minnesota 2020, author at planet forward - 克罗地亚vs加拿大让球

mn2020: the incredible snow melting machine

tue, 03 dec 2013 08:27:43 +0000

editor’s pick: naysayers of global warming point to snowfall and cold weather as proof that climate change is merely a myth. however, there is a difference between the weather happening just outside our windows and the earth’s climate—the pattern of weather measured over decades.

additionally, there is in fact, a direct relationship between snowfall and global warming. hotter air around the globe causes more moisture in the air than in prior seasons. thus, when storms do occur, this added wetness within the atmosphere leads to heavier precipitation in the form of more intense rain or snow.

minneapolis is prepared for whatever this winter’s weather has in store thanks to the city’s investment in a snow-melting machine. the trailer-mounted unit creates a hot water bath, which instantly liquefies the snow and then drains it into the storm sewer. this technology requires both less storage space and less fuel than hauling snow piles using a fleet of diesel trucks.

minneapolis is not alone in this type of storm management. as of 2011, chicago has about four melting machines, while new york city has thirty-six.

_{originally submitted may 24, 2013}

this is the kind of week in minnesota, most of us would really like having a snow melting machine. maybe if you ask the city of minneapolis’s public works department heads, they’ll let you borrow theirs. the city’s snowmelter can liquefy 30 tons of snow per hour, which can greatly reduce snow storage needs in a city short of space. they’re still figuring out how best to utilize the three-year-old machine. while the unit consumes lots of fuel, up to 60 gallons per hour, compared to hauling snow with diesel trucks and bobcats it shows potential energy savings.

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mn2020: citizen water testers in action

fri, 24 may 2013 15:29:33 +0000

the 1972 clean water act requires states to monitor river and lake health by measuring and reporting basic environmental data. that’s quite a challenge in the land of 10,000 lakes, so every year the minnesota pollution control agency recruits volunteers to help monitor water quality.
as laurie sovell of the mpca says, we all live down stream from somebody, and minnesota needs to be a leader in keeping water quality at its best.

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mn2020: cleaning products don’t have to kill

fri, 24 may 2013 15:27:31 +0000

minnesota has emerged as a leader in green chemistry and manufacturing, with the university of minnesota’s curriculum training future chemists in environmentally sustainable practices and the state’s leading chemical companies making non-toxic cleaners and cosmetics.

bluegreen alliance health director charlotte brody also says that uniting our organized workforce with environmental organizations is the key to developing a green economic future.

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mn2020: new technology in winter clean up

fri, 24 may 2013 15:26:24 +0000

clearing streets of snow and ice in minnesota, is about a lot more than just a plow truck. st. paul public works is implementing new technology to make streets safe: pre-treat roads before snow arrives, using gps tracking to make the trucks efficient, and automated salt distribution which can limit excess salt on roads.

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mn2020: local plan for climate action

fri, 24 may 2013 15:24:21 +0000

the city of minneapolis is embarking on a once-in-a-generation plan to cut carbon emissions and propel the city as the most energy efficient in the nation.

initiatives include single-sort recycling, boosting city renewable energy, expanding bicycle infrastructure, and requiring energy benchmarks for downtown commercial buildings, which will keep emissions low while keeping energy dollars local.

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mn2020: look who’s lighting up the holidays

fri, 24 may 2013 15:23:17 +0000

even though the economic downturn has hit minnesota electricians hard, they haven’t stopped giving back to the community. for five years, two local unions have donated their time and labor for the holiday lights in the park display. the annual exhibit uses around 100,000 high efficiency led bulbs, which helps keep down the fundraiser’s energy cost to about $20 per night.
all proceeds benefit local charities, including saint paul parks conservancy, second harvest heartland, underconstruction, and union gospel mission.

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mn2020: a traffic light that’s always green

fri, 24 may 2013 15:21:08 +0000

with less than 1,300 people, royalton, mn, has only one traffic light in town, and the police station, library, and government office occupy one modest building.
as small as it is, the local government has established a progressive vision to the future, aligning with green step cities to launch renewable energy projects around town. royalton’s mayor andea lauer says that it’s progressive way to do their part for sustainability and reduce costs to the city’s budget in the long term.

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mn2020: animating minnesota’s energy future

fri, 24 may 2013 15:17:28 +0000

we have an opportunity for energy utilities to diversify, from just generating and selling power to being a comprehensive energy services and management provider.

companies like xcel are already catching on, but as demands change, as renewables become more accessible to consumers, and as infrastructure improves, policy makers and utilities will need to work together to adapt to minnesota’s energy future.

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mn2020: sun water

fri, 24 may 2013 15:15:21 +0000

heating water eats up a lot of energy. in minnesota, the colder climate puts even more demand on hot water systems. however, the state’s potential for solar energy can help offset that negative. recently, ramsey county’s law enforcement center installed a solar-thermal heating system. it’s unique constant demand for heated water and expansive rooftop made it a great location to give this emerging technology a try.

with the help of federal funding, a 35 solar-thermal panel array, manufactured by alexandria-based solarskies, uses the sun’s energy to heat domestic water to 130 degrees. it’s expected to save taxpayer dollars and reduce 15 metric tons of carbon producted each year.

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mn2020: campus garden grows learning, giving

fri, 24 may 2013 15:12:38 +0000

inver hills community college in minnesota, is putting its students to work in the field, literally. as part of its experiential learning and community service programs, the school is using students to plant and cultivate community gardens. the produce is donated to local food shelves. students get hands on experience working on planning, planting and teamwork.

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