CCI Center Achieves LEED-EB Gold: Congratulations to Conservation Consultants, Inc. for receiving a LEED for Existing Buildings Gold Certification for its CCI Center on Pittsburgh's South Side.  This is the first LEED-EB certification in the region! Rating criteria includes building operations and system upgrades in existing structures where the majority of interior or exterior surfaces remain unchanged. CCI worked with Tai + Lee Architects, Bert Davis, and Clearview Project Services Company on the initial green renovation of the building in 1998. Subsequently, CCI and the Green Building Alliance developed green policies for future construction and implemented a green operations and maintenance plan in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Resources Council and Tudi Mechanical Systems. Learn more about the CCI Center with our case study.

GBA Publishes The Cornerstone Summer Issue: Featured newsletter article subjects include green meetings, urban heat islands, attracting and retaining youth with sustainable city features, news briefs, and a case study on the Heinz History Center! To read the latest issue, click here. For past issues, visit our publications page.

McGinnis Education Center Goes for the Green: In a recent article in Environmental Design & Construction magazine, the McGinnis Education Center in Sharpsburg, PA was featured as a role model for sustainable building. GBA board member Gary Moshier of Moshier Studio designed the building to incorporate green components. The site's ecological footprint is reduced with items such as water-free urinals, low-flow water fixtures, and extensive grey water reuse. With the building's extensive green features, the architectural team expects it to earn a LEED Gold or Silver rating. To read the article visit EDC here.

Pitt to Teach Green Building in the Tropics: Starting this fall, select students at the University of Pittsburgh will be traveling to the University at Campinas (UNICAMP) in São Paulo, Brazil, to conduct research in green construction and sustainable water use technology. This will occur under a new Pitt program funded by a $3.2 million Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program is spearheaded by the Mascaro Sustainability Initiative (MSI) in Pitt's School of Engineering and is a joint effort of that school and the Center for Latin American Studies within Pitt's University Center for International Studies. For more information, visit here.

The Paradox Of Green Retail: PNC Financial Services Group continues its leadership in green development. Read a recent article published in Environmental Design & Construction written by GBA's board president, Gary Saulson. View the article here.

Volunteer for Pittsburgh Synergy’s Solar Decathlon House: The Solar Decathlon brings together 18 college and university teams from around the globe to compete in the design and building of houses that are completely solar-powered. In fall 2005, teams will transport their projects to Washington, D.C. where they will construct a "solar village" on the National Mall and compete against each other in 10 contests. The village will be open to the public from October 7-16, 2005--excluding October 12.

Locally, this effort is being undertaken jointly by four area schools - the Carnegie Mellon Schools of Architecture and Design, University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering, and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. You can join the fun by volunteering your time on the project on any or all of the following dates: August 27, September 10, 17 and 24 between noon and 6 p.m. Details are available from Jeremy Forsythe at 401-255-7355 or by visiting www.pittsburghsynergy.org.

House Approves Energy Bill; Includes Incentives for Energy-Efficient Buildings: The House approved an energy plan that sends billions of dollars in tax breaks and subsidies to energy companies. The bill, approved 275-156, is the product of the conference agreement between the House and Senate versions of the bill. It will provide $14.5 billion in energy tax breaks, much of it to traditional energy companies, as well as providing money for promoting renewable energy sources and new energy technologies and measures to revitalize the nuclear power industry. To read the conference report on the Energy Policy Act of 2005, visit the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and National Resources Web site or click on the above link.

AFC First and West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund Introduce Keystone HELP Program for Energy-Efficient Home Improvements : AFC First Financial Corporation, an Allentown-based financial institution, along with West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund, announced the formation of Keystone HELP (Home Energy Loan Program), serving residential customers of Allegheny Power in Western and Central Pennsylvania. The program will provide low interest loans to homeowners who make home improvements that promote clean energy. Special interest rate consideration will be given to those utilizing ENERGYSTAR® Rated Heating & Air Conditioning, ENERGYSTAR® Rated Windows, Doors, and Siding, and Geothermal, Solar and Small Wind Systems and other qualifying home improvements. For more information, visit www.keystonehelp.com.

The Green Building Alliance's E-Update is provided as a free, monthly news brief service of sustainable development activity in the Greater Pittsburgh region.  The information contained in the E-Update is drawn from the organization, related groups and reliable news source.  Accuracy of information is based on its original source and news coverage does not imply endorsement by the Green Building Alliance.

We welcome any questions or comments, and can be reached through the contact information provided above.
If you received this as a forwarded message, please consider signing up to receive the publication directly by contacting eamong@gbapgh.org. If you no longer desire to receive this mailing, please reply to any E-Update with “Unsubscribe” in the subject line.