BOMA Announces 7-Point Energy Plan

The New York-based Building Owners and Managers Association International has announced its Market Transformation Energy Plan for members and the commercial real estate industry.

The plan includes a 7-Point Challenge for members to reduce use of natural resources, non-renewable energy sources and waste production and work in coordination with building management, ownership and tenants to achieve the following goals:

• Continue to work towards a goal to decrease energy consumption by 30% across portfolios by 2012.

• Benchmark energy performance and water usage through the EPA’s Energy Star benchmarking tool.

• Provide education to building managers, building owners and operators, engineers and others involved in building operations to ensure that equipment is properly maintained and used.

• Perform an energy audit or retro-commissioning of buildings and implement low-risk, low-cost strategies to improve energy efficiency with high returns;

• Extend equipment life by improving the operations and maintenance of building systems and ensure equipment is operating as designed.

Through leadership, positively impact the community by helping to reduce the industry’s role in global warming.

Position yourself and the industry as leaders and solution providers to owners and tenants seeking environmental and operational excellence.

In addition to lowering operating costs and enhancing asset value, these measures will improve tenant comfort and satisfaction with better building temperature control and lower absenteeism and increase tenants' productivity, resulting in real cost savings for tenants.

Beiriger to Head Two Other Groups

Jeffrey Beiriger was named executive director of two construction associations in Wisconsin, the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association of Wisconsin and the Master Plumbers Association of Wisconsin.

The contact information for both organizations will be 660 E. Mason St., Milwaukee, WI 53202; phone 414-227-1230; fax 414-227-1290; beiriger@cf-law.com.

Illinois Student Constructs His Future

An Illinois student is among the winners of a scholarship from ConstructMyFuture.com.

Zachary Dennis, a recent graduate of Pawnee High School in Pawnee, Ill., will use the $1,000 scholarship to attend Iowa State University to study construction engineering. Pawnee is in Central Illinois.

There were two other winners outside the Midwest, Michelle Avant, a student at Salinas High School in Salinas, Calif., and William Simmons, a student at Obion County Central High School in Troy, Tenn.

The program was initiated in 2001 to help talented individuals focus their skills and enthusiasm on construction careers, for the benefit of their own development as well as the industry. This year’s program had a record number of applicants. Judging is based on applicants’ essays, school transcripts and personal references.

In addition to scholarships, ConstructMyFuture.com provides students, teachers, counselors and parents with information on the benefits of construction careers, education options and local business contacts who have volunteered to participate in workforce development activities.