Green Building Institute - Latest & Highlighted Discussions

Local Politicians embrance "green"

Stanley — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:05:51 GMT

Check out the main Home page for Howard County.

http://www.howardcountymd.gov/

The Green Building Institute and all at the EnviroCenter are Proud to show the benefits of a sustianable future to Maryland Senator Ben Cardin and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. Don't miss clicking on "more pictures" to see the EnviroCenter attributes.

The Enviro Center is proud to host a 19 member Russian delegation coordinated by Water Management (Paul Bassett's new company) on how to go green and save water.

The Green Building Institute is also working with the National Education Association Foundation to bring "Green" Education to the nation's public schools.

We, at the Institute need your help to move all of these efforts forward. Please contact info@greenbuildinginstitute.org to join a committe or volunteer.

Thank you for helping us bring sustainability to the region. We are getting the support of our local representative who are understanding that ecological choices are the right choices.

Thank you.

Stan Sersen

Green Jobs National Day of Action, Sep 27, DC, MD & other sites

Marian — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:46:14 GMT

DC: Green Jobs Now Nat'l Day of Action, Sep 27, Anacostia & other sites

Green Jobs Now, Anacostia, DC
Part of Green Jobs Now National Day of Action 9/27/08

Saturday, Sept 27, 9AM-7PM

check zip code here for more DC-area and national events: http://events.greenjobsnow.com/greenforall/calendars/show

Where: 2458 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave, SE
DC 20020 (Anacostia Metro)

DC Co-Sponsors:
Chesapeake Climate Action Network & Greater Washington Interfaith
Power and Light
Contact Nydria Humphries, 202-510-4908, email: nhumphries-AT-gwipl.org

On September 27th 2008, Green 4 All, 1 Sky, Al Gore's WE campaign and
many other organizations and supporters against Global Warming are
launching A National Day of Action. We are calling it Green Jobs Now:

A Day to Build the New Economy!

In Washington DC, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the
Greater Washington Power and Light organizations will host a unique
event. The MLK, Jr. Avenue Service Project, Green-Collar Jobs, Health
and Community Fair will educate, encourage and empower DC low-income
residents, ex-offenders and the faith-based communities in Ward 8. The
vision for this event is to increase participation in and awareness of
the green-collar movement. A movement that will pull people out of
poverty and improve the planet we all live on. We need your support!
Contact: Nydria B. Humphries: 202-510-4908 // nhumphries@gwipl.org

==========================================
National Announcement

From: Ian Kim, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (Oakland, CA)
Get Ready for Green Jobs Now! Day of Action 9/27

On September 27, the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Green for All, 1Sky and the We Campaign will join with tens of thousands of Americans for Green Jobs Now, a national day of action for green jobs.

The Ella Baker Center's Green-Collar Jobs Campaign is organizing a special event with our allies in Oakland (details to come), with scores of other events happening throughout the country.

Take part in a Green Jobs Now event near you! Click here:
http://events.greenjobsnow.com/greenforall/calendars/show

Together, we'll make it clear that America is ready to build an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty and solve our energy and climate crises. Please save the date and plan on joining us on this national day of action!
Help us send our local officials, the next President, and Congress a clear message: America is ready for green jobs now.

On behalf of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights,
Ian, Aaron, Nwamaka, Emily and the Green-Collar Jobs Campaign

Know where I can find recycled cardboard tubing, etc. for garden planters?

Alyssa — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:06:06 GMT

I'm looking for recycled cardboard tubes , wood, plastic, etc. that would be good for garden planters. Looking to make some elevated, a least 3-4ft in height to save ground room. Here is a pic of the garden . It's in Remington.

WYPR 88.1 FM to host Green Design Discussion

Stanley — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:41:03 GMT

Turn your Radios to 88.1 FM on Tuesday August 26th at 12:00 Noon for the Dan Rodrick's Show.

The Institute's Board President and Founder Stan Sersen (me) and Terra Logos' Kim Schaeffer have been invited to Host the Mid day show to discuss Green Design in Baltimore.

This should be fun as we discuss the Arena, and the overall need for Green Architectural Design in the Region.

Mark your calendars and turn up your Radio for the whole office.

Networking Central is TODAY!

Marcia — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:58:10 GMT

Hi!
Quickly touching base! Reminding you of Networking Central TONIGHT 5-7pm Java Grande 9050 Baltimore National Pike-29 & St. John's Lane.
See ya there!
In Abundance!
Marcia Merrill
marcia@ecareercorner.com

Crab Feast

Keith — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:27:04 GMT

Crabfeastpostersmall.jpg

While this is for a political club I am posting it because it is a good way to show support for Jim Kraft who has been the leader in most, if not all of Baltimore Cities "green" legislation and was the one who created the Office of Sustainability.

For $40 dollars it's also a pretty great deal for all you can eat crabs and all you can drink.

See the poster attached or in the group files and IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND PLEASE LET ME KNOW BEFORE NOON TOMORROW SO I CAN GET A HEADCOUNT AND LEAVE A TICKET AT WILL CALL.

See poster attached for details but it is this Sunday from 2-5 in Canton at Captain James Landing

keith@csballiance.org or call 443-838-1826

Green Cities need to Reactivate Streetcars

Bion D — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:22:18 GMT

Baltimore, DC and Phily can all do this. A little digging would go a long way to greening city traffic. Cities can exhume the streetcar burried by the automakers and oil-barrons in the '60s. Interconnection with AMTRACK would be a no brainer. Obvious extension to the nacent light rail efforts since the early '90s.

~ Bion

_________________________

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/us/14streetcar.html?

August 14, 2008
Downtowns Across the U.S. See Streetcars in Their Future
By BOB DRIEHAUS

CINCINNATI - From his months-old French bistro, Jean-Robert de Cavel sees restored Italianate row houses against a backdrop of rundown tenements in this city's long-struggling Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.

He also sees a turnaround for the district, thanks to plans to revive a transit system that was dismantled in the 1950s: the humble streetcar line.

"Human beings can be silly because we move away from things too quickly in this country," Mr. de Cavel said. "Streetcar is definitely going to create a reason for young people to come downtown."

Cincinnati officials are assembling financing for a $132 million system that would connect the city's riverfront stadiums, downtown business district and Uptown neighborhoods, which include six hospitals and the University of Cincinnati, in a six- to eight-mile loop. Depending on the final financing package, fares may be free, 50 cents or $1.

The city plans to pay for the system with existing tax revenue and $30 million in private investment. The plan requires the approval of Mayor Mark Mallory, a proponent, and the City Council.

At least 40 other cities are exploring streetcar plans to spur economic development, ease traffic congestion and draw young professionals and empty-nest baby boomers back from the suburbs, according to the Community Streetcar Coalition, which includes city officials, transit authorities and engineers who advocate streetcar construction.

More than a dozen have existing lines, including New Orleans, which is restoring a system devastated by Hurricane Katrina. And Denver, Houston, Salt Lake City and Charlotte, N.C., have introduced or are planning to introduce streetcars.

"They serve to coalesce a neighborhood," said Jim Graebner, chairman of the American Public Transportation Association's streetcar and vintage trolley committee. "That's very evident in places like San Francisco, which never got rid of its streetcar system."

Modern streetcars, like those Cincinnati plans to use, cost about $3 million each, run on an overhead electrical wire and carry up to 130 passengers per car on rails that are flush with the pavement. And since streetcars can pick up passengers on either side, they can make shorter stops than buses.

Streetcar advocates point to Portland, Ore., which built the first major modern streetcar system in the United States, in 2001, and has since added new lines interlaced with a growing light rail system. Since Portland announced plans for the system, more than 10,000 residential units have been built and $3.5 billion has been invested in property within two blocks of the line, according to Portland Streetcar Inc., which operates the system.

Critics, including Randal O'Toole, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a libertarian research organization in Washington, and an expert on urban growth and transportation issues, counter that growth along streetcar lines is dependent on public subsidy and of little use.

"It looks like it's going to take you somewhere, but it's only designed to support downtown residents," he said. "If officials fall for the hype and don't ask the hard questions, voters should vote them out."

Cincinnati's streetcar enthusiasts counter that they serve to shrink residents' everyday world of work, shopping and entertainment by bringing services and businesses to one area.

"One happy consequence will be that streetcar customers who live in the area will be less mobile by choice," said John Schneider, a Cincinnati real estate developer and downtown resident who championed an unsuccessful 2002 county sales tax proposal that would have financed a regional light rail system.

Since then, gas prices have risen sharply and advocates have started emphasizing streetcars' ability to revitalize urban neighborhoods.

"In years gone by, people would move to cities to get a job," Cincinnati's city manager, Milton Dohoney, said. "Today, young, educated workers move to cities with a sense of place. And if businesses see us laying rail down on a street, they'll know that's a permanent route that will have people passing by seven days a week."

After looking into streetcar systems in Seattle, Tacoma, Wash., and Charlotte, Mr. Dohoney became convinced that they spur growth. "Cincinnati has to compete with other cities for investment," he said. "We have to compete for talent and for place of national prominence."

A hundred miles north, Mayor Michael Coleman of Columbus, Ohio, has come to the same conclusion and is pushing to build a $103 million streetcar network along the city's High Street connecting Ohio State University with the downtown business district. The loop would be paid for through a 4 percent surcharge on concert tickets, sporting events and downtown parking and a $12.5 million contribution from Ohio State.

"It is directly tied to economic development, and when times are tough in Ohio, we need an additional tool to create jobs," Mr. Coleman said.

While critics question whether scarce city money would be better spent elsewhere, Mr. Coleman argues that streetcars are important to the city's growth.

"We have to plan for the future," he said. "I believe in 10 years, we would ask, ‘Why didn't we do this?' It will be 10 times more expensive, and the cost of gas will be unaffordable."

# # #

Pursuant to Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. § 107: Notwithstanding the provisions of (other) sections, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.

New Sustainable Design and LEED Consulting Business in Bethesda

Anja — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:54:32 GMT

Anja S. Caldwell, architect from Germany and until recently green building program manager for Montgomery County Public Schools has openend her own firm, ecoipso, an LLC that consults on sustainable design and LEED. The website is www.ecoipso.com. Ecoipso provides LEED tracking and consulting services, as well as green building research and training. Clients are from the public and private sector.
The website carries a list of presentations and workshops available to private clients and public agencies. Anja can be contacted at anja@ecoipso.com

Anja also founded an independent non-profit network of experts and advocates of green schools, ECOSCHOOLS.US to advocate sustainable design and operations for schools in the North Atlantic region. Membership is free and open to all stakeholders of green schools and daycare centers. For profit members listed on the website need to be willing to volunteer 2 pro-bono hours per month to vonunteer their expertise to schools and school systems. The website with more information is at www.ecoschools.us

Sustainable Schools Summit in Washington, DC October 3rd

Anja — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:29:05 GMT

SAVE THE DATE

October 3, 2008

George Washington University, Marvin Center

8:00am - 5:00pm

A one-day summit held to share best practices, success stories and

available tools and resources for greening our schools.

The Sustainable Schools Summit will cross state lines, drawing hundreds of

participants from throughout the National Capitol Region to convene a dialogue

around green school opportunities, costs and benefits. The summit will engage a

wide variety of school decision makers - from parents to facility planners,

teachers to elected officials, and architects to school board members.

Hear from local and national leaders to learn how you can play a role in

conquering the challenges of greening new and existing educational facilities.

Visit www.usgbcncr.org for more information and to register.

Don't be left out - Register Today!

Optional Pre-conference Event - A USGBC LEED for Schools Technical Training

Workshop (a full day event) will be also held at the Marvin Center on October 2,

2008.

Hope to see you there!

Anja S. Caldwell

www.ecoipso.com

William James Foundation Socially Responsible Business Plan Competition

Keith — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:29:54 GMT

Green Building Network Member,

The William James Foundation, has announced the details for its 6th Annual Socially Responsible Business Plan Competition! Details are provided below and at www.williamjamesfoundation.org. Should you have questions regarding the competition, please contact Ian Fisk, Executive Director, The William James Foundation at: email: ian.fisk@williamjamesfoundation.org or Telephone: (202) 462-2943.

2008-2009 Socially Responsible Business Plan Competition

The Foundation's Socially Responsible Business Plan Competition is its major program. Below are links to information for entrants and judges.

Criteria

* Determine if your business plan qualifies and see how to enter. http://www.williamjamesfoundation.org/criteria09

* See examples of previous general plan topics. http://www.williamjamesfoundation.org/topics * See the kinds of prizes we offer. http://www.williamjamesfoundation.org/prizes09

Mission

* Read about our mission and values. http://www.williamjamesfoundation.org/values

Timeline

* See our detailed timeline for entrants and judges. http://www.williamjamesfoundation.org/timeline09

Judges

* See how to apply to be a reading judge. http://www.williamjamesfoundation.org/judges09

* See examples of who our judges are. http://www.williamjamesfoundation.org/judgelist09

* See examples of past comments from reading judges that our entrants found helpful. http://www.williamjamesfoundation.org/feedback

Green Building Institute Hosts Cardin & Ulman

Stanley — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:00:29 GMT

had a great afternoon on Friday, giving Senator Ben Cardin and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, and Gary Decker (representative from Congressman John Sarbanes) and a host of reporters for a Tour of the EnviroCenter.

Sersen-Cardin-Ulman_at_the_EC.jpg Sersen-Cardin-Ulman_at_the_EC_1.jpgWe

By showing our elected officials what can be accomplished with education and outreach we can make a difference.

Special thanks to Paul Bassett, and all of the family at the EnviroCenter for helping show off our building and to introduce the concepts of Phase 2.

Stan

Office of Sustainability Youth Advisory Panel

Keith — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:58:36 GMT

THIS IS FOR YOUTH THAT LIVE IN BALTIMORE CITY

In an effort to reach out to the next generation, the Baltimore Commission on Sustainability would like to host a meeting for young leaders to openly discuss their thoughts and concerns about the environment and their communities. The Commission would like to hear what issues are most important to the City's young residents and what issues need to be addressed to ensure the success of future generations. Most importantly, we want to know the best way to get young members of our communities involved in developing the Sustainability Plan. We want to send a strong message to the youth of the City that the Commission on Sustainability cares what they are thinking.

We are looking to form a youth advisory panel which will guide the design and development of our engagement efforts. This panel will be composed mainly of young leaders as well as adults who work with existing youth outreach programs. The Commission would like to hear from representatives of as many neighborhoods, backgrounds, and ages as possible. Our goal is to set up a meeting for the fourth week of August during which we will devise a plan of action for fall outreach efforts. Due to the tight timeline, the form of engagement efforts, their setup, and the content to be discussed all need to be decided upon at this meeting.

To this end I would like to ask for assistance with identifying students and emerging leaders to represent their communities and organizations at this meeting. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. As soon as I have an estimate of how many people would like to attend, I will send out an email with an exact meeting location and time.

If you have a student candidate please contact Brett Buikema with the names of interested participants and any additional questions you may have.

Brett M. Buikema

Brett.Buikema@baltimorecity.gov

Office of Sustainability

Baltimore City Department of Planning

417 East Fayette Street, 8th Floor

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

410-396-1670 Office

410-244-7358 Fax

PC's suck electric power - New tool to put them on diet

Bion D — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:38:30 GMT

An Energy Diet for Power-Hungry Household PCs

By STEVE LOHR
Published: August 6, 2008

In its drive to go green, the technology industry has so far focused mainly on big targets like corporations and especially computer data centers, the power-hungry computing engine rooms of the Internet economy.

Next come the hundreds of millions of desktop and laptop personal computers in households worldwide.

Microsoft, the nonprofit Climate Savers Computing Initiative and a start-up called Verdiem are combining to put a spotlight on the energy-saving opportunity in PCs, and distributing a free software tool to consumers to help them do it.

The potential savings in both dollars and pollution is huge, analysts say, when the estimated one billion PCs in use globally are taken into account. The research firm Gartner estimates that 40 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions resulting from information technology and telecommunications are attributable to PCs. Data center computers account for 23 percent, and the rest is attributable to printers and telecommunications equipment.

"If you are going to tackle climate change and curb energy use, you have to deal with consumer devices like PCs," said Andrew Fanara, a product development expert in the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program, which promotes energy-efficient products and practices.

For more than a decade, the federal Energy Star program has developed voluntary power-management standards for PCs, and suppliers like Intel and Microsoft have steadily improved the energy efficiency of their chips and software. But Mr. Fanara estimated that less than half of PCs met those standards, in part because more energy-efficient hardware adds slightly to production costs.

"There are large potential savings beyond what Energy Star can do," he said.

The free software, called Edison, is a consumer version of the PC energy-saving software sold to corporate customers by Verdiem, which is financed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a leading venture capital firm and an aggressive investor in green technologies, and other venture investors.

Verdiem, based in Seattle, has 180 corporate and government customers, including Hewlett-Packard, which bundles Verdiem's Surveyor program on its desktop PCs sold to corporations. Though he will not disclose sales figures, the company's chief executive, Kevin Klustner, says revenue should triple this year.

There are other free tools for calculating and managing PC power consumption, including the E.P.A.'s EZ Wizard, CO2 Saver and a Google energy-saving gadget. But Edison allows the user more flexibility, especially in making the settings as stringent as they want, analysts say.

If a user sets the software to put the machine in a "deep sleep" mode after a few minutes of not hitting a keystroke, the hard drive powers down and the PC sips just 5 percent of its normal energy consumption.

That kind of energy diet is far from standard practice in homes and offices. Half of all electricity consumed by a standard PC is wasted, according to environmental and industry studies.

Household electricity bills could also be trimmed by $20 to $95 a year for each PC, depending on local power costs and the kind of PCs in use, said Mr. Klustner. "What we're trying to do is raise the visibility of the power consumption problem on the PC desktop and really bring power management to the masses," he said.

The Climate Savers group, which includes major technology companies and environmental groups, has set a goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from computers by 54 million tons by 2010. That is the equivalent of the yearly pollution from 11 million cars. The goal includes data center computers and PCs, and about half of all PCs are consumer machines.

"This kind of energy-saving technology for consumers is a key ingredient in moving toward that goal," said Rob Bernard, chief environmental strategist for Microsoft.

The companies said that the Edison software would be available to download on Wednesday from the Web sites of Verdiem (verdiem.com), Microsoft (microsoft.com/environment), and Climate Savers (climatesaverscomputing.org).

# # #

Mainstreaming confirmed - FORBES article

Bion D — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:02:36 GMT

I can remember not long ago, FORBES (conservative business mag.) was painting the green building movement as an elitist, hippy fad. My how times change.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/07/31/ap5276938.html

Nothing like some big money coming online in any field to attract attention.

~ Bion

PLEASE SIGN ON: Energy Efficiency Programs In Danger

Keith — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:22:04 GMT

Hi all,

Since many of us are interested and vested in the EmPower MD Act I'm writing to ask you to sign on to a letter in the Files & Media section of this site.

Recently we were told by our friends at MaryPirg that the Public Service Commission may issue an order next week that rejects most or all of the energy efficiency programs proposed by Maryland's utilities.

Most of these efficiency programs were modeled after "best practices" identified in other states. The PSC's concerns seem to be that the programs are too costly and not innovative enough (even though these programs are less costly than the electricity they save, and far more innovative than building a powerplant or transmission line).

It is difficult to fully characterize the action of the Commission before the order is written and released. If the Commission provides a rational basis for picking and choosing among the various efficiency programs before it, that may not be so bad, particularly if the problems they identify are amenable to being cured in a subsequent filing. If, however, as rumor has it, they take a broader position rejecting utility customer incentive programs and seek reliance on public education and regulations outside their jurisdiction (such as building codes and appliance standards), it bodes very poorly for the future of energy efficiency in the state.

In fact, it's very hard to imagine how the energy saving goals of EmPOWER Maryland can be met (and how the Commission's statutory responsibilities to oversee utility plans and programs to meet 10% of the energy savings will be met) if customer incentive programs are not being offered.

This letter will be filed in an open docket at the Commission this coming Monday evening. If you are able to sign on, please e-mail our advocacy partners at MaryPirg (Johanna@marylandpirg.org) by 5 PM Monday, August 4, with the name, title, and organization name as you would want it to appear on the letter.

Although our letter is unlikely to deter the Commission from a bad decision, we will circulate it broadly to the Governor's staff, key legislators, and key reporters in hopes of raising media attention and getting the message out about the importance of energy efficiency.

Thanks for reviewing this and considering signing on with such short turn-around time.

Best,

BioHaven Floating Islands

Kevin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:30:37 GMT

Hello All,

I am here to introduce a cool new product that can clean up the bay. Really! These floating islands are great. They are made of recycled plastic bottles (5,260 20 oz. bottles in a 250 square foot island) that are woven into a fiber matrix, that is layered together and held by marine foam. These island mats can be planted with wetland plants and set out on the water. The plants grow hydroponically with virtually no soil, except what comes on top of the island. As they grow they take up nutrients in the water. But, the real water quality improvements comes from the microbes that already exist in the water. They take up residence in the island matrix - on each individual strand of plastic fiber and make happy microbe colonies. These colonies take up nutrients 3 times faster than algae and are proven to take up nutrients (in outdoor tests) at the following rates: Nitrates = 10,600 mg/sf of island/day, phosphates = 446 mg/ sf of island per day and ammonia = 759 mg/sf of island/day. These numbers are for a 1 sf island that is 10" thick. We sell 25 sf to 250 sf islands that are customizable in any shape. A 250 sf island would cost around $7250 plus shipping and plants, but would remove 2,132.78 lbs of nitrates, 89.73 lbs of phosphates and 152.71 lbs of ammonia per year, making the cost per lbs removed less than $0.50. Do you think you can beat that? I have uploaded a picture of an island we launched at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in Grasonville, MD in May and also a copy of the latest study results from the Land and Water Contamination Journal for your review. Please feel free to check us out at www.bluewing-env.com, pick on products then floating islands. If you would like to hear more feel free to contact me at kevin@bluewing-env.com.

Green Bldg Institute - featured

Stanley — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:37:31 GMT

The Green Building Institute continues to grow in popularity!

Check out this link in the Natural Life Style Network

http://www.naturallifestyle.net/profiles/107.html

Stan

Green Building Institute in the News again

Stanley — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:12:44 GMT

Check out Dan Rodricks' article in the Baltimore Sun today.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.rodricks27jul27,0,1499411.column

If you feel so inclined post a follow-up meesage and let everyone know about what we teach at the Green Building Institute is the way to a more sustainable future. Those of you who live in the City have this oppurtunity now to continue the push for a Greener Baltimore.

Image a new arena with parts of the old reused, daytime and night time usage, a hotel, private residences above, a renewed street scape and active community that is interconnected to mass transit, and a vertical community based on regenerative design. Wow, do you think that we can see this in our lifetime, and in Baltimore. I hope so.

Stan Sersen

Investor's Opportunity!

Vicente — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 05:59:51 GMT

See Attached5_Star_Amenities_for_Investors.doc

Networking Opportunities in MD

Marcia — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:23:58 GMT

Hi!

I'm green & this is a chance to get more people to be environmentally conscious!

Every 3rd Wed of the month 5-7pm, I host a Networking Central event in & around the Balt. Metro area. Next one's Aug 20th 5-7pm at Java Grande 9050 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD-easy to find-at 29 & St. John's Lane St John's Crossing Shopping Center FREE RSVP so I have an idea of numbers! marcia@ecareercorner.com

No Membership fee til 2009!

In abundance!

Marcia

Planit Punks Media With Green Initiative

Keith — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:55:28 GMT

CSBA member Planit Agency has begun a fantastic gorilla marketing campaign to raise the media and citizens public awareness by taking famous Baltimore landmarks and demonstrating some sustainable concepts.

Read the story and watch the video on how they "punked" the media and blog sites with this fun public awareness campaign.

Thanks Planit for making us all stop and consider the possibilities!

Press Release for the greeNEWit FEST - July 19th

Stanley — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:36:16 GMT

Please pass this on to anyone in the Press that you know and to your extended network of friends and family.

We are so excited about this FIRST summer afternoon fundraiser event for the Green Building Institute and to Celebrate Howard County's first zero waste, solar powered (or at least non-petro if no sun), and regenerative music festival.

We have promised to leave the park in better condition than before we arrived. Let's make this a model for future use of the Parks.

Between the band, KB Drive, and the fill-in disc jockey we will be dancing in the Park for five straight hours.

We will have organic and natural food, and local beers and wine on a cash purchase basis and sponsor tables to bring you more information about businesses that are on the right path, AND for the first 500 people you will get your own personal reusable sustainably constructed MUG to use and remember the event. Bring it back next year and get your first drink FREE.

PLEASE, DON'T MISS IT. Help us spread the knowledge about how we can begin to make a big difference today and to protect our precious environment at the same time.

STAN SERSN

greeNEWit_FEST_2008_PRESS_RELEASE.pdf

The Future of Green Building

Stanley — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:06:20 GMT

GB_Report_EN.pdfGB__Changing_times_ICC_April-May08.pdf

I want to share with everyone two great recent articles that appeared in and are referenced in the Building Safety Journal a magazine from the International Codes Congress (www.buildingsafetyjournal.org). Our friend, David Eisenberg, Director of the Development Center for Appropriate Technologies (DCAT), has two articles, one in the April/May 08 issue and one in the June 08 issue that provides a hint of things to come.

When Lacy Brittingham, AIA, who works with me, and I met with David in Vancouver, BC at the Living Building Conference, we were all taken deeply by the simplicity and the depth of how the Living Building Challenge (www.cascadiagbc.org/lbc) and the One Planet Living (www.oneplanetliving.org) programs take sustainable design to the levels were we all need to go.

In David's April/May 08 article (included here as a network Publication) he talks about the LBC and how we are in the mist of CHANGING TIMES. I couldn't agree more.

In his recent June 08 article in the ICC BSJ, David also highlights the "Green Building in North America: Oppurtunities and Challenges" by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) (www.cec.org/greenbuilding). It is another good piece to put in perspective the current status of green building, the oppurtunities and the Challenges. (I've also included this as a network publication for your ease in finding it)

David further states "Those who have heard about net-zero energy buildings and programs like the Living Building Challenge--which is also woriking toward net-zero water balance and very high environmental performance--and think these goals are decades away from implementation might want to get out their hiking boots and compasses, becasue there is a high probability that these kinds of projects will begin sprouting up across the country in the next few years."

As we at the EnviroCenter move toward finalizing our design for Phase 2, we look forward to making an official announcement, soon, as to how we are taking on the Living Building Challenge, right here in the Baltimore/Washington Region. Stay tuned !

If anyone wants to set up a discussion group on the LBC and the One Planet Living concepts, let me know and we'll start one up.

Thank you all for being part of the Green Building Network, and I hope that your support translates into becoming a paid member and participating in the Green Building Institute. (www.greenbuildinginstitute.org).

THANK YOU!

Stan Sersen

Lower the carbon footprint of your commute

Keith — Tue, 20 May 2008 03:31:51 GMT

All,

Tonight on channel 2 news in Baltimore they had a compelling segment on commuters searching for carpool companions on the internet. The piece reviewed how citizens were going to Craigslist to seek and offer carpools. PROBLEM - While we applaud their actions it can be very unsafe to hitch a ride with a total stranger found on Craigslist in a society (unfortunately) plagued with predators. SOLUTION - The network offers a more trusted source for carpool companions.

Every so often we hear requests from members to carpool to GBI events or to work so we have started a new Discussion Forum for Carpooling. Whether you are driving to work or to a Green Building Institute event here is where you connect with others to share the ride.

Let us know what you think of this feature.

Green Building Institute Announces Summer Concert

Stanley — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:48:27 GMT

The greeNEWit FEST

hosted by the Green Building Institute

When:

1pm - 8pm Saturday, July 19 2008

Where: Alfa Ridge Park, Howard County Map

MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR!!!

This will be a day to picnic, hear live music, knock down some cold ones on a Summer afternoon.

Join the Green Building Institute as we host our first Summer concert in the park. Details to follow.

Interested in sponsorship oppurtunities for this large event? --- contact info@greenbuildinginstitute.org - Help us out, be a sponsor or a volunteer.

Green Roofs and the GBN

Stanley — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:56:46 GMT

I would like to extend a special thanks to Greg Long of Capital Green Roofs for hosting the last Green Building Network meeting held at the EnviroCenter by the Green Building Institute.

We filled the center with interested and interesting people who learned alot about green vegetated roofs and networked with other like minded people.

Way to go Greg. and THANKS AGAIN on behalf of the entire Network.

We need to start creating a list of sponsors and interesting information and products to talk about. Please contact ABI ROME in the network to offer your support. Or just reply to this discussion that you are interested.

For a sponsorship fee of $250 all attendees will thank you for the food and drinks that you will provide at the next networking meeting. PLUS you get to present your information to the entire network.

We at the Green Building Institute are proud to be able to provide this networking vehicle to spread the word of how to create a more sustainable future for the next generations.

Stan Sersen, President of the Board.

Proposals before City Council would offer big tax breaks to 'green' buildings

Keith — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:52:09 GMT

Proposals before City Council would offer big tax breaks to 'green' buildings

ROBBIE WHELAN

Daily Record Business Writer

March 4, 2008 6:58 PM

Two bills before the Baltimore City Council would provide hefty tax credits to home and business owners who go green.

Introduced by Councilman Jim Kraft at the City Council meeting on Monday night, both pieces of legislation propose changes in the city tax code.

The first bill, which deals with owners of commercial properties, would provide incentives, in the form of a 10-year, 100 percent credit on city property taxes, for builders who comply with the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards.

The second bill, geared more toward homeowners, would provide incentives of up to one-third of the installation costs, with a $25,000 cap, for single-family home owners who install alternative energy devices such as solar panels or geothermal heating. For multifamily and commercial properties, the credit would be capped at $125,000.

"I think that it's important that we try to create a sustainable city," said Kraft, a Democrat who represents Southeast Baltimore. "Using the LEED certification tools allows us to move in that direction, so creating incentives like these would help more people participate in the program."

Kraft added that he expects the first bill, referred to as the High-Performance Buildings bill, to be amended to shorten the duration for the tax credits to five years, and for the LEED expectation to be raised from LEED-Silver to LEED-Gold, when discussed in committee meetings. This is, he said, because many builders are building green on their own, without city incentives.

"We're finding this is something we don't have to push for," he said. "When people come in to talk about their programs, they say, ‘Naturally, this is going to be certified.' ... The market has created the demand for green buildings."

Baltimore's Green Building Task Force was created in 2006, and last year the city passed an ordinance requiring all commercial and institutional buildings constructed starting in July 2009 to comply with LEED-Silver or equivalent standards.

The LEED system is the most widely used national rating structure in the country, and is judged on a scale of 69 total possible points, which are earned by incorporating sustainable elements, such as storm water management facilities, solar panels or air quality systems, into the design of a building. LEED-Silver buildings have earned a minimum of 33 points.

Brad Rogers, a broker at Baltimore's City Life Realty, which specializes in selling green properties, said he was thrilled that Baltimore was joining the ranks of at least 40 American cities that have mandated green building and energy efficiency standards.

Many homeowners cannot afford the price tag that comes with a residential solar panel system, he said, which in Baltimore can range between $12,000 and $75,000, depending on the size of the house's roof, the age of the house and a variety of other factors.

"Certainly I would see this as being a pro-business and pro-real estate business direction that legislation is going in," he said. "But it is only adding to what I see as a sea change in the Baltimore and Maryland economy. This is the future to which real estate, construction, and development is going. ... It is exactly the type of thing that successful regions do when they're trying to respond proactively to environmental problems. "

In addition, Rogers said his company has seen an increase in the number of home buyers who consider building practices an important part of their purchasing decision.

"In a city where property taxes continue to be much higher than the surrounding jurisdictions, and where home buyers consider property taxes a legit factor in paying their monthly payments, anything that brings those taxes down, improves the salability of real estate in the area, and if you can combine that with green measures, it's a two-punch, win-win situation," he said.

Both of the pending City Council bills will be discussed next in committee, and Kraft expects a vote on them in late April. If approved by the council, Kraft said, he does not expect the mayor to veto the bills, but does expect resistance from the city's finance department, which collects property taxes.

Baltimore City assesses a tax of $2.268 per $100 of assessed value on residential properties, and an additional 5.67 cents for commercial property, which combined amount to more than half the city's annual tax revenue.

"Generally, [Kraft's bills] appear to be for a good cause, but my concern is for the financial impact, said Edward Gallagher, the city's Director of Finance. "I'm certainly concerned about the loss of revenue."

3rd Annual Sustainable Campus Conference UMCP March 31, 2008

Stanley — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:25:18 GMT

March 31, 2008 to April 2, 2008 - University College UMCP

See what is going on with sustainability of our nation's colleges.

I'm proud to announce that ASG®'s own design principal, Lacy Brittingham, AIA, LEED AP has had her presentation accepted for a concurrent session during this conference. Lacy will be discussing how the regenerative design of the EnviroCenter Phase 2 with it's fully integrated urban farming component can be easily used in the development of college campuses and offices of the future.

Way to go Lacy!

for more information on the upcoming conference go to:

http://www.nacubo.org/x9790.xml

Stan Sersen

Ever heard of the Urban Forest Project?

Keith — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:15:11 GMT

It's a great way to get publicity for your business while participating in a creat cause. Check it out: http://www.bmore-urbanforestproject.org/

Join fellow GBI network member Rachael Baird in making this a success

Baltimore: The Urban Forest Project aligns 200 artists & designers, 150+ K-12 students and (we are hoping for) 100 businesses in an exercise to develop a sustainable and green Baltimore. We have asked the designers & students to provide us with a design that is based on what they think a tree looks like. We have taken those drawings, put them on banners and will be displaying them all over the city to act as an Urban Forest; if you can replace the banner with a tree, then we would be one step closer to a strong and sustainable future. The businesses have sponsored each banner as a message of support to the project and advertisement to their business.

The purpose is to push people to the parks and remind them why they want to help do their part in sustaining Baltimore. Tree Baltimore is the benefactor of the project and we are providing 5 events throughout the two month period that will help push the message. In each park we will have installations and day long events with a powerful message; Create one park: Plant trees, Save our future. At the end of the project, the artist & designer banners will be taken down and made into large tote bags that will be functional pieces of one-of-a-kind art. All the proceeds will be given to Tree Baltimore to ensure that the project is a success. The student banners will be made into book covers and donated to the schools to help sustain their resources.

This is an opportunity for Baltimore to come together and spread an important and wide spread message that will effect our city for generations to come. We hope that you want to be apart of it!

Events for this Project:

March 19th: Hanging party at Robert Oliver
April 12th: JHU opening event party on Hopkins Beach
May 10th: Patterson Park Event
May 17th: Clifton Park Event with Girl Scouts
May 31st: Wyman Dell Park Even
June 8th: Carroll Park Event
June 28th: Closing of exhibition at MICA

NETWORK MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENT

Keith — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 02:16:01 GMT

Dear subscribers,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the rapid growth of our new networking group that is over 400 strong!

Many of you have had some questions on current features and functionaltiy and I wanted to respond to some of these general inquiries:

EMAIL ALERTS: If you think you are receiving too much or too little information via the alerts you can adjust your flow by clicking on MY SETTINGS and then MY PREFERENCES. If you scroll down to the bottom of this page you can click on your preferences.
INVITE FRIENDS: Everyone can invite friends that are interested in the green building arena and we encourage this.
ADVERTISING: We are shutting down all outside (non subscriber) advertising and creating a program so you can benefit from advertising to members on this site. MORE TO COME!

Thank you again and I look forward to growing together.