Recycled Roof for Major Sports and Entertainment Arena

Here is a good example of how recycled materials can be used to renovate a roofing system on a high use, very visible sports arena in Boston. The question now becomes - how does the owner pass the energy savings on to the sports fans?

April 2013 CALGreen Workshop - Sacramento

Sacramento Workshop Coming Soon

March 21, 2013

Dear Colleagues:

Our April Workshop in Sacramento is coming soon. Register now and you can still obtain a registration discount.

July will bring publication of the latest changes to CALGreen, California's mandatory green building code, changes that will become mandatory in January. 

You won't have to wait that long to find out what this update will bring. On April 19, at the Green California Summit, code experts from the Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development will lead you through the latest developments.

This is your chance to hear directly from those involved in the development of the code - and to ask any questions you might have about CALGreen basics or how the code will evolve in the future. 

More Training and Free Concurrent Sessions

The Summit offers professional training on other topics, from changes in accessibility codes to meeting AB 1108's requirements for benchmarking energy use before building sale. For details, click here.

Your registration for professional training also gives you free access to the concurrent education sessions on April 18 and 19 at the 2013 Green California Summit, as well as the Expo, opening session on April 18 and the Leadership Awards reception on April 18. This is a great opportunity for you to get up to date on more than just CALGreen. Attend sessions organized by USGBC California, Clean Cities, the Institute for Local Government and more.

For details on these great sessions, click here. 

Register Now

You can register today at the Green California Summit registration page. Note: choose the "Professional Training" badge.

Session details:

Friday, April 19

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm 

Sacramento Convention Center

1400 J. Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

SEATING IS LIMITED - REGISTER TODAY!

AIA continuing education credits available.

The session offers 3 AIA credits and .3 ICC credits. 

Registration is $105. Seating is limited.

LEED Gold Creates Great Work Environment

This video is a really good resource for any business owner or building owner considering renovation or new construction of a low rise office structure. I like the thinking behind the positioning of employees close to natural light sources for personal enjoyment of their work environment. So many other great concepts covered as well. Enjoy.

 

EPA Begins Construction of Groundwater Treatment System for Torrance Superfund Sites

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2013
Media Contact: Nahal Mogharabi, mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov

EPA Begins Construction of Groundwater Treatment System for Torrance Superfund Sites

LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced the start of construction of a groundwater treatment system that will clean up groundwater contamination from past operations at the Montrose and Del Amo Superfund sites in Torrance, Calif. The treatment system is expected to be completed in 18 months at an estimated cost of $15 million and will be used to remove chlorobenzene, benzene and other industrial chemicals used to manufacture DDT and synthetic rubber from the groundwater.

Under EPA supervision, Montrose Chemical Corporation will build a water treatment plant, dig 11 wells, and install approximately 30,000 feet of underground piping. The completed system will draw contaminated groundwater from the aquifer, remove the industrial chemicals, and then return the treated water back underground. The treated water will not be served as drinking water, but will instead be re-injected to surround the contamination and prevent it from any further movement into unaffected groundwater areas.

Construction will take place on both public and private property. Wind screens and noise blankets will be used to control dust and noise generated during construction work. In addition, the construction team will use the best available dust control measures to protect construction workers and prevent migration of DDT-impacted dust outside of the work area. Dust and air monitoring will be conducted during all construction activities, and plans are in place to ensure that dust does not blow into residential areas or businesses.

Montrose Chemical Corporation of California manufactured the pesticide DDT from 1947 until 1982. Chlorobenzene was a raw material used in making DDT. The Del Amo Superfund site, located adjacent to the Montrose site, was formerly a synthetic rubber manufacturing facility that used benzene, naphthalene and ethyl benzene. Groundwater contamination from both sites has co-mingled and will be cleaned up by this single treatment system.

For more information and project updates on the Del Amo and Montrose Superfund Sites, please visit: www.epa.gov/region09/montrose

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Stylish & Sustainable Green Building with Reclaimed Materials

I like the point about how reclaimed building materials have already offgassed....this is a really good video to watch for new and remodeling projects.

New Report Showcases Cost-Effective Green Building Benefits Throughout the World

World Green Building Council Showcases Cost-Effective Green Building Benefits Throughout the World

New Report Released Today Highlights Financial Value of Green Buildings to Business Communities

LONDON (March 6, 2013) — A new comprehensive report released this week from the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), highlights that there are a large number of compelling benefits from green buildings received by different stakeholders throughout the life cycle of a building.

The report, "The Business Case for Green Building: A Review of the Costs and Benefits for Developers, Investors and Occupants," examines whether or not it's possible to attach a financial value to the cost and benefits of green buildings. Today, green buildings can be delivered at a price comparable to conventional buildings and investments can be recouped through operational cost savings and, with the right design features, create a more productive workplace.

"This report synthesizes credible evidence from around the world on green buildings into one collective resource, and the evidence presented highlights that sustainable buildings provide tangible benefits and make clear business sense," said Jane Henley, CEO of WorldGBC. "From risk mitigation across a building portfolio and city-wide economic benefits, to the improved health and well-being of individual building occupants, the business case for green building will continue to evolve as markets mature. Indeed we have already seen this momentum grow globally where in more and more places, green is now becoming the status quo."

Key findings include:

• Design and Construction Costs: Research shows that building green does not necessarily need to cost more, particularly when cost strategies, program management and environmental strategies are integrated into the development process right from the start;
• Asset Value: As investors and occupiers become more knowledgeable about and concerned with the environmental and social impacts of the built environment, buildings with better sustainability credentials will have increased marketability. In fact, studies from around the world demonstrate a pattern of greener buildings being able to more easily attract tenants and to command higher rents and sale prices;
• Operating Costs: Green buildings have been shown to save money through reduced energy and water use and lower long-term operations and maintenance costs. The energy savings alone typically exceed any cost premiums associated with their design and construction within a reasonable payback period;
• Workplace Productivity and Health: Research shows that the green design attributes of buildings and indoor environments can improve worker productivity and occupant health and well-being, resulting in bottom line benefits for businesses;
• Risk Mitigation: Sustainability risk factors can significantly affect the rental income and the future value of real estate assets, in turn affecting their return on investment. Regulatory risks have become increasingly apparent in countries and cities around the world, including mandatory disclosure, building codes and laws banning inefficient buildings.

The report concludes that illustrating that by greening our built environment at the neighborhood and city scales, the green building industry can deliver on large-scale economic priorities such as climate change mitigation, energy security, resource conservation and job creation, long-term resilience and quality of life.

 "This report underscores that green buildings play a fundamental and cost-efficient role in tackling some of the immediate challenges of our times," said Rick Fedrizzi, chair of the WorldGBC and president, CEO and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). "The WorldGBC is proud to continue to play a leadership role in the explosive growth of global green building industry as we all continue to create a world that will give people better, brighter, healthier spaces to live, work and play."

This report was produced in partnership with PRP Environmental along with the following sponsors: Skanska, Grosvenor, and the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council/Estidama.

About the World Green Building Council

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) is a network of national Green Building Councils (GBCs) from around the world, making it the largest international organization influencing the green building marketplace. Green Building Councils are member-based organizations that partner with industry and government in the transformation of their building industries towards sustainability through the adoption of green building practices. On the ground in over 90 countries, GBCs create change in their local markets as a way to globalize environmentally and socially responsible building practices.  Visit: www.worldgbc.org

Loyola building achieves LEED Silver status for its sustainability

The Loyola University New Orleans College of Law’s Broadway Building has achieved LEED Silver Certification for its environmentally friendly characteristics, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. The Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice, along with the Career Development and Law Practice Center and the Office of Law Skills and Experiential Learning, are located in the building.

Originally built in 1959, the Broadway Building, formerly known as the Dominican Conference Center and designed by Fernandez & Johnson Architecture, underwent a nearly $7.5 million renovation, which was completed in spring 2011. DonahueFavret Contractors Inc., was the general contractor on the project.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a certification developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to set a benchmark for design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED Silver is the third highest level of achievement by the council and its Green Building Certification Institute.

Some of the environmental design features that contributed to LEED Silver Certification of the Broadway Building include:

• Building reuse: The building is a renovation of an existing building. By maintaining the original walls, floor and roof, the impact of construction on the environment is greatly reduced.
• Energy performance: The Broadway Building features the latest energy efficient components, including low-emittance glazed windows, energy efficient lighting systems with sensors that turn on for occupants, and efficient HVAC systems. These green characteristics reduce the building’s energy costs by 14 percent.
• Alternative transportation: Building is within a half-mile walking distance to public transportation, reducing pollution and land development impacts on the environment from automobile use.
• Water use reduction: All plumbing fixtures are low-flow fixtures, which use minimal potable water, reducing the building’s burden on the city’s water supply by 35 percent.
• Heat island effect: The building also uses dark, non-reflective surfaces for roofs, walkways and other paved surfaces, which help lessen the so-called heat island effect. Because of the heat island effect, ambient temperatures in urban areas are artificially elevated by 2 to10 degrees Fahrenheit. Loyola’s Broadway Building minimizes the effect through its reflective materials, providing shade and minimizing pavement.
• Recycled content: The project incorporated recycled building materials, thereby reducing the environmental impact of harvesting and processing virgin materials. Products with recycled content reduce solid waste volumes.

LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. LEED Certification is the most recognized global standard for high performance buildings that are efficient, cost-effective and better for occupants and the environment.

For more information, contact James Shields in the Office of Public Affairs at 504-861-5888.

 

Attributing Building Energy Code Savings to Energy Efficiency Programs

Leveraging Building Energy Codes to Maximize Energy Savings
New study provides guidance to states exploring options to link utility efficiency programs with energy codes savings

LEXINGTON, MA , February 28, 2013 - As states increasingly look to utilities to play an active role in supporting building energy codes, a new report from a coalition of energy efficiency advocates, has been issued to provide guidance for how state regulatory commissions and energy offices can best develop and evaluate such efforts. 

The report, Attributing Building Energy Code Savings to Energy Efficiency Programs, developed by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) Evaluation, Measurement and Verification (EM&V) Forum; the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT); and IEE, an institute of the Edison Foundation, provides in-depth guidance on program options, evaluation protocol, and regulatory considerations for efficiency program administrators and policymakers.

Utility-supported energy codes programs are generally in their infancy and face challenges to adoption and scalability, including the lack of uniform standards for crediting utilities with associated program savings. This report investigates evaluation mechanisms or “frameworks” used in states such as California, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and reviews potential hybrid approaches that balance considerations such as potential energy savings, resource requirements, cost-effectiveness, and defensibility.

“Building energy codes represent tremendous opportunities for states to meet their increasingly aggressive energy savings goals,” ” explained Susan Coakley, executive director of NEEP.  “Utilities and other administrators of ratepayer funded energy efficiency programs provide an ideal opportunity to both inform and support the development and implementation of codes. This report offers guidance for developing frameworks that connect the two by providing options for policy makers to allow the  utilities to claim  energy savings from code support effortless as part of their overall efficiency programs.”

Recognizing that there is no one-size-fits all approach, the report provides an overview of  the code and utility policy environment in 17 diverse states to help categorize the unique opportunities and challenges posed by local conditions.

“State and local building codes are a cornerstone of U.S. energy policy, so this is an exciting but relatively untested area of utility engagement” said Sarah Stellberg, manager of research and policy analysis at IMT. “Our goal for this report was to provide actionable guidance for policymakers, PAs, and regulators as they test the waters with new codes program activities.”

“Utilities are exploring every possible activity to affect energy efficiency within homes and businesses” said Lisa Wood, Executive Director of IEE, “and developing guidance on how to design, implement, and assess the performance of utility-supported building energy codes programs provides yet another cost-effective option for the electric utility industry to deliver energy savings to its customers.”

The Cadmus Group, Inc. (Cadmus) and its partners, Energy Futures Group, NMR, and Optimal Energy (the Cadmus team) performed the study and produced this research report with invaluable input from an Advisory Committee members including state PUC commissioners and staff, utility program administrators, non-governmental organizations, and regional efficiency organizations.

Download the report, Attributing Building Energy Code Savings to Energy Efficiency Programs at http://neep.org.

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ABOUT NEEP:  NEEP is a regional non-profit whose mission is to serve the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to accelerate energy efficiency in the building sector through public policy, program strategies and education. The Regional Evaluation, Measurement, and Verification Forum, a project facilitated by NEEP supports the development and use of consistent protocols to evaluate, measure, verify, and report the savings, costs, and emission impacts of energy efficiency and other demand-side resources around the region. Visit www.neep.org for more details.

ABOUT IEE: IEE is an Institute of the Edison Foundation focused on advancing the adoption of innovative and efficient technologies among electric utilities and their technology partners that will transform the power grid. IEE promotes the sharing of information, ideas, and experiences among regulators, policymakers, technology companies, thought leaders, and the electric power industry.  IEE also identifies policies that support the business case for adoption of cost-effective technologies.  IEE’s members are committed to an affordable, reliable, secure, and clean energy future.  For more information, visit www.edisonfoundation.net/iee

ABOUT IMT: The Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, green building, and environmental protection in the United States and abroad. Much of IMT’s work addresses market failures that inhibit investment in energy efficiency. For more information, visit imt.org.

New Green Building Book Measures Sustainability of World's Greenest Buildings

This post was approved by the Senior Editor of www.imodular.com, a GBM Marketing, Inc. web property.

Media Registration for LIGHTFAIR International 2013 is Now Open

Media Registration for LIGHTFAIR International 2013 is Now Open

Click here for media registration now.

 

 

LIGHTFAIR is just two months away and we're looking forward to seeing you in Philadelphia!

 

LIGHTFAIR® International (LFI®) will expand its product presentation and increase its scale in 2013 with the addition of two high-profile categories – solar power and software – occupying newly added Hall F space in Philadelphia's Pennsylvania Convention Center.  The 2013 additions accelerate LFI's continuing growth as the world's largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference.  The new categories will advance its footprint to produce the largest trade show in LFI's 23-year history.

 

Pre-Conference

4.21.13 – 4.22.13

Trade Show & Conference

4.23.13 – 4.25.13

 

Click here for media registration now.

 

Helpful Links:

Hall F/What's New at LFI 2013?

Floor Plan

Exhibitor List

Conference Information

Keynotes

Hotel & Travel Information