WASHINGTON, April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- There are roughly 99 million occupied permanent housing units in the United States, of which nearly 6 million are federally assisted. As the Congress and Obama Administration begin to consider ground-breaking climate change legislation it is notable that roughly 40 percent of the nation's current energy usage is by existing buildings. Addressing consumption by the existing housing stock must be an important part of any strategy.

In response to this dynamic, the Council for Energy Friendly Affordable Housing (CEFAH), an affiliate of the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association, is convening a Green Housing Symposium on May 11 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles, California.

The Symposium will explore how leading developers, owners, and managers of federally assisted affordable rental housing properties are creatively implementing best practices and harnessing new technology and resources to dramatically improve the energy and utility performance of multifamily real estate and benefit residents. A primary focus of the program will be low-cost high-impact solutions that can be quickly implemented with minimal capital.

Speakers will explore how affordable housing professionals can leverage billions of dollars in new "stimulus funds" from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act to bring underperforming buildings in line with modern energy performance standards. The Symposium will also explore the Obama Administration's new renewable and green energy initiatives and how they relate to affordable housing.

 

Deal Expands Online Marketing Opportunities for Building Product Manufacturers

SAN FRANCISCO, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AIA 2009 National Convention and Design Exposition -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) , a world leader in 2D and 3D design and engineering software, announced an alliance with CADdetails.com, an industry-leading developer of manufacturer-specific design and construction details, 3D models and online building product information. Through the agreement, CADdetails product information for more than 400 building product manufacturers will now be available through the Autodesk Seek web service. Designers can use this service to search and select building product design information directly from Autodesk design applications, including AutoCAD software and the Autodesk Revit platform for building information modeling (BIM).

"Architects and engineers need content for their BIM models so building product manufacturers that make their product information easily available to the designers can create more sales opportunities," said Jeff Wright, senior director, Autodesk Content Network. "With a powerful configuration engine and their high-quality content creation capabilities, CADdetails is a valuable addition to the Autodesk content network, and we look forward to working together to open new marketing opportunities for our customers."

 

Bluebeam PDF Revu v 7 includes over 20 new features to help AEC firms go paperless

San Francisco, CA (April 29, 2009) – Bluebeam Software, a leading developer of PDF creation, markup and editing solutions, is exhibiting at this week’s American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention and Expo. Bluebeam will be displaying the newest version of its professional PDF editor, Bluebeam PDF Revu v 7, in booth #1343 from April 30th to May 2nd at San Francisco’s Moscone Center.

As the only PDF editor specifically designed for architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals, Bluebeam PDF Revu includes specialized tools for sharing and reviewing large format drawings and other design documents electronically in PDF. For example, Revu includes plugins to AutoCAD and MS Office for one button and batch PDF creation, a drawing comparison feature for automatically redlining the differences between two similar PDF drawings, a takeoff tool for measuring and counting from PDFs and more.

On March 24th, Bluebeam released Bluebeam PDF Revu v 7. This new version includes over 20 new enhancements that further Bluebeam’s commitment to improving the way AEC firms communicate design data. Many of the new features, like hatch patterns, arcs and curves, and a revamped stamp editor, help users provide more details to RFIs and other submittals. Additionally, improvements such as the reduce file size feature, PDF package support and the exclusive PDF flags extend the reach of paperless workflows by making it faster and easier to distribute and review PDFs electronically.

“Bluebeam improves communication by mimicking the way our customers work with paper and pen,” said Stephani Haynes, Director of Marketing at Bluebeam Software. “By providing a paperless solution that mirrors the traditional AEC workflow, Bluebeam can help firms quickly achieve tremendous results. Success stories from our AEC users include an 80% reduction in paper usage and distribution, a 60% decrease in turnaround time and an ROI in as little as one week.”

Available since 2002, Bluebeam has received several awards from AEC industry organizations and publications including AUGIWorld, Architectural Record, the Toronto Construction Association, HanleyWood/World of Concrete and Constructech Magazine.

Bluebeam Software sells its desktop PDF solutions direct to customers and through a network of over 300 authorized resellers worldwide. To learn more, go to www.bluebeam..com or contact Bluebeam Sales at 866.496.2140 or sales@bluebeam.com.
________________________________________

About Bluebeam Software, Inc.
Bluebeam Software invents, develops, and commercializes PDF software intelligently designed to meet the needs of design, engineering, construction and business professionals. As the trusted standard in PDF technology for architects, engineers and construction professionals, Bluebeam produces high quality, easy to use products that allow project teams to improve communication and collaboration immediately with virtually no learning curve. For more information about the company, latest news, and purchasing information, visit Bluebeam Software at www.bluebeam.com.

 

Media Campaign Urges Key Members of Congress to Stand Up for American Jobs and American Workers

WASHINGTON, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- America's Building Trades Unions have launched a major new paid media campaign to urge the U.S. Congress to enact a clean energy plan that will make America a global leader in energy, while also developing the domestic energy technologies that will create American jobs and strengthen our economy for years to come.

A television spot, called "It's Time," is slated to air in the districts of key Representatives who sit on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. They include: Baron Hill (D-IN), Mike Ross (D-AR), Mary Bono-Mack (R-CA), and G.K. Butterfield (R-NC).

Radio spots will run in the districts of Representatives Bono-Mack, Butterfield, Mike Doyle (D-PA), and Charles Gonzalez (D-TX).
Newspaper Ads are slated to run in the districts of Representatives Hill, Butterfield, and Bart Stupak (D-MI).

The ads can be viewed at: www.buildinganewfuture.org

 

Hosted By Asia Society Northern California and Bay Area Council in San Francisco

San Francisco, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Asia Society Northern California and the Bay Area Council will host the conference "Scaling Up: From Green Buildings to Green Cities in the U.S. and China" in San Francisco on May 1, 2009. The event will take place from 9:00 am to 5:15 pm at the PG&E Auditorium at 77 Beale St.

The green building revolution has begun, but it has far to go. To combat global warming, our greatest challenge is to scale up -- to move beyond pilot projects and piecemeal solutions to green building on a massive scale. Green materials must be mass produced, construction techniques must be standardized, and the principles of green building must inform urban planning. Scaling up will create jobs and help ensure growth in the current economic downturn.

 

Watt Plaza is seeking LEED Gold certification with new sustainable programs and property renovations

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Towers Perrin Forster & Crosby has renewed its lease with Watt Companies the owner and developer of Watt Plaza in Century City, for five more years in an agreement valued at approximately $10 million. A highly regarded global professional services firm that provides human resources, risk and financial management services, Tower Perrin Forster & Crosby occupies the 14th and 15th floors and a portion of the 13th floor at 1925 Century Park East for a combined total of 43,163 square feet.

"With this lease renewal Towers Perrin Forster & Crosby will have maintained offices at Watt Plaza for more than 30 years, a significant milestone for their business and ours," noted Kathy McKay, vice president, leasing, Watt Plaza located at 1875 and 1925 Century Park East. "In order to retain top-tier professional firms such as this, we regularly update the property to ensure that it offers a sophisticated yet contemporary environment. We are continuing that commitment to Watt Plaza with our current renovations that are focused on the building exteriors as well as infrastructure."

The exterior renovations already underway include a completely new landscaping program and upgrading the arrival area and plaza on Century Park East. The front carriage area is being reconfigured to valet service which will ease access and enhance the visitor experience. In addition, the plaza will be transformed into a lushly landscaped outdoor area with abundant seating and a new water feature. These expansive exterior improvements are expected to be completed in November 2009.

Watt Plaza also is investing in a major modernization of the building elevators using new sustainable technologies. All 20 passenger elevators, two freight elevators and three parking elevators will feature new luxury cab interiors and will be upgraded using a "smarter" micro processor computer control system. The new system will reduce wait times, improve reliability, use less power and ensure a smooth ride. The project is scheduled to be completed in October 2010.

In addition to these renovations, Watt Plaza has made significant green building compliant modifications and as a result has applied for a LEED Gold certification. Among the new building's sustainable features are low-flow faucets, low flush toilets and waterless urinals, occupancy lighting sensors, tinted window film, an electronic waste and battery recycling program and a waste stream audit that resulted in a 70 percent reduction in waste sent to landfills.

 

World's Largest Fortune-Creating(sm)/Vedic Office Building

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 2000 Tower Oaks Boulevard, co-developed by The Tower Companies (www.towercompanies.com) and Lerner Enterprises (www.lernerenterprises.com) has been officially certified LEED(R) Platinum Core and Shell 2.0 -- by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making it the first and largest multi-tenant commercial office property to achieve this designation in the Washington, Maryland and Virginia area. The LEED(R) (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System(TM) is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operations of high performance green buildings.

The 200,000 square foot exquisite commercial office building was designed by Kishimoto.Gordon.Dalaya PC (KGD) (www.kgdarchitecture.com) and is the world's largest application of Fortune-Creating(sm) architecture, built on the Vedic principals of orientation, placement and proportion, to improve the occupant's health, enhance job performance and success. The building features 22,000 SF floorplates with 9'-3" ceilings and 6'-6" high continuous windows offering beautiful 360 degree panoramic views in all directions. The stunning daylight-filled lobby is finished with polished Tennessee Pink marble floors and Lacewood walls, accented with a luminous onyx freestanding sculpture wall and stainless steel planters. Tenant amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness room, including lockers, showers and yoga/Pilates room, luxurious bathrooms, and organic cafe. The partially underground 4-level parking structure, with dedicated parking for hybrid and low-emission vehicles, forms a pedestal, supporting sustainable landscaped terraces around the building, with serenity fountains and plaza in front of the building. Over 17,000 drought resistant native plantings of trees, ornamental grasses and flowering bulbs compliment the buildings' landscape in the park-like setting located within minutes of our Nation's Capital and just off the I-270 Tech Corridor in Rockville, Maryland.

 

Evidence of Explosives Found in Destruction of All 3 WTC High-Rises

AE911Truth to Display Evidence at National AIA Convention 4/30 - 5/2, Moscone Center

Press Conference/Speaking Engagement Saturday 5/2 at 4pm, Westin Market Street Hotel

BERKELEY, Calif., April 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 640 Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth (AE911Truth) are calling for a new, independent investigation into the destruction of the World Trade Center high-rises. These building professionals cite evidence of explosive demolition at all three WTC high-rises on 9/11 and document the evidence at their website. Michael Heimbach, assistant director of the FBI's counterterrorism division, wrote that their claims and conclusion were "backed by thorough research and analysis."(1)

AE911Truth will host exhibitor's information booth #2609(2) at this year's annual convention of the prestigious American Institute of Architects (AIA). The convention(3), with more than 800 exhibitors and more than 20,000 participating architects, will take place in San Francisco's Moscone Center, April 30-May 2.

This exhibition will be followed up on Saturday, May 2nd with a dynamic multi-media presentation by AE911Truth founder Richard Gage, AIA. Mr. Gage will cover the forensic evidence found at the crime scene as well as a review of the omissions in the official FEMA and NIST reports. Join AE911Truth at the Westin Market Street Hotel at 50 Third St. in San Francisco at 4:00 pm on Saturday for this thorough review of the myth-shattering information.

Time magazine acknowledged(4) in 2006 that the 9/11 Truth movement was not a "fringe phenomenon," but "a mainstream political reality." As well, Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth petition signers(5) have been encouraged by President Obama's promise to "restore science to its rightful place."

 

Company Appreciates Strong Support Offered by Courageous Legislators, Applauds Vigorous Debate about Energy Issues

ST. LOUIS, April 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Senior management of AmerenUE, the Missouri operating subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (NYSE:AEE) , today announced that they have asked the legislative sponsors of the Missouri Clean and Renewable Energy Construction Act (SB228/HB554) to withdraw the bills from consideration by the General Assembly.

"We want to thank the visionary leadership in both the Missouri House and Senate, where this legislation won strong initial support in committees in both bodies," said AmerenUE President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas R. Voss. "Many representatives and senators understood the need for acting now to secure Missouri's energy independence and security, agreeing with us that allowing these funding mechanisms is best for Missouri.

"As we were moving forward to preserve the option for nuclear energy for our state, we stressed that we needed financial and regulatory certainty before we could begin construction. However, the current version of the bill being debated in the Senate strips the legislation of the very provisions we needed most to move forward. As a result, AmerenUE is suspending its efforts to build a nuclear power plant in Missouri."

 

The KONE EcoStart(R), Made by Power Efficiency Corporation Exclusively for KONE, Installed on 20 Moving Walks

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Power Efficiency Corporation (OTCBB:PEFF), a clean tech company focused on efficiency technologies for electric motors, announced today that KONE Inc. (OMX: KNEBV), one of the world's leading elevator and escalator companies, installed the KONE EcoStart(R) on 20 moving walks at Boston Logan International Airport. In 2008, Logan Airport served 26.1 million passengers.

The KONE EcoStart is a unique motor efficiency controller that soft starts an electric motor, bringing it from rest to full speed. Once it is at full speed, the EcoStart monitors the motor and improves its efficiency when operating. By conserving energy, the EcoStart supports the building's sustainability programs and contributes to environmental protection efforts. EcoStart is manufactured by Power Efficiency Corporation exclusively for KONE under private label.

Test results at Logan Airport indicate the 24 EcoStarts will save approximately 60,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. Logan Airport is also considering installing EcoStart on the escalators at the airport, which will enable the airport to save significantly more energy.

Vance Tang, KONE EVP and Area Director for the Americas, commented, "The EcoStart installations at Logan Airport are a great example of KONE's commitment to partner with our customers and suppliers to save energy, reduce emissions and eliminate waste. The EcoStart makes good business and environmental sense for the airport and the entire Boston community."

Steven Strasser, Chairman and CEO of Power Efficiency Corporation, said, "We are pleased to work with KONE and Logan Airport on this EcoStart energy saving project. By working with KONE, our highly integrated and easily installed products make the EcoStart well suited to address the complex energy savings requirements of major transportation hubs like the airport."

 

Green Accolade Awarded During 2009 Earth Week

LONDON & FRANKFURT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Citi announced today that its newly completed Citi Data Center in Frankfurt is the first of its kind in the world to have earned the coveted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rating from the US Green Building Council (USGBC). This is the highest achievable award for new construction (V2.2 category).

The LEED Rating System is designed to encourage and facilitate the development of more sustainable buildings and is a leading edge system for certifying the world's greenest buildings. Not only is this award a world first, it certifies the data centre's unique achievement in regard to sustainability and energy efficiency.

"Citi is committed to ensuring that sustainability lies at the heart of all our major projects and a major new data centre was no different," said John Killey, Head of Citi Realty Services EMEA. "For this project a balanced approach was adopted that recognised Citi's commitment to a sustainable approach for the building without compromise to its operation and reliability."

"Close co-operation between our Real Estate and Technology groups has been important to achieving major advances in the way in which we manage technology energy demand in Citi," said Stephen Ellis Head of Technology Infrastructure EMEA. "The energy efficient design of the data centre, coupled with extensive use of new, energy efficient virtualised technology, housed in innovative modular cabinets has optimized energy use and reduced the data cabling needs".

"Building operations are nearly 40% of the solution to the global climate change challenge," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "While climate change is a global problem, innovative firms like Citi are addressing it through local solutions."

This environmentally conscious building has already been honoured for its ground breaking eco-friendly design with the prestigious European industry's "Data Centre Excellence Green Energy Efficiency Award 2007" and the title of overall Winner at the Financial Services Technology (FTS) Magazine Award 2008.

 

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Arbor Day is Friday, April 24, and PECO offers tips and suggestions to help everyone 'plant the right tree in the right place.'

Whether you are a property owner, community group or developer, PECO urges you to plant trees that will stay clear of overhead power lines as much as possible. Tall-growing trees should be planted at least 30 feet away from power lines.

PECO encourages the planting of flowering trees that grow to heights less than 20 feet—like dogwoods and crabapples, near the street. Trees that grow to more than 30 feet high should never be planted under power lines. At full height, these trees may cause a power outage or even pose a public danger. They will need to be trimmed regularly to safely coexist with the aerial power lines. Tips on tree selection and planting are available at www.arborday.org.

Annually, PECO spends about $25 million on tree and vegetation maintenance across its six county service territory, to prevent tree-related power outages. The company receives more than 10,000 customer requests for tree maintenance – typically with trees considered incompatible around power lines such as silver maples, sycamores and white pines.

"We encourage our customers to fully research before planting a tree or bush," said Frank Moffa, PECO manager of Vegetation Management. "By planting the right tree in the right place, customers can not only enjoy the aesthetic and environmental benefits, they can feel better knowing planting the right tree in the right place allows the trees and aerial utility lines to co-exist without conflict."

 

Ready-to-Build Blackburn greenbarns(TM) offer Affordable, Sustainable, LEED-Worthy Alternatives to Traditional Barns

WASHINGTON, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- For the last 25 years, architect John Blackburn has been practicing sustainable principles in all his designs, long before "green" became cool. In recognition of Earth Day and to do their part this year, Blackburn and his team are introducing Blackburn greenbarns(TM) (www.blackburngreenbarns.com), starting with four, ready-to-build design models for horse owners that feature sustainable, LEED-worthy materials and finishes. Energy-saving, "passive design" innovations are hidden within the designs, for example, the large roofs are oriented to capture wind and sun in order to ventilate and light the barns naturally. Also offered are optional, eco-friendly systems such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting to take greenbarns(TM) to the next level in sustainability.

Blackburn, AIA, senior principal of Blackburn Architects, PC and creator of the greenbarns(TM), is internationally known as a designer and builder of state-of-the-art equestrian facilities, with approximately 100 equestrian projects to date accommodating more than 4,000 horse stalls. In the Washington D.C. area, he also is an established leader in adaptive reuse of existing residential and commercial structures (www.blackburnarch.com, www.equestrian-architects.com).

The downturn in the economy motivated Blackburn to explore more cost-effective ways of designing and building barns. "Just because it's less expensive, doesn't mean we have to compromise our values," he states. "We still follow the same principles that have guided our practice from the beginning: design for the health and safety of the horse that reflects the needs of the owner and the site. Adding the green elements of design to further drive this home only adds to the value."

 

Save Up to 30% with new Green Room Rates

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hotel Derek, the chic Houston hotel which continually keeps ahead of the curve with bold room design and innovative guest hospitality, is introducing its new Green Room Rates just in time for Earth Day. Hotel Derek joins its management company, Crestline, in establishing and supporting an enhanced sustainable hospitality environment. Crestline recently unveiled EarthPact, a comprehensive green initiative for its 70 full and select service hotels that addresses sustainability across the entire spectrum of hotel operations.

In addition, meeting and event planners can book a green meeting and save a little 'green' in the process while helping to reduce their carbon footprint. Hotel Derek offers a customized Green Meetings Package which includes the following:

Waste minimization through recycle bins

Paperless billing

Water pitcher setups vs. bottled water options

A selection of organic and sustainable banquet menu items

Green room rates yield big savings for travelers and meeting planners.
The hotel is offering up to a 30% discount off its best corporate rate. For more information call 713-961-3000 and ask to speak to a reservations specialist.

 

BOMA Releases 100 Strategies to Commemorate Earth Day, Obama's First 100 Days in Office

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has issued "100 Days, 100 Ways," a list of tips and strategies to help property professionals make going green a priority on Earth Day and every day. With the office building industry accounting for nearly 20 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, BOMA has committed to making the commercial real estate industry sustainable and energy efficient. Just as BOMA is dedicated "greening" the industry, the Obama administration has pledged to make greening America a centerpiece of their agenda. With only one week separating Earth Day and the close of President Obama's first 100 days in office, BOMA released the list to commemorate a shared green vision with the new administration.

"These 100 straight-forward strategies for going green are critical tools any property professional can put to work today," said BOMA International Chair and Chief Elected Officer Richard D. Purtell, portfolio manager, Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc. "So much of what we do is focused on sustainability—whether it be our award-winning education programs, information sharing forums, advocacy or our programming at the BOMA International Conference and The Office Building Show. We look forward to working with the Obama administration and other public leaders as we continue to make energy efficiency and sustainability a priority throughout the built environment."

Here are just three of the 100 ways commercial real estate professionals can green their operations this Earth Day:

1) Benchmark energy consumption through ENERGY STAR(R) Portfolio Manager

2) Harvest rainwater for landscaping

3) Institute a tenant energy awareness program

 

Law Firm Offers Retainer Refunds for Clients in the Event Their Mortgage Cannot be Adjusted

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--America's Law Group, a national law firm devoted exclusively to loan modification and tax resolution, today launched its "Homeowner Benefit Program," which mandates a refund of retainer fees to all homeowners if, after fighting for loan modification on their behalf with banks and mortgage companies, they cannot ultimately be of assistance. America's Law Group believes this program will instill confidence in homeowners that solutions can, and will, be found to resolve their foreclosure fears.

According to government figures, an estimated nine million U.S. homeowners are currently in some type of mortgage trouble and the situation is worsening as five-year adjustable rate and negative amortization loans are adjusted or recast over the coming years. Homeowners across the country are seeking solutions that will help them re-negotiate their current mortgage payments with banks and lenders. Many mortgage loans violate the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, which America's Law Group will leverage when negotiating a favorable loan adjustment.

"America's Law Group is currently in the process of helping almost 2,000 consumers modify their loan payments in order to stay in their homes," said Nicholas Chavarela, managing attorney for America's Law Group. "Our new Homeowner Benefit Program is a testament to our confidence and ability in helping homeowners lower their current mortgage payments. If we cannot help you, you get your money back. It's that simple. Consumers must understand that viable solutions are available."

 

Center for Light+Space a testament to the Company's sustainability pledge

CONYERS, Ga., April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Light+Space, the New York sales office and showroom for Acuity Brands Lighting, has earned LEED(R) certification, landing the prestigious gold rating for its midtown-Manhattan location at 5 Penn Plaza. The recognition underscores Acuity Brands Lighting's industry leadership position and its commitment to sustainable business practices. It also bolsters the Center for Light+Space's role as an exemplary "green" innovator for the New York City architectural and lighting design community.

The LEED/Gold certification, which represents Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, was presented to Acuity Brands Lighting in the Commercial Interiors category by U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit organization that promotes sustainability in residential and commercial buildings. U.S. Green Building Council recognized the office/showroom at 8th Avenue and 34th Street for its successful implementation of environmentally sound space planning, energy and material use, and indoor environmental quality.

The facility scored the most credits in the "materials and resources" category. For example, credits were earned because most raw materials, furniture and equipment are made of recycled content and were manufactured within a 500-mile radius of the Center. And, Energy Star(R)-specified devices such as computers and appliances were used exclusively.

 

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To celebrate Acme's 118th birthday on April 17th, the company is giving 8,800 compact fluorescent light bulbs to employees. Each employee will receive four, 100 watt CFL's (compact fluorescent lights). Over its lifetime, every bulb will save employees about $90.00 compared to a standard light bulb. "If you include an estimate for the birthday bulbs' impact on air conditioning requirements, our employees will save nearly one million dollars!" said Bill Seidel, Senior Vice President of Marketing.

The U. S. Government's Energy Star Program estimates that, if every American home replaced just one 60 watt light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

In addition to the Energy Star light bulbs, all employees will receive an enameled lapel pin that bears Acme's motto…From the Earth, For the Earth. Both items are contained in a reusable shopping bag made of recycled materials.

Acme President and CEO Dennis Knautz said, "We felt that, in addition to the many energy conserving things that we all do together as a company, it was our duty to take the green, energy conservation message from the workplace into our employees' homes."

 

A Pre-Sale or Maintenance Inspection Adds Value to the Home and Helps Identify Potential Issues

DES PLAINES, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI):

April is National Home Inspection month.
An inspection before you sell your house can add value to the home and help to speed up the process and likelihood of an offer.
Homeowners should schedule a maintenance inspection every three to five years to identify problems before they become costly repairs.
Whether you are planning to put your home on the market or are expecting to stay in it for several years, this may be the right time to hire a home inspector. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), April is National Home Inspection Month. The association reminds homeowners that a new home purchase is not the only time for a home inspection.

Bill Richardson, ASHI president, said, "In a down market, a pre-sale inspection can make a home stand out. More and more, sellers are obtaining pre-sale inspections to help uncover and address any issues before the first prospective buyer walks through the door. This simple step can allow for better planning and lower expense in making repairs, add value to the home and help speed up the process and the likelihood of an offer."

In addition to pre-sale inspections, Richardson also emphasized the need to get a home inspection every three to five years to improve maintenance and avoid costly repairs. During a routine inspection, all the visible and readily accessible components and systems are checked. This includes everything from the foundation, roof and gutters, to a home's exterior and interior walls, electrical wiring and plumbing.

"In this uncertain economic time, it is important to be able to plan ahead," Richardson said. "People who leave their houses unchecked are taking a significant risk. In some cases, that could be 10, 15 or even more years during which time a minor, unnoticed repair could become a significant expense or be the culprit of major damage or safety issues. A basic maintenance home inspection can cost far less than an expensive repair. An ASHI home inspector can often spot potential problems before the damage happens."

 

Participants of the World Bank's Green Pavement Workshop visit Aggregate Industries' Bladensburg, MD Asphalt Plant

WASHINGTON, April 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Bank Carbon Finance Unit convened a workshop on April 2 focused on reducing emissions from road projects. The event brought together representatives from the private sector, government officials, and staff from the Carbon Finance Unit. Following the workshop, attendees were given a tour of the Aggregate Industries' Bladensburg asphalt plant, which produces warm mix asphalt. The plant tour was a part of the World Bank's Transport Week Workshop on "reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from road construction projects through the use of green pavement technologies."

Aggregate Industries, which hosted the tour, is a Rockville-based producer of aggregate and construction materials and was selected to participate in the event because of the Company's commitment to developing and deploying sustainable products and solutions in the building materials market.

Along with organizers from the Carbon Finance Unit at the World Bank, members from the National Asphalt Pavement Association and representatives from the World Bank's client country transport agencies, representing more than ten countries from around the world, attended the asphalt plant tour hosted by the plant manager, David Jones. During the tour, Jones explained the history, vision, products, and other significant facts about the plant to the visitors.

Aggregate Industries' Bladensburg asphalt plant was commissioned on April 9, 2008. When the decision to go forward with the project was made in 2006, the DC market presented a unique opportunity, whereby market growth and a consolidated competitive market provided favorable conditions for an investment of this nature. This strongly competitive location and materials advantage, raw materials supplied direct from the quarry by rail, allow Aggregate Industries to capture market growth and market share from its competitors. Currently, the Bladensburg asphalt plant possesses a warm mix asphalt capability for all base and surface pavements as specified by surrounding jurisdictions and the private sector, while approval for the public sector is pending.

 

'Three-Peat' Prestigious Honor, Says APS CEO

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) has been honored with the prestigious "ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year" award for the third consecutive year. Award winners are selected from more than 12,000 nationwide organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

The honor for Excellence in Energy Efficiency Program Delivery of the ENERGY STAR Homes Program was bestowed on APS March 31 in Washington, D.C. by representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). The award recognizes APS as a national leader in promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gases.

The APS Homes Program won the same award in 2008, while APS' Compact Fluorescent Lighting Program won in 2007. APS is the only utility in Arizona ever to be recognized as a Partner of the Year and only one of three companies in the state so honored in 2009.

"To earn a 'three-peat' for such a prestigious honor is a remarkable achievement," said APS Chief Executive Officer Don Brandt. "The degree to which our APS ENERGY STAR Homes Program has grown, both in number and geography, and its prominent presence in the marketplace is impressive. The fact we've been nationally recognized for this program and others like it for three straight years is evidence of our strong focus on best serving our customers."

Tammy McLeod, APS Vice President and Chief Customer Officer said, "If we can make customers happy and help them save money while conserving energy and being environmentally responsible, it's a win for everyone."

 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The $4.5 billion in matching funds allocated to "Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability" by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) includes a significant boost to "smart grid" and smart metering initiatives, aimed at updating the seriously ageing US electrical infrastructure.

"ABI Research believes that the rapid injection of capital to be provided by the ARRA will solidify and encourage more investment in smart metering and the smart grid," says senior analyst Sam Lucero."

Many utilities were already implementing plans to upgrade distribution and metering infrastructure, and as regulated industries with rate recovery mechanisms in place, electrical utilities have been somewhat insulated from the worst shocks of the recent economic turmoil. So, says Lucero, "The new federal funding is not an order-of-magnitude game changer, but it will certainly help to encourage and accelerate new smart grid plans, and reinforce those already in place."

Who will benefit from these provisions of the ARRA and the resulting boost to smart grid and smart metering? There are winners on all sides.

- Module vendors, because advanced metering infrastructure is a major application market within the larger machine-to-machine communication field.
- Smart meter vendors.
- Meter data management software developers such as Oracle, SAP, and eMeter, because as smart metering systems are rolled out, the amount of information needing to be processed rises very sharply.
- Electrical utilities such as Pacific Gas & Electric, which are committed to large-scale upgrades of the meters deployed in the areas they serve.
- The public. A more robust infrastructure will, among other benefits, reduce the blackouts and brownouts that occur across the country on a daily basis.

 

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The gateway to JFK's AirTrain Light Rail airport access system is the Jamaica Station complex. The facility's vertical circulation building and new portal structure serve as an introduction to the region's most important airport. Using lamps from GE Consumer & Industrial, designers Domingo Gonzalez, Nelson Downend and Mario Merza have created an energy-efficient and low-maintenance lighting design that reinforces passenger flow throughout the station and is compatible with architectural constraints.

Daylight is supplemented with fluorescent lighting systems, controlled by photocell and astronomical time clocks to ensure that the right light levels are established throughout the station at all hours.

Luminaires for the outdoor platforms, stairs, concourse and the Westerly Bridge are standardized around energy-efficient, integrally jacketed, GE 32-watt T8 3500 K cold temperature fluorescent lamps that are protected against steel dust and low temperatures. Custom-designed, extruded aluminum luminaires integrate ballasts, wireways and emergency power supplies, ensuring adaptability and ease-of-maintenance. At night, over the platforms, asymmetric 400-watt metal halide luminaires uplight the ceiling.

In the vertical circulation building, luminaires with 70-watt metal halide lamps are integrated into the curtain wall and celebrate the facade. Recessed downlights with GE 42-watt Triple Biax(R) 3500 K lamps and 70-watt metal halide downlights with turbo-louvers to control source brightness differentiate this important connector.

 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The $4.5 billion in matching funds allocated to "Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability" by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) includes a significant boost to "smart grid" and smart metering initiatives, aimed at updating the seriously ageing US electrical infrastructure.

"ABI Research believes that the rapid injection of capital to be provided by the ARRA will solidify and encourage more investment in smart metering and the smart grid," says senior analyst Sam Lucero."

Many utilities were already implementing plans to upgrade distribution and metering infrastructure, and as regulated industries with rate recovery mechanisms in place, electrical utilities have been somewhat insulated from the worst shocks of the recent economic turmoil. So, says Lucero, "The new federal funding is not an order-of-magnitude game changer, but it will certainly help to encourage and accelerate new smart grid plans, and reinforce those already in place."

Who will benefit from these provisions of the ARRA and the resulting boost to smart grid and smart metering? There are winners on all sides.

- Module vendors, because advanced metering infrastructure is a major application market within the larger machine-to-machine communication field.
- Smart meter vendors.
- Meter data management software developers such as Oracle, SAP, and eMeter, because as smart metering systems are rolled out, the amount of information needing to be processed rises very sharply.
- Electrical utilities such as Pacific Gas & Electric, which are committed to large-scale upgrades of the meters deployed in the areas they serve.
- The public. A more robust infrastructure will, among other benefits, reduce the blackouts and brownouts that occur across the country on a daily basis.

 

Hosted By Asia Society Northern California and Bay Area Council in San Francisco

San Francisco, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Asia Society Northern California and the Bay Area Council will host the conference "Scaling Up: From Green Buildings to Green Cities in the U.S. and China" in San Francisco on May 1, 2009. The event will take place from 9:00 am to 5:15 pm at the PG&E Auditorium at 77 Beale St.

The green building revolution has begun, but it has far to go. To combat global warming, our greatest challenge is to scale up -- to move beyond pilot projects and piecemeal solutions to green building on a massive scale. Green materials must be mass produced, construction techniques must be standardized, and the principles of green building must inform urban planning. Scaling up will create jobs and help ensure growth in the current economic downturn.