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. 

Advocating for a Net Zero Building Code on Beacon Hill

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager


On Wednesday, May 13th, Grey Lee represented the Chapter by advocating for Net Zero Building Code at the meeting of the Green Economy Caucus at the State House. Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Frank I. Smizik have been long time proponents of sustainable regulation and legislation and chair the Caucus.

Courtesy of Senator Eldridge:

In Massachusetts, our buildings use 54% of the energy we consume. The bill would improve buildings codes in Massachusetts to reduce energy consumption from residential and commercial buildings.

The energy we consume still comes predominantly (over 90%) from dirty and dangerous sources – and the vast majority of energy used by our society is for heating and powering our homes and work places. To clean up our air, lower costs for consumers, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we need to make our homes and businesses far more energy-efficient.


A zero net energy building (ZNEB) is one that is optimally efficient and, over the course of a year, generates energy onsite using clean renewable resources in a quantity equal to or greater than the total amount of energy consumed onsite.

Zero net energy buildings are already being designed and constructed in Massachusetts, particularly in the residential sector. In addition to saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, zero net energy buildings can provide significant cost savings for residents and businesses, and stimulate clean energy technology development and job growth in the Commonwealth.


Creating more zero net energy buildings will require the state to find new ways to create clean and local energy, reduce our energy consumption, and remake our society to support a low carbon infrastructure.  Zero net energy building will make energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies central to the way we design and build.

A bill was based on the recommendations of Governor Patrick’s Zero Net Energy Buildings Task Force, as the report states:

“Although the current economic and climate challenges before us are great, the opportunities presented by these challenges for technology innovation, job growth, energy savings, and clean energy in the building sector require Massachusetts to act boldly—the time is now to move toward zero net energy buildings in the Commonwealth.”


A proposed bill would direct the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) to:

Establish definitions of residential zero net-energy buildings and commercial zero net energy buildings.
In consultation with the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) create regulations establishing a residential zero net energy building standard to take effect January 1st 2020 and a commercial zero net energy building standard to take effect January 1st 2030.

For more information visit the Senator’s website here


Global Warming Solutions Project Briefing

By Grey Lee

On Tuesday, May 19th, the Global Warming Solutions Project hosted a policy briefing on legislation that addresses climate change. Much of the conversation around climate change involves state energy policy and much of that affects buildings. The USGBC MA is party to these discussions as they relate to our priority advocacy issues and also our broader concerns. In the legislative arena, things can move fast and something that has been on a back burner can suddenly arrive to the fore. Our advocacy volunteers and staff are dedicated to tracking issues and enabling our members and other stakeholders to participate in a more informed manner.

 


The morning's presentations were led by Josh Craft, Program Director of the Environmental League of Massachussetts. ELM summarized the event recently (thank you ELM!):

ELM hosted an energy policy briefing for legislators and their aides Tuesday, focusing on opportunities for the state to save customers money and curb greenhouse gas emissions by reducing energy waste. Rep. Ehrlich (D-Marblehead), a major leader on energy and environmental issues, and members of ELM's Global Warming Solutions Project (GWSP) shared their views on policies that will build upon Massachusetts' success in improving energy efficiency.


– Rep. Ehrlich provided an overview of her efforts to fix natural gas leaks, which cost Massachusetts gas customers almost $40 million each year. Her legislation, HB 2870 (Protecting Consumers from Leaked or Unaccounted for Natural Gas), would require the gas utilities to account for leaked natural gas from its pipelines and discount the value of those leaks from customers' energy bills.

 


* Jim O'Reilly, of Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), discussed the value of energy efficiency as an energy resource, meeting customers' energy needs without costly new power plants or transmission lines. He then focused on the benefits of SB 1761 (Relative to Home Energy Efficiency), sponsored by Senate Energy Chairman Downing (D-Pittsfield). SB 1761 is a top legislative priority for ELM this session. It would create a “first in the nation” home energy label so that home buyers can understand the energy costs of a home they may buy as part of their purchasing decision.

* Mark LeBel, of the Acadia Center, shared their vision for solar and locally owned energy resources as central to our energy generating system, finding that solar photovotaics offer significant economic and societal benefits to Massachusetts customers. LeBel encouraged lawmakers to preserve the current net metering policy while making smart changes to our solar incentive programs. Such changes will reduce program costs while allowing all customers to participate in these vital programs.

You can read more of the materials from the event here. (This is a real treasure trove about energy policy in Massachusetts!)

One topic that came up was the labeling of homes and buildings in order to help market participants better evaluate the value of an assett. We are actively tracking this legislative initiative.

 


And this is a good one, justifying support for local renewable generation – each dollar spent on carbon-intensive fossil fuels and distant transmitted hydro power means money leaving the economy of the Commonwealth. We can make better investments in local, renewable power for numerous economic advantages.

 


It was good to see some USGBC MA members in the audience and we will continue to work and collaborate with our colleagues in the intersection of climate justice, economic growth, energy, and buildings.

Residential Green Building – May 2015

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager


On May 11, 2015, the Residential Green Building Committee had the pleasure of hosting David Queeley, Sustainability Fellow At Codman Square Development Company. Queeley informed the group of his strategy and efforts to get Talbot Norfolk Triangle, (TNT) in Boston designed as an Eco District. Queeley currently works on behalf of Codman Square Development Company, where the company focuses on developing safe, sustainable, and affordable structures in Codman Square and South Dorchester.  

The Talbot Norfolk Triangle Eco-Innovation District uses LEED ND as a set of guiding principles to comprehensively integrate transit oriented development, renewable energy, water conservation, sustainable energy, waste reduction, and energy efficiency into neighborhood planning. The development has garnered much positive attention, as it is an attempt to use sustainable practices advocated by LEED ND to improve underprivileged neighborhoods dealing with gentrification. The Eco-Innovation District also features other green energy initiatives to create local jobs.  

You can read more about the Eco-Innovation District here.

Once again, a big thank you to David for educating us on his sustainability initiatives that are greatly improving our community!!!

Local LEED Advocacy

By Grey Lee

USGBC has been able to transform the real estate industry toward greater sustainability in our built environment. The LEED rating system to certify buildings has been a powerful tool in that process. We love LEED! It has resulted in better buildings, reduced infrastructure costs & escalations, improved health and many, many jobs for our colleagues and stakeholders in the green building sector.

 

The Massachusetts Chapter is engaging with USGBC's national advocacy campaigns to promote LEED as a tool for municipalities to improve their buildings, improved their economies and improve their branding.

 

Working with a team from Washington DC, I recently went on tour to connect with mayors, planners, and other key leaders throughout Massachusetts. We visited a number of “Gateway Cities” – urban areas which have significant economic and social challenges. We have seen communities embrace green building policies for a variety of benefits in other states, and we can do it here as well. Massachusetts is a leader in energy efficency and renewables, and we can be even more of a leader in green buildings. If we get more municipalities, through their local zoning and development review processes, to stipulate LEED in their policies, we will see the benefits of more green buildings in more communities of the Commonwealth.

 

Below is the crew: Greer, Chris, Christina and Conor, in the “Flag Room” of the Fall River City Hall:


In our first round of touring in early May, we visited four cities: Brockton, Fall River, Worcester and Holyoke.


Here I am with Conor Yunits, running the team from Liberty Square Group in Boston, who have deep experience in political advocacy campaigns at the local level. It helps that he is from Brockton, in this case. Brockton had a hay-day in the 19th century making a lot of shoes. Inside City Hall are some amazing murals from the 19th Century. Maybe with LEED certified green buildings they can regain their former glory?

 


Here we have Greer Millard from Liberty Square Group and Christina Kuo, Director of Advocacy at USGBC talking with Dan Racicot, Worcester's Mayor Petty's Chief of Staff. It looks like we'll be doing a presentation for that city's Chamber of Commerce later in the summer.

 


The last stop on this day's tour was Holyoke's City Hall. Plenty of folks know about the canals and the mill buildings of Holyoke. Some of you have seen the City Hall. Have you ever been up into the actual “hall” of City Hall? It is magnificent!

 


In Holyoke, we met with Mayor Morse to talk about the benefits of LEED at the municipal level. They are about to certify their library and have had a good experience with LEED so far. They were interested in the LEED ND materials as well. There is a lot of potential for green buildings in Holyoke!