construction

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GreenerBuildings News: July 31, 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

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= THIS WEEK ON GREENBIZ RADIO =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Life After Acquisition for ECD
By Leslie Guevarra
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/podcast/2008/07/30/life-after-acquisitio...
Jiri Skopek, the CEO for ECD Energy and Environment Canada, talks to GreenBiz
Radio about the deal that brought his firm under the umbrella of real estate
giant Jones Lang LaSalle.

You can listen to GreenBiz Radio online, download episodes to your computer or
subscribe to our the RSS feed at:

http://www.GreenBizRadio.com

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURES AND COLUMNS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

What Facility Managers Need to Know About LEED Lighting Control
Requirements
By Scott Jordan
http://greenerbuildings.com/feature/2008/07/31/what-facility-managers-ne...
Lighting control can be a key component of LEED projects, particularly when
retrofitting existing buildings, due to the ease of installation of solutions
like occupancy sensors and lighting control panelboards that facilitate a
schedule-based lighting control system.

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

California Adopts Green Building Code for All New Construction
By Leslie Guevarra
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/18/california-adopts-green-...
The green building code sets eco-friendly standards for all new construction
statewide as part of a rules package that policymakers said was the first of its
kind in the nation.

Green Training 101 for the Construction Industry
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/18/green-training-101-const...
The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) will offer
an introductory course on green building and construction standards in its
professional development series.

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics Market to Top $4 Billion by 2013:
Report
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/24/building-integrated-phot...
The market for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) will exceed $4 billion
in revenues by 2013 and surpass $8 billion in 2015, according to a new report
from a leading industry analyst firm.

USGBC Lists Certification Lineup for LEED 2009
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/30/usgbc-certification-line...
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has assembled a lineup of heavy hitters
for the roster of independent certification bodies that The U.S. Green Building
Council (USGBC) has assembled a lineup of heavy hitters for the roster of
independent certification bodies that will handle LEED commercial building
certifications starting in January.

New California Law Allows Cities to Offer Loans for Energy Efficiency
Upgrades
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/25/new-california-law-allow...
California homeowners and businesses may soon be able to look to their cities
and counties for help in financing energy efficiency upgrades to their property,
under a bill signed into law last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

DOE Rolls Out EnergySmart Hospitals Program
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/29/doe-energysmart-hospital...
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) wants the nation’s hospitals to improve
energy efficiency by 20 percent at existing facilities and make new hospitals 30
percent more efficient than expected.

Record-High Green Score for Key Part of Canadian Waterfront Project
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/23/record-high-green-score-...
A key component of a sweeping mixed-use project to transform 15 acres along the
Victoria harborfront has set a record by attaining the highest score to date for
a LEED Platinum Certified building, its designers said.

Agilewaves Marries Monitoring and Control in New Smart System
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/28/agilewaves-marries-monit...
By Leslie Guevarra
Agilewaves Inc. has married its Resource Monitor with a Crestron control system
to produce the first native integration of the two technologies, the Menlo
Park firm said.

Wells Fargo Earns LEED Silver Pre-Certification for New Banks
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/24/wells-fargo-earns-leed-s...
By Leslie Guevarra
Wells Fargo & Company has been awarded LEED Silver
pre-certification for construction of new banking stores that will slash energy
use by 20 percent and water consumption by 40 percent, the financial services
firm said.

Princeton Review College Guides Open New Chapter With Green Rating
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/29/princeton-review-college...
The Princeton Review, creator of the hugely popular annual series of college
guides, unveils the results of its new green rating system for institutions of
higher learning.

MORE OF THE LATEST NEWS...
http://greenerbuildings.com/current/daily-news

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

The Greenwash Guide
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/resource/the-greenwash-guide
A graphic-rich primer on greenwash: what it is, why it's a problem and how
to avoid it.

California Green Building Standards Code
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/resource/california-green-buil...
The California Building Standards Commission adopted the nation's first
statewide green building code for new
construction.

2008 Healthcare Energy Efficiency Indicator
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/resource/2008-healthcare-energ...
Healthcare executives place greater importance on energy efficiency compared
with their counterparts in
other industries, according to findings of a new study.

MORE TOOLS & RESOURCES... http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURED EVENTS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

HIP Investor Roundtable: Green Real Estate
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/calendar/2008/07/28/hip-invest...

Event Date: Aug 11, 2008 Location: San Francisco, Calif.

HIP Investor’s rapidly growing (and consistently sold out) Investor
Roundtable Series explores some of the most HIP public and private
companies in the real estate industry.

Workshop on Efficient Conversion of Solar Energy to Electricity and
Fuels: Critical Research and Tutorial
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/calendar/2008/07/18/workshop-e...

Event Date: Aug 12, 2008 Location: Colo.

While the workshop is scientific in nature, it's a great opportunity for
folks that participate in the solar industry in various ways to learn
about the important research that is under way.

MORE EVENTS . . . http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/calendar

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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
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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.

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GreenerBuildings News: July 17, 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://greenerbuildings.com/enewsletters/2008/greenerbuildings/index.htm...

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURES AND COLUMNS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Whole Systems Green Cleaning
By Fred Klammt, McMorrow Report
http://greenerbuildings.com/feature/2008/07/17/whole-systems-green-clean...
Most green cleaning programs focus on using less toxic cleaning chemicals. While
using greener cleaning products contributes to a healthier and greener workplace
environment, facilities managers can do so much more.

How the Lodging Industry Can Help the Environmental Movement
By Glenn Hasek
http://greenerbuildings.com/column/2008/07/11/lodging-help-environmental...
Meetings and travel companies are taking a close look at their environmental
impact; although the world of lodging has also begun the process, here are seven
fundamental steps to greening the industry.

Open the Floodgates: The Era of Green Building Litigation
By Shari Shapiro
http://greenerbuildings.com/column/2008/07/11/open-floodgates-the-era-gr...
Until now, there has been little, if any, active litigation related to the rash
of green building regulations passed in the past few years. That changed July 3
when a new era of environmental litigation began.

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

Fireman’s Fund Offers Green Insurance for Homeowners
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/08/firemans-fund-green-insuranc...
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company is offering a green insurance option to
homeowners in 26 states starting this summer.

Jones Lang LaSalle Acquires Toronto Firm That Developed Green Globes
By Leslie Guevarra
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/11/jones-lang-lasalle-acquires-...
Commercial real estate services giant Jones Lang LaSalle has acquired an
environmental consulting firm best known for developing the buildings rating
system Green Globes, viewed variously as an alternative, competitor or
complement to the U.S. heavy-hitter Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED).

New List Looks at Top Green Building Design Firms
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/09/new-list-looks-top-green-bui...
Engineering News-Record analyzed revenues from green projects to rank the top
100 design firms.

Green Buildings Take Top Awards at TOBY Awards
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/10/green-buildings-take-top-awa...
The Time Warner Center, a renovated federal building in Tennessee, and several
Canadian buildings were among the existing and new buildings taking home prizes
at the recent BOMA convention.

County Green Buildings Programs Grow By Almost Fivefold
By Leslie Guevarra
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/14/county-green-buildings-progr...
The number of county-based green building programs in the U.S. has almost
quintupled, growing from a mere eight in 2003 to 39 in just five years,
according to a study by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The study,
"Local Leaders in Sustainability: Green Counties," singled out four — Alameda
County, Calif., Hennepin, County, Minn., King County, Wash., and Montgomery
County, Md. — for having "solid best practice examples of programs that can be
viewed as models."

Four New England States Top List of Energy-Efficient Buildings
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/01/01/four-new-england-states-top-...
A new study by energy economist, author and university professor Jerry Jackson
ranks the 48 contiguous states based on the use of electricity in public and
private office buildings, the number of buildings in each state that exceed the
Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star standard and the cost savings
associated with efficient energy use.

Ontario Town's Water Treatment Inspired by Seaweed
By Sam Bond, Edie News
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/07/ontario-town-looks-seaweed-w...
The town of Mississauga has implemented a water treatment system that uses ozone
and nanofiltration membranes to sieve lake water to make it safe for public
consumption.

MORE OF THE LATEST NEWS... http://greenerbuildings.com/current/daily-news

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

The Top Green Design Firms 2008
http://greenerbuildings.com/resources/resource/the-top-green-design-firm...
This first edition of the Top Green Design Firms, 100 companies are ranked based
on their revenue from green building design projects.

Energy Budgets at Risk (EBaR): A Risk Management Approach to Energy Purchase and
Efficiency Choices
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/resource/energy-budgets-risk-e...
Energy economist and university professor Jerry Jackson has developed a
framework that he says will help reduce energy costs and risk using tools
created by the financial industry.

MORE TOOLS & RESOURCES... http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/

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

Introduction to Renewable Energy Systems
http://greenerbuildings.com/resources/calendar/2008/04/30/introduction-r...

Event Date: Jul 30, 2008
Location: Jessup, Md.

This class provides a broad overview of the major renewable technologies,
including solar, wind, wave, geothermal, general bio fuels and hydro-power.

MORE EVENTS . . . http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/calendar

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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.

On May 27, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) announced a new set of principles for environmentally and socially sustainable construction, called “Sustainability in Building Construction--General Principles.” The principles are a framework for applying a group of related ISO standards on sustainable construction to local conditions. The ISO describes sustainable construction as using related activities, products, or services in a way that maintains the ecosystem for future generations.

The principles include: (1) continually improving building construction sustainability; (2) considering environmental and social equity projects; (3) taking moral responsibility for actions; (4) considering short, medium and long-term implications; (5) managing risk to avoid unwanted outcomes; and (6) providing open, comprehensive, and understandable project information.

In issuing the standards, the ISO said that buildings directly affect the environment, human health, and cultural identity because they absorb considerable resources and contribute to the transformation of areas, so evaluating a project’s effects on the quality and quantity of resources in an area and assessing the project’s lifecycle are particularly important.

We were intrigued that the ISO, a widely respected international organization, has taken a stand on green building principals. There must be something to this after all!

Part 2 of our 15-part Q&A series on all aspects of green building from the publishers of HealthyHouseInstitute.com. Click here for the introductory post and furthur details.

Question: Are there any particular products that stand out as being serious indoor polluters?

Answer: Offenders include manufactured wood products, which give off a lot of formaldehyde, such as particle board and furniture-grade plywood. These materials are almost universally used in paneling and cabinetry.

Combustion appliances can be bothersome—if they aren’t totally sealed. This includes wood stoves, fireplaces, gas ranges, and many gas and oil hot water heaters and furnaces. They’re potentially dangerous because they can inadvertently introduce noxious gases such as carbon monoxide into the air you breathe. Eliminating these items will help to create a house that is considerably healthier than most homes. However, it may not be healthy enough for people who are more sensitive than average, or for people who want the best possible indoor air quality.

Question: Do you have a particular set of guidelines you follow?

Some more SIPs cheering... here's an excellent 3 minute video showing you the benefits of building with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) from a non-sales biased point of view (HGTV Pro's website). It also shows how they are put together, saving you time, money and the planet!

http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/pac_ctnt/text/0,2595,HPRO_20196_55073,00.html?c=484&videoid=66936

The state of Virginia has come out with an official stance and plan supporting grey water recycling.
Counties should take notice, as well as builders and contractors.
Our wonderful contractor has already planned to install grey and black water pipes in our kit house, the casa ti which we are building in Charlotte County.

This functionality should also be written into any construction loans / green building loans that are being crafted.

(From http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.PrintView.-content-articles-RTD-2007-...)

Wastewater treated as a resource
State board approves its reuse for irrigation, industrial needs

Wednesday, Dec 05, 2007 - 12:08 AM

By REX SPRINGSTON
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

Localities treat water from rivers and aquifers so you can drink it.
But a lot of that drinking water also is used to run factories, wash cars and flush toilets.
The State Water Control Board voted unanimously yesterday to try a new approach.
The board approved a program that encourages cities and counties to send wastewater from their sewage plants -- water from toilets and similar sources that is treated to reduce germs -- to be used for activities that don't require pure tap water.
Otherwise, that wastewater would be dumped into rivers.

"This has the potential to remove a lot of wastewater from the streams of Virginia and apply it to beneficial uses," water board Chairman Shelton Miles said. "It's the ultimate in recycling."
The program should lessen demand for tap water, enabling localities to cope better with growth, experts say.

For the average person, the program could mean a more reliable water supply during droughts.
"We've been reminded in 2007, and we were reminded in 2002" -- another drought year -- "how difficult it sometimes is to count on how much water we have," said Bill Hayden, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Quality. The DEQ provides staff for the water board.
The water-recycling program, which still requires some tweaks, should begin next year. However, it could take years for the program to take off, because new pipes will have to be laid to carry the recycled water.

Some of the recycled wastewater could be used in activities where people aren't exposed to it. That would include irrigating crops that people don't eat, such as trees and cotton; controlling construction dust; watering livestock; and cooling industrial equipment.
Wastewater that is cleaner but still not as pure as drinking water could be used in activities where people might be exposed to it, such as firefighting, watering lawns and the flushing of toilets in businesses.

The program will not allow recycled water to go to residential toilets, largely because there would be little control on home plumbers who might mistakenly connect wastewater to a tap.
Water recycling is being used in a few places in Virginia now.
The Hampton Roads Sanitation District, a regional agency, sends about 500,000 gallons of wastewater a day from its sewage plant in York County to the Western Refining Yorktown Inc. petroleum refinery on the York River, less than a mile away.
"The alternative is buying tap water, which is better used in supplying houses, etc.," said Dave Pavlich, the refinery's environmental compliance manager.

In the spring, Chesterfield County will begin sending about 8 million gallons of treated wastewater a day from its Proctor's Creek sewage plant to Dominion Virginia Power's nearby plant at Dutch Gap. The water will be used in a process that reduces air pollution.
That arrangement will keep nearly all of that wastewater, which contains nutrients that cause algae, out of the James River. Most of the water will evaporate, said Dominion spokesman Dan Genest.

State officials hope a formal program will encourage similar arrangements.
Water recycling has worked for years in states such as California, Arizona and Florida, experts say.

In a perfect world, all new homes would be built with the environment in mind. They would be energy efficient, healthy, and beautiful. Unfortunately, this type of scenario is not yet a reality.

However, that hasn't stopped regulators from making some serious green building goals. Last month, California energy regulators proposed a zero-energy requirement for new homes. And, the California Public Utilities Commission approved their proposal -- that all homes built after 2020 be required to produce at least as much energy as they consume to reduce demand for electricity and cut pollution.

In a post at Inhabitat, they called the potential impact that this could have on the building industry "enormous," and liken it to California's formaldehyde standard.

We agree!

In 2005, the state of Washington passed the first green building legislation, making it against the law for any building over 5,000 square-feet to not meet or exceed LEED standards.

But what role should regulations and legislation play in the world of green building? Do we need more or less?

Image via btsider; flickr.com 

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.

According to new study from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), regulation is the most effective means to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions from buildings - "a sector which accounts for some 30-40 % of global energy use."

Released in a study titled "Assessment of policy instruments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings" at the Sustainable Buildings 07 conference in Prague two days ago, these findings are vital to the continued development of the green construction industry.

"According to the latest assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, around 30 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 2020 by measures such as improved energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings. Importantly, this could lead to gains in global GDP-not costs," said Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director

"The new UNEP SBCI study demonstrates the critical roles that governments need to take in establishing, implementing, and enforcing regulatory policies so as to realize these emission reductions and these environmental, social and economics gains," he said.

Interested in reading the report yourself? Supported by a database that showcases the lessons learned from the 80 case studies, copies can be downloaded from the UNEP Sustainable Buildings and Construction Initiative website.

[via ENN]

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+ Hooray for Hollywood: Green Building Goes Mandatory