Aug 20th, 2009 by megan |
Governor Timothy M. Kaine on August 18th, 2009 accepted a check on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia for $80,203,300 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The check, presented by William C. Early, Acting Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, will be used to help create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment. The check was presented during a press conference at the Richmond Wastewater Treatment Facility.
This new infusion of money provided by the ARRA will help Virginia and its local governments fund many of the overdue improvements to wastewater projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment.
Read more here.
Jul 23rd, 2009 by megan |
On Monday, July 20, the National Association of Governors (NGA) announced it had adopted the promotion of carbon-neutral new and renovated buildings by 2030, as outlined by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Gov. Christine Gregoire from Washington proposed the change to NGA’s policy as she recently signed carbon neutral legislation in her home state (which was itself based on AIA recommendations).
“[The decision] opens the door for the AIA to promote the recently announced International Green Construction Code initiative to all 50 states and their governors as a partial solution to help reach our goal of carbon neutral buildings by 2030,” said AIA Executive Vice President and CEO, Christine McEntee.
This adoption by the nation’s governors follows the U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimous adoption of AIA’s carbon neutral building policy in 2006, and the National Association of Counties announcing their support for the policy in 2007.
Visit www.aia.org/walkthewalk.
Jul 14th, 2009 by megan |
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), home of the LEED certification system, is accepting applications for the 2009 USGBC Young Leader Awards. The awards are open to teens and young adults between the ages of 13 and 25 that have led sustainable changes in their schools and communities.
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM EDT on August 1, 2009. Five youth leaders will ultimately be chosen as the recipients of the 2009 USGBC Young Leaders Awards. The winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Greenbuild 2009 in November as well as an all-expense paid trip to the Speak Green Festival in April 2010.
Jul 2nd, 2009 by megan |
Governor Timothy M. Kaine on June 23rd announced a groundbreaking initiative to survey air pollution from facilities throughout the Commonwealth that were initially grandfathered by the 1970 federal Clean Air Act. In the first program of its kind in the nation, Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will determine whether older facilities previously not subject to direct reviews currently comply with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The survey is a major administrative action as part of Governor Kaine’s Renew Virginia initiative and will enable DEQ to work with individual facilities as appropriate to reduce pollution and ensure compliance with air quality standards.
Read more here.
Apr 2nd, 2009 by megan |
Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced action taken on several energy bills as part of his Renew Virginia initiative. Legislators are scheduled to consider the Governor’s actions during a reconvened session on Wednesday, April 8, 2009.
Legislative action is a major part of my Renew Virginia initiative, and the energy bills I have signed will move Virginia toward a more sustainable and energy efficient future,Governor Kaine said. We must continue to reduce our impact on the environment while ensuring that we have reliable and reasonably priced energy sources.
Click here for the full press release from the Governor’s Office.
Apr 1st, 2009 by megan |
GBCI is experiencing unprecedented registration volume for the LEED AP New Construction and Commercial Interiors exams. We apologize for any inconvenience you may be experiencing. If you are unable to register at www.gbci.org, please send an e-mail to exam@gbci.org with the subject line “Exam Registration” by 11:59 PM PDT today, April 1, 2009. In the body of your e-mail, specify which exam you want to register for. Candidates may only register once. It is not necessary to submit an e-mail if you have already registered or contacted GBCI regarding registration for the New Construction or Commercial Interiors exams.
In response, you will receive information within 7 days on how to obtain your exam ID for scheduling a testing session with Prometric. Be sure to schedule prior to the June 30, 2009, testing deadline as seats are limited. For more information on the LEED AP program, please visit www.gbci.org
Mar 30th, 2009 by megan |
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) is looking for volunteers to beta test the upcoming LEED AP Building Design and Construction and LEED AP Interior Design and Construction exams in early June, 2009 – for FREE. For beta candidates, the beta test is an opportunity to take a LEED AP exam at no cost and, upon final scoring of the results, potentially earn the LEED AP credential. If you fail the beta test, you will be able to take the final version of that test when it is released later in 2009.
Beta tests are trial runs of new exam tracks that GBCI uses to collect performance data, valuable statistical information, and candidate comments. This information is used to help build a valid and reliable exam for the public. Beta testing will take place June 3-10, 2009, through GBCI’s testing company, Prometric. Applications are open until April 17, and qualified applicants will be notified of their eligibility by April 22. Notification will include exam specifications and scheduling instructions.
In order to apply for either the LEED AP BD+C or LEED AP ID+C beta exams, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
You:
- Are not a LEED AP.
- Agree to uphold the disciplinary policy and credentialing maintenance guidelines - both of which can be found in the application.
- Are able to demonstrate professional experience on at least one LEED project.
- Are able to document work on a LEED project, within the last three (3) years, with verification through LEED online or employer attestation.
- Agree to submit to an application audit.
If you feel that you meet the Eligibility Requirements listed above, please click on the appropriate link below:
- Apply here for the LEED AP BD+C Beta Exam
- Apply here for the LEED AP ID+C Beta Exam
Please note that applying for the beta version of the exam does not guarantee selection. Nor does beta testing guarantee a passing score. Candidate results will be distributed only after all the data from the beta tests have been compiled and analyzed, which may be up to three months after the beta test. Candidates must meet Eligibility Requirements to be considered for the beta exams, and successful candidates will be required to participate in a Credentialing Maintenance Program. For more information on GBCI’s new Credentialing Program please visit the website.
Mar 25th, 2009 by megan |
The audience listens to Anthony Brozna's presentation at the March 19th luncheon program
Did you miss the March 19th Luncheon Program: Building Interiors? Or did you attend and want to see more?
Check out the presentations from our speakers, Anthony Brozna from Eco Supply and Laurie Lieberman from Steelcase, here.
Mar 6th, 2009 by megan |
From the USGBC: USGBC is a resource in the work to ensure green building is a cornerstone of the new economy
As federal, state and local governments work together to rebuild and re-energize our economy through the economic recovery package, the U.S. Green Building Council is focused on supporting the implementation of the federal investment in green and energy-efficient building. Green building is among the cornerstones of a clean energy economy. The building industry makes up 14.7% of U.S. GDP and uses 40% of our nation’s energy. Greening our existing buildings would result in an estimated savings of $160 billion in energy costs, while creating green jobs that can’t be exported. And that’s good news for our nation’s economy, state and local government budgets, business bottom lines and the financial well-being of American families.
While USGBC was front and center in advocating for an unprecedented commitment to green solutions in the economic stimulus package recently signed by President Obama, the next challenge is even more welcome: serving as a resource for USGBC members as they help their states and local communities realize the full economic and environment benefit of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
USGBC is a resource for you to learn how to be a part of our nation’s recovery.
» For individuals and firms: Find information on finding a green job, using LEED Professional Accreditation and USGBC’s educational offerings to position yourself as an in-demand green worker, and the latest news and research on a green-built economy at USGBC’s green jobs page.
» For local and state governments: Learn how to implement the economic stimulus plan at the Green Economic Recovery Resources page. USGBC has created tools for exploring the possibilities created by the stimulus plan and an upcoming Stimulus Plan Implementation webcast series.
For the rest of this information, please view the USGBC’s website.
