BPI's Building Analyst Testing Knowledge List Now Available

For Immediate Release from the Building Performance Institute:
BPI's Building Analyst Testing Knowledge List Now Available

On October 31, BPI announced that the Building Analyst (BA) certification will be upgraded on February 1, 2014. The final BA Testing Knowledge List that will become active on February 1 is now available.

Building science best-practices are always evolving. There's a regular flow of new tools and techniques to learn and master. The Building Analyst (BA) certification exams are being updated to ensure that Building Analysts have command of the latest best practices in whole house energy audits. In addition to verifying increased proficiency, you get a higher level of confidence from your customers, your employer, the programs you participate in and the market at large.

Click here to view, or go to BPI.org>Documents>Testing Knowledge Lists.

Click here for more information on the BA certification upgrade.

About the Building Performance Institute BPI is the nation's premier building performance credentialing, quality assurance and standards setting organization. BPI develops technical standards using an open, transparent, consensus-based process built on sound building science. BPI is approved by the American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI) as an accredited developer of American National Standards and as a certifying body for personnel credentials.

BPI offers the following:

• National standards to ensure top quality, consistent protocols are being followed throughout the home performance and weatherization workforce
• Certification of individuals in residential energy auditing and analysis, energy upgrade installation, crew leader, quality control inspection and multi-family designations 
• Accreditation of contracting companies committed to delivering quality home performance improvements
• Quality assurance to verify conformance with BPI standards and provide feedback for continuing improvement
• Partnership with testing organizations that deliver BPI services in their market 

LEED Exams And Credentials Moved From GBCI To USGBC Website

Last week, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) quietly took back the management of the LEED credentialing exams and credential maintenance, previously run by its sister organization, the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). USGBC sent an email to all LEED accredited professionals, explaining that it had updated the LEED credential accounts for an easier, more intuitive experience. The email outlined the benefits of the new online account platform, including:

• "An intuitive dashboard to monitor learning.
• A consolidated experience, putting all your interactions with USGBC in one location: usgbc.org.
• Simplified CE reporting forms to make reporting a breeze.
• More efficient renewal process that saves you time.
• Enhancements to automated reporting for education providers.
• Simplified exam registration including fewer steps, no wait time and consolidated payment."

Previously the LEED exam application process, as well as the maintenance of existing credentials, was all managed through the My Credentials account on GBCI. These pages now redirect to the redesigned USGBC's account portal. New candidates looking to apply for a LEED test date should now create an account at www.USGBC.org to begin the exam application process. To learn more about the various LEED exams available and corresponding prep material, visit www.greenedu.com/leed-certification.

Here is a preview of some of the new account features hosted on USGBC.org:

New USGBC Credential Account Dashboard:

The transition from My Credentials to the USGBC account also includes clearer tracking information for the user's Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) progress, as well as a simplified CE reporting form:

Lastly, candidates can now apply for additional LEED credentialing exams through their USGBC account through a simplified application process:

At GreenEDU, we are frequently fielding questions regarding the relationship between GBCI and USGBC, and the roles of each. This change may indicate a shift in the relationship between the organizations, with USGBC putting itself back at the center as the go-to source for all things LEED.

Want to learn more about becoming a LEED professional? Get the scoop in our 1-hour FREE Intro to LEED webinar. Register for our next session at: http://www.greenedu.com/free-intro-to-leed-accreditation-webinar-courses

LEED Facilitates Affordable Green Housing

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) helps guarantee that buildings are both cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly. While some government officials seek to ban LEED, such as Mississippi Senator Wicker, the General Services Administration (GSA) has officially recommended LEED as the premier rating system for federal building projects. LEED continues to be the most successful third-party green building rating system and is beginning to impact low-cost, affordable housing.

According to USGBC, LEED was virtually nonexistent in the state of Georgia in 2008. Throughout the next few years, housing developers began to implement the LEED rating system for affordable homes. The Georgia Department of Community allows low income housing tax credits for developers seeking to use a third-party green building rating system, giving incentive to home developers and spurring growth in the affordable housing market. By 2012, 100% of all projects using low income housing tax credits were seeking certification under LEED for Homes and EarthCraft House.

LEED also provides numerous health benefits for its residents. LEED-certified affordable housing was implemented in the South Bronx in New York, and the study demonstrated that children and adults suffering with asthma experienced significant decreases in symptoms, attacks, and hospital visits once living in LEED-certified affordable housing.

Nearly half of states in the US currently allow Quality Allocation Plan points for housing developers seeking to build green. Almost one-third of states provide monetary incentive for developers to do so. LEED continues to make a significant impact nationwide, lowering costs and improving the health and wellbeing of the communities that use it.

Other industries have also started to use LEED standards in developing their buildings. Studies have shown that green buildings lower energy costs, increase consumer sales, and increase ROI in hospitality and retail industries. Hotels, for example, on average, decreased their energy consumption by 15% and increased their return on investment by 14% by implementing LEED standards for their green buildings.

Do you want to become LEED certified? Visit GreenEDU and register for a course in your area or for an online-anytime course to be taken at your convenience. Sign up for a LEED Exam Preparation course or for a LEED Continuing Education course today!

Featured Course: Meth Lab Decontamination Training

Crystal Meth

Across the U.S., remediation specialists are seeing an increase in demand for methamphetamine laboratory cleanup services as production and use of the drug increases. Once a lab has been shut down, the remaining space can be extremely hazardous, which is why cities and property owners are seeking to hire professionals who have the appropriate training and certification. Green Education Services now offers a Methamphetamine Laboratory Decontamination Course for professionals looking to provide this service.

Transforming a former meth lab safe for reoccupation requires two basic efforts: the removal of gross contamination (i.e., containers of chemicals, equipment and apparatus used to make illegal drugs); and the remediation of interior structures and surrounding soil, surface waters and groundwater. The meth lab decontamination course provides voluntary guidelines related to remediation.

Remediation involves utilizing recognized procedures and technology-based standards to restore former meth labs to a state in which the property can be inhabited again—or, instead, identifying properties that are not yet ready for reoccupation and must undergo further treatment. Remediation always occurs after gross chemical removal, when the site is secured and is no longer subject to criminal investigation.

This Methamphetamine Laboratory Decontamination course covers what is used to make methamphetamine and highlights the contamination associated with the production (cooking) of methamphetamine and what dangers result from that production. In addition, students will learn about the most current methamphetamine production methods. Students will also be taught how to survey the laboratory, test for contaminants, and learn how to proceed with decontamination.

Below are just a few of the topics covered in the Methamphetamine Lab Cleanup course:

• Methamphetamine Background
• Production of Methamphetamine
• Hazards of Clandestine Labs
• HAZCOM Plan
• Personal Protective Equipment & Respiratory Protection
• Equipment & Supplies, Specialty Equipment Options
• Pre-Decon Info Gathering & Contamination Assessment
• Salvage/Disposal Decisions
• Lab Sampling/Reports
• Decon/Remediation
• Outbuildings, Dump Sites
• Burn Pits & Disposal
• Waste Characterization
• Chemical Irritants - Tear Gas/OC
• Salvage/No Salvage Decisions
• Cleanup and Neutralization

To learn more about the Methamphetamine Laboratory Decontamination Courses, view the course detail at: http://www.greenedu.com/methamphetamine-laboratory-decontamination-courses or call us at 646-564-3546.

LEED Remains Preferred Green Building Rating System for Federal Buildings

LEED Gold US Courthouse in Eugene, OR. Source: GSA.gov

Originally released by USGBC on October 25, 2013:

Washington, D.C. – The General Services Administration (GSA) concluded again today that the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED green building rating system can and should be used in government buildings to advance energy efficiency and to save taxpayers’ money. GSA issued its recommendation today based on the findings of the EISA §436(h) Ad-Hoc Review Group on Green Building Certification Systems.

“LEED continues to set a global example for market transformation,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC, which oversees LEED. “As the premier rating system in the world, LEED will continue to inspire people and set the bar for healthy, energy efficient and high-performing buildings.”

GSA’s decision comes a year after more than 1,250 businesses and organizations urged GSA to continue to use LEED to improve the energy and environmental performance of federal buildings. In February, the National Academy of Sciences released a report on green building certification systems that recommended that the Department of Defense construct its buildings to LEED’s Silver standard or the equivalent.

“At this point, it is unassailable, LEED works. It has played a significant role in GSA’s achievement of its energy and sustainability goals,” said Roger Platt, senior vice president, global policy and law, USGBC. “Any government agency that chooses to follow the private sector in using LEED certification does so because the result is better buildings and savings for the taxpayer.”

More than 1.5 million square feet of space is certified using LEED every day, making LEED the most widely used high-performance building program for the design, construction, maintenance and operations of green buildings. More than 55,000 projects are currently participating in the commercial and institutional LEED rating systems, comprising 10.4 billion square feet of construction space in more than 140 countries and territories. In addition, more than 46,000 residential units have been certified under the LEED for Homes rating system.

A study by The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) found that GSA LEED certified buildings used 25 percent less energy than the national average and cost 19 percent less to operate. There are currently more than 4,000 LEED certified government projects with another 8,000 in the pipeline as registered projects. A recent report from GSA shows the agency has successfully reduced its energy use by nearly 20 percent since 2003 and water use by almost 15 percent since 2007.

About the U.S. Green Building CouncilThe U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and explore the Green Building Information Gateway (GBIG).

GreenEDU Trainer Spotlight: National Environmental Solutions Inc.

National Environmental Solutions, Inc. provides training and consulting services in the Southeast. Their staff has over 30 years of accumulative experience to assure their students have the instruction needed to maintain federal, state, and local compliance. Courses are taught by Bonnie B. Maurras who has been helping to build a trained and certified Lead Abatement workforce of contractors,consultants,and healthcare providers in EPA Region 4 since 1994. National Environmental Solutions, Inc. provides quality training and meets the individual needs of their students, enabling the success of both the company and its clients.

National Environmental Solutions Inc. has received praise from GreenEDU students. "[The] instructor was very knowledgable and thorough," stated Bobby H., a GreenEDU student who attended a National Environmental Solutions, Inc. course. "Understanding of subject matter, and ability to pass that on was superb," said student John H.

National Environmental Solutions Inc. provides courses in both Soddy Daisy, Tennessee and Tucker, Georgia. They currently offer EPA Lead Renovators Certification Initial training in both of these locations.

As of April 22, 2010, anyone who performs renovations, repairs, or painting in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities must be EPA Lead Safe Certified. Individuals and firms that are not certified could face fines of up to $37,500 per day.

The Lead Renovator Certification Initial course is 8 hours in length and includes both EPA-approved lead safety training and certification. Any contractor performing work on pre-1978 homes or child-occupied facilities must employ at least one Certified Renovator who has successfully completed this training. Companies must also be registered as a Lead Safe Certified Firm with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The course concludes with a 25 question exam. Students seeking to work with lead paint should take this initial course and become lead-safe certified. Register for an EPA Lead Renovators course here!

About National Environmental Solutions, Inc.
The National Environmental Solutions, Inc (NESI) staff have an accumulative 35+ years in the Lead Abatement / Inspection / Risk Assessment field and a total of 26 years of experience in the Asbestos field. Since 1992, we have been helping all aspects of the Commercial and Residential Community within the Southeast EPA Region IV area to comply with EPA, OSHA, CDC, HUD and CPSC regulations, and throughout the years, our range of Lead and Asbestos training and consulting services have enabled building owners and operators to comprehensively approach the removal or control of Lead and Asbestos in all types of buildings. Our expertise in Lead and Asbestos provide the knowledge necessary for our students to rightfully comply with federal and state regulations.

For more information and registration, visit http://www.greenedu.com/national-environmental-solutions-inc

First LEED v4 Certified Building in the World

via Inhabitat

USGBC certifies buildings based on a rating system called LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, awarding buildings for various advancements in green building design, including energy efficiency, raw material sourcing, and an emphasis on life cycle assessments.

The newest version of this rating system, LEED v4, has been updated to include stricter standards, but this hasn't stopped the creation of incredible buildings. The Haworth Showroom in Beijing was recently announced to have received the first LEED v4 certification under the beta version of the rating system, earning LEED Gold status by achieving 71 out of 110 total possible points.

The Haworth Showroom is located in the Parkview Green building in Beijing, a center for tenants to access transportation, bicycles, and lounge spaces. Parkview Green's neighborhood, Fangcaodi, literally "green, grassy area", is home to homes, shopping centers, and offices with innovative technology and a passion for environmental protection.

Environmental Leader reports that not only does the room make use of fresh air and natural lighting, but the showroom has also reduced its energy usage by 59% through the use of energy-efficient LED lights and a more efficient HVAC system. Additionally, the room decreased its water use by 53% through its use of a greywater recycling system. During its construction, 60% of nonstructural interior materials were reused. The company reports that even the furniture is Greenguard certified or reused from other parts of their building. Haworth has purchased renewable energy credits for the next five years for the showroom and have continued this process with their many other LEED certified buildings worldwide.

The USGBC is releasing the updated, official version of LEED v4 next month at the Greenbuilding International Conference and Expo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Want to become LEED certified or further your education? Check out our GreenEDU courses and packages for LEED Exam Preparation as well as LEED Continuing Education. Register for a course in your area or sign up for an online-anytime course to be taken at your convenience!