Big Score: Eagles’ Home Becoming Self-Sufficient

It’s not only the Birds’ offense that’s generating firepower. The Philadelphia Eagles have announced a plan to fuel Lincoln Financial Field with a combination of onsite wind and solar power, augmented by a dual-fuel cogeneration plant, a small onsite power plant run on biodiesel and natural gas that captures its own heat for increased efficiency.

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Power Up: Energy Innovation at the Navy Yard

The U.S. Department of Energy has promised $122 million for a new “Energy Innovation Hub” at the Navy Yard. United Technologies and Penn State University will partner to administer the project. The area will function as a living laboratory for developing, integrating and testing energy-efficient building systems.

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Let’s Make a Deal: Philly Buying Power

The upcoming expiration of PECO’s rate caps on electricity (happening January 1, 2011, in case you forgot) is a mixed bag. On one hand, we can expect PECO’s rates to go up. On the other hand, now that PECO’s rates will no longer be artificially low, suppliers can compete for our business, ending PECO’s longstanding

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Green Living: Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan: Phase II

Input from Philadelphia citizens—through completed surveys and community meetings—played a major role in developing Phase I of Philadelphia’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan (released in October). The plan detailed recommendations and strategies for creating a more pedestrian and bike-friendly Philadelphia.

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Green Living: Energy Tips for Philly Renters

Replace your lightbulbs and leave your lights ON - If you haven’t already taken advantage of PECO’s low-cost CFLs—available at retailers all over the city—get thee to a hardware store! According to EnergyStar.gov, swapping out the energy-guzzling incandescents in your five most frequently used lighting fixtures can net you $65 in annual savings.

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3 mins read

Recycling Challenge: Metal Clothes Hangers

FACT: 3.5 billion metal hangers, the equivalent of 200 million pounds of steel, are used each year by the dry cleaning industry alone.
Problem: Metal (or wire) hangers are the scourge of the recycling industry. In addition to the low percentage of steel reclaimed per hanger, they can catch on recycling equipment and cause jams and

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Land Grab: Urban Tree Connection

The Polselli lot at 53rd and Wyalusing in the Haddington section of West Philadelphia was a dangerous eyesore. Equipment from the owner’s contracting business, stripped cars and barrels of gasoline sat nestled in the overgrown weeds.

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Award Show: Philadelphia Housing Authority

The Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects has awarded the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s rehab project on the 800 block of Markoe Street a 2010 Design Excellence Award. Local architecture firm Jibe Design began work on the West Philly homes after winning PHA’s Sustainable Housing Competition in July of 2008.

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Site Design: Yikes

Yikes has always been a triple-bottom line business—people, profit, planet—so, when the opportunity arose to make their office space as green as their ethos, they acted. A certified B Corporation and SBN member, the web design company has been in their current rental space in Northern Liberties for eight years and decided it was time

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