Welcome to Kentucky USGBC
Louisville Lunch and Learn August
On August 10 Builder’s Exchange hosted a Louisville Lunch and Learn. Over 45 attendees gathered to hear the latest on the Louisville Energy Alliance’s work. Ted Pullen, Louisville Metro Government; Rick Jaso and Christy Dooley, Louisville Energy Alliance all spoke about the non-profit group’s programs, showcasing the Louisville Kilowatt Crackdown. 102 buildings completed the crackdown in 2009 with over 4.6 million kilowatt hours saved.
These programs were instrumental in Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government being named the 2010 Energy Star Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For more information visit http://www.louisvilleenergyalliance.com.
Kentucky Chapter Wins $2,000 Grant for Legislative Bus Tour
The Kentucky Chapter of the US Green Building Council won one of the 2010 USGBC Chapter Green Schools Committee Innovation Grants. The Kentucky Chapter applied for funding provided by this grant to help support a bus tour for the Green Schools Caucus Members of both the Kentucky House of Representatives and Kentucky Senate.
The USGBC offered the Green Schools Committee Innovation Grants as one‐time matching awards of up to $2,000 toward specific outreach efforts of USGBC Chapters’ Green Schools Committees. Grant funds could be applied towards an outreach effort of the Chapter’s choosing, including, but not limited to, a green schools community event, a film, or a dedicated website. In order to encourage community participation within the Chapters and the Green Schools Committees, the applicants were required to obtain in‐kind contributions or matching funds in order to be eligible to receive a grant.
According to the Kentucky Chapter’s grant application, “The Kentucky Chapter is intent on keeping the attention of policymakers on Green Schools. Their support is essential for the sustainable future of our schools, and of our communities.” The Kentucky Chapter applied for funding to help support a bus tour for the Green Schools Caucus Members to Turkeyfoot Middle School, in Kenton County -- the first LEED certified school in Kentucky, and a “green” net zero energy school. 
The hope is to show Kentucky legislators on the Green Schools Caucus exactly what a green school looks like by doing the hands-on learning, in part led by Turkeyfoot Middle School students who were on the construction project team.
Green Scene Louisville August Held at Sign-A-Rama
The crowd of 65+ attendees at the August Green Scene, held at Sign-A-Rama in downtown Louisville, was welcomed by Frank Weiss, Co-Chair of the Board of Directors Kentucky USGBC, as they mingled and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks from Ramsi’s. In addition to a full display of sign possibilities announcing the Green Scene, several sustainable and environmentally responsible signage products were featured. Maggie Payette Harlow, owner of Sign-A-Rama, highlighted some of the company’s green products, which included well-received demonstrations from two outstanding vendors. FujiFilm demonstrated its sustainable printing products using a Fuji Acuity printer, and LG Hi-Macs showcased its "green" solid core panel products which are used to build custom interior signage, displays and countertops. As the evening wrapped up, Sign-A-Rama generously provided “Keep Louisville Green” bumper stickers for attendees and wooden USGBC plaques for members to take with them. Photogallery
US Congressman Addresses Advocacy Committee and Legislative Caucus
Chris Tyler, Chair of the Advocacy Committee of the Kentucky Chapter of the USGBC; Congressman Ben Chandler; Frank Weiss, Vice Chair of the Kentucky Chapter of the USGBC; and Cliff Ashburner, Chair of the Kentucky Chapter of the US Green Building Council.
Kentucky Congressman Ben Chandler spent an hour and a half on Wednesday, August 25 talking to members of the Advocacy Committee of the Kentucky Chapter of the US Green Building Council and members of Kentucky's legislative Green Schools Caucus. Chandler first addressed members of the Advocacy Committee and answered questions about national green schools legislation, which he spearheads. After a brief lunch, Chandler addressed Kentucky legislators and answered their questions.
Chandler thanked the legislators and others in the audience for their efforts in promoting national and state level green schools legislation and encouraged them to do more with letters to the editor and other public efforts.
According to Chandler, "We have a tremendous school infrastructure problem in this country," and building more energy efficient schools is the only answer.
"To spend federal money on renovating and constructing more energy efficient public schools is a very wise expenditure of funds. I can think of none wiser," said Chandler. "It is an idea whose time is past due." Photogallery
Oldham County Library Awarded LEED Gold
The beautiful Oldham County Main Library in La Grange KY was awarded its Gold LEED plaque on Thursday Aug 19, 2010. The La Grange Library is the 1st LEED Gold library in the State, one of 9 LEED Gold buildings in the State. Over 40 people joined together to celebrate this achievement and acknowledge library’s valued place in the community
Cliff Ashburner, Chairman of the KY USGBC, awarded the plaque to Susan Eubanks, Library Director. “Buildings are unique. This is a unique project. It started with the occupants desire to provide a better educational experience for their visitors. The building has delivered beyond their expectations,” stated Cliff. Attendance at the library has risen 80% since the new LEED Gold building was opened.
At 30,000 square feet this new LEED Gold library has become “more than just a place to access information. It’s beautiful, it’s gorgeous!” enthused Deputy Oldham County Judge Executive Paula Gish. The Library is beautiful inside and out; landscaping is also sustainable with KY native plants and trees requiring less water.
Dr. Len Peters, Secretary of the KY Energy and Environment Cabinet presented Susan Eubanks, Library Director, with a commemorative certificate from Governor Beshear and went on to say that, “facilities like this are leading the way and are a model of what all architecture needs to be.” Dr. Peters continued to say that LEED buildings are the “most valuable and most cost effective way forward” to reaching the Governor’s stated goal of reduce energy demand through efficiency 18% by 2025.
Friends of the Oldham County Library provided delicious snacks and drinks in commemorative glasses etched with the LEED Gold logo. Susan Eubanks said, “We thought that since we are a Green Building now, we couldn’t really have disposable glasses!” The Library is committed to modeling green behavior for the whole community. Photogallery
RFP for presentations, classes and workshops.
Kentucky USGBC is looking for learning content and presenters for our members and stakeholders. If you have presentations or educational programs that are developed and ready to be delivered, please read our RFP Information and Criteria, and send us a completed RFP Form. Read More
Green Scene Lexington, July
Cliff Ashburner USGBC KY Chair presented gifts to outgoing Lexington Green Scene Chair Becky Farris and Drew and welcomed new Lexington Green Scene Chair Brett Ruffing.As promised the August 4th Lexington Green Scene was a lovely night as the sun stayed hidden long enough to make it comfortable for the forty attendees. AU Associates President Holly Wiedemann proudly showcased the next generation of urban innovation in Lexington. Project architects Ed Krebs and Christopher Fuller from K. Norman Berry Architects were also in attendance. USGBC KY Chapter Board members Cliff Ashburner, Chris Tyler, Jesse Schook and Clive Pohl met some new faces and took the opportunity to network. Photogallery.
Green Scene Lexington Featured on USGBC National's Website
Kentucky Chapter Partners with the Louisville Urban League to offer Green Advantage Training and Certification
Members of the construction trades have the opportunity to gain a green certification through the “Green Advantage® Training and Certification” program now offered by the Louisville Urban League’s (LUL) Center for Workforce Development in partnership with the Kentucky Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The Kentucky Chapter of the USGBC has developed the two-day training to help contractors, field personnel, construction workers, and others understand their role in residential and commercial green building projects. Read More...
Green Scene Louisville, July
Over 50 people converged on the Foxhollow Farm Community in Crestwood on a beautiful day in July for good food with a green message. After shopping in Foxhollow’s market for a variety of their organic products including meats, cheese, produce and soap, attendees were treated to the sustainable delicacies of the Mayan Café. In the midst of shopping and dining in this pastoral setting, attendees learned the story of how Foxhollow and the Mayan Café built their working sustainability partnership. Using green farming techniques partnered with sustainable menu planning, this partnership offers customers the best product at the lowest environmental impact.
Maggie Barrett, Foxhollow’s fourth generation owner, explained the farm’s sustainable practices and the extent to which they go to ensure organic produce. The Mayan Café’s Anne Shadle shared their journey to working with Foxhollow Farm. Beginning with their involvement with the KY USGBC in 2009 the journey culminated in their current process of menu planning based on seasonal products. Bruce Uca, Mayan Cafe's owner shared the process he went through to plan dishes and menu according to availability. He also encouraged attendees to enrich their diets with locally produced produce and meats and support local farmers at farmers’ markets.
At the end of the day, attendees went home having tasted and seen the possibilities of sustainable business initiatives. Photogallery
Our Chairman on KYgreenTV
Cliff Ashburner of the Kentucky Chapter of the US Green Building Council talks with George Parker Jr about the organization and what’s happening in the the green building sector of Kentucky. (See episodes 13 & 14) http://www.kygreen.tv/channels/the-dirt/
Liberty Green Ribbon Cutting, July 9th
The building at Jackson and Jefferson streets is expected to receive "gold" certification under the council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, officials said.
If approved, the project would be the city's ninth certified building and the first for the Louisville Metro Housing Authority.
City, state and federal officials attended a news conference Thursday to cut a ceremonial ribbon at the center.
The housing authority and the U.S. Department of Urban Development provided funding for the project, including a $553,000 grant from HUD's HOPE VI program, which also was used to tear down the former Clarksdale Homes public housing complex. (Liberty Green replaced Clarksdale.)
Liberty Green is the city's second neighborhood revitalization to use HOPE VI, and Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson said the community center is proof that the federal program works.
"It's the kind of project that makes a difference to real people, it creates jobs and enhances the quality of life for folks in the community," he said.
In his remarks, U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-3rd District, praised Liberty Green as "an incredible example" of the federal and local governments working with the private sector.
The $3.3 million center includes aspects that housing authority leaders believe will qualify for the environmental designation, including recycled materials used in construction; pavers in the parking lot that allow rainwater to absorb into the soil below; Energy Star appliances and geo-thermal heating and cooling systems.
The building includes community gathering space, eight public housing units, offices and classrooms, among other features.
BY MARCUS GREEN • MAGREEN@COURIER-JOURNAL.COM • Courier Journal, JULY 8, 2010 Photogallery.
Louisville Green Scene at GBBN
Kentucky Finance & Administration Cabinet Secretary, Jonathan Miller
The new Louisville office of GBBN Architects, located at 609 West Main Street, was the site for June’s Green Scene and the latest Gold LEED certification ceremony. USGBC Kentucky Chapter Board Chair Cliff Ashburner presented the plaque to Bob Gramann, President of GBBN Architects. Mr. Gramann talked about the importance of sustainability, and noted that the main goal of the environmentally responsible renovation was to optimize energy performance. This was achieved through a close working relationship between the design team and mechanical contractors.
Kentucky Finance & Administration Cabinet Secretary Jonathan Miller attended the ceremony and announced three programs intended to further sustainability efforts and create green jobs. The programs include the Green Bank of Kentucky, which will provide financing to pay for up-front costs of energy-saving projects; the Federal Weatherization Program for low-income households; and the new Kentucky Home Performance Program, which will provide loans and grants to middle class families for home energy improvements. More information on these programs is available by contacting the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet. Photogallery.
USGBC Kentucky Chairman, Clifford Ashburner, attends the USGBC Chapter Leader Retreat.
Clifford Ashburner
From our Chairman,
I had the great privilege of attending the USGBC Chapter Leader Retreat in Utah last month. I had a great time meeting members of the national staff and chapter leaders from throughout the country. All chapters are facing similar challenges--funding, prioritizing our efforts, and finding a place for our mission in the larger "green" movement. But while chapters face similar challenges, we address those challenges in as many ways as there are chapters to address them. I'm happy to say that the hard work we have all put in to the foundation of our chapter and each of our committees has us in a good position to face the challenges we face. Photogallery.