Special Report: Green Construction Skills Course Update
The Green Construction Skills training effort has made great strides since launching in September. Overall course structure in six key areas and detailed prioritized lists of course elements have been drafted. These outlines are now being turned into actual curricula and teaching materials. An important part of this process is gathering photos of green technologies already in place, and putting together videos of systems being installed. If you know of a green construction project coming up in the next two months that could be of instructive value, please send us an email. We aim to lauch Fundamentals of Green--the prerequisite foundation course--Facility Management, and Construction Management in April 2009, and the remaining four courses will be available by June. Learn more about our team, process and course specifics here.
1st Wednesday Technical Roundtable: Microturbines
January 7th at Bovis Lend Lease LMB
The first technical roundtable of 2009 will be a discussion of on-site, building integrated microturbine co-generation. The session will shed light on the current design, construction and regulatory issues surrounding electricity and heat generation in buildings in New York City. Moderator Steven Baumgartner (Buro Happold Engineers) will be joined by James Pfeiffer (Powerhouse Energy), and Deborah Taylor (NYC DOB). A building owner will also be on the panel, further details to follow. 8am to 9am. Buy tickets while there is still space!
High Performance Building Salon: Co-Gen Plants - Combined Heat & Power for Individual Buildings
January 8th at Knoll Showroom
Join us for a timely discussion on the potential benefits of “Co-Gen” plants in individual buildings in New York City. Co-generation power plants create electricity like a conventional plant, but make use of waste heat instead of pumping it out of an exhaust flue. In effect, the waste heat becomes a resource used to heat the building and its water supply, greatly increasing energy efficiency. While utility providers like Con Edison have run massive Co-Gen plants for many years, smaller Co-Gen plants for individual buildings are increasingly feasible and popular.5pm cocktails, 5:30-7pm presentation. Read full details and buy tickets.
Tour: National Audubon Society Headquarters
January 14th at 225 Varick Street
Join us for a tour of the National Audubon Society’s new headquarters. This 27,500 square-foot LEED-CI Platinum office is home to one of the country’s oldest and most widely-known wildlife conservation groups. The project earned the highest total number of LEED points of any commercial interior evaluated by USGBC in the world. Book now.
Can Cities Save the Planet?
In addition to changing the way we build and plan cities, in the immediate term we must also change the way we live in them. A current, close, and considered look at green urbanism and its potential. Read more, Slate.com
Building Stimulus on Capitol Hill, Grist.org
EPA Sponsors Green Building Competition, BizJournals.com
Through December 31st, 2008
We strongly encourage all our members who are also members of USGBC National to shape the future of green building by casting your ballot to fill four seats on the 2009 Board of Directors. Find a list of candidates, their nomination applications, and complete voting instructions
here.
An exhibit that makes the complexities of greater environmental sustainability in New York City vivid, compelling, and understandable by bringing environmental concerns to life on an individual, human scale.
