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The standard is expected to receive approval from the FGBC board at its December meeting. Almost every function of a local government has an impact on the environment and thus this is one of the most far-reaching standards. To help city and county governments, FSEC created a spreadsheet tool that helps local champions track the progress towards certification. The standard offers the opportunity for a registration - an acknowledgement that the city or county plans to comply within three years. The standard provides credit for utilizing other green standards such as FGBC's green commercial/institutional standard, green home, and green development standards, as well as
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Clean Marina and Green Lodging Programs; and the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA program.
Sarasota, Alachua and Dade County helped with creation and review of the standard, as did the City of Gainesville. Orlando representatives also attended a review meeting and provided suggestions. Green Local Government Designation web site |
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| New Board Members Bring Depth to FGBC The FGBC board filled vacant board seats with four excellent representatives.
The board now has 19 members. Elections of the standard cycle of candidates occurs in the spring. Please let us know if you would like to nominate an FGBC member in good standing for a position on the board (board rules are given in the bylaws). |
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| 2005 GreenTrends - Mark Your Calendar Florida's comprehensive green building conference will be held May 25-27 at the Chelsea Center in Sarasota. More details will be available in the next newsletter. |
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| Presentations from GreenTrends2004 now on-line The presentations from GreenTrends 2004 are now available for viewing in pdf format at the GreenTrends site. |
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| New standard development committees being formed. Please email your interest | |
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Other Upcoming Events: |
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| FGBC's new standard encourages local governments to implement green practices. |
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| Presentations from GreenTrends 2004 are now on-line, including one by Alex Wilson, Executive Editor of Environmental Building News |
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| Lakewood Ranch celebrates the opening of its green development phase. FGBC Executive Director Roy Bonnell presents the certificate to Tom Danahy, President LWR Communities, Rex Jensen, President of Schroeder Manatee Ranch and Bob Sisum, SMR Communities, (not shown). Photo: Jodi John |
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| Sarasota County Commissioner Shannon Staub addresses the group at Lakewood Ranch. Photo: Jodi John |
On Friday, December 3, 2004, Lakewood Ranch held a ceremony dedicating their next, 9000+ acre phase of construction. The development will feature 100% FGBC certified green homes built by 14 or more different builders. Roy Bonnell, FGBC executive director, presented Lakewood Ranch with a 17"x22" framed certificate. Bob Sisum, of SMR Communities has been the champion of green building.
“Green Building is not only good for the environment and ecosystems, it's good for the people who live here,” notes Rex Jensen , President of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc. “As a company, we have practiced wise stewardship of the land for the past 80 years. Earning this designation was the next natural step for us. We're going beyond the idea of just getting credit for what we've been doing all along. Our main thrust is taking Green Building principles throughout our community, as well as inside the homes. That's where we'll get the real added environmental benefit.”
Manatee County Commissioner Donna Hayes and Sarasota County Commissioner Paul Mercier read proclamations from their respective Boards declaring December 3, 2004 “Green Building Day in Lakewood Ranch.” State Representative Ron Reagan presented a similar declaration from Tallahassee .
Sarasota County Commissioner and Florida Green Building Coalition member Shannon Staub addressed the group about the importance of Green Building in this community. She also challenged SMR and Lakewood Ranch to take the next step and build green commercial sites.
Rob Vieira, Director of Buildings Research for the Florida Solar Energy Center , has also worked alongside Lakewood Ranch and its builders to maximize energy efficiency. “I do want to say that I consider your leadership in green building the greatest success story of the year across the nation,” he told SMR staff. “You are helping transform the market in Bradenton and setting an example for other developers.”
he developer has provided training and assistance for their homebuilders to make the transition to green building easier. Lakewood Ranch summary.
Green home demand, sparked by key green developments such as Lakewood Ranch, Verandah and Venetiaon Golf and Country Club, has led to many contractors becoming certifying agents for FGBC. Twelve people have become certified since the last newsletter. Certification involves attending a full day course offered by the Florida Solar Energy Center and passing one or more exams. Certifying agents can help builders comply with the standard and serve as the local verifier. Financial disclosure forms help consumers know of any potential conflicts of interest of certifying agents. FGBC examines all submittals before awarding certification. List of certifier agents
The Central Florida chapter of the USGBC held a November fund-raising dinner with keynote speaker David A. Gottfried, who was the founder of USGBC, World Green Building Council and ASTM’s Green Building Committee. Congratulations to the FGBC and USGBC members who helped start the Chapter.
Alys Beach has indicated its intent to seek the FGBC green development certification and Eden's Landing has indicated that all their homes will be built to the FGBC green standard (see In the News below). FGBC and FSEC went to Ft. Walton in November to deliver a greening your growth seminar and ten people took the green home certifying course. Look for more news in the coming months.
In the News |
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| Articles available by links at time of newsletter publication. Some publishers may request no-cost subscription. | |
| Best Practices Reports for Local Governments Released The best experience and knowledge in Canada is summarized in best practice reports. These InfraGuide publications help decision-makers and technical staff -- in the public and private sectors -- make informed, smart decisions about maintaining, repairing and upgrading the infrastructure that sustains our quality of life. |
InfraGuide |
| GSA LEED® Cost Study The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) commissioned this ground breaking study, completed in October 2004, to estimate the costs to develop "green" federal facilities using the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Building Rating System, Version 2.1. |
Whole Building Design Guide |
| The rise of the green building New buildings use design and technology to reduce environmental impact, cut costs and provide better places to work. |
The Economist |
| New urbanism moving north of 98 Parts of the code that make Eden's Landing a TND include a bike and pedestrian friendly community, narrow streets with "calm" traffic, greenways for parks and recreation, a small commercial center and several housing types. The design code also requires all homes and business to be certified by FGBC. |
The Walton Sun |
| Underground Florida Home Unscathed in Storms A Palm Bay Florida home was built for disaster resistance. |
Florida Today |
| BuildingGreen Announces 2004 Top-10 Green Building Products BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of the GreenSpec Directory and Environmental Building News, has announced its selections of the top ten green building products of 2004. |
GreenBiz.com |
| Green Building Guide for Hospitals Released The Green Guide, a voluntary self-certifying system, is the product of a two-year, multi-stakeholder development and review process, convened by the Austin, Texas-based Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems. |
Healthy Building Network |
| NAHB Call for Entries for 2005 National Green Building Awards The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) invites home builders, remodelers, developers, nonprofits, academics, industry experts and others involved in green building efforts to submit entries for the 2005 National Green Building Awards. |
Real Estate News |
| Young workers push green building principles More and more people are getting involved in green building advocacy activities early in their careers. |
The Oregonian |
| City Wide Green Building Goals Set in Boston One of our oldest cities receives recommendation to commit to green buildings certification. |
Renewable Energy Access |
