Green

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics is promoting its Green Glue Noiseproofing System as a tool to prevent noise issues throughout the building cycle.

The company said the ability to specify the LEED-certified Green Glue Noiseproofing System at the start can prevent noise issues later in the project.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Panasonic Eco Solutions North America as a 2014 Energy Star Partner of the Year -- Sustained Excellence Award.

Panasonic's energy-efficient ventilation fans are the star of the day, which Panasonic assures will meet designed airflow requirements when installed, providing ventilation verification assurance. At up to 23.3 CFM/Watt, the fans have the highest efficacy of any Energy Star-rated ventilation fan.

Siemens Industry, in collaboration with the Green Seal organization, has published a guide for public housing owners and operators to help them reduce the use of energy, water and toxic chemicals. Called "Green Building Operations and Maintenance Manual: A Guide for Public Housing Authorities," the publication is now available free online by clicking here. 

Dow Building Solutions announced a deal with Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) to promote improved home energy performance in the United States.

The two companies strive to accomplish this goal by encouraging building industry professionals to become trained and certified as RESNET EnergySmart Contractors or Builders. RESNET is an independent, non-profit organization that was founded to help homeowners reduce the cost of their utility bills by making their homes more energy efficient.

An article in the Columbus Dispatch reported that a new herbicide is suspected of killing thousands of trees in a problem that's causing havoc among nursery companies.

The name of the suspected herbicide is Imprelis. It was introduced in the market by DuPont last fall and is used by lawn-care companies. The newspaper reported that about 75% of Ohio landscapers and golf course superintendents used Imprelis this year. 

In 2011, Westlake Ace Hardware took top honors as Home Channel News "Retailer of the Year." The Lenexa, Kan.-based 88-store retail company has successfully planned and executed a customer service initiative and re-established its mission to serve the needs of project-oriented DIYers through a program called Project North Star. 

Here are the recent HCN Retailers of the Year:

Title 24: Another ‘goofy’ California energy regulation? Maybe. Maybe not.

According to an article in the Washington Post, there are certain drawbacks to expanding ethanol content in gasoline to produce E15.

If consumers use the increased-ethanol-content gasoline for their outdoor power equipment -- even though they are not supposed to -- it could cause damage or dangerous conditions.