Hype for the Future 102E: Town of Spencer, Indiana

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/02/10/hype-for-the-future-102e-town-of-spencer-indiana/

#StarIsland a model of #EnvironmentalStewardship

#GreenGosport Initiative puts ideals into action at #IslesOfShoals

by Deborah McDermott, June 30, 2019

Excerpt:
"The [wastewater] treatment plant is the last significant piece in the Green Gosport Initiative, named after the 17th century town that once existed on the island. For the better part of 10 years, Star Island Corporation has been working to become a #sustainable community.

"The initiative has included the installation of the solar array in 2015, which has reduced by more than 75% the amount of diesel fuel for the generators that once powered everything on the island. Electricity consumption has dropped by more than 35% by making a change to LED lights and purchasing energy-efficient appliances in the kitchen. All disposable packaging, utensils and straws are biodegradable, and there are bins everywhere that encourage guests to properly dispose of their waste.

"#Sludge from the treatment plant is dried and composted with waste #cardboard and #WoodChips, instead of being sent to a #landfill. The #composting program began in 2014, and last year for the first time, the first batch was ready for testing by the state. It was so clean 'we got approval this spring to use that product without restriction, anywhere. So this spring, we used it as mulch in the flower pots,' Simard said."

Read more:
https://www.fosters.com/story/news/2019/06/30/star-island-model-of-environmental-stewardship/4796138007/

#SolarPunkSunday #Gosport #ZeroWaste #Composting

More about #StarIsland -- in addition to a #Solar array, they also have #wastewater treatment!

Creating the Future of Wastewater

April 25, 2018

"Plans for the new wastewater treatment/reclamation system on Star Island are moving forward and our groundbreaking project should be operational next year! Financing approval for the project was assured last July with the signing of formal documents for a low-interest loan from the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) under the EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund. This program has until recently provided money only to municipalities for wastewater improvements. Recent changes in the program guidelines have opened the program to non-profit organizations. Star Island was the first non-profit in the state to qualify for a wastewater loan, which has a low fixed interest rate and a term of twenty years.

"In addition to finding a reliable system that can address our seasonal occupancy fluctuation and effectively manage the high nutrient content of the island waste stream, engineers were also asked to recommend an approach which reduces electricity demand, and can allow recycling of treated wastewater for uses such as toilet flushing and irrigation.

"The first recommendation in the Underwood Report is to install an expanded grease trap system that can remove more waste materials from the kitchen flow before they hit the treatment plant. This system will be installed this spring. A series of large plastic chambers will contain the wastewater from the kitchen, slowing it down long enough to cool. This allows suspended fats, oils and grease to be captured for later disposal before it reaches the waste treatment plant. Such removal is essential to efficient and reliable operation of any system.

"The report goes on to evaluate ten different treatment system options on the basis of cost, feasibility, visual impact, ease of operation, quality of treated effluent, energy consumption and other factors. Underwood recommends a system called #Amphidrome, in technical terms a 'submerged attached growth biologically active filter (#BAF).' These systems are manufactured in New England and have been successfully deployed in hospitals, resorts, schools, office parks and similar developments with large wastewater demands not serviced by public sewers. The system, which fits entirely within the existing waste treatment tanks, relies on bacteria and filtration to process up to 17,000 gallons of island wastewater per day, using only 10% of the energy of our current system!

"The final product, after disinfection similar to that used in our drinking water system, is expected to be non-potable re-use. No longer simply wastewater for ocean discharge, this reclaimed resource will ultimately be used to flush island toilets and for lawn irrigation. Star Island is working with DES to help write the rules for the use of recycled wastewater in what is recognized as an important pilot project in New Hampshire that will have statewide benefits for waste treatment and water conservation efforts."

Learn more:
https://starisland.org/2018/04/thefutureofwastewater/

#SolarPunkSunday #IslesOfShoals #Gosport #WaterReuse

One of my favorite isolated places has gone #Solar!

Bright Future Begins with Solar Array

January 08, 2015

by Kyle M. Belmont, Program & Outreach Coordinator

"At 47 acres, #StarIsland’s relatively small size is providing ample space to create a model for sustainable communities. Our most visible endeavor in this effort – a solar array – started operating on November 19, 2014. The project is designed to deliver up to 60% of Star Island’s energy needs.

"Star Island’s Island Manager and Facilities Director, Jack Farrell recently took a closer look at the solar work and came away with these sentiments: 'This solar project helps us to extend our values beyond our island community. This shapes our reputation in the region. We look innovative, responsible, forward thinking, and capable. We are doing something bold and taking leadership in an area of our values.' "

https://starisland.org/2015/01/bright-future-begins-with-solar-array/

#SolarPunkSunday #IslesOfShoals #Gosport

Nice micropub and craft ale bar crawl and review around our local area. A few in there I'm horrified to say I didn't know about and so haven't visited. This will need to be remedied at some point.

https://micropubadventures.co.uk/2025/08/12/12825gosports/

cc. @mathzy

@beersofmastodon

#Portsmouth #Gosport #Havant #CraftAle

Solent from First Bus has launched four converted electric buses in #Portsmouth, #Fareham and #Gosport. Former diesel vehicles, now fully refurbished and fitted with electric engines by Wrightbus, offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative to new electric buses. This follows the electrification of the Hoeford depot and the earlier introduction of 62 electric buses, supported by Portsmouth City Council, #Hampshire County Council and DfT funding.

The repowered buses will run across the region, including university routes, helping cut emissions and improve air quality. By reusing existing vehicles, First Bus reduces waste and environmental impact. The initiative is part of a wider plan to achieve a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035, with 32 conversions underway across the UK.

Local leaders welcomed the move as a smart, sustainable step toward affordable, greener public transport.
https://news.firstbus.co.uk/news/feel-the-power-solent-from-first-bus-introduces-converted-electric-buses

GOSPORT COUNCIL BY-ELECTION RESULT

Harbourside & Town:

🔵 Conservative: 48.5% (+10.6)
🔴 Labour: 27.8% (-12.8)
🟠 Liberal Democrats: 11.8% (+3.4)
⚪ Reform UK: 9.3% (new)
⚫ Independent: 1.4% (new)
🟤 Heritage: 1.2% (new)

Conservative GAIN from.

Changes with 20234. No Independent (-9.3) or Green (-3.8) as previously.

#ukpolitics #ukpol #electionresults #Conservatives #Labour #LibDems #ReformUK #Gosport