NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire -06/05/12)- Despite this week's "too-cool-for-June" temperatures, hot summer months are approaching, Con Edison reminds customers to continue to learn more about reducing their energy usage and saving money by visiting the company's Energy Efficiency "Green Team" website (www.conEd.com/greenteam).

Since 2009, nearly 95,000 Con Edison customers have received $83 million in rebates and incentives for energy efficiency upgrades, helping thousands of homes and businesses reduce their energy usage and protect the environment.

"We're offering rebates for ENERGY STAR air conditioners, energy surveys, programmable thermostats and other incentives to help our customers save money," said Marilyn Caselli, senior vice president of Customer Operations. "They should also check out our online energy calculator to see how much energy they are using and how they can save even more."

Con Edison customer service representative Rosalva Nunez explains how easy it is to navigate the energy calculator and find ways to save, whether you live in an apartment or a home. http://bcove.me/z33vk8iz

Infrastructure Investments & Demand Forecast

To further enhance electric delivery reliability, Con Edison said it has invested $1.2 billion for system improvements for 2012. This year's electric delivery improvements included $928 million for cables, transformers, and network protectors; $34 million on transmission upgrades; and $208 million on new substation installations and related equipment http://www.coned.com/summerprep.

The electric peak demand forecast for this summer in Con Edison's service area is 13,225 megawatts (MW), with a projected peak of 11,505 MW for New York City and 1,720 MW for Westchester County. The record peak -- 13,189 MW -- was set at on July 22, 2011 at 4 p.m. In-city power supplies are more than sufficient to meet the 83 percent in-city generation requirement.

Service area peak load is expected to grow at annual average rate of 1.2 percent over the next five years, or 160 megawatts per year, the equivalent to powering an additional 160,000 homes annually.

Energy-Saving Programs

Here are more details about Con Edison's energy efficiency programs:

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Yes, Summer's on the Way; Con Edison Reminds Customers to Save Energy

1:00 AM

By Keith Edwards kedwards@centralmaine.com Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- The new O'Connor Chevy, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealership building that opened Monday taps deep into the earth for its heat and cooling.

click image to enlarge

OConnor Chevy, Buick, GMC and Cadillac owner Randy Hutchins, left, explains the geothermal heating system he installed in the new 18,000-square-foot Augusta dealership to Gary Hammond during the grand opening on Monday. The auto business is heated and cooled by a climate control system, which uses 18 wells, up to 360 feet deep, drilled into the earth beneath the parking lot and building. Hamm

Staff photo by Andy Molloy

click image to enlarge

The new OConnor Chevy, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealership in Augusta held a grand opening on Monday.

Staff photo by Andy Molloy

* The new O'Connor Chevy, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealership is about 18,000 square feet and cost about $3 million to build, according to city permitting records.

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Geothermal system tapped for new building of O'Connor Group

Advice Published Tuesday June 5, 2012

DIY: Home remodeling

What are some quick fixes you can make next weekend? What projects have the highest payback? Click here to find out.

Click here to read about World-Herald reporter Roger Buddenberg's home remodeling ups and downs.

***

If you're like a lot of homeowners, you've already knocked out a do-it-yourself home remodeling project or at least have plans for one.

Or, if you're hiring help, you're most likely to be tackling a bathroom or kitchen remodel, or replacement of windows and doors. Those projects ranked as top requests in a recent survey of remodelers by the National Association of Home Builders.

That's the case locally, too, said Aaron Bryant, who works in sales at Ferguson Enterprises and is the president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry's greater Omaha chapter.

He said consumers usually want a clean and contemporary look. But in older houses, he's seeing a lot of interest in restoring the home's original materials.

Another popular trend, he said, is bathrooms becoming sanctuaries. Showers with car-wash body sprays and rain heads and iPod docks are examples.

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DIY: Home remodeling

Q: I plan on remodeling soon, and I want a natural-looking kitchen that will include a lot of "green" features. As far as the kitchen sink, what ideas can you suggest for materials, colors and style? Thanks in advance for some suggestions! -- Fredd, Florida

A: I'm glad you are just looking for suggestions. There are so many green choices out there, as well as different opinions, and it all gets down to personal taste. The latest trend I have seen over the past few years is that kitchens are going natural and using more recycled materials. With that in mind, cast-iron kitchen sinks can be a nice choice since most cast-iron plumbing fixtures contain recycled materials.

To go along with the green aspect with cast-iron sinks, some manufacturers have expanded color choices to include more natural colors. Today, colors like sea salt, frost and caviar seem to be popular. As far as style, "apron front" or "farmhouse"-type kitchen sinks seem to be making a big splash in the building and remodeling industry.

So there are a few good natural kitchen-sink choices and colors that could grow into some nice ideas for your kitchen.

Master plumber Ed Del Grande is the author of "Ed Del Grande's House Call," the host of TV and Internet shows, and a LEED green associate. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@cs.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.

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Ask the Plumber: Styles and colors for a 'green' kitchen

TORONTO, June 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Commercial Interior Design Firm, the McGregor Design Group, is pleased to announce the launch of a new website, that will provide much needed tips and trends on Office Design and Construction for those contemplating an office relocation, a renovation project or planning to negotiate a lease.

Previously kept "trade secrets", these tips will be regularly enhanced with new information the McGregor Design Group'steam uncovers, during their work designing and executing projects, meeting with authorities and specialists; and contributing on special Committees and Councils.

Meant to help ensure value and enhance the process for project owners, Tips and Trends provided will include subjects such as:

"In this creative based economy - Design is a very powerful tool." Lynn McGregor, Founding Principal

Website address: http://www.mcgregordesigngroup.com

About the McGregor Design Group:

The McGregor Design Group, established in 1988, and based in Toronto, Ontario, specializes in the creation of exquisite, effective workspace design. Their Interior Design and Project Management Teams are known for their attention to detail, their effective management of process, schedule and budget; and for their "white glove" service, to many market sectors. Clients include: Imperial Oil Limited, Inmet Mining, Maple Leaf Foods, Lerners LLP, CIBC, etc.

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McGregor Design Group - New Website with Office Design and Construction Tips

The construction of an office building and LED light bulb manufacturing plant at the Interstate 74 Technology Park in Bettendorf appears to be back on track after delays due to trouble securing financing, Bettendorf aldermen learned Monday.

LED America first came to the council in August and had hoped to begin production by March, but the financing could not be secured, Economic Development Director Steve Van Dyke told the city council.

Developer Alan Frankel is seeking city approval of an application for $400,000 in financial aid from the state of Iowa, as well as tax-increment financing districts for a 13,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and a 4,800-square-foot office building.

The manufacturing plant could grow to between 50,000 and 100,000 square feet in later phases, and would employ 132 when fully built, Van Dyke said.

Frankel told the council Monday that commitments have been made to lease all of the available space in the office building.

The total budget for the project is $2.4 million. Van Dyke said construction could be complete by the end of the year.

Revised park plans for Forest Grove

The council also heard a presentation on a revised concept for the development of Forest Grove Park, a 100-acre parcel of land northeast of the intersection of Forest Grove Road and Middle Road.

Ideas for the park include a large greenspace, an adventure course, an amphitheatre, a community building, restoration of Spencer Creek that would allow visitors to play in the water, a winter plaza with opportunities for winter sports such as sledding and ice skating, and a handicapped-accessible baseball field, as well as several recreation trails.

Parks and Recreation Director Steve Grimes said the plan still is being tweaked. He said he will come back to the council with a budget for the park amenities and a proposed plan for building them in phases, which would take place over the course of many years.

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LED plant back on track in Bettendorf

WINNIPEG, June 5, 2012 /CNW/ - It was announced today that the Qualico Head Office building in Winnipeg has been awarded LEED Silver certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized certification program and benchmark for the design and construction of green buildings.

"Achieving LEED silver status places Qualico on the leading edge of environmental design and construction practices in North American. It also demonstrates our commitment to the environment and long term sustainable development," said John Daniels, Vice President, Qualico Winnipeg. "Not only have we reduced the building's impact on the environment, but reduced operating costs and improved the quality of the environment for our employees.

"Some of the features of the building include energy efficient windows, a geothermal mechanical system, green roofs, a building management system and water efficient plumbing fixtures" said Brian Cornelsen, Qualico Project Manager. "A significant challenge was to ensure the building operated as intended and part of the LEED program was to complete comprehensive commissioning of all building systems."

The Qualico head office is a 3-storey, 65,000 square foot building located in Winnipeg Manitoba. The building also incorporates over 6,300 square feet of outdoor garden and rooftop patio and is home to over 150 employees.

Some green facts about the Qualico head office include:

Qualico is a fully integrated real estate development company with corporate head offices in Winnipeg and operations in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Regina and Winnipeg. It is one of the largest real estate development operations in Western Canada. http://www.qualicowinnipeg.com

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed by the U.S Green Building Council in 1998 and consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high green buildings, homes and neighbourhoods. http://www.usgbc.org

John Daniels Vice-President Winnipeg Branch Qualico Phone: (204) 233-2451 jmdaniels@qualico.com

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Qualico achieves LEED silver status for new head office

Trinity Church broke ground on a new facility for the 7002 Canton Ave. campus on Sunday.

Pastors say the $13.7 million, 83,000-square-foot. facility should be completed mid-summer of 2013.

Members of the congregation gathered outside the church by the designated lot with shovels and papers with prayers and scripture written on them.

Barry Moore, executive pastor for Trinity Church, said the new facility will include a 350-seat chapel, Kidsplace and Trinity Central, a commons area.

This is just phase one of the project, he said. We plan on making renovations to our sanctuaries.

Lee Lewis Construction of Lubbock will build the project designed by Lee Architects of Denver.

Moore said the increase in attendance has sparked the need for a bigger facility.

The church has an average weekend attendance of 3,500.

We want to provide a safe state-of-the-art facility where young people can learn and know about God, Moore said.

Carl Toti, senior pastor, said the project is historic for the church. The project should be complete as the church celebrates 50 years of establishment.

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Trinity Church of Lubbock begins contruction of new facility

CASTINE Maine Maritime Academy's volleyball and softball coach, Katrina Dagan, has resigned her position. Dagan, who also serves as the Academy's Senior Woman Administrator, will join the Adams' School Staff as a Physical Education Teacher.

Dagan is the only coach to have headed up the volleyball program at Maine Maritime. Since the program began in 2003, she put together a 152-71 record. Dagan coached the Mariners to the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Championship Finals in each of the past five seasons, winning the league in four of those seasons. Under her direction, the Mariners have won 40 consecutive matches in Smith Gymnasium.

The third coach in the 14-year history of the softball program, Dagan posted a record of 78-107. Her .422 winning percentage is the best on record at the Academy, as are her 78 wins. Dagan's Mariners appeared in the NAC Championship Tournament in five of the last six seasons, advancing to the finals in 2010.

A national search for her replacement will commence immediately.

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Katrina Dagan Resigns Post

LAMAR, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

VersaCourt International, a leader in indoor and outdoor modular surfaces for basketball courts, tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, multi-game courts and more, is proud to offer innovative athletic court and flooring systems that incorporate the most recent advancements in technology to ensure maximum performance and safety. These flooring systems are ideal for indoor and outdoor courts, featuring a -inch-thick, shock-absorbing, suspended surface that will reduce fatigue and provide better all-around performance.

If you have chosen a VersaCourt multi-game flooring system youll be installing the most technologically advanced playing surface on the market. You will enjoy such state-of-the-art features as:

Fast Drain Open Grid Surface

Heat Reflective Design & Extra UV Protection

Multi-Directional Flex Technology & Reverse Spring Tension Mechanism

Multiple Injection Points & Revolutionary Inter-Locking System

Low Maintenance & 15-Year Warranty

The flooring systems that we offer are at the cutting edge of technology, says VersaCourts Danny Little. Our courts help you play better for longer because they reduce the constant impact that might otherwise cause injury to your joints and back over time.

VersaCourt surfaces are all designed to reduce the need for maintenance while still optimizing performance. Every surface, whether for indoor or outdoor use, is completely customizable to work with whatever size area you have.

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VersaCourt’s Technologically Advanced Playing Surfaces Raise the Bar on Both Performance and Safety