Utilities’ Cost of Adding Energy Efficiency Continues to Drop

Increasing total energy capacity by adding energy efficiency measures continues to be cheaper than adding new sources of electricity, such as conventional coal-fired plants. A new report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) shows the benefits of utility costs of saved energy (CSE), or the act of using utility ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs to increase efficiency, and thus effectively add more electrical capacity to the system. More     More

Facilities America: Two Days of Education + AFE Chapter Awards!

Featuring over 20 educational tracks focused on technical issues and sustainability topics for facilities professionals. Learn about the latest technologies, best practices, products and services for optimum facilities operations. AFE Chapter Awards will be presented on Friday, Oct. 30! More

GE Grabs Gearless Wind Turbines

With a new purchase, GE is betting on an early-stage turbine technology that could make offshore wind farms cheaper to maintain. The acquisition of ScanWind, based in Trondheim, Norway, has also secured GE a foothold in the growing offshore wind energy market. MoreMore

Iconic Mexican Skyscraper to House Hotel

Mexico City’s iconic skyscraper, Torre Latinoamericana, built in the mid-20th century, will undergo a complete makeover to house a hotel by the year 2010 that will occupy 20 of its 44 stories, sources close to the project told Efe. MoreMore

New AFE Webinar October 13: Maintenance Metrics

This session, presented by the AFE Maintenance Council, will cover typical maintenance metrics and how to use those metrics to drive success. Included is understanding how to use and present meaningful metrics to the entire organization in order to drive reliability. Tuesday, October 13, 2009 from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. More

Greening America's Schools

The USGBC has kicked off the third year of its highly successful National Green Schools Campaign with the launch of the Coalition for Green Schools, the latest move in the effort to make U.S. campuses more energy effiicient and healthier. More

Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) Online and Classroom Review Classes Now Scheduled!

Online CPE Review: Join instructor Jim Taylor of Machinery Management Solutions for an extended review of the CPE Review Pack. This online class is double the instruction time of the traditional week-long review to allow working professionals to dedicate the appropriate time to prepare. Classes will be held from 12-2 EST. Traditional Classroom Review: To be held Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, 2009 in Eastern Massachusetts. For the schedule, pricing and registration, please click here. or contact Carol Lawrence at (571) 203-7238 or CLawrence@AFE.org.More

Beijing in Pledge to Spur Energy Efficiency

China pledged to substantially improve the energy efficiency of its factories, homes and power plants in a bid to make headway in the stalled United Nations climate change talks. MoreMore

Take the AFE Benchmarking Survey

AFE is researching a benchmarking tool to offer as part of a member benefits package and we need your feedback! This benchmarking tool will help you identify the cost and consumption metrics for your facility, and then provide comparisons for similar facilities. Based on the comparison, you will be able to identify the best way for you to improve your metrics. AFE needs to know what areas are most important for you to track - Utility consumption? Maintenance? Custodial/Security? Operating Expenses? Sustainability? To take the survey, please click here.More

Ancient Church Renovated into Modern Bookstore

Whether you’re religious or not, this old Dominican church will certainly bring you the enlightenment you’ve been seeking. After months of renovation this magnificent structure originally constructed in 1294 has opened its doors to the public as a “brand new” bookstore in the heart of Maastricht. A superb example of adaptive re-use, the Selexyz Dominicanen infuses rich and historic architecture with plentiful shelves ripe with information. More