Boston Green Drinks meets August 5th

Thanks to Mike Prager of Boston Green Drinks for this post:

Our first gathering for August will be on the 5th at Globe Bar and Cafe, 565 Boylston St., facing Copley Square. We'll be in the balcony section.

In news, two dispatches from the state's continued green efforts:
New biofuels law
The governor yesterday signed The Clean Energy Biofuels Act, which will "make Massachusetts the first state to exempt cellulosic biofuels from state gas taxes, creating economic incentives for companies while requiring that the fuels meet strict greenhouse gas reduction standards," according to the Globe story . "The law also requires all diesel and home heating fuel to be 2 percent biofuels by 2010 and 5 percent by 2013."

Rate decoupling
And last week, the Department of Public Utilities decoupled utility rates from sales volume, so that a utility doesn't feel compelled to sell more electricity in order to make more profit. The move was one outcome of the previously signed Green Communities Act.

Fundraiser
Beat the Heat is a climate change campaign fundraiser being conducted by Earthwatch Institute. It will be at the Washburn Pavilion on the Charles at the Museum of Science on Aug. 14. Tickets are $100 now, $125 at the door. More info here .