2011 USGBC-NE Flatwater Chapter Board of Directors

Do you want to make a difference, expand your professional network, and help advocate sustainable design on a local level?

Candidates for the Board are being sought who can bring the membership diversity, leadership qualities, and other qualifications needed to assure strong and dynamic local leadership. The full election process and requirements as described in the Elections Fact Sheet, are summarized below:

• Nominations will be accepted for two (2) board seats. You may nominate yourself or someone you think would be a good candidate.
• Candidates will be selected based on their expertise, potential contributions, leadership experience, diversity and continuity for the overall board as outlined in the criteria.
• Candidate biographies will be distributed to membership and posted online prior to final voting.
• Additional campaigning by the candidate and supporters is permitted as according to the guidelines developed by the election committee.
• Application Form and Board of Directors Commitment must be completed in their entirety and submitted to Sarah Gudeman at communications@usgbcne.org no later than COB Friday December 17, 2010.

To apply, download the necessary forms: Nomination Application and Board Commitment Form

If you wish to nominate someone, please respond to this address, communications@usgbcne.org.

We hope you will consider this exciting opportunity to help shape the Chapter's future and that of the green building industry in Nebraska.

Second Iteration of International Green Construction Code (IGCC Public Version 2.0)

The second iteration is now available for review and comment. Click here to read the code or Click here to comment. Comments made via this form are due by December 15. As in the comment period for Public Version 1.0, providing comments via this form does not guarantee inclusion of same in the AIA's formal comments to the ICC. Members of the AIA Codes and Standards Committee, other interested parties, and AIA staff will review submitted comments and will coordinate the official AIA response to the ICC's code development process.

UNO's Mammel Hall goes green

By Matthew Hansen WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

The University of Nebraska at Omaha recently received word that Mammel Hall, the school's business college, will receive “gold” LEED certification.

LEED, formally known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the predominant way eco-friendly U.S. buildings are recognized. Several Nebraska colleges and universities have LEED “silver” buildings, but Mammel Hall is the first to receive a “gold” rating. Read more from the Omaha World Herald...

Norfolk area chamber of commerce promotes going green

NORFOLK, Neb. (KTIV)--Its an organization that promotes going green but its one many in Siouxland haven't heard of.

The Green Council of the Norfolk Area Chamber formed about 18 months ago and already has over 100 members.

Their mission to raise awareness of going green in their community, and today the council made a stop at Nebraska Public Power's new facility.

The building was constructed using recycled building materials, the newest energy saving lighting and windows and even utilizes wind turbines and a solar power.

Besides touring green businesses like NPPD, Norfolk Chamber leaders say the council also holds other activities.

"We have a variety of speakers on wind, renewable energy, recycling just the different things that are here local in our surrounding communities that families can do." said Monica Rortherham

The group will also hold their 2nd annual Earth Day Expo coming up in April.
Norfolk's Green Council agreed that having NPPD's new LEED green facility in town is a great attribute to the community which sets an example for many to follow.

Select Van & Storage Wins 2010 Wastecap Nebraska Award for Waste Reduction, Recycling and Reuse

OMAHA, NE – Select Van and Storage, an agent for Mayflower, has announced that it is the winner of the 2010 Waste Reduction, Recycling and Reuse Award at the WasteCap Nebraska Sustainable Business Awards. The award was presented at an October 14 ceremony in Lincoln.

As a two-year member of WasteCap Nebraska, a non-profit environmental organization, Select Van and Storage had made significant strides toward protecting the environment with its day-to-day business practices. The agency uses new, efficient warehouse lights, and e-boxes, which are reusable plastic totes. Select Van and Storage consistently retreads its truck and trailer tires, and more than 300 of its trucks are equipped with at least one fuel-saving device. Each driver is also trained on fuel efficient driving to reduce emissions on topics such as- reducing speed, keeping tires properly inflated, having the appropriate tractor trailer gap, practicing progressive shifting and using idle alternatives.

Through its efforts, Select Van and Storage has been able to eliminate over 110,000 lbs. of cardboard waste from landfills and 710 metric tons of carbon emissions and save over 65,365 gallons of fuel. The driver training has also helped improve the company’s MPG average from 4.8 MPG in 2008, to 5.5 MPG in 2010.

Select Van and Storage has been a very active member of WasteCap Nebraska by hosting Green Team Round Tables, and serving a drop-off location for Compact Florescent Lights to sponsoring the WasteCap Annual Meeting. Select Van and Storage’s participation in the organization along with its environmentally friendly practices gained them this recognition.

About Mayflower
Mayflower is America’s most recognized and trusted moving company. Together with its sister company Mayflower Containers, Mayflower Transit offers a full range of moving services from full-service to do-it-yourself moving and storage. With headquarters in suburban St. Louis, Mayflower maintains a network of 300 affiliated agencies. For more information about Mayflower Transit and its services, visit: www.mayflower.com.

About WasteCap
WasteCap is a member based, non-profit, environmental organization, dedicated to assisting businesses develop and adopt green practices - that improve profitability. WasteCap helps business with simple issues like setting up recycling plans and green teams to high tech issues dealing with energy, water, and air issues.