This week we've got a handful of offerings that explore just how far green IT is extending through organizations -- as well as just how far it still has to come.

First and foremost, I spent some time on the phone with Jill Eckhaus, the CEO of data center trade group AFCOM, talking about the results of a survey her group conducted at the last Data Center World Conference. The short of it is that green IT has made significant inroads into the majority of companies' data centers. You can read the long of it here: "Green IT Hits the Mainstream in Data Centers."

And for all those companies out there who either haven't a clue about what green IT can do for their efficiency and bottom line, or for those who've done all they can think of on the green IT front and want to explore new options, a new study from Forrester research looks at the benefits of getting an IT maturity assessment. You can read my overview of the report here: "Is Your Company Ready for a Green IT Maturity Test?"

On top of all that, there's some interesting news out there about Green IT 2.0 and its converse: software firm CA has expanded the carbon-management tools in its ecoSoftware suite, and IT manufacturer Other World Computing went 100 percent wind powered last week with the installation of a huge new wind turbine. All this plays into the idea of the smart grid, and the new technologies that are fast bringing together our computers, our buildings and our energy supplies. And speaking of which, senior writer Marc Gunther has a great post about the slow but steady arrival of the smart grid.

This report from the Green Grid explores how existing and forthcoming legislation is affecting data center operators in Europe, and how IT professionals can prepare and stay ahead of the curve.

This report outlines the U.S. EPA's list of best practices for companies that dispose of unwanted electronics; these guidelines can also be used as a procurement tool for companies seeking environmentally friendly electronics recyclers.

Join this fast paced live 60 minute free webinar to hear a first-hand presentation and analysis of the second edition annual Green Building Market & Impact Report with the report’s author, Robert Watson, the executive editor of GreenerBuildings.com and a founding father of LEED. The report offers an in-depth assessment of the land, water, energy, material and employee productivity impacts of the LEED standards.

November 5, 2009 at 12:30 PM EST