Green Options

Together, we all helped symbolically dig that new organic kitchen garden on the White House lawn, firing off a message in support of local, fresh food that has been heard around the world.

So, what’s next?  How can we channel this White House garden victory into a bigger, broader message that continues to plant seeds of self-reliance and sustainability and healthy food access for all?

Look to our country’s historic roots for inspiration [...]

Back in September, rumors began circulating that the famous actor Val Kilmer was considering a run for governor of New Mexico in 2010. He’s now confirmed the rumors.

The latest political celebrity scuttlebutt is that famous American actor Val Kilmer might be considering a run for Governor of New Mexico in 2010.

The general reaction to Sarah Palin’s energy policy seems to have been that she’s a staunch supporter of the ‘drill, baby drill’ school of thought, with little real analysis beyond that.

It’s time to end Washington’s “We know what’s best for you” grip on this country. The latest incident is the Environmental Protection Agency’s denial of California’s bid for greenhouse gas limits on cars, trucks and SUV’s. The landmark regulations would have resulted in a 30 percent reduction in tailpipe greenhouse emissions in new cars and trucks by 2016, with cutbacks beginning in the 2009 model year. The EPA’s action was taken according to rules of the Clean Air Act, which says the state needed a federal waiver to implement the rules.

The EPA, in refusing the waiver, said the Bush administration was forging a national solution rather than accepting a patchwork of state regulations. At least 12 other states have adopted the California standards with four planning adoption. That, it appears, would qualify as a “patchwork” of standards.

But wait a minute. If the California standards were adopted, car makers could just go ahead and bring their product up to that level and sell the vehicles anywhere they wish. What’s the problem here? Everybody would win with less pollution and more fuel efficient cars and trucks nationwide. Sounds like some smoke and mirrors to me, and if they sell that kind of drivel to the public, we need a better system of education. But the feds are going to hold their ground, so I have a plan, and here’s the challenge.

Image: AP/New York Magazine

New York state's first lady, Silda Wall Spitzer, announced green improvements for the governor's mansion in Albany. The renovations, to be implemented in three phases set for completion by June 2008, will cost around $650,000, two-thirds of which will be paid for with grants and offset by state incentives. The modifications are expected to save 50% in energy costs and reduce the carbon footprint of the

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