» Coleman: 15+ SEER Heat Pump
The Coleman® 5T 15+ SEER Echelon™ heat pump delivers energy-saving efficiency, reduced noise, and increased comfort levels.

» ITCTransmission Receives Approval from Midwest ISO for the Thumb Loop Transmission Line Project
NOVI, Mich., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ITCTransmission today received approval from the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (Midwest ISO) for the Thumb Loop high-voltage electric transmission line project. The project will serve as the "backbone" of a transmission system designe

» Applications for FirstEnergy Math, Science and Technology Education Grants Available
AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE) Ohio utility companies – Toledo Edison, Ohio Edison and The Illuminating Company – are again offering mathematics, science and technology grants to educators and youth group leaders.  The grants – av

» ASHRAE Research: Laboratory Test of Five Non-Chemical Devices Used in Cooling Towers Showed No Effectiveness in Preventing Biological Growth
ASHRAE Research: Laboratory Test of Five Non-Chemical Devices Used in Cooling Towers Showed No Effectiveness in Preventing Biological Growth

April 7, 2010 - ATLANTA ?New research supported by ASHRAE indicates that non-chemical devices (NCD) marketed to control the growth of biological agents, such as Legionella in cooling towers, may not materially reduce biological growth.

Research project No. 1361, Biological Control in Cooling Towers Using Non-Chemical Water Treatment Devices, a two-year project recently completed by Dr. Radisav Vidic at the University of Pittsburgh, evaluated five non-chemical devices using different technologies to control biological activity in a model cooling-tower system. The devices studied included a hydrodynamic cavitation device, pulsed and static electric field devices, an ultra-sonic device and a magnetic device.

In Dr. Vidic?s research, none of the non-chemical devices measurably reduced planktonic or sessile microbial populations in comparison to no-treatment tests and to a conventional chemical microbial control treatment protocol. The findings appear to be inconsistent with previous research by non-chemical device manufacturers and some independent researchers on some of the same devices tested in the ASHRAE study. Those other studies reported measurable degrees of biological control within the parameters of testing conducted.

?These results suggest that equipment operators, building owners and engineers should consider taking more frequent water sample tests for their systems that rely on NCDs for biological control. If the testing shows an issue, one possible measure is to add chemical treatment capability to their system to prevent a potential health hazard from developing until additional research and field testing can resolve this question,? according to Dr. Vidic .

The study results are still subject to final approval by the sponsoring technical committee, TC 3.6 ? Water Treatment. ASHRAE anticipates formal approval and the release of the final report for this project at its 2010 Annual Meeting Conference in June.

» LDK Solar Commences Commercial Production in Second 5,000 MT Train in Its Polysilicon Plant
XINYU CITY, China and SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --  LDK Solar Co., Ltd. ("LDK Solar") (NYSE: LDK), a leading manufacturer of multicrystalline solar wafers and PV products, today announced that its second 5,000 MT polysilicon train has completed the commissioning process

» September 30 Is Deadline for Filing for State Home Heating Credit
JACKSON, Mich., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Consumers Energy reminds qualifying residents that September 30 is the deadline to file for a State of Michigan Home Heating Credit. "Qualifying Michigan residents can get help paying their heating bills through a Michigan Home Heating Credit," said

» CECO Environmental Reports Second Quarter and Six Month 2010 Results
CINCINNATI, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CECO Environmental Corp. (NasdaqGM: CECE), a leading provider of industrial ventilation and pollution control systems, today announced second quarter results for the period ended June 30, 2010. Financial highlights from continuing operations for the sec

» U.S. Natural Gas Reserves Increase Again in 2009
U.S. Natural Gas Reserves Increase Again in 2009

Washington, D.C. ? The American Gas Association (AGA) today reported that at year-end 2009 the ?known reserves? of natural gas in the United States likely increased for the eleventh straight year and now approach 250 trillion cubic feet ? the highest level in more than 35 years. Much of the supply optimism can be traced to the influences of unconventional resources such as natural gas from shale and tight sands.

?Natural gas supply in this county remains bullish,? said David N. Parker, AGA president and CEO. ?Production is also up, underpinned by the recent development of secure, domestic natural gas resources in deepwater offshore, as well as unconventional gas in the lower 48 states. This is great news for natural gas customers. AGA believes these numbers will hold steady for the foreseeable future unless significant policy decisions restrict access to potential resources of domestic natural gas.?

BP, the largest U.S. producer of natural gas in 2009, produced less than five percent of the national total last year, indicating that the natural gas production industry remains very competitive. Other large producers and reserves holders include household names such as ExxonMobil, yet significant volumes of gas are produced by others, such as Chesapeake Energy, Devon, Anadarko and EOG Resources. In fact, thousands of other large, mid-size and small producers provided the bulk of domestic natural gas to local distribution companies last year.

?The natural gas industry is the lifeblood of many American communities, contributing millions of jobs to the economy and billions in revenue to the U.S. Treasury,? said Parker. ?Our findings reinforce that this clean, efficient fuel is available in our country right now ? making it an essential component for any national energy policy.?

To see AGA?s report, ?Preliminary Findings Concerning 2009 Natural Gas Reserves,? please click here.
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The American Gas Association, founded in 1918, represents 195 local energy companies that deliver clean natural gas throughout the United States. There are more than 70 million residential, commercial and industrial natural gas customers in the U.S., of which 91 percent ? more than 64 million customers ? receive their gas from AGA members. Today, natural gas meets almost one-fourth of the United States' energy needs.