January, 2005 Newsletter
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Announcements

Florida Launches Green Lodging Locator Web Site
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Earth 911 have created the Florida Green Lodging Locator, a new online resource to assist both visitors and residents to locate environmentally friendly hotels and motels in Florida that are participating in the DEP Green Lodging Certification program. It also provides comprehensive program information and other helpful resources for lodging guests. Launched last March, the Florida Green Lodging Certification program assists hotels and motels in adopting "green" practices which conserve water and electricity, reduce waste and safeguard the environment.
Locator Web Site

Arnold Schwarzenegger Gives Executive Order Committing all California State-Owned Buildings to Comply with USGBC LEED Silver
California has jumped way ahead of Florida in environmental commitment with a December executive order by the governor. The 2nd item in the executive order indicates
  2. "That state agencies, departments, and other entities under the direct executive authority of the Governor cooperate in taking measures to reduce grid-based energy purchases for state-owned buildings by 20% by 2015, through cost-effective efficiency measures and distributed generation technologies; these measures should include but not be limited to:
2.1. Designing, constructing and operating all new and renovated state-owned facilities paid for with state funds as
"LEED Silver" or higher certified buildings; and
2.2. Identifying the most appropriate financing and project delivery mechanisms to achieve these goals; and
2.3. Seeking out office space leases in buildings with a U.S. EPA Energy Star rating; and
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
2.4. Purchasing or operating Energy Star electrical equipment whenever cost-effective."		  
The Division of the State Architect in the Department of General Services is to adopt guidelines by December 31, 2005.
Full executive order

Updated Home and Development Standards in Effect
Minor modifications have been incorporated into the 2005 versions of the standards - Version 4.0 for the green home designation standard and Version 3.0 for the green development designation standard. The home standard now awards points for reuse of air conditioner condensate. The new development standard reduces the wattage requirements for street lighting; offers credit for developers who require homeowners purchase green power from their utility; scales the community pool credit per housing unit; and clarifies the requirements for receiving water recharge credit.
Green Home Standard Site
Green Development Standard Site
Links
Green Lodging locator helps environmentally aware travelers choose green establishments.
California's Governor flexes his muscle to achieve green standards.
Sarasota's Chelsea Center will be the location of the 2005 GreenTrends conference. Photo: ChelseaCenter.com
The Not-So_Big-Showhome was one of two certified green homes featured at the International Builders Show in Orlando. Photo:Vieira, FSEC


Building a Green Florida Together
2005 GreenTrends -May 25-27 - Sarasota
Florida's comprehensive green building conference will be held May 25-27 at the Chelsea Center in Sarasota. We are hard at work preparing a great conference that will serve as a vehicle to bring all of the green building groups together to learn of new projects, program and products. We have scheduled the GreenTrends Conference in conjunction with several other green events being held in Sarasota that week. On Wednesday, May 25, 2005 , also at the Chelsea Conference Center , there will be a FREE, all day Rebuild America Workshop on the topic "Greening Affordable Housing." FGBC is a cosponsor of this event along with Rebuild Sarasota. On Friday afternoon, May 27, 2005 , the tour of local green certified facilities will include both LEEDs and FGBC certified projects. On Friday evening Sarasota will kick off its E-Festival with a special Gala Event featuring Ray Anderson of Interface Carpets. Then on Saturday, the First Annual Sarasota E-Festival will be held in the downtown area, with all types of events, activities, exhibits and vendors. In all, four days of learning, getting to know each other, and fun. Sarasota is a great city, full of all types of activities, bring the family and stay for all the events.

Other Upcoming Events:
2ND ANNUAL WATER WISE EXPO, Manatee County, Saturday, February 26, 2005 9:00am – 2:00pm call (941) 722-4524

Florida Keys Green Living and Energy Expo – Tavernier, FL – March 11-13, 2005

Going Green

International Builders Show Features Two FGBC certifed green homes
The International Builders Show was held in Orlando January 13-16 and attracted over 100,000 people. One of the exhibited homes was the first green designated manufactured home in Florida. The Palm Harbor home had a HERS score of 93 and qualified despite not being eligible to receive any points in the site category. FGBC was impressed with the attention to waste management exhibtied in the factory.

The Not So Big Showhome, designed by architect and author Sarah Susanka, was toured by thousands and will be available for tours during future shows. The home features solar water heating, photovoltaics, an electrochromatic window, sustainably harvested wood products and SIP (structurally insulated panels) construction.

FSEC release on the two homes
International builders show web site

WCI certifies 52 homes - Venice
A new FGBC record for green home certifications occurred at the start of 2005, as WCI certified 52 homes in January under green home certifying agent Jennifer Languell of Trifecta. All the homes are located in WCI's green designated Venetian Golf and River Club. The certified homes range from 1200 square feet to above 2600 square feet.
 
In the News
Articles available by links at time of newsletter publication. Some publishers may request no-cost subscription.
When rebuilding, 'go green' Roy Bonnell suggests adopting green practices when rebuilding after a hurricane. Florida Today
Going green:
From countertops to carpets, home decor gets eco-friendly 		Housing Zone