The Bush Administration has rolled out the Integrated Sequestration and Hydrogen Research Initiative, a $1 billion partnership between government and industry to design, build, and operate a coal-fired electricity and hydrogen production plant. The 275-megawatt prototype plant, known as FutureGen, will rely on coal gasification to produce electricity as well as a hydrogen-rich synthetic gas. Resulting hydrogen will be used in turbines, fuel cells, or hybrid technologies and could eventually become a source of transportation-grade fuel. Captured carbon dioxide, meanwhile, will be sequestered in depleted oil and gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams, deep saline aquifers, and basalt formations in an effort to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In conjunction with this, an

international Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum will bring together ministerial-level representatives to discuss emerging research and technologies surrounding carbon sequestration and to plan future, multilateral sequestration projects. The forum’s inaugural meeting will take place in Virginia this June.

Meanwhile, American Bio-Fuels, LLC, is doing their part to revolutionize biodiesel production. Bio-Fuels is constructing the

first continuous-flow biodiesel facility in the country. At peak production, the Bakersfield, California plant is expected to produce 35 million gallons (132.5 million liters) of biodiesel per year, making it the largest plant in the country. Currently under construction, the plant should be operational within months.

Robert Fox has left his position as senior principal with Fox & Fowle Architects to open a new firm:

Robert Fox Architect. At his new firm, Fox intends to focus on “environmentally responsible, high-performance buildings for a select group of clients in New York City.” “So far, the response has been terrific,” Fox reports, “and it has only been two weeks.” The new firm is at 30 Cooper Square; New York, NY 10003; 212-477-1602.

The

Southface Energy Institute has announced that it will work with architectural consultant

Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates (TVS) in the design and construction of a new commercial addition to their Energy and Environmental Resource Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The new facility, which will include indoor and outdoor classrooms, office space, and conference facilities, will showcase examples of sustainable building strategies and technologies. An affiliate program of the U.S. Green Building Council, Southface plans to use their experiences to inform future improvements to the LEED™ Rating System. The facility is slated to open in August 2004. Southface is found online at www.southface.org.

is seeking volunteers and donations as they prepare for a

Middle East refugee crisis stemming from the war in Iraq. Iran, bordering both Iraq and Afghanistan—and already estimated to house more refugees than any other country—is bracing for the possible influx of over one million additional Iraqis in coming weeks and months. Architecture for Humanity is working with the United Nations, regional governments, and local architects and urban planners in the establishment and coordination of refugee camps. To get involved or learn more, visit online at www.architectureforhumanity.org.

New U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clean water regulations, demanding that construction sites larger than one acre (0.4 ha) obtain a

National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, became effective March 10. (The rule has applied to sites larger than 5 acres/2 ha since 1990.) The regulations were not enacted as originally envisioned by the Clinton administration, however. EPA has drawn a loophole around the oil and gas industry, at least temporarily, declaring drilling sites exempt from the regulation. Because construction at oil and gas sites differ from other types of construction, especially in its short time frame, EPA has postponed the compliance deadline for this industry until March 10, 2005. The extra two years will give EPA time to analyze the impact the requirements would have on the oil and gas industry and to determine whether oil and gas construction is unique enough to warrant distinct regulatory treatment. Details are available from EPA on the Web at:

www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/oil&gas_fr_prepublication.pdf.

The federal Energy Star

^® program is promoting the use of

energy-efficient, low-voltage transformers in new construction and renovations. Low-voltage transformers, which convert the electricity supplied by a utility or larger transformer to the voltage needed by lights, appliances, and equipment, continuously drain energy, even when equipment is shut off (see EBN

Vol. 9, No. 7/8). Therefore, even small improvements in transformer efficiency can yield significant energy savings. Energy Star transformers generally pay back their initial added cost within two to four years. You can compare transformer payback rates and savings with an online calculator at

www.transcalcny.com. For a list of Energy Star-labeled transformers, visit

www.energystar.gov. Click on “products” and then “transformers.”

Two leaders in the St. Louis green-design community have joined forces to start their own firm,

Hellmuth & Bicknese Architects, LLC, specializing in sustainable design. The firm is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, and principals Dan Hellmuth, AIA, and Ralph Bicknese, AIA, are among the founders of USGBC’s St. Louis Chapter. Bicknese left his position as an associate at Christner, Inc. to start the new firm with Hellmuth. The firm can be reached at 314-531-9901 or on the Web at

www.hellmuth-bicknese.com.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has announced a call for papers for its ninth

Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings conference, to be held December 5–10, 2004 in Clearwater Beach, Florida. The conference will be organized along two tracks: “principles” will be devoted to research, while “practices” will explore applications and case studies. Abstracts are due June 2 of this year. Visit

www.ornl.gov/buildings or contact Laura Wagner at 865-574-7267 or wagnerlw@ornl.gov for additional details.

The American Society of Landscape Architects will celebrate the second annual

National Landscape Architecture Week April 19 to 27. The week, which encompasses both Earth Day (April 22) and the birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted (April 27), will be marked by public events across the nation. Information on chapter events will be posted at

www.asla.org/laweek.