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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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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.
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:3,325 Points:1,367,500 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:06:16 AM Ignore Don20 Report Abuse Some one should tell Big Al Gore about this so he can cut the $4500.00 monthly utilities bill for his summer home in Arkansas.. Probably at tax payer expense.
Hunter114 Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,545 Points:206,395 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:05:56 AM Ignore Hunter114 Report Abuse The green fad continues.
Chazzy12 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,679 Points:305,210 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:03:15 AM Ignore Chazzy12 Report Abuse That building has a long way to go to make up for it's past history.
CptnCanada Champion Author Saskatoon Posts:1,357 Points:221,640 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:02:42 AM Ignore CptnCanada Report Abuse Kewl but how is that related to cars and gasoline?
YKK Rookie Author Atlanta Posts:46 Points:1,095,910 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:01:37 AM Ignore YKK Report Abuse The greening of the USA continues getting taller and taller!
Zygnatz Champion Author British Columbia Posts:6,760 Points:1,327,010 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 10:01:10 AM Ignore Zygnatz Report Abuse About time
Dennis783 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:7,381 Points:1,472,655 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:57:06 AM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse what does it mean to be green anyway?
tankneverfull Champion Author Charlotte Posts:2,766 Points:541,570 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:55:04 AM Ignore tankneverfull Report Abuse Now this is thinking and doing in the right direction! It should include every building not just skyscrapers.
SheRides Veteran Author Louisiana Posts:459 Points:829,575 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:54:52 AM Ignore SheRides Report Abuse Conserve, conserve, conserve.
StuCoFromage37 All-Star Author Illinois Posts:689 Points:109,055 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:54:47 AM Ignore StuCoFromage37 Report Abuse I do think this should have been done a long time ago.
lonelyshark Champion Author Colorado Posts:2,569 Points:447,285 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:53:02 AM Ignore lonelyshark Report Abuse Payback time of three years is excellent.
JadeKY Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,330 Points:465,780 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:52:41 AM Ignore JadeKY Report Abuse Should have been done a long time ago. [Edited by: JadeKY at 7/5/2009 9:53:15 AM EST]
GassyKat Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:7,066 Points:1,403,945 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:51:28 AM Ignore GassyKat Report Abuse I give it a thumbs up. Give the newer technologies a home, and they will start coming down in price for others.
jimshell Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,045 Points:252,280 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:51:07 AM Ignore jimshell Report Abuse It took us long enough to see the real benefits of going green.
hauler43 Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,544 Points:1,575,990 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:49:28 AM Ignore hauler43 Report Abuse Will the tenants of these buildings enjoy a reduction in there electrical rates?
NatureBoyKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,199 Points:428,185 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:48:05 AM Ignore NatureBoyKY Report Abuse Why were these not done in the first place, one must ask, on the Sears Tower.
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:5,416 Points:989,570 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:45:07 AM Ignore w4kh Report Abuse We have done some of these things in our home... solar panels on the roof, good insulation, compact fluorescent lights, tankless water heater... low to no energy costs!
jjw0608 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:2,216 Points:770,065 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:43:13 AM Ignore jjw0608 Report Abuse What has this got to do with the price of gas?
rvn4me All-Star Author Texas Posts:564 Points:270,225 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:41:53 AM Ignore rvn4me Report Abuse How are they going to dispose of the green light bulbs with mercury in them when something happens, just trash them?
MightyDude Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,869 Points:1,387,170 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:40:01 AM Ignore MightyDude Report Abuse sounds cool
CruisinLinda Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:4,987 Points:1,012,410 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:37:20 AM Ignore CruisinLinda Report Abuse These green renovations help all of us. The buildings require less energy so that means oil isn't burned, resulting in more supply, possibly lower prices and less carbon emission. More power plant capacity is freed up without need to build more.
Wesk8 All-Star Author Michigan Posts:526 Points:401,835 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:36:40 AM Ignore Wesk8 Report Abuse Lessons learned here will no doubt have broader application in a few years.
bikechuck Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,265 Points:820,870 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:34:39 AM Ignore bikechuck Report Abuse Good savings for the skyscrapers. My neighborhood assoc. doesn't allow solar cells on the roof. Haven't figured the break even point on an investmment but if 22 years is it, then forget it. I would hope for a payback within 4 to 5 years to make alternative energy conversions realistic.
kjuzenas Veteran Author Nebraska Posts:278 Points:72,470 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:34:23 AM Ignore kjuzenas Report Abuse Payoff in 3 years--that's pretty good.
mysub Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:2,855 Points:1,078,065 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:32:43 AM Ignore mysub Report Abuse Sounds like someone has a head on his shoulders.
GasholeMI Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,814 Points:473,940 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:32:22 AM Ignore GasholeMI Report Abuse This sounds like this was their decision to do this and not have it jambed down their throat.
VetteBlue Champion Author San Jose Posts:4,359 Points:902,245 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:31:58 AM Ignore VetteBlue Report Abuse The new windows look better also.
arnerator Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,784 Points:370,260 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:31:47 AM Ignore arnerator Report Abuse Get on the bandwagon
yukonjack Champion Author Georgia Posts:3,302 Points:936,155 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:31:29 AM Ignore yukonjack Report Abuse This is all well and good, but will it cut the price of gas?
RoadhogMA All-Star Author Boston Posts:758 Points:215,190 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:30:44 AM Ignore RoadhogMA Report Abuse Good move
Badmoon Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,894 Points:389,090 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:29:42 AM Ignore Badmoon Report Abuse Great projects.
Ringmaster2008 Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,527 Points:296,285 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:27:28 AM Ignore Ringmaster2008 Report Abuse One small step for man ...
ghmortensen Veteran Author Minnesota Posts:392 Points:623,745 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:25:43 AM Ignore ghmortensen Report Abuse Sounds good.
hybridaholic Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,873 Points:309,680 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:23:43 AM Ignore hybridaholic Report Abuse Not too bad on the recovery
Rick01 Champion Author Utah Posts:2,559 Points:1,132,335 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:22:37 AM Ignore Rick01 Report Abuse Let's follow the leader.
repeater1 Champion Author Kansas Posts:2,008 Points:1,116,675 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:21:32 AM Ignore repeater1 Report Abuse Good to see them doing what they can to lower their electric bills.
BBHybrid Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:2,089 Points:417,000 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:19:26 AM Ignore BBHybrid Report Abuse a step in the right direction
Terrapinone Champion Author Baltimore Posts:2,121 Points:880,790 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:18:11 AM Ignore Terrapinone Report Abuse Every little bit helps in the long run.
fltdoc Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:2,121 Points:348,440 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:15:59 AM Ignore fltdoc Report Abuse Any renewable energy source that pays for itself seems like a wise investment.
Jamer Champion Author Orange County Posts:2,538 Points:422,350 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:14:54 AM Ignore Jamer Report Abuse Solar is the way to go now.
Mooseman1 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:4,018 Points:659,010 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:12:06 AM Ignore Mooseman1 Report Abuse Great idea!
car253 All-Star Author Ohio Posts:956 Points:299,690 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:10:11 AM Ignore car253 Report Abuse This is a good use of alternative energy.
kruk Champion Author London Posts:1,889 Points:212,425 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:09:55 AM Ignore kruk Report Abuse it is not affordable by average person
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:2,057 Points:425,025 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:07:19 AM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse SOLAR is the right way.
dhawk24 Champion Author Maine Posts:1,649 Points:398,175 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:06:29 AM Ignore dhawk24 Report Abuse Glad to see things llike this happen..
03mdx Champion Author Syracuse Posts:1,135 Points:373,535 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:05:10 AM Ignore 03mdx Report Abuse It is a landmark and this plan sounds good.
ladyjj Champion Author Tennessee Posts:14,875 Points:427,710 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:03:48 AM Ignore ladyjj Report Abuse Glad they have the money to do this as most folk would love to save as well but can't afford it they have no jobs!
goldilox88 All-Star Author Montreal Posts:817 Points:342,155 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:02:46 AM Ignore goldilox88 Report Abuse saw it on TV. Would like to get tickets.
techque Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,458 Points:1,256,510 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:59:52 AM Ignore techque Report Abuse and this helps me getting to work how ??
OleMiss79 Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:4,024 Points:461,930 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:59:47 AM Ignore OleMiss79 Report Abuse Good news -- jobs for people in construction and more money into the economy.