LONDON, February 28, 2011/PRNewswire/ -- - 'Under Construction - the Apprentice Experience' - Film Launches Today. CITB-ConstructionSkills is getting its hands dirty. In a new three-part documentary series, 'Under Construction - the Apprentice Experience,' launched today by construction industry bible Building magazine in association with CITB-ConstructionSkills, three high profile leaders swap their suits and office wear for high visibility jackets and hard hats. Their voyage? To discover what apprenticeships are really like and the contribution they make to the construction industry.

CINCINNATI, Feb. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cornerstone Specialty Wood Products, LLC recently completed a study to evaluate the environmental impact of their mezzanine flooring product ResinDek® (an engineered wood product) versus concrete in the construction of mezzanines and industrial platforms. The study concluded that when engineered wood products such as ResinDek® are used instead of concrete, the environmental impact is decreased in every Life Cycle Assessment category.

Hampshire, IL – W. R. MEADOWS is proud to announce the launch of its new construction company website. Many new changes have been implemented, but the basic feel and navigation of the website has remained unchanged. The website has been redesigned to give it a more contemporary feel, including more project photos, a product spotlight for new products, and new social media features. These features include a live Twitter feed, so users can follow tweets as they happen, and links to their Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube pages. With all these new innovations, W. R. MEADOWS hopes that the new website is the premier construction website for users of the company’s products. All the content over the years is still available, including access to product data sheets, material safety data sheets, project profiles, and more. The W. R. MEADOWS website contains a vast amount of information, and is the perfect stop for anyone looking for detailed product information, or anyone looking to see what products are included in the W. R. MEADOWS line. W. R. MEADOWS, a building materials manufacturer, delivers one of the broadest lines of premium-grade construction products available to architects, engineers, contractors and building owners, which meet a multitude of construction application needs. From highway construction and repair, building construction and restoration, to waterproofing/vaporproofing/air barrier products and more, W. R. MEADOWS been satisfying the needs of the public and private sector of the building construction industry since 1926.

WASHINGTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Officials of Concord Hospitality Enterprises, one of the nation’s top-ranked hotel developer/owner/operators, today announced the company recently broke ground on the 124-suite, LEED-design Courtyard by Marriott Washington Meadow hotel in Washington, Pa., a Pittsburgh suburb. The property is slated to open in early summer 2011. Braun & Steidl Architects are the architects/designers, and McCay Contracting is the general contractor.

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Craftsman style house blends in with other homes in Cobblestone Estates, a trendy Ohio Township, PA, neighborhood. But the Best Practices Research Alliance (BPRA) Lab Home will never be accused of following the crowd. Built by S&A Homes in partnership with IBACOS, a Pittsburgh-based building sciences consulting firm, this net-zero energy home is expected to pave the way toward eradicating homeowner's energy bills. While not at net-zero, the S&A E-Home, debuted in 2009, cuts the average homeowner's monthly energy bills by $150 when compared to similarly sized, 10-year-old homes. Some of the ENERGY STAR™ qualified E-Home's features include 2x6 exterior construction, ultra low-e windows, 90% CFL lighting, high performance HVAC systems and recycled materials.

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- RICS has announced the release of a new report, "Sustainability and the Dynamics of Green Building": New Evidence on the Financial Performance of Green Office Buildings in the USA. The study found that green office buildings in the U.S. performed better during the economic downturn of 2008 and 2009 than their comparable non-green high quality property investments. The findings, which are based on North American data for buildings certified by the EOA's Energy Star Program, illustrate that rents and occupancy rates for green office buildings were higher during the 2007 to 2009 period than for properties that have not had energy-efficiency measures incorporated into their structures.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Solar3D, Inc. (OTCBB: SLTD), the developer of a breakthrough 3-dimensional solar cell technology to maximize the conversion of sunlight into electricity, today announced that its design will take advantage of low cost semiconductor processes to enable mass production. Inspired by light management techniques used in fiber optic devices, the company’s innovative solar cell technology utilizes a 3-dimensional design to trap sunlight inside micro-photovoltaic structures where photons bounce around until they are converted into electrons. The company’s management believes that this breakthrough solar cell design will dramatically change the economics of solar energy.

New Solar Array is one of the Largest Solar Installations in the Upper Midwest ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Unirac, Inc., North America’s leading provider of infrastructure for solar power systems, today announced that it was selected by Westwood Professional Services (Westwood) to supply an ISYS Roof Mount (IRM) custom racking solution for the recently completed 600kw solar array atop the Minneapolis Convention Center. The array consists of 2,613 PV modules that produce approximately 750 MWh of electricity per year. This system is one of the largest PV solar installations in the upper Midwest, as well as one of the largest commercial rooftop systems to feature a 30-degree tilt.

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PetersenDean, the nation’s largest privately held roofing and solar energy company, announced today that they have successfully completed another massive SmarterRoof™ project, this time in Las Vegas, Nevada. The nearly six-hundred thousand square foot roof is covering Valley High School and is expected to save the school district substantially on their future energy bills. The SmarterRoof™ will not only breathe new life into the building complex, but also provide sustainable protection to the children and faculty inside. SmarterRoof™ reflects the rays of the sun and therefore keeps buildings cooler in summer months and with proper insulation keeps buildings much warmer in winter months. By installing a SmarterRoof™, a consumer could expect to save up to 40% on their utility bills. Furthermore, the combination of a solar solution and SmarterRoof™ can completely erase consumers’ utility bills entirely.

WENDELL, N.C., Feb. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fortrans Inc. announces an industry first. The Poli-Cut pH control system: a self-contained portable pH control system for the concrete polishing, grinding and cutting industries. The Poli-Cut pH control system is used to lower the pH of the process water produced in these types of operations so that the water can be safely discharged without polluting the environment. Concrete is polished and ground with diamond abrasives using water as a lubricant. The concrete that is removed forms a slurry which is removed by filtration. The high pH water that is left after filtering is recycled back into the polishing or grinding operation. However, there is always excess high pH water that must be disposed of. This water cannot be discharged into the storm water or sewer drain or to the environment without incurring sizable fines from local and state regulatory agencies. The Poli-Cut pH control system is a self-contained, automated machine that solves the problem for the industry.

Consortium of Industry Stakeholders Flags Energy Efficiency in Recommendations to Move Sector to Net-Zero WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Two new reports from the Zero Energy Commercial Buildings Consortium (CBC) on achieving net-zero-energy use in commercial buildings say "high levels of energy efficiency are the first, largest and most important step on the way to net-zero." Leading national organizations such as the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE), American Institute of Architects (AIA), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the Association of State Energy Research and Technology Transfer Institutions (ASERTTI), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and many other commercial building stakeholders worked together over the last year to develop the reports, which highlight the need for new approaches in technology research and deployment, holistic building design and financing as critical elements to further advance energy efficiency in the commercial buildings sector.

America's premier homebuilder teams with leading authority on home energy performance BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PulteGroup, Inc., America's premier homebuilding company, and the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), the leading national independent authority on home energy performance, are teaming to expand the use of home energy efficiency labels already available in a number of PulteGroup communities including Centex, Pulte Homes and Del Webb. Homeowners are saying that having energy efficiency data while shopping helps them to better compare energy savings across multiple homes as well as giving them a better idea about utility costs after purchase. The consumer-friendly labels, which have been compared to the miles per gallon (MPG) ratings available on automobiles, highlight the energy performance of new homes. The labels help homebuyers make informed decisions when comparing the value and operating costs of homes that vary in levels of energy efficiency.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Worrell Water Technologies, a leader in ecological wastewater re-use technology and innovation, today announced that the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (PUC) selected its Living Machine® system for on-site wastewater treatment and water reuse in its new office building located in the heart of San Francisco. Designed with cutting edge, green building technology, the new San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s administration offices will be a 13-story, 277,500 square foot building that generates its own energy through integrated solar panels and wind turbines, and treats and recycles all wastewater for re-use with an on-site Living Machine® system. The Living Machine® system will be integrated into the lobby and outside landscaping, taking all grey and black water from the building and treating the water through advanced ecological engineering. The system is composed of enhanced wetland processes treating up to 5,000 gallons of wastewater per day. The wetlands require only about 1,000 square feet and that area provides green space, supporting a host of lush plantings. Wastewater will flow below the wetland surface in watertight cells so there is no smell, mosquito habitat, or health hazards.

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BAE Systems’ new facility in Rockville, Maryland has been awarded a Silver certification from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the internationally recognized system for green buildings. The award acknowledges that the facility offers clear and measurable benefits to the environment, such as energy savings, water efficiency, and indoor air quality. Last June, about 400 BAE Systems employees relocated from nearby Silver Spring to the new, 139,000-square-foot building, part of the Redland Corporate Center in Rockville. DBI Architects, Inc., KTA Engineering Group, CresaPartners, and Davis Construction shared with BAE Systems the LEED award from the U.S. Green Building Council.

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Energy Efficient Buildings" report to their offering. Efficient energy use means simply using less energy to provide the same level of service. An example would be insulating a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve the same temperature. Another example is installing fluorescent lights and/or skylights instead of incandescent lights to attain the same level of illumination. Efficient energy use is achieved primarily by means of a more efficient technology or process rather than by changes in individual behavior. A building's location and surroundings play a key role in regulating its temperature and illumination. For example, trees, landscaping, and hills can provide shade and block wind. In cooler climates, designing buildings with an east-west orientation to increase the number of south-facing windows minimizes energy use, by maximizing passive solar heating. Tight building design, including energy-efficient windows, well-sealed doors, and additional thermal insulation of walls, basement slabs, and foundations can reduce heat loss by 25 to 50%. Modern building practices often demonstrate little regard for energy efficiency or the larger economic, environmental or social impacts of the built environment. Green building attempts to break with these practices. Early efforts to bring change to the building sector in the 1960s through the 1980s generally focused on single issues such as energy efficiency and conservation of natural resources. Green building now integrates a wide range of building design, construction, and operation and maintenance practices to provide healthier living and working environments and minimize environmental impacts. Crucial to the success of green building has been the application of integrated design principles, a whole-building-systems approach, which brings together the key stakeholders and design professionals as a core team to work collaboratively from the early planning stages through to the building's occupation.

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton Garden Inn® Arlington/Shirlington is proud to announce that it has earned The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Rating designated by the U.S. Green Building Council to encourage and facilitate the development of more sustainable buildings. This is the first LEED certified hotel in Arlington county. The hotel was constructed by Herman-Stewart Construction of Lanham, Maryland, with Program Management provided by Development Management Group of Ellicott City, Maryland. The LEED program was managed by Beery-Rio Architecture of Springfield, Virginia, in consultation with the Project Architect Awbrey Cook McGill, San Diego, California. Achieving LEED certification was based on design and construction elements.

Owens Corning Becomes Primary Insulation Provider to Masco Contractor Services TOLEDO, Ohio, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) today announced that it has been named as the primary insulation provider to the Masco Contractor Services business of the Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS). The agreement expands the companies' relationship, providing Owens Corning, the nation's largest insulation manufacturer, with access to a substantially wider network of builders and homeowners through Masco's position as the leading insulation installer in the U.S. The agreement will also serve as a catalyst to impact energy efficiency through sharing of building science knowledge and the pursuit of opportunities to collaboratively shape and advance energy policy legislation and standards.

Triple pane replacement windows increase energy efficiency, which is important to many homeowners experiencing the harsh winter weather BOSTON, Feb. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The extreme winter weather has made many homeowners want to increase their efforts in making their house more energy efficient. Many are thinking about triple pane replacement windows to find greater energy efficiency. A triple pane is more effective than a double pane at keeping the cold weather out and the heating bills low. Triple pane replacement windows are also known as triple glazed replacement windows. These are an investment in long-term heating and cooling savings and increase the value of a home. Though more expensive than a double pane, the additional up-front cost is made up over just a few years in energy savings. This type of window offers additional surfaces for low-e (low-emissivity) coatings. The technology in replacement windows keeps a house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Low-e glass reflects heat back to its source by using an extremely thin metallic coating. In the summer, the heat from the sun and other objects is reflected back outside. In the winter, the heat from all the items inside the home bounce back into the house.

Among the Northwest's largest homebuilders, Quadrant Homes leads the industry by including Northwest ENERGY STAR® Homes program for improved energy performance in all new construction. BELLEVUE, Wash., Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Quadrant Homes has become one of the first builders in Washington to commit to building all new homes to the 2011 Northwest ENERGY STAR specifications, the homebuilder announced recently. As one of the first builders to join the ENERGY STAR program in 2004, Quadrant Homes is continuing its commitment to the environment and reducing energy costs by building 100 percent of new construction beginning in 2011 to high efficiency standards. Last year, Quadrant Homes built 478 new homes. According to ENERGY STAR, for every 400 ENERGY STAR certified homes Quadrant Homes builds, the combined energy savings on those homes is equivalent to planting more than 324 acres of trees each year and collectively saves those homeowners $160,000 in utility bills each year.

Hampshire, IL – DECK-O-SEAL two-part, polysulfide-based joint sealant is a premium-grade, pourable, self-leveling sealant. It is a non-staining sealant that cures at an ambient temperature to a firm, flexible, tear-resistant rubber. DECK-O-SEAL is highly resilient and has excellent recovery characteristics after extended periods of compression or elongation. DECK-O-SEAL has outstanding resistance to most chemicals, to all weather conditions, aging, and shrinkage. DECK-O-SEAL is used for caulking and sealing joints subject to concrete movement to provide a firm, flexible, weather-tight seal. It is ideal for sealing joints on swimming pool decks. It is applicable for both interior and exterior use. DECK-O-SEAL is highly resilient with excellent recovery characteristics. It provides permanent and uniform watertight seal. The product prevents uncontrolled cracking by allowing expansion and contraction during temperature changes. DECK-O-SEAL stays flexible. It won't become brittle or crack due to ultraviolet exposure. The product resists abrasion, weathering and moisture. Elevated temperatures will not cause discoloration. DECK-O-SEAL is not affected by today's pool chemicals.

$660 Million in Green Development Activity, Over 4,000 Union Construction Jobs WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT) is helping to finance a number of energy-efficient development projects that have received or are on track to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for their sustainable energy and construction strategies as well as innovative green design.

-- Completed in 2006, the award-winning Arizona building has more than proven its worth for commercial developer Liberty Property Trust and partner DVLA. -- SCOTTSDALE, Az.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bill Fisher knew that the three-story, 123,000- square-foot call center was in serious trouble. Fisher, Senior Project Manager for Liberty Property Trust, was tasked with the tall order of getting the facility’s over-budget construction back on track. But with some quick thinking and a partnership with the HVAC specialists at the PA-based firm DVLA, the project flourished, going on to become Scottsdale’s first LEED Gold building, signifying its high-level energy efficiency. Now, five years after the project’s completion, Fisher and Liberty Property Trust still use the building -- which won awards for sustainability and best new office building in Scottsdale -- as a model for other projects.

-- Completed in 2006, the award-winning Arizona building has more than proven its worth for commercial developer Liberty Property Trust and partner DVLA. -- SCOTTSDALE, Az.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bill Fisher knew that the three-story, 123,000- square-foot call center was in serious trouble. Fisher, Senior Project Manager for Liberty Property Trust, was tasked with the tall order of getting the facility’s over-budget construction back on track. But with some quick thinking and a partnership with the HVAC specialists at the PA-based firm DVLA, the project flourished, going on to become Scottsdale’s first LEED Gold building, signifying its high-level energy efficiency. Now, five years after the project’s completion, Fisher and Liberty Property Trust still use the building -- which won awards for sustainability and best new office building in Scottsdale -- as a model for other projects.

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Replacing drafty, single-pane windows with energy-efficient windows is a smart way to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings while also improving occupant comfort. Graham Architectural Products has launched GThurm – a line of high-efficiency windows that are notable for a number of reasons, among them, their use of pultruded polyurethane composites for the lineals. The first commercial installation of the GThurm windows took place in late 2010 at the Bayer CropScience LP Clayton (N.C.) Development and Training Facility. A total of 76 windows were replaced at the building, which is roughly 50 years old. The before/after difference was immediately noticeable, according to John Rock, who was the site manager at Clayton during the time of the installation.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Scripps Networks Interactive announced today that its headquarters facility has been awarded LEED® Gold certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Scripps achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for workers and the larger community.

Ontario, Canada Welcomes New Investment That Will Create Up To 300 New Jobs TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ontario's new clean energy economy has attracted a joint venture that will create up to 300 high-quality manufacturing jobs and up to 2,000 additional construction jobs while delivering over 200 megawatts of new solar generation - enough to power more than 25,000 homes. Celestica Inc. and Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, have partnered to manufacture solar components at the Celestica facility in Toronto. These components will be used in new solar projects they will be building in the province. Ontario's Energy Plan - Building Our Clean Energy Future - is getting Ontario off smog-producing coal and on to cleaner energy sources like wind, solar and bio-energy. The plan is making Ontario a global clean energy leader and has sparked a new industry in the province making it a clean energy leader on a global scale. New businesses and partnerships are supplying Ontario projects, and selling their high quality products across North America and to the world. Ontario's new clean energy industry is attracting investment to the province from companies like Celestica and Recurrent. This is part of the province's Open Ontario Plan to build a clean energy economy that creates jobs and protects the environment.

Ontario, Canada Welcomes New Investment That Will Create Up To 300 New Jobs TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ontario's new clean energy economy has attracted a joint venture that will create up to 300 high-quality manufacturing jobs and up to 2,000 additional construction jobs while delivering over 200 megawatts of new solar generation - enough to power more than 25,000 homes. Celestica Inc. and Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, have partnered to manufacture solar components at the Celestica facility in Toronto. These components will be used in new solar projects they will be building in the province. Ontario's Energy Plan - Building Our Clean Energy Future - is getting Ontario off smog-producing coal and on to cleaner energy sources like wind, solar and bio-energy. The plan is making Ontario a global clean energy leader and has sparked a new industry in the province making it a clean energy leader on a global scale. New businesses and partnerships are supplying Ontario projects, and selling their high quality products across North America and to the world. Ontario's new clean energy industry is attracting investment to the province from companies like Celestica and Recurrent. This is part of the province's Open Ontario Plan to build a clean energy economy that creates jobs and protects the environment.

WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Final Call for architectural and building professionals along with students to compete for a share of $2 million in prize money in the prestigious international Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction. The competition celebrates innovative, future-oriented and tangible projects and visions from around the globe and is open to anyone involved with approaches that contribute towards a more sustainable built environment. Former winners include The California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco; a true benchmark of sustainable education. The facility includes a rain forest, aquarium, living roof and numerous hands-on learning exhibits and programs. Another winner from San Francisco is Public Architecture's Day Labor Station. This project exemplifies the social responsibility aspect of sustainability and will dramatically improve the lives of day laborers and bring civility to a complex issue.

FALLS CHURCH, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Noblis, in collaboration with CTG Energetics and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is pleased to announce the release of the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA’s) Sustainable Facilities Tool. GSA has been at the forefront of sustainability initiatives within the government, including providing the GSA Carbon Footprint Tool, and has set ambitious goals to embrace a zero environmental footprint. GSA is rolling out their latest sustainability initiative, a web-based tool–the Sustainable Facilities Tool–to help government and industry personnel identify and prioritize cost-effective, sustainable strategies for small projects that do not normally engage workplace consultants or designers. The Sustainable Facilities Tool’s initial focus is on workplace projects under 10,000 sq ft.

GREENVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hubbell Lighting, (www.hubbelllighting.com) a division of Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE: HUBB, HUBA) (www.hubbell.com), and a market leader in innovative lighting technology for over a century, provided both indoor and outdoor energy efficient illumination for a 5-story parking garage with more than 1,000 parking spaces on the campus of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Built near the east/northeast corner of the growing higher education campus, the parking garage, which opened in the Fall 2010 semester primarily to serve students and faculty, attained USGBC LEED certification, a first for the State of Nebraska for this type of parking structure.

31 Auto Retailers in 13 States Slash Energy and Maintenance Costs With Qnuru’s LED Automotive Lighting Solutions ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Qnuru™, the Noribachi Group’s smart energy digital lighting division, today announced that it has installed LED lighting solutions in 31 auto dealerships in 13 states. Encompassing Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Scion, Toyota and Volkswagen dealerships, Qnuru’s LED installations have generated an average energy savings of 82%, a 27% increase in lumen output, and an average return on investment of 24 months. The sole provider of high wattage (750-1500 watt) LED retrofit solutions to the auto dealer industry, Qnuru will showcase its LED lighting products at the national auto dealer convention, NADA 2011 (Booth 92S), in San Francisco, Calif.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ABM Janitorial Services, through its industry-leading ABM Green Care™ program, worked in concert with clients Wright Runstad & Company and Beacon Capital Partners to play a key role in helping a marquee Seattle property achieve Platinum certification, the highest level under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (LEED-EB O&M). ABM Janitorial is a subsidiary of ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE:ABM), a leading provider of integrated facility services. The property at 1201 Third Avenue in Seattle received the LEED-EB O&M Platinum designation for a comprehensive set of measures that demonstrated the building’s efficiency and sustainability. LEED-EB is a sustainability program and rating system developed by USGBC to help building owners and operators measure and meet established standards for existing building operations, improvements and maintenance. The goal is to maximize a building’s operational efficiency while minimizing its impact on the environment. LEED-EB Platinum is the highest achievable certification level for the sustainable operations and energy efficiency of an existing building.

U.S. Green Building Council applauds environmental and economic policy initiative WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) today applauded a key element of President Obama's plan to "win the future" by making America's commercial buildings more energy- and resource-efficient over the next decade. The President's plan, entitled Better Buildings Initiative, catalyzes private-sector investment through a series of incentives to upgrade offices, stores, schools and universities, hospitals and other commercial and municipal buildings. Leadership companies and organizations across America are already advancing the goals of the President's initiative using USGBC's LEED green building program to measure, manage and verify the energy and resource savings that President Obama has demanded and by furthering USGBC's mission as corporate members.

WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Holcim (US) Inc. announced today that it has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by taking a pledge to reduce its industrial energy intensity by 25 percent over a 10-year period. In doing so, the company joins more than 100 of the largest companies in the U.S. that recognize the economic and environmental benefits of energy-efficient manufacturing. As part of the pledge, Holcim (US) will, with DOE assistance, develop a baseline of energy consumption at manufacturing facilities and create an energy management plan that will help the company take action on identified opportunities to reduce energy intensity.

AEC Daily is pleased to announce the launch of the NEW Learn & Earn Sweepstakes with Contest Sponsor Dyson. For a chance to WIN, go to the Contest Collection of Courses http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.aecdaily.com/en/236763?list=7 and successfully pass each of the 5 courses. Full contest details are available at:http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.aecdaily.com/en/1418308. The NEW Learn & Earn begins February 1, 2011 and ends January 31, 2012.

COLUMBIA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New Energy Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: NENE) today announced that researchers have successfully developed a first-generation 12”x12” working prototype of the Company’s SolarWindow™ technology, capable of generating electricity on see-thru glass. Compared with its 4”x4” predecessor, unveiled in September 2010, today’s debut marks a significant achievement for the Company as it continues to work towards producing a commercially marketable product. Today’s prototype achievement marks a 300% increase in size over its predecessor, and is the first-ever working SolarWindow™ of its dimension. Researchers fabricated this prototype using New Energy’s patent-pending process for ‘spraying’ the Company’s electricity-generating coatings directly onto glass, eliminating expensive and often cumbersome high-temperature or high-vacuum production methods typically used by current solar manufacturers.

WATSONVILLE, Calif., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Keeping its commitment to healthy people and a healthy planet, Nordic Naturals announces the opening of its new corporate headquarters in Watsonville registered with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project. The LEED Green Building Rating System™ is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. The LEED program promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Nordic Naturals new headquarters is targeting a Gold certification and, once the certification process is completed, the facility will be the first LEED Gold green building in Santa Cruz County. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Monday, February 7th. The new headquarters of 118,000 square feet light industrial building consists of 43,000 square feet of corporate offices with the remaining square feet dedicated to warehousing and wholesaling. The warehouse will initially consist of 44,000 square feet with the remaining square footage to be completed in the second phase of the project.

Extreme Energy Saving Features Revolutionize New Home Construction, Making Homes More Energy Efficient and Affordable FORT WORTH, Texas & SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Meritage Homes (NYSE: MTH) announced today it has expanded its high performance green homes to the Texas market. In the next two weeks, Meritage will open green communities in Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio. The company’s energy efficient homes are revolutionizing new home construction and saving homeowners up to 60% on energy bills. In addition, the homes are two to three times more efficient than standard ENERGY STAR® homes.