http://newlygreens.com Walking Green for a Sustainable Garden State Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:30:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 http://newlygreens.com/feed/ Stories of green living from the early adopters walking the walk. Produced in NJ just outside New York City the show gives an East Coast flavor to implementing more balanced choices. Hosts Greg and Connie, "newlygreens" and not so newlywed, try take the stories to heart and and bring practical change into their own lives. It may not be about being the ideal, but it is definitely about finding inspiration and working toward something better. Kaizen Productions LLC clean Kaizen Productions LLC info@newlygreens.com info@newlygreens.com (Kaizen Productions LLC) 2010 Kaizen Productions LLC Eco Friendly Tales of Going Green from the Northeast sustainable, environmental, earth, nature, solar, wind, recycle, organic, green, eco, eco-friendly http://newlygreens.com/_content/_images/powered_by_podpress_small.jpg http://newlygreens.com http://newlygreens.com/podcasts/greensprouts-fedral-eco-tax-tips/ http://newlygreens.com/podcasts/greensprouts-fedral-eco-tax-tips/#comments Thu, 15 Apr 2010 20:29:13 +0000 cmatti http://newlygreens.com/?p=2362 Green Your Tax Return! There are many ways to reap the benefits of energy efficiency, including on your tax return.  Here are just a few of the incentives up for grabs this year.  Next year may bring even more… 1 – 30% On Home Energy Tax Credits [...]]]> http://newlygreens.com/podcasts/greensprouts-fedral-eco-tax-tips/feed/ 0 Alliance to Save Energy,clean fuel,Department of Energy,energy efficiency,Energy Star,fuel cells,Geothermal,hybrid cars,Solar,state energy tax credits,Tax credits,tax credits for home efficiency Green Your Tax Return! There are many ways to reap the benefits of energy efficiency, including on your tax return.  Here are just a few of the incentives up for grabs this year.  Next year may bring even more... - Green Your Tax Return! There are many ways to reap the benefits of energy efficiency, including on your tax return.  Here are just a few of the incentives up for grabs this year.  Next year may bring even more... 1 - 30% On Home Energy Tax Credits for Geothermal, Solar, Wind Turbines or Fuel Cells The economic stimulus bill removed the $2,000 cap that had applied to geothermal heat pumps, solar panels and other home renewable energy technology. The 30% tax rebate on qualified solar energy systems remains in place on geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines, and fuel cell systems. Ground-source heat pumps are installed underground and use the constant 50-degree subsurface temperature to cool air or water in the summer, and heat it in the winter — both of which reduce the cost of heating or cooling year round. In addition, the solar energy tax credit, which had been set to expire, is now good through 2016. (See The Daily Green's Home Solar Panel Reviews: The Most Efficient and Best Value Home Solar Panels.) 2 - $1,500 Home Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency You can claim a home tax credit for energy efficiency improvements made in 2009 (but not for improvements made in 2008) if you installed new insulation, energy-efficient windows or an energy-efficient furnace, boiler or air conditioner. A tax credit of up to $500 that expired in 2007 has been renewed for 2009 by the bailout bill, and expanded to $1,500 by the economic stimulus bill. It covers up to 30% (expanded from 10% by the economic stimulus bill) of the cost of a range of projects that meet certain specifications. Do $5,000 worth of qualifying work, and you not only get a $1,500 rebate, but also savings on energy bills for years to come. The economic stimulus bill also stripped out most caps on individual home improvements, which had applied to windows, heating equipment and other energy efficiency improvements. Note that the tax credit applies only to equipment, not labor. Find more information about these home energy efficiency tax credits at the Alliance to Save Energy or Energy Star or Department of Energy Websites. Note that much of this information reflects the tax incentives in place in 2006 and 2007; for the most part, the 2009 tax credits are identical, but check updated criteria for which products qualify, for instance. 3 - $500 Home Energy Tax Credits for Fuel Cells or Microturbines The tax incentive that had covered 30% of the cost of fuel cell or microturbine systems in homes, which lapsed in 2008, has been restored for 2009 and through 2016. It covers up to $500 per 0.5 kw of capacity. 4 - $7,500 Energy Tax Credits for Plug-in Hybrid Cars The first 200,000 buyers of plug-in hybrid vehicles from each manufacturer now qualify for a $7,500 tax rebate. A similar tax credit for hybrid vehicles had been capped at $3,500 before the bailout bill. 5 - $50,000 for Installing a Clean Fuel Refueling System While few homeowners may be ready to take advantage, those who want to install a clean fuel refueling system, like a natural gas refueling or a recharging system for a plug-in electric vehicle, can now qualify for up to $50,000 -- up from $30,000 -- if the system is installed in 2009 or 2010, thanks to the stimulus bill. Go with hydrogen and the credit increases to $200,000, and you have until 2014 to take advantage of it. 6 - Wildcard: State Energy Tax Credits Keep your eyes out for new incentives from your state, since the bill also authorizes an $800 million government bond program that encourages states to create incentives for new and existing energy conservation and related programs. Some of that money is likely to be used toward state tax breaks and other incentives that will vary by location. Among the incentives to watch for is up to $6,500 per qualifying home in the Weatherization Assistance Program. The Department of Energy's Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Kaizen Productions LLC clean 1:38 http://newlygreens.com/podcasts/reusable-news-nov-19-2009/ http://newlygreens.com/podcasts/reusable-news-nov-19-2009/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:54 +0000 RisaP http://newlygreens.com/?p=1885 Today’s Stories: US leads in Geothermal production Brazil talks tough to the big boys Bacteria in your parcels! Oh no! Britain Poo-poos us once again, but literally this time! But Brits are still too wasteful! Famous author stirs up swine flu controversy According to the New York Times, [...]]]> http://newlygreens.com/podcasts/reusable-news-nov-19-2009/feed/ 0 Bacteria Pacakging,Brazil,Britain,Geothermal,Jonathan Safran Foer Today's Stories: US leads in Geothermal production Brazil talks tough to the big boys Bacteria in your parcels! Oh no! Britain Poo-poos us once again, but literally this time! But Brits are still too wasteful! Today's Stories: US leads in Geothermal production Brazil talks tough to the big boys Bacteria in your parcels! Oh no! Britain Poo-poos us once again, but literally this time! But Brits are still too wasteful! Famous author stirs up swine flu co... Kaizen Productions LLC clean 12:24 http://newlygreens.com/podcasts/newlygreens-1-cool-schools-part-2/ http://newlygreens.com/podcasts/newlygreens-1-cool-schools-part-2/#comments Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:15:56 +0000 Greg http://newlygreens.com/?p=1337 Cool Schools Air Date: Nov 2008 Show Summary In this episode we take a look at how the ideals of personal responsibility, and stewardship are being introduced to our children in K-12 education. Specifically [...]]]> http://newlygreens.com/podcasts/newlygreens-1-cool-schools-part-2/feed/ 1 bioswail,Geothermal,ground water management,LEED,motion sensors,multi-tiered lighting,rainwater management,USGBC,USGBCNJ,waterless urinals,zerascaping [part 2 of 4] Summerfield School - The Systems Cool Schools Air Date: Nov 2008 Show Summary In this episode we take a look at how the ideals of personal responsibility, and stewardship are being introduced to our children in K-12 education. [part 2 of 4] Summerfield School - The Systems Cool Schools Air Date: Nov 2008 Show Summary In this episode we take a look at how the ideals of personal responsibility, and stewardship are being introduced to our children in K-12 education. Specifically we are going to tour a couple schools that are making it a point to introduce green thinking in creative ways. The Systems US Green Building Council School Facts at a Glance: The k-12 construction market is the largest construction sector in the US economy. 55 million students attend school each day joined by millions of teachers, administrators and support staff. Most schools are built to satisfy only the bear minimum health and safety required by law. By building green schools towns would see financial returns 20 times that of the cost of the original construction. If all existing schools were green, we would realize a 20 billion dollar savings in energy alone over the next 10 years. Summerfield Facts at a Glance: The Floor plan follows the natural topography of the land. This saves energy in construction by not moving dirt unnecessarily and servers to preserve the natural contours of the site. The floors are made of polished concrete dyed to a color. The first floor is brown (Earth) The second floor is green (Canopy) The third floor is blue (Sky) The use of polished concrete eliminates the need for polishing and cleaning chemicals, saving custodial labor and improving the indoor air quality. The Bioswail On site management of water was a major consideration.  This reduced the demand on local sewage facilities and improves the viability of the environment on site. Ground water moves through a series of stages fed either from the parking lot or roof, water flows through a series of natural filters, tanks, and holding pools so it made "recharge" the soil on site. The use of special indigenous plants clean the oil residue before water is discharged. The practice of using local plants in landscaping is called Zerascaping.  Local plants need less maintenance and resources as they are naturally accustomed to regional weather, soil, and rainfall fluctuations. The school manages the water it does use through the use of waterless urinals, and rainwater wells. On Time and Under Budget The entire project took only 18 months to build and came in on-time and under-budget. The school will save over 30% on energy costs through things like multi-tiered lighting, high-efficiency fixtures, Geothermal heat-pumps, and motion sensors. The school does not include solar PV or water heaters or wind power.  This is not a requirement of an environmentally balanced structure.  LEED standards are flexible to accommodate specific project goals and restraints. Attendance is up saving on substitute costs. Student performance is up due to improved air quality and comfort. Students not only learn basic school lessons, they also develop a connection with their surroundings and an understanding of the interrelation between their actions and those of the environment. Special thanks to the US Green Building Council and especially the local New Jersey Chapter of the USGBC for their assistance, consultation, statistical information and slides. Additional thanks to the Town of Neptune, NJ Board of Education and EI Associates for their assistance and the use of construction photos. Drop them a note and tell them you heard about their great work on Newlygreens.com! Kaizen Productions LLC clean