The guide to the California Green Buildings Standard Code (CALGreen) has recently been published. The guide covers topics such as: energy efficiency, material conservation, resource efficiency and environmental quality. Please Click Here to view the report.
Article Source: American Chemical Society
Far from being a food spoiler, the fluorescent lighting in supermarkets actually can boost the nutritional value of fresh spinach, scientists are reporting. The finding could lead to improved ways of preserving and enhancing the nutritional value of spinach and perhaps other veggies, they suggest in a study in ACS’ bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry: “Relationship between Fresh-Packaged Spinach Leaves Exposed to Continuous Light or Dark and Bioactive Contents: Effects of Cultivar, Leaf Size, and Storage Duration.”
Gene Lester, Donald J. Makus, and D. Mark Hodges note that fresh spinach is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamin C, vitamin E, folate (a B vitamin), and healthful carotenoid antioxidants. Supermarkets often display fresh spinach in clear plastic containers at around 39 degrees Fahrenheit in showcases that may be exposed to fluorescent light 24 hours a day. Lester, Makus, and Hodges wondered how this continuous light exposure might affect spinach’s nutritional value.
The scientists exposed fresh spinach leaves to continuous light or darkness during simulated retail storage conditions for three to nine days. Spinach stored in light for as little as three days had significantly higher levels of vitamins C, K, E, and folate. They also had higher levels of the healthful carotenoids (plant pigments) lutein and zeaxanthin. During continuous light exposure after nine days, levels of folate increased between 84 and 100 percent, for instance. Levels of vitamin K increased between 50 and 100 percent, depending on the spinach variety tested. By contrast, spinach leaves stored under continuous darkness tended to have declining or unchanged levels of nutrients, the scientists say.
Article Source: Industry Week
Lighting is one of the greatest contributors to monthly utility bills in manufacturing plants, says Joseph Wolfsberger, senior vice president of environment, health and safety at Eaton Corp. But manufacturers can reduce energy needs and control costs through assessments and planning, he says. Eaton, a diversified manufacturer and provider of energy solutions, has counseled customers on ways they can save money through lighting control.
One of the first steps Wolfsberger recommends manufacturers take when assessing their lighting needs is to understand their current lighting situation and utility cost. He suggests conducting an inventory of lighting in the facility, taking note of the quantity, mounting height and type of lighting. Then observe the light quality. Some light sources, such as high-pressure sodium, cast a colored light that is dingy and makes it difficult to read or distinguish color, he says. A light meter can be useful for taking candle readings to determine how much light is available. Obtaining copies of maintenance records and utility bills also can help manufacturers calculate maintenance savings with a new lighting design later on in the process, Wolfsberger says.
Manufacturers need to understand the processes occurring within their plants because different activities may have specific lighting needs. For instance, distinguishing differences in a product might require more light than forklift aisles, Wolfsberger points out. “We find that many factories with lighting that is more than 15 years old are over-lit when looking at the amount of needed light,” Wolfsberger says.
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Facilities Mexico Celebrates Successful Debut
June 22, 2010 - Milwaukee - Management from Facilities Mexico Conference & Expo today announced that the inaugural event attracted nearly 1,000 facility professionals from across Mexico Facility executives from schools, hospitals, corporate campuses, government facilities and other commercial and institutional buildings attended Facilities Mexico. In turn, nearly 50 suppliers and service providers for the facilities management industry showcased their products and services in the show’s popular exhibit hall.
”The facilities management industry in Mexico is burgeoning right now,” said Bob Wisniewski, president of Facilities Mexico. “We are grateful to all the attendees, speakers, exhibitors and sponsors who trust in and gain from Facilities Mexico. We’re in an exciting stage of growth now and we look forward to them joining us for the journey.”
Highlights of this year’s event included a ribbon cutting ceremony, passport contest, supplier presentations and 25 educational sessions. Conference speakers included Stormy Friday, Dean Kashiwagi, Sergio Pages, Felipe Flores, Steve Ashkin, Jim Newman and Jim Rosenbluth.
“After 10 years with the number one trade show for commercial facilities managers in the United States, it was a thrilling experience to franchise our expertise of the marketplace on an international level,” added Todd Kotlarek, director of Live Events for the NFMT Conference and Expo and Facilities Mexico. “For as much as we gained in our freshman, we also learned a great deal and are enthusiastic about returning to Mexico City next year.”
Facilities Mexico 2011 will be held April 12-14, 2011 at Centro Banamex in Mexico City. Facilities Mexico is part of the iMex 4 event. This unique “mega-show” combines security, fire, safety and facility management solutions, creating one of the largest events in the world for building owners, managers, designers and operations executives working in facilities of every kind. iMex 4 is comprised of Facilities Mexico, Expo Seguridad, Mexico Safety Expo and NFPA Mexico Fire Expo.
The Optimum Lighting Booth at Facilities Mexico 2010
Facilities Mexico is the only educational conference and tradeshow dedicated to facility professionals in Mexico who are responsible for renovation, retrofitting, operations and maintenance for commercial buildings and facilities. Owned and operated by the management team that produces the leading events for the commercial facilities management industry in the United States, NFMT Conference & Expo and Facility Decisions, Facilities Mexico is the only event of its kind in the country. Facilities Mexico is co-owned by Trade Press Media Group, Inc. and ROC Exhibitions.
Q: What is the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT)?
A: In an effort to combat growing energy problems, if certain requirements are met per the Energy Policy Act of 2005, it allows a tax deduction for energy-efficient commercial buildings that reduce annual energy and power consumption by 50%. Up to the entire cost of the energy-efficient lighting may be deducted on the owner’s taxes (given certain restrictions).
A tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot is available to owners or designers of new or existing commercial buildings that save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy of a building that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001. Partial deductions of up to $.60 per square foot can be taken for measures affecting any one of three building systems: the building envelope, lighting, or heating and cooling systems. These tax deductions are available for systems “placed in service” from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2013.
You can learn more by calling one of our Sales Associates who can lead you to our distributors and ESCO partners that can help you be on your way to saving money and promoting a better world.
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