Greenbuild 2008 to take place Nov. 19-21

I've mentioned the U.S. Green Building Council from time to time here on the blog. The Council oversees the LEED certifications system, sponsors research, and is active on Capitol Hill, to name a few highlights. Well, today I learned that the Council also holds a Greenbuild Conference and Expo -- this year's event is set for Nov. 19 to 21, in Boston.

The event Web site suggests that the following kinds of people will attend: "Architects, Building Owners, Code Officials, Contractors, Developers, Educators, Engineers, Facility Managers, Financial Services Providers, Government Agencies, Green Power Providers, Home Builders, Interior Designers, Landscape Architects, Nonprofit Organizations, Product Manufacturers, Schools and Universities, and Students." Yup, kinda seems like they are not expecting any retailers or pro dealers, more's the pity. But don't let that stop you from going if you see anything interesting on the event schedule.

Polished cement gains ground as eco-friendly floorcovering

The U.S. Green Building Council has ruled that FGS/PermaShine's industrial/commercial Polished Concrete Floor System can be counted toward LEED certification. Naturally, the Permashine folks are very happy about that:

"We have known the FGS/PermaShine Process represents a very sustainable floor system and this new Credit Interpretation Ruling by the USGBC adds further credibility to our claim that polished concrete is green," said Greg Schwietz, president of L Construction Chemicals, which makes the FGS/PermaShine family of products.

According to Permashine, the concrete floor is shiny, thus reducing lighting needs, and it also captures and releases heat, reducing peak energy needs by keeping temperature level throughout the day. Might be a good option for home channel retailers trying to get LEED certification for their stores.

Sierra Club to help build green homes for injured vets

The Sierra Club is partnering with Homes for Our Troops to include eco-friendly materials and processes when making new houses for severely injured vets. The partnership includes a grant from the Sierra Club Foundation of up to $1 million over the next three years. According to a press release,

The grant will be used to explore new technologies and products designed with environmental and energy conservation concerns in mind, include a higher degree of green building into its homes, and fully participate in the Energy Star Program and the LEED Program that was recently established by the US Green Building Council. These energy efficient homes will provide long-term economic and environmental benefits to these veterans and their families.

New green tile site launched

Italian tile maker GranitiFiandre has launched a new Legacy of Green Web site to tout its efforts on behalf of the environment.

KCMA opens certification to cabinet suppliers

The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association has announced that it will now allow non-cabinet-manufacturers to be certified under its Environmental Stewardship Program. The program, in operation since 2006, will allow companies that supply product to cabinet makers to join the program and be certified. According to the association press release,

In order to become ESP certified, cabinet manufacturers and suppliers must meet requirements in the categories of air quality, product resource management, process resource management, environmental stewardship and community relations. This holistic approach to environmental certification examines the manufacturing process from the raw materials supplied all the way to the end product, versus other certification programs that only look at the product.

Green Depot opens new store in New York

Green Depot is opening a new location today, Aug. 28, out on the northeastern tip of Long Island (pictured above). With the currently under-construction store in Manhattan (due for completion this fall), that makes a total of six locations for the green home channel dealer to be open by the end of the year, up from four at the end of last year. A seventh location is planned for Albany, N.Y., in 2009.

The new unit, in Greenport, N.Y., features a showroom and design center. The opening ceremonies are being celebrated with festivities including local wine, hors d’ouvres, and a prize gift basket.

Party platforms built of eco-friendly materials

While we're on the topic of politics, I thought I would follow up yesterday's post on political conventions with a couple links on where the candidates stand.

The Boston Globe asks if there will be A green gold rush under Obama? The Democratic candidate himself has this and this to say. Not too much on the green retailing front, but this position was interesting:

Weatherize One Million Homes Annually: Obama will make a national commitment to weatherize at least one million low-income homes each year for the next decade, which can reduce energy usage across the economy and help moderate energy prices for all.

That might be a retailing opportunity for whoever sells those weatherizing products.

Meanwhile, John McCain is also getting the word out on the environment. Here's an article on his policy, and here is the official word from his campaign site. Nothing directly relevant to green retailing or construction, I would say, although the Republican's emphasis on "market solutions" suggests a very business-friendly orientation.

I also saw this article on Joe Biden's environmental record, and as soon as McCain picks a veep candidate, I'll see what I can dig up on him or her.

Throwing a green party. Or two.

The Democratic National Convention started yesterday, and it's a green party that the Dems are throwing, if not the Green Party. That is, organizers of the event are working hard to minimize the environmental impact of the convention, using solar power, carbon offsets, a biofuel bus fleet, and even an Official Recycling Provider (Coke is it, actually). For a wrap-up, check out this report from Plenty, as well as the official convention green page.

But don't feel left out, red-staters! Turns out the Republicans are tree-huggers, too! Here's a letter at the Republican National Convention site that mentions the convention's green efforts (scroll down) -- also note this GOP press release and this news report from the Tennessee Journalist.

News reports suggest green building is gaining steam

From across the country, green builders are being quoted in news reports. Here are a few that leapt out at me while Web surfing today ...

Lone Star used to get one or two calls a month from consumers interested in building green homes. Now, it's a few calls a week. (paraphrase) John Brooks, owner, Lone Star Custom Homes, Central Indiana.

More and more home builders, suppliers and contractors are building green in Southwestern Illinois. The member-driven Home Builders Association of Greater Southwest Illinois held its sixth program on green building since February 2007 to talk about how and why to build green. ... Since the Home Builders Association of Southwest Illinois' first green building program, attended by only two industry people, 100 industry insiders showed up July 30 ... "I build green because of my kids," said speaker Matt Belcher, owner of Belcher Homes, Custom Sustainable Homebuilding, based in Wildwood, Mo.

"People say that you've got to have geothermal and solar energy," said Court Airhart, president of Airhart Construction, which is building homes priced from $500,000 to $1 million in the western suburbs of Chicago.

"Everyone wants to be green today. Green practices are being introduced into every aspect of life. It's what people want, it's what the planet needs, and building manufacturers and builders are responding," said Brian Harlan, Harlan Corp., Eastern Pennsylvania.

"There's just so much growing in the green market. It's a growth area for our members, and it's our future," said Bob Filka, chief executive, Michigan Association of Home Builders.

Also emblematic of the trend: articles on How to sell your house as green and How to avoid eco-fatigue.

Energy-efficient appliances are selling better than traditional models

I got a press release from the NPD Group. They track sales trend data for a wide range of products, and they share info with us at Home Channel News on a pretty regular basis. This press release was on energy-efficient appliances, sales for which are doing quite well these days. I can't link to the data, which is not online, but let me quote from the press release.

Refrigerators: From April to June 2008, sales of Energy Star refrigerators increased 15 percent in dollars and 13 percent in units, versus one year ago. This is compared to the 11 percent declines non-Energy Star rated models are showing. Average selling prices of Energy Star refrigerators models have been more than double the price of regular models, but have leveled off in the last two years.

Washing Machines: Unit sales of Energy Star washing machines grew 3 percent, whereas, non-energy efficient models have declined by 12 percent in April-June 2008, compared to the same time last year. While energy efficient models garner a bigger dollar share (55%) than less efficient models, they only represent 40 percent of units sold.

Let me say that again: Green fridges, up 15 percent; non-green, down 11 percent. Green washers, up 3 percent; non-green, down 12 percent. That is impressive.

NPD didn't give me the Energy Star vs non-Energy Star comparisons for dishwashers and air conditioners, but they say that the former are up 5 percent and the latter are up a whopping 50 percent!

Thanks to NPD's Dora Brunette for help with the data.

Whirlpool boasts its first two Certified Green Professionals

The appliance maker has announced that senior account managers Lanny Tillery and Richie Heumann are the first in the company to earn Certified Green Professional designations from the National Association of Home Builders.“They represent the first of many Whirlpool Corporation sales professionals who are working closely with the building industry to help set the pace for sustainable construction,” said Whirlpool senior contract marketing manager Tracy Frye, in a press release.

Emery-Waterhouse announces green initiatives

The building materials and hardlines distributor says that it is pushing a number of programs to save energy, cut costs, and decrease the damage it does to the environment. To save fuel, Emery-Waterhouse is reducing the top speed of its trucks from from 69 mph to 65 mph, checking tire pressure twice a day, and using software to make its routes as efficient as possible. According to a press release, "as a result of these initiatives, the company estimates it will save more than 23,000 gallons of fuel in 2008."

Also part of the company's plan: a green task force to identify areas for improvement, an expanded recycling program, and adding more green products and merchandising programs.

Based in Portland, Maine, Emery-Waterhouse reported annual wholesale sales of $142 million in 2007, placing the company 68th on Home Channel News' Top 150 Distributors Scoreboard.

Kitchen remodelers: A glass half empty or half green?

The Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence (RICKI) surveys 600 homeowners who remodeled their kitchens in the past 12 months. For the 2008 survey (they run it every two years), the organization asked this interesting question:

Q: Which of the following statements best describes your decisions about your kitchen remodeling purchases?

• I only purchased products I felt did not have a negative impact on the environment. -- 10%
• I strongly considered environmental impact on my purchases. -- 36%
• Other considerations were more pressing this time than the environmental impact of my purchases. -- 54%

RICKI spun the results this way: "Environmental Impact of Products Not Top Priority for Most Kitchen Remodelers." I had to laugh. If you told me that 46 percent of homeowners refused to buy products that harm the environment, or felt strongly about the eco-impact of their purchases, I'd consider that an amazingly high percent! That's a huge market of people to sell, and if you, the retailer or vendor, can make 46 percent of customers give you a second glance because of your green or energy efficient products, then that's a real leg up on the competition.

I wish RICKI had asked that two years ago; seeing how those numbers change over time would be pretty interesting. Anyway, for more info, there's a bit more online, on this page detailing all RICKI's research projects, and in this brief excerpt (PDF) of the actual research report.

Concentrated cleaner in a pouch

 Sure, you can make a "green cleaner" out of organic "natural" ingredients. But what about the plastic waste that results from packaging your cleaner in spray bottles by the thousands? American Consumer Products has an answer -- sell your green cleaner in concentrated form in space-saving pouches. Customers can put a little cleaner in an old spray bottle, add water to fill, and voila!

ACP's new line is called "Eco-Save" (evidently not the only ones to think of using the name), and it comes in four varieties.

LED lights for retailers

Lighting Science Group has announced a new line of LED lights designed for use in retail locations. The product promises all the standard eco-friendly benefits of LED lights -- energy efficiency, no mercury, the usual -- and layers in the benefit of seeing products in store "in their true colors -- without the ultraviolet light that discolors merchandise," according to the release. And as an editor who has had to print -- and color-correct -- many photos of retail store interiors, I would say that the sooner we get rid of that yucky greenish fluorescent cast, the better!

Ikea invests in a sunny future

Furniture giant Ikea is investing in alternative energy products, such as solar panels, to the tune of $77 million, according to Inhabitant. But don't expect to see products in stores until 2011 or 2012.

Update: For more detail, check out this story in this blog's parent publication, Home Channel News.

An outpouring of help for those suffering after floods

The recent flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, hit that community pretty hard. But many people are pitching in to help the city get back on its feet.

• Massachusetts teens are helping to rebuild the town library.
• FEMA and local builders are working on reconstruction.
• A few hippies have set up a free kitchen for volunteers, serving organic food, natch.
• And a manufacturer of an eco-friendly mold-killer maker has sent a team to help with the clean-up.

By the way, the mold-killer product is also being sold at Cedar Rapids' Edgewood Do it Best Hardware & Rental Center. The store has sold more than 400 units, according to store co-owner Kelly Lauderdale.

Sshhh! I can't hear the dishwasher!

KitchenAid has released a new line of dishwashers, the EQ Wash System. The "E" and the "Q" are for "Extra Quiet," as the company is really pushing the unit's low sound volume -- 48 decibels while operating, below that of a moderate rainstorm (60 decibels).

But the product is good for both your auditory environment and your ecological environment. "Alternating wash zones focus the washing action, using less water and energy for high performance cleaning," according to a company press release. KitchenAid also says that the dishwasher is 58 percent more efficient than Energy Star standards require, and it also has an efficiency designation from the Consortium for Energy Efficiency.

Join the pod people -- the eco-pod people!

Ever wish you lived in a tree-house, like an Elf or an Ewok? Well, here's your chance! These sphere-shaped tree pods are part of a eco-friendly hotel project in which Web visitors can invest for just $30 a share; or you can own your own pod, which is kind of like a time share, in that you can stay in your pod up to 70 percent of the year -- for $2,500. It's a bargain for those of you who want to wake up each day and hug a tree before you have your cup of ecologically sustainable coffee.

Hat tip and thanks -- Inhabitant.

Moen pushes array of environmental initiatives

Moen, the plumbing fixture maker, is really making a polished push to promote its environmental position. Of course, there are water-saving new products, but the PR program includes videos and a sustainability brochure.

To the company's credit, there is substance behind the glitz, too. Last month Moen joined the EPA's WaterSense program and the U.S. Green Building Council.

Full disclosure: Moen sometimes sends candies in its press releases, and I eat them. Except for the atomic fireballs; those things are nasty!

Hoosiers are going green

Indiana governor Mitch Daniels has ordered that all new state buildings -- like this one -- must meet LEED energy efficiency standards where practical.

Fluorescent light boasts extra reflectivity

Lamar Lighting, a fluorescent light maker, says that its new recessed fluorescent fixtures -- the Max-E series -- offers a 33 percent energy efficiency advantage. That's because Max-E is especially reflective, such that two Max-Es provide the light of three comparable fixtures.

According to a company release, "By incorporating a specialized reflector with a high reflectance painted finish and custom faceted acrylic diffuser, Max-E achieves higher light levels."

New building panel features high percent of recycled content

Temple-Inland's new gypsum sheathing product -- GreenGlass Fiberglass-Faced Gypsum Sheathing -- hits all the right buttons as an eco-friendly product, according to a company release. Up to 90 percent recycled content? Check. Mold resistant? Check. Moisture resistant? Check. Fire resistant? For the thicker version, check.

According to Jim Hannan, a company spokesman, “We’re very confident about the mold and moisture resistance offered by this product, not only because of the natural resistance properties of its fiberglass facers, but because of our TemShield Mold Protection that’s engineered into its gypsum core. In fact, it scored a 10, the highest score possible in laboratory mold-resistance testing."

New England home builder creates alternative energy division

Cambridge, Mass.-based S+H Construction just opened a new Renewable Energy Division. From a company press release:

S+H's Renewable Energy Division designs, integrates and installs solar electric power, solar thermal hot water, and geothermal heating and cooling systems. Their services include everything from system design and installation through maintenance of residential equipment as well as energy conservation consultations. S+H is a fully certified turnkey installer and performs all of the paperwork necessary for homeowners to qualify for and obtain the significant rebates offered in Massachusetts to those who install PV.

The company's green building Web page will undoubtedly be updated soon with more info.

Making accommodations

The planet-friendly chain of "Gaia Hotels," is expanding. The first was built in California's Napa Valley. The second opened last year in Anderson, Calif. And a third is under construction in Merced, Calif. According to a company press release, developer Wen Chang plans to create the first chain of all-green hotels in the United States -- with each one certified at the LEED Gold level. Per the release, the hotels' green features cover a wide range of areas:

• Wood Based Materials. All lumber used for the hotel is FSC certified.
• Coatings, Adhesives and Sealants. Low VOC paint, sealants and adhesives were used throughout the hotel.
• Carpet. The carpets contain post-consumer recycled material in the backing, fiber and pad.
  
• Water. All toilets produce 1 gallon per flush. Guestrooms are equipped with low-flow showerheads. The Koi pond uses recycled water from the site, which is then filtered and cleaned prior to entering the pond.
• Environmental Quality. Appropriately sized and efficient HVAC units are used throughout. These units are quieter and more efficient than standard HVAC systems and use a more environmentally friendly refrigerant than is standard. Aluminum exterior grates were used in all entrances of the property to minimize dust and particulates entering the building, improving air quality.
• Energy. All windows are efficient, low energy transmittable and reduce glare. Solatube tubular skylights are used throughout the hotel including conference rooms, lobby, and hallways. Solar panels provide 10 percent of the site's electricity. A cool reflective roof reflects heat.
• Recycling. Recycling bins in rooms and around property. Newspapers are located in the lobby, not delivered to each room. Bulk soap and shower dispensers cut packaging waste. Only recycled paper products are used.
• Landscaping. All of the fertilizers used for landscaping are all natural and chemical free. Native and climate-adaptive plants were planted, so less water is used for irrigating.
• Cleaning. Environmentally friendly cleaning products are used to clean the property.

UPDATE 1 Aug 08: For more LEED-certified hotel news, check out this.

Green pro dealer launches new Web site

Longtime eco-friendly LBM dealer EarthSource Forest Products has launched a new Web site. It features product info, news, and links.

Eco-friendly businesses get good press

I was trawling the Web for blog fodder, and I was struck by the number of green business profiles I found. In the order in which I found them:

• A wallpaper store in Snellville, Ga., outside Atlanta.
• A green Home Depot in Albany, N.Y.
• A green builder in Dickinson County, Iowa. (Video, for now, is here on the home page.)
• A LEED-certified car dealership in Salt Lake City.
• A mold-killer manufacturer in Wilmington, Mass.

The take-away for retailers? Green businesses are newsworthy! There's nothing like the free press that comes from a news report about your company. Get the name of the business editor at your local paper, or the news producer at your local TV station, and give them a call. If you have a compelling green story to tell, you may find yourself in my next batch of eco-friendly news links!

Radon hotline offers tips for homeowners

From the National Safety Council comes word of two hotlines (and low-cost test kits) for homeowners worried about radon gas.

Chances are your kitchen countertop is free from radon, even if it is granite – and despite the potential link between radon and granite countertops that’s been in the news. For people who have concerns or questions about radon and want to test the air quality of their homes, the National Safety Council issues a reminder that its toll-free Radon Hotline is available at (800) 767-7236. Through this automated number, callers can order a brochure that contains information on radon and ordering a low-cost short-term test kit. Or, to speak to National Safety Council radon expert, callers can dial another toll-free number, (800) 557-2366. Specialists are on hand to answer questions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern) on business days.

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It's a good resource for dealers, retailers, and builders who want to answer customer questions.

Research offers insights on green home buyers

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and McGraw-Hill Construction have released preliminary results of a study on attitudes towards green home construction. One million households were surveyed to find those who had purchased green homes in the last three years. Some highlights of the research:

• The vast majority (83%) said their new homes offered lower operating costs, lower energy bills (79%), and lower water bills (68%).
• Going green was the top reason cited by survey respondents for remodeling their home (42%).
• 70% of buyers are either more or much more inclined to purchase a green home over a conventional home in down housing market. 
• More than half (56%) of those surveyed who have bought green homes earn less than $75,000 per year; 29% earn less than $50,000.
• Overall, lower income buyers say they found tax credits and government programs, indoor air quality benefits and green certifications to be the most important incentives for them to buy green homes.

Complete research results will be released in the fall.

Lightship to make energy efficient panels

Lightship Group has announced that it will be making kama-EEBS building panels, which are formed of metal and non-extruded polystyrene and emit no CFCs or VOCs. According to the company, they are also non-toxic and energy efficient.

Beazer Homes uses green car to motivate sales force

Beazer Homes' Charleston-Savannah Division won this custom-detailed Smart Car as the prize in a recent internal sales contest. Salespeople in the division will get to drive it, saving gas while boosting Beazer's eSmart program to sell energy-efficient homes.

Fighting germs the green way

I'm a little skeptical about the trend towards adding more and more anti-microbials to our living spaces. And so is the Centers for Disease Control! It's become a marketing point to be able to add "Fights Germs!" to the product label.

Still, Duraban seems to be trying to have its microbe-killing cake and eat it too. The company is pushing its new line of products (a Laundry Rinse, a Fabric Spray, a Surface Spray, and a Disinfectant Spray) as not only germ-unfriendly, but earth-friendly too. The product is applied to fabric or hard surfaces -- and it sticks. Megan Parker, a company spokeperson, culled these talking points from the product Web site for me:

Since the antimicrobial is permanently bound to the surfaces it protects, it does not leach from the fabric to the skin or into the environment.

DuraBan does NOT contain any heavy metals. Tin, arsenic, silver and copper are often used in other antimicrobials.

DuraBan does not volatilize, dissipate, or leach onto other surfaces or into the environment. The chemistry polymerizes where it is applied and forms a permanent bond that typically lasts for the life of the treated surface. Normal cleaning should not remove the treatment; although it can be abraded away.

If fighting germs is your top priority, maybe you can mitigate the disadvantages -- to a degree -- with a greenish product like this.

New organization forms for green pro dealers

A new association has been formed by a group of pro dealers, called the "Green Suppliers' Council." I found out about it through a press release from Alexandria, Va.-based Smitty's Building Supply, a founding member, but Smitty's does not mention the organization on the company Web site. According to the Smitty's press release, the organization is "a nationwide network of building material dealers formed to promote and facilitate green building in the residential construction market."

I also found this news report about another founding member, Central Valley Builders Supply, based in St. Helena, Calif.

Dr. Google also misdirected me to a Web site for the Build It Green Suppliers Council, which, while potentially interesting to readers of this blog, is NOT related to the new "Green Suppliers' Council."

And I noted with interest that the nascent association is being organized by Greg Brooks, of the The Building Supply Channel. Small world that this $407.2 billion industry is, Greg and I used to work together on Pro Dealer magazine, a publication we split off from Home Channel News a decade or so ago and then folded back into the mother book five or so years later. That's a photo of Greg from the HCN archives. I asked Greg about his organization, and I mentioned the Build It Green Suppliers Council, and he said:

This is different from Build It Green; they're a northern California non-profit that operates just in that region. This group is composed of non-competing independent dealers from all over the United States; the objective is to share info and strategies among executives, to help our members establish a leadership position in green building in their respective markets.

I'll post a link to Greg's Green Suppliers Council as soon as I get one (I'm guessing the Web site is still under construction, maybe).

New floor glue offers no VOCs, long name

DriTac's new flooring adhesive, for wood and cork applications, is called "DriTac Eco-6200GR “Green” Pressure Sensitive Wood Flooring Adhesive." That's a mouthful, but the flip side is that it offers "zero solvents and zero VOCs," according to the company.

By the way, it is also "low in odor and offers a long open time for installations of multi-ply engineered plank, acrylic impregnated wood, plain-back parquet, foam-backed parquet and cork tile."

Wal-Mart agrees to clean up its wood supply chain

From our sister publication, Retailing Today, here's a story on how Wal-Mart has partnered with the Global Forest and Trade Network to phase out illegal and unwanted wood sources from its supply chain, relying more heavily on certified chain-of-custody product. Money quote:

Within one year, Wal-Mart will complete an assessment of where its wood furniture is coming from and whether the wood is legal and well-managed. Once the assessment is completed, Wal-Mart has committed to eliminating wood from illegal and unknown sources within five years. The company will also eliminate wood from forests that are of critical importance due to their environmental, socio-economic, biodiversity or landscape values and that aren’t well-managed.

American building materials companies also partnering with the Global Forest and Trade Network include BlueLinx, Domtar, and Cryntel.

In the LEED

There are a number of flavors of LEED certification: new construction, existing buildings, commercial interiors, core and shell, retail, schools, health care and homes. All of these will be collectively updated in January 2009 under the LEED 2009 banner.

However, the existing building certification standard has just been updated on its own to LEED for Existing Buildings version 2.0. The new version offers more flexibility for those seeking LEED credits. Greener Buildings has a good wrap-up on what it all means.

Green manufacturers recognized

SustainableBusiness.com has released its annual list of the top 20 "sustainable" public companies, that is, "public companies that are leading the way to a sustainable society." Among the companies on the list are a number of building materials makers:

• Apogee, a leading manufacturer of efficient glass.
• Accsys Technology, the creator of technology that gives softwood trees the durability and quality of hardwoods.
• Interface, a maker of environmentally friendly carpet tiles.

Two new Green Web sites

Here are two new Web sites focussing on topics of interest.

A creation of Electrolux Home Care Products North America, GoodCleanAir.net offers allergy tips and, as one might expect, ideas for choosing and maintaining a vacuum.

W.R. Meadows' LEED Information Page offers product info, especially on construction products made and sold by W.R. Meadows.

Al Gore to keynote the West Coast Green show

Former Vice President and Nobel-prize winner Al Gore will deliver the keynote at the West Coast Green Show, a California-based event that focuses on residential green building topics. The show will take place at the San Jose Convention Center, Sept. 25 to 27.

"Hyper-efficient" appliances are three to five years away

According to Thomas W. Reddoch, a director at the Electric Power Research Institute, current technology applied to major appliances can only achieve energy savings in the seven percent to eleven percent range -- not very impressive. But on the near horizon is an array of innovations that will yield savings in the 30 percent to 40 percent range.

Here are some new products to look for in the next three to five years:

• Heat pump water heaters will draw heat from the air or the ground to warm water.
• Combined single unit washer/driers.
• Smart refrigerators.

Of these, look for the heat pump water heaters first, says Reddoch. These require a tank, unlike "tankless" products, but are more energy efficient because they do not require a big "surge" to heat water fast on demand.

Although many consumers will be reluctant to abandon their perfectly-serviceable-but energy-wasteful appliances, building codes will ensure that newly constructed homes have them, and as energy prices rise, the pressure on consumers to convert will increase.

Reddoch spoke at a lunch panel discussion held today.

The Electric Company loves you and loves the environment

That's the basic take-away I personally got from a lunch and panel discussion I just went to at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel today here in Manhattan. Note the equal sign rather than a hyphen in "Waldorf=Astoria" -- because it's the Waldorf=Astoria.

Officials from utility companies (including the CEO of Con Ed) were on hand to talk about energy fairs, education programs, CFL bulb give-aways, and other ways they are seeking to establish their green cred. There was discussion of increasing demand for energy, and how utilities are planning to cope with that -- in a nutshell, with more renewable energy sources, new nuclear plants, and through new "smart grid" systems that give feedback to customers and thus encourage better energy use.

The session was sponsored by the Edison Electric Institute, an association of electric companies. And in the interest of full disclosure, there was a nice lunch as well.

Laticrete specialist certified as LEED Accredited Professional

Kirby Davis, a senior architectural specialist at tile-setting-materials-maker Laticrete, has earned her certification as a LEED Accredited Professional. According to a company press release, "Professional LEED accreditation distinguishes Davis as having a thorough understanding of the LEED rating system including credit requirements, submittals and strategies. LEED AP’s are highly knowledgeable about the green built environment and are familiar with LEED resources and processes."

Grohe debuts water-conserving line of plumbing fixtures

Grohe's new WaterCare line claims to use up to 30 percent less water than traditional fixtures. There are 60 faucets (for both kitchen and bath) and low-flow shower products in the line. GROHE recently became an EPA WaterSense partner, according to the company's news release.

Green anti-flea product is non-toxic

Home Channel News research reveals that 91 of the Top 500 retailers carry pet supplies. So it is not too off topic to mention that Kathy Santo Everyday Pets is offering a new line of a green anti-flea product for dogs.

"Defeat Da Fleas" uses peppermint and lemongrass oils to make a natural flea repellent.

We've had ant problems in our kitchen from time to time, and we've used a green non-toxic mint-based spray that does work. For those with small children especially, keeping poisons out of the house can be a priority.

"Zero Emissions House" gets big PR boost at G8 meet

With reports in the Wall Street Journal, NBC News, and other media outlets, the news that the Japanese government has sponsored a "Zero Emissions House" in time for the G8 meeting in Hokkaido, Japan, is getting pretty big play on the Internets. The house showcases the latest green home products, from the wind turbine and solar panels that fuel it to the energy efficient lights and appliances inside. Did I mention the Honda Asimo robot that serves tea?

Here are a couple links for more info:

• Pink Tentacle translated the original Japanese government info and graphics. (Thanks for the picture above!)
• Japan's Corporate News Network has more technical details.
• Sharp is launching a solar-powered TV at the house.

House of earth

I've already mentioned that some folks build houses out of straw bales. From the Minneapolis Star Tribune, here's the story of two women who built a cottage out of a mix of mud and straw called "cob." Here's more on cob and cob houses from the Wikipedia.

New building panel is LEED certified

Kerfkore just announced a new flexible building panel product, called KerfGreen. It qualifies for LEED credits and is made with no added formaldehyde.

KerfGreen is a bendable substrate material that is so versatile it allows horizontal or vertical grade laminates, metals, 2-ply, and phenolic backed veneers to be laminated flat and then cold formed into virtually any shape without stress cracks, delaminating, or telegraphing. It provides for smooth and symmetrical inside and outside radii up to 3 1/2”.

The company also has an older product with other applications called FlexGreen. The newer KerfGreen product is not yet up on the company Web site, so for more info and samples, contact Kerfkore at 2630 Sidney Lanier Drive, Brunswick, GA 31525. Phone: 800-637-3539 or 912-264-6496. Fax: 912-262-9763

8 July 08 -- See comments for a correction!

Back-up energy system designed for off-grid use

Gaia Power Tech has debuted a new energy back-up system with green energy devotees in mind. The idea is that if you rely on wind or sun, what happens when it is still and dark? The PowerTower stores energy when it is available and then keeps the lights on when alternative sources flicker.

A practical look at eco-friendly home construction

Homebuilder Nick DiCosola takes a look at the "very achievable functional green building methods people can employ." Not to set the bar too low, he considers a practical approach to the doable. DiCosola covers insulation, furnaces, hot water heaters, low-flow toilets and washing machines, low-E and argon-filled windows, and more.

The most eco-friendly barbecue fuel

Here's a fun article in Slate on whether gas or charcoal grills are better for the environment. Money quote:

If you're concerned solely with the carbon dioxide that wafts off your grill, then gas is the easy choice. But if you step back and consider the whole production cycle, then certain types of charcoal may well be the greener cooking fuel. The real trick, as is so often the case, is to select a product that's been created conscientiously—a tough assignment, given how little information manufacturers typically provide.

Hat tip: My lovely wife.

New LED flashlights released

Klein Tools has debuted a new line of LED flashlights. The line ranges from a penlight to a spotlight and a "Remote Area Lighting System." I think it is interesting that the company makes no mention in its press release of the energy efficiency or other green features of LED products. I have a call in to the company, so maybe I'll get a comment in a day or two.

Next step in the arcology

In his column in today's New York Times, Paul Krugman extols the virtues of renting over home-ownership. Certainly, when you look at land-use issues, commute-distances, and eco-impact, multi-family housing is a greener choice than single-family buildings. With that in mind, maybe it is time to revisit our old dream of the arcology. And what could be better than a building that's home to many, generates its own energy, and feeds its inhabitants? Obviously, a floating building that's home to many, generates its own energy, and feeds its inhabitants!


The Lilypad is a design for housing climate change refugees in offshore floating towns that would offer homes to 50,000 people. The design is entirely theoretical for now, but if I'm lucky, when New York finally sinks and I move into my new Lilypad, at last all those hours of my youth spent playing Frogger will finally pay off.

Hat tip: Inhabitat.

Using ozone to make a cleanser

Tersano is offering a new, "beyond the typical 'green' " appliance that turns water into a cleaning fluid "50% stronger than bleach, yet it is 100% chemical free. Plus it’s so safe, if you or your child happened to drink it, there are no emergency procedures to follow."

Using ozone to "supercharge" water, the product is available at Home Depot and a range of other chains. Here is a press release (PDF) and a Web page for more information.

Let's just hope Tersano is doing a better job with this product than with its water filtration product, reviewed by Consumer Reports last year.

New paint makes aluminum components more energy efficient

Paint maker Valspar yesterday announced a new paint line that is intended to be applied to aluminum windows, shutters, awnings, and so forth. The paint reflects heat, making buildings cooler in hot weather. One of the innovations of this paint -- "Flurospar SR" -- is the wide array of colors available. Here's a link to a PDF about the product, from this page.

The paint itself is not a low VOC product, but according to Valspar's Mary Ann Johnson, it is only applied in manufacturing plants, where 90 percent of the VOCs are typically recovered, and dries before delivery, so it does not affect household air quality at all.

The bad science behind new fears on vinyl shower curtains

The Internet has been buzzing with blog posts and news articles about the dangers posed by new vinyl shower curtains -- that they release dangerous fumes when first opened. The reports suggest that "new shower curtain smell" may be a health hazard. Check out reports in U.S. News & World, WPTV in Florida, the Kansas City Star, AOL News, and the L.A. Times, among many others.

The original report was issued June 12 by the Virginia-based Center for Health, Environment and Justice.

The effect on retailers remains unclear. But as ammunition for those faced with fearful customers, you can't do better than this statement I got from Information and Public Affairs Director Julie Vallese at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

CPSC staff scientists did a cursory review of the study and found many problems with the testing methodology that call into question the credibility of the science used for the study. This is a case where a group is sounding a false and misleading alarm.

The CPSC mission is to protect the American public from the unreasonable risk of injury from consumer products. We take this responsibility very seriously and work to reduce the risk of death and injury from consumer products every day. In our busy lives there are so many things that we should be focused on for improving our personal safety -- a shower curtain is not one of them.

Many thanks to Julie for her response!

Creating the urban jungle

Rooftop gardens are a nifty (and increasingly popular) way to put empty urban spaces to good use, but this is not a simple DIY project. As Audrey Tempelsman at the Dwell Blog explains, you have to be careful about weight load, drainage, soil mix, and plants grown. Check out her post for more detail and great links.

Propane delivers it all

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is jumping on the green bandwagon, offering courses on how builders can sell consumers on using propane as a green energy source. Evidently, propane has been green all along, but we just didn't know it! Here's a link to two free online, AIA-certified courses, part of this series of courses. Three more courses will be available in July. Per a PERC press release, "In addition to delivering imaginative, economical, and practical floor plans, builders must provide their customers with energy sources that are cost-effective, efficient, and comfortable for the life of the home. Propane delivers it all."

New line of water-saving toilets

If you hate flushing too much water down the toilet, but you're not quite ready for in-home composting, you might want to look at Briggs' new line of water-saving toilets. The first in the series -- a dual-flush model -- has been released, and two more will be coming in future months, according to the company. The upcoming toilets will be single-flush, 1.28 gallons per flush models.

Janitorial services company offers eco-friendly options

Laro, a janitorial company that has a segment specializing in retail locations, has a new Web site and is touting its green options.

Building Green in Greensburg

The new Planet Green cable TV channel has a series on the town of Greensburg, Kan., which was hit by a record-strength tornado in May 2007. The folks there are reconstructing the community to green building standards, with some help from Habitat for Humanity and several corporate donations. Here's an episode schedule.

Plumbing show to feature green seminar track

ISH North America 2008 is a trade show for kitchen, bath, plumbing, and HVAC professionals, coming up Oct. 1 to 3 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The event will include several green-centered seminars:

• “The Research Required for Successful Implementation of New Water Efficient Technologies” -- upgrading plumbing systems for improved efficiency.
• “Water Reuse and Water Reclamation” -- moving toward a “greener” plumbing design.
• “An Introduction to the GreenPlumbers Program” -- helping plumbers use green strategies in their work.
• “Why Hydronic Distribution Systems are a Deep Shade of Green Technology” -- on the use of hydronic heating.

Here's a list of all the seminars being held at the event.

No business like mow business

There's nothing greener than muscle power, as this article on push mowers makes clear.

Major appliances are trending greener

According to this $50 report from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, major appliances are getting more and more water and energy efficient.

Refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers account for a 43% combined decrease in energy consumption since 2000. From a global climate change perspective, the energy savings realized in 2007 shipments of refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers would offset the CO2 emissions of more than 698 million gallons of gasoline consumed or the annual CO2 emissions from 1.3 coal fired power plants.

Clothes washer energy consumption has decreased by 63% since 2000 while tub capacity has grown by 8%. Dishwasher energy consumption has dropped nearly 30% and water consumption has declined 29% since 2000. Refrigerator energy consumption has also decreased 30% since 2000 and efficiency, measured by a unit’s energy factor has increased 39%. The average refrigerator sold today consumes less energy than a 60-watt light bulb left on 24 hours a day.

Think global, swatch local

Combining LEED certification with interior decorating, Alison Shoemaker of Alison Design is now offering green interior design services.

USGBC takes to the Hill

Here's an interesting report from Greensage on the May 15 testimony by the U.S. Green Building Council on the importance of environmentally friendly construction. Here's a PDF of the USGBC's take on the testimony.

Free e-conference on energy issues

The Virtual Energy Forum takes place June 10 to 11 in cyberspace. It's a series of online seminars and virtual booths, just like a trade show. I have to say, kudos on the concept. What's the carbon footprint on sitting in your chair at work instead of flying to Las Vegas or Chicago for a trade show! (We won't talk about the folks with laptops sitting on their sofas at home in pajamas -- though I guess they save gas by not driving in to the office!)

The topics, though, are not particularly retail or home-improvement focussed. The keynote by Newt Gingrich might be interesting, on the other hand, and if you deal much with the Man, some of it may be valuable to you -- a number of speakers come from government.

And since registration is free, your cost to attend, including airfare and accommodations, is zero! But remember, what happens on the Web does NOT stay on the Web! Hmmm ... maybe Las Vegas has a few advantages left.

Three interesting thoughts

Renovation Advice is a blog that's been around since last December, but it's updated pretty infrequently. Still, here are three very interesting recent posts I thought I would share.

• First, a cautionary note on greenwashing. Money quote: "I’ve been a skeptic about many aspects of the green building movement. My eyebrow arches when, for example, someone uses bamboo flooring (which is held together with lots and lots of glue, often containing formaldehyde, and is shipped to the US on bunker-oil-burning ships) to floor a new “green” 11,000 sq. ft. house."
• Second, three green LBM retailers he recommends: F.D. Sterritt Lumber, Green Depot, GreenSource Supply and Design.
• Third, two hot products: pavers and underlayment.

Let's hope for more Renovation Advice soon!

Green, greener, greenest

Sure, there are the greenest ways to generate power -- wind and geothermal, say. But green also means making current operations greener. For example, using fossil fuels more efficiently. One way is through combined heat and power (CHP), or cogeneration. That's the idea behind this 79-page PDF document from Energy Business Reports, specifically,

CHP or a bottoming cycle captures the by-product heat for domestic or industrial heating purposes, either very close to the plant, or for distribution through pipes to heat local housing.

In Europe, the use of CHP presents a substantial potential for increased energy efficiency and reduced environmental impacts. It is considered to be a priority area for many Member States. The efficient use of fuel, in simultaneous production of heat and power, can offer energy savings and avoid CO2 emissions compared with separate production of heat and power. In addition, development in the use of fuels used in CHP applications show a trend toward cleaner fuels.

Seems a bit pricey at $297, though, I think.

Bed of greens

JC Penney will soon be offering a line of eco-friendly beds made by Simmins. The mattresses feature "natural, biodegradable and renewable components such as natural rubber tree based latex and a layer of base foam enhanced with soy."

Reminds me of the night I dreamed I ate a 10-pound block of tofu ... and when I woke up, my pillow was gone!

Natural high

The Eco Everest Expedition 2008, an ascent on the Earth's highest peak intended to attract attention to environmental issues, achieved its goal with a successful climb to the summit yesterday.

Saving energy on hot water

GE has announced a new line of tankless hot water heaters. These heat water on demand, so that you don't waste energy keeping water hot and unused. According to GE, these devices can save you 25 percent on your water heating bills.

Taxing carbon

Seems that some San Francisco businesses will be grappling with a new carbon tax.

The promise of LED lights

Everyone knows that the days of the incandescent bulb are numbered. But the most common replacement, the CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulb, has its own disadvantages, especially that of disposal, since it contains mercury. The LED (solid state light emitting diode) bulb promises to beat both the CFL and the incandescent -- thanks to a combination of energy efficiency and lack of waste. That's what Renaissance Lighting, a maker of LED lights, is saying.

But LEDs have their limitations too. For now, at least, they are directional. That means they are useful only for lights you point at things, such as recessed lights (point down), floodlights and flashlights (point out), and task lighting (points at your task). So LEDs are also not the perfect answer, though the technology is improving.

Renaissance, for example, has announced a new 4-inch LED light. The light is smaller than the company had heretofore offered, and may be a good fit for a wider range of applications.

Ace Hardware, Home Depot, now carry composting toilet

Biolet, a Swedish manufacturer, just announced that Ace and Home Depot are now stocking its composting toilet. The eco-friendly system uses no water and needs to be emptied every two months under normal daily usage. According to the maker, the toilet can be self-installed in two hours and does not require access to a septic tank or sewer system.

Home Depot is selling the toilets online from $1,399 (for a nonelectric model, shown in this post) to $1,999 (electric).

Hi-rise condo wins top LEED honors

According to this report on Greenloop, the first high-rise condo complex in the United States has earned a "platinum" LEED rating. The 16-story condo tower is located in the Pearl District of Portland, Ore. The tower received 55 LEED credits -- and only 52 are needed for Platinum certification. The building, named The Casey, features solar panels and an "ecoroof" for storm-water management.

Report on green retail from Housewares Show

Here's an interesting report on green retailing from a blogger who went to the International Home & Housewares Association Show in Chicago.

We have created through supply and demand, the experience of walking into a store and expecting to see new seasonal products. We anticipate seasonal colors, products, and innovation. This experience has resulted in a lot of new products developed in haste and without much regard for environmental responsibility. The question is, how can retailers maintain the “new” experience while being a sustainability leader.

International Council of Shopping Centers to hold first RetailGreen Conference

The ICSC's event will focus on issues of sustainability in retail settings, on reuse and reduction of environmental footprint, and on indoor environmental quality. It will be held Sept. 15-16, 2008, in Dallas, at the InterContinental Dallas Hotel, Addison.

Canadian painter opens eco-exclusive store

Here's an interesting profile of a husband -- he's still runs a commercial painting business -- and wife who opened a store that sells a wide array of environmentally friendly products. The store, called ShopEco Environmental Products, is located in Tecumseh, Ontario, close to Detroit, and opened last fall. Graham and Eleni Hughes carry AFM Safecoat paint in their store, as well as many other eco-friendly products, from apparel to cosmetics to cleaners.

New bags from old

Mettler Packaging's new "everlasting bag" is a plastic bag that can be recycled to make more plastic bags. The idea is that retailers sell the bags for a small fee, and then replace them for free when customers bring in old ones. The bags are made of EcoLoop recycled plastic, and they can be themselves recycled back into EcoLoop.

Web site pushes eco-friendly bird control

Bird-X has launched a new version of its Web site -- bird-x.com -- to offer info on bird control and to sell its eco-friendly bird control products. The site offers links to articles and humane bird control solutions.

House of straw

There are some interesting possibilities on the alternative edge of the green building movement, including the use of non-traditional materials, like bamboo. Or even a return to very old traditional materials, like straw. Yes, there are people out there today who build houses out of straw. According to enthusiasts, the advantages of straw bale construction include insulation, use of natural materials, and sturdiness -- these structures are very resistant to fire, earthquake, and even the huffing and the puffing of the big bad wolf.

Here are a few links for those who want to learn more.

• This realistic introduction to the topic considers both strengths and weaknesses, especially the danger of moisture.
• The Australian Straw Bale Building Association site has a lot of good info.
• This overview of green building is skeptical about the benefits of straw bale construction.
• This collection of straw bale links has many that are out of date, but many that are still quite good.

On the scene at the Green Building Conference

[Here's a first-person report from HCN's Kate Fazzini.]


Wow, I am really busy. Sorry for the late blog entry. I thought this was supposed to be the "big easy"?!

I'm down in New Orleans for the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Conference, the 10th year for the show. It's hot, the weather's great and I'm learning a lot -– a LOT -– about green building. The highlight of my day yesterday was a tour of several storm-damaged areas, some that saw homes marinating in more than eight feet of water for days after Hurricane Katrina. Toni Wendel, owner of Olde World Builders in New Orleans, served as my spitfire guide. Wendel is in the process of rebuilding two homes under recently adopted Crescent City Green guidelines. I'll be writing about her and several others in the next issue of Home Channel News.

But for now, some of the most striking images from our trip around the city yesterday were the homes in need of repair. To say houses are in "various states" of rebuilding is a vast understatement. Homes, shiny and new and remodeled, sit next to homes in the middle of complete demolition and rebuilding. And those both sit next to homes that look as though they haven't been visited since the storm, except by vandals –- and some haven't been.

There is definitely a deep rebuilding movement here, and a long way to go. The main thing, though, is the builders here love their city and are working overtime to make the rebuilding effort happen. I've included some photos of our trip and hope to have more up here before the end of the conference.

News from the Green Building Conference

The NAHB's Green Building Conference is going on in New Orleans, and HCN has a reporter at the event. Associate editor Kate Fazzini's report (free registration required) covered an educational session on how remodelers can best “sell green” to consumers who might be overwhelmed with information. She also reported on a tour of a number of green homes recently built or remodeled in the New Orleans area.

We'll hear more from Kate once we get some technical problems cleared up.

Elsewhere on the Web, check out blog posts by Smart HomeOwner magazine's Tony Napolitano, who is also at the show. He writes about the large amount of work still needed to restore New Orleans, and he has some interesting thoughts on how building professionals have to do a better job of making themselves sources of green info for customers.

Also at the show, the National Association of Home Builders gave Mountain Ranch LLC its "Mixed Use Development of the Year" award in recognition of the green aspects of its new Del Sur community in San Diego, Calif.

Castle tilts toward windmills

A riverside hotel just north of New York City, Castle on the Hudson, has announced that it will be getting 100 percent of its energy from wind power. The hotel is being supplied with electricity by Juice Energy, which is touting the deal as a way to "deliver electricity at a lower cost with more predictability," that is, without "wild market swings," according to a statement by Juice. As oil prices continue to rise, will more businesses look for solutions like this one?

New green cleaner has no VOCs

For Life Products released its new Rejuvenate Refresher cleaner at last week's National Hardware Show. The company's environmentally friendly floor cleaner is water based and has no volatile organic compounds.

Tim-Br Mart names green buyer

Canadian LBM co-op Tim-Br Mart has named its regional buyer for building materials, Phil Temple, as its new "green buyer." According to a company press release, Temple will start by looking at energy efficient products and those with low VOCs. He will also serve as a resource specialist on LEED issues.

Temple will augment the company's current green product line-up. The Calgary, Alberta-based buying group launched its "EnerGrade" initiative last year.

Green gypsum board maker opening plant in New York

Serious Materials, maker of EcoRock gypsum board, plans to open a plant in Lysander, N.Y., a town near Syracuse. The plant will cover 240,000 square feet and employ over 100 people. EcoRock requires no heat to dry, saving a lot of energy in its use.

Green home renovation in New Orleans

An L.A. Times blogger at the NAHB's National Green Building Conference profiles a renovated home that was almost unsalvageable after the flooding there.

Eco Options profiled

Sustainable Industries has posted a long feature on Home Depot's Eco Options program.

New eco-friendly air conditioner debuts

Haier America today announced its new Paragon air conditioner. It's so new, the company has not yet had a chance to update its new site. According to the company:

Haier’s new Paragon has the highest energy efficiency rating (EER) of any room air conditioner available on the market, with 12 EER. Unlike typical air conditioners, the Paragon contains an advanced coolant with zero ozone depletion potential, making it an earth friendly appliance all around. With an Ultraviolet Light Air Purifier, the Paragon also treats the air before you breathe it, removing impurities and allergens so you can breathe easier while enjoying its cooling comfort. The Ultraviolet Light Air Purifier is great for the entire family, but will be especially appreciated by those with asthma or allergies.

New "woven bamboo" for flooring announced

EcoTimber of San Rafael, Calif., has just announced a new "Woven-Bamboo" product for flooring. According to the company,

This new flooring product is significantly harder and more stable than most tropical hardwoods and can be used in residential and commercial applications. This is the newest form of bamboo flooring from sustainably-harvested, rapidly-renewable, timber bamboo. Grown without pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers, this woven bamboo can be sanded and refinished just like hardwood.

Wall Street: No large public home builder is "fully green"

Investment firm Calvert just released a report ranking the leading top home builders on the extent to which they have “fully embraced the emerging market of sustainable building design and construction.” Here's the ranking, from most green to least:

1. K.B. Home, Los Angeles
2. D.R. Horton, Fort Worth, Texas (tied for second)
2. Pulte, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (tied for second)
4. Centex, Dallas
5. Lennar, Miami
6. Ryland, Calabasas, Calif.
7. Beazer, Atlanta
8. Meritage, Scottsdale, Ariz.
9. Toll Brothers, Horsham, Pa.
10. K. Hovnanian, Red Bank, N.J.
11. MDC Holdings, Denver
12. Standard Pacific, Irvine, Calif.
13. NVR Inc., Reston, Va.

The report's fairly pessimistic conclusion ...

“Our survey of the 13 largest publicly traded U.S. homebuilders finds that, while every major homebuilder has incorporated some environmental and efficiency programs and products into some of their new homes, none has fully embraced the emerging market of sustainable building design and construction.”

Ecobuild America offers green building event May 19-22

Ecobuild America hosts two events annually for architecture, engineering, and construction professionals. The upcoming event in Anaheim, Calif., runs May 19 to 22, and covers these topics:

• Building Performance & Engineering
  
• Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy
  
• Facilities Management and Intelligent Buildings
  
• Government - Federal, State & Municipal
  
• Green Construction and Homebuilding
  
• Green Globes, LEED and Other Ratings Systems
  
• Green Mechanical/Electrical Systems and Operations
  
• Information Technology, BIM and Interoperability
  
• Infrastructure, Civil/Site/Land Development
  
• Power, Process, Plant and Utilities
  
• Practice Management, Business Development and Marketing
  
• Project Management and Cost Control (Estimating/Scheduling/Budgeting)
  
• Specifications and Contract Documents
  
• Sustainable Design

Thanks to Emlen Media for the details above, from a press release I got recently.

Northwestern Lumber Association launches green Web pages

The Northwestern Lumber Association has launched a new green section of its Web site on Sustainable Building. As of today, it features:

• An article on what "green building" means.
  
• A PDF article analyzing different green building construction programs and standards.
  
• An op/ed piece on grade stamps for certified lumber.
  
• and more.

Lots of good reading here -- check it out!

How to fit a camel through a needle's eye

One ongoing green real estate development in Montana is designed for the extremely wealthy. The development is called Ameya, and it features a zero-carbon footprint (with carbon offsets bought with replantings), electricity from wind and geothermal sources, green construction, and amenities like a nature center and a children's farm.

Ameya was recently the subject of a critical article in Salon, an online magazine (you may have to watch an ad before reading the article). Seems some people in the nearby community question how eco-friendly it is to buy a huge house as your third or fourth home that you use a private jet to get to. Not to mention that the development is buying two big tracts of public land that might be better left wild.

So is Ameya a way for the upper class to do their part for the environment? Or is it all just a big "greenwash"?

New LED bulb to be unveiled

Renaissance Lighting is debuting a new LED-based "downlight" at LightFair International 2008 in Las Vegas at the end of May. The product, for use in recessed lighting applications, will not only save energy but also reduce carbon dioxode emissions and mercury, according to the company.

MTV puts Real World show into green environment

This season's Real World, the grandaddy of all reality shows, puts this year's young cute things into an eco-friendly house, and offers environmentally friendly advice along the way. The computer is bike-powered, for example, and the light fixtures are recycled. You can create an avatar and get green tips as you explore the house virtually. And you can also watch video walkthroughs of the actual real world location.

Using sun and wind in green house design

Danny Forster, a TV show host and architect, has a video walkthrough of his first solo design -- a green house. Interestingly, it lacks a traditional HVAC system.

Use germs to clean stained concrete

For Life Products has introduced a new eco-friendly concrete cleaner that uses microbes and enzymes to clean oil and other stains from garages, driveways, and so on. The company's low-VOC Rejuvenate Stain Stealer is good for cleaning up environmentally hazardous materials and spiffying up stained floors.

Sprinkler system uses water "intelligently"

Cyber-Rain's eponymous sprinkler control system has just gotten certified under SWAT -- that is, Smart Water Application Technologies, a standard issued by the Center for Irrigation Technology.

This means that in many communities, you can get a rebate if you install the system -- a rebate which may even pay for the product and installation, according to the company.

The Cyber-Rain system lets you tailor your water use based on weather and seasonal conditions. It works wirelessly through your personal computer, using information from the Internet.