Corporate Responsibility

Environmental Defense Fund has hired Diane Munns as senior director, smart power collaboration.

Munns joins EDF from MidAmerican Energy Company where she served as VP of regulatory relations and energy efficiency since 2008. She represented the company at national and regional regulatory forums and was responsible for direct management of the energy efficiency group, including strategy, personnel, budget and compliance.

The Hain Celestial Group, an organic and natural products company, has acquired Tilda Limited, a Basmati and specialty rice products company. Tilda brand's portfolio includes more than 60 dry rice and ready-to-eat products under the names Tilda, Akash Basmati and Abu Shmagh.

Boise Cascade Company has appointed Karen Gowland to its board of directors.

"I am delighted that Karen is joining our board. She brings a unique mix of skills given her knowledge of our company and experience in the industry, and understanding of securities laws and corporate governance," said chairman Duane McDougall.

While the vulnerabilities of Target's data systems were exposed during a recent data breach the company’s data centers were being hailed as a model of energy efficiency by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The United Nations reportedly wants the Cambodian government to investigate the use of force against striking garment factory workers in the country’s capital city of Phnom Penh on Jan. 3. According to Reuters, police opened fire on workers striking over their pay, wounding 20 and killing five.

In addition, 23 striking workers were detained and their whereabouts remain unaccounted for. The Cambodian police say three people were killed and they are sorry for the incident.

Advantages include energy optimization, operational excellence

For a long time, commissioning was predominately associated with the process of testing and balancing (T&B) heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems based on specific standards prior to turning the building over to the owner. But commissioning has come a long way, and today it is a more formal and meticulous quality-assurance process of articulating and verifying that all of the building’s systems perform as they were intended.

Upscale department store retailer Bloomingdale’s isn’t a name typically associated with football, but that all changes this year as a result of the Super Bowl being held in New York for the first time ever.

Bloomingdale’s, operator of 37 department stores nationwide, will use its flag ship store on 59th Street in Manhattan to unveil a collection of designer helmets and a unique and stylish collection of entertaining essentials beginning January 15.

Retailers subject to increasing — and costly — environmental scrutiny

“I’m a retailer, not a hazardous waste producer.” If that’s what you think, you may be wrong.