News
Green Building & Eco Friendly News
We are excited to share green building industry developments, news about our Member Companies, and of course current Rate It Green information. Please feel welcome to submit interesting news you have found. Note that Rate It Green does include news announcements as a part of some sponsorship offerings.
You can also learn more by following Rate It Green on social media. We greatly appreciate your likes, follows, and general votes of support.
The First Municipal Building Free and Open to the Public in the U.S. to Achieve The Living Building Certification
Photo by Alexander Denmarsh and Kent Suhrbier
The Frick Environmental Center has become the first municipal building free and open to the public in the U.S. and is currently one of 21 buildings in the world to achieve the prestiguous Living Building Challenge Certification. A joint venture between the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (also suported by more than 600 donors), the Center serves as an experiential environmental eduction classroom and resource for the surrunding community. Part of a 4-acre site with … Show more
Study: Four Percent Reduction in Carbon Dioxide Emissions Per Year in China = $339 Billion Health Savings
A new MIT study affirms as might be expected that if China reduces carbon dioxide emissions, Chinese residents will experience significant benefits to air quality and human health. However, the study additionally reports that the benefit of monetary savings offsets the cost of implementing the climate policy.
Published in Nature Climate Change, the study shows that meeting current greenhouse reduction goals would result in preventing significant deaths due to air pollution across every province. The health savings from fewer deaths ca… Show more
Governor Baker Files Legislation to Require Home Energy Scores and Ratings
On April 4, Massachsetts Governor Baker filed legislation that may ultimately have a significant impact on home energy efficiency throughout the state. Called "An Act Relative to Consumer Access to Residential Energy Information," Bill H.4371 would require that a home energy score card and energy rating be provided to homewoners as a part of free energy assessments and also that home energy ratings be made available to potential homebuyers for 1-4 unit family homes that are publicly listed or sale, after January 1, 2021.&nb… Show more
Fuel Efficiency Rollback Plans Make No Sense - For the Environment or the Economy
Although not a total surprise, the EPA’s announcement of plans to roll back auto emissions adopted by the Obama Administration in 2012 just makes no sense. Not only were President Obama’s plans to require automakers to reach aggressive mileage standards by 2025 great for the environment, but they make economic and political sense as well.
California and other states representing approximately a third of all US auto sales would likely continue to follow the Obama-era rules, as allowed under the Clean Air Ac… Show more
Will LEED v4.1 Be A Game-Changer for Product Manufacturers? The GreenCE team recently sat down with Mahesh Ramanujam, USGBC CEO, to learn more
Recently, the GreenCE Team had the opportunity to speak with USGBC CEO Mahesh Ramanujam in some detail. Topics discussed included data collection, international LEED green building project growth, and the upcoming LEED v4.1 update.
As of March 26, Building professionals are now able to register to participate in a LEED v4.1 O+M beta. It seems that significant changes are pending in the Operations + Maintenance Materials and Resources category, including 4 new Prerequisites and one Credit regarding Purchasing (b… Show more
Spotlight on GreenCE Inc., our Newest Premium Listed Company
We’re pleased to introduce GreenCE, Inc. as a sponsor for the Rate It Green platform. GreenCE is an AIA Education Provider and USGBC Education Partner based in the Portland, Oregon area. GreenCE provides free AIA continuing education for design professionals seeking their mandatory CE hours. In addition, the organization offers no-cost LEED specific hours and the only free LEED Exam Prep program in North America.
“We are very excited to be working with Rate It Green. Collaboration and innovation are the core principle… Show more
Is Bottled Water Doing Most of Us Any Favors? Recent Study Suggests Most Contain MicroPlastics
Out of 1 million water bottles purchased every minute globally, we're apparently drinking plastic according to 93% of those tested in a recent study by Orb Media.
For more information:
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-4338887
Sadly, we're also only recycling fewer than 50% of plastic bottles.
According to an article posted by BBC on March 15th, "Research led by journalism organisation Orb Media discovered an average of 10 plastic particles per litre, each larger than… Show more
236 US Mayors Submit Comments Opposing EPA Clean Power Plan Repeal
On Feburary 20, US Mayors from 47 states and territories representing over 51 million constituents, submitted a comment letter opposing the EPA's propsed Clean Power Plan repeal.
Key points include that climate change may be global but affects cimmunities locally and now, and that repaling the Clean Power Plan would slow local efforts to address climate change.
The mayors also shared some significant statisics: "A peer-reviewed study conducted by EPA projected stark differences between a world … Show more
Day Zero a Threat to Capetown, Now Estimated for July - What City is Next?
Recent rain and a widespread water saving effort have helped push the current "Day Zero" estimate for Capetown out to July from a one-time prediction of April. Day Zero is the day that there will literally be no drinking water available for this city of 4 million people.
Residents are currently being asked not to use over 13 gallons of water per day, an anount that includes perhaps a 90 second shower. And a single toilet flush. Once voluntary, it seems the retrictions are now mandatory and invovle fines.&nb… Show more
Did You Know? California Phased out the Incandescent Bulb as of January 1st!
California has officially retired the incandescent light bulb, more than 125 years old, as of January 1st.
The new standards cover nearly all common bulbs used in homes, and require bulbs manufactured on or after January 1, 2018, sold in the state to achieve a minimum efficiency level of 45 lumens per watt, which is three times more efficient than the old incandescent. Lumens measure the amount of light a bulb makes, and watts measure the amount of power it consumes to produce those lumens. ...read more. Show more
Clean Vapor Becomes a Land Science Certified Applicator
Congratulations to Rate It Green Gold Company Member Clean Vapor for becoming a certified spray-applied barrier applicator for the Land Science family of products!
According to Rick Gillespie, Senior VP, Land Science, a division of Regenesis, "Clean Vapor's long track record of vapor intrusion mitigation expertise aligns perfectly with Land Science's industry-leading advanced composite barriers. Being a certified applicator for Land Science requires a commitment to quality installation and we are confid… Show more
School Air Quality and Sustainability Fellowship Opportunity, The Center for Green Schools, Apply by July 18
K-12 school professionals pushing for sustainability in schools, this program is your chance! The Center for Green Schools is accepting applications through Monday, July 18 for fellowships for School Air Quality and Leaders in Sustainability. Those chosen for the fellowship will gain access to networking opportunities, professional development and leadership training, and professional learning events to provide these advocates for environmental health with the resources to create change.
Children spend so much time in schools, but the actu… Show more
NRDC Petition: "Stop the Fossil Fuel Industry’s Cynical Exploitation of War in Ukraine to Expand Oil and Gas Drilling"
At Rate It Green, we agree that the unjustifiable and tragic war in Ukraine can not ethically or environmentally logically be used as an excuse to argue for more fossil fuel exploration and exploitation. Instead, we should of course be taking the opposite actions, to reduce our dependence on these fossil fuels which are a significant part of the tensions that lead to hostilities.
Why would we make backwards decisions that are bad for our health, the environment, and that threaten our best opportunities for&nb… Show more
For Sale: Healthy, Energy Efficient Micro-Farm in Concord, Massachusetts
After 45 years of careful renovation and maintenance, Rate It Green Member David Bearg, P.E. is looking to entrust his amazing healthy and sustainable home to the right new owners.
David and his family have grown the original small cottage on the property into a thriving mico-farm with a heat-storing greenhouse, a vegetable garden, raised bed gardens, a green, energy efficient house, and outbuildings that all take advantage of passive solar architecture.
Click to learn more about David's hom… Show more
ZeroEnergy Design Featured in Ocean Home Magazine
Congratulations to Rate It Green Member ZeroEnergy Design for the firm's recent feature in Ocean Home Magazine!
The magazine profiled Mt. Hope Modern, ZED’s green coastal 4,700 SF modern home in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
The piece includes interviews with owners Kerry Tyson and Zack King, who discovered the home while it was still under construction. The couple was particularly excited about the modern, energy efficient design as well as the stunning views of Mount Hope Bay.
Visit Ocean Home Magazine to re… Show more
10 New and Exciting Green Building Jobs Posted!
Are you looking for a new job centered around sustainability? Look no further — these 10 jobs are suitable for individuals with some experience in green building. For more environmental-related job postings, visit http://www.greenjobs.net.
California
Clean Power Alliance
Electrification Program Manager
https://cleanpoweralliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Electrification-Program-Manager_Paychex-Version.pdf
Massachusetts
Solect Energy
Multiple Positions
https://solect.com/company/careers/
… Show more
Low Carbon Multifamily Retrofit Playbooks - Available Online for Free!
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Steven Winter Associates and the Building Enegy Exchange (BEEx) have published a series of five free low carbon multifamily retrofit playbooks.
The playbooks are organized by common building types: Pre-War 4-7 stories, Post-War 1-7 stories, Post-War 8+ stories, Post-1980 8+ stories, and Garden Style 1-3 stories, and include retrofit strategies to maximize comfort while saving energy by transitioning to electric-based HVAC and hot water heati… Show more
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta - 2021 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund - Apply by June 4!
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta - 2021 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund - Apply by Friday June 4!
Do you work for a financial institution or a community housing partner? Is your company located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, or the District of Columbia?
Are you looking for a way to widen your customer base, offer community-oriented lending, and/or facilitate residential development?
Are you seeking to fund the construction, rehabilitation, or financing of housing for low… Show more
Parsons Healthy Materials Lab - 6th Annual Healthier Design Innovation Contest! Submission Deadline: Monday May 17!
Parsons Healthy Materials Lab - 6th Annual Healthier Design Innovation Contest - Apply by Monday May 17th!
Does your work exemplify healthy materials innovation and advocacy in design?
Are you a design activist creating innovative design while promoting equity? Are you using healthy materials and addressing climate change? Parsons Healthy Materials Lab is hosting the 6th annual Role Models Contest to award design innovations for material use that have no negative impact on the planet.
Win $1,000 , and socia… Show more
ZeroEnergy Design Featured in Boston Magazine's Spring Edition
Congratulations to Rate It Green Member Company ZeroEnergy Design for their feature in Boston Home's spring issue! The magazine profiles fhe firm's Hingham, Massachusetts "eco-oasis" in a piece called, "Everything you Need to Know to Design a Greener Home."
The 4.200 square foot home, designed by ZED’s Stephanie Horowitz and John Mucciarone, features continuous insulation, triple pane windows, air-source heat pumps, and a 36-panel solar electric system, all contributing to net zero energy per… Show more
All Electric Summer: Opportunities to "amp up" your electrification expertise
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
It’s a great time to learn about electrification! Whether you are just learning about today’s energy efficient electric equipment and appliances, or you’re already somewhat expert, there’s really something for everyone to learn or contribute this summer, as several leading green building organizations are hosting some terrific educational offerings. And most are free! Check out Rate It Green's open green building calendar for these and more green bu… Show more
All About Heat Pumps
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
If you feel that recent news has been all about heat pumps, I agree! It seems there's a growing push to educate consumers and increase demand, as part of support for wider electrification and decarbonization efforts. Why are heat pumps so exciting? As you may already know, heat pumps are 300-400% efficient, as they move energy instead of generating it, and without onsite fossil fuel combustion. The numbers seem almost unreal. Heat pumps a… Show more
What Happens In Vegas... (Will We See You There?) Let's Create Some Great Green Building Content!
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
I know, the leading image for this email shows some serious wattage and doesn't really make me think first about green building. And yet, suddenly it seems like everyone I know is heading to Vegas next week for the International Builders' Show. That includes Green Builder and Rate It Green Content Partner Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc.! I encourage you to connect with Matt to say hello, or to share your expertise or to introduce your company and what y… Show more
Looking Forward - Engaging Together as a Green Building Community
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Thank you for being a part of our green building community, and welcome to our first newsletter of 2024! With this email, we bring you so much positive energy and a reaffirmation of the spirit of what we do. As Green Builder and Rate It Green Content Partner Matt Hoots said the other day, "The only way we are going to keep progressing toward solutions is to continue the conversation and share.” I wholeheartedly agree!
I am excited to report that I am&n… Show more
Happy New Year, 2024!! Looking back at Top 2023 News, and Some Sneak Previews for 2024!
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Happy New Year! Thanks for all you do, and here's to an AMAZING 2024!
We expect great things from this new year! Whether you celebrate recent COP28 Results or feel anxious about insufficient progress, perhaps we can agree that 2023 was a year of foundation building and stage setting. We can then think of 2024 then as a year of great framing, where the structure and promising opportunities really come together more rapidly, where we can see tangible gains… Show more
Reframing Perspective: What Can "Positive" (Nature Positive) Look Like?
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
There are so many pressing crises, it can be overwhelming to decide what to do first or next. At a time when we need to take immediate and drastic action to mitigate the worst climate change consequences, some of which have already arrived, how is it possible that there are ongoing and disastrous wars and famine, extreme weather crises, raging fires, disease, and areas that are literally becoming uninhabitable for human life, among other global challenges which are hard to fully i… Show more
Making Smart Window Choices for Meeting Comfort, Health, Energy & Sustainability Goals
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Do you have window questions? We've got some information and answers! Green Builder Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc. has been busy answering Rate It Green Member questions and also interviewing manufacturers to learn about their energy efficient window and doors as well as the latest technological advances.
Matt recently recorded a series of conversations to answer key window questions, including:
How do you decide when and whether to replace windows? &n… Show more
Understanding The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) - Introduction and Update
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Hello to everyone gathering at Greenbuild this week! I had hoped to attend in person but had some schedule complications. As much as I think we absolutely need to connect and share information online when we can’t be together, I of course believe it’s meaningful and impactful to gather and build community in person. I’ll be attending as I can online, and I’ll hope to ”see you” there!
I have spent a good deal of time in the past weeks &ldq… Show more
Strategies for Staying Cool: Air Sealing and Insulation
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
It’s quite an understatement to say it’s been hot this summer. Playfully, and yet deadly seriously, Vox declared that this scorching summer might just "be one the coolest summers of the rest of your life." Scientists at the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service estimate current summer temperatures as not only the hottest since modern record keeping began, but possibly in the last 120,000 years. And summer&rsqu… Show more
The Perfect Wall - Explained
It feels a bit funny to describe a product or practice as "Perfect," but that's our task as we explore "The Perfect Wall." In a recent video, Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc. explains this important concept and also shows how he and his team are applying theory to practice at the #1920sMakeoverATL deep energy retrofit project in Ansley Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
As Matt explains, along with fellow Rate It Green Membe… Show more