselves into the economy to ‘help’ one group or another the more damage is actually done.  There is a natural order to supply and demand along with consequences that will dictate business decisions.  When a governing body disrupts such systems with tax breaks and subsidies the results are far more damaging to sustainability than if left alone with no government driven sustainability campaigns. 

Case in point: “This effect of using more because the price is lower applies in many ways, some less direct. For example, tax benefits led companies to provide company cars, encouraging excessive mileage.”

Companies seriously trying to make all their practices reflect sustainably-friendly ideals should not rely on any bureaucracy to help but rather turn to a trusted sustainability consultant with years of experience.  Dr. Tyra Oldham has been consulting with companies for green change long before any administration jumped on the bandwagon and understands the steps necessary for real change to occur.

Catherine Lamsfuss, May 31, 2012

The Environmental Quality for Odorless Plants

It’s always good to see a facility develop and implement green designs. According to the article Wastewater treatment plant opens with no smell the benefits behind this design are continuing to bloom.

The new plant utilizes a patented neutralizing process. The unique addition creates a commercial grade organic fertilizer from remaining waste in the end process. Being organic, the fertilizer is safe to use in most environments, thus it’s saleable to other companies creating a return on investment.

Mike Stripling, the city's public works director, stated:

“The sewage is pumped to a clarifier, where the sludge settles. The remaining wastewater is then disinfected and distributed to the city's water reuse system.”

“Most of the sludge will now go to the new bio solids plant to be turned into fertilizer.”

“To run the digesters we have two 125-horsepower motors that run 24/7 to operate in the three digesters.  Not having to run those motors will be a terrific energy savings."

What was once waste now nurtures the environment instead of ended up in a landfill. This is a smell good quality but will it mask to emissions for the neighbors? There are professional consultants, like Dr. Tyra Oldham of LAND sds, who know the answer. Dr. Oldham is passionate about helping businesses today evolve into the sustainable companies of the future.

Jennifer Shockley, May 31, 2012

Contact LAND sds at LANDsds.com

Green Button, Will it Expose an Opening

The Green button, it just emanates the kind of energy that makes you want to push it. According to article US Department of Energy Green Button Program Spurs Smart Apps  you should push it. The convenience of having all your energy information at the touch of a button can definitely make the monthly budget process more efficient.

The VELO Bill  app has been deemed the utility bill of the future. According to the article it is designed specifically for the green button:

“It’s cross-platform, which combines Green Button data with other sources allowing peer-to-peer benchmarking and healthy competition. You get your entire energy picture - how much you spent on gas, water and electricity, whether it is up or down from last period, how you compare to your peers and what you could save – all in 30 seconds. Then, it goes a step further to show how to save, who can provide help, and then offers tools to manage your plan of action.”

The ease of access offers an evolutionary way out observe energy however; the peer to peer aspect could have security issues. "New technologies are necessary in the development of green and sustainability to meet the challenges of a demand world. Apps can simplify and provide access where before was not available,"states Dr. Tyra Oldham. There are experts like Dr. Tyra Oldham of LAND sds who are cheer leaders, as well as optimistic about Green Technologies long before the green button app was developed. VELO bill provides an interesting concept but will it expose an opening in the end?

Jennifer Shockley, May 30, 2012

Contact LAND sds at LANDsds.com

Sustainability Center Opens for Hotel Industry

The hotel industry has a new resource for sustainability.  It was recently announced in an EON article, “BSR, Hilton Worldwide Launch Center to Help Business Make Sustainable Purchasing Decisions,”  that a new sustainability center with everything from software to consulting will be available to those wanting to make their enterprises more sustainable.

According to the article the center’s main goals will be:

• Research, case studies, and surveys
• Metrics analysis that focuses on integrating sustainability into existing approaches such as “total cost of ownership”
• Educational guidelines, webinars, and web contentfor companies to share with internal sourcing teams
• One-on-one and collaborative consulting projects for a small group of BSR members to examine current purchasing processes, develop solutions for integrating sustainability into decisions, and share lessons collectively

The hotel industry is not alone in the drive to make practices and future decisions more sustainable.  Almost every industry is steering practices and processes in a more sustainable directions. "Hotels as complex land and facility holdings have the opportunity to optimize efficiencies across multiple platforms to reduce cost, and deliver ROI and increase the customer experience," states Dr. Tyra Oldham, CEO of LAND sds.  For help maneuvering the often times difficult road of sustainability companies of all sizes can contact LAND sdswho has successfully provided green and sustainability strategy and consultation for years enriching both company culture and sustainability efforts of its clients. Learn how we can assist in your business intelligence and analytics.

Catherine Lamsfuss, May 30, 2012

New Efficiency Standards in Washing

When pondering energy or water conservation the first thing that comes to mind is probably not your washing machine, but that might change after reading New Efficiency Standards for Clothes Washers, Dishwashers Will Save $31 Billion. The referenced article reminds us that every appliance in the home can help or hinder us in being more energy efficient.

The way we wash is about to change as;

“The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released new energy efficiency standards that will reduce energy and water consumption in clothes washers some 35% and dishwashers will use 14% less energy and 23% less water.”

“Efficient clothes washers and dishwashers use better design and components such as motors and pumps to save on energy and water.”

“These updated standards show that energy efficiency advocates can find common ground with manufacturers and consumer and environmental organizations on making leading-edge technology the 'new normal' to benefit everyone."

The changes won’t be instant, so consumers will have time to save up for the new energy efficient appliances. The new dishwasher standards will be put into effect in 2013. The improved washing machines will be available for your laundering needs two years later in 2015.

It seems logical that a lot of old washers will be retiring soon to make way for the newer models. Energy conservation  will be on the rise with more efficient washers and dishwashers, while energy bills will lower. "The importance of Energy Star applications are key to energy efficient equipment, as well as gaining consumer confidence," states Dr. Tyra Oldham, LAND sds.

Jennifer Shockley, May 29, 2012

New York Offers Sustainability Funding to Building Owners

Since increasing energy efficiency within already constructed buildings as well as new constructions is a growing need in our country we are ecstatic to see programs like the one in New York state aimed at easing some of the financial burden off of building owners.  According to Star Gazette, in the article, “N.Y. Has Incentives for Energy-Efficient Building Projects", the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has recently announced a new program administered by Sustainable Performance Consulting to help building owners, financially, with sustainable renovations.

According to the article:

“There are different levels of participation. The New Construction Program is suitable for small projects involving energy efficient lighting or HVAC equipment to larger projects in the design phase that are eligible for a whole building design analysis that will yield the highest level of energy savings and incentives. The owners of existing buildings can receive pre- qualified NYSERDA incentives for future energy efficient lighting, HVAC equipment, motors from NYSERDA's Existing Facilities Program.”

"The importance of energy efficient buildings is the evolving intelligence in construction and development  called, Next Generation Construction" that drives efficiencies across all platforms producing net zero facilities supporting sustainable city development and improved city planning scenarios," said Dr. Tyra Oldham, ceo of LAND sds a sustainable green energy strategy and consulting firm. "We need leaders to think sustainably about the bottom line of energy, resources, as much as profit maximization-there integral."

New York is definitely moving in the right direction with their financially based sustainability measures.  As more and more states tackle the issues surrounding energy efficiency in aging buildings we expect to see more of these types of programs.  Companies needing to build or remodel or retrofit existing buildings putting an emphasis on sustainability can turn to LAND sds  for aggressive and up-to-data sustainability consulting.

Catherine Lamsfuss, May 29, 2012