The new green office space is scheduled to open January 1, 2009 at the esteemed 1 Penn Plaza NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PowerSPACE & Services, a provider of first-class executive suites, is proud to announce the first green furnished office center, scheduled to open at the prestigious Manhattan location 1 Penn Plaza on January 1, 2009. PowerSPACE & Services, a Vornado Realty Trust company, offers furnished offices to rent by the month or year, and conference rooms and board rooms to rent on an hourly, daily or weekly basis. The 1 Penn Plaza office space is built with renewable and sustainable products. From the material on the chairs at reception to the energy efficient automatic sensor controls in the office lighting and solar window film, PowerSPACE One Penn has made a commitment to improving the environment. Reducing waste generation and ensuring proper recycling of materials is also a key component of the new green office space. The facility will recycle all types of paper, cardboard, fluorescent bulbs and electronic equipment. In addition, there will be recycling of glass, metal and plastic. PowerSPACE Penn Plaza is committed to lowering electricity consumption and water usage, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and providing cleaner indoor air. The 1 Penn Plaza executive suites services will include: Fully staffed offices with dedicated, courteous and experienced support personnel Private, furnished individual offices or group rooms for up to 8 people Flexible terms - lease by the day, month or year Professionally decorated reception areas, offices and suites Access to fully-wired conference rooms with state-of-the-art AV equipment Mail delivery to individuals offices, plus access to complete postal/package handling services Access to high-volume, networked copiers Café with complete facilities Fully-featured VOIP systems and 24-hour voicemail Utilities, cleaning and maintenance included Extended hours of air conditioning available in group rooms Word processing, faxing, courier services, travel services, and office supplies available upon request

CHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zurich, a leading commercial property and casualty insurance provider in North America and globally, today announced the introduction of Better Green™, a builders risk green property endorsement, the first in a series of green building-related coverage products in development. The Better Green endorsement can provide North America insureds with coverage to address some of the loss exposures and expenses unique to green buildings during the course of construction or renovation. Better Green coverage applies to insured projects that incorporate products, building features or building techniques from one or both of the following standards: LEED® Green Building Rating System™ of the U.S. Green Building Council or Green Globe Assessment and Rating System Coverage extensions can include payment of expenses associated with: Air quality management Consulting with a LEED accredited professional Payment of recertification fees Building commissioning Debris recycling Zurich’s Better Green endorsement encourages property owners, designers and contractors to go green. This endorsement allows for reconstruction based on the current LEED rating criteria in force at the time of loss. “As a global insurer, Zurich’s core skill is risk; climate change is all about risk. This green coverage enhancement is an excellent example of Zurich using its skills in risk evaluation, assessment and management to help our customers and stakeholders to adapt to and mitigate the risks of climate change,” said Lindene Patton, chief climate product officer. Zurich is committed to developing products and services addressing climate risks. The company established a Climate Office earlier this year to ensure a consistent approach to the identification and management of climate-related risks. Better Green is intended to meet the needs of building owners and contractors in the course of a building construction or renovation project. It also enables insureds to be more socially responsible and help contribute to a better environment.

OXFORD, Miss., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Commercial buildings use about 1/3 of the energy worldwide, accelerating the demand for implementation of energy-saving techniques into new and existing buildings. To address this, building owners and the design and construction industry have found green, sustainable building as the right solution.

New Motel 6 Room Design Includes No Carpet DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Motel 6, known for offering a clean, comfortable room for the lowest price of any national chain, is saying “sayonara” to carpet and “hello” to a clean, green, wood-effect laminate flooring in its new Phoenix Prototype and property renovations (retrofits). Motel 6’s new flooring is made of 80% pre-consumer recycled material, including an inner wood core comprised of oak and cherry wood chips that would otherwise be burned or thrown into a landfill. The new flooring is also a critical component of the updated Motel 6 design, providing the first “wow” as a guest walks into the room. As the literal foundation of the room, this flooring plays a major role in defining the feel of the space, giving it an updated, larger, and cleaner look that complements the modern design of the new Phoenix Prototype room. “We have more than 900 Motel 6 properties in the U.S. and Canada, so we are aware that our actions are likely to cause a significant impact on the environment,” said Olivier Poirot, CEO, Accor North America, Motel 6 and Studio 6. “Accor North America is constantly working to find ways to minimize its environmental footprint, and this flooring decision is just one of the many efforts we take to make our properties more environmentally friendly.” In addition to the beneficial environmental impact of choosing wood-effect laminate flooring, Motel 6 selected this flooring for practical reasons, among them being its durability and its wooden look that complements the sleek modern design of the new Phoenix Prototype room. Laminate flooring is a great alternative to carpet for several reasons: It doesn’t retain odors from smoke or pets and is overall more hygienic than carpet; it is easy and takes less time to clean and, unlike carpet, does not require regular steam cleaning; and it is durable and has a 10-year warranty. Motels 6’s new wood-effect laminate floors are manufactured by Tarkett™ and are composed of four layers that are pressed together under high temperatures to create a product that provides solid, uniform strength that is highly resistant to indentions, scratches and wear. Tarkett Laminate’s exclusive 100% hardwood core board, Americore, is comprised of oak and cherry wood chips that provide superior durability and indention resistance. The top layer is made of melamine and aluminum oxide which protects the design layer by providing scuff, scratch and abrasion resistance. This top protective layer provides a nice smooth finish, eliminating the need for waxes and polishes to keep the floor looking new. Motel 6 has practiced environmental management since the early 1990s and has been recognized as an EnergyStar Partner since 2006. Today, Motel 6 reduces its carbon footprint in a few of the following ways: properly disposes of hazardous waste with a Fluorescent Light Bulb and Battery Recycling Program; reduces energy consumption in all energy management systems, including installing energy-efficient PTAC units; and reduces water consumption with low-flow aerators for faucets and shower heads and 1.6 gallon low flow toilets at all of its properties nationwide. Motel 6 strives to be in accordance with Accor’s Worldwide Hotel Environmental Charter, a 65-point set of actions that each Accor brand is encouraged to take to make their properties more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. The first new build of the Motel 6 Phoenix Prototype property will be in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and is scheduled to open in 2009. Motel 6 has already begun retrofitting properties across the country, and newly renovated rooms are becoming available nationwide at select locations beginning this fall.

Company Engineers Patented, Eco-Friendly Wallboard Technology SANTA FE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to the lack of green alternatives to conventional drywall manufacturing, Spertech today announced Greentech Wallboard. This patented wallboard technology is developed from recycled materials without producing harmful carbon emissions during the manufacturing process. “Drywall is the most common indoor building material in the United States, but it’s produced in a manner that’s highly energy-intensive, emitting an excessive amount of greenhouse gasses,” said Edwin Brasch, president and chief executive officer at Spertech. “With Greentech Wallboard, Spertech is developing a commercially viable alternative to traditional drywall that’s emissions-free. We’re now in the stage of business development where we’re actively pursuing partners to license this innovative technology.” Greentech Wallboard contains the same strength and density of standard drywall, but utilizes a unique method of development. Rather than superheating mined gypsum to high temperatures, a manufacturing technique that generates carbon dioxide emissions, Greentech Wallboard is comprised of 98% fly ash, a residue by-product of coal-fired electric plants that would otherwise be deposited in landfills or released into the atmosphere. This ground-breaking material science does not require heating, and therefore leaves virtually no carbon footprint during manufacturing. Fly ash has been safely used for years in other construction materials, including cement and concrete, and is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a non-hazardous waste. According to some estimates, approximately 40,000,000 tons of fly ash are dumped in landfills every year.

Efficient Store Also Among First Approved as “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR” PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP) broke ground Oct. 23 in Fairview, Texas, on its first store registered and expected to obtain LEED certification. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™, administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. The 115,000-square-foot JCPenney store will open in August 2009 as an anchor of Fairview’s new 1 million-square-foot lifestyle center, The Village at Fairview. Because LEED criteria are performance-based, LEED documentation will be submitted to the USGBC for formal approval once the store is complete. To receive certification, a building must satisfy requirements and earn points in six categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation in Design. “JCPenney is committed to pursuing environmental initiatives in ways that make sense for the Company,” said Michael Dastugue, senior vice president and director of property development. “Because LEED is the recognized benchmark for green building, this store will provide further insights to features and best practices that can help the environment and potentially deliver long-term energy and cost savings. All of our efforts to reduce environmental impact reflect our ‘Every Day Matters’ philosophy and commitment to the communities in which we operate.” Lean and Green Based on its design, the Fairview JCPenney store is expected to use 41 percent less energy than the average similar building. Beyond JCPenney’s standard new-store design features such as a reflective white roof and energy-efficient lighting, additional features are expected to contribute to reducing the store’s environmental impact, including: Landscape materials selected to reduce irrigation needs by 50 percent compared with similar stores. Plumbing fixtures that reduce building water consumption by 20 percent. Segmenting and recycling of construction waste. Contractors will divert 50 percent or more of the construction debris and waste from local landfills. Use of recycled content in store construction, such as cotton batt insulation made from recycled denim. Use of regional materials harvested, manufactured and delivered from within 500 miles of the store site to reduce transportation emissions. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system that is 21 percent more energy efficient than those for comparable new buildings. An Energy Management System that allows remote monitoring and control of HVAC and lighting systems. Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR Additionally, and consistent with JCPenney’s focus on superior energy management practices, the Fairview store has been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR,” making JCPenney the first national retailer to receive this designation for implementation of energy conservation from the store design stage. To be eligible, building construction documents must be 95 percent complete and receive an energy-efficiency rating of 75 or higher on a 100-point scale. The Village at Fairview store received a rating of 84. The Fairview store is one of two planned JCPenney stores to be certified under the Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR program. Based on its design, the store’s annual energy performance is expected to be in the top 25 percent of comparable retail buildings. Strength in Energy As a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Retailer Energy Alliance and the government’s ENERGY STAR program, and two-time ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year recipient, JCPenney is committed to building on its legacy of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Over the past six years, JCPenney has invested more than $100 million to install energy management technology, lighting retrofits and high-efficiency HVAC systems in its stores. While working to reduce overall energy consumption, JCPenney is also exploring renewable energy projects and recently announced it will host rooftop solar power installations at 10 stores and a wind power project at one of its distribution centers. In addition, JCPenney is one of 21 companies selected to participate in the Department of Energy’s Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative. JCPenney and other selected companies will team with two DOE National Laboratories on projects to achieve cost-effective energy savings of 50 percent above current standards for new commercial building designs and 30 percent for retrofits to existing buildings.

OTTAWA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) announced today the release of a comprehensive report on “bright” green buildings. “Bright” green buildings leverage intelligent technologies to support environmental sustainability while providing a significant return on investment (ROI). The report features several real-world examples that show how property companies around the world have employed advances in green building and networking technologies to increase profits, lower costs, and help the environment. Bright green buildings are intelligent, green and profitable. They are designed to conserve resources such as energy and water and otherwise minimize their impact on the environment. These structures leverage networking technology to integrate and optimize the performance of building control systems, while creating a safe, healthy and comfortable environment for occupants. Fully integrated bright green buildings perform better, cost less to maintain and leave a smaller environmental imprint than their traditionally designed and built counterparts. The international research firm of Frost and Sullivan authored the report with contributions from several industry leaders. Companies providing input include: BAE Systems Cisco Systems, Inc. CommScope, Inc. Delta Controls Inc. Encelium Technologies Inc. Global Environment Fund Herman Miller Inc. InfoComm International Johnson Controls Ltd. Legrand (Ortonics/The Wattstopper) Natural Resources Canada Robinson Solutions Inc. Sloan Monitored Systems Trane Tridel Corporation Panduit, Corp. “This report provides the entire building industry with a useful primer and discussion about the role and performance benefits of integrated control systems in green buildings,” states Peter Templeton, Senior VP of Education & Research at the U.S. Green Building Council. “The conclusions of the study help advance progress toward achieving our vision of a sustainable built environment within a generation.” Bright green buildings combine the best of intelligent and green building design: An intelligent building features fully networked systems that integrate data, voice and video with security, HVAC, lighting and other electronic controls on a single Internet Protocol (IP) network platform. The networked systems monitor building conditions to allow appropriate, real-time adjustments to facilitate user management, space utilization, energy conservation, and comfort and systems improvements. Bright green structures improve long-term economic performance by reducing energy and water usage, as well as construction and demolition waste. Green buildings reduce emissions, decrease waste and improve energy efficiencies. These buildings also maintain a green architecture through the use of recycled and reused products. “As the research report documents, a lower initial cost of installation of the physical layer infrastructure between traditional buildings and ‘bright’ green and intelligent buildings is just one of the many benefits enterprise end-users have realized by opting for an intelligent building infrastructure solution,” said John Cowley, senior business development manager for CommScope Enterprise Solutions. “From security to lighting to HVAC to communications, many corporations are seeing reduced costs and conserving energy by deploying IP-based building systems and using a common infrastructure backbone. This convergence approach to network infrastructure enables building owners to more efficiently and cost-effectively manage building operations while protecting the environment in the process. It’s becoming an investment in the future.” “IP-based building technologies will become mainstream when the cost-saving benefits become more fully understood in both the IT and building management communities,” explains Marybeth Marx, VP Marketing for Ortronics/Legrand. “We believe that the efforts CABA and our research partners have made on this project highlight the benefits that can be enabled by IP technology in deploying intelligent building technology.” Adds Jeff Park, Sustainable Development Manager at Ortonics/Wattstopper/Legrand: “Intelligent buildings are engineered to last, making them efficient and easier to maintain. These buildings have higher resale values, and, they meet current needs, without compromising future generations’ needs.” “Sustainable buildings demand intelligent building controls as an enabler for the complex strategies that these buildings require to operate. Even more critical is a core team of designers and contractors who are committed to the Integrated Design Process and the customer’s goals. Teaming with qualified and innovative project members is an essential requirement for these projects to be successful. Delta Controls and our network of Partners are ready to be part of that team,” says Brian Dutt, VP Sales and Marketing, Delta Controls. “Their higher operational efficiency and lower operational and energy costs, offer a very substantial ROI.” “Intelligent buildings are becoming popular across North America,” says Ron Zimmer, president and CEO of CABA. ”CABA is working to provide more information on this movement to support the continued growth of the industry. We are proud to sponsor this report, which reveals how bright green buildings lower owner operating costs due to more efficient operations and better control, thereby enhancing the value of the buildings themselves.”

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To help reduce energy use and help the environment, the City of San Leandro, Calif. recently approved a contract with Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., to build a 330-kilowatt cogeneration facility at the City's Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP). Expected to save 60 percent in plant energy use, the new power plant has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 1,500 tons per year, or the equivalent of planting 1,500 new trees. The new facility represents a major step in helping the City meet its goal of reducing San Leandro greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--William A. Berry & Son, Inc., a leading green builder, has selected Bluebeam PDF Revu as its PDF creation, markup and editing solution. Bluebeam PDF Revu is a professional PDF editor for creating, sharing and reviewing PDF files. The software allows users to redline and edit PDF files, calculate takeoffs, save custom tool sets, compare revisions and track comments automatically. Berry, which has deployed Bluebeam PDF Revu to 160 users, is using Bluebeam to implement a paperless process standardized on PDF for reviewing building designs. By reducing paper usage on building projects, Berry is increasing sustainable business practices and eligibility for LEED® points from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). “Bluebeam has taken us a long way toward achieving a paperless environment,” said Kevin Healey P.E., project executive at William A. Berry & Son, Inc. “On our initial project launch, we reduced our paper usage enough to achieve an 80 percent savings on printing and courier expenses.” Bluebeam helped Berry reduce paper consumption so significantly that the firm is applying for a LEED Innovation in Design point. The Innovation in Design point honors green builders for employing creative solutions on green building projects. LEED points are required for a building to attain LEED Certification, a prestigious designation granted by the USGBC to the nation’s most sustainable structures. “We are excited that William A. Berry & Son, Inc. has standardized on Bluebeam PDF Revu,” said Richard Lee, President and CEO of Bluebeam Software. “Their impressive results – an 80 percent reduction in paper usage – demonstrates the value that Bluebeam PDF Revu provides to a project, both in terms of sustainability and cost reduction.”

Comprehensive Facilities Automation Equipment and Services Solution Reduces Energy Costs with No up-Front Investment AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Site Controls today announced the availability of its Energy Management Service Agreement (EMSA), which bundles a comprehensive set of energy management products from Site Controls into a single services package with low monthly payments. The EMSA program allows retailers and financial institutions to conserve capital while benefiting from immediate cost reductions through lower energy and maintenance bills. With a tightening credit market, the program is expected to make it easier for chain retailers and bank branches to benefit from energy management technologies. Unlike traditional purchase agreements, there are no upfront or back-end charges, and all facilities automation services are combined into a single monthly service fee which is paid for through hard savings. This model helps to improve budgeting and forecasting, and frees up investment capital for other uses—all while allowing retailers and bank branches to eliminate wasted energy, keep customers comfortable and reduce their carbon footprint. The EMSA program features a comprehensive set of services: Site-Command™ Energy Management System (EMS): Industry-leading EMS equipment that monitors and controls HVAC, lighting, refrigeration, signage and more Installation Services: Site Controls trained technicians ensure non-intrusive, professional and timely equipment installation Extended Warranty: Parts and labor warranty on Site-Command equipment throughout the service term Data Center: Enterprise-level hosted data center easily accessible via a web browser or smartphone 24/7 Call Center: Toll-free help desk support to respond to calls from stores or corporate office personnel Intelligent Load Management™: Provides customers cash payments for participation in utility-sponsored programs Program Management: Technical and management resources to optimize utility and maintenance decision-making “The new Site Controls service package allows retailers and financial institutions to pay for energy management through their on-going cost savings,” said Dan Sharplin, CEO, Site Controls. “The EMSA program offers an all-inclusive, intelligent EMS solution without up-front capital costs, which is crucial in a tight economy when companies need to manage spending and preserve capital.”

Pens Joint Venture with UK-based Shanks Group plc RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intrinergy, a U.S.-based renewable energy company, and Shanks Group plc, a leading European waste management company, today announced closing €34 million ($47 million) in debt financing from NORD/LB, one of Germany’s leading renewable energy banks, to begin construction of Intrinergy VARE Holdings, a biomass energy project located in Belgium. The project, which has already received its permits, includes the greenfield development of a combined-heat-and-power (CHP) plant and a wood pellet manufacturing facility. The CHP plant, fueled by renewable biomass supplied by local Shanks subsidiary Foronex, will generate up to 12 MW of process steam and almost 5 MW of electrical power. The process steam and a portion of the electricity will power the co-located wood pellet manufacturing operation which will produce 50,000 tons per year of pellets, a fuel source used throughout the region as a substitute for heating oil and natural gas in residential and commercial buildings. The balance of renewable electricity will be sold under a long-term power purchase agreement and will generate Green Certificates, the equivalent of Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) used in the U.S. and ROCs in the U.K. The project finance package structured by Intrinergy and NORD/LB finances approximately 80% of the project with senior, secured non-recourse debt. Intrinergy and Shanks have invested the balance of the capital and will operate the project as a joint venture. “At a time when the credit markets are tightening, we’re delighted to be able to close on this transaction and extend Intrinergy’s renewable energy franchise across Europe,” said John Keppler, CEO of Intrinergy. “I believe this deal speaks to the power of Intrinergy’s ability to create investment grade opportunities in energy and the environment. We’re thrilled to partner with NORD/LB and Shanks on a project that will be an essential part of the global climate change solution.” The joint venture between Shanks and Intrinergy provides a secure, long-term supply of biomass feedstock for the project. Shanks, through its Foronex subsidiary, will manage the biomass feedstock consumed by the project and together with Intrinergy will jointly market the wood pellets. Biomass, such as sawdust and forestry residues, serves a dual role as both the energy source and the raw material used to manufacture the wood pellets. “Combining Shanks’ biomass resource expertise with Intrinergy’s CHP experience and wood pellet manufacturing and distribution expertise creates a robust business model that can potentially be used on future projects,” said Tom Drury, CEO of Shanks Group. Intrinergy currently operates a CHP and wood pellet manufacturing facility in Straubing, Germany. “Amid a challenging lending environment, a well-structured transaction and a strong management team gave us confidence in the overall credit attributes for this investment,” said Heiko Ludwig, the Head of Energy - Europe of NORD/LB. “In addition to our confidence in the parties involved and the solid business model and financial structure we have developed together, the renewable energy focus helps us reinforce NORD/LB’s commitment to the environment and sustainability.” Intrinergy VARE Holdings has awarded the engineer-procure-construct (EPC) contract to a consortium consisting of Areva Bioenergy GmbH of Germany, a subsidiary of Areva Bioenergies SAS, and KEM SA of Denmark. Under this contract, Areva and KEM will provide turnkey design, procurement, and construction services. The contractors have been mobilized and onsite work will commence over the next few months. Hunton & Williams LLP served as project counsel to the transaction, led by John Deacon in London and Herve Cogels in Brussels.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Skanska (STO:SKAB) has been awarded the construction management assignment for a new data center project in the western U.S. The customer is one of the largest companies in Internet trading. The contract amount is USD 150 M, about SEK 930 M, which will be included in order bookings for the third quarter. The assignment involves a new, approximately 19,000-square-meter data center. Computing power is critical to the company’s operations and the aim is to increase data capacity. Energy efficient solutions that reduce the emission of greenhouse gases were decisive in selecting Skanska for implementing the project. Skanska has developed a total solution that reduces energy costs for operation and cooling of the facility by up to 60 percent compared with traditional technology. “We have focused on developing our expertise within Green Construction,” says Mike McNally, President, Skanska USA Building. “Our green solution benefits us, the customer and the environment. We strengthen competitiveness for both parties while at the same time reducing environmental impact.” Construction is under way and is scheduled for completion in May 2010.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Skanska (STO:SKAB) has been awarded the construction management assignment for a new data center project in the western U.S. The customer is one of the largest companies in Internet trading. The contract amount is USD 150 M, about SEK 930 M, which will be included in order bookings for the third quarter. The assignment involves a new, approximately 19,000-square-meter data center. Computing power is critical to the company’s operations and the aim is to increase data capacity. Energy efficient solutions that reduce the emission of greenhouse gases were decisive in selecting Skanska for implementing the project. Skanska has developed a total solution that reduces energy costs for operation and cooling of the facility by up to 60 percent compared with traditional technology. “We have focused on developing our expertise within Green Construction,” says Mike McNally, President, Skanska USA Building. “Our green solution benefits us, the customer and the environment. We strengthen competitiveness for both parties while at the same time reducing environmental impact.” Construction is under way and is scheduled for completion in May 2010.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has joined forces with Global Green USA on a pilot program to create five "green" charter schools that serve low-income children in the Los Angeles area. Two projects are now complete, with children attending classes, and three others will be considered for the pilot in the coming months.

New Orlando Office Establishes Strong Presence, Adds to Technical Capabilities ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In four short years, Florida went from a handful of certified green building projects to more than 40, and a staggering 633 are registered in the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. Responding to the growing demand for sustainable building expertise and related technical skills, Green Building Services Inc. (GBS) moves its Orlando office to a larger space and welcomes Robert Ramage to its team. “We’re excited to see the escalating trend toward environmentally responsible design and construction,” says Wendy Landry, GBS associate principal. “With Robert’s arrival, our southeast office has been strengthened to help architects, developers and building owners in Florida and neighboring states create better buildings. Robert’s extensive experience in building commissioning allows us to offer the breadth of services in this region that GBS clients have come to expect nationwide.” Verifying that buildings actually perform at the anticipated level is critical, and makes building commissioning so important. GBS hired Ramage to provide this service to Southeast region clients from a local base. A Senior Technical Consultant, Ramage brings 25 years' experience in engineering design, construction administration, and building commissioning. GBS identified Florida as an emerging green building market and established its Orlando office last year partly in response to the State of Florida’s new sustainable building initiatives. With its depth and breadth of capabilities, GBS is strategically positioned to be a vital contributor to Florida’s public and private development community. GBS is one of the most comprehensive sustainability consulting firms in the nation with a focus on the built environment. The firm has helped set new sustainable building standards and facilitated certification of more than 100 LEED projects. Currently, GBS is helping create the new Reference Guides for LEED 2009. In-depth involvement with the LEED standard is only one of the ways GBS distinguishes itself. Expanding on its technical services capabilities, the group offers specialized experience in: carbon footprinting, energy and daylight modeling; computational fluid dynamics, green specifications and products research; life-cycle cost analysis; and building commissioning.

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Evolution Solar Corp.'s (Pink Sheets: EVSO) stock price goes green, moving up 20% from its low on Oct. 10, 2008, on increased volume. "The stock price retreated on fears of both credit woes and the possible end of the solar tax credits. With news of renewed and enhanced tax credits for both consumers and utilities, the easing on interest rates and the freeing up of commercial credit, solar stock prices quickly turned green," stated Robert Kaapke, CEO of Evolution Solar Corporation. First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) is up 36% from its recent low. SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ:SPWRA) moved from $37.10 to $51.13 in early morning trading on Monday. Evolution Solar goes green again by announcing the addition of a second China office. The new office will be staffed with an additional 10 employees, all of whom will be directly involved with product procurement and development for the alternative energy industry. "We are excited to expand our reach further into the Chinese markets, procuring and developing green products for export worldwide," remarked Michael Franklin, President of Asian operations for Evolution Solar. Mr. Franklin continued by saying, "The new office will be located in Xiaman, and will complement our existing office and employees in Shanghai." Robert Kaapke, the CEO of Evolution Solar, will attend Solar Power International 2008, being held at the San Diego Convention Center located at 111 West Harbor Dr. San Diego, CA 92101. Some of the sponsors include Kyocera (NYSE:KYO), JASolar (NASDAQ:JASO), Conergy, and many more. "We once again look forward to meeting with the giants of our industry to discuss future strategic alliances where our procurement abilities can be utilized," stated Robert Kaapke, CEO of Evolution Solar.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Trilogy(R) by Shea Homes, the first and only national builder to rollout solar across its entire portfolio, announced today that BP solar power systems will be a standard feature on its Shea Green Certified(TM) homes, beginning immediately. As part of its ongoing commitment to reduce the cost of home ownership and improve environmental performance, Trilogy Active Lifestyle(TM) Communities have teamed up with BP Solar, a global leader in solar energy, to reduce electric bills by up to 60 percent per home and offer solar at no additional cost to the homebuyer. This newest feature in Shea Green Certified homes will result in a carbon footprint reduction of up to 48 percent per home and Trilogy homes exceed the 2006 International Energy Code by 45 percent.

OS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) has incorporated a green and eco-friendly theme at CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2008, taking place Oct. 14 to Oct. 16 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif. CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2008 will feature a Green Pavilion, where 22 green and eco-friendly companies will display their products and market their services. Companies in the Green Pavilion include: CHEERS (CA Home Energy Efficiency Rating Services); GoPaperless.com; California Green Solutions; FGI Inc./The Wellness Filter; Go Green Moving; Maid Green; Livingreen; Port of Long Beach, and many more. Ed Begley Jr., an award-winning actor and director, and perhaps one of Hollywood’s biggest advocates for green and sustainable-living issues, will be the keynote speaker on green issues. Begley has earned multiple awards from prominent environmental groups such as Heal the Bay; Coalition for Clean Air; and the California League of Conservation Voters, to name a few. Begley’s keynote address, "Live Simply So Others Can Simply Live,” promises to both enlighten and provoke through a practical, straightforward discussion on the social and economic rewards of integrating eco-friendly practices into both home and workplace. "Live Simply So Others Can Simply Live" will run Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Attendees also will have an opportunity to purchase Begley’s book, "Living Like Ed, A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life," and have it autographed following the presentation. Other green and eco-friendly elements of CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2008 include: Registration bags for the trade show’s more than 10,000 attendees are made from seven recycled, two-liter plastic bottles. The bags also are un-dyed, saving approximately 85,000 gallons of water. Registration name badges are made from two recycled, two-liter plastic bottles and printed on eco-friendly eucalyptus-based paper. Water dispensers and cups are made from recycled paper instead of plastic water bottles, saving approximately 2,500 plastic bottles. Recycled carpet throughout the Exhibit Hall and Green Pavilion. Recycled drapes for each exhibit booth. Additionally, CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2008 features two educational panels focused on creating green and eco-friendly living and business environments. A “Green Tips” handout also was created for CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2008 and will be distributed to attendees, emphasizing the importance and benefits of “going green.”

Yes! MosaicTM Energy Series Systems Allow Homeowners to Rapidly Take Advantage of New 30-Percent Federal Investment Tax Credit and Energy Independence ROSEVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yes! Solar, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Solar Power, Inc. (OTCBB:SOPW) announced today that it has introduced a new solar module racking system that will be the backbone of its Yes! MosaicTM residential photovoltaic (PV) solar home energy systems - each Yes! Mosaic™ system is sized to the precise electrical energy requirements of the homeowner. The proprietary new racking system, ClickRackTM, utilizes a revolutionary new low-profile mounting system that dramatically reduces installation times while providing an extremely secure and aesthetically superior finish, regardless of roof style or architectural requirements. ClickRackTM streamlines the installation process by virtue of its simple fixed mounting bracket and articulating click-mount assembly. Once the mounting brackets are attached to the roof, Yes! Energy SeriesTM PV modules, designed exclusively for Yes! Mosaic™ systems are simply clicked into place. The unique mounting system and PV modules do not require traditional wiring assemblies; instead electrical connections are achieved through the modules themselves. Similarly, ClickRack’s™ self-grounding feature eliminates another traditional installation step and the materials needed to electrically ground modules. The net benefit of the ClickRack™ mounting system is a much faster, safer and more secure, low-profile installation. One of the more unique aspects of the ClickRack™ mounting system is how easy it makes disassembly. In the event of a remodel or re-roofing project, modules simply snap out of their brackets with unparalleled ease. Unlike other mounting systems, in the event of individual module replacement, any single module in an array can be removed without the need to remove any adjacent modules, dramatically reducing replacement time. The mounting system is also fire-code friendly, helping to streamline the permitting process. “The introduction of ClickRackTM with our Yes! Mosaic™ residential energy systems make it extremely easy for homeowners to match one of our systems to their requirements and rapidly begin to achieve energy independence. Our Yes! Solar Solutions franchisees are very excited about this new product and the competitive advantage it will provide them within their territories.” said Todd Lindstrom, President Yes! Solar, Inc. “With Congress passing the 8-year extension of the federal Investment Tax Credit and raising the limit of the tax credit from $2,000 per system to 30% of system cost, residential solar systems have never been more economically attractive. Homeowners seeking relief from rising electricity costs are the real winners and our Yes! Mosaic Energy Series™ systems are designed to allow them to quickly take advantage of the new ITC and the savings the systems will deliver.” Yes! Mosaic™ residential energy systems featuring the new ClickRack™ mounting system are exclusively available through Yes! Solar Solutions energy outlets and will be reaching Yes! energy outlets in the first quarter of 2009.

Best of both worlds - the elegance of wood, the convenience of plastic ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Wood-plastic composites (WPC) are splinter-free, easy-to-clean, screwable, weather-resistant and simple to install. So it is not surprising that they have been achieving high growth rates, especially in wall and flooring profiles. The performance of WPCs is crucially dependent on the quality of the plastic component. Kosche GmbH, a leading producer of panels and profiles produced using WPCs, relies on Lupolen 5261Z high density polyethylene (HDPE) powder from LyondellBasell Industries for its "Kovalex" WPC. In a series of tests, the resin demonstrated superior processability and exceptionally high dimensional stability compared to other plastics. Homogeneous mixture of wood and polymer "In our tests, Lupolen 5261Z powder from LyondellBasell has exhibited particle size similar to that of wood. This enables us to produce an especially homogeneous mixture of wood and plastic," explained Ralf Hirland, the WPC product manager at Kosche. As a result of this good miscibility, higher output is achieved with a very low reject rate compared to other plastics. Another advantage the HDPE powder mixture offers is low thermal expansion of Kovalex WPC profiles. "We subject our extruded profiles and panels to a rigorous testing procedure, in which the specimens are immersed in boiling water for five hours to measure water absorption and expansion behavior. The use of Lupolen powder has proven particularly beneficial in this respect as well, since it has a low water absorption of only one to two percent," explained Hirland. The most important WPC applications produced by Kosche include not only wall and flooring profiles, but window sills and table tops for the construction, gardening and furniture industries. High wood content Lupolen HDPE has also enabled Kovalex to reduce the amount of plastic necessary for the mixture. "In our applications, which are mainly in the construction industry, we must supply composites that look and feel like wood but perform better," added Hirland. At the present time, Kosche uses up to 70 percent wood for its Kovalex products. The content of HDPE is between 25 and 45 percent, depending upon application requirements. "If we were to use other materials, such as PVC, we would have to considerably reduce the wood content because of processing difficulties," said Kosche production manager Markus Petry. The end product made from the composite is 100 percent recyclable. According to Daniel Schneider, LyondellBasell's Technical Service Manager for WPC Applications, "We are very pleased that our Lupolen HDPE powder enables us to meet increasing demands for more cost efficient, higher performing WPCs. With our wide range of innovative HDPE and polypropylene products, we will continue to address growing customer needs in WPC applications." Wood-plastic composites Wood-plastic composites have long been established in North America, but in recent years Europe has also seen a considerable increase in demand for these materials. The Kosche Group alone sold over 11,000 tonnes of Kovalex WPC products last year, making it the leading producer in Germany and Europe. To keep pace with the strong demand growth, the company has invested approximately four million Euros in development and production over the last six years. LyondellBasell Industries is one of the world's largest polymers, petrochemicals and fuels companies. We are the global leader in polyolefins technology, production and marketing; a pioneer in propylene oxide and derivatives; and a significant producer of fuels and refined products, including bio-fuels. Through research and development, LyondellBasell develops innovative materials and technologies that deliver exceptional customer value and products that improve quality of life for people around the world. Headquartered in The Netherlands, LyondellBasell (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.lyondellbasell.com/) is privately owned by Access Industries.

ADA Approved EZ Edge(TM) Transition Ramps and EntryLevel(TM) Landings Are Durable, Versatile, Sustainable and Earn LEED Credits CHICO, Calif., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- In the United States, construction accounts for 30% of raw material consumption, making the shift towards sustainable construction practices an exciting time in "green" building. Quite literally shaping the path towards a sustainable tomorrow, SafePath(TM) Products is a leader in the "green" movement specializing in ADA approved ramps and door threshold transitions made of durable and 100% post consumer material that requires no construction demolition, and qualifies for LEED credits. EZ Edge(TM) Transition Ramps and EntryLevel(TM) Landings are the industries first and only patented, prefabricated, 100% recycled, molded transition suitable for almost every vertical rise known to the architectural and door hardware industry. With SafePath's EZ Edge(TM) Transition Ramps and EntryLevel(TM) Landings, avoid concrete construction, demolition, building closure and re-routing pedestrian traffic. EZ Edge(TM) Transition Ramps and EntryLevel(TM) Landings can be installed and ready for use without disrupting normal activities. For new construction or modernization EZ Edge(TM) Transition Ramps and EntryLevel(TM) Landings offer code compliance seldom achieved with traditional construction practices. Slip-resistant and fade-free, SafePath(TM) Products are proven and tested for long term use in the harshest of environments, even with the heaviest of traffic. LEED the Way The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System(TM) is the gold standard in the realm of sustainable building practices. SafePath(TM) EZ Edge(TM) Transitions Ramps and EntryLevel(TM) Landings qualify for points within the guidelines of the Green Building Rating System(TM). The SafePath Commitment SafePath(TM) Products is committed to eliminating structural barriers by providing universal design and accessibility of a "green" transition product while maintaining the dedication to a cleaner planet. SafePath(TM) Products are applicable to every industry imaginable assuring an efficient, immediate and affordable approach to code compliance and injury prevention. For more information: For the past 12 years, Van Duerr Industries, Inc. dba SafePath(TM) Products has successfully produced and marketed affordable Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance products for the world marketplace. The first to patent 100% recycled rubber transition ramps for the architectural and door hardware industry, SafePath(TM) Products is dedicated to a safer and cleaner planet offering transition modifications for residential and commercial application. For more information please visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.safepathproducts.com/.

ew innovation expected in next 12 months due to new relationship AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands & BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) today announced that they have signed an agreement to jointly research new energy-efficiency solutions for buildings. Philips and Berkeley Lab will work together to develop new technologies for the control of multiple building sub-systems such as lighting and temperature controls, and new building simulation tools for developing and evaluating effective energy control strategies. Initial research will focus on optimizing the energy efficiency of indoor lighting through advanced integrated wireless lighting control systems that are responsive to people, events and external daylight levels. This will ensure energy is only used when and where needed and will not compromise the comfort of the building’s inhabitants. Global environment and energy concerns are at the heart of this joint research program that will last for the next two and a half years, to be carried out jointly at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California, USA and independently at Philips Research in North America (Briarcliff Manor, New York) and Europe. Conventional light sources and unmanaged lighting systems currently account for a significant proportion of wasted energy in buildings. With products such as its ActiLume adaptive fluorescent lighting system for offices, Philips is already a world leader in energy-managed lighting systems. The combination of Philips’ advanced research and development in lighting, including solid state lighting controls, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s recognized expertise in energy-efficient building technologies will extend opportunities in energy efficient lighting to complete building energy management systems. In view of the advanced knowledge base and implementation skills embodied in the partnership, practical results from the collaborative research are expected as early as the beginning of 2009, with commercialization of the developed concepts towards the end of 2009. Compared to unmanaged lighting and other energy consuming building systems, the anticipated energy savings achievable with these new solutions could be in excess of 75%. “For Philips this partnership supports an important shift in our activities from energy efficient lighting towards complete energy efficient systems which can impact our ambitions in the global energy challenge,” says Terry Doyle, Senior Vice President Philips Research. “Through this open-innovation agreement with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory we believe that we can jointly make an important contribution to the development and deployment of ‘net-zero energy’ building solutions, opening up significant business opportunities for the future,” says Helen Routh, general manager Philips Research North America. “We are looking forward to working with the Philips team to develop new technologies for dramatically reducing building energy use and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions,” said Arun Majumdar, Director of the Environmental Energy Technologies Division at Berkeley Lab. “There are tremendous opportunities to lower the environmental impact of buildings through the intelligent, real-time, automated control of energy use.” The joint research program will leverage Philips Lighting’s knowledge of fluorescent and solid-state lighting controls, Philips Research’s expertise in wireless communication systems and standards, and its understanding of ambient environments. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will bring its proven track record of contributions to energy efficient lighting in buildings, monitored demonstrations of high performance integrated building systems and links to state and federal energy agencies.

Nearly 92 Percent of Homeowners Are Interested in Home Energy Efficiency, but Many Remain Unaware of Largest Sources of Energy Consumption and How Their Home Contributes to Climate Change DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October is Energy Awareness Month, and today, Johns Manville (JM), a global building products manufacturer, released the results of its annual Energy Awareness Month Survey. The new survey shows that while an overwhelming majority of Americans are interested in increasing their homes’ energy efficiency (91.8 percent) and expect their home heating bills to increase this winter (76.5 percent), many lack understanding of how their homes consume energy, and most aren’t entirely clear on which home improvement projects yield the largest energy-saving benefits. More than two-thirds of respondents (70.7 percent) said they’re more interested in home energy efficiency compared to a year ago, and 63.6 percent said reducing their home heating and cooling costs is the best reason for making home energy efficiency upgrades. As a result, homeowners are starting to take action. More than half (54.3 percent) have taken steps in the last year to improve the energy efficiency of their home. However, when asked how much they expect to save from projects such as adding insulation, caulking and air sealing their homes, nearly three-fourths underestimated their potential utility bill savings at 10 percent or less. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) lists the heating and cooling system as the largest user of energy in the average home, accounting for 43 percent of consumption, and estimates the average homeowner can save up to 30 percent on heating and cooling bills through proper insulation and air sealing techniques. "For the average homeowner, the best step they can take to improve their home's energy efficiency is to add insulation to their attic," said Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit group that promotes energy efficiency. "A simple way for a homeowner to check if their home is properly insulated is to use a ruler to measure the depth of their attic insulation,” said Kevin Kinzler, president of Kinzler Construction Services in Ames, Iowa. “Many climates may need up to 19 inches of attic insulation to ensure maximum energy efficiency.” Other key findings included: 18.8 percent of respondents said reducing their home’s contribution to global climate change is the best reason to increase home energy efficiency; even fewer (10.6 percent) cited comfort as the top factor The most popular upgrade homeowners have made was installing energy-efficient light bulbs, at 75.7 percent, followed by caulking and sealing at 42.2 percent and energy-efficient appliances upgrades, at 38.5 percent When asked about U.S. energy consumption, 25.7 percent of respondents said road transportation ranks as the largest U.S. consumer of energy; only 18.4 percent responded correctly that residential buildings are the single largest U.S. energy consumer "When you consider rising energy prices and the amount of energy homes use for heating, cooling, lighting, appliances and entertainment, it's easy to see why so many homeowners are growing more concerned with energy efficiency," said Callahan. "Energy efficiency is the quickest, cheapest and cleanest way to extend our world's energy supplies, so it's reassuring to see more homeowners taking action to improve home energy efficiency, whether they care about climate change or a lower winter heating bill." The Energy Awareness Month Survey was an online survey of 1,002 U.S. homeowners and was conducted on behalf of Johns Manville, the global building products manufacturer, by Forrest W. Anderson Research, an independent public opinion research company. The survey had a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points and was conducted July 21-23, 2008. "Residential energy efficiency is a topic that's relevant to all of us," said Mike Lawrence, vice president and general manager of JM’s Insulation Systems business. "Johns Manville conducts the Energy Awareness Month Survey each year to understand Americans' awareness and behavior as it relates to energy use. By highlighting these topics, we hope to do our part to increase our country's energy IQ." Energy Costs Hurting Homeowners' Budgets The Energy Awareness Month Survey found most homeowners are concerned about saving money, with 63.6 percent of respondents citing reducing heating and cooling bills as the top concern when considering an energy efficiency upgrade. Respondents were less concerned with reducing their homes’ contribution to climate change (18.8 percent) or making their family more comfortable (10.6 percent). The findings suggest that amid a slowing U.S. economy, more Americans are considering energy-related home improvement, mostly to save money. Even after a sharp decline from its peak in mid-July, the price of natural gas is still above where it was last winter, and reports from the Energy Information Institute estimate the cost of home heating oil is 36 percent higher compared to last year. According to the DOE, households use about one-fifth of the total energy consumed in the United States each year, and the typical U.S. family spends about $1,500 a year on utility bills. According to JM's Energy Awareness Month Survey, relatively few homeowners, only 5.2 percent, considered increasing the resale value of their home as the best reason for making their home more energy efficient. In addition to the immediate return from reduced energy costs, efficiency upgrades, such as adding insulation, also increase a home's resale value. Data from the Appraisal Institute shows that for every dollar saved in annual utility costs, homeowners can expect to add about $20 to the market value of their home. For example, a homeowner who saves $300 on annual heating and cooling costs by properly insulating the home could add $6,000 to its value. Homeowners Taking Action but Don't Fully Understand Consumption More than half of survey respondents (54.3 percent) have recently attempted to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The most popular upgrade was installing energy-efficient light bulbs at 75.7 percent, followed by caulking and sealing at 42.2 percent and energy-efficient appliance upgrades at 38.5 percent. Installing attic insulation (16 percent), installing a new furnace (14 percent) and installing solar panels (0.9 percent) ranked lowest in the survey. These statistics suggest that many homeowners do not fully recognize the largest sources of energy consumption in their homes and don’t know what types of projects could save the most energy. The DOE states that 43 percent of the average home's energy use is spent on heating and cooling, compared to 13 percent for appliances (refrigeration, clothes washer and dryers) and only 12 percent for lighting. "It's good to see that more than 42 percent of respondents recognize the importance of caulking and sealing, but such projects need to be done along with insulation upgrades to reap the biggest savings," added Callahan. Kinzler provided an additional tip for homeowners interested in insulation upgrades. “As homeowners tighten up their homes and add insulation to improve energy efficiency, they should consider using products that are free of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds. This will avoid trapping formaldehyde in the air of more tightly sealed homes, which can lead to poor indoor air quality." Homeowner Knowledge of U.S. Energy Economy Lacking In addition to individual home energy consumption, the Energy Awareness Month Report found that many Americans lack complete understanding of the U.S. energy economy. Only 18.4 percent of homeowners correctly indicated the residential sector is the single largest consumer of energy in the United States. The other 81.6 percent incorrectly thought the largest consuming sector was road transportation, manufacturing, commercial buildings, air transportation or something else. To gauge understanding of U.S. energy consumption, survey respondents also were asked a series of questions about energy use of the top six energy-consuming sectors or industries: road transportation, air transportation, chemical/petrochemical industry, iron and steel industry, commercial buildings and residential buildings. The largest number of respondents, 25.7 percent, said road transportation is the largest consumer of energy in the United States. The reality is 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, according to a 2007 report from the McKinsey Global Institute titled "Curbing Global Energy Demand Growth: The Energy Productivity Opportunity." "Residential buildings contribute significantly to climate change," added Callahan. "The average home emits twice as much carbon dioxide as the average car, in large part because energy used to power our homes is derived by burning fuels such as coal, heating oil and natural gas. The survey findings show that most Americans aren't fully aware of the dynamics of America's energy consumption."

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Best Western International today announced staff interior designer Ciji Hoffman has earned the honor of being the first Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) accredited professional (AP) for the World’s Largest Hotel Chain®. Hoffman’s accreditation allows her to guide the hotel chain’s green building, sustainability and environmental impact initiatives for hotel construction and renovation. “We’re proud to have a LEED accredited professional on staff that can help our members build and renovate hotels with the environment in mind,” said Rich Bennett, Best Western’s vice president of supply and design. “We have multiple Best Western properties that are interested in LEED certification and Ciji’s commitment to teaching and implementing environmentally friendly solutions will help them attain that goal.” The Best Western Inn & Suites at Dinosaur Ridge in Golden, Colo. is the first Best Western hotel under construction seeking LEED certification. In addition, properties in Greensburg, Kan. and Alberta, Canada are interested in becoming certified. Hoffman is helping the members with the direction of the design and material selection to ensure that the properties achieve the certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. She resources materials and products that are beneficial to the environment, guests and employees. “Educating Best Western’s members about LEED certification and its benefits is a really rewarding process,” said Hoffman. “My hope is that as more members realize the benefits, not only for the environment but for themselves, there will be a great increase in properties seeking certification.” Hoffman earned the accreditation after studying green building basics, benefits and integration for more than six months. She joins more than 57,000 other men and women LEED APs.

HBANC President Joseph Perkins Joins Mayor Chuck Reed in Promoting Consistent Standards for Creating 50 Million Square Feet of Green Buildings SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Home Builders Association of Northern California today joined San José Mayor Chuck Reed in announcing critical new legislation that will provide home builders with the clear standards and strong accountability they need to help meet the mayor’s aggressive goal of creating or retrofitting 50 million square feet of green buildings over the next 14 years. “Clear, consistent green building standards help builders, help home buyers and help the environment,” said Joseph Perkins, President and CEO of the Home Builders Association of Northern California. “The green building standards that Mayor Reed is introducing today ensure that we’re all on the same page and that we can reach the goals the Mayor set out. They avoid a mishmash of costly, confusing regulations and provide a simple, reasonable framework that builders can follow and consumers can understand.” The standards included in the policy, which are scheduled to be presented to the City Council on Oct. 7, will require residential and commercial developments to achieve well-defined green building scores based on one of two comparable rating systems. Residential developments of 10 units or more will need to achieve either 50 points on Build It Green’s GreenPoint Rated scale or a comparable score under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. “Throughout San Jose and the Silicon Valley, tenants and residents alike are demanding environment-friendly workplaces and living spaces,” Mayor Reed said. “The Private Sector Green Building Policy will encourage our development community to make good economic and environmental decisions that respond to the changing demands and needs of our workers and residents.” Cheryl O’Connor, senior vice president of SummerHill Homes and chairwoman of the Home Builders Association’s Executive Committee, introduced Mayor Reed. SummerHill Homes’ Parkwood community, where Monday’s announcement was held, is one of San Jose’s first residential developments to officially meet the city’s new standards, achieving 90 points on the GreenPoint Rated scale. SummerHill is a member of the Home Builders Association of Northern California. “Home builders like SummerHill understand that building green makes sense on many levels,” Perkins said. “Yes, it’s good for the environment. It reduces waste of natural resources, including water, cuts down on energy consumption and provides healthy living environments free of toxins. But it’s also good business for home builders as more and more consumers become aware of the benefits and advantages of green-built homes.” That’s why the Home Builders Association of Northern California, following months of careful consumer and market research, took the bold and unprecedented step last year of announcing its support for consistent green building standards and partnering with the independent Build It Green organization to promote its GreenPoint Rated program. “New building technologies have put the goals that Mayor Reed outlined last year in his Green Vision within our reach,” Perkins said, “and the policy introduced today will allow us to grab them.”

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Recognizing J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP) for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory has selected the Company to join in its effort to encourage adoption of energy-saving technologies for new and existing commercial buildings. JCPenney is among 21 companies, including some of America’s largest retailers, commercial real estate firms and financial institutions, selected to receive awards totaling $15 million as part of the Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative. JCPenney and other recipients will team with two of the DOE’s National Laboratories on projects to achieve cost-effective savings of 50 percent above the standard set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers for new commercial building designs, and a savings of 30 percent for retrofits to existing buildings. Each company selected will have their design and facility management teams work with the DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory to design, build, tune and operate at least one new prototype building and to retrofit an existing building project for 50 percent and 30 percent energy savings, respectively. The funding provides access to the labs’ unique expertise in low-energy building design and retrofitting. The DOE intends to share insights gained from the projects to improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings nationwide. In 2007, commercial buildings consumed about 19 percent of U.S. energy and accounted for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the DOE. “We are honored to be part of this unprecedented collaboration to save energy and discover cost-effective ways to increase the efficiency of commercial buildings nationwide,” said Jim Thomas, JCPenney vice president and director of corporate social responsibility. “This partnership has the potential to make a significant impact on the country’s business and energy future.” As a member of the DOE Retailer Energy Alliance, the U.S. Government’s ENERGY STAR program and two-time ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year recipient, JCPenney is committed to building on its legacy of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Over the past six years, JCPenney has invested more than $100 million to install energy management technology, lighting retrofits and high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in its stores. Approximately 800 stores are equipped with an Energy Management System (EMS), which provides remote monitoring of the store’s electrical and mechanical systems, schedules the operation of lighting and HVAC equipment, monitors store comfort levels and identifies opportunities for saving energy. While working to reduce overall energy consumption, JCPenney is exploring renewable energy projects and recently announced it will host rooftop solar power installations at 10 stores and a wind power project at one of its distribution centers.

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SourceCorp announces the extension of the Energy Efficient “Green” Building Tax Deduction and the two-year extension of the R&D Tax Credit. Today, Congress approved an unprecedented $700 billion government bailout and sent it to President Bush who quickly signed it. Energy Efficient Commercial Building Tax Deduction Extended through December 31, 2013. Section 179D(a) is a deduction for commercial building owners whose buildings meet certain energy standards. The deduction is as much as $1.80 per square foot for buildings that achieve a 50 percent energy savings target. Before claiming the deduction, the owner must obtain written certification from a professional engineer not related to the company using approved software that the required energy savings will be achieved. Research and Development Tax Credit The R&D tax credit was extended for two years through December 31, 2009. If you are involved in developing new products/processes, improving existing products, creating more reliable products, developing prototypes, design tools/jigs/molds/dies, apply for patents, testing new concepts, investment in manufacturing process activity, developing new technology or employ outside consultants and/or contractors to do any of these activities, you may qualify for the R&D Tax Credit.

Simpson Strong-Tie Offers Homeowners Tips for a Safer, Stronger Home PLEASANTON, Calif., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- With the increasing number of tornadoes this year and hurricane season underway, there's no better time to prepare homes for high wind storms. Simpson Strong-Tie, a leader in structural building products for hurricane safety, is encouraging homeowners to take a few simple steps to help ensure their homes are storm ready. "Almost all parts of the country are subject to high winds. Knowing if a home is storm ready requires a few simple steps," said Randy Shackelford, P.E., engineer and code specialist for Simpson Strong-Tie. Shackelford says one of the first things to consider is where you live. "Coastal areas, for example, are more susceptible to powerful winds, like those from hurricanes. Building codes for these areas typically require homes to resist much higher wind speeds than inland homes. You'll want to check with your local building department to learn about the codes that govern your area." Another indicator of a storm-ready house is when it was built. Older homes may not have been built to resist high winds. The most important indicator, however, is how the house is built. "You need to look at the critical areas of your home. How your roof, walls and foundation are attached, as well as window and garage door protection are key to protecting your home from wind damage," explained Shackelford. He added, "In high wind storms, we often see homes that have lost their roofs. Typically, these roofs were only nailed to the home's walls-not attached using metal connectors. Nails alone can pull out, especially during a powerful wind storm." If homeowners are not experienced in home construction or uncomfortable inspecting their homes, Simpson Strong-Tie recommends hiring a qualified, licensed home inspector or structural engineer to perform the inspection and identify areas in need of retrofit. Simpson Strong-Tie offers a tip sheet, titled "5 Steps to a Safer and Stronger Home," to help homeowners understand how wind can affect their homes and provide steps to make their homes more storm resistant. The tip sheet and additional information about high wind safety are available at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.strongtie.com/highwind.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) dedicates October as Energy Awareness Month. The mission of the DOE is an important one -- to educate consumers on the critical impact energy use has on our lives, our community and our country. With more than a century of experience in the building products industry, CertainTeed Corporation recognizes the continued challenges homeowners face in tackling escalating home heating costs. According to a study conducted by Harvard University, more than 45 million U.S. homes are under-insulated. Coupled with an anticipated 17 percent increase in the costs of natural gas -- the primary heating source used in 58 percent of U.S. homes -- there is no better time for homeowners to evaluate the energy efficiency of their homes. Here are a few tips to get started: -- Conduct a home energy audit. With a simple but careful walk-through, many problems can be spotted in any type of house. Locate obvious air leaks by examining gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring, at junctures of the walls and ceilings, and at electrical box openings and plumbing penetrations. If cracks are present, caulk and weatherstrip. -- Attic insulation is key when evaluating the energy efficiency of a home. If the attic has 6 inches or less of insulation, it should be upgraded to the recommended level of insulation for that geographic area. Visit certainteed.com or talk with a local insulation contractor to learn the appropriate level. -- Some insulating systems can provide the added benefit of moisture management in addition to traditional insulation performance. For example, CertainTeed Corporation's DryRight(TM) Fiberglass Insulation offers excellent thermal protection while reducing in-the-wall moisture to help prevent the growth of damaging mold and mildew. -- Air enters the living space from unheated parts of the house, such as attics, basements or crawl spaces. Any ducts that pass through an unheated space should be sealed and insulated, to prevent air and heat loss. -- Insulation works best when air is not moving through or around it. Seal air leaks to ensure that insulation is providing its full performance. -- Check the R-value of fiber glass insulation before buying it. Plainly, R-value means resistance to heat flow. The greater the R-value, the greater the insulation power. CertainTeed offers a full line of quality insulation products for both new and existing homes that meet the requirements of the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute and the Green Building Guidelines established through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). CertainTeed insulation products can also help building professionals qualify toward credits for The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED(R)) through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Event to Run At Pier 90 in New York City, March 26-28, 2009 LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Green Media Enterprises (GME) announced today that it will co-locate its Green East event at the Piers with The Architectural Digest Home Design Show, which is produced by Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) and sponsored by Architectural Digest and The New York Times. Green East will run March 26-28, 2009 at Pier 90 with The Architectural Digest Home Design Show running one additional day, March 26-29 at Pier 94. “There is a natural synergy between our two events, and co-locating with The Architectural Digest Home Design Show offers tremendous additional value for Green East exhibitors and visitors,” said Diane O’Connor, President of Green Media Enterprises. “Through our collaboration with MMPI, Green East visitors will be able to source hundreds of additional product and service providers within the home design and furnishings sectors. In addition, Green East exhibitors will have the opportunity to meet thousands of additional highly-qualified architecture and design professionals and influential consumers in search of green solutions.” Visitors to Green East will be cross-badged to attend The Architectural Digest Home Design Show and vice versa. In addition, Green Media Enterprises and MMPI will collaborate on select cross-promotional efforts and media outreach to maximize attendance to both events. “We are very excited to have Green East running alongside our 2009 event,” said John H. Brennen III, Executive Vice President of MMPI. “Now in its eighth year, The Architectural Digest Home Design Show attracts almost 25,000 qualified attendees. We have achieved this remarkable track record of growth and success by continually looking for ways to extend the brand and to increase the value proposition of the Show. We view the co-location with Green East as another key step in this synergistic strategy. ‘Green’ is one of the hottest topics in design and home furnishings at the moment, and our exhibitors and attendees will benefit greatly by being able to interact with the exhibitors and attendees of Green East. With a wide-array of green products and services and innovative installations like Sustainable Living Spaces Inspired by Eric Lloyd Wright, we feel Green East is an ideal complement to the sustainable furnishings component of The Architectural Digest Home Design Show.” The Architectural Digest Home Design Show features a broad range of home design categories, from home furnishings and accessories to art & antiques, kitchen and bath products to flooring, wall coverings, lighting and more. Also offered are complimentary designer consultations, special exhibits and educational seminars led by industry luminaries. Green East features a wide-array of green, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly products and services as well as keynotes and seminars and a variety of on-the-floor special events. Both shows are open to trade professionals as well as the public.

Project will reduce customers’ carbon footprints by 50 percent SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Seattle Steam Co. today announced that it will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its new renewable energy storage facility Tues., Oct. 7, at 11:30 a.m. on Western Avenue mid-block between University and Union streets. Mayor Greg Nickels is scheduled to headline the program. The program also will include King County Council Member Larry Phillips and Patrick Mazza, research director at Climate Solutions, an organization committed to accelerating practical and profitable solutions to global warming. The groundbreaking will mark the official start of construction on a facility that will introduce “urban waste wood” (biomass) into Seattle Steam’s fuel mix. The biomass will be used to help produce steam for the company’s extensive downtown district heating system, which serves 175 customers and has been a vital thermal energy provider to downtown Seattle since 1893. The new renewable energy storage facility will be located directly across the street from the new biomass boiler facility, which is already under construction next to the company’s Western Avenue Plant. Trucks will deliver waste wood to the renewable energy facility, where the biomass will be stored in a special silo. The biomass then will be transferred from the silo through an existing tunnel underneath Western Ave. and used to fuel the new boiler. The boiler will burn natural gas until the wood storage facility is ready in late spring 2009. The entire project is scheduled for completion summer 2009. University Mechanical Contractors Inc. is serving as the general contractor. Seattle Steam operates two plants: the Western Avenue Plant and the Post Street Station, both of which now burn natural gas and oil. Use of biomass at its main Western Ave. plant will add to the system’s fuel flexibility and help its customers reduce their carbon footprints by more than 50 percent. In addition, use of urban waste wood will help reduce clean waste headed to landfills and provide a cost-effective alternative to natural gas and oil. The U.S. Green Buildings Council recognizes this product as a renewable fuel source in its newest version of LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System™), offering building owners credits for connection to a biomass facility. “Seattle Steam is concerned about climate change and is well aware of its role as an energy provider, especially in finding ways to reduce its customer’s carbon footprints,” says Stan Gent, president of Seattle Steam. “It is in a unique position locally to take the lead in this global effort to reduce carbon and to serve as the energy manager for customers, who gain advantages not normally experienced by buildings that operate their own on-site boilers. Generally, a building with its own on-site boiler does not have the same fuel flexibility that a district heating system can offer. An individual building isn’t likely to be able to use biomass and obtain the associated carbon reduction credits on its own. In addition, all of the steam delivered to a district-heated building is 100 percent efficient. Every pound of steam can be put to use for space heating, domestic hot water heating or process use. No efficiency rate needs to be factored in.”