Green Schools Summit

The USGBC has announced that the deadline for registering under the LEED 2009 rating system has been extended to October 31, 2016, with the sunset date for certification remaining the same.  The USGBC is doing this in response to feedback they received at Greenbuild.  The move allows the building industry more time to prepare for the new standards set by LEED v4.  Some may view this as a step back, but any step towards a more sustainable built environment, whether v2009 or v4, is a step in the right direction. 

For more information and the official press release from the USGBC click HERE

Upcoming Lincoln October Lectures: Implications of Climate Change 

Friday, October 17, 2014 
T. Mylan Stout Lecture Series
“Growing enough to feed nine billion under climate change”
Speaker: Deepak Ray, University of Minnesota
When: Friday, October 17, 2014 at 3:30 (refreshments served at 3:15 pm)
Where: 117 Bessey Hall, UNL Campus


Sunday, October 19, 2014 
Former U.S. Representative Douglas Bereuter Will Present Sorensen Lecture
“Can the World Feed Nine Billion People? Implications for Nebraska”

Rep. Douglas Bereuter, a 13-term First District Congressman from Nebraska and president emeritus of the
Asia Foundation will present at this event jointly sponsored by Lincoln Unitarian Church and the UNL School of Natural Resources.

When: Sunday, October 19, 2014 at 7:00 pm
Where: Hardin Hall Auditorium on the northeast corner of 33rd and Holdrege


Friday, October 24, 2014 
T. Mylan Stout Lecture Series
“Earth's Changing Climate: The Transformation of the Artic”

Speaker: Henry Pollack, University of Michigan

When: Friday, October 24, 2014 at 3:30 (Refreshments served at 3:15 pm)
Where: 117 Bessey Hall, UNL Campus

Thursday, October 30, 2014 
T. Mylan Stout Lecture Series
“Climate Change and the Military”

Speaker: Retired Admiral David Titley, Penn State University

When: Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 3:30 (Refreshments served at 3:15)
Where: Nebraska Union, UNL Campus

Compiled October 2, 2014
Office of Sen. Ken Haar, Dist. #21
402.471.2673, khaar@leg.ne.gov

Heuermann Lecture - Understanding and Assessing Climate Change: Implications for Nebraska

If you missed the live presentation of the UNL Climate Change Study, you can still watch it online at:
http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu/home

Thank you to all who participated in the REGENERATE Town Hall Meeting.  If you attended the meeting, please take a moment to fill out the post meeting survey.  After completing the survey, instructions will be provided for recording GBCI/AIA CE hours.   SURVEY

REGENERATE Town Hall Meeting

2014 has already been a big year for the USGBC and LEED Rating Systems.  LEED v4 was released, which includes many new market sectors, the USGBC turned 20 years old, and world wide we have reached 3 billion square feet of LEED certified space.  As important as this year has been at national and international levels, it is also special to our Nebraska Flatwater Chapter.  2014 marks the 10 year anniversary of the USGBC NFC.  As we reflect on what we have done over the past 10 years, including 68 LEED certified spaces totaling over 6 million square feet, we are looking at where we are going in the future and we want you to be a part of it. The USGBC NFC will be hosting a Town Hall meeting for all our members on June 4th for you to voice your opinion and share your vision for the future of the group.

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.  
 
Event Flyer

Register for the Event

OPS Fontenelle Elementary Recieves the Green Ribbon Award

Omaha Public Schools was one of nine districts nationally to receive the Green Ribbon District Sustainability Award.  Fontenelle Elementary School in Omaha was one of 48 U.S. schools recognized for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education, including civics and green career pathways.

Acting Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Mike Boots joined U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today to announce the 2014 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award honorees.

Duncan and Boots made the announcement at the U.S. Department of Education, in Washington, DC. Secretary Duncan also announced a new post-secondary nomination category will be added to the school and district awards for the coming year.

“Today’s honorees are modeling a comprehensive approach to being green by encompassing facility, wellness and learning into their daily operations,” said Secretary Duncan. “They are demonstrating ways schools can simultaneously cut costs, improve health, and engage students with hands-on learning that prepares them with the thinking skills necessary to be successful in college and careers."

“Schools all over the country can look to today’s honorees as models for creating a healthier learning environment while lowering energy bills and preparing students for success in the 21^st century economy,” said Acting Chair Mike Boots. “The schools and districts being honored today are taking smart, innovative steps to reduce environmental impacts and teach students the kinds of sustainable practices that they can carry with them into their homes and future careers.”

The schools were confirmed from a pool of candidates voluntarily nominated by 30 state education agencies. The list of selectees includes 39 public schools and nine private schools. The public schools include 10 early learning programs, three charter, one magnet and three career and technical schools. The schools serve various grade levels, including 29 elementary, 16 middle and 18 high schools are among them, with several schools having various K-12 configurations, from 28 states. Twenty-one of the 2014 honorees serve a disadvantaged student body. The list of all selected schools and districts, as well as their nomination packages, can be found here. A report with highlights on the 57 honorees can be found here.

The Department is looking forward to a fourth year of award, with a post-secondary category, and will be posting updated competition criteria shortly to reflect this addition. State education agencies are encouraged to indicate intent to nominate schools in 2015 by August 1, 2014.

More information on the federal recognition award can be found here. Resources for all schools to move toward the three Pillars in which the 2014 honorees are exemplary can be found here.

2014 AEI/ASHRAE Expo

Event Page

The 2014 AEI/ASHRAE will be taking place March 5, 2014 at the Embassy Suites Omaha-LaVista Conference Center from 8 am to 5pm.  The Expo will feature keynote speaker Richard Yoder, the first Chief Sustainability Officer for UNO's College of Business Administration.

Early Registration has been extended to February 14th, with options to register for the full day or half day, along with discounted registration for students.  To register for the expo please visit Expo Registration

USGBC NFC Winter Membership Appreciation Event - January 22, 2014

Chapter Member 

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our Winter Member Appreciation Event!

Date: January 22, 2014

Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Location: Block 16, 1609 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102

• USGBC Members, it's time to meet the new Board of Directors, catch up with familiar faces, and partake in some networking, food & drinks. We'll recap 2013 and ramp up for 2014!
• Free food for Members and Sponsors. $5 donation for non-members. Become a member in your local U.S. Green Building Council Become a Member - USGBC Nebraska Flatwater Chapter
• This event will also serve as the January meeting for Green Drinks Omaha 
• Please click on this link to RSVP:  Register For USGBC NFC 2014 Winter Membership Appreciation Event 

You can also pay with your credit card (via Paypal) using this link. You can also pay at the door with credit card, check or cash. 

If you can't make it, we will miss you. Please use this link to let us know: I can't make it.

LEED Exam and v4 Updates

If you're considering taking the LEED Green Associate or LEED AP exam, keep in mind the v3 exam is only available 6 more months!

In June of 2014, all LEED exams will be revised to include the new LEEDv4 information. As you might already know, v4 includes some pretty dramatic changes witin the rating system as well as new credits and a new credit category.

Prepare for the Green Associate or LEED AP exams as part of your New Year's resolution!