SpecRight News will now be called e-Briefings from the Center. The electronic newsletter will be distributed by the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing and will continue to offer articles of interest and importance to roofing contractors, architects, designers, facility managers, building owners and others regarding conserving energy and protecting the environment.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Center's core purpose is to establish a forum that will draw together the entire roofing industry into the common cause of promoting and increasing knowledge about environmentally friendly roof systems.

For more information about the Center, contact Craig Silvertooth, the Center's executive director, at (866) 928-CEIR (2347) or info@roofingcenter.org.
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The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved an ordinance requiring all new buildings with more than 50,000 square feet or 50 units to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)® Green Building Rating System™ certification. LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is a voluntary rating system promoting the design and construction of sustainable buildings. To earn LEED certification, a building must perform well in the following areas: energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, sustainable site development and water savings.

Los Angeles' Green Building Plan, part of the Green LA Plan announced in May 2007, is designed to reduce carbon emissions in the city by more than 80,000 tons by 2012. This is the equivalent of removing 15,000 cars from the road. The ordinance ensures city officials will work with builders to accelerate approvals and remove obstacles in the municipal code for elements of sustainable building design when a builder commits to pursuing silver LEED certification. The city of Los Angeles plans to initiate an ongoing review of city codes to facilitate the use of environmentally sound and superior materials and practices and will create a cross-departmental sustainability team to review and revise general green building policies and those associated with specific projects.
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NRCA will offer its SpecRight Program training session July 8 in Chicago. This program is being held in conjunction with NRCA's Midyear Meetings. Participants will learn how to use NRCA's EnergyWise Roof Calculator software to demonstrate to building owners how energy costs can be reduced through insulation. Additional topics include cool roofs and the latest trends in energy codes. Participants will earn 0.75 CEU upon completion of this one-day session. Click here for more information and to register.
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A new city hall in Mukilteo, Wash., is expected to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)® Green Building Rating System™ certification. LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is a voluntary rating system promoting the design and construction of sustainable buildings. To earn LEED certification, a building must perform well in the following areas: energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, sustainable site development and water savings.

The new city hall, designed by ARC Architects, Seattle, is expected to be completed in early 2009 and receive gold LEED certification. The two-story structure will incorporate recycled materials and wood from regional lumber mills. The structure will have a steep-slope roof on one side of the building that will be vegetative and a low-slope roof on the other side. In addition, low-flow toilets will be installed to reduce water consumption; overhangs and sun shades will be used outside to reduce heat gain inside the building while still providing natural light; and the parking lot will be paved with porous concrete to allow water runoff to seep through to a bed of rock beneath the pavement. Costs associated with building an environmentally friendly structure are generally 1 percent to 2 percent more than a traditional building, but the features of the building typically lead to cost-savings in the long run.
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NRCA Bookstore is offering 20 percent off all Spanish-language products through May 31. NRCA Bookstore is also offering up to 50 percent off select products during its May Madness sale. All orders qualify for a 30-day, risk-free guarantee.
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eBay Unveils San Jose's Largest Solar Roof
Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal (05/08/08) Ritch, Emma

In early May, eBay Inc. unveiled the largest commercial solar roof system in San Jose. The 649.6-kilowatt installation includes more than 3,200 solar rooftop panels and covers approximately 60,000 square feet on several buildings in the company's north campus. SolarCity Inc. installed the system and estimates that it will offset 37 million pounds of carbon dioxide during its 30-year life. In addition, it will save eBay $100,000 in electricity costs. Previously, the largest solar roof system in San Jose was atop Star Quality Concrete.
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Chicago Ranks No. 1 For Green Roofs
CBS 2 Chicago (04/24/08)

Chicago has topped the list of cities with the greatest amount of space devoted to green roof systems for the fourth consecutive year. The Windy City earned the top spot on Green Roofs for Healthy Cities' Top 10 List of Best U.S. Green Roof Cities list by installing more than 517,600 new square feet of green roof space in 2007 alone. In fact, Chicago bested second-place finisher Wilmington, Del., by more than 300,000 square feet. Nationwide, the report calculates that there were 30 percent more green roof systems installed in 2007 versus a year earlier. Planting vegetation on roofs can cool the environment, reduce energy consumption, enhance air quality and help treat stormwater. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley issued a statement, which read: "Cities are no longer the enemies of the natural environment. They're leading the way in preserving and protecting it. Our green roof program is just one way we are preserving and protecting our natural resources while saving money, creating jobs and improving the quality of life."
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Largest Modular Green Roof in Atlanta Installed on Art Museum
Epoch Times (05/12/08) Silver, Mary

Atlanta's High Museum of Art recently installed a 6,680-square-foot green roof system that is composed of tough, colorful sedum plants that change color in the sun. Woodruff Arts Center Board of Trustees member David Harris conceived the project, which is meant to protect the museum's roof, reduce stormwater runoff and improve air quality.
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Acme Markets Opens 'Greenest' Store in Philly
Progressive Grocer (04/23/08)

In late April, Acme Markets opened the first environmentally friendly supermarket in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The store was built according to the specifications of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Acme President Judy Spires stated: "We want to use this building to demonstrate the environmental innovations that are possible with today's technology. We have installed plaques throughout the store to educate our customers about our green initiatives." The store has more than 30 skylights to save energy while creating a comfortable shopping environment. Reflective roofing is also part of the new store's design. Its white roof system was installed to reflect the sun's rays, reducing the need for air conditioning and diminishing the "heat island" effect that can cause higher outdoor temperatures in urban areas. Energy-efficient lighting systems have been incorporated in the refrigerated cases, along with overall store illumination designed to reduce energy consumption by 64 percent. Finally, water-saving fixtures have been incorporated that conserve approximately 112,000 gallons of drinkable water annually.
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City's First Green Roof Won't Be Last
LancasterOnline (05/08/08) Todd, Jennifer

Crews from APEX Greenroofs are currently in the process of completing Lancaster, Pa.'s first green roof system atop National Novelty Brush Co.'s newly expanded plant. Designed to act as an insulator, the 17,000-square-foot green roof system will cut global warming emissions by reducing the use of air conditioning and heat. In addition, it will enhance air quality and reduce stormwater runoff while creating a wildlife habitat for birds, bees, butterflies and other insects. APEX officials report the building's original roof has been reinforced to withstand the weight of the green roof. The green roof system was constructed by layering channeled foam, soil medium and sedums that require little maintenance and no irrigation. The plantings are covered with coconut fiber, which serves as a wind blanket and holds moisture. Over the next several months, the plants will grow to about 6 to 8 inches. National Novelty Brush President and Chief Executive Ofificer Rick Seavey expects the green roof system to result in a 25 percent decrease in energy costs for his company. He adds: "Not only will it keep our building cooler, it will actually cool the entire neighborhood because we won't be drawing so much heat."
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East Grand Rapids City Hall Now Powered by the Sun
WZZM-TV 13 (Grand Rapids, MI) (05/01/08)

In Michigan, East Grand Rapids is currently looking to make its City Hall building more energy efficient via the addition to a new roof system that features solar panels. The community center is already Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified, having been built using environmentally friendly materials. Now, East Grand Rapids City Hall will be able to get much of its power directly from the sun. The solar panels feed energy directly into the building's electrical system with excess energy sent to the local power grid. The panels were bought with a grant from the Wege Foundation.
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LEED's Big Market Bias
CoStar Group (04/23/08) Burr, Andrew C.

A 2007 study by RREEF shows that Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) buildings are now found in 400 or so U.S. cities but are "highly concentrated" in the nation's largest metro areas. Meanwhile, CoStar Group research shows that the 10 largest American cities by population account for nearly 10 percent of the more than 11,000 LEED-certified or registered projects to date. That amounts to an average of nearly 100 LEED projects per city, leaving the remaining 350-plus cities with an average of only about 30 LEED projects. The RREEF study notes that this trend accelerates on the state level, where 66 percent of LEED-certified building area falls within the 10 largest states "despite having barely 40 percent of the nation's population." LEED has been slower to penetrate small and mid-major markets because many of the factors driving demand—corporate tenancy, new construction and so forth—favor larger markets. Although local green building regulation is more prevalent in smaller markets, a much greater amount of space is affected by mandates in the larger markets. A recent study by Prudential Real Estate Investors stated: "For some businesses, particularly large multinational companies, shareholder pressures have been a powerful catalyst in their newfound interest in greenhouse gas emissions. Because real estate accounts for a significant share of most companies' aggregate greenhouse gas emissions, green buildings offer an obvious and effective way for companies to demonstrate their commitment to the environment." Also highlighting the corporate connection to green practices, a November survey on sustainability trends in corporate real estate by CoreNet Global and Jones Lang LaSalle stated that roughly 80 percent of corporations now consider sustainability a "near-term" business issue and are willing to pay a premium to be green. Eric Bowles, vice president and director of research for CoreNet Global, comments, "It's crystal clear to us that a focus on sustainability has become important to the Fortune 500 and similar companies around the world."
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Starwood Develops Brand of LEED-certified Hotels
Display & Design Ideas (04/24/08)

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. confirms its newest brand, ELEMENT hotels, will require all of its lodgings to pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. With its first hotel set to debut this summer and more than 20 locations on track to open by the end of next year, ELEMENT will be the first major hotel brand to commit to LEED certification. ELEMENT designated its first lodging as a working laboratory in which it tested the latest in green design, construction and operations. The White Plains, N.Y.-based company's research indicates that LEED certification is achievable at a minimal cost premium and further shows that the initial investment can be recouped within a few years. ELEMENT's key green features include daylighting, energy-efficient appliances and water-efficient faucets. ELEMENT hotels are set to open in such markets such as Manhattan, Chicago, Orlando and Las Vegas. The first property will open in Lexington, Mass., in July 2008.
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LIPA to Build Solar-Energy Panels on Long Island
Newsday (04/23/08) Harrington, Mark

The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) wants to commission a project to install solar energy panels on the rooftops of schools, commercial buildings, landfills and parking lots. On April 22, LIPA issued a request for proposal for the 50-Mw initiative, sufficient for powering 6,500 homes, according to the nonprofit municipal electric utility. Contracts will be awarded by LIPA in October. Under the project, one or more contractors would construct and maintain the solar arrays, which would feed energy into LIPA's grid. Costs would be initially paid by the contractors, who would recover their investments by selling electricity to LIPA via contracts that will last from five year to 20 years. The best locations for the solar panels will be determined jointly by LIPA, the contractors, and land and building owners.
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Genzyme to Build New R&D Center in Beijing
PRNewswire (04/22/08)

Genzyme Corp. has announced plans to build a new research and development center in Beijing. The facility will be used for research and development purposes involving many of the company's primary areas of focus, including orthopedics, oncology and cardiovascular disease. The 200,000-square-foot facility will feature a green design that is consistent with Genzyme's commitment to corporate responsibility. Chief among its environmentally friendly features will be a green roof system to reduce pollution caused by stormwater runoff. The building will also feature a solar thermal system that will provide a significant portion of the building's hot water, along with an all-glass exterior that will provide employees with significant natural light. Genzyme plans to seek certification for the center with the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. All of the company's facilities worldwide are being built to high environmental standards.
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Starbucks Seeks to Make Plant a 'Green Building'
Orangeburg Times and Democrat (SC) (04/22/08) Zaleski, Gene

Starbucks Coffee Co. is looking to have its new Calhoun County, S.C., roasting facility certified as a green building through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. Anna Johnson, Starbucks' senior projects engineer, comments: "Starbucks is committed to reducing the environmental footprint of our operations, including at our roasting plants, retail stores and corporate headquarters buildings. LEED is simply the preeminent, objective system that provides verification to the green building claims we make as a company." Starbucks applied to become LEED-certified during the first quarter of 2007 as it started to design the 150,000-square-foot facility. Starbucks plans to invest $70 million at the facility, which should be up and running in the fourth quarter of 2008. As part of the LEED process, Starbucks has completed a checklist showing which LEED points it plans to pursue. Its plans include: daylighting 75 percent of spaces within the facility; establishing plans for stormwater quantity control; and providing a third-party commissioning agent who will see the facility through design, construction and system validation. Pat Black, the Calhoun County Development Commission's executive director, praised Starbucks' efforts to pursue LEED certification. He cracked wise that Starbucks is becoming "as green as their aprons."
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Green Schools at the Top of the Agenda for U.S. Communities
U.S. Green Building Council (04/22/08)

Each day, an average of one American school registers for the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED certification program for green schools. Going green can improve students' health and test scores, as well as cut a school's energy costs. "LEED buildings have a demonstrated track record for lowering energy use by up to 40 percent and reducing water use by up to 50 percent over conventional buildings," says USGBC Senior Vice President Michelle Moore. The green schools agenda now has a federal voice with the creation of the Green Schools Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. The caucus aims to increase awareness of the benefits of green schools, head the policy discussion on the subject in a variety of forums, develop legislative opportunities for the combined efforts of the caucus members and supply members of Congress with constituent outreach resources. Moore comments: "We need to green our schools within a generation. Twenty percent of America goes to school every day. There's no more important place to start."
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24 Strategies, 24 Hours — Maximize Your Building's Performance
Earthtimes (04/18/08)

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International recently put together 24 strategies for increasing sustainability and optimizing performance in commercial buildings. From water conservation and environmentally friendly landscaping to recycling and educating tenants, these tips provide no- and low-cost ways to both green buildings and reduce operating costs. "The office building industry accounts for nearly 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in this country," said BOMA International Chairman and Chief Elected Officer Brenna S. Walraven. "By implementing no and low-cost strategies, property professionals can reduce energy consumption by as much as 30 percent and be stewards of sustainability."
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Roof Design Helps New Office Save on Energy
Springfield News-Leader (MO) (04/16/08) Tang, Didi

In Springfield, Mo., the offices of R.B. Murray Co. now feature a V-shaped butterfly roof system that is designed to allow natural lighting to come to the inside, saving utility costs and offering a more productive work environment. Founder Rob Murray states: "I believe that's the right way to build office buildings. It does not make sense not to embrace sustainability and environmental sensitivity." R.B. Murray Co. announced last fall its plans to build a seven-building compound called TerraGreen that will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. This new building with the angled roof is part of that complex and should be completed within the next two months. According to Murray, energy-efficient designs will slash operational costs by as much as 50 percent at TerraGreen office buildings.
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Cost and Red Tape Hamper Colleges' Efforts to Go Green
Chronicle of Higher Education (04/11/08) Vol. 54, No. 31, P. 1; Carlson, Scott

To show their commitment to sustainability, more than 1,500 colleges have enrolled in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, created in 2000 by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council. However, for many, the cost remains too high. The program is based on a point system, with builders gaining points for each green practice they add. But a building does not achieve LEED certification until each point is checked by third-party consultants, which can cost $1,000 to $2,000 per point or more than $100,000 by the time the whole process is finished. To avoid the high cost, such institutions as Colorado State University at Fort Collins are choosing to go green without becoming certified. "It makes sense to us to put the money back into the building rather than get a certificate," says Brian Chase, director of facilities at Colorado State. However, deciding not to pursue certification may lead some colleges to cut out elements they consider too expensive, which could shorten the building's performance span. On the other hand, some sustainability advocates claim that just because a building becomes LEED- certified does not necessarily mean it is green. For example, one builder can earn one point for maintaining 75 percent of the walls, floors and roof of an existing structure while another builder can also earn one point for just installing a bike rack. The U.S. Green Building Council is currently working on a new version of LEED in which simple projects will not be awarded as many points as more challenging ones as solar roof systems. Council officials are also trying out a "portfolio program" that might lower certification costs by enabling builders to go through certification on a building type, building feature or sustainability program, which they can then carry over to other buildings. Officials also expect certification costs to go down over time as more builders adopt green-building practices.
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Sunpower Installs Solar Roof at Macy's in Oakridge Mall
San Jose Mercury News (CA) (04/21/08) Nauman, Matt

In California, Macy's recently unveiled a new solar roof system at its Oakridge Mall store, featuring panels from Sunpower. The project entails approximately 1,500 solar panels covering 27,000 square feet of rooftop space. It will generate more than 400,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. That, coupled with changes to the store's interior lighting and energy-management system, will reduce the building's electricity bill by as much as 40 percent. The Oakridge Mall location is the seventh of 28 Macy's stores statewide that will get solar roof systems from San Jose-based SunPower.
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