• Meet the Trainers: Jane Ahrens and Michael Kawecki
• University of Texas Installs Green Bike Racks; Drop in Auto Traffic Results
• Certification Success Story: Paul Deal
• Green Tips from Ian Heckman
• Green Advantage Promotes Green Building During Exploratory Trip to Ireland
• The Greening of College Campuses
• Dallas Adopts Green Building Standard for Homes and Businesses
• Feature on Daylighting
• Make the Most of Energy Efficient Tax Credits for 2008

Meet the Trainers: Jane Ahrens and Michael Kawecki

The spotlight shines on the powerhouse training team from Dallas, Texas: Michael Kawecki, director of sustainability and government for O'Brien and Associates, Inc., and Jane Ahrens, associate with the aviation division of Gresham, Smith and Partners. Together, they are making a tremendous impact on green building in the Dallas market. The team has followed a steady and intense pace of one to two training programs a month; all but one of the programs was sold out. Since 2005, Michael and Jane have run close to 20 separate training programs, resulting in 600 certified professionals in the Dallas area.

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University of North Texas Takes Lead on Greening; Reports Drop in Auto Traffic

University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, took one simple but dramatic action that has resulted in a noticeable reduction in students driving cars on campus. In January of this year, Helen Bailey, AIA, with UNT's Facilities Management & Construction, asked university contractor, Nouveau Construction & Technology Services, LP, to install 70 new bicycle racks at various locations around campus. The initial motivation was to encourage students to bike instead of drive to class and school activities. UNT changed its policy recently to allow bikes within the pedestrian precinct of the campus.

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Certification Success Story: Paul Deal

Paul Deal, regional project manager with Dallas-based Nouveau Construction & Technology Services, LP, (featured in related article in this issue, University of North Texas Takes Lead on Greening) has seen dramatic changes in the short time since achieving Green Advantage® certification in January 2008. One of the most notable changes has been the addition of recycling dumpsters at every job site. Job site waste has been cut at least in half, while recycling of wood and metals such as steel and copper now generates revenue, instead of expenses.

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Green Tips from Ian Heckman of Pennsylvania

Green Tip #1: Borrow an idea from your local supermarket.

"We are always concerned with the embodied energy of every aspect of each job, so one way to cut that total was to stop using the plastic bags at the supply house. After encountering reusable bags at the grocery store, I realized it was a great idea for work. So now we keep a couple reusable canvas bags in our trucks to pick up materials. We use the bags for picking up lunch. We are also going to be ordering bags with our name to give to customers as a reminder of the company's commitment to the environment. Using the bags diverts waste from the landfill or recycling process and advertises for us too.”

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Green Advantage® Promotes Green Building During Exploratory Trip to Ireland

Over five days in April, three members of Green Advantage's leadership met with representatives of Ireland's building industry to exchange information about green building practices. Following an introduction to Green Advantage as a result of a colleague’s tour of EcoVillage in Virginia, Tomás O'Leary of MosArt wanted to explore the application of Green Advantage's training and certification protocol in Ireland.

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The Greening of College Campuses

Colleges and universities across the country are embracing environmental action. More than 500 campus presidents have pledged their institutions to take action to eliminate greenhouse gases. University of North Texas has signed on to the climate change pledge through the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment.

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Dallas Adopts Green Construction Standards for Homes and Businesses

Submitted by Michael Kawecki

On April 9, 2008, the Dallas City Council unanimously adopted a green construction ordinance, which aims to reduce energy and water consumption in all new houses and commercial buildings constructed in the city. This step adds to the City's record of being an environmental leader, as Dallas is one of the first major U.S. cities to pass a comprehensive building standard for both residential and commercial construction.

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FEATURE ON DAYLIGHTING by Kendra Briechle

Based on the Thesis, “Let The Sun Shine”, by Elizabeth H. Boastfield

Ever worked in an office cubicle or an interior office space? Sluggishness, fatigue, irritability, reduced productivity and poor morale are common responses to constant exposure to artificial light. One green building strategy has been to integrate natural light into home and commercial space, a technique called “daylighting”. Integrating usable daylight into a building can reap up to two points in the LEED rating system. Natural light is integral to sustainable building practices as well as good common sense.

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Make the Most of Energy-Efficient Tax Credits for 2008

Hurry to consider the tax benefit of using energy-efficient techniques in homes built this year. Eligible contractors can qualify for a credit of $2,000 for new energy-efficient homes built and sold before Jan. 1, 2009. Check your tax advisor for qualifying information but contractors should consider this year's benefits.

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