Green News

28 STORES in California

California-From Cupertino to Fresno the popular department store starts what it considers to be a bright move.  Macy’s has committed to solar installations across the state of California. The retail chain made the announcement on Earth Day in April and by June of 2008 the installation of panels is underway.  Bella Sol of Northern California is one of the solar companies contracted to make the solar decision a reality.  Once the project starts on site it goes up quickly and the savings begin.  Alviston Green News camera’s captured the first shots of the photo voltaic panels going to the Macy’s roof top.  These concealed panels will convert the sun’s heat into energy.  The larger the system the more the savings.   Macy’s expects to save 40% in energy costs annually.  It’s been called a fiscally and environmentally responsible decision in San Jose where one of the solar conversions is taking place.  Many customers hope the savings outside will be passed on inside.

Old wooden pallets.  Don’t burn ‘em, causes air pollution.  Don’t toss ‘em, too many buldging land fills. One company puts the pallets back to work, choppin’ them up, treating the chips and mixin’ in a little cement to make bricks.  Faswall a registered trade mark product is created by Shelter Works Limited of Oregon.   The chip-bricks are stacked to make a wall then made sturdy with cement poured through the holes.  Faswall calls the concept pest, sound and fire resistant.  According to Faswall thousands of homes and commercial buildings have been constructed in Europe with this composite material.  A growing number of builders in the U. S. are using the bricks.  The idea surfaced in the aftermath of World War II.  Chip-bricks have been refined through the years and now appear as another useful way to recycle old wood and make a strong new efficient structure.

Fresno, CA-Jeff Adolph of Pacific Gas and Electric explains the obvious advantages of a car that gets 100 miles per gallon.   It’s not a dream, it’s real.  Toyota has developed a vehicle capable of getting 100 miles per gallon.  A PG&E sponsored version of the car was shown off recently at Clovis West High School.  The development of the latest Prius plug-in and gas vehicle is progressing while fuel prices flirt with five dollars a gallon nationwide.  Stay with Alviston.com-Green News “Gas Watch” for the very latest on what’s being done to fight back in the face of surging gas prices.