Since writing my November Going Green column, a lot has happened. Ameren Missouri, the largest utility in Missouri, filed a petition with the Missouri Public Service Commission stating that they had reached their 1% cost cap over which they could no longer offer solar rebates. In reviewing Ameren’s calculations, the PSC testified that some of…
Once again, ‘tis the season to give gifts. We are conditioned to think that these gifts must come in boxes or bags, but an attractive alternative may be shared in a simple envelope. I’m not suggesting cash (even if that’s the quintessential green!) or gift cards, but something more personalized that shows the recipient how…
In 2011, President Obama and the Department of Energy established October as National Energy Awareness Month. Given the importance of energy to both our economy and environment, this month is a time to focus on how we’re using energy in our homes and businesses. Many of us grew up in an era of inexpensive energy,…
Our obsession with cleanliness has created a multi-billion dollar industry of a plethora of cleaning products for every surface. Rather than using good old-fashioned “elbow grease,” we have a vast array of chemical solvents to ease our cleaning burden, but in the process we have unwittingly created a toxic condition in our homes. We have…
The cosmetics and personal care industry includes thousands of products, many of which we use on our bodies daily. And it’s indeed very personal. Many people – especially women – have a deep belief that they need to use products to enhance their beauty and personal appeal. But while these products can have a positive…
“You are what you eat.” We’ve all heard this, and yet most of us never read the ingredients in the foods we eat. And if we do, we have little awareness of whether the ingredients are harmful or not. Our bodies are amazingly resilient, and can survive repeated exposure to unhealthy substances. And yet we…
In thinking about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle, many of us are drawn to a simpler lifestyle. It is thought that some of the happiest people are those that live with less, like the story of the Mexican fisherman. In this story, an American tourist coaches a the Mexican on how he could…
I got my first chance to drive a Chevy Volt a couple years ago when I worked a few hours in a booth at the St. Louis Auto Show. Now, this was far from the experience you might expect; I drove it inside America’s Center and was asked not to exceed 5 mph. The person…
I am pleased to head up a “Green Team” at our office. The company I work for, Microgrid Solar, recently moved into a new and much larger office space, so I now have a private office that rivals the home office I’ve been so comfortable in the last few years. Working everyday with a great…
Several months ago I discovered a book called Just Green It on a friend’s coffee table. Thumbing through it, I could quickly tell that this was a great resource covering all aspects of our busy lives. The final hook that begged me to borrow the book was likely the inclusion of one of my favorite…
