The Masonry Society

Sustainability E-News

June 15, 2010                                                                        Volume 2, Number 11

SPONSORED EDITION

From the Editor

You wouldn’t know it was summer judging by the length of this newsletter this time.  Lots of news and links on a variety of topics that I hope are of interest to you.  What would you like to see more of?  Are we giving you valuable information?  Your feedback is always welcomed and helps to make this newsletter even better.  Thank you for your support!

Christine “Tina” Subasic, PE, LEED AP

CSubasicPE@aol.com

CODES and STANDARDS

This section includes links to an article in ASTM Standardization News on the work in the area of green building codes as well as news on adoption of new standards and codes on green buildings at the state and federal level.  ~Tina

DOE Proposes New Green Standards for Federal Buildings 

The U.S. Department of Energy proposed standards that would require new and renovated federal buildings to include sustainable building design elements which should lead to less energy use according to this article inSustainableBusiness.com.

Rockville, Maryland's New Green Building Codes Praised

Maryland's Gazette (6/3, Norris) reported, "Although Rockville's new green building regulations will make it more expensive for businesses and residents to build in the city, officials seem to agree that they are the right thing to do.”  The new codes, approved "unanimously by the Rockville City Council, require builders and renovators to improve energy efficiency, water conservation, stormwater management and indoor air-quality."

Building Standards and Sustainability

The latest issue of ASTM’s Standardization News features an article about code and standards organizations' efforts to put sustainability front and center in "Buildings Matter," Part 1 of a two-part article.

USGBC/LEED

Update on Certified Wood and LEED

The third public comment period on the proposed revisions to credits in LEED that deal with certified wood closed March 14.  More than 1,100 comments were received.  Since the close of the third public comment period, USGBC volunteers reviewed the comments and have modified credit and benchmark language to address salient comments.  The LEED Steering Committee, Materials & Resources Technical Advisory Group, and USGBC staff have worked to draft recommended changes to the benchmark, necessitating a fourth public comment period.  The changes to the LEED Forest Certification Benchmark will be posted for public comment on June 14.  Read more. 

Greenbuild 2010: Registration is Live

Greenbuild season has officially begun!  You can now register as a full-conference attendee, with other registration options coming later this month.  Learn more and register today at GreenbuildExpo.org.

"Living Buildings" Look Beyond LEED

A competition called the Living Building Challenge is encouraging the green-building community to look beyond Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.  A visitor center at Vancouver's VanDusen Botanical Gardens is among the buildings designed to meet the new standards, which focus on water conservation, renewable energy and nontoxic building materials.  Read more at Eco-Structure.com.

OPINIONS

Case Study in Sustainablity - The Green Products Innovation Institute

This blogger writes about the new Green Products Innovation Institute and its product evaluations.

The Middle East's Five Best Green Buildings

Middle East Architect asked the people who spend their lives encouraging others to build green - the consultants, designers and experts - to pick a favorite.  The result?  Five fascinating local projects that, bar one or two, have so far failed to court the limelight.  Read more at ConstructionWeekOnline.com.

SUSTAINABILITY and BUSINESS

Several links are provided here to tools for businesses to use in evaluating sustainable aspects of their business.  Please note that none have been reviewed in any detail by me or by TMS.  The links are provided only for your information.  ~Tina

How to Use Walmart's Supplier Scorecard to Your Advantage

Online "What-if" calculator looks beyond sustainability categories to provide business insights.  Check it out for yourself.

“Open Code" Supplier Sustainability Scorecard Available

P&G has launched an "open code" supplier sustainability scorecard modeled after Walmart's Supplier Sustainability Assessment. 

New Global Sustainability Standard for Business

UL Environment and GreenBiz.com partner have created a new global sustainability standard for business.  Read more.

OTHER NEWS

Green Schools National Conference

Registration is now open for the first annual Green Schools National Conference.  Join educators, architects, engineers, advocates and many others for this exciting event, Oct. 24-26 in Minneapolis, MN. Register before July 31 to take advantage of early-bird rates!  Presentation proposals are due May 31.  Learn more and register.

"Old Is the New Green" is Theme for Historic Preservation

The theme of National Historic Preservation Month highlights sustainability this year with "Old Is the New Green.”  For example, a new housing development in Muncie, Ind., recreates the Craftsman Bungalows of the 1930s with green enhancements.  The Millennium Place housing development also exemplifies the trend of "retro-design," which updates historic designs with modern touches.  The Star Press (Muncie, Ind.)

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