Events & Programs

April 20-21 - Green$ense 2006

May 2 - Robert J. Kobet: Green without Borders

May 17 - Commissioning LEED-NC Projects

News

GBA Membership: You Can Make a Difference - Join Now!

East Liberty Awarded $100,000 to Plan "Green Vision"

Pennsylvania Partners with ENERGY STAR to Promote Efficiency in Schools

Three PA Companies Honored for Energy Conservation by EPA

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PROGRAMS & EVENTS

April 20 & 21 - Green$ense 2006
The Green Building Alliance and National Association of Industrial & Office Properties have teamed up to host Green$ense 2006. This third-annual conference, which is geared towards decision-makers, strongly supports its theme: A Smart Way to Build Profits! A two-day multi-session event, Green$ense features expert business and development leaders who will reveal proven strategies and techniques to maximize building performance and ways to differentiate your properties in the marketplace. Come and learn all about the green development process, and start down the road to a better bottom line. More information can be found here.
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May 2- Robert J. Kobet: Green without Borders
Bob Kobet, principal of Sustainaissance International Inc., has had a variety of experiences working with residents of developing, war-torn and disaster-stricken areas around the world and helping them to rebuild their homes and communities. Most recently, Mr. Kobet has been involved with the sustainable redevelopment of New Orleans. He will discuss his encounters there and elsewhere and the relevance these situations have both locally and abroad.[back to top]

May 17 - Commissioning LEED-NC Projects
This half-day session for building owners and designers will explain the building commissioning process as required by LEED and provide information on commissioning benefits, costs and resources available to projects. The workshop will address the commissioning agent's role as it applies to a project's design strategies and documentation for LEED certification. To register, visit here. [back to top]

NEWS
GBA Membership Launches
Make a statement about your commitment to sustainability. Look for your membership brochure in the mail early next month and become a supporting member of GBA! By advancing resource-efficient, healthy and high-performance buildings throughout Western Pennsylvania, GBA is transforming the building industry for optimal benefit to our economy and lives.

GBA’s annual calendar is packed with thought-provoking educational programs. Members receive discounts to the annual Green$ense conference, tours and lectures, as well as invitations to special “members only” events. You will also receive our monthly E-Updates, The Cornerstone quarterly educational newsletter and Shades of Green, GBA’s annual report and resource directory that chronicles the region’s environmental transformation. [back to top]

East Liberty: $100,000 "Green Vision" Grant
One of East Liberties Development, Inc. (ELDI's) primary functions is to redevelop housing in the neighborhood; another has been to rehabilitate and coordinate that community's parks and recreational assets. To bring these roles together, the Heinz Endowments and PA Department of Natural Resources have awarded ELDI a $100,000 grant that will pay two consultants to develop a multi-faceted “green” plan for the neighborhood. They will create a prototype for an inexpensive, ecologically-sound home design and analyze the community's natural recreation amenities and suggest how to improve them. A request-for-proposals will be released soon. More information can be found here. [back to top]

Pennsylvania Partners with ENERGY STAR to Promote Efficiency in Schools
Governor Ed Rendell announced that Pennsylvania is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program to significantly improve the energy efficiency of school buildings, particularly existing buildings and additions. School facility managers interested in making their schools more energy-efficient and earning the Energy Star rating should contact Mark Hand, PA's Energy Star program manager at 717-787-9377. [back to top]

Three PA Companies Honored for Energy Conservation by EPA
Energy Star honored 67 businesses, groups and government entities this week for their accomplishments and leadership in the its program, including three Pennsylvania companies. Pennsylvania organizations honored were Pittsburgh-based supermarket chain Giant Eagle Inc.(Sustained Excellence), Gorell Enterprises Inc. (Sustained Excellence), and Acme Markets Inc. (Excellence in Energy Star Outreach). Top national awardees included the Whirlpool Corp., General Electric Co., Osram Sylvania, Gorell Windows and Doors, Precision Entry Inc., The Home Depot, Maytag Corp., Lowe's Corp., Sierra Pacific Power Co., and Sears, Roebuck and Co. Visit the Energy Star website for the full list of awardees. [back to top]