NEW YORK, N.Y. — Green building renovations are defying the downward spiral seen in the general market for renovation work. As a result, green building retrofits that promote efficient energy usage are anticipated to increase substantially through 2015 and emerge as the “new normal” in the building industry, according to leading market research firm SBI Energy in the recently released report Global Green Building Materials and Construction, 2nd Edition. Green renovations currently account for about 7% of the total renovation market and are anticipated to grow to 13% of the market by 2015. Much of the sector’s growth can be … Read more

Johnson Controls annual Energy Efficiency Indicator points to rising costs, public image as drivers MILWAUKEE — Those looking for signs that the U.S. economy is rebounding can find encouragement in the fourth annual Energy Efficiency Indicator released today by Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader in delivering products, services and solutions that increase energy efficiency in buildings. A survey of more than 1,400 North American executives and managers responsible for making investments and managing energy in commercial buildings found that planned investment in energy efficiency is expected to rebound in 2010. Following a decline last year, the survey found … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Every day, about 14 Americans fail to come home from work to their families.   Tens of thousands die from workplace disease and more than 4.6 million workers are seriously injured on the job annually. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, in an effort to address urgent safety and health problems facing Americans in the workplace, is implementing a new Severe Violator Enforcement Program and increasing civil penalty amounts.   “For many employers, investing in job safety happens only when they have adequate incentives to comply with OSHA’s requirements,” said Assistant Secretary of … Read more

Houston Commercial and Industrial Builder Recognized with National Honor from Associated General Contractors of America for Second Consecutive Eligible Year HOUSTON — For its second eligible year in a row, Tellepsen announced that it has been awarded the national Willis Construction Safety Excellence Award in the Building Division with between 700,001 and one million work hours by The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). “People — whether employees, subcontractors, clients or the public — are important to us both personally and professionally, and we dedicate the resources necessary to ensure their safety. We are proud to have been recognized for … Read more