Green was the color of the day in Frankfort, KY as the Kentucky Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council held its third annual Advocacy Day at the capitol on January 24th. Chapter volunteers conducted appointments with members of the House and Senate. The goal of these discussions was to create awareness of the chapter and its mission, educate and encourage participation in the Kentucky Green Schools caucus and build awareness of chapter supported House Bills 146: AN ACT relating to green cleaning products in schools and 255: AN ACT relating to the promotion of energy efficiency and making an appropriation therefor. Event Photos and Reporting courtesy of Tom Hailey and Laura Whitus.

Rep Rocky Adkins, (D-Sandy Hook) announced the Kentucky Green Schools Initiative, a broad collaborative legislative effort that will allow K-12 schools to achieve energy efficiencies, help small and mid-sized manufacturing facilities upgrade their energy systems and create jobs across Kentucky. KY USGBC Advocacy Chair Chris Tyler was part of the morning’s announcement.

Another fun gathering of professionals and friends interested in sustainability at the October Green Scene with great food, drink and lively conversation. Joan Pauly, Laura Abbott and Chris Zitelli provided an update on what is happening with the chapter along with introducing our new chapter events coordinator, Chris Head. Good things are happening at Kentucky USGBC! Photographs and captions courtesy of Mollie Weisberg and Minh Nguyen

The University of Kentucky's Davis Marksbury building, part of the UK College of Engineering's "Digital Village," was formally dedicated today with a ribbon cutting ceremony and public tour of the building.The building officially opened earlier this year, and was certified as a LEED Gold building in August by the USGBC, making it the first building at UK to receive a LEED certification. "As the university’s first LEED-certified Gold project and our first facility to be constructed solely using private support and matching funds from the state's Research Challenge Trust Fund, the Davis Marksbury Building represents a creative approach to addressing specific capital needs," said President Capilouto. Photographs courtesy of Jenny Wells, University of Kentucky.

KY USGBC Board Chair Clifford Ashburner presents GE Louisville Data Center with LEED Platinum Plaque. GE unveiled their LEED Platinum Louisville Data Center to the world today and marks the third LEED Platinum project for Kentucky. Our very own board chair Cliff Ashburner represented USGBC and our Kentucky Chapter during the ceremony with Advocacy Committee Member and LEED Plaque Ceremony Task Force Co-Chair Greg Saylor and Executive Director Joan Pauly in attendance. Dignitaries included GE President and CEO Jim Campbell and IT Leader Alan Kocsi as well as Congressman John Yarmuth, Mayor Greg Fisher and Kentucky Energy and Environment Secretary Dr. Len Peters.

Advocacy Chair and KY USGBC Board Member Chris Tyler and Legislative Task Force Chair and KY USGBC Board Member Ryan Daugherty appeared Monday, August 1 before Kentucky's interim house and senate education committee to discuss legislative ideas to help promote more green schools for Kentucky. Several ideas were introduced including a school green cleaning policy, potential funding sources for green school construction and conducting a LEED EB case study to share with existing schools throughout Kentucky.

Site tour of the new Equine Agri-Science Vo Tech campus in Lexington, KY. The Locust Trace Agri-Science Center is designed to meet Energy Star and LEED Gold standards. Net Zero energy: renewable through use of photovoltaics. Other sustainable features include: Rainwater collection. Permeable pavers on roadways and parking. Constructed wetlands, composting and muck bins. Estimated completion: November 2011

JUNE 1 2011 - While attending meetings in Louisville, KY, USGBC Alabama Executive Director John Roper met with Joan Pauly, Executive Director of the Louisville Chapter and the Staff of Builders Exchange of Louisville.

Kentucky Chapter members and guests got together at the Cafe to hear about USGBC initiatives and volunteer opportunities with our committees. Members were encouraged to bring one non-chapter member. A good time with great food and conversation.

Kentucky USGBC LEED UP is a group launced specifically for LEED Green Associates and Accredited Professionals to share knowledge, best practices, bumps in the GBCI road and provide dialogue with peers.

Green Scene is a networking event for people interested in sustainability and a great time to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. Many thanks to Ramsi's for donating the food and coming up with some creative organic drink specials to celebrate our relaunch.

Chris Tyler speaking about the Kentucky USGBC at the second Go Green, Save Green Workshop, in Lexington. This workshop was designed to provide ideas for cost savings through environmentally-friendly practices. Sessions were offered on energy efficiency, water quality improvement and waste reduction. Tours of local LEED facilities were offered in the afternoon.

Project Tour: University of Louisville Clinical and Translational Research Building - LEED Gold certified. The event began with a LEED project case study and next was a panel discussion with the architect, owner and construction manager. The event concluded with a building tour that provided a first-hand view of the tangible results of the LEED strategies incorporated into the project.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, February 15, after a long day of meetings with state legislators, the members of the Advocacy Committee worked with the legislative Green Schools Caucus and other partner organizations to tour a "Green School". The legislators and their staff were transported to the school in Georgetown, Kentucky on a hybrid TARC bus from Louisville. In this photo, Advocacy Chair Chris Tyler and Advocacy member Steve Eggers make use of the ride over to discuss green building legislation ideas with Representative Mary Lou Marzian (D-Louisville) and Representative Jim Wayne (D-Louisville).

More than twenty volunteers from the Kentucky Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council spent the day on Tuesday, February 15 visiting legislators. During their visits, the teams of 2-5 volunteers "introduced" the legislators to the USGBC and offered the chapter up as a resource for the legislature. In this photo, Board Member and Advocacy Committee Chair Chris Tyler and Advocacy Committee Member Maxine Rudder explained to Senator Robert Stivers (R-Manchester) that sustainable construction is not a conservative issue or a liberal issue, it is an issue of fiscal responsibility.

Joan Pauly, Executive Director of the Kentucky U.S. Green Building Council was the special guest speaker at the February meeting of the Greater Louisville Chapter of IFMA (International Facility Management Association). Joan presented an overview about the USGBC and GBCI organizations, how to become a LEED AP with specialty, and how to register a LEED project. Among those in attendance and assisting with the Q&A were KY USGBC members Glyn Humphrey, Chris Tyler and Gordon Springstead.

Advance Ready Mix, located at 161 N. Shelby Street in Louisville, was the location for the October 27 Green Scene. The large crowd in attendance learned about several products that are often used in LEED projects and sustainable and green construction. A sampling included pervious concrete, decorative concrete, concrete countertops, and Insulated Concrete Forms.

September's Lexington Green Scene was held at the Home Builders' Association of Lexington on September 1. Attendees networked inside and on the back patio until they were invited out to the front paking lot to view a demonstration of just how well pervious concrete can handle a deluge of water. Finley Messick, from the Bluegrass Concrete Promotion Group -- the sponsor of September's Green Scene -- explained the technical aspects of pervious concrete as more than 1500 gallons of water were dumped out of a concrete truck onto the pavement. The results were impressive. All of the water was absorbed into the structure of the driveway.

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.

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."

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.

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 too the opportunity to network with new faces.

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.

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. Clifford Ashburner

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.

Kentucky Chapter staff and volunteers have been hard at work advancing the mission for a sustainable built environment here at home. The growth this Chapter has experienced in the last year has been outstanding (membership grew 65% and LEED registered projects now exceed 140 across the state). Meeting the challenge has been the direct result of the support this Chapter receives through your membership, countless hours of dedicated volunteer time, and our corporate partners and sponsors. Without this support, the Chapter could not have achieved all it has to date. See our Top 10 Chapter Successes on our Membership page.

"Habitat for Humanity for Metro Louisville hosted and sponsored Green Scene on April 28th. The team, which builds simple and affordable homes in partnership with those in need of decent housing, was very excited to showcase their facilities. Habitat is metro Louisville's 9th largest home builder and plans to building 300+ homes within one year. Ron Johnson, Director of Construction, shared the sustainable technologies that are being implemented in the Habitat Homes as well as the process to build and own an affordable Habitat Home. Dale Douthat, Director of Habitat ReStore, enthusiastically described their plans for a new facility - three existing buildings about to undergo a complete rehab utilizing green technologies. The presentation was followed by a tour of the buildings to see the "before" conditions. We will have an opportunity to see the “after” once construction is completed as well as the completed Habitopia campus at a future Green Scene. Check out the great turnout (considering it was Derby week) in our photogallery!

Green Scene Lexington. Plans for a "sustainable" mixed development at Coldstream. Len Heller, Vice President of Economic Development at Univ. of KY discussed Coldstream Development plans.

Washington, D.C. September 22nd and 23rd. USGBC-Kentucky Chapter Advocacy Committee Co-Chair Chris Tyler and Board member Cliff Ashburner took part in the 2009 USGBC Congressional Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. September 22nd and 23rd. National USGBC staff and Capitol Solutions staff provided training on the substance of pending proposals before the House and Senate and on the most effective ways to inform and persuade both congressional staff and the members themselves. Chris and Cliff met with Congressmen Ben Chandler, John Yarmuth and Geoff Davis. All of the meetings went well and all of the Congressmen welcomed Chris and Cliff and gave them some of their very valuable time discussing building labeling, green retrofits, and green schools. Chris and Cliff also enjoyed meeting fellow USGBC chapter members from around the country, trading stories about their efforts at home and the many state and local efforts currently underway. A good time was had by all.