GreenClips.2 07.06.94 SUPREME COURT LIMITS PRIVATE PROPERTY 'TAKING' BY GOVERNMENT In a 5-to-4 vote, the Supreme Court set new limits on the Government requiring developers to set aside part of their property for environmental or other public uses. The ruling shifts the burden of justification for land-use restrictions from private landowners to the Government. -The New York Times, July 3, 1994, Section 4, p. 4. SHAREHOLDER VALUE KEY TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES The article is pessimistic about Vice President Al Gore and Michael Porter's win-win strategy to achieve both environmental preservation and corporate profitability. The authors suggest that long-lasting solutions acknowledge inherent trade-offs in business and environmental issues, and propose the concept of shareholder value as the ultimate driver in business and environment decision-making. Managers are urged to identify and focus resources on environmental initiatives that have the best result for the environment and for shareholders. -Harvard Business Review, May/June 1994, p. 46 ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING AT NEW IES HEADQUARTERS The Illuminating Engineering Society of America's new headquarters in New York City demonstrates IES's commitment to energy-efficient lighting. IES designed the building in the spirit of ANSI Standard 90, the energy conservation lighting guideline co-authored by the member society. -Architecture, June 1994, p. 111. MAXXAM CORPORATION'S HURWITZ SEEKS TO LIQUIDATE ANCIENT FOREST Corporate raider Charles Hurwitz is asking $600 million from the US government for Headwaters Grove or he'll cut down the 3000 acres of virgin old growth redwood located in Northern California. According to Hurwitz, "if the government is not prepared to agree to acquire the property on a timely basis at fair market value, it should not impair our ability to manage the property according to its intended and permitted use. After all, this is America." –Sierra, July/August 1994, p. 42. MOLTEN METAL TURNS HAZARDOUS WASTE INTO USEFUL INDUSTRIAL GASES Molten Metal, in Waltham MA, uses a process called catalytic extraction that injects industrial waste into a hot molten-metal bath, breaking down waste compounds and recombining them into new useful substances. -The New York Times, June26, 1994, Section 3, p. 7. AMORY LOVINS SHIFTS GEARS After helping utility companies set policy over the last two decades, Rocky Mountain Institute co-founder Amory Lovins has turned his attention to super cars. Key elements of super car designs, according to Lovins, are reduced vehicle weight and smaller "hybrid" engines. Lighter cars require smaller engines, and smaller engines weigh less. -Wired, July 1994, p. 98.