Green Tips
Virginia Wind Energy Update
The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that a joint venture between two renewable-energy firms could soon bring the development of one of the first offshore wind turbine testing facilities to Northampton County on the Eastern Shore.
Military’s Mission: Become More Energy Efficient
Spending more than $15.2 billion on energy last year, the U.S. Department of Defense is without a doubt, one of the largest users and biggest-spending consumers of fuel and electricity in this country. In fact, it may well be one of the largest users in the world.
Programs for Builders and Property Managers
SENCON offers a full-range of sustainable development services to building professionals involved in both new construction and remodeling, as well as for multi-unit property managers seeking to reduce operating costs, lower energy use and attract more tenants. From site development and sustainable design consulting to third-party verification services, training and energy audits, SENCON has the expertise and manpower to help you make your office, apartments or home highly efficient, highly valued buildings.
Training Opportunities
- BPI Installer
The BPI Installer course will provide students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to properly and completely seal all air leakage and exterior duct leakage in attics, side attics, crawlspaces, attached garages and other areas between conditioned spaces and outside or attached units. The student will learn how to confirm the quality of their own work and successful sealing through visual inspection and smoke tests during blower door operation.
By the end of this course, students will demonstrate their abilities to reduce uncontrolled air movement by creating continuous durable air pressure boundaries in attics, side attics, crawl spaces and other accessible buffer zones by installing and connecting appropriate materials in a durable fashion.
In addition, the student will be able to demonstrate his or her abilities to reduce uncontrolled air movement by safely installing blown insulation materials at a specified density. The air semi-permeable insulation will be
- BPI Building Analyst:
Build your business with our nationally recognized training, administered by our certified instructors.
- Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Training
Course Description
This 8-hour EPA approved course will certify participants for the new Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (Lead Renovators) training requirements. In 2008 the U.S. EPA announced new rules for contractors who renovate or repair housing, childcare facilities or schools built before 1978. Under the new rules, contractors and workers must have documented training and practice lead-safe work practices to reduce potential lead exposures during renovation and repair activities. The requirements apply to anyone, such as painters, plumbers, electricians and contractors, who could potentially expose children to lead dust during their work.
This certification was made mandatory in October 2010. October 2010 has come and gone. Are you certified or still working noncompliant?
Sign up for training today, protect your business, your investment and avoid the risk of an inspector visit costing you big time!
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
The ECO Ed Blog
An Update on HOME STAR Legislation
Important HOME STAR legislation was left on the plate as the Senate took a recess until after the November elections. Efficiency First has expressed their concerns to HOME STAR’s main sponsors Senators Bingaman (NM-D), Snowe (ME-R) and Warner (VA-D), as well as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. To their credit, those senators quickly stood behind HOME STAR by publicly calling for the passage of HOME STAR when Congress comes back for a "lame duck" session after the election.
The odds of a 2010 HOME STAR bill depend largely on election results and Senate floor politics.
Efficiency First continues to call on Congress to make sure that partisan politics do not delay HOME STAR any longer. The President called again for the passage of HOME STAR this week in a meeting of the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board (PERA
activites that will get the family or class building a better tomorrow.