CTTransit Signs Contract for New Fuel to Power Buses and Heat Buildings

Hartford, Conn., Nov. 27— Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that CTTransit, the Department of Transportation-owned bus service, has signed a contract for fuel that is a blend of ultra-low sulfur diesel and bio-diesel. About 3.5 million gallons of this fuel will be used over the next year. In addition, the fuel will be blended with heating oil to fire the boilers that heat CTTransit buildings.

DOT Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter said that the use of bio-diesel fuel helps “ensure Connecticut’s position as a leader in ‘green’ public transportation.”

Bio-diesel fuel can be used in any truck, bus or other vehicle that uses diesel fuel. Connecticut began using bio-diesel fuel in 2000 and the Department of Transportation (DOT) operates 70 fuel stations around the state dispensing bio-diesel, as well as regular diesel, E-85 ethanol and unleaded gasoline. Nine of the stations have only bio-diesel fuel. They are in Danbury, Darien, Milford, Old Saybrook, Putnam, Trumbull, West Willington, Winchester and Windsor.

The one-millionth gallon of bio-diesel was pumped in September. Bio-diesel, or B-20 fuel, is a blend of 80 percent diesel and 20 percent virgin soy. The biggest consumers under the current contract are the DOT, and the Departments of Correction and Environmental Protection.

Bio-diesel fuel offers reduced emissions when compared to diesel alone. As a fuel for buses, it also improves “lubricity,” which is needed because CTTransit operates buses with advanced technology engines that require fuel with a higher lubrication level. In addition, it requires very few, if any, modifications to standard diesel equipment.

CTTransit Assistant General Manager of Maintenance Stephen Warren said, “A bus running on ultra-low sulfur diesel with a diesel particulate filter is as clean as any transit bus that can be purchased today. The benefits of using bio-diesel are numerous and it has virtually no downside.”

Source: Press Release - Office of Governor M. Jodi Rell

2010 World Expo To Include Otis' Innovative 'Green' Technology

Farmington, Conn., Nov. 25 — Otis Elevator Company, a unit of United Technologies Corp. , will supply and install 74 elevators with energy-efficient ReGen(TM) drives for Section B of Shanghai World Expo Village, a major infrastructure project for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China. The World Expo is a global exhibition for new inventions, cultural exchanges and nation branding.

The World Expo Village, located on a 5.28-square kilometer tract in the northeast corner of Shanghai's Pudong District, will provide lodging, offices, food and other services to 10,000 Expo workers. The Expo will feature 28 Gen2(R) machine-roomless systems and 46 SKY elevator systems in 18 buildings that range from four to 12 stories.

"Otis was founded and continues to thrive on the spirit of innovation," said Otis President Ari Bousbib. "We are proud to showcase Otis' leading environmentally responsible technology, further expanding upon our commitment to sustainable development worldwide."

The Gen2 and SKY systems incorporate gearless permanent magnet motors and ReGen drives to reduce energy usage by up to 75 percent compared to geared machines with non-regenerative drives. ReGen drives draw energy from a fully loaded descending elevator or lightly loaded ascending car, convert it to electricity and return it to a building's power grid for reuse. The Gen2 elevator system with its unique patented flat, polyurethane-coated steel belt requires no additional lubrication, making it more efficient and cleaner for the environment.

Otis Elevator Company is the world's largest manufacturer and maintainer of people-moving products including elevators, escalators and moving walkways. With headquarters in Farmington, Connecticut, Otis employs 62,000 people, offers products and services in more than 200 countries and territories and maintains 1.6 million elevators and escalators worldwide. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries.

Source: Otis Elevator

SUBWAY Chain Becoming More Environmentally Friendly

Milford, Conn., Nov. 18 — The SUBWAY restaurant chain has made a commitment to have its restaurants and operations become more environmentally friendly.

In collaboration with the U.S. Green Building Council, the first SUBWAY Eco-Store in Kissimmee, Florida, opened on November 5th. Elements of the Eco-Store include high efficiency HVAC systems, remote condensing units for refrigeration and ice making equipment, day lighting and controls for high efficiency lighting, LED interior and exterior signs, low flow water fixtures, and building and décor materials from sustainable sources. There is also an extensive use of recycled products and furnishings in the restaurant's construction and an increased emphasis on recycling in customer areas.

Another step the brand has taken is in a number of packaging initiatives, including one that now sees the SUBWAY brand using paper napkins that are made from 100 percent recycled materials – of which 60 percent are post-consumer recyclables.

"We have made a commitment as a brand to become even more environmentally accountable," said Bill Schettini, Chief Marketing Officer for the SUBWAY chain. "With more locations in the United States than any other restaurant chain, and more than 28,400 worldwide, we are in a position to make a significant and positive global impact on the environment and the world around us."

The initiative is also realizing a cost savings for its thousands of franchisees. Working in partnership with the franchisee-controlled Independent Purchasing Cooperative (IPC), which sources product and negotiates contracts for SUBWAY franchisees, brand representatives are reviewing everything from materials used in disposable gloves to the locations of product distribution centers. There are many product packaging and distribution initiatives under consideration.

Read more about the other eco steps the SUBWAY brand has taken.

About the SUBWAY® Chain:

The SUBWAY® restaurant chain is the world's largest submarine sandwich franchise, with more than 28,400 locations in 86 countries. Headquartered in Milford, Connecticut, and with regional offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Brisbane, Miami, and Singapore, the SUBWAY® chain was co-founded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965.

The SUBWAY® brand was ranked the number one franchise opportunity in Entrepreneur magazine's 2007 "Annual Franchise 500-" listing - the 15th time in 20 years that the chain has achieved this honor.

For more information about the SUBWAY® chain, visit www.subway.com. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor's Associates Inc.

Source: Franchising.com

Stamford Creates Energy District

Stamford, Conn., Nov. 12 — The Board of Representatives has passed legislation creating an Energy Improvement District for downtown, South End and portions of Shippan. It allows large power users, such as office buildings and apartment buildings, to band together to generate their own more reliable source of electricity on a microgrid.

Proponents say it's more economical than traditional power generation methods because users can recapture waste heat generated during the production of electricity to heat and cool the buildings. Users in the district would remain connected to the main power grid as a backup.

"The idea is to have larger users of power in Stamford, as we do downtown, join in a formal organization of their own to make their own power," said city Rep. Paul Esposito, D-4, chairman of the board's State and Commerce Committee. "No. 1 it's cheaper; No. 2 it's here. Part of the problem with CL&P is the transmission issue - getting the power from where it is to downtown."

Stamford Director of Economic Development Michael Freimuth said concerns about the reliability of energy in lower Fairfield County were heightened by major blackouts in recent summers. Power generation has become more important to businesses than taxes, transportation, the price of real state, and even the talent pool in the labor force, Freimuth said.

"It's become a primary concern of businesses that are coming here and those wishing to stay here," he said.

He wonders how many times companies cross Stamford off their list of places to move because of concerns about power, Freimuth said.

"Energy is a critical, critical issue in business relocation decisions," he said.

Participants can sell excess power they generate to other property owners.

"We can sell to the grid, frankly, because the grid does not have enough power," Freimuth said.

The city plans to build the first microgrid at the Stamford Government Center as part of Mayor Dannel Malloy's Stamford Cool & Green 2020 plan. The city might power adjacent Stamford Housing Authority buildings with the same system, Freimuth said.

The city hired Pareto Energy Ltd. of Washington, D.C., to set up and manage the district. The company will assist with the financing of the project by arranging the sale of municipal bonds to pay for the initial capital investment.

Stamford is believed to be the second town in Connecticut to take advantage of new state legislation allowing such districts.

Pareto also is working with Ansonia, which is using the energy improvement district to attract businesses for vacant manufacturing buildings, said Michael Scorrano, the company's director of business development.

Source: Stamford Advocate

Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Goes Green

Hartford, Conn., November 12 - The global law firm of Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge (EAPD) is going green and planning to relocate their Hartford, Connecticut office to 20 Church Street in the Spring of 2008.

EAPD’s new offices at 20 Church Street will be a block from its present location, but miles from typical law firm space. The design of its new quarters is intended to position EAPD at the forefront of modern office innovation by limiting the environmental impact of both the construction and operation of the facility. The project team is pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the United States Green Building Council and, if successful, will be one of fewer than 150 interior architecture projects nationwide, and one of the first law firm spaces to achieve this status.

"As our firm continues to grow in the Hartford market, it has become necessary for us to move to a location that can accommodate our growth," said Chuck Welsh, Partner-in-Charge of the Hartford Office. "We decided up front that it would be foolish for us to build space without considering the environment when doing so and that is why we decided to build ‘green’ space. We found architects who understood this desire and a management company who supported our efforts. It is exciting to also know that all this can be accomplished without compromising state-of-the-art office technology."

Led by Phil Olson of Alliance Architecture, the design team has worked closely with EAPD to promote the value of sustainable building practices. “The leadership of the firm realizes that ‘green’ is not only good for the environment, but can become a distinguishing aspect of their organizational culture,” said Olson. “We expect this new consciousness at EAPD towards sustainability will carry over into the Hartford business community as well into the lives of everyone at the firm.”

LEED Certification is achieved by earning points through the incorporation of sustainable materials, green construction methods and advanced energy/resource management systems into the new offices. According to Michelle Segree of Alliance Architecture, “EAPD will earn points towards certification in the LEED process by employing a range of new components:

* daylight sensors in perimeter offices to modulate lighting needs
* waterless urinals, low flow faucets and dual flush toilets
* end grain bamboo flooring
* bamboo plywood wall paneling and furniture
* recycled glass wall panels
* millwork substrates made from wheat and recycled paper
* countertops made from recycled concrete and glass
* minimization and separation of construction waste for recycling
* high-volume ventilation systems during construction
* water based adhesives, paints and coatings
* maximum post-consumer recycled content ceiling tile, carpet and fabrics
* low electricity consuming appliances and equipment
* materials and products that come from New England

In addition, the Hampshire Companies who own and operate 20 Church Street, plan to procure some of their electricity from green sources, strictly monitor electric consumption, provide racks for bicycle commuters and offer shuttle service from remote commuter parking lots to provide additional points towards EAPD’s LEED certification.

Source: Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge News Room

Stop & Shop to Participate In LEED Portfolio Pilot

Quincy, Mass, November 9 - The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company of Quincy, MA, and its sister company, Giant Food of Landover, MD, are participating in the US Green Building Council Portfolio Program pilot for LEED volume certification for existing buildings.

They are the only supermarket chains in the country to be involved.

“Our acceptance into this pilot, recognizes Stop & Shop and Giant’s strong environmental leadership and innovation and our early commitment to and success in developing and operating green and energy efficient stores,” said Stop & Shop and Giant president and CEO, Jose Alvarez.

The USGBC Portfolio Program is a pilot program that enables owners to integrate the LEED green building rating system into new and existing buildings in their company’s portfolio. Participants in the pilot program represent a cross section of market sectors, including institutional investors, financial institutions, hoteliers, retailers, higher education, governments and corporations. The USGBC Portfolio Pilot Program is currently closed and expects to be open to the market in 2008.

In July, Stop & Shop, which runs 389 stores in the Northeast, made its first REC buy, offsetting 100 percent of its electricity use at a new store in Kennebunk, Maine.

Source: www.environmentalleader.com

Max Fish To Be Green

Hartford Conn., November 6 - The Max Restaurant Group is opening up its newest restaurant in Glastonbury later this month. Max Fish when complete will be environmentally friendly. Among some of the green initiatives, they will bottle their own water on site.

Max President Richard Rosenthal says the group has been interested in going green for quite a while. Their newest restaurant was going to be the first to really go green. The Max Restaurant Group includes Max Amore, Max Downtown, Trumbull Kitchen, and Max's Oyster Bar.

Max Fish, located next to Max Amore in Glastonbury has several green features. Though the restaurant won't be completely green - they are taking steps to "green up". One of the more unique items is a water filtration system that will provide customers with water bottled on site, both carbonated and still. The bottles will be recycled and eliminate the need for bottles of water to be shipped in. Don't expect to find a Pelligrino or Pana at Max Fish. So how does this help the environment? Max Fish anticipates saving tens of thousands of bottles by taking outside bottled water off the menu. Less water to ship equals less emissions by trucks that deliver the water to the restaurant. Being able to recycle the bottles - will also make a difference.

Besides eliminating bottles of water, Max Fish will include new, more effifcient, dishwashers that use less water and save energy over conventional washers. In additional waterless urinals will save tens of thousands of gallons of water in the men's room.

Source: www.nbc30.com/goinggreenblog/