Thursday, December 11, 2008

Maryland Chamber Environment Committee Meets with Secretary of the Environment Shari Wilson

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce met with Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Shari Wilson to discuss expectations for regulatory and legislative issues in 2009. Watch the video to see Secretary Wilson give an overview of the meeting.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

E-cycling Offers Responsible, Viable Solution for Electronic Waste

In 2007, 2.5 million tons of electronic waste was discarded, with only 18 percent of the e-waste materials being collected for recycling, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Mike Fannon, co-founder of CDM eCycling in Baltimore, said that recycling of e-waste has become more common in recent years because of increasing awareness and a desire for businesses to ‘go green,’ however, there is still a need to spread the word about e-waste and the dangers it poses to the environment.

E-waste, which includes items such as TVs, video equipment, computers, mice, printers, scanners, fax machines, and cell phones, often contains hazardous materials like lead and mercury. Recycling electronic waste also reduces the consumption of raw materials and it increases efficiency and costs that are attached to extracting and processing raw materials. Fannon said e-cycling programs are a more responsible, and often more viable alternative solution for dealing with e-waste.  Other options are often costly, ineffective, and hazardous to the environment.

Fannon said CDM follows a set procedure when processing material, and items are tracked from pick-up until they are resold or recycled. “We do that so we can track that back to our customers and give full reporting of what happened with their equipment and they know exactly where it ended up,” he said. 

In addition to recycling and reuse, CDM eCycling offers services such as data destruction, employee buyback, and asset management. According to CDM eCycling’s website, in 2007, over 9.5 million pounds of e-waste was processed through the facility, and approximately 180,00 PC’s and other equipment were processed and over half of those were refurbished and reused, while the rest were dismantled and the parts recycled.

For more information about e-cycling or starting an e-cycling program in your workplace, visit http://www.cdmecycling.com.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Job Descriptions Vary for LEED Accredited Professionals

When one thinks of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, eco-friendly buildings with innovative and sustainable design is usually what first comes to mind. Less thought of is LEED Accredited Professionals, who apply the principles and practices of the LEED Rating System.

LEED APs are individuals who become certified through the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) after demonstrating thorough knowledge of the LEED Green Building Rating System.

“In order to become a LEED AP, a candidate must pass the LEED Professional Accreditation exam which is administered by the GBCI,” Joseph Mezzanotte of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP, said in an e-mail. “To pass the exam, a candidate must demonstrate thorough knowledge of the applicable LEED Rating System and how these principles are incorporated into the design process.  A candidate must also be familiar with the LEED application and certification process (i.e. moving a project from the conceptual design phase through LEED certification).”

While LEED Accredited Professionals are mostly found in the building industry, the accreditation is not limited to architects and engineers. LEED APs can be found in most professions, including law.

Mezzanotte said LEED AP attorneys primarily work in advisory roles to clients building and financing LEED Certified buildings, municipalities drafting green building legislation, banks and lenders loaning money on LEED projects, and have begun to handle litigation arising from LEED projects.

LEED APs are relatively rare, with 43,000 individuals currently accredited in the country. Mezzanotte said LEED certified attorneys are also rare, with only 143 LEED AP attorneys in the country. Maryland currently has four LEED AP attorneys including Adam Baker of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, LLP and John Machen of DLA Piper, LLP.

“Some states such as New York and California have more [LEED AP attorneys].  Some have none.  The number essentially depends on the state and its approach to green building,” Mezzanotte said. “It also hinges on whether there is a need for this type of specialty among the attorneys licensed to practice law in that state.  Typically, states with bigger cities or states with more advanced green building legislation (New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C.) have more LEED AP attorneys than other states.”

For more information about LEED accreditation or for a directory of LEED APs visit http://www.GBCI.org.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Panel Discusses Green Business Practices

A panel of experts discussed green practices during the Green’s Not Extreme Panel discussion at the Maryland Chamber’s 2008 Business Policy Conference.

Terry Neimeyer, Chairman and CEO of KCI Technologies, Inc., moderated the panel, which included John Quinn, Lead Engineer for Constellation Energy and Co-Chair of the Maryland Chamber’s Environment Committee; Jason Hartke, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for the U.S. Green Building Council; and Tad Aburn, Director of the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Air and Radiation Management Administration.

Topics addressed included simple ways to save energy at home and at work, the threats presented to Maryland by global warming, the State of Maryland’s climate change initiatives, and the business benefits of green buildings. 

Watch each of the panelists’ presentations in the videos below.

John Quinn discusses ways to save energy at home and at work.

Tad Aburn talks about steps being taken in Maryland to address Global Warming.

Jason Hartke discusses environmentally-friendly buildings and the future of green construction.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Maryland Chamber Environmental Task Force Releases Green Best Practices Guide

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce Environmental Task Force has released its Green Best Practices Guide, which outlines efforts made by member companies to implement environmentally friendly practices. The Guide also includes survey results from the Maryland Chamber Green Business Survey and states the Chamber’s endorsement of the 13 Principles for Change proposed by the US Chamber’s 21st Century Energy Institute.

View a PDF of the guide.

MARYLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
GREEN BEST PRACTICES GUIDE

GREEN DOES NOT MEAN EXTREME

Green Businesses - The Numbers Speak:

95 % of Maryland Chamber survey respondents have a recycling program

82 % of Maryland Chamber survey respondents have an energy conservation program

71% of Maryland Chamber survey respondents have a “green plan” to encourage an implement environmental and energy conservation

48 % of Maryland Chamber survey respondents have performed energy efficient building retrofits

36% of Maryland Chamber survey respondents have a telecommuting program

Personal Stories: Did you know……

Allegheny Power provides its customers with informative environmental education materials throughout the year.  The information explores how to conserve energy and reduce monthly electric bills. The company provides fact sheet, including Energy Efficient Tips to Make Your Home More Comfortable, Energy Efficient Holiday Decorating Tips, The Cost of Operating Appliances and 100 Ways to Help Control Electric Bills.

Civista Medical Center, a regional, not-for-profit, integrated health system serving Charles County and the surrounding areas of southern Maryland exemplifies environmental sustainability through its efforts to remain a mercury free environment at it’s three locations.  The company has also significantly reduced biohazard waste, and has implemented a recycling program for biohazard sharps containers. 

KCI Technologies, Inc. and Manekin, LLC are two Maryland based companies that have demonstrated their commitments to the environment through the construction of LEED certified headquarters buildings in Sparks, MD and Columbia, MD respectively. Through their LEED construction KCI Technologies and Manekin understand the benefits of energy efficient buildings and their overall impact on the environment.

Hargrove, Inc. is committed to ensuring an eco-friendly workplace, as well as environment.  The company has enthusiastically taken steps to reduce energy, including the creation of an eco-friendly stage set that is sustainable and reusable.  The set was constructed out of unconventional, reclaimed materials (Kiriei Board and Plyboo Plywood), which reduces strain on the environment

Johns Hopkins University, Maryland’s largest employer, has taken aggressive action to lower energy consumption to lower cost and to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  JHU’s efforts include Power Plant Cogeneration - Two Combined Heat and Power units will utilize natural gas to produce electricity, and also steam through the use of exhaust heat, while reducing the total electric purchased and steam produced at the Central Plant. The two installations will produce a total of approximately 16 megawatts of electricity, displacing a like amount that is purchased from commodity suppliers at higher cost.

Marriott International, Inc. is “working toward a greener, healthier planet.” Marriott’s operating units are employ methods to preserve the natural surroundings and resources.  The company has conducted energy audits of its facilities, and calculated its carbon footprint by assessing the electricity and gas consumption in its guest rooms and public spaces at its nearly 1,000 managed hotels worldwide, in addition to its Bethesda, MD headquarters and regional offices. 

Pepco Holdings, Inc. (PHI) is a leading energy company that has made the effort to go beyond the environmental standards of its industry.  PHI has taken the lead to reduce its own environmental carbon footprint. The company also promotes energy efficient programs to its customers. PHI’s Blueprint for the Future displays numerous programs to help customers use less energy without compromising their quality of life. PHI also provides financial incentives to residential and commercial customers who install energy efficient appliances, equipment or other measures and/or who participate in voluntary peak-demand reduction programs. Additionally, PHI works with regulators to phase in the installation of Smart Meters to provide detailed usage data to customers.

Safeway Inc. is the third largest supermarket chain in North America and tenth largest retailer in the United States, with more than 1,743 stores. As part of the company’s “lead by example” initiative to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions, Safeway recently converted virtually its entire U.S. fleet of 1,000 trucks to cleaner-burning B020 biodiesel fuel.  This will reduce CO2 emissions by 75 million pounds, the equivalent of taking nearly 7,500 passenger vehicles off the road each year.

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) is a member-owned electric cooperative serving more than 142,000 customers in four Southern Maryland counties. SMECO is also contributing to the “green” movement through various programs, such as its Energy Performance Contract with Chevron, under which the Chevron engineers and implements facility improvements at no up-front cost to the owner. SMECO can achieve facility improvements, while reducing energy, operational and maintenance costs, and harmful emissions.  This results in reduced energy consumption and an improved work or learning environment, funded from guaranteed savings.

USinternetworking, Inc. (USi), an AT&T company, is headquartered in Annapolis, MD and is an experienced Application Service Provider (ASP) that uses a highly automated and systematic approach to deliver services such as, managed hosting, application management, remote management, and eBusiness development and hosting to more than 150 enterprise-level organizations in over 30 countries.  USi has “gone green” by not only increasing its use of energy efficient computer equipment and hardware, but also by implementing a recycling program, telecommuting program, and performing energy efficient building retrofits.

Washington Gas delivers clean natural gas to approximately one million residential, commercial and industrial customers throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.  As a leading energy company in the region, Washington Gas has long been committed to the efficient use of energy.  This commitment is reflected in its regulatory strategies, in the company’s consumer energy awareness program and in its facilities.  At the company’s Operations Center, Washington Gas operates a Total Energy Plant, where natural gas powered engine-generators provide all electrical needs for the facility, eliminating the need to connect to the electric grid.  The Total Energy Plant has the capability of generating 3.6 MW of electricity.

What the State Can Do:
The State of Maryland should proactively encourage and lobby for environmental and energy policy at the Federal level.

We, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, endorse the 13 Principles for Change proposed by the US Chamber’s 21st Century Energy Institute:
• Accelerate energy efficiency improvements
• Reduce the environmental impact of energy consumption
• Invest in climate science to guide energy, economic, and environmental policy
• Significantly increase funding for advanced clean energy technologies
• Expand domestic oil and gas production
• Dramatically expand nuclear energy use
• Commit to the use of clean coal
• Increase renewable sources of electricity
• Transform the transportation sector
• Reduce overly burdensome regulation and opportunities for frivolous litigation
• Modernize and protect US energy infrastructure
• Address critical shortages of qualified energy professionals
• Exert global leadership to meet the twin challenges of energy security and climate change

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Going Green Within The University System of Maryland

The University System of Maryland and its member institutions have been making efforts to turn their campuses green. The USM’s Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Initiative has promoted and encouraged the efforts of individual member institutions to make a statewide effort to address environmental concerns through education, research, outreach, and implementing best practices. One of the USM’s member institutions making great strides toward going green is Towson University. Listen to the audio below to hear details about the green initiatives being undertaken by the University’s administration and students, and future plans for the further greening of the campus.

For more information about green initiatives undertaken by either The University System of Maryland or Towson University visit:
http://www.usmd.edu/usm/sustainability/
or
http://www.towson.edu/gogreen

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Marriott Goes Green

Marriott hotels and offices around the world are making a conscious and visible effort to go green—among them are the company’s Maryland hotels, which are also making efforts to employ environmentally friendly practices.

The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront recently installed a new laundry system, which uses 50 percent less water, 60 percent less detergent and saves $15,000 monthly, according to the Marriott Web site. The new Residence Inn National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., is one of Marriott’s six hotels testing coreless bathroom tissues. Marriott’s University of Maryland Conference Center in Adelphi, Md. is the country’s first LEED-certified hotel and includes several green features, such as the roof, which is made of recycled tires. And, currently being built at the site of an old Baltimore brewery is the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott-Inner Harbor at Historic Brewers’ Park, a green hotel expected to open in the spring of 2009.

Marriott’s green practices in Maryland are just a small sample of the company’s efforts around the globe, Dasha Ross, of Marriott Communications, said.
“What many of the hotels are doing or have already done is that they have retrofitted their buildings to make sure they run more efficiently,” Ross said. “They use more efficient and energy saving products; fluorescent light bulbs and water-conserving showerheads are examples. Low flush toilets are another example and coreless bathroom tissue. Those are types of things that we continue to look for to put in our hotels everywhere.”

Initiatives to go green within the company are researched and decided by Marriott’s executive level Green Council, which was formed in 2007, Niki Zoli, Social Responsibility and Community Engagement Manager for Marriott International Inc., said. The Council includes co-chairs EVP, CFO and President of Continental European Lodging Arne Sorenson, EVP of Global Communications and Public Affairs Kathleen Matthews, and President and Managing Director, Marriott Lodging – International Ed Fuller. The Council works with both internal departments and outside organizations, such as Conservation International, to determine environmentally friendly practices and initiatives.

It is up to the hotel owner whether or not to go green or strive for LEED certification, but Marriott makes a conscious effort to encourage going green.

“It is up to us to build a business case for our owners and franchises for why they would want to have more environmentally friendly hotels,” Zoli said. “The cost savings are there—it’s evident, and the more we can do that, the more we can operate in a more sustainable way worldwide.”

Going green is not a new practice for Marriott —it’s been part of the company’s business practices for several years.

“It’s not something that’s new for us. We’ve been doing this for over 20 years ago. Initially it was more for cost savings but we still had the same benefits. Now it sort of is a business imperative…beginning with the push to look at businesses with a magnifying glass and hold them accountable in terms of what they’re doing in their operations every day,” Zoli said. “With that in mind and thinking about our company culture in serving our communities, customers, and associates, we wanted to move forward with even further greening of Marriott hotels.”

Take a tour of the country’s first LEED-Certified hotel, the Marriott’s Hotel and Conference Center at the University of Maryland:

View the groundbreaking on the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott-Inner Harbor at Historic Brewers’ Park expected to open in the spring of 2009:

Videos courtesy Marriott International, Inc. 

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Getting a paper recycling program off the ground

One of the most common and effective green initiatives to implement in a workplace is to start a paper-recycling program. However, starting such a program may be more challenging than initially thought and hang-ups and frustrations may cause one to give up all together. Valerie Androutsopoulos, principal of Vangel Paper Inc., discussed challenges in starting a recycling program in an office and gave tips on how to get one off the ground.

Androutsopoulos said first determine if a recycling program is already in place at your workplace. If not, indicate your interest in starting a recycling program to your property manager.

Next, research recycling companies and contact them. Androutsopoulos said Vangel Paper would then work with their clients to determine if the business generates enough material for pick-up.

“The biggest challenges in starting these types of programs comes from small businesses that do not generate enough recyclable material for pick-up service,” she said. She added that multi-tenant buildings also present challenges if all of the tenants are not on board.

“If you do not generate enough material or if you are in a multi-tenant building, we will work with you to identify other options for recycling,” she said. Androutsopoulos said the company would work with the property manager to get a recycling program started in a multi-tenant building if there is sufficient interest and recyclable material generated.

After the logistics of the recycling program are established, distribute information about the program to raise awareness and educate employees about what materials can begin to be collected. Androutsopoulos said certain materials should be kept out of recycling containers to prevent the attraction of rodents, damage to equipment, and materials that cannot be broken down in the recycling process. These items include food containers, specialty papers (carbon paper, photographs, blueprints, and thermal fax paper), self-adhesive labels, and miscellaneous office materials.

After the material is collected it is the responsibility of the cleaning service to gather the recycling material and take it to the loading dock where the recycling company will pick it up on a previously decided schedule.

For more information about the recycling process or starting a paper-recycling program in your office visit http://www.vangelpaper.com.

The Green Idea

‘The Green Idea’ will be a recurring segment on the Green Business Blog providing you insights and tips from industry experts and Chamber members on how to make your workspace more eco-friendly. Check back often for updates. Have an idea or questions you’d like addressed in this segment? E-mail .

Monday, October 27, 2008

Keeping the brick industry in Maryland

Redland Brick, which has four brick plants, including one in Williamsport, Md. and one in Thurmont, Md., has been manufacturing bricks for 146 years. According to Barry Miller, Redland Brick’s Environmental and Safety Manager, brick is one of the greenest building materials available because of its durability and the energy efficiency.

The brick industry is one of the industries that was threatened by last year’s global warming legislation (SB 309/HB 712 from 2008). This legislation would have mandated a 25 percent reduction in Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2020 and set a goal of a 90 percent reduction in GHG from 2006 levels by 2050. The Maryland Chamber worked with other interested business and labor organizations to defeat the legislation. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a national and global issue. State-specific action could have placed Maryland businesses at a competitive disadvantage.

Click play below to listen to an interview with Miller. Here he discuses brick’s green qualities, how last year’s legislation would have impacted his company and Redland Brick’s efforts to keep the brick industry in Maryland.

Also, here is a photo slideshow from Redland Brick’s Rocky Ridge Brick Plant in Thurmont, Md.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

McCormick & Company signs agreement for solar power use

McCormick & Company, Incorporated announced it will be adopting solar power as an energy source to its spice mill and distribution center in Hunt Valley.
The electricity will be generated from a one-megawatt solar power system being constructed by Constellation Energy’s Projects & Services Group. Once fully completed, is expected to generate approximately 1000 kilowatts of electricity, a press release from the company stated.

“This solar power system is another tangible sign of our commitment to sustainability,” stated Alan Wilson, McCormick’s President & CEO. “The project will allow us to both reduce our energy costs while providing renewable energy to Maryland electricity customers. It is a win-win for the environment and our company. More than ever, businesses must be mindful of community impact. At McCormick we consider it a core value.”

The mill, which is the company’s largest mill and grinding facility, will reduce its emissions by almost 1,000 metric tons annually and reduce McCormick’s electricity costs for the facility by about 30 percent, according to the release. To learn more, click here.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Welcome to the Maryland Chamber’s Green Business Blog

Welcome to the Maryland Chamber’s Green Business Blog.

We’re excited to launch a new blog dedicated to discussing environmentally friendly business practices, environmental legislation affecting Maryland businesses, and tips on how to “go green.”

Our goal for this blog is to provide you with the latest news about the Chamber and its members and their work concerning the environment. Earlier this year, we surveyed our members about their energy and environmental conservation efforts. The result was an impressive and creative list of green practices and initiatives being undertaken by member companies.

We will take a closer look at these initiatives, talk to the people who put the practices in place, and learn about the advantages and challenges associated with them. We’ll ask experts within our membership for tips and best practices that will help you make your workplace more environmentally conscious. 

Please check back often for news, photos, podcasts, and video updates. Also, we encourage you to discuss issues, suggest improvements, and share your stories with us. Join the discussion by leaving a comment. Tell us about the green initiatives at your company by emailing me at .

Thank you for reading.