SEARCHLIGHT, NEV.—Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina on Lake Mohave has made history, becoming the world’s first floating green building to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Spearheaded by the National Park Service and Forever Resorts, LLC, the marina building opened June 2011, serving as the marina’s operations office.From decking made of rice hulls to exterior stucco made of recycled tires, from the beginning, the marina was lauded for its use of green materials. The floating eco-friendly structure features sustainable modular construction and state-of-the-art energy-efficient and environmentally responsible materials...

NATIONAL REPORT—On a winter’s day when the temperature in the Washington, D.C. area soared into the 70s, the ASAE Convene Green Alliance (CGA) took an adventurous group of 20 meeting professionals and industry partners on a behind-the-scenes “Green Safari” tour of the sustainability program at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View, one of only three LEED Gold certified hotels in Virginia. Participants received bandanas to wear and were greeted by Renaissance associates dressed in pith helmets and safari gear to set the theme for this unique learning format. The Green Safari demonstrated how the property earned LEED Gold status and how it...

NEW YORK—Conrad New York, a luxury waterfront, all-suite hotel located in the heart of lower Manhattan’s Battery Park City, has been awarded LEED Gold for New Construction Certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). This is the first LEED Gold New Construction major renovation project certified under the latest rating system in New York. Since its inception in 1998, LEED is the nation’s top rating system for design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods.The Conrad New York, having already achieved ISO 9000 certification...

FREMONT, OHIO—It is expected that version 4 of LEED-EBOM (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, will be adopted later this year. This new version will be broader, addressing a wider range of facilities and put more emphasis on environmental issues, such as climate change, and encourage more careful and efficient use of energy and water.However, what some cleaning professionals have noticed is several traditional cleaning-related credits, such as for the installation of effective entry matting systems, are no longer included in version 4.But that is not...

SECAUCUS, N.J.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Panasonic Eco Solutions Division with a 2013 Energy Star Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence Award for their continued leadership in manufacturing innovative ventilation fans and protecting our environment through superior energy efficiency. Panasonic’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 26, 2013.An Energy Star Partner of the Year in 2010 and 2011, and Sustained Excellence Award recipient in 2012, Panasonic Eco Solutions Division will be honored with the EPA’s most prestigious award for its long-term commitment to innovation and sustainability. With the highest efficacy...

NEW CASTLE, PA.—Berner International Corp., a leading U.S. manufacturer and innovator of air curtains, expanded its In-Ceiling Mount (ICM) Series by adding the FCB, the HVAC industry’s first in-ceiling flush mount air curtain rated for doorways with up to 16-foot-high ceilings in hotels, hospitals, office buildings, schools and other commercial facilities.Efficient one-hp motors combined with Berner’s proprietary Pro-V Nozzle design, which generates 50 percent more velocity at the floor versus standard ceiling mount units, makes the FCB’s 16-foot range possible. The improved velocity also allows for lower speed operation resulting in up to half the decibel ratings and energy...

ATLANTA—Tools and techniques for measuring, managing and improving the performance of a facility as demonstrated by its energy and water use and indoor environmental quality, are contained in a new ASHRAE guide.“This is the book that facility managers, building operators, technicians, consultants, commissioning authorities, architects and design engineers need to ensure that their buildings are green, energy efficient, highly productive, healthy and attractive to others,” said Jim Bochat, chair of the project committee that wrote the book. “This guide gives building owners and their consultants the practical performance measurement guidance to meet market demands for keeping operating costs down...

DECATUR, GA.—Seresco USA Inc., a leading manufacturer of HVAC indoor air quality equipment, has introduced the “Protocol” (NP) Series, new indoor swimming pool dehumidifier technology that reduces refrigerant use by up to 85 percent and is more efficient than conventional DX dehumidifiers.The NP-Series ranges from 18 to 140-ton units that provide energy-efficient natatorium space heating/cooling and optimum humidity control, while also offering free pool water heating and reheat through heat recovery.Named for the 1997 Kyoto Protocol environmental treaty, the Protocol Series substitutes hundreds of pounds of vapor compression refrigerants commonly used in traditional natatorium dehumidifiers with glycol that’s 95...

LAS VEGAS—Panasonic Eco Products Division introduces a “greener” option for builders and remodelers at the 2013 International Builders’ Show (IBS), with the expansion of its popular line of WhisperGreen ventilation fans to include LED technology. Available starting March 2013, the WhisperGreen LED is an ENERGY STAR rated fan/light that provides spot and/or whole house ventilation for cleaner indoor air quality, with added LED illumination.Panasonic has combined two life-long technologies to develop the energy efficient fan/light solution. Utilizing only 7.5 Watts, the 80 CFM WhisperGreen LED FV-08VKSE3 and FV-08VKME3 are more energy efficient than ENERY STAR standards, and the 12-watt...

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.—ClearWater Tech plans to showcase its newest Corona Discharge Ozone Generator when the Aquatech Society Conference recognizes its 50th anniversary this month at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, Hawaii. The conference is being held January 13 to 17, and ClearWater (booth 74) will display the CD12AD wall mounted ozone generator at the one-day floor exhibition on January 16.“The 50th anniversary conference has all the makings to be a memorable occasion, and the trade show portion of the event presents us with an excellent opportunity,” said Cameron Tapp, president and CEO of ClearWater Tech. “There is...