The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is matching a $2.25 million Clean Energy Fund grant from the Washington Department of Commerce to research, develop, and demonstrate the technologies needed to create smart buildings, campuses, and cities to better manage energy usage.

Markets in 79 of the approximately 360 metro areas nationwide returned to or exceeded their last normal levels of economic and housing activity in the third quarter of 2015, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI).

Daintree Networks®, a provider of open networked wireless building control and operation solutions for smart buildings, has announced the winners of its second annual Energy Champion Awards. The awards honor the efforts of those in the industry that are openly driving awareness to save energy in commercial buildings.

The International Code Council (ICC) and ASHRAE have partnered to publish 2015 WEP: Water Efficiency Provisions of the International Green Construction Code. The organizations said the publication is a complete code resource on water conservation and efficiency.

Service Nation Inc. and BNP Media — parent company of the ACHR NEWS — announced they will combine forces to create a new, interactive seminar and trade show event for residential contractors in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services called Service World Expo.

ENE Systems Inc., one of the largest independent controls contractors in New England, has purchased Pro Controls, a Bow, New Hampshire-based facilities and energy management control system contractor.

Power Selling Pros, a leading customer service and call handling training company, has developed a new customer service representative (CSR) certification program to help home service businesses deliver a consistent, positive customer service experience.

By coordinating investment in energy conservation measures, equipment upgrades, and the use of software and services, integrated data center energy management promises to deliver greater energy and operational efficiency improvements to facilities or campuses hosting data centers, says Navigant Research.