Sustainable Greetings from Sustainable Partners

December 2011 E-Newsletter

December 16, 2011

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

As another year flies by, I am again surprised that the holidays are here once again.

We at Sustainable Partners would like to thank all of our wonderful clients for making 2011 a great year for us. I would also like to personally thank my employees who have worked so hard for our company and our clients.

This year has been very interesting in the environmental world. Business customers, investors, and stakeholders in corporations have shown a growing desire to connect a company’s financial performance to its social and environmental impact. The “triple bottom line” is no longer an emotional decision, but incorporated into the role of the CFO as the realization that sustainability issues often bear directly on companies risk profiles, their reputations and their financial performance.

2011 has also been both a year of change and growth for us. The USGBC’s LEED program is still the forerunner of green building certification; however, we feel it is important to service our clients using the sustainable rating system most applicable to their needs.

To that end, we are now offering Green Globes certification as an alternative to LEED. In addition, we are now members of ASHRAE and offer Commissioning and Energy Modeling.

Happy Holidays to all!! We wish a happy and prosperous New Year to everyone and their families!

Sincerely,

Sandra Heffernan, LEED AP - NC

IN THE NEWS

Sustainable Partners, LLC Relocates Office

Earlier last month, Sustainable Partners moved its offices to the historic downtown McKinney square. Stop by and see us if you are in the area.

Please make note of our new address: 201 ½ E. Virginia St. – Suite 1, McKinney, TX, 75069. Our office phone number remains the same – 214-733-8800.

Sustainable Partners Chosen to Speak at Building Professional Institute

Chase Ezell, LEED AP O&M, has been selected to speak at the Building Professional Institute on May 24th, 2012. Chase will be speaking on “Implementing LEED” under the LEED Existing Building rating system. Well attended each year, this event is in its 20th year and has good attendance. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

International Client Takes Sustainable Partners All Over World

Backed by their corporate commitment to sustainability, Wisconsin-based IEWC has entrusted Sustainable Partners with helping implement sustainable practices and LEED initiatives at IEWC facilities all over the world. IEWC’s Plano facility became LEED Certified under LEED-Commercial Interiors in 2009.

Earlier this year, Sustainable Partners helped IEWC submit two additional LEED-Commercial Interiors projects for facilities in Monterrey, Mexico and Friedrichsdorf, Germany.

Just this month, Sustainable Partners and IEWC began working on the 4th joint project, IEWC’s future Aurora, Ontario facility. IEWC clients have also communicated that they like doing business with sustainable-minded companies like IEWC. To read more about IEWC’s commitment to sustainable growth, read their Sustainable Growth Plan.

Sustainable Partners Assists Medical Facility Clients Benchmark using Energy Star

As part of Sustainable Partners expanding service offerings, we have now helped several medical facility clients benchmark their electric and water consumption using Energy Star’s online Portfolio Manager tracking tool. Consumption baselines have been established allowing each client to begin monitoring the success of electricity reduction initiatives. Eligible buildings will also be able to apply for an Energy Star rating.

Do you need help with Energy Star Portfolio Manager? We can help. Contact Director of Business Development Cara Leigh Ingram at 214-213-3233 or caraleigh.ingram@sustainable-partners.com.

RESOURCES OF THE MONTH

Building Operations Management – LEED Designs Don't Always Lead To Sustainable Operations

This month, we came across a very good article in Building Operating Management magazine.

The article, Great Expectations, written by Greg Zimmerman, details how it is up to Facility Managers to bridge the gap between the goals of LEED designs and the realities of sustainable operation.

This is something we share with our clients on a daily basis. A LEED NC certification is not an automatic pass when it comes to LEED O&M compliance. The article gives several examples of just how true this is.

From the article…”As evidenced by the following stories of LEED-certified buildings, there are plenty of reasons a building may not initially operate as efficiently as it was designed to do. But these stories also show that diligent facility managers can make significant improvements in a building’s energy use once the doors have been opened — improvements that require time and energy, but not necessarily very much money.”

To read the full article, visit Great Expectations.

GreenBiz Publishes Fourth Annual Green Building Market and Impact Report 2011

The findings of the fourth annual Green Building Market & Impact Report show that LEED buildings continue to grow – although at a slower pace than hoped. Among the other top-level findings of this in-depth report include a look at the rapid expansion of Green Building Councils around the globe, how LEED for Homes defies expectations, as well as a look at how LEED buildings save energy, cut carbon dioxide, reduce commutes, save water, and much more.

To view the full report, visit Green Building Market & Impact Report 2011

SUSTAINABLE RATING SYSTEMS

What is Green Globes®?

We get asked quite frequently about using the Green Globes® rating system as an alternative to LEED. Both programs ultimately steer you and your facility towards the same efficiencies – energy, water and waste.

In the United States, Green Building Initiative oversees Green Globes®. Regardless of which rating system you feel is best for your facility/needs, Sustainable Partners can help you better manage and understand the required documentation.

To learn more about Green Globes, visit Green Globes or Green Building Initiative