Finance | Page 33

This report from the Institute for Market Transformation and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory examines the current landscape for building owners and lenders seeking to integrate energy efficiency and utility savings into building assessments and retrofit plans.

Virginia-based Mars Inc. on Sept. 5 made a bold corporate sustainability commitment, pledging to invest $1 billion over the next few years on its initiatives, including efforts to meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets through energy efficiency and using 100% renewable energy.

Smart Energy Decisions will discuss the key findings of its soon-to-be-released report, "The State of Corporate Renewable Energy Sourcing," along with a panel of experts from Goldman Sachs, General Motors and event sponsor Edison Energy at a Sept. 20 event held in conjunction with Climate Week NYC. 

Happy weekend! Kick back with these must-read energy stories from around the web.

Global power equipment company Cummins Inc. has made its first wind energy investment in signing a virtual power purchase agreement to offset the amount of electricity used at its Indiana facilities.

Continuing work to expand its renewable energy portfolio, The Home Depot announced plans to install rooftop solar at 50 stores, with California and New York locations utilizing energy storage.

As the use of green bonds continues to increase among U.S. corporations, Digital Realty in 2016 became one of the first REITs, and the first data center REIT, to successfully complete an issuance. Proceeds have since been used to help fund nine projects across four countries.

Zurn Industries, a manufacturer of plumbing and other water solution products, has completed a rooftop solar installation at its facility in Paso Robles, Calif.

As Microsoft Corp. in Washington state moves its renewable energy purchasing from its utility to the open market, it will pay a $24 million transition fee, director of sustainability policy Michelle Patron said in a recent TV interview.