Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this edition's sponsor — Speakman Company. Founded in 1869, Speakman Company is recognized as an industry leader in commercial plumbing and showering. Speakman’s innovative technology has lead to products, which solve major dilemmas faced by the plumbing industry including high performance showerheads, reliable sensor faucets and space-saving emergency eye and eye/face washes. The newest innovation to Speakman’s offering is an affordable dual element thermostatic/pressure balance valve. Some of Speakman’s patented and trademarked brands include; Anystream®, Gravityflo®, Eyesaver® & Commander®. To learn more visit www.speakmancompany.com.
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Reduction in lead bill signed into law
Rolling Meadows, Ill. – The national “Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act” was passed on December 17, 2010 during the lame duck session and was signed into law by President Barak Obama on January 4, 2011. The bill becomes effective January 4, 2014, allowing ample time for manufacturers to comply.
This bill lowers the national standard for lead in faucets, pipes and pipefittings to 0.25%. “The previous national standard was 8.0%, which the industry considered too high,” explained PMI executive director, Barbara Higgens. “Many in the plumbing manufacturing industry are already meeting these reduced standards. However, without a uniform national standard, a patchwork of requirements could have emerged.”
According to Higgens, “This bill harmonizes lead standards across the country. These standards were already achieved in California, and in Maryland and Vermont through PMI’s active lobbying efforts.
“This is an exciting victory, primarily for consumers, and also for the plumbing manufacturing industry, as well as for wholesalers, retailers, contractors and others involved with the production, distribution, sales and installation of these products,” said Higgens. “There is widespread support within the industry for this legislation, including the members of PMI, which make up 95% of the small, medium and large plumbing manufacturers.”
Wisconsin Solar Energy Industries Association elects first board of directors
Madison, Wis. — The officers are: President Rex Gillespie, Caleffi North America, Inc., Milwaukee; President Elect Matt Neumann, Solar Innovations, Inc., Waukesha; and Secretary/Treasurer Kevin Crawford, Orion Energy Systems, Manitowoc.
Directors include John Kivlin, Helios USA, Milwaukee; John Clancy, Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., Milwaukee; Walt Novash, Johnson Controls, Milwaukee; and Bob Woloszyk, Pieper Electric, Milwaukee.
The Wisconsin Solar Energy Industries Association (WiSEIA) was created in 2010 to provide information, advocacy, education and networking opportunities to Wisconsin solar energy businesses and to promote the long-term success of the solar industry. Information about the association and a membership application appear at www.wiseia.org.
“The employers who belong to WiSEIA want to help lawmakers understand the tremendous benefits of solar energy for our state, especially the economic benefits,” Gillespie said. “We have the opportunity to keep our energy dollars at home while creating sustainable jobs.”
Top Ten Trends for 2011 Green Building
Tucson, Ariz. — Green building and sustainability consultant Jerry Yudelson says that the green building industry will rebound in 2011 in spite of the continuing economic difficulties in most developed countries, citing 10 major trends.
Speaking about his annual “Top Ten” list of green building trends, the green building expert and author said, “What we’re seeing is that more people are going green each year, and there is nothing on the horizon that will stop this trend.” Yudelson, who is the principal of Tucson-based green building consulting company, Yudelson Associates continued, “However, in 2010, the slowdown in commercial real estate put a crimp in the start up rate for new green building projects.” He added, “In putting together my Top Ten trends for 2011, I’m taking advantage of conversations I’ve had with green building industry leaders in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australia as I have given green building keynotes and presentations all over the world during the past year.”
Jerry Yudelson’s Top Ten Green Building Trends for 2011 include:
The worldwide green building movement will continue to accelerate, as more countries begin to create their own green building incentives and developing their own Green Building Councils. More than 70 countries, on all continents, will show considerable green building growth in 2010.
For the complete list, http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/12/prweb8038851.htm.
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