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
The Living Future Institute's Framework for Affordable Housing - 2019 Update Released
The Living Future Institute has released an update of the organization’s Framework for Affordable Housing, first published in 2014. The Framework offers guidance and resources for providing multi-family sustainable affordable housing that is safe and healthy. The Living Future Institute also works with 27 leading housing developers to build multi-family housing projects that have no energy bills and are free from toxic materials.
To download the Toolkit, and to learn more and view related, additional resour… Show more
South Carolina’s Energy Freedom Act - Passed with Bipartisan Support (Unanimous in the Legislature)
The number of solar installations in South Carolina may more than double in the next five years with the recent passing of the Solar Energy Freedom Act, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The new law is exciting for a number of reasons, but perhaps most notable is that the South Carolina Senate and House votes were unanimous. This bipartisan support is exciting and a great sign at a time when reducing energy use and promoting sustainable and renewable energy are critical to meet climate goals requ… Show more
LEED® and USGBC Recognize Global GreenTag Product Health Declaration™ (the GreenTag PhD™)
Congratulations to Rate It Green Member, Global GreenTag LLC, Americas! The certifier’s Global GreenTag PhD, Materials Transparency Certification Program (reviewed and assessed by the LEED Committee and MR Technical Advisory Group (TAG) has been formally recognized within the LEED framework of Rating Systems. The program is among the most stringent product disclosures in the world, and now noted by LEED and USGBC (US Green Building Council) as a Program that is formally recognized for not only LEED v4.1 but also v4.0, appearing in th… Show more
New York Passes Landmark Climate & Community Protection Act - 100% Carbon-Free Electricity by 2040, Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050
With Andrew Cuomo's signature, New York joins California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Washington, in committing to generate 100% of the states electricity from carbon-free sources including solar, wind, hydropower, (and nuclear power for some, but that's a discussion for another day) by 2050 at the latest. Hawaii, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico have also targeted 100% clean power.
The state's goal to reach 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040 and economy-wide, net-zero carbon emissions by 20… Show more
Hunter Douglas Continues Working with Habitat for Humanity, Partnering with Local Dealers
Rate It Green Member Hunter Douglas has been a longtime supporter of Habitat for Humanity, and the company is continuing this work this summer while partnering with local dealers around the country.
A first project this summer involved North County Blind Co. and supported San Diego Habitat for Humanity. Since 1988, SDHFH has built over 200 homes throughout San Diego County, serving 900 men, women and children, with the support of nearly 200,000 volunteers and generous corporate and government partners.
… Show more
Wolfworks Inc. Wins the Connecticut Zero Energy Challenge
Rate It Green Member Wolfworks has won the Connecticut Zero Energy Challenge sponsored by energizeCT - for the 4th time!
The CT Zero Energy Challenge spotlights Connecticut homes that produce as much energy as they use. The 2018 Grand Prize award winning home was designed and built by Wolfworks on a hilltop site in Higganum.
With a compact 1000SF footprint, the home includes a 250SF loft space for a professional artist. The structure has a thick shell for insulation and is oriented for the large … Show more
Whole Forest, awarded Best in Show for Flooring by the IFDA at ICFF 2019
Congratulations to Whole Forest, awarded Best in Show for Flooring by the IFDA (International Furnishing and Design Association) at ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) 2019!
Whole Forest, a hardwoods manufacturer specializing in sustainable forestry, offers a range of carbon-negative wood products from cutting boards to tables to countertops and flooring. “We saw a big opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in two industries that together release almost half of all climate emissions,” says preside… Show more
Kari Klaus of RealtySage, Selected to Represent US at Global Entrepreneurship Summit
Kari Klaus, founder of RealtySage.com was selected by the State Department to represent the US at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit at the Hague in June.
Realty Sage (formerly Viva Green Homes) uses big data and AI to implement, verify, and analyze critical energy efficient, renewable and smart technology data in a software as a service (SAAS) residential real estate platform. RS automates this data into listings and to provide an instant Sage Score to identify homes with beneficial features.
The… Show more
Kirei Turns 107 Million Plastic Bottles (and Counting!) into Acoustic Panels
Rate It Green Member Kirei reported this June that the company has helped save 107 million bottles from the landfill, with plans to keep that number growing. The company's PET EchoPanels are 100% environmentally sustainable, while Coco Panels and Kirei Boards (pictured bellow) are made from all natural, environmentally friendly, reclaimed products.
According to the company, "It is the responsibility of companies like Kirei to ensure that our production is ethically and environmentally respectful throughout every sta… Show more
Chicago Commits to 100% Renewable Energy By 2040
Chicago has become the largest US City to date to commit to 100% Renewable Energy by 2035, and additionally the City Council voted to electrify the city's bus fleet by 2040.
Sierra Club documents similar 100% commitments by additional cities, counties and states: https://www.sierraclub.org/ready-for-100/commitments.
According to the Sierra Club site as of June 2019, "Across the U.S. over 90 cities, more than ten counties and two states, have already adopted ambitious 100% clean energy goals. Six cities in t… 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