Green living invitations offered in each city

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – The Hoosier Environmental Council, headquartered in Indianapolis, and Global Green USA, founded by Indianapolis native Diane Meyer Simon, which has helped lead the way in the green rebuilding of New Orleans, have expanded the Super Bowl challenges between the two cities to include a “green” wager.

In the unlikely event that the Saints win the big game Sunday night, a Saints fan will enjoy a stay at Anne Laker and Joe Merrick’s Indianapolis home. Built in 2003 as a showcase for green products, it features a geothermal heating system, which most often cuts the couple’s heating bills in half. The interior for the home was selected by Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis students and utilizes numerous green materials such as bamboo floors, granite countertops, carpets made with recycled contents and recycled glass tile.

“We’re happy to have two New Orleans natives, Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne, leading the way to a Colts Super Bowl victory,” said Jesse Kharbanda, the HEC’s executive director. “We’ve been fortunate to be the beneficiaries of funding from the team’s aluminum can program, and we are proud to stand with the Colts as they take on this ‘super’ challenge.

“Global Green is doing so many good things on behalf of the environment and the people of New Orleans, it’s sad that they’ll be crying in their biodegradable cups at the end of the game on Sunday night,” added Kharbanda.

In addition to the overnight stay at an extraordinary green living space in Indiana, the HEC is offering its New Orleans counterparts a trip for two up and down the Indy Wine Trail, featuring local wineries that are all within driving distance of the capitol city. And R bistro, a renowned Indianapolis restaurant that uses ingredients fresh from the farm, has donated dinner for two, if the Colts happen to come up short.

“Indiana boasts a number of small farms that produce exceptional products that are not just delicious, but environmentally friendly,” said Regina Mehallick, chef and owner of R bistro. “I'm so pleased that after 8 years of serving them, so many Hoosiers are familiar with the benefits of eating local and sharing that practice with their friends and neighbors

When the Colts win, a Colts fan will be hosted by Global Green’s New Orleans office and spend a glorious Jazz Fest Weekend in one of the nation’s greenest houses, built as part of Global Green’s Holy Cross Project village of homes, community center and multi-family housing in the Holy Cross neighborhood of the Lower 9^th Ward. Fine New Orleans dining for two at New Orleans legendary Galatoire’s restaurant in the French Quarter is also included in the New Orleans weekend.

“New Orleans, now the increasingly famous home of the Who Dat Nation, is also becoming one of the world’s leading centers for green building. Both the Saints and the city’s neighborhoods fought to come back better than before Katrina,” said Matt Petersen, president and CEO of Global Green, a non-profit organization that advocates for sustainable, energy-saving building practices. “Along with this wager, we are asking people to help continue the green rebuilding of New Orleans by – at the end of the 1st quarter – texting GREENDAT to 85944. All of the money from these texts will help low-income families move into energy efficient, healthy homes in New Orleans.

“As the Saints improved their scores, New Orleanians have been working to improve their energy bills, and the safety of their homes, schools and neighborhoods from the onslaught of future storms,” said Beth Galante, director of Global Green’s New Orleans office.

Over 10,000 visitors have experienced green living first hand on tours of Global Green’s LEED Platinum house that presently also serves as a visitor center, located at 409 Andry St., adjacent to the levee in Holy Cross. Two additional houses – whose energy bills will be 70 percent below average – have been completed and are for sale.

Thousands have also benefited from forums presenting important advice on green building, and the New Orleans public schools are now opening newly renovated schools that are offering green features recommended by Global Green as part of its Green Schools programs

“I’m so proud of Global Green’s work to rebuild New Orleans, but on Super Bowl Sunday, my entire family and I will be rooting for the Colts. I look forward to welcoming a lucky Indy fan to New Orleans,” said Diane Meyer Simon.

The Hoosier Environmental Council is Indiana’s leading educator and advocate for environmental issues and policies. HEC works to raise awareness and stimulate discussion about environmental issues in Indiana – and ultimately help change laws, create jobs, protect and improve the environment, and make Indiana a healthier, better place to live and do business. Find out more at www.hecweb.org.

The Indiana General Assembly has reconvened for the 2010 short session. Here's a preview of what Hoosier Environmental Council will be advocating:

• Adoption of the Indiana Green Jobs Development Act, which would expand renewable energy production and create jobs.
• Stronger controls on industrial livestock operations, including requirements for financial assurance to cover cleanup costs, and monitoring the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics.
• Protection of the backcountry area at Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forests, which was recently opened for logging.

You can help advocate for greener policies:

• Attend a “meet your legislator” or “third house” event in your community. See below.
• Organize a legislative effectiveness workshop in your hometown. Contact the HEC to learn how.
• Attend Indiana Conservation Day, Jan. 26 at the Statehouse and meet with your legislators. The event is free, however you should register at the Nature Conservancy.

“Against the backdrop of continuing jobs losses and major budget cuts, advancing state policy that's better for our water and our air may seem like a luxury,” said Jesse Kharbanda, HEC’s executive director. “But there's good news to share — Hoosier lawmakers have before them policy proposals that would accelerate economic development, while fostering a cleaner, healthier environment at the same time.”

“Foremost among the opportunities to advance the economy and environment lies in clean electricity technologies,” he said. “To its credit, Indiana state government is moving ahead with solid proposals to modernize our energy efficiency building codes and to push utilities to step up their investment in energy efficiency. These developments will save on business operating costs and build up Indiana's burgeoning green building products market.”

Upcoming Events

Indianapolis, Jan. 7, 6 to 9 p.m., Free
Green Energy/Green Jobs: A Legislative Town Hall Meeting and Information Fair
Epworth United Methodist Church, 6450 Allisonville Road
Learn about energy issues in Indiana and how to get involved in shaping our energy future. Ask questions to Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis) and Sen. Jean Breaux (D-Indianapolis) about how they are “greening” our energy system and dealing with our high dependency on fossil fuels.

Lafayette, Jan. 16, 23 and 30, 7:30 a.m.,
Lafayette Chamber Third House Meeting
Best Western Executive Plaza & Conference Center. 4343 SR 26 E,
During each Indiana legislative session, the Greater Lafayette Chamber hosts Third House breakfast sessions, where participants review and comment on pending bills and hear from local legislators on the previous week's activities at the Statehouse.

Indianapolis, Jan. 19, 4:30 p.m., reception; 5 p.m. speakers, Free
Public Health Forum: Food Safety and Meat Production
IUPUI Campus Center, Room 450 C, 420 University Blvd.
Many industrial livestock operations routinely feed low doses of antibiotics to chickens and other animals that aren't sick, which promotes the development of deadly antibiotic-resistant organisms. Come learn what we can do to reduce health care costs and protect our families and our communities.

Bloomington, Jan. 20, free
The Reality of Global Warming: Cold Facts on a Hot Topic
Time and Location TBD. Please call Mary Brock at 317-685-8800 ext. 114 for details.

Indianapolis, Jan. 21, 7 p.m., free
The Reality of Global Warming: Cold Facts on a Hot Topic
Marian University Library, 3200 Cold Spring Road

Indianapolis, Jan. 20, 7:15 p.m., free
Indiana Council on World Affairs lecture on federal energy policy with John Rowe, Chairman and CEO of Exelon Corporation
Marten House, 1801 West 86th St.

Indianapolis, Jan. 26, free, but registration required
Sixth annual Conservation Day at the Statehouse (see above)

Fort Wayne, Jan. 30, 9 a.m.,
Greater Fort Wayne Chamber Third House Meeting
Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, 826 Ewing St.

Muncie, Jan. 30, 9:30 a.m.
Muncie-Delaware County Chamber Third House Meeting
Muncie City Hall, 401 S. High St.

Indianapolis, Feb. 11, 5:30 pm., film; 7:30 p.m., talk
Planet Indy: The Ascent of the Electric Car
Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road

IDEM’s confidential assistance program helps small businesses identify areas for improvement 

Compliance and Technical Assistance Program marks 14th year

Since 1996, thousands of small businesses have been utilizing the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) free, confidential environmental compliance assistance program either by telephone or by taking advantage of onsite assistance. This year, 315 businesses invited IDEM’s Compliance and Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) staff through their doors to address compliance issues and learn how to reduce costs of doing business.

CTAP is IDEM’s non-regulatory compliance assistance program. Staff members are highly-skilled environmental professionals dedicated to helping businesses understand and comply with environmental regulations. In addition to being a free service, CTAP staff can often help businesses save money. For example, CTAP recently assisted a company in determining that a waste material was actually a reusable product.  The company was able to eliminate disposal costs and reduce the amount of new product that had to be purchased. 

Another way CTAP can save businesses money is by identifying compliance issues and suggesting corrective actions. By recognizing a problem in the early stages, the potential for penalties and fines is reduced.

“CTAP’s goal is to inform and empower businesses to handle their own compliance issues as many of them do not have an experienced environmental professional on staff,” explained Rick Bossingham, assistant commissioner of IDEM’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance. “CTAP can help evaluate a company's process and demonstrate ways to manage waste or change raw materials to operate in a smaller, less expensive regulatory category.”

To learn more about CTAP, visit www.idem.IN.gov/4108.htm or call (800) 988-7901.

About IDEM

IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids business and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment. 

West Lafayette, Ind. — There is more to the snowflake than its ability to delight schoolchildren and snarl traffic. The structure of the frosty flakes also fascinates ice chemists like Purdue University’s Travis Knepp, a doctoral candidate in analytical chemistry. Knepp studies the basics of snowflake structure to gain insight into the  dynamics of groundlevel, or “tropospheric,” ozone depletion in the Arctic.

His work on snowflake shape and how temperature and humidity affect it takes place in a special laboratory chamber no larger than a small refrigerator. Knepp can “grow” snow  crystals yearround on a string inside this chamber. The chamber’s temperature ranges from up to 110 degrees above zero down to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit The differences he sees not only explain why no two snowflakes are identical, but also hold implications for his ozone research in the Arctic Ocean region.

His study was published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. To read more on Purdue University News.

Carmel, Ind. — The Upper White River Alliance is the recipient of the 2009 Green Award, bestowed by Vine & Branch and the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

The alliance was recognized for its Regional White River Clean Up — Partnering to Protect the White River. About 1,500 volunteers from Randolph, Delaware, Madison, Hamilton, Marion and Morgan counties spent a day on the river, cleaning out and recycling at least 40,000 pounds of trash and other debris.
Central Indiana residents are dependent on the White River for their drinking water supply, industrial processes and recreation, said Jud Scott, president and owner of Vine & Branch, a tree-care company in Carmel, and founder of the Green Award.

The annual award recognizes an organization, company or association that is solving environmental challenges using innovative and green practices or by setting up creative partnerships to enhance the environment.

Other entries were Balanced Harvest Farms, Carmel Green Initiative, Carmel Farmers Market, Conner Prairie and Monon Center.