Green Jobs, LED bulbs, US Navy, Sunscreen and more in this week's roundup

This entry is cross-posted from Green Lifestyle Consulting, the green living blog written by Alicia & Jonathan Hunt

As much as we'd like to, we can't write a post about every topic that comes up that interests us.  Sometimes we just write about them on our Facebook page or Twitter.   Here are some of the items that have caught our eye and interest recently:

The Truth About Green Jobs: A Case Study Watch this short 6 min video on the Turth About Green Jobs in MA. Thanks to http://ecostuffyoushouldknow.com/ for sharing this. Solectria Renewables, Next Step Living Inc., and EnerNOC are all companies we know and love.

Awesome discount on L-Prize winning LED bulbs for MA Electricity Customers

Massachusetts electricity users, don't miss out on amazing deal for LED light bulbs through EFI and your local utility company. National Grid MA, NSTAR Electric & Gas, etc. Click on your utility provider on the right hand side to see what specials are available for you. The regulary $49.95 L-Prize winning Philips EnduraLED A19 10W (60W equivalent) bulb is only $25 and specials on other LEDs, CFLs and energy efficiency materials as well. We ordered 6 of the new Philips LED bulbs :-)

Why LED?  Remember when CFLs were expensive and you hated them?  Well everything that was wrong with CFLs is right with LEDs.  They come on quickly, they use dramatically less electricity than incandescent bulbs, they give off a nice light, and they are very hard to break!

US Navy Thinks Renewable Energy is the Future, But House Republicans Don't Want Them to Have It
"The House Armed Services Committee banned the Defense Department from making or buying an alternative fuel that costs more than a “traditional fossil fuel.”" 
Look, alternative/clean energy isn't just for liberal hippies anymore!  I can understand House Republicans not wanting to subsidize renewable energy (ok I can't), but to block the military is just wrong.  If you've read any of the articles on the  military using solar, you would know that the men in the field strongly prefer it. It eliminates the need to carry heavy batteries or to run noisy generators.  It also means that they are less reliant on unreliable supply lines. In their desire to be fiscally responsible, they are putting our troops in danger.

EWG's Skin Deep® | 2012 Sunscreen Report Sunscreens prevent sunburns, but beyond that surprisingly little is known about the safety and effectiveness of these ubiquitous creams and sprays. FDA's latest delay in implementing its too-weak sunscreen standards perpetuates this state of confusion.  However, there is another source of information, one that is considered very reliable: SKIN DEEP | EWG's Cosmetics Database and this' year's Sunscreen 2012 Guide is out! Do you know what is in your sunscreen and how dangerous those ingredients are? Find out more in the EWG 2012 Sunscreen Report

Mama Making Changes: Grass v. Grain: Why It Matters Grass fed beef, it really does matter!  Jon's aunt raises it naturally in WA state.  Some believe it tastes different as well.  Read more and give it a try.

Corporate Exodus From Heartland Institute Continues As USAA and Insurers Bail We were shocked to see USAA on the list of funders, albeit recently former funders, of the Heartland Institute.  Read more about it and check out the list of companies that are still funding this organization. If you are a stockholder or client/consumer of any of these companies, please give them a piece of your mind.  I noticed that several of the companies are tobacco companies, and interestingly, most of the insurance companies have pulled their funding. 

We asked: Do the utilities in your state subsidize residential energy efficiency improvements? Which state are you in?
And only Valerie answered: We got a rebate for buying a HE washer (low water). CA. I don't think they offer it any more though and I don't remember if it was a state or city thing

Do you know about the utility subsidies for residiential energy efficiency projects in Massachusetts?  MA is the #1 state in energy efficiency in part because of the aggressive work through the MassSave program,  a quasi-state agency.  Check out their website for rebate programs and funding help for residents and businesses.  The first step to access their programs and funding is to get a Home Energy Assessment.  We recommend that you call the great people at Next Step Livingto get premiere service on your assessment.  They'll even assess your windows and whether your house is a good fit for solar!

You can like us on facebook and/or follow us on twitter to get these stories as we share them throughout the week. We love it when you join in the discussion and share your own links on our wall.

Happy Greening!
Alicia