GreenTrends 2005 -
May 25 -27 |
| Join FGBC and Save Join now and save on registration fees for GreenTrends Conferences. See new Member Benefits fact sheet (pdf). |
| 2005 Green Home Aurora - Call For Entries It is almost too late to submit your Green Home Aurora Award application! o All it takes is $100 entry fee per category: o The attached application is easier this year – no slides, only requiring a CD of digital slide files, instead of slides. To make it more like the standard Auroras – you need four exterior pictures and three interior. o Deadline with FGBC Green Home rating completion May 13 th, 2005. o Four ways to win with four award categories: Cat# 73:Production Home Cat# 74:Demonstration Model Cat# 75:Affordable Home <$150,000 Cat# 76:Custom/Luxury o Primary judging criteria: highest score by FGBC Green Home Designation Standard, Green Feature List, plus your environmental mission statement Don't miss this opportunity for your green building efforts to be recognized! * See the 2005 Green Home Aurora Portfolio Package for more details (pdf version): Call for more information: Pattie W. Glenn, FGBC Board of Directors, Green Aurora Chair, 352-495-6310 home office, 352-214-4646 cell |
| FGBC turns 5 years old The Florida Green Building Coaltion was formally formed in April 2000, and thus has turned five years old. Rob Vieira, FGBC organizing committee charman and current board member says,"This organization has stayed true to its original mission and objectives. At the first organizing committee meeting in Feb. 2000, the group identified four sets of green standards that should be developed -homes, buildings, developments and local governments. With the release of the green local government standard at the end of 2004, Florida has each of those originally envisioned standards. Now we need to use a five-year old's enthusiasm to let people know the benefits of going green." |
| Bylaws modified by FGBC board After five years, some changes were in order. Membership had started as only individuals, now we have business, government, non-profit and student memberships as well. A number of changes to elections were adopted. Consistent with the founding committee's desire for a true coalition, two measures were passed to assure no one group will obtain undue influence. Now, no more than two people from one organization can serve on the board, and no more than 5% of the vote in an election can be controlled by one organization. The category affiliations of board members were modified to be more descriptive and inclusive. Whereas before there was a category called water and energy providers, there is now one simply titled products. The real estate and finance category now appends the words and property services. Time frames for voting were changed slightly. New Bylaws |
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| GreenTrends will include tours of many green building sites in and around Sarasota. |
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| FGBC has turned five years old. Each of four standards prioritized at the inceptional meeting of FGBC have been developed. Awareness and working together to promote green benefits are seen as keys to future success. |
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| Photo Jeff Sonne, FSEC Green roof reserch at UCF will compare stormwater and energy benefits with conventional roof. |
Going Green |
| Sarasota County reduces permit fees for green buildings The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution March 15 encouraging private construction to use sustainable building practices through financial incentives, and reaffirmed the county commitment to building “green.” Private contractors who build to “green” standards will enjoy fast-track permitting for building permits and a 50 percent reduction in the cost of building permit fees up to a maximum of $1,000. There is a total of $5,000 in refunds per builder and the program is limited to $50,000 per year. The resolution also mandates that all Sarasota County Government buildings be built to “green” standards unless the costs outweigh benefits. |
| Miami-Dade Creates Incentives for Solar and Green Buidlings Businesses that construct facilities to meet either US Green Building Council LEED or Florida Green Building Coalition standards could qualify for a Targeted Jobs incentives, while those that also incorporate solar thermal, photovoltaic, fuel cell, or cogeneration energy technology will receive an additional credit. “These incentives will foster the market for resource efficient and more ‘employee friendly' workplaces, all while growing the local market for alternative energy products,” explained Commissioner Katy Sorenson. “This will even create greater demand for architects, engineers, and construction professionals with training and expertise in green building.” . |
Green Roof Installed at University of Central Florida |
In the News |
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| Articles available by links at time of newsletter publication. Some publishers may request no-cost subscription. | |
| It's getting easier to be green, especially at Lakewood Ranch | Housing Zone |
| All new state buildings in Washington state to be green certified | Sustainable Industries Journal Northwest |
| Lennox Industries Inc. introduced the world's first residential air conditioner rated at over 20 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). | ThomasNet |
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Selecting the right green products requires comprehensive approach
Author: Eric Martin, Date: March 16-31 Hurricane losses can lead to gains through ‘green' rebuilding Author: FGBC Executive DIrector Roy Bonnell Jr., Date: April 1-15 |
Florida Real Estate Journal (Hard copies contains articles) |
| Sarasota County is pursuing ENERGY STAR status for the Criminal Justice Center | Venice Gondolier Sun |
| Green trends growing in popularity | Scripps Howard News Service |