Energy Department Sets Green Certification Standards
WASHINGTON — The Energy Department issued a final rule on Oct. 10 that requires new and retrofitted federal buildings to verify energy and water performance through green building certification systems in the private sector.
The department said it will help ensure that in cases where agencies choose to use green building certification systems to meet federal sustainability and energy standards, they must choose a system that verifies enhanced energy and water efficiency. The rule goes into effect Nov. 13.
Michael W. Rodriguez joined SchenkelShultz Architecture in Orlando, Fla., as a senior project manager serving as part of the firm’s greater Orlando aviation authority general consultant team. Rodriguez is a registered architect and a registered interior designer in the state of Florida and has more than 35 years of architecture experience, including more than 10 years of aviation design.
In commercial buildings, energy efficiency is the simplest and most cost-effective way to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, according to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association. The association notes that insulation currently in place in U.S. buildings reduces the amount of carbon dioxide by 780 million tons each year. 
WASHINGTON — Roger Platt, senior vice president of global policy and law for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is taking over the council’s president position, according to an Oct. 2 announcement. 
Civilight North America appointed Dennis Picklesimer as vice president of sales for the company. In this newly created position, Picklesimer will oversee regional sales managers across the country, each focusing on a targeted geographic region. Picklesimer brings to the new position more than 30 years of experience in the electrical and lighting industries, including senior leadership roles at LumenOptix, Stellar Sales Inc., Simkar Corporation and The Electric Shop.