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Building & Design
European Parliament approves energy efficiency labels and targets for homes
Earlier this week the European Parliament approved plans to extend the existing energy performance labelling scheme for household appliances and set a 2020 deadline for low-energy buildings.
HP unveils cow-powered data centre
Electronics giant HP has unveiled a design for a system using 10,000 dairy cows to power a medium-sized 1 MW data centre.
Wales takes action to improve inefficient homes
The Welsh Assembly Government yesterday announced a £30 million scheme to improve the energy efficiency of homes in some of the region’s poorest communities.
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British Gas green skills training centre opens its doors
British Gas’ first green skills training centre, which was first announced last summer, has officially opened its doors in Tredegar, South Wales.
New UK coalition government unveils ambitions for low-carbon economy
The UK’s new Coalition Government late yesterday unveiled the details of their historic agreement, including their “joint ambitions” for a low-carbon and eco-friendly ecomony.
EPA hails industrial facilities for improving energy efficiency
The US Environmental Protection Agency last week hailed four companies for improving the energy efficiency of their facilities as part of the Energy Star Challenge for Industry.
US Home Star legislation clears first hurdle and heads for Senate
The US House of Representatives yesterday passed the bipartisan HOME STAR bill, which aims to establish a $6 billion rebate program to encourage consumers to buy energy-efficient appliances and undertake energy efficiency home refurbishments.
Italy first EU nation to adopt LEED building rating system
An Italian building organisation has become the first to implement the LEED green building rating system in an agreement signed yesterday.
US buildings compete in energy efficiency ‘weight’ contest
In the first contest of its type, 14 US commercial buildings are competing in an Environmental Protection Agency sponsored energy efficiency ‘weight’ competition.
US industry invests $18 million to improve energy efficiency
The US industrial sector is to invest $13 million from the Department of Energy plus a further $5 million in private funding to improve the energy efficiency of manufacturing.