News
Green Building & Eco Friendly News
We are excited to share green building industry developments, news about our Member Companies, and of course current Rate It Green information. Please feel welcome to submit interesting news you have found. Note that Rate It Green does include news announcements as a part of some sponsorship offerings.
You can also learn more by following Rate It Green on social media. We greatly appreciate your likes, follows, and general votes of support.
New Green Building Competition: Enter the Smart Decathlon for innovative Professionals, or SDiPro, by February 1st!
Announcing the launch of a new competition for the green building industry - Apply for SDIPro by February 1st, 2021!
The Smart Decathlon for innovative Professionals, or SDiPro, challenges professional teams to design, build, and sell energy-efficient, sustainable homes that address the critical need for affordable housing in the United States.
SDiPro builds on the resounding success of the U. S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon, which challenges university teams to design and build energy-efficient homes powered by… Show more
NESEA and Heatspring Make 10 BuildingEnergy Boston (BE20) Sessions Available, Free of Charge
The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) and Heatspring have teamed up to Make Ten of NESEA's BuildingEnergy Boston (BE20) sessions available on demand and for free!
The theme of BuildingEnergy Boston 2020 was Transforming Existing Buildings, with additional emphasis on decarbonization and on bringing more diverse communities into the discussion.
BE20 was a terrific online event chock full of meaningful content which brought together leading sustainable building minds and practitioners for three full days of exciting … Show more
USGBC Green Building Policy Outlook (Panel), A Moment for Optimism and Broad-based Support
On December 10, The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) gathered a panel of policymakers and business leaders to consider the current green building policy outlook in the context of pandemic and the incoming Biden Administration. Panelists included USGBC’s Senior Policy Counsel, Elizabeth Beardsley, Representative Kathy Castor (D-Florida; Chair, House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis), Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont; Member of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce), and Don Anderson, Operating… Show more
Congratulations to PCC Community Markets - The World’s First Living Building Challenge Petal-Certified Grocery Store
PCC Community Markets has opened the World's First Living Building Challenge Petal-Certified Grocery store in the Seattle area. PCC Community Markets (PCC) is the largest community-owned food co-op in the US. To chaieve the certification, PCC met the requirements for the Materials, Place and Beauty Petals of the Living Future Institute's Living Building Challenge.
For more information:
https://www.rateitgreen.com/green-building-community/discussions/sustainable-building-communities/pcc-community-markets-ope… Show more
USGBC to Fund 500 LEED Professionals in Underserved Communities
Announced at the annual Greenbuild Conference and Expo this past week, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) plans to provide funding for 500 people in underserved communities to earn the LEED professional credential. A key goal is to help build capacity and expertise for green building, as a part of the USGBC's "All In; Building Equity Together" initiative, also announced at the start of Greenbuild.
For more information:
https://www.rateitgreen.com/green-building-community/discussions//usgbc… Show more
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Study: Finds 81% Emissions Savings in All-Electric Single Homes
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) has updated previous research in a report titled, "The Economics of Electrifying Buildings” and concludes in current findings that new all-electric single homes result in a net present cost savings of up to $6,800 over 15 years and 81% lower carbon emissions on average than the same homes when built to run on mixed fuels for cooking, space heating, and water heating.
For more information:
https://www.rateitgreen.com/green-building-community/groups/posts/rocky-mountain-institute-rmi-study-81-emi… Show more
Thank You, Green Dot Sign for our Awesome New Rate It Green Sustainable Sign!
Check out this video where Matt Hoots "unboxes" our new sustainable Rate It Green sign, courtesy of Rate It Green Member Company, Green Dot Sign! We love working with Gretchen and Simon at Green Dot Sign, and we will be happy to show off this awesome aspen sign in Matt's YouTube studio space!
Thank You, Green Dot Sign!
To learn more about Green Dot Sign, check out their Rate It Green Profile!
To learn more about Sustsinable and ADA compliant signage:
Sustainable ADA Signage – Top Six Trends
htt… Show more
Global GreenTag Releases the World’s First Modern Slavery Transparency Declaration
Global GreenTag has released the first ever Modern Slavery Declaration for products. The Global GreenTag International MSD™ Modern Slavery Transparency Declaration (GGTI MSD) implements a comprehensive risk assessment and verification process in association with manufacturers on individual product supply chains.
Helping manufacturers to monitor, report on and ultimately eradicate human slavery occurring in their supply chains; the GGTI MSD will, in addition, support companies with large procurement portfolios to comply with … Show more
Rate It Green's August News: Our First 15 Green Building Videos - and a YouTube Subscription Challenge
In our August News, we asked Rate It Green's Members to help us pass the 100 Member mark for our new YouTube channel, to help unlock some key features. Mission accomplished and in record speed. Thanks everyone! Over 50 Members and friends responded!
We also shared our first 15 videos, including companies like Cove.Tool, Trakref, Thermacote, Rockwool, Wooster Products, Cambria, Rheem and more.
We hope eveyrone is doing well in these unprecedented times. In my introduciton, I shared ho… Show more
Stephanie Horowitz of ZeroEnergy Design Featured in Forbes Interview
ZeroEnergy Design's award-winning Lincoln Farmhouse
"We envision a status quo of healthy, comfortable, energy-positive, carbon-neutral buildings made of biodegradable and recyclable materials. Not only will they entirely avoid fossil fuels onsite and sequester carbon in their construction materials, but they will also produce enough clean renewable energy to offset the energy consumed in their construction, operation, and by the owners’ vehicles.” - Stephanie Horowitz, ZeroEnergy Design
ZeroEnergy Design continues… Show more
Brookline Massachusetts Bans Oil and Gas Pipes in New Construction
In a bold, sustainable move and a 200-3 vote, the Town Meeting Members of Brookline, Massachusetts voted in a ban of oil and gas pipes for new buildings and also for significant renovations of existing buildings. This means that these buildings will have heating and hot water systems, and appliances that use electricity. Additionally, occupants of these same buildings will also increasingly be driving electric vehicles.
The measure is the first in Massachusetts, following a growing number of communities in California which … Show more
Recent Awards for ZeroEnergy Design
It’s been a busy award-filled November for ZeroEnergy Design!
Boston Home Magazine awarded the firm Best Sustainable Architect in its 2020 Best of Boston Home issue.
Architect Magazine, the official journal for the American Institute of Architects, ranked ZeroEnergy Design in the top 50 firms nationally for Sustainability.
ZeroEnergy Design was also named as a Top 50 Coastal Architect by Ocean Home Magazine, a leading resource for oceanfront real estate and lifestyle.
Congratulations to the firm for these continu… Show more
Global GreenTag Upgrades CarbonRATE™ Embodied Carbon Product Certification, Details Shared at Greenbuild
Congratulations to Global GreenTag for the relauch of CarbonRATE™ - a unique peer reviewed Embodied Carbon Product Certification Program. According to Daniel A. Huard, CEO of Global GreenTag Americas, "CarbonRATE™ has been upgraded to strongly challenge the market to design, manufacture and use only products that can scientifically identify carbon impacts and benefits.”
The Global GreenTag International team was on hand at Greenbuild this week to share more information about the program. David Baggs, P… Show more
USGBC's LEED Surpasses 100,000 Commercial Green Building Projects
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced that there are now over 100,000 registered and certified LEED commercial projects.
According to USGBC Presisdent and CEO, Mahesh Ramanujam, “Today millions of us are living, working and learning in LEED-certified buildings around the world. These spaces are using less energy and water, mitigating the environmental burden on their communities, saving money and offering the people who occupy them a better quality of life. This latest milestone demonstrates how the globa… Show more
Bethesda Green’s Spring 2020 Accelerator Cohort - Applications are Now Open (Apply by November 10)
Applications are now open through November 10, 2019 for Bethesda Green’s Spring 2020 Accelerator Cohort!
They’re looking for eco-entrepreneurs who have achieved product market fit and are ready to scale. Specifically, they’re looking for companies that have environmental sustainability woven into the fabric of their business models, or otherwise contribute to a sustainable and responsible food supply chain.
For information on program benefits, minimum requirements, upcoming open house events, and application details, cli… Show more
The Global Climate Strike is On - September 20 - 27! UN Climate Action Summit September 23
Image: https://globalclimatestrike.net
The Gobal Climate Strike kicked off on Friday, September 20, with strikes and protests around the globe, estimated by 350.org and The New York Times at an impressive 4 million people on day 1. Events as part of this global climate protest continue until September 27th. To find a strike near you, visit: https://globalclimatestrike.net/#map
According to the New York Times, "Rarely, if ever, has the modern world witnessed a youth movement so large and wide, span… Show more
The Numbers Are Out: Energy Efficiency Jobs in America Grow to More than 2.3 Million
The third annual installment of Energy Efficiency Jobs in America brings expected good news in reporting continued growth in energy efficiency jobs to more than 2.3 million in 2019, with a current growth rate of 3.4% and an expected growth rate in the next year of 7.8%. The energy sector is now the largest sector of the economy, with energy efficiency as its fastest growing segment. No state experienced declines in energy efficiency employment in 2018. Efficiency businesses added 76,000 new jobs in 2018… Show more
AIA Approves Resolution to Take Greater Action Against Climate Change
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Board approved an official resolution to engage the architectural profession to take action in the fight against climate change. According to 2019 AIA President William Bates, FAIA, “We are making this our top priority in order to address the crisis our communities face. Moving the needle on this critical issue—that threatens the future of our planet and humanity—requires our firm commitment to achieving carbon neutral goals in the built environment and our immediate action… Show more
President Barack Obama to GIve Keynote Address for Greenbuild 2019
The US Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that Former President Barack Obama will be giving this year's keynote address at Greenbuild in Atlanta, Georgia, November 19-22,
According to USGBC President and CEO Mahesh Ramanujam, “President Obama is a global leader and a longtime friend of the green building community. While in office, his administration negotiated the landmark Paris Climate Accords, expanded the impact of our field and helped open the door for energy efficiency investments in both the public and… Show more
Johnson Controls Wins BIG's 2019 Sustainability Product Award
Conratulations to Johnson Controls for winning the Business Intelligence Group's (BIG) 2019 Sustainability Poduct Award for the company's YORK® Mission Critical Direct Evaporative Cooling Air Handling Units. Acording to Maria Jimenez, Chief Nominations Officer, Business Intelligence Group, "“The role of sustainability is becoming more prevalent in most organizations, but these nominees have provided everyone with a leadership standard we can all model."
BIG's Sustainability Awards "honor … Show more
Thank You, Green Dot Sign for our Awesome New Rate It Green Sustainable Sign!
Check out this video where Matt Hoots "unboxes" our new sustainable Rate It Green sign, courtesy of Rate It Green Member Company, Green Dot Sign! We love working with Gretchen and Simon at Green Dot Sign, and we will be happy to show off this awesome aspen sign in Matt's YouTube studio space!
Thank You, Green Dot Sign!
To learn more about Green Dot Sign, check out their Rate It Green Profile!
To learn more about Sustsinable and ADA compliant signage:
Sustainable ADA Signage – Top Six Trends
htt… Show more
Rate It Green's August News: Our First 15 Green Building Videos - and a YouTube Subscription Challenge
In our August News, we asked Rate It Green's Members to help us pass the 100 Member mark for our new YouTube channel, to help unlock some key features. Mission accomplished and in record speed. Thanks everyone! Over 50 Members and friends responded!
We also shared our first 15 videos, including companies like Cove.Tool, Trakref, Thermacote, Rockwool, Wooster Products, Cambria, Rheem and more.
We hope eveyrone is doing well in these unprecedented times. In my introduciton, I shared ho… Show more
Rate It Green's July News: Be a part of a Green Building YouTube World Premiere!
Rate It Green's July News is out, and Rate It Green's Youtube Channel is officially launched!
Recently, we had the opportunity to watch a Rate It Green "World Premiere" video, and it was so much fun. The film literally counts back 10, 9, 8.... and there it was, an introduction to Thermacote's Waterproof, High-performance Ceramic Insulating Coating/Weather Barrier. We have also been pleased to work with Rockwool, Rheem Manufacturing, Wooster Products Inc, Solaria Lighting… Show more
Green Building Melting Pot - A Quick Look at Our 100 Most Recent Company Members
Who’s joining the Rate It Green community, and how are we evolving? We were curious at to what we'd learn if we took a snapshot of the most recent 100 companies to become Rate It Green Members.
I was pleased to see the diversity we’re seeing as we grow. 12 of our most recent organization members are Building/Contracting organizations, which makes sense, but we saw higher percentages of other service organizations, including cleaning/remediation services (9), plumbing (9), and real … Show more
Spotlight on GreenCE Inc., our Newest Premium Listed Company
We’re pleased to introduce GreenCE, Inc. as a sponsor for the Rate It Green platform. GreenCE is an AIA Education Provider and USGBC Education Partner based in the Portland, Oregon area. GreenCE provides free AIA continuing education for design professionals seeking their mandatory CE hours. In addition, the organization offers no-cost LEED specific hours and the only free LEED Exam Prep program in North America.
“We are very excited to be working with Rate It Green. Collaboration and innovation are the core principle… Show more
Rate It Green's Open Green Building Calendar
We're excited to announce the launch of Rate It Green's open Green Building Calendar. More than the tool itself and the events we can now host and promote, this calendar represents the idea of expanding collaboration. As a platform, Rate It Green of course facilitates online connecting and discussion. But we all know that when we can get together in person, we can also learn and collaborate in tremendous ways.
What's so exciting about a Calendar? Lots! For one thing, the calendar will accept events in ANY&… Show more
Post Election '16 - What Can You Do?
Rate It Green is not a political organization to be sure, but this community resource supports the natural environment by working with others to lessen the impact of the built environment. We promote healthy and sustainable building practices, and it's our goal to help as many people and companies connect and share informatoin to help green building become mainstream. As such, our goals pretty much make it clear that we support safe air and water, healthy and green materials and buildings, resouce and energy efficiency , reuse a… Show more
See you in New Orleans!
Allison Friedman will be attending the Healthy Building Materials Summit and Greenbuild October 21 - 25, in New Orleans. Email afriedman@rateitgreen.com if you are also attending and want to meet in person. Here's to a great week! Show more
Build YOUR Ideal Rate It Green!
With Rate It Green's Community features now live, it's now time to build YOUR ideal Green Building Community! Ideas for participation include:
Create a Profile, and show off your talents and expertise
Register Your Company and List your Products and Services
Rate Products and Services you have worked with
Start or join a Discussion, and ask or answer questions
Create or Join a group of folks with similar interests
Submit a "Comments" for a Directory listing
Reach out to other M… Show more