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This Month: New Study Forecasts Major Increase in Percentage of Green Building Projects by 2015
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Feature Article
Half Of Non-Residential Buildings Will Be Green By 2015 -Study
Author: Sari Krieger
Source: Wall Street Journal
Date Written: 01/06/2010
Green buildings will make up about half of the non-residential building stock by 2015, up from about 15% currently, according to a new study from venture capital firm Good Energies Inc.
This projected rapid growth would represent a surprising change as green building was considered a small niche market only 10 years ago. Both new construction and renovation projects include green building practices, with many developers starting to realize the costs are not as high as they expected.
Greg Kats, senior director and director of climate change for New York-based Good Energies, said he used the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy Environmental Design standards - which include categories such as energy and water use, site location, landscaping and proximity to mass-transit and shopping centers - to define what qualified for a green building in the study. To be counted as a green building, LEED certification wasn't required, but the building had to adhere to LEED standards.
In November, Kats released the results of his two-year independently funded study in a book called "Greening Our Built World."
Kats and his partners interviewed 100 architects working on 170 green non-residential buildings, mostly located throughout the U.S. He also obtained information from the USGBC, the American Institute of Architects, the American Public Health Association, the National Association of Realtors, BOMA International, the Federation of American Scientists, the Real Estate Roundtable, the National Association of State Energy Officials, Enterprise Community Partners and the World Green Building Council.
Using the interviews, he estimated green building's pace of growth over the next five years, as well as other green building information, Kats said.
In October last year, McGraw-Hill Construction released a study saying that the share of green building in the retrofit market could grow to 20% to 30% in the next five years, with the market opportunity for major projects growing to $10.1 billion to $15.1 billion. Currently, green building practices are used in 5% to 9% of the building retrofits currently completed, with the market opportunity for major projects - those more than $1 million in value - at $2.1 billion to $3.7 billion annually, it said.
Eric Glover, a green building market analyst for Canaccord Adams Inc., said in an interview that he sees Kats' 50% by 2015 estimate as reasonable.
"One key area of growth is the green retrofit market," Glover said. "I think it's possible that if green retrofits/renovations represent 20% to 25% of the market by value by 2015, new green building construction could represent the other 20% to 30%. I believe new non-residential green construction represents about 10% to 12% of the market now."
Kats also concluded that builders and building owners are starting to realize that green building isn't as expensive as they may have thought, which will boost green building numbers.
Based on his studies, Kats concluded that non-residential green building costs about 2% more than a traditional comparable building, although the public thinks on average that the premium is 17%, based on a 2007 survey by the World Business Council.
Kats said the payback time for a green building is about three to four years, and over a 20-year period, the payback is four to six times the investment cost.
"We now have a large enough, detailed enough body of data to say that the presumption is 'why wouldn't you do a green building?'" Kats said. "It's very cost-effective and it reduces risk in a number of areas including health, exposure to energy and water prices and obsolescence."
In addition to his work at Good Energies, Kats served as director of financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy in the Department of Energy under the Clinton Administration and in other senior positions for venture capital firms Capital E and Osmosis Capital LLP.
This article oringally appeared on the Wall Street Journal website on January 6, 2010. Please visit WSJ Online at http://online.wsj.com/
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From the Chair
Welcome to the New Year! I'm honored to be the Chair of the Indiana Chapter and excited for our 2010 goals. It is our Chapter's New Year's Resolution to focus on developing the newly formed Indiana Branches. For those not fully aware, the Indiana Chapter moved this last year to establish Branches throughout the state. Branches will allow the programs, education and advocacy of green building to reach out to every area of the state. The goal is to include everybody and make the USGBC Indiana Chapter the leading voice in support of Green Building in the State of Indiana. We need your involvement to ensure this happens!
I now ask for your New Year's Resolution. Will you get involved in your local Branch? There are currently Branches in 5 locations: Central (Indianapolis), North Central (South Bend), North East (Ft Wayne), South Central (Bloomington), and South West (Evansville). Each branch is looking for members to help develop educational programs, communicate what is going on in the community and become leaders in the sustainable movement. Please reach out to us and ask for a local contact and how to get involved!
Very Truly,
Luke Leising, AIA, PE, LEED AP
USGBC Indiana Chair
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USGBC Indiana Chapter News & Events
USGBC Indiana Chapter Releases 2009 Annual Report
 USGBC Indiana has released its 2009 Annual Report. The first edition of this annual publication, the document offers feature articles, insight into the chapter's recent accomplishments, the 2008 financial report, a definition of the chapter's 2009 leadership, a directory of every LEED-certified project in Indiana (at the time of publication), and much more.
Click here to download the 2009 Annual Report.
Central Branch Program:
LEED Version 3
Wednesday, January 20th
Please join the USGBC-IN Central Branch for its first program of 2010. This month's topic will be a detailed look into LEED Version 3. The speakers for this program will be Mindy Hanni, Connie Torres, and Heather Zeto of Urban Design.
As an added bonus, an iPod Shuffle will be raffled off at during the program!
Date: Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Time: Networking and appetizers 5:00 PM;
Program 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Location: The Conference Center at Four Parkwood
500 East 96th Street
Indianapolis, IN
See location in Google Maps
Cost: $10 for members; $20 for non-members (pay at the door).
Parking: Free parking.
Registration: Click here to RSVP for this event.
North Central Branch Program
Thursday, January 21st
Please join the USGBC-IN North Central Branch for its first program of 2010.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Location: IU South Bend Student Apartments Community Center
South Bend, IN 46615
Cost: Free to USGBC members.
Registration: Email Mike Reese to RSVP for this event.
North East Branch Program:
Cap & Trade: Short Term & Long Term Effects on Energy Prices and How Your Business Will Be Affected
 Wednesday, January 20th
Please join the USGBC-IN North East Branch for its first program of 2010.
North that this event has been rescheduled from January 7th.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Time: Check in at 5:30 PM; presentation begins at 6:00 PM
Location: Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce
Anthony Wayne Room (2nd Floor)
826 Ewing Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
See location in Google Maps
Cost: $10 per person (cash at the door)
Registration: Click here to RSVP for this event.
South West Branch Program:
Vegetated Roofing Systems
 Monday, February 8th
The meeting will take place Monday, February 8th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center.
Owen Slaughter with LiveRoof will present a vegetated roofing program, which will include information on water runoff and energy savings. Owen will discuss Extensive and Intensive Systems.
Brad Morton with Morton Energy, LLC will discuss solar PV roofing options. His discussion will include installation guidelines, cost estimates and pay back information.
The cost will be $15 for USGBC Indiana Chapter members and $20 for non-members (cash or checks accepted at the door).
Special thanks to CSI, LiveRoof and Morton Energy, LLC.
Date: Monday, February 8th, 2010
Time: 5:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. (CST)
5:30 P.M. - Social Hour
6:30 P.M. - Dinner
7:00 P.M. - Presentation
Location: Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center
1901 Lynch Road
Evansville, Indiana 47711
See location in Google Maps
Cost: $15 members / $20 non-members (pay at door)
Registration: Email Dee Massey to RSVP for this event.
USGBC Announces 2010 Natural Talent Design Competition
Wednesday, December 2nd
 Addenda to the various LEED Reference Guides (2009 Editions) have been updated. It is strongly recommended that project teams adhere to the Reference Guide addenda based on registration date.
Updates have been issued for the following documents: - Reference Guide Addenda: Green Building Design & Construction
- Reference Guide Addenda: Green Interior Design & Construction
- Reference Guide Addenda: Green Building Operations & Maintenance
Read more...
Indy Habitat and USGBC-IN Team-Up for Prototype
March 2010
 In March, 2010, months of collaboration, meetings, and teamwork will come to fruition: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis and the Central Branch of the Indiana Chapter of the USGBC are going to build a house together. Habitat already builds their houses to a very high green standard, and with USGBC's partnership, the bar will be raised even higher. The resulting house will be clean, green, and very efficient for the family who moves in.
The Central Branch is currently looking for anyone with previous experience in green residential construction, or related experience, to be part of the design and build team. If you're interested, please email info@usgbc-in.org
USGBC Indiana Chapter on LinkedIn
 USGBC-IN has established a group on LinkedIn.
Click here to join.
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Join USGBC-IN Today!
Join the Indiana Chapter of USGBC today to enjoy the many benefits of membership that help your organization stay competitive, grow your business, and make the best contacts in the green building industry.
Indiana Chapter members receive the following benefits:
- Member-only discounts and networking events - local event fees are discounted for chapter members. Monthly meetings are free!
- Get a fantastic array of green building tools and educational resources.
- Be noticed - membership sets your organization apart.
- Build relationships in the local construction industry.
- Meet, learn and network with other building professionals who share the same passion for green building.
- Benefit from company and individual names being listed in one of the largest directories of green building practitioners and supporters via the USGBC National website and our local chapter homepage.
- Get involved - help build much-needed awareness for green building in Indiana.
- Be recognized as a leader in supporting a better built environment.
- Shape and proactively promote local green initiatives through chapter and committee involvement.
- Vote in local chapter business/issues.
Sign up today and receive a one-year membership for only $50 (less than 14 cents per day)!
For more information regarding USGBC Indiana, please visit our web site at usgbc-in.org.
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| Indiana Green Building Events
2010 Indiana Green Building Symposium
March 10th & 11th, 2009
 Speakers Announced
Join hundreds of designers, owners, operators and developers at the fourth annual Indiana Building Green Symposium, 2010. This annual conference hosted by the USGBC brings together leading professionals in a variety of disciplines and all facets of the building industry to facilitate and expedite the shift toward sustainable building practices in Indiana. Get all the latest on applications and trends that are turning green thinking into green building, and how it's enhancing the quality of life for people and planet.
It's time to "Think Green" in Indiana!
This year's growing list of outstanding world-class speakers includes:
Toshiko Mori
Toshiko Mori, FAIA is the Robert P. Hubbard Professor in the Practice of Architecture with tenure at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and was the chair of the Department of Architecture from 2002 to 2008. She is also principal of Toshiko Mori Architect, which she established in 1981 in New York City.
Douglas Farr
Doug Farr is founder and president of Farr Associates, a Chicago-based sustainable architecture and planning firm that is the first in the world to design three buildings certified as "platinum," the highest distinction under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. He is author of "Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design with Nature."
Pliny Fisk III
Pliny Fisk specializes in green technology, design and planning. He is co-creator of EcobalanceDesign™, BaselineGreen™ , CDIR ™. His work holds several national and international awards and is well known regarding regionalized building materials and open building protocols. Fisk is Co-director of The Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems and is signature faculty In architecture landscape, architecture, and planning at Texas A&M University.
Dan Rockhill
Dan Rockhill is the Executive Director of Studio 804 and the J L Constant Distinguished Professor of Architecture at the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Urban Planning. He is a principal of the design firm Rockhill and Associates. Their work is tightly bound to the natural milieu and culture of the Kansas region. In the spirit of regionalism, the areas archetypal forms, Spartan aesthetics, frugal methods, and relationship to nature permeate the results.
William Harrison
As ASHRAE's president, Harrison directs the Society's Board of Directors and oversees the Executive Committee. His presidential theme, Maintain to Sustain: Delivering ASHRAE's Sustainability Promise, focuses on operating buildings to deliver the energy efficiency inherent in their design, including effective commissioning, improved documentation, and programs to educate and certify building operators.
For more information, and to register for this event, please visit ibgs2010.org.
CNT Working with USGBC to Assess
Transportation Energy Intensity
 CNT LogoThe Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) in Chicago is working with the US Green Building Council (USGBC) to develop a matrix that will assess the transportation energy intensity (TEI) of buildings. TEI is a measure of the amount of energy associated with getting people to and from a specific building.
CNT is looking for businesses and organizations that would be willing to participate in data collection for the project. Parties interested in participating would be asked to supply background information about the building in which they are located and send out an inquiry to building staff asking them to take a short survey that explores employee commuting patterns.
The building does not have to be LEED certified for inclusion in the project. Attached is a fact sheet with more information, please contact Sofia Becker at sbecker@cnt.org if you have any questions or would like to take part.
Habitat for Humanity LEED for Homes Spring Project
Call-Out to All Interested Trades
Habitat for Humanity is going to build a LEED for Homes project for their spring Kick Off, and we need strong support from trades professionals. You can support building green and your community by learning the newest techniques Indiana has been using to build energy, water and resource efficient homes.
Come learn about Habitat for Humanity's new
projects and the LEED for Homes rating system,
and see what you can do to give back to your
community and learn at the same time. This is a no obligation introductory meeting, so bring anyone who might be interested. This is a great networking opportunity to meet like minded professionals who are wanting to make a difference. Come meet new people, learn new ideas and help Indianapolis and Habitat for Humanity grow GREEN!
Drinks and light snacks will be provided.
Please click here for additional information and to register for this event.
If you would like to sponsor or volunteer to help with the Trades Call Out please contact Christin Kappel with The Architecture Studio, Inc. at 317.842.8070 x-4 or email at ckappel@thearchitecturestudio.com
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Emerging Green Builders News & Events
 Who We Are
Emerging Green Builders are students and young professionals dedicated to becoming and recruiting the future leaders of the green building movement. EGB Indiana, part of the Heartland Region, offers you the opportunity to get involved in green building locally, access USGBC resources, and particiate in local events.
All Things EGBPlease visit us at usgbc-in.org/egb for all the latest events, resources, and local branch information. |
Indiana Green Building News
Items are linked back to their sources and are the property of their owners. Click on heading for complete article.
Cummins gets $54M grant
Author: Kris Kirschner
Source: WTHR 13 Eyewitness News
Date Written: 01/11/2010
Bartholomew County - A Columbus-based engine company is setting the pace for green technology. Cummins was awarded $54 million in federal stimulus money to design and test new fuel efficient diesel engines and develop a new "super truck."
There's the potential for hundreds of jobs, but the projects will also have an impact on the future of the transportation industry.
The Indiana company that built its business on building engines is now fine-tuning its future in transportation. A visit by the US energy secretary Monday established Cummins Engine as a leader in fuel efficient technology.
Read more...
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Add Your LEED Projects to USGBC-IN.org
Submit Your LEED Certified Projects
USGBC Indiana is in the process of adding in-state LEED certified projects to the website's "Green Projects" showcase. If
you would like to submit your LEED certified
project, please complete the Green Project Profile
form and submit entries to info@usgbc-in.org.
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Author: Wendy Koch
Source: USA Today
Date Written: 12/03/2009
The number of homes winning the government's Energy Star designation since the program began in 1995 has crossed the 1 million mark. Despite an overall housing slump, 75,000 have been added so far this year for a total of 1,024,200.
Last year, Energy Star homes accounted for nearly 17% of all single-family homes built, up from 12% in 2007.
The Energy Star label means a house is at least 20% more energy-efficient than other new homes.
"They are better homes," with more efficient windows, lighting, appliances, insulation, heating and cooling, says Maria Vargas of the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program.
Private programs that certify homes as environmentally friendly also report growth, despite a 30% plunge in new homes started or completed in the year ending in October, the last month for which Census data are available.
"There's an awakening going on," says Nate Kredich of the U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit group whose rating criteria are stricter than Energy Star. Kredich says its number of certified homes, which increased from 1,151 last year to 3,050 so far this year, is a small but growing share of all new homes.
"The interest in green building is driven by consumers. More people are doing it to save money on their heating bills," says Kevin Morrow of the National Association of Home Builders, whose green certifications jumped from 99 homes last year to at least 564 this year.
Existing homes are going green, too: 68% of people surveyed by USA TODAY took steps this year to make their homes more energy-efficient. Of those who did, 71% said it was "mostly to save money" and 26% "mostly to save the environment."
Read more... |
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From the Editor
The Scalable Potential of Individual Resolve
This past week, I finally broke down and decided to install a low-flow showerhead in my bathroom. The fixture was not very expensive and the installation was a piece of cake (once I discovered the virtues of Teflon tape). My wife asked me how much water it would save. I approximated that between the two of us, we'd cut back our water usage by about 16 gallons per day, which may correlate into something near a $5 - $10 reduction in our water bill. She was glad, but not overly impressed. However, her reaction was better than when I switched our two 40-watt incandescent lamps on the bed stands to 9 watt compact florescent lamp (CFL) replacements and told her that it would save about 150 watt-hours per week. We're both aware that in the winter, our home uses well over 1000-kilowatt hours.
It is true that our green "upgrades" make varying degrees of impact on our resource consumption in day-to-day life. My new showerhead will pay for itself before the end of this year. However, the CFLs may take several years to pay for themselves. Consolidating weekend driving errands into fewer trips may only save one or two gallons of gas per week - is that really doing anything to help our nation achieve energy independence when the U.S. consumes around 20 million barrels of petroleum per day? Can any of these changes make a difference?
The answer is yes.
When devising solutions to address national or global resource consumption, one must always look beyond the person scale of the solution and consider the question, "How far does the idea see?"
In other words, is the solution economically viable? Can an average American household afford to implement the solution? Is it feasible that other countries could develop a similarly effective solution?
Take the showerhead example. What if every U.S. home decided to install a low-flow showerhead? According to the U.S. Census Bureau there are about 218 million adults in the U.S. If my wife and I average a savings of 8-gallons each per day, that would correlate into a national savings of approximately 1.75 billion gallons per day! The scalable potential of individual resolve can be tremendous.
Need another example? Consider the financial response to the earthquake disaster in Haiti. We've all seen the opportunities to text "Haiti" to the Red Cross to make small $5 or $10 dollar donations. Perhaps you've questioned whether such a small contribution could really make a difference? Rest assured, the scalable potential of this solution is actively being achieved. Through what has become the single largest mobile donation campaign of all-time, over $10 million has been donated through more than one million donors, according to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Whether it's a global cause or simply a lifestyle improvement, the scalable potential of individual resolve should never be dismissed.
Donate to the Red Cross at: www.redcross.org
If you wish to contribute to USGBC's efforts to rebuild Haiti's demolished infrastructure, please visit Clinton Foundation Haiti Relief Fund at: www.clintonfoundation.org/haitirelief
Daniel Overbey, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C
USGBC Indiana Communications Chair
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Calendar at a Glance
January
20: USGBC-IN Northeast Branch Program
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
20: USGBC-IN Central Branch Program
Location: Indianapolis, IN
21: USGBC-IN North Central Branch Program
Location: South Bend, IN
February
8: USGBC-IN Southwest Branch Program
Location: Evansville, IN
17: USGBC-IN Central Branch Program
Location: Indianapolis, IN
March
10 - 11: 2010 Indiana Building Green Symposium Location: Indianapolis, IN 17: USGBC-IN Central Branch Program Location: Indianapolis, IN 31: USGBC-IN Northeast Branch Program Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Please email your event notices to the Editor. Thank you!
All dates are subject to change. For a complete list of upcoming events, please log-in to usgbc-in.org.
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