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Central Region Luncheon: Green Building at Austin ISD  |
New Chapter and Regional Leaders |
USGBC Texas Welcomes 2023 Regional Leadership
The U.S. Green Building Council Texas Chapter (USGBC Texas) welcomes new elected leaders in each or the Chapter’s five regions across the state. They join returning Regional Council members in leading our sustainability mission in Texas.
USGBC Texas is a community-benefit (501c3) nonprofit committed to ensuring a better built environment for current and future generations of Texans. We are uniquely focused on uniting all stakeholders involved in the development, design, construction, operation and use of the built infrastructure to achieve equitable practices and policies that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable, adds Powell.
Our Mission: To transform the way buildings, homes, and communities are designed, built, maintained, and operated in Texas through outreach, education, advocacy, and partnerships, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life in Texas.
To meet this Mission USGBC Texas draws from diverse stakeholders, including building industry professionals, educators, policy makers, and community members, says Jonathan Kraatz, the Chapter’s Executive Director. From our partnerships with industry and trade associations to our networking and educational events, we connect them in conversations about real solutions.
In each of the Chapter’s five regions, the Regional Council members – along with the statewide board of directors – set the direction for the Chapter’s day-to-day advocacy, outreach, and education programs.
The 2021 Regional Councils for USGBC Texas:
Central Texas Region Courtney Thier, Elevate (2023 Chair) Gulf Coast Region Tim Murray, Page (2023 Chair) Get Involved! To get involved with your local region and some of the Chapter events across Texas each year, please visit the Chapter’s volunteer page: https://usgbctexas.org/VolunteerWithUs For More information about USGBC Texas, its Regions or upcoming events visit www.usgbctexas.org or contact Executive Director Jonathan Kraatz at jonathan@usgbctexas.org. | North Texas Region Natalie Terrill, Beck Group (2023 Chair) South Texas Region Karen Bishop, San Antonio River Authority (2023 Chair) West Texas Region Fernando Berjano, City of El PasoSarah Dillabough, Creosote Collective Nicole Ferrini, City of El Paso – Climate & Sustainability Gilbert Garcia C. Renee Jimenez, MNK Architects Christian Lopez, City of El Paso – Community Development Nickole Rodriguez, City of El Paso – Community Development Yazmin Trueba, Sundt Construction |
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced the 2022 Top 10 States for LEED. With a continued commitment to action in the fight against climate change, 2022 saw a growing movement in green building and sustainability. This year’s top states had 1,225 certified projects, representing more than 353 million gross square feet of space. Buildings that are LEED-certified create healthier spaces for people, use fewer resources, reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency while providing operational cost savings. Texas is a leader in green building and ranked ninth on the list in 2022. Over the past year, 174 projects were certified, representing 48,717,532 square feet of LEED-certified space. Texas also ranks third in the number of certified LEED-APs in the state. Learn more about the 2022 Top States for LEED and join in celebrating on social using #Top10LEED.Explore LEED Projects in Texas!  | The RankingsTop 10 States for LEED Green Building
Top 10 States for LEED APs
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 USGBC TEXAS 2023 STATE ADVOCACY DAY
Show your support for green building and sustainable development practices in Texas by joining us to educate legislators on State Advocacy Day Thursday, March 16.State Advocacy Day is USGBC Texas' biennial coordinated advocacy outreach to Texas state legislators and lawmakers. Armed with an engaged coalition, our goal is to expand Texas Green Building Advocacy dialogue with legislators and with each other to gain momentum during this legislative session. USGBC Chapter members and friends are invited to join us in educating our legislators on green building and sustainable development related issues.The day will start with volunteer training and lunch, followed by legislative visits at the Texas State Capitol. You'll have the opportunity to meet with your representatives to express any concerns, educate them and present support for potential legislation.Join us to Advocate for Green Building Narrative of PrioritiesSchedule10:30 am - 12:30 pm: Mandatory Advocate Training and Lunch
1:00 pm-5:00 pm: Legislative Meetings
4:30 pm-7:00pm: VIP Reception RSVP HERE
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Q&A with Darien Clary, Sustainability Director Austin Independent School District has become an incubator for green schools among K-12 school districts by advancing and formalizing green building design and sustainable operations into district-wide standards. The results of this accomplishment are an anticipated 60 LEED and/or AEGB certified green buildings, many of which are made possible through city of Austin’s 2017 and 2022 bond programs. We recently sat down with Darien Clary, Sustainability Director at Austin ISD, to discuss the progress to date and share insights from the school communities. How many of the schools funded in the 2017 bond have been built to date? All but one have been completed. The final school, Dr. General Marshall Middle School, is scheduled for completion in Fall 2023. You can view the full list of new and modernized schools from the 2017 Bond Program here. You may also view targeted improvements for schools that include HVAC, security/fire alarm, technology, electrical, upgrades, etc. here. What kind of annual emissions offset would that represent? Districtwide, Austin ISD has reduced energy consumption by 13,040 Metric Tons of CO2 equivalent since 2017 by constructing newer energy-efficient buildings, LED lighting retrofits, HVAC upgrades, and student and staff engagement campaigns. This is the equivalent of powering over 1,780 homes in Austin for one year. (sources for equivalencies: EPA and Austin Energy) 
We are currently conducting energy studies on each newly constructed project to understand exactly how much is attributable to the new buildings. So far, we know that Govalle and Menchaca Elementary Schools, both of which were modernized, saved $74,833 in utility costs in their first year of operation alone. Govalle Elementary (pictured left) is in the nation’s top 5% for energy performance in K–12 schools. Menchaca Elementary went from one of the least energy-efficient schools in the U.S.—ranked in the lowest 6% of K-12 schools nationwide—to the top 16%.
The 2017 bond included two new schools: Bear Creek Elementary School and Dr. General Marshall Middle School. Regarding the modernized campuses, many of the projects are complete replacements, while others like Norman-Sims Elementary (right) and Brentwood Elementary used as much of the existing building as possible and worked this into the redesign of the new school. The scale of construction was quite substantial so these are still considered “new” facilities, although much of the structure was repurposed. There were also partial build/renovation projects, such as Austin High and Bowie High, that included a new addition or the first phase of major construction. Norman-Sims Elementary is a modernization project that united Norman and Sims schools. Lastly, there were targeted projects to address needed repairs to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, electrical, plumbing, roofing, safety systems, academic reinvention projects and other needs. There were many districtwide. A full list of projects for each campus in the 2017 bond book. The district has completed 87 targeted projects and is on track to complete an additional 23 projects in 2023. For the full Q&A, including reactions from students and parents, visit our blog. |
How many schools are or will be retrofits vs. new builds?Upcoming events
| Celebrate Earth Day This year, Earth Day events are back in full swing, with many celebrations around the state. USGBC Texas is a sponsor of EarthX in Dallas, one of the largest and longest-running Earth Day events in the country. EarthX includes multiple conferences over three days with many additional educational opportunities. The EarthX Built Environment Conference, curated by USGBC Texas, will be Friday, April 21. Come see USGBC Texas will be at an Earth Day event near you and get involved! Earth Day Austin (Saturday, April 22) Earth Day Houston (Saturday, April 22)
EarthX (Dallas) | Planet People Profit Impact (PPPI) App
The Planet People Profit Impact (PPPI) App exposes the natural, human, and economic capital improvement business case opportunity that proven-sustainable-best-practices can create in our buildings and communities.
Get the Planet People Profit Impact App:
For questions, comments, and feedback about the app, contact us: David MacLean Jonathan Kraatz |
Explore how our USGBC Texas Best Practices Champions create greater Natural, Human, and Financial Capital value.
Over the next few weeks, 20 additional best practices - including Rainwater Harvesting, Renewable Energy Credits, Individual Lighting and HVAC Controls, Low Impact Development, and Embodied Carbon - will be added to the App. 
| USGBC Texas Our sponsors are companies and organizations that believe that greener buildings and sustainable development will contribute to a better life for current and future generations of Texans. Our mission is to make this happen! For information on how to become a Sponsor reach out to us via email or talk with us at an upcoming event!
Your support will help us to reach our goals. Become a sponsor today! |
USGBC Texas Chapter is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 1801 Royal Lane, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75229
Contact us at chapter@usgbctexas.org or at 214-571-9244