Facebook's massive green roof

The new Facebook headquarters feature a rooftop garden spanning the entire length of the 433,555 square foot building. Green roofs reduce environmental impacts by minimizing runoff, combating heat island effect, providing natural insulation, and removing air pollutants.

Green construction saved U.S. $2.2 billion in paving costs

Taxpayers in the United States saved over $2.2 billion during the 2011 paving season as a result of sustainable construction practices, according to the Nation Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA).

EPA honors winners of Campus RainWorks Challenge

The EPA announced the winners of the Campus RainWorks Challenge for developing innovative green infrastructure systems that reduce stormwater pollution and support sustainable communities. The winners are the University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida; Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois; University of Arizona, Tuscon, Arizona; and Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri.

San Francisco's green hotels lead the pack

San Francisco leads the country in eco-friendly hotels, according to TripAdvisor, which surveyed thousands of hotels across the country for its new "GreenLeaders" tool. Developed with Energy Star, USGBC, and the United Nations Environment Program, the new tool helps travelers find green accommodations.

Novo Nordisk unveils new, green U.S. headquarters

Novo Nordisk's new U.S. headquarters in Plainsboro, New Jersey, are using an existing structure and recycled locally-sourced materials, to limit environmental impacts. The LEED Silver certified campus is fully powered by renewable energy from wind, solar, and hydro sources, which is expected to create a 30% reduction in energy costs.

Texas builder expands commitment to LEED certification

McGuyer Homebuilders Inc. announced it will pursue LEED certification for all houses built under its Wilshire Homes brand in San Antonio, Texas. McGuyer plans to complete 200 to 250 LEED-certified homes this year and 400 to 500 homes annually within three to four years.

France begins work on solar-powered stadium

The Swiss firm, Herzog & de Meuron, embarked on a landmark renewable energy project with construction work officially commencing on a solar-powered stadium in Bordeaux in France.

UMass Medical building wins Best Green Practice award

The Albert Sherman Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester earned LEED Gold certification and the Boston Business Journal's Best Green Practices award. The building incorporates recycled and sustainable materials, low-flow plumbing, and use of rainwater and condensed water from the HVAC system.

Green building takes hold, but wasted energy abounds

LEED standards are driving a green building boon, but many structures continue to leak energy. Millions of homeowners decline to make improvements that could save both natural resources and money.

Bank of America exceeds its $20B green initiative

BofA exceeded its original 10-year, $20 billion green business initiative four years ahead of schedule – delivering more than $21.6 billion in lending, equipment, and carbon financing.

Island near Seattle to open rare LEED Gold museum

Museums tightly control environments to preserve artifacts. Therefore it is rare for museums to be energy efficient. However, the LEED Gold Bainbridge Art Museum near Seattle is expected to open in June.

New and improved way to certify multiple buildings

In 2005, USGBC developed LEED for multiple buildings and buildings on a campus. The newest update includes two key features: group certification, which allows project teams with separate buildings that are substantially similar to certify as one project that shares a single certification, and an enhanced interface for LEED Online for Campus.

IKEA completes Maryland's largest rooftop solar array

IKEA officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its distribution center in Perryville, Maryland. The 768,972-square-foot PV array consists of a 2,674.9-kW system, built with 18,576 panels, and it is the state’s largest rooftop array.

The Princeton Review's 4th Annual Guide to Green Colleges

The Center for Green Schools and The Princeton Review have released the Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2013 Edition. Schools that made it into this year's edition scored well for several reasons: providing courses that help students learn about renewable energy, organic agriculture, and the tools for developing smart, efficient products.

U.S. Dept. of Education's Green Ribbon Schools

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has announced the second year of honorees of the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools award program. A total of 78 honorees, including 64 schools and 14 districts across 29 states and the District of Columbia, received a prestigious Green Ribbon Schools award for their excellence across various sustainability initiatives.