Sustainable Building: Interrelationships Between Building Components and Systems

By USGBC Communications

Keith Construction is a service business that focuses their expertise in housing reconstruction and new development, through a collaborative building effort. The firm's projects fall inside four market segments defined as:

  • historic preservation;
  • sustainable building;
  • rental housing; and
  • new development. 

The firm takes pride in construction that is 'built to last' and endeavors to understand the interrelationships different building components and systems have on the whole building. More than building green or using the most environmental friendly products, this concept works to create the most value from construction through design collaboration, product availability and cost, and understanding owner needs. This results in a more efficient, cost-effective building, with lower operating costs and significantly less impact on the surrounding environment. 


One example is Olympia Oaks in Amherst, MA that is a newly constructed, affordable, energy efficient neighborhood. The project includes 2- and 3-bedroom townhouses, common green, gardening area and playground. The neighborhood was designed to include energy efficiency, affordability, accessibility, and create a sense of community connection. The community is surrounded by beautiful town conservation woodlands and nature trails.

 

Republican Leaders Meet to Discuss Carbon Tax

By Derek Newberry, Advocacy Fellow


A group of senior GOP officials led by former Secretary of State James A. Baker III introduced a carbon tax to senior White House officials Wednesday. The group, which includes former Secretary of State George Shultz, former Walmart chairman Rob Walton, and a host of other presidential advisors and business leaders stretching back to the Reagan era, argues that this conservative climate proposition follows both the GOP’s laissez-faire and small government ideals while also promoting true progress towards lowered emissions and reducing the risks of climate change.

Their plan involves placing a carbon tax (also known as carbon price) on fossil fuels that starts at $40 per ton of carbon dioxide produced and slowly increases over time. Fossil fuels would be taxed at their point of entry into the economy and likely raise between $200 and $300 billion annually. These funds would be repaid to consumers at an annual estimate of $2,000 per family of four. The plan would also increase the costs of fossil fuel imports from nations that do not have a similar carbon tax system to prevent them from gaining an unfair advantage. 

The group has stated that this plan would have been supported by former President Ronald Reagan and should replace the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan. Regardless of the acceptance or strength of the plan, this initiative marks a significant movement towards climate change mitigation, planning, and political acceptance of the issue and will an important factor in the future of federal climate change policy. To read the full report click here. To read more on the issue click here

 

Building Tech Forum Speaker Profile – Gretchen Sweeney of the USGBC

By USGBC MA


The Building Tech Forum on February 16th is going to feature a panel of incredible speakers that will surely prove to provide an engaging, informative discussion surrounding a unique and innovative topic. One of the attending speakers is Gretchen Sweeney, the VP of LEED Implementation at the USGBC, and is one of the leaders behind the new, up-and-coming arc program.

Gretchen Sweeney manages the development of new LEED rating systems and their implementation across different verticals and geographies. She serves on the LEED Steering Committee and guides LEED team collaborations with several hundred LEED stakeholders on LEED committees and the LEED International Roundtable – industry experts who volunteer to develop the best practices in LEED that guide better design, construction, and operations of the built environment. 

Gretchen is integral to product development and market deployment of the LEED Dynamic Plaque, a powerful technology platform that scores building performance globally. She has previous experience supporting federal entities to green their building portfolios, developing a voluntary sustainability certification for Maryland municipalities at the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center (EFC), one of ten centers in the U.S. EPA Environmental Finance Center Network, and in capital markets at Friedman, Billings, Ramsey, Inc., an investment bank in Arlington, VA. 

USGBC MA More Green Buildings Podcasts: Meet Our Newest Staff Member and Let's Talk Building Tech Forum

By Alexander Landa

It's a busy week for us here in Boston. We have the Building Tech Forum coming up next week, so Grey and Celis sat down to discuss why you should care about the big day. We have some amazing sponsors attending, innovative displayers on the floor, and a who's-who of attendees from all walks of life, both professional and academic. We're also thrilled that Emily Kingston has joined the team as the latest staff member as Corporate Relations Manager, so she'll be working with sponsors being our point of contact for Greenbuld 2017.

Building Tech Forum Podcast:

Introducing Emily Kingston:

Bernie Sanders LIVE Climate Action Webinar: Wednesday, February 8 at 7 p.m.

By Derek Newberry


Join Senator Bernie Sanders, REV Renewable Energy Champion awardee, State Senator Christopher Bray, and other leading Vermont environmental advocates for a LIVE webinar Wednesday, February 8 at 7 p.m. Learn about the 2017 state and federal legislative outlook, what is being done now, and how you as a concerned citizen can help!

Click here to complete the registration form. Climate Change is now one of, if not the most critical issue of our time and the coming social and environmental issues require a new degree of outreach, coordination, and cooperation. From advocacy to promoting net zero energy policy come learn what you can do and get involved in the discussion!

The New Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART)

By Derek Newberry


After months of working group meetings and sorting through and reviewing hundreds of stakeholder comments, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources has announced the state’s new solar incentive program called the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target or “SMART” plan. Department officials publicized the plan on Jan 31, 2017, and emphasized its goals to expand installed solar energy capacity by 1600 MW in Massachusetts in improved locations while also strengthening the stability and certainty of the solar financial market. 

The SMART program will replace the current SREC-II program (Solar Renewable Energy Certificate) and encompass current net metering programs to create a staggered subsidy system where the government sets a price for each 200 MW “block” of installed capacity and compensates installers in dollars per kWh produced depending on size and location of the solar generation. Compensation or subsidy rates per installed block of 200 MW will decline by 4% each after the first installed 200 MW block and will be distributed through net metering benefits, an on-bill crediting mechanism, or a buy-all/sell-all rate for certain standalone facilities. Developers will receive a 10- to 20-year fixed compensation/incentive rate regardless of changes in future energy values. Additional subsidy options exist for installing solar in certain ideal locations such as low-income areas, brownfields, and landfills, and for low income, community, and built up areas. The program also includes certain land use requirements that limit environmental impact and compensation for energy storage development.  


While the program will likely not be approved until at least next year, depending on the Department of Utilities review and feedback, the plan provides a more efficient and secure long-term solar subsidy plan. It also provides an effective option to further develop net-zero buildings and policy throughout the state to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate. USGBC Massachusetts will continue to closely watch the state’s SMART plan and advocate for its implementation. If interested in the exact details and calculations of the SMART plan’s subsidies, check out DOER’s full presentation on the final SMART program design.

Graph retrieved from DOER presentation on SMART.

Building Tech Forum Speaker Profile – Northeastern University's Jennie Stephens

By USGBC MA


The Building Tech Forum on February 16th is going to feature a panel of incredible speakers that will surely prove to provide an engaging, informative discussion surrounding a unique and innovative topic. One of the attending speakers is Jennie Stephens, the Dean's Professor of Sustainability Science and Policy at Northeastern University's School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs.

Her research, teaching, and community engagement focus on social and political aspects of the renewable energy transition and responses to climate change. Her research focuses on institutional and cultural innovation in the energy sector, including gender diversity and energy democracy, and technological optimism and the “usability” of climate science in climate mitigation and adaptation. 

Professor Stephens is a 2015-2016 Leopold Leadership fellow, and her book Smart Grid (R)Evolution: Electric Power Struggles (Cambridge University Press, 2015) explores social and cultural debates about energy system change (co-authored with Wilson & Peterson). Before Northeastern, Professor Stephens was on the faculty at the University of Vermont (2014-2016) and Clark University (2005-2014). She earned her PhD at Caltech in environmental science & engineering and her BA at Harvard in environmental science & public policy.

March 30th: LEED BD+C Exam Prep and LEED v4 Refresher

By USGBC MA


With this LEED AP Building Design and Construction training, you will learn the requirements and calculations required for the following LEED credits: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality. Completing this course will prepare you for the prestigious LEED AP professional credential, by allowing you to focus your study efforts, ease your tension, and help you pass the exam!

Your local USGBC Chapter has designed a series to guide professionals seeking a cost-effective and dynamic learning solution to study for their LEED BD+C Exam. The LEED AP BD+C training series targets credit categories and summarizes the key points you will need to know to be successful on your LEED exam.

What you’ll learn in the LEED AP Building Design and Construction Training Course:

  • Learn and practice the three exam areas – Recognition, Application, and Analysis
  • Identify the key components of the LEED BD+C Rating System
  • Prepare for the exam by focusing on key topics
  • Discuss the requirements and implementation strategies of each credit/prerequisite

LEED AP BD+C TRAINING OUTLINE

  • Introduction to the LEED AP Building Design + Construction Exam
  • Location and Transportation
  • Sustainable Sites
  • Water Efficiency
  • Energy and Atmosphere
  • Materials and Resources
  • Indoor Environmental Quality
  • Innovation and the Integrative Process

The class will be led by Chapter staff and guest lecturer who will be able to field both theoretical and experiential background to any question you may have.

 

Bringing LEED Platinum Projects to the Seaport

By USGBCMA Communications


Boston's Seaport District has experienced a burst of development in recent years, which has brought over 5,000 new jobs to the area and catalyzed over $1 billion in investment since 2010. One of the first major buildings to break ground and begin transforming the Seaport skyline was 101 Seaport, a $126 million, 440,000-square foot, 17-story glass office tower. On board for this massive construction project was RDK Engineers, a full-service engineering and design firm and USGBC MA Chapter Sponsor.

RDK provides a variety of engineering services in energy efficiency and sustainable design for almost every building type. The firm has helped shaped sustainable development in Boston's Seaport District by helping 101 Seaport achieve LEED Platinum, the highest LEED rating level possible. Over 20% of RDK staff members are LEED Accredited, and whether or not RDK's clients choose to pursue LEED Certification, the firm continually assesses projects to improve efficiency in project MEP/FP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing/fire protection) systems. 101 Seaport is the first completed office building in Seaport Square, a 23-acre master-planned area in the city’s fastest-growing neighborhood. 

101 Seaport Boulevard achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at achieving high performance in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Owner Union Investment Real Estate GmbH oversaw a range of strategies and solutions put in place, from heat island reduction and stormwater quantity control to water-efficient landscaping and a green cleaning policy. One of the major differentiators of energy efficiency at 101 Seaport Boulevard is the mechanical system designed to cool the building through use of an active chilled beam, a cutting-edge system that is the first of its kind in Boston.

For former Mayor Thomas Menino, 101 Seaport served as a significant step forward for the Seaport and for the City of Boston. At the groundbreaking, then-Mayor Menino celebrated the project announcing, “This project secures the neighborhood’s reputation as a hub for entrepreneurs and forward-thinking companies to expand, and for our residents to enjoy. 101 Seaport, and its anchor tenant in PwC, represents the leadership in innovation, sustainability, and business that have become synonymous with the City of Boston and our business community.”

Building Tech Forum Speaker Profile – the City of Boston's Jascha Franklin-Hodge

By USGBC MA


The Building Tech Forum on February 16th is going to feature a panel of incredible speakers that will surely prove to provide an engaging, informative discussion surrounding a unique and innovative topic. One of the attending speakers is Jascha Franklin-Hodge, the Chief Information Officer of the City of Boston.

Jascha was appointed to his position back in June 2014 by Mayor Marty Walsh, with some of his primary duties involving enhancing online service delivery, empowering City employees with effective digital tools, and improving access to technology and the Internet for all Boston neighborhoods.

Before his work with the City, Jascha was a co-founder of Blue State Digital in 2004, and he ran BSD's Boston technology office, where he oversaw the development of an online fundraising, email, and CRM platform that powered the online presence of Barack Obama's 2008 and 2012 campaigns.

We're excited to have Jascha speak in a couple of weeks – thanks for coming!