U.S. Green Building Council
Date: 2019-08-09
In its recently released LEED in Motion: Residential report, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) notes that green, LEED-certified homes have grown 19 pct since 2017 and are at an all-time high with nearly 500,000 single family, multifamily and affordable housing LEED-certified units globally -- with more than 400,000 units in the U.S. with California leading the pack with 40,000 LEED certified residential units, followed by Texas with more than 24,500.

LEED-certified homes use an average of 20 to 30 pct less energy than a traditional home, with some home owners reporting up to 60 percent savings. (Source: US Green Building Council, PR, Boston Real Estate Times, Aug., 2019) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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Canada Green Building Council
Date: 2019-07-22
Brampton, Ontario-headquartered digital imaging specialist Canon Canada Inc reports it has been awarded the Canada Green Building Council’s LEED®, Gold certification for New Construction and Major Renovations 2009 certification for its corporate headquarters. . Canon Canada collaborated with Colliers Project Leaders and architects Moriyama & Teshima to construct the building which features:

Energy reduction and efficiency is built-in to the building's lighting and cooling/heating systems, with LED lighting that helps to save approximately 70 to 80% of energy (compared with traditional 60W incandescent lights) and building systems are set to shut off after hours to help reduce energy.

Natural light and solar-adaptive shading help to maximize daylight in the office while minimizing glare and solar heat, simultaneously aiding in the regulation of lighting and temperature.

Rooftop greywater collection system helps save 20%of the building's annual domestic city water usage (the equivalent of 4.5 million bottles of water); the water is reused for flushing and irrigation.

Energy-saving office technologies like Canon's own multifunction devices and display projectors automatically power down to minimize energy consumption in all meeting and copier rooms.

A sophisticated kitchen digestion system helps divert and reduce organic waste from landfills.

Encouraging employees to reduce carbon emissions by offering premium parking for green vehicles, employees that carpool as well as sheltered bicycle parking.

Employees and the surrounding residential community enjoy an expansive community green space, including a pond and recreational path, 6,000 drought-resistant shrubs and 200 drought-resistant trees to promote the area's wildlife biodiversity.

Phasing out the sale single-use plastic water bottles and plastic straws has begun at the headquarters and at all Canon Canada's 13 office locations across the country by the end of 2019. (Source: Cannon Canada, CNW, 22 July, 2019) Contact: Canon Canada, www.cannon.ca ; Canada Green Building Council, Thomas Mueller, President and CEO (CaGBC) and GBCI Canada

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Vanderbilt,US Green Building Council
Date: 2019-07-03
Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Tennessee reports its engineering and science building and Eskind Biomedical Library have been awarded US Green Building Council LEED Gold certification for environmental initiatives and energy efficiency. Twenty other buildings on the Vanderbilt campus are LEED certified.

The university with 12,600 students is launching a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing its environmental footprint, sourcing 100 pct of its power needs from renewable energy, and achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2050. (Source: Vanderbilt University, CleanLink, 2 July, 2019) Contact: Vanderbilt University, (615) 322-7311, www.vanderbilt.edu; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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Alexandria, Green Building
Date: 2019-06-28
In the Old Dominion State, the Alexandria city council reports approval of an update to the city's 2009 Green Building Policy requiring new developments to have a 20 pct reduction in energy consumption, 29 pct reduction in water use and 3 pct cut in green gas emissions, compared to developments abiding by the 2009 standards.

The policy update features:: increased minimum certification for projects requiring a development site plan or development special use permit; priority performance points for certification; and enhanced public development standards. The first refers to the certification levels outlined in different third-party rating systems for green building standards. The city sets specific benchmark requirements for three systems -- US Green Building Council LEED, Green Globes and EarthCraft.

The new policy sets higher standards for public development than private development, although requirements for both types increased from those outlined in the 2009 policy. Public developments must now meet LEED Gold standards while private developments must meet LEED Silver stands. Projects not using the LEED system will need to meet the equivalent in Green Globes, EarthCraft or another third-party rating system. The new standards come into force in March, 2020. (Source: Alexandria City Council. Alexandria Times, 27 June, 2019) Contact: Alexandria City Council, (703) 746-4500, /www.alexandriava.gov/Council

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US Green Building Counci, LEED Certification
Date: 2019-05-17
Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-headquartered consumer goods giant Unilever North America reports it headquarters building has been awarded US Green Building Council LEED Platinum certification sustainable buildings. he project was also recognized by the New Jersey Business & Industry Associate New Good Neighbor Award in support of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan to reduce its carbon footprint by 50 pct while doubling its business.

The HQ building design incorporates smart technologies by EDGE that record data and automate the building's features and functions, including Internet of Things (IoT) systems enabling the building to learn from occupants' behaviors and remember their preferences. (Source: Unilever, PR May, 2019) Contact: Unilever, Catherine Reynolds MediaRelations.USA@unilever.com, (201) 894-7760, www.unileverusa.com; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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USGBC,ReNew Power
Date: 2019-05-15
In the Sub-Continent, independent power producer ReNew Power Ltd. reports receipt of US Green Building Council LEED Gold Certification for energy efficiency and sustainable construction at the company's ReNew Hub corporate office in New Delhi.

The ReNew Hub corporate office energy efficiency features include: CFC free refrigerants in the HVAC system; water efficient plumbing features that have cut water consumption by half; waste segregation measures; the use of eco-friendly cleaning materials; and other features.

ReNew Power Limited develops, builds, owns and operates utility scale wind and solar energy projects as well as distributed solar energy projects that generate energy for commercial and industrial customers. (Source: ReNew Power, PR, May, 2019) Contact: ReNew Power Limited, Ms. Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Chief Sustainability Officer, www.renewpower.com

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USGBC, Bodega Garzon
Date: 2019-05-15
Bodega Garzon, a 500-acre boutique winery in Uruguay claims to the first sustainable winery outside North America to be awarded US Green Building Council LEED Silver certification.

Throughout the LEED-certification process, the winery reportedly received the highest possible scores in water efficiency and design innovation. The facility uses 100 percent non-potable water for irrigation and implemented original wastewater technologies. The winery also features a green roof with native species, a rainwater harvesting and reuse system; and high-efficiency HVAC with heat recovery for energy efficiency. (Source: Bodega Garzon, Commercial Property Exec, May, 2019)Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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USGBC
Date: 2019-05-13
In Boston, MGM Resorts International reports its MGM Springfield is the world's first gaming resort to win US Green Building Council LEED platinum-level energy efficiency certification for new construction.

MGM Resorts noted the installation of a new 1.13-MW solar array was "a significant enabler" of the LEED platinum rating. The solar canopy is expected to generate more than 1,600 mWh of electricity and reduce the casino's annual carbon footprint by the equivalent of 410 metric tons of CO2. Other LEED qualifying features include: a rainwater collections system that provides all the water used for landscaping on the property; 50 electric vehicle charging stations and more. (Source: MGM, USGBC, MetroWest Daily News, 12 May, 2019) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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USGBC
Date: 2019-04-24
Thanks to continued upgrades to Target Field, the Minnesota Twins have achieved US Green Building Council LEED Gold re-certification for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance. In 2010 Target Field earned LEED Silver for New Construction. Target Field is also the nation’s first sports venue to earn three levels of LEED certification through Arc, the state-of-the art digital platform that uses real-time data to help benchmark, measure and improve sustainability performance.

The ballpark's environmental stewardship efforts include: a custom-designed Rain Water Recycle System; aggressive recycling and waste-to-energy programs that have kept more than 10,870 tons of waste out of local landfills since 2011; a shared initiative with Delaware North Sportservice to partner with Rock and Wrap It UP!, Inc. to donate more than 10 tons of food to local charities each season; LED light fixtures for field and canopy lighting; and the introduction of compostible beverage cups, plates, trays, utensils and straws. The ballparks has also installed the largest "living wall" in the continental U.S. (Source: BallPark Digest, April, 2019)

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USGBC
Date: 2019-04-17
In Atlanta, the $400 million, 450,000 square-foot Emory University Hospital Tower reports it has been awarded US Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED Silver certification for energy efficiency. Qualifying elements in the design and construction of the Emory University Hospital Tower include:

Project site located in close proximity to basic services such as restaurants, stores and public transit to encourage building occupants to walk instead of drive;

Low-flow indoor water fixtures reduce water consumption by an estimated 20 PCT;

Energy efficient exterior glazing systems allow for daylight to reach core areas throughout the building;

Energy efficient features that allow for more than 20 percent energy savings;

Over 95 pct of construction waste recycled;

Special focus on indoor environmental quality for improving occupant health and well-being of employees;

Lead- and mercury-free facility -- Recycling program implemented.

Emory University now has 34 LEED certified buildings that equal more than 4 million square feet. (Source: Emory University Hospital, PR, AJC, April, 2019) Contact: Emory University Hospital Tower, (404) 712-2000, www.emoryhealthcare.org; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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USGBC
Date: 2019-04-10
The Washington, DC-headquartered US Green Building Council (USGBC) reports the availability of its new LEED v4.1 LEED green building program for cities, communities and homes.

The updated rating system is designed to make the decision to implement LEED easier for residential projects and revitalize our approach to the housing market. Through a streamlined and simple approach, LEED credits that have a higher value to home owners and residents are prioritized, such as health and well-being improved comfort, energy and water savings, green and healthy materials. Options have also been added to existing LEED credits that lower both hard and soft costs to achieve certification. And recognizing the unique circumstances of international projects, LEED v4.1 Residential is also now more applicable to international projects.

For the LEED for Cities and LEED for Communities rating systems, LEED v4.1 expands on the earlier performance based approach to deliver a comprehensive framework to support plan, design, operation and performance management phases of both new and existing cities and communities. The rating systems align with all the UN Sustainable Development Goals and incorporate leadership standards and best practices from complementary systems, like the previously integrated STAR Community Rating System, as well as the PEER, TRUE, EDGE and SITES programs. More than 90 cities and communities around the world, representing more than 45 million people, are LEED-certified based on several factors, including water efficiency, energy, greenhouse gas emissions, materials and resources, quality of life, innovation and regional priorities. (Source: USGBC, PR, April, 2019) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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USGBC
Date: 2019-04-03
In Sacramento, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reports the new 28,100 square-foot Central Health Services building at California State Prison has earned US Green Building Council LEED Gold certification Gold certification for its energy-saving and environmental conservation features that will reduce energy costs by 46 pct. The medical clinic's sustainability features include: clerestory windows for maximum natural light and lower lighting costs; efficient water fixtures that cut indoor water use by 27 pct; recycling or reusing 94 pct of construction waste; low emission adhesives and paints; increased ventilation and high-efficiency filters and fans; and upgrading all systems beyond building code standard for maximum efficiency.

The health facility is the 61st CDCR-owned facility to be LEED-certified and the 10th to be certified at the Gold level. In 2008, CDCR adopted an environmental sustainability program to reduce emissions and its carbon footprint, to conserve water and to generate energy from renewable sources. (Source: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, PR, corrections.com, 2 April, 2019) Contact: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, www.cdcr.ca.gov; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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Ashok Leyland
Date: 2019-03-29
Chennai, India-based, Hinduja Group's Ashok Leyland, one of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers in India, reports it has been awarded LEED v4.1 Buildings Operations & Maintenance Platinum certification for its corporate HQ office building. LEED v4.1 is the newest version of the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

Ashok Leyland is the first office in India and fourth in the world to receive LEED v4.1 Platinum certification. (Source: Ashok Leyland, Reality Fact, 27 Mar., 2019) Contact: Ashok Leyland, www.ashokleyland.com/en, US Green Building Council, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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USGBC
Date: 2019-03-27
Baltimore-based commercial building developer St. John Properties reports receipt of its 50th U.S. Green Building Council LEED energy efficiency certification.

Since initiating its LEED program a decade ago, St. John Properties has developed close to 3 million square feet of Gold, Silver or Certified space throughout Maryland, Utah and Virginia. Nearly every new property constructed by St. John Properties is designed to earn LEED certification, including buildings in Colorado, Louisiana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Utah and Wisconsin. (Source: St.John Properties, Commercial Property Executive, 26 Mar., 2019) Contact: St.John Properties, Richard Williamson, Snr. VP, (410) 788-0100, (410) 788-0851-fax, www.sjpi.com; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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US GBC
Date: 2019-03-20
The Four Seasons hospitality chain reports it plans to launch its first property in Tennessee with the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Nashville.

Groundbreaking for the 236 room, US Green Building Council LEED Gold for new construction certification standard complex is slated for April, 2019. (Source: Four Seasons, Hospitality Design, 19 Mar., 2019) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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Energy Efficiency
Date: 2019-03-08
In the Empire State, the Village of Lake Placid Board of Trustees is reporting the formation of a Climate Smart Community Task Force -- a state Department of Environmental Conservation program where municipalities and organizations can earn certification levels based on actions that reduce the effects of climate change and are energy efficient.

The program is similar to the US Green Building Council LEED certification program in which Lake Placid participates. Presently, 250 New York ommunities registered in the Climate Smart program. (Source: Village of Lake Placid, Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Mar., 2019)Contact: NY Climate Smart Community Task Force, www.dec.ny.gov/energy/53013.html; Village of Lake Placid, www.lakeplacid.com

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United States Green Building Council
Date: 2019-03-04
The city of Annapolis, Maryland reports its new water treatment plant is one of nine buildings in Maryland to be nominated as a finalist for a 2019 United States Green Building Council (USGBC), Maryland Chapter Wintergreen Award. The water treatment facility is the largest construction project ever undertaken by the City and its first capital project to receive US Green Building Council LEED Silver Certification.

The water treatment plant green energy infrastructure work includes: three bio-retention facilities;, a permeable paver parking lot; re-circulators for water efficiency and separation for waste water streams; variable frequency drive pumps for maximum energy effic iency; and a data-driven efficiency system to reduce chemical usage. The facility also includes environmental innovations like a low-impact design, a nationally registered Monarch Butterfly Way Station, bike racks and parking for energy efficient cars. (Source: Eye on Annapolis, 3 Mar., 2019) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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USGBC,CEMEX USA
Date: 2019-03-01
CEMEX USA is reporting its headquarters building in Houston has been awarded US Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED gold certification.

The more than 240 000 square-foot of space utilized 20 pct recycled materials and other features to achieve the LEED gold certification. The building accomplished a 52 pct power reduction and all electric equipment meets EPA ENERGY STAR® certification. Water consumption has been reduced by one third with the use of "low-flow" efficient fixtures and nine out of ten work areas receive natural sunlight. (Source: CEMEX, World Cement, 28 Feb., 2019) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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U.S. Green Building Council
Date: 2019-02-27
The Indiana University Bloomington is reporting receipt of three LEED Gold certifications for buildings in the past few months, bringing the campus total to nine. The School of Public and Environmental Affairs addition, Ray E. Cramer Marching Hundred Hall and Hodge Hall all received gold certification in late 2018 and early 2019, reaffirming the university's commitment to ensuring all new construction receives a minimum LEED Gold certification or higher, as laid out in the IU Bicentennial Strategic Plan.

Contributing solutions like public transportation access, use of open spaces, water use reduction, efficient mechanical systems, installation of LED lighting, diversion of construction waste from landfills and recycling programs earn LEED certification points. (Source: Inside IU Bloomington, Feb., 2019) Contact: IU Bloominton, (812) 855-4848, www.indiana.edu; US Green Building Council, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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Canada Green Building Council.
Date: 2019-02-25
The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual List for Top 10 Countries and Regions has ranked Canada second for LEED certified projects internationally.

Canada has the largest number of certified projects outside the U.S. with 3,254, according to the Canada Green Building Council. Ratings by province are Ontario, 3,015; Quebec, 1,643; British Columbia, 1,571; Alberta, 1,194; Atlantic Canada, 378; Manitoba, 282; Saskatchewan, 129; and Territories, 24. (Source: USGBC, Feb., 2019)Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org; Canada Green Building Council, Mark Hutchinson, Director of Green Building Programs, (866) 941-1184, info@cagbc.org, www.cagbc.org

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US Green Building Council
Date: 2019-02-20
The 42,000 square-foot Science & Engineering Building on the Grayslake, Ill., campus of the College of Lake County reports it has been LEED Platinum certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The facility, which opened in January 2018, houses mechatronics, photonics and chemistry classrooms and laboratories and is College of Lake County's first LEED Platinum building.

The facility's energy efficiency -- sustainability features include: photovoltaic solar panels, green roofs of planted vegetation, a geothermal heating and cooling system and energy efficient fume hoods in chemistry labs. Other features include LED lighting and daylight harvesting to reduce the need for electrical lighting. The building's rainwater recovery system collects rain in an underground tank and uses it for waste flushing and reduces potable water use by 41 pct.

Overall, the Science & Engineering Building is designed to reduce building energy use by 66 pct compared with a standard science building of similar size. (Source: College of Lake County, American School and University, Feb., 2019) Contact: College of Lake County, www.clcillinois.edu; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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US Green Building Council
Date: 2019-02-15
In Boulder, the University of Colorado is reporting its recently opened Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) has been awarded US Green Building Council LEED Gold certification

The latest recognition brings to 27 the total number of CU Boulder buildings with LEED certification either for new construction or major renovations.

CASE building LEED qualifying features include: electrochromic glass that self-dims as sun exposure increases, minimizing heat gain and glare; strategic building layout to maximize campus green space; LED lighting throughout; low-flow plumbing features; 67 pct of construction waste diverted from landfills; HVAC and envelope designed to provide a comfortable thermal environment, and others. (Source: University of Colorado, PR, Feb., 2019)Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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US Green Building Council
Date: 2019-02-15
According to the US Green Building Council's latest national listing, India is ranked third with more than 899 LEED-certified projects totaling more than 24.81 million gross square meters of space. The leading LEED nations are Mainland China, Canada, India, Brazil, ,Republic of Korea, Turkey, Germany, Mexico, Taiwan and Sapin, in that order.

The list ranks countries and regions in terms of cumulative LEED-certified gross square meters as of December 31, 2018 and represents 7,797 certified projects totaling more than 210 million gross square meters of space.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the world's most widely used green building program with 96,275 registered and certified projects in more than 167 countries and territories. (Source: US Green Building Council, Various Media, Moneycontrol, Feb., 2019) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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USGBC
Date: 2019-02-11
The US Green Building Council (USGBC) has officially revealed the Top 10 states for LEED certification. The states that led the country in LEED standards constructed over 468 million square feet of green building space for a population of 128 million people.

Illinois led the pack of the top 10 LEED states with 172 projects that adhered to LEED standards. Massachusetts came in second followed by Washington, New York, Texas, Colorado, Hawaii, Virginia, California and Maryland.

Several of the top 2018 LEED states -- Illinois, Maryland, New York, Colorado, Virginia, California and Maryland -- were also in the top 10 in 2017.(Source: US Green Building Council, Feb., 2018) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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USGBC
Date: 2019-02-04
In Atlanta. the 2-million-square-foot, 2017-vintage Mercedes Benz Stadium arena reports it was the first U.S. professional sports stadium to achieve US Green Building Council Platinum LEED certification.

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium LEED qualifying features include: 82,500 square feet of LED lighting, which lasts 10 times longer than standard lighting and reduces energy use by up to 60 pct;

4,000 onsite solar panels can generate 1.6 million kWh , sufficient power for 10 Atlanta Falcons games;

an advanced storm water management system that can store over 2 million gallons of water to reduce flooding risk to surrounding areas;

48 EV charging stations, and others.

The NFL recently announced a membership with the Green Sports Alliance, an organization aimed at encouraging green and renewable practices at sporting events. (Source: USGBC, Greenroofs, 3 Feb., 2019) Contact: Green Sports Alliance, www.greensportsalliance.org; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News LEED Certification,  US Green Building Council,  Energy Efficiency,  

USGBC
Date: 2019-01-24
Los Angeles-based Kilroy Realty Corp (KRC)is reporting the US Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded its 350 Mission Street property TRUE Zero Waste Certification at the gold level. The 455,340 square feet property is the largest single commercial property in the world to achieve TRUE Zero Waste certification and is also the first commercial building in San Francisco to do so. The property is currently LEED Platinum, ENERGY STAR and Fitwel certified.

All About Waste provided consulting services related to the project and representatives from the Green Building Certification Institute did the onsite performance verification. (Source: Kilroy Realty, PR, 22 Jan, 2019) Contact: Kilroy Realty, Sara Neff, VP Sustainability, (310) 481-8449, sneff@kilroyrealty.com, www.kilroyrealty.com; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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US Green Building Council
Date: 2019-01-24
The Chubb Building in Hamilton is the first in Bermuda to be twice recertified as Leed Gold by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The building first received Leed Gold certification under the Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system in 2011.

In 2017, the building was recertified when Chubb became one of the first companies in North America to use the Leed Dynamic Plaque to manage the building's energy efficiency and environmental performance.

The Leed Dynamic Plaque calculates and displays the building's performance across five categories: energy, water, waste, transportation and human experience. Other green initiatives that contributed to the re-certification include: energy-efficient LED lights, electric car charging stations, a trash audit and waste recycling program and others. Chubb notes that since 2011 it has cut the Bermuda building's energy consumption 28 pct.

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurer. (Source: Chubb, PR, Royal Gazette, 22 Jan., 2019) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org; Chubb, Colin Brown, Bermuda VP facilities and Leed project manager, 441-295-5200, https://www.chubb.com/bm-en/contact.../chubb-bermuda-international-contacts.aspx

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USGBC
Date: 2019-01-21
In the Aloha State, the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas Ka'anapali resort hotel reports that with receipt of the US Green Building Council's LEED GOLD certification for new construction it is now "officially one of the most eco-friendly resort properties on Maui."

The LEED rating system was specifically designed by the U.S. Green Building Council to guide the development of more sustainable buildings. (Source: Westin Nanea Ocean Villas Ka'anapali, Maui Times, 18 Jan., 2019)Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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UC Berkeley,USGBC
Date: 2019-01-18
The University of California, Berkeley reports it's Haas School of Business Chou Hall has received both US Green Building Council LEED Platinum certification and TRUE Zero Waste certification from Green Business Certification Inc., making it the "greenest academic building in the nation."

The TRUE Platinum Zero Waste certification is a result of efforts to divert more 90 pct of Chou's landfill waste. TRUE Zero Waste certification levels include Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. To achieve TRUE Platinum, the team earned 69 out of the 70 credits ranging from: composting food scraps, tracking the purchase of environmentally preferred products, providing employees with access to zero-waste training, and reducing the use of hazardous waste chemicals. (Source: University of California Berkeley, American School & University, Jan., 2019) Contact: TRUE Zero Waste, www.true.gbci.org; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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US Green Building Council
Date: 2019-01-18
In Nashville, Tenn., private research university Vanderbilt is reporting its Engineering and Science Building has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The Engineering and Science Building houses the university's most energy efficient lab space. During the initial design phase of the building, 3D modeling was used to evaluate conditions of the site such as orientation, heat gain from windows, natural light, and others to ensure optimized design. Other green design elements that helped achieve its LEED status include:

20' tall enthalpy wheels to transfer heat and humidity, conditioning the fresh air intake with exhaust air leaving the building;

Chilled beams supplied by hot and cold water used to condition spaces which is more efficient than conditioning with air systems;

A 10,000 gallon cistern to capture rain water for irrigation;

Sunshading frit on glass to optimize natural solar light and to also help prevent bird strikes;

LED energy efficient lighting and occupancy sensors;

Flexibility of design to allow different lab type use over time as well as lab renovations without major mechanical systems rework;

Clean room energy reduction through occupancy and particle sensors to decrease system use when not needed. (Source: Vanderbilt University, PR, 17 Jan., 2019) Contact: Vanderbilt University, 615-322-7311, www.vanderbilt.edu; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

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USGBC,US Green Building Council
Date: 2019-01-16
In Fairfield, Conn., the Stamford Health hospital, which opened in 2016, reports it has been awarded US Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Healthcare Certification. The facility is the largest in the country and the first such facility in Conn. certified facility.

In qualifying for certification, the Stamford hospital focused on; airflow, energy consumption, air quality, and "green" roofs.Other LEED qualifying features include:

about 85 pct of construction debris was recycled;

green spaces were maximized, including gardens, courtyards and paths to promote healing and provide patient and family respite;

sustainable, regionally sourced materials and products such as certified wood, walls, ceiling, flooring and other components were used throughout;

low-emitting materials, such as environmentally friendly carpets and no noxious flooring material, were selected.

In addition, the hospital has also been lauded by Stamford 2030 District, a public-private nonprofit collaborative community of high-performance buildings in downtown Stamford. Stamford 2030 aims to cut energy and water consumption and reduce emissions from transportation in the city by 50 pct by 2030. (Source: WestFair Online, Stamford Health, PR, Jan., 2019) Contact: Stamford Health, Kathleen Silard, Pres., CEO, www.stamfordhealth.org; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News USGBC,  LEED Certification,  Energy Efficiency,  

USGBC, University of Alabama
Date: 2019-01-09
Following their new sustainability strategic plan released in November, the University of Alabama (UAB) in Tuscaloosa is reports plans to complete the construction and US Green Building Council LEED certification of three campus buildings -- the new College of Arts and Sciences building, a Residence Hall, and the Snoozy Book Store -- by the year 2020.

With the addition of the state's recently enacted new building energy efficiency code, UAB expects to achieve an additional 9.1 pct energy cost savings above the savings anticipated with the LEED certification. The state's new construction energy efficiency code is considered one of the nation's most stringent, according to the UAB release. (Source: UAB, PR, Bham Now, 5 Jan., 2019) Contact: UAB, Melody Gillezeau, Sustainable Development Project Manager , (205) 348-6010, www.ua.edu; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News LEED Certification,  USGBC,  Energy Efficiency,  

US Green Building Council
Date: 2018-12-14
In the City of Brotherly Love, the Philadelphia Eagles football club is reporting its home stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, has scored US Green Building Council LEED Gold certification.

The stadium's energy efficiency and LEED qualifying feature include: operating 100 pct on clean energy, motion controlled LED lighting and HVAC, diverting 99 pct of waste from landfills, a comprehensive on-site anaerobic digestion composting program, the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products, and phasing out plastics at concession stands. The facility also produces one-third of its annual power needs from its 11,108 solar panels and 14 wind turbines and sources its remaining remaining energy by purchasing credits from suppliers that use renewable energy. The stadium owners also created a 6.5-acre forest in Bensalem and planted 5,900 trees with help from the Conservation Fund and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. (Source: Lincoln Financial Field, Inquirer, philly.com, 12 Dec., 2018) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  USGBC,  LEED Certification,  

USGBC
Date: 2018-12-12
In Conn., Stamford Health reports it has received US Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED Healthcare Certification for its 650,000-square-foot Stamford Hospital which was completed in 2016. Stamford Health is one of only 86 projects worldwide to be certified under the LEED healthcare system rating. It is also the largest LEED for healthcare certified project in the nation.

In the project, the Stamford Hospital focused on air flow, energy consumption and air quality. The project's LEED qualifying features included:

85 pct of construction debris was recycled;

green spaces were maximized, including gardens;

courtyards and paths to promote healing and provide patient and family respite;

green roofing system was implemented to provide a heat island effect, sending less heat into the atmosphere;

sustainably sourced materials and products such as certified wood, walls, ceiling, flooring and other components were regional sourced;

low-emitting materials, such as environmentally friendly carpets and no noxious flooring material, were installed throughout the building; and

an advanced facilities and energy management system was installed. (Source: Stamford Health, PR, 10 Dec., 2018) Contact: Stamford Health, Stamford Hospital, Michael Smeriglio, Executive Director, Facilities Management, www.stamfordhealth.org; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News USGBC,  LEED Certification,  Energy Efficiency,  

USGBC
Date: 2018-11-28
The US Green Building Council (USGBC) is touting the launch of LEED Zero, a new program to address net-zero operations and resources in green building projects. LEED Zero recognizes specific achievements in building operations and rewards projects that have used LEED as a framework to address important aspects of green buildings and taken their buildings to the next level by designing and operating toward net-zero goals.

LEED Zero encourages a holistic approach for buildings and places that will contribute to a regenerative future. This is part of a vision to ensure the next phase of USGBC's efforts will be LEED Positive, where buildings generate more energy than they use, and remove more carbon than they produce. (Source: USGBC, The Construction Specifier, 19 Nov., 2018) Contact: USGBC LEED Zero, new.usgbc.org/leed-zero

More Low-Carbon Energy News USGBC news,  US Green Buildin Council news,  LEED Certification news,  Green Building news,  

USGBC
Date: 2018-11-28
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) reports it will begin offering LEED recertification for all LEED-certified projects. For recertification, projects must submit 12 months of data demonstrating continued or improved performance and meet the standards of the newest available version of LEED. The recertification will be valid for three years. (Source: USGBC, Building Design & Construction, Nov., 2018) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News LEED Certification,  Energy Efficiency,  USGBC,  

US Green Building Council
Date: 2018-11-19
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is reporting the City of Las Cruces, New Mexico, (pop. 97,000 +-) is one of 75 U.S. cities to be awarded LEED certification for its new Cities Program. In October 2015, Las Cruces was recognized with a 3-STAR Community rating. STAR Communities recent integration with USGBC further highlights the City's commitment to sustainable development. Seven of the city's major facilities are either LEED certified or awaiting final approval. (Source: USGBC, City of Las Cruces, PR, 16 Nov., 2019) Contact: City of Las Cruces, www.las-cruces.org; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org; ENERGY STAR, www.energystar.gov; 3 STAR Communities, www.starcommunities.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News 3-STAR Community ,  US Green Building Council,  LEED Certification,  

USGBC LEED
Date: 2018-11-14
The US Green Building Council (USGBC) reports states throughout the U.S. are making significant strides in sustainable design, construction and redevelopment at the building level, including multi-family buildings and communities.

The following top LEED-certified states list is based on the number of communities awarded the certification in the past two years, using Yardi Matrix data. The list only features communities with at least 50 multifamily units: California -- 200 communities; Texas -- 106; Washington -- 76; Maryland -- 73; Massachusetts -- 64; New York -- 64; Illinois -- 63; Colorado -- 56; Oregon -- 52; and New Jersey -- 49 communities. (Source: USGBC, Multiple House News, 12 Nov., 2018) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News LEED Communities,  USGBC,  LEED Certification,  

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, US GReen Building Council
Date: 2018-10-26
New Jersey-based Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is reporting receipt of US Green Building Council LEED Gold recertification for the company's headquarters in Parsippany, N.J. The Wyndham headquarters building won its first LEED Silver Certification for Corporate Interiors in 2010, a second Silver certification for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance (EBOM) in 2013, and this recent Gold EBOM recertification, which was earned through water reduction, green cleaning and indoor air quality management.

Wyndham achieved Gold LEED recertification through site related credits that included: open habitat and biodiversity protection; storm water management; water efficient landscaping and related improvements. Over the past five years, the Wyndham headquarters building also improved its score for energy efficiency through the U.S. DOE ENERGY STAR program.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is the world's largest hotel franchising company, with nearly 9,000 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. (Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, PR, 25 Oct., 2018) Contact: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Mary Falvey, CEO, www.wyndhamhotels.com; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org; ENERGY STAR, www.energystar.gov/updates, www.energystar.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News LEED Certification,  US Green Building Council,  ENERGY STAR,  

Bridgestone Americas
Date: 2018-10-24
In the Volunteer State, auto tire manufacturer Bridgestone Americas Inc. reports it has earned US Green Building Council LEED Gold energy efficiency certification for its 514,000-sq.-ft, 30-story headquarters office building in Nashville.

The building, which was constructed in December, 2017, received the award for: environmentally conscious designs and sustainability features; high-efficiency flush and low plumbing fixtures; interior LED lighting fixtures; low-emitting materials for adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, flooring products and composite wood products and furniture; recycled content in materials; white reflective roofing; low-mercury lamps and incorporating materials manufactured within 500 miles of the project site.

Bridgestone Americas boasts five LEED-certified locations, including its Americas Technical Center in Akron and tire plant in Warren County, Tenn (Source: Bridgestone Americas, Tire Business, Bridgestone, 22 Oct., 2018) Contact: Bridgestone Americas, (615) 937-1000, www.bridgestoneamericas.com/en/contact-us/corporate-contacts/united-states; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Green Building Council,  LEED Certification,  Energy Efficiency,  

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (
Date: 2018-10-19
In the Golden State, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) Board of Directors reports it has approved the adoption of a Green Building Policy and will incorporate green building principles into the planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance, renovation and deconstruction of all capital, facility and joint-development projects on SCVTA-owned property.

In addition to committing to meet all mandatory measures for nonresidential structures as outlined in the California Green Building Standards Code, SCVTA will also incorporate factors such as on-site recycling and water reuse, sustainable landscaping, energy efficiency, renewable energy and US Green Building Council LEED standards. Any project with an overall budget of $100 million or more will also be required to develop and implement a Sustainability Plan that includes a list and description of green building features to be included in the project as well as the designation of a Sustainability Coordinator. (Source: SCVTA, RT&S, 18 Oct., 2018) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org; Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, www.vta.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Green Building,  USGBC,  LEED Certification,  

Apple
Date: 2018-10-19
In Herzliya, Isreal, Apple's R&D centre, the company's second largest development facility, has been awarded US Green Building Council LEED Gold and Silver certification, according to the facility's designer Yashar Architects.

The facility is composed of two separate buildings joined by a five-floor suspended atrium. The energy efficiency features include: a building envelope consisting of four types of curtain walls, each one with a different type of glazing to maximize indoor comfort; glass panels printed with dots that filter the light for better and cost efficient temperature control; rooftop solar panels; a smart automatic on-off lighting system; and a climate control system designed to consume 40 pct less electricity than comparable systems. (Source: Yashar Architects, FloorNature, 18 Oct., 2018) Contact: Yashar Architects, +972 3-620-3220, https://yashararch.com; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Apple,  Energy Efficiency,  LEED Certification,  US Green Building Council,  

New York University
Date: 2018-09-28
In the Big Apple, New York University (NYU) has announced the formation of a new working group to carry out new measures to make NYU more sustainable. The effort is expected to include the installation of the university'sfirst rooftop photovoltaic array, capital commitments to make NYU buildings more energy efficient, and others.

Over 90 pct of NYU's energy consumption is building-related. Accordingly, the University is committing $3 to $4 million per year to ensure that all significant NYU construction projects will be LEED certified, targeting Silver certification as a minimum. NYU currently has 11 buildings that are certified LEED Platinum, Gold, or Silver.

Since 2007, NYU has reduced its emissions by 30 pct. for annual reduction of 59,000 metric tons of carbon. The school has also pledged to achieve a 50 pct reduction by 2025 and carbon neutrality by 2040.

(Source: New York University, 26 Sept., 2018) Contact: NYU, John Beckman, (212) 998-6848, Cecil Scheib, NYU Sustainability Lead, www.nyu.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency.LEED Certification,  

State University of New York College at Oneonta
Date: 2018-09-26
In the Empire State, the State University of New York College at Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta) reports it will offer a program to train students in sustainable and environmentally-friendly building design and construction.

Oneonta is partnering with SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to establish goals and best practices for the program, which is supported by a two-year grant of $900,000, part of nearly $6 million awarded to SUNY campuses by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to train more workers in the state's clean-energy sector.

The initiative will also develop an in-house capacity of LEED associated professionals to certify new and existing campus buildings across the State University system. After the three-year pilot program, a SUNY Green Building Technology Learning Center will be developed to expand training SUNY-wide.

The specialized courses will lead to a new Sustainable Building Design certificate offered through the Geography and Environmental Sustainability department.

As previously reported, SUNY College at Brockport, New York, offers a similar program. (Source: State University of New York College at Oneonta , Daily Star, 25 Sept., 2018) Contact: State University of New York College at Oneonta, (607) 436-3500, https://suny.oneonta.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Building Energy Efficiency,  LEED Certification,  

Aquicore, Healthy Buildings
Date: 2018-09-26
Washington, DC-based Aquicore, the leading IoT-driven asset operations platform for commercial real estate (CRE), and indoor environmental consultant Healthy Buildings International, are reporting a new partnership that will enable building owners and operators to achieve better internal reporting and secure key industry certifications -- U.S. Green Building Council's LEED, the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), and U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR.

Aquicore's CRE platform tracks, analyzes and predicts key building metrics in real time enabling asset and property managers to make faster and more informed decisions on key performance indicators such as energy and water use, budgeting and more. Through Aquicore's partnership, Healthy Buildings' services will be available in the Aquicore Marketplace, a best-in-class network of partners, collaborators and applications that are integrated with Aquicore's platform.

Healthy Buildings International helps the commercial building industry benefit from the public's awareness of the indoor workplace environment by taking a proactive, business-minded approach to environmental due diligence. Through its three service lines Indoor Environmental Quality, Sustainability, and Energy & Resources, Healthy Buildings helps it clients attract & retain tenants and employees, enhance building marketability, lower operating costs, and increasing asset value. (Source: Aquicore, PR, 25 Sept., 2018) Contact: Healthy Buildings Int'l, 800-352-6102., http://healthybuildings.com; Aquicore, 202-446-0246, info@aquicore.com , https://aquicore.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News USGBC,  LEED Certification,  ENERGY STAR,  Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark Aquicore,  Healthy Buildings,  

Infosys,USGBC
Date: 2018-09-17
The Indian business technology consultancy Infosys campus in Mysuru, India, reports receipt of the LEED EBOM (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design–Existing Building Operation & Maintenance) Platinum certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Infosys now has 18.25 million sq ft of the highest LEED rated green buildings -- 16.9 million sq ft. are LEED Platinum rated and 1.35 million sq ft. GRIHA 5-star (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) rated buildings.

According to the release, the Mysuru campus efficiency improvements included: large-scale retrofit projects in existing buildings, the complete re-engineering of chiller plants, air handling units, building management system retrofit, UPS retrofit, lighting retrofit, smart water meters, groundwater injection systems to reduce water consumption and harvest rainwater, a solar-powered automated green house dryer capable of treating 3.5 tpd of sewage sludge, a biogas plant to treat food waste, and a focused harnessing of renewable energy. (Source: Infosys, The Hindu, 17 Sept., 2018) Contact:Infosys, www.infosys.com: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News USGBC,  Infosys,  Energy Efficiency,  LEED Certification,  

UC Santa Barbara
Date: 2018-08-29
The 2018 Sustainable Campus Index has tagged the University of California Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara) as a top performer in three categories of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) 2018 Sustainable Campus Index. The annual index ranks the nation's most sustainable colleges and universities, as measured by AASHE's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).

Highlighting innovative and high-impact sustainability initiatives from STARS-rated institutions -- UCSB holds a STARS Gold rating for sustainability impact areas related to academics, engagement, operations and administration.

In existing buildings and new construction, UCSB is committed to the US Green Building Council's LEED green building rating system with more than 278,000 square feet currently certified as either LEED Platinum or Gold. UCSB also has an indoor air quality policy, a green cleaning policy and is ranked fifth, earning 69 pct, compared to an average of just 16.9 pct for institutions of comparable size in sustainable investments.

AASHE's STARS is the leading tool for measuring higher education sustainability performance. With nearly 800 participating institutions, it is the most thoroughly vetted and extensively tested system of its kind. (Source: UC Santa Barbara, Sept., 2018) Contact: UC Santa Barbara, Shelly Leachman, (805) 893-8726, shelly.leachman@ucsb.edu, www.ucsb.edu; AASHE, Meghan Fay Zahniser , Sustainable Campus Exec. Dir., https://stars.aashe.org; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education,  LEED Certification,  USGBC,  Sustainability,  Energy Eficiency,  

CBRE Group
Date: 2018-08-27
Chicago is the national leader in energy efficient office buildings for the second year in a row. The Windy City gained a nearly six point spread over second-place San Francisco, marking the largest spread ever recorded in the Index, according to the 2018 National Green Building Adoption Index published by CBRE Group Inc. and Maastricht University.

The fifth annual U.S. Green Building Adoption Index by CBRE and Maastricht University analyzed green certified office space across America's 30 largest metros, and found the highest in the index's history at 41 pct of market totals. "Green" office buildings hold either an EPA ENERGY STAR® label, USGBC LEED certification or both. According to the report, 11.5 pct of all buildings surveyed are ENERGY STAR labeled, while 5.0 pct of buildings are LEED certified, both at all-time highs for the five-year study.

According to the report, 69.8 pct of the office buildings in Chicago are market certified green and 265 buildings are green. San Francisco claimed the second spot with 64 pct of all space green certified, and Atlanta maintained the third spot with more than 58 pct. Los Angeles and Minneapolis claimed fourth and fifth place respectively.

In 2019, the city plans to implement the Chicago Energy Rating System, to make energy use information for large buildings easily accessible while encouraging additional energy savings. If all buildings with ENERGY STAR scores below 90 were to improve their scores by only 10 points to earn one additional star in the new Rating, buildings would see savings of over $70 million per year. In April 2017, the Mayor announced that by 2025 all Chicago public buildings will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy. That transition means that eight percent of the city-wide electricity load or 1.8 billion KWh will come from clean and renewable sources. This follows the 2013 commitment that the City made to eliminating coal from its electricity supply. (Source: City of Chicago, PR, Prairies State Wire, 23 Aug., 2018) Contact: City of Chicago Mayor's Press Office, 312.744.3334, press@cityofchicago.org; CBRE, David Pogue, VP Global Client Care, CBRE U.S. Green Building Adoption Index, https://www.cbre.com/about/corporate-responsibility/pillars/environmental-sustainability/green%20building%20adoption%20index, www.cbre.com; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News USGBC LEED,  CBRE Group,  Green Building,  Energy Efficiency,  

Forest City Realty Trust
Date: 2018-08-24
In Cleveland -- "The Best Location in the Nation' -- Forest City Realty Trust, Inc. reports it has been recognized as a LEED Power Builder by the U.S. Green Building Council; Green Lease Leader by The Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) and The DOE's Better Buildings Alliance; ENERGY STAR Charter Tenant Space recognition by the U.S. DOE.

Forest City and 10 other companies earned Gold landlord recognition as part of the Green Lease Leaders program, which recognizes innovative companies and real estate practitioners who manage high-performance buildings through energy efficiency and sustainability. The company also was one of nearly 50 organizations to be recognized as part of ENERGY STAR's Charter Tenant Space program, which was designed to strengthen landlord-tenant relationships and shared commitment to energy efficiency.

Forest City Realty Trust, Inc. is an NYSE-listed national real estate company with $7.9 billion in consolidated assets. The company is principally engaged in the ownership, development, management and acquisition of office, apartment and mixed-use real estate nationwide. (Source: Forest City Realty Trust, Inc., PR, 22 Aug., 2018) Contact: Forest City Realty Trust, David LaRue , CEO, www.forestcity.net; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org; ENERGY STAR, www.energystar.gov/updates, www.energystar.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News USGBC,  LEED Certification,  Green Building,  ENERGY STAR,  

LEED Certification
Date: 2018-08-06
Last week in West London, UK, coffee retail giant Starbucks is reporting its newly-opened drive-thru outlet at Willow Tree Lane Retail Park in Yeading, has achieved LEED certification.

The coffee shop's built-in sustainability features include: a living green roof packed with plants; a zone-controlled heat pump and energy-efficient LED lighting; heavy insulation for energy conservation; EV charging stations; and others. Additionally, all waste material generated through the construction of the store was diverted from landfill and sent for recycling. (Source: Starbucks, edie.net, Aug., 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News LEED Certification,  Energy Efficiency,