Technology Update – Southern California Edition July 22, 2009

It is good to see that good ole California is getting some positive news at least on the building and technology fronts!

First some good news on the water recycling front. Both California and Oregon are both relaxing the rules surround the use of gray water.  The full story is here at Green Tech Gazette (http://www.greentechgazette.com/index.php/water-conservation/california-and-oregon-to-ease-gray-water-laws/) but as soon as Aug. 1 2009 in California we can start putting in systems that could save an average household 25% of its daily usage.  Truly an important move here in the overpopulated desert!

Next I am glad to report that we have figured out that lighting up our parks can reduce crime!  Who would have thought it? The article on Treehugger (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/07/to-fight-street-gangs-los-angeles-just-adds-summer-night-lights.php?dcitc=th_rss_design) is all about how the city has raised private money to fund the extra expense, but does give hope and a tech tie in with the city’s five year plan for LED streetlights.

Southern California GAS, our local natural gas utility is making news by installing small or at least building sized solar thermal units.  they are installing these units made by Honolulu base Sopogy on the building that is to house their R&D and green showcase. The story on Earth2TEch (http://earth2tech.com/2009/07/21/photos-sopogys-small-scale-solar-thermal-at-socal-gas/) highlights this very cool technology!

Lastly tonight we have Orange County , CA getting a 21st century high speed rail station.  The story on Inhabitat (http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/07/21/21st-century-rail-station-for-orange-county/) shows us a very neat looking structure that is obviously for sometime in the future as the high speed trains haven’t even been begun yet.  Still the design is curious as it is a greenhouse like structure in sunny Southern California!

As always I thank you for your time and interest. Please take the time to Digg, Stumble Upon or add to the other social network of your choice to help me spread the word about these issues. Please forward any questions or suggestions to: askthefm@gmail.com

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