Governor signs green-building standards law

New major public projects and building renovations in Rhode Island, including schools, must be designed and constructed in conformance with high-performance green-building standards, according to legislation signed by Governor Carcieri.

The law applies to new construction of more than 5,000 square feet and renovation of spaces greater than 10,000 square feet if such projects receive funding from the state. The law takes effect immediately but will apply only to buildings entering the design phase after Jan. 1. Under the law, building design must conform to the internationally recognized United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system or an equivalent high-performance green-building standard, including the Northeast Collaborative for High-Performance Schools Protocol.

“We are no longer in an era when environmentally friendly design is a luxury. Not only are green building materials and systems more affordable and available than they used to be, but environmentally responsible design pays off in lower costs for energy, water and more over the life of a building,” said Sen. Louis DiPalma, D-Middletown, the bill’s sponsor.

Journal staff

Twin River poised to operate around the clock

Starting Thursday, the Twin River slot parlor in Lincoln will begin operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Earlier this month, the Rhode Island Lottery director gave the financially troubled gambling venue permission to extend its operating hours. The current hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and around-the-clock on weekends and holidays.

Following along with always-available gambling, some Twin River food vendors will extend their operating hours, including at least three that go 24/7 — Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks and Dessert Express. Johnny Rockets will open until 2 a.m. Saturdays and until 11 p.m. on Sundays. Subway will open until 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Alcohol will be served every day until 1 a.m.

Paul Grimaldi

CVS Caremark settles over expired products

The New York attorney general said Woonsocket-based CVS Caremark Corp. (CVS:NYSE) has agreed to pay $875,000 to settle charges that it sold expired products at its stores in that state.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo initiated legal action in 2008 against CVS after a survey by his office found expired products at 60 percent of CVS stores visited, Bloomberg reported. The survey found expired over-the-counter drugs, baby formula, eggs and milk at the stores.

CVS agreed to implement procedures to prevent the sale of expired products as part of the settlement.

In July 2008, a union-backed group said its own survey found expired products on the shelves of 800 CVS stores around the country. Earlier in 2008, CVS agreed to give $2 coupons to customers who found expired products on its shelves in California through a settlement with that state’s attorney general, Edmund “Jerry” Brown.

Paul Grimaldi

Providence and Worcester Railroad profits fall

The sluggish economy in the United States and overseas has caused a decline in shipments by the Providence and Worcester Railroad Co. and a fall-off in third-quarter profits.

The company based in Worcester reported net income of $158,000, or three cents per share, compared with $534,000, or 11 cents a share in the comparable period a year ago. Other income for the third quarter last year included $484,000 of gains realized from the sale of surplus property and equipment compared with $27,000 in the more recent quarter.

“Signs indicating future increases in traffic volume have been mixed and therefore, management cannot definitely predict when economic conditions will improve sufficiently to enable the company to return to operating profitability,” the company said in a statement.

Journal Staff

Raytheon gets share of Navy contract

Raytheon’s Seapower Capacity Center in Portsmouth will share the work from a $197 million Navy contract for engineering and support for the LPD-17 class of amphibious warfare ships.

The contract includes five one-year options and extends Raytheon’s role as the ship’s lead provider of engineering support.

Other facilities that will perform the work include the Expeditionary Warfare Center in San Diego and the Raytheon Technical Services Co. in New Orleans and San Diego.

Journal Staff

J. Goodison plans expansion at Quonset Point

J. Goodison Co., of Providence, plans to expand with the purchase of property in Quonset Point after securing $2.6 million in government contracts, the company said. One is for tugboat work under a subcontract with Senesco Marine Co., based at Quonset. Goddison also said it has benefited from being granted HUBZone status by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The status is designed to promote economic development and employment growth in distressed areas by offering federal contracting opportunities. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-RI, and Jeanne A. Hulit, regional administrator of the Small Business Administration, were to tour Quonset with Jack Goodison, chief executive officer and chief financial officer of J. Goodison Co.