Goal For The Green

Guest post by Amanda Green

When it comes to going green, one of the greatest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is by making your home more efficient. In addition to being one of our greatest expenditures, homes are also often one of the greatest ways in which we use energy.  However,with a few quick and fairly affordable updates, you can have your home running more efficiently in no time – allowing you to both go green and save green.

English: The carbon footprint as it is understood by people. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Insulation
Poor insulation can cost a home hundreds of dollars in utilities every year because they allow both hot and cold air to easily escape. To ensure that your home’s heating and cooling system isn’t overworked,make sure that your attic is well insulated, and even consider re-insulating your walls if you find that they also lack adequate insulation.

Low Flow Water Supplies

While taking a 5 minute shower is a good way to watch how much water you use on a regular basis,installing low flow shower heads and a ultra high  efficiency toilet or two in your home can greatly reduce the amount of water you use without sacrificing function. These items can be purchased for a relatively inexpensive price, and can be self-installed in a few minutes.

Weatherstripping

If you have an older home, there is a good chance that there are spaces between your exterior doors and their frames, as well as between windows and their frames. These spaces easily allow outside air in and inside air out,which makes your home’s heating and cooling system less efficient.
If you find gaps around your doors and windows, apply weatherstripping to prevent unwanted air flow.

Upgrade Appliances

Older appliances tend to be bigger energy wasters than newer ones.  So, if you can afford to make the switch, consider buying new Energy Star appliances. While the initial upfront cost may be a bit high, the savings that they will provide you with over the course of their life will have them paying for themselves.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources such as solar panels or geothermal units are becoming more affordable than ever before,and they are a great way to lower your utility bills while simultaneously doing something great for the environment. Not only will they reduce your bills, but there are several local,state,and federal grants and tax rebate programs that will put additional cash back in your pocket. Some utility companies will even pay you for putting power back into their system.

Going green, is possibly one of the best things that a person can do for their budget, as well as the environment. However, going green doesn’t have to stop at buying organic or using reusable shopping bags. By making your home more efficient, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, and make an even greater impact in the green movement than those reusable grocery bags ever allowed. Together, we are working toward better tomorrows!

I firmly believe that implementing renewable energy systems is the right thing to do for the planet, for our children, for ourselves, and for future generations.  It is  a necessity for a sustainable future for all, around the world.

Sky Factory’s solar array, is a manifestation of a consensus-based company that  represents a unified desire to develop and act on that type of inner knowledge and belief, and make it a reality.

MEDIA ALERT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sky Factory’s 54kW, 3,500 sq. ft. solar array will generate 104% of their own company’s power needs. It is the largest privately owned solar array in Iowa.
Sky Factory Flips the Switch To Become the First Net-Zero Solar Powered Business in Iowa.

On Thursday, June 7, 2012, The Sky Factory, designed and installed by Fairfield’s Ideal Energy, is a global fine art and technology company based in Fairfield, Iowa.  They will “flip the switch” to become Iowa’s first net-zero solar powered business.   The photovoltaic panel array generates 54 kilowatts of power,  and will be the largest privately owned solar array in Iowa.

You can join with The Sky Factory, to celebrate the launch of this landmark renewable energy system. You’ll hear from Mayor Ed Malloy, as to  why Oprah calls Fairfield, one of the greenest communities in America.  You can also, tour the solar array, and learn about the latest in solar technology from former US Navy SEAL and Ideal Energy owner Troy VanBeek, Founder Bill Witherspoon,  Amy Greenfield, and Sky Factory employee-owners.

Fairfield youth will also present their ideas and share their thoughts on, what it means to serve as an “Eco-conscience” of the future. They will discuss sustainability and pledge to serve as the “eco-conscience” of their family, school, community, and the world.  There you can also witness,  the group signing of the original Eco-Conscience Pledge, and honor Fairfield youth -as our “eco-conscience” of the future.

All of this takes place at The Sky Factory on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
801 N. 18th Street (between Stone and Gear Avenues) in
Fairfield, Iowa 52556

11:00 A.M. – Tours of the Sky Factory, the new solar array, and organic garden featuring greenhouse with rocket stove, composting system, and just arrived baby chicks.

11:30 A.M. – Presentations by Sky Factory founder Bill Witherspoon, and Mayor Ed Malloy. Ideal Energy owners Troy VanBeek,  Amy Greenfield,  and Sky Factory employee-owners will be there.

11:50 A.M. – The celebration will culminate in a collective “flipping the switch” to launch the Sky Factory as a net-zero solar powered company. From that point on, Sky Factory’s Illusions of Nature products, in primary use as stress-relieving technologies in healthcare facilities, will be created with wholesome, solar-made electricity.

12:00 PM – Interview opportunities and continuation of tours.

Sky Factory creates Illusions of Nature with virtual skylights and windows – that transform interior environments and enliven our innate biophilia. Products are designed and manufactured in Fairfield, Iowa, and distributed globally through a network of authorized International Partners. The company founded the Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) in 2008.  The mission of its non-profit organization is to initiate and support the development, research and implementation of sustainable systems that are locally and globally relevant.

Sky Factory was inspired by Jack Eastman, long-time Sierra Club leader and Sky Factory’s own eco-conscience.  That inspiration, led the company to  investigate and implement sustainable practices throughout. Their total recycling, new energy conserving building, and implementation of a renewable energy system, all sprang from Jack’s dedication to an eco-centric awareness of life and living.

Furthermore, for the last several decades bio-evolutionary science, has been honing the idea that human beings have an innate love of nature, called biophilia. This instinctive attraction to nature, has been dampened by the way modern life has distanced us from contact and connection with nature.  By enlivening our inherent biophilia , we are drawn closer to our roots in the natural world. It renews our sensitivity to the wonder of nature, and delivers proven benefits for body, mind and spirit.

The Sky Factory’s primary business and goal, is to create illusions of nature that enliven biophilia.  In turn, enlivened biophilia promotes a life deeply rooted with nature. As our instinctive appreciation and love of nature grows, we care for nature with greater enthusiasm and understanding.  Sky Factory has worked toward building  better tomorrows, by bringing nature and healthy illusions together indoors.

Washington voters passed Initiative 937, also known as the Energy Independence Act, back in 2006.  According to this law, the state’s energy utilities must obtain 15 percent of their power from”appropriately sited” energy facilities by the year 2020.

The problem with Initiative 937, is the term “appropriately sited,” because it has not been clearly defined, so therefore, it has been grossly ignored.  Due to the poorly defined wording, the door has been opened to developers, planning on taking advantage of huge government subsidies.  Some developers, have NO regard for the voters, or the controversy that will arise, from placing industrial scale wind energy projects in very inappropriately  sited areas.

Indian petroglyphs in Columbia River Gorge near The Dalles Dam. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At the heart of this controversy, is the Whistling Ridge Project, that has been proposed along the rim of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This year, marks the 25th anniversary of the creation of this National Scenic area, which has been ranked by National Geographic Traveler, as sixth internationally, and second nationally among sustainable tourist destinations.

The area is one of the crown jewels of the entire Pacific Northwest, and brings in more than a million visitors yearly, from all over the world. The visitors expect to see these world class views, that are unique to our region.

The Whistling Ridge Project, would line the Columbia Gorge with 430 foot wind turbines, that would be visible for miles, taking away much of the scenic views, that people come to see and appreciate.  It would also harm wildlife, unique to the region, by removing hundreds of acres of forested habitat.  To top it off, the Whistling Ridge Project, would cost more money than it would even begin to benefit anyone who lives within the area. The projects average power capacity would only be 25 megawatts of power generated, as compared to 17,000 megawatts, already being generated by existing projects in Washington and Oregon,  and that are located in more wide open appropriate areas.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are not lacking in the area of wind energy production.  Infact, we currently produce so much wind energy here, that a vast majority of it is distributed to California.

In most instances, I am a supporter of renewable energy and laws and policies that support their development.  However, in this case here in Washington, we do not need this particular project.  It implies a high cost to the environment, the economy, and to tourism in the area, and it would greatly harm one of our regions greatest natural assets.

While all states have their own unique beauty and treasures, The Whistling Ridge Project, shows an inappropriate use of funds, resources and land. It should not be allowed to move forward, because it is a prime example of unintended misuse of current energy laws and policies that have gone horribly awry.

As of today, our Governor Christine Gregoire, has approved this wind farm project as a source for jobs in the area.  Currently, area citizens are planning an appeal. Your thoughts and comments on this topic are appreciated, as we work toward a better tomorrow.