Another Green Monday

What a weekend it was. The Goracle wrote an inspiring editorial for the New York Times, describing a five-part plan to “repower America with a commitment to producing 100 percent of our electricity from carbon-free sources within 10 years.” Gas prices went down while driving went up . (How have lower gas prices affected your driving habits?) We learned the EPA added the Columbia River to a list of seven bodies of water with the highest priority for attention . And the City of Spokane pedaled toward unveiling their bicycle master plan to expand routes. Mark your calendar: Share your bicycle ideas at an open house on the update, set for Nov. 18th. Also… Spreading the green around . “Washington state could help the nation and world combat climate change while improving its own economy and environment through continued development of environmentally friendly technologies and relaxed trade policies,” according to an editorial in the Seattle times on Monday. The editorial listed a laundry list of priorities and possibilities ahead for the likes of Senator Maria Cantwell and president-elect Barack Obama to make Washington state a leader in clean-energy technology and a pioneer of a green economy. Read more HERE . Things are green in the Amazon . Well duh, but we are talking about the online mega shopping destination Amazon.com and their new Frustration-Free Packaging . Frustration-Free Packaging doesn’t just get rid of the annoyance of struggling to get to your goodies but, “is recyclable and comes without excess packaging materials such as hard plastic clamshell casings, plastic bindings, and wire ties.” “Rhambo.” In the latest edition of transition news, Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), was chosen as Obama’s chief of staff. Even though his job is to push forward the President’s agenda, Rahm’s record is impressive, which lends a credibility to Obama’s environmental commitment. During his time in the House of Representatives, the League of Conservation Voters gave him a 90 percent lifetime score. He introduced the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Implementation Act , a fund for the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes. He also cosponsored a resolution that would have called for 25 percent of the country’s energy to come from renewable, domestic sources by 2025. To boldly go where the Sierra Club hasn’t gone before, they’ve got William Shatner at the helm. (For those keeping score at home, “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” had a strong environmental message.)