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California Construction Apprentices Prepped for Green Projects

October 29, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Industrial Relations' (DIR) Division of Apprenticeship Standards is ushering in a greener future for California by incorporating environmental components into minimum training criteria for apprenticeship trades. Committees made up of equal numbers of employer and employee representatives for every building construction trade will establish green guidelines for including carpentry, construction, electrical, plumbing and roofing. Literally every apprentice in California, in the building construction trades, which is where the 'green jobs' are, will be trained in green construction. They will learn an overview which stresses the importance of environmentally sound practices as well as learn the most innovative methods for their particular craft.
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GSA Moves to LEED Gold for All New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations

October 29, 2010

Agency's higher green building standards help deliver on President's push for sustainability. WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. General Services Administration's upgraded requirement for LEED Gold certification as a minimum in all new federal building construction and substantial renovation projects will move the government's federal inventory into a more sustainable future. By using the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System established by the U.S. Green Building Council, GSA can evaluate and measure achievements in sustainable design. With a portfolio of more than 361 million square feet of space in 9,600 federally owned and leased facilities, GSA's goal is to provide sustainable, healthier, more productive workspaces for the federal workforce, while being a responsible asset manager using taxpayer dollars wisely.
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Caterpillar Wuxi R&D Center Receives LEED Gold Certification

October 28, 2010

WUXI, China, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) announced today that the company's multi-functional research & development (R&D) center in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, has been awarded Gold certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design in the new construction category (LEED-NC). The Wuxi R&D Center, a wholly-owned Caterpillar subsidiary, is the headquarters and main branch of Caterpillar R&D Center (China), Ltd. To support growing operations in China and the Asia Pacific region, the new 10,000-square-meter, state-of-the-art facility was constructed in Wuxi New District during 2009, with a strong focus on environmental impact and energy-efficient design. LEED is an internationally recognized third-party green building certification system. Developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED provides independent verification that a building was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving energy savings, water efficiency, stewardship of resources and other relevant metrics.
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New Decorative Panels by Duo-Gard Combine Affordability, Sustainability and Versatility

October 28, 2010

Product Line Offers Designers Exceptional Flexibility in Aesthetics and Performance for 75% of the Industry’s Typical Costs CANTON, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Designers now have another option for integrating aesthetics, sustainability and economy in walls, ceilings and accents with a new line of decorative panels introduced by Duo-Gard Industries Inc. The panels expand the company’s current product lines of translucent daylighting systems, architectural illumination systems and specialty structures. Duo-Gard’s decorative panels typically run about 75% of the industry’s current costs. A diverse array of patterns and colors includes botanicals, mosaics, rippling waves and grids in green, blue, lavender, silver, gold and more. The designer can create environments that soothe, excite or inspire. Translucent styles maintain the flow of diffuse light throughout a room’s interior, enabling designers to enhance the sustainable benefits of daylighting. Duo-Gard’s custom backlighting and illumination systems – both available options – include both static and color-changing LEDs.
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Circle at South End Earns LEED Silver Certification

October 27, 2010

Upscale apartment community also wins green project award CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Crescent Resources earned a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council for Circle at South End. Silver is the highest level of certification among existing North Carolina apartment communities. Circle at South End also received the Green Project of the Year merit award from Multifamily Executive magazine. The U.S. Green Building Council recognized the project as a model for smart growth. Green features, which were also noted by Multifamily Executive, include parking for fuel-efficient vehicles, units with water-efficient fixtures, recycling centers throughout the community, and close proximity to Charlotte's light-rail service. Crescent designed the community to reduce urban heat-island effects and light pollution, as well as optimize energy efficiency and conserve water through its landscape design. Circle at South End also offers green educational programs, including a newsletter, Facebook page and YouTube channel that provide tips for residents on conservation and green living.
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Independent Energy Solutions to Help U.S. Government / GSA 'Go Solar'

October 27, 2010

New solar electric plant can generate almost 1 megawatt of clean, green electricity for Southern California VISTA, Calif., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent Energy Solutions, Inc. (IES), a leading solar energy development and construction firm, today announced it has been awarded a major contract by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to design and build a 914 kilowatt solar electric (photovoltaic or PV) system. The system, now being installed on the rooftop of the Chet Holifield Federal Building in Laguna Niguel, California, is the first utility-scale PV project for GSA. When completed, the installation should produce more than 1.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually or enough to power roughly 130 homes. It will also save about 1.8 million pounds of CO2 gas yearly – equal to taking 800 cars off the road. Funding is coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the project will be used by the GSA as a case study and reference point for possible future solar projects.
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Southwall Celebrates 30 Years of Energy Efficiency Innovation by Commemorating the World’s First Low-E Glass Installation

October 27, 2010

Anniversary of Spokane City Hall Signifies Key Milestone in the Green Building Industry and Highlights Company’s Long-Standing Contribution to High Performance Glazing PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Southwall Technologies Inc. (OTCBB:SWTX), the worldwide innovator of energy-saving films and glass products, today celebrates the 30-year anniversary of the world’s first high performance glass installation, the City Hall in Spokane, Washington. Utilizing Southwall’s Heat Mirror® insulating glass - the world’s first commercially produced low-emissivity, or low-e, glass product - Spokane City Hall has delivered significant energy savings over the past three decades. This underscores the company’s field-proven product durability and its pioneering role in improving the energy efficiency of residential and commercial glazing. Southwall’s Heat Mirror technology - in which one or more lightweight Heat Mirror films are suspended within an insulating glass unit to create multiple insulating cavities - was the first major breakthrough in insulating glass performance in over 100 years, an innovation chosen by Popular Science as one of the Top 100 Products of the Millennium. Utilizing a high performance suspended film with an advanced low-e coating that reflects heat back to its source, Heat Mirror insulating glass enables buildings like Spokane City Hall to realize superior insulation and solar control, lowering a home or building’s carbon footprint while decreasing cooling and heating expenses by up to 30 percent.
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ValueMat Provides Budget-Conscious Consumers With a Cost-Effective, Energy-Efficient Floor Heating Solution

October 27, 2010

ValueMat Cuts Energy and Product Costs by Heating Only Designated Areas LONG GROVE, Ill., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Warmly Yours, an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor of radiant heating products, today announced the launch of their cost-effective ValueMat floor heating product. Just in time for winter, the ValueMat provides an economical electric floor heating solution to the cost-conscious consumer looking for the luxury of heated flooring but without the price of full-room coverage. The ValueMat utilizes the same technology used in other Warmly Yours products, but is designed for selective placement within a room. The ValueMat is installed in specific areas of a room, such as under bathroom tile beside the tub or in front of the bathroom vanity, allowing the consumer to spend up to 33 percent less than they would on warming an entire room, while also saving on energy costs. Like all Warmly Yours Floor Heating products, ValueMat transforms cold surfaces into warm, inviting floors with TempZone technology, a maintenance-free floor heating system that is made of a fiberglass mesh-backed cable system that measures less than 1/8 inch thick and is easily installed invisibly under tile, laminate, marble, stone and wood floors. TempZone floor heating systems provide reliable, constant heat to floors, and utilize controls which allow the consumer to manage the floor's temperature level. ValueMat offers even more energy efficiency because the homeowner is warming only the floor space that is most utilized. And like TempZone, ValueMats are not installed under permanent fixtures like cabinets or tubs – even further reducing the heated footprint and the energy costs associated.
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New 'Green' Strategy for Bulldozers & Other Construction Equipment

October 26, 2010

Navman Wireless' Fleet Tracking Technology Helps Reduce Fuel Consumption GLENVIEW, Ill., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Corporate and public works fleets are increasingly using GPS fleet tracking systems to curb fuel consumption for on-road vehicles such as company cars and service vans, but use of the same technology to help 'green' construction equipment has been limited. Barriers have included a lack of GPS tracking devices able to operate reliably in extreme off-road conditions, as well as an inability to manage both on- and off-road vehicles from the same application. Today those stumbling blocks are being removed, paving the way for efficiency gains based on insights into equipment usage patterns such as excessive idling that wastes fuel. Fleet tracking systems provide these insights by correlating GPS data with other information to analyze fleet performance. One sign of the new GPS tracking capabilities for construction fleets is Navman Wireless' just-released Qtanium 300, a ruggedized GPS tracking device with an IP67-rated waterproof enclosure and connecting cables designed to withstand the dirt, weather and vibrations suffered by bulldozers, excavators, cranes and other off-road 'yellow iron' assets.
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New Service Helps Multifamily Owners Substantially Reduce Gas Costs

October 26, 2010

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Owners and property managers who operate multifamily complexes with central heating systems can expect to see their natural gas, oil, or steam charges increase sharply as the heating season begins. Although the technology has been around for more than twenty years, many owners are unaware that central heating systems can be affordably metered, and tenants billed for their share of the overall gas cost. As a result, owners will pay more money for heating fuel during the winter months than they need to. American Conservation & Billing Solutions, Inc. (AmCoBi) has just announced a new service that combines: - Heat metering for central systems: baseboard radiation, fan coils, or furnaces - Resident utility billing: performed on a monthly basis - UtilityHawk: real-time monitoring to identify maintenance issues and improve energy efficiency. This service enables owners to shift the tenant portion of the gas bill back to tenants, insulate their balance sheets from rising utility price costs, and quickly increase net operating income (NOI). Not only does heat metering benefit owners, it offers a more equitable way to bill residents for utilities, and tenants benefit financially when they conserve.
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Union Ironworkers Prepare for 'Green' Jobs With Specialized Wind Turbine Training

October 26, 2010

Organization provides training to empower erectors leading a new generation of energy-industry construction. AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- As more and more wind turbines are erected across the open plains, farmlands, and mountain ridges of the United States, the need for ironworkers with specialized construction skills has naturally grown, says the Iron Workers International Union. Ask anyone knowledgeable about wind energy, and you'll quickly learn that the latest "green" technology - despite a recent surge in public interest - is nothing new to union ironworkers. In fact, ironworkers have been erecting wind turbines for decades. What is new is a need for independent certifications-driven largely by increased scrutiny of the wind energy sector - meant to improve safety and quality across the industry. In response, the Iron Workers International Union (www.ironworkers.org) - working with the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) - is offering wind turbine training programs for union ironworkers to develop key construction skills. Through a new IMPACT (www.impact-net.org) program, certification in torque/tension and tower-climbing and safety procedures, including high-angle rescue procedures, comes from industry-recognized leaders, including Capital Safety (DBI/SALA) (www.capitalsafety.com), Snap-on Industrial (www.snapon.com), and HYTORC.
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Caterpillar to Buy 3i-Backed MWM Significantly Expanding Customer Options for Sustainable Power Generation Solutions

October 25, 2010

PEORIA, Ill. and LONDON, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) has signed an agreement to acquire MWM Holding GmbH ("MWM" or the "Company") from 3i and funds managed by 3i. Headquartered in Mannheim, Germany, MWM is a leading global supplier of highly sustainable alternative engines. With the acquisition of MWM, Caterpillar will significantly expand customer options for sustainable power generation solutions. The total transaction value amounts to euro 580 million (approximately $810 million) and will be paid in cash. MWM, which stands for Motoren-Werke Mannheim, can draw on more than 135 years of experience in the development and optimization of combustion engines for natural gas, special gases and diesel.
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FlexEnergy Announces Agreement to Acquire Energy Systems Business of Ingersoll Rand

October 25, 2010

Acquisition Would Unite Revolutionary Flex Technology with Ingersoll Rand’s Industry Leading Microturbine Solution IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FlexEnergy (www.flexenergy.com), a clean tech business with the breakthrough solution to create clean energy with near zero emissions from harmful greenhouse gases, announced that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire the assets of the Energy Systems business of Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments. Details of the proposed transaction were not announced. The Energy Systems business provides products, services, and solutions that enhance their customers’ energy efficiency, productivity, and operations. Their diverse and innovative products include environmentally friendly microturbines, microturbine systems and recuperators. FlexEnergy has unveiled the innovative Flex Powerstation technology allowing the transformation of harmful and previously unusable methane gas into clean energy.
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Intertek Ramps Up 18 Energy Efficiency Labs for New ENERGY STAR® Procedures

October 22, 2010

Labs Across North America, Europe and Asia Deploying for New Third-Party Certification Requirements; Intertek Sets Industry Benchmark with 24-hour Certification Turnaround CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intertek (LSE: ITRK), a global leader in testing, inspection and certification services, announced today that it is deploying 18 Energy Efficiency testing labs across North America, Europe, and Asia, and one global Certification Body in preparation for the December 31, 2010 effective date of the ENERGY STAR® Enhanced Testing and Verification procedures. The new ENERGY STAR procedures will require manufacturers seeking use of the ENERGY STAR label to submit products for testing in EPA-recognized laboratories and certification from EPA-recognized Certification Bodies. Intertek is actively working with EPA, and has enlisted nine accreditation bodies to gain the necessary scope accreditations across its Energy Efficiency test labs and Certification Body. Intertek is dedicating 18 of its Energy Efficiency labs – nearly 30 percent of its commercial and electrical labs globally – specifically for ENERGY STAR. These Energy Efficiency Centers of Excellence will work together to meet the testing capacity needs for manufacturers across all regions and ENERGY STAR product categories, including Appliances, Home Electronics, Home and Building Envelope Products, HVAC, Information Technology, Lighting, and Commercial Food Service Equipment. Intertek will provide 24-hour ENERGY STAR certification, after required testing parameters are met, to ensure time-to-market demands are met for manufacturers seeking ENERGY STAR approvals.
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McGraw-Hill Construction's Engineering News-Record Media Network Expands into Seven Regional Markets

October 22, 2010

To provide in-depth regional coverage beginning in January 2011 NEW YORK, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Engineering News-Record (ENR), part of McGraw-Hill Construction, and the leading construction news publication in the industry, today announced that it will expand into seven regional markets with local coverage, rankings and insights beginning in January 2011. The markets include California, Midwest, Mountain States, Southeast, Southwest, Texas and New York. Starting with the January 10, 2011 issue, ENR will issue 46 total regional editions over the course of the year, inspired by the most popular and important ENR features, such as project news from McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, regional firm rankings, and profiles. In addition, a new feature called "City Scoop" will offer data about metropolitan areas from McGraw-Hill Construction Analytics.
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Ascent Solar Enters into a Joint Development Agreement with GlobalWatt, Inc.

October 21, 2010

THORNTON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI), a developer of flexible thin-film solar modules, announced today that it has partnered with GlobalWatt, Inc., a specialty solar applications company, to develop a new line of adaptable, retractable solar modules to quickly add an extra source of power to existing solar applications. The integration of an additional power unit without the weight and rigidity of a standard crystalline solar module will change the dynamics of existing and new specialty solar applications. In today’s world, DC based applications such as solar powered generators, water purifiers, and refrigeration systems are limited by how quickly the batteries can be recharged. In times of heavy usage or workload, these new solar modules will allow for faster charging and longer usage time, both without the need to add heavy solar modules.
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LEED® Platinum Certification Awarded to Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Workplace

October 21, 2010

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation workplace has been awarded LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification—the highest level attainable—as established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The Foundation’s workplace, designed by Hawley Peterson Snyder and built by Blach Construction Company, represents the eleventh project in California to be awarded the Platinum designation for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI). The LEED-CI rating system articulates standards for high-performance green interiors that are healthy and productive places to work, are less costly to operate and maintain, and yield a reduced environmental footprint. According to USGBC, buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. USGBC estimates that greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy.
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Rosendin Electric Awarded Grand Prize in 'Win with Canadian Solar' Contest

October 21, 2010

Rosendin Electric Selected as Winner for Mineta San Jose International Airport Solar Array Installation SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Solar Power International exposition last week, Canadian Solar (www.canadian-solar.com, Nasdaq: CSIQ), a leading vertically integrated provider of ingot, wafer, solar cell, solar module and other solar applications, announced that Rosendin Electric (www.rosendin.com), the nation's largest private electrical contractor and a 100-percent employee-owned company, was selected as the Grand Prize Winner of the Win with Canadian Solar Contest for their installation of the solar array at Mineta San Jose International Airport. Rosendin Electric completed installation of the new 1.12 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic solar electric system on the roof of the airport public parking garage in May. The solar array features 4,680 of Canadian Solar's high-performance CS5P-240 monocrystalline solar modules and is part of a $1.3 billion initiative by the city of San Jose to modernize the airport. The installation is expected to deliver a projected annual output of 1.7 million kilowatt hours; enough to offset at least 20 percent of the garage's electricity needs.
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Autodesk and Granta Partner to Help Enable Sustainable Product Design

October 20, 2010

Access to Best-in-Class Materials Information Technology Empowers Manufacturers to Make More Eco-Responsible Design Decisions SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) and materials information technology innovators Granta Design Ltd. have announced a new strategic partnership, combining Autodesk's Digital Prototyping vision with Granta’s materials information and eco design technology to help enable sustainable product design. Granta and Autodesk are co-developing software that will add new sustainable design capabilities to the Autodesk solution. The companies are working closely to integrate Granta’s eco design methods into Autodesk software, helping designers to estimate the environmental impact of a product and make more sustainable design decisions. The new tools will access and use data from Granta’s world-class materials information database. As nearly 80 percent of a product’s environmental footprint is determined during the design phase, the combination of the companies’ technologies stands to significantly impact manufacturers of all sizes seeking to optimize product sustainability.
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Balancing Barn completed

October 20, 2010

(Rotterdam, October 13th, 2010) Balancing Barn, a cantilevered holiday home near the village of Thorington in Suffolk, England, was completed last Tuesday. The Barn is 30 meters long, with a 15 meters cantilever over a slope, plunging the house headlong into nature. Living Architecture, an organization devoted to the experience of modern architecture, commissioned MVRDV in 2008. Mole Architects from Cambridge were executive architects and Studio Makkink & Bey from Amsterdam collaborated on the interior. The Barn is now available for holiday rentals through the website www.living-architecture.co.uk.
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New Jersey Housing Authorities Working with Constellation Energy to Improve Energy and Water Efficiency

October 20, 2010

Asbury Park Housing Authority and five additional N.J. housing authorities expected to achieve annual combined savings of $2.5 million BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) today announced the completion of an energy and water efficiency project for the Asbury Park Housing Authority in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The initiative is one of six efficiency improvement programs developed by Constellation Energy for housing authorities throughout New Jersey. By implementing a number of energy and water conservation measures, the Asbury Park Housing Authority and other New Jersey housing authorities, including Irvington, Long Branch, East Orange and Trenton were able to realize a combined $2.5 million in estimated savings on annual utility costs. Constellation Energy is currently developing a performance contract with the Newark Public Housing Authority that, when implemented, will result in an expected $50 million in energy and water cost savings over the contract term. Constellation works with more than 40 housing authorities throughout the U.S. In addition to efficiency programs, the company offers a range of services for public housing authority customers, including electricity and natural gas supply and energy and water conservation education for residents.
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SKF USA Inc. Awarded Prestigious LEED® Green Building Certification; Governor Rendell Attends, Stresses Importance of Green Building Principles, Solar Energy

October 19, 2010

LANSDALE, Pa., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- SKF USA Inc. announced today at a special ceremony attended by Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell and approximately 500 employees and distinguished guests, that it has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Platinum certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute. SKF USA is the first commercial building in Pennsylvania to achieve Platinum level certification under LEED for Commercial Interiors™ — and one of only 60 worldwide. LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
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University Columns at Southern Polytechnic State University Pursuing LEED Silver Certification

October 19, 2010

MARIETTA, Ga., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Southern Polytechnic State University's University Columns, a community designed to house fraternities, sororities and university sanctioned organizations, is on track for LEED Silver certification under LEED for Homes by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for achievement in green building and design. University Columns is one of five SPSU projects currently pursuing LEED certification. LEED for Homes is a green certification program that rewards single-family residences that are designed and built to be energy- and resource-efficient, healthier and more durable for their occupants. LEED certified buildings complete a technically rigorous process that includes an energy analysis and onsite inspections to verify that the buildings are built to be energy and water efficient, environmentally sound and a healthier place to live.
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Cii Products Offer Power Distribution Models for Commercial Construction Projects Applying for Sustainable Standards

October 18, 2010

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With commercial construction focusing on reduced labor costs and meeting sustainability needs, few manufacturing companies and their products can meet such demands. Communications Integrators Inc. (Cii) offers cost effective, sustainable power, voice and data solutions for commercial construction designs. Used in combination with raised access flooring, Cii modular power distribution products provide sustainable facility power systems for the future of the building and workspace, significant cost savings and return on investment, as well as a better aesthetic design and work environment. Cii products also focus on delivering quality, while reducing labor costs and scrap materials left on site. n a recent study that ranked building elements for their impact on air pollution, global warming and toxic releases, electrical cabling is in the top eight worst offenders. Lead used in the PVC lining of electrical wiring is the biggest worry, the disposal of which can release lead particles 10,000 times the allowed level for humans. By installing a Cii product, the need for cutting and disposing of PVC and other electrical wiring is greatly reduced.
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Acuity Brands Acquires Winona Lighting, a Leading Provider of Architectural and Performance Lighting Products

October 15, 2010

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI; “Company”) a market leader in innovative energy-efficient lighting and control solutions, today announced it has acquired for cash Minnesota-based Winona Lighting, Inc., a premier provider of architectural and high-performance indoor and outdoor lighting products. Recognized throughout the architectural design community, Winona Lighting serves the commercial, retail, and institutional markets with a product portfolio of high-quality and design-oriented luminaires suitable for decorative, custom, asymmetric, and landscape lighting applications. Winona Lighting provides many of these products utilizing the latest LED technology for superior performance, long-life and energy-savings. Winona Lighting will continue operations in its existing facility focusing on key customers and competencies. The acquisition is not expected to materially impact the Company’s fiscal 2011 consolidated financial performance. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
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Molex SolarSpec™ Portfolio Drives Innovation in Renewable Energy

October 15, 2010

Molex solutions for the solar industry ensure highly efficient and reliable connectivity Solar Power International 2010 LISLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Molex Incorporated will showcase its SolarSpec™ solutions at Solar Power International 2010, which is being held October 12-14, 2010 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, CA. SolarSpec™ products are designed to support efficient, reliable and flexible interconnections for photovoltaic panels, solar trackers and concentrators, and solar inverters. Addressing key applications within the global solar industry, SolarSpec™ products support efficient, reliable, and flexible solar interconnections. The Molex junction box and cable assemblies are designed for installation on the back of mono- and polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, providing the interface between the conductor ribbons on the panel and the DC I/O cables. The innovative junction box can be attached to the PV solar panel using robotic pick-and-place, thereby simplifying panel assembly and reducing production time and costs.
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Fluor Develops Master Plan for South Africa Solar Park

October 14, 2010

Five Gigawatt Solar Park Plan Among World’s Largest IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR) announced today that it was selected to perform a study for a potential solar park development in the Northern Cape for South Africa’s Department of Energy. Following the recent completion of a pre-feasibility study by the Clinton Climate Initiative, a program of the William J. Clinton Foundation, Fluor will now develop a more detailed conceptual master plan to be unveiled at the upcoming South African Solar Park Investors Conference Oct. 28 and 29 in Upington, Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Fluor will book the undisclosed contract value in the fourth quarter of 2010. The 5 gigawatt solar park is one of the largest proposed solar parks in the world. Upon completion of the conceptual study, a more detailed design plan will be developed. The South Africa Department of Energy intends to establish a Solar Park Authority as a unit within the state-owned Central Energy Fund to facilitate the advancement of the project.
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McGuire Engineers Projects Win LEED Certification

October 06, 2010

From Silver to Platinum, Awards Reflect Energy Efficiency, Innovation CHICAGO, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- McGuire Engineers (www.mepcinc.com) recently won LEED certifications for four projects, ranging from a maintenance facility to a global corporate headquarters. Norcon, Inc.'s new headquarters won LEED Gold status; the City of Oakbrook Terrace won LEED Silver status for its new public services facility; Nixon Peabody's new Chicago offices won LEED Gold status; and PepsiCo won LEED Platinum status for the Sustainability Center at its corporate headquarters.
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Johnson Controls Launches 'Give Five for Greener Living' Microsite

October 05, 2010

Visitors invited to share easy steps that promote green behavior at home, school and work MILWAUKEE, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ --Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), a global leader in delivering products, services and solutions that increase energy efficiency in buildings, today launched a new microsite, Give Five for Greener Living – www.johnsoncontrols.com/givefivegreen – designed to promote actionable ways to help make saving energy and water at home, work and school an engaging and fun experience. By taking five minutes a day or by doing five things a week, people can help save money and help the planet. To develop the website, Johnson Controls examined research that explores how public engagement and communications change behaviors related to energy and environmental matters. The site focuses on five best practices: 1. Start small. By giving five minutes a day or trying five energy saving measures, people are more apt to make changes in their behaviors. 2. Be specific. The site allows visitors to tailor efforts for home, school or work to meet their specific needs. 3. Go local, then global. The site suggests local websites so people can find ways to have an impact in their local communities before moving on to consider the bigger picture. 4. Have fun. By offering games, creative activities and even jokes, all ages can have fun while learning ways to save money and help the environment. 5. Share ideas. Printable posters and checklists are tools visitors can share to help others find simple ways to change their behavior and promote their commitment to living green.
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New McGraw-Hill Construction Study Compares Building Information Modeling in Western Europe and North America

October 05, 2010

Report shows construction professionals in France, Germany and U.K. have been using BIM longer, but overall BIM adoption is greater in North America NEW YORK, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- A little over a third (36%) of Western European construction professionals are now using Building Information Modeling (BIM), according to McGraw-Hill Construction's latest SmartMarket Report, The Business Value of BIM in Europe. Produced in collaboration with Autodesk, the National Institute of Building Sciences/buildingSMART alliance, and 11 industry associations in Europe, and released today, the first-ever report compares BIM adoption rates in France, Germany and the U.K. with those in North America, where 49% of contractors, architects and engineers report BIM usage, according to McGraw-Hill Construction's 2009 report, The Business Value of BIM. McGraw-Hill Construction's new report reveals meaningful differences between the North American and European BIM markets and further affirms that firms with greater experience and expertise in BIM frequently achieve a significant return on their BIM investment.
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GE Lighting Invests More Than $60 Million to Expand Manufacturing of Energy-Efficient Lighting Products in Bucyrus, Ohio

October 04, 2010

- New Global Linear Fluorescent Lighting Center of Excellence to Create 130 New Jobs - Bucyrus-Made Products to Be Sold in U.S., Europe, Latin America and the Middle East CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE Lighting executives, employees and union leaders joined government officials and community leaders at the company’s manufacturing plant in Bucyrus, Ohio this morning to celebrate GE’s more than $60 million investment in the facility and the job creation that comes with it. GE Lighting, headquartered in Cleveland, is a unit of Louisville, Kentucky-based GE – Appliances & Lighting. The production plant in Bucyrus is GE Lighting’s global center of excellence for the manufacture of energy-efficient linear fluorescent light bulbs. Bulbs made in Bucyrus are sold to customers across the U.S. and in cities around the world like Singapore, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Santiago. Employment is expected to nearly double with more than 130 jobs added over the next few years as the Bucyrus plant ramps up production to sell these made-in-Ohio fluorescent products in global markets.
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Sonoma County Firm to Energize Organic Bakery

October 04, 2010

Stellar Energy and Alvarado Street Bakery Sign 400kW Solar Energy System Deal ROHNERT PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Question: What smells like fresh bread and creates energy from the sun? Answer: The roof at Alvarado Street Bakery in Petaluma, California. Stellar Energy, a leading renewable energy firm, is installing a large solar electric system on one of the North Bay’s best known and beloved organic bakeries. Alvarado Street Bakery has a large facility in Petaluma, California; the roof area is almost 1.5 acres, and it will soon carry an innovative and effective solar electric system, installed by Stellar Energy.
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Carrier Corp. Launches AdvanTE3C Solutions Center

October 01, 2010

Carrier Experts in Energy and Efficiency Drive Innovation in Sustainable Building Solutions FARMINGTON, Conn., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Adding to its broad range of green building capabilities, Carrier Corp. has launched the AdvanTE3C Solutions Center, a new global group of Experts in Efficiency and Environment focused on developing sustainable building solutions. Carrier Corp., a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), is the world's leader in high technology heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) solutions, improving the world around us through engineered innovation and environmental stewardship. The AdvanTE3C Solutions Center is a natural evolution of Carrier's approach to sustainability. It will support Carrier's customers around the world in developing strategic, energy efficient and custom-engineered building solutions. Carrier's experts in the AdvanTE3C Solutions Center will apply today's technology in an innovative fashion to capture even greater energy efficiency and environmental benefits. This will help drive innovation in commercial product designs, with a focus on new solutions.
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GreenWizard and AECOM Working to Promote Sustainable Construction Standards and Research

October 01, 2010

CHARLESTON, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GreenWizard, Inc., provider of the largest online collection of green-building product data for intelligent material selection, has announced an agreement with AECOM Technology Corporation to promote sustainable construction standards, research, and initiatives. GreenWizard provides a web-based software platform for evaluating and analyzing green building materials from thousands of manufacturers. AECOM, the world’s leading design firm and a leading provider of sustainability services, will collaborate with GreenWizard to improve sustainable building materials evaluation.
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Kitchen Remodeling: Six Steps to a Green Kitchen

October 01, 2010

When homeowners take on a kitchen remodeling project, increasingly they are choosing eco-friendly materials and contractors; this improves the environment, their overall health and reduces energy costs SEATTLE, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- When considering kitchen remodeling, many people are choosing to use eco-friendly products and contractors for a variety of reasons. Some have concern for the environment or their overall health while others have allergies or are chemically sensitive. Almost everyone remodeling their kitchen is interested in lowering their energy consumption and their electricity and water bills. KitchenRemodeling.net offers six ways people can make their homes greener when kitchen remodeling. 1. Choose energy-efficient appliances. 2. Install energy-efficient lighting. 3. Purchase green kitchen cupboards and cabinets. 4. Choose green products when kitchen remodeling. 5. Remodel with hypoallergenic materials. 6. Choose green kitchen remodeling contractors.
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U.S. Green Building Council Launches the Center for Green Schools

October 01, 2010

The green building pioneer’s newest initiative serves as the center of dialogue, policy development and innovation for green schools United Technologies Corp. announced as founding sponsor WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announces its newest initiative, The Center for Green Schools at USGBC. There are nearly 140,000 schools, colleges and universities in the United States; no one has ever counted the buildings, but thousands are barely built to code. The Center for Green Schools is how USGBC is working toward the ambitious goal of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to attend a green school within this generation. USGBC also announces United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) as the first Founding Sponsor of the Center for Green Schools at USGBC. Through UTC’s multi-year, multimillion-dollar financial commitment, the Center will lead hundreds of schools across the nation to becoming green and more energy efficient and will help build hundreds of LEED registered education projects in the next few years. UTC’s support as Founding Sponsor will help the Center raise the volume on USGBC’s efforts to drive wholesale change in how schools are designed, constructed and operated so that they enhance the learning experience for students and save money for school districts and higher education institutions. Green schools provide fresh and clean air that improves health, additional daylight that boosts concentration, comfortable temperatures that increase focus and improved acoustics that enable better communication. Green schools also use less water and energy, making them less expensive to operate.
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