New course on LEED for Homes Program

USGBC is launching a brand-new full-day workshop this spring: HOMES 252: Understanding the LEED for Homes Rating System. Make your next project a LEED for Homes project.

Learn the intents and requirements of prerequisites and key credits within the LEED for Homes rating system. Identify the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders and prepare for key considerations in the LEED for Homes certification process. HOMES 252: Understanding the LEED for Homes Rating Systems will be offered in Denver, Colo., by the USGBC Colorado Chapter on Apr. 19. Click here for more information.

Check under "Upcoming Events" at www.usgbc.org/homes for upcoming workshops

New LEED for Homes Self-Scoring Tool

The LEED for Homes Self-Scoring Tool gives you an estimate of how your project might score in LEED for Homes. It also lets you confirm or change that estimated score by reviewing the actual credit requirements.

The LEED for Homes Scoring tool launches Feb. 28.

Sign up at www.leedforhomes.org for notification on when the site goes live

MCC Green Living Workshops (Spring 2011)

MCC, in partnership with the Green Omaha Coalition (GOC), is happy to offer Green Living Workshops as a regular part of MCC's Community Education. Learn how to save money, improve your family's health and be good to the environment with MCC's Green Living Workshops. These workshops will include current, practical information on topics such as food, water, energy, transportation, 'stuff' (solid waste and recycling), economics, gardening and yards. Check back every quarter for new offerings.

To register please call 457-5231 or visit www.mccneb.edu/ce

Backyard Aquaponic Gardening
Explore this gardening frontier. Learn how plants and fish work together in a beneficial relationship to provide a wonderful kitchen garden. This will challenge the way you think gardening should be. Learn system set-up, fish and plant selection and maintenance. The instructor is Kip Edmonds. Category: Food (one session) Fort Omaha Campus, Bldg. 27, Room 101, 30th and Fort St.
HOMI-068N-01 SA 09:00A-12:00P 03/26-03/26 $19
HOMI-068N-02 SA 09:00A-12:00P 04/30-04/30 $19

Confidently Commuting by Bicycle
This covers the basics of commuting safely and confidently by bicycle. Participants will learn the benefits of commuting, bike fit, basic roadside repair, route finding, useful gear and equipment, rules of the road and ways to avoid common mistakes. The changing landscape of Omaha from a cyclist's perspective will also be discussed. The instructor is Sarah Johnson. Category: Transportation (one session) Westside Community Conference Center, 3534 S. 108th St.
HOMI-056N-01 T 08:30A-10:30A 03/29-03/29 $19
HOMI-056N-02 T 06:00P-08:00P 03/29-03/29 $19

Eco-Friendly Insect and Disease Control
Learn the benefits of keeping our multi-legged friends around. Discussion includes product use, applications and plant selection. Also learn types of control, barriers for insects and diseases, mulching and watering techniques. If you are planning on a vegetable garden for summer, this class is essential for success. Category: Food (one session) Westside Community Conference Center, 3534 S. 108th St.
HOMI-058N-01 T 08:30A-10:30A 04/12-04/12 $19
HOMI-058N-02 T 06:00P-08:00P 04/12-04/12 $19

Ethical Eating
Based on the book Menu for the Future, this is an opportunity to meet and form an interest group on ethical eating. Use the materials as a lens through which to view the issues around food choice from individual, local, national and global perspectives. The purpose of the introductory session is to provide a framework and an opportunity to view the scope of the materials available and organize into a self-directed group. The course builds awareness around the heightened issues regarding food choice and freedom. Category: Food (one session) Westside Community Conference Center, 3534 S. 108th St.
HOMI-061N-01 T 08:30A-10:30A 05/10-05/10 $19
HOMI-061N-02 T 06:00P-08:00P 05/10-05/10 $19

Food Preservation/Storage
This class presents a brief overview of different types of food preservation including pressure-cooking, water bath canning, dehydration, freezing and fermentation. There will be a short demonstration in the kitchen along with a discussion of the benefits of, concerns about and supplies needed for each preservation technique. Now is the time to make plans for the vegetable garden so you can preserve your fresh vegetables and herbs. Category: Food (one session) Westside Community Conference Center, 3534 S. 108th St.
HOMI-041N-01 T 08:30A-10:30A 04/19-04/19 $19
HOMI-041N-02 T 06:00P-08:00P 04/19-04/19 $19

Growing Organic Vegetables and Herbs
Learn about growing vegetables and herbs without the use of pesticides. Topics include seed selection, soil management, companion planting and prevention of diseases and insects. Bring your garden measurements to class and let us help plan your healthy summer vegetable garden. Category: Food (one session) Westside Community Conference Center, 3534 S. 108th St.
HOMI-057N-01 T 08:30A-10:30A 04/05-04/05 $19
HOMI-057N-02 T 06:00P-08:00P 04/05-04/05 $19

Home Energy: Insulate and Weatherize
Is your house drafty? Have a hot or cold spot? Learn to find and safely fix hidden air leaks in your home. Simple weatherization techniques can help stop both air and money from leaking out of the house. Learn what areas need insulating and how much insulation to use. Discuss the implications of air-sealing and insulating as they apply to energy savings, comfort and indoor air quality. Category: Energy (one session) Westside Community Conference Center, 3534 S. 108th St.
HOMI-059N-01 T 08:30A-10:30A 04/26-04/26 $19
HOMI-059N-02 T 06:00P-08:00P 04/26-04/26 $19

Introduction to Living Green
Learn how to help others and yourself be more environmentally conscious through improved well being, cost-cutting tips, creating a more peaceful living area and finding a deeper awareness of one's impact on the Earth. Learn to think about sustainability by exploring eco-friendly structures and practices, being water- wise, choosing healthy foods and using technology resources and money wisely. This is the beginning class for MCC's Living Green Community Certificate program. The instructor is Daniel Lawse. (one session) Westside Community Conference Center, 3534 S. 108th St.
HOMI-042N-01 T 08:30A-10:30A 03/22-03/22 $19
HOMI-042N-02 T 06:00P-08:00P 03/22-03/22 $19

Water Conservation: Indoor and Outdoor
Learn how to reduce water usage both indoors and outdoors. Discuss the basics of rain gardens, rain barrels, irrigation drip lines and soaker hoses. Simple, low-cost solutions will be explored for saving water within your home, while simultaneously reducing water bills. Category: Water (one session) Westside Community Conference Center, 3534 S. 108th St.
HOMI-060N-01 T 08:30A-10:30A 05/03-05/03 $19
HOMI-060N-02 T 06:00P-08:00P 05/03-05/03 $19

LES' Sustainable Energy Program Is Back to Help Customers Save Money, Energy

Lincoln Electric System customers are invited to take advantage of the $2 million in incentive funds available to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient through the Sustainable Energy Program, which kicks off Feb. 1, said J. Todd Hall, vice president of Consumer Services.

Hall said that in the first two years of the program, more than 5,000 residential customers and nearly 400 commercial customers have participated. As an example of the possible savings, customers who took part in last year's High-Efficiency Heat Pump and Air Conditioner program could see an annual savings of 10-15 percent on their electric bills, Hall said. Customers who participated in the 2010 Commercial and Industrial Lighting Retrofit program also could save between 10-15 percent.

The combined energy and demand reductions of customers taking part in the program have prevented more than 19,000 tons of CO2 being released into the atmosphere and helps delay the need to acquire additional power generation, which benefit all customers, he said.

"LES customers who have participated in the Sustainable Energy Program have not only reduced their impact on the environment, they have spurred economic activity in our community," Hall said. "Since the program's inception, LES customers have spent nearly $15 million on energy-efficient equipment and/or services provided by local participating contractors."

Hall said each year the program is reviewed to ensure it is effectively meeting customer needs and is evolving alongside technological advancements.

The program includes the following incentives for businesses:

- Lighting retrofit
- Air conditioner/heat pump
- Variable frequency drives replacement
- Compressed air system analysis
- Energy management systems installation or upgrade
- Systems commissioning

Please contact LES to apply for financial incentives if your business is considering other peak demand and energy-efficiency measures.

The program also includes incentives for residential customers:

- Whole-House Sealing and Insulation
- High-Efficiency Heat Pump and Air Conditioner
- Energy Detective Program

In addition, the Commercial and Industrial Energy-Efficiency Innovation Grant will be funded in 2011, Hall said, and additional details will be available soon.

Some projects may qualify for a federal tax credit. To take advantage of the program, customers should contact contractors participating in the LES program. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The balance is updated regularly on LES’ Web site at www.les.com/.

2011 USGBC Education Survey

Last year, USGBC National conducted a survey of its members and other stakeholders to better understand the market’s green building education needs. USGBC heard you, and now, as your local Chapter, we’re working with USGBC National to build 2011 education programming. Now is your chance to help us make sure that we’re on the right track.

Please take about five minutes to complete this brief survey to help ensure that we bring you the education that you and your business need.

The survey will close on Monday, February 28, so please respond soon.

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Changes

Effective March 21, 2011, several important updates will be made in Portfolio Manager, Target Finder and the Automated Benchmarking System (ABS). These changes may impact your energy performance ratings.

If you need documentation of your current rating (e.g. for ENERGY STAR or LEED applications), print an SEP prior to March 18, 2011. If you have any questions about these changes, please contact buildings@energystar.gov.

1. New Senior Care Facility ModelA new rating will be available for Senior Care facilities, and those facilities scoring 75 or higher will be eligible to apply for the ENERGY STAR label. This rating methodology will be used for individual buildings and campuses of buildings that house and provide care and assistance for elderly residents. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) and assisted living facilities are eligible under this definition. Independent senior living communities are not eligible under this definition. However, it is common for some Senior Care Facilities to offer a mix of residential options including independent living along with some form of assisted living. In these situations, more than 50% of the units in a community must be considered skilled nursing or assisted living in order to be eligible as a Senior Care Facility. Facilities with more than 50% independent living units cannot earn a rating under this model and should benchmark using the Multifamily space type in Portfolio Manager.

When the updates are released on March 21, 2011, existing “Other- Health Care: Long Term Care (Nursing Home, Assisted Living)” spaces will be converted automatically to the new Senior Care Facility space type. Default values will be provided for all required attributes, which will enable you to see a rating. Please log-in to Portfolio Manager on or after March 21, 2011 to update these defaults with actual values for your community to receive the most accurate rating.

2. New Optional Inputs for the Data Center Space TypeTwo new optional IT Energy meter types will be available in Portfolio Manager. The meter types are optional and therefore will not affect the ENERGY STAR rating calculation. The two new types are:

· Power Distribution Unit (PDU) Output Energy
· IT Equipment Input Energy (meters on each piece of equipment

3. Updates to Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) and Green Power Tracking
Several changes will be made to the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) tracking section in Portfolio Manager. This section will be re-named Green Power Purchases, and it will enable greater flexibility for tracking green power products that you may purchase as part of your greenhouse gas reduction strategy. When entering these purchases, you will have greater flexibility, including:

The option to input the Generation Method as a combination of six renewable energy types:
· Biogas
· Biomass
· Geothermal
· Small Hydropower
· Solar
· Wind

Three options to identify the location where your green power product was generated. The more information you know about the location where your power was generated, the more accurately Portfolio Manager can compute your Avoided Emissions. The three options for entering the generation location are:
· Specific electricity generation plant
· Unknown generation plant but known eGRID sub-region
· No information about the location available

The ability to specify the Generation Period in month/year format, including future dates, to more accurately represent the Green Power Purchase time period.

4. Revised Source Conversion Factors for District Steam and Hot Water Energy TypesEffective March 21, 2011, the factors used to convert site energy into source energy will be updated for the District Steam and Hot Water energy types in order to take into account the growing presence of more efficient methods of generation, such as combined heat and power (CHP). The new conversion factors that will be used starting March 21, 2011 are:
· District Steam- 1.21
· District Hot Water- 1.28
This change does not require any action on your part. These factors are applied on calculations within Portfolio Manager.

5. New and Revised Building Import Templates
Effective February 4, 2011, a new template for the Senior Care Facility space type will be available for download. We encourage you to begin to gather data on your Senior Care Facilities so that you can benchmark their performance with the new ENERGY STAR rating methodology. However, because the new calculations will not be released to Portfolio Manager until March 21, 2011, any Senior Care Facility templates sent to buildings@energystar.gov will be processed after March 21, 2011.

To accommodate the March 21, 2011 changes in the Portfolio Manager system, all existing import templates must also be revised. There is a transition period during which new templates will be posted and the previous templates will be removed.
· New Templates – New templates will be posted for download on March 4, 2011. The electronic processing of any new templates will begin on March 21, 2011.
· Old Templates – The previous templates will be removed on March 4, 2011. Any completed versions of the previous template must be submitted by March 14, 2011 in order to be processed electronically.

The new import templates will have the following changes:
· Addition of the new optional Data Center IT Energy meter types to the following templates: Bank; Courthouse; Data Center; Dormitory; Hospital; Hotel; House of Worship; Medical; Office; Other; Refrigerated Warehouse; Retail; School; Supermarket; Unrefrigerated Warehouse.
· Removal of the “Healthcare- Long Term Care (Nursing Home; Assisted Living)” category from the Other template

6. Updates to the Automated Benchmarking Services Console
Two major changes will be made to the Automated Benchmarking Services Console:

1. New Meter Types – The Automated Benchmarking Services Console will now enable Portfolio Manager users to authorize their information service providers to support these additional meter types:
· Facility water meters
· Campus energy meters
· Campus water meters

Please note that ABS providers will be only be able to manage meter data to existing campus energy/water meters. ABS providers will not be able to add new or delete existing campus energy/water meters.

2. Multiple ABS Providers – The ABS console will now enable you to assign more than one ABS provider to each meter. Only a single ABS provider will be able to update the meter data (i.e. have read/write access), however you can also designate as many other providers as you would like to have read only access to each meter.

7. Update to Emissions FactorsEPA is in the process of updating the eGRID factors that are used to compute building emissions. The update is being performed to include the most current information available to EPA through our inventory of all electric generation facilities in the country. This enhancement will improve your ability to perform an emissions inventory of your building(s).

During this update, emissions data will be temporarily unavailable in Portfolio Manager from 1/31/2011 to 3/21/2011. EPA updates emissions data periodically when more current data is available and this process does not typically require a break in emissions reporting within Portfolio Manager. However, during this particular update, EPA is also modifying some supplementary reference data, which comes from an external proprietary data source. The availability of this data has affected the timing required to make this change. Therefore the interruption in our ability to report emissions data is an isolated event, and it not part of our standard updating protocol. We are working hard to transition to the new data source as quickly as possible. Emissions reporting will resume in Portfolio Manager on March 21, 2011.

ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 Achieves 30% Savings Over 2004 Version

The 2010 version of Standard 90.1 achieves its intended goal of enabling 30% energy savings compared to the 2004 standard. Standard 90.1-2010 was published in November 2010. However, ASHRAE recently received the final results of an analysis by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program on addenda included in the standard. Without plug loads, site energy savings are 32.6% and energy cost savings are 30.1%. Including plug loads, the site energy savings are estimated to be 25.5% and energy cost savings are 24%. Read more

DOE Aims to Reduce Solar PV Costs by 75%

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) new "SunShot Initiative" aims to reduce the total costs of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems by about 75% before the end of the decade so that PV systems are cost competitive with other forms of energy without subsidies. In addition to investing improvements in cell technologies and manufacturing, the initiative will also focus on steps to streamline and digitize local permitting processes that will reduce installation and permitting costs. As part of the SunShot Initiative, DOE has awarded up to $20.3 million in funding to projects to improve manufacturing efficiencies and reduce costs. In addition, DOE announced up to $7 million of funding in the fourth round of the Photovoltaic Incubator Program, which helps to shorten the commercialization timeline for promising emerging solar technologies. Read more

SFPE Great Plains Chapter: Inception Meeting

A team of local fire protection community members is launching a local Society of
Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) Chapter in Omaha. Team members include: Design professionals, code consultants, facility engineers, fire department officers, University of Nebraska representatives, contractors.

Date: Wednesday March 9th, 2011
Time: 11:45 AM—1:00 PM; presentation to begin at noon
Location: DJ’s Dugout; 636 N. 114th St, Omaha, NE 68154
Cost: Buffet; $20 ($15 for Chapter members)
RSVP: http://www.sfpegreatplains.org/ no later than March, 2nd.

Topic: "How Nebraska Fire/Building Codes are Adopted" and "Updates on Current
Fire Related Issues Before the State Legislature"

To be presented by John Falgione, Nebraska State Fire Marshal. John Falgione was appointed as the Nebraska State Fire Marshal in January 2007 and has been a member of the State Fire Marshal's office since 1991. Previous positions have included serving as the deputy state fire marshal in both the investigations division and the code enforcement division. John began his service with the State Fire Marshal's office as an inspector in the flammable liquid storage division.

If you would like to receive information regarding the Chapter or would like to get involved, please contact Shane Cherney and plan to attend the Chapter kick-off meeting. A group webpage has been created to aid as a forum for discussion and keeping up to date with the group—you will also find chapter membership application information.

http://www.sfpe.org/ AND http://www.sfpegreatplains.org/. Contact Shane Cherney for Chapter Information: info@sfpegreatplains.org or 402-390-4236.

Colorado State University Green Building Course Offerings

Colorado State University is currently offering Green Building and Green Homes courses to help you and your organization stay competitive and keep up-to-date with innovations in the green construction industry. Programs and certificates have been developed by Brian Dunbar, Director of CSU’s Institute for the Built Environment and may be completed online or in the classroom (Denver, CO).

These programs not only provide cutting-edge information as it relates to green construction, but they may also qualify as prerequisites to LEED accreditation and to LEED credential maintenance. LEED designation, offered by the U. S. Green Building Council, is now required in many industries striving to build new, and to remodel existing, sustainable homes and commercial buildings.

Here is a listing of the courses that Colorado State University is offering this spring, starting February 15. Buy 1 registration at full price – Receive 2nd registration at 50% off!

February 15, Online Green Building Certificate Program, Focus: Commercial Green Building, http://www.learn.colostate.edu/certificates/green-building-online/

March 1, Online Green Homes Certificate Program, Focus: Residential Green Building, http://www.learn.colostate.edu/courses/HSLL/HSLL4013.dot

March 10, Green Building Certificate Program – Denver, Focus: Commercial Green Building, http://www.learn.colostate.edu/certificates/green-building-denver/

Visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/courses/noncredit/?subject_cat=44349#courselistings
to find out about more and view other green programs.

LEED Interpretations to be provided in addition to CIRs

This new database will be another way that design teams may interact with the LEED rating system. It shares some similarities with the current Credit Interpretation Ruling (CIR) process, with some significant differences.

The goals of the LEED Interpretations project are as follows:
1. provide published guidance on issues not already covered in LEED materials
2. allow for a thorough USGBC staff and committee vetting process
3. can be referenced by any LEED project
4. available in an online search-able database

This builds on the project CIR process available now (3-4 weeks response time) to a total response time of 3-6 months. But the results are precedent-setting and published online after final rulings and USGBC committee review processes. LEED Interpretations will exclude questions that are too 'project-specific' and errors in the reference guide (which will be addressed via addendum).

Issues that do result in LEED Interpretations would be, for example, "Can electrolyzed water systems be used to meet the requirements of the Green Housekeeping ID Credit?"

CIR fee will remain $220 for all rating systems besides LEED for Homes, and the LEED Interpretations process will cost an additional $180 for USGBC members for a total of $400.

LEED Interpretations are planned to go live at the end of this month. Stay tuned for more information.

White House Proposes New Green Buildings Program

By Tom Ichniowski

The White House has launched a package of proposals--including a new tax credit and grant competition among states and cities--that aim to make commercial buildings 20% more energy efficient over 10 years.

The "Better Buildings Initiative," which President Obama announced on Feb. 3 during an appearance at Penn State University, is targeting commercial buildings, which the White House says account for about 20% of total U.S.energy consumption. Read more at ENR.com

New Green Products Exhibit and Learning Center

W. Cecil Steward, FAIA, President; Joslyn Castle Institute For Sustainable Communities
January 28, 2011 4:19 pm

The Nebraska Center for Sustainable Construction has created the Eco Products and Services Center (EPSC) to serve Lincoln, Omaha and the surrounding communities in Southeast Nebraska.

A division of the Nebraska Center for Sustainable Construction (NCSC) (joining two other existing divisions: EcoStores Nebraska and DeConstruction Nebraska) the EPSC is a “doing business as [dba]” division of the non-profit Joslyn Institute for Sustainable Communitities, with offices in Lincoln and Omaha.EPSC will provide a one-stop information center for green products and services.

The center’s main focus is products/services needed for the building/construction industry for commercial and residential retrofit and energy efficiency upgrades. Principal emphasis of the exhibit center, and the net benefit to the region, will be waste reduction through the use of salvaged and recycled content in new materials, and a broad mix of green product representatives from the area will increase conveniences for consumers.

Visit the Lincoln Green by Design website for additional information.

EPA Invites Your Input for an Upgrade of ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting input from stakeholders on the ENERGY STAR Tools specifically for the development of requirements for a Portfolio Manager upgrade. The full upgrade will take place over a period of 18-24 months. You can supply your input through the following website:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/portfoliomanagerupgradesurvey