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An Earth Day Challenge from USGBC |
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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 07 July 2007 03:54 |
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2009-04-22
By: Rick Fedrizzi
Dear friends,
I'm writing to you on Earth Day to share two very important milestones with you that resoundingly answer a question we hear every day: Has the economic crisis crushed the green movement?
The short answer is a loud and resounding "no."
The long answer is this: As of April 2009, USGBC is proud to count 20,000 organizations among its national membership, and more than 100,000 LEED Accredited Professionals around the globe. Since January 1, 2009, we have broken records every month in new memberships and new LEED AP candidates – exceeding our best projections and demonstrating that green building, and the green movement, are here to stay.
The fact that the green building movement has continued to grow despite the economic crisis isn't lost on us. "Going green" may not make a lot of headlines these days, but the fact remains that sustainability as a fundamental goal of any enterprise – large or small – is a smart strategy that saves money, water, and energy and creates jobs.
Last year at Greenbuild, we challenged ourselves to focus our efforts where it really matters – our existing homes, schools and offices. The new construction marketplace may have slowed to a halt, but between existing residences and commercial buildings, there are more than 120 million energy hogs out there that need to be retrofitted for high performance. It could save more than $160 billion in energy costs, and it could put our industry and a lot of other people back to work.
The federal government, many of our cities and icons like the Empire State Building have already pledged their commitment to green building operations and maintenance and have put money on the table. The emergence of this new market for green building is not only good news in troubled times, it's an opportunity to bring the scale of change to the built environment that we must to preserve our climate and fulfill our vision of sustainability.
Today's green building movement is as vital as it's ever been, but it isn't just about big sexy new architecture anymore. It's about that 1950s ranch that needs new insulation. And that school where the teachers open the windows to control the heat. And the 99 out of 100 buildings that we still haven't touched.
So in closing, I'd like to challenge each and every member of USGBC to identify an existing building within your own portfolio to green. Start with the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance checklist, identify the low-cost/no-cost improvements, and get on the path to greater gains. Adobe Systems Inc. is saving $1.2 million annually and getting a 121% ROI on their commitment to green operations and maintenance. How much can you put back in your bottom line?
Happy Earth Day,
S. Rick Fedrizzi
President, CEO & Founding Chair
USGBC
For more information, go to USGBC
Source: U.S. Green Building Council
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Last Updated on Monday, 07 September 2009 00:38 |
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Energy efficiency subject of Senate Committee |
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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 07 July 2007 03:54 |
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2009-03-27
KCP&L's Bill Downey journeyed to Jefferson City this week to support energy efficiency legislation spearheaded by his company. The bill, SB 376, was before the Senate Commerce, Energy, and Environment Committee Tuesday afternoon. Senator Brad Lager presented the language which creates the Missouri Residential and Small Business Energy Efficiency Investment Act.
According to this act, the Public Service Commission must allow electric and natural gas companies to implement and recover costs related to PSC-approved energy efficiency programs aimed at customers. The primary goal of this legislation is to provide an avenue for the PSC to develop cost recovery methods that provide incentives for the companies to further increase their investment in energy efficiency programs. The PSC may reduce or exempt energy efficiency costs for low-income customers, and no customer of any rate class shall pay more than $5,000 per month for energy efficiency-related costs.
The hearing went extremely well, and several committee members agree that energy efficiency is good public policy. Several entities attended the hearing to support the language including KCPL, The Chamber, and numerous energy-related associations. Like the House version of this language, the bill was opposed by the Office of Public Council and the AARP.
For more information, go to Missouri Residential and Small Business Energy Efficiency Investment Act
Source: Kansas City Chamber of Commerce |
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Last Updated on Monday, 07 September 2009 00:37 |
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Sebelius proposes comprehensive energy plan |
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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 07 July 2007 03:54 |
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2009-01-12
Kansas could gain a comprehensive energy plan if a proposal by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson gains steam.
The energy plan, announced Friday, would allow net metering, which lets residents effectively sell extra electricity they generate — such as through solar panels on homes — back to power providers. The plan also would codify the state's voluntary Renewable Portfolio Standard, require state-owned or newly leased property to meet energy-efficiency standards, and modify legislation to draw and expand wind-related manufacturing projects and jobs.
For more information, go to Kansas energy plan
Source: Kansas City Business Journal, January 12, 2009
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Last Updated on Monday, 07 September 2009 00:35 |
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THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT ON BROADWAY |
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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 07 July 2007 03:54 |
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2009-03-25
"They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway…" (Except on March 28th at 8:30 pm when they go dark for Earth Hour 2009)
BROADWAY THEATERS DIM THEIR LIGHTS IN SUPPORT OF PLANET EARTH FOR WWF'S GLOBAL CLIMATE EVENT
Thomas Edison's Lab, Rockefeller Center, Chrysler Building, Space Needle Join Hundreds of Companies, Buildings, Organizations "Turning Out" Across the US.
WASHINGTON DC, March 23, 2009 – Support for WWF's Earth Hour continues to build across the nation as corporations and iconic structures pledge to go dark for the global climate event, which takes place on March 28th at 8:30 p.m. WWF confirmed today that nearly all of the Broadway theaters in New York City have committed to dimming marquee lights in support of Earth Hour. Also going dark in New York will be Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building, Reuters/NASDAQ and Coca-Cola digital billboards/signs in Times Square, the Con-Edison Clock Tower, and Citi Group Center. WWF had announced last week participation from the Empire State Building and United Nations headquarters. Broadway Goes Green is an ongoing initiative that was recently created to implement green practices both within the theatre community and among theatre-goers," says Executive Director of The Broadway League, Charlotte St. Martin. "Broadway producer and theatre owners – plus those on stage and behind-the-scenes – are joining together in the quest to keep NYC and our planet healthy and we're happy to collaborate with partners around the world by dimming the marquees of Broadway theatres during Earth Hour."
For more information, go to Earth Hour US
Source: Earth Hour US, March 23, 2009 |
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Last Updated on Monday, 07 September 2009 00:36 |
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KC water department gets $1.4M for 'green' storm-water project |
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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 07 July 2007 03:54 |
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2008-12-12
The Kansas City Water Services Department has received a $1.4 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for "green" storm-water infrastructure improvements in conjunction with the Beacon Hill Redevelopment Project.
The project, west of Bruce R. Watkins Drive from 22nd to 27th streets, will include features such as rain gardens and landscaped, graded areas built with a special soil mix that absorbs and filters storm-water runoff, the department said in a release Wednesday. The landscaping helps reduce storm-water runoff, removes pollutants and replenishes the aquifer.
The department will work with residents to design and build rain gardens on 50 sites throughout the project area.
For more information, go to 'Green' storm-water project
Source: Kansas City Business Journal, December 10, 2008 |
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Last Updated on Monday, 07 September 2009 00:34 |
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