- Green Builder® Coalition Will Present at EEBA in St. Louis
- Code Enforcement Officials of Southern Illinois, Coalition Host Roundtable
- IgCC Public Comment Filed
- Vote for Coalition Sessions on RESNET Ballot
- Upcoming Industry Events
- Impact Series
- As I Am… Jeff Boone
- Job Opportunities
- Train of Thought
Appearances
Green Builder® Coalition Will Present at EEBA in St. Louis
The Green Builder® Coalition was selected to give an educational session at the Energy & Environmental Building Alliance’s (EEBA) Excellence in Building Conference & Expo. The session, “The Ever-Growing Importance of Energy Raters”, will be delivered by Executive Director Mike Collignon, Technical Director (and HERS rater) Laureen Blissard and Advocacy Advisor William Fay of the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition (EECC). This will be the first time the Coalition has presented at EEBA. Collignon said of the honor, “We’ve been fortunate to find ourselves on 4 conference agendas this year. EEBA is the cherry on top for me. I’m so glad our proposal was chosen, and we’re looking forward to an insightful and interactive session with the attendees.”
The 90-minute session takes place on Wednesday, September 24th from 10:15 – 11:45am. For more information on the session, please click here.
Excellence in Building Conference offers countless resources, educational seminars, expert presenters and hands-on tours to help builders tap into profit-building possibilities. The conference will take place September 23 – 25 in St. Louis, MO at the Doubletree Union Station in downtown St. Louis. For more information, please click here.
Code Enforcement Officials of Southern Illinois, Coalition Host Roundtable
Executive Director Mike Collignon was invited to speak to the Code Enforcement Officials of Southern Illinois’ bi-monthly meeting in July. While Illinois adopted the 2012 IECC as of January 1, 2013, there are varying levels of enforcement throughout the state. Knowing this, Collignon suggested a roundtable discussion on the IECC. In order to be thorough, Collignon brought in a local HVAC professional who has previously spoken to the group, is Energy Star v3 qualified and only does work compliant with the 2012 IECC.
The 25 people in attendance had a great conversation, with the topics ranging from the 2006 IECC to the 2015 IECC. Jerry Koerkenmeier, President of the CEOSI, shared that “members (who attended) the meeting stated that the round table discussion was very informative regarding the movement for energy efficient buildings. They also stated that having the opportunity to discuss the requirements one on one with knowledgeable professionals provided them a more in depth understanding of the requirements. Overall I would say that it was a very successful presentation.”
Collignon was grateful for the invitation, and said, “The roundtable gave me an inside look into the challenges Illinois code officials face in enforcement/compliance. Often, they are stuck in the middle, between a code that is state law and a municipal government that tells them to ignore it.” One of the most interesting opinions stated was a desire to see increased consumer education. By doing this, residents could apply pressure to local policymakers and local builders to demand a better home.
Activities
IgCC Public Comment Filed
The Green Builder® Coalition filed a public comment on its own proposal (GG-17) to introduce an alternative low-rise residential compliance path into the IgCC. Our one-page list of requirements, developed by a group that includes energy efficiency and water efficiency experts, a USGBC rep, and two current & one former code official, would give the building community a non-proprietary, non-points-based checklist, ensuring basic sustainable construction practices. The public comment revises and further simplifies the original proposal. It also gives the ICC membership a chance to reconsider the decision of the code development committee in Memphis. In April, the committee voted 9-2 (1 recusal) in opposition to our proposal.
If you know of any jurisdictions looking for guidance on establishing a green low-rise residential code, please have them contact the Coalition to obtain a copy of our one-page checklist. If you support such an addition to the IgCC, you can voice that support at the final action hearings on October 1-4 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, or you can draft a letter of support, send it to the Coalition and we’ll make sure it’s available to the ICC membership in the hearing room.
Vote for Coalition Sessions on RESNET Ballot
RESNET released the ballot containing the 2015 RESNET Conference educational session proposals. The Green Builder® Coalition submitted 5 proposals, and 4 other proposals were submitted by Coalition Members.
We’re asking for your support of these 9 proposals when you complete your ballot. The sessions (in order of appearance on the ballot) are:
BD-3 – Commodities – Steel! Cotton! Ratings?
BD-4 – ecoSelect, do it and then lets drink beer
BD-15 – If You Rate It, Will They Come?
BD-20 – Project Management: The Modern Day MacGyver Approach
BD-21 – Rating The Appraiser
FI-5 – Threading The Needle
HERS-11 – Multi-Family Certifications: Learning The Hard Way
HERS-15 – Quality & Quantity: Maintaining a Quality Rating System When Your Business is Scaling Up
TEC-12 – The ANSI Consensus Standard on CAZ Testing – ANSI/ACCA 12 QH – 2011
The deadline to submit your ballot is September 15, so don’t delay! The link to the ballot is here: http://t.co/A6wfZ3hWg9
Upcoming Industry Events
Industry conferences and trade shows are fast approaching as the building season winds down in many parts of the country. Below are a few opportunities for you to learn and network.
Excellence in Building Conference & Expo
The Excellence in Building Conference & Expo, hosted by the Energy & Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA), offers countless resources, educational seminars, expert presenters and hands-on tours to help builders tap into profit-building possibilities. This year’s conference & expo takes place September 23-25, 2014 at the Doubletree Union Station in St. Louis, MO. Click here for more information.
2014 ICC Annual Conference & Expo, Group C (including the International Green Construction Code) Public Comment Hearings
The Annual Conference and Expo begins September 28, 2014. Group C codes, which include the 2016 edition of the IgCC, will be discussed and votes will be cast October 1-4, 2014 at the public comment hearings in the Broward County Convention Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. For a schedule of events, please click here.
BUILDINGCHICAGO/Greening the Heartland
The 2nd Annual BUILDINGChicago/Greening the Heartland is the major conference and trade expo serving architects, engineers, contractors, property owners, real estate developers, government officials and community organizations in the Midwest. It takes place September 29 – October 1 at the Holiday Inn Mart in Chicago, IL. For more information, please click here.
WaterSmart Innovations Conference & Expo
The WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition is the largest urban water-efficiency conference of its kind in the world. Presented by the Southern Nevada Water Authority and numerous forward-thinking organizations, the Seventh Annual WSI will be held October 8-10, 2014, at the South Point Hotel and Conference Center in Las Vegas. Click here for more information.
Solar Power International
Solar Power International, the solar industry’s most powerful, comprehensive educational conference and product exhibition, will be held October 20-23, 2014 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, click here.
Greenbuild 2014
Greenbuild is the premier event for sustainable building. Featuring three exhilarating days of uplifting speakers, unmatched networking opportunities, showcases, LEED workshops and tours of green buildings in New Orleans, Greenbuild offers a place for thousands to gather and renew their commitment to the green movement. It will take place October 22-24, 2014 in New Orleans, LA in the Morial Convention Center. For more information, please click here.
North Carolina Building Performance Association Annual Meeting & Conference
The NCBPA will be holding their inaugural Meeting & Conference November 4-7 in Asheville, NC. There will be workshops, an awards dinner, a networking event and a day of volunteer service. Click here for details.
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance Annual Conference
SEEA’s 3rd annual conference, hosted in partnership with the Association of Energy Service Professionals (AESP), southeast chapter, will bring together 200+ SEEA Members plus energy efficiency experts and stakeholders for a three-day series of keynote presentations, panel discussions and break-out groups. Held at the Georgia Tech Research Institute on November 5-7, 2014, please click here for details.
Clean Air Through Energy Efficiency Conference (CATEE)
The Clean Air Through Energy Efficiency (CATEE) Conference is a premiere educational conference and business exhibition connecting public and private decision makers and thought leaders. Its purpose is to help communities improve decisions that determine the energy and water intensity of the built environment while reducing related emissions. The CATEE Conference will be held November 18-20, 2014 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel by the Galleria in Dallas, TX. For more information, please click here.
2014 FLASH (Federal Alliance for Safe Homes) Annual Conference
This three-day conference is an exclusive gathering of the thought leaders, policy makers and subject matter experts from the Disaster Safety and Mitigation Movement. Make your plans to travel to the Wyndham Grand Resort Bonnet Creek in Orlando, FL from November 19-21, 2014. For more information, please click here.
Impact Series
The next edition of the Impact Series will take place on Wednesday, October 8th. The guest will be Jeremy Rifkin, President of the Foundation on Economic Trends. Join us for another exciting and interactive webinar as we discuss the Third Industrial Revolution, created by the merging of Internet technology and renewable energy. The webinar starts at 1pm CT. To register for free, please click here.
For past webinars, you can visit the archives at: http://www.greenbuildermedia.com/impact-series-archive
Jeff Boone
Each issue, we’ll sit down with a green building professional to gain a personal insight into their motivations, inspirations and experiences. This issue, we feature Jeff Boone, small business owner.
The Torch: What motivated you to enter the sustainability industry?
Jeff Boone: For starters, I run a family-owned business, so I guess a combination of money and loyalty would be the motivations. That said, one of the aspects of the business that I like the most is the sustainability efforts of it, whether or not everyone thinks of it that way.
TT: Describe your first green project. Did you encounter any hurdles on that first project? (If yes, how did you overcome them?)
JB: This answer ties into my previous one. In a broad sense, every project we do is a green project because every house we insulate will determine that home’s occupant comfort, energy use and carbon footprint. If we only do a so-so job, that house and our world will be paying for it for years to come. In a more specific definition, we did help with one of the first green certified houses in the area a few years ago and, from our end, it was smooth sailing.
TT: What building product or technique do you think will be the next “game changer”?
JB: I think the wide spread adoption of the HERS Index is in the process of being the next game changer. While I know it’s strong in some areas, around here it’s just starting to get a little bit of traction as the “MPG for homes” that they want it to be.
TT: Who inspires you the most?
JB: Professionally, it would have to be my father. He turned this company around and made it a lot of what it is today. I’ve been president for 7 years now and we still do things pretty similar to how he had things done – because it works so well!
TT: If you had it to do over again, what profession would you choose?
JB: I would go get a doctorate and teach at the university level. I currently am a guest lecturer from time to time and being able to just do that would be the new choice.
TT: What do you enjoy the most when you’re not at work?
JB: Well, technically it’s another job, but I enjoy coaching football in the fall and spending time with my family.
TT: What’s the most important piece of advice you’d like to pass along to others?
JB: I would say that thinking big is important, but prepare to accept small incremental steps towards the goal. If you try to push things too much, especially with your customers, you can end up driving them away.
Job Opportunities
Below you will find job postings for green collar jobs around the country.
If you have a job opening you’d like to list here, please contact the Green Builder® Coalition at info@greenbuildercoalition.org.
CLEAResult is currently hiring energy-efficiency engineers, consultants, analysts and coordinators. Candidates should have experience conducting energy audits, identifying energy-efficiency opportunities, using energy-modeling tools, performing energy-savings calculations, and/or developing measurement & verification (M&V) plans. P.E. and/or C.E.M. certification is preferred but not required, and some positions won’t need such credentials. To view their 132 job listings throughout the United States and Canada, please click here.
CLEAResult is an energy-optimization firm that designs, develops and implements energy-efficiency programs on behalf of utility companies across the country. Our programs are designed to help utilities manage load growth and meet legislative requirements by identifying energy-savings opportunities and implementing energy-efficiency improvements. CLEAResult is ranked on Inc. Magazine’s list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for the second year in a row.
If you are interested in any of the above job openings, please contact:
James Hatheway
Recruiter
(512) 259-2383
Or apply via this website: www.clearesult.com
The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA; www.mwalliance.org) is a collaborative network advancing energy efficiency in the Midwest to support sustainable economic development and environmental preservation. They have 1 job opening:
#1: Program Associate: The Program Associate will work under the supervision of the Program Manager to support, develop, and expand MEEA’s commercial building programming including the Building Operator Certification (BOC) Program and other commercial training programs in the Midwest. To view the full listing, please click here.
The compensation for this position will be commensurate with experience. MEEA is an equal opportunity employer. MEEA’s office is in Chicago, in a LEED Gold space in the Civic Opera Building in the Loop.
Submit cover letter, resume and salary requirements via email to jobs@mwalliance.org with Subject: “BOC Program Associate”. Candidates who do not submit all three items will not be considered. Candidates considered for interviews will be asked to provide writing samples and three references
Southern Energy Management (SEM), the Southeast’s leading provider of sustainable energy solutions, is looking to fill 3 positions; two full-time and one part-time.
#1: Electrical Engineer: This position will design residential and commercial photovoltaic (PV) systems and support procurement, and construction projects. The engineer will conduct site assessments, create CAD drawings, and identify equipment and materials needed for PV projects. The Design Engineer will be part of a multi-faceted project team responsible for delivering exceptional results to the client that are installed within budget and on time.
Applicants who are qualified for this position will possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, a current NC PE stamp. At least three (3) years engineering experience. Experience should include project management within a construction environment as well as use of AutoCAD. Certification such as NABCEP is preferred.
To view the complete job listing and to apply, please click here.
#2: Building Performance Technician (Wilmington): This part-time position will be based out of our Morrisville office with the majority of work days beginning from the Building Performance Technician’s home address. The Building Performance Technician supports the day-to-day goals of the company through efficient fulfillment of contracted work via effective team coordination and streamlined communication of actionable information. This position will predominantly serve the Jacksonville/Wilmington/Myrtle Beach Markets.
A Building Performance Technician is expected to assist and lead in the collection of field data for residential new and existing single family and multifamily housing. Included in the collection of field data are visual inspections and performance testing. Visual inspections include the inspection in new housing for HERS Ratings, ENERGY STAR compliance, and inspection in new housing for various Green Building certifications programs including: NAHB Green Building Certification Program, LEED for Homes, Water Sense, and Earth Craft. Performance Testing includes but is not limited to the testing of whole building leakage, HVAC duct system leakage, exhaust fan flows, room pressures, and HVAC flow testing. Having the HERS Rater and/or BPI Building Analyst Professional designation is definitely preferred, but is not required.
To view the complete job listing and to apply, please click here.
#3: Solar PV Technician: SEM is seeking Solar Technician to work with our fast-growing Solar Operations team.
The Technician is responsible for the installation of photovoltaic systems. Roofing experience is required.
To view the complete job listing and to apply, please click here.
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is an alliance of more than 100 Northwest utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf of more than 12 million energy consumers. They are looking to fill the following job opening:
Marketing & Communications Specialist: The Marketing and Communications Specialist will work closely with the Residential and Commercial Marketing and Communications Managers to support their strategic marketing and communications programs. This detail-oriented and strategic-minded individual is responsible for project managing, leading and implementing a suite of marketing activities that support the market transformation goals within the Market Execution department.
Based in Portland, OR, this position is an individual contributor but will be responsible for managing and/or working with other contractors on deliverables. This is a limited duration position for a maximum of 18-months. To view the complete job listing, please click here.
The Institute for Market Transformation is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization promoting energy efficiency, green building, and environmental protection in the United States and abroad. The prevailing focus of IMT’s work is energy efficiency in buildings. Their activities include technical and market research, policy and program development, and promotion of best practices and knowledge exchange. All their work involves many collaborators and targets a broad range of stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. They currently have 6 positions open.
#1: Corporate Relations Manager: IMT is looking for a dynamic, outgoing, results-oriented individual to lead their new Corporate Relations program. You will work closely with the growing number of corporations interested in IMT’s work and with IMT program staff to support their work at the forefront of market-based solutions to today’s climate and energy challenges. This individual serves as the point of contact for corporate partners, leading IMT’s efforts in corporate prospecting, sponsorship, membership, and related support. You will also support the IMT Executive Director in corporate outreach and related meetings and travel. The position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer.
Salary is commensurate with experience. To apply, please email resume, cover letter, writing sample and salary requirements to imtjobs@imt.org. Please write “Corporate Relations Manager” in the subject line.
To view the full job listing, please click here.
#2: Development Director: IMT seeks a seasoned, results-oriented Development Director to build upon their stable, growing funding base and lead IMT’s development program through to the next level. This position is vital to maintaining IMT at the forefront of market-based solutions to today’s climate and energy challenges. The Development Director will lead the design and implementation of an integrated development strategy, working with senior IMT staff, the board, and their many partners. They also will steward relationships and manage development activities for IMT’s base of current foundation supporters, while cultivating future opportunities for government, corporate, and new foundation donors. The position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer.
This is a Director-level position. Salary is commensurate with experience. To apply, please email resume, cover letter, writing sample and salary requirements to imtjobs@imt.org. Please write “Development Director” in the subject line.
To view the full job listing, please click here.
#3: Director, Building Energy Performance: The successful candidate will lead their Building Energy Performance Policy (BEPP) program. This position is vital to maintaining IMT at the forefront of market-based solutions to today’s climate and energy challenges.
They seek a recognized leader in the field of energy efficiency who can craft and execute a vision to advance their work and position the program to continue its groundbreaking successes well into the future. The director works closely with IMT executive officers and externally with top city, state, and federal policymakers, national foundations, environmental nonprofits, and leaders from major U.S. business sectors.
Salary is commensurate with experience. To apply, please email resume, cover letter, writing sample, and salary requirements to jobs@imt.org. Please write “Director, Building Energy Performance Policy” in the subject line.
To view the full job listing, please click here.
#4: Grants Manager: IMT is looking for an accomplished Grants Manager to lead their proposal activities with foundation and corporate donors. You will work closely with IMT’s established foundation donors and a growing number of new foundation, government, and corporate funders. The Grants Manager works in partnership with IMT’s program teams, leading grant-related prospecting, proposal writing, stewardship, and reporting. This position is vital to maintaining IMT’s position at the forefront of market-based solutions to today’s climate and energy challenges. The position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO).
This is a Manager-level position. Salary is commensurate with experience. To apply, please email resume, cover letter, writing sample, and salary requirements to jobs@imt.org. Please write “Grants Manager” in the subject line.
To view the full job listing, please click here.
#5: Greener, Greater Buildings Plan Policy Analyst: IMT is partnering with New York City to provide on-site staff assistance to help the City achieve the energy efficiency goals outlined in the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan. The New York City Mayor’s Office of Long‐Term Planning and Sustainability (OLTPS) seeks a Policy Analyst to work with OLTPS and other City agencies to assist with implementation, management and outreach of the primary legislative components of the Greener, Greater Building Plan. Under the direction of the Deputy Director for Buildings and Energy Efficiency, the Policy Analyst will broadly support implementation of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan.
Salary is commensurate with experience. This position requires travel outside of the New York City metro area less than 10% of the time.
This position is located in the New York City Mayor’s Office of Long‐Term Planning and Sustainability. The position is full-time and has guaranteed funding for 12 months, which will commence when the position is filled. To submit an application for this position, email a resume and a brief cover letter with “Greener, Greater Buildings Plan Policy Analyst Applicant” in the subject line to jobs@imt.org.
To view the full job listing, please click here.
#6: New York City Benchmarking Manager: IMT) is partnering with New York City to provide on-site staff assistance to help the City implement NYC’s Benchmarking Law, Local Law 84/2009 (LL84), and achieve the energy efficiency goals outlined in the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan. The New York City Mayor’s Office of Long‐Term Planning and Sustainability (OLTPS) seeks a Benchmarking Manager to work with OLTPS and other City agencies and serve as Department point of contact for all inquiries concerning compliance with LL84, which states that the Department of Buildings is responsible for issuing violations to owners of covered buildings, as defined under the law, who fail to electronically submit an annual report of their building’s energy use.
Salary is commensurate with experience. This position required travel outside of the New York City metro area less than 10% of the time.
This position is located in the New York City Mayor’s Office of Long‐Term Planning and Sustainability. The position is full-time and has guaranteed funding for 12 months, which will commence when the position is filled. To submit an application for this position, email a resume and a brief cover letter with “New York City Benchmarking Manager” in the subject line to jobs@imt.org.
To view the full job listing, please click here.
Any listing above does not constitute an endorsement by the Green Builder® Coalition. We do not have any professional or financial stake in the preceding information. Rather, we provide this solely for the benefit of those seeking employment.
Voices
Train of Thought
The Beautiful Mess
If you watched any of the World Cup coverage from earlier this summer, you may have heard soccer/futbol referred to as “The Beautiful Game”. However, for some Americans (myself not included), the game is 22 players on the same field, with little to no action occurring.
The same might be used to describe the situation surrounding residential green codes. It’s true that the IgCC exists, but the only existing low-rise residential path is the National Green Building Standard, a points-based green building program managed by NAHB. (By the way, the NGBS is only cited because the ICC Board overturned the 2011 vote of the ICC membership. Even then, its inclusion is in question after the 2014 Memphis hearings.) To date, only 3 of the 40,000+ jurisdictions have adopted the NGBS.
And this is really no surprise; one only needs to look at NAHB’s green building policy. There, for all to clearly see, is their support for voluntary green building initiatives. That means they’re not going to push for anything mandatory, opting to let the ostriches keep their heads in the sand ad infinitum.
When we offered our one-page checklist of basic sustainable requirements, the line of opposition was long and ran the gamut from NAHB and BOMA on one end of the spectrum to energy efficiency advocates on the other. Some thought we were going too far, while others said we didn’t go far enough. Some wanted to protect their monopoly within the code; other associations were defending their member companies’ ability to make sustainably inferior products. And, our proposal ran counter to a larger movement to rid the IgCC of residential altogether.
I get the argument that codes should be about health and life safety. However, one’s interpretation of those words pulls the green topic into a gray area. Health: what about the health (thanks to indoor air quality) of the occupants? Life safety: what about the safety of our planet’s resources and atmosphere, or building more resiliently to withstand the next natural disaster?
The IgCC appears to be an utter mess when it comes to this topic. So where would a jurisdiction looking to adopt a green residential code turn for leadership and guidance? (And yes, there are such jurisdictions out there.)
I’m struggling to find an answer to that question. The IgCC would be the most logical place, in my book. After that, I’d think about ASHRAE. However, they recently entered a partnership with ICC and NAHB on the NGBS. While this will bring an additional (and welcome) level of technical expertise to that development process, this move signaled to me that ASHRAE would not be looking to introduce a green code. I guess it doesn’t preclude them from doing so, if the partnership proves unsuitable for their needs. But I’m not going to hold my breath on any new developments.
The recently announced partnership between ICC, ASHRAE and USGBC to coordinate the IgCC, 189.1 and LEED is intriguing but currently unclear. Who will facilitate the various adoption processes? Will jurisdictions be asked to recognize 189.1 or LEED instead of an I-code(s)? Each of the aforementioned documents currently have different modification processes, so we’ll all have to wait for the air to clear (pun intended) before we know if there is a home for a true low-rise residential green code.
There are many great voluntary green building programs out there in addition to the NGBS, including: Energy Star v3, LEED for Homes, Passivhaus, Greenstar, Earthcraft, Austin Energy’s Green Building Program, Living Building Challenge, Well Building Standard, ALA’s Health Home, Enterprise Green Communities, ecoSelect, Masco’s Environments for Living, as well as state-level programs such as Built Green New Mexico or Florida’s Green Home Certification. (If I overlooked any national programs, it was unintentional.) The problem is that, as much as you and I might like to see it, the market isn’t flocking to these programs. I did the research 3 years ago, and since the advent of LEED for Homes and the NGBS, approximately 13% of new homes had been certified. I’m guessing the needle hasn’t moved much since. Even if the total has doubled (and that’s an unlikely if), we’re still talking about 3 out of 4 new homes not building green.
The bigger issue is that none of these were designed to be codified. So we’re left with… (chirping crickets). Well, it’s not quite that dire. Jurisdictions have decided to craft their own requirements. Dallas looked to the IgCC but made many amendments for residential structures. Scottsdale, AZ devised their program due to the lack of an ICC option. Some jurisdictions, like two in California, have one-off requirements like solar panels on all new homes. I’m no production builder, but if this maverick trend continues, the dichotomy could prove maddening.
One thing is certain: a widely adopted code would have more impact than all the voluntary programs combined. Some might view me as an optimist, but I believe it’s a matter of when, not if. It sure would help if there was a home for a low-rise residential green code. Until that time comes, it seems we’ll all just exist in the same field and wait for some action.
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