Wandering the Web
WateReuse Association Launches Thirsty Planet
The WateReuse Association unveiled the new website during the 25th Annual WateReuse Symposium held Sept. 12-15 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. The URL address for the new site is: www.athirstyplanet.com.
The website will provide information on water reuse and desalination, including background information, frequently asked questions and educational tools on the “Water Cycle” that can be utilized by educators, the media, and the general public.
The WateReuse Association is an international organization with the mission “to advance the beneficial and efficient use of water resources through education, sound science, and technology,” and is well known to water and environmental management agencies and governmental entities throughout the world.
ITT RCW Links New Social Media Community
ITT H2O Pros is the name of a new social media initiative created by ITT RCW to facilitate online conversations and engage industry HVACR, Plumbing and Building Service professionals worldwide. The program is driven by social media sites Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and linked with a blog housed on the www.itth2opros.com website.
The ITT H2O Pros community was designed to provide social media forums where consulting specifying engineers, contractors, installers, wholesalers, building services, ag/irrigation and other industry professionals can discuss various topics ranging from technical issues to career advice. The online portal will feature feeds from social media, blogs, videos, surveys, chats, personal profiles and links to case histories, articles, product updates and other valuable information from leading industry resources.
Think Tank Targets Energy Information
Texans consume the fifth-highest amount of energy per person nationwide, according to the new website EnergyTrends.org, a project of the Lexington Institute, a nonprofit think tank based in Arlington, Va.
The website uses data from the Department of Energy. It tracks vital indicators for energy and electricity use, as well as which fuels (like coal, nuclear or renewables) are used to generate electricity, and ranks states in each category. It also analyzes data from recent years, providing easy-to-read indicators to show overall trends.
New Office of Water Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water launched its redesigned website, http://water.epa.gov, replacing four content areas on www.epa.gov. Information is now organized by topic in a way that should be more straight-forward and useful to visitors. Visitors to the agency site looking for water-related content will be redirected to appropriate pages on the new site.
Cleaning Up Oil Money
Oil Change International offers an explanation for this complete abrogation of leadership with the launch of its new campaign: CleanUptheSenate.com, part of Oil Change International, profiles 46 U.S. senators, including Texas Sens. Cornyn and Hutchinson, who allegedly are aligned with the oil industry.
The site is supported by more than a dozen organizations including True Majority, 350.org, MoveOn, Public Citizen, and Greenpeace.
Oil Change International says it is a non-profit research and advocacy organization that specializes in campaigns to expose the true costs of fossil fuels, facilitate the transition toward clean energy and identify the political barriers to policies that foster a more sustainable future.
San Francisco Approves Environmental Products
San Francisco’s Environment Department has posted the results on a groundbreaking new online purchasing catalog, SFApproved.org. The site was created for San Francisco city departments but is useful for anyone wanting to purchase healthier, environmentally friendly products.
The website lists more than 1,000 products and services that meet strict health and environmental standards developed by Environment Department specialists. In 2005, San Francisco became the first city in the nation to enact a Precautionary Purchasing Ordinance, which requires city staff to avoid using products that may be harmful to human health and the environment.
“Our experience has taught us how critical it is to have an ongoing dialogue with the people actually using the products, and to base specifications on the best science available,” summarized Chris Geiger, Ph.D., Green Purchasing program manager for the San Francisco Department of the Environment. Most SF Approved products have been vetted with end-users for effectiveness and value.
SF Environment conducted research to identify the safest, least-toxic janitorial cleaning and paper products, paint/graffiti removers, paint thinners, light bulbs, and other products. Data for more than 60,000 chemicals, provided by Berkeley-based GoodGuide, was used in the ongoing product screening process.
ACEEE Portal Celebrates 30 Years of Energizing Efficiency
Thirty years ago, the nascent field of energy efficiency was beginning to gain traction in both technical and political arenas. The visionaries who first promoted this powerful resource inspired ACEEE's creation and that of a host of sister energy efficiency organizations that now span the entire globe.
The organization's www.aceee.org website is a portal to ACEEE's research, analysis, and community building.
Armistead Mechanical Updates Identity
Armistead Mechanical, Inc., a fourth-generation mechanical contracting and engineering firm with offices in Waldwick, N.J. and Newburgh, N.Y., introduces its new website as part of its ongoing comprehensive corporate re-branding effort.
The website offers information on the company’s services and also highlights projects in a variety of sectors, demonstrating the company’s understanding of operating systems and applications specific to diverse markets as well as the regulations and challenges they present. Also featured is a Resource Center, where visitors can download literature and submittal information or learn about the process of selecting a mechanical contractor, the importance of sustainable building practices, or even the status of energy efficiency legislation.
Ashkin Group Emphasizes Sustainability
The Ashkin Group, an advocate for green cleaning and sustainable practices in the professional cleaning industry, announces the launch of its new company www.ashkingroup.com/ website.
The site is designed to help cleaning professionals as well as building owners, managers, LEED project managers, green and sustainability advocates, unions and others find the information they need. It also includes the “curiosities” section, which will change regularly and include items such as videos, games, quotes, and images all related to green and sustainable issues.
Waste Management and Logistics
WIH Resource Group, Inc. has launched an updated and improved Waste Management & Logistical Solutions website www.wihrg.com and Industry Blog http://wihresourcegroup.wordpress.com/.
The website provides updates on national and world news related to environmental and logistical/transportation matters. Specific topics include climate change solutions/viewpoints, waste management - collection, transfer station, material recycling facility and disposal process improvement, and recycling trends.