• Grist.org features Cleveland today in its new series on cities that have an active sustainability network.
• One of Britain's biggest builders, Barratt Developments, unveiled today what it said was the UK's first zero-carbon house built by a volume house builder.
• Riding a bike in the Euclid Corridor bike lane this week (during Cleveland Bicycle Week) made us wonder if a more visible demarcation, like the ‘green lanes’ in New York City (pictured) could be the next generation of bike lanes in Cleveland? Often the most effective tools to promote more cycling in cities is the lowest cost option—painting in bike lanes.
• Flats East Bank inks deal with Starwood Capital Group to open the 1 Hotel & Residences, a five-star, $48 million hotel and condo project at W. 11th St and Main Avenue. Cleveland joins a short list of cities, including Seattle, New York and Washington, D.C., selected for the eco-friendly hotel. More here.
• "Pressure on Ohio to pass water compact," the Plain Dealer reports. Lawmakers in both Wisconsin and Michigan this week nearly unanimously approved the proposed Great Lakes Water Compact, which supporters say would guard the region's water from diversion outside and overuse within its borders. There are strong signals that Ohio might pass it next.
• Kevin Cronin, ClevelandBikes board member, shared this positive development:

I work in the Penton Media Building at St. Clair and East Ninth Street, and bike to work as frequently as possible.  There was a single, eight-foot long bike rack outside the St. Clair entrance to the building.  The rack has been fairly crowded lately as the weather improves, as gas prices increase, as consciousness improves, and as more people get on their bikes.  It has been especially crowded this week.  Yesterday, as I went to the rack to ride home—lo and behold—there was another eight foot bike rack in place! Hats off to the building management and to Cleveland Bikes.  Keep up the good work.