US Green Building Council – Maryland Chapter

Sustainable buildings and communities

Business View Magazine interviews Rhiannon Jacobsen, Vice President for Market Transformation & Development at US Green Building Council / USGBC Maryland.

With a mission to use education, advocacy, and community outreach to support the development of sustainable buildings and communities, US Green Building Council Maryland is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for the state of Maryland through cost efficient and energy saving green buildings.

Recently, Business View Magazine submitted several questions to Rhiannon Jacobsen, Vice President for Market Transformation & Development at USGBC Maryland. The following are her written responses:

BVM: Can you tell us a little about the history of the US Green Building Council ? What was in the minds of its founders? What was the need that the USGBC felt had to be filled? Did the mission change over the years? What is the current mandate of the Council?

Jacobsen: “The U.S. Green Building Council, or USGBC, was founded in 1993 by David Gottfried, Mike Italiano and Rick Fedrizzi. At that point, while the environmental movement possessed considerable momentum, it was challenging to provide a uniform definition of “green buildings” — let alone a codified mechanism for certifying them based on their sustainable features.

“USGBC’s formation and the development of the LEED green building rating system occurred at a time when the built environment was experience a spate of building design trends that resulted in buildings that looked nice, but were built with unsustainable materials, and poorly maintained environments on the inside, which could have a detrimental effect on the health of building occupants.

“By 1998, US Green Building Council had successfully developed LEED 1.0, and it began pilot testing 19 projects. Following the success of the pilot program, LEED for New Construction saw a public launch in March 2000.

“From day one, USGBC’s mission is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. As technology and innovation advances, and the desire to develop buildings that are green and healthy continues to grow, USGBC remains on mission.”

BVM: What is your membership in Maryland? Has the number changed significantly over the years, and if so, why? Are there different tiers of membership? Are there any associate members from different industries? How do you communicate with the membership? What are the benefits of membership?

Jacobsen: “US Green Building Council is a movement of community leaders, professionals, businesses and innovators working to accomplish a single bold vision: healthy, efficient and equitable buildings and communities for all. USGBC members demonstrate their commitment to sustainability while also making an impact within their sphere of influence, advancing the movement for a more sustainable built environment.

“USGBC members have access to the greater green building community and industry leadership opportunities through participation in USGBC and LEED committees, local volunteer opportunities, conferences and webinars, and meetings with elected officials to advance the green building industry. Our membership network represents a mosaic of industries and professionals united behind better buildings and their rewards for our future.

“Membership is offered for organizations at four levels: Organizational, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Local community membership, like that of our US Green Building Council Maryland community, is offered for individuals. USGBC communities provide local leadership, networking, education, and volunteer opportunities for individuals. Membership in a USGBC community helps you expand your network through opportunities to connect with green building industry leaders at every career stage.”

BVM: What is the size of the US Green Building Council staff/presence in Maryland? What do they do? What are their main priorities? Are there any major changes planned for the near or long-term future?

Jacobsen: “We have a number of dedicated volunteers and advisory board members who are steadfast in promoting green building in Maryland, and given the state’s proximity to our headquarters in Washington, D.C., several staff members that work on advancing the green building market in Maryland, myself included.

“The main priorities of the US Green Building Council Maryland community are to promote and encourage the use of sustainable building practices and advocate for sound policies that call for a more robust, healthy and resilient built environment for the state. With a mission to use education, advocacy and community outreach to support the development of sustainable buildings and communities, USGBC Maryland is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for the state of Maryland through cost efficient and energy saving green buildings.”

BVM: What are some notable recent, current, and upcoming projects in Maryland?

Jacobsen: “There are more than 1,000 LEED-certified projects in Maryland, one of the most recent being the home of the Baltimore Orioles, and one of the oldest buildings in the country to earn certification, Camden Yards, which earned LEED Gold for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance.

“The new MGM National Harbor, a hotel and casino just outside D.C., achieved LEED Gold and is the largest project certified in Maryland at more than 1.2 million square feet.

“We also recently certified the first LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) project under our v4 rating system in Maryland at the Merriweather Development, also in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. LEED ND projects are residential and non-residential buildings that can earn LEED certification as one large project. LEED ND projects enhance the connectability and sustainability of entire communities.”

BVM: How does the Council coordinate continuing education (events, podcasts, partnerships, etc.)?

Jacobsen: “We believe that knowledge and opportunities for action are the tools to drive true transformation. US Green Building Council supports continued learning through a variety of education opportunities and resources. Our Education@USGBC offers a wide range of continuing education for sustainability professionals, teachers, and USGBC members. All of these resources are available online, so anyone who signs up for Education@USGBC can learn on their own time and at their own convenience. We also develop periodic podcasts and videos highlighting the work of our partners and members.

“One of the most popular offerings we have at US Green Building Council is professional accreditation for green building and sustainability professionals. A LEED credential denotes proficiency in today’s sustainable design, construction and operations standards. More than 202,000 professionals have earned a LEED credential to help advance their careers.

“USGBC also holds a variety of in-person networking, awards and educational events all across the country. From green building tours to LEED Discussion Forums to substantive panels and presentations to awards celebrations, these events provide an opportunity for our partners in sustainability to meet face-to-face, learn about the latest innovations in green building.”

BVM: What does the landscape look like for the industry over the coming decade in Maryland? How will the Council continue to be a viable voice for the industry?

Jacobsen: “We certify thousands of square feet of space in Maryland every week, and we anticipate that number will continue to grow. We have introduced new rating systems that are meant to break the barriers to entry, and make it more streamlined for new buildings to pursue LEED certification. Our most recent version of LEED, LEED v4.1, is the most inclusive and accessible version of LEED to date, making it easier to track performance and continually improve building performance. We also have developed a new technology called Arc that helps building operators and facility managers to track and benchmark building performance based on five metrics: energy, water, waste, transportation and human experience. While currently only available for use in existing building, LEED v4.1 uses Arc, making it easier for new projects that sign up for LEED to fully integrate the benchmarking system into their projects.

“US Green Building Council is a mission driven organization – with a vision that buildings and communities will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation. We believe that there is room in the marketplace for any organization that aligns with this vision. In order to truly make an impact we need all hands on deck. LEED continues to be the world’s premier green building rating system with 2.2 million square feet certifying every day in more than 167 countries and territories. LEED offers high quality, technical rigor and impact. LEED is a platform for engagement and a mark of leadership.

BVM: If you were writing a profile on Maryland Green Building, what are the salient points that you would like a reader to take away from it?

Jacobsen: “Though a small state, Maryland is one of the most progressive and forward-thinking when it comes to sustainability, and is a leader in the prevalence and promotion of green building in the country. There are more than 1,000 commercial projects in Maryland that are LEED-certified, representing nearly 125 million square feet of space. In 2017, Maryland ranked fifth in USGBC’s annual Top 10 States for LEED, and has appeared on the list every year since 2011.

“Maryland has been a longstanding leader for green building, with a diverse range of projects across the state. We celebrated six LEED Platinum commercial buildings last year and continue to showcase how sustainable design can enhance all communities. LEED project teams across the state work hard to make green buildings accessible to everyone. The state of Maryland has made commitments to implementing strategies to mitigate climate change. LEED is a proven tool for economic development, and supports these state and local strategies.”

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AT A GLANCE

WHO: US Green Building Council – Maryland Chapter

WHAT: An organization promoting sustainable buildings and communities

WHERE: Washington, DC

WEBSITE: www.usgbc.org/usgbc-maryland