Page 6 - Green Builder Sept-Oct 2016

Green Building NEWS

The latest on sustainability and renewable energy

Green Seal

Releases Green

Insulation Standard

GS-54 provides guidance on marketing Route 66 Goes Green

Gand identifying green insulation products.REEN SEAL RECENTLY released its new Developments in alternative energy are
Architectural Insulation Standard (GS-
54), which aims to make it easier for being installed along the iconic roadway.
the market to identify green insulation
products. GS-54 is the only up-to-date Route 66 is becoming “greener,” thanks to the installation of solar
insulation standard developed specifically panels, electric buses and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along
for the U.S. market. Its criteria cover the road. For example, the Missouri Department of Transportation
significant impacts across the life-cycle stages of several types will soon install test versions of Solar Roadways’ solar road tiles at
of insulation. It also provides a clear and specific guideline for a welcome center in Conway.
product design.
The standard covers various types of products, including According to engadget, each tile combines a solar cell with LED
blankets, boards, blown-in, foams, and reflective insulation. It lighting, a heating element and tempered glass. The tiles—which can
provides criteria for materials such as fiberglass, mineral wool, support the weight of a semi-truck trailer—will light the road and
polyurethanes, polystyrenes, cellulose, fabrics and others that keep it free from rain and snow. They also will feed the electrical grid.
provide thermal resistance.
In addition, Illinois constructed a network of EV charging stations
For more information, visit www.greenseal.org/gs54. in eight cities last year.

White House Extends NEPA to
Include Climate Change
The guidance extends the National Environmental Policy
Federal agencies must consider new Act (NEPA), which requires agencies to consider the potential
impacts of construction projects on the environment. Under the
construction projects’ potential new guidance, agencies will have to consider projects’ impacts on
climate change, specifically. If a project is found to have a negative
impacts on climate change. potential impact, the agency on climate change, the agency must
find a way to mitigate the problem.
Federal agencies are now required to consider the potential impacts
of construction projects on climate change, thanks to a final guidance Though many groups praise the new guidance, some criticize
from the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). that it could make an already long environmental review process
longer, according to Engineering News-Record.

4 GREEN BUILDER September/October 2016 www.greenbuildermedia.com