Lisa Thompson, Sustainability/EBD Project Manager at BJC HealthCare was featured in the stltoday.com Ask the Expert column. The article discusses Evidence-Based Design and its effect on health care. EBD is critical research of buildings that can play a role in showing how a patient’s recovery can vary depending on environment. Lisa is this month’s Program Speaker, presenting on Evidence-Based Design at Alberici Headquarters on March 8th.
See the full article here.
Rick Hunter, of Microgrid Energy, was featured in the Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch speaking about a new array of solar roof panels. The Missouri Botanical Garden has recently partnered with a corporate sponsor in this energy saving initiative.
Read the full article here.
CEO of Express Scripts, George Paz, recently described the Missouri Botanical Garden as “a world leader in the green movement” and “one of the region’s finest civic institutions.” Quite a title to live up to, wouldn’t you say? Well Express Scripts sure does believes in the Garden, because they have partnered with Missouri Botanical Garden by providing the initial investment for 110 solar panels atop the Commerce Bank Center for Science Education (CBEC). CBEC is the new home of both the Earth Ways Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden and the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter.
Here are the facts on the new solar array:
- Each panel is 40in wide, 65in long, and 40lbs
- In total the array covers an area of 3,000 square-feet
- The array works to convert the sun’s direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (or AC, the type used to power lights, appliances and other electronics) right on the spot
- It will produce an annual 32,000 kilowatt hours of energy (870,000 in its lifetime), amounting to about 5% of the buildings total electrical needs and saving $180,000 in electricity costs over its lifetime
- The cost of the solar panels will be paid back over the next 5 years (leveraging a rebate from Ameren Missouri & federal tax credits)
which means the solar array will…
- Save enough energy to power 4 to 6 homes
- Displace 800 tons of carbon dioxide
- Eliminate 2,500 gallons of gas burned in cars per year
- Preserve 29 acres of hardwood forest
Now doesn’t all that seem worth the initial investment?!
Not only was this new project a great investment, it also serves as an excellent opportunity for education within the community. Deb Frank, Vice President of Sustainability for the Missouri Botanical Garden stated, “We hope that our action will inspire others to seek out ways to increase energy efficiency and utilize solar energy in their own homes and businesses.”
From Left: Bill Barbieri, Ameren Missouri, Marc Lopata, Microgrid Energy, Larry Zarin, Express Scripts,
Deborah Frank, MBG, Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson, MBG
Hunter Beckham, registered landscape architect of SWT Design and February Program Speaker, was featured in an STL Today article speaking about the SITES rating system.
The article discusses the incentives to enhance the quality of life for St. Louis residents and visitors with a network of greenways, trails, and pedestrian facilities. The Sustainable SITES initiative intends to transform land development and management practices with the nation’s first voluntary rating system for sustainable landscapes.
Read the full article here.
USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter member and Chair of the Marketing Committee, Jan Niehaus of Communication by Design, was featured in the Clayton Richmond Heights Patch.
The article discusses Richmond Heights’ desire to evaluate the city’s greenhouse gas emissions in order to ensure a more sustainable future. The greenhouse gas inventory would determine how much the city is spending on energy and to develop an action plan, both duties assigned to the intern.
Read the full article here.
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USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter member Tony Ruebsam of S.M. Wilson & Company and chair of the Chapter’s Higher Education Subcommittee was featured not once but twice! He spoke in RCGA’s Green Symposium video about Green Employers and also spoke about the Chapter’s St. Louis Green Shadow Program on NineNetwork of Public Media.
In RCGA’s Green Employee video, Tony talks about S.M. Wilson’s increase in projects built to green standards and the necessity to do so to stay competitive. See the full video here.
The Chapter’s St. Louis Green Shadow Program, launched by the Higher Education Subcommittee, aims to connect university students to local businesses in the field of sustainability. The program provides exposure to both students and companies. See Tony’s video here.
To answer the question “How Can We Create a Greener St. Louis?” for yourself on the NineNetwork, click here.
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USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter member Jay Swoboda of EcoUrban was featured in an episode of Marketplace Public Radio discussing energy efficiency of homes.
The story shows that even in the economic decline, homeowners have not lost the desire for large houses. To most, square footage is a priority over energy efficiency. Swoboda discusses his home building company, EcoUrban which aims at designing and building small, energy-efficient homes, around 1,000 square feet. Sadly, most homeowners are not willing to trade upfront costs for long-term savings.
Listen to the full show here.
It’s been a busy week for USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter members when it comes to media coverage.
In the January 28 issue of the St. Louis Business Journal two Chapter members were named to the 2011 40 Under Forty Class. Congratulations to Joseph Ostafi of HOK and Michael Roark of Geotechnology!
Note that only subscribers have access to the 40 Under Forty article on-line.
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Local Chapter members are often called upon for their expertise in green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy. Marc Lopata, of Microgrid Energy and Secretary of the Chapter Board of Directors, is no exception. Marc was featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s “Ask the Expert” column on Friday, January 28. Marc provided advice on whether this a good time to install a solar energy system. Hint – the answer is yes!
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Finally, USGBC-Missouri Gateway Executive Director, Emily Andrews, made national news in an article in Environmental Leader about Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s new internal sustainability guidelines, which target a 35 percent on savings on Enterprise’s energy and water costs. “Enterprise’s long-term investments in sustainable building practices are setting the standard for its industry,” said Andrews. Read the full article here.
Do you know a Chapter member who’s written an article or has been featured in local or national news? Send a link to the coverage to usgbc-mogateway@mobot.org. Not sure if someone’s a member? Check our searchable, on-line Member Directory.
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