GreenClips.5 08.17.94 ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND PLAN USES ECONOMIC INCENTIVES To protect the San Joaquin River, the Environmental Defense Fund's Oakland CA branch proposes a plan that uses tradeable permits to encourage farmers to be more exacting in their irrigation. The number of permits would be strictly limited to meet water quality standards. Farmers who could cheaply curb their pollution could sell excess permits to others. The plan is similar to the 1990 Clean Air Act's economic incentive model for sulphur dioxide emissions.-San Francisco Chronicle, August 15, 1994, p. D3. PASSIVE SOLAR GUARANTEED TO SAVE ENERGY The Bigelow Group, a developer in Palatine IL, gives new homeowners a written guarantee that heating costs for their home will not exceed $200 per year. The energy-saving passive solar techniques exhibited in Bigelow's homes do not raise their cost. Since themid-1980's Bigelow has built 100 homes each year and has paid just $470 in refunds.-The New York Times, August 14, 1994, p. 28. WAMPANOAG BUILDING REFLECTS TRIBE'S VALUES "As native Americans we have been environmentally sensitive all of our lives," says tribal chairwoman Beverly Wright. And the tribe's new facility, which opened in January on Martha's Vineyard, reflects this tradition through minimum site disturbance and maximum use of local resources. Light shelves increase the daylight that enters the building; sensors trigger electric lighting only when required. Since the island relies on one aquifer for water, the tribe uses a graywater system to conserve water. -The Christian Science Monitor, August 15, 1994, p. 12. DADE COUNTY WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR LAND USE INITIATIVES Dade County, Florida has received the Presidential Leadership Award for Sustainable Development. The local government's land use initiatives include developing a long-term plan to reduce air pollution county-wide, supporting a Habitat for Humanity community, and creating the "Moss Plan"-a study of neighborhoods hit by Hurricane Andrew. -Miami Herald, August 11, 1994, p. 14. STEEL OR WOOD FRAMING? For residential construction, the choice between steel and wood framing isn't clear cut. Steel manufacturing is energy-intensive and steel-framed exterior walls present thermal performance challenges. Harvesting wood from non-certified sources is a highly charged issue. As improvements in steel manufacturing/recycling and wood harvesting become commonplace, both materials will be more environmentally acceptable. - Environmental Building News, July/August 1994, p. 1. SAN FRANCISCO'S OCEANSIDE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PLANT This state-of-the-art sewage plant removes approximately 90% of the pollutants in the waste stream before discharging water into the Pacific using anaerobic digesters common in Europe. - Architecture, August 1994, p. 58.