Google has announced that its PowerMeter project is in beta.  Once it is ready for public use, their PowerMeter tool should give you real-time usage statistics on your home enegy use right on your iGoogle home page.

You know that LEED has something to do with “green” buildings but do you know enough about the LEED rating system?  Do you want to learn more?  The U.S. Green Building Council is presenting a day long seminar on February 12th on Core Concepts and Strategies in Greenville, SC.  You can find more information in the one page flyer here.

Do you also know how and where to properly dispose of flourescent bulbs (that contain mercury)?  Hopefully you do, but if you want further information you can find companies that provide recycling services by looking at the map of the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers.

Tip of the hat to PatentBaristas.com (who tipped their hat to WorldofWorkLawBlog.com) for this one.  You have got to see the image at http://www.bikecommuters.com/2009/01/22/more-on-the-lightlane-concept/ (and read about what is coming).  Certainly it will work better at night, but anything that gets more folks out riding bikes is great.

The cover story of the current issue of Chemical & Engineering News is The Greening Game.  It provides a quick read on what the major cleaning product companies have been doing over the last year to make their products better for the environment.  Let me know your thoughts.  Is this evidence of folks taking steps in the right direction or just “green washing” by marketing departments?

Sorry it has been too long since the last post.  Hopefully I can keep that from happening again.

Numerous members of the American Bar Association (think lawyers, not beer) have been organizing a group that is focused on “cleantech and climate change.”  Their goals are to (i) raise awareness of legal, policy, science, and technology issues related to climate change; (ii) strengthen the capacity for effective legal, technical and market-based responses to mitigate greenhouse gases, ease adaptation, drive innovation, assure compliance, and preserve environmental integrity; and, (iii) as appropriate, assist with the development and implementation of domestic and international laws.  The CTC3 will draw upon the expertise of public and private sector members from a wide range of practice areas and coordinate with other committees within the ABA Section on Science and Technology Law and in other Sections.

Once the CTC3 launches their website(s), I will pass it along for those of you who recognize that being “green” sometime requires societal rules (laws) and people who are knowledgeable about such rules (lawyers and everyone else with the time and motivation to stay abreast of the changes in these rules).

You can get to the YouTube link from this CNET link – scroll down a little and enjoy.  The ideas are great and we all need to hear these thoughts and then find ways to act on them.

If the name Amory Lovins is not immediately recognized, he is co-founder, Chief Scientist and Chairman of the Rocky Mountain Institute and has been honored as one of America’s Best Leaders by U.S. News Media Group and the Center for Public Leadership (CPL) at Harvard Kennedy School.  You can learn more at the Rocky Mountain Institute’s home page.

Walmart is certainly taking a big step in the right direction of adopting greater use of wind energy.  Check out their press release from back before Turkey Day.  Some might say that Walmart is just looking to curry favor by being “greener” but if you think “Wait, this is Walmart – they must be doing this because it makes good business sense for the long run” then you begin to see that investments now in sustainable energy will pay dividends in the years to come.  Stay Green4Life!

A few days ago I mentioned switching from paper statements to e-bills in connection with the vendors that bill you monthly.  If you are not sure how much good this can do, head over to the green calculator at PayItGreen.org and let them run some calculations for you.  Every little bit helps to keep us with our Green4Life goals.

Another interesting resource is the EPA sitefor their “Plug-In to eCycling” program.  They have information on working with most of the big electronics firms for recycling of their products.

For some short references to 15 outstanding folks in South Carolina who in one way or another are advancing the goals of the “Green4Life” brand, check out this article from the State Newspaper.  If any of these folks should see this post, please let us know by dropping us an e-mail at “Info@” this domain.  We want what you want so let us know how we can help.