Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Cate Blanchett’s bid to save the planet has hit the headlines as she ‘greenovates’ her luxury $10 million Sydney mansion. Apparently Cate, and her playwright husband Andrew Upton, are investing more than $1.5 million on the energy conservation renovations, which will transform their home into an eco-friendly haven for her family. Conservation measures include: Grey water recycling, a 20,000-litre water tank, solar panelling and energy-saving lights. Palm Beach-based Lesiuk Architects, a company which specialises in environmental projects, is in charge of the renovation. Lesiuk Architects, PO Box 30, Palm Beach, NSW 2108. p: (02) 9974 1010 f: (02) 9974 5502

Chief spokesperson for Who On Earth Cares? a website campaign that brings together Australians from all walks of life who are concerned about climate change and want Australia to reduce its greenhouse pollution.

Tags: Australia, Cate Blanchett, Energy Conservation, Sydney, Sydney Theatre Company

Although the multi-national conglomerates are often accused of doing nothing beneficial for the enviroment unless they are legislated to do so, there are some interesting exceptions. It seems that the corporate world is starting to realise our over dependence on fossil fuels is dangerous ( for the planet and the number crunchers bottom lines).

For instance, this week GE Energy Financial Services (an investment arm of General Electric Co), has stated that they will invest in a $350 million wind-generation project to supply the city of Austin, TX with renewable energy. The wind farm, developed by Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Group, UK - one of the world’s leading wind energy companies), is set to begin construction this month in Shackelford County about 30 miles northeast of Abilene. The farm will have 72 2.3 megawatt wind turbines and is expected to produce enough power every year to support 39,000 homes. There will be a 15-yr power purchase agreement in place with Austin.

Tags: Energy, General Electric, Renewable, Renewable energy, Wind, Wind power, Wind turbine

PECO (an electric and natural gas utility serving 1.6 million electric and 480,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and part of Exelon Energy Delivery) is inviting alternative energy producers to submit bids to sell alternative energy “credits” to help the company fulfill renewable energy requirements set by Pennsylvania’s recent Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) legislation. PECO wants to purchase up to a total of 250,000 renewable energy credits per year in a fixed price 5 year contract to be concluded in Spring of 2008 with a view to supply of energy credits by end 2008.

PECO is Pennsylvania’s largest utility, serving approximately 1.6 million electric customers operating and maintaining a network with 550 power substations, 21,000 miles of distribution and transmission lines, 27 gas gate stations and 6,000 miles of underground gas mains. PECO has been recognized as Pennsylvania’s safest utility by the state Department of Labor & Industry with related awards also from the Energy Association of Pennsylvania and the American Gas Association.

Tags: Alternative Energy, Electric power transmission, Energy Efficiency, Exelon, Greenhouse gas, Natural gas, Renewable energy, Renewable resource

Image via Wikipedia The chief executive officer of Sui Southern Gas Company Limited, Azim Iqbal Siddiqi, has said that Pakistan needs to control its increasing reliance on its natural gas reserves in order to conserve energy reserves for future generations. like many expanding nations Pakistan need to investigate alternative energy resources, putting aside for the moment the effects on the Planets climate change of heavy sonsumption of fossil fuels, the fact of the matter is that these fuels - such as gas, coal and oil - are finite resources which cannot last forever!

At the moment natural gas usage makes up around 51% of the nations energy usage, Mr Siddiqi believes that this is excessive and steps should be taken to conserve its natural gas reserves. Mr Siddiqi reiterated that SSGC had been ensured gas distribution to its franchise areas and there is a big issue of gas load-shedding in Sindh and Baluchistan, adding that measured shortfall of 200 mmcfd, occurred in the current winter season is being managed by the company tactfully.

Tags: Alternative Energy, Benazir Bhutto, Karachi Electric Supply Corporation, Liquefied natural gas, Natural gas, Pakistan