got to grab lunch w/ my friend and 'net zero' hero @mattgrocoff.bsky.social last weekend, who on top of his own net zero development (veridian) reminded me about A2's sustainable energy utility and @volts.wtf interview w/ missy stults. www.volts.wtf/p/ann-arbors...

Ann Arbor's experiment with a new kind of utility

Missy Stults explains Ann Arbor's novel plan to build a second, clean-energy utility alongside its incumbent.

volts.wtf

This is why at Veridian at County Farm in Ann Arbor we build with Red List Free materials and we refuse to charge extra for the cancer free package. No quartz countertops. No PFAS sealants. Legislation aims to stop countertop cutters with silicosis from suing www.npr.org/2026/01/14/n...

Kitchen countertop workers are dying. Some lawmakers want to ban their lawsuits

Some safety experts want California to stop the cutting of quartz countertops saying it can't be done safely. Lawmakers, meanwhile, contemplate a ban on workers' lawsuits against quartz manufacturers.

npr.org

My neighbor!

This is what happens when you make streets for people instead of for cars!! Ann Arbor closed Main Street for trick or treating. Things got CRAZY. #waroncars #freethepedestrians

Just cancelled our Disney Plus subscription. Love Disney. But we love democracy more.

Morgan J Freeman@mjfree.bsky.social · last yr.

We must protect our 1st Amendment right to free speech! Please sign and share this petition! Petition · Boycott ABC until they restore the Jimmy Kimmel Show and defend free speech! - United States www.change.org/p/boycott-ab...

Big fan of you doing all you do and having such a big impact in Ann Arbor! :-)

So cool what Matt has been able to do in Ann Arbor!! (where I went to school and now where my parents /some family live). His vision for sustainable communities is happening and it is massive #ClimateInfluence. Go A2!!

Eleven of Boston’s twelve City Councilors co-sponsored a hearing order to investigate the legalization of “construction of triple-deckers and other 2-4 unit housing” in Boston. D2 City Councilor Ed Flynn was the only councilor who did not sign on.

Jonathan Berk 🏠@berkie1.bsky.social · last yr.

Boston City Councilor @clrhenrysantana.bsky.social calls for a hearing “regarding legalizing construction of triple-deckers and other 2-4 unit housing in the City of Boston.” Boston has 15,000 triple deckers & 99% of all residential parcels are currently considered “existing nonconforming.”

Neighbors at Veridian got pissed when energy bill DOUBLED since last month———after powering their all electric home and 60 miles daily EV commute they paid just under $3 🤑😻😻😻 This is what sustainable living looks like!! youtu.be/tQCLiQlLS_w?...

michigan public radio piece on my friend @mattgrocoff.bsky.social's virtual power plant for his net zero community in ann arbor you should have him on @volts.wtf www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...

Ann Arbor development plans net-zero energy generation, "virtual power plant" for neighbors

An Ann Arbor residential development under construction plans to be entirely-self powered, using solar panels and batteries so residents have little to no energy bills.

michiganpublic.org

From sharing my net-zero home + hosting The Environment Report on NPR, to tracking PPM & the Paris Accord—today’s work at Veridian in Ann Arbor shows how we can go beyond net-zero. A living neighborhood, a virtual power plant, & a model of energy abundance. www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...

Ann Arbor development plans net-zero energy generation, "virtual power plant" for neighbors

An Ann Arbor residential development under construction plans to be entirely-self powered, using solar panels and batteries so residents have little to no energy bills.

michiganpublic.org

this is pretty good thin buildings. car light streets. open space. plazas. access to nature. visitbaltics.net/sovremennyj-...

Mike Eliason@holz-bau.bsky.social · last yr.

another single stair project architektūros linija designed in he same district variety of heights, unit types, unit sizes good luck doing this with US building codes1 www.archdaily.com/946813/resid...

Veridian is leading the way and getting international recognition for answering the simple question: what does good look like? In the past couple of weeks it’s been written about in over a dozen media outlets! Here’s the latest from today www.homes.com/news/free-of... @unionstudioarch.com

I love Venn diagrams, so I attempted to create a literary Venn to describe where we are.

Nuremberg established forever: “just following orders” is no defense for carrying out illegal actions. If ICE or any federal agents enforce actions that have been ruled unconstitutional by courts—or obviously illegal on their face—they must be held personally accountable. Badges are no shield.

https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/why-we-should-abolish-daylight-saving-time

#EndDaylightSavingTime More darkness in the morning and light in evening has detrimental impact on sleep and mental health. Experts oppose misguided efforts for "permanent daylight savings"

Daylight savings time is bad for our health. End it now There is wide consensus amongst experts in sleep medicine that living in permanent standard time would have advantages for our health. apple.news/AhlWHVEbiQvq...

Daylight savings time is bad for our health. Here’s what to do about it — BBC Science Focus Magazine

How to adjust to losing an hour of sleep. March 08, 2025 It feels cruel, doesn’t it? Being forced to lose a precious hour of sleep. In the US, daylight saving time (DST) begins on March 9, 2025. At 2a...

apple.news

www.wbez.org/news/2013/08...

Unplugging from an unstable electric grid

Instead of waiting for utilities to offer energy from renewable sources, some are retrofitting homes to produce their own.

wbez.org

Matt Grocoff@mattgrocoff.bsky.social · 2y ago

12 years on and we’re still racing to transition to renewable energy Here’s my 2013 interview on WBEZ

12 years on and we’re still racing to transition to renewable energy Here’s my 2013 interview on WBEZ

Matt Grocoff@mattgrocoff.bsky.social · 13y ago

Check me out on WBEZ Chicago on unplugging the unsustainable grid. http://www.wbez.org/series/front-center/unplugging-unstable-electric-grid-108440 #solar

Great to see Ji Hye Kim of Ann Arbor's Miss Kim nominated for "Best Chef: Great Lakes" by the James Beard Foundation. Ann Arbor’s Spencer has also been named a semifinalist once again for the James Beard Award for "Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program."

These Michigan businesses and chefs are named as semifinalists for 2025 James Beard Awards

The list of final nominees will be announced in April, followed by the James Beard Awards in Chicago in June.

detroitnews.com

Single stair access removes burdensome regulations for building without sacrificing safety. This simple rule change can add 10-20% more housing at low cost. Floor plan efficiency can increase from 75%-95% Thanks Rep Morgan for bipartisan leadership

Jason Morgan@jasonmorganmi.bsky.social · 2y ago

I've started drafting legislation on this and would be happy to chat! Looking at models from other areas as a starting point.

Our aging water and sewer infrastructure suffers from a systems design problem. Our water systems are built to spec. But we chose the wrong specs. They are linear and fracture critical

Matt Grocoff@mattgrocoff.bsky.social · 11y ago

@waltonwater What is EPA position on decentralized #water systems for urban areas? http://michiganradio.org/post/can-flint-crisis-inspire-better-water-systems-all-us#stream/0 @Bullitt_Center @BLUElabUofM

Just like a forest, #gentledensity cities are not only the most beautiful, but they are also the most climate beneficial. Funny how sustainability = beauty We don't need Bladerunner cities to solve housing crisis. ...

Why are most of my colleagues in NYC journalism interviewing only drivers about congestion pricing & not the NYers who have no option but to take the subways & buses to get to work? How about interviewing the folks who deal daily with subpar service in poor, far flung neighborhoods of the city?

Building for People with @holz-bau.bsky.social webinar on his new book is up on youtube!! If you give a shit about the future of buildings and cities, then have a look (and buy the book!) youtu.be/sn0ADl3YpHI

PHN Presents Building for People

YouTube video by The Passive House Network

youtu.be

62.7% renewable energy mix in Germany! Last one out of the fossil fuel pool is a rotten egg!! www.pv-magazine.com/2025/01/03/g...

Germany hits 62.7% renewables in 2024 electricity mix, with solar contributing 14%

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) reports that Germany generated 72.2 TWh of solar in Germany in 2024, accounting for 14% of total electricity generation.

pv-magazine.com

Anyone know of Bluesky lists for sustainable real estate and investing? Follow me if interested!!

Paraiso Realty - Puerto Rico Realtor@paraisorealtypr.bsky.social · 2y ago

Hello Bluesky! Please connect us with people who are: 🏢 Real Estate Developers 💼 Investors 🏗️ Builders 🌍 Sustainable Development Architects 💸 Real Estate Agents 📐 Urban Planners 🏠 Prospective Property Buyers & Clients Let’s maximize the real estate opportunities in Puerto Rico!

WATCH: Big shout-out to climate scientist & excellent communicator @katharinehayhoe.com, my Starter Pack Partner today, on her fantastic job on @jimmykimmel.com explaining how to talk with your family and friends about the #ClimateCrisis. Great advice for ANY Subject! www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVjm...

Dr. Katharine Hayhoe Teaches Us How to Talk to People Who Don’t Believe in Climate Change

YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live

youtube.com