Our Northwest Energy

Is Sprawl Good?

You may think you know all there about sprawl but author and historian Robert Bruegmann says that sprawl isn't an American phenomenon, and he challenges the idea that sprawl is bad. He has written a book called Sprawl A Compact History. Professor Bruegmann will be speaking at Washington State Univeristy Tuesday, March 23rd at 7pm in Carpenter Hall. We asked him about his presentation titled, "“Sprawl: Taking a Second Look."

RobertBruegmann

You can hear more from Professor Bruegmann Tuesday at the Pullman WSU campus. For more information visit our arts calender or click Sprawl: Taking a Second Look

Putting A Lot Of Energy Into Energy Conservation

SPOKANE, WA – Cold weather requires a lot of adjustments. Close the windows. Get out the sweaters. Nestle into the warm socks. Many of these are aimed at keeping the electricity bill from going through the ceiling. Northwest utilities are paying out a lot of money to get their customers to use less power as winter weather sets in. So far, electricity companies say their conservation efforts are paying off.

Read more. Listen here.

Small Collaborations: Nanotechnology, Home Design and Living Small

 

(Photo from BlueSky MOD - see below story for more links)

Host lead: Sometimes the best things come in very small packages. Nanotechnology is the the art of manipulating molecular materials to build microscopic devices We're also discovering how thinking "small" can change the way we design our homes and communities. This week on Our Northwest, we consider the potential impact of nano research and how innovative thinking is revolutionizing the building industry.  Listen here.

Ceramic Concrete

(Flickr photo, "Ankor Wat at Sunrise" is by Jon^2 - ceramic cement was used in the construction of the Ankor Wat)

Host intro:  In this segment of Our Northwest Building Green, Sueann Ramella reports on an ancient  building material which competes with concrete, and may be easy on the environment.

Listen here.

At Home Solar Power Generation

(Flickr photo, "Solar Windblades" by Tom Swift46) 

Host introduction: This week on Our Northwest's Building Green series, we consider adding solar to our new or existing homes. Mary Hawkins spoke with Mike Nelson, director of the Northwest Solar Center about state and national incentives to install solar systems, and about solar generation as a revenue source for the average homeowner. Listen here.

Wood & Straw Materials

(Flickr photo, "Wood Inlay Study" by jlseagull)

Host Intro: You can huff and puff and not blow the house made of straw down…if you use straw based boards. Sueann Ramella reports on building materials that are sustainable in our series, Our Northwest. Listen here.

Toward a Sustainable Building Culture

 

(Flicker photo by LugoLounge, "Philip Johnson Dog House" - more on Johnson here).

Host Intro: As our "Building Green" series continues, correspondent Mary Hawkins explores ways that the construction industry is changing from the inside out.  Listen here.

"Green" Versus "Sustainable" in Design

(Flickr photo, "Orange Architecture"  by  Jeremy Pullen)

Host Intro: Green has become the buzzword for products that are earth-friendly. When we talk about having a low impact on the environment we are usually talking about Green living. But going Green is just the beginning. Sueann Ramella reports on the differences between Green and Sustainable living in our series, Our Northwest.  Listen here.

Mapping Carbon Emissions in Construction

 (Flickr photo of  The Seattle Public Library built by Hoffman Construction by nick88 )

Host intro: This month, Northwest Public Radio looks at green building practices in a special on-air and online series.  We know that the construction industry is a major contributor to carbon emissions.  However the  industry is just beginning to tally the energy and emissions that go into construction materials and assembly. Correspondent, Mary Hawkins spoke with architect, Sadie Martin, about her study called “Constructing a Carbon Conscienceness”.

Listen to the feature here.

Forest Product Convention June 21-23 in Boise

  (Photo by pauline_iow)

The Forest Products Society (FPS) is hosting its 63rd International Convention June 21-23 at the Doubletree Hotel in Boise, Idaho.  FPS is collaborating with the Society of Wood Science and Technology to arrange presentations and activities at the event.  Industry and academic professionals, including Donald A. Bender, Professor and Director of WSU's Wood Materials and Engineering Lab, will discuss new ideas and wood products for sustainable architecture.   

For more information visit: http://www.forestprod.org/confic09.html