MNN - Mother Nature Network

It’s amazing that the end of 2010 is right around the corner and soon we’ll all be welcoming the start of 2011. I’ve been writing for the Mother Nature Network for a bit over two years and I’ve loved every minute of it. Of course I’ve loved some topics more than others so today I wanted to look back at some of my favorite eco-biz moments from 2010.

 

This year proved to be rough for Haiti. Immediately after the January 2010 earthquake, several organizations including the U.S. Green Building Council immediately started to figure out how to use green building techniques in rebuilding the country.

 

Just as a new financing model for energy efficiency upgrades was being introduced in municipalities across the country it came to an abrupt halt. After mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac expressed concern about the superior lien position given to PACE loans, programs across the country were put on hold. Eventually the Sierra Club, other organizations and government agencies filed suit against the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to allow PACE financing to continue.

 

Several times during the year I wrote about Department of Energy and Recovery Act-funded smart grid projects. One of my articles led to a smart meter installation at my house. I’m now able to track my daily electricity use on my power company’s website.

 

After his resignation as the White House Green Jobs Advisor last year, Van Jones took a bit of a break from the limelight. This year he was back in full force working with the Center for American Progress on green jobs, serving as a distinguished fellow at Princeton and much more.

 

While I was excited to see that Van Jones is back in all of his green jobs advocacy glory, I was much less excited to see a surge in discussions about the debunked Spanish green jobs study. The study was brought up by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) during the summer and then has been mentioned several times since the midterm elections. I’m looking forward to not hearing about this study in 2011.

 

These were just a few of my favorite green business stories from 2010. Do you have a favorite?