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This Month: A Comprehensive Introduction to the
LEED for Homes Rating System
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From the Chair
Green is Building in Indiana in 2009
As Chair of USGBC Indiana Chapter for 2008, Mac Williams led us to a new level. He wrote a successful proposal for a very competitive Challenge Grant that allowed us to hire a full-time Executive Director. He led the search for that director, which started with over 100 applications and ended with the hiring of Liz Ellis, who will help us get to the next level as a chapter. Mac expressed his vision for an Indiana Chapter that served the entire state and he initiated a branch development campaign that has already produced two new branches. Under his leadership, membership nearly doubled to over 400 members and a new web site and other sophisticated communications tools were put in place. We had our best Indiana Building Green Symposium ever and our best year yet as a chapter. We all owe Mac great gratitude for his leadership and his sacrifices of personal and professional time to pull off our best year ever as a chapter.
As I write this, we are preparing for our 2009 USGBC Indiana Board Retreat where a new board will build on the successes of 2008. We enter a year filled with historic economic, social and environmental challenges. Barak Obama is set to move to the White House with a promise to make it an example of a green building and he will propose an emergency stimulus package that will include money to spur green building retrofits, green jobs and alternative energy development.
CoStar reported recently that green buildings are a bright spot in an otherwise dismal commercial real estate picture as demand for green buildings remains high and their return on investment has been proven. The Indiana Legislature will be considering several bills that will help move energy efficient green buildings and renewable energy forward. We have a diverse, passionate and experienced board eager to get started and our committee chairs this year are outstanding.
Among those committees that are already active, the 2009 Indiana Building Green Symposium committee, led by Luke Leising, has organized an even more impressive symposium this year, to be held at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, March 12-13. Sign up early as that event will sell out! The Emerging Green Builders committee, led by Brian Burtch and Matthew Pierce, has been on fire, with seven branches already formed, pumping new energy into our Chapter and igniting interest in sustainable design on campuses all over Indiana. Tim Jensen and his Programs committee have gotten way out front on planning programs for the full year.
With over 400 members and over $1 billion in LEED projects in Indiana, we are just getting started. This year we will continue to recruit new members, open new branches, build our fiscal strength, develop a new long-range plan, reach out to all of Indiana and step up advocacy and education for green schools, green homes and green commercial real estate. We will forge new mutually beneficial relationships with Indiana's institutions of higher learning as they pursue new sustainability initiatives. As demand for green design services explodes, we will launch a new Education Committee to provide more local opportunities for green building professionals who want to ride this wave of change and prepare for LEED 2009 and a new three-tier accreditation regime.
We will need all of you in this effort. To get the full benefit of your membership, consider getting involved by volunteering as a committee member. In particular, we are considering a new Education Committee (in addition to the Program Committee) to offer local LEED training and other continuing education, and we are also looking for Co-chairs for Membership, Programs and the LEED for Homes Advocacy initiative. You will discover that the more you give, the more you receive. We also need your ideas to design an even stronger Indiana Chapter. What one thing would you change? What would you toss? What would you keep? What would you add? How will you serve?
I look forward to serving as your chair in 2009 and I want to hear from you. Green is building in Indiana in 2009!
Bill Brown, AIA, LEED AP
Indiana Chapter Chair
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Feature Article
Introduction to LEED for Homes
LEED for Homes is a national, voluntary green building rating system that promotes the design and construction of high performance "green" homes.
LEED for Homes Rating System provides a tool for recognizing homes that are designed and built to be energy- and resource-efficient, durable, less costly to maintain, and healthy for their occupants.
The LEED for Homes pilot program began in September 2005 and the actual LEED for Homes Rating System was launched at Greenbuild, Chicago in 2007.
The original LEED for Homes was designed for newly constructed single family and low-rise multi-family homes. Efforts are under way to develop standards to include mid-rise and affordable homes. In 2008, the Regreen guidelines were released in a joint effort between USGBC and ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), to provide best practice guidelines for sustainable residential renovation and remodeling.
The categories for LEED for Homes are similar to LEED-NC (New Construction), though they are prioritized differently and include two extra categories ("Location & Linkages" and "Awareness & Education"). A summary of the eight categories in which LEED for Homes measures the overall performance of a home are as follows: 1. Innovation & Design Process (ID) - Special design methods, unique regional credits, measures not currently addressed in the Rating System, and exemplary performance levels.
2. Location & Linkages (LL) - The placement of homes in socially and environmentally responsible ways in relation to the larger community.
3. Sustainable Sites (SS) - The use of the entire property so as to minimize the project's impact on the site.
4. Water Efficiency (WE) - Water-efficient practice, both indoor and outdoor.
5. Energy & Atmosphere (EA) - Energy efficiency, particularly in the building envelope and heating and cooling design.
6. Materials & Resources (MR) - Efficient utilization of materials, selection of environmentally preferable materials, and minimization of waste during construction.
7. Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) - Improvement of indoor air quality by reducing the creation of and exposure to pollutants.
8. Awareness & Education (AE) - The education of homeowner, tenant, and/or building manager about the operation and maintenance of the green features of a LEED home.
A home can achieve one of four certification levels in the LEED for Homes system - Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. The point levels required for each certification level are as follows: Certified: 45-59 Points
Silver: 60-74 Points
Gold: 75-89 Points
Platinum: 90-136
Total available points: 136
Achieving a points tally is not all that is needed to successfully achieve a LEED for Homes certification. Additionally, there are certain aspects of the rating system that are mandatory prerequisites. The table below shows these requirements for each category as well as the total amount of points available for each of the eight categories. 
LEED for homes has prerequisites under "Integrated Project Planning" for a design charrette and development of an integrated project team. These approaches insure that all contractors and trades work together to achieve the desired project goals.
The LEED for Homes system follows five basic steps:
- Contact a LEED for Homes Provider and join the program.
- Identify a project team.
- Build the home to the stated goals.
- Certify the project as a LEED home by objective Third Party Inspections by an approved Green Rater.
- Market and sell the LEED home.
The project team may include: - A team leader or consultant knowledgeable in LEED for Homes.
- Builder.
- Architect / designer.
- HVAC contractor / consultant.
There are local or regional green building programs that are sponsored by utilities and state agencies such as the Touchstone Energy Program in Indiana promoted by utilities such as Hoosier Energy through its REMC cooperatives.
The following is a list of some of the well-known programs that are available here in Indiana:
Most green building or energy-efficiency programs are performance based and either reference or compliment Energy Star performance standards. Energy Star is third party verified by RESNET, trained and certified HERS (Home Energy Rating System) energy auditors, who provide a host of services including energy modeling, energy audits, and certifications for meetings performance standards.
LEED for Homes requires that homes meet Energy Star standards.
Some utilities offer substantial incentives for meeting performance standards. These incentives may include free or subsidized energy audits, discounts on high-efficiency furnaces / AC, heat pumps, geothermal systems, and water heaters.
Home that meet certain performance standards will qualify the builder / developer for a tax credit per home up to $2000. Many municipalities throughout the country are developing a host of incentives for building green.
To see a full list of incentives, tax credits, rebates and grants, go to the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) at www.dsireusa.org . This site includes federal and state incentives for residential and commercial energy-efficient and renewable energy projects. Click here for a direct link to the DSIRE web page featuring State and Federal Incentives available in Indiana.
A key element that sets LEED apart from other green building programs such as NAHB is that LEED must be certified for energy-efficiency as specified by both the Energy Star program and a USGBC-approved Green Rater who verifies compliance with the LEED project goals and performance requirements in order for a project to qualify for claimed LEED points.
Among the various green building programs for homes, LEED for Homes is gaining recognition as a preferred standard in the national and international marketplace.
Currently, there are 31 LEED for Homes providers in the United States and five in Canada (one located in most of the leading housing markets). The LEED for Homes Provider for the Mid West Region, which includes Indiana, is: Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES) Emily Aleman 949 Wealthy St. SE, Suite 201
Grand Rapids, MI 49506 info@alliancees.org T: 616-458-6733
Below is a chart which shows the costs associate with the LEED For Homes program.
LEED for Homes Pricing
 Table source: USGBC
Note: The LEED for Homes Rating System requires completion of on-site inspections
prior to certification. Additional Provider and Green Rater verification costs apply
and are based on market prices. Please consult the Provider of your choice for
applicable rates and fees. All fees are subject to change. Registration and
Certification fees are nonrefundable. LEED For homes is gaining momentum nationally. There are approximately 893 Homes certified in the LEED For Homes programs that have achieved the following ratings: 140 platinum
168 Gold
369 Silver
Four projects are listed for Indiana.
Here are some examples of LEED for Homes projects:
The First LEED Home to be Certified in the U.S.
The first LEED home to be certified in the U.S. is located in Austin, Texas, a city noted for green building programs.
It has achieved the highest possible green building certification ratings from the top two premier green building programs in the entire U.S.: On the National level, the Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEEDŽ for Homes program; and on a Local or Municipal level, the Five Star certification from the Austin Green Building Program.
LEED for Homes Training in Indianapolis
USGBC Indiana is planning to host a full-day LEED for Homes workshop in Indianapolis this spring. To assist in planning this event, we want to gauge current interest levels to insure that we have the minimum required attendance to make a program feasible.
If you have interest in attending a LEED for Homes workshop in Indianapolis, please send an email to Albert Schinazi, the LEED for Homes Advocate for the Indiana Chapter of USGBC at LEEDforHomes@usgbc-in.org.
In the email, please provide your contact information, name of your organization, and the number of persons from your organization interested in attending. If you have a preference for specific days of the week, please include such information. Once USGBC-IN has a pool of interested participants, the chapter will survey that group to set a date.
The proposed fee for the workshop is $225, which includes a workshop manual, refreshments and lunch.
As with many of the Indiana Chapter events, there is an opportunity for your organization to sponsor this event. If you have interest in learning more about the costs and benefits of partial or full sponsorship of this event, please submit your request for information to LEEDforHomes@usgbc-in.org.
- Albert Schinazi
LEED for Homes Resources
USGBC's LEED for Homes hompage:
http://www.usgbc.org/displaypage.aspx?cmspageid=147
Albert Schinazi serves as the LEED For Homes Advocate,
for the Indiana Chapter of USGBC and has over 33 years of green design
& building experience. Albert provides Sustainable Consulting to
homeowners, builders, material vendors, developers, municipalities and
organizations interested in developing and implementing sustainable
strategies. Services include energy & sustainability audits and
development of sustainability programs and cradle to cradle approaches
to innovation and business development. Albert can be reached at (317)
259-0759 or Albert@integrativesol.com.
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USGBC-IN Chapter News
USGBC-IN Launches Next Phase of Web Content
USGBC-IN has "re-launched" its website. Among other updates, the website now features information regarding the chapter's branches, Emerging Green Builders (EGB), archives of the newsletter.
Please visit USGBC-IN at usgbc-in.org.
Duke Energy and Pepper Construction Become the Latest Chapter Sponsors
USGBC-IN would like to extend a special thanks to Duke Energy and Pepper Construction. The two companies have recently become Gold-level sponsors. Their contrubutions are greatly appreciated.
Please visit our sponsors' website at www.duke-energy.com
and www.pepperconstruction.com.
USGBC-Indiana Chapter To Kick-Off
2009 Programs on January 21st
January's Topic: On-Site Renewable Energy
Join us on Wednesday, January 21st, as we kick-off the USGBC-IN's first program of 2009. Chad Martin and Eric Cotton will offer their expertise in the field of on-site renewable energy. Special attention will be paid to on-site wind energy.
For more information on this event, or to register, please click here.
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Become a Sponsor!
The Indiana Chapter of USGBC invites you to support the activities of the chapter by becoming a sponsor. As interest in green building gains momentum in Indiana, there has never been a better time to become involved with and support the Chapter.
Through communications, educational programs, networking events, and advocacy work, we hope to educate and create awareness of green and sustainable building strategies. Please consider becoming an annual or program sponsor and joining our effort for a better built environment.
There are several levels of sponsorships that are available. To receive a Sponsorship Registration Form, please contact Elizabeth C. Ellis, Executive Director..
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USGBC-IN Branch News
Bloomington Branch offers Green Drinks
Join the USGBC-IN Bloomington Branch for Green Drinks - a casual setting for the local sustainability community to socialize, network and learn from one another. Attendees are encouraged to invite a guest in order to foster an organic, self-organizing network.
Green Drinks will be located at:
Upland Brewing Company
350 W 11th Street, Bloomington
Phone: 812.339.2901
The first Green Drinks event will be sponsored by the USGBC-IN Bloomington Branch and will feature a brief talk by Bill Brown about Introductions to USGBC. The event will take place Wednesday, February 18th at 5:30pm.
Click here for more details on this event.
Click here to register for this event.
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Indiana Green Building News & Events
Indiana Building Green Symposium, 2009March 12-13, 2009
 Think Green, because a green approach has clearly come to mainstream Indiana. Buildings in our state account for over 70% of all electricity. In an effort to reduce consumption, professionals and owners are thinking green in the design and operation of buildings.
Come and learn how new and existing buildings can Think Green at the third annual, Indiana Building Green Symposium, 2009. Over 400 designers, owners, operators and developers will attend the event held at the Indianapolis Museum of Art on March 12th and March 13th.
This years exciting event will highlight how green thinking is quickly becoming the norm. Keynote speaker is Ed Mazria, the architect of both the AIA's position statement and the U.S. Conference of Mayor's resolution adopting the "2030 Challenge" as a means of dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A panel discussion will highlight the challenges and successes seen by Indiana cities and towns that are trying to go green. The sustainability director for Harvard will show excellent examples of greening a college campus. Sessions include a tour of local LEEDŽ facilities; the past chair of the national USGBC, LEEDŽ Workshops, Green incentive opportunities and case studies on some remarkable buildings. In addition the newest green products will be on display by over 40 exhibitors.
The Indiana Building Green Symposium (IBGS) is developed by the US Green Building Council - Indiana Chapter and collaboratively with local chapters of AIA, CSI, IIDA, ASHRAE and BOMA and Ball State University's CAP|Indy Center.
Registration is LIVE! Visit www.indianabuildinggreen.com.
Early Bird Rates apply so register soon.
OED's 2009 Renewable Energy Workshops
 The Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED) has announced their 2009 alternative energy workshops, to be held throughout the state ofIndiana. These workshops free workshops and are open to all Hoosiers. To register for the OED workshops contact:
317-690-7243
Please note that space is limited. Once you register, more detailed information will be sent to you. See scheduled times and locations below in the Calendar at a Glance section.
Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems
The Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems workshop will cover the most
popular types of solar collectors, construction, mounting and efficiency
rating to familiarize students with what is available. The workshop will
also outline the components of solar water heating systems focusing on
ICS, closed loop antifreeze and drainback systems.
Basic Photovoltaics
Participants in the Basic Photovoltaics workshop will learn to define
PV, understand how PV works, identify the four PV system types, describe and identify components, understand the best application and limitations of each system type, define the solar window, understand energy efficiency and load estimates, identify PV mounting types and understand the basics of site assessment tools.
Introduction to Residential Wind
The Residential Wind workshop is designed for people who have an
interest in residential size wind systems for their home or business.
This course will teach what wind energy is, how it works and what it can
do for them. Topics will include: wind resources, basic system
components, system types, turbine types, applications and tower types.
Ball State announces an upcoming workshop on high performance school
design and construction, including info on the new school construction
guidelines taking effect in January.
The Ball State Indianapolis Center will host a High Performance Schools
Workshop on Jan. 29, 2009 at the Kite Conference Center (30 S. Meridian)
downtown. The workshop will teach attendees about procuring, designing
and building schools in Indiana that can improve student academic
performance.
Several Ball State University faculty members who are experts in
architecture and planning and other fields will present proven methods
and strategies for achieving high performance school design. Presenters
include: Walter Grondzik, ASHRAE and ASES Fellow; Pamela Hardwood,
Registered and Practicing Architect; Robert J. Koester, AIA, LEED AP;
Andrea Swartz, Registered and Practicing Architect; Roy Weaver,
Professor of Curriculum in the Department of Educational Studies and
Gwendolen B. White, Associate Professor of Accounting.
To learn more about the program agenda and expert presenters, please
visit www.bsu.edu/indianapoliscenter and download the High Performance Schools Workshop brochure.
Advanced Solutions partners with Integrated Environmental Solutions
Advanced Solutions, Inc., a full service Autodesk Premier Solutions Provider, and sponsor of USGBC-IN, has developed a partnership with Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) Ltd. to provide green building tools to its customers. IES tools integrate directly with the Autodesk Revit software platform for building information modeling (BIM). The focus of IES is to provide innovative analysis solutions that contribute to the development of LEED Certified buildings.
Advanced Solutions now has the ability to provide clients who use Revit Architecture and Revit MEP software (3D design software for architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) with the most comprehensive building analysis software. In addition, they are able to offer a wide variety of customized solutions.
For more information about IES, please visit www.iesve.com.
For additional information about Advanced Solutions, Inc., please visit www.AdvancedSolutionsOnline.com.
Advanced Solutions partners with Reed Construction
Advanced Solutions, Inc. has announced a new strategic business partnership with Reed Construction Data (RCD), a leading provider of construction information solutions. The agreement is primarily intended to promote the creation and distribution of intelligent building content to the AEC community, including building product manufacturers, architects, general contractors, and sub-contractors. The partnership will allow both companies to focus on creating content and building information modeling (BIM) software on the Autodesk Revit software platform.
Reed Construction Data launched its SmartBIM solutions in mid-2008 to further enhance the Autodesk Revit software user experience through its comprehensive object-organization solution (SmartBIM Library) while providing high-quality, parametric BIM objects (SmartBIM Objects) and enhanced ability to value a project (RSMeans Quick Cost Estimator).
For more information about Reed Construction, visit www.reedconstructiondata.com.
For additional information about Advanced Solutions, Inc., please visit www.AdvancedSolutionsOnline.com.
Indiana Hospital to Install Green Roof Atop New Tower
By GreenerBuildings Staff
Published January 5, 2009
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball Memorial Hospital will plant a 30,000-square-foot green roof on its new $87 million extension called South Tower.
The roof, expected to be installed in spring, will be the second in Muncie. The first, installed in September, sits atop an arm of an arbor flanking the main building of the Minnetrista Cultural Center.
A contractor has not yet been selected for hospital project, but the new roof is expected to help reduce the hospital's energy expenses for the tower by 10 to 15 percent and has a projected cost of $400,000 to $550,000 dollars, according to The Star Press.
Green roofs typically cost $15 to $20 per square foot, and estimates for the hospital's new roof average out to just under $16 per square foot.
By comparison the 2.5-acre living roof on the new California Academy of Sciences building in San Francisco costs $17 per square foot.
Living roofs help buildings stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter and in doing so reduce energy costs for the structure. They also aid stormwater management and retention. And they help mitigate the heat island effect created by a concentration of buildings with conventional roofs. Green roofs featuring native plants have been found to enhance performance of living roofs.
Ball Memorial's green roof will crown a 180,000-square-foot tower with 108 patient rooms. The hospital plans to have an open house this month to showcase the new South Tower.
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News from Emerging Green Builders
 2009 Kick-off to state-wide EGB Indiana Chapter for students and young professionals
EGB Indiana is a USGBC Indiana entity with 8 local branches:
- Bloomington
- Fort Wayne
- Indianapolis
- Muncie
- NW Indiana
- South Bend
- Terre Haute
- West Lafayette
EGB on the Web
EGB Indiana's web page through USGBC-IN is now online. Please visit us at usgbc-in.org/egb.
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News from the Web
Items are linked back to their sources and are the property of their owners. Click on heading for complete article.
Fast-Tracking Green Economic Recovery: Some Advice for the New Congress
Author: Leanne Tobias
Source: GreenerBuildings.com
Date Written: 01/06/2009
As the 111th Congress gets under way this week, the key task will be developing a fast-track economic stimulus program - ideally one that emphasizes sustainability.
There are already a number of excellent measures on the books that can be extended or expanded to support a green recovery. Why draw attention to them now? They've already passed Congress and have garnered bipartisan support - and now is the time to implement or expand them in support of economic stimulus. Here are several existing initiatives - all broadly gauged measures that can implemented rapidly through power companies, electrical cooperatives, local or state governments or private business - that can be strengthened to support a green recovery:
Read more...
ASHRAE, 9 Other Groups Want to Work with DOE on High-Performance Green Buildings
Author: GreenerBuildings Staff
Source: GreenerBuildings.com
Date Written: 01/13/2009
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and nine other design, building, professional, energy and standards groups are forming a consortium to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy in its efforts to bring high-performance commercial buildings to market.
ASHRAE said the other groups that make up the steering committee for the High-Performance Commercial Green Building Partnership include the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, American Institute of Architects, Alliance to Save Energy, Building Owners and Managers Association, International Code Council, Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, National Association of State Energy Officials, National Electrical Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Green Building Council.
The groups are responding to the DOE's call for organizations help promote, develop and achieve marketable net-zero energy commercial buildings by 2025. Coalitions that are formally recognized by the DOE as members of the High-Performance Green Building Partnership Consortia will work with its Buildings Technologies Program on the Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative.
The partnership of the 10 the groups is seeking recognition from the DOE.
Read more...
Author: GreenerBuildings Staff
Source: GreenerBuildings.com
Date Written: 12/30/2008
Professional and aspiring architects, product developers and other innovators are invited to submit entries to the third annual Lifecycle Building Challenge, a competition that seeks the best designs for structures and products that minimize waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions and maximize reuse of materials.
Lifecycle Building Challenge 3 is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, American Institute of Architects, West Coast Green, the Collaborative for High Performance Schools, StopWaste.Org, and WasteCap Wisconsin.
Preliminary contest guidelines were posted this month, registration begins in March and entries are due August 30.
Professionals and students in the U.S. are eligible to compete in the online contest, which accepts built and unbuilt designs in two key categories: entire buildings from foundation to roof and building products or materials. Recognition for winners includes publication of top entries in national journals and publicity at conferences.
The competition will also recognize entries deemed the Best Greenhouse Gas Reduction Design and the Best School Design.
More information about the contest, including a listing of past winners, is available at http://www.lifecyclebuilding.org.
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| Get Involved with USGBC-IN
Communications Committee Volunteers
The USGBC-IN Communications Committee (Comm2) is looking for motivated volunteers to assist with several upcoming projects. Volunteers should be proficient in writing and grammatical editing. For more details, please contact USGBC-IN at info@usgbc-in.org. Please title the email "Comm2 Volunteer."
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Calendar at a Glance
January
21: USGBC-IN Monthly Program:
On-Site Renewable Energy
Location: The Conference Center at Four Parkwood
500 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Presenters: Chad Martin and Eric Cotton
22: OED - Renewable Energy Workshop:
Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems
Location: Ball State University, Muncie, IN
23: OED - Renewable Energy Workshop:
Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems
Location: Allen County Library, Fort Wayne, IN
29: High Performance Schools Workshop
Hosted by Ball State University
Location: Kite Conference Center
30 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN
For more information, please visit:
www.bsu.edu/indianapoliscenter
31: Deadline for "Volunteer Photographer" inquiries
February
03: OED - Renewable Energy Workshop:
Basic Photovoltaics
Location: Ivy Tech, South Bend, IN
04: OED - Renewable Energy Workshop:
Basic Photovoltaics
Location: Allen County Library, Fort Wayne, IN
18: USGBC-IN Monthly Program:
Sustainable Sites Panel Discussion Location: The Conference Center at Four Parkwood
500 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Details to be announced.
18: Green Drinks Mixer Location: Upland Brewing Company
350 W 11th Street, Bloomington, IN
Time: Begins at 5:30 PM
19: OED - Renewable Energy Workshop:
Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems
Location: City of Evansville Parks Dept., Evansville, IN
20: OED - Renewable Energy Workshop:
Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems
Location: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
23: Ball State Architecture Career Fair - Day 1
Location: College of Architecture and Planning, Muncie, IN
Contact: Dan Woodfin (765.285.1900)
24: OED - Renewable Energy Workshop:
Basic Photovoltaics
Location: Chamber of Commerce, Madison, IN
25: Ball State Architecture Career Fair - Day 2
Location: College of Architecture and Planning, Muncie, IN
Contact: Dan Woodfin (765.285.1900)
25: OED - Renewable Energy Workshop:
Basic Photovoltaics
Location: Vincennes University, Vincennes, IN
March
12: Greening Indiana Cities and Towns
Location: Indianapolis Museum of Art
4000 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN
17: OED - Renewable Energy Workshop:
Introduction to Residential Wind
Location: Allen County Library, Fort Wayne, IN
18: USGBC-IN Monthly Program:
Live Roof / Green Roof Location: The Conference Center at Four Parkwood
500 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Details to be announced.
18: OED - Renewable Energy Workshop:
Introduction to Residential Wind
Location: Ivy Tech, South Bend, IN
25 - 26: Notre Dame Architecture Career Fair
Location: Notre Dame University, South Bend, IN
Contact: Kara Kelly (574.631.5721)
31: OED - Renewable Energy Workshop:
Introduction to Residential Wind
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
April
01: OED - Renewable Energy Workshop:
Introduction to Residential Wind
Location: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
11: Green House Tour
Details to be announced.
15: USGBC-IN Monthly Program: Water Efficiency Panel Discussion Location: The Conference Center at Four Parkwood
500 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Details to be announced.
25: Indiana Earth Day Festival
For more information, visit: www.earthdayindiana.org
Please email your event notices to the Editor. Thank you!
All dates are subject to change. Please refer to the latest newsletter or log-in to www.usgbc-in.org.
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From the Editor
Is Indiana Ready for New Energy?
Tomorrow night, the United States will welcome its 44th President. Barrack Obama enters office at a time when the country's economy is in a significantly weakened state. Locally, job loss is on the rise and many Hoosier families are at risk of having their homes foreclosed; meanwhile, we are confronted with the bitter cold of winter and have the bills to prove it.
Nevertheless, Indiana residents enjoy some of the cheapest energy prices in the country. One of the big reasons for this cheap energy is our state's heavy reliance on coal for energy, which is currently less-expensive to deliver to residents than most alternative energy sources. According to the latest figures from Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs, our state is second only to Texas in terms of coal consumption, though Indiana is ranked 16th in terms of population.
As a result of our state's coal-based energy portfolio, Indiana cracked the top five list of state-by-state carbon emissions from electricity.
Regardless of your person disposition regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, you should be aware of the Obama-Biden energy platform. Under a Democrat-led Congress, many of their propositions may become a reality and the coal-reliant Hoosier state will feel the ramifications if such propositions are not anticipated.
The New Energy plan, as it is being referred to, includes the following:
- Calls for a cap-and-trade system to reduce GHG emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. A 100 percent auction will ensure that all industries pay for every ton of emissions released, rather than simply giving the emission rights away to companies on the basis of their past pollution.
- Calls for 10 percent of our country's electricity to come from renewable energy by the end of the President's first term-and 25 percent by 2025.
- Calls for all new buildings to be carbon neutral, or produce zero emissions, by 2030. The plan aims to set a national goal of improving new building energy-efficiency by 50 percent and that of existing structures by 25 percent over the next decade. In light of this information, has there ever been a better time to get on board with Ed Mazria's 2030 Challenge? The AIA and USGBC, among others, already have. (Do not miss Ed Mazria at this year's Indiana Green Building Symposium.)
And this is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.
It is important for Hoosiers to be aware that such change in our nation's energy policy is a very real possibility. As a result of such change, the cost of energy derived from current coal technologies would rise. Therefore, increasing the energy-efficiency of our buildings, vehicles, and our lifestyles, are more important than ever before. Governor Daniels recognizes that there is actually opportunity in such change. His office's 2006 report, Accelerating Growth, calls for economic renewal through innovations in many fields, including energy.
Change is coming. Just remember, as the saying goes, even our current safe boundaries were once unknown frontiers.
Daniel Overbey, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP
USGBC Indiana Communications Co-Chairs
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Platinum Sponsor
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Gold Sponsor
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Silver Sponsors
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In Kind Sponsors
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USGBC-IN is supported with a grant from the Indiana Office of Energy Defense Development.
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The Indiana Chapter of USGBC
invites you to support the activities of the chapter by becoming a
sponsor. As interest in green building gains momentum in Indiana,
there has never been a better time to become involved with and support
the Chapter.
Through communications, educational programs,
networking events, and advocacy work, we hope to educate and create
awareness of green and sustainable building strategies. Please
consider becoming an annual or program sponsor and joining our effort
for a better built environment.
There are several levels of sponsorships that are available. To receive a Sponsorship Registration Form, please contact Elizabeth C. Ellis, Executive Director..
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GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK
Let us know how we can improve the USGBC-IN newsletter. Contact Daniel Overbey, Communications Committee Chair.
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