River Network Blogs

If you need some good news to get your week started off right, look no further. A story describing how quickly and boisterously life is returning after the Elwha Dam was removed last September is sure to lift your spirits. Even on a Monday.

Is your program or organization working to promote both electricity and water conservation? Nominate your program for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Alliance for Water Efficiency's (AWE) latest efforts to identify exemplary energy and water programs within the U.S. and Canada that can be used as models to help others improve existing programs or develop new initiatives. Click the title, image or here to view the full post.

Most utilities, state and federal agencies view hydropower as a source of clean, renewable electricity. Unfortunately, neither of these assumptions are necessarily accurate. Large hydro dam operations are some of the most water consumptive sources of electricity available, and, according to a new report - depending on regional location - some hydroelectric facility full life cycle greenhouse gas emissions can rival that of natural gas power plants. Click the title, image, or here to view the full post.

Spring brings rebirth -- new hope -- and renewed enthusiasm for tackling the earth's problems. A new NRDC report on state "climate readiness" is a great resource to inspire your next earth-oriented local campaign. The interactive map quickly compares where your state is in the challenging process of climate planning and implementing adaptation strategies. Water protection leaders should download this report and spend some time poking around the interactive tool. Click the title, image or here to view the full post.

In late February, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the final, 2012 Nationwide Permits. Every five years the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) reissues a series of general wetland dredge and fill and stream alteration permits known as the Nationwide Permits (NWPs). These permits allow for all types of activities that may harm wetlands and streams.

After new research made the connection between a long series of seismic activity to nearby hyrdaulic fracturing operations in Youngstown, Ohio, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources announced Friday new regulations for hydraulic fracturing as a means to extract natural gas. The new regulations make Ohio's requirements for monitoring and disposing of fracking fluids among the toughest in the nation. Click the title, image or to read the full post.

According to the US EPA, the average american home wastes more than 10,000 gallons of water every year (more than 1 trillion gallons wasted nationally!) due to running toilets (you'd think they'd get tired), dripping faucets and other various household leaks. Why waste all this freshwater, embedded energy, and utility expenses? There are things you can do to make sure you're not caught drippin'! Click here to view the full post.