Tomorrow- Green Roofs Costs & Benefits Webinar

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow

Tomorrow, the 18th, join as at 6 PM in Worcester for a Green Roofs Costs and Benefits webinar!  This is a great opportunity to learn more about green roofs and their importance in green building.  Note that webinars are pre-recorded and must be attended in person to receive credit. 

About This Event:

A Green Roof installation is a strategy that can contribute up to 20% of the total credits needed to attain LEED certification. Furthermore, a Green Roof can be on a partial portion of the roof and need not fully cover the available roof area. This course will provide you with thermal properties information and quantify the potential energy savings so that a cost/benefit analysis can be made. Rainwater quality and quantity measurements are provided as well. Course participants will gain valuable knowledge on the component parts of green roofs, and savings potential gained from installing a green roof.

The information provided will be useful to many of our members: contractors, investors, property owners, developers, businesses, commercial organizations, and all other LEED professionals.

Webinar Goals:

  1. Learn about the thermal properties of green roofs and the best climates and conditions that provide information for best practices when installing and maintaining a green roof.
  2. Learn about two case studies that quantify the energy savings potential and rainwater management properties of green roofs
  3. Learn about the multiple credit categories and amount of points that an installation of a green roof can contribute towards for LEED certification
  4. Learn about the green roof market and a green roof benefits and costs

The webinar will take place at Sustainability Hub, located at 912 South Main Street in Worcester. Register for the event here, and print your PARKING PASS here!

 

Annual Sustainable Dinner Recap

By Stephanie MacNeil, Emerging Professionals Committee


This year’s annual sustainable dinner was a welcome chance for a hearty warm meal on a rare bitterly cold evening this winter.  Moods were warmed through the mingling of members of the USGBC and the IES (Illuminating Engineering Society) who for the evening shared the common cause of learning how the lighting we place in our buildings affects more than just our ability to see where we walk—everything from interference with bird migratory patterns, disruption of our natural circadian rhythms, the loss of our ancestral connection to the starry night sky, and a poetic reminder that light is as much art as it is science.

Thank you to Jane Slade of RAB Lighting for presenting and sponsoring the evening.

Great conversation was had over a dinner of locally raised pork, vegetables and grains as we were informed by Chef Nookie who made a special appearance at the end of the evening.  And just when we thought the night couldn’t get any better – there was make your own brownie sundaes, it was a sweet ending to be sure!

A huge thank you to Commonwealth for hosting and feeding us, and to RAB Lighting for sponsoring and “enlightening” us (no pun intended).

 


 


Special thanks are also due to the organizing group of Kristin Malyak, Stephanie MacNeil and Jenna Dancewicz of the Emerging Professionals Committee. It was a great night out!

 


Coming Up: COP21 Paris Climate Talks Uncoference

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow

Next March, the USGBC MA chapter will be hosting a special COP21 Paris Climate Talks Unconference to revisit these important international conversations.

This is a unique opportunity to discuss the historic 2015 United Nations Congress of the Parties (COP21), held this past December in Paris, France.  The provisions and commitments reached in the agreement have global implications for sustainability, climate change, and green building, and certainly warrant a closer examination, extensive analysis, and more discussion.

For this reason, we have put together a half-day event featuring a community of experts from a variety of organzations and firms. Panelists who attended the Paris climate talks will be present, with break-out groups led by local issue experts.


More about the Event:

More than 30 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions are buildings-related, and emissions could double
 by 2050 if we carry on business as 
usual. Inaction increases risks and vulnerability of countries, regions and local communities from climate change. Yet:

  • The buildings sector offers one of the most cost-effective and economically beneficial paths for reducing energy demand and associated emissions while at the same time supporting adaptation and resilience to climate change.
  • Many low-energy, renewable and deep- renovation solutions are available. Proven policy, finance and technology actions exist.
  • The economic, health, and social benefits of sustainable buildings are significant. Buildings provide shelter, places to live, work, learn and socialize, directly affecting our daily lives.
  • Buildings are long-term ventures. Today’s new buildings are tomorrow’s existing stock. Failure to act now will lock in growth in GHG emissions for decades.

Here is how the morning will pan out:

8:30 – 9 Registration and networking
9 – 9:15 Keynote and opening
9:15 – 10:30 Breakout (unconference)
10:30 – 10:40 Break + Networking
10:40 – 12:00 Paris Panel with questions from audience

Both the panel and breakout sessions will focus on the following topics and will provide perspectives from various professional backgrounds:

  • Value Chain Transformation: is the building sector capable of massive deployment of low emitting buildings and deep renovations? How will building sector stakeholders better work together to scale up solutions adapted to local circumstances?
  • Bridging the investment gap: how ready is the finance sector to increase investment in building efficiency?  How will we address the critical need to scale up the public and private financing of EE and sustainable buildings. We will explore how buildings and EE can contribute to realizing MA's carbon goals and how the financial sector can help support that.
  • Public Policies: what is the readiness to implement long term action plans to address the key role of local jurisdictions to organize and facilitate integrated policy packages and collaborative approaches that shift to a low carbon and resilient built environment. 
  • Building rating & reporting systems: how do they support the COP21 momentum?  

Please join us as a community of advocates and practitioners as we explore how to leverage the public awareness and policy momentum generated by COP21 to drive policy gains in Massachusetts.

Get Involved with USGBC MA and Volunteer!

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!

 

 

This Wednesday: Staying Current: Energy Codes and Sustainability Trends Webinar

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow

Need GBCI credits or just want to better understand the USGBC’s suite of LEED rating systems? We are kicking off the 2016 USGBC MA Chapter webinar series with a new look at indoor air quality. Additional webinar topics include energy codes, the SITES rating system, Environmental Product Declarations, and more. Join us for these informative and interactive in­person sessions! Each session in this series is registered for GBCI CE hours and AIA/CES LU/HSW hours. Please note, these webinars are pre- recorded and you are required to attend in person to receive credit. Register here!

About

This course introduces current energy trends, required codes, and sustainability rating systems across the U.S. and the role of ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, ASHRAE 189, IgCC, and LEED. Hear from a Sustainability Experts at Green Building Services about current energy performance reporting trends including federal and municipal codes and guidelines.

Objectives

  1. Identify current energy regulations and energy performance reporting trends across the United States that impact the general welfare of the community.
  2. Describe the role of Energy Star Portfolio Manager and how to implement this energy tracking and benchmarking tool into your property or project to promote all feasible means of energy conservation.
  3. Identify existing and potential energy performance reporting trends and requirements in municipalities across the country that affect society, environment, economy, and human welfare.
  4. Compare and contrast the proposed City of Portland Energy Performance Requirements to similar energy trends across the United States intended to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.

Sponsor Profile: Zipcar

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow


We are thrilled to have Zipcar as part of our sponsoring partner community.

Clearly, they care about sustainability and have a commitment to “More Green Buildings!”

Zipcar is the nation's largest car-sharing service and it is an easier, faster, and more efficient alternative to car rental or ownshership. It is present at hundreds of university campuses across the United States and used by hundreds of businesses due to its low-cost and convenience.  Zipcar members have over 10,000 cars to choose from nationwide, and this pool is still rapidly increasing. 

Zipcar envisions a future where car-sharing members outnumber car owners in major cities around the globe. Most residents of these cities will live within a five-to-ten-minute walk of a self-service Zipcar. Zipcar will be an integral part of these vibrant communities of well-informed, connected people who enjoy urban life and transportation options.

Zipcar will deliver on-demand mobility while leaving a small footprint on the environment—providing a great timesaving service that frees up space in our cities and puts more money in consumers’ wallets. Their leading brand will be synonymous with fun, honesty, clever innovation, and social good. Car-sharing strategies will be a requisite part of the planning for all college campuses, urban, residential, and commercial developments, and city planning agencies.


No matter where you are in Greater Boston, Zipcar has got you covered!

 

Read more about Zipcar in our blog, and check out their blog, Ziptopia

Master LEED with our Green Associate Course this Thursday!

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow

Come to our Green Associate course on Thursday, 2/18/16 in Boston!


Are you serious about your dedication to sustainable building? Then you should definitely have your LEED Green Associate accreditation! And we'd be happy to help you prepare for your Green Associate Exam. In fact, we're hosting an exam preparation course which would be perfect for you next month! This is also the perfect opportunity because we will be transitioning to an updated version of LEED next year, and this will give you a better grasp of the updated certification information for the new version. 

Already a LEED Green Associate or Accredited Professional? Invite a friend or colleague who still needs their accreditation!

Register here

 

The full day comprehensive course covers the following topics:

Chapter #1 – Introduction

This 1-hour chapter will explain the LEED Green Associate credentialing process and serve as an introduction to LEED, sustainability, the USGBC, the GBCI and the LEED rating system.

Chapter #2 – Location and Transportation / Sustainable Sites

This 1-hour chapter will focus on site issues such as connectivity, transportation, erosion, landscaping, and heat island effect.

Chapter #3 – Water Efficiency / Energy and Atmosphere

This 1-hour chapter will focus on water issues (plumbing efficiency, irrigation, process water, etc.) and energy and atmosphere issues (demand, efficiency, renewable energy, ozone depleting substances, etc.)

Chapter #4 – Materials and Resources

This 1-hour chapter will focus on procurement and waste diversion.

Chapter #5 – Indoor Environmental Quality

This 1-hour chapter will focus on indoor environmental quality issues such as indoor air quality, occupant comfort and green cleaning.

Chapter #6 – Innovation / Regional Priority / Certification Process

This 1-hour chapter will explain the LEED certification process and the Innovation and Regional Priority categories.

Chapter #7 – Exam Review

This 1-hour chapter will focus on exam format and registration and strategies to pass the exam.

Chapter #8 – Exam Review

This 1-hour chapter will focus on sample exam questions.

Sponsor Profile: Aircuity

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow


One of our newest sponsors, Aircuity, is a leading airside efficiency company that provides building owners with safe, smart, and efficient airside solutions for energy savings and improved indoor environmental quality. Their work includes commercial offices, K-12 Schools, healthcare buildings, higher education institutions, government buildings, public assemby buildings, and life science buildings.  As a result of Aircuity's work, clients can enjoy reduced carbon emissions, healthier air, better learning environments, better tenant attraction and retention, and of course, more savings on the energy bill. 

Last April, Aircuity received a $6.245 million investment in expansion capital. The new funds will support a five year expansion plan to accelerate growth into the rapidly expanding Airside Efficiency market. The demand for airside efficiency is high and one of the single best program measures clients can pursue. Typical results are in a 25% to 50% reduction in HVAC related energy costs, where best results are achieved in 100% outside air facilities and highly variable occupied spaces. 


Aircuity recently worked with Creighton University, in Omaha Nebraska, to retrofit the university's Criss Health Science Complex. This is an important space as it provides teaching, laboratory, and associated facilities for the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy and Health Professions. The main building was renovated in 2003 and the lab control valves that were installed at the time were starting to fail causing an already energy intensive space to use even more energy. In addition to a Phoenix Controls valve upgrade, Aircuity was also proposed by channel partner, Specialized Products, to help further reduce energy use in support of the university’s energy conservation policy.

Installing Aircuity optimized the air change rates in the space and provided energy savings and a better environment for occupants. In conjunction with the valve upgrade, Aircuity is helping Creighton University save approximately $196,200 annually that was verified by Optimized Systems of Omaha, Nebraska. Read more about the project here

Read more about Aircuity in their blog.

 

We're Building Out Our Volunteer Team, Join Now!

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.  

 

 

Meet our Members: Bill Womeldorf

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow


Hi, I'm Bill.  I'm a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Building Science Technology program. My interest in residential green building came from an earth climate elective I took my first year at school. Understanding what the science was telling us gave me a profound motivation that our generation needed to challenge the current energy usage paradigm.  After learning about how much energy buildings consume and contribute to climatic changes, I soon found a direction to aim the next few years of my life.

The Residential Green Building Chapter is a great group of motivated individuals who are committed to the mutual understanding of this philosophy. Together we share knowledge and ideas in creating of sustainable tomorrow into reality.  Our chapter hosts speakers and events across Massachusetts to effectively impact sustainability in the residential building sector.  Together with the whole community we stand to meet the 2050 goals of 80% reduction from 1990 levels in fossil fuels that our state has set forth. 

As I make the move from the suburbs to the urban environment of Boston, I will be challenging the paradigm of my own carbon footprint as well. Ultimately, the change to a sustainable world happens first within ourselves. As I help to promote sustainability in our state, I too will set goals and metrics to reduce my own carbon footprint.  I am confident that implementing an ethical energy plan at a state level, while sharing the wisdom and guidance of sustainability to friends and family, we can all help shape the world we live in and reach a carbon-neutral future.  

To read more about Bill and view research articles he has written, see his website: www.billwomeldorf.com.