The Spinnaker Group Inc. Named LEED Proven

WESTON, Fla. -- Today, The Spinnaker Group announced that the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has designated The Spinnaker Group, a LEED^® Proven Provider™ for the Building Design and Construction rating system family. This designation was developed to streamline the LEED project review process for experienced organizations that demonstrate consistent excellence in administering LEED projects.
“Quality is at the core of the LEED certification process, and The Spinnaker Group has exhibited expertise in helping to bring healthy, high-performing buildings to the market,” said Doug Gatlin, vice president of program delivery, USGBC and GBCI. “The LEED Proven Provider model represents a great partnership between The Spinnaker Group and GBCI, because it allows GBCI to maintain a rigorous certification program and gives The Spinnaker Group the opportunity to deliver LEED projects to its clients faster.”

“The Spinnaker Group is proud to be chosen to this select group of sustainability professionals,” reports Rob Hink, Managing Principal. “This reflects The Spinnaker Group's continuous focus on delivering the highest level of quality to our clients.”

Read more about this release here.

Online Training Courses

Green Building
Sustainability
LEED
Project Management

Project your ID with Lifelock

DEP Announces Regional Keystone Energy Education Program Workshop in State College

WILLIAMSPORT -- The Department of Environmental Protection invites middle school teachers, administrators and building managers to a Thursday, March 6 training workshop in State College, Centre County on the Keystone Energy Education Program (KEEP) to teach and track energy efficiency in school buildings and homes.

The workshop is offered free of charge and will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Penn State University’s Sackett Building, Room 309, on West College Ave. Please register in advance.

KEEP is geared to teachers of grades 4 through 8, administrators and building maintenance managers. Workshop participants will learn about and explore energy issues, including fundamentals and impacts, electricity generation, transportation fuels, careers, energy conservation, student teams and school building energy benchmarking through presentations, tours and hands-on activities.

Participants will have the opportunity to integrate high level, standards-based energy education into their formal curriculum. This could include lesson plans, curricular modules and ongoing benchmarking through EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager, resulting in energy efficiency assessments leading to improvements that reduce energy consumption.

The workshops are based on Pennsylvania’s Academic Standards and Assessment Anchors for Environment and Ecology, Science and Technology and Engineering Education. Participating teachers will receive background information, standards-based curricular materials and energy conservation material kits.

Participating teachers will be eligible for seven Act 48 credit hours.

Space is limited, so registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Register by contacting the KEEP Coordinator Susan Gove at 412-431-1010 or at sgove@gove.org.

Support private well owners and groundwater education in PA - Go to 

http://carbonwaters.org/donations-to-help-our-mission/

For More Webinars, Training in Energy Management, LEED, Green Design, and other PDHs go to

http://webdesignpros.redvector.com

http://www.bfenvironmental.com

Green Building Alternatives Push Asbestos Out of the Home - Green Building Solutions

A catalyst for homes, industries, schools, universities and business, the incredible diversity of enterprises is driven by a common bound to move to a green lifestyle and green building solutions. Inhabiting a world where environmental awareness is a vital concern to the future of our planet, it is important to take note of the consequences of improper building materials and environmental degradation.


The implementation of eco-construction and green environmental solutions will play an important role in the transformation to a healthier and sustainable world.

Asbestos
Throughout the greater part of the 20th century, asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was utilized in a variety of applications. Due to its flame resistant, highly durable and inexpensive qualities, it became the ideal choice for manufacturers as a form of insulation, piping, brake lining and flooring.
Many homes and buildings built prior to 1980 may still harbor asbestos, but even homes built in the 1990’s may contain asbestos in vermiculite insulation. Although Vermiculite alone does not contain asbestos, it came from one single mine that contained a large amount of asbestos. There are many green, eco-friendly materials that replace the need for asbestos and can reduce energy costs annually.

Healthy Tips

According to the experts, the general rule of thumb is if the asbestos is in good shape, it's posing no apparent risk. If it's in bad shape, it could be a problem. This is a serious concern because its toxic fibers can easily circulate and become inhaled. If any suspected asbestos is located, the best advice is to leave it alone. Asbestos that is left un-disturbed will normally pose no threat

Exposure to asbestos has been proven to be the only known cause of a rare but aggressive form of lung cancer known as mesothelioma. Due to a long latency period of 20 to 50 years for the disease to develop, a mesothelioma life span is not as positive as one would hope. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases are diagnosed every year in the United States, accounting for three percent of all cancer diagnoses.

If asbestos needs to be removed, it should be performed by licensed abatement contractors. These contractors are trained in the handling and disposal of asbestos in public facilities and homes. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality is committed to protecting the public from asbestos-containing materials by educating and assisting with asbestos removal, transport and disposal.

GREEN Homes Push Asbestos Out of Homes - Green Building Training Program
“Green” home modifications will help save on energy costs and provide tax credits, but some of them may even be better for your health. Many locations throughout the United States are swiftly changing their construction practices to suit the environment and the health of human beings. The Department of Energy concluded that cooling and heating counts for up to 50-70 percent of all energy used in the average home in the U.S. In today’s state, this philosophy can also save natural resources.
Eco-friendly methods of building can have positive environmental, health and economic benefits. These include: Conservation of natural resources, enhance air quality, energy sustainability, increase property value, improve quality of life, improvement of pulmonary and cardiac health, Reduction of waste.
The implementation of green alternatives such as cotton fiber, lcynene foam, cellulose and thermal ceramic insulator can reduce annual energy costs by 25 percent. The ceramic foam is made of aluminum oxide, a high temperature ceramic noted for great insulating powers from its tiny air bubbles. Cotton fiber is also becoming a favorite insulation method.
Made from recycled batted material, it is then treated to be fireproof. Water based spray polyurethane foam, lcynene, is a healthy insulation which contains no toxic components. These asbestos alternatives allow for a healthy, safe home, free of health damaging materials.

Quality Links
Green Building Design, Sustainability and LEED Training
Energy Audits
Working With Asbestos
PleuralMesothelioma.com- Free packet with treatment information

Heat Spring Learning Institute Promotion Discount Code - Discount Education for Alternative Energy

The B.F. Environmental Consultants has partnered with Heat Spring Learning Institute to offer an Accredited Geothermal Installer, Solar, BPI, and other training courses. HeatSpring Learning Institute is an education company focused on providing clean energy training to building professionals.  Heat Spring provides convenient, high quality education and training and helps small and large business grow with the clean energy industry.   The company's course offerings range from solar and geothermal basics to advanced technical courses for building designers and system installers.  The courses are taught by certified and approved instructors and meet all or part of the requirements to become certified.  In some cases, the courses meet the requirements for continuing education credits for licensed professional and AIA (architects).

For more information - please visit the course website at
http://www.heatspring.com/
Use discount code "bfenviro"

For other certification and training courses, go to
http://www.bfenvironmental.com/certified.php

LEED-AP, Green Associate, LEED Credential Mainteance Programs, and Sustainable Design

LEED-AP, Green Associate, LEED Credential Mainteance Programs, and Sustainable Design


Web Design Pros provides online portal to aid in maintaining and obtaining LEED and Green Associates Certification. We have partnered with B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc and online educators to provide training programs for professionals.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR Log (Press Release) – May 17, 2010 – Our online courses are designed to meet multi-state certification and license requirements. Our "Go- Green - Build Green- Design Green" provides portals to education and certification programs to faciliate or help professionals and contractors to meet LEED-AP, LEED, Green Associate, and education for Sustainability Professionals. These courses meet the USGBC's, AIA, and other education requirements, and meets state continuing education requirements. The program opportunities include:

AIA Sustainable Design Package
LEED AP Building Design and Construction Exam Prep
LEED AP Building Operations & Maintenance Exam Prep
LEED AP Interior Design and Construction Exam Prep
LEED AP New Homes Exam Prep
LEED AP Prescriptive Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP) for Building Design and Construction
LEED AP Prescriptive Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP) for Operations and Maintenance (O+M)
Green Associate LEED Exam Prep- 1 Year Online Subscription
LEED Green Associate Qualification Certificate: Green Building Principles
LEED Green Associate Qualification Certificate: Green Building Principles and Exam Prep Bundle
Sustainability Training and Certification Programs
Alternative Energy, Solar, Wind, Geothermal, BPI Training, and much more.
To learn more about these cost effective training opportunities, please visit us at
http://www.bfenvironmental.com/greenbuild.php

Energy Auditor Training + BPI Certification Exams - Green Building LEED Sustainability

Energy Auditor Training + BPI Certification Exams

BPI Building Analyst Certification course May 24-28. Sustainable Energy Engineer and Entrepreneur with more than thirty-two (32) years experience in energy engineering, technical training, consulting, project management; residential housing, construction and finance; and network design and implementation. His recent focus has been on sustainable energy; certifying ENERGY STAR Homes, providing BPI training services, alternative energy projects, and performing residential and small commercial energy audits.

The goal of this course is to prepare you for the BPI Building Analyst Written and Field Certification Exams. There is a lot of material for you to learn, including building science concepts, how to perform inspections, operate various test equipment, perform calculations and interpret results so that you can make recommendations regarding actions that can be taken to improve the energy efficiency, health and safety of a building.

You are being sent the book “Residential Energy” by John Krigger and Chris Dorsi. Please read the Introduction and Chapters 1-10 prior to class. Also familiarize yourself with the Appendices. I will be spending about a day and a half reviewing the key concepts in this book. The better you know this material the sooner we can get to the BPI Technical Standard and hands-on activities with the test equipment that you will need to show proficiency with during the Field Exam. You are also being provided with the BPI Building Analyst Technical Standard, and documents that detail the information that you will be tested on during the written and field exams, which you should review prior to class.

Please take care of all of the above preparation prior to class week. One of the best things you can do prior to an exam is to get a good night’s rest.

For access to this course go to
https://www.heatspring.com/?id=building_performance_training
use promo code "bfenviro"- for a discount

For other training programs to to
http://www.bfenvironmental.com/certified.php

LEED Training, Green Building, and Sustainability - Go To
http://www.bfenvironmental.com/GreenBuild.php

Radon Testing and Training Program - Goes Online

Radon Measurement
Our New 16-hour - Radon Inspection Testing and Measurement Course is live.  This course is especially important if you are working in the following professions: Home Inspector, Professional Engineer, Engineering Technician, Radiation Technologist, Energy Auditor, Environmental Consultant, Building Contractor, HVAC Contractor. This course covers Radon principles, how radon enters buildings, radon testing equipment, QA/QC programs, and preparation for the NEHA certification test. Each student will download, by unit, a complete 200 plus page manual.


For details go to Our "Green Building Training Program"

Green Building Training and Certification Program

B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. of Dallas, Pennsylvania has collaborated with online training centers to make available quality distance learning courses in alternative and renewable energy, alternative energy training, energy efficiency, Green Building Design, and Sustainability Analysis. This program is part of our workforce development and green career training programs.

Green jobs have been growing rapidly in the US. According to a recent report by the Pew Charitable Trust, green jobs have increased by over 9% a year since 2000, compared just 3% for the overall economy. This trend is expected to continue as spending on new green construction and on green renovation is expected to double over the next 5 years. Those whose jobs include building, maintaining or selling residential or commercial properties are well advised to get training on green techniques in order to be prepared for the changes that are coming. These programs are part of our workforce development efforts and training/outreach programs for professionals, planners, and government officials.
These course can help to train future professionals and contractors in the following areas:

1. Describe Green Building Principles and Practices.
2. Discuss Green Energy Management and Optimization.
3. Explain Sustainable Design Concepts.
4. Implement Green Building Design Principles.
5. Describe Green Construction Techniques.
6. Choose Certification Options for both Individuals and the Organization.
7. Begin Preparing Energy Audits.

This course concludes with information on testing, certification, and accreditation, including a look at the LEED program, BPI Program, and the NAHB Green Home Certification Program.

The new website for the Program is Green Building Training.

Sustainability Training and Certification Program

B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc has partnered with leading educator to provide a Senior Certified Sustainability Professional. After completing this premier certification program, you will establish yourself as a sustainable business professional ready to take responsibility for setting the direction and coordinating an enterprise’s sustainability strategy across multiple functional areas such as sales, marketing, communications, new product development, global supply chain, operations, and corporate social responsibility.

This program is intended for professionals working in or preparing for leadership roles tasked to support the sustainable business practices and goals of their organization. Professionals who need to create collaborative partnerships with management in order to improve sustainable business practices. Sustainability consultants who must analyze “green” challenges for their clients and develop multi-faceted solutions. Managers and professionals whose departments are evolving on their sustainability journey, and have responsibility for linking business needs to performance interventions, including sustainable business practices.

The objectives of this program will aid students in:

1. Establishing and maintaining a green procurement strategy.

2. Apply the principles of environmentally preferred purchasing, design for environment, eco-control systems, and sustainable business practices.

3. Develop and Indentify Corporate Social Responsibility strategies to meet organizational needs.
4. Develop and use Environmental Management System (EMS) practices.

5. Improve product positioning using the green marketing mix principles.

6. Organize and sequence carbon strategies using the World Resource Institute protocol.

7. Improve operational sustainability through greening the logistics and supply chain.

The following is an outline of the program:

I. Green Purchasing Fundamentals -Introduction to Green Procurement
II. Sustainability 101: Corporate Social Responsibility
III. Carbon Strategies: Developing a Carbon Policy
IV. Environmental Management Systems - EMS (ISO 14001)
V. Environmental Accounting 101
VI. Green Marketing & Sales Force Essentials
VII. Green Transportation: 12 Best Practices
VIII. Sustainability Leader - Defining the Performance Requirements
IX. Advanced Green Purchasing- Alternative Materials
X. The Sustainability Consultant- Green Consulting 101

For more information on this program - go to Sustainability Professional Certificate Program

Green Building Training Program Announced

Green Building and Design Training Programs

This program has 4 training objectives or paths. The first training option, Green Infrastructure Guidelines Certification Program, focuses on the development of a long-term view and cost analysis of infrastructural design as it relates to buildings, site assessment, utilities, stormwater/water management, landscape selection, and construction practices. The second option targets the design/ operation of high performance commercial buildings to maximize operational energy savings; improve comfort, health, and safety of occupants and visitors; and limit detrimental effects on the environment and is the Green Building Commercial Certification Program. The third training option focuses on Green Remodeling for residential construction, with particular emphasis on building evaluation, deconstruction, handling of hazardous waste, materials recycling and reuse, energy conservation, indoor air quality, use of environmentally safe products, design principles, and system planning and construction best practice. This program is titled the Residential Green Remodeling - Design, Construction, and Certification Program. The four training option is the Residential Green Building Design and Construction certification program this course takes a close look at green building in relation to main aspects of design and construction, including issues dealing with sites, landscaping, foundations, frames, exterior finishes, plumbing, appliances, insulation, ventilation, windows, finishes, energy management, and flooring.

Concentration #1- Green Infrastructure Guidelines Certification Program (16 hours)
This program outlines the range of "Green" possibilities available in Infrastructure. Special consideration has been given to urban variables, such as scale, age, and proximity. Consideration has also been given to the type of infrastructure work addressed in order to illustrate practices that promise the most benefits. It is for those involved in Infrastructure planning, design, construction and maintenance. After completing this course, you will be able to:

•Assess sites and identify opportunities to implement Best Management Practices (BMP’s)including soil testing, hydrologic analysis, vegetation assessment, and invasive species evaluation.

•Have working knowledge of a template for design and implementation of Green Building concepts applicable to cities and municipalities.

•Understand pavement lifecycles, pervious vs. impervious pavement, albedo or reflectivity of pavement, pavement materials, devising a materials program, and different material applications.

•Understand mechanisms to affect right-of-way construction by private utilities, technology to minimize pavement damage and degradation, and the upgrades to utility installation and maintenance.

•Understand integrated stormwater management planning, water pollution prevention, construction runoff prevention, surface pre-treatments for filtering runoff, catch basin inserts and water quality inlets, detention and infiltration structures, and constructed wetlands.

•Understand construction practices such as site protection, plan development, protecting water sources and planted areas, developing waste management and recycling plans, and minimizing construction and recycling impacts.

This program includes the following modules to give the student a complete overview of Green
Infrastructure Guidelines:

•Green Infrastructure 1: Introduction to High Performance Guidelines
•Green Infrastructure 2: Best Practices for Site Assessment
•Green Infrastructure 3: Best Practices for Streetscape
•Green Infrastructure 5: Best Practices for Utilities
•Green Infrastructure 6: Best Practices for Stormwater Management
•Green Infrastructure 7: Best Practices for Landscape
•Green Infrastructure 8: Best Practices for Construction Practices

Concentration # 2 - Green Building Commercial Certification Program (8 hours)

High performance buildings maximize operational energy savings; improve comfort, health, and safety of occupants and visitors; and limit detrimental effects on the environment. This program provides instruction in the new methodologies that form the underpinnings of high performance commercial and municipal buildings. Coverage includes how these practices may be implemented within existing frameworks of municipal capital project administration and facility management.

These guidelines promote careful study of all stages in project development to ensure the fiscal integrity of the commercial project. They also encourage the formulation of responsible budgets at the planning stage. Further, they help the design team to identify any high performance cost premiums (together with cost savings) and to justify them to the Owner’s satisfaction. This course is valuable to those in Architecture, Project Management, and Engineering who will likely be involved in developing applications for LEED certification for their buildings.

After completing this course you will be able to:

•Describe Green Building Principles and Practices as they apply to Commercial Buildings
•Recognize how to raise expectations for the facilities performance.
•Implement these improved practices that improve the capital budgeting design and construction practices, thus promoting investments that make economic and environmental sense.
•Implement these improved practices through:
•Comprehensive pilot high performance building efforts
•Incremental use of individual high performance strategies on projects of limited scope.
•Create partnerships in the design and construction process around environmental and economic performance goals.
•Save money through reduced energy and material expenditures, waste disposal costs and utility bills.
•Improve the comfort, health, and well being of building occupants and public visitors.
Design buildings with improved performance that can be operated and maintained within the limits of existing resources.

Concentration # 3 - Residential Green Remodeling - Design, Construction, and Certification Program
This 6-hour program provides a comprehensive treatment of Green Remodeling. Emphasis is on how Green Remodeling differs from Green Building. The unique aspects of Green Remodeling are treated in detail, with particular emphasis on building evaluation, deconstruction, handling of hazardous waste, materials recycling and reuse, energy conservation, indoor air quality, use of environmentally safe products, design principles, system planning and construction best practices. An overview of personal and building certification programs is complemented by a discussion of incentives available from government sources. This course is particularly valuable to individuals who need an overview of Green Building as it relates to remodeling of existing residences. This includes fields such as construction worker or manager, realtor, house inspector, landscape architects, interior designer, HVAC specialist, facility manager, mechanical engineer and civil engineer.

After completing this course you will be able to articulate and implement:

1. Green Building Design Principles and Practices
2. Sustainable Design Concepts
3. Deconstruction and Recycling Methods
4. Green Construction Techniques
5. Green Building versus Green Remodeling
6. Green Energy Management and Optimization
7. Certification Options for Individuals and the Home

Concentration # 4 - Residential Green Building Design and Construction Certification Program
Green Building is rapidly becoming mainstream, mostly due to increasing environmental concerns, a desire to develop healthier structures and increasing regulation from permitting authorities. This course takes a close look at green building in relation to main aspects of design and construction, including issues dealing with sites, landscaping, foundations, frames, exterior finishes, plumbing, appliances, insulation, ventilation, windows, finishes, and flooring.
This course is particularly valuable to individuals who need an overview of Green Building as it relates to new residential construction. This includes fields such as construction worker or manager, realtor, house inspector, landscape architects, interior designer, HVAC specialist, facility manager, mechanical engineer and civil engineer.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Describe Green Building principles and practices
• Discuss Green Energy Management and Optimization
• Explain Sustainable Design concepts
• Implement Green Building Design Principles
• Describe Green Construction Techniques
• Choose Certification options for both individuals and the organization
This course concludes with information on testing, certification, and accreditation, including a look at the LEED program and the NAHB Green Home Certification Program.

For more details go to
Green Building Design, Construction, and Sustainable System Certification

GreenNEPA Recovery Act 2009 Seminar May 7th, 2009

GreenNEPA Recovery Act 2009 Seminar May 7th, 2009
Join leaders from across Northeastern Pennsylvania to prepare and exchange ideas to develop Sustainable Green projects and programs available through the Recovery and Investment Act 2009.

Position your Community to get its Fair Share of the $787 Billion Recovery Funds. Focus: How to Position and Prepare for funding from ‘Recovery and Investment Act 2009’ incorporating mandated ‘green’ requirements in the Public and Private sectors.
Seminar Location: Marywood University, Swartz Center, Conference Room A, Scranton, PA 18509
To Find out More GreenNEPA Recovery

To learn more about the Community Greenhouse Foundation visit us: www.communitygreenhouse.org

Community Green Event and Energy / Environmental Expo Dallas, Pennsylvania

The Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council and its partners will be hosting the Northeast PA Energy Solutions Expo on June 13-14th, 2009 at the Luzerne County Fairgrounds in Dallas, Pennsylvania. The event will consist of a mixture of exhibitors, displays, and educational / training sessions to help inform and educate the public. Exhibitors will include professional engineers, geothermal contractors, solar and wind vendors and installers, certified energy audit professionals, business and homeowner financing options, and local/grassroots community action groups. During this event, there will be over 20 hours of educational sessions ranging from conservation, energy audits, photovoltaic, geothermal, regional / residential wind turbines, biomass heating systems and farm energy audits.

The Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council is a 501©3 non-profit organization that has been active within northeast Pennsylvania since 1973. The Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development Council has collaborated with our sister council, Endless Mountains RC&D, to develop this regional educational/outreach opportunity. This event will target 16 counties in Northeast Pennsylvania (Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties).

The current sponsors for the event include B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc (Dallas, PA), Duane Moyer Well Drilling (Lehighton, PA), Natural Energy Solutions (Pottsville, PA), Tomhicken Pure Mountain Spring Water (Hazleton, PA), Reilly Associates (West Pittston, PA) Shoener Environmental (Clarks Summit, PA), and Ernst Conservation Seeds (Meadville, PA). Exhibits on alternative/renewable energy, green products/services, and environmental education/outreach being accepted.

Visit Us at http://www.pnesolutions.org/

B. F. Environmental Consultants Inc is one of the sponsors for this regional event.

Visit Us at Pocono RC&D Council

Host for the Event.