BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine Recognizes Eco-Friendly Kitchen Faucet and Showerhead INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Delta® Addison® pull-down kitchen faucet with Multi-Flow™ and Touch2O® Technology and the Addison showerhead with H2Okinetic Technology® each received a 2010 Green Product Award from BUILDING PRODUCTS magazine. The Green Product Awards recognize "the best new eco-friendly products for the home," and will be featured in the Fall 2010 issue of the magazine. According to BUILDING PRODUCTS magazine, Green Products Awards recipients were chosen for their green and sustainable attributes, including energy efficiency, resource efficiency, and/or health and comfort. Products were also evaluated on innovation and overall value to residential construction professionals employing green building practices. The Addison kitchen faucet was recognized for its Multi-Flow™ pull-down wand, which helps homeowners save water in the kitchen without sacrificing performance. Normally flowing at a water-efficient 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm), the faucet uses up to 32 percent less water than standard faucets. Users also have the option to increase the flow to 2.2 gpm for bigger projects like filling pots or vases. The available Touch2O Technology can also help save water by making it easy to turn the faucet off between tasks.

- Construction Planned to Begin in 2011 - PRINCETON, N.J. and SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- NRG Solar, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) and SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) today announced groundbreaking agreements to begin construction next year of the 250-megawatt (MW) California Valley Solar Ranch in San Luis Obispo County. The solar power plant is expected to create approximately 350 jobs during construction, will power about 100,000 homes and will be one of the largest photovoltaic solar power plants in the world, when complete. NRG Solar plans to invest up to $450 million of equity in the project over the next four years, subject to final total project cost and negotiation of the financing terms and conditions. Under the agreement announced today, NRG will, subject to certain conditions, assume all ownership and financing responsibilities for the California Valley Solar Ranch. SunPower will continue to develop the project, and will design, build, operate and maintain the solar power plant. Construction is expected to start in the second half of 2011, with a portion of the project expected to begin operating by the end of 2011 and the balance coming on line in 2012 and 2013. When fully operational, the solar power plant will help California achieve its 33% renewable portfolio standard. The project is currently seeking a loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Loan Guarantee Program Office, which supports accelerated commercial use of innovative energy technologies to help sustain economic growth, yield environmental benefits, and produce a more stable and secure energy supply. The DOE Loan Guarantee Program Office has provided a draft term sheet for the California Valley Solar Ranch project, which is a significant milestone in the process leading to a conditional loan guarantee commitment.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KB Home (NYSE:KBH), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the City of Roseville, today announced the first four homes in the nation to earn the WaterSense® label. All homes built in KB Home’s new Springwood community will be constructed to the WaterSense criteria and KB Home plans for the community to be the first in the nation in which every home has been certified to meet EPA’s specification for water-efficient new homes. When complete, KB Home’s Springwood, located just east of Sacramento in Roseville, California, will be the first of three communities across the country in which KB Home will build new homes to these guidelines. Each WaterSense labeled new home is independently inspected and certified to ensure EPA criteria are met for both water efficiency and performance. A WaterSense labeled new home built in one of KB Home’s communities is designed to use 20 percent less water than a typical new home inside and out.

Construction and Interconnection Completed in Nine Month Period BELTSVILLE, Md., Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- SunEdison, a leading worldwide solar energy services provider and a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials (NYSE: WFR), has successfully interconnected a 70 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Northeast Italy, near the town of Rovigo. The deployment, which is now the largest single-operating PV solar power plant in Europe, was completed and interconnected in a nine-month time period. The Rovigo solar power plant was acquired by First Reserve through a previously announced joint venture between First Reserve Corporation and SunEdison. Investment programs managed or advised by Partners Group AG and Perennius Capital Partners SGR have invested in the project with the First Reserve joint venture. First Reserve recently announced the execution of a euro 276M project finance facility for the project with some of the leading European banks, including Banco Santander, Unicredit Corporate Banking, Dexia Crediop, Natixis, Societe Generale and Credit Agricole. SunEdison, a minority investor in the joint venture with First Reserve, will manage the ongoing operations and maintenance of the Rovigo plant.

FLANDERS, N.J. & BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Benjamin Moore and Constellation Energy are nearing completion of a new solar power system that is expected to generate 68 percent of the electricity needs for Benjamin Moore’s 80,000 sq. ft. product development center and testing laboratories. The solar power system at the company’s Flanders, NJ, R&D facility comprises 8,600 crystalline photovoltaic solar panels, making it one of the largest on-site solar power systems in the state. The system is expected to begin producing electricity by year’s end. Benjamin Moore & Co., a Berkshire Hathaway company (NYSE:BRK.A), teamed with the retail division of Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) to develop the 1.7-megawatt system. Under a 20-year solar power purchase agreement, Benjamin Moore is providing the land and will purchase all of the electricity from the solar panels. Constellation Energy will build, own and maintain the system. The long-term solar power purchase agreement structure enables Benjamin Moore to undertake renewable energy generation with no upfront capital expenditure. Depending on conditions, the system is expected to produce nearly 2,230,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year, enough to supply 68 percent of the electricity of the facility. Benjamin Moore and Constellation Energy are also exploring new energy conservation measures at the Flanders site to further reduce the facility’s overall electricity usage so that it can rely almost exclusively on the power generated by the solar array.

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH®), an engineering and architecture professional services firm with five offices in Colorado and Wyoming, added nearly a century of water, wastewater and water resources engineering expertise to its portfolio of services. SEH and Jacobson Satchell Consultants, Inc. (JSC) partnered to transfer the entire team of six JSC professionals located in the Lakewood office to SEH. JSC, headquartered in Omaha, Neb. closed its Lakewood office with the transfer. Former JSC professionals joining SEH include Tom Satchell, PE, who led the JSC Lakewood operation. Tom will help SEH grow its client base and services to communities in Colorado, Western Nebraska, and New Mexico. His direct involvement in environmental engineering projects spans 40-years, with emphasis on design and construction. Matt Benak, PE, will serve as SEH’s lead in Colorado and Wyoming for water and wastewater services. Other former JSC professionals joining SEH represent services of environmental, civil, and chemical engineering, and marketing.

Easing the Path to LEED Certification, GreenWizard Users Will Send Information and Submit Documentation Directly to LEED Online CHARLESTON, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GreenWizard®, Inc., the largest collection of green building product data for intelligent material selection, and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced today a collaboration to develop and implement online submission of LEED documents and templates through a seamless interface from GreenWizard’s workflow solution. The LEED green building program, developed by USGBC, is the foremost program for the design & construction of green buildings. As part of the alliance, GreenWizard has also agreed to follow LEED Online data and architectural standards so that information originating in GreenWizard can directly populate LEED Credit templates. LEED Online is the online tool projects use to submit documentation for LEED certification. Soon, project management teams seeking green products that will contribute toward LEED certification will be able to use GreenWizard to directly submit documents and send information seamlessly to LEED Online.

REDLANDS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The University of Redlands has earned its first LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold certification for its new Center for the Arts buildings. Dedicated in February, the Center for the Arts features 42,000-square-feet of space for the Art, Art History and Theatre Arts programs. The Center includes a two-story building for the Art and Art History departments, Ann Peppers Hall. The Theatre Arts Department facilities include an expanded Glenn Wallichs Theatre and the new Frederick Loewe Theatre, a Black Box theatre and performance space designed for performances with a more intimate feel.

Customers awarded one Platinum and four Gold LEED™ ratings and more than 125 ENERGY STAR® Labels year-to-date, nearly 80% more than last year. ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SERVIDYNE, INC. (Nasdaq: SERV), an energy efficiency and demand response company, announced today that it has already reached new sustainability milestones for its customers in 2010, including one customer who has been awarded the prestigious LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings) Platinum certification and four other customers who have achieved LEED-EB Gold certifications for their buildings. Servidyne served as the LEED and engineering consultant for these projects in support of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) rating system. n addition to the LEED-EB certifications, year-to-date Servidyne has guided more than 125 customer buildings in successfully achieving the ENERGY STAR Label, greatly surpassing the Company’s significant accomplishment of achieving 86 ENERGY STAR Labels for its customers during all of 2009. The distinguished LEED-EB Platinum certification is the highest sustainability rating possible for existing buildings, and promotes a whole-facility approach to sustainability through building efficiency optimization and environmental stewardship. Servidyne’s customer is only the second in the Washington, D.C. metro area to receive the LEED-EB Platinum certification, and just the fourth in the United States to achieve this superlative rating since the launching of LEED-EB v3. The building is the only multi-tenant building in the D.C. metro area and one of the oldest buildings in the U.S. ever to achieve the elite LEED-EB Platinum rating.

CHICAGO, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ - Greenbuild International Conference & Expo The U.S. Green Building Council Education Department announced an innovative virtual tour of their headquarters. The project is in the final stages of testing and is expected to go live within the next few weeks. http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.usgbc.org/virtualtour The renovation of USGBC's offices was certified as LEED® Platinum and touring the space was already very popular with visitors. By going virtual with the tour, USGBC is meeting its mandate of promoting sustainable development and reaching a much broader audience. The resulting presentation is a three-dimensional model with embedded complimentary courses, videos, audio podcasts, 3D models of building products and materials, and text.

Findings from multi-year study by CB Richard Ellis, McGraw-Hill Construction and the University of San Diego unveiled at Greenbuild CHICAGO, Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- At its core, a green building is a better performing building. It uses fewer resources and offers a better place to work through improved energy and water efficiency, better air quality, and access to natural daylight—but do green buildings make dollars and sense for investors? The Business Benefits of Green Buildings SmartMarket Report, released today by McGraw-Hill Construction, CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) and the University of San Diego's (USD) Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate during the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Greenbuild Expo in Chicago, says yes. As the second phase of an ongoing study initiated in 2009 by CBRE and USD, the report offers a comprehensive look at how commercial building owners, managers, tenant firms and occupants perceive the benefits of green buildings and reveals bottom-line and human factor (health and well-being) benefits that are driving green building growth in the U.S. The findings show that sustainable buildings generate stronger investment fundamentals than their traditionally managed competitors.

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Green Building Services Inc. (GBS) and BOMA Portland (Portland Metropolitan Building Owners and Managers Association) announced that their new web-based technical solution – Building Insights O+M Track™ – works with LEED Online to support ongoing operational improvements and maintenance processes critical to high-performance green buildings. Capable of managing the dynamic flow of information in today's existing facilities, the tool will contribute towards helping owners reduce building energy costs and improve performance. O+M Track interfaces with the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED Online program, an online tool for green building project teams to facilitate the LEED documentation and certification process. Historically, building owners seeking to monitor performance and obtain LEED certification had to hire new staff, reallocate resources and obtain organizational buy-in to establish and track their sustainable O+M programs. By leveraging O+M Track, building owners reduce staffing requirements and quickly integrate their teams into a streamlined tracking program. LEED documentation and submission are two expenses of certification. O+M Track helps organize the information with a comprehensive view of operations and maintenance activities and aligns with LEED EBOM reporting requirements, encouraging compliance under LEED for Existing Buildings. O+M track greatly reduces the financial impact of pursuing certification and facilitates the submission process by pushing all necessary data directly to LEED Online.

Proves its energy saving window film provides a net positive environmental impact worldwide CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today Solar Gard is making available the results of its environmental product declaration (EPD), which scientifically substantiates that Solar Gard architectural solar control window films have a net positive environmental impact across the globe. An EPD is a complete assessment of the environmental impact of a product. Performed under ISO 14040 and 14025 standards for Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and reporting, it is globally accepted as the most comprehensive way to validate a product’s environmental performance. By disclosing the complete cradle-to-grave environmental impact of more than 30 architectural solar control window films, Solar Gard affirms its commitment to transparency, providing consumers and the building sector with the information they need to make environmentally responsible decisions.

New program open to multiple technology companies and organizations will improve data tracking, information and content integration for green building projects under way CHICAGO, Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), developers of the LEED green building program today announced LEED Automation, a new program in collaboration with leading technology companies that is designed to streamline and create capacity for the LEED building certification process. LEED Automation enables LEED Online, the online tool projects use to submit documentation and certify LEED projects, to interact with third party technology platforms.

Combined Technology and Protocols Will Provide Unique, Hybrid Energy Saving Solutions MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Leviton Manufacturing has partnered with Insolroll Window Shading Systems to develop completely wireless, "battery free" solution sets for Solar Shading. This Leviton Solar Shading Solutions product family delivers a new value in Commercial Solar Shading solutions with hybrid protocol capabilities and energy saving technologies. The standalone, single-room shading systems, which will provide buildings with added convenience, comfort and energy savings, will present a truly unique offering to the building industry - the only hybrid solutions that combine the benefits of EnOcean and RTS wireless operating platforms and building control systems. The companies will focus initial development on meeting the needs of the commercial building market.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design marks important environmental milestone PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell and Chair of the Delaware Valley Green Building Council Joseph Healy joined PECO President and CEO Denis O’Brien yesterday in celebrating the recent awarding of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification to five of the company’s existing buildings. The event was held at PECO’s Berwyn Campus, which includes three of the five existing buildings that received certification. PECO’s other two LEED certified existing buildings are located in Phoenixville and Warminster, PA. The work completed to achieve certification at the five sites included lighting, HVAC and plumbing upgrades, the implementation of a green cleaning program, the creation of a Green Champion employee volunteer group, and increased recycling. These efforts helped reduce annual energy use by nearly 3.5 million kWh (kilowatt hours) - the equivalent to the energy used every year by approximately 500 homes – and decreased annual water consumption by 701,000 gallons across the five buildings. In addition, PECO also converted nearly 20 acres of turf grass to native meadows at both Berwyn and Warminster to promote a healthier ecosystem and reduce emissions resulting from lawn maintenance.

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Senate has passed a resolution supporting hardwood by recognizing it as an environmentally preferable building material. Resolution S. Res. 411 recognizes United States hardwoods as an abundant, sustainable, and legal resource. The Senate also mandates that United States hardwoods and products derived from these hardwoods be given full consideration in any program that promotes the construction of environmentally preferable commercial, public, or private buildings. The Resolution specifically identifies United States hardwoods as an abundant, sustainable, and legal resource as documented annually by the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program of the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The USDA analysis shows that the hardwood inventory in the United States has more than doubled during the past 50 years, and that annual hardwood growth currently exceeds annual hardwood removals by a margin of 1.9 to 1, meaning that for every tree harvested in the United States, nearly two are planted in its place. The study further shows that annual growth of United States hardwoods has exceeded annual removals every year since 1952.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Seven environmentally focused builders were recently honored by Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) with the company's Excellence in Sustainability award. This citation recognizes recent projects that demonstrate sustainable building practices, as defined by LEED® and NAHB guidelines, and feature energy-efficient appliance options from Whirlpool Corporation's portfolio of brands. The Excellence in Sustainability awards are part of the Whirlpool Corporation Green Touch™ Program, which helps make it easier to design, build and market sustainable homes. The program provides builders with a variety of practical solutions to help make a difference, such as sustainable product options, design tools and marketing assistance.

With a clear edge in both efficiency and profit margin, crystalline silicon solar modules threaten to steal market share from thin film solar technologies BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In the face of renewed pricing pressures, solar device manufacturers have had to refocus on minimizing costs and maximizing performance to maintain profit margins. Advances in crystalline silicon technology, and the falling cost of the polysilicon raw material, have only increased the pressure on manufacturers of emerging thin-film technologies, including thin-film silicon (TF-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) – many of which are under the gun to improve margins or face extinction, according to a new report from Lux Research. The report, titled “Module Cost Structure Breakdown: Can Thin Film Survive the Crystalline Silicon Onslaught?,” compares incumbent multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) technology (representing roughly 80% of the crystalline silicon market) on a $/W basis against three challengers: thin-film silicon (TF-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS). The report surveys process changes and cost reduction efforts that module developers have undertaken, and forecasts which technology will gain a long-term cost advantage at the module level.

3S Solar Block transparent coating eliminates heat gain and glare as it transmits high visible light levels Greenbuild 2010 Booth #1730 CANTON, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Translucent daylighting systems by Duo-Gard Industries Inc. can now integrate 3S Solar Block, a high-performance transparent coating for solar control. Applied to the interior cells of Duo-Gard’s multiwall polycarbonate glazings, the spectrally selective coating transmits the entire spectrum of high visible light while eliminating UV and infrared rays. This allows architects and designers to include more daylighting with skylights, clerestories, curtainwalls and canopies in all types of facilities, while reducing operating costs for lighting, heating and cooling as well as improving the interior environment – all elements of LEED compliance. Daylighting is an increasingly critical component of sustainable building. Beginning with 1999’s landmark studies by California’s Heschong-Mahone Group, the benefits of daylighting have been documented in schools, offices and retail stores with lower energy costs, increased sales and higher human productivity. However, with traditional transparent daylighting there’s the downside of high solar heat gain and disruptive glare. Duo-Gard’s custom daylighting systems feature translucent polycarbonate technology that integrates high thermal values with high diffuse light transmission.

New enerGfacade storefront and curtain wall systems deliver best-in-class thermal performance for energy efficient building envelopes Greenbuild 2010 AUSTELL, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--YKK AP America today expands its enerGfacade® product line with the addition of its YCW 750 XT curtain wall system and YES 45 XT storefront system for the commercial building market (see video here). With their XT designation, the two products offer a superior grade of thermal performance for storefront and curtain wall applications. The enerGfacade product line improves insulation and increases resistance to energy loss across the entire building façade, while exceeding the industry’s most stringent green standards, including ASHRAE 189.1. o achieve the highest levels of energy efficiency and unmatched thermal performance, the YCW 750 XT curtain wall system incorporates a dual thermal barrier design engineered to integrate standard one inch insulating glass and advanced glazing technologies including suspended films and triple glazing. Its high thermal performance delivers U-factors of 0.37 using standard one inch low-e glazing and U-factors as low as 0.17 with advanced glazing. In addition, it includes the seamless ability to integrate the curtain wall with the building’s air vapor barrier for improved energy efficiency. Glazing units are supported by innovative structural supports that transfer dead loads away from the thermal barrier and its warmer interior surfaces improve occupant comfort and condensation resistance.

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Lighting, an innovative manufacturer and distributor of lighting technologies for residential, commercial and specialty markets, today announced its bright, fully dimmable, energy-saving under-cabinet LED lights. The PRIORI PLUS LED is brighter than standard incandescent lights and provides a full range of continuous dimming control from 100 percent light output to 0 percent. American Lighting’s PRIORI PLUS LED under-cabinet light offers superior energy savings and brightness, and is ideal for workspaces and areas where space is limited but adequate illumination is required. Compared to standard incandescent under-cabinet fixtures, the PRIORI PLUS’ superior light output delivers 50 to 60 percent more lumens, while using 75 percent less electricity.

Green Outlook Report tracks dramatic growth, forecasts green building for next five years NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. green building market is accelerating at a dramatic rate, says McGraw-Hill Construction's Green Outlook 2011: Green Trends Driving Growth report. The value of green building construction starts was up 50% from 2008 to 2010 — from $42 billion to $55 billion-$71 billion — and represents 25% of all new construction activity in 2010. According to projections, the green building market size is expected to reach $135 billion by 2015. Green building is the bright spot in an otherwise tough economy, and in some sectors, that rate of growth has been remarkable. In nonresidential building, for example, the green building market share is even higher than the overall market. Today, a third of all new nonresidential construction is green — a $54 billion market opportunity. In five years, nonresidential green building activity is expected to triple, representing $120 billion to $145 billion in new construction (40%-48% of the nonresidential market) and $14 billion to $18 billion in major retrofit and renovation projects.

USFLOORS is the largest producer of solar energy in Georgia. DALTON, Ga., Nov. 12, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- In November of 2010, USFloors commissioned its third solar photovoltaic (PV) project intended to supply half of the facility's energy. This installation of 365.04 kw is the largest solar array in Georgia, eclipsing the record once held by the Georgia Tech Natatorium, installed for the 1996 Olympics. Alpharetta-based United Renewable Energy installed 1521 Suniva solar panels and an SMA Sunny Central Inverter for this ARRA, GEFA Grant funded project . The combined output of all three USFloors solar arrays will total over half a Megawatt, and makes USFloors the largest producer of solar energy in the state of Georgia. USFloors is producing enough solar energy to power 54 average American homes, offsetting 11,400 tons of CO2 and nearly 23 million vehicle miles. Commerce in Dalton has thrived for decades, providing jobs, growth and a competitive marketplace. In recent years, the manufacturers that made Dalton the Flooring Capital of the World have been challenged to survive changes in the economy. USFloors, a distributor and manufacturer of eco-friendly cork and bamboo, has "greenstreamed" their operations, adding jobs while much of Dalton struggles with unemployment, and making investments in renewable energy. USFloors has installed over 540 kW of solar panels and is in the process of developing a LEED certified facility and has emerged as a leader in sustainable flooring. Now, they have commissioned the largest solar array in the state. USFloors is reducing its carbon footprint by walking the talk.

ATLANTA, Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Habitat for Humanity International congratulates Whirlpool Corporation as it kicks off its yearlong 100th anniversary celebration. Whirlpool is one of Habitat for Humanity's largest corporate partners and has an active partnership with Habitat in 22 countries. Through 2010, the company's aggregate Habitat contributions since 1999 have exceeded $73 million, and more than 6,000 Whirlpool employees have volunteered their time on Habitat build sites around the world. n North America, the cornerstone of Whirlpool Corporation's partnership with Habitat is a gift-in-kind donation program through which Whirlpool donates a range and an ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerator for every new home built. In Europe and Central Asia Whirlpool donates a refrigerator, hood and washer to every Habitat home built where Whirlpool Europe sells appliances. The company's activities in Latin America include construction funding and volunteerism in Brazil and Argentina. Whirlpool has donated more than 125,000 appliances in support of more than 69,000 families through these programs.

Long-Awaited Lakeview Biomass Cogeneration Plant Expected to Bring Jobs, Improved Forest Health to Southern Oregon PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Iberdrola Renewables today announced the start of construction at its 26.8-megawatt Lakeview Biomass Cogeneration Plant in Lakeview, Ore. The Lakeview project is expected to finish construction and begin producing enough power for 18,000 typical homes by the fall of 2012. Located approximately 90 miles east of Iberdrola Renewables’ existing Klamath Cogeneration Plant, the Lakeview project will be a combined heat and power – or cogeneration – facility using latest-generation technology. Like Klamath, environmental impacts will be minimized through innovative techniques. At Lakeview the plant will be entirely air-cooled – reducing water use by more than 80 percent as compared to conventional water cooling. Collins Pine Company will provide fuel from a combination of logging and sawmill residuals from its Fremont Sawmill. Collins’ Lakeview forest operations – where much of the plant’s fuel will come from – have been independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) as consistent with their standards for forest management practices.

Alliance accelerates electrochromic glass leadership position; Funding will actualize world’s first large-scale electrochromic glass plant; SAGE to spearhead R&D and manufacturing for Saint-Gobain electrochromic products FARIBAULT, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s largest glass and construction material manufacturers, is making a strategic equity investment in SAGE Electrochromics to make electronically tintable “dynamic glass” an affordable, mass-market product, ushering in a new era of energy-saving buildings. The announcement takes place one year after Saint-Gobain launched its consolidated advanced glazing division and its QUANTUM GLASS™ brand. The strategic partnership with SAGE further solidifies Saint-Gobain’s technological leadership in the glazing marketplace, where imaginative eco-friendly materials are opening up new possibilities for architecture and design. The funding will enable construction of the world’s largest and most advanced electrochromic glass manufacturing facility, to be located in Faribault, Minn. The project began this month and will cost around $135 million, excluding working capital. The new plant will manufacture much larger sheets of glass that have been previously unavailable in the market, opening up 95 percent of all global building opportunities. The glass will be produced in high volumes and at an affordable price point.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acuity Brands (NYSE: AYI), a market leader in innovative energy efficient lighting and control solutions has announced a first of its kind industry reference site that combines up-to date energy codes from multiple jurisdictions into a single source that can be used by designers of lighting and advanced controls applications. For engineers and architects, finding the applicable energy codes, as well as related compliance details, has posed tremendous challenges. Where to go for accurate and up-to-date energy codes? That was the challenge design-assist engineers at Acuity Brands’ Lighting Control & Design (LC&D) faced when assisting architects and engineers with designing and optimizing energy-efficient lighting control solutions. Experience had shown that “energy code” Websites from the Department of Energy (DOE) and Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) were inadequate for providing the necessary information. These Websites sometimes fail to stay up-to-date, lack compliance requirements, or omit various jurisdictions that publish their own codes. The Acuity Brands’ LC&D team decided to do something about the lack of a unified resource. They developed a database of every code official in every jurisdiction in the United States known to have its own code requirements, and implemented a quarterly phone survey to each code official to verify or update state energy codes, locally adopted energy codes and local variances from state codes.

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation (NYSE:ETN) today announced it has joined the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), an invitation-only coalition of 200 leading global companies working to advance sustainable development through advocacy on critical issues of economic growth, ecological balance and social progress. The affiliation underscores Eaton’s commitment to implementing sustainable practices in its own business and advancing environmentally friendly technologies to help global customers manage power more efficiently, effectively and safely. Widely recognized as a leading business voice on sustainable development issues, the WBCSD works with member corporations, governments and non-governmental organizations to encourage dialogue and action in four focus areas: business role in society, energy and climate, development and ecosystems. Eaton operations worldwide adhere to a single set of standards for policies such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water consumption, waste treatment, product quality, human resource practices and ethics. The company’s sustainable technologies include industry-leading energy-efficient electrical equipment – including SF6-free medium voltage switchgear -- that make buildings and data centers greener; hybrid vehicle power systems that save fuel and reduce emissions; and hydraulics for wind, solar and wave power that help harness our renewable resources for sustainable growth.

ThermoZone Attic Insulation Can Cut Energy Use Up to 30 Percent PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Preparing your home for winter this year could put more money in your pocket in the years to come. Western Pest Services, a pest control company serving homes and businesses throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, offers a ThermoZone™ Attic Insulation Program – the only insulation that can help naturally protect homes from pests, lower energy bills up to 30 percent and reduce outside noise through sound absorption. Depending upon environmental conditions and a home's upkeep, homeowners typically recoup their investment in ThermoZone in about four years. ThermoZone is a fire-retardant insulation made from cellulose. It is treated with all-natural boric acid, which is an EPA-approved, environmentally-friendly product to control ants, cockroaches, silverfish and other insects. ThermoZone also has been awarded the U.S. government's Energy Star, which means it meets international standards for energy-efficient consumer products and provides average energy savings of 20-30 percent. Homeowners who install ThermoZone in existing homes by December 31, 2010, are eligible for an energy efficiency tax credit of up to $1,500.

Coveted rating reflects The Austonian's commitment to green living AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Austonian, Austin's newest and tallest luxury residential high-rise in the heart of downtown, has been awarded a coveted Four-Star rating from Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB). The Austonian is the newest and most modern example of a sustainable and environmentally-smart high-rise community in the United States. The Austonian's Four Star rating from Austin Energy is the equivalent to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Gold rating. From its planning stages, The Austonian set out to create a new standard for luxury condominiums, redefining the term so that it's synonymous with green living. The Austonian reduces energy use, conserves water, improves air quality, preserves history and reduces sprawl.

Global Experts on Sustainability Help Shape Sustainability Road Map- DAVIDSON, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To help Ingersoll Rand and its customers deliver on sustainability commitments and build a culture focused on energy efficiency and sustainable business practices, the Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability (CEES) at Ingersoll Rand has created a 12-member Advisory Council on Sustainability. Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) is a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in commercial, residential and industrial markets. The Advisory Council joins Ingersoll Rand senior executives with a mix of global thought leaders in the areas of sustainability leadership, infrastructure development, and energy policy and technology. The Council will proactively engage the business, increase the pace of environmentally sustainable innovation, and create a road map for businesses and organizations worldwide to incorporate energy efficiency and environmentally focused processes into their daily operations.

Reliant Energy Home Makeover Sweepstakes Showcases Technology and Services HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Texas homeowners will find out what the home of the future looks like before the future gets here. Reliant Energy’s Smart Energy Home Makeover Sweepstakes will transform two Texas homes of today into the smart energy homes of tomorrow. Sweepstakes winners will each receive a $10,000 package of technology and services to give them the power to manage how and when they use electricity.

The Intelligent Use Of Water Awards Program Invites Public To Submit And Vote For Their Favorite Water Conservation Projects At www.iuowawards.com AZUSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rain Bird announced today the launch of The Intelligent Use of Water Awards program, an interactive grant program that will award more than $50,000 to water conservation and environmental sustainability projects that promote green spaces. Open to nonprofits, homeowners, schools, landscapers, facility managers, community organizations, students, retailers, weekend gardeners or anyone with a water conservation project that supports sustainability and green spaces, The Intelligent Use of Water Awards program invites the public to submit projects in need of funding at www.iuowawards.com. Participants log on to iuowawards.com, choose a funding category ($1,500, $5,000, or $10,000), describe the project, upload photos and/or embed YouTube videos, and then convince friends, family and others to vote for the project through online social networks using the site’s built in sharing functions. Submitters can also utilize the Facebook application to automatically update their Facebook status with a reminder to vote for their project each week. Once a project is submitted it is made available for public voting, meaning anyone can anonymously cast their vote for their favorite project. All projects can be anonymously voted on by visitors (one vote a day per project, per individual user), and the projects with the most votes in each funding category will be awarded a combined $51,000 in grants to be used towards the completion of their winning project. Winners will be announced on World Water Day – March 22, 2011.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thirty-six states have recognized the need to manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by changing land use patterns to reduce sprawl and making buildings more energy efficient, according to an exclusive survey conducted by the Partnership for Sustainable Communities (PSC), a nonprofit group based in San Rafael, Calif. California, Oregon and Washington have taken specific legislative action to control GHG emissions by changing land use patterns and construction practices. Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Montana and North Carolina have developed detailed policies on these issues, reflecting political will and the potential for legislation in the near term. Twenty-seven states have produced general policy statements that acknowledge the need to address the contribution of land use and buildings to GHG emissions, according to the survey.

The KTSi Proprietary Flywheel Design Used to Power Mass Transit Rail Around the World CHATSWORTH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kinetic Traction Systems, Inc. (KTSi) launches with innovative clean energy storage and recycling systems for mass transit rail. KTSi’s proprietary flywheel technology harnesses the energy of braking trains to offer increased performance and groundbreaking environmental stewardship for municipalities and transportation agencies around the globe. Kinetic Traction Systems, Inc.’s primary focus is the design and manufacture of energy storage systems using clean flywheel technology to absorb energy and generate power in rail traction and energy recycling applications. KTSi flywheel systems provide voltage support to overtaxed sections of electric rail systems, eliminating slowdowns, as well as capturing, storing and reusing the regenerative braking energy of rail cars.

ATLANTA, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- MetoKote Corporation announced today its latest innovation in e-coat technology – mikroKote. MetoKote has developed a game-changing coating system for component suppliers and metal stampers of small- to medium-size parts by configuring standard equipment to minimize space while maximizing customization, efficiency, flexibility, and portability. Multi filtration, manual or automated indexing, chemistry and process sequence order, such as iron or zinc phosphate, and other pre or post treatments can be adjusted to meet individual needs. mikroKote allows a manufacturer to select their unique options for today's coating needs with built-in modularity and flexibility to economically re-configure or adjust the system in the future.

ATLANTA, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- MetoKote Corporation announced today its latest innovation in e-coat technology – mikroKote. MetoKote has developed a game-changing coating system for component suppliers and metal stampers of small- to medium-size parts by configuring standard equipment to minimize space while maximizing customization, efficiency, flexibility, and portability. Multi filtration, manual or automated indexing, chemistry and process sequence order, such as iron or zinc phosphate, and other pre or post treatments can be adjusted to meet individual needs. mikroKote allows a manufacturer to select their unique options for today's coating needs with built-in modularity and flexibility to economically re-configure or adjust the system in the future.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Sol Systems is proud to announce Sol Lease, D.C.'s first solar lease option. Sol Lease is designed to help homeowners, businesses, non-profits, schools, and churches put solar on their roofs and enjoy immediate energy savings. Customers that take advantage of Sol Lease will receive a solar energy system to host on their roof with no upfront costs. They will then simply pay a small monthly payment (much like a car lease payment) and enjoy access to reduced utility bills for the contract term. Sol Lease customers will save an average of 15% on their current utility bills, and are likely to save more as electricity prices increase.

Sustainable, High-Performance Wood Praised for Its Innovation and Durability DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Accoya® wood, the world’s leading sustainable, high-performance wood has received the 2010 Green Products Award from Door & Window Manufacturer Magazine (DWM). Selections were based on nominations from industry manufacturers and DWM editors. Accoya wood was selected as the winner for the Wood Products Category. Accoya wood is made from FSC®, PEFC® and other regionally certified woods and undergoes a non-toxic proprietary process to increase its dimensional stability and durability to beyond that of even the best tropical hardwoods. High-performance Accoya wood is warranted for 50 years in exterior above-ground use and is suitable for applications where exposure to the elements is a concern such as doors and windows, siding, decking and exterior furniture. Manufactured by Accsys Technologies, Accoya wood involves acetylation, which alters the wood’s reaction with water by permanently replacing free hydroxyls within the wood with stable acetyl groups that will not bond with water. Acetyl groups are naturally present in all wood species, which means that nothing toxic is added into the wood. The altered cell structure of the wood makes it unrecognizable to insects as food, as well as increasing its strength and stability.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coalition for Energy Efficient Electric Tankless Water Heaters (CEEETWH) is proud to announce the launch of their new website at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.ceeetwh.org. The Coalition is comprised of leading companies in the water heating industry devoted to increasing energy efficiency within the industry and public education. The website is a critical component in educating consumers, policymakers, the U.S. Government and Non-Government agencies on the energy efficient technology and the energy and water savings opportunities that Electric Tankless Water Heaters can provide. The website will continue to grow, providing several avenues for consumers to stay apprised of the Coalition's progress. It currently features the latest news and press releases, background material on Coalition Members and Officers, their mission and goals, and detailed information about electric tankless water heaters.

COOPERSBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lutron Electronics wants homeowners and business owners alike to better understand the energy-saving benefits of using its dimmers, sensors, appliance controls and automated shading systems. To that end, Lutron is pleased to announce the launch of a national, energy-saving awareness campaign with an aggressive goal: to get every home in the United States to replace two light switches with energy-saving dimmers. Lutron is taking its message to millions of homes in America by way of four, 30-second TV commercials, which will air nationally on the Home and Garden Television (HGTV) and Do It Yourself (DIY) networks now through early 2011. The commercials feature Lutron’s new C·L (for use with dimmable CFLs and LEDs) and eco-dim® dimmer collections, which, when used in a home, can save up to $50 and $30, respectively, in energy savings, per dimmer, per year.

Residential and commercial construction starts expected to improve in 2011 WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), today released its 2011 Construction Outlook, a mainstay in construction industry forecasting and business planning, which predicts an increase in overall U.S. construction starts for next year. The level of construction starts in 2011 is expected to advance 8% to $445.5 billion, following the 2% decline predicted for 2010. Based on significant research and in-depth analysis of macro-trends, the 2011 Construction Outlook details the forecasts for each construction sector, as follows. - Single family housing in 2011 will climb 27% in dollars, corresponding to a 25% increase in the number of units to 565,000 (McGraw-Hill Construction basis). - Multifamily housing will rise 24% in dollars and 23% in units, continuing to move gradually upward. - Commercial buildings will increase 16%, following a three-year decline, which dropped contracting 62% in dollar terms. The levels of activity expected for stores, warehouses, offices and hotels in 2011 will still be quite weak by historical standards. - The institutional building market will slip an additional 1% in 2011, retreating for the third straight year. The difficult fiscal climate for states and localities will continue to dampen school construction, although the healthcare facilities category should see moderate growth. - Manufacturing buildings will increase 9% in dollars and 11% in square feet. - Public works construction will drop 1%, given the fading benefits of the federal stimulus act for highway and bridge construction. - Electric utilities will slide 10%, falling for the third year in a row.