Our goal is to identify the reasons why sustainable solutions are not chosen. These may include a perceived cost premium, limited local availability or not knowing which products meet the standards of a rating system such as LEED.
Then, together, as the local green building community, we will create and share viable, cost effective solutions to encourage increased implementation. This will, in turn, improve business and quality of life for everyone.
Short Term Goals
1. Education
LEED 101 — An Introduction to LEED
LEED for Trades — What does LEED mean on the job site?
LEED User Group — Forum for LEED users
LEED AP — LEED Study Groups and Instruction
2. Increasing industry and the public's awareness about the value of sustainability — for both new construction and existing buildings
3. Events — e.q., LEED tours, presentations, discussion panels, and networking
4. Identifying challenges faced by local green building projects, including LEED documentation and sharing solutions across this community
5. Job Board
6. Local Resources — to simplify green building projects, including:
Database of Goods — green building materials available locally
Database of Services — green skills/trades/services available locally
LEED Information by Credit — sample templates, examples, wording, ease of access to federal, state, local, and utility incentives for green buildings
Long Term Goals
1. A Private/Public Sector initiative working to drive change.
2. Regional Detailed Database of Sustainable/LEED projects
3. An Energy & Environmental Resource Center
4. LEED-EB Silver - Project Showcase - a series of discussions and demonstrations, online and in person, following the design, renovation & LEED documentation of an existing building and thereby helping to further the understanding of this process.
5. Green Buildings Analysis — Impact on Valuation
Perception & Understanding in the real estate and finance industries
Measuring and valuing investments in sustainable buildings
Correlate current research to local region
