For more news, visit www.EDCmag.com.
Green Building Alliance Receives $1.25 Million to Launch Economic Development Initiative
Pittsburgh - Armed with $1.25 million in seed money, the Green Building Alliance announced that it will launch the Green Building Products Initiative, a new economic development program created to leverage western Pennsylvania's internationally recognized leadership in green building and maximize its potential for economic growth. For more information, visit
www.gbapgh.org.
WasteCap Wisconsin Honors VI for Achievement in Vinyl Siding Recycling
Arlington, Va. - WasteCap Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization that provides waste handling, reduction and recycling assistance to businesses, honored the Vinyl Institute (VI) with the Innovative Achievement Award for its role in implementing a vinyl siding scrap recycling program in Wisconsin. As of June 2006, 100,000 pounds of vinyl siding scrap had been recycled from 630 new homes, and the goal of developing a standard process for contractors and builders across Wisconsin to follow to recycle vinyl siding waste from new home construction is on its way to being met. For more information, visit www.wastecapwi.org and
www.vinylinfo.org.
Partnership for Trees Respects the Earth
LaGrange, Ga. - Milliken & Company and the National Arbor Day Foundation have announced a partnership based on stewardship and focused on increasing awareness of the benefits that trees bring to green building. Milliken will offer Foundation memberships at the Greenbuild Expo on November 15-16, 2006. Each new member will receive 10 free trees from the Foundation, which contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of individuals. For more information, visit
www.arborday.org, www.milliken.com/treesforall, and www.sustainablecarpet.com.
RIBA-USA Announces "Building A Sustainable World: Life In The Balance" Competition
Santa Monica, Calif. - The Royal Institute of British Architects - U.S.A. (RIBA-USA) announced a new international competition: "Building A Sustainable World: Life in the Balance;" an open competition sponsored by Autodesk and Gibbs-Smith Publishing to design a maximally sustainable community addressing the Global Warming Crisis. Entries are currently being accepted. Registration closes December 31,2006, and closing date for acceptance of entries is February 1, 2007. For more information, visit
www.riba-usa.org/Competitions/index.htm.
Herman Miller, Inc.'s National Design Center First LEED-CI Gold Facility in NYC
New York - Herman Miller's National Design Center in New York City has received Gold certification in the LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) category. The facility marks the first LEED-CI Gold rating to be awarded in NYC. For more information, visit www.hermanmiller.com.
Schneller Celebrates Solar Power Initiative for Veritas ResinArt Headquarters
Pinellas Park, Fla. - A ribbon cutting ceremony was held in celebration of the activation of the photovoltaic (solar) panels at the Veritas ResinArt manufacturing facility. Partnering with Solarpath Energy Systems to design, manufacture and install the roof mounted photovoltaic panels for their Veritas ResinArt manufacturing facility, Schneller's system was installed within three days. For more information, visit www.veritasideas.com or
www.schneller.com.
Philips Lighting Recognized by EPA for Waste Minimization Efforts
Somerset, N.J. - Philips Lighting Company, the U.S.-based lighting company affiliated with Royal Philips Electronics, was recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the first company in the U.S. to launch a company-wide effort toward meeting the EPA's National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) waste minimization standards. Philips Lighting has committed to reducing the amount of mercury used in the manufacturing of their fluorescent lamps by 780 pounds by the end of 2007, as well as eliminating the amount of lead in all of their U.S. lamp manufacturing processes by 1.5 million pounds by 2010. For more information, visit
www.philips.com and www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/partnership.htm.
Las Vegas' Springs Preserve a Model of Sustainability
Las Vegas - The Las Vegas Springs Preserve (Preserve), a $250 million non-gaming cultural attraction located a few miles off the Las Vegas Strip, is nearing construction completion. With 180 acres of green museums, botanical gardens, galleries, trails and concert venues, the Preserve is designed to set new standards in "green building" while becoming a new cultural hub for locals and tourists seeking a different kind of experience than normally associated with Las Vegas. As the largest commercial straw-bale construction project in the U.S., the Preserve is erecting seven new green buildings targeting LEED Platinum certification. For more information,
visit www.springspreserve.org.
DIRTT Wins U.S. Green Contractor Award
Calgary, AB (CAN) - DIRTT (Doing It Right This Time) Environmental Solutions is the 2006 recipient of the Excellence in Partnership Green Contractor Award. The award is presented by the Coalition of Government Procurement and the General Services Administration (GSA) to the contractor who made the best overall commitment to the environment by either offering environmentally friendly products and services, or adhering to environmentally sound manufacturing and/or operating procedures. For more information, visit
www.gsa.gov and www.dirtt.net.
EPA: More Companies Making Environmental Pledges
Washington, D.C. - More organizations are recognizing benefits to their bottom line and the environment by committing to go beyond regulatory requirements. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) welcomed 32 additional facilities to the National Environmental Performance Track program, which recognizes facilities that work with their communities, set three-year goals for continuous improvements in environmental performance beyond regulatory compliance, and have internal systems in place to manage their environmental programs. For more information, visit
www.epa.gov/performancetrack/.
New Technology Turns Food Leftovers Into Electricity, Vehicle Fuels
Davis, Calif. - Tons of table scraps from San Francisco Bay Area restaurants will be turned into clean, renewable energy at a new UC Davis research and technology demonstration facility. The Biogas Energy Project will process eight tons of leftovers weekly (and later as much as eight tons daily), and is the first large-scale demonstration in the U.S. of a new technology developed in the past eight years by Ruihong Zhang, a UC Davis professor of biological and agricultural engineering. The technology, called an "anaerobic phased solids digester," has been licensed from the university and adapted for commercial use by Onsite Power Systems Inc. For more
information, visit www.ucdavis.edu.
Winner of Second Annual Designing & Building with FSC Award Announced
Washington, D.C. - The Forest Stewardship Council-US (FSC-US) announced that HKP Architects, based in Mount Vernon, Wash., will receive the second annual Designing & Building with FSC Award for their work on the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center in Diablo Lake, Wash. The award recognizes building projects that have furthered responsible forest management through their use of FSC-certified wood products, and will be presented in a reception at the U.S. Green Building Council's GreenBuild Conference and Expo in Denver on November 15, 2006. For more information, visit
www.fscus.org.
NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Award Deadline Approaching
Washington, D.C. - The National Association of Home Builder's (NAHB) Multifamily Pillars of the Industry competition is a spotlight on what's new and what's best in apartment and condominium designs. The call for entries deadline is November 30, 2006. For more information, visit www.nahb.org.
OMNI Environmental Systems and Lombardo Associates Service LAI's Nitrex
Newton, Mass. - OMNI Environmental Systems, Inc., Falmouth, Mass., and Lombardo Associates, Inc. (LAI), Newton, Mass., have teamed to provide turnkey design, build and operate services for LAI's Nitrex advanced nitrogen removal system to engineers, owners and municipalities on Cape Cod and southeastern Mass. With LAI's Nitrex and OMNI's RSF System, and other technologies where appropriate, effluent Total Nitrogen (TN) levels of <5 mg/l have been achieved. For more information, visit
www.lombardoassociates.com or www.omnirsf.com.
Join Aggregate Industries for Informal Reception During Greenbuild Expo
Denver - On Wednesday evening, November 15th, 2006, during Greenbuild, Aggregate Industries will host a reception and offer an overview on the company's progress towards developing products such as pervious concrete, porous asphalt and recycled products that may contribute to LEED credits. Aggregate will also showcase the company's commitment toward sustainability, including award-winning local efforts in Colorado. The reception will be held at the Rock Bottom Brewery, just a short walk from the Convention Center.
Space is limited. To sign up and place your name on the guest list, visit www.aggregate-us.com/GREEN.
Waste-to-Energy Program Unveiled in West Michigan
Muskegon, Mich. - A Ravenna, Mich., dairy farm will be home to a new biodigester to turn animal waste into electricity. The construction of the dairy farm biomass conversion plant was announced on October 20, 2006, by the Michigan Public Service Commission, Grand Valley State University, and farmer Tim den Dulk. This will be a commercial demonstration of an advanced biodigester technology that converts renewable dairy biomass waste into valuable methane gas and subsequently to electricity. This biomass plant also produces pathogen-free fertilizer byproducts and an additional critical benefit to the state's environmental protection by the removal of sulfur
and odor compounds and methane emissions from such naturally decaying biomass materials. For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/marec/.
Precipice Alliance Debuts With "Indestructible Language" Installation
New York - The Precipice Alliance, a non-profit corporation collaborating with artists to direct public attention to global warming, launches its mission with an inaugural artwork by contemporary artist Mary Ellen Carroll. This large-scale project will consist of 8-foot-high illuminated characters, spelling out the phrase: "IT IS GREEN THINKS NATURE EVEN IN THE DARK." The nearly 900-foot-long piece was installed in the window bays of all five former American Can factory buildings (CANCO lofts) in Jersey City, N.J., on November 1, 2006, and will be exhibited through April 2007. An event will take place on November 13, 2006, to celebrate the
launch of this organization and its first project. For more information, visit www.precipice-alliance.org.
Sonoma Mountain Village Dedicates Largest Privately-Owned Solar Power Array in California
Rohnert Park, Calif. - Sonoma Mountain Village, Codding Investment's landmark redevelopment, dedicated the largest privately-owned solar array in California. The live/work development is open for occupancy by businesses. The business center within this comprehensive 200-acre village, located on the former Agilent Technologies campus near Sonoma State University, is completely powered by solar electricity, thanks to Codding's use of 1.14 Megawatt solar array, designed and developed by PowerLight Corporation. For more information, visit
www.powerlight.com.
OEC Signs National Distribution Agreement With DC Power Systems
San Jose, Calif - Open Energy Corporation (OEC), a renewable energy company focused on the development and distribution of solar energy technologies, announced the signing of a national distribution agreement with DC Power Systems, one of the largest wholesale renewable energy distributors in the country. The agreement, valued at $7 million in the first year, includes an aggressive national marketing campaign, and dealer sales and installation training. For more information, visit www.openenergycorp.com and
www.dcpower-systems.com.
Tornado Industries Announces Green Commitment Statement
Chicago - At the ISSA/INTERCLEAN tradeshow in Chicago, Tornado Industries released its Commitment to Environmental Sustainability, establishing the company's goals when it comes to cleaning, health, and protecting the environment. Tornado, a recent member of the U.S. Green Building Council, is an 80-year-old manufacturer of professional carpet and floorcare equipment based in Chicago.
According to its statement, the company has manufactured and will continue to manufacture products that, "enhance [protect] indoor air quality (IAQ), use less water and chemical, create less noise, and contribute to source reduction." For more information, visit www.tornadovac.com.
Gore Expresses Support for AIA Policy to Reduce Energy Usage in Buildings
Washington, D.C. - In a speech at New York University School of Law, former Vice President Al Gore expounded on the message of his documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth," by highlighting a public policy of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and an AIA partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors as examples of significant energy reduction initiatives that advocate "all new buildings be carbon neutral by 2030, using zero fossil fuels to operate." For more information, visit
www.aia.org/release_121905_fossilfuel.
USGBC-GHAC Announces 2006 Environmental Awards Winners
Houston - 2006 marks the first year for the U.S. Green Building Council - Greater Houston Area Chapter (USGBC-GHAC) Environmental Awards. The awards for Outstanding Environmental Student Project, Leader, Team, and Building were announced on September 28, 2006, at the USGBC-GHAC Annual Awards Celebration held at Minute Maid Park. For more information, visit www.usgbc-houston.org.
Greenway Releases White Paper for Campus Sustainability
Tucson, Ariz. - Greenway Consulting Group, LLC, a green building consulting firm, released a white paper for the campus sustainability movement, "The GIST of Campus Sustainability - Gain Impact. Save Time." Co-authored by principal Jerry Yudelson, PE, LEED AP, and Senior Associate Tom Buckholtz, PhD, the white paper presents an effective method for organizing sustainability efforts at colleges and universities nationwide. For more information, visit
www.gogreenway.net.
West Elizabeth Lumber Earns FSC Certification
Elizabeth, Pa. - The Rainforest Alliance's SmartWood program has awarded Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification to West Elizabeth Lumber, a wholesale distribution facility in Elizabeth, Pa. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org/forestry.
Chicago-land Projects LEED-Certified
Darien, Ill. - Wight & Company, a design, construction and engineering firm in Chicago and Darien, Ill., announced that two of the firm's projects have been LEED-certified. The projects are the new West Chicago Avenue Branch library and Wight's corporate campus and office in Darien. For more information, visit www.wightco.com.
Milliken Announces EPA SmartWay Partnership
Spartanburg, S.C. -With 35 years of tracking energy, Milliken & Company has joined the SmartWay Transportation Partnership, a voluntary collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the freight industry, as a Truck Carrier. The purpose of the program is to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/smartway/.
Architectural Consulting Company Launches Website
Brooklyn, N.Y. - Based on the precepts of Bau-Biologie, Bio-Solar LLC has launched a new website to serve as a resource for addressing optimal living and health inquiries. For more information, visit www.bio-solar.com.
Green Research for Travel, Vacation
Mountain View, Calif. - Google has added another service to its "Green Pages:" A way to research the greenest hotels and vacation possibilities. Google also provides "Green Vacation Tips." For more information, visit http://services.google.com/earth/green/.
Regal Cinema to Release Climate Change Film
New York - A documentary film, "The Great Warming," examining world-wide issues of climate change and offering many real-world solutions, was released nationwide through the Regal Cinema chain on Nov. 3, 2006, with an initial showing in the top 50 (ADI) markets in the country. For more information, visit www.thegreatwarming.com.
Teknion Wins Four Iidex/Neocon Canada Innovation Awards
Toronto - Teknion Corporation announced that it won two Gold and two Silver awards in the annual IIDEX/NeoCon Canada Innovation competition. Teknion's focus at IIDEX/NeoCon Canada 2006 was on the environment and education. Teknion's second Gold was awarded for its Sustainable Upholstery Collection in the Textiles category. Nine new 100 percent recycled polyester seating textiles and three 100 percent wool patterns address a broad range of styling areas. For more information, visit
www.teknion.com.
G.W. Haworth, Founder of Haworth, Inc., Dies
Holland, Mich. - Gerrard Wendell (G.W.) Haworth, the founding chairman of Haworth, Inc., died October 25, 2006, at age 95. An influential entrepreneur, he established Haworth, Inc., a manufacturer of office environments that grew from a garage-shop venture in 1948 to a $1.4 billion, global corporation. Haworth is survived by his wife, Edna, his five children, 19 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. For more information, visit
www.haworth.com.
