April 2017 Newsletter: Times are a Changin'

By Grey Lee


Read the full newsletter here!

What a funny week-long spectrum of weather, but I did soak up some sunshine Sunday on my back deck. The ice-coating from Saturday melted out from under my chair and the birds were singing! It's looking like Spring is finally coming around, and it'll be good to get outside more often.

What did you do this weekend to connect with nature?

A big theme of our organization right now is Greenbuild 2017 – we are the host Chapter, after all. Last Thursday's Greenbuild Networking Night was the most fun I've had in a long time. Thank you to our Host Committee (above) – they are doing tremendous work. It was great to see our growing staff take charge and even perhaps upstage me! We saw lots of familiar faces, but plenty of new ones as well – all ready to go All-In this November. Thank you Shawmut for hosting us.

Are you looking for a new opportunity? With my departure coming up in May, we're searching for a new Executive Director. Apply or share with a friend

Let me draw you in to my situation. As I peruse the course catalog at the Kennedy School, I am faced with the challenge of choice. I am going to keep building my career on the theme of sustainability in the built environment, but allow me to ask you: what can you see me doing after this program, on the other side of a Master's in Public Administration? What kind of classes do you recommend? I would be delighted to hear your suggestions.

Meanwhile, let's focus on the upcoming programming coming up this month right here at USGBC Massachusetts! Please see below.

Read the full newsletter here!

3/30 Greenbuild Networking Night: We're Already All-In!

By USGBC MA


Last Thursday, we held a Greenbuild 2017 themed networking night at Shawmut in Boston. 100 Chapter members and green building enthusiasts filled this gorgeous meeting space for a night of food & drinks, fun times, and Greenbuild preview events that were released to the public for the first time. We love holding events like this. Our community rocks, and it never gets old seeing our community convene at great locations like this all in support of green building! 

Grey Lee took the stage to introduce the night to come. The ever-charismatic Executive Director of the Chapter made sure the front of the room was packed and eager to learn more about the state of Greenbuild 2017. From there, we were honored to have the VP of New England Shawmut Kevin Sullivan stop by to say how stoked they are to be involved in our Chapter and Greenbuild – we need to see more firms this excited!

Judy Nitsch of Nitsch Engineering took the stage to give an update on everything going on with Greenbuild committees this year. Tours, Legacy Projects, Greening Greenbuild, and Student Volunteer groups are all moving forward to make this the best Greenbuild yet.

To wrap the talks up, Emily and Alex of the USGBC MA gave the first-ever, behind-the-scenes updates of Greenbuild 2017. We can't share any details just yet since this was an event-only surprise, but you'll be able to hear about it soon. Be sure to attend our next events to get the news before anyone else!

Special thanks to Nathan at Shawmut, not just for helping us so much with planning this amazing event out, but for taking our community on a tour of Shawmut's Boston HQ. This building is gorgeous and innovative, and everyone followed along with their eyes wide open.


We look forward to seeing you at our next gathering!

See all of the pictures from the event here.

 

Harvard Kennedy School Events!

By Derek Newberry, Advocacy Fellow


Have you ever wondered about how consumers are protected from toxic chemicals or environmental contaminants? What about how you can promote engagement and environmental awareness in your community? Then consider attending one of the Harvard Kennedy School's last two open study groups on “Engaging and Empowering Consumers to Give Clean, Green Products a Market Boost” (4/4) and “Environmental Justice and Citizen Science – How to lift communities that have been left behind and broaden citizen engagement” (4/11).

These two discussions will be led by Gina McCarthy, former EPA Administrator, as well as guest speakers Jim Jones, former EPA Assistant Administrator of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, and Cynthia Giles, former EPA Assistant Administrator of the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance.

These are open to the community and will cover issues from how to engage in environmental issues, chemical and toxics safety laws and protections, and how new technologies are changing the environmental landscape. They will be located at Harvard Kennedy School, Room: Littauer 166, 79 JFK Street, Cambridge 02138. Check out the links above for more information. 

 

 

Welcoming Vernette Allen: Grants Programs Manager

By Grey Lee


Updating our Staff Roster: we have a new full-time staffer at USGBC MA.

Vernette Allen will be managing our grants programs related to workforce development, professional trainings, and other grants to help grow our organization. She comes to us from having participated in the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's Successful Women in Clean Energy program, and we are really excited to have her on board. She recently managed a multi-year training program for Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) and grants administration at Jewish Vocational Services and Northeastern University. She has an extensive network in the community development realm in Greater Boston.

Welcome, Vernette!

Hello,
My name is Vernette Allen, my role at USGBC MA Chapter is as Grants Programs Manager. I’m looking forward to working closely with everyone in the green building community. 

My primary focus will be working on new sources of funding, education/training, and workforce development. As well, the Existing Buildings Committee. I hold a B.S. in Business Administration and Master's in Social Work, both from Boston University.

 
I was born in Jamaica, West Indies and was brought up in Brooklyn, NY.  I was fortunate to learn from an early age the importance of the environment and the need to be a steward. 

I am still passionate about the environment. In the past, I had the opportunity to work with the Franklin Park Coalition. My work included advocacy, stewardship and workforce development. I have worked in the non-profit world for several years in various leadership roles. In these roles, I have planned and developed programs. 

I look forward to meeting and working with everyone, on the USGBC MA mission. 
 

The Green Engineer Expands Expertise with BREEAM USA

By USGBC Communications

The Green Engineer, Inc. is a sustainable design consulting firm specializing in solutions to design, build, and operate buildings with improved energy efficiency and reduced impact on the environment. Founded in 2005 by Chris Schaffner, PE, LEED Fellow, the firm has a technical staff of fifteen LEED-Accredited Professionals. The expert team brings to the table experience and perspective from a variety of backgrounds including engineering, architecture, construction, planning, development, and public policy. We practice Integrative Design and see sustainability as a core goal shared by design team members and stakeholders. Our practice uses tools such as energy and daylight modeling and life-cycle assessment of materials to analyze performance and inform our decision-making. We also consult for non-LEED clients, including affordable housing and other non-profit developers. To date, we have managed or been involved in more than 122 LEED certified projects in New England and around the country.


At left, Principals Sarah Michelman, Chris Schaffner, and Erik Ruoff

The Green Engineer Principal, Chris Schaffner, and Project Manager, Ryan Montoni, are now officially licensed as BREEAM USA In-Use Assessors, and The Green Engineer is now a BREEAM USA In-Use Assessor Organization.

BREEAM USA In-Use is a comprehensive and holistic environmental assessment method for assessing and rating the sustainability of existing, commercial assets located within the United States. BREEAM In-Use is applicable to any existing commercial building – regardless of its size or condition. There are no prerequisites or other barriers to using the BREEAM In-Use standard.

 

Hope for Energy Efficiency and Renewables: The States

By Derek Newberry, Advocacy Fellow


  

          Over the last few weeks, federal actions or, more appropriately, attacks against renewable energies and efficiency programs have limited the scope of federal authority and influence over future sustainability. Beginning with Trump’s promises to dismantle the EPA and exit the Paris Agreement, the administration has now proposed a budget that eliminates funding for energy efficiency programs such as ENERGY STAR which by itself has saved US consumers over $430 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2.7 billion metric tons since 1992. In addition, yesterday’s executive order will rescind requirements on fossil fuel power plants, initiate a review of the Clean Power Plan, and eliminate protections created by Obama that required all agencies to consider climate change impacts before any major decision.

            However, a new wave of sustainable energy bills has begun to pass throughout the country and given many hope for a new era of state-level leadership in renewable energy. The hundreds of proposed bills include solar tax breaks in South Carolina and Florida, phasing out fossil fuels and going 100% green in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, and many energy efficiency and net metering improvements around the country. Opposition to a number of anti-renewable bills has grown and attempts in Wyoming to prohibit utility wind and solar farm energy from being sold to in-state customers and an attempt in North Dakota to delay new wind projects by two years both failed almost immediately. While debates over net metering continue in many areas, the newfound ambition for mandatory and voluntary renewable energy targets demonstrates the continued work towards and potential of a sustainable energy transition.

            Some notable state action includes bills by the Commonwealth, California, and Maryland. Massachusetts’ S.1849, An Act transitioning Massachusetts to 100 percent renewable energy, will require the state to get all of its electricity from renewables by 2035 and power for all heating, transportation and other sectors from renewables by 2050. The bill also requires the state to work with the administrative council for the clean energy transition and the clean energy center of excellence to create effective net zero energy building policies that, among other things, will require all new buildings in Massachusetts to be 100% net zero by 2030 and for all existing buildings to cut emissions by half within the same time. The California Senate leader also introduced Senate Bill No. 584 which will require the state to draw all of its electricity from renewable sources by 2045. Maryland also recently overrode the Governor’s veto to pass new renewable energy standards that require the state to obtain 25% of its power from renewables by 2020.

            In the end, Trump’s crusade against renewable energies will likely fail amidst the rising tide of state-sponsored legislation and energy efficiency momentum. As wind and solar cost have plummeted they have allowed renewables make up a majority of added power generation to the total US and World capacities for the last few years. Even though the US government may not be a leader in energy sustainability and security for the next few years, the states and world will continue fighting through smart, effective, and cooperative energy policies. These will not only protect against the oncoming impacts of climate change, but also thoroughly cap carbon emissions and improve the wellbeing and prosperity of many generations to come. 

Attend A Better City's Landlord-Tenant Forum on April 5th!

By USGBC MA


Next Wednesday, April 5th, A Better City will be holding their Landlord-Tenant Forum, a morning workshop designed to increase communication and planning opportunities between landlords, tenants, and other key stakeholders involved in tenant fit-outs and improvements made to office spaces.

Two of our sponsors will be speaking at this exciting event – Dan Shanahan of Boston Properties, and James Cater & Kimberly Cullinane at Eversource

Dan and Kyle Cahill of Blue Cross Blue Shield will present a case study demonstrating strong landlord-tenant sustainability collaboration with Blue Cross Blue Shield's move into Boston Properties' 101 Huntington Avenue building.

James and Kimberly will present on the utility's two key programmatic and funding resources for supporting office fit-outs or improvements to existing spaces.

The morning will also include:

  • Highlights from the Sustainable Tenant Fit-out and Improvement Guide developed by A Better City as part of our work for the Green Ribbon Commission's Commercial Real Estate Working Group
  • Small group discussions with industry experts to learn from shared experiences about key aspects of commercial office fit-out and retrofit processes

Register here!

Wednesday, April 5th, 8:30am-10:30am
Atlantic Wharf, Fort Point Room
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA, 02210

We're Unveiling Exclusive News at the Greenbuild Networking Night this Thursday!

By Alexander Landa


This Thursday, we're holding our quarterly Greenbuild networking night. This won't be a regular event – we have the inside scoop of some exciting Greenbuild 2017 news that you won't hear anywhere else for weeks to come. As the Host Chapter for this year's conference, we're excited to be able to relay this news to you first. Aside from the inside scoop, we will also be giving you the current status of Greenbuild.

Register here!

Don't forget – this is a Chapter members only event. If you aren't already a member and become one between now and Thursday, you will get a ticket to this networking night for FREE!

5:30-6:00: Networking and drinks
6:00-6:30: Opening remarks, state of “The Road to Greenbuild,” and words from our sponsors.
6:30-7:30: Networking

April 11: Energy Star Portfolio Manager Training with the City of Boston

By USGBC MA


We're happy to announce that we are working with the City of Boston to bring you a training session on how to use Energy Star Portfolio Manager and comply with BERDO on April 11th. 

Learn more and register HERE.

In the first half of the session, we will go over BERDO ordinance basics, compliance requirements, and steps to comply. The second half of the training will go into further detail on utility data aggregation and how to use Portfolio Manager, the free software used for energy benchmarking.

Part I (30 mins): Overview of Boston Energy Benchmarking Ordinance 

  1. Provide Ordinance Overview
  2. Identify Covered Properties and Review the Notification Process
  3. Review Compliance Timeline and Requirements
  4. Explain Benchmarking Roles and Discuss the Compliance Steps
  5. Q&A

Part II (45 mins): Step-by-Step Ordinance Compliance Requirements

  1. How to Set up ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Account
  2. How to Request Whole Building Energy Use Information from Utilities
  3. How to Meet Energy Data Verification Requirements
  4. How to Report Building Data to the City of Chicago
  5. Review Additional Support and Resources
  6. Q&A

Advocacy Alert: We need your help to save EPA programs

By USGBC MA


We're sure that you've seen recent news regarding potential cuts to Environmental Protection Agency programs. The EPA is important – they're the force that's helping our environment, and their mission is our mission. Global warming isn't a hoax, and we need to step up our game to make sure that our government is taking all necessary measures to combat this risk. 

The Office of Management and Budget released its plan for the proposed 2018 budget, which includes elimination of or deep cuts to vital programs.

The Environmental Agency Energy StarWaterSense, and Safer Choice are all at risk here.  

USGBC is working with Congress to preserve vital funding for these and other programs, and they need everyone's help to do it. 

Sign the USGBC letter now

You can also contact your elected official directly and let your support for these programs be heard.

This is a fight we all need to take part in, and we can't lose it.

Thank you!
The Advocacy Team at USGBC Massachusetts