FDA OKs Irradiated Lettuce and Spinach

A product bearing the radura symbol has been irradiated.

Rather than dealing with the problems inherent in a disease-ridden factory-farmed food system, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in mid-September it will allow the irradiation of lettuce and spinach. Food irradiation is the controversial practice of bombarding food with high levels of x-rays (ionizing radiation) in order to destroy disease causing pathogens. Unfortunately, in the process of irradiation, other hazards arise, like the creation of toxic free radicals, vitamin and nutrient loss, and the formation of carcinogenic
chemicals.

While irradiated lettuce and spinach must be labeled in supermarkets, there are currently no labeling requirements whatsoever for restaurants, schools, hospitals, or nursing homes serving irradiated produce or other nuked foods such as beef. Over the past decade, OCA and our allies in the organic community have prevented corporate agribusiness and the nuclear industry from contaminating organic standards. Food irradiation is prohibited on any product labeled as "organic." There is currently a 30 day comment period for the FDA's new rule.

How Do You Know Which Sweet Corn is Genetically Modified?

More than 70% of the corn grown in the U.S. is now genetically modified, but the overwhelming majority of this corn is grown for animal feed and ethanol. Among the marketing problems for the biotech companies is the fact that GMO "sweet corn" doesn't taste very good. The bottom line is that there is very little genetically engineered sweet corn being grown in the U.S. at the present time, so it is highly
unlikely you will be running into this "Frankencorn" at your local farmer's market or natural food store.

Most farmers who grow GMO crops that re-seed, like corn, are aware that they are growing genetically engineered varieties, because Monsanto and the other GMO seed giants require a legal contract to be signed which prohibits the farmer from saving their seeds. And of course we can all be thankful (and vigilant) that genetic engineering is prohibited under national organic standards. In short, support your local and organic farmers and enjoy this year's sweet corn harvest!

EPA Sued for Bee Colony Collapse Cover-Up

Over the past two years, beekeepers have reported an alarming and potentially catastrophic loss of bees from their hives ranging anywhere from 30-90 percent. This "Colony Collapse Disorder" (CCD) isn't just a problem for beekeepers and farmers, but for consumers as well, since bee pollination is essential for crop production. The USDA claims that one out of every three mouthfuls of food is dependant on bee pollination. Experts have been researching CCD and have linked the die-off to a number of likely culprits.

One of the likely killers is a new pesticide, clothianidin, approved by the EPA in 2003. Germany and France have banned this type of pesticide to protect their bee population. In the U.S., clothianidin was approved after Bayer CropScience, the chemical's maker, submitted required
studies to the EPA regarding the chemical's impact on bees and the environment. Now the EPA is suspiciously and illegally refusing to release these public documents. To expose this cover-up and hopefully to save the bees, last week the Natural Resources Defense Council filed
a lawsuit against the agency.


Source: Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): EPA Buzz Kill

Run your big appliances at night

Don’t make your air conditioner battle your washing machine.

Another
tip for keeping your house cool in the summer: run your washing
machine, dishwasher, and drier at night. These big appliances throw off
a lot of heat, and during the day you’re just going to make your air
conditioner work overtime to keep the house cool. Another benefit of
using your big appliances at night is that you reduce strain on the
electrical grid during peak hours.

How this helps

Using appliances when the ambient air is cooler reduces strain on
your air conditioner. Avoiding peak power times can also cut your
electric bills and spare the air.

More information

• Britain kicks off a nighttime dishwasher campaign.

Related tips

• Wash your clothes in cold water.
• Skip the dryer — use a clothesline instead.
• Open a window instead of using the A/C when the outside temperature drop below 70° F

Source: TerraPass

First Solar to Expand its Manufacturing and Development Facilities in Ohio

First Solar is planning to expand its manufacturing
operations
and development facilities at its Perrysburg, Ohio
facility.
The investment will add approximately 500,000 square
feet
of manufacturing, research and development, and office
space,
and will add at least 134 new jobs to the Company's
current
workforce of 700 at its Perrysburg facility.



First
Solar is collaborating with state and local leaders on
a comprehensive
incentive package for these two projects. These
incentives
are central to First Solar's expansion plans in Ohio
and are
subject to approval by state and local authorities.




More

Two Megawatt Solar Array Dedicated at Denver International Airport

A two megawatt solar energy system is being dedicated
at Denver
International Airport (DIA). The solar photovoltaic
system,
spanning seven and a half acres at the airport's
entrance,
will generate over three million kilowatt hours (kWh)
of clean
electricity annually, demonstrating Denver's commitment
to
environmental sustainability by reducing carbon
emissions
into the atmosphere by more than 6.3 million pounds
each year.




Designed and installed by WorldWater, using more than
9,200
Sharp solar panels, the new ground-mounted photovoltaic
solar
arrays employ a single-axis tracking system that
follows the
sun during the day for greater efficiency and energy
production.






More

Shea Homes to Offer Free Solar Systems

OCR Solar & Roofing, through their relationship with global leader BP Solar, will install potentially 2,000 BP Solar Home Solutions® systems on Trilogy™ by Shea Homes communities in California, as part of Trilogy’s national solar power offering.

Trilogy will offer free solar power systems on new homes as part of its ongoing commitment to educing the carbon footprint of homes in all of its Shea Homes Active Lifestyle™ Communities across four states.

“Trilogy’s national solar offering is a significant advancement within the sustainable building movement and gives California an even greater chance at achieving Governor Schwarzenegger's goal of building
one million solar roofs by 2017,” said Aaron Nitzkin, OCR Solar & Roofing vice president. “We commend their decision to offer solar throughout the state and nationally and for choosing a team
that offers a quality product backed by a 25-year warranty and installed by a team of solar roofing experts.”

In addition to California, solar systems will be free through August 31st to new homebuyers in Trilogy communities in Arizona, Florida and Washington. After August 31st the systems will be available
as an upgrade option. Homeowners will be able to track how much power their system is producing, along with its environmental benefits, via a Web-based remote monitoring system.

“With the addition of solar in a home, we’re no longer just efficient users of electricity, we become producers. Integrating a solar system into a home during construction is less expensive than adding it later, making solar more accessible and affordable than it’s ever been,” said Rick Andreen, president of Shea Homes’ Active Lifestyle Communities. “Trilogy homes pass the true test of a ‘green’ home by integrating a mix of energy-saving and energy-generating devices that deliver immediate and long-term benefits for our customer.”

OCR Solar & Roofing will install BP Solar’s EnergyTile and Integra® systems. The EnergyTile roof-integrated solar electric system emulates the shape of common flat concrete tile roofs, making it one of the industry’s most aesthetically pleasing solutions for tile roof applications. The Integra system offers a low-profile installation, enhancing the look on asphalt shingle roofs.

BP Solar's installation partner for the Trilogy communities in Arizona is American Solar Electric, Inc., Puget Sound Solar LLC in Washington and SunWorks Solar Systems, Inc.in Florida.

Further details about: OCR Solar & Roofing