Industry Group Voices Concern that Short Cuts Endanger Public Safety SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With a poor economy and dwindling public resources, it is more important than ever for local governments across the state to remain vigilant in upholding fire safety laws, the Sprinkler Fitters Association of California (SFAC) announced today. The industry group voiced its concerns in response to worsening budgets and a recent Long Beach City Council ordinance that exempts older residential high rises and large apartment complexes from a mandate to install fire sprinkler systems. Instead, Long Beach adopted an alternative plan requiring an evacuation and fire safety plan, additional smoke alarms and emergency lighting. While important, those measures don’t address the fundamental problem of putting out fires, said Randy Roxson, SFAC's executive director. "Taking short cuts around sprinkler systems is irresponsible in this day and age – after firefighters themselves, sprinklers are the next best way to combat fires and save lives," Roxson said. "Dismissing fire sprinkler systems is like ignoring an obvious safety measure like wearing seatbelts while driving."

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Hailed as metro L.A.'s first certified green, all-solar Smarthome(TM) community, The Gatsby Hollywood received city and state commendations for its sustainable design at today's VIP Opening Event. Los Angeles 4th District Councilman, Tom LaBonge and Director of California's Department of Housing and Community Development, Lynne Jacobs, joined Hollywood city representatives and Dan Thompson, CEO of MasterCraft Homes Group and developer of The Gatsby Hollywood, for the opening event. "California is leading the way in sustainable building and The Gatsby Hollywood exemplifies our progress. We're bringing sustainable building to the state level and I know I can refer doubting inspectors to The Gatsby Hollywood to prove how sustainable building works," said Lynne Jacobs. Councilman LaBonge expressed gratitude to Dan Thompson for The Gatsby's timeless design. "This corner [Fountain and Wilcox] has been historic for a long time and I thank Dan and his team for turning it into a design that says 'community'," said LaBonge. LaBonge then presented to Thompson a commemorative plaque and commendation signed by Los Angeles City Council President, Eric Garcetti, declaring The Gatsby Hollywood as the City of Angel's first all-green, all-solar community.

Southern California listeners can tune in on Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 7:30 - 8:00AM to hear E-Mon's President/CEO discuss submetering's vital role in managing energy use in the green facility environment LANGHORNE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--E-Mon, LLC, the electric submetering market leader and manufacturer of the widely installed E-Mon D-Mon(R) product line, will be the featured topic on the next edition of "The Green Energy Show with Bill Tauber." Scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 7:30 to 8:00 A.M. PDT, "The Green Energy Show" is heard every Saturday morning on radio station KRLA (AM 870) in the greater Los Angeles metro area and beyond. The show can also be heard live on the Internet by clicking "Listen Now" at www.krla870.com. Hosted by Bill Tauber, a nationally recognized expert in energy conservation issues, the Green Energy Show is Southern California's first and only regularly scheduled radio talk show covering a wide range of energy-related topics and interviews with leading industry experts.

Partnership Members Embrace Sustainability Practices to Preserve Park SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Members of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership are "going green" to enhance and preserve San Diego's iconic park as it approaches its 100-year anniversary. Representatives of the park's 24 cultural institutions are participating in a series of workshops to learn how to incorporate sustainability practices into the workplace. The curriculum covers sustainability techniques that, when implemented, will not only contribute to park preservation efforts but also save money and natural resources. "These workshops educate by encouraging our Partnership members to adopt sustainability practices," said David Lang, executive director of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership. "By pooling our knowledge and resources, Balboa Park is well on its way to incorporating environmentally friendly operations. Our efforts in 2008 produced a cost savings of $420,000 through substantially reduced energy consumption." The workshop series covers an introduction to sustainability and life cycle costing, energy management, water management and green building basics. "It makes so much sense that we continue to integrate sustainable practices into Reuben H. Fleet Science Center operations," said David McGrew, director of Facilities and Engineering for the Center. "Balboa Park is not only a cultural treasure but it is also a natural resource for San Diego residents and visitors from around the world. It is in everyone's interest to manage the park in a sustainable manner."

Wall will displace at least 19,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere TORONTO, May 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) , a world leader in building materials and glass fiber reinforcements, today announced that it has installed North America's largest* SolarWall(R) system of 2008 at the company's Toronto area insulation manufacturing facility. The use of the SolarWall(R) technology demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainability and renewable energy, and Owens Corning's strong sense of environmental stewardship. The SolarWall(R) technology is a solar air heating system that uses the sun's energy to heat ventilation air for commercial and industrial buildings. It substantially reduces traditional heating fuel expenses and CO2 emissions, requires no maintenance and lasts more than 30 years. The SolarWall(R) technology was invented by Conserval Engineering, which commercialized solar air heating around the world for the commercial and industrial sector. The SolarWall(R) technology has been used on thousands of projects to date in 30 countries. The SolarWall(R) system at Owens Corning's Toronto facility is 11,000 ft(2) and is estimated to produce over 8,000 million BTUs (2350 MWh) of thermal energy per year. Conserval Engineering designed a turnkey energy solution for Owens Corning that targets one of the most problematic energy requirements in the facility - ventilation heating.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Every year, hundreds of exhibitors come to PCBC in San Francisco to market their best and most innovative products to the nation's top homebuilders – products designed to help improve the homebuilding process, make a new home more inviting to a prospective buyer, and help improve the sustainability of our communities. Now in its eighth year, PCBC's Cool Products competition seeks to highlight those products that have that extra "cool" factor that makes builders and consumers take notice. This year's competition was divided into four categories: Conserves Natural Resources; Contributes to a Healthier, Safer Living Environment; A New, Cool Invention; and Saves Energy. A select panel of industry experts, including homebuilders, media, and architects, reviewed the finalists in each of the four categories and voted to determine which products were the "coolest of the cool." "We like providing our exhibitors with a chance to showcase their groundbreaking new products in a little friendly competition, especially if it helps them to succeed in this difficult marketplace," said Linda Baysari, Senior Vice President, Meetings & Convention, PCBC. "This is a fun way to draw attention to some new and exciting products while shining the spotlight on our innovative and creative exhibitors." The winners will be among the hundreds of exhibitors displaying their new and innovative products at PCBC, which takes place June 17-19 at San Francisco's Moscone Center. Each winner will have a special "Cool Products Winner" award displayed in their exhibit, and there will be kiosks displaying the winners with respective booth numbers to direct people to the appropriate exhibitors.

Young Couple Buys "Dream Home" for a Remarkable $86,840 SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After months of anticipation, iBidcondo held its premiere live online auction at 9PM EDT Tuesday, May 26th, 2009. A young married couple from San Diego, California walked away with a stunning three bedroom lakefront home at Star Riverside located in Downtown Austin, Texas for $86,840; that's more than an 80% discount on the retail price advertised by the developer! Even more impressive is that a significant portion of the winning bid amount will be donated to a Nonprofit Charity. The auction was conducted live at iBidcondo.com last night with thousands of participants registering and bidding from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, the United States, and more. The founder of iBidcondo, Eugene Marchese, was very excited with the auction’s success; "We have just started a revolution in the real estate market, this really is the future of buying and selling property." Marchese went on to say, "We had been looking for a way to solve the housing affordability crisis and iBidcondo brings buyers and sellers together in a way like never before! And to top it off, it's the charity that walks away the true winner."

Connecticut's Watkinson School to Demonstrate Possibilities for Smart, Green Classrooms of the Future, Today SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Project FROG (www.projectfrog.com), leading manufacturer of smart building systems, will break ground on a new energy-neutral Center for Science and Global Citizenship at the Watkinson School in Hartford, Conn, on May 27. The building will be the first of its kind in New England, and marks the company's first zero-net energy solution built in a cold climate. John Bracker, Watkinson's head of school, announced, "The Center for Science and Global Citizenship represents an important step in our efforts to challenge the traditional orthodoxy of how a building comes together, the role it can play in teaching about sustainability and the curriculum material at hand. Just imagine what's possible when a building is as smart and dynamic as the students and faculty who live in it." The Watkinson project demonstrates the possibilities for energy-efficient, technologically enhanced classrooms of the future, today. Incorporating the ideal learning environment into the greenest, most sustainable commercial building solution available, the 4,000 square foot state-of-the-art science center will feature 75 percent energy-demand reduction, abundant natural light and glare control, superior air quality, fungible user technology, microclimate customization and advanced climate controls in an easy to configure package. Constructed of mainly of recyclable materials, the Center will generate more energy within its footprint than is required to operate its systems. To support the linked but diverse curricula, the three Center for Science and Global Citizenship classrooms will be adaptable to lecture, seminars, and lab-style instruction.

2,550 Kyocera modules installed by Vanguard Energy Partners, LLC contribute more than half a megawatt of peak electrical output ― from sunlight MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Morristown, N.J., Wastewater Treatment Facility will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, Thursday, May 28, 2009 for its new solar electric generating system –the town's first publicly owned system – amid an audience of elected officials, local dignitaries and representatives of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Clean Energy Program. The celebration will take place at 1:00 p.m. on the facility grounds at 80 East Hanover Ave. in Cedar Knolls. Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello, who championed the effort to install the system, reports that it will be green for the environment and green for Morristown's taxpayers. "This project saves taxpayer money," Cresitello stated. "By reducing energy costs at the wastewater treatment facility, and bringing new revenue from sales of Solar Renewable Energy Certificates, the system will pay for itself within 10 years."

MILWAUKEE, May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A high school team from the Dallas, Texas area and a middle school team from Kansas City, Missouri are top winners in the national "Construction Challenge" competition sponsored by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Earning runner-up honors were high school teams from Perry, Oklahoma and Oley, Pennsylvania and middle school teams from New Carlisle, Ohio and Graham, Washington. More than 40 finalist teams participated in three separate challenges during the competition, which took place May 20-23, 2009 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville during the Global Finals competition of Destination ImagiNation (DI). DI is a challenge partner. AEM along with DI developed the Construction Challenge to engage students through a hands-on, educational experience that introduces them to construction careers such as engineers, equipment technicians and manufacturing professionals.

Toronto leads North America by requiring green roofs on new buildings! TORONTO, May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, (GRHC) the North American green roof industry association, is pleased to announce that the City of Toronto passed a new green roof by-law with overwhelming support yesterday. The green roof by-law consists of a green roof construction standard and a mandatory requirement for green roofs on all classes of new buildings. The by-law requires up to 50 per cent green roof coverage on multi-unit residential dwellings over six storeys, schools, non-profit housing, commercial and industrial buildings. Larger residential projects require greater green roof coverage, ranging anywhere from 20 to 50 per cent of the roof area. "The City of Toronto's leadership on all things green took another major step by making it obligatory to have green roofs for all types of new buildings..." said Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, the primary champion of the new by-law. "This bylaw is a major part of the solution to climate change, the creation of green jobs and it represents a whole new mindset on how our cities approach the 20 per cent or so of surface area that are roofs." he added.

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--"This is what climate protection looks like" is the motto of the North American ACRYLITE(R) acrylic sheet climate protection campaign now being launched. "We aren't just paying lip service here — we intend to show that our high-tech material enables users throughout the continent to take cost-effective and environmentally conscious action," says Stephen Costanzo, General Manager of Evonik Cyro's Acrylic Sheet Business Line. With its favorable heat insulation, ACRYLITE(R) DEGLAS high impact acrylic double-skinned sheet reduces energy consumption in greenhouses, and therefore automatically cuts operators' CO2 emissions. This means they can make an active contribution to climate protection and reduce their monthly overheads at the same time. "Saving energy means cutting costs and CO2. Greenhouses represent a major long-term investment. By planning with foresight and using ACRYLITE(R) DEGLAS sheet products, these potential savings can be secured for decades. That is an ideal combination," says Michael Ehmann, North American ACRYLITE(R) DEGLAS Manager. The central element of the campaign is the Web site www.acrylite-and-energy.com. At this site, greenhouse operators can access information on each of the ACRYLITE(R) DEGLAS acrylic sheet products and review case studies from actual users in Europe, the United States and Canada. Energy is a crucial cost factor for greenhouse operators. In North America, for instance, growers spend $1 to $2 per square foot heating their greenhouses in the winter and cooling them in the summer. ACRYLITE(R) DEGLAS sheet requires much less energy due to its better insulation. Operators who make efficient use of energy not only make a positive contribution to climate protection, but also save money. For example, a greenhouse operator with 8 acres of growing area might save over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars annually on energy costs. As energy costs rise, this proportion also increases.

Solar Grid Tie Project to be Western Canada's Largest VICTORIA, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A social housing development in Surrey, British Columbia is getting a green energy upgrade with the addition of a grid-tie solar power system from Carmanah Technologies Corporation (CMH:TSX). As part of BC Housing's commitment to developing sustainable social housing, Greenbrook will be equipped with a grid-tie solar power system designed to provide 10 percent of the development's annual electricity requirements to assist with common area loads such as area lighting and air source heat pumps. Valued at approximately $1.34 million in total, the photovoltaic system will be installed in stages by Carmanah Technologies under contract with Yellowridge Construction Ltd., with completion scheduled for mid 2010. With a combined capacity of approximately 139 kW, the site-wide renovation project represents Carmanah's largest grid-tie project to date, and Western Canada's largest solar grid-tie project. Located in Surrey's Newton Town Centre, the Greenbrook complex includes 29 buildings with 127 town houses. The grid-tie system will connect to the electric utility through multiple net metering connection points within Greenbrook's common distribution electrical system. In designing the photovoltaic system, Carmanah representatives combined a comprehensive site evaluation with best industry practices and practical implementation strategies to design a system that would meet the challenges of local shading issues, fixed orientation of structures and an annual energy target of 130 MWh. This solar power upgrade is one aspect of a site-wide building envelope replacement that addresses a range of other improvements such as drainage, electrical, landscaping and mechanical upgrades.

New Life Cycle Analysis Clearly Demonstrates Environmental Contributions of Adding EPS Insulation to North American Homes CROFTON, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new study shows that expanded polystyrene (EPS) provides a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when used to insulate homes in North America. This study, Energy and Greenhouse Gas Savings for EPS Foam Insulation Applied to Exterior Walls of Single Family Residential Housing in the U.S. and Canada, calculated the resources used and emissions produced in the manufacturing and delivery of EPS and concludes that EPS insulation will reduce the operational impact of the building to an extent that far outweighs the environmental impact caused by its manufacture. "Everyone knows that adding insulation to your home will reduce energy costs," acknowledges Betsy Steiner, executive director of the EPS Molders Association (EPSMA). "However, consumers are increasingly aware that product manufacture requires resource and energy consumption. We want our customers to know that energy and environmental payback on this investment is substantial, making EPS insulation one of the quickest and easiest ways to reduce energy usage." With mainstream support for the green movement, consumers are asking new and different questions about how products perform and are increasingly making purchasing decisions that take environmental considerations into account. This is particularly true in the area of construction, as buildings are responsible for 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), a measurement tool that provides comprehensive environmental data, is a widely accepted method of evaluating a product's environmental footprint.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global GreenUp, LLC has released the detailed planning of its green-living and sustainability showcase to come to Atlanta (www.atlantagreenexpo.com)which is presented by Growers Alliance Coffee Company. This major showcase will be held on May 30th and 31st, 2009 at the Georgia World Congress Center with over 50 green business exhibitors and over 2,000 expected attendees. The Atlanta Green Expo two-day tradeshow will help to bring together local companies, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees and encourage partnership and contribution to the growing environmental and sustainability awareness in Atlanta. The exhibition floors will be open to the attendees from 10am to 5pm on both days. This door entrance charge is $5.00 per adult while it will be free for children under twelve years old. Interested sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers can contact the Event Coordinator, Martin Kabaki at 904-236-9966.

Federal housing officials approve the provision community sought; Department of Veterans Affairs asked to formalize guarantee in Sepulveda VA lease LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The developers of Homes for Heroes, a housing development proposed for the Sepulveda Veterans Administration complex in Los Angeles, announced today that they will guarantee that only veterans will be permitted to rent apartments. A Community of Friends (ACOF) and New Directions, Inc. (NDI) plan to convert two vacant, earthquake-damaged buildings at the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center in North Hills into 147 studio apartments for homeless and disabled veterans. The nonprofit organizations received a written determination from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) permitting the apartments to be rented only to veterans. ACOF and NDI immediately asked the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to write the "veterans only" guarantee into their lease. "Our goal is to provide housing for homeless and disabled veterans on veterans' land and we're pleased HUD said we can lease only to veterans," said ACOF Chief Executive Officer Dora Leong Gallo. "HUD's approval of the veterans-only provision is a significant victory for veterans in Los Angeles County, neighbors of the Sepulveda VA property and similar projects across the United States." Veterans, neighbors and elected officials called for the "veterans only" guarantee at Homes for Heroes. ACOF and NDI worked with legislators to secure a change in California law, and with national organizations and Congressional representatives to amend the Internal Revenue Service code to allow public funding to be used for veterans only projects. "It has been clear to us from the beginning that changes were needed to ensure a veterans-only provision that would be acceptable to lenders and to fair housing advocates," NDI Executive Director Toni Reinis. "We are thrilled to tell concerned members of the community that we heard their requests and we have worked hard to guarantee that the housing will be strictly for veterans only."

The province of Ontario recently acquired the former head office building of Sears Canada in Toronto. This retrofit will reduce its carbon footprint by implementing many of the initiatives outlined in the Green Energy Act, recently passed legislation which will help transform Ontario's economy to be more innovative, productive and competitive. The design and construction of the base building retrofit will adhere to the guidelines and sustainability principles of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED(R)) rating system, with a goal of achieving LEED(R) Gold standing. The building provides opportunities for energy-efficient building design initiatives such as: * A green roof * Solar energy * Daylight & occupancy sensors for optimal lighting control * State-of-the-art IT infrastructure * Wireless infrastructure to reduce the need to travel to meetings * Less parking and bicycle storage to encourage green commuting Using solar energy and constructing a green roof are also being considered.

GAINESVILLE, Fla., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- A leading forensic expert on building envelope water intrusion and toxic mold, Spiderman Mulholland, and his forensic division at U.S. Building Consultants, Inc. has determined that air sampling is not an effective method for determining the presence of toxic Chinese drywall corrosions. Although air sampling may indicate some levels of sulfur compounds in homes, the measuring tool is unreliable unless it is used as an aid to a more conclusive testing method. "My forensics division is now in the final stages of developing a comprehensive protocol for inspection and remediation for the drywall crisis that is currently impacting 41 states," said Mulholland. Chinese drywall may have been installed in more than 100,000 homes between 2001 and 2006 throughout the nation during the hype of the building boom after hurricanes Wilma and Katrina dried up the domestic drywall supplies. Mulholland has said that his laboratory analysis has indicated 11 sulfur compounds and contaminants including, sulfur acid, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Prolonged exposure may cause serious problems to the nervous system. Given the rise of complaints by homeowners in South Florida, it is believed that a large percentage of the homes built during that time frame may contain Chinese drywall.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global GreenUp, LLC has released the detailed planning of its green-living and sustainability showcase to come to Atlanta (www.atlantagreenexpo.com)which is presented by Growers Alliance Coffee Company. This major showcase will be held on May 30th and 31st, 2009 at the Georgia World Congress Center with over 50 green business exhibitors and over 2,000 expected attendees. The Atlanta Green Expo two-day tradeshow will help to bring together local companies, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees and encourage partnership and contribution to the growing environmental and sustainability awareness in Atlanta. The exhibition floors will be open to the attendees from 10am to 5pm on both days. This door entrance charge is $5.00 per adult while it will be free for children under twelve years old. Interested sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers can contact the Event Coordinator, Martin Kabaki at 904-236-9966. Atlanta Green Expo was created as a forum for increasing awareness on Environment and climate change challenges, showcasing green products and services and educating the public, companies and government agencies. The event which is presented by the Growers Alliance Coffee Company will give Atlanta residents the opportunity to learn and experience the latest in alternative and renewable energy sources, green home and business products, hybrid/low emission transportation, mass transit, ideas for green building, eco-fashion, eco-friendly toys, green travel, organic foods and beverages and much more.

Fortress Group, in Partnership with Liberian Business Partner imports a shipload of Cement MONROVIA, Liberia, May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- After more than four decades of dominance of the Liberian cement market by a single company, a milestone was dramatically accomplished in Liberia on Monday May 18, when the first shipment of 12,500 mt of high grade cement entered the Liberian Port, with another shipload of 25,000 mt scheduled to arrive in June and every month thereafter. The deal was made possible under a JV partnership arrangement between Fortress Group of New York & Hong Kong, and Srimex Enterprises of Liberia. The President of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who has strongly advocated for free markets for cement and other commodities in Liberia as part of her Government's efforts to rebuild post-conflict Liberia, was on hand at the Freeport of Monrovia to receive the chartered vessel, along with the Minister of Commerce, Government Officials, the management of both Fortress and Srimex, as well as Ms. Morenike Adepoju, the Managing Director and other staff from Ecobank Liberia who made financing the transaction possible. Beaming with pride, the President firmly declared "...the market for cement is open, and all of our people stand to benefit, this has always been a goal of this Government."

Puget Sound Energy: What: The Powerful Business Conference, Energy Opportunities in a Changing Economy, a popular bi-annual one-day energy conference is coming to the Bellevue Meydenbauer Center on June 17, 2009. Presented by the Electric League of the Pacific Northwest, BetterBricks and three local utility companies -- Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light and Snohomish PUD -- the conference will provide practical energy solutions for business owners, facility professionals and the professional consultants who support them. KC Golden, policy director for Climate Solutions, will present the keynote speech during lunch. Presentations throughout the day will highlight proven strategies to improve energy performance and sustain operational cost savings. An exhibit reception will close the day's activities. Four concurrent presentation tracks will feature practical strategies to improve business energy performance and how to sustain those operational cost savings over time. Session descriptions are available at www.electricleague.net. This year's tracks will focus on: * Business Case for Energy Efficiency * Proven Building Technologies * Facility Optimization * Building Design and Construction Registration information and schedule are both available online. Advanced registration is required by June 11, by calling the Electric League at 425-646-4727 or by visiting www.electricleague.net. Registration fee is $125.

Enhances Firm's Expertise in Green Building Practices NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--McCarter & English announced today that partners Mary Jane Augustine (New York) and Francis Kirk (Newark), and associates Brian Morgan (Boston) and Jocelyn Gabrynowicz Hill (Philadelphia) have received credentials as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professionals (LEED AP) by the Green Building Certification Institute. As a joint effort between the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the LEED Green Building Rating Systems, the LEED AP program was developed to assure that professionals have the latest knowledge and understanding of green building practices. The four attorneys join the ranks of a small number of attorneys (approximately 350 nationwide) to become LEED APs. "We believe that sustainable, energy efficient design and construction is really the way the future must unfold," said Ms. Augustine, the Practice Group Leader for the firm's Construction Practice Group. "As we continue to face a changing economic landscape, we must also be aware of our deteriorating environmental landscape and help to sustain the earth's natural resources by doing our part. Having attorneys who are also LEED APs not only expands and strengthens our ability to serve our clients, but also demonstrates McCarter's commitment to Green Building and sustainable industry practices."

GAINESVILLE, Fla., May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The forensic experts at U.S. Building and Consultants, Inc., are in the final stages of developing a protocol for inspection and remediation to the toxic Chinese drywall problem facing the nation today. Spiderman Mulholland, the leading investigator, appreciates the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their findings regarding high levels of toxic chemicals in Chinese drywall, which was possibly installed in over 100,000 homes between 2001 and 2006. "We are not surprised that they found samples containing higher levels of strontium and sulfur because strontium sulfide is capable of emitting corrosive gases in moist air, which in our opinion poses a health concern to homeowners and their families," Mulholland said. "It confirms what we have been discovering in Florida homes over the last several months. The physical evidence is overwhelming and needs to be carefully evaluated from a forensic standpoint." The analysis done by USBCI has identified 11 of 12 compounds that could be considered health concerns, depending on toxicity levels and multiple compound interactions. This does not factor in additional particulates that we are currently analyzing.

BOARDMAN, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cool roofs. White roofs. Vegetative roofs. Solar roofs. Sifting through the latest trends in the commercial roofing industry can be difficult, but the one trend that doesn't go out of style is saving money. With an energy efficient or sustainable roof, building owners and managers can reduce company costs and save energy. According to the Whitestone Building Maintenance and Repair Cost Reference, energy costs rose 29.4 percent in 2007 and in the beginning months of 2008, costs increased 34.7 percent. The biggest culprit in energy consumption is wet insulation. Mike Dohar of Simon Roofing Products estimates that wet insulation from even minor leaks can increase energy losses up to 70 percent. When insulation becomes wet, it loses its thermal resistance, which in the end translates to higher heating and cooling costs. A 10,000 sq. ft. roof may waste an additional $23,800 - $64,800 annually due to wet insulation, according to Dohar. This wasted energy cost assumes the entire 10,000 sq. ft. roof has wet insulation. The key to energy savings lies in the insulation. Properly installed and well-maintained insulation will save building managers thousands of dollars throughout the years. And keeping up to date on its condition will help to maintain the roofing system. Dohar said that Simon Roofing, a national commercial roofing company, has worked to incorporate energy savings into its products. "Our value added products can be customized to specific applications to provide solutions to the customer's problem, such as energy savings," Dohar said.

IRVING, Texas, May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by American Concrete Pipe Association: The horrific brushfires last month located northwest of the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area -- where the entire town of Stoneburg was burned over by a 25,000-acre fire -- have quickly brought to light a debate regarding the use of certain drainage materials under roadways. The small town, with only about 100 residents, was designed with only two thoroughfares for evacuation: FM 1806 and US 81. FM 1806 collapsed when three plastic culverts, used for drainage and support for the road, ignited and melted sending one unsuspecting truck driver into the newly formed crater with significant injuries and a totaled truck. Also, a fire truck lodged in the collapsed roadway sustaining a broken axle and leaving only one main evacuation route out of the region. "I cannot believe that plastic pipe [high density polyethylene pipe or 'HDPE'] can be used in this setting," said Jason Ratliff of FX5 Construction and Excavation, the truck driver who fell into the ditch. "I do not understand how a product that catches fire and continues to burn can be used in an area so receptive to brushfire." HDPE is sometimes substituted for conventional concrete culverts in roadway construction where storm water pipelines serve as underground support. HDPE is a petroleum-based plastic that is combustible.

TAINAN, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With a generous gift of NT$ 100 million from Dr. Bruce CH Cheng, Chairman of Delta Electronics, the groundbreaking ceremony of the most pioneering green building in National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), also probably the first of its kind in the world, namely the Education Center for Subtropical Green Buildings (ECSGB) with an alias as “Green Magic School”, was held on the 20th of May in NCKU Li-Hsing Campus. The building is scheduled to be open in 2010. “The establishment of NCKU Green Magic School symbolizes the crucial step for energy saving and carbon reduction,” said Dr. Michael M.C. Lai, the President of NCKU. Located at the NCKU Li-Hsing Campus, the construction budget of NCKU Green Magic School was planned at NT$ 200 millions, approximately 3 million USD, half of which, i.e. NT$ 100 millions, were endowed by Dr. Bruce CH Cheng, Chairman of Delta Electronics, approximately 3 million USD to commemorate Y.S. Sun, one of Taiwan’s most admired statesmen. Apart from Dr. Cheng’s endowment, an endowment of 40 millions NTD from various domestic entrepreneurs along with a match-up fund of NT$ 60 million NTD from NCKU Research and Development made it possible for construction of NCKU Green Magic School. The building will have three levels above ground and one level underground, housing an international conference hall and demonstrating the green architectural technologies and researches. NCKU Green Magic School was awarded by the Architecture and Building Research Institute of the Ministry of the Interior as a “Diamond Level Candidate for Green Building Labeling” and is going to get “Platinum Certification for Green Building” from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design of US Green Building Council. The NCKU Green Magic School, following the example of Noah's Ark to save the world, has been designed and managed jointly by NCKU Professor Hsien-Te Lin of Architecture Department, and Architect Chao-Yung Shih. They unprecedentedly invited four NCKU faculty members to work on scientific experiments for feasibility of their environmental friendly designs. For example, the building is slated to use “adequate techniques”, instead of “expensive techniques”, to achieve “quadruple benefit” with the challengeable aims to save 50% energy, to conserve 30% water, to reduce 30% carbon emission as well as for a utilization expectancy of one hundred years. Dr. Michael M.C. Lai, the President of NCKU, stated that faced with the threat of energy shortage and polluted environment, NCKU, as one of the best universities in Taiwan, should shoulder the responsibility to step forward energy saving and carbon reduction, and vowed to make efforts on uses and production of renewable energy. President Lai also praised the personality of Dr. Cheng, the main donor of Green Magic School. “Dr. Cheng is a good model for entrepreneurs and his achievement has honored his alma mater, NCKU,” President Lai acclaimed. President Lai said that Dr. Cheng’s endowment for scholarship or awards was not in name of his own, instead, he attributed all the achievements to people who made great contributions to Taiwan. “Mr. Cheng's endowments show his gratitude to educational institutions, his hopes for a stable society, and his dedication to advancing the nation as an entrepreneur,” said President Lai. Dr. Hwung-Hweng Hwung, the Senior Vice President of NCKU, appealed for more endowment from entrepreneurs to NCKU, who could make their dreams of contribution to societies come true. According to Professor Lin, the most stunning point of this green building is built with 100% of green construction materials. For example, firstly, the Portland blast-furnace slag cement, donated by China Steel Corp. at Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, can reduce the cement utilization by 30% as well as cut carbon emission by 10%. Furthermore, it can increase the solidity strength of concrete by 40%. Secondly, the light-weight ceramsite made by mud clay dredged from nearby reservoirs can be used for partition walls and ground soils on rooftop garden, so that the structural load can be lessened and the life duration of reservoirs can be extended as well as the water usage of rooftop garden could be significantly reduced because of the intrinsic porous structures in the ceramsite that could retain more water. Furthermore, the electric cords certified with Green Material Label and donated from Ta Ya Electric Wire & Cable Co. Ltd. is made exclusively from halogen-free plastics and will not generate any malignant substances, such as dioxin and halogen during incineration. Environmental friendly carpets and curtains, made from corn and recycled plastic bottles, respectively, are bestowed by Everest Textile Co. The NCKU Education Center of Subtropical Green Buildings, namely the Magic Green School, is also full with healthy concepts. For example, the coatings branded with “Care Milieu” provided from BioSun Technology Co. are bacterium-and-fungus-resistant, anti-fouling and self-cleaning as well as moisture adjustable. Furthermore, water-based wood coatings, donated from Yun Chun Ho International Co., with a certificate of healthy building materials label from the Architecture and Building Research Institute of the Ministry of the Interior, does not contain any formaldehyde and heavy metals. The bacterium-resistant steel plates, donated from Yieh Phui Enterprise Co., will be adopted in the ventilation system of the air-conditioners to maintain a good quality of healthy air. The Binchoutan (Japanese bamboo charcoal) implanted with silver nanoparticles, bestowed from Lifecharcoal Corp. will be embedded into the double-layer walls in the international conference hall of the Green Magic School to disinfect release and to absorb filthy odors and fatal gases. In addition, SanT ai Mining Co., Shan Huo Shan Mining Co., Kun Lian Co. and Taiwan Jade & Mineral Co., also conjointly made a gift donation of two hundred tons of healthy construction mineral rocks for building the NCKU Green Magic School. The beautiful serpentine supplied from Hualien County is to be used in the International Conference Hall, which is a basic stone that can emit far infrared ray as well as purify and quarantine indoor air to vitalize attendees. Furthermore, serpentine, if used in outdoor water gardens, can also clean up water and reduce propagation of bugs and mosquitoes.

NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EMCOR Group, Inc. (NYSE:EME), a Fortune 500® leader in mechanical and electrical construction, energy infrastructure and facilities services for a diverse range of businesses, reported that as previously noted on its 4/28/09 First Quarter Earnings Call, its subsidiary Welsbach Electric of Long Island has been awarded a contract to perform the electrical construction related to the installation and maintenance of a new energy efficient street lighting system and its maintenance in the Town of Islip on Long Island, New York. Welsbach Electric of Long Island will be responsible for installing and maintaining all components of a new and energy efficient “Induction Lighting System” for the streets within the Town of Islip. Induction is a new, innovative lighting system that outperforms convention systems in terms of functionality, cost efficiency, energy savings, and maintenance required. This project is in addition to Welsbach Electric’s current work for the Town of Islip to maintain all components of over 30,000 streetlights within its 105 square mile area. “We are extremely excited to be involved in this energy saving project for the Town of Islip,” said Joseph Florio, President and CEO of Welsbach Electric of Long Island. “We are an integral part of this community, so it means a great deal to us to be able to ensure that it receives the highest level of quality electrical service and results for which Welsbach Electric is so well known.”

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PŪRSOL today announced that it has formed a partnership with American Financial Strategies, Inc. (AFS) to develop marketing strategies that will facilitate the company’s planned expansion. American Financial Strategies also will assist PŪRSOL with introductions to the investor community. PŪRSOL is a leader in the distribution, marketing, and installation of quality solar products and systems. The company is currently expanding operations in the U.S. and abroad. “I am very pleased to have American Financial Strategies as a strategic partner,” commented Vince Aguon, CEO of PŪRSOL. “It had been very frustrating trying to raise expansion capital by going the traditional routes. American Financial Strategies offered my company a whole new and exciting direction. Because of their unique connections to the investment community, they greatly expedite the process of raising capital.” “American Financial Strategies is extremely proud to have formed an association with what we see as the leading edge in the development of solar energy alternatives,” enthused CEO Joel Lee Craft, Jr. “They offer both a superb management team and a powerful lineup of products and services that promise to have a tremendous impact on the future of energy usage in the United States and the world. We envision significant growth for PŪRSOL well into the 21st century.”

County Expects to See Savings of Nearly $1.2 Million Per Year in Part with Help from 84 IceBank Tanks Installed in Florida Buildings FAIR LAWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CALMAC, a leader in energy storage systems, is part of a project to save Hillsborough County, Florida up to $1.2 million per year. The county installed 84 CALMAC IceBank® Energy Storage tanks to work simultaneously with its existing chilled water plant to cool its entire office space in downtown Tampa. By installing IceBank and updating the previous cooling system, the county is reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the load on the power grid and saving money through the use of ice. CALMAC’s system creates ice at night which is then used the next day to cool county buildings, including the historic downtown courthouse, the 28-story county center and the school board building. A green and energy-resourceful way to cool buildings, the IceBank system is shifting the county’s energy consumption load to off-peak times when electric rates are lower and energy is produced more efficiently. "Hillsborough County operates over 1.5 million square feet of building space in downtown Tampa. During recent improvement projects, we identified an opportunity to reduce energy consumption in all county facilities with CALMAC's IceBank system," said Randy Klindworth, Hillsborough County energy manager. "Working with CALMAC, we are now able to efficiently cool our downtown buildings throughout the county, reducing our need for energy, which saves our taxpayers money." The two school district buildings connected to the chilled water loop network not only provide energy-efficient cooling, but they are generating revenue for the county from the sale of chilled water. This partnership enabled the school district to reduce construction costs with an environmental, economical solution. “Our IceBank Energy System is saving Hillsborough County money in terms of energy costs, plus generating revenue from the sale of chilled water, making the installation a lucrative business solution,” said Mark MacCracken, CALMAC CEO and USGBC Board Member. “Our IceBank System reduced peak energy consumption for all county buildings and immediately provided a return on investment.” Air-conditioning is the main driver of on-peak energy usage and the main culprit in electricity shortages. Throughout the day, as more air conditioning is needed to maintain comfortable temperatures, the demand for electricity increases the load already created by lighting, operating equipment, computers and other sources. CALMAC’s IceBank Energy Storage System shifts the building's energy demand from on-peak to off-peak times which decreases cooling costs by up to 40 percent and reduces both source energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

CENTURY CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Watt Plaza, a twin 23-story office tower complex encompassing 900,000 square feet in the heart of Century City, has been awarded Gold LEED Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance (EB O&M) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the first office building in Los Angeles to achieve this distinction in this category. Watt Plaza is one of five buildings in California and one of 12 buildings in the United States to be certified LEED EB O&M. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the U.S. Green Building Council’s primary rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient and high-performing buildings. LEED Certification of Watt Plaza was based on a number of green measures taken to positively impact the project itself, the broader community and reduce global climate change. These measures include: water conversation, waste recovery, alternative transportation options, energy efficiency measures, and an indoor air quality management program. Watt Plaza installed low-flow faucets, low-flush toilets and 88 water-free urinals – measures which save millions of gallons of water per year. Based on the Pacific Institute Water-to-Air Model, which correlates water and energy demands to calculate carbon dioxide emissions, the use of the water-free urinals alone reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 39,600 pounds per year. The team has also implemented a waste program that diverts 70% of all building waste to a materials recovery facility in addition to e-waste, battery, bulb and ballast recycling programs. Alternative transportation options include bicycle racks, promotion of increased participation in ridesharing and providing commuting information from various websites to building occupants. Energy efficiency measures encompass the following: achievement of a high Energy Star rating (benchmark of energy performance relative to similar buildings in similar climates) each year since 2004; installation of 3M Prestige Window film application throughout building interior; and installation of 2,231 occupancy sensors. The 3M window film rejects up to 79% of the heat that would otherwise come through the window; this can translate into a savings of about one ton of air conditioning for every 100 square feet of glass exposed to sunlight. In the colder winter months, the window film also works to reflect manmade heat back into the building, reducing heat loss by up to 30 percent. The indoor air quality management program includes: proper maintenance of outdoor air introduction and exhaust systems; a high performance cleaning program consisting of green certified products and equipment; safety guidelines and a periodic green cleaning custodial effectiveness audit, all of which result in the enhancement of indoor air quality, contributing to the comfort and well-being of the occupants. “We have made a significant effort to transform Watt Plaza into a shining example of environmental innovation,” said Nadine Watt, President of Watt Plaza. “We are thrilled to receive this much sought-after and prestigious certification, especially when you consider these buildings have been operational for over 25 years. This achievement underscores our deep-seeded commitment to protecting the environment and our desire to contribute to the growing strength of the green building movement.” The U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification system, which has become the nation’s benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, provides a measurement of performance for commercial buildings in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. “Watt Plaza’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Watt Plaza serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish.” Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has commended Watt Plaza for its commitment to the environment. “With this landmark certification, Watt Plaza has moved Los Angeles one step closer towards becoming the greenest big city in the world.”

Manufacturer’s Lighting division announces new products and services aimed at reducing energy consumption HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cooper Industries, a leading manufacturer of electrical products and components, has increased its broad line of energy-efficient lighting solutions with several innovative new products in 2009. These new additions, which are manufactured by the company’s Lighting division, were debuted this month at Lightfair International, the industry’s premier annual lighting event for architectural and commercial lighting products and services. “Technology and innovation in the area of lighting has quickly become a vital aspect of the broader movement towards increased energy-efficiency and responsible use of global resources,” said Cooper CEO Kirk Hachigian. “As this trend becomes ever more expansive, Cooper remains committed to delivering cutting edge technology in energy-efficient lighting, without compromising the traditional steadfast quality that customers around the world have come to expect from our company.” Among Cooper’s new product additions was the io radii 38 trackhead, which was named the Best of Category winner in Lightfair’s Innovation Awards in the Track, Low-Voltage, Cable & Rail Systems category. Offered in two light output options equivalent to either 90W PAR38 or 35W PAR30 ceramic metal halide lamps, radii features field interchangeable optics (10°, 25° and 50° beam spreads) and shielding media (cross blade baffle & snoot). Designed to last 50,000 hours, radii offers up to 70% energy savings when compared to 90W PAR halogen lamps. Additional interior products included the Halo Eco-Twist™ 5" and 6" aperture multi-wattage compact fluorescent (CFL) downlights. These next generation IC-rated and AIR-TITE™ housings utilize a new spiral twist compact fluorescent lamp and multi-wattage ballast system from Osram Sylvania allowing interchangeability of 16W, 21W or 28W lamps in a single housing. Designed to last over 10,000 hours, the Halo Eco-Twist downlights meet ENERGY STAR® and Title 24 High Efficacy compliance standards, as well as Washington State and New York State energy codes and the International Energy Conservation Codes High Efficacy compliance. Designed for use in commercial offices, schools, hospitals and retail merchandising areas, the Corelite Class RF Retrofit and the Metalux Optica HP High Performance T8 Parabolic Retrofit fixtures were introduced as energy-saving retrofit solutions. The luminaires offer the unique benefit of easily upgrading existing inefficient lighting systems with either T5 or T8 energy-efficient lamps and reducing the total number of lamps within a facility, which reduces energy cost. For outdoor applications, the new McGraw-Edison Generation LED Post Top Luminaire is an energy-saving outdoor fixture that combines aesthetics with superior photometric performance, offering even and uniform illumination without pixilation. The fixture’s unique modular LED light engine, which is designed to deliver illumination comparable to a 100W HID system while offering over 50% in energy savings, can also be purchased separately for retrofit applications of pre-existing Generation Series HID fixtures. Expanding on its LED outdoor line, the company showcased its latest LED product development initiatives that included a comprehensive offering of products featuring patented, highly efficient LED optical systems from its recent acquisition of Illumination Management Solutions, Inc. (IMS). The proprietary LED optical technology was featured in area roadway, decorative area, floodlighting, wall mount and low-level luminaires, which the company plans to commercialize throughout the year. “Cooper has been a leader in energy-efficient lighting technology for several years, with many industry-leading brands that offer forward-thinking lighting innovation for industrial, commercial and residential spaces,” continued Hachigian. “We are invested in the continued development of LED and energy-efficient lighting technology, and will tirelessly work towards delivering unrivaled lighting solutions to our customers around the world.”

Solar companies donate solar electric systems, time and expertise to noteworthy non-profit SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Five families participating in Habitat for Humanity’s new homeowner program will be moving into solar-powered homes this year as a result of an industry partnership coordinated by American Solar Electric. The solar electric systems are being donated by American Solar Electric to Habitat for Humanity as part of the company’s 2009 Community Outreach Program. The systems range in size from 2.73 to 3.15 kilowatts and are comprised of Kyocera high output 210-watt photovoltaic (PV) modules and high-efficiency Fronius IG and IG+ inverters. Electricity generated by the solar electric systems will be used to offset utility power, thereby reducing the cost of electricity for the new homeowners. The systems are forecasted to produce between 4,700 and 5,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity in their first year of production. “Even as our local economy has slowed, the local solar industry has continued to boom,” said Sean Seitz, president of American Solar Electric. “Thanks to our continued success and the contributions made by our employees and industry partners, we’ve been able to increase the number of solar projects we donate to Habitat for Humanity from two in 2008 to five in 2009.” “Solar systems are not only a great source of clean energy but they significantly lower monthly electricity bills as well,” said U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell. “At a time when many people are struggling economically, Habitat for Humanity’s energy efficient homes will help insulate these families from rising energy costs.” In addition to American Solar Electric’s donation of system components, employees of American Solar Electric and Kyocera are donating their time and expertise to install the systems. Additionally, Fronius has agreed to supply high-efficiency inverters for the projects at discounted prices. “The partnership with American Solar Electric has a significant impact on Habitat’s ability to build affordable homes,” said Roger Schwierjohn, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona. “We appreciate American Solar’s commitment to renewable energy and to the families we serve.” “We, at Kyocera, are pleased that our employees are volunteering their time to help Habitat for Humanity improve the human condition and the environment by installing pollution-free solar energy on homes,” stated Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar, Inc. “Fronius is excited to be a part of Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to create sustainable affordable housing,” said Gord Petroski, director, Fronius USA, Solar Division. “Long-term planning is a core value at Fronius, and we are proud our inverters will be a part of the systems that will help keep these homes affordable into the future.” It is the goal of Habitat for Humanity to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification on all five homes. One of the homes will be featured as part of the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo coming to Phoenix on November 11-13. This featured home has been designed to be a ‘net zero energy’ home; meaning the energy generated with renewable resources is as much energy as the homeowners would use on a net annual basis. Three homes are expected to be completed in the spring with two more this fall.

Luxury Oceania Condos in Hull, Massachusetts Sell at May 9th Auction QUINCY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Flynn / Boston Realty Advisors LLC, a Northeast firm specializing in accelerated real estate auction marketing, announced today the sale of seven condominiums for a combined $4.5 million at auction on Saturday, May 9. Flynn / Boston Realty Advisors coordinated the sale of the properties through their tactic of accelerated auction marketing to sell properties in challenging real estate markets. Oceania is a residential condominium development owned by Seven Hills LLC of Weymouth, MA. “As seen in the Oceania sale, accelerated marketing is ideal for owners looking to create activity and maximize values in an uncertain market,” said Auctioneer and Flynn / Boston Realty Advisors Principal, Dan Flynn. “It’s also a great opportunity for individuals to purchase luxury residences at affordable prices.” The condominium building consists of 16 newly constructed units with two to three bedrooms and many units include office/dens. The most popular features are the large balconies overlooking Cape Cod Bay and the Boston city skyline. Winning bids ranged from $530,000 for a 2,882 square foot unit to $875,000 for a 2,798 square foot penthouse unit with its own roof deck. These units originally came to the market listed for $1,225,000 and $1,425,000 respectively. One unit was designated to sell absolute, subject to no minimum bid or reserve price. The 2,338 square foot unit sold for $580,000. Bidders had to factor in a 5% buyers premium fee over their final bids. The auction took place in one of the subject units with more than 100 people in attendance. There were 25 registered bidders. Flynn / Boston Realty Advisors LLC currently has plans for similar auctions in several New England States.

Revolutionary Construction Software Offering Reduces Costs and Eliminates Unnecessary Support Payments TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CMiC, the leader in providing software solutions for the architectural, engineering and construction industry (AEC), has unveiled the first integrated software as a service for the construction industry, called CMiC On Demand. Utilizing a technologically advanced cloud-computing platform, CMiC On Demand allows AEC companies to employ the fully integrated CMiC software solution without a major investment into IT resources. “CMiC On Demand comes at a perfect time for the AEC industry,” said Bassem Hamdy, vice president, solutions, CMiC. “With the current economic conditions, companies are looking for methods to reduce costs and still maintain a competitive edge. Because it is software as a service, CMiC On Demand doesn’t cost overhead to use and can be up and running in a short period. And, with CMiC’s integrated approach, companies can eliminate support payments by eliminating multiple software vendors. CMiC On Demand changes the way software is used in the industry.” Divided into three categories, CMiC On Demand provides all the advantages of CMiC software, including the elimination of multiple data entry and the increased visibility to information. Standard is for organizations looking to optimize their business by replacing their current accounting and project management solution with the integrated CMiC Enterprise and CMiC Project Management. Enterprise is for organizations that need the full power of CMiC software. Includes CMiC Enterprise, CMiC Project Management, CMiC Imaging and Workflow, CMiC Collaboration and CMiC CRM. Project Lifecycle is for organizations that need a project management system and a secure collaborative environment. Includes CMiC Project Management, CMiC Project Costing, CMiC Customer Relationship Management and CMiC Docflow. “Any organization that is using one system for financials, another for project management and another for customer relationship management is wasting time and money,” said Hamdy. “In this economy, that waste could mean the difference between a company remaining profitable, and ultimately surviving the downturn, or falling to the wayside. Now is the time for contractors to consider upgrading their software system. There are already signs of the market improving, and companies that have CMiC On Demand in place will be well-positioned to lead the pack when the economy gets back on track.” Return on investment studies have shown that by integrating all aspects of your business, including financials and project management, with CMiC will reduce overheads costs by up to 70%. By using CMiC and eliminating multiple software vendors, software support payments can be significantly reduced. “CMiC On Demand is the next step in the evolution of construction ERP software,” said Gord Rawlins, president, CMiC. “The investment into CMiC’s technologically advanced infrastructure has been an obstacle for some companies who desired to utilize the industry leading construction software system. With CMiC On Demand, that obstacle has been removed, and companies that are able to take advantage of the sophisticated CMiC software solution without the commitment to investing in IT resources.”

TAMARAC, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The aftermath of a hurricane can be a devastating time. Adding insult to injury is the price tag that comes with restoring properties to pre-storm condition. In order to help people avoid the financial shock associated with weather-related home repairs, PuroClean is honoring National Hurricane Preparedness Week, held from May 24th to 30th, with an easy-to-follow guide for preparing homes for surge events. "The severity of hurricane season is largely unpredictable, and so is the extent to which the storms may wreak havoc on homes," said John Capponi, vice president of operations for PuroClean. "But by taking some preventative measures and having the necessary resources at hand, people can minimize their risk of severe damage, which will lessen the financial impact they will face after the storm." According to CNN, in 2008, damages from the Atlantic hurricanes were estimated at $54 billion. "Essentially, by protecting their homes, individuals will also be protecting their financial assets," said Capponi, who recommends that people take the following steps to secure their properties: Expect flooding – Unfortunately, flooding is an inevitable consequence of hurricanes. Prepare for the worst by clearing out basements and garages, and moving possessions to a higher level. Arrange board-up materials – All doors, windows and vents should be boarded prior to the storm. Pre-cut all wood to the specific size for each area to be covered and label them accordingly for quick reference. Properly equip doors – Make sure all doors are outfitted with at least three hinges. Install a dead bolt security lock for added protection against strong winds. Replace windows – Impact-resistant windows and doors are available and can be a smart investment for people. No temporary shutters are needed with these windows when they meet the standard local building codes. Secure shingles – Secure loose shingles on your roof by using a quick-setting asphalt cement to bond shingles together.

Completes 3 Projects for LEED Certification WHITTIER, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Underlining its commitment to the mounting business and energy conservation goals of its clients and communities, Oltmans Construction Co. of Whittier, CA announces the formation of the “Oltmans High Performance Building Program” and the completion of three major projects being submitted for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Tammy Spencer, LEED AP facilitator for Oltmans Construction Co., said the company is committed to sustainable development and “green” building practices as part of the overall integrated project delivery approach for a “collaborative, value-based process” in delivering high-performance buildings. “As part of our commitment to our clients and the communities we do business in, Oltmans’ HPB program combines the talents of our experienced staff for early costs and benefit analysis to determine the best strategy to meet our client’s business and environmental goals. Our LEED-AP accredited staff supports the process from early design through the final project completion,” Spencer said. Spencer emphasized that Oltmans recently completed three projects with the intent of submitting them for LEED certification. They are Corona Summit in Corona, CA, comprising three speculative office buildings totaling 282,000 square feet to be submitted for LEED CS (core and shell) certification; the ProLogis/Home Depot “rapid deployment center” in Redlands, CA, a 662,000 square foot build-to-suit project submitted for LEED NC (new construction) certification, and a 28,000 square foot industrial building renovation project for Urban Offerings in Los Angeles submitted for LEED CS Gold certification. For each project, said Spencer, Oltmans Construction worked closely with the developer’s LEED teams, which included Zinner Consultants of Santa Monica and M.E. Group, Inc., a national company, as well as the client’s architectural and engineering firms. Among the key “green” features of these facilities, Spencer explained, are: • Alternate Transportation – Preferred parking is provided for low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles, as well as for carpools and vanpools to reduce automobile pollution. Bike racks and shower facilities are provided for those who bike to work. Some facilities are located near public transportation access to promote public transit use and reduce impacts from automobiles. • Stormwater Management – Includes design features to reduce impacts on natural hydrology, minimize stormwater runoff, and improve project water quality. • Water Use Reduction – Reduces potable water by the installation of a water efficient irrigation system from reclaimed water systems and includes the use of xeriscape landscaping. Restrooms are equipped with low-flow and battery sensor operated fixtures. • Energy and Atmosphere – Enhanced commissioning of base building systems was completed to ensure optimal performance. Optimized energy performance of the building’s mechanical and electrical systems by using higher performing HVAC equipment and T-5 lighting. • Materials and Resources – Recycled or reused non-hazardous construction and demolition waste. Utilized recycled content for building products and regional materials to reduce the environmental impact resulting from transportation. • Indoor Environmental Quality – Increased air ventilation to improve air quality. Low-emitting interior finishes were used to reduce air contaminants. • Adaptive Reuse – Reused over 65% of existing building structure and envelope following mitigation of all environmental contaminates. • Heat Island Effect – Reduced by utilizing light color concrete and shading elements and installation of new reflective “cool roof.” • Green Power - A contract for renewable energy to provide a minimum 70% of the building’s power for a period of two years, with option to renew. • Daylight and Views – Skylights and windows added to achieve higher percentage of natural daylight. • Green Education – Signage explaining the building’s LEED elements are placed in the building for educational purposes, augmented by building tours. • Green Housekeeping – A low environmental impact cleaning policy, including the use of non-toxic cleaning supplies for building maintenance. “The demand for high performing buildings is on the rise and green building practices are quickly becoming mainstream as a result of rising energy costs, scarce water resources and a heightened awareness of environmental concerns. It’s not just about the social benefits of being green; it’s a sustainable economic investment,” Spencer said.

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets has announced the addition of John Wiley and Sons Ltd's new report "The Integrative Design Guide to Green Building: Redefining the Practice of Sustainability" to their offering. A whole-building approach to sustainability The integrative design process offers a new path to making better green building decisions and addressing complex issues that threaten living systems. In The Integrative Design Guide to Green Building: Redefining the Practice of Sustainability, 7group's principals and integrative design pioneer Bill Reed introduce design and construction professionals to the concepts of whole building design and whole systems. With integrative thinking that reframes what sustainability means, they provide a how-to guide for architects, designers, engineers, developers, builders, and other professionals on incorporating integrative design into every phase of a project. This practical manual: Explains the philosophy and underpinnings of effective integrative design, addressing systems thinking and building and community design from a whole-living system perspective Details how to implement integrative design from the discovery phase to occupancy, supported by process outlines, itemized tasks, practice examples, case studies, and real-world stories illustrating the nature of this work Explores the deeper understanding of integration that is required to transform architectural practice and our role on the planet This book, both practical and thoughtful, will help you deliver your vision of a sustainable environment.

OAK BROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Whether now is the precise time to purchase your dream home or not, there are certainly more than just a few good reasons to purchase – especially for first time buyers, according to John B. Bearden, president & CEO of GMAC Real Estate. This month, 30-year mortgage rates of 5 percent are widely available and down from January's already low 5.8 percent. And rates are down a full two percentage points from August of last year. "What many consumers are not hearing is that despite a turbulent real estate market, mortgages are at historic lows," said Bearden. "Compared to just last summer, 30-year fixed rate mortgages are about two points lower." So what does this mean – especially for a first time buyer? Buying power. A lot more buying power. For instance, with the lower rates, a home buyer could save $257 per month ($3,084 per year) on their payment toward a $200,000 mortgage versus if they had recently obtained a 30-year fixed interest rates compared with August of last year. On a $200,000, 30-year fixed rate mortgage at 5 percent, the monthly payment would be $1,073 – compared with $1,330 for a 7 percent mortgage, the national average for a 30-year fixed rate last summer. According to national mortgage statistics, here's a breakdown of how much further a home buyer’s dollar goes on a $200,000 mortgage as rates continue to hover at historically low levels: 7 percent mortgage: $1,330 monthly payment (rates in August 2008) 6 percent mortgage: $1,199 monthly payment (rates in December 2008) 5 percent mortgage: $1,073 monthly payment (rates in May 2009) "When you combine record low interest rates, low prices and the federal government's tax credit for first time home buyers, and the mortgage interest deduction, there are certainly a lot of positive reasons to make the case for buying versus renting right now," Bearden said.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (NYSE: ACS) will administer the state of Louisiana’s program to rebuild affordable rental property damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The two-year contract has a not-to-exceed amount of $37.5 million. ACS will oversee construction as well as administer eligibility and grant determination for the Small Rental Property Program, which provides federal funding for property owners to repair their storm-damaged small-scale rental properties and rent them to low- and moderate-income tenants. Created in 2006, the program has awarded more than $61 million in grants to rebuild more than 1,300 rental units. Nearly 82,000 rental units received significant damage from Katrina and Rita, which accounts for 40 percent of all housing damaged in the storms. “By creating more affordable rental housing for the people of Louisiana, we can accelerate economic growth and recovery in the areas hit hardest by the storms,” said Paul Rainwater, executive director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. “ACS has a proven track record and the ability to quickly implement a solution to benefit program participants.” The Small Rental Property program is part of The Road Home program, the largest single housing recovery program in U.S. history, developed to help residents get back into a home or apartment as quickly and fairly as possible. “For more than 25 years, ACS has provided the state of Louisiana with dependable, innovative services,” said Joe Doherty, executive vice president and group president of ACS Government Solutions Group. “Immediately after Hurricane Katrina, ACS assisted by providing critical services, including creation of the 1-888-LAHELPU citizen assistance line and ensuring that parents would receive child support payments in a timely manner. Through our agreement with the Louisiana Recovery Authority, ACS will continue to show its commitment to helping the residents of Louisiana in the recovery process.”

Non-ozone-depleting refrigerant LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MovinCool® announced that it has upgraded all models in its Office Pro® and Classic Plus lines of portable spot air conditioners, as well as its latest ceiling-mounted CM12 model, to use the environmentally friendly refrigerant R-410A. Unlike hydrochlorofluorcarbon-based refrigerants such as R22 (Freon), R-410A does not contain greenhouse gases, which contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. “As a company, we are committed to offering environmentally friendly products, and are proud to be continuing to lead our industry sector in this direction,” said John Doran, senior manager, Commercial and Industrial Systems. “We are certain that our customers will appreciate our efforts.” MovinCool’s portable spot air conditioners provide emergency, supplemental and seasonal cooling and moisture removal for a wide variety of applications, including server and telecom rooms, data centers, offices, warehouses, assembly lines, manufacturing processes and outdoor events. In addition, MovinCool’s ultracompact, ceiling-mounted CM12 spot air conditioner offers an efficient and cost-effective solution for applications where space is at a premium, such as server and telecom closets. MovinCool, the world’s largest manufacturer of spot air conditioners, is a brand of DENSO Corporation. In the 1980s, DENSO pioneered the concept of workspace spot cooling to meet its own factory needs in Japan. Since then, MovinCool has developed a wide range of portable and ceiling-mount air conditioning systems for many different applications.

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today that a range of its Kawneer architectural aluminum products are contributing to the “green” campus of the newly constructed $625 million Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. The facility incorporates Kawneer products that maximize daylighting and thermal performance, including curtain wall, sunshades and thermally broken windows and doors. Kawneer’s curtain wall envelopes much of the vibrant colorful palette of the hospital’s exterior and adds both light and drama to the four-story atrium that extends to the rooftop healing garden. Kawneer windows, overhead glazing, and curtain wall systems promote healthy, natural light. Studies show natural light speeds up the body’s healing process and promotes health. In each of the nine floors of the hospital, fixed and operable windows make the space lighter and brighter, contributing to an enhanced therapeutic environment. In addition, throughout the facility, Kawneer thermal entrances and framing systems help improve energy performance while Kawneer’s 1600 SunShade® product helps to reduce solar heat gain. “Kawneer’s energy efficient aluminum products and systems help to strengthen the link between the quality of the environment and a healthier outcome. The sustainable design of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh will benefit the patients, the parents, and the community for years to come,” said Kawneer Territory Sales Manager Andy Zubal.

Community Power Project Makes Solar Energy More Affordable Than Ever Before PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arizona Public Service (APS) is launching an innovative pilot project in Flagstaff that ultimately could provide a substantial increase in the number of solar rooftops statewide. As envisioned in a proposal filed today with the Arizona Corporation Commission, the APS Community Power Project will bring solar panels to the rooftops of homes and businesses with no upfront costs to customers. These panels will become, in essence, an interconnected renewable power plant. This pilot project will enable APS to measure system impacts and to better understand the total customer experience with technology. APS will own, operate and receive energy from solar panels on eligible customer rooftops. The company will hire solar contractors to install and maintain the systems. Customers will receive an attractive long-term Community Power Rate for the solar portion of their bill, which will remain fixed at a guaranteed level – approximately equivalent to what they pay today – for 20 years. “The APS Community Power Project will provide our customers another easy option to ‘go solar’ while further accelerating the solar industry in Arizona. The project eliminates upfront costs of more than $10,000 to each customer, which we know from our experience has been a major deterrent to distributed solar systems here and elsewhere,” said APS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Don Brandt. “We want to make solar energy affordable to everyone.” APS intends to generate 1.5 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the Community Power Project. Under the current plan, 200 to 300 qualified participants will be interconnected with the electrical grid along a single electric distribution area, or “feeder,” called Sandvig 4 in northeast Flagstaff. This area, which serves approximately 3,000 residential and business customers, is bounded by Wupatki Trail to the north, Railhead Avenue to the south, Kochfield Road to the east and Timberline Estates to the west. Additionally, APS will install utility-scale banks of solar panels and small wind turbines in the test area. The company also plans to install 50 solar water heaters in the pilot area on homes of customers with limited incomes. The APS Community Power Project will benefit from ongoing Smart Grid initiatives in Flagstaff, where automated meters and switches on lines and substation equipment are being installed to provide enhanced two-way communications with APS. The technologies will improve responsiveness and reliability and eventually lead to other innovations and customer benefits. While the investment in the pilot project will total $14.7 million, it will not result in an increase to customer bills because much of the funding is included in the Renewable Energy Standard surcharge already collected. Arizona’s RES requires 15 percent of APS’s generation to come from renewable resources by 2025. “The Arizona Corporation Commission has shown great leadership and support of renewable energy and solar power in particular,” said Brandt. “We believe this is the type of innovation they have encouraged, and they will be vital partners as we test the possibilities for community-powered solar energy in Arizona.” APS plans to use renewable energy to meet 1,600 MW of the more than 4,000 MW of growth in energy consumption expected over the next 15-20 years. While much of this energy will come from central power stations such as Solana, a 280-MW concentrating solar facility planned for 2012 near Gila Bend, Ariz., 30 percent of the RES is required to be generated from distributed sources, such as rooftop solar installations. “This project provides great advantages to all Arizonans because of its broad-based benefits to the environment and to the economy. The initiative also stimulates the market for solar manufacturers and installers,” said Brandt. “On the APS side, we will be the first utility in the nation to offer a fixed rate in exchange for hosting a system. We also will be one of the first to study and fully understand the impact on the electrical system when high concentrations of consumers are producing renewable energy that goes on the grid.”

Ameriprise Financial Center named first building in Minneapolis to receive LEED-Existing Building certification MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ameriprise Financial (NYSE: AMP) today announced that the Ameriprise Financial Center has received LEED®-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings) silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It is the first building in Minneapolis to receive this prestigious designation. Fewer than 250 buildings in the world, and only four others in Minnesota, are currently LEED-EB certified. The company’s Client Service Center is also being considered for certification. “Ensuring that our buildings operate at maximum efficiency is the right thing to do for our business and for the environment,” said Kathy Stalwick, vice president of enterprise real estate at Ameriprise Financial. “Pursuing LEED-EB certification underscores our dedication to implementing continuous sustainability measures and achieving minimal environmental impact from both of our Minneapolis buildings.” To achieve LEED-EB certification, Ameriprise Financial worked with facility managers at CB Richard Ellis to perform a comprehensive review of all building operations, with a focus on energy reducing functions, environmental sustainability and green cleaning practices. The Ameriprise Financial Center, 707 Second Ave. South, and Client Service Center, 901 Third Ave. South, also received the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR award in 2007 and 2008. The buildings opened in 2000 and 2002 respectively, and are two of the city’s largest office towers with nearly 2 million square feet of combined office space. More than 5,000 Ameriprise Financial employees currently work in the buildings.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich.– KitchenAid brand’s new 36-inch freestanding grill recently was named a 2009 Vesta Award Finalist in the gas barbeque category. The awards, presented by Hearth & Home magazine, recognize and honor companies and products for innovation in design and/or technology in the hearth and outdoor room categories. “Outdoor entertainment areas turn the yard into an additional, usable living area. And, with the KitchenAid freestanding grill, outdoor entertaining becomes easier, more fun and homeowners will want to do it more often,” said Tracy Frye, senior marketing manager at Whirlpool Corporation. “Built on the quality and sophistication of the KitchenAid brand, builders and designers can now offer homeowners an industry-recognized freestanding grill equipped with user-friendly monitoring indicators.” Grill aficionados will appreciate the user-interactive LED system, which provides outdoor cooks with further control for both timing foods on the grill and tracking cooking fuel. This system includes Flame Time(TM), a timer that will shut the grill off, based on a specific set time; a Fuel Time Remaining indicator that audibly and visually indicates when fuel is low and specifies the cooking time left with remaining fuel; and an easily programmable independent digital timer that can be used simultaneously with Flame Time(TM) for tracking several different dishes at once. A Flare-Up Management System effectively channels dripping oils and grease away from burners to help reduce flare-ups and messes. Removable drip trays and a pull-out tank drawer simplify cleaning of the grill’s interior and installation of propane tanks. Other thoughtful design elements include BBQ tool and towel hangers, foldable shelves and large, commercial-style casters — two of which can be locked, for easy maneuvering. This year marks the 9th Annual Vesta Awards program honoring Innovation in Design & Technology for both Hearth and Outdoor Room Products.

New Duet(R)Front-load Washer and Dryer Offer Unsurpassed Efficiency with Industry-Leading Technology With eco-efficiency and smart design in mind, the new Whirlpool brand Duet(R)washer and dryer pair gives wasted energy, water, time and money the one-two punch. The new Eco Normal cycle on the Duet Resource Saver(TM)dryer offers a precise set of heat and moisture detection sensors, which improve dryer energy usage by 40 percent when used together saving $837 in energy and water utility expenses over the first five years of use*. In a recent Whirlpool Corporation survey, consumers said the dryer was the appliance that used the most energy on a day-to-day basis, second only to the refrigerator; unlike washers, there are no energy usage guidelines for dryers, contributing to this perception. Whirlpool brand developed smart dryer technology to more effectively detect moisture in clothes, avoiding over-drying and wasted time and energy. Together, the new Duet washer and dryer are the brands most eco-friendly pair to-date. The new Duet washer uses 74 percent less water and 80 percent less energy than a traditional top load washer. With spin speeds of up to 1,300 revolutions per minute (RPM) in the washer and smart moisture sensors in the dryer, consumers can wash and dry a load from start to finish in little more than 30 minutes**, getting more done in less time. For up to six hours after the wash cycle ends, the industry first TumbleFresh feature on the new Duet washer tumbles clean clothes periodically. In doing so, clothes are loosened and freshened to reduce the potential for odor and wrinkles to set-in, as compared to clothes left stagnant for the same period of time.

Transforms Wastewater into Superior Drinking Water for 500,000 Residents WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Orange County Groundwater Replenishment System in Fountain Valley, Calif., has been named the year’s best engineering achievement in the 43rd Engineering Excellence Awards, sponsored by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). Designed by CDM, the Groundwater Replenishment System is the world’s largest facility for transforming wastewater, previously discarded into the ocean, into premium drinking water. The project was chosen from 168 projects from throughout the world for its innovative engineering design and impact on society. Located in drought-plagued Orange County, California, the project includes a multi-stage cleansing process that produces 70 million gallons per day of recycled water that exceeds drinking water standards. The water is added after treatment to a major underground aquifer—the district’s primary water source. The additional water source satisfies the needs of 144,000 households or about half a million residents. The landmark water purification system moves beyond engineering recycled wastewater for agriculture or landscape applications, to creating a superior drinking water source and a new model for critical large-scale water supply projects worldwide.

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets has announced the addition of John Wiley and Sons Ltd's new report "Low Energy Cooling for Sustainable Buildings" to their offering. The book presents a broad overview on low energy cooling technologies for energy efficient buildings. The energy demand of residential and office buildings is analysed first, complete with experimental results on fasçades and summer performances. Solutions for buildings whose cooling energy demand are low are considered in the first half of the book. These include the following: passive cooling strategies, such as passive night ventilations (explored with a simulation of passive cooling potential); geothermal heat exchangers for cooling, accessed in chapter four; and active thermal cooling technologies (including absorption and desiccant cooling), with monitoring results detailed in chapter five. These solutions are discussed as possible replacements for electrically powered compression chillers. The next chapter is larger, detailing solutions for cooling systems that are required for high cooling loads. Chapter six covers sustainable building operation using simulation; of solar cooling systems, online simulation of buildings and renewable energy plants. The potential for rational energy use through optimization of operational performance is shown. This long-awaited reference guide provides a complete overview of low energy cooling systems for buildings, covering a wide range of existing and emerging sustainable energy technologies in one comprehensive volume. An excellent data source on cooling performance, such as building loads or solar thermal chiller efficiencies, it is essential reading for building services and renewable energy engineers and researchers covering sustainable design. The book is unique in including a large set of experimental results from years of monitoring actual building and energy plants, as well as detailed laboratory and simulation analyses. These demonstrate which systems really work in buildings, what the real costs are and how operation can be optimized crucial information for planners, builders and architects to gain confidence in applying new technologies in the building sector. Inside you will find valuable insights into: - the energy demand of residential and office buildings - facades and summer performance of buildings - passive cooling strategies - geothermal cooling - active thermal cooling technologies, including absorption cooling, desiccant cooling and new developments in low power chillers - sustainable building operation using simulation Supporting case study material makes this a useful text for senior undergraduate students on renewable and sustainable energy courses. Practical and informative, it is the best up-to-date volume on the important and rapidly growing area of cooling.

WEST CHESTER, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Weston Solutions, Inc. (WESTON®) announced today its completion of field work of a $13.6 million Task Order by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District (Corps), to undertake a removal action for Discarded Military Munitions (DMM) at the Public Beaches of Surf City and Ship Bottom Long Beach Island, New Jersey. The WESTON-led project team mobilized the week of January 20, 2009 and completed work May 1, 2009—nearly three weeks ahead of schedule and in time for the tourist season at Surf City and Ship Bottom. Other team members included Sevenson Environmental Services Inc., Rettew Associates Inc. and Seismic Surveys, Inc. In completing the project, the team removed 1,915 Discarded Military Munitions and munitions debris and sifted approximately 390,000 cubic yards of sand from the dune, berm, and surf zone areas of the beach through excavation. The material was subsequently backfilled and regraded to the pre-sifting condition across the beach. In the surf zone, magnetometer surveys identified anomalies and digging occurred at those locations to investigate and remove any potential munitions. In addition, the team replaced 21 pedestrian crossovers, 3 vehicular crossovers, 1 handicap crossover, 56 private crossovers, and 8,100 linear feet of sand fencing. According to Patrick G. McCann, WESTON President and CEO, “As with every project we complete, our goal is to safely perform our work to the satisfaction of our clients. From the beginning, WESTON and our project stakeholders, including the Corps, the Boroughs of Surf City and Ship Bottom, and the State Department of Environmental Protection, all agreed on a common goal—to safely open the public beaches in Surf City and Ship Bottom by May 22. Thanks to a strong team effort despite some rather challenging weather conditions, we have been able to exceed this goal and return the beaches to use well in advance of the summer tourist season. The fact that our team put nearly 60,000 hours of work into this project without a lost time incident is also a very important accomplishment.” The WESTON team today also donated bags of clean sand from the project and, in concert with the Philadelphia and Baltimore Districts of the Corps of Engineers, will be working with the Boroughs to spread this sand at locations within the Bay Beach Park. Additionally team members installed street marker signs on the beaches of Surf City and Ship Bottom at each pedestrian cross-over to provide the public and safety officials assistance in identifying their beach location.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Small Business Administration reminds homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations located in Mississippi of the deadline to submit disaster loan applications for damage caused by the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred March 25 – 28, 2009. The deadline to file an application for physical damage is June 1, 2009. Homeowners, renters, non-profit organizations and businesses of all sizes in the following counties are eligible to apply for physical disaster assistance: Copiah, Covington, Hinds, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Rankin, Simpson and Smith. The SBA offers loans up to $200,000 to repair disaster damaged primary residences. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to replace personal property such as furniture, appliances and clothing. Loans to businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations are available up to $2 million to repair damage to real estate, machinery, inventory and equipment. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available to small businesses, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. Interest rates are as low as 2.187 percent for homeowners and renters and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Additionally, disaster victims with insurance should not wait for an insurance settlement before applying to the SBA. If victims do not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, the SBA will consider making a loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay their SBA loan. The SBA also offers mitigation funds to disaster victims based on 20 percent of the verified physical damage. These funds are designed to help borrowers pay for protective measures which may prevent damages of the same kind in the future.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Institute of Architects (AIA), in conjunction with The AIA California Council, (AIACC) has just released Experiences in Collaboration: On the Path to IPD, a new document in a series of resources focusing on Integrated Project Delivery. This document was developed from the working knowledge of more than 30 participants, including architects and engineers involved in the design and construction industry, who have actual experience using this delivery method. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is gaining momentum. A range of projects are in development or have been completed utilizing the principles of IPD. However, it is also clear that many professions are struggling to understand “how” to make it work; questioning “what is the value and impact” to business and professional practices? In lieu of exhaustive case studies, in 2008, The AIA California Council’s IPD committee organized an initiative to pull together practitioners involved in projects that were based on the IPD methodology or specific concepts of IPD. The basis of this initiative was focused on “anecdotal” lessons learned, as hard data was not yet available. The document presents the highlights from the symposium of industry leaders and captures the conversations discussed as a basis of applied principles to utilize when embarking upon an IPD project. The AIA has a long history of promoting this collaborative delivery model. In spring of 2007, The American Institute of Architects, California Council published Integrated Project Delivery: A Working Definition, describing IPD. Then, in fall 2007, in conjunction with The American Institute of Architects, National office, Integrated Project Delivery: A Guide was published.

May is National Electric Safety Month PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electric energy use is typically on the rise during warmer weather, so PECO suggests “there is no time like the present” to conduct an electrical home inspection. During National Electrical Safety Month in May, PECO encourages everyone to make sure your home is safe from electrical hazards to prevent injury and property damage. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), it’s estimated more than 50 million homes and buildings have outdated or inadequate electrical wiring. “Electrical hazards have a tendency to remain hidden until it’s too late to avoid disaster. Don’t let the small cost of prevention stand in the way of protecting your family and your property,” says Doug Mokoid, PECO manager, Safety. “There are many things you can inspect on your own to ensure electrical safety in your home.” Spending more time outside? Awareness and safety go hand-in-hand. PECO cautions homeowners about the potential for accidents as many of us begin spring cleaning, outdoor landscaping and home improvement projects. For residents considering roof repairs, exterior painting, landscaping or building a patio, a few simple precautions can help avoid an accident: Working Safely Outdoors: -Look up, stay away, stay alive – even momentary contact with electric lines can injure or kill. This applies to lines attached to utility poles as well as those entering buildings. Always keep yourself, your equipment, and anything you carry at least 10 feet away from power lines. -Be aware of power lines that run through tree limbs and branches. Climbing or trimming trees near power lines is dangerous. Trees located near aerial power lines should always be trimmed by a qualified contractor. -Never touch or go near electrical equipment. -Never touch anything electrical if you are wet or standing in water. If you see a fallen power line, STAY AWAY. -Don't climb power poles or trees near power lines. -If you see anything marked "Danger," "High Voltage," or "Keep Out," STAY AWAY! -Be sure to use extension cords marked for outdoor use. An indoor extension cord used outdoors can result in electric shock or cause a fire hazard. -Call a licensed professional if your home repairs require work near power lines. PECO also offers the following general safety reminders. Inspect Your Home for Electrical Safety: -Check the cords of the appliances in your home as well as the plugs and connectors. Make sure that they are not frayed, cracked or damaged, placed under rugs or carpets, resting on furniture, or located in high traffic areas. Do not nail or staple cords to walls, floors or any other objects. -If you have young children, make sure safety covers are used on unused outlets and outlets are not overloaded with too many appliance plugs. -Examine electrical cords to make sure they are not frayed, damaged or placed under rugs or carpets. Extension cords should be used on a temporary basis only because they are not intended for use as permanent household wiring. -Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in areas that can get wet such as the kitchen, bathrooms or outdoors. A GFCI is an inexpensive electrical safety device. GFCIs should be tested monthly to ensure they are working properly. It’s estimated more than two-thirds of the roughly 300 electrocutions occurring each year in and around the home could be prevented if GFCIs were installed. -An older home may be inadequately wired for today’s electrical usage, so to avoid the risk of fire or electric shock, hire a licensed professional to replace worn and outdated circuitry and add additional outlets to accommodate appliances and electronics. If an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse, trips a circuit breaker or gives you an electrical shock, immediately unplug, repair or replace it.

Hotel Designed to Achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver Rating From the U.S. Green Building Council CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cubellis, an international architecture, interior design and engineering firm is pleased to announce that the firm has completed work on Hotel Felix, Chicago’s first hotel designed to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. Originally designed in 1926, the former Hotel Wacker has given way to the redeveloped Hotel Felix, suitably positioned in one of the nation’s leading “green” cities. The property now boasts an innovative, eco-friendly boutique hotel with efficiencies and key design elements inspired by natural elements, while lessening environmental impact. Additionally, the 12-story eco-friendly boutique hotel features a lobby bar overlooking a quiet neighborhood, an Asha wellness spa, three small conference rooms, and comfortable guest rooms with sophisticated details and outfitted with top-of-the-line technology. The hotel’s restaurant, Elate, will open in summer 2009 and feature eclectic American cuisine. “This was an exciting design project because the facility was not only refurbished to accommodate the discerning eco-friendly traveler, but subsequently provides all new sustainable services for the hotel staff as well,” said David R. LaPlaca, AIA, Associate, Architecture at Cubellis. “It was amazing to see how when we started removing the old windows and miscellaneous masonry infill to recreate the original terra cotta frames openings, how light flooded the ground floor lobby and restaurant, creating a dynamic environment for everyone! Even the basement, designed to contain the hotel offices, a new data center, and laundry facilities for the hotel, was transformed with the addition of an employee lounge equipped with locker rooms and showers. Bike storage is provided in the basement for employees who ride to work, and a recycling room was also provided to support the hotels extensive recycling program. The hotel is a testament to exceptional design and is a well thought-out space that keeps everyone feeling connected to sustainability, without sacrificing the luxe appeal of the property.” Gettys provided interior design, procurement, and program management services for the hotel. “Designing for LEED certification is an important capability in our practice,” says Michael Maurer, AIA, Principal with Gettys. “Working closely with Cubellis, the project engineers and the Owner, we were able to identify the cost and benefit to the hotel of every LEED point and allow the Owner to make highly informed decisions. In the end, we created an upscale design that is warm, clean, and contemporary, where guests can feel environmentally responsible and not sacrifice any luxury in doing so.” The hotel’s LEED-related features include in-room motion sensors to control the thermostat, allowing the heating and cooling to automatically adjust based upon the guests use of the room, installation of recycled products in everything from artwork to fabrics and surfaces, flooring and wall coverings. Organic materials, renewable resources, and energy efficient plumbing, heating and air conditioning add to the benefits. Recycled materials, low-emitting paints, carpets, and a green cleaning program are used throughout. Ancillary benefits that helped this property meet LEED certifications include the close proximity to public transportation so employees and guests can choose alternative methods of arrival and departure. Hotel guests arriving in a hybrid auto receive complimentary valet parking.

Lamp That Integrates Quantum Dot Technology to Be Demonstrated at Lightfair 2009; Breakthrough Technology Combines Warm, Rich Color with LED Efficiency, Providing 2700K, 90+ CRI at 65 Lumens Per Watt NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nexxus Lighting, Inc. (NASDAQ:NEXS) and QD Vision, Inc. today unveiled the world’s first quantum dot lighting solution that combines the efficiency of LED lighting with the warm color of incandescent bulbs. The new lamp integrates a quantum dot optic with cool white LEDs to produce color-rich, true incandescent, warm white light which can provide over 80% energy savings and lasts up to 25 times longer than comparable halogen lighting alternatives. Architects and the lighting design community have been demanding a higher CRI LED product without the efficacy losses typically associated with these lamps. The new Quantum Light™ optic developed by QD Vision, integrated with Nexxus Lighting’s patented Array™ Lamp designs and patent pending technology, solves this critical issue. The Nexxus Lighting ArrayTM lamp with the Quantum LightTM optic delivers a true incandescent, warm white, 2700 degree Kelvin lamp with a color rendering index of 90 or greater at over 65 lumens per watt. The companies will demonstrate the product and technology at Lightfair International 2009 at the Javits Center in New York, New York, May 5 - 7, 2009, Booth #675. The Array Lighting Quantum Light™ solution for all Nexxus Lighting Array Par 30, MR 16 and Par 16 lamps is expected to be available in the 4th quarter of 2009, with volume production in early 2010. “Nexxus Lighting’s new Array LED lamp line is a perfect application for our quantum dot technology,” said Dan Button, President and CEO of QD Vision. “This productive partnership, combining QD Vision’s Quantum Light™ optic and the leading design capabilities of Nexxus Lighting, has resulted in a product the market has long been demanding – lamps with exceptional color quality and power efficiency together.” “We are excited to add this new high color rendering, true incandescent warm white color choice to our successful Array™ LED lamp product offering,” stated Mike Bauer, President and CEO of Nexxus Lighting. “The architectural lighting community has been clear in its demand for better color rendering performance in LED lighting, without sacrificing the efficacy gains you can achieve through solid state solutions.” The product resulting from the Nexxus Lighting/QD Vision partnership was recently demonstrated at a White House ceremony, in which President Obama announced a $1.6 billion disbursement of research funds for clean energy products. The Nexxus Lighting/QD Vision project was one of only four technologies spun out of MIT that were demonstrated at the event, which featured remarks by MIT President Susan Hockfield. Because the Nexxus Lighting Array lamps with Quantum LightTM are compatible with a standard, screw-in ‘Edison’ base, they can easily replace incandescent and halogen lamps in existing downlight fixtures. Just in the US, the DoE estimates, the number of down lights and track heads with Edison base lamp installations equal over 139 million in commercial applications and over 262 million in residential lighting applications. Both companies expect that commercial availability of their high efficiency lamps with high color quality will overcome a major barrier to LEDs and will accelerate the penetration of LEDs in the $4 billion U.S. lamp market. The potential impact on the environment could be significant, a full conversion to LEDs of existing downlights and trackheads in the US (~10% of US fixtures) represents an annual savings of more than 35 billion KW hours (nearly $4 billion), which is the equivalent of nearly 6 power plants or more than 60 million barrels of oil per year.

AUBURN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pacific Power Management LLC (PPM), announced today that they have completed the finance, design and installation of an 800 kW power plant for Sierra Aluminum Company (Sierra Aluminum) in Fontana, CA under a power purchase agreement (PPA). Pacific Power Management’s PPA program allows clients to install a power plant and buy solar power directly from PPM with a long term agreement and no capital investment. The state-of-the-art system at Sierra Aluminum is comprised of 4,488 Mitsubishi Electric 180 watt modules and 2 SatCon 500 kW inverters. The system performance will be monitored by Pacific Power Management's proprietary web accessible, SolarWatch™ for real-time production measurement. Shayne Seever, Vice President of Administration for Sierra Aluminum Company stated, “Sierra Aluminum Company strongly believes in sustainable energy and the responsible use of it. Over the years we have invested in many projects to reduce our energy usage and our impact on the environment. This solar power system is one more example of that commitment. We are especially pleased to be able to almost completely power one of our manufacturing plants with green energy. In fact, aluminum extrusions manufactured locally by Sierra Aluminum are on the roof of this building supporting the solar panels which include extrusions that contain over 40% recycled material.” The cost of the system's installation will be partially offset with $1.7 million in solar rebates from SCE and is expected to generate 1.4 million kWh per year; meeting approximately 60-70 percent of the total energy requirements of Sierra Aluminum’s manufacturing plant. The high-performance system will help reduce Sierra’s carbon footprint by displacing over 48 million pounds of carbon dioxide and provide enough power to supply 2800 homes over a 25-year period. Kelly McMahon, Director of Sales for Pacific Power Management said, “It’s a very positive sign to see a company like Sierra Aluminum thinking about its impact on the environment and demonstrating its commitment to the planet by using solar energy. There are many companies like Sierra Aluminum throughout the state that will soon be required to lower their carbon emissions due to California’s AB32. Solar power is the answer to this issue and Pacific Power Management is working with many other large commercial clients in the state.” With energy costs skyrocketing, the solar installation will help Sierra Aluminum reduce their costs for the primary manufacturing and extrusion facility. When the plant is not operating, the solar system will feed electrical power back into SCE’s electrical grid. PPM simplifies the entire process of buying solar power with a long-term Power Purchase Agreement and comprehensive project and facility management. The host customer can buy power at a lower rate than from their utility company, have immediate savings, and the ability to eventually own the system with no upfront cost. “Our ability to finance these solar power plants enables us to build a steady pipeline of successful projects throughout California. This solidifies our commitment to provide clean energy for many years and to continually build strong relationships with our host customers,” said Mark Frederick, Managing Partner for Pacific Power Management. PPM has recently completed over 3.6 MW within their Power Purchase Agreement program. By summer of 2009, PPM will have nearly 6 MW of completed solar power plants within their PPA portfolio. This will bring PPM’s total installed base to over 11MW.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to increasing public concern, requests from contractors and the requirements of government agencies in some areas of the U.S., RectorSeal® has added Low-VOC solvent cements, primers and cleaners to its line of quality products for the building and construction trades. Recognized as a leader in manufacturing specialty products for the construction trades, RectorSeal® now offers a line of Low-VOC solvent cements, primers and cleaners, in a variety of formulations and sizes, for use with PVC, ABS and CPVC pipe. These Low-VOC products meet the requirements for LEED accredited projects and areas of the country where the use of Low-VOC products is required. Each of these products has been formulated to provide the same superior performance and reliability as the company’s regular solvent cements, primers and cleaners, which have been a preferred brand among contractors for more than 25 years.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Watt Stopper/Legrand’s Digital Lighting Management (DLM) is an all-digital suite of plug-together lighting controls that automatically configures to the most energy efficient sequence of operation based on components in the system. The result is that DLM meets and exceeds energy code requirements, saves more energy than conventional controls, and provides an unprecedented return on investment for both new construction and retrofit projects. Plug n’ GoTM results in fast, easy and error-free installation First system to automatically configure for most energy efficient operation Meets and exceeds energy code requirements for faster payback With DLM, each room or space in a building has its own control network where you simply connect room controllers, occupancy sensors, switches and photocells as needed. Plug n’ Go technology (patent pending) then recognizes what is connected and automatically configures the space to the most energy efficient operation. For example, when room controllers are connected only to occupancy sensors, they default to automatic-on/off operation. If a switch is added, operation changes to manual-on/automatic-off. When a dual-relay room controller and switches are connected, the system defaults to bi-level automatic-on (auto-on to 50%)/automatic-off operation, which has been shown to provide 52% greater savings than occupancy sensors alone. DLM uses Cat 5e RJ45 cables to connect the room components. This eliminates the majority of labor associated with interpreting wiring diagrams, setting DIP switches, and terminating low voltage wires. This speeds up installation and eliminates the potential for wiring errors. A workspace’s plug loads, largely left uncontrolled, consume 12-14% of electricity in commercial buildings. DLM can provide plug load control, allowing building owners to further leverage code-compliant occupancy sensors and realize greater savings.

Innovative New Controller Includes Powerful, Water-Conscious Features and Simple To Set Technology That Will Make Every Homeowner Into An Immediate Lawn And Garden Water Savings Expert AZUSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Building on the popularity of its water saving, easy-to-use family of Simple To Set (SST) automatic sprinkler controllers, Rain Bird’s new 6 and 12 station SST Indoor/Outdoor Automatic Sprinkler Controllers are feature rich, easy to program and weather-resistant. The new devices are designed to eliminate the ‘irrigation controller technology learning curve,’ while delivering immediate water saving results and a better-looking landscape. The latest addition to the world’s first line of ‘user-friendly,’ multi-program controllers that do not require complex instructions or an advanced programming degree to operate, the SST Indoor/Outdoor Controller is an intuitive irrigation controller that utilizes advanced professional sprinkler controller technology to allow homeowners to customize programs to meet the unique watering needs of each part of their landscape. Building on many of the user-friendly features that have made Rain Bird’s family of SST Irrigation Controllers the most user-friendly irrigation controllers available to consumers, such as one-touch rain delay, seasonal adjust, zone-by-zone programming and numerous built in troubleshooting features, the rugged SST Indoor/Outdoor Controller delivers a powerful new set of water-saving features designed to afford maximum versatility and efficient watering even in the face of nature’s harshest elements. The SST Indoor/Outdoor Controller, available in a 6-station and 12-station model, also includes: Rugged Design – Engineered with a set of features designed to withstand the forces of nature, the SST Indoor/Outdoor Controller is housed in a rugged hard-shell locking exterior case, that effectively seals the controller against moisture, dirt and even curious insects, all of which can wreak havoc with the controller’s functionality. Water Now Feature - In addition to being able to water an individual area of the landscape (called a watering zone) with the touch of a button, the SST Indoor/Outdoor Controller now enables homeowners to automatically cycle through all of the pre-programmed watering zones with the touch of a button. Flexible Zone Start Times - The SST Indoor/Outdoor Controller offers the flexibility of Individual Zone Start Times meaning that homeowners are able to set the exact time of the day in which each individual area of the landscape is watered. Increased Superior Surge Protection – Adding to the superior surge protection that is standard in every SST Controller, the new SST Indoor/Outdoor Controller is built with three times the surge protection found in standard SST models, meaning there is no need for homeowners to worry about malfunctions due to electricity spikes caused by nearby lightning strikes. Expanded Seasonal Adjust Display – The SST Indoor/Outdoor Controller allows homeowners to easily check the seasonal adjust setting as it is always displayed on main settings screen. This enables users to easily monitor their current settings and adjust watering settings as the weather warms or cools. Plug-Ready Power Cord – Each SST Indoor/Outdoor Controller comes equipped with a standard three-prong power cord already attached to the controller, eliminating the need for complex electrical wiring during installation. “The new SST Indoor/Outdoor Controller is the product of years of research, testing and most importantly the result of listening to the needs of homeowners. The result is a series of controllers that provides homeowners with an easy solution for managing the amount of water that is applied to landscapes by automatic sprinkler systems,” said Dave Johnson, Marketing Manager for Rain Bird’s Consumer Products Division. “When combined with the intuitive features that make the SST family of lawn and garden automatic sprinkler controllers the most user-friendly irrigation controllers on the market, homeowners are now able to keep their landscapes beautiful while ensuring effective, efficient and responsible use of water all year round.”

Manufacturer of Patented, High Gain Solar (HGS) Systems Closes Financing; Wins Developmental Funding From the US Department of Energy; Completes Demonstration Solar Plant MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Skyline Solar, a manufacturer of High Gain Solar (HGS) arrays for the commercial, industrial, government and utility markets, today announced the launch of the company and its HGS architecture after achieving key product, financing and customer milestones. Skyline Solar’s HGS architecture delivers the performance and durability of tracked silicon at the cost of thin-film technologies in sunny climates thereby accelerating the path to grid parity. In conjunction with the formal launch of the company and its HGS architecture, Skyline Solar announced that it has reached several key corporate milestones: Construction of the Company’s First Demonstration Plant—Skyline Solar entered into a public-private partnership agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to construct its initial demonstration plant in San Jose, Calif. VTA is an independent special district that is responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; countywide transportation planning throughout Santa Clara County. The system was completed only eight months after the company received its Series A financing. Pilot Manufacturing & Component Certification—after a year of under-sun reliability and system testing at the company’s Mountain View headquarters, Skyline has submitted components of its HGS system for certification and has entered pilot manufacturing in the U.S. and Asia. $24.6 million in Series A Venture Financing—Skyline Solar has received an equity investment from New Enterprise Associates (NEA), and several other financial and strategic investors. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Funding—in the first quarter of 2009, the company signed a developmental contract with the DOE for $3 million. Skyline Solar was selected as one of six solar photovoltaic technology companies to receive funding under the DOE’s Solar America Initiative. The company was cited as developing a technology that could “make solar energy cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity.” Key Executive and Board Member Appointments—the company has attracted top executive talent from a number of relevant industries, including solar, finance, manufacturing and logistics. Skyline’s board of directors includes current and former executives and board members of SolFocus, Suniva, Deeya Energy, Emcore, Cobalt Power Systems and Solar Junction. “The Solar America Initiative PV incubation process was extremely competitive and we're confident we've selected innovative companies to drive the solar industry forward,” said Martha Symko-Davies, Research Senior Supervisor at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). “We were impressed by Skyline's total system approach which packages many high-gain solar design elements into an elegant array leveraging traditional manufacturing for large scale. Skyline is one of the first to recognize and drive the High Gain Solar systems movement towards grid parity over the next 18 months.” Skyline’s HGS architecture delivers ten times more energy per gram of silicon versus traditional flat-panel systems in sunny locations and offers industry-leading energy density. Skyline HGS arrays combine industry-proven silicon cells, durable reflector materials and single-axis tracking into a complete, easy-to-deploy system. Built primarily out of commodity materials with globally available manufacturing processes from the PV and automotive industries, Skyline HGS simultaneously improves financial payback and scalability. As a result, Skyline Solar believes the HGS architecture is the fastest path to grid parity. “Skyline Solar has developed an innovative, differentiated approach that simultaneously provides the performance and reliability of silicon PV while driving a much lower delivered cost,” said Mark Perry, General Partner at NEA. “The company's solution is both robust and highly capital efficient and NEA is excited to work with Skyline's outstanding leadership team as they advance this potentially game-changing solar technology.” By increasing the productivity of silicon-based PV technologies and using only a fraction of the materials to reduce costs, Skyline Solar is well positioned to capitalize on forecasted market growth. Skyline HGS uses 90 percent less silicon and 66 percent fewer parts versus traditional flat panel solar power plants. The system uses widely available materials translating into a scalable manufacturing process. “When asked why I invested in Skyline Solar, the answer is clear—simplicity,” said Alf Bjorseth, founder of Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) and Scatec Solar. “Simplicity will be essential for PV reaching new levels of cost and scalability.” “Skyline Solar is focused on a single goal as a company—accelerating the deployment of solar energy to meaningfully offset fossil fuel consumption. This requires rapidly achieving grid parity and dramatically improving scalability of PV systems,” said Bob MacDonald, CEO of Skyline Solar and a solar industry veteran. “We have a laser-like focus on real-world system performance and delivering the lowest cost of energy in the industry. We believe that we can help solar integrators, project developers and project finance firms reduce the cost and complexity of system installation, while delivering a high-yield, low maintenance system for their commercial, industrial and utility customers.” Skyline Solar is currently in the process of reviewing, accepting and evaluating several other early-stage projects to demonstrate the “shovel-ready” capabilities of the HGS approach later this year. The company expects to unveil its HGS product details and system specifications, and production in the fourth quarter of 2009.

St. Louis-Based Building Services and Maintenance Company Expands Brand to World’s Second-Largest Nation ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stratus Building Solutions, the St. Louis-based franchisor of branded building service and maintenance operations nationwide, is accelerating its growth by establishing Stratus Building Solutions of Canada to serve all ten provinces in the world’s second-largest nation. CEO Dennis Jarrett and President Pete Frese of Stratus Building Solutions said, “Stratus Building Solutions of Canada marks our company’s first international expansion and complements our vision to become the worldwide dominant brand in the licensed building services and maintenance industry.” Based in Toronto, Ontario, Stratus Building Solutions of Canada will operate under an agreement the parent company established with Jeffrey B. Aibel and Kenneth Casseri, who will manage the new Canadian division. The Canadian division will offer building services and maintenance licenses under the Stratus Building Solutions brand in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan. Mr. Aibel and Mr. Casseri said, “Our business plan calls for Stratus Building Solutions of Canada to establish 50 new licensing agreements by mid-year 2010. We are pleased to be part of Stratus Building Solutions’ international expansion.” Stratus Building Solutions is the fastest-growing brand in the building services and maintenance industry. The firm offers 16 plans providing state-of-the-art “environmentally green” cleaning systems, products and marketing support. These include “Stratus GreenClean,” which uses environmentally-friendly products and services to maintain healthier, more productive facilities. Stratus Building Solutions also offers four external building maintenance programs in its mission to become the world’s first “full-service platform franchisor” for the building services and maintenance industry. Stratus Building Solutions currently has U.S. operations in Connecticut, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. “We are in discussions with interested business groups in Europe, Asia, South America and Mexico to establish new international licensing agreements,” Jarrett and Frese said.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Architectural Record, McGraw-Hill Construction's prestigious publication and the magazine of The American Institute of Architects (AIA), today presented its 13th annual Advertising Excellence Awards to 29 companies and agencies. The awards breakfast hosted over 250 architects, manufacturers, editors, marketers and industry leaders at San Francisco's Moscone Center during the AIA 2009 National Convention and Design Exposition. Full page or larger ads published in Architectural Record in the first quarter of 2009 were considered for the awards. Winners were judged for content and graphic presentation by a jury of nine architects and designers representing the breadth of the profession. "This year's winners are an inspiring group -- 29 high-performing companies," said Laura Viscusi, publisher of Architectural Record. "These winners show us how to build a world-class image for an architectural products company and exhibit mastery of the rapidly changing media landscape. When it comes to advertising, this year's winners are defining excellence." Best in Show - Integrated Campaign -- Rocky Mountain Hardware, Agency: Burchiellaro Design -- Knauf Insulation, Agency: Caldwell VanRiper Best in Show - Monthly Print Campaign -- Construction Specialties, Agency: Brian J. Ganton & Associates Best in Show - Spreads -- Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Systems , Agency: Zban Advertising -- Hunter Douglas Contract, Agency: DMD Best in Show - Single Pages -- BEGA -- Cambridge Architectural, Agency: Larson O'Brien -- Simpson Strong Tie, Agency: C Squared Advertising Winner - Integrated Campaign -- Phaidon Atlas -- ThyssenKrupp Elevator Corporation, Agency: FIREHOUSE Winner - Spread -- EIMA, Agency: Bemis Resource Group Winner - Single Page -- AIA Contract Documents, Agency: Shelton Group -- Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc., Agency: KleinMichael Partners -- EventScape Inc. -- Kawneer Company, Inc., Agency: Function -- Kim Lighting -- La Cantina Doors -- NANA Wall Systems, Inc. -- Soil Retention Products, Inc., Agency: Drop Dead Design -- Technical Glass Products, Agency: Brandner Communications Honorable Mention - Spread -- Mitsubishi Chemical FP America, Inc., Agency: The Ludlow Group Honorable Mention - Single Page -- Eldorado Stone -- Autodesk -- The Travelers Company, Agency: Fallon Advertising -- Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, Hunter Consulting Inc. User Engagement - Continuing Education -- General Electric Consumer and Electrical Appliances -- Lafarge -- Jeld-WEN Windows and Doors, Agency: CMD User Engagement - Online Video -- Adobe Acrobat 9 User Engagement - Online Social Media -- Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Company's Full Line of Interior Gypsum Wallboard Panel Products Meet the Industry's Most Stringent Indoor Air Quality Standards DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Gypsum, a leading gypsum wallboard manufacturer based in Dallas, TX, announced today that its complete line of interior gypsum panel products has achieved the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified(R) status and GREENGUARD Children & Schools (SM) Certification. The GREENGUARD Certification Program (SM) is an industry-independent, third-party program that has been certifying products for low non-toxic emissions since 2001. To attain GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified status, American Gypsum's wallboard products passed thorough sample testing and review of the manufacturing processes to meet exacting standards set by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) – an internationally renowned leader in indoor air quality – to establish their impact on indoor air pollution. Then to qualify for the GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certification, the panels, including our family of M-Bloc(R) products, met even more rigorous emissions limits that take into account the added sensitivity of children and adults with compromised immune systems.

Company announces availability of LEED-earning gypsum panels and new YouTube Channel ATLANTA, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- At the 2009 American Institute of Architects (AIA) convention, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC - a leader in innovative building products and practices - will showcase the industry's only full portfolio of gypsum fiberglass mat products. These Gypsum building materials help architects to design and build more durable buildings and homes. Many of Georgia-Pacific's gypsum panels also are recognized by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute for low emissions and microbial resistance and by The Collaborative for High Performing Schools. Since the introduction of its flagship DensGlass(TM) exterior sheathing more than 20 years ago, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum has steadily expanded its portfolio of fiberglass mat gypsum panels to include DensArmor Plus(R) High-Performance Interior Panels, DensArmor Plus(R) Abuse-Resistant Interior Panels, DensDeck(R) Roof Boards, DensGlass(TM) Ultra Shaftliner, DensShield(R) Tile Backer and the newly released Impact-Resistant Panels. All will be featured at the convention in booth 2125. "At Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, we are proud of our commitment to supporting design excellence and environmental responsibility," said Warren Barber, product manager, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum. "Smart design hinges on the availability of innovative products that address all factors of the building process. That said, we believe our products provide a perfect balance between smart design and good construction."

MISSION, Texas, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Economic bright spots can be few and far between right now, but the city of Mission sees financial opportunity in the Anzalduas International Bridge, which will be the newest and one of the largest international bridges in the United States. Construction on the Anzalduas Bridge is nearing completion, with officials saying operations will begin as soon as October. The bridge will directly connect Mission with Reynosa, Tamaulipas, a Mexican city known for manufacturing as well as importing and exporting goods. Infrastructure Improvements Hidalgo County is already planning on the traffic surge that will be going through the Rio Grande Valley. Funds from the federal economic stimulus package, Texas Department of Transportation and Hidalgo County Metropolitan Planning Organization will be used to remove bottlenecks in key areas, ensuring traffic will run smoothly once the bridge opens. "We're building the projects that are vital to the movement of traffic," said Pat Townsend Jr., CEO of the Mission Economic Development Authority.

One of Only Three Academic Institutions in Boston to Get Gold Level Rating BOSTON, April 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This week, Simmons College received Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its School of Management and Academic Building. The building, which opened in January, is Simmons's first structure built in accordance with the rigorous standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. Gold certification is the second-highest level of LEED certification. According to the U.S. Green Building Council website, only two other academic institutions in Boston -- Harvard Business School and Suffolk University -- have Gold-certified buildings. "I am extremely pleased that our newest green building has received Gold certification and recognition by the U.S. Green Building Council," said Simmons College President Helen Drinan. "This has been an exciting few months for Simmons and for our School of Management, which recently received accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and which this year celebrates the 30th anniversary of its Leadership Conference."

Solar System Will Help Intel Achieve Its Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals; New Lobby Kiosk to Educate Visitors on Environmental Impact, Electricity Production of Solar Power FOSTER CITY, Calif. & HILLSBORO, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SolarCity(R), a national leader in solar power system design, financing, installation, monitoring and related services, unveiled a new solar installation at Intel's Jones Farm Campus in Hillsboro, Ore. Intel also showcased a kiosk in its visitor building lobby last week, provided by SolarCity, to educate employees, visitors and students about solar power. The kiosk displays an Internet feed from SolarGuard(TM), SolarCity's monitoring system, to provide updates every 15 minutes on Intel's solar system's production, electricity offset and environmental impact. The 100.8 kilowatt DC solar electric system consists of 504 solar modules on the roof of Building Four at the Jones Farm Campus. In the first 25 years of the system's lifetime, it is expected to offset more than 4 million pounds of greenhouse gas that would otherwise have been emitted by coal or fossil-fuel-generated electricity. This would be the equivalent of taking 21.5 cars off the road for 25 years, or planting 35 acres of trees. Intel is currently the largest voluntary purchaser of "green power" in the U.S., according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Energy Future Holdings Corp. (EFH) selected lauckgroup, a leading Dallas-based interior architecture and design firm, to redesign its 130,000-square-foot corporate headquarters located at Energy Plaza, 1601 Bryan, in downtown Dallas. When completed, the facility will be one of the most sustainable corporate headquarter locations in Dallas and hold a U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) for Commercial Interiors (CI) designation. EFH, formerly TXU Corp., a Dallas-based, privately held energy company with a portfolio of competitive and regulated energy subsidiaries, will continue to consolidate its operations in Energy Plaza. "As we are a company that advocates energy efficiency and conservation, we feel that our corporate headquarters should reinforce our message of environmental stewardship," said Bob Keith, EFH's Director of Facility & Building Services. "Our new space really does just that. Not only has it helped consolidate our workforce, but in a pleasing, work friendly and environmentally sound environment." A key priority for EFH has been to use environmentally responsible components throughout the new space, including high-efficiency lighting and sustainable materials. Broader access to daylight, more teaming spaces for collaboration and leading-edge technology have also been integrated into the work environment. Current plans include securing the LEED-CI Gold designation for the new headquarters. "We're working to reuse existing materials, while creating a modern, light-filled work environment for EFH. Our design seeks to blend sustainability, technology and modern design to create both a functional and multipurpose workplace," said Brigitte Preston, design principal, lauckgroup.