Rhode Island Bridge Retrofits with LED
NEWPORT, R.I. — The Claiborne Pell Bridge, known commonly as the Newport Bridge, in Newport recently retrofitted its antiquated lighting systems with state-of-the-art, high efficiency LED lighting.
2014
Georgia Southern University Achieves LEED Gold
ATLANTA — Georgia Southern University’s new 151,000-square-foot Biological Sciences Building was recently awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).
Mars Inc. Wins USGBC Leadership Award
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded Mars Inc. the Ray Anderson Radical Industrialism Award. The USGBC presented the award at its 2014 Leadership Awards Luncheon on Nov. 6.
The leadership awards celebrate individuals and groups that the USGBC considers to be on the forefront sustainability in the built environment who are committed to advancing the industry.
Federal Buildings Cut Energy Usage
WASHINGTON — Green investments funded by a 2009 economic stimulus package are helping federal buildings use less energy even during harsh winters, according to analysis from the General Services Administration (GSA).
Ron Whalen
Ron Whalen, LEED AP, joined Orlando-based Roger B. Kennedy Inc. as project executive in the company’s pre-construction services sector. A senior level construction professional with 25 years of experience, Whalen is a state-certified general contractor. His duties include feasibility analysis, initial programming, conceptual budgeting, permitting, pre-construction, contract negotiation and administration, project management and close-out.
Surfacing Material
Denim by TorZo Surfaces offers outstanding performance and longevity through the exclusive TorZo Surfaces acrylic infusion process. TorZo offers a base construction of 80 percent post-industrial recycled denim fabric scraps infused with a nontoxic acrylic resin. Penetrating completely through the raw denim board, this infusion results in a panel that is extremely hard and durable with outstanding resistance to abrasion and scratching.
Architects Get Closer to Carbon Neutral Goal
WASHINGTON — The number of projects meeting a carbon reduction goal set by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has surged 200 percent over the last two years, according to a new report from the AIA.
High Sustainability Goals Set for Hampshire College Project
AMHERST, Mass. — A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Nov. 14 for Hampshire College’s new R.W. Kern Center.
Missouri Western State Partners with Schneider Electric
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Missouri Western State University is partnering with Andover, Mass.-based Schneider Electric to help the institution save nearly $400,000 in energy costs over 15 years. The university expects an additional $400,000 in utility incentives will help offset campus-wide upgrades across its building, lighting, water and mechanical systems.
USGBC Extends LEED 2009 Registration
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is giving the building industry additional time to prepare for LEED v4, the latest version of LEED.
The USGBC announced Oct. 29 that LEED users will be allowed to register projects under the LEED 2009 rating system until Oct. 31, 2016. The new date is more than a year after the original deadline of June 15, 2015, when new projects would have to be certified using LEED v4.