ConEdison Solutions Offers Clean, “Green” Renewable Energy Alternative NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Why not really go “green” this year for St. Patrick’s Day? Join thousands of residential and business customers across New York State who have already “gone green” by signing up for clean, renewable “Green Power” energy through ConEdison Solutions and Community Energy. "St. Patrick’s Day presents a great opportunity to expand the use of renewable ‘green’ power as a smart and affordable alternative to conventional energy sources,” said Jorge J. Lopez, President and CEO of ConEdison Solutions. “Green Power is an emission-free and renewable form of energy that is available to electricity customers in most parts of the state, and that is something worth celebrating.” "Green Power" purchased from ConEdison Solutions by commercial, industrial and government energy users consists of emissions-free NewWind Energy® wind power, a product of Community Energy, Inc. Green Power for residential customers is a blend of 35 percent NewWind Energy and 65 percent hydropower. Customers may also opt for 100% NewWind Energy® wind power, which is produced in upstate New York and Pennsylvania, for the “deepest shade of green” for St. Patrick’s Day. The fractionally higher cost of pollution-free electricity gives consumers the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment. For New York residential customers, "Green Power" costs approximately one cent more per kilowatt-hour than the ConEdison Solutions standard offer. For a typical residential customer using 350 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month, the additional cost is approximately $3.50 per month for the wind/hydropower blend than standard electricity rates. Or, for those customers who choose 100% wind power, the price would be $8.75 more per month. In addition, New York State tax is eliminated on the delivery portion of utility bills for ConEdison Solutions customers. Business or residential customers interested in purchasing or learning more about “Green Power” can contact ConEdison Solutions at 1-888-320-8991, or on-line at www.conedisonsolutions.com. ConEdison Solutions is a leading energy services company that provides cost-effective energy solutions for commercial, industrial, residential and government customers. Based in White Plains, New York, with offices in Burlington, Massachusetts; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Arlington, Virginia and Houston, Texas, the company's dedicated team of energy professionals delivers a broad range of commodity, consulting, demand-side management, and performance contracting services. ConEdison Solutions creates customized programs and services tailored to help customers achieve their individual energy objectives and is accredited as an Energy Services Provider (ESP) by the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO). ConEdison Solutions is a subsidiary and registered trademark of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED), one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy holding companies. ConEdison Solutions presently serves electric commodity customers in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, D.C. More information is available at the ConEdison Solutions web site at www.conedsolutions.com. Visit the Consolidated Edison web site at www.conedison.com for information on all Consolidated Edison companies. Community Energy, Inc. is a marketer and developer of wind energy generation founded in 1999 and headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Community Energy, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of IBERDROLA - one of the largest owners and operators of renewable energy facilities in the world. Community Energy, Inc. has more than 3 billion kilowatt-hours of wind energy sales, 100,000 residential customers and marketing arrangements with 18 investor-owned and municipal utilities. Community Energy, Inc. cites its utility partners and customers, which include many of the largest retail purchases of wind energy in the country, as the reason for its success in bringing wind energy to market in new regions of the country. Community Energy, Inc. developed and jointly owns the Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm and the Bear Creek Wind Farm, and has wind projects under development in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern and Rocky Mountain states.

NEW YORK, March 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The NYC Department of Education and the NYC School Construction Authority have announced the publication of Dattner Architects' NYC Green Schools Guide (GSG) and Rating System, which will guide the sustainable design, construction, and operation of new schools, modernization projects, and school renovations. The GSG and Rating System will assure compliance with Local Law 86, which established sustainability standards for public design and construction projects in New York City. The implementation of the GSG and Rating System makes NYC one of the first and largest school districts in the nation to have sustainability guidelines required by law. The GSG and Rating System was developed and written by a team led by Dattner Architects with DVL Consulting Engineers, Ysrael A. Seinuk PC, Accu- Cost, Robert Schwartz and Associates and Ostergaard Acoustical. Energy modeling was by Viridian Energy and Environmental. Sustainable school design and operation, as outlined in the GSG and Rating System, will provide many benefits to students, school staff, and the city. They will conserve energy and water, reduce operating costs, promote a healthy environment, and help teach environmental responsibility. Prescriptive Energy Efficiency Measures required by the GSG, including high-efficiency building envelopes and HVAC systems, will ensure that "green schools" are designed to save energy costs by at least 20% over other regulatory mandates. Water- conserving fixtures such as metered faucets, dual flush toilets, low-flush urinals and low-flow showers will result in the reduction of potable water usage in each school by more than 40%. New efficient classroom lighting fixtures will save energy and provide high-quality illumination. Stringent acoustical standards will ensure that instructional spaces are isolated from sound interference. The selection of building materials and the manner in which materials are removed from the construction site for proper disposal are based on environmental responsibility and benefit. The GSG and Rating System is based on the LEED(R) Green Building Rating System(TM), which was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The GSG and Rating System includes enhancements beyond LEED based on best practices for schools adopted from the Collaborative for High Performing Schools rating systems developed by the states of California, Washington, Massachusetts, and New York, and also on SCA best practices. The Director of the Office of Environmental Coordination, on the behalf of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, determined that the GSG and Rating System is as stringent as LEED New Construction, version 2.2, for the achievement of a LEED Certified rating (the minimum required by Local Law 86 for school projects). As part of this effort the NYC School Construction Authority's extensive design standards have been revised to achieve the goals of the GSG. 116 Standard Specification Sections have been revised, 72 Standard Details have been revised and 41 of the NYCSCA Design Requirements have been revised. The NYC Green Schools Guide is available on the SCA's website at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/schools.nyc.gov/Offices/SCA/DoingBusiness/AE/NYCGreenSchools.htm Dattner Architects is a New York City firm founded in 1964. Dattner Architects is known for its design excellence in public architecture, as is evidenced by over 100 design awards.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- There is one place in your home where you can be totally and utterly alone with your thoughts; one room where you can lock the door and escape -- the bathroom. (Photo: http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070329/CLTH055 ) The hectic pace that today's Americans have become accustomed to has left little time for rest and relaxation. Homeowners are beginning to transform their master bathrooms into personal sanctuaries, a place where they can experience peaceful tranquility. Coastal Industries, a shower door enclosure manufacturer based in Jacksonville, Fla., complements this "bathroom revolution," offering fully customizable shower enclosures that fit any design style. "We are seeing immense showers that involve multiple showerheads, thicker glass and unique, designer finishes," says Ray Adams, president of Coastal Industries. "We've also noticed an increasing amount of showers with dual controls and shower heads, designed to help working couples get to work in a timely fashion." Homeowners are demanding large shower enclosures that are conducive to their busy lifestyles. This means decreasing time spent preparing for the day by utilizing amenities designed for convenience, relaxation and stress reduction. The size of the standard bathroom has also seen a dramatic increase. "Years ago, the master bedroom was one of the largest rooms of the home," comments Adams. "Now, master bathrooms seem to be taking over that trend and will continue to escalate in size and importance as the years pass." Keeping pace with the ever-evolving significance of home bathrooms, Coastal Industries produces a complete range of standard shower enclosure products and custom enclosures that complement homeowners' personal design preference and lifestyle. For more information on Coastal Industries and its products visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.coastalind.com/ or call toll free 800.874.8601. About Coastal Industries Coastal Industries celebrates more than 35 years of quality and commitment. One of the leading manufacturers of bath enclosures in the U.S., Coastal produces a complete range of standard and custom bath enclosure products to building supply, building specialty, kitchen and bath, glass and glazing, plumbing, manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries. Coastal is also a founding member of BEMA and is a member of the NGA.

Promoting 'Green' Building to Reduce Energy Consumption and C02 Emissions NEW YORK, March 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Norbert W. Young, Jr., president, McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP) , presented at the Beijing International Green Builder Conference on March 27, 2007. Mr. Young discussed the state of global sustainable building and China's opportunity to assume a leadership role in a holistic approach to how green buildings reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions- noted factors for global warming. The current environmental challenge is significant. Energy resources are being used at the rate of 421 quadrillion BTUs annually and are increasing 3.8% each year. With energy demand estimated to grow by 71% by 2030, billions of dollars of energy investments will be needed. CO2 emissions are being produced at the rate of 25 billion metric tons annually and are projected to increase 75% by 2030. World-wide construction, a $4.6 trillion industry that contributes 10% of global GDP, is responsible for 17% of the world's freshwater withdrawals, 15% of wood harvest, 33% of CO2 emissions and 40% of materials and energy use. This pattern is taking place globally, among all regions of the world, with countries such as the U.S. and China having the most impact. "Green building can make a difference," said Mr. Young. "Our research shows that by adapting new technologies and materials, sustainable buildings can save 30-50% of energy consumption and reduce 35% of the carbon emissions, 40% of water consumption and 70% of solid wastes. Moreover, they decrease operating costs and increase building values, ROI, occupancy and rents. Indeed, the average payback for these investments can take place within the first two years of a building's life, and save 20% of energy costs over the lifetime of a building. As a result, U.S. builders increasingly are embracing the green transformation. Corporate America is making these investments and shifts as well, recognizing the business benefits and future trends." Today, China's buildings account for 45% of material and energy use, and are one of the world's largest sources of greenhouse gases. By 2020, buildings will consume double the amount of energy, if unchecked. As a result, the Chinese government has implemented an ambitious renovation plan for residential and public buildings in major cities. New standards are being set for zero-energy buildings, such as the Pearl River Tower in Guangzhou. To reduce carbon emissions, eco-cities, such as Dongtan, are being built to be carbon-neutral, recapture water, and use fuel-efficient and battery-powered public transportation vehicles. Moreover, recognizing that personal transportation will become the most significant source of worldwide CO2 emissions in the future, China has embarked on a long-term solution that embraces higher emissions standards and requires hydrogen fuel cells to power fleet vehicles by 2008 and all cars by 2015. It also is making major investments to expand the production of electricity by hydroelectric plants, wind farms, solar energy and nuclear power. "China has a unique opportunity to take a leadership role and show the world how green buildings can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases," concludes Mr. Young. "By embracing new technologies and widely adopting the holistic approach of addressing buildings, transportation and infrastructure, China can assume a global leadership position in this critical arena by sharing the information, intelligence and industry best-practices with the world." About McGraw-Hill Construction: McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP) , connects people, projects and products across the design and construction industry. Backed by the power of Dodge, Sweets (www.sweets.com), Engineering News-Record (ENR, www.ENR.com), Architectural Record (www.architecturalrecord.com), Green Source (www.greensourcemag.com), and Regional Publications, the company provides information, intelligence, tools, applications and resources to help customers grow their business. McGraw-Hill Construction serves more than one million customers within the $4.6 trillion global construction community. For more information, visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.construction.com/ About The McGraw-Hill Companies: Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 240 offices in 36 countries. Sales in 2005 were $6.0 billion.

ELLENSBURG, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Horizon Wind Energy, one of the nation’s leading wind power developers, saluted the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) for the agency’s announcement Tuesday evening that it will recommend that Governor Christine Gregoire approve Horizon’s proposed Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project (KVWPP) northwest of this small Central Washington city. EFSEC, Washington State’s “one stop” permit review authority for utility-scale power plants concluded its exhaustive review of the proposed 65-turbine wind farm with a 6-1 vote in support of Horizon’s application. The lone dissenting vote came from Kittitas County’s representative who also opposed EFSEC’s recommendation to override the Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners’ objections to KVWPP. Chris Taylor, Horizon’s Northwest Development Director said, “We’re gratified by the Council's validation of our belief that the Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project, particularly with passage of I-937, is important to the State of Washington.” Initiative 937, which Evergreen State voters passed last November, requires that by 2020, 15% of the state’s electricity be supplied by new renewable energy sources. EFSEC reviewed well over a dozen independent studies of the Project site some of which were begun five years ago. The Council concluded that the KVWPP would create no significant negative environmental impacts. Horizon, in an unsuccessful effort to earn County government approval, downsized the original wind farm design it first announced in April 2002. Regional environmental groups including the Cascade Chapter of Sierra Club, the Renewable Northwest Project, and the Northwest Energy Coalition, joined Kittitas County renewable energy advocates in actively supporting the proposed wind farm. The Economic Development Group of Kittitas County also supported the proposed project citing the new family wage jobs that KVWPP would create and its annual infusion of $1.5 million in new property taxes. “The dedication of our supporters was a constant source of encouragement,” said Taylor. “While EFSEC based its decision exclusively on the merits of our case, it helped immensely to know the breadth and depth of public support both in Kittitas County and beyond.” EFSEC now forwards its recommendation to Washington’s Governor Christine Gregoire who must choose to approve, deny or remand EFSEC’s recommendation. About Horizon Wind Horizon Wind Energy develops, constructs, owns, and operates wind farms throughout the United States. Horizon-developed wind farms operate in Washington, New York, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma, and the company has projects under construction in Oregon, Texas and Illinois. Horizon expects to have more than 1300 MW of wind projects in operation by the end of 2007.

GUELPH, Ontario, March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Adding a modern bathroom addition is a smart way to increase the value of your home, cut your water bills, and protect our nation's natural resources. Installing a low-consumption toilet -- even in the basement using new above-ground plumbing from Saniflo -- a family of four can save 50 gallons a day, or nearly 20,000 gallons a year.(1) According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, residential toilets account for about one-third of indoor household water use -- or more than 2.1 trillion gallons annually.(2) See http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.saniflo.com/. If your home was built before 1992, when the federal government began mandating low-flush toilets, your existing toilets likely use 3.5 gallons per flush (gpm). (If your home dates back to the 1950s or earlier, you may have a 5.5-gpm or even a 7-gpm guzzler!) But what if you want to add a bathroom in the basement or garage where none currently exists? The high cost of pounding through cement to install drainage lines can easily out-pace the money you'll save on your water bill. The simple solution? Saniflo above-floor plumbing. With Saniflo's modern, low-consumption toilet systems that use special plumbing technology, there's no need to dig up the basement floor to install drainage for a new bathroom. "Installing a sub-level Saniflo system not only solves a costly plumbing problem, it also makes it easy to reduce water usage," says Saniflo national sales manager Bob Lechner. "All Saniflo toilets are low-consumption, and one model, the Sanicompact, uses only one gallon per flush." Looking very much like a conventional toilet, a macerating toilet takes up roughly the same amount of floor space. But instead of routing the flush water through a drain beneath the toilet in the floor, the system moves it to a macerating pump, usually located on the floor between the toilet and the wall. (It can be hidden behind the wall if you prefer.) The pump mechanism uses a fast-rotating blade to liquefy waste and toilet paper in the flush water, releasing the waste under pressure through small-diameter piping to the sewer or septic tank. There's no special maintenance, and the pump is sealed for life. The fixtures will work up to 12 feet below and as far as 150 feet away from a septic tank or sewer line. If you've never stopped to think about how much water you use at home, Earth Day on April 22 is a great time to start. At greatly reduced labor costs and with superior installation flexibility, Saniflo low-flush systems are an excellent way to make a local difference that can have a global effect -- on Earth Day and everyday!

EUGENE, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Looking to build with an environmentally smart and friendly approach? A University of Oregon professor has pooled virtually all available resources, including color images and diagrams, to help a designer pursue both passive and energy-efficient strategies. The book – The Green Studio Handbook: Environmental Strategies for Schematic Design (Architectural Press) – is not intended to serve as a green building checklist nor as a textbook for environmental technology, says Alison G. Kwok, a UO professor of architecture. “Instead it provides the necessary information to make judgments about the appropriate use of green strategies and to validate design decisions regarding these strategies,” wrote Kwok and co-author Walter T. Grondzik of Florida A&M University, a former visiting professor at the UO, in the preface. Green architecture refers to a design and building process that incorporates economical, energy-saving, environmentally friendly and sustainable development. A passive approach uses no purchased energy such as electricity or natural gas, utilizes components like windows or floors that are part of another system and closely integrates the choices into the building. Active approaches may use pumps, piping and manufactured devices to collect, store and redistribute the sun’s energy. The Green Studio Handbook targets students enrolled in design studio courses, recent graduates entering practice and even more-seasoned professionals who need quick schematic guidance. The 372-page book contains 422 full-color photographs and line drawings illustrating the application of green strategies during the schematic design of buildings. Kwok and Grondzik identify some 40 environmental strategies, with brief descriptions of principles and concepts, step-by-step advice for integrating green strategies into the early stage of design, annotated tables and charts to assist with preliminary sizing, as well as a summary of key issues to be addressed and references to additional resources. “The Green Studio Handbook was written to serve as a reference guide and source of inspiration for students in design studios and architects in professional practice,” the co-authors wrote. “It is founded upon the premise that there would be more green buildings if the techniques of green buildings – the underlying strategies that save energy, water and material resources – were more accessible to the designer.” While there are a variety of resources available, Kwok said, the book is a one-stop library of knowledge. “It puts a lot of resources together in one book so the user doesn’t have to go all over to find the needed information.” The book is widely available and is on the Royal Institute of British Architects International Awards 2007 long list, which features the highest standard of architectural writing and publishing. Among case studies covered in the Green Studio Handbook are: One Peking Road tower in Hong Kong; the National Association of Realtors Headquarters, which is the first green building in Washington, D.C.; The Helena Apartment Tower in New York City; Arup Campus Solihull (UK); Beddington Zero Energy Development (UK); Druk White Lotus School (India); Habitat Research and Development Centre (Namibia) and the University of Oregon’s Lillis Business Complex. Kwok, former president of the Society of Building Science Educators, also is the organizer of the annual Architectural Research Centers Consortium Spring Research Conference. Faculty and graduate students from 28 institutions in five countries will participate in the April 16-18 event, which carries the theme "Green Challenges in Research, Practice, and Design Education." Immediately after the conference, a related UO student-organized conference begins. The Ecological Design Center’s 13th HOPES Conference runs April 19-22. HOPES stands for Holistic Options for Planet Earth Sustainability.

Windows Help You Tune Out the World's Distractions MILWAUKEE, March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Barking dogs, loud stereos, lawnmowers, airplanes -- just a few of the distractions that detract from the quality of our daily lives. Imagine what you could get done in a world without all this noise. Just as heat and light can be transmitted through windows, noise pollution can stubbornly find its way through and impose itself on your household. The good news is that replacement windows can have a significant impact on reducing the clatter and din that increasingly is intruding upon our daily lives, according to Bill Holz, General Manager of Stanek Windows. "If you currently have old single or double pane windows, you can expect that noise pollution is going to interfere with your peace and quiet," says Holz. "These windows just don't provide the barrier against noise; more often than not they aren't efficient enough to keep out the heat and cold either. Upgrading to an energy-efficient window can do a whole lot to enhance your life, and save you money." Known for its energy-saving properties, Stanek's Heat Mirror(R) line of windows is also an excellent sound barrier, Holz explains. "We just had a client tell us he literally used to sleep with ear plugs to block out the noise from outside. He had a slider door with Heat Mirror installed in his bedroom and he told us it virtually eliminated the outside noise," said Holz. So what exactly is noise pollution? Noise pollution is human-created noise that not only irritates, but is also potentially harmful to your health. In today's environment, noise has become a constant factor. Studies show that the world is getting noisier, and escape from the noise is getting increasingly difficult. Even in your own home. The dominant form of noise pollution is produced by transportation sources, such as cars, aircrafts and railways. Construction equipment, office equipment, factory machinery, appliances, power tools, lighting hum and audio entertainment systems also add to the build-up. The city is not the only problem area. Noise from recreational vehicles has become a serious dilemma in rural areas. In addition to simple aggravating annoyance, noise pollution can have significant affects on health. Subjected to 45 decibels of noise, the average person can't sleep. According to a recent study, high levels of noise have also been proven to cause a statistical rise in blood pressure, a clear and measurable increase in stress. Other consequences include lack of sleep, irritability, heartburn, indigestion, ulcers, high blood pressure, and possibly even heart disease. "A window's noise control ability is measured by Sound Transmission Classification (STC) ratings," explains Holz. "A small increase in STC ratings means much greater protection from outside noise. According to Southwall Technologies, the Heat Mirror glass used by Stanek Windows has an STC rating of 34, which means it can impact street noise and make a home the quieter refuge that the homeowners desire."

First Virginia Company with a LEED Silver Certified Corporate Headquarters RICHMOND, Va., March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX) , the nation's largest retailer of used cars, announced today that its home office in Richmond, Virginia has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED is the USGBC's leading edge system for designing and constructing the world's greenest and energy efficient buildings. CarMax is the first company to construct a LEED Certified building in Virginia as its corporate headquarters. Construction on the CarMax home office was complete in 2005. "Our home office is just another way in which we put our associates first," said Tom Folliard, president and chief executive officer at CarMax. "We have provided an open, and collaborative work environment, while also demonstrating our commitment to being a socially responsible company." CarMax's 250,000 square foot home office building is located on 130 acres of land in Goochland County, just outside of Richmond, Virginia in the West Creek Industrial Office Park. The building features bright colors in a vibrant, informal and non-hierarchical layout. Environmental features include the preservation of the trees, wetlands, and natural areas; the natural enhancement of daylight inside the building; and the use of recycled materials. "CarMax's achievement of LEED certification proves how much this company cares about its associates," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO, Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "LEED certification ensures that CarMax's home office conserves resources and provides a comfortable indoor environment for its occupants." The CarMax home office includes office space for approximately 900 associates, a cafeteria and dining area, and training and meeting rooms. In addition to the main office building, the site features a fitness center, a multi-purpose basketball court, nearly two miles of walking trails and a parking garage. CarMax and its new home office have been recognized with several green design awards including: -- The 2006 Virginia Green Innovation Award for Best Commercial Project from the Virginia Sustainable Building Network -- The 2005 Go Green Award of Merit from the James River Green Building Council -- The 2005 Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Award for Best Green Building from the Charlottesville Waldorf Foundation The companies credited with the CarMax home office building project are ADD Inc, Cambridge, Mass., master planning, architecture and interior design; Millennium Retail Partners, LLC, Richmond, Va., owner representative; Brookwood Program Management, Atlanta, Ga., construction manager; KBS, Inc., Richmond, Va., contractor; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., Richmond, Va. and Boston, Mass., landscape architect and civil engineer; AHA Consulting Engineers, Lexington, Mass., MEP/FP engineer; and McNamara/Salvia, Inc., Boston, Mass., structural engineer. About CarMax CarMax, a FORTUNE 500 company, and one of the FORTUNE 2007 "100 Best Companies to Work For," is the nation's largest retailer of used cars. CarMax currently operates 77 used car superstores in 36 markets. CarMax also operates seven new car franchises, all of which are co-located with its used car superstores. During the twelve month period ended November 30, 2006, the company sold 323,570 used cars, which is 94% of the total 342,482 vehicles the company retailed during that period.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Echelon Corporation (NASDAQ: ELON), a leading provider of networking technology that is used to manage and reduce energy consumption, today announced that it has been awarded an Early Adopter Innovator Award from the State of California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Demand Response Research Council (DRRC) in recognition of Echelon’s leadership and continuing support to reduce loads on California’s electricity grid by participating in the Automated Critical Peak Pricing Pilot Study. The DRRC is a joint research center of the CEC, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL). The study measured the potential energy savings that could be achieved through voluntary reduction in energy use by corporations in response to energy pricing signals from utilities. Under the 2006 study, Echelon’s corporate headquarters demonstrated the ability to quickly reduce energy consumption by over 30%—more than any other participant in the program—without impacting building occupants. “When we were first introduced to Echelon’s technology, we knew these solutions were the future of energy management and of green buildings,” said Mark Kendall, founder and president of Kenmark Real Estate Group, which manages Echelon’s San Jose headquarters over the Internet from its offices in San Francisco. “No other system is capable of saving so much energy so smartly, nor does any other allow us to implement facility management programs as cost effectively and with as many benefits to the tenant. In Echelon’s building, we’re able to reduce energy and save our client significant operating costs, without ever impacting their work environment. That is our goal – maximum energy conservation with no negative impact on our clients.” Demand response is considered a key component of energy management policy to ensure a balance between supply and demand while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In an electricity grid, any significant imbalance between electricity consumption and production can cause grid instability or severe voltage fluctuations and failures within the grid. Demand response is the reduction of energy usage at the end-user level in order to place usable megawatts back on a region's energy grid during periods of peak demand, eliminating the need to run inefficient peaking plants and reducing generation costs. In return, end-users are offered reduced electricity prices or other financial incentives. Demand response is particularly useful during hot, summer months when the need for electricity often surpasses a utility’s generation capability. Echelon’s corporate headquarters, which contain over 1,100 smart devices from over 16 suppliers using Echelon’s LONWORKS® device networking technology in the heating, air conditioning, lighting and other building control systems, helped show that highly integrated building automation systems, such as Echelon’s LONWORKS based control system, were able to reduce demand significantly more than any other building automation system. Using the web services technology in Echelon’s i.LON® 100 Internet Server as the interface to a LONWORKS based control system, the building can drop electrical demand by 30% within moments of an energy demand notification from PG&E without any human intervention. In addition to Echelon’s building, the study included numerous other buildings that utilize a full spectrum of demand response capabilities - from fully manual (facilities personnel manually shut down systems and offices) to system level response (each sub-system in a building reports to a central controller) to fully open and integrated device networks like LONWORKS (individual, connected devices respond intelligently to demand requests). The study showed a substantially improved savings for fully open, integrated buildings. “Seventy percent of all electricity consumed in the U.S. is used by commercial buildings, and 70% of that amount is used by lighting and heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems,” said Bea Yormark, Echelon’s president and COO. “Buildings owners report that LONWORKS based HVAC and lighting systems can reduce annual energy use by over 30%. Even if we were to save only 10% through LONWORKS based control systems in every U.S. building, the U.S. Climate Technology Cooperation has calculated that such a saving would reduce carbon emissions equivalent to reducing automobile gasoline usage by over 12 billion gallons per year.” “The time to act is now. According to the Paris-based International Energy Agency, more efficient use of energy can do far more in the coming decades to cut carbon dioxide emissions than either a shift to renewable energies or nuclear power. Smart, LONWORKS based control systems are already saving energy in thousands of buildings worldwide. Applying smart control technology to all of today’s buildings, utilities and homes would have tremendous, far reaching benefits to the environment, economy, and people’s everyday lives,” concluded Yormark. Demand response is gaining acceptance and recognition with utilities worldwide as a way to conserve energy, reduce greenhouse gases, and lower costs for end-users. In a typical work day there are hours where electricity demand peaks significantly, resulting in a strain on overall grid capacity and costing commercial customers as much as 10 times the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) as during non-peak times. This peak demand period may only last 2-4 hours and is quite predictable. Demand response programs were created by utilities such as PG&E to provide financial incentives to companies and building owners to decrease electricity consumption during peak hours. Automated demand response is a process wherein no human intervention is required to implement a lower electricity use strategy. About Echelon Echelon Corporation (NASDAQ:ELON) is a networking company that provides products and systems that can monitor and save energy, lower costs, improve productivity and enhance service, quality, safety and convenience by networking together everyday devices in utility, building, industrial, transportation and home control systems. Tens of millions of smart devices based on Echelon’s products and systems are in use around the world today bringing benefits to consumers and industry. More information about Echelon can be found at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.echelon.com. Echelon, LONWORKS, i.LON, and the Echelon logo are registered trademarks of Echelon Corporation registered in the United States and other countries. Pyxos is a trademark of Echelon Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. This press release may contain statements relating to future plans, events or performance. Such statements may involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties pertaining to the timing and level of customer orders and demand for Echelon products and services in demand response and other applications; risks that these products do not perform as designed, and that liability may accrue as a result of the use of Echelon products and services in demand response; risks associated with any changes that may occur in directives regarding demand response, safety or other policies, and acceptance by local, regional or other government agencies of LonWorks based demand response or other solutions; the growth of the LonWorks industry in general; and other risks identified in Echelon's SEC filings. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Echelon undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

ASHVILLE, N.C., March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- With rising energy prices and a growing demand for eco-friendly construction, more and more people are coming around to round homes. (Photo: http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070327/CLTUPAK1 ) When Yosh Schulman and his wife, Nili Simhai, decided to find an environmentally friendly option for their new home in Millerton, N.Y., they chose a prefabricated circular home for some of those specific reasons. "My wife runs an environmental education center, so we wanted a home that made wise use of natural resources," says Schulman. "Circular homes use fewer building materials. Their footprint's impact on the environment is minimal. There are heating and cooling benefits, as well." Energy efficiency is important for the couple's area of eastern New York State, where residents experience lots of snow and cold winter temperatures. Yosh and Nili did their homework on the Internet and chose Deltec Homes for their green building project. According to nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and "green" building expert Jim Dulley, round homes are a great choice for eco-friendly construction. "Although these houses look circular, most are made of many flat wall panels that give the circular appearance. These are some of the most unique-looking and energy-efficient designs of houses available," says Dulley. After living in their home for three years, Schulman says he is "very impressed with the energy efficiency. When I compare my energy bills with my neighbors', ours are always much lower." "We have countless testimonies from our homeowners about the savings they have enjoyed on their energy bills," says Joseph Schlenk, Director of Sales and Marketing for Deltec Homes, a family-run business that has become the world's leading supplier of circular homes over the past 40 years. "We are probably best-known for building a hurricane-proof home," says Schlenk. "Many of the same features that make our design so wind-resistant also make it an extremely energy-efficient building option. Round structures are inherently more energy-efficient than rectangular- or square-shaped structures." More importantly, Schulman felt that the company was genuinely interested in them as customers and as partners in sustainable development. "Deltec has been impressive to work with," he said. "We've built a relationship, and years later, they're still interested in our needs. They were very open to specific requests for environmentally friendly building and energy options. Plus Deltec uses wood in a very careful way because everything is precisely manufactured to their specifications." In addition to making wise use of resources, their circular-style house is aesthetically pleasing. "The home is extraordinarily beautiful. The space feels inviting and the structural design allows you to design the interior the way you want," Schulman says. "Our clients are drawn to the circular design for a multitude of reasons," says Schlenk. "All of them seem to share one thought; the concept that a circular house brings another dimension into their lives, one often forgotten - the dimension of a beautiful space connecting us to the earth."

NEW YORK, March 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Jewish Committee announced today that 100 percent of the electricity used in its New York headquarters and offices across the U.S. will be linked to renewable energy sources. AJC is the first Jewish nonprofit in the nation to "green" its electrical supply, taking another step towards achieving green building certification and advancing domestic sources of clean energy. "AJC employees will be contributing to a cleaner environment and supporting new energy alternatives when they turn on the lights in their offices," said Benjamin Tressler, director of AJC's Green Building Project. AJC's electrical supply is now supplemented with a Renewable Energy Credit (REC) program that supports energy sources that reduce harmful fossil fuel content in the atmosphere. Half of AJC's RECs will be generated from the Gray County Wind Farm in Kansas. Gray County is one of the largest wind farms in the U.S. It produces enough electricity to power 33,000 homes and reduces 600 tons of carbon emission annually. The other half will be generated from American Municipal Power-Ohio's Landfill Gas Energy projects in Ohio. These plants capture methane from decommissioned landfills and burn it to generate renewable, carbon neutral, electricity. AJC's "green projects" include its ongoing compliance with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating Systems(TM), a set of voluntary standards, administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, used in the design, construction and operation of high-performance, environmentally sound buildings. In addition, AJC's Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Bonus Program provides cash incentives to full-time AJC employees to purchase new hybrid cars.

NEW YORK, March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP) , today will present the findings of its latest market research investigating "green" homes, focusing on homeowners and home buyers. The survey, co-sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), finds that homeowners are happier with their new green homes than with their previous homes, and that they are eager to recommend buying green to others (Photo: http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070326/NYM093 ) The research provides the first estimate of the true size of the green home market, screening out green homeowners from a representative panel of U.S. homeowners. According to this new study, 0.3% of all homes in the U.S. are truly green (containing elements in three of five environmental building categories), a market sized at approximately $2 billion. "Though it's still a small number, builders are already getting it when it comes to the value of real green homes, and it appears homeowners are too," states Harvey M. Bernstein, McGraw-Hill Construction vice president of Industry Analytics, Alliances and Strategic Initiatives. Pointing to McGraw- Hill Construction's estimate from 2006 that that 2% of the residential construction market had at least one green building element, such as energy- efficient appliances, Bernstein adds, "It's also powerful to find that people are really starting to commit to building truly green homes, moving away from just adding energy efficient appliances or one aspect that's green. They're paying attention to the holistic benefit of green." Homeowners are extremely happy with their green homes, with 85% happier with their new green homes versus their previous non-green ones. And they're not shy about sharing those feelings. This finding is powerful because 28% of the homeowners reported first hearing about green homes through word of mouth. "We're excited that green homeowners are so happy with their homes and that they're willing to share the good news," says Ray Tonjes, chairman of the NAHB Green Building Subcommittee and an Austin, Texas, green home builder. "NAHB and its members have been leaders in the voluntary movement to increase the energy and resource efficiency and quality of homes, and it is great news that these consumers are so satisfied with their high-performing homes. Green building's market share will continue to expand." The research also found that: -- The new green homeowner is affluent and well educated, in his/her mid forties and married, and also more likely to be from the Southern or Western states. Women are also more likely to be green homeowners. -- Home operating costs matter. Sixty-three percent report lower operating and maintenance costs as the key motivation behind buying a green home. Additionally, nearly 50% report environmental concerns and family health as motivators. -- Lack of awareness, higher costs, and scarcity lead obstacles. The top three obstacles, all hovering over 60% of respondents, were oriented around education, additional costs involved in green homes and the availability of the homes. However, when looking at the "biggest" obstacles, green homeowners view education as the biggest hurdle to overcome. Another interesting finding is the high prevalence of green products being implemented during home remodeling. Approximately half the overall U.S. homeowner population has recently done some renovation work on their home, and approximately 40% of that population is doing so with green products. "This is another powerful finding," says Bernstein. "As home prices increase and homeowners stay in their homes longer, remodeling becomes a key market opportunity. It's encouraging that there is already so much of the community aware of these green product options and, more importantly, using them." The results presented at the Green Building Conference today will be incorporated into another issue of the McGraw-Hill Construction SmartMarket Report series, available early summer at www.analyticsstore.construction.com. About McGraw-Hill Construction: McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP) , connects people, projects and products across the design and construction industry. Backed by the power of Dodge, Sweets (www.sweets.com), Engineering News-Record (ENR, www.ENR.com), Architectural Record (www.architecturalrecord.com), GreenSource (www.greensourcemag.com), and Regional Publications, the company provides information, intelligence, tools, applications and resources to help customers grow their business. McGraw-Hill Construction serves more than one million customers within the $4.6 trillion global construction community. For more information, visit www.construction.com About The McGraw-Hill Companies: Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 240 offices in 36 countries. Sales in 2005 were $6.0 billion. Additional information is available at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

NAHB and McGraw-Hill Construction Release New Survey at the National Green Building Conference ST. LOUIS, March 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new home buyer survey finds a high rate of customer satisfaction among those who have purchased green homes -- and that 63 percent of buyers are motivated by the lower operating and maintenance costs that come with energy- and resource-efficient homes. NAHB and McGraw-Hill Construction, which conducted the research, released preliminary results of the findings at the 9th Annual National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Green Building Conference in St. Louis. It represents the first time the true green home market has been sized, screening out green homeowners from a representative panel of U.S. homeowners. These homeowners say they are extremely happy with their investments, with 85 percent saying they are more satisfied with their new green homes than with their previous, more traditionally built homes. "We're excited that green home owners are so happy, and that this new research quantifies this customer satisfaction. But we are certainly not surprised," said Ray Tonjes, chairman of the NAHB Green Building Subcommittee and an Austin, Texas home builder. "NAHB and its members have been leaders in the voluntary movement to increase the efficiency and quality of homes in America. This suggests we'll maintain our market share and only continue to grow." The new survey also backs up recent finding by the NAHB Economics staff that interest in green remodeling continues to grow: About 40 percent of those who have recently completed home remodeling or renovation work in their homes reported that they used green products or materials, the McGraw-Hill Construction research found. In a survey of NAHB builders that the company conducted last year, McGraw- Hill Construction estimated that 2 percent -- or $7.4 billion -- of the residential construction market contained green building elements, such as energy efficient windows. According to this new research, 0.3 percent of all existing United States homes are truly green, constructed using several different green building design features and products, a market sized at approximately $2 billion. "It's interesting that people are really starting to commit to building green homes, moving away from just adding energy efficient appliances," said Harvey M. Bernstein, McGraw-Hill Construction Vice President of Industry Analytics, Alliances and Strategic Initiatives. "Though it's still a small number, builders are already getting it when it comes to the value of green homes, and it appears homeowners are too." The research also found that: -- The new green homeowner is affluent and well educated, in his/her mid forties and married, and also more likely to be from the Southern or Western states. Women are also more likely to be green homeowners. -- 63 percent report lower operating and maintenance costs as the key motivation behind buying a green home. Additionally, nearly 50 percent said they are motivated by environmental concerns and their family's health. -- More than 60 percent of those surveyed say that consumer awareness, additional costs and the limited availability of homes are obstacles to green homes gaining a bigger market share. However, when looking at the "biggest" obstacles, green homeowners view education as the biggest hurdle to overcome. Survey results will be published this summer in the next issue of the McGraw-Hill Construction SmartMarket Report series and available at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.builderbooks.com/. ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington- based trade association representing more than 235,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Known as "the voice of the housing industry," NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the more than 1.56 million new housing units projected for 2007. http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.nahb.org/

Honored with a 2006 NRS Diamond Award, America's Best Builder Award and the Lee Evans Award for Management Excellence NEWTON, Mass., March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The Green Company has achieved an unprecedented feat, becoming the first builder to win three of the home building industry's most prestigious awards in one year. Fourth quarter of last year, The Green Company won the 2006 NRS Diamond Award from NRS Corporation and Professional Builder magazine, honoring it as North America's top homebuilder in customer satisfaction and experience. In first quarter 2007, The Green Company took home two additional coveted awards: America's Best Builder Award, sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Builder magazine, and the Lee Evans Award for Management Excellence, presented by the Lee Evans Group. "At The Green Company, we take pride in every community we build and every award we win," said David Caligaris, company president. "We are thrilled to be recognized by our industry colleagues, and also by our homeowners, who helped us earn a first place ranking for customer satisfaction among all builders of all sizes across the country." The NRS Awards are the leading industry-sponsored awards recognizing the best builders in North America for customer satisfaction excellence. The Green Company achieved top standing across all categories and particularly excelled in on time closing rate, access to knowledgeable staff members and a satisfying buying experience. This marks the third time within the awards' four-year history that The Green Company has been recognized as one of the best homebuilders in the country. The Green Company consolidated its reputation for excellence by being named America's Best Builder for outstanding performance in five areas of running a home building business: customer service/quality, finance/operations, community/industry service, design/construction and marketing. Previously, The Green Company was similarly recognized in 1992 and 2000. Created by NAHB in 1990 and named for Lee Evans, a builder in the 1950s who was dedicated to educating builders on business practices, the Lee Evans Award for Management Excellence is presented annually to the builder who exemplifies sound management principles and high standards. The 2007 award marks the second time The Green Company has been so honored. About The Green Company & Winslowe's View The Green Company is a nationally recognized builder, creating environments for living for over 50 years. The Green Company is currently creating Winslowe's View, an award winning neighborhood of new townhomes surrounding a traditional New England village common with amenities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, Meetinghouse and old-fashioned Post Office at The Pinehills in Plymouth, MA. Eight model homes are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (508) 209-5000. Or visit online at www.greencos.com. About NRS NRS is the leading provider of customer satisfaction research and solutions to the homebuilding industry, serving more than 300 homebuilders in the United States and Canada. NRS maintains the largest homebuyer satisfaction database, compiled from more than 250,000 homebuyer surveys annually. About the Lee Evans Group The Lee Evans Group provides top quality management education for homebuilders. Participating homebuilders learn to manage capital and financial operations to achieve high profitability, build strong and integrated management systems, satisfy customers with superior products and service, and train and educate personnel to work as a team.

COLUMBIA, Md., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have awarded Enterprise the 2007 ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in Energy- Efficient Affordable Housing in recognition of its efforts to provide energy- efficient housing for low-income residents. Enterprise was recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. "Energy efficiency is particularly important in the affordable housing sector," said Doris Koo, president and CEO at Enterprise Community Partners. "By building homes that earn the ENERGY STAR, we are reducing utility costs and providing homes that are truly affordable to own and operate for low- income residents. At the same time, these homes are more comfortable to live in and help to protect the environment." Enterprise is the national leader in creating energy efficient and environmentally responsible homes and communities. Through Green Communities, Enterprise has invested $350 million to create more than 7,000 energy efficient affordable homes in 23 states around the country. Enterprise is working with developers and policymakers to make all affordable housing in the U.S. environmentally sustainable. "Building energy-efficient, sustainable, healthy homes is a top priority for Enterprise," said Jeffrey Donahue, president and CEO of Enterprise Community Investment. "We're honored to receive this recognition from ENERGY STAR, an indication of how much Green Communities has accomplished in bringing together the goals of the affordable housing industry and the environmental movement." ENERGY STAR Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their contribution to the construction of energy-efficient homes that benefit the environment, while providing homeowners with a quieter, more comfortable home, along with significant utility savings. Award winners are selected from over 9,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $14 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 25 million vehicles. "Partners like Enterprise make it possible to offer the savings, comfort and durability of an ENERGY STAR home to everyone," said Bill Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "We are proud of our partners' efforts to bring energy efficiency to the communities where each saved dollar on energy bills is so important." Enterprise is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. For 25 years, Enterprise has pioneered neighborhood solutions through public-private partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested over $7 billion in equity, grants and loans and is currently investing in communities at a rate of $1 billion a year. Visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.enterprisecommunity.org/ or http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.enterprisecommunity.com/ to learn more about Enterprise's efforts to build communities and opportunity, and to meet some of the half a million people we have helped. ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the program offers businesses and consumers energy- efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 9,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses.

GreenSource wins best start-up publication; ENR.com is recognized with two website awards from American Business Media NEW YORK, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- McGraw-Hill Construction's GreenSource, a publication devoted to sustainable design and construction, won the Jesse H. Neal Award for Best Start-Up Publication at the American Business Media's annual Neal Awards event. McGraw-Hill Construction, a unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP) , also received two awards for ENR.com (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.enr.com/), the website of Engineering News-Record. The website received the "Best Online Article or Series" award for its package of stories and slideshows about Dubai (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/enr.construction.com/features/international/archives/061106a.asp). It also received the Best Website award in the category for sites with fewer than 100,000 unique visitors per month. Called "the Pulitzer Prize of the business media," the prestigious Jesse H. Neal Awards recognize editorial excellence in business-to-business publications. The awards were presented March 22 at a lunch hosted by American Business Media at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. GreenSource magazine was created in 2006 in response to the needs and demands of the profession and is the source for noteworthy trends in sustainable design, projects and case studies of best practices. GreenSource is produced by the editors of McGraw-Hill Construction, in partnership with editors at BuildingGreen, Inc. GreenSource magazine is supported by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), and its circulation of 42,000 consists of the key specifiers and buyers involved in green design and construction including 30,000 members of the USGBC. The magazine will be published quarterly this year, following two issues in 2006 (May and November). ENR.com, which expands the print publication Engineering News-Record, provides the news, analysis, commentary and data that construction industry professionals need to do their jobs more effectively. ENR.com has more than 90,000 unique visitors a month, composed of contractors, project owners, engineers, architects, government regulators and industry suppliers - many of whom work around the world. The Neal judges praised ENR.com for its "stunning slide show; good collection of tools and mix of news...a deep site." "In the short time since its launch, GreenSource magazine has captured the attention and interest of its audience as well as the business media community," said Robert Ivy, vice president and editorial director for McGraw- Hill Construction and editor in chief of Architectural Record. "ENR has a long history but has always changed to keep up with the times. We are proud of ENR's editorial staff for the quality of news they provide to the industry via the Internet. It is a great honor for us to receive this recognition for the editorial and design excellence of our publications and websites." In addition to the awards received, McGraw-Hill Construction's Architectural Record was named as a Neal Award finalist in three categories: Best Web Site, Best Editorials, and Best Department (Architectural Technology). About McGraw-Hill Construction McGraw-Hill Construction connects people, projects and products across the design and construction industry. For more than a century, the Company has remained North America's leading provider of construction project information, plans and specifications, product information, industry news, and industry trends and forecasts. In print and online, The Company offers a variety of tools, applications, and resources that easily integrate with its customers' workflows. Backed by the power of Dodge, Sweets (www.sweets.com), Architectural Record (www.architecturalrecord.com), Engineering News-Record (www.ENR.com), GreenSource (www.GreenSourcemag.com) and 11 Regional Publications, McGraw-Hill Construction serves more than one million customers within the $4.6 trillion global construction community. To learn more, visit: www.construction.com. About The McGraw-Hill Companies Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2006 were $6.3 billion.

ROSEMEAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Southern California Edison (SCE) and its customers are the nation’s leaders in reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) through energy-efficiency, according to comprehensive customer program results released this week by California utilities. SCE reports that total customer response to its energy-efficiency programs during the past five years has saved… * four billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), * enough energy to power 500,000 homes for an entire year, * reducing GHG emissions by more than two million tons, * the equivalent of removing 250,000 cars from the road. During the next two years, SCE forecasts its customers will save… * an additional two billion kWh, * reducing GHG emissions by another one million tons. “Our customers’ response to energy-efficiency programs makes it clear home and business owners are ready to do their part to save energy and help protect the environment if offered how-to information and meaningful incentives,” said John Bryson, chairman of Southern California Edison’s parent company, Edison International (NYSE:EIX). Bryson advocated a three-part national strategy for reducing GHG emissions during the next decade – expanded cost-effective energy-efficiency programs, a substantial increase in generation from renewable sources, and the development and commercialization of new technologies. SCE was recognized as a national leader in energy-efficiency this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The utility received the agencies’ 2007 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award in the program delivery category. This is the sixth time SCE has received an EPA and DOE award for the effectiveness of its energy-efficiency programs. “We share this award with our customers,” said Lynda Ziegler, SCE senior vice president of customer service. “They are the ones who take the time to request one of our energy-efficiency rebates and then make the changes required to save energy and money.” The ‘07 ENERGY STAR® award SCE received recognizes the large number of food-service customers who responded to the utility’s programs during 2006, switching to more energy-efficient refrigeration, ice machines, convection ovens, fryers, griddles, and steamers. Southern California Gas Company and Pacific Gas & Electric also received ENERGY STAR® awards at an EPA-DOE recognition event March 21. SCE regularly collaborates with other California utilities on ways to enhance energy efficiency across California. “With higher summer bills just ahead, we encourage business and residential customers to check out the financial incentives available this year through our energy-efficiency and demand-response programs,” said Ziegler. “For example, customers can save as much as $200 this summer season by enrolling in our Summer Discount Plan.”

Award-winning GridPoint Connect Serves as Intelligent Hub for Home’s Solar System NAHB's National Green Building Conference WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GridPoint, Inc.™, a provider of clean-tech products and intelligent energy solutions for utilities, consumers and businesses, today announced that GridPoint Connect™ is featured in the Sage Near-Zero Energy Home, a highlight of the green building tour for NAHB’s National Green Building Conference March 25-27 in St. Louis. Sponsored by Owens Corning, Sage Homebuilders’ showcase home generates renewable energy as one of its many green features. GridPoint Connect serves as an intelligent hub for the home’s solar system. The attractive, award-winning appliance combines power electronics, high-capacity battery storage, and an advanced computer to replace the complex balance of system previously required for renewable energy installations. It integrates and stores the home’s solar energy, as well as automatically increases energy efficiency and provides instant, clean, reliable backup power for the home’s sump pump, refrigerator, lighting, geothermal system and more in the event of an outage. "GridPoint Connect’s sleek, plug-and-play unit and user-friendly interface appeal to homeowners who seek a simplified way to adopt renewable energy, which has traditionally been regarded as complicated," said Rick Hunter, Managing Partner, Sage Homebuilders. "GridPoint has created an excellent product to help take solar into the mainstream." GridPoint Connect’s accompanying Web portal, GridPoint Central, enables customers to set a personal energy profile to automatically reduce consumption and costs (e.g., turning a water heater off during the day), as well as view environmental data such as how much renewable energy they’ve produced. GridPoint Connect is featured in the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest-rated residences for Leadership in Environmental Design for Homes (LEED-H); was named Consumer Electronics Association’s Innovations 2007 Honoree, Best Overall in Home Appliances; and received Green Builder® Magazine’s Most Innovative Product 2006. A leader in the St. Louis green building movement, Sage Homebuilders designs and builds custom homes that meet a growing demand for a healthier and more conscientious lifestyle. For more information on the near-zero energy home, visit www.sagestl.com. About GridPoint GridPoint’s clean-tech products offer intelligent energy solutions for utilities, consumers and businesses. Utilities gain an economical, flexible and environmentally beneficial solution to improve power management and delivery. GridPoint’s utility solution reshapes the load duration curve through load control, distributed energy storage and utility-controlled renewable energy integration at the customer’s site. The result is a cost-effective, efficient and environmentally friendly way to manage peak periods, shape generation, increase grid reliability and optimize existing generation, transmission and distribution assets. For consumers and businesses, GridPoint products provide protection from power outages, increase energy efficiency and integrate renewable energy.

High Performance “Green” Modular Classrooms Available for the First Time With Full DSA Certification SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Project FROG – the Flexible Response to Ongoing Growth – announces its sustainable modular buildings have been awarded “Pre-Check” (PC) approval from the Division of the State Architect (DSA). Product lines Dragonfly and Turtle are now available with DSA PC approval – thus enabling California K-12 schools and Community Colleges to purchase units with the assurance they meet the California State Architect requirements. Completing the rigorous design approval process in advance of submittal for a specific school construction project results in significant time and cost saving for all future deployments. “There is nothing like Project FROG on the market today. Our buildings meet High Performance school requirements as defined by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools, are environmentally friendly, and can be installed quickly – in a matter of weeks not years,” says Project FROG C.O.O. Leela Gill. “Having DSA PC approval tells administrators these buildings meet tough structural, life safety, and environmental standards, and the permitting process can be expedited in a timely and efficient manner.” FROG environments surpass Title 24 energy requirements and are LEED certifiable. FROG is designed around effective learning behaviors. With its abundance of natural light, excellent acoustics, exceptional air quality, and user-friendly technology, the high-performance design is a far cry from the trailers used today. Individual units range from 1,000 sq ft to 1,700 sq ft; however the system can be joined in different configurations to accommodate the diverse activities that schools foster, from academics to athletics to arts, or even entire campuses. Project FROG, based on green building technology, is efficient in how it is manufactured and how it operates, minimizing the resources needed. The buildings are designed for living roofs and solar panels and are made from recycled materials. Similar to popular pre-fab housing, the assembly of FROG buildings is quick and easy requiring only a small crew and a few weeks. With changing demographics and advancements in technology, educators are paralyzed with the impediments of permanent construction and need a quick to deploy and affordable alternative like Project FROG. The need for healthy and high performance learning space is underscored by the startling statistics: of the 15 million college students in the U.S. today, 20% are learning in temporary trailers. In California K-12 alone, more than 80,000 trailers are in use, housing at least two million students. Current construction projects include a Learning/Technology Center and Child Development Campus, and a demonstration unit available for tours. About Project FROG Project FROG™ Inc. designs, manufactures and sells high-performance, sustainable, and quick-to-deploy buildings that utilize modular construction technology. FROG units fill the product gap between underperforming temporary trailers and expensive permanent structures. The product line is architecturally stylish, highly functional, energy efficient, and adaptable for different applications including education, government, healthcare, and retail.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Institute of Architects, Illinois Council (AIA), will announce on Wednesday its "150 Illinois Great Places." Located in towns and cities across the state, these places have been identified by leading architects as contributing to their communities' quality of life. The Great Places commemorate AIA's 150th anniversary, and will showcase the best of the best in Illinois. The recognition program was designed to broadly include the "built environment," which includes civil, landscape and engineering places, as well as architecture. Each place will receive a plaque commemorating its impact on the community experience, and will be featured on the organization's Web site. Launching March 21 as well, the Web site ( http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.illinoisgreatplaces.com/ ) will showcase each Great Place as a basis for public education and special events throughout this year. The list includes schools, churches, offices, court houses, museums, and planned communities. Though half of the places are historically designated, many others were built in the late 20th century. Renowned architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe are recognized, as are urban planners, landscape architects, urban designers and local builders.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At a ceremony on March 19, 2007, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement America’s Magazine recognized CEMEX’s cement operations in Davenport, Calif. with the Land Stewardship Award and the CEMEX Knoxville, Tenn. location for the Innovation Award at the annual Environment and Energy Awards, some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Land Stewardship Award The Davenport plant won in the Land Stewardship category for demonstrating superior land conservation and environmental stewardship practices on its 10,000 acres located in Santa Cruz County, California. The plant successfully continues exemplary land restoration projects, such as the reclamation in the Davenport shale and limestone quarries. Each year, the people of the Davenport plant perform habitat restoration and re-vegetation with native trees, perform exotic weed control and exotic tree removal in order to enhance growth of native habits and species, and retain a professional landscape architect to manage the program. They also have created a large forested buffer area around the quarry operation for screening and buffering the neighboring rural community. Innovation Award The CEMEX Knoxville, Tenn. cement operations won in the Innovation category for successfully implementing programs to find ways to reduce NOx emissions. A few years ago, the CEMEX Process Technology team, led by Robin Forster, began using an old technology in a new way--injecting water into the cement kiln’s burner pipes to reduce NOx. Although the application was a proven method in the power industry for years, it had never been widely used in cement kilns. The team embarked on a series of massive tests and discovered that this technology not only worked in cement kilns, but it also worked exceptionally well and could reduce NOx by 15 percent. This discovery is a major reason the CEMEX Knoxville operations were selected for the Innovation Award.

MAKENA, Hawaii--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Forging new territory in Hawaii’s housing market, an upscale community development on Maui marks Hawaii’s first residential project to include extensive “green” design features. Called Maluaka, this unprecedented development brings the broad appeal of environmental sensitivity into the influential luxury market to combine sophistication with healthy living. Located on Makena Bay in South Maui, the 11-acre Maluaka community will comprise 69 elegant residences with prices beginning at $5 million. Dowling Company Inc. is infusing the development with measures that benefit the owners’ health and preserve the island’s exceptional beauty and fragile eco-system. By incorporating sustainable measures into the Makena Bay project, Dowling Company places Maluaka’s owners and investors among the first to capitalize on this trend in the arena of high-end residential developments. The sustainable design aspects of the project will include a variety of measures from land use management and storm water retention to a photovoltaic system and use of low-emitting materials. In order to verify that the project’s green measures meet high standards, Maluaka will obtain two levels of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. LEED is a performance-oriented rating system for sustainable projects administered by the U.S. Green Building Council. Dowling Company has committed to achieving LEED Gold certification for Maluaka’s club and a Silver rating for the residences. Earning these LEED certifications will make Maluaka the first residential project in Hawaii to attain these awards. Christine Ervin, past president of the U.S. Green Building Council and former Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in the Clinton Administration, states: “It’s still all too rare to see sustainable design and operations being integrated into developments like this. Maluaka could help turn that around. By pushing the envelope here, more and more buyers will start asking for properties that couple small environmental footprints with large amounts of personal satisfaction.” Construction on Maluaka is slated to begin in spring 2007 with completion scheduled for winter 2009. Information may be found at www.maluaka.com.

Company's Environmentally Friendly Practices Earn Clean Industry Certification TOLEDO, Ohio, March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) recently received a Clean Industry Certification for its operations in Mexico. The Clean Industry Certification is a distinction awarded to participants of a volunteer environmental program promoted by PROFEPA, Mexico's administrative agency for environmental protection and regulation. To achieve recognition as one of the most environmentally friendly companies in Mexico, Owens Corning met or exceeded all the standards of an audit performed by a third-party environmental company. Owens Corning was evaluated on its environmental risk, health, soil, sub-soil, solid waste, water and wastewater control and practices.

MORRISVILLE, N.C., March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc. (LLF) today announced that it has been chosen exclusively to provide all six- inch recessed downlight fixtures for Loyd Builders, located in Raleigh and Fayetteville, North Carolina. Loyd Builders, LLC is an award winning, custom home builder that strives to use the best possible products available on the market. LLF has recently accepted the company's first order for LED downlight products from this builder and is excited to participate in the high-end custom home market. Loyd Builders constructs approximately 30 to 40 homes per year in a price range of $500,000 to $2,000,000. Neal Hunter, LLF's CEO, stated, "Loyd Builders creates elegant, energy efficient custom homes. We are very pleased to have them as our first customer as we are aligned with their efforts to promote energy saving solutions for the consumer." Tripp Loyd, owner, of Loyd Builders stated, "The LED lighting products LLF is bringing to the market are exactly what Loyd Builders has been looking for to provide a more energy efficient home. The LLF LR6 product not only has a clean concealed look, but greatly reduces the energy required to produce a better light. The minimal payback time versus the added expense is an easy sell to our homeowners." LLF will begin shipping downlight LED-based products in the second quarter of 2007. About LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc. LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc. (LLF) is a privately held company headquartered near Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Its mission is to accelerate the adoption and evolution of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) into high volume general lighting applications so that consumers can realize lower energy and maintenance costs. LED lighting is significant as it is expected to provide decades of lifetime under normal operation, and it uses a fraction of the power required for traditional lighting solutions.

CityView Offers Builders More than Capital DALLAS, TX (March 21, 2007) – CityView, a national discretionary housing investor led by CityView Chairman and former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros and CityView President and third-generation homebuilder Joel Shine, has increased its presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by adding staff members and moving into larger office space. This expansion comes on the heels of a recently CityView-financed project in the area - Turtle Creek by Prescott Realty in Dallas. Since its inception in 2003, CityView has become a leader in financing solutions for homebuilders nationwide with more than $575 million in equity and $2 billion in real estate capacity. It has financed the building of more than 6,000 homes nationwide. “CityView offers more than traditional capital. We offer our builder partners a flexible source of both debt and equity financing and a one-stop shop for expertise in the areas of land acquisition and entitlement, project insurance, design, government affairs, community outreach, and marketing,” said Cisneros. “Secondly, we are addressing a major problem in the housing industry – lack of affordable homes for working families.” The local CityView office is managed by Richie Butler, Senior Vice President and Southwest Regional Manager. “CityView is proud to establish a stronger presence in the Dallas/Fort Worth area,” said Butler. “The completion and opening of Turtle Creek is the end result of successful collaborative efforts between CityView and our builder partner. We look forward to developing new partnerships in the area.” CityView partnered with Prescott Realty to finance the redevelopment of five existing apartment complexes into 95 low-rise condominiums in the Oak Lawn-Turtle Creek area. Prescott Realty set out to provide the area with updated, modern units within short commutes of employers in the central core of Dallas. CityView’s new Dallas office is located at 1412 Main St., Suite 1900, Dallas, Texas 75202. For more information about CityView in the DFW area, contact Senior Vice President Richie L. Butler at 214-752-8660. CityView is a national discretionary housing investor with $2 billion of real estate capacity focused on creating the highest quality of housing for America’s working families. CityView makes workforce housing happen by offering a flexible source of combined debt and equity and by providing partner homebuilders with its “capital plus” strategy – a one-stop resource for land acquisition, entitlement support, governmental assistance, marketing, community outreach and project insurance. CityView has offices in Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio, and Santa Monica.

QUAKERTOWN, Pa., March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Synergis Engineering Design Solutions Division of Synergis Technologies, Inc. announced today that it is combining its Building Solutions and Infrastructure Solutions groups to form the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Solutions team and making significant investments to bring additional expertise to the team. These moves are part of its ongoing effort to improve the level of service, value and overall quality experience it provides its customers. As part of the formation of the new group, Synergis EDS is also announcing today the promotion of Tamara Healy to Director of Sales and Marketing for the AEC and Government Solutions team. As a degreed Civil Engineer, she brings more than 15 years of unique industry experience to the position. Previous positions with Raytheon E & C, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and Pfizer in engineering design, project management and sales have helped solidify Healy's value as a trusted resource to Synergis EDS customers. Healy manages a team of eight professionals, including five Regional Account Managers and three Customer Support Personnel. Synergis EDS has also created a new position, Customer Advocate, to ensure that customers have a favorable working relationship and open line of communication with Synergis EDS. Cheryl Shepper, formerly of Synergis EDS' Infrastructure Solutions team, has moved into that role. Five Solutions Engineers complete this expanding team, with open positions listed at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.synergis.com/files/synergis/synergis_careers.shtml. In addition to its dedicated AEC staff, Synergis EDS offers its AEC customers five training center locations including Center City Philadelphia, Quakertown, Blue Bell, and York in Pennsylvania as well as Marlton in New Jersey. "Training allowed us a focused approach to learning what to do and not to do with our new software," said John Tully, CAD Manager at Gilmore & Associates. "I've had dealings with other Autodesk resellers during my career and by far, Synergis offers the quickest response, widest variety of services and expertise. I would recommend them to anyone." "Holding the position of the leading Autodesk VAR in the Mid-Atlantic region for more than 20 years, we are making the necessary strategic investments to structure ourselves and deliver the quality results ours customers have come to expect," said Kristen Tomasic, vice president, Synergis Engineering Design Solutions Division. "Our customers in the AEC market have literally changed the landscape of our region through their innovative design. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership as we help them meet their design, implementation and business objectives." About Synergis Engineering Design Solutions Synergis' Engineering Design Solutions, an independent division of Synergis(R) Technologies, Inc., is a leading Autodesk(R) Value Added Reseller for Manufacturing, Infrastructure, and Building Solutions in the Mid-Atlantic region. Headquartered in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, it is also recognized as an Autodesk(R) Premier Solutions Provider (PSP), Manufacturing Specialist, Autodesk's highest level of authorization. The Engineering Design Solutions Division provides companies in Manufacturing, Government, AEC, and related industries the best quality Autodesk software, training, professional services, and support to ensure their maximum productivity, competitive business advantage, and return on investment. As an Autodesk(R) Authorized Training Center, Synergis provides onsite customized and classroom training at five convenient locations, taught by Autodesk Certified Experts. For more information on the Engineering Design Solutions Division, visit www.synergis.com or call 800-836-5440. All products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright 2007 Synergis Engineering Design Solutions, a division of Synergis Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: Cindi Goodsell, Public Relations (510) 479-9015 goodsell@peoplepc.com Sheri Sargent, Synergis Engineering Design Solutions (215) 529-9900, x102 sheri.sargent@synergis.com

PALM SPRINGS, Calif., March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Exclusive: Sports legend and social pioneer Billie Jean King and RainbowVision Palm Springs (RVPS) have announced plans for a green community, fitness facility and exhibition tennis court to open in Palm Springs. RVPS's green choices promote construction of healthier buildings both for the occupants and the environment. According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, construction of buildings consumes 40% of the world's total energy. Now with the dangers of global warming, 'Hybrid Living'-- the co-existence of activities and lifestyles, inseparably spooling together -- is of ultimate importance. In addition, Rastra(R), RVPS's building material of choice, is a fire and earthquake resistant, sound proof, lightweight material made up of 85% recycled materials that might have lain forever in landfills. "Joy Silver and RainbowVision are the nation's first and leading developer of communities for the second 50 years for the LGBT population and their friends," states Ms. King, "and now they have gone 'green.' I'm pleased to work with Joy and everyone at RainbowVision Palm Springs to develop a state-of-the-art fitness center and spa, and exhibition tennis court in the unique RainbowVision-designed green community planned for Palm Springs." RainbowVision Palm Springs, to be located on 13 acres of mountain-view land at East Palm Canyon Drive and Gene Autry Trail, will open their first information booth at the 2007 Kraft Nabisco LPGA Championship March 29th through April 1, at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. Interviews, as well as Shake radio remotes, will take place at the booth where fully refundable reservation deposits will be accepted. In addition, RVPS representatives will attend the LLT production of the Dinah Faire Golf Tournament to be played at Woodhaven Country Club on Friday and are sponsoring the LLT produced concert on Saturday night. "We like being the first to materialize this elegant green dream, a combination of space, lifestyle and landscape, and now we have the additional honor of Billie Jean's presence -- for who better represents 'first -- again' than Billie Jean King, both in her reign as a great tennis champion, and as a social activist," states Joy Silver, President and CEO of RainbowVision California. "We enjoy her Fitness Center & Spa at RainbowVision Santa Fe, and in addition to her fitness center in Palm Springs, Billie Jean has designed a special outdoor exhibition tennis court. We are going to have some serious fun with that!"

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The first model private residences at The Plaza, and the first anywhere with furnishings and accessories designed by Versace Home, are making their debut at the iconic castle on the park, it was announced by Miki Naftali, President of Elad Properties, owner of The Plaza. The sumptuous one and two bedroom model residences are on the 12th floor facing Central Park. “The designs contrast with the restored glory of the great landmark public rooms, like The Palm Court and the Oak Room, defining a standard of sophisticated elegance in a rich, contemporary environment featuring state-of-the art conveniences and amenities,” Mr. Naftali said. “Versace has always been more than just fashion, but about luxurious living – and so our original creative design work at The Plaza is a natural extension of our lifestyle brand,” said Giancarlo DiRisio, CEO of the Versace Group. “We have created luxury interiors for our exclusive resorts, world-class yachts, private jets, helicopters and extraordinary motor cars. We now have the privilege of designing the furnishings for these glorious model private residences,” he said. The architectural style, layout and finishes in the two models are part of the overall concept by The Plaza interior architect, Gal Nauer, incorporating details from The Plaza’s original design. The interplay between classic and modern is a theme running throughout The Plaza, and one that is also intrinsic to the Versace Home Collection. The furnishings reflect the culture of the house of Versace, combining elegance with comfort. The Home Collection combines ancient with modern and thus features clean lines and luxury materials. They incorporate references to the past, like the Greek key motif, derived from classical antiquity. All materials and custom manufactured pieces are imported from Italy. A romantic motif was created in the one-bedroom model residence using a monochromatic palette and sumptuous materials. A modern, black-and-white motif characterizes the two-bedroom model. The Plaza will also feature a hotel, hotel condominiums, luxurious retail shops and fine restaurants, as well as its restored landmark public spaces. Stribling Associates is exclusive sales agent for the hotel condominiums and the Private Residences. Home automation systems are provided by Concierge Direct; art objects by ArtLink, Inc., and floor coverings by ABC Carpet & Home.

Sustainable, green restoration of Sri Lankan village of Kirinda takes top honor at MIPIM BOSTON, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The ground-breaking reconstruction project created by leading global property consultants Colliers International which used a sustainable, green vision to rebuild the Sri Lankan village of Kirinda after the 2004 tsunami has won the residential awards at the world's premier real estate summit, MIPIM. The MIPIM summit, held March 13-16 in Cannes, convenes the most influential decision makers in the market. Shigeru Ban, the architect hailed by TIME Magazine as one of the Top 100 innovators of the 21st century, worked with the Colliers Kirinda Trust, set up by Colliers International, to reconstruct the village. He and his team donated their time to produce a radical vision that embraces local traditions and materials (the houses were constructed with rubber tree wood, coconut wood, teak, and sun-dried earthen blocks, natural materials chosen for their durability, strength and beauty) and conforms to the highest environmental standards. Ban's design ensures that the houses can breathe in the heat and that air can circulate freely inside - whereas historically, homes made from concrete forced occupiers to sit outside during the hot dry season. Additionally, all wood for Ban's project was purchased from local tree farms, which has kept money flowing through the local economy. Finally, 100 percent solar-powered street lighting has been introduced to the neighborhood - a groundbreaking step for this area. Following the success of the Kirinda project, MIPIM has announced a "green building" award for 2008 for buildings designed and used in a "sustained, ecological manner." The President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse, has praised the project. "I would like to express, on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka, heartfelt thanks for the contributions that Colliers, Shigeru Ban and partners have made to rebuild the community in Kirinda," he noted. "They took an extremely professional approach, developed the highest standard designs, used the most appropriate local materials and consulted both our experts and the local people to ensure the end product matched displaced families' needs. The project has become the standard for ongoing tsunami reconstruction work in Sri Lanka -- and Colliers has quite rightly received international recognition and acclaim for its efforts." Notes to Editors: Colliers International is a global affiliation of independently owned commercial real estate firms. The organization's 9,327 employees span the world in 241 offices in 54 countries. On a worldwide basis, Colliers manages 595,725,580 square feet, and has revenue of $US 1,442,478,223.

SARASOTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On a day only Florida could create – bright, balmy and beautiful – more than 120 volunteers arrived yesterday at the Jordan’s Crossing Habitat for Humanity development in Sarasota to install 600 new Lookout Clear Storm panels made with GE’s Lexan1 sheet. The storm panels, hardware, volunteer time and project support were donated by GE Plastics and the Calhoun, Ga.-based Lookout Shutters Inc. In four hours, volunteers from GE, Lookout Shutters and Habitat Sarasota demonstrated first-hand how easy it is to put up the clear panels – and how attractive they are when placed on a home. “Yesterday we saw the spirit and commitment that Habitat for Humanity communities inspire,” says Darrell Hughes, general manager of global Specialty Film & Sheet Business, GE Plastics. “GE and Lookout Shutters have been eager to launch “Project Clear Haven” to help the new homeowners of Habitat Sarasota secure their homes from the damage of storms in the Gulf region. This was the perfect product for Jordan’s Crossing – the strength, durability, and clarity of GE’s signature Lexan sheet with the innovation of Lookout Shutter’s Clear Storm Panel.” Jordan’s Crossing is one housing development located in an area where the Sarasota affiliate of Habitat for Humanity – one of the largest and most progressive in the country – has already built more than 170 homes and has plans to build another 500 homes in five years. GE selected the neighborhood because the Gulf Coast experiences high-intensity storms and hurricanes, making the storm panels not just a luxury, but a necessity. “There’s certainly impact when two strong organizations come together for a humanitarian project, and GE Plastics and Habitat for Humanity are two powerful brands,” says Mike Jacobson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Sarasota. “Habitat builds the homes for our families who need them, and it’s much more meaningful if we can help make these homes and their residents more secure.” Interest grows in the east, southeast “Our wide distributor network along the east coast and southeast is reporting high interest in the Lookout Clear Storm Panels made from GE’s Lexan sheet,” says Wayne Trundle, president of Lookout Shutters. “We hear repeatedly that consumers are unhappy within the claustrophobic environment of a home boarded up with metal panels or plywood. The clear storm panels solve that and they’re virtually indestructible since they’re made with GE’s Lexan sheet.” The Lookout Clear Storm Panels made with GE’s Lexan sheet meet the Florida building code and code approvals for high-velocity hurricane zone, Miami-Dade, ICC and TDI.” Lookout Shutters is a family-owned business that manufactures the Clear Storm panels with GE’s Lexan sheet and moves them through an extensive distribution and installation network in time for the hurricane season. The Lookout Clear Storm Panel made with GE’s Lexan sheet comes with a 10-year limited written warranty. For more information on how to purchase the Lookout Clear Storm Panel made with GE’s Lexan sheet, visit www.gestormprotection.com, www.lookoutshuttersinc.com, or call 877-200-0234. About Lookout Shutters, Inc. Lookout Shutters (www.lookoutshuttersinc.com) Inc. is a family-owned business that was started in 2000 in Calhoun, Ga. The company is recognized as a leader in the hurricane-protection industry, developing high-end products that protect windows and doors from storm damage. Lookout Shutters services dealers in Florida, as far north as Connecticut and around the coast to Texas. The company manufactures a wide variety of storm shutters for residential and commercial properties, including the Lookout Clear Storm panels made from Lexan1 sheet. About Habitat for Humanity International Habitat for Humanity International (www.habitat.org) is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in Americus, Ga., in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than one million people. The Sarasota affiliate, now one of the largest in the U.S., was created in 1986 and has built more than 170 homes since its inception. With its current planning and partnerships, Habitat Sarasota is planning to build 500 homes in the next five years. About GE Plastics GE Plastics (www.geplastics.com) is a global supplier of plastic resins widely used in automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, performance packaging, building & construction, telecommunications, and optical media applications. The company manufactures and compounds polycarbonate, ABS, SAN, ASA, PPE, PC/ABS, PBT and PEI resins, as well as the LNP1 line of high-performance specialty compounds. GE Plastics, Specialty Film & Sheet, manufactures high-performance Lexan1 sheet and film products used in thousands of demanding applications worldwide. In addition, GE Plastics’ dedicated Automotive organization is an experienced, world-wide competitor, offering leading plastics solutions for five key automotive segments: body panels and glazing; under the hood applications; component; structures and interiors; and lighting. As a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Games, GE is the exclusive provider of a wide range of innovative products and services that are integral to successful Games.

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Green Builder® Media, the leading national purveyor of information and education about residential green building and sustainable development, today announced that award-winning editor Cati O’Keefe has joined the company as editor in chief for Green Builder Magazine and Green Remodeler Magazine. With over 20 years in publishing, O’Keefe has been intimately involved with several successful national magazines. She was instrumental in the 2000 redesign of Hanley Wood’s Builder Magazine (now owned by JP Morgan Chase & Co, NYSE: JPM) and served as managing editor for publications such as Architecture, Digital Home, Big Builder, Residential Architect, Developer, and Architect. As a member of these teams, O’Keefe has accrued more than 40 editorial awards from American Business Media, The Association of Business Press Editors, and Folio. She was also the recipient of the prestigious William D. Littleford Award for Corporate Community Service. “Cati brings a breadth of experience, passion, and creativity to our team,” says Sara Gutterman, CEO of Green Builder Media. “She has tremendous vision, and we trust that she will lead Green Builder Magazine and our entire publishing division to a new level of sophistication.” With a circulation of nearly 100,000 of the most active and influential building professional firms in the country, Green Builder Magazine is the third largest publication in the residential building space and the only one to focus exclusively on green building and responsible growth. Hungry for information about sustainable development, building professionals consider Green Builder Media to be the authoritative source of information about green products, environmentally appropriate projects, and the people and companies that are making a difference in the residential building marketplace. With its portfolio of sustainability-focused products and services, Green Builder Media is directly responding to the dramatic growth in the green building market. In addition to its publications, Green Builder Magazine and soon-to-launch Green Remodeler, the company offers a series of demonstration projects across the country known as the VISION House Series; an online distance learning platform called Green Builder College; and in-person events for building professionals in select target markets called Green Builder Live. For more information about the company and its products, visit www.greenbuildermedia.com. For editorial inquiries, contact Cati O’Keefe at cati@greenbuildermag.com. For publishing or advertising inquiries, contact Sara Gutterman at sara@greenbuildermag.com. About Green Builder Media Green Builder Media, the publisher of Green Builder Magazine, is the only media conglomerate that focuses exclusively on disseminating information about green building and sustainable practices to a widespread national audience. The company is privately held and funded by venture capital.

BARBERTON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W), a unit of McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE:MDR), and American Electric Power (AEP) announced plans to pursue the commercial viability of a new combustion technology to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions from coal-fired power plants. Under the terms of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement, the companies will assess the application of oxy-coal combustion as a retrofit to an existing AEP plant, and work toward the development of the first oxy-coal commercial validation project in the United States. Oxy-coal combustion uses pure oxygen for the combustion of coal in electricity generating plants. In this system, nitrogen that comes in with the air for the combustion process is eliminated. As a result, the exhaust gas is a relatively pure stream of CO2 that is ready for capture and sequestration or alternate uses such as enhanced oil recovery. Use of this technology is expected to result in near-zero emissions from coal-fired electric-generating facilities. B&W has established a collaboration agreement with American Air Liquide, Inc. for the continued development of the technology. During the summer of 2007, B&W will complete a pilot demonstration of the oxy-coal combustion technology at its Clean Environment Development Facility (CEDF) in Alliance, Ohio. The CEDF is a 30MWth combustion testing facility that simulates key operating characteristics of a modern, commercial fossil fuel-fired power plant and includes a pulverized coal feed system, furnace and convection pass, an air heater, dry and wet scrubbers, baghouses and an electrostatic precipitator. AEP will be among the utility participants in B&W’s Oxy-Coal Combustion Advisory Group in an effort to help bring the potential users of the technology into the development process. In addition, as part of the MOU, B&W and AEP will evaluate and select the most suitable existing AEP plant location for the commercial application of the oxy-coal combustion technology. B&W will also provide unit performance and design approximations for potential carbon capture uses, perform preliminary site equipment layouts, prepare a detailed scope of work, and develop schedule- and budget-price estimates. “B&W and AEP have a long history of working together to advance the technology of electric power generation,” said Brandon C. Bethards, president, B&W Fossil Power Group. “We expect that this study will bring us even closer to identifying a viable carbon-reduction solution for coal-firing power plants – one that is both economical and environmentally sound.” The feasibility study is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2008. In addition to the work under the MOU with AEP, B&W’s Canadian subsidiary, B&W Canada, is working with a major Canadian utility to develop a supercritical pressure, pulverized coal-fired boiler and to assess the feasibility of proceeding to the construction phase on a new, near-zero-emissions, 300MW power station using the oxy-coal combustion technology. In that unit, recovered CO2 would be sold for enhanced oil recovery operations and eventually sequestrated underground in stable geologic formations. Present in 72 countries, Air Liquide provides industrial and medical gases and related services and offers innovative solutions based on constantly enhanced technologies. These solutions, which are consistent with Air Liquide’s commitment to sustainable development, help to protect life and enable customers to manufacture many indispensable everyday products. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris stock exchange and is a component of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices (ISIN code FR 0000120073). American Air Liquide Inc. is Air Liquide’s U.S.-based research and development company. For more information, visit www.airliquide.com. American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than five million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). The company is based in Columbus, Ohio. The Babcock & Wilcox Company is a subsidiary of McDermott International, Inc., an engineering and construction company with specialty manufacturing and service capabilities focused on energy infrastructure. McDermott’s customers are predominantly utilities and other power generators, major and national oil companies, and the United States Government.

FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Television commercials frequently tout the importance of protecting household pets from fleas. However, protecting the health of those family members who care for household pets is of equal importance. Fleas, which commonly appear in warmer months, feed on the blood of any warm-blooded body, thus posing a potential risk to the health and well-being of families within their own homes. “Although, fleas are often associated with household pets, these pests can certainly affect human beings,” said Cindy Mannes, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “Frequently, flea bites are itchy, unsightly and may cause allergic reactions in humans. With the recent increase in flea calls to pest control companies, it is important to protect your family from these potential health risks.” NPMA experts offer these tips for help avoid flea infestations: * Clean and vacuum your home frequently to remove existing flea populations and prevent the laying of eggs. * Be sure to keep your lawn well groomed as this can thwart rodents, who are often flea carriers, from finding hiding spots and food sources so close to your home. * Fleas tend to travel with mammals on the move, including rodents. If you have a rodent problem in your home, fleas may be soon to follow. Call a pest professional to rid your home of both. * To protect your pets, keep them on a leash when outdoors. Be sure to bathe and groom your pets regularly. * Have your pets visit a veterinarian annually and use flea treatments according to directions. “If you suspect a flea infestation in your home, be proactive in treating the problem and contact a licensed pest professional to rid your home of fleas and to prevent future infestations,” advises Mannes.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vulcan Materials Company, Midsouth Division today announced that the company is rated the most admired construction materials company on Fortune magazine’s newly published 2007 list of America’s Most Admired Companies. Vulcan also is ranked among the top 10 companies in the Fortune 1000 for long-term investment and social responsibility. In the social responsibility category, Vulcan is listed alongside United Parcel Service, McDonald’s, Starbucks and Walt Disney. Under long-term investment, Vulcan places among Exxon Mobil, Procter & Gamble, FedEx, Berkshire Hathaway and Walt Disney. This year marks the sixth time that Vulcan has been selected to the prestigious Most Admired list, which is chosen by a survey of more than 3,000 executives, directors and securities analysts. Of the eight categories measured to determine reputation, Vulcan ranks No. 1 across the board in its industry sector, “Building Materials, Glass” – innovation, quality of products and services, social responsibility, financial soundness, long-term investment, people management, use of corporate assets and quality of management. “Being recognized as the most admired in the industry, and as one of the most socially responsible companies in the country, is a tremendous honor and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees,” said Stan Bass, president, Midsouth Division. “We work hard to be a trusted and responsible neighbor in the communities we serve by providing critical infrastructure materials needed by the U.S. economy.” The Midsouth Division operates over 40 facilities throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and Indiana. Recently, the Division received the Tennessee Road Builder’s Association “Supplier Of The Year Award,” and two Showplace Plant Beautification Awards from the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association. The Most Admired list, which Fortune calls “the definitive report card on corporate reputations,” will be featured in the magazine’s March 19 issue and on newsstands March 12. About Vulcan Materials Company Vulcan Materials Company, a member of the S&P 500 index, is the nation’s foremost producer of construction aggregates and a major producer of other construction materials. For more information about Vulcan, see www.vulcanmaterials.com.

New Product Line Offers Increased Storm Protection and Will Be Marketed in Target Communities Throughout the Mid-Atlantic ROANOKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Home Energy Savings Corp. (PINK SHEETS:HESV), a leading provider of energy-efficient home improvement products and services, today announced the addition of its new Crisis Prevention product line to compliment its current “DreamSeries” line of energy-efficient home improvement products. The Crisis Prevention package will offer customers an unparalleled level of protection from potential storm damage and will be marketed throughout the Mid-Atlantic region via the company’s subsidiary, DreamHome Solutions, Inc. For a limited time, DreamHome will also offer an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system free to all customers that upgrade their existing home with both Crisis Prevention windows and siding. Bruce Edwards, CEO of the Company, stated, "In addition to offering energy-efficient products with the high quality standards and energy consumption guarantees that we are known for, the Crisis Prevention products provide homeowners further peace of mind. These products are designed to provide an unmatched level of protection from severe weather. Going forward, the new product line allows our home-improvement sales team to penetrate new communities within our current footprint while continuing to benefit from the support of our mortgage and financing divisions.” DreamHome’s Crisis Prevention Package will include its exclusive line of Gorrell energy-efficient vinyl windows outfitted with a virtually unbreakable Armor Impact Plus ™ glazing system that also guarantees a 40% reduction in energy consumption. In addition, the package will offer Hurricane proof Crane® full-back vinyl siding which is warranted to withstand winds in excess of 150 MPH, and also guarantees a 20% reduction in energy consumption. And finally, installation of the UPS system will allow the average dwelling to run on a limited battery back-up power supply for approximately 48 hours should the homeowner experience an interruption in main power. About Home Energy Savings Corp. Home Energy Savings Corp. provides the sales, installation, and financing of energy-efficient home improvement products and services. As part of a licensing agreement with DreamHome Remodeling, Inc. and through its subsidiary DreamHome Solutions, Inc., the company markets its “DreamSeries” product line throughout the Mid-Atlantic, guaranteeing homeowners up to 40% savings on their existing home energy consumption. Through its subsidiary, MLI Capital Group, Inc., the Company also creates cross-selling opportunities by offering home owners a broad range of mortgage services and home improvement financing options. Forward-Looking Statements Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for the Company, including statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the factors discussed in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC (a copy of which may be accessed through the SEC's website at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.sec.gov). In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of the press release.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today that a wide range of the company’s Kawneer architectural aluminum products and systems were used in the construction of a new “green” headquarters building designed for Heifer International, a non profit organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Kawneer teamed with the architect and glazing contractor to construct the building with careful consideration for the U.S. Green Building’s Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards. Heifer International provides livestock and plants as well as training in sustainable agriculture for disadvantaged families worldwide. The organization needed a larger headquarters, but wanted the project to remain true to the earth’s resources. Heifer identified a long-abandoned railroad yard in Little Rock’s old warehouse district, an environmentally dirty site, known as a brownfield, and made the decision to transform it – the “green” way. Polk Stanley Rowland Curzon Porter Architects, Ltd. developed the building’s design, capturing every opportunity to achieve LEED points. Glazing contractor ACE Glass Company, Inc. and product manufacturer/design engineering team from Kawneer North America were called in to collaborate on the project. Completed in March 2006, the project is expected to receive its LEED certification in 2007. The project showcases a range of Kawneer products, which is part of Alcoa’s global Building and Construction Systems (BCS) business unit headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Design Highlights * The curved shape of the building served to take advantage of the solar orientation by stretching in an east/west direction and maximizing sun exposure. To block excessive sunlight, the team integrated sunshades into the exterior, while Kawneer’s InLighten™ (light shelves) were installed on the interior of the wall to “bounce” natural light up to the ceiling and reflect it into the building. * Deeper, custom sun shades were created to be hung vertically between the punchouts, a unique design feature that served to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional, as they protect the interior from both east and west sun exposure. * The combination of the building’s narrow floor plate and the curtain wall allows natural light to penetrate to the center of every floor, while strategic interior glazing continues the indoor/outdoor aesthetic and keeps individual offices bright and open. Fixed and storefront framing systems, in conjunction with swing and sliding entrances, were used throughout the interior offices and conference rooms. In addition, clean glass, and white frost and green glass added to a light and modern aesthetic. Challenges * The complex design required the customization of several existing Kawneer products, and the curved building footprint complicated fabrication. * The increased focus on recycled materials (per the Materials & Resources category under LEED) required the coordination of a sizeable order of secondary aluminum billet necessary for the project. (In fact, 97 percent of the building materials used for the project contain recycled content.) Featured Kawneer Products * 1600 Wall System® 1, 1600 SunShade®, Inlighten™ (light shelf), Trifab® Framing System, 350 Medium Stile Entrances, 1010 Sliding Mall Fronts, 990 Sliding Doors About Kawneer North American Celebrating more than 100 years of innovation and experience, Kawneer North America is headquartered in Norcross, GA, and is the leading manufacturer of architectural aluminum products and systems for the commercial construction industry. Alcoa BCS manufactures and markets architectural systems and products in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. For more information on Kawneer or its products, please visit www.kawneer.com. About Alcoa Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap® foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa® wheels, and Baco® household wraps. Among its other businesses are closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 123,000 employees in 44 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

DALLAS, March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- What are your plans for Spring Break -- playful, i.e. fun in the sun, or practical, i.e. looking for ways to afford ever-rising higher education costs? Why not both?! Spring break is a great time for students to let loose and still have time to apply for scholarship monies to help finance their higher education. We are taught that money is earned, not freely given and although mostly true, scholarships are an exception. Unlike the scholarships of yesteryear, today's scholarships are increasingly accessible via the Internet and easier than ever! Out with tired 1,000-word scholarship essays on life challenges and resulting lessons learned, and in with a whole new breed of online scholarship contests like the American Fire Sprinkler Association's (AFSA) National Scholarship Contest, http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.afsascholarship.org/ , which awards ten scholarships -- $2,000 each -- annually to ten Web-savvy seniors. Taking roughly a half-hour to complete, AFSA's scholarship yields big returns for students and increases awareness of the fire protection industry. Applicants are asked to read a passage about fire sprinklers -- which describes their history, how they operate to save lives and property, and the types of careers available in the industry -- and take a ten-question reading comprehension quiz. For each correctly answered question, students receive one entry into the scholarship drawing. A total of ten entries into the drawing are possible per person. To be eligible, applicant must be a high school senior continuing his/her education at a trade, college or university and a U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident. Applications will be accepted through Friday, April 13, 2007 noon CDT. This scholarship does not take into account applicant's race, gender, religion, financial-need, or any other demographical designation. Winners of the random drawing will be posted by May 7, 2007 at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.afsascholarship.org/ . Chances of winning depend on total entries received. Enter to WIN at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.afsascholarship.org/ . About AFSA Established in 1981, the American Fire Sprinkler Association is an international association representing fire sprinkler contractors, manufacturers and suppliers of fire sprinkler products, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction. AFSA is dedicated to the educational and professional advancement of the automatic fire sprinkler industry. http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.firesprinkler.org

INDIO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GDS, the architectural firm for Indio’s Polo Square, has won an international design competition for Sea Colony, a similar large mixed-use residential project slated to open in Busan, South Korea, in 2010. GDS was hired in 2005 by developers Swank Development (SDC), La Quinta, CA; and John Megay & Associates, Bermuda Dunes, CA; to design the $600 million Polo Square planned for the North side of Highway 111 at Shield’s Road. Polo Square was approved by the Indio Planning Commission and City Council last month while GDS principals were in Korea receiving the award for Sea Colony. Construction for Polo Square will begin in late 2007. GDS Architects, Pasadena, CA, has offices known as GDSK in Seoul, South Korea. The firm was founded by UCLA graduate Charles I. Wee, AIA, in 1998. Wee is the recipient of the prestigious AIA Honor Award. Many of his projects are published in architectural journals featuring design excellence. “We are proud our Polo Square architects have won such a prestigious competition,” said developer William Swank, who also is a licensed architect. “While Sea Colony is larger, the two projects have much in common. Their recognition in such an important international competition further validates we are on the cutting edge of design right here in Indio.” Both projects, Swank explained, are in resort areas. Sea Colony, also a $600 million project, is a community of terraces and plazas with dramatic ocean views of Haeundae Beach. Both projects will provide a true live/work/play model for residents and the surrounding community. Sea Colony will include a library, retail, and a civic plaza. Polo Square will offer similar lifestyle benefits. Both will foster community and cultural events. Polo Square will have 511 high-rise and low-rise condominiums, two hotels, a lifestyle retail center and commercial office space. Sea Colony will have 2,593 housing units in nine towers. Ki Soo Oh, jury chief for the design competition and president of the Korean Institute of Architects, said the winning GDS design will make a significant contribution to housing internationally: “I believe this design will set a new paradigm in housing planning and design. The competition committee has spent considerable amount of resources to sponsor this competition and will stand to reap the rewards one-hundred fold. When completed, this project will be the first of its kind in Korea. This design will serve as the premier textbook example in apartment design for generations to come. Without any reluctance, the seven-member jury unanimously chose this design.” Entries came from many top-rated global architectural and environmental design firms. International firms placing in the Sea Colony design challenge include EDAW, San Francisco, CA; Parker Durant International, Minneapolis, MN; Destefano & Partners, Chicago, IL; and NBBJ, Seattle, WA. Many of the judges represent prestigious university schools of architecture and planning. Among them are Georgia Institute of Technology, UC Berkeley and several universities in Asia. In addition to principal Charles Wee, AIA, members of the winning GDS Sea Colony design team are Scott Callihan, Michael Collins, Andy Bae, Brandon Sakuma, Humberto Barazza, Lingie Park and Peter Lee, GDS, Pasadena; and Goon-Bo Hyun and Jae Young of GDSK, Seoul. Also contributing to the presentation were engineering professionals from Hanmi Engineers, Busan, South Korea: Sun Han, Bongdu Lee, Hyun Sulk Jo and Chang Hee Lim. Other firms involved in the GDS’ entry are WA Seoul, South Korea; SQLAS, Los Angeles, CA; Soltos Landscape Architects, Seoul; Dong Young and Jin Young Engineering Consultants, Seoul; KLC, Tapai, Taiwan; CS Structural Engineering, Seoul; Samshin Mechanical Engineering, Hwaseong City, South Korea; and Daeil Enc. Electrical Engineers; Zhongshan City, South Korea.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cimetrics Inc. and JDL Business Services announced today that the General Services Administration has contracted with JDL to provide Cimetrics’ Infometrics service, the industry’s most comprehensive facility data analysis and optimization program. Infometrics, featuring “next generation” building performance analysis technology, promises to identify opportunities for reductions in energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the Wiley Federal Building in College Park, MD. Further, monthly Infometrics reports will quantify CO2 emissions reductions and provide savings figures associated with each instance of energy savings throughout the building. With Infometrics, the GSA will receive an in-depth view of the Wiley Federal Building’s performance along with prioritized monthly maintenance recommendations. Using a continuous commissioning process, facility performance data on electrical and mechanical systems (such as HVAC, boilers, chillers, etc.), will be extracted, analyzed, and benchmarked—providing prioritized management recommendations and detailed action plans for reducing operating costs and energy consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. James R. Watson, Jr., Program Analyst at the GSA Metropolitan Services Center, calls Infometrics “an innovative approach to both energy use conservation and maintenance of building systems.” He further anticipates that the service “will yield significant energy and operational savings.” Not only will the program yield energy and operational savings, but it will also quantify CO2 emissions reductions in the facility. The GSA has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its buildings by 35% against the 1985 baseline by 2010, and has a mandate to further reduce them by 30% against the 2003 baseline by 2015 in accordance with President Bush’s January 24, 2007 Executive Order (#13423). The Infometrics service is currently being used at many institutional and commercial sites including universities, health-care facilities and pharmaceutical research laboratories. About Cimetrics Cimetrics Inc., headquartered in Boston, has been a pioneer in open system communication for building automation for more than a decade. The management team has a combined 100+ years of experience in energy engineering management, facilities and building controls engineering, communication, and analysis software development. The company has developed a cutting-edge remote monitoring service called Infometrics that allows its clients to conserve energy and reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Infometrics analysts continuously survey a portfolio of buildings, delivering detailed periodic reports that analyze energy usage, evaluate mechanical system performance, and prioritize facility maintenance action items. For more information on Cimetrics and Infometrics, visit: www.cimetrics.com. About JDL Located in Clinton, MD, JDL Business Services is a service-disabled veteran and woman-owned small business. JDL offers construction and project management, energy management and building systems integration (including direct digital controls, security, lighting, fire, and access control) and commissioning (including continuous commissioning). JDL also offers comprehensive energy equipment evaluation and installation, utility reduction, auditing and training. About the Wiley Federal Building Constructed in 2001, the Wiley Federal Building houses the Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. It is a 380,000 SF facility located near the University of Maryland at 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, Maryland. The building consists of approximately 30% laboratory and 70% office space and requires 100% outside air to maintain air quality for sensitive laboratory experiments related to the safety of our nation’s food supply.

Award-Winning Builder Becomes First to Include Photovoltaic (PV) Power as a Standard Feature in New Colorado Homes DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harvard Communities, Inc., one of Colorado’s most respected semi-custom homebuilders, announced that all Architect Collection homes in the Stapleton redevelopment will now come with photovoltaic (PV) solar power as a standard feature. Called the “Harvard Solar Advantage,” the initiative is the first announced by any semi-custom homebuilder in Colorado. For Architect Collection homeowners, the solar PV panels will provide approximately 30% of their home’s electrical power needs. The solar PV system will integrate seamlessly with the home’s electrical service, allowing excess power produced to be sold back to the utility company. When this happens, the electric meter spins backwards to provide retail credit for the electricity the solar home produced. At night or during cloudy weather, the home pulls power from the grid as normal, thereby spinning the meter forward again. Additionally, the Harvard Solar Advantage initiative, combined with the energy-efficient home building measures already being incorporated, will result in the reduction of over 7,000 pounds of excess carbon dioxide – 3.5 tons - per Architect Collection home annually. Supported by voter-approved Amendment 37, Colorado is in a position like never before to offer incentives for renewable energy sources. In addition to Xcel Energy’s buy-back and rebate program, the federal government will provide homeowners with a tax credit of $2,000.00 per residence. The solar PV panels being installed in the Architect Collection homes are much leaner than their predecessors - just 1.81 inches thick. These homes will include state-of-the-art triangular panels which conform closely to the roofline creating a sleek, elegant aesthetic. Current Architect Collection homes already use 40% less energy for heating and cooling than an average new home built to code. Adding solar PV panels to these already energy-efficient homes will result in additional energy savings, making them 50% more efficient than the average newly built home. “Harvard is the first homebuilder in the state to announce the use of solar PV as a standard feature and, we believe, this bold decision will create the consumer demand that inspires other builders to follow our lead,” said John Keith, President of Harvard Communities. “We’ve made a conscious choice to standardize solar panels in our homes because buyers are much more concerned about resource conservation and frankly, it’s the right thing to do.” Harvard Communities is partnering with Namaste Solar Electric, Inc., a solar design and installation company operating in Denver and Boulder, for the Harvard Solar Advantage program. “Since Amendment 37 passed, we’ve been flooded with interest from home owners, office buildings and local governments about how to utilize solar power,” said Blake Jones, President of Namaste Solar. ”Utilizing solar energy in new home construction just makes sense when you live in a state that gets as much sun as we do in Colorado.” www.namastesolar.com www.greenprintdenver.org

Inland Empire Architects Receive Funding to Advance Community-Based Work to Develop Program Partnerships with area cities of the Inland Empire REDLANDS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Institute of Architects Inland California (AIAIC) Chapter has been awarded $10,000 of grant funding from The American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Washington, D.C. for an initiative to develop its “Inland Empire Blueprint for Livable Communities” as part of a new nationwide community service program of the AIA titled “Blueprint for America: A Gift to the Nation.” The AIA Inland California offers this initiative as a gift to the community. The AIA members’ participation is provided at no fee. The AIAIC region is comprised of 41 municipalities over 2 counties, with an array of distinctive needs in each of its neighborhoods. The AIAIC Blueprint initiative has begun the systematic establishment of a sustainable demonstration of the value of design in California's Inland Empire. AIAIC City Task Force Teams have engaged the cities of Riverside and Redlands. These two cities, along with their civic leaders and citizens, will serve as the pilot programs for other cities to witness as a demonstration of the collaboration between the AIA and its communities. In addition, The AIAIC has partnered with the University of Cal Poly Pomona to stage a lecture series enriching the public awareness of architecture. In April, a California Inland Empire Mayors forum will be created with famed Architect Eduardo Terrazas from Mexico City, who will be speaking on the need to take a larger view in planning projects in order to create more responsible and environmentally sustainable cities. With the cities of Riverside and Redlands The AIAIC is collaborating on a “Green” partnership program, with an effort to establish sustainable environmental solutions for the municipalities. According to a Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania 2006 study, the Riverside-San Bernardino county area is ranked seventh of 10 locations for population growth. The chapter consulted with various entities in the Riverside and San Bernardino counties, which resulted in the two cities' interest to participate with The AIAIC. Redlands lies within the San Bernardino county lines. According to many experts, Riverside and Redlands are experiencing many changes as a result of the growth occurring in the region. So far, a “Clean and Green” Task Force has been set up in Riverside, with a State of Address and a policy statement of sustainability being prepared by the Riverside Mayor’s office. “We believe this process will be a repeatable model for other cities in the region,” said Dennis Tanida, co-champion of this AIA project and a Riverside architect. “The first step before planning is to listen, and we have a wealth of information from which to build a foundation of success for municipal sustainability.” As varying initiatives are formulated with each participating city, the criteria of Blueprint for America and the Design Principals of Livable Communities will be led by The AIAIC’s City Taskforce Teams, in collaboration with civic leaders, neighborhood residents and community representatives. The grant award is a part of The AIA’s community-based initiative “Blueprint for America” that celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2007. The AIA Inland California is a non-profit corporation that serves as an architectural community resource and represents the interests of organized architects and associated professionals within the Riverside and San Bernardino counties and is part of both the AIA California Council and AIA, its grant benefactor. With a focus on providing support and resources to advance the development of livable communities throughout the nation, the AIA earmarked grant funding available through a competitive bid process to support the efforts of regional architect member groups to engage in this community-based work. The AIAIC chapter’s initiative has expanded to creating a three-part lecture series for 2007 that will be produced in partnership with Cal Poly Pomona and include internationally distinguished architects and urban planners. “This project not only benefits the cities and partners involved, it also nurtures and provides an awareness and spirit of renewal for our members – it allows us to demonstrate the value of what this profession brings,” says Pasqual Gutierrez, an Ontario architect and co-champion of The AIA project, as well as AIAIC’s 2007 president. “With so many factors that can alter the political, environmental and social landscapes, we feel the key to success is flexibility, and to respond to those changes. It is important to note that The AIAIC 150 Initiative is to "ENGAGE" the municipalities of its region through a demonstration of the value of design, and for the architectural profession to redefine itself as community leaders, providing for the foundation of healthier, sustainable, more livable communities. The AIAIC 150 Initiative may span over a number of years extending far beyond 2007 - the distinctive initiatives engaged with a respective city are incidental to the spirit of engagement for an Inland Empire Blueprint. Environmentally, the initiatives of both Riverside and Redlands, will provide for social, environmental, and economic sustainability mutually dependent and critical to the livability and long-term prosperity of the cities”. “We are excited to have been selected for this grant,” added Florence Hagstrom, Executive Director of The AIAIC. “We envision a long lasting collaboration with a great many groups and individuals to advance this very important issue for the cities of the Inland Empire. With livable space at a premium in a growing area – collaboration is a key component to our coexistence.” For more information about the activities of the AIA Inland California, please visit www.aiaic.org or call (909) 792-8464. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the voice of the architecture profession, dedicated to serving and empowering its members through advocacy, educational and outreach programs as well as educating the public on the value and importance of architecture. Members of The AIA include architects, associates working towards licensure, and affiliate members who work in a variety of allied fields. The AIA Inland California (AIAIC), since 1965 the local professional organization for architects throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties, actively promotes architecture and the enhancement of our environment through a wide variety of programs and services. Chapter activities are designed to expand public awareness of architecture and member architects, enhance local government relations to improve the regulatory environment in which our members practice, and support a growing academic scholarship program.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Perkins+Will, the world’s leading sustainable architecture firm, designed Arabia Mountain High School in DeKalb County to be Georgia’s first LEED-Silver public high school and what could be the prototypical public school of the future. “The DeKalb County School Board took the lead to ensure that students will be in a sustainable learning environment that improves their opportunities for success,” said Barbara Crum, Perkins+Will’s principal K-12 architect in Atlanta, at today’s groundbreaking ceremonies. Turner Construction is the firm’s design/build partner. “There’s no doubt that America is moving toward increased sustainability in all things, including its schools. That’s why we’ve received so much recognition for our designs of such schools in South Carolina, Illinois, Texas, and now Georgia,” said Crum. Located in the environmentally important Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, the DeKalb County high school also features small learning communities – another Perkins+Will signature design element – that foster improved grades, graduation rates and mentoring opportunities. Sustainable features of the school include: * Bioswales with natural plantings to filter water runoff before it enters local streams; * Reduced water use with low-flow plumbing fixtures, waterless urinals, sink sensors; * North-South positioning to reduce energy use; * Construction materials that are 10 percent to 20 percent recycled; * Exclusion of materials that emit noxious, harmful odors; * Individually controlled HVAC to reduce energy waste in unoccupied areas. Another Perkins+Will design signature, increased natural daylight in classrooms, will boost energy efficiency while improving students’ attention and positively impacting their grades. The 240,000-square-foot facility, with 42 classrooms, 10 science labs, a 600-seat auditorium and 1,400-seat gymnasium, also includes: * Bicycle and walking paths; * Walls of glass providing views of Arabia Mountain; * Frontal views over athletic fields and the woods and mountain beyond; * Tree-save areas, including some preservation of old-growth specimens; * Georgia’s first hands-on environmental curriculum. The two percent in additional construction costs contributed by these features will be offset by operational savings of 20 percent annually over a five-year period, according to Crum. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy Efficient Design as designated by the United States Green Building Council.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NYSE:AMD) and Cameron Sinclair, winner of last year’s TED Prize and founder of Architecture for Humanity, today announced the first ever Open Architecture Prize at the annual TED Conference. The $250,000 Open Architecture Prize is the largest prize in the field of architecture and is designed to be a multi-year program that will draw competition from design teams around the world. Each year, a winning design will be selected from a field of low-cost, sustainable design projects and built in a selected community. The first project for the Open Architecture Prize will be an “e-community center,” a centralized building equipped with internet connectivity solutions designed to enable an entire community to access the transformative power of the Internet. The winning designs will be built as part of the prize and in alignment with the 50x15 Initiative, a program founded by AMD to connect 50 percent of the world’s population to the Internet by 2015. “The Open Architecture Prize delivers on Architecture for Humanity’s vision of encouraging collaboration and challenging designers to reach beyond the traditional bounds of architecture to develop innovative solutions that improve global living conditions,” said Dan Shine, director of the 50x15 Initiative, AMD. “The creative designs developed in this competition will contribute to the 50x15 Initiative’s ambitious goal of connecting 50 percent of the world’s population to the Internet by 2015.” After the winning designs are built, the plans will be made openly available through the Open Architecture Network, an open source online gathering place created to fulfill the wish Sinclair was granted through last year’s TED Prize. The network was unveiled yesterday at TED 2007 by Sinclair and a number of project supporters, including AMD, Hot Studio, and Sun Microsystems, Inc. It brings together architects, designers and community organizers to freely share blueprints, ideas and resources for improvement projects in areas affected by geo-political, environmental or economic hardship. The Open Architecture Network is hosted on Sun’s Sun Fire™ servers based on AMD Opteron™ processors at AMD’s global headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. “For far too long many great award-winning designs have gone undeveloped,” said Cameron Sinclair, executive director and co-founder, Architecture for Humanity. “Through the Open Architecture Network we unveiled yesterday and the Open Architecture Prize we are announcing today, we are not only challenging the creative world to design innovative structures, we are going one step further and implementing the winning solution to positively affect thousands of lives.” In addition to technology expertise and a diverse portfolio of innovative connectivity solutions, the 50x15 Initiative brings significant experience in assessing regional technology problems and deploying relevant solutions to Architecture for Humanity’s project. This expertise is essential in developing the competition criteria, as well as determining which design will empower a community to the greatest extent possible. About 50x15 The 50x15 Initiative, launched by AMD in 2004 at the World Economic Forum, is a bold and far-reaching effort to develop new technology and solutions that will help enable affordable Internet access and computing capability for 50 percent of the world's population by the year 2015. More than just goodwill, 50x15 is about fostering long-term economic progress and investment within high-growth markets in ways that benefit a wide range of people and businesses. For more information, visit www.50x15.com. About AMD Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE:AMD) is a leading global provider of innovative processing solutions in the computing, graphics and consumer electronics markets. AMD is dedicated to driving open innovation, choice and industry growth by delivering superior customer-centric solutions that empower consumers and businesses worldwide. About Architecture for Humanity Architecture for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crises and provides design services to communities in need. Currently it is involved in the reconstruction of homes on the Gulf Coast, rebuilding after the South Asia Tsunami and the construction of healthcare facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa. For more information, please visit www.architectureforhumanity.org. About the Open Architecture Network The Open Architecture Network is an online, open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design. For more information please visit: www.openarchitecturenetwork.org. About TED and the TED Prize TED is an invitation-only event where the world’s leading thinkers and doers gather for inspiration and insight. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design -- three broad subject areas that are, collectively, shaping our future. Each year, TED features 50 of the world’s most fascinating people. TED presenters run the world’s most admired companies and design its best-loved products; they invent world-changing devices, and write best-selling books. They are trusted voices and convention-breaking mavericks, icons and geniuses. Now in its third year, The TED Prize honors three extraordinary individuals with a wish to change the world, $100,000.00 (one hundred thousand dollars) in support of the wish, and the support of the TED community in making the wish come true.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On March 6, 2007, approximately 400 associates of Gables Residential (the “Company”) participated in the rebuilding efforts of New Orleans as part of its 2007 National Gables Day. Every year Gables dedicates a day to giving back to local communities, and this year volunteered to repair and renovate structures in New Orleans. The event took place in conjunction with the Company’s national meeting held in New Orleans. In partnership with Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans and the First Unitarian Universalist Church, Gables associates worked to renovate, repair and rebuild several homes and buildings in the Freret Street neighborhood of New Orleans damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Projects included exterior repairs to the Robert Street Fire Station, interior and exterior renovations and landscaping of five area homes, and construction of office and dormitory space in the First Unitarian Universalist Church’s community center. The community center has served as a base of operations for area volunteer efforts and the renovation will help ensure that safe housing and accommodations are available for the many out-of-town volunteers that the Church hosts. “Community service is a core value of Gables. We want to set an example for Corporate America on how we can give back to communities with our actions,” notes Gables CEO David Fitch. “New Orleans has always been an important place to Gables. Although we do not own or manage any apartments in this city, it has been the location of several important company events and is a favorite city for many of our associates. We’re proud to be able to give back to the New Orleans community and help rebuild this great city.” According to Lauren Anderson, CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans (NHS), the organization is “grateful for the continued support of both the faith-based and corporate volunteers from all over the United States and are proud to play a role in steering the groups to the areas in need of the most assistance.” Volunteer groups, along with non-profit organizations such as NHS, have been instrumental in the rejuvenation of all elements of the community including homes, businesses, churches and schools. Mr. Fitch also added, “We wanted to use the considerable skills of Gables associates to make the most impact. Because we are in the residential construction, management and maintenance business we could make a lot happen in a short period of time. We directed our volunteer efforts towards projects that could accelerate the reestablishment of neighborhoods where reconstruction efforts were already well underway. We believe this city will grow best organically, meaning that if market forces have already demonstrated a demand for rebuilding in a particular area, then we should direct our resources to accelerate that progress.” With a mission of Taking Care of the Way People Live®, Gables Residential has received national recognition for excellence in the management, development, acquisition and construction of luxury multi-family communities in high job growth markets. The Company has a research-driven strategy focused on markets characterized by high job growth and resiliency to national economic downturns. Within these markets, the Company targets Established Premium Neighborhoods™ (“EPN’s”), generally defined as areas with high per square foot prices for single-family homes. The Company is one of the largest apartment operators in the nation and currently manages over 37,000 apartment homes in 146 communities, including the 62 communities it owns, primarily in the Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, San Diego/Inland Empire, South Florida, Tampa, Tennessee and Washington, DC markets. The Company has also recently begun operations in the Boston, Chicago, Jacksonville and Seattle markets. The Company owns an additional 10 communities under development.

- Cascade Coil Drapery Celebrates 20 Years as Designer of Wire Mesh Fabric - NEW YORK, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- For Cascade Coil, the years of manufacturing and selling wire fencing to Oregon ranchers and farmers is long gone. Since 1986, Portland-based Cascade Coil (www.cascadecoil.com) has a new role in the world, one that took off, oddly enough, on tour with the Rolling Stones when the company's wire mesh was used as part of an elaborate set design for the band's Steel Wheels Tour in 1989. Seen as edgy, sophisticated and ultra chic ever since, this intriguing and versatile wire mesh fabric has been tapped by many of the world's leading architects and interior designers to be featured in a variety of A-list venues including Wolfgang Puck's CUT and sidebar at the Beverly Wilshire, Crobar in Manhattan and the Hilton Tokyo Bay. (Photo: http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070308/NYTH005 ) "The details and material express the modern aspects of design while creating an environment of harmony, tranquility and intimacy," says Nicole Dalton, of the Paul Steelman Design Group, who used the wire mesh in the Shanghai Lilly Restaurant at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. Bold and modern in texture and feel, the wire mesh fabric exudes an airiness, allowing light to enter a space without blocking views or ventilation. The U.S.-made curtains are manufactured of steel, aluminum, copper or stainless steel and come in colors and finishes ranging from natural tin or nickel-plated to bright paints in any color imaginable. In the 20 years since the company was founded by Ron Schoenheit as a spin-off from his family's original fencing and fireplace screen business, Cascade Coil's wire mesh has been featured on HGTV and in the Sunset Magazine Idea House and incorporated in a wide variety of settings, including the Museum of Modern Art bookstore in New York, the set of CSI Miami, the Penthouse Executive Club lounge in New York City, an aviary at the Dallas Zoo and the Doc Martens flagship store in Portland. Restaurants and hotels were the first commercial enterprises to catch on to the flexibility of the wire mesh curtains. Destination spots using Cascade Coil in their interiors include Bobby Flay Steak at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, Spago in Las Vegas, the Drake Hotel in New York, Club Meow in Windsor, the Hyatt Center Chicago and Circolo Restaurant and Lounge in San Francisco. Dava Guthmiller of Noise 13 Design, who created Circolo, says "Light can dramatically change a room's mood-the wire mesh extends that mood into motion." Landscape architects have discovered the resilience of the mesh fabric too. A September 2006 cover story in Garden Design magazine demonstrated the aesthetic use in outdoor spaces. The Dallas Zoo uses the wire mesh as an alterative to other aviary barriers, giving the illusion of space, access to fresh air and easy viewing for both the zoo's visitors and its feathered residents. Currently, thousands of square feet of wire mesh cladding are being installed to enhance the exterior of the Amgen Parking Structure, Helix Campus, in Seattle. And modernist home decorators are discovering the vast array of aesthetic effects that wire mesh fabric offers. Architectural Digest's May 2001 cover story featured Cascade Coil's wire mesh as inventive drapery to protect privacy and also allow the stunning New York City view inside a city pied-a- terre. Cascade Coil is poised to break into the international market, particularly Europe, where they have launched an extensive outreach campaign to design trendsetters. A new line of standardized curtain sizes is being considered, extending Cascade's reach to home decorators. "From my great-grandfather's original fencing business to fireplace screens to cutting-edge interior design, Cascade Coil's rich history is a testament to creativity in motion," says Schoenheit, reflecting on the business, which is still family-owned and operated. "Cascade Coil's wire mesh fabric pushes design outward into a new realm of potential and sophistication."

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Making a big impact is ideal for a job interview or a first date. But when it comes to the strain individuals place on the planet, a low impact is what’s required to sustain the world as we know it. As global warming awareness grows and environmentalism becomes mainstream, more and more people are looking for ways to lessen their impact on the Earth’s dwindling, precious resources. Now there’s Low Impact Living (www.LowImpactLiving.com) to provide homeowners with information and tools they need to reduce their environmental footprint. The why’s and how’s of living “green” are now all in one place with the most comprehensive resources available on the web. The site features a free Impact Calculator, a unique tool that automatically calculates a home environmental profile with instant data on carbon emissions, sewage production and energy use. Once a homeowner obtains their profile, they can use the Green Products and Services Directory to help lower their impact. The user can find green products including non-toxic paint and compact fluorescent lighting, and also search among over 2,500 nationwide eco-friendly service providers, such as green architects and interior designers, solar installers and flooring specialists. Homeowners are serious about going green; the site’s traffic has doubled each month since its launch in December. Started by husband and wife team Jason Pelletier and Jessica Jensen, Low Impact Living was founded with the goal of helping people make their homes eco-friendly, efficient and attractive. “Low Impact Living is a one-stop-shop for everything homeowners need to learn about sustainable living and how to lower their environmental impact through simple changes,” said Jensen. “Giving your home a green makeover is even cost effective in the long run, as you incorporate more energy-efficient products.” Pelletier is an environmental engineer and LEED Accredited Professional (U.S. Green Building Council). Prior to starting Low Impact Living, Pelletier consulted on restoration and management of watersheds and natural habitats for the U.S. Forest Service, Audubon Society and NorthEast Trees. Most recently, Jensen served as Senior Vice President of Marketing & Business Development for Investor’s Business Daily (IBD). Previously, both were management consultants with the Boston Consulting Group, where they led strategy projects for Fortune 500 companies. They bring business acumen and environmental passion to this new venture.

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An initiative launched by Lafarge in India with the aim of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions has been registered as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) by the CDM Executive Board, in line with the framework established by the Kyoto Protocol. The project, launched at Lafarge’s Arasmeta cement plant located in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, involves replacing a proportion of the clinker (a component of cement) with fly ash, a by-product of coal-fired power plants. This process makes it possible to reduce the CO2 emissions linked to the cement production process. It also contributes to the elimination of industrial waste by recycling this directly in the cement production process. This CDM will therefore make a lasting contribution to the fight against climate change by enabling an annual saving of 70,000 tonnes of CO2. Solutions to help fight climate change This initiative is the third CDM registered by Lafarge. The first such project, registered in May 2005, is a wind farm in Morocco powering the Tétouan cement plant by supplying 50% of its electricity requirements. A second CDM was registered in Malaysia in April 2006 and involves replacing part of the coal used as fuel with palm kernel shell biomass. These three CDM projects alone deliver a saving of around 160,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. Other CDM projects are currently being considered and should be announced in the coming months. These projects have been launched within the framework of the voluntary commitment made by Lafarge in 2001 as part of its partnership with WWF to reduce worldwide CO2 emissions per tonne of cement by 20% between 1990 and 2010. Lafarge’s efforts to reduce CO2 emissions resulted in a 15%1 reduction in the Group’s worldwide CO2 emissions per tonne of cement at the end of 2006, compared to 1990.

WASHINGTON, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at the Second Annual National Summit for Jurisdictional Leaders, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) recognized Governor Jennifer M. Granholm with the "Every American Deserves A Home" award for her encouragement and leadership for Michigan's statewide Campaign to End Homelessness. Michigan's campaign includes dozens of complex strategies designed to eliminate barriers, streamline services and innovate solutions that will end homelessness as a costly social problem. "We must continue to fan the flames of compassion and come together in pursing a comprehensive strategy to end homelessness - because no person should have to suffer on the streets through a cold Michigan winter and no child's future should be threatened by missing school because she has no home," Granholm said. "As we work to revitalize our economy and build vibrant cities across the state, we must also have the will power, focus, and funding to confront today's epidemic of homelessness. I would like to thank Interagency Council on Homelessness for recognizing Michigan's efforts to end this tragic reality." Collecting the award for the Governor was Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Executive Director Michael R. DeVos. "This award recognizes the importance of the local planning efforts to end homelessness. Our state's effort is a mature one because we recognize that the work needs to happen at the local level," said DeVos. "We are very fortunate in Michigan that Governor Granholm has created a culture where her cabinet members are encouraged to take risks and select challenging goals." USICH Executive Director Philip F. Mangano rallied the attendees throughout the Summit with motivating messages. "Our work is to hasten the day when every American will have a home," said Mangano. "To bring remedy to the pain and misery of those experiencing homelessness is what we are about." The Summit, themed The Pursuit of Solutions, was inspired by the recent hit movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" starring Will Smith portraying the true life story of Chris Gardner. Gardner, who experienced homelessness as young man, was faced with overcoming a personal financial crisis while juggling an unpaid internship and the needs of his child. Gardner and his son regularly slept in a subway bathroom and other public spaces. To open the Summit on Wednesday evening those attending were able to visit with Gardner via a satellite feed, asking questions about what is next. Many wanted to know when and if Gardner could come to their city to inspire their communities for change. In 2005, before the movie was in production, Michigan invited Chris Gardner to address the Michigan Conference on Affordable Housing. His spirited and personal presentation was an inspiration to the 1,500 attendees, many of whom were front line homeless service workers. The USICH Second Annual National Summit for Jurisdictional Leaders was held at the Washington Press Club for representatives from across the country. MSHDA is a quasi-state agency that provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in community economic development activities, and address homeless issues. MSHDA's loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds and notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues.

FREEPORT, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Explorer, RiverQuest’s newly constructed boat leaving Freeport, Florida today for its home port in Pittsburgh, is a state-of-the-art environmental classroom, a world benchmark “green” commercial vessel and a tourist attraction that is the first of its kind. The launch of Explorer, the world’s first green-engineered floating classroom, marks a new era in marine design for environmental sustainability. Departing from its construction site in Freeport, Fla., the 90-foot, 150-passenger vessel will make a 16-day journey to its permanent home in Pittsburgh, Pa. RiverQuest provides river-based experiential learning about sustainability including ecology, environment science, energy, climate change, green engineering and river history and culture for students, teachers and the community through hands-on activities and technologies. "Explorer represents a truly significant paradigm shift in environmental education. It is a tangible demonstration of our new Sustainability Education Program and it reflects the 'leading edge' nature of our mission,” said Karl Thomas, executive director, RiverQuest. “Together with a diverse team of marine and green design experts from industry and academia, we have created an entirely new approach to designing and building marine vessels by applying sustainable design to virtually every aspect of its construction. No one else anywhere does quite what we do; no one has a vessel quite like Explorer, which possesses extraordinary onboard technology that supports exploration and learning.” New Standards in Green Marine Design Because there are no official standards for the design of “green” boats, RiverQuest assembled a unique team of naval architects, marine and electric-drive engineers, and green building experts from Pittsburgh, Pa.; across Florida; Atlanta, Ga.; Houston, Texas; and Germany. The melding of global expertise in boat design, alternative propulsions systems and the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) design process and standards has resulted in a series of green applications that are completely new to the marine industry. “We congratulate the engineering, design and green-building teams for an incredible achievement in building a boat that truly is the first of a kind – setting the educational standard for rivers-based science programs and setting a new green standard for marine vessels,” said Maxwell King, president of The Heinz Endowments. The foundation, a steady supporter of RiverQuest since its founding in 1991, has contributed more than $1 million toward Explorer’s $3.5 million construction cost. Other significant funders are the Richard King Mellon Foundation, The Buhl Foundation, the Hillman Foundation and the state Departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation & Natural Resources. King said that the development of green certification for watercraft would bring significant health benefits to Allegheny County, where more than a third of its diesel particulate pollution comes from the 28,000 registered recreational watercraft that run on the region’s rivers. The design and construction team assessed some 100 different green technologies and applied the best applicable and feasible to Explorer. The hybrid diesel-electric, battery powered boat includes: * A state-of-the-art, Siemens-furnished hybrid propulsion system and integrated electrical system that is the first commercial implementation in the world. * The world’s first marine application of the LEEDTM design and construction standards that includes environmentally friendly coatings and paints, architectural windows, HVAC systems and a hull made of 100 percent certified steel. * The ability to retrofit the power plant with solar, hydro and fuel cell technologies. RiverQuest will be adding a 1.5kW solar array to Explorer’s roof later this year. * Water conservation technologies including the use of river water and waterless waste systems. “We are proud to play a leading role in transforming the marine propulsion industry in this period of global concern about carbon emissions and climate change,” Reiner Pallmann, Vice President Process Solutions Division, Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. “The Siemens ELFATM propulsion system integrates multiple electrical power sources with propulsive and house power needs, while reducing fuel consumption and emissions and providing flexibility for current and future use of alternative sources of electricity. This collaboration with RiverQuest was a great opportunity to bring Siemens green technology to the commercial passenger market.” Floating Environmental Classroom Explorer’s impact on the marine environment will be gentle, but its impact on America’s youth will be profound. This unique boat is designed to educate tens of thousands of K-12 students in the Ohio Valley, from western Pennsylvania to Missouri. All who board the vessel for hands-on learning will be connected with global environmental issues and specific challenges and opportunities such as water quality and quantity, climate change, responsible land use, renewable energy and green design. Through a unique hands-on curriculum that involves water sampling and quality testing along rivers, public policy discussions and engagement with the boat’s green design features, students see firsthand the results of poor land and water use and learn the role that people and industry have in conservation and sustainability. And students aren’t the only ones who will depart on the environmental voyages. RiverQuest will make the boat available to adult tourists and businesses. Explorer’s owner, Pittsburgh-based non-profit RiverQuest, has added a new line of adult education programs and charters to its business, which incorporates best practices from the social innovation sector, an industry trend that is growing increasingly important for nonprofits worldwide. In the future, RiverQuest intends to install additional alternative energy sources, including solar panels later this year and wind and water turbines to the boat and to its expanded dock and landside facility. For more details about Explore and RiverQuest, including a list of all development partners, technologies and boat facts, visit www.RiverQuest.org. RiverQuest, formerly Pittsburgh Voyager, is an award-winning not-for-profit education organization offering river-based educational programs for students, teachers, and the community. RiverQuest also provides a range of public programs, including interpretive cruises and private charters for businesses, organizations and the public. RiverQuest's mission is to impact people’s relationships to the world’s environment through unique river-based education and adventure experiences. Since launching programs in 1995, RiverQuest has served more than 75,000 individuals through on-board education programming. More than 57,000 elementary, middle and high school students representing 227 schools from 65 school districts in 11 western Pennsylvania counties have participated in standards-based learning programs, with themes ranging from environmental science and regional history to physical science and mathematics. Along with students, more than 2,500 teachers and college students and 15,000 members of the general public have participated in RiverQuest programs.

WASHINGTON, March 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Laborers' International Union is working vigorously for reauthorization of the Clean Water Act, expected to face a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday. The union, with a half-million members predominantly in the construction industry, is also working to ensure that the billions in funding to preserve the nation's waterways is not used as a piecemeal repeal of family-supporting Davis-Bacon provisions. Davis-Bacon provisions require a wage and benefit floor based on a community's prevailing wages and help prevent contractors for federally- financed projects from undercutting local wage standards. While Davis-Bacon wage rates are almost always less than rates paid to union workers, they do prevent federal projects from driving down local standards. Some industry groups which want to see lower wages and fewer benefits for workers have long attempted to dismantle Davis-Bacon piece-by-piece by arguing the technicalities of funding sources. With the Clean Water Act, some groups are again arguing that because reauthorization will include funding from State Revolving Funds, the act should not apply. Yet, members of Congress from both political parties have historically supported applying family-supporting Davis-Bacon provisions when creative funding sources are used for federal projects. Mostly recently, Congress applied Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements to both initial and subsequent rounds of financial assistance provided by five State Infrastructure Banks - a financing method similar to State Revolving Funds - in the 1998 TEA-21 highway authorization bill its extension in the 2005 SAFETEA-LU highway authorization bill. In fact, the 13-year delay in reauthorizing the Clean Water Act itself was motivated in part by those who wanted to block workers on clean water projects from receiving fair wages under Davis-Bacon. "Davis-Bacon has long helped working families support themselves and their families and helped maintain local community economic standards," Laborers' Union General President Terence M. O'Sullivan said. "Congress should reject these backdoor piece-meal attempts to dismantle this family-supporting law."

LONDON, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Climate Change is the EU's top priority according to the European Commission and Member States are committed to cutting down on CO2 emissions to meet the Kyoto Protocol targets. Despite all the efforts, Member States keep on wasting a significant part of their energy due to inefficiency and buildings are responsible for 40% of Europe's total carbon-dioxide emissions. On this topic Frost & Sullivan will host an exclusive interactive briefing on 14 March, 2007, at 3 p.m. GMT to provide manufacturers of building technology products, energy management service providers and other industry participants with an overview of the concept of green buildings. Highlights of the briefing include: The EU's standpoint on energy efficiency, the concept of Green Buildings in Europe compared to the US, and the implementation of EPBD at national level with country case studies with a focus on current developments and comparisons. Those interested in participating in this outlook should send an e-mail to Chiara Carella - Corporate Communications at chiara.carella@frost.com with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state, and country. Upon receipt of the above information, we will send you a confirmation/pass code for the live briefing. As we mentioned before, buildings are responsible for 40% of total carbon- dioxide emissions. Therefore, if the EU is to achieve its targets, reducing energy use in all buildings is essential and the Energy Performance Building Directive (EPBD) is intended to contribute to realizing this. "Even though many energy efficiency measures are cost effective with a relatively short payback time, they are often not undertaken due to financial restraints," observes Research Analyst Reka Szanto. "If more stringent standards are applied to new buildings and renovations, the EU will achieve a significant cut in greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, any effort is in vain if it is not coupled with a change in consumer behavior." This briefing will benefit manufacturers of building technology products, energy management service providers and anyone hoping to understand what the Energy Performance Building Directive is about and how it could effect their life or business in the future. Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics.

Company Offers to Donate 50 Gallons of Nansulate® For Use at the Veterans Facility NAPLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Industrial Nanotech, Inc., (Pink Sheets:INTK), an emerging global leader in nanotechnology that has developed a protective coating to prevent the spread of mold, today offered to donate 50 gallons of Nansulate® to the U.S. Army for use at its Walter Reed facility. “We believe we have the right solution to solve the mold problem that is plaguing this facility,” said Francesca Crolley, VP of Operations and Marketing for Industrial Nanotech. “Mold is a serious problem that Nansulate can remedy. Although there are many mold abatement products in the marketplace, they generally contain potentially hazardous moldicides, while Nansulate does not.” “We are contacting the appropriate individuals at Walter Reed to extend our offer. The commitment of those protecting our country is something we are thankful for, and we feel strongly that we should do what we can in return. We stand ready to help solve what has become an extremely unhealthy situation,” continues Francesca Crolley. Industrial Nanotech’s Nansulate® product line is an industrial grade water based low VOC coating, available in clear or white, that provides thermal insulation, protection against mold, and corrosion resistance. The performance qualities of the product are well documented and it has proven itself in both residential and industrial applications worldwide. About Industrial Nanotech Inc. Industrial Nanotech Inc. is quickly emerging as a global nanoscience solutions and research leader. The Company develops and commercializes new and innovative applications for nanotechnology. Safe Harbor Statement Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release includes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products, the ability to meet customer demand, the ability to manage growth, acquisitions of technology, equipment, or human resources, the effect of economic and business conditions, and the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel. The Company is not obligated to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release. Additional information about the Company and its products can be found at their websites, (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.industrial-nanotech.com) and (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.nansulate.com).

BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Believe it or not, it’s a buyers market. Gone are the days when a home lasted on the real estate market for a few days. When buyers made sure their contract stayed top of mind by offering trips, theater tickets and side gifts. When all a seller had to do was put a fresh batch of cookies on the kitchen table and wait for potential buyers to show up. That time has come to pass. Before you place your home on the market, consider giving it a fresh perspective with a few simple and inexpensive projects that will help you get the most out of your home. According to the National Painting and Coatings Association, painting is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to enhance the appearance of a home. Color is a key factor in determining the success of a vibrant space. A splash of color on your walls adds a touch of pizzazz, taking a home from dull to dynamic. The look of crown molding reinforces charm and transforms simple walls into elegant and sophisticated decor. Its handsome architectural detail gives a room depth and substance. If your home is traditional in design, molding changes a nondescript surface into a focal point while increasing its perceived value. For potential buyers, floors are one of the most important elements of a home. Attractive hardwood flooring gives a home its unique character and dramatically enhances the total look. If you are not a fan of hardwood, you may prefer all natural tiles made of stone, ceramic and porcelain. They look exceptional and do not require a lot of ongoing maintenance. New carpet is also a fashionable idea because it provides a cozy look to any room as well as warmth during the colder months. In addition to these simple changes, replacing door knobs, light fixtures, electrical outlet plates and bath accessories also adds to the overall atmosphere and will help your home sell. And please don’t forget the cookies. About Case Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with additional offices in Annapolis, MD, Chantilly, VA, and Falls Church, VA., with over one hundred franchise territories nationwide, Case is the nation’s largest full-service residential remodeling organization. The multiple award-winning firm continues a long tradition of industry innovation, superior design and excellent remodeling service by offering every client, set time consultation appointments, security-cleared personnel and project warranties.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Board of Commissioners took action today to expedite services for building development projects that have less impact on the environment by using fewer natural resources. The approved policy provides accelerated water and electrical connections for buildings that meet the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. The Commission also adopted a policy to only build “green,” with the requirement that new LADWP construction projects will meet a minimum of a LEED Silver Standard, as certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. “The LADWP is committed to leading the way in environmental stewardship and taking aggressive action to support “green” building design, reduce energy and water consumption, clean our air and reduce greenhouse gases,” said LADWP Commission President H. David Nahai. “The LADWP wants to tangibly demonstrate that it means business. Not only will the LADWP give priority to buildings and construction that will be “green,” but we also will ensure that department resources are mobilized to support these projects.” The LADWP will work in concert with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety to shepherd a project through the necessary steps to completion. Builders and developers can take advantage of the LADWP Green Building Incentive that offers up to $250,000 in financial incentives to assist a building in becoming more green and meeting LEED standards. The LADWP also has additional energy efficiency programs, such as the Commercial Lighting Program and the Solar Incentive and Green Power Programs that can assist a project in earning points towards LEED certification. The LADWP will also work with the U.S. Green Building Council to develop Los Angeles-based standards that would further focus on water conservation, storm water run-off and other local issues. The U.S. Green Building Council certifies building projects using a rating scale that has four tiers depending upon the number of points earned. Projects earn points for reduced water and energy use, as well as using environmentally friendly construction materials. A project can accumulate a total of 69 points. A project must accumulate 26 points to receive basic certification. Silver certification requires 33 points, while Gold requires 39 points and Platinum certification requires 52 points. Projects submitted to the LADWP that are for new construction or for retrofit, that meet the designated Silver LEED standard will be labeled as a “Green Building” on LADWP applications. This designation will allow the project to receive priority treatment through the construction and water/power connection process. In addition, LADWP will work with the projects to see if there are LADWP efficiency and conservation incentives or programs that can increase the LEED level or further enhance the environmental benefit of the “green” project. Interested developers and builders can contact the LADWP Energy Efficiency team at (213) 367-4134 or log on to www.ladwp.com to learn how a project can be fast tracked or learn more about the LADWP Green Building Incentive or other efficiency efforts. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the nation’s largest municipal utility, was established more than 100 years ago to provide a reliable and safe water and electric supply to the city’s businesses and residents.

Recipients honored for driving improvements in Western Pennsylvania's built environment PITTSBURGH, March 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania state senator Jim Ferlo, Carnegie Mellon University architecture professor Stephen Lee and PPG Industries researcher Mike Rupert have been named winners of the 2007 Shades of Green Leadership Awards. Presented by the Green Building Alliance, the awards recognize individuals in Western Pennsylvania who have contributed to the region's environmental transformation through green leadership within the built environment. Winners will be honored during a luncheon at the Green$ense 2007 conference March 15 at the Westin Convention Center Hotel. Ferlo, winner in the government category, led the creation of the Allegheny River Towns Enterprise Zone, which addresses industrial blight and encourages brownfields redevelopment in Aspinwall, Blawnox, Etna, Millvale, O'Hara, Shaler and Sharpsburg. Ferlo also helped organize the Vandergrift Improvement Program, a group devoted to historical preservation and incorporating sustainability into community initiatives. For the past two years, Ferlo has sponsored a forum with state, county and city officials to discuss the challenges and opportunities in sustainability. Lee, winner in the non-profit category, has been an advocate for green building since his undergraduate days at Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied inner-city energy efficiency projects in South Oakland and Manchester. Now a professor in CMU's School of Architecture, a member of the research faculty at its Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics and director of the Master's of Science in Sustainable Design program, Lee serves as faculty chair for the university's green practices committee. He is also faculty adviser for CMU's entries in the Solar Decathlon, a competition conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy to design, build and operate energy-efficient, solar-powered homes. Lee and his wife have been creating sustainable urban architecture in Pittsburgh for more than 25 years. Winner in the business category, Rupert is director of technical services and product development for PPG's Performance Glazings business, where he led the team of scientists, technicians and engineers that developed Solarban 70 XL solar-control low-e glass. According to U.S. Department of Energy modeling software, substituting Solarban 70 XL glass in place of the next-highest-performing solar control low-e glass on a standard, glass-walled, eight-story office building can cut annual energy costs by 6.6 percent, or more than $40,000 per year, based on 2006 energy rates. PPG's new, energy- saving glass product is featured in the Special Events Pavilion at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. "These three individuals represent the vision, leadership, innovation and ability to collaborate and influence others that have become the hallmarks of the Shades of Green Leadership Award," said Marco Cardamone, a board member of the Green Building Alliance and a member of jury that selected this year's winners. "Their programs, policies and initiatives are making a lasting and profound impact on green building in our region." About Green$ense 2007: Show Me the Money! Green$ense 2007: Show Me the Money! is the premier conference on green building for the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions. The one-day conference highlights case studies and strategies in green building, and features nationally recognized experts among its speakers. The Shades of Green Leadership Awards are presented annually at the Green$ense conference. Other activities include exhibit booths displaying green building products and afternoon tours of Pittsburgh-area green buildings. About the Green Building Alliance The Green Building Alliance is a nonprofit organization that works to transform the building industry by advancing resource-efficient, healthy and high-performing places throughout Western Pennsylvania. GBA is establishing the region as a world leader in the emerging market of green building projects, services, products and innovation.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In the spirit of celebrating architecture, the value of design, history and architects, The American Institute of Architects, California Council (AIACC) is promoting a number of events and activities across the state throughout 2007 which distinguish past, present and future accomplishments of architects. The AIACC and 11 of its chapters recently received grants (the most of any individual state) from The American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) “Blueprint for America,” a program that focuses on empowering citizens to share in creating a vision for design priorities in communities across the country. The AIACC, with more than 10,000 professional architects and allied professionals in California, is continuing the community-based focus with its chapters taking the local lead. For example, a “Blueprint” grant for The AIACC’s San Francisco’s chapter will allow local architects to educate and engage the community about design, architecture, preservation and sustainability issues by crafting specific walking tours for visitors to discover the city’s most compelling structures, assisted by video and audio Podcasts. The AIACC’s Monterey Bay chapter is involved in creating a guide of historic buildings in the region. While preservation is a key component of the Blueprint grants, other chapters will embark on design efforts. The AIACC’s San Diego chapter grant allows the local component to participate in the city’s enhancement and revitalization project for the downtown C Street corridor, contributing design expertise for the city. In addition to these activities, The AIACC will be producing sesquicentennial events in conjunction with other partners, including government officials and California’s Division of the State Architect. For more information on The AIACC’s region-specific events and programs throughout 2007, please visit www.aiacc.org/150.

NEW YORK, March 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Wall Street Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a federal designation that bestows honor and affords protection to one of the nation's most architecturally and historically significant business districts. The announcement was made this morning at New York City's Federal Hall National Memorial at a press conference hosted by the National Architectural Trust in partnership with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the National Park Service. The event featured Carol Ash, incoming commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the agency of which the SHPO is a part, and two distinguished members of Congress: Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), who represents the Wall Street Historic District, and Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), the new chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. "The Wall Street Historic District contains a significant concentration of properties associated with the history of banking and commerce in America," said Carol Ash, acting commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. "In cooperation with the National Architectural Trust, the State Historic Preservation Office is pleased to have assisted with listing the district on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The designation recognizes the area's importance and will further its rejuvenation and redevelopment." In January 2007, the New York SHPO recommended the Wall Street Historic District to the National Park Service for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, following public input and a public hearing on the proposed nomination. The nomination was based on the District's fulfillment of two National Register criteria: 1) its association with significant historic events and 2) its embodiment of the distinctive characteristics of a time period, type of building or method of construction and its representation of the work of master architects.

COLUMBIA, Md., March 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Enterprise joins Congressmen Adam Smith (D-WA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), John Lewis (D-GA) and Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) in support of legislation to "green" affordable housing by promoting energy efficiency, resource conservation and sustainable development in low-income communities across the country. More than 2.5 million families in America live in substandard housing. Nearly 17 percent of a low-income family's earnings are consumed by energy costs. And environmental challenges take a disproportionate toll on limited- income families -- both asthma rates and blood lead levels are significantly higher among low-income children. Building green addresses a host of pressing problems facing many families and communities, including run-down and unhealthy housing, rising transportation and energy costs, and sprawling, unsustainable development.

CINCINNATI, March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LSI Industries Inc. (NASDAQ:LYTS) today announced it has stepped up its commitment to designing, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and selling solid-state LED products for the lighting and graphics markets. Digital billboards using solid-state LEDs for the outdoor advertising industry are slated to be the first products produced. Last week the Board of Directors approved one of the largest capital investments in the Company's history to purchase and install a specialized state-of-the-art Salvagnini automated fabrication center for sheet metal production as part of this initiative. This Salvagnini equipment utilizes advanced manufacturing technology and will allow LSI to consolidate work centers, perform all work with less man hours, increase throughput, and reduce operating costs. The system is expected to be installed at LSI's metal fabrication facility in Northern Kentucky as soon as possible.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The future of homeshopping is here! Today marks the highly anticipated debut of the human-scale virtual model home tours for the first three Lennar enclaves at Central Park West, Irvine’s first urban master-planned community. The virtual tours are now showing in the Lennar Home Store at the Central Park West Living Studio where a special media screening room has been created to allow homeshoppers to experience life-size virtual tours of the innovative residences now previewing at Central Park West. Sales are anticipated to commence in the coming weeks. “After selecting the Lennar neighborhood that fits your lifestyle, homeshoppers are invited to make appointments for special virtual tours of key floorplans,” said Denise Hayes, Vice President of Marketing for Lennar’s Orange Coast Land Division, master plan developer of Central Park West. “Then, it’s lights, camera, and action as the tour begins and homeshoppers actually step into the homes’ interiors via human-scale videos that create life-sized virtual homes -- showing amazing detail, ceiling heights, room volume, the way light comes through windows, and all the dimensional changes and floorplan variations people experience as they physically walk through model homes. This new state-of-the-art technology is amazing because it takes the experience of website virtual tours and expands it to a human scale level, which allows for interactive home viewing to occur from the comfort of a leather recliner in a private screening room.” Technology is found in nearly every corner of the Lennar Home Store at the Central Park West Living Studio where information is now available for Maxfield, Granville and Chelsea, the first three Lennar enclaves unveiled at the new urban community. Upon entering the Lennar Home Store, where vignettes for each of the three new enclaves are featured, homeshoppers are invited to either receive a guided tour of the various floorplans as viewed through flat screen monitors or they can conduct their own personal tours at the I-Bar, where a bank of desktop computers are available to help navigate through the home options. Then, it’s off to the media room where guests take “virtual walks” through the floorplans of their choice. From there, homeshoppers can explore the decorative options shown in the videos and offered in each enclave, from cabinetry to lighting fixtures, countertop selections to faucets and other items. “We truly believe that this is the future of homeshopping,” said Hayes. “Visit www.cpwliving.com and tour the community, view the floorplans and then come to the Central Park West Living Studio and visit the Lennar Home Store to see for yourself all that is happening at this exciting new urban community.” Central Park West has been planned to include a total of 1,380 highly stylized urban residences linked through trails to a showcase “Zen-like” recreational clubhouse as well as an assortment of parks and other cool places, and a large neighborhood retail center adjacent to a four-story office building. Among the three enclaves now debuting at the Lennar Home Store are the following: Maxfield: Maxfield’s two-story soft lofts and townhomes are planned to range from approximately 1,150 to 1,800 square feet, with sleek, contemporary space planning that inspires individuality. Silestone kitchen countertops, stainless steel appliances, in-home monitoring systems, and direct-access tandem-style garages are included in this low-rise collection. Granville: Granville’s contemporary soft lofts are planned to offer approximately 1,450 to 1,750 square feet within two different low-rise buildings. These tri-level residences feature silestone kitchen countertops, stainless steel appliances, vaulted ceilings, ground-level entries, and direct-access two-car garages. Chelsea: Chelsea’s park-adjacent, brownstone-inspired townhomes are slated to offer up to 2,350 square feet of living space. Smart, expressive and sophisticated, these three-bedroom homes feature ceasorstone kitchen countertops, richly stained cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and private two-car garages with direct access. In addition, sales are now underway for Astoria, a full-amenity high-rise neighborhood with two towers soaring to 14 and 15 stories in height. Astoria offers 240 luxury homes in a selection of one- and two-bedroom floorplans, plus penthouses featuring up to three bedrooms. Pricing starts from the mid $600,000s. Astoria’s hotel-style amenities include a spacious and elegantly appointed lobby, a business center, ample guest parking, a fully equipped fitness center, a wine storage vault and private tasting room, a beautifully furnished community room that will be available for private parties, and an elevated view terrace with a spa and oversized swimming pool. Astoria is being developed by the partnership of Intergulf Development Group and Lennar Urban Division. Central Park West is located along the northwest corner of Jamboree Road and Michelson Drive, just off the coastal side of the I-405 Freeway. To learn more about Central Park West and tour the Astoria model, visit the Central Park West Living Studio situated at Michelson and Obsidian, directly across from the Central Park West site now under construction. The CPW Living Studio is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. (Astoria closes at 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.) Take the I-405 Freeway and exit south on Jamboree Road. Turn right on Michelson and left on Obsidian into the Studio’s parking area.

KEARNEYSVILLE, W.Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Schonstedt Instrument Company and the United Nations Mine Action Team have identified the first recipient of free demining equipment under the Schonstedt Humanitarian Demining Initiative. The International Mine Action Training Center in Nairobi, Kenya will take delivery of an initial shipment of twenty magnetic locators for training and use in landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection. The open-ended Schonstedt program will place hundreds of the sophisticated tools in the hands of humanitarian mine clearance personnel worldwide. The initiative provides that each purchase of a Schonstedt underground pipe and cable locator – a TraceMaster or XTpc – will trigger a donation in the customer’s name of a Schonstedt magnetic locator for explosive ordnance detection. The UN Mine Action Service will coordinate the distribution of the locators to where they are most needed, thereby extending its humanitarian demining reach throughout the world. Schonstedt has shipped thousands of magnetic locators – known technically as gradiometers or magnetometers – to the military and its contractors, as well as non-governmental organizations, for use in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Lebanon, South Korea, Russia and Vietnam. “We’re proud of our reputation for quality instruments, and very proud that our locators are the top choice of overseas military deminers,” says Schonstedt President Mike Head. “This initiative is aimed at humanitarian workers engaged in the restoration of land impacted by land mines, unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants of war. As a company, we want to do our part to heal the wounds of war; we think our customers will feel the same way.” Examples of UXO are landmines, grenades, mortars, shells, and cluster bombs, collectively known as explosive remnants of war. Manual detection of these ferrous metal objects is dependent on an instrument’s ability to sense subsurface anomalies within the earth’s magnetic field, and Schonstedt’s reputation for sensitive instrumentation is well established. They have been making laboratory quality magnetometers since 1953, and were the first company to offer a handheld magnetic locator. “With the help of Schonstedt and its customers, we’ll be able to work with any number of populations for which UXO clearance would not otherwise be possible,” says Max Gaylard, Director of the UN Mine Action Service. The initiative will continue indefinitely, since most experts predict a decades-long need for humanitarian demining. About Schonstedt Instrument Company Schonstedt Instrument Company designs, manufactures and markets instruments and accessories used to locate underground objects. Its magnetic locators are used to find ferrous metal objects such as UXO, weapons, drums and storage tanks, boundary markers, etc. The company also manufactures a line of instruments to find and trace any linear, electrically conductive material such as telephone, cable TV and fiber optic lines, water and gas pipes, and AC power lines. http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.mineaction.org

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kyocera Solar, Inc. announced today a strategic alliance with ENVISION Solar, LLC, a San Diego-based new business venture formed to develop and commercialize carport structures with integrated photovoltaic arrays (a.k.a. “solar carports”) for U.S. and international customers. ENVISION Solar was formed by principals from Tucker Sadler Architects and the contracting firm Midwest General, Inc., following their highly successful collaboration with Kyocera on the original Solar Grove™ — an award-winning, 235-kilowatt solar carport installed at Kyocera’s North American headquarters in San Diego. Kyocera Solar, Inc. will be ENVISION Solar’s exclusive supplier of photovoltaic products for use in solar carport projects. ENVISION Solar will, in turn, offer the industry’s only complete “turn-key” solution for Solar Grove carports — providing a “Single Point of Contract”™ that includes feasibility studies, design and engineering, contract management, entitlement/permit process guidance, construction, installation, financing options, system monitoring, and site maintenance. “This enterprise is an example of the solar industry stepping into an exciting new phase by providing a visually pleasing, architectural improvement to the community coupled with environmentally sound energy production,” stated Tom Dyer, vice president of marketing and government affairs for Kyocera Solar, Inc. “Synergies between Kyocera and ENVISION Solar will transform the way in which solar electric products are utilized and deployed.” The individual Solar Trees™ that comprise the Solar Grove concept combine the modular building and sustainable design expertise of Robert Noble, AIA, founder and CEO of Envision Solar, with Kyocera’s world-leading achievements in developing and producing photovoltaic modules and systems. The Solar Grove concept transforms a parking lot into a clean electrical generator that eases strain on the utility grid while keeping vehicles cool and shaded. Its modular design accommodates sites of any size or shape, giving virtually any parking lot an economical solar retrofit option that promotes energy independence while preserving the environment. “Kyocera’s vision included architectural excellence — rather than building another carport, they wanted to plant Solar Trees to provide clean energy for generations to come,” said Robert Noble. “Together, we reached for something greater for society — something beautiful, meaningful and of extraordinary practical value.” In its first full year of operation, the original Solar Grove exceeded performance projections by providing 427,602 kilowatt hours of electricity — enough to power 69 typical San Diego homes — and saving approximately $50,000 in energy costs. About Envision Solar, LLC Envision Solar, LLC (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.envisionsolar.com) is a California company founded by a team of architects and contractors in July 2006 to develop and commercialize carport and other structures with integrated photovoltaic (“PV”) arrays in the U.S. and internationally by providing “turn-key, design/build” Single Point-of-Contract™ services and proprietary prefabricated products and systems. Markets for the company’s products and services include government agencies, parking lot owners, casinos, real estate developers, Native American tribes, colleges and universities, commercial office properties, car rental agencies, auto dealers, amusement parks, grocery and department stores, large retail shopping centers, large-footprint retail sites, factories, hospitals, sports facilities and other property owners. About Kyocera For more than 30 years, Kyocera has been pushing the forefront of environmental preservation and promoting sustainable growth by providing solar energy to the world. Kyocera Solar, Inc. (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.kyocerasolar.com) is a world-leading supplier of environmentally sound, solar electric energy solutions. With operating headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz. and regional sales centers in the U.S., Brazil and Australia, Kyocera Solar, Inc. serves thousands of customers in both developed and developing regions. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyocera International, Inc. of San Diego, the North American headquarters and holding company for Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation. Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) / (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.kyocera.com), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera Corporation has become a leading supplier of solar energy systems, telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, electronic components, laser printers, copiers and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2006, the company’s net sales totaled 1.18 trillion yen (approximately $10 billion).

AMHERSTBURG, Ontario, March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Bob-Lo Island, A Marina Resort Community developed by Amico Properties, has reached the pinnacle of achievement in the Canadian residential construction industry by winning the Grand SAM Award at the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) Annual National Conference held in Charlevoix, Quebec on February 24th. The Grand SAM Award is the ultimate award given out to a developer member for the best design and marketing of a project in all of Canada. The project must demonstrate excellence in both the building and marketing of a single project. According to Dave Benbow, president of CHBA, becoming a finalist and winning a SAM award is a real honor and distinction. "It really doesn't get much better for a builder or developer than to be recognized by your business colleagues," remarked Benbow. "With a record number of entries from across Canada to choose from, the judges had their hands full. The competition was fierce and finalists certainly can be proud of their efforts." Bob-Lo Island, a 272-acre marina resort community nestled in the Detroit River and the gateway to Lake Erie, is part of the quaint historical village of Amherstburg, Canada. For over 100 years, Bob-Lo was a famous regional amusement park, a favorite family entertainment venue for residents from both the Ontario and Detroit regions. Today, the island has been converted into a luxury marina resort community offering a mix of residential products and resort amenities for both primary and second home residents. Designed by award-winning Alexander V. Bogaerts & Associates, home options include mid-rise waterfront condominiums, townhomes, detached single-family homes and bungalows with prices starting at $275,000 (U.S.). Custom waterfront lots are also available and will be released this spring. Visit www.bobloisland.ca, or call 877.222.2126 for more information. President and CEO of Amico Properties, Dominic Amicone says, "Having the title of Developer/Development of the Year bestowed upon us and being selected as a finalist in six categories states volumes to the unique attributes of Bob-Lo Island. The efforts and results of the 'dream team' we established to make this community one of the best residential and second home resort communities in North America is now validated. It is this commitment to excellence that will prevail at Bob-Lo Island throughout the life of the project." Bob-Lo also won Best Brochure/Kit that includes a beautiful community history piece and a brochure describing the spectacular residents and island amenities. Bob-Lo was a finalist in more categories than any other development. The $500,000,000 marina resort island's master plan was a cooperative effort between Amico Properties and JJR of Ann Arbor, Michigan. JJR is renowned for designing top resorts and marina communities throughout the United States. Another invaluable team member, G.Ryan Design, is an international leader and innovator in the field of real estate marketing, luxury recreational marketing, advertising, graphic and environmental design. Amenities and future plans of Bob-Lo Island include parks, an athletic/fitness club, Yacht Club, 500 state-of-the-art boat slips, croquet and putting greens, swimming pools, skating rink, game rooms, bike and walking paths, white sand beaches, an indoor/outdoor waterpark, resort hotel with a full-service spa and a retail village featuring eclectic boutique stores and restaurants. This island represents a year-round paradise. Known for its majestic beauty and serenity, Amico Properties have taken meticulous steps to preserve and enhance the island's varied natural habitat, creating an uncommon bond of humans and wildlife. Amico Properties is a leading commercial and residential resort developer based in Oldcastle, Ontario, Canada with projects across the country. Amico Properties is owned by Triamico, a leading international developer of premier communities and retail commercial projects. Since 1987, Triamico has excelled in tailoring products to reflect lifestyle trends, including affordable homes, resort properties and fully integrated retirement communities. The company is experienced in all facets of site infrastructure, planning and engineering and construction. Each year, Triamico's economic impact to the local community is in excess of $250 million.

DANVERS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today recognized OSRAM SYLVANIA with the ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence 2007 award for its continued leadership in protecting our environment through energy-efficiency. SYLVANIA’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2007. This marks the fifth consecutive year that SYLVANIA has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, and the second year at this highest level of distinction. OSRAM SYLVANIA will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy- efficiency by producing energy-efficient products, installing highly efficient lighting systems in its facilities, and educating the public and employees about the benefits of energy-efficient products and practices. "As a six-time ENERGY STAR award recipient, we see a great value in our relationship with ENERGY STAR. Our customers save energy and reduce air pollution by looking for the ENERGY STAR logo on our products. ENERGY STAR has made it easy for consumers to help the environment,” Jennifer Dolin, General Lighting environmental marketing manager, said. "At SYLVANIA, our commitment to environmental sustainability is a priority that goes well beyond our products." OSRAM SYLVANIA has been an ENERGY STAR partner since 1999. In addition to receiving the Partner of the Year award from 2003-2005, and the Sustained Excellence Award in 2006, the company has also been recognized for its promotions supporting the ENERGY STAR “Change a Light, Change the World” campaign. This national campaign encourages consumers to take the ENERGY STAR pledge to save energy, and help protect the environment by changing a standard light in their home to an ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light. The 2007 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership consistently. These winners have set and achieved aggressive goals, employed innovative approaches, and shown others what can be achieved through energy-efficiency. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program including energy-efficient products, services, new homes and in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from thousands of organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. “Partners like SYLVANIA are outstanding leaders in protecting our environment through energy-efficiency,” said Bill Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "As one of the 2007 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence winners, SYLVANIA has taken energy-efficiency to new heights year after year, and we all benefit.” About OSRAM SYLVANIA OSRAM SYLVANIA is a leader in lighting solutions and specialty products that feature innovative design and energy saving technology. The company sells products for homes, businesses and vehicles primarily under the SYLVANIA brand name, and also under the OSRAM brand. Headquartered in Danvers, Mass., OSRAM SYLVANIA is the North American operation of OSRAM GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.sylvania.com. About ENERGY STAR ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 9,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses.