Rethink.

A dialogue that challenges conventional wisdom on the issues of waste and energy.

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States and Energy Supply

Mar 4, 2010 10:35am

Gregor Macdonald, a researcher, investor, and writer in the energy sector recently published his February monthly issue, Energy Supply and Individual States. In a brief summary of the report, Macdonald writes on his blog, “While many news organizations and investment houses have started to address more concertedly the financial woes...

Under the Radar Waste: Carpets

Feb 25, 2010 6:09am

According to carpet industry estimates, approximately 4.7 billion pounds of carpet are discarded in the United States annually (EPA). Of that 4.7 billion, it is estimated that only 3.8% of the carpet waste is recycled. Carpet waste poses a massive challenge...

Bill Gates at TED 2010: Innovating to Zero

Feb 23, 2010 5:56am

Recently, at the TED 2010 conference, Bill Gates spoke about his one wish: “Innovating to Zero.” Gates declared the need for “energy miracles.” These innovative miracles differ from other miracles like the personal computer and the Internet, in that there is a need to work at full speed to develop...

Making Renewable Energy Viable in Massachusetts

Feb 3, 2010 7:25am

The four investor owned utilities in Massachusetts (National Grid, NStar, Western Massachusetts Electric Co., and Unitil Corp.) recently demonstrated their commitment to renewable energy as a viable alternative energy option in the Commonwealth. An article in today’s Boston Globe states that the utilities are seeking bids from producers of renewable...

Under the Radar Waste: Railroad Ties

Jan 29, 2010 10:51am

Railroad ties (or “railway sleepers” outside of the U.S.) are the rectangular load-bearing objects that are used as a base for railroad tracks. Ties can be made of wood or concrete; wood railroad ties are the predominant type in the United States, while concrete railroad ties are used widely outside...

Why Start a Clean Energy Business in Massachusetts?

Jan 25, 2010 7:05am

Tomorrow, Tuesday January 26th, the British American Business Council of New England’s (BABCNE) Environment and Energy Committee will host an event titled “Why Start a Clean Energy Business in Massachusetts?” Phil Giudice, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, will serve as the night’s speaker. Peter Watkinson’s blog,...

Scott Brown on Energy and the Environment

Jan 20, 2010 8:20am

Scott Brown’s election to the United States Senate will not only influence the future of health care policy, but pending national energy legislation as well. During his electoral campaign, Brown made his stance clear on some aspects of the Senate’s current energy bill clear, in particular his view of cap-and-trade....

Innovative Waste & Energy Solutions for the Army: Trash-to-Diesel

Jan 11, 2010 7:10am

Last Friday’s New York Times article Army Hopes Trash-To-Diesel Project Can Lower War-Zone Risks, Costs hits a number of interesting points related harnessing the energy value of waste. The management of energy and waste, in the military especially, poses significant challenges. If the Army Corps of Engineers and Covanta Energy...

Energy Innovation Hubs

Jan 6, 2010 10:55am

Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the launch of a new program “Energy Innovation Hubs.” The program is modeled after the DOE’s Bioenergy Research Centers which were established to accelerate the research and development of cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels. The Energy Innovation Hubs are intended to foster...

Dreaming of a Green Christmas

Dec 22, 2009 9:53am

When we think about the holidays, oftentimes it is easy to forget about the amount of waste that we generate while spreading the holiday cheer. Here are some interesting facts about waste generation associated with the holiday season: Just over 2.6 billion holiday cards are sold each year in the United...