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NEWS AND OTHER GREEN EVENTS
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Off the Press - GBA Summer Cornerstone Newsletter Released!
Packed with information, this issue
of The Cornerstone features articles about green insurance offerings, reducing
energy dependence, and protecting the climate. Watch your mailbox or click here
to read the newsletter online.
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Building
Design Leaders Collaborate on Carbon-Neutral Buildings
Supported by
representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy, the following
groups finalized a memorandum of understanding this month establishing
a common starting point and goal of net zero energy buildings:
The American Institute of Architects
(AIA), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE), Architecture 2030, the Illuminating Engineering
Society of North America (IESNA), and the U.S. Green Building
Council. While focused on designing net zero
energy buildings, the ultimate goal of the memorandum is carbon-neutral
buildings by 2030. Such buildings use no energy from external
power grids and can be built and operated at fair market values.
For more information, click here.
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Standard 189 Released for Comment
ASHRAE, in
conjunction with IESNA and USGBC, has released the first public
comment draft of its “Proposed Standard 189, Standard for the
Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential
Buildings.” This is the first effort to create a code-enforceable
green building requirement based on the LEED rating system.
The draft contains 215 pages, including a series of “informative
appendices” on topics such as integrated design and the creation
of a building durability plan. Comments will be accepted through
July 9, 2007; the draft is available at www.ashrae.org/publicreviews/.
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Neighborhood Developments Line Up for
LEED-ND Pilot
As it prepares to announce participants in its LEED-ND
pilot program, the USGBC is trying to trim down an overwhelming
number of candidates. After receiving 370 applicants, the USGBC
hopes to narrow the field down to the original 120 participants
for which the organization had called. Environmental Building
News reports that such a huge response suggests that the
new rating system, which focuses on smart growth and new urban
concepts as well as on green building, fills a need in the market
and will prove popular when released in its final form. The
pilot program is expected to conclude in 2008, with a final
rating system available for member ballot by 2009.
Learn
More
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LEED for Homes Public Comment
Period
Now Open
The
USGBC invites the public to comment on the draft LEED for Homes
Rating System, which is currently in pilot testing. LEED for
Homes was developed to meet the needs of residential market
single-family and multi-family homes. Any member of the public
can comment on the draft rating system.
The comment period began Wednesday, June 13 and will continue
through Saturday, July 14, midnight Pacific Standard Time. If
changes are made to the draft, a second public comment period
will be conducted on the changes. For more information or to
participate (you will be required to sign-in), visit http://www.usgbc.org/leed/leeddrafts/ratingsystemversions.aspx.
Please contact leedinfo@usgbc.org with any questions.
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LEED for Retail—Commercial Interiors Pilot
Now Open
USGBC
has launched the pilot program for commercial interiors projects
that want to use the new LEED for Retail rating system, which
consists of two separate
structures. One is based on LEED for New Construction and Major
Renovations, version 2.2; the other track is based on LEED for
Commercial Interiors, version 2.0. Apply today
to be a part of this exciting program!
Read More.
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USGBC
Adds New Toll-Free Customer Service Phone Number
A
new toll-free customer service phone number designed to connect
callers with the services they need has been instituted by the
USGBC. Help available through the number includes direct assistance
with membership questions, information to manage USGBC accounts,
LEED project registration information, and answers to common
LEED questions. The customer service line will be operational
between the hours of 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. EST. Within the U.S.,
dial 1-800-795-1747; international callers should dial 202-742-3792.
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Greenbuild Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for Greenbuild
2007, which will take place from November 7-9 in Chicago. This
year's event will feature world-renowned speakers, 150+ outstanding
educational sessions, exclusive green building tours, unique
seminars and special events, and the largest exhibit hall in
Greenbuild history. Be sure to register early so you don't miss
out!
Registration and travel details are online at www.greenbuildexpo.org.
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UPCOMING
GBA EVENTS
