Top News and Other Green Events

Green$ense: Early Registration Closes February 20th

Become a GBA Member and Save!

Final Product Innovation Grant Proposals
Due March 10th!

REI’s Eastern Region Distribution Center Certified LEED Silver by the U.S. Green Building Council

2007 Energy Bill Promotes High Performance Buildings

USGBC Research Grant Fund, Request for Pre-Proposals

USGBC Publishes Catalog of LEED Innovation &
Design Points Online

February 21: Lunch & Learn Case Study: Green Housing

February 22: Opening Lecture for Ecology. Design. Synergy

February 28: Construction Industry Evening of Excellence

March 13-14: Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference

April 7-11: Affordable Comfort Home Performance Conference 2008

TOP NEWS AND OTHER GREEN EVENTS


Sign Up Now and Save!
Early Registration Closes February 20th

Keynote Speakers:

Rick Fedrizzi
As the President, CEO and Founding Chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Rick Fedrizzi is at the helm of what is arguably the hottest and most influential non-profit organization advancing green buildings and communities in the country. With new worldwide requests for assistance from Dubai to India, the USGBC continues to drive awareness and change in the built environment on a global basis.

John Knott
John Knott is the President and CEO of the Noisette Company, which has created a progressive public/private development plan for North Charleston, SC. This award-winning integrative plan seeks to preserve historic architectural styles, neighborhood diversity, and the unique social fabric of the city. The site is being restored as a sustainable community – modeled on the belief that cities must be equally responsive to social needs, environmental responsibility and economic vitality.
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Become a GBA Member and Save!
Join your friends, neighbors and colleagues, along with your banker, insurance broker, and real estate developer. As members of GBA, they are enjoying special discounts on all of the organization's education programs and looking forward to networking opportunities at exciting members-only events. By joining GBA, you are supporting your belief in healthy environments in which to work, shop and play - for current and future generations. Learn more at http://www.gbapgh.org/Membership_and_Sponsorship.asp
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Final Product Innovation Grant Proposals Due March 10th!
Proposals are being solicited from:

REI’s Eastern Region Distribution Center Certified LEED Silver by the U.S. Green Building Council
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), the national outdoor gear and clothing retail cooperative, announced that its new 525,000-square-foot building in Bedford, PA received a LEED for New Construction (NC) Silver certification. The 43-acre distribution center is one of the largest green buildings and properties in the country.
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2007 Energy Bill Promotes
High Performance Buildings
Congress passed--and President Bush signed--the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 in December. This bill includes Rep. Mike Doyle’s language that would mandate the creation of an Office of High Performance Buildings within the General Services Administrations.

In addition to this agency, the bill also creates a Green Building Advisory Committee, as well as an Energy Efficiency Financing Advisory Committee, and authorizes funding for Environmental Protection Agency grants to states for green schools, and to schools and universities for research and development of green building technologies. Furthermore, grant funding is authorized for universities to upgrade their building energy efficiency. It may also be used for municipalities in the form of the Energy Efficiency Block Grant program to become more energy-efficient.
www.aceee.org (Click on “Energy Policy” for a summary of H.R. 6)
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USGBC Research Grant Fund,
Request for Pre-Proposals
The U.S. Green Building Council has doubled its funding commitment for green building research grants to be awarded in 2008 to a grand total of $2 million. Of the additional $1 million in grants, $500,000 has been allocated for K-12 school facility research related to occupant impacts. Pre-proposal abstracts are being accepted from February 12 through March 6. Selected applicants will be asked to submit comprehensive proposals for the final phase of the process.
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USGBC Publishes Catalog of LEED Innovation & Design Points Online
Building project teams pursuing certification under LEED now have the opportunity to view the Innovation & Design Credit Catalog – a listing of proven green building strategies that have been submitted and utilized by LEED-certified projects.

“The Innovation & Design credit category inspires new ideas and solutions that yield environmental benefits,” said Brendan Owens, Vice President of LEED Technical Development, U.S. Green Building Council. “By publishing the catalog of credits online, we hope to inspire further breakthroughs in the green building industry.” 
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February 21: Lunch & Learn Case Study:
Green Housing
As one of the largest green housing developments in Pittsburgh, Riverside Mews demonstrates that it is possible to blend sustainable, environmentally-friendly materials and systems with great design to create homes that are energy-efficient and healthier for their occupants. Join GBA on February 21, 2008 at the Engineer's Society of Western PA from noon - 1:30 p.m. to discuss green homes with Ernie Sota of Sota Construction Services.
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February 22: Opening Lecture for Ecology. Design.Synergy
Martin Haas, a partner in the Behnisch Architekten firm will be speaking at the Carnegie Museum of Art Theater on February 22 to open the exhibition, Ecology.Design.Synergy, featuring Behnisch Architekten and Transsolar Climate Engineering. These two companies from Stuttgart, Germany document 10 innovative, aesthetically-refined, energy-efficient, and sustainable building projects in Europe and the United States. Of local note is RiverParc, a green, mixed-use, residential and arts neighborhood in downtown Pittsburgh, developed by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Concord Eastridge of Washington, D.C. For more information, visit the website at www.cmoa.org.

Friday, February 22
6:30 – 7:30 p.m., followed by a reception
Carnegie Museum of Art Theater, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Oakland
Free admission
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February 28: Construction Industry
Evening of Excellence
The Construction Industry Evening of Excellence marks the 250th anniversary of the naming of the Pittsburgh region. This networking event will attract those entities that will be relied upon for their commitment of excellence to each and every project built in our bright future.

Thursday, February 28
5:30-8 p.m.
PNC Park Lexus Club
$20/ticket; price includes two drinks, a strolling buffet, and a parking pass. To order tickets, call the Construction Advancement Program at (412) 922-4703 or jobrien@mbawpa.org.
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March 13-14:
Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference
On March 13-14, a conference unlike any other will take place in Pittsburgh, PA. "Good Jobs, Green Jobs: A National Green Jobs Conference" will bring together advocates representing local, state and federal policymakers; labor; business; the environment and public health; economic and workforce development specialists; investors; and scientists and technology experts. Participants will share best practices about how we can revitalize our manufacturing sector, drive green building, promote safer chemicals, and realize the economic benefits of global warming solutions.
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April 7-11: Affordable Comfort Home Performance Conference 2008 - Discounts for GBA Network in the Green Building Products Alley
Attend North America's premier educational event for high performance homes, and explore practices and opportunities for energy efficiency in residential buildings. Learn from respected presenters and gain access to the most dedicated professionals of the building science industry.

This full-day program provides key concepts needed for successful participation in the LEED for Homes initiative. Walk through the rating system and learn green design and construction practices, certification and verification procedures, and benefits and costs of LEED homes.

Participants in GBA’s Green Building Products Initiative receive a special exhibit discount in the Green Products Alley. Contact Machal Forbes at mforbes@affordablecomfort.org or 800-344-4866, ext. 13.

April 7 - 11
Hilton Pittsburgh
600 Commonwealth Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
www.affordablecomfort.org
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