News

USGBC-Inland Empire Receives 25K Grant from the Gas Company

January 20, 2012
(Redlands, California) —United States Green Building Council – Inland Empire (USGBC-IE) has been awarded a $25,000 grant through the Southern California Gas Company’s (Gas Company) Bettering the Air We Breathe competitive grant program for its Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Initiative in partnership with Uncommon Good, a local based organization whose mission is to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and to work for the restoration of our planet.

The project funded by the grant focuses on the following objective: Facilitate, implement and support community efforts to build healthy sustainable neighborhoods while integrating job, education and training opportunities in emerging fields such as energy efficiency and renewable energy and the innovative areas of community development and building science.

The far reaching goal of the program is to create green development zones throughout the Inland Empire region.  The “zones” would concentrate investments in green affordable housing, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green jobs training and creation, and urban agriculture in distressed communities. In developing the vision we will have extensive community planning and input involving neighborhood residents and leaders.  The plan would also include neighborhood beautification programs that would include basic repairs and upgrades to homes within the “zones”. The first phase will focus on energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households in cities such as Rancho Cucamonga and will include paid work opportunities for unemployed and underemployed workers.

According to project directors Michael Peel and Kevin Varner, “this project will provide a model of urban sustainability that not only provides green and energy efficiency upgrades to homes for low to moderate income families but creates a living laboratory of sustainable neighborhoods that will offer workforce training, much needed jobs, places for study and education as well as proving and spurring market forces within the community at large going beyond green.”

The Gas Company will present the $25,000 check to USGBC-IE at their monthly member meeting which is open to the public:

USGBC-Inland Empire Member Meeting

January 25^, 2012, 5:30pm

The Frontier Project (10435 Ashford Street, Rancho Cucamonga, 91730-2800)

Tickets are available online at http://www.usgbc-ie.org/event/january-chapter-membership-meeting/.

Contact info@usgbc-ie.org for additional information on the meeting.

Please contact Kevin Varner (kevin@usgbc-ie.org) or Michael Peel (mpeel@uncommongood.org) for more information about the project.

About USGBC-IE:  USGBC-IE’s mission is to promote sustainable strategies and responsibility for the Inland Empire’s environmental legacy and built environment, fostering a healthy, prosperous and improved quality of life.  We are at the forefront of green building, building sustainable communities, community development, resource exchange and development, environmental education and advocacy. We believe it is up to each of us individuals, professionals and organizations to come together to explore the possibilities and to collaborate for the long-term benefit of the Inland Empire region and the viability of our Planet.  Visit USGBC-IE online at www.usgbc-ie.org.

About Uncommon Good:   The mission of Uncommon Good is to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and to work for the restoration of our planet. These two goals are intertwined, since the alleviation of poverty depends upon having a healthy earth with enough resources to support everyone. Contact: Michael Peel (mpeel@uncommongood.org). Visit Uncommon Good online at www.uncommongood.org.

Making Green Work:  A Green Building Expo in the Inland Empire

September 21, 2011

The second annual Inland Empire Green Building + Business Expo headlines a day of green education and networking as the Expo returns to its home in Rancho Cucamonga.  IEGBBE 2011 is the event of the year for professionals across the residential and commercial sectors, from developers and designers to County municipal policy makers to Green Raters. Keynote speaker is Mr. Tom DiPrima, Executive Vice President of KB Home’s Southern California division. Speaker panels include a Green Jobs Showcase, Green Financing and Incentives, Green Business Success Stories, and Municipal Green Programs. A vendor Expo will highlight a variety of companies and products within the green industry.

At IEGBBE 2011, the premier green building conference in the Inland Empire, the most pertinent and modern issues in the industry are addressed through sessions, discussions, and collaboration with engaging speakers and innovative green product exhibits. There is something for every green building professional. Cost for admission is $25 for USGBC and AIA Members; $35 for non-members.

For more information and to RSVP, visit www.usgbc-ie.org or call (877)605-7424.

Community Resource Library to Open

Educates a Environmentally Sustainable Generation

August 2, 2011

The Frontier Project is proud to announce the official opening of the Green Hive Resource Library on August 24, 2011. The Green Hive Library serves as a design and resource index to educate the public on environmentally sustainable products, systems, technologies, and building design. The grand opening of the library will be held in conjunction with the USGBC-IE monthly membership meeting hosted at the Frontier Project.

“The Frontier Project was constructed to be a community resource for all visitors,” commented Frontier Project Foundation Chairman, Kathleen J. Tiegs. “Along with touring the building itself, it has been our intent to have a Resource Library available for all visitors to learn about even more products and materials available for use in homes and businesses. We hope the community will recognize the value of the Library and really take advantage of using it.”

List of Top 10 States for LEED Green Buildings Released

 

Washington, DC – March 2, 2011

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) today released its 2010 list of top 10 states for LEED-certified commercial and institutional green buildings per capita, based on the U.S. 2010 Census information. The District of Columbia leads the nation, with 25 square feet of LEED-certified space per person in 2010, with Nevada being the leading state, with 10.92 square feet per person in 2010.

USGBC-IE Chapter to Host March Membership Drive

March 1, 2011

USGBC-IE is hosting its first ever Membership Drive this March.  New and renewing members can receive significant discounts off the cost of annual memberships, plus free attendance at an upcoming meeting.

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2011 USGBC-IE Chapter BOD Election Results

February 15, 2011
USGBC-Inland Empire Chapter announces 2011 Board of Directors’ Election Results

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USGBC backs Obama’s green building plan

White House – February 3, 2011

President Obama’s Better Building Initiative to improve building energy efficiency by 20% over the next ten years gained the support of the USGBC. Obama already committed $20 billion to improving building energy efficiency through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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California’s green jobs jump

Orange County Register – January 18, 2011

A non-partisan  study from Next 10 shows green jobs increased in the Bay Area between 1995 and 2009 by 109%. Sacramento was second with green employment increasing 103%, and Orange County was third with a 67% increase. The report says that California now has around 174,000 jobs directly related to the core green economy.

Green Colar Job Growth in Redlands

August 2, 2010
Ecotype Consulting, a green building consulting firm, adds staff members, increasing project capacity and company initiatives in the Inland Empire.

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Local Project Receives High Marks for Design

May 21, 2010
The Frontier Project Foundation, in Rancho Cucamonga, received notification of receipt of the LEED Platinum rating by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

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