GreenerBuildings.com

Fast-Tracking Green Economic Recovery: Some Advice for the New Congress

Leanne Tobias — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:15:00 -0800

As the 111th Congress gets under way this week, the key task will be developing a fast-track economic stimulus program — ideally one that emphasizes sustainability, says Leanne Tobias.

Out of the Fryer and into the Vegawatt: Used Vegetable Oil Helps Power Restaurant

Leslie Guevarra — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:00:00 -0800

A Massachusetts firm says its new device called the Vegawatt can help restaurants save money by converting used vegetable oil from fryers into fuel to produce electricity and hot water.

McDonald's to Become Both Time and Energy Efficient

Ariel Schwartz — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:00:00 -0800

No one can deny that McDonald's food service is fast, but up until now it hasn't been very energy efficient. The company's 32,000 stores spend $1.5 billion each year on cooking, lighting, heating and cooling.

Defining Sustainability

Robert Pojasek — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:45:00 -0800

There are scores of different terms for something that many of us refer to as sustainability: corporate responsibility, sustainable development, corporate citizenship, environmental sustainability, corporate sustainability and green business. And there are hundreds of different definitions for the terms. Robert Pojasek offers guidance on defining sustainability — and making it operational — in the corporate world.

Green Building Predictions for 2009

Leanne Tobias — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:30:00 -0800

Leanne Tobias takes a look ahead and offers her predictions for the green building industry in 2009.

Xcel Charts Its Course for Energy Efficiency in Colorado for 2009

GreenerBuildings Staff — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Xcel Energy, Colorado's largest utility company, has mapped out an ambitious energy efficiency plan for 2009 that the firm says would save an amount of power equivalent to that generated by a new unit at a coal-fired plant.

Energy, Green Groups Call for Stimulus to Jumpstart Economy, Efficiency

GreenerBuildings Staff — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Environmental and energy groups, including the association that represents almost 70 percent of the country's utilities, made their pitch to Congress before year's end as talks accelerated about the stimulus package being crafted by the incoming administration.

Indiana Hospital to Install Green Roof Atop New Tower

GreenerBuildings Staff — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Ball Memorial Hospital will plant a 30,000-square-foot green roof on its new $87 million extension called South Tower.

The Top Green Building Stories of 2008

Leslie Guevarra — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:15:00 -0800

Major developments on the green building front in 2008 hold the promise of even greater momentum in 2009. We take a year-end look at five general areas: the resilience of green building, the hot pursuit of energy efficiency and incentives, increased focus on the built environment, legal landscape and the path ahead.

Times Square Icons Go Green for New Year's Eve

Leslie Guevarra — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:00:00 -0800

New York's Times Square ushers in the New Year with a bigger, brighter and greener light ball this evening and billboards that are to be powered by wind energy, starting with the giant Coca-Cola sign at 47th and Broadway.

Sustainable Community Concept Takes Hold in Texas, Georgia, Tennessee

GreenerBuildings Staff — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:30:00 -0800

The drive to create communities that balance environmental, economic and social responsibilities through planned development is growing as shown by projects in Texas, Georgia and Tennessee.

Kibbutz Teams Up with Israeli Firm to Create Country’s First Solar-Powered Community

Ariel Schwartz — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:15:00 -0800

The western Negev's Kibbutz Reim will soon receive the distinction of being the first Israeli community to rely entirely on solar energy as a result of an installation project with the firm Sunday Solar.

Kennecott Land, Citi and Pizza Fusion Hit the Mark on LEED Standards

GreenerBuildings Staff — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:25:00 -0800

Kennecott Land's Daybreak Corporate Center in South Jordan, Utah, attained a LEED Platinum rating, Citi obtained LEED Gold status for office space in Chicago and Pizza Fusion opened its 16th restaurant built to LEED standards.

Lifecycle Building Challenge Calls for Designs that Reduce Waste, GHG Emissions

GreenerBuildings Staff — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:15:00 -0800

Professional and aspiring architects, product developers and other innovators are invited to submit entries to the third annual Lifecycle Building Challenge, a competition that seeks the best designs for structures and products that minimize waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions and maximize reuse of materials.

U.S. Diners Looking for Greener Restaurants and Healthier Fare in 2009: Survey

Green Lodging News — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Research released by the National Restaurant Association shows that Americans are looking for healthier options and "greener" restaurants when they dine out, in addition to an increased interest in value and convenience.