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Allison Friedman
Rate It Green Admin Boston - Metrowest MA United States Member Since: 01/11/2006
My Activities
- 101 Discussions
- 131 Group Posts
- 24 Replies
- 12 Articles
- 0 Ratings
- Comments
About Me
Professional Information
Position: Founder
Company: Rate It Green, LLC
Activity
What is the Future of Gas Cooking?
I n mid-January 2023, there was what seemed like a surprise announcement one day acknowledging the dangers of gas stoves and announcing possible regulatory action, and then this whole story seemed to be taken back and almost completely disappeared from the news the next. If you weren’t paying attention to the news in that 24-hour period, you might even have missed it. For people who are knowledgeable about indoor air qual...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 04/22/2023 + Show |
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) 101 - An Introduction, and Starting a Wider Conversation
It’s a fairly well known generalization in the building industry and beyond that we spend up to 90% of our time indoors, so it seems that most people would agree easily enough that the quality of indoor air matters. In fact, and according to the EPA, indoor air pollutant levels are 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels and can even exceed outdoor pollutant levels by up to 100 times. However, most building occ...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 11/14/2023 + Show |
I had given some thought to the significant, known challenge we face in decarbonizing homes to meet climate carbon reduction goals, and in particular that it’s going to be daunting to retrofit millions of existing homes, both to make sure companies are eager and available to do this work and to inspire or require homeowners to make the necessary changes for new and existing buildings. Many in the sustainable building world have...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/02/2023 + Show |
What Will Offices Look and Feel Like Going Forward? Top Considerations, Strategies, and Challenges
“The world of work will never be the same again….In a post COVID-19 world, work not only has to be safe, it has to be “clean and assured.” - Larry Pearlman, Marsh Risk Consulting “ The science is decades old on all the benefits that come from healthy buildings, including infectious disease reduction…But these strategies have not been fully deployed in buildings.” -Joseph...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/06/2023 + Show |
Protecting Workers on the JobSite - Emerging Ideas on Communication, Safety Procedures & PPE
"Pipes break, HVAC equipment fails, service will have to be done during this crisis.” This is how Bob Krell of HealthyIndoors.com started his regular afternoon show on a Thursday in late April, just as the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 impact were beginning to become clear. Indeed, I had been wondering how long we might hope for good luck in terms of nothing breaking or needing critical service during this time of ...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/06/2023 + Show |
Greenbuild 2019 - Looking to the Future (Sustainable and Successful, for Everyone)
It is a fun and fairly common experience at Greenbuild to find mid conversation that you already know the person you’re speaking to from an email exchange, a social media connection, or in my case that they’re already a member of our online green building network! One of my favorite moments this year was when someone stopped me on the trade show floor and thanked me for promoting an event for an organization she interned for...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/10/2023 + Show |
RGGI - Acadia Center's 10 Year Review (Reduced Emissions and Economic Growth Go Hand in Hand)
The Acadia Center has released a review of the first ten years of operation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI (pronounced “Reggie”), and the results are exceedingly positive and show that a clean energy economy really can have it all. The analysis concludes that CO2 emissions from power plants in the RGGI states fell 90% faster during this time period than in the rest of country, while economic growth in the ...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/11/2023 + Show |
Greenbuild 2018 - Report Out, and Top 10
The participating companies and attendees at Greenbuild 2018 seemed to have a wider, more open outlook about our work as an industry than I have perceived at times. We talk about collaboration and even harmonization, but who's going to take that risk and share their inspirations and even some secret sauce? Who really believes that a rising tide can lift all boats to the point where they will share some of t...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 11/27/2018 + Show |
Greenbuild 2017 Wrap Up - Some Top Show Moments and Activities
Greenbuild 2017 was a whirlwind week! I am excited to share some top Greenbuild 2017 activities and moments. Sometimes, I wished I could be in more than one place at once! Conversations on the show floor gave me an opportunity to make new connections, and to see some familiar faces. More than once, I was enjoying speaking with someone, and we realized when we looked at our name tags that we know each oth...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 11/16/2017 + Show |
We've been hearing and reading excitedly recently that communities are committing to running 100% on renewable energy... First there were 5, and then the number rose to 23 and counting! Cities are being announced in the news, but it would be helpful to have a few places to view "the list" and to really see what's going on and to watch this trend. Fortunately, several organizations have stepped forward to pr...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/24/2023 + Show |
Urban Green Council Emerging Professionals
Awesome, and welcome Ic! Please feel welcome to post this same also in the NY Green Building Group! … Awesome, and welcome Ic! Please feel welcome to post this same also in the NY Green Building Group! (Group posts have to belong to one group technically, but this post seems worthy of two!
Reply given on: 05/19/2023
#GreenInfluncerATL group members connect at #IBS2022 in Orlando
Hey #GreenInfluencerATL Members - Here's a post we wrote up on "Filtration and Airflow in Whole Hous… Hey #GreenInfluencerATL Members - Here's a post we wrote up on "Filtration and Airflow in Whole House HVAC Systems: Filter Cabinets and MERV Options" that includes these videos plus the one Matt recorded with Chris Howells at IBS. I have appreciated this recent great filtration content! https://www.rateitgreen.com/green-building-community/discussions/products/filtration-and-airflow-in-whole-house-hvac-systems-filter-cabinets-and-merv-options/5906
Reply given on: 06/16/2022
NOT COMPLICATED - JUST GREEN, podcast of common sense for better construction
I really enjoyed this conversation, thanks James and Matt. I think it lived up to its name of n… I really enjoyed this conversation, thanks James and Matt. I think it lived up to its name of not being complicated and was super approachable. I’d recommend giving a listen, but just in case it can help to give some highlights, here’s some of what was discussed: -Why not just build cheaper buildings? Goodness we could go on forever about that. Liability was one point, but also taking short cuts or just not building better leads to higher costs, upset clients and maybe even health impacts down the road. As Matt points out, selfishly, sustainability saves money! -What items are the longer term decisions people should be thinking about? I enjoyed Matt’s point about having a Bentley in the driveway but a Yugo in the mechanical room. We spend a lot on our homes - which is a good reason to get it right. And, cheaper systems can be more to install, and might have more maintenance costs or need to be replaced sooner... -How can we think about possible impacts? A key answer is really that if we do everything right, it all adds up. Matt makes a great point that we don’t often do our math right. If something costs 20% more but will last 5x as long, or we focus on aesthetics and install an exterior surface that the sun and rain will destroy, we’re not making cost effective decisions. We need to talk and teach more about operating and long term costs in the structure of costs. We need ot figure out people’s pain points, whether it’s comfort, health issues, costs, and then we can educate and introduce options that will work for occupants and overall. -What are builder’s pain points? This is a super interesting question. Matt believes if we provide solutions and don’t just point out problems, and if we educate clients, people will make better decisions. -Can the game be stepped up even higher? Well, yes. We’re going to see more energy efficiency, more electrification, and more power creation at the source. Why not become more efficient and save, AND make it clean? -Where can you learn from Matt? Well, on Sawhorse, Inc’s site of course, on Sawhorse’s YT channel, and here on Rate It Green! Matt also talks about the WHY of creating content - it’s helpful in onboarding and educating clients, and also helping others to do the same. Once we know more, and as we learn, he really believes it’s our obligation to share. That’s one of the reasons he’s a founding member of the #GreenInfluencerATL group… -Should people get educated? Heck yes. -What are calls to action, if people want to create a movement? I appreciate Matt’s thought here to “Be the resource for your friends.” I am repeating that one below with more thoughts, but Matt brings up continued education for professionals as well as for consumers. We need a plan for when things break, so we’re ready to install good solutions, and not just what’s cheapest or easiest. These are long-term decisions! Overheard in this podcast: “Go Green, Go Naked!” I’ll let you go find that one in the podcast. :) “Be the resource for your friends.” Once we educate more people, each person can in turn get more people excited about these core concepts. James brings up the idea of what people can do if they want to create a movement. That’s what this group is all here for, to share what we’re learning, and to ask each other and others our questions. !! Thanks again, James and Matt! To see all of James’ podcasts: https://notcomplicatedjustgreen.buzzsprout.com/1987668
Reply given on: 06/08/2022
#GreenInfluncerATL group members connect at #IBS2022 in Orlando
Here's the link to Corbett's presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgcqgYMg79A&t=0s I … Here's the link to Corbett's presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgcqgYMg79A&t=0s I took some notes and will post on it separately, but if all everyone learns are the 3 key considerations about air management, we will be in a better place: Air has to be something we’re all thinking more about, not just those who already know more, because there's just too much work to be done for everyone to live in a healthier, more sustainable space. 1. Don’t bring bad stuff in - as a professional or occupant! 2. Ventilate 3. Keep it dry Among so many other key thoughts, I appreciated Corbett mentioning that it's important to ventilate during construction, so you don't allow mold to grow and then have people move in. That happened to us, and it was very expensive to repair.
Reply given on: 06/08/2022
Can heat pump water heaters extend the life of your EV?
This is great information, thanks. I am for all the bonuses we can get as we work to improve energy… This is great information, thanks. I am for all the bonuses we can get as we work to improve energy efficiency and air quality in our homes and oher buildings!
Reply given on: 10/11/2021
Summer Electricity Demand – “Shave the Peak” to Save Money and Help the Environment!
It would be great if people could report in on what other states are doing as well. Thanks for this… It would be great if people could report in on what other states are doing as well. Thanks for this AbbieKnight - I just signed up, and it was super easy. You fill in your email and specify how often you want updates - and that's it! According to the Green Energy Consumers Alliance blog, the 40% of use you're reporting above is consumed during the 10% of hours that have the highest demand - ouch. I can certainly change some of my patterns to help, whether it's earlier or later.
Reply given on: 07/23/2019
Monocrystalline Solar Cells | What are they?
Thanks for this introduction. I have been wondering what we can do to limit the environmental impac… Thanks for this introduction. I have been wondering what we can do to limit the environmental impacts of solar panels. Of course it's more sustainable to produce energy through solar panels than to burn fossil fuels, but what can we do to reduce the materials, chemicals, water and energy consumed in the production and use of solar panels? What can we do to make sure they are also as durable as possible, and to reduce any end of life impacts?
Reply given on: 12/04/2017
Stewardship Mapping - find out what services are available in your community
What a fascinating concept of mapping stewardship - maybe we can apply this specifically to green bu… What a fascinating concept of mapping stewardship - maybe we can apply this specifically to green building. I feel that in recent years there has been a realization that none of us can "do this" alone. I see more partnerships and more collaborative opportunities. This link can take people directly to this blog post: http://usgbc-la.org/blog/environmentalism-isnt-what-you-think/
Reply given on: 06/06/2017
There's the business case - and the human case. Both make it clear: we can't wait. So much needs … There's the business case - and the human case. Both make it clear: we can't wait. So much needs to happen that it's daunting. But so much also is. I look forward to working with you to promote activity at every level that IS working already, and then also to to encourage, inspire and facilitate people to learn, engage with each other and collaborate, and to act. I struggle with how to get information where it's needed - and for this, I know we also need more people sharing what they know, and what they wish to know. One small example - I keep reading excited little blurbs of communities boting to go 100% renewable, and sometimes there's a count - like city #24 in the US! Great - I can't even find a master list to share with people. So even when there is good information, how do we find it and make it accessible. And your point is an excellent one about needing to think about sustainably more widely. While green building has been my focus, with encouraging products and services in mind, sustainability only works if there is health involved, and social justice as well. A community isn't truly sustainable if only some people benefit, to be sure.
Reply given on: 05/03/2017
I am so in on using data for good! I know data can be manipulated, but if we're sincere, we can do … I am so in on using data for good! I know data can be manipulated, but if we're sincere, we can do so much. I so agree with you: "When light is shined on a complicated, wicked problem, we want to solve it. How do we solve this through green buildings?" "The key is to find solutions that win for everyone, not just for one group." How do we fond these win-wins together, as a community, and at a time when our politics are so "anxious" and somehow we can't agree that the environment generally and climate change are top concerns? And, when we need to solve our challenges in socially just ways?
Reply given on: 05/02/2017
Maine Indoor Air Quality Council has put together a "Compilation of Resources for Management of the Indoor Environment During the COVID-19 Epidemic:" https://maineindoorair.org/resources-for-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-indoor-environments/?inf_contact_key=d8c21d77194de63980584ab7333f76b9 Resources...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/22/2020 + Show |
(For more information, see the event post in our MA Green Builders Group, or on our open green Building Calendar: https://www.rateitgreen.com/green-building-resources/sustainable-building-events/advocacy-summit-passive-house-as-the-platform-for-net-zero-electrification-and-carbon-free-buildings-march-10-boston/4275) Citizen...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/03/2020 + Show |
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has launched a new program to support the development of clean energy companies in MA. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Vocational Internship Program (VIP) helps prepare the next generation of clean energy workers by funding internships for high school students at Massachusetts clean energy...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 02/03/2020 + Show |
So my son wants a new rug for his room, and we need a new rug in the basemet, preferably a thick one since this is going in a room a band practices in, and they want to keep the sound from bouncing a lot. With all of the green building progress in recent years, why does this seem difficult? I bought a rug from a pretty known store I...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 01/31/2020 + Show |
Microsoft Pledges to Go Carbon Negative by 2030 Including a $1 Billion Climate Innovation Fund
Microsoft took an impressive climate leadership position this week when the company announced a promise to remove all of the carbon the company has ever put in the atmosphere directly or by consumption - back to the company’s founding in a garage in 1975. The company plans to be “carbon negative” by 2030....
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 01/27/2020 + Show |
Google's Henderson, Nevada Data Center to be Powered by a $1 Billion Solar Farm
Google’s new data center in Henderson, Nevada will be powered largely by a $1 billion solar farm. The project is one of the largest corporate solar deals signed in the US, and maybe the the world’s larges such deal once battery-backed storage is included. Expected to be completed in 2023, the farm will produce up...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 01/27/2020 + Show |
Arizona Public Service Company (APS) Announces a Commitment to Carbon-Free Energy Production by 2050
Arizona Public Service Company (APS) CEO Jeff Guldner announced that the company will produce all electricity from carbon-free sources by 2050 and will produce 45% of power from renewable sources by 2030. The decision seems impressive, as according to Guldner, the plan to convert more than half of the company's energy supply will...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 01/27/2020 + Show |
Chicago's Willis Tower Goes LEED Platinum
Chicago’s Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, is now the largest US building to achieve the USGBC’s LEED Platinum rating. At 1451 feet tall, the building was the world’s tallest skyscraper from i’s opening in 1973 and 1996 and remained the tables US skyscraper until 2014. The Tower achieved a...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 01/27/2020 + Show |
Did You Know that Consumer Funding for Electric Vehicles has been Reinstated in Massachusetts?
Great news: Rebates for electric vehicles have been reinstated in Massachusetts! Rebates for electric vehicles have been reinstated in Massachusetts! For the next two years, at least $27 million will be available each year to incentivize EV purchases and assist in the transition to electric vehicles. Reducing transportation...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 01/27/2020 + Show |
Rhode Island is the First US State to Commit to 100% Renewable Energy by 2030
In her annual State of the State speech to lawmakers, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo signed an executive order this month calling for an end to fossil fuel reliance by 2030. The action makes Rhode Island the first state in America to plan 100% renewable electricity within a decade. Raimondo also called for the state’s...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 01/26/2020 + Show |
Green Building United, 2024 Sustainability Symposium, May 22, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Green Building United's annual flagship event will be hosted at Temple University’s Howard Gittis Student Center in North Philadelphia and will showcase the region’s best and brightest who are fighting every day to usher in a sustainable future for all. Join Green Building United at the 2024...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 05/22/2024 + Show |
Circularity, 2024: Accelerating the Circular Economy, May 22-24, Chicago, Illinois
Circularity 24 offers thought-provoking keynotes, actionable breakouts, a solutions-oriented expo and networking opportunities for leaders implementing circular solutions. Join the growing community of visionaries and practitioners to move beyond incremental action, catalyze systems change and accelerate the circular...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 05/22/2024 + Show |
Duct and Envelope Tightness (DET) Verification Training, Online, May 20-22
This three-day online course is designed to introduce the skills necessary to become a Duct and Envelope Tightness (DET) Verifier, certified to perform the diagnostic testing required for new homes by the 2009 and 2012 IECC amendments (content updated for new Georgia 2020 energy code). An in-person evaluation will also occur and require those...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 05/20/2024 + Show |
Much of what GreeningUSA has been doing since the 2023 annual meeting has involved the proposed Micron Chip Fab development at the White Pine Business Park in Clay, NY. A highlight of our work these last twelve months has been to foster communication and coalition building amongst like-minded organizations in CNY in order to...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 05/17/2024 + Show |
LEED GA Exam Prep Course, Online May 9 - 10, 9 - 12:30 pm ET
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) created the LEED Green Associate credential to denote basic knowledge and understanding of green building design and construction. The LEED Green Associate exam is designed to test general knowledge of green building practices and how to support other professionals working on LEED projects. The...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 05/09/2024 + Show |
LEED® Green Associate Exam Prep, Two 4-hour Online Sessions, May 7 & May 9 1-5 pm ET
This LEED® Exam Prep Course is a comprehensive course which will prepare attendees for the Green Associate exam. The day long curriculum is designed to cover the segments of the Green Associate Exam and to lightly cover the AP specialty exams. It will be a fast-paced class for real estate professionals, architects, engineers, and anyone...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 05/07/2024 + Show |
Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) - 22nd Annual Conference, May 7-8. Indianapolis, Indiana
The theme of the Conference, “Carpet Recycling: Chasing the Checkered Flag” highlights the recent developments in carpet recycling technology and opportunities that are moving carpet out of the waste stream to becoming a valued and sought-after input for manufacturing. Attendees will benefit from expert speakers, lively commentary...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 05/07/2024 + Show |
Living Future Conference 2024, May 7 - 9, Atlanta Georgia
Living Future is an impact hub for the regenerative movement. At Living Future, individuals and organizations are united by a common purpose: a deep commitment to regenerative practices and scalable impact - and where collaborations and partnerships are discovered and strengthened. Leaders and experienced practitioners attend to not...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 05/07/2024 + Show |
Insights from a first-of-its-kind database for healthy and just energy transitions. Energy infrastructure surrounds us — yet communities are often surprised to learn what types of fossil fuel hazards their neighborhoods are exposed to and how their health may be impacted. Some bear the biggest burden as environmental justice hotspots...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 05/07/2024 + Show |
Green Building Tour at Hunter Saw, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 7, 4 - 5:30 pm
The Hunter Saw & Machine Company holds a significant place in the industrial history of Pittsburgh and Lawrenceville. Established at the turn of the 19th century, the company specialized in producing high-quality saw blades and other cutting tools for the steel industry. Hunter Saw was part of an industrial hub that flourished...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 05/07/2024 + Show |
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