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Conference to Spotlight Green Vehicles

Filed Under: Conserve/Reduce, Energy, Green News, Green Technology, Indiana State News, Transportation by Ted Mendoza — Leave a comment
April 27, 2012

A collection of hybrid and electric vehicles will be on display at next month’s Greening the Heartland Conference at the Indiana Convention Center. Organizers of the three-day event say visitors will be exposed to “the future of cleaner fuels.”

April 27, 2012

News Release

Indianapolis, Ind. — The Indianapolis Convention Center will be sporting a collection of hybrid and all electric vehicles this May at the 9th Annual Greening the Heartland Conference. Tesla, a CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) Car, a Propane Truck, and a Variable torque Motor Bus will be gracing the exhibit hall while racing fuel burns on the brickyard. Alternative fuel and electric vehicle technology are on exhibit offering attendees a closer look at the future of cleaner fuels.

The alternative fuel vehicles will be on display in the exhibit hall throughout the 3 day conference. Attendees will also be exposed to renewable energy alternatives for fossil fuels in a prominent selection of the educational sessions. Solar power and wind turbines are on the rise here in Indiana proving that coal is not the only fuel working the grid and turning on our lights. Geothermal is also alive and well in both residential and commercial projects. Using alternative fuels and renewable energy resources save us from more than just the hidden dollars on our energy bills, they lessen the impact on our natural resources. The production of clean energy is the sustainable choice for powering our future. 36 Breakout Sessions at the Heartland 3 day conference carry information that can help make those choices well educated.

On Wednesday at 2:30 pm one Breakout Session will present a study of active solar power focusing on one of the largest panel installations in the midwest on the rooftop of one of the largest government facilities in the nation. The Major General Emmett J. Bean Federal Center at Fort Benjamin Harrison has been upgraded into a high performance green building resulting in an increased level of energy independence for the facility. The project, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, contains a high efficiency photovoltaic (PV) system that includes more than 6,000 photovoltaic solar panels. This solar panel array generates two megawatts of renewable energy. The presentation will feature the solar hot water collectors installed on the project as well as the high performance roof system that holds an R-50 insulation value. The project is designed to achieve LEED Silver EBOM certification. Todd Reeder, Supervisory Property Manager for the General Services Administration (GSA) will be on hand to answer questions along with Marcellus Byrd, Construction Manager for Gilbane Building Company

Another Breakout Session happening Wednesday at 9:30 am highlights one of the college campuses minimizing our states reliance on coal. Indiana Tech is one of our state’s campus proving grounds for replacing coal with geothermal. Their story – How to Achieve LEED Gold Certification for an 1850′s Building and Indiana Tech’s Campus Wide Geothermal System promises comprehensive take away information on green renovation. Terry Thornsbury will take you through a step-by-step look at what it took to save one of Northeast Indiana’s historic treasures and create one of the most energy efficient, technologically advanced buildings in the region. Mike Lubbehusen will be covering the geothermal ground coupled heat pumps and Indiana Tech’s community geothermal loop system. Learn how the system utilized an opportunistic approach to campus development and how it serves the Uytengsu Center as well as other buildings on campus. We’re proud to say that efforts paid off as the Wilfred Uytengsu, Sr. Center was awarded the LEED Gold Certification under the LEED 2009 v3 Green Building Rating System. This course as well as many others will be providing CEU’s to professional attendees.

Greening the Heartland is being brought to Indiana a regional 12 state conference. This year’s focus Building Community, specifically explores the interdependent elements of true community development. Emphasizing the diversity of people, businesses, and municipalities attendees come together to share visions and solutions for sustainable Heartland communities. For a complete list of the 36 + educational opportunities follow this link to: Educational Sessions .

You can find additional conference information or purchase tickets by going to: www.greeningtheheartland.org/registration/

Source: U.S. Green Building Council

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Monroe County Board of Commissioners Announce a Day of Energy Conservation Events and Initiatives

Filed Under: Conserve/Reduce, Energy, Green News, Green Technology, Local News, Monroe County, Sustainable Living Practices by Ted Mendoza — 1 Comment
April 12, 2012

Press Release

For Immediate Release

April 9, 2012

Monroe County Board of Commissioners Announce a Day of Energy Conservation Events and Initiatives

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners along with the Monroe County Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission are proud to announce three energy conservation events taking place on April 21, 2012 at the historic Showers Furniture Factory in downtown Bloomington. These events are possible because of the $278,305.40 grant the Monroe County Board of Commissioners received from the Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED) to promote community energy conservation education.  The Commissioners partnered with the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) and the Bloomington Project School. Community organizations supporting the project include: Southern Indiana Renewable Energy Network (SIREN), Sierra Club of Bloomington, Bloomingfoods Market and Deli Cooperative, Cartridge World, and the Center for Sustainable Living.  The three events are listed below:

The Leaders of Today & Leaders of Tomorrow: Energy Conservation Challenge Kick Off:

In the Community Conservation Challenge, the Leaders of Today & Leaders of Tomorrow have committed to the goal of a 13% reduction in energy consumption by 2013. The challenge includes University and Fairview Elementary Schools, the Bloomington Project School, Monroe County Courthouse, Charlotte T. Zeitlow Justice Center and the Monroe County Government Center at North Showers. A grant from the Office of Energy Development provided funding for the schools and the Monroe County Government Center to receive an energy-monitoring dashboard that will be accessible by the public online; the Courthouse and the Zietlow Justice Center already have the dashboards installed. Students, teachers and county leaders will work together to develop sustainability strategies and projects based on the data collected. Many upgrades in energy conservation have already taken place: Fairview heats the building with a geothermal system, a new efficient heating and cooling system was installed in the  Monroe County Courthouse, and the Monroe County Government Center features a recently-installed 50 Kilowatt photovoltaic solar array funded by the grant.

Monroe County Community Energy Fair:

On April 21, 2012 from 9am to 11:30am at the Bloomington Farmers Market (401 North Morton St), the Monroe County Community Energy Fair will feature more than a dozen booths representing companies and organizations that are contributing to the conservation of energy in Monroe County – and demonstrating how everyone can contribute to energy conservation. This is a child-focused and child-driven event organized by our Leaders of Tomorrow from University and Fairview Elementary schools and the Bloomington Project School. Organizations participating in the event include Monroe County Government & the Monroe County Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission, University and Fairview Elementary Schools, the Bloomington Project School, SIREN (Southern Indiana Renewable Energy Network), Bloomingfoods Market & Deli, the Sierra Club, the City of Bloomington & Bloomington Commission on Sustainability, the Green Building Council, Duke Energy, REMC, the IU Office of Sustainability, the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), MPI Solar, Stumpner’s Building Service, Solar Systems of Indiana, Nusun Solar, and Earth Care.

Monroe County Celebrates “Cutting Our Dependency”:

Monroe County officials invite the public to join them in a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the installation of the 50 Kilowatt solar array on the roof of the historic Monroe County Government Center at North Showers. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on April 21, 2012 from Noon to 1pm at the Monroe County Government Center (501 North Morton St.),  This solar array is the first on a public building in our community, and is the largest on any state or local government-owned building in the state of Indiana. Attendees are invited to enjoy refreshments while visiting the Creating Community Conservation educational display, interacting with the Energy Dashboard, and learning about the plans of the Leaders of Today to cut our community’s dependence on fossil fuels. Featured speakers for the event include Mark Stoops, President, Monroe County Board of Commissioners, Iris Kiesling,, Vice-President, Monroe County Board of Commissioners, Patrick Flynn, Program Manager,  from the Indiana Office of Energy Development, and Professor Elinor Ostrom, Nobel Laureate in Economics and Arthur F. Bentley Professor of Political Science at Indiana University.

For more information please contact Ashley Skooglund, Grants Administrator at 349-2550.

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Community Orchard Planting – this Saturday April 7th

Filed Under: Agriculture, Conserve/Reduce, Green News, Horticulture, Local News, Sustainable Living Practices by Ted Mendoza — Leave a comment
April 3, 2012

Want to help plant a source of free of fruit for all?  Come learn the art of espalier in Bloomington’s all-volunteer, publicly-owned orchard this Saturday, April 7 at 10 am in the Bloomington Community Orchard!  In addition to fruit trees, we’ll be planting a rain garden, perennials, and cover crops.  A community potluck will follow at noon.  Please see www.bloomingtoncommunityorchard.org for more information.

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Daisy Day Plant Sale in April to benefit the Hinkle-Garton Farmstead

Filed Under: Agriculture, Conserve/Reduce, Green News, Horticulture, Local News, Sustainable Living Practices, Wildlife by Ted Mendoza — Leave a comment
March 28, 2012
Attached is the announcement for the upcoming Daisy Day Plant Sale. We will have pure maple syrup for sale as well tapped from the trees at the site.  Please mark your calendar and help spread the word! 

Volunteers during the event are also welcome and needed. Duties are low-key and just require a smiling face–help folks find the plants they’d like and what will work for their garden (books and such will be available), handle sales, and just talk about the site and engage in conversation! 
If you can help for an hour or two (or more), please just send a reply to lordandbach@gmail.com.

Thank you,
Mike Bell (Grounds Committee chair) and 
Danielle Bachant-Bell (Museum Committee chair)
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[B-TOP] City Council meeting – Wednesday

Filed Under: Conserve/Reduce, Green News, Local News, Sustainable Living Practices, Transportation by Ted Mendoza — Leave a comment
March 27, 2012

B-TOP Supporters,

*A perfect place and time for Bloomington’s first counterflow bike lane:*

Tomorrow night, Wednesday, March 28th at 7:30pm, the City Council will discuss a plan to put speed humps on W. 3rd.  This is the very narrow (20
ft), one-way (westbound) section of West 3rd that goes through Prospect Hill from Walker to S. Jackson.

Speed humps are a great tool for bike boulevards.  They are ubiquitous in Portland, for example.  However, in addition to speed humps, we believe
this is a perfect place and opportunity to incorporate an eastbound counterflow bike lane into this section of road, making it Bloomington’s
first real bike boulevard.

Please come to City Hall Wednesday night and support an amendment that introduces a counterflow bike lane into the plan.

We have new City Council members, and we have commonly been one vote away from what is needed for serious steps to bike friendliness. This will be
our first test of the new membership.  Please come and help persuade them that serious steps are needed.

*Additional Information*
B-TOP has suggested counterflow bike lanes on Henderson from Indiana to 2nd, and on Smith Ave.  These are illustrated, along with examples in other
cities, in the following PowerPoint: http://www.b-top.org/misc/Counterflow_bikelanes_1.pptx  (actual PowerPoint); http://www.b-top.org/misc/Counterflow_bikelanes_1.pdf  (pdf of PowerPoint)

The 20 ft. road configuration could be 7 ft for on-street parked cars, 9 ft for the westbound car-travel lane (which should have sharrows on it), and
then a double-yellow line separating a 4 ft counterflow bike lane.

This section of west 3rd has had numerous traffic calming treatments over the years.  It is a high-speed route out of town in the evening, and the
neighborhood would like traffic to be slower.  They have gone through the painful Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (NTCP) to get speed humps.

There are bike lanes on the new 4-lane section of west 3rd, but they disappear where 3rd becomes Adams to go around the cemetery.  A
connection to these new bike lanes is badly needed. Neighbors already report many cyclists riding the wrong way, or riding on the sidewalk,
indicating a demand for safe and convenient accommodation for eastbound cyclists.

To top it off, counterflow bike lanes provide effective traffic calming, which is the original motivation for this exercise.

Ultimately, this is a win-win situation for everyone.  The benefits would be enormous and start us down the Platinum path our community seeks,
introducing our first legitimate bike boulevard and counterflow bike lane, and it would be used.

Please join us at Wednesday’s meeting.  The final vote will be the following Wednesday, April 4th, if the proposal is not delayed.  Plan on
coming then, too.

Thank you,
Buff Brown.

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ImagineBloomington continues! Attend a public workshop soon!

Filed Under: Agriculture, City of Bloomington, Conserve/Reduce, Energy, Green News, Green Technology, Horticulture, Local News, Recycling, Sustainable Living Practices, Transportation, Water, Wildlife by Ted Mendoza — Leave a comment
March 22, 2012

ImagineBloomington continues! Attend a public workshop soon!

What are your concerns for your community?  What are our priorities for the future? What does Bloomington look like in 2040?  How do we get there? These are just a few of the many questions that ImagineBloomington will help answer.  ImagineBloomington is a visioning process to decide how to make the Bloomington community better.  The results of this process will create the foundation, Bloomington’s vision, for the City’s comprehensive plan.

This is a unique opportunity for your thoughts and opinions to be an integral part of the city’s future. We invite you to participate and get involved!  Attend a public workshop, or visit our website at http://bloomington.in.gov/imaginebloomington for more details.

Upcoming workshops:

March 21 (TONIGHT!)  Binford Elementary, 7-8:30pm

March 27 Tri-North Middle School, 7-8:30pm

March 29 Summit Elementary School, 7-8:30pm

April 2  Childs Elementary School, 7-8:30pm

April 4  Templeton Elementary School, 7-8:30pm

April 21  Bell Trace, 800 N. Bell Trace Circle, 2-3pm

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It’s Hour Planet

Filed Under: Agriculture, Conserve/Reduce, Energy, Green News, Green Technology, Horticulture, Indiana State News, Local News, Recycling, Sustainable Living Practices, Transportation, Water, Wildlife by Ted Mendoza — Leave a comment
March 22, 2012
It’s Hour PlanetFarmIndy CSAAnd it’s time to give it a break. Earth Hour 2012 is Saturday, March 31 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

More than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011, sending a powerful message for action on climate change. This year Earth Hour is doing an I Will If You Will Challenge and the global event will be documented from space.

Wondering what you can do here in Indy?

Celebrate the re-launch of Indiana Living Green magazine at one of my favorite places in town, City Market. Activities include the Central Indiana Food Coalition Local Food Potluck, live music, a fashion show, and dancing, lots of dancing.

Relax by candlelight at the Aveda Fashion Mall Earth Hour fundraiser, benefiting Hoosier Environmental Council. Activities include live music, cocktails, appetizers, and massages (by donation) – and all guests will receive a gift from Aveda.

If you have an Earth Hour event planned, please feel free to share it on our Facebook page.

Piece out,
Renee
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Community Energy Program to Present Monroe County Government with Findings from Recent Energy Audit

Filed Under: Conserve/Reduce, Energy, Green News, Indiana State News, Local News, Monroe County by Ted Mendoza — Leave a comment
March 21, 2012

Press Release

For Immediate Release

March 20, 2012

Community Energy Program to Present Monroe County Government with Findings from Recent Energy Audit

 

The Monroe County Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission will be holding a special session to unveil the Monroe County Strategic Energy Plan. Schmidt Associates, an Indianapolis based engineering firm, will present the plan based on findings from an energy audit they conducted on all Monroe County Government owned buildings and fleet. The meeting will be Thursday, March 29, 2012 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm in room 100B of the Monroe County Government Center at 501 North Morton.

In August of 2011, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners received the Community Energy Planning program (CEP) grant from the Indiana Office of Energy Development.

The comprehensive energy plan will includes an inventory of all energy use in County owned facilities, a full energy audit to identify potential energy saving measures, and established baseline for utility bills, list of goals, suggestions to streamline energy decision making and ideas for funding energy efficiency projects, such as the recent photovoltaic array at North Showers.

“This is a great opportunity for Monroe County to get a comprehensive analysis of our overall energy use. The strategic plan created by this grant will help us prioritize goals and target the most cost effective ways to save energy and money,” said Commissioner Mark Stoops.

“I am excited about the prospect of demonstrating how we can partner to invest in energy conservation devices and provide educational opportunities for our youth,” said Iris Kiesling.  “Our staff and our partners have done an incredible job in the space of a very short period of time. Congratulations!”

Members of the public and the press are encouraged to attend the special session.

The Monroe County Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission is a County Commission that serves in an advisory role and focuses on educating the community and engaging residents and businesses in supporting initiatives which will help ensure a healthier and more economically viable future for the County.

For more information please contact Ashley Skooglund, Grants Administrator at 349-2550.

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Updates from the City of Bloomington’s Sustainability Coordinator

Filed Under: City of Bloomington, Conserve/Reduce, Energy, Green News, Green Technology, Local News, Recycling, Sustainable Living Practices, Transportation, Water by Ted Mendoza — Leave a comment
March 21, 2012

Events/Get Involved:

Urban Greenness, Physical Activity, and Child Obesity, Friday March 23

12:00-1:00 p.m., Monroe County Public Library Auditorium.  Dr. Gilbert Liu (of the Children’s Health Services Research Program in Indianapolis, the IU School of Medicine, and the IU School of Public Health) researches community-based causes of child obesity.  His talk is free and open to the public.  For more info, see http://b-top.org/media/gilbert_liu.pdf

Hoosier to Hoosier Community Sale Outreach Committee, March 23

Join the planning efforts for the 2012 Hoosier to Hoosier Community Sale this Friday at 11am at the Pourhouse.  All are welcome!  Let us know you’re coming, if you can, by sending an email to sustain@bloomington.in.gov so we can keep an eye open for you.

 

Green Drinks Bloomington, March 28

On Wednesday, March 28, at 6 pm, Dave Rollo, City Councilman and Farm Manager for Stranger’s Hill Organics, will provide a presentation entitled Peak Oil: Evidence and Consequences.  Green Drinks Bloomington is held the 4th Wednesday of every month from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Banquet Facility of the Upland Brewing Company. There is a $5 suggested donation, with some food provided. To receive a monthly reminder, write greendrinksbloomington@gmail.com . To learn more about Green Drinks visit www.greendrinks.org .

Green Prom Dress Drive!
Donate your old prom dress to South High School’s Green Prom Dress Drive.  Donations accepted in the South High School counseling office, M-F from 8am – 3pm.  Contact Katie Head at khead2013@gmail.com for more information or to arrange for a dress pickup.

Fill out a food survey
The Bloomington Food Policy Council seeks to learn about people producing plant or animal food in Bloomington and surrounding counties, or about those who are not producing at the moment, but would like to.  The surveys should take no more than about ten minutes to complete:  www.tinyurl.com/BFPC-pro (for pros) or www.tinyurl.com/BFPC-res (for non-pros)

Save the Dates!  Bikes Week is coming, May 13 – 18
Join us for a whole range of activities, including a pre-Bikes Week Women’s Ride on May 11 at noon, a “Bike Anywhere Day” celebration on May 18, and much more!  More info coming soon…

Save the Date! Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard Garden Gala on June 30, 2012

Join Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard for an elegant evening to raise support for their Garden Education Program. The event showcases their garden at the Banneker Community Center and features food from local restaurants. Tickets for this event will be available in May 2012.  If your business is interested in sponsoring the Garden Gala, please contact Mary Beth Wendelin, Director of Development, at marybeth@mhcfoodpantry.org or (812) 339-5887.

Workshops and Training:

LEED Green Associate class – Registration deadline March 29
Starting Saturday, March 31st, open to IU students and the general public. It will be taught over 3 Saturday mornings in the new Indiana University E-House. It will qualify students and professionals to take the LEED GA course, prep them for the exam, and give them online access to practice questions for 60 days.  Sign up at http://www.ecoachievers.com/catalog.php?item=2

Sierra Club Outings Leadership Training, March 31st
9:15am to evening
Join this once per year opportunity to learn how to lead groups in the outdoors and train to become an Outings Leader for the Sierra Club. While this training will allow you to lead Sierra Club Local Outings, you will not be required to lead Outings. This day is designed as an opportunity to learn more about the Sierra Club, meet other local members, and become inspired. Come play with us!  It will cover: Core Outings Information, History and Programs, Leader Requirements, Planning and and Conducting an Outing and Safety Management. First Aid will be offered for an additional fee, for those who need Certification.  Bring a bag lunch. Registration for this training is required, please email Beth Tobin at eatobin@hotmail.com to reserve your space.

Funding:

Half a million in grants to boost recycling businesses:  Due June 11
The state’s Recycling Market Development Program (RMDP) has been authorized to release $500,000 in grant funds to aid recycling businesses and boost economic development in Indiana. Recycling businesses have until June 11, 2012, to apply for the grants that are aimed at helping purchase equipment for manufacturing recycled materials into new products.  The program’s grants are awarded for business recycling projects that reduce solid waste disposal, increase Indiana’s capacity for recyclable material manufacturing, and increase the use of recycled content products.  Grants will range from $25,000 up to $200,000 with a required 50 percent match.  For more information, call (800) 451-6027 or visit IDEM’s website at www.recycle.IN.gov/5745.htm.

Internships:

Nutrition Internships with Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard: Due April 9
Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard’s Nutrition Education Program seeks summer interns for 2012. MHC’s Nutrition Education Program plays a critical role in fulfilling MHC’s mission by teaching clients and community members how to cook healthy meals at home, to select the most nutritious foods on a tight budget, and to preserve food grown in gardens. Summer interns will work in the produce section of the pantry, displaying fresh food in the most appealing and accessible manner, and offering nutrition information and preparation ideas.  This unpaid position provides an opportunity to participate in the cycle of growing, harvesting, distributing, and composting fruits and vegetables at Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard. Please send a resume and cover letter to Kayte Young at kayte@mhcfoodpantry.org by April 9.

–
Sustainability Coordinator
Dept. of Economic & Sustainable Development
City of Bloomington
812.349.3418
bauerj@bloomington.in.gov
Like the Sustainable Bloomington Facebook page!  www.facebook.com/sustainablebtown

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Recycling Grants

Filed Under: City of Bloomington, Conserve/Reduce, Energy, Indiana State News, Recycling, Sustainable Living Practices by justin.haviar — Leave a comment
March 20, 2012
Half a million in grants to boost recycling businesses:  Due June 11
The state’s Recycling Market Development Program (RMDP) has been authorized to release $500,000 in grant funds to aid recycling businesses and boost economic development in Indiana. Recycling businesses have until June 11, 2012, to apply for the grants that are aimed at helping purchase equipment for manufacturing recycled materials into new products.  The program’s grants are awarded for business recycling projects that reduce solid waste disposal, increase Indiana’s capacity for recyclable material manufacturing, and increase the use of recycled content products.  Grants will range from $25,000 up to $200,000 with a required 50 percent match.  For more information, call (800) 451-6027 or visit IDEM’s website atwww.recycle.IN.gov/5745.htm.
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