FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Fox Energy Specialists launched the country's first green/energy rater franchise last week at the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) National Conference in New Orleans, LA. The timing for the launch could not have been better with the announcement of the Stimulus package which includes millions of dollars earmarked for Energy Improvement projects in all 50 states. In attendance at the conference, were key staff members from the EPA's ENERGY STAR Program and the Department of Energy who were there to educate the Home Energy Rating Industry on both current and upcoming programs, and how Raters are needed across the country to support them. According to James Rodriguez, Executive Vice President for Fox Energy Specialists, "We took a close look at the secrets behind our success as an energy rating company, and found that more than 60% of the Rating Business relies on the administrative and support systems behind the actual services provided to clients. We have our systems automated and patented. Unfortunately, most certified Energy Raters are trained on becoming great Rater technicians, but very few are trained on running a great Rating Business. That's why we decided to launch the franchise." He continues, "According to the National Association of Home Builders, Green Building is projected to grow into a $40-$70 billion market in the next four years. Energy Raters in the industry know that green begins with energy efficiency." Fox Energy Specialists, a Division of The Nelrod Company, is an award winning Home Energy Rating Provider based in Fort Worth, Texas with offices in Houston and Washington, D.C. Fox Energy Specialists has been providing ENERGY STAR Services, energy code inspections and existing home energy audits in Texas since 2000 and after eight years and over 40,000 homes, the firm has earned the country's only process patent (U.S. Patent No. 7,389,157) for inspecting a home's energy efficiency.

Concerns Center on Curbing Energy Use, Reducing Emissions and Compliance NEW YORK and SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The first annual sustainable design-trend watch survey jointly commissioned by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Autodesk (NASDAQ:ADSK) found that two-thirds of respondents have worked on designing sustainable products. The survey of ASME members is the first research conducted to understand the factors and impacts of sustainable design on mechanical engineers and their manufacturing businesses in industries including automotive and transportation, industrial machinery, consumer products and energy. Sustainable engineering refers to the design and manufacture of an ever-increasing volume of goods and services while using the earth's resources more efficiently and producing less waste. A key trend highlighted by the survey is that more than half of the practicing engineers responding reported they expect to increase their use of sustainable design practices in the next year. Primary design concerns focused on using less energy, reducing emissions and complying with environmental and regulatory standards. Additionally, a separate survey of ASME student members found that half of the respondents have encountered sustainable design practices in their studies and are extremely interested in green and sustainable information and causes. "A few years ago our industry may have not been as focused on sustainable design, but these results confirm that designing with sustainability in mind is now a primary aim of mechanical engineers," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk. "Autodesk is pleased to join with ASME to highlight the importance of making smarter, more sustainable design decisions. This underscores our continued commitment to providing engineers with the Digital Prototyping tools required to understand the environmental impacts of a new product."

Video Guides Solar Contractors in Boosting Solar Power Generation LAS VEGAS and DENVER - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Coolerado Corporation today announced that it has revealed its revolutionary design for solar powered air conditioning systems to the general public through an online video that documents the unique system at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.coolerado.com/?page_id=111. Targeting solar contractors, the video demonstrates the simplicity of simultaneously cooling air, while boosting solar power generation. Using computer animation, the video illustrates how to incorporate the affordable system into different commercial and residential building types. Coolerado is exhibiting its solar powered air conditioning systems this week at RETECH 2009, running February 25-27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, in Hall N1, booth #510. “Coolerado chose to disclose the design so that wide scale deployment of the systems can occur,” said Rick Gillan, executive vice president of Coolerado. “We could have limited availability through exclusive licenses, but have chosen a broader approach that allows us to focus on our core air conditioning business.” Any solar contractor can work with air conditioning installers in the Coolerado distribution network to pair the air conditioner with a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Only a few PV panels are needed to power Coolerado air conditioners, so most systems have plenty of excess power available for other electric devices. The mobile demonstrator the company shows in the video is set up to display real time, side-by-side comparisons of the added power generation created by the system. “The system definitively shows how power production is increased by more than 15 percent by employing the innovative approach. Industry experts who have seen the system are also amazed at the tiny amount of power being drawn by the air conditioner,” Gillan said. There is significant world wide demand for affordable off-grid and grid tied solar powered air conditioners, and Coolerado’s system works with either. The off-grid system documented in the video uses a Coolerado air conditioner capable of cooling 3,000 square feet of space with only 600 watts of power, so only four PV panels are needed to power it. About Coolerado Corporation Coolerado Corporation develops, manufactures and sells innovative air conditioning systems that use one tenth of the energy required by the most efficient conventional systems. Coolerado air conditioners are green, using no chemical refrigerants, and reduce greenhouse gases tenfold compared to traditional systems. Coolerado also creates a healthier, more comfortable, living environment by providing continuous fresh air as an integral part of the cooling process. For more information, visit www.Coolerado.com.

Mayor to Officially Congratulate Staples and 2121 Biscayne Blvd, LLC for Staples and Miami-Dade’s first Gold-Certified Building MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Staples, Inc., (Nasdaq: SPLS) the world’s largest office products company, today announced that the Staples store in Miami, located at 2121 Biscayne Blvd., is the first store in Miami-Dade County and in the Staples chain to be awarded gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz joined Staples General Manager Ulysses Perez and Developers Michael Katz and Bill Biondi for a dedication ceremony honoring this achievement in environmental sustainability. “This certification is truly momentous and serves as an inspiration for other building developers to see how it is possible to make a difference while growing our city,” said Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, an active champion for sustainable development in Miami. “Staples and the developers, Michael Katz and Bill Biondi, are setting a new level of excellence we hope others will soon achieve.” LEED is a voluntary independent green building rating system and is the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. Buildings meeting LEED standards minimize negative environmental impacts and maximize energy efficiency and sustainability. Previously, Staples announced that its Biscayne Boulevard store was the first-ever green retail building to be LEED registered in Miami, which has since prompted other retailers to register and seek certification. The Staples store addresses the following LEED standards: Improves energy performance and reduces “heat island effect” contributing to higher city temperatures through a highly reflective roofing system; Reduces the strain on municipal water and Florida aquifer reserves by collecting rainwater through rooftop gutter systems and installing waterless urinals and low-flow toilets; Provides superior indoor air quality by using only low emitting materials for adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, carpet and other building products; Protects and restores habitats by using 100 percent native plants and shrubs in landscaping; Preserves non-renewable, virgin resources by using drywall, steel, concrete, bathroom partitions, carpet and parking stops made from recycled materials during the construction process; Promotes water efficiency by collecting rainwater for use in plant irrigation; Encourages alternative transportation by being located close to light rail and bus lines and offering changing facilities and bike racks; Provides effective energy management and thermal comfort through indoor temperature controls that adjust based on occupancy load and external weather conditions; Leads recycling efforts by having on-site recycling for paper, plastic, glass, and cardboard, in addition to providing computer, electronics and ink cartridge recycling for customers; and Promotes sustainable waste management by diverting construction waste from landfills. “From day one, our customers have praised our store’s efforts to deliver office products, technology and services in an environmentally friendly way,” said Ulysses Perez, Staples Biscayne Boulevard general manager. “Achieving gold LEED certification from the USGBC is a testament to the team’s efforts and our commitment to making a difference in communities where our customers and associates live and work.” “We are grateful to all the members of the development team who worked especially hard to complete the project, to the City of Miami staff for their guidance, and especially to Jason Biondi, our environmental consultant, whose persistence and forward thinking made it all happen,” said Bill Biondi, developer. The entire development team includes: Architects - Hamed Rodriguez and Michael Figuero; General Contractor - Link Construction Company; MEP Engineers - Fineline Engineering; Civil Engineer - EDC Corp.; Structural Engineer - Tain Engineering; and Landscape Architect - Mariano Corral.

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CBA (Commercial Brokers Association), in partnership with the Cascadia Region Green Building Council, has launched an online Certified Green Broker© education program designed for commercial real estate industry professionals. The program’s objective is to train brokers to adequately counsel clients on sustainability business practices. The course is available online and can be accessed from any computer via the Internet at any time day or night. The Certified Green Broker course website is http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/greenbrokereducation.com/. The course syllabus, overview and a live demonstration are available for public preview. “In today’s economic climate, being able to properly distinguish a green building with lower operating and maintenance costs from more conventional structures is a significant advantage,” said Jason F. McLennan, CEO of Cascadia. “Brokers who can understand and convey the emerging language and technology of green building will see their own position in the market rise.” The program consists of 10 comprehensive three-hour seminars presented in an interactive, online format. The course commences with green building basics and continues onto in-depth subject areas such as the development of green leases, the valuation of green buildings and land use laws. Brokers learn the benefits of green leasing to both landlords and tenants including tax incentives, return on investment and reduced energy costs. Participants in the program will have real-time, unlimited access to the Green Broker reference library, a depository of vital sustainability resource materials. The program offers 30 hours of real estate continuing education credit where applicable and gives brokers the right to display the certification in their title, on business cards and other marketing materials. After certification, the broker has access to the Green Broker Institute, a web-based depository dedicated to program graduates. The Institute will provide industry and educational updates and a broker feedback forum for the sharing of information and contacts. The graduate will also be included in a national directory of Certified Green Brokers©. The course is being offered at an introductory rate of $750 per course through May 2009. After June 1, the retail price is $975. Supporting industry organization members will receive 10% off retail and companies buying 10 or more courses for their brokers and agents will receive 15% off each course.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The newly reinstated federal tax credits for residential energy efficiency makes 2009 the perfect time for American homeowners to evaluate their homes. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which was signed into law on Feb. 18, 2009, homeowners can receive up to $1500 in tax credits for investments in insulation, exterior doors and windows.

Panelists Chris Leinberger, Martine Combal, Chris Zimmerman to discuss how we regulate development WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A series of discussions sponsored by the Trust for Architectural Easements, Island Press and the US Green Building Council brings together experts from the financial, real estate, architecture, preservation, planning, and policy worlds to discuss how to create a future that is environmentally, financially, and socially sustainable. The first panel tackled the question “how policy influences development.” On Monday, February 23, 2009, a second panel contemplates “how we regulate development”. Mixed-use, high density, walkable development, which minimizes carbon emissions and fuel use, is often not possible thanks to current zoning regulations. New evidence of the value of walkable, transit-oriented communities has surfaced in the sub-prime mortgage meltdown as auto-dependent suburbs have become foreclosure wastelands and high density walkable areas have retained their value. New tools are available such as Smart Codes, but how far can they take us? How can we work within existing zoning restrictions while trying to change how we regulate and zone for the long term? How do we encourage the re-use of existing buildings, making use of vast quantities of embodied energy, rather than promote tear-downs and continued sprawl? Experts Chris Leinberger (real estate developer, professor and author of The Option of Urbanism) and other panelists will engage in a lively discussion of the current regulatory climate and the options for change and adaptation. The adaptive reuse of existing buildings should be a critical component of any sustainable growth strategy. The Trust for Architectural Easements president, Steven L. McClain, notes that “the process of recycling and rehabilitating existing buildings is almost always more environmentally efficient than tearing down and building new structures. The positive attributes of rehabilitating older buildings is increased when one considers their protection results in the continued use of community infrastructure.” The panel series is free and open to the general public. Sustainability and Historic Preservation Thought Leader Discussion Series How We Regulate Development February 23, 2009, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Choate room, 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, at Dupont Circle on the red line To RSVP, please send an email to: kgraves@islandpress.org

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gov. Charlie Crist dedicated a new solar roof at Florida Atlantic University installed by Advanced Green Technologies, a renewable energy solutions provider, on Wednesday. Crist, accompanied by Advanced Green Technologies’ Rob Kornahrens, cut a ribbon on a 240-panel system at FAU, which the university indicates will produce 34 kilowatts of electrical power. “It is important that we in the Sunshine State have the opportunity to have solar energy,” Crist said at the unveiling of the City’s first totally green roof. “As we continue to go green, we will provide new jobs and economic opportunities for fellow Floridians.” Kornahrens has been working with Gov. Crist over the past year to identify additional opportunities for the state to transition to more solar power. Advanced Green Technologies procures building-integrated renewable energy products. As a leading distributor for FlexLight PV and GE Brilliance Solar Systems, Advanced Green Technologies provides the products, designs, and support for installations of the most advanced, cost effective, and efficient green solutions for customers. In just a few years Advanced Green Technologies has helped hundreds of educational and commercial facilities reduce greenhouse gas emissions and set a course for environmental stewardship. “The solar panels convert sunlight into electricity and when combined with energy efficient roof systems provide a significant reduction on the usage of air conditioned electricity,” said Kornahrens. “It’s about time Floridians did our part to reduce the amount of electricity currently used every day.” The solar roof at FAU will result in energy savings. The savings will be used to fund the University’s Sun Fund Scholarship, the United States' first scholarship literally funded by the sun.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The SmithGroup-designed building at 1331 L Street, NW, Washington, D.C., has received LEED Gold certification for Core and Shell 2.0 by the U.S. Green Building Council. The 170,000-square-foot, 10-story, Class A building is owned and occupied by the Mortgage Bankers Association. For the project, SmithGroup provided architecture, interior design, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering services under the leadership of design principal David King, FAIA, LEED AP, and Andrew Rollman, AIA, LEED AP, senior designer. DRI and Paramount developed the building, and ORR Partners served as the owner’s representative during the construction process. Sigal Construction Corporation was the general contractor. The project began as a speculative office building that SmithGroup designed for DRI/Paramount that was not originally designed to meet LEED criteria. However, prior to construction, Mortgage Bankers Association purchased the site and became committed to developing a LEED Gold building. Working closely with the project team of DRI/Paramount, ORR Partners and Sigal Construction, SmithGroup incorporated sustainable design features to enable the building to achieve LEED Gold certification. These features include generous amounts of daylight and views accessible from most floors, and the use of low emitting materials and certified wood products. Sigal was able to recycle 75% of the waste created from construction, and Mortgage Bankers Association purchased power from renewable sources for a two year term. All of this was accomplished for less than a one percent increase to the cost of purchasing the property. The Mortgage Bankers Association relocated to the building upon its completion in the summer of 2008 and currently occupies approximately 66,000 square feet. “The Mortgage Bankers Association headquarters at 1331 L Street is one of only two office buildings in our nation’s capital that have achieved LEED Gold Core and Shell 2.0,” said Russell Perry, AIA, LEED AP, managing director of SmithGroup’s Washington, D.C. office, who also heads the firm’s National Sustainability Practice. Nationally, only 18 office buildings are LEED Gold Core and Shell 2.0.

DAYVILLE, Conn., Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Natural Foods, Inc. ("UNFI" or the "Company") today announced that its 259,729 square foot Ridgefield, Washington distribution center has been awarded LEED(R) (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council ("USGBC"). Ridgefield, which serves as a regional distribution hub for customers in Portland, Oregon and other Northwest markets, features 54,000 square feet of cold storage making it the first refrigerated distribution center to achieve Gold certification by the USGBC.

Lighting Leader Releases 2009 Catalog Detailing Cost-Effective Systems That Reduce Energy While Maintaining Style UNION CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Finelite, a leader in designing and building high-performance, environmentally sustainable lighting systems, is pleased to release its 2009 product catalog highlighting technological advancements in integrated classroom, office, and personal lighting systems. A commitment to innovation and research has transformed the company from simple lighting vendor to highly knowledgeable technical resource, especially valuable at a time when project teams are forced to do more with less. “As architects, designers, and facility managers carefully evaluate each project component for return on investment, it’s important to have a technical expert like Finelite that they can trust when assessing proper lighting,” said Terry Clark, Finelite’s CEO. “Independent research supports our claims of delivering proper illumination levels while dramatically reducing energy and our team is available whether you need pre-job, installation, or ongoing support,” said Clark. The 200-page, hard-bound catalog provides project designers with detailed information about Finelite’s products for office, school, or personal use including a user friendly method for choosing products based on luminaire shapes. Perhaps even more important, the catalog provides full-page, full-color application photography to demonstrate Finelite’s products in action. The catalog itself is printed on paper certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council, verifying that it’s made of wood from well-managed forests and meets strict environmental and social standards. Finelite’s lighting products are regularly used in some of the most notable green building projects around the country. Chartwell School located in Seaside, California, and Sidwell Friends Middle School, located in Washington DC, both received the highest green building rating – LEED Platinum – from the US Green Building Council, and incorporated Finelite’s advanced lighting. In fact, two of the projects identified by Business Week and Architectural Record in a list of “Best Business Architecture of 2008” specified Finelite products. Finelite’s use of advanced LED technology regularly receives praise from industry and government researchers for its ability to revolutionize today’s lighting design. Finelite believes that the design and manufacture of tomorrow’s lighting solutions requires a systems-based approach, one that recognizes that the whole is larger than the sum of the parts. This philosophy has enabled the company to decrease energy consumption by 52 percent over traditional classroom lighting, and reduce lighting consumption in offices by 56 percent or more compared to current energy standards. “We understand that energy efficiency is the single most cost-effective way to address global warming, and our products make a significant contribution to reducing energy consumption in lighting systems,” added Clark.

Panelists Chris Leinberger, Martine Combal, Chris Zimmerman to discuss how we regulate development WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A series of discussions sponsored by the Trust for Architectural Easements, Island Press and the US Green Building Council brings together experts from the financial, real estate, architecture, preservation, planning, and policy worlds to discuss how to create a future that is environmentally, financially, and socially sustainable. The first panel tackled the question “how policy influences development.” On Monday, February 23, 2009, a second panel contemplates “how we regulate development”. Mixed-use, high density, walkable development, which minimizes carbon emissions and fuel use, is often not possible thanks to current zoning regulations. New evidence of the value of walkable, transit-oriented communities has surfaced in the sub-prime mortgage meltdown as auto-dependent suburbs have become foreclosure wastelands and high density walkable areas have retained their value. New tools are available such as Smart Codes, but how far can they take us? How can we work within existing zoning restrictions while trying to change how we regulate and zone for the long term? How do we encourage the re-use of existing buildings, making use of vast quantities of embodied energy, rather than promote tear-downs and continued sprawl? Experts Chris Leinberger (real estate developer, professor and author of The Option of Urbanism) and other panelists will engage in a lively discussion of the current regulatory climate and the options for change and adaptation. The adaptive reuse of existing buildings should be a critical component of any sustainable growth strategy. The Trust for Architectural Easements president, Steven L. McClain, notes that “the process of recycling and rehabilitating existing buildings is almost always more environmentally efficient than tearing down and building new structures. The positive attributes of rehabilitating older buildings is increased when one considers their protection results in the continued use of community infrastructure.” The panel series is free and open to the general public. Sustainability and Historic Preservation Thought Leader Discussion Series How We Regulate Development February 23, 2009, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Choate room, 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, at Dupont Circle on the red line To RSVP, please send an email to: kgraves@islandpress.org

EnOcean Pledges to Protect Environment and Boost Economy via Building Automation System Controls BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EnOcean announced today a fundamental commitment to protect the environment by becoming an Energy Star partner. EnOcean, through its voluntary partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Program, is helping to sustain green initiatives by fitting energy-inefficient buildings with self-powered wireless controls. EnOcean’s energy harvesting and wireless technologies simplify the installation of the energy-stingy wireless controls (sensors, switches, gateways and actuators) by replacing wires & batteries with self-powered wireless links. “The Energy Star partnership clearly communicates to architects, contractors and building owners that EnOcean is committed to protecting the environment and strengthening the economy. We are fortunate to be able to offer solutions that enable energy management systems which consequently increase profits,” said Jim O’Callaghan, President of EnOcean operations in North America. “The EnOcean technology, which is green at its core, provides integrators energy-saving controls that are uncommonly easy to integrate.” In partnership with Energy Star, EnOcean will: Measure and track the energy performance of our organization’s facilities where possible by using tools such as those offered through Energy Star; Help spread the word about the importance of energy efficiency to our staff and community; Support the Energy Star Challenge, a national call to action to help improve the energy efficiency of America’s commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more; Highlight our achievements with recognition offered through Energy Star. "Environmental responsibility is everyone's responsibility - and today I'm pleased EnOcean is taking this motto to heart," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By making smart energy choices, EnOcean is helping improve our nation's energy and environmental outlook."

Area’s Only Single-Floor Community Featuring Advanced Environmental Approach Offers Affordable, Sustainable Real Estate Option in Urban Marketplace PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bonham Asset Management, LLC, announced today that its E Lane (www.elane.biz) condo development is now being offered to area homebuyers as the only affordable single-floor living development in Pittsburgh – designed and built with today’s latest green technologies and sustainable building materials. “This project is unique to Pittsburgh because of its wide variety of environmentally sustainable materials and energy efficient products, not seen in other green communities in the area. The floor plan’s universal design delivers an ergonomic smart-home for all life phases,” said Ben Bonham, president, Bonham Asset Management, LLC. The all-electric condos are available from the low $200s, and are located at 826 Washington Ave., Carnegie, Pa. “We spent nearly two years researching and planning to ensure we could offer a truly unique living experience,” said Bonham. “This environmentally smart home really raises the bar for green living because every aspect of the design and construction harnesses properties that give the owners an extremely durable and energy efficient home, which lowers ownership costs and provides a healthier living space. This project goes beyond just a green home by integrating sustainable features into the site plan, such as a community-edible garden-orchard, and an organic vegetable garden and compost area.” E Lane features a holistic and systematic approach to green development, including: Structural insulated panels (SIPs), used for their high-energy efficiency, mold resistant envelope and low installation cost A passive solar clerestory in the "heart" of the home provides cool solar day lighting and natural ventilation, thanks to three Energy Star ceiling fans and an Andersen®-automated awning window system Solar Tubes bring ambient light into the baths and kitchen to reduce daytime energy use Sustainable landscaping with an edible garden-orchard designed as community space An organic vegetable garden and compost area Rain barrels harvest roof run-off to reduce maintenance costs and re-use precious water resources A bio-retention pond at the entrance manages and filters storm water before discharge into local rivers, thanks to the native PA wetland landscape No-maintenance exteriors feature architectural metal siding & fiber cement board Colorful metal roofs are standard with a 45-year warranty Nichiha® fiber cement board rain screens (50-year finish warranty) accent each entrance Bamboo hardwood flooring is prevalent throughout (Bamboo is a fast-growing grass and can be harvested every five years) Each unit is trimmed with fast-growing Mid-Atlantic Poplar, sealed with natural-boiled linseed oil No VOC paints throughout the entire living space According to Bonham, the one-acre parcel currently consists of two units, each representing 1,100 square feet of living space with a two-car garage. The management company expects to develop the remaining tract of land into a total of nine units, including one single-family home. The model home is available for tours by appointment. Coral Stengel is the listing agent with Howard Hanna’s Upper St. Clair, Pa., office for the E Lane project (www.howardhanna.com). Ms. Stengel is an Eco-Broker, certified in helping clients market real estate with green features.

Chicago Showroom Earns Certification through Innovative Design and Reuse of Materials CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--INVISTA, makers of Antron® carpet fiber, has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for Commercial Interiors for the Antron® brand Studio showroom in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. The showroom, created by Design Collaboratives, Inc. of Chicago, features minimal internal structure and utilizes many of the original 1983 finishes and furniture. This minimizes waste and the need for new materials by creating a multi-use, transformable space similar to a theater stage that can easily change its personality and functionality depending on the event. INVISTA directed the design team to reuse as many of the existing finishes as possible. Some of the finishes original to the showroom include: Multiple floor-to-ceiling glass space dividers Six hundred feet of millwork surfacing Furniture, including classic chairs and tables The design also addresses future needs and reduces future waste through the use of technology to minimize materials needed for new graphic updates. Controls for the HVAC and lighting will reduce overall energy use in the showroom, optimizing energy performance. Other elements that contributed to LEED-CI Gold certification are: LED accent lighting Zero-VOC paints and adhesives 100% recycled no-formaldehyde substrates Energy Star appliances Renewable energy credits for showroom power needs Environmentally Preferable Product certification of Antron® carpet fiber “This showroom is a real-world example of our holistic view of sustainability, which goes well beyond mere building or product related features. Almost indefinitely extending the useful life of our showroom space through flexible, innovative design and the use of durable materials ensure that the environmental benefits certified by our LEED Gold designation can be sustained,” said Melissa Noebes, Antron® brand manager. “This parallels our Antron® brand sustainability approach, creating products that perform for years beyond expectations thus reducing the waste associated with replacement and lowering their total environmental burden.” The showroom will be continually used throughout the year for Antron® ASAP seminars that are designed to educate new designers on issues including carpet and fiber specification, aesthetics options in carpet and sustainability. According to Noebes, “There is no better place to teach designers about sustainability than in a showroom that features 20-plus year old materials to create a fresh, new and functional space. We’re looking forward to another 20 years in the showroom and seeing what the next reuse of these materials will bring.”

BALTIMORE & PARSIPANNY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Williams Scotsman, the leading provider of modular space and storage solutions in North America, and Skanska USA Building Inc., have joined together to provide new sustainable modular offices to construction sites across the nation. Sustainable business practices have been top of mind for the construction industry for several years as evidenced by the dramatic increase in application of the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™. However, modular space has been overlooked when it comes to sustainable design. The sustainable units will provide Skanska with an additional tool for lowering the environmental impact of construction. “Our new sustainable line demonstrates job site innovation and may afford project teams the opportunity to obtain additional innovation and design points, making a higher level of LEED certification achievable,” said Michele Cunningham, vice president of marketing and business development for Williams Scotsman. The companies signed a strategic supplier agreement that affords Skanska’s U.S. operation the opportunity to lease or purchase one of three sustainable mobile office models developed by Williams Scotsman. The sustainable line is comprised of refurbished offices from Williams Scotsman’s existing fleet for the light and mid-green models, complemented by newly constructed units for the dark green option. Williams Scotsman recently supplied light green units to Skanska and its subcontractors on a project site for a technology company. Skanska also sourced mid-green units for jobsites at Virginia Tech University and a large detention center project. “Improving the sustainability of the temporary space on our jobsites is an important part of Skanska’s overall commitment to green building,” Elizabeth Heider, senior vice president of sustainability for Skanska. “The collaboration with Williams Scotsman resulted in an innovative and flexible product portfolio that enables us to reduce our impact regardless of project scope or scale. Together, we were able to prove that we can work green while we build green.” The three-pronged portfolio provides flexibility for jobsites with different requirements: The light green unit utilizes an existing mobile office retrofitted to include eco-minded elements, such as energy efficient light bulbs, motion sensors, weather stripping, caulk, and programmable thermostats, among others. The mid-green unit is based on the same structural framework but includes energy-efficient HVAC units, eco-minded finishes, and other system enhancements. The dark green concept includes all the light and mid-green options as well as an eco-minded interior and exterior design and framework. Composting systems and self-sustaining renewable resource systems maximize energy efficiency in the units. “We understand the importance of balancing environmental imperatives with customer needs and as such we developed a product line that makes green modular offices a viable option for the construction sector,” said Cunningham. “Skanska has a strong track record of focus on sustainability, and we are delighted to further their commitment by providing green modular offices for projects across the country.”

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Skanska (STO:SKAB) is incorporating the international environmental certification system LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) in its Nordic building construction operations. Consequently, Skanska becomes the first construction company in the Nordic region to offer customers environmental certification in accordance with LEED for construction projects and for commercial development projects. All Skanska’s own commercial development projects and new premises for its own operations will also be certified in accordance with LEED. LEED is one of the world’s leading systems for environmental certification of buildings. Resource utilization, the building’s location, design and indoor climate as well as energy and waste minimization are a few of the criteria on which LEED classification is based. Certification is carried out and verified by an independent third party through the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Starting today, about 100 Nordic Skanska employees will be trained to lead the LEED design and certification process and to serve as advisors to Skanska’s customers. The training will be carried out with the aid of some of Skanska’s approximately 350 LEED Accredited Professionals in the US operations. Accreditation of the training will be performed through the Green Building Certification Institute, an independent organization charged with administrating and monitoring this process. The LEED system, combined with LEED training, provides Skanska with a tool for total evaluation of the building’s environmental impact based on internationally recognized and objective methods. Skanska has completed approximately 70 LEED certified projects in the US and the first project in the Czech Republic. Currently, the first LEED projects in Finland and Sweden are being developed. Seven Skanska projects have achieved an EU GreenBuilding rating, which means at least 25-percent lower energy use than what is prescribed in national standards. In addition to energy, LEED covers wider environmental impact. LEED certification and the EU GreenBuilding rating can be applied in parallel. “The demand for environmentally rated and energy-efficient buildings is increasing. This trend will be accentuated further when the market rebounds. Then we will be ready,” says Johan Karlström, President and CEO of Skanska. “In the US, many large cities and states already require LEED certification for new buildings. Today, about 40 percent of the US population lives in these areas and we have carried out several LEED certified projects there. “We have a solid foundation on which to build further. The entire Group has been environmentally certified in accordance with ISO 14001 since 2002. And we have demonstrated that we can meet high environmental standards, in the Nordic region as well as in the US and Europe. Through adopting the same rating system, we will be positioned to share knowledge and raise our performance worldwide.”

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded Environmental Defense Fund its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for renovation of its leased 14,336 square-foot office in downtown San Francisco. The council has given this certification out to less than a dozen commercial interior office spaces in the city.

Commitment furthers KB Home’s sustainability goals; Helps homebuyers lower their utility costs and environmental impact LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KB Home (NYSE: KBH), one of America’s largest homebuilders, today announced that all new home communities opening in 2009 and beyond will be built to ENERGY STAR® guidelines. These new homes will be engineered to heat and cool efficiently, use less energy, and provide substantial savings for homebuyers. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes, allowing homeowners to reduce both their carbon footprint and monthly utility bills. KB Home has long been a leader in building energy-efficient homes. Since 2001, the Company has already built more than 48,000 ENERGY STAR qualified homes and over 9,400 energy-efficient homes using the ComfortWise® guidelines, reducing greenhouse emissions by over 150,000 metric tons annually – and saving homeowners up to $25 million per year on utility bills. In its Sustainability Report released in July 2008, KB Home made the commitment to build to ENERGY STAR guidelines at all new home communities by 2009 (www.kbhome.com/sustainability). “We believe today’s buyers want homes that are both energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly,” said Jeffrey Mezger, president and chief executive officer of KB Home. “By meeting this expectation, we are driving down a buyer’s energy costs, which makes home ownership even more affordable, and are also contributing to increased environmental responsibility, which improves quality of life for everyone.” “KB Home’s leadership in the area of energy efficiency is something that all businesses, regardless of the industry, should strive to emulate,” said Sam Rashkin, director of the ENERGY STAR® for Homes program for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “As one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, KB Home has a unique opportunity to make a real impact on the environment through their commitment to building ENERGY STAR qualified homes. With this announcement, they have truly set the bar in the homebuilding industry and we hope more of the nation’s builders will follow their example.” In order to be designated as an ENERGY STAR qualified home, a third party must verify that the home meets a set of strict requirements developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These criteria include effective insulation, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment, energy-efficient products such as appliances, and compliance with a thermal bypass checklist. KB Home’s Built to Order™ approach also makes it possible for homebuyers to incorporate even more environmentally-friendly products into their new homes. At the KB Home Studio, KB Home is working to educate buyers so they can further lower their energy bills and reduce their consumption of natural resources by choosing options from the Company’s My Home. My Earth.® program, launched in February 2007. A range of eco-friendly options are offered in four categories – Energy Efficiency, Inside Environment, Water Wise and Sustainable Sources. In 2008, KB Home became the first major homebuilder to build exclusively with ENERGY STAR qualified appliances in every one of its new homes. ENERGY STAR appliances are approximately 15% more efficient than standard appliances. By expanding that commitment to building all ENERGY STAR qualified homes in new communities opening in 2009, KB Home takes another step toward its stated goal of becoming a leading environmentally-friendly national company.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Partner Engineering and Science, a national provider of environmental and engineering due diligence services, has acquired the environmental site assessment practice of Loveland, CO-based US-Reports, Inc., a top provider of Phase I Environmental Site Assessments to SBA Lenders across the United States. “The addition of the US-Reports practice to our already significant SBA lender work will make Partner a top provider in SBA environmental consulting nationwide,” Joe Derhake, President of Partner Engineering and Science. Under the Asset Purchase and Release Agreement, Gary Reynolds, formerly of Director of Environmental Reporting with US-Reports, joins Partner as a Principal as regional manager of Partner’s Rocky Mountain Office and practice director for SBA Due Diligence nationally. “Joining Partner’s national team of seasoned environmental and building engineering professionals will allow me to deliver the same outstanding service to my customers. Becoming a partner in a national consulting firm is the ideal home for me personally,” said Gary Reynolds. US-Reports, Inc., now completing its 20th year in business, will continue to focus on its very successful core business of being the world's best provider of insurance service products (premium audits, risk services, loss control and underwriting inspections and personal lines) through its national footprint of over 700 field partners delivering these services to over 500 clients. El Segundo, California based Partner is a national environmental and engineering consulting firm focusing on real estate due diligence, building sciences, construction monitoring and environmental site remediation services. Partner is dedicated to employing outstanding engineers and scientists who are dedicated to understanding the client’s business. This dedication yields a consulting product that meets the scrutiny of regulators and peer review and is customized to meet the client’s business needs.

First LED Downlight to Meet Stringent ENERGY STAR Requirements PEACHTREE CITY, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cooper Lighting, a division of Cooper Industries, Ltd. (NYSE:CBE), announces that its Halo® LED recessed downlight is the first in the industry to meet stringent ENERGY STAR® requirements for solid state lighting (SSL) luminaires. The Halo LED Downlight’s performance earns an ENERGY STAR qualification by meeting the ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Solid State Lighting Luminaires: Eligibility Criteria – Version 1.0 for Category A – Recessed Downlights. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping consumers and organizations save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. Providing excellent color quality with a rendering of over 80 CRI and a warm white color temperature range of 3045K, the Halo LED recessed fixture consumes less than 15 watts and provides over 697 lumens (with the specular reflector trim). The high efficiency of the Halo LED downlight delivers greater than 40 lumens per watt—comparable light distribution and better light output than a 65 watt BR30 lamp or 18 watt compact fluorescent fixture. (The minimum requirement is 35 lumens per watt with a minimum of 575 lumens.) The Halo LED fixture delivers over 90% of the lumens within the 0-60 degree downlight “cone of light” zone, well over the minimum requirement of 75%. Its superior optical design provides good cutoff (50 degrees) and low glare. The IC-rated, AIR-TITE™ recessed fixture exceeds high-efficacy requirements for California’s Title 24, with energy savings in excess of 75% when compared with a 65 watt incandescent lamp. Virtually maintenance-free, the Halo LED fixture is constructed to provide greater than 70% of its initial light over 50,000 hours of use. (The Halo LED fixture could deliver over 70% of the initial light over 20 years when used six hours per day.) Plus, for additional energy savings, the LED module is dimmable to approximately 15% using standard AC incandescent analog dimmers and approximately 5% with dimmers that have a low-end minimum brightness adjustment. Ideally suited for commercial, hospitality, healthcare, retail and residential applications, the downlight accepts a number of trim options including reflectors, baffles, and lensed trim models. UL 1598 listed with a three year warranty, the LED downlight also exceeds Title 24-2008 effective mid-2009.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Environments Corporation (EEC) has completed a “green” turn-key data center design build project for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). IFAW’s new headquarters was built using an environmentally conscious design achieving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. EEC completed the 1,100 square foot data center on time and in accordance with all LEED certification guidelines. “EEC partnered with IFAW from the start of the project to design build and deliver a high-performance, energy-efficient, data center,” said IFAW Director of IT Operations Phyllis Bayer. “The EEC team, led by project manager Steve Pusateri, was professional, responsive and clearly dedicated to the success of the project.” For EEC’s Engineers, going green included incorporating energy efficiency and eco-friendly products into the design of the data center. This included: energy efficient lighting, environmentally friendly refrigerant in the CRAC units, all products such as adhesives for the raised access floor pedestals, VCT, and cove base needed to be LEED certified and the data center was designed and built to ensure airflow was unobstructed during operation, optimizing cooling efficiency. Electronic Environments’ scope included: Design/build 1,100 sq. ft. data center on raised access flooring Electrical and mechanical work Installation of a 100 kVA UPS system, remote power distribution cabinets, and four 5-ton CRAC units (the room was also piped for a future 5-ton unit for N+1 redundant cooling) EEC also provided a complete environmental monitoring solution, which will enable IFAW to respond to any type of alarm condition within the data center – from water leak detection to loss of building power. EEC provided training for IFAW’s data center staff covering the operation of the UPS system, CRAC units, and environmental monitoring system. Going forward, EEC will provide preventative maintenance on all the infrastructure equipment supporting the data center, including a pre-action fire suppression system and the building generator.

- Local Green Building Gets Boost From Increased Capital - PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ShoreBank Pacific is backing up its commitment to sustainable community development with a new loan program that encourages green building. ShoreBank Pacific’s new Green Building Loan Program provides green builders up to 85 percent loan-to-value, a significant increase in the amount commercial developers are typically able to borrow against the value of their property in the current economy. The program is the result the bank’s partnership with its nonprofit affiliate, ShoreBank Enterprise Cascadia (SBEC). SBEC provides additional funding that enables the bank to exceed usual lending amounts. “No other financial institute combines increased lending capacity with scientific expertise to fuel the adoption of sustainable building practices,” said David Williams, CEO of ShoreBank Pacific. “Making the commitment to green building translates into long-term economic and social benefits – from reduced operational costs to improved occupant productivity – that we believe are worth funding. Our new Green Building Loan Program provides the financial backing and support developers need to create responsible projects that may otherwise not be possible.” Applicants must meet ShoreBank Pacific’s lending and internal sustainability guidelines, or third-party certification from Energy Star, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) or Earth Advantage. Loans range from $1 to $10 million, with participation partners required at higher loan amounts. More information is available by calling loan officers at any of its three locations in Ilwaco or Seattle, Wash., or Portland, Ore. ShoreBank Pacific is the only financial institution in the country to offer an on-staff scientist and a unique scoring system to help clients identify ways to adopt sustainable business practices, from increasing energy efficiency to using renewable resources. It has a decade-long history of funding innovative and sustainable businesses and real estate developments including the Mill Pond residential development on a former brownfield site in Astoria, Ore., and several co-housing projects in Portland, Ore.

Companies Combine Technology and Auditing Expertise to Improve Buildings’ Environmental Performance LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TRIRIGA®, the leading provider of real estate lifecycle management software, and Metro Energy Solutions, a full-service consulting, engineering and design build firm specializing in energy efficiency, today announced a partnership designed to help clients manage their energy-saving initiatives. By combining Metro Energy’s energy audits and implementation services with TRIRIGA software, companies can focus on buildings to improve environmental performance and reduce operating costs. Metro Energy conducts investment-grade energy audits that take inventory of the amount of power a company’s mechanical and electrical equipment consumes. Based on these audits, Metro Energy identifies energy conservation measures that will reduce energy demand, and then provides engineering and construction management services for the implementation of necessary energy saving programs. Metro Energy will complement its consulting and auditing services with TREES™ (TRIRIGA Environmental Real Estate Sustainability), the industry’s first software to measure, manage and reduce exact levels of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. TRIRIGA has worked with over one-third of Fortune 100 companies and developed TREES to address the fact that buildings present the single-greatest opportunity to improve both energy efficiency and operating costs. TRIRIGA’s partnership with Metro Energy presents an ideal solution for clients who are serious about improving energy efficiency and achieving measurable financial returns from their environmental investments. “Our facility assessments are very thorough, and the reports we generate are great tools to help customers understand how to ensure the best return on investment,” said Dominick Aiello, president and CEO of Metro Energy. “Now, with TRIRIGA’s TREES software, we not only present clients with a complete inventory of energy costs, but also provide technology that lets us constantly update, measure, evaluate and improve performance.” “As good as our software is, and we’ve been told by our customers that our product is the most powerful tool they’ve seen, nothing really matters until the customer takes a complete, painstaking inventory of what each facility consumes, and how it consumes the energy,” said Roger Rittenhouse, executive vice president for TRIRIGA. “Metro Energy Solutions has a long, proven track record of performing complete investment-grade audits, and we’re thrilled to be able to complement their services with our smart, powerful software.” TRIRIGA and Metro Energy deliver the combined solution necessary to design and implement energy-saving programs from start to finish, and this solution will help companies save time, maximize investments and achieve their corporate sustainability goals.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Children's Hospital of Alabama is poised to become the first hospital in the state to attain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification with the construction of its 720,000-square-feet expansion that is expected to be completed by mid-2012. The LEED rating system measures and recognizes sustainable or "green" design for buildings according to established, nationally accepted criteria for building performance in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Meeting those criteria, especially in a healthcare setting, is difficult. "Hospitals cannot use as much recycled water or employ certain other conservation techniques because of health regulations and medical concerns," said Chris Giattina of Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio. Green design creates an environment of wellness that is in line with the Children's mission. "We have a responsibility to serve the families of our community. That includes not only providing exceptional pediatric health care but also being good stewards of our shared environment. The Children’s Hospital expansion is being designed with careful consideration for the environment affected around it and created within it," said Mike McDevitt, Executive Vice President. Features of the expansion required for LEED certification include the recycling and reuse of building materials salvaged from the demolition of two outdated existing buildings on the construction site; selection of low-emission building materials; reduction of construction activity pollution; and rooftop landscaping to reduce heat absorption and storm water runoff. Construction is expected to cost $350 million with another $85 million budgeted for furnishings and equipment. Incorporating green design into the building of a hospital typically adds two to four percent to the construction budget. Such costs in the Children’s project will be underwritten by a portion of a $10 million gift from Birmingham-based McWane, Inc. and the McWane Foundation. Chairman Phillip McWane has served on the Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees since 1985. The higher construction expense will be recovered in the long-term, however, because green buildings use less energy, less water, require less maintenance and last longer. The hospital expansion will accommodate projected growth in patient volume, anticipated medical technology needs, consolidation of services and a family-centered design to enhance patient and family comfort. Upon completion, pediatric cardiovascular surgery currently performed at nearby University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) will be relocated to Children's. Groundbreaking is planned for spring, 2009. KLMK Group serves as project manager, Hoar Construction in partnership with BE&K serve as construction managers and HKS, Inc. in partnership with Giattina Aycock Studio serve as architects.