According to the Energy Information Aministration: “Despite expectations of a milder winter for 2014, marketers anticipate high prices for natural gas in Boston and New York City. Natural gas prices are expected to be lower than last winter, but higher than the average of previous winters, particularly in Boston…” Read More A new brief from…
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Winter Energy Outlook
In case you missed it, the US Energy Information Administration has published a Winter Fuels Outlook. Highlights include: EIA expects higher prices (rate) this winter for homes that heat with natural gas and electricity. Propane and home heating oil prices are expected to be lower than last winter. Projected changes in average U.S. household…
Energy Stats by State
Did you ever wonder how much energy a particular state produces or consumes? If you are a member or UMA or are reading this blog post, then odds are you may have given some thought to which commodity fuels your local power grid, but did you ever wonder which states produce the most of those…
Water Restrictions will go National
A panel at the Urban Land Institute’s Fall Meeting in NYC discussed the increasing need to plan new water strategies in all new development projects. Fresh water sources are becoming depleted in the Southwest, and rising sea levels are causing problems along the East Coast. Stormwater and water treatment capacity also need to be taken into…
U.S. Reports Significant Rise in Electricity Costs
EIA is showing that residential electric costs rose by an average of 3.2% over the past few months. More worrisome according to the article is that a number of coal-fired generation facilities have been mothballed recently, and if this upcoming winter is as cold as last year, prices will rise further—and may overwhelm the grid….
It’s hip to Conserve
Conan O’Brian and Andy Richter have created six public service announcements regarding saving water. This comes on the tail of Lady Gaga and Sammy Hagar creating public services announcements (“PSA’s”) related to the California Drought. These PSA’s are really a helpful weapon in the good fight for water conservation. As sharing is caring, I recommend…
California’s Got Water Restrictions!
Effective August 1st, the water police will be active in California. California’s drought has become so significant that Mandatory water restrictions will be put into effect. If there is a violation, we will be fined. These fines will be targeting wasteful outdoor water use and cost up to $500 per day of offense. Things to…
Water You Eating?
At lunch the other day, a friend of mine indicated that she knew how to save water because she was a “Drought Baby.” I asked her what that meant and she indicated that, because she grew up in the 1970’s (there was a serious drought in California from 1976-77) and that she was quite proficient…
Waste not, want not: the zen of composting
Once thought to be a luxury of homeowners, composting has moved its way from the back yard into the hearts and apartments of residents. Fear not: This is not your father’s composting bin. Then again, composting in apartments has already been around for a number of years in San Francisco, Seattle, and most recently, New…
Growing Your Community
Pizza parties are nice, but exactly how much pizza can your residents eat before it’s time to change the menu? Think community. Think garden. Think break away from the pizza party and grow something. Community gardens are the latest thing in building resident retention and a low-cost way to promote health and well being within…