Image Credit: Jason Finn/Shutterstock.com
In many developed parts of the world, older residential buildings are energy inefficient, and so renovating them to make them more efficient is a major opportunity to reduce carbon emissions.
A German startup called ecoworks has taken this notion a step further and devised eco-friendly building solutions that include turning renovated houses into decentralized power plants.
During their overall life cycle, residential buildings currently represent around 40% of total energy use in Europe and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. Much of this is attributed to out-of-date, inefficient buildings. In Germany, around 5 million housing units are situated multi-family properties that were constructed before 1978, and thus require modernization.
Some Northern CA fire survivors remain in dire straits while waiting for compensation
Action News Now has heard from many fire survivors who are waiting for compensation from the Fire Victim Trust for losses related to PG&E-caused fires. They shared their stories.
Posted: May 9, 2021 5:41 PM
Updated: May 10, 2021 8:23 AM
Posted By: Lorraine Dechter
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Action News Now has reached out via social media to help identify people in critical need of financial support as they wait for their settlement offers and partial payments from the Fire Victim Trust (FVT) to compensate them for their losses and pain and suffering due to fires determined to be caused by Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E).
Solano water agency directors to consider 6-figure contracts, PG&E property deal
VACAVILLE Solano County Water Agency directors is scheduled to receive legislative, water advisory and other updates when it meets Thursday.
As part of the board’s consent calendar, the directors also will consider increasing from $70,000 to $95,000 a workforce study contract with Boucher Law; a $126,000 contract with LSA Inc. for environmental permitting assistance in support of the Lower Putah Creek Chinook Salmon Spawning Habitat Project; and a $266,650 contract with American Conservation Experience for the Cold Canyon Trail Rehabilitation Project.
A closed session follows the public meeting, during which the directors will be updated on property negotiations with Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
Carla J. Peterman, who chaired the state’s Commission on Catastrophic Wildfire Cost and Recovery in 2019, will join the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) as executive vice president for
Clarke v. Pacific Gas & Electric Company, et al., 2021 WL 1580829.
The SOL for a CWA action is five years.
The question addressed was whether the series of wastewater discharges constituted one CWA violation that first accrued years ago.
Dan Clarke (“Clarke”) alleged that Pacific Gas & Electric Company (“PG&E”)(and its predecessors) deposited hazardous waste from the Cannery manufactured gas plant (“MGP”). The MGP is stated to have been in operation from 1898 until at least 1906. It has been inactive since 1906.
The MGP site is currently owned by the National Park Service (“NPS”). NPS took soil samples in 1985/1986 which indicated significant contamination of soil and groundwater at the MGP site and in the vicinity. Clarke alleged that PG&E never performed any additional testing or remediation.