NEWS

GBA Receives Major Funding, Launches Regional Initiative
The Green Building Alliance (GBA) has received $1 million from Pennsylvania's Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority and $250,000 from The Heinz Endowments to launch a regional initiative that will utilize green building manufacturing to stimulate regional economic development. "We are the first in the United States to launch this type of initiative," says GBA's executive director, Rebecca Flora. "We can now put infrastructure and programming in place in order to grow this industry in our region." Read more here.
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GBA Opens 2007 Membership Campaign
Get on board for a full year of member benefits!  GBA invites you to join our contingency of members who are greatly committed to and supportive of high-performance buildings that safeguard our environment and strengthen our regional economy. This is your opportunity to take part in activities that will propel geographic market expansion for green building,  facilitate Pittsburgh's Green Government Task Force, and advocate for all levels of green building legislation. More information can be found here.
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Calling All Sponsors
Become a 2007 sponsor of GBA! By supporting the organization's upcoming education programs and/or Green$ense conference, your company will be able to target thousands of green building professionals throughout the region and be associated with Western Pennsylvania's premier green building organization. Please visit here for complete sponsor details.
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Reminder: Greenbuild 2006
"Green" has become a huge force in the building and construction industry. Thanks to the fact that major building owners such as GSA, Toyota, PNC Financial Services Group and many others have adopted such principles, green building is fast becoming recognized as the standard for smart construction. The Greenbuild International Conference & Expo brings the industry together under one roof for three days of extensive educational programming, workshops, a vast exhibition floor (see full schedule) and numerous networking events. Together, these afford attendees with unrivaled opportunities to learn about the latest green building innovations, exchange ideas, and develop new business relationships. Updates and expansions of the LEED Green Building Rating System will also be showcased.
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At Colleges, the Environment is Hot
On university campuses, the environment is hot--and not just as a research topic. Colleges are rolling out new academic programs in environmental studies and announcing initiatives devoted to energy conservation. And just as colleges are proud of healthy endowments, superior rankings and high graduation rates, so are they also starting to brag about their eco-friendly buildings and sustainable landscapes in this age of heightened environmental scrutiny. Visit here to read more.
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A Leg Up for Green Building in the Northeastern United States
The Rainforest Alliance's SmartWood program has awarded Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification to West Elizabeth Lumber, a wholesale distribution facility in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. This certification will open up a much-needed supply of lumber and plywood from responsibly managed forests to help meet the growing demand of green building projects in the Northeast.

"FSC certification is the right thing to do from both a business and environmental perspective," said Gene Gluscic, FSC-Certified Products Specialist at West Elizabeth Lumber. "We are taking the lead at a time when green building projects in the Northeast have been underserved by lumber suppliers." Read more.
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Green Building Investment Fund Open for Business
The Hines CalPERS Green Development Fund has been capitalized with over $120 million in equity and leverage that will allow investments of up to $500 million. Houston-based Hines Interests, LP, one of the world's largest developers, recently announced that the fund had already begun deploying capital toward the fund's investment goal, developing high-performance office buildings certifiable through the LEED^® Rating System for Core and Shell Development. With its partners, Hines has already developed LEED-certified office buildings in Atlanta (1180 Peachtree) and Chicago (One South Dearborn), and recently began LEED pre-certified projects in Washington and California. California's public pension fund, CalPERS, is the nation's largest. Hines can be found online at www.hines.com; CalPERS at www.calpers.ca.gov.
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GSA Publishes C&D Recycler Database
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has published a list of companies across the U.S. and Canada that recycle construction and demolition (C&D) waste. This waste amounts to roughly 136 million tons each year in the U.S., or 25% to 45% of the total waste stream, depending on the region, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The C&D waste database is available for free as part of the online Whole Building Design Guide, and is searchable by region and material, as well as by whether the company picks up waste or simply accepts it. “We created this tool to help building designers, project managers and contractors easily find recyclers who offer services that keep construction waste out of our landfills,” said Don Horn, director of sustainable design for GSA’s Public Building Service. To access the database, visit www.wbdg.org/tools/cwm-php?c=6.
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November 28 and 30 - Green Roof Design 101 and 201
Sponsored by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, these two one-day intensive courses will teach you how to determine major functions and components of a green roof, identify factors that influence costs, how to utilize an integrated design process in your project for maximum benefit, and much more. GBA members are extended a courtesy $50 discount on registration for either course. Click here for more information.
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December 1 - Giant Eagle Shadyside Tour
Join GBA for a great networking event featuring our recent case study building, Giant Eagle Store #40. The large supermarket features a vegetated roof and recycled and reused content. To read more about this building, check out our last Cornerstone newsletter. Register here.
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December 6 - Alliance Building Breakfast: USGBC/GBA Member Update
Take part in our annual year-end overview of what's going on in the green building field both locally and nationally, with updates on the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Building Alliance. Register here.
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March 15, 2007- SAVE THE DATE
Green$ense 2007
Are you looking for ways to differentiate your properties in the marketplace? Come hear keynoter Susan Eastridge and other speakers at Green$ense 2007 as they reveal their proven strategies for gaining a competitive advantage by investing in high-performance green buildings. Eastridge, developer for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's riverfront project, will describe how the biggest downtown housing initiative in city history and its commitment to green building is a smart way to build profits.

As chief executive officer and founder of Concord Eastridge, Inc., she is one of many nationally recognized experts from the green development field who will share their secrets to financial success through green building. Breakout sessions will be geared both to green building novices, as well as seasoned professionals. Afternoon tours of Pittsburgh-area green buildings will be offered, and the conference will also include the third annual Shades of Green Leadership Awards luncheon. Nomination forms are available at www.gbapgh.org. Deadline is February 5, 2007.