Broadband for All Americans Part of Stimulus Package

The Federal Communications Committee has been tasked with proposing a plan for all Americans to have broadband access as part of President Obama’s economic stimulus package. This plan must be delivered to Congress by February 17, 2010 and take into consideration key opportunities such as how to reach all Americans with broadband service, how to maximize use of current broadband infrastructure and methods for broadband to increase consumer and economic activities.

Cable companies and telcos will receive portions of the stimulus package and it’s likely that unserved and underserved populations will be primary recipients of individual funds. To stay abreast with progress on this initiative, visit FCC.

A Greener Way to Print

We all know that to be more environmentally friendly we need to cut down on printing, but what about when it is necessary to print out a document?

Most printers use petroleum-based toner which isn't the most eco-friendly way to print, but hey, that's the only option we have - at least for now. It looks like a soy-base toner is now in development.

As with any new product on the market there are those that say it's just as good as the petroleum-based toner and of course those that are opposed. I think it's a good option to at least try out. I hear the soy-based toner is cheaper too and who doesn't like that.

Read the article, Black and White and Green All Over: Soy-Based Printer Toner, to learn more about how to print green.

WhiteFence and Twitter

What a crazy world we live in. Remember when you used to talk to your friend next door with some cans and shoe strings? Or maybe if you're much older, you used wild grunts and the flailing of prehistoric arms. Regardless of those outdated forms of communication, things have come a long way, mostly because of the Web and wireless devices.

Take Twitter, for instance, a microblog service that many of you have no doubt heard of due to its recent explosion over the past few months. Last weekend, two London Marathon runners used Twitter during the 26 mile race, updating followers to their status as they progressed.

While there will be nothing quite as whimsical as a marathon update, WhiteFence has actually joined the Twitter-verse, updating users with things we find on the Web as well as money saving advice and even specials from our Web site. Visit the WhiteFence Twitter page and follow us! Hope to see you there.

Plant a Tree with Green Mountain Energy

Green Mountain Energy is doing something very special to help the environment in light of Earth Day. With the launch of MyEarthDayAction.com, Green Mountain Energy will plant a tree in a forest restoration project in Florida for every "green action" chosen on the Web site. Real environmental awareness starts with developing good habits, so the list is a very helpful way for people to be more conscious of the decisions they make each day. The list includes resolutions for the community, home, office and even transportation. Head on over to MyEarthDayAction and choose your green resolution!

To view more details about this announcement, check out the Green Mountain Energy press release.

Upgrade Your HD-DVDs for Blu-Ray Discs

Over a year has passed since HD-DVD lost the high-definition disc war to Blu-ray. Warner Bros. just announced a trade-in program called “Red2Blu” to swap out HD-DVDs for Blu-ray discs. It’s a simple three step process of choosing which title you want to upgrade, mailing in the original HD-DVD cover art and receiving the Blu-ray version a few weeks later.

There are a couple of restrictions: it must be a Warner Bros. title, only one copy of a title can be upgraded and only 25 trades are allowed per household. Also, there’s a charge of $4.95 per trade including $6.95 or $8.95 shipping and handling, depending on where you live.

All you HD-DVD enthusiasts out there, I'd say give up your fight and switch over to Blu-ray while this great offer is available. To upgrade disc versions or for more information, visit Red2Blu.

Green Myths

For the past week, my fellow bloggers and I did a countdown to Earth Day. We gave you 10 days worth of green eco-friendly tips. We covered all kinds of topics like taking an environmentally friendly vacation to buying green appliances.

And now we want to inform you about green myths. The more you know about being green, the better choices you will make that will impact the planet for the better. So check out the article, Top 5 Green Myths, that I found at HowStuffWorks.com.

Final Earth Day Tip: Green Fitness

Happy Earth Day, folks. Our countdown to Earth Day finally comes to a close with one final tip that's sure to get your green motor running.

We all know the obvious ways to go green. There are plenty of guides and tips available online that can help us reduce our electricity, find better appliances, or buy products that are more eco-friendly and recyclable. However, have you ever thought about how you can go green and be fit all at the same time?

There are many ways to incorporate green fitness into your daily work-out routine. From the kinds of shoes and clothes you buy, to planting trees for a more earthy and natural workout, there's something available for everyone. Here are some handy guides to get you started on the path to green exercise:

• Green Living Ideas has a comprehensive list on all kinds of things you can do to green up your work out, including commuting and even "green gyms".
• SparkPeople compiles a run down of the earth friendly work out gear you can purchase, including links where you can find what you need.
• Runner's World tackles the question of "how is a running shoe produced"? It's a fascinating look the behind the process of making the shoes we wear.
• Suite101 lists useful tips for anyone just getting started into the world of green, and takes a gander at some easy things we can all do to help the planet and get in better shape.

Enjoy Earth Day, and let's all do our part to be environmentally conscious. If you enjoyed this tip, please be sure to see some of our other Earth Day tips.

Tip 2: Vacationing with a Low Carbon Footprint

Is it possible to take a eco-friendly vacation? Sure thing! Planning a vacation that will keep your carbon footprint low may take a little time but it is well worth it.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning a green vacation.

• Tray a Staycation - Instead of venturing off to a new location, stay in your city and discover all it has to offer. You might be surprised at the hidden treasures and adventures you'll find right at home.
• Green Hotels - The Internet makes it simple to find hotels that have environmentally friendly practices such as recycling and renewable energy.
• Purchase Carbon Offsets - You can offset your carbon foot print by purchasing carbon offsets or green tags from your electric company. This will so help you to have an earth-conscience vacation.
• Ecotourism - Green vacations are totally in! It shouldn't be hard to find a travel company that specializes in eco-friendly traveling. In fact, check out this article at Howstuffworks.com to get you started.

Tip 3: Spring Clean Your Home with Vinegar

Vinegar is one of those products that’s always in abundance at my house. Come to find out, vinegar has powerful cleaning properties while being environmentally friendly and easy on the pocketbook. For spring cleaning this year, I’ve decided to put my excess vinegar to good use. Here are some tips I found to be extremely handy.

• Shower: Use diluted or undiluted vinegar for soap scum and mildew removal in the shower. Keep a spray bottle of vinegar nearby and squirt twice a week to prevent soap film buildup on shower curtains and tile.
• Sinks: Soak a paper towel with vinegar and apply to sink and tub faucets. Leave on hard-water and mineral deposits for about an hour and wipe or rinse off.
• Carpets: Mix equal parts vinegar with water and dab carpet stains for a quick, natural carpet cleaner. Repeat this process again for older, more stubborn stains.
• All Purpose Cleaner: Combine one part vinegar with three parts water for an eco-friendly and effective all purpose cleaner. This solution can be used in every part of your home as a glass or surface cleaner. If the smell of vinegar doesn’t fit your senses, add a few drops of lavender or lemon oil to your liking. 

For more tips on how to use vinegar to clean around your house, visit The New Homemaker.

An Extra Step for a Smaller Footprint: Earth 911 and Recycling

With spring cleaning come piles of things you want to remove from your home. Many of these items can be put out to the curb for regular recycling. Before you throw the rest away, check to see if it can be recycled elsewhere. This extra step can make a big difference!

If you are not sure where to start, check out Earth911.com. Just enter the items you are looking to recycle and your location and they'll give you the scoop on where to go. Make sure to check the site before you throw anything out. They have resources for recycling just about everything, including magazines, plastic bags, batteries, tires, mattresses, eye glasses, and even household cleaning items. For those going green at work, the site has also created a section for businesses looking to recycle Business.Earth911.com.

What's the strangest thing you've been able to recycle?