When it comes to green building, structural insulated panels, or SIPs as they are called in the industry, are used for walls and ceilings. However, their increasing use make them part of the foundation for reducing energy costs. more

There are $150,000 of farm viability grant funds available to Rhode Island farmers from the R.I. Department of Environmental Management to help “enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops” grown in the Ocean State. more

BOSTON – The Mass. Department of Environmental Protection announced last week that it has penalized Commonwealth Tank of Wakefield $10,887 for asbestos violations that occurred during a boiler-plant demolition project conducted by the company at 285 Old Westport Road at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. more

The solar-powered world that green-energy advocates long dreamed of isn’t such a fantasy these days. more

BOSTON – A family of bus companies has committed to reduce idling from its fleet of 7,500 school buses operating in 16 states, in response to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency claims of excessive diesel idling in Connecticut and Rhode Island. more

Rhode Island will receive $714,000 from an $8.5 million multi-state settlement with American Electric Power over air pollution from the company’s coal-fired power plants, R.I. Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced Monday. more

Ken Ayars, chief of the R.I. Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Agriculture, was recently honored with the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association’s Award of Merit. The award was presented during the organization’s annual trade show and seminar held on Jan. 17 at the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences. Ayars, who has worked for DEM’s Division of Agriculture since 1987, has collaborated with RINLA on policy issues and solutions for green-related industry issues and needs. He was also issued a citation from the Rhode Island House of Representatives in recognition of the RINLA merit award, and for providing outstanding service to the state’s horticultural, agricultural and landscape communities. Ayars holds bachelor’s degrees in zoology, agriculture and resource technology, in addition to a master’s degree in plant sciences from the University of Rhode Island. more

Sovereign Bank N.A. executives and the Formula One automobile racing team it sponsors, have made major commitments to support relief efforts related to Hurricane Sandy. more

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded its 2012 Regional EPA Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award to United Water for its “outstanding operations and management” of the Westerly-based wastewater treatment plant. more

The R.I. Department of Environmental Management has acquired four acres of land to create a fishing and boating access area along the Pawcatuck River in Westerly. more