Warwick, RI – April 19, 2010 -- The U.S. Green Building Council, Rhode Island Chapter will be hosting its first approved course under the U.S. Green Building Council/Green Building Certification Institute (USGBC/GBCI) Education Provider Program on April 29, 2010 at New England Institute of Technology in Warwick, RI. The course is aimed at individuals in the design and construction industry wishing to create high performance, green buildings that stand out for their energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

Elements of the Advanced Buildings™ program can be applied to new commercial construction projects of all sizes, but the criteria and analysis supporting the approach is designed particularly for smaller scale commercial projects up to 70,000 square feet. The program is based on the results of an extensive energy modeling protocol used to identify consistent strategies that lead to predictable energy savings across climates. The analysis included more than 30,000 energy modeling evaluations of three major building prototypes (retail, office, school) four high-efficiency HVAC system permutations for each prototype and climate variations for 16 U.S. cities.

The core guidance document covers over 30 criteria defining high performance in building envelope, lighting, HVAC, power systems and controls. Many criteria also comply with the Energy & Atmosphere credits in the USGBC’sLEED® green building standard and <http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=222> rating system. Strategies regarding envelope and mechanical system design integration are discussed which significantly improve the likelihood that buildings will perform better and project costs will be contained.

“We are very excited to be a resource and hub for Rhode Island’s growing green community,” said RIGBC Interim Executive Director Connie McGreavy. This affordable, four-hour course cosponsored by National Grid is also an avenue for individuals to earn continuing education credits through GBCI, AIA and others.  To learn more or to register, log on to www.usgbcri.org <http://www.usgbcri.org> and click on Events.

ABOUT THE RHODE ISLAND GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL
The primary mission of the Rhode Island Green Building Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is to transform the way buildings are designed, built and operated in the state of Rhode Island in order to promote environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, aesthetically pleasing and durable communities that protect the state’s cultural heritage and natural environment and improve the quality of life.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities.