News from Green Building Support

Former president Bill Clinton has secured $5 billion dollars to retrofit old buildings in 16 cities around the world with green building materials. The project will replace energy- hogging light fixtures, install energy sufficient HVAC systems, and replace current insulation with better energy saving insulation.

A home in Syracuse, New York used water-saving toilets, recycled glass tile, cork flooring, and cabinets made from and agricultural waste product to become the first home in New York named "green" by the U.S. Green Building Council. The home was built by Northeast Natural Homes Inc.

The Green Building Rating System is instating a new requirement of certification that will help reduce greenhouse gas emission. The U.S. Green Building Council may require LEED projects to further optimize energy performance. The requirement awaits approval by other council members.

In recognition of CEMEX 's commitment to the environment, the Portland Cement Association and CEMENT Americas magazine honored the cement manufacturer with a land stewardship award. CEMEX removed a complex that was not built with green materials in an effort to make the area aesthetically pleasing to the people in the surrounding area.

The U.S Green Building Council reports that its membership has increased tenfold since 2000 when it numbered 8,400. The group promotes the use of green building products to create environments that are pleasing and healthy for people and the area around the development.

In some cases building green means using sustainable or products for energy. Constellation Energy, under the guidance of CEO Mayo A. Shattuck, believes nuclear power is the answer to meeting tomorrows energy needs.

The Nevada South Shore Chamber of Commerce voted in eight environmental initiatives at its monthly board meeting. One of the initiatives named "Build it Green" promotes green building practices as well as green government practices at the South Shore.

Realty Times discusses the effort it takes to build a green home. Building Green requires the use of products that are energy efficient and made with sustainable materials and techniques. Building green also promotes building workforce housing close to jobs which will increase transportation choices.

The company HP created green building materials for printers by creating a recycling program called HP Planet Partners. Mark Hurd, HP CEO and chairman says this about the program, "HP is a company that has never thought conventionally about its role in the world. We have always believed that with global reach comes global responsibility."

The County Council in Montgomery County, Maryland proposed a bill that will require building of 10,000 square feet or more to score 20 points on the LEED system created by the U.S. Green Building Council. The buildings will need to include green building features like recycling centers, plant-covered roofs, and fume-free paint or compost toilets.