NEXUS wide image
In This Issue
GRT Events: LEED-EBOM Training
Forum Events: Earth Day Celebration
EGB Events: Greening of Southie
Community Corner: Events & Jobs
Feature Article: Menino, Gore Announce Climate Action
Event Highlights: Green Careers Night
Project Spotlight: Genzyme Hosts Earth Day
Advocacy Alert: Green Roofs Class
USGBC News: USGBC Education Programs
What's New at GRT: Saturday Green Remodeling
Get Involved at NEXUS
 
 
 
GRT Events
 
 
 APRIL 9, 30, May 14
5-7pm
 
APRIL 11
10am-2pm
 
APRIL 23
8:30am-12:30pm
 
 
APRIL 30
6-8pm
 
MAY 5
 
MAY 5 and 12
1-5pm
 
MAY 7
12-2pm
 
MAY 9
10am-2pm
 
MAY 20
 
 
*All events are held at NEXUS unless noted otherwise. Learn more about these and other GRT events.
The Forum Events
 
 
APRIL 9
4-5pm
NEXUS
 
APRIL 16
8-9am
NEXUS
 
APRIL 16
6-9pm
Genzyme Headquarters
 
APRIL 28
6-7pm
NEXUS
 
 
*Learn more about The Forum events.
 
Emerging Green Builders Committee
Events
 
APRIL 14
6-7:30pm
 
APRIL 15
5:30-7pm
 
APRIL 22
6-8pm
Macallen Building
 
APRIL 25
9am-12pm
Location TBD
 
This year will mark the 9th year of the Charles River Cleanup. The event is one of the largest single-day cleanups in the country. Past cleanups have attracted more than 1,500 volunteers in over 50 sites in seventeen communities along the Charles. Click here to join the Emerging Green Builders cleanup group.
 
 
*Learn more about EGB Committee events.
Community
Corner
 
 
EVENTS
APRIL 15
7:30-9pm
Cambridge, MA
 
APRIL 16
8:30am-1pm
Bentley University
 
APRIL 18
10am-2pm
Hull, MA
 
APRIL 21
6-8pm
Boston, MA
 
APRIL 25
9am-1pm
Ringer Park, Allston
 
APRIL 26
11am-3pm
 
APRIL 26
1-5pm
Hamilton, MA
 
APRIL 28
8:30am-5pm
NEXUS
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
GRT/NEXUS
Green Jobs Site
 
Sasaki
Sustainable Planning Specialist
 
 MAPC Jobs
 
BSA Building Industry Job Board
 
Green Line Extension News
 
 
*Submit community events and announcements to for this newsletter.
Join Our Mailing List
Massachusetts Sustainable Building Community Newsletter
 
April 2009
Greetings!

This newsletter brings you news, upcoming events, and opportunities for involvement from three Massachusetts entities affiliated with the US Green Building Council--The Green Roundtable (GRT), USGBC Massachusetts Membership Forum (The Forum) and Emerging Green Builders Committee (EGB).

 
GOVERNOR PATRICK'S STATEMENT ON NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE BILL
 
BOSTON- Governor Patrick's Statement on climate change legislation introduced by Representatives Henry Waxman (CA) and Ed Markey (MA), chairman of the Energy and Environment subcommittee:

"This is a pivotal moment for our transition to the clean energy economy," said Governor Deval Patrick. "I applaud Chairman Waxman and especially our own Chairman Markey for responding forcefully to President Obama's call for Congressional action on energy and climate change. We in the states have been plowing the way as we waited for federal leadership, and this important legislation is the first step toward getting it."
 
 
Feature Article
Mayor Menino, Al Gore Announce Climate Action Leadership Committee

City of Boston- $6.5 million in federal funding will launch "Renew Boston" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions seven percent below 1990 levels by 2012

Mayor Thomas M. Menino, joined by Former Vice President Al Gore, this afternoon named the Boston Climate Action Leadership Committee, a 21 member group representing a broad spectrum of the community charged with charting Boston's collective response to climate change. The Mayor also announced that $6.5 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be awarded to implement Renew Boston, an innovative public-private partnership that will boost energy efficiency and alternative energy services for Boston residents and businesses.
 
Read the full article "Mayor Menino, Al Gore Announce Climate Action Leadership Committee."
  
Image: City of Boston Seal
Event Highlights
Solar & Wind Seminar Recap, Green Careers Night, LEED-EBOM Training 
 
Integrating solar image
Nearly 60 people attended the "Integrating Solar & Wind Energy Seminar" by Liz Argo (Alteris Renewables) on March 24th. Using a case study of 12 affordable housing units in Provincetown, MA, Liz discussed the financial, design and structural feasibility of solar PV, solar thermal and wind turbine energy. Visit our Archived Events webpage for the presentation, find information about financial incentives, view "Guidelines for Constructing a Solar Thermal Home" and more. 
 
SPECIAL EVENTS

April 23- Join GRT and the EBC's Young Environmental Professionals (YEP's) for Green Careers Night, an after work networking reception. Hear from experienced LEED AP's, meet young professionals, tour NEXUS Green Building Resource Center and enjoy a after work drink. Register here.
 
April 23- Chris Schaffner (Green Engineer) leads the workshop "Using Energy Modeling on LEED Projects" for building professionals implementing LEED, applying energy modeling protocol and using ASHRAE Standard 90.1 for LEED EA credit compliance. Register here.
 
May 5 and 12- This training gives an overview of the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EBOM) Rating System. Participants will gain an understanding of the LEED process, the prerequisites required to pursue LEED EBOM, the various EBOM credit categories, referenced resources and calculations associated with each credit. Register here.
 
Miss an event? Visit the Archived Events webpage for a listing of past events and resources.
Image: Liz Argo, Alteris Renewables
Earth Day 2008 imageProject Spotlight
Genzyme Hosts Earth Day "Innovation in Green Design" Awards Presentation

By Jim Newman, USGBC MA Membership Forum

Green building advocates all over the world will be celebrating Earth Day this April. In Massachusetts the USGBC Massachusetts Membership Forum will be holding our Earth Day gala on April 16th at the LEED-Platinum certified Genzyme Building in Cambridge. Architects, engineers, developers, government leaders, and interested citizens will gather to celebrate the progress of the past year in advancing alternative energy and sustainable building. The cocktail reception will open the way for the major event of the evening -- the announcement of the 2009 Innovation in Green Design Award.
 
Thursday, April 16
6-9pm
Genzyme Headquarters
  
Image: Earth Day Party 2008
Advocacy Alerts
Green Roofs Class Taught at Local High School

PHA logo
By Kaitlin LeMoine and Michael Moretti
 
On March 24th President Obama addressed the nation in a publicized news conference that tackled economic, international and energy concerns.  As part of the economic recovery plan, he described: "We invest in the renewable sources of energy that will lead to new jobs, new businesses and less dependence on foreign oil. We invest in our schools and our teachers, so that our children have the skills they need to compete with any workers in the world." While Obama implements these plans on a national level, a local public charter school in Cambridge, MA practically illustrates the marriage of these two concepts by immersing students in the current topics of sustainability and energy conservation.
 
  
Image: Prospect Hill Academy Logo
LEED education logoUSGBC News
USGBC Education Programs Respond to LEED v3 & GBCI's New Credentials 

USGBC- USGBC's education programs are proactively changing in response to transformations to the LEED� Rating Systems, LEED-Online and LEED certification that comprise the new LEED v3 - as well as to changes in the Green Building Certification Institute's (GBCI) LEED credentialing program. Learn about changes to USGBC's education programs by viewing our PowerPoint (PDF) and reading our FAQs (PDF) to find out:

-how they relate to LEED v3
-how they relate to GBCI credentials
-when they will be available
-what learning paths best fit your needs
-and more

Read the full article "USGBC Education Programs Respond to LEED v3 & GBCI's New Credentials."
 
The next local USGBC workshop is "Using Energy Modeling on LEED Projects." Click here for more information.
 
Do you provide green building education for pre-K to 12, community and technical colleges, and colleges and universities? If so, learn about the USGBC Excellence in Green Building Education Awards.
Image: USGBC
What's New at GRT?
Saturday Green Remodeling, Field Trips, LEED Education and GRT In The News
 NEXUS image
The Green Roundtable and its NEXUS Green Building Resource Center provide you with services and resources to green your projects, firms, homes, communities and lifestyles. "What's New at GRT" keeps you up to date about the innovative services and resources we offer.
 
SATURDAY AT NEXUS: REMODEL YOUR HOME GREEN

Getting ready to embark on an energy conservation or green remodeling project but not sure what that entails? Join us for "NEXUS Second Saturday: The Green Remodel," an overview of green building principles and practices, with guidance on how to put your ideas into motion. Sign up for a free Green House Doctor consultation while you're here. THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 10am-2pm.

FIELD TRIPS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS
Did you know that NEXUS offers free interactive field trips for groups of students in grades 4-12? Learn more online. Schedule a field trip with Annie Cardinaux, NEXUS Resource Coordinator, at [email protected].
 
NEXUS IS YOUR GO-TO PLACE FOR LEED EDUCATION
Learning about LEED or studying for the current LEED AP exam? NEXUS is your go-to place for LEED educational events with free LEED AP Study Groups, LEEDs, LEED Users Group meetings and more. Come in during NEXUS Open Hours to take a LEED AP sample exam before you take the exam. And check out our renovated LEED online resources for information on LEED 2009, LEED Accreditation, the LEED AP exam and more. A recent visitor said, "I have to admit that I did everything that you guys offered and it helped me a ton."

GRT IN THE NEWS
Over the past ten years, GRT and its NEXUS Green Building Resource Center have been the subject of local, state and national news. Visit our new online resource "GRT In The News" to read articles, watch streaming video and view archived newsletters. For media queries, contact Andrea Atkinson, NEXUS General Manager, at [email protected].
 
GREEN HOUSE DOCTOR LEADS LOCAL WEATHERIZATION
AllCreativeSolutions- A weatherization party is an opportunity to learn money-saving strategies from energy experts like Paul Marquis, the Green House Doctor at Boston's Green Roundtable. Marquis noted that, "Considering the real change that's needed to stop global climate change and prepare for the changes we can't avoid, it's both necessary and exciting to arm the average person with the knowledge about how to improve their home's comfort and affordability." Find out about the next weatherization party from Boston Climate Action Network.
 
VISIT NEXUS NEXT TIME YOU'RE IN DOWNTOWN BOSTON
Visit NEXUS Green Building Resource Center in Downtown Boston at 38 Chauncy St, 7th Floor, Boston, MA.
Click here for directions to NEXUS.
NEXUS is open during the following hours:
  • Monday-Wednesday: 12-3pm
  • Thursday: 12-7pm
  • Second Saturday of the month: 10am-2pm
Cosponsored Events

EBC logo

EBC's 3rd Annual Low Impact Development Conference: Stormwater Management - Regulatory Drivers
When: Thursday, April 16, 7:30am-12:00pm
Where: Sheraton Framingham
For more information: See website

Emerging state and federal regulations are driving stormwater management programs and low impact development.  This year's conference will provide the latest information on where the regulations are going, and the developing science and economics behind those regulations.  This is a must attend event for developers, consultants, architects, engineers, regulators, and municipal, state, and federal officials.  Hosted by the Environmental Business Council and The Green Roundtable.
 
Learn more about the LID Conference

Sincerely,
 
 
Forum logo   GRT logo    EGB logo
 
Aaron Desatnik, The Green Roundtable
Jim Newman & Brendan Shea, USGBC MA Membership Forum
Carrie Havey, Emerging Green Builders Committee

Get involved with the Massachusetts Sustainable Building Community by joining the USGBC Massachusetts Membership Forum or donating to NEXUS Green Building Resource Center.