ENERGY EFFICIENCY AS THE FIRST FUEL

Maryland Legislation Taps Energy Efficiency As the 'First Fuel'
Maryland's legislators gave final approval this week to two landmark energy bills that together aim to reduce the state's energy consumption by 15% by 2015. The legislation, proposed by Governor Martin O'Malley, sets the stage for Maryland to become a leader in capturing the benefits of energy efficiency.

"Maryland's policies now recognize energy efficiency as the 'first fuel' for meeting its future energy needs," said Steven Nadel, Executive Director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

A study released in February by ACEEE evaluated a suite of energy efficiency policies for Maryland and found that more than enough energy efficiency resources exist in the state to meet Governor O'Malley's ambitious 15 by '15 goal, and confirmed that reducing electricity consumption is the quickest, cheapest, and cleanest way for policymakers to bring consumer bills down and keep the lights on in the state.

For the complete article visit: http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/15776

EPA TO MAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AVAILABLE FOR CLEAN DIESEL EFFORTS!

The Blue Skyways Collaborative is pleased to inform you that for fiscal year 2008, Congress appropriated funds for the first time under the Energy Policy Act to help reduce harmful emissions from diesel engines.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award grants to assist eligible entities in conducting diesel emission reduction efforts that improve air quality and protect public health. For fiscal year 2008, the amount of funding available for clean diesel efforts nationally is about $49 million. This funding replaces and combines Clean School Bus and National Clean Diesel Campaign [NCDC] funding EPA has made available in previous years.

Funds will be awarded under a Federal Clean Diesel Program, a State Program, an Emerging Technologies Program and a Clean Diesel Financing program. Under the Federal Clean Diesel program, Blue Skyways is anticipated to receive and announce a funding competition for about $4-4.5 million.

Visit the blue skyways website, www.blueskyways.org, for information on these clean diesel programs, anticipated program funding timelines and expected funding amounts. Opportunities for apply for the new funding are expected to be formally announced in mid-March, so please begin to consider project proposals ASAP!

Eligible entities are regional, state, local, tribal or port agencies with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality; and nonprofit organizations or institutions that represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that operate diesel fleets; or has as its principle purpose the promotion of transportation or air quality.

For more information, documents and legislation, visit the Blue Skyways website at: www.blueskyways.org. Questions? Contact Gloria Vaughn, Outreach Subcommittee, 214-665-7535 vaughn.gloria@epa.gov.

Oklahoma Sustainability Network Conference 2008

OG&E Custom Energy Report

Wondering how much electricity you could be saving?

Visit http://www.oge.com/about-us/pe/energy-efficiency-programs.asp , complete a short survey about your energy usage and recieve a custom savings report by email or mail in a week's time. Don't waste another kw/hour! Take the energy savings test today!

Shawnee Clean-Up Day - April 19th

CITY WIDE CLEAN-UP DAY!
April 19, 2008
8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Shawnee Airport

Accepted Items:

· Tires 17 inches or less (No rims, please)

· Used Oil

· Used Antifreeze

· Used Batteries

· Scrap Metal (No barbed wire, please)

· E-Waste (electronic products, e.g. computers, phones, etc. Be sure to strip computers of personal information!)

Landfill on Hwy 9A near Earlsboro

· Bagged Leaves, Bagged Trash, Furniture

Boy Scout Park

· Bagged Leaves, Bagged Trash, Furniture

Shawnee Public Works Service Center – 111 S. Kickapoo

· Bagged Leaves, Bagged Trash, Furniture

DO NOT BRING:

· Commercial Business Tires

· Tractor Tires

· Paint

· Anything with Compressors

· Anything Containing Freon

· Chemicals

***** Don’t Forget a Driver’s License and a Water Bill

Questions?? Call City of Shawnee, Dept. of Public Works - 405-878-1662

Field Day at Crow Farms! April 17 5-8 pm

Farmers all over the state are finding a bonanza of new markets byselling produce to local schools in Oklahoma's Farm-to-School Program. Claudia and Ricky Crow will show visitors to their farm near Shawneehow they are adapting to these new opportunities, at a field day on April 17 from 5 – 8. Registration, due by April 14, is $10 and includes dinner.

To register, call 918.647.9123 or visit www.kerrcenter.com/HTML/events.html#fieldday.

The Kerr Center is sponsoring the event, in partnership with the USDARisk Management Agency.

Buy Local Products…

*Farmers’ Market

*Benedict Street Market

*House of Health

*Main Market

*Hardesty’s Grocery

*Oklahoma Food Cooperative

New Officers

The 2008 officers are President Shawna, Secretary Christina, and Treasurer RoseMary. They were sworn, initiated, ordained, and otherwise coerced into accepting their new duties at the January meeting.

There is no "Planet B".
-sign seen at a climate change rally in London 12.08.2007