▪ Notes from the Chair - Mike Leonard▪ USGBC National Board Snapshot ▪ Committee Corner: Communications - Betsy Clapsaddle▪ Volunteers Needed▪ Radon Protection – It’s Not Just for LEED, Part 2 - Clark Denson▪ Materials and Resources: Tennessee Firm Exceeds 75% Recycle Rate - Phillip Nappi▪ The Benefits of Bike-riding - Shannon Hornsby ▪ Green My Ride - Ed Wansing▪ Water Systems in the City of the Future - Winston Huff▪ Tour de Nash Flyer▪ Press Releases

Green School Improvement Act Introduced in - House

TVA To Hold Briefings on Energy Efficiency, - Renewable Energy Proposals ▪ Local Happenings

In This Issue

April 2008 Vol. 3, Issue 4

What: April Membership Meeting - Daylighting Design Michael J. Holtz, co-founder and president of Architec-tural Energy Corporation, will be our presenter for this April meeting. He will introduce the basics of daylight-ing design and provide a set of design guidelines and principles to use when designing side-to-side and top-daylighting schemes. Case studies undertaken will high-light the concepts and methods for achieving a successful daylighting design solution.When: Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008, 11:30am (registra-tion begins); meeting 12:00pm - 1:00 pmWhere: The Tennessee Engineering Center (in the Ad-venture Science Center), located at 800 Fort Negley Blvd. Nashville, TN 37203Cost: $15 for USGBC-Middle TN Chapter members. Non-Members, $20. Lunch will be served.RSVP: REQUIRED to Terah Huber at terahhuber0531@gmail.com or 248-9764 no later than Noon, Friday April 18th. [PLEASE Note Terah’s new email address.]

Next Meeting

Green LEEDer Chapter SponsorAll American Pest ControlCentric Architecture Orion Building CorporationAmerican Constructors, Inc. www.amconst.com

www.centricarchitecture.comwww.allamericanpestcontrol.com

www.orionbldg.com

Silver Chapter Sponsor

www.pella.com

Friend Chapter SponsorGould Turner Groupwww.gouldturner.comLandscape Services, Inc.www.LandscapeServicesInc.com

Middle TennesseeChapTer newsleTTer

A while back, I was strolling through a local retailer and came across a children’s book bearing my name “Michael Recycle”. Of course, with a catchy name like that, it immediately caught my attention! As I flipped through the pages, I was intrigued by the fun nature and almost comical approach to teaching about recycling.

In a teaser, the book reads;

Young Michael Recycle lectures in this frenetic and richly colored picture book: “You’ve got to recycle! You’ve got to act soon! Before all your trash reaches up to the moon!”

Although this book is geared toward the individual consumer, the building industry has a large role to play in reducing what we “throw away” as well. The EPA estimates that 136 million tons of building-related construction and demolition (C&D) debris was generated in the U.S. in 2007. At that continuing rate, we just might live to see our trash reach the moon!

As the architect William McDonough often describes, it wasn’t until we went to the moon and had a chance to look back at the Earth that we realized that there is no “away”. We live on a planet with finite space and resources.

This book is labeled for ages 3 - 8 though I believe there is a message for all ages. It is remarkable to me that children as young as 3 years old might learn about recycling and waste reduction through a subtle message in a children’s book.

Educating young children about recycling and green living is extremely important to the sustainability of the green building movement. As they grow up to become architects, contractors, product manufacturers, and CEOs of large companies, their decisions might actually be guided by what they learned as young children.

I have to admit, unlike my alter ego, I’m not always as conscious as I should be in my own recycling efforts. I’m sure we’ve all faced some resistance to recycling by others at our places of employment and with our clients. Perhaps we could all learn something about recycling from discussions with a five-year-old fan of “Michael Recycle”.

Mike

Live + Work + Play Green

Notes from the Chair - Mike Leonard

AP Photo/Worthwhile Books

The USGBC Board of Directors convened in Clyde, NY, on February 27 – 29, 2008 for a “Strategic Planning Retreat and Board Meeting.” The majority of the retreat was designed to address the strategic planning process, providing important input and discussion around critical topic areas that will inform the draft Strategic Plan to be discussed and reviewed by the Board of Directors in June, 2008. The final strategic plan will be approved at the July 2008 Board Meeting in Washington, DC for initial implementation beginning in 2009.

Amidst the strategic planning discussions, the Board convened an official board meeting on February 28, 2008. The following is not an official record of the meeting, but a summary of relevant and important highlights.

FiduciaryApproved an amendment to the 2008 budget, reflecting unprecedented growth of services and products •

during 2007 and ensuing momentum entering 2008.Approved non-substantive revisions to the Finance and Audit Committee charter, the Ethics Panel charter •

and the Executive Committee Job Description.Approved guidelines for the assessment of the CEO. CEO assessment to be carried out in 2008.• Approved U.S. Green Building Council Board and Committee Chair Anti-Harassment Policy.• All Board members present reviewed and signed all board policies:•

U.S. Green Building Council Antitrust Compliance Policy ○U.S. Green Building Council Conflict of Interest Policy ○U.S. Green Building Council Board Code of Conduct ○U.S. Green Building Council Board and Committee Chair Anti-Harassment Policy ○

Approved board meeting minutes from 11/4/2007 and board teleconference meeting minutes from • 1/24/2008.

Strategic:Accepted a report from the Social Equity Task Force providing recommendations for incorporating • social equity into the work of the Council. The report and its findings were then incorporated into the strategic planning process.The work of the Strategic Planning Committee permeated the retreat through thought-provoking and productive • discussion.

Leadership:The Board of Directors continues its work on the Board Leadership Task Force, constituted by the Executive • Committee on December 19, 2007. The Task Force was founded with the following Purpose:

Assess current status and make recommendations addressing Board composition, leadership, diversity, ○and other characteristics needed to provide strong, stable and dynamic leadership for the Council.Assess current status and prepare recommendations for an enhanced process of recruitment, ○nominations and elections processes for new Board members and officers, working collaboratively with the Nominating Subcommittee.Develop recommendation concerning need to constitute a standing Board Leadership Committee. ○

UpdatesUSGBC has several exciting programs and initiatives for 2008. For more information on USGBC news, events and programs visit our Web site or view USGBC’s press releases here: http://www.usgbc.org/News/PressReleases.aspx?CMSPageID=163

REGREEN Guidelines: www.regreenprogram.orgOn March 14, 2008, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation andU.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released the nawwtion’s first sustainable residential remodeling guidelines at the annual ASID conference: INTERIORS 08.

The REGREEN program, a partnership between ASID and USGBC, is a series of guidelines designed for use by residential designers, construction professionals and homeowners alike. REGREEN includes best practices, learning programs and valuable print and electronic resources for those looking to green up an existing home whether it’s room by room, or an entire house.

Green Building Certification Institute: www.gbci.orgOn January 11, 2008, USGBC officially launched the Green Building Certification Institute, establishing an independent organization responsible for administering credentialing programs related to green building practice and standards.

Green Homes: www.greenhomeguide.orgIn February, 2008, USGBC doubled its network of LEED for Homes Providers across the United States, dramatically expanding local access to green homebuilding expertise.

Mike Leonard,Thomas, Miller & Partners- Chair

Fernando Rodriguez,Turner Construction Co.- Vice Chair

Tracey Ford,Everton Oglesby Architects- Secretary

Laura Schroeder,Hawkins Partners- Resource Development Chair

Ed Wansing,Gould Turner Group- Emerging Green Builders Chair

Erik McKinney,American Constructors- Treasurer and Finance Chair

Erik Lund,Hastings Architecture Associates- Regional Delegate

Ann Olsen,Meridian Institute- Regional Delegate

Ken Scalf,Architectural Energy Corporation- Board Member

Dodd Galbreath,Lipscomb University- Board Member

Gina Emmanuel,Centric Architecture- Programs Chair

Michelle Fox- Membership Chair

Betsy Clapsaddle,Buchart Horn- Communications Chair

Dan Huitt,McFarlin Huitt Panvini- Education Chair

Mark Smith,Gobbell Hays Partners- Advocacy Co-Chair

Winston Huff,Smith Seckman Reid- Newsletter Editor

Clark Denson,Smith Seckman Reid- Managing Editor

Brandi Sanders,Smith Seckman Reid- Graphic Designer

John Lattimore,Hastings Architecture Associates- Copy Editor

Board of Directors

USGBC National Board Snapshot

Additional Leaders

Editorial Staff

Greenbuild 2008: www.greenbuildexpo.orgUSGBC announced Archbishop Desmond Tutu as the opening Keynote speaker for USGBC’s annual Greenbuild Conference & Expo to be held from November 19-21, 2008, in Boston, MA. Greenbuild’s 2008 programmatic theme is “Revolutionary Green: Innovations for Global Sustainability.” Additional speakers will be announced later this year.

LEED Rating System Development:USGBC staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to develop the next version of LEED to be launched at Greenbuild 2008. First announced

in a USGBC press release on June 29, 2007, the current LEED developments encompass four key initiatives: LEED credit alignment and harmonization, technical development (including Life Cycle Assessment, regionalization and credit weightings), regularization of the LEED development cycle, and LEED committee restructuring. To read the press release, visit:http:/ /www.usgbc.org/News/PressReleaseArchiveDetails .aspx?ID=3261

USGBC National Board Snapshot

Committee Corner: Communications - Betsy Clapsaddle, Chair

Each month you will hear from one of the Committee Chairs. What’s going on? How can you get involved? What benefits are being pro-vided?

Mission: To provide comprehensive resources of information relating to the U.S. Green Building Council and LEED program that are easily accessible to Board Members, the General Membership, and various Media Outlets.

Regular Meeting Schedule: The second Thursday of each month at Cracker Barrel on Sidco Drive, at 7am.

Committee Members: Winston Huff, Clark Denson, Brandi Sanders, John Lattimore, Matt Brown, Erin Richardson, Ann Olsen, and Jamie Qualk

Contact: betsyclapsaddle@gmail.com

The Communications Committee has been busy the first quarter of 2008! Kicking off 2008, Ann Olsen graciously helped Betsy transition into her new role as Chair. Thanks, Ann! Betsy began by recom-mending the Chapter pursue a Public Relations Needs Assessment and conduct a Website Visioning and Strategy Session. The goal of these studies is to help our Chapter leaders understand where we are suc-

ceeding and where we can focus our energy to continue to serve our members, the interested public, and the media.

Both of these reports began in March with Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations (KVBPR) taking on the PR Needs Assessment Study. Also, on March 31st, 17 Board members and Chapter leaders came together to brainstorm about our current website. Keep an eye out for website updates coming soon! And, of course, our coveted newsletter will continue to keep you reading each month!

Thanks to the invaluable members of the Communications Commit-tee, our Chapter has a high-quality newsletter that is revered across the country, touching at least 1,000 email inboxes every month. Our website is frequently updated with current local “green” activities and news. All past newsletters are available on our website as well. These Chapter assets continually develop to suit our growing Chapter’s needs… and like our Chapter, our Committee is growing! Currently we are seeking a few good recruits to continue the website momen-tum, and take part in the Chapter’s enthusiasm! If you‘re interested, your skills are needed now! Please contact Betsy at the above email.

continued

Volunteers NeededMark West, our chapter Green Residential Advocate, is working to establish a LEED for Homes Technical Builder Training workshop to be held here in Nashville in either May or early June. He is in need of some willing volunteers to assist him in pulling together all of the planning for this workshop. If you are interested in working on the workshop planning as well as serving on a chapter endorsed Residential Green Building Committee, please contact Mark at mark@eXoterra.biz or by phone 615-428-0515.

Radon Protection – It’s Not Just for LEED, Part 2- Clark Denson

Last month’s article on radon focused on the health risks of radon exposure as well as how to test an existing home for excessive radon levels. The next step is to learn how to fix radon problems in existing homes and how to build a radon-resistant home from the ground up.

New Homes

A new house built with radon-resistant features is eligible for LEED for Homes credit IEQ 9, Radon Protection, but it should be seriously considered for any new house built in middle Tennessee. Refer to the EPA Map of Radon Zones in last month’s article. If you are plan-ning on building a LEED-H house in Zone 1, using radon resistant construction techniques is a prerequisite. In other Zones, it is worth one credit.

What are Radon-resistant Construction Techniques?

These techniques generally involve sealing the foundation and install-ing a pipe to run beneath the foundation, through the home, and vent out above the attic. This “passive” system allows rising radon gas to pass directly to the outside instead of accumulating in the house. An “active” system incorporates a fan installed on the pipe as it exits the attic to actively move the gas up through the pipe and out of the house. The techniques may vary for different foundations and site require-ments, but the basic elements are:

Gas Permeable Layer A. This layer is placed beneath the slab or flooring system to allow the soil gas to move freely underneath the house. In many cases, the material used is a 4-inch thick layer of clean gravel.Plastic Sheeting B. Plastic sheeting is placed on top of the gas permeable layer and under the slab to help prevent the soil gas from entering the home. In crawlspaces, sheeting approximately 6 mils thick is placed over the crawlspace floor.

Sealing and Caulking C. All openings in the concrete foundation floor are sealed to reduce soil gas entry into the home. Vent Pipe D. A 3- or 4-inch diameter gas-tight or PVC pipe (commonly used for plumbing) runs from the gas permeable layer through the house to the roof to safely vent radon and other soil gases above the house.Junction Box E. An electrical junction box is installed in case a vent fan is needed later to create an “active” system from a “passive” system.

Mitigating High Radon Levels in Existing Homes

But what if you want to mitigate a radon problem in your existing home with a radon level of 4 pCi/L or more? If you have a house with a crawlspace, it may help to open the vents in summer time and close them in winter. Not only will this help to ventilate your crawlspace and remove radon gas, but it will also help regulate your home’s tem-perature. In most cases, though, installing a radon resistant system similar to that for new houses will be required.

When considering making your home radon-resistant, it is recom-mended that you contract with someone who has been trained and passed EPA’s Radon Contractor Proficiency (RCP) Program. Lower-ing high radon levels requires specific technical knowledge and spe-cial skills, and RCP contractors are required to follow EPA standards to make sure their work meets minimum standards of quality. With-out the proper equipment or technical knowledge, your radon levels could increase or you could create other potential hazards. To find a qualified mitigation contractor in middle Tennessee, contact the state radon office or either of the private radon proficiency programs: The National Environmental Health Association or The National Radon Safety Board.

Conclusion

Knowing the health risks of radon exposure, all new and existing homes should be tested for radon levels following EPA-recommended procedures. When building a new home, homeowners should consid-er building it radon-resistant. It only adds $350-$500 to the cost of the home to install a passive system, as opposed to $800-$2,500 if radon is detected in the house and a mitigator has to retrofit the system.

Learn More

There are many resources available on the topics covered in this ar-ticle as well as the previous article. For more, go to one of the fol-lowing websites:Tennessee Office of Environmental Assistance’s Radon Programhttp://state.tn.us/environment/ea/radon/“A Citizen’s Guide To Radon” http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html“Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction.” http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html“Building Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide to Build Radon-Resis-tant Homes” http://www.epa.gov/radon/pdfs/buildradonout.pdf

Materials and Resources: Tennessee Firm Exceeds 75% Recycle Rate – Phillip Nappi

Now that LEED construction has gained a hold in Middle Tennessee, it is imperative to seek knowledgeable partners for LEED projects. The construction and demolition (C&D) debris recycling industry is growing along with – and as a direct result of – the LEED program. According to the leading source of information for this industry, the Construction Materials Recycling Association (www.cdrecycling.org), currently, more than 325 million tons of recoverable construc-tion and demolition materials are generated in the U.S. every year. New businesses as well as established ones nationwide are beginning to offer recycling services as an extension of their current operations or as an upstart business.

When every point is critical in a LEED project, be aware of operations and recycle rates of your chosen C&D hauler and recycler. Currently, in order to qualify for the maximum two points for C&D recycling under the LEED Materials and Resources category, the recycler must reach a recycle percentage of 75 percent. Assisting in materials re-use can earn the LEED project another two points. But how can you confirm the recycling operations and rates of your chosen hauler and recycler?

Currently, USGBC reserves the right to confirm documentation re-ceived from recycling centers to ensure the specified recycle rate. Ide-ally, in the near future, USGBC will require third party verification of recycle rates as part of the LEED program. This will create fairness, consistency and legitimacy from market to market. Until then, some recycling firms are seeking outside help to verify these rates. Tennes-see Waste, an experienced hauling and C&D recycling firm in Anti-och, Tennessee, has commissioned a respected firm to serve as a third party verifier of our recycle rates and operations. At the Tennessee Waste recycling center, all usable debris such as wood, metals, and usable concrete are sorted and recycled back into the local market.

In April of this year, Tennessee Waste will reach a 77 percent recycle rate, which is the highest we have ever attained. This has been no small feat. Tennessee Waste has been in this industry since 2001 - well before LEED was well known in Middle Tennessee - and has ex-perienced increasing interest in recycling by local contractors and the increased tonnage of debris that coincides. Due to our diligence over time, clients of Tennessee Waste now qualify for another critical point in the LEED program as we continue to meet or exceed the 75 percent recycle rate required. Again, our recycle rates will be third-party veri-fied, which offers assurance to our clients and partners that our opera-tions are consistent with current LEED requirements and guidelines.

If your recycler cannot offer third-party verification by a respected source, consider visiting their recycling operations yourself. Are the materials being actively recycled on-site? What local recycling part-ners has your recycler contracted with for the reuse of wood, met-als, concrete and other reusable materials? Or, are the materials sim-ply hauled, sorted and stockpiled? Remember that collecting and stockpiling C&D debris does not qualify as recycling according to the LEED program. These are critical questions that must have answers before you choose your C&D hauling partner for a LEED project.

Phillip NappiPresidentTennessee Waste615.345.8366 x510phillip@tennwaste.comwww.tennwaste.com

Recycled concrete aggregate is a viable alternative to virgin aggregates and is currently processed on-site at the Tennessee Waste recycling center.

Untreated C&D wood can be recycled into wood mulch, dyed and used in landscape applications.

The Benefits of Bike-riding - Shannon Hornsby

Saturday To-Do

Repot plants•Buy screws•Install baby gate•Put up Tour de Nash posters•Pick up chickpeas, lemons, garlic, and olive •oil Make hummus for party•Laundry – load of towels•

The above list is a real list for my upcoming Saturday. Most of this can be done from home, but I’ll have to make my way to the hardware store and the grocery. My typical Saturday chores are not completed like other folks, at least in the sense of how I get from home to the stores. I ride my bike.

As members of a car culture, most of us are conditioned to jump in the car and run to the store, not realizing we have options. Those options include combining trips, such as taking this list to work on Friday and hitting the stores on the way home, or riding the bus, taking a bicycle, or even walking. The National Household Travel Survey indicates that forty percent of these typical daily trips in the United States are two miles or less in length, a distance that can be accomplished on a bicycle in 20 minutes or on foot in thirty minutes.

Sure, it takes a little more planning, but only in the beginning. Once I got used to riding my bike or walking, I found myself automatically rolling out the bicycle to go to the grocery. Plus, I found myself hap-pier, less frustrated, and actually having more time in each day. Yes, more time. Instead of having to fit in time for exercise each day, I ride my bike to the grocery or plan meetings at the local coffee shop and walk. For every hour I ride my bike, I burn about 600 calories, and receive the added benefit of muscularly fit legs and arms!

After years of riding my bike to run errands, I decided to move to a lo-cation that is more conducive to my transportation choices. It is about 1.6 miles to the market, a little less to the post office and the hardware store, and just about four blocks to the coffee shop and nearby res-taurants. By not driving to run errands, I minimize cold-starts on my

car, purchase and burn less gas, and my heart and mind are much healthier. I also pur-chased a back rack and attachable bag for my bicycle for transporting groceries. The bag can hold a six-pack and has hidden bags that pop out of side pockets and hang like saddle bags over the rear tire. Now, I avoid searching for a parking space!

I did the math. I cut down my drive miles by half and my gas cost went from $80/month to only $40/month. Not to mention, this put less wear and tear on the vehicle, which resulted in less maintenance cost. That extra money allowed me to afford living in a more conve-nient location.

So, I’d like to take this opportunity to challenge readers to consider riding a bicycle or walking next time you need to run errands. Start with one trip per week– perhaps your Saturday chores list. I bet you’ll find yourself quite enjoying the commute and implementing it at other times of the week. Just make sure you follow the same rules as cars when you ride your bicycle because a bicycle is considered a vehicle on the road. Want to get more comfortable riding on the road? Come to a Walk/Bike Nashville Street Smarts workshop or head out to the Tour de Nash on May 17 at the East Bank Greenway on the river at Titans Stadium to discover the network of sidewalks, bikeways, and greenways of Nashville. For more information or to register, visit www.tourdenash.org.

Local Statistics:

Middle Tennessee Chapter Members 468 Middle Tennessee Accredited Professionals 287 Middle Tennessee Certified Projects 3 Middle Tennessee Registered Projects 32

Bio-fuels have been a source of controversy over the past few years. In the beginning, environmentalists touted their clean burning attributes as a way to clean up air pollution and reduce global warming emissions. Now that ethanol is being more widely used, and is found in almost all gasoline that you will buy today, its future is starting to look a little bit smoggier.

US land is being converted in order to pro-duce more corn, and the price for a bushel of corn has skyrocketed. This is good news for America’s farmers, who haven’t seen a rise in the price of grain for more than 60 years, but the news isn’t as good for the Earth. Devel-oping countries are clear cutting and burning rain forests in attempts to get on board the ethanol train, with a detrimental effect on the environment.

Bio-diesel hasn’t seen the rapid expansion that ethanol has, but demand is growing for it as well. Currently, soy based bio-diesel produces 60-100 gallons per acre. The cur-rent consumption of diesel for transportation is around 56 billion gallons per year, and an additional 3.5 billion gallons is used in farm

machinery. Replacing this 60 billion gallon demand would require about 1 billion acres of land dedicated to soybean production for fuel alone. To put this in perspective, the total land area of the lower 48 states is only 1.9 billion acres.

The good news is that there are better alterna-tives. One option under investigation is pro-ducing bio-diesel from algae instead of soy-beans. Algae could produce up to 100,000 gallons of bio-diesel per year according to Glen Kertz, President and CEO of Valcent Products. At this rate we would only need 600,000 acres dedicated to fuel production, and the future of bio-fuels starts to look much cleaner again. You can read the entire article at h t t p : / / w w w. c n n . c o m / 2 0 0 8 / T E C H /science/04/01/algae.oil/index.html

Green My Ride - Ed Wansing

Water Systems in the City of the Future - - Winston Huff CPD, LEED AP

While working on a water efficiency manual for the city of New York, some interesting findings came up that pertain to Nashville as well. The basic water treatment technol-ogy used around the world to clean drinking water was developed during the time of the Roman Empire. For example, in New York, “Prompted by an epidemic of Asiatic chol-era in 1832, a committee of the Common Council, a city agency, asked an engineer to investigate new water sources. He suggested a system of dams and pipes, modeled on the Roman aqueducts, to transport water from the Croton River to Manhattan. The system was completed in 1848.”1

Like most major cities in the world, Wash-ington, D.C., has a system that, for the most part, was built in the 1800s and uses the same basic technology as the ancient Romans to get citizens their drinking water. The main prob-lem with this ancient design is that it does not remove many of the contaminants in drinking water, and can even add contaminants such as lead.

According to the city’s Chief Engineer, quot-ed in an article from the Washington Post, “A substitute must be found for lead pipes. The general fear that such pipes might cause lead poisoning, under certain conditions makes them a menace to the health of the people.” Interestingly, the article is dated June 9, 1893.

Fast-forward to this century. On April 2, 2004, the Post reported, “The D.C. Water and

Sewer Authority violated federal law by fail-ing to properly notify city residents of high lead levels in the drinking water and to ad-equately protect public health, regulators at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said yesterday.”2

Lead isn’t the only contaminant found in drinking water, however. A resent probe by the Associated Press found that there is a vast array of pharmaceuticals including antibiot-ics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers, and sex hormones that have been found in drink-ing water supplies. “People take pills. Their bodies absorb some of the medication, but the rest of it passes through and is flushed down the toilet. The wastewater is treated before it is discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes. Then, some of the water is cleansed again at drinking water treatment plants and piped to consumers. But most treatments do not re-move all drug residue.”3

There are many demands on the current water systems that the ancient Romans new nothing about. Currently we use 1.6 gallons of fresh, drinkable water to flush a toilet.

The problem is that current plumbing tech-nology requires large amounts of fresh water. The requirements to clean all the pollutants out of the water will only increase in the future. Is there a technology that can clean large amounts of drinking water in a method that people can afford?

And this is only half the problem. Combining the dirtiest waste from toilets with the mod-

erately dirty waste from showers and sinks with clean rainwater and very clean air con-ditioning condensate creates large volumes of waste water that is only as clean as its dirtiest source.

Is this the time to stop and take a new look at the way we treat the waste water that we will eventually consume again ourselves? It can be compared to standing on a hill and watch-ing the Cumberland River pass by. We may ask what is in that water, where does it go and where does it start? We are connected to that river. Some of that water will be flowing in us and later through others.

There are new technologies now available that will separate the water streams and waste streams. These technologies will be discussed in a future article.1New York Times, May 7, 2000CITY LORE; Plugging a Hole in the Reser-voir of Memory By NINA SIEGAL 2 AP Probe Finds Drugs in Drinking WaterBy Jeff Donn, Martha Mendoza and Justin Pritchard - March 9, 20083 David Nakamura and Carol D. Leonnig, “WASA Violated Lead Law, EPA Says Pub-lic Alert, Testing Called Inadequate,” Wash-ington Post, April 2, 2004, Page A01. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43246-2004Apr1.html.

A FREE, non-competitive walk & ride for health!

®

2-OR 4-MILE WALK

6-OR 12-MILE BIKE RIDE

The 5th Annual

SATURDAY MAY 17th REGISTRATION BEGINS 7:00 am 8:00am START

All events start at the East Bank Greenway on the River at the Titan’s stadiumon Saturday, May 17th. For more information and to register,

log on to tourdenash.org or call 1-877-474-TOUR. *11-mile loop at Warner and five-mile loop at Two Rivers.

$20 by May 10, 2008, $28 after May 10, 2008 and $30 on the day of the event. All other ride and walk events are free. Registration begins at 7:00am.

Helmets required. Rental helmets will be available.

Or experience more

of Nashville’s growing bikeways and greenways on a 27-and 50-mile route

with options up to 67 miles.*

NASHVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET

FRIENDS OF THE

Press Releases

H.R. 5401

Greening America’s Schools: Costs and Benefits

2007 Energy Bil

Green School Improvement Act Introduced in House TVA To Hold Briefings on Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy ProposalsTVA Press Release:TVA will hold nine regional public briefings across the Tennessee Val-ley between April 14 and May 1 to discuss its draft Energy Efficiency and Demand Response Plan and Renewable and Clean Energy Assess-ment with interested stakeholders. TVA staff will discuss the energy efficiency and renewable energy recommendations to help meet the Valley¹s growing power demand through a comprehensive approach that includes cleaner, more energy-efficient opportunities. Stakeholders will be able to share their views on what TVA should include in each plan during a public comment period at each meeting. Speaking opportunities will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested in speaking are asked to register at the door. Written comments also may be submitted at the meeting or online at www.tva.com. Any comments received, including names and addresses, will be-come part of the administrative record and will be available for public inspection. Comments will be accepted through May 12. TVA¹s draft Energy Efficiency and Demand Response Plan focuses on slowing the current rate of growth in power demand through potential opportunities to improve energy efficiency among residential, business and industrial consumer groups. In the short term, the plan proposes to potentially reduce the growth in peak demand by up to 1,400 mega-watts ¬ about the amount generated by one nuclear power unit ¬ by the end of fiscal year 2012. The draft Renewable and Clean Energy Assessment focuses on add-ing more renewable and clean energy resources to help reduce carbon emissions in the Valley environment while minimizing costs and main-taining a reliable power supply. The assessment proposes to review TVA¹s generation mix and identify a road map for pursuing additional renewable and clean energy supply located in the region. All briefings will begin at 6 p.m. local time and last about two hours, including time for public comment. The meetings are scheduled:

Monday, April 14Knoxville, Tenn.Knoxville Marriott500 Hill Avenue SE Tuesday, April 15Johnson City, Tenn.Doubletree Hotel211 Mockingbird Lane Thursday, April 17Chattanooga, Tenn.Chattanooga Marriott2 Carter Plaza Monday, April 21Starkville, Miss.Thad Cochran Research, Technology, & ED Park CAVS Center Auditorium 200 Research Blvd. Tuesday, April 22Memphis, Tenn.The Bridges Building477 N. Fifth St.

Thursday, April 24Franklin, Tenn. (Nashville)Embassy Suites Hotel, Nashville South/Cool Springs 800 Crescent Centre Drive Monday, April 28Huntsville, Ala.Huntsville Marriott (at Space Center)5 Tranquility Base Thursday, May 1Blairsville, Ga.North Georgia Technical College434 Meeks Ave. Thursday, May 1Hopkinsville, Ky.Hopkinsville-Christian County Convention Center303 Conference Center Drive

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider, providing power to large industries and 159 power distributors that serve approximately 8.8 million consumers in seven southeastern states.

Local Happenings

APRILSaturday 4/19 – 4/20What: Institute for Building Biology ConferenceWhere: Radisson Opryland, Nashville, TNWhen: April 19th-20thInfo: http://chapters.usgbc.org/middletn/Docs/pdf/IBE%20Conference%20Press%20Release%20Version%203.pdf

Tuesday 4/22What: April Membership Meeting – Daylighting Design Michael J. Holtz, co-founder and president of Architectural Energy Corporation, will be our presenter for this April meeting. He will introduce the basics of daylighting design and provide a set of design guidelines and principles to use when designing side-to-side and top-daylighting schemes. Case studies undertaken will highlight the concepts and methods for achieving a successful daylighting design solution.Where: The Tennessee Engineering Center (in the Adventure Science Center), located at 800 Fort Negley Blvd. Nashville, TN 37203When: Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008, 11:30am (registration begins); meeting 12:00pm - 1:00 pmCost: $15 for USGBC-Middle TN Chapter members. Non-Members, $20. Lunch will be served.RSVP: REQUIRED to Terah Huber at terahhuber0531@gmail.com or 248-9764 no later than Noon, Friday April 18th. [PLEASE Note Terah’s new email address.]

Thursday 4/24What: Alfred Williams & Co. and Herman Miller – “Spring Fling” networking in their showroom Where: Alfred Williams & Co. Showroom, 716 Division Street, NashvilleWhen: April 24, 2008, 4:30pm-8:00pmCost: No CostRSVP: To Valerie Malone by April 16 vmalone@alfredwilliams.com or 615-517-6350

Saturday 4/26What: Bicycle Street SmartsBicycle Street Smarts for pre-registered Tour de Nash riders is a two hour workshop designed to give riders a better understanding of road riding responsibility and the benefits of basic bicycle maintenance. This workshop will include the practice of emergency drills and a 30-40 minute group road ride to give participants an opportunity to apply new skills and knowledge.Where: East Community CenterWhen: 10:00 am Cost: FREE; Open only to persons pre-registered for the Tour de Nash (register at www.tourdenash.org), as this is intended to be a pre-Tour de Nash clinic to build participant confidence. Registration: Send full name & emergency contact info to info@walkbikenashville.org.

MAyFriday 5/2What: First FridayWhere: TBDWhen: Friday, May 2 at 11:30 am – 1:00 pmCost: Free. Bring a brown bag lunch.

Tuesday 5/6What: Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) Nashville Chapter Meeting“Introduction of the Sustainable Design Guidelines for State Projects”Speakers: Mr. Mike Fitts, State Architect; Alan Robertson, Asst. State Architect; Mr. Jerry Preston, Tennessee Board of Regents; Paul McCown, SSR CxWhen: Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 11:30 A.M. – Registration, 12:00 P.M. – Lunch & PresentationWhere: The ABC Meeting Room, 1604 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210RSVP: Bessie Hanserd by noon May 2; Call (615) 383-6983 or email bhanserd@comcast.net; Please indicate if you will be bringing guests.Cost: Guests – $25.00 (No cost to CSI chapter members)

Wednesday 5/7What: Green DrinksWhere: Blackstone Brewery, 1918 W End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203When: Wednesday, May 7, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Saturday 5/17What: Tour de NashThe 5th Annual Tour de Nash with Eddie George and Bridgestone Americas has become a prominent walking and bicycling even for Tennessee and is scheduled for May 17th. It’s about active living and healthy. It’s not a race - everyone wins! Complete with a health fair, walking tours and bicycling tours, the event offers residents and visitors an opportunity to learn about healthy eating and to get out and explore Nashville’s network of sidewalks, bikeways, and greenways. For more information or to register visit www.tourdenash.orgWhere: East Bank Greenway on the river at Titans Stadium When: Check-in/Health Fair - 7:00 am; Ride Start – 8:00 am; Walk Start – 8:15 am

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Visit us at www.usgbc.org/chapters/middletennessee/