Bringing the Green Back to Our Communities

By Cherie Ching, Advocacy Fellow

 

Look around. With more and more buildings going up every year, we are becoming a world of concrete backyards and artificial trees. More buildings mean more energy, but what kind of energy do we choose to generate for these ubiquitous buildings? Electricity consumed by buildings in the United States will represent 75% of total electicity by 2025, therefore, our decisions do matter. Traditionally, buildings implied an increase in carbon dioxide emissions because more energy meant burning more fossil fuels. In 2008, buildings in the United States contributed 38.9% of the nation’s total carbon dioxide emissions. http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/pubs/gbstats.pdf.  But we are changing the way buildings and energy affect our quality of environment and quality of life.  With options such as Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency (PACE-R) financing, property owners are incentivized to make the right decision when upgrading their buildings, the greener decision.

 

PACE-R is a term used to describe a novel approach for funding energy efficiency, renewable energy and resiliency projects. These projects are 100% financed by an outside entity; financing is treated similar to a tax assessment and have terms that are generally longer than the useful life of the improvement (up to 20yrs); and the assessment remains part of the property regardless of the changing of ownership. By expanding PACE-R financing from the current (exclusive) municipality authority regulations, and by including PACE-R service providers, the financing process is much more feasible for property owners to jump onboard. A new approach will also shift the burden of administration away from small town building inspectors or planning departments to a larger authority with state-wide experience in financing building projects, such as MassDevelopment.

 

BILL S 2255 (S177): “An Act fueling job creation through energy efficiency,” will enable private lenders to put money into a secure investment, which will result in improved energy performance, environmental responsibility and resilience for our building stock in Massachusetts. The PACE-R bill was recently reported to the Senate Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy, though no hearing has yet been scheduled.

 

When passed, the Massachusetts commercial and industrial PACE-R program will help:

  • Create Jobs
  • Increase Property Values
  • Encourage Private Investment in Energy Efficiency, Renewables & Resiliency
  • Reinforce the Role of Massachusetts as a Leader in Green Building

 

USGBC MA Chapter is advocating for improved PACE-R legislation in Massachusetts to kickstart the implementation of projects by giving the state-wide bonding authority to MassDevelopment, which already has capacity for these types of financial instruments.  PACE-R programs process applications, qualify projects and provide or arrange financing. Through PACE-R programs, Massachusetts will be able to expedite green projects and bring the green back into our backyards!

National Grid: 2015 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Winner

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager

2015 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards Ceremony

Our energy efficiency programs are turning heads, gaining recognition and, most importantly, keeping our customers happy …

 

 

More than 900 people gathered at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. April 20 to celebrate businesses and organizations that are helping protect the 


environment through energy efficiency. A shining star among the crowd was National Grid – recognized this year as an individual organization making a difference in this critical area.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honors a select group of efficiency leaders each year at its annual ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards Ceremony.

“We were so excited to win as an individual entity,” says Michelle Eburn, Residential Energy Efficiency senior marketing analyst, who accepted the award on the company’s behalf. “We’re proud of the way our programs continue to meet our company’s and customers’ goals, and how they continue to evolve.”

Michelle explains: “We’ve been focusing more and more on the ‘emotional connection’ we can make with homeowners. We explain to them how they can make their homes better and more comfortable, in addition to saving money on their energy bills.”

Spreading the word and selling the benefits

The EPA recognized National Grid for our work to educate customers about the importance of energy efficiency. Our efforts increase awareness and adoption of ENERGY STAR products. They include:

  • Selling nearly 33,000 ENERGY STAR certified light emitting diode (LED) bulbs and almost 10,000 ENERGY STAR certified compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs in Rhode Island last year, thanks to limited-time social shopping initiatives.
  • Promoting smart grid, energy efficiency programs, ENERGY STAR, and the Sustainability Hub’s first anniversary at the ENERGY STAR Change the World Tour event we hosted at our Sustainability Hub in Worcester, MA last October.
  • Promoting high-efficiency furnaces, boilers, central air conditioning systems, water heaters and more in our ‘Part of Your Family’ campaign for Heating and Cooling (with many eligible equipment models ENERGY STAR certified).
  • Featuring radio spots that build ENERGY STAR awareness, as well as comprehensive multimedia marketing campaigns including newspaper, online banner, and Facebook ads; Facebook posts; and email blasts.



“National Grid’s efforts to promote ENERGY STAR products are helping consumers make smarter buying decisions,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “National Grid is helping Americans save money, save energy and do their part to reduce our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change.”

Marketing and Customer Experience Vice President Lori Acker put it simply in congratulating her team: “It’s so exciting to see external recognition for your fantastic efforts. ENERGY STAR has great awareness, and our affiliation with them helps build strong credibility to our energy efficiency efforts and brand. Well done!”

In addition to Michelle, special kudos to Marketing’s Sara Merena, Kate Ringe-Welch and Victoria Viviani for helping make it all happen!

 

 

Source: http://ournationalgrid.com/us/we-won-the-epas-energy-star-award-for-excellence/

Net Talks Gain Solar Support

By Cherie Ching, Advocacy Fellow

 

Net Metering, one of USGBC MA Chapter's three current advocacy priorities, took center stage this month as Bills S-1770 and H-2852, sponsored by Senator James Eldridge and Representatives Thomas Calter & Paul Mark came into focus. The bills address the net metering caps and are aligned to the State’s current 1600 MW solar target. The legislation would allow more companies to take advantage of the 30% federal investment tax credit before the end of 2016. In addition, the bill would also create a new 20% target of State’s electricity to be derived from solar by Dec 31, 2025 and establish an energy storage incentive program to commence Jan 1, 2016. Innovative programs such as energy storage address the problems arising during peak electric generation and capacity periods.

 

Net metering caps are maintained by State law, which requires each distribution company to separately limit or “cap” public and private solar net metering eligibility. Under the amendments to Bill S-2214, the Private Net Metering Cap is currently 4% and the Public Net Metering Cap at 5%. Each cap is calculated by the percentage of each company’s highest historical peak load, or the most electricity consumed by the distribution company’s ratepayers at any one time. In the 2014-2015 legislative session, Bill H-4185 was not passed and many celebrated, though only for a short while. The main purpose for the bill was to remove the previous ceiling of a 3% cap on net metering relative to peak load of each of the Massachusetts utility companies. Without expanding, or removing the cap, as H-4185 would allow, the rapidly expanding solar PV industry in MA could come to a grinding halt. The bill trades removing the cap for allowing the Department of Public Utilities to find a suitable minimum bill for all utility customers in the Commonwealth to support grid reliability. It also replaces the SREC program with a new declining tariff incentive.  USGBC MA article

 

Although net metering encourages ratepayers to move toward a more efficient and sustainable energy generation system through renewable resources, the decrease in grid dependency poses a threat to utility companies, ultimately affecting the nonparticipating ratepayers.  Raising or eliminating the net metering caps would allow more renewable energy investment, support environmental goals, and create green jobs.  However, this could also lead to utilities implementing fixed monthly charges to cover fixed capital expenditures, which would increase the retail rates. In the Massachusetts Net Metering and Solar Task Force Report 4/30/15– Baker-Polito Administration stated that it “does not support raising the net metering caps in the short term absent a long term sustainable solution . . . that effectively balances promoting clean energy and lowering costs to ratepayers.” When net customers are not paying for distribution costs, they are obtaining a “free-ride” on the rest of the ratepayers rates. Utilities are slowly providing more services to their customers to accommodate the switch to a system that effectively manages renewable energy.  Innovative solutions such as battery storage, a modernized distribution system, and advanced research on energy efficiency strategies are promising, but costly.

 

Please stay with us as we monitor the developments at the State House and as we advocate to increase renewable energy options for buildings in Massachusetts, while ensuring a safe, reliable and appropriately paid-for electricity grid for everyone in the Commonwealth.

Making Old Platinum: the Old Colony Project in Boston

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager


The Homes at Old Colony are new affordable apartments that offer energy efficiency, improved indoor air quality, and reduced environmental impact. The project team achieved these goals through advanced construction techniques, sustainable materials and optimized systems designed to meet LEED and ENERGY STAR certification requirements at the highest levels.

 

Leading the effort, Beacon Communities Development LLC successfully partnered with the Boston Housing Authority to provide the experience and management necessary to transform the former defunct public housing complex into a new, affordable, sustainable and safe neighborhood. The Architectural Team, Inc. implemented a thoughtful master plan which replaced the 1940's barracks-like brick complexes of the original Old Colony project with a livable, accessible, vibrant multi-family community that fits seamlessly into the surrounding context and promotes engagement with the extended neighborhood. New Ecology, Inc. provided LEED and ENERGY STAR design guidance and management from project inception through occupancy, focused on maximizing attainable, cost effective sustainability and energy efficiency measures throughout the project.

 

Sustainable design strategies employed to meet the challenging goals set during the LEED charrette included: 

  • maximizing the benefits of the well-connected site location through attentive neighborhood design 
  • the extensive use of recycled and regional materials
  • ultra-low VOC materials throughout 
  • a highly efficient and well-sealed envelope with water-blown spray foam insulation 
  • low-flow fixtures and minimized irrigation requirements for landscaping
  • high efficiency fan coils and HRVs for each unit for the lowrise buildings
  • centralized ERVs for the mid-rise apartment buildings.  

 

The residential buildings at Phase One of the Homes at Old Colony achieved a Platinum level certification under LEED for Homes, and the Joseph M. Tierney Learning Center achieved a Gold level certification under LEED BD&C New Construction. Construction on Phases Two A and B were completed in Summer 2014, and these phases  


achieved a Platinum certification under LEED for Homes and LEED for Homes Mid-Rise, while Phase Two C is nearing completion for Summer 2015, and is anticipating LEED Platinum certification as well.  Both Phases One and Two of the redeveloped Old Colony community are entering the final stage of review under LEED for Neighborhood Development, and anticipate a Gold level certification.

 

Photo credits: Andy Ryan

Special thanks to Luke McKneally and Lauren Baumann at New Ecology for contributing to this project (and post)!

Welcome Cherie Ching as our Advocacy Fellow for the summer of 2015!

By Grey Lee

Cherie Ching, J.D. '16, Advocacy Fellow

 


Cherie Ching is joining the USGBC MA Chapter as our Summer Advocacy Fellow – in an internship funded by the MassCEC. She recently completed her second year at Suffolk University Law School (SULS) in the Juris Doctor Program, and is concentrating in Legal Technology and Innovation.  At SULS, Cherie has researched and studied the effects of net metering for energy efficiency and environmental protection while taking courses such as International Environmental Law and Technology, Energy, and the Environment Law.  She is an editorial writer for the Journal of High Technology Law, currently working on her research Reinforcing the Net: Net Metering to Advance Deregulation in an Electric World (forthcoming note, 2016).

As our Advocacy Fellow, she is helping us improve our website resources related to our advocacy priorities of improving net metering policy, net zero building codes, and PACE financing. If you have a question of concern about our advocacy activities, please reach out. Don't forget to add our Green Building Policy Forum to your calendar – coming right up on 6/23/15 at the State House.

Cherie is excited to participate in the Chapter’s mission of promoting a network of Green Buildings as well as the legislation that supports them. Feel free to connect with Cherie at cching@usgbcma.org

National Grid at the 2015 Building Tech Forum

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow

We are extremely thankful that our companion National Grid partnered with us as a Champion-level sponsor. Take a look at their awesome video about all the funding they offer to design teams to incorporate energy savings in the early stages of their projects. One of the main themes of the forum, delivering clean building and clean energy to our world long into the future, is a central tenant of National Grid's philosophy– so they were the perfect organization to partner with for this great event!


National Grid, as USGBCMA's newest– and only– Platinum Sponsor, is an international electricity and gas company based in the UK and northeastern US. It plays a vital role in connecting millions of people safely, reliably and efficiently to the energy they use.  With its exceptionally large customer base, National Grid is nonetheless committed to delivering clean energy.  In the company's words: “We are at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society – delivering clean energy to support our world long into the future.” The group seeks to embed sustainability in its strategy and long-term vision, in order to preserve natural resources and respect the interests of our communities. 

Read more about National Grid on its website, or in our blog

Building Tech Spotlight: SGH

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow


Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) was one of the firms that agreed to sponsor our Building Tech Forum last month, where we discussed sustainability, green building, and more!  SGH is a group of architects and engineers that design, investigate, and rehabilitate constructed works in the United States, Canada, and in more than thirty additional countries.  Their goals are simple:  earn the lasting trust of their clients, gain the respect of their most capable peers, and further the standards of practice in all areas of their profession. Their industry-recognized experts with diverse specialties

  • collaborate with clients and project team members,
  • engage our extensive expertise,
  • focus on delivering successful results, and
  • respond to project challenges.

Read more about SGH and see some of their impressive buildings on their website, and find them in our blog!

Green Building Tour at 75-125 Binney St in Cambridge

By Grey Lee


The Emerging Professionals of Massachusetts, the committee of the USGBC which connects people new to the industry, produced a top-notch building tour on Thursday, May 21st. Attendees were privileged to enter into one of the next darlings of the biotech cluster and innovation scene which is Kendall Sq. It was great to get into the building and tour around and see many green features. 


Presenters included:

  • Christian Blomquist, Payette
  • Jack Sherman, Sunrise Erectors
  • Melissa Hinton, Gilbane Building Co.
  • Peter Kujawski, VIEW Glass

The building is really 2 structures joined by a “Winter Garden” atrium, and totals approximately 440,000sf. There will be some retail on the ground floor and the winter garden will be publicly accessible linking Rogers St to Binney St.


 


This large scale high-tech laboratory project in two buildings is seeking LEED Silver certification and will also include a below-grade parking structure. Executed through a highly collaborative delivery approach, the project is utilizing a 100 percent virtual design and construction platform. We will hear from members of the design & construction team. During peak project demand, 15-20 individuals leverage daily work planning and real time model-based collaboration to enhance the project delivery.


A vital component of the BIM services we'll hear about include underground and temporary construction coordination. Situated on a tight, urban site, the project location poses unique challenges. With contaminated soil conditions, a high water table, as well as buried storage tanks and abandoned foundations, mass excavation was a project in itself. Realizing that the vast majority of design information was only available in 2D format, the contractor began with modeling all underground systems, temporary construction, dewatering wells, construction clearance and safety zones, and even the tower crane foundation and swing radius. As a result, this process has allowed the entire team to make smart and timely decisions to maintain the project budget.





Thank you to the organizing team, led by Suzy O'Leary, all the tour guides, and those who helped stay late to wrap things up, and especially to Pete Kujawski of VIEW Windows for underwriting the group dinner at ZA following the tour! Good time and good cheer had by all. See you next time!


USGBC MA teams with MOSES

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager


This week we partnered with the Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers and Scientists (MOSES) to provide a LEED Green Associate Exam Prep Course to a group of 30+ professionals who work for various state agencies. This was a fast-paced class for professionals who may have little previous knowledge of the LEED rating system, green building operations and green building construction. The USGBC MA Chapter is committed to providing structured programs for professionals to pursue accreditation in the LEED System – both the Green Associate and subsequently the AP with specialty status.

The course was conducted by Chris Liston, a USGBC MA Board Member. Liston imparted his own experience with LEED and sustainable design from his impressive portfolio of projects and lessons learned (more about Chris below). The course covered the extent of the LEED Green Associate Exam and prepared this group to confidently take the exam.

We look forward to working with the engineering professionals in the Commonwealth to advance our mission green buildings for all within a generation. 

We would like to extend a special thank you to Chris Liston for taking time out of his schedule to teach green building and to Joe Dorant of MOSES for helping make this class happen.  


About the Instructor

Chris Liston is the Director of Energy & Sustainability for CBRE’s Bank of America Account.  In his previous role with the CBRE Sustainability Programs Group, Chris planned and executed LEED EB projects.  Chris’ LEED EB project work includes One Boston Place (World's First LEED EB O&M Gold Building), Bank of America Plaza (First LEED EB in North Carolina), Collier Center (First LEED EB in Phoenix, Winner of 2010 BOMA International Earth Award), and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (Finalist for 2011 BOMA International Earth Award, First LEED EB certified Federal Reserve Bank.) Chris is based in Boston, MA, and he can be reached via email at chris.liston@cbre.com.

About the Exam

The LEED Green Associate Exam is a 2-hour closed book exam consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions.  The exam is developed by the Green Building Certification Institute and administered at local Prometric testing centers. More information about our LEED Green Associate Exam Prep is available HERE

 

 

 


USGBC MA welcomes Celis Brisbin as our new Programs Manager

By Grey Lee

May, 21, 2015 

By Grey Lee


 

I am delighted to introduce Celis Brisbin as a member of our team and to celebrate the growing capacity of our organization to make a difference. Celis brings a specific knowledge of the solar industry from his experience from several years in the clean energy field, both in NH and MA markets. He is very familiar with our net metering advocacy campaign and is quickly picking up where we are with PACE+R and Net Zero Building Codes.

Celis has a knack for sustainability. Though he commutes on the T, he modified his Honda Insight for efficiency and is fascinated by hybrid and energy efficient technology in the transportation space. Some may recognize him from recently participating in the MassCEC Hackathon on a team with other MA Chapter members where he worked on a building automation project for solar powered buildings.

Celis is excited to support our programming areas of education, events, membership, and fundraising. We have a lot of work to do together – as staff and as a community of passionate volunteers. Our mission brings us together and helps us achieve “More Green Buildings!” I hope that you all have a chance to meet Celis and welcome him on board.