In 2012, green buildings sprouted up across Illinois like wild flowers (let’s say violets, since we’re talking about the Land of Lincoln.)
In fact, last year the state certified 156 LEED projects, representing 25 million square feet of real estate. In total, the state now has more than 700 LEED certified projects, representing more than 140 million square feet of real estate. That’s the equivalent of 30 Willis Towers.
The LEED for Homes Multi-Family Mid-Rise rating system (Mid-Rise) was created to address the needs of multi-family buildings taller than four stories. Like LEED for Homes, it requires inspections and diagnostic testing, such as for duct leakage and air infiltration.
Mid-Rise is currently in pilot with 38,204 units registered. Learn more »
Since the horrible and ghastly tragedy in Newtown, CT, schools across the nation are engaged in one of our country’s most important conversations – school safety and security. For the sake of our children (and I have two in school), it’s paramount that we get it right.
Finding ways to better share monthly aggregated energy data from utilities to building owners and operators is critical to understanding and improving building performance across our country. But it’s easier said than done, requiring cooperation among local industry stakeholders including building owners, utilities, governments and advocacy groups. On Jan. 24, a group of these stakeholders from across Minnesota gathered in Minneapolis to discuss ways to improve the flow of building data in the state.
Earlier today, GSA released a request for information (RFI), publicly lauding the value of green building rating systems like LEED and asking for additional input into important issues that could help GSA accelerate and improve its green building work. With the direction laid out in today’s RFI, it looks like GSA is on the right track to continue its success.
Today marks the start of the third Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN) – the largest nationwide electricity and water reduction competition on college and university campuses.
Our buildings usually keep us safe and comfortable, but sometimes their design and operation can also contribute to significant public health challenges, including obesity, asthma, physical inactivity and chronic disease. Dr. Matt Trowbridge thinks that thoughtful, evidence-based design can help make our built environment part of the solution, contributing to better public health outcomes. He calls this idea “green health.”
Imagine a world in which buildings and communities clearly and definitively help to prevent some of our most widespread illnesses, improve our mental health, and strengthen our overall wellbeing. We are now one step closer to this place after this week’s Summit on Green Buildings & Human Health, hosted by the US Green Building Council. If there’s one thing that I took away, it’s the enormous potential of public health professionals joining forces with the green building community to significantly improve human health and wellbeing.
On Wednesday, I walked into our boardroom at USGBC for our Green Building & Human Health Summit and I got goose bumps. Of the hundred or so folks in the room, many have been with us forever, long-time leaders in the green building movement and I’m always humbled when I’m in their company.
Chair of Senate Public Works Committee Sends a Strong Signal by Introducing Federal Building Efficiency Bill
On the first day of the 113th Congress, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, sent a strong message about the committee’s focus by introducing several measures, including legislation aimed at promoting energy efficiency in federal buildings.