Advocacy Committee: Co-signing is Fun!

By Grey Lee

 
The Chapter participated with a coalition of advocacy organizations in a “Co-Signing Fair” at the Massachusetts State House on 1/14/15.  Two dozen organizations presented opportunities for legislators to co-sign various legislative initiatives relevant to sustainability, energy and ecology.  Co-signing is when a legislator adds their name to the bill as it is introduced to the session.  More co-signers means a bill has more momentum moving forward.  The event was organized by the Environmental League of Massachusetts and the Audubon Society. 
 
Chapter volunteer Craig Foley and Grey Lee were on hand to meet with lawmakers and their staff to help them understand the initiatives.
 

 

We were pitching our top three priorities (click to link to our Advocacy Resources page for more information):
 

 

Thank you to the team at ELM (pictured here: Josh Craft, Program Director and Erica Mattison, Legislative Director).  Thank you for organizing and helping so many good organizations connect on so many issues!
 

I like this mural in the rotunda at the State House of a Minuteman rallying the militia to join the cause of freedom against tyranny!
 

Great new resource for Green Leasing from A Better City

By Grey Lee

Congratulations to ABC (A Better City) – the convener's of Boston's “Challenge for Sustainability” in the commercial real estate world.

They have recently produced a report on “Green Leasing”  – providing guidance on how tenants and landlords can come together to improve lease agreements with clauses that support sustainability in buildings.

Areas of opportunity to increase the sustainability of leases include:
•  Energy efficiency cost pass-through clauses
•  Operational clauses
•  Sustainable purchasing clauses
•  Reporting Clauses

The group also identified barriers to wider green lease implementation. These include:
•  A lack of knowledge of potential green lease clauses
•  Brokers and lawyers being unfamiliar with green leasing practices.

We look forward to working with ABC, our Members and other industry partners to improve building performance through greener leases. Thank you to ABC, Boston's Green Ribbon Commission, and Meister Consultants for putting together this project.

USGBC MA & MLS PIN: Improved Green Data Fields for MA Real Estate

By Grey Lee

 
[Press Release]
 
One of the top multiple listing services in U.S. updates its green data fields to reflect the growing market of high-performance homes
 
 
Boston, MA (January 8, 2015)TheMassachusetts Chapter of the USGBC is pleased to announce that MLS Property Information Network, Inc. (MLS PIN) has installed a comprehensive update of its green data fields to promote market transformation towards healthier and more energy-efficient buildings in the Commonwealth.
 
MLS PIN, located in Shrewsbury, MA, is one of the leading multiple-listing services in the country.  Kathy Condon, CEO and President of MLS PIN, has been an industry leader in the adoption of green data fields to support energy efficiency in the residential real estate transaction.  She led MLS PIN in one of the earliest adoptions of green data fields in 2009 in the U.S.  The new fields, recommended by the Residential Green Building Committee of the Massachusetts Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, is one of the most comprehensive green data field updates in the country.
 
Ownership of green homes is one practical way people in our communities can actively respond to the environmental concerns around us,” said Grey Lee, Executive Director of the MA Chapter of the USGBC. “MLS PIN’s collaboration to improve the existing set of green data fields deserves kudos.  I would also like to applaud Craig Foley, our chapter’s advocacy coordinator for the Residential Green Building Committee, for his leadership on this project.  With the new fields in place, homebuyers in the region will have a much clearer understanding of the high-performance options available to them.  This work will provide a strong signal to the marketplace that homes that are more resilient, healthier, and that offer lower operating costs are more beneficial and valuable to owners.
 
We greatly appreciate the work that the USGBC committee did to provide thoughtful and relevant recommendations that make our database stronger,” said Kathy Condon, CEO and President of MLS PIN. “This project’s committed stakeholder involvement reinforces our regions leadership in the U.S. green building movement.”
 
The timing of this initiative was ideal,” said Craig Foley, a broker associate at RE/MAX Leading Edge. “Our committee was able to piggy-back on the work being done at the national level with the Green MLS Implementation Guide produced by the National Association of REALTORS® Green Resource Council. Working with Kathy’s excellent staff at MLS PIN to coordinate the implementation of the new fields was an outstanding experience.”
 
The Residential Green Building Council of the USGBC has monthly meetings which are open to the public at 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA.  More information on the Committee and meetings can be found at http://www.usgbcma.org/RGBC

For more information on trainings for the new green data fields contact Craig Foley, the Chief of Energy Solutions for RE/MAX Leading Edge, at leadingedgegreen@gmail.com.

 
 
About MLS Property Information Network, Inc
 
A REALTOR® owned MLS, Property Information Network, Inc. (MLS PIN) was incorporated in 1997.  The corporation has grown its subscriber base from 11,000 to approximately 33,485 licensed real estate professionals.
 
MLS PIN is the largest Multiple Listing Service in New England and one of the largest in the nation.  MLS PIN offers a database of over 33,800 propertiesfor sale and more than 1.4 million off-market listings, as well as full public records for all of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and other areas of New England.  More information can be found on their website, which can be found at http://www.mlspin.com/

About U.S. Green Building Council, MA Chapter

The mission of the Chapter is to promote the design, construction, and operation of sustainable buildings and communities in Massachusetts through education, collaboration, and advocacy, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.  More information can be found on their website, which can be found at http://www.usgbcma.org/

 

# # #

LEED O+M: Who says an existing building can't learn new tricks?

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager

Published on Written by Posted in LEED

 

What is LEED O+M?

Meet the LEED solution for existing buildings everywhere. Existing buildings hold incredible promise—many older buildings around the world are inefficient and resource-depleting. With some keen attention to building operations, that can be turned around drastically by using LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M).

Consider that it can take up to 80 years to make up for the environmental impacts of demolishing an existing building and constructing a new one, even if the resulting building is extremely energy efficient. You may have heard the phrase, “The greenest building is the one already built.” We believe it, and LEED can help you achieve it.

Who's it for?

While you may apply the LEED O+M rating system to any number of project types—from commercial high-rises to data centers—we’ve provided an array of common market sectors to give you a tailored experience that recognizes your project’s specialized requirements.

Still curious about LEED O+M? Visit our new LEED microsite to learn more.

Visit leed.usgbc.org

Harvard Takes Giant Leaps to Create a Greener Community

By Grey Lee

December 5, 2014

Photo credit: Harvard University Housing

Actions speak louder than words and Harvard is definitely taking some noticeable action in the green building community!  The Harvard Green Building Standards reflect Harvard University's commitment to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from building design to operations within their new capital projects and major renovations over $100,000. They were “built” upon the Harvard Green Building Guidelines from 2007 and the Harvard Green Building Standards from 2009 (led by the Office for Sustainability and Green Building Services), then they were updated this year to include healthy material requirements and assessment to determine toxic substance exposure.  Consistent with the mission and priorities of USGBC MA, Harvard also analyzes how Net Zero Energy Buildings, LEED certification and energy efficiency systems can improve their campus buildings and spaces through implementation.

The Harvard Green Building Standards require:

Integrated design goal-setting charrettes with all key stakeholders
Multiple iterations of energy models
Life cycle cost analysis
Prescriptive requirements such as aggressive energy and water reduction targets

Through these standards, Harvard sets a prime example that greening a community takes commitment and teamwork.  Because of the hundreds of participants across the University's Schools and departments working in a collaborative process, Harvard continues to develop and expand their knowledge and resources in order to stay on top of their green game!

Harvard’s green efforts also go beyond buildings into energy conversion in their Nocera Lab, a research group of Daniel G. Nocera, which studies the basic mechanisms of energy conversion in biology and chemistry.  Nocera is the Patterson Rockwood Professor of Energy at Harvard University and has been an organizer to and primary author of four DOE Basic Research Need workshops: Hydrogen, Solar Energy, Energy Storage and Catalysis.  He was also a primary author of the Grand Challenges report (Directing Matter and Energy: Five Challenges for Science and the Imagination) to the DOE.  His group pioneered studies of the basic mechanisms of energy conversion in biology and chemistry with primary focus in recent years on the generation of solar fuels.

Earning a LEED Gold Certification earlier this year, Harvard hits another homerun with their 33,000 sq. ft. renovation at the Cronkhite Graduate Center.  The renovations included a new core bathroom installation, new lounge/kitchenettes, new high efficiency lighting and heating system upgrades on 150 dorm rooms.  Scoring perfectly in water efficiency, innovation and regional priority credits, Harvard will be able to provide their students with a healthier and energy efficient living space into the future!

We hope that many more institutions will follow their “LEED” and take on the challenge of greening their communities for the invaluable results that are sure to come.

 

Manchester Essex High School Green Scholars Remove 300lbs of Litter from Local Beaches

By Isabella Hickey and Sarah Reed

by Isabella Hickey and Sarah Reed

On November 15th, 2014, the Manchester Essex High School Green Scholars and Interns participated in Green Apple Day of Service.  Scholars and Interns spent the day cleaning the Black and White Beach located in Manchester, MA and Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, MA.  We met at Manchester Essex High School at 10am and continued to clean beaches until 2pm.  Scholars found a lobster trap at Black and White Beach and two lobster traps at Good Harbor.  We collected a total of 1,888 pieces of garbage which included cigarette butts, glass, plastic, fishing rope, soda cans, plastic bags, and many other items as well.  Our total weight of garbage was approximately 200 pounds, without the weight of the lobster traps.  Our scholars found great happiness and success from cleaning the beaches and once again our Green Apple Day of Service was a great hit and achievement for our program.

 
 

 

 

 

Clark University Saves Energy through Behavior Change

By Eli Goldman

by Eli Goldman

Clark University’s Climate Action Plan calls for our campus to become carbon neutral by 2030, something that we are well on track to achieving.  While Clark has invested over $2 million in technology upgrades that continues to invest in technology improvements and has two LEED certified buildings, there is no doubt that more can be done.  Much of Clark’s campus depends on old buildings that are not ideal for energy conservation technology.  These old buildings house most of the staff and departmental offices.  Clark’s student body is very active in pursuing ways to conserve energy.  We routinely perform Green Room and Green Office Audits, have a team of hard-working Eco Reps, and with the help of USGBC MA and National Grid's Green Apple Day of Service Mini Grant, this student-managed initiative will provide a checklist designed to help our faculty and staff save energy in their offices through behavior change.

The ‘Energy Saver’ checklist is a simple tool that provides clear direction for behavior change, which is embedded in a monthly calendar.  Concise checklist items aimed at helping to promote energy awareness and energy reduction in offices all over campus include: turn off all lights, close window shades, and turn off space heaters, etc.  This decision to present the checklist in a calendar format was made carefully.  We see calendars almost daily and we are used to them.  Because of their familiar format, the calendar becomes a helpful aid in promoting behavior change.  Also, using the format of a calendar allows for the checklist to be adapted to the season as energy conservation strategies change. 

These benefits of a checklist designed to help power down offices are impressive.  Checklists allow for the individual to focus on his or her usual daily tasks without putting much thought into the bulleted list.  Thus, time, money, and general effort can all be saved with the help of a good checklist.  On Green Apple Day of Service, we distributed the calendar to Clark University’s 652 faculty and staff members.  Faculty and staff who return all months of the supplied calendar with their checklist completed to Clark University’s office of sustainability will receive an honorable prize – lunch with our President, David Angel.  The goal is to have a measurable impact on Clark’s Climate Action Plan goals.

 

 

 

The ‘Energy Saver’ checklist aims to promote behavior as a means of increasing energy awareness and personal efforts toward energy reduction.  Clark University students and Eco Reps have illustrated that powering down really does make a difference.  Students of Wright Hall, one of our freshman dorms, reduced energy by 67% in a Thanksgiving Break Powerdown contest; all the dorms averaged a 48% reduction!  Supporting behavior change among faculty and staff with this student-led initiative is the next step.  While they are by no means insignificant, the numbers cited above mean little if they only come about because of a one-time event.  Instead, the hope is that the ‘Energy Saver’ checklist will allow for daily power downs to happen almost subconsciously when faculty and staff leave their offices and head for home – they will even take the habits home with them.  Saving energy and reducing climate change is up to everyone, both at work and at home.

As a result of the research and audits, I realized that while continued technological improvements are important, wide-spread community behavior change is necessary to make a long-lasting difference in our energy use.  Clark University Physical Plant has agreed to help fund my project and to match the value of a Green Apple Day of Service Grant.

 
 

Sustainable Design Leadership: Healthy Building Materials Summit

By Grey Lee

 

Over 130 members of our green building community came together on Friday 11/14 to learn and share knowledge about healthy materials in buildings.

 

We gathered at Google's Kendall Square (Cambridge) office – in their new “bridge space” on the fifth floor.  They have an extensive audio-visual set up and we enjoyed filling up the entire theater.

The Sustainable Design Leaders of New England organized the entire program and Blake Jackson of Tsoi/Kobus Associates (a Chapter Sponsor) served as the MC.

We heard brief presentations from a panel of six experts on various aspects of healthy materials choices in the design and operation of buildings – from the owners' side, manufacturers and advocates.  Below is Nadav Malin from BuidlingGreen and to the left are:

  • Bill Walsh from the Healthy Buildings Network
  • Heather Henriksen of the Harvard Office for Sustainability
  • Denis Darragh from Forbo Flooring
  • Melissa McCullough from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 
  • Scott Tobias of ASSA ABLOY 

We had a great turnout of many of the leaders of the green building industry in Massachusetts and beyond.  The “unconference” aspect was especially engaging. This program was made possible by the contributions of many, especially the sponsors:

  • Premium Sponsors:
    • A Better City
    • Armstrong
    • ASSA ABLOY
    • Bergmeyer
    • Forbo Flooring
    • Google
    • Knauf Insulation
    • Nelson
    • USGBC MA
  • Sponsors:
    • Boston Society of Architects
    • Gensler
    • Goody Clancy
    • Hydrotect
    • Sasaki
    • Sustainable Minds

 

The entire group broke out into three rooms and pairs of the speakers toured around, 30 minutes with each group, participating in a crowd-derived conversation.  A lot of specific exploring occurred.  How can manufacturers declare their EPDs w/o losing market share due to “first-declaring penalty?”  How can builders start to look at the longevity of their products?  What is the trade off between longevity and toxicity?  Maybe some products could actually be designed for shorter utilization periods and not have to be so durable, in the way durability efforts generally drive more and more complex and potentially dangerous chemistry…? 

Hat's off to the Sustainable Design Leaders of New England, Healthy Materials Summit Organizing Team!

Congratulations to Arjun Mande of Goody Clancy, Mihir Parikh of A Better City, Anastasia Huggins of Gensler, [me] and Blake Jackson of Tsoi/Kobus!

I'm sure we're already looking ahead to next year's Summit!

USGBC MA Hosts Senator Eldridge for Discussion on Net Zero Energy Buildings

By Michael Sigmon, Sterritt Lumber & FSC Sales Broker

by Michael Sigmon, Sterritt Lumber, FSC Sales Broker

 

On November 10th, the RGBC had the pleasure of hosting Senator Jamie Eldridge (D – Acton) for our monthly presentation.  This highly anticipated event did not disappoint.  In a true roundtable discussion fashion, Senator Eldridge gave us insight into what the legislature is doing for green building in the residential community.
 
Senator Eldridge’s commitments to the environment, and green building in particular, were made very clear from the start.  As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, he seeks, “to investigate the issues involving global warming and climate change, including but not limited to carbon emissions, greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energies.”  Senator Eldridge also serves on the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, where he focuses on renewable energy.  It is very clear he is committed to “greening” the Metro West!
 
Some of Senator Eldridge’s accomplishments include filing bill S.1587, to  promote zero net-energy buildings in the Commonwealth, by requiring a 30% more energy efficiency standard than the international code. Also, Eldridge was instrumental in passing the 2010 PACE legislation.
 
While Senator Eldridge actively advocates for investing more in green energy, he acknowledged that we can still do much more.  Education for the general public can always be improved and he seeks to limit confusion on energy codes for the masses.  Other topics discussed included deep energy retrofit programs, tax incentives for green building, and progressive residential champions such as Carter Scott’s initiatives. We also learned that when a bill is “put to study,” it is a nice way of saying it is “put to pasture!”
Most importantly, the group discussed what we can do as citizens and colleagues to help advocate for bills beneficial to green building.  Senator Eldridge was receptive to scheduling a visit to the statehouse where experts could speak to the bills and issues and recognized it is these individuals that can make a huge difference in educating the masses.  To stay up to date with Senator Eldridge’s initiatives visit http://www.senatoreldridge.com/issues/environment.

Thank you, Senator!