USGBC Releases List of Top 10 States for LEED

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Green Building Council released its annual list of the top 10 states for new LEED certifications in 2012, highlighting regions transforming buildings and communities across the country. The per-capita list is based on 2010 U.S. Census data and includes commercial and institutional buildings certified under LEED, through which approximately 2.2-billion-square-feet of space has been certified worldwide through 2012. “Securing a spot on this list is a remarkable achievement for everyone involved in the green building movement in these states,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, USGBC. “From architects and designers to local chapter … Read more

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Reno Contracting Supports SunEdison on Solar PV Project at California State Prison

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SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Reno Contracting recently announced it has installed a 2.6MW solar photovoltaic project at California State Prison Lancaster, Calif., for SunEdison, a worldwide solar energy services provider. The single-axis tracker PV project incorporates 9,500 panels. The Lancaster facility is one of five state prisons in Southern California that has added a combined 23MW of solar-generated power in 2012, an initiative undertaken by SunEdison and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. These solar projects should result in $55 million in energy cost savings over the next 20 years, according to the CDCR. Reno served as general contractor … Read more

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Fifth Consecutive Month of Gains in Architecture Billings Index

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Business conditions at architecture firms continue to improve. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the Architecture Billings Index reflects the approximate nine- to twelve- month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the December ABI score was 52.0, down from the mark of 53.2 in November.   This score reflects an increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 59.4, down slightly from the 59.6 mark of the previous month. “While it’s not an across-the-board … Read more

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New ‘Clean Construction’ Pilot Credit Added to LEED Pilot Credit Library

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Clean Air Task Force and United Rental recently announced that their proposed “Clean Construction” pilot credit has been added into the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Pilot Credit Library. The pilot credit aims to limit emissions from dirty diesel engines that are harmful to public health and the global climate, a first for LEED. In addition, this is the first pilot credit to be approved and posted through the USGBC’s member-generated pilot credit process. The LEED Pilot Credit Library is an interactive mechanism for testing proposed credits in the marketplace before a credit is considered for inclusion … Read more

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Suffolk Construction Celebrates Topping Out at University of Miami Rosenstiel Project

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MIAMI, Fla. — Suffolk Construction, the University of Miami and community leaders recently gathered to celebrate the milestone topping out ceremony for the new Marine Technology Life Sciences Seawater Complex. Once completed, the two-building complex will provide oceanographers, meteorologists, marine physicists and engineers the opportunity to use unique, state-of-the-art equipment for their research and studies. An open atrium will connect the two buildings: The Surge-Structure ATMOSPHERE interaction research laboratory and the Marine Life Sciences Center. This new facility will establish the University of Miami as the only university in the world to house a wind-wave-storm surge simulator, capable of generating … Read more

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