A new study casts doubt on whether the target energy-efficiency reductions often cited in legislation and other calls for mandatory reductions are economically feasible. The study, released by Herndon, Va.-based NAIOP, a commercial real estate development association, found that although significant energy efficiencies can be achieved, reaching a 30% reduction above the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers’ 90.1-2004 standard is "not feasible" and would exceed a 10-year payback. The standard is usually the benchmark cited by lawmakers and other officials. The study, conducted by ConSol, a California-based energy-modeling firm, used a building energy-simulation program to compare

For years, a higher-speed rail route between Chicago and St. Louis "has been a construction season or two away from reality," says Rick Harnish, executive director of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association. Pleasantly surprised by the $8-billion pot created in the final stimulus package for high-speed rail, he says, "Hopefully this will put it over the edge." Photo: California High Speed Rail Authority High-speed rail projects get $8 billion, up from zero in the House version of the bill. High-speed rail is the surprise winner in the $787-billion package, which includes $48 billion for transportation infrastructure. "It was a

Renewable energy is the big energy industry winner in the stimulus bill signed into law on Feb. 17. By ENR’s estimate, the new law provides $30.6 billion in energy-related spending and tax incentives. But a provision for $50 billion in federal loan guarantees to build new nuclear power plants was dropped from the bill that emerged from the conference reconciling the House and Senate versions. Ties That Bind. Bill aims to stimulate smart-grid development but doesn’t focus on projects. While welcome, cash, tax credits and loan guarantees may not be what’s most needed. “The renewable-energy industry is doing fairly well,

Each year from 1998 to 2004, 59,000 acres of coastal wetlands were lost in the eastern United States, says a new report, "Status and Trends of Wetlands in the Coastal Watersheds of the Eastern United States", from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. More than half of the U.S. population lives in coastal counties in densities five times greater than inland counties, says the report. The construction of roads and buildings has accelerated wetlands loss, particularly along the Gulf of Mexico. A case study from Florida illustrates the challenges of restoring coastal wetlands,

Industry sources describe the funds provided in the final stimulus package for the environmental sector as a good start that could help the Obama administration meet its goal of jumpstarting the economy by creating and saving more jobs. But they acknowledge that the $20.6 billion allocated for environmental projects ranging from water and wastewater infrastructure to levees, Superfund and Dept. of Energy nuclear cleanup falls far short of what is needed to address current and long-term needs. Photo: AP/Wideworld While the Corps received $6.4 billion, some say that is not enough. More flexibility has been provided to states in some

Cement scientist Brent Constantz wants concrete to be the "hero" that cleans up dirty coal. "The reality is, coal is not going away," he says. "We need to meet the world’s power demands without emitting more carbon." His answer? A new type of concrete that sequesters carbon without disturbing its traditional binder: portland cement. Slide Show Illustration: Calera Corp. How the Calera Process Works Photo: Tudor Van Hampton / ENR In Las Vegas, Constantz said he can use aggregate to store carbon in concrete. This past summer, the Stanford University professor’s Los Gatos, Calif.-based startup, Calera Corp., began making cement

Members of the International Code Council are all over the map about the revamped model code development process announced by the publisher of the widely adopted International Building Code and a dozen other model codes. Many greet the change with open arms, saying it will streamline the process. Others think the new process will stifle innovation, reduce the quality of the codes and allow special interests to more easily hijack the development process. The biggest change is that there will be one complete code development cycle every three years instead of two. A consequence of that is elimination of the

In an effort to move forward quickly with stimulus funds, federal agencies targeted to receive construction funds for buildings will focus heavily on greening existing inventory and pushing projects with designs in place. While the specific definition of "shovel-ready" remains uncertain, it’s clear from the bill that speed is the order of the day. The General Services Administration will see $5.55 billion in funds from the bill with a major emphasis placed on green building. As a result, projects that upgrade existing facilities will trump new construction. While $750 million would go to federal buildings, such as U.S. courthouses, and

A structural designer may soon be selected for a planned 50-m-tall representation of a white horse, which, if realized, would be taller than the Statue of Liberty, sans pedestal. The horse, if constructed, would “overlook” the London-Channel Tunnel Railroad and a new real estate development in Kent, 30 km east of London. The nonprofit Ebbsfleet Landmark Project Ltd. recently chose artist Mark Wallinger’s horse concept and has committed $1.5 million to advance the project through design. Futurecity Ltd., London, is managing implementation, including selection of a structural firm. Photo: Ebbs Fleet

Bart Ney gets concerned calls from people just about every day. They see the steel trusses starting to cross San Francisco Bay between Yerba Buena Island to the west and the new 1.2-mile-long precast concrete Skyway to the east, alongside the existing eastern steel truss span of the old Bay Bridge. They wonder why the trusses don’t look at all like the striking self anchored assymetrical suspension span they saw in the renderings. Slide Show Susan Lohwasser / ENR A temporary bridge will take shape this year to carry segments of new self-anchored suspension span until cable arrives. Related Links: