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SURVIVALLIST AND NATIONAL BEST-SELLING AUTHOR HOPES TO MAKE NORTHEAST OHIO A LITTLE GREENER
— Aron Ralston Hosts May 15 Event for the Northeast Ohio Green Building Initiative™ —

CLEVELAND (May 15, 2007) — Aron Ralston's miraculous story of perseverance has touched and inspired people around the world, and now he hopes to inspire the people of Northeast Ohio to build green. Ralston is best known for the saga of his six-day-long entrapment by an 800-pound boulder in Blue John Canyon that ended in him amputating his right hand and forearm with a blunted multi-tool, rappelling a 65-foot high cliff, and then hiking seven miles.

A passionate advocate for environmental issues, Ralston has traveled the globe telling his inspiring story. On May 15, Ralston will use that passion to bring awareness to Northeast Ohio's blossoming green building program.

"When most people think about progressive green building programs, they think of west coast cities like San Francisco or Seattle," said Rocco Fana, Jr., executive officer of the North Coast Building Industry Association. "We hope that Aron's visit to the Cleveland area will show people that Northeast Ohio has its own program that makes green homes a reality for mainstream homeowners."

The event will occur at Windows on the River in downtown Cleveland.

BENEFITS OF GREEN HOMES
While green is at the core of green building, the construction trend offers many advantages beyond improved environmental performance. Owners of green homes reap various benefits, including utility savings, improved indoor air quality and less overall maintenance.

"Because a typical 2,000 square foot home generates four tons of waste material during construction, the practice of green building aims to use renewable resources and to recycle excess job-site materials whenever possible," said Fana.

THE GUIDELINES
The Northeast Ohio Green Building Initiative uses a localized version of the NAHB's Model Green Home Building Guidelines, which were developed by a stakeholder group of nearly 60 builders, environmentalists, government agencies and product manufacturers. A committee of dedicated builders and remodelers reviewed and modified the guidelines and corresponding check list to ensure they were practical and applicable to Northeast Ohio's climate.

Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to green building, the Northeast Ohio Green Building Initiative guidelines are based on fundamental green building principles including:

Minimize Solar Heat Gain

• Position the structure so the longest walls and most of the windows face north and south
• Position infrequently used rooms, such as storage spaces and service areas, on the west side to act as buffers from the sun

Maximize Natural Light and Ventilation

• Ensure that most rooms have windows on two walls
• Position windows for cross ventilation

Create a Cool Shell

• Consider light colored surfaces for walls and roofing
• Choose metal, concrete or wood roofing, which absorb less heat than asphalt shingles

Ensure Efficient Heating and Cooling

• Install a programmable thermostat
• Install ceiling fans in major rooms

Use Efficient Appliances and Lights

• Use Energy Star rated appliances
• Install task lighting to reduce the need to light whole rooms

Choose "Green" Materials

• Consider renewable and sustainable lumber for framing, doors and flooring
• Consider materials with recycled content (i.e. fly ash, slag, carpet, insulation, siding, roofing, flooring, counter tops, outdoor decking)
• Use non-chemical, bio-based cleaning products

For more information on the Northeast Ohio Green Building Initiative or the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines, visit www.neogbi.org or call Nate Coffman at the HBA of Greater Cleveland 216-447-8700 or Rocco Fana, Jr. at the North Coast BIA 440-934-1090.

ABOUT THE HBA OF GREATER CLEVELAND AND NORTH COAST BIA: The HBA of Greater Cleveland and North Coast BIA are not-for profit trade associations representing over 1,300 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction.