April 23, 2007

Fluorescent Lamp Recycling

Air Cycle offers the Bulb Eater fluorescent bulb crushing system to meet disposal needs. The OSHA- and EPA-compliant units are designed to make disposal and recycling processes more efficient, improving bulb storage, handling and safety/liability issues. The fully contained Bulb Eater system crushes spent bulbs in seconds, compacting them into specially designed 55-gallon containers. It uses a two-stage filtration process that captures 99.99 percent of released mercury vapor and particulate matter.

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Warewasher

Stero introduces the Ecorinse series of conveyor warewashers, high-temperature systems that use less water and energy to operate. The series uses a two-stage final rinse system, consisting of 1/4-horsepower motor pumps at 165 degrees and 20psi of 180-degree water. It uses 18,000 watts less of electrical current than standard washers to maintain the final rinse.


The number of clean racks produced per hour with Erorinse is 10 percent more than the current Stero model, and gallons of water used during the final rinse is reduced by 59 percent from current models.

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UV Light System

Triatomic Environmental Inc. manufactures the Fresh-Aire UV Commercial Series germicidal UV light system for improving indoor air quality. The system saves energy and reduces maintenance by controlling growth on cooling coils. It’s power supply uses a high frequency electronic ballast design and can accept voltages from 120-277 VAC. It’s power supply is water resistant and can be mounted directly in the air handler for smaller areas of installation.


The system can be applied to commercial air systems up to 200 tons.

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New York to Host World’s Largest Green Building

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Industrial Development Authority issued a $238 million bond to finance construction of a sustainable retail complex.

Destiny USA, slated to be the largest sustainable building in the world, will include stores, hotels, theaters, restaurants and a research park. It will be powered entirely by renewable energy, according to reports. The 800-acre project is expected to cost $20 billion.

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Tax Credits Proposed for Efficient Buildings

BOSTON — A bill to give tax credits to public, private and commercial buildings that comply with energy-efficient standards is under consideration in the Massachusetts Legislature.

The legislation would require the state to adopt the International Energy Conservation Code for new construction and renovation projects. It sets heating standards and minimum energy provisions for residential and commercial buildings. Officials estimate that the standards would increase construction costs by 3 percent, but builders would see savings in energy costs and tax breaks.

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L.A Utility Department to Give Priority to Green Buildings

LOS ANGELES — The largest municipal utility in the United States will fast track service for environmentally sustainable building development projects.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Board of Commissioners approved the policy, which will to provide accelerated water and electrical connection services for LEED-certified buildings.

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Boxer, Pelosi Plan to Turn Capitol Hill Green

WASHINGTON — Two California politicians plan to make Capitol Hill’s buildings more energy-efficient and eco-friendly.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) says she wants employees at House of Representatives buildings to use environmentally friendly operating procedures. She has asked the House’s chief administrative officer to report back on how a “green the Capitol” initiative could be implemented in the House’s three office buildings, which have a total of 3.65 million square feet.

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USGBC Issues Report on PVC Use

WASHINGTON — A technical advisory committee for the U.S. Green Building Council released a report that does not recommend imposing restrictions on the use of PVC in buildings seeking LEED certification until there is more research on the subject.

The Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee recently published the report that states PVC — also known as vinyl — did not perform better or worse overall than alternative materials with regard to its impact on the environment or human health in commercial building applications.

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