The Clean Energy Finance Investment Authority works with banks allied with the statewide C-PACE program to help building owners get financing for efficiency upgrades with little or no upfront costs, and the loan can be repaid through an assessment on their property tax bill.

For more on this story, visit: Energy-smart, ‘green’ practices the new must-haves in commercial buildings – NewsTimes.

For more on this story, visit: READER SUBMITTED: Research Laboratory By Tate Burns Architects LLC Is LEED-CI Platinum Certified – Courant.com.

For more on this story, visit: The Princeton Review Releases 4th Annual Free “Guide to Green Colleges” in Partnership With the Center for Green Schools at USGBC – WSJ.com.

The design and construction of the project was administered by the Connecticut Department of Construction Services (DCS) on behalf of NCC and the Connecticut Board of Regents. It is the first awarded LEED Gold project for the Connecticut Community College system and DCS.

Exceeding the original goal of LEED Certified, the achievement of LEED Gold required additional time, involvement and dedication from the project design team, construction team and owners to achieve sustainable measures well beyond a building meeting minimum code requirements. Sustainable design measures implemented at the Center will provide students, faculty and staff with a healthy and comfortable indoor environment to work and study in while providing economical benefits to the college through utility cost savings.

Site design maximized the natural daylight to reduce energy consumption caused by artificial lighting. Water-efficient plumbing fixtures where also put into place to reduce water usage by 43.6% annually and energy-efficient building and HVAC design will allow NCC to save over 14% in calculated annual energy costs.
For more on this story, visit: DCS: Department of Construction Services earns first ever LEED Gold Certification for Norwalk Community College.

Connecticut ranked No. 38 of the 50 states in the total square footage per capita certified in 2012 under the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design program.

For more on this story, visit: CT among worst 2012 LEED states | HartfordBusiness.com.

A gold LEED certification means Laurel Hall was designed and built to be as ecofriendly as possible. Some of the factors considered in the gold LEED certification include reduced operating costs, reduced use of energy and water, less waste and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, according to Skanska USA, the company that constructed Laurel Hall.

For more on this story, visit: Laurel Hall is Storrs’ ‘Greenest’ Building – News – The Daily Campus – University of Connecticut.

The recipients of the Best of Green Schools 2012 include, for “Collaboration,” Connecticut Green Leaf Schools Program, which encourages K-12 schools to create and improve their environmental and sustainability education, enhance the health and wellness of students and staff, and reduce the environmental impact of their buildings.

For more on this story, visit: USGBC’s Center for Green Schools Releases Second Annual Best of Green Schools List.

For more on this story, visit: Connecticut’s prep schools take the lead on going green – Courant.com.

Here on a rolling six acres, exposed to the elements inside low-slung plastic trays, sit drought- and weather-resistant plants such as sedum, chives, grasses and allium that are custom grown for green-roof projects around the country.

For more on this story, visit: Growth of rooftop plants defines ‘green building’ – Norwich, CT – The Bulletin.

For more on this story, visit: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Celebrates its New Headquarters.

Recently converted to a 15 megawatt cogneration facility, Sterling power plant supplies the Yale Medical School and Yale New Haven Hospital with steam, chilled water and electricity.

Designed by Charney Architects with Vanderweil Power Group, a division of Boston-based Vanderweil Engineers, the plant provides steam, chilled water, and electricity to Yale School of Medicine and Yale New Haven Hospital.

The new facility sits in an existing underground concrete structure formerly used to hold cold water. Converting Sterling to a cogeneration facility will enable the plant to simultaneously produce electrical and thermal energy similar to the Central Power Plant. The units will improve efficiency, saving up to 20,000 metric tons of carbon equivalent per year.

For more on this story, visit: Yale’s Sterling Power Plant Wins AIA Connecticut Honor Award – NewsTimes.

Autumn Bird Walks

Saturdays Mornings

October 6 / October 27

A true birding experience with Luke Tiller. Birders meet in main building parking area at 7:30 am to start on-site or depart for nearby birding locations. No charge but RSVP required to luke.tiller@gmail.com.

*****

Saturday, October 6

Birding Gear, Gizmos, Know-How for All

10:00 am-12:00 pm

A great way to get young people and adults up-to-speed with birding techniques. Join professional hawk watcher Luke Tiller for an introduction to the world of birding. Discuss everything from which field guides to get started with, handy birding apps for phones and what binoculars will suit you best. He will also share little tips and techniques to get the most out of your time in the field. All ages are welcome but it is best for interested youth and adults. RSVPs appreciated to Jeff : x239.

*****

Saturday, October 6

The World of the Chipmunk

2:00-3:30 pm

The chipmunk’s life is hardly dull. They scamper, scold, scurry, climb, hoard acorns, chase and bicker with their neighbors, raid bird feeders and bird nests as well as dodging attacks by hawks, snakes, and other predators. Come join us for a short indoor introduction and then hike outdoors to observe and learn about these frisky, fascinating neighbors of ours. All ages. RSVP to Ted: x230.

*****

October 13 & 14

HMANA Raptor Conference

Audubon Greenwich, and its Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch, is pleased to host the Hawk Migration Association of North American (HMANA) conference, “Counting for the Future.” This exciting conference is open to the public and features scientific presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and field trips to other local hawk watching sites. Join the events to gain insight into conservation challenges facing raptor populations and collaborative strategies needed to maintain stable populations. Keynote Speaker Peter Dunne is a noted author and the Director of Cape May Bird Observatory. His talk will reflect upon 36 years of hawk watching. For details and registration, visit www.hmana.org/Conference2012.

*****

Saturday, October 20

Meet Kenn & Kim Kaufman – a new guide release

6:00-8:30 pm

Kenn Kaufman, originator of the Kaufman Field Guide series, is one of the world’s foremost naturalists, a field editor for Audubon, and a contributor to every major birding magazine. Kim Kaufman is the executive director of Ohio’s Black Swamp Bird Observatory and a contributing editor to Birds & Blooms. This presentation will feature the release of their Field Guide to Nature of New England and some of their favorite adventures discovering nature together. With more than 2,000 color photographs, this new guide is essential for nature lovers in New England. Copies are available in the store. Wine and Cheese Reception & Book Signing: 6:00 pm. Presentation: 7:30 pm. Suggested donation: $10. RSVP to Jeff : x239.

*****

Saturday, October 20

TRIP: Allen’s Meadows

8:00-11:00 am

Seek out and ID Connecticut’s sparrows including American Tree, Chipping, Clay-colored, Fox, Lincoln’s, Savannah, Song, Swamp, Vesper, White-throated, and White-crowned. Includes a discussion and time on the trails in this premier birding hotspot. Leaders: Joe Bear and Luke Tiller. Co-sponsored by Connecticut Ornithological Association. No charge but RSVPs are required to luke.tiller@gmail.com.

*****

Saturday, October 27

Woodpecker Walk

2:00-3:30 pm

What are the woodpeckers in our neck of the woods? Join Ted Gilman for a tour of the sanctuary in search of the six or more species that can be seen on-site and look for the variety foods they depend on. All ages. RSVP to Jeff:  x239.

*****

Saturday, October 27

‘Enchanted Orchard’ & Animal Show

6:00-9:00 pm

A Halloween-themed evening of fun for the whole family. Meet kid-friendly, costumed animal  characters  on a tour of the ‘Enchanted Orchard.’ After, enjoy dinner, live animal show, and treats in Audubon’s historic red barn. Wear a costume or come as you are. All ages. $10/person. Space very limited. RSVPs & parent supervision required. RSVP to Jeff : x239. Rain Date: Oct. 28.

*****

Saturday, October 27

Owl Banding Expedition

4:00-11:00 pm

Join Luke Tiller for an evening with owls in New Paltz, NY. Start the trip looking for Shorteared Owls, Northern Shrikes and other open country birds at dusk at Shawangunk Grasslands National. After a bite to eat, head over to an exclusive Saw-whet Owl banding station to learn all about these incredible, diminutive little owls. Limited to 10 participants. $40/person. RSVP required to luke.tiller@gmail.com.

*****

Monday, October 29

Harvest Moon Hike on Old Pasture Trail

6:30-8:30 pm

Join a 1.5 mile hike in harvest moon light when we explore fields, forests, and the lakeshore for the sights and sounds of our wildlife neighbors. Ages 7 & up. RSVP to Ted: x230.

*****

Saturday, November 3

Fairchild Garden Wilderness Trail Hike

1:00-2:30 pm

Come explore the varied terrain, plant and animal life of this lovely natural preserve and investigate the natural happenings in Field, Forest, Pond, and River habitats. Hike is approximately 1.5 miles on both level and rolling terrain. Ages 7 & up. RSVP to Ted: x230.

*****

Saturday, November 10

‘E4C’ Family Breakfast & Animal Show

9:00-10:30 am

E4C: Executives for Conservation events are for families with younger children. Guests enjoy a family-friendly breakfast and a fun, animal-themed program. All ages. $25 per family. Space is limited. To sign up, email Je at jcordulack@audubon.org.

*****

Saturday, November 10

Family-friendly Bird Count: Project ‘FeederWatch’

11:00-12:30 am

Winter is a wonderful time for our families to share the joy of birds in our own backyards. Come learn about watching and feeding winter birds and how your family can be ‘Citizen Scientists’ by reporting your regular backyard bird feeder observations to Cornell University. All ages. RSVP to Ted: x230.

*****

Sunday, November 11* (*new date; it was 11/10)

OSPREY – A filmmaker’s event with presentations by top scientists!

3:00-5:00 pm

Local Greenwich ospreys are the stars of a new film in development. Meet filmmaker Jacob Steinberg and learn how satellite tracking is used to study osprey migration from top researcher Rob Bierregaard, learn from esteemed author Allen Poole, and other top raptor scientists. Watch previously unseen footage from this documentary-in-development that follows the lives of a pair of osprey that have nested in Greenwich Harbor for 10+ years. Food, drink and music will add to the fun. Supporters of the film project will be mentioned in the film credits and receive special gifts. All ages welcome. Donations collected will benefit both the project and Audubon. RSVP requested to Jeff : x239.

*****

Saturday, November 17

TRIP: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and Long Island

8:00 am-3:00 pm

Jamaica Bay on Long Island is one of the premier birding areas in New York City. Join Luke Tiller for a trip to this “birder’s paradise” in search of shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds. It’s the perfect site for large numbers of Snow Geese and vagrants visiting from western states. $35/person. Includes transport to and from New York. Van leaves Audubon promptly at 8 am. RSVP required to luke.tiller@gmail.com. This trip is limited to 10 participants.

*****

Friday, November 30

FILM: Green Fire – about Aldo Leopold’s Legacy

7:30-9:00 pm

The first full-length documentary film ever made about legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold. Green Fire highlights Leopold’s extraordinary career, tracing how he shaped and influenced the modern  environmental movement. Leopold remains relevant today, inspiring projects that connect people and land all over the country. See the trailer at www.aldoleopold.org. $10 adult. Youth free. RSVP to Je : x239. Arrive early to shop for holiday gifts in Audubon’s Nature Store.

*****

For updated news about special events, and newsletters, visit our new website: http://greenwich.audubon.org.

NATURE PROGRAM FEES, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED:

Members: Adults $3.00/Children and seniors: $1.50 & Non-members: Adults $5.00/Children and seniors $3.00

(Program fees include admission to the Center and Grounds):

*****

KIERNAN HALL NATURE ARTS GALLERY

The art gallery is currently closed for renovations. Call us to learn more about what is ahead!

FINE ART MIGRATES TO GREENWICH

This fall, a new look and a fine art collection will come to Kiernan Hall Nature Arts Gallery at Audubon Greenwich. The refurbished space will feature an impressive selection of natural history art, expertly curated by  The Joel Oppenheimer Gallery based in Chicago and Charleston. Oppenheimer plans to show changing exhibitions of ornithological and botanical works by masters from the 17th through 19th centuries. Highlights will include the Oppenheimer Editions of Audubon’s 474 original watercolors and selected Hudson River School artists from the New-York Historical Society collection.

To be invited to the Grand Opening this Fall and to stay current with exhibitions, please provide Je Cordulack an address and/or email. He can be reached at 203-869-5272 x239 or jcordulack@audubon.org

~~~

The Kiernan Hall Nature Arts Gallery is located inside the Kimberlin Nature Education Center. Stop in anytime from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday – Saturday and from 12:00 to 5:00 pm on Sundays. (Please note: The Center will not be open on Sundays during the summer. It will re-open on Sundays on September 9, 2012.)  To make an appointment to visit the gallery in the evening or other hours when the Center is closed, please call 203-869-5272 x239.

For images of the artwork and more information, visit the Audubon Greenwich Nature Art Gallery website: http://greenwich.audubon.org/kiernan-hall-nature-art-gallery

*****

AUDUBON GREENWICH SANCTUARIES

~Audubon Greenwich & The Kimberlin Nature Education Center (613 Riversville Road, Greenwich)

~Fairchild Wildflower Garden (North Porchuck Road, Greenwich)

~Gimbel Sanctuary (Sherwood Avenue, Greenwich)

~Oneida Drive Sanctuary (Oneida Dr. & Indian Harbor Drive, Greenwich)

~Mildred Caldwell Sanctuary of Walden Woods (Bible Street, Cos Cob)

~Wood Duck Swamp (Carissa Lane, Greenwich)

For locations and trail maps, see “Walking Trails in Greenwich and Surrounding Areas” available in the Audubon Nature Store. Also, see the maps located in the Kimberlin Audubon Center lobby. View the list of Audubon Greenwich Sanctuaries online.

NATURE SANCTUARY ADMISSION

Members: No charge

Nonmembers: Adults $3.00/Students & Seniors $1.50

(Please pay in the store)

OTHER “AUDUBON CONNECTICUT” CENTERS & SANCTUARIES

For a list of all Audubon Connecticut centers and sanctuaries, click here: http://audubonct.org/Centers_Sanctuaries.html

*****

Audubon Greenwich

613 Riversville Road

Greenwich, CT 06831

203-869-5272

http://greenwich.audubon.org

DIRECTIONS: http://greenwich.audubon.org/AboutUs_AudubonCenter_Kimberlin_Directions.html

Developers are eligible for the credit whose commercial properties meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) gold standard. Administering the program are the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

For more on this story, visit: Conn. debuts green building tax credit | Westfair Communications.

As Yale’s campus continues to expand, said Virginia Chapman, director of sustainability initiatives for the Yale Office of Facilities, LEED buildings consistently use energy efficiently, which contributes to the University’s goals of reducing energy, conserving water, recycling and improving air quality. LEED technologies and building practices, she said, include features which reduce the environmental impacts of these buildings.

The impact of Yale’s LEED buildings may not be quantifiable just yet. But with just a year left as Yale approaches its 2013 deadline for accomplishing the goals outlined in its 2010-’13 Sustainability Strategic Plan, the University will once again evaluate how successful a role LEED buildings play in helping the University meet its goals.

For more on this story, visit: UP CLOSE | Building Yale’s sustainable future | Yale Daily News.

The project, largely funded through gifts to the College, included a complete renovation of New London Hall, the oldest building on campus; a 14,000-square-foot addition; and a complete renovation of the greenhouse.

For more on this story, visit: Zip06 – Community News from Southeastern Connecticut.

via Sustainable Building Systems to open headquarters in North Haven, Malloy announces- The New Haven Register – Serving New Haven, Connecticut.

via Farmers’ market gets green light | Acorn-Online.com.

For more on this story, visit: Centerpoint complex receives environmental award – The Middletown Press : Serving Middletown, CT.

April 18, 2012 (New Haven, Connecticut) – Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven (NHS) has announced that its Home Improvement and Energy Conservation Laboratory has been awarded LEED certification at the Platinum level. This certification was established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. There are four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

(contributed)

“We are extremely proud of the recognition of our efforts by the U.S. Green Building Council,” said NHS executive director, Dr. James Paley. “The LEED Platinum certification is not only a testament to our organization’s commitment to energy conservation and sustainability, but is also recognition of the fact that a neglected and dilapidated structure can be restored to such a high level of energy-efficiency.  We want to thank the USGBC for setting high standards that can be emulated by other organizations all across the country.”

Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven’s Home Improvement and Energy Conservation Laboratory is a demonstration green building that is home to our housing rehabilitation department and post-purchase homebuyer education classes, where we teach basic home maintenance and energy-conservation techniques to homeowners. LEEDPlatinum certification was awarded based on a point system in 6 categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation-in-design.

The NHS Lab achieved 55 out of 69 possible points across all categories and is now the only LEED Platinum rehabbed building and one of only 3 LEED Platinum commercial buildings under the LEED for New Construction and Substantial Rehabilitation program in Connecticut. Features that contributed to the Lab’s Platinum level status include a micro-combined heat and power co-generation unit that heats two other buildings on the campus; a high-performance building envelope; extensive use of salvaged and recycled materials, including recycled rubber walkway pavers on the vegetated roof; daylighting domes; an ultra-low-flow toilet; energy-efficient windows; locally milled wainscoting from a tree removed from an NHS property site; and NHS’ role in the community as an environmental educator via workshops and Lab tours. The building, originally a neighborhood grocery store built in the 1890s, utilizes existing urban infrastructure in a dense urban area that connects readily to the surrounding community via both public transportation and neighborhood walkability, thus also contributing to the Lab’s status as a sustainable site. Additionally, 70% of all materials used on the project were sourced locally.

“The green building movement offers an unprecedented opportunity to respond to the most-important challenges of our time, including global climate change, dependence on non-sustainable and expensive sources of energy and threats to human health,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The work of innovative building projects such as the NHS Lab is a fundamental driving force in the green building movement.”

NHS OF NEW HAVEN

NHS is a non-profit organization whose core mission is to increase homeownership; to make homes functional, beautiful and affordable; and to help residents take charge of their neighborhoods. The organization believes strongly that increased owner-occupancy rates, educated homebuyers, and rehabilitated houses will produce stable, revitalized neighborhoods that its clients will be proud to call home.  During the course of its 32-year history, NHS has fully renovated and sold more than 200 houses to low- and moderate-income families and puts approximately 500 families a year on the path to homeownership. NHS rehabilitates all properties to Energy Star standards.

For more information, visit www.nhsofnewhaven.org or www.usgbc.org.

Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven’s

LEED Platinum certified

Home Improvement & Energy Conservation Laboratory

Key Green Features:

SUSTAINABLE SITES: (LEED NCv2.2:  12 out of 14 possible points, plus an additional innovation in design point, documented)

Choice of a suitable site is the first consideration in green building. In the case of NHS’ Home Improvement and Energy Conservation Lab, the choice was simple; NHS would rehabilitate the formerly vacant 24 Hudson Street property directly abutting the existing NHS office location at 333 Sherman Avenue. The entire NHS campus is located in the midst of the New Haven neighborhoods NHS serves.

• An erosion and sediment control plan was used during construction to limit runoff of soil or debris into the City’s stormwater system.
• Renovating the building eliminated another vacant building in the City.
• The building was tested for asbestos contamination and was remediated.
• The Lab is located in a dense urban area, utilizing existing infrastructure and connecting readily to the surrounding community.
• The Lab is readily accessible via public transportation, due to the many bus lines within walking distance, and is located in a dense residential/walkable neighborhood.
• The campus has enclosed secure bicycle parking and showers for bicyclists’ use.
• Parking spaces are designated for low emitting/fuel efficient vehicles, as well as for carpools/vanpools. NHS staff is encouraged to carpool, bike or take public transit to work.
• The campus site plan was designed to accommodate:
• underground conduits which connect the Lab to other campus buildings, allowing for the Lab’s micro-combined heat and power (MCHP) co-generation unit to heat two other campus buildings;
• drywells, vegetated areas, and porous brick paving, all of  which infiltrate storm water back into the ground instead of flowing into the City sewers;
• a compact vehicular and pedestrian traffic layout;
• open space for use by pedestrians and as habitat – including ground-level plantings using a mix of native and adapted plants, a pedestrian plaza paved with salvaged brick, and a Lab rooftop garden terrace.
• The Lab’s roofing includes areas of vegetated and cool roof surfaces, which decrease urban heat-island effect.
• The roof also has recycled rubber walkway pavers, daylighting domes, high efficiency dual-stage AC units, a photovoltaic PV system and additional free roof space for possible future solar projects, all available to be viewed by visitors on building tours.

WATER EFFICIENCY: (LEED NCv2.2:  5 out of 5 possible points documented)

Limiting the amount of potable water used for non-drinking purposes is the most important way for building owners to conserve this valuable resource. Inspired by NHS’ example, local homeowners and landlords are already beginning to incorporate some of the Lab’s water-saving strategies into their own projects.

• An ultra-low flow toilet was installed, saving 50% of potable water used for flushing, the biggest water use in the Lab building.
• Water-saving kitchen and bath faucets were also installed.
• The drought-resistant adapted and native landscape plantings require no permanent irrigation system.

ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE: (LEED NCv2.2:  15 out of 17 possible points, plus an additional innovation in design point, documented)

Saving energy is not only important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but when done thoroughly, can radically reduce utility bills. For an agency supported in part by public funds, keeping campus utility costs in check is crucial.  Furthermore, the new homeowners of the Energy Star rated housing NHS develops need to be able to afford their utility bills as well as their mortgages. The Lab building rehabilitation served as a testing ground for some of the energy saving techniques now used in NHS houses.  Other energy savings methods are more suitable for small commercial buildings such as this one, and NHS holds Lab tours on a regular basis to inspire others to design green features into their commercial projects.  

• NHS retained a commissioning agent as well as mechanical engineers to ensure the efficient design, installation, and use of all energy systems in the building.

• A whole-building energy model predicted energy savings of close to 50% for the Lab building as compared to similar buildings built to code using the industry energy-efficiency Standard ASHRAE 90.1. NHS continues to track actual utility usage, which is even more efficient than the model’s prediction.
• There was no use of atmosphere-damaging CFC or HCFC-based refrigerants in the building.
• An on-demand hot water heater reduces the amount of natural gas used for heating hot water.
• To reduce the need to purchase electricity from the grid, the Lab incorporates:
• a 1.2 kW solar PV photovoltaic system for generating electricity on-site;
• 13 tubular skylights to reduce the need for electric lighting, which have controls to limit excessive daylight & heat in the summer months, and refracting lenses to diffuse the daylight throughout the space;
• lighting such as the NHS custom-designed fixtures using salvaged street light lenses in the classroom and energy-efficient fixtures in the offices;
• Two-stage exterior lighting on daylight sensors and timers to minimize energy use.
• Heating, cooling and ventilation are achieved efficiently:
• Closed cell spray foam insulation was installed throughout to create a high performance building envelope, and a blower door test was conducted to determine building “tightness” for air leakage;
• Office ceiling fans and a programmable energy management system ensure good thermal comfort for building occupants;
• Features were carefully planned to do double duty, reducing electricity purchased from the grid while efficiently ensuring occupant’s thermal comfort:
• A micro-combined heat and power (MCHP) co-generation system produces electricity on-site and a waste heat by-product which heats the Lab and two other campus buildings; the co-gen unit and its backup boiler are both high-efficiency natural gas-fired units.
• Energy-efficient windows provide generous daylight throughout the building for all occupants; their operability, and the strategically placed exterior awnings, blinds, and solar heat–reducing films provide thermal comfort.

• NHS purchased 31,745 kWh of renewable energy credits for only using “green” electricity on the entire NHS campus; NHS is an EPA Green Power Partner.

MATERIALS & RESOURCES: (LEED NCv2.2:  6 out of 13 possible points, plus an additional innovation in design points, documented)

Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven staff are keenly aware of ways to use materials and resources conservatively throughout our operations, especially in our primary line of business, affordable housing development. We “recycle” houses, turning New Haven’s vacant and abandoned housing stock back into affordable, beautiful, energy efficient homes.

• NHS has a campus-wide recycling program with recycling containers throughout.
• The Lab renovation utilized a waste recycling plan which resulted in recycling most of the construction and demolition waste.
• There was an emphasis on retaining most (over 75%) of the existing structure of the Lab building and reusing materials during the Lab’s renovation.  Examples include relocating a concrete stoop and interior framing members, and incorporating windows, columns, flooring, and other salvaged building materials.
• Furniture and fit-out items were also reused and/or repurposed, including lighting fixtures made with reused city street light refractors.
• Wainscoting was milled locally from a tree removed from one of the NHS housing sites.
• 70 % of all materials used in the project were sourced locally.

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY: (LEED NCv2.2:  12 out of 15 possible points documented)

Indoor environmental quality has direct correlation with occupant health, comfort, and productivity. NHS staff members working in the building and people attending classes in the large demonstration room benefit directly. Innovative approaches modeled by the Lab can be used at other small commercial facilities, and tours are frequently offered to inspire others to build top quality facilities.

• NHS implemented a construction indoor air quality management plan to ventilate the building during and after construction the construction process to prevent dust and chemical fumes from lingering.

• Ventilation air was carefully designed for the building since the occupant load varies from a handful to several dozens of people at one time when classes, tours and events are happening.
• Carbon dioxide sensors are located in various spaces to automatically modulate outside fresh air as needed, based on interior carbon dioxide levels (a direct indicator of human occupancy), to minimize the energy required to condition ventilation air.
• The HVAC system allows for the occupants to open windows, shut down mechanical equipment, and utilize natural ventilation for comfort and health. The energy management system identifies when the outdoor environmental conditions are acceptable to do this.
• Proposed materials (paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, carpet and composite wood materials) were reviewed prior to installation for their volatile organic compound (VOC) compliance with several LEED^® recognized indoor air quality standards. No urea formaldehyde wood products were used.
• Daylight and temperature controls are located in offices to allow occupants to adjust their working conditions to their preferences, and an occupant survey was conducted to gather feedback and fine tune employees’ thermal and physical comfort in the work environment.
• NHS has implemented a No Smoking Policy on the entire NHS campus.

INNOVATION-IN-DESIGN: (LEED NCv2.2:  5 out of 5 possible points documented)

NHS seeks to be a green buildings “leader by example” within its immediate realm of influence:

• NHS provides environmental education via their energy-efficiency classes taught in the Lab as well as via tours of their green building, thereby exposing hundreds of people to energy-saving, sustainable ideas. In addition to housing NHS’s largest classroom, the building itself serves as a model and has signage throughout to explain its various green features. NHS made a conscious decision to locate its housing rehab staff in this building, so contractors, building officials, and other regular visitors to rehab staff offices cannot help but be exposed to the green features displayed.
• NHS has worked with several different LEED accredited professionals to assist with the design and functioning of their Laboratory building, from the time prior to the renovation to more than 1-1/2 years after the renovation was completed, in order to optimize the sustainability features of the Home Improvement and Energy Conservation Lab facility.

The gathering green revolution may change that.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, modular construction accounted for about five percent of all new homes built in 2010.

Those numbers appear poised to grow, with companies emphasizing sustainability starting up even amid the worst housing market since the Great Depression and others finding new markets for modular homes in cities, which have been less “friendly” towards modular construction than suburban and rural communities.

For more on this story, visit: How Green Are Today’s Modular Homes? | Living Green Magazine.

For more on this story, visit: Arch alum on sustainable building | Yale Daily News.

For more on this story, visit: Connecticut leads the way with green schools | The Connecticut Mirror.

During a tour and press conference in northwest Washington, D.C., a Transwestern managed property, Obama and Clinton unveiled commitments which are part of the Better Buildings Challenge, targeted at reducing energy use in commercial buildings by 20% by 2020.

For more on this story, visit: Obama, Clinton Unveil $4B Green Building Program – CoStar Group.

For more on this story, visit: Turning ‘green’ buildings into greenbacks | Wilton Bulletin.

For more on this story, visit: Cancer Center receives LEED nod | Yale Daily News.

Having earned LEED points on more than 40 green building projects, the chemical-free Dolphin System precludes the discharge of toxic chemicals into the environment, saves energy and water, and contributes to enhanced indoor-air quality.

For more on this story, visit: A green technology firm will move to the Centerpoint Connecticut complex in Middletown – Courant.com.

For more on this story, visit: Architect Builds New Haven House From Massive Shipping Containers – Courant.com.

For more on this story, visit: Stamford Saves with New LED Street Lights – Stamford, CT Patch.

For more on this story, visit: Shipman & Goodwin LLP’s Tim Hollister to Speak About Green Building at International Biennial Congress on the Law of the World – MarketWatch.

The conversion included a complete redesign and renovation of the building with a 30,000-square-foot addition to adhere to the school’s new theme at a cost of $42 million. In addition to expanded parking, a new cafeteria and a convenient drop-off area for school buses, the upgrades consisted of a butterfly vivarium; a 30-seat interactive film theater; a laboratory with 50 freshwater and salt water aquariums for fish breeding; a weather station; a glass-shrouded lobby with a fish pond and a greenhouse, where students grow their own lunch vegetables.

The Mary M. Hooker Environmental Scienes Magnet School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Here students master the core curriculum of reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music, physical education, and information technology. Moreover, students learn to apply their knowledge via in-depth investigation and experimentation using the Globe Learning Program developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This comprehensive program includes studies in: Atmosphere Investigation, Hydrology Investigation, Soil Investigation, Global Positioning System (GPS) Investigation, Land Cover/Biology Investigation, and Seasons Investigation. An Outdoor Nature Center that encompasses a trail system and an amphitheater opens up a world of opportunities for our students to perform outdoor experiments throughout the four seasons. These studies prepare students for future scientific research, which can lead them to careers in environmental studies, medicine, and technology.

This integrated program employs a hands-on approach that allows students to emulate scientists. Students enjoy the use of a butterfly vivarium and full-featured weather station. The ability to communicate with scientists around the world via computer-video conferencing while studying environmental issues is another exciting component of our program.

The school offers a before- and after-school program. A program for English Language Learners whose primary language is other than English for grades K– 8 is provided.. Other academic related after school programs will become available as the school year goes on. If your child has shown interest in exploring the frontiers of environmental science, Mary M.  Hooker Environmental Sciences Magnet School is for him/her.

For more on this story, visit: Your Reader-Submitted Articles – Courant.com.

via Mary Hooker School Gets Top Rating For ‘Green’ Building – Cityline | Hartford News.

Read more here: Gov. Malloy Attends Ceremony at Kingswood Oxford – Avon, CT Patch.

Read more here: ‘Green’ Open House at Rumsey Hall School – Entertainment – The Litchfield County Times.

GE held a media briefing today at the new LEED-Platinum certified data center at headquarters for the Connecticut-based company’s appliances and lighting division in Louisville, Kentucky, which has a track record as an industry pioneer in the use of IT. GE started using computer technology at the site in 1954, when it purchased the first commercially available system.

Read more here: GE Achieves Rare LEED-Platinum Rating for New Data Center | Computing | GreenBiz.com.

Wilton, Conn. – Renewable energy integrator Alteris Renewables, has announced its intentions to merge with Real Goods Solar out of California. Real Goods Solar will issue 8 million unregistered shares of its Class A common stock to Alteris equity holders for 100 percent of Alteris’ outstanding equity.

CT Gets $10M From Green Jobs Innovation Fund

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded six organizations a total of $38 million in Green Jobs Innovation Fund grants. Two Connecticut organizations, the CT Department of Labor and the Laborers International Union of North America Training & Education Fund located in Pomfret, CT will both receive just over $5.5 Million each.

CMI Showcases Its Technology And EV Station

Enfield, Conn.  – Control Module Industries hosted an Open House and facility tour this month at its Enfield headquarters and showed off its technology including an electric vehicle (EV) charging station and the only automatic overhead cable management system on the market.

Rockville Bank Branch Receives LEED® Certification

South Windsor, Conn. – This month, Rockville Bank, announced it had received certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) for its branch office at 768 North Main Street in Manchester, CT.

UTC Power Partners Again With Whole Foods

South Windsor, Conn. – UTC Power, a United Technologies Corp. company, announced this month that Whole Foods Market has selected UTC Power’s PureCell System Model 400 to provide clean, reliable on-site power to a new store in Fairfield, Conn. This marks the second Whole Foods Market in Connecticut and the fourth Whole Foods Market in the United States to install a South Windsor, CT-based UTC Power fuel cell.

Read more about these and other news items at Building CT Green.

Read more here: At Wilton Corporate Park The ‘greener’ side of the street | Wilton Bulletin.

This Saturday June 18 10 am to 1 pm
3309 Fairfield Ave. Bridgeport, CT

Free Food and Drinks

Greetings!
We are proud to announce to all of our current customers that we are having a Grand Reopening sale in honor of you. Please come see our newly finished renovations of our showroom at 3309 Fairfield Ave in Bridgeport.
Renovations

The Center for Green Building, your environmentally conscious building supply store, is entering the final stages of our ‘green’ renovations to our new location across the street from our old building. We have used all our products to safely and effectively demonstrate them in action. Come check them out and get started on projects of your own. We are fully stocked with paints, stains, clay, joint compound, cleaners, sealers and insulation.
Free Food and Drinks

As a thank you to our loyal customers we will have free food and drinks available between 10am and 1pm on Saturday June 18th. We will have many local favorites including Health in a Hurry, Catch a Healthy Habit, Green Gourmet, The Port Coffehouse and Planet Fuel. This event is in conjunction with our 4th annual Sam’s Summer Solstice so if you’ve enjoyed those events in the past please stop in again to enjoy the food and music.

To view the full article in CT Law Tribune, click here.

Read more here: Shipman & Goodwin – News – New Green Subdivision Would Be Connecticut First.

Read more here: Connecticut Postings – Connecticut Post newsroom blog – Connecticut News.

It will be a green building — the first building in town to meet the specifications set up by the U.S. Green Building Council under its Leadership in Environment and Energy Design, or LEED, program.

via EARTH MATTERS: Robert Miller New green building planned in Ridgefield – NewsTimes.

via Jesuit Residence Recognized As Eco-Friendly, Awarded | The Fairfield Mirror.

The home is rich in history from tales for helping people during the Civil war, like old rooms in the basement that housed workers that had no place to live, to some good farming stories.

via Pre-Civil War home in New Canaan’s lovely historic center achieves a gold certification from the Green Business League. « Greener Life Consultant Blog.

via Taking the LEED: New UNH dorm meets high efficiency standards in West Haven- The New Haven Register – Serving New Haven, Connecticut.

via Experts sought for Mansfield Four Corners water projects :: Mansfield Today.

via Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut getting ‘green’ grant – Norwich Bulletin.

USGBC also announced that United Technologies is the first Founding Sponsor of the Center for Green Schools at USGBC. Through UTC’s multi-year, multimillion-dollar financial commitment, the Center will lead hundreds of schools across the nation to becoming green and more energy efficient and will help build hundreds of LEED registered education projects in the next few years.

via U.S. Green Building Council Launches the Center for Green Schools.

(L-R) Dan Caron, Vice President, Site Operations and Engineering, Alexion; Elizabeth Esty, Connecticut State Representative; Todd Renz, Chair of the CTGBC; Stephen Squinto, Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development, Alexion; Lisa Whited, USGBC, Upper Northeast Region. (contributed)

Alexion Pharmaceuticals’ headquarters has qualified for the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification. In addition to these awards from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the company has also received the 2010 Connecticut Green Building Council (CTGBC) Green Advocate Award for its efforts to promote environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices, according to the company.

The three awards were presented in a ceremony at Alexion by Lisa Whited of the Upper Northeast Region of USGBC, and by Todd Renz, Chair of the CTGBC.

Speaking at the event, was state Rep. Elizabeth Esty, who was also present at the 2009 unveiling of Alexion’s solar panel system, one of the largest in the state, according to a company release. The solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of its corporate headquarters and research facility satisfies up to 9% of the location’s energy consumption. Through onsite recycling programs in 2009, Alexion and its employees have diverted more than 45 tons of waste from landfills, including batteries, paper, equipment, metal and carpeting. Alexion also recently installed a new heat recovery system to reduce heating and cooling loads in the company’s laboratories.

“Alexion is proud to be one of a small number of companies to receive the prestigious LEED-CI Gold certification award,” said Daniel Caron, Vice President of Site Operations and Engineering at Alexion. “We are committed to minimizing our impact on the environment through both our long-term policies and our everyday actions, and we are grateful to our employees for supporting this mission. We are also extremely honored to have received the Connecticut Green Building Council’s Green Advocate Award, which celebrates the organization for actively transforming the environment while sharing knowledge of green building and sustainable practices.”

The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit trade organization that promotes sustainability in how buildings are designed, built and operated. The LEED certification program was developed to provide property owners and operators with strategies for improving the performance of buildings through energy savings, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, stewardship of resources and other measures. By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community. More information about the U.S. Green Building Council is available at: www.usgbc.org.

The Connecticut Green Building Council (CTGBC) is a chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. CTGBC seeks to improve the quality of life in Connecticut through the promotion of intelligently designed and constructed high performance energy efficient buildings. Throughout the year they hold a series of workshops on green building topics, networking opportunities, membership meetings, educational forums, seminars on green buildings and periodic CT-based LEED training in connection with the U.S. Green Building Council. The CTGBC also monitors activities in Connecticut related to high performance green buildings. More information about the Connecticut Green Building Council can be found at http://ctgbc.org.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company working to develop and deliver life-changing drug therapies for patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. Alexion is engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products aimed at treating patients with a wide array of severe disease states, including hematologic and kidney diseases, transplant, other inflammatory disorders, and cancer.

The workshops are sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism and Boston Green Tourism.  They are funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through a grant to Boston Green Tourism.

The topics at each session:

• Saving Energy: Energy Management Systems, Advances in Lighting and More
• Single Stream Recycling
• Local Foods: Support Local Agriculture
• Green Cleaning
• Reduce Your Toxics
• Case Study of a Connecticut Green Lodging Facility

Each session will also feature a Connecticut hotelier speaking about their own experience with greening their property and operations.

The workshops are scheduled for:

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Nathan Hale Inn & Conference Center, 9:00 a.m. – noon

Storrs, CT

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Holiday Inn Waterbury, 9:00 a.m. – noon

Waterbury, CT

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Sheraton Hartford Hotel, 9:00 a.m. – noon

East Hartford, CT

An initial round of workshops was held on during the spring.  The topics covered at the spring 2010 workshops included energy efficiency, water use reduction, waste management and how to earn CT Green Hospitality Certification or recertification.

To register for the program, send an email to Dan Ruben, dan_ruben@usa.net.  If you have questions about the workshops, send him an email message or call him (617-527-7950).  Registration fee is $10.00 at the door.

For more information about these workshops, and other aspects of the Connecticut Green Lodging Certification Program, go to: www.ct.gov/dep/greenlodging.  You can also find the presentations from the first set of workshops, held this past spring 2010.

How to Become Certified

To become certified, lodging facility owners complete a “Connecticut Green Lodging Self-Certification Workbook” where they check off practices they are implementing while earning points at the same time. Upon accumulating 100 points for their efforts, they become eligible for certification from the state for two years.  At that time they will need to increase the point total to 130 points to be eligible for a free re-certification.

Participation is free of charge and completely voluntary.  Technical assistance is available from the DEP.

Benefits of Becoming Certified

Upon certification, Connecticut lodging facility owners will receive the Connecticut Green Lodging logo to use on correspondence, website, and advertisements. There will also be a designation in the Connecticut Vacation Guide 2010 and www.CTvisit.com indicating the facility is “green-certified.” Money will be saved through improved energy efficiency, healthier indoor air quality and other practices.

via Hartford Opens State’s First Gold LEED School | Hartford Business.

Jonathan Rose Companies opened the first phase of Metro Green last year with 50 affordable units at 84 Henry St.

via ‘Green’ developer receives $2.5M state grant – StamfordAdvocate.