BINGHAMTON, NY — The Binghamton University Downtown Center (UDC) has been Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified at the Silver level, according to WBGH-TV.
According to the story, this is the first building in downtown Binghamton to be certified green by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Home to the College of Community and Public Affairs, the $29 million UDC has been honored for its design by the American Institute of Architects Southern New York Chapter (AIASNY), the story stated.
During construction, 11 percent of the building materials used for the UDC came from recycled sources, 16.5 percent of materials were sourced from the region and 262 tons of waste was kept out of the landfill, the story noted.
Binghamton University President Lois DeFleur said: "We're proud of this recognition and will continue our commitment to protect our environment and conserve natural resources in future building projects. All new building or major renovation projects will be built to at least LEED-Silver standards or the equivalent including our current construction projects for Science 5, the Engineering and Science Building and the East Campus Housing project."
LEED certification serves to protect and save precious natural resources while also making good economic sense by verifying environmental performance, occupant health and financial return, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Friday, September 4, 2009
California debuts LEED-certified energy plant
SACRAMENTO — Earlier this week, the state of California unveiled its new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified "central plant" in downtown Sacramento that will provide heat and cool air to about 20,000 state workers, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.
Designed and constructed by Skanska USA Building Inc., the new LEED Gold-certified facility uses cooling towers to release heat from state buildings, a 95 percent reduction in water usage compared to the former plant, the story stated.
The $181 million project replaces the original, inefficient plant that dates back to 1968, the story noted.
According to the story, demolition of the old energy plant will begin in October.
Construction of the plant that will heat and cool the California State Capitol Museum and 22 other office buildings required as many as 375 full-time workers each day for more than two years, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Designed and constructed by Skanska USA Building Inc., the new LEED Gold-certified facility uses cooling towers to release heat from state buildings, a 95 percent reduction in water usage compared to the former plant, the story stated.
The $181 million project replaces the original, inefficient plant that dates back to 1968, the story noted.
According to the story, demolition of the old energy plant will begin in October.
Construction of the plant that will heat and cool the California State Capitol Museum and 22 other office buildings required as many as 375 full-time workers each day for more than two years, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Swine flu cases lead to increased sanitization efforts
POWDERLY, KY — Muhlenberg County Schools have three confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza A (swine flu) and are taking the necessary precautions to ensure that the virus does not continue to spread as students and staff return for the 2009-2010 school year, according to WKBO-TV.
In Muhlenberg County High School, the location of the district's first confirmed swine flu case, custodians have put alcohol-based hand sanitizing gel and Clorox disinfecting wipes in all the classrooms for students and teachers to use and to wipe down desks and computers after use, the story stated.
Muhlenberg County Schools Superintendent Dale Todd said: "Right now, we have three confirmed cases of swine flu in our schools. I've talked to epidemiologists, as well as the Muhlenberg County Health Department, and they are advising us on what directions to go."
Every available method, including bringing in extra custodians and increasing sanitization efforts, is being utilized to prevent the spread of the virus, the story noted.
Nancy Propes, a registered nurse at Muhlenberg County High School, said: "When the students first come into me, they complain of a headache and body aches. If they have a low-grade fever, I'll call the parents and see if they want them to come home, and usually they do."
Todd says that parents need to understand what the swine flu is and the precautions the district is taking to ensure the safety and well-being of their students, the story added.
Click here to read the letter sent to parents and guardians of Muhlenberg County Schools students.
For more information on the H1N1 influenza A virus, click here.
Click here to read the complete article.
In Muhlenberg County High School, the location of the district's first confirmed swine flu case, custodians have put alcohol-based hand sanitizing gel and Clorox disinfecting wipes in all the classrooms for students and teachers to use and to wipe down desks and computers after use, the story stated.
Muhlenberg County Schools Superintendent Dale Todd said: "Right now, we have three confirmed cases of swine flu in our schools. I've talked to epidemiologists, as well as the Muhlenberg County Health Department, and they are advising us on what directions to go."
Every available method, including bringing in extra custodians and increasing sanitization efforts, is being utilized to prevent the spread of the virus, the story noted.
Nancy Propes, a registered nurse at Muhlenberg County High School, said: "When the students first come into me, they complain of a headache and body aches. If they have a low-grade fever, I'll call the parents and see if they want them to come home, and usually they do."
Todd says that parents need to understand what the swine flu is and the precautions the district is taking to ensure the safety and well-being of their students, the story added.
Click here to read the letter sent to parents and guardians of Muhlenberg County Schools students.
For more information on the H1N1 influenza A virus, click here.
Click here to read the complete article.
Confirmed MRSA case in Higley High School
GILBERT, AZ — A student athlete at Higley High School recently came down with a confirmed case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a contagious, antibiotic-resistant skin infection, according to KUPT-TV.
The student was hospitalized for treatment and has not practiced with the team since the infection was identified, the story stated.
A letter was sent home to parents and guardians of Higley students notifying them of the situation and offering tips to ensure the safety and well-being of themselves as well as the students, the story noted.
According to the story, the district has taken all the necessary precautions as outlined by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), including cleaning the Higley High School locker rooms, weight room, restrooms, classrooms, door handles and cafeteria areas with a cleaning solution recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC strongly recommends thorough and frequent hand washing, covering of wounds, washing of athletic clothing every day and insists that students do not share clothing articles, towels, razors, personal items, etc., the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
The student was hospitalized for treatment and has not practiced with the team since the infection was identified, the story stated.
A letter was sent home to parents and guardians of Higley students notifying them of the situation and offering tips to ensure the safety and well-being of themselves as well as the students, the story noted.
According to the story, the district has taken all the necessary precautions as outlined by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), including cleaning the Higley High School locker rooms, weight room, restrooms, classrooms, door handles and cafeteria areas with a cleaning solution recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC strongly recommends thorough and frequent hand washing, covering of wounds, washing of athletic clothing every day and insists that students do not share clothing articles, towels, razors, personal items, etc., the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Green roof desert oasis in El Paso
EL PASO, TX — The University of Texas at El Paso has taken a step toward sustainability by recently unveiling the first green roof on a commercial building within the Southwest region of the United States, according to KFOX-TV.
The 9,156-square-foot roof, which is covered in plants like regal mist, white evening primrose, sun gold gazania and other native foliage, includes a 6,304-square-foot designated area where faculty can perform environmental research, the story stated.
Ed Soltero, director of Planning and Construction, said: "You know we have neighbors here that are actually able to look into the green roofs, namely the people here at bioscience, the building behind us ... so you're actually able to see migratory birds ... hummingbirds, bees and a lot of other insects, so it's a self-sustainable micro-environment that we're creating."
Not only will the green roof help to maintain a comfortable building temperature while using less energy, but it is also creating a biodiverse environment and providing a sanctuary for plants, animals and insects alike, the story noted.
The green roof on the Biology Building is part of the University of Texas at El Paso Goes Green program and will add to the $2.5 million in annual energy savings resulting from sustainable efforts, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
The 9,156-square-foot roof, which is covered in plants like regal mist, white evening primrose, sun gold gazania and other native foliage, includes a 6,304-square-foot designated area where faculty can perform environmental research, the story stated.
Ed Soltero, director of Planning and Construction, said: "You know we have neighbors here that are actually able to look into the green roofs, namely the people here at bioscience, the building behind us ... so you're actually able to see migratory birds ... hummingbirds, bees and a lot of other insects, so it's a self-sustainable micro-environment that we're creating."
Not only will the green roof help to maintain a comfortable building temperature while using less energy, but it is also creating a biodiverse environment and providing a sanctuary for plants, animals and insects alike, the story noted.
The green roof on the Biology Building is part of the University of Texas at El Paso Goes Green program and will add to the $2.5 million in annual energy savings resulting from sustainable efforts, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Mercury contamination prompts district closure
FORSYTH, MO — Classes at the Forsyth R-III School District were cancelled last week due to mercury contamination resulting from inadequate and improper cleanup, according to the Branson Daily News.
According to the story, the mercury, which was brought to the middle school by a science teacher, was released when the plastic container it was stored in was knocked over during class, spilling over a student’s notebook and onto the floor.
Air samples confirmed suspicions that the mercury was tracked throughout the school by students traveling from the spill site to different areas of the building, the story stated.
Superintendent Brent Blevins said: "The administration wasn't notified until after the school day. The cleaning process that had taken place was inappropriate and caused matters to be worse. We contacted the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and after taking readings, we felt the readings were too high to have school."
The building was ventilated and an environmental contractor was brought in to remediate the mercury found in dozens of spots around the school, the story noted.
Because students were only exposed to mercury vapors for a short time, there is no reason to believe any adverse health effects will result from the situation, the story added.
To read the release sent to parents and guardians, click here.
Click here to read the complete article.
According to the story, the mercury, which was brought to the middle school by a science teacher, was released when the plastic container it was stored in was knocked over during class, spilling over a student’s notebook and onto the floor.
Air samples confirmed suspicions that the mercury was tracked throughout the school by students traveling from the spill site to different areas of the building, the story stated.
Superintendent Brent Blevins said: "The administration wasn't notified until after the school day. The cleaning process that had taken place was inappropriate and caused matters to be worse. We contacted the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and after taking readings, we felt the readings were too high to have school."
The building was ventilated and an environmental contractor was brought in to remediate the mercury found in dozens of spots around the school, the story noted.
Because students were only exposed to mercury vapors for a short time, there is no reason to believe any adverse health effects will result from the situation, the story added.
To read the release sent to parents and guardians, click here.
Click here to read the complete article.
Mold delays move-in for some Duke students
DURHAM, NC — Move-in to the Edens dormitory at Duke University was delayed because of the discovery of common mold in the building's heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, according to The Chronicle, Duke University's independent daily newspaper.
Custodians discovered the "crumbly, moss-like mold" August 13 and worked incessantly to ensure complete remediation before students moved in for the upcoming school year, the story stated.
Wayne Thomann, director of the Occupational and Environmental Safety Office at the university, said: "There was some particulate that came out of some of the diffusers. When I saw it, I was pretty sure what it was based on the particulate ... it was obviously a Cladosporium species."
According to the story, mold of the genus Cladosporium is allergenic, but most need not worry about having a reaction to exposure as the mold is commonly found outside.
Mold was found in Edens back in 2007, and after it was removed, a special coating was installed on ventilation ducts to prevent mold from returning, the story noted.
The Occupational and Environmental Safety Office, with the assistance of third-party professionals, performed indoor air quality tests to ensure the building was safe for human occupation before allowing students to formally move-in on Saturday, August 22, 2009, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Custodians discovered the "crumbly, moss-like mold" August 13 and worked incessantly to ensure complete remediation before students moved in for the upcoming school year, the story stated.
Wayne Thomann, director of the Occupational and Environmental Safety Office at the university, said: "There was some particulate that came out of some of the diffusers. When I saw it, I was pretty sure what it was based on the particulate ... it was obviously a Cladosporium species."
According to the story, mold of the genus Cladosporium is allergenic, but most need not worry about having a reaction to exposure as the mold is commonly found outside.
Mold was found in Edens back in 2007, and after it was removed, a special coating was installed on ventilation ducts to prevent mold from returning, the story noted.
The Occupational and Environmental Safety Office, with the assistance of third-party professionals, performed indoor air quality tests to ensure the building was safe for human occupation before allowing students to formally move-in on Saturday, August 22, 2009, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
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