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NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2008 |
MEETING THIS MONTH….
Please join the Cape Fear Green Building Alliance (CFGBA) on August 13th for our next meeting & presentation.
We will be hearing from Jack McCaig, a CFGBA board member and local contractor/developer, about green communities.
From 2002–2007, Jack successfully ran a design/build company in
He has a MBA & Masters of Accountancy from UNCW and bachelor’s degrees in science & finance from the University of Maryland & Mount Saint Mary’s College.
* Please stay after the presentation for our ‘Forum’, an open discussion for recent topics of relevance in the
Looking NE @ Dock & Front
LOCAL EVENTS:
8/12/2008
Titan Cement Forum - An Interactive Panel Discussion
6:00 pm-7:30 pm
NH Co. Northeast Library
An interactive panel discussion sponsored by the Council of Neighborhood Associations, the League of Women Voters, and WAAV radio. August 12th, 6:00-7:30 PM, Northeast Branch Library. If you can't attend, tune in to the live broadcast at WAAV 980 AM. The panel will include: Dr. Larry Cahoon, Professor @ UNCW; Tracy Skrabal, Senior Scientist, North Carolina Coastal Federation; Joel Bourne, writer for National Geographic Magazine & founding member of “Stop Titan”; and Doug Springer, Cape Fear River Keeper, Executive Director Cape Fear River Watch.
The Northeast Branch of the New Hanover County Public Library is located at
8/13/08
Airlie Bird Hikes
8.00-9.30 am
Airlie Gardens' Bird Hikes are the second Wednesday of each month with Environmental Educators from the Gardens. A coastal site on the North Carolina Birding Trail, Airlie provides habitat for over 120 species of birds that vary seasonally throughout the year. Water birds such as egrets, herons, kingfishers, cormorants, and ospreys are common. Woodpeckers, buntings, cardinals, chickadees, swallows, bluebirds, and titmice are also found on the grounds. On any given day it's possible to see more than 30 species of birds while traversing the Gardens. The hikes are free to members, or free with payment of garden admission. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for Children (ages 6-12 years). Birders leave at 8:00 AM from the
For more information people should contact Nicole Mitchell at 910-798-7564 or nmitchell@nhcgov.com. Visit www.airliegardens.org for more information.
8/14-21-18/08 (every Thursday AM)
9.00 AM to 11.00 AM
Cape Fear River Watch is conducting tours of
8/16/08
Landscape Workshop
10.00 to 11.00 AM.
Tidal Creek Co-op
Seminar on how to Create a Natural Landscape at the Co-op Community Center, 5329 Oleander Drive, Suite 204 Wilmington NC 28403. For more Info see: www.tidalcreek.coop
9/3/08
CAN/Climate Action Network Monthly meeting.
7.00 pm to 9 pm.
Unitarian Universalist Annex Bldg.
Cape Fear Climate Action Network meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm in the
9/5/08
Good Shepherd ‘Green Party’
6.30 pm on
Watermark Marina Clubhouse.
Celebrate a fundraiser & event at a beautiful riverfront setting, that is in honor of Good Shepherd Center & their 25th anniversary of helping those in need in Wilmington. Music by
9/6/08
9.00 am to 12 noon
Cape Fear River Watch, Surrey St. Downtown ILM.
Cape Fear River Watch offers a free educational seminar the first Saturday of each month, at their headquarters. This month's topic - to be announced. Cape Fear River Watch (CFRW) has been working to protect and improve the water quality of the
Every Saturday AM.
Change the world - Volunteer w Full Belly Project
1020 Chestnut st. Wilmington, NC 28401 (Corner of 11th and Chestnut)
Every Saturday 9:30-1:00 (Unless otherwise posted)
Volunteers learn carpentry, metal working, and just what Appropriate Technology means... and are given the unique opportunity to design simple solutions that will impact the lives of millions in developing countries.
If you are skilled in mechanical engineering, carpentry, or have worked in developing countries, consider becoming a Design Team Leader. Contact Jeff Rose at jeff.rose@fullbellyproject.org for more information.
Also Every Saturday AM…
8.00 am to 12.30 on
The Riverfront Farmers' Market is back & it turns 5 This Year! Bring a friend from 4/19 on, and come help us celebrate all season long. The City of Wilmington Parks, Recreation & Downtown Services Division established the Riverfront Farmers' Market in 2004. The Riverfront Farmers' Market is a curbside market featuring local farmers, producers, artists and crafters who sell their goods directly to consumers, educate consumers about local farming and seasonal eating, to encourage and promote the use of locally grown farm products. Products offered include fresh fruits and berries, vegetables, plants, herbs, flowers, eggs, cheeses, meats, seafood, honey, baked goods, legumes, pickled items, jams and jellies, wine, art, crafts, and more. There is different musical entertainment weekly!
EDUCATION/SEMINARS:
Various LEED Technical Review Workshops:
8/14/2008 LEED for NC- Greenville, SC. 8.30 am-5.00 pm.
8/20/2008 LEED for NC- Charlotte, NC. 8.30 am-5.00 pm.
8/27/2008 Charrette Facilitation- Charlotte, NC 8.30 am to 12.30.
8/27/2008 Understanding LEED costs & returns-
9/5/2008 LEED for NC Tech. Review –
9/5/2008 LEED for Gen Contractors/Managers-
9/9/2008 Managing LEED
9/22/2008 LEED for Homes Program- Pawleys Is., SC. 8.30 to 5.00 pm.
9/24/2008 LEED for Exist. Buildings Tech.
Are you ready to enter the rapidly growing green building market?
Attend the LEED® for New Construction and Major Renovations Technical Review Workshop presented by the U.S. Green Building Council. Gain the knowledge needed to maximize both residential & commercial building performance, achieve LEED certification and take the LEED Professional Accreditation Exam. See the USGBC weblink; http://www.usgbc.org/Workshops/Workshoplist.aspx for details on specific events. Additionally, there are online classes for: LEED 101, LEED for Homes, and an Introduction to LEED for Schools. Prices vary.
8/13/08 
Healthy Built Homes Orientation/IAQ seminar
8 AM to 12:30 PM & 1.00 PM to 4.30 PM (lunch included).
Interested homebuilders and building professionals are invited to two (2) half-day introduction to the NC HealthyBuilt Homes (HBH) Program, a statewide green builder program. You will learn how to participate in the NC HBH Program, focusing on:
an introduction to residential green from a national and state perspective
HBH program benefits such as education and technical assistance
the benefits and HBH costs of residential green
an overview of the HBH checklist which includes many residential green strategies
The NC HBH Program provides visibility, education, marketing support and third party certification of homes for residential builders who build sustainable, high performance homes. This Orientation is a requirement for builders who wish to build HealthyBuilt Homes; it is also an extremely useful workshop for all those who are interested in residential green building. Energy Raters who wish to pursue Independent Inspector status must take the Statewide HBH Orientation.
Who should attend: Builders, designers, realtors, energy raters; this is a good introduction to residential green building.
Registration Fee:
Morning session- $50 through August 6 ($80 after August 6)
Afternoon session- $75 through August 6 ($105 after August 6)
HBH builder members may send up to three employees to the Orientation at no cost. See http://www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/calendar/event_details.cfm?view=list&ID=520 & http://www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/calendar/event_details.cfm?view=list&ID=521 for more details.
GreenPros:
8/20/08.
8:30-5:00 pm
Solar Electricity 8:30 – 12:30 - Ed Witkin, Carrboro Solar Works and Bob Kingery, SEM
Solar Hot Water 1:00 – 5:00 - Bob Kingery, SEM and Fred Stewart, Solar Consultants
Note: You can attend the full day or take either Solar Hot Water or Solar Electricity as a half day workshop.
8/21/08
Green Design & Development Workshop
9:00 -5:00pm
New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Center
Gain a basic knowledge and understanding of green planning techniques. Gain a basic knowledge and understanding of low impact development techniques. Gain a basic knowledge and understanding green building techniques for structures (residential, commercial and other). Gain a basic knowledge and understanding of the LEED certification program. Apply knowledge and understanding in a design exercise. Prepare for upcoming advanced green design & development workshops. At the
Email: cathy_smith@ncsu.edu or chrissie_shepard@ncsu.edu Phone: 919-515-6780. Continental breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/lid/Wilmington.html
8/21-24/08
NC AIA Going Green/2008 State Design Conference
Convention Center
Statewide conference featuring keynote speakers with a sustainable bent (Ray Anderson of Interface & others), a LEED orientation seminar on the 20th, LID workshop, vendor/expo floor, and continuing education opportunities.
See: http://www.aianc.org/cde.cfm?event=186860 for details.
8/22-24/08
Southern Energy & Environment Expo 2008
10.00 AM – 7.00 PM
The Southern Energy & Environment Expo is an annual event designed to showcase renewable energy and sustainable economics in a context of responsible environmental stewardship. By working together in a cooperative spirit, we can make a difference for the future of our children and our planet. Admission is only $10 a day! Admission price includes all one hour presentations! Admission price includes all one hour presentations!
Click here for more information.
9/3/08
ENERGY-10™: A Powerful Energy Simulation Tool for Buildings and Homes - Version 1.8
9:00-4:30
Southern Energy Training Ctr.
Cost: $150. Discounts Available: $120 discounted price for members of the following groups and organizations: NCSEA, Green Home Builders of the Triangle, Habitat, Weaver Street Market, or if 3 or more attendees from one company. An individual NCSEA membership is $25. Conducted by Alicia Ravetto, Architect & Paul Konove, Builder.
See their website @ www.greenprostraining.com or call 919.933.0999 for details. Their website mentions the Triad and
9/4/08
GreenNC: Building for a Sustainable Future
9:00 - 5:00 PM
D.F.
The 4th Annual GreenNC Tradeshow for the
The NC Triangle Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, with the coordination of the NC Solar Center, is pleased to announce the 4th Annual GreenNC Tradeshow. This one day event featuring over 60 exhibitors from across
Fees: General attendance to the tradeshow hall is Free. Luncheon registration is $35. Students get in for $20 with student ID. For more information, contact Lyra Rakusin at Lyra_rakusin@ncsu.edu.
The GreenNC Luncheon will be featuring a panel of local leaders who have pledged to take action to protect the climate. You will need to register for the luncheon. A LEED workshop will follow the next day. Visit http://greennctradeshow.com to become an exhibitor!
9/8/08 to 9/12/08
RE IV: Renewable Electric Generation with Photovoltaic or Wind Systems
9 to 5 pm (multiple days)
Part of the Renewable Energy Technologies Diploma Series, this weeklong workshop will cover renewable electric generation. Participants will choose between the Photovoltaics (PV) track or the Wind track. You may take the whole week, or register for just part of the week by clicking on the hyperlinks for the shorter courses.
In the first two days You Will Learn: Basics of Electricity Workshop: Basics of electricity and electrical safety, National Electric Code® overview pertaining to RE systems, Basics of energy consumption and analysis, Inverter and battery sizing for on- and off-grid systems
Then on Day 3 - Day 5, the class divides into two tracks. Choose between: 3-Day Photovoltaic track: History of photovoltaics, Types of solar cells, Load analysis, Basics of solar PV design and electric generation, Installation, maintenance and servicing techniques, How to integrate PV power systems with emergency generators, How to connect PV systems to the grid, Solar resource siting, system sizing.
3-Day Small Wind Track: History of wind power, Types of wind turbines, Installation, maintenance and servicing techniques, choosing a site, Wind permitting, Selling small wind, Grid-tied wind energy systems, Off-grid wind energy systems
Fee: $1399/$749 for NC residents (20% discount). Choose between these workshops and register now: Click here for more information or to register online.
9/26-28/2008
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
At the Southern Ideal Home Show, you can shop, compare prices and talk with experts about your next remodeling, decorating or landscaping project. The Green Building Pavilion, sponsored by the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, is your opportunity to speak with “green build” experts, see the latest technology in building and remodeling in a sustainable manner and make decisions about the future of your home and the environment. NCSEA’s team will be on hand at the Green Building Pavilion, located in the
The Green Building Pavilion and the entire Southern Ideal Home Show will be open:
Friday: 12pm-9pm, Saturday: 10am-9pm, & Sunday: 10am-5pm
Admission is $9.00 for adults and free for persons under 15 years of age accompanied by a paying adult.
If you are interested in exhibiting in the Green Building Pavilion please e-mail Lynn Nacewicz, Assistant Show Manager or call her at 919-851-2911 ext. 25. You can also e-mail Steve Fountain, NCSEA Program Manager or call him at 919-832-7601 ext. 107. Click this link for more information about the Southern Ideal Home Show.
Planning for 2008!! Green Conferences across the country:
WestCoast Green-
GreenBuild 2008-
PROJECTS:
Solar Powered Fountain Project
Cape Fear Green Building Alliance, is organizing the design and construction of a solar powered fountain/project in downtown
If you signed up for the project sub-committee and offered additional support, please contact the CFGBA Administrator at info@cfgba.org and check in with Todd or another board member at our general meeting.
OPPORTUNITIES/ANNOUCEMENTS/NEWS:
2008 Solar Tour Sites/Planning
Entering summer, CFGBA is now in organizing mode for this year’s Green Building & Solar Home Tour on Saturday, October 4th 2008. If you have or know of projects and/or a site that you would like to nominate for possible inclusion on the tour please post information on the project/building/house on the CFGBA message board in the solar tour topic, or talk to one of the board members at the next meeting. We need to have all 9 to 12 sites lined up by the end of the month- so we’d love your input on what you’d like to see and share with the group!! See http://www.runboard.com/bcfgba7.f1.t113 for posts and more comments.
The ‘New’ Cement Plant
Unless you’ve been under a rock the last month or two, you’ve probably heard about plans to reuse the abandoned cement plant off
There are a multitude of events both pro & con that you can do to educate yourselves on the potential impact of this proposal. To get information on efforts to stop/inform the permitting process and educate the general public about the plant visit; www.stoptitan.org. They have a variety of links, a petition, and discussion groups to learn about the project. To see county action & watch commissioner meetings, etc.- watch G13 for rebroadcasts or see www.nhcgov.org. To see what the company says about their position and vision for cement production- visit http://www.titanamerica.com/about/environment.html. To read all the Star-News coverage of the issue- visit http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news4517 Link to Army Corps/Wilmington Section site; http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/
Stay informed and active as this process will be years in the making and your voice will make a difference.
‘Life in the
CFGBA member Martyn St. David (@ www.foaminsulation.biz) is now hosting a one-hour radio show on all things ‘green’ in the construction industry & personal living on WAVE-AM radio on Saturday mornings from 8 am to 9 am. Listen in to hear folks from our community (many CFGBA members) discuss design, energy conservation, materials, landscaping and general tips for being more ‘green’ in the Cape Fear area.
Check out WAAV-AM, 980 on the dial. The call in number is 910.763.4000. Listen & learn!! If you have a topic or suggestion for her you can e-mail her; martyn@foaminsulation.biz
NC GreenPower Update (As of June 2008)
Program participation:
Current NC GreenPower subscribers – 14,086
Total monthly NC GreenPower blocks subscribed –33,826
Annual equivalent blocks subscribed – 405,912
Annual equivalent energy – 40,591,200 kWh
Program producers:
Solar photovoltaic (PV) - 157
Wind - 3
Landfill methane gas - 2
Small hydroelectric - 3 representing multiple sites
Biomass - 1 (wood waste)
Total producers - 166
Environmental offsets:
The amount of coal consumed annually to produce this equivalent amount of energy - 32,878,872 lbs.
The generation of this amount of renewable energy will annually offset: 84,465,822 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) [This annual offset of CO2 emissions is environmentally equivalent to:
6,497,370 trees planted OR 102,824,511 miles not driven OR 2,502,063 days not driven]
If you’re interested in adding credits or supporting GreenPower, contact them or your local utility.
MOMA: modular home show
NYC’s
The show called Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling is open from July 20–October 20, 2008. It is both a survey of the past, present & future of the prefabricated home as well as a building project on the Museum's vacant west lot. Not since the mid-century House in the Garden series has MoMA built habitable model buildings to demonstrate contemporary issues to the public. The fives homes erected on the vacant west lot are designed by Kieran Timberlake Associates (
The exhibition, and its accompanying Web site (www.moma.org/homedelivery), display the process of architectural design & production in equal measure with the actual end result. Within the gallery, eighty-four architectural projects spanning 180 years are presented by means of films, architectural models, drawings ,blueprints, fragments, photographs, patents, games, sales/marketing propaganda, toys, and partial reconstructions. This diverse collection of materials illustrates how the prefabricated house has been & is a critical part of the discourse of sustainability, invention, and new material research.
There are a multitude of events & events with this exhibit through October.
See this link for details; http://moma.org/exhibitions/exhibitions.php?id=5476&ref=calendar
CFGBA member, Valerie Robertson, has been working hard on her new publication, Cape Fear Going Green, and the latest issue (April- Earth Day) is hot off the presses. Later in 2008, the publication will be going monthly. Also- Going Green Publications is pleased to announce the launch of its new Web site: www.goinggreenpublications.com This Web site complements Cape Fear's Going Green magazine, which premiered this winter. It offers a comprehensive calendar of green events, a list of resources, a glossary of eco-friendly terms, and a forum for your green thoughts. It also allows viewing of current and back issues of
Links & Things
Here are a couple of links to documents from NCSEA(North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association) regarding the state’s REPS program and lobbying efforts the last year or so.
http://www.ncsustainableenergy.org/publications/citizensguide
http://www.ncsustainableenergy.org/publications/legislativeguide
Coming soon to Target?
Designer Philippe Starck, more known for high-end interiors and furniture/objects (juicers, toothbrushes, etc.) is working w/ an European manufacturer/energy company on a residential scaled wind turbine. He had recently announced his retirement from design voicing his guilt about the globe’s overconsumption. He was quoted as saying; “Everything I designed was unnecessary… and I am ashamed of this fact”
With the assistance of Pramac- he’s developed ‘Democratic Ecology’, Which was introduced at Milan’s Greenergy Design show earlier this year. The mini-turbine is planned to be available to all in September 2008 (available as transparent or metallic) As conceived, it’s a twisted cube, which highlights the turbine’s aesthetic potential. Makers say that the windmill can generate up to 60% of the energy needed to power a home (seems way too high?), at a cost of around 400 Euros ($633). Some of the details are still in the works- but small, green energy generators?
In Case You Missed It….. In July, we heard from Kasey Valente, a local realtor, about green real estate and the ‘eco-broker’ program. She had a very informative program about green buyers, programs & how sustainable issues influence the housing market.
Scott Ogden, Secretary
A role model- candidates take note….
From TreeHugger/The Guardian:
The government of
Another move that is worthy of note is the announcement that airlines will be able to shorten routes by cutting through military airspace – apparently this comes hot on the heels of flight cancellations to Spain by Ryanair & Easyjet in response to high fuel costs.
While there will probably be some backlash from some regarding the breadth and extent of these moves, this looks an awful lot like what we as a world have been waiting for & need – a national government that is taking oil depletion and global warming as the grave threats they really are.
Fuel/energy graph- and it’s no where near winter yet, how high will January 09 go….