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USGBC Announces Significant LEED Green Building Rating System Upgrades

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has unveiled a series of major process improvements to its LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) green building rating system, including a significantly streamlined documentation and certification process that’s now 100% online. A direct result of market surveys and extensive dialogue with the organizations and individuals who use LEED, USGBC anticipates the changes to the LEED process will reduce the time and cost of LEED certification. “The LEED process innovations are the culmination of a year’s work carried out by a lot of dedicated people,” said Tom Hicks, Vice President of LEED, USGBC. “Gone are the days when project teams were required to submit binders of documentation, requiring hours of manual preparation. The biggest advancement is that now the LEED process is entirely online, making it easier for project teams to manage.” The refinements are thanks, in large part, to a technical partnership between USGBC and Adobe. “Without Adobe’s partnership, USGBC never would have been able to implement this upgrade as quickly and seamlessly,” said Hicks. Hicks noted that, “The technology actually enhances our ability not only to capture LEED project data, but to store it, analyze it, and use it to continue […]

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Mercury Mariner Hybrid Captures First 'Green Car of the Year' Honors

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid — the first full-hybrid premium compact SUV — is the first vehicle to be honored by Green Car Journal as “Green Car of the Year.” Mercury Mariner Hybrid received the “2006 Green Car of the Year” award at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show. The award winner is determined by an 11-member panel of international jurors comprised of automotive and environmental experts. The jury makes its selections based on research and driving experience, with an emphasis on vehicles that advance overall efficiency and functionality while decreasing environmental impact. The “Green Car of the Year” award is the latest recognition Mariner Hybrid has garnered since its debut. The Texas Auto Writers Association and ForbesAuto.com both named it the “Best Compact SUV” for 2005. The Mariner Hybrid, along with Ford Escape Hybrid, also topped Edmunds’ list of Most Fuel Efficient SUVs and Pickups for 2005. Mercury Mariner Hybrids are built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant. Pricing for the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid starts at a manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of $29,840. By 2008, Ford will have five hybrids on the road, including the Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Mazda Tribute Hybrids. By […]

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