Environmentalism sprouts up on corporate boards

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080812/BUSINESS/80812052

August 12, 2008

Environmentalism sprouts up on corporate boards

By JOANN S. LUBLIN
The Wall Street Journal via the Associated Press

More U.S. corporate boards are going green.

Amid rising investor worries over global warming and shrinking natural resources, directors are keeping a closer watch on environmental issues. Boards at Integrys Energy Group Inc., Quicksilver Resources Inc., Tesoro Corp. and elsewhere recently have created separate environmental panels — joining long-established ones at DuPont Co., Occidental Petroleum Corp. and Rohm & Haas Co. Other companies cover environmental issues with an existing board committee.

About 25 percent of Fortune 500 companies now have a board committee overseeing the environment, compared with fewer than 10 percent five years ago, estimates Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, a national coalition of activists, investors and others concerned with the environment. Such panels typically try to make sure that executives effectively handle conservation efforts, new environmentally friendly ventures like wind power, compliance with environmental regulations and related business risks.

Shareholders are more active on environmental issues, too. The number of investor proposals related to the environment nearly doubled between 2004 and 2008, RiskMetrics Group Inc. says. Many proposals urge increased board attention to the issue.

The Earth's sustainability "has become a much more important part of every board's activities," observes Lester A. Hudson, chairman of American Electric Power Co.'s governance committee, which monitors environmental concerns.

…

[truedelphi]

1. But what sort of green are they bringing to us??

A de-centralized green where in we can all have solar panels on our own rooftops - or sprawling solar panel farms (or the wind farm version) taking over acres and acres in the deserts and displacing the native plants and reptiles there.

Mercury-encouraged products like the flourescent lighting that is relentlessly being peddled to us. After all it as so much better than what we are using. When all our drinking water has mercury in it from landfills overflowing with this stuff, don't blame me!

[KurtNYC]

2. there is an alternative to fluorescent lighting

And you can have solar panels at around $3 to $5/watt (so 1000 watts for ~$4000).

Here is one LED light which is made with recycled aluminum, lasts 7 to 40 years and is then fully recyclable. It uses 5 watts versus 40 for the fluorescent and no mercury or lead. Fully waterproof and dimmable:



http://www.kicklighting.com/APR60-APR30-LED-fixtures-for-cove-and-undercounter-lighting.htm

[truedelphi]

4. That's great. I like the LED alternative!!

Thanks for explaining and offering the link.

Most of the people that I know, even rather well off richer people, have put in solar power with help from PG&E.

So they will always be tied into paying some part of the bill. And I don't think they can sell the excess energy back.

[kestrel91316]

5. I paid $50 for a LED clamp lamp for use at my clinic less than a year ago

ant it's about half as bright as it was when it started out.

I'm not convinced they are all they're cracked up to be........

[KurtNYC]

7. the LED which connects directly to 120v current is a bad idea

LED has been used in traffic signals and tail lights for about 8 years now so some of it lasts. People want "bulbs" that screw into the sockets they already have and for LED that is just a bad idea. The LEDs are powered with constant current so there is a little cheap transformer in the LED bulbs that converts QAC to DC and knocks it down voltage wise but that thing generates heat, the LEDs generate a little heat and the bulb design traps it all.

12v or 24v systems are the ones which will actually give you 7 years+ of life. Look for name brands like Cree and Philips (Luxeon) and non-bulb designs.

[kestrel91316]

8. I don't know if there is actually a "bulb", lol. It does run off batteries.

[KurtNYC]

9. Oh, is it one of these?

these frequently fail by having the middle circle of LEDs go out. Its a wiring thing but they are also overdriven current wise which burns them out way too early.

There are quality LED products available but there is a lot of junk out there right now. Philips is betting the farm on LED -- they have stopped all R&D on fluorescent.

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. Information on Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions
Information on Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury
June 2008

…

Do CFLs contain mercury?

CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 4 milligrams – about the amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury – an amount equal to the mercury in 125 CFLs. Mercury is an essential part of CFLs; it allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact (not broken) or in use.

Most makers of light bulbs have reduced mercury in their fluorescent lighting products. Thanks to technology advances and a commitment from members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the average mercury content in CFLs has dropped at least 20 percent in the past year. Some manufacturers have even made further reductions, dropping mercury content to 1.4 – 2.5 milligrams per light bulb.

…

How do CFLs result in less mercury in the environment compared to traditional light bulbs

Electricity use is the main source of mercury emissions in the U.S. CFLs use less electricity than incandescent lights, meaning CFLs reduce the amount of mercury into the environment. As shown in the table below, a 13-watt, 8,000-rated-hour-life CFL (60-watt equivalent; a common light bulb type) will save 376 kWh over its lifetime, thus avoiding 4.5 mg of mercury. If the bulb goes to a landfill, overall emissions savings would drop a little, to 4.2 mg. EPA recommends that CFLs are recycled where possible, to maximize mercury savings.

…

[kestrel91316]

6. But, but those EVIL BULBS have MERCURY in them!!!1!!11!!!

(froth, spittle, sputter....)

You don't expect the naysayers to read that SECOND paragraph, do you, lol?

[OKIsItJustMe]

10. In our area eating fish caught in our streams and rivers is a bad idea

http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/outdoors/fish/fish.htm#waterbody_specific

Mercury levels are too high you see, thanks to coal burning plants.

On the other hand, if someone screws up, and throws out their CFL it will go to http://www.epa.gov/garbage/landfill/sw_landfill.htm">lined landfill. (I happen to know the guy who installed the liner...)