All aboard the sustainability train So has your company climbed onboard the sustainability train? Have you started growing in an environmentally friendly way to produce low-input plants by using biodegradable containers, organic fertilizers and biological controls? What about how you're heating and cooling your greenhouses -- are you using "green" energy, such as wind- or solar-power-generated electricity? Some cities on the West Coast, including Oakland, San Jose and Sacramento, Calif., now draw more than 10 percent of their electrical power from renewable sources such as solar, wind or geothermal. USA Today reports that it is becoming the norm for states to require electric utilities to produce more power from renewable sources. Power companies in 25 states and the District of Columbia are required to generate electricity from renewable sources. Legislation is aimed at meeting the increasing demand for electrical power while cutting down on greenhouse-gas emissions to blunt the effects of global warming. This summer Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington along with the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba agreed to work together through the Western Climate Initiative to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 15 percent by 2020. By August 2008 members of WCI plan to complete the design of a market-based mechanism to help achieve its reduction goal. In August, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed that state's first climate change legislation. House Bill 3543 looks to reduce greenhouse gas levels by 75 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. In addition, the legislation establishes an Oregon Global Warming Commission. The commission will make recommendations as to how to achieve emission reduction goals and what the public can do to prepare for the effects of global warming. Plenty of ways to go green Many companies are trying to decide how they can take advantage of consumers' concern and awareness of environmental issues. There's money to be made from going green. More companies are looking at how they can take advantage of the public's willingness to pay more for eco-friendly products. More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the U.S. Green Building Council's annual conference and exhibition in Chicago, Nov. 7-9. USGBC developed the LEED green building rating system for new commercial construction, which is now available for single- and multi-family homes. While the housing market continues to flounder in many parts of the country, eco-friendly homes are finding willing buyers. The Aug. 6 issue of Newsweek reports that the "greenest homes embrace native plants, use little water, require minimal energy and improve indoor air quality." Green Built North Texas is a voluntary partnership of local home builders, industry supporters and sponsors committed to creating awareness and interest in the construction of higher-performance, lower-impact homes. The homes are designed to conserve water both indoors and out, including the installation of rainwater harvesters and/or native and drought-tolerant landscape plants. If you're not growing these types of plants, it may be time to consider adding them to your mix. The sustainability train is gaining momentum and you don't want to miss it. For more: U.S. Green Building Council, (800) 795-1747; www.usgbc.org. Green Built North Texas, (972) 931-4840; www.dallasbuilders.com. Send this article to a friend Enter your e-mail address: Enter your friend's e-mail address: Click the image below to send: © 2007 Branch-Smith Publishing