Thursday, 15 June 2017

Food Irrigated With Fracking Water May Require Labels In California

A new bill proposed in California would require all produceirrigated withfracking wastewaterto come withwarning http://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Landscaping/N-5yc1vZbx51 labels.

The bill, which Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D)introduced on Monday, would require any crops grown with water that had previously been injected into rock formations to free oil and gas reserves and sold to consumers in the state to be labeled. The warning would read, "Produced using recycled or treated Sprinkler System oil-field wastewater."

"Consumers have a basic right to make informed decisions when it comes to the type of food that ends Sprinkler System Installation Richardson up on the family dinner table," Gatto said in a press release from his office. "Labeling food that has been irrigated with potentially harmful or carcinogenic chemicals, such as those in recycled fracking water, is the right thing to do."

Federal officials, environmentalists and the petroleum industry remain intensely divided on how safe fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is. Debates over fracking largely revolve around whether the practice contaminates nearby groundwater, but an increase in farmers hydrating their crops with treated, previously injected water purchased from oil companies has aroused new concern.

Areport released last month by the California Council on Science and Technology did not discover strong evidence of dangerous chemicals in the recycled water -- but it also found that state regulators did not have an adequate testing process and that there was"not any control in place to prevent [contamination] from happening."

It's a risk Gatto believes people should be informed of.

"No one expects their lettuce to contain heavy chemicals from fr acking wastewater," he said. "Studies show a high possibility that recycled oil-field wastewater may still contain dangerous chemicals, even after treatment."

Least Environmental Senators



Least Environmental Senators

2012 LCV Scorecard: Lowest Scores In The Senate

The following 17 senators all scored under 10 in the League of Conservation Voters' 2012 National Environmental Scorecard.

The senators' scores are based on 14 votes on bills related to offshore drilling, Gulf restoration, oil subsidies, power plant air pollution and other environmental topics.

While over a dozen senators received fewer than 10 points, 37 senators received over 90 points on LCV's 100-point scale.

(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/fracking-water-food-label-bill-california_us_55d38099e4b07addcb44544a

John Deere Landscapes Unveils New Name as SiteOne Landscape Supply

ALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--John Deere Landscapes today unveiled its new name and logo as SiteOne

Landscape Supply, effective October 19. The new brand represents the

next step for SiteOne as an independent company after its acquisition by

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in December 2013. With over 460 locations in

the U.S. and Canada, SiteOne is the largest wholesale distributor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjreVlmEbis of

landscape supplies for green industry professionals in North America,

including irrigation supplies, fertilizer and control products,

landscape accessories, nursery goods, hardscapes, and outdoor lighting,

along with a broad array of services designed to help green industry

professionals operate and grow their businesses. SiteOne will formally

introduce customers to the new brand at the GIE+EXPO in Louisville,

Kentucky.

"As a market leader, our vision is to make our customers the most

successful landscaping professionals in the green industry--and that's

what our new brand represents," said Doug Black, SiteOne's chief

executive officer. "We have over 2,500 passionate and knowledgeable

associates across North America, all focused on the success of our

customers. The new brand reflects our unique position as the only

national full-line provider of landscaping products http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=sprinklers which, along with

the deep knowledge and state-of-the-art solutions that we offer, will

form our foundation for future growth."



SiteOne's tagline, "Stronger Together" defines its partnerships with

customers, associates, suppliers and communities, and its commitment to

excellence in product offerings and service delivery. "By working

together with our suppliers and customers we can achieve great things

for all stakeholders," said https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjreVlmEbis Black.



The rebranding effort began shortly after the purchase of John Deere

Landscapes by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. SiteOne performed an extensive

18-month branding process, which included gathering input from

associates, suppliers, cu stomers and key stakeholders. The brand roll

out will be completed by December. "We have an exciting new look, with

the same exceptional associates who will continue to deliver the high

quality products and services our customers know and trust," Black said.

About SiteOne Landscape Supply LLC

SiteOne Landscape Supply

(formerly John Deere Landscapes) is North America's leading wholesale

distributor of landscape supplies for green industry professionals

including irrigation supplies, fertilizer and control products,

landscape accessories, nursery goods, hardscapes, and outdoor lighting,

along with a broad array of services designed to help green industry

professionals operate and grow their businesses. With over 460 locations

in the U.S. and Canada, the broadest product and service offerings, and

over 2,500 knowledgeable associates, SiteOne is committed to making its

customers the most successful landscape professionals in the green

industry.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150814005051/en/John-Deere-Landscapes-Unveils-SiteOne-Landscape-Supply

Wednesday, 14 June 2017

Coronal Energy, Powered by Panasonic, and Dominion Energy Expand Virginias Solar Energy Capacity



RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Coronal

Energy, powered by Panasonic, a leading independent power producer

(IPP) and provider of turnkey renewable energy solutions, and Dominion

Energy, one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of

energy, are expanding Virginia's solar energy capacity by developing a

solar facility in Essex County that will add clean, reliable, and

affordable solar energy to the local power grid, introduce high-quality

jobs to the local economy, and provide tax revenue to the county and

state. This 174-acre, 20MW solar development project in Dunnsville will

generate enough electricity to power 5,000 single-family homes in

Virginia annually.



As one of the largest solar projects in the state, the Essex Solar

Center is evidence of both companies' commitment to sustainably

strengthen the solar industry in Virginia. It builds on

Charlottesville-based Coronal Energy's history of Virginia-sited

projects and was made possible through the state's recently implemented

permit by rule (PBR) process through the Virginia Department of

Environmental Quality (DEQ). This important regulatory framework

supports efficient renewable energy infrastructure initiatives while

ensuring the project will not impact the county's natural resources

during its lifecycle.

The E ssex Solar Center will also help Dominion Energy expand its

renewable energy portfolio. The energy will be procured by Dominion

Energy via a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) that enables the

company to purchase the power generated by the solar facility for the

benefit of its customers, while Coronal Energy continues to own and

operate the facility upon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWoSWNwtVKA completion.

"The Essex Solar Center is a meaningful project because of the local

partnerships that are bringing it to life," said Kyle West, Vice

President of Real Estate, Coronal Energy(TM). "It epitomizes the results

that solar development at its best can achieve - powering a local

community with clean energy, new jobs and tax revenue by working with

landowners to develop a commercially viable solar facility that

interconnects with a renewables-focused utility."

Katheryn Curtis, senior vice president of Dominion Energy's Power

Delivery Group, said, "At Dominion, we are dedicated to providing

affordable renewable energy options to Virginia residents. Teaming up

with Coronal Energy on the Essex Solar Center allows us to serve our

customers through our PPA arrangement, bring jobs to the county that

will benefit the local economy, and align with the state's vision as

Virginia prioritizes clean energy initiatives."

Two parcels of land comprise the 174-acre solar facility: Approximately

70 acres are owned by the Southside Rappahannock Baptist Association, a

nonprofit organization. The area is the former site of the Rappahannock

Industrial Academy (RIA), a school that operated in the first

half of the 20th century, dedicated to educating the children

of former slaves. Revenue from the land lease will help support the

history and legacy of the historic site. The remaining acreage is owned

by a private landowner, Haile Properties, LLC. Both landowners'

participation in solar development encourages positive economic

development in the county and augments Virginia's broader renewable

energy http://www.homeadvisor.com/task.Electrical-Wiring-or-Panel-Upgrade.39777.html generation and carbon emissions reduction efforts.

"This solar project enables RIA to maintain the property and continue

having a lasting impact on the people of Essex County by providing

services and enhancing opportunities for all the children in the area,"

said James Hill, President, RIA Task Force.

Danny Van Clief, Chief Commercial Officer, Coronal Energy(TM) added, "As a

solar company working in Charlottesville, we're particularly fond of

opportunit ies that arise where we have a local presence. The Essex Solar

Center enhances our sense of community and adds to our experience

developing in-state solar projects, including the similarly sized 20 MW

Woodland Solar Center in Isle of Wight County."

McCarthy Building Companies has been engaged as the engineering,

procurement and construction (EPC) firm responsible for building the

solar facility, which is slated for completion in November 2017. This

project will add an estimated 80 - 100 jobs in the county during the

construction phase, a number that boosts the 2,300 solar jobs Dominion

Energy has created in the state of Virginia and the more than 3,200 jobs

the solar industry brings to the Virginia economy overall.

About Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic

Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic, is a leading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =aWoSWNwtVKA independent power

producer providing turnkey solar energy solutions tailored for diverse

enterprise customers across North America, including utilities,

corporations, and the public sector. It unites the financial strength of

a Fortune Global 500 company (#128) and Panasonic's award-winning

history of solar innovation and sustainability leadership with the

project development, finance, engineering, construction, and asset

management experience of Coronal Energy. The result is smarter solar

that translates to smarter business for customers. The collective

experience of Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic, includes projects in

40 states totaling 2.3 GW, with more than 3.4 GW of greenfield and

brownfield projects under construction/contract or in development. For

more, please visit CoronalEnergy.com.

Learn more at coronalenergy.com.

About Dominion Energy
Dominion Energy (NYSE:D) is one of the nation's largest producers and

transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 26,200

megawatts of generation, 15,000 miles of natural gas transmission,

gathering and storage pipeline, and 6,600 miles of electric transmission

lines. Dominion Energy operates one of the nation's largest natural gas

storage systems with 1 trillion cubic feet of storage capacity and

serves more than 6 million utility and retail energy customers.

For more information about Dominion Energy, visit the company's website

at www.dominionenergy.com.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170606006133/en/Coronal-Energy-Powered-Panasonic-Dominion-Energy-Expand

Monday, 12 June 2017

VA spent $20M on art as ailing veterans languished, report finds

The Veterans Affairs administration spent $20 million on expensive artwork and sculptures amidst the healthcare scandal, where thousands of veterans died waiting to see doctors.



The taxpayer watchdog group Open the Books teamed up with COX Media Washington, D.C., for an oversight report on spending at the VA, finding numerous frivolous expenditures on artwork, including six-figure dollar sculptures at facilities for the blind.

"In the now-infamous VA scandal of 2012-2015, the nation was appalled to learn that 1,000 veterans died while waiting to see a doctor," wrote Adam Andrzejewski, the founder and CEO of Open the Books, in an editorial for Forbes. "Tragically, many calls to the suicide assistance hotline were answered by voicemail. The health claim appeals process was known as 'the hamster wheel' and the appointment books were cooke d in seven of every ten clinics."

"Yet, in the midst of http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/c-painters/ these horrific failings the VA managed to spend $20 million on high-end art over the last ten years--with $16 million spent during the Obama years," Andrzejewski said.



The VA spent $21,000 for a 27 foot fake Christmas tree; $32,000 for 62 "local image" pictures for the San Francisco VA; and $115,600 for "art consultants" for the Palo Alto facility.

A "rock sculpture" cost ta xpayers $482,960, and more than a half a million dollars were spent for sculptures for veterans that could not see them.

"In an ironic vignette, at a healthcare facility dedicated to serving blind veterans--the new Palo Alto Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center--the agency wasted $670,000 on two sculptures no blind veteran can even see," Andrzejewski said. "The 'Helmick Sculpture' cost $385,000 (2014) and a parking garage exterior wall faade by King Ray Studio for the 'design, fabrication, and installation of the public artwork' cost $285,000 (2014)."

"Blind veterans can't see fancy sculptures, and all veterans would be happier if they could just see a doctor," he said.

Click for more from The Washington Free Beacon

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/07/27/va-spent-20m-on-art-as-ailing-veterans-languished-report- finds.html

Friday, 26 May 2017

Growing Perfect Tomatoes 101 | Fox News

My friends, perfect tomatoes are not those red tasteless orbs for sale at your local national grocery chain store, however nice they look. The most perfect tomato https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRbW3ayDWVQ is the one you're going to grow in your garden this summer and is defined by its taste and texture: It is juicy, acidic, flavorful, maybe even spicy, and a whole different tomato from store-bought fare. How are you going to grow that tomato? Follow the guidelines below.

Variety

When it comes to tomatoes, you've got thousands of choices of varieties. Heirlooms, hybrids, determinate, indeterminate, some more tolerant to cooler temperatures, some more resistant to disease. Some are green, white, yellow, orange, purple, while others are striped. To even begin to describe the various varieties is outside the scope of this article, but the variety you choose matters.

You should choose a variety that is suited to your http://acgsprinklers.com/ local climate. How do you find that out? The best way is to ask local seasoned gardeners. This might be a local farmer who sells at farmers markets, might be a neighbor, or might be a gardening expert at your local garden center. Whatever way you get the information, starting with genes which are adapted to your local climate puts you ahead of the game for success.

Soil/Nutrients

The soil is the foundation of everything, and so it is also the foundation of growing perfect tomatoes. I can't stress this enough. You should invest the majority of your effort in making the best soil you can. That means either buying high quality soil or soil ingredients (more expensive but less work for you), or building up good soil throughout the year with practices like green mulch, crop rotation, and composting (very cheap but more work).

The bed where you are planting should be, at minimum, dug up and tur ned over, with clods broken up and aged compost mixed in. This makes it easier for roots to grow, brings necessary air and nutrients into the soil, and allows moisture to be absorbed more readily and retained.

The compost could be well-aged manure, composted vegetable scraps and straw, composted leaves, or store bought compost, but the soil needs it. Not only does compost improve the nutrient profile and texture of the soil, but it also increases the soil's ability to retain moisture and to sustain necessary microbial life. Adding bone meal and blood meal are good natural slow release forms of nutrients.

Each tomato grower has his or her own secrets for growing perfect tomatoes. For instance, take Cynthia Sandberg, owner of Love Apple Farms in Santa Cruz, CA ('love apple,' or 'pomme d'amour' is an old romantic French appellation for tomatoes). Into the hole she digs for each tomato plant Cynthia adds a fish head, worm castings, aspirin, egg shells, bone meal, and mycor rhizal fungi. (In case you doubt the efficacy of this method, the tomatoes Cynthia grows go to Manresa restaurant which has consistently received a two star Michelin rating.)

Temperature



Planting tomatoes at the right time is very important. Too early and frost will do them in, too late and fruit production will be limited. Long, hot summers are ideal for tomato growing, but if you live in a region with a shorter summer, either start seeds indoors 4-8 weeks before last frost date, or plan on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRbW3ayDWVQ buying transplants.

Another practice which some tomato growers swear by is the use of black or red plastic mulch around the base of each plant. The plastic seals the soil and maximizes heat and moisture retention. Regular mulch like straw or leaves also helps, although k eep a space of a couple inches between the mulch and the stem to prevent the stem from being exposed to prolonged moisture.

Planting/transplanting

The consensus is that tomatoes do better as transplants rather than sown as seeds in a garden bed. When you transplant, dig the hole deep enough so that the entire stem, up to the first leaves of the plant will be under soil. Some people even remove the lowest leaves and plant that under soil as well. While this would kill many other plants, tomatoes are unique in that they grow roots out of their stems, and this type of deep planting creates a stronger root structure and can help tomato plants to grow twice as fast according to Robert Smaus, author of 52 Weeks in the California Garden.

Space plants at least 2'-3' apart for maximum fruit production.

Water

Never spray water on tomato leaves because it encourages disease; rather, water deeply at the base of each plant once every 4-6 days. Watering too much and too regularly makes for weak plants and mealy, tasteless tomatoes and can encourage tomato diseases.

There is a method of water management for tomato growing called the dry farm method, which is to water tomato plants regularly until a certain point, and then to stop watering completely.

On Adamah Farm in Falls Village, CT, they plant their tomatoes into plastic sheet mulch, water them in on the day of planting, and then don't water again for the rest of the season. Here in Southern California, I like to water until the plants start to set flowers and then stop watering for the duration of the season. I have no need to call a Los Angeles plumber to install an irrigation system. I know it sounds crazy, but the consensus is that this method produces the most flavorful tomatoes possible.

Support

The more effectively you can keep tomato plants from sagging over and drooping on the ground, the less chance for disease and ruined fruits. The items sold as t omato cages seem less effective than wood or metal fence stakes. I prefer metal 5' or 6' fence stakes, which are cheaper than tomato cages, last longer, and are more effective. I buy them at my local Home Depot. As the tomato plant grows up next to the stake, I tie the stem loosely to the stake for support. The thicker the tie, the less chance it will cut into the stem. So, for instance, a length of cloth would be better than a piece of wire.

Now get out there and grow the most amazing tomatoes you've ever tasted!

View original post.



http://www.foxnews.com/real-estate/2012/04/19/growing-perfect-tomatoes-101.html

Wednesday, 10 May 2017

Autos & Trucks :: Stolen Recovered Salvage Auctions

Stolen recovered salvage yards put up for sale all sorts of cars, trucks and motorcycles. Some are more damaged than others, and some of the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBmN2PTUB7w vehicles only require minor repairs. Online, one has the opportunity to look at all the cars offered at the auction, estimating how damaged they truly are and what repairs they might need.

The business with stolen and recovered https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBmN2PTUB7w cars is extremely productive, since important profits are made. The supply is of course guaranteed by the increased number of car thefts, most of the recovered vehicles being far too damaged for the owners to be able to use them again. Insurance companies pay the theft claim to the owners and they sell the stolen and recovered vehicles to salvage yards. These vehicles are later purchased by different people, who ar e looking to save important sums of money on purchasing a car. They will take complete responsibility to repair the car and bring it back to its original state, making sure that it functions without any problems.

As someone interested in purchasing salvaged vehicles, you will be confronted with a number of options. The market is filled with interesting choices, even if some of these vehicles might be highly damaged. Fortunately, you have the Internet and its http://static.victaulic.com/assets/uploads/literature/40.99.pdf specialized resources that you can turn to for shopping around. Assess your options where stolen recovered salvage vehicles are concerned and take a decision that is based on actual facts, rather than hear say. There are determining factors that you will have to think about, including the repair costs, the price of the vehicle in question and the existing damage.





Even though purchasing a salvaged car might represent a smart idea, you will have to be extra careful not to be fooled. There are salvage yards and auctions where extensively damaged cars are sold, and very little information about their state is actually disclosed. You will have to discuss everything thoroughly with the person selling the salvaged cars, inquiring about key components such as the transmission system or the engine. If such parts are damaged b eyond repair, then you should think twice before purchasing the car. It is for the best that you orientate yourself towards a car that is worth salvaging, paying a price that falls within your budget. Such vehicles are usually bought from different insurance companies, the usable spare parts being put up for sale afterwards.

There are many great opportunities to discover when it comes to stolen recovered salvage yards. Many great vehicles are recovered by the authorities. These vehicles present different degrees of damage and they are sold to salvage yards to recover losses. Prospective customers are presented with all sorts of vehicles, being given the chance to purchase a car that is not so badly damaged but has a price that they can afford. Stolen and recovered vehicles are definitely cheaper and they represent an attractive option for someone who lacks the financial means to purchase a new car. Make sure that you will have all the info before actually making a purchase!




http://www.articlebiz.com/article/390947-1-stolen-recovered-salvage-auctions/

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Should You Repair http://www.letsgogardening.co.uk/ or Replace Your Driveway?



Mar Sprinkler Installation href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsaVuq0ULck">Sprinklers 09, 2017

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