Cityscape USA will unite emerging market and US real estate professionals September 9, 10, 11 & 12 in NYC’s Jacob Javitz Center NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the economy softens in the US and emerging markets continue to thrive, foreign investors are purchasing US properties in a growing trend that includes the Abu Dhabi Investment Council’s, a sovereign wealth fund, purchase of a 75% stake in the Chrysler Building. These topics, among others, will be examined by leaders from around the globe at Cityscape USA – a large-scale networking exhibition and conference where US real estate industry professionals will have access to and network with some of the biggest names in the emerging world. “According to the most recent survey published by the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE), more than 50% of foreign investors’ real estate capital scheduled to be invested around the globe in 2008 ($1.692 billion) was earmarked for investments in the US. Of the $700 billion in real estate assets held by the non-US investors who comprise AFIRE’s membership, $230 billion, or roughly one third of total real estate holdings, are based in the US,” says Geoffrey Dohrmann, President, CEO, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Institutional Real Estate, Inc. Geoffrey Dohrmann will be speaking at the Cityscape USA conference about institutional investors’ perspective on emerging market real estate opportunities. While there is an influx of capital into the US from overseas, American real estate investors are also increasingly focusing on opportunities in emerging markets. Real estate capital from the US to Europe and Asia is amongst the largest flows of investment in the world. “According to data compiled for the Institutional Real Estate Universe by Institutional Real Estate, Inc., 77% of the 635 private equity fund offerings seeking to raise capital around the globe were focused on global and international strategies. That represents roughly $420 billion of the $545 billion currently being offered by these fund managers,” says Dohrmann. Cityscape USA has attracted support from major industry firms including investment sponsor, Dubai-based Nakheel; platinum sponsor, US-based CityCenter; as well as silver sponsors US-based ING, Savannah, and Capri Capital Partners.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Converted Organics Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) announced today that the company has begun taking orders for its Turf Blend™ 6-0-4 organic liquid fertilizer, the first completely soluble, high-nitrogen, organic liquid fertilizer that can be used as the sole source of nitrogen in any turfgrass management plan. Converted Organics developed Turf Blend™ 6-0-4 by using the Company’s proprietary High Temperature Liquid Composting (HTLC) process to combine the nitrogen-rich amino acid lysine with the Company’s primary Liquid Concentrate™ (LC) 1-1-1 organic fertilizer product. “Turf Blend™ 6-0-4 provides turfgrass professionals with a caliber of nitrogen-rich, liquid organic fertilizer that has been previously unavailable to the market, making professional turfgrass maintenance more effective, cost-efficient, and environmentally-friendly,” said Ed Gildea, President of Converted Organics. “The product also provides rapid nutrition response and a very high degree of disease and environmental stress resistance for golf, professional lawncare and turf maintenance programs.” Converted Organics uses a patent-pending lysine-based technology from Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) marketed under the brand name NaturStim™. Converted Organics is also currently developing a soluble, high-nitrogen, slow-release organic granular fertilizer that incorporates ADM’s NaturStim™. Converted Organics will submit Turf Blend 6-0-4, as well as the new granular product, to the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) for official organic certification.

Leading Homeowner Resource Prepares Sellers with Expert Advice SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OptHome™ (www.opthome.com), the ultimate online resource for empowering homeowners, buyers and sellers to make smart decisions for all their homeowner needs, share ten simple tips for homeowners preparing to sell. Research shows that as the lazy days of summer come to a close and the seasons change, so do the mindsets of buyers and sellers. “Today’s challenging market requires sellers do a self-inventory of their property and take the necessary steps to maximize curb appeal to attract buyers”, said Rob Harrington, OptHome founder & chairman. “Taking the time to make a few simple and affordable improvements to a home before listing with an agent will help give the seller a competitive edge over similar homes in the area and ensure sellers get the best return on their investment.” Following are OptHome’s Top 10 tips that lead to fall curb appeal: 1. Go green. Lawns tend to get greener after August when the nights get cooler. It’s also a great time to seed your lawn if there are any bare spots or the grass is thin. 2. Add color. Plant mums or other colorful plants that will thrive in the fall. This will give your landscape color and vibrancy when everything starts to fade from the summer. 3. Details matter. Trim shrubs and trees on your landscape. Make sure things look sharp and neat. 4. Keep it clean. Tidy up your yard; put away hoses or superfluous lawn ornaments. Change over the general theme (if you have one) to an earthier, fall tone. 5. Stay current. Be careful not to give your house the closed-down, winter hibernation look. In other words, don’t leave a boat wrapped and covered for winter on your lawn. 6. Preserve wildlife. Attract a little friendly wildlife to your lawn by putting out a birdfeeder. 7. Sparkle and shine. Wash your windows and your screens. As fall arrives, the arc of the sun changes and it’s easier to see dirt on windows; removing screens entirely will also help keep a clean, clear view through the windows. 8. Fresh paint, new home. Use the last of the summer weather to do any exterior painting your home may need. If painting your house seems too daunting, break it into sections (i.e. visible front sections first, then back) and only do one at a time. 9. Clean the garage. Before it gets cold and uncomfortable, clean out any mess in your garage which will give you more room for storage if you need to de-clutter inside the house. 10. The time is right. Make sure you adjust any automatic timers. As days begin to shorten, ensure automatic lights along the house or walkways come on when it starts to get dark. “Paying attention to these small details can make or break a real estate deal,” says Harrington. “And although these may seem obvious, most homeowners don’t think about them until the property lingers on the market and they’re in a dire situation.”

Boating Retailer Reports Significant Monthly Energy Savings at Pilot Stores AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Site Controls, the leading provider of enterprise energy management, facilities intelligence and grid efficiency solutions today announced that West Marine, the world's largest retailer of boating supplies and accessories, has implemented the company’s energy management solutions at several pilot locations in Southern California. The pilot program began in August 2007 when, with the help of Site Controls’ Site-Command™ building automation solution, West Marine began monitoring and collecting baseline information for building temperatures and lighting levels at the sites. The company went live with the solution in April of this year, noting significant energy savings each month. By ensuring heating, cooling, lighting and signage equipment are functioning effectively and in accordance with company standards, Site-Command is able to lower energy and maintenance expenses without sacrificing customer comfort. Additionally, the feature-rich Site-Command solution provides West Marine with real-time, online access to its data from a PC or hand-held device – giving the retailer increased operational intelligence and the freedom to manage the solution anytime, anywhere. As part of the pilot, West Marine also participates in a demand response program with San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), facilitated by Site Controls Intelligent Load Management (ILM) technology. West Marine will temporarily reduce electricity demand during peak usage periods to avoid blackouts and reduce carbon emissions. The entire demand response process is automated via an electronic signaling capability managed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Site Controls’ ILM technologies enables chain retailers and other commercial building operators to generate incremental revenue, save energy, protect the grid from rolling blackouts and improve their brand image. These innovative solutions continuously monitor retail locations to guarantee that building conditions stay within the pre-defined parameters, including maximum building temperature, maximum CO2 concentration, and minimum lighting levels. This enables the maximum energy savings while protecting the stores’ ability to do business as well as its brand image by ensuring a comfortable store environment. “We are very pleased to be working with West Marine, a retailer well-known for its leadership in environmental sustainability issues,” said Dan Sharplin, CEO of Site Controls. “West Marine has already seen significant results with the pilot stores, and we look forward to expanding our partnership with the company in the years to come.”

Feature Builder at 2008 Denver Parade of Homes Teams Up with Johns Manville to Highlight the Importance of Energy Efficiency; Home Earns “5-Star ENERGY STAR” Rating DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With 2008/2009 winter home heating oil prices expected to cost nearly twice as much as last year in some areas of the country, home energy efficiency is a major theme of this year’s Denver Parade of Homes. And while all the homes in this year’s Parade feature sophisticated architecture and the latest interior amenities, perhaps no builder in the 2008 show has taken a more active role in energy efficiency than Waterstone Homes. The builder’s “La Maison des Vues” home features a full-suite of Johns Manville energy efficiency building products, which have helped the home earn a “5-Star Plus ENERGY STAR” rating and “Built Green” certification by Built Green Colorado. La Maison des Vues is a single-family house with approximately 5,500 square feet of living space, located in the Solterra neighborhood near Morrison, Colo. In order to reach their energy efficiency and sustainability goals for the home, Waterston Homes Co-owner Jim McNulty looked to Denver-based building products company Johns Manville (JM). JM is a recognized global leader in energy efficient building products that work synergistically as a “system” to deliver performance and value. “La Maison des Vues is an exhibit of our best work, and as such, we wanted to ensure that the home performs as great as it looks,” said McNulty. “To reach this goal, we chose Johns Manville’s energy efficiency suite of products and couldn’t be more impressed with the results. JM’s fiber glass insulation and housewrap are some of the most technically advanced building envelope products on the market and helped La Maison des Vues qualify for a 5-Star Plus ENERGY STAR rating." The Waterstone home features a complete selection of JM’s building “envelope” products, or products that are used to separate a home’s interior from the exterior environment. The building envelope serves as a home’s outer shell to protect indoor spaces and facilitate a home’s climate control. La Maison des Vues’ 5-Star Plus ENERGY STAR rating represents the highest home energy efficiency recognition available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. La Maison des Vues features French Provencal-style luxury and is designed with livability and state-of-the-art technologies. The home includes features such as a front courtyard complete with water feature, a grand room with dramatic floor-to-ceiling custom windows, hardwood floors and an oversized hearth. In addition to four outdoor living areas, the home’s outdoor room provides a fully equipped and covered kitchen. La Maison des Vues has five bedrooms; six baths; and an oversized, split three-car garage with workshop area. “The JM products used in La Maison des Vues help make the house energy efficient and sustainable,” said Stephen Crouch, residential market manager for Johns Manville. “Although the homes in the Parade are all luxury custom homes, these same products are available, affordable and are used every day in homes of all sizes and value ranges, delivering the same performance.” The 2008 Parade of Homes at Solterra in Lakewood, Colo., features eight custom homes inspired by the hilltowns of Europe and crafted by some of the region's finest custom homecrafters, architects, landscape architects and interior designers. La Maison des Vues will be open to the public for the entire duration of the Denver Parade, which began July 26 and runs through Labor Day. With home heating and cooling costs continuing to rise precipitously, more focus than ever is being placed on the role of residential energy efficiency. According to a May 2007 report from the McKinsey Global Institute, the U.S. residential sector ranks as the single largest energy consumer in the world, and homes worldwide account for 25 percent of total energy use. One reason why the U.S. residential sector is the single largest energy consumer in the world is because 46 million, or 65 percent of U.S. homes, are currently under-insulated, according to the Harvard University School of Public Health. “Energy efficiency is a topic on every homeowner’s mind, and rightfully so,” added Crouch. “As homeowners tighten up their homes and add insulation to improve energy efficiency, they should also be conscious of the chemicals they are introducing into their more tightly sealed homes. Formaldehyde and other indoor air pollutants can lead to poor indoor air quality.” A benefit often related to energy efficiency is acoustical comfort. In addition to helping the Waterstone home conserve valuable energy, the JM building envelope materials help keep unwanted noise out of La Maison des Vues, and they help prevent the transmission of noise through the home’s internal walls. Acoustical performance for La Maison des Vues is a key home comfort consideration as the home is located directly across from Bandimere Speedway, an NHRA drag racing facility also located in Morrison, Colo.

First Solar to build 10 MW turnkey solar PV power plant near Boulder City, Nevada TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR) announced today that it will build a 10 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) power plant for Sempra Generation near Boulder City, Nevada. First Solar will design, engineer and construct the turnkey PV power plant and will provide monitoring and maintenance services for the plant over its lifetime. Sempra Generation will be the developer for the project, and will own and operate the PV power plant once completed. Construction began in July, and the 10 MW PV power plant is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. The solar modules to be deployed in this ground-mount project will be produced at First Solar’s manufacturing facility in Perrysburg, Ohio. “Sempra Generation has a proven track record for successful energy resource development and we are pleased to work with them to bring additional renewable electric generation to the region,” said Mike Ahearn, chief executive officer of First Solar. The 10 MW PV power plant will be adjacent to Sempra Generation’s existing El Dorado combined cycle natural gas plant. By co-locating this new PV power plant with existing infrastructure and the associated interconnection and transmission facilities, Sempra Generation will maximize their land and transmission. As a result, the impact to the immediate environment is minimal and the project completion timeline will be shorter. The PV power plant will serve customers in California and the Western United States. “This new solar project is another step in Sempra Generation’s long-range plan to emerge as a leading renewable-energy developer,” said Michael W. Allman, president and chief executive officer of Sempra Generation. “The combination of Sempra Generation’s experience in developing power-generation projects in the region with First Solar’s expertise in advanced, thin-film photovoltaic solutions is a natural fit. ” First Solar is the cost leader in the solar PV industry, driven by an advanced thin film semiconductor manufacturing process. At the end of 2007, over 300 MW of First Solar PV modules had been installed worldwide and First Solar expects to ship 420 to 460 MW of PV modules in 2008. Together with its project partners, First Solar modules have been deployed in several of the largest ground and rooftop PV power plants in the world.

Environmentally-responsible Manufacturing Practices Bolster Company’s Commitment to Energy-saving Window Film SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bekaert Specialty Films, LLC today reaffirmed its pledge to environmental stewardship by announcing that it has defined its carbon footprint. Bekaert Specialty Films’ solar control window films, sold under the Solar Gard® and Panorama® brands, have long been recognized for their role in reducing energy consumption, and the company is now the first specialized film manufacturer to make this level of operational commitment to environmentally-responsible practices. “The certification of our carbon footprint is an important step in our overall strategy to improve our environmental practices,” said Christophe Fremont, President, Bekaert Specialty Films. “As leaders, we are pushing the window film industry forward by holding ourselves to a higher standard and implementing these practices before they are required. Window film dealers want to partner with an industry leader that drives energy-savings initiatives and is truly environmentally responsible. Consumers also care deeply about good manufacturing practices, and only Solar Gard and Panorama window films can tout these environmental commitments.” Bekaert Specialty Films’ environmental innovations have already proven to save the company money and reduce waste. Their ecological practices include: the establishment of the company’s carbon footprint; -support for industry organizations and trade associations that promote environmental stewardship; -waste and scrap reduction and recycling programs; -use of a state-of-the-art emission control system that operates at 99.7% efficiency, conforming to strict California clean air requirements; and employee benefits related to environmentally-friendly choices. Bekaert Specialty Films has calculated consumption of electricity and natural gas as well as emissions at each of their service centers and manufacturing sites to determine the overall carbon footprint. Their carbon footprint will be verified by an independent auditor from Bureau Veritas, one of the most stringent audit facilities in the US. Following the audit, Bekaert Specialty Films will apply for publication on the California Climate Action Registry (CCAR), where it will join the other 393 California-based companies that have pledged higher environmental standards. As part of their commitment to environmental stewardship, Bekaert Specialty Films is committed to continuous improvement, including future reductions in CO2 emissions to reduce their carbon footprint.

20 Small, Modular Wind Turbines Will Generate Renewable Energy MONROVIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, has announced that its Architectural Wind system has been installed at Boston’s Logan International Airport Office Center as part of a project commissioned by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). The installation comprises 20 five-bladed wind turbines and ties in with a comprehensive energy management plan that Massport has established for all its facilities. “At Massport, we are continually striving to improve our facilities – making them more energy efficient as well as environmentally and user friendly,” said Project Manager Terry Civic. “The installation of the Architectural Wind turbines at Logan Airport is one of the many initiatives underway designed to exceed national standards for energy efficiency, and we look forward to significant energy-saving results.” Logan International is home to the nation’s first airport terminal awarded Gold Level certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) by the U.S. Green Building Council. AV’s Architectural Wind is a small, modular building-integrated wind turbine system. It is designed for quick and easy installation onto the parapet of a concrete tilt-up, pre-cast, or other low-profile building. Installation results in little or no structural impact and tall support towers are not required. For the Logan Airport installation, AV worked closely with Massport to incorporate the turbines on their building without any occupancy disruptions. The patented design and positioning of the system on a building takes advantage of the natural acceleration in wind speed resulting from the building’s aerodynamic properties. This increased wind speed can increase the turbines' electrical power generation by more than 50% compared to the power generation that would result from systems located outside of the acceleration zone. Architectural Wind systems have been installed on buildings throughout the country – including the new Kettle Foods potato chip factory in Beloit, Wis.; Laughlin Air Force Base near Del Rio, Texas; and the St. Louis County Government Service Center – providing not only reliable, non-polluting, renewable energy, but also a visual demonstration of customers’ commitment to clean energy. AV’s sleek-looking wind turbine recently won the Red Dot International Design award (for design concept in the “green” category) and the Annual Design Review award (in the equipment category) from I.D., The International Design Magazine.

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Forget about upgraded countertops or appliances—a Philadelphia developer has come up with the ultimate incentive to wake up buyers, now that gas is over $4 a gallon. Dranoff Properties is offering a FREE Smart Car as an incentive to anyone who purchases one of the few remaining million dollar luxury condominiums in the spectacular Symphony House condominium tower located in Center City Philadelphia along the city’s Avenue of the Arts. Symphony House, which has currently sold 85% of its space, conceived a promotion too good to be true to move the few remaining luxury residences—for the environment and the wallet. “At 40 miles per gallon, a Smart Car can easily save the average SUV driver $260 a month and reduce their carbon footprint by 6,225 pounds of carbon a year,” says Carl Dranoff, President and CEO of Dranoff Properties. “We have sweetened the deal by including a free parking spot in the Symphony House garage, which sells for $75,000, for each of the Smart Cars that we give out with the purchase of a condominium. We’re finding that many suburbanites were returning to the City before gas prices increased. But the cost of commuting has accelerated that trend. Now, you can move back to Center City, get rid of your gas-guzzling SUV, and use the Smart Car to park just about anywhere, all while having a less expensive, more environmentally conscious urban living experience.” The Smart Car offer is for a limited time, good for new sale agreements on select Symphony House condominiums. “Urban living in the heart of Philadelphia is a smart choice, and we just made it even smarter by making it more economical and environmentally friendly.”

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Converted Organics Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) announced today that the company has formed an innovative partnership with the city of Gonzales, CA and the Gonzales Unified School District to recycle food waste from local school cafeterias into all-natural organic fertilizer for application on Gonzales school fields, city parks and public spaces. The recycling program will begin in mid-August to coincide with the start of the school year. The fertilizer will be made using Converted Organics’ proprietary technology and process known as High Temperature Liquid Composting (HTLC). “This unique public-private partnership will bring to life Converted Organics’ founding commitment to sustainable development; utilizing the natural capital of food waste to create a product that benefits the environment without generating additional waste,” said Ed Gildea, President of Converted Organics. “We applaud the city of Gonzales and the Gonzales Unified School District’s foresight for bringing the process of waste generation full circle by creating and using an environmentally-sound product that will enhance their children’s recreation areas. We are confident that their vision will serve as a model for other communities across America.” The partnership between Converted Organics, the city of Gonzales and the Gonzales Unified School District was developed through the city’s “Gonzales Grows Green” initiative, which was spearheaded by city and school employees, Harold Wolgamott and Trini Zavala. In addition to using local waste to create a high-quality product for local use, the program also saves the school district money, as the disposal fee to Converted Organics is 20 percent less than that to the local landfill. “This program is a win-win-win situation,” said René Mendez, City Manager, Gonzales, CA. “The school district wins because its garbage will be used to create a product that benefits Gonzales students, while teaching them important lessons about recycling. The city wins because taxpayers’ dollars will be conserved, waste will be diverted from the city landfill, and public areas will be improved through Converted Organics’ innovative technology. The environment wins because reduced landfill deposits will result in reduced methane emissions, and synthetic chemical fertilizers will be replaced with Converted Organics’ all-natural organic fertilizer.” In order to reinforce the importance of environmental stewardship, Converted Organics will offer Gonzales High School environmental studies students the opportunity to track this program as a class project throughout the school year. Students will conduct ongoing research about the benefits of recycling the district’s source-separated food waste from semester to semester, and Converted Organics will sponsor community service hours for Gonzales students who volunteer as food waste diversion coordinators during the lunch hour at all three local schools. “Our recycling partnership with Converted Organics is the most recent example of the Gonzales Unified School District’s longstanding commitment to innovative educational programming,” said Liz Modena, Superintendent, Gonzales Unified School District. “This program will not only help our community achieve state-mandated goals for food waste diversion, it will also educate our children about making the right decisions regarding where to divert not only food waste but other recyclable products. Converted Organics is to be commended for their commitment to environmental sustainability and the education of tomorrow’s environmental stewards.”

Preliminary Planning Nearing Completion; Scout to Seek Approvals in September New Resort Will Focus on Capturing “The Bermuda Experience” SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Scout Real Estate Capital CEO Alan Worden announced today that work on its new 5-star resort hotel on the site of the old Wyndham Beach Resort in Southampton Parish is progressing on schedule. Scout intends to present its proposed plans for the property to the Government’s Special Cabinet Committee for approval in early September 2008. Current estimates place project development costs at $300 million. Preliminary plans for the hotel include over 150 luxury hotel rooms, a spa, several pools and restaurants and a private club, catering to the needs of both international tourists and local Bermudians. The property will also offer fully serviced beach villas around the property’s three sandy coves, ensuring excellent beach and water facilities for all hotel guests. “We are dedicated to making this new hotel one of the most environmentally advanced beach resorts of its kind in the world,” said Worden. “We are fully committed to a program of economic, social and environmental sustainability for the resort. For example: we intend to maximize the potential of solar energy to minimize its requirement for buying electric power.” The company intends to employ state-of-the-art sustainability best practices and materials in the construction and operation of the property. As a result, the hotel is expected to consume less energy and water per square foot than any other resort on the island. The resort hotel is expected to be LEED certified under a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, which defines environmental friendliness and sustainability. Demolition of the old Wyndham hotel is proceeding as planned, with reclaimed copper and concrete being recycled. Scout expects to be in a position to begin construction in the second half of 2009, with an opening of the new resort in late 2011. “We believe our new resort property will help advance the rebound in Bermuda’s tourism industry,” said Worden, “We have an incredible ‘front row’ site and a plan to create one of the most environmentally-friendly, luxury resorts in the world. A strong commitment to the environment matters to our guests, and we believe it will be an important consideration for guests booking with us. Also, we are very pleased to be able to announce that we have engaged Bob Glazier, of HKS Hill Glazier, to head up the design of the hotel. Bob is regarded worldwide as one of the premier design architects of luxury resort hotels.” “Bermuda truly is one of the world’s special places, and we intend to celebrate it through our resort programs and experiences,” said Worden. “As a destination, Bermuda has many advantages, including easy access from its principal markets of the northeastern United States and the United Kingdom via direct scheduled airlift on a daily basis. It is within two hours of New York, Boston and Washington, and that region currently supplies over 50% of Bermuda’s tourists.”

New Legislation Could Have the Effect of Removing the Equivalent of 12,000 Cars from the Road OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Home Builders Association of Northern California today joined Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente and a coalition of environmentalists, home builders and other community leaders in introducing the city’s first residential Green Building legislation. “The Home Builders Association of Northern California is pleased to stand with Council President De La Fuente in announcing this important ordinance,” said Joseph Perkins, president and CEO of the HBANC. “Building green is good for our environment, good for home builders, good for home buyers and good for our economy.” The legislation could have far-reaching impacts as regional housing forecasts put the number of new homes that will need to be developed in Oakland at more than 14,000 units by 2014. Based on that number, the new legislation could effectively reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions from new housing by an amount equivalent to taking 12,000 cars off the road. “Climate change and global warming are staggering problems and we need bold solutions to help combat them,” Perkins said. “New building technologies have put the goals outlined in Oakland’s proposed Green Building ordinance within our reach and make it possible for us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without putting housing out of reach of families while providing for sustainable economic growth.” To illustrate the point, the announcement was made at Zephyr Gate, a new 130-unit housing development built by HBANC member Pulte Homes in Oakland’s Central Station that already complies with the standards proposed in the city’s draft Green Building ordinance. Zephyr Gate exceeds state building codes for energy efficiency and other green building measures and earned certification from Build It Green’s GreenPoint Rated system. The additional cost for achieving GreenPoint Rated certification was about $175 per unit, an amount that residents quickly recover from reduced utility and water bills, which can be as much as 65 percent lower than in housing constructed using more conventional building practices. Build It Green is the Alameda County-based green building organization whose innovative GreenPoint Rated system is one of the primary tools the City of Oakland would use under the proposed ordinance to measure whether new home developments are meeting the requirements for green construction. “At a time when rising gas prices and concerns about global warming are pushing consumers to change their behavior, building green makes good business sense,” Perkins said. “Ensuring we have clear, flexible and consistent green building standards like Build It Green’s GreenPoint Rated system will enable the home building industry to continue producing green homes that are affordable for Oakland’s working families.” Among the provisions included in the draft ordinance, which will be refined in coming weeks for presentation to the Planning Commission and City Council in September, are: Using Build It Green’s GreenPoint Rated system. Requiring achievement of 50 points on the GreenPoint Rated scale, with minimum points required in Energy Efficiency, Resource Conservation, Indoor Air Quality, Water Conservation. Applying the standards to residential developments of 20 units or larger (this may be lowered in final proposal). Includes city projects, affordable housing and multi-family projects. Smaller projects and remodels may also be included. Making the ordinance effective for all new housing applications after January 1, 2009. “Promoting investment in Oakland has always been a priority of mine and residents of Oakland want to see leadership on energy and global warming issues,” said Council President Ignacio De La Fuente. “A Green Building Ordinance would certainly be a step into the right direction."

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--High energy costs, an unprecedented level of government mandates for green building, heightened demand for green construction, and improvements and better pricing for environmentally sustainable materials have many building owners, architects, and facility managers considering significant updates to save cash. Sec. 179D of the IRS Code provides a significant deduction for the cost of energy-efficient improvements to commercial property. With an estimated 4.5 million existing commercial properties in the U.S. and with 14% of U.S. cities with populations of at least 50,000 having mandated green standards for new commercial buildings and dozens more poised to follow, the 179D tax deduction could help mitigate the average 3-7% cost difference in building green. Build green – get cash: If your company owns or leases commercial buildings including residential rental buildings with four or more stories above grade and you have installed or retrofitted the property to be more energy efficient, you may be eligible for a deduction for part or all of the costs associated with the installation or retrofit. In other words, instead of capitalizing and recovering through depreciation over 27.5 years or 39 years this allows for potential immediate expensing of costs. Cash flow - there’s gold in your green building: The maximum deduction is $1.80 per square foot of building floor area that qualifies under IRC Sec. 179D measured against the reference building. The deduction is allowed for prior tax years, including 2006 and 2007, and can include multiple taxpayers. Multiple taxpayers are limited to allocating the $1.80 among the taxpayers. And, if your building does not qualify for the full deduction, it could qualify for a partial deduction. If your building does not meet the 50% energy savings, it could still qualify for 60 cents per square foot deduction if certified to reduce energy costs by at least 16.66%. $85,000 reduction in tax liability: A building owner constructs a new, 120,000 sq. ft., 4-story office building that exceeds all ASHRAE reference building comparisons including interior lighting systems, HVAC, hot water systems, and building envelope and gets the full deduction of $1.80/sqft. Additional tax deduction first year benefit expensing comes to $216,000. With a combined tax rate of 40%, the immediate cash value of the deduction would be $85,000. At an 8% discount rate the overall net present value building life would be $59,000. $28,000 reduction in tax liability: A building owner retrofits an existing 120,000 square foot, 4-story building and receives a partial deduction of $.60/sq.ft. by replacing existing lighting systems with high efficiency lights combined with bi-level switching. First year benefit expensing (an additional tax deduction) would be $72,000. At a combined tax rate of 40%, the immediate cash value of the deduction would be $28,000. At an 8% discount rate the overall net present value building life would be $19,600. How it works: If you have constructed a new commercial building or reconstructed an existing commercial building and placed the building into service after December 31, 2005 or will place it into service by January 1, 2009 you may be eligible for a deduction. If your building has been or is in the process of becoming LEED Gold or Platinum-certified, you’re nearly assured the deduction. And if you haven’t already taken advantage of the deduction your return can be amended for up to three years. Qualifying buildings: To qualify for a full or partial deduction, the energy-efficient commercial building property must meet the following criteria: The building must be located in the United States. Installation as part of interior lighting systems, HVAC and hot water systems or the building envelope (insulation, exterior doors, exterior windows, roofing material). Certified that installation will reduce total annual energy and power costs by 50 percent or more as compared to Std. 90.1-2001 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Reference Building. Energy and power consumption calculation based on IRS-approved software programs that compare the subject facility to an ASHRAE Reference Building. The property must be certified by an IRS-qualified professional engineer or contractor licensed in the same jurisdiction as the proposed building. Tax deduction eligibility : The person or organization that makes the expenditures for construction is generally the recipient of the allowed tax deductions. This is usually the building owner, but for some HVAC or lighting efficiency projects, it could be the tenant. For government-owned buildings, the building or system designer may take the deduction. What about government-owned energy efficient buildings? If the property is a Federal, State, or local government or a political subdivision, the owner of the property may allocate the section 179D deduction to the person primarily responsible for designing the property. For example, a designer may include the architect, engineer, contractor, environmental consultant or energy services provider. Green building federal tax deductions – are you missing out? Before a taxpayer may claim the section deduction, the taxpayer must obtain a certification (not to be confused with LEED certification) with respect to the property. The certification must be provided by a qualified individual and satisfy the requirements of section 179D(c)(1). The qualified individual must be properly licensed as a professional engineer or contractor in the jurisdiction in which the building is located, not be "related" to the taxpayer taking the deduction (as defined by the IRS), and represent to the taxpayer in writing that he or she has the requisite qualifications to provide the certification. The certifier must also use IRS-qualified computer software. Software must be on a list of products approved by the U.S. Department of Energy. SourceCorp can provide your Green Building Tax Deduction Certification/Analysis

GOLDEN, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The new Aquaplex Recreation Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, will feature a 70-panel solar thermal system from Novan Solar Inc. of Golden, Colorado. This solar system will provide a significant portion of the energy needed to heat a large aquatics area - a state of the art leisure pool that includes two indoor/outdoor body slides, a “current channel,” family whirlpool, and a three-lane lap pool. The heating system will generate nearly 9,200 therms (92 million BTUs) of energy yearly. More than sixty metric tons of carbon dioxide (green house gases) will be offset by the system each year. This is the equivalent to 140 barrels of oil, or 6,810 gallons of gasoline, or the yearly energy use of 11 passenger cars, or the electricity use of 8 homes. The Aquaplex was designed by Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture of Denver, Colorado. With more than 150 centers in their portfolio, BRSA has been recognized nationally as a leader in the strategic planning, master planning, programming, and design of community recreation center. "Novan is proud to complete this turnkey solar thermal system with the city of Flagstaff. Their adoption of solar energy demonstrates a real commitment to their patrons, taxpayers, and the environment," Novan founder and president Jacob Futro stated. Novan also designed and built a 144-panel solar water heating system for the North Boulder Recreation Center in Boulder, Colorado, and a 70-panel system for the new Erie, Colorado Recreation Center. Novan was recently chosen to provide a 64-panel system for the Durango, Colorado Recreation Center, and has other recreation center projects planned for Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. The Flagstaff Aquaplex is scheduled to open in late summer 2008. Other amenities will include a multi-activity gymnasium, weight and fitness area, aerobics/dance studio, a large community meeting room with catering kitchen, an elevated walk/jog track, a babysitting room, a game area, a party room, a climbing wall, and a natatorium.

Sophisticated Energy Management Technology That Lowers Costs while Supporting Green Branding Initiatives to Be Featured at 2008 Bank Facilities Forum AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Site Controls, the leading provider of enterprise energy management, facilities intelligence and grid efficiency solutions, today announced its participation at the 2008 Bank Facilities Forum, July 20-22 at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Scottsdale, AZ. At the invitation-only event, Site Controls will showcase its Site-Command™ building automation solution and Intelligent Load Management technology to branch facilities decision-makers in the banking industry. The Site-Command energy management solution allows bank branches to centrally monitor and manage a branch’s lighting, air conditioning, signage and other equipment across hundreds or thousands of locations. With Site-Command, banks can dramatically lower energy and maintenance expenses without sacrificing customer comfort. Site Controls’ Intelligent Load Management technology automatically reduces energy usage according to pre-determined business rules and without interfering with their customers’ store experience. The solution enables bank branch operators to generate incremental revenue, save energy, improve their brand image, and help protect the electricity grid from rolling blackouts. “Banks are actively looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Dan Kubala, VP of Marketing, Site Controls. “Energy usage at branch locations represents up to 85 percent of a company’s total carbon emissions. By lowering branch energy usage by at least 15 percent, Site Controls can reduce a bank’s total carbon footprint by 13.5 percent or more. This environmental impact exceeds that of any other green investment, while simultaneously delivering positive ROI.” The 2008 Bank Facilities Forum is designed for branch-facilities decision makers in the banking industry that are building, expanding or retrofitting branch locations. The forum is an opportunity for industry professionals to learn how to develop successful bank branches by working with design, real estate, leasing, marketing, merchandising and customer service experts. “Our forum caters to forward-thinking executives who want to improve profitability and build their brand by innovating bank facilities,” said Conference Chairman Scott Goldman. “Banks have been asking for a solution like the one offered by Site Controls that will allow them to reduce their carbon footprint across branch locations, lower energy costs, and help add to their bottom line.”

NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EMCOR Group, Inc. (NYSE: EME), a Fortune 500® leader in mechanical and electrical construction, energy infrastructure and facilities services for a diverse range of businesses, announced that its subsidiaries Dynalectric Company of Oregon and Contra Costa Electric in California have begun work on building the electrical infrastructure for Renewable Energy Corporation’s (REC) solar grade polysilicon manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, Washington. A third EMCOR company, Shambaugh & Son, had previously installed the fire sprinkler and alarm systems for the company’s Control Building. Dynalectric and Contra Costa are providing the electrical systems and process instrumentation and controls for the project’s fluid bed process. The work will consist of 136 miles of power wire, 100 miles of instrument wire, five miles of cable tray, four miles of instrument air and process piping, 5,000 instruments, and 1,500 lights along with the panels, transformers, and other equipment needed to carry the power load from the site’s new substation. “REC is one of the world’s largest suppliers of solar grade polysilicon, and they are a world leader in the development of the technology needed to produce it. It is extremely gratifying to be involved in the creation of such a significant manufacturing facility, such as the Moses Lake project, which will be the standard for many years to come,” said Michael Dias, President and Chief Executive Officer of Contra Costa Electric. “Renewable solar panels are in greater and greater demand and the need for solar grade polysilicon is at an all-time high,” said Randy Wagner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dynalectric Company of Oregon. “This is an extremely important facility for REC, and we are pleased to contribute to this project.”

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oncor’s Take A Load Off, TexasSM program, a year-long, 10-city tour designed to educate consumers about energy efficiency, is now reaching out to children with its conservation message. The Take A Load Off, Texas Kids portion of the program teaches four- to seven-year-old children the fundamentals of energy efficiency and helps them become Super Energy Savers. In a special kid-size area near Take A Load Off, Texas exhibits for adults, youngsters learn simple lessons about caulking, weather-stripping and insulating a home. Afterward, each child receives a construction hat and takes a toolkit into a playhouse to “tighten up.” Every child who participates has a chance to win the playhouse. They also receive gifts and a coloring book about how to save energy. “Oncor’s Take A Load Off, Texas program encourages families to learn about energy efficiency together,” said Mike Stockard, Oncor director of energy efficiency. “Since January, Oncor has touched more than 3,000 people through events and tour stops. Our energy efficiency awareness campaign is teaching consumers about Oncor programs and helping them take advantage of opportunities to conserve energy.” Take A Load Off, Texas uses hands-on, interactive exhibits on key elements of energy efficiency to raise awareness and encourage Oncor service area residents to sign-up for free energy efficiency assessments by Oncor’s participating service providers. Providers offer tips and information on insulation, ENERGY STAR® windows, weather-stripping, air conditioning and duct sealing. Visitors to the Take a Load Off, Texas events receive gifts and meet personally with experts. The Take A Load Off, Texas tour began in January and will continue through November. The tour will visit 10 cities and be part of multiple events, making stops at home improvement centers around the state.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today applauded the Senate for voting overwhelmingly to pass badly needed housing stimulus legislation and called on the House to move quickly to complete action on the bill to address the faltering housing market and economy. “The Senate action hasn’t come a moment too soon,” said Jerry Howard, executive vice president and CEO of NAHB. “Each passing day brings more layoffs, more foreclosures and more fear. This legislation will help get home buyers back into the marketplace, stabilize house prices, stem the rising tide of foreclosures and restore confidence in our housing finance system. There’s no time to waste. Congress must finish the job now and pass this bill so that Americans can get some relief.” H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act, contains several provisions that would help put the economy back on track, save jobs and restore confidence. The bill would: -Create a temporary, first-time home buyer tax credit for the purchase of any home. This would stimulate the housing market, eliminate excess inventory, relieve downward pressure on house prices and bring otherwise-qualified home buyers back into the market. -Establish a more effective and balanced regulatory system for the housing government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) – Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks. It would also permanently increase the GSE’s conforming loan limits up to $625,500, making home loans more affordable in high-cost areas. Give the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) greater flexibility to respond to the needs of borrowers, help more working families become home owners, provide a viable alternative to the subprime market and play a greater role in stabilizing the mortgage markets. The maximum FHA-insured loan would be permanently increased up to $625,500, helping prospective buyers to purchase homes in more markets across the country. -Provide a temporary increase in state tax-exempt housing bond authority to help struggling home owners refinance their subprime loans and to increase access to affordable mortgage credit. Enhance the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and tax-exempt housing bond programs to increase their effectiveness in addressing the nation’s continuing affordable housing needs. -Expand the FHA program to provide additional authority to help at-risk borrowers refinance with viable mortgages and prevent further foreclosures. The Congressional Budget Office estimates this could help as many as 400,000 struggling home owners to stay in their homes. The legislation was stalled for weeks by Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), who doggedly insisted on attaching an amendment to add $8.2 billion in energy tax break extensions to the package. Senate leaders surmounted those delaying tactics and were able to bring the bill to a vote early this evening. The bill now goes to the House. While House and Senate lawmakers largely agree on the core provisions of the bill, the House is likely to make some modifications. The Senate will then need to approve any changes made by the House before the legislation can be sent to the President to be signed into law.

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Helix Electric, one of the largest open shop electrical contractors in the nation, has announced that it has completed the electrical subcontracting work the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Greenspun College of Urban Affairs at 4505 Maryland Parkway in Las Vegas. The Greenspun Family Foundation donated $37 million for the state-of-the-art building, the largest single donation in UNLV history, and one of the largest in state history. Helix provided the fire alarm, a value engineered lighting system, UPS, general set theatrical lighting, rigging and an air acuity system, which detects unhealthy chemicals in the building. The Greenspun College of Urban Affairs offers unparalleled opportunities for students who want to make a difference in their communities and in the lives of others. A Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project, the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs building is home to classrooms, an auditorium, two television studios, a radio station and offices. The LEED designation is the result of a Green Building Rating System, which gauges building sustainability and efficiency through the use of alternative and renewable energy technologies. Innovative energy features for the building include chilled beams for heating and cooling, extensive use of natural light and a comprehensive photovoltaic array that will account for more than 15 percent of the total annual energy. The project team included University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV. The owner: State of Nevada Public Works Board. Architects: HKS Architects, Inc., Robert A M Stern Architects. General Contractor: Clark Construction, Inc.

Eric Rice, Founder and CEO of Dyer Beech, Levels the Foreclosure Playing Field with H.E.L.P (Homeowner Education for Lending Protection) Now SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to the existing foreclosure crisis, Dyer Beech has hit back with the advent of H.E.L.P Now, a powerful online tool that provides homeowners with the protection they need and the education they lack. “Knowledge is power,” Eric Rice, CEO and Founder of Dyer Beech says. “With H.E.L.P Now, homeowners will finally have the knowledge and support they need to make correct decisions in the short and long term.” A system that will apply online social networking to the needs of homeowners, H.E.L.P Now will build a community that shares similar situations, concerns and hopes for the future. In addition to members having access to the whole spectrum of services within the company, members will also be able to interface with each other, share thoughts and cultivate resources. Unlike other Loss Mitigation firms that focus strictly on short term solutions, Dyer Beech has synergized its loss mitigation services with a social network platform to enable homeowners with cutting edge services and continued knowledge. In addition, loss mitigation services will be offered to H.E.L.P Now members for free. These services include education seminars, tax and credit relief specialists, legal and CPA consultations, financial planning and grief consultation. “We were running into the same scenario,” Eric says. “The less informed the homeowners were, the more problems they had with their lender.” The answer was H.E.L.P Now, a system that covers all the bases under one banner. Eric adds: “People can’t learn this in school. That’s what we do here. I want to make sure people have some assurances in an industry that can’t normally provide them.”

KEY WEST, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Old Island Harbor, a proposed mixed-use development that emphasizes waterfront revitalization at Safe Harbor, has submitted its pledge to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to obtain a Clean Marina/Clean Boatyard designation. The goal of the DEP’s Clean Marina program is to promote pollution prevention through voluntary participation. With approximately 2,000 marinas operating throughout Florida, the DEP feels that pollution prevention measures must be implemented in order to preserve the state’s coastal environment. Clean water is essential to Florida coastlines and for the well-being of its environment and surrounding communities. The Florida Clean Marina program is designed to introduce boatyards and marinas to simple, innovative, day-to-day solutions to prevent pollution. The DEP’s Marina Environmental Measures details a series of requirements that marinas and boatyards must meet in order to achieve the important designation. These include: Make available a resource person at the boatyard to provide customers with environmental information, and who can be contacted for inquires about the Clean Marina Program and environmental issues pertinent to the boatyard. Make available adequate and well-managed trash/garbage containers. Post for viewing, or otherwise publish, a set of environmental policies used by the boatyard. The boatyard’s water and land must be clean and free of oil, sewage or litter. Docks and grounds must be well maintained for safety and appearance. All boatyard personnel must be regularly trained on the boatyard’s environmental policies and procedures. Old Island Harbor Marina has pledged to meet these requirements and expects to obtain its designation within the near future. “Old Island Harbor Marina wants to go above and beyond the requirements to obtain its Clean Marina/Clean Boatyard certificate. We have the infrastructure in place and we are moving forward and committing to meeting the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requirements in order to obtain our designation,” said Alan Dubroff, Boat Yard Manager for Old Island Harbor Marina.

Remote Monitoring Sensors Help Operators Protect Pipelines from Accidental Third-Party Damage HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE Oil & Gas’ PII Pipeline Solutions has installed its solar-powered ThreatScan™ sensors along an 11-mile section of a natural gas pipeline operated by El Paso Corp. in southeastern Houston to enable 24-hour “real-time” remote monitoring of the pipeline. El Paso, the largest gas pipeline operator in North America, is the first Texas transmission company, and the second U.S. firm, to install PII’s advanced acoustical sensors to reduce the risk of third-party damage to certain pipelines, including accidents involving construction machinery. “As the federal government and oil and gas industry seek new strategies to enhance the integrity of the nation’s energy delivery infrastructure, PII’s ThreatScan sensors are already beginning to play a vital role in those efforts,” said John Bucci, general manager for PII Pipeline Solutions, GE Oil & Gas. “Third-party damage is the most significant integrity threat to both liquid and gas networks globally,” said Jesus Soto, vice president of operations services for El Paso. “Installing ThreatScan sensors on our Houston-area pipeline underscores our continued commitment to protecting the integrity of our assets.” In 2007, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. became the first U.S. operator to install ThreatScan sensors on a pipeline segment in northern Wichita in Kansas. PII’s ThreatScan sensors are installed at specific locations along a pipeline in order to detect vibrations that could potentially signal an actual impact or a possible encroachment along a pipeline’s right-of-way. When a sensor detects vibrations, the data is immediately transmitted via satellite to GE Oil & Gas’ ThreatScan call center in Houston, where the vibrations are quickly analyzed. The operator is then quickly notified to investigate whether there has been an actual impact that requires remediation or if there is a potential threat from a potential encroachment. GE Oil & Gas operates a similar call center at its headquarters site in Florence, Italy to support European pipeline operators that have installed ThreatScan sensors.

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.researchandmarkets.com/research/f81273/sustainable_design) has announced the addition of the "Sustainable Design: The Science of Sustainability and Green Engineering" report to their offering. Most of the existing books on sustainability and green construction take either an "inspirational" approach, or a "cookbook" approach. Both have their purposes, but this split has created a gap for those who would like to first understand the scientific principles underlying the need for sustainable design, and the design decisions made to meet these goals. This book will be the first to present the scientific principles at the heart of sustainable design. From thermodynamics to fluid dynamics, computational chemistry to models, the examples provided in the practice-oriented books are given a foundation of first principles on which the designer can grow. These principles will be illustrated with practical case studies from the author's own work, helping to demonstrate application of principles in practice. From thermodynamics to fluid dynamics to computational chemistry, this book sets forth the scientific principles underlying the need for sustainable design, explaining not just the "hows" of sustainable design and green engineering, but also the "whys." Moreover, it provides readers with the scientific principles needed to guide their own sustainable design decisions. Throughout the book, the authors draw from their experience in architecture, civil engineering, environmental engineering, planning, and public policy in order to build an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of sustainable design. Written to enable readers to take a more scientific approach to sustainable design, the book offers many practical features, including: - Case studies presenting the authors' firsthand accounts of actual green projects - Lessons learned from Duke University's Smart House Program that demonstrate the concepts and techniques discussed in the book - Exercises that encourage readers to use their newfound knowledge to solve green design problems - Figures, tables, and sidebars illustrating key concepts and summarizing important points - For architects, designers, and engineers, this book enables them to not only implement green design methods, but also to choose these methods based on science. With its many examples, case studies, and exercises, the book is also an ideal textbook for students in civil and environmental engineering, construction, and architectural engineering. Key Topics Covered: - Design Cycles. - First Principles. - Transitions. - Place and Time. - Optimizing for Sustainable Design. - The Sustainability Imperative. - Carbon in the Atmosphere: Essential and Detrimental. - We Have Met the Future and it is Green.

BARBERTON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc. (B&W PGG), a major operating unit of The Babcock & Wilcox Company, broke ground June 30, 2008, on a new $11.8 million, 7,500-square-foot facility for the study of carbon dioxide (CO2) capture technology at its Research Center in Barberton. The new pilot plant will allow B&W PGG additional research capabilities into Regenerable Solvent Absorption Technology (RSAT) as a method for capturing CO2 emissions. It will complement B&W PGG’s research into the development of oxy-coal combustion technology -- an alternative solution for reducing CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants. RSAT is a promising post-combustion scrubbing process that involves using a liquid solvent in an absorber vessel to remove CO2 from a plant’s flue gas stream. CO2 is absorbed and chemically reacted by the solvent, and the clean gas is exhausted. The liquid solvent, rich with captured CO2, is then pumped into a regenerator where it is heated and the absorbed CO2 is removed. The CO2 can then be prepared for long-term storage or other uses, such as enhanced oil recovery, while the liquid solvent is recycled in the process. B&W PGG’s RSAT pilot plant will be installed in a new building adjacent to the existing Small Boiler Simulator at the B&W Research Center in Barberton. Construction will continue throughout 2008, with plans for the facility to be operational during the first quarter of 2009. “B&W PGG is actively working to develop the next generation of scrubbers for the capture and storage of CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants,” said B&W PGG Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Don Langley. “This new RSAT facility represents a substantial investment and demonstrates our company’s commitment to developing commercially viable and environmentally conscious options for CO2 capture.” The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, Barberton Mayor Bob Genet and other invited guests and dignitaries. Sen. Voinovich praised B&W PGG for its carbon-capture research and development efforts. “The research and innovation that will take place here to explore Regenerable Solvent Absorption Technology to capture carbon is a vitally important step forward in our nation’s commitment to crafting a comprehensive solution to climate change,” Sen. Voinovich said. “Climate change requires a long-term solution with a strategy that is fully capable of accommodating the time necessary to get the technology in place that will ensure coal’s continued viability.” Congresswoman Sutton recalled her Barberton roots – she is a Barberton native and her father worked for B&W – and praised B&W for its commitment to the region. “B&W is a great example that there are opportunities and a bright future for engineering, researching, and manufacturing jobs here in Ohio,” Rep. Sutton said. “We must continue to make investments in our educational system, including vocational and technical schools, to strengthen our workforce. Together, B&W and Ohio will continue to lead our nation and the world in the development of green jobs and technology.”

LAWRENCE, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dresser Wayne, a global marketer of retail fuel dispensers and technologies, and Zarco 66 Earth Friendly Fuels celebrated a new landmark in alternative fueling with the grand opening of a sustainable site in Lawrence, Kansas. Congressman Dennis Moore, members of the community and representatives from Dresser Wayne, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the State of Kansas and the Douglas County local government including Mayor Michael Dever were on hand to mark the occasion. The Zarco 66 location not only dispenses ethanol and biodiesel produced within a 75 mile radius of the facility, the station represents an innovative vision of sustainable construction and energy consumption. Dubbed the “Green Energy Gateway Fuel Station,” the station and coffee shop will serve as a model as the organization establishes standards and guidelines for other retail fuel businesses that want to incorporate green practices. EPA, along with numerous governmental and non-governmental partners, is using the station as a pilot demonstration project. EPA will provide funds to evaluate the energy and pollution reduction benefits of the pilot and plans to develop a framework for other fuel stations that wish to “go green.” “The advanced alternative fuel technology offered by Dresser Wayne has been an integral part of making this idea a reality,” says Scott Zaremba, president of family-owned Zarco 66. He found that Dresser Wayne Ovation iX™ fuel dispensers were an ideal fit for the site. “The dispensers have the ability to blend alternative fuels precisely and reliably. In fact, the Xflo™ fuel meter utilizes precision engineering to accurately measure every drop of fuel. This makes it possible for me to guarantee a quality product for my customers.” In addition, the Ovation iX dispensers include the award-winning iX Technology Platform that supports business-building tools such as iX Media digital merchandising. iX Media in-dispenser multimedia enables Zaremba to feature videos educating customers about the benefits of alternative fuels and green initiatives. Zarco 66 also takes advantage of iSense™ remote monitoring to coordinate maintenance efforts which saves money and resources, ultimately reducing energy consumption related to multiple maintenance visits. Zaremba set his sights beyond dispensing alternative fuels to encompass a larger picture of an earth friendly station. “I wanted to build a site in line with the EPA’s four Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle and renew, but building a facility from scratch was cost-prohibitive for an independent retailer. I took an existing site and transformed it into a green location to show others how they can accomplish the same thing within budget.” During construction, Zaremba reused large rocks that were removed when the existing underground storage tanks were excavated. They are now part of the landscaping. He repurposed the existing concrete by grinding it to use as backfill around the new tanks. Additionally, Zaremba recycled the metal rebar from the concrete and replaced lighting with 105 watt florescent lights. The new site will also use energy from wind turbines and solar panels. Perhaps the most unique aspect of the Zarco 66 alternative fuel station, the roof garden on the coffee shop reduces the urban heat-island effect and storm water runoff. Plus, it filters pollutants and green house gases from the air.

XFactor Solar Certification Allows Building Owners to Highlight Their Solar Initiative MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--solarX, a company that provides clean solar energy to commercial real estate owners, today announced its XFactorTM Solar Certification program for commercial buildings. As commercial building owners strive to meet growing tenant demand for clean energy, solar certification becomes an important factor to any decision to “go green.” While LEEDs and Energy Star programs allow for clean and/or efficient energy, neither program focuses on solar energy usage alone. For commercial real estate owners moving toward solar energy, this lack of certification creates a problem. “It is important for owners and tenants to tout their building and office as clean energy space. To get the other certifications, it could costs hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars in renovation costs. This is a great program that shows people are taking the steps they can, now,” said Ron Miller, partner at NAIBT Commercial. XFactorTM Solar Certification measures several components including carbon offset, total power consumption from solar, peek load reduction, solar panel positioning, and other criteria. Buildings receive XFactor Solar Certification levels based on how they score in each area measured. Currently, the highest level attainable is an XFactor of “7” for portfolio owners and an XFactor of “5” for single building owners. The company plans to add three more levels over the next two years. “Our XFactorTM Solar Certification provides a path forward toward maximum carbon foot print reduction vis-à-vis our certification tiers,” said Peter C. Fuller, solarX CMO. Owners can advertise their building as “certified” and tenants can market their businesses as environmentally friendly. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.