U.S. healthcare system’s GHG emissions rise 30% in past decade

Researchers say greenhouse gas emissions from the healthcare sector grew 30% over the past decade, and accounted for 9.8% of the national total in 2013.

If the U.S. healthcare system were a country, it would rank 13th in the world for GHG emissions, according to a study published recently in PLOS ONE, one place behind the United Kingdom. The studied included previously unreported environmental and public health impacts of the nation’s healthcare sector.

The researchers’ economic model was based on federal data to calculate total emissions of different pollutants produced by the healthcare sector over 10 years. They analyzed direct emissions from hospitals and clinician’s offices, as well as indirect emissions generated by the suppliers of energy, goods, and services.

The research team also reported significant national percentages of other environmental impacts from the healthcare sector, including acidification (12%), smog formation (10%), and respiratory disease from particulate matter (9%).

The new elements of the facility now include: efficient lighting with day-lighting controls and occupancy sensors, a high-efficiency HVAC system used in conjunction with a newly constructed thermal envelope to help reduce energy consumption, and the installation of low-flow fixtures to reduce water consumption.

The building is 27% more energy efficient than similar buildings, uses 21% less

| Feb 22, 2012

Siemens earns LEED certification for Maryland office

The Beltsville facility, which also earned the ENERGY STAR Label for energy performance, implemented a range of energy efficiency, water conservation and sustainable operations measures as part of the certification process.

| Feb 22, 2012

Suffolk awarded Boston post office renovation project

Renovation of art deco landmark will add 21,000 square feet of retail and 110 new parking spaces.

| Feb 20, 2012

Comment period for update to USGBC's LEED Green Building Program now open

This third draft of LEED has been refined to address technical stringency and rigor, measurement and performance tools, and an enhanced user experience.

Four types of sustainable roofing systems from Tremco Roofing and Building Maint

| Feb 17, 2012

Tremco Inc. headquarters achieves LEED Gold certification

Changes were so extensive that the certification is for new construction and not for renovation; officially, the building is LEED-NC.

| Feb 15, 2012

Code allowance offers retailers and commercial building owners increased energy savings and reduced construction costs

Specifying air curtains as energy-saving, cost-cutting alternatives to vestibules in 3,000-square-foot buildings and larger has been a recent trend among consulting engineers and architects.