USGBC

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GreenerBuildings News: March 13, 2008
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Welcome to the latest edition of GreenerBuildings News. We are committed
to bringing you the latest information and resources on the full
spectrum of environmental issues related to buildings and facilities.
Log on to http://www.GreenerBuildings.com for more up-to-date news,
tools, case studies, and other resources related to greener building
practices.

A full-color, graphic version of this newsletter is available online at:
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/enewsletter

=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE LATEST GREEN BUILDINGS NEWS =-=-=-=-=-=-=

SMBs Save Energy and $700K
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55695
More than 2,500 businesses in a suburb southeast of San Francisco participated
in an energy efficiency program that will save one megawatt of energy annually.
That translates to roughly $700,000 a year in energy savings.

New Software Helps Companies Control Energy and Emissions
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55705
PeopleCube and Building Sustainability Ltd. have joined forces to offer software
that will help companies better manage their energy consumption and greenhouse
gas emissions.

AMB Opens Southeast's First LEED Industrial Building in Port of Savannah
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55718
The real estate investment company's 347,000 square foot facility will be
certified to LEED-Silver levels, and is the first building in a planned green
business park at the fast-growing shipping facility.

ACE USA Offers Green Restoration Policy
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55694
The insurance company is now one of many to allow certain policyholders to
upgrade their buildings in environmentally friendly ways after being damaged.

Insurance Company Adds Eco-Friendly Coverage for Commercial Buildings
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55674
Lexington Insurance Company's Upgrade to Green coverage now applies to
commercial buildings, allowing sites to meet green building standards.

London Aims for a 25 Percent Energy Cut in Public Buildings
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55662
Through the Clinton Climate Initiative, London is partnering with energy service
companies to reduce the energy use of its public buildings.

ICC to Develop Green Building Certification
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55686
The International Code Council will unveil a certification program to ensure
that code officials understand the application of green building technologies.

Summit Boasts Green Real Estate Opportunities
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55698
The most cost-effective ways to use green building practices and available
incentives for sustainability were some of the topics at the 2008 Green Real
Estate Summit.

New Green Building Classes Added in Pacific Northwest
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55683
A Pacific Northwest green building group will add a nine-month certification
course to the newly formed Cascadia Sustainability Academy.

Calif. Awards Green Schools Grant
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55670
California's State Allocation Board issued the first award under the High
Performance Incentive Grant program aimed at encouraging green building
practices in schools.

CarbonLite Programme Boosts Low Energy Building
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55659
CarbonLite offers resources and assistance in building low-energy and low-carbon
residential and commercial buildings.

U.K. Group Helps Builders Meet and Exceed Waste Legislation
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55653
The Waste & Resource Action Program is offering a free template for Site Waste
Management Plans, which will soon be mandatory for construction, as well as best
practices for cutting waste.

MORE OF THE LATEST NEWS... http://greenerbuildings.com/news.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TOOLS & RESOURCES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Users' Guide to Green Performance Contracting
http://greenerbuildings.com/tool_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=97382
This guide from the Leonardo Academy addresses how all interested parties can
bring sustainability into performance contracting.

MORE TOOLS & RESOURCES... http://www.greenerbuildings.com/tools.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-= NEW FEATURES & COLUMNS =-=-=-=-=-=-=

How BIM and Green Tech Will Change the Construction Industry
By Scott Boutwell
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55702
Building Information Modeling, coupled with an array of alternative energy and
green building technologies, is quickly changing how construction and
renovations happen, and bringing high performance buildings to a new level.

LEED Certifi-able vs. LEED Certified
Simi Hoque, Environmental Design + Construction
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55720
In Boston, a new code requires all new construction over 50,000 square feet be
LEED certifiable (note the suffix), which is a little like saying that buildings
must be greenish. The code's stipulation of certifiable is a missed opportunity,
a weak gesture by city leaders to promote sustainable development in Boston.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURED EVENT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ecobuilding 2008
http://greenerbuildings.com/event_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=94969

Host: ANAB-Brasil
Date: May 23-25, 2008
Location: Paulista University/Sao Paulo/SP/Brazil

The conference is designed to enlarge the knowledge and discussion national and
international level on sustainable construction and design, since the basic
concepts up to the most advanced and contemporary architecture.

MORE EVENTS . . . http://www.greenerbuildings.com/search_events.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= GREENERBUILDINGS AND YOU =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

We'd like your feedback, questions, and ideas. Got a resource, tip, or
tool you'd like to share with others? Please write to
GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com, or click on the "Contact" link
on the home page.

We'll look forward to hearing from you.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

You have received this e-mail because you (or someone) subscribed your
e-mail address to this e-letter. IF YOU WISH TO UNSUBSCRIBE, please
e-mail GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com with the subject line
"Unsubscribe GreenerBuildings News".

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you would sign up for your own subscription. This helps us track our
circulation and attract sponsors.

TO SUBSCRIBE: Simply enter your email address in the space provided on
the homepage and click "SUBSCRIBE." We promise NEVER to sell, rent, or
swap your address with others without your permission.

GreenerBuildings is produced by Greener World Media, Inc., Copyright
2007.

===========================================================
GreenerBuildings News: December 13, 2007
===========================================================

Welcome to the latest edition of GreenerBuildings News. We are committed
to bringing you the latest information and resources on the full
spectrum of environmental issues related to buildings and facilities.
Log on to http://www.GreenerBuildings.com for more up-to-date news,
tools, case studies, and other resources related to greener building
practices.

A full-color, graphic version of this newsletter is available online at:
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/enewsletter

=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE LATEST NEWS & FEATURES =-=-=-=-=-=-=

Finding the Financing for Your Green Building Project
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36362
By Tilde Herrera
There's no doubt that the sub-prime residential mortgage crisis has cast a
shadow over the economy. But the market remains favorable for commercial green
building projects, according to Leanne Tobias, whom spoke to GreenBiz Radio
about financing opportunities.

The 'Real Economics' Behind the Paradigm Shift to Green Hotels
By Jim Butler, Green Lodging News
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=36397
What are the real economics behind green hotel development, conversion and
operation? Is this the time to go green? Can you afford to wait? Here are some
solidly documented answers based on substantial and reliable studies. The
answers may surprise you.

Green Building Programs Expanded by 400 Percent in Four Years: Survey
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36345
The number of cities in the U.S. with green building programs grew from 22 to 92
between 2003 and 2007, according to a study conducted by the American Institute
of Architects.

AIG Environmental Adds Financial Incentives for Building Green
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36398
The environmental arm of insurance company American International Group has
announced the Sustain-a-Build program, offering insurance policy discounts for
LEED-certified green building projects.

Tenants Willing to Pay More for Green Building: Report
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36374
A recent report suggests that energy efficient buildings commanded higher
occupancy and rental rates while sales process were as much as 30 percent higher
per square foot. To boot, operating expenses were lower.

New Life Cycle Assessment Tool for Buildings Unveiled
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=36388
The EcoCalculator Version 2.3 was commissioned by the Green Building Initiative
for use in its Green Globes assessment and rating system.

Historic Performance Venue Given $1 Million Grant for Green Building
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36391
Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley, Calif., has been awarded a $1.1
million grant to help fund its new, greener location.

Green Building Initiatives Among $11.2 Million in Pa. Grants
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36379
Geothermal, solar and wind installations are among the 24 projects in
Pennsylvania that will receive a total of $11.2 million state grants.

ISO Creates Standard for Sustainable Building
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36364
The International Organization for Standardization has developed a new standard
aimed at sustainable building.

LEED-Healthcare Teams With Green Guide
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36356
The U.S. Green Building Council and the Green Guide for Health Care will work
together on greening health care building.

REI Goes Green With Expansion
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36337
The outdoor gear retailer is expanding its East Coast operations and
implementing a handful of green building practices for its new facility.

MORE OF THE LATEST NEWS... http://greenerbuildings.com/news.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TOOLS & RESOURCES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Does Green Pay Off?
http://greenerbuildings.com/tool_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=95722
This preliminary research evaluates the rent and value differentials of
energy-efficient buildings at the national level.

EcoBroker
http://greenerbuildings.com/tool_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=95754
This online resource offers trainings for green real estate brokers, a directory
of green building service and product providers, and other tools for green
building professionals.

Chicago's Green Alley Project Handbook
http://greenerbuildings.com/tool_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=95080
This report outlines Chicago's effort to green all 1,900 miles of its alleyways,
reducing water, air and light pollution while recharging and purifying
groundwater supplies.

MORE TOOLS & RESOURCES... http://www.greenerbuildings.com/tools.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURED EVENT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Cost-Efficient Sustainable Buildings
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/event_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=94444

Date: April 14-15, 2008
Location: Philadelphia, Penn.

This conference will focus on technologies, techniques and strategies to build
green, energy efficient buildings cost-effectively

MORE EVENTS . . . http://www.greenerbuildings.com/search_events.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= GREENERBUILDINGS AND YOU =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

We'd like your feedback, questions, and ideas. Got a resource, tip, or
tool you'd like to share with others? Please write to
GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com, or click on the "Contact" link
on the home page.

We'll look forward to hearing from you.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

You have received this e-mail because you (or someone) subscribed your
e-mail address to this e-letter. IF YOU WISH TO UNSUBSCRIBE, please
e-mail GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com with the subject line
"Unsubscribe GreenerBuildings News".

IF THIS MESSAGE WAS FORWARDED TO YOU BY OTHERS, we'd appreciate it if
you would sign up for your own subscription. This helps us track our
circulation and attract sponsors.

TO SUBSCRIBE: Simply enter your email address in the space provided on
the homepage and click "SUBSCRIBE." We promise NEVER to sell, rent, or
swap your address with others without your permission.

GreenerBuildings is produced by Greener World Media, Inc., Copyright
2007.

===========================================================
GreenerBuildings News: November 29, 2007
===========================================================

Welcome to the latest edition of GreenerBuildings News. We are committed
to bringing you the latest information and resources on the full
spectrum of environmental issues related to buildings and facilities.
Log on to http://www.GreenerBuildings.com for more up-to-date news,
tools, case studies, and other resources related to greener building
practices.

A full-color, graphic version of this newsletter is available online at:
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/enewsletter

=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE LATEST NEWS & FEATURES =-=-=-=-=-=-=

Greening Buildings, One Step at a Time
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=36319
By Sarah Fister Gale
Small moves toward daily sustainability are a part of a growing trend toward
sustainable facilities management that goes beyond high-profile green
initiatives, such as installing a solar power system or achieving LEED
certification. This trend instead focuses on the daily minutiae of how a
building is operated.

Managing Risk in Green Building Projects
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=36320
By Tim Corbett
The green buildings boom has opened up a wide market for professionals of all
kinds to begin working on sustainable projects, but with this boom comes a host
of new risks ands expectations that must be considered and managed throughout
the project.

Green Builds a Community
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=36329
By John Davies, AMR Research
Looking back at the Greenbuild Conference in Chicago gives great hope,
considering how many governments and individuals are quickly and thoroughly
adopting green building principles, and just how big a movement has coalesced
around the goal.

Green Roofs Growing in Popularity, Study Finds
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=36325
A Michigan State University study recently found that the area covered by green
roofs increased 80 percent in 2006 over the year before. Although use is
spreading, cost remains a barrier.

Chicago Puts Plans in Motion to Green 1,900 Miles of Alleys
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=36318
The city, which says it has the most alleys of any city in the world, will have
refurbished 46 of its back streets to conserve water and reduce summer heat by
the end of this year, and will gradually improve the rest of the city's alleys.

New Group to run LEED Accredited Professional Program
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=36289
Starting in January next year, the U.S. Green Building Council will allow a
third party to administer the LEED Accredited Professional program.

Portland Launches New Green Building Hotline
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=36311
Portland's regional government and surrounding counties unveiled a green
building hotline earlier this month targeting businesses, developers and
residents with information about green materials, renewable energy, energy
efficiency and indoor air quality, among other topics.

Green Building Projects Will Skyrocket in Next Five Years: Survey
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=36252
Green building as a commercial real estate strategy is gaining traction and will
increase significantly in the next five years, according to a survey published
this month in Real Estate Investor and Retail Traffic magazines.

Largest Chicago Buildings Plan Energy Retrofits
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=36297
The Sears Tower, the Merchandise Mart and housing buildings will receive
energy-saving improvements through a partnership between the Clinton Climate
Initiative and the city.

USGBC Proposes New LEED Standards for Existing Buildings
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=36259
The U.S. Green Building Council has announced the newest version of LEED for
Existing Buildings, and the William J. Clinton Presidential Library earns
LEED-EB Platinum Certification.

USGBC Teams With Cities, NGOs for Green Playbook
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36243
The City of Seattle joined the U.S. Green Building Council and more than 20
partners to launch an online resource to help municipalities and counties that
want to explore sustainable building and planning.

Green Cleaning Network Launches Industry Climate Initiative
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36239
At the U.S. Green Building Council's Greenbuild Expo, the nonprofit Green
Cleaning Network joined with eco-consultants the Leonardo Academy to unveil a
plan to help the industrial and institutional cleaning industry reduce and
offset its emissions.

MORE OF THE LATEST NEWS... http://greenerbuildings.com/news.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TOOLS & RESOURCES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The Preliminary Standards and Guidelines for Sustainable Landscape Design &
Architecture
http://greenerbuildings.com/tool_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=94925
This first report from the Sustainable Sites Initiative offers over 200 in-depth
strategies for enhancing the ecosystem services around residential and
commercial building projects.

MORE TOOLS & RESOURCES... http://www.greenerbuildings.com/tools.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURED EVENT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Idaho Environmental Summit
http://greenerbuildings.com/event_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=94967

Host: Idaho GEMStars Program
Date: Dec 11-13, 2007
Location: DoubleTree – Riverside in Boise, Idaho

National, state and tribal professionals, environmental conservation groups,
businesses, academics and citizens will gather for the second, annual Idaho
Environmental Summit.

MORE EVENTS . . . http://www.greenerbuildings.com/search_events.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= GREENERBUILDINGS AND YOU =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

We'd like your feedback, questions, and ideas. Got a resource, tip, or
tool you'd like to share with others? Please write to
GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com, or click on the "Contact" link
on the home page.

We'll look forward to hearing from you.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

You have received this e-mail because you (or someone) subscribed your
e-mail address to this e-letter. IF YOU WISH TO UNSUBSCRIBE, please
e-mail GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com with the subject line
"Unsubscribe GreenerBuildings News".

IF THIS MESSAGE WAS FORWARDED TO YOU BY OTHERS, we'd appreciate it if
you would sign up for your own subscription. This helps us track our
circulation and attract sponsors.

TO SUBSCRIBE: Simply enter your email address in the space provided on
the homepage and click "SUBSCRIBE." We promise NEVER to sell, rent, or
swap your address with others without your permission.

GreenerBuildings is produced by Greener World Media, Inc., Copyright
2007.

Well, Green Build flew right by -- it's like it ended before it even started. There was so much going on and so many things to see, I feel like I barely scratched the surface of all that was happening. Enough has been written about the crowds and disorganization -- mostly true-- there were so many people that even McCormick Place, the largest building in the world apparently with 4.2M square feet, couldn't handle it. Official numbers were over 20K (vs 14K last year), and at times it seemed that everyone was trying to do the same thing at the same time. I wish I had taken more photos (and that I'd had a real camera with me), but here are just a few highlights:

Bill Clinton kicked things off with a call for a carbon standard- a true way of measuring our progress, as well as a successor to the Kyoto Protocol that would hold countries accountable -- "It would be a terrible thing if we got three years down the road and they said ‘you didn’t keep score.’” He also argued that a green economy would create enough jobs and growth to offset any losses from fossil fuel industries such as coal mining and oil refining. In Paul Hawken style, he spoke of "the biggest economic opportunity that our country has had to mobilize and democratize economic opportunity since World War II." He also announced that the William J Clinton Foundation has entered into a partnership with GE Real Estate to "green" all of the company's properties and operations which includes $72B of assets globally. Thanks BDC for taking good notes (they have more good coverage, including a joint finding announced at the show from Autodesk and the AIA that it's consumers / clients who are driving green building, not architects or builders.)

Speaking of Paul Hawken, here's a shot of the monitor at Thursday's (packed) plenary which actually wasn't such a highlight. Kevin and I sat through an hour of "speeches" from Green Build sponsors waiting to hear Paul Hawken, and it turned out that it was a talk we'd both already heard, based on his new book "Blessed Unrest." It's actually a great talk about the millions of people who are having great/positive and similar conversations around the world in various fragmented groups (and the possibility of coming together), and Hawken is a great speaker. But since we had already heard it and time was precious, we left to check out more of the trade show floor (which was huge-- I only covered a fraction of it).

Here's one of the entrance to the trade show, and another of American Clay's booth -- their products, and Carol (the owner), are always lots of fun.

Here's May Chiu and one of her work pals from Global Green (great smiles aren't they?). She's holding a card that I gave her from green products comparison shopping engine Green2Green which just launched and which we wrote about earlier in the week. It was great meeting Whit (who runs green2green) as well as lots of others whom I've previously only met by phone. One of the crazier moments was talking on the phone with friend and advisor Shyam Kannan from RCLCO and trying to find a meeting place. We discovered, I kid you not, that he was sitting down literally 3 feet behind me in the Networking Garden, with another friend of ours Maura McCarthy from Ironwood Equity.

Here are our lunch companions on Wednesday-- Paul Mcrandle from The Green Guide, and Paul Mankiewicz from The Gaia Institute - more great smiles. We had a good time with both of them and were particularly intrigued by some stats and hypotheticals (?) that Paul Mankiewicz had. Get this: if 10% of the 26 square miles of roof tops in NYC used green/living roofs, it could lower temperatures in the city by 2-3 degrees. Here's another: If we used 50% of the waste water in NYC as grey water and evaporated it, it would turn NYC into a tropical rainforest.

Though I don't have any photos of it, Thursday night was a rager at Chicago's Merchandise Mart-- the building itself is quite incredible (the largest LEED building in the world), and there were parties on numerous floors. We went to a nice party that Metropolis Magazine was hosting to kick off this year's NextGen awards and visited our friend and advisor Susan Szenasy and her crew there. Then we met a woman named Geraldina who owns Casa Concept in Houston. What a ball of energy she was-- she must have walked a couple of miles in that building to get stamps from all of the showrooms where there were parties, for a chance to win a free hotel room at next year's Green Build. For her, I think it was just for the challenge and accomplishment.

Next week I'll be in Boston, the site of next year's Green Build, which I can only imagine will be even bigger. I'm not sure where they'll put everyone, but this trend isn't going away any time soon.

Situated smack dab in the middle of southern Wisconsin, the recently completed Aldo Leopold Legacy Center (ALLC) is a most befitting dedication to Leopold's tireless work for the planet. "Considered by many as the father of wildlife management and of the United States’ wilderness system, Aldo Leopold was a conservationist, forester, philosopher, educator, writer, and outdoor enthusiast," according to the center's website.

Often, people come to us asking, “How can I reduce my impact on the environment?” The Legacy Center is, in part, the result of attempting to answer that question. At heart, the Legacy Center attempts to answer the essential question—“How can we ensure both people and the land will prosper in the long run?"

Available for a variety of meetings and functions, it wouldn't have made much sense to not make the ALLC as green as possible. When presenting the center with its LEED Platinum certification, US Green Building Council president Rick Fedrizzi called it the "greenest building on the planet."

Everything you could imagine has been considered during the development and construction of the ALLC. For detailed information on all the center's eco-features, check out their website. This collection of buildings is a perfect example of how sustainable innovations can be seamlessly combined with traditional architecture to create the future of living/working spaces.

Developers and enforcers of the widely used LEED standard for green building, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has established a new set of standards specifically for schools.

The LEED for Schools Rating System recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools. Based on LEED for New Construction, it addresses issues such as classroom acoustics, master planning, mold prevention, and environmental site assessment.

By addressing the uniqueness of school spaces and children's health issues, LEED for schools provides a unique, comprehensive tool for schools that wish to build green, with measurable results. LEED for Schools is the recognized third-party standard for high-performance schools that are healthy for students, comfortable for teachers, and cost-effective.

As of September 20th, 380 schools all over the country have registered to be certified under this new LEED system. Ranging from certified to gold level, 57 schools have already become official. The many benefits of green schools; including those for students, teachers and the planet; are touted all over the Build Green Schools website.

Ready to take action in your local community? Find out if there is a local Green Schools Advocate chapter already established in your region. Next, learn all you can about green building for schools with USGBC's Green Schools 101 online program (including a video, project profiles and money saving details). Finally, connect with others around the country who are working to make a difference as well; share tips, experiences, successes and pitfalls.

We've blogged about green neighborhoods here before: The U.S Green Building Council is hard at work on LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System, a pilot program that combines the principles of New Urbanism with green building and applies LEED standards to whole community developments.

Meanwhile, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a super green, Cradle-to-Cradle neighborhood is becoming a reality. It's name is Greenbridge.

Architects William McDonough + Partners and Greenbridge Developments will break ground on this stunning mixed-use residential project on October 8. It promises: rainwater catchment, a state-of-the-art HVAC system, green roofs, a fleet of ZipCars and Cradle-to-Cradle building materials.

If all of that weren't cool enough: buy a unit before Sept. 23 and you'll receive a 2.5% bonus towards your first year's HOA dues, taxes, or finish upgrades.

If we lived in North Carolina, we'd be sold.

Via Greenthinkers.org

If the thought of living in a green home thrills you, how about living in a green neighborhood?

Well, good news! The USGBC is about to make it easier for green home enthusiasts to borrow that ever-elusive cup of (organic) sugar from their neighbor.

Combining the principles of new urbanism and green building (in a partnership between the U.S. Green Building Council, Congress for the New Urbanism and the Natural Resources Defense Council), the LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System is a pilot program that applies LEED standards to whole community developments. And it's getting us excited.

According to their web site, the system "recognizes development projects that successfully protect and enhance the overall health, natural environment, and quality of life of our communities. The rating system encourages smart growth and new urbanist best practices, promoting the design of neighborhoods that reduce vehicle miles traveled and communities where jobs and services are accessible by foot or public transit. It promotes more efficient energy and water use — especially important in urban areas where infrastructure is often overtaxed."

In other words, LEED for Neighborhood Development is taking us back in time, in a good way. Or, as the DailyGreen put it, they're "bringing back the neighborhood!"

This partnership makes perfect sense, as the organizational tenets of new urbanism (emphasizing shared space and walkability in a community) are actually quite green on their own.

And we aren't the only ones who think so: According to the DailyGreen, 238 developments in 39 states and six other countries have signed up to be in the pilot program.

Not a bad start! We'll be following this one closely.

In my last post, I discussed alternatives to the LEED for Homes Rating System, but now I'd like to explain why we do indeed need LEED:

In the last several years, the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System (LEED) has seen tremendous momentum in the commercial building sector. Many states and municipalities now require that buildings built on their behalf or for their occupancy be built to the LEED standard. Until recently, the LEED program was only available for commercial buildings. Last year, the USGBC introduced the pilot program for the residential sector, LEED for Homes.

The LEED for Homes rating system is a tool for recognizing homes that are designed to be sustainable. These homes are built to be energy and resource efficient, durable, less costly to maintain and healthy for their occupants. The LEED for Homes Rating System is targeted at the best 25 percent of homes and can be applied to both single and multi-family units.

Do we need a rating system like LEED?

Unquestionably, more and more consumers and builders recognize the need to reduce energy consumption and emissions. They’re driving the market to build more sustainably. But just what is a “green home”? LEED for Homes provides a road map to get to the objective. Homes built to green standards offer a number of benefits:

• Lower and energy and water bills;
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions;
• Improved comfort;
• Reduced maintenance;
• Health benefits such as reduced exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins; and
• Third party inspection, testing and verification of the home’s green characteristics.

To be certified in the LEED for Homes program, the project must meet a number of prerequisites as well as achieve a minimum number of points within seven credit areas, including items that pertain to location, the project site, energy use, use of materials and resources, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and homeowner awareness. When the minimum number of points are achieved, the home is certified. If more points are achieved, Silver, Gold and Platinum ratings are available.

More information about this program is available at www.usgbc.org/leed/homes. In California and Nevada, homebuilders can contact Davis Energy Group by e-mail at leed[at]davisenergy.com. Davis Energy Group has been designated by the U.S. Green Building Council as the Provider of the LEED for Homes Program. Providers are responsible for training, coordination, and oversight of the rating and ultimate certification of houses according the program criteria.

Cross-posted from my site. Enjoy.

Part III - Statistics and Reasoning

So… what are some of the reasons and statistics to support the benefit of building green?

Regardless of whether or not you saw Al Gore’s global warming documentary, global warming is gaining the attention of the media and scientists worldwide. The building industry, including how we power these buildings, how we live in them, and what we put in them, has played a significant role in global warming.

Energy from the sun drives the earth’s weather and climate, and heats the earth’s surface; in turn, the earth radiates energy back into space. Atmospheric greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases) trap some of the outgoing energy, retaining heat somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse. Without this natural “greenhouse effect,” temperatures would be much lower than they are now, and life as known today would not be possible. Instead, thanks to greenhouse gases, the earth’s average temperature is a more hospitable 60°F. However, problems may arise when the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases increases.

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased nearly 30%, methane concentrations have more than doubled, and nitrous oxide concentrations have risen by about 15%. These increases have enhanced the heat-trapping capability of the earth’s atmosphere. Sulfate aerosols, a common air pollutant, cool the atmosphere by reflecting light back into space; however, sulfates are short-lived in the atmosphere and vary regionally.

Why are greenhouse gas concentrations increasing? Scientists generally believe that the combustion of fossil fuels and other human activities are the primary reason for the increased concentration of carbon dioxide. Plant respiration and the decomposition of organic matter release more than 10 times the CO2 released by human activities; but these releases have generally been in balance during the centuries leading up to the industrial revolution with carbon dioxide absorbed by terrestrial vegetation and the oceans.

What has changed in the last few hundred years is the additional release of carbon dioxide by human activities. Fossil fuels burned to run cars and trucks, heat homes and businesses, and power factories are responsible for about 98% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, 24% of methane emissions, and 18% of nitrous oxide emissions. Increased agriculture, deforestation, landfills, industrial production, and mining also contribute a significant share of emissions. In 1997, the United States emitted about one-fifth of total global greenhouse gases. (Source:http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/climate.html)

US buildings alone are responsible for more CO2. emissions than those of any other entire country in the world except China. (Source: Kinzey et al., “The Federal Buildings Research and Development Program: A Sharp Tool for Climate Policy,” 2002 ACEEE proceedings, Section 9.21.)

Global mean surface temperatures have increased 0.5-1.0°F since the late 19th century. The 20th century's 10 warmest years all occurred in the last 15 years of the century. Of these, 1998 was the warmest year on record. The snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere and floating ice in the Arctic Ocean have decreased. Globally, sea level has risen 4-8 inches over the past century. Worldwide precipitation over land has increased by about one percent. The frequency of extreme rainfall events has increased throughout much of the United States.

Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases are likely to accelerate the rate of climate change. Scientists expect that the average global surface temperature could rise 1-4.5°F (0.6-2.5°C) in the next fifty years, and 2.2-10°F (1.4-5.8°C) in the next century, with significant regional variation. Evaporation will increase as the climate warms, which will increase average global precipitation. Soil moisture is likely to decline in many regions, and intense rainstorms are likely to become more frequent. Sea level is likely to rise two feet along most of the U.S. coast. (Source:http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/climate.html)

Energy use is therefore extremely important to consider. Buildings represent 39% of U.S. primary energy use (including fuel input for production), and represent 70% of U.S energy consumption. (Source: 2003 U.S. DOE Buildings Energy Databook)

The savings which can be realized through the green building process, both new builds and retrofit/remodels is not arguable. Coupled with the use of Energy Star rated products for both your home and business, the immediate and long term savings are a big part of green building incentive.

For example, tenants can save about 50 cents per square foot each year through strategies that cut energy use by 30%. This can represent a savings of $50,000 or more in a five-year lease on 20,000 square feet (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). On average, green buildings use 30% less energy than conventional buildings.

Water use, material use, and waste are also heavy contenders when opting for green building. Conserving water is often as vital as saving energy. Buildings use 12.2% of all potable water, or 15 trillion gallons per year. (Source: U.S. Geological Service, 1995 data.) Many things incorporated into a green building; including the landscaping, take water usage strongly into account.

Buildings use 40% of raw materials globally (and 3 billion tons annually). Combine this with the EPA’s estimate that 136 million tons of building-related construction and demolition (C&D) debris was generated in the U.S. in a single year – and you will have an understanding for the phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” (Sources: Lenssen and Roodman, 1995, “Worldwatch Paper 124: A Building Revolution: How Ecology and Health Concerns are Transforming Construction,” Worldwatch Institute and the EPA)

On the forefront of the green building industry has been the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Program.

What is LEED®?

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. (Source: U.S. Green Building Council)

LEED’s rating system basically gives “points” in all of the above stated goals, with various levels of “green-ness.”

Several other organizations have developed their own green building guidelines, specs, and initiatives as well including: the National Association of Home Builder’s voluntary Model Green Home Building Guidelines (http://www.nahb.org), Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines (http://www.csbr.umn.edu/B3/), Federal Guide for Green Construction Specs (http://www.wbdg.org/design/greenspec.php), and the American Lung Association Health House Builder Guidelines (http://www.healthhouse.org/build/04HHBuilderGuidelines.pdf)

Think green!

To be continued...