News

See Also: Recent AEC Daily Newsletters

Citi Reaches Milestone in ‘Green’ Building Program

May 30, 2008

30 Citibank and CitiFinancial branches designed with sustainable features NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of its commitment to address global climate change, Citi announced that it is the first company to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) pre-certification for a retail commercial interior prototype through a pilot U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) program. New CitiFinancial branches in Austin, Texas, and Flint, Mich., and the Citibank financial center in Warrington, Penn., are the first Citi branches to be certified in this pilot program. An additional 27 CitiFinancial and Citibank branches were designed with the same features and are in the process of pursuing LEED certification. “This is part of our approach to embed sustainable business practices throughout our operations -- from our buildings to the supply chain to information technology,” said Kevin Kessinger, Chief Operations & Technology Officer. “For Citi, green business is good business. It is an important part of being a responsible corporate citizen and operating the business efficiently.” The USGBC Portfolio Program, currently in pilot phase, focuses on the permanent integration of green building and operational measures -- portfolio-wide -- into the standard business practices of companies and organizations. The Portfolio Program recognizes market leaders who have committed to and achieved high levels of LEED certification within their portfolio. "Citi is a true market leader in green building," said USGBC's Market Development Vice President Doug Gatlin. "And they should be commended for their achievement. By participating in the Portfolio Program pilot, Citi is taking action to rapidly implement green building practices across its portfolio to directly address global environmental challenges. The program is a tremendous step forward in our fight to slow climate change and reduce energy dependence." The new CitiFinancial and Citibank branches use less energy and water and include environmentally friendly features, such as: low-flow plumbing fixtures energy-efficient office equipment lights that automatically turn off when rooms are unoccupied carpet, desks, seating, fabrics and cabinetry made from recycled materials furniture, finishes and construction materials that meet stringent indoor air quality emissions tests Green e-certified power to provide 50% of the electrical load at the Citibank branches for at least two years Citi is committed to achieving environmental certification globally for all new office buildings and operations centers and to evaluate existing larger facilities as a critical part of Citi's pledge to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 10% by 2011. Last October, Citi reached a significant milestone in its green building program by earning its first LEED certification for its newly constructed office parks in Irving and Las Colinas, Texas, and has since been awarded LEED Gold certification for a new 15-story skyscraper in New York City at Two Court Square in Queens. In addition, Citi has registered several additional projects, including new data centers in Texas and Frankfurt, Germany, with the USGBC to pursue LEED certification.
Read More

SPG Solar and TTI Join Far Niente Winery in Unveiling the First-Ever FLOATOVOLTAIC™ Solar Array

May 30, 2008

Floating Panel Innovation Saves Valuable Vineyard Acreage OAKVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Napa Valley wine producer Far Niente has gone live with its Floatovoltaic™ solar array, the first-ever system and technology of its kind in the solar industry. The Floatovoltaic installation, designed and installed by SPG Solar, Inc. of Novato, Calif., with technology developed by Thompson Technology Industries, Inc. (TTI) of Novato, Calif., creatively couples photovoltaic (PV) energy with water, saving valuable vineyard acreage from being sacrificed for land-mounted arrays. The Floatovoltaic solution came about as a meeting of the minds between Far Niente and SPG Solar. “We looked at several configurations for our solar array, but they all involved taking out a significant amount of our vineyard, which was not an attractive idea. Finally my partner, Dirk Hampson, suggested we find a way to put the panels on our irrigation pond. After interviewing several companies, it turned out that SPG Solar’s sister company, TTI, had developed the technology to float an installation on water, and we provided them with the opportunity to try it,” said Larry Maguire, Partner and CEO of Far Niente. Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel join a small, but quickly growing contingent of Napa Valley wineries who are adopting solar power at a rate estimated to be more than 40 times faster than California businesses in general, according to Dan Thompson, President and CEO of SPG Solar. “Wineries are spearheading a movement beyond their industry towards the implementation of renewable energy and sustainable practices. Our goal is to provide our customers with the most effective solar energy solution that fits their unique needs. The Floatovoltaic system at Far Niente is a perfect example of this – a winning combination of innovative ideas and technology.” Far Niente’s Floatovoltaic system involves securing nearly 1,000 Sharp solar panels on pontoons that float on the winery’s vineyard irrigation pond. Combined with a section of about 1,300 panels located on land adjacent to the pond, the array will generate 400 kilowatts at peak output, enough to offset the winery’s annual power usage and provide a net-zero energy bill. The Far Niente array is located in the 100-acre Martin Stelling Vineyard, which is the cornerstone of the winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon program and is located directly behind the winery. About one acre of vineyard was removed to accommodate the land-mounted portion of the system, but the floating array’s positioning on the pond saved another three-quarters of an acre of valuable Cabernet vines that would have been ripped out for a total land-mounted system. This is equivalent to about $150,000 dollars’ worth of bottled Far Niente Cabernet annually. SPG Solar also installed an adjustable-tilt ground mounted system, developed by TTI, for Nickel & Nickel, Far Niente’s sister winery, which went live in October 2007 and brought in much of the harvest with solar power. Located in the Sullenger Vineyard on the Oakville winery’s estate, the array’s 1,904 Sharp solar panels generate 330 kilowatts at peak output, offsetting the winery’s annual power usage and providing a net-zero energy bill. “TTI’s Floatovoltaic technology is the result of innovative thinking and practical solutions. With the ever-changing needs of today’s customers, we are constantly developing new solar PV applications to meet or exceed those needs,” said Kris Jernstedt, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for TTI. “We will always be committed first and foremost to producing great wines; it’s what we’ve been doing for over 25 years,” said Maguire. “Yet, we recognize that our environment is facing significant challenges, and as an agriculture-based business we have an obligation to do our part and take sustainable measures where possible.”
Read More

White Paper Helps Building Owners Minimize Risks and Costs Associated with PCBs in Construction Materials

May 29, 2008

NEEDHAM, Mass., May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- A new, free white paper can help building owners, developers, and others minimize the looming risks and costs caused by the discovery of PCBs in their construction materials. The paper, titled "What You Need to Know About Managing PCBs in Construction Materials -- An Emerging Environmental Issue," details the potential liabilities and current risk management strategies for dealing with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in construction materials. "PCB-containing building materials represent a newly discovered and significant liability for building owners, real estate developers, REITS, financing institutions, and contractors," says John McCarthy, President and co-founder of EH&E, a Needham, Mass.-based environmental services consulting firm. "The regulation-driven remediation efforts can dramatically impact the cost of renovation or demolition, quickly costing millions of dollars for a single, large-scale project. Public and private owners of real estate must be aware of the regulatory requirements, legal implications, and have strategies ready to implement to effectively minimize their risk and remediation costs," he said. The discovery of PCBs in building materials generally occurs once a project has been contracted, resulting in costly project change orders that significantly impact the construction schedule and project costs. This white paper details a proactive strategy to avoid regulatory mishaps in the first place, maintain a safe and healthful building, and to accurately assess the need for and costs of any required remediation efforts prior to construction so that these costs can be predicted and minimized in the project budget. Download the white paper "What You Need to Know About Managing PCBs in Construction Materials-An Emerging Environmental Issue," at: http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.eheinc.com/pcbriskmgmt.htm.
Read More

Taeyang Electronics Launch New Environment-Friendly Lighting System ‘ECOWOOD’

May 23, 2008

SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Taeyang Electronics Co., LTD, a global manufacturer of outdoor lighting in South Korea, announced today that they have developed a new road lighting product called ‘ECOWOOD’, an environmental-friendly road lighting based on its design from wood grain and patterns. In addition, Taeyang announced that they will be exhibiting ECOWOOD during ‘Light Middle East 2008’ at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center in United Arab Emirates from May 25th to 27th (Booth # LM500). Taeyang’s newest invention, ECOWOOD, is manufactured through a complex process. It begins with pretreating (shot blast, galvanizing, phosphating, chromating etc) the steel or aluminum body several times in order to coat it with polyurethane. After powder-coating process with polyurethane, the road lighting is then refined in a 200ºC oven. Finally, a film is compressed to the body to form wood grain and patterns on its surface using vacuum and then the body is heated in 200ºC oven for 20 minutes. Jointly developed with an Italian lighting company, this latest manufacturing technique provides ECOWOOD with an excellent protection against the exposure under ultraviolet rays, acid rain, sulfurous acid gas, and salinity. As a result, the frame of ECOWOOD stays firm for more than 10 years and provides a great durability, saving the maintenance cost of the road lighting after it’s built. ECOWOOD also has the flexibility of applying variety of colors and patterns, including the natural wood grain and pattern for environment-friendly presentation. In addition, ECOWOOD doesn’t require any welding thanks to its prefabricated assembly, which makes it much simpler to build and repair the parts of the road lamp instantly. Jin Mo Kim, vice president of Taeyang Electronics, said, “For the safety under the sunlight, we have run an outdoors explosion test for ECOWOOD with the state government of Florida. ECOWOOD passed all the safety regulation stated by the state of Florida, proving the safety of our product.” Jin Mo Kim also added that ECOWOOD has achieved the illuminating intensity of 87 Lux on 5-meter road lighting after the series of testing in major streets in Seoul including a pedestrian bridge near Kookmin University. Taeyang Electronics is preparing for the mass production of ECOWOOD in its ‘outdoor lighting system’ factory in Gyeonggi-do in South Korea. ECOWOOD will be produced in quadrilateral (135 mm x 240 mm, 135 mm x 145 mm), oval (135 x 240 mm), and circular form (diameter 200mm, 180 mm). Along with ECOWOOD, Taeyang Electronics is also preparing to launch a new series of 6 150~200W Induction lamps for ceiling, street, parks, and apartment complex purposes. Taeyang’s new induction lamp uses the combination of its unique frame with an aluminum die-casting frame for electronic, water, and dust resistance. As a result, Taeyang’s induction lamp has better heat management and cooling for the induction bulb in order to achieve much longer lifespan than current induction bulbs for HID. Also, the lamp and ballasts are assembled independently to help achieving the longevity of induction lamp. About Taeyang’s new induction lamp technology, Jin Mo Kim commented, “This technology is developed by Korea’s own research and lighting technology. It was developed by variety of Korea’s top research institutions including research labs, universities, and lighting equipment companies. This dish/prism design of induction lamp can achieve the maximum efficiency in its illumination management, and we are proud to present this technology in our products.”
Read More

New Study Confirms Commonly Used Granite is Safe for Countertops

May 22, 2008

CLEVELAND, May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study of the most popular granites used for kitchen countertops in the United States concludes that granite is safe to use in kitchens. The study, designed to determine whether radon gas sometimes released by natural stone poses any health risk, was released by the Marble Institute of America, an industry trade association, and conducted by an independent geochemistry researcher. Included in this study were 13 of the most popular types of granites used in countertop applications, representing up to 85 percent of the granite countertops sold in the United States. "This is the first time anyone has taken a comprehensive, scientific look at the array of granite actually being used in kitchens across the U.S.," said L. L. Chyi, a Ph.D. and professor of Geology and Civil Engineering at The University of Akron, Akron, OH. "Based on the testing results and EPA standards, we can conclude that the most popular granites used as countertop surfaces pose no health threat to homeowners." The issue of granite containing radon has surfaced repeatedly over the years, often fueled by manufacturers of radon detection devices and producers of synthetic stone countertops. Each time, the Marble Institute of America and several natural stone producing companies, have responded by engaging independent researchers to determine if any potential health hazard exists. Studies have consistently verified that granite countertops are safe.
Read More

Wood Shutters Add Sustainable Touch to Eco-Friendly Interior Design

May 22, 2008

ONTARIO, Calif., May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- For generations, interior wood shutters have added value to a home, provided privacy and helped control temperatures. Today, wood shutters are one of the most eco-friendly window treatments available. "Most wood shutters today are made out of Basswood (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/avalonshutters.com/wood_shutters.html), a lightweight, sustainably-harvested hardwood that does not warp, is naturally low in sap content and is recyclable, biodegradable and renewable," says Doug Serbin, CEO of Avalon Shutters. "For each tree harvested, at least six more are planted." Wood shutters are an energy-efficient window treatment that provides insulation during hot and cold weather as well as UV protection, which shields furniture from the damaging sun. Even odd-shaped, over-sized windows and French and sliding doors can be custom-fitted with shutters. Because of their durability, it's not uncommon to have shutters on a home for decades.
Read More

ADDING MULTIMEDIA Governor Schwarzenegger and Environmental Defense Fund Recognize Business Leadership in Environmental Innovation

May 21, 2008

New Report Highlights Pioneering Business Solutions across the Nation that are Environmentally Efficient and Boost Companies’ Bottom Lines SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the support of Governor Schwarzenegger and distinguished CEOs, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) today launched its inaugural report “Innovations Review 2008: Making Green the New Business as Usual.” The report highlights the latest trends and best practices that demonstrate how environmental sustainability efforts are creating new markets, providing competitive advantages and saving companies millions of dollars. The report is a first of its kind, featuring business solutions that are replicable and ready for implementation across business sectors and industries today. [Editor’s note: Live event webcast at 10:30 a.m. PDT may be viewed along with quotes from featured business leaders at www.EDF.org/InnovationsReview] “Environmental Defense Fund recognized that ‘business as usual’ is changing, so they created a new way to assess environmental innovation,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “More than a third of the companies showcased are based here. I love it when California is number one and it is a big thrill to see businesses in our state leading the way.” CEOs of businesses featured in the report were on hand at EDF’s San Francisco office to discuss the benefits of the innovations to their companies. Speakers included: Ken Grossman, Founder, Owner and CEO, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.; Charles (Chuck) Kavitsky, Chairman of the Board, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company; Jonathan Schwartz, CEO and President, Sun Microsystems; Casey Sheahan, President and CEO, Patagonia, Inc. and Richard Swanson, Founder, President and CTO, SunPower Corp. [Editor's note: These California business leaders comment on "Innovations Review 2008" at www.EDF.org/InnovationsReview] “This report is a roadmap to the future. Whether you work at a company or you're a shareholder and you've wanted to go green, this is the answer book,” said EDF Executive Director David Yarnold. “The ideas in ‘Innovations Review 2008’ show how building environmental considerations into basic business processes can create competitive advantage. We hope these ideas inspire others to reduce waste or improve energy efficiency in their operations, services and supply chains – and strengthen the bottom line in the process.” EDF leadership and a distinguished advisory panel of experts from the fields of environmental science, law, finance and management consulting assessed hundreds of business products, practices and technologies, selecting more than 20 innovations from around the country that are highlighted in the report. In keeping with EDF’s market-based approach to solving major environmental problems, the "Innovations Review 2008" features game-changing best practices that can influence nearly every functional area within a company – including real estate, operations and manufacturing, fleet management, human resources, IT and finance. Additional innovations highlight transformations underway in the shipping, food and agriculture, retail and insurance sectors. All the innovations were selected based on four key criteria: environmental benefits, business benefits, replicability and creativity. This report is a natural extension of EDF’s track record working with leading businesses to demonstrate that good environmental stewardship and competitive business advantage go hand in hand. McDonald’s elimination of its clamshell packaging, FedEx’s hybrid delivery trucks and Wal-Mart’s greening of its supply chain are all examples of EDF’s intensive work with corporate partners. The Innovations Review is the first product of a new EDF initiative to catalog and widely disseminate environmental best practices to a broad corporate audience, and catalyze a new generation of corporate environmental leaders. Later in the year, EDF will launch additional Web-based tools to help companies reduce their environmental footprint and share information on environmental innovations.
Read More

Office Depot First Company to Achieve Volume LEED Pre-Certification From USGBC For New Construction Store Prototype

May 21, 2008

DELRAY BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Office Depot (NYSE:ODP), a leading global provider of office products and services, today announced that it has achieved volume pre-certification under the pilot Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Portfolio Program for its store prototype design – the retailer’s master set of drawings – from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Office Depot is the first Company to have achieved this pre-certification for new construction. A USGBC member since 2007, Office Depot was part of the first group of participants to become involved in the pilot of the Portfolio Program. Part of the initiative involves piloting a volume certification path to enable companies to integrate LEED attributes into a prototype design and apply it across multiple buildings. “Office Depot has implemented a number of initiatives over the past couple of years to improve the energy efficiency of our stores and reduce our environmental footprint,” said Ed Costa, Vice President of Construction for Office Depot. “Achieving Volume Pre-Certification through LEED affirms our leadership position in the retail industry as well as in general building construction. The entire organization is proud of this accomplishment.” “Office Depot is to be commended for this achievement,” said USGBC’s Market Development Vice President Doug Gatlin. “And we are also grateful for their leadership participation in this initiative. The Portfolio Program pilot is breaking new ground for LEED and adding to our ability to scale green building’s immediate and measurable results at a much faster level. It’s a tremendous step forward in our fight to slow climate change and reduce energy dependence.” Office Depot’s LEED pre-certified prototype features a number of environmental attributes, including: Solar tracking skylights to maximize natural light Solar panels Energy efficient T5 lighting Reflective white roof Non-asphalt, concrete parking lot Polished concrete floor Recycled content carpet High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning units Light sensors in office-package Enhanced energy management system Recycling program for collection of corrugated cardboard, paper, plastics, ink/toner cartridges and technology The first Office Depot store to be built to this prototype is located in Austin, Texas and is scheduled to open late next month. According to the USGBC, LEED-Certified buildings reduce energy usage, create less waste and emit fewer harsh chemicals. “Achieving LEED pre-certification for our prototype represents a milestone moment in Office Depot’s environmental leadership journey,” said Yalmaz Siddiqui, Director of Environmental Strategy for Office Depot. “What this means is that not just one store, but our core store prototype incorporates leading edge green design principles.”
Read More

Florida School Cuts Ribbon on First-of-their-kind Green Classrooms

May 20, 2008

Buildings house first modular classrooms to be registered for Platinum designation by LEED(R) for Schools program; construction made possible with help from Lowe's grant TAMPA, Fla., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- A school in Lutz, Fla., today officially opened the nation's first modular classrooms to be registered for Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED(R)) for Schools program. With the opening of nine new environmentally friendly, modular classrooms, Learning Gate Community School, a place where students learn how to incorporate green living into their daily lives, now sets a new standard in education and environmental responsibility. A Platinum LEED(R) rating is the highest designation given by the USGBC for sustainable building practices. The LEED(R) for Schools program is even more stringent, according to contractors working on the project. "Virtually every aspect of the buildings is recycled, renewable or organic," said Principal Patti Girard, founder of the environmentally focused charter school. "We used recycled steel frames, lumber approved by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and even soy foam insulation to build the classrooms. We'll even generate a portion of our own electricity by using solar-paneled awnings."
Read More

Video: Hurricane Resistant Green Home Sets Standard for the Next Generation of Home Building

May 20, 2008

LEED Platinum Rating Ranks Deltec among Nation's Elite Green Builders ASHEVILLE, N.C., May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Deltec Homes recently announced the completion of a LEED Platinum Home, achieving the highest possible certification from the LEED(R) (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System administered by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The home was constructed from foundation to finish in 106 hours for the television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. One of only 25 Platinum certified homes nationwide, the home also achieved the Gold level awarded by the National Home Builder's Association Green Building Program. Celebrating 40 years of building sustainable, wind resistant, circular homes, Deltec is the first home builder to receive top ranking by both programs. To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.prnewswire.com/mnr/deltechomes/32822/
Read More

ICSC Publishes Book on Green Practices in Retail Real Estate

May 16, 2008

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The International Council of Shopping Centers, Inc. (ICSC) is pleased to announce the release of its latest publication entitled: The RetailGreen Agenda: Sustainable Practices for Retailers and Shopping Centers, which is a comprehensive study of the green movement and its impact on retail real estate. The publication focuses on programs and strategies to ensure responsible development. This book will be released just in time for ICSC’s annual conference, RECon, which takes place in Las Vegas on May 18-21, 2008. “Great source of information; explains a very complex issue in an easily understood and educational manner,” noted Richard P. O’Leary, CDP, Vice President, Director of Constructive Services for the JC Penny Company. Some highlights of the publication include: Save the Planet: A Universal Mission: Industries, governments and consumers are enthusiastically stepping up to share the responsibility of preserving the planet’s natural resources and ensure sustenance and quality of life for generations to come. The Green Revolution: Separating Fact from Fiction: This publication provides a new and comprehensive look at the green movement and the evolution it is inspiring, not only throughout the world, but within the retail real estate industry. Shades of Green in Retail Real Estate: Nearly all organizations are currently implementing varying forms of environmentally friendly strategies and achieving successful results, including a multitude of welcome benefits. What ‘Going Green’ Really Means: Find out how to launch a green building program and make the transition smooth, efficient, and economical with the step-by-step plans outlined in this informative reference manual. Industry Partners Share Green Success Stories: The publication provides an overview of significant milestones in the industry’s movement toward sustainability and provides an in-depth look at how shopping center developers are making the transition to a green way of life, with examples of shopping centers from all over the world. Real-Life Case Studies: Read detailed examples of sustainable practices and corporate social responsibility programs employed by: Bed Bath & Beyond; The Body Shop; The Home Depot; Lowe’s; Best Buy; Costco; Chipotle; Target Corporation; John Lewis Partnership; Marks & Spencer; Trader Joe’s; Publix GreenWise Market; Safeway; Tesco’s Fresh and Easy; Giant Food; Kohl’s; Macy’s; JCPenney; Limited Brands; Ikea; Whole Foods Market; Wal-Mart and many more.
Read More

Burt Hill Receives Revit BIM Experience Award for Sustainable Design of Major Education, Healthcare and Commercial Projects

May 15, 2008

New Literacy Center in Pennsylvania Demonstrates Value of BIM for Green Building BOSTON, May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AIA 2008 National Convention and Design Exposition -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) today announced that Burt Hill, an architecture, engineering and design firm, has been selected to receive a Revit BIM Experience Award. At an Autodesk customer appreciation event to be held this evening, the firm will be honored for its successful use of the Revit platform for building information modeling (BIM) to design buildings that have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ratings from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The Revit BIM Experience Award is presented to commercial firms, educational institutions and individuals for innovation and excellence in implementing the Autodesk Revit platform (which includes Revit Architecture, Revit Structure and Revit MEP software applications) on one or more projects.
Read More

Contractors Guide to Green Building Construction - This 'How-to' Book Enables You to Meet the Challenges of Green Building Construction

May 14, 2008

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c91558) has announced the addition of "Contractors Guide to Green Building Construction: Management, Project Delivery, Documentation, and Risk Reduction" to their offering. Written specifically for contractors, this "how-to" book enables you to meet the challenges of green building construction. You'll discover how constructing environmentally friendly, sustainable buildings influences project management, delivery, documentation, and risk. Moreover, the book guides you through these important considerations at all phases of a green construction project, including: -- Bidding and contracting -- Managing green design when the contractor works as a design builder -- Subcontracting -- Procurement -- Construction management -- Project commissioning and closeout CONTENTS: CHAPTER 1. GREEN CONSTRUCTION & THE CONTRACTOR. CHAPTER 2. ELEMENTS OF GREEN CONSTRUCTION. CHAPTER 3. UNDERSTANDING GREEN PROJECT REQUIREMENTS. CHAPTER 4. CONTRACTING FOR GREEN CONSTRUCTION. CHAPTER 5. MANAGING GREEN DESIGN. CHAPTER 6. GREEN SUBCONTRACTING. CHAPTER 7. GREEN PROCUREMENT. CHAPTER 8. CONSTRUCTING A GREEN PROJECT. CHAPTER 9. GREEN PROJECT COMMISSIONING & CLOSEOUT. APPENDIX A. GLOSSARY OF TERMS & ABBREVIATIONS. APPENDIX B. REFFERENCE.
Read More

Keltech Provides Battle Creek Academy with Energy Saving Tankless Water Heater

May 14, 2008

DELTON, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keltech Incorporated, a leading manufacturer of electric tankless water heaters, announced today that it has supplied the Battle Creek Academy with a water heating solution that will reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs and reduce natural resource use. Battle Creek Academy (BCA) is a small, private K-12 school in southern Michigan. The facility serves over 160 students, teachers, administrators and other personnel. Like most schools, BCA needs a reliable water heating solution for its commercial kitchen, locker room showers and lavatories. When its old water heater finally stopped working, BCA turned to Keltech for a reliable, long lasting source of hot water. “Our Keltech tankless water heater performs,” states Wayne Johnson of BCA. “We have hot water whenever we want it. I never have to worry like I did in the past.” Installing an electric Keltech tankless water heater can provide schools like BCA with additional advantages of reduced energy and natural resource consumption. Water heating is the third largest consumer of energy in our schools. Rising energy prices, the cost of ongoing maintenance, and the impact of a school’s carbon footprint on the environment are leading school administrators across the country to re-think their water heating options. Green school initiatives provide communities with new ideas and new resources to lessen environmental impact and lower operating costs while improving the learning environment for our children. This win-win-win approach is supported by the Green Buildings Council’s LEED for Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Smart Schools, and ASHRAE’s Energy Design Guide for K-12 Schools
Read More

Mazzetti & Associates Launches Climate Change Practice

May 14, 2008

Engineering Company Expands Services to Include Measuring and Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Clients’ Operations SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Consulting and engineering firm Mazzetti & Associates, two-time winner of the Champions for Change Award from Hospitals for a Healthy Environment, announced today the advent of a climate change consulting practice. The new suite of services provides clients with measurement, strategic advice regarding development of greenhouse gas reduction strategies, and reduction verification services. In combination with the existing firm expertise in the areas of energy performance analysis and energy system design, construction and commissioning will provide potential clients with a one-stop shop for dealing with the changing set of legal requirements in the area of emissions reduction. The climate change consulting practice has been added to Mazzetti’s already full range of client services, which includes mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology engineering design and consulting. Mazzetti & Associates principal Walt Vernon says that clients will benefit from the service by reducing greenhouse gas emissions early, as carbon regulations and carbon trading markets are just beginning to be created. “There is little doubt that regulations and carbon markets are coming,” Vernon said. “This new world of carbon regulation will create all kinds of issues for building owners. We understand the legal, financial and policy sides of the regulation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and we can help clients turn this from a liability into an opportunity to make investments that pay back over time. Building owners who prepare for a carbon-constrained future will fare much better than those who wait for the regulations to take hold and who have to act with their backs against the wall.” In California, Assembly Bill 32—also known as the Global Warming Solutions Act—requires reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as mandating cuts in emissions overall statewide. Since 76 percent of all electricity generated in the U.S. is used to construct and operate buildings, many experts believe that buildings will be among the first to be regulated as regulation at local, state and federal levels increases. Vernon cited several benefits for those who choose voluntary greenhouse gas reduction, including recognition of environmental stewardship, successful management of the risk of future regulation, the ability to influence policymakers as legislation is being created and gaining advantage over competitors who do not reduce greenhouse gases until mandated to do so. Mazzetti has already partnered with St. Joseph Health System to measure their greenhouse gases and to report them to the California Climate Action Registry. Stanford University Medical Center recently engaged Mazzetti to perform similar services for their healthcare facilities, and help them develop various plans for responding to the challenge that comes from growing the medical center while shrinking their carbon footprint. The climate consulting services provided by Mazzetti includes a full range of planning, metrics and evaluation, and recommendations, including: Auditing: Measuring the amount of energy used and the greenhouse gases emitted by a facility’s operations; Benchmarking: Comparing a facility’s energy use and greenhouse gases with other, similar facilities; Policy research and consulting: How to leverage regulation and incentives in the future in the client’s best interests; Reduction goal formulation: Setting targets for reductions in energy and water use; Reduction measures analysis: Determining the most cost-effective and feasible ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a particular facility; Advanced energy modeling: Computer simulations that provide models of the impacts of reduction measures; Financial analysis: Evaluating the financial impacts of reductions over time; Rebates and incentives: Helping clients find and apply for ways to reduce the costs of investments in greenhouse gas emissions reductions; Systems design: Develop, implement and administer reduction measures; Construction: Partnering with construction firms and acting as the owner’s project manager to ensure timely and cost-effective construction solutions; Building commissioning: Ensuring that the building’s systems and equipment operate as designed and that building facility staff are capable of operating and maintaining them; and Emission reduction verification: This provides verification of the emissions reductions to the various available markets so as to allow a building owner to monetize them.
Read More

Cathedral Stone Products Develops, Adds New No-VOC Water Repellent to Green Product Offering

May 13, 2008

- New product universally complies with all volatile organic compound regulations issued by cities, states across the United States - HANOVER, Md., May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Cathedral Stone(R) Products founder and CEO Dennis Rude announced today the company's latest innovation in masonry preservation -- R-97 Water Repellent. This no-VOC water repellent universally conforms to all volatile organic compound (VOC) regulations that continue to tighten and vary by city and state across the United States. California, New York and Utah are among those states with the strictest low-VOC requirements. R-97 provides a new, environmentally-safe, and worker-friendly solution for protecting all porous masonry surfaces from water penetration. It is formulated to create a long-lasting coating that changes the capillary force of the pores in masonry from positive to negative. Unlike water repellents containing siloxane or silane, R-97 can be applied three days (as opposed to 28 days) after new work on a building's surface is complete. R-97 is non-flammable, odorless, and it can be applied in a single application. Additionally, R-97 includes a 10-year warranty when substrate testing is performed by Cathedral Stone Products.
Read More

Flame Seal Passes Official Fire Tests, Receives Certification, Becoming the Only Fully Qualified Thin Film Fire Protection Coating for the PUF Insulation Market

May 13, 2008

SPI Begins Marketing Campaign in U.S. & Canada HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UPDATE (Stage Report): On Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Intertek Laboratories in San Antonio, TX, Flame Seal’s new Intumescent Coating became the first thin film coating to pass the Full Scale Room Corner test (UL1715). Witnesses at the test representing a major foam manufacturer stated: “This changes everything about our industry!” Michael Kiser, President of Flame Seal, also attended the test, and he said: “Nobody thought we would pass this test with such a thin coating. We used less than 18 dry mills on the test walls, and one attendee was saying the best they had done, with 'thicker' coatings, was six minutes out of fifteen, which is the pass/fail point of this test. When we went past 15 minutes without almost zero spread of flames, they were astounded! It made me proud of our Company, our products, and our team.” After the official test report was provided by Intertek Labs a few days later, Specialty Products, Inc. (SPI), Flame Seal’s exclusive distributor/marketer for the U.S. and Canada, immediately went into high gear with a National marketing campaign that was organized and ready for take-off, promoting the new product to the Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation Market, including manufacturers, distributors and contractors throughout the industry. Since a strong demand already existed for an affordable, easily applied fire protective coating for Spray Applied Polyurethane Foam Insulation, it is expected that the response to SPI’s marketing effort will be rapid and significant. Progress reports will be released as notable events occur.
Read More

1Vault Networks Can Assist Florida Businesses Who Stand to Lose Most During Upcoming 2008 Hurricane Season

May 12, 2008

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With predictions of 15 named storms forming in the Atlantic basin between June 1st and November 30th, Florida businesses are being encouraged to batten down the hatches and have a continuity plan in place. But 1Vault Networks wonders if they are listening... Gartner®, the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company, estimates that only 35 percent of small to mid-sized businesses have a comprehensive disaster recovery plan in place, and an even smaller percent have crisis management, contingency, business recovery and business resumption plans. “Too many businesses in Florida are simply not prepared to survive a disaster,” said Helene Wetherington, AICP, CEM, Director of Emergency Management Services for Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Calvin, Giordano & Associates. A former Assistant Director of Emergency Management for Palm Beach County, Wetherington said an estimated 75 percent of companies without a business continuity plan would fail within three years of a disaster. “Complacency about disaster preparedness can kill your business,” she added. The 2008 forecast gives 70 percent odds a hurricane will hit West Florida and 60 percent odds storms will strike the Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama coast and the U.S. east coast. “That’s a recipe for a catastrophe and should make any chairman, president, CEO, CIO, CFO and Board Director reassess their planning if they haven’t already done so,” opined Jim Thomas, founder and CEO of 1Vault Networks (www.1Vault.net), a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based company offering businesses colocation, disaster recovery and hosted IT servers. For Thomas, a 25-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, the reality for inaction “certainly will result in the loss of revenue, loss of customers and most probably the loss of the business.” Is this only an issue affecting larger businesses? According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s FloridaDisaster.org website, which helps businesses in disaster planning, almost 40 percent of small businesses that close due to a disaster event never reopen. Many companies choose Florida as their base of operations because of the unique combination of a skilled workforce, booming business economy and endless recreational and arts and entertainment options. However, because Florida is located in the North Atlantic Hurricane zone, doing business there requires a well thought out business continuity plan. Having a good plan means including contingencies for weather and other more common business risks, such as fire, flood and power outages—all of which can leave a business disconnected from the world and losing money. For the majority of companies, staying in business during any major event means protecting its information, as a business cannot run for long if it loses or is disconnected from its data systems for any length of time. This makes data protection a top priority in any business continuity plan. Data protection for businesses can be as simple as backing up the data to an off-site data storage facility at regular intervals, to housing critical IT infrastructure in a weather hardened colocation facility capable of remaining online even during a Category 5 hurricane. A colocation center or carrier hotel is a secure physical site or building where data communications media converge and are interconnected. A colocation data center services multiple customers, allowing each to locate network, server and storage equipment and interconnect to a variety of telecommunications and other network service providers. These carrier hotels can provide colocation on a massive scale, offering various services to customers ranging from modest-sized racks to dedicated rooms or groups of rooms. Some sites, such as 1Vault Networks, offer hardware and software installation, maintenance, managed and unmanaged servers and suites and seats where businesses can relocate temporarily to ensure continuity to customers in spite of outside conditions. 1Vault Networks recommends a Business Survival Guide should include the following Check List: 1. Outline a Business Continuity Plan. 2. Carefully audit the plan to ensure all processes are covered, including data protection, business continuity, human resource coordination, firewalls and self-defending networks, e-mail communications, recovery and restoration, and most importantly coordinated management of all of the above. 3. Through your internal IT staff, coordinate a seamless operational plan working with a SAS 70 Certified colocation/disaster recovery partner. 4. Anticipate and budget for all related costs. Remember, many businesses are obligated to certain levels of performance through Service Level Agreements (SLAs). 5. Dry run a full test of your plan so there are no surprises.
Read More

First Equity Group to Build World’s First Indoor Winter Sports Resort

May 12, 2008

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Equity Group (the “Group”), an Irish private equity and real estate group today confirmed that, Onslow Suffolk Limited (“OSL”), a consortium in which the Group and its investors are a 70% shareholder, has received significant support from the UK Government for a mixed-use residential, leisure and commercial development outside Ipswich, UK with a gross development value of €600 million. The development, known as SnOasis, will enjoy the status of the world’s first indoor winter sports resort. SnOasis will be developed on a c. 360 acre site and comprise an iconic sports complex, 350 ski lodges, a four-star hotel and conference centre, an athlete's village and the facilities to house many other sporting activities. Following a public enquiry, a Government appointed Inspector has recommended the scheme be approved in its entirety subject to certain conditions. The Secretary of State at the Department of Communities and Local Government today announced that she agrees with these conclusions and has approved the residential and other elements of the scheme and “is minded” to approve the leisure elements of the scheme subject to OSL complying with relevant planning and legal requirements which centre mainly on sustainability and wildlife issues. The development will deliver enormous benefits for the local community generating 3,500 jobs during the construction phase and 1,800 permanent jobs on completion. Construction is expected to commence during the second half of 2008 and will complete in 2011 in advance of the London Olympics. This development represents the single largest project undertaken by First Equity Group on behalf of its investors. Bank funding for the site acquisition and planning process was provided by AIB. In a separate development, Sir Jeremy Hanley, formerly Northern Ireland Minister and former Chairman of the Conservative Party, has been appointed as Chairman of OSL. SnOasis | Development Highlights SnOasis will be the world’s first indoor winter sports resort offering a totally new concept in family activity holidays and also a dedicated facility for winter sports training – 14 different winter sports disciplines will be catered for in one venue for the first time in the UK. The development is located in Great Blakenham, 4 miles from Ipswich, and just 70 miles from London. It will be linked by a main line railway station to London’s Liverpool Street with a commuting time of just over an hour. The key elements of the SnOasis development include: Europe’s largest indoor ski slope: 415m long, 70m wide with a 100m vertical drop Nursery slope: 100m long, 30m wide with 6-degree pitch External Ice Rink: 60m by 30m with 1,500 spectator seats 400m Speed Skating track & 100m dry Bobsleigh push start track 1.5km Cross-country ski run National Winter Sports Academy with 200-bed hostel 350 room four star hotel and conference centre, capacity for 1,000 delegates 350 self-catering holiday village style 4, 6, 8, bed ski lodges 100 one and two bed apartments 17 bars and restaurants New main line railway station with link to London’s Liverpool Street Planting of 130,000 trees and development of a 40 acre ecological mitigation project In addition to the winter sports resort, the development allows for the construction of over 400 new homes on a c. 40 acre site adjacent to the SnOasis site. Alan Barry, Managing Director, First Equity Group, commented: “We are delighted to announce this positive news in the planning process for the SnOasis development. This is an important milestone for our investment in this project and represents a significant uplift in the valuation of the project for our investor group. We can now begin the process of implementing plans to construct an iconic world class facility at this unique location.” He added “First Equity Group has a proven track record of delivering attractive returns to its investor group for more than a decade. The SnOasis development represents our largest ever investment project and further consolidates the Group’s growing reputation and position as a leader in the private equity and real estate market.”
Read More

Kohl’s Distributed Solar Power Program Becomes World’s Largest Among Retailers

May 12, 2008

Kohl’s Brings Solar Power to New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland Locations MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE:KSS) announced today that it plans to convert more than 50 of its existing New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland locations to solar power, representing nearly 80 percent of its locations in these three states. Currently Kohl’s operates 34 stores in New Jersey, 17 in Connecticut and 16 in Maryland. With the East Coast solar installation, Kohl’s is the largest retail host of solar power, and its distributed solar program is now the largest in the world among retailers. In a distributed solar program, silent, renewable energy is produced and used at the same location requiring no transmission infrastructure. Kohl’s has converted more than 25 of its 88 California locations to solar power with plans to activate approximately 50 additional sites in the state. Solar installations are also under way at three Wisconsin locations, and Kohl’s hopes to add other states to its growing solar offering before year-end. Initial construction for the East Coast solar conversions began in January. On average, solar panels provide 30 percent of a store’s annual energy, or enough to power 54 homes annually. The total East Coast program is expected to offset 370 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) over the 20-year program and is equivalent to removing more than 36,200 cars from the road for one year. “Our solar program is one of many ways Kohl’s is working to become a leading environmentally responsible retailer,” said Ken Bonning, executive vice president of logistics for Kohl’s. “We launched our California solar initiative one year ago and are excited to add East Coast locations to the program, making Kohl’s distributed solar power program the largest in the world among retailers.” According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), solar power is one of many green sources of power, which also include wind, geothermal and biogas. These power sources are partially or entirely generated from clean resources and are considered cleaner than conventional sources of electricity in part because of lower carbon dioxide emissions. Kohl’s strives to be a leading green retailer by maximizing energy efficiency, minimizing waste, improving new building design, reducing climate damaging emissions, and encouraging environmental values. Recently Kohl’s opened a new state-of-the-art photo studio in Milwaukee that was constructed using the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria. In its May issue, Working Mother Magazine recognized Kohl’s as one of the Best Green Companies for America’s Children. In April 2007, Kohl’s made the largest commitment to solar energy in U.S. history. Following that, the EPA recognized Kohl’s with a Green Power Leadership Award for being the No. 2 retail purchaser of renewable energy
Read More

Chevron Leads the Way in Green Construction by Opening the First LEED Gold Certified Building in Louisiana

May 09, 2008

ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chevron Corp. (NYSE:CVX) today announced the opening of the company’s first LEED certified building and the first gold certified LEED building in the state of Louisiana. LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a certification program of the United States Green Building Council. LEED has a rating system for new buildings that are constructed to have less of an impact on the environment and are healthier for those who work in them. Chevron’s new building, Northpark, is located in St. Tammany Parish and will serve as headquarters for Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit (GOMBU). GOMBU manages Chevron’s offshore exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas located off the coasts of Louisiana, Texas and Alabama. “Northpark is LEED-ing the way for Chevron as the company’s first commercial LEED registered building, and we are proud that it is certified gold,” said Melody B. Meyer, vice president, GOMBU. “Northpark is highly technology enabled to support real-time operations for our Gulf of Mexico shelf and deepwater production centers.” Chevron’s new building supports the company’s long-standing commitment to the Gulf Coast and the state of Louisiana. Northpark is located in a parklike setting, and the 300,000-square foot office building provides a safe, healthy and productive workplace for up to 750 people. Northpark includes 18 technology-enabled team rooms and Asset Decision Environments that link Chevron’s offshore and onshore personnel in order to enhance innovation, concentration and collaboration. The building has an open work environment (including outdoor work areas), a pavilion, an energy center with state-of the-art conference center, fitness center and a cafeteria.
Read More

Eskom Selects Black & Veatch to Provide Project Management and Engineering Services for World-Class Power Generation Plant

May 09, 2008

Project Bravo to Add 4,800 Megawatts to Meet South Africa Electricity Needs OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Black & Veatch, a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company, has been selected by Eskom to provide project management and engineering services for a 4,800-megawatt (MW) power generation facility being constructed in South Africa. “This is a world-class project which will have extensive and immediate benefits for South Africa,” said Len Rodman, Chairman, President and CEO of Black & Veatch. “We will provide an innovative infrastructure solution that will be sustainable for current and future generations.” Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned electric utility, is utilizing Black & Veatch’s experience and expertise in assisting with engineering services and supervising construction of six-800 (MW) units that will comprise Project Bravo, a 4,800-MW supercritical coal-fired generation facility about 120 miles east of Johannesburg. The units’ design will feature flue-gas de-sulphurization with the end result being a highly efficient and reliable energy supply that will also lower air emissions. “Drawing on our in-depth experience from implementing sustainable large-scale energy projects throughout Asia-Pacific and the United States, we will utilize our global workforce to deliver a reliable solution that will also greatly benefit economic growth and enhance the quality of life for South Africa residents,” said Dean Oskvig, President and CEO of Black & Veatch’s global energy business. Project Bravo is scheduled to be completed in stages with the first unit coming online in 2012 and the final unit in 2015. Project Bravo work for Eskom, the world’s 11th-largest electric utility, is now underway and will ultimately provide needed power for South Africa’s growing economy. The country’s electric supplies are currently constrained and require increased generation capacity. The shortage of adequate electric power supply is affecting industries in South Africa such as production levels at gold and platinum mining operations. “We chose Black & Veatch for this important project based on the company’s strong record of consistently delivering solutions to complex energy projects on specified performance and schedule,” said Jan Oberholzer, Acting Senior General Manager for Eskom. “This is a historic project for South Africa and will have tremendous benefits for the country’s economic growth.” Black & Veatch has been providing engineering, consulting and construction services to Eskom since 1995 in areas ranging from power plant consulting, planning, design and engineering, renewable energy, nuclear strategy, environmental services and information technology. Oskvig added that the company’s long-term relationship with Eskom also brings added benefits to the project. “Our in-depth knowledge and experience of Eskom’s operations allow us to execute a project of this magnitude on an aggressive project schedule, addressing the critical and timely demand for energy,” said Oskvig.
Read More

Landscape Architects Offer Free Green Roof Educational Resource

May 09, 2008

The Roof is Growing! Targets Middle School Students, Educators WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) today announced the availability of The Roof is Growing!, an educational resource for middle-school students and teachers about green roofs and their environmental benefits. The resource includes a lesson plan, workbook, and online interactive program designed to engage students on how green roofs cool cities, clean the air, create habitats, and control stormwater. “Green roofs can serve as a creative solution to many issues facing the environment and urban infrastructure. By learning about green roofs, we hope to inspire young students to think creatively and use their imaginations as future landscape architects or any path they choose,” said Nancy Somerville, Executive Vice President and CEO of ASLA. A green roof replaces traditional roofing with a living environment of plants and soil. Among the many benefits they offer, green roofs remove pollutants from stormwater and reduce the amount of water that flows into sewer systems. The plants store excess carbon from the atmosphere, lower radiant heat in the summer, and create habitats for local wildlife. Additionally, green roofs provide extra insulation to buildings and last two or three times longer than traditional roofs. The Roof is Growing! is designed for middle-school students (grades 6-8), and is made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and a generous contribution from the landscape architecture firm Lewis Scully Gionet, Inc.
Read More

Essential Guide to Starting Your Own Architectural Firm

May 08, 2008

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c91012) has announced the addition of "Architect's Essentials of Starting a Design Firm" to their offering. Written by two leading experts in the field this essential volume offers a step-by-step guide to understanding and evaluating the goals, risks and the rewards of starting a firm. - Covers the basics of firm organisation, personnel requirements, legal considerations, fee setting, marketing issues and the essentials of strategic and business plans - Addresses how to get started including how to create your first business plan, evaluate initial needs and costs, create a budget and a produce a list of action items to get started - This volume is practical, applied, concise, portable, affordable and user-friendly
Read More

Major League Baseball’s First LEED-Certified Ballpark Embraces Renewable Energy

May 07, 2008

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The DC Sports and Entertainment Commission (DCSEC) has offset 70 percent of the electricity use at Nationals Park, home of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Washington Nationals, with its purchase of 14,600,706 kWh of renewable energy credits (RECs), from Boulder, Colo.-based Renewable Choice Energy, helping the ballpark to achieve silver-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. “The DC Sports and Entertainment Commission’s commitment to building a green ballpark is a great example of how organizations can help drive our nation’s renewable energy infrastructure,” said Quayle Hodek, CEO of Renewable Choice Energy. “We’re proud to play a role in Major League Baseball’s first LEED-certified building.” The DCSEC oversaw the stadium’s construction and now serves as its landlord. The architecture firm, HOK Sport, designed the ballpark and managed the LEED certification process. Nationals Park opened on March 30, 2008 and is the first MLB stadium to be LEED-certified. The LEED rating system was designed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to guide and distinguish high-performance buildings that have less of an impact on the environment and are healthier for building occupants. LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality. In addition to its investment in renewable energy, the ballpark features green design elements such as: Recycled materials in 20 percent of the ballpark’s construction A 6,300-square-foot green roof beyond left field to collect rain water and minimize roof heat gain High-efficiency field lighting, saving 21 percent over typical field lighting Water-conserving plumbing fixtures, reducing overall water consumption by 30 percent Recycling bins for fan use throughout the ballpark
Read More

Environmentally Advanced Plastics Now a Popular Material for Decking and Trim

May 06, 2008

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Beautiful outdoor decking is a popular, highly desirable addition to millions of American homes. So popular, in fact, that every year around this time a small army of contractors and do-it-yourselfers can be spotted adding, expanding or replacing a deck in preparation for outdoor entertaining and relaxation. And as the enthusiasm for outdoor decking grows from year to year, there is something different underfoot: it’s cellular PVC, an innovative foamed polyvinyl chloride product for decking and trim boards that’s environmentally advanced, easy to work with, and beautiful to behold! Thanks to new developments in technology, cellular PVC materials are becoming increasingly popular for decking and trim work. Rohm and Haas (NYSE:ROH), known for innovative acrylic technology solutions, develops and supplies processing aids that enable companies to produce these and other cellular PVC construction materials. These innovative plastics mimic wood, last for many years, protect resources, and limit carbon emissions by reducing the need to transport heavier materials. Perfect for harsh climates like coastal areas, cellular PVC materials are extraordinarily durable: they resist water, weather, insects, sun and mold, and even grease splatter from your BBQ. Cellular PVC materials represent a multi-faceted environmental win that prompted discerning builders and homeowners to purchase approximately $45 million worth of cellular PVC decking in 2006, a trend that is helping “green” decking grow 20 percent annually.
Read More

New Recycled Precast Concrete Formula Brings Relief to Sustainable Building Industry

May 06, 2008

Innovative Mix Reduces Use of New Resources by 70% NORCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In the constantly evolving building industry, there is more pressure than ever for builders to adhere to green-building standards and to qualify for The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ project points. To easily make at least one aspect of a builder’s project eco-friendly, Quick Crete Products Corp., a national leader in the precast concrete industry, has created Ecocast®, made from 70% post consumer and industrial waste. The result of extensive research and development, Ecocast® is a mix of Recycled Aggregates and other green construction materials such as pozzolans, meeting the strict standards required to help builders achieve LEED project points. “We are absolutely committed to creating sustainable-building solutions for our customers, as well as for the environment,” said Rick Crook, CEO of Quick Crete Products Corp. Utilizing a high quality Type 111 cement conforming to current ASTM standard specifications, this formula produces an average compressive strength of 5000 P.S.I. in 28 days. Grade 60 rebar, rated at 80,900 P.S.I. tensile strength, reinforces each product. Ecocast® can be used in a vast array of projects from luxury hotel facades to perimeter security protection. Quick Crete’s website, www.quickcrete.com, has a detailed description of the resource-saving mix and how it can benefit the environment. If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Rick Crook, please call Sherry Caris at 951-256-3266 or e-mail Sherry at scaris@charter.net or visit www.quickcrete.com online.
Read More

Environmentally Advanced Plastics Now a Popular Material for Decking and Trim

May 05, 2008

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Beautiful outdoor decking is a popular, highly desirable addition to millions of American homes. So popular, in fact, that every year around this time a small army of contractors and do-it-yourselfers can be spotted adding, expanding or replacing a deck in preparation for outdoor entertaining and relaxation. And as the enthusiasm for outdoor decking grows from year to year, there is something different underfoot: it’s cellular PVC, an innovative foamed polyvinyl chloride product for decking and trim boards that’s environmentally advanced, easy to work with, and beautiful to behold! Thanks to new developments in technology, cellular PVC materials are becoming increasingly popular for decking and trim work. Rohm and Haas (NYSE:ROH), known for innovative acrylic technology solutions, develops and supplies processing aids that enable companies to produce these and other cellular PVC construction materials. These innovative plastics mimic wood, last for many years, protect resources, and limit carbon emissions by reducing the need to transport heavier materials. Perfect for harsh climates like coastal areas, cellular PVC materials are extraordinarily durable: they resist water, weather, insects, sun and mold, and even grease splatter from your BBQ. Cellular PVC materials represent a multi-faceted environmental win that prompted discerning builders and homeowners to purchase approximately $45 million worth of cellular PVC decking in 2006, a trend that is helping “green” decking grow 20 percent annually. Reducing Heavy Metals in PVC Pipe In addition, Rohm and Haas develops and supplies PVC stabilizers that replace traditional additives containing lead and zinc. This enables PVC manufacturers to make PVC pipe that doesn’t contain these dangerous heavy metals. These new additives also support recycling – which is difficult with PVC pipes containing lead and zinc – thereby helping to reduce the discarded plastics that make up about a tenth of our solid waste. These products are not only good for the planet, they’re good for business, too. In Europe, they help PVC makers meet voluntary lead reduction standards in advance of pending government regulations.
Read More

Is Your Deck Safe? Experts Say 20 Million American Decks Could be at Risk

May 02, 2008

PLEASANTON, Calif., May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA), the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and Simpson Strong-Tie kick off Deck Safety Month(R) with a nationwide campaign to educate homeowners about ensuring their decks are safe and secure. Nearly 85 percent of homes in the U.S. have a deck, balcony or patio. It is estimated that 20 million of these decks nationwide are in need of repair or rebuilding. "Deck failures like the tragic Chicago collapse of 2003, and the hundreds that go unreported each year, occur in an instant," said Michael Beaudry, executive vice president of NADRA. "We want to make sure consumers are aware of the necessity to maintain their decks, as well as the risks of having improperly built decks. It is critical that homeowners have the information and tools to regularly make sure that their decks are safe for use, no matter where they live." In the past ten years, there have been more than 800 reported injuries and 20 deaths as a result of deck collapses. In many cases the failing decks were built incorrectly, had not been properly maintained or were beyond their lifespan of approximately 10-15 years. "The reality of deck collapses is that many are not reported unless someone is injured or some legal action occurs," said Dr. Don Bender, a deck safety researcher and director of the Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory at Washington State University. "It's important for homeowners to remember that a valid deck inspection requires a registered design professional. If homeowners have any questions about finding a professional in their area, they should consult with their local building department." The top ten U.S. cities with the highest percentage of homes with decks, as determined by the American Housing Survey for Metropolitan Areas, and that have reported one or more deck collapses in the last 10 years are: Atlanta, Birmingham, Kansas City, Seattle-Everett-Tacoma, Denver, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Cincinnati and Miami-Ft. Lauderdale. For example, in 2006 four people in Atlanta were seriously injured in a second-story deck collapse when inspecting a home they were considering purchasing. In 2001, five people were injured and an 18-year old student attending Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., was killed during a college party at a student-rented house when a deck collapsed. "Reported deck failures often occur in cities with older housing stock, large populations or in areas located on or near the water," said Jeff Arnold, ASHI executive director. "We want to remind homeowners to make sure they work with their home inspector to take the appropriate steps to keep their friends and family safe." To evaluate the safety of their decks, homeowners should look for five warning signs that a deck is unsafe: loose connections (for example, a wobbly railing), missing connections (for example, the deck is just nailed, rather than bolted or screwed, to the side of the house), corrosion, rot and cracks. The two critical areas that typically contribute to a deck collapse are the railings and the deck's connection to the house. To ensure the structural safety of a deck, it should be built with a continuous load path -- a method of construction that creates a series of solid connections within the structure of the deck that transfers the load through its frame to the ground and adjacent support structure, commonly the house. If homeowners are unsure of the safety of their deck, experts suggest consulting with a registered design professional. "Most deck collapses are entirely avoidable," said Steve Pryor, P.E., S.E., building systems R&D manager for Simpson Strong-Tie. "Our goal is to help educate homeowners about proper deck design, construction and maintenance so they can stay safe while enjoying their decks this summer." In addition to its deck safety efforts with NADRA and ASHI, Simpson Strong-Tie is teaming with The Home Depot this May for deck safety workshops at stores throughout the U.S. The Home Depot and Simpson Strong-Tie also will host several events demonstrating safe deck construction techniques and the problems with a poorly constructed deck. Events will be held in these cities: Seattle - May 3rd; Atlanta - May 10th; Long Island (Jericho, NY) - May 17th; and Chicago - May 31st. To assist homeowners in evaluating the safety of their deck, Simpson Strong-Tie has developed a deck edition of its "5 Steps to a Safer and Stronger Home" and a "Deck Framing Connection Guide." The five steps include checking for the warning signs of an unsafe deck, knowing how weight and other forces affect the safety of a deck, ensuring the deck is built with a continuous load path, combating corrosion and knowing how to maintain a deck. The guide is designed to help those who are building a deck understand the critical areas of deck construction. For more information, or to download the Deck Guide and "5 Steps to a Safer and Stronger Home," visit the Simpson Strong-Tie Web site at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.strongtie.com/safedeck.
Read More

Raven Industries Introduces Fortress Pro(TM) Housewrap

May 01, 2008

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Raven Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:RAVN) announces the introduction of Fortress Pro(TM) Weather Protective Barrier. This non-woven, non-perforated housewrap incorporates a unique layer of polyester fiber reinforcement that gives the product superior durability and optimum fastener holding. Fortress Pro(TM) has been designed to provide air and water resistance that is greater than the industry leaders. This breathable fabric also offers moisture vapor permeability in the ideal range prescribed by building scientists. A complete system of compatible seaming tape and window flashing materials accompanies the product launch. "We are very excited to offer this premium product," said Mark Schoeneman, National Market Sales Specialist for Raven Industries. "Fortress Pro(TM) has been engineered to out-perform the industry leaders and is available at a lower cost." Fortress Pro(TM) is immediately available nationwide. Prospective dealers and builders are encouraged to contact Raven Industries for information including pricing and availability. To contact Raven Industries please call (800) 635-3456 or visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.fortresspro.com/.
Read More

US Builders Continue Loyalty to Owens Corning

May 01, 2008

Industry survey reveals US builders continue to prefer and use more Owens Corning PINK Fiberglas(TM) Insulation and Cultured Stone(R) veneers than competitors TOLEDO, Ohio, April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- US builders voted, and Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) is not only their preferred brand, but they use Owens Corning PINK Fiberglas insulation and Cultured Stone(R) veneers more than competitive products. According to the 2008 brand study from the publishers of BUILDER magazine, Hanley-Wood Publishing, LLC, and in every survey since its inception, builders selected Owens Corning PINK Fiberglas Insulation as the insulation they prefer and use. For the ninth year in a row, since the manufactured stone category was added to the survey, builders chose Cultured Stone(R) as the manufactured stone most recognized and most used and, since 2002, more builders have used it than the next two brands combined. Since 1991, Hanley-Wood Publishing, LLC has regularly surveyed builders to rank products in four areas: brand familiarity, product quality, brands used most and brands used in the past two years. Chuck Stein, chief marketing officer of Owens Corning, credits the high rating to the company's wide range of product offerings and more than 68 year history of providing quality products. "We offer comprehensive fiberglass insulation systems to meet the needs of builders and one of the most extensive set of design options with Cultured Stone(R) manufactured stone veneer and its more than 21 textures and more than 100 colors," he said. "It's exceptionally rewarding to have builders recognize this quality and choice." US builders also voted Owens Corning roofing products the most recognizable brand in the market. This year, more than 3,400 respondents ranked brands in 82 product categories. The full results were published Builder magazine's April issue.
Read More

Season of Outdoor Projects Means It’s Time to Call Before You Dig

May 26, 2005

PSE Urges Gardeners, Landscapers and Builders to Avoid Potential Incidents with Utility Lines BELLEVUE, Wash. -- (BUSINESS WIRE)--With Memorial Day marking the start of summertime outdoor projects, such as building a new fence or deck, planting trees and shrubs, or even pulling out a tree stump, Puget Sound Energy reminds homeowners and excavators to contact the 811 “call before you dig” hotline. To avoid potential hazards with striking or digging up underground utility lines, all utilities must be marked before the start of digging. Washington state law requires homeowners and their contractors to call 811 at least two business days before digging depths of 12 inches or more to prevent serious injuries or costly property damage. (Any digging on commercial property or in the right-of-way, regardless of depth, requires a call.) After the call is made, a utility representative will mark the location of the underground lines at no charge. In 2007, there were more than 1,800 accidental excavator and homeowner dig ups – approximately five per day throughout the year – to PSE’s 24,000 miles of underground natural gas lines and 9,500 miles of buried power lines. “Preventing damage to our electric and natural gas system by contractors, excavators and homeowners is one of our greatest safety challenges,” said Bert Valdman, PSE executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Be careful when digging, because a scratch, dent or gouge to a natural gas pipe could become a safety concern,” added Valdman. PSE advises anyone who may have damaged natural gas pipes or electric systems, or who smells the odor of natural gas, to take these steps: Quickly move a safe distance from the damaged line. Call 911 after you’re at a safe distance. Report the damage to Puget Sound Energy at 1-888-225-5773
Read More