LEED
Does ‘decertification’ exist? – an article in the San Francisco
Business Journal said that USGBC can now “decertify” an existing LEED-certified
building. But the USGBC (in what might be described as a mealy-mouthed denial)
said it doesn’t. From
the article:
Quoting Scott Horst, USGBC’s senior VP for LEED: "The idea that there
is this new thing call decertification is inaccurate. The way LEED works is
we have a rating system; you send us information about your project, and we
certify to that. But let's say that there was someone out there who lied about
the prerequisite information or unintentionally provided inaccurate information.
We have always had a policy to go back and say this wasn’t what it was represented
to be. That is nothing new."
EMCOR, building automation + LEED – a ConstrucTech article
combines all of these, including EMCOR Group’s recent acquisition of Scalise
Industries.
EE Reports & Case Studies
Grand Junction, Colo. – working with Johnson Controls
and using a state grant and rebates from Xcel Energy, the city of Grand Junction
has spent $2M on energy upgrades to 18 buildings and parks. Payback, according
to a TV station ‘s website article:
12 years.
Massachusetts antes up – state utilities are to invest $2.2B
over three years “in expanding efficiency measures like home energy audits,
weatherization, and rebates for home appliances,” according to The
Boston Globe, to meet new state EE standards.
Northwest – the Northwest Power and Conservation Council claimed
that 85% of new energy needs – over the next 20 years! – can be met through
EE. Area utilities, however, are skeptical. See
ENR report.
Quaker Oats & motors – the PepsiCo subsidiary has earned
more than $100K in rebates thanks to consolidating “the number of motors used
in processing” and the installation of “new high-efficient motors.” Report.
Shriner’s Hospital (Erie, Pa.) – heating and lighting systems
have been made more efficient thanks to stimulus money. Release.
Volkswagen (Chattanooga, Tenn.) – a new $1B manufacturing plant
for VW “will feature efficient electric motors on the production lines,” EnvironmentalLeader.com
said.