(From Nobel Intent - Ars Technica)
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a list of what it considers some of the greenest organizations around. "Green" is an arbitrary metric but, for the purpose of this list and article, the greenest organizations are defined as those that use the most "on-site green power" in kilowatt-hours on an annual contract basis. While one can argue which power sources really are green, the list highlights biomass, biogas, hydroelectric, wind, and solar.
Eight of the top 20 organizations listed are civic municipalities, either US cities or counties. Geographically they range from San Diego, CA to Nassau County, NY. Of these eight municipalities, six are on the west coast (CA and OR), one in the Midwest and one on the East coast.
The number one in terms of magnitude of on-site green energy production and use is a company, the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, which makes, among other things, Scott toilet tissues, Huggies diapers, and Kleenex tissues. Headquartered in Dallas, TX they use 192.7 million kWh of green energy derived from biomass each year.
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Dr. Gopal Rao
Web Science Editor
Materials Research Society (MRS)
The use of sophisticated software systems for coal mining that is mostly burnt for power generation and steel production and adds to the greenhouse effect is valid for western countries who may allocate resources and funds to alternative and more greener sources of power. Some of the alternatives may be "safer" than the traditional mines. Unfortunately, coal market news show developing economies are more likely to increase their use of thermal coal & metallurgical coal in coming years because of its affordability and to meet increasing demands for electricity and steel. Whether they will embrace and utilise sophisticated software systems that no doubt add to the cost of production is yet to be seen. Cherry of www.coalportal.com
Posted by: coal market news | April 16, 2012 at 12:48 PM