January 8, 2008
by: Murrye Bernard Assoc. AIA LEED AP

In this issue:
· License Renewal Available Online
· President Bush Signs Landmark Energy Bill
· Governor Spitzer Creates Smart Growth Cabinet
· Marshall E. Purnell, FAIA, Takes Over as 2008 AIA President
· AIANY Policy Update: Zoning
· AIA Small Firms Resource Center


License Renewal Available Online
The NYS Education Department’s Office of the Professions now offers online registration for license renewal. In order to register, an individual must be licensed and have a current registration that expires on or after 12.31.07. He or she will receive the renewal notification and PIN in the mail, and be able to use a valid Visa or MasterCard to pay the fees (no additional charge will be added for this convenience).


President Bush Signs Landmark Energy Bill
President Bush signed into law historic energy legislation intended to shape U.S. energy policy for decades to come. The law seeks to dramatically reduce U.S. energy consumption over the next 25 years by applying the AIA’s 2030 carbon-reducing targets to federal buildings, increasing fuel efficiency standards for automobiles, and establishing new energy efficiency standards for appliances. The new law includes numerous provisions advocated by the AIA to promote sustainable design in the built environment.

Nearly two years after the AIA Board of Directors approved a policy position setting incremental energy reduction targets for all buildings, Congress included these goals for federal buildings in the bill. Under the new law, all new and significantly renovated federal buildings are required to be carbon-neutral by 2030, dramatically reducing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by government buildings.

The law also lets the Department of Energy build a photovoltaic wall on its Washington, DC headquarters, provides grants for schools to improve the environmental quality of their facilities, and creates new opportunities for small businesses to pursue or expand sustainable design services. For a complete description of the AIA’s provisions in the energy law, please see the fact sheet on AIA Priorities in the Energy Law.


Governor Spitzer Creates Smart Growth Cabinet
Governor Eliot Spitzer has signed an Executive Order creating a Smart Growth Cabinet. The cabinet will review state agency spending and policies to determine how best to discourage sprawl and promote smart land-use practices. It will coordinate cross-agency activities and develop smart growth policies that cater to NY’s unique regional needs. The cabinet will consist of high-level policy-makers from various state agencies that have an impact on growth and development, including staff from the Empire State Development Corporation, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Transportation, Department of State, and Department of Housing and Community Renewal. The Smart Growth Cabinet is to consult with local government officials, community groups, architects, planners, engineers, developers, builders, environmentalists, preservationists, and bankers.


Marshall E. Purnell, FAIA, Takes Over as 2008 AIA President
Marshall E. Purnell, FAIA, principal at Devrouax+Purnell Architects and Planners in Washington, DC, becomes the 84th president of the AIA. He succeeds RK Stewart, FAIA, and will represent the more than 83,000 AIA members in the coming year. As the first African-American AIA president, Purnell’s agenda focuses on fostering alliances, sustainability, and diversity within the profession. His inaugural speech highlighted the need for collaboration among design professionals, developers, and politicians to best address urban sprawl, deteriorating schools, affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, and public health, safety, and welfare. He also called on professional organizations, community leaders, and product manufacturers to work together toward common causes.


Policy Update: Zoning
By Laura Manville, AIANY Policy Coordinator

AIANY members have been meeting with community boards citywide to boost public understanding of the proposed amendments to the Zoning Resolution. There are 59 community boards eager for discussion on complex and technical architectural issues, including long-term community planning, the ULURP process for land-use issues, and assessing and reporting on community budget needs.

The next round of applications for City Community Boards is now open for Fall 2008 membership. To apply, or for more information, contact your Borough President’s Office and the office of your local City Councilmember online.


AIA Small Firms Resource Center
At the Small Firms Resource Center, regularly updated podcasts, blogs, event calendars, news, and resources specific to smaller firms are available. There are profiles of award-winning small projects, best practices, and links to resources outside the AIA — the IRS, Chambers of Commerce, other small-company resource centers. The site has four main sections: practice, design, leadership, and building performance. If you visit the website and submit feedback, you’ll be entered in a drawing on 01.21.08 for a free iPod Touch.

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