LEEDv4: The future of green buildling is here

LEED v4 introduces a unified LEED experience for the entire world to share – one that offers flexibility for all green building projects, with new market sectors and global best practices built-in.    Impressive impacts. Increased thresholds in energy, water, waste and indoor environmental quality ensure that LEED v4 projects are driving the goals of green building farther than ever. The new Location and Transportation credit category tackles new territory, enabling LEED v4 buildings to advance sustainable communities and land use.    The future is health.  LEED v4 takes a serious, increased focus on human health that goes beyond any other building system on the planet. Every story about a green building is a story about people.    Materials matter. LEED v4 pushes forward a paradigm shift in how we think about materials. Life cycle assessment, environmental product declarations, and material ingredient reporting bring transparency to the manufacturing and decision-making process behind building materials. Using these mechanisms to make data-driven decisions is absolutely essential to building performance and human health.   Bringing it all together. The integrative design process is at the heart and soul of LEED v4, and guides project teams toward incorporating LEED v4’s new features into their projects from the very beginning. And, with an increased focus on building performance, LEED v4 takes a closer look at the very real impacts that LEED buildings are driving forward. You can only get that experience through LEED.     We’re listening. Your feedback has enabled us to create a more supportive, customer-centric experience for LEED users, including: Revamped LEED education to get you the knowledge you need, now Brand new reference guides available in both print and web based format with new videos and tutorials Updated LEED v4 exams that keep you current A completely revised, easy-to-use certification policy manual LEED Online with simplified LEED credit submittal requirements and process Greater access to project support and an enhanced user experience through customer account management, LEED Coach and Proven Provider programs …and more. Your valuable input will help us build out additional features to support your projects. All of these tools work with the LEED rating system to provide you a better customer experience. Period.   Get started with LEED v4 today »   Welcome to v4. LEED ON.

USGBC Nebraska Flatwater Chapter Survey

Please share your feedback on the Chapter in regards to membership and events so we can best meet your needs. We appreciate your comments and thoughts!

http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e8dce5xjhmwefjao/a0145ho7d1fnn/questions

USGBC NFC Monthly Lunch November 2013 - Green Buildings: Successfully Engage Occupants in Helping (Rather than Hurting) the Cause

Date: November 19, 2013

Time: 12:00p.m.-1:00p.m. (registration starts at 11:30am)

Location: Kiewit Plaza, Cloud Room, 3555 Farnam, Omaha, NE, 68131

Costs are $15 for individual NFC members, $25 for nonmembers, and $10 for students (lunch is included).  

Please register and pay on-line using this link:Register for NFC Nov Lunch - or RSVP to: programs@usgbcne.org and pay at the door using credit card, check or cash.  

  

Even the most sophisticated Building Management System can't control every move building occupants make. Humans are often very interesting and sometimes irrational creatures, and their activities often compete with the intended operational function of a building. But it doesn't have to always be a fight. There are, in fact, ways to meaningfully engage building occupants in making the built environment more energy efficient and sustainable. 

Craig Moody, Managing Principal and co-owner of Verdis Group, will share the best strategies by which to ensure building occupants are helping (rather than hurting) the cause. 

Please try to carpool

Green Homes Tour and Smart Energy Expo this Saturday and Sunday, November 9th and 10th

Green Homes Tour - The Green Homes Tour is Saturday, November 9th from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Tour 6 homes in the greater Omaha region, from recently completed homes by Charles Thomas Homes and Dwell Omaha, to remodels by homeowners in Bellevue and downtown. A variety of new construction, energy-conserving remodels, and even projects under construction will be featured. This is a great opportunity to talk to on-site experts and pick up tips on how to green your own living environments.

 

Smart Energy Expo - Sunday, November 10th, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Expert advice on building, buying or remodeling the most energy efficient home! See the latest in plumbing fixtures, pavers, insulation and weatherization systems, roofing, recycled glass countertops!

Watch demonstrations:

• Restoring old windows to make them energy efficient
• Blower door test - is your house leaky?
• Solar Pathfinder - determines year-round shade analysis
• Geothermal - the latest technology

SMART WAYS TO SAVE MONEY AND LIVE BETTER - Learn why sustainability is an essential part of Omaha's quality of life! Please contact Tam Webb at the Omaha World-Herald for more information: tam.webb@owh.com  

 

Please visit Green Omaha Coalition website for more information on both of these events.

USGBC NFC Townhall Meeting, TOMORROW, November 5th, 3:00-5:00 p.m

When: TOMORROW! Tuesday, November 5th 

Time: 3:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Where: Aksarben Cinema, 2110 S. 67th St., Omaha, NE  68106

Free Event Registration: RSVP for Townhall Meeting

This year, USGBC turned 20, and the Nebraska Flatwater Chapter is turning 10. Help us assess the focus and future of the organization with a Town Hall meeting, held in conjunction with the 2013 Reel to Real event (http://reeltorealomaha.com/). The purpose of this Town Hall is to talk with our local constituents, supporters, members and partners in order to help identify the issues, needs and opportunities in Nebraska specifically. Together, with chapters across the country, we can write the story for the next 20 years.

At the local level, we want to engage those in the building community who are aligned with the greater vision, but maybe who are not yet at the table. To think BIG, we need a diversity of voices. This is the INTEGRATIVE PROCESS at the community scale. As part of a unified community, we'll explore some BIG questions, capture them, analyze them and share the results through the USGBC network.

We hope you can participate in this live event. It's important that we bring a diversity of voices to this table. Contractors, Designers, Equipment Suppliers, Consultants, and other Stakeholders in the industry are all welcome. Please feel free to pass along to your members in Omaha. (Note that we hope to follow-up with a webinar version of this meeting to broaden our reach across the state).

As a thank-you for participating, FREE drinks and popcorn will be provided!

Thanks!

Sarah Gudeman, PE, CEM, LEED AP BD+C

Chapter Chair, USGBC Nebraska Flatwater Chapter

USGBC NFC Member & Volunteer of the Year 2013 Announced!

Congratulations to Mike Kros, the USGBC Nebraska Flatwater Chapter Member and Volunteer of the Year for 2013!

Mike has contributed to the chapter continuously for many years now. He has been the Chapter's dedicated Green Schools Chair for the past 4 years, and plans to continue on in that role for 2014 as well! He's planned summits, expos and incorporated the new National event, Green Apple Day of Service into his repetoire.

Though the voting was close amongst our nominees, Mike's ongoing efforts have been acknowledged and appreciated by Chapter Members and Leadership alike.

The award will be presented at our Winter Membership Appreciation event (date TBD). Keep an eye out for that and offer your congratulations to Mike in the meantime at: greenschools@usgbcne.org

Again, thanks to all of our volunteers, we couldn't operate without you!!!