On May 18 EPA Administrator Carol Browner announced a program to control hazardous waste combustion that may eliminate the burning of hazardous waste in cement kilns. Effective immediately, all new permits now require comprehensive risk assessment, and existing permits will be reviewed over the next 18 months, according to an EPA press release.

An excellent workshop entitled “Sustainable Design Solutions” was given by engineer Marc Rosenbaum at the American Solar Energy Society conference and several other locations. Four- or six-hour versions of his workshop can be arranged for interested groups across the country. Contact him at Energysmiths, PO Box 194, Meriden, NH 03770; 603/469-3355.

The International Council for Building Research Studies and Documentation (CIB), based in France, is forming a new working group entitled “Construction and the Environment.” The new group will focus on recycling, waste reduction, by-products, and related matters. Membership in CIB is not a requirement for participation. Contact: Charles J. Kibert, Ph.D., P.E., M.E. Rinker Sr. School of Building Construction, University of Florida FAC 101, Gainesville, FL 32611-2032; 904/392-5965, 904/392‑4364 (fax).

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is planning a demonstration building project that will exhibit energy- and resource-efficient technologies and provide office and meeting space for NESEA and affiliated organizations. The “Northeast Sustainability Center” is slated to be built in 1994 in the five-college area of western Massachusetts. To get involved, contact Michael Grabscheid, NESEA, 23 Ames St., Greenfield, MA 01301; 413/774-6051, 413/774-6053 (fax).

Assiniboine Community College has a new year-long vocational training program called “Sustainable Shelter Technology,” which will address all aspects of energy, and resource-efficiency, and health in housing. Contact: Mark Burch or the Admissions Office, Assiniboine Community College, 1430 Victoria Ave. East, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 2A9; 204/726-6639, 204/726-6753 (fax).

The NAHB’s “Builder of the Year,” Realen Homes of Philadelphia, has hired award-winning architect and landscape architect Leslie Gallery to develop a green plan for the company. Early efforts are focusing on protecting vegetation during sitework, but eventually all aspects of the process are to be addressed.

News Briefs

Amory Lovins, the visionary “energy guru” and founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, is among the recipients of this year’s MacArthur Foundation “genius grants.” Lovins is quoted saying he will use the $280,000 award to further RMI’s work.

The 18th Triennial Congress of the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA) will convene jointly with the American Institute of Architects Annual Convention in a gathering entitled: “Architecture at a Crossroads: Designing for a Sustainable Future.” See Calendar for details.

The nation’s first self-contained, commercial-based recycling facility is in operation at the Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota. The mall generates as much trash as a city of 20,000. Built and operated by Browning Ferris Industries, the recycling facility can process 35 tons of material from over 400 stores during an eight-hour work-shift, with a recovery rate of over 50 percent. While Mall staff are effective at collecting and sorting waste materials for the facility, employees at some of the tenant stores have been less cooperative. In terms of waste generation, the Mall is equivalent to a city of 20,000! For information, contact Norbert Kraich at Nichols-Dezenhall, 202/296-0263, or Pete Block at BFI, 713/870-7854.

The American Solar Energy Society’s Board of Directors formally created a new Sustainability Division at its January 1993 meeting. While creating the new division, the board recognized that sustainability is an interdisciplinary issue that spans other division areas within ASES. Those interested in learning more about the new division should contact ASES, 2400 Central Ave., G-1, Boulder, CO 80301; 303/443-3130.