Industry News Continued from page 12
system so successfully and deliver real, sustainable reductions in energy, waste and water usage, is testa- ment to how critical the environmental initiative is at BrassCraft.” The BrassCraft environmental management system is
a comprehensive series of internal policies for improv- ing resource utilization, optimizing recycling through- out the facility, and maintaining strict compliance and reporting standards with all environmental regulations. To achieve Platinum status, a company must commit to at least four measurable environmental goals that go beyond regulatory requirements or are in areas that are not regulated. BrassCraft’s achievements include: Reduced electricity usage. steps included using
more efficient compressors, the removal of unneeded column fans, retrofitting with more efficient lighting and eliminating air leaks for better hVaC efficiency. Reduced water usage. Timers were added to water
lines, and plans are in development for waste water reuse, with the potential of saving millions of gallons of water. Hazardous waste reduction. new parts washers that
utilize recyclable filters have been installed, reducing hazardous waste to date by 14,586 pounds. Non-hazardous waste reduction. The Lancaster
facility has lowered non-hazardous waste by more than 50%, with new compactors and a more comprehensive recycling process. The Platinum award also recognizes environmental
efforts outside the company. BrassCraft-Lancaster maintains an open dialogue with the community regard- ing environmental concerns and has a continuing process for communicating the company’s environmen- tal performance. Working wi th the Lancaster school District’s Partners in Education program, BrassCraft presented students and faculty with information and materials regarding the company’s lead-free compliance initiative. BrassCraft is also a member of the adopt-a- spot program in Lancaster, where a company team cleans and maintains a mile-long stretch of road every quarter.
GEO signs MOU with GRC
WashinGTOn — The Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC), with the goal of promoting “mutual interests through cooperation in the field of public out- reach for improved understanding of geothermal tech- nologies and their environmental, economic and societal benefits.” GEO is a 501(c) (6) non-profit, national trade associa-
tion for the geothermal heat pump industry in the United states. The GRC is a 501(c) (3) non-profit educational association, serving geothermal professionals world- wide, with a primary focus on power development. “Our five-year agreement recognizes that cooperation between our groups for public outreach will help spread
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the good word about geothermal development in all of its forms, from residential and commercial geothermal heat pumps to spinning electric power turbines with high-pressure steam,” said GEO president and CEO Douglas Dougherty. The non-binding agreement includes: 1. Mutual corporate-level organization membership at
no cost (organization to organization only, does not include individuals); 2. Cooperative outreach to a variety of publics,
including government institutions and officials, academ- ic and research institutions and non-profit organizations; 3. Voluntarily working together on public outreach
and joint participation in conferences and other gather- ings; and 4. Exchange of technical data and information relat-
ing to geothermal energy and technologies and their societal benefits.
pICC Guideline will ensure that design, erformance reduce emissions
WashinGTOn — The international Code Council will develop a Guideline for Building Commissioning to meet the need to increase the efficiency of commercial buildings. Commissioning is a new process required by the international Green Construction Code (iGCC), CalGreen and LEED certification. a committee of glob- al industry leaders and technical experts will be appoint- ed to develop the Guideline. “Commissioning, or the verification of how a build-
ing performs once the certificate of occupancy is issued, is the only way to ensure that the design and perfor- mance of the building is being maintained and, there- fore, reducing emissions,” said iCC CEO Richard P. Weiland. “Buildings account for nearly 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. This new Guideline once again shows that iCC is committed to its mission to provide the highest quality building safety products.” Codes do not provide specifics on how testing should
be performed, what methods of testing and reporting are acceptable or what specific qualifications a local juris- diction needs to require of a commissioning agent. The new Guideline will provide a minimum level of quality to safeguard health, property and public welfare and ensure performance. Guideline provisions will apply to the commissioning of buildings, who commissions them and how. The document will complement the iGCC, CalGreen, LEED and the like so as not to create conflict in the marketplace or with current regulations. The Guideline will be aimed at those responsible for
providing building commissioning, from jurisdictions to building inspectors, contractors, architects, engineers, designers and others with functions in the international development community and those who will enforce commissioning from a regulatory perspective.
More Industry News on page 48 June 2011
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