ECO-CAN News

Waste Oil Furnace Smoke Checked by P.E.I.

2010-03-10T14:32:46Z

The P.E.I. Environment Department will be testing emissions from waste oil furnaces, following a ban on the burners in southern Ontario.

‘The contaminants in the used engine oil are not in your furnace oil.’— John Bennett, Sierra Club

The furnaces use the waste from vehicle oil changes for heating, and there are about 30 of them on the Island, most of them at auto repair shops and trucking companies. The burners were made illegal in southern Ontario because of concerns about what was coming out of the furnace stacks, and going into the air.

Federal Budget Dollars Flow for the ecoENERGY Home Retrofit Program

2010-03-10T14:25:23Z

Federal budget dollars flow for the ecoENERGY home retrofit program

GreenSaver, an environmental leader providing ecoENERGY assessments, is available to comment on what it means for Canadian home owners and the environment now that the Federal government has announced an additional $80 million for the ecoEnergy Retrofit — Homes Program.

They can comment on the following points:

• GreenSaver’s practical experience with ecoEnergy, based on over 40,000 energy audits completed
• Importance of energy efficiency and the ecoEnergy Retrofit – Homes Program
• How Canadian home owners can access the ecoEnergy Retrofit – Homes Program
• GreenSaver’s recognition of Federal government’s role in for encouraging energy efficiency
• How this program will continue to build a thriving green workforce

“GreenSaver recognizes the Federal government’s support for energy efficiency in Canadian homes is one of the most effective use of public stimulus funds. An energy efficient home is money saving, increases comfort and contributes to a better environment, while employing the local workforce. GreenSaver encourages all home owners do an energy audit, retrofit their homes and start saving money today.”

For more information, or to book an energy audit, please contact:

Tracy Chong, 416.203.3106 ext. 229 (office), 416.416.797.7210 (cell) or email tracy.chong(at)greensaver.org

Tina Siegel, 416.972.7401 or email tsiegel(at)ecostrategy.ca

GreenSaver is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to environmental energy efficiency. They have pioneered Ontario residential energy conservation for 25 years with economically viable and environmentally friendly solutions to help individuals and organizations with their energy need (www.greensaver.org).

How green is your building?

2010-03-10T14:20:16Z

Buildings are major consumers of non-renewable energy sources and contribute to a rise in greenhouse gases. To reduce the size of that environmental footprint, so-called “green” buildings have emerged with the goal of using minimal energy in both their construction and operation, while also providing a healthier and more satisfactory indoor environment for their occupants.

Several countries and regions have developed green building programs aimed at promoting more sustainable buildings, such as the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) initiative in Canada and the United States.

Canada Shift on Reviewing Energy Projects Critiqued

2010-03-08T15:07:39Z

Ottawa’s plan to shift responsibility of environmental assessments to Canada’s main energy regulator fails to address fundamental problems surrounding major oil and gas projects, a green think tank said on Friday.

City of Edmonton Master Composter - Recycler Program - Free!

2010-03-08T14:47:40Z

Once a year, the Waste Management Branch hosts the Master Composter-Recycler Program. Over a 3 weeks course schedule (Tues./Thursday evenings and Saturday) volunteers will learn about environmental stewardship in our city, such as: history of waste management; home composting; household hazardous waste; vermin-composting and residential recycling.

AVATAR SANDS Ad

2010-03-05T14:53:32Z

The world’s best known environmental groups, representing eight countries along with First Nations, are running a full-page ad today in Hollywood’s Variety, read by the who’s who of the entertainment industry, praising Canadian-born filmmaker James Cameron for bringing to light in film what is playing out in reality in Canada’s controversial Tar Sands.

Japan Says Won't Comply with Bluefin Tuna Ban

2010-03-04T15:43:42Z

Japan will not comply if a total ban on international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna is imposed, a government official was quoted as saying on Thursday, as support grows for the unprecedented trade halt.

Campbell blames climate change for 'Spring Games'

2010-03-04T15:28:16Z

The record-breaking warm weather that made a soggy mess of Cypress Mountain, forcing Olympic organizers to truck snow to the slopes, was caused by climate change, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell says.

And witnessing the “Spring Olympics” has convinced Mr. Campbell he must accelerate his campaign against global warming.

This week, the Premier will face a renewed assault on his controversial carbon tax, as business leaders use today’s provincial budget to decry the competitiveness gap arising from the province’s levy on fossil fuels.

Syncrude Canada on Trial

2010-03-04T15:23:16Z

Syncrude Canada is on trial for the death of 1600 migrating birds. The ducks landed in a Syncrude toxic tailings pond in northern Alberta in April 2008. The destruction and toxicity of the tar sands was largely brought to the World’s attention after this deadly incident. The company is charged with failing to employ measures to protect the birds as required by federal and provincial law. This is the first case in which a tar sands company is facing criminal charges as a result of routine operations.

Environmental Assessment Lawsuit Moves Ahead

2010-03-01T14:50:55Z

Ecojustice filed arguments on behalf of Sierra Club Canada today that claim the Canadian government acted unlawfully in gutting the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) through regulations last year. The Canadian government now has until April 5th to respond. If the lawsuit is successful thousands of projects that were approved without an assessment could be revisited.

“We are asking the courts to declare the government’s actions illegal and to require them to register all projects that have gone ahead,” said John Bennett, Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada. “This government should give Canadians the opportunity to review the environmental impacts of stimulus projects and request that impacts from the projects be addressed to protect the environment.”