News and Articles on Sustainable Construction & Retrofits

LEED Support Slips Again in Construction Industry

March 12, 2010 by Gina Roos

Nearly 93 percent of design and construction professionals continue to endorse green building despite the recession, according to a new green building survey. The survey also finds that support for the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification slipped again in 2009, widening the gap ... Read more »

Kraft Foods Yields Big Savings from Small Environmental Changes in Global Offices

March 11, 2010 by Gina Roos

By making, in some cases, small changes to add efficiency its offices including the installation of motion-activated lighting and more efficient plumbing fixtures, and encouraging its employees to be more sustainable, Kraft Foods says it has achieved some big results around the globe. As an example, Kraft Foods’ Curitiba, Brazil, ... Read more »

Major National Homebuilders Launch ‘Green’ Lines

March 11, 2010 by Paul Nastu

Lennar and KB Home, two prominent national home builders, have launched energy and water-efficient home lines that they are marketing as “green,” reports EcoHome Magazine. Lennar‘s launch of its energy-efficient PowerSmart line is designed to save up to 40 percent on energy use. The homes are built to Energy Star ... Read more »

MA Ramps Up Projects to Save $22M in Energy at State Buildings

March 9, 2010 by Gina Roos

The state of Massachusetts is offering a new financing plan that allows the Commonwealth to fund energy efficient and renewable energy projects at dozens of state buildings, aimed at saving millions of dollars in energy costs annually, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the governor’s clean energy goals, reports Cape ... Read more »

Push Begins for ‘Building Star’ Incentives for Commercial Properties

March 5, 2010 by Paul Nastu

First there was Energy Star, the long-established energy ratings system. Then came Home Star, an incentive program supported by President Obama. Now, the Senate has introduced a bill that would establish a Building Star program to provide incentives to commercial buildings related to their energy efficiency. Building Star would promote ... Read more »

Building Automation Market to Grow 2% in 2010

March 3, 2010 by Gina Roos

The North American building automation market is expected to grow slightly over the next few years with virtually no growth from new building construction in the office building space, according to a new report from BCS Partners. After a significant pullback in 2009, the market is not expected to reach ... Read more »

Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Launch ‘Green’ Restaurant Design Initiative

February 24, 2010 by Gina Roos

Darden Restaurants is rolling out a sustainable restaurant design initiative across its entire portfolio for both new restaurants and remodels. Aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its restaurants while increasing the operational efficiency, Darden is designing eight restaurants at its three largest brands — Red Lobster, Olive Garden and ... Read more »

TD Bank Goes Carbon Neutral, Unveils ‘Green Store’ Prototype

February 22, 2010December 14, 2010 by Paul Nastu

With energy efficiency efforts, purchase of renewable energy and the pursuit of “green” building, TD Bank claims to be the largest U.S. bank thus far to go carbon neutral. TD Bank, which has more than 1,000 locations in the U.S., is purchasing energy generated via wind, solar and other renewable ... Read more »

Greenpeace Criticizes Facebook for Data Center Not Using Renewable Energy

February 22, 2010 by Gina Roos

Greenpeace is leading a campaign to get Facebook to change its strategy to power its planned data center in Prineville, Oregon, with renewable energy instead of coal by rallying support from Facebook users. Facebook plans to build its highly energy-efficient data center on a cloud computing platform that is expected ... Read more »

All New Office Depots to be Built to Energy Efficient, LEED Standards

February 22, 2010 by Paul Nastu

Office Depot is adopting an energy efficient and green building model for the interiors of all new stores. Office Depot recently unveiled a prototype energy efficient store in Austin, Texas, that was LEED certified. That store achieved a 23 percent reduction in carbon emissions per square foot through energy efficiency ... Read more »

Lockheed Facility Reduces Water Use 43%

February 17, 2010 by Paul Nastu

Lockheed Martin’s Center for Leadership and Excellence has a number of features to reduce its environmental impact, including low-flow plumbing that cuts water use 43 percent. The 300,000 square foot building, which is adjacent to the company’s Bethesda, Md., headquarters, serves as Lockheed’s center for business meetings, training courses and ... Read more »

Office Depot Decreases Emissions 23% at Austin Store

February 17, 2010 by Paul Nastu

Office Depot has tapped into energy efficiency efforts and solar power to bring a reduced carbon footprint to an Austin, Texas, store. Taken together, the initiatives resulted in a 23 percent reduction in carbon emissions per square foot, according to a press release. The store, which was certified as LEED ... Read more »

E+E Leader delivered to your inbox

E+E Leader delivered to your inbox

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! NEXT TIME LET US COME TO YOU:

Sign up for our newsletter