Just How Green is Your State? American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Releases 2011 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard

Just How Green is Your State? American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Releases 2011 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released their 2011 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard this month and, despite a sluggish economy and no comprehensive energy policy from Congress, the news is generally good for states in the US.  You can find out just what your state is doing to improve energy efficiency by viewing the entire report here.  This is the 5th year the ACEEE has made this information available and for the first time, Massachusetts has overtaken California to earn the #1 position.

Top 10 Energy Efficient States

I have often wondered just how green my home state of Florida is and now I know.  Well at least I know how energy efficient Florida is - we are tied for 27th place with North Carolina and New Mexico.  Not bad, but there is plenty of room for improvement and states like Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, Tennessee, Alabama and Maryland scored big showing the most improvement this year. 

Source: ACEEE | The 2011 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard

Watch the Saga of Solyndra's Solargate Unfold Live in Today's Congressional Hearing. Does Solyndra's Bankruptcy Mean It's Time To Stop Funding Clean Energy?

Watch the Saga of Solargate Unfold Live in Today's Congressional Hearing.  Does Solyndra's Bankruptcy  Mean It's Time To Stop Funding  Clean Energy?
Press the small play button in the lower left hand corner to view or listen as you work and surf the net

Streaming video by Ustream

Everyone is up in arms over solar company Solyndra's bankruptcy and today Congressional hearings begin in Washington to try to sort out exactly what happened.

"With taxpayers potentially on the hook for this half-billion dollar bust, it's time to sound the alarm about the remaining $10 billion in loan guarantees set to expire Sept. 30," Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., said in a joint statement Tuesday. "Let's learn the lessons of Solyndra before another dollar goes out the door."

Does this really mean it is time to stop funding clean energy or is it simply an opportunity to learn from our mistakes and move forward?  As a taxpayer, I am not ready to give up on subsidizing clean energy, are you?

P.S.- I am really glad that you stopped by our Environmental Booty Blog and I hope you have learned or shared a thing or two.  I hope that , now that you've found us,  you won't lose us!  You can "Like" us on our new Facebook fanpage, join our green living online community, subscribe to our posts,  download our community toolbar or Tweet with me on Twitter to stay in touch!  - Shane*

What Is Asbestos Anyway and Why Should You Care About It In Your Green Life?

You hear about it every once in a while, but what is asbestos anyway and why should you care about it in your green life?

Well, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was adapted for heating and insulation purposes in homes and buildings built up until the mineral was banned for use in the U.S. in the 1970s. Why was it banned? It is a direct cause of a host of health problems, primarily mesothelioma cancer, which can lay dormant in the body for up to 50 years after the inhalation of asbestos fibers and kill within months of diagnosis.

Turn Your iPhone Green with iPhone Eco Accessories and the New Eco-app from AT&T

The TRTL STAND 4 for the iPhone 4
The TRTL STAND 4 is an eco friendly iPhone case made out of recycled plastic bottles that props up your phone in different orientations. The TRTL STAND 4 is made in the USA.
- Props up your iPhone
- Portrait (ideal for FaceTime)
- Landscape (ideal for watching
  videos)
- Tripod  (ideal for timed photos)
- Made from recycled plastic bottles
- Protects iPhone from damage

Love  it? Buy Now for just $21.95

Right now we might not all be able to live off of the grid, grow our own food and drive an electric car.  What we can do is find little ways to live green and make green consumer choices for the things we love and use in our everyday lives.