News Brief
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a study in November 2009 that confirms a link between Chinese-manufactured drywall and high levels of hydrogen sulfide in homes; the study also links the drywall to metal corrosion.
The study, performed by the Massachusetts-based testing firm Environmental Health & Engineering (... Read moreNews Analysis
News Brief
After five months of mandatory water rationing in Los Angeles, the city is reporting a considerable reduction in water consumption.
The rationing, which was imposed over the summer of 2009 as part of a water conservation ordinance, limits hand-watering and automatic sprinkler use, requires shut-off nozzles to be used when hose-washing cars,... Read moreNews Brief
EBN Aug. 2009), with commitments to participate from the U.S. General Services Administration and several major developers and designers.
In rolling out the pilot,... Read more
News Brief
Glasgow-based software development company Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) recently released a new component of its Virtual Environment software: the Climate Energy Index, a design tool for gauging building energy needs based on current and future climate data.
The tool measures the potential energy required to keep occupants... Read moreProduct Review
News Brief
News Brief
EBN Dec. 2008.)
The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency placed... Read more
News Brief
The most recent Green-e Verification Report, released annually by the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), shows a 45% increase in the U.S. certified renewable energy certificate (REC) market from 2007 to 2008.
The report found that more than 13 terawatt-hours (TWh) of Green-e energy were purchased last year—nearly double 2007 sales.... Read moreFeature
Another Greenbuild conference has come and gone, with its frenetic activity, informative educational sessions, many meetings, and all-important networking.
This year I focused much of my time and attention on the Product Expo—and it took a lot of both! At the U.S. Green Building Council’s first Greenbuild conference in Austin, Texas, eight... Read moreNews Analysis
On December 9, 2009, the New York City Council passed a package of legislation, known as the “Greener, Greater Buildings Plan,” that it says will reduce the city’s carbon footprint by 5%—a figure that has been compared to the entire carbon footprint of Oakland, California.
The legislation is a component of PlaNYC, a broad strategy... Read moreNews Brief
The Boston Architectural College (BAC) Department of Sustainable Design, a national leader in sustainability education for building professionals, will offer a variety of new certification options beginning in January 2010.
In addition to the existing certificate in sustainable design (now with two required courses), students and... Read moreNews Analysis
Since its founding in 1993, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has depended on volunteer committees for a wide range of activities, from creation and management of the LEED rating systems to guiding green building research and education. After a six-month study by the Committee Assessment Task Force—a group of volunteers and staff—USGBC is... Read more
News Brief
Standard 189, the code-enforceable high-performance green building standard that has been in development since 2006, will soon be available to the public.
According to committee chair Kent Peterson, P.E., the final document will look much like the draft that was used for the fourth public comment period, which ended in November 2009. That... Read moreBlog Post
Blog Post
10 Ways to save energy in 2010
Some energy-saving strategies involve spending money: replacing appliances and lights with more energy-efficient products, tuning up a heating system, and insulating an attic, for... Read more
Blog Post
You're down to the last few days before Christmas. You're looking for that meaningful, special gift for a family member, special friend, or co-worker. Buy a gift that keeps on giving--by saving energy! Below, is my... Read more
Blog Post
Interesting how it's at once forward-looking and backward.
link to videoBlog Post
Last week we took at look at one way to achieve very-high-performance windows: adding additional layers of glazing and multiple low-emissivity (low-e) coatings. This week, we'll look at another option that's even higher-tech: vacuum-... Read more
News Brief
With $127.5 million in funding from the federal stimulus package, also known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the State of California will partner with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District to connect state buildings in the capital city to a district heating and cooling system equipped with “smart grid” technology.
The... Read more




