Green

A report examining residential construction trends by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that nearly three out of four large metro areas saw an increased share of new housing development in previously developed areas during 2005-2009 compared with 2000-2004.

Philips’ 60-watt LED bulb, the yellow capped one that turns on white, has a new look, brighter light and uses less energy. Philips unveiled the new bulb at the Home Depot store on 59th Street in Manhattan on Dec. 4 and 5, and at the 23rd Street store on Dec. 5 to 6, offering consumers a $5 savings. It will also be available at Homedepot.com/lightbulbs with rollout expected at the beginning of the year.

Gilbane Building Co. has hired Robert Preiss, a 33-year industry veteran, to lead the company's energy modeling and High Performance Building efforts.  Preiss' experience covers a wide range of client types, including commercial, industrial, high-tech, and utility products and services. His expertise includes efficient lighting, HVAC, retrocommissioning, cogeneration, microturbines, wind turbines, deregulation, management and engineering.

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Stevensville, Md.-based home builder NEXUS EnergyHomes teamed with the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) to provide new home buyers a measurement of long-term energy performance of each new home the company builds.

The intent of the agreement is to raise consumers’ knowledge of new home energy performance by using RESNET’s HERS Index. 

A growing emphasis on sustainability in packaging will help drive up demand for post-consumer recycled plastics, according to a study published by the Freedonia Group. The Cleveland-based industry market research firm estimates that U.S. demand will rise 6.5% annually. Other factors pushing gains are advancements in processing and sorting technologies; higher quality resins; and an improved collection infrastructure, which raises the plastic recycling rate.

ImagineSolar, a licensed solar and smart grid education and advisory services company in Texas, established a training partnership with Ideal Power Converters (IPC), a developer of power converter solutions. 

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Annual Conference has been set for Sept. 17-19, 2013, in San Antonio. 

According to its website, the SFI is based on principles promoting sustainable forest management, including measures to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk, and Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value.

The 2012 conference was held in Milwaukee.