Join Us for a Talk on GRESB in March

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow

GRESB? you ask – yes GRESB!
Join us for a presentation on the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Survey-what it is, how it works and where it’s going-presented by Laura Barnatt, of TA Realty, and our Existing Buildings Committee.  


The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark was created in 2009 by a team of economists and statisticians from the Netherlands. Co-founded by Nils Kok at the University of Maastricht, GRESB was developed as a way for portfolio managers to more complexly assess real estate assets to uncover greater value for owners.

GRESB is a process of assessment which enables the multi-faceted aspects of property to be tracked over time in greater detail than has ever been done before. Through the GRESB process, an asset is rated in a new way, and the management entity is evaluated in a new way, which creates useful data about the underlying asset. With this data, and with the identification of component processes, asset managers can see into real estate and how non-financial aspects affect their financial performance.

The 2015 survey data highlights global trends and attempts to explain their impact on investors, GRESB survey participants, and the green building market. The 707 Participants–whose institutional capital represents $2.3 trillion of property value–have made many great strides in sustainability since 2014. The in-depth survey focuses on 7 thematic targets. This survey impressively revealed an average improvement from GRESB participants in each category:

Management: 96% have a specific person with responsibility for implementing sustainability objectives
Disclosure & Assurance: 92% report having specific sustainability objectives
Tenant & Community Engagement: 60% now have best-practice lease clauses 
Health and Well-Being: 84% increase in new construction measures to support health and well-being
Climate Risk & Resilience: -3.04% reduction in GHG emissions
Water & Waste: -1.65% decrease in water use
Energy: -2.87% reduction in energy consumption

This event will be on March 15th, from 8:30 to 10:00 AM at 50 Milk St. in the “Milky Way” room on the 15th floor. Don't miss out, register now!

Globalcon– Right Around the Corner

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow


On March 9-10, the 27th annual GLOBALCON Expo will be held in Boston's Hynes Convention Center!  Along with this year's expo will be a conference, seminars, and workshops that allow attendees to discover new products, techniques, solutions and services, and network with industry professionals.

USGBC MA has obtained free tickets to the Expo for any of our Members that wish to attend, and we also have a handful of remaining discounted tickets to the full conference for a special rate of $595 (which is a $300 discount).  This package would include: admission to the multitrack conference sessions, a pass to attend the exposition, a copy of the Show Proceedings, as well as luncheons in the exhibit hall.  

Lastly, if you plan on attending the exposition, make sure to stop by our booth!  We are also looking for volunteers to man the booth if anybody is interested.  Here is more info about the event, taken from the website:


WHY GLOBALCON

Decision makers from business, industry and government must now seek integrated energy solutions — solutions which assure both a secure and affordable energy supply to meet today's and tomorrow's needs, and effective management of energy and overall operational costs. The GLOBALCON Expo will emphasize four critical areas of leading edge technology and related services:

✓ Energy Management, HVAC and Smart Building Systems
✓ Renewables, Alternative Energy and Onsite Generation
✓ Lighting Efficiency and Integrated Energy Solutions
✓ Plant and Facilities Management

Presented By…

GLOBALCON 2016, presented by the Association of Energy Engineers, is designed specifically to facilitate those seeking to expand their knowledge of fast-moving developments in the energy field, explore promising new technologies, compare energy supply options, and learn about innovative and cost-conscious project implementation strategies.

Hosted By…

National Grid, Platinum Sponsoring Partner to USGBC MA, is committed to delivering safe and reliable energy to customers and communities across Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. They work closely across the energy industry, connecting tradespersons, contractors, regulators, and energy supply representatives to deliver quality services to their customers.

Sponsor Spotlight: Nitsch Engineering

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow


One of our special Silver Sponsoring Partners is Nitsch Engineering. We have benefitted from the presence of Sandy Brock, partner at Nistch and Chief Engineer, as a Director on our Board for many years. Other staff including Jared Gentilucci have been instrumental in managing our efforts in Central Massachusetts, where we have used Nitsch's offices in Worcester to hold events and educational sessions.

Nitsch Engineering delivers client-focused, creative, cost-effective, and sustainable project solutions to its building/site development and infrastructure clients. Nitsch specializes in providing civil engineering, land surveying, transportation engineering, structural engineering, green infrastructure, planning, and GIS services. Since 1989, Nitsch has worked with academic clients, developers, corporate and institutional owners, public agencies, architects, and other design professionals on major private development and public infrastructure projects in 18 states and five countries.


The group is committed to addressing the issues of climate change and resiliency. They understand that each community threatened by climate change faces a unique situation that requires tailored solutions: one-size-fits-all solutions are not an option. Green infrastructure is an integral part of addressing climate change concerns. Combining landscape beautification with stormwater management produces a number of important benefits that are highly adaptable to various climates.

For example, an increase in vegetation lowers urban heat island effects and increases the natural evaporative cooling abilities of plants. Further, these softscapes act as natural “sponges” to absorb increased precipitation expected in humid climates, reducing the strain on aging infrastructure caused by every day rainfall while buffering the impacts of damaging weather to protect development and investment. In recognition of such benefits, these techniques are increasingly being utilized in major cities including Philadelphia, Washington D.C., New York City, and Boston – and Nitsch Engineering has been actively involved in designing resilient projects in each of these areas.

The Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife Westborough Headquarters

By Ritchie Lafaille, Office Fellow

Built by Chapter Sponsoring Partner, Columbia Construction Company, this facility was designed by an integrated design team of passionate green builders.

The LEED Platinum Net-Zero Energy Building, one of the Commonwealth's first, forecasts exceptional energy reduction of 50%. The building is oriented to optimize energy production from the 290 kW rooftop photovoltaic array and minimize heating and cooling energy use. The envelope includes structural insulated panels and triple-glazed windows. The high performance mechanical system includes radiant heating and cooling, direct outside air system, mechanically assisted natural ventilation, energy recovery units, LED lighting and a closed-loop geothermal ground source heat pump system, all of which is tracked with real-time building energy management system.

The three-story 45,000 SF Net-Zero headquarters houses over 120 Mass Wildlife biologists and environmental reviewers, and is shared by the information and education program staff as well. It is a showcase for the conservation mission of the agency. The Office of Fishing and Boating Access maintain over 275 fishing and boating public access facilities statewide. Flexible by design, program areas include offices, classrooms, meeting rooms, a library, GIS laboratory, and a wet lab for research. This Net Zero Energy Building is open to the public year-round and is a venue for environmental education.

Read more about Columbia Construction here and in our blog!

Come See Us at BuildingEnergy Boston in 2 Weeks

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow


Join us at BuildingEnergy Boston Conference + Trade Show, March 8-10 at the Seaport World Trade Center, Boston MA. It's going to be awesome!
 
We will be right there on the trade show floor – let us know if you'd like to volunteer to share the good news of the USGBC MA Chapter to conference attendees. 
 

Friends of USGBC MA can register with the case sensitive code FRIENDOFNESEA to receive $25 off!

Read more about the event below!

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Join NESEA for the BuildingEnergy Boston Conference + Trade Show: March 8-10, 2016

Pre-Conference Workshops and Networking: March 8, 2016 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, MA

Conference + Trade Show: Wednesday and Thursday, March 9-10, 2016 at the Seaport

What is BuildingEnergy?

The BuildingEnergy Boston Conference + Trade Show is the Northeast's premier gathering for sustainable design, green building, and renewable energy professionals. Produced by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), the annual event attracts more than 3,500 practitioners working together to advance the adoption of sustainable energy practices in the built environment. Attendees span all sectors of the building industry, ensuring that the people you meet and the knowledge you gain will expand your network and strengthen your business. Conference sessions are rigorous, relevant, and rooted in whole-systems thinking. The trade show hosts companies with cutting edge products and services. Greenwashing is left at the door. Sound good? Join us!

Why Attend BuildingEnergy?

  • Network with industry leaders
  • Build your competitive advantage
  • Make business-to-business connections and grow your client base
  • Learn new techniques and new technologies at over 80 sessions and workshops
  • Earn your professional credits in highly engaging multi-disciplinary sessions
  • Visit exhibits of companies with cutting edge products and services

Why Exhibit at BuildingEnergy?

  • Introduce your products and services to new clientele
  • Debut new products and services to established clientele
  • Make business-to-business connections and grow your client base
  • See and be seen by industry leaders and emerging professionals
  • Avoid the discomfort of having to explain your absence

BuildingEnergy Attendee Breakdown

51% Building professionals (architects, engineers, builders, planners, contractors, facility managers, developers and designers)

23% Energy and environmental professionals

15% Educators, homeowners, students and non-profit organizations

Join the Volunteer Squad

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow

Are you passionate about sustainability, efficiency, and the environment?  Do you have familiarity with green building and understand how the built environment affects all of us and the world? 

If yes, then you should consider joining our volunteers!  We have a variety of open positions with different responsibilities, qualifications, and time commitments, and all positions receive some kind of benefit!

With any of the volunteer positions, you will be an integral component of our operations and gain a greater understanding of our organization, its mission and its goals, and how we organize our events, advocate, and conduct outreach.


Volunteer assignments include LEED Study Jam Group Instructor, Webinar Proctor, Green Building Analyst/Reporter, USGBC Ambassador, Green Building Tour Coordinator, Outreach Committee Co-Chair, and Committee Leadership

Each position has its own details and specifics, but with any of these opportunities you will get to know the ins-and-outs of our organization, green building, and more!

If you're interested, you can learn more from our volunteer page or fill out our volunteering questionaire form.  We are very flexible with time commitment, the window of time in which you would want to volunteer, and prior experiences and qualifications.  

Volunteering with the Chapter will qualify for credential maintenance hours for GBCI – up to half of your required hours can be earned through volunteering with us. Usually this is much more engaging than sitting through a webinar late at night!

 

 

Supreme Court temporarily blocks Clean Power Plan

By Anthony Lucivero, Advocacy Fellow


The Supreme Court has decided to temporarily block the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan.  The case was brought against the EPA by North Dakota and 28 other states, as well as energy companies.  They contend that that the EPA overstepped its boundaries by regulating both carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants and concurrently making states phase-out coal-fired energy from their energy portfolios.  The plaintiffs contend that this double-regulation would put a massive financial burden on consumers. There is an official court order by the Supreme Court for the Clean Power Plan to be stayed until the D.C. Circuit of Appeals hold oral arguments in June. Fortunately, states are free to move ahead with plans to reduce their carbon footprints that will (hopefully) align with the Clean Power Plan if it ever makes it through. 

This decision, while troubling on many fronts, is a reminder that one of the most effective solutions we have is to create energy efficient green buildings. Until we can fully transition to a clean energy infrastructure, our buildings should use the least amount of energy as possible. Green buildings would drastically cut the amount of emissions used in the short-term while we move away from fossil fuels, and would also be ready for the paradigm shift in clean energy generation. 

Here is additional press coverage about the suit against the EPA, with intriguing political commentary. 

Don't despair! We are still powering forward with our Chapter priorities and are lining up some amazing events to support them! You can read more about our Chapter priorities here, and advocacy efforts for clean energy and green building on our Advocacy Blog. We are focusing our support on PACE financing, net metering, net zero energy buildings policy, and energy efficiency education.  

If you would like to get involved with our advocacy efforts, please email Grey Lee, our Executive Director, at greylee@usgbcma.org, or Anthony Lucivero, Advocacy Fellow, at advocacy@usgbcma.org.

Tuesday: Net Zero Building Tour

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow


We have a tremendous opportunity this week for USGBC MA members– a LEED Platinum Zero Net Energy Building Tour.

This Tuesday, the 23rd, USGBC MA will present a seminar to learn design strategies and guidelines to aid you in creating your Net Zero Energy projects.

The facility at hand is designed and constructed to zero net energy by massive load reduction coupled with roof mounted solar photovoltaics, all of which will be detailed in the seminar.

AGENDA:

  • Welcome and introductions with USGBC MA Chapter member Conor McGuire
  • Net Zero Energy design and construction strategies and guidelines for ANY project.
  • Detailed specifics about the MA Fisheries & Wildlife project.
  • Interactive Q & A Session.  Your understanding is the paramount goal of the session! Come with questions!
  • Building tour including access to areas not available to the public (upper offices, mechanical rooms, etc.)
  • Regroup, final questions, wrap-up conclusions

DFW-ZNEB-HQ-770x290.png

The facility achieves zero net energy through solar photovoltaics and innovative mechanical systems as well as building envelope quality and reduction of all energy loads through building management.

The building features a very efficient envelope with triple glazed curtainwall and metal windows as well as structural insulated panels.  It has been oriented to optimize production from the rooftop photovoltaic panels while minimizing heating and cooling energy use.

Project Features:

  • LEED Platinum certification
  • Modeled EUI: 26.3 kBtu/sqft/yr
  • All electric based primary systems
  • Heating & Cooling separated from Ventilation Air
  • Radiant heating and cooling
  • Mechanically assisted natural ventilation
  • Solar Heat Gain Control- window:wall ratio, placement, shading, type
  • Ground Source Heat Pumps
  • Photovoltaic panels all roof mounted
  • Mechanically assisted natural ventilation
  • Heat recovery
  • Native plant species serving as educational gateway to 1000 acre wildlife management lands

Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Field Headquarters, East Elevation

Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Field Headquarters, Rendering East Elevation
Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Field Headquarters, Rendering of North Elevation

Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Field Headquarters, Rendering of North Elevation
Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Field Headquarters Rendering, view from Southwest

Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Field Headquarters Rendering, view from Southwest

Work in Progress:

fish-wild-foundation

fish-wild-foundation

fish-wild-foundation

LEED GBCI Credential Maintence

The tour is eligible for LEED CEUs through the self-reporting function at the USGBC.ORG website. See page 2 for instructions. 

Space is filling up, so Register here for the event quickly! 

Our Policy Podium on Net Metering is Right Around the Corner

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow


We are very excited for our new “Policy Podium” series of events.  Our first Policy Podium, this Thursday, will be a meeting of minds about net metering in Massachusetts and how it can drive our communities towards sustainability. Items of discussion will include comparative solar project costs and financing, present and future cost impacts to ratepayers, grid modernization, and the costs of distributed generation solar. 

More about the event:

What do we need to know, to be effective advocates, about the energy system? How can we all work together to ensure our communities are moving toward sustainability? Of the many complexities of the electricity grid, what do green building advocates need to address as we push for change on behalf of our mission?

The obstacles to a resolution to net metering and energy procurment seem to center around the cost of solar in Massachusetts, yet there is currently no action on the Net Metering Task Force (NMTF) recommendation to study the monetary costs and benefits of distributed generation solar.

We will have four panelists leading the discussion:

  • David Colton, Easton Town Administrator
  • Charles Harak, National Consumer Law
  • Tim Roughan, National Grid
  • Matt Shortsleeve, Solect Energy

This event, this Thursday, 2/25, will be held at 50 Milk St, Boston, MA, in the Start-up Institute Area, from 8:30am – 10:00am

Click here to visit our event page for more details and registration! The event is filling up, so register sooner than later! 

The Building Tech Forum is Coming!

By Grey Lee


BUILDING TECH

Buildings are fundamentally about technology. Innovation in the building sector is driving improvements in performance and enhancements to the user experience.

We are hosting the 2016 Building Tech Forum at Greentown Labs in Somerville, MA (adjacent to Boston) on the evening of April 21st, from 5:30 – 8:30. 

Please register here. Vendor and sponsor/presenter packages are available here.

Please review our colorful brochure to distribute to your colleagues here.

Building tech is the intersection of the innovation economy and real estate. The green building industry is right here in the middle of it – creating new ways to increase the value of real estate and improve the sustainability of our building stock and our communities in general. Buildings are responsible for 30% of greenhouse gases globally, and approximately 40% in the US. Recently, at the COP21 negotiations, the UN convened a “Buildings Day” to explore the ways the real estate sector can support improved environmental performance through better buildings. USGBC is committed to the creation of 5 billion square feet of certified green buildings in the next five years: this will require deployment of technology on a massive scale. The results will be better buildings, healthier occupants, more vibrant communities and a thriving industry connecting technology to real estate. We at the Massachusetts Chapter are here to champion that effort in our Commonwealth and we need to bring all the parties together.  You can read more about the ambitions of global leaders and recent agreements here. It is an exciting time to be a part of the high performance segment of the building industry!

Join us for the Building Tech Forum to connect on the local level to these important trends for sustainability in real estate.

We want you to come to our networking event to bring together practitioners in the green building sector – owners, builders, designers and operators – with innovators on the cutting edge of technological innovation.

Let's bring together the users and the providers who are are delivering the next solutions to the challenges of building design and facility management.

Who better to partner with for this interactive experience than Greentown Labs, the world's largest tech incubator, right here in Massachusetts.

Agenda:

5:30 – Orienting Remarks
6:00 – First Program begins; Keynote & Industry Observations
6:20 – First Program ends; games ensue
7:20 – Second Program begins: Panel
7:40 – Second Program ends
8:15 – Final Remarks and Appreciations
8:30 – End

At the Building Tech Forum:

  • you will meet people who will help you on your next high performance building project
  • you will encounter inspiring new technologies and solution strategies
  • you will hear from industry leaders about where things are going
  • you will connect your business to the innovations going on in the building sector

We look forward to having you with us!

– High-quality colleagial interactions!

– Food and drinks throughout the evening!

– Special demonstrations and interactive challenges!

The Building Tech Forum will convene on Thursday evening, April 21st, at Greentown Labs in Somerville, from 5:30 – 8:30

See you there! – please click here to register as an individual.

Vendor & Sponsorship Packages

Read about our vendor and sponsorship packages here. We want to see your technology and share your passion for improving building performance.

Contact GreyLee@usgbcma.org if you are interested in sponsoring.