Editor's Note

Welcome to Sustainable Facility's eNews for July 2009

There's been a flurry of activity in the green sector recently. Billionaire T. Boone Pickens announced that his plans for a massive wind farm in Texas have been put on hold for various financial and energy distribution issues. The G8 summit, a meeting of eight of the world's most powerful leaders, began in L'Aquila, Italy, where climate change and reducing carbon dioxide emissions has been one of the topics of discussion -- a notion China and India have already rejected. Here in the U.S., the House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act that now moves to the senate (be sure to tell us what you think in our poll at www.SustainableFacility.com).

The time of "None of this affects me," has long since passed. It's now more a matter of "How much is this going to affect me?" As we saw with last month's webinar, government facilities are already being mandated to meet new energy requirements. While certain mandates are more likely to affect new construction in the private sector, existing buildings in the private sector will undoubtedly be affected -- most likely in the cost of utilities or emission restrictions.

But as studies are showing (examples of some of the studies you can find in this eNewsletter), going green can help offset, or even beat, rising costs. While it might be difficult to see the immediate impact of how "greening" a facility can help save the environment, it shouldn't be as difficult to see how greening a facility can save your wallet.

Cheers,

Derrick Teal
Sustainable Facility Managing Editor

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News

Green Construction Code Expected to Increase Energy Efficiency, Reduce Carbon Footprint for Commercial Buildings
The International Code Council launched an initiative aimed at reducing energy usage and the carbon footprint of commercial buildings. Entitled "IGCC: Safe and Sustainable By the Book," the initiative is committed to develop a model code focused on new and existing commercial buildings.

Energy Retrofit Group Creates New Web Site with Links to Government Tax Incentives for Large Commercial Buildings
Energy Retrofit Group (ERG) has announced the creation of a new energy conservation website. The new site contains links to government programs and tax incentives for energy retrofitting.

ASHRAE Introduces Prototype of Building Energy Label
A prototype label for the ASHRAE Headquarters in Atlanta was unveiled at ASHRAE's 2009 Annual Conference in Louisville. The Building Energy Quotient program, which will be known as Building EQ, will include both asset and operational ratings for all building types, except residential.

Sustainability Research Shows Ways Building Owners and Designers Can Reduce Carbon Emissions
FM Global has released new research showing ways business property owners can reduce carbon emissions attributable to fire and natural disaster risks. The findings also reveal that, as the trend to build greener facilities increases, so do such potential unintended consequences.

EPA Issues Clean Energy Guidebook To Help States Save Money, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
EPA released a first-of-its-kind guide to help states save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by adopting clean energy practices in their facilities, operations and vehicle fleets.

ESD Completes New LEED Gold Data Center for Allstate
Environmental Systems Design (ESD) has completed a 56,000 square foot "Greenfield" data center for Allstate in Northwestern Illinois. The facility, which features numerous sustainability elements and energy efficient systems, has achieved a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

TAC to become Schneider Electric in October 2009
TAC, a leading provider of building automation and security solutions, will change its name and logo and fully become Schneider Electric in October 2009. Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, has been the parent company of TAC since 2003.

Retailers Drive Profits Through Green Initiatives
Retailers who pursue a green agenda have a substantial opportunity to simultaneously reduce costs. So finds a new study by SSA & Company, a global operations consulting firm. The study "Going Green in the Retail Industry" draws on more than 20 environmental projects with some of the world's leading retail companies.

New, Modernized and Retrofitted Escalators
KONE Inc. and Power Efficiency Corporation announced that they signed an agreement to launch the digital EcoStart, to be included in new and modernized escalators, and offered to customers as a retrofit option.

Click here for more Sustainable Facility news.

AEC Store Corner

The ASHRAE GreenGuide: The Design, Construction and Operation of Sustainable Buildings $96.95

ASHRAE GreenGuide: The Design, Construction and Operation of Sustainable Buildings helps teach designers how to participate effectively on design teams charged with producing green buildings. With a focus on how to apply proven Green Building Technology to the design and energy use of a building, the ASHRAE GreenGuide provides mechanical engineers, architects, and construction engineers hands-on, needed tips on everything from site location to the latest in energy-saving HVAC Systems. This new edition will carry that invaluable practical help forward with the latest on LEED (Leadership on Energy and Environmental Design) guidance as promulgated by the U.S. Green Buildings Council and will offer the latest in sustainable materials and systems specifications. Follow this link for more information or to purchase this item.

Products

"Power Quality, Version 3" from CDA is a CD-ROM on power quality (PQ) that has been updated and expanded. The articles and videos on this CD-ROM provide a basic understanding of power quality issues and solutions for both existing and new construction. The material was produced for electrical professionals as well as building developers and operators. Topics include general wiring practice, grounding, harmonics, lightning and transients, power conditioning and surge protection.

The new CD-ROM answers such vital questions as: How does PQ affect the bottom line? What areas of PQ are most important? What happens when best practices are ignored? www.copper.org.

Moen Commercial Division's M•Press metering faucets are designed to be reliable, durable and save on energy costs even in the most demanding commercial environments. An exclusive, sealed-silicon metering mechanism found in the new M•Press faucets provides consistent water flow with accurate timing and proper shut-off every time, while providing protection against impurities and clogs in the waterway. In addition, the M•Press metering cartridge uses an internal pressure-balancing spool, so varying water pressures will not affect the performance of the faucet.

The metering faucets feature an adjustable timing cycle that ranges from 10 to 60 seconds, automatically shutting the water off after each use. This timing mechanism reduces water usage and helps to prevent possible flooding. www.moencommercial.com.

Featured Events

Next Product Focus

The Product Focus section of Sustainable Facility's September print issue will feature:

• Software and Web-based Tools
• Building Controls and Automation Systems
• Plumbing Fixtures

Send your case studies, projects, stories, products and comments to Derrick Teal.

Future product focuses are found in Sustainable Facility's Editorial Calendar, which is available online.