3 votes
In the hierarchy of government agencies it seems that all the agencies that benefit the people the most are actually UNDER the department of Energy. Which means that ALL regulation (including EPA, national parks etc) are determined by what is dictated by the department of energy. Change that. Make the DOE a stand alone without any power to manipulate our economy, our public lands and our government function
8 votes
Turn down the heat during the winter!! Having to wear a t-shirt and shorts is ridiculous during the middle of January when the temperature outside is 30 below zero. The temperature in my cubicle is frequently between 80 and 83 degrees; turning the thermostat down even 5 to 7 degrees would save a substantial amount of money.
17 votes
The government could save millions if not billions of $ by regulating the energy usage of military housing. I do want our soldiers to have the benefit of free housing and utilities; however there should be a limit on how much the government covers. It’s too easy to calculate the average consumption and cost of an individual for electricity, district heat, natural gas, heating oil, water etc.. Take that value and multiply ...more »
The government could save millions if not billions of $ by regulating the energy usage of military housing. I do want our soldiers to have the benefit of free housing and utilities; however there should be a limit on how much the government covers. It’s too easy to calculate the average consumption and cost of an individual for electricity, district heat, natural gas, heating oil, water etc.. Take that value and multiply it with the number of people who live in one household. If the amount is e.g. $100, everything that goes past those $100 dollars has to be covered – as in paid for - by the families themselves. That will get everyone to be more responsible with our environment and resources and reduce energy waste. Because who wants to pay that money themselves right? I see too many families leaving the lights or TV’s on day and night in every room, refrigerators open, water running throughout the whole cooking process or while brushing their teeth, heaters on while windows or doors are open. And all they say is: “It’s not my money” or “I’m not paying for it, so I don’t care”. There are families who waste more energy in a month than others do in a year. Trust me, I’ve seen the bills. That is unfair towards the rest of the military community because this wasteful behavior stops money from being used where it is really needed.
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9 votes
The United States has approximately 1/2 of the worlds hydrothermal features. If the United States were to utilize areas such as Yellowstones thermal features and create energy from those features it would make the USA more competitive and less dependent upon foreign powers for oil.
44 votes
The prison systems appear to be full of able-bodied individuals with a lot of new found time on their hands. Turn this workforce into farmers for internal food production and consumption. Reduce electricity consumption with onsite energy production (more secure sky lighting, no TV, night time complete darkness with battery backed up IR for security, extensive solar panel network, treadmills hooked to generators ect..). ...more »
The prison systems appear to be full of able-bodied individuals with a lot of new found time on their hands. Turn this workforce into farmers for internal food production and consumption. Reduce electricity consumption with onsite energy production (more secure sky lighting, no TV, night time complete darkness with battery backed up IR for security, extensive solar panel network, treadmills hooked to generators ect..). Reduce water consumption with timed showers and utilize local wells or infrastructure collecting rain water. Reserve waste removal and laundry for the underachievers and unmotivated. Offer and impairment “arts and craft”/”essential manufacturing” time to create products for resale to cover any additional costs (guards salaries, medical treatment, education, and rehabilitation supplies, ect…) It’s just that simple and will save piles of cash and wasted resources in the long run.
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7 votes
Bring the best scientific minds, by invitation, into a colloquium with green industries. Manage the intellectual property by signing agreements up front. Explore issues like resolving the Japanese nuclear crisis, optimizing wind and ocean power, creating more energy-efficient housing designs, etc. Provide a "greenhouse" (brain-storming environment) to develop these ideas openly where everyone can profit.
15 votes
The government urges its citizens to take a look at how its treating the environment around them. The government offers a tax break if you make your own home more energy-efficient. However, (or at least in my agency) the federal government does not have a government-wide recycling program. Schools and Corporations have adopted these sort of plans years ago. I remember my grade school's recycling program. Why hasn't ...more »
The government urges its citizens to take a look at how its treating the environment around them. The government offers a tax break if you make your own home more energy-efficient. However, (or at least in my agency) the federal government does not have a government-wide recycling program. Schools and Corporations have adopted these sort of plans years ago. I remember my grade school's recycling program. Why hasn't the federal government also done this? Now if it's an agency by agency decision, maybe that needs to be changed. Maybe if federal buildings recycle and those of us in leased buildings do not, changes should be made? I am not sure. All I know is that if the government wants its citizens to make these changes for the better of the world around us, then maybe the government should step up and be an example. I am not sure the costs in starting a program like this, but I can imagine trash costs going down. I know most of our agency's waste is bottles/cans/cardboard, all of which is easily recycled.
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8 votes
Partner with Japanese companies to manufacture parts domestically while they can't, following their earthquake / tsunami. This is a win/win - it will provide jobs for Americans and keep the production lines moving. (Many of the production lines themselves are domestic.)
10 votes
We should take empty real estate and make them solar houses to generate electricity for them and their neighbors.
91 votes
Why does a building with 1000's of computers need to leave them on overnight EVERY. NIGHT. This is what i experience at work. This isn't just a waste of money, it's a massive drain on our resources. And no, the computers don't automatically go into hibernation mode, they drop down to idle and just sit up with a screensaver. Maybe the monitor is turned off because an employee is conscious of the waste of power, but ...more »
Why does a building with 1000's of computers need to leave them on overnight EVERY. NIGHT. This is what i experience at work.
This isn't just a waste of money, it's a massive drain on our resources. And no, the computers don't automatically go into hibernation mode, they drop down to idle and just sit up with a screensaver. Maybe the monitor is turned off because an employee is conscious of the waste of power, but still we're required to leave our computers on 24/7.
Scheduled updates could occur at the same time every night and auto-shutdown if it's not in use. This isn't exactly a huge burden. Make it 3-4 hours after the standard end-of-business, and only auto-shutdown computers that aren't logged into.
Millions of taxpayer dollars and the environment will thank us
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11 votes
It is vital for the government to start adopting the energy efficiency programs already proved successful by major companies around the world. The government could save millions of dollars a year by simply making it mandatory for government facilities to have intelligent power strips. There are intelligent power strips that are designed for many different types of usage. From the average office work space to a giant server ...more »
It is vital for the government to start adopting the energy efficiency programs already proved successful by major companies around the world. The government could save millions of dollars a year by simply making it mandatory for government facilities to have intelligent power strips. There are intelligent power strips that are designed for many different types of usage. From the average office work space to a giant server room using 100 times the amount of energy of a typical office building, there is an intelligent power strip the government could use to save money.
The government would need to make a large investment to ensure the technology and policies are put in place, but the intelligent power strips would pay for themselves within the first year. The government cannot afford to ignore the methods already being used by Fortune 500 companies. Intelligent power strips can provide the government with a fail-safe way to save money and promote green technologies. The mandatory usage of intelligent power strips is a tangible, measurable, and realistic idea that will surely save government dollars.
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6 votes
Place a one million dollar bounty on major innovations discovered in the university system, or the private sector. The research team, or individual, that theoretically perfects the biosphere concept, or invents the next generation of solar concentrators, is given a government reward of one million dollars, to help them start the business that brings it to the masses.
19 votes
Background: The U.S. economy appears to be on the brink of recovery. However, the high price of oil will place undue stress on the fragile recovery. At a time when gas process are around $4.00 per gallon; we find ourselves at the mercy of a cartel; the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). In the U.S., an organization that controls supply and demand and thereby determines the price of oil would be ...more »
Background:
The U.S. economy appears to be on the brink of recovery. However, the high price of oil will place undue stress on the fragile recovery. At a time when gas process are around $4.00 per gallon; we find ourselves at the mercy of a cartel; the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). In the U.S., an organization that controls supply and demand and thereby determines the price of oil would be illegal. Yet we are at the mercy of OPEC. For example, with Oil near a 30-month high; Saudi Arabia is cutting back on production [1]. This could push us back into a recession. In contrast, the last time we had a balanced budget, President Clinton’s term, energy prices were low. This suggests the price of energy drives or curtails the U.S. industrial base and thereby the taxes received. If the law of supply and demand was allowed to run its course, oil would be lower. Moreover, President Obama has acknowledged we will be dependent on oil imports for some time.
Suggestion:
We must use all legal resources to undermine the OPEC cartel.
References:
1. Jolly, David, New York Times, Saudis Adjust Oil Production as Demand Fluctuates, April 12, 2011.
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32 votes
Some CFLs can be dangerous to people with autoimmune diseases. LED lighting is making great progress in providing long-term efficient, affordable lighting with light colors that are pleasing to the eye. When the right LED fixture is available, switch to it.
38 votes
http://www.hud.gov/complaints/fraud_waste.cfm -section 8 and low income housing encourages dependency and complacent behavior. Why work when you can get a house for practically free and keep collecting entitlements. ILLLEGAL squatting and unauthrized people live with a legal tenet often and this is a criminal offense since changes in family size and income are required to be reported. the section 8 system and low income ...more »
http://www.hud.gov/complaints/fraud_waste.cfm -section 8 and low income housing encourages dependency and complacent behavior. Why work when you can get a house for practically free and keep collecting entitlements. ILLLEGAL squatting and unauthrized people live with a legal tenet often and this is a criminal offense since changes in family size and income are required to be reported. the section 8 system and low income housing system is a complete failure which has drained the US economy of trillions of dollars and maintained tenets in social and financial bondage. there is no incentive to leave section 8 or low income housing. why work or attend college when you can get housing for free or low cost. This encouranges drug abuse and out of wedlock births and tenet abuse by housing squatters and unauthorized people living in the units. section 8 and low income housing also reduce local taxpayers home values and create blighted neighborhoods with loud music and cars with dark windows and dirty messy yards often with dirt as a yard.. SECTION 8 and LOW INCOME HOUSING TENETS NEED TIME LIMITS of 1 to 3 years then they must be evicted from the units since they are living on free enititlements and have no incentive to Raise themselves out of the free benefits. WAKE UP AMERICA! WE ARE TRILLIONS IN DEBT and giving away FREE BENEFITS . remember that all secion 8 and low income housing authoritys are TAX FREE and you pay the costs of educating the people and their rents are susidized and food and insurance are subsidized and paid for. its like the midlle and upper class is paying triple to live, we all have to pay for everyone else.. its not fair..http://www.hud.gov/complaints/fraud_waste.cfm
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15 votes
I like most ideas on this website. I think that most ideas have come from somebody who is trying to do a great job at what they do. It has become so difficult to navigate through that, I have decided to take 15 minutes out of my day to dedicate to this at home on my own time. I believe that the top 25 contributors and top 25 idea submitters should be invited to bring their heads together and discuss what is really ...more »
I like most ideas on this website. I think that most ideas have come from somebody who is trying to do a great job at what they do.
It has become so difficult to navigate through that, I have decided to take 15 minutes out of my day to dedicate to this at home on my own time.
I believe that the top 25 contributors and top 25 idea submitters should be invited to bring their heads together and discuss what is really important to their agency and to the federal government as a whole.
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8 votes
Would it be cost efficient to construct solar panels on existing buildings (or as covered parking structures) to use solar power for government buildings. Additionally, covered parking structures would provide cooler parking areas with easier access to the solar panels for service needs. This would provide energy savings and create many "green" jobs.
12 votes
The U.S. Government could lead the U.S. into the Clean Energy future by committing to be fossil-fuel-free in 10-years. Every government building could be energy efficient and powered with renewable energy. Vehicles could be electric or fueled with biofuels. The U.S. Government could "lead by example". Capital costs for fixed renewable energy systems would be recovered in 10-years or less. Then the energy is nearly ...more »
The U.S. Government could lead the U.S. into the Clean Energy future by committing to be fossil-fuel-free in 10-years. Every government building could be energy efficient and powered with renewable energy. Vehicles could be electric or fueled with biofuels. The U.S. Government could "lead by example". Capital costs for fixed renewable energy systems would be recovered in 10-years or less. Then the energy is nearly free, until systems are replaced in about 25-years. The U.S. Government could develop economies of scale to bring down costs of clean energy systems as they are produced enmass.
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12 votes
Extend the life of the PRINTER – no refreshing in 3 years is needed. The life spam on printers is actually measured by the amount of printouts the printer do in its life, and not because the printer is 3 years old and it needs to be replaced. YOU CAN ENVEN doubled this timeframe, and save cost for the office, the government and the tax payers. For example high-end and network printers has a life spam of 500,000 printouts, ...more »
Extend the life of the PRINTER – no refreshing in 3 years is needed.
The life spam on printers is actually measured by the amount of printouts the printer do in its life, and not because the printer is 3 years old and it needs to be replaced. YOU CAN ENVEN doubled this timeframe, and save cost for the office, the government and the tax payers.
For example high-end and network printers has a life spam of 500,000 printouts, this is approximately 100,000 per year for a total of 5 years. This is assuming the offices print 8350 pages per months. The printer even could last longer that the specified life spam stated by the manufacture. Parts can be replaced, and if the cost of repair exceed 40% of the cost of the printer, then it would not be economical to repair.
On another note, on today’s economy saving there is no need to print as mush as in the way we used to 5 or 10 years ago.
Save energy, do less waste, go paperless and save tax payers money
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7 votes
Discussion: Since Pons and Fleischmann posited their work on cold fusion, the topic has been one of controversy [1]. The two scientists claimed to have produced a fusion reaction where more energy was produced that applied to the experiment. Results around the world were mixed and the work went on to be ridiculed. However, advances continued with a fresh look at the technology in 2009 when Navy scientists in San Diego ...more »
Discussion:
Since Pons and Fleischmann posited their work on cold fusion, the topic has been one of controversy [1]. The two scientists claimed to have produced a fusion reaction where more energy was produced that applied to the experiment. Results around the world were mixed and the work went on to be ridiculed. However, advances continued with a fresh look at the technology in 2009 when Navy scientists in San Diego presented results suggesting cold fusion [2, 3].
The main challenge with fusion is getting the heavy hydrogen molecules close enough (read nuclear distance). The tried and proven method has been using high energy approaches such as nuclear weapons and using lasers to force the proper proximity. From a physics 101 view point, electrolysis (used in the experiments) forces heavy hydrogen (deuterium) ions in the palladium electrode. On the surface, this looks like a reasonable description of how we could get the proper nuclear distance. What we may be faced is we simply don’t know what we don’t know. Consider that Edison tried thousands of combinations before he came up with a consistent implementation that resulted in a patent for the light bulb.
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A Edison
Recommendation:
Have the Department of Energy conduct more applied research to further explore the potential for cold fusion (low energy fusion). While this may be a long shot, we should not overlook any research that could help us reduce our dependence on imported oil.
References:
1. Sarasota Herald-Tribune/AP, ‘Cold-Fusion’ Researchers Attack Criticism by Scientific Journal, May 1, 1989.
2. Harmon, Katherine, Scientific American, After 20 years: New life for cold fusion?, March 23, 2009.
3. Johnson, R Colin, EE Times, Cold fusion experimentally confirmed, March 23, 2009.
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13 votes
Not only will installing LED lighting in every light fixture across teh entire government save electricity, and thereby money, it will spur development in the industry. Seoncdly, add motion sensors to every light will insure that electricity and cost savings are even greater.
14 votes
Now that the President has included Natural Gas as part of the energy way forward, there are some suggestions to improve adoption. The stated goal was to reduce oil imports by one third in 2025. This acknowledges the need for alternative hydrocarbon based fuels will continue for some time. The first is to have the department of Energy (DOE) conduct applied research into vehicle sized liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks. ...more »
Now that the President has included Natural Gas as part of the energy way forward, there are some suggestions to improve adoption. The stated goal was to reduce oil imports by one third in 2025. This acknowledges the need for alternative hydrocarbon based fuels will continue for some time.
The first is to have the department of Energy (DOE) conduct applied research into vehicle sized liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks. Currently, the compressed natural gas (CNG) takes up too much volume and is practical only for the larger vehicle (busses, trucks, vans, and the like). The research might consider graphic (and other) composite materials that would allow LNG to be used for personal owned vehicles. {Note: a vehicle that runs on natural gas will run on hydrogen.
Second, use natural gas to create other fuels less volatile. Case in point, the Air Force successfully conducted tests of aviation fuel created from natural gas [1]. One could use the same concept to create other fuels, including gasoline and propane (already used extensively in other parts of the world). Propane for cars, referred to as autogas, is easier to handle and provides a bridging technology.
Third, many of our landfills and outer organic waste are potential sources to recover natural gas. Many times, we hear of gas explosions in the sewer lines. Again, the DOE could fund applied research into ways to recover more of this naturally occurring byproduct of organic decay.
References
1. Abramson, Mark, Starts and Stripes, Air Force explores potential of powering aircraft with nonpetroleum sources, April 18, 2001.
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63 votes
A solution to save on fuel costs would be for Institutions to use push mowers instead of gasoline operated mowers. Not only does the government save money for fuel and maintenancer, but inmates are afforded health benefits by pushing the mowers, maintaining their physical fitness. Additionally, the environmental impact is aided in less carbon emisions. The cost of a gas powered mower is around 3 to 4 times what a manual ...more »
A solution to save on fuel costs would be for Institutions to use push mowers instead of gasoline operated mowers. Not only does the government save money for fuel and maintenancer, but inmates are afforded health benefits by pushing the mowers, maintaining their physical fitness. Additionally, the environmental impact is aided in less carbon emisions. The cost of a gas powered mower is around 3 to 4 times what a manual push mower would cost. Also, the maintenance for a manual push mower is 10% of maintaining a gas powered mower.
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21 votes
A solution to save on fuel costs would be for Institutions to use push mowers instead of gasoline operated mowers. Not only does the government save money for fuel and maintenancer, but inmates are afforded health benefits by pushing the mowers, maintaining their physical fitness. Additionally, the environmental impact is aided in less carbon emisions.
10 votes
Create a branch of the EPA to roll out a national recycling program for metals, plastics, batteries, used oil, glass, paper, and cardboard. If there were deposits on all drink containers that were recycleable, then much more would be recycled as they are in British Columbia, Canada. This also cuts down on the litter one sees along our highways and waterways. Imagine the energy savings and reduced impact on our environment ...more »
Create a branch of the EPA to roll out a national recycling program for metals, plastics, batteries, used oil, glass, paper, and cardboard.
If there were deposits on all drink containers that were recycleable, then much more would be recycled as they are in British Columbia, Canada. This also cuts down on the litter one sees along our highways and waterways.
Imagine the energy savings and reduced impact on our environment if we recycled even half of what can be.
We're concerned about 90% of the exotic metals used in motors, magnets, and batteries being controlled by China, yet we have no program in place to recycle what we already consume.
Oh, and as one with program management experience, I apply for the position to get it started.
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