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A Farewell Letter From Our Chapter's 2008 Chair Heather DeGrella
How fast a year can come and go! The speed with which 2008 passed has led me to start off the year reflective of how little time we each have on planet Earth - and how much work there is left to do. With this thought, the Chapter's Mission to accelerate the transformation toward sustainable building and land development practices in Central Texas through innovation, advocacy and partnerships meets with a growing sense of urgency. In a single year, the global economy has tanked. But at the same time, we have reached a watershed moment where the political climate and the will of the nation has come together to create the most opportune moment to date to make changes on a scale that will have a monumental impact on climate change. The economic down turn does not necessarily mean a slow-down for the sustainability movement. In fact, veteran greenbuilding guru, Jerry Yudelson, predicts that the green building industry will grow more than 60 percent this year. Read Heather's letter.
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2009 Green School Awards
Call for Entries In conjunction with 2009 Green Schools Symposium in San Antonio, TX on May 21, 2009, the USGBC Central Texas - Balcones Chapter Green Schools Advocacy Committee would like to recognize sustainable school design in the central Texas area. The goal of the 2009 Green School Awards is to recognize sustainable design that promotes public awareness with the idea that every school can present the opportunity for each student to develop a love for learning through energy efficient buildings. The Call for Entries Form is available online now. The deadline for entries is Friday, April 24, 2009. Contact Cesar Garcia for questions, at (210) 340-2400 or cesar@mdnarchitects.com.
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Dell Children's Medical Center Goes Platinum
Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, a member of the Seton Family of Hospitals, has become the first hospital in the world to receive the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum designation, given by the U.S. Green Building Council. Dell Children's"Even before the first plans were drawn up, we set our sights on creating a world-class children's hospital, and becoming the first LEED Platinum hospital in the world was definitely part of that," said Robert Bonar, president and CEO, Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas. "Our motivation to pursue LEED Platinum was not just environmental. Being a 'green' hospital has a profound, measureable effect on healing. What's good for the environment and good for our Mueller neighbors is also good for our patients." Read the full article.
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Annual Chapter Party Recap
Thanks to the 200 plus members who joined the USGBC CT-B chapter for its annual party on the rooftop terrace of Artpace in San Antonio on Oct. 17, 2008! We had a great line up of speakers, including Gail Vittori, the national chair-elect for USGBC, Pam Groce from SECO, and guest speaker Dr. Char Miller, specialist in American environmental and urban studies. View the party images here.
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Join Us in Welcoming the New Members of our Board of Directors
The results of our Chapter Board of Directors election are in and the new Board begins its work in January. Congratulations to our new Directors:
Gerry Acuna of TRI Recycling, Austin;
James Andrews of Overland Partners, San Antonio;
Justin Doak of National USGBC, Austin;
Kathe Doran of CPS Energy, San Antonio;
Dr. Diana Glawe of Trinity University, San Antonio;
Christopher LaRocque of DPR Construction, Austin;
Alternates:
Erin Zayko of Lockheed Martin, San Antonio;
Brooke Morton of CMPBS in Austin
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Membership Update: Chapter Dues to start on November 1, 2008
Our Chapter continues to expand and provide more educational outreach to the green building community in the Central Texas area. This has been an exciting year, and green building is beginning to make significant impacts on the construction industry in our region. As a Chapter, we are constantly searching for ways to expand our outreach programs.. read more
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Central Texas-Balcones Chapter to Create LEED Database
by Zach House, Newsletter Editor
The USGBC Central Texas-Balcones Chapter (CT-B) is establishing a LEED Projects database, and the effort promises lasting benefits for companies, builders, architects, and homeowners across the 55 counties that make up the Central Texas-Balcones region. By undertaking this initiative, the CT-B is looking to establish an up-to-date directory to facilitate interaction among those companies, firms, and individuals undertaking the challenge of LEED registration. As well, the LEED projects list will serve as a conduit through which local green building enthusiasts can identify neighborhood companies and homeowners who have taken up the sustainability cause within the built environment. read more
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JOB ANNOUNCMENTS: Central Texas-Balcones Chapter is hiring its first Executive Director.
USGBC CT-B is a nonprofit organization that focuses on the transformation toward sustainable building and land development practices in Central Texas through innovation, advocacy and partnerships. The Chapter seeks a strong communicator and relationship builder to serve as our first Executive Director and take our organization to new levels of sustainability and excellence. Proven fundraising skills, systems focus, and collaborative leadership approach a must. Send letter of interest describing relevant experiences, resume, three references, and three-year salary history to apply@usgbc-centraltexas.org by December 17, 2008. Interviews begin the week of January 4, 2009. We reserve the right to accept applications until the position is filled. Visit here for a detailed job description and additional information. Thank you for helping us secure the first Executive Director of the USGBC CT-B!
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Cast Your Ballot for the 2009 Board!
Elections for the 2009 USGBC CT-B Board are now underway. Help shape the future of the Chapter by casting your vote now. read more
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Defining Boundaries: The Creation of the Central Texas Balcones Chapter
by Heather DeGrella, USGBC CT-B Chairperson
 Since the formation of the USGBC Central Texas-Balcones (CT-B) Chapter, I have been asked on a regular basis why San Antonio and Austin don’t each have a chapter to call their own. On the surface, Austin and San Antonio are rather dissimilar cities. Having lived in and grown quite fond of both places, I can attest to the differences between the culture, attitudes, and pace of both the people and the governments of the cities. read more
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A Letter from the 2007 Chair, Kathy Zarsky
 It is with much hope that I look forward to 2008 for both the Central Texas-Balcones Chapter (CTBC) and our communities. As the 2007 Chair of the CTBC of USGBC, I can tell you that we spent much of last year building relationships and creating the organizational framework necessary to sustain our chapter going into 2008. Our accomplishments included providing an unprecedented number of educational opportunities, working with both the Cities of San Antonio and Austin to frame language for green building resolutions, and partnering with other organizations to provide more meaningful outreach. Going into 2008, our chapter is now strongly positioned to continue to expand beyond our traditional offerings.
So what does lie ahead for us? Two areas of focus you should expect to hear much more about are green schools and homes. Unlike the LEED rating systems, USGBCs primary message with schools and homes is the importance of the role they play in influencing the greening of our society, and secondarily the methodology in which they themselves can become green. We have advocates trained specifically, click here.
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Central Texas Chapter Highlighted as Leader in Advocacy by USGBC National
(from the January 2008 USGBC Chapter Members Newsletter)
In early 2007, the Central Texas-Balcones Chapter identified ways to improve a proposed green building resolution for the City of San Antonio and decided the city deserved better.
The proposal did not require third-party verification, did not clearly define what was meant by green building, and had an easy loophole for non-compliance. Realizing they had an opportunity to educate and influence the future of their city's legislation, the chapter partnered with its local AIA to take action.
The two organizations formed a plan to meet with each of their ten city council members and the mayor. The chapter's advocacy committee prepared an education packet for each public official, including a 2-page talking points memo on LEED, cost-benefit of green buildings, and a document detailing LEED's impact and benefits specifically in San Antonio. Then, on the day of the city council meeting, the groups divided up speaking points to be formally read in front of council. Chapter members who spoke before the council were Cesar Garcia, Heather DeGrella, Heather Weiler, Marcello Martinez, Robert Hanley, Robert Harris, and Tenna Florian.
Their action resulted in a tremendous success. On April 19, 2007, the City of San Antonio voted unanimously for two amendments that required any buildings funded with city money to be LEED Silver certified!
Fired up by their accomplishment, the chapter took on further initiatives to support statewide legislation and hosted a panel discussion in June 2007 with (Austin) Mayor Will Wynn to discuss the role of buildings and climate change. Chapter leaders believe their achievements can be credited to the alliances they formed. Their partnerships broadened their reach, created long-term allies, and allowed both less experienced and veteran members to rise as leaders.
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CMPBS and Chapter Christmas Party
The Central Texas - Balcones Chapter teamed up with the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems (more succinctly known as CMPBS) for a Holiday party this past December. As has come to be expected with CMPBS events, generous portions of potluck style food, great music, and a blazing fire set the tone for a fabulous winter evening.
Please check back soon for event photos!
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Big Grass Bamboo Benefit Party a Great Event
Nearly 200 people showed up for snacks, drinks, and to browse the many wonderful bamboo products at Big Grass Bamboo for this Central Texas - Balcones Chapter Fundraiser. The brisk air was a perfect companion to the spectacular courtyard setting enlivend with waterfalls, a bamboo pagoda and hammock, and beautifully crafted large scale ceramic rainwater cisterns. We'd like to think the generous purchases made were from a desire to donate to the chapter, the products offered were so enticing we suspect they pretty much sold themselves!
Many new faces were in the San Antonio crowd. Tenna Florian, Heather DeGrella and Brandon Hausenfluck of the Chapter were on-hand to describe the current activities of the various Chapter Committees and to encourage volunteers. With fifteen new recruits, we are anticipating a great year for the Chapter in 2008.
We'd like to give a special thanks to our sponsor for this event. For more on Big Grass Bamboo, please visit www.biggrass-bamboo.com
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Chapter Lunch, Greenbuild 2007
On Wednesday, November 7th this year, 20 plus Central Texas Chapter members from Austin, San Antonio, and areas in-between came together for a social lunch in Chicago during the Greenbuild Convention. Some faces were new, some old, and for many, it was just nice to finally put a face with a name.
We look forward to a similar mingling opportunity in Boston next year for Greenbuild 2008. Hope to see you there!
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Summary: High Performance Schools Workshop October 2007
On Thursday October 25th and Friday October 26th, the USGBC Central Texas - Balcones Chapter together with Solar San Antonio and the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) presented a High Performance Schools Workshop.
The first day of the symposium featured a morning of plenary speakers, covering topics such as the benefits of high performance schools, energy and renewables overview, and real-world examples of schools that have employed these practices. The afternoon featured a variety of breakout sessions, organized along three tracks: Administration Track, Energy Track, and Special Topics Track. The second day of the workshop was a special half-day LEED for School Seminar presented by nationally known green schools expert, Bob Kobet.
For more information, click here.
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Austin Mayor Will Wynn Presentation
Please join the USGBC Central Texas - Balcones Chapter and leaders from around our region on June 12th for a special presentation by Austin Mayor Will Wynn. The topic will be the critical challenge of climate change and the city's Climate Protection Plan, which will set the standard among cities nationwide in the growing effort to address global warming.
Followed by a community panel disucssion, the goal for this meeting is to encourage dialogue that will foster organizational partnerships that enable the transformation of new and existing buildings..
This is a FREE event and refreshments will be provided. Click here for more information.
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San Antonio Passes Green Building Resolution
The City of San Antonio passed a Green Building Resolution to require LEED Silver on new City-Owned buildings. The City Council unanimously passed the resolution after Councilman Chip Haas proposed adding an amendment that would require an actual certification from the USGBC at the Silver Level. The Resolution also calls for the Metropolitan Partnership for Energy to develop further criteria that will be specific to the needs of our climate and geological location....click here.
Read Resolution
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80th Texas Legislative Session Wraps Up
The Central Texas - Balcones Chapter would like to thank everyone who responded to our Legislative Alerts over the past few months. Whether by mail, email, fax, or phone, many of you rallied to show your support for a variety of bills that promoted Green Building, Energy Efficiency, and Water Conservation. Quite a few of these bills succesfully passed, including SB 12, SB 541, HB 4, HB 3070 and HB 3693. Plus many of the strong features from bills that did not make it were incorporated into these and other bills by amendment.
Read News Article on Texas 'Green' Legislation
USGBC CT-B Advocacy Page
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STEP IT UP a great success!
The USGBC Central Texas-Balcones Chapter hosted rally sites in both Austin and San Antonio on April 14, 2007 for Step It Up 2007! Part of a National Day of Climate Action with hundreds and hundreds of rallies all across the country, the events served as a highly visible platform to grab the attention of Congress. The message is: "Step it up, Congress! Cut Carbon 80% by 2050."
Locally, we took this opportunity to raise awareness of and support for Texas Legislation currently being considered that will impact our State's contribution to Carbon. Representatives Mark Strama and Mike Villarreal spoke in Austin and San Antonio respectively to this end. See Legislative Action Alert below for more on what you can do to help advocate for this legislation. We thank the many other groups that joined with us in hosting this event, especially the Austin and Alamo Groups of the Sierra Club.
For the official report and event photos, please click below:
AUSTIN | SAN ANTONIO
Why 80% Carbon Cuts? Click here.
Will this Rally really make a difference? Click here.
For more information, please visit:
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Past News:
Austin chosen as case study in AIA’s recently released “Local Leaders in Sustainability: A Study of Green Building Programs in Our Nation’s Communities.” The Local Leaders Report examines the current state of green building laws in American cities as of 2007. Since 2003 the number of cities with green building programs has increased greater than 400%, due to a concerted effort by local political leaders, officials, architects and others within the design/building industry, and grassroots support. Click Here.
Bexar County passes green buildingpolicy for County Buildings as part of their Energy Conservation and Recycling Policy, effective October 23, 2007. Under the new Policy, LEED Silver will be required for new construction as well as for renovations of county buildings. Read full policy.
City of Austin approved a Zero Energy Homes Initiative on 10/18/07. A series of code amendments will make all new single-family homes capable of producing as much energy as they comsume by the year 2015. Read full article.
Chapter Technology Committee: START is a simple interactive web forum for green building in Central Texas... click here
Former Vice-President Al Gore challenges several thousand Architects at the AIA National Convention in San Antonio. "You have the greatest opportunity in the history of your profession,” he said... click here
Austin Mayor Will Wynn announces Austin Climate Protection Plan...click here
San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger signs Cool Cities Initiative...click here
We are looking for contributors to our new monthly newsletter! Please contact Sara Partridge if you are interested.
The Central Texas - Balcones Chapter has eight different committees, so no matter where your interests lie there is sure to be a place for you... click here
Austin Mayor Will Wynn announces Austin Climate Protection Plan...click here
San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger signs Cool Cities Initiative...click here
San Antonio to utilize solar technology to collect wastes in the downtown area...click here
The National AIA Convention comes to San Antonio. The focus will be on "Growing Beyond Green." ...click here
The Fall Chapter Member's Meeting was held in November at the Pearl Brewery Redevelopment in San Antonio. With over 65 attendees, and a visit from City Council Member Art Hall,...click here
More News:
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Green Mountain Energy's Austin Coporate Offices are certified Silver under LEED Commercial Interiors ... 
