WASHINGTON — The District of Columbia ranks first in the total number of energy-efficient buildings, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It’s the first time in six years that D.C. has knocked Los Angeles out of the top spot.
BOSTON — Several major American cities are embracing solar energy, with 20 cities accounting for almost 7 percent of the nation’s total solar capacity, according to a new report.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s efforts to combat climate change and grow a vibrant economy that will sustain both present and future generations will be highlighted at the upcoming Green California Summit in Sacramento April 7-8.
Through a program of education sessions, pre-summit training and an expo featuring scores of green products and services, the summit will highlight the wide range of policies, programs, strategies and technologies that are being actively implemented to preserve the state’s natural resources.
AUSTIN, Texas — With minimal rain, commercial water consumers are prompted to implement innovative ways to conserve water, but it can be difficult to know how to start the process without a water expert on staff.
PITTSBURGH — The Green Mountain Energy Sun Club based in Pittsburgh announced March 16 it will donate more than $422,000 to 10 nonprofit organizations across Pennsylvania and New York to fund the purchase and installation of new solar projects that will be completed throughout 2015. The Sun Club is a crowd-funding organization sponsored by Green Mountain Energy Company based in Austin, Texas.
PARIS — The Eiffel Tower in Paris is going green with new wind turbines that will help produce electricity.
New York-based UGE International installed two on-site wind turbines at the Eiffel Tower as part of a renovation and upgrade to the first floor of the monument. Located above the second level for its wind conditions, the turbines are now producing 10,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually, equal to the power the Eiffel Tower’s first floor would typically use.
CHICAGO — The Field Museum in Chicago was awarded LEED Gold certification for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance (EB O+M) on March 16.
One of the world’s largest natural history museums, The Field Museum is one of only two museums in the U.S. that has earned LEED-EB O+M Gold certification. It is believed that it is the oldest museum building to achieve LEED.
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — After setting a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, DPR Construction (DPR), earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Leadership Award in the category of Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management.
Eight years ago, DPR set a goal to reduce overall employee emissions by 25 percent by 2015 and it has met its objective, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30 percent.
CINCINNATI — The Greater Cincinnati Green Business Council (GCGBC) has received the 2015 Green Business Award for Green Advocacy from the Cincinnati Business Courier and the Cincinnati Regional Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The annual award recognizes an organization that provides educational awareness about sustainability. It was presented to the GCGBC in the nonprofit category in recognition of their waste management initiatives at a ceremony held on March 5.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently ranked the top 10 states for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
