Ozone Transport Commission Rules

The Ozone Transport Commission (OTC), a multi-state organization created under the Clean Air Act and responsible for advising the EPA, announced that New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Connecticut have implemented new Adhesives and Sealants Rules. These rules regulate Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from adhesives, sealants, and primers that are sold, used or applied in OTC states. Click here to learn more about the rules and how they will affect products used by companies in the woodworking industry, or visit http://www.otcair.org/

LEED 2009 to Include Credits for Regional Environmental Priorities

The US Green Building Council has released the LEED regional credits as part of LEED 2009, the new version of the LEED Green Building Rating System. These LEED credits encourage that specific regional environmental priorities be addressed when it comes to the design, construction and operations of buildings in different geographic locations.

Credits addressing six specific environmental issues within a region were identified from among the existing LEED credits. In LEED 2009, LEED projects will be able to earn "bonus points" for implementing green building strategies that address the important environmental issues facing their region. A project can be awarded as many as four extra points, one point each for achieving up to four of the six priority credits.

Source: Residential Design & Build Magazine - April 2009

LEED for Homes Program Extends Sustainable Design Into the Residential Sector

With the latest program, LEED for Homes, residential projects can now receive the LEED stamp of approval. From energy conservation to a safer living environment, LEED for Homes goes above the required standards set by local and state codes. The goal is to create a home using integrated design that is healthy, comfortable, durable, energy efficient and environmentally responsible.

Secondary wood products like cabinets and millwork fall under MR 2: Environmentally Preferable Products. Any wood that is used needs to be FSC-certified lumber, unless it is reused or reclaimed material. Wood also has to have been harvested within 500 miles of the jobsite, and the cabinetry or millwork being produced for the house must also be produced within 500 miles.

LEED will accept the end user as the cabinet manufacturer, so the cabinets will be given credit as being FSC certified. To be FSC certified, 90% of the cabinet must be made of FSC certified material. Hardware is an example of the 10% that does not need to be locally manufactured and FSC certified. Other materials woodworkers need to be concerned about glues, solvents, stains, paints, and varnishes. All must have low VOCs.  When using materials such as MDF, it is necessary to use formaldehyde-free products.

Source: Wooddigest.com - January 2009

US Green Building Council Modifies Documentation Requirements for Credit Pertaining To FSC-Certified Wood

The US Green Building Council's Materials and Resources Technical Advisory Group (MR TAG) recently adopted a number of noteworthy revisions to the way in which the use of FSC certified wood in LEED projects is calculated and documented. These changes will apply to all LEED rating systems, both commercial (e.g. LEED for New Construction and LEED for Commercial Interiors) as well as residential (LEED for Homes). The changes are expected to be posted to the USGBC website in the near future.

The new LEED requirements focus on "vendor" invoices for proof of FSC certification rather than on-product labels or copies of Chain of Custody (COC) certificates. A "vendor" is defined as a company that supplies FSC-certified products to LEED project contractors or subcontractors, but does not itself install the products. The new requirements make clear that, in order for the purchase of FSC certified wood products to count toward earning LEED credit, each "vendor" must hold a valid COC certificate and accurately identify FSC-certified products on their invoices to project contractors and subcontractors.

Source: The Forest Stewardship Council (http://www.fscus.org/) - January 2009

National Green Building Standard Approved by ANSI

The National Green Building Standard (ICC 700-2008) for all residential construction work including single-family homes, apartments and condos, land development and remodeling and renovation has been approved by the American National Standards Institute. The National Green Building Standard is the first green building rating system to be approved by making it the benchmark for green homes. The standard defines what green practices can be incorporated into residential development and construction on a national scale and how homeowners can operate and maintain their green homes.

Source: The National Association of Home Builders (http://www.nahb.org/) - January 2009