Industry News

The EPA has released the annual listing of U.S. metropolitan areas featuring the most Energy Star certified buildings for 2011.  By the end of 2011, the nearly 16,500 Energy Star certified buildings across America have helped save nearly $2.3 billion in annual utility bills and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to emissions from the annual energy use of more than 1.5 million homes.

Facility managers and building owners often have queries about the efficacy and costs behind geothermal energy options.  In its efforts to educate about geothermal, or ground-source, heat pumps (GHPs), the Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) finds that in many cases its audiences know little about geothermal energy, and often confuse GHPs with resources that create hot springs and high-pressure steam that can fuel electric power plants.

According to a new study by University of California, Berkeley the least expensive way for the Western U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions enough to help prevent the worst consequences of global warming is to replace coal with renewable and other sources of energy that may include nuclear power.

The Obama Administration has joined with the governors of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will streamline the efficient and responsible development of offshore wind resources in the Great Lakes.

A Virginia Commonwealth University study posits that dogs in the workplace can reduce stress levels of the owner and make the job more satisfying for other employees as well.  Is stress creeping into your facility or building? The solution could be just a bark away.

Warm weather is already here, and it’s time for facility managers and building owners to review their cleaning programs and planning for spring.  Daily cleaning tasks and deep cleaning initiatives go a long way toward preparing a facility for a new season of occupants and visitors.

The National Frame Building Association (NFBA) has successfully tested a post-frame 3-hour fire wall system that can now be incorporated into a post-frame building without having to seek out expensive traditional non-wood framing systems.

The White House has announced up to $35 million over three years to support research and development in advanced biofuels, bioenergy and high-value biobased products.