Installation of the 2.5 acre green roof—the largest green roof in Minnesota—is underway

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Installation of the 2.5 acre green roof vegetation on the City-owned Target Center begins today. Over the course of two days a 165 ton crane will hoist five truckloads of plant material, which includes 900 rolls of pre-grown vegetated mats of sedum and native plants for installation on top of the arena's main roof. More than 540 cu yards of soil is being blown onto the rooftop between 120'– 165' in the air, using a blower truck. The roof is the largest green roof in Minnesota and, at the time of design, the fifth largest green roof in the United States.

The green roof is installed on a state-of-the-art waterproofing membrane which includes a leak detection system called Electro Field Vector Mapping (EFVM). The membrane will help withstand constant dampness, high alkalinity, and exposure to plant roots, fungi, and bacterial organisms as well as varying hydrostatic pressures.

The green roof features a 2.75" growing zone in the center of the main arena roof structure and a deeper 3.5" growing zone around the perimeter where the structural capacity is greater to maximize storm water retention and plant vigor. The pre-grown mat of sedum and native plants creates the base of the green roof system and will be complemented by additional plantings of plants native to Minnesota's prairies once the roof is installed to enhance plant diversity and ecological resilience.

To complete the roof by Fall 2009, 11 miles of sustainable, water-efficient irrigation lines will be installed and 14,000 concrete pavers for firebreaks and roof protection will be laid.

Green roofs provide ecological benefits by reducing the negative effects of hard surfaces like traditional roofs on stormwater quality, volume, rate, and temperature on the receiving waterbody, in this case, the Mississippi River. At 113,000 square feet, almost 3 acres, this green roof has potential for mitigating stormwater runoff from a significant amount of impervious surface in a downtown location where space does not permit use of other Low Impact Development Techniques to mitigate for the negative effects of hard surfaces on receiving waterbodies. Positive impacts on local water bodies are valuable in a City that prides itself on its legendary waterbodies: The City of Lakes in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

 

Calpine to build 600-MW power plant,
create economic stimulus for San Francisco Bay Area

HAYWARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) notified interested stakeholders that it is seeking public input on a draft permit to construct what will be the nation's first power plant with a federal limit on emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases.

Calpine Corporation (NYSE: CPN) has been working in cooperation with the BAAQMD to respond to comments submitted by a number of environmental and local public interest groups, including the Sierra Club and EarthJustice, regarding the company's proposed 600-megawatt Russell City Energy Center to be built in Hayward, Calif. As a result, Calpine has agreed to changes in the project's permit conditions, including reductions in a number of emission limits, which will make it one of the cleanest natural gas-fired power plants in the nation.

"By taking this historic and early action to limit greenhouse gas emissions, Calpine demonstrates that our long-term commitment to environmental stewardship is fundamental to our corporate philosophy," said Jack A. Fusco, president and chief executive officer of Calpine. "The combined-cycle technology allows us to commit to lower emissions while increasing efficiency – meaning we use less natural gas and emit fewer greenhouse gases while delivering more power to our customers and ultimately the American consumer."

 

MISSION, Texas, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- A new international bridge to Mexico is set to open October 2009 in the South Texas city of Mission, Texas. The Anzalduas International Bridge, a $168-million joint project between the United States and Mexico, will be one of the newest and largest border crossings in the country, and will directly connect Mission with Reynosa, Tamaulipas - a Mexican city known for advanced manufacturing and import/export operations.

Since the passing of NAFTA, Mexico has stepped up as a major competitor to China for cost-effective manufacturing. One reason is because China is just now experiencing an increase in manufacturing wages - the same increase that hit Mexico years ago. Today, the cost difference between low-wage Mexico and lower-wage China is shrinking rapidly.

However, the most important advantage Mexico has over China is lower transportation costs. Our southern neighbor, Mexico has cut the long-distance, transoceanic supply chain that is currently driving U.S. oil prices into the triple digits. Mexico provides a shorter, faster and cheaper transportation route to move products and supplies by truck, rather than over thousands of miles by ship, rail, and truck combined.

 

 

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:

Skanska is to lease 3,300 square meters of office space to Malmö University at Universitetsholmen in central Malmö. The lease implies that Skanska will now again start up the office project Bassängkajen. The office property will be seven floors high with an underground garage and will include a total of 16,000 square meters of leasable space in two phases. Skanska's investment in the first phase of 8,500 square meters amounts to approximately SEK 240 M and is scheduled for completion in summer 2011.

Bassängkajen will be a modern office building with a distinct environmental profile. The property will comply with requirements for the EU GreenBuilding labeling, which means that the building's energy consumption will be at least 25 percent lower than the standard requirements for new buildings stipulated by the Swedish Board of Housing. It will also be one of the first properties in Malmö to be certified according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED, which Skanska will be introducing in all its new properties in the Nordic region and Central Europe.

 

ROSEMEAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A plan proposed by Southern California Edison (SCE) for the largest U.S. installation of advanced solar panels on otherwise unused large commercial rooftops across Southern California was approved today by the California Public Utilities Commission.

During the next five years SCE will install, own and operate 250 megawatts of solar generating capacity. The utility also will conduct competitive solicitations offering long-term power contracts to independent solar power providers who will install an additional 250 megawatts, bringing to 500 megawatts the total generating capacity of the project — the largest photovoltaic program ever undertaken.

"This innovative solar rooftop project is part of Edison International's 25-year commitment to developing cleaner renewable and alternative energy sources for our customers," said Theodore F. Craver, Jr., Edison International chairman and CEO. "The program will create hundreds of neighborhood solar power plants, strengthen local grid reliability and produce hundreds of new green jobs to bolster Southern California's economic recovery."

During the fall of 2008, SCE completed the first of what eventually will be about 150 sites making up this program, a 600,000-square-foot Fontana, Calif. distribution warehouse roof. The rooftop now holds 33,700 advanced thin-film solar panels with a generating capacity of 2.4 megawatts of direct current power, known as DC power — the largest single rooftop solar photovoltaic array in the nation. SCE already has begun construction of its second installation atop a 458,000-square-foot industrial building in Chino, Calif. First Solar of Tempe, Ariz. was the winning bidder to supply panels for these first two installations.

 

NJ BPU and USBCG Executives Take Guided Tour

BAYONNE, N.J., June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The 544-unit Alexan CityView, the largest LEED for Homes multifamily community in the country, is officially open with the recent move-in of the first residents of the luxury rental community, according to Richard Murphy, managing director of Trammel Crow Residential (TCR), developer of the property.

Alexan CityView, offering studio to three bedroom units, is situated on 297 acres on the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor at 302 Constitution Ave.

Today, Murphy conducted a guided tour of Alexan CityView, including the 10,000-square-foot clubhouse as well as model apartments, for Jeanne M. Fox, president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJ BPU) and Nate Kredich, vice president, residential market development, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

 

CARLSBAD, Calif., June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking to make waves this summer by transforming your pool into a lean, green, energy-saving machine?

According to Randy Mendioroz, principal of Aquatic Design Group (ADG), annual operating costs for an outdoor pool can cost thousands with natural gas (71% of total cost), electricity (14%), pool chemicals (10%), and water (5%).

Following are four ways to "green up" pool operations from ADG, a nationally renowned pool and aquatic design and consulting firm.

 

Design-services project is the world's largest underground facility of its kind

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AECOM Technology Corporation (NYSE: ACM), a leading provider of professional technical and management support services for government and commercial clients around the world, announced today that a joint venture of which it is a part has been awarded a design-services contract worth US$82 million for the Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited's Hong Kong High-Speed Rail Terminus project, which will connect to the high-speed rail network in Mainland China.

The multi-level terminus, which will be the largest underground facility of its kind, will have a footprint of more than 25 acres with a topside commercial development north of the proposed West Kowloon Cultural District – between the existing Airport Railway Kowloon Station and the West Rail Austin Station.

"AECOM is proud to play a key role in the design of this important high-speed rail infrastructure project," said John M. Dionisio, AECOM president and chief executive officer. "The terminus will provide the strategic linkage from Hong Kong to the comprehensive high-speed rail network in Mainland China."

 

- Study Finds Upgrades Will Save Money and Improve Standard of Care -

JACKSONVILLE, Ill., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Passavant Area Hospital will soon undertake $2.3 million in infrastructure improvements to address aging infrastructure and high energy and operating costs.

The improvements, which will be completed in February 2010, are estimated to save more than $313,000 annually, which would pay for the project in 6.5 years. A formal audit conducted by the hospital also found that the improvements will positively impact the environment of care for patients and staff while decreasing power consumption by 19 percent.

The hospital will formally launch the infrastructure improvement project with a ceremony and reception on Thursday, June 18 at 1:30 p.m. in the main lobby of Passavant Area Hospital, 1600 West Walnut in Jacksonville, Ill.

 

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than doubling its online high-tech graduate degrees this fall, Polytechnic Institute of New York University will add 8 new programs to the 7 currently online in its newly launched e-learning unit, NYU-ePoly (www.poly.edu/epoly). With new executive programs offered by Poly's Enterprise Learning (www.poly.edu/enterprise) in sustainability, clean energy, technical communications, and technical leadership, altogether 20 online programs will be delivered this fall.

Stepping up virtual classes dramatically, NYU-ePoly will offer new online master's degrees in computer engineering, cyber security, wireless innovation, manufacturing and industrial engineering. New online graduate certificates in bioinformatics, power systems, and computer engineering are also being added. Online master's in bioinformatics, electrical engineering, telecommunications, and organizational behavior will continue this fall.

"Students all over the world are eager to enter exciting growth fields," remarked NYU-Poly's Provost Dianne Rekow, "They will now have access to in-demand and on-demand management, technology, and engineering programs taught online by our talented faculty."

 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A major real estate scandal is unfolding in Dubai as 500 angry unit buyers and investors in the $630 million Ebony Ivory Towers project demand a full government investigation of developer Al Fajer Properties and its agent Dynasty Zarooni Inc., according to Ebony Ivory Investors Group."

Misleading advertisements and press releases, overselling of non existing space and the missing down payments are among the buyers' documented complaints, according to Moses Oye, a British investor and spokesperson for the Al Fajer Properties Investors Group having investors from US, UK, Russia, Iran, India, Canada & Pakistan.

"We are calling on Dubai's Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and the Dubai Ruler's Court to investigate the developer, cancel the Ebony Ivory project and compel a refund of our $140 million in down payments," said Oye.

Oye cited a series of fake construction photographs that ran in a local newspaper in July 2008 with Al Fajer Properties logo. The photos showed a structure rising six floors above ground with the following caption: "Shot on location on 10th June 2008, Ebony Ivory, Jumeirah Lakes Towers."

In reality, the photos were taken at another Al Fajer site and currently there is only a hole in the ground at the Ebony Ivory project, according to Oye. "Had we known that Al Fajer Properties was presenting false and misleading photographs, we would never have invested in the development," he said. "In fact, some investors have already filed criminal cases for misrepresentation with the Dubai Public Prosecutor."

 

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Building on its leadership position in the delivery of sustainable property solutions, Lend Lease today announced a supply agreement with First Solar, Inc.,(Nasdaq:FSLR) one of the world’s leading solar technology providers. Lend Lease's project management and construction business, Bovis Lend Lease, has signed a contract with First Solar for the supply of 10 megawatts (MW) of solar panels.

Lend Lease is looking to leverage this relationship across its Australian construction business, as well as its existing development portfolio.

Tony Costantino, Bovis Lend Lease's Australian CEO, said this relationship is a significant step forward in the provision of solar technology not only for Lend Lease but also Australia.

"We are pleased to be working with First Solar, one of the leading solar companies, and to be entering the solar procurement market. This relationship allows us to meet the growing demands in renewable energy for our clients and ensures that solar energy is a consideration on every project. We look forward to working together on future opportunities."

Solar energy is the most readily available form of renewable energy in Australia and First Solar's innovative technology provides access to this abundant resource via the most cost-effective form of photovoltaic (PV) technology available in today's market.

 

TAMPA, Fla., June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Public awareness of the health risks of industry-related noise pollution has never been higher. Industrial plants worldwide are incorporating serious sound abatement strategies into their infrastructure to protect employees and visitors from hearing loss and other medical issues raised by industrial noise pollution.

When supervisors at the South Broward Waste to Energy (WTE) plant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida were faced with a 30-day project to overhaul the plant's turbine, it was determined that the plant's steam bypass system would take over the turbine's waste management responsibilities 24-hours a day for one full month.

The problem with such a transition was the unbearable blare of the bypass system, which channels 900 psi of compressed steam through a 14-inch line and into a 7-foot diameter pipe at a noise level of 126 dB - somewhere between the sounds of an adjacent pneumatic riveter and a jet engine launch.

The noise was so deafening that even with earplugs, employees and visiting contractors could not spend more than brief periods of time in the vicinity without risking hearing damage. Verbal communication was impossible, even if they shouted, while working on or around the system.

 

Shifts HVAC Energy Demands from Day to Night, Reducing the Demand on the Grid

FAIR LAWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CALMAC, a leader in energy storage systems, announced its participation in an energy retrofit project at the City of Encinitas Civic Center that will reduce the center's utility bill by 74 percent. As part of the city's Energy Efficiency Improvements Project, CALMAC provided three IceBank(R) Energy Storage tanks to help the center towards their goal of reducing utility costs and energy consumption. By storing ice at night, when utility rates are far less expensive, CALMAC's IceBank allows the civic center to reduce cooling costs and minimize its effect on the energy grid by shifting energy demands from day to night.

CALMAC's involvement in the project began when Xnergy, an engineering, construction and alternative energy leader, proposed the project to the city council and selected CALMAC to help provide cooling to the civic center. Apart from CALMAC's IceBank tanks, the project also includes alternative measures to reduce the civic center's energy use, including solar panels (photovoltaic), natural lighting and lighting controls. Facilitated by the CALMAC tanks, the civic center's greatest cost savings came from shifting the electrical demand from on-peak to off-peak periods.

 

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- CertainTeed Gypsum is pleased to announce its ProRoc(R) Moisture and Mold Resistant Gypsum Board with M2Tech(TM) and ProRoc(R) LITE Sand Setting Compounds recently achieved GREENGUARD(R) Indoor Air Quality Certified(R) and GREENGUARD Children & Schools SM Certification. The company is the first to offer GREENGUARD-certified finishing compound and moisture-resistant gypsum board in both the U.S. and Canada.

"Achieving GREENGUARD certification reaffirms CertainTeed's commitment to manufacturing sustainable building products throughout North America," says Doug Gehring, director of marketing technical services for CertainTeed Gypsum. "Building professionals can be confident that the materials available through CertainTeed Gypsum meet the stringent indoor air quality certifications for both residential and commercial projects."

 

SAN DIEGO, June 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2009, architect Richard Gage, AIA, will give his 100th talk on behalf of more than 640 architects and engineers who cite evidence of explosive demolition as the cause for collapse of the three World Trade Center buildings on 9/11. After careful examination of forensics data inconsistent with the official account, these professionals are calling for a new, independent investigation into the 9/11 atrocities.

A practicing architect for more than 20 years, Gage is the founder of Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth (AE911Truth). Comprised of more than 3,600 petition-signers, members, architects and engineers, the organization contends at its Web site, AE911Truth.org, that the official FEMA and NIST reports provide insufficient evidence to explain the towers' destruction. AE911Truth points in particular to the destruction of the third high-rise, World Trade Center 7, which was not hit by an aircraft yet came down in less than seven seconds. The group bases its conclusions solely on forensic evidence and does not engage in conspiracy theories or in assigning blame for the destruction.

 

Apartment Industry's First iPhone App Recognized as Top 20, Free Utility App

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apartment Guide, a leading resource for apartment searches nationwide, today announced that its free iPhone application, which gives users the ability to search, view, call and e-mail apartment listings directly from their iPhone or iPod touch, has reached over 230,000 downloads. The initial launch, in October 2008, stood as an apartment industry first. Since that time, the Apartment Guide app has been listed as a top 20, free utility app and featured in one of Apple's iPhone television commercials.

"The number of times our Apartment Guide iPhone app has been downloaded is indicative of people wanting to be able to search for a place to live anytime, anywhere," said Arlene Mayfield, president, Apartment Guide. "As the first in our industry to launch an apartment app, we will continue to meet consumer demand and push innovation in mobile. Further, with our newly enhanced version of the app, it's easier than ever for consumers to research available apartments and local communities and view property photos while on-the-go."

In March 2009, Apartment Guide released an enhanced version of its iPhone app with better search logic and an additional 30,000 apartment listings across the U.S. It continually monitors consumer feedback to improve user experience and plans to issue a completely updated app in June 2009 to include features requested from our users such as advance search, mapping and sorting functionality.

 

Aerojet Project Will Be One of the Largest Industrial Installations in the U.S.

ROSEVILLE, Calif. & SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY) company, and Solar Power, Inc. ("SPI") (OTCBB:SOPW) announced jointly today that they have entered into an agreement to build a 3.5 megawatt solar system at Aerojet's Sacramento, California facility. The site is located within the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD).

This is the first solar system Aerojet has installed and it is a significant part of the company's environmental and sustainability initiatives. During its first year of use, the Aerojet system is expected to offset approximately 4,200 tons of carbon dioxide, 16.7 tons of sulfur dioxide and approximately 6.5 tons of nitrogen oxide that would have otherwise been produced using fossil fuel power production. The first-year net clean energy benefits equate to offsetting approximately 8,270,000 car miles driven or the clean air benefits realized from planting 976,520 trees. With a system life expectancy of 25 years, the cumulative life-cycle environmental offsets for a system of this scope are significant.

 

MECHANICSBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Charter Homes & Neighborhoods announced that it will create a 1.5-acre TerraPark(R) natural playground, in its Mechanicsburg (PA) Walden neighborhood, as part of the 9.5 acre Walden Woods. It is the first of its kind to be built as part of a new-home neighborhood and the first in Pennsylvania. It will open for play in September, 2009.

Natural playgrounds are designed to provide opportunities for kids to climb trees, roll down hills, scramble up rocks, listen to the wind, track animals, make mud pies, dam-up water, hide in the grass, build forts and invent new games. Unlike manufactured playgrounds, kids actually play in these miniature natural landscapes, which look and feel as if they've been there forever.

A TerraPark, exclusive to Charter Homes & Neighborhoods, is a natural playground that combines landscape elements, sun paths, weather patterns, drainage courses, plant groupings and other site features with natural materials, structures, and features to create safe, accessible, age-appropriate natural play areas. Walden Woods has been incorporated into the Walden plan since early on. It is the main focus of neighborhood activities and provides significant public, outdoor space, that enriches the lives of people who live in Walden.

 

City Deploys Verdiem PC Power Management Software and Reduces Energy Costs by More Than 35 Percent

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of The City of Seattle's nationally recognized initiatives and leadership in addressing global warming, the City of Seattle and Verdiem, Inc. today announced the results of the City's deployment of Verdiem's SURVEYOR(TM) PC Power Management Software. Since implementing SURVEYOR's PC power management enforcement policies to more than eight thousand City PCs, the City of Seattle has reduced PC energy consumption by more than 35 percent.

"The City of Seattle has set an ambitious agenda to address climate change and the results we are achieving with Seattle-based Verdiem in reducing the City's PC energy consumption demonstrate, in a very tangible way, how we can collectively save on energy costs and protect our planet," said Seattle's Mayor Nickels.

Mayor Greg Nickels is nationally recognized for his leadership in setting an ambitious agenda for climate protection. On February 16, 2005, in conjunction with the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol – the international agreement to address climate disruption -- Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels launched the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to advance the goals of the Kyoto Protocol through leadership and action. Two years later, The U.S. Conference of Mayors launched the Mayors Climate Protection Center to administer and track the agreement and by November 1, 2007, there were more than 710 signatories to the Agreement. In 2008, Mayor Nickels also championed a resolution establishing city priorities in a federal cap-and-trade system that embraced 80 percent reductions of global warming pollution from 1990 levels by 2050 as the appropriate and necessary national goal, and urged the federal government to act quickly to enact cap-and-trade legislation.

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At an agenda-packed monthly meeting, the California High-Speed Rail Authority Board recognized former state legislator Richard Katz and union business manager Russell Burns as two newly appointed members, and David Crane as returning member of the board, which is responsible for oversight of the development of the state's 800-mile high-speed train system.

David Crane, 55, of San Francisco, was reappointed to the board by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Crane has served on the authority since 2007. He is a special advisor to the Governor for jobs and economic growth and is also a member of the California Economic Development Commission.

Richard Katz, 58, of Sherman Oaks, was appointed to the Authority Board by Governor Schwarzenegger. Since 1997, he has served as a private economic consultant based in Los Angeles. He is Director of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and he served for 16 years in the state legislature beginning in 1980. Katz was a senior advisor to Governor Gray Davis for energy and water.

Russ Burns, business manager of Operating Engineers Local 3, was appointed to the Authority Board by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass. He previously served on the Cal-OSHA Standards Board Subcommittee for Certification of Crane Operators. A third-generation operating engineer and Local 3 member, Burns started his career as a crane operator on a variety of high rises, bridges, refineries and large treatment plants throughout Northern California and Reno, NV.

 

Tozour Energy Systems and Sofame Technologies Partner for Groundbreaking Installation

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tozour Energy Systems, Inc. a full-service HVAC and building automation provider, and Sofame Technologies Inc. (TSX-V:SDW), a leading manufacturer of commercial-industrial heat recovery equipment, have been selected for the boiler plant energy reduction project at Capital Health System's Fuld hospital in Trenton, NJ.

The impact of this project on the city of Trenton will be significant. By installing a customized, high-efficiency steam pump in its boiler plant, the hospital will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 1,276 tons of CO2, or the equivalent of 281 cars removed from daily use on Trenton's roads.

In addition, the boiler plant updates will reduce fuel consumption by 25 percent, saving the hospital a substantial amount per year on energy bills. This will allow Capital Health to use the savings toward other facility improvements that will benefit patients at the 269-bed hospital.

"Through this project and other sustainability initiatives, Capital Health's Fuld hospital is reducing its carbon footprint and making a positive contribution to the city's public health," said Greg D'Adamo, vice president of Support Services at Capital Health.

Kevin Duffy, COO of Tozour Energy Systems, said "As part of our sustainable building value proposition, this project's goal is to help Capital Health improve the energy efficiency of its boiler plant while reducing the hospital's impact on the environment."

"Sofame is proud to work with Tozour Energy Systems on our first hospital installation in the United States. Together, our work will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the city of Trenton," said John Gocek, COO of Sofame Technologies Inc.

 

Reverse Auction/eProcurement Provider Promotes Competition, Saves Taxpayer Dollars

LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- BidBridge, an eProcurement services provider for the public and private sectors, today announced that a recent construction bid performed on behalf of the city of Norton, OH concluded by saving 14.5 percent versus Norton's budget and logged a separation of .17 percent between first and second place suppliers - a strong indicator the city purchased services at near market value.

BidBridge facilitates a secure, real-time electronic sealed bid platform that allows suppliers to place multiple bids, replacing the public sector's traditional process of a one price per supplier response. In this event, the suppliers placed a total of 207 bids over the course of the two hour event, with first place changing hands 108 times. The bid took place on April 30 between five competing construction companies.

"In this instance, Norton's relationship with BidBridge saved the city close to $200,000," said Rick Ryland, City Administrator for Norton. "With BidBridge, the city of Norton has been able to allocate money more efficiently, allowing us to effectively undertake several large construction projects."

 

NEW YORK, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- McGraw-Hill Construction's Engineering News-Record (ENR) and the Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) will bring together construction industry leaders at the third annual ENR-CURT Construction Business Forum on June 9-10, 2009, at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA, to discuss "Embracing Change: The Impact of the New Administration on Construction."

At the Forum, owners, contractors, construction managers, engineers, architects, and equipment and building product manufacturers will examine the business impact of economic uncertainties, the stimulus package, the changing regulatory landscape, workforce issues, global events and more. A high-level panel on how associations are affecting public policy includes CEOs and executive directors from the Business Roundtable, the Associated General Contractors of America, the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Associated Builders and Contractors. A panel of energy sector leaders will address updating the nation's energy infrastructure, and Robert Murray, vice president of economic affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction, will share updated facts and figures from McGraw-Hill Construction's 2009 Construction Outlook, which projects U.S. construction start activity for the rest of 2009.the efficiency of crystalline silicon solar cells and at commercializing the new technology quickly on our production lines."