The article argues that the greater inherent sustainability of existing buildings vis-à-vis new construction stem from the carbon debts (negative climate change impacts) incurred during construction, which can take decades to repay. The study’s researchers examined buildings in Portland, Phoenix, Chicago, and Atlanta, applying metrics to the buildings in question in four categories: climate change, human health, ecosystem quality, and resource depletion. What the study found is that building reuse almost always offers environmental savings over demolition and new construction.

Commenting on the study, Elizabeth Hider, senior vice president of Green Markets for Skanska, an international construction firm and partner in the study, said that placing a higher value on building reuse is more than just an environmental issue—it’s also an issue of economic opportunity: “Revaluing building reuse…will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and…create American jobs. Because renovation projects use less material, it is good for the environment, but it requires more labor, which has to be local. That’s good for America.”

The study’s principal findings:

-          Reuse Matters. Building reuse typically offers greater environmental savings than demolition and new construction. It can take between 10 to 80 years for a new energy efficient building to overcome, through efficient operations, the climate change impacts created by its construction. The study finds that the majority of building types in different climates will take between 20-30 years to compensate for the initial carbon impacts from construction.

-          Scale Matters. Collectively, building reuse and retrofits substantially reduce climate change impacts. Retrofitting, rather than demolishing and replacing, just 1% of the city of Portland’s office buildings and single family homes over the next ten years would help to meet 15% of their county’s total CO2 reduction targets over the next decade.

-          Design Matters. The environmental benefits of reuse are maximized by minimizing the input of new construction materials. Renovation projects that require many new materials can reduce or even negate the benefits of reuse.

-          The Bottom Line: Reusing existing buildings is good for the economy, the community and the environment. At a time when our country’s foreclosure and unemployment rates remain high, communities would be wise to reinvest in their existing building stock. Historic rehabilitation has a thirty-two year track record of creating 2 million jobs and generating $90 billion in private investment. Studies show residential rehabilitation creates 50% more jobs than new construction.

Learn more about the study, here.

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Chris Timmerman
Contributing Writer
Green Education Services
www.greenedu.com

On May 3, 2012, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) released its initial review of three of the top existing Certification Systems in the US. The release of the report marks the first step in a broad ranging review process, which includes a public comment period. Once the process is eventually completed, GSA hopes a superior system will emerge to enable the customer agencies of GSA to better meet the standards set by the President’s Executive Order.

The US government is the largest energy consumer in the country. The government owns and leases real estate amounting to an area of about 3.4 billion square feet. The GSA governs the construction and leasing of nearly 10,000 federal government buildings. As part of the Energy Independence Security Act, the GSA is mandated to review the building certification systems used for evaluating the projects every five years.

Over 180 certification systems and standards were screened by an independent laboratory in April 2012 to establish the most applicable standards for energy efficient construction. GSA effectively shortlisted the certification systems, and three candidates passed the screening criteria. The finalist are the International Living Building Challenge, US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and Green Building Initiative's Green Globes. However, the preliminary findings of the agency indicated that all three chosen systems did not fully cover all the Federal building requirements.

GSA proposes to hold public meetings to solicit feedback from the public on its systems review. It also plans to convene an interagency review panel that will assess and recommend steps to help meet the standards of the President’s executive order. The Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and the GSA will co-chair the inter agency task. Other agencies that have large real estate portfolios like the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Department of State, and the Department of Veterans Affairs have also been requested to participate.

GSA plans to come out with its final recommendation of the green building certification systems by the fall of 2012. This will be preceded by a period of public participation and feedback on the findings of the review group.

The first shift in higher education pertains to the growth of online education. As the article points out, online degree programs can benefit the environment, as most online students study primarily from the comfort of their home, cutting out carbon emissions from commuting back and forth to and from class. They also can lessen the pressure on the need for purpose-built classroom and lab facilities.

Meanwhile, the iPad is revolutionizing the world of textbooks, in that it sharply cuts the need for them. The new iBook 2 even allows you to download textbooks directly onto your iPad, eliminating the need for paper-based textbooks altogether. The move toward digital course materials has tremendous environmental implications, as each individual textbook produced requires processing a large amount of paper, each textbook delivered requires additional energy consumption for transportation, and each time the versions are updated requires the entire process to be completed again.

Recycling is exploding in popularity on college campuses, the article notes. Recycling at school serves a dual purpose, as well: teaching young generations the value of recycling will likely lead our future society to be much more environmentally responsible, as they’re more aware of the consequences of their actions.

A fourth trend that is greening the nation’s campuses is the growth of organized carpools, according to the article. Many schools and universities are setting up organized carpools as an incentive to cut back on gas emissions and pollution. These carpools usually work via a group of people sharing a ride to and from school each day, taking turns to drive their respective cars. Students also often get to enjoy the benefit of sharing gas fees as well – making carpooling a great strategy from both a green energy and economic standpoint.

Finally, the growth of green building practices is one of the most tangible ways that higher education is transforming itself sustainably. The article notes many moves typically taken to achieve LEED certification in the design and construction of a building (using recycled materials, utilizing solar energy and using various methods to improve water efficiency, for example). These green measures help significantly reduce waste and energy and thus decrease the amount of pollution and general environmental damage large buildings can cause.

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Chris Timmerman
Contributing Writer
Green Education Services
www.greenedu.com

EPA recognizes that when used by a certified renovator, the 3M™ LeadCheck™ test kit can reliably determine that regulated lead-based paint is not present on wood, ferrous metal (alloys that contain iron), or drywall and plaster surfaces.

The Breakdown:  LeadCheck Swabs provide the user a convenient and cost-effective method for testing lead in paint for RRP Certified Renovators. Keep in mind, this EPA RRP Rule applies to ALL activity that will disturb lead-based paint, whether you are a carpenter, an electrician, a plumber, a renovator, or the businessman subbing out the actual work. If you do need training, or have additional questions on this topic, we are happy to help – send an email to contact@greenedu.com or give us a call at 1-800-355-1751.

The need for LEED becomes more relevant when it comes to resource-hungry buildings. One of the prime candidates in this category is data centers. We may browse different sites on the Internet and zip through  pages without giving much thought to the energy being used by data centers to deliver those pages to our computer screens. But in reality, an enormous amount of energy is used by these buildings to carry out the day-to-day activities. It is not uncommon for data centers to use as much energy as a small town for its regular operations.

Given the fact that very few humans work inside a data center and therefore the need for lighting and temperature control are minimal, it could be intriguing as to why these buildings devour so much energy on a daily basis. The answer lies in the fact that the massive servers running 24/7 at these data centers become incredibly hot and require huge volumes of power to keep them cool.

Data centers that use water cooling can require huge amounts of water everyday for the cooling operation. LEED targets this very issue and aims to minimize the use of precious natural resources through planning and design. Many leading computer giants like Apple, Facebook and Yahoo have certified their data centers under LEED. For instance, Facebook's first energy-efficient LEED Gold data center in Prineville, OR uses 70 percent less water for cooling than an average data center. Apple's LEED Platinum data center in Maiden, NC utilizes outside air instead of water for cooling its facility. Therefore its chillers can be turned off 75 percent of the time.

All of these energy-efficient projects are leading the way in implementing sound design principles for efficient use of limited resources. As more data centers implement LEED programs, energy usage could be considerably reduced, and precious resources like water used more judiciously.

Contact Information: Stacy Kika, Kika.stacy@epa.gov

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced three enforcement actions for violations of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) and other lead rules. The RRP rule requires the use of lead-safe work practices to ensure that common renovation activities like sanding, cutting and demolition, which can create hazardous lead dust, are conducted properly by trained and certified contractors or individuals. EPA finalized the RRP rule in 2008 and the rule took effect on April 22, 2010.

“Exposure to lead can cause serious health problems and affects our most vulnerable population, our children,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “By taking action to enforce lead rules we are protecting people’s health and ensuring that businesses that follow the rules have a level playing field.”

On March 21, 2012, Colin Wentworth, a rental property owner who was responsible for building operation and maintenance, agreed to pay $10,000 to resolve violations of the RRP rule. The complaint alleged that Mr. Wentworth’s workers violated the rule by improperly using power equipment to remove paint from the exterior surface of an 1850’s apartment building he owns in Rockland, Maine. The complaint also alleged that the workers had not received any training under the rule and that Mr. Wentworth had failed to apply for firm certification with the EPA. Because the lead dust had not been properly contained, residents were potentially exposed and the dust could have also contaminated the ground surrounding the apartment building. Two of the four units in the building were rented to recipients of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8 vouchers and there were at least four children under the age of 18, including one under the age of six, living in the units. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also responded to the alleged violations.

On March 20, 2012, Valiant Home Remodelers, a New Jersey window and siding company, agreed to pay $1,500 to resolve violations from failing to follow the RRP rule during a window and siding replacement project at a home in Edison, N.J. Valiant Home Remodelers failed to contain renovation dust, contain waste, and train workers on lead-safe work practices.

On February 21, 2012, Johnson Sash and Door, a home repair company located in Omaha, Neb., agreed to pay a $5,558 penalty for failing to provide the owners or occupants of housing built prior to 1978 with an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet or to obtain a written acknowledgement prior to commencement of renovation activities at five homes. The complaint also alleged that Johnson failed to obtain initial certification prior to performing renovations at these residences.

As required by the law, a company or individual’s ability to pay a penalty is evaluated and penalties are adjusted accordingly.

These recent actions are part of EPA’s effort to ensure that contractors and individuals follow the RRP requirements and other lead rules to protect people’s health from exposure to lead. Lead exposure can cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities to seizures and death, putting young children at the greatest risk because their nervous systems are still developing.

More on the settlement: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/tsca/tscaenfstatreq.html

More about lead: http://www.epa.gov/lead

The new facility, comprised of Wasserstein Hall, the Caspersen Student Center, and the Clinical Wing and known as the WCC, occupies roughly 250,000 square feet of space, and was officially opened in January. The complex’s green features range from occupancy and daylight sensors on classroom ceilings, to circular vents on classroom floors that permit displacement ventilation, and integrated carbon dioxide sensors that adjust ventilation for crowded rooms.

Outside, the building features a rainwater capture system that uses runoff water to care for the surrounding landscaping, along with vegetated roofs that provide insulation to the building, and white-painted roofs that deflect sunlight to keep the building cool.

The Law School project joins 64 other projects on the Harvard campus that have been certified by LEED already, and 95 additional projects that are registered with LEED and currently being processed for certification. Nor is the complex the first LEED project for Harvard Law, either; a renovated suite of offices in the Law School’s Griswold Hall was honored as the first LEED Platinum Commercial Interior Space in New England, as well as the first project of its kind the first among American universities.

The article notes that some of the green measures incorporated into the complex’s design may be used elsewhere on the Harvard campus. Despite additional upfront costs that may accompany green design moves, Harvard Law representatives believe the moves to be worthwhile.

“Some people look at the [WCC] and think it’s a huge waste of money,” Laura B. Wolf, Law School Green Living Representative, said in the article. “But I think that when you build something green and well, it is a smart investment because it pays you back.”

The WCC was designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects, LLP of New York.

Learn more about the building, here.

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Chris Timmerman
Contributing Writer
Green Education Services
www.greenedu.com

“There are a lot of cases in the pipeline and many others under review,” stated Don Lott, EPA Associate Director, Waste and Chemicals Enforcement Division, during a presentation on the EPA’s enforcement of the RRP Rule. “We have a consistent approach to how we assess penalties, which gives us an even playing field,” he added.

What “even playing field” is the EPA Associate Director referring to? After all, isn't this one of the biggest concerns facing contractors today – exactly what can the federal government fine you if you are non-compliant with this residential lead-based paint regulation? Well wonder no more. The EPA’s lengthy-titled document Consolidated Enforcement Response and Penalty Policy for the for the Pre-Renovation Education Rule; the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule; and the Lead-Based Paint Activities Rule outlines potential responses and fines for RRP violations.

Pay particular attention to the Violations and Circumstance Levels found on pages 30-44 of this document. Did you know you could be fined up to $11,000 for failure of notifying occupants in target housing of your renovation activities, when a child under 6 and/or a pregnant woman resides there, just by not giving them the Renovate Right education pamphlet?  It becomes obvious that it does not make good business sense to get hit with such a large fine when all it takes to comply is to hand out an educational pamphlet before you begin your renovation work.

If you are a contractor, painter, electrician, plumber, renovator, or even the businessman subbing out the actual work, I encourage you to take a moment to read over the EPA’s document and learn what your risks are when performing work that falls under the RRP Rule.

If you do need training, or have additional questions, we are happy to help – send an email to contact@greenedu.com or give us a call at 1-800-355-1751.

Author: Greg Jaskowiak, Certified Lead Renovator. Greg is a Primary Instructor and Course Developer at Green Education Services, specializing in lead safety training.

-          The Growth of Online Education: Sky-rocketing participation in online education programs, especially online bachelor’s programs. Due to flexible scheduling and low tuition, many students are opting for these programs, which cut carbon emissions in that fewer students need to commuting back and forth to campus.

-          The iPad: Hailed as a transformative educational tool that cuts the need for printing excessive amounts of paper required for note taking and textbooks, (thereby reducing an institution’s carbon footprint) the iPad holds the potential to dramatically shave higher education’s environmental impact. Each textbook requires processing a large amount of paper, and textbook deliveries requires energy consumption for transportation and shipping.

-          Recycling: Recycling has dramatically expanded in popularity on college and university campuses, and many institutions have recycling bins placed throughout their campuses. Teaching new generations the value of recycling will instill values that will carry into adult life, spreading greater awareness about the reusability of consumer products.

-          Organized Carpools: Many schools and universities are setting up organized carpools as an incentive to cut back on gas emissions and pollution. These carpools usually work via a group of people sharing a ride to and from school each day, taking turns to drive their respective cars. Students also often get to enjoy the benefit of sharing gas fees as well – making carpooling a great strategy from both a green energy and economic standpoint.

-          Green Buildings: Many campuses around the country have retrofitted old buildings or constructed new buildings to make them as environmentally friendly as possible. Using elements such as recycled materials, solar energy, and increased water efficiency, (as well as rating systems such as LEED), these measures help reduce waste and energy, thus decreasing the amount of pollution and environmental damage large buildings can cause.

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Chris Timmerman
Contributing Writer
Green Education Services
www.greenedu.com

The facility’s green features include:

- Certification of the paint shop facility, which will save more than 50 million gallons of water per year;

- The salvage or recycling of nearly 78%, or over 4,600 tons, of construction and demolition waste

- The extensive use of recycled materials in the building’s construction;

- The use of low-flow water closets and urinals, which reduces the potable water used for sewage conveyance in the building by nearly 60%. Together with the use of rainwater harvested from the room, more than 1.7 million gallons of potable water are saved each year. Low-flow showers, lavatory, and kitchen faucets further cut water usage, resulting in total savings for over 3 million gallons of potable water each year.

- The inclusion of a white, reflective roof that reflects heat, lowering cooling costs and saving energy.

- Exterior lights that provide only the minimum lighting required for safety to ensure that light does not spill into the night sky, limiting excessive glare.

- The inclusion of bike racks for visitors and employees, as well as showers and lockers for employee use and preferred parking for those driving low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles and for those who carpool to the site.

The adjoining Volkswagen Academy facility, developed in conjunction with Chattanooga State Community College, which trains people for work at the manufacturing plant, is also certified LEED-Platinum, earning 54 of 69 possible points.

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Chris Timmerman
Contributing Writer
Green Education Services
www.greenedu.com

 Important Dates:

To report your completed CMP hours, you must log in to your My Credentials account at www.gbci.org.  From your homepage, scroll down to Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) and click "Review/Report CMP Activity".

You will then need to select which category your course falls under, based on the content of the class, or the category suggested by the education provider:

Click "Add/Review" next to the category you wish to report the hours under. It will then take you to a screen to submit further details on the CMP activity you completed:

1. Activity Date: Date you completed the CMP hours.

2. Subcategory: No longer required by GBCI, but you can select from the dropdown of options if you wish to provide further details.

3. Activity Deliver Method: Select "Professional Development/Continuing Education Courses" from the drop down. All of GreenEDU's courses are considered "ERB-Approved Activities".

4. Activity Description: Use the individual course description provided on our website to create a 2-sentence description of the class content.

5. Activity Details: List the Course Title, Course Provider, & Course Format: On-Demand Anytime (Online)

6. Activity Content Type: Select "General" unless the course description states that the course is approved for "LEED specific" hours.

7. CE Hours: Indicate the length of the completed course.

8. Click "Submit"

The information for each activitiy is then stored as pre-approved in your CMP activity log. Once all of your required hours are complete, you will be able to submit your activities for review to GBCI.  If you need to make any changes prior to this final review, you can delete course submissions by clicking on the "View Print Version of Reporting Summary" link.

If you still have questions on reporting your CMP hours, or want to learn more on how to comply with the CMP requirements, give us a call at 1-800-355-1751 & we'll be happy to help!

Mr. Gifford’s lawsuit, originally filed as a class action, was amended in February 2011 to include claims of false advertising, deceptive practices, and illegal monopolization. According to a Sustainable Real Estate Solutions blog post about the lawsuit, Gifford’s chief complaint is that LEED misrepresents the energy performance of its building by skewing study results. This contention stems from Gifford’s analysis of a 2008 New Buildings Institute study that compared predicted energy use in LEED-certified buildings with actual energy use. In the study, NBI concluded that LEED buildings are between 25 and 30 percent more energy-efficient compared to the national average. In contrast, Gifford argues that LEED-certified buildings actually consume more energy, to the tune of 29% more than the national average. He further argues that the NBI study results are misleading, in that they compare the median energy use of LEED buildings to the mean energy use of non-LEED buildings.

In April 2011, the USGBC responded with a motion to dismiss the suit, arguing that the plaintiffs lack standing and cannot prove that they were harmed by illegal conduct. A decision from the court on the USGBC’s motion to dismiss is expected in coming months.

Whether Gifford and the other plaintiffs in the case can prove that they were misled by the USGBC’s energy performance claims remains unclear. The blog post notes that Gifford’s suit prompts a broader discussion on the availability of objective data that compares the energy use and cost of buildings relative to their peers, and the need for current green building professionals to document their buildings' energy performance accurately. The lawsuit, the post states, represents a potentially dangerous predicament for the green building industry, in that LEED is limited in its abilities to measure actual energy performance, and therefore green building professionals need to be ware of making unintentionally misleading representations about a building’s energy performance.

The need for caution when describing a building’s energy performance is especially important during a real estate transaction. Several states have recently passed laws requiring mandatory energy labeling and transaction disclosure regulations, the post notes.

Read more on the ongoing lawsuit and what it may hold in store for green building professionals, here.

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Chris Timmerman
Contributing Writer
Green Education Services
www.greenedu.com