America's tallest LEED-certified building

PHILADELPHIA — The Comcast Center, the tallest building in Philadelphia, recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Gold level, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.

The certification awarded to the 58-story Comcast center from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) makes it the tallest LEED-certified building in America, the story stated.
Some of the sustainable aspects of the building include: Low-flow fixtures and waterless urinals that combine to save over 4 million gallons of water annually; and coated glass that blocks 60 percent of incoming heat while allowing in 70 percent of the natural light from the sun, the story noted.

The building's shaded plaza reduces the heat-island effect caused by pavement by 70 percent, drastically reducing the amount of energy used to run air conditioning units, the story added.
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LEED-APs exceed 100,000

WASHINGTON — The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) announced that the number of individuals who have earned the status of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED-AP) has exceeded the 100,000 mark, according to SustainableBusiness.com.

The number of individuals seeking LEED-AP status doubled in the past year, greatly surpassing GBCI's predictions, the story stated.

Two new LEED credentials, Green Associate for allied professions, new green builders and graduating students and a specialized credential for Green Building Operations & Maintenance, have recently become available and are expected to increase the number of certifications issued, the story noted.

Earlier this year, GBCI assumed responsibility for administering the LEED building certification program, the story added.

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Patient screening and cleaning reduce MRSA rates at hospital

MERCED, CA — The Mercy Medical Center has been at the forefront of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevention through advanced screening and comprehensive cleaning, according to the Merced Sun-Star.
In 2007, and before a state law mandated it, Mercy screened all high risk patients for the bacteria and kept those infected in isolation to curb the spread of MRSA, the story stated.
According to the story, only four states, California, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, have laws requiring hospitals to screen patients for MRSA, though legislation is in place in several other states.

Pat Harrison, director of infection prevention and control at Mercy, said: "We started screening early, and we're ahead of the law and ahead of the game. We are seeing that environmental cleanliness is almost as important as hand washing."
On top of advanced screening, Mercy made changes to the way the hospital was cleaned and disinfected, the story noted.

Since the new cleaning rules were instated in October of 2008, MRSA infection rates at the hospital have dropped by 26 percent, the story added.

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Kimberly-Clark hopes to eliminate 1,000 jobs

IRVING, TX — Kimberly-Clark Corporation is inviting its 7,000 employees to participate in a voluntary severance plan through May 22 that the company hopes will eliminate 1,000 jobs, according to the Appleton Post-Crescent.

The terms of the severance packages will vary depending on the employee's seniority and position, the story stated.

Thomas Falk, Kimberly-Clark's CEO, said: "Improving our cash flow is our first imperative if we are to thrive in the future. That’s the primary driver behind our three cash generation initiatives. When it comes to our organization, there’s no getting around the fact that we have to become a more efficient company to be able to deliver better results consistently through any economic environment."

The company hopes to save around $150 million by eliminating the projected 1,000 salaried jobs, the story noted.

A letter was sent to employees outlining the severance plan and announcing several benefit changes for employees that opt not to accept the buyout, the story added.

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Spray Nine Corporation to close next year

JOHNSTOWN, NY — Cleaning product manufacturer Spray Nine Corporation has announced it will shut down its plant and lay off its workers, according to the Business Review.
The first round of layoffs will occur August 1 and will involve 32 workers, the story stated.
No definite date has been announced for the plant closure, though Permatex Inc., the company that acquired Spray Nine in February 2008, says it will be no later than the end of 2010, the story noted.

In all, 71 employees will lose their jobs when Spray Nine ends its manufacturing operation, the story added.

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McDonald's headquarters receives LEED-Platinum certification

OAK BROOK, IL — Fast-food goliath McDonalds announced that its world headquarters has been awarded Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, according to QSR Web.
According to the story, the McDonald's headquarters is one of roughly only 200 buildings worldwide to receive LEED-Platinum certification.

The 88-acre headquarters was built in 1988 with the intention to be sustainable, incorporating many aspects necessary for LEED certification, the story stated.

Joseph Endress, vice president of facilities and systems at McDonalds, said: "By working through the LEED certification process, we were able to document that an environmentally friendly workplace can be cost effective. The benefits associated with this effort are ongoing, with positive impacts on our employees, our budgets and the environment."

Some sustainable highlights of the building include: Low mercury, energy efficient interior lighting; bike racks and shower facilities to support non-vehicle commuting options; the use of renewable solar and wind energy; an extensive recycling program; and a rainwater recapturing and irrigation system, the story noted.

An interesting green aspect of the building is that fry oil from the on-site McDonald's restaurant is recycled to make bio-diesel fuel that powers a transportation shuttle to other nearby McDonalds buildings, the story added.

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Union president suspended for treason

CHICAGO — The General Executive Board of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees-Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (UNITE-HERE) voted to suspend President Bruce Raynor for his attempts to divide the union and promote the Service Employees Internation Union (SEIU) as a competing labor organization within UNITE-HERE's jurisdiction, according to Business Wire.
The vote was nearly unanimous with 32 voting in favor of the suspension, none against, and three abstaining, the story stated.
Because Raynor's actions go against UNITE-HERE's Constitution, the Executive Board's actions could lead to penalties up to and including permanent expulsion after his 90 day suspension is completed, the story noted.
John Wilhelm will replace Raynor as president during the suspension and investigation process, the story added.
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