LEED

Local governments now have a new, standardized framework to plan, track and document their environmental and sustainability work. The Star Community Index, a collaboration between the U.S. Green Building Council, the Center for American Progress and the ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, builds upon the highly successful methodology established by LEED.

The Index aims to deliver a standardized formula for gauging a community's sustainability. Like LEED, it will include tiered levels with classification based on actions achieved consistent with a given goal.

The Star Index aims to do the following things: 1) drive integrity and rigor in actions cities are doing to reduce climate impacts 2) increase accountability in data and actions 3) facilitate prioritized and informed decision making 4) create a roadmap for cities to track and achieve sustainability goals 5) offer globally recognized green standards for cities 6) enable peer-to-peer learning among communities and citizen engagement 7) engage the public in supporting and advancing their city as a Star community.

Gauging a community's sustainability is a laudable and important goal. Will Star become as popular as LEED as become? Only time will tell.

===========================================================
GreenerBuildings News: August 14, 2008
===========================================================

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

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

Last Swath of Fort Ord is Turned Over to Local Group for a $100M Privatized
Cleanup
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/08/13/last-swath-fort-ord-turn...
By Leslie Guevarra
A 3,300-acre Superfund site at the once vast Fort Ord in Monterey County has
moved from federal hands to a group of local authorities that will oversee a
$100 million environmental cleanup funded by the U.S. Army and will set the
stage for redevelopment.

Box of Rain – States Take a Closer Look at Rainwater Harvesting
By Jeff Kray
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/column/2008/08/14/box-rain-rainwater-har...
Regulators have historically tended to look the other way when it
comes to water captured as rain. But as water becomes more scarce, regulators
are more closely scrutinizing the increasingly popular practice of
rainwater harvesting — collecting rainwater in barrels, buckets and tanks.

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

National Labs Help DOE Strive for Zero-Net Energy Commercial Buildings
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/08/06/national-labs-help-doe-s...
By Leslie Guevarra
With guidance from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),
five national laboratories are banding together to help speed development of
marketable zero-net energy commercial buildings.

'The Dollars and Sense of Green Retrofits'
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/08/01/the-dollar-and-sense-gre...
Companies that pass up a chance to green their existing
commercial buildings may never recover from the losses resulting from greater
operating costs, lower productivity, negative brand image and declining
attractiveness to workers, according to a recent study.

Johnson Controls Helps Green Olympic Venues
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/08/05/johnson-controls-helps-g...
Johnson Controls' green building and efficiency solutions are
up and running at 18 Olympic stadiums and supporting facilities, the firm said.

Waste Drywall Finds New Life As Gypsum Products
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/08/05/waste-drywall-finds-new-...
USA Gypsum has added a new product to its line of gypsum made from recycled
drywall waste.

Aon Offers Green Building Insurance, Allstate Tests E-Payment, Eco-Contribution
Program
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/08/07/aon-offers-green-commerc...
By Leslie Guevarra
The Aon Corporation is offering a green insurance option for
commercial property policyholders, and Allstate Insurance Company is expanding a
market test of a paperless billing and pay process that's paired with a
conservation contribution program.

EPA Provides $500,000 to Green Brownfields
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/08/11/epa-provides-500000-gree...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's program to help
green brownfields is providing more than $500,000 in technical assistance to 16
projects nationwide.

Atco Signs Up to Help Ease Draw on NY Power Grid
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/08/12/atco-signs-up-help-ease-...
Atco Properties & Management has enrolled several of its
commercial buildings in the PowerPay New York demand response energy
conservation program that's aimed at reducing blackouts and brownouts in New
York State.

50 Kohl’s Stores Awarded EPA’s Energy Star
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/08/04/50-kohl%E2%80%99s-awarde...
The Kohl’s stores that earned the designation form the
largest group of non-supermarket retail buildings to now bear the Energy Star

Retrofit Brings New Life to Old Industrial Park
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/08/01/retrofit-brings-new-life...
By Leslie Guevarra
San Jose moves a step closer to its vision for a green
community with the transformation of a tired former industrial property into an
eco-friendly business park that was crafted according to LEED standards.

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

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

Pulpwatch.org
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/resource/pulpwatchorg
Pulpwatch.org provides an interactive map of pulp and paper mills, rating them
on their environmental and social performance.

The Dollars and Sense of Green Retrofits
http://www.greenbiz.com/resources/resource/the-dollars-and-sense-green-r...
This study looks at why some organizations green an old structure instead of
building a new one.

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

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

Urban Solutions: Sustainability Tools for Small Business Workshop
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/calendar/2008/07/24/urban-solu...

Event Date: Aug 19, 2008 Location: San Francisco, Calif.

This workshop will help identify business opportunities from the environmental,
social, and economic challenges of the Bay Area.

Green and Clean Dinner Series: Where's The Money?
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/calendar/2008/07/21/green-and-...

Event Date: Aug 21, 2008 Location: Menlo Park, Calif.

This "Green and Clean" forum will focus on the the role of technology and
business in finding green solutions to problems.

EcoTuesday Networking Event
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/calendar/2008/08/12/ecotuesday...

Event Date: Aug 26, 2008 Location: San Francisco, Calif.

This month's speaker: Sheryl O'Loughlin, CEO of Nest Naturals and former CEO of
Clif Bar

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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you would sign up for your own subscription. This helps us track our
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TO SUBSCRIBE: Simply enter your email address in the space provided on
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swap your address with others without your permission.

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

CINCINNATI, OH—Contingent Network Services (www.contingent.com) will soon have one of the tri-state’s “greenest” and most state-of-the-art buildings with its new 50,000-square-foot headquarters. The groundbreaking at “Eco-Tech Park” will take place on Aug. 8. The facility could be open as soon as December 2008.

Contingent is seeking certification for the building from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) through its Green Building Rating System™. The building will be evaluated based on its many green design points, including its use of:
• Alternative energy (photovoltaic solar cells and windmills),
• Water management (natural, native landscape),
• Site design (maximum use of natural light, water runoff filter),
• Light pollution reduction, and
• Use of rapidly renewable and low-emitting materials.

The new facility will even have dedicated parking spaces for high-efficiency vehicles.

“We are very excited to have such a one-of-a-kind building,” said Mark Stuhlreyer, Contingent Network Services Managing Partner. “We think the state-of-the-art and forward-thinking facility will greatly enhance the type of industry-leading efforts that will go on inside its walls on a daily basis. It is extremely important to us to preserve the natural surroundings and take advantage of the site’s spectacular views in order to attract and maintain the very best talent our market has to offer. Working up there will be a lifestyle, not just a job.”

Architecture firm Designhaus PLLC of Rochester, MI, has worked together with Contingent to create the concept behind the Eco-Tech Park headquarters. The environmentally conscious building will be located at Port Union Road, south of and parallel to Union Center Blvd., in West Chester, OH. Haglage Construction has been awarded the construction contract. The project is being financed by Franklin Savings & Loan of Blue Ash, OH.

Contingent Holdings LLC and The Everest Group are currently marketing available sites at Eco-Tech Park. These parcels share the same views and are available as “Build to Suit” (Class A Flex Building) opportunities for like-minded businesses that are looking for a way to differentiate themselves in this challenging economy.

Contingent has created a new blog to document the creation of the Eco-Tech Park and share some of the steps taking place during the design and construction process. Guests can visit http://cincyecotech.wordpress.com/ for a look inside Contingent’s journey.
For more information on Contingent Network Services, contact Chad Mattix at (800) 506-9609 or cmattix@contingent.net, or visit www.contingent.net.

About Contingent Network Services
Founded in 1984 and based in West Chester, Ohio, Contingent Network Services designs, deploys, and supports the highest quality data communications networks and systems available, and manages it all through a single point of contact. Full-service network integration and technology solutions include managed and project services for wireless systems, virtual private networks, local area networks, voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), network management, server/desktop installation and implementation, structured distribution and support.

===========================================================
GreenerBuildings News: July 17, 2008
===========================================================

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.

Green leases are becoming more and more popular. Simply put, a “green” lease is a lease of space in a green building. Green buildings impact leases in three primary ways.

First, green buildings impact the construction and design of the space. A normal lease requires the landlord to construct the core and shell and the tenant to build or pay for improvements to the space. A green lease requires that the landlord and tenant work together in an integrated design process. In addition, the tenant may require the landlord to represent and warrant that the building achieves some level of LEED certification.

Second, green buildings impact a lease’s economic provisions. Constructing a green building might be more expensive than a normal building. However, the operating costs are usually less. The lease should address how those costs and benefits should be allocated.

Third, green buildings impact a lease’s provisions relating to operations and maintenance. Green building systems have detailed operating and maintenance requirements. A landlord may prepare an operations manual for the building and require the tenant to comply with it. Conversely, a tenant may want to impose an obligation on the landlord to operate and maintain the building in accordance with certain green standards. Both parties may agree to use environmental friendly cleaning materials. The landlord may condition approval of tenant alterations on compliance with certain green building rating criteria. These requirements should be reflected in the lease.

As green buildings become more prevalent, green leases will too. We encourage landlords and tenants to consult with an experienced attorney when entering into such a lease so that their expectations are accurately reflected in the final document.

I received an email last week from Scot Horst , who chairs the LEED Steering Committee. He describes the behind the scenes narrative that has been going on since work began on LEED 2009.

Person A: “Global warming doesn't give us much time.”

Person B: “But we can't address much of anything, let alone global warming, if we're only dealing with a small fraction of the entire built environment. We need to get everyone involved.”

Person A: “Yes, but why get them involved in a system that doesn't take them far enough to save us from ourselves? We need our buildings to be restorative.”

Person B: “LEED can't save us from ourselves. LEED, as a tool, can engage the market in transformation. That transformation is about people. It is not about LEED credits.”

Person A: “You're missing the point. We have to be tougher. We have to go beyond.”

Person B: “No, you're missing the point. We have to find ways to engage a market that has never thought about these issues before.”

Persons A and B: “Let's find a way to do both.”

This is an engaging and very important narrative and perhaps the most important point is that LEED is a “tool” that helps to raise consciousness and “engage the market in transformation.” My personal view is that we must “go beyond” and that much of what we currently do in the green building movement, however well intentioned, is nothing more than rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic. The global warming mentioned in Horst's narrative has provided the catalyst for both LEED and Architccture 2030, but focusing solely on warming misses the point. Warming is a symptom and not a cause. It has prompted us to take some action, but not to “go beyond”.

As a premise for action it has been useful, but is easily attacked on it's “scientific validity”. It is one of the canaries in the coal mine, but there is very little discussion of the coal mine. We need to expand the narrative and take a broader view. Borrowing from basic premise of ecological economics, once you picture the built environment as a mere subset of our closed ecosystem, then your conceptual framework regarding sustainable building is forever changed. It means you have to accept that there are limits, and that we are not going to be able to grow forever. It implies the built environment must have some optimal size and level of consumption relative to the larger ecosystem. It means you cannot grow beyond that optimum without threatening man's survival within that ecosystem. Out of this stream of thought flows a long list of very troubling questions: How do we stop growing? What are the limits? What is optimal? Does climate change tell us they have already been exceeded? Do we face a kind of built environment armageddon when fossil fuel production peaks and begins to decline? Is a zero energy standard imperative now? What do we do? How do we do it?

Our very survival depends on how and when these questions are answered. LEED does not provide the answers, but it does help us to prepare.

===========================================================
GreenerBuildings News: May 22, 2008
===========================================================

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

Building the Way to Water Efficiency
By Lara Abrams Melman
http://greenerbuildings.com/feature/2008/05/22/building-way-water-effici...
With water supplies nationwide feeling the heat, facility managers,
municipalities and innovative companies are working together to make water
conservation easier and more effective than ever before.

Green and Mean: Responsible Property Investing in a Tough Economy
By Jeff Feinstein and Michael Butler
http://greenerbuildings.com/column/2008/05/13/green-and-mean-responsible...
property-investing-a-tough-economy
Our national building infrastructure poses some major challenges to the climate
fight, especially when the economy makes investors hesitant to take on new
projects; but here we explain why green buildings are among the best investments
now -- and any time.

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

Office Depot's Building Prototype Earns LEED Pre-certification
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/05/21/office-depots-building-proto...
earns-leed-pre-certification
The LEED Portfolio Program is designed to create a volume certification path to
allow companies to incorporate LEED attributes into a prototype design before
implementing across several buildings.

EPA Recognizes Energy Efficient Building Designs
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/05/20/epa-recognizes-energy-effici...
building-designs
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the latest building
projects designed with energy efficiency in mind.

Starbucks Sets New Goals for Renewables, Green Building
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/05/15/starbucks-sets-new-goals-ren...
green-building
Starbucks wants to slash energy consumption in its stores by 25 percent and buy
enough renewable energy certificates to satisfy half of its stores’ energy
needs, all by 2010, the company said Wednesday. All new construction will
incorporate green building principles.

Green Builders Spell Out Zero Carbon
By Sam Bond, Edie News
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/05/19/green-builders-spell-out-zer...
The U.K. construction industry is calling on government to re-write the rules
after concluding that three quarters of new homes are unlikely to meet voluntary
targets which would see them having no carbon emissions.

eBay Bids on Solar
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/05/12/ebay-bids-solar
eBay's North Campus is now the home of 3,248 solar panels in a 650-kilowatt
system that will supply 18 percent of the campus’s power, saving the company
about $100,000 in electricity costs in its first year of operation. The company
used the solar energy system's unveiling to tout its first LEED-Gold building,
which also is the city's first.

Energy Efficiency: Overlooked and Misunderstood
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/05/16/energy-efficiency-overlooked...
misunderstood
A new report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy finds
that energy efficiency during the last 30-plus years has been paid little homage
and future gains are threatened by inaction. U.S. energy consumption at the end
of 2008 is expected to total half of the energy consumed in 1970, the report
found.

EPS Corp Unveils Tracking System for Facility Energy, Carbon Emissions
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/05/16/eps-corp-unveils-tracking-sy...
facility-energy-carbon-emissions
The energy and carbon management company's new monitoring system gives
manufacturers a detailed look at emissions from products and facilities.

ASHRAE Aims for Energy Efficiency in Data Centers, Warehouses
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/05/14/ashrae-aims-energy-efficienc...
centers-warehouses
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
recently launched two guides to move these structures toward reduced energy
consumption.

Earning LEED-EB Costs Little: Report
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/05/13/earning-leed-eb-costs-little...
A survey of owners and managers of facilities that have received LEED-Existing
Building certification say the majority of measures associated with the process
are no-cost or low-cost actions.

New Study Compares Green Building Rating Systems to AIA's Sustainability Goals
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/05/09/new-study-compares-green-bui...
rating-systems-aias-sustainability-goals
The American Institute of Architects sees how the three main green building
rating systems compare point-by-point with its criteria for what it says a green
building system should include.

Wal-Mart Set to Measure Energy Use of 20 U.S. Capitols
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/05/09/wal-mart-set-measure-energy-...
us-capitols
Through a partnership with the National Governors Association, the "Greening
State Capitols" program will provide energy audits in 20 U.S. state capitols to
identify ways in which they can reduce energy consumption.

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

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

Innovations Review 2008
http://greenerbuildings.com/resources/resource/innovations-review-2008
The first edition of what will be an annual report looks at innovative,
effective green business strategies, such as ways to take advantage of renewable
energy and make a net-zero energy office, that are both good for business and
the environment.

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

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

Pharos Project Green Materials Selection Workshop
http://greenerbuildings.com/resources/calendar/2008/05/16/pharos-project...
materials-selection-workshop

Host: Cascadia Region Green Building Council
Date: June 19, 2008
Location: Portland, Ore.

This half-day workshop tackles the issues and challenges inherent in
understanding green building materials and products.

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.

Those of us interested in LEED were excited last year when the USBGC launched its LEED-H certification for homes. Minnesota currently has about five houses in the process of being certified under this new LEED-H program. One of these is being built in Minneapolis by the design/build firm III AD. This house, being certified in the Gold category, helps shed the old “Earth Shoe” image of environmentally responsible building. See how architect Jonathan Query articulates his "warm modernist" vision in the context of this emerging sustainable vocabulary, at www.3-ad.com.

===========================================================
GreenerBuildings News: April 10, 2008
===========================================================

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

Southern California Edison Plans Country's Largest Solar Project
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55814
The utility aims to cover 65 million square feet of rooftops in southern
California with enough solar panels to generate 250 megawatts of electricity.
Planned to start in August, the utility hopes to install one megawatt a week
over the next five years.

Going Green: Panelists Discuss Trends, Challenges
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55868
Every year, the Industrial and Office Real Estate Brokers Association of the New
York Metropolitan Area showcases the projects of dozens of regional developers
and includes a panel discussion on a pressing industry issue. This year, it was
going green.

Parking Structure Serves as Unexpected Spot for Green Building Practices
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55861
What may be viewed as an unlikely candidate for green accolades, a parking
structure in in this Southern California city has pushed the envelope toward
sustainability.

Interactive Tool from Siemens Helps Users Visualize Building Energy Consumption
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55808
The GreenTouchScreen, which can also be used as an educational tool, translates
numerical building operational data into visual information to reveal the amount
of energy being used, the amount saved over time and associated greenhouse gas
emissions.

DuPont Teams with TERI to Promote Green Building in India
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55849
DuPont signed a memorandum of understanding with The Energy and Resources
Institute to promote green building in India.

Green Roofs' Benefits Detailed at Construction Industry Gathering
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55839
Dramatic reductions in energy use and costs, as well as supporting biodiversity,
reducing flooding and combating climate change were among the benefits touted at
a seminar organized by CIRIA.

First Green Bank to Cater to Eco-Friendly Projects
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55828
A new bank in Central Florida plans to specialize in services for
environmentally friendly businesses and building projects.

CoStar Study Finds Higher Demand, Rent Prices for Green Buildings
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55817
A comparison of similar green (LEED certified or Energy Star labeled) and
non-green buildings finds that the greener options are in higher demand, have
higher occupancy rates, charge more for rent and sell at higher prices.

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

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

Meeting Green: The Office Equipment Industry's Guide to Managing Product
Emissions
http://greenerbuildings.com/tool_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=97590
This report serves as a manufacturer’s user guide for understanding the types of
indoor contaminants emitted from electronic office equipment and the health
impacts associated with chemical and particulate emissions.

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

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

Built to Last: Measuring the Life Cycle of a Facility
By Sarah Fister Gale
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55870
Unlike individual products that have well-defined shelf lives, buildings stand
for decades and endure climatic extremes, making it difficult to execute life
cycle assessments. The arsenal of tools to perform LCAs is expanding to meet the
growing interest in a concept that allows architects to take a long-term
approach to sustainability.

Bush Energy Bill Taps GSA to Green the Building Industry
By Andrew Burr
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55802
Federal influence on sustainable real estate practices in the private sector is
poised to increase considerably as government officials begin implementing
measures from the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, signed
into law by President Bush in December.

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

Ecocity World Summit
http://greenerbuildings.com/event_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=92134

Host: Ecocity Builders
Date: April 22-26, 2008
Location: San Francisco, Calif.

Ecocity World Summit 2008 will bring together the key innovators, decision
makers, technologists, businesses and organizations shaping the conversation
around ecological and sustainable city, town and village design, planning and
development.

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.

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2007.

Although intuitively it would make sense that green buildings are better investments than normal buildings, until now there has not been a lot of data that back this up. The Co-Star Group recently released a report (download here) that analyzed approximately 1,300 LEED and Energy Star buildings. The verdict? Both types of buildings significantly outperform their non-LEED and Energy Star counterparts.

For example, on average LEED buildings sell for $171 more per square foot, while Energy Star buildings sell for $61 more per square foot. Similarly LEED buildings rent for more than $11.25 per square foot while Energy Star buildings rent for more than $2.38 per square foot. Both have an approximately 4% higher occupancy rate than regular buildings. The report also stated that Energy Star buildings had 10-20% lower operating costs compared to regular buildings (it did not offer a similar analysis for LEED buildings).

The report doesn't offer reasons for this difference, but it's reasonable to infer that there is a greater demand from consumers for these buildings and they are in relatively short supply. While LEED is by no means perfect, it's encouraging to know that there are measurable economic benefits to achieving LEED certification.