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Kimmel Research Turns Its Focus to Green Builders
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RATIONALE for a Guide to Green Building Information
In June, Kimmel & Associates sent a Special Edition of its Construction Industry Newsletter dedicated to helping our clients and candidates with whom we work gain access to information about the Federal Stimulus Plan. Specifically, we wanted construction professionals to know how money designated for Federal Infrastructure work could benefit them as projects were funded and started.
Similarly, this online Guide to Green Building Information aims to provide you with concrete means to find construction projects which adhere to Green Building principles and practices.
The websites listed below and the search advice that follows aim to facilitate your effort to find Green Construction projects, construction companies dedicated to going green, agencies that promote or fund such initiatives, and candidates with LEED accreditation.
This Top Ten list of sites aims to provide direct and efficient access to all things green, and you can use this information to investigate Green projects and companies that might be active in your industry and territory. We hope the Guide is helpful.
A synopsis of each site follows this quick listing of the site names.
II. General Sites and Synopses for Green Building Research
- www.USGBC.org
- www.fbo.gov
- http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding
- www.bepinfo.com
- www.buildinggreen.com
- www.gbci.org
- www.aashe.org
- www.realtor.org
- www.energystar.gov
- "Green Building News" state's websites (see details below for use)
A Brief Synopsis of the Top Ten Sites
- www.USGBC.org
The U.S. Green Building Council is a strong, comprehensive site created by a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable building design and construction. The USGBC developed the LEED building rating system. Their site states that their goal is "to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation."
- www.fbo.gov
This website stands for "Federal Business Opportunities" and provides information on Federal Projects scheduled to be built which are linked directly to the Recovery Act. Some of the findings lead to very small projects yet are valuable resources in terms of identifying companies that are proposing to perform these jobs.
- http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding
The EPA.Gov site outlines and provides the basic answer to the question of what "Green Building" is, and why it would benefit construction, renovation, and maintenance. It also describes what the components of "Green Building" are and goes as far as to break down different building types to research. It is a great starting place to become familiar with basic terms and to educate yourself on what "Green" means. It provides multiple links and articles that explain the history of "Green Building," the Energy Star program, and hyperlinks to additional resources such as the ubiquitous USGBC. It is an excellent source for anyone that would like to have a preparatory course in "Green Building."
- www.bepinfo.com
This is a website/newsletter/blog that focuses on energy efficiency in Commercial Construction. A portion of the website focuses on DSIRE (Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency), which shows all incentives (tax breaks, deductions, exemptions, loans, etc) each state offers for building energy efficient buildings. Additionally, they offer resources for such things as: Energy Star Building, Guidelines for Energy Management, Commercial Building Design, Green Buildings and Energy Efficiency, as well as ways to lower Industrial plants’ energy bills. The website offers access to the BEPI blog, and a free daily newsletter.
- www.buildinggreen.com
This site speaks to the reader in a personal voice that promises to assist homeowners remodeling their own homes as well as building professionals who wish to learn more about how to build green. The site features experts who have been in the green building world for more than 15 years and wish to bring to its readers the best of what green building is and what are the best practices to follow.
- www.gbci.org
GBCI stands for "Green Building Certification Institute," and this website is of particular interest to LEED AP people and includes a feature that allows users to search green projects by state under that tab of directories.
- www.aashe.org
AASHE is an acronym for the "Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education"" and is an association of colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada working to create a sustainable future. It was founded in 2006 with a mission to promote sustainability in all sectors of higher education - from governance and operations to curriculum and outreach - through education, communication, research and professional development. Businesses, NGO's, and government agencies can participate as AASHE partner members. The association also provides a professional home for campus sustainability coordinators and directors.
- www.realtor.org
This website features a collection of articles, blogs & other links for gaining information on and about green building. This site will also lead you to a monthly newsletter with news on the green industry.
- www.energystar.gov
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. The site features information tailored to those interested in "Building," "New Homes," and "Home Improvement."
"Green Building News" State's Websites
Every state has a connection to the USGBC but each state also has other green/LEED related blogs that have valuable up-to-date information about projects in that respective state. To use this resource, use a search engine and search for "green building news (your desired state)." For example, for New York, search "green building news New York"" and you will get many results, including for the USGBC.org/NY link but also www.greenbuildsnyc.com. The publisher of this page is a leading LEED-certified professional that reports on the latest news in green building in the state. Every day, that site lists at least one specific project to discuss. The articles usually highlight the architects and designers but also reveal who the GC/CM firm is. These blogs provide very current information on the major Green Building projects in your area. Know the projects and know the people on those projects and you'll quickly develop a legitimate list of construction professionals with green experience.