Fun in the Sun Celebration!

By Cherie Ching, Advocacy Fellow


What better way to celebrate renewable energy than to be out in the sun enjoying the beautiful summer weather? On Wednesday, July 22nd, the Emerging Professionals Committee, along with the Advocacy Committee came together to do just that! Enjoying the comfortable ambiance of the North Point Park in Cambridge, our Chapter members (long-time and recent) enjoyed the fabulous BBQ feast by Sweet Cheeks Q, while socializing and making valuable connections!


We also heard from our generous sponsor for this event, Zapotec Energy, who is working towards “discovering ways to harness indigenous energy sources that contribute to a sustainable way of life for our region and the livelihood of future generations.”  Paul E. Lyons, President of Zapotec presented updated information about the Next Generation Solar Policy Framework (NGSPF) for MA and how many organizations have signed onto this framework, including USGBC MA. Together, these organizations and Zapotec are aiming for equitable energy policies and rates for all customers, residential and commercial.

 


Our Advocacy Committee presented progress on the latest net metering reform legislation, which is working its way through the State House. David Bliss, Advocacy Committee issue captain, informed the crowd about the Chapter's Net Metering Priority, our Chapter's position on Net Metering Improvements, and how raising the cap is essential for our State's renewable energy goals. The Advocacy Committee also encouraged the crowd to join in on the upcoming Green Breakfast Advocacy Form on Thursday, July 30 @8am-9:30am at the Chapter Headquarters to continue the discussion on these issues and how to support these hot bills!

 

 

 

 

Greenbuild is Coming to Boston

By Grey Lee

That's right people! “Greenbuild Boston 2017!”


 

Let's celebrate: Greenbuild, the world's largest conference connecting real estate & sustainability, is coming to Boston 11/8/17 – 11/10/17.

 

 

The national events staff met with us in April and finally the official announcement can be made. We look forward to working with many wonderful people to make Boston's 2017 greenbuild the best Greenbuild ever!

 

There will be a Host Committee and hundreds of volunteer opportunities. Let's use this opportunity to show our peers in the industry how Massachusetts is leading the way to sustainability in our communities and society. Contact the USGBC MA Chapter at info@usgbcma.org if you are interested in helping out. 

 

Building for health: USGBC and Harvard prepare leaders for the next frontier of the green building movement

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager


Over the last two decades, the green building movement has shown how thoughtful design, construction, and operation can create buildings and even entire communities that benefit people and the environment. Today, the focus of the movement is shifting toward the opportunity to create buildings and communities that intentionally promote health and wellness. These trends raise important questions: 

  • Who will lead this generational change in the real estate industry? 
  • What kind of skills and expertise will be needed to navigate these far-reaching and fast-moving issues?

Given the tremendous opportunities for health-promoting real estate, USGBC and the Center for Health and the Global Environment at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health are working together to create practical training for industry leaders. One of the first steps is our new Building for Health executive education program, being held from Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Last year, the then Acting Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Boris Lushniak, addressed the Greenbuild Conference & Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana. He asked the green building movement to join public health professionals and reverse a century of development that has left many Americans obese, isolated, and exposed to unnecessary health risks. Many of us were deeply inspired by his message, which reinforced our growing sense that health and wellness will drive the next era of green building market transformation

Yet, realizing Dr. Lushniak’s powerful vision will not be easy, and it requires new perspectives, skills, and expertise within the green building movement and the real estate industry. Our leaders will need to build awareness of the science connecting the built environment and public health, develop a new technical vocabulary, and prepare to guide interdisciplinary teams in applying new strategies and tools. Tomorrow’s leaders need to be able to envision management processes that can be used by projects and entire portfolios to create and differentiate health-promoting properties as a superior class of real estate. 

Join USGBC and Harvard to explore the intersection of health and the built environment and get prepared to guide your organization through this transformation.

Apply to attend Building for Health

We look forward to sharing the decision support tools emerging from USGBC’s on-going applied research. With support from the Robert Wood John Foundation and in collaboration with the University of Virginia School of Medicine, our team is developing and applying new integrative processes to help green building project teams and real estate portfolio managers systematically promote population health outcomes. We are adapting an ISO 14001-style framework to provide a clear, actionable roadmap to link plans and policies, property-specific interventions, relevant performance monitoring, and responsive management. We believe that these processes will allow managers to more effectively address specific health challenges, such as physical inactivity and asthma, which contribute to rising health care costs.

 

Learn more about how we can empower ourselves as leaders to position health as a primary driver of decision making in our movement.

Learn more about the program in our article “Building for health: Better decisions for a better future.”

 

Source: USGBC Articles, see original post here.

SOLAR SUCCESS: Senate Votes to Lift Net Metering Cap

By Cherie Ching, Advocacy Fellow

July 24, 2015
 

On Thursday, 7/23/15, the Senate voted to lift the net metering cap in order to meet the state’s goal of developing 1,600 megawatts of solar power by 2018. This a big step forward for solar industries, the green building community, and our state to reinforce efforts for increased renewable energy in Massachusetts. Although the Net Metering and Solar Task Force emphasized a long term solution for all parties before any increase or removal of the cap, also supported by the Baker-Polito Administration, the net metering cap halt would threaten thousands of jobs and energy projects if gone unresolved.

Senator Benjamin Downing, the sponsor of another bill our Chapter supports (Bill S.1761- addressing home energy assessments), offered an amendment regarding the net metering cap to a climate preparedness bill, S.1973. Downing addressed the complexties in lifting the cap and said the Department of Public Utilities would be empowered under the new legislation to spread the cost of additional solar across providers and service territories. This element is crucial for the utility companies to distribute increased renewable power through the grid without having to shoulder the entire cost of grid maintenance. The Downing amendment would also direct the Baker administration to develop a strategy to further develop the solar industry in Massachusetts, past the current goal of 1600MW installed PV, into the future.

The current caps limit solar development to 4 percent of peak electricity load for private projects and 5 percent for public projects, with no limit on residential projects. It is good that the Senate has addressed this issue.
 

BUT WE WON’T STOP THERE!!
 

We want this to pass the House also!!

Let’s continue the Solar Momentum with MA Climate Action in their Soak Up the Sun Event!

 

Renewable Energy Day of Action at the State House

Thursday, July 30, 2015

10:45 AM – 1 PM

Bulfinch Entrance, Massachusetts State House

(24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133)

RSVP Now!

 

Information provided by MassSolar and Massachusetts Climate Action Network
 

 

Nitsch Engineering Designing Green Infrastructure Solutions to Serve as Model in D.C.

By Allison Maynard, Communications Associate

Congratulations to our sponsor Nitsch Engineering, for being selected to design green infrastructure improvements on Kennedy Street in Washington, D.C., as the winning streetscape entry in the DC Water Green Infrastructure Challenge design competition! 

After being selected as one of the finalists in the planning and design phase of the competition, Nitsch Engineering’s team refined their design for Kennedy|Greened: A Neighborhood Green Street Project to include a variety of green infrastructure strategies for the 100 Block of Kennedy Street NW. A multi-agency evaluation panel selected the Nitsch Engineering team for demonstrating innovative, cost-effective, constructible, and replicable solutions to alleviate stormwater discharges to combined sewers, thus reducing combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the Rock Creek drainage area. Combined sewers, which carry both stormwater and sewage, can be found in most older cities in America.


The proposed streetscape improvements integrate a variety of landscape and stormwater strategies desgined to absorb stormwater before it enters the combined sewer system, including additional street trees, permeable pavers, landscape infiltration gaps, stormwater curb extensions, grated landscapes, and sub-surface storage/infiltration. Environmental art installations draw attention to these functional stormwater features, raising awareness of stormwater movement, treatment, and storage. The design further promotes “complete street” concepts by using curb bump-outs, sidewalk crossings, and boardwalks to create a streetscape that is safe and comfortable for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

“We anticipate that our plan for Kennedy Street will eliminate significant amounts of stormwater from entering the combined sewer system annually, improve water quality, and minimize urban heat island effects,” said Nicole Holmes, Nitsch Engineering’s Green Infrastructure Project Manager. “Just as important, our design will benefit the community by raising awareness and advocacy of green infrastructure, and by creating a shared street that is safer and more pleasant for all roadway users.”

Scott Turner, Nitsch Engineering’s Director of Planning, added, “One of the most exciting things about this project is that the strategies we’re implementing will serve as a model for what can be done anywhere to address CSOs and stormwater in roadways. Our design solutions from this project can be replicated throughout urban corridors across D.C., which will further address the district’s need to alleviate stormwater discharges to combined sewers.”

Click here to view a video that summarizes the proposed design, and view the full article here.

 

USGBC Announces International Rankings of Top 10 Countries for LEED Green Building

By Grey Lee

 

Demand for sustainable buildings continues to grow throughout the globe

 

Washington, D.C. (July 22, 2015)—Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced its ranking of the Top 10 Countries for LEED, the world’s most widely used and recognized green building rating system. The Top 10 list highlights countries outside of the U.S. that are making significant strides in sustainable building design, construction and transformation, illustrating the ever-growing international demand for LEED green buildings. The announcement comes at a time of increased international focus on climate change mitigation in the lead up to the United Nation’s COP21 climate negotiations this December. 

 

“International demand has grown steadily for tools supporting sustainable economic growth, and it has become increasingly clear that we are reaching a tipping point around environmental sustainability. It is now impossible to view social and economic development as separate issues from a robust sustainability agenda,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “The global success of LEED in these countries is a sign that international business leaders and policy makers recognize that a commitment to transforming the built environment is crucial to addressing major environmental challenges. The countries on this list are pushing this commitment forward.” 

 

The 10 countries that made the list for 2015 are geographically and culturally diverse, representing seven of the world’s 20 largest single-nation economies by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (China, Germany, Brazil, India, Canada, South Korea and Turkey), as well as six of the top 11 emitters of greenhouse gases (China, India, Germany, South Korea, Canada and Brazil). While Canada tops the list, Brazil and the Republic of Korea have moved up in the rankings and Turkey and Sweden are new to the Top 10 this year.

 

The analysis used to develop the list ranks countries in terms of gross square meters and numbers of LEED projects to date. LEED-certified spaces use less energy and water resources, save money for families, businesses and taxpayers, reduce carbon emissions and create a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community. The United States, the birthplace of LEED, is not included in this list but remains the world’s largest market for LEED. The U.S. is the world’s largest economy by GDP as well as the world’s second largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

 

Every day, nearly 172,000 GSM of space is certified using LEED, and there are currently more than 69,800 commercial and institutional projects representing 1.23 billion GSM of space participating in the green building rating system. An additional 76,500 residential units have been certified under LEED for Homes. LEED projects can now be found in more than 150 countries and territories across the world. Canada ranks number one on the list as the largest user of LEED outside of the U.S. with 26.63 million gross square meters (GSM) of LEED space. There are now over 4,814 LEED-registered and LEED-certified projects representing 63.31 million GSM of LEED space in Canada. China (21.97 million GSM), India (13.24 million GSM) and Brazil (5.22 million GSM), three of the four BRIC economies, finished second through fourth on this year’s list, respectively. These three countries currently represent more than 33 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, with China and India representing the largest source of projected growth in global emissions in the coming decades. 

 

The Republic of Korea (4.81 million GSM) and Taiwan (3.84 million GSM) join China in providing a strong East Asian contingent to the 2015 rankings. Having two of the original tiger economies join China, India and Brazil on this year’s list demonstrates that LEED is taking hold in some of the world’s fastest growing economies, and that green buildings have enormous strategic value in terms of controlling emissions in countries that many climate watchers have noted hold the key to staving off the worst impacts of climate change. Germany (4.01 million GSM) and Sweden (2.54 million GSM) represent Europe on this list, with Germany finishing sixth and Sweden making the list for the first time in 10th place. Both nations are routinely cited for their innovation and leadership in international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Middle Eastern countries, United Arab Emirates (3.13 million GSM) and Turkey (2.95 million GSM) have both had strong green building years. The UAE increased its total amount of LEED certified space by 72 percent over last year, and climbed from ninth place overall in 2014 to eighth overall in 2015. Turkey made the Top 10 list for the first time in the nation’s history, finishing ninth overall.  

 

This is the second year that USGBC has provided rankings on the Top 10 Countries for LEED outside of the U.S., with placement in the Top 10 based on cumulative GSM of space certified to LEED in each nation as of May 2015.

Residential Green Building – Monthly Update – July 2015

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager


On July 13th, the Residential Green Building Committee welcomed Galen Nelson, with Mass CEC (The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center) who spoke about some of the commercialization projects the organization is involved with. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is dedicated to accelerating the success of clean energy technologies, companies and projects in Massachusetts—while creating high-quality jobs and long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts.

MassCEC provides early-stage investments to startup companies, funds renewable energy rebates for residents and businesses and supports the development of a local clean energy workforce. Since its inception in 2009, MassCEC has helped clean energy companies grow, supported municipal clean energy projects and invested in residential and commercial renewable energy installations creating a robust marketplace for innovative clean technology companies and service providers. Galen spoke about this important industry growing at 10-15%, which was pleasant news. A few highlights of the presentation included wind turbine blade testing facilities, and multi-purpose ports.  Galen spoke about the challenges of the industry, and how the MASS CEC bridges those challenges through research and selective partners. Nelson then moved on to speak about solar ready homes, the IoT, and energy storage. 


 

 

For his full presentation, please click here! Once again, a big thanks to Galen Nelson for his time and wisdom!

 

Source: Michael Sigmon, Residential Green Building Committee

 

 

 


GreenFest, a Cultural Festival for All

By Cherie Ching, Advocacy Fellow

Photo Credit: Boston GreenFest

July 20, 2015

We are looking for a few good volunteers to join us at GreenFest.

 

It’s time for us to rise up as a human race and take bigger steps to protect our planet! It’s time to stand up against bad practices causing climate change and deteriorating our environment! Your time is now! An event that will bring all communities, all ethnic groups and all social groups together for a greater common purpose is here and it’s called GreenFest!

 

Join USGBC MA in fighting for more green buildings at the 8th Annual Boston GreenFest on August 21-23 starting at 12pm at the Boston City Hall Plaza. There will be FREE entertainment, FREE green education and FREE inspiration to transform your own communities, cities, country, and world into a cleaner and safer place to live!

 

USGBC MA will be a part of this celebration with a bright educational BOOTH, and invites its members to help us represent our mission for increased energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green buildings throughout all of Boston! You can help us staff the booth and meet and green visitors and help them learn about how green buildings are the best buildings.

 

SIGN UP NOW to volunteer for a shift and represent our Chapter in a very green way! What better way to thank our environment for such beautiful summer weather than to join in on GreenFest?

 

U.S. Senate Bill S.697- Toxic to Our State's Green Efforts!

By Cherie Ching, Advocacy Fellow

July 17, 2015

Article information provided by Rachelle Ain in the Advocacy Committee

While regulations on Toxic Substances are being addressed on Capitol Hill, local efforts to ban toxics are also taking place on Beacon Hill. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Reform will tighten regulation on toxics in building materials and products to ensure healthier buildings for the people of Massachusetts to work and live in. Our Chapter continues to promote a greener community with stricter regulations on companies using toxics in our building materials, which will result in less toxics exposure for our citizens.

Since its inception, the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act has been in need of updating and improvement. The law exempted over 60,000 chemicals already on the market, and has since hindered the EPA from identifying and regulating chemicals. TSCA has largely been ineffective at regulating the safe use of new chemicals. This year, at the Federal level, both the House and the Senate have advanced TSCA reform bills. The Senate Bill, S.697, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, was introduced by Senators Udall (NM) and Vitter (LA) in March, gained committee approval in April, and is expected to go for final vote at the end of July. The House Bill, TSCA Modernization Act (TMA-DD / HR 2576), was introduced by Congressman Shimkus (IL) and passed the House at the end of July.

There are complexities to pushing for the TSCA reform because both bills fall short on effective chemical regulation. The Senate bill in particular has been criticized for serious federal overreach because of its state preemption provision, which would ban state regulation of a chemical that is being reviewed by the EPA. It is notable that the chemical industry has been supportive of the Senate bill, undoubtedly, and the bill would further weaken current law by requiring EPA to set aside claimed “low priority” chemicals without a safety determination.

Massachusetts bills on toxic substances include Bill S.1132: To protect children and families from harmful flame retardants (Sponsored by Senator Cynthia Stone Creem) and Bill H.2119: To prohibit the distribution in commerce of children's products and upholstered furniture containing certain flame retardants (Sponsored by Representative Marjorie C. Decker). Both of the above bills are focused on flame retardants in products, which particularly affect children, families, and firefighters. Without realizing it, many families are exposed to these chemicals on direct contact with their household products, leading to chronic diseases and disorders, birth defects, and several cancers. These bills will initiate the phase out of flame retardants in children’s products and residential furniture. In addition, Bill H.2119 prohibits any manufacturer, distributor, or retailer to sell, offer for sale, manufacture for sale, distribute in commerce, or import into the United States any children’s product or upholstered furniture that contains a flame retardant specified in subsection (c) for any part of the product or furniture.

The Senate Bill S.697 for TSCA reform appears to be gearing up for a vote in the next two weeks. Our Advocacy Committee is reaching out to many organizations to talk about advocacy efforts our group may consider. If Bill S.697 limits regulation of chemicals on a federal level, it may also put a damper on efforts being made at the state level. In the meanwhile, please send a letter to Senators Warren and Markey, stating your concern opposing the Senate Bill S.697.

Check out our Healthy Materials & Toxics Advocacy Page for more information!

 

Solar Day of Action on Wed 7/15!

By Cherie Ching, Advocacy Fellow

CALLING ALL SOLAR AND GREEN COMRADES!

It is time for action! On Wednesday, July 15th, our USGBC MA Chapter along with the Mass Solar Coalition, Environment Massachusetts, Clean Water Action, the Sierra Club, Better Future Project, SolarCity and others are asking our members, activists, employees and partners to call their Representatives and demand action to raise the caps on net metering and let solar grow.

 

Here is the action page with an easy how-to and script!

 

In addition, Environment Massachusetts will be hosting a phone bank on Wednesday from 5-7pm. If you are in Boston and can spend some time calling activists to generate calls, please contact Ben Hellerstein to ask for details.

Visit our Advocacy Page to read more on our effort toward Net Metering Improvements.