1. Home
  2. Articles posted by: Rona Fried (Page 1282)

Misconceptions About Green Construction Costs

Key players in real estate and construction commonly misjudge the costs and benefits of green buildings, creating a major barrier to more energy efficiency in the building sector, according to a study released by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Respondents to a 1400 person global survey estimated that building green costs 17% more than conventional construction – more than triple the true cost difference of about 5%. They also estimated that buildings emit 19% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, while the actual number is double at 40%. The study also found that fewer than one in seven industry respondents have participated directly in a green building project. Involvement ranges from a high of 45% in Germany to just 5% in India. About 20% of architects, engineers and developers have been involved in green building projects, compared to just 9% of owners and tenants.“The global construction boom in the developing world has created a tremendous opportunity to build differently and dramatically decrease otherwise energy demands,” says United Technologies Corp. Chairman and CEO George David. “Existing technologies combined with common sense design can increase energy efficiency by 35% and reduce heating costs by 80% for the average building […]

Read More

BioEnergy International Secures $61.6M

BioEnergy International, LLC, a science and technology company committed to developing biorefineries to produce fuels and specialty chemicals from renewable resources, announced it has closed $61.6 million in funding. The investment will fund its three strategic initiatives: generating secure cash flow from its conventional ethanol platform, product diversification through the introduction of novel biocatalysts for the manufacture of green chemicals and biopolymers and the integration of its cellulose technology. The investment was provided by a team including Plainfield Asset Management, Camulos Capital, Itera Ethanol, LLC and Context Capital Management. In addition to refinancing existing corporate debt, the financing will provide funding for BioEnergy’s projects in Pennsylvania and Louisiana, as well as growth capital for the Company’s expansion of existing R&D efforts and initiatives. “We have spent a great deal of time focusing on risk management issues and are pleased that we can now launch with the first fully contracted ethanol plant in the marketplace” said Stephen J. Gatto, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BioEnergy. The funding will provide the project equity requirements for BioEnergy’s 108 million gallon per year ethanol project located in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. BioEnergy is currently finalizing development of the Clearfield project, with necessary permits expected […]

Read More

ICP Solar to Acquire Wes Power

ICP Solar Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: ICPR, FRANKFURT: K1U.F), a solar cell developer, announced it would acquire privately held Wes Power, a leader in renewable power performance management systems. “We believe that the acquisition of Wes Power and its GreenMeter(TM) technology is strategically important for us,” said ICP Solar CEO and Chairman, Sass Peress. “When combined with our patented rooftop solar tile technology, we will now be in a position to provide our current customers, as well as new power generation channel customers, with a real-time communications interface with their systems.” All of the ICP Solar chargers come with Plug’n’Play(TM) for quick connectivity, several adaptors for different applications including the GreenMeter(TM) which includes desktop software that records and displays the power generated from panels and up to the minute information on greenhouse gas savings. Financial terms of the transaction were not released. Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

Read More

CA. Can Lead be GreenTech Leader, Stimulate Economy With Bond Package

by Bill Lockyer, California Treasurer We must address climate change and its potentially destructive effects on our environment, our economy and society. Climate change is the direct result of global warming. There aren’t many Californians left who would disagree with that proposition. To mitigate climate change we must curb the emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon-dioxide that are so rapidly accelerating global warming. Our success in this effort will require more than curbing emissions from current activities. We also must also ensure that new activities in the public and private sector minimize and offset any emissions they create. If we don’t act to reduce the environmental footprint of new public facilities, existing sources will have to reduce their emissions even further to compensate for increases caused by new sources. I also want California’s green tech industry to be the nation’s leader. The genius of Californians’ creativity can make renewable energy more plentiful and affordable, and better our environment and quality of life. That’s a big reason I’m proposing what I believe to be the largest investment in renewable energy technology, including solar energy, in our state’s history. My plan calls for investing $3.5 billion in solar energy as part of […]

Read More