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US Federal Government Issues EPEAT Purchasing Requirement
The US Federal Government has integrated an EPEAT requirement into the Federal Acquisition Regulations – the 'rulebook' of the federal purchasing sector. The Federal Acquisition Regulations require federal agencies to purchase at least 95% EPEAT-registered products in all relevant electronic product categories.San Francisco ICT EPEAT Policies for 2008
San Francisco city studied the environmental impact of information and communication technology (ICT). Based on the experience of commercial buildings, approximately 20-25% of building energy is attributable to ICT. Because of this impact, ICT has significant potential to enable innovative solutions to the environmental challenges of energy use and can be an effective tool to advance sustainable economic development.- Beginning in April 2008, city departments shall only purchase personal and notebook computers and monitors that meet at least the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Silver standard, with a preference for the Gold standard.
- The Committee on Information Technology (COIT) shall ensure technology projects are reviewed for environmental impact and support the City’s environmental goals.
- By June 2008, the Department of Technology and Information Services (DTIS) shall implement a paper reduction pilot program with the goal to reduce general office paper consumption by 20%. At the conclusion of this pilot program, the City’s Chief Information Officer will recommend a paper reduction policy to COIT for immediate implementation.
- By September 2008, DTIS shall report on the results of a pilot program to implement centralized power management systems for personal computers. This will strengthen Executive Order 05-104 (September 23, 2005) which mandated the installation of power management functions.
- Finally, the City’s Chief Information Officer will develop a baseline measurement of energy consumption and environmental impact of the City’s overall ICT operations to be able to measure and fully implement supporting steps that will enable us to continue to find new strategies to address the environmental challenges of energy use and waste creation.
EPEAT Computer Products Environmental Organization
EPEAT is a system to help purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes. EPEAT also provides a clear and consistent set of performance criteria for the design of products, and provides an opportunity for manufacturers to secure market recognition for efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its products.The EPEAT Registry on this web site includes products that have been declared by their manufacturers to be in conformance with the environmental performance standard for electronic products - IEEE 1680- 2006. The standard is summarized here, and may be purchased from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. EPEAT operates a verification program to assure the credibility of the Registry.
Some of the participating manufacturers include:
Apple, CTL Corp, Dell, Enano, Fujitsu, GETAC, HP, Hyundai IT America, Lenovo, LG Electronic USA, MDG Comptuers Canada, MPC Computers, NCS Technologies, NEC Display Solutions, Northern Micro, One Laptop Per child, Panasonic, Philips Electronics, Prosys Tech, Samsung Elec. America, Sony Electronics, Toshiba, Transource, ViewSonic, Zonbu.
Your PC Can Save CO2 by Reducing Electricity
With Free Tool
that manages your computer's power
usage when it's idle,
saving energy and decreasing the demand on your power utility.
Save Computer Power Every Day! When a computer is running, energy providers supplying power to it are burning fossil fuels and emitting harmful Carbon Dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Although CO2 is a normal component of the atmosphere, elevated levels of it are likely to cause future climate change (global warming). Although there are other types of emissions from burning fossil fuels, CO2 makes up over 99.6% of emissions by weight.
So...the less electricity produced, the fewer harmful emissions and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) are released into the atmosphere.
The green-conscious folks at Snap.com developed this handy little tool and is giving it away to help reduce CO2 emissions.
- It's quick to download
- Windows XP and Vista compatible
- Works on desktops and laptops
- Displays savings in US or Metric
- No spyware or adware...just a helping hand for you and Mother Earth!
In a matter of seconds you can reduce the amount of energy your computer and monitor use when they are idle and prevent extra CO2 emissions from being generated. What's more, CO2 Saver shows you the amount of CO2 you've saved single-handedly, as well as all other CO2 Saver users combined!
Because each computer is different, we currently use averages. CO2 Saver detects the type of computer you're using (for example, desktop vs. laptop) and uses that information to help calculate how much energy it normally uses (and how much the program will save).
In the Options menu under "Computer Details," you have the ability to enter more information about your computer and monitor(s) so this can be taken into account, as power consumption also varies widely across monitor types and sizes. In the future, the developers plan to allow more precise measurements, and they're working on those features now.
Download CO2 Saver
More info...and download CO2 Saver at:co2saver.snap.com
The new portal, found at http://www.CoolCalifornia.org , is the only "carbon footprint calculator" that can be used to evaluate both direct and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases related to individual lifestyle choices.
It provides localized emissions estimates for transportation, housing, food, goods and services, as well as resources that can help users make more climate-friendly choices.
The calculator was designed by researchers at the Berkeley Institute of the Environment, in partnership with the California Air Resources Board, the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, the California Energy Commission, and the independent, nonpartisan organization Next 10.
Researchers expect the tool to play an important role in changing the way Californians think about, monitor and address their personal climate footprints. For more information, contact director of public affairs for the UC Berkeley College of Natural Resources Cyril Manning, (510) 643-1722, cyril@berkeley.edu.
We will tell you about practical energy and fuel saving products and sources. We help you find carbon reducing products and services for home, office and home office, outdoor, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, patio, and yes, even your attic!
We'll explain how you can help plant trees and restore ecosystems with carbon offset programs, and you your use of alternative energy technology such as solar, hydrogen and even passive solar can reduce how much petroleum is used in your daily work, play and hygiene.
Recycling and community sustainability go hand in hand. We'll help you sort out what can be recycled, how you can buy recycled products instead of products made with virgin materials to balance the use of recycled content in paper, plastic, even rubber tires.
We'll make it easier to go green with energy efficient light fixtures and lighting products for your home, your workplace and office and home office. And we'll also provide some ideas for outdoor living that reduces water and electric usage, kitchen tips, bathroom savings, and more pleasurable, healthier bedrooms. And don't forget your great outdoors -- patios, gardens and landscapes can reduce climate change with smart choices for light fixtures, air conditioning, heating, natural building and even alternative transportation technology.
Energy Efficiency for Homes
This is the place for information about balancing upfront purchases of quality, energy-rated equipment and the lifetime costs of the energy to power them. We know solutions! We'll walk you through your home with easy first steps to reduce your carbon footprint and bring a bit of fun and adventure to the lifestyle changes that are coming at us so rapidly.Energy Efficiency for Offices
Home offices and corporate offices have a lot in common -- so we'll share some tips with you about how paper and water have a lot of impact on climate change. How you can choose smart computers and recycle old electronics.Yep, we're all about solutions...and practical ones, at that!
Energy Efficient, Climate Change Solutions will CoverThese Product Categories
- Lighting
- Heating and Air Conditioning
- Autos, Trucks and Airplane Transportation
- Outdoor Landscaping and Gardening for Urban Spaces
- Natural Light, Natural Air and Natural Living for Quality
- Holiday Options that Keep the Fun and Save the Planet!
