| Calling Community Members Across the Commonwealth!
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Our newsletter aims to connect the diverse groups that make up the Massachusetts Sustainable Building Community--Greater Boston, Central MA, Western MA, North Shore, South Shore and Cape & Islands. We are excited to further develop relationships with organizations across the
state.
Are you interested in writing a regional update on news and events from your region?
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| The Green Roundtable Events* |
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March 19
12:30-2pm
Federal Reserve Bank, Boston Room, 4th Floor
Save the date!
March 27
7-9pm
Lighter Side of Green: Amy Steinberg Concert
April 23
8:30am-12:30pm
*Learn more about these events and others on our Events Calendar.
Unless noted, all events are taking place at NEXUS. |
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The Forum Corner*
EVENTS
March 10
5:30-7pm
March 17
8-9am
March 24
6-7pm
April 16
2nd Annual Forum Earth Day Party
April 28
6-7pm
46 Blackstone St., Cambridge, MA
*Unless noted, all events are at NEXUS.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Innovation in Green Design Award!
Apply today - Entry boards are due April 6!
The Green Innovation in Design Award is sponsored by the USGBC Massachusetts Membership Forum to promote, publicize, and recognize exceptional sustainable practices in Massachusetts. The aim of this award is to further stimulate and advance innovation in green building in Massachusetts.
This competition is open to any part of the building community - construction, architect, developer, engineer, bank, insurance, educators, policy makers, and others, as green building can be advanced in many facets. The concept has to actually have been built or executed in Massachusetts within the past five years, and it needs to be associated with the built environment but can be a policy, technology or actual building project. Contact Jim for more information.
2009 Evening with Members
Thank you to everyone who attended the Evening with Members event on February 26.
Over 100 community members joined together for a relaxing evening and to hear from Winston Vaughn from Environment Massachusetts.
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| EGB Corner* |
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EVENTS
March 10
6-7:30pm
Structure Tone Office, Boston, MA
March 12
6-7pm
March 19
5:30-7pm
NEXUS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vote for EGB Officers
Voting for the EGB positions runs through March 14th. Click here to vote.
Design Competition Deadline Extended
The Design Competition deadline has been extended to May 31, 2009.
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| Community Events |
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March 9, 11
5:30-8pm
EOT Green Line Extension Informational Meetings
Medford, MA and Somerville, MA
March 26
9am-6pm
Wellesley, MA
March 26
7-8:30pm
The Upside of City Shrinkage: How to Decline Into Urban Sufficiency
Medford, MA
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| Massachusetts Sustainable Building Community Newsletter
March 2009 |
Greetings!
Welcome to the newsletter for the Massachusetts Sustainable Building Community!
This edition features an article on "The Changing Climate of Green Building Priorities," news on the Department of Energy's Recovery Act Priorities, updates on LEED-ND, information about the 2009 Natural Talent Design Competition Project and news at The Green Roundtable.
Blogging for Sustainability Across Massachusetts
Connect to your local community--check out the following local green building and sustainable development blogs. Feature your blog in a future newsletter by emailing Aaron@greenroundtable.org. -Build Baby Build, Ken Smith
-Our Green Cities, Kent Portney
-Beyond Green, MIT Sloan Management Review
-The Green Blog, Boston.com
-An Exploration Into Sustainable Living, D2E
-Green Options for Sustainability, John Bergdoll
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Feature Article
The Changing Climate of Green Building Priorities
by Barbra Batshalom, The Green Roundtable
The year 2009 brings with it significant changes - a new administration, an economy in crisis and a rising cultural awareness of environmental issues. It will mean changes for the building industry as people look for new ways of doing business, developing projects and engaging in green design. In recent years, the activities around green building have been predominantly focused on new construction or major renovations. This is no longer the case.
This is no longer the case. Given the market, the economy, the costs of fuel and the growing awareness of environmental issues, people are now focusing on fixing what they own. Considering that roughly 75% of major metropolitan areas in New England are already constructed, there is a huge infrastructure that needs to be upgraded and improved upon. Taking into account the energy markets and the economy, it also means designers, builders and developers are finally paying serious attention to the most significant piece of the building energy puzzle. It's certainly easier and more exciting to look at new building design but the opportunities abound to address our existing building projects and energy infrastructure. In addition, there has been a recent shift in the dialogue towards carbon and the concept of zero net energy buildings.
Read the full article 'The Changing Climate of Green Building Priorities.' |
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Event Highlights
Energy Modeling Seminar Recap; Final LEED Test Prep; Solar & Wind Seminar
On February 19th, our Training Room was full of Architects, Engineers, and Facility Mangers, eager to get a quick shot of energy-modeling knowledge at the first session of our new Engineering for Architects: Energy Modeling Track. And the Boston-area's energy-modeling guru, Mike Andelman (Andelman Lelek Engineering) delivered. Throughout the 2-hour educational session, we learned about different types of energy-modeling software, key energy-conservation strategies, and received an overview of the abilities of eQuest, one of the industry standards for LEED energy-modeling. People came away from the session remarking that they now have a stronger understanding of the driving factors in energy consumption (mechanical, electrical, architectural), the energy-modeling process, and what questions to ask of their team-members and consultants, when it comes time to explore energy-conservation measures. We would like to thank all that attended, and especially Mike Andelman for donating his time and expertise. View the presentation and Mike's "eQUEST Cookbook."
On April 23rd, GRT is hosting the USGBC "Using Energy Modeling on LEED Projects" workshop taught by Chris Schaffner (Green Engineer). The next event in out Engineering for Architects: Energy Modeling Track, this workshop is designed for building industry professionals implementing LEED, applying energy modeling protocol, and using ASHRAE Standard 90.1 for LEED EA credit compliance. Registration is first come, first serve and seating is limited. Learn more and register for this workshop. |
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Project Spotlight
2009 Natural Talent Design Competition Begins in Massachusetts
by Katie Anthony and Mark Soden, Emerging Green Builders Committee
Boston's Emerging Green Builders Committee recently announced the site location for the 2009 Design Competition. The competition, which is open to students and young professionals interested in an applied learning experience, focuses on the principles of integrated design, sustainability, innovation, and social consciousness. This year, teams will develop a design and program for three parcels known as the Gateway to Dudley Square and will use the LEED for New Construction rating system as a sustainability measurement tool for their designs. Located at the corner of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Washington Street in the Roxbury neighborhood, the parcels offer one of the largest publicly owned development opportunities in Boston.
Read the full Natural Talent Design Competition Article.
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Advocacy Alert
Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Department of Energy- The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act began a new era at the Department of Energy.
President Obama has set clear goals for this bill: creating or protecting 3.5 million jobs over the next two years, while lifting our country out of this economic crisis and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. To achieve those aims, the Department of Energy has been given new resources and new responsibilities.
Each of the ten initiatives below will put Americans back to work and begin to transform the way we use energy. We will reduce our carbon emissions and create entire new industries based on America's resources, America's ingenuity, and America's workers - and these will be jobs that can't be outsourced.
Read the full article 'Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.'
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USGBC News
Update on LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) Rating System
by Carrie Havey, Emerging Green Builders Committee
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and its partners, the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), released a revised LEED rating system for the Neighborhood Development program (LEED-ND) this past November. The first public comment period for LEED-ND closed in January. Over 5,000 comments about LEED-ND were received, indicating the community and the market are ready to extend the benefits of green building into neighborhoods.
Read the full article 'Update on LEED-ND Rating System.'
Image credit: New England Real Estate Journal |
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What's New at GRT?
Channel 5, Landscaping Event & More
GRT Highlighted at New England Home Show
The Green Roundtable joined nearly 500 other exhibitors at last weekend's New England Home Show in Boston. Executive Director Barbra Batshalom was featured on Channel 5 with David Brown while Paul Marquis and Andrea Atkinson each presented on "Green Building Basics." GRT is also presenting at the upcoming New England Facilities Expo, at BSA Workshops and more. Request a Green Roundtable speaker for your next event by contacting Aaron.
Last Chance to Pass the Current LEED AP Exam
The deadline to register for the current LEED AP exam is coming up March 31. GRT and NEXUS offer a variety of resources and services to help you pass the exam before it changes.
- GRT is offering one last Immersion LEED AP Test Prep Training. Learn more and email Aaron by Friday, March 6 to reserve your spot.
- We also offer a bimonthly LEED AP Study Group.
- You can visit NEXUS and take a practice exam during NEXUS Open Hours.
- And if you're not sure if you should take the current exam or not, view our LEED 2009 Presentation to learn more about the changes to the LEED AP Credentialing Program.
GRT and NEXUS are your go-to-place for your LEED needs.
The Green Doctor Is In
The Green Roundtable's (GRT) new Green Doctor programs provide instant access to a staff of LEED AP green building consultants who can answer questions, conduct research, perform pre-feasibility analysis and provide coaching on implementation strategies. View the Press Release.
Host Your Next Event at NEXUS
As a resource to the green building community, NEXUS offers its green space for organizations, institutions, and companies to host your special event. This can include meetings, workshops, product presentations, networking events, and more. We'll also offer you a tour of our resource center and share the story of the green building strategies and products used in the renovation of NEXUS. Learn more or contact Aaron to host your event at NEXUS.
Saturday at NEXUS: Low Impact Landscaping
Want to green your home, life or community but can't visit NEXUS during the week? Come to NEXUS Second Saturdays! Next Saturday's event features our Low Impact Landscaping Seminar. Learn how to save water in your yard and garden, how to utilize native plants, organic landscaping management and urban farming/gardening. Get ready for spring by attending this Low Impact Landscaping Seminar. Sign up for a free Green House Doctor consultation while you're here. Saturday, March 14, 10am-2pm.
Couldn't Attend an Event?
Visit the Archived Events webpage for a listing of past events and great resources such as presentations, fact sheets and links. |
New England Facilities Expo
 New England Facilities Expo is an exclusive event designed to attract building management decision-makers. Known for 14 years as an annual showcase, attendees rely on Facilities Expo to access products and services to emphasize facility best practices. This year Managing Green Buildings was created in response to the ever-growing push for facility managers to "green" their buildings. These decision makers are looking for products that are sustainable, energy-efficient,effective and low-maintenance.
For exhibiting information, contact Sue Blumberg, Matt Leaf or Steve Northrop at 800.827.8009. To register to attend for FREE, visit www.FacilitiesExpo.com, enter priority code: GRTNL.
Down:2:Earth is Boston's premier destination for the conscious consumer. It is a marketplace for eco-friendly products, a public stage for community initiatives, and an educational forum that addresses sustainability issues on the minds of us all. At D2E, anyone can learn practical information on ways to green their lifestyle. With an emphasis on local and innovative solutions, D2E connects consumers with progressive companies that are investing in a more sustainable future.
April 3-5, Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA. Learn more or register at http://d2eboston.com. | |
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Thanks and keep up the great work to mainstream green!
Sincerely,
Brendan Shea & Jim Newman, The USGBC MA Membership Forum
Caroline Havey, Emerging Green Builders Committee |
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