Two bills in Congress, one in each chamber, would promote resource efficiency in building construction. The Federal Resource Efficient Building Materials Act of 1993 (S. 817), was introduced by Senator John Glenn of Ohio, and the Federal Environmentally Efficient Building Materials Act of 1993 (H.R. 1819), was introduced in the House by... Read more

In his Earth Day 1993 address, President Clinton announced plans for an energy-efficiency and environmental retrofit of the White House. The American Institute of Architects is conducting a feasibility study for the project. Results of the study, which addresses indoor air quality, material choices, and energy... Read more

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 first issue of

EnvironmentalBuilding News was mailed out one year ago to a few hundred subscribers. Six issues later, we have a respectable circulation of well over 1,000. Judging from feedback received, we’re succeeding in what we set out to do: provide useful, unbiased information on how to make buildings... Read more

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-... Read more

Steve Loken. 1993. Center for Resourceful Building Technology, PO Box 3866, Missoula, MT 59806; 406/549-7678. 56 pages. $12.50 postpaid.

Foam-Tech, Inc. of North Thetford, VT, this past April became the first company to offer a urethane spray or injection foam with zero ozone-depletion potential. Super Green™ is produced with hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) 134a, which contains no chlorine and thus does not damage the Earth’s protective ozone layer. In 1991,... Read more

The Clinton Administration has announced its plan for dealing with the timber controversy in the Pacific Northwest. The plan was severely criticized by advocates on both sides of the debate even before it was publicly announced. Environmentalists are concerned that it may take away the power courts have had to... Read more

Dear Mr. MacArthur,

I thought your article in EBN (Vol. 2, No. 3) on “Water-based Poly­urethanes” was useful and timely. We now routinely recommend a water-based finish for health reasons, especially if it is applied in cold weather when adequate ventilation is difficult. Did you try a product called “... Read more

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.... Read more

A group of product manufacturers and other building professionals has just founded the U.S. Green Building Council, with the goal of promoting environmentally sound and energy-efficient buildings worldwide. The Council was officially established at a May 27 meeting in Washington and already has over thirty... Read more

David W. Bearg. Lewis Publishers, 1992. C/O CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL 33431; 407/994-0555. 220 pages, hardcover; $59.95.

David Bearg’s new book is a terrific overview of a very complicated subject. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems for commercial buildings have become increasingly... Read more

Ancient Forests of the Pacific Northwestby Elliot Norse, The Wilderness Society, 1990, 328 pages. ($19.95 pb.; Island Press, P.O. Box 7, Covelo, CA 95428; 707/983-6432).

This well-written book provides a comprehensive overview of the ecology of Pacific Northwest forests.... Read more

With new regulations appearing around the country that limit the amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) allowed in paints and varnishes, a host of new products are appearing on the market. This is especially true with varnishes, where new “environmental” polyurethanes are being introduced that use water as the... Read more

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.

A couple of fiber-reinforced cementitious siding products have been getting a lot of attention in the sustainable building community recently. These products have some advantages, especially when they are used to replace top-quality wood products that come from old-growth forests. They also provide excellent fire ratings and... Read more