Companies More Likely Than Ever to Invest in Efficiency Retrofits, Study Says

Seventy-four percent of corporate real estate executives now say they would be willing to pay a premium to retrofit the office space they own to achieve sustainability goals, a new survey has found. More     More

Facilities Engineering Journal Now Online

The electronic edition of Facilities Engineering Journal, Nov/Dec 2009, is now available! This issue focuses on the financial impact of equipment inventories; reasons for renting equipment over buying; averting common causes of generator failure; a first-person perspective from an AFE Member, and much more.      Philadelphia's Comcast Center is the Tallest LEED Certified Building in the U.S. from Green DiaryWhile Taipei 101 was anticipated to be the world's tallest green building, Philadelphia's Comcast Center has emerged to the fore to take home that laurel. Though it's not the world's tallest, it still earned a Gold certification for LEED-CS (Core & Shell) and became the tallest LEED certified building in the U.S. MoreMore

AFE Corporate Partners Support Facilities Engineering Education

AFE’s Global Technical Partners play a direct and significant role in promoting the personal and professional success of AFE members. Their support allows AFE to offer ongoing training and education, certification courses and other valuable technical resources AFE members need to deal with everyday issues on the job. Not surprisingly, the majority of AFE members and certified professionals indicate they’re more likely to do business with an AFE Global Technical Partner than their competitors. To learn how to become an AFE Global Technical Partner and reach more than 40,000 facilities professionals, please contact Jane Jacobs at JJacobs@AFE.org or (571) 203-7235. Building Surge in Emerging Markets Tipped from The Financial Times AConstruction output in emerging markets will overtake the developed world within a decade, with China expected to outstrip both Europe and the U.S. by 2018, according to a new report. Spain, where a construction bubble burst along with the global financial crisis, will see output decline on average between now and 2014. 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. 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

Britain Looks to Nuclear Energy Future

The British government has announced a massive expansion of the country's nuclear energy capabilities. Energy and Climate Secretary Ed Miliband says 10 new nuclear energy sites will be built across the United Kingdom, providing up to 40 percent of the country's electricity needs by 2025. The government says its new energy plans have as much to do with tackling climate change as they do with making sure the country's lights do not go out. MoreMore

Benchmarking for Your Facility

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

India's Barefoot Solar Engineers are Building a Brighter Future

Throughout India there are many rural villages that are completely removed from the grid. With no source of power for cooking, light and heating, they currently must rely on firewood, kerosene or diesel for fuel. Now green jobs are blossoming throughout these remote areas as the Orissa Tribal Empowerment & Livelihoods Programme trains women and youth to become barefoot solar engineers. This initiative provides a bright future for the semi-literate and illiterate rural poor by teaching them to harness the sun through the construction of photovoltaic systems and solar powered lanterns. MoreMore