The environmental and green technology sector, a $3,5 billion market, employing over 34,000 persons in 1,662 companies, is a major priority for the Québec Government. Québec exports almost $300 million worth of products and services to the United States and abroad in fields related to water treatment, recycling, waste management, energy efficiency, soil decontamination, cellulosic ethanol, CO2 capture and sequestration, and everything in between. The industry is driven by an environmentally aware population and the generous government incentives that support business development. Québec's Pro-Green Strategy provides funding and services across several agencies in order to reach its goal of positioning Québec as an environmental and green tech leader on the international scene.

Climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energies, accelerated growth in emerging countries, natural resource availability and international awareness raising all make sustainable development and the environment the order of the day worldwide. The issues are environmental, social and economic. With groundbreaking policy directions on sustainable development, the Québec government is resolutely engaged in our changing world. It will do what it takes to enable Québec to meet the challenges and judiciously take advantage of the development prospects.

To learn more read, "For a Green and Prosperous Québec: A development strategy for Québec's environmental and green technology industry."

Are you looking for ways to reduce energy consumption in your properties? Experts recommend starting with an accurate energy audit.  An essential part of conducting of an accurate audit is Building Information Modeling or BIM.  Not familiar with BIM?   Well at this year's Environmental Trade Mission and Conference TM experts from PLANiT Measuring® will be available to discuss this technology and how it can save you energy using their Whole Building Energy Analysis. PLANiT Measuring® measures existing buildings and creates "as-built" digital floor plans and BIMs for all property types across North America.
 
PLANiT Measuring® was founded in 1993 to create residential floor plans for real estate agents and homeowners. In order to make an accurate floor plan, Mike Laurie, the company's founder, had to measure each property using a tape measure and a pad of paper. It was a time consuming, difficult process.
 
The process became a little easier a few years later with the introduction of hand held laser measuring devices. Distances were recorded by the laser but the information still had to be documented by hand and then entered into AutoCAD. Other methods such as cloud laser scanning became the rage for a while until it was found that the data gathered could not easily be transferred to useful CAD format and using it for interior spaces was impractical at best.
 
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We continue to monitor events, policies and strategies for sustainability throughout the Southeastern U.S. Since our last eNews blast, the focus on sustainability continues to make business news all across the South proving that the potential for new clean technology opportunities are truly boundless in the region.   In general, the South is a late comer to clean technology but as constant innovation is quickly making yesterday's inventions more affordable and today's more effective, this is not necessarily the worst situation.  The following snap shot of news stories around the Southeast again demonstrates that momentum is gaining and opportunity abounds for profit generating green investment.  Here is a state by state collection of some of the great Green business happenings and opportunities around our region.  
 
South Carolina
In South Carolina sustainability needs are great, as businesses and institutions are working quickly to update their facilities and business practices.   According to an article in the Charleston Regional Business Chronicle published Aug. 6, 2010 "Charleston's Green Business Challenge is a free and voluntary 12-month program designed to help businesses operate in more environmentally sustainable ways."   Businesses are issued scorecards and then compete to earn the best scores.  The article further explains "The Green Business Challenge focuses on improving the environmental performance of commercial and institutional buildings and their operations, including the reduction of energy and water use and waste much energy and money they saved, and those receiving the most points on their scorecards will be recognized. The program is based on a similar effort in Chicago."

One of South Carolina's biggest employers BMW has been at forefront in that state in minimizing its impact on the environment.  They are a leader for the rest of the state, helping to create a climate that is highly open to new clean technology from all over the world.  As reported in scforgreen.com, one of the ways the company is trying hard to lessen its impact is by using renewable energy. "Spartanburg-based BMW Manufacturing Co. is investing $12 million to expand its landfill methane gas-to-energy program. The program, which was implemented in early 2003, collects methane gas at The Palmetto Landfill in Wellford and transports it more than nine miles via pipeline to BMW's production plant near Greer.  More than 60 percent of the plant's total energy requirements are met by burning methane gas, and Bobby Hitt, department manager of media and public affairs for BMW Manufacturing Co., said the expansion will help the company more efficiently use the gas siphoned from the landfill."   "We're all about innovation and improving our sustainability at BMW," he said. "We're happy to be able to add on to this program."  These examples show that those wanting to do sustainable business in the South would be smart to look at South Carolina, which welcomes clean technology with open-arms. 
 
Tennessee
Many news stories over the last few weeks also prove that Tennessee continues to be a great place for Green investment.   On August 16, 2010 we learned in an article entitled "Tennessee Solar Institute Announces $4.5 million of Grants" that the Solar Industry is receiving greater and greater stimulus. Writer Danny Vo reported, "The Tennessee Solar Institute is providing 65 grants worth a cumulative $4.5 million for solar power projects around Tennessee." 

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