NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Morphosis Architects, under the direction of renowned architect and UCLA Professor Thom Mayne, has completed the first floating house permitted in the United States for Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation. The FLOAT House is a new model for flood-safe, affordable and sustainable housing designed to float securely with rising water levels and the latest design to be built for Make It Right, which has just been named the largest, greenest neighborhood of single family homes in America by the US Green Building Council. In the event of flooding, the base of the house - reconceived as a chassis -- acts as a raft, allowing the house to rise vertically on guide posts, securely floating up to twelve feet as water levels rise. While not designed for occupants to remain in the home during a hurricane, the structure aims to minimize catastrophic damage and preserve the homeowner's investment in their property. This approach also allows for the early return of occupants in the aftermath of a hurricane or flood. Designed in response to Ninth Ward residents' specific needs, the FLOAT House serves as a scalable prototype that can be mass-produced and adapted to the needs of communities world-wide facing similar challenges. On track for a LEED Platinum Rating, the state-of-the-art home uses high-performance systems, energy efficient appliances, and prefabrication methods to produce an affordable, sustainable house that generates its own power, minimizes resource consumption, and collects its own water. Like the traditional New Orleans "shotgun" house, the FLOAT House sits on a raised four-foot base, preserving the community's vital front porch culture and facilitating accessibility for elderly and disabled residents. This high-performance "chassis" is a prefabricated module, made from polystyrene foam coated in glass fiber reinforced concrete, which hosts essential equipment to supply power, water and fresh air. The chassis is engineered to support a range of home configurations. While the FLOAT House is the first to be permitted in the United States, the technology was developed and is in use in the Netherlands where architects and developers are working to address an increased demand for housing in the face of rising sea levels associated with climate change.

FEASTERVILLE, Pa., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Home Improvement, voted among America's top 500 home remodeling contractors, is hosting a FREE educational seminar on the latest technologies and products available to homeowners thinking about installing Environmentally Friendly Metal Roofing and Energy Producing Solar Roofing. Global Home Improvement's seminar is perfect for individuals who own both Historical and Contemporary Homes in PA and NJ. This is a unique opportunity for homeowners to learn firsthand about high quality and durable products that are driving the residential remodeling market. Metal Roofing displays and samples will be available for guests to experience the various colors and profiles for standing seam metal roofs as well as metal shingle, tile and shake. Global's innovative product line also features Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), a lightweight, flexible solar electric system designed to greatly reduce or offset home energy bills. This dual system is the ideal solution for roofs 10 or more years of age. The seminar is divided into two parts; Understanding the Benefits of Metal Roofing & Everything a Homeowner Should Know about Solar Roofing. The presentation will be informative and interactive, showing how to increase home's value by 20% or more, to understand the complicated solar tax code, as well as additional facts straight from the manufacturer. Join Global Home Improvement for an informative and enchanting night out at the Washington Crossing Inn, 1295 General Washington Memorial Blvd Washington Crossing, PA 18977. Date and Time: November 12th - 5:00 -7:00pm A Complimentary Dinner Reception and a Q & A Session will follow.

American Society of Landscape Architects: What: The Sustainable Sites Initiative will release the nation’s first rating system for the design, construction and maintenance of sustainable landscapes, with or without buildings. A partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Initiative’s rating system represents four years of work by dozens of the country’s leading sustainability experts, scientists and design professionals, as well as public input from hundreds of individuals and dozens of organizations. This essential missing link in green design will foster a transformation in land development and management practices. Why: Existing rating systems offered little guidance beyond a building’s skin and focused on reducing a building’s environmental impact. Unlike buildings, sustainable landscapes can even give back by cleaning the air and water, reversing climate change, restoring habitat and biodiversity –with the potential to provide significant social and economic benefits. Who: Holly Shimizu, Executive Director of the United States Botanic Garden Nancy Somerville, Executive Vice President and CEO of ASLA Susan Rieff, Executive Director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin When: Thursday, November 5 at 10:00 AM Where: United State Botanic Garden Conservatory – West Gallery About the Sustainable Sites Initiative The Sustainable Sites Initiative is an interdisciplinary partnership led by the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden to transform land development and management practices with the nation’s first voluntary rating system for sustainable landscapes, with our without buildings. For more information, visit www.sustainablesites.org.

Enhancements Span Data Accessibility, Reporting, Usability, Flexibility and Administration SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) , a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, today announced the release of Autodesk Constructware 2010 project management software. As a premier solution for the construction industry, Autodesk Constructware 2010, is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) application, providing an on-demand environment for construction project management and collaboration. Constructware 2010 offers reporting and data access improvements to help retrieve meaningful data while maintaining the integrity of project information. Key enhancements include: A hallmark feature of Autodesk Constructware is the flexibility to view, mark up and upload not only Autodesk file formats, but also other CAD files and office documents. Constructware 2010 continues this tradition by offering owners and contractors more options to configure the software to better fit their specific business needs, including an upgraded viewing component that now supports AutoCAD 2009 files and the latest formats produced by other design tools in the market. As Autodesk Constructware is a SaaS application delivered over the web, the new features are available immediately to end-users with a Subscription to Autodesk Constructware.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., (Oct. 28, 2009) – Whirlpool Corporation today announced that it is the recipient of stimulus funds as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Smart Grid Investment Grant program. The grant of $19.3 million over a two year period – which Whirlpool will match with its own investments – will help the company accelerate its work to deliver to consumers smart appliances that can connect with the smart grid. For example, the company recently announced that in 2011 it would deliver one million U.S. manufactured smart dryers capable of reacting intelligently to signals from the smart grid by modifying their energy consumption to save consumers money on their home electric bills. In markets where utilities offer variable or time-of-use pricing, these dryers could save a typical consumer $20 to $40 per year, while also benefitting the environment. “The grants announced today are a great example of public and private partnerships that will create the next generation of energy saving solutions,” said Mike Todman, president, Whirlpool Corporation North America. “Smart appliances combined with time of use pricing offer consumers the greatest ability to save money on energy costs while benefitting the environment. Whirlpool Corporation continues to leverage its strong U.S. footprint to deliver the innovations that both meet consumers' needs and help to address environmental and energy concerns.” In addition, the funds will complement the company's commitment that by 2015 all of the electronically controlled appliances it produces – everywhere in the world – will be capable of receiving and responding to signals from the smart grid. This commitment is dependent on two important public-private partnerships: the development by the end of 2010 of an open, global standard for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a home appliance; and appropriate policies that reward consumers, manufacturers and utilities for using and adding these new peak demand reduction capabilities.

New SPP-30a First Ever Evacuated Tube Collector Manufactured in the United States, Provides Compliance with Buy American Act Solar Power International 2009 ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Solar Panels Plus (SPP), designer and manufacturer of innovative solar water heaters, solar air conditioning/heating systems and photovoltaic solar panels, today launched the SPP-30a, the first USA-made evacuated tube (ET) collector for solar water heaters. The SPP-30a is an important addition to the SPP product family, enabling distributors, dealers and contractors to offer a high-quality ET solution that complies with the “Buy American Act” section of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). In addition to being the top-rated ET collector, the SPP-30a has many advantages over traditional flat plate collectors. Because the absorber is completely enclosed, evacuated tubes function in almost any environment, including cold or freezing climates. The SPP-30a is also a more powerful and efficient solar water heater, meaning it works well in environments where water temperatures up to or above 200ºF are needed or in cloudy climate conditions. Like its predecessor the SPP-30, the US-made SPP-30a will utilize a double-wall glass tube that works similarly to a Thermos bottle—where the inside can be very hot but the exterior of the container is cool to the touch—as a Thermos also uses an evacuated space between the inner and outer wall. The main difference in performance between evacuated tube and flat panel collectors is that by preventing heat from escaping back into the atmosphere as the absorber gets hot, the evacuated area of the ET collector forms a thermal barrier that allows sunlight to enter but blocks the escape of heat, which is therefore more concentrated and more efficiently harvested and used.

Solar Power International 2009 THORNTON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI), a developer of lightweight flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules, today unveiled its FlexPowerTM line of products. The FlexPowerTM class of modules, which includes Light, Mobile and Extreme, carries an industry leading power to weight ratio, achieves the highest power density of any flexible product currently available in the market and provides a unique form-fit capability. The FlexPowerTM line is now available and on display at Solar Power International at the Company’s booth 1254. FlexPowerTM Light modules are manufactured for the Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) market. The FlexPowerTM Light line features a 5 Meter long product that delivers 123 watts and is the world’s largest monolithically interconnected flexible module. Manufacturers of building materials and BIPV systems can now utilize the unique nature of the FlexPowerTM Light class for large area BIPV installations and seamless integration into building surfaces. FlexPowerTM Mobile is designed for the Electronic Integrated Photovoltaic (EIPV) market. These modules are optimized for 12-volt battery charging applications, provide seamless integration into consumer electronics and are available encapsulated or un-encapsulated as a build to suit solution. FlexPowerTM Extreme for Defense is a durable and deployable photovoltaic solution for Defense applications. The Extreme class of modules is designed to provide excellent power density and match existing battery recharging ecosystems allowing for more supply line independence.

Bike Transit Center Fits City's Plan for Sustainability LONG BEACH, Calif., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's first Bikestation Secure Bike Module, a new concept in cost-effective, compact, multi-use bicycle transit center, is contracted for installation at the Covina Metrolink station in Covina, Calif. According to Andrea White-Kjoss, president and CEO of Mobis/Bikestation, the company that plans, designs, implements and operates alternative multimodal transit systems across the U.S., "The new bike modules overcome a top concern people have that keep them from using their bikes -- theft." The new Bikestation Covina Secure Bike Module is 10 x 25 square feet of high tech, "green" design offering 36 secure parking spaces to accommodate up to 80 users through digital access. The Bikestation Secure Bike Module will be unveiled by Covina Mayor Walter Allen at Bikestation Covina on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 6:00 PM. Daryl Parrish, city manager, Covina, Calif. stated, "The new Bikestation Secure Bike Module is directly in line with the strategic plan for the City of Covina. We're actively developing environmentally sustainable programs that both serve the health and convenience of our citizens and reduce our carbon footprint. While some of these programs can take a long time to implement, the Bikestation is a fast, cost-effective project that can benefit the people of Covina right away. This is also an example of a truly effective public/private partnership that we expect to see more of across the U.S. We're proud to be a leader in California's push to alternative transportation." Bikestation Covina, expected to be in operation by the late fall of this year, will feature monitored electronic security. Users can sign up at www.Bikestation.com or over the phone, and their access key fob will allow them not only to use Bikestation Covina but any Bikestation in the U.S. There are expected to be 200 Bikestations in operation within the next five years. While Covina will start with a single Secure Bike Module, the LEED 3.0-compliant design is scalable, allowing the city to add to the facility or add new Modules when required. The City of Covina Metrolink Station is the third busiest station in the Metrolink system, serving 15 cities in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, with average weekday annual boardings of 204,000 commuters. Bikestation Covina adds bike transit infrastructure that makes using mass transit more convenient and feasible for more people, more often.

-Safe, humane and pesticide-free system is an innovative way to repel feathered pests. MILWAUKEE, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Feathered friends wear out their welcome once they start roosting in the rafters above the prepared-foods section at a supermarket, or triggering the automatic doors at a big-box hardware store as they fly above heads of customers and cashiers. But a new bird-control system from Milwaukee-based Prolitec Inc., a leader in indoor air-quality systems and services, uses natural aromas to make birds head for the exit -- for good. "Because this bird-control system is always on, the birds don't come back," said Richard Weening, CEO of Prolitec. "That is a significant breakthrough." Branded "Avian Plus,"(TM) the new system was created by Prolitec's Aerobiology and Infection-Control Unit. It is available in the United States from Mission View, Calif.-based Bird-B-Gone, Inc., a Prolitec distribution partner and leading provider of pest bird deterrents. The new system will be available from Bird-B-Gone's pest-control clients in approximately 52 metropolitan areas. Avian Plus uses a proprietary formulation of fragrance and flavor ingredients engineered to be pleasant for humans but unpleasant for birds. Prolitec's patented "always on" micro-droplet delivery systems ensure continuous bird control by maintaining a minute concentration of the fragrance in the rafters and other locations frequented by pest birds. The bird fragrance formulations are safe, humane and green--they contain no ingredients restricted for workplace environments by either the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration or the California Environmental Protection Agency. Avian Plus is not a pesticide. The ultra-low concentrations of scent needed are less than 1 part-per-million, making it the greenest way to scent a space and remove birds.

Complaint claims McGraw-Hill Construction unlawfully obtained trade secrets. Two of the construction data industry’s biggest players are now embroiled in a bitter legal battle. Reed Construction Data, a unit of b-to-b publisher Reed Business Information, filed suit yesterday in federal court against McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, charging corporate espionage. According to the 60-page complaint, RCD claims Dodge unlawfully accessed confidential and secret trade information from RCD by hiring consultants to subscribe to RCD’s confidential data, using made up names and fake companies. It also alleges that Dodge manipulated the RCD information to create “misleading comparisons” between Dodge and RCD’s products and services “in an attempt to mislead the marketplace.” The RCD complaint cites 11 counts of misconduct by Dodge dating back to 2002 and says efforts to obtain competitive information from RCD dates back to “the mid- to late-1990s.” RCD is seeking an unspecified amount in lost profits, punitive damages and injunctive relief. According to RCD CEO Iain Melville, Dodge’s alleged actions represent an attempt “to force RCD out of business and obtain a monopoly over the construction data industry.” A spokesperson for McGraw-Hill Construction told FOLIO: the RCD lawsuit is unfounded. “We believe that Reed’s legal claims are without merit, and we intend to defend against them vigorously,” the spokesperson said. “We take these allegations very seriously and are committed to ensuring that all employees comply with our Code of Business Ethics.” This isn’t the first time these two companies have been involved in a legal dispute. In February 2000, McGraw-Hill filed a similar suit against RBI’s (then Cahners Business Information) Buildingteam.com, alleging it “illegally and systematically” misappropriated confidential and proprietary business information over several months, and engaged in unfair trade practices. Reed and McGraw-Hill settled that claim in March 2001. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. In April, RBI shuttered 13 of the 14 regional construction magazines published under its Associated Construction Publications group, which was managed by RCD. RBI continues to publish Construction Equipment magazine. Not long after, John White, the original co-owner of the ACP titles, reacquired the rights to the 13 shuttered titles from RBI. In late July, ACP re-launched Construction Digest and New England Construction. In August, it planned to bring back six more titles, and to have all 13 up and running again by September.

Reed Construction Data Press Releases Dodge allegedly used illegal and unethical practices to mislead, gain market share Reed Construction Data (RCD), a leading construction information provider and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reed Elsevier (NYSE:RUK, NYSE:ENL), today filed suit in federal court against McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, a unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MHP). The suit charges that Dodge has unlawfully accessed confidential and trade secret information from RCD since 2002 by using a series of fake companies to pose as RCD customers. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeks an unspecified amount in lost profits and punitive damages, trial by jury, and injunctive relief as a result of Dodge’s misuse of RCD’s proprietary construction project information. The complaint charges that Dodge hired consultants to subscribe to RCD’s confidential data under the cover of fake names and companies. Dodge then allegedly manipulated the information to create misleading comparisons between Dodge’s and RCD’s products and services in an effort to mislead the marketplace. The complaint cites eleven counts of misconduct by Dodge, including fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, misappropriation of confidential information, unfair competition, tortious interference with prospective economic advantage, violation of New York’s general business law, violation of the RICO Act, RICO conspiracy, monopolization, attempted monopolization and unjust enrichment. “McGraw-Hill Dodge has used our information to deceive and confuse the market about RCD and the data we offer,” said Iain Melville, CEO, Reed Construction Data. “This was an attempt by Dodge to force RCD out of business and obtain a monopoly over the construction data industry.” The New York office of international law firm Troutman Sanders LLP filed the action, led by partner William N. Withrow, Jr. “Dodge’s behavior violates a significant number of laws and codes of business ethics,” said Melville. “Seven years of such practices is no minor offense. It’s clear that these violations must be addressed with swift and just redress.”

ATLANTA, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As a part of its long-term commitment to the environment and sustainability, The Home Depot® will kick-off this holiday season with its second annual Eco Options Christmas Light Trade In event and the first ever Power Drill Trade In, Trade Up event. The Home Depot Power Drill Trade In, Trade Up event begins Sunday, October 25 and runs through Sunday, November 8 and offers customers the chance to bring in their used or broken power drills and get 15 percent off a new lithium-ion drill. Lithium-ion is a revolutionary technology in cordless tools offering more power and less weight. Lithium-ion chemistry is not harmful to the environment and it outperforms NiCad by as much as 50 percent, requiring less charging time and saving energy. Consumers can bring in their old power drill to any The Home Depot U.S. store and trade up to a lithium-ion drill and The Home Depot will recycle your old drill. In addition, on November 5, The Home Depot begins its second annual Eco Options Christmas Light Trade In event. Customers can bring in their old working or non-working holiday light strings to be recycled and receive a $3 off coupon towards the purchase of energy efficient seasonal light-emitting diodes (LED) string lights. Customers must purchase their new LED lights between November 5 and November 15 and are limited to five redemptions. This event will also be valid at all The Home Depot U.S. stores.

LANGHORNE, Pa., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- E-Mon, LLC, the electric submetering market leader and manufacturer of the widely installed E-Mon D-Mon® product line, announces the availability of a new LonWorks communication option (specify Option LTP) for converting electrical submeter data into the LonWorks communications format for building automation systems (BAS) and equipment control applications, including lighting and security systems, HVAC and more. Any E-Mon D-Mon Class 3000 or Class 5000 meter or Interval Data Recorder (IDR) equipped with Option LTP can communicate up to 40 meter data parameters to any BAS employing the widely used LonWorks protocol. Like E-Mon's other communication options, the LonWorks version provides similar electrical measurements, including: -- Energy and reactive energy, delivered and received (kWh); -- Real power (kW), total and by phase; -- Reactive (kVAR) and apparent (kVA) power, total and by phase; -- Power factor (percent), total and by phase; -- Current (A), voltage (V) and phase angle (degrees) by phase. "This communication option greatly extends E-Mon's reach into the Building Automation and Controls market by increasing the granularity of electrical measurements that can talk to BAS via twisted pair, power line carrier, wireless and other LonWorks-compatible media," said Don Millstein, president and CEO of E-Mon. "With the addition of the LonWorks option, E-Mon's complete line of communication options opens the door to deploying submeters in more than 80 percent of new and installed BAS control applications, including those using Modbus RTU and BACnet MS/TP and Ethernet-based protocols like Modbus TCP and BACnet IP." LonWorks has evolved into a leading industrial networking platform for building automation and control, with more than 60 million devices installed since the technology's introduction by Echelon Corporation in the 1980s. According to industry sources, LonWorks and BACnet share an approximately equal 40 percent share of TAM with the remainder of the building automation system market made up of other protocols. About E-Mon, LLC Established in 1981, E-Mon is the industry leader in solid-state electronic kilowatt-hour submeters, automatic meter reading software and other energy management products and services. Almost 500,000 E-Mon products are installed worldwide for tenant billing, cost allocation, demand side management, energy conservation and load profiling across the commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental and multi-family facility landscape. E-Mon is an active member of the Federal Energy Management Program task force, Alliance to Save Energy, Association of Energy Engineers, U.S. Green Building Council and other organizations. For further information, visit: www.emon.com.

Sustainability Standards Will Include Suspended Ceiling Systems and Related Products NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- UL Environment, Inc. (ULE), a global leader in environmental evaluation and certification, announces today that it is leading a collaborative effort to develop sustainability standards for suspended ceiling materials and systems. Suspended ceiling systems were selected as part of a continuing effort that UL Environment has initiated to launch sustainability standards where standards do not currently exist. Through materials and life cycle assessment of suspended ceiling materials, ULE will lead an effort which will identify environmentally-preferable ceiling materials and systems. According to a 2007 study by the Ceilings and Interior Systems Construction Association, suspended ceilings can achieve a life cycle payback in as few as 11 months due to reduced energy requirements. Suspended ceilings are often made of fiberglass, wood fiber, wet-pressed mineral-fiber, waste paper, cornstarch and other mineral-based components, and can contain recycled content. "Suspended ceilings have many sustainability advantages and setting standards will allow us to better identify and evaluate those advantages," said Steve Wenc, President, ULE. "Standards that take into account recycled content, energy efficiency and other aspects of ceiling systems eliminate the need for architects and builders to make complicated and time-consuming sustainability evaluations on their own." ULE's new sustainability standards will draw on input from UL Environment Standard Technical Panels (STPs) comprised of stakeholders such as manufacturers, government entities, consumer interest groups, product installers, users, distributors and testing organizations. These standards will set minimum environmental requirements and create a progressive and tiered approach allowing sustainability leaders to highlight their achievements.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In order to create hundreds of thousands of badly needed jobs and move the economy to higher ground, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today called on Congress to extend and expand the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit set to expire at the end of next month. Testifying before the Senate Banking Committee, NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe warned that builders are reporting that business generated by entry-level buyers is already declining because it is now too late to complete a new home sale in time to take advantage of the tax credit. “Not only will builders soon be losing one of their most effective selling tools when the $8,000 federal housing tax credit expires on Nov. 30, they are also facing significant challenges that threaten to derail the fragile housing recovery before it even has time to take root,” said Crowe. “Strict mortgage underwriting and low appraisals are making it difficult for a willing buyer to complete the sale, and terms and credit availability for builder acquisition, development and construction (AD&C) loans are extremely tight. The bottom line is that housing and the economy are at a critical crossroads.” To spur job growth, help reduce foreclosures and excess housing inventories and stabilize home values, NAHB is calling on Congress to extend the home buyer tax credit for an additional year through Nov. 30, 2010 and make it available to all purchasers of a principal residence. “We estimate this would increase home purchases by 383,000 and create nearly 350,000 jobs in the coming year,” said Crowe, adding that it would also generate $16.1 billion in wages and salaries; $12.1 billion in business income and tax income of $11.6 billion for federal, state and local governments. Congress can also help put the housing market back to work by encouraging regulators and the banking industry to restore lending for viable home building projects and to take meaningful steps to avoid unnecessary foreclosures on outstanding AD&C loans by accommodating loan modifications and workouts. “This would provide relief for a major sector of the economy that has suffered because of regulatory excess and the inability of banks to provide the necessary funding and flexibility that would otherwise keep loans performing as scheduled,” said Crowe. To further contribute to a housing and economic recovery, Crowe urged Congress to call on the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to adopt new regulatory guidelines for conducting appraisals under distressed market conditions. Citing a recent survey by NAHB that found that 25 percent of builders are losing sales because their appraisals are coming in below the contract price, Crowe said: “You just cannot compare a well-constructed new home with a foreclosed home that has been vacant for months and was probably neglected for a long time before it was vacated. They simply are not comparable, and the standards need to be adjusted to reflect that reality.” ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing more than 200,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Known as "the voice of the housing industry," NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for 2009.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In order to create hundreds of thousands of badly needed jobs and move the economy to higher ground, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today called on Congress to extend and expand the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit set to expire at the end of next month. Testifying before the Senate Banking Committee, NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe warned that builders are reporting that business generated by entry-level buyers is already declining because it is now too late to complete a new home sale in time to take advantage of the tax credit. “Not only will builders soon be losing one of their most effective selling tools when the $8,000 federal housing tax credit expires on Nov. 30, they are also facing significant challenges that threaten to derail the fragile housing recovery before it even has time to take root,” said Crowe. “Strict mortgage underwriting and low appraisals are making it difficult for a willing buyer to complete the sale, and terms and credit availability for builder acquisition, development and construction (AD&C) loans are extremely tight. The bottom line is that housing and the economy are at a critical crossroads.” To spur job growth, help reduce foreclosures and excess housing inventories and stabilize home values, NAHB is calling on Congress to extend the home buyer tax credit for an additional year through Nov. 30, 2010 and make it available to all purchasers of a principal residence. “We estimate this would increase home purchases by 383,000 and create nearly 350,000 jobs in the coming year,” said Crowe, adding that it would also generate $16.1 billion in wages and salaries; $12.1 billion in business income and tax income of $11.6 billion for federal, state and local governments. Congress can also help put the housing market back to work by encouraging regulators and the banking industry to restore lending for viable home building projects and to take meaningful steps to avoid unnecessary foreclosures on outstanding AD&C loans by accommodating loan modifications and workouts. “This would provide relief for a major sector of the economy that has suffered because of regulatory excess and the inability of banks to provide the necessary funding and flexibility that would otherwise keep loans performing as scheduled,” said Crowe. To further contribute to a housing and economic recovery, Crowe urged Congress to call on the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to adopt new regulatory guidelines for conducting appraisals under distressed market conditions. Citing a recent survey by NAHB that found that 25 percent of builders are losing sales because their appraisals are coming in below the contract price, Crowe said: “You just cannot compare a well-constructed new home with a foreclosed home that has been vacant for months and was probably neglected for a long time before it was vacated. They simply are not comparable, and the standards need to be adjusted to reflect that reality.” ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing more than 200,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Known as "the voice of the housing industry," NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for 2009.

Keynote speakers, creative networking opportunities, a showcase of products and services and professional development Build Boston BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 10,000 architects, engineers, contractors, owners/clients, interior designers, landscape architects, and other industry professionals from more than 40 states and a dozen countries will participate in Build Boston (www.BuildBoston.com), the Boston Society of Architects’ annual gathering of the design and construction industry. Now in its 25th year, Build Boston is a regional convention and tradeshow with national recognition, participation, and influence. It takes place November 18-20 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, with the theme “New Economy. New Climate. New Thinking.” Build Boston was conceived and developed by the Boston Society of Architects (BSA) to embrace the entire design, development and construction industry. This broad and inclusive approach has fueled the event’s growth and its continued popularity. “Architects don’t work in isolation, we rely on the expertise of consulting engineers, other design professionals, contractors, manufacturers, and the vision of our clients,” says James Batchelor FAIA, the 2009 BSA president. “By inviting other building industry associations and client groups to partner with the BSA, we gain both their expertise and their members’ participation, and that creates a rich learning and networking experience.” In 2009, participants will choose from 200 workshops and other professional development opportunities, earn continuing-education credits, attend daily keynote presentations by national experts, visit more than 250 tradeshow exhibits featuring building technologies, products and services, and network with peers and colleagues at the Build Boston Design Gala and other special events. In addition to individual workshops, Build Boston 2009 features seven one-day symposiums. These focused programs are organized by regional and national experts and address: Building Information Modeling, sustainable landscapes, design firm management, socially-responsible design, codes and design excellence in public places.

Popular Mechanics Recognizes Inventor and Entrepreneur Dan Brown for the Second Time in Five Years for Outstanding Product Design Achievements NEW YORK, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- LoggerHead Tools received a 2009 Breakthrough Innovation Award from Popular Mechanics magazine on October 8th at the Hearst Tower in New York City for its newly designed Bionic Hydrant Wrench(TM). LoggerHead, a past Popular Mechanics Editors Choice Award winner, is an entrepreneurial startup, a multiple award-winning designer, marketer, and American manufacturer of innovative problem-solving tools. The new Hydrant Wrench will serve the needs of firefighters and water system personnel by addressing the age-old problem of quickly opening problematic multi-sized fire hydrant valves in a revolutionary new way. A breakthrough innovation, it has been heralded for its patented design that quickly adjusts to multi-sized pentagonal nuts and provides an inventive mechanically advantaged grip when time and performance are of the essence. The awards honor new products that exemplify innovation, invention, design and engineering and the personalities behind them.

Gains in housing and public works will offset declines in commercial and manufacturing building WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP) , today released its 2010 Construction Outlook, a mainstay of business planning for construction and manufacturing executives, which forecasts an increase in overall U.S. construction starts for next year. Due to improvement for housing from extremely low levels and broader expansion for public works, the level of construction starts in 2010 is expected to climb 11% to $466.2 billion, following the 25% decline predicted for 2009. "The U.S. construction market in 2010 will be helped by growth for several sectors, following three straight years of decline that brought total construction activity down 39% from its mid-decade peak," said Robert A. Murray, vice president of economic affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction, addressing more than 300 construction executives and professionals at the 71st annual Outlook 2010 Executive Conference in Washington today. "The benefits from the stimulus act will broaden in scope, lifting not just highway construction but also environmental public works and several institutional structure types. With continued improvement expected for single family housing, after reaching bottom earlier this year, the overall level of construction activity should see moderate expansion in 2010."

ATLANTA, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) is proud to announce the approval and publication of its "ANSI / GREENGUARD Environmental Institute Mold and Moisture Management Standard for New Construction (ANSI / GEI - MMS1001)" by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This important national standard is the first to focus solely on mold and moisture issues that can arise in the construction of new buildings. Moisture, and in turn mold, can ruin indoor environmental quality, compromise building materials and building systems and cost thousands of dollars to fix. Preventing these risks protect financial investments while preserving the structural integrity and air quality of the building. The standard details design, construction and maintenance practices for preventing the harmful growth of mold. "We are very excited to bring such a valuable resource to the building industry," stated Henning Bloech, Executive Director of GEI. "With mold and moisture issues negatively impacting so many buildings and building occupants, we recognized a need for a consensus-developed standard to address this devastating problem. We applaud and thank the Consensus Board and numerous Public Commenters who helped us develop and craft this standard over the past two years." To ensure the standard was developed with comprehensive construction expertise the Consensus Board, which first met on March 13, 2007, was comprised of professionals from diverse backgrounds including architecture, academia, commercial construction, finance, legal, insurance, engineering, home building and building science professions. As part of the ANSI process, the standard was opened for public comment by all interested stakeholders. These comments were valuable in developing the most robust, yet practical national guidance on this important issue. Receiving ANSI approval validates the standard and ensures it will be a valuable resource for the marketplace. An electronic or hard copy version of the standard is available for purchase at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.greenguard.org/Default.aspx?tabid=115. About GEI Founded in 2001, GEI is a third-party organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification Program(SM). The Institute's mission is to protect human health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air that people breathe. As an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer, GEI establishes acceptable indoor air standards for building materials, interior products, electronic equipment, indoor environments and buildings. GREENGUARD Certified products must meet stringent, third-party standards for low chemical emissions based on established health standards and undergo rigorous testing and verification processes on a regular basis. GREENGUARD Certification is broadly recognized and accepted by a number of 'green' building programs, including the United States Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED(R) program. An online guide of GREENGUARD Certified products is available at no charge at www.greenguard.org.

Iowa Parks and Recreation director to lead Society WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Society of Landscape Architects inducted Gary D. Scott, FASLA, as the 65th president of the 17,000 member society during the 2009 Annual Meeting and EXPO in Chicago. As director of Parks and Recreation for the city of West Des Moines, Iowa, since 1990, Scott leads a dynamic department in a rapidly growing suburban community. Focusing on long-range planning, partnership building, advocacy, financing and public management, he plays a vital role in creating parks and open spaces. He earned his bachelors degree in landscape architecture in 1980 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During his first speech as ASLA president, Scott encouraged his peers to “regenerate the role of the landscape architect as a source of cultural transformation.” “We create beautiful spaces in harmony with nature. We play a major role in developing the tools to implement a broader green agenda – green roofs, stormwater management, alternate transportation, porous alleys and ecosystem reclamation, to name a few,” said Scott. “All of these efforts transform the way people view the city, and in doing so, transform our culture.” President-elect is Jonathan Mueller, FASLA. He is currently a senior landscape architect with Landmark, a landscape architectural studio of Architects West in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, that he helped establish in 1984. Also installed were three vice presidents, who will serve two-year terms: •Liz Birkholz, ASLA, vice president of communications and a landscape architect in Seattle •Stephanie V. Landregan, ASLA, vice president of government affairs and director for the landscape architecture program at the University of California Los Angeles Extension •Richard S. Hawks, FASLA, vice president of education and chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, N.Y. Continuing with the second year of their terms are Vice President of Finance Pamela M. Blough, ASLA; Vice President of Membership Brian J. Dougherty, FASLA; and Vice President of Professional Practice Gary A. Brown, FASLA. About ASLA Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing 17,000 members in 48 professional chapters and 68 student chapters. The Society's mission is to lead, to educate, and to participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning, and artful design of our cultural and natural environments. Members of the Society use the “ASLA” suffix after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the highest ethical standards of the profession. Learn more about landscape architecture online at www.asla.org.

New Ownership's Global Expertise Fuels Growth MEDFORD, Wis., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Hurd announces the opening of an office in Hong Kong, marking a new milestone in the brand's successful 15-year partnership with Asia wood window and door importers. The office provides Hurd with an Asia home base that centralizes and streamlines operations, marketing, sales and support needs. Hurd's Asia office opened in July and is staffed by full-time local personnel who are assisting the company's Asia sales team. Truniger attributes this growth opportunity to Hurd's parent company, Longroad Asset Management, LLC. "We've been able to draw on our new ownership's global expertise and ties to local Hong Kong resources to open this location as our first-ever international sales center," began Truniger. "Thanks to this joint venture, we expect Hurd to experience even greater success abroad in the future and potentially open additional overseas offices." Hurd sells its wood windows to customers in more than 20 countries including Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Morocco, Israel, the Caribbean, and else where. In May, Wisconsin's Governor Jim Doyle honored Hurd with his Export Achievement Award in the Medium Manufacturer category for their extraordinary results in international sales. The company grew their 2008 international sales by more than 66 percent and according to Truniger they are poised for double-digit growth in 2009 again.

25 State Office Buildings Cited for Energy & Environmental Leadership SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Furthering Governor Schwarzenegger’s energy and environmental goals, the California Department of General Services today announced that 25 state office buildings have now been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certifications by the U.S. Green Building Council. “By ‘greening’ our buildings, we reduce state government’s impact on climate change and the environment, while also operating healthier facilities within which to conduct state business,” said Ron Diedrich, DGS Acting Director. “General Services is implementing building operations and maintenance procedures across its building portfolio to improve operational efficiency, reduce waste, cut water use, and utilize environmentally-friendly cleaning products.” The most recent properties cited by the U.S. Green Building Council for “green” building operations and maintenance include: Caltrans District 11 Building, San Diego; Elihu Harris State Office Building, Oakland; Fresno State Office Building; and the Mission Valley State Office Building, San Diego. In addition to seeking LEED certification for its existing building stock, DGS is also pursuing green building certification for state facilities that are under construction. In 2004, the governor issued California’s Green Building Initiative, which calls for state facilities to be designed, built and operated as models of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. As the state’s real estate portfolio manager, DGS oversees the design, construction and operations of most state office buildings. The state’s green building database is available online at www.greenbuildings.dgs.ca.gov

Firm strengthens awards portfolio with Wm. S. Marvin Hall of Fame induction CROFTON, Md., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Builders, a firm specializing in the construction of architect-designed, custom homes in the mid-Atlantic region, and Custom Home magazine's 2009 Builder of the Year, announced today that it was inducted into BUILDER magazine's Wm. S. Marvin Hall of Fame for Design Excellence. BUILDER is the magazine of the National Association of Home Builders and as such, this honor further strengthens the firm's already significant awards portfolio. Horizon Builders was recognized for its contribution to residential design during the 29th Annual Builder's Choice Design and Planning awards gala on Thursday, October 8 in Washington, D.C.

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers may now have the opportunity to save on their energy bills and their taxes with Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas, North America's leading manufacturer and marketer of custom window coverings. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, federal tax credits for energy-efficient products are available for 30 percent of the cost of most Duette Architella shades, up to a maximum of $1,500 in total, when purchased and installed through December 31, 2010, provided the expense meets the tax guidelines. Highly insulating Duette Architella shades, which can more than double the energy efficiency of a window, are the first and only window shades to qualify for the tax credit without add-on insulation systems.

New PROLIFIC(TM) Series Reduces Energy Consumption and Increases Efficiency by 50% Over Traditional HID Products SATELLITE BEACH, Fla., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lighting Science Group Corporation (LSG) (Pink Sheets: LSCG), a global leader in LED (light emitting diode) lighting products, introduces its new line of LED roadway luminaires. The new PROLIFIC Series Roadway Luminaires have substantially increased light efficacy when compared to traditional lighting technologies such as high intensity discharge (HID) and significantly better light efficacy when compared to currently available LED based street lights. The new Lighting Science line of roadway fixtures perform between 80 to almost 90 lumens per watt depending on the model. This performance was validated by an independent testing laboratory that is approved for LM-79 Testing for ENERGY STAR for solid state lighting by the United States Department of Energy CALiPER program. At over 80 lumens per watt, the LSG PROLIFIC series delivers industry leading performance over currently available LED based street lights offering only 50 to 60 lumens per watt efficacy. With over 40 million streetlights in the U.S., these new products have the potential to dramatically expand the market for LED roadway lighting technology and revolutionize the way roads, streets and highways are illuminated. The PROLIFIC Series Roadway Luminaires provide replacement for existing high intensity discharge (HID) lighting installations for highways, city and residential streets, college campuses, government facilities, parking facilities and commercial projects. Four versions of the PROLIFIC luminaires, LSR1 at 50 watts through LSR4 at 150 watts, are available to replace 100 watt to 250 watt HID cobra head fixtures. Designed to deliver high quality illumination combined with energy efficient LED technology, the LSG roadway luminaires provide superior optical performance and maximized pole spacing. By using an internal thermal management system, the PROLIFIC luminaires feature a clean, streamlined housing eliminating the need for external fins. The sustainable design incorporates custom arrayed optics and uses recyclable, corrosion resistant materials. The design and technology incorporated in the PROLIFIC Series Roadway Luminaires is the subject of several pending patent applications. "For every streetlight replaced with the new Lighting Science PROLIFIC luminaire, we are able to reduce power consumption by as much as 130 watts which results in over 1 barrel of oil saved and nearly 1/2 ton of CO2 reduced per year. Now is the time to switch to sustainable technologies and start saving the environment for future generations," said Gibler. "We are very excited about the opportunity to be able to make a meaningful contribution to the global energy challenge."

Naples Botanical Garden Wins Leadership Award; Four State/Local Municipalities and Water Agencies Receive the State of the Union Award in Recognition of Their Outstanding Achievements in Landscape Water Conservation AZUSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rain Bird, the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services, has announced that Naples Botanical Garden is the winner of the 2009 Intelligent Use of Water™ Leadership Award, recognizing the organization’s leadership in the management of Earth’s most precious natural resource. The garden, located in Naples, Florida received $10,000 from Rain Bird and was featured in a short film highlighting the organization’s unique approach to water conservation at a special event held at the 2009 WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas. “Naples Botanical Garden is a prime example of what community organizations, especially our public gardens, can do to combat the mismanagement of water and encourage the creative processes and systems for conserving water,” said Dave Johnson, Rain Bird’s director of corporate marketing. “Naples Botanical Garden is vibrant proof, not only to residents of Florida, but also to home and business owners nationwide, that responsible and efficient water use can yield healthy and beautiful landscapes.” In an area with a problematic history of pollution and fertilizer runoff in communal waterways, Naples Botanical Garden is committed to the integration of sustainable green building practices into the design of their gardens. Having adopted the water use goals for LEED Gold Certification, the garden is a leader in freshwater conservation and management and incorporates numerous water conserving features into its design. Parking lot bio-swales capture rainwater that filters through the ground, carrying water to the giant entry feature bio-swale, the Rain Garden. A “River of Grass” garden feature serves as a natural filtration system before the water is slowly released to the preserve area. The primary irrigation system for the garden implements soil moisture detectors that direct water as needed through drip emitters. The system has allowed the garden to reduce water use by 50 percent. Naples Botanical Garden was one of five finalists for the 2009 award that included Quail Botanical Gardens (Encinitas, CA), Hui o Ko'olaupoko (Kailua, HI), Queens Botanical Garden (Queens, NY) and the Council on the Environment of New York City (New York, NY). Each finalist was selected by an independent panel of judges based on a set of pre-determined criteria that included demonstrated water savings, landscape preservation, innovation and overall impact on the community. ABOUT RAIN BIRD CORPORATION Based in Azusa, Calif., Rain Bird Corporation is the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Since its beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird has offered the industry's broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the world. Rain Bird has been awarded more than 130 patents, including the first in 1935 for the impact sprinkler. Rain Bird and The Intelligent Use of Water is about using water wisely. Its commitment extends beyond products to education, training and services for the industry and the community. Rain Bird maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing assembly facilities in the United States, France, Sweden and Mexico. www.rainbird.com

- DensArmor Plus(R) High Performance Interior Panel, DensShield(R) Tile Backer Show Zero Mold Growth - Independent Test Three Times Longer, More Rigorous than Industry Standard ATLANTA, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC has once again raised the standard of excellence in the building products industry, as two of its premier Dens(TM) interior gypsum panel products have passed the industry's most stringent mold resistance test. DensArmor Plus® High-Performance Interior Panel* and DensShield® Tile Backer each passed the 12-week test, conducted in accordance with the US Environmental Protection Agency's ASTM D 6329 ** protocol. The test -- three times longer and much more rigorous than ASTM D 3273, the current industry standard -- was conducted by an independent third party, RTI International, at its facilities in Research Triangle Park, N.C., between February and June 2009. No other gypsum products manufacturer has announced test results showing zero mold growth for 12 full weeks for any product. "These results confirm what we have long known -- that our Dens products lead the industry in mold and moisture resistance performance," said Kendall Clark, Research & Development Program Manager, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum. "Architects and builders can take comfort in the fact that the mold-resistant properties of Dens products save time and money during construction, and also ensure the sustainability of structures." According to Susan Raterman, a prominent industrial hygiene consultant in the critical areas of indoor air quality, mold mitigation and asbestos management, the news that two Dens(TM) interior products have passed a rigorous 12-week test is quite noteworthy. "Both the length of the test and the fact that it used two of the most problematic species of mold found in buildings are indicative of the rigor of this mold resistance performance standard," said Raterman, founder and president of The Raterman Group Ltd. "These results raise the bar for the entire industry, and further illustrate Georgia-Pacific Gypsum's leadership in product quality and innovation." The 12-week test continues the long history of "firsts" achieved by Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, via its Dens family of products. It was the first company to offer fiberglass mat products, the first to achieve a top rating of 10 under ASTM D 3273 and the first to offer an extended Weather Exposure Limited Warranty. The DensArmor Plus® panels were also the first to be GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® and GREENGUARD Children & Schools(TM) Certified as low-emitting gypsum panels, and were among the first gypsum panels to be listed by The Collaborative for High Performing Schools® (CHPS(TM)) as low-emitting materials. Since the introduction of its flagship DensGlass® sheathing more than 20 years ago, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum has steadily expanded its portfolio of fiberglass mat gypsum panels to include DensArmor Plus® High-Performance Interior Panels, DensArmor Plus® Abuse-Resistant Interior Panels, DensDeck® Roof Boards, DensGlass(TM) Shaftliner, DensShield® Tile Backer and the newly-released DensArmor Plus® Impact-Resistant Panels. * Test results limited to DensArmor Plus® High-Performance Interior Panel and do not include DensArmor Plus® Abuse-Resistant Interior Panels and DensArmor Plus® Impact-Resistant Panels. ** For more information about the EPA's Environmental and Sustainable Technology Evaluations (ESTE) projects for microbial resistant building materials, visit www.epa.gov/etv/este.html#mrbmgw

Homeowners Can Earn Rebates Up To $20,000; Businesses Even More GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Under Virginia's first-ever renewable energy rebate program, homeowners and businesses in the Commonwealth can receive a rebate of $2,000 per kilowatt for solar panel systems up to 10 kilowatts in size and Standard Solar today urged interested parties to move quickly before the money runs out. Standard Solar, the Mid-Atlantic region's largest solar developer and installer, commended Virginia Governor Tim Kaine for allocating $15 million of Federal stimulus money to launch the rebate program. "In setting up this program, Governor Kaine is going to unleash the pent-up demand for solar that we have been seeing in the Commonwealth for the past three years," said Tony Clifford, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Solar, which already has installed solar electric (photovoltaic or "PV") systems for 33 homeowners throughout the state. Standard Solar has more than 400 residential and numerous business, government and academic customers throughout Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the District of Columbia. Each of these other states already has a renewable rebate or grant program and some are expanding their programs to help a growing number of their constituents go solar. A typical residential system of 5 kilowatts earns the homeowner a rebate of $10,000. Businesses can receive a rebate for solar electric systems up to 200 kilowatts. The rebate amount for businesses starts at $2,000 per kilowatt (kW) for the first 10 kW installed, with a reduced amount for larger systems. "Virginians who have long wanted solar now have the opportunity better manage their electricity costs and lower their own carbon footprints," Clifford added. "We look forward to working with both residents and businesses throughout the Virginia. This is the best way yet to save money and improve our environment." Because this initial rebate program is working with a finite sum of money and rebates are to be issued on a first-come, first-served basis, Standard Solar recommends that homeowners and businesses in Alexandria, as well, as Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, Fauquier, Prince William and Stafford counties interested in assessing their properties for solar sign up quickly for an evaluation at www.StandardSolar.com. There one can also find more information about Standard Solar, founded in 2004. Interested parties can also call Standard Solar at 301-944-5222 to speak with a solar consultant. The new Virginia rebate, combined with the 30% solar Federal Investment Tax Credit now in effect, annual electricity savings and the sale of Renewable Energy Credits that solar systems earn for their owners, an investment in solar electric system can pay for itself in a matter of years. For Virginians interested in receiving updates about the rebate program, Standard Solar urges them to sign up at: http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.virginia.gov/eerebates. About Standard Solar, Inc. Standard Solar is a full-service developer, integrator and installer of solar electric systems for commercial, academic, government and residential customers throughout Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.standardsolar.com.

It is widely understood by firefighters and other first responders that if a fire has been burning in a home for more than five minutes, and that home is constructed with engineered I-Joist flooring systems, you are literally putting your life on the line by entering the home in order to assist residents in escaping and getting the fire under control. This is because of the tendency of these engineered wood flooring systems to burn rapidly and fail quickly when a fire breaks out. In contrast, it has been a commonly held belief of firefighters that solid lumber flooring components provide approximately 30-minutes of safety before the risk of collapse reaches an unacceptable level. This has lead to a call among firefighters in many communities throughout the United States to find a way to “get my 30-minutes back.” For years, as lightweight construction methods have gained wide use in residential structures, leaders in the fire service community have brought this problem to the attention of those responsible for creating and adopting building codes at the federal, state and local level. Without a solid method to enhance the fire safety of these materials, however, little or nothing has been done. That may all be about to change! Fire Safety instructors from Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, recently worked with their peers and students from the carpentry group to show how an intumescent coating known as No-Burn® Plus intumescent paint can dramatically expand the time available for residents to reach safety and firefighters to perform required tasks in a home that has caught on fire. They constructed two 8-foot by 8-foot simulated flooring systems using 12-inch wooden I-joists 24-inches on center and 1-inch oriented strand board (OSB) floor decking. Both floors were elevated three feet above the ground by concrete blocks, and each was covered with a ½-inch layer of cement board and then loaded with 418 pounds of concrete blocks to simulate the weight of two firefighters. One of these flooring systems was left untreated, while the other received a coating of No-Burn® Plus intumescent paint. Flame was applied to the underside of both flooring systems by a propane torch with multiple gas outlets to simulate a fire originating in the basement level of a home. The initial failure of the I-joist system of the untreated floor occurred at about 15 minutes, at which point the flame source was removed. Total failure of the untreated structure occurred around the 33 minute mark. In contrast, the flame was removed from the treated structure at the 38 minute point and little to no damage had occurred – it had become obvious to the participants in the demonstration that the treated system would continue to remain in place for a great deal of additional time. Upon removal of the flame source, any fire evident on the treated structure self extinguished. “This is a significant development for occupants of residential structures and firefighters alike,” said Robert Davidson of Davidson Code Concepts, a nationally recognized fire and building code compliance consulting firm. According to Davidson, “Fire service professionals have been seeking methods of protecting against flooring and roofing system collapse ever since the use of lightweight construction methods have gained increased use in residential construction. This appears to be a fairly inexpensive and a highly effective method of dramatically increasing the time before these structural systems would be expected to fail in the event of a fire in the structure.” “We started a process of exploring the hazards of lightweight construction in typical residential construction last year,” said Dr. Thomas Schlei, Fire Training Instructor at Waukesha County Technical College. “As an extension of that process we decided to compare the effect of fire impingement on typical lightweight construction structural materials, both uncoated and coated with an intumescent paint material such as the No-Burn® Plus coating. In the demonstration burn that we conducted it was apparent that the intumescent paint coating did provide a significant amount of protection to the wooden I-joist and underside of the floor decking materials. This could potentially buy time for occupants to escape and possibly extend structural integrity for firefighters to conduct fireground operations. We are very proud of our students and staff, and quite pleased that our academic program has been able to provide an effective public service related to enhancing fire safety with respect to understanding lightweight construction.” The No-Burn® Plus intumescent paint is manufactured by No-Burn, Incorporated of Wadsworth, Ohio. Additional information can be obtained by contacting No-Burn® at 800-989-8577, email to info@noburn.com, or through the Web: www.noburn.com. No-Burn, Inc has been leading the way in the field of fire retardant technology since 1998. By removing the fuel a fire needs to burn, these products dramatically reduce the possibility of a fire ever starting when applied over substrates such as wood, drywall, fabric, carpet, furniture, fiber-reinforced plastic and many other materials. Equally important, No-Burn® can reduce toxic smoke by as much as 80 percent. All No-Burn® products carry a “Class A” rating and are completely non-toxic and non-carcinogenic. Several No-Burn® products also offer a dual level of protection, reducing the risk of fire and inhibiting the growth of toxic-black mold. All No-Burn® products are available exclusively through a network of dealers, certified for professional application. To learn more, please visit our Web site: www.noburn.com, or contact us at 800-989-8577 / 330-336-1500

IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) today announced an ongoing study by Jana Laboratories confirms 100+ year life expectancy for pipe made from polyethylene (PE) when used in municipal potable water systems. The study is the latest in-depth research commissioned by PPI investigating the effects of disinfection on the lifetime of polyethylene pipes. Interim report findings state PE pipe can last in excess of one hundred years under most water quality conditions, service environments and disinfection techniques. “One hundred year service life exceeds typical expectations; fifty years is widely accepted as the usual benchmark,” explained Tony Radoszewski, executive director of the PPI. “Polyethylene has been successfully used for water pipe in Europe and North America since the late 1950’s due to its leak-free joints, durability, resistance to galvanic corrosion, and long-term cost effectiveness. This research, along with analytical projects conducted over the years by our association and other entities, overwhelmingly provides evidence demonstrating the superiority of PE pipe systems over historically-used materials,” Radoszewski concluded. Jana Laboratories, publisher of the study, is a world-recognized authority on testing and evaluating the effects of disinfectants on pipe materials. Compilation of the research is ongoing with a final report anticipated in 2010. More information and links to the interim report can be found on the PPI’s website www.plasticpipe.org or Jana Labs website www.janalab.com. About PPI: The Plastics Pipe Institute Inc. is the trade association dedicated to expanding awareness about plastic pipe systems and promoting plastics as the material of choice for pipe applications. PPI is the premier technical, engineering and industry knowledge resource publishing data for use in development and design of plastic pipe systems. Additionally, PPI collaborates with industry organizations that set standards for manufacturing practices and installation methods. About Jana Laboratories: Jana Laboratories is the leading piping systems technology firm in the world. Jana is a practical, solutions-based engineering firm with a strong reliance on empirical testing data. Jana is positioned between a pure test lab, (which would have minimal engineering capability), and a full research lab (which would focus on theoretical science development). Jana places an applicable context on data and, through this analysis, is focused on providing a solution to its clients.

WILMINGTON, N.C., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Susan Tollefsen, an interior designer from Raleigh, North Carolina, has been announced as the 2009 winner of the web-based reality competition 'Nation's Next Top Model Home.' Tollefsen was awarded the title at the taping of the show's finale party on location at the host community, Compass Pointe, on Saturday, October 3rd. The 46 year old designer, a graduate of East Carolina University, used her broad experience, unique creative vision and strong network of supporters to secure the win. "I knew I had a solid vision, but there's no way I could have accomplished it without all the help I had from my friends in executing my design," said Tollefsen. "I'm still amazed at how many people voted for me! I didn't realize I had such a large base that appreciated my work and believed so strongly in me. It's just wonderful!" The show presents unique Internet-based programming, giving seven interior designers the opportunity to decorate the primary living areas of seven new model homes within a single new home community - all within a set budget. Viewers follow the designers' progress through weekly webisodes, blogs and journals. The winning design is ultimately chosen by the public's vote. Tollefsen was selected from over 200 applicants from across the country. As the winning designer, she walks away with a $25,000 cash prize. Since the show first premiered on June 15th, the online competition has drawn over 100,000 unique viewers from across the country, primarily through its grass roots word-of-mouth marketing efforts. Fans can continue to view this season's new webisodes through October 19th. 'Nation's Next Top Model Home' begins its new season in the Spring of 2010. Producers are currently scouting the next host community location and applications are now being accepted for next year's cast of designers at www.NationsNextTopModelHome.com About Nation's Next Top Model Home Established by KAMY Properties, LLC, 'Nation's Next Top Model Home' is a unique web-based reality competition that recognizes exceptional interior design among the nation's finest model homes. www.nationsnexttopmodelhome.com

Masdar City Pilot First to Use Smart Appliances That Measure and Transmit Real Time Power Consumption ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates & LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Masdar City and GE Consumer & Industrial announced today a landmark pilot program that will investigate the reduction of peak power demand through the use of smart home appliances. Involving some of the first residents of Masdar City – whose goal it is to become the world’s first carbon neutral, zero waste city being built in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi – the program will test how GE smart (or demand response enabled) appliances and Home Energy Manager (HEM) can lower power demand in the home and across the city. GE specifically designed and manufactured the appliances and networks for this pilot, which leverages Masdar City’s status as a cleantech cluster and one-of-a-kind “living laboratory” for exciting new sustainability technologies. The equipment will be installed in early 2010 in the first building to be completed at Masdar City, the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. “The GE smart appliances used in the pilot will be the first in the world to provide two-way communication and built-in advanced energy management functionality that will reduce power demand in response to notification of changing utility prices and energy demand, while also measuring and transmitting real-time power consumption data,” explained GE Consumer & Industrial President and CEO James Campbell. “Participating in such a significant, globally relevant experience by bringing leadership technology to this program is extremely exciting for our business.” “This is truly a historic venture for both GE and Masdar,” explained Steve Fludder, Vice President of GE’s ecomagination initiative. “We are building on the commitment GE and Masdar announced the first of this year to collaborate on sustainable business solutions and to develop new and innovative technologies. This pilot program will provide a residential technology solution that supports broader GE ecomagination and Masdar goals.” Ten of the Masdar Institute’s 100 residences will participate in the two-year pilot project. The information developed from the program will not only provide important early feedback in testing consumers’ energy-consumption behavior in the face of Demand-Response technology, but it also will assist Masdar City in planning and designing its smart power grid in order to achieve its carbon-neutral, zero-waste, 100%-renewable-energy-powered objectives. “This is a significant milestone in the realisation of our vision to see Masdar City become not only a global centre of research and development in renewable energy and clean technologies but also a unique metropolitan-scale test bed for these new technologies,” said Masdar CEO Dr. Sultan Al Jaber. “Working with industry-leading partners such as GE, Masdar City is creating a community of prominent companies, organisations and academic institutions committed to finding solutions to humankind’s toughest challenges.” The Masdar City pilot project comes as part of the broader relationship between GE and the Mubudala Development Company, of which Masdar is a wholly owned subsidiary, which extends to a broad range of initiatives in the fields of aviation, commercial finance, industry and corporate learning. Masdar City, whose first phase of construction is set to finish by 2013, has already attracted a number of leading international entities. In addition to GE – an anchor partner that will build in the city its first ecomagination Center focused on sustainable business solutions – the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) announced in June that it would locate its new global headquarters in Masdar City. As well, the Masdar Institute is cooperating with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to offer courses focused on education and research in advanced energy solutions and sustainable technologies. How the Masdar City Pilot Program Will Work The pilot residences in the Masdar Institute building will be equipped with a Home Energy Manager and European-style and size demand response-enabled refrigerators, cooktops and combination clothes washers/dryers that work on 220volt/50HZ platforms. During the pilot, the HEM and appliances will receive signals from the grid, which will simulate peak energy usage periods. In response, the HEM and smart appliances will customize the appliances’ responses to save energy, reducing energy demand on the grid. For example, the HEM and refrigerator will receive a signal that electricity prices are going up. When the refrigerator gets that signal, it can delay the defrost cycle and raise the temperature inside the refrigerator by a couple of degrees, thereby saving energy and money. When the refrigerator receives a signal that electricity prices have gone down, it will defrost the refrigerator and return the internal temperature to the original setting. The entire process does not require any involvement of the person living in the pilot residence, unless they choose to override the demand response function. GE’s Demand Response and Home Energy Manager technology: •Energy Home Manager – the central nervous system to the home that will enable consumers not only to monitor their energy usage and generation but also manage their energy use in the most cost effective manner. The energy manager can help the consumer determine when they should use energy from the grid, use stored energy, or self generated energy or other sources. •Energy Optimization/Demand Response Appliances: GE will enable consumers to manage their control costs and energy consumption while helping the grid shed load, reducing the need for more power generation. GE plans to be the first manufacturer to offer a full suite of demand response appliances that will work with utility smart meters to help shed load from the grid and consumers save money during peak usage and pricing times. These appliances work with smart meters to delay or reduce energy use without major interruption to consumer’s lifestyles by giving them control over their energy use. About GE Consumer & Industrial GE Consumer & Industrial spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliances, lighting and integrated industrial equipment, systems and services. Providing solutions for commercial, industrial and residential use in more than 100 countries, GE Consumer & Industrial uses innovative technologies and ecomaginationSM, a GE initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that help customers and consumers meet pressing environmental challenges, to deliver comfort, convenience and electrical protection and control. General Electric (NYSE: GE), imagination at work, sells products under the Monogram®, Profile™, GE®, Hotpoint®, SmartWater™, Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Entellisys®, Tetra®, Vio™ and Immersion® commercial brands. For more information, consumers may visit www.ge.com. About Masdar City Masdar City is the first clean-technology cluster to be located in a carbon-neutral, zero-waste city powered entirely by renewable energy. This US$22 billion free zone in Abu Dhabi seeks to become a global centre for innovation, research, product development and light manufacturing in the fields of renewable energy and environmental technologies. Leading multinational companies in the cleantech sector, as well as small- and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurial start-ups will locate R&D labs, marketing offices and headquarters in the city, which will be anchored by the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology – a PhD-level, research-driven institution that is cooperating with MIT to offer courses focused entirely on education and research in advanced energy solutions and sustainable technologies. For more information, please visit www.masdarcity.ae. About Masdar Masdar is an Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company that develops low-carbon solutions for a more sustainable future. By establishing a leading education and research institution, financing promising technologies, developing large-scale utilities, and building the world’s first carbon-neutral city, Masdar operates across the lifecycle of renewable energy technology at an unprecedented scale. Masdar is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mubadala Development Company. For more information, please visit www.masdar.ae.

LISLE, Ill., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- KONE has acquired RS Elevator Corporation, an independent elevator service company based in Los Alamitos, California. RS Elevator has developed a reputation for delivering quality in all aspects of their business including maintenance, repair and modernization. Their strong team has steadily grown its service base since opening for business in 1998. RS and KONE will combine their elevator operations under the KONE name in the coming months. "The three owners of RS have built a solid business and we know that by combining our operations we will be even stronger in this very important Los Angeles market," says Vance Tang, KONE EVP and Area Director for the Americas. Over the past 11 years, RS has grown its service business through a strong focus on customer satisfaction and by delivering consistent high level elevator maintenance, repair and modernization solutions. "KONE welcomes the opportunity to continue offering outstanding service to RS Elevator's customers. We share RS Elevator's philosophy of customer focus and excellent service. I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to the new team members from RS Elevator joining KONE through this acquisition. Together we will be stronger," Vance concludes.

It’s All About Time PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Color trends for 2010 take inspiration from a variety of social and economic influences. In addition, living space personalization continues to act as a driver for color change, with accent walls or niche areas appropriate for small doses of high impact, bold color, while using more subtle hues on broad wall areas. Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert with the Paint Quality Institute(sm), states, “More and more homeowners are taking on the task of simple home projects to save money and improve their current space. Conversely, others are sprucing up in preparation for placing their home on the market.” Regardless of the purpose, a fresh coat of paint remains one of the most economical ways to accomplish all three. No matter what paint color is used, homeowners continue to strive for comfortable, tranquil home environments. Good Morning Zimmer shares, “While over-the-top renovations aren’t the norm today, handy homeowners are tackling small manageable home improvements, such as the addition of a morning kitchen to a bedroom or home office.” With consumers’ continued desire to create both warm and functional spaces, the Good Morning palette consists of hues that are fresh, clean and comfortable. Color Recommendations: •Honey-like hues such as tan or pale gold •Coral •Yellow •Mineral Grey Good Night “The inspiration for the Good Night palette comes from above—the ceiling,” offers Zimmer. Why sleep beneath a lackluster white canopy? Wrap any space with constant color by painting the ceiling in a tint, tone or shade of the wall color or add a softer touch by paring pastel hues. She continues, “From pastels to deep-tones, Good Night hues, as you might expect, are especially useful in bedrooms and baths or to ‘warm-up’ a family space.” Color Recommendations: •Pastel hues, particularly pale blue or shell pink for ceilings •Midnight blue •Eggplant •Wine Good Bye Home staging continues to grow in popularity, as property owners look for home sale assistance. Zimmer states, “The Good Bye palette reflects an assortment of simplistic hues that work across a variety of spaces, creating a welcoming first impression and suitable backdrop for any living area.” Whether you’re saying “good-bye” to one home or “hello” to another, this classic palette is suitable for all areas and is an especially good choice for foyers, kitchens and family living spaces. Color Recommendations: •Khaki paired with crisp white •Mid-toned Blues •Off-White, Bisque •Black Zimmer concludes, “No matter which hue attracts attention this year, consumers continue to have an increased appreciation for paint quality and value.” And, why not? It remains a personal choice for a personal space—it’s about time. For other helpful tips on painting and good design ideas, visit www.paintquality.com, where a great paint job begins. Editor’s note: Get hi-res downloadable images that accompany the release. About the Paint Quality Institute The Paint Quality InstituteSM was formed by Rohm and Haas Company (now a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”)) in 1989 to educate people on the advantages of using quality interior and exterior paints and coatings. The Paint Quality Institute's goal is to provide information on the virtues of quality paint as well as color trends and decorating with paint through a variety of vehicles, including television appearances, newspaper and magazine articles, and instructional literature. Please be sure to visit the Paint Quality Institute at www.paintquality.com.