News

By Eric Halter  

More and more, studies are recognizing the positive benefits of environmental improvements to communities. Now, potential changes to IRS non-profit reporting rules would allow nonprofit hospitals to report the cost of the environmental improvements they make. The potential implications of this rule change could see a great positive benefit for communities since hospitals would now have additional incentive to implement activities with environmental and community health benefits. CLF Ventures is encouraged by this rule change.

By Aviva Rothman-Shore  

The triple bottom line has become both a catch phrase and, increasingly, a realistic goal for everyone from investors to activists and urban developers. But in Massachusetts, aging MBTA trains and infrastructure coupled with proposed fare hikes and service cuts stand in the way of achieving the triple-bottom-line promise of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).

By Jo Anne Shatkin, PhD 

Sleep is a wonderful thing, and it’s necessary for good health. As someone who doesn’t always get enough, I understand people’s concern that wind turbines are disturbing their sleep, or if built, will. Yet the report this week from the state’s expert review on the science did not find sufficient scientific evidence that wind turbine noise impacts are loud enough or have the right characteristics to physically disturb people’s sleep.

By Walker Larsen  

Al Gore and David Blood’s recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, “A Manifesto for Sustainable Capitalism,” makes an important point at an important time: businesses should focus on long-term growth strategies rather than the current practice of trying to make a quick buck. Our experience at CLF Ventures has shown that to orient itself to long-term success, a company must first identify its risks and opportunities, then develop a sustainable change strategy.

By Kristie Giannetto  

On Thursday, December 22, CLF Ventures’ Associate Managing Director Jasmine Tanguay and MBA Fellow Kristie Giannetto presented research and recommendations to members of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council.

By Eric Halter  

Energy Technical Assistance and Planning for New Hampshire Communities (ETAP) is the largest program CLFV Ventures is currently working on. The $2-million-dollar program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning (NH OEP), provides technical assistance to help New Hampshire communities upgrade the energy efficiency of their municipal buildings and facilities. As 2011 draws to a close, the ETAP program has already made a huge difference by helping New Hampshire officials identify ways to reduce their energy use, reducing carbon emissions, and saving taxpayer dollars.

By Paul Calzada  

CLF Ventures is proud to welcome Eugene Bernat of Cover Technologies, Inc. (CTI); John Cleveland, vice president and co-founder of Innovation Network for Communities (INC); and Crystal Johnson of the National Institute for a Sustainable Economy, LLC ( NISE!) to our Board of Directors.

By Kristie Giannetto  

CLF Ventures is thrilled to announce a new engagement with the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC)! CLF Ventures is consulting to RIFPC to develop a business plan—including financial projections and estimated expenses, potential revenue sources, and guidance on operational efficiency at RIFPC—with the goal of advancing sustainable agriculture and food systems in Rhode Island.