Cement multinationals endorse Climate Convention carbon-reporting codification

Sources: World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Geneva; CP staff

WBCSD Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) members concur with formal adoption of the United Nations-crafted Paris Agreement, under which signatory countries pursue long-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures. A threshold crossed last month—where more than 50 percent of signatories took official action toward commitments affirmed at the December 2015 Conference of Parties in Paris—triggered a November 5 commencement of GHG management protocols.

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Groups scribe energy efficiency standard in building investor, owner terms

Sources: Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI); CP staff

The U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Business Certification affiliate is teaming with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to develop, deliver and promote the Investor Confidence Project (ICP) as the premier global underwriting standard for energy efficiency projects, primarily in building retrofits. ICP will join GBCI’s portfolio of credentials and certifications, topped by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building rating system.

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Empowered employees help Titan America mark a decade in EPA Energy Star ranks

Titan America’s Roanoke Cement in Virginia has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification for a tenth consecutive year, while sister Pennsuco operation in Florida marks nine years of certification. To qualify for Energy Star, plants must perform in the top 25 percent of cement mills nationwide for total energy efficiency (thermal and electrical) and meet strict EPA performance levels.

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MANUFACTURERS – August 2014

Ryan Suszek

Ryan Suszek has been named Besser Co. director of Pipe and Precast, succeeding Tom Schmidt, who retired last month. Suszek joined Besser in 2005 as a financial analyst and was soon promoted to Pipe and Precast unit controller. Schmidt joined (pre-Besser) Quinn Machinery and Foundry in 1992, progressing in Finance department positions to a 2005 appointment as treasurer; he was appointed Pipe and Precast director five years later, with responsibilities for Sioux City and Boone, Iowa, operations.

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Oldcastle Architectural times insulated wall system launch with AIA Convention

Source: Oldcastle Architectural, Atlanta; CP staff

InsulTech, a completely insulated concrete masonry unit (ICMU) wall assembly offering energy efficiency and moisture management performance benefits, coupled with standard installation assurances, leads new offerings Oldcastle Architectural will bring to the American Institute of Architects 2014 Convention and Expo, June 26-28 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

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Lafarge eyes $60M prairie province precast capacity upgrade

Lafarge eyes $60M prairie province precast capacity upgrade

Growing demand in energy, infrastructure, commercial and residential markets is driving Lafarge Canada’s planned doubling of output capability at its Edmonton precast operation, enclosure groundbreaking and equipment delivery scheduled for 2014. An investment upward of $60 million will see the addition of plant automation technology, including robotics and full-scale computer-aided design and fabrication.

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BIG CITY MAYORS EMBRACE ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS

City Energy Project (CEP), a Natural Resources Defense Council and Institute for Market Transformation initiative

Recognizing resources consumed over buildings’ operating life cycles, mayors from 10 major U.S. cities will undertake an effort to significantly boost energy efficiency in new and existing facilities. Supporters contend such measures could cut as much climate change pollution as generated by 1 million to 1.5 million passenger vehicles every year, and lower annual energy costs by nearly $1 billion.

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