Sustainable Industries Daily Update

The Green Chamber of Commerce is embarking on a national expansion. First stop—Las Vegas. People may have expected the San Francisco-based organization to first expand to Portland or Seattle, says its executive director. But the burgeoning sustainable business landscape in Las Vegas is growing, she says, which shows that "green" business is taking root in the mainstream. 

More than $100 million in stimulus funds has been awarded for energy efficiency renovations to 100 affordable housing developments nationwide, as part of U.S. Housing an Urban Development's Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing. 

Meanwhile, U.S. Department of Energy says it has designated 120 organizations to receive $120 million through its Weatherization Assistance Program. In addition to weatherizing homes, the program aims to test new technologies and financial models. 

Despite consumer education efforts, Americans are in the dark when it comes how to reduce their energy consumption, according to a study by Columbia University's Center for Research on Environmental Decisions.