Connecticut Gov. vows to reduce energy consumption by 15%

STAMFORD, Conn. - May 26, 2011 - Energy costs are high across the country and homeowners and businesses are feeling the pinch. Perhaps nowhere is the sting greater than in Connecticut where the battle against rising energy costs is nothing new. According to Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy, "the cost of energy in Connecticut is 74 percent greater than the national average. We should be the most efficient. There is no reason not to be." Speaking at a "clean energy summit" on May 19, Malloy revealed his vision for a restructured energy policy focused on lowering costs, increasing energy efficiency and reliability, and investing in renewable energy sources. Stamford based energy provider MXenergy shares the governor's goals. "Since our company's inception twelve years ago, we have been strongly committed to sustainability and energy efficiency," says MXenergy President and CEO Jeff Mayer. "We are extremely proud that Connecticut is the first state where we can offer 100% wind powered renewable energy to our customers." MXenergy's Green Rate plan offers Connecticut homeowners and businesses a 12-month fixed rate plan with 100% wind generated power, an option that is being met with increasing popularity. "In today's climate there is tremendous interest in renewable energy products," says Marjorie Kass, MXenergy Managing Director. "People are starting to understand they can help conserve the environment and opt for 'green' energy choices without draining their wallet." At the summit, Malloy also reiterated his pledge to reduce energy consumption in the state by 15% and his goal to have Connecticut ranked No. 1 in energy efficiency. Two goals MXenergy definitely shares. "Providing a competitive and environmentally friendly business environment do not have to be mutually exclusive goals," says Mayer. "In fact, as Governor Malloy eloquently illustrates in his speech, it is actually a selling point for attracting and retaining businesses in your community."

Melvin Wylie

Blog Has Moved

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Intermediat School Evacuated in Blue Island, IL

BLUE ISLAND, IL — according to the Chicago Tribune nearly two dozen student and 10 adults from an intermediate school were taken by ambulance to seven near by hospitals because of hazardous materials exposure.

According to Mayor Don Peloquin, a janitor mixed bleach with drain cleaner and was overcome by fumes.

The nursing supervisor at the Metro South Medical Center said the students brought to the hospital were observed for any adverse effects from the fumes, were treated and released, the article stated.

My Notes:

Who in the world trained this person, and why do they have Bleach in a school? Have you ever picked up an MSDS sheet on Bleach? It can cause Death, and mixed with a drain cleaner, your just asking for trouble. That's why MSDS, Blood Born Pathogens, and Right to Know training are very inportant. I belive in the dilution system where chemicals are premixed for you. Lesson to learn... NEVER MIX CHEMICALS!

Click here to read the complete article.

240 Janitors Fired after Imigration steps in

Minneapolis, MN - Federal immigration authorities investigated Harvard Maintenance who allegedly hired workers who did not have the proper documentation, according to Minnesota Public Radio.

As a result Harvard Maintenance will be dismissing 240 employees, that's more than half its Twin Cities workforce.

On another note, two years ago, more than 1,200 janitors at ABM lost their jobs after a similar immigration audit.

ABM signed a non-disclosure agreement with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but Department of Homeland Security documents obtained by MPR News show ABM was fined $108,000 — or about $85 for each janitor who was dismissed.

Employers caught with undocumented immigrants on the payroll can face civil fines and possible criminal charges.

Click here to read the complete article.

Georgetown University - Woman Killed by Lift

Just after 8:00 a.m. Wednesday Morning a female construction worker was killed on the campus of Georgetown University while operating a lift at the site of the new science center near the Leavey Center. Reports say she got stuck between an overhead scaffolding and railing. When emergency services arrived coworkers were prefoming CPR, the woman was not breathing. She was transported to George Washington University Hospital.

DC Police Department and OSHA are investigation. Whiting Turner is overseeing the entire construction project.

UPS Fined $1.3M by New York State

It seems that UPS has great procedures for inspecting vehicles but they fail to use them. The Investigation found that UPS was inspecting and passing their own vehicles even though they were in very poor condition. Becuase UPS has such a large fleet of vehicles they are licensed to condut their own inspections. They now must pay $1.3 million to New York State. As part of the agreement UPS now has an independent inspector who is approved by the attorney general's office to conduct vehicle inspection for five years.

One of their own mechanics blew the whistle on the company after he removed four truck from service in 2006 because they had cracked frames. UPS allowed the truck back on the road with out being repaired. It seems, throught the investigation, that this has been going on since 2004.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman stated "UPS knowingly endangered not only the lives of their own employees but the lives of the driving public by keeping these rotting and decaying trucks on the roadways, UPS was an accident waiting to happen."