Content about Green building

August 1, 2012
Critics of LEED rules gain new allies

LEED v4, the proposed update to the nation’s most prevalent green building program, has been under intense pressure to change its current wood certification rating system, which only recognizes one set of standards, those of the Forest Stewardship Council. But the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which oversees the LEED program and its current revision process, is now under fire for another part of the LEED update that has nothing to do with wood.

July 3, 2012
EP Henry points to eco benefits

According to paver manufacturer EP Henry, maker of the ECO line of permeable pavers, there are several ways an outdoor paved area can be environmentally friendly, contribute to LEED certification and earn the owner tax credits.

The benefits apply to homes and businesses, according to the company. Here are six:

July 3, 2012
Philly’s first net-zero townhomes in the works

In downtown Philadelphia, Nexus EnergyHomes is bringing to market the first net-zero capable townhomes in the city while advancing the green building trend.   

June 25, 2012
USGBC points to growth for LEED homes

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) said its LEED for Homes program crossed the 20,000-home milestone.

More than 20,000 homes across the United States have earned certification through the national voluntary certification system that provides guidance and verification that homes are designed and built to be energy- and resource-efficient and healthy for occupants.

June 6, 2012
Vote on new LEED standards postponed

Saying it needs to address concerns raised by members, core LEED users and stakeholders, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced June 4 that it will delay balloting on LEED 2012 until June 1, 2013. (One caveat: The possibility also exists that the balloting could take place earlier in 2013 if USGBC members and the market indicate readiness for ballot, the announcement said.) Because of this date change, LEED 2012 is being renamed LEED v4.

In addition to the ballot date change, other actions include:

May 15, 2012
LEED Volume program casts wide net

A new program by the U.S. Green Building Council may multiply the number of LEED-certified retail outlets, restaurants and hotels by making it easier for developers to get their projects pre-certified.

May 14, 2012
Building a definition of green, the story continues

There’s a lot riding on how the United States government defines green building. A review process has groups jockeying for position, according to an article in Federal Times.

Among the building material groups pressing for revisions to the LEED-centric status quo are the PVC pipe manufacturers and the lumber industry.

March 8, 2012
Home Depot partners with U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), in conjunction with The Home Depot, has launched an online green home products database. The database is a special “microsite” within homedepot.com that features products geared toward green home building, many of which may contribute toward earning LEED points and prerequisites for the LEED for Homes program, making it easier for homeowners and builders to find the products they need, according to the joint press release.

March 7, 2012
LEED rules attacked by SFI as 'artificial'

SFI Inc., the non-profit organization that oversees the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program, has issued a statement criticizing the third and latest draft of LEED 2012 for only issuing LEED points or credits for certified wood that is “FSC or better.”

SFI maintains that the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which administers the LEED program, continues to put up artificial barriers, shutting out 75% of North America’s forests that are certified by programs other than the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

January 31, 2012
New American Home to shine at Builders' Show

Just outside of Orlando, Fla., a 4,181-sq.-ft. home with a clean, modern design is carrying on a tradition now its 29th year -- the unveiling of The New American Home.

The project is sponsored by The National Association of Home Builders, organizers of the International Builders' Show set for Orlando Feb. 8 to 11, and Builder magazine.

January 20, 2012
D.C., Colorado top LEED list

Using a per-capita basis, the District of Columbia, Colorado and Illinois lead the nation in LEED-certified buildings, according to a report released by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The 2011 list of top 10 states for LEED-certified commercial and institutional green buildings was based on the U.S. 2010 census information.

December 14, 2011
USGBC announces new board directors

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced the new elected officers and directors to its 2012 board of directors. The USGBC’s membership elected the following to serve as directors:

November 8, 2011
Philadelphia looks ahead to 2013 green conference

An article on Philly.com reveals that Philadelphia will have plenty of environmentally friendly projects to show off for GreenBuild when it comes to town in 2013. 

GreenBuild is the annual conference of the U.S. Green Building Council, and it will enter its 12th year in 2013. The event will take place Nov. 20 to 22. 

November 7, 2011
SFI supports green certification for Habitat homes

The National Housing Endowment has announced 10 of the 25 Habitat for Humanity homes will be certified to the ANSI/ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard, thanks to a community grant from Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).

November 1, 2011
Green Glue gets high marks for sustainability

An evaluation of the Green Glue Noiseproofing System found, among other things, that the system is indeed green.

Saint-Gobain recently commissioned Sustainable Solutions Corporation to undertake an evaluation of its Green Glue Noiseproofing System to understand how Green Glue could contribute to earning points in U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system.

Among the findings:

October 27, 2011
USGBC president elected chair of World Green Building Council

President, CEO and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Rick Fedrizzi has been elected chair of the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC). The WorldGBC is a coalition of green building councils from 89 countries.

October 25, 2011
Battle over green building shapes up in Seattle

A running shoe company that wants to build a “deep green” store -- but needs a major exemption to zoning regulations to do it -- has created a controversy in Seattle. According to an article in the Seattle Times, developer Skanska USA has signed Brooks Sports as the anchor tenant in a mixed-used building it wants to build. But the five-story retail building, which is already allowed an extra 10 ft.

October 24, 2011
Green-building webinar invites Dummies, and others

Eric Corey Freed, author of "Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies," will kickoff the GreenExpo365.com November virtual "Live Event" with an interactive webinar, Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. Pacific/11:30 a.m. Eastern. 

October 13, 2011
KB Home puts “earth first,” receives LEED award

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has honored KB Home’s Primera Terra community with a 2011 LEED for Homes award. The LEED Platinum project, one of the largest in California, was recognized as the best in the Multi-Family category.

September 30, 2011
Wood is green, says Forest Service

A new U.S. Forest Service study is urging U.S. builders to prioritize wood as a green building material due to its environmental benefits, low carbon emissions, and verifiable third-party rating system for “green” certification.

A new U.S. Forest Service study is urging U.S. builders to prioritize wood as a green building material due to its environmental benefits, low carbon emissions and verifiable third-party rating system for “green” certification.

The authors of “Science Supporting the Economic and Environmental Benefits of Using Wood and Wood Products in Green Building Construction” reviewed the scientific literature and found that using wood in building products yields fewer greenhouse gases than using other common materials.

September 26, 2011
A green guide for public housing

Siemens Industry, in collaboration with the Green Seal organization, has published a guide for public housing owners and operators to help them reduce the use of energy, water and toxic chemicals. Called "Green Building Operations and Maintenance Manual: A Guide for Public Housing Authorities," the publication is now available free online by clicking here. 

September 6, 2011
At International Builders' Show, a smarter show home

Now under construction near Orlando, Fla., the New American Home 2012 is a re-interpretation of the Classic White Box of the 1960s and ’70s made popular by leading architects such as Le Corbusier and Richard Meier, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

September 1, 2011
USGBC announces 10,000th LEED-certified building

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced a major milestone: The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has certified the 10,000th LEED commercial project.

August 30, 2011
Green and the real estate market: Signs of success

An article in the Washington Post looked at the findings of the Earth Advantage Institute, which sees an 8% boost to resale values of certified, energy-efficient and sustainable homes.

The study took place between May 2010 and May 2011 in the Pacific Northwest.

August 25, 2011
U.S. Green Building Council prevails in lawsuit

The U.S. District Court in New York City has dismissed a lawsuit brought against the U.S. Green Building Council that accused it of false advertising in connection to its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.