California Gov. orders greening of state buildings

Gov. Brown issued Executive Order B-18-12 which orders 10,000+ sq. ft. state buildings to earn LEED Silver certification, utilize clean energy, and orders 50% of existing state buildings and all new or renovated state buildings to achieve net zero energy consumption by 2025. The Order cites the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (“AB 32”) which requires California to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and focuses on greening structures since buildings are the second largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

Wells to loan $30B to green economy

Wells Fargo will offer $30 billion in green loans through 2020 to promote wind energy, solar energy, clean tech, efficient buildings, and $100 million in community grants for green initiatives. Wells is greening its operations by increasing energy-efficiency by 40%, reducing waste by 65% by 2020, reducing GHG emissions by 35% below 2008 levels and earning LEED certification for 35% of its buildings.

Green School Project completes first phase

USGBC Orange County completed its first green classroom at Davis Magnet School in Costa Mesa which features (1) efficient HVAC system; (2) day-lighting; and (3) improved acoustics.

Pike Research -- green data centers

Data centers consume between 2% and 2.5% of the world's energy. Pike Research’s report explores global green data center trends with regional forecasts through 2016 and examines advances in power, cooling, servers, storage, and data center management software.

LEED Platinum luxury condos

With an efficient building envelope and high-performance products, luxury LEED Platinum condos in West LA aim to keeping utility costs low.

Green housing for farm workers

A new affordable 101-unit apartment complex in Yolo County will provide green living for agricultural workers.

Platinum remodel of Public Market Emeryville

Public Market Emeryville is undergoing an extensive green remodeling effort as part of the first phase of a $209-million green building project envisioned for a 14-acre mixed-use site that will include electric-vehicle charging stations, a solar carport, water-saving landscaping and an herb garden. The entire project is the first of its kind in the country to achieve LEED Platinum community designation for Neighborhood Development.

SCE joins Demand Response Partnership Program

Southern California Edison (SCE) joined the Demand Response Partnership Program (DRPP) as the first utility host sponsor. DRPP works with the commercial building and energy industries to educate, promote and drive participation in existing demand response programs, while undertaking a research agenda focused on market adoption, grid reliability and environmental impact through improved energy-efficiency.

USDE honors Green Ribbon Schools

U.S. Secretary of Education announced the first-ever U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools. The award honors schools that exercise a comprehensive approach to creating green environments. Among the list of winners are 66 public schools, including 8 charters, and 12 private schools.

Center for Green Schools first Green Apple Day of Service

Saturday, September 29, 2012, will be the first ever Green Apple Day of Service. This event will engage students, teachers, parents, business leaders, elected officials and others in volunteer activities at schools and campuses in their communities to empower communities to take real, measurable steps to improve learning environments.

USGBC opens public comment for LEED 2012

The public comment period for LEED 2012 (the next version of the LEED green building program) will run from May 1 until May 15, and then LEED 2012 will be voted on from June 1 until June 30. In order to vote, USGBC members have until May 1 to opt into the LEED 2012 consensus body.

State DOTs reduce emissions, saving taxpayers millions

States are utilizing a comprehensive approach to minimize their carbon footprint, save resources and protect and preserve sensitive ecosystems. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials highlights examples of creative approaches from California, Louisiana, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Michigan, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho and Kentucky.

Project to map every U.S. rooftop for solar potential

Satellite imagery company GeoEye has teamed up with Geostellar to map and catalog the photovoltaic solar potential of every commercial and residential property in the U.S. This information can be used by solar installers to help target potential customers, as well as by clean energy developers to determine whether a potential site makes economic sense.

U.S. Green Technology partners with The Green Job Bank

U.S. Green Technology is partnering with The Green Job Bank (a search engine for employment in the green economy), to provide a Green Jobs Board featuring more than 10,000 job opportunities for green employment.

McDonald's releases 2012 Global Best of Green report

McDonald's released its 2012 Global Best of Green report, a collection of best green practices. The collection includes more than 20 energy-efficiency initiatives, including carbon-reduction practices and green building advancements in more than a dozen markets worldwide.

Honda green dealer program targets 10% energy cuts

American Honda Motor Co. has launched a "green dealer" program to encourage energy-use reductions at independently-owned Honda and Acura dealers in the U.S.

SCS gets Tile Industry's new Green Squared certification

California-based Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) announced the first three certifications awarded under the tile industry's new Green Squared certification standard, which is the industry’s first sustainability standard for tile and tile installation materials.

USGBC-NCC to host 2012 Super Heroes Awards Gala

On May 23, USGBC Northern California Chapter will host the Super Heroes Awards Gala in San Francisco, to honor innovators that are pushing green building towards a sustainable future. This event will set the stage for Greenbuild 2012, also to be held in San Francisco in November.

The Princeton Review releases "Guide to 322 Green Colleges"

The Princeton Review released "The Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2012 Edition" which profiles 322 higher-education institutions in the U.S. and Canada that demonstrate sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation.

Related News:
UC Riverside listed in "Guide to 322 Green Colleges"

S.F.'s accelerated Sustainable Building Advisor Program

The Certified Sustainable Building Advisor credential can now be earned in just four months. The Sustainable Building Advisor (SBA) Program in San Francisco will be taught by a network of over 25 subject experts and include site visits to exemplary projects throughout the Bay Area.