USGBC-LI Blog

CarpetCycle: Carpet Recycling for LEED

2011-12-13T09:35:00.000-05:00

Each year, 5 billion pounds of carpet are sent to landfills in the U.S. This means that over 3.5% of waste disposed in the U.S. is carpet.

In 2002, only 3.8% of carpet discards were recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. To solve this problem, carpet and fiber manufacturers signed the National Carpet Recycling Agreement in 2002. These manufacturers resolved to increase carpet recycling to 20-25% and carpet reuse to 3-5% by 2012.

As a result of this agreement, the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) was established to develop market-based solutions for post-consumer carpet recycling and reuse.

CARE has a member listing of carpet recyclers and other organizations who are committed to carpet waste diversion.

Carpet Cycle: Recycling for Post-Consumer Carpets

One of CARE’s members is CarpetCycle LLC, a carpet padding and carpet recycling company based in Dover, New Jersey. The company has diverted over 20 million pounds of carpet from landfills since its inception in 1999.

CarpetCycle collects carpet in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. CarpetCycle Canada, whom you may have seen at this year’s Greenbuild conference, is owned by the same company and collects carpet recycling in Canada.

CarpetCycle offers services for residential and commercial projects, including:

1) Rip Up Contracting: CarpetCycle will send staff to the site to rip up and collect the used carpeting.

2) Pick Up Services: CarpetCycle will pick up carpeting that has already been ripped up.

3) Drop Off Services: Residential customers can drop off their carpets for recycling at the CarpetCycle headquarters in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

4) Ceiling Tile Services: Though CarpetCycle began as a carpet recycling company, it now offers a ceiling tile recycling program. CarpetCycle can tear down and/or pick up old ceiling materials, which can be reused to manufacture new acoustical ceilings.

CarpetCycle claims that it is not only beneficial to the environment to recycle carpet, but it is 35-60% cheaper than other collection and disposal services.

On average, the trailer fee for Carpet Cycle’s pickup service is $50/ton of carpet. This includes everything from the trailer rental to transportation to processing costs. CarpetCycle claims that this is cheaper than standard transportation and disposal costs, which are typically about $80-120 per ton.

LEED Credit Overview

For certain LEED rating systems, LEED projects can earn points toward certification if they recycle old carpeting.

For new construction projects, there is no used carpet to recycle. Therefore, this only applies to LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (EB:O&M) and LEED for Commercial Interiors (CI).

For LEED EB:O&M, the project can earn Materials and Resources, Credit 9: Solid Waste Management – Facility Alterations and Additions. To earn this 1 point, at least 70% of waste (by volume) from the facility’s renovations must be diverted. This includes recycling and reusing materials, including carpets.

For LEED CI, the project can earn up to 2 points for Materials and Resources, Credit 2: Construction Waste Management. To earn these points, a certain percentage of construction and demolition debris should be recycled and/or salvaged (including carpets). To earn 1 point, 50% must be recycled and to earn 2 points, 75% must be recycled.

Join the USGBC - Long Island Chapter

2011-12-06T08:25:00.000-05:00

Join USGBC - LI Chapter

INDIVIDUAL CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP

General Membership ($65.00)National USGBC Member Company Employee ($45.50)
Full Time Student ($25.00)

Membership Benefits:

Voting rights in USGBC-LI elections and by-laws
Eligibility for Committee Leadership and Board position
Listing in USGBC-LI Membership Directory
Community - Connect with your peers
Resources - Access industry expertise
Marketing - Promote your affiliation
Savings - Free and Discounted membership events
Involvement - Take a leadership role and join a committee
Advocacy and Education - Together we can make a difference

ENHANCED CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

Benefactor Membership ($250.00)
Legacy Membership ($1,000.00)
Lifetime Legacy Membership ($10,000.00) - One-time payment, a lifetime of benefits!

Enhanced Membership Benefits:

	Legacy	Benefactor
Complimentary Admission to Green Building Tours, Morning Salons, Evening Programs	Y	Y
Complimentary Admission to Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner	Y	Y
Complimentary Admission to Annual Clambake	Y	N
10% Discount on National Workshops	Y	N
Invitation to exclusive Legacy Circle Events and Annual Dinner	Y	N
Listing in Annual USGBC-LI "Long Island Built Environment Report"	Y	Y
Listing in our annual full-page ad in NY Real Estate Journal - Long Island section	Y	Y

Already a member and want to renew your membership? Signin to your member area

Click Here to Learn More

USGBC - Long Island Elections

2011-11-23T09:17:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends and Chapter Members,

USGBC-LI Board of Directors elections are held each year. Anyone interested in being considered for nomination to the 2012 slate of candidates is requested to download and submit a completed nomination application (available online Here). You are also requested to review the USGBC Conflict of Interest Policy (available here).

We are seeking candidates that bring strong and dynamic leadership and a desire to help advance the mission of the USGBC-LI. All active and engaged participants in the Chapter and the green building movement are encouraged to apply.

The USGBC-LI Board is composed of 15 Directors. For the 2012 elections four seats will be vacant for a term beginning January 01, 2012 and ending December 31, 2014. The four candidates receiving the greatest number of votes shall be seated.

Members will have an opportunity to meet the candidates at our holiday party December 6^th at Carlyle on the Green in Farmingdale. Click to Register. The Chapter will distribute badges to identify candidates and have bios and select entries from the nomination application made available on a tabletop.

The following timetable will be followed:

Friday, November 25, 2011 – Deadline for receiving candidate applications
Friday, December 02, 2011 – Candidates are notified regarding selection to the 2012 slate
Tuesday, December 06, 2011 – Holiday Party – candidate opportunity to meet USGBC-LI membership
Wednesday, December 07, 2011 – On-line election opens
Friday, December 16, 2011 – Elections close 11:59pm EST
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 – Candidate notification followed by email blast announcing the winners

We hope you will consider taking this exciting opportunity to help continue shaping the Chapters future and the green building industry on Long Island.

Sincerely,

Vince Capogna, LEED AP+, GPro: O+M
Executive Director, USGBC-LI

USGBC-LI Hosts Sustainable Cocktails EAST

2011-11-15T08:12:00.000-05:00

SUSTAINBLE COCKTAILS EAST IN BRIDGEHAMPTON
Your Long Island Chapter of the USGBC invites you to bring your expertise to our newest monthly meet and greet/networking event and learn more about the importance and positive impacts of Building Green on the East End of Long Island.

This event is free to members.

This is an open networking forum for members and professionals to share ideas with members of the board and other chapter members. The evening will provide an opportunity to share ideas and learn more about the importance and positive impacts of Building Green on Long Island through Sustainable Design.

Come learn more about the chapter and how to get involved in committees and our educational programs.

Location
Bobby Van's Steakhouse
2393 Montauk Highway
Bridgehampton, NY
Click here for directions

Date and Time
Wednesday, November 16 2011.
6:00p - 8:00p

Prices
Member Price: $0
Non-Member Price: $20

Additional Information:
$10 late registration door fee may apply.
Click here to review our Refund Policy

Registration

USGBC-LI Seminar: Commissioning for Sustainable Buildings

2011-11-01T11:07:00.001-04:00

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Full understanding of the Commissioning (Cx) process (LEED and Non-LEED)

How to successfully integrate Cx into the Design Process (Do’s and Don’ts)

How to provide value to the design/construction team
- Flush out the specifications and add design review comments on training, operations and energy
- Provide a “scheduling” tool that can be easily adopted by the construction team

Value of Cx to owner
- Site studies
- Site examples of energy savings, reduced rework and schedule impacts
- Provide “Cherries”, actual real life issues identified in the cx process (fans running backwards, simultaneous heating/cooling)

Value to CM
- Cx as a tool to manage subcontractor status/performance
- Provide a look ahead on the construction progress

Value to design team
- Clear specification, reduced RFI’s
- OPR development (OPR that is detailed enough to provide value)

Case Study (Geothermal Heat pumps)

AGENDA
Provide full understanding of the Cx Process
How Cx is integrated into the Design and Construction process
Value of Cx to:
- Owner
- Construction Manager
- Design Team
Adelphi University Case Study
Q & A

FACULTY

Paul Meyer,
PE, CEM, LEED AP, GBE
Vice President / Director of Commissioning
WSP - Flack + Kurtz

Paul Meyer has over 30 years of extensive experience in the construction, operation and maintenance of major building systems for the biopharmaceutical and medical manufacturing industries. He has a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering and has been a Professional Engineer for twenty five years.

Mr. Meyer is a LEED AP, and is Secretary of the U.S. Green Building Council, Long Island Chapter. He is the Chairman of the LEED 2012 Regionalization Committee for the chapter. He is also Chairman of the Education Committee for the Long Island chapter. Mr. Meyer has taught the LEED rating system for the last four years at Stony Brook University, New York Institute of Technology, Farmingdale State College and Suffolk County Community College. He has given presentations on LEED and commissioning for the USGBC, ASHRAE, and other organizations.

Mr. Meyer is also a volunteer presenter for the Urban Green Council (NYC USGBC chapter).

Location
USGBC-LI Headquarters
150 Motor Parkway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Click here for directions

Date and Time
Thursday, November 3 2011.
6:00p-8:00p

Schedule
6:00p - 6:45p - Dinner/Networking
6:45p - 7:45p - Seminar
7:45p - 8:00p - Q & A

Continuing Education Units Available
1 GBCI CEU
1 AIA LU

Prices
Member Price: $25
Non-Member Price: $35

Additional Information:
$10 additional at the door
Click here to review our Refund Policy

Registration: Click Here

2011-10-25T09:12:00.000-04:00

On September 15th about 100 people attended a USGBC-LI plaque ceremony and facility tour of the recently awarded LEED Gold, Workforce Development and Technology Center located on the Grant Campus of Suffolk County Community College (SCCC). Opened in 2009, it features state-of the-art laboratories and classrooms for training specific to HVAC and manufacturing technologies.

Over the past two years this facility has offered a very knowledgeable and dedicated teaching staff the proper setting in which to educate the next generation of technicians. Recognizing the need to be energy efficient and environmentally responsible is critical to our collective well being. Understanding the mechanics of how products achieve this goal and being able to install, diagnose and repair products so that they perform to this increased level of efficiency and responsibility is a challenge that SCCC has taken head on for the benefit of all Long Islanders.

The Workforce Development and Technology Center provides a great first step down the path of specific 21st Century workforce training needed on Long Island. Not content to take but one step in the right direction, SCCC is preparing the way for the future of Long Island with the announcement of plans to create a Renewable Energy Training Academy adjacent to the center. As explained to me, this training academy will educate and train students in proper weatherization technologies, creating responsible energy efficient structures, as well as in renewable technologies such as wind and solar that can help provide for the reduced needs of an energy efficient structure.

In my opinion, any discussion regarding the implementation of renewable technologies without first considering the efficiency of the building envelope it is being applied to is irresponsible. It is foolish to think that the best way to fill a bucket with holes in it is to switch from a garden hose to a fire hose. While it will probably work as long as you keep that fire hose open, any rational being would simply plug the holes first. As envisioned the Renewable Energy Training Academy will incorporate a mobile “smart house” that will slide in and out on rails so that students can see how a building will react to proper weatherization technologies in real time and under true real world conditions. Armed with this fundamental and essential knowledge students will also learn how to install, diagnose, repair and integrate solar panels and wind turbines. Built with a vegetated roof that can produce food and along with masonry floors and walls to absorb free passive solar energy, the building can be listed among the instructors.

USGBC-LI commends the forward thinking and practical knowledge SCCC is providing to the students that must make up the future workforce on Long Island, and throughout our country. These facilities, together with the dedicated men and women that envision, develop and deliver this knowledge, supports USGBC’s mission of “green buildings for everyone within a generation.” USGBC-LI looks forward to working together with SCCC and supporting this project in any and every way possible for the benefit of all Long Islanders.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Vince Capogna, LEED AP+, is the executive director of US Green Building Council – Long Island and principal of Synergy Green Building Group, Inc., New Hyde Park, N.Y.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Tour Brookhaven National Labs w/the Long Island Chapters of IFMA & USGBC-LI

2011-09-20T08:06:00.001-04:00

Tour - Brookhaven National Labs

IMPORTANT NOTE: Registration will close September 26 and the attendee list will be final. Dept. of Homeland Security police will not admit unregistered walk-ins. Please make sure you are registered before the deadline. A drivers license or passport will be required at the main entrance.

The National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) — LEED SIlver

NSLS-II - LEED Silver will be a new state-of-the-art, medium-energy electron storage ring (3 billion electron-volts) designed to deliver world-leading intensity and brightness, and will produce x-rays more than 10,000 times brighter than the current NSLS. The superlative character and combination of capabilities will have broad impact on a wide range of disciplines and scientific initiatives, including the National Institutes of Health’s structural genomics initiative, DOE’s Genomics:GTL initiative, and the federal nanoscience initiative.

Purpose
To provide extremely bright x-rays for basic and applied research in biology and medicine, materials and chemical sciences, geosciences and environmental sciences, and nanoscience.

Costs
$912 million to design and build

Features
State-of-the-art, medium-energy (3-billion-electron-volt, or GeV) electron storage ring that produces x-rays up to 10,000 times brighter than the NSLS

Users
Researchers from around the world

The Center for Functional Nanomaterials - LEED Silver

The Center for Functional Nanomaterials (LEED Silver) at Brookhaven National Laboratory provides state-of-the-art capabilities for the fabrication and study of nanoscale materials, with an emphasis on atomic-level tailoring to achieve desired properties and functions.

As a premier user facility for conducting interdisciplinary nanoscience research, the CFN serves as a focal point and enabler of advanced materials study in the northeastern United States.

PurposeBasic research into the structure-property relationships in carbon nanotubes, hydrogen storage materials, novel catalysts and electronic nanomaterials will provide the know-how to design and build energy-efficient devices for manufacturing and transportation.

Features: Clean rooms
General laboratory space
Wet and dry laboratory space
Materials-synthesis equipment
Scanning-probe and surface-characterization facilities
Electron microscopy facilities
Spectroscopy facilities
Lithography-based fabrication facilities
Office space for users and staff
Dedicated beam lines at the NSLS

Users: An estimated 300 annually from academia, industry, and national laboratories

Interdisciplinary Science Building (ISB)

Sitework is underway for the new Interdisciplinary Science Building (ISB) Target: LEED Gold. The approximately 80,000 gsf 2-story state-of-the-art building will be a new energy efficient and environmentally sustainable laboratory building that will provide modern, 21st-century, high-accuracy laboratories, offices and support functions. The building will intellectually group existing energy research scientists into one facility with collaborative environments to facilitate and realize the scientific benefits of multi-disciplinary collaboration.

The ISB will focus on energy-related R&D enabling breakthroughs in the effective uses of renewable energy through improved conversion, transmission and storage. As materials are the linchpin to energy technologies, the ISB will consolidate BNL’s efforts in the synthesis and detailed characterization of bulk-, thin film-, and nano-materials and in device fabrication, which are supported by an outstanding and complete set of complementary tools, i.e., the Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN), the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS), the New York Blue supercomputer, and in the future NSLS-II.

By bringing together a broad spectrum of energy-related researchers in a single location, the ISB will foster energy research that spans discovery through deployment. It will also serve as a portal for collaboration with industry, universities, and other National Laboratories.

Location
Brookhaven National Laboratory
William Floyd Parkway, County Road 46, 1 1/2 miles north of Exit 68 of the LIE.

Meet at Berkner Hall (Bldg 488)
Upton, NY 11973
Click here for directions

Date and Time
Thursday, October 6 2011.
5:30p-8:30p

Schedule
5:30p - 6:30p - Registration/Dinner & Networking - Berkner Hall (Bldg 488)
6:30p - 7:15p - Introductions and Overview
7:15 - Building Tour

Continuing Education Units Available
1.5 AIA LU|HSW|SD Learning Units

Prices
Member Price: $35
Non-Member Price: $35

Click here to review our Refund Policy

Click Here to Register

The USGBC-LI Presents Sustainable Cocktails

2011-06-06T10:26:00.000-04:00

The USGBC Long Island Chapter invites you to bring your expertise to our monthly meet and greet/networking event.

This is an open networking forum for members and professionals to share ideas with members of the board and other chapter members. The evening will provide an opportunity to share ideas and learn more about the importance and positive impacts of Building Green on Long Island through Sustainable Design.

Come learn more about the chapter and how to get involved in committees and our educational programs.

Location
Carlyle-on-the-Green
Bethpage State Park
Farmingdale, NY, 11735
Click here for directions

Date and Time
Tuesday, June 28 2011.
5:30p - 8:30p

Prices
Member Price: $0
Non-Member Price: $20

Click Here to Register

USGBC URGES SENATE TO PASS COMPREHENSIVE CLIMATE AND ENERGY POLICY

2011-06-03T13:09:00.002-04:00

As the Senate takes up climate and energy legislation this year, the U.S. Green Building Council urges Members to pass a comprehensive bill that will move us away from dependence on fossil fuels and toward a clean energy future.

GREEN BUILDINGS FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION
Buildings are part of the solution. While accounting for nearly 40% of our country’s carbon footprint, the building sector also serves as a low-cost, high-return investment strategy to reduce energy consumption and associated emissions, yet their potential remains largely untapped. McKinsey and Company estimates that increased efficiency would save the U.S. economy $130 billion per year, while reducing emissions by 1.1 gigatons a year. Moreover, programs dedicated to spur the retrofit of old, inefficient homes and buildings will create jobs and save consumers money.

For these reasons, USGBC strongly urges the inclusion of the following measures in climate and energy legislation; most of which have significant bipartisan support:

1)EXISTING BUILDING RETROFITS:

A residential and commercial green retrofit program, such as the Retrofit for Energy Efficiency Program (REEP) included in the Clean Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733), or a combination of the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 (S. 3434) and the Building Star Energy Efficiency Act of 2010 (S. 3079). These programs are estimated to create over 300,000 jobs over two years.

2)IMPROVED BUILDING CODES:

A program to strengthen and enforce building energy codes, with efficiency targets that build upon those in the American Clean Energy Leadership Act (ACELA) and are increased incrementally over time. The adoption of codes with higher energy efficiency targets has the potential to save building owners in the U.S. over $4 billion per year in 2015, according to DOE.

3)ENERGY PERFORMANCE DISCLOSURE:

The creation of a national, voluntary program for effective benchmarking and disclosure of building energy performance for a diverse set of building types, such as what is already included in ACELA . In order to impact the 125 million existing buildings in America, the labeling program implementation should apply to existing building stock as well as new construction.

4)WATER EFFICIENCY:

Authorization of a national program such as WaterSense to identify and promote water-efficient devices; authorization of federal procurement of such devises; and state incentive programs as described in S. 1733. According to the EPA, if one out of every 100 homes in the U.S. were retrofitted with water-efficient fixtures, we could save 100 million kWh of electricity per year—the GHG reduction equivalent of removing nearly 15,000 automobiles from the road.

Furthermore, legislation should contain aggressive national goals and funding for complimentary measures that:

1) unlock efficiency and clean power such as an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard and a Renewable Electricity Standard;
2) reduce oil consumption, by promoting transportation efficiency and transit-orientated development; and
3) facilitate global emission reductions through international clean energy deployment and technology cooperation for developing countries.

USGBC urges the Senate to pass a comprehensive climate and energy package in 2010 that contains emission targets based on science, invests in a clean energy future and gives back to American communities. Investments in building efficiency now will create jobs, save money for consumers and businesses, reduce emissions, and unleash technology innovation.

For more information, contact USGBC Advocacy Staff at publicpolicy@usgbc.org.

Post taken from the U.S. Green Building Council's website.

For more information visit www.USGBC.org.

Check Out Our New YouTube Channel: USGBC-LI's LEED Amplifier

2011-06-02T20:45:00.001-04:00

The U.S. Green Building Council - Long Island is proud to announce that we are now on YouTube.

Please visit our new channel called: USGBC-LI's LEED Amplifier.

Click on the picture below to be directed to our new YouTube Channel.

The purpose of the Long Island Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council is to mirror and advance the core purpose of the U.S. Green Building Council locally; to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.

What is LEED®?
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

LEED provides a roadmap for measuring and documenting success for every building type and phase of a building lifecycle.

USGBC-LI's Green Incentives Committee

2011-05-26T10:09:00.000-04:00

The mission of the Green Incentives/Rebates committee is to provide a database for the public and private sectors that clearly documents both financial and non-financial incentives available for building green. The database will be focused specifically on Nassau and Suffolk counties but will also include Island-wide information. The database will list incentives available, necessary qualifications, contact information, and relevant links. The committee is also charged with educating the public on the incentives available through coordination with the programming, education and communication committees.

Click here to attend the next Green Incentives Committee meeting

The Green Incentives/Rebates committee is seeking individuals who can help to develop and maintain the database.

Contact Joe Rocco, Chairman, 631-881-7115 greenincentives@usgbc-li.org.

The purpose of the Long Island Chapter of the US Green Building Council is to mirror and advance the core purpose of the US Green Building Council locally; to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.

The USGBC-LI is committed to working with our fellow Long Islanders to improve our quality of life by improving the quality of the structures we build, and the environment in which we all live, work, and play. We are committed to leaving the world a little better than we found it so that future generations have an unfettered opportunity to do the same.

Last Day to Register for the USGBC-LI Building Green Gala

2011-05-23T12:08:00.001-04:00

The Long Island Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC-LI) will host its fourth-annual Building Green Long Island Gala at 6:00pm on May 24, 2011 at the Long Island Marriott and Conference Center in Uniondale.

The evening will feature an extended cocktail reception, perfect for networking, followed by dinner and the honoree awards presentation.

USGBC-LI will honor Richard Kessel, President and CEO, New York Power Authority and Jack H. Kulka, P.E., LEED AP, President of Kulka Construction for their notable accomplishments within the green building sector on Long Island.

All funds raised from the event will support the USGBC-LI's mission to improve our quality of life by improving the quality of the structures we build, and the environment in which we all live, work, and play by engaging businesses, developers, municipalities and individuals to be part of the process. The organization funds multiple academic scholarships and provides educational programs and events that encourage environmentally sound building practices, products and efficiencies.

Gala sponsorships and raffle donation opportunities are available. For information about the Gala sponsorships, raffles or to purchase tickets contact HJMT COMMUNICATIONS, LLC at 516-997-1950 or visit the gala website at www.usgbc-li.org/gala

News 12 Go Green w/Elizabeth Hashagen: USGBC-LI & Habitat for Humanity

2011-05-19T16:43:00.000-04:00

USGBC-LI's Programs Committee

2011-05-17T11:25:00.000-04:00

The U.S. Green Building Council - Long Island (USGBC-LI) chapter's Programs Committee develops, organizes and coordinates “Sustainable Programs”, a series of regular informational and educational morning salons, evening seminars, panel discussions, national workshops and special events.

The Committee is the central point of coordination and logistics for all programs either planned by the committee or by supporting program content created by other committees, external associations and corporate sponsors. It serves as the nerve center for developing, planning and executing all events through content development and outlines that engage the broad audience including the general membership and non-members.

The Programs Committee selects speakers and develops the program flow; guides presenters in best practices that resonate with the audience; coordinates calendar and scheduling, venues, catering and audio/visual; develops brochures, advisories and promotional material; submits CEU Credits to appropriate accrediting organizations (i.e., AIA, PDH); serves as liaison to USGBC National for workshops and moderates events.

The Committee ensures that programs and events reflect the mission and current goals and objectives of USGBC and the Long Island Chapter.

Our next meeting is Click here

If you are interested in joining our committee please contact Richard Neuman or Victor DaCosta. programs@usgbc-li.org

Committee ChairmanRichard Neuman
Relocation Management Solutions
914-419-5593

Committee Vice ChairmanVictor DaCosta
Alternative Solutions of New York
516-284-7835

Committee MembersDouglas Casper, The Port Authority of NY & NJ
Ann D'Angelo
Stanley Kules
Patricia Posillico, HaysVentures

Email the Programs Committee

USGBC-LI's Peter Caradonna Foresees a Sustainable Future

2011-05-16T12:38:00.001-04:00

As a 3^rd generation architect, Peter Caradonna eventually married (what else?) an architect. But his life’s work truly started in the mid 1990’s, working on a branch library in Brooklyn. Peter was handed the NYC Department of Design and Construction High Performance Building Guidelines. Curious what such a building would be, Peter spent the weekend reading the guidelines, gaining a new understanding of “the future of our business.”

Peter’s introduction to sustainability convinced him that architects could regain their former importance to society, becoming “a catalyst to a critical paradigm shift.” Starting his own firm in 1996, He sought to learn everything he could about green building.

In 2000 he joined the US Green Building Council (USGBC), working on the programs committee for USGBC New York, one of the organization’s six original chapters. Recruited to help start the Long Island Chapter, Peter became its first chair. His leadership skills impressed the national organization, where he now sits on the Chapter Steering Committee. USGBC now has over 79 chapters, and Peter enjoys a national network of bright, forward-thinking progressives to share ideas with anywhere he goes.

Of course, sustainability faces a huge challenge from entrenched business and political entities. Peter says the green movement must work twice as hard to achieve its goals. He also believes the next generation will use their life-long relationship with computers to take up this struggle, informed by a different understanding of the world. “I can’t wait to see what they come up with,” he says. “They’re my greatest hope.”

“Anywhere you go on earth,” Peter notes, “the human footprint is evident. Even in the furthest wilderness areas.” In addition to sustainability, he foresees restorative and regenerative systems to maintain the planet, even as our society grows exponentially.

For now, the current generation needs to determine the standards for making all buildings carbon neutral. “And you know what?” Peter asserts. “That’s not a bad way to end this generation’s work.”

Post written by David Sporn.

Katz Women Hospital on News 12 Long Island Go Green with Elizabeth Hashagen

2011-05-13T17:56:00.002-04:00

North Shore-LIJ is proud to announce the anticipated opening of Katz Women’s Hospital, a $250 million world-class facility that will be located on our Long Island Jewish Medical Center campus. Katz Women’s Hospital at LIJ Medical Center, set to open in 2012, will be a comprehensive resource for the unique healthcare needs of women in our community…and beyond.

Katz Women’s Hospital was designed to help you take advantage of all of North Shore-LIJ’s specialized women’s services – a quality path of care that includes programs in: perinatal and obstetrics, gynecology, urogynecology, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, infertility and pediatric and adolescent gynecology. Through this facility women will also have access to world class subspecialty services including Cardiology, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, Nephrology, Endocrinology, Women’s Wellness and Geriatric medicine.

North Shore-LIJ is committed to women’s health and family-centered care. Our new state-of-the-art facility reflects the heart of that commitment, as well as our dedication to service, comfort and the highest standards of quality and care.

Katz Women’s Hospital at LIJ Medical Center features:

Single mother and baby rooms:
Each room is equipped with private bathroom and shower (all ADA compliant),
wireless internet, rocking chair, flat screen TV and overnight accommodations for significant
other.

Plus each is designed to provide for emergency equipment and couplet care.

Special rooms for our high risk patients are also available.

Respite Well Baby Newborn Nursery & Constant Observation Well Baby Newborn Nursery

Diagnostic and Treatment Unit (Emergency Department for Pregnant Women)State of the Art Labor & Delivery rooms

Operating Rooms Each with flat screen TV monitors in the ceiling with soothing images and music.

Childbirth Education Office and Classroom

Ambulatory Lactation Consultation ServicesRetail store focusing on Women’s Products and Newborn Products

Women’s Resource CenterBotanical GardenFamily lounge

Patient and family classrooms

Restaurant
Chapel

Long Island, Do You Have a Smartphone? Scan the USGBC-LI QR Code...

2011-05-06T07:39:00.000-04:00

Use Your Smartphone to Scan the QR Code Above!

DON'T FORGET TO...

PURCHASE YOUR USGBC-LI BUILDING GREEN GALA TICKET NOW AND BE

ELIGIBLE FOR $250 VALUE MEMBERSHIP OR UPGRADE

Don't Have A Smartphone? Click Here to Find Out More Info.

The USGBC-LI is committed to working with our fellow Long Islanders to improve our quality of life by improving the quality of the structures we build, and the environment in which we all live, work, and play. We are committed to leaving the world a little better than we found it so that future generations have an unfettered opportunity to do the same.

The U.S. Green Building Council is the nation's foremost coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.

USGBC's core purpose is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. USGBC-LI works to bring these values to the communities of Long Island.

Recycling and Responsible Stewardship of Used Electronics

2011-05-04T10:26:00.000-04:00

While advances in technology give companies and individual users the opportunity and availability to upgrade to newer, sleeker and more energy-efﬁcient electronic products, it is critical to remember that many electronic units such as computers and monitors, mobile phones, televisions, and other electronic devices contain hazardous and harmful toxins. These items include lead, mercury, cadmium, ﬂame retardants and other hazardous materials, that when released into the environment these persistent, bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs) are known to cause birth defects and damage to our nervous and skeletal systems, as well as blood streams.

Many of these outdated and unused devices also often contain sensitive and conﬁdential information.
Properly managing and disposing of these electronics by recycling provides generators with the opportunity for responsible stewardship. This enables both environmentally friendly disposal and security of all the information stored within.

Original users, on average keep a laptop computer for only three years and will discard theircell phone after
only 24 months. Many are still in good working condition and can be recycled, refurbished or donated to schools and charities. These efforts beneﬁt both the environment and the communities they serve. Tax
deductions for donating working electronics to schools or charities are also available.

There are also secondary markets for disposal of recent models of laptop computers, desktop computers
and cell phones. These products retain value. Computer recyclers and asset management companies place
outdated, unused equipment and electronics back into reuse or the recycling stream by refurbishing these
devices and, in many cases, shipping them offshore to third world countries. Most companies will resell the equipment they receive or dismantle the parts of value. They separate the recycled materials, such as glass, metals and plastics and sell off these commodities and ﬁnd new uses for them. Unfortunately, however, anything considered with no value will usually end up in our landﬁlls.

These secondary markets do help minimize the number of whole units that ﬁnd there way into our landﬁlls.
Recent studies have estimated that although E waste accounts for only 5% of the total waste stream by volume it accounts for approximately 40% of the toxic materials disposed of in solid waste. Many municipalities are now also accepting E-Waste at S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) programs or on speciﬁc days designated only for E-Waste.

However, these programs will only accept items from veriﬁable, town residents. Commercial generators
and business are not usually permitted to drop off electronic components at these events. Electronics recycling is an excellent way to conserve valuable natural resources, save landﬁll space, and reduce theamount of toxins entering the waste stream. Strict guidelines and regulations are in place for the proper handling of these universal waste streams. Unfortunately, not all companies that recover and manage used electronics abide by these regulations. This often results in obsolete electronics being mismanaged in the U.S. and in other countries lacking proper facilities, training and resources to safely and appropriately process or secure the information found in these devices.

When it comes to computer recycling, each day businesses and individuals are ﬁnding the safe guarding of information, once stored on these systems, a major concern. Many of these personal and business
electronic components contain both personal and corporate conﬁdential information on ﬁnancial transactions to employee information, clients, trademarks and other sensitive information. This data is easily retrievable, if the equipment is not processed properly. As most computer recycling companies refurbish or dismantle units, they do not physically destroy the components to the extent that all information is not irretrievable.

There are a number of levels of stewardship GIANCO provides. Each disposal program is tailored to meet the speciﬁc needs of the clients and the level of information protection required. GIANCO Environmental Services recommends all data from a computer hard drive be removed before donating or recycling a computer or other storage devices. All media should be wiped clean before disposing of it.

This includes computer hard drives as well as all other electronic and media formats. There are a number
of ways to remove data from your hard drive. If the information is too sensitive to risk or you are unable
to remove it before donating your equipment,GIANCOEnvironmental Services can provide a program
that will ensure the highest level of complete destruction and proper handling of this sensitive information and equipment.This true end of life destruction program guarantees all electronic equipment is triaged and shredded. With a zero landﬁll policy and all shredded materials including plastic, glass, ferrous and
non ferrous metals recycled into new products, this total destruction program provides the highest level of security, a certiﬁcate of destruction and an environmentally friendly disposal of all electronic equipment.

Michael Gianchetta is the vice president of GIANCO Environmental Services, Brentwood, N.Y. and Chairman of the Long Island Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC-LI).

Putting Long Island Supermarkets on a Green Diet

2011-05-03T12:14:00.000-04:00

Shoppers strolling the aisles of Wild By Nature in Oceanside see the usual cornucopia of fresh vegetables. But they may not realize the physical plant of the supermarket itself has gone green.

Solar cells pump 10 kilowatts of power from the roof, skylights flood aisles with natural light and environmental cooling systems chill frozen foods. Plus, LED lights in refrigerated displays click on when shoppers approach, only to go dark when shoppers leave.

“We have motion detectors. When you walk by, it comes on and off,” said Stephen Mitchell, director of engineering for Bethpage-based King Kullen Grocery, which operates about 50 King Kullen and four Wild by Nature stores. “We not only save on the electric for the LEDs. The LED looks better than the fluorescent and it generates less heat inside the cases.”

Although the store has taken numerous measures the average shopper isn’t likely to notice, the more observant will notice the plaque at the entrance, indicating the store obtained gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED Certification from the United States Green Building Council.

Once seen as devouring electricity like gas guzzlers filling up at the pump, that image is becoming passé.
Supermarket stores are going green and cutting energy costs and consumption.

King Kullen, Stop and Shop, Whole Foods and Price Chopper all have boarded this bandwagon.
“Those are high energy users,” said Michael Deering, Long Island Power Authority vice president of environmental affairs. “You’re talking about a lot of refrigeration. They have a lot of lights. They can have significant reductions in their energy use and cost of business.”

Supermarkets have been among the most aggressive retailers in obtaining LEED certification through the program the United States Green Building Council rolled out in 2009. More than 100 supermarkets nationwide are in various phases of certification.

It’s not just for immediate savings, but branding opportunities for the stores, said Vince Capogna, executive director of the USGBC, Long Island Chapter, in Hauppauge, by separating themselves from the rest of food retailers.

In addition to the Oceanside Wild By Nature store, more than 10 Island-wide Stop & Shop stores have been LEED certified.

Although certification doesn’t come cheap, LIPA will help out with $500,000 toward a LEED project.
Mitchell said King Kullen has harvested bumper benefits from energy efficiency, since they typically pay between $25,000 and $40,000 monthly on electricity per store.

“We are reducing the bill,” he said, but wasn’t more specific, adding the supermarket chain was still calculating exact savings.

Supermarkets also have nothing but good things to say about LIPA.

Mitchell said the more than $160,000 in incentives the power company ponied up helped defray the cost of the Oceanside store’s energy efficiency measures. “They helped us with a lot of rebates,” he said. “They truly partnered up with us.”

In addition to rebates, LIPA helps with consulting, helping supermarkets and other companies develop strategies to reduce electricity usage.

“We work with their facilities managers, architects, engineers and identify more efficient machinery that will reduce their electric rates,” Deering said. “It’s more cost effective to invest in energy efficiency than to build our next power plant.”

In addition to rolling out new, smart supermarkets such as Wild by Nature in Oceanside, chains are doing green renovations. King Kullen renovated a store it bought in Glen Cove, installing energy-efficient lights, better lighting control and LED lights in refrigerators.

The Wild By Nature store cut its electric bills by installing sky lights across about 5 percent of the store, saving money and allowing sunshine in. Sensors dim lights when the sun shines.

“It gives you a reduction for energy. You don’t need as much lighting,” Capogna said. “You take advantage of daylight. It’s also a better environment for the workers and the customers.”

People also reach for their wallets more readily in sunshine than electric lights with studies finding skylights increasing sales per square foot. Wal-Mart found revenues soared in the half of a store where it installed skylights.

Although Mitchell believes natural light creates a good atmosphere, he won’t go so far as to say it boosts business. “I don’t know if it increases sales,” he said. “I think it’s a great look. If you walk into the store, you feel good about it. It has a nice feel.”

He and others, however, believe going green provides good marketing and good will, which can translate to increased revenues.

“Companies like Wild by Nature and Whole Foods are selling to clientele more concerned with their health and environment,” Capogna said. “Their clients respect and understand a supermarket chain with similar mindset. That has a tremendous marketing effect.”

Truly green stores also are being environmental in their construction and demolition practices, recycling materials more frequently as thinking green means more than growing income.

“It wasn’t just energy,” Mitchell said of King Kullen’s construction and demolition related to new stores. “We used local materials. We had demolition on the site. It’s the way we demolished the site and prepared the site.”

King Kullen at its Oceanside Wild By Nature store has waterless toilets, preferred parking for low emitting vehicles and bicycle racks to encourage cycling.

Then there’s a highly reflective, white or “cool roof” that reduces heat, landscaping requiring minimal watering, low-flow faucets and more environmental paint.

Solar power, in particular, can make a supermarket seem enlightened as well as well lit. But despite the fervor among many for solar, Mitchell said King Kullen hasn’t decided whether to go solar at other stores.
“We’re still sitting back and looking at the solar,” he said.

by Claude Solnik

Published in the Long Island Business News: April 13th, 2011

Commercial Real Estate Becoming More Sustainable on Long Island

2011-05-02T11:29:00.000-04:00

Check in to the newly built Viana Hotel and Spa in Westbury and you could be in a lower Manhattan boutique hotel, featuring feng shui inspired space, super luxe guest suites, a full service salon, spa, fitness center and pool and ahead-of-the-curve design in its bar and restaurant.

But the Viana also boasts other trendy features such as a 10 kilowatt rooftop solar energy system, a digitally controlled energy management system that cuts energy use by up to 30 percent and advanced filtration to ensure superior indoor air quality. With a long list of additional green components, the boutique luxury hotel has applied for LEED certification.

Green projects found at the Viana are becoming more commonplace in the commercial building industry, where sustainability as a goal has become pervasive among real estate developers, building owners, general contractors, subcontractors and manufacturers, said Steven J. Collins, vice president of corporate development for Island International Exterior Fabricators, a Calverton-based manufacturer of unitized exterior walls. “There’s a lot being done -- the way we build today is substantially different from how we built five or ten years ago, and even more so for large construction projects,” Collins said.

Perhaps the greater anomaly is that the Viana Hotel was built at all. “There is not a lot of new construction going on in any shape or form,” said Vince Capogna, executive director of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Long Island chapter and president of the Synergy Green Building Group in New Hyde Park. But many of those companies that are building are jumping on the green bandwagon. “Building sustainably was a more difficult sell even two years ago,” said Rudy Holesek, president of Apollo HVAC of Bay Shore and vice chairman of the USGBC-LI. “But now we have more cases where clients ask about LEED certification than having to go out and suggest it.”

A major reason is costs for sustainable building have become in line with conventional building costs, Capogna said, thanks in large part to generous rebates from the Long Island Power Authority and National Grid and tax incentives that aren’t available for conventional building projects.

“With a straightforward strip mall, there’s virtually no difference in cost to build green, given the rebate structure,” Holesek said. “With a multistory office building, it may be marginally more expensive to build green because of the challenges associated with that type of building.” But it’s essential to make decisions upfront. “If you try to build sustainably midstream, it will add cost,” Capogna said.

Increased competition among manufacturers of green products and systems has brought costs down. “You have world-renowned companies like Siemens in the green market now and products that weren’t available a couple of years ago,” said Jimmy Carchietta, founder and CEO of The Cotocon Group, a green building consulting firm with a Hicksville office. Carchietta consulted on the Viana Hotel and on several other recent projects seeking LEED certification, including Motor Parkway Plaza, a mixed-use office and shopping center in Hauppauge, and Security Dodge, an auto dealership in Amityville, NY.

Another reason for the greening of the industry is studies from previous projects demonstrate energy savings and comfort within an office building leads to greater productivity and less absenteeism. “More quantifiable results have become available to show sustainable building makes a difference,” Holesek said.

Computerized building modeling helps companies analyze the cost and benefits of sustainable initiatives upfront, Holesek said. Apollo HVAC recently worked on a major renovation in Westbury. “The company wanted clear-glass windows, but we modeled the building and showed that with higher performing glass, they would need just 16 tons of air conditioning, versus 27 tons,” Holesek said. The higher-performing glass cost $6,000 more, but it would pay for itself in only a year and a half in reduced air conditioning costs. For other materials, such as the insulation and roofing, it was no more expensive to choose greener options.

Education spurs the continued growth of green construction. “People have to know and understand that these options are out there, that there’s a better way to build, and that it doesn’t have to cost more,” Capogna said. “That’s the reason we have this chapter. We are volunteering our time and effort and talent to spread the word that it’s very doable.”

Not only consumers have to be educated, but those in the building industry, as well. “Engineers and architects are often comfortable using the same products they have always used,” Holesek said. “If they keep their minds open to new technologies, they may be able to find much better insulation products, for instance.”

In the case of retrofits, financing is a major stumbling block, with companies struggling to pay their bills and unsure if they will be in business to reap the rewards of energy-saving measures and other green improvements down the road. “In commercial construction, the magic number for payback is three years or less,” Holesek said, noting that institutional clients are generally more willing to go with a longer payback of five to seven years.

Retrofits are typically done as repairs are needed and maintenance costs begin to tally, said Neil Skidell, managing director of Par Green Solutions, a Lynbrook-based provider of green building consulting services.

“A company won’t just put in a new boiler if the old one is working fine,” he said, noting the typical payback for a new boiler of eight to ten years is too long for a decision based on efficiency. “At the end of the day it’s all about efficiency, and the greenness follows. If you can’t make money with the retrofit, clients won’t be receptive.”

by Bernadette Starzee

Published in the Long Island Business News: April 13th, 2011

PURCHASE YOUR USGBC-LI BUILDING GREEN GALA TICKET NOW AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR $250 VALUE MEMBERSHIP OR UPGRADE

2011-04-28T18:52:00.001-04:00

PURCHASE YOUR USGBC-LI BUILDING GREEN GALA TICKET NOW AND BE

ELIGIBLE FOR $250 VALUE MEMBERSHIP OR UPGRADE

To be eligible for the upgrade to USGBC-LI Benefactor level membership do the following:

First, Click on the Gala Picture below and Purchase your ticket to the USGBC-LI Chapter's Building Green Gala May 24, 2011.

Then, Visit and “Like” the USGBC-LI’s Facebook Fan Page and Post a comment about the USGBC-LI or the Gala.

Included in the USGBC-LI Benefactor Membership:

Complimentary Admission to Green Building Tours, Morning Salons, Evening Programs
Complimentary Admission to Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner
Listing in Annual USGBC-LI "Long Island Built Environment Report”
Listing in our annual full-page ad in NY Real Estate Journal- Long Island section

One USGBC-LI Benefactor membership will be given away each week though program ends Friday May 20 at 5:00 pm.

Upgrade can be initiated immediately or begin at USGBC-LI Members membership renewal date.

From the Executive Director of U.S. Green Building Council Long Island Chapter

2011-04-26T12:36:00.000-04:00

There’s a significant body of scientific research showing that people are much more motivated by pain than by pleasure. By some accounts pain is more than double a motivating force. With gas climbing past $4 per gallon and oil well over $100 per barrel are you feeling motivated yet? Help me out here–I’m trying real hard to look
for a silver lining.

Our chapter members have been advocating for years that when you build green, everyone profits. We have tried to show the benefits from every angle–economic, health, sustainability, etc., and from all perspectives–
owner, tenant, employer, employee, etc., etc.

One of the more interesting business case studies was done a couple of years ago. The CoStar group together with the Center for Real Estate at the University of San Diego analyzed more than 1,300 LEED and Energy Star buildings representing about 351 million s/f in CoStar’s commercial property database of roughly 44 billion s/f, and assessed those buildings against non-green properties with similar size, location, class, tenancy and year-built characteristics to generate the results.

According to the CoStar study, rental rates in Energy Star buildings represent a $2.40 per s/f premium over comparable non-Energy Star buildings and have 3.6% higher occupancy. LEED buildings on the other hand, command rent premiums of $11.33 per s/f over their non-LEED peers and have 4.1% higher occupancy.

In a trend that could signal greater attention from investors, Energy Star buildings are selling for an average of $61 per s/f more than their peers, while LEED buildings command a remarkable $171 more per s/f. Clearly, the benefits are significant and they extend beyond those associated with energy efficiency alone.

So what’s stopping us from seeing every building constructed or renovated as a LEED building? Is it cost? It shouldn’t be. Davis Langdon’s comprehensive “Cost of Green Revisited” study in 2007 found that “there is no significant difference in average costs for green buildings as compared to non-green buildings” and that was four years ago when products and technologies still carried a bit of a “green premium.” When you also consider the incredible incentives available, especially on Long Island, it can be significantly more advantageous to build or renovate to LEED standards than to “conventional.”

With all the great reasons and multitude of benefits to be derived from green building one would think that every building would bear a LEED plaque. I guess I keep forgetting that copious scientific research says for taking action, we need a motivation strategy. Here’s hoping that it isn’t going to take the pain of $5 per gallon gas and $200 per barrel oil to motivate us to do what we should have been doing all along: When you build green, everyone profits.

Vince Capogna, LEED AP ID+C, is the executive director of the

Long Island chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Why Become a Member of the U.S. Green Building Council's Long Island Chapter??

2011-04-25T14:57:00.000-04:00

The U.S. Green Building Council is the nation's foremost coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.

USGBC's core purpose is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. USGBC-LI works to bring these values to the communities of Long Island.

Members have access to the password protected members area, giving them:

A profile they can update at their leisure
Access to the full member directory
Ability to upload a profile image as well as a company logo, which can be viewed by any other USGBC-LI member in the directory
Access to member's only files, uploaded by the USGBC-LI and other members.
Reduced prices for USGBC - LI events

INDIVIDUAL CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP

General Membership ($65.00)National USGBC Member Company Employee ($45.50)
Full Time Student ($25.00)

Membership Benefits:

Voting rights in USGBC-LI elections and by-laws
Eligibility for Committee Leadership and Board position
Listing in USGBC-LI Membership Directory
Community - Connect with your peers
Resources - Access industry expertise
Marketing - Promote your affiliation
Savings - Free and Discounted membership events
Involvement - Take a leadership role and join a committee
Advocacy and Education - Together we can make a difference

ENHANCED CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

Benefactor Membership ($250.00)
Legacy Membership ($1,000.00)
Lifetime Legacy Membership ($10,000.00) - One-time payment, a lifetime of benefits!

Enhanced Membership Benefits:

	Legacy	Benefactor
Complimentary Admission to Green Building Tours, Morning Salons, Evening Programs	Y	Y
Complimentary Admission to Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner	Y	Y
Complimentary Admission to Annual Clambake	Y	N
10% Discount on National Workshops	Y	N
Invitation to exclusive Legacy Circle Events and Annual Dinner	Y	N
Listing in Annual USGBC-LI "Long Island Built Environment Report"	Y	Y
Listing in our annual full-page ad in NY Real Estate Journal - Long Island section	Y	Y

Sponsorship Benefits for the USGBC-LI Building Green Gala

2011-04-22T10:53:00.001-04:00

The Long Island Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC-LI) will host its fourth-annual Building Green Long Island Gala at 6:00pm on May 24, 2011 at the Long Island Marriott and Conference Center in Uniondale.

The evening will feature an extended cocktail reception, perfect for networking, followed by dinner and the honoree awards presentation.

USGBC-LI will honor Richard Kessel, President and CEO, New York Power Authority and Jack H. Kulka, P.E., LEED AP, President of Kulka Construction for their notable accomplishments within the green building sector on Long Island.

All funds raised from the event will support the USGBC-LI's mission to improve our quality of life by improving the quality of the structures we build, and the environment in which we all live, work, and play by engaging businesses, developers, municipalities and individuals to be part of the process. The organization funds multiple academic scholarships and provides educational programs and events that encourage environmentally sound building practices, products and efficiencies.

Gala sponsorships and raffle donation opportunities are available. For information about the Gala sponsorships, raffles or to purchase tickets contact HJMT COMMUNICATIONS, LLC at 516-997-1950 or visit the gala website at www.usgbc-li.org/gala

Sponsorship Benefits

PLATINUM - $25,000

Company logo on all print advertising and marketing materials
Company name/logo displayed on USGBC-LI Gala website in location and frequency relative to sponsorship
Custom Enhanced “Platinum Sponsor” Two Full Page Color Ads in Digital Journal for the entire year, linking to company website.
Prominent company visibility within Digital Journal
High-frequency of ad display in Digital Journal Presentation on screens at event
Name recognition at podium during dinner
Two tables (20 tickets) reserved in prominent location
Table placard with company name and logo
Recognition at all 2011 USGBC-LI events with logo scaled to sponsorship level
20 Annual Chapter Memberships to the USGBC-LI

GOLD - $10,000

Company logo on all print advertising and marketing materials
Company name/logo displayed on USGBC-LI Gala website in location and frequency relative to sponsorship
Custom Enhanced “Gold Sponsor” Full Page Color Ad in Digital Journal for the entire year, linking to company website.
Notable company visibility within Digital Journal
Frequent ad display in Digital Journal Presentation on screens at event
Name recognition at podium during dinner
One table (10 tickets) reserved in prominent location
Table placard with company name and logo
Recognition at all 2011 USGBC-LI events with logo scaled to sponsorship level
10 Annual Chapter Memberships to the USGBC-LI

SILVER - $5,000

Company logo on all print advertising and marketing materials
Company name/logo displayed on USGBC-LI Gala website in location and frequency relative to sponsorship
Custom “Silver Sponsor” Full Page Color Ad in Digital Journal for the entire year, linking to company website.
Ad display in Digital Journal Presentation on screens at event
Five gala tickets
Table placard with name
Recognition at all 2011 USGBC-LI events with logo scaled to sponsorship level
Five Annual Chapter Memberships to the USGBC-LI

CERTIFIED - $2,500

Company name/logo displayed on USGBC-LI Gala website in location and frequency relative to sponsorship
"Certified Sponsor" Full Page Color Ad in Digital Journal for the entire year
Ad display in Digital Journal Presentation on screens at event
Four gala tickets
Recognition at all 2011 USGBC-LI events with logo scaled to sponsorship level
Two Annual Chapter Memberships to the USGBC-LI

GREEN - $1,250

Company name/logo displayed on USGBC-LI Gala website in location and frequency relative to sponsorship
“Green Sponsor” Half Page Color Ad in Digital Journal for the entire year
Ad display in Digital Journal Presentation on screens at event
Two gala tickets
One Annual Chapter Memberships to the USGBC-LI

FULL PAGE AD - $1,500

Full Page Color Ad in Digital Journal for the entire year
Ad display in Digital Journal Presentation on screens at event

HALF PAGE AD - $750

Half Page Color Ad in Digital Journal for the entire year
Ad display in Digital Journal Presentation on screens at event

FRIEND AD - $300

Company logo/name appears on group page in Digital Journal

PURCHASE TICKETS

Click here to purchase tickets for this event

USGBC-LI's Sustainable Programs: Structures, Building Envelopes and the Planet

2011-04-18T16:33:00.001-04:00

Program DescriptionCreating buildings that actually accomplish low energy usage requires careful attention to the building envelope details. The structural elements that are part of the building envelopes can make or break a building's energy performance. We'll address thermal bridging, foundation insulation discontinuities, identify some problem conditions (using infrared images), and present some solution options. We'll also review positive and negative sustainability aspects of concrete, wood, and steel. At the end we'll compare the attributes of "stick" (stud and purlin) construction, Structural Insulated Panels, and Insulated Concrete Forms.

PresenterJames A. D’Aloisio, P.E., SECB, LEED AP BD+C

Jim is a Principal with Klepper, Hahn & Hyatt, a 32-person structural engineering, landscape architecture, and building science firm based in East Syracuse, NY. He is currently Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council’s New York Upstate Chapter, a former USGBC National Board Member, and Chair of the ASCE Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) Thermal Steel Bridging Task Committee. He has over 20 years’ experience as a structural building designer. He has written several articles on the relationship between building structures and sustainability, and has presented dozens of times

Location
USGBC-LI Headquarters
150 Motor Parkway
Media Center Theater
Hauppauge , NY 11788
Click here for directions

Date and Time
Tuesday, May 10 2011.
4:00pm-7:00pm

Schedule
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM - Presentation Part I
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM - Presentation Part II
5:30 PM – 6:00 PM - Dinner
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Presentation Part III

Dinner is included

Continuing Education Units Available
LEED AP CEU’s: 2.0 hours - through USGBC NY Upstate Chapter (GBCI Ed. Provider)

NYS PE CEU’s: 2.0 hours - through Klepper, Hahn & Hyatt (NYSED Ed. Provider)

NYS AIA CEU’s: 1.5 hours - through the USGBC NY Upstate Chapter / AIANYS

Prices
Member Price: $25
Non-Member Price: $40

Click here to review our Refund Policy

Click here to Registration

A Look at Prep Classes Offered for the LEED Green Associate Exam

2011-04-16T16:18:00.002-04:00

Interested in pursuing a ‘green job,’ but don’t know where to start? Perhaps becoming a LEED Green Associate is a good first step.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). According to the USGBC web site, the LEED system “provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.”

There are several types of LEED certifications. As the certifications progress they become more specified to occupation, but not the entry certification: becoming a LEED Green Associate. In fact, becoming a LEED Green Associate is geared towards professionals who want to demonstrate green building expertise in a non-technical field of practice.

To become a LEED Green Associate you must pass a written exam which costs $200 ($150 for USGBC members) and requires a $50 application fee. To take the exam, a prep course is encouraged beforehand. For those of you out there without any sustainable or green building experience already, the prep course is actually required.

Here is a look at some of the prep course option in the region:

The Long Island Chapter of the USGBC offers the most economical prep course, seven study groups for the cost of $295 ($245 for USGBC members). These study groups are held during the evening (6 – 8 p.m.) at the chapter’s Hauppauge headquarters for seven sessions total. These study groups are also offered through Stony Brook University’s Corporate Education and Training Department for the same price.

Like the study groups listed above, Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) offers an online prep course through its Professional Development and Continued Education Department. This prep course, offered during the fall, spring and summer semester, lasts several weeks, but does not require attending class at a central location. Instead, SCCC, in conjunction with GreenEdison, a Manhattan-based training company, offers the study groups online for a cost of $350. Coursework equals eight hours total.

CleanEdison also offers a one-day crash course. Based on internet research, these crash courses are becoming more popular. As far as CleanEdison’s crash course is concerned, it lasts eight hours (9 a.m. until 5 p.m.) and costs $345. This course is offered on a reoccurring basis in New York City.

Hofstra University too offers a crash course of sorts, only it’s two days long. Offered through the Hofstra University Continued Education Department, there are three prep courses offered between now and September. The two-day course costs $595 and is held on back-to-back days beginning at 8:30 a.m. and running until 5 p.m. (a disclaimer on the course listings states that the length of class is left to the digression of the instructor).

Another crash-course out there is offered by Green Education Services, a private company that provides ‘green job training’ much like CleanEdison. Green Education Services offer a prep class online and in person. It’s online prep class consists of two eight-hour sessions at a cost of $199. The company’s in-person prep class is offered in New York City and consists of an eight-hour session at a cost of $399.

Know of any other organizations or schools in the areas that offer prep classes for the LEED Green Associate exam? Are you apart of an organization or school that offer prep classes for the LEED Green Associate exam? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

Further research into each offering is encouraged by this blog to better understand the organization that is providing the prep class and whether or not the class, or even the exam, is right for you. Good luck.

___________________________________________________________________

In addition to being a clean-energy advocate, the author of this blog post is also a freelance journalist based out of Suffolk County.

Long Island, The USGBC-LI Needs Your Help!!!

2011-04-13T09:07:00.000-04:00

The Long Island Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC-LI) will host its fourth-annual Building Green Long Island Gala at 6:00pm on May 24, 2011 at the Long Island Marriott and Conference Center in Uniondale.

The evening will feature an extended cocktail reception, perfect for networking, followed by dinner and the honoree awards presentation. Hosted by News 12 Long Island's Elizabeth Hashagen.

USGBC-LI will honor Richard Kessel, President and CEO, New York Power Authority and Jack H. Kulka, P.E., LEED AP, President of Kulka Construction for their notable accomplishments within the green building sector on Long Island.
All funds raised from the event will support the USGBC-LI's mission to improve our quality of life by improving the quality of the structures we build, and the environment in which we all live, work, and play by engaging businesses, developers, municipalities and individuals to be part of the process. The organization funds multiple academic scholarships and provides educational programs and events that encourage environmentally sound building practices, products and efficiencies.

Gala sponsorships and raffle donation opportunities are available.

For information about the Gala sponsorships, raffles or to purchase tickets contact HJMT COMMUNICATIONS, LLC at 516-997-1950 or visit the gala website at www.usgbc-li.org/gala

Long Island LEED Certified Building: Wild by Nature - LEED Gold

2011-04-11T10:08:00.000-04:00

Wild by Nature in Oceanside has been awarded LEED® Gold certification for new construction by the U.S. Green Building Council. Wild by Nature is the first Supermarket in the State of New York to be awarded LEED Gold certification!

Wild by Nature was designed to achieve LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. LEED verifies environmental performance, occupant health and financial return. LEED was established for market leaders to design & construct buildings that protect and save precious resources while also making good economic sense.

Following are a list of sustainable, energy efficient, or environmentally practices or items that have been incorporated into the Wild By Nature in Oceanside.

Preferred parking for Low Emitting Vehicles, bicycle racks and employee showers encourage alternative transportation.
A highly reflective, white “cool roof” reduces heat island effect.
Drought tolerant plantings eliminate the need for irrigation.
Waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets reduce building water use by more than 40%.
Integrated commissioning ensures the building’s energy system works efficiently and effectively.
Heat reclamation from the refrigeration system provides the heat for the building’s water.
Highly efficient heating and cooling systems increase energy savings.
A central Building Management System provides a high level of control over building systems.
Skylights provide additional lighting and a welcome environment, and daylight harvesting lowers lighting levels as necessary.
Refrigerant leakage detection protects unnecessary contamination from the refrigeration system, and building air-conditioning uses R-410A, a less harmful refrigerant to the atmosphere. LED lighting, high-efficiency compressors, and other measures significantly reduce the energy use of the store’s refrigeration system.
CO2 monitors and air-flow measurement devices ensure proper ventilation.
Construction waste was minimal and a significant portion of waste was recycled.
Fly-ash was incorporated in to the concrete foundations, reducing the building’s carbon footprint.
The steel, concrete, block, carpet, tile, and drywall used to construct the building boast recycled content.
The concrete and the majority of the concrete block and drywall were also manufactured regionally, reducing the impact of material transportation.
Paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants with low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and composite woods with no added urea-formaldehyde provide a healthy indoor environment for employees and customers.
During occupancy, Wild By Nature will provide the capacity to recycle cardboard, paper, metal, plastic, glass and plastic bags.
Green Cleaning and Integrated Pest Management will further protect the integrity of the indoor air quality in the building.

About LEED®
The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™is a feature-oriented rating system that awards buildings points for satisfying specified greenbuilding criteria. The six major environmental categories of review include: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental. Quality and Innovation and Design. Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels of LEED green building certification are awarded based on the total number of points earned within each LEED category.

To learn more about LEED, Click here.

LEED for Homes Scoring Tool

2011-04-08T09:20:00.000-04:00

The LEED for Homes Scoring Tool is an easy way for anyone to get acquainted with green building and the LEED for Homes rating system. There are two main components to the scoring tool, a Quick Score path and a Credit by Credit path.

Quick Score

The Quick Score path is intended for people new to LEED for Homes and allows users to answer very general questions about green building. After answering approximately 15 questions users will receive an approximate certification level and a list of things that they would be required to do in order for their project to be considered for certification. From there the user will also be able to proceed to the Credit by Credit path in order to fine tune the project score and learn detailed information about the LEED for Homes rating system requirements.

Credit by Credit

The Credit by Credit path is a walk-through of the rating system with a built-in checklist in which users can review credit requirements and indicate Yes, No or Maybe that the project will meet the intent of that specific credit. It calculates the points for each credit category, checks to make sure that all the pre-requisites are checked off and ensures that the minimum point floors are attained.

The Scoring Tool is also useful as a project management tool for project teams that are working on multiple projects or are looking to see how different iterations of the same project fare in the rating system.

About the USGBC-LI

The U.S. Green Building Council is the nation's foremost coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.

HGTV Green Home Earns LEED Platinum

2011-04-05T07:54:00.002-04:00

This year’s HGTV Green Home is in the popular Stapleton infill development of Denver, Colorado. The New Urbanist community features nothing but Energy Star homes that are about 30% more energy efficient than standard homes and 20% more water efficient than typical Denver households. But the HGTV Green Home 2011 steps things up a notch with a LEED Platinum certified project — it’s one of about 40 in the state.

HGTV Green Home was built with advanced framing techniques such as removing headers in non-load-bearing walls, framing the exterior with 24″ on center (using 2x6s), using a three-stud corner, and installing engineered products in the floor and roof assemblies.

The insulation is a recycled-content blown-cellulose, and the envelope is covered with DuPont Stucco Wrap.

The exterior features a blend of green materials — locally-sourced brick veneers, thin stone veneers, and 50% recycled-content fiber-cement siding. The windows are Andersen 100 Series with E4 glass and Fibrex reclaimed-wood fiber frames, while the outdoor deckscape is made with Trex Transcend.

The 2,400 square-foot single-family home received a HERS Rating of 38, making it about 62 more efficient than a standard new home built to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code. It’s powered by a 5 kW solar photovoltaic system that’s supposed to generate up to 75% of the home’s energy.

To save water, some of the landscape is replaced with synthetic grass that’s permeable, 100% recyclable, and made with a kid- and pet-friendly “all-natural” composite. The rest of the landscape has a drip-irrigation system for drought-tolerant plants and shrubs.

Other green elements include Sherwin Williams Harmony no-VOC paints, Shaw Epic 100% recycled wood-fiber floors, interior doors made with beetle-kill wood, and an iPad-controlled Control4 system for monitoring and controlling lights, security, and other elements of the HGTV Green Home.

This home was designed by Michael Woodley, AIA, Woodley Architectural Group, Inc., and built by Infinity Home Collection

HGTV Green Home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and several other utilitarian spaces (i.e., a niche, “do” room, and loft). The home has a value of something near $700,000, furnishings included, and will be given away with an extra $100,000 and a 2011 GMC Terrain. The giveaway starts April 14, 2011 at 9 am EST.

What is LEED®?

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

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About Preston: Founder/Chief Editor of Jetson Green. Preston is an entrepreneur, innovator, and LEED AP living near the mountains of Salt Lake City, Utah. You can follow him on Twitter at @JetsonGreen or connect on Facebook at JetsonGreen.

USGBC and the Better Buildings Initiative: How Do We Get Started Sooner?

2011-04-03T09:21:00.000-04:00

Pretend you are the President of the United States for a minute. The economy has pulled out of the recession, but everyone is cautious about the fragility of the recovery. To get the energy we need, we’re razing mountains in Appalachia and sending billions for oil to undemocratic, unfriendly governments in the Middle East. And last summer oil drilling trashed the Gulf of Mexico and the state economies that depend on it.

So what do you do? Double down on the status quo and sacrifice more of your own country to mining and drilling? Or use less energy so you don’t have to? Seems like an easy choice, but you wouldn’t think so from listening to some members of Congress.

But where are the opportunities to use less energy? According to McKinsey and Company, most of the $1.2 Trillion (!!!) efficiency opportunity is in buildings. And where are the largest efficiency opportunities in the building sector? Well, the biggest buildings of course. Last month, President Obama announced an initiative designed to do just that.

The Better Buildings Initiative seeks to cut energy consumption in commercial buildings by 20 percent, while saving businesses $40 billion…per year! That’s money that will be spent on salaries and supplies rather than in just keeping the (inefficient) lights on. Click here for a section by section explanation of BBI.

Of course the USGBC community is thrilled to have the President add commercial buildings to his overall efficiency focus. Many of the elements of the Initiative are actions we have long championed (see our report of Executive Authorities available to encourage energy efficiency in commercial buildings, or our memo on our top 3 priorities sent in just a few days before the announcement, and we look forward to working with the White House and Congress to make them a reality. As our CEO, Rick Fedrizzi, said during the White House call that followed the announcement, the only question USGBC member companies and chapter members have, is “How can we get started sooner?”

Lane Burt
Director, Technical Policy
U.S. Green Building Council

Click here for the detailed breakdown of BBI.

The Better Way to Know if a Building Is Green

2011-04-02T10:54:00.001-04:00

An exhibit at the American Institute of Architects headquarters shows off the

LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system

The architecture firm Farr Associates, the Chicago Architecture Foundation, and the U.S. Green Building Council have produced a fantastic exhibit on how to create green neighborhoods. It opened in Chicago last year and is now on display at the American Institute of Architects headquarters in Washington.

This carries some symbolism. When it comes to sustainable communities, the architecture profession has been both hero and villain. It has been a hero because many of the early (and continuing) leaders of smart growth and sustainability in our built environment have been architects, from William McDonough to Peter Calthorpe, from Andres Duany to David Dixon. Frankly, in my opinion, architects were way ahead of the environmental community in forging solutions to sprawl. And it's a good thing that they were, because they gave us environmentalists something positive to advocate.

And yet, as an institution, the profession has always seemed a little uneasy about community issues, much more comfortable regarding individual buildings than their neighborhood contexts. The AIA has a wonderful small staff in its Center for Communities by Design that does great work for sustainability. But its budget has shrunk, and its advisory committee (of which I was once a proud member) was unceremoniously disbanded some time ago by the organization's management and board. I still don't know exactly why; surely we weren't that radical. AIA's annual green awards are given to buildings that are sometimes (but, to be fair, not always) in s tartlingly un-green community contexts.

Until recently, one could say much the same about even the U.S. Green Building Council and LEED, its industry-leading green building rating system. One can still get the highest possible (platinum) green building rating even if the building in question is located in the middle of a remote cornfield, such that visitors emit far more carbon traveling to and from the building than it theoretically saves with internal green technology. The argument in favor of bestowing the honor is that the building was going to be put there in any case: why not make it as green as possible?

Well, sure, but one could say the same about mountaintop removal mining. Should we really be giving prestigious awards for making it better when the only environmentally sound thing to do is to discontinue the practice altogether?

For architecture at least, LEED for Neighborhood Development has changed the game. Created by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Congress for the New Urbanism, LEED-ND evaluates both a development's internal environmental performance and that of its context, resulting in a far more true green rating. I've written extensively about the system and needn't repeat myself here. Suffice it to say that, while nothing is perfect, LEED-ND is a great start to defining what is smart about smart growth and what is green about true green development.

But LEED-ND, its 56 technical prerequisites and credits, its 47-page "certification policy manual" and 400-page "reference guide," are not for those short on time and patience for hyper-precise measurement, or for planning and construction trivia. As good as the system is for technical evaluation, it is lousy as a public relations instrument.

All sorts of responses have cropped up to address that shortcoming, to develop additional tools that use the basics if not all the details of LEED-ND to enhance public understanding of what makes for good, green neighborhood development. They include, for example, NRDC's forthcomingCitizen's Guide to LEED-ND and a slew of products developed by USGBC (such as this slideshow).

But the best to reach the public so far is Neighborhoods Go Green!, the brainchild of architect Doug Farr. It was developed by Farr Associates in partnership with USGBC and the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Its run in Washington will extend through April 21, after which it will travel to additional (but currently unspecified) locations.

Using large, mural-scaled displays, the highly visual exhibit is designed to reward both the casual passer-by and the more sophisticated planning or sustainability junkie. Its graphics, which include a model green neighborhood, take the viewer through the following topics:

Selecting a Smart Site. Where are the best locations for new green neighborhoods? Learn why selecting a site near schools, commercial centers, and existing infrastructure such as public transit is critical to creating sustainable communities.

Creating Lively Places. How do we design vibrant neighborhoods? Discover how a compact, walkable layout and a mix of shops and housing make lively places.

Integrating Buildings and Infrastructure. How can buildings and infrastructure work together to reduce waste and save energy? See how innovative water management and energy conservation strategies create greater sustainability than green buildings can achieve alone.

Rating the Neighborhood. How are green neighborhoods certified? Learn more about the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system designed by the U.S. Green Building Council and its partners.

Designing a Model Green Neighborhood. What does a green community look like? Explore a detailed rendering of a model neighborhood that incorporates sustainable design practices.

In Chicago, the sponsors of Neighborhoods Go Green! also featured a local "challenge" to developers and civic leaders to bring at least one LEED-ND-certified project to each municipality in the Chicago region and each county in the state of Illinois.

Here in the D.C. region, we already have the most certified LEED-ND projects of any metro area in the country. Ten projects from the District of Columbia, more than any other city, participated in the pilot phase of the program. The DC version of Neighborhoods Go Green! features a number of projects in the region, including City Center DC downtown, The Yards on the Potomac River waterfront, and Twinbrook Station in the D.C. suburb of Rockville, Maryland.

On Monday, April 4, several organizations--including the local chapters of USGBC and the American Planning Association, AIA's Committee on the Environment, and the national USGBC--will host a symposium in conjunction with the exhibit, featuring expert discussion of several LEED-ND projects and the implications of growing as sustainably as possible in the economically robust D.C. region.
__________________________________________________________________________________

KAID BENFIELD - Kaid Benfield is the director of the Sustainable Communities and Smart Growth program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, co-founder of the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system, and co-founder of Smart Growth America. Follow him on Twitter here.

This post also appears on NRDC's Switchboard.
Images: Courtesy of USGBC

Become a Fan of the USGBC-LI on Facebook

2011-04-01T09:21:00.000-04:00

Vision:

The purpose of the Long Island Chapter of the US Green Building Council is to mirror and advance the core purpose of the US Green Building Council locally; to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.

Mission

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Long Island’s economy has been driven by the real estate and building sectors. With these sectors at the core of the economic meltdown, the challenges for Long Island are particularly pronounced. The Presidential blueprint for addressing these challenges features energy efficiency in the built environment. Energy efficiency opportunities are abundant on Long Island. Both the interior and exterior atmosphere benefit as a result. Existing buildings account for 40% of U.S. energy use. A 25% improvement in efficiency would lower our carbon footprint by 10%, equivalent to the total output of the United Arab Emirates, the world’s third largest oil producer. To the list of efficiency benefits add energy independence and security.

Over the last decade, the U.S. Green Building Council has set the bar for the new built environment. USGBC national has marked 2009 as the year for expanding its influence with the theme for Greenbuild 2009 being “Main Street – Beginning the Conversation.” The Long Island chapter of the USGBC has already established itself at the forefront, with eleven out of thirteen municipalities requiring Energy Star standards plus a role in crafting one of the country’s most rigorous municipal LEED standards for new commercial construction. Now, having supported the development of Long Island Green Homes, the residential energy retrofit program, the chapter is poised to establish itself as a model for suburban Main Street and partnered with the Town of Babylon to launch The Babylon Project. This project was designed and positioned to take this Long Island Initiative nationally.

The members of the USGBC-Long Island have come together to change Long Island’s status from the “birthplace” of suburban sprawl into one of leadership in environmental stewardship, through the construction of environmentally sound, healthy, and profitable buildings.

HISTORY OF CHAPTER

The Long Island Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council owes its foundation to the vision, and initiative of Catherine Shawn. Catherine Shawn was instrumental in assembling a group of like minded professionals and instilling in them the belief that together they could make a difference. It was her inspiration and driving force that propelled Peter Caradonna to believe that he could help start a local Long Island Chapter.

On August 9th, 2005 the Long Island Chapter Organizing Group held a successful Inaugural Event that helped begin the process of membership leading to the first official Board elections.

In November 2005, the first Board of Directors of the newly recognized Long Island Chapter of the USGBC was elected to a term beginning January 01, 2006.

The Board members were as follows;

Executive Board
Chair - Peter Caradonna *
Vice-Chair - Ron Vitori *
Secretary - Gary Anzalone *
Treasurer - Gene Stern *
Board Members
Vince Capogna, Christine Caruso, Susan Costanza, Sidney ‘Mackey’ McCleary, Keith Samaroo *, Judy Schwartz, Jeff Stern
* Denotes original Organizing Group members

I: Challenges

Many challenges face the Long Island community and must be responded to by the Long Island Chapter. Not only do we face the political and economic issues of the era, but how do we educate the community in the benefits of green construction and change the perception that green does not have to cost more.

The challenges for the chapter are both organizational and operational in responding to the community’s needs.

Challenges include:

Continuity in administrative staffing with integration of paid staff with our volunteer members
Increased value to membership
Change perception from “green costs” to “green saves” to address perceptions that green building is not cost effective and to make an effective case for green building to the financial community.
Expand knowledge and education programs,
Meet the demand for green building with regards to increasing the capacity and training of many sectors such as building trades, designers, developers, and code officials,
Meet the educational needs through the address the education needs for building owners, operators, and occupants on how to manage, operate, and inhabit green buildings,
Creating and maintaining consistent revenue streams to the chapter to maintain programs and operations,
Expand membership base and community involvement.
Developing meaningful and productive relationships with other Long Island not-for-profit organizations.

II: Principles

Promote triple bottom line by promoting and creating solutions that clarify and strengthen a healthy and dynamic balance between environmental, social and economic prosperity.

USGBC-LI will strive for honesty, openness and transparency.
Promote Design with nature - harmonizing human activities and natural systems.
Support efforts to develop affordable LEED-certified housing (in conjunction with municipalities, LIHP, Sustainable Long Island, and Habitat for Humanity).
Support efforts of other organizations in helping to expand ‘green’ residential development (such as LIBI, Neighborhood Network, Vision Long Island)
Reconfigure workplaces, homes and communities in consonance with eco-systems to mitigate building impacts.
Increase access of populations to the benefits of green building by educating building owners and occupants in mobilizing public and private capital for green building projects.

AGENDA: Goals and Objectives

Goal 1:
Serve as the portal for USGBC national and the go-to organization for green building on Long Island.

Objectives:

1.1 Transform our web-site into a resource-rich, go-to destination for green searches from throughout the nation. Launch the national web-zine and blog-site, Green Burbs as a core attraction
1.2 Create Resource directory providing access to relative links and a directory of local providers.
1.3 Clearinghouse for policy makers and other advocates.
1.4 Develop relationships with media contacts at the local and regional level.
1.5 Develop replicable process for disseminating information to media contacts.
1.6 Build off the energy efficiency retrofit operations of Long Island Green Homes through directorship of The Babylon Project to promote Green Homes’ operations in other municipalities across Long Island and around the state.

Goal 2:
Education - Increase the awareness and level of education to the general and professional communities on the benefits of green construction. Educate professionals and trades in green construction processes and techniques as well as occupants in green building operations and maintenance policies.

Objectives:

2.1Provide education to building owners and users about the role of the built environment in climate change and resource depletion and the tools available to reduce carbon footprints and resource use associated with the built environment.
2.2 Promote the use of LEED programs, particularly Homes, Neighborhood Development, and Existing Buildings
2.3 Offer technical training for both professionals and tradespersons in the region, work to promote good sustainable practices in their day-to-day businesses, and provide materials and resources to designers and builders at all levels in support of LEED guidelines and process
2.4 Encourage the integration of relevant aspects of green building into the curricula of secondary, undergraduate, and graduate education.

Goal 3:
Reach out to develop alliances with the building community, i.e. LIBI, AIA, etc.

Objectives:

3.1 Establish a steering committee of building stakeholders and NGOs who work in this area like Neighborhood Network, Sustainable Long Island, LIHP, Habitat for Humanity (provide not just a seat at the table, but entire table at the gala).
3.2 Partner with industry trade associations, professional societies, and other organizations. USGBC will continue to work with an ever‐widening range of public, private, and non‐profit organizations in pursuit of its strategic goals and objectives.

Goal 4:
Organizational Stability and Growth

Objectives:

4.1 Develop consistent financial resources in order to provide capacity for growth in order to fully achieve our mission
4.2 Development of specific indicators and metrics to measure organizational growth with respect to; finances, LEED projects, program developments, membership perceived value, outreach and institutional involvement.
4.3 Develop a paid administrative staff.
4.4 Evolve the board of directors’ role, structure, and composition to provide the vision, high‐level strategic guidance, organizational direction, financial resource development, and diplomacy necessary to achieve USGBC-LI’s strategic priorities. Diversify the USGBC-LI board.

Goal 5:
Expand the green building market

Objectives

5.1: Analyze, aggregate and disseminate information that demonstrates the environmental, health, social, and economic benefits of green buildings.
5.2 Identify gaps in the green building delivery chain and build capacity to bridge them.
5.3 Analyze the market and identify key stakeholders by researching comparable markets, identifying and incorporating elements from other municipal initiatives.

Goal 6:
Increase advocacy efforts for the voluntary inclusion of green building procedures in new construction, existing buildings, and major renovations

Objectives:

6.1 Assess City and County policies and resources and advocate for; Low impact development requirements, Preferential permitting for green buildings, Develop incentives for green building practices, and Reduce barriers to green building.
6.2 Develop "starter kit" for states/local governments including model guidelines, model legislative language, and common indicators, utilizing USGBC resources and tools.
6.3 Develop database of information on state/local successful initiatives.
6.4 Serve as a resource to local businesses of all sizes and functions on greening business operations, products and services.
6.5 Develop Speakers Bureau available to businesses and organizations interested in how to be more sustainable.
6.6 Assess and promote municipality integration of sustainable design principles into the core competency skill-set of the County/Town planners, architects, engineers, and project managers.
6.7 Survey stakeholders to identify most important information needs, gaps and sources; generate additional data from regional summits.
6.8 Develop media-oriented materials to expand visibility and impact with building industry and mainstream consumer press.
6.9 Maintain and strengthen working relationship with New York Chapters (Upstate and NYC) on statewide issues.

Goal 7:
Transform the programs committee into the nerve center for all programs, salons, workshops and events where previously little coordination and logistical support existed. Develop a brand identity and consistency that positions the chapter as the experts in the field within our region through interesting topics and programs.

Objectives:

7.1 Create a committee structure with tools and procedures that were previously lacking.
7.2 Create Monthly Salons - Develop monthly salons that recur consistently throughout the year as opposed to ad hoc. Salons are an intimate classroom style atmosphere about 2 hours in length (45 minutes networking and 1 hour and 15 minutes for presentation and Q&A. Salons are usually topical and product and technology related.
7.3 Monthly Salons serving two regions - USGBC-LI membership is drawn from Nassau and Suffolk counties covering 1,200 square miles of some of the most populous and congested regions in the nation. USGBC-LI recognizes that travel considerations to salons during peak rush hour times would be difficult at best. Therefore, the chapter will host two salons, one serving Central/Western Long Island and the other serving Eastern Long Island. This strategy will maximize the ability for all members to enjoy the educational value of the chapter salons.
7.4 Create Salon 1 - Audience is generally Nassau County and Western Suffolk. Salons will be held the first Wednesday of every month.
7.5 Create Salon 2 - Second presentation for the east end membership comprising Central/Eastern Suffolk County including the North and South Forks. Salon 2 presentations are scheduled ad hoc.
7.6 Create Programs - Programs are major evening presentations often with a panel discussion and multimedia presentation. Programs are 3 hours in length (1 hour networking/dinner and 2 hours for presentation and Q&A.
7.7 Develop a sales package that excites and entices potential presenters that USGBC is the premiere organization to show their products, services and technologies.
7.8 Change the negative revenue structure into a profit center by charging appropriate fees to presenters and membership alike.
7.9 Recruit new committee members to support the stated goals and objectives.
7.10 Develop quarterly workshops in conjunction with USGBC National.
7.11 Organize tours of LEED Certified properties
7.12 Offer coordination and logistical support by serving as the conduit for other USGBC-LI committees’ program activities

IV: IMPLEMENTATION [years 1-3]

Develop action plan for operation to ensure sufficient income to meet or exceed financial plan.

Recruit Chapter and Program Sponsors.
Continue Annual Awards ceremony.
Hire a full/part-time administrative assistant and Executive Director.
Host regional summits and local programs to expand the local membership base, provide networking opportunities for existing and potential new members, address issues of national and regional interest, and heighten awareness and support for green building efforts at the regional level.
Develop and distribute Annual member satisfaction survey that will provide dynamic feedback to the benefits of local Chapter membership.
Spread energy efficiency retrofits for existing building retrofit operations to municipalities across Long Island and the state.

USGBC-LI's Sustainable Cocktails East's Builders Roundtable Tonight

2011-03-31T08:07:00.000-04:00

SUSTAINABLE COCKTAILS EAST IN SOUTHAMPTON
Your Long Island Chapter of the USGBC invites you to bring your expertise to our newest monthly meet and greet/networking event and learn more about the importance and positive impacts of Building Green on the East End of Long Island.

This event is free to members.

This is an open networking forum for members and professionals to share ideas with members of the board and other chapter members. The evening will provide an opportunity to share ideas and learn more about the importance and positive impacts of Building Green on Long Island through Sustainable Design.

Come learn more about the chapter and how to get involved in committees and our educational programs.

Location
Tim Burk's 230 Elm Street
230 Elm Street
Southampton, NY 11968
Click here for directions

Date and Time
Thursday, March 31 2011.
6:00p - 9:00p

Prices
Member Price: $0
Non-Member Price: $20

Click here to review our Refund Policy

Registration

Become A Sponsor of the USGBC - Long Island Green Building Gala

2011-03-29T21:44:00.000-04:00

Sponsorship Benefits

PLATINUM - $25,000 - To purchase this Sponsorship, click here

Company logo on all print advertising and marketing materials
Company name/logo displayed on USGBC-LI Gala website in location and frequency relative to sponsorship
Custom Enhanced “Platinum Sponsor” Two Full Page Color Ads in Digital Journal for the entire year, linking to company website.
Prominent company visibility within Digital Journal
High-frequency of ad display in Digital Journal Presentation on screens at event
Name recognition at podium during dinner
Two tables (20 tickets) reserved in prominent location
Table placard with company name and logo
Recognition at all 2011 USGBC-LI events with logo scaled to sponsorship level
20 Annual Chapter Memberships to the USGBC-LI

GOLD - $10,000 - To purchase this Sponsorship, click here

Company logo on all print advertising and marketing materials
Company name/logo displayed on USGBC-LI Gala website in location and frequency relative to sponsorship
Custom Enhanced “Gold Sponsor” Full Page Color Ad in Digital Journal for the entire year, linking to company website.
Notable company visibility within Digital Journal
Frequent ad display in Digital Journal Presentation on screens at event
Name recognition at podium during dinner
One table (10 tickets) reserved in prominent location
Table placard with company name and logo
Recognition at all 2011 USGBC-LI events with logo scaled to sponsorship level
10 Annual Chapter Memberships to the USGBC-LI

SILVER - $5,000 - To purchase this Sponsorship, click here

Company logo on all print advertising and marketing materials
Company name/logo displayed on USGBC-LI Gala website in location and frequency relative to sponsorship
Custom “Silver Sponsor” Full Page Color Ad in Digital Journal for the entire year, linking to company website.
Ad display in Digital Journal Presentation on screens at event
Five gala tickets
Table placard with name
Recognition at all 2011 USGBC-LI events with logo scaled to sponsorship level
Five Annual Chapter Memberships to the USGBC-LI

CERTIFIED - $2,500 - To purchase this Sponsorship, click here

Company name/logo displayed on USGBC-LI Gala website in location and frequency relative to sponsorship
"Certified Sponsor" Full Page Color Ad in Digital Journal for the entire year
Ad display in Digital Journal Presentation on screens at event
Four gala tickets
Recognition at all 2011 USGBC-LI events with logo scaled to sponsorship level
Two Annual Chapter Memberships to the USGBC-LI

GREEN - $1,250 - To purchase this Sponsorship, click here

Company name/logo displayed on USGBC-LI Gala website in location and frequency relative to sponsorship
“Green Sponsor” Half Page Color Ad in Digital Journal for the entire year
Ad display in Digital Journal Presentation on screens at event
Two gala tickets
One Annual Chapter Memberships to the USGBC-LI

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Elizabeth Hashagen: USGBC - Long Island's Building Green Gala Mistress of Ceremonies

2011-03-28T21:55:00.001-04:00

The Long Island Chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC-LI) is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Hashagen (News 12 Long Island) has been named the Mistress of Ceremonies for their annual Building Green Gala for 2011 on May 24th at the Long Island Marriott and Conference Center in Uniondale.

Elizabeth Hashagen is a native Long Islander raised in Freeport and a graduate of Holy Trinity High School. She attended State University College at Cortland, the University of North London and took graduate classes at NYIT.

Elizabeth began her career in journalism at WLNY TV-55. As a reporter for the stations LIVE at 11 news cast, Elizabeth covered a wide variety of assignments including Hillary Clinton's Senate race against Rick Lazio.

Her dream was to return to News 12 Long Island, where she had interned during college. Her dream became reality in the winter of 2000 when she began reporting for News 12 Long Island. Elizabeth has brought a number of exclusive reports to viewers including her first exclusive reports of the Massapequa Strip Club Scandal and Missing Mastic Beach Mother Vinessa Hoera. Elizabeth also handled News 12's live network coverage of the days after Sept. 11 from Ground Zero.

Elizabeth is no stranger to hurricanes and snowstorms and has reported around the clock live from scenes of extreme weather. She is also called into the News 12 Long Island studios to anchor during breaking news on Long Island.

Elizabeth covers a wide variety of assignments including her weekly segments "Best of Long Island” and an adventure week where she jumped from airplanes, went rock climbing, race car driving, scuba diving and surfing around the Island.

Viewers have seen her energetic and interactive reporting style inside the cockpit as she flew with the Navy's Blue Angels; rappelled from the East Meadow water tower with Nassau County Emergency Services; was attacked by police K-9's; and went through EVOC, firearms and recruit training.

As a reporter and anchor, Elizabeth has proven to Long Island viewers that she is a competent and compelling journalist with a heart.

She won her first Emmy award in 2004 for her coverage of a continuing news story. Her six nominations in 2006 topped all other reporters and anchors in our area. She has gone on to win seven Emmys, two National Headliner Awards, two National Gabriel Awards, a National Clarion award, and was named a Top Female Journalist by the Newswomen's Club of New York. Elizabeth has gone on to win more than two dozen local and regional awards for her work, including multiple wins from the Associated Press and the Press Club of Long Island.

Elizabeth is a certified fitness instructor and enjoys spending time at her parent's summer home in Greenport. She also loves fishing, scuba diving and kayaking. Elizabeth and her husband Randy are the proud parents of a daughter, Allison Rae, born in 2008.

Today, News 12 Long Island is part of News 12 Networks which is the largest and most watched regional news network. News 12 Networks is owned and operated by Cablevision Systems Corp.

Jack Kulka: USGBC - Long Island Green Building Gala Honoree 2011

2011-03-28T06:55:00.000-04:00

For almost 30 years, Jack Kulka has been responsible for the construction of almost 20 million square feet of commercial, institutional, retail, industrial and residential facilities throughout the New York metropolitan area. Having been recently cited by Long Island Business Newsas one of Long Island's top builders, based on square footage completed, Jack has provided numerous owners with optimum designed and constructed facilities at substantially reduced costs. Jack is the originator of and the foremost exponent of the construction management method on Long Island. Jack employs an experienced staff of professionals that foresee and solve problems in a prompt, efficient manner that enables all clients to receive the best product as quickly and cost effectively as possible.

For over 18 years, Jack has been the President of Kulka Construction Corp./Kulka Contracting, LLC dba Kulka LLC. Prior to Kulka LLC he was president for 17 years of Kulka Construction Management Corp. He was also Vice President of Electrical Contracting for five years with three different electrical contractors and spent seven years as the General Superintendent of Construction for Marcus Associates.

Jack remains a member of the Construction Specifications Institute, NYS Society of Professional Engineers, LIA Business Development Council, Business Council of NYS, as well as the New York City Chamber of Commerce. Kulka has also received certification in the Fundamentals of Real Estate Syndications from Tulane University and in Practical Architect-Engineering Law from the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Kulka has proven to be a vital part of the community in serving as Vice Chairman of United Way of Long Island 1988 Campaign, Chairman of United Way of Long Island 1989 campaign, and as the Past President of Suffolk YM-YWHA. Jack has also involved himself as the Past President of the Commack Jewish Center, and Past Chairman for the Farmingdale College Foundation, American Cancer Society Theatre Party Fund Drive and St. John’s Hospital Fundraising Committee. Jack has participated on the Advisory Board for the Touro Law School and Apple Drug Rehabilitation Institute, as well as the Executive Board of the Torch Foundation. He is currently the Chairman of the Hauppauge Educational Foundation and member of the Suffolk County Electrical Agency.

Jack graduated from New York University, receiving a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1964. He then went on to become a licensed professional engineer for the state of New York #49829, the state of New Jersey #22776 and the USGBC-LEED AP.

About Richard Kessel: USGBC-LI Green Building Gala Honoree 2011

2011-03-27T08:46:00.000-04:00

Richard M. Kessel, an expert in New York energy issues, took office as President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Power Authority, the nation’s largest state-owned electric utility, on October 14, 2008.

Since joining NYPA, Mr. Kessel has been a champion in expanding the application of the Power Authority’s hydropower resources to help preserve and add private sector jobs statewide, especially in regions hard hit by the recession such as Western New York and the North Country. He is also pressing for the development of an offshore wind power project in the Great Lakes, a 100 megawatt statewide solar energy initiative, a new transmission line to allow the importation of hydropower from Canada as well as a line from New Jersey to Manhattan, and the application of smart grid technology to NYPA’s statewide system to provide greater reliability and security.

Prior to joining NYPA, Mr. Kessel served two terms as Chairman of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Board of Trustees. During his first term from 1989 to 1995, he was responsible for the decommissioning of the Shoreham Nuclear Power Station. His second term from 1997 to 2006 began shortly before LIPA took over the Long Island Lighting Company in 1998 and continued through the first nine years of LIPA’s operation as the nation’s third largest municipal electric utility in terms of customers served. He finished his tenure at LIPA in 2007 as its President and CEO.

Mr. Kessel helped negotiate LIPA’s acquisition of the Long Island Lighting Company, which contributed to an immediate reduction of utility rates on Long Island. He improved the reliability of Long Island’s power transmission infrastructure by successfully leading the efforts to add the Cross-Sound cable from New Haven to Shoreham, and the historic Neptune Transmission system from Sayerville, New Jersey to Nassau County, New York. Both cables added nearly 1,000 megawatts of new power resources to LIPA’s supply and linked Long Island for the first time directly to two new power pools. At the same time, he led an unprecedented effort to implement clean energy and energy efficiency strategies that have helped increase Long Island’s renewable energy resources while helping residential and commercial customers lower their energy use and bills.

Mr. Kessel began his career in public service as Executive Director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board from 1984 to 1995, where he successfully negotiated rate freeze agreements with Consolidated Edison, Niagara Mohawk, and Orange and Rockland Utilities. He was a Professor of Consumer Studies at Five Towns College from 1995 to 1997 and also served on the Board of Trustees for Nassau County Community College from 1981 to 2000, and was appointed to serve on the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority from 2000 until 2007.

Mr. Kessel attended Colgate University, received a bachelor's degree from New York University and his master's degree from Columbia University.