Gov. Beshear of Kentucky pushes green effort

KENTUCKY: State buildings to cut heat, A/C as new "green" regulations go into effect

Kudos to Gov. Steve Beshear, who announced new "green" regulations for state office buildings. They include cutting back the heat and air conditioning at 6 p.m. on weekdays and weekends, as well as cutting off most lights in state office buildings at night and on weekends.

"It's senseless to heat or cool down a building when there is no one working there," Beshear said at a news conference.

In addition, new buildings or renovations in which more than half the expense comes from state funds will be required to meet energy efficiency standards called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Beshear declared. The nationally recognized standards are laid down by the U.S. Green Building Council. Kentucky will be one of a dozen states that require LEED certification in new buildings, Beshear said.

Gov. Beshear's support of these green ideas is in line with a host of suggestions found in Getting Greener: Progressive environmental ideas for the American South. Check out the link for more ideas that you can implement now at home.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Senate committee votes to spend $1 billion on roads

ARKANSAS: Draft bill released to create Arkansas lottery

FLORIDA: In-state public university tuition could increase sharply

GEORGIA: State's sex offender law means few places for felons to live

LOUISIANA: Democrats not upset over lack of Katrina money in stimulus plan

MISSISSIPPI: Leaders in coastal Mississippi appeal to lawmakers for funding

NORTH CAROLINA: Stimulus plan could cost North Carolina $760 million

SOUTH CAROLINA: Employment Security Commission officials defend agency's record

TENNESSEE: TVA official says water is safe in coal ash spill area

VIRGINIA: Budget gap discussions underway between House and Senate

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