UPS Headquarters Gains LEED Gold Certification

Nelson: I’m sure there is some clever comment to be made about
“Brown going Green” here.

Despite UPS headquarters being 20 years old, the company just announced that it has become the first in the package delivery and logistics industry to gain LEED Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council. UPS submitted the building for review in May 2011 (shortly after the appointment of Chief Sustainability Officer Scott Wicker) and says it’s the first of many to be assessed for certification.

“Our plan is to assess all new facilities and some existing facilities to see if they qualify for LEED,” Wicker said in a press release.

So how, as a 20-year-old building, was it actually accomplished?

It turns out that one of the requirements for LEED certification is that the building stands on a sustainable site. We were surprised to learn that only six of UPS’s 35 acres are actually developed. The remainder is Piedmont Forest, an untouched wildlife preserve. An arborist was used during construction and the company planted more than 900 trees after when the site was finished in the 1990s.

The nearby forest and concrete roof both have a positive impact on the efficiency of the building by reducing the heat from the rays of the hot Georgia sun that hits the interior. Solar shading and thermal insulation glazes were also used to reduce the incoming rays.

UK Green Jobs While US Flags

Nelson: So why the disparity? Can you spot the difference?  Read on and tell me what you think the cause is.

Britain’s coalition government has put shrinking the deficit atop its list of priorities, and even supporters or Prime Minister David Cameron’s austerity agenda have acknowledged it has yielded painfully slow growth. But on renewables? The U.K. says the private sector is powering ahead there.

The government said companies announced investments totaling £2.5 billion ($3.9 billion) in clean energy projects from April 1 through Nov. 16, 2011. The Department of Energy & Climate Change said these investments, sprinkled throughout the country [PDF], had the potential to create some 12,000 jobs and “revealed more evidence of the economic benefits of renewable energy.” The government also said the investments would help it stay on track in reaching its European Union commitment of producing 15 percent of its energy from renewable energy sources by 2020.

image via Wikimedia Commons

South Carolina Amazon Center in Early Stages of Construction

Nelson: Kudos to Amazon for going local with the grading company. I hope the ongoing project stimulates local and regional construction companies and ultimately brings jobs as the center goes online.

Yellow super-sized construction equipment with iron plows and clay-covered monster wheels move along the 200-plus acre piece of land like army tanks in a desert.

The tractors and dumptrucks are furiously clearing ground and grading the earth in preparation for Amazon.com’s new facility on John Dodd Road in Spartanburg County.

The work here began the week before Christmas and could continue for a while more before the building contractor is ready to start laying bricks and mortar. And that means the roughly 400 promised jobs at the planned facility could still be months away.

US Treasury Puts Some “Green” Towards LEED Certification

Nelson: Yeah, I just couldn’t resist the “green” analogy.  Sorry. 

 

The U.S. Treasury Building dates back to the 19th century and is located right next door to the White House — not exactly what you think of when you think of the latest in green building. But the times they are a changin’, as per the Obama administration’s focus on greening government operations, and the U.S. Treasury Building has now taken LEED Gold in the Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance category, making it the oldest building in the world to achieve this distinction, according to the U.S. Green Building Council.

Stunning Examples of LEED Platinum from 2011

Nelson: As undeniable gorgeous and encouraging as these are, I’d still like to see more entry-level examples for the average person.  What we need for the environment, industry and society is a “Model-T” of housing.

I’ve pulled together projects, mostly homes, of all kinds — new, old, modern, traditional, etc — that we discussed in the last year.  These projects either obtained or sought LEED Platinum certification from the USGBC, and they’re some of the greener homes you’ll find most anywhere.  Click the links below for hours and hours of reading.

Program pairs homeless vets with green jobs

Nelson: It makes me proud to see two great causes come together like this.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when Eddie Williams Jr.’s life got off track.

It didn’t take the nose dive he says it easily could have as a kid hanging out on East St. Louis streets. But it never took off in the way he’d hoped after serving a stint in the Army and working for decades in various blue-collar jobs.

Today, at 55, he can be found most workdays preparing the grounds at the Missouri Botanical Garden for winter. He helped plant 55,000 tulip bulbs and is fastidious in removing leaves that have fallen into beds of the north gardens, where he works under the supervision of Jason Delaney.

"He’s a phenomenal worker," said Delaney, "and very jovial in nature. That really adds to his performance."

Williams got the temporary, full-time position through a program that pairs homeless, or near homeless, veterans with green jobs. The jobs are in landscaping or recycling.

Element Las Vegas certified for eco-friendliness

Nelson: See, its stuff like this that makes me dubious about some applications of LEED. YOU ARE BUILDING STUFF IN A DESERT WITH LIMITED RESOURCES!

Developer Jeff LaPour achieved his "green building" mission when his Element Las Vegas hotel was awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in December.

It’s the sixth Element hotel by Westin to achieve LEED certification. In 2008, parent company Starwood Hotels and Resorts mandated that all Element hotels pursue LEED certification.

The 123-room Element Las Vegas, near Town Center Drive and the Las Vegas Beltway in the Summerlin community, was built with ecofriendly materials such as recycled carpet and low-emission paints that improve indoor air quality.

Oversized windows and open space allow for more natural lighting, supplemented by fluorescent bulbs that use 75 percent less electricity than conventional bulbs.

Guest rooms are equipped with EnergyStar appliances, water-saving bathroom fixtures and recycling bins for paper, plastic and glass. Shower dispensers for shampoo and conditioner eliminate the need for wasteful minibottles. Even the ubiquitous plastic "Do Not Disturb" sign has been replaced with a magnet.

The Ultimate in Green Graffiti

Nelson:  Not my usual take on what is green and what is not, but I have to admit it’s a clever idea.

We lurve green graffiti, so when we spotted this DIY moss graffiti recipe over on Green Prophet we just had to share it with you. Stories from Space is experimenting with the perfect formula that allows you to green your walls with moss and choose the shape in which it finally matures. All you need to get started is a can of beer, a tiny bit of sugar, …
Read more

Green Job in Tampa

Nelson: Now if it doesn’t get eaten up by corrupt corporations…

The promise of hundreds of new jobs, a major increase in the number of construction companies dedicated to green building and a multimillion dollar economic boost to a community would grab anyone’s attention. For those with environmental priorities, the big reduction of carbon into the atmosphere has significant appeal. That’s the lure of government-assisted Property Assessed Clean Energy programs, approved in 27 states, including Florida. Ten days ago, the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, which includes Manatee County, heard a presentation on PACE, and the reaction was predictably positive. But PACE has run into a roadblock, one that Congress hopes to remove with new legislation. PACE allows localities to generate capital, primarily through bonds, to finance loans to home and business owners to pay for energy-efficient upgrades to their properties and reduce power bills. Think solar panels, tankless water heaters and highly efficient air conditioners. The loans would add an assessment on property taxes to ensure repayment over a period of 15 to 20 years. Property owners benefit from little or no upfront costs and energy savings. If the property is sold, the new owner takes over PACE payments. The program bypasses a tight-fisted private financial market in order to boost economic development and job creation, which explains the widespread appeal among states. The PACE setback But last summer, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which own or guarantee about half the nation’s single-family home loans, blocked PACE as too risky for home loans. The mortgage giants’ regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, decreed that since PACE placed a lien on a home that had priority over the mortgage in the event of a default, that violated underwriting standards. The FHFA ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac not to underwrite mortgages with PACE liens. That directive stifled state programs. But with rampant enthusiasm for PACE across the country, push-back came quickly — albeit not effectively, yet. A California congressman filed legislation late last year, too late to rise above last-minute rush to vote on bills. But this year’s PACE Protection Act of 2011 enjoys wide, bipartisan support. And for very good reason. The program has a proven track record of success, as the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council heard. Sonoma County’s retired chief financial officer recounted how PACE created more than 500 “green energy” jobs, a quadrupling of the number of green construction companies and a $45 million jolt of the area’s economy. Plus, all those energy-saving projects spared the atmosphere of 1,400 tons of carbon. What’s not to like? Manatee County Commission Chair Carol Whitmore and Bradenton sustainability manager Benjamin Bird expressed enthusiasm for PACE. We wholeheartedly agree. Support for clean energy While the Obama administration stumbled badly by investing $535 million in government loan guarantees to Solyndra, the California solar-panel manufacturer went bankrupt only because China flooded the market with cheaper panels after the price of silicon plunged. Solyndra’s panels, built of lightweight, curved film, were not made of silicon and had been less expensive to produce — until the silicon price drop. Plus, China’s solar-panel industry enjoys massive government subsidies, and thus a major competitive advantage — to Solyndra’s demise. This should not deter American support for clean energy and government help in promoting the industry. A reduction in the country’s dependence on foreign oil and pollution as well as job creation and economic development should be our focus. This year America’s solar industry employs some 100,000 workers, double the number from 2009. Projections show that figure improving five-fold in five years. The PACE program will help spur that employment by expanding the market to more Americans, a more worthwhile government-assisted effort than risky investments in companies themselves. Congress should move swiftly on removing barriers to PACE. And Manatee County should be poised to implement a PACE program after passage of that legislation.

View article…

Solar Decathlon Builds Green Jobs and Green Homes

Nelson: Been following the various entries, and I’ve really enjoyed the creative spirit and ingenuity in many of them. After a rough day of bad news around the world, a nice bright spot is really appreciated.

A 22- year-old engineering student with horn-rimmed glasses welcomed me into his home. Sean’s sports jersey indicated that he was a decathlete- but perhaps not in the traditional ‘sport athlete’ sense of the word. And the house looked very different from the homes in Sean’s neighborhood, back in South Florida. Sean is a solar decathlete and his house is exclusively powered by 22 solar panels. The 40 students on Team Florida (from the University of South Florida, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, and Florida State University) have spent the last two years designing and building this prefabricated house and are now in Washington, D.C., to compete in the Department of Energy’s 2011 Solar Decathlon. Through a series of 10 contests, the decathlon challenges college teams from across the country to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. Team Florida’s FLeX House (Credit: Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy) I met Sean at the National Mall’s West Potomac Park in D.C., where the 19 solar homes are situated and open to the public. It was a humid afternoon and the large crowds and the irregularly shaped buildings made me feel like I was at a summer carnival. I hesitantly joined a line of people to enter the Team Florida FLeX House, not sure what to expect or if it was worth the wait. But the line moved quickly and I soon found myself inside a spacious, modern studio apartment, furnished with IKEA-like furniture. The thoughtful details of the space caught my eye- sliding glass, floor to ceiling windows to allow cross ventilation, a liquid desiccant duct system to decrease humidity, and a kitchen table that could be raised or lowered into a bar countertop or freestanding island. Cypress louvers on the exterior provide shade and you almost forget that solar panels are on the roof. I could live here. Each house is uniquely designed and visibly reflects its native ecosystem and surrounding environment. Team New York’s Solar Roofpod is designed for city mid-rise building rooftops and includes a green roof garden to retain storm water. Team China’s Y Container is made from six recycled shipping containers and its “Y” shape creates a multifunctional, flowing space. The homes are about 900 square feet and cost between $250,000 and $600,000. Team New York’s Solar Roofpod (Credit: Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy) If you’re in DC this week (September 23 through October 2, 2011), I highly recommend touring the solar homes or vote online for your favorite! Solar Decathlon homes from the 2009 competition are located all across the country, so check to see if one is located in your neighborhood. During my visit with Sean and other decathletes, I was amazed to learn that 15,000 students have participated in the Solar Decathlon since the first competition in 2002. That’s 15,000 more architects, building contractors, chemists, electricians, engineers, geologists, metallurgists, physicists, and material scientists now in the U.S. workforce. These are Green Jobs. By 2015, the green building market is projected to reach $135 billion, according to McGraw Hill Construction, which reports that “green building is the bright spot in an otherwise tough economy.” As Congress continues to probe Solyndra’s bankruptcy and attack Obama’s programs to promote energy efficiency and renewable power jobs, college kids are discovering solar energy solutions and validating this industry’s importance. We need more of this innovative youth spirit to move our county forward. Rachel Carson once wrote that “the real wealth of the nation lies in the resources of the Earth — soil, water, forests, minerals, wildlife… Their administration is not properly, and cannot be, a matter of politics.” The sun is Earth’s greatest resource; without it, we could not exist. Realizing the potential of solar energy is something more than a matter of politics. Team China’s Y Container (Credit: Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy)

View article…