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This Month: Rick Fedrizzi on the Greener Future for Schools within the Next Generation
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Feature Article
Green Schools for Every Child in This Generation
Imagine a future where children wake up excited to go to school. Imagine that when they get to school, they are met with clean fresh air, classrooms with good natural light and acoustics that allowed them to hear their teachers. Imagine test scores going up, reading retention rates rising, absences related to respiratory illnesses like colds and asthma going down, behavior improving, teachers that are better able to teach and students better able to learn.
If this sounds too good to be true, then you might be surprised to learn that it is already happening in schools across the country. Schools like Stoddert Elementary right here in the nation's capital, which is on track to be the first LEED certified "green" school in Washington, D.C., and which will provide a shining example for other schools to follow.
And because of the example it has set - a historic renovation of this beautiful building with great cultural significance, we used it as the backdrop today to launch the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, putting a fine point on ?our mission to ensure every student has the opportunity to attend a green, high-performing and healthy school within this generation.
Across America, the next generation of leaders walks into classrooms, libraries, cafeterias, study and lecture halls that are compromising their ability to learn - not enhancing it, as they should. The Center was established to change that dynamic. Since we first launched the National Green Schools Campaign in 2007, USGBC has been a strong advocate for green schools. The campaign inspired a number of initiatives, some related to more visibility in the government sector for the need for green schools, such as the 50 for 50 state legislative caucuses; the Coalition for Green Schools that brings together the national PTA, the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers and others; the training and deployment of more than 1,000 green schools advocates in every state; the development of materials and case studies that help administrators build and operate green schools, and so much more. The Center for Green Schools rolls up these efforts into a powerful center of gravity for attracting expertise and resources to help deliver these schools for our kids and for the teachers who lead them.
As the President of USGBC, I've witnessed the profound impact green buildings have on our lives and the innovations they have poured into the marketplace, and I believe no other market speaks more powerfully to the benefits and potential of green buildings than our schools. And as the husband of a Syracuse, New York public school teacher and the father of two, there are few issues to which I'm more committed than providing children with a world-class education in a healthy environment.
By their very nature, schools demonstrate our hopes for the future. What better way to demonstrate our commitment than making sure every child attends a green school within THIS generation?
Rick Fedrizzi
President of USGBC
This article originally appeared on The Huffington Post webset on October 4, 2010 at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rick-fedrizzi/green-schools-for-every-c_b_745607.html.
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From the Chair
Greenbuild is coming! Not only that it is coming to Chicago.
Nov 17-19 the Windy City will be host to a wide range of industry professionals and passionate advocates focused on sustainability. This once-a-year event should draw over 40,000 attendees and stands as the single best way to become more educated on sustainable buildings. So how do you get there? Here are a few ideas for every budget:
1. Be a full conference attendee, stay downtown and network with the
crowd night and day. See me for the schedule of nighttime events!
www.greenbuild.org
2. Take the Mega Bus to the city for one day and ask your local product
rep for a complimentary Expo Hall ticket. You'll easily fill a day
learning about the latest trends and new products.
www.greenbuildexpo.org
3. Drag the kids along and turn it into a family vacation. The
sustainability tours and local events provide excellent ways to enjoy
the city and yes there are always small children at Greenbuild.
4. Go for free as an Emerging Professional or Student. Greenbuild
provides free passes for those in this category willing to work a few
hours as a volunteer. Since we all have friends in Chicago, borrow
someone's couch to make it cost effective (read cheap).
www.greenbuildexpo.org/Volunteer
We are looking forward to seeing you all there. When you arrive, please make plans to join us at our Indiana Chapter Greenbuild networking event.
Cheers!
Luke Leising
USGBC Indiana Chapter Chair
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USGBC Indiana Chapter News & Events
Northeast Branch Program:
LEED for Contractors (Panel Discussion)
Thursday, October 7
 LEED
for Contractors (Panel Discussion): What general contractors,
subcontractors, and vendors need to know about building LEED projects -
from estimating/bidding, through construction, and project closeout.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Thursday, October 7, 2010
Time: 5:30 PM - Registration and
Networking;
6:00 PM - Panel Discussion
Location: Holiday Inn at the Coliseum
4111 Paul Shaffer Dr.
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
See location in Google Maps
Cost: Individual Chapter Members - FREE
Non-Members - $10
Register: http://usgbcin20101007ne.eventbrite.com/
Free drink ticket for early RSVP (by September 30).
LEED Green Associate Training
Registration Due: Monday, October 18th
 IMSDC, BSA LifeStructures and USGBC are offering
LEED Green Associate Training. The course will focus
on the understanding of the core concepts of the LEED
Rating Systems needed to pass the Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design, LEED Green
Associate Study Exam.
Benefits of training with us...
Instructor: Don Able, LEED AP, has a thorough understanding of green building practices.
Self-reported Continuing Education Credits available
$300.00 of the $550.00 course fee is tax-deductible.
One-year Individual membership to USGBC-IN Chapter.
Light dinner served at each class.
Program information is as follows:
When: Three weeks, 6
sessions: Every Monday-Tuesday
Beginning October 25th and 26th, 2010
Ending
November 8th and 9th, 2010
Time: Light Dinner: 5:00 - 5:30 PM
Class: 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Location: IMSDC
2126 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
See location in Google Maps
Fee: $550.00 (total for six session
course)
Register: Click here for registration form.
North Central Branch Program:
LEED AP Primer
Tuesday, October 19th
 The North Central Branch's October program is going to be a panel discussion about the new LEED AP system structure, including "opting in" or becoming a Legacy AP, continuing education requirements, recording and submitting CEUs. If you are a LEED AP or are considering becoming one, you should attend this discussion.
The event will be held at the Notre Dame School of Architecture Auditorium. Networking and appetizers will begin at 4:30 and the presentation/discussion will start at 5:00 and last until 6:30. Convenient parking is located in Lot D6.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Tuesday, October 19th, 2010
Time: Networking and appetizers: 4:30 PM
Presentation: 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Location: Notre Dame School of
Architecture Auditorium
110 Bond Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556
See location in Google Maps
RSVP: Email Mike Reese at mwr@troyergroup.com
Central Branch
Program:
Training Subcontractors for LEED
Wednesday, October 20th
 Please
join the USGBC-IN Central Branch for our monthly program covering
training subcontractors for LEED.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Wednesday,
October 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
Parking: Free parking
Register: http://usgbcin20101020cb.eventbrite.com/
LEED Workshop:
BD&C 251: Understanding the Building
Design + Construction LEED Rating System
Thursday, October 28th
 Gain essential knowledge of the LEED BD+C rating systems, including credit intents, key elements, main requirements, and referenced standards; synergies among credits; and foundations of the LEED certification process, including basic documentation considerations. This workshop addresses the following LEED rating systems: LEED for New Construction & Major Renovations, LEED for Core & Shell, and LEED for Schools.
Throughout the day, LEED Faculty engage you in discussions and interactive activities based on real LEED projects to enforce what you've learned. LEED 201: Core Concepts & Strategies is recommended prior to taking this course.
Workshop details are as follows:
Host: USGBC Indiana Chapter
When: Thursday, October 28th, 2010
Time: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Holiday Inn at IPFW
4111 Paul Shaffer Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
See location in Google Maps
Cost: USGBC National Member $325 (before 10.20.10)
Non-member $390 (before 10.20.10)
$400 after 10.20.10
 Register: Click here to access the detailed event flyer.
This program is approved for seven (7) LEED BD+C specific GBCI Continuing Education (CE) hours.
USGBC Indiana Chapter Holiday Gala
Wednesday, December 1st
 SAVE THE DATE - This year's USGBC Indiana Chapter Holiday Gala will be held on December 1st at the Allison Mansion on the grounds of Marian University, Indianapolis.
Please check the newsletter and website
in the coming months for updates.
USGBC Indiana Chapter on Flickr
 USGBC-IN has established a freely accessible
photostream on flickr. Click here to find out more.
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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:
$65 for regular membership, $50 for national members, $25 for students.
For more information regarding USGBC Indiana, please visit our web site at usgbc-in.org.
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Indiana Green Building
Events
ASHRAE Monthly Meeting:
Compliance with the New Indiana Energy Code
Tuesday, October 12th
 The local chapter of ASHRAE has three exceptional presentations for you this evening. The main
program and tech session will focus on the new Indiana Energy Code. Our
main program speaker is a former chair and current member of the ASHRAE
90.1 development committee. Our tech session speaker is a consultant
for the State of Indiana charged with informing the building and design
industry on the new Indiana Energy Code. Our third
presentation is
during dinner and will be a student
presentation of the Solar Decathlon
at Purdue. We hope you can make it to what should be a very informative
evening. See below for more information.
Our
topic this month is: Compliance with the new Indiana Energy Code (ASHRAE
90.1-2007.)
Indiana's new energy code requires the minimum energy
efficiency for commercial buildings to meet or exceed ASHRAE 90.1-2007
with Indiana amendments. Our presenter is a former chair and active
participant in ASHRAE Standard 90.1 development and is familiar with the
Indiana amendments. Attendees will learn of the latest changes to the
ASHRAE Standard and look at the criteria and compliance options. Dr.
McBride will focus on how to implement some of the more difficult or
unfamiliar aspects of the standard such as fan power, energy recovery,
and demand controlled ventilation requirements to name a few. He will
also explain requirements for service water heating and heat recovery. Material presented will address both prescriptive and performance based
compliance. Bring your questions!
Program details are as follows:
Theme: ASHRAE 90.1-2007, Student Night, and
joint meeting with ASPE.
When: Thursday, October 12th, 2010
Time: 5:30 PM Tech Session
6:15 PM Dinner Starts
7:00 PM Dinner Session Starts
Where: Marten House
O'Meara Room - next to St. Vincent's Hospital on 86th
Street
1801 West 86th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46260
See location in Google Maps
Cost: $20 per person, Includes dinner and the program.
Students are free.
Reservations due by Friday October 8th :
Option-1: Website registration - Go to www.indyashrae.org set up your login name and password then go to the event calendar, just below the top banner. Go to the month of the meeting and follow the easy steps to register for the meeting. You can also prepay with your credit card or Paypal account.
Option-2: E-mail or call Kris Stewart kstewart@hydstm.com. 317-577-8326, stating your name, company, the number of reservations required, and your phone number.
An Evening with Visionaries:
Energy, Design, and the Future of Indianapolis
Thursday, October 21st
Thursday, October 21st, 7:00 PM, Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University.
Doors open for a networking hour at 6:00 PM.
For more information, please visit: http://www.butler.edu/woods-lectures/fall-2010-line-up
Free of charge; ticket required. Tickets available at the Clowes Hall Box Office and Ticketmaster (fees apply for ticketmaster)
Spend an evening with 2 visionaries discussing the future of ecological design in a post-carbon economy.
Bob Berkebile is a principal at BNIM Architects in Kansas City, MO. He is a founding member of the USGBC and helped develop the LEED Rating system.
David Orr is the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics at Oberlin College. He is best known for his pioneering work on environmental literacy in higher education and his recent work in ecological design.
Following the presentation, there will be a panel discussion that considers innovative, sustainable design opportunities as they relate to the City of Indianapolis.
Click here to view the event flyer.
A Monumental Affair Awards Ceremony
Thursday, November 11th
 Join us for the 2010 A Monunmental Affair
Awards Cermony on Thursday, November 11, 2010. Please see www.kibi.org/monumentaldetails.
RSVP by November 5,
at www.kibi.org/monumental. If you have any questions,
please contact Laura Fox at 317.264.7555 ext. 100 or lfox@kibi.org.
Hope to see you
there!
Greenbuild
2010: Registration Now OpenExpo Date: November 17 - 19, 2010As one of the first cities to adopt LEED for public buildings and the city that is home to more LEED-certified buildings than any other, Chicago is truly committed to leadership as a "next-generation" city - the perfect place for us to celebrate being part of Generation Green. Registration to Greenbuild 2010 in Chicago is now open. Please visit: http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/
Greenbuild 2010: Looking for Volunteers
Expo Date: November 17 - 19, 2010
Join us at Greenbuild 2010 in Chicago, and engage in the conversation we must have to bring green to everyone, and everyone to green. The success of Greenbuild is due in no small part to the efforts of the many volunteers who give their time and energy each year towards organizing and staffing the event. We are excited to present you with this opportunity to take part in this great event. The time that you will be volunteering is greatly appreciated and we will do everything that we can to make your volunteer and conference experience a meaningful one. RequirementsVolunteers must be a full-time college student or professional age 25 and under. You must volunteer a minimum of eight hours of volunteer time. What You Receive Once Your Time is Filled For your efforts, you'll receive free admission as a student to the conference which will provide exciting educational opportunities on the latest in the green building movement and amazing networking opportunities. Now What?Volunteers can sign up for shifts when registration for Greenbuild 2010 opens this summer. Learn more about volunteering at the event by joining our distribution list and filling out this form. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB229YZJRES72 To find this link, you may also visit our Chicago Chapter website at www.usgbc-chicago.org, click on Greenbuild FAQs. If you have questions about volunteering, please email volunteers@usgbc-chicago.org.
Greenbuild 2010: "I Am Generation Green" Video Blog
Expo Date: November 17 - 19, 2010
 USGBC is proud to introduce
the Greenbuild 2010 "I Am Generation Green" video blog! The green building community
is at the core of our best hope for redefining our future, and this year especially - as economic, environmental and social opportunities converge more than ever before - we hope
you're taking this year's theme to heart. "Generation Green: Redefining Our Future." Every day, in ways big and small, our community is taking important steps to redefine our future.
Send us your videos! What are you doing to redefine our future? We're not looking for expensive, well-produced videos. Your ideas can be simple or profound, general or specific. Just tell us, in 30 seconds or less, how you are building a future of economic, environmental and social prosperity. You are Generation Green, and your ideas will inspire the world to act today. And they may be featured at Greenbuild 2010 in Chicago!
Please visit the video blog at:
http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/GenGreen
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Indiana Green Building News
Items are linked back to their sources and are the property of their owners. Click on heading for complete article.
Purdue, China to Study
Urban Pollution
Author: Indy Star Staff
Source: Indianapolis Star
Date
Written: 9/13/2010
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University researchers are teaming up with colleagues in China for a 5-year effort to study the environmental challenges posed by urbanization.
Purdue's Center for the Environment and the Chinese Academy of Sciences will use their partnership to focus on the impact of population growth and urbanization in the two nations.
Scientists at the two schools will study soil biology, the movement of contaminants in urban areas and model water flow in those areas as part of their research.
Their work will create research exchange opportunities for students, scholars and faculty.
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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National Green Building News
Items are linked back to their sources and are the property of their owners. Click on heading for complete article.
SketchUp 8 Opens Up New Green Possibilities
Google released SketchUp 8 on September 1, 2010, with a number of notable enhancements, many of which will make SketchUp more useful as a sustainable design tool. Environmentally speaking, the two big innovations with this release are volumes and geographical context. As with past versions, most of these features are available in the free product, but improved tools are reserved for SketchUp Pro.
SketchUp 8 improves support for defined volumes, which are needed to create accurate energy models, among other things. Volumes can now intersect and combine without losing their boundaries. In the past, to run EnergyPlus on a SketchUp model users had to trace over the model's images to define the volumes for the energy calculations. Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) has improved on that recently with an energy modeling plug-in for SketchUp 7; this new version should further improve that workflow.
Read more...
USGBC to Offer Precedent-Setting "LEED Interpretations"
Date Written: 9/8/2010
A process for providing precedent-setting rulings to project teams using the LEED rating system is under development at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The resulting "LEED Interpretations" process is to be unveiled in the Fall of 2010.
The LEED Interpretations process will look a lot like the process for Credit Interpretation Rulings (CIRs) that was in place prior to July 2009, according to information provided to LEEDuser.com by Cara Mae Cirignano, a LEED specialist at USGBC. LEED project teams use the CIR process to check on whether they can earn a LEED credit in a specific circumstance that may not be anticipated by the LEED rating system.
A process for providing precedent-setting rulings to project teams using the LEED rating system is under development at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The resulting "LEED Interpretations" process is to be unveiled in the Fall of 2010.
----- Advertising -----
The LEED Interpretations process will look a lot like the process for Credit Interpretation Rulings (CIRs) that was in place prior to July 2009, according to information provided to LEEDuser.com by Cara Mae Cirignano, a LEED specialist at USGBC. LEED project teams use the CIR process to check on whether they can earn a LEED credit in a specific circumstance that may not be anticipated by the LEED rating system.Read more... |
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From the Editor
Is Technology Making Us More Energy Efficient?
Recently, the creative folks at GOOD and Oliver Munday collaborated to visually interpret statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Academy of Engineering regarding our nation's workforce productivity (that is, unit of output per hour) coinciding with the emergence of various technologies like fiber optics, the worldwide web, and notebook computers. In general, the data suggests that technology has indeed made us significantly more productive over the last 50 years.
This information got me thinking. Has technology also made us more energy efficient? Our refrigerators, microwaves, dish washers, clothes dryers, televisions, lighting fixtures, and furnaces have all certainly become much more energy efficient as their technology developed. So, I consulted the US Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration for energy consumption data. What I discovered was that US energy use per capita has actually risen by about 50 million BTUs per year compared to 50 years ago (Fig. 1). That stands to reason. We have more gadgets now than we use to. But what was even more interesting was the larger trendline over the long-term dataset. The trendline, while inclined, is relatively flat. This suggests that as we take on more technological gadgetry in our daily lives (laptops, flat screen televisions, smart phones, wireless networks, etc.) the coinciding improvements in the energy efficiency of our technology is more or less "equaling out" our total energy consumption.
 Figure 1: Energy Consumption per PersonU.S. Energy Information Administration / Annual Energy Review 2009Report No. DOE/EIA-0384(2009)Release Date: August 19, 2010
Something else I noticed in the EIA data was the steady long-term rise in our nation's total energy consumption (Fig. 2). The United States was self-sufficient in energy until the about 1960. At which point, consumption began to outpace domestic US production (but that's an issue for another day). The takeaway germane to this discussion is the positive trendline and steady rise in total US energy consumption. (Though, the relatively sharp decline since the onset of the latest economic recession is an interesting phenomenon.)
Figure 2: Primary Energy Overview
U.S. Energy Information Administration / Annual Energy Review 2009
Report No. DOE/EIA-0384(2009)
Release Date: August 19, 2010
So, if our energy consumption per person is holding steady yet our total national energy consumption is steadily rising, then obviously our population is growing. Data from the US Census Bureau clearly indicates that the US population is steadily increasing (Fig. 3).
Figure 3: Historical Population in the U.S.Data from: U.S. Census Data provided by Minnesota Population CenterLast updated: June 17, 2010Graphic from: Google
One must assume that the US population growth will continue on its current trajectory for the foreseeable future. Therefore, if our nation's energy consumption level is to once again match or be below our energy production level, we must find a way to either produce vastly more energy or consume vastly less energy. In reality, it will likely take a combination of both. Marginal reductions in consumption per person can have a noticeable effect on our nation's total energy consumption level. We must rely on technology to accomplish this. However, it would appear that the rate of technological efficiency needs to dramatically outpace the rate at which we add more technology to our daily lives, in order for our energy production to ever have a chance of exceeding energy consumption again.
Make no mistake about it, unless improvements in technology can dramatically reduce the energy consumption in our individual lives, as the country's population continues to steadily grow we must find a way to provide evermore energy (whether produced domestically, imported, or both) to our nation's citizenry - and a lot of it.
Daniel Overbey, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C
USGBC Indiana Communications Chair
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Calendar at a Glance
October
7: USGBC-IN Northeast Branch Program
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
12: ASHRAE Monthly Program
Location: Indianapolis, IN
18: Registration Deadline: LEED Green Associate Training
Location: Indianapolis, IN
19: USGBC-IN North Central Branch Program
Location: Notre Dame, IN
November
11 A Monumental Affair Awards Ceremony
Location: Indianapolis, IN
17 - 19: Greenbuild 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
December
1: USGBC Indiana Chapter Holiday Gala
Location: Indianapolis
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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OUR SPONSORS
Platinum Sponsor
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USGBC-IN is supported with a grant from the Indiana Office of Energy Development
.
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Partner Organization
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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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USGBC Indiana is now accepting individual donations. The Indiana Chapter is a non-profit organization solely funded by its membership through donations and sponsorships. If you would like to contribute to the organization, you can make a secure payment using PayPal. Individuals donating $50 or more will be recognized through USGBC-IN.org.
Click here to make a donation.
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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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