These publications were recently added to GLRPPR’s Sector Resources. This list is continuously updated on the web and is also available as an RSS feed.
Climate Change Science Compendium 2009
Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:06:16 GMT
UNEP publication summarizes and updates the IPCC’s 4th Assessment Report with lots of maps, graphs, and tables. [PDF, 76 p.]
The Greening of Paint
Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:28:43 GMT
Oregon this summer became the first state to enact in law a product stewardship law for the collection of leftover consumer paint. The pilot program, which expires in 2014, involves a consumer fee that a nonprofit organization established by paint producers uses to pay for the collection and proper disposal or reuse of the leftover paint.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Analysis Tool
Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:04:02 GMT
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed a new Web site to communicate information about Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program results to technically specialized audiences, including TMDL developers, state water programs, academia, other federal agency programs, and EPA water quality staff. TMDL is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards, and an allocation of that load among the various sources of that pollutant.
Opportunities for Combined Heat and Power in Data Centers
Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:58:29 GMT
This report analyzes the opportunities for CHP technologies to assist primary power in making the data center more cost-effective and energy efficient. Broader application of CHP will lower the demand for electricity from central stations and reduce the pressure on electric transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Evaluating a Proposed 20% National Renewable Portfolio Standard
Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:42:50 GMT
This paper provides a preliminary analysis of the impacts of a proposed 20% national renewable portfolio standard (RPS) by 2021, which has been advanced in the U.S. Congress by Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico. The paper was prepared before the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009, and thus does not consider important changes in renewable energy (RE) policy that need to be addressed in follow-on analysis. [PDF, 35 p.]
A Comparative Review of a Dozen National Energy Plans: Focus on Renewable and Efficient Energy
Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:49:21 GMT
Dozens of groups have submitted energy, environmental, and economic recovery plans for consideration by the Obama administration and the 111th Congress. This report provides a comparative analysis of 12 national proposals, focusing especially on energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) market and policy issues.
Waste Vegetable Oil as an Alternative Fuel for Diesel Vehicles
Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:47:11 GMT
Alternative fuels have become a hot topic in the news as the cost of oil remains volatile. Questions of whether acquiring alternative fuels are worth the cost, logistics, and political implications are being asked. A possible solution may be currently thrown away by Wright Patterson Air Force Base’s (WPAFB) dining establishments in the form of waste vegetable oil (WVO). This study investigated the benefits and costs of pursuing the installation of a WVO to Straight Vegetable Oil fuel processing center and using the fuel to power some of the base’s diesel vehicles. A pilot program was fielded utilizing the Wright Patterson Club for WVO and the Recycling Center for processing and use. From the pilot program, data was extrapolated to determine the total cost and payback period to operate the system. The benefits of reducing spills and emissions were also realized. [PDF, 132 p.]
Well-to-Wheels Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:40:49 GMT
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory expanded the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation (GREET) model and incorporated the fuel economy and electricity use of alternative fuel/vehicle systems simulated by the Powertrain System Analysis Toolkit (PSAT) to conduct a well-to-wheels (WTW) analysis of energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Guidance for Implementing the January 2001 Methylmercury Water Quality Criterion
Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:35:53 GMT
In January 2001, EPA published ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) recommendations for methylmercury for the protection of people who eat fish and shellfish. This criterion, 0.3 mg methylmercury/kg fish tissue wet weight, marks EPA’s first issuance of a water quality criterion expressed as a fish and shellfish tissue value rather than as an ambient water column value. This document provides technical guidance to states and authorized tribes exercising responsibility under section CWA 303(c) on how to use the new fish tissue-based criterion recommendation as they develop their own water quality standards for methylmercury.
Powering a Nation: The Quest for Energy in a Changing USA
Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:54:50 GMT
“Powering a Nation” is the University of North Carolina’s contribution to the News21 project led by eight of the 12 top journalism programs participating in the Carnegie-Knight Initiative on the Future of Journalism Education funded by the Carnegie Corp. of New York and John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in Miami, Fla. Ten Carolina journalism students selected as News21 fellows have been working since January with faculty — joined by two students from Harvard University and the University of Missouri — to produce stories about wind farms, the electrical grid, mountaintop removal, coal activists, biofuels, religious response to environmental issues and other topics.
It’s a cliche, but things sure have changed since when I was in school. As I mentioned 
