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Iconic skyscrapers find new luster in green tech

Yahoo.com - AP -- NEW YORK – When owners of the Empire State Building decided to blanket its towering facade with thousands of insulating windows, they were only partly interested in saving energy. Malkin proposed a top-to-bottom renovation that included a $13.2 million investment in new green technologies. The renovation should take 18 months. Afterward, the owners expect an annual energy savings of $4.4 million, enough to pay off the new technologies in about three years.
Chicago's Sears Tower announced that it will embark on a five-year, $350 million green renovation. The 110-story skyscraper will crown its rooftops with solar panels, wind turbines and 35,000 square feet of sunlight-absorbing gardens. When complete, the improvements will cut the tower's annual electricity use by 80 percent and save

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Submitted Jul 04, 2009 By: teafortwo

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stugha Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,143 Points:261,765 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:25:15 AM Ignore stugha Report Abuse This (and similar projects) will decrease the demand for oil thus let tanks fill up, and overflow.
rippinusoff Champion Author Lexington Posts:1,032 Points:228,490 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:22:14 AM Ignore rippinusoff Report Abuse this is great but wil it make gas prices go down?
Tnerbeel Champion Author Houston Posts:2,310 Points:490,760 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:20:50 AM Ignore Tnerbeel Report Abuse I have no problem with private enterprise spending their own money for these projects. Problem is, I'll bet there are huge tax benefits which means we're paying for a chunk of it. This I have a problem with.
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,289 Points:771,005 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:17:20 AM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse Interesting article, but what's it got to do with gas prices?
jiamusi45 All-Star Author Calgary Posts:844 Points:35,755 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:16:04 AM Ignore jiamusi45 Report Abuse With the wind turbine on it, will this make it 111 stories tall.
1fulltank Champion Author Buffalo Posts:1,575 Points:296,115 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:13:40 AM Ignore 1fulltank Report Abuse Now THAT'S a worthwhile investment. More should follow this example, even on an individual basis.
08Nightster Sophomore Author Charlotte Posts:161 Points:249,880 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:12:35 AM Ignore 08Nightster Report Abuse And the work will spur the local economy!
disldo Sophomore Author Chicago Posts:109 Points:38,610 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:11:21 AM Ignore disldo Report Abuse Great idea & investment. Could have been done sooner & for less. Here in chicago it will always cost at least double what they predict. King daley and his court have to get theirs.
TECH500 Champion Author Alberta Posts:2,789 Points:562,740 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:10:59 AM Ignore TECH500 Report Abuse Excellent ... that is a smart decision on their part :)
fightbigoil71 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:1,451 Points:321,580 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:08:29 AM Ignore fightbigoil71 Report Abuse Let's do this to even more skyscrapers.
trikemike Veteran Author Rochester Posts:320 Points:52,320 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:08:01 AM Ignore trikemike Report Abuse 3 year ROI is a pretty good plan
nigelb Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,992 Points:332,160 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:05:29 AM Ignore nigelb Report Abuse Good investment with a three year payback.
bruce725 Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,943 Points:329,915 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:05:11 AM Ignore bruce725 Report Abuse I wonder how long it will take for a payback
WillyG Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,891 Points:567,710 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:01:54 AM Ignore WillyG Report Abuse That's if they stick with the timeline/budget, but we all know that that's just the initial figure. By the time they're done with that project it wouldn't amaze me if they end up paying double, or more.
demnuts Champion Author Orlando Posts:7,492 Points:1,179,440 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:00:31 AM Ignore demnuts Report Abuse I would wonder why did they take so long to try to save energy?
hangupanddrive Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,369 Points:1,054,555 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:00:15 AM Ignore hangupanddrive Report Abuse We single home owners need that kind of savings.
bbreff Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,799 Points:1,366,735 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:00:01 AM Ignore bbreff Report Abuse Sounds like a great investment. Anybody got some extra cash for my 23 windows in my house?
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:3,361 Points:1,099,275 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:55:07 AM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse It would be nice if I could save that much on my house.
FuelRacer1132 All-Star Author Iowa Posts:645 Points:144,470 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:54:52 AM Ignore FuelRacer1132 Report Abuse Cut the towers electric bill by 80%??? These folks are so full of it, it makes me want to puke.
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:1,799 Points:342,030 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:54:37 AM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse Good news. Even big business is finding it pays to be "green".
tazdriver Champion Author Huntsville Posts:4,120 Points:929,430 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:53:32 AM Ignore tazdriver Report Abuse Greenie weenie tech is not really sustainable, lets get this fad over with again.
donny47 Sophomore Author New Hampshire Posts:174 Points:152,575 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:53:25 AM Ignore donny47 Report Abuse all buildings should follow suit.as the figures show it will pay for itself quickly and savings will mount up yearly.a very large reduction on foreign oil will result.building codes should require this.stop wasting energy!
CzechSteve Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,700 Points:421,615 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:53:22 AM Ignore CzechSteve Report Abuse why was this not done a decade ago? we have had this technology
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:9,235 Points:1,859,035 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:50:13 AM Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse Very big savings & payoff in 3 yrs???? Are they sure about thier figures??? Sounds too optimistic.
Tundralimited2009 All-Star Author Dallas Posts:798 Points:232,955 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:46:36 AM Ignore Tundralimited2009 Report Abuse Good for "GREEN"
montana920 Champion Author Chicago Posts:2,042 Points:397,450 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:41:37 AM Ignore montana920 Report Abuse This is a good article and will hopefully demonstrate to the rest of us that this kind of conservation can help us in the pocketbook and help the planet as well.
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:2,163 Points:371,530 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:41:06 AM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse We still need better sources of power to support an ever growing demand
jd2009 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:1,105 Points:288,740 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:37:57 AM Ignore jd2009 Report Abuse Great article and good for N.Y. ... more states need to jump on the band wagon
abuck Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:1,577 Points:318,110 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:37:35 AM Ignore abuck Report Abuse Wonder why it took so long before they actually started considering it.
gasman50 Champion Author Portland Posts:2,489 Points:1,151,630 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:33:33 AM Ignore gasman50 Report Abuse How much tax subsidy ?
murdershewrote Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,251 Points:1,348,685 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:32:22 AM Ignore murdershewrote Report Abuse way to go n.y.
Tatalah Champion Author Riverside Posts:4,228 Points:1,268,040 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:31:10 AM Ignore Tatalah Report Abuse Why aren't we using solar power to make hydrogen?
spunky4443 Champion Author Washington Posts:2,856 Points:808,500 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:28:17 AM Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse Well good for them, its always nice to be able to save money.
lightbulbman2008 Champion Author Worcester Posts:10,600 Points:366,460 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:28:09 AM Ignore lightbulbman2008 Report Abuse what has this to do with oil prices?
DickAAA All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:981 Points:608,900 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:24:10 AM Ignore DickAAA Report Abuse These are economic and useful investments. Congrats to those responsible.
rtw777 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,937 Points:577,250 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:23:20 AM Ignore rtw777 Report Abuse That's a big savings--80%.
Lonewolftx Champion Author Houston Posts:7,324 Points:1,447,015 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:23:13 AM Ignore Lonewolftx Report Abuse And they are just doing this now? This technology has been around for a years now . . .
reichera Champion Author Virginia Posts:4,809 Points:849,115 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:22:23 AM Ignore reichera Report Abuse Good start.
captngasTN All-Star Author Tennessee Posts:776 Points:157,255 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:20:43 AM Ignore captngasTN Report Abuse Glad to see a reasonable payback period - makes the investment worthwhile.
gabbygusIN All-Star Author Indiana Posts:938 Points:311,575 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:20:22 AM Ignore gabbygusIN Report Abuse Good article!
REVLAW Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,942 Points:748,740 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:16:56 AM Ignore REVLAW Report Abuse Thought provoking ... perhaps sensible in part.
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,034 Points:395,645 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:16:51 AM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse It's about time they did this.
matifu Veteran Author Florida Posts:319 Points:79,365 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:16:18 AM Ignore matifu Report Abuse Good for them, for me it would take too long to win my investments back with my $180 monthly power bill.
v240 All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:531 Points:438,825 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:15:54 AM Ignore v240 Report Abuse Proves that there are valid economic reasons to conserve !!
Theczecho Champion Author Long Island Posts:1,028 Points:346,090 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:15:44 AM Ignore Theczecho Report Abuse Will the windows still open like they do now?
Jeepp Champion Author Boston Posts:1,121 Points:332,960 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:15:44 AM Ignore Jeepp Report Abuse I wish I had the money to put up a wind turbine and solar panels on my house.
eddyp94 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,724 Points:585,410 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:14:20 AM Ignore eddyp94 Report Abuse that should have been done years ago...
njteech Champion Author New Jersey Posts:6,365 Points:1,512,380 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:13:18 AM Ignore njteech Report Abuse Good stuff....
jakTDI Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,084 Points:186,110 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:11:01 AM Ignore jakTDI Report Abuse don't worry. pretty sure that there is some govt. "green" money in these projects.
TRAIN RIDER Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:2,877 Points:1,518,395 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:09:40 AM Ignore TRAIN RIDER Report Abuse WHEN YOU ARE PAYING MILLIONS IS ENERGY COSTS THIS IS IMPORTANT. IT WOULD TAKE A LOT LONGER TO RECOUP ANY COSTS TO DO THIS ON A HOUSE.
skyhawkcam All-Star Author Richmond Posts:698 Points:319,120 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:08:08 AM Ignore skyhawkcam Report Abuse Hope they can recover their investment.
CharlieC08 Champion Author Colorado Posts:2,352 Points:363,320 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:06:31 AM Ignore CharlieC08 Report Abuse Doubt if they will recover the investment. What I would like to see is to cut the post office to 1/3 the size, deliver JUNK mail twice a week and look at the Fuel that would be saved.