Children's Hospital of Alabama going LEED

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Children's Hospital of Alabama is on its way to becoming the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified hospital in Alabama, thanks to an arrangement with Johnson Controls, according to Buildings.

Johnson Controls worked with the hospital to develop and maintain a central energy plant, the article noted.

The 740,000-square-foot expansion and energy plant should save the hospital 10 percent to 12 percent in projected life cycle cost, the article stated.

"We considered building the utility plant ourselves, but did not want to direct capital dollars towards an additional construction project on top of our ongoing expansion," says Mike McDevitt, executive vice president of the Children's Hospital.

"We realized that instead of becoming our own utility provider, we should look at heating and cooling service as a commodity, and purchase it from an efficient energy provider," McDevitt added.

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$100 million class action filed against LEED and USGBC

WASHINGTON — Henry Gifford has been a thorn in the side of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for a couple of years, since he wrote an article claiming that Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rated buildings used 29 percent more energy than conventional buildings, according to Treehugger.

LEED has changed a lot since then, but not enough for Henry: He's launched a $100 million class action lawsuit against the USGBC, the article stated.

Henry is going after them for Sherman Act Monopolization through fraud, unfair competition, deceptive trade practices, false advertising, wire fraud and unjust enrichment, the article noted.

Environmental lawyer Shari Shapiro at Green Building Law describes the suit in plain language: His theory is that the USGBC has falsely claimed that its rating system makes buildings save energy.

According to the article, Henry believes that building owners have spent more money to have their buildings certified, that professionals have gotten worthless professional credentials and people in general have been duped into thinking LEED has meaning.

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Pasadena Convention Center awarded LEED Gold

PASADENA, CA — Because of its commitment to sustainability, the expanded Pasadena Convention Center has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, making it one of only three U.S. convention centers to earn the prestigious Gold designation, according to a press release.

"We are proud to be one of the greenest convention centers in North America," said Pasadena Center Operating Company Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Ross.

"It is enticing to our clients, knowing they are hosting events in a facility that is actively protecting our precious resources," Ross added.

The Pasadena Convention Center achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies, the release stated.

According to the release, by using less energy and water, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

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Nuclear facility goes green with LEED Gold

AIKEN, SC — Shaw AREVA MOX Services was recently awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Gold level for its Administration Building, according to Your Nuclear News.

The MOX Administration Building, which houses business operations and support personnel for the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) plutonium disposition program, received 40 out of a possible 43 points in the LEED process, the story stated.

The Administration Building is the first structure at the Savannah River Site to be LEED Gold-certified and the first of three MOX project buildings to pursue LEED certification at the Gold level, the story noted.

NNSA Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Ken Baker said: "Achieving LEED certification on this facility highlights our commitment to transforming a Cold War-era nuclear weapons complex into a 21st Century nuclear security enterprise."

LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system that provides third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance in energy savings, water efficiency, carbon dioxide emissions reduction and other critical areas, the story added.

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JCPenney achieves LEED distinctions for green building design

PLANO, TX — JCPenney Company Inc. has been awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for its home office campus, according to a press release.

The 1.9 million square-foot building serves as a workplace for more than 5,500 associates and is the third largest campus facility in the nation to receive this designation, the release stated.

Adding to this distinction, JCPenney recently received a LEED for New Construction Silver certification for the JCPenney store in Fairview, TX and a LEED for Existing Buildings Silver certification for the JCPenney supply chain facility in Reno, NV, the release noted.

"JCPenney's LEED certifications demonstrate tremendous green building leadership," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, chief executive officer (CEO) and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council.

"JCPenney makes a conscious effort to efficiently use natural resources in order to bring an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will benefit future generations to come," Fedrizzi added.

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Starbucks opens first LEED registered store in Canada

TORONTO — Members of the Toronto community and other guests gathered at Starbucks to mark the grand opening of their first-ever Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified store in Canada, according to a press release.

The new store format and design is part of Starbucks' Shared Planet initiative. Starbucks' Shared Planet environmental stewardship program represents the company's commitment to creating a better future for farmers, communities and the environment and significantly reducing its environmental footprint through recycling and green construction, the release stated.

"We are truly excited to have opened the first Canadian store in Starbucks' global LEED pilot project," said Robert Luciano, Starbucks' director of store development for Eastern Canada.

"This store is unique in terms of its design and the materials which have been used to construct it. Through this opening, and those happening around the world, Starbucks continues its commitment to delivering a specialty coffee experience while refreshing our store design approach with an amplified focus on local relevance and environmental responsibility," Luciano added.

According to the release, if the pilot is successful, Starbucks aims to achieve LEED certification for all new company-owned stores worldwide by late 2010.

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Allstate Insurance data center receives LEED-Gold certification

ROCHELLE, IL — The new Allstate Insurance data center recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Gold level from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making it one of a handful of data centers in the nation to achieve the designation, according to a press release.

Some sustainable aspects of the data center include: A heat-reflecting white roof; use of natural lighting; use of recycled materials for making concrete; and native landscaping that requires minimal maintenance, the release stated.

Buildings that are LEED-certified use less water and energy and help taxpayers, businesses and families save money while contributing to a more healthy environment for workers, residents and the community, the release noted.

According to the release, the certification was verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

The LEED-Gold-certified data center also uses technology that mixes heat generated from computers, mechanical equipment and outside air to keep equipment rooms cool and office areas consistently comfortable, the release added.

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First LEED-EBOM Silver-certified building in Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH — The Bath and Body Works headquarters has become the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Existing Building: Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EBOM) Silver-certified building in the state of Ohio, according to a press release.

According to the release, the building is also the first of parent company Limited Brands Inc. to achieve a LEED certification.

Nathaniel Beegle, LEED Accredited Professional (AP) and manager of the project for Limited Brands, said: "As a values-led organization, Limited Brands is increasingly integrating the protection and preservation of global resources into our everyday business practices. It is part of doing what is right and means that we are committed to sustainable, responsible and thoughtful environmental design, operation and maintenance of our facilities."

The building, originally built in 1997, contains more than 150,000 square feet of office space and about 540,000 square feet of warehouse space, the release stated.

Included in the sustainable design and operation features are: Storm water management, light pollution reduction, water efficiency, recycling, indoor air quality improvements and green cleaning, the release noted.

Additional information is available online regarding Limited Brands' Corporate Social Responsibility, the release added.

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State dedicates first LEED-certified prison building

SOLEDAD, CA — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will dedicate the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified building in the state prison system, according to the Salinas Californian.

According to the story, the building, a mental health treatment center, will be dedicated in a ceremony on Tuesday next week at its location at the Salinas Valley State Prison.

The 36,500-square-foot facility will be used for housing and to provide inmates with inpatient care, and will use 50 percent less water and one-third of the energy as a traditional mental health facility, the story stated.

The prison is located in Soledad, California, the story added.

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Red Lobsters to go green

ORLANDO, FL — Darden Restaurants Inc. — parent company of Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse and other restaurant chains — announced that it will incorporate Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards in the building and remodeling of its locations, according to GlobeSt.com.

According to the story, eight locations have already begun the process of obtaining LEED certification from the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC) over the next two years.

Darden Senior Vice President of Development Suk Singh said: "While we may not seek LEED certification for every restaurant we build or remodel, we can make a positive impact by learning from the eight restaurants where we are seeking LEED certification and applying best practices across our entire portfolio."

One of the restaurants seeking LEED certification is an Olive Garden location in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the story noted.

According to the story, the company plans to include LEED points-earning measures like recycled building materials, more windows to allow for natural lighting, energy-efficient fixtures and reclaimed heat from air-conditioning and freezer-system condensers.

Darden Restaurants is currently awaiting LEED Gold certification on its newly-built headquarters in Orlando, Florida, the story added.

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First LEED Platinum-certified building in Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA, TN — The offices of a nonprofit initiative that helps increase green building awareness have been awarded the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification in Tennessee, according to the Chattanoogan.

According to the story, the offices of the greenspaces initiative were completely renovated to include sustainable features like repurposed demolition materials, geothermal heating and a focus on daylighting.

Co-director Anj McClain said: "greenspaces was formed to address the lack of green building awareness in Chattanooga and the surrounding region. In the past year and a half, we have helped five Chattanooga buildings achieve LEED certification, with 22 more currently in the process. So, we wanted our own offices to be a model of what it is truly possible to achieve."

The storefront of the 100-year-old building was designed to include a light shelf to bounce light deep into the building, resulting in very little — if any — electric light needed during daylight hours, the story stated.

Captured rainwater and low-flow and optical sensors are part of a water-saving effort that uses 81.4 percent less water than a traditional building, the story added.

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FEA to guide Austin Convention Center through LEED-EBOM certification

DALLAS, TX — Facility Engineering Associates (FEA) has announced a contract with the city of Austin to provide consulting relative to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings (EB) process, according to a press release.

According to the release, FEA will guide the city through the LEED-EB certification process for the Austin Convention Center, which began working toward their goal of energy efficiency and LEED Gold certification in 2007.

FEA works with a team consisting of many Austin-based firms like Winterowd Associates Inc., Baer Engineering and Environmental Consulting Inc. , MWM Design Group Inc. and Encotech Engineering Consulting Inc., the release stated.

In addition to their Dallas office, FEA also has locations in Austin, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Indianapolis, San Diego, Milwaukee, San Francisco, Kansas City, Fairfax, Virginia, and Greenville, South Carolina, the release added.

The USGBC approves 11 new online LEED preparation courses

TAMPA, FL — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently approved 11 new online Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) exam preparation courses offered by RedVector Inc., according to a press release.

The new interactive offerings add 34 course hours to RedVector's industry-leading 95 USGBC-approved course hours, the release stated.

The new courses are ideal for LEED and Green Associate (LEED-GA) exam preparation, and for fulfilling the Continuing Maintenance (CM) requirement that will go into effect in mid-2010 for all LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED-AP) and Green Associates, the release noted.

Ryan Sparks, vice president of content for RedVector, said: "When RedVector joined the USGBC in January of 2009, we pledged to support the organization's initiatives and their goal to drive green market transformation through quality education. Since then, we've had the honor of becoming a USGBC-registered provider and have introduced industry-leading green online education exclusives in conjunction with the University of Tennessee's College of Architecture and Design."

Some of the newly approved courses include "Green Building: Commercial High-performance Guidelines," "Solar Electric Generation: Technologies," and "Biofilters: A Natural Approach to Storm Water Pollutant Removal," the release added.

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Midwest Research Institute's headquarters receives LEED certification

KANSAS CITY — The Midwest Research Institute (MRI) recently earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) following a $25 million renovation of its headquarters, according to a press release.

"Green" design elements provide energy savings that have resulted in a reduction of nearly 600 metric tons of carbon dioxide when comparing adjusted energy usage data from the years 2008 to 2009, the release stated.

According to the release, the facility now has nearly 50 percent more laboratory space and office space for an additional 150 staff while still operating with the same carbon footprint it had before the renovation.

Sustainable features of the 250,000-suare-foot facility include: Energy efficient windows; high-efficiency air conditioning; high-efficiency boilers; low-flow laboratory hoods; water saving devices; provisions for waste recycling; day lighting; high-efficiency lighting; and low volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting materials, the release noted.

Mark Breitenstein, MRI's director of facilities management, said: "Results of the renovation have been extremely successful. We have a state-of-art facility that provides an enhanced work environment for staff, it accommodates growth, and the LEED certification validates MRI's mission to support a sustainable future. MRI's renovation demonstrates that green choices do have a positive impact on older facilities."

The renovations help save nearly 19 percent in overall energy costs and the high-efficiency plumbing fixtures reduce water usage by nearly 29 percent, the release added.

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Stephen Ashkin selected to help revise LEED-EBOM

BLOOMINGTON, IN — The Ashkin Group and the Green Cleaning Network LLC have been selected to work with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as it prepares a revision of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EBOM), according to a press release.

According to the release, Stephen Ashkin, long considered the "father of green cleaning," is president of The Ashkin Group and Sustainable Dashboard Tools LLC, co-founder of Green Cleaning University and founder of the Green Cleaning Network.

Although the new standards will not be released for two years, the preparatory planning work, including feedback and comments from the industry, is needed by January 30, 2010, the release stated.

Ashkin said: "Based on our experience working on the LEED-EB Core Committee, we have been asked to gather comments directly from the [cleaning] industry about LEED and its impact on green cleaning. Comments will be summarized and then presented to the LEED Technical Advisory Groups (TAG) for consideration as they revise the prerequisites and credits for the 2012 Rating Systems. I believe it is crucial that all segments of our industry get involved with this process. The revisions made will impact our industry for years to come. I want our industry to [continue to] play a leading role in not only promoting green and sustainable issues, but setting some of the rules for creating healthy, high performing buildings."

Because Ashkin believes this process is so important, a new website — http://www.ashkinleedeb.com — has been launched specifically for collecting comments from industry professionals, the release noted.

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MGM Mirage unveils massive LEED Gold-certified project

LAS VEGAS — MGM Mirage began unveiling its $8.5 billion Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-certified CityCenter complex today by opening three buildings, according to the Las Vegas Sun.

CityCenter, with residences, hotel towers, gourmet restaurants and an upscale retail and entertainment district, is one of the largest LEED-certified projects to date in the world, the story stated.

MGM Mirage recruited a team of architects and designers to bring its vision to life and asserted a commitment to sustainability with plans to achieve high environmental standards in each of CityCenter's buildings, the story noted.

According to the story, the "dramatic urban development for the new millennium" includes a 4,000-room hotel-casino, three 400-room boutique hotels, 550,000 square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment venues and 1,650 condo units; the 67-acre plot of land is the same size as Rockefeller Center, SoHo and Times Square combined.

The project, which took 61 months to come to fruition, claimed the lives of six construction workers, the story added.

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The city of Fort St. John adopts LEED-certification mandate

FORT ST. JOHN, BC, Canada — The Fort St. John City Council recently voted to adopt a policy that requires all new city-owned buildings to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, according to the Fort St. John News.

According to the article, the policy does not apply to existing buildings and does not require energy-efficient retrofitting.

The city of Fort St. John left some "wiggle room" in not specifying which level of LEED certification each project must obtain, noting that the higher the certification level, the more it would cost, the story stated.

Council members, who voted unanimously to adopt the policy, claim that, because of the energy efficient nature of LEED-certified buildings, extra construction and certification costs will be recovered within a few years of operation, the story noted.

Little attention has been given to green and sustainable features of municipal buildings in the past, something the city of Fort St. John is changing with this new policy, the story added.

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Fullmer Construction now has the world's largest LEED-certified distribution facility

VICTORVILLE, CA — The 1,000,000-square-foot Fullmer Construction speculative industrial distribution facility recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Gold level, according to a press release.

The certification makes the facility the world's largest LEED-certified industrial facility and the first LEED-certified project of any kind in Southern California's High Desert region, the release stated.

Jim Fullmer, chief financial officer (CFO) for Fullmer Construction, said: "We are very proud of the LEED Gold-certification for Global Access Lot 1. It's a significant accomplishment and validates all the hard work everyone put into the project. We couldn't be more pleased about the project, the reduced emissions and bottom line savings for our clients and their clients."

The new facility will consume roughly 49 percent less energy than a comparable non-LEED facility, netting about $250,000 a year in energy cost savings, the release noted.

Some of the building's sustainable features include: Reduced-flow, electronic valve restroom fixtures; drought-tolerant landscaping to help the facility curb indoor water waste by about 40 percent and outdoor water waste by over 70 percent; maximization of natural daylight; and energy-efficient lighting, the release added.

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The world's first LEED Platinum-certified hospital

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas is the first health care facility in the world to achieve Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Platinum level, the highest offered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to a press release.

By optimizing energy performance, the Dell Children's Medical Center was able to achieve 14 of the total 17 points available in the Indoor Environmental Quality category, the release stated.

Phil Risner, project manager and building systems network engineer for the Seton Family of Hospitals, said: "We had a vision for LEED Platinum from the outset of this project, as we sought to create the optimum environment for our patients as well as our employees. There was no doubt in our minds that being green had real, positive effects on both the environment and our healthcare delivery capability."

LEED certification standards are difficult to meet for any building, but are especially tough for hospitals because they operate around the clock and use large amounts of energy, the release noted.

Overall, the project earned 54 out of a possible 69 points, meeting requirements for LEED certification for New Construction, the release added.

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Green-Buildings.com launches free LEED-GA practice exam

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Green-Buildings.com announces the availability of its first free practice test for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Green Associate (LEED-GA) exam offered by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), according to a press release.

The free practice test, developed by Green-Buildings.com's team of LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED-AP), consists of 50 questions and detailed explanations covering different aspects of green building and LEED, the release stated.

Rob Freeman Jr., LEED-AP and co-founder of Green-Buildings.com, said: "The LEED-GA credential represents potentially the best springboard for new careers in sustainability. It is also a popular starting point for many aspiring LEED-APs. LEED-GA candidates are obviously very excited about this new credential and the potential it holds for future professional and personal growth. We developed our free LEED-GA practice test to provide green building professionals with an affordable way to prepare and to test their knowledge of green building."

LEED professional credentials have become an important part of the growing sustainability industry with over 130,000 professionals becoming LEED-APs since the launch of the LEED credentialing system in 2001, the release added.

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