LEED 2012 - Updates! Opt-In by May1st, Fourth Public Comment Period and Member Ballot Approval Period,

·OPT IN by May 1st!
This is an important time to be a USGBC member! To vote on the LEED 2012 ballot, you must be an employee of a USGBC national member organization in good standing, and you must join the Consensus Body during the Opt-In Period! The consensus body ensures participation from the full diversity of LEED users and a balanced representation of USGBC membership. Interested members may opt in through www.usgbc.org/leed2012. You have until May 1st!

·LEED 2012 Fourth Public Comment: Fourth public comment will be open from May 1 – 15. All USGBC stakeholders may participate. The draft will incorporate final technical revisions based on public comment feedback, and incorporate credit requirements that have been positively impacted by credit documentation development. Credit documentation, reference guide and education development will continue concurrent with public comment and ballot. Public engagement opportunities to provide feedback and assist in the refinement of this work will be announced shortly.

·LEED 2012 Member Ballot Approval Period:
June 1 – 30, 2012: The member ballot to approve the next version of LEED – LEED 2012 – will be open. This is your opportunity to vote on the proposed updates to LEED. This opportunity is open exclusively to USGBC members.


LEED 2012 builds on the foundational changes that were part of LEED 2009, off­ering a new global perspective, better user experience and increased technical rigor in key areas including energy and water efficiency. USGBC is already hard at work on the development of education and reference material that will provide information necessary for complying with new and updated rating system requirements. We are also busy developing updated submittal documentation requirements and forms intended to make certification, and overall use of LEED, a positive user experience.
For more information, email leed2012@usgbc.org.

Alternative fuel Vehicles roll into Indy this May at GTH 2012

Seeing is believing! Heartland Conference Explores Alternative Fuel & Energy in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 26th, 2012) - The Indianapolis Convention Center will be sporting a collection of hybrid and all electric vehicles this May at the 9th Annual Greening the Heartland Conference. Tesla, a CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) Car, a Propane Truck, and a Variable torque Motor Bus will be gracing the exhibit hall while racing fuel burns on the brickyard. Alternative fuel and electric vehicle technology are on exhibit offering attendees a closer look at the future of cleaner fuels. The alternative fuel vehicles will be on display in the exhibit hall throughout the 3 day conference. Attendees will also be exposed to renewable energy alternatives for fossil fuels in a prominent selection of the educational sessions. Solar power and wind turbines are on the rise here in Indiana proving that coal is not the only fuel working the grid and turning on our lights. Geothermal is also alive and well in both residential and commercial projects. Using alternative fuels and renewable energy resources save us from more than just the hidden dollars on our energy bills, they lessen the impact on our natural resources. The production of clean energy is the sustainable choice for powering our future. 36 Breakout Sessions at the Heartland 3 day conference carry information that can help make those choices well educated.

Transportation Master Plan Heyday‏ - May 1st

Transportation Master Plan Heyday - New! 

When: Tuesday, May 1st from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: 25th & Harney Sts., Omaha, NE

Omaha is about to adopt an updated Transportation Master Plan, and Mode Shift Omaha is throwing a party to celebrate past accomplishments and to look to the future with hope for many more. The north two lanes of Harney Street between 26th and 24th Ave. will be shut down to showcase how wonderful an active, walkable, bikeable and liveable street could be! A priority on the updated master plan is to convert Harney Street, from Midtown to the Old Market, into a multi-modal corridor friendly for multiple modes of transportation. The ‘Market to Midtown Connector’ is sure to be a wonderful addition to Omaha. Visualize what that could mean to you at the Heyday. Please join, ideally by bicycle, bus, shuttle (from Midtown Crossing), foot, or carpool for too much fun to list here. There will be group bike rides organizing from around the city.
Follow updates about the event on Facebook or more information is at www.modeshiftomaha.org.

Questions? Email info@modeshiftomaha.org.