BuildingGreen Report

News Brief

January 1, 2010

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 more

News Analysis

January 1, 2010
On December 7, 2009, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson released the agency’s ruling that greenhouse gases are a threat to humans. This ruling puts greenhouse gases—carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride—under the regulatory authority of EPA, which... Read more

News Brief

January 1, 2010

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 more

News Brief

January 1, 2010
On December 8, 2009, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) launched a pilot of its new “Building EQ” labeling program (see

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

January 1, 2010

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 more

Product Review

January 1, 2010
CalStar Products will begin producing bricks and pavers made from fly ash in its Caledonia, Wisconsin, facility starting in January 2010. Made from 40% high-calcium, type C fly ash and 60% local aggregates (along with proprietary ingredients), these products do not require energy-intensive firing or the use of portland cement. Fly ash is commonly... Read more

News Brief

January 1, 2010
Owens Corning has announced that it will partner with Heritage Environmental Services to offer a national recycling program for its asphalt shingles. The program will provide contractors with access to recycling facilities nationwide through Owens Corning’s preferred contractor program, making recycling convenient and cost-effective. According to... Read more

News Brief

January 1, 2010
California-based Harpiris Energy recently completed the first large multi-unit installation of its SunCache low-cost, plastic solar water heaters at a senior housing complex in Sacramento, California. (SunCache was named a top-10 product by BuildingGreen in 2008; see

EBN Dec. 2008.)

The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency placed... Read more

News Brief

January 1, 2010

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 more

Feature

January 1, 2010

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 more

News Analysis

January 1, 2010

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 more

News Brief

January 1, 2010

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 more

News Analysis

January 1, 2010

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

January 1, 2010

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 more

Blog Post

December 31, 2009
Editor's Note: Erica Godun, AIA, LEED AP, an associate with FXFOWLE Architects shared the following account with us. I've included links throughout to specific credit guidance (including the official credit language) on our LEEDuser website (available by subscription). By the way, LEED projects can upgrade to 2009 anytime. We've analyzed whether... Read more

Blog Post

December 29, 2009
Residents of Lund, Sweden, have dramatically reduced their driving over the past decade. They now walk or bike for most needs.

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

December 21, 2009
Folding Frame Sno Wovel, designed to reduce the physical strain of shoveling and the related risks of back and heart injuries.

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

December 17, 2009

Interesting how it's at once forward-looking and backward.

link to video

Blog Post

December 15, 2009
If you look closely at a low viewing angle, you can see the tiny pillars in this prototype Guardian VIG panel.

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

December 15, 2009

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