Sustainable Development Focus
Solar Industry Magazine - Jan 18 California-based Sullivan Solar Power has begun construction on what is expected to be the largest on-site solar power system in Major League Baseball (MLB) at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. According to the installer, the 336.52-kW system atop San Diego’s crown jewel is designed to generate more than $4.1 million in utility savings over its lifetime and is larger than the seven other solar projects installed at MLB ballparks combined. The project comprises 716 of SunPower’s 470-W solar modules and is expected to produce over 12 million kWh over the next 25 years – the equivalent to disconnecting over 1,200 homes from the grid.
Commercial Property Executive - Jan 18 Launched in 2014, the WELL Building Standard has been rapidly gaining recognition among real estate developers, owners, and corporations around the world, as it centers on one of the most important aspects of human life: health. Addressing seven core concepts that may influence a person’s work performance and overall well-being—air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind—WELL has quickly become part of the green rating systems family, working hand-in-hand with certification programs such as LEED, BREEAM, Green Star, and the Living Building Challenge. There are currently 235 WELL-registered projects in the U.S., with California developers being the most responsive to the program. The enrollment rate has also been growing exponentially, according to company officials. However, the typically lengthy certification process has resulted in only 32 certified buildings in 11 states, including Washington, D.C.
Bisnow - Jan 18 Reebok and Gensler are out to transform gas stations nationwide into health and wellness-oriented developments. Gensler and Reebok's “Get Pumped” campaign laid out design concepts they hope others will use to repurpose gas stations. The campaign is founded on the premise that fossil-fuel cars are going the way of the dinosaur and banks on a major decline in demand for gasoline to make its strategy possible. The plan is to turn obsolete gas stations across the nation into sustainable fitness centers where travelers can stop to recharge both themselves and their electric cars.
CityLab - Jan 17 Portland, Oregon, known to some as “Bridge City,” has an intimate relationship with the water that flows beneath it. During hot summer months, residents cool off by floating down the Willamette River. Its iconic bronze drinking fountains (also known as Benson Bubblers) have been gushing with cool, clean water during daylight hours since 1912. Most recently, LucidEnergy—a Portland-based startup that launched in 2007—has discovered a way to use the city’s drinking water to generate electricity without any negative environmental impacts.
San Diego Union-Tribune - Jan 18 Encinitas will do its part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lessen its impact on the environment by pursuing everything from adding a shuttle bus for high school students to eliminating the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, a newly adopted Climate Action Plan declares. The City Council gave its unanimous approval Wednesday to the planning document, which took a year and many public meetings to produce. Using state legislation as a starting point, the new document details the steps that Encinitas proposes to take over a 12-year period to cut its carbon emissions and thus help out locally to ease global climate concerns. The document contains carbon-reduction goals for the city's homes and businesses in addition to those for government buildings and vehicles.
