To stay abreast of the latest emerging Green technologies, products and techniques, we have recognized the importance of strategic alliances with key agencies and research groups. As active members in a variety of Green Building organizations, such as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and recipient of various awards, including the California Integrated Waste Management Board's WRAP awards and the American Concrete Institute's Construction Category award, we have earned the reputation as a leader in Green Building. Here are some of the groups in which we actively participate:

United States Green Building Council (USGBC) www.usgbc.org
This is a national non-profit organization formed in 1993 to accelerate the adoption of Green Building practices, technologies, policies, and standards with market-based solutions. The USGBC includes contractors, product manufacturers, design professionals, building owners, and has close alliances with many key federal agencies, including the U.S. DOE, EPA, NIST, and GSA. Members have access to a clearinghouse of the best Green Building-related information currently available on emerging trends, policies and products.

As a means of quantifying and evaluating the implementation of Green Building practices, the USGBC developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, known as LEED V2.0. In 2002, the USGBC rolled out their LEED-EB rating system LEED for existing buildings. Swinerton achieved Gold LEED-EB Certification in the pilot program for the renovation of our new Corporate and Regional Headquarters at 260 Townsend Street in San Francisco.

Center for Integrated Facility Engineering (CIFE)
www.stanford.edu/group/cife
CIFE is a Stanford University organization that develops and tests methodologies and work processes to leverage advanced information technologies, with one goal being the improvement of Facility Management and increased worker productivity.

Center for the Built Environment (CBE) www.cbe.berkeley.edu
The CBE at the University of California Berkeley provides timely, unbiased information on promising new building technologies and design techniques including underfloor air distribution systems, task/ambient lighting, operable windows, and worker productivity studies in Green v. non-Green environments.

Partnership for Achieving Construction Excellence (PACE) Roundtable
www.engr.psu.edu/pace
This Pennsylvania State University organization facilitates the development and sharing of research and knowledge between construction industry leaders and the academic community. At the PACE Roundtable each November, findings from the past year's research are presented, with interaction from the member Contractors, Owners, Designers and Construction Managers.

Friends of the Earth International (FOEI) www.foei.org
This organization, with members from France, Sweden, England and the United States works to protect the environment and create sustainable societies. In 1998, FOEI, in association with the Global News, acknowledged Swinerton Builders "as an environmentally responsible company that actively supports the preservation and protection of our planet."

California Integrated Waste Management Board (WRAP) Awards
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/wrap
The Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) is an annual program established in 1993 by the California Integrated Waste Management Board, which recognizes California businesses that have made outstanding efforts to reduce non-hazardous waste and send less garbage to our landfills. Swinerton Builders is a consistent winner of the WRAP Award, being awarded this honor in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003. In 1999, Swinerton Builders received the additional designation of "WRAP Winner of the Year" - a designation reserved for the top 10 awardees.