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Construction laws slow to adjust to ‘green’ building
Nate Budde Construction & Building MaterialsA rapidly-expanding segment of the construction industry is centered on "green" building projects, including the construction of green-energy installations such as solar arrays or wind farms. But mechanics lien and bond claim law has not necessarily kept pace.
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Has US oil consumption decreased because of peak oil?
Stefanie Heerwig Natural ResourcesSince 2008, U.S. oil consumption has declined by more than 20 percent, giving peak-oil theorists their confirmation — world crude oil production is decreasing. And no matter how much U.S. production increases, everyone will feel the squeeze in the face of rising international oil prices.
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Data centers offer huge potential for cooling industry
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingThe data center sector offers a fantastic challenge for the cooling industry. On the one hand, it is a rapidly-growing sector that has an intense demand for cooling solutions. One oft-quoted estimate by Oracle in 2012 suggests that the volume of data being generated could grow at 40 percent a year to reach 45 zetabyes by 2020.
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Chinese drywall continues to be a problem
Jessica Taylor Construction & Building MaterialsRemember when an estimated 250,000 tons of drywall were imported from China during the housing boom and it was used in approximately 100,000 homes in the U.S.? Unfortunately, the problem hasn't diminished yet.
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Ceramic coatings for cooking equipment prove durable, save money
Richard Stratton Construction & Building MaterialsMaterials in food processing plants must meet high standards for sanitation and durability. Even periodic wash downs on noncontact food-cooking equipment like rotary sterilizers will cause traditional insulation to fail from water contact.
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Demand for green interiors rising
Bambi Majumdar Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesIt's often said that charity should begin at home. What better way to do that than by opting for green interiors? Sustainable and eco-friendly interior design is climbing up the popularity charts, displaying increasing awareness and concern for the environment.
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F-gas set to change the face of cooling in Europe, the world
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingThe Council of the European Union formally adopted the text of the revised F-Gas Regulation this week. This marks the last remaining legal hurdle for the new regulations, and once the translation work is done for all European Union member states, it will pass into EU law, taking effect Jan. 1, 2015.
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Sustainable food packaging for 2014 and beyond
Bambi Majumdar ManufacturingAccording to a new report by Visiongain, the global food packaging industry will reach close to $258 billion this year. With more and more focus given to sustainable food packing, the industry is definitely poised for major change.
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What the DOE’s 2016 mandate means for your school
Larry Schoff Facilities & GroundsAs I walked through the 10-year-old school building with the district energy manager, I pointed out to him the often-overlooked "little things" that increased energy waste daily in the operation of the school.
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Are electric cars an efficient renewable energy policy?
Stefanie Heerwig Natural ResourcesIn his 2011 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama set an ambitious goal — for the United States to become the first country in the world with 1 million electric cars on its roads by 2015. In fact, the U.S. currently has the largest electric car fleet in the world.
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