Elementary School Building Committee members on Tuesday looked at planning concepts for possible Grades 2-3 and Grades 2-3-4 buildings on Elm Street and Hayden Rowe as part of their work related to a potential replacement for Elmwood School.

Robert Bell, the principal in charge/educational programmer at architectural firm Perkins Eastman, showed different space arrangements such as a Main Street/village style and other designs referred to as crossroads and pinwheel.

He also described setups that would have the media center as a central hub or a gathering space located in the main entrance area, to name two examples.

Bell and others emphasized that the “visioning” group of townspeople outlined what they wanted the school to have such as a warm/welcoming and safe space, small neighborhoods of learning, flexibility and adaptability, an outdoors/indoors connection and breakout and varied spaces.

Committee member Lya Batlle-Rafferty, who also serves on the School Committee, said it would be important for the principal, teachers and staff to express why the design would be a certain way and ensure they were comfortable with it.

She noted that the community is very supportive of educators and would want staff to be in a space with features they chose. “I think hearing from them would be beneficial.”

Said Elmwood Principal Anne Carver: “Everything that has been hypothetically shared so far has been in line with the dreams we have.”

John Graziano, committee chair, pointed out that the designs must coincide with the educational plan that has been submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, authored by school administrators.

Carver reinforced Batlle-Rafferty’s point about building components, saying, “Having an educator’s voice will help non-educators to understand why some unusual stuff (they may see) makes sense.”

Jeff D’Amico, project director with the engineering firm Vertex, said the focus for the next few months is on the “geometry” of the building and the spatial relationships and how the layout is on site. He said he and his staff would be collecting feedback from educators along the way as they develop more detailed schematics.

Committee member Tim Persson, who is the School Department’s director of building and grounds, said they still have to go before town boards like the Design Review Board and Planning Board and “still have a long row to hoe,” on the project.

Energy options discussed

Committee members also were introduced to possible mechanical systems options, presented by representatives from Perkins Eastman and Vertex.

With both sustainability and cost in mind, the presentation focused on the pros and cons of various options: ground source pump/geothermal; air source variable refrigerant flow (VRF); and a hybrid of ground source/air source.

Additionally, a fourth alternative would be a more conventional design with natural gas heating/variable volume HVAC as found at Marathon Elementary School.

For example, the geothermal option has positives like the lowest energy consumption as well as operating and life cycles costs but challenges like premium first cost, the need to integrate into a floor plan and more distributed compressors and filters.

The VRF system, which uses air to do the exchange instead of earth, has a lower initial cost and is easier to integrate units into the floor plan and fewer distributed compressors but higher operating and life cycles, among other negatives.

A hybrid option comes with lower first costs, energy consumption, operating and life cycle costs and fewer emissions. Drawbacks would include the fact that more equipment controls are needed, there are more distributed compressors and filters required and a need to integrate units into the floor plan.

In addition to familiarity with the system, the “Marathon” option is easier to integrate roof top units into floor plans, requires fewer filters and compressors and has lower system first costs.

However, net zero energy does not apply to natural gas, and there are onsite gas emissions and higher operating costs.

Committee member Mike Shepard noted the reality is the school would cost $100 million and must pass Town Meeting. He said the community is going to want to know what the payback is for energy efficiencies.

He was assured that all that data would be presented to help voters make an informed decision.

The data presented was from numerous actual projects since 2012 the firm has done, including a Connecticut school and Boston Arts Academy.

It was noted Mass Save provides rebates on ground and air source systems, and the Inflation Reduction Act gives direct pay to tax-exempt entities for green energy investments. However, those financial incentives come after the fact. First, the town must invest in the building of the school.

Committee members took a quick survey on their phones to determine their priorities. Their top three results were low EUI (energy use intensity), acoustics and indoor air quality.

Graziano said that in January, members would get a better sense of the options when specific cost information is attached.

The next meeting is set for Jan. 3, although next Tuesday the committee will appear before the Select Board to provide an update.

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Originally Appeared Here

The Consumer Technology Association’s annual CES convention in Las Vegas has named Piera Systems a 2023 honoree for the Innovation Awards for its groundbreaking Canāree Air Quality Monitor family of products.

The CES 2023 Innovation Awards program this year received a record high number of more than 2,100 submissions.

The convention is held Jan. 5-8 in Las Vegas.

The company’s air quality monitors are built using Piera Systems’ patented Intelligent Particle Sensor technology, which combines ease of use and rapid deployment with particle measurement and environmental sensing capabilities.

The monitors can be used indoors at schools, hospitals, hotels and offices for real-time air monitoring and even vaping detection.

“The pandemic put the focus on monitoring indoor air quality, and customers worldwide responded by deploying Canāree AQMs throughout their facilities and institutions,” Piera Systems CEO Vin Ratford said.

“This award recognizes the importance of Canāree AQM’s many ground-breaking innovations, including sensor miniaturization, fine particulate sensing to 0.1 micron, and easy-to-use interfaces with IT systems.”

The company’s air quality monitors accurately detect sub-micron particles, those that are most dangerous because they are readily absorbed into the bloodstream.

With vaping becoming an epidemic among teenagers, the sensors are also useful in detecting use.

“Vaping and smoking constitutes a serious threat to children in schools across America and we at EMT are working hard to provide schools with innovative solutions to improve health outcomes,” Extreme Microbial Technologies COO Karl Seebacher said.

“We are proud to be working with the award-winning Piera team and their highly effective Canāree family of air quality monitors with built-in vape-smoke detection capabilities.”

For those attending CES, Piera Systems will be located at Booth No. 55429 at Venetian Expo Hall D to offer additional information.

Piera Systems’ mission is to make air quality measurement accurate, simple, inexpensive and pervasive to enable major health improvements.

The company is headquartered in Canada.

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Originally Appeared Here

LANCASTER, Calif., Dec. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — City of Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris (R) and the City Council have declared a state of emergency against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ plan for a mass movement of homeless individuals to the Antelope Valley. This controversial plan has sparked widespread outrage and concern, and Lancaster is taking immediate action.

Mayor Parris speaking with Lancaster residents.

“I strongly oppose Mayor Bass’ plan to move the LA homeless population to a village in the Antelope Valley. This kind of inhumane and degrading treatment of individuals who are already struggling is unacceptable and must be stopped. How can you claim that your city is a sanctuary city while sending your own citizens away,” said Mayor Parris. “Instead of isolating and ostracizing people who are homeless, we should be providing them with the support and resources they need to get back on their feet. We must reject this cruel and misguided approach and work towards a more compassionate and effective solution to homelessness.”

“In Mayor Bass’ recent speech about her plan to curb the LA homeless problem, what she failed to mention is a relocation strategy, which wouldn’t adequately solve the issue and one that we stand firmly against,” said Mayor Parris.

In an LA Times article, Bass said, “There’s a big chunk of land in Palmdale and maybe we could create a village out there.” Moving homeless individuals to Palmdale and the Antelope Valley will only serve to create new problems for the homeless community in these areas, such as a lack of affordable housing and adequate resources to properly address mental health and addiction issues. Lancaster City Council stated Tuesday night that instead of moving the homeless out of sight, Mayor Bass and the city should focus on providing them with the resources and support needed in their home communities.

“It’s a war we’re going to be engaged in with the City of Los Angeles to prevent this from happening. We’ve worked extremely hard to increase the quality of life for our residents. Mayor Bass’ plan to move the homeless to the Antelope Valley is irresponsible and inhumane,” said Mayor Parris. “Our community will not stand for this. These individuals should not be forced to leave their home communities against their will to an area that is already strained to provide services. The Antelope Valley’s health care system is already overextended and poor people in the Antelope Valley die years, sometimes decades, earlier than those living in Los Angeles.”

Story continues

Creating a homeless village in the Antelope Valley will negatively impact the surrounding community. A large homeless population in one area could lead to increased crime and safety concerns and potential damage to property values. This could be a major concern for residents and businesses in the area, and it’s an issue Lancaster has already been struggling to support with its existing unhoused population. There are also serious health concerns for the homeless population who would be moved from a climate ranging from 60-80 degrees annually to the high desert which experiences extreme weather highs and lows.

“Ask yourself, do you want this in your community?! Mayor Bass’ plan is a short-sighted and misguided attempt to solve a complex and challenging issue,” said Mayor Parris. “We must come together as a community and ensure that the city we built isn’t driven into the ground by this attempt to sweep their problem under the rug. She’s looking for an easy way out of a hard problem. Buckle up.”

Mayor Bass’ intended treatment of the homeless community in Los Angeles is chronically hypocritical, beginning with her swearing-in ceremony where she forced the homeless out to make way for Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit. The Lancaster City Council has declared a state of emergency and is urging immediate action to halt Mayor Bass’ plan. “We cannot stand by and watch as Mayor Bass and the City of Los Angeles push the homeless out of LA,” said Mayor Parris. “It is time to take action. We will not expose our community and the LA homeless population to this gross humanitarian crisis without a fight.”

About Lancaster
Lancaster is a diverse community of nearly 170,000, leading the future through science, technology, art, culture, and collaboration. Home to astronauts, rocket scientists, families, and innovative businesses large and small, we are leading the USA with innovation. Combined with spectacular landscapes and clean air, Lancaster has the confidence, expertise, spirit, and imagination to transform tomorrow. We are: Creating a better tomorrow. Together. Visit us at www.cityoflancasterca.gov.

Cision

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SOURCE City of Lancaster

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Originally Appeared Here

PHOENIX, Ariz., Dec. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Quality Wood Floors is proud to announce the launch of its new Bear Foot brand of luxury flooring.

This new line of SPC waterproof flooring features the latest in quality, durability, easy installation, and ECO-friendly technology. 

The new Bear Foot brand features the Pioneer collection of luxury SPC flooring, item BZFN-04

The new Bear Foot brand features the Pioneer collection of luxury SPC flooring, item BFCB-05

The Pioneer collection is the first collection in the Bear Foot brand and is a waterproof floor featuring large 9″ x 60″ planks, a 30-millimeter wear layer which is one of the thickest available in the industry, painted bevel edges making the floor look like real wood planks, and a deep embossment adds to the real wood look and feel. 

“This collection is great for all experience levels, from the experts to the DIY home renovations, ” says Jesse Baumann, CEO of Quality Wood Floors. This luxurious flooring looks and feels just like real wood and will enhance virtually any home or office environment.” 

The Pioneer collection has been specifically designed to be a durable option for restaurants, hotels, and other commercial businesses. The collection is Greenguard certified for low chemical emissions, resulting in better indoor air quality.

“Our nationwide dealers love this collection because it’s 100% waterproof, very easy to clean and their residential customers love how it looks in their home, says Baumann. That’s because it’s one of the nicest looking, strongest and safest options as it’s proven to be kid and life-proof.

Featuring the Unilin locking technology that reduces breakage and floor gaps, the Quality Wood Floors’ dealers report how easy the large planks are to install.  Additionally, the collection is ideal for light commercial foot traffic and backed by a 50-yr residential warranty. 

“Our customers look to us for high quality products with visual appeal and match their design requirements, says Baumann, and that is exactly why they are enjoying our new Bear Foot brand of flooring so much.” 

For pricing and product information, and how to become a distributor, or retail dealer visit: www.qualitywoodfloors.com

About Quality Wood Floors | Distribution

Since 2003, Quality Wood Floors, Inc. has delivered a people-first customer experience for their growing nationwide dealer network. As a manufacturer and distributor of hardwood flooring products to retail flooring dealers nationwide, their friendly warehouse staff features a complete collection of hardwoods, underlayment, molding and a range of accessories. Quality Wood Floors is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and their products and services are supported by the industry’s best customer experience. If you are a dealer and would like to sample products or get more information about Quality Wood Floors, please call (623) 594-5999 or visit them online at www.qualitywoodfloorsinc.com.

Contact:
Jesse Baumann
(623) 594-5999
[email protected]

SOURCE Quality Wood Floors

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Originally Appeared Here

The city of San Antonio is hoping to secure newly available federal funding over the next two years to bolster its sustainability and climate action efforts.

City staff briefed the council Wednesday on how San Antonio might apply for federal Inflation Reduction Act money for programs that would help the city meet its climate goals.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 aims to curb inflation by reducing the deficit, lowering prescription drug prices and investing in domestic energy production while promoting clean energy. The new law includes $369 billion in funding to tackle climate change.

City staff recommended the funds go towards investing locally in greener energy technology, supporting home weatherization, and fighting urban heat islands. Council was largely receptive.

“I’m glad to see this work on linking to capital projects,” said Ana Sandoval (D7).

But as of yet, it’s unclear exactly how to qualify for the funding, said Assistant City Manager Jeff Coyle. The money is available through tax credits, grant funding, low-interest loans and customer rebates, Coyle said.

“Right now, the status of the IRA, in a nutshell, is that there are dozens — literally dozens of new programs and very, very little guidance from the federal agencies,” Coyle said.

Despite that uncertainty, Coyle told the council that the federal government plans to move quickly to get money out to cities and states.

“We expect there to be an urgency by the [Biden] administration to move this funding and these programs out as quickly as possible over the next two years for political reasons,” he said, “and we also expect there will be anticipated scrutiny and increased oversight by Congress, particularly the Republican-led House providing oversight over the administration’s programs.”

The city’s biggest opportunity in relation to the tax credits lies with CPS Energy, Coyle said.

There are four areas where CPS Energy could tap into federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, Jonathan Tijerina, vice president of enterprise risk and development, told the council: new technology, climate transformation, ownership, and grid transformation.

CPS Energy is looking at energy storage opportunities and possibly even geothermal generation options, he said. Pilots funded with federal dollars could be helpful in mitigating costs to CPS Energy customers, Tijerina added.

Other areas the city would like to use federal funds to boost its sustainability efforts are in its home weatherization programs, in projects that improve energy efficiency, water efficiency, and indoor air quality, and on implementing low emission technologies and materials, Coyle said.

“So we see opportunities to work with our for-profit and nonprofit partners to potentially weatherize and retrofit existing properties, and to potentially upgrade some of the new construction that’s being built to add energy efficiency.”

The city hopes to also leverage its 2022 bond dollars earmarked for streets and sidewalks, Coyle said. Within the IRA, the Neighborhood Access and Equity grant program will distribute $3 billion to support projects that improve walkability, safety and affordable transportation access. These funds could be used to help attack local urban heat islands, he said.

This would include the installation of cool pavements, expanded tree coverage and the adoption of electric fleet vehicles.

“So we expect to be pursuing opportunities as we get clarity,” Coyle said.

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Originally Appeared Here

Thanks to the leadership of the Washington Congressional delegation, the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the U.S. Senate today, after passing the House last week. The bill contained several major policies that will benefit innovation, decarbonization, and habitat programs at both the ports of Seattle and Tacoma and throughout the Puget Sound. The legislation — which also included the annual Water Resources Development Act, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) Reauthorization Act, and the U.S. Coast Guard Reauthorization Act — now moves to the Senate for final passage next week; it is standard practice for these additional bills to be attached to “must-pass”, end of year legislation like the NDAA. It now awaits the President’s signature to become law.

“The Port of Seattle and The Northwest Seaport Alliance thank our state’s Congressional delegation for incorporating provisions in the NDAA that balance the needs of commerce, communities, climate and killer whales,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman. “These provisions include critical funding and collaboration to help ports decarbonize our operations with electricity and alternative fuels that reduce our impacts on the climate and near-port communities. It also increases the ability for ports to work with the Coast Guard and whale watching networks to reduce conflicts between ships and vulnerable whale species.”

“The NDAA legislation includes key provisions that support both environmental and operational activities at the Port of Tacoma and The Northwest Seaport Alliance,” stated Port of Tacoma Commission President and Northwest Seaport Alliance Co-Chair Don Meyer. “The Tacoma harbor deepening included in the WRDA bill is a significant benefit for maritime trade in the Puget Sound and will ensure our ports remain competitive for years to come. We appreciate the good work of our Federal delegation in passing this legislation.”

Among the provisions that will benefit the region:

• A pilot program on use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), requiring two military bases to develop a plan for implementing SAF. The Port of Seattle plans to work with our Congressional delegation to urge the U.S. Department of Defense to consider Joint Base Lewis McCord as one of the locations for this pilot program.  
• Expansion of the U.S. Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program to include “shore power at a port that services passenger vessels”, which will allow for federal funding to support the Port’s investment in providing shore power at the Pier 66 cruise terminal. Once completed, all three of the Port of Seattle’s cruise berths will be shore power capable.
• Creates a “United States Center for Maritime Innovation to support the study, research, development, assessment, and deployment of emerging marine technologies and practices related to the maritime transportation system,” which the Port will work with our Congressional delegation to locate in Washington state.
• Directs a MARAD study on the “necessary port-related infrastructure needed to support bunkering facilities for liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, ammonia, or other new marine fuels under development.”
• Includes a significant number of policies and programs to support marine mammals and reduce underwater noise, including adding eligibility for underwater noise technologies to MARAD’s Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance Program; creating a U.S. Coast Guard grant program to provide assistance to ports to reduce impacts of vessel traffic and port operations on marine mammals; starting a Coast Guard near real-time monitoring and mitigation program for large cetaceans; and establishing a Coast Guard Cetacean Desk for the Puget Sound region, expanding the capacity of the Coast Guard’s vessel traffic service to inform mariners of ways to avoid conflicts with whales.
• Allows ports to fund U.S. Army Corps of Engineer staff capacity to expedite review of mitigation banking permits, which will support implementation of the Port’s habitat restoration initiatives.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance, Port of Seattle, and Port of Tacoma made the voluntary commitment to reduce maritime-related emissions to zero by 2050 or earlier with the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. In October 2021, the Port of Seattle Commission accelerated its climate action goals to be net zero or better for Port-owned emissions by 2040. The Port also committed to accelerate and expand its goal to reduce emissions from industries operating at its facilities to be carbon neutral or better by 2050. Learn more about how the Port of Seattle has accelerated its emission reduction efforts.

Read the complete NDAA document here.

Contact

Peter McGraw | Port of Seattle Media Officer
(206) 787-3446 | [email protected]

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Originally Appeared Here

An environmental assessment is scheduled at Goleta’s Dos Pueblos High School after staff members expressed concerns about the number of employees who’ve been diagnosed with cancer over the past several years.

Santa Barbara Unified District officials say upon learning about this two weeks ago, principal Bill Woodard, district superintendent Hilda Maldonado, and chief operations officer Steve Venz began planning to address the concerns.

According to a press release, district leaders contacted Santa Barbara County Public Health Department for guidance and have also been in touch with the California Department of Public Health Department. In addition, the district has engaged Geosyntec, a firm specializing in environmental risk assessments, to conduct an investigation. Geosyntec brings extensive experience assessing and analyzing environmental concerns and risks, including at schools.

Starting Monday, Dec. 19, Geosyntec will conduct an environmental screening of the campus, including the administration building, to take place over winter break. Among other things, Geosyntec will conduct an array of tests to identify potential indoor and outdoor concerts, including an assessment of indoor air, outdoor air, and soil.

County Public Health will continue to provide guidance as district staff evaluate the Geosyntec report, including recommended follow-up actions. The information learned will be shared with staff and families.

“While there is no way of knowing at this point if an actual problem exists, we will thoroughly investigate, share the information learned, and take any needed remedial actions,” said Maldonado, the district’s superintendent, in a press release. “The health and safety of our students, families, faculty, and staff is our top priority.”

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Originally Appeared Here

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The electrification of transportation, buildings and industries that use fossil fuels is crucial to building cleaner, healthier and more sustainable communities. To advance the electrification of buildings for all communities, ComEd today announced a first-of-its-kind program to convert low-income single family and multi-unit homes to all-electric, using highly efficient technologies.

The $40 million Whole Home Electrification Program will empower low-income homeowners and tenants to reduce their carbon footprint, energy costs and climate impact. Illinois’ landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) law paves the way for ComEd to offer home electrification technologies, including heat pumps, as part of a broader push to increase the adoption of technologies that can lower air pollution from carbon emissions. This program will build on ComEd’s portfolio of energy efficiency programs which have saved northern Illinois customers more than $7 billion on their electric bills since 2008.

“We are thrilled to launch the Whole Home Electrification program – a first-of-its-kind effort to expand home energy efficiency programs with a focus on delivering cost and energy savings to our low-income customers first,” said Gil C Quiniones, CEO of ComEd. “While ComEd has led for over a decade by delivering billions of dollars in savings through our award-winning energy efficiency program, the launch of our Whole Home Electrification program represents the next frontier in our work alongside state, regional and local partners to help our customers achieve a cleaner and more sustainable future where our communities most vulnerable to pollution are not left behind.”

ComEd kicked off work on the Whole Home Electrification program earlier this year in collaboration with local climate justice nonprofit Elevate. Through this collaboration, ComEd, Elevate and local contractors will deliver comprehensive appliance and HVAC upgrades, building weatherization, and health and safety modifications required to safely and efficiently reduce reliance on fossil fuel energy sources, like gas and propane, for homeowners and residents in 100 single and multi-unit homes in Chicago.

As one of several partners, Elevate and ComEd will use the program to better understand cost and energy benefit savings, and to inform a model for home decarbonization that can be replicated to serve more customers outside of Chicago as well, including those in areas with older housing stock, which tends to cost more to heat.

“Electrification is more than just an opportunity for carbon savings – it leads to healthier, safer, and more comfortable homes,” said Anne Evens, CEO of Elevate. “Making these benefits accessible to the communities that need it most is essential. We’re excited to continue working with ComEd to grow the reach of this program.”

Through the Whole Home Electrification program, low-income customers will receive a variety of free upgrades that will help lower their energy usage and overall energy costs. Following a technical assessment of the home by a participating ComEd Energy Efficiency Service Provider (EESP), customers will receive ENERGY STAR-qualified upgrades that may include: heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction or electric stoves, and electric or heat pump clothes dryers.

As part of the program, ComEd will fund 100 percent of qualifying electrification upgrades for single family homes and up to 70 percent for qualifying multi-unit buildings, with the remaining costs paid for by the building owners at no cost to the tenants. Customers may also receive free weatherization and health and safety improvements that may be required to efficiently and safely reduce reliance upon in-home fossil fuel use.

“The Chicago Bungalow Association (CBA) is proud to be partnering with ComEd and Elevate to deliver the benefits of home electrification to low-income communities across Chicago,” said Mary Ellen Guest, Executive Director of the Chicago Bungalow Association. “We know that vintage homeowners from the south and west side, often communities of color, face a higher energy burden, and are at a higher risk for poor air quality. Through ComEd’s investments in the Whole Home Electrification program, we’re seeking to reach more people with the benefit of higher efficiency home appliances and systems that can lower energy costs, enhance home comfort and safety for the family, and contribute to lower emissions for their surrounding community.”

To identify candidates for the program, ComEd and its partners, which include Elevate Energy, Resource Innovations, Franklin Energy, and BlocPower, are taking a hyper targeted approach to ensure the upgrades will result in overall energy bill savings for the customer and that the home or building can accommodate the electrification upgrades.

“Resource Innovations is excited to support ComEd’s new Whole Home Electrification program for residential customers who currently rely on fossil fuels for their heating needs,” said Scott Yee, Director of Resource Innovations. “By connecting ComEd customers with trained contractors who can help determine if a whole home electrification upgrade is right for the household, we are helping make a difference in our communities and their total environmental impact.”

A recent report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reveals that low-income customers participating in home electrification could save up to $1,445 per year on energy costs, though actual savings will vary by customer. Switching sooner could help maximize savings, thanks to the availability of incentives and rebates for heat pumps as well as other electrification and energy efficiency measures provided through the Inflation Reduction Act.

“As Illinois upgrades and electrifies our buildings, we must ensure people with limited incomes have access to those electrification improvements at little to no cost. This is essential to ensure equitable access to affordable energy,” said Valeria Rincon, Midwest Building Decarbonization Advocate at NRDC. “The use of efficient, clean, electric appliances offers a huge energy and cost-savings opportunity for Chicagoans, particularly those most energy burdened.”

Beyond the cost savings, customers who electrify their homes can benefit from improved indoor air quality and overall community health. Not only are electric appliances demonstrated to deliver heat and air conditioning to maintain comfortable in-home temperatures year-round, but they can help address indoor air quality issues while significantly lowering GHG output that impacts the surrounding community.

In addition to building electrification, ComEd has helped lead efforts to advance transportation electrification in the region, including collaborating with regional partners to plan infrastructure, conducting research to prepare the grid for the rise in Electric Vehicles (EVs), and offering customers and communities resources to assist with fleet electrification as well as personal EV purchases. For more on ComEd’s efforts to assist with EV planning, please visit the EV Toolkit.

About Building Electrification

Electrification refers to replacing technologies that use fossil fuels (for example, gasoline, natural gas, or propane) with technologies that use electricity powered by decarbonized energy sources, reducing carbon emissions. Building electrification entails converting fossil fuel technologies used in homes and businesses with highly efficient electric alternatives, such as heat pumps. Heat pumps can offer an efficient electric heating and cooling system that works year-round to cool and heat homes.

The Biden Administration recently invoked the Defense Production Act to boost manufacturing of heat pumps and higher efficiency insulation, which will play a role in helping to drive down carbon pollution from homes and commercial buildings, which currently account for 13 percent of U.S. climate pollution, according to the US EPA. Modern heat pump technologies are proven to perform in the coldest of climates, even when temperatures fall below zero degrees. They can significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, all while saving homeowners on their energy bills.

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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Originally Appeared Here

Fresh Cut Landscaping (706-296-1291), has updated its landscaping and yard work services for customers in Athens, Watkinsville, Hull, Comer, Salem, and surrounding areas.

Athens,United States – December 15, 2022 —

The company now offers a range of landscaping services, including general gardening, lawn maintenance, fertilization/weeding, and pressure washing for driveways, patios, and all outside structures.

More information can be found at https://freshcutathens.com

Fresh Cut Landscaping now provides yard maintenance services that promote a consistently healthy and attractive lawn, free of weeds and pests. Since any lawn can be designed and managed in accordance with the customer’s aesthetic preferences, the increase in the home’s curb appeal can also serve to promote the neighborhood – and property values for everyone.

Homeowners typically have hectic lifestyles and family commitments that preclude them from paying sufficient attention to their yards. Knowledge of – and the time to implement – optimal mowing techniques, desirable soil types, plant growth patterns, and ideal pruning schedules are necessary to keep a healthy, green lawn throughout the year. Besides the beauty of a well-tended and natural space as part of the home, maintaining a vibrant lawn also benefits the environment. Lawn grass contributes to air purification, the capture of carbon dioxide, the improvement of soil, the reduction of noise pollution, and the lowering of temperatures.

Fresh Cut Landscaping, founded in 2013, offers full-service yard maintenance and lawn care for gardens of any size – including mowing, edging, fertilization, and weed control. As weather and climate conditions become increasingly variable and unpredictable, a consistent lawn care schedule becomes more important to the health of the homeowner’s lawn. For example, in addition to considerable year-to-year variation in temperature, studies show that Georgia is one of several states that will be most negatively impacted by climate change – including more severe droughts and floods.

The firm consults with clients to understand their needs and preferences, and tailors a service program – either occasional or regular – accordingly, to provide holistic lawn care for the customer. Pre-emergent herbicides will be used to kill existing weeds, restrict their regrowth, and occasionally nourish the soil to encourage lush turf growth. The Fresh Cut Landscaping team takes care of every part of a customer’s yard, including the flower beds, trellises, patios, and driveways – employing only the best organic chemical treatments that are safe for plants, flowers, and lawns.

One client commented: “Matt & his team are always accountable, responsive, and flexible depending on what I need accomplished. My yard looks great.”

Interested parties can learn more at https://freshcutathens.com

Contact Info:
Name: Matt Bischoff
Email: Send Email
Organization: Fresh Cut Landscaping
Address: 117 Hunnicutt Dr, Athens, GA 30606, United States
Website: https://freshcutathens.com

Release ID: 89086483

If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours.

COMTEX_420800642/2773/2022-12-15T02:06:10

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Originally Appeared Here

A lead smelter near Hacienda Heights has settled a lawsuit brought by state environmental agencies and California Attorney General Rob Bonta that involved 29 violations of hazardous waste handling and excessive toxic air emissions.

Quemetco, Inc., has agreed to make improvements to its facility and pay $2.3 million to settle enforcement actions brought by the state Department of Toxic and Substances Control (DTSC) in 2018, according to a settlement approved by the Los Angeles Superior Court late Tuesday, Dec. 13.

• A Hacienda Heights resident is interviewed by County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health employees in Hacienda Heights, Calif. on Saturday September 21, 2019. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  The Wet Electrostatic Precipitator (WESP), the device Quemetco uses to reduce metallic particulate emissions, is pictured at their City of Industry facility. Contractors from the Department of Toxic Substances Control conduct testing of soil for lead and other chemicals around the Quemetco, Inc. lead-acid battery recycling facility at 720 S. Seventh Avenue in the City of Industry May 31, 2016. (Photo by Leo Jarzomb/San Gabriel Valley Tribune)

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  County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health nurses Nina Alexander, left, and Calla Matheus, center, interview Hacienda Heights resident Paitoon Srithunta, right on Fairbury Street in Hacienda Heights, Calif. on Saturday September 21, 2019. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

The massive battery recycling plant, which crushes and melts down 600 tons of lead acid batteries per day, according to a 2019 report from Los Angeles County, is located at 720 South 7th Avenue in City of Industry, roughly 15 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and within 600 feet of many homes in Hacienda Heights and Avocado Heights. The plant is within two miles of schools and homes in La Puente and Bassett in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley.

Quemetco has a history of violations during its 60 years of operation, from lead and arsenic smokestack emissions to failed leak detection systems. In 2016, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) found that air emissions presented an unacceptably high risk for development of cancer. Between 2017 and 2019, the plant was issued two notices of violations for going above permitted levels of arsenic emissions.

Arsenic is a known human carcinogen and is emitted from the lead smelter at the plant as part of the process in breaking down lead acid batteries into recyclable components. It is linked to skin, bladder, liver and lung cancers. Low levels of lead can damage a child’s nervous system, causing learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Lead has also caused tumors in laboratory animals and is listed as a probable carcinogen, according to DTSC.

The company has agreed to fix some of its operations cited by the DTSC during inspections between 2015 and 2018. Violations included a broken and inoperable leak-detection system; failure to build an adequate system to monitor toxic chemical leaks into the groundwater; and failing to minimize hazardous waste releases into the environment, according to DTSC.

The plant will be upgraded to comply with its current permit, the DTSC said. The company will install new monitoring wells and improve other segments of its operations.

Quemetco is being ordered to pay $1.5 million in civil penalties to DTSC. It will also pay $575,000 to each of two community-based organizations that will provide education about how to recognize and avoid hazardous waste exposure.

“Under DTSC’s oversight, Quemetco will make facility improvements that better protect its neighbors and the environment and will pay for programs that benefit the entire community,” wrote DTSC Director Dr. Meredith Williams in a prepared statement.

Enforcement of the settlement between Quemetco and DTSC began on Wednesday as the company started to address 29 violations cited in the four-year-old lawsuit and began mitigation measures.

“The court accepted the settlement agreement and time starts ticking now,” said Elizabeth Leslie-Gassaway, DTSC spokesperson. “It forces them to make corrections.”

With a functioning system that detects leaks of arsenic, lead or any other potentially harmful chemical agents, less environmental damage will occur and residents living nearby will have less exposure.

“If there is a functioning leak-detection system, it will prevent them from leaking anything into the environment,” said Leslie-Gassaway.

The company is also required to monitor waste water leaks that could enter the groundwater or underground aquifers, which is a drinking water source for San Gabriel Valley residents.

The settlement does not affect the permit applications Quemetco has with the DTSC, which Leslie-Gassaway called a separate process that may be decided in February. Quemetco wants a permit extension. It has also asked Southern California AQMD for a permit to expand operations. Neither request has been decided.

The agreement requires Quemetco to pay $575,000 each to Nature for All and the California School-Based Health Alliance. These two community organizations will spread the word about the environmental issues at the plant and how they affect communities, DTSC said.

The Clean Air Coalition of North Whittier and Avocado Heights, a grassroots group that has been protesting Quemetco and working with government agencies such as the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for 10 years was not part of the settlement.

“This $1.15 million goes to these two organizations I’ve never heard of,” said Rebecca Overmyer-Velazquez, a coordinator with the group, on Wednesday, Dec. 14. She said, “They’ve never shown up for any part of the regulatory process. That is the last thing we need right now.”

The Clean Air Coalition of North Whittier and Avocado Heights, along with its partner Earthjustice, which provides advocacy and legal help, have called on DTSC not to renew the plant’s hazardous waste permit and urged Southern California AQMD not to approve an expansion request.

“This facility has no place in a community where so many people live so close to it,” she said.

Overmyer-Velazquez said better use of the money would be to pay for placement of air toxics sensors in residential neighborhoods. There are no official air toxic emission meters aside from four that were placed along the fence of the Quemetco property, she said.

“Why not put that money there? That would be really helpful, to monitor for all kinds of air toxics,” she said.

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Originally Appeared Here