Beginning this week all construction projects pursuing LEED certification will be subject to new, stricter standards.  The biggeset change is how energy usage is reported.  Building owners must now report their total annual energy and water consumption or be recertified every two years.  The idea is more reporting will lead to energy consumption reduction as owners will have better information to plan for the future.  The end result will be better “performing”  buildings, operating with optimum efficiency.

USGBC’S LEED program has often been criticized for its shortcomings and inaccuracies.  While the program is far from perfect, the good news is that the USGBC is constantly improving upon the original idea.  This should also improve the future of companies who provide services and technological solutions for maintaining green buildings.  The new standards do not remedy every flaw in the LEED certification process, but do improve the future of sustainable building.

To read more about the new LEED standards click here.

It may seem as though the green movement has caught lightning in a bottle and exploded onto the mainstream overnight.  However, Trish Riley of GoGreenAlternatives.com, has been connected with nature for quite some time now.  Ms. Riley will be featured during the Open Space Technology session of Green Cities Florida on May 21^st.  Founder/CEO of GoGreenGift.com and The author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Green Living, Ms. Riley has also been featured in such publications as:  Hemispheres, Audubon, The Miami Herald, South Florida Business Journal, Natural Health, Natural Home, and E/The Environmental Magazine.

Her new book, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Greening Business” tackles issues businesses may have bringing their companies up-to-date with the sustainability movement.  The work also covers:

·         Setting practical, achievable goals for the right green initiative

·         The difference between “Green” and Sustainability

·         Streamlining operations

·         Innovative staffing strategies to save commuting time and office overhead

·         Cutting fuel and energy costs

·         Understanding carbon credits and their value

·         Making your products greener

·         Green manufacturing, packaging, and shipping initiatives

·         Paperless marketing programs, precision-targeted to get more from less

When asked why she chose to change her focus from personal living to business Trish replied: “While it’s essential for individuals to do whatever they can to reduce their environmental footprint and to reduce their exposure to synthetic petrochemicals, the most effective changes to our planet will occur when businesses and government adopt truly sustainable policies and practices. Businesses are motivated by markets, which are dictated by the choices that individuals make. We can vote green with our dollars as well as in elections. That is how we – as individuals – have the power to save our planet. Helping businesses to go green – in response to the demand created by the public – was a logical step toward moving us into a healthier future”.  

Originally from Carmel, Indiana, where she was introduced to the wonders of nature, Trish and her partner James Steele (a veteran of natural growing techniques and web design) run Go Green Alternatives out of Gainesville;  a resource point for all of those wishing to make themselves and their surroundings as environmentally friendly as possible.  Together they are aiming “…to create a community resource to help bring these green-minded individuals, groups and businesses together to help strengthen our green community”.  Gainesville, like many other cities in Florida, is facing a myriad of sustainability issues from improving mass transit and lanes for cyclists, to eliminating pollutants from their water supply.  Her recommendation on how to tackle all these problems fits perfectly with the philosophy of Go Green Alternatives and that is “…with small steps in every direction”.

On May 21 from 1 – 4pm Green Cities™ Florida will offer sessions presented by conference participants and organized using Open Space Technology, allowing attendees the opportunity to dive deeper into topics and to get expert advice on specific questions and areas of interest.  Ms. Riley’s experience allows her to speak on numerous issues that attendees may have.  Though she states “I’d also like to share information about how to help build green communities by helping to raise visibility of environmental issues, businesses, jobs, and the people who are working toward a cleaner future.”  

Mills 50, Green Cities Florida and The Dandelion Communitea Café invite you to join us for a fun evening of networking at the Dandelion Communitea Café at in the Thornton Park neighborhood!

If you represent or have been looking to connect with the growing ‘green’ business and government community in Central Florida, join us for the second Green Cities Tweet-up on Thursday May 14 at 6pm at the Dandelion Communitea Café.

We are especially thankful for the help of the Mills 50, an organization comprised of business owners, members of community and government officials seeking s to improve the Mills 50 District of Orlando.  Come meet them and connect with other sustainably minded professionals and learn more about what is coming to Florida in terms of green economic growth.  You also grab a mighty healthy meal while you are there.   

Just a few more reasons you should join us on Thursday May 14th for THE progressive networking event of the year!

•  Meet and network with ‘eco-preneurs’, business leaders and other ‘green’ professionals from Orlando
•  Learn more about Green Cities Florida and get to know other conference attendees.
•  Get a preview of what it will be like to experience the Open Source Technology session at Green Cities Florida via intimate  one-to-one communication.

And don’t worry; you don’t have to be a Twitter expert to attend. This event is designed to be beneficial to anyone interested in creating professional connections with the ‘green’ focused businesses and sustainably minded professionals in Central Florida.

Directions to the Dandelion Communitea Café:   http://dandelioncommunitea.com/drupal/location

 If you are not on Twitter yet, click here to sign up and for the latest buzz be sure to follow us @GreenCitiesNews or @GreenerCity!

 Register today at www.greencitiesflorida.com

Dandelion Communitea Cafe. We'll see you on the couch!

Need more incentive to attend Green Cities Florida? Get a load of this:

Achieving Climate Neutrality: The LACCD Sustainability Plan Wednesday, 05/20/09 02:30PM to Wednesday, 05/20/09 03:30PM
Alternative Energy Innovations Thursday, 05/21/09 09:00AM to Thursday, 05/21/09 11:30AM
Building Florida’s Clean Tech Economy Wednesday, 05/20/09 02:30PM to Wednesday, 05/20/09 03:30PM
Effective Actions and Collaborations for Addressing Climate Change Wednesday, 05/20/09 04:00PM to Wednesday, 05/20/09 05:30PM
Federal to Local: Translating the Stimulus Package for local governments Wednesday, 05/20/09 01:00PM to Wednesday, 05/20/09 02:00PM
Green Roofs, Living Walls, and buildings as Green Space Thursday, 05/21/09 09:00AM to Thursday, 05/21/09 10:00AM
Leadership in Florida’s Green Local Governments Wednesday, 05/20/09 04:00PM to Wednesday, 05/20/09 05:30PM
Local Government: Setting a Course of Action Thursday, 05/21/09 09:00AM to Thursday, 05/21/09 11:30AM
Preserving Florida’s Water Supply and Quality with LID Practices Thursday, 05/21/09 09:00AM to Thursday, 05/21/09 10:00AM
Re:Visioning The American City Wednesday, 05/20/09 02:30PM to Wednesday, 05/20/09 03:30PM
Renewable Energy Policy and Programs Panel Wednesday, 05/20/09 04:00PM to Wednesday, 05/20/09 05:30PM
Self-sufficient Urbanism: Contraction of the American City Thursday, 05/21/09 10:30AM to Thursday, 05/21/09 11:30AM
Sustainable Hospitality: In Search of Low Hanging Fruit Wednesday, 05/20/09 02:30PM to Wednesday, 05/20/09 03:30PM
The Bridges: Sustainable Community Design Wednesday, 05/20/09 01:00PM to Wednesday, 05/20/09 02:00PM
Transit Oriented Design and Central Florida’s Sustainable Future Wednesday, 05/20/09 02:30PM to Wednesday, 05/20/09 03:30PM
Understanding the Dynamics of the Global Carbon-Climate-Human System Wednesday, 05/20/09 11:00AM to Wednesday, 05/20/09 12:00PM

]]> http://greencitiesmedia.com/2009/05/apa-approves-more-green-cities-florida-courses-for-credits/feed/ 2 http://greencitiesmedia.com/2009/04/worlds-largest-solar-array-planned-for-desoto-county-florida/ http://greencitiesmedia.com/2009/04/worlds-largest-solar-array-planned-for-desoto-county-florida/#comments Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:26:00 +0000 derekgordon http://greencitiesmedia.com/?p=784

Advocates of the sustainability movement may tell you that bigger is not always synonymous with better, but when it comes to solar power one Florida developer would beg to differ.  Kitson & Partners, in collaboration with Florida Power and Light (FP&L), have recently announced their plan to construct the world’s largest solar array in Desoto County at Babcock Ranch where Kitson has planned to develop 19,500 homes and 6 million square feet of commercial space on 17,500 acres.

Syd Kitson, a former offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, has recently started a campaign to reinvent the American city. “Babcock Ranch will be a living laboratory for companies, workers and families ready to reap the rewards of innovation. No other place in America will be home to such a concentration of new jobs and technologies, energy-saving advances and global economic leadership,” states Kitson.  This reinvention will not only provide a more sustainable community, but this project is estimated to create 20,000 jobs with only a fraction of that amount to work at the solar plant.  The 25-megawatt plant with cover 180 acres of Desoto County and cost between $350 and $400 million dollars;  along with 3 other current solar array projects in Florida this will only add about .31 cents to the average Floridian’s bill.  Once completed, this solar array will provide enough energy for 3000 households.   The project may break ground as soon as 2010 and is provoking the accolades of Florida based environmental groups such as the National Audubon Society, the World Wildlife Fund and the Sierra Club.

Along with The Venus Project and Destiny, Florida, the “Sunshine State” is strengthening its trait as a creative hotbed for sustainable innovation.  The Green Cities Conference could not be taking place at a more opportune time in Florida.  Everyone is recognizing the importance of preservation and conservation, and using this new framework to discover solutions for our economy and environment.

*Note: If you were wondering about Syd Kitson’s NFL legacy; he played for 4 seasons as an offensive lineman and even recorded one reception for 9 yards.  He also played for one year in Dallas under the coach Tom Landry.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program (by way of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) will provide over 3 billion dollars to projects in US territories, which reduce total energy and promote energy efficiency. The city of Fort Lauderdale will be receiving $2 Million to put towards energy efficiency and conservation projects.

This grant is rather versatile and will help Fort Lauderdale support sustainable transportation efforts, curb methane emissions and improve renewable energy instillations throughout the city. Along with the eco-friendly benefits, this grant should create much needed jobs in the region as the money is funneled out to recipients. The Department of Energy will be in charge of oversight and help monitor how the funds are dispersed and used.

With all the talk of trillions and billions in the news, it’s hard to remember that 2 million is still a lot of legal tender. The Obama administration is making good on their plan to push our cities forward in regards to sustainability. We eagerly wait to see how the city uses the grant funds, as Fort Lauderdale is in the position to set the example for other cities in the state and nation.

March 6th will be a very special day in Baldwin County, Alabama.  Habitat for Humanity will begin construction on it’s first unit seeking LEED certification.  The organization has always tried to focus on efficiency to lower future cost for their clients, but the recent push in sustainable development and knowledgeable green builders has reduced costs and opened new doors.  Those wishing to volunteer with this monumental project are being asked to help on frame days (Friday, March 6th and Saturday the 7th or any Tuesdays or Thursdays until the home is complete.

For more information on how to help contact Habitat for Humanity’s Baldwin office at 252-943-7268 or www.baldwinhabitat.org.

[ 50 Greenest Cities in America: Full Rankings ]

Gavin Newsom and Jared Blumenfeld discuss SF Forward in the video window below:

Have you heard? The price of cardboard has dropped by almost $100 per ton. It is just one more teensy economic shift that is costing billions of dollars to simply disappear from the promise of a green economy. Many municipalities that (commendably) implemented curbside recycling are now caught in a difficult situation. Back when the prices for plastic, cardboard, etc. were high, cash-strapped governments were celebrated as they tackled budget issues and sustainable practices at the same time. Now, as cities across the nation survey their options, some are at a loss for what to do with the stuff that their citizens are now so conscientiously collecting and putting out for curbside pickup.

As city governments across the country spent hundreds of millions of dollars just evaluating the subject of citizen recycling, few ever asked the question: “Is the market for recyclables stable?” Analysts in the United Kingdom recently reported that as much as 15% of all recyclable material is simply in storage, waiting for a buyer and that it could take over a year to clear the backlog.

Some municipalities at home are looking at new ways of getting rid of old trash, using solid waste as fuel to generate “renewable” energy. In Alabama, the Huntsville Solid Waste to Energy Facility (located in the norther part of the state) processes as much as 675 tons of solid waste and sewage daily. From that, it produces nearly 180,000 lbs of steam per hour. That steam then navigates a 6 mile line, destined to exclusively heat and cool for the Redstone Arsenal.

[Read more on this at the Marshal Tribune]

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