Business

Deere selling wind energy business to Exelon

Deere & Company today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell John Deere Renewables, LLC, its wind energy business, to Exelon Generation Company, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Exelon Corporation.

More >>>

Historic Sony Pictures Culver City lot earns LEED Gold

Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that it has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification for the studio’s Lot and Office Transformation Project by the U.S. Green Building Council. The project included the construction of two new 100,000 square foot office buildings, named after Jack Cohn and Harry Cohn, and a parking structure located at the heart of the studio’s historic lot based in Culver City, Calif.

More >>>

Carbon prices hit highs as the EU moves to ban controversial credits

CER prices soared to hit a four-month high on Thursday on news that European companies could be banned from using carbon credits from controversial offset projects, according to ICIS Heren data.

More >>>

Illinois Gov. Quinn signs solar ramp-up law and announces major Rockford project

Illinois Gov. Patrick Quinn (File photo)

Illinois Gov. Patrick Quinn yesterday announced an over $4 million stimulus grant award for the Rockford Solar Project, the largest photovoltaic solar development in the Midwest and one of the largest in the United States. Gov. Quinn appeared at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Wanxiang America Corporation’s newly built solar panel manufacturing plant in Rockford.

More >>>

‘Green’ coffin is made from newspapers

The coffins are available in eight different colors.

Three Gloucestershire companies have joined forces to produce a “green” coffin made from newspapers, according to a report in the BBC. The idea originated with undertaker Jeremy Clutterbuck, who said he spent years searching for a “truly eco-friendly” casket.

More >>>

California entrepreneur offers African farmers way to get out of poverty

A California social entrepreneur is fighting poverty in Africa. Through a program called Kickstart, he sells, rather then gives, small pumps to poor farmers in an effort to encourage entrepreneurship. Rachel Silverman reports from San Francisco:

More >>>

Second Ruggles Green restaurant opens in Houston

From Green Right Now Reports

Houston’s popular Ruggles Green, launched a year ago off West Alabama street in the Upper Kirby District, has added a second location in the new CITYCENTRE development in the Memorial area of West Houston. The new Ruggles Green also is a Certified Green Restaurant that conforms to guidelines set by the Green Restaurant Association. Guidelines include an extensive recycling program, no use of styrofoam, energy reduction steps, water conservation steps, use of sustainable materials, public education/outreach, and use of local and organic ingredients in food.

More >>>

Study shows consumers’ growing concerns about packaged beverages

Consumers cited recycling as the most important environmental concern for packaged beverages.

A new beverage industry study found that 94 percent of Americans are concerned about the long-term effects that their packaged beverage purchases and consumption have on the environment. The study also shows that environmental concerns are driving down the consumption of bottled water.

More >>>

$188 million to help small businesses bring clean energy ideas to market

U.S Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Department of Energy will award a total of $188 million to small businesses in 34 states to develop technologies with a strong potential for commercialization and job creation. Funded through DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research program and Small Business Technology Transfer program, the new selections are for Phase II work, which means that the 201 awards will support the development of prototype or pilot operations for innovative technologies that have successfully passed the proof of concept stage.

More >>>

Going green at the office: Take a course

Education To Go offers a six-week online course on “Going Green at the Workplace.” The 12-lesson course includes how to position your business as a responsible environmental leader in a world of green consumers and carbon-conscious regulators. Topics also include how to save energy, save money, and reduce your carbon footprint, all at the same time.

More >>>