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USGBC Students National Chair Perspective: The 2011 Solar Decathlon

Morning rain and clouds thankfully gave way to a bright and sunny day for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon in Washington D.C. on Wednesday. University students from across the country as well as several from around the world have been displaying the fruits of their hard work in an exciting and innovative energy challenge. Seventeen student groups in total are still competing for the coveted title of the most energy-efficient solar home in a daily series of contests, ranging from affordability, comfort, and market appeal.

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Jim Matheson Honors Utah School for Green Efforts

This past Tuesday, Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT), visited Hillside Middle School in Salt Lake City, a LEED certified school, to award students and faculty with an Energy Star Award for the building’s top energy performance. Matheson was able to see technology that is helping the school to save valuable resources such as energy and water, while keeping operating costs low.

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Code Guidance for Greener Homes: One Last Shot for the 2012-IGCC

If you’ve followed the development of the International Green Construction Code, you’d know that the code’s coverage of low-rise residential buildings has been knocked around like a punching bag. First it was in. But since it was incorporated by reference and the development committee couldn’t touch it, the residential content meshed neither with the new code’s intent nor with its technical elements. Then it was pulled out. Then, most recently, it was not voted back in… and with this current, last round of opportunity, there’s one final chance to put it back in, and do it right.

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