SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The and Exposition, an annual green-themed event presented by non-profit initiative Green Technology, commenced in its titular state’s capital on April 9. The event brought with it a bevy of speakers and vendors as well as a continuing commitment to the notion that green remains the new black — at least according to some ledgers.

This year’s theme was aptly captured in the expo’s four-word slogan — “Greening the Golden State” — and delivered with an emphasis on the gold to be found in them thar hills in a state that passed propositions that mandate clean energy initiatives in recent years.

California’s Proposition 39 K-12 Program, otherwise known as the California Clean Energy Jobs Act, for example, received $1.748 billion of funding over five fiscal years, beginning with the fiscal year of 2013-2014 and ending this fiscal year 2017-2018. As of this last March, however, it’s estimated that $114.5 million still remains unrequested from the program. Naturally, many suppliers of environmentally friendly products at the expo hoped to help state agencies receive allocated funds for implementation of their products.

The possibilities for moving forward with energy-efficient projects funded by were explored in a discussion dubbed “Energy Update for California Schools,” which featured a range of speakers, including Anna Ferrera, executive director of the School Energy Coalition; Rebecca Wetzstein of Ameresco, Inc., an independent provider of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for facilities; and Debra Godfrey and Jennifer Masterson of the the California Energy Commission.

Masterson was on hand to discuss California’s School Bus Replacement Program, a result of  Senate Bill 110 (SB 110), which charges the California Energy Commission with retrofitting or replacing old diesel school buses with new, next-generation zero-emission vehicles.

A project that underscores the possibilities of the bill showcased at this year’s expo was a Twin Rivers Unified School District bus fueled by 100 percent renewable energy and facilitated, in part, by Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). The bus was parked inside the main exhibit hall and made an impressive sight for at least one photo-op (to that end, social media mavens were encouraged to use the hashtag #GreenCA18.

Also in the Green Schools column of presenters was a chat with the ungainly title “ZEV School Buses — They’re Here and There is Funding For Purchasing.” The virtues of ZEV buses, or Zero Emission Vehicle buses, were extolled by a variety of speakers, including Trey Jenkins, vice president of Alternative Fuels, Blue Bird Corporation.

“As far as school districts getting these busses, they can easily qualify for grants,” said Jenkins.

The post #GreenCA18: Green California Summit & Expo Concludes appeared first on 91ÊÓƵ.

The post #GreenCA18: Green California Summit & Expo Concludes appeared first on 91ÊÓƵ.

The four-year construction and renovation project known as the Foundations of Excellence, Building the Future, will be managed by Sharon Center, Ohio-based Ruhlin Co. The company was awarded the project after a competitive bidding and interview process. Ruhlin Co. will manage the scheduling, coordination, construction contracting, contract accounting and communications related to the initiative’s four primary capital projects.

The money will be used for several improvements and new construction projects on the university’s campus. Over the next four years, KSU will receive the following work under the management of Ruhlin Co.:

• Renovation of Cunningham, Smith and Williams halls, the most heavily used science buildings. The project also calls for the construction of a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) addition to increase academic and research spaces.
• The construction of a new College of Architecture and Environmental Design building. The 120,000-square-foot building will be located near the KSU Hotel and Conference Center, opening next June.
• Rehabilitation, reconstruction or replacement of the arts complex.
• Construction of a new three-story building for the College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology. It is estimated to be between 40,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet.

The projects are financed in part by the university’s issuance of $170 million in general receipts bonds.

Other projects at the university include plans to renovate the Olson Center for Undergraduate Studies, which was built in 1961 as a dining facility. The money for the project would come from the $5.9 million in bond revenue funds approved by the board of trustees. Also, the 10,000-square-foot Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (MACC) Annex will be renovated using $2.5 million of the $170 million bonds acquired for campus-wide construction and is expected to be completed by next summer.

Student housing will also receive needed attention with almost $7 million to be used to upgrade the four buildings that make up the Eastway Residential Complex, a $2.6 million project. The renovation work will bring updated showers and restrooms in the 53-year-old Prentice Hall in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, while another $4.5 million will go to the renovation and expansion of the Field House locker rooms.

The post Kent State Receives Major Funding for Construction Projects appeared first on 91ÊÓƵ.

The post Kent State Receives Major Funding for Construction Projects appeared first on 91ÊÓƵ.