How to Make Green By Going Green

(SAVANNAH, GA) Thatcher Young, Sustainability Advisor with Georgia’s Pollution Prevention Assistance Division, will speak to the Savannah chapter of the USGBC June 24 on the topic “Want to Find Out How to Make Green by Going Green?” Young will discuss FREE assistance to Georgia organizations for designing and implementing a sustainability strategy. The meeting, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 5:45-7 p.m. on the second floor of Wild Wing Cafe in City Market. RSVP to wards@thempc.org. www.coastalgreen.org

via Carriage Trade PR via Moon Dreams and Day Beams

Green Building in Statesboro

While reading the morning Statesboro Herald, I read a great article by Jan Moore. It looks like the green bug has made it’s first bite on the ‘boro. Excellent!

William Powell has built the first LEED Certified Statesboro home for Don and LuAnn Harris.

For your convenience, I have re-posted the article below. You may also see the article by visiting here.

 

By JAN MOORE
jmoore@statesboroherald.com
912-489-9463

Jan Moore - Building ‘green’ is not easy

 

, to the sustainability of the lifestyle we now enjoy in this country, it looks as if we are headed for a different place, and there isn’t any turning back.

            One couple among us has decided to embrace the new reality of conservation setting an example that has not yet been set in this county. Don and LuAnn Harris have recently constructed a new home in the Brannen Lake area, and have built it according to the stipulations of the United States Green Building Council’s LEED program.

            The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is a third party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

            The Harrises chose local contractor William Powell to build their home. Renowned for the quality of home that he builds, Powell has been constructing homes in this area for the last five decades. He has seen builders and styles come and go, but according to Powell, building to LEED certification is a whole “nother” story.

            “There were so many things that had to be taken into consideration,” Powell said. “The lumber and brick in the home had to come from less than 500 miles away. Every appliance and light fixture had to have a certain energy conservation rating. We even had to weigh the waste from the construction site to make sure that we weren’t exceeding limits. It is a very complex process.”

            LuAnn Harris said she and her husband had lived on Tybee Islandfor a number of years and were afraid of losing their home to a hurricane, so they decided to move to Statesboro and build the home of their dreams. They planned the home for a year and a half, and Powell began construction in March 2007.

            “We knew we wanted to build as conscientiously as possible, and after interviewing a number of builders, we just felt like Pete was the right one,” LuAnn Harris said. “

            Powell said the Harris’s architect provided him with the guidelines and he took it from there.

            “I have to be honest, there was so much involved, and it wasn’t easy,” Powell said. “But, it was very worthwhile project, and the Harrises seem very happy with the results.”

            LuAnn Harris said she really isn’t sure what advantages being LEED certified will provide.

            “We should have our certification in the next few weeks,” she said. “You can be certified at different levels, up to a gold certification, but we live too far away from town to get that one. I am not even sure what kind of tax breaks, if any, that we will get. For us, it was the right thing to do.”

            The Harrises are in the process of constructing a web site that does have some pictures in addition to information about what they have done to comply with the Georgia/National LEED program.  The website address is www.lochhaven.us.

            “I read everything I can get my hands on about the building industry,” Powell said. “I really believe this is where our industry is going.”

 

http://www.statesboroherald.com/news/article/12175

 

 

Facts about LEED Buildings

Environmentally friendly sustainable buildings don’t have to cost more to construct, and operating costs are significantly lower. The cost difference is slim to none. See article: MYTHS vs FACTS ABOUT LEED BUILDINGS

*Photo by cathy.rodgers58

Blog Universe Submission

BlogUniverse

USGBC May 2008 Meeting Reminder

 

Anne Robinson, Recycling Education Coordinator for the City of Savannah , will give a Recycling Education Presentation

 

Tuesday, May 27 for the Savannah Chapter of the United States Green Building Council’s monthly meeting.

 

It will be held from 5:45-7 p.m. on the second floor of Wild Wing Cafe in City Market. The meeting is free and open to the public.  RSVP to wards@thempc.org.

 

The presentation will introduce recycling as a market driven industry in order to explain why certain items are recyclable in some regions at particular times and not recyclable in others. In terms of local recycling; the presentation will cover where, what, and how citizens can recycle and explain the importance of recycling in Georgia for both economic and environmental reasons.

 

A review of the waste hierarchy will be included to remind the participants that recycling is only part of the equation – in order to make a real impact on our waste disposal habits we must first intercept our trash by either limiting our consumption or reusing materials.

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to find out how waste is being handle - and can be recycled - at Tuesday’s meeting. Also, find out more about Savannah’s curbside recycling program, starting January 2009!

Electrical Contracting

Let us take part of the project load off of your shoulders… Smooth, profitable construction projects require solid project management and communication between the general contractor and sub-contractor. When this breaks down, job productivity is stalled. redbpower removes the need to measure lost profitability to the general contractor and added costs to the homeowner because of extended delays. Our effective approach to providing design, installation, service, products and solutions at your new construction project gives everyone a win-win electric solution. We proactively manage 100% of the electrical portion on your project, which consistently results in a promptly delivered, on-time quality product. redbpower is a forward thinking company that thrives on designing options that won’t create problems for your new construction project. We’re all about easy, efficient, effective…electric! View our frequently requested contractor services. Give us a call before you begin your next construction project at 912.871.REDB (7332)  CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS & REMODELERS   LIGHT COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION   Customized electrical service and consultation Re-wires Wire Modifications Load Center Upgrade Change/Out Relocation Underground Site-Work Lighting Design -& Control Integration (Lutron) Structured Wiring certified leviton integrated network installer Distributed Audio & Video leviton integrated network installer Temporary Power Load Analysis Permitting New Construction Tenant Refits Commercial Kitchens Lighting Design & Maintenance High Bay Lighting Computer and Communications cabling Transformers Electrical Inspections Plan Review Load calculations, One-line diagrams Temporary Power Pipe Bending Outdoor Service Wide Format Printing, Copying & Scanning Audio & Video Product and Integration

Ten Reasons to choose redbpower for your High Definition TV

 

Ready to experience High-Definition TV?  Are you ready to get it off the furniture and on to the wall?  redbpower makes it easy…

 

Ten-Reasons to to choose redbpower for your project:

 

1. We know how to work behind the walls - Our technicians do some of the most difficult installations there are.  We will make it look like we were never there - check our references
2. We take care of all electrical work
3. We sell some of the best flatscreen TV’s on the market: Pioneer, Fujitsu, Samsung, Pansonic
4. We sell a variety of high quality mounting brackets
5. We sell IR-Repeater systems
6. We sell & install in-wall power conditioning and surge protection by Panamax
7. We do ISF color calibrations on your new flatscreen
8. One company takes care of everything for you - you won’t need to be a project manager
9. We are the most experienced installers in Statesboro.
10. We are passionate about Hi Def Television. Trust me, we LOVE it!

 

Worker B

Home Builders Association of Georgia Launches Fight to “Take Back” Builders Insurance

via The Business Briefcase

Home Builders Association of Georgia Launches Fight to ”Take Back” Builders Insurance

Posted: 23 May 2008 09:22 AM CDT

BUSINESS WIRE–The Home Builders Association of Georgia (HBAG), comprised of more than 13,000 builders statewide, issued an urgent call today to members who are policyholders/owners of Builders Insurance to “take back” the company and restore it to a fiscally conservative company that serves its policyholders/owners.Because repeated requests for accountability and transparency have been ignored, HBAG today urged members to support action to amend the Business Insurance Charter to return power to owners/policyholders. Additionally, HBAG urged members to call a special meeting to elect a new board of directors committed to reducing exorbitant director fees, distributing profits fairly and establishing sound corporate governance measures.

HBAG reported that over the last five years Builders Insurance, which provides workers’ compensation and other insurance to builders across the state, has paid excessive salaries, fees and indirect compensation to its directors, reported at more than $1.9 million in 2006 and 2007 alone. HBAG believes that additional unreported payments in 2007 are likely. This is out of line with market compensation for similarly sized companies and as a percentage of revenue far exceeded directors’ compensation at large public companies like United Parcel Service and Delta Air Lines during that time.

Moreover, since 2000, premiums have skyrocketed while dividends to policyholders/owners have plummeted from 13.6 percent of premiums to 1.5 percent.

Charlie Eison, president of HBAG, said, “At a time when our industry is fighting for survival in a tough economy, it’s outrageous that Builders Insurance’s board members have padded their pockets with exorbitant payments that rightfully belong to our members who are the policyholders and owners of this company. We need to take control and return Builders Insurance to its rightful mission of serving our members – not creating a financial jackpot for directors.”

Underscoring the need for accountability and transparency, HBAG reported that Builders Insurance has undertaken the following actions:

• stopped reporting a large portion of directors’ compensation in 2007;
• changed the bylaws to increase its control making it virtually impossible for owners/policyholders to remove a director or hold a special meeting;
• attempted to throw out HBAG and replace it with a shell association with little or no accountability to policyholders;
• Supported legislation without consent of the policyholders that would enable them to reorganize the company on terms financially favorable to the directors.

Ed Phillips, executive vice president of HBAG said, “Builders Insurance is not being properly managed and has no accountability or transparency. Feedback from our members shows strong support for taking back the company and cleaning house to protect policyholders’ interests.”

Since owners/policyholders share the liability of a captive mutual company, HBAG considers it paramount for owners/policyholders to control the company’s management.

Below is the reported compensation for Builders Insurance’s directors for 2006 and 2007. HBAG believes there might be more than has been reported.

Name			Directors Fees from 2006 to 2007 more than DOUBLED				Total Reported Compensation
			2006		2007		2006		2007(a)
Troy E. Barber			$35,000		$85,000		$167,748		UNREPORTED(a)
John C. Bowles			$35,000		$80,000		$173,156		UNREPORTED(a)
Frederick E. Fisher			$0		$0		$95,087		UNREPORTED(a)
Guilford E. Hill			$35,000		$75,000		$127,220		UNREPORTED(a)
Gerald A. Kopp			$35,000		$80,000		$198,130		UNREPORTED(a)
Allen M. Richardson			$35,000		$90,000		$190,880		UNREPORTED(a)
Michael F. Ryan			$35,000		$75,000		$186,655		UNREPORTED(a)
William L. Schwanebeck, Jr.			$35,000		$75,000		$186,655		UNREPORTED(a)
TOTAL			$245,000		$560,000		$1,325,531		UNREPORTED(a)

(a) Other than directors’ fees and some minimal additional compensation, the total 2007 compensation is unknown because Builders Insurance has ceased to report it.

Builders Insurance was started by HBAG in the early 1990s to provide affordable workers’ compensation and other types of insurance exclusively to its builder members and local builders associations across the state. As such, Builders Insurance is owned by policyholders, similar to a co-op or credit union.

The Benefits of Installing a Home Security Alarm System

I admit that I am a person whom others may perceive as annoying.That is not a problem with me, I even like it that way. This may be because there are certain things I am rather enthusiastic about. One such issue is safety.

Do you consider yourself safe? I do not think so. Do you stay aware of your surroundings? Do you know how to act when someone dangerous approaches you? How about if you were attacked by an assailant? Can you guarantee the safety of your children? Do you maintain a quality alarm security system in your home as warrantedto protect your family?

I am sure you are now as annoyed as I am. I believe most people live their lives as though nothing bad will ever hit them. Yet those who do not expect crime to happen to them are always the first victims. Predators eye such innocents as easy prey.

This is the limit! It is time to be more concerned about safety.

What sort of home alarm security system have you installed right now? I have a feeling you do not even own one, do you? That is really bad news. You would do well to heed my advice since you want predators to stay out of your home.

I set up a reasonably priced home alarm security system in my ownresidence, and added a few touches as well to make my home more safe. In the ground floor, I installed reinforced Plexiglass windows. For the front and rear doors, I placed large deadbolts while security cameras all around permit me to see any kind of outdoor activity being conducted near my residence. I use infraredthat will allow me clear vision even at night. Such a system is nice, offers security to my family and gives me peace of mind.

Have I already convinced you to install a high-tech advanced alarmsecurity system in your house? It may mean the difference betweensafety and peril for your family.

Joseph Ducat is an accomplished writer who specializes inthe latest in Home Security. For more informationregarding Home Security Systems please drop by at http://www.gethomesecurity.info/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Ducat

 

If you do not know where to look for security products, contact us.  Alarm systems come in all price ranges so you can decide which one is appropriate for you.