November 2016 E-Newsletter
TABLE OF CONTENTS
New Member Welcome Social - An Exclusive Event for New Members
Get Hands-On Help Benchmarking Your Energy Use
Earn AIA & GBCI CE Hours While Giving Back!
Distinguish Yourself with the LEED Green Associate Credential
Welcome to New Chapter Members!
Call for Nominations: Above + Beyond Volunteer Recognition Program
Studies Reveal Links Between Green Buildings, Health & Building Occupant Satisfaction
Missouri Division of Energy's Energy Loan Program Accepting Applications
Ryan Gravel to Present "Where We Want to Live"
People and Climate Change
Support the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter on Giving Tuesday, because Green Buildings Are Better!
Thanks to our New & Renewing Annual Sponsors!

USGBC-MISSOURI GATEWAY CHAPTER MISSION 

To initiate, develop and accelerate the implementation of green building concepts, technologies and principles that promote environmentally responsible, prosperous and healthy places to live and work.
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 10

QUICK LINKS


AMAZON SMILE 


CONNECT WITH US!
New Member Welcome Social 
An exclusive event for new members of USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter!
Thursday, November 10, 4:30 - 6:00 pm

The U.S. Green Building Council - Missouri Gateway Chapter invites new members to come socialize!  Join us at Urban Chestnut's Grove Brewery & Bierhall, Missouri's First LEED Certified brewery. Following a networking period, Chapter officers, past and present, will discuss the chapter's history, highlight member benefits & opportunities, and answer questions. Get to know YOUR USGBC Chapter!

Not a new member, but interested in attending? Become a member today! 

Benchmarking Jam
Wednesday, November 30, 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Get hands-on assistance using the free, online ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool at the November 30 Benchmarking Jam!

Energy Benchmarking is the process of measuring how much energy your building consumes, and comparing your performance to the past and to similar buildings. Benchmarking is the first step toward saving energy and money. You know what they say - "You can't manage what you don't measure!"

The U.S. EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is a free, online, interactive energy management tool that allows you to measure and track your building's energy and water consumption, identify investment priorities, and verify improvements over time. All buildings benefit from benchmarking: businesses, schools, congregations, non-proftis and local governments are encouraged to attend.

Already benchmarking? Plan to join us at the Benchmarking Jam to get assistance making plans to reduce your energy use! 

Attendees are encouraged to bring the information necessary for benchmarking, including 12 months of energy use data, to the Benchmarking Jam. Assistance with data collection is available.
Earn AIA & CBCI CE Hours While Giving Back!
The USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter is seeking volunteers to verify ENERGY STAR certification applications pro-bono. Volunteers must be registered architects or professional engineers. 

Volunteers may earn 7 AIA HSW Learning Units annually for validating, pro bono, one or more building applications for ENERGY STAR certification. Volunteers may earn 1 GBCI CE hour for each hour served performing application verification. GBCI CE Hours will be in the volunteering category. These hours may account for up to 50% of the total hours required by the LEED Green Associate or LEED AP credentials.    
ENERGY STAR certification is no-cost, but applications do require review by a professional engineer or registered architect. The reviewer verifies that energy performance and indoor environmental conditions meet the standards for ENERGY STAR certification. Training about the ENERGY STAR verification process is available. 

   
More detailed information about the process of earning AIA CE Learning Units is available on ENERGY STAR's website here. Interested volunteers should  contact the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter to get involved.

Do you know a non-profit, school, house of worship, or government interested in pursuing ENERGY STAR certification, but unable to afford application review? We're here to help!  Contact the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter for assistance. 
Friday December 9, 2016, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Distinguish yourself with a LEED Green Associate credential!  Passing the Green Associate exam will allow you to market your knowledge of the preeminent standards in the green building industry, and it is the first step in becoming a LEED Professional.  The LEED Green Associate credential is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate green building expertise in non-technical fields of practice. This credential attests to basic knowledge of green design, construction, and operations.

USGBC-Missouri Gateway's  LEED Green Associate Exam Prep course is designed to prepare participants for the LEED Green Associate exam.  Course content includes an introduction to USGBC and LEED, LEED v4 Core Concepts, Location and Transportation, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation and Regional Priority, Test Taking Tips, & Practice Exam.

Participants will receive access to an online practice exam to assist with continued exam preparation at the conclusion of the course.

Welcome New USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter Members!
Thanks to the following Contributor Members!
The Contributor level of membership allows individuals to provide additional support for our mission.
 
Theresa Fischer, USFContract
 
And a big welcome to all of our members who joined between September 2015 and June 2016!
 
Zia Ansari, SIUE
Chris Baker, The Weidt Group
Dave Binz, Cambridge Engineering
Anthony Borth, Hallmark Building Supplies, Inc.
Carol Braford, Irresistible Community Builders, LLC
Tom Braford, Irresistible Community Builders, LLC
Andrew Carrigan, Filtrexx Living Walls
James Chott, Brauer Supply Company
Megan Clinton, MC Design
Beth Coates, St. Louis Composting
Chuck Dale-Derks, McClure Engineering
Vickie Dziaba, Woolpert
David Ervay, Brauer Supply Company
Joan Featherston, Independent Design Consultant
Richard Frazier, Brauer Supply Company
Austin Granger, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Linda Marie Grawl, Heideman Associates
Karen Hamilton, Allegion
Jeffrey Harris, Harris Consulting Engineering
Jim Harris, Brauer Supply Company
Alex Javurek, Brauer Supply Company
Hwei-Yiing Johnson, Lincoln University
Bob Kramer, CR2 Engineering
Glenn LeGros, Hallmark Building Supplies, Inc.
Greg McMullen, Saint Louis Art Museum / Ranken Technical College
Michael Merritt, Entegrity Partners
Gary Mitchell, LG Electroincs
Lynda Morrison, First Congregational Church WG + St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Ferguson
Elysia Musumeci, Brightside St. Louis/City of St. Louis
Yvette Paris, Louer Facility Planning
Sara Park, Cushman & Wakefield
Caroline Pufalt, Sierra Club
Stephen Raskin, FGM Architects
Adam Rustige, Sitton Energy Solutions
Kevin Smith, Brauer Supply Company
Sarah Staebell, St. Louis County Department of Public Health
Jean Turney, Forest Park Forever

Interested in joining the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter? Learn more and get started online here
The USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter is committed to recognizing volunteers who have contributed significantly to the Chapter, devoting time and talents "above and beyond" on a particular project or program. We are currently seeking Above + Beyond nominations for volunteers that have performed outstanding work over the past year!
 
Please complete this online form to nominate a current volunteer for Above + Beyond recognition. Nominated volunteers will be recognized at the State of the Chapter and Social in January of 2017. Nominations are due on December 31st by 11:59 pm.

Studies reveal links between green buildings, health and building occupant satisfaction
Two new studies shine light on the links between the built environment, human health, and the bottom line. Green buildings are better... for people!  

U.S. Building Owners Show Strong Support for Better Designed, Healthier Buildings to Improve Employee Wellness
A
new SmartMarket Report released by Dodge Data & Analytics reveals that the construction of healthier buildings for occupants is of interest for about two-thirds of U.S. building owners.
 
According to the report, titled "The Drive Toward Healthier Buildings 2016",  79% of building owners believe such buildings will lead to improved employee satisfaction and engagement, evidenced by owners' ability to increase leasing rates (73%) and realize higher asset values (62%). 

The report surveyed U.S. owners, architects, interior designers and contractors, and found that 67 percent of U.S. building owners are interested in creating healthier buildings for people.

"Our world is confronting massive challenges that affect our physical, mental and social well-being," said Mahesh Ramanujam, chief operating officer, USGBC. "We know that programs like USGBC's LEED green building rating system and IWBI's WELL Building Standard provide key solutions to business leaders who are looking for the best way to create healthier, more sustainable buildings. We will continue to educate and push the market to prioritize human health in the built environment, which has benefits that extend beyond the building itself to the cities, communities and neighborhoods where we live."


More information and the full report are available online here.
 
New research from Harvard School of Public Health found higher cognitive function scores, fewer health symptoms and better perception of the indoor environment in high-performing, green-certified buildings compared to similarly high-performing buildings that were not green-certified.

Researchers studied 109 workers in 10 buildings across the country for one week. All buildings had similar air quality, with high ventilation rates and low total VOCs, but thermal comfort and lighting differed between the two types of buildings. Green certified buildings were generally less humid and had higher light levels.

On average, participants in green-certified buildings saw 26 percent higher cognitive function scores than those in non-certified, high-performing buildings, and 6.4% higher sleep quality scores. Higher cognitive function scores were identified in critical areas such as crisis response and strategy.

Learn more about this study here.
Low-Interest Loans for Energy Efficiency Projects
The Missouri Division of Energy's Energy Loan program provides low interest loans to reduce energy costs. The program is open to:
  • Public schools (K-12)
  • Public/private colleges and universities
  • City/county government
  • Public owned airport facilities (municipal, county, regional, and international)
  • Public water and wastewater treatment facilities
  • Public/private not-for-profit hospitals
This loan financing may be used for various energy-saving investments, including projects such as upgrading insulation, lighting systems, heating and cooling systems, windows and other items that affect your energy use. Loan recipients repay the loan with money saved on energy costs as a result of implementing the energy-efficiency projects.

According to Attorney General of Missouri opinion letter No. 136-85, these loans borrowed by public schools do not require electorate assent and are not considered as "debt" created. Therefore, the loan financing does not count against debt limits or require a public vote or bond issuance.

The loan amount per application is $10,000 to $1,000,000. Loans are repaid by energy savings with a maximum repayment term of 10 years including principal and interest. Applications are currently open and will be accepted until January 13, 2017.  

Ryan Gravel to present "Where We Want to Live"
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Hosted by St. Louis Regional Chamber, Accelerate St. Louis, Great Rivers Greenway and ULI St. Louis 

Urban planner and author Ryan Gravel's masters thesis launched the Atlanta Beltline, which through fifteen years of progress, is now changing both the physical form of his city and the decisions people make about living there.  Ryan's new book, Where We Want to Live, investigates this cultural side of infrastructure, describing how its intimate relationship with our way of life can illuminate a brighter path forward for cities.

Mr. Gravel will discuss the cultural side of infrastructure and how this analysis can provide a path for progress within our cities. Following his talk, leaders from Great Rivers Greenway and Trailnet will present their efforts to improve connectedness and livability in our region. 

People and Climate Change: Vulnerability, Adaptation, Social Justice
Friday, November 18, 2016 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Hosted by Washington University in St. Louis 

Climate change threatens the well-being, livelihood and survival of people and communities worldwide.
 
Join Washington University in Saint Louis for this symposium on the human impacts of climate change, the social responses necessary for transformational solutions, and the policy implications of such solutions.
 
Key speakers include experts on flooding, drought, heat, urbanization, adaptation, and indigenous health-representing research from the United States, Latin America, Southeast Asia and other parts of the world.
 
Participants will compare existing knowledge on vulnerability and adaptation; identify where new knowledge is needed and chart a research agenda; set ambitious yet reachable social policy goals; and develop a strategy for reaching those goals.
 
The symposium is free, but registration is required. View the event agenda here.

Tuesday, December 6
We have two days for spending each holiday season - Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Why not add a day for giving to your calendar? Celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season.

This year, consider including the U.S. Green Building Council - Missouri Gateway Chapter in your end-of-year giving plans, because Green Buildings Are Better for living, working, playing, and learning!





Throughout 2016, we have been celebrating our 15 year anniversary. 15 years ago, 15 committed volunteers came together to form one of the first six USGBC Chapters in the country - because they believed that green buildings are better. We are proud of all that we have accomplished since that time, but there is much more work to be done! 
 
Join us in our work to support buildings of all types to green their design, construction & operations by making a donation this holiday season!


The financial support of our sponsors is integral to ensuring that everyone can live, work and learn in smart and healthy buildings.

  
What Your Company Gains as a USGBC - MGC Sponsor: 
 
EXPAND: Grow the knowledge of green building and sustainability in our community.
  
PARTICIPATE: Get involved in educational programs, special events and community projects to showcase your company's leadership.
  
EXPOSURE: As a Chapter Sponsor, your company will be:
  • Listed on our website which receives 6,500 visitors and 60,000 page views per month.
  • Included in our monthly e-newsletter with over 5,000 subscribers.
  • Recognized at monthly programs, with an average attendance of 100.
LEARN: Keep up with the latest green building trends and technologies and earn continuing education hours.
  
ALIGN: Differentiate your company as a leader in the sustainability movement in your community.

USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter Sponsorships includes numerous benefits - from complimentary Chapter memberships and monthly program passes to exposure on the Chapter website, e-news and at events.    
  
You can learn more by downloading our 2016 Sponsor Package or by contacting Emily Andrews at 314-577-0854.
 
Thanks to our RESTORATIVE SPONSORS

Thanks to our PLATINUM SPONSORS


Thanks to our GOLD SPONSORS


Thanks to our GREEN SCHOOLS SUPPORTERS


Thanks to our GREEN-15  SPONSORS

Thanks to our  SILVER  SPONSORS
8760 Engineering

Ameren Missouri Pure Power
 
ASSA ABLOY
 
BSI Constructors
 
Christner, Inc. 
 
Custom Engineering
 
Dynamic Controls, Inc.
 
ECO Recycling, Inc. 
 
Electrical Connection
 
Enterprise Holdings
 
Express Scripts
Farnsworth Group

FGM Architects


Hastings & Chivetta
 
Heideman Associates, Inc
 
HM Risk
 
Wm. B. Ittner, Inc

Johnson Controls
 
Metro Lighting
 
M3 Engineering Group
 
Mueller Prost

NewGround 
Oates Associates

PayneCrest Electric

Parsons Brinckerhoff

Ross & Baruzzini
 
Siemens

Solutions AEC

Tarlton

Thompson Coburn, LLC

Trane
Thanks to our  GREEN SPONSORS
Azimuth Energy

HBD Construction
 
Schaeffer Marketing Group