Relevant

Certifications for "green"-related activities are growing quickly.  Here is a summary of certifications as of June 2009.

Home Energy Conservation

Building Performance Institute Inc. at http://www.bpi.org has standards for home performance contracting

Residential Energy Services Network or RESNETat http://www.natresnet.org has the goals of ensuring the success of the building energy performance certification industry, set the standards of quality, and increase the opportunity for ownership of high performance buildings.

Keystone HELP Home Energy Loan Program at http://www.keystonehelp.com provides PA HOME PERFORMANCE 101 - The House as a System.  Pennsylvania's new energy conservation and energy efficiency legislation will provide plenty of opportunities for home performance businesses and contractors. PA Home Performance 101 provides a one-day introduction to home performance concepts and related programs / incentives for current and prospective Keystone HELP contractors and remodelers. Unless you are BPI or RESNET certified this training is required for all Keystone HELP Approved Contractors who wish to attain the status of "Trained Contractor" and be able to perform work under the Keystone HELP Whole House Improvement Loan Program for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR.  There are three levels to the Keystone Help program:

• Approved Contractors have been reviewed for financial and ethical stability and are currently authorized to perform work under all rebate and loan programs except the "Whole House Improvement Loan" programs.
• Trained Contractors are Approved Contractors who are not BPI (Building Performance Institute) certified or accredited but have undergone additional training on building science and "Whole House" energy improvements (including RESNET certification or satisfactory completion of the Keystone HELP sponsored "Home Performance 101" course), and are currently authorized to perform work under all rebate and loan programs. If they are performing work under the "Whole House Improvement Loan" program, they must be working under a Certified Auditor who provides on-site oversight of their work.
• Certified Contractors are Approved Contractors who have achieved BPI (Building Performance Institute) certification or accreditation. BPI is the nationally recognized designation for building and energy professionals who have undergone rigorous training on "Whole House" energy improvements. Certified Contractors are authorized to perform work under all rebate and loan programs.
  Other notable energy organizations in PA (sited because they both have lists of approved contractors)

Affordable Comfort Inc (ACI) at www.affordablecomfort.org.  ACI has formed the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA) (click on ACI Initiatives, then click on KEEA) for relevant documents.  ACI's mission is to advance the performance of residential buildings through unbiased education. ACI was founded more than 20 years ago in Pittsburgh PA to focus diligent attention to building science, testing and diagnostics, this systems approach has evolved into the field of home (building) performance, the foundation for creating sustainable, green communities. Everyone, including the residents, has a role in making a home perform as it should.  For a handout on Selecting an Energy Contractor from KEEA, click here.

Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) at http://www.ecasavesenergy.org/index.html

Home Performance with Energy Star at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_hpwes

Residential Green Building

National Association of Home Builders at http://www.nahbgreen.org. The Certified Green Professional designation is another way building professionals can become educated in, and involved with green building. The designation requires 24 hours of NAHB-approved training, and additional continuing education every two years. Subjects covered in training discuss how green homes provide buyers with lower energy costs and higher value, and will include strategies for incorporating green-building principles into homes without driving up the cost of construction. The designation curriculum requires completion of the Green Building for Building Professionals two-day course and either the Business Management for Building Professionals one-day course or having another current NAHB professional designation.

Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. at http://www.greenconstructionatwork.com.  Your Role in the Green Environment is a national green jobs training curriculum for construction industry craft professionals provides fundamental instruction in the green environment, green construction practices and green building rating systems. Utilized by many ABC chapters, this 15-hour introductory course introduces the LEED Green Building Rating System^TM, helps identify construction activities that contribute to a project's LEED rating, and addresses common construction pitfalls to avoid in achieving LEED certification. The curriculum also is endorsed by Green Advantage® and recognized as beneficial to students and practitioners planning to take the Green Advantage Commercial/Residential certification exam.  ABC works closely with its educational affiliate, the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) , in the development, revision and publication of Contren® Learning Series training manuals and interactive CD-ROM.

Green Advantage at http://www.greenadvantage.org.  Green Certification available for Building-Related Practitioners.  Today's environmentally conscious client prefers structures that are energy and water efficient, durable and disaster resistant, healthier and environmentally friendly. Green Advantage® certifies your knowledge of the latest in "green" building practices, technologies and techniques. Get trained & certified today. Certified practitioners are included in our Online Directory.

Commercial Green Building

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the US Green Building Council at http://www.usgbc.org. The LEED Professional Accreditation program is now managed by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED Professional Accreditation distinguishes building professionals with the knowledge and skills to successfully steward the LEED certification process. LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and the LEED Rating System. More than 75,000 people have earned the credential since the Professional Accreditation program was launched in 2001.

Green Product Certification

Green Seal works with manufacturers, industry sectors, purchasing groups, and governments at all levels to "green" the production and purchasing chain. We utilize a life-cycle approach, which means we evaluate a product or service beginning with material extraction, continuing with manufacturing and use, and ending with recycling and disposal. Products only become Green Seal certified after rigorous testing and evaluation, including on-site plant visits. Green Seal's specific programs include Construction Materials, Equipment and Systems; Facility Operations, Maintenance and Services; Food and Food Service; Home Products and Services; Office Products and Communications; Personal Care and Consumer Packaged Goods; and Transportation and Utilities. Click here for more information.

Locally, The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry is the sponsor of the Green Seal program.  Contact Marita Skacel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.