Industry News & Announcements

>>ACC Names New Board Officer
Source: americanchemistry.com
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) announced Nov. 7 at its board of directors meeting that Chevron Phillips Chemical Company President and CEO Peter L. Cella will become the Council’s newest board officer, effective January 1, 2015. Read more here.

Source: energy.gov
Apply your ideas to real-world solutions for sustainable, energy-efficient housing and compete against other talented universities as they race to develop the most technically sound, market-ready solutions for zero energy ready homes. Carl Franklin Homes in Dallas, Texas, will build one or more of the winning designs from this year's competition. Teams can design homes to the specifications of Carl Franklin Homes' design team, and the winners will see their designs actually built. These homes will be sold to our nation's veterans, active duty or retired, providing them with sustainable, energy-efficient housing. REGISTER YOUR TEAM now for the opportunity to design the homes of our future and see your creation become a reality!

>>EPA Calls for Nominations for Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award - Due Dec. 31

Source: epa.gov

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its call for nominations for the 2015 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for companies or institutions that have developed a new process or product that helps protect public health and the environment. Nominations for innovative technologies in six categories are due to the agency by December 31, 2014.

>>NREL, Army Validate Energy Savings for Net-Zero Energy Installations

Source: epa.gov / nrel.gov

The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has partnered with the U.S. Army to increase energy security through improved energy efficiency and optimized renewable energy strategies at nine Army installations. If all nine pilot sites achieve net-zero energy, they will replace approximately 8% of the Army's current total installation energy use with renewable energy. The sites studied by NREL employed technologies that can be replicated across the Department of Defense and other federal agencies, setting the stage for broad market adoption. The Energy Department’s Federal Energy Management Program has been supporting this project's implementation and replication efforts. Read more here.

>>The Lapolla Ty Pennington Sweepstakes
Source: lapolla.com
Enter for your chance at winning a trip for two to Las Vegas to hang out with Ty Pennington during the International Builder’s Show January 20-22, 2015 in Las Vegas. To qualify, fill out the form and like the Lapolla Facebook page. Sweepstakes ends January 10, 2014. Read more here.

>>CPI Announces Major Milestone for Safety in the Spray Polyurethane Foam Industry
Source: americanchemistry.com
The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council has reached a major milestone in its ongoing efforts for continuous improvement of health and safety in the spray polyurethane foam (SPF) industry.

More than 10,000 SPF professionals have completed CPI’s High Pressure SPF Chemical Health and Safety Training program. The interactive training program provides information about the use, handling and disposal of chemicals used to manufacture SPF. The training program, which is also supported by the Spray Foam Coalition, includes information about best practices for engineering controls and personal protective equipment. CPI also provides a similar training program for low-pressure SPF for weatherization professionals.

Launched in 2010, the High Pressure SPF Chemical Health and Safety Training satisfies one prerequisite toward completing the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance’s Professional Certification Program. Offered in English and Spanish, this self-paced training is designed to be taken online or in a classroom setting, so it is possible for registered instructors to conduct their own training sessions in person. Read more here.

>>A "Seal" to Publicize the Spray Foam Coalition’s Commitment

Systems house members of the Spray Foam Coalition (SFC) now can widely publicize their commitment to product stewardship and product safety. In August, the SFC developed a new seal memorializing company commitment to the Coalition’s Code of Conduct. The Code is an annual commitment signed by each systems house member of SFC and represents a company’s pledge to promote worker and public health and safety with respect to its products. All sixteen SFC systems house members signed the Code earlier this year. The seal is a distinguishing mark for SFC members in the insulation industry. For more information on the Code of Conduct, visit the website or contact Justin Koscher, (202) 249-6617.