Cape Wind Approved by Federal Government as America’s First Offshore Wind Farm; Project will Add Clean Energy Jobs for Region
Thursday, April 29, 2010

BOSTON, MA, APRIL 28, 2010 – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced his approval of Cape Wind with a favorable Record of Decision for the project to be constructed on Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound off the coast of Massachusetts.

“Secretary Salazar’s decision today to approve Cape Wind has launched the American offshore wind industry. It allows our nation to harness an abundant and inexhaustible clean energy source for greater energy independence, a healthier environment and green jobs,” said Cape Wind President Jim Gordon.

Reflecting on the near decade long permitting path for Cape wind, Gordon said, “Going first is never easy and Cape Wind is proud of the role we played in raising awareness for what will become a major component of our energy future and in helping the United States develop a regulatory framework for this new exciting industry.

“What enabled Cape Wind to reach this crucial milestone is the steadfast support of leading environmental, labor, health and trade organizations and the support of the overwhelming majority of Massachusetts citizens who have repeatedly made their voices heard. We also appreciate Governor Deval Patrick’s support, vision and leadership to make Massachusetts a global leader in offshore renewables and the clean energy economy. Thank you to all those who made this day possible,” Gordon added.

“While this project was exhaustively analyzed and debated and even with Federal and State approvals demonstrating the significant environmental and economic benefits of Cape Wind, we recognize there are some local opponents who disagree, with Secretary Salazar’s decision. We appreciate their involvement in helping to shape the project and we now reach out to ask them to join the community and country in ushering in a new era of environmental stewardship, energy security and prosperity,” Gordon added.

Looking ahead, Gordon said, “We hope to begin construction of Cape Wind before the end of the year.”

Cape Wind completed State and local permitting in 2009.

Cape Wind’s proposal to build America’s first offshore wind farm on Horseshoe Shoal would provide most of the electricity used on Cape Cod and the Islands from clean, renewable energy - reducing this region’s need to import oil, coal and gas. Cape Wind will create new jobs, help stabilize electric costs, contribute to a healthier environment, increase energy independence and establish Massachusetts as a leader in offshore wind power. For more information visit www.capewind.org.

As far as I'm concerned every day is Earth day. We need to make it a daily priority to remind ourselves that we have a daily obligation to take care of our home - Mother Earth. On this 40th anniversary of Earth Day, do something special with the family. Take a walk around your neighborhood and pick up trash. Go to your neighborhood nursery, pick out a tree and have a family planting event. Remind your kids what they can recycle and how to do it. Have fun with it. If you have a family of four or more, split the family up into teams of two and have a kids vs. parents game. Have a trash can and recycle bin for each team. Whichever team has the least trash and the most recycled items WINS! The prize of course is up to the parents.

Here are some ideas:

1. The winners gets to pick what they'll eat for dinner or where.
2. The winners get to pick out the movie for movie night.
3. The losers CLEAN the winners bedroom!

Water is like the air we breathe, without it we can't live. Water is more valuable than diamonds, platinum, gold or silver. More than 97 percent of the water on Earth is salty, and nearly 2 percent is locked up in snow and ice. This leaves us with less than 1 percent to grow crops, cool power plants and supply water for households. With 83 million more people on Earth each year, water demand will keep going up unless we change how we use it. Americans use about 100 gallons of water at home EACH DAY. In 15 years, 1.8 billion people will live in regions of severe water scarcity. We have to conserve our most precious resource. Here are 15 things that all of us can do immediately to help conserve water:

1. Take fewer and shorter showers (1 shower per day, 5 minute duration if possible)
2. Install low flow shower heads in all bathrooms
3. Install low capacity and / or dual flush toilets
4. Install composting toilets (expensive but worth it if you can afford them)
5. Upgrade water consuming appliances (i.e. washer, dishwasher) to Energy Star versions
6. Wear clothes more than once between washing if possible.
7. Landscape using Xeriscape techniques, drought tolerant plants and mulch.
8. Put sprinkler systems on automatic timers so they only run when necessary.
9. Install rain barrels, cisterns or water storage tanks to store rainwater that can then be used to irrigate landscaping.
10. Repair leaky faucets and running toilets
11. Do not leave water running while brushing your teeth.
12. Install spray heads on all garden hoses to control outdoor water usage.
13. Take fewer baths as filling tubs consume huge amounts of water.
14. Install a greywater recovery system 
15. Do not pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

As you can see it doesn't take much effort to conserve our most precious resource. 

Happy Earth Day!

As of late, we have raised the average global temperature by .74 degrees C (1.3 degrees F). This number may not seem substantial but these words ARE: flood, drought, hurricane, rising sea levels and bursting levees. We have until 2015 to stabilize our global temperature. If we don't, it will be past the point of no return and conditions on Earth will begin to deteriorate at a rapid pace. I hope that we will have a sense of urgency in striving to prevent the rise of our global temperature. Let us not be the Age of Stupid.

Green Week runs from 04/18/2010 thru 04/24/2010! To get the schedule for Green Week go to www.greenuniversal.com

You don't want to miss it!

Text GREENU to 46833 to sign up for green tips on the go during Green Week.

Allergy season is here! Scottie's "Planting trees for the future" commitment: For every tree Scotties uses to produce their products they will plant three more trees. I will only buy Scotties tissues from now on. To learn more go to www.jdirving.com