June 1st, 2012

You know when you invariably get lost on vacation and have that fight with your spouse or travel buddy about which direction to take? Now eco-travelers can have that dispute ahead of time — while they try to navigate toward green lodgings.

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October 10th, 2011

Two surveys released last week show that Americans are still thinking green, even amid an economy that’s left them with less of it in their wallets.

Nearly three-quarters of Americans support investing federal money in energy efficient school improvements, according to a survey of 1,000 Americans in late September by GfK Custom Research.

The survey, sponsored by United Technologies Corp. and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools, also found that about one-third of Americans considered U.S. schools to be in “poor shape”.

These results suggest taxpayers likely approve of the $25 billion green schools program contained within Obama’s proposed American Jobs Act. The plan would provide school districts money for energy and structural improvements that would save them electricity costs and free up money for teachers or supplies.

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October 8th, 2011

Step into a green school and the first thing you’ll likely notice is the airy bright lobby.

It’s as if someone turned on all the overhead lights. Except they didn’t, quite the opposite. They turned off the electric lighting and let the sunlight pour in, and they did that while either keeping out the summer heat out and allowing in the winter sun, or both. Picture the electricity meter outside slowing to a crawl.
Architects and builders are getting really good at this trick. It requires some thought,

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April 5th, 2011

Green-built homes are at risk of becoming less of a novelty. Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that more than 10,000 homes in the U.S. have earned a LEED-for-Homes certification.

These homes, built to the green standards developed by the USGBC, range from multi-family to single family houses and appear in all price ranges, according to the USGBC.

“Reaching this milestone signifies the continued transformation of the home building industry towards high-performing, healthy homes that save home owners money,” said Nate Kredich, vice president of Residential Market Development, U.S. Green Building Council.

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January 12th, 2011

Forgotten about green building during the economic swoon of the last two years? Rising energy costs and static incomes make it more important than ever as consumers look for added value and long-term energy savings.

Check out these top green residential projects from across the U.S., which demonstrate that green living is no longer just for the wealthy few.

1 – Postgreen’s 100K House in South Philly sets the mark for in-city affordability

Postgreen, a sustainable building and design company, wanted to address a demographic that was not being served in Philadelphia: Urban dwellers who want to live in a green property, but do not want to move to the suburbs or spend the money, typically $500,000 and up, for most builder’s green creations.

So the team set out to build its inaugural projects, the $100K and $120K infill homes in the sleekest, greenest, low-waste designs they could muster, while resisting the “bells and whistles” that drive prices up. They wanted the 100K home to come in at a building cost under $100 per square foot, so they had to work extra hard at efficiencies in all aspects of construction. The result: Two two-story loft homes with two bedrooms each priced at between $200,000 and $250,000, both on commute-free city lots, walking distance to subway and bus stops.

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October 1st, 2010

Ring the bell and clear the board. It’s officially time for green schools to get on the advanced building track.
The U.S. Green Building Council has announced a new project, The Center for Green Schools at USGBC, which aims to “give everyone an opportunity to attend a green school within this generation.” By that, the USGBC means it hopes that all kids will get a shot at attending a green school.

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July 7th, 2010

Houston’s Toyota Center, home of the NBA’s Rockets, has earned certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Program.

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May 18th, 2010

American University plans to become a carbon-neutral campus, and the Washington D.C.-based institution is even willing to set an ambitious deadline: 2020.

“We have used the geographical limitations of our urban 84-acre campus in the nation’s capital to our advantage to more aggressively pursue renewable energy and carbon offsets,” said Chris O’Brien, director of sustainability. “Of the few plans that call for earlier carbon neutral dates, American University’s size, location, and academic focus make our active pursuit of sustainability distinctive.”

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April 29th, 2010

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced a new “LEED for Neighborhood Development” rating system today that aims to reward communities that try to reduce urban sprawl, increase walkability and transportation options, and decrease automobile dependence.

The new certification, developed with the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Natural Resources Defense Council, hopes to encourage development within or near existing communities and public infrastructure to reduce the impact of sprawl. It is the seventh rating system for the USGBC, which certifies residential, commercial and other properties based on their environmental footprint.

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March 18th, 2010

From Green Right Now Reports

Adobe Systems, Incorporated has taken a significant plunge into renewable energy, completing installation of 20 Windspire wind turbines at its San Jose, Calif., headquarters.

“With the installation of the Windspires, we’re adding renewable energy to a long list of green measures Adobe has taken to lessen our environmental impact,” said Randall H. Knox, III, senior director, Global Workplace Solutions, Adobe. “We’ll continue to seek innovative green technology solutions to reduce our energy dependence and inspire others to go green.”

The new towers are located on Adobe’s sixth–floor patio, which doubles as a rooftop garden and recreational area above an office parking garage. Adobe’s three office towers create a wind tunnel effect from sustained winds off the Pacific Ocean.

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March 1st, 2010

From Green Right Now Reports

Retrofitting doesn’t always get the attention that new green building generates, with its “net zero” and passive solar designs.

But the impact of retrofitting can be great, and it comes with the bonus of preserving historic and treasured structures — like the Empire State Building.

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December 11th, 2009

By Harriet Blake

Energy Star appliances have become commonplace. But did you know that buildings can be certified as Energy Star structures? This week, the EPA is celebrating 10 years of Energy Star for Buildings.

The buildings program got its start with the EPA’s Green Lights program in 1991, which addressed the need for energy efficiency through a voluntary, public/private energy partnership by promoting efficient lighting systems in commercial buildings.

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