WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must delay implementing rules on interstate air pollution that were set to go into effect on Jan. 1 until the law’s legality is determined, a federal court ruled in favor of electric power producers seeking to defeat the new regulations.
PULLMAN, Wash. — Amidst a growing trend of LEED certification throughout the hospitality industry, a recent study found that major chain hotels like Hyatt, Marriott and Hilton are significantly ahead of independent hotels in adopting green and sustainable operations.
This article is part 1 of a 3-part series from the Structural Engineering Certification Board. The series explores the relationship among structural engineers and architects and the challenges and opportunities inherent in green building projects.
By Jon Boyd, SE, PE, SECB, NCEES, NCARB, AIA
Cutting Edge Architecture Requires Cutting Edge Structural Engineering Skill and Depth of Knowledge
Acuity Brands Inc. has expanded its LED indoor ambient lighting portfolio with the launch of the Lithonia Lighting STLED luminaire. The lumniaire features improved efficacy and delivers solid performance, design and user simplicity, according to the company. Its luminaire design complements other LED architectural lighting products from Acuity Brands. The embedded controls in the luminaire allows for continuous system performance monitoring for constant lumen maintenance and promoting simple "plug-and-play" network.
The new in-floor Micro Canal radiator from Jaga Climate Systems provides heat exchange that operates with quiet fans, ensuring that heating is virtually noiseless. Only 6 inches high and 13 inches wide, the Micro Canal generates a substantial heat output while remaining responsive to changing temperatures. The trench-heating unit saves energy with its low-water technology, according to the company. Its advanced height adjustment system allows the product’s grilles to be aligned with the floor.
Guardian introduces SunGuard SNR 43, a new glass coating for commercial applications that offers a high light-to-solar gain ratio and low solar heat gain coefficient, according to the company. SNR 43 joins Guardian’s other SunGuard architectural glass products that help improve energy performance and help projects achieve LEED certification. It features a visible light transmission of 43 percent and solar control. The coating lets in plenty of light, while low SHGC meets the latest energy code standards, according to the company.
Winston Huff, plumbing and fire protection project manager at engineering design and facility consulting firm Smith Seckman Reid, has been appointed to represent the American Society of Plumbing Engineers on the International Green Construction Code Committee. In his new role, Huff will work in the areas of water resource conservation, rainwater collection and distribution systems and used water recovery.
Circuit of The Americas has hired Edgar Farrera, AIA, LEED AP as its director of sustainability. With 20 years of experience in green building and environmental stewardship, Farrera will oversee the development of environmental initiatives and programs associated with construction, maintenance and operation of the Grand Prix facility. He will establish its sustainability efforts and will work in collaboration with the City of Austin’s Sustainability Office on air quality, green transit, green tech research and development, alternative energy events and sustainable on-site development.
TEMPE, Ariz. — First Solar, a Tempe, Ariz.-based producer of thin film solar modules, is closing an alternative photovoltaic technology project rumored to employ the same technology as Solyndra, though the company is not disclosing the details of the research.
First Solar and Solyndra are among a group of Western panel makers undercut by cheaper competition from Chinese manufacturers such as Suntech Power Holdings Co., the world’s largest, according to Bloomberg Reports.
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